Gaming Feature Event Threshold Trigger Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gaming machines lack features that enhance gameplay interest and provide sufficient prize award potential, particularly for players who experience low wins in feature events.
Innovation Solution
A gaming method that defines a threshold value for feature events, triggering a second feature event with greater prize potential if the initial event's win value is below the threshold, which can include additional games, multipliers, or guaranteed triggers after a set amount of gameplay, contingent on player participation levels or bet amounts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a standard feature event is provided with fixed prize potential, then the game structure remains simple, but player engagement decreases when win values are low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic feature event system where the prize award potential changes based on game conditions. When a player triggers a feature event and the win value is below a threshold, the system dynamically adjusts by providing a guarantee that the feature event will trigger again within a specified number of spins, thereby adapting the game structure to maintain engagement without requiring complete redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key parameters of the feature event based on performance metrics. When the feature event win value falls below the threshold, the patent modifies the trigger conditions by establishing a guarantee mechanism that ensures re-triggering within a defined spin count, effectively changing the operational parameters to restore prize award potential while maintaining structural integrity.
2Reliability
If feature events are triggered frequently to maintain player interest, then engagement increases, but the game becomes less challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by providing guarantees only when necessary - specifically when the feature event win value is below the threshold. The guarantee mechanism activates conditionally rather than always, providing just enough additional trigger opportunities to maintain engagement without removing all challenge. This selective application preserves game difficulty while addressing engagement issues.
3Reliability
If the number of feature games is increased to provide greater prize potential, then player satisfaction improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the feature event guarantee into discrete, manageable components: a threshold value for win evaluation, a counter for tracking spins since last guarantee, and a specified number of guaranteed trigger opportunities. This segmentation allows the complex guarantee mechanism to be implemented through modular tracking variables rather than requiring complete structural overhaul, thereby reducing effective complexity while maintaining enhanced prize potential.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of the present invention provides a bonus scheme associated with a feature event, or part thereof, which provides a plurality of feature games. With reference to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, a first feature event is conducted at Steps S3 to S5, the outcome of which determines a feature event win value. At Step S7 the feature event win value is compared to a threshold value and, if the gaming process win value is less than, or equal to the threshold value, the player becomes eligible to trigger a second feature event at Step S9.