GB2382911A

GB2382911A - Player configurable entertainment machine

Info

Publication number: GB2382911A
Application number: GB0223606A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rebecca Chambers
Original assignee: Bell Fruit Games Ltd
Current assignee: Bell Fruit Games Ltd
Priority date: 2001-10-12
Filing date: 2002-10-11
Publication date: 2003-06-11
Anticipated expiration: 2022-10-11
Also published as: GB2382911B; GB0124517D0; GB0223606D0

Abstract

An entertainment machine, arranged to provide a game to a player, in which an award is made to the player following a win, comprising a screen, and selection means, the screen being arranged to display a plurality of game play parameters to the player, the selection means being operable by the player to select at least one of said parameters in order to construct said game thus the machine, in use, allowing a player to design a game.

Description

PLAYER CONFIGURABLE ENTERTAINMENT MACHINE This invention relates to a player configurable entertainment machine, and related methods. More particularly, but not exclusively, it relates to a coin operated amusement with prizes (AWP) entertainment machine.

It will be understood that the term"coin"as used herein refers to a token, cash, a credit card or any other form of means of supplying monetary equivalence.

AWP entertainment machines have traditionally been mechanical in nature, which has limited the adaptability of the machines to players' preferences. This has been due in no small part to players'reluctance to accept video displays, i. e. machines showing simulations of mechanical elements. However, players'attitudes towards video displays are changing, possibly because of a change in demographics of players of entertainment machines. The increased acceptance of video displays in entertainment machines gives a higher degree of flexibility to entertainment machines and can aid in improving player appeal.

Players are attracted by a machine with a familiar style of game, by the belief that they may readily win a prize and also by unusual features offered on the machine. The prior art includes machines which offer a plurality of games selected by a player. Such machines have become common place and, as such, players may not choose to use the machines as much as is desired.

It is an aim, of at least one embodiment, of the present invention to provide, at least partially, an entertainment machine with improved player appeal.

It is a further aim, of at least one embodiment, of the present invention to provide, at least partially, a method of improving the player appeal of an entertainment machine.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an entertainment machine arranged to provide a game to a player in which an award is made to the player following a win, comprising a screen, and selection means, the screen being arranged to display a plurality of game play parameters to the player, the selection means being operable by the player to select at least one of said parameters in order to construct said game, such that, in use of the machine, a player is allowed to design a game.

An advantage of such a machine is that is may well hold the appeal of a player ; being provided with a machine allowing him/her to construct his/her own game from a variety of options may be appealing. Providing a machine providing the player with a much greater choice, by allowing the player to assemble from a multiple selection of component game parts, a game that closely matches their ideal game, may provide greater player appeal and therefore may provide a more successful game.

The parameters may include a plurality of primary games. For example a player may be presented with a predetermined number of differing primary games to choose from. The predetermined number may be around 20, but could be around any one of the following numbers 5, 10,15, 25,30 or any number in between, above, or below.

The parameters may include differing levels of expertise, for example novice (amateur), intermediate (customary) and/or expert. In one embodiment the novice level may have no hidden features or nudges, the intermediate level may have no hidden features but may have nudges and

the expert level may have hidden features, nudges and/or designer cheats. Designer cheats are typically means by which a skilled or knowledgeable player can apparently influence the game to his/her advantages. In other embodiments the levels may offer alternative features for each level.

Preferably the parameters may include game play options, that are arranged to alter the functionality of a primary game. The game play options may include any one, or combination, of the following: overprinted numbers, overprinted symbols, symbol matrix, nudge limits.

Alternatively, or additionally, the parameters may include any one, or combination of, the following secondary (feature) game options: ladder climb, gamble, run around trail, climb trail, number reel. The gamble game option may include any one, or combination, of the following: "Hi/Lo", roulette,"Turbo Up/Down" The machine may be arranged such that it presents a default game having default parameters to the player in an arrangement. The machine may be arranged to present a player configured game to the player in an arrangement.

Preferably, a player can construct a game before play of game is commenced.

Conveniently, processing circuitry is arranged to control the operation of the machine, and is arranged to drive the screen, and provide the game displayed by the screen, process inputs made by the selection means, etc.

