On: How slot machines are designed to be addictive

[joezydeco]

You have to remember this was invented in 1982. Using RNGs, stepper motors, and mapped tables was certainly enough for a patent in that era.

[paulsutter → joezydeco]

I used to program in 1982 and these things were completely obvious at that time. However, you can patent almost anything, both then and today. Patents are more of a process than a science.

[joezydeco → paulsutter]

You could have made a fortune selling this to a slot manufacturer in 1982. So why didn't you?

[paulsutter → joezydeco]

Business is about understanding customers, not code. I was a 16 year old kid in West Virginia.