EP3862985A1 - Mécanisme d'incrustation pour des jeux vidéo de machines à sous - Google Patents

Mécanisme d'incrustation pour des jeux vidéo de machines à sous Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3862985A1
EP3862985A1 EP20155486.2A EP20155486A EP3862985A1 EP 3862985 A1 EP3862985 A1 EP 3862985A1 EP 20155486 A EP20155486 A EP 20155486A EP 3862985 A1 EP3862985 A1 EP 3862985A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
symbols
view
winning combination
computer
implemented method
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP20155486.2A
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German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Marcus A C Honney
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Epic88 Ltd
Original Assignee
Epic88 Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Epic88 Ltd filed Critical Epic88 Ltd
Priority to EP20155486.2A priority Critical patent/EP3862985A1/fr
Publication of EP3862985A1 publication Critical patent/EP3862985A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/3202—Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
    • G07F17/3204—Player-machine interfaces
    • G07F17/3211—Display means
    • G07F17/3213—Details of moving display elements, e.g. spinning reels, tumbling members
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/3202—Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
    • G07F17/3216—Construction aspects of a gaming system, e.g. housing, seats, ergonomic aspects
    • G07F17/3218—Construction aspects of a gaming system, e.g. housing, seats, ergonomic aspects wherein at least part of the system is portable
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/3225—Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
    • G07F17/323—Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/326—Game play aspects of gaming systems
    • G07F17/3267—Game outcomes which determine the course of the subsequent game, e.g. double or quits, free games, higher payouts, different new games

