Gaming Machine Bonus Game with Character Movement and Average Bet Awards
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gaming machines lack continuity in gameplay, making it difficult to maintain player interest as each unit game is independent and lacks interconnectedness.
Innovation Solution
A gaming machine with a first display for a base game and a second display showing a map with a course where a character moves, triggering a bonus game when specific conditions are met, allowing players to progress through unit games and determine awards based on average bets, with the option to compete in versus events with neighboring players.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If unit games are executed independently in conventional gaming machines, then the game structure is simple and easy to operate, but there is no continuity between games making it difficult to attract player interest
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing a bonus game structure that spans multiple unit games. Before individual unit games are played, the system sets up a cumulative bonus mechanism where symbols and outcomes across multiple games contribute to a larger bonus award. This pre-established framework provides continuity without requiring complex real-time adjustments during each game.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuity of useful action by creating a bonus game that accumulates value across multiple unit games. The bonus meter or cumulative symbol matching continues across game boundaries, ensuring that each unit game contributes to an ongoing bonus opportunity. This maintains player engagement through continuous action rather than isolated independent games.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a bonus game with multiple unit games is introduced to provide continuity, then player interest and game engagement increase, but the complexity of the gaming system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the bonus game into discrete unit games that can be played sequentially. Each unit game is a self-contained segment with its own spin and outcome, but these segments are linked through the cumulative bonus mechanism. This segmentation allows the complex bonus structure to be broken down into manageable, easily understood components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing the bonus game structure to handle multiple functions within a single framework. The same basic game mechanics (spinning reels, symbol matching) are used across both regular games and bonus games, while the system simultaneously tracks cumulative bonuses, manages multiple unit games, and provides varying award structures. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by reusing core components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If awards are determined based on average bet per unit game, then high awards can be offered to increase player interest, but the calculation and determination process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by having the system automatically track and calculate the average bet across unit games without requiring manual intervention. The gaming machine's controller continuously monitors bet amounts and game counts, automatically computing the average and using it to determine awards. This self-service approach handles the complex calculation internally, keeping the player interface simple while enabling high award potential.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by providing the player with information about their progress in the bonus game, including the number of unit games played, cumulative bets, and current average bet. This feedback allows players to understand how their betting pattern affects potential awards, making the complex calculation transparent and enabling informed gameplay decisions.
Data Source
AI summary
In a gaming machine, a controller rearranges symbols in a base game, and triggers a bonus game when a combination of the symbols rearranged in the base game satisfies a predetermined condition. The controller executes each unit game of the bonus game based on a bet betted by the player, determines a number of cells by which the character moves along with the course in each unit game, and moves the character from a current cell to a destination cell according to the number of cells in each unit game. The controller performs an event corresponding to the destination cell in each unit cell, and determines an award of the goal cell based on an average bet per unit game when the character arrives at the goal cell.