Patent Application
20220262206
The present disclosure relates to a gaming machine and method. Embodiments of the present disclosure has been developed primarily for use as an electronic gaming machine and will be described hereinafter by reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented for any type of gaming machine, including a mechanical or electro-mechanical gaming machine.
The following discussion of the prior art is intended to present embodiments of the present disclosure 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”.
One type of gaming machine comprises a mechanical or electro-mechanical device, where a motor rotates a plurality of annular rings or drums that form reels. Each reel has a reel strip that displays game symbols in preset game symbol positions. A frame covers the rings to provide a window through which only a subset of game symbol positions (and hence game symbols) were visible to the player. Thus, for a game using a 5×3 array, the window would only permit three rows of five rings to be visible to create the game array. An internal electronic controller within the gaming machine controls operation of the motor and hence rotation of the reels. Thus, by controlling when each reel starts and stops in its respective rotation, the electronic controller controls the display of the game symbols in the window. Sensors linked to the reels indicate which game symbols are displayed in the window and communicate with the electronic controller so that the electronic controller is able to award prizes based on winning combinations of game symbols displayed on the reels in the window. The electronic controller typically comprises one or more electric circuits for controlling various functions of the gaming machine, such as the above mentioned control of the motor, communicating with the sensors, verifying that the correct amount of a bet has been made via one or more value receiving mechanisms to enable operation of the motors, controlling any visual and/or audio effects associated with operation of the gaming machine and controlling operation of various alarms to alert any tampering with the gaming machine.
Another type of gaming machine, known as an electronic gaming machine or EGM, replaces the mechanical reels and motor with a video display screen on which video images of the reels are displayed. The EGM 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. EGMs tend to be more versatile in providing 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 a 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, 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 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 operation of the gaming machine, irrespective of whether it is a mechanical, electro-mechanical or electronic gaming machine. Consequently, it is difficult to retain player interest because there is no apparent incentive for the player to continue playing the gaming machine once the player becomes familiar with the feature game, the main game and any bonus prizes.
It is an object of the present disclosure to overcome or substantially ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of prior art, or at least to provide a useful alternative.
The present disclosure provides a gaming machine that has improved operation and performance relative to existing prior art gaming machines by providing a more efficient way of awarding prizes to a player of the gaming machine and/or optimising the use of screen space for the gaming machine compared to presently existing gaming machines. Embodiments of the present disclosure also improves the application of an electronic controller in playing the game on the gaming machine.
One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a gaming machine comprising:
Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a gaming machine comprising:
A further embodiment of the invention provides a gaming machine comprising:
An additional embodiment of the present disclosure provides a gaming machine comprising:
Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method comprising:
A further embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of operating a gaming machine comprising a display for displaying a game, a value transfer mechanism for receiving value from a player and a controller for controlling the display of the game symbols on the display, the method comprising:
A still further embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method comprising:
A further embodiment provides a computer system comprising a central processing unit configured for communication with a gaming machine, wherein the computer system is configured to perform the method of any one of the above described embodiments of the present disclosure.
A further embodiment provides a computer program configured to perform the method of any one of the above described embodiments of the present disclosure.
A further embodiment provides a non-transitory carrier medium carrying computer executable code that, when executed on a central processing unit configured for communication with a gaming machine, causes the central processing unit to perform the method of any one of the above described embodiments of the present disclosure.
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.
The embodiments of the present disclosure will be more fully understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Some of the figures may have been simplified by the omission of selected elements for the purpose of more clearly showing other elements. Such omissions of elements in some figures are not necessarily indicative of the presence or absence of particular elements in any of the exemplary embodiments, except as may be explicitly delineated in the corresponding written description. None of the drawings is necessarily to scale.
Embodiments of the present disclosure 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.
In general terms, a gaming machine according to the embodiments described herein includes at least one display, a value transfer mechanism in the form of a value input, and an electronic controller coupled to the at least one display and the value input.
The controller is configured to determine if a wager has been received via the value input, and to display a game on the at least one display if a wager has been received. The first game includes one or more configurations of game symbols, one or more of the configurations of game symbols being associated with a game outcome, the game outcome being associated with a value award payable to a player.
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 gaming machine 1. Other forms of value include gaming tokens, paper, tickets, vouchers, and any other object representative of value.
