Gaming System Symbol Counter for Feature Trigger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic gaming machines lack an engaging mechanism to trigger feature games and provide synchronized win celebrations across multiple devices, which can enhance user experience and manage volatility and return to player (RTP) effectively.
Innovation Solution
A gaming system that initializes a symbol counter with a randomly selected initial value and a trigger value, incrementing it based on designated symbols, and awards a feature game when the trigger value is reached, while a link controller coordinates win celebrations across devices by communicating a win celebration command.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a random number generator is used to determine game outcomes, then fairness and regulatory compliance are improved, but player engagement and excitement are reduced due to complete randomness
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-determines feature game triggers based on symbol collections before the feature game actually activates. The symbol counter tracks designated symbols across base games, and when it reaches a predetermined trigger value, the feature game is awarded. This preliminary tracking and counting mechanism creates player engagement through visible progress while maintaining RNG-based fairness for the actual game outcomes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts between completely random RNG outcomes and semi-predictable symbol collection mechanics. The symbol counter provides dynamic feedback to players about their progress toward triggering feature games, creating a dynamic blend of randomness and player agency that enhances engagement while preserving fairness through the underlying RNG system.
2Device complexity
If feature games are triggered by random outcomes, then simplicity of game design is maintained, but player engagement and anticipation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements preliminary symbol collection and counting mechanisms that occur before feature game triggers. The symbol counter is initialized and accumulates designated symbols across multiple base games, creating a preliminary phase that builds player anticipation and engagement before the actual feature game activation, while maintaining relatively simple game design architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The symbol counter acts as an intermediary mechanism between base game play and feature game triggers. It mediates the transition by tracking symbol collections and determining when trigger conditions are met, adding a layer of player engagement and anticipation without significantly complicating the overall game design structure.
3Device complexity
If multiple gaming devices operate independently, then device simplicity and operational independence are improved, but synchronized win celebrations and networked engagement are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The link controller provides universal functionality across multiple gaming devices, enabling synchronized win celebrations and networked engagement while devices maintain their core operational independence. The link controller acts as a multi-functional component that coordinates communication and celebration sequences across the network without requiring complex changes to individual device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The link controller serves as an intermediary that enables synchronized operations across independent gaming devices. It mediates communication between devices, coordinates win celebration sequences, and facilitates networked engagement while allowing each device to maintain its operational simplicity and independence for core game functions.
4Stability of the object's composition
If symbol counter initialization starts from zero, then consistency and predictability are improved, but player engagement and excitement are reduced due to lack of variability
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary random initialization of the symbol counter before gameplay begins. This preliminary action establishes a variable starting point that maintains consistency in the initialization process while introducing variability to enhance player engagement and excitement, resolving the contradiction between consistency and engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of symbol counter initialization from a fixed value (zero) to a randomly selected value within a defined range. This parameter change maintains the consistency of the initialization mechanism while introducing variability that enhances player engagement, as each gaming session starts with a different counter value.
Data Source
AI summary
A gaming system randomly selects a trigger value for a feature, which starts when the current value of a symbol counter reaches the trigger value. In some examples, a gaming system includes memory that stores data defining reel strips. When a symbol counter is initialized, an initial value of the symbol counter is randomly selected from a range of allowable initial values having an upper limit. A trigger value is randomly selected from a range between the initial value and a ceiling value, which is greater than the upper limit. For each of one or more instances, symbols are selected from the reel strips for display, and the current value of the symbol counter is incremented based on the count of designated symbols, if any, among the selected symbols. Responsive to the current value of the symbol counter reaching the trigger value, the feature is started.