The screen is typically a cathode ray tube (CRT). Alternatively, it may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), or any other suitable display medium.

The selection means may be one or more portions of a touch sensitive layer, which may overlay the screen and may be connected to the processing circuitry. Such a selection means is convenient since it provides an easy, intuitive way for a player to input his/her choices. The selection means may be arranged to allow navigation between displays of the parameters.

Alternatively, or additionally, the selection means may comprise any one or more of the following : buttons, joysticks, trackballs, or the like provided on the machine.

The game options may include variations in symbols displayed during game play and/or variations in the number of symbols displayed on a reel of the machine and/or variations in the number, and/or, orientation of win lines.

The machine may be arranged to allow a player to alter the appearance of any one of the parameters provided by the machine. For example, the machine may allow the player to change to the appearance of symbols appearing on reels, or trails, etc.

Preferably, the machine is arranged to maintain its payout to credits input ratio at a predetermined level irrespective of the game selected by a player. Such an arrangement is convenient because it allows an operator to use the machine without fear of falling foul of legislation controlling the operation of such machines.

In its broadest aspect the invention may provide an entertainment machine that provides a machine allowing a player to design his/her own game from a selection of options.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of improving the player appeal of an entertainment machine comprising the steps of: (i) displaying a plurality of game play parameters upon a screen; (ii) providing selection means; (iii) allowing a player to construct a game to his/her own design by selecting at least one of said parameters from those displayed upon said screen using said selection means; (iv) providing a game to the player based upon the at least one parameter chosen; and (v) making an award to the player of the game following a win.

An advantage of such a method is that it may provide a game which is more appealing to a player and thus may make the machine more successful.

Preferably, the method comprises displaying a default game upon said screen and allowing a player to modify said default game. This is advantageous because it provides a player with a starting position from which to construct his/her game, and may therefore facilitate the construction of a working game.

The method may include making a plurality of primary games available for selection. The method may include selecting a differing level of expertise as an parameter, for example novice, intermediate or expert.

The method may include selecting any one, or combination of, the following game options that are arranged to alter the functionality of a primary game: overprinted numbers, overprinted symbols, symbol matrix, nudge limits. Alternatively, or additionally the method may include

selecting any one, or combination, of the following parameters as a secondary (feature) game option: ladder climb, gamble, run around trail, climb trail, number reel. The method may include providing the gamble game option in any one of the following forms :"Hi/Lo", roulette,"Turbo Gamble".

The method may include providing processing circuitry that correlates the at least one selection to provide the player configured game. The method may include arranging the processing circuitry to make the award to the player following the win.

The method may include providing the screen in the form of a CRT or an LCD display. The method may include providing the selection means in the form of a level sensitive layer, which may overlay the screen and which may be connected to the processing circuitry.

The screen described in relation to the aspects of the invention is commonly referred to as a video screen within the art.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an entertainment machine according to the present invention; Figures 2 to 5 show screen shots of the entertainment machine of Figure 1; and Figure 6 shows an example of a player configured game displayed on the entertainment machine of Figure 1.

The entertainment machine 1 of Figure 1 comprises a cabinet 2 having at top region thereof a screen 4 (comprising in this case a CRT screen) arranged to display a game. At a convenient player operable height are a range of manual switches 6,8, 10 providing player operable inputs, which a player can operate to control the action of the machine 1. On a front face 12 of the machine is provided a pay-out slot 14 to return winnings that a player wins. Further, there is a coin input mechanism 16 as is well known in the art, having a coin input slot 18 and coin return button 20.

The entertainment machine further comprises processing circuitry 22 which includes a micro-processor, or controller, together with an associated memory arranged to provide the game, and control the display screen 4 in order to display the game to the player. The manual switches 6,8, 10 provide inputs to the processing circuitry allowing the player to control the game being played on the machine 1.

In this embodiment the screen 4 is overlayed by a touch sensitive layer 23 and a player pressing the screen 4 causes an input to the processing circuitry 22.

