Gaming System Symbol Storage Mechanism for Player Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gaming machines lack innovative ways to retain player interest, as existing systems fail to provide engaging award mechanisms that encourage continued play and excitement.
Innovation Solution
A gaming system that allows players to collect and store symbols across multiple plays, evaluating these symbols for winning conditions to provide awards or award enhancements, with features like geometric symbol storage areas and multiple game sets to generate additional awards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If gaming machines use traditional award mechanisms, then the system is simple to operate, but player interest and engagement deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The gaming system is divided into distinct functional modules: a symbol generation module that creates symbols during gameplay, a storage module that accumulates symbols across multiple plays, and an evaluation module that assesses stored symbols for awards. This segmentation allows the complex award mechanism to be managed through separate, manageable components while maintaining player engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
Symbols are collected and stored in advance during gameplay before the evaluation phase occurs. The system accumulates symbols across multiple plays of the game, preparing the award determination in advance rather than calculating it immediately. This preliminary accumulation of symbols creates anticipation and engagement while the actual award calculation is deferred.
2Adaptability or versatility
If gaming machines offer simple award structures, then the system is easy to manufacture, but player retention deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The symbol storage area serves multiple functions: it acts as a buffer for symbols generated during gameplay, a collection point for award evaluation, and a persistent memory that carries symbols across multiple game plays. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, simplifying implementation while providing versatile award mechanisms that improve player retention.
Solution Approach 2:
Stored symbols act as an intermediary element between gameplay and award determination. Rather than directly linking game outcomes to immediate awards, the system uses stored symbols as a mediator that accumulates game results and translates them into award opportunities. This intermediary layer adds complexity to player engagement while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.
3Speed
If gaming machines evaluate symbols immediately, then the system responds quickly, but player anticipation and excitement deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system evaluates stored symbols at periodic intervals rather than continuously or immediately. Specifically, the evaluation occurs when a predetermined number of symbols are accumulated in the storage area, creating regular assessment cycles. This periodic evaluation maintains quick response times while building player anticipation through the accumulation phase between evaluations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary symbol accumulation before the actual award evaluation occurs. Symbols are collected and stored in advance during gameplay, and only after reaching a predetermined quantity does the evaluation take place. This preliminary action creates a buildup of anticipation and excitement while the actual evaluation remains relatively quick once triggered.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of a gaming system and method are disclosed as having awards or award enhancements based on a plurality of storage symbols. The gaming system enables the plurality of storage symbols to be collected and stored over multiple games. In some embodiments, the gaming system collects a wager for at least one or more of the games. In some embodiments, when the gaming system determines that a quantity of stored plurality of storage symbols is equal to or greater than a predetermined quantity of storage symbols, the gaming system evaluates the stored plurality of storage symbols for winning conditions. In some embodiments, the gaming system provides one or more awards or award enhancements associated with the winning conditions.