Systems and methods for adjusting game-play time of pinball machines

Abstract

A self-adjusting-difficulty feature for a pinball machine enables operators to set a desired game playtime. The difficulty of play, the chance of a ball draining or staying on the playfield, is adjusted through moving active features such as posts to different positions on the playfield. Thus the machine is made easier to play for a novice and tougher for an experienced player. The score given by playfield features is increased as the level of difficulty is increased. Thus, the novice and experienced player may play for a similar amount of time, the experienced player is more likely to get a higher score. Additionally, some playfield features may only be unlocked when the machine is set for a high level of difficulty.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 based on U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 443,393, filed Sep. 27, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]A. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to amusement games such as pinball and pachinko machines and, more specifically, to adjusting game play based on the current player's skill level.[0004]B. Description of Related Art[0005]As is well known, pinball games typically comprise an inclined playfield mounted in a game cabinet and supporting a rolling ball. Players control the game ball with flippers to score points by projecting the ball towards game features, such as targets, bumpers, and the like. Conventional pinball games provide the player with a predetermined number of game balls that are played on the game playfield.[0006]Over the years pinball machines have lost space in arcades and location-based entertainment ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017]The S.A.D. component analyses the current player's game and references to pre-determined standards at fixed intervals. The S.A.D. component may send signals to any or all active playfield feature/s with the effect of making a ball drain event more or less...

Problems solved by technology

Over the years pinball machines have lost space in arcades and location-based entertainment centers to video arcade games.

Often, a novice player with little skill and experience will quickly drain all of the game balls and experience an unexciting, short-lived game play.

He or she may become intimidated and quickly lose interest in that particular pinball game or in pinball games in general.

At the same time, the skilled player may become bored with a game that is “too” easy and doesn't provide enough challenge to keep him interested.” (Sullivan, U.S. Pat. No. 5,707,059)

This decreases potential revenue from a machine.

Unlike waiting to play a video arcade machine, the wait for a pinball machine may be long and variable, thus causing an individual to lose interest in a particular machine or in pinball in general.

The techniques taught in Takemoto are applicable to Pachinko but are not transferable to conventional American pinball.

One can imagine the frustration of a player having his game terminated in such a manner.

It is certainly likely to bias a player against playing pinball in the future.

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