Patent Application
20240054860
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. Copyright 2022, SG Gaming, Inc.
The present invention relates to a technological improvement to gaming systems, gaming machines, and methods thereon and, more particularly, to new and improved animations in connection with a bonus game feature.
The gaming industry depends upon player participation. Players are generally “hopeful” players who either think they are lucky or at least think they can get lucky—for a relatively small investment to play a game, they can get a disproportionately large return. To create this feeling of luck, a gaming apparatus relies upon an internal or external random element generator to generate one or more random elements such as random numbers. The gaming apparatus determines a game outcome based, at least in part, on the one or more random elements.
A significant technical challenge is to improve the operation of gaming apparatus and games played thereon, including the manner in which they leverage the underlying random element generator, by making them yield a negative return on investment in the long run (via a high quantity and/or frequency of player/apparatus interactions) and yet random and volatile enough to make players feel they can get lucky and win in the short run. Striking the right balance between yield versus randomness and volatility to create a feeling of luck involves addressing many technical problems, some of which can be at odds with one another. This luck factor is what appeals to core players and encourages prolonged and frequent player participation. As the industry matures, the creativity and ingenuity required to improve such operation of gaming apparatus and games grows accordingly.
Another significant technical challenge is to improve the operation of gaming apparatus and games played thereon by increasing processing speed and efficiency of usage of processing and/or memory resources. To make games more entertaining and exciting, they often offer the complexities of advanced graphics and special effects, multiple bonus features with different game formats, and multiple random outcome determinations per feature. The game formats may, for example, include picking games, reel spins, wheel spins, and other arcade-style play mechanics. Inefficiencies in processor execution of the game software can slow play of the game and prevent a player from playing the game at their desired pace.
Yet another significant technical challenge is to provide a new and improved level of game play that uses new and improved gaming apparatus animations. Improved animations represent improvements to the underlying technology or technical field of gaming apparatus and, at the same time, have the effect of encouraging prolonged and frequent player participation.
According to embodiment of the present invention, there is provided gaming methods and a system that utilize a presentation assembly configured to present a series of spins of a plurality of reels arranged in an array, the plurality of reels including value-bearing symbols and a plurality of types of aggregation symbols. When one of the plurality of types of aggregation symbols lands in the array, values borne by one or more value-bearing symbols in the array are aggregated into a value borne by the aggregation symbols according to rules based on its type. At a conclusion of the series of spins, a payout based on the values of the aggregation symbols and any other value-bearing symbols in the array is awarded.
Additional aspects of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the detailed description of various embodiments, which is made with reference to the drawings, a brief description of which is provided below.
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated. For purposes of the present detailed description, the singular includes the plural and vice versa (unless specifically disclaimed); the words “and” and “or” shall be both conjunctive and disjunctive; the word “all” means “any and all”; the word “any” means “any and all”; and the word “including” means “including without limitation.”
For purposes of the present detailed description, the terms “wagering game,” “casino wagering game,” “gambling,” “slot game,” “casino game,” and the like include games in which a player places at risk a sum of money or other representation of value, whether or not redeemable for cash, on an event with an uncertain outcome, including without limitation those having some element of skill. In some embodiments, the wagering game involves wagers of real money, as found with typical land-based or online casino games. In other embodiments, the wagering game additionally, or alternatively, involves wagers of non-cash values, such as virtual currency, and therefore may be considered a social or casual game, such as would be typically available on a social networking web site, other web sites, across computer networks, or applications on mobile devices (e.g., phones, tablets, etc.). When provided in a social or casual game format, the wagering game may closely resemble a traditional casino game, or it may take another form that more closely resembles other types of social/casual games.
