Persistent Feature Activation in Gaming Systems

Solution Overview

Problem

Gaming systems lack a mechanism to dynamically enhance player engagement by allowing selective activation of persistent features that can modify game outcomes and provide additional awards, limiting player strategy and anticipation.

Innovation Solution

A gaming system that displays a set of persistent features independent of game play, randomly selects and activates them upon specific events, modifying game outcomes and providing additional awards, allowing players to anticipate and strategize based on available features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional gaming machines provide awards based solely on winning symbols and wager amounts, then the game rules remain simple and easy to understand, but player engagement and anticipation are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplayer engagementVSAvoidgame mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-selects and displays a set of persistent features before the game play begins. These features are randomly selected from a larger pool and remain displayed throughout the game, allowing players to anticipate potential modifiers and strategize their gameplay based on the available features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically activates features during gameplay based on random selection from the displayed persistent features. This creates a dynamic gaming experience where the game mechanics can change mid-play, adding unpredictability and engagement without requiring complex pre-programmed scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If gaming machines use fixed game outcomes based on wagers and symbols, then the game structure remains stable and predictable, but player anticipation and strategic elements are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegame outcome variabilityVSAvoidgame structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-selects and displays a set of persistent features before the game play begins. These features are randomly selected from a larger pool and remain displayed throughout the game, allowing players to anticipate potential modifiers and strategize their gameplay based on the available features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system modifies game outcomes by applying persistent features that change parameters such as symbol transformations, award multipliers, and bonus triggers. These parameter changes occur dynamically during gameplay while maintaining the underlying game structure and fairness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If gaming systems provide additional award opportunities through bonus features, then player rewards increase, but the game complexity and number of components increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaward opportunitiesVSAvoidsystem components

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The persistent features serve multiple functions: they modify game outcomes, trigger additional awards, and provide strategic information to players. This multi-functionality allows the system to provide diverse award opportunities without adding proportionally more complex components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-selects and displays a set of persistent features before the game play begins. These features are randomly selected from a larger pool and remain displayed throughout the game, allowing players to anticipate potential modifiers and strategize their gameplay based on the available features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10482714B2Gaming system and method for providing awards based on selective activation of persistent features

Publication Date: 2019.11.19 INTERNATIONAL GAME TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates generally to gaming systems and methods for providing one or more awards in association with the selective activation of one or more persistent features.