Hold-and-Spin Reel Strip Control for Volatility and RTP
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hold-and-spin features in electronic gaming machines (EGMs) face challenges in managing game volatility and return to player (RTP) due to increased randomness and potential outcomes from additional features like expanding symbol matrix sizes or unlocking rows, which can complicate regulatory compliance.
Innovation Solution
Implementing multiple reel strip types with different symbol selection probabilities to control the degree of randomness and maintain target RTP, by selectively choosing reel strips for symbol placement in the matrix based on specific positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the symbol matrix size is increased or additional rows are unlocked in the hold-and-spin feature, then the game outcome potential is increased, but the randomness and volatility control becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the reel strip configuration adjustable and variable during gameplay. Different reel strip types can be selected and applied to different symbol matrix positions dynamically, allowing the system to adapt the randomness characteristics based on the current game state, such as the number of spins remaining or symbols collected, thereby maintaining control over volatility while expanding outcome potential.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by assigning different reel strip types to different positions within the symbol matrix. Each position can have its own customized probability distribution for selecting credit symbols, non-credit symbols, and triggering symbols. This allows specific regions of the matrix to contribute differently to overall game volatility and RTP, enabling fine-grained control over randomness while enhancing game outcome potential through localized probability adjustments.
2Reliability
If multiple reel strip types with different probabilities are implemented, then the randomness and volatility are enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the reel strip system into multiple distinct reel strip types, each with its own probability configuration for different symbol categories. Instead of using a single complex reel strip, the system segments functionality across multiple simpler reel strips that can be selectively applied to different symbol matrix positions, making the overall system more manageable and easier to configure while achieving the desired randomness and volatility control.
3Reliability
If the hold-and-spin feature is expanded with more spins and reset options, then the return to player (RTP) is maintained, but the game volatility becomes difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements parameter changes by systematically adjusting the probability parameters of different reel strip types based on the current game state. As the number of spins decreases or specific symbols are collected, the system dynamically changes the probability distributions across different reel strip positions to maintain target RTP while controlling volatility. This involves modifying the mix of reel strip types applied to different symbol matrix positions throughout the gameplay sequence.
Data Source
AI summary
A hold-and-spin feature is expanded and a potential game outcome is increased by triggering resetting of the remaining number of spins to different reset spin values based on the collection of a number of first respin triggering symbols. In order to control and manage the degree of randomness in having different numbers of reset spin values, and thus controlling game volatility and/or thus maintaining a target RTP, multiple reel strip types with different properties are used to select symbols for various positions in the symbol matrix. The multiple reel strip types may have different probabilities of selecting credit symbols, non-credit symbols, first respin triggering symbols, second triggering symbols, and so on.