Gaming Machine Multi-Path Multipliers for Variable Prize Awards
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gaming machines lack innovative features to enhance player engagement and prize variability, necessitating new game presentations and graphics to maintain player interest.
Innovation Solution
Implementing gaming machines with multiplier symbols and prize symbols on reels, allowing for multiple-location prize symbols that align with multiplier symbols along multiple paths, and a prize selector mechanism to enhance prize amounts, along with a bonus mode that eliminates non-operative symbols, thereby increasing winning opportunities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional slot machine games with fixed prize structures are used, then the game format is simple and easy to understand, but player engagement and prize variability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The game is divided into distinct functional components: multiplier symbols on first/second reels, prize symbols on third reel, and payline evaluation systems. This segmentation allows each component to be independently configured and optimized, enabling high prize variability through combinations of multiplier values (2x, 3x, 5x, 10x) while maintaining clear visual separation that preserves game simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The gaming machine is designed with universal symbols that serve multiple functions: multiplier symbols can appear on different reels and combine with various prize symbols, prize symbols can have different values and locations, and the same basic game structure supports multiple payline configurations. This multi-functionality enables extensive prize variability without requiring separate game formats for each variation
2Productivity
If multiple-location prize symbols are allowed to align with multiplier symbols along multiple paths, then winning opportunities and entertainment value increase, but the game rules and symbol alignment complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces multiple-dimensional alignment paths beyond traditional single paylines. Multiple-location prize symbols can align with multiplier symbols along diagonal paths, vertical paths, and multiple simultaneous paylines, creating a three-dimensional evaluation space. This dimensional expansion increases winning opportunities while the system manages complexity through standardized path evaluation algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple alignment paths and multiple-location prize symbols are merged into a unified evaluation system where all valid alignments are simultaneously assessed. The system combines results from multiple paylines, diagonal lines, and vertical lines into a single prize calculation, allowing players to win from multiple alignments in one spin without requiring separate game modes or complex rule sets
3Adaptability or versatility
If bonus modes that eliminate non-operative symbols are implemented, then player engagement and potential winnings increase, but the game mode complexity and operational rules increase
Solution Approach 1:
The game dynamically transitions between base game mode and bonus mode based on trigger conditions. In bonus mode, non-operative symbols are eliminated from the reel configuration, fundamentally changing the game dynamics. This dynamic adaptation increases player engagement by offering varying gameplay experiences while the system manages complexity through clearly defined mode transition rules and visual indicators that guide players through mode changes
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional reel configurations with limited symbol types are used, then the game is easy to manufacture and maintain, but entertainment value and player retention decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses virtual copying of symbols through digital display systems rather than physical reel manufacturing. Multiple instances of multiplier symbols (2x, 3x, 5x, 10x) and prize symbols are created as digital graphics that can be dynamically assigned to different reel positions. This copying approach enables high entertainment value through diverse symbol combinations while maintaining ease of manufacture since all symbols are generated through software rather than requiring complex physical reel fabrication
Data Source
AI summary
A gaming machine is controlled with program code for, in response to a play input causing a display system to display a base result representation in a first area of the display system including a matrix of symbol locations with a first line of symbols randomly selected from among multiplier symbols and non-operative symbols, a second line of symbols randomly selected from among multiplier symbols and non-operative symbols, and a third line of symbols randomly selected from among prize symbols and non-operative symbols. In response to an alignment of a multiple-location prize symbol along multiple alignment paths with a plurality of multiplier symbols on each alignment path, awarding a prize amount of a prize associated with the prize symbol times a combined multiplier value indicated by all the multiplier symbols so aligned.