Rewards and Reward Strategies
This article describes the reward mechanisms used in SlimLukeGames products and the strategies behind their design. Rewards are a core element of player engagement, motivation, and retention.
The concepts described here apply across multiple products and game modes, and may be adapted depending on local regulations, operator preferences, and product configuration.
Reward Types
In SlimLukeGames systems, rewards are not limited to physical items.
Typical reward types include:
- Tickets - virtual or physical ticket equivalents used for redemption systems
- Coins - real currency
- Tokens - non-monetary units used for progression or access
- Coupons - discount or promotional vouchers
- Credits - playable credits
- Other prizes - operator-defined rewards
Reward Strategies
SlimLukeGames products support multiple reward strategies that define how and when rewards are granted.
Classic
The Classic strategy uses a fixed conversion between score and rewards.
Rewards are calculated using a simple points-to-reward ratio, with an optional guaranteed minimum payout.
Characteristics:
- Simple and transparent
- Familiar arcade-style behavior
- Predictable reward scaling
Fixed
The Fixed strategy grants a predefined number of rewards for each game, regardless of the achieved score.
Characteristics:
- Fully predictable payouts
- Independent of player skill
- Useful for promotions, testing, or training scenarios
Direct
The Direct strategy places rewards directly within the game environment, allowing the player to collect them during gameplay.
Collecting rewards is optional and independent of the final score.
Notes:
- A player may achieve a high score while collecting few rewards
- Encourages exploration and decision-making
Characteristics:
- Decouples score from rewards
- Adds an additional gameplay layer
- Increases variability between plays
Thresholds
The Threshold strategy awards for reaching predefined score milestones.
Each threshold grants a specific number of tickets. Rewards from all achieved thresholds are cumulative.
Example:
- Threshold 1 reached → tickets from threshold 1 awarded
- Threshold 2 reached → tickets from threshold 1 + 2 awarded
- Threshold 3 reached → tickets from threshold 1 + 2 + 3 awarded
Characteristics:
- Strong motivation to reach higher milestones
- Clear performance goals
- Encourages skill improvement
Smart
The Smart strategy dynamically adjusts reward calculation based on historical game data.
It combines elements of the Fixed and Classic strategies to maintain a target average payout while preserving performance-based rewards.
Operation principle:
- The system calculates the average score from previous games
- Based on this average, it automatically adjusts the points-to-reward ratio
- Future games are rewarded in a way that converges toward a desired average payout
Key properties:
- Each game influences future reward calculations
- The system adapts over time to player behavior
- Maintains controlled ticket output without removing skill influence
Characteristics:
- Self-balancing reward economy
- Suitable for long-term deployments
Regulatory and Operational Considerations
Depending on the region and deployment context:
- Physical prizes may be restricted or regulated
- Ticket-based systems may be undesirable or obsolete
- Digital-only rewards can simplify compliance