Gaming Machine Bonus Indicator Visual Signal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gaming machine manufacturers face challenges in maintaining player interest and attracting new customers due to the complexity of bonus features, which can deter players from engaging with the game, potentially leading to reduced revenue for operators.
Innovation Solution
A method for operating a gaming machine that introduces a special symbol during spinning reel games, increasing the chances of winning by adding the symbol to the reel strip, providing a visual indicator of higher potential returns, and awarding prizes, thus simplifying the bonus feature and enhancing player engagement without requiring detailed explanations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If bonus features are made complex to enhance player enjoyment and maintain interest, then player engagement is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to the need for help screens and detailed explanations
Solution Approach 1:
The gaming machine automatically provides information about winning chances and bonus feature status through on-screen displays and visual indicators during gameplay. The system self-explains its state and potential outcomes without requiring players to consult external help screens or manuals, thereby maintaining complex bonus features while preserving ease of operation.
2Loss of information
If help screens are provided to explain complex features, then player understanding is improved, but player engagement deteriorates as players are discouraged from playing
Solution Approach 1:
The gaming machine uses visual indicators, animated displays, and on-screen graphics as intermediaries to communicate bonus feature status and winning probabilities to players. These visual mediators convey complex information in an intuitive, easily understood manner during gameplay, eliminating the need for separate help screens that would discourage players.
3Reliability
If the reel strip length is increased to add more symbols, then the probability of winning events is improved, but device complexity worsens due to larger data structures and longer spin times
Solution Approach 1:
The gaming machine pre-generates and stores multiple reel strip configurations with varying lengths and symbol distributions in its memory before gameplay begins. During bonus features, the system selectively retrieves and activates pre-prepared reel strips with enhanced winning probabilities, avoiding the need to dynamically create or process excessively long reel strips during gameplay, thus maintaining system responsiveness and simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A gaming machine 10 has a display 14 and a game controller arranged to control images of symbols displayed on the display 14. The game controller is arranged to play a game 16 wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display and, if a predefined winning event occurs, the machine 10 awards a prize. The gaming machine 10 comprises a bonus feature that is triggered when a trigger condition occurs in a base game and an indicator incorporated in the bonus feature indicates to the player that the chance of winning during the bonus feature is higher than in the base game that triggered the bonus feature. In the bonus feature a special symbol is added to a spinning reel if a specified event occurs in the bonus feature.