In this embodiment, the buttons 6 are physical buttons provided on the console 3. However, it will be appreciated that the buttons 6 can be replaced with virtual buttons on the display 7 that are touch sensitive surfaces for receiving commands from the player, the touch sensitive surfaces or virtual buttons being in electronic communication with the controller 4 to transmit the player commands. Alternatively, there may be a combination of buttons 6 on the console 3 and touch sensitive surfaces or virtual buttons on the display 7.
The controller 4 is generally in the form of an electronic controller comprising 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 the various input devices on the console 3, as best shown in
The electronic 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 controller 4, which then determines whether the minimum bet level has been reached. If so, the electronic controller 4 will permits play of the game on the gaming machine 1. If not, the electronic controller 4 will send a signal to the display 7 to show a message requesting further value to be added to the gaming machine 1.
The electronic 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, one example of which is illustrated in
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 to trigger the feature game 9. 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” 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 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, animal-themed symbols 10b, item-themed symbols 10c, scatter symbols in the form of Wolf Flag symbols 10d and a substitute or wild card symbol in the form of Horse symbols 10e. The electronic controller 4 randomly determines the appearance of the game symbols 10 on the array 11.
The video screen 7 also displays other standard game information in the lower playing area 7a, including the number of pay lines available 15, the number of player-selected pay lines 16, the amount of player credits (i.e. credit meter 17), the amount of the current bet wagered by the player (i.e. bet meter 18), the amount of wins by the player (i.e. win meter 19), a message area 20, a current denomination button 21 indicating the currently selected base bet denomination and the name 22 of the brand or type of game that the base game 8 belongs to, being Wolf Chief™, as best shown in
In other embodiments, the video screen 7 displays a virtual menu button for bringing up a menu screen (typically explaining the game rules and showing the available pay lines 14) and/or jackpot information relating to the based game 8 and feature game 9 that are awarded by the electronic gaming machine 1. This jackpot information is typically displayed in the upper display area and can comprise, in descending order of monetary value, a grand jackpot, major jackpot, minor jackpot and midi jackpot.
In the base game 8, the player initially makes a bet or wager using vending slots 5 to initiate play of the gaming machine 1 by building up credit to play the base game 8 on the 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, 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 gaming machine. For example, a game on a 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 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 gaming machine has not yet been played or has been started up, the default bet denomination is initially selected by the electronic controller 4. The default bet denomination can be randomly selected or chosen according to a predetermined order. Usually, the electronic controller 4 will select the bet denomination with the lowest value 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 will bring denomination images that the player may select to quickly change the bet denomination between plays of the game 8.
Once the player has commenced play of the game 8 by making an appropriate bet or wager via the vending slots 5, the amount of the bet or wager is assessed by either the verification device associated with the vending slots 5 and/or the metering module 4d. If the amount of the bet is sufficient to at least meet the threshold of the minimum bet permitted to play the base game 8, the electronic controller 4 then commences a play of the base game 8 by sending a signal to the display 7 to cause the 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 game position for each play of the array 11 for the base game 8. The electronic game controller 4 randomly selects the game symbols 10 using the processor 4a with the random number generator 4e. After the reels 12 stop spinning (and thus ends the spin or play of the base game 8), the electronic 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 10 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 controller 4 also determines whether the feature game 9 should be activated, based on a predetermined trigger event, such as the appearance of a number of feature game trigger symbols appearing in a play or spin of the base game 8. In this embodiment, the trigger event is the appearance of three scatter symbols 10d; i.e. the feature game trigger symbols are the scatter symbols 10d. The scatter symbols 10d need not appear on the same pay line 14, but can appear on any of the player-selected pay lines.
In response to the trigger event, the electronic 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 array 11, reels 12, game positions 13 and player-selectable pay lines 14 as the base game 8 on the video screen 7. The feature game 9 operates in a similar manner to the base game 8, where the reels 12 visibly rotate and display randomly selected game symbols 10 in each game position 13. Predetermined winning combinations of randomly selected game symbols 10 in the array 11 of the feature game 9 also result in the award of prizes to the player, usually of an enhanced value compared to the prizes awarded in the base game 8, and/or with an increased frequency (i.e. the feature game 9 has higher win probability compared to the base game 8).