The processing circuitry 22 is arranged, in a default condition, to cause the screen 4 to show a simulation of three reels 24,26, 28, as shown in Figure 2. In this embodiment, three symbols are visible on each of the reels 24,26, 28. As is well known in the art the reels 24,26, 28 can be caused to rotate and thus alter the symbols that are shown to a player. If a horizontal line of symbols is created across the middle row of the reels 24,26, 28 then the player is awarded a prize, the processing circuitry determining that a winning arrangement has been made.

Referring now to Figure 3, the screen 4 displays a primary game selection display 31 having regions, 30,32, 34 with the names of primary games that are available to be played on the machine 1. Each region represents a parameter that a player can select for customising the game provided by the machine. The computer code for providing these games will typically be stored in the processing circuitry 22. The player can select his/her desired game by touching the screen 4 in the appropriate region, for example the region 34 labelled"criss-cross". The processing circuitry 22 causes the player selected game to be displayed upon the screen 4 for play.

The screen 4 also has scroll arrows 36,38 displayed upon it and the player can scroll up or down through a list of primary games by touching the arrows 36,38. There are also forward and back arrows 40,42 which allow a player to navigate through the game option selection screens.

Although shown as text the regions 30,32, 34 can also be pictorial representations of the games, possibly including text.

Figure 4 shows the screen 4 showing a play option selection display 44.

The player selects his/her desired combination of symbols 46 and numbers and whether or not they are overprinted 50 from the selection regions on the screen 4 by touching the desired region. This allows the player to choose, for example, his/her favourite cartoon characters or sports stars 50 to appear on the reels 24-28 thereby increasing the player appeal of the machine 1.

The play option selection display 44 includes a choice of number of reels 52, for example three, five or seven. Prizes can increase and decrease commensurately with the number of reels selected in order to reflect the increased difficulty of obtaining a winning line.

There is also the option to select the manner of winning lines 54. For example all three of the displayed horizontal lines of the reels 24-28 could be selected to be winning lines; as could the diagonal lines running corner to corner, or the well known Tic-Tac-Toe arrangement in which the symbols do not need to appear in a line, but an award is made if a appropriate symbols are displayed in any viewable position on each one of the reels. Again the size of the prizes can vary to reflect the difficulty of obtaining a winning line.

Where applicable the processing circuitry 22 can perform a calculation in order to maintain the prizes paid out within statutory limits after the game has been configured by the player.

The play option selection display 44 has the scroll arrows 36,38 and the forward and back arrows 40,42 displayed. Touching the scroll arrow 36, 38 allows the player to scroll through the play options available for selection. Touching the forward arrow 40 changes the display to a feature game selection display 46. Touching the back arrow 42 reverts the display to the primary game selection display 31.

Figure 5 shows a feature game selection display 56, each of the features again providing a parameter that a player can select. The display 56 shows a ladder climb feature 58 that is progressed up using a Hi/Lo gamble feature 60, a ladder trail 62 that is progressed using a number reel 64 and a climb trail 66 that is progressed up using the number reel 64.

Any one of the feature games 58,62, 66 can be selected by touching the appropriate region of the screen 4 thereby actuating the touch sensitive layer 23.

Thus, by combining the choices available from the play option selection display 44 and the feature game selection display 56 the player has fifty possible play combination from which to choose.

The machine can include a selection display for the player's preferred gamble option for use in combination with the feature game selected by the player, for example, a Hi/Lo reel, roulette, a number reel, or Turbo Gamble. Turbo Gamble is typically a gamble ladder where the current value is gambled either up or down by one increment.

Should the gamble be lost, the ladder is decremented but the feature is not terminated and the player can continue to play the Turbo Gamble until the value of the Turbo Gamble is either zero or reaches the Jackpot level.

The Turbo Gamble feature is usually run at very high speed and the player depresses a gamble button to continue until either they are satisfied with the result or have lost.

Similarly, there can be a style, or level, of play selections display that allows the player to select from, for example, amateur (no hidden features or nudges), intermediate/customary (no hidden features but with nudges) and expert (lots of hidden features and designer cheats). Hidden features and designer cheats are typically means by which a skilled or knowledgeable player can apparently influence the game to his/her advantage. This usually involves the execution of an action that is not obvious to a casual player, for example operating a cancel button during a "skill stop'in order to slow down the display.

