Electronic Incentive Awards via Mobile Intermediary for EGM Engagement
Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs) face challenges in retaining players and generating repeat business, as existing systems lack effective mechanisms to enhance player engagement and loyalty beyond random outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a processing circuit and communication interface to send electronic incentive awards to mobile devices when players complete specific objectives on EGMs, allowing for the tracking and unlocking of rewards, thereby encouraging continued play and brand loyalty.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional random outcome systems are used in EGMs, then the gaming simplicity is maintained, but player engagement and repeat business are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary between the EGM and the player. The mobile device stores incentive award information, tracks player progress, and displays incentive objectives, thereby enhancing player engagement without requiring complex modifications to the EGM itself. The EGM simply provides progress data through its communication interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to the gaming system by incorporating external incentive awards that are not part of the base game mechanics. These incentive awards operate in a separate dimension from the random game outcomes, providing additional player motivation through progressive objectives and rewards displayed on the mobile device.
2Reliability
If incentive awards are integrated into the EGM, then player loyalty is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the incentive award management functionality from the EGM and places it in the mobile device. The EGM's role is reduced to providing progress data through its communication interface, while the mobile device handles storing incentive information, tracking objectives, and managing award dispensing, thereby maintaining player loyalty without significantly increasing EGM complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device serves multiple functions: it displays incentive objectives, tracks player progress, stores award information, and interfaces with the EGM. This multi-functionality consolidates the incentive system complexity into a universal device that players already possess, rather than requiring dedicated complex hardware within the EGM.
3Productivity
If multiple incentive objectives are tracked, then player engagement is enhanced, but the measurement and tracking difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device automatically tracks player progress by receiving progress data from the EGM and comparing it against stored incentive objectives. The system self-manages the complex tracking of multiple objectives without requiring manual intervention or complex measurement systems, as the mobile device's processor and memory handle the detection and measurement automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous feedback to the player through the mobile device display, showing current progress toward incentive objectives. The EGM sends progress data back to the mobile device, which updates the displayed incentive information, creating a feedback loop that enhances engagement while automating the tracking process.
Data Source
AI summary
A system sends the identification of an electronic incentive award that a player may into a mobile device. The electronic incentive award may be sent in response to the player performing an action to complete an incentive objective on an electronic gaming machine (EGM). The system receives incentive progress data that corresponds to the action to complete the incentive objective. The incentive progress data indicates player progress towards completing the incentive objective. In response to the incentive progress data indicating that the player has completed the incentive objective, the system provides the electronic incentive award to the mobile device for the player to use on the mobile device.