Patent Grant
12125350
The field of disclosure relates generally to electronic gaming, and more particularly to an electronic gaming machine and method of operation thereof that includes one or more increased return to player (RTP) modes with expanded rows or guaranteed wilds.
Electronic gaming machines (EGMs), or gaming devices, provide a variety of wagering games such as, for example, and without limitation, slot games, video poker games, video blackjack games, roulette games, video bingo games, keno games, and other types of games that are frequently offered at casinos and other locations. Play on EGMs typically involves a player establishing a credit balance. When the player is done, he/she cashes out the credit balance (typically by pressing a cash out button to receive a ticket from the ticket printer). The ticket may be “cashed-in” for money or inserted into another machine to establish a credit balance for play by inserting or otherwise submitting money and placing a monetary wager (deducted from the credit balance) on one or more outcomes of an instance, or play, of a primary game, sometimes referred to as a base game. In many games, a player may qualify for secondary games or bonus rounds by attaining a certain winning combination or other triggering event in the base game. Secondary games provide an opportunity to win additional game instances, credits, awards, jackpots, progressives, etc. Awards from any winning outcomes are typically added back to the credit balance and can be provided to the player upon completion of a gaming session or when the player wants to “cash out.”
Slot games are often displayed to the player in the form of various symbols arranged in a row-by-column grid, or “matrix.” Specific matching combinations of symbols along predetermined paths, or paylines, drawn through the matrix indicate the outcome of the game. The display typically highlights winning combinations and outcomes for ready identification by the player. Matching combinations and their corresponding awards are usually shown in a “pay-table” that is available to the player for reference. Often, the player may vary his/her wager to included differing numbers of paylines and/or the amount bet on each line. By varying the wager, the player may sometimes alter the frequency or number of winning combinations, the frequency or number of secondary games, and/or the amount awarded.
Typical games use a random number generator (RNG) to randomly determine the outcome of each game. The game is designed to return a certain percentage of the amount wagered back to the player, referred to as return to player (RTP), over the course of many plays or instances of the game. The RTP and randomness of the RNG are fundamental to ensuring the fairness of the games and are therefore highly regulated. The RNG may be used to randomly determine the outcome of a game and symbols may then be selected that correspond to that outcome. Alternatively, the RNG may be used to randomly select the symbols whose resulting combinations determine the outcome. Notably, some games may include an element of skill on the part of the player and are therefore not entirely random.
Many conventional gaming machines create situations of enhanced RTP during bonus play, where the bonus play game provides increased possibilities of and/or chances of winning to the player. However, these known gaming machines do not allow for notifying the player how close they are to reaching an enhanced RTP situation. Gaming systems and methods are needed that provide enhanced RTP modes in more situations to increase player enjoyment and engagement.
In one aspect, an electronic gaming machine for providing an increased return to player (RTP) mode is provided. The electronic gaming machine includes at least one display device, at least one processor; and at least one memory device in communication with the at least one processor, the at least one memory device storing instructions which when executed by the at least one processor causes the at least one processor to, at least display a user interface in a first game mode on the at least on display device, the user interface including a first quantity of mode tracking element positions; determine a first outcome for the first game mode, based at least in part on a first output from a random number generator; add a first mode tracking element to the mode tracking element positions, in response to determining that the first outcome includes a mode tracking element; determine a second outcome for the first game mode, based at least in part on a second output from the random number generator; add a second mode tracking element to the mode tracking element positions, in response to determining that the second outcome includes a mode tracking element; update the user interface to display a second game mode, in response to determining that the first quantity of mode tracking element positions have been filled with mode tracking elements; and determine a third outcome for the second game mode, based at least in part on a third output from the random number generator.