Figure 6 shows the screen 4 of the machine 1 displaying a player configured game. The player has selected five reels 70,72, 74,76, 78 displaying sporting events and numbers. Each horizontal row of the reels

have been selected by the player to be win lines 79a-c and a Hi/Lo number feature 80 selected for the gamble feature.

The processing circuitry is arranged to maintain the payout of the machine within the statutory limits and maintain a profit for the machine operator by controlling the reels 70-78 so as to produce the correct number of winning line in order to achieve this.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. An entertainment machine arranged to provide a game to a player in which an award is made to the player following a win, said machine comprising a screen and selection means, the screen being arranged to display a plurality of game play parameters to the player, the selection means being operable by the player to select at least one of said parameters in order to construct said game such that, in use of the machine, a player is allowed to design a game.
2. A machine according to claim 1 in which the parameters include a plurality of primary games.
3. A machine according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the parameters include differing levels of expertise.
4. A machine according to any preceding claim in which the parameters include game play options that are arranged to alter the functionality of the game.
5. A machine according to claim 4 in which the game play options include one or more of the following: variations in at least one symbol displayed during game play ; variations in the number of symbols displayed on a reel of the machine; variations in the number of win lines; variation in the orientation of win lines.
6. A machine according to any of the preceding claims in which the parameters include any one or more of the following secondary (feature) game options: ladder climb; gamble ; run around trail; climb trail; number reel.

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7. A machine according to any of the preceding claims arranged such that it initially presents a default game having predetermined parameters.
8. A machine according to any of the preceding claims arranged to allow a player to construct said game before game play is commenced.
9. A machine according to any of the preceding claims in which the screen is any one of the following : a cathode ray tube (CRT); a liquid crystal display (LCD); light emitting polymer (LEP).
10. A machine according to any of the preceding claims in which the selection means comprises one or more portions of a touch sensitive layers of said screen.
11. A machine according to any of the preceding claims wherein the selection means is arranged to allow navigation between displays of parameters.
12. A machine according to any of the preceding claims wherein the selection means comprises any one or more of the following : buttons; joysticks; trackballs.
13. A machine according to any of the preceding claims which is arranged to allow a player to alter the appearance of any one or more of the parameters provided by the machine.
14. A method of improving the player appeal of an entertainment machine comprising the steps of: (i) displaying a plurality of game play parameters upon a screen; (ii) providing selection means;

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(iii) allowing a player to construct a game to his/her own design by selecting at least one of said parameters from those displayed upon said screen using said selection means; (iv) providing a game to the player based upon the at least one parameter chosen; and (v) making an award to the player of the game following a win.
15. A method according to claim 14 which includes displaying a default game upon said screen before play of said game and allowing a player to modify said default game.
16. A method according to claim 14 or claim 15 which includes providing a plurality of primary games available as parameters.
17. A method according to any of claims 14 to 16 which includes providing a differing level of expertise as a parameter.
18. A method according to any of claims 14 to 17 which includes providing any one or more of the following game options that are arranged to alter the functionality of a primary game as parameters: overprinted numbers; overprinted symbols ; symbol matrix; nudge limits.
19. A method according to any of claims 14 to 18 which includes providing one or more of the following as a secondary game option as parameters: ladder climb ; gamble ; run around trail; climb trail ; number reel.
20. A method according to any of claims 14 to 19 which includes providing parameters in the form of gamble game options in any one or more of the following forms : "Hi/La". rou1ette, "Turbo Gamble".

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21. An entertainment machine substantially as described herein and as illustrated with reference to the accompanying figures.
22. A method of improving player appeal of an entertainment machine substantially as described herein and illustrated with reference to the accompanying figures.
23. A machine readable medium containing instructions which when located onto an entertainment machine cause that machine to substantially function as an entertainment machine according to any of claims 1 to 13.
24. A machine readable medium containing instructions which when loaded onto an entertainment machine cause that machine to perform the method of any one of claims 14 to 20.