Dynamic Wild Symbol Assignment in Gaming Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic gaming machines lack the ability to allow players to dynamically influence the assignment of a wild symbol, which could enhance gameplay excitement and payout potential, as existing systems either randomly assign wild symbols without player input or provide limited control over their selection.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for a gaming machine that enables players to request and assign a wild symbol, with the option to impact the selection process, allowing for enhanced player engagement and potentially higher payouts by modifying symbol combinations and payouts based on matching symbols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the system allows players to request and influence wild symbol assignment, then player engagement and excitement are enhanced, but the system complexity and control mechanisms increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static random wild symbol assignment to dynamic player-influenced assignment. Players can request wild symbol assignments during gameplay, and the system adapts by processing these requests and determining outcomes based on game state, thereby enhancing adaptability while maintaining manageable complexity through structured decision logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where player requests for wild symbol assignments are received, processed, and result in determined assignments that are then displayed to players. This feedback mechanism allows players to influence the game state while the system maintains control through defined probability structures and game rules, resolving the contradiction between player influence and system complexity.
2Productivity
If the system provides multiple payout calculations based on wild symbol matches, then payout potential increases, but the calculation complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The payout calculation process is segmented into distinct phases: initial symbol combination evaluation, wild symbol assignment determination, matching symbol identification, and final payout calculation. This segmentation allows the system to handle complex multi-stage calculations with multiple payout potentials while maintaining clear processing logic and manageable complexity at each stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing symbol combination values, wild symbol assignment rules, and matching criteria before actual gameplay occurs. This preparation enables the system to efficiently process real-time player requests and calculate multiple payout scenarios without excessive processing complexity during active gameplay.
3Reliability
If the system maintains randomness in wild symbol assignment, then unpredictability and excitement are preserved, but player control and engagement are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes parameters by allowing player input that influences wild symbol assignment while maintaining probabilistic outcomes. The randomness parameter is adjusted dynamically based on player requests and game state, enabling players to have control over the assignment process while the system preserves unpredictability through randomized determination within defined parameters and rules.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a gaming machine having a game controller includes receiving, via an input device of the gaming machine, a request from a player to play a game, generating, via a game controller and based on the request to play the game, a symbol combination comprising one or more symbols, wherein the symbol combination is associated with a first payout amount, displaying the symbol combination to the player via a display device, receiving, via the input device, a request from the player to assign a wild symbol, generating the wild symbol based on the request from the player and displaying the wild symbol to the player via the display device, determining whether any of the one or more symbols in the symbol combination matches the wild symbol and providing an indication to the player of any matching symbols via the display device, calculating a second payout amount for the symbol combination based on the matching symbols, wherein the second payout amount is at least equal to the first payout amount, and providing an indication of the second payout amount to the player.