Gaming Machine Insurance Mode Shift for Player Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

In gaming machines, players who spend many coins may feel unpleasant or lose interest as they do not consistently receive jackpots or bonus game profits, leading to distrust and decreased engagement due to unpredictable payout systems.

Innovation Solution

A gaming machine system that shifts game states from a without-insurance mode to a with-insurance mode based on inserted game media, providing a predetermined profit when a set value is reached, and returns to without-insurance mode upon specific conditions, ensuring players can accumulate rewards and maintain interest.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a jackpot system with preset probability is used, then the gaming machine can provide large payouts, but players who spend many coins may not receive jackpots and feel unfairly treated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepayout amountVSAvoidplayer satisfaction
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by accumulating game play data and determining bonus game eligibility in advance. The host computer tracks the number of games played by each player and pre-determines when a player has earned bonus game qualifications, ensuring that dedicated players receive recognition before they would otherwise be disappointed by random jackpot failures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the host computer continuously monitors player activity and provides information about bonus game eligibility. Players receive feedback about their progress toward bonus qualifications and are notified when they have earned the right to play bonus games, creating a transparent system that builds player trust and satisfaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If a bonus pool system is used where part of inserted coins are added up, then the system can control bonus distribution, but when operation rate is low, players who spent many coins may not be rewarded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonus control capabilityVSAvoidreward guarantee
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs self-service mechanisms where the host computer automatically tracks player game counts, determines bonus eligibility, and manages bonus game distribution without requiring manual intervention. This automated tracking ensures that every player's contributions are recorded and that rewards are distributed based on actual play rather than pool availability, guaranteeing that dedicated players receive their earned bonuses regardless of overall operation rate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes parameters by transitioning from a static bonus pool model to a dynamic individual tracking model. Instead of relying on a collective pool that may not reach threshold values, the system tracks individual player game counts and adjusts bonus eligibility parameters based on each player's specific activity, ensuring fair reward distribution across varying operation rates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If bonus games with high gambling characteristics are provided, then the system can offer exciting gameplay, but players cannot acquire profit sufficiently even when given chances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegame excitementVSAvoidprofit acquisition
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the bonus game into distinct phases: a qualification phase where players earn the right to play based on tracked game counts, and an execution phase where players actually play the bonus game. This segmentation ensures that players who have demonstrated dedication through numerous games are separated from casual players and given guaranteed opportunities to win, while maintaining the excitement of the bonus game itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary determination of bonus eligibility before the bonus game begins. The host computer calculates and confirms player qualification in advance, ensuring that only players who have met the required game count thresholds are selected for bonus games. This preliminary action guarantees that dedicated players receive sufficient profit opportunities while maintaining the excitement and randomness of the bonus game gameplay.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS7980944B2Gaming machine, game control method and game system
Publication Date: 2011.07.19 INTERBLOCK DOO
  • US7980944B2 patent drawing
  • US7980944B2 patent drawing
  • US7980944B2 patent drawing

AI summary

In a gaming machine of the present invention, a processing device executes: a processing reading from a storage device a program for shifting the game state from a without-insurance mode to a with-insurance mode on condition that a specific number of game media have been inserted, and then executing the program; a processing reading from the storage device a program for providing the player with a predetermined profit when a predetermined variable, accumulatively counted every time a game is played after the game state has been shifted to the with-insurance mode, reaches a set value that is an object of comparison with the predetermined variable, and then executing the program; and a processing reading from the storage device a program for shifting the game state from the with-insurance mode to the without-insurance mode when a result of the game in the with-insurance mode satisfies a predetermined condition, and then executing the program.