Interactive Bonus Game Controller for Electronic Gaming Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for innovative and engaging electronic gaming machines to compete for user attention in casinos and other establishments, as existing systems lack dynamic and interactive features.
Innovation Solution
An electronic gaming machine equipped with a card reader, data storage for interactive bonus games, a touch-sensitive display, and a game controller that generates an interactive game environment with masked prize symbols, allowing players to select symbols through gestures or inputs, triggering graphical animations and determining awards based on final positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional video gaming terminals are used, then the basic gaming function is provided, but user engagement and attention are insufficient due to lack of interactive features
Solution Approach 1:
The gaming system transitions from static reel-based gameplay to dynamic interactive bonus games where the game environment, symbols, and outcomes can change based on player selections. The bonus game features dynamic elements such as movable pointers, selectable zones, and animated graphical effects that adapt to player interactions, thereby enhancing interactivity while managing complexity through modular game structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A bonus game controller serves as an intermediary component that manages the interactive bonus game logic separately from the main reel game. This mediator handles player inputs, controls the display of interactive elements (pointer, selection zones, masked symbols), and coordinates with the reel controller, allowing the system to provide enhanced interactivity without overwhelming complexity in the core gaming mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If simple reel spinning is used, then the game operation is simple, but the gaming experience lacks engagement and variety
Solution Approach 1:
The gaming experience is segmented into distinct phases: the simple reel spinning phase and the interactive bonus game phase. During the bonus game, further segmentation occurs with separate functional zones (selection zone, pointer, prize display areas) and separate interaction mechanisms (touchscreen selections, button inputs). This segmentation allows complex interactive experiences to coexist with simple base game operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides the minimum necessary action (reel spinning) for basic gameplay while offering optional excessive actions during bonus games (multiple selections, pointer movements, zone activations). Players can engage with the simple reel game when desired, but have access to more complex interactive sequences when bonus features are triggered, thus maintaining ease of operation while enhancing experience variety.
3Adaptability or versatility
If static prize display is used, then the system is simple to implement, but user engagement is reduced due to lack of dynamic visual elements
Solution Approach 1:
The display system transitions from static prize symbols to dynamic visual elements including animated graphical effects, moving pointers, and selectable zones that change appearance based on game state. The bonus game display dynamically reveals masked symbols, animates pointer movements, and provides visual feedback for player selections, enhancing visual engagement while using standard display technology.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses graphical representations and visual copies of game elements (symbols, pointers, zones) displayed on the screen rather than requiring complex physical mechanisms. The display controller renders visual copies of interactive elements that respond to player inputs, providing dynamic visual feedback without the complexity of mechanical or physical dynamic displays.
Data Source
AI summary
Electronic gaming machines with an interactive bonus game. A touch sensitive display device provides an interactive game environment with prize symbols, a pointer, and a selection game zone with masked or covered selector game symbols. A player input device detects player interaction commands to select the game symbols to move the pointer relative to the prize symbols. A graphical animation effect represents movement of the pointer relative to the prize symbols.