Dynamic Bonus Modifier for Gaming Machine Wheel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gaming machines face challenges in providing innovative and varied wheel-type game features that maintain player interest while adhering to regulatory requirements, which often result in overly complex game layouts that diminish intuitive appeal and visual appeal due to limitations in displaying a wide range of bonuses and prize outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic bonus modifier system integrated into gaming machines, where the value of the modifier is adjusted in relation to parameters of a motion indicator, such as a wheel, to determine bonus outcomes, allowing for a range of bonus values to be displayed and awarded, enhancing player engagement and game variety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a wheel-type game feature displays a limited or fixed number of prize outcomes due to geometric constraints, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability or versatility of bonus outcomes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic bonus modifier that changes during wheel rotation based on motion parameters such as angular position, rotation speed, or number of revolutions. This dynamic modification allows the bonus outcomes to vary continuously rather than being fixed to static wheel segments, thereby increasing adaptability without requiring additional physical display elements or complex game layouts
Solution Approach 2:
The bonus modifier is adjusted by changing parameters related to the wheel's motion - such as angular position, rotational velocity, or number of complete revolutions. By linking bonus values to motion parameters rather than fixed spatial positions, the system expands the range of possible bonus outcomes while maintaining a simple geometric wheel structure
2Reliability
If regulatory requirements mandate display of expected odds for wheel-type features, then reliability or compliance is improved, but the ease of operation and intuitive appeal deteriorate due to overly complicated game layouts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the odds display function from the wheel geometry itself. Expected odds and bonus modifiers are displayed independently on the display screen rather than being embedded in the wheel's physical structure. This extraction allows regulatory compliance information to be presented clearly without complicating the visual simplicity and intuitive appeal of the wheel interface
Solution Approach 2:
The display screen acts as an intermediary between the wheel mechanism and the player. It presents regulatory compliance information (expected odds) and dynamic bonus modifiers separately from the wheel's visual display, allowing the wheel to maintain its intuitive geometric appeal while all required information is conveyed through the intermediary display interface
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed a game feature forming part of a gaming machine apparatus (10). The game feature (42) is configured to award a bonus outcome that is determined on the basis of a dynamic bonus modifier (44). The game feature (42) additionally includes a motion indicator (65) associated with the dynamic bonus modifier (44), and during play a value of said dynamic award modifier is adjusted in relation to at least one parameter of a movement of the motion indicator (65). The bonus modifier (44) may be adjusted in concert with, or in response to, the parameter.