DSM TIC TAC TOE User manual

TICTACTOE
Owner’s manual
DSM Sales & Manufacturing
Version 3.3.3

Table of Contents
Game Overview................................................................. 3
Getting Started.................................................................. 4
Game Setup ................................................................................................. 4
Setup Buttons.............................................................................................................. 5
“Choose Credits Per Play”.......................................................................................... 5
“Choose Credits Per Bill”........................................................................................... 5
“Select Difficulty Level for Regular Play”................................................................. 5
“Select Difficulty Level for Bonus Play” ................................................................... 6
“Select One for Teaser Sound or Zero for No Sound” ............................................... 6
Setup Quick Reference Guide.......................................... 7
Difficulty Level Table....................................................... 8
Game Play.......................................................................... 9
Round 1 ....................................................................................................... 9
Round 2 ..................................................................................................... 10
Audit Mode...................................................................... 11
History Mode................................................................... 13
Additional Features ........................................................ 15
Tilt Meter.................................................................................................................. 15
Audit Function.......................................................................................................... 15
History Function ....................................................................................................... 15
Free game.................................................................................................................. 15
Prizes................................................................................ 16
Service and Troubleshooting ......................................... 17
Your Machine’s Personal Information......................... 20
Replacement Parts.......................................................... 21
2

Game Overview
Tic Tac Toe is the simplest and perhaps the most played game in all of
history. Now, it is better than the old game played on your scratch
paper. There are prizes at stake now.
When a person enters their money into the game of Tic Tac Toe they have a
chance to light three squares in a row to win a prize.
Once the game starts the nine squares of the Tic Tac Toe board begin to light and
the player must stop the light in order to light three squares in a row. The player pushes
the play button and stops the light on one square then the lights begin again, only this
time, the lights are a little faster. The player will then hopefully stop the light again on an
adjacent square. But then, the lights start again. One more time, the player has a chance
to get three in a row. But if the wrong square is lit, the game is over and no prize is won.
If a player gets three squares in a row lit, then there is a choice to make. The
player can either select a small prize or continue to play for a grand prize. The player
must get two Tic Tac Toes for a grand prize, but beware, the lights are getting faster with
each new square lit and the bonus round has two colors.
Players will see the game as an easy win, but unlike the Tic Tac Toe game on
scratch paper, this game isn’t so easy to win. While players will drop more and more
money into this game, any owner of this game will realize that there is money to be made
with every Tic Tac Toe game on location.
3

Getting Started
This Tic Tac Toe game is ready to play right out of the box with
factory preset defaults. However, if you wish to change any settings in how
the game plays or how much it costs, follow these simple instructions
through the setup process. But first, make sure that you find the following
items inside the coin box.
¾One door key.
¾Instructions for your bill validator (if applicable).
¾Nine security rods for the prize coils.
¾Black power cord.
Game Setup
1. Unscrew the leveling glides on the bottom of the machine to below
the wheels to stop the game from rolling and give it more stability.
2. Plug in the game. Open back service door and lower front
maintenance door first. Find the power cord in the coin box and
plug it both into the back of the machine and a power outlet. It is
recommended that you use a surge protector. (This game is for
indoor use only).
3. Turn on the game and setup.Inside the front door and on the
bottom-right side of the prize chute you will find three counters
4

and one red button. Push the red button to put the game into setup
mode.
Setup Buttons
4. Setup buttons. Use the buttons on the front panel to set up the
game. The yellow button increases the values and the blue button
decreases the values. The green button in the center advances you
to the next step. For a quick reference to game setup look at the
setup quick reference guide.
“Choose Credits Per Play”
5. “Choose credits per play.” You will hear these words as the first
step. One coin is equal to one credit. A one dollar bill is worth 4
credits. (Eg. If you set the game for two credits it will require two
coins to play the game.)
“Choose Credits Per Bill”
6. “Choose credits per bill.” Some people wish to give 5 credits for
a dollar bill (if they have a bill validator). This entices more play
of the game. If a player puts in a $5 bill they will receive 25
credits and thus 6 games instead of 5. If you do not have a bill
validator this step does not apply.
“Select Difficulty Level for Regular Play”
7. “Select difficulty level for regular play.” There are 11 different
levels of difficulty (0-10) for the regular play of this game. This is
for the first Tic Tac Toe only. This will determine how fast the

