Patent Application
20210082248
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 2019, Bally Gaming, Inc.
The present invention relates generally to gaming systems, apparatus, and methods and, more particularly, to using a modifier symbol to modify awards associated with a subset of displayed bonus symbols in a wagering game and improving the operation of a wagering game machine by implementing reel strips and bonus reel symbol display methods that improve the efficiency, speed, and processing demands of one or more bonus games and features in a wagering game.
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.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a gaming system comprises a gaming machine and game-logic circuitry. The gaming system may be incorporated into a single, freestanding gaming machine. The gaming machine is primarily dedicated to playing at least one casino wagering game and includes an electronic display device and one or more electronic input devices. The game-logic circuitry is configured to detect a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance, via at least one of the one or more electronic input devices, and initiate the casino wagering game in response to an input indicative of a wager drawn on the credit balance. The game-logic circuitry is configured to direct the electronic display device to display an array of symbols including value-bearing symbols and at least one modifier-bearing symbol. The game-logic circuitry is configured to direct the electronic display device to display a modifier zone relative to the modifier-bearing symbol, to move the modifier zone to vary which of the value-bearing symbols are within the modifier zone, and to stop the modifier zone such that the zone encompasses a subset of the value-bearing symbols, the subset consisting of less than all of the value-bearing symbols. The game-logic circuitry is configured to modify the values borne by the value-bearing symbols in the subset by the modifier borne by modifier-bearing symbol and to award the modified values. For example, the values may be credit amounts, and the modifier may be a multiplier that multiplies the values or a credit amount that is added to the values. A cashout input is received via at least one of the one or more electronic input devices, and a payout from the credit balance is initiated. According to other aspects of the present invention, a casino gaming machine and computer-implemented method are described herein.
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 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 display 16 and one or more audio speakers 18. The display 16 may be a mechanical-reel display device, a video display device, or a combination thereof in which a transmissive video display is disposed in front of the mechanical-reel display to portray a video image superimposed upon the mechanical-reel display. The displays variously display 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 includes a touch screen mounted over the display 16, a button panel 20 with one or more touch or push buttons, a bill/ticket acceptor/dispenser 22, a card reader/writer, 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, button panel 20, 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 in
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, for example, at a minimum of 100 Hz (100 calls per second) as set forth in Nevada's New Gaming Device Submission Package. 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
Referring now to
In response to receiving an input indicative of a wager drawn on or deducted from the credit balance on the “credits” meter 84, the reels 82a-e are rotated and stopped to place symbols on the reels in visual association with distinct win lines/ways. Each win line/way may, for example, extend across the reel array and include a single symbol position on each of the reels 82a-e. The wagering game evaluates the displayed array of symbols on the stopped reels and provides immediate awards and bonus features in accordance with a pay table. The pay table may, for example, include “line pays” or “scatter pays.” Line pays occur when a predetermined type and number of symbols appear along an activated win line/way, 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 win lines/ways. Similarly, the wagering game may trigger bonus features based on one or more bonus triggering symbols appearing along an activated win line/way (i.e., “line trigger”) or anywhere in the displayed array (i.e., “scatter trigger”). The wagering game may also provide mystery awards and features independent of the symbols appearing in the displayed array.
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 display 16, other display 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 display 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 other gaming jurisdictions. As can be seen from the description herein, the gaming machine 10 may be 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
In some cases, a bonus-trigger event occurs as part of the basic-game outcome and initiates a bonus feature. Bonus-trigger events may be based on the displayed symbols of the basic-game outcome, may be separately determined (e.g., using a RNG “mystery trigger”), or be based on a combination of these. In one embodiment, a bonus-trigger event occurs in response to the display of a threshold number of bonus symbols, such as the six bonus symbols 90 in the initial array 86. A bonus-trigger event may include any criteria or symbol combination, such as a different minimum number of bonus symbols displayed in a basic-game outcome and should not be specifically limited to this particular embodiment.