Referring to
The gaming machine 10 illustrated in
The input devices, output devices, and input/output devices are disposed on, and securely coupled to, the cabinet 12. By way of example, the output devices include a primary presentation device 18, a secondary presentation device 20, and one or more audio speakers 22. The primary presentation device 18 or the secondary presentation device 20 may be a mechanical-reel display device, a video display device, or a combination thereof. In one such combination disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,517,433, a transmissive video display is disposed in front of the mechanical-reel display to portray a video image superimposed upon electro-mechanical reels. In another combination disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,654,899, a projector projects video images onto stationary or moving surfaces. In yet another combination disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,452,276, miniature video displays are mounted to electro-mechanical reels and portray video symbols for the game. In a further combination disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,591,330, flexible displays such as OLED or e-paper displays are affixed to electro-mechanical reels. The aforementioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,517,433, 7,654,899, 7,452,276, and 8,591,330 are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
The presentation devices 18, 20, the audio speakers 22, lighting assemblies, and/or other devices associated with presentation are collectively referred to as a “presentation assembly” of the gaming machine 10. The presentation assembly may include one presentation device (e.g., the primary presentation device 18), some of the presentation devices of the gaming machine 10, or all of the presentation devices of the gaming machine 10. The presentation assembly may be configured to present a unified presentation sequence formed by visual, audio, tactile, and/or other suitable presentation means, or the devices of the presentation assembly may be configured to present respective presentation sequences or respective information.
The presentation assembly, and more particularly the primary presentation device 18 and/or the secondary presentation device 20, variously presents information associated with wagering games, non-wagering games, community games, progressives, advertisements, services, premium entertainment, text messaging, emails, alerts, announcements, broadcast information, subscription information, etc. appropriate to the particular mode(s) of operation of the gaming machine 10. The gaming machine 10 may include a touch screen(s) 24 mounted over the primary or secondary presentation devices, buttons 26 on a button panel, a bill/ticket acceptor 28, a card reader/writer 30, a ticket dispenser 32, and player-accessible ports (e.g., audio output jack for headphones, video headset jack, USB port, wireless transmitter/receiver, etc.). It should be understood that numerous other peripheral devices and other elements exist and are readily utilizable in any number of combinations to create various forms of a gaming machine in accord with the present concepts.
The player input devices, such as the touch screen 24, buttons 26, a mouse, a joystick, a gesture-sensing device, a voice-recognition device, and a virtual-input device, accept player inputs and transform the player inputs to electronic data signals indicative of the player inputs, which correspond to an enabled feature for such inputs at a time of activation (e.g., pressing a “Max Bet” button or soft key to indicate a player's desire to place a maximum wager to play the wagering game). The inputs, once transformed into electronic data signals, are output to game-logic circuitry for processing. The electronic data signals are selected from a group consisting essentially of an electrical current, an electrical voltage, an electrical charge, an optical signal, an optical element, a magnetic signal, and a magnetic element.
The gaming machine 10 includes one or more value input/payment devices and value output/payout devices. In order to deposit cash or credits onto the gaming machine 10, the value input devices are configured to detect a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance on a credit meter such as the “credits” meter 200 (see
Turning now to
The game-logic circuitry 40 is also connected to an input/output (I/O) bus 48, which can include any suitable bus technologies, such as an AGTL+frontside bus and a PCI backside bus. The I/O bus 48 is connected to various input devices 50, output devices 52, and input/output devices 54 such as those discussed above in connection with
The external system 60 includes, in various aspects, a gaming network, other gaming machines or terminals, a gaming server, a remote controller, communications hardware, or a variety of other interfaced systems or components, in any combination. In yet other aspects, the external system 60 comprises a player's portable electronic device (e.g., cellular phone, electronic wallet, etc.) and the external-system interface 58 is configured to facilitate wireless communication and data transfer between the portable electronic device and the gaming machine 10, such as by a near-field communication path operating via magnetic-field induction or a frequency-hopping spread spectrum RF signals (e.g., Bluetooth, etc.).
