Electronic Gaming Machine Special Position Designation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic gaming machines lack features that retain player interest, as feature games are restricted by the same rules as base games and offer little differentiation, leading to decreased player engagement.
Innovation Solution
An electronic gaming machine with a display and electronic game controller that designates special game positions with graphical elements, awarding game-enhancing elements such as free games, multipliers, or symbol changes when specific symbols appear, providing visual indication and varying gameplay experiences between base and feature games.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If feature games use the same set of reels and rules as the base game, then the game structure is simple and easy to implement, but player interest decreases due to lack of differentiation and variation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designating specific positions on the reel array as special game positions with unique properties. These positions differ from standard positions by providing visual indication through graphical elements and offering game-enhancing elements when special symbols appear, creating local differentiation within the overall game structure while maintaining simplicity elsewhere
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the feature game adaptive and variable rather than static. The electronic game controller dynamically determines when to award game-enhancing elements based on random selection of special symbols in special game positions, creating varying gameplay experiences that adapt to each play while using the same physical reel set
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple special game positions with game-enhancing elements are added, then player engagement and interest are enhanced, but the device complexity and rule variation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the reel array into distinct special game positions and standard game positions. This segmentation allows the system to apply different rules and visual indications to specific locations while maintaining the overall simplicity of the base game structure, managing complexity through spatial organization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses graphical elements as intermediaries to bridge the base game and feature game experiences. These visual indicators mediate between the simple reel-spinning mechanics and the enhanced feature game elements, providing clear communication to players about special positions without adding complex physical components
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic gaming machine includes a display for displaying a game including game symbols arranged into an array of predetermined game positions. An electronic game controller designates at least one of the predetermined game positions as a special game position in the array such that a special symbol appearing in the special game position in a play of the game causes the electronic game controller to award a game enhancing element to the player. The special game position is visually indicated on the array to the player during the play by a graphical element associated with the special game position. A gaming method is also provided.