Bingo Game System with Discounted Extra Number Purchases
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bingo game systems face challenges in providing large progressive awards and dynamically adjusting paytable percentages without compromising player satisfaction, as current methods can be easily noticed by players and lead to dissatisfaction.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that allows for the awarding of a free extra bingo number after the main ball drop, with adjustable probability based on desired paytable percentages, and enabling players to purchase additional bingo numbers at a discounted rate, while maintaining the same winning patterns and payouts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the paytable percentage is dynamically adjusted to provide large progressive awards, then the revenue streams and player payouts are improved, but the player satisfaction deteriorates as players notice the changes and become dissatisfied
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-determines a schedule of paytable percentages before the bingo game occurs. This preliminary action allows the system to plan progressive award structures in advance, ensuring that large awards are funded through predetermined paytable adjustments rather than dynamic changes during gameplay, thereby maintaining player satisfaction while enabling large progressive payouts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects from multiple predetermined paytable percentages based on the desired progressive award size. This dynamic selection capability allows the system to adjust the progressive award structure in response to player participation and funding levels, enabling large awards to be offered when appropriate while maintaining player satisfaction through transparent, pre-established rules.
2Adaptability or versatility
If extra bingo numbers are offered to increase payout opportunities, then player engagement is enhanced, but the game complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the bingo number delivery into distinct phases: predetermined numbers drawn during the main ball drop, and optional extra numbers that players may purchase afterward. This segmentation allows the core game mechanics to remain simple and familiar, while providing flexibility for additional payout opportunities through optional extra number purchases.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism where players can choose to purchase extra bingo numbers at a discounted rate after the main ball drop. This intermediary option provides payout flexibility without altering the fundamental bingo gameplay, allowing engaged players to potentially increase their winnings while maintaining the simplicity of the core game for all players.
3Productivity
If discounted rates for additional bingo numbers are provided, then player engagement increases, but the revenue management becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes predetermined discounted rates for extra bingo numbers before the game begins. This preliminary pricing strategy simplifies revenue management by removing the need for complex real-time pricing calculations, while still providing attractive discounted rates that encourage player engagement and additional number purchases.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pricing parameter for extra bingo numbers by offering discounted rates compared to the original purchase price. This parameter change incentivizes players to purchase additional numbers after the main ball drop, increasing engagement and potential winnings, while the predetermined nature of the discount simplifies the pricing structure and revenue management.
Data Source
AI summary
After the main ball drop of a bingo game, a player may be given a free extra bingo number. A probability of awarding a free ball may be determined, at least in part, according to a desired paytable percentage for the bingo game. In some implementations providing multi-card bingo games, a player is required to hit a predetermined pattern on more than one bingo card in order to obtain a progressive award. The number of hits in the pattern(s) and/or the number of bingo cards involved may be determined according to a desired progressive award size and/or a desired probability of obtaining the progressive award. Players may have an opportunity to purchase an additional bingo number or a block of a plurality of additional bingo numbers after the main ball drop. The block may be offered at a discount compared to the price of an individual additional bingo number.