The gaming machine 10 optionally communicates with the external system 60 such that the gaming machine 10 operates as a thin, thick, or intermediate client. The game-logic circuitry 40—whether located within (“thick client”), external to (“thin client”), or distributed both within and external to (“intermediate client”) the gaming machine 10—is utilized to provide a wagering game on the gaming machine 10. In general, the main memory 44 stores programming for a random number generator (RNG), game-outcome logic, and game assets (e.g., art, sound, etc.)— all of which obtained regulatory approval from a gaming control board or commission and are verified by a trusted authentication program in the main memory 44 prior to game execution. The authentication program generates a live authentication code (e.g., digital signature or hash) from the memory contents and compare it to a trusted code stored in the main memory 44. If the codes match, authentication is deemed a success and the game is permitted to execute. If, however, the codes do not match, authentication is deemed a failure that must be corrected prior to game execution. Without this predictable and repeatable authentication, the gaming machine 10, external system 60, or both are not allowed to perform or execute the RNG programming or game-outcome logic in a regulatory-approved manner and are therefore unacceptable for commercial use. In other words, through the use of the authentication program, the game-logic circuitry facilitates operation of the game in a way that a person making calculations or computations could not.
When a wagering-game instance is executed, the CPU 42 (comprising one or more processors or controllers) executes the RNG programming to generate one or more pseudo-random numbers. The pseudo-random numbers are divided into different ranges, and each range is associated with a respective game outcome. Accordingly, the pseudo-random numbers are utilized by the CPU 42 when executing the game-outcome logic to determine a resultant outcome for that instance of the wagering game. The resultant outcome is then presented to a player of the gaming machine 10 by accessing the associated game assets, required for the resultant outcome, from the main memory 44. The CPU 42 causes the game assets to be presented to the player as outputs from the gaming machine 10 (e.g., audio and video presentations). Instead of a pseudo-RNG, the game outcome may be derived from random numbers generated by a physical RNG that measures some physical phenomenon that is expected to be random and then compensates for possible biases in the measurement process. Whether the RNG is a pseudo-RNG or physical RNG, the RNG uses a seeding process that relies upon an unpredictable factor (e.g., human interaction of turning a key) and cycles continuously in the background between games and during game play at a speed that cannot be timed by the player. Accordingly, the RNG cannot be carried out manually by a human and is integral to operating the game.
The gaming machine 10 may be used to play central determination games, such as electronic pull-tab and bingo games. In an electronic pull-tab game, the RNG is used to randomize the distribution of outcomes in a pool and/or to select which outcome is drawn from the pool of outcomes when the player requests to play the game. In an electronic bingo game, the RNG is used to randomly draw numbers that players match against numbers printed on their electronic bingo card.
The gaming machine 10 may include additional peripheral devices or more than one of each component shown in
In accord with various methods of conducting a wagering game on a gaming system in accord with the present concepts, the wagering game includes a game sequence in which a player makes a wager and a wagering-game outcome is provided or displayed in response to the wager being received or detected. The wagering-game outcome, for that particular wagering-game instance, is then revealed to the player in due course following initiation of the wagering game. The method comprises the acts of conducting the wagering game using a gaming apparatus, such as the gaming machine 10 depicted in
In the aforementioned method, for each data signal, the game-logic circuitry 40 is configured to process the electronic data signal, to interpret the data signal (e.g., data signals corresponding to a wager input), and to cause further actions associated with the interpretation of the signal in accord with stored instructions relating to such further actions executed by the controller. As one example, the CPU 42 causes the recording of a digital representation of the wager in one or more storage media (e.g., storage unit 56), the CPU 42, in accord with associated stored instructions, causes the changing of a state of the storage media from a first state to a second state. This change in state is, for example, effected by changing a magnetization pattern on a magnetically coated surface of a magnetic storage media or changing a magnetic state of a ferromagnetic surface of a magneto-optical disc storage media, a change in state of transistors or capacitors in a volatile or a non-volatile semiconductor memory (e.g., DRAM, etc.). The noted second state of the data storage media comprises storage in the storage media of data representing the electronic data signal from the CPU 42 (e.g., the wager in the present example). As another example, the CPU 42 further, in accord with the execution of the stored instructions relating to the wagering game, causes the primary presentation device 18, other presentation device, or other output device (e.g., speakers, lights, communication device, etc.) to change from a first state to at least a second state, wherein the second state of the primary presentation device comprises a visual representation of the physical player input (e.g., an acknowledgement to a player), information relating to the physical player input (e.g., an indication of the wager amount), a game sequence, an outcome of the game sequence, or any combination thereof, wherein the game sequence in accord with the present concepts comprises acts described herein. The aforementioned executing of the stored instructions relating to the wagering game is further conducted in accord with a random outcome (e.g., determined by the RNG) that is used by the game-logic circuitry 40 to determine the outcome of the wagering-game instance. In at least some aspects, the game-logic circuitry 40 is configured to determine an outcome of the wagering-game instance at least partially in response to the random parameter.
