Slot machine device with dynamically generated reel structures
A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to implement a tile matching game. A grid is populated with a set of randomly selected tiles out of a set of available tiles. The set of available tiles is much smaller than the number of tiles on the grid. The player's goal is to select matching groups of tiles which are then dissolved and the tiles in the grid cascade down with new random tiles dropping from above to fill any empty spaces. A set of slot machine reels can form when three or more like tiles are adjacent to each other in a row on the grid. The set of slot machine reels can spin like a slot machine with awards being made when a final outcome of symbols matches a winning combination on a paytable.
1. A method to implement a game, the method comprising:
executing non-transitory computer readable instructions on at least one electronic processor connected to an electronic input device and an electronic output device, the computer readable instructions causing the at least one electronic processor to perform:
displaying a grid of tiles on the electronic output device;
providing a tile cascade operation which comprises a) removing the group of like tiles in the grid, b) replacing empty spaces in the grid; c) identifying all rows of three or more adjacent like tiles in the grid and highlighting each of the rows of three or more adjacent like tiles as a set of slot machine reels;
providing a slot spin operation comprising a) spinning the set of slot machine reels to a final combination; b) determining whether the final combination qualifies for a winning payout and awarding any such winning payout; c) removing the set of slot machine reels in the grid; d) replacing empty spaces in the grid; e) identifying all rows of three or more adjacent like tiles in the grid and highlighting each of the rows of three or more adjacent like tiles as a set of slot machine reels;
receiving a selection from a player using the electronic input device;
providing an input processing operation comprising a) upon the selection being a group of like tiles, then implementing the tile cascade operation; b) upon the selection being a set of slot machine reels, then implementing the slot spin operation; and
implementing the input processing operation.
2. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the computer readable instructions further cause the at least one electronic processor to perform:
continuously repeating the implementing the input processing operation.
3. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the computer readable instructions cause the tile cascade operation to further comprise increasing a bet based on the like tiles in the grid.
4. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the computer readable instructions cause the tile cascade operation to further comprise identifying vertical sets of slot machine reels which are vertically adjacent to each other and highlighting the vertical sets of slot machine reels as a single set of slot machine reels in multiple rows.
5. The method as recited in claim 4 , wherein the computer readable instructions further cause the vertical sets of slot machine reels to be a rectangular shape.
6. The method as recited in claim 4 , wherein the computer readable instructions further cause the vertical sets of slot machine reels to not be a rectangular shape.
7. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the computer readable instructions further cause the symbols for the tiles in the grid to be different symbols from the symbols used for the reels.
8. The method as recited in claim 7 , wherein the computer readable instructions further cause the symbols used for the reels to comprise at least one power-up symbol.
9. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the computer readable instructions cause the slot spin operation to apply a bet to a plurality of paylines on the set of slot machine reels.
10. The method as recited in claim 9 , wherein there are a maximum number of paylines possible considering the arrangement of reels in the set of slot machine reels.
11. An apparatus, comprising:
an electronic output device;
an electronic input device;
at least one electronic processor configured to read a non-transitory computer readable storage medium and execute instructions contained therein;
the non-transitory computer readable storage medium store computer readable instructions which, when executed, cause the at least one electronic processor to:
display a grid of tiles on the electronic output device;
provide a tile cascade operation which comprises a) remove the group of like tiles in the grid, b) replace empty spaces in the grid; c) identify all rows of three or more adjacent like tiles in the grid and highlight each of the rows of three or more adjacent like tiles as a set of slot machine reels;
provide a slot spin operation comprising a) spin the set of slot machine reels to a final combination; b) determine whether the final combination qualifies for a winning payout and awarding any such winning payout; c) remove the set of slot machine reels in the grid; d) replace empty spaces in the grid; e) identify all rows of three or more adjacent like tiles in the grid and highlighting each of the rows of three or more adjacent like tiles as a set of slot machine reels;
receive a selection from a player using the electronic input device;
provide an input processing operation comprising a) upon the selection being a group of like tiles, then implement the tile cascade operation; b) upon the selection being a set of slot machine reels, then implement the slot spin operation; and
implement the input processing operation.
12. The apparatus as recited in claim 11 , wherein the computer readable instructions are further programmed to cause the at least one electronic processor to perform:
continuously repeat the implementing the input processing operation.
13. The apparatus as recited in claim 11 , wherein the computer readable instructions are further programmed such that the tile cascade operation further comprises increase a bet based on the like tiles in the grid.
14. The apparatus as recited in claim 11 , wherein the computer readable instructions are further programmed such that the tile cascade operation further comprises identify vertical sets of slot machine reels which are vertically adjacent to each other and highlight the vertical sets of slot machine reels as a single set of slot machine reels in multiple rows.
15. The apparatus as recited in claim 14 , wherein the computer readable instructions are further programmed such that the vertical sets of slot machine reels are a rectangular shape.
16. The apparatus as recited in claim 14 , wherein the computer readable instructions are further programmed such that the vertical sets of slot machine reels are not a rectangular shape.
17. The apparatus as recited in claim 11 , wherein the computer readable instructions are further programmed such that the symbols for the tiles in the grid are different from symbols used for the reels.
18. The apparatus as recited in claim 17 , wherein the computer readable instructions are further programmed such that the symbols used for the reels comprise at least one power-up symbol.
19. The apparatus as recited in claim 11 , wherein the computer readable instructions are further programmed such that the slot spin operation further comprises apply a bet to a plurality of paylines on the set of slot machine reels.
20. The apparatus as recited in claim 19 , wherein the computer readable instructions are further programmed such that the slot spin operation applies the bet to a maximum number of paylines possible considering the arrangement of reels in the set of slot machine reels.