Referring to
In the feature game 9, five free plays or spins of the feature game are awarded to the player without having to make an additional bet or wager. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that a free play or spin involves a play of the game without requiring any bet to be made by the player, and that any number of free spins can be chosen for the feature game 9. In addition, it will be appreciated that in the art free spins are commonly referred to as “free games”. The number of free games remaining in the feature game 9 is indicated by a counter 29. Typically, the prizes awarded for the same winning combinations of game symbols in the feature game 9 are of higher value than the prizes awarded in the base game 8.
The feature game 9 also comprises a set of bonus positions 40 that are associated with each of the reels 12. That is, the bonus position 40a is associated with reel 12a, the bonus position 40b is associated with reel 12b, the bonus position 40c is associated with reel 12c, the bonus position 40d is associated with reel 12d and the bonus position 40e is associated with reel 12e. This association is indicated by locating each bonus position 40a to 40e adjacent their respective associated reel 12a to 12e and in this embodiment, the bonus positions 40 are located above each reel 12a to 12e.
The bonus positions 40a to 40e each display bonus symbols 45 that are associated with game enhancing elements that modify the outcome of the reel spin. In this embodiment, the bonus symbols 45 correspond to the game enhancing element that is conferred; i.e. the bonus symbols 45 describe the game enhancing element, such as MINOR jackpot or 2000 credit prize. In this embodiment, each bonus position 40a to 40e displays a default bonus symbol corresponding to the minimum level of game enhancing element that can be won, which in this embodiment is the 1500 bonus symbol 45a to indicate a credit prize of 1500 credits. In some embodiments, the bonus positions 40a to 40e may be blank or show a null symbol until the bonus position 40 is activated or triggered by the display of a coin symbol 30 in a game position 13 of the associated reel 12a to 12e.
In other embodiments, the bonus symbols 45 may comprise different images that are associated with each game enhancing element or type of game enhancing element, instead of being descriptive of the game enhancing element. For example, a jaguar symbol may be used to indicate a credit prize, a gold statue symbol may be used to indicate the award of additional free games/spins and a sun symbol may be used to indicate a jackpot. In another example, different jewel symbols may indicate credit prizes of different value, and so on for each game enhancing element. Generally, the game enhancing element modifies the result of a play of the feature game 9. The game enhancing elements may provide different types of effects or modifications of the game play result.
The feature game 9 operates in a similar manner to the base game 8, where the reels 12 visibly rotate and display randomly selected game symbols 10 in each game position 13, as best shown in
While three coin symbols 30 appeared on the first play of the feature game 9, the electronic game controller 4 may randomly select whether to display game symbols 10 or coin symbols 30 for each game position 13 in the reels 12a to 12e, using the processor 4a with the random number generator 4e. Hence, more or less coin symbols 30 may appear on the reels 12, or even none at all. In this embodiment, the coin scatter symbols 30 that appeared in the base game 8 and triggered the feature game 9 carry over the first play of the feature game, as shown in
The appearance of the three coin symbols 30 also activates the bonus positions 40a, 40b and 40c associated with the reels 12a, 12b and 12c, respectively, that show the coin symbols. This is indicated by briefly animating the bonus positions 40a, 40b and 40c, such as expanding and then contracting the bonus positions, flashing or other visual effect linked to the bonus positions. In other embodiments, activation of the bonus positions 40 is indicated by highlighting the bonus symbols 45a in the bonus positions 40a, 40b and 40c, or the bonus positions themselves. For example, the bonus symbols 45a and/or bonus positions 40a, 40b and 40c may be illuminated, animated or both, relative to the inactive bonus symbols and bonus positions 40d and 40e. This indicates to the player that the credit prizes associated with the bonus symbols 45a in the bonus positions 40a, 40b and 40c are now available to be won in the feature game 9.
