Gaming Machine Challenge Feature Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Gaming machines face challenges in maintaining player interest and calculating expected return-to-player percentages due to the complexity of accumulator games and feature games, particularly when enhanced payout characteristics are involved, which complicates design and regulatory compliance.
Innovation Solution
A gaming system that includes a base game and a feature game with a challenge feature, where symbols are randomly selected and displayed, and counters are maintained to evaluate outcomes against competitive criteria, allowing players to select symbols for potential bonuses, with the bonus awarded based on predetermined criteria, including frequency and occurrence of symbols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If accumulator games with enhanced payout characteristics are implemented, then player engagement and interest are improved, but the complexity of calculating expected return-to-player percentage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The game is divided into distinct phases: base game play and feature game. During base game play, symbols are accumulated in counters. When a trigger condition is met, the feature game is activated with a fixed award. This segmentation isolates the random accumulation process from the enhanced payout phase, allowing the return-to-player percentage to be calculated by weighting the base game returns with the predetermined feature game award probability, rather than attempting to calculate complex dependencies across continuous enhanced payout phases.
2Adaptability or versatility
If feature games with enhanced pay characteristics are implemented, then player interest is improved, but the determination of expected return-to-player percentage becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The award for the feature game is predetermined and fixed at the moment the trigger condition is met during base game play. This preliminary determination of the feature game award allows the expected return-to-player percentage to be calculated by combining the base game return with the known probability and value of the feature game trigger, rather than attempting to model complex variable payouts that would occur if the feature game itself could trigger additional enhanced payout features.
3Adaptability or versatility
If accumulator games are implemented, then player engagement is improved, but the lack of player involvement in the counting process reduces perceived engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides continuous visual feedback by displaying the accumulated symbol counts in the counters during base game play. Players can see their symbols being accumulated in real-time, which creates a sense of involvement and progress toward triggering the feature game. This feedback mechanism transforms the passive accumulation process into an engaging activity where players actively monitor and anticipate the trigger condition.
4Adaptability or versatility
If double up features are added to gaming machines, then functional components and player interest are improved, but the complexity of game design increases
Solution Approach 1:
The challenge game feature merges the accumulation mechanism of accumulator games with the bonus award structure of double-up features. Instead of separate systems, the counters accumulate symbols during base game play, and when triggered, the feature game provides a fixed bonus award. This unified approach combines the engagement of accumulation with the simplicity of fixed awards, avoiding the complexity of nested or variable enhancement features.
Data Source
AI summary
A gaming system (10, 100) implementing a base game and a feature game. A game controller (101) controls play of the game. The gaming system has at least one display (14, 106) and a player interface (107). The feature game comprises at least one series of game events, in which a plurality of symbols from at least one predetermined symbol set that includes at least first and second symbols, are randomly selected and displayed on the at least one display (14, 106). The feature game is a challenge feature and during play of the feature game, the game controller (101) maintains in computer memory (103) counters for said at least first and second symbols, varies the value of said counters on the occurrence of the at least first and second symbols and causes the at least one display to show a value of the counters. The values of the counters are evaluated against predetermined competitive criteria to determine the outcome of the series of game events.