Electronic Gaming Machine Symbol Transformation Mechanics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic gaming machines lack features that retain player interest, as the standard structure of base and feature games is repetitive and offers little differentiation, leading to decreased player engagement.
Innovation Solution
An electronic gaming machine with a display and electronic game controller that introduces a special symbol which selects and changes game symbols in predetermined positions, creating new winning combinations and enhancing gameplay excitement, potentially including shared jackpot prizes across multiple games.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a standard base game and feature game structure is used, then the gaming machine operates with simple rules and structure, but player interest decreases due to repetition and lack of differentiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic gameplay by allowing game symbols to change into special symbols during or after game plays. This creates evolving game states where the array composition is not static but transforms based on game progression, maintaining player interest through unpredictable changes while preserving the basic game structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-determining groups of game positions that will be affected by symbol changes. The electronic game controller selects groups of predetermined game positions in advance, and when special symbols appear, these pre-selected positions are modified to contain second special symbols, creating anticipated transformation effects that enhance player engagement.
2Device complexity
If feature games are limited to a single set of free games with slightly modified rules, then the game structure remains simple, but there is no incentive for players to continue playing once they become familiar with the games
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the base game array serve multiple functions by implementing symbol transformation mechanics that work across different game contexts. The same array structure and symbol transformation rules apply whether during base game plays, feature games, or bonus rounds, creating a unified yet dynamically varying gameplay experience that reduces the need for completely separate game modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary action by pre-selecting groups of game positions that will be transformed. This creates a framework where the basic game structure remains simple, but the predetermined position groups enable varied transformation patterns that can be applied across different game types, providing differentiation without increasing overall structural complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If game symbols are changed into special symbols during or after game plays, then player engagement increases through dynamic elements, but the game controller and display system become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces complexity by pre-determining groups of game positions that will be affected by symbol transformations. The electronic game controller stores and manages these predetermined position groups in advance, so when special symbols appear during or after game plays, the transformation logic simply applies to pre-identified positions rather than requiring complex real-time calculations, simplifying the controller's processing requirements.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the electronic gaming machine provides shared jackpot opportunities across multiple games, then player interest and continued play are encouraged, but the prize management system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements shared jackpots by making the prize management system universal across multiple games. The electronic game controller manages a common prize pool that can be awarded in the base game, feature games, or other game types, using the same symbol transformation mechanics. This unified approach allows prize sharing functionality to be integrated without requiring separate management systems for different game types, reducing overall complexity while providing flexible prize structures.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic gaming machine has an electronic game controller and a display where game symbols are arranged in an array of predetermined game positions. The appearance of a first special symbol causes a group of predetermined game positions to be selected where each game symbol occupying a predetermined game position in said group is changed into a second special symbol either during a play of a game or at the completion of said play, said change into said second special symbol being visible to said player. A gaming method is also provided.