In regard to slot machines

While the suggestion of a casino would not be new, perhaps I have a novel idea regarding the inevitable slot machines that would accompany them. As the devices would use electronic currency, the dreaded crowbar conundrum is no issue. However, to separate the player from the common mark that accepts a (unnecessary) less than even chance at success , they could hack the beast with a difficult electronics and computer test. They could then change the probability of a payout to a certain degree. The parasite in their dermis is that if the machine pays out more than a set amount within a day, an amount that the higher scores exceed on their own, then the contraption requests a manager and locks up.

In summary (although I’m sure you’ve already deduced this), the default behaviour for the slots is to slowly consume money with the periodic lucky break given to those that know when to quit; no surprises on that front. For the tech-savvy, the machines provide two more options: First, the player can greatly boost the probability of a payout for quick money; a short-term gain for a short-term problem. Second, they can boost the probability modestly, for a net gain, and farm the machine for money long-term. Eventually, a high payout will destroy the machine, and a higher adjusted probability will make it harder to control when that happens. I suppose the hacking interface would display the daily limit and the progress towards it to make the second option feasible.

My greatest initial concern is that it might be too grindy, even with optimal fine-tuning. As for their being little to actually spend money on, the casino could have an auto-bar, or perhaps an arcade to entertain oneself in for a time. Perhaps buying things legitimately, rather than prying your problems away, could give a small morale boost every time you performed it.

“Ha! My perfectly valid enterprise of zombiecide and electronic fraud has resulted in many water bottles. Work well done!”
-Survivor, wearing a top hat, in front of a vending machine, to himself

The clear handsomeness of the concept (and it’s progenitor) aside, what clear and obvious flaw in my reasoning have a failed to address?

Note: My sincere apology for implying an “a” rather than an “an” before the parenthesized unnecessary in the third sentence. The offending neurons have been fined.

The fancy words are too confusing for me. And probs the rest of the fourm.

So… You want slot machines so they can give you money. Is that right?

I would think slot machines would not be battery powered, and thus, none of them would be working.

There actually is a slot machine in-game. It uses actual currency (the stuff you use for NPC trading, not the cash cards), and the jackpot is $3,000. Costs $10 to play.

Good luck finding one, and I agree that they probably shouldn’t be powered anyway.

[quote=“KA101, post:4, topic:6881”]There actually is a slot machine in-game. It uses actual currency (the stuff you use for NPC trading, not the cash cards), and the jackpot is $3,000. Costs $10 to play.

Good luck finding one, and I agree that they probably shouldn’t be powered anyway.[/quote]Not unless it’s in an NPC enclave, anyway, but even then that’s something that would make more sense 20 years after the apocalypse than 20 days.

It is likely a purposeless time-sink. I apologize for wasting anyone’s time.

Let’s have powered ones in NPC alliance camps! And if they get you cheating…

I second this idea once npcs and factions are fully functional.

I actually like that idea. A casino building wouldn’t be that strange and there would definitely be some cool stuff that could be put in there (like an updated slot machine).

Card tables, sure. Craps likewise. Dunno about Roulette.

(Blackjack: depends on the cards, but generally sticking to the dealer’s rules (draw on 16 or lower, stand on 17+) is safer; I’ve forgotten how to play Baccarat; Craps, bet Don’t Pass/Wrong, Roulette, pick an even-odds and play a European wheel, not that 00 USian crap.)

Well most of them would just be as simple as having a table present, since I’m not sure who you are going to be playing against even if there was a table there (maybe you could convince a hulk to sit down or something :P).

Collect all the cards…