Referring now to
In one embodiment, different types of bonus symbols 90 may be displayed and carried over into the bonus array 102 from the initial array 86. The different types of bonus symbols 90 may have different associated attributes consistent to that type. For example, if each column of the array is associated with a respective single reel, the bonus symbols 90 on the first, second, fourth, and fifth reels 82a, 82b, 82d, and 82e may bear respective values such as credit amounts randomly selected from the range of 500-50000 credits, the MINI progressive jackpot, the MINOR progressive jackpot, the MAJOR progressive jackpot, and the MEGA progressive jackpot. And the bonus symbols on the middle reel 82c may bear respective modifiers such as multipliers randomly selected from the range of 2×-5×.
In one embodiment, the bonus-trigger event initiates a bonus feature including a collection feature and a subsequent directional multiplier feature. The collection feature includes spinning and stopping a set of bonus reels through a plurality of bonus spins, populating the bonus array 102 with bonus symbols 90 displayed after each bonus spin. Each credit-bearing symbol 90 bears a respective final credit amount awarded to a player in response to an award-trigger event (e.g., completion of the collection and directional multiplier features). The credit amount or multiplier for a particular bonus symbol 90 may be predetermined or randomly determined when the bonus symbol 90 is displayed, and may be displayed as part of the bonus symbol 90 or remain hidden until the directional multiplier feature occurs. The bonus symbols 90 may remain or “lock” in respective specific positions of the bonus array 102 for the duration of the bonus feature.
A spin counter 104 is displayed showing a number of bonus spins remaining for the bonus feature. Any number of initial bonus spins may be assigned at the initiation of the bonus feature, e.g., the spin counter 104 is set to a predetermined value or a value determined randomly. Each performed bonus spin decrements the spin counter 104 and determines a symbol for display at each symbol position of the bonus array 102. In one embodiment, random symbols are chosen for positions of the bonus array 102 not displaying a bonus symbol 90. The random symbols may be determined using bonus reel strips containing only darkened non-bonus symbols (or blank symbols) and bonus symbols 90. In one embodiment, the performed bonus spins continue during the bonus feature as the bonus spins are decremented until depleted (as displayed on the spin counter 104).
In one embodiment, a symbol counter 106 is provided to display a number of bonus symbols 90 displayed in the bonus array 102. Alternatively, the symbol counter 106 may display the number of bonus symbols displayed during the most recent bonus spin or a number of additional bonus symbols required for a reset event or award-trigger event (e.g., in regard to a specific jackpot). An award meter may also be used to display a running total of an award amount corresponding to the value associated with one or more bonus symbols 90.
In response to a reset event, the number of bonus spins for the bonus game is incremented. A reset event to increment the spin counter 104 may be randomly triggered or triggered by a predetermined symbol in the bonus array 102, a symbol combination in the bonus array 102, the completion of a row or column of bonus symbols 90 within the bonus array 102, a predetermined number of bonus symbols 90, a particular additional bonus symbol 90, or a bonus symbol 90 in one or more particular positions of the bonus array 102. In response to the reset event, the number of bonus spins may be incremented a predetermined value, be incremented up to a particular predetermined value, or be incremented based on one or more random numbers. In one embodiment, the bonus feature commences with three bonus spins on the spin counter 104; a reset event is triggered by an additional bonus symbol 90 being newly displayed in the bonus array 102 during the most recent completed bonus spin; and the reset event increments the spin counter 104 back to three spins.
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The bonus spins continue until three consecutive bonus spins result in no additional bonus symbols, thereby decrementing the spin counter 104 to no spins remaining. Referring to
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The directional multiplier feature proceeds in the similar manner with respect to the remaining two multiplier-bearing bonus symbols 90e, 90f Referring to
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In the illustrated embodiment, if two or more multipliers land on the same bonus symbol, the result is multiplicative such that the product of the first multiplier and the initial credit amount is multiplied again by the second and subsequent multipliers. For example, the credit amount of bonus symbol 90g went from 50000 to 250000 after applying the first 5× multiplier, from 250000 to 1250000 after applying the second 5× multiplier, and from 1250000 to 6250000 after applying the third 5× multiplier. Alternatively, the result may be additive such that the product of the first multiplier and the initial credit amount of the bonus symbol is added to the product of the second multiplier and the initial credit amount and so on. In this case, the credit amount of bonus symbol 90g would have gone from 50000 to 250000 after applying the first 5× multiplier, from 250000 to 500000 after applying the second 5× multiplier, and from 500000 to 750000 after applying the third 5× multiplier.