In addition, the coin symbols 30 are kept or “held” in the same game position 13 that they initially appeared on the reels 12 for each subsequent play or free spin for the duration of the feature game 9. This “hold and spin” aspect of the feature game 9 only applies to the coin symbols 30. It should also be noted that any game symbols 10 (including picture symbols 10f and playing card symbols 10a) that appear on the reels 12 are inactive and do not contribute to any winning combination of symbols in the feature game 9; only the coin symbols 30 are able to trigger the award of credit or other prizes in the feature game 9. To emphasise this aspect of the feature game 9, the coin symbols 30 remain fully visible in the game positions 13 but the game symbols 10 are blacked out or fade into the background of the game positions, where they can only be faintly seen, such as for example the Queen symbol 10a in
As additional coin symbols 30 appear in each free spin or play of the feature game 9, the bonus symbols 45a displayed in the bonus positions 40a to 40e change to different bonus symbols associated with game enhancing elements having a greater game play value. In this embodiment, the bonus symbols 45a change to reflect higher credit values where a coin symbol 30 appears in the reel associated with the bonus position 40 that displays for the bonus symbol. For example, in
The increases in the game play values of the changing bonus symbols may be randomly determined by the electronic game controller 4 using the processor 4a and the random number generator 4e, or predetermined by game play values stored in the storage memory 4c. For example, there may be range of credit prize values from 200 up to 50000, a range of jackpots from mini, minor and major to grand jackpots or multipliers from ×2 up to ×15. Moreover, the bonus symbols 45 may change as the total number of coin symbols 30 appear on the reels 12, so that the game play values (such as credit prizes) in one bonus position 40 may be higher than the game play values in another bonus position 40 by virtue of a coin symbol 30 appearing on the reel associated with the bonus position later in the free spin or in a subsequent free spin or play of the feature game 9. For example, in
In further embodiments, the bonus symbols 45 in the bonus positions 40 may change to display the same higher game play value where the game enhancing element has not yet been awarded. That is, once activated, each coin symbol 30 that appears on the reels 12 causes the bonus symbols 45 in each bonus position 40 to change to the same bonus symbol of higher game play value until the game enhancing element associated with the bonus symbol is awarded for one or bonus positions 40. In this case, only the bonus positions 40 for game enhancing elements that have not yet been awarded will continue to change their bonus symbols 45. Also, where the bonus symbols 45 are of different types, only those bonus symbols of the same type will change uniformly to the same bonus symbol. For example, the bonus positions 40 may display two bonus symbols 45 associated with credit prizes, one bonus symbol associated with a jackpot and two bonus symbols associated with multipliers. In this case, the two bonus symbols associated with credit prizes will change uniformly to the same bonus symbol of higher credit prize value and the two bonus symbols associated with multipliers will change uniformly to the same bonus symbol of higher multiplier value. The bonus symbol 45 associated with a jackpot may change to a jackpot of higher jackpot value.
In yet another embodiment, the bonus symbols 45 may change their game play values in the bonus positions 40 randomly in stepwise increments, depending on which free spin is occurring in the feature game 9. For example, the bonus symbols 45 have an initial game play value of, for example, 1500 credits for the first five free games (i.e. free games or spins 1 to 5), then change in game play value to 2500 credits for the next five free games (i.e. free games or spins 6 to 10), and increment by 2000 credits each time for each set of five free game until the feature game 9 ends.
In a further embodiment, the game play values of the bonus symbols 45 are predefined multiples of the total bet until they reach a capped amount or a jackpot value. An example of this embodiment additionally employing incrementing game play values for the bonus symbols 45 in the bonus positions 40 after a set amount of free games is shown in Table 1 below.
Once a coin symbol 30 appears in each game position 13 of a reel 12 to form a “stack” of coin symbols filling the reel, this causes the game enhancing element associated with the bonus symbol 45 in the bonus position 40 to be immediately awarded to the player. This is best shown in
In addition to the game symbols 10a, 10f and the coin symbol 30, a free games symbol 55 may also be randomly selected by the electronic game controller 4 to appear in the game positions 13 of the reels 12. The appearance of the free games symbol 55 increases the number of free spins remaining in the feature game 9, as best shown in
Referring to
This embodiment operates in substantially the same way as the embodiment of
Unlike the embodiment of
In the next free spin shown in
In the next free spin shown in
In the next (and final) free spin, if an Elf symbol 60 appears in the remaining bottom game position 13c in the reel 12e, then the credit bonus symbol 45a in the bonus position 12e will change from 1000 to 5000 and complete a stack of Elf symbols 60 in the reel 12e, immediately awarding the player a credit prize of 3000 credits. Alternatively, as it is the last stack of Elf symbols 60 is completed in the reels 12, then the credit bonus symbol 45a in the bonus position 12e will change from 1000 to a GRAND jackpot bonus symbol to award the player a grand progressive jackpot as a reward for completely filling the reels 12 with Elf symbols 60. Another alternative is to award the increased credit prize of 5000 credits and award the grand progressive jackpot as a separate reward to completing stacks of Elf symbols 60 in each reel 12.
