Electronic Gaming Machine Dynamic Symbol Transformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic gaming machines lack features that retain player interest as the standard structure of base and feature games becomes familiar, leading to a lack of differentiation and incentive for continued play.
Innovation Solution
An electronic gaming machine with a display and electronic game controller that introduces a special symbol triggering a change in game symbols, allowing for dynamic selection and transformation of game positions, creating new winning combinations and enhancing gameplay experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a standard base game and feature game structure is used, then the gaming machine is easy to operate and understand, but player interest decreases over time due to lack of differentiation and incentive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the game structure adaptable and changeable rather than static. The gaming machine dynamically adjusts between base game mode and feature game mode based on randomly generated symbols, creating variable gameplay experiences that maintain player interest while preserving operational simplicity through automated mode transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes game parameters by introducing randomly generated symbols that modify game rules and outcomes. These parameter changes include varying win conditions, bonus triggers, and game mechanics based on the generated symbols, allowing the same physical machine to offer multiple differentiated gaming experiences without complicating player interaction.
2Device complexity
If the same set of reels is used for both base game and feature game, then the device complexity is reduced, but the gameplay becomes repetitive and lacks differentiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamics by enabling the same physical reels to serve multiple functional roles. Through random symbol generation and mode switching, the reels dynamically transition between base game functionality and feature game functionality, achieving gameplay differentiation without adding physical complexity to the reel structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing the reel system to perform multiple functions. The same set of reels handles both base game spins and feature game sequences, with their function determined by randomly generated symbols and control logic, maximizing the utility of existing hardware while creating varied gaming experiences.
3Ease of manufacture
If feature games are limited to a set number of free games with slightly modified rules, then the manufacturing and programming is simplified, but player engagement decreases due to lack of incentive to continue playing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes game parameters by introducing randomly generated symbols that fundamentally alter game rules and outcomes. This creates multiple differentiated gameplay modes with varying win conditions, bonus structures, and mechanics, enhancing player engagement while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing through software-based parameter adjustment rather than hardware modification.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic gaming machine includes an electronic game controller and a display where game symbols are arranged in an array of predetermined game positions. The appearance of a first special symbol causes a group of predetermined game positions to be selected where each game symbol occupying a predetermined game position in the group is changed into a second special symbol either during a play of a game or at the completion of the play, the change into the second special symbol being visible to the player. A gaming method is also provided.