Patent Grant
9875602
The present invention relates to an electronic gaming machine and in a particular an electronic gaming machine using a base game and a feature game. The invention has been developed primarily for use as an electronic gaming machine and will be described hereinafter by reference to this application.
The following discussion of the prior art is intended to present the invention in an appropriate technical context and allow its advantages to be properly appreciated. Unless clearly indicated to the contrary, however, reference to any prior art in this specification should not be construed as an express or implied admission that such art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.
Conventional gaming machines typically involve awarding prizes to a player according to predetermined combinations of game symbols that appear on an array of game squares displayed on a screen, typically organised into three rows and five columns (a 5×3 array). Other arrays, such as a 3×3 or 4×3, may be used. Each gaming machine randomly selects the game symbols that appear on the array, each column of the array being a “reel”.
In an electronic gaming machine, the mechanical reels are replaced with video images of the reels, which are displayed on a video display screen. The electronic gaming machine has an internal electronic game controller, typically a computer, that controls the display of images on the video display screen so that the reels are visibly spun on the screen to simulate a physical reel of a traditional gaming machine. Electronic gaming machines are also more versatile in presenting game information, varying the probabilities for a player to win a prize and varying the type of game that is played.
Bonus or “feature” games may also be provided by an electronic gaming machine in addition to a base or main game. Typically feature games use the same set of reels as the main game and are limited to a set of free games operated under a single set of rules. This means that the feature game is restricted by the same set of rules, and so there is no variation in the play of the feature game.
Also, electronic gaming machines can offer one or more bonus prizes to the player during play of the game. The most common type of bonus prize that is awarded by the electronic gaming machine is a jackpot prize, the main example of which is a progressive jackpot prize.
This standard structure to game play and bonus prizes limits the variation in the play of the electronic gaming machine. Consequently, it is difficult to retain player interest because there is no apparent incentive for the player to continue playing the same electronic gaming machine once the player becomes familiar with the feature game, the main game and any bonus prizes. Also, it is difficult to retain player interest since there is little differentiation between gaming machines in terms of the main and feature games that are played.
This problem is exacerbated when more than one game is offered to play on the same electronic gaming machine. The option to play different games on a single machine is attractive to the player as there is no need to keep switching machines to play a different game. While this introduces some variation in game play due to different games being provided on the electronic gaming machine, the bonus prizes are often the same across the offered games.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of prior art, or at least to provide a useful alternative.
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an electronic gaming machine comprising:
a display for displaying a game, wherein said game comprises game symbols and predetermined winning combinations of randomly selected game symbols award prizes to a player; and
an electronic game controller for controlling the display of said game symbols on the display;
wherein said game further comprises an array of first symbol positions in which said game symbols are able to be displayed and said electronic game controller randomly determines whether to display one of said game symbols in each first symbol position; and
wherein, in response to each first symbol position in said array displaying a game symbol, said electronic game controller causes the display of one or more second symbol positions in addition to said first symbol positions and randomly determines whether to display a game symbol in each of said one or more second symbol positions.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an electronic gaming machine comprising:
a display for displaying a game, wherein said game comprises game symbols and predetermined winning combinations of randomly selected game symbols award prizes to a player;
an electronic game controller for controlling the display of said game symbols on the display; and
a value transfer mechanism for receiving value from said player to initiate a play of said game;
wherein said game further comprises an array of first symbol positions in which said game symbols are able to be displayed and said electronic game controller randomly determines whether to display one of said game symbols in each first symbol position; and
wherein, in response to each first symbol position in said array displaying a game symbol, said electronic game controller causes the display of one or more second symbol positions in addition to said first symbol positions and randomly determines whether to display a game symbol in each of said one or more second symbol positions.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming method for an electronic gaming machine comprising a display and an electronic game controller, the method comprising the steps of:
controllably displaying game symbols for playing a game, wherein said game comprises game symbols and predetermined winning combinations of randomly selected game symbols award prizes to a player;
displaying an array of first symbol positions in which said game symbols are able to be displayed;
randomly determining whether to display one of said game symbols in each first symbol position;
in response to each first symbol position in said array displaying a game symbol, displaying one or more second symbol positions in addition to said first symbol positions; and
randomly determining whether to display a game symbol in each of said one or more second symbol positions.
A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a gaming method for an electronic gaming machine comprising a display for displaying a game; an electronic game controller for controlling the display of said game symbols for playing said game on said display; and a value transfer mechanism for receiving value from said player to initiate a play of said game, the method comprising:
controllably displaying game symbols for playing a game, wherein said game comprises game symbols and predetermined winning combinations of randomly selected game symbols award prizes to a player;
displaying an array of first symbol positions in which said game symbols are able to be displayed;
randomly determining whether to display one of said game symbols in each first symbol position;
in response to each first symbol position in said array displaying a game symbol, displaying one or more second symbol positions in addition to said first symbol positions; and
randomly determining whether to display a game symbol in each of said one or more second symbol positions.
According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer system comprising a central processing unit configured for communication with an electronic gaming machine, wherein said computer system is configured to perform the method of the third or fourth aspects of the invention.
According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer programme configured to perform the method of the third or fourth aspects of the invention.
According to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a non-transitory carrier medium carrying computer executable code that, when executed on a central processing unit configured for communication with an electronic gaming machine, causes the central processing unit to perform the method of the third or fourth aspects of the invention.
Throughout the specification and unless explicitly stated otherwise, the term “value” means credits, gaming tokens, coins, paper, currency, tickets, vouchers, credit cards, debit cards, smart cards, memory devices capable of storing value and any other object representative of value.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.
Furthermore, as used herein and unless otherwise specified, the use of the ordinal adjectives “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
The present invention will now be described with reference to the following examples which should be considered in all respects as illustrative and non-restrictive. In the Figures, corresponding features within the same embodiment or common to different embodiments have been given the same reference numerals.
