Metamorphic Feature Symbols in Electronic Gaming Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic gaming machines lack an engaging metamorphic feature that enhances player experience by transforming inactive symbols into activated ones during gameplay, leading to a lack of excitement and variability in game outcomes.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a metamorphic feature in electronic gaming machines, where a set of feature symbols are initially inactive and become activated during a spin, triggering overlay symbols with prize identifiers, which are then used to determine and award prizes based on their appearance on the reels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional static symbols are used in electronic gaming machines, then the game structure is simple and easy to understand, but player engagement and excitement are reduced due to lack of dynamic transformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by allowing symbols to transform from inactive to active states during gameplay. Specifically, feature symbols can morph into different symbol types (e.g., transforming into wildcard symbols or high-value symbols) based on game conditions, creating a dynamic gaming experience where the symbol set is not fixed but evolves during play. This resolves the contradiction by introducing adaptability without requiring complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining multiple possible transformation states for each feature symbol before gameplay begins. The system prepares a library of potential symbol transformations (e.g., which symbols a feature symbol can morph into) and selects appropriate transformations during play based on triggering conditions. This allows complex symbol behavior to be managed through pre-planned configurations rather than real-time complex decision-making.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic metamorphic features are introduced to enhance player engagement, then player excitement and variability in outcomes increase, but the game system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the symbol set into distinct categories: feature symbols (which can transform), inactive symbols (which remain static), and active symbols (which are currently transformable). This segmentation allows the system to manage complexity by treating different symbol types differently - feature symbols have transformation rules attached, while other symbols follow traditional static behavior. This modular approach enables outcome variability without requiring all symbols to be complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by giving special properties only to specific feature symbols rather than all symbols. Each feature symbol can have its own transformation characteristics (e.g., which symbols it can morph into, under what conditions), while other symbols maintain simple static properties. This localized approach to complexity allows engaging metamorphic features for specific symbols without making the entire symbol management system overly complex.
3Productivity
If overlay symbols with prize identifiers are triggered during spins, then prize award opportunities increase, but the evaluation process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-associating prize identifiers with specific symbol combinations and transformation outcomes. Before the spin evaluation, the system has already determined which symbol arrangements trigger overlay symbols and what prizes are associated with those overlays. During evaluation, the system simply checks against these pre-defined rules rather than making complex real-time decisions about prize allocation, thus increasing award frequency without proportionally increasing evaluation complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic gaming machine (EGM) that uses a feature symbol set and plurality of reel sets, where each feature symbol defines an inactive feature symbol and an activated feature symbol, and where each reel set includes reels that use an activated feature symbol. The EGM identifies a selected reel set that includes an activated feature symbol and initiates a spin. The EGM cause first and second reels to stop spinning and, in response to determining that at least one first activated symbol appears on each of the first and second reels, triggers a feature causing one or more overlay symbols with prize identifiers to be overlaid onto a play area. The EGM stop the spinning of the other reels, evaluates an outcome of the spin that includes at least one overlay symbol with an associated prize identifier, and awards a prize indicated by the prize identifier based on the evaluation.