In one embodiment, the gaming machine 10 and, additionally or alternatively, the external system 60 (e.g., a gaming server), means gaming equipment that meets the hardware and software requirements for fairness, security, and predictability as established by at least one state's gaming control board or commission. Prior to commercial deployment, the gaming machine 10, the external system 60, or both and the casino wagering game played thereon may need to satisfy minimum technical standards and require regulatory approval from a gaming control board or commission (e.g., the Nevada Gaming Commission, Alderney Gambling Control Commission, National Indian Gaming Commission, etc.) charged with regulating casino and other types of gaming in a defined geographical area, such as a state. By way of non-limiting example, a gaming machine in Nevada means a device as set forth in NRS 463.0155, 463.0191, and all other relevant provisions of the Nevada Gaming Control Act, and the gaming machine cannot be deployed for play in Nevada unless it meets the minimum standards set forth in, for example, Technical Standards 1 and 2 and Regulations 5 and 14 issued pursuant to the Nevada Gaming Control Act. Additionally, the gaming machine and the casino wagering game must be approved by the commission pursuant to various provisions in Regulation 14. Comparable statutes, regulations, and technical standards exist in or are used in other gaming jurisdictions, including for example GLI Standard #11 of Gaming Laboratories International (which defines a gaming device in Section 1.5) and N.J.S.A 5:12-23, 5:12-45, and all other relevant provisions of the New Jersey Casino Control Act. As can be seen from the description herein, the gaming machine 10 may be regulatorily approved and thus implemented with hardware and software architectures, circuitry, and other special features that differentiate it from general-purpose computers (e.g., desktop PCs, laptops, and tablets).
Referring now to
The data processing method commences at step 302. At step 304, the game-logic circuitry controls one or more presentation devices (e.g., mechanical-reel display device, video display device, or a combination thereof) that presents a plurality of symbol-bearing reels and an array of symbol positions. Although the method is described with respect to one presentation device, it is to be understood that the presentation described herein may be performed by a presentation assembly including more than one presentation device. The symbol positions of the array may be arranged in a variety of configurations, formats, or structures and may comprise a plurality of rows and columns. The rows of the array are oriented in a generally horizontal direction, and the columns of the array are oriented in a generally vertical direction. The symbol positions in each row of the array are horizontally aligned with each other, and the symbol positions in each column of the array are vertically aligned with each other. The number of symbol positions in different rows and/or different columns may vary from each other. The reels may be associated with the respective columns of the array such that the reels spin vertically and each reel populates a respective column. In another embodiment, the reels may be associated with the respective rows of the array such that the reels spin horizontally and each reel populates a respective row. In yet another embodiment, the reels may be associated with respective individual symbol positions of the array such that each reel populates only its respective symbol position.
In the examples shown in
Returning to
At step 308, the game-logic circuitry initiates a wagering game cycle in response to an input indicative of a wager covered by the credit balance. To initiate a spin of the reels, the player may press a “Spin” or “Max Bet” key on a button panel or touch screen. As shown in
At step 310, using an RNG, the game-logic circuitry spins and stops the reels to randomly land symbols from the reels in the array in visual association with one or more pay lines (also known as lines, ways, patterns, or arrangements). The reel spin may be animated on a video display by depicting symbol-bearing strips moving vertically across the display and synchronously updating the symbols visible on each strip as the strip moves across the display.