In the illustrated embodiment, the radius of the ray or pointer 108 extends to the boundary of the reel array so that the multiplier applies to any and all bonus symbols 90 in its path. Alternatively, the radius could be limited to immediately adjacent symbols or could vary randomly.
In the illustrated embodiment, the selected multiplier for a multiplier-bearing bonus symbol 90a, 90e, 90f is displayed prior to spinning and stopping the ray or pointer 108 to indicate a multiplier zone. Alternatively, this sequence may be reversed such that the ray or pointer 108 spins and stops to indicate a multiplier zone prior to displaying the selected multiplier for a multiplier-bearing bonus symbol 90a, 90e, 90f.
In the illustrated embodiment, the ray or pointer 108 can only spin and stop non-vertically, i.e., to indicate a non-vertical multiplier zone encompassing a subset of bonus symbols 90 on one or more reels other than the middle reel. Alternatively, the ray or pointer 108 emanating from a multiplier-bearing bonus symbol may be permitted to spin and stop vertically such that the multiplier is applied (e.g., added or multiplied) to the multipliers borne by any other multiplier-bearing bonus symbols in the vertical multiplier zone.
Referring to
In step 122, the game-logic circuitry 40 receives player input via one or more input devices that indicates a wager amount drawn on a credit balance and an intention to initiate an instance of the wagering game. Examples of input include pressing a “MAX BET” or “SPIN REELS” button on a gaming machine, or interfacing with the wagering game system in another way, e.g., using a mobile device or hand gesture to control the wagering machine.
In step 124, in response to the input provided by the player and interpreted by the wagering game machine and system, the wagering game is initiated as the formal process for conducting the wagering game is started. In one embodiment, credits are deducted from a credit meter to fund the gaming instance in accordance with the player input indicating a wager drawn on a credit balance associated with the player.
In step 126, the basic-game initial array is initialized and symbols are randomly determined using a set of basic-game reels to generate a corresponding basic-game initial array outcome. That is, one or more electronic display devices are directed to display symbols representing at least a part of an outcome of the wagering game in the initial array. As discussed prior, the initial array may comprise any type of configuration, reels composition, and associated criteria for bonus-trigger events, feature-trigger events, and award-trigger events. The specifics of the basic-game and initial array may be greatly varied between embodiments.
In step 128, a determination as to whether a bonus-trigger event is included in the initial array outcome. In one embodiment, a set of bonus symbols bearing respective values or modifiers displayed in the initial array is a bonus-trigger event initiating a bonus feature. In other embodiments, the bonus-trigger event is a mystery trigger.
In steps 130 and 132, in response to a bonus-trigger event, a collection feature is initialized with an initial bonus array and initial number of free spins on a spin counter as described herein.
In steps 134 and 136, the spin counter is decremented and a bonus spin is conducted.
In step 138, a determination is made as to whether the bonus spin generates a reset event as described herein. If the bonus spin generates a reset event, the flow returns to step 132.
If, however, the bonus spin does not generate a reset event, a determination is made at step 140 as to whether any bonus spins remain. If bonus spins remain, the flow returns to step 134.
If, however, no bonus spins remain, a directional multiplier feature is performed. In step 142, a multiplier-bearing bonus symbol on the middle reel displays a randomly selected multiplier as described herein.
In step 144, the multiplier is applied to a randomly selected subset of bonus symbols on the other reels as described herein.
In step 146, a determination is made as to whether the middle reel contains another multiplier-bearing bonus symbol. If the middle reel contains another multiplier-bearing bonus symbol, the flow returns to step 142.
If, however, no multiplier-bearing bonus symbols remain, in step 148 the final credit amounts on the credit-bearing bonus symbols are added together and awarded to the player.
In step 150, the bonus feature concludes to conclude the wagering game instance.
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. For example, instead of a multiplier that multiplies the values borne by the subset of bonus symbols on the other reels, the modifiers borne by any bonus symbols on the middle reel may be credit amounts that are added to the values borne by the subset of bonus symbols on the other reels. Moreover, the present concepts expressly include any and all combinations and subcombinations of the preceding elements and aspects.