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to slot games.
  • the present disclosure relates to providing winning combinations in video slot games.
  • slot machines A famous nickname for a type of slot machines is the "one-armed bandit". The reference to 'one-armed' and 'bandit' has been used, since these machines consist of a lever (looking like a single arm) and may make the players feel robbed, when they lose. Slots or slot machines have evolved into the most popular type of game at both land-based and online casinos. In a slot machine, players place a bet on an outcome of spinning reels. Conventionally, slot machines consist of three or more reels, which may spin and display an outcome, once the player clicks on a 'spin' button or pushes a lever. The first slot machines presented a single, solitary payline that could potentially render the wished winning combination in the middle of the reels.
  • Video slot games or video slot machines such as online slot games, do not use mechanical reels. Instead, video slot machines may use graphical reels on a computerized display. Conventional games often use at least five reels, and may use non-standard layouts. As there are no mechanical constraints on the design of video slot machines, the number of possibilities for a specific combination of symbols can be increased. A video slot machine can have 50 or more symbols on a reel, giving odds as high as 300 million to 1 against.
  • Another problem of conventional video slot machines is that the player may miss a winning combination, if the winning combination is not indicated or highlighted in a sufficient manner. This problem becomes particularly apparent when a player plays for hours and the player's concentration decreases. In this scenario, it is not guaranteed that the player sees the win immediately, which may result in the player losing interest in the game.
  • Dopamine is commonly associated with video gaming as it makes the player feel happy. Dopamine is what spurs on a gamer's reward-motivated behavior.
  • Advanced video slots come with an impressive number of paylines, and may present a plurality of visual effects to the player. These effects may comprise animations in response to a highscore. This is to reward the player and is intended to keep players interested in the game.
  • Video slot machines may feature minigames as bonuses and have use of multimedia. However, these minigames or the use of multimedia may interrupt the gameplay of a player.
  • the present disclosure presents methods and apparatuses for providing a winning combination in a slot game.
  • a computer-implemented method for providing a winning combination in a graphical user interface of a slot game comprises providing a first view of a slot game and determining a first winning combination of symbols shown in the first view of the slot game.
  • the first view comprises a first number of symbols.
  • the method further comprises providing a second view of the slot game, in response to the determined first winning combination of symbols.
  • the second view comprises a second number of symbols, which may be provided in a different size and/or resolution compared to the symbols of the first view.
  • the second number of symbols is different from the first number of symbols.
  • an improved slot game mechanic By modifying a view of a slot game with respect to the number of symbols in response to a determined winning combination, an improved slot game mechanic is provided, which strikes a balance between physiologically difficult reception of information (where too many symbols would be displayed all the time) and allowing for having enough symbols in the game to meet minimum standards so that the slot game can be motivating for long periods of time.
  • a winning combination is indicated in an improved manner.
  • An indication of a winning combination can reward a player, since dopamine may be released in response to noticing the winning combination.
  • the change of the number of symbols shown in a view produces the technical effect that a winning combination is more or less guaranteed to be seen immediately (compared e.g. with a slot machine that merely shows an increase of credits for a winning combination or only provides visual effects when high value symbols provide for a winning combination) due to a modification of the game board or a view of the slot game. This is also achieved when a player plays for hours and the player's concentration decreases. Accordingly, by changing the number of symbols, a player can process the information of a winning combination in a fast and efficient manner. Additionally, the present invention allows rewarding a player in an efficient and effective manner, since a winning combination can be indicated and/or highlighted without interrupting the game for a special animation.
  • each symbol of the first winning combination of symbols in the first view is replaced by two or more symbols in the second view. This increases the chances of further winning combinations, which further motivates a player to continue playing, and increases the complexity of the slot game.
  • the two or more symbols may be selected from a set of symbols comprising at least one of high-value symbols, wild symbols, multipliers and special symbols.
  • the special symbols may provide for bonus features in the game.
  • the set of symbols may be different to a second set of symbols from which the symbols of the first view are selected. The difference may be that at least some of the at least one of high-value symbols, wild symbols, multipliers and special symbols are not comprised in the second set or that the probability for selecting one of the at least one of high-value symbols, wild symbols, multipliers and special symbols may be different, e.g. lower, in the second set. This further increases the complexity of the slot game.
  • a computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon is provided. When executed by one or more processors, the computer-executable instructions perform the method for providing a winning combination in a slot game as described above.
  • an apparatus comprising processing circuitry.
  • the processing circuitry is configured to perform the method for indicating a winning combination in a slot game as described above.
  • Described herein are systems and methods for providing a winning combination in a graphical user interface of a slot game.
  • numerous examples and specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments.
  • Embodiments as defined by the claims may include some or all of the features in these examples alone or in combination with other features described below, and may further include modifications and equivalents of the features and concepts described herein.
  • the illustrative embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings wherein elements and structures are indicated by reference numbers. Further, where an embodiment is a method, steps and elements of the method may be combinable in parallel or sequential execution. As far as they are not contradictory, all embodiments described below can be combined with each other.
  • Fig. 1A shows a first view 100 of a of a slot game.
  • a player places a bet on an outcome of spinning reels or an outcome of displayed symbols, e.g. the arrangement of these symbols.
  • the game may start by receiving a player input, e.g. a player clicks on 'spin' button or pushes a lever.
  • a slot game may comprise a slot machine, a video slot game or an online slot game.
  • the slot game may be played online or may be comprised in a physical slot machine, e.g. a slot machine in a land-based casino.
  • the icons appearing on slot reels are symbols.
  • the first view 100 comprises a plurality of symbols, which are shown as letters "A" to "L” and the term "WIN" in the first view 100.
  • the symbols may be of different types of symbols, each type of symbol may have a different value assigned to it. Some symbols may activate features, such as bonus features of the slot game.
  • the symbols may be arranged in two or more reels 110 or columns, e.g. five reels, and one or more rows 120, e.g. 3 rows.
  • a reel is the vertical section of a slot game or slot, on which different symbols may be displayed in different combinations. This may appear in response to an input of a player, e.g. the player may click on a button, such as a virtual or physical button.
  • a 'row' in slots represents a horizontal line that consists of symbols aligned on the reels, side by side. The number of rows in different slots may vary.
  • a view may show the same number of symbols in each reel of the two or more reels.
  • a view may comprise a reel that comprises a different number of symbols compared to a different reel of the two or more reels.
  • at least two reels of the two or more reels may comprise a different number of symbols.
  • the number of rows and reels may depend on the game.
  • a slot game may be 3-reel slot. This type of slot has a 3 x 3 reel set, i.e. three reels and three rows. Alternatively, the slot game may be 5-reel slot. These slot machines have three rows and five reels.
  • Each symbol may be associated with a value.
  • a first value may be assigned to a first symbol and a second value may be assigned to a second symbol.
  • the first and the second values may be the same values or different values.
  • the symbols of a view may comprise at least one of low-value symbols and high-value symbols.
  • the high-value symbols can only be comprised in a second view or comprised in symbols that replace symbols of a winning combination.
  • Symbols appearing on the reels are assigned certain values, which may be high or low. So, the symbols whose payout is lesser than what is offered by others are known as low-value symbols.
  • Some of these symbols may include A, K, and J. High-value symbols may pay out the maximum amount or a higher amount compared to the low-value symbols, when a winning combination appears.
  • a winning combination is a pattern in which matching or identical symbols land on a payline. After a winning combination has been achieved, the player is rewarded accordingly.
  • a payline is a line that displays the winning combinations of symbols, and accordingly, a payout is awarded.
  • a payline may be a winning line or betting line. The paylines move from left to right, or move both ways. The number of the paylines may be fixed or a player can select or activate one or more paylines for betting.
