Gaming Device Capping Feature Instances with Defined Symbols
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic gaming machines lack a mechanism to cap the number of additional game instances awarded while providing a visual benefit of an enlarged wild symbol, leading to potential player confusion and unfair game outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A gaming device and system that awards additional game instances when a designated symbol lands, capping the total number of instances by setting specific columns as defined symbols, thereby limiting the number of additional game instances and providing a visual enhancement with oversized symbols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional game instances are awarded whenever a designated symbol lands, then player engagement and potential winnings are improved, but the number of game instances becomes unbounded leading to game fairness and control issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining which columns contain designated symbols before the feature game begins. This predetermined configuration ensures that while additional games can be awarded, the maximum number is bounded by the finite number of columns, thus maintaining game fairness and control while still providing flexibility in awarding additional instances.
2Reliability
If columns are set as defined symbols when a designated symbol lands, then the number of additional game instances is capped ensuring fairness, but the flexibility to award unlimited additional games is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the reel strip into multiple columns, with each column potentially containing a designated symbol. This segmentation allows the game to cap additional instances based on the number of columns while maintaining flexibility within each segment. The designated symbols are distributed across different columns, creating a structured yet adaptable system for awarding additional games.
3Device complexity
If standard sized symbols are used, then game display is simple, but player engagement and visual interest are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by enlarging only the designated symbols that trigger additional game instances, while keeping other symbols at standard size. This creates visual emphasis on the key triggering elements, enhancing player engagement and clarity without requiring all symbols to be enlarged, thus maintaining a balance between visual interest and display complexity.
4Ease of operation
If oversized designated symbols are displayed, then player engagement and visual clarity are improved, but display complexity and resource usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by enlarging only the designated symbols that trigger additional game instances, while keeping other symbols at standard size. This creates visual emphasis on the key triggering elements, enhancing player engagement and clarity without requiring all symbols to be enlarged, thus maintaining a balance between visual interest and display complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A gaming device having a plurality of reel strips, each reel strip corresponding to a respective one of a plurality of columns of symbol positions. When the instructions are executed, the gaming device determines if a selection condition is met, randomly selects the number of game instances, randomly selects a subset of the columns of symbol positions to be populated by a defined symbol, randomly selects symbols to populate the columns of symbols not populated by the defined symbol, control the display to display the plurality of columns of symbol positions populated by the defined symbol and the symbols selected, and evaluates symbols displayed for winning combinations.