Gaming Machine Area and Numeric Winning Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standardized formats of games like keno can lead to a decline in player excitement and interest over time, necessitating variations to sustain engagement.
Innovation Solution
Introducing area and numerical winning thresholds in multi-choice card-type games, where players can win by matching randomly selected numbers within predetermined geometric areas, increasing the game's excitement and interest by allowing wagering on the distribution of selected elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a standardized game format is used, then the game can be easily operated and understood, but player excitement and interest decline over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic game formats that allow the game structure to change during play. The system transitions from static standardized formats to dynamic formats where players can select from multiple game types (e.g., different bingo patterns, keno variants) and where game parameters can be adjusted mid-play, maintaining ease of operation while significantly improving adaptability and player engagement
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs parameter changes by allowing modification of game rules, payout structures, and playing conditions. The control system can adjust parameters such as number of players, betting options, winning thresholds, and game speed, enabling the same basic game platform to offer varied experiences that maintain player interest while preserving operational simplicity
2Ease of operation
If multiple players play simultaneously on independent machines, then each player can play against the house, but player interaction and shared excitement are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The gaming system is designed with multi-functionality to support both independent single-player mode and multi-player interactive mode. The same control system and game platform can dynamically switch between configurations, allowing players to choose whether to play independently or interactively, thereby enhancing adaptability while maintaining ease of operation through a unified interface
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a social interaction dimension to the gaming experience by enabling multi-player modes where players can compete against each other, form teams, or participate in tournament-style games. This adds a new dimension of player-to-player interaction while maintaining the original house-vs-player gameplay option, significantly improving adaptability
3Device complexity
If the game format remains standardized over time, then the game system is simple to maintain, but player excitement and interest drop
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic reconfigurability where the game format can change without hardware modifications. The control system stores multiple game format definitions and can switch between them programmatically, allowing the game to evolve and offer new experiences while maintaining simple hardware architecture and ease of maintenance
4Adaptability or versatility
If game variations are introduced to sustain player interest, then player engagement improves, but the game system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal game platform that can execute multiple game variations through software configuration rather than hardware complexity. The system uses a standardized interface and control logic that adapts to different game types, allowing game variations to be introduced through programmable rules and parameters rather than additional physical components, thereby improving adaptability while minimizing device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A method and gaming machine for playing a game with area and numerical winning thresholds. The method and machine present a plurality of distinct elements which are grouped into a plurality of subsets whereby a player can select both a sub-plurality of elements and at least one subset. A set of random elements is selected from the set of elements which also determines at least one random subset. The set of random elements is compared to the sub-plurality of player selected elements and the player selected subset to the random subset. A player is rewarded if the set of random elements and the set of player selected elements have a pre-determined minimum number of common elements and/or if the plurality of player selected subsets and the plurality of random subsets have a second, pre-determined minimum number of common subsets.