It will be appreciated that in the present disclosure, the game enhancing element associated with the bonus symbol 45 is awarded immediately and without any determination whether to award the prize. That is, once a stack of the triggering symbols (such as scatter coin symbols 30 or special Elf symbols 60) appear in the associated reels 12a to 12e, the electronic controller 4 must or always award the game enhancing element associated with the bonus symbol 45 displayed in the bonus position 40 associated with the reel 12a to 12e. There is no further determination, random or otherwise, whether to award the game enhancing element once the trigger condition has been met.
Thus, the embodiments of the disclosure provide a unique mechanism for the award of game enhancing elements by completing a stack of special symbols (like the coin symbols 30 or special symbols 60) in a reel or column to trigger the award. Hence, by triggering the award of game enhancing elements upon special symbols appearing in each game position of an associated group of game positions, embodiments of the disclosure provide a unique alternative to the award of game enhancing elements to a player compared to existing gaming machines. In addition, the embodiments of the disclosure provide a unique player interface that enables players to quickly ascertain what game enhancing elements can be won during the feature game and the game play value of those game enhancing elements as they increase during the feature game. Thus, the award of game enhancing elements may be performed in an entertaining manner to the player. This overall improves operation of the gaming machine and increases the player's interest as there is more chance of winning additional prizes due to the award of these game enhancing elements.
In some embodiments, different types of game enhancing elements are always displayed in the bonus positions 40a to 40e. For example, in
In some embodiments, different types of game enhancing elements are associated exclusively with one of the bonus positions 40a to 40e. For example, the bonus position 40a may only display credit prize-type bonus symbols, the bonus position 40b only displays jackpot-type bonus symbols, the bonus position 40c only displays multiplier-type bonus symbols, the bonus position 40d only displays the free games-type bonus symbols and the bonus position 40e only displays a combined credit and free games-type bonus symbol.
In other embodiments, the amounts of the credit prizes awarded by associated credit bonus symbols increases as a bet multiplier increases, the bet multiplier being the amount bet by the player per pay line 14. For example, a bet multiplier of 2 means a bet of 2 credits per pay line 14, irrespective of the number of pay lines (2, 5, 10, etc.) that are selected to play the base game 8. Thus, the amounts of the credit prizes will only increase if the bet multiplier increases, irrespective of the amount of the total bet. Similarly, the probability of the jackpot prize being awarded through the jackpot-type bonus symbols also increases with an increase in the total bet made by the player. This may be achieved by using different reel strips with a greater number of jackpot-type bonus symbols for the reels 12a to 12e.
It will be appreciated that the above described game enhancing elements in
These types of bonus 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 bonus 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, the game enhancing elements can also be awarded as a separate aspect of the games 8, 9. 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. 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 different to the bonus symbols 45, 65 in the reels 12a to 12e. The sixth reel in this case is simply added as an extension to the array 11 and spins either game enhancing symbols or “blank” symbols.
In some embodiments, the game may include “collector”-type 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 other preferred forms, the game enhancing element can be an enhanced version of the array 11. The enhanced array may provide additional game enhancing symbols that include the award of points or an additional number of free spins of the array 11 (for example, retriggering 5 more free spins). The collection of points awarded by the enhanced array during free spins or game leads to the trigger of additional prizes or game enhancing symbols, depending on the number of points 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 addition, the enhanced array has a different visual representation to the array 11. In addition, the enhanced array may provide game enhancing symbols of greater value and/or frequency compared to the array 11.
Where the game enhancing element comprises the award of a jackpot prize, such as the Minor, Major and Grand jackpots in
A progressive jackpot prize takes a portion of each bet (typically a set percentage of each bet) made on the gaming machine and thus the amount of the progressive jackpot incrementally increases as more bets are made on the 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 gaming machine. In many cases, progressive jackpots are associated with the least probable winning combination and are commonly the highest paying award of the 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 controller. Alternatively, or additionally, once a certain threshold is met, either a certain amount that has been bet on the 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 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 gaming machines, more than one jackpot or progressive jackpot are offered by the gaming machine or gaming machines linked together.
