Gaming System Progressive Prize Award via Free Play Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gaming systems fail to provide a progressive prize that accurately reflects the expected value through a series of free game plays, often resulting in incomplete awarding due to fractional remainder values when the expected value is not an integer multiple of the prize value.
Innovation Solution
A gaming system that awards a number of free plays approximately equal to the prize value divided by the expected value of each play, with a remainder game determining additional free plays based on the fractional remainder, ensuring that the total award approximates the prize value.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a progressive jackpot pool is awarded through a single feature game, then the award can be determined quickly, but the total award may not accurately reflect the expected value when fractional remainders are involved
Solution Approach 1:
The award determination is segmented into multiple independent free game plays rather than a single feature game. Each free play has its own expected value, and the cumulative awards from multiple plays more accurately reflect the total prize value, especially when fractional remainders are involved in the PV/EV calculation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system awards a number of free plays that is approximately PV/EV, which may be slightly more or less than the exact value needed. This partial action approach accepts some variance in individual outcomes while ensuring the expected total award aligns with the progressive jackpot pool value across many iterations.
2Quantity of substance
If the number of free plays is calculated as PV/EV, then the total award theoretically equals the prize value, but fractional remainders cause incomplete awarding
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates the number of free plays as approximately PV/EV, accepting that the exact prize value may not be achieved in every instance due to fractional remainders. Over many iterations, the law of large numbers ensures the total awards converge to the expected prize value, balancing precision with practical implementation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of number of free plays from an exact fractional value to an approximate integer value. This parameter transformation allows the system to award a whole number of games while maintaining the expected value relationship, effectively handling the fractional remainder issue through rounding or truncation.
3Ease of operation
If a single feature game is played to determine the award, then the process is simple, but the player engagement and excitement are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The award process is divided into multiple free game plays rather than a single feature game. Each free play provides its own excitement and potential award, increasing overall player engagement while maintaining relative simplicity through the use of familiar base game mechanics repeated multiple times.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous useful action by awarding multiple free plays in sequence rather than a single deterministic outcome. This continuous engagement keeps the player involved with the game for an extended period, maintaining excitement and anticipation throughout the award sequence.
Data Source
AI summary
A gaming device, system and method are set forth which includes a progressive jackpot pool. Based upon a trigger condition at least a portion of the pool value PV is awarded to a player by providing free plays of a feature where each free play has an expected value EV. The number of free plays awarded is substantially PV/EV and where PV/EV includes a non-integer remainder R a remainder game having odds R/EV is played and if won an additional free play is awarded. The progressive trigger may be a mystery trigger. The free plays may be free spins of the gaming machine base game or one or more different games.