Dynamic Prize Modification in Electronic Gaming Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic gaming machines lack dynamic and engaging mechanisms for modifying prizes based on winning symbol positions, leading to a lack of player interaction and excitement in secondary games.
Innovation Solution
An electronic gaming machine with a game controller that generates a bonus array of visual elements associated with symbol display positions, allowing for the selection of trigger symbols to modify the base prize, with options for dynamic changes in the bonus array based on player input, probability, or frequency of play.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a static prize structure is used in electronic gaming machines, then game fairness and regulation compliance are maintained, but player engagement and excitement are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-generates a bonus array with multiple visual elements and their associated bonus awards before the base game is played. This preliminary preparation allows the prize structure to be dynamically modified during gameplay while maintaining predetermined expected return values, thus preserving game fairness and regulatory compliance while enhancing player engagement through dynamic prize display.
Solution Approach 2:
The bonus array acts as an intermediary layer between the base game outcome and the final prize award. Visual elements in the bonus array are selectively removed or modified based on trigger symbols, mediating the transformation of base game results into enhanced prizes while maintaining the predetermined mathematical expected return, thus resolving the contradiction between dynamic adaptation and fairness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a bonus array with multiple visual elements is generated, then player interaction and excitement are enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The prize structure is segmented into multiple independent visual elements in the bonus array, each associated with a specific symbol display position and bonus award. This segmentation allows the system to selectively modify individual elements based on trigger symbols without requiring complex overall restructuring, thus enhancing interactivity while managing device complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The bonus array structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it displays potential bonus awards, determines prize modifications based on trigger symbols, and maintains the predetermined expected return. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems for each function, thereby enhancing interactivity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If visual elements are dynamically removed from the bonus array, then player engagement is increased, but loss of information about potential prizes occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides feedback to the player about the bonus array structure and potential awards before visual elements are removed. The bonus array initially displays all available bonus awards associated with different symbol positions, allowing players to understand the full range of possibilities before any modifications occur, thus reducing information loss while maintaining dynamic engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The complete bonus array with all visual elements and their associated awards is generated and displayed before the base game outcome is revealed. This preliminary display ensures that all potential prize information is available to players before any elements are removed or modified, preventing information loss while enabling dynamic engagement during the actual gameplay.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic gaming machine includes a game controller, a player interface, and a display. The game controller causes the display to display a bonus array having visual elements. Each of the visual elements is uniquely associated with one of a plurality of symbol display positions, at least one visual element indicating a bonus award. The game controller selects a symbol for display at each of the symbol display positions, determines whether at least one of the symbol display positions contains a trigger symbol, and upon determining that the at least one of the symbol display positions contains a trigger symbol, determines a modification to a base prize based at least in part on a visual element associated with the symbol display position containing the trigger symbol.