Referring to
The vending slots 5 can be configured to receive value, such as cash in the form of banknotes and coins, or credits representing a monetary amount from a memory device, such as but not limited to a memory card, smart card, a radio frequency identification (RFID) device, USB key, magnetic card or other electronic storage device. Typically, the memory device is a credit card, debit card or other card that enables the transfer of monetary credit to the electronic gaming machine 1. Other forms of value include gaming tokens, paper, tickets, vouchers, and any other object representative of value.
The electronic game controller 4 is generally in the form of a central processing unit, such as a computer, and is in electronic communication with a display in the form of a video display screen 7, as well as various input devices on the console 3, as best shown in
The electronic game controller 4 will transmit and receive signals to and from each of the input devices and the display 7, usually via wired connections but can include wireless modes of electronic communication, such as WLAN. In the case of the vending slots 5 (or with any other type of value transfer mechanism), there may be an intermediate credit verification device that examines and verifies the cash or credits received by the vending slots. Once the value (such as cash or credits) have been verified by the credit verification device, a signal is sent to the electronic game controller 4, which then determines whether the minimum bet level has been reached. If so, the electronic game controller 4 will permits play of the game on the electronic gaming machine 1. If not, the electronic game controller 4 will send a signal to the display 7 to show a message requesting further value to be added to the electronic gaming machine 1.
The electronic game controller 4 is programmed to provide a game in the form of a base game 8 (as best shown in
The array 11 of the base game 8 defines predetermined game or symbol positions 13, in which the game symbols 10 appear. The symbol positions 13 are not visually marked by boundary lines and simply provide an area for the game symbols 10 to appear. However, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the symbol positions 13 are defined by visible boundary lines (to define “squares” or game positions) or other markings to define each respective area of the symbol positions.
The array 11 is arranged so that a player can select one or more predetermined “pay lines” 14 defined around the array, which correspond to combinations of the symbol or game positions 13. The pay lines 14 correspond to the lines selected by the player and generally comprise at least one game position or symbol position 13 from each reel 12. The number of pay lines 14 that can be selected by the player depends on the amount of the monetary bet for playing a game on the array 11. In the base game 8, predetermined winning combinations of randomly selected game symbols 10 result in the award of prizes to the player.
The game symbols 10 can include a mixture of picture symbols (such as animal symbols or playing card symbols), word symbols, scatter symbols, substitute or wild card symbols and trigger symbols. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that a substitute symbol is able to act as any other game symbol, and hence is also known as a “wild card” or “wild” symbol. Likewise, those skilled in the art will readily understand that a scatter symbol is a symbol that triggers a game event or confers an award without having to appear on a player-selected pay line 14. Similarly, a trigger symbol is a symbol that triggers a game event (like activating a feature game) or confers an award, where the trigger symbol may or may not have to appear in combination and may or may not have to appear on the same player-selected pay line 14. In this embodiment, the game symbols 10 include playing card symbols 10a, item-themed symbols 10b, animal-themed symbols 10c, substitute or wild card symbols in the form of wolf image symbol 10d and a scatter symbol in the form of a horse symbol 10e. The electronic game controller 4 randomly determines the appearance of the game symbols 10 on the array 11.
The lower playing area 7a of the video screen 7 also displays other standard game information including the amount of player credits 17, the amount of the current bet wagered by the player 18, the amount of wins by the player 19, a message area 20, a current denomination button 21 indicating the currently selected base bet denomination, the name 24 of the game “Wolf Chief” being played. Other standard information includes the number of pay lines available 25, the number of player-selected pay lines 26 and a menu button for bringing up a menu screen 27 (typically explaining the game rules and showing the available pay lines 14).
In the base game 8, the player initially makes a bet using vending slots 5 to initiate play of the electronic gaming machine 1 by building up credit to play the base game 8 on the electronic gaming machine. For example, the player can bet or wager monetary amounts equivalent to a particular amount of credits, depending on the bet denomination selected for the base game. Also, the player can make any additional side bets or ante-bets during play of the base game 8 once the base game has commenced to access additional features in the base game, such as increasing the number of winning combinations in the base game.
Typically, electronic gaming machines offer a number of preset bet options that the player can make, and these bet options can vary depending on the game or games offered on the electronic gaming machine. For example, a game on an electronic gaming machine may provide bet options of 1 credit, 2 credits, 5 credits and 10 credits per player-selected pay line 14. In another example, the player may bet 1 credit, 2 credits, 5 credits and 10 credits for a preset group or combination of pay lines 14, such as a group of 5 pay lines, 10 pay lines, 20 pay lines, etc.
The electronic gaming machine 1 also has a default bet denomination, which is usually the bet denomination that was previously used in the preceding play of the base game 8. For example, if a person had played the base game 8 with a bet denomination of 5¢, then this would be the default bet denomination for the player when he or she commences play of the game. Where the electronic gaming machine has not yet been played or has been started up, the default bet denomination is initially selected by the electronic game controller 4. The default bet denomination can be randomly selected or chosen according to a predetermined order. Usually, the electronic game controller 4 will select the lowest bet denomination that is available for the base game 8, which would be the 1¢ bet denomination for this embodiment. The player may change the bet denomination at any time in the base game 8 by touching the denomination button 21 before or after the reels 12 have spun. In this embodiment, touching the denomination button 21 will bring denomination images 28, 29 that the player may select to quickly change the bet denomination between plays of the game 8.
The video display screen 7 may also include an upper display area, either as a separate display or integrated into the display screen 7, which provides jackpot information relating to available jackpots or bonus prizes in the game 8. In this embodiment, there are tiered jackpots of increasing worth, comprising a Minor jackpot, a Mini jackpot and a Major jackpot. The upper display area ensures that the jackpot information is available to the player at all times during play of the electronic gaming machine 1.
