Gaming System Progressive Award Selection Strategy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gaming machines do not allow players to select which progressive awards to play for, leading to uncertainty due to differences in player skill levels and strategies, and mathematical challenges in ensuring average payback percentages and proper funding for bonus games.
Innovation Solution
A gaming device and system that enables players to select progressive awards based on relative likelihoods, modifying the likelihood of winning through displayed characteristics and game components, allowing strategic selection and introducing an element of skill.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If players are not allowed to select progressive awards, then the game operation is simple, but player excitement and engagement decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The progressive award pool is segmented into multiple distinct progressive awards, each with its own meter and selection interface. Players can individually select which progressive awards to play for, transforming a single undifferentiated award mechanism into multiple selectable targets, thereby increasing player engagement while maintaining operational simplicity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the probability of winning for each progressive award based on player selections and wager amounts. As players make selections and place wagers, the underlying probabilities are modified in real-time, creating a dynamic game environment that adapts to player behavior while maintaining mathematical control over payback percentages
2Adaptability or versatility
If players can select progressive awards based on skill, then player engagement and strategic play increase, but mathematical uncertainty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates continuous feedback loops where player selections and wager amounts are fed back into the probability calculation engine. The controller modifies the probability of winning for each progressive award based on this feedback, allowing skill-based strategy while maintaining mathematical control. The system monitors and adjusts parameters in real-time to ensure average payback percentages are maintained
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key parameters (probability of winning, award amounts, wager requirements) based on player selections and game state. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system allows players to exercise strategy and skill in selecting progressive awards while maintaining mathematical certainty through controlled parameter modifications that preserve expected payback percentages
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple progressive awards are offered with different winning probabilities, then player strategic selection is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gaming system employs a universal controller that manages multiple progressive awards through a single integrated platform. The same hardware and software architecture handles all progressive award selections, probability calculations, and payout operations, allowing the system to offer diverse progressive award options without proportionally increasing complexity. The multi-functional design enables one system to perform multiple award management functions
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the selection interface, probability management, and payout mechanisms for multiple progressive awards into a unified game structure. Rather than implementing separate independent systems for each progressive award, the invention combines these functions into an integrated mechanism where players make selections from a unified set of options, and the system manages all awards through consolidated control logic
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a gaming device, a gaming system and a method for operating a gaming device or gaming system with a plurality of progressive awards. The gaming device enables a player to select one of the progressive awards. The player's selection of which progressive award to play for is based, at least in part, on a relative probability of the player winning the selected progressive award compared to the relative probabilities of the player winning the non-selected progressive awards. After selecting which award to play for, the gaming device either provides the selected progressive award to the player or modifies the relative probability that the player will win the selected progressive award with one or more of any award selections remaining. Such a configuration enables the player to strategically select which award to play for and the order that the player will play for the awards.