Dynamic Secondary Game Costing for Online Gaming Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing online games lack a dynamic and engaging secondary game mechanism that allows players to win multiple virtual items with varying costs based on remaining prizes, limiting player interaction and reward distribution.
Innovation Solution
A system that implements a secondary game within an online game, where players can participate in multiple turns, with costs determined by the value of remaining potential awards, using stochastic or quasi-stochastic selection of virtual items, allowing players to win all prizes by paying for each turn, with costs increasing or decreasing based on the value of remaining items.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a secondary game is implemented with multiple turns and dynamic costing, then player engagement and reward distribution are enhanced, but system complexity and cost calculation mechanisms increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic costing where the cost of each turn is adjusted based on the value of remaining potential awards. The system calculates remaining award values and sets turn costs as a percentage thereof, creating a dynamic pricing mechanism that adapts to game state changes. This resolves the contradiction by making the system adaptable to player engagement needs while using automated algorithms to manage complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the state of potential awards and uses this feedback to adjust turn costs in real-time. The costing mechanism receives feedback about which awards have been won and which remain, then dynamically recalculates appropriate costs to maintain engagement while ensuring all awards are eventually distributed. This feedback loop manages complexity through automated decision-making.
2Reliability
If costs are determined dynamically based on remaining award values, then reward distribution becomes more balanced, but calculation and pricing mechanisms become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of turn cost from a fixed value to a dynamic value based on remaining award parameters. The system calculates the total value of unclaimed awards and sets the cost as a predetermined percentage of this total, ensuring that costs automatically adjust to maintain balanced reward distribution. This parameter transformation ensures reliability while using mathematical formulas to manage calculation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-determines the relationship between remaining award values and turn costs through predetermined percentages. Rather than requiring complex real-time negotiations or player decisions, the costing mechanism applies pre-established rules that automatically ensure fair and balanced reward distribution. This preliminary structuring of cost relationships simplifies the calculation process while maintaining reliability.
3Productivity
If multiple turns are provided to win all prizes, then player interaction increases, but the duration and cost to players increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic turn costing where early turns cost less and later turns cost more, reflecting the decreasing number of remaining awards. This dynamic structure allows players to engage in multiple turns (increasing interaction) while providing flexibility to stop when satisfied, as the increasing cost naturally limits indefinite participation. The system balances interaction duration through economically rational player decision-making rather than arbitrary time limits.
Solution Approach 2:
Players are provided with the option to participate in all turns to win all awards, or to stop at any point with partial winnings. The system enables partial completion of the secondary game, allowing players to engage at their desired level without being forced to complete all turns. This partial action approach increases interaction opportunities while respecting player time constraints through voluntary participation levels.
Data Source
AI summary
One aspect of the disclosure relates to implementing a secondary game within an online game. In the secondary game, a player may be provided with more than one turn, and/or to win more than one prize. The secondary game may commence with a finite set of potential awards or prizes. At individual turns, individual ones of the set of potential awards may be provided to the player. The player may have the opportunity to take turns in the secondary game until all of the potential awards have been “won.” Costs of the individual turns may be determined based on the value of the potential awards in the set of potential awards that have not yet been won.