Separate jackpot or bonus prizes may also be provided, such as mystery jackpots rather than the symbol driven jackpots awarded through the bonus symbols 45, 65 in the bonus positions 40a to 40e. 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 controller 4 for each play of the games 8 and 9. One way to implement the random determination of the trigger event is for the electronic controller 4 to internally generate a random number using the random number generator 4e 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 controller 4 uses the random number generator 4e to internally generate 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 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.
Progressive jackpots can be confined to the 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 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 gaming machine 1 (as in multi-game gaming machines).
During play of the games 8 and 9, the electronic controller 4 will determine whether the trigger event for the jackpot has occurred. In response to the occurrence of the jackpot trigger event(s), the electronic controller 4 transmits a signal to the video screen 7 to cause the jackpot(s) associated with the jackpot trigger event(s) to be awarded to the player. 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.
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
Furthermore, the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described as providing a standard 5×3 array for the base game 8 and the feature game 9. However, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the size and shape of the base game array 11 and feature game array may vary as desired. For example, the arrays 11 could take any number of different shapes, such as triangular, circular, square, hexagonal, hemi-spherical or other polygonal shapes. For example, the base game array 11 could comprise a circular array having three rings (equivalent to rows) like a bullseye target segmented into five columns. The feature game array would then expand into additional rings surrounding the initial rings of the base game array 11. Alternatively, the arrays 11 could have an unequal number of rows or columns. For example, the reels 12a, 12b could have three rows, but the reels 12c to 12e could have four rows.
While the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in relation to a feature game 9, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the use of the bonus positions 40a to 40e to award game enhancing elements can readily be applied to the base game 8 alone or to both a base game 8 and a feature game 9.
In some embodiments, the frequency of the trigger symbols (i.e. scatter coin symbols 30 or special symbols 60) is controlled by choosing different reel strips to display the game symbols 10 in the base game 8. Thus, more coin symbols 30 or special symbols 60 appear on the reels 12 as the bet made by the player increases. This means that the frequency of awarding a game enhancing element increases. There may also be a combination of frequency of the coin symbols 30 or special symbol 60 and using different reel strips with different bonus prizes. Other embodiments may use a free spins bonus where the bonus or jackpot prize values are determined by the player's initiating bet multiplier as well as which free spin is being played or by how many special symbols have been collected or accumulated in the free spins so far.
In some embodiments, the 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 controller to transmit the player commands to the controller. In other embodiments, the buttons comprise physical buttons on the gaming machine, virtual buttons on the display or a combination of both.
In some embodiments, the input device comprises one or more buttons on the housing, the buttons being in electronic communication with the 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 controller to transmit the player commands to the controller.
In some embodiments, the 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 or bill acceptor, a ticket reader and/or printer or a card reader and/or writer.
Preferably, each bonus position is associated with one of the groups in the array. In some embodiments, the bonus positions are each shown on the display adjacent to its associated group. In other embodiments, the bonus positions are located above the array on the display, each bonus position being adjacent to its associated group.
Preferably, there is a bonus position for each group in the array. Alternatively, there are less bonus positions than groups in the array. In one embodiment, each bonus position is associated with at least one reel. In some embodiments, the groups comprise reels in the array. In other embodiments, there are at least five bonus positions in the array and the groups comprise reels in the array, each bonus position being associated with at least one reel.
Preferably, the bonus symbols displayed in the bonus positions change between plays of the game. In some embodiments, the bonus symbol displayed in the bonus position becomes fixed between plays of the game when a special symbol is displayed at least one game position of the at least one group associated with the bonus position. In other embodiments, the bonus symbols displayed in the bonus positions change where the special symbol is displayed in one or more game positions of the at least one group associated with the bonus positions.
In one embodiment, the game enhancing element associated with the at least one bonus symbol comprises a credit prize, and the amount of the credit prize increases for each game position of the at least one group that is occupied by the special symbol. In another embodiment, the game enhancing element associated with the at least one bonus symbol comprises a credit prize, and the amount of the credit prize increases for each game position in the array that is occupied by the special symbol. In a further embodiment, the game enhancing element associated with at least one bonus symbol comprises a jackpot prize.