The method 300 illustrated describes a base game and a bonus game triggered during play of the underlying base game. In one or more alternate embodiments, the concepts of aggregating or absorbing value-bearing symbols into an aggregation symbol from within an array may apply to a base game, a bonus game, or both. The bonus game may be a series of free spins utilizing steps 316 through 340 of the method 300 in
At step 312, the game logic circuitry awards standard pays for the standard J, Q, K and A symbols in accordance with a pay table. The pay table may, for example, include “line pays” and “scatter pays.” Line pays occur when a predetermined type and number of symbols appear along an activated payline, typically in a particular order such as left to right, right to left, top to bottom, bottom to top, etc. Scatter pays occur when a predetermined type and number of symbols appear anywhere in the displayed array without regard to position or paylines. Each payline preferably consists of a single symbol position in each column of the array. The number of paylines may be as few as one or as many as possible given each payline consists of a single symbol position in each column of the array. To animate a standard pay, the display may apply a border, pattern, color change, background change, watermark, or other distinguishing characteristic to the winning payline and/or winning symbols that contributed to the pay. In the example shown in
At step 314, the game-logic circuitry determines whether a bonus triggering event has occurred. In the embodiment shown, the triggering event comprises at least a catalyst symbol 207 landing in the first column 210 of the array and a certain number of bonus symbols 206, for example, five bonus symbols 206, landing in the second through sixth columns 212-220 of the array in the current game cycle.
If, as shown in
At step 318, each bonus symbol 206 in the array 230 is designated a value-bearing symbol. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in
At step 322, again using the RNG, the game-logic circuitry spins and stops the reels to randomly land additional bonus symbols 206 from the reels in the array 230. As above, the reel spin may be animated on a video display by depicting symbol-bearing strips moving vertically across the display and synchronously updating the symbols visible on each strip as the strip moves across the display. At step 324, any newly-landed bonus symbol 206 is also assigned a randomly selected designation as a value-bearing symbol, as described in the discussion of step 318, or as one of two levels of aggregation symbol. First-level and second-level aggregation symbols will be described further below.
As illustrated in
At step 326, the game-logic circuitry determines whether any of the bonus symbols 206 in the array bears a first-level aggregation symbol designation. For example, a bonus symbol 206 might display the label “Award All.” Since none of the value-bearing symbols 206 displayed in the array of
At step 326, the game-logic circuitry determines whether any of the bonus symbols 206 in the array bears a second-level aggregation symbol designation. For example, a value-bearing symbol 206 might display a “Gold Award All.” Since none of the value-bearing symbols 206 displayed in the array of
At step 336, the game logic-circuitry adjusts the bonus spin counter. In most cases, the bonus spin counter is incremented. For example, it might increment to spin 2 of 5. In some cases, as will be described below, the spin counter may receive additional available spins, for example, it might increment to spin 2 of 8 if three additional spins are awarded.
At step 338, the game logic circuitry determines whether there are any additional bonus spins to be performed. If so, the method returns to step 322.
The illustration of
In this example of a second bonus spin, since no second-level aggregation symbol designation was assigned to any newly landed bonus symbols 206 at step 324, the evaluation at step 330 causes the game logic circuitry to proceed to step 336, where it increments the spin counter to spin 3 of 5 (not shown) and checks for remaining spins at step 338 before proceeding to step 322 for a third bonus spin following the steps of 322-338 as already described.
For the sake of brevity, it will be assumed that the above-mentioned third bonus spin and a fourth bonus spin resulted in no newly landed bonus symbols 206 in the array 230.
At step 332, as in step 328, the prize value of the newly landed bonus symbol 206 at the top of the first column 210 is modified to reflect the sum of all value-bearing bonus symbols 206 present in array 230 at that time according to rules for second level aggregation symbols. As illustrated in the example of
At step 336, according to the rules for second-level aggregation symbols, the bonus spin counter 228 is adjusted, as shown in
The bonus game then proceeds through its remaining steps and spins as described above until the bonus spin counter is exhausted, for example, by being incremented to 8 of 8 spins with no additional spins awarded. When this is detected at step 338, the game-logic circuitry awards all of the amounts displayed on the value-bearing bonus symbols 206 in the array 230 at step 340. The bonus game has then reached a conclusion and the player may cashout at step 342, concluding the method 300 at step 344, or place another base game wager at step 308.