Once the player has commenced play of the game 8 by making an appropriate bet, the electronic game controller 4 then transmits a signal to the display 7 to make reels 12 to appear to visibly rotate or “spin” in a linear path, typically in a downward vertical direction, and randomly display the game symbols 10 in each symbol position 13 for each play of the array 11 for the base game 8. After the reels 12 stop spinning, the electronic game controller 4 determines whether there are any predetermined winning combinations of the game symbols 10 appearing in any player-selected pay lines 14, such as a two of a kind, three of a kind, four of a kind or five of a kind for all the game symbols 10 and other combinations of a “full house”, “straight” or “flush” for the playing card game symbols 10a. It will be appreciated that other winning combinations of game symbols 9 can also be provided. If so, the gaming machine 1 enters a winning game state and awards a prize according to the displayed predetermined winning combination.
The electronic game controller 4 also determines whether the feature game 9 should be activated, based on a predetermined trigger event, such as the appearance of three scatter symbols 10e appearing in a play or spin of the base game 8. The scatter symbols 10e need not appear on the same pay line 14, but can appear on any of the player-selected pay lines.
The electronic game controller 4 then transmits a signal to the video screen 7 to cause the feature game 9 to appear on the video screen 7. The feature game 9 also uses the same game symbols 10 as the base game 8, as well as the same array 11, reels 12a to 12e, symbol positions 13 and player-selectable pay lines 14 on the video screen 7. As such, the feature game 9 appears visually the same as the base game 8, and so is also effectively illustrated by
Referring to
In
If one of the symbol positions 13 did not display a game symbol 10f to 10h, then the base game 30 ends and the player has to make another bet to commence play of the base game 30 and spin each reel in the symbol positions 13 in the array 11. However, the player is awarded prizes based on any winning combinations of game symbols 10f to 10h that are displayed in the symbol positions 13 in the array before the base game 30 ends. In this embodiment, the winning combinations are the accumulated game symbols 10f that have numerical values and any three of a kind of the MINI game symbol 10g and MINOR game symbol 10h. For example, if the last two remaining reels did not display a game symbol 10f to 10h in their respective symbol positions 13b, 13c as shown in
The display of a game symbol 10f to 10h in each symbol position 13 of the array 11 is a trigger event that causes the display of a feature game 40, as best shown in
In the feature game 40, the columns 12a to 12c of reels are held static (in the sense that the reels in symbol positions 13 do not spin and the game symbols 10f to 10h remain displayed in the symbol positions 13) and another column 12d of reels is displayed so as to extend the array 11 to be a 4×3 array. The column 12d of reels comprises symbol positions 33 that are in addition to the existing symbol positions 13 in the array 11. The symbol positions 33 have their own individual reels that spin sequentially (i.e. one after the other), beginning from the top symbol position 33a. As can be seen, the top symbol position 33a has its reel spinning as indicated by arrow 32 while the two symbol positions 33b, 33c have not yet spun and are displaying non-game image symbols 35 (in this case, showing an image of the name of the game, being “Reel Riches”). Once the reel in the top symbol position 33a completes its spin, as best shown in
As described above, as each symbol position 33 spins, the electronic game controller 4 randomly determines whether a game symbol 10f to 10h is to be displayed in that symbol position 33. Where the electronic game controller 4 randomly determines that a game symbol 10f to 10h should not be displayed in one or more of the symbol positions 33, then that symbol position 33 remains empty or left vacant.
If one of the symbol positions 33a to 33c does not display a game symbol 10f to 10h, then the feature game 40 ends and the electronic gaming machine 1 resets to display the base game 30. The player now has to make another bet to commence play of the base game 30 and spin each reel in the symbol positions 13 in the array 11. However, the player is awarded prizes based on any winning combinations of game symbols 10f to 10h that are displayed in the symbol positions 13, 33 in the array 11 before the feature game 40 ends. For example, if the last two remaining reel in the symbol position 33c did not display a game symbol 10f to 10h as shown in
The display of a game symbol 10f to 10h in each symbol position 13 and symbol position 33 of the extended array 11 is a trigger event that causes the display of a further feature game 50, as best shown in
The game symbols 10f to 10h displayed in the symbol positions 13, 33 of columns 12a to 12d when the feature game 50 was triggered do not change and remain the same, as can be seen in
When the last reel in symbol position 53c finishes spinning to display a game symbol 10f, the electronic game controller 4 then calculates the prizes to be awarded to the player by adding all the numerical prize values represented by game symbols 10f and any winning combination of bonus prize symbols 10g, 10h, which in this case would be three of a kind of the MINI game symbols 10g or MINOR game symbols 10h. In
Where one of the symbol positions 53a to 53 does not display a game symbol 10f to 10h as randomly determined by the electronic game controller 4, as illustrated in
When each symbol position 13 is filled with a game symbol 10f to 10h, the player's excitement is further increased as he or she knows that it triggers expansion of the array 11 by adding more symbol positions 33 that can increase his or her winnings in the game 30.
Where a symbol position 33 does not display a game symbol 10f to 10h, such as the middle symbol position 33b shown in
When each symbol position 33 is filled with a game symbol 10f to 10h, as shown in
In
In some embodiments, the number of MINI and MINOR game symbols 10g, 10h act as multipliers for the MINI and MINOR bonus prizes. That is, the number of MINI and MINOR game symbols 10g, 10h multiplies the amount of the MINI and MINOR bonus prizes won by the player at the conclusion of the feature game. In other words, each MINI and MINOR game symbol 10g, 10h represents its own MINI and MINOR bonus prize that can be won multiple times. Referring to
In a further variation to the embodiment of
Another variation to the embodiment of
Yet another variation to the embodiment of
While the game has been described as adding the same number of symbol positions 33, 53 as the number of symbol positions 13 in a column 12 of the array 11, it will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the number of symbol positions 33, 53 that are displayed in addition to the symbols positions 13 in the array 11 can be either less or more to create an expanded or extended array having an unequal number of rows and/or columns. For example, only one or two symbol positions 33, 53 could be added to the symbol positions 13 in the array 11 to create a row with an extra symbol position or a column 12d, 12 with only one or two symbol positions 33, 53. In another example, four or five symbol positions 33, 53 are added to the symbol positions 13 in the array 11 to create a new row longer than the rows in the original array, a new column longer than the columns 12 or added to different columns to create an array with uneven rows and/or columns. In yet another example, less symbol positions 33 are added than the number of the symbol positions 13 in a row or column of the array 11 but more symbol positions 53 are added than the number of the symbol positions 13 in a row or column of the array 11, and vice versa. Hence, any combination of number of symbol positions 33, 53 can be added to the symbol positions 13 in the array 11.
