Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
with a piece of card, and let the machine play on
its own for even faster results. Most machines
also include a “Bet Max” function, a one-button
mechanism that simultaneously allows players
to wager the maximum allowable amount and to
spin the reels—a function that encourages both
faster wagering and continuous, rapid gameplay
requiring a minimum of attention from distracted
players. 1 Thus, a “nickel slot” can mean wagers of
up to about $4 per bet, although these are typically
displayed in “credits” of 25-cent allotments so the
illusion is that the player is betting less.
The biggest distinction between slot machines
and computer games is, of course, the aspect of
financial risk added to gameplay, which adds a
potential new level of psychological, cognitive,
and emotional involvement in the game (we say
potential because these distinctions are as yet un-
explored in the research). The win-loss component
of electronic gambling games is more complicated
than it at first appears, with “losses disguised as
wins”, and “near-misses” (see below). These are
carefully doled out according to a reward schedule,
based on scientific research about how long we
will play before needing a win to keep motivated
(see Brown, 1986). Reward schedules have also
been built into computer games, particularly
hunter-gatherer type games in which the player
must spend considerable time roaming lands and
collecting objects. 2 Some psychologists suggest
that the reward schedule combined with the rapid-
ity of the gameplay is similar in character to the
effect of amphetamines, stimulating the on-off
cycle that repeatedly energizes and de-energizes
the brain. This link is supported by functional
magnetic resonance imaging studies revealing
that brain scans of active gamblers and active
cocaine users reveal similar patterns of neurocir-
cuitry (Crockford, Goodyear, Edwards, Quickfall,
& el-Guebaly, 2005). It has been suggested that
there are many different motivations for gambling,
with a distinct dichotomy between arousal/action
seekers and those who seek escape/dissociation.
In other words, slot machine games are designed
to simultaneously satisfy different needs of dif-
ferent players.
In this chapter, we will introduce the literature
of EGMs and related phenomena to the reader with
a specific focus on the use of sound. A brief intro-
duction to the structural components of gameplay
is followed by an examination of existing studies
on the sonic elements of casinos and gambling
and an exploration of how this knowledge might
apply to computer games.
strUctUrAL cOMPONENts
OF EGM GAMEs
A slot machine essentially involves three or more
reels (in today's EGMs, these are often computer-
generated digital simulations, rather than actual
mechanical parts). Touch-screen machines typi-
cally do not have handles, but rather the reels are
spun by the player pressing a button (the one-armed
bandit style pull-lever handle still exists on most
slot machines, but is not often used). When the
reels stop spinning, three or more icons (often up
to five) will line up on the payline for a win, but
other combinations of icons can also lead to a win
(diagonal lines, and so on), with the amount won
relating inversely to the probability of the symbol
coming up on the payline (Turner & Horbay,
2004). Payouts vary by country/state/province
and by initial betting amount, ranging from about
80 to 95%—in other words, a fairly significant
number of plays result in some form of a “win”
(see below for information about these “wins”).
The amount bet on a win can vary also—the player
can, for instance, be playing a “nickel slot” but
can end up betting several dollars on a single
play by betting on a larger number of potential
payout lines. Moreover, with EGMs, the number
of payout lines also varies. For example, Lucky
Larry's Lobstermania made by IGT, has five reels
and 15 possible paylines. The maximum wager is
75 credits ($3.75), while the top prize is 50,000
credits ($2,500). There are also two different bonus
Search WWH ::




Custom Search