Gaming Machine Reel Set Control for Player Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reel-type gaming machines in tournaments often become monotonous due to the lack of engaging features, leading to decreased player interest, as players focus on rapid gameplay rather than interactive experiences.
Innovation Solution
A gaming machine system that allows players to interactively change the number of active reel sets during gameplay, transitioning between a base game state and a bonus game state with multiple reel sets, enhancing player engagement through varied symbol locations and potential awards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If players focus on rapid gameplay to increase winning opportunities, then productivity increases, but the game becomes monotonous and player interest decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the number of active reel sets during gameplay. In base game mode, one reel set is active for rapid play, while in bonus game mode, multiple reel sets become active. This dynamic adjustment allows the game to adapt between speed-oriented and engagement-oriented modes, resolving the contradiction between productivity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of active reel sets from one to multiple based on game state. This parameter change transforms the game from a单调 rapid-play mode to an engaging bonus mode with more symbol locations and winning opportunities, allowing players to switch between speed and engagement as needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple reel sets are activated to increase player interaction, then game engagement improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display system is segmented into multiple independent reel sets, each capable of being activated or deactivated. This segmentation allows the system to provide multiple reel sets when needed for player interaction while keeping the base configuration simple with one active reel set, thus managing device complexity while improving engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple reel sets serve multiple functions: they provide additional symbol locations for base gameplay and create enhanced bonus game modes with increased player interaction. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware configuration to support both simple rapid play and complex engaging modes, improving player interaction without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If bonus game mode with multiple reel sets is activated, then player engagement increases, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic activation of bonus game mode rather than continuous activation. Players can switch between base game mode (one reel set, lower energy) and bonus game mode (multiple reel sets, higher energy) as needed. This periodic action allows the system to provide game mode variety while managing energy consumption by activating multiple reel sets only when players choose to enter bonus mode.
Data Source
AI summary
A gaming machine includes a display system, player input system, and processor programmed or otherwise operable to perform a number of operations through the gaming machine hardware to provide a player-interactive feature. The gaming machine is adapted to operate in a base game state in which a base set of symbol locations is populated with game symbols responsive to a play initiation input from the player input system. The gaming machine is also controlled to activate a bonus input device while the gaming machine is in the base game state, and to place the gaming machine in a bonus state in response to a player actuation of the activated bonus input device. In response to a play initiation input while the gaming machine is in the bonus game state, two or more bonus game sets of symbol locations are populated with game symbols for that respective play initiation input.