Moreover, while the symbol positions 33, 53 are displayed so as to extend or expand the array 11, in other embodiments the symbol positions 33, 53 are displayed on the lower display screen 7a (or elsewhere on the display screen 7) apart from the array 11 or even adjacent but not connected to the array 11. In some embodiments, the symbol positions 33, 53 are displayed together in their own array separate from the array 11 to distinguish them from the original array. In other embodiments, the symbol positions 33 are displayed to extend or expand the array 11 while the symbol positions 53 are displayed apart from, adjacent but not connected to and/or in their own array separate from the array 11.
Also, it will be appreciated that in some embodiments the symbol positions 13, 33, 53 are arranged into reels corresponding to columns 12a to 12e, instead of having individual reels in each symbol position. In addition, in other embodiments the reels may be horizontal (i.e. rows) instead of vertical (columns 12a to 12e).
In some embodiments, the game 30 awards prizes for the game symbols displayed on the array 11 once all the symbol positions 13 are filled and then resets the symbol positions in the feature game 40 so that the reels in the symbol positions 13 are not static but respin. This may also be done with the feature game 40, with prizes awarded for the game symbols displayed on the extended array once all the symbol positions 13, 33 are filled and then resets the symbol positions 13, 33 for the feature game 50.
In some embodiments, prizes are only awarded for pay lines selected by the player from the array 11. In this case, when the array is expanded in the feature games 40, 50 the pay lines 14 are also extended to include the additional symbol positions 33, 53.
In some embodiments, the electronic game controller randomly determines that a game symbol does not appear in at least one of the symbol positions 13, 33, 53, a terminator symbol is displayed in the at least one symbol position and prizes for any predetermined winning combinations of the displayed game symbols 10f to 10h in said array are awarded to the player.
In some embodiments, the completion of the extended array 11 in the feature game 50 further triggers the addition of more symbol positions. This can continue up to any number of additional symbol positions, as desired. Thus, the feature games are able to trigger further feature games in a cascading fashion.
In some embodiments, the base game 30 and feature games 40, 50 constitute a single game so that completion of the “sub-games” 30, 40, 50 occur in a single play. In other embodiments, the base game 30 is also a feature game and in this case, the base game could be a standard game 8 like that illustrated in
In some embodiments, at least one of the game symbols displayable in the symbol positions 33, 53 is different in type to the game symbols 10f to 10h displayed in the symbol positions 11. Likewise, the at least one of the game symbols displayable in the symbol positions 53 is different in type to the game symbols displayable in the symbol positions 33. In this way, game symbols of greater prize value may be displayed in the extended arrays 11 in the feature games 40, 50. In other embodiments, the at least one game symbol comprises a jackpot symbol or a symbol associated with a game enhancing element.
In some embodiments, at least one of the game symbols comprises a game enhancing symbol that confers a game enhancing element to the player. It is further preferred that the game enhancing element modifies the result of a play of the game, which can be any one or combination of the base games 8, 30 and feature games 9, 40, 50. The game enhancing elements may provide different types of effects or modifications of the game play result. In one embodiment, the game enhancing element comprises the award of one or more plays of the game that do not require a bet from the player. In other words, the game enhancing element awards a predetermined number of “free” games. In some embodiments, the game enhancing element comprises at least one or more a win multiplier, wild multipliers, bonus wilds, symbols that cause the award of additional free games, trigger symbols to retrigger the at least two second arrays, held columns, random wild symbols, stacked symbols, bonus symbols, new game symbols, reveal symbols, progressives, bonus credits, jackpot symbols, and one or more symbol replacements. A variety of game enhancing elements can be awarded by the game enhancing symbols, including:
These game enhancing symbols do not modify the function or value of the game symbols 10 that appear on the arrays 11, but instead confer bonus prizes, free games or change existing game symbols for other game symbols (such as replacing picture, royal card or symbols belonging to a reel with wild/substitute symbols). Where the function of game symbols 10 have been changed or the game symbols 10 are replaced, then this modification can take effect with the next play of the game instead of applying to the result of the spun array 11. In another embodiment, the game enhancing symbols may indicate the duration in which its game enhancing element is applied, such as a predetermined number of spins or a predetermined time period.
It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, game enhancing elements can also be awarded as a separate aspect of the games 8, 9, 30, 40, 50, 60. The game enhancing elements may further be awarded in addition or as an alternative to the enhanced prizes awarded based on winning combinations of game symbols 10 in the games 8, 9, 30, 40, 50, 60. In a further embodiment, the award of game enhancing elements can be done by way of a sixth reel or the appearance of game enhancing symbols in the reels 12a to 12e.
In some embodiments, the game enhancing symbols include “collector”-type game enhancing symbols which award points or tokens. The collection of points or tokens during the base game 8 and/or feature game 9 leads to the trigger of additional prizes or game enhancing symbols, depending on the number of points or tokens that are collected. These additional prizes can include stand alone progressive jackpots, bonus prizes and super games, which are enhanced versions of free spins or games where there are greater pay outs or frequency of wins.