Preferably, the controller is configured so that any special symbols appearing in game positions in a play of the game are displayed in the same game positions for one or more subsequent plays of the game. In some embodiments, the special symbols are displayed in the same game positions until the end of the game.
In some embodiments, the game enhancing element is immediately awarded to the player during the game. In other embodiments, the game enhancing element is awarded to the player at the end of the game.
Preferably, a predetermined number of retrigger symbols appearing in game positions in the array causes the controller to reset the number of plays remaining in the game. In some embodiments, the controller adds a predetermined number of plays. In other embodiments, the controller changes the number of play to a predetermined number.
In some embodiments, the bonus positions each display a bonus symbol that awards a different type of game enhancing element for any one play of the game. In other embodiments, each bonus position is associated with a different type of game enhancing element.
In some embodiments, the game enhancing elements comprise at least one or more of a predetermined number of free games, a win multiplier, wild multipliers, bonus wilds, symbols that cause the award of additional free games, trigger symbols to retrigger the game, 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.
Preferably, the groups comprise reels in the array. In some embodiments, the array comprises five reels. In other embodiments, the reels each comprise three game positions.
Preferably, the one or more of the configurations of the randomly selected game symbols are arranged along a pay line associated with a game outcome. In some embodiments, a play of the game comprises a plurality of randomly selected game symbols arranged in a plurality of reels, one or more of the configurations of the randomly selected game symbols arranged along a pay line being associated with a game outcome, the game outcome being associated with a value award payable to a player.
In some embodiments, the controller comprises an electronic controller coupled to the display. In other embodiments, the controller comprises an electronic controller coupled to at least one electronic video display.
In some embodiments, each the game position comprises a reel separate to the other game positions. That is, each game or symbol position 13 comprises its own individual reel and three of the reels are grouped into columns 12a to 12e of reels. That is, each symbol position 13 has its own individual reel strip of game symbols.
In other embodiments, the 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 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 and feature game 9, it will be appreciated that the game format may vary across the base and feature 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 8 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 8 may each have different game symbols, game rules and pay tables that are unique to each game.
While one embodiment of the present disclosure has been described in relation to a base game 8 and a feature game 9, it will be appreciated that embodiments of the present disclosure could include one or more additional feature games that are triggered by specific trigger symbols appearing in the feature game 9. Also, the additional feature games may also have trigger symbols that trigger further feature games in a cascading fashion. These additional and further feature games could have the same game play elements as the feature game 9 or be different feature games entirely.
In some embodiments, the array (including the base game array and/or the feature game array) take any one of a circular, triangular, oval, semi-circular, hexagonal, pentagonal, octagonal, non-rectangular or polygonal shape. In some embodiments, the base game array is different in size and/or dimensions to the feature game array. In other embodiments, the feature game array is greater in size than the base game array. In one preferred form, the base array comprises three rows and five columns and the feature game array comprises either more than three rows or more than five columns. In a further preferred form, the feature game array is an extended base game array.
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 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 other embodiments, the base game 8 and the feature game 9 need not be displayed alternately on a single video screen 7. Instead, they may be displayed on the same video screen 7, with the base game 8 shown in the lower playing area 7a and the feature game 9 shown in the upper display area of the video screen 7. Alternatively, the base game 8 and the feature game 9 are shown on separate video screens, with the base game 8 shown in a lower video screen corresponding to the lower playing area 7a and the feature game 9 shown in an upper video screen corresponding to the upper display area. Also, the order can be reversed, with the lower playing area 7a or video screen showing the feature game 9 and the upper video screen or upper playing area of a single video display screen 7 showing the base game 8.
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 gaming machine 1 by the electronic 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.
In some embodiments, in response to a feature game trigger event in the base game, the controller causes the display to display game symbols for playing the feature game. Alternatively, the 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 gaming machine comprises a mobile electronic gaming device. In other embodiments, the mobile electronic gaming device comprises a handheld electronic device. In one preferred form, the handheld electronic device comprises a handheld electronic gaming device or a smart phone. Alternatively, the gaming machine comprises a computer. In other embodiments, the computer is connected to a communication network.