In another aspect, a computer-implemented method is provided which includes causing to be displayed, by a controller, a user interface in a first game mode on a display device, the user interface in the first game mode including a first plurality of symbol display positions; determining whether a first mode tracking element is in each outcome of a plurality of outcomes of the first game mode, each outcome of the plurality of outcomes of the first game mode comprising a plurality of symbols displayed at the first plurality of symbol display positions; accumulating, on the user interface, each first mode tracking element in the plurality of outcomes of the first game mode; causing the user interface to update to display the user interface in a second game mode in response to determining that a first quantity of mode tracking elements have been accumulated, the user interface in the second game mode including a second plurality of symbol display positions; and determining an outcome for each of a quantity of second game mode outcomes, each outcome of the quantity of second game mode outcomes comprising a plurality of symbols displayed at the second plurality of symbol display positions, where the quantity of second game mode outcomes is based on the first quantity of mode tracking elements.
In yet another aspect one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media comprising instructions are provided. The instructions when executed by at least one processor cause the one or more processors to, at least: display a user interface in a first game mode on the at least on display device, the user interface including a first quantity of mode tracking element positions and a plurality of symbol display positions, the plurality of symbols display positions arranged in a plurality of columns, each column of the plurality of columns having a column height; determine a first outcome for the first game mode, based at least in part on a first output from a random number generator; add a first mode tracking element to the mode tracking element positions, in response to determining that the first outcome includes a mode tracking element; determine a second outcome for the first game mode, based at least in part on a second output from the random number generator; add a second mode tracking element to the mode tracking element positions, in response to determining that the second outcome includes a mode tracking element; update the user interface to display a second game mode, in response to determining that the first quantity of mode tracking element positions have been filled with mode tracking elements, wherein the column height of at least one of the plurality of columns in the second game mode in increased; and determine a third outcome for the second game mode, based at least in part on a third output from the random number generator.
An example embodiment of the subject matter disclosed will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the exemplary embodiment, an electronic gaming machine (EGM) provides an increased return to player (RTP) mode to the player during base play. In the exemplary embodiment, this enhanced RTP mode occurs during the player's base wagering game and provides a number of plays in the enhanced RTP mode. In some embodiments, the enhanced RTP mode requires a wager to be made by the player. In some embodiments, the enhanced RTP mode may carry over to a bonus game that the player triggers. In the exemplary embodiment, the enhanced RTP mode increases the player's play area from 3×4×4×4×3 to either 3×6×6×6×3 or 3×8×8×8×3. In other embodiments, the enhanced RTP mode provides guaranteed and automatic wilds with each enhanced RTP mode spin. In some embodiments, the EGM displays the player's progress to accessing the enhanced RTP mode. In some further embodiments, the EGM displays the player's progress to the enhanced RTP mode for each bet level, where each different bet level has a corresponding enhanced RTP mode. In still further embodiments, the progress to the enhanced RTP modes is persistent across players on the EGM, where the EGM displays its current progress to each of the enhanced RTP modes including during demo mode or while no game is being actively played on the EGM.
Communication between the gaming devices 104A-104X and the server computers 102, and among the gaming devices 104A-104X, may be direct or indirect, such as over the Internet through a website maintained by a computer on a remote server or over an online data network including commercial online service providers, Internet service providers, private networks, and the like. In other embodiments, the gaming devices 104A-104X may communicate with one another and/or the server computers 102 over RF, cable TV, satellite links and the like.
In some embodiments, server computers 102 may not be necessary and/or preferred. For example, in one or more embodiments, a stand-alone gaming device such as gaming device 104A, gaming device 104B or any of the other gaming devices 104C-104X can implement one or more aspects of the present disclosure. However, it is typical to find multiple EGMs connected to networks implemented with one or more of the different server computers 102 described herein.
The server computers 102 may include a central determination gaming system server 106, a ticket-in-ticket-out (TITO) system server 108, a player tracking system server 110, a progressive system server 112, and/or a casino management system server 114. Gaming devices 104A-104X may include features to enable operation of any or all servers for use by the player and/or operator (e.g., the casino, resort, gaming establishment, tavern, pub, etc.). For example, game outcomes may be generated on a central determination gaming system server 106 and then transmitted over the network to any of a group of remote terminals or remote gaming devices 104A-104X that utilize the game outcomes and display the results to the players.
