Gaming System Special Symbol Replication Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for an alternative gaming system that offers a new and engaging experience for players, distinct from existing systems that either re-spin reels or feature roaming wild symbols without re-spinning.

Innovation Solution

A method and system where a special symbol is displayed and replicated across display positions until an end condition is met, affecting game outcomes based on its presence and associated functions, allowing for progressive display and interaction with normal symbols, potentially spreading across the display area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a special symbol is replicated across display positions, then player engagement and game outcome variety are improved, but the complexity of the gaming system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegame outcome varietyVSAvoidgaming system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display area is segmented into multiple display positions, and the special symbol is replicated at different positions to create varied game outcomes. This segmentation allows the same special symbol to produce different effects depending on its location, increasing outcome variety without requiring multiple different symbols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The special symbol is copied and displayed at multiple display positions. By replicating the same symbol rather than using different symbols, the system achieves variety in game outcomes while maintaining simplicity in symbol design and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If the special symbol is replicated progressively across display positions, then player engagement is improved, but the duration of the gaming feature increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplayer engagementVSAvoidfeature duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The special symbol replication occurs in periodic steps rather than continuously. The system can replicate the symbol at specific intervals or in discrete stages, maintaining player engagement through progressive revelation while controlling the overall duration of the feature by limiting the number of replication steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system determines the replication positions and timing in advance based on predefined patterns or random selection. This preliminary planning allows the feature to progress through multiple replication stages while maintaining control over the total duration, ensuring engagement without excessive length.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple functions are associated with the special symbol, then the versatility of the gaming system is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring game outcomes increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesymbol functionalityVSAvoidoutcome evaluation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functions associated with the special symbol are merged into a single integrated evaluation process. Rather than evaluating each function separately, the system combines all function assessments into one comprehensive outcome determination, reducing the complexity of detection and measurement while maintaining full functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The special symbol is designed with universal multi-functionality, where a single symbol can trigger multiple different effects or outcomes. This universal design simplifies the system by using one symbol for multiple purposes rather than requiring separate symbols for each function, thereby reducing outcome evaluation complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8961291B2Method of gaming, a gaming system and a game controller

Publication Date: 2015.02.24 ARISTOCRAT TECH AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

AI summary

A gaming system is disclosed which comprises a display, a symbol selector arranged to select at least a first set of normal symbols to be displayed by the display at a plurality of display positions and to cause a special symbol to be displayed at a display position, a special symbol controller arranged to replicate an aspect of the special symbol until an end condition is met, the special symbol controller arranged to maintain each previously displayed special symbol in the display position where the special symbol occurred, select at least one display position for each replicated aspect of the special symbol and cause each replicated aspect of the special symbol to be displayed at the selected position, and an outcome generator arranged to determine at least one game outcome based on the displayed special symbol, the displayed normal symbols and the replicated aspect of the special symbol. A corresponding method is also disclosed.