In the described embodiments, each MINI and MINOR bonus prizes each comprises a jackpot. In other embodiments, the bonus prizes available include both jackpots and other types of bonuses, such as a monetary amount in either cash or credit amount. In one embodiment, the jackpot comprises a mystery jackpot which is associated with at least one of a start amount, increment amount and threshold ‘win before’ amount. Alternatively, the jackpot comprises a standalone progressive jackpot. In a further alternative, the jackpot comprises a linked progressive jackpot associated with a linked jackpot controller. In yet another alternative, the jackpot comprises a symbol driven jackpot associated with a trigger combination of game symbols appearing in the game.
The jackpots offered by the electronic gaming machine 1 through the games 3, 40, 50 are effectively symbol driven jackpots. However, in other embodiments the jackpots may be standalone progressive jackpots, fixed jackpots, mystery jackpots and any combination thereof, including symbol driven jackpots (i.e. a mixture of different types of jackpots). In some embodiments, the jackpots are limited to one of the feature games 40, 50. In other embodiments, the jackpots are shared by the all the games 8, 9, 30, 40, 50, 60. That is, the jackpots could be won through play of the games 8, 9, 30, 40, 50, 60, although they are more likely to be won through the games 30, 40, 50, 60.
A progressive jackpot prize takes a portion of each bet (typically a set percentage of each bet) made on the electronic gaming machine and thus the amount of the progressive jackpot incrementally increases as more bets are made on the electronic gaming machine 1. The progressive jackpot is typically awarded when a winning game combination associated with the jackpot occurs in the game played on the electronic gaming machine. In many cases, progressive jackpots are associated with the least probable winning combination and are commonly the highest paying award of the electronic gaming machine. In other cases, a separate trigger event can be used to award the progressive jackpot prize, such as a special jackpot symbol, a trigger event internally generated by the electronic game controller. Alternatively, or additionally, once a certain threshold is met, either a certain amount that has been bet on the electronic gaming machine or the incremented amount of the progressive jackpot, a trigger event is activated in the electronic gaming machine to pay out the progressive jackpot prize. Progressive jackpot prizes also tend to be shared amongst multiple electronic gaming machines so as to increase the amount of the progressive jackpot prize and hence increase player interest in playing one of the electronic gaming machines. In some electronic gaming machines, more than one jackpot or progressive jackpot is offered by the electronic gaming machine or electronic gaming machines linked together.
The jackpot or bonus prizes may also be mystery jackpots rather than symbol driven jackpots. That is, none of the symbols in the game trigger the jackpot; hence the trigger event is a “mystery”. By way of comparison, a standard jackpot is typically symbol driven in that a particular combination of symbols must occur in the game to trigger the standard jackpot.
The trigger event for the mystery jackpot can be one randomly generated by the electronic game controller 4 for each play of the games 8, 9, 30, 40, 50, 60. One way to implement the random determination of the trigger event is for the electronic game controller 4 to internally generate a random number and check if it is a predetermined number or within a predetermined range of numbers that will initiate the appearance of the trigger symbols. For example, the predetermined range of numbers could be the range of numbers between 1 and 10 and the electronic game controller 4 internally generates a random number between 1 and 100. If the generated number is any one of numbers 1 to 10, then this results in the electronic game controller 4 causing the trigger event to occur and award the progressive jackpot prize. It will be appreciated that this manner of determining the trigger event may also be used to determine whether the feature game 9 is triggered in the base game 8 or the feature games 40, 50 are triggered in the base game 30 or feature game 40, respectively.
Progressive jackpots can be confined to the electronic gaming machine 1 as so called “standalone” progressive jackpots. Alternatively, the jackpot is a wide area or an in-house linked progressive jackpot prize. In other embodiments, one or more the progressive jackpot prizes are configured to be part of a wide area or in-house linked progressive jackpot prize. In other words, the progressive jackpot prizes can be awarded on a group of networked gaming machines in a specified area or a group of specified electronic gaming machines that are linked together for jackpot purposes (usually via a central jackpot controller). The jackpot prizes can also be shared with any other games offered on the same electronic gaming machine 1 (as in multi-game gaming machines).
During play of the games 8, 9, 30, 40, 50, 60, the electronic game controller will determine whether the trigger event for the jackpot 40 has occurred. After the jackpot(s) are awarded, the amounts for any awarded jackpots are reset. The amounts of the jackpots that have been won can be reset either to a predetermined start amount or simply increment upwardly from zero where the won jackpot is a progressive jackpot.
In some embodiments, the in-game trigger event is determined at the end or during the play of the game; i.e. at the end or during a spin of the reels 12. In some embodiments, the in-game trigger event occurs in a preceding play of the game so that the result of the in-game trigger event takes place in a subsequent play of the game, typically the next play of the game after the preceding play but could include a later successive play of the game.
In some embodiments, the game comprises a base game and/or a feature game. Where the game comprises a base game and a feature game, it is preferred that the game symbols in the feature game and the base game are arranged in arrays of predetermined game or symbol positions, the arrays being the same in size, dimensions, shape and/or type. Alternatively, the game symbols in the feature game and the base game are arranged in arrays that are different in size, dimensions, shape and/or type. In some embodiments, the player selectively starts and/or stops play of the reels in the array 11.
In some embodiments, a feature game trigger event occurs in the base game to trigger the feature game. In one embodiment, the feature game trigger event comprises a random event determined by the electronic game controller at the start of play of the feature game. In another embodiment, the feature game trigger event comprises the appearance of at least one trigger symbol in the base game array. In another alternative, the feature game trigger event comprises an in-game event during play of the base game.
In some embodiments, the array (including the base game array and/or the feature game array) takes any one of a circular, triangular, oval, semi-circular, hexagonal, pentagonal, octagonal, non-rectangular or polygonal shape, or even arrays that do not comprise rows and columns. For example, instead of a standard square or rectangular array 11, the games 8, 9, 30, 40, 50, 60 may use arrays having any number of different shapes, such as triangular, circular, square, hexagonal, hemi-spherical or other polygonal shapes. In another example, where the array is circular, the predetermined game positions can take the form of pie-shaped slices or wedges.
