Gaming Systems Using Branching Catalyst Events for Bonus Features

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gaming apparatus struggle to balance yield versus randomness and volatility to create a feeling of luck, while also improving processing speed and efficiency, and providing new levels of game play with enhanced animations.

Innovation Solution

Gaming systems utilize game-logic circuitry and a presentation assembly to present symbol positions with persistent elements, animating feature-triggering symbols and randomly selecting bonus game outcomes and award sequences, integrated within free-standing gaming machines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the gaming apparatus uses random element generators to create a feeling of luck, then player engagement and participation are improved, but the balance between yield and randomness becomes difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplayer engagementVSAvoidbalance between yield and randomness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gaming apparatus is divided into distinct functional modules: a random element generator for luck-based outcomes, a yield calculation module for determining returns, and a catalyst event system for triggering special features. This segmentation allows each module to operate independently, making it easier to balance yield and randomness without compromising player engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts game parameters based on accumulated catalyst events and persistent elements. The randomness and yield are not fixed but adapt during gameplay, allowing the apparatus to maintain player engagement while controlling overall return rates through real-time parameter modification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the gaming apparatus offers advanced graphics and multiple game features, then player entertainment and engagement are improved, but processing speed and efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplayer entertainmentVSAvoidprocessing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-generates and caches graphical assets, animation sequences, and game feature configurations before they are needed during gameplay. This preliminary preparation reduces real-time processing requirements, allowing advanced graphics and multiple features to be delivered without sacrificing processing speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Complex graphical rendering and game feature processing are replaced with pre-computed data structures and lookup tables. Instead of calculating game outcomes and graphics in real-time, the system uses pre-determined random outcomes and pre-rendered visual elements, significantly improving processing efficiency while maintaining entertainment quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the gaming apparatus provides multiple random outcome determinations per feature, then game complexity and player engagement are improved, but processing efficiency and resource usage deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegame complexityVSAvoidprocessing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple random outcome determinations are merged into a single catalytic event that triggers multiple game features simultaneously. Instead of processing separate random outcomes for each feature, the system uses one catalyst event to activate multiple persistent elements and game modes, reducing processing overhead while maintaining game complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The catalyst event system serves multiple functions: it triggers bonus games, activates persistent elements, determines awards, and initiates animation sequences. This multi-functional approach allows a single processing event to drive multiple game features, improving processing efficiency without reducing game complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the gaming apparatus uses animations to improve player participation, then player engagement is improved, but processing resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplayer participationVSAvoidprocessing resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses lightweight, frame-based animation sequences that are quickly rendered and discarded after completion. Instead of continuous complex animations, brief visual cues and symbol transformations are used to convey game events, reducing processing resource consumption while maintaining player engagement through effective visual feedback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS12450983B2Gaming systems and methods with branching catalyst events

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 LNW GAMING INC

AI summary

A gaming system and methods thereof that utilize game-logic circuitry and a presentation assembly that presents a plurality of symbol positions, one or more persistent elements respectively associated with one or more bonus game features, and one or more game outcomes by populating the symbol positions with a respective set of symbols. In response to detecting a catalyst event including a feature-triggering symbol within any of the outcomes, the presentation assembly animates an addition of the feature-triggering symbol to a first persistent element, presents, in response to randomly selecting a first outcome state of the catalyst event, one or more bonus game outcomes based on the bonus game features linked to the first persistent element, and presents, in response to randomly selecting a second outcome state of the catalyst event, an award sequence for an award including an award value visually indicated by the feature-trigger symbol.