Dynamic Prize Block Secondary Game for Slot Machine Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Casinos face challenges in maintaining excitement in electronic gaming machines (EGMs) like slot machines, especially as player demographics trend younger, with traditional machines becoming stale and failing to attract younger players due to lack of excitement.
Innovation Solution
A system and method where a secondary game with dynamically advancing prize blocks is driven by primary game outcomes, using elements like dice or other symbols to deplete health values of prize blocks, leading to prize awards when thresholds are reached, with new blocks filling in to maintain engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional slot machines are used, then the device complexity is low and ease of manufacture is good, but player engagement and excitement deteriorate over time
Solution Approach 1:
The game is divided into a primary slot game and a secondary prize block game. The secondary game is further segmented into multiple prize blocks arranged in a grid, each with independent health values. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simple traditional slot mechanics while adding a complex secondary layer that enhances player engagement without requiring complete redesign of the base system.
Solution Approach 2:
The prize blocks in the secondary game are dynamic elements that change state based on primary game outcomes. Dice symbols from the primary game dynamically attack and deplete health values of prize blocks. The prize blocks are destroyed and removed when health is exhausted, and new blocks continuously fill in to maintain engagement. This dynamic behavior creates excitement and extends gameplay sessions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If bonus games are added to slot machines, then player excitement is improved, but the device complexity and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bonus game functionality is merged with the main slot game by using the same reel symbols (specifically dice) to trigger both primary game outcomes and secondary game attacks. The dice that appear on the reels serve dual purposes: determining slot game results and attacking prize blocks in the secondary game. This merging eliminates the need for separate bonus triggering mechanisms and simplifies operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The dice symbols in the primary game serve multiple functions: they determine the outcome of the slot game and simultaneously act as attack elements in the secondary prize block game. This multi-functionality means players operate only the standard slot machine interface, while the system automatically manages the complex bonus game mechanics through the universal dice symbol system.
3Duration of action of moving object
If secondary games with multiple prize blocks are implemented, then gameplay duration is extended and engagement is improved, but the system complexity and difficulty of detecting and measuring outcomes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides immediate visual feedback when dice from the primary game attack prize blocks in the secondary game. The health values of prize blocks are displayed and update in real-time as they are attacked. When a prize block is destroyed, it is removed and replaced with a new block, providing continuous feedback that maintains player engagement and makes outcome tracking straightforward despite the extended gameplay duration.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for operating a game of chance. A gaming system includes a primary game display and secondary game display with the secondary game display mapped with prize blocks arranged in a grid that may generally mimic a primary game grid. The prize blocks can be represented as characters, articles, numeral values, symbols and the like. Each prize block is assigned a prize value and a health value. When the health value of a prize block is exhausted based on primary game outcomes, the prize block is destroyed and removed awarding its corresponding prize value. New prize blocks fill the void left by removed prize blocks or the void remains as a space without any assigned prize value. A bonus trigger model also serves to reduce “cold streaks” during which players may lose interest.