In some embodiments, in response to a feature game trigger event in the base game, the electronic game controller causes the display to display game symbols for playing the feature game. Alternatively, the electronic game controller causes the display of the feature game and the base game during play of the base game, the feature game being inactive until triggered. In this embodiment, the change in the feature game from being inactive to active may be indicated on the display. This indication may be visual, aural or a combination of both.
In some embodiments, the electronic gaming machine comprises an input device for receiving commands from the player to play the game, wherein the input device comprises one or more buttons in electronic communication with the electronic game controller to transmit the player commands to the electronic game controller.
In some embodiments, the input device comprises one or more buttons on the housing, the buttons being in electronic communication with the electronic game controller. In other embodiments, the buttons are arranged on a console of the housing. Alternatively or additionally, the input device comprises a touch sensitive surface on the display for receiving commands from the player, the touch sensitive surface being in electronic communication with the electronic game controller to transmit the player commands to the electronic game controller.
In some embodiments, the electronic gaming machine comprises a value transfer mechanism for receiving value from the player to make a bet and initiate a play of the game. In other embodiments, the value transfer mechanism also pays the prizes to the player using value in an amount equal to an awarded prize. It is further preferred that the housing comprises the value transfer mechanism. In one embodiment, the value transfer mechanism comprises one or more vending slots for paying and/or receiving value. In other embodiments, the value transfer mechanism comprises a value input/value output device. In further embodiments, the value transfer mechanism comprises a coin slot or acceptor, a paper currency acceptor, a ticket reader and/or printer or a card reader and/or writer.
In other embodiments, the electronic gaming machine 1 also offers the player the opportunity to play in community games against other players in so-called tournament games, or even in player versus player games. This is typically implemented by electronically linking several electronic gaming machines 1 in a group within a gaming venue. The player versus player or tournament game can be played simultaneously by the players or can be staggered, with some players playing at one time and some players playing at another time in the same game. In this situation, the player versus player or tournament game comprises the award of an additional bonus prize in addition to the jackpot prizes in the selected available jackpot set.
While the same game format is essentially used across the base game 8, feature game 9, base game 30 and feature games 40, 50, it will be appreciated that the game format may vary across these games, as well as between base games where more than one game is offered by the same electronic gaming machine 1. For example, one of the games may be a wheel-type game or a four reel game and another of the games may be a standard five reel game. Similarly, the games may each have different game symbols, game rules and pay tables that are unique to each game.
In other embodiments, the base and feature games need not be displayed on a single video screen 7. Instead, they may be displayed on separate video screens, with the lower playing area 7a appearing in a lower video screen and the upper display area 7b on an upper video screen. Also, the order can be reversed, with the playing area 7a appearing on an upper video screen or upper part of a single video display screen 7 and the display area 7b appearing on a lower video screen or lower part of a single video display screen.
In another embodiment, the video screen 7 is a touch screen for use in addition to the player-actuatable buttons 6 so as to enable the player to select the bet level (such as bet denominations or bet per pay line 14) as well as other various features, such as making monetary bets for the game, initiating play of any base and feature games played and responding to any messages or requests issued on the electronic gaming machine 1 by the electronic game controller 4. In this case, the player may control when the reels 12 start spinning and stop spinning, either individually or collectively, by simply touching the reels 12. Control over spinning of the reels 12 can also be implemented through the buttons 6 on the console 3. This increases player interaction and provide the player with an opportunity to guess when a particular game symbol 10 may appear in the reels 12.
It is also appreciated that while the embodiments have been described in the context of an electronic gaming machine 1, the invention in other aspects encompasses gaming methods for an electronic gaming machine comprising a display for displaying a game and an electronic game controller for controlling the display of the game symbols for playing the game on the display. According to one such aspect, a gaming method for the electronic gaming machine comprises controllably displaying game symbols for playing a game, wherein the game comprises game symbols and predetermined winning combinations of randomly selected game symbols award prizes to a player; displaying an array of first symbol positions in which the game symbols are able to be displayed; randomly determining whether to display one of the game symbols in each first symbol position; in response to each first symbol position in the array displaying a game symbol, displaying one or more second symbol positions in addition to the first symbol positions; and randomly determining whether to display a game symbol in each of the one or more second symbol positions.
In another aspect, a gaming method for an electronic gaming machine comprising a display for displaying a game; an electronic game controller for controlling the display of the game symbols for playing the game on the display; and a value transfer mechanism for receiving value from the player to initiate a play of the game, the method comprising: controllably displaying game symbols for playing a game, wherein the game comprises game symbols and predetermined winning combinations of randomly selected game symbols award prizes to a player; displaying an array of first symbol positions in which the game symbols are able to be displayed; randomly determining whether to display one of the game symbols in each first symbol position; in response to each first symbol position in the array displaying a game symbol, displaying one or more second symbol positions in addition to the first symbol positions; and randomly determining whether to display a game symbol in each of the one or more second symbol positions.
In some embodiments, the method comprises displaying the one or more second symbol positions on the display. In other embodiments, the method comprises displaying the one or more second symbol positions adjacent the array. Alternatively, the method comprises displaying the one or more second symbol positions with the first symbol positions to form an extended array. In yet another embodiment, the method comprises displaying the one or more second symbol positions to form another array separate to the array.
In some embodiments, the method comprises arranging the first symbol positions into rows and/or columns in the array, and displaying a number of the second symbol positions equivalent to the number of symbol positions in one of the rows and/or columns. In other embodiments, the method comprising arranging the first symbol positions into reels in the array, and displaying a number of the second symbol positions equivalent to the number of symbol positions in one of the reels.
In some embodiments, the method comprises awarding prizes for predetermined winning combinations formed from the game symbols displayed in the first and second symbol positions.
In some embodiments, the method comprises providing each second symbol position with a reel separate to the other second symbol positions.