Gaming device 104A is often of a cabinet construction which may be aligned in rows or banks of similar devices for placement and operation on a casino floor. The gaming device 104A often includes a main door 154 which provides access to the interior of the cabinet. Gaming device 104A typically includes a button area or button deck 120 accessible by a player that is configured with input switches or buttons 122, an access channel for a bill validator 124, and/or an access channel for a ticket-out printer 126.
In
In many configurations, the gaming machine 104A may have a main display 128 (e.g., video display monitor) mounted to, or above, the gaming display area 118. The main display 128 can be a high-resolution LCD, plasma, LED, or OLED panel which may be flat or curved as shown, a cathode ray tube, or other conventional electronically controlled video monitor.
In some embodiments, the bill validator 124 may also function as a “ticket-in” reader that allows the player to use a casino issued credit ticket to load credits onto the gaming device 104A (e.g., in a cashless ticket (“TITO”) system). In such cashless embodiments, the gaming device 104A may also include a “ticket-out” printer 126 for outputting a credit ticket when a “cash out” button is pressed. Cashless TITO systems are used to generate and track unique bar-codes or other indicators printed on tickets to allow players to avoid the use of bills and coins by loading credits using a ticket reader and cashing out credits using a ticket-out printer 126 on the gaming device 104A. The gaming machine 104A can have hardware meters for purposes including ensuring regulatory compliance and monitoring the player credit balance. In addition, there can be additional meters that record the total amount of money wagered on the gaming machine, total amount of money deposited, total amount of money withdrawn, total amount of winnings on gaming device 104A.
In some embodiments, a player tracking card reader 144, a transceiver for wireless communication with a player's smartphone, a keypad 146, and/or an illuminated display 148 for reading, receiving, entering, and/or displaying player tracking information is provided in EGM 104A. In such embodiments, a game controller within the gaming device 104A can communicate with the player tracking system server 110 to send and receive player tracking information.
Gaming device 104A may also include a bonus topper wheel 134. When bonus play is triggered (e.g., by a player achieving a particular outcome or set of outcomes in the primary game), bonus topper wheel 134 is operative to spin and stop with indicator arrow 136 indicating the outcome of the bonus game. Bonus topper wheel 134 is typically used to play a bonus game, but it could also be incorporated into play of the base or primary game.
A candle 138 may be mounted on the top of gaming device 104A and may be activated by a player (e.g., using a switch or one of buttons 122) to indicate to operations staff that gaming device 104A has experienced a malfunction or the player requires service. The candle 138 is also often used to indicate a jackpot has been won and to alert staff that a hand payout of an award may be needed.
There may also be one or more information panels 152 which may be a back-lit, silkscreened glass panel with lettering to indicate general game information including, for example, a game denomination (e.g., $0.25 or $1), pay lines, pay tables, and/or various game related graphics. In some embodiments, the information panel(s) 152 may be implemented as an additional video display.
Gaming devices 104A have traditionally also included a handle 132 typically mounted to the side of main cabinet 116 which may be used to initiate game play.
Many or all the above described components can be controlled by circuitry (e.g., a gaming controller) housed inside the main cabinet 116 of the gaming device 104A, the details of which are shown in
Note that not all gaming devices suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure necessarily include top wheels, top boxes, information panels, cashless ticket systems, and/or player tracking systems. Further, some suitable gaming devices have only a single game display that includes only a mechanical set of reels and/or a video display, while others are designed for bar counters or table tops and have displays that face upwards.
An alternative example gaming device 104B illustrated in
Example gaming device 104B includes a main cabinet 116 including a main door 154 which opens to provide access to the interior of the gaming device 104B. The main or service door 154 is typically used by service personnel to refill the ticket-out printer 126 and collect bills and tickets inserted into the bill validator 124. The main or service door 154 may also be accessed to reset the machine, verify and/or upgrade the software, and for general maintenance operations.
Another example gaming device 104C shown is the Helix™ model gaming device manufactured by Aristocrat® Technologies, Inc. Gaming device 104C includes a main display 128A that is in a landscape orientation. Although not illustrated by the front view provided, the landscape display 128A may have a curvature radius from top to bottom, or alternatively from side to side. In some embodiments, display 128A is a flat panel display. Main display 128A is typically used for primary game play while secondary display 128B is typically used for bonus game play, to show game features or attraction activities while the game is not in play or any other information or media desired by the game designer or operator. In some embodiments, example gaming device 104C may also include speakers 142 to output various audio such as game sound, background music, etc.
