Gaming Apparatus Special Symbols Replacing Feature Symbols
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gaming venues face challenges in attracting customers with new game variations that comply with regulations and provide enhanced player experience, particularly in incorporating special symbols like WILD symbols that increase winning chances.
Innovation Solution
A method for gaming machines that determines whether feature symbols are present and replaces them with special symbols under specific criteria, such as a threshold number or relationship, to enhance gameplay and increase winning opportunities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If new game variations with special symbols are introduced to attract customers, then player engagement and winning likelihood are improved, but regulatory compliance and game complexity become more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The game is divided into distinct phases: a base game phase with standard symbols and a bonus game phase triggered by special symbols. This segmentation allows the game to offer varied gameplay experiences while maintaining clear, manageable rules for each phase, thus improving adaptability without proportionally increasing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Special symbols are pre-configured on the reels to automatically trigger bonus games when certain combinations appear. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex real-time decision-making during gameplay, as the transition to bonus modes is predetermined by symbol arrangements, thereby enhancing game variation while controlling complexity.
2Reliability
If special symbols like WILD symbols are incorporated to increase winning chances, then player attraction is improved, but understanding and operation speed may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Special symbols are placed in specific locations on the reels and have localized effects only when certain conditions are met (e.g., appearing in specific positions to trigger bonus games). This localized functionality allows the symbols to enhance winning likelihood without requiring players to understand complex global game mechanics, thus improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The game pre-defines the functions and triggering conditions of special symbols during setup, rather than requiring players to learn complex rules during play. This preliminary configuration of symbol behaviors allows players to quickly understand that special symbols can trigger bonus games without needing to master intricate operational details, thereby improving winning likelihood while preserving ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for determining a plurality of outcomes of a game of chance are provided. In a spinning reel game, for example, a first game event may be provided in which a plurality of symbols are spun up on a plurality of spinning reels to form an array of symbols, each spinning reel spinning up at least three symbols and at least one of the spinning reels being defined so that at least two feature symbols can be simultaneously spun up on that reel. A result of the spin is evaluated to assess whether two or more feature symbols have been spun up on the same reel. If so, a second game event is provided in which the two or more feature symbols and all other symbols spun up on the same reel are converted to special symbols. The special symbols have an enhanced play characteristic in comparison to the other symbols, and the outcome of the game is re-evaluated to establish whether any outcomes exist which define a winning combination. A prize or an award is awarded if one or more winning combinations exist.