Persistent Wild Symbol Locking Mechanism for Gaming Machines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional slot machines lack features that enhance player engagement and excitement, particularly in maintaining interest through consistent symbol placement, which can lead to increased player interaction and revenue for casinos.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system where a particular symbol, such as a Wild symbol, is locked at a specific position on the display for multiple consecutive outcome events, using a processor to determine and display this symbol consistently, thereby increasing player engagement and opportunities for winning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If all symbols including wild symbols are replaced for each spin in traditional slot games, then the game follows traditional mechanics, but player engagement and excitement are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesymbol persistence featureVSAvoidgame mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically determines whether to persist or replace symbols based on game state and random outcomes. The wild symbol persistence feature is activated conditionally during bonus rounds or specific game states, creating a dynamic gameplay experience that adapts between traditional and enhanced modes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of symbol replacement frequency from 100% (traditional) to a variable rate during bonus rounds. By adjusting this parameter, the system creates persistent wild symbols that remain in position across multiple spins, fundamentally altering the game mechanics to enhance player engagement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If symbols are replaced every spin, then the game mechanism is simple, but player interest and excitement decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewinning opportunity consistencyVSAvoidgameplay frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by locking wild symbols in place before subsequent spins during bonus rounds. This preliminary positioning of wild symbols creates predetermined winning opportunities that carry across multiple spins, increasing player excitement and encouraging continued gameplay

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The persistent wild symbol feature creates continuity by maintaining useful symbols across multiple outcome events. Instead of replacing symbols each spin, the system continues to display the same wild symbols, creating a continuous winning opportunity that spans multiple spins and enhances player engagement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Adaptability or versatility

If wild symbols are locked for multiple consecutive outcome events, then player engagement increases, but the game deviates from traditional slot mechanics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesymbol persistence capabilityVSAvoidgameplay simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the game into distinct phases: traditional spins and bonus rounds with persistent wilds. During bonus rounds, the system isolates and locks specific wild symbols at their current positions, creating segmented persistent features that don't affect the entire game but enhance specific gameplay segments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary mechanism that selectively locks wild symbols during bonus rounds without affecting other game elements. This intermediary persistence feature acts as a mediator between traditional mechanics and enhanced engagement, allowing wild symbols to persist while maintaining overall game simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9355517B2Gaming machine with persistent wild feature

Publication Date: 2016.05.31 GAMES GLOBAL OPERATIONS LTD

AI summary

Machines and methods are described for displaying a particular symbol at a corresponding symbol position for multiple consecutive outcome events, such as outcome events including a wager game played on a stand-alone machine located within a casino or a machine within a client-server architecture. After displaying the particular symbol for a first outcome event, the particular symbol can be displayed at the same symbol position within a symbol-display-portion for one or more successive outcome events without the particular symbol being selected to be displayed at the same symbol position. Other symbols displayed within the symbol-display-portion for the first and successive outcome events can be determined or selected by a processor using a random selection process. The particular symbol can be a Wild symbol. A data structure can include data for tracking whether the particular symbol is locked down for an outcome event after the first outcome event.