lights cycle from one square to the next. Control your payout with
the difficulty level. (Most owners will place very small prizes on
coils one through six and allow many people to win this prize.) See
the difficulty level table in this owner’s manual to set the best difficulty level
for you.
“Select Difficulty Level for Bonus Play”
8. “Select difficulty level for bonus play.” Just like before, as the
difficulty level increases and the harder the game becomes, the less
you will pay out. Again, there are eleven different difficulty levels
(0-10). See the difficulty level table in this owner’s manual to set the best
difficulty level for you.
“Select One for Teaser Sound or Zero for No Sound”
9. “Select one for teaser sound or zero for no sound.” The factory
default is to have the sound on all the time. If you leave this
setting at one the music will play in the teaser mode. However, if
you choose zero, only the lights will flash during the teaser mode.
10.Play the game once. Just to make sure that the game is working
and you understand it, play the game once or several times.
11.Put prizes on the coils. Open the top front maintenance door. It is
recommended to use plastic wire ties to hold the prizes onto the
coils. Make sure to leave enough space in the loop so that the
prize hangs loosely on the coil. Also, place only one prize on
every other turn of the coil so that only one prize will dispense per
game.

Setup Quick Reference Guide
The game comes preset from the factory at recommended levels
Vocal
Command Description Choice Factory Default
Choose
Credits per
Play
This adjusts
how much the
game costs (1
coin equals 1
credit
0 credits (free
play) to 8
credits
2 credits
Select credits
per bill The game can give five
credits for a
dollar bill if
desired and
thus a free
game for every
$5 bill entered.
1 to 6 5 credits
Select
difficulty
level for
regular play
This is the
difficulty level
for obtaining
one Tic Tac
Toe
0 to 10 2
Select
difficulty
level for
bonus round
This is the
difficulty level
for obtaining a
2nd Tic Tac
Toe
0 to 10 7
Choose 1 for
teaser sound
or 0 for no
sound
Turn the teaser
sound on or off 0 or 1 1

7

Difficulty Level Table

Difficulty Level Winner
Regular Play
Level 0 Approx. 1 every game
Level 1 Approx. 2 of 3 games
Level 2 Approx. 3 of 4 games
Level 3 Approx. 4 of 5 games
Level 4 Approx. 5 of 6 games
Level 5 Approx. 1 every game
Level 6 Approx. every other game
Level 7 Approx. every third game
Level 8 Approx. every fourth game
Level 9 Approx. every fifth game
Level 10 Approx. every sixth game
Bonus Play
Level 0 Approx. 1 in 50 games
Level 1 Approx. 1 in 100 games
Level 2 Approx. 1 in 150 games
Level 3 Approx. 1 in 200 games
Level 4 Approx. 1 in 250 games
Level 5 Approx. 1 in 300 games
Level 6 Approx. 1 in 350 games
Level 7 Approx. 1 in 400 games
Level 8 Approx. 1 in 500 games
Level 9 Approx. 1 in 600 games
Level 10 Approx. 1 in 800 games
These payout levels are estimates based on history and odds.
It is the sole responsibility of the game owner to set the game difficulty for
desired payout. DSM Sales & Manufacturing will not be held responsible
for prizes dispensed before the desired time and will not refund money for
prizes paid out or lost once the game is set on location.
8

Game Play
Round 1
In Round one the player has a warm up to get one Tic Tac
Toe before he plays for a small prize by getting a second Tic
Tac Toe. The lights follow a pattern of rows from top left to
bottom right. The lights in the first round are yellow. The
player must get a Tic Tac Toe with all yellow lights.
If the player does get a Tic Tac Toe then he has a choice to
select a small prize or attempt another Tic Tac Toe for a grand
prize. The blue button on the front of the cabinet will select a
prize, and the yellow button will advance him to the next round.
Look at the examples below.
9

Round 2
If the player advances to the next round he will have to get
three in a row again. The difference now is that the lights are
random in pattern and time on per square. So now it is harder
to get three in a row. The lights are red in the bonus round. If
the player wins the round by successfully getting a Tic Tac Toe
then he will be able to choose a grand prize. Look at the
examples below.

