Electronic Gaming Machine Dynamic Rule Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic gaming machines struggle to maintain player interest due to the lack of variation in main and feature games, leading to limited differentiation and engagement.
Innovation Solution
An electronic gaming machine with a display of game symbols arranged in multiple columns, where secondary arrays of game-enhancing elements are randomly activated in response to trigger events, modifying subsequent games played, offering diverse game-enhancing features such as free games, multipliers, and bonus elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional electronic gaming machines use fixed main and feature games with the same rules, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but player interest and engagement deteriorate due to lack of variation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic game rules by allowing the electronic game controller to randomly select from multiple different sets of rules for both main games and feature games. This enables the gaming machine to adapt its gameplay characteristics during operation, providing variation without requiring complex manual reconfiguration. The system dynamically switches between different rule sets based on random selection, maintaining player engagement while using a standardized hardware platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes game parameters by implementing multiple different sets of rules with varying characteristics (such as different symbol combinations, payout structures, and triggering conditions). The electronic game controller randomly selects from these pre-programmed rule sets, allowing the gaming machine to offer diverse gameplay experiences. This approach provides adaptability through parameter variation while keeping the overall device structure manageable through software configuration rather than hardware complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electronic gaming machines provide limited differentiation between machines, then manufacturing and programming costs are reduced, but player retention deteriorates due to lack of incentive to continue playing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling a single gaming machine to operate under multiple different rule sets for both main and feature games. The electronic game controller is designed to randomly select from various pre-programmed rule configurations, allowing one machine to provide the functionality of multiple different gaming machines. This universality achieves machine differentiation without requiring separate hardware units for each game type, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while enhancing player retention through varied gameplay experiences.
3Adaptability or versatility
If feature games use the same reels and rules as the main game, then the device complexity is minimized and reliability is improved, but player engagement deteriorates due to lack of apparent incentive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics to feature games by implementing multiple different sets of rules that can be randomly selected during gameplay. When a feature game is triggered, the electronic game controller randomly chooses from various pre-programmed rule sets, creating dynamic variation in feature game characteristics. This allows feature games to differ from each other and from the main game, providing player engagement through unpredictability while maintaining a manageable rule structure through software-based random selection rather than complex hardware modifications.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic gaming machine includes a display for displaying a first array of game symbols for playing a game and two or more second arrays of game enhancing elements, said second arrays being associated with columns of said first array. In response to a trigger event occurring in the columns, the second arrays each randomly award one or more game enhancing elements. A gaming method is also provided.