Slot Game With Skill-Based Icon Stopping Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional slot machine games lack an element of skill, which is a requirement in some jurisdictions, and do not allow players to fully engage their reflexes and hand-eye coordination, limiting player interaction and excitement.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a skill-based game element where players manipulate physical controls to achieve a goal after a potential win is determined, allowing them to earn a percentage of the potential award by stopping an animated icon at a specific position on a skill meter, which adds an interactive and challenging layer to the game.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional slot machine game is used, then the game operation is simple and automatic, but the game lacks skill elements and player engagement is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges a traditional slot machine game with a skill-based mini-game into a single integrated system. The slot machine determines a potential award, and then the skill-based game ( involving manipulating a physical control to stop an animated icon) allows the player to earn a percentage of that award through skill. This combination resolves the contradiction by adding skill elements while maintaining the原有 slot machine functionality.
2Ease of operation
If a skill-based game element is added, then player engagement and excitement increase, but the game operation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The game is segmented into distinct phases: the slot machine spinning phase and the skill-based mini-game phase. Each phase has its own simple controls - the slot machine uses standard spin buttons, and the mini-game uses a dedicated physical control (such as a lever or button) specifically for stopping the animated icon. This segmentation allows complex gameplay to be broken into manageable, easily operable segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary physical control device that mediates between the player and the game system. This physical control (such as a lever or button) serves as the interface for the skill-based portion, allowing players to manipulate the animated icon's stopping position without directly complex programming or multiple controls. The intermediary simplifies the interaction while enabling skill expression.
3Productivity
If an animated icon with stop button is implemented, then players can earn percentages of potential awards through skill, but the game duration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The skill-based mini-game allows players to perform partial action - they don't need to perfectly stop the animated icon at the optimal position to earn some reward. The system is designed so that even suboptimal stopping positions earn a percentage of the potential award, while skilled players can earn higher percentages. This partial action approach maintains player engagement without requiring excessive time for perfect execution.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to implement a slot machine (or other game) which allows the player to activate the game (spin the reels) without having to place a wager (entry). Only after the reels have stopped spinning can the player decide to place the wager (entry) or the player can choose to walk away from the game. If the player places the wager (entry) then the player is presented with a skill game which converted a result from the slot reels into an actual award amount which is then awarded to the player.