Dynamic Game Symbol State Switching in Electronic Gaming Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic gaming machines lack innovative methods to dynamically change game symbols' actions and award mechanisms, limiting player engagement and fairness in secondary game events.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where game symbols are associated with two actions, with the first action awarding a prize and changing to the second action, creating a new game state, allowing for dynamic secondary game events and enhanced player interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If game symbols are static with fixed actions and prizes, then the game mechanism is simple and easy to understand, but player engagement and interaction are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making game symbols changeable rather than static. Each game symbol can dynamically switch between multiple actions (e.g., from a first action with a prize to a second action without a prize) during gameplay. This allows the same symbol to have different functions at different times, increasing adaptability without requiring additional physical symbols or complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing game symbols that can perform multiple actions. A single game symbol serves different purposes depending on its current state - it can award prizes in one state and trigger secondary game events in another state. This universal design reduces the total number of symbols needed while increasing game complexity and engagement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If secondary game events are introduced to enhance player engagement, then player interaction improves, but game fairness and regulatory compliance become more difficult to ensure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback by continuously monitoring the state of each game symbol and providing visual updates to the player about action changes. When a symbol transitions from the first action to the second action, the system provides feedback through visual changes (such as highlighting or color changes) to ensure the player understands the current state. This maintains transparency and fairness in the award mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining all possible actions and their corresponding outcomes before the game begins. The system establishes the relationship between symbols, actions, and prizes in advance, ensuring that all award mechanisms are predetermined and transparent. This allows for regulatory compliance while still providing engaging secondary game events.
3Productivity
If game symbols change actions during gameplay, then player engagement and dynamic interaction improve, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring game state increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color changes as a visual indicator system to communicate the current action state of each game symbol. When a symbol transitions from the first action to the second action, its color or visual appearance changes to provide immediate, easy-to-detect feedback to the player. This simple visual coding system makes state tracking intuitive without requiring complex displays or additional information processing.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed technology relates to a method, system, and device for gaming including the display of a plurality of game symbols, each game symbol associated with one of at least two possible game actions. The game symbols associated with a first game action are displayed including a numerical prize value. Gameplay includes the selection of game symbols. In the event that a game symbol associated with a first game action is selected, its corresponding numerical prize value is award, for example added to a cumulative bonus prize, and the game symbol is then associated with the second game action. Typically, the visual representation of the game symbol is also changed, for example, the numerical prize value is removed.