Video Poker Lock and Improve Feature for Player Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gaming systems lack innovative features to enhance player engagement and reward opportunities in video poker games, leading to repetitive and uninteresting gaming experiences.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a 'lock and improve' feature in gaming devices, where items associated with cards in a poker hand can be locked, and players can participate in secondary game events to receive additional items, such as credits, bonus opportunities, progressives, or multipliers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional video poker games are used, then the game operation is simple and reliable, but the player engagement and gaming experience variety are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The game is divided into distinct phases: initial card dealing, locking phase where players select cards to lock, and secondary game event phase. This segmentation allows traditional poker mechanics to be preserved while adding structured complexity through the lock and improve feature, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and variety.
Solution Approach 2:
Players perform preliminary actions by selecting and locking cards before the secondary game event occurs. This preliminary locking phase creates anticipation and strategic decision-making, enhancing player engagement without requiring complex continuous gameplay mechanics.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional game features are added to enhance player engagement, then player excitement and reward opportunities increase, but the game operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock and improve feature serves multiple functions: it provides strategic card selection, creates anticipation through locking, triggers secondary game events, and offers additional reward opportunities. This multi-functionality enhances player engagement without requiring separate complex game modes, maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary game event continues the gameplay flow immediately after the locking phase, providing continuous useful action. Players transition smoothly from card selection to receiving additional items, maintaining engagement without interrupting the gaming rhythm or requiring complex state management.
3Quantity of substance
If secondary game events are implemented, then additional rewards and player engagement are provided, but the game structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary game event is nested within the traditional video poker structure. The lock and improve feature is embedded as a phase within the existing deal-hold-draw poker cycle, allowing additional items to be received without creating a separate parallel game system. This nesting maintains structural simplicity while increasing reward quantity.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for providing a lock and improve feature in gaming devices. Accordingly, a gaming device can be configured to include a video poker game where items associated with cards in poker hand, or card positions where the cards in the poker hand are displayed, can be locked, held, stuck, or otherwise maintained and a secondary game event is played where additional items can be received. The items may provide credits, bonus opportunities, progressives, multipliers, or other types of awards, modifiers, or beneficial game enhancements.