Gaming Machine Player-Selectable Base and Side Game Mix
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gaming machines lack the ability to maintain player interest and excitement, as they do not offer sufficient variety and engagement in wagering games, leading to a need for innovative solutions that enhance the gaming experience.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of player-selectable base and side games that can be played concurrently, with options displayed on a primary display, allowing players to choose from various themes and types of games, and featuring stand-alone or networked prizes, including progressive awards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single game is displayed on the gaming machine, then the device complexity is low, but the player interest and engagement are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The gaming machine interface is segmented into multiple display areas, with a primary display area showing the base game and one or more secondary display areas showing side games. This allows the system to present multiple game options simultaneously without requiring a complete system redesign, thereby increasing game variety while managing complexity through spatial division.
Solution Approach 2:
The gaming machine is designed to support multiple game types (base games and side games) within a single system framework. The same hardware platform can dynamically display different game interfaces based on player selection, making the device multi-functional and adaptable to various gaming preferences without requiring separate dedicated machines for each game type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple games are displayed concurrently, then player engagement increases, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Different display areas are assigned specific functions: the primary display area presents the base game with standard controls, while secondary display areas present side games with their own dedicated control options. This local differentiation allows players to engage with multiple games without creating a uniformly complex interface, as each region maintains its own operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the display configuration based on player input. Players can selectively activate or deactivate side games through simple control inputs, and the interface adapts by showing or hiding corresponding secondary display areas. This dynamic reconfiguration maintains ease of operation by allowing players to customize their experience rather than presenting all options simultaneously.
3Adaptability or versatility
If stand-alone prizes are used, then the device complexity is low, but the prize potential and player excitement are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines stand-alone base game prizes with networked progressive prizes associated with side games. The prize structure integrates local awards (available immediately at the machine) with remote progressive awards (linked to a network of machines), creating a hybrid system that offers both immediate gratification and long-term excitement without requiring a complete transition to networked complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed in which a gaming machine provides a player-selectable base game and a player-selectable side game, both of which may be played and wagered upon concurrently or according to some play sequence. The selected base game may be one of several themes or types of game displayed on a portion of a primary display of the gaming machine and the selected side game may be one of several themes or types of game displayed on a remaining portion of the primary or an alternate display. The potential prizes may be stand-alone as with a prize table or networked as with a prize pool having fixed or progressive prizes.