Dynamic Bonus Symbol Positioning in Gaming Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gaming systems lack variety and player engagement, as they often rely on persistent wild symbols that do not provide sufficient control over player returns and do not offer diverse winning opportunities.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where a bonus symbol set is designated for a game round, allowing for dynamic placement and movement of a bonus symbol position, selected independently from a base symbol set, to create varied and engaging gameplay experiences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a wild symbol persists for subsequent games, then player enjoyment is provided, but player engagement and variety are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the bonus symbol position movable rather than static. The bonus symbol can move to different positions on subsequent spins, creating dynamic gameplay variations. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining the persistent benefit (improving player enjoyment) while adding positional variability (improving player engagement and variety).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the symbol set into two distinct categories: base symbol set and bonus symbol set. The bonus symbol set contains symbols with enhanced properties (such as wild symbols or high-value symbols) that are selectively applied to specific positions. This segmentation allows the system to provide persistent benefits while creating variety through different bonus symbol configurations, thereby improving both player enjoyment and engagement.
2Ease of operation
If a wild symbol persists for subsequent games, then some player benefit is provided, but control over player returns is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designating specific symbol display positions to receive bonus symbols from the bonus symbol set, while other positions receive symbols from the base symbol set. This localized application of enhanced symbols provides player benefits at specific positions while allowing the system to control the overall return through selective position designation and bonus symbol selection, thereby resolving the contradiction between providing benefit and maintaining control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If symbols are selected independently from base symbol set, then symbol selection flexibility is improved, but game outcome predictability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining the bonus symbol set with specific symbols that have known properties and values before the game round begins. This preliminary preparation allows the system to maintain flexibility in selecting which bonus symbols appear at which positions while ensuring that the symbols themselves are predetermined and controlled, thereby balancing symbol selection flexibility with game outcome predictability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of gaming at a gaming machine. The method includes designating a symbol display position of a plurality of symbol display positions as having a bonus symbol set applying to it for a game round, and selecting and displaying a symbol from the bonus symbol set at the designated symbol display position. The method also includes selecting symbols for display at the other symbol display positions from a base symbol set independently of the selection of the symbol from the bonus symbol set, and evaluating the symbols displayed at the plurality of symbol display positions to determine whether to make an award for the game round.