In some embodiments, where the electronic game controller randomly determines that a game symbol does not appear in at least one of the first symbol positions, the method comprises not displaying a game symbol in the at least one first symbol position and awarding prizes for any predetermined winning combinations of the displayed game symbols in the array.
In some embodiments, where the electronic game controller randomly determines that a game symbol does not appear in at least one of the first symbol positions, the method comprises displaying a terminator symbol in the at least one first symbol position and awarding prizes for any predetermined winning combinations of the displayed game symbols in the array.
In some embodiments, in response to the one or more second symbol positions each displaying a game symbol, the electronic game controller causes the display of one or more third symbol positions in addition to the first symbol positions and the second symbol positions, and the electronic game controller randomly determines whether to display a game symbol in each of the one or more third symbol positions.
In some embodiments, the method comprises displaying the one or more third symbol positions on the display. In other embodiments, the method comprises displaying the one or more third symbol positions adjacent the array. Alternatively, the method comprises displaying the one or more third symbol positions with the first symbol positions to form an extended array. In yet another embodiment, the method comprises displaying the one or more third symbol positions with the second symbol positions to form an extended array. In further embodiments, the method comprises displaying the one or more third symbol positions to form a further array separate to the array.
In some embodiments, the method comprises arranging the first and second symbol positions into rows and/or columns in the array, and displaying a number of the third symbol positions equivalent to the number of symbol positions in one of the rows and/or columns.
In some embodiments, the method comprises arranging the first and second symbol positions into reels in the array, and displaying a number of the third symbol positions equivalent to the number of symbol positions in one of the reels.
In some embodiments, the method comprises awarding prizes for predetermined winning combinations of game symbols displayed in the first, second and third symbol positions.
In some embodiments, where the electronic game controller randomly determines that a game symbol does not appear in at least one of the second symbol positions, the method comprises not displaying a game symbol in the at least one second symbol position and awarding prizes for any predetermined winning combinations of game symbols displayed in the first and second symbol positions. In other embodiments, where the electronic game controller randomly determines that a game symbol does not appear in at least one of the second symbol positions, the method comprises displaying a terminator symbol in the at least one second symbol position and awarding prizes for any predetermined winning combinations of game symbols displayed in the first and second symbol positions.
In some embodiments, the method comprises displaying in each first symbol position a reel separate to the other first symbol positions.
Referring to
If provided on the electronic gaming machine 200, the ticket reader/printer 256 may be used to read and/or print or otherwise encode ticket vouchers 260. The ticket vouchers 260 may be composed of paper or another printable or encodable material and may have one or more of the following informational items printed or encoded thereon: the casino name, the type of ticket voucher, a validation number, a bar code with control and/or security data, the date and time of issuance of the ticket voucher, redemption instructions and restrictions, a description of an award, and any other information that may be necessary or desirable. Different types of ticket vouchers 260 could be used, such as bonus ticket vouchers, cash-redemption ticket vouchers, casino chip ticket vouchers, extra game play ticket vouchers, merchandise ticket vouchers, restaurant ticket vouchers, show ticket vouchers, etc. The ticket vouchers 260 could be printed with an optically readable material such as ink, or data on the ticket vouchers 260 could be magnetically encoded. The ticket reader/printer 256 may be provided with the ability to both read and print ticket vouchers 260, or it may be provided with the ability to only read or only print or encode ticket vouchers 260. In the latter case, for example, some of the electronic gaming machines 200 may have ticket printers 256 that may be used to print ticket vouchers 260, which could then be used by a player in other electronic gaming machines 200 that have ticket readers 256.
If provided, the card reader 258 may include any type of card reading device, such as a magnetic card reader or an optical card reader, and may be used to read data from a card offered by a player, such as a credit card or a player tracking card. If provided for player tracking purposes, the card reader 258 may be used to read data from, and/or write data to, player tracking cards that are capable of storing data representing the identity of a player, the identity of a casino, the player's gaming habits, etc.
The electronic gaming machine 200 may include one or more audio speakers 262, a coin payout tray 264, an input control panel 266, and a colour video display unit 270 for displaying images relating to the game or games provided by the electronic gaming machine 200. The audio speakers 262 may generate audio representing sounds such as the noise of spinning reels, a dealer's voice, music, announcements or any other audio related to a game. The input control panel 266 may be provided with a plurality of pushbuttons or touch-sensitive areas that may be pressed by a player to select games, make wagers, make gaming decisions, etc.
The control panel 266 may be provided with a plurality of selection buttons 276, each of which allows the player to select a different number of pay lines prior to spinning the reels. For example, five buttons 276 may be provided, each of which may allow a player to select one, three, five, seven or nine pay lines.
The control panel 266 may also be provided with a plurality of selection buttons 78 each of which allows a player to specify a wager amount for each pay line selected. For example, the electronic gaming machine 200 may be provided with five selection buttons 78, each of which may allow a player to select 1¢, 2¢, 5¢, 10¢ and 20¢, to wager for each pay line selected. In that case, if a player were to activate one of the buttons 276 to select five pay lines and then activate one of the buttons 278 to select 5¢ per pay line to be wagered or bet, the total wager would be $0.25.
The control panel 266 may include a “Max Bet” button 280 to allow a player to make the maximum wager allowable for a game. In the above example, where up to nine pay lines were provided and up to 20¢ could be wagered for each pay line selected, the maximum wager would be $1.80 The control panel 266 may include a spin button 282 to allow the player to initiate spinning of the reels after a bet has been made.
In
Although one possible control panel 266 is described above, it should be understood that different buttons could be utilized in the control panel 266, and that the particular buttons used may depend on the game or games that could be played on the electronic gaming machine 200. Although the control panel 266 is shown to be separate from the display unit 270, it should be understood that the control panel 266 could be generated by the display unit 270. In that case, each of the buttons of the control panel 266 could be a coloured area generated by the display unit 270, and some type of mechanism may be associated with the display unit 270 to detect when each of the buttons was touched, such as a touch-sensitive screen.