Audit Mode
Use this function to electronically audit the game’s income and payout totals.
1. Press the Audit/History button (the blue button inside the lower front
door) to enter the audit section of the software.
2. During the teaser mode, if the game is waiting for credits, the display will
show zero. After pushing the Audit/History button however, the two
digit display will read Aindicating you have entered the audit mode.
3. Press the play button and follow the table to see what the numbers mean.
Step What the numbers mean.
1 This represents the number of credits
entered into the game. The numbers will
flash through the total since the last reset.
Press Play
2 This represents the total number of small
prizes paid out since the last reset.
Press Play
3 This represents the total number of large
prizes paid out since the last reset.
Press Play
4 This represents the total number of games
played since the last reset
Press Play
5 This represents the total number of bonus
rounds played since the last reset.
Press Play
11

4. Once you have advanced through each step of the audit the display will
read Aagain.
5. Press the Audit/History button anytime during the audit to exit the Audit
mode and enter the History mode.
6. You can reset the audit numbers by turning the power to the game off and
then powering up the machine again while holding the audit button. This
will reset all five of the audit functions at once.
The Audit function of this game allows the owner of the machine to check
the numbers that the operator has been reporting.

History Mode
Use this function to see how the last ten games ended.
1. When you press the Audit/History button to leave the audit mode you
will automatically enter the History mode and the display will read H
indicating that you have entered the History mode.
2. Again, press the Play button to advance to the most recent game played.
Then you can use the yellow and blue buttons on the front panel to move
up or down through the last ten games. The Tic Tac Toe lights will show
how the game ended. Os indicate the game ended in the small prize
round. Xs indicate the game ended on the large prize round. Refer to the
image below.
13

Step (Displayed) Game
1 The most recent game played
2 2nd to last game played
3 3rd to last game played
4 4th to last game played
5 5th to last game played
6 6th to last game played
7 7th to last game played
8 8th to last game played
9 9th to last game played
10 10th to last game played
3. Once you have advanced through all ten of the last ten games played the
game will return to play mode and the display will show zero.
4. To exit the History mode push the Audit/History button at any time
during the history function. The game will then return to the tease mode
awaiting credits to play.
5. If you reset Audit the History remains. The History should never erase
unless you reprogram the main PIC. If there are no games in the History,
the Tic Tac Toe board will show more than three lights in random
positions or no lights at all. This means that no games have been stored
yet.

Additional Features
The following features are in the design of the machine for your convenience.
Tilt Meter
Inside the machine is a tilt meter that will sound an alarm as soon as the
machine is tipped in any direction. This is a security feature to warn of
attempted theft or vandalism. When the alarm sounds, it will not interrupt
the play of the game, only sound an alarm.
Audit Function
This allows the owner of the machine to perform an audit of all money
coming into the machine and all prizes being payed out.
History Function
This allows an attendant to see what the outcome of the last ten games has
been. This will show if a winner has occurred within the past ten games.
Free game
If the game is set to give 5 credits per bill and the game is set at $1 per play
then a player will receive a free game for every $5 bill put into the machine.
15

Prizes

First open the top front maintenance door to insert prizes. Make sure
the game is not running while loading the prizes on the coils.
The prize coils are designed to give the player an opportunity to win
small prizes or take large prizes. Merchandising of this machine is the key
to its success. If players see prizes that are very desirable as grand prizes
they will attempt to play for the grand prize repeatedly. So, putting in prizes
that are very enticing (eg. IPOD, DVD players, Gameboys, etc.).
It is also important to make sure that you stay within the weight
requirements for the prizes on the coils. It is recommended that you do not
exceed more than three pounds on each of the grand prize coils and one
pound on each of the small prize coils.
Just remember that it is important to make it well worth the while of
the player to play the game repeatedly. If the prizes are not enticing, the
players will not continue to play the game and the key is to get the players to
play more than once.
16