  • the slot game comprises 243 paylines. With 243 paylines in a 3 x 5 slot, layers can collect a payout as long as they land several identical symbols on consecutive reels. What type of line the symbols form is irrelevant in this case, because all symbols on the 243 paylines slot function as adjacent scatters. In Fig. 1A , the three symbols "WIN" provide for a winning combination. In the slot game, a few identical or matching symbols, e.g. three or more, which may land next to one another, may be counted or determined as a win.
  • a second view 102 In response to determining a first winning combination of symbols, which are shown in the first view 100, a second view 102, as shown in Fig. 1B , is provided.
  • the second view 102 comprises a different number of symbols compared to the first view 100. In the example of Fig. 1B , three more symbols appear in the view 102 compared to the view 100.
  • each symbol, such as symbol 140, of a winning combination of symbols is replaced by two or more symbols, such as symbols 150 and the other "NEW" symbols of view 102.
  • the replacement may comprise a "popping" animation, in which the symbols of the winning combination disappear or pop in a first step and two or more symbols appear or pop up in a second step at the position of the symbols of the winning combination so that this mechanic may be referred to as a "Pop-Win".
  • symbols, which did not provide for a winning combination, of the same reel as a symbol of the winning combination may be displayed at a different position in the new view to make room for the new symbols.
  • the new view 102 may comprise the same number of reels as the first view 100, but at least some reels of the reels 120, e.g. the reels that comprised the winning combination, may comprise a different number of rows compared to the reels 110 of the first view 100.
  • the symbols that pop up as new symbols in the second view 102 may be selected from a set of symbols.
  • the set of symbols may comprise symbols of different value and/or at least one of high-value symbols, wild symbols, multipliers and special symbols. Wild symbols may expand wildly to cover an entire reel. This increases the chances of winning.
  • the winning combination may provide for bonus features, which may include (but are not limited to) re-spins, free spins and modified wilds, like cascading and expanding.
  • the slot game may comprise a video slot machine or a mobile slot / mobile optimized slot.
  • the mobile slot allows mobile gaming and gambling on a mobile device, such as a smartphone.
  • the slot game may then be accessed from anywhere, at any time, and from any mobile device.
  • the slot game may use a random number generator (RNG) software, which produces a random combination of numbers, symbols, or other patterns, after each spin. Hence, there is no fixed pattern that appears as the outcome.
  • RNG random number generator
  • the slot game is stringently checked through an audit test to analyze if the software is up-to-date.
  • the slot game may be a 3D slot game, wherein at least one of animations, a graphical user interface, symbols, an introduction is in 3D.
  • symbols e.g. the symbols of a winning combination
  • the reels may further expand. This may be repeated until a maximum number of reels and rows, e.g. 5 reels and 7 rows, is reached. Then, only one symbol may appear in the place of a symbol of a winning combination, instead of two or more.
  • a winning combination may cause a chain reaction, wherein the replacing of symbols provides for further winning combinations.
  • Each winning combination may provide a new number of symbols that are shown to the player.
  • the symbols of the second view 102 may be provided in a different size and/or resolution compared to the symbols of the first view 100. In one example, whenever a symbol is part of a winning combination, the symbol is removed and replaced by two or more symbols, e.g. two symbols. This may be repeated until no more winning combinations can be determined. Then a new view may be provided with the initial number of symbols.
  • FIG 2 is a process flow diagram of an exemplary method 200 for providing a winning combination in a graphical user interface of a slot game.
  • the method comprises providing a first view of a slot game.
  • the first view comprises a first number of symbols.
  • the method comprises determining a first winning combination of symbols shown in the first view of the slot game. Step 220 may be performed before, after, or at the same time as step 210.
  • a second view of the reel-type game is provided, in response to the determined first winning combination of symbols.
  • the second view comprises a second number of symbols, which may be provided in a different size and/or resolution compared to the symbols of the first view, different from the first number of symbols.
  • each symbol of the first winning combination of symbols in the first view may be replaced by two or more symbols in the second view.
  • the two or more symbols may be selected from a set of symbols comprising at least one of high-value symbols, wild symbols, multipliers and special symbols.
  • the special symbols may provide bonus features in the game.
  • the set of symbols may be different to a second set of symbols from which the symbols of the first view are selected.
  • the difference may be that at least some of the at least one of high-value symbols, wild symbols, multipliers and special symbols are not comprised in the second set or that the probability for selecting one of the at least one of high-value symbols, wild symbols, multipliers and special symbols may be different, e.g. lower, in the second set.
  • the first view and the second view may comprise a same number of two or more reels, wherein the two or more reels of the first view comprise the first number of symbols and the two or more reels of the second view comprise the second number of symbols, wherein a number of symbols shown in a reel of the first view is different to a number of symbols shown in a corresponding reel of the second view, when the reel is part of the winning combination.
  • the first view and the second view may comprise a same number of two or more rows, wherein the two or more rows of the first view comprise the first number of symbols and the two or more rows of the second view comprise the second number of symbols, wherein a number of symbols shown in a row of the first view is different to a number of symbols shown in a corresponding row of the second view, when the row is part of the winning combination. This may cause an expansion of rows or reels in the second view, respectively.
  • Some or all of the method steps may be implemented by a computer in that they are executed by (or using) a processor, a microprocessor, an electronic circuit, or processing circuitry.
  • the embodiments described above may be implemented in hardware or in software.
  • the implementation can be performed using a non-transitory storage medium such as a computer-readable storage medium, for example a floppy disc, a DVD, a Blu-Ray, a CD, a ROM, a PROM, and EPROM, an EEPROM or a FLASH memory.
  • a computer-readable storage medium for example a floppy disc, a DVD, a Blu-Ray, a CD, a ROM, a PROM, and EPROM, an EEPROM or a FLASH memory.
  • Such computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer system.
  • embodiments can be implemented as a computer program product with a program code or computer-executable instructions, the program code or computer-executable instructions being operative for performing one of the methods when the computer program product runs on a computer or server.
  • the program code or the computer-executable instructions may be stored on a computer
  • a storage medium (or a data carrier, or a computer-readable medium) comprises, stored thereon, the computer program or the computer-executable instructions for performing one of the methods described herein when it is performed by a processor.
  • an apparatus comprises one or more processors and the storage medium mentioned above.
  • an apparatus comprises means, for example processing circuitry like e.g. a processor communicating with a memory, the means being configured to, or adapted to perform one of the methods described herein.
  • a further embodiment comprises a computer having installed thereon the computer program or instructions for performing one of the methods described herein.
  • Apparatus 300 may comprise one or more processors 310, a computer-readable storage medium 320 and at least one of means 330 for receiving a player input, means 340 for displaying a view to a player and means 350 for providing an output to a player.
  • the means 340 for displaying a view to a player may comprise a flat-panel display or a curved display, which can provide a more immersive experience for the player.
  • the apparatus 300 may be any device, such as a land-based slot machine, a server, a mobile computer, such as a smartphone, or another computing device. More precisely in an embodiment, the method according to the embodiments of Fig. 2 may be performed at apparatus 300.
  • a novel approach for providing a winning combination in a graphical user interface of a slot game is disclosed.
  • the present invention provides an improved method for presenting a slot game mechanic such that it strikes a balance between physiologically difficult reception of information (where too many symbols would be displayed all the time) and allowing for having enough symbols in the game to meet minimum standards so that the slot game can be motivating for long periods of time.
  • the inventors of the present invention have recognized that methods according to embodiments of the present invention produce the technical effect that a winning combination is more or less guaranteed to be seen immediately (compared e.g. with a slot machine that merely shows an increase of credits for a winning combination or only provides visual effects when high value symbols provide for a winning combination) due to a modification of the game board or a view of the slot game. This allows a player to process the information of a winning combination in a fast and efficient manner. Additionally, the present invention motivates a player to continue playing the slot game due to a modification of the complexity of the game, e.g. due to an increase of the number of symbols in response to a winning combination.
  • the present invention allows rewarding a player in an efficient and effective manner, since a winning combination can be indicated and/or highlighted without interrupting the game for a special animation.
  • An indication of a winning combination may increase a dopamine level in a player and motivate the player to continue playing.
EP20155486.2A 2020-02-04 2020-02-04 Mécanisme d'incrustation pour des jeux vidéo de machines à sous Pending EP3862985A1 (fr)

