Gaming Machine Catalyst Modifiers for Yield and Randomness Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gaming apparatus struggle to balance yield versus randomness and volatility to create a feeling of luck, while also improving processing speed and efficiency, and providing new animations to enhance player engagement.
Innovation Solution
A gaming machine and method that utilize game-logic circuitry and a presentation assembly to present symbol-bearing reels with base and value-bearing symbols, including a catalyst symbol, where the modifier is activated by the catalyst symbol to modify awards based on landed symbols, enhancing player engagement and processing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the game offers high randomness and volatility to create a feeling of luck, then player engagement is improved, but the yield (return on investment) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic modifier feature that changes game parameters in real-time based on catalyst symbol landings. The modifier can adjust reel volatility, symbol weights, or award multipliers dynamically during play sessions, allowing the game to adapt between high volatility (for player excitement) and controlled yield (for operational sustainability) without fixed constraints
2Adaptability or versatility
If the game includes multiple game features with different formats and advanced graphics, then player engagement is improved, but processing speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the game into distinct feature modules (base game, bonus games, modifier features, catalyst mechanisms) that can be independently processed and activated. This modular architecture allows the system to load and execute only the necessary feature sets for each game state, reducing overall processing overhead while maintaining feature richness
3Adaptability or versatility
If the game provides multiple random outcome determinations per feature, then player engagement is improved, but processing efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary random outcome determinations during game setup and configuration phases, pre-calculating and storing outcome probabilities, symbol distributions, and award structures. During actual gameplay, the system retrieves and applies these pre-determined parameters rather than performing full random determination calculations, significantly improving processing efficiency while maintaining outcome variety
Data Source
AI summary
There are provided a gaming machine and method that utilize game-logic circuitry and a graphical user interface configured to present a plurality of symbol-bearing reels, an array and a modifier. The symbols include base symbols, value-bearing symbols and at least one catalyst symbol. The value-bearing symbols may bear credit amounts or be associated with a progressive or non-progressive jackpot. The reels are animated to spin and land symbols from the reels in the array. Winning combinations of the base symbols are paid according to a paytable. If the landed symbols include a catalyst symbol but no value-bearing symbols, the modifier is changed. If the landed symbols include value-bearing symbols and a catalyst symbol, an award based on values borne by the landed value-bearing symbols is modified by the modifier and presented. The modifier is then set to a reset value.