Gaming System Symbol Modification for Player Engagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional spinning-reel type gaming systems lack variety and engagement, as players typically either cash out or initiate a new game after winning, without further interaction with the game outcome.

Innovation Solution

An electronic method and system that applies a modification rule to the displayed symbols when a winning combination is achieved, repeatedly modifying the symbols until no winning combination is present, allowing for continued gameplay and varying outcomes based on the winning combinations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional spinning-reel games are used with standard win/loss outcomes, then the game structure is simple and easy to operate, but player engagement and enjoyment are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplayer engagementVSAvoidgame structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the game outcome changeable after the initial spin. When a winning combination occurs, the system dynamically modifies the outcome by selecting alternative symbols from predefined sets, creating a multi-stage game flow that adapts based on the initial result, thereby enhancing player engagement without requiring complex hardware

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses preliminary action by pre-defining multiple symbol sets and alternative outcomes before the game is played. These predefined symbol sets contain various symbol combinations that can be substituted into the game outcome, allowing the system to offer additional gameplay opportunities without requiring complex real-time generation of game elements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Duration of action of moving object

If the game ends after a single win or loss, then the gameplay duration is short and simple, but player enjoyment and interaction are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegameplay durationVSAvoidgame structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuity of useful action by creating a cascading game structure where a winning outcome triggers additional gameplay stages. Instead of ending the game after one spin, the system continuously offers further interaction opportunities through symbol modification and re-spins, extending gameplay duration while maintaining a relatively simple underlying game structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies the nested doll principle by embedding additional game stages within the base game structure. The base spinning-reel game contains nested bonus stages that are triggered by winning combinations, allowing multiple levels of gameplay to be contained within a single game session without requiring separate game systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS8771055B2Method of gaming, a gaming system, and a game controller
Publication Date: 2014.07.08 ARISTOCRAT TECH AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
  • US8771055B2 patent drawing
  • US8771055B2 patent drawing
  • US8771055B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Certain examples disclose a gaming system comprising a display, a symbol selector, a symbol evaluator and a symbol modifier. The example symbol selector is arranged to select a plurality of sets of symbols for display on the display. The example symbol evaluator is arranged to determine whether the displayed symbols include any winning symbol combination. The example symbol modifier is arranged to, upon a determination that the displayed symbols include any winning symbol combination, repeatedly apply a modification rule to at least one of the plurality of sets of symbols until the displayed symbols do not include any winning symbol combination.