Bonus Game Controller Networked Prize Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In gaming systems, there is little interest in bonus games among players not directly involved, as the current bonus game arrangements do not effectively engage all players, leading to reduced participation and incentive.
Innovation Solution
A bonus game controller that implements a first bonus game and allocates a prize based on the outcome of the first game and subsequent games within a qualification period, encouraging all players to generate bonus trigger signals and increasing their chances of higher prizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a bonus game controller with a large screen is used to display bonus games to all players, then the bonus game can be viewed by all players, but player interest and engagement in the bonus game remains low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges individual bonus game outcomes with a cumulative progressive prize pool that all players can share. When any player triggers a bonus game, the outcome contributes to a shared prize that benefits all players in the network, transforming isolated individual events into a collective rewarding experience that maintains player interest across the entire system
Solution Approach 2:
The bonus game controller serves multiple functions: it displays individual bonus game outcomes to the triggering player, communicates prize allocations to all players through the network, and accumulates progressive prizes that benefit the entire player base. This multi-functionality ensures all players remain engaged regardless of whether they directly trigger a bonus game
2Device complexity
If bonus prizes are allocated only to the player who triggers the bonus game, then the bonus game implementation is simple, but other players have little incentive to participate
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by allocating a portion of bonus game prizes to the triggering player and distributing remaining prizes to other players based on their participation or ranking. This feedback mechanism ensures that all players benefit from bonus games triggered by others, creating ongoing incentive for participation while maintaining manageable controller complexity through automated prize distribution algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The bonus game controller pre-establishes prize allocation rules and criteria before bonus games are triggered. These predetermined rules automatically determine how prizes are distributed among players, eliminating the need for complex real-time decision-making during bonus game events and reducing controller complexity while ensuring fair and engaging prize distribution
3Adaptability or versatility
If all players are made involved in bonus game outcomes, then player engagement increases, but the bonus game allocation system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The prize allocation system is segmented into distinct components: a portion allocated to the triggering player for immediate recognition, and separate portions allocated to other players based on predetermined criteria such as participation level or ranking. This segmentation simplifies the overall allocation logic by breaking down complex distribution decisions into manageable, rule-based segments that can be automatically executed
Data Source
AI summary
A bonus game controller is disclosed for use with a plurality of gaming machines in networked relationship with the bonus game controller. The bonus game controller comprises a trigger determiner arranged to determine whether a bonus trigger signal has occurred at a gaming device. The bonus game controller is arranged to implement a first bonus game when a bonus trigger signal occurs at a gaming device, and also comprises a bonus prize allocator arranged to allocate a bonus prize to the gaming device based on an outcome of the first bonus game and based on one or more respective outcomes of at least one other subsequent bonus game implemented within a qualification period. A gaming system including a plurality of gaming devices and a game controller is also disclosed. A corresponding method is also disclosed.