Referring now to
The data processing method commences at step 1202. At step 1204, the game-logic circuitry controls one or more presentation devices (e.g., mechanical-reel display device, video display device, or a combination thereof) that presents a plurality of symbol-bearing reels and an array of symbol positions. Although the method is described with respect to one presentation device, it is to be understood that the presentation described herein may be performed by a presentation assembly including more than one presentation device. The symbol positions of the array may be arranged in a variety of configurations, formats, or structures and may comprise a plurality of rows and columns. The rows of the array are oriented in a generally horizontal direction, and the columns of the array are oriented in a generally vertical direction. The symbol positions in each row of the array are horizontally aligned with each other, and the symbol positions in each column of the array are vertically aligned with each other. The number of symbol positions in different rows and/or different columns may vary from each other. The reels may be associated with the respective columns of the array such that the reels spin vertically and each reel populates a respective column. In another embodiment, the reels may be associated with the respective rows of the array such that the reels spin horizontally and each reel populates a respective row. In the described embodiment, the reels are associated with respective individual symbol positions of the array such that each reel populates only its respective symbol position.
In the example shown in
Returning to
At step 1208, the game-logic circuitry initiates a wagering game cycle in response to an input indicative of a wager covered by the credit balance. To initiate a spin of the reels, the player may press a “Spin” or “Max Bet” key on a button panel or touch screen. As shown in
At step 1210, using an RNG, the game-logic circuitry spins and stops the reels to randomly land symbols from the reels in the array in visual association with one or more pay lines (also known as lines, ways, patterns, or arrangements). The reel spin may be animated on a video display by depicting symbol-bearing strips moving vertically within each cell of the array 1320.
The method 1200 illustrated describes a base game and a bonus game triggered during play of the underlying base game. As with the example game described with reference to
At step 1212, the game logic circuitry awards standard pays for the standard base game symbols in accordance with a pay table. The pay table may, for example, include “line pays” and “scatter pays.” Line pays occur when a predetermined type and number of symbols appear along an activated payline, typically in a particular order such as left to right, right to left, top to bottom, bottom to top, etc. Scatter pays occur when a predetermined type and number of symbols appear anywhere in the displayed array without regard to position or paylines. Each payline preferably consists of a single symbol position in each column of the array. The number of paylines may be as few as one or as many as possible given each payline consists of a single symbol position in each column of the array. To animate a standard pay, the display may apply a border, pattern, color change, background change, watermark, or other distinguishing characteristic to the winning payline and/or winning symbols that contributed to the pay. In the example shown in
At step 1214, the game-logic circuitry determines whether a bonus triggering event has occurred. In the embodiment shown, the triggering event comprises at least a certain number of value-bearing bonus symbols, for example, six bonus symbols, landing in the array 1320 in the current game cycle.
If, however, a triggering event has occurred at step 1214, the game-logic circuitry transitions to the presentation of a bonus game via the presentation assembly.
