The Fake Contrived Bonus round

Quote: Zcore13

I hate to tell ya, but just about everything about a slot machine after you hit the button is fakey. :)


ZCore13

Not 100% true.

On Poker machines (at least in Nevada and New Jersey) if there are cards shown, there has to be a fair chance to select any card remaining in the deck, and the deck has to have the proper composition. The only way casinos can change the percentage is by changing the amounts on the pay table. At least these machines can be totally trusted.

Quote: casinoplayer42

the old WMS games have actual picking bonuses.

I miss those games so much.

Winning Bid and Whodunnit? were my favorites. I'm sure there are others of that time.

Quote: FCBLComish

Not 100% true.

On Poker machines (at least in Nevada and New Jersey) if there are cards shown, there has to be a fair chance to select any card remaining in the deck, and the deck has to have the proper composition. The only way casinos can change the percentage is by changing the amounts on the pay table. At least these machines can be totally trusted.

Video poker machines are not slot machines.


ZCore13

The 88 games bonuses are not truly contrived, because if you have a situation where you trigger two progressives at once (that would be really rare), then the bonus game is used to determine which one you win.

Quote: beachbumbabs

I miss those games so much.

Winning Bid and Whodunnit? were my favorites. I'm sure there are others of that time.

Me too and Airplane and Ruby Slippers. The new stuff sucks in comparison!

I refuse to play those stupid progressive machines where the bonus round is random, unless the frequency is quite high. Not a fan of being in a casino for an undetermined amount of time. Quick hits is the best, if you hit the symbols, you get paid, no picking or anything stupid to win the progressive.

Quote: rxwine

What I am calling the Fake Contrived Bonus round which I see all the time makes me want to punch all game developers in the throat.

For instance, what I would call the many versions of 88 games (because they start at 88 cents minimum bet) all have these jackpot bonus rounds where when you match any 3 figures/symbols, etc., it awards you one of the levels of Jackpot.

You go though the fakey process where you pick randomly to maybe hit the major or grand bonus. What always comes up almost every time is the Mini bonus.
It's not remotely based on odds of possibilities, it's just total pretense.

Now I wasn't completely keen on whacking a game developer until I came across a new version of this bonus. Not only did it make you go through the fakey bonus picking, but after you hit the mini bonus, it showed what was behind the unpicked spots. Now that's what really put me over the edge towards violence, they actually are pretending I was missing the higher bonuses each time. Now that's one truly sick MO FO who designed that game! You're dead to me. Don't ever be alone in an alley man, I'll mess you up if I find out who you are!


*you'd think I'd be upset about terrible odds or something, but no this what motivates a real beat down. I'll get you, one day, I will. Just you sleep with one eye open, game developer, I'm coming for you!

Welcome to the forum ZenKing. :)

I really hate the slots where you need 3 bonus symbols to get the free spins. 2 symbols always come up and it starts making exciting noises waiting for the third but it rarely comes up. This is mostly true on IGT machines. The new game Scarab is the worst. Probably every 3 spins 2 bonus symbols show up but somehow the third never comes. I've only gotten the bonus twice. It's downright deceptive. It's wrong not just because it fools you into thinking you were so close to a bonus but also because the 2 symbols come up so often that they end up being bonus blockers where they don't pay anything and "block" other line pays.

Quote: rainman

Welcome to the forum ZenKing. :)

LOL. I'm afraid I don't quite have his talents for zealotry.

Quote: Sandybestdog

I really hate the slots where you need 3 bonus symbols to get the free spins. 2 symbols always come up and it starts making exciting noises waiting for the third but it rarely comes up. This is mostly true on IGT machines. The new game Scarab is the worst. Probably every 3 spins 2 bonus symbols show up but somehow the third never comes. I've only gotten the bonus twice. It's downright deceptive. It's wrong not just because it fools you into thinking you were so close to a bonus but also because the 2 symbols come up so often that they end up being bonus blockers where they don't pay anything and "block" other line pays.

"Bonus blocker" Yes, that activity needs a good term. It might need a more precise term, as the bonus symbol keeps a payline from connecting but doesn't come up as a bonus either. It's like a non-prize payout blocker.

It's like if you saw a pile of money 20 feet in front of you, and suddenly the Publisher's Clearing house guy shows up blocking your way, and he doesn't even have check. By the time he moves, the pile of money is gone.

AS for the 2 symbols constantly hitting but not the third. Might as well just make the third sound this until it actually hits. Just go ahead and troll the player!