Service and
Troubleshooting
Call your dealer for technical support issues.
1. The coins do not register as credits.
a. Open the coin door and make sure that all the wires are
connected properly. Next check those same wires and
make sure that they are connected to the main board on the
control panel.
2. I am not getting any sound during game play.
a. Make sure that the volume is turned up.
There is one volume knob next to the main
circuit board. Make sure it is not turned all
the way down. Also, check to make sure
that the wires are attached to the speaker.
front to retrieve it.
3. When I push the Play button the game does not begin.
a. Check to make sure that the wires are connected to
the button inside the lower front door.
4. The prize will not fit down the chute.
a. You have to put in prizes that will fit down the exit
chute otherwise they will not vend. If you are
wondering whether the prize will fit, try putting it down the chute
and then reaching in the door from the
5. The prizes do not fall off the coils.
a. If the prizes are hung too tightly on the coils then they will not
come off the end of the coil. Also, if the prizes are too large and
17

rest on the coil below there is a chance they will hang up on the
coil below and not drop down.
6. The prize motor does not turn, or it turns the wrong way when I win a
prize.
a. Look on the back of the playing field and make
sure that the wires are connected to the motor
correctly and to the main circuit board.
7. The prize motor does not stop when a prize falls.
a. Check the wires on the two boards attached to the prize box. Make
sure they are connected. Also, make sure the optic sensor wires
are connected at the main board. If this does not solve the
problem, make sure the sides of the prize box are absolutely
straight.
8. The Advance button or the Select A Prize button are not working.
a. Make sure the wires are connected to the switch on the button as
well as at the main circuit board.
9. How do I change the button light bulbs?
a. Twist the switch counter-clockwise and pull the socket out. The bulb will
just pull out and you can push another one in.
10. How do I change the front fluorescent bulb?
a. Make sure that the power is turned off to the game before changing the
bulbs. On each side of the light fixture is one wing nut. Loosen this wing
nut and slide the whole fixture toward the prize coils. You can then
change the bulbs (Use F20 T12, 24” bulbs) with ease and slide the fixture
back into place. Tighten the wing nuts when finished.
11. How do I change one of the nine TIC TAC TOE circuit boards?

a. On each side of the plastic TIC TAC TOE board is one small screw.
Remove those two screws and pull the plastic board off to access the nine
circuit boards.
12. How do I replace the power strip?
a. Unplug the machine first. Undo the nuts on either side of the power strip
to remove the strip itself. Then unsolder or cut off the wires at the input
plug on the back of the machine. Remember which color of wire attaches
to which terminal.
b. On the new power strip, cut the plug off and strip the insulation off of the
three stranded wires inside the machine. Solder the wires into the same
positions on the input plug. Place the power strip on the wall and reattach
the bracket to hold it to the wall.
13. How do I replace a prize motor?
a. Unplug the blue and white wires attached to the leads on the motor.
Unscrew the prize coil from the front of the motor and the security rod if
attached. Unscrew the two screws at the corners of the motor on the back
and remove the motor. Then place the new motor in its place.
14. How do I clean the machine?
a. Turn off power before cleaning of the machine. DO NOT USE A WATER
JET TO CLEAN THIS MACHINE. Use a damp rag and a general cleaner
to keep the machine looking good.

Your Machine’s Personal Information

It is important to write down all important information of this individual unit
in case you need it later.
Your dealer support phone number and contact:_______________________
Your Tic Tac Toe Serial #:_______________________
The PIC 4 digit check sum number (the largest chip on the main circuit
board example (G TACA c39b)): _______
The sound chip code (2nd to largest chip on main circuit board): __________
Door Key #:_________
Coin Box Key #:_________
20