Gaming System Suspense Feature via Delayed Award Revelation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Gaming machines lack player involvement and suspense in feature games, as awards are typically revealed immediately after selection, reducing the entertainment value and attracting power.
Innovation Solution
A gaming system that includes a second screen feature game with a scale of prizes, where players make choices between options, and the game controller determines winning outcomes randomly, creating suspense by delaying the award revelation and allowing for progressive prize values and additional game events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If awards are revealed immediately after selection in feature games, then the game operation is simple and easy to understand, but player involvement and suspense are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines the award outcome in advance (before the reveal phase) but delays the disclosure of this information until after the player completes their selections. This creates suspense while maintaining simple operation, as the player interacts with the interface without knowing the predetermined outcome.
Solution Approach 2:
The feature game is divided into distinct phases: a selection phase where players choose options, and a reveal phase where outcomes are disclosed. This segmentation allows the system to separate the interaction complexity from the outcome determination, maintaining operational simplicity while building suspense through delayed revelation.
2Loss of time
If awards are revealed immediately after selection, then the game cycle is short and efficient, but entertainment value and attracting power are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The award outcomes are predetermined before the reveal phase, allowing the system to maintain efficient processing while extending the perceived game cycle through suspenseful delay. The entertainment value is enhanced by this psychological tension without actually lengthening the system's operational cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The feature game uses periodic phases of selection followed by reveal, creating rhythmic engagement patterns. This periodic structure builds anticipation during selection phases and provides satisfaction during reveal phases, enhancing entertainment value while maintaining manageable cycle times.
3Loss of information
If players are made aware of potential awards before selection, then the game is transparent and fair, but suspense and excitement are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines outcomes in advance (ensuring fairness and transparency in the backend process) but withholds this information during the player's selection phase. This maintains the integrity of the game while creating suspense, as the predetermined outcomes are revealed only after selections are complete.
4Device complexity
If feature games use traditional pick-a-box or reveal symbol mechanisms, then the game structure is simple and compliant with regulations, but player involvement decreases after successive iterations
Solution Approach 1:
By determining outcomes in advance and delaying reveal, the system adds psychological depth to traditional simple structures. This maintains regulatory compliance and structural simplicity while significantly enhancing player involvement through suspense and anticipation during the selection phases.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a gaming apparatus having a display means and a user interface in communication with a game control means. The method includes determining a selection of an outcome from at least two possible outcomes and subsequently revealing an award. An event having an event outcome is generated. Whether the award is awarded is represented as dependent on the basis of a comparison or interplay between the selected outcome and the event outcome.