In some embodiments, the game symbols may be used to play a slots-type game. In other embodiments, the game symbols may be used to play a poker-type game. In still other embodiments, the game symbols may be used to play a bingo or keno-type game.
The electronic controller 4 may randomly select the game symbols that appear in or on the array (e.g., using the random number generator 4e), each column of the array corresponding to a reel in a mechanical or electromechanical display, and provide an award based on the randomly selected configuration. Alternatively, the machine 1 (or a server associated with the machine 1) may select an outcome from a pool of outcomes, and the machine 1 may display a configuration of symbols in accordance with that outcome, and provide an award in accordance with the outcome.
It will be appreciated that while the preferred embodiments have been described in relation to an industry standard electronic gaming machine, the present disclosure 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, embodiments of the present disclosure 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 present disclosure 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 present disclosure or the game of the present disclosure 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 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 present disclosure includes a computer program configured to perform embodiments of the present disclosure. In this way the present disclosure can be implemented in various ways on a gaming machine. In a further aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure include a gaming system configured comprising a central processing unit (such as a computer or computational processor) configured for communication with a gaming machine to perform embodiments of the present disclosure. In a yet another aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure include a non-transitory computer readable or carrier medium carrying computer executable code that, when executed on a central processing unit configured for communication with a gaming machine, causes the central processing unit to perform embodiments of the present disclosure. 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.
While the illustrated embodiments include an electronic display on which the array of game positions is displayed, it will be recognized that the disclosed embodiments could instead incorporate mechanical or electro-mechanical reels to define the array of game positions. In fact, to the extent that the game positions, game symbols or operation of the gaming machine described herein would require a modification of such mechanical or electro-mechanical reels, it will be recognized that the embodiment represents a change in the structure or operation of a machine, rather than simply a variation in the rules of playing a game. In addition or in the alternative, the variation in the game positions, game symbols or operation of the gaming machine described herein may be viewed as analogous to a method for utilizing a new game apparatus (like a new deck of cards), rather than simply as a new set of rules in and of themselves.
It will further be appreciated that any of the features in the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure 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 12 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 gaming machine 1. Similar combinations of two or more features from the above described embodiments of the present disclosure can be readily made by one skilled in the art.
By providing bonus positions to display bonus symbols that trigger the award of game enhancing elements upon the trigger symbol appearing in each game position of an associated group of game positions, the embodiments of the disclosure provide a unique alternative to the award of game enhancing elements to a player compared to existing gaming machines. In addition, the embodiments of the disclosure provide a unique player interface that enables players to quickly ascertain the game enhancing elements that are available and immediately see the game play value of those game enhancing elements increase during the game. Moreover, the embodiments of the disclosure enables the award of game enhancing elements to be performed in an entertaining manner to the player, improving operation of the gaming machine and increasing the player's interest as there is more chance of winning additional prizes due to the award of these game enhancing elements. Embodiments of the present disclosure also add greater value to a player in terms of the probability of winning a prize and providing greater variety in game play, especially compared to a conventional gaming machine that only has one set of reels and a single feature game. All these advantages of the present disclosure result in the player being more likely to retain interest in continuing to play the same gaming machine due to the variation in game play on the gaming machine. Furthermore, since the controller controls operation of the gaming machine, embodiments of the present disclosure can be readily implemented to existing gaming machines, including EGMs, electro-mechanical or purely mechanical gaming machines as well as other gaming systems. In all these respects, the embodiments of the present disclosure represent a practical and commercially significant improvement over the prior art.
In conclusion, although the preceding text sets forth a detailed description of different embodiments of the present disclosure, it should be understood that the legal scope of the present disclosure is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment of the present disclosure since describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims defining the present disclosure.
It should also be understood that, unless a term is expressly defined in this patent using the sentence “As used herein, the term ‘______’ is hereby defined to mean . . . ” or a similar sentence, there is no intent to limit the meaning of that term, either expressly or by implication, beyond its plain or ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted to be limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this patent (other than the language of the claims). To the extent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term be limited, by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning. Finally, unless a claim element is defined by reciting the word “means” and a function without the recital of any structure, it is not intended that the scope of any claim element be interpreted based on the application of 35 U.S.C. §112(f).