At step 1220, again using the RNG, the game-logic circuitry spins and stops the reels to randomly land value-bearing bonus symbols from the reels in the array 1320. As illustrated by
At step 1224, according to rules for first-level aggregation symbols, the values borne by all value-bearing symbols in the column beneath any newly landed first-level aggregation symbol are summed and added to any value (currently none) already borne by their respective first-level aggregation symbol. Thus, in the example of
At step 1226, the game-logic circuitry determines whether any new second-level aggregation symbols have landed in the array. In this embodiment, a second-level aggregation symbol is a star-shaped aggregation symbol that has landed in the third additional row 1332 when that row has been unlocked. Since the third additional row 1332 is locked in
At step 1230, the game-logic circuitry determines whether any of the additional rows 1330, 1332 should be unlocked. Unlocking the second additional row 1330 requires the landing of three first-level aggregation symbols in the first additional row 1328. Since aggregation symbols lock in place once they land, the accumulation of three aggregation symbols in a particular row may occur over the course of multiple spins of the bonus game. Similarly, once the second additional row 1330 has been unlocked, unlocking the third additional row 1332 requires the landing of three first-level aggregation symbols in the second additional row 1330. If the required number of first-level aggregation symbols have not yet accumulated in the highest unlocked additional row 1328, 1330, the game logic circuitry proceeds to step 1234. Otherwise, it unlocks the next additional row 1330, 1332 at step 1232. In the example of
At step 1234, the game logic-circuitry adjusts the bonus spin counter. In most cases, the bonus spin counter is decremented, for example, from the original six spins to five remaining spins. However, because a newly landed first-level aggregation symbol landed in the array 1320, an extra bonus spin is awarded based on rules associated with first-level aggregation symbols. Thus, in the example of
At step 1236, the game logic circuitry determines whether there are any additional bonus spins to be performed. If so, the method returns to step 1220.
The illustration of
The bonus game then proceeds through its remaining steps and spins as described above until the bonus spin counter is exhausted. When this is detected at step 1236, the game-logic circuitry awards all of the amounts displayed on any value-bearing bonus symbols in the array 230, including aggregation symbols, at step 1238. The bonus game has then reached a conclusion and the player may cashout at step 1240, concluding the method 1200 at step 1242, or place another base game wager at step 1208.
In this description, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details or with additional details or in various combinations. For example, as part of the aggregation/absorption sequence that removes absorbed value-bearing symbols from the array 1320 when their values have been aggregated into the value borne by an aggregation symbol, a multiplier, bonus credits or the like may be displayed on the individual reel at any array position that the value-bearing symbol passed in the animation of it being absorbed. In other embodiments, the value placed on the aggregation symbol may be enhanced based on the number of rows between the aggregation symbol and the value-bearing bonus symbol it absorbs. In still other embodiments, the longer the distance traveled by the aggregated value-bearing symbol, the greater the modifier(s) left behind. In other embodiments, the number of value-bearing bonus symbols aggregated in each column may be tracked and, as an example, a bonus spin may be awarded at step 1234 if a certain number of value-bearing bonus symbols, for example, three, have been absorbed in a single column. In other embodiments, the total number of absorbed symbols may be tracked, and bonus spins or other prizes may be awarded as certain threshold are met. Aggregation symbols may aggregate the values on value-bearing symbols in their column, in their row, or according to any aggregation rules specified for a particular level of aggregation symbol. Though two levels of aggregation symbol have been described, any number of levels may be employed.
In other instances, well-known circuits, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the understanding of this description. Note that in this description, references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” mean that the feature being referred to is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Further, separate references to “one embodiment” in this description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment; however, neither are such embodiments mutually exclusive, unless so stated and except as will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the present invention can include any variety of combinations and/or integrations of the embodiments described herein. Each claim, as may be amended, constitutes an embodiment of the invention, incorporated by reference into the detailed description. Moreover, in this description, the phrase “exemplary embodiment” means that the embodiment being referred to serves as an example or illustration.
Block diagrams illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention. Flow diagrams illustrate operations of the exemplary embodiments of the invention. The operations of the flow diagrams are described with reference to the example embodiments shown in the block diagrams. However, it should be understood that the operations of the flow diagrams could be performed by embodiments of the invention other than those discussed with reference to the block diagrams, and embodiments discussed with references to the block diagrams could perform operations different than those discussed with reference to the flow diagrams. Additionally, some embodiments may not perform all the operations shown in a flow diagram. Moreover, it should be understood that although the flow diagrams depict serial operations, certain embodiments could perform certain of those operations in parallel or in a different sequence.
Each of these embodiments and obvious variations thereof is contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, which is set forth in the following claims. Moreover, the present concepts expressly include any and all combinations and subcombinations of the preceding elements and aspects.