As noted above, the electronic gaming machine 200 may include a mechanism by which the electronic gaming machine 200 may determine the identity of the player. In particular, the card reader 258 may be used to read a card that carries an identification code that may be uniquely associated with the player so that the gaming unit can differentiate that player from all other players, or so that the gaming unit can differentiate that player as a member of a group of players from all player not a member of the group of players. The electronic gaming machine 200 may also include equipment, such as a keypad 284, an input pad 286 (with optional stylus 287), a port (or antenna) 288 adapted to communicate via a wired or wireless link (infrared or radio frequency link, for example) to a mobile electronic device 290 (such as a personal digital assistant, smart phone or tablet), a camera 292, a scanner 294, a retinal (or iris) scanner 296, fingerprint scanner 297, and/or a microphone 298. The electronic gaming machine 200 may include any one of the devices 258, 284, 286, 288, 290, 292, 294, 296, 297, 298, or the electronic gaming machine 200 may include a combination of some or all of the devices 258, 284, 286, 287, 288, 290, 292, 294, 296, 297, 298.
In operation, a player may identify him or herself to the electronic gaming machine 200 by entering a unique numeric or alpha-numeric code using the key pad 284, for example. Alternatively, the player may use his or her finger or the stylus 287 to sign his or her signature on the input pad 286. As a further alternative, the player may sign his or her signature on the mobile electronic device 290, which signature is then converted to electronic data, and the data is then transferred via the port/antenna 288 to the electronic gaming machine 200. As yet another alternative, the player may sign his or her signature on a piece of paper that is then photographed using the camera 292 or scanned using the scanner 294 (or the bill acceptor 254) to convert the signature into electronic data. As an additional alternative, the player may place one of his or her fingers or his or her hand on the scanner 297, and the scanner 297 may generate an electronic data representation of the fingerprint on one or more of the player's fingers or an electronic data representation of the pattern of the entire hand. Alternatively, the camera 292 may be used to take a picture (live or still) of the player, the picture then being converted into electronic data. As a still further alternative, the player may place his or her eye up to the retinal (or iris) scanner 296, and the retinal (or iris) scanner 296 may generate an electronic data representation corresponding to the pattern of the retina (or iris) of the player. As yet another alternative, the player may speak into the microphone 298, and characteristics of the spoken words (or voiceprint) may be converted into an electronic data representation.
As shown in
It will be appreciated that while the preferred embodiments have been described in relation to an industry standard electronic gaming machine, the invention can be readily applied to other types of electronic gaming machines, including a personal computer (standing alone or connected to a communications network, LAN or WAN), mobile electronic devices (such as handheld or portable electronic devices like tablets and smart phones) and other electronic devices capable of displaying a game. In the case of mobile electronic device, in one arrangement it may permit the player to make bets using “virtual” credits that represent a monetary value, but do not require the player to make a monetary transaction. Instead, the invention may provide a tiered access to the various features of the game so that the player can make relatively small payments to access particular features of the game or obtain additional benefits during game play. An alternative arrangement would require the player to purchase virtual credits or tokens via an interface on the mobile electronic device or an online interface accessible by the mobile electronic device. Similarly, either of the above described arrangements can be applied where the invention is implemented on a personal computer (PC) connected to the internet (wirelessly or not). In one example of the implementation, the PC would access an online casino over the internet to play the game of the invention or the game of the invention would be part of a social networking website. It is also contemplated that the player could also make regular payments to subscribe to continue playing the game on the mobile electronic device, PC or other electronic device.
In an alternative embodiment, the electronic gaming machine also provides an option for the player to play with either credits based on a monetary amount or virtual credits as discussed above. This can be implemented by way of a selection menu prior to playing the selected game or by providing a suitable menu button on screen during play of the selected game.
In another aspect, the invention includes a computer programme configured to perform the invention. In this way the invention can be implemented in various ways on an electronic gaming machine. In a further aspect, the invention includes a gaming system configured comprising a central processing unit (such as a computer or computational processor) configured for communication with an electronic gaming machine to perform the invention. In a yet another aspect, the invention includes a non-transitory computer readable or carrier medium carrying computer executable code that, when executed on a central processing unit configured for communication with an electronic gaming machine, causes the central processing unit to perform the invention. In this case, the non-transitory carrier medium includes an external hard drive, a memory device, including a memory card, smart card, a radio frequency identification (RFID) device, USB key, magnetic card or other electronic storage device.
It will further be appreciated that any of the features in the preferred embodiments of the invention can be combined together and are not necessarily applied in isolation from each other. For example, the feature of the player being able to selectively starting or stopping spinning of the reels in the symbol positions 13, 33, 53 and the feature of providing separate video screens for the lower playing area 7a and upper display area 7b can be combined into a single electronic gaming machine 1. In another example, the feature of a progressive jackpot can be readily combined with the awarding a multiplier to the bonus prize for multiple displays of an associated bonus prize symbol. Similar combinations of two or more features from the above described embodiments or embodiments of the invention can be readily made by one skilled in the art.
By providing symbol positions that may or may not display game symbols and adding more symbol positions in response to the initial set of symbol positions displaying game symbols, the player's excitement is heightened as he or she anticipates the appearance of game symbols in the symbol positions to trigger more symbol positions that may increase the prize awarded. This increases player interest and encourages the player to continue playing the game. All these advantages of the invention result in the player being more likely to retain interest in continuing to play the same electronic gaming machine. Furthermore, since the electronic game controller controls operation of the electronic gaming machine, the invention can be readily implemented to existing gaming machines and other gaming systems. In all these respects, the invention represents a practical and commercially significant improvement over the prior art.
Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.
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| 2015275296 | Dec 2015 | AU | national |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20170186267 A1 | Jun 2017 | US |