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EP20155486.2A EP3862985A1 (fr) 2020-02-04 2020-02-04 Mécanisme d'incrustation pour des jeux vidéo de machines à sous

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EP20155486.2A EP3862985A1 (fr) 2020-02-04 2020-02-04 Mécanisme d'incrustation pour des jeux vidéo de machines à sous

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050107154A1 (en) * 2003-11-13 2005-05-19 Pacey Larry J. Slot machine with a regenerating bonus array
US8192275B2 (en) * 2006-05-04 2012-06-05 Wms Gaming Inc. Gaming system with cascading symbol feature
US20130190067A1 (en) * 2012-01-19 2013-07-25 Igt Gaming system, gaming device, and method for providing a cascading symbols game which builds layers of multiple dimension symbols
US10417870B2 (en) * 2001-11-06 2019-09-17 Igt Electronic game and method for playing a game based upon symbols in a game matrix

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10417870B2 (en) * 2001-11-06 2019-09-17 Igt Electronic game and method for playing a game based upon symbols in a game matrix
US20050107154A1 (en) * 2003-11-13 2005-05-19 Pacey Larry J. Slot machine with a regenerating bonus array
US8192275B2 (en) * 2006-05-04 2012-06-05 Wms Gaming Inc. Gaming system with cascading symbol feature
US20130190067A1 (en) * 2012-01-19 2013-07-25 Igt Gaming system, gaming device, and method for providing a cascading symbols game which builds layers of multiple dimension symbols

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