Many different types of games, including mechanical slot games, video slot games, video poker, video black jack, video pachinko, keno, bingo, and lottery, may be provided with or implemented within the depicted gaming devices 104A-104C and other similar gaming devices. Each gaming device may also be operable to provide many different games. Games may be differentiated according to themes, sounds, graphics, type of game (e.g., slot game vs. card game vs. game with aspects of skill), denomination, number of paylines, maximum jackpot, progressive or non-progressive, bonus games, and may be deployed for operation in Class 2 or Class 3, etc.
The games available for play on the gaming device 200 are controlled by a game controller 202 that includes one or more processors 204. Processor 204 represents a general-purpose processor, a specialized processor intended to perform certain functional tasks, or a combination thereof. As an example, processor 204 can be a central processing unit (CPU) that has one or more multi-core processing units and memory mediums (e.g., cache memory) that function as buffers and/or temporary storage for data. Alternatively, processor 204 can be a specialized processor, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), graphics processing unit (GPU), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), digital signal processor (DSP), or another type of hardware accelerator. In another example, processor 204 is a system on chip (SoC) that combines and integrates one or more general-purpose processors and/or one or more specialized processors. Although
Memory 208 can store one or more game programs 206 that provide program instructions and/or data for carrying out various implementations (e.g., game mechanics) described herein. Stated another way, game program 206 represents an executable program stored in any portion or component of memory 208. In one or more implementations, game program 206 is embodied in the form of source code that includes human-readable statements written in a programming language or machine code that contains numerical instructions recognizable by a suitable execution system, such as a processor 204 in a game controller or other system. Examples of executable programs include: (1) a compiled program that can be translated into machine code in a format that can be loaded into a random access portion of memory 208 and run by processor 204; (2) source code that may be expressed in proper format such as object code that is capable of being loaded into a random access portion of memory 208 and executed by processor 204; and (3) source code that may be interpreted by another executable program to generate instructions in a random access portion of memory 208 to be executed by processor 204.
Alternatively, game programs 206 can be set up to generate one or more game instances based on instructions and/or data that gaming device 200 exchanges with one or more remote gaming devices, such as a central determination gaming system server 106 (not shown in
Gaming devices, such as gaming device 200, are highly regulated to ensure fairness and, in many cases, gaming device 200 is operable to award monetary awards (e.g., typically dispensed in the form of a redeemable voucher). Therefore, to satisfy security and regulatory requirements in a gaming environment, hardware and software architectures are implemented in gaming devices 200 that differ significantly from those of general-purpose computers. Adapting general purpose computers to function as gaming devices 200 is not simple or straightforward because of: (1) the regulatory requirements for gaming devices 200, (2) the harsh environment in which gaming devices 200 operate, (3) security requirements, (4) fault tolerance requirements, and (5) the requirement for additional special purpose componentry enabling functionality of an EGM. These differences require substantial engineering effort with respect to game design implementation, game mechanics, hardware components, and software.
One regulatory requirement for games running on gaming device 200 generally involves complying with a certain level of randomness. Typically, gaming jurisdictions mandate that gaming devices 200 satisfy a minimum level of randomness without specifying how a gaming device 200 should achieve this level of randomness. To comply,
In
Another regulatory requirement for running games on gaming device 200 includes ensuring a certain level of RTP. Similar to the randomness requirement discussed above, numerous gaming jurisdictions also mandate that gaming device 200 provides a minimum level of RTP (e.g., RTP of at least 75%). A game can use one or more lookup tables (also called weighted tables) as part of a technical solution that satisfies regulatory requirements for randomness and RTP. In particular, a lookup table can integrate game features (e.g., trigger events for special modes or bonus games; newly introduced game elements such as extra reels, new symbols, or new cards; stop positions for dynamic game elements such as spinning reels, spinning wheels, or shifting reels; or card selections from a deck) with random numbers generated by one or more RNGs, so as to achieve a given level of volatility for a target level of RTP. (In general, volatility refers to the frequency or probability of an event such as a special mode, payout, etc. For example, for a target level of RTP, a higher-volatility game may have a lower payout most of the time with an occasional bonus having a very high payout, while a lower-volatility game has a steadier payout with more frequent bonuses of smaller amounts.) Configuring a lookup table can involve engineering decisions with respect to how RNG outcomes are mapped to game outcomes for a given game feature, while still satisfying regulatory requirements for RTP. Configuring a lookup table can also involve engineering decisions about whether different game features are combined in a given entry of the lookup table or split between different entries (for the respective game features), while still satisfying regulatory requirements for RTP and allowing for varying levels of game volatility.
When a player wishes to play the gaming device 200, he/she can insert cash or a ticket voucher through a coin acceptor (not shown) or bill validator 234 to establish a credit balance on the gaming device. The credit balance is used by the player to place wagers on instances of the game and to receive credit awards based on the outcome of winning instances. The credit balance is decreased by the amount of each wager and increased upon a win. The player can add additional credits to the balance at any time. The player may also optionally insert a loyalty club card into the card reader 230. During the game, the player views with one or more UIs, the game outcome on one or more of the primary game display 240 and secondary game display 242. Other game and prize information may also be displayed.
For each game instance, a player may make selections, which may affect play of the game. For example, the player may vary the total amount wagered by selecting the amount bet per line and the number of lines played. In many games, the player is asked to initiate or select options during course of game play (such as spinning a wheel to begin a bonus round or select various items during a feature game). The player may make these selections using the player-input buttons 236, the primary game display 240 which may be a touch screen, or using some other device which enables a player to input information into the gaming device 200.
During certain game events, the gaming device 200 may display visual and auditory effects that can be perceived by the player. These effects add to the excitement of a game, which makes a player more likely to enjoy the playing experience. Auditory effects include various sounds that are projected by the speakers 220. Visual effects include flashing lights, strobing lights or other patterns displayed from lights on the gaming device 200 or from lights behind the information panel 152 (
When the player is done, he/she cashes out the credit balance (typically by pressing a cash out button to receive a ticket from the ticket printer 222). The ticket may be “cashed-in” for money or inserted into another machine to establish a credit balance for play.
Additionally, or alternatively, gaming devices 104A-104X and 200 can include or be coupled to one or more wireless transmitters, receivers, and/or transceivers (not shown in
Although
According to some examples, the mobile gaming devices 256 may be configured for stand-alone determination of game outcomes. However, in some alternative implementations the mobile gaming devices 256 may be configured to receive game outcomes from another device, such as the central determination gaming system server 106, one of the EGMs 104, etc.
Some mobile gaming devices 256 may be configured to accept monetary credits from a credit or debit card, via a wireless interface (e.g., via a wireless payment app), via tickets, via a patron casino account, etc. However, some mobile gaming devices 256 may not be configured to accept monetary credits via a credit or debit card. Some mobile gaming devices 256 may include a ticket reader and/or a ticket printer whereas some mobile gaming devices 256 may not, depending on the particular implementation.
In some implementations, the casino 251 may include one or more kiosks 260 that are configured to facilitate monetary transactions involving the mobile gaming devices 256, which may include cash out and/or cash in transactions. The kiosks 260 may be configured for wired and/or wireless communication with the mobile gaming devices 256. The kiosks 260 may be configured to accept monetary credits from casino patrons 262 and/or to dispense monetary credits to casino patrons 262 via cash, a credit or debit card, via a wireless interface (e.g., via a wireless payment app), via tickets, etc. According to some examples, the kiosks 260 may be configured to accept monetary credits from a casino patron and to provide a corresponding amount of monetary credits to a mobile gaming device 256 for wagering purposes, e.g., via a wireless link such as a near-field communications link. In some such examples, when a casino patron 262 is ready to cash out, the casino patron 262 may select a cash out option provided by a mobile gaming device 256, which may include a real button or a virtