Calculation-tool
We use a self-programmed reel strip calculation tool (and sometimes additionally Excel). The tool allows configuring the number of reel spin sets, the number of symbols per strip, the names of the symbols and their characteristics and many more. It includes also an analysing- and a second (Alternative) calculation-tool.
To calculate the RTP and the hit frequencies and more we define the numbers of every symbol in a very quick way. At the end, the symbols are distributed on the reel strips automatically. Then one of the most important tasks follows: the optimal symbol position determining. This work is very important in two manners:
– it defines how many lines take part in a winning
– it creates the non-winning events (psychologically important)
To optimize the characteristics of the non-winning and the winning pictures we use self-made algorithm and control-routines. Even the smallest optimization should not be lost.
Simulation-tool
Our main tool is the simulation (and game playing) tool. We can configure automatically multi-tasking simulations. The time is 5 sec per 1 million spins. We simulate at the end usually all bets with 10 x 30 million spins. We are able to write a special data file for proving the correctness of the software in your company.
The simulation tool provides a file with many data, automatically formatted and readable with Excel. This makes the comparing of many different versions easy. Normally we create 20 to 50 versions. This is necessary to make that math what is the best for the operators as well as for the gamblers.
To optimize a game for the gamblers we use some analytical methods what we call Lucky-Player-Simulation. With it, we simulate different behaviours of players/gamblers and evaluate the results (and compare it with earlier versions).
Game playing
The RTP is very important for the operators but not in that manner for the gamblers. Therefore, one game can be favoured much more than another game, both with the same RTP. The reason is a psychological one. Some winnings are overrated by the players/gamblers and some are underrated (and some do not matter at all). For this, we use our design-tool also as a tool to play the slot (exactly so like it is later on the market).
Because I am an experienced gambler and because I wrote 150 analysis about slots I am able to translate the (manifold) emotions into understandable thoughts and sentences.
So, I feel during playing a created slot (with my design tool) which elements are more or less important than thought. One of the most successful parts of a slot mathematics is to find out the not necessary RTP shares. In this way, one can make important elements stronger (by giving more RTP to them). Also, there are some other points, for example, if there is a symbol only often to see, creating a lot of hope but rare winnings.
Safety
We calculate the reel-strip-based RTP and data with our calculation-tool. If there is a complex math we calculate special elements additionally with Excel. Then we simulate the game and compare all relevant data with the data of the calculations. Because we play the game between 50.000 and 100.000 spins during the design phase we can check 99% of the bugs in this way. Last but not least we prove our math with the quick-playing-modus – means we start the game for playing without all unnecessary animations and reel runs (this ensures that play- and simulation-tool make exactly the same job).
If you realise one of our games then you want to know at the end, whether your software is bug-free or not. For that our tool can produce data, based on your random generator, what you can compare with your simulation-output. This is the 100% method for bug-freeness. Of course, we deliver also all data for the chi-squared-tests.
Slot math contains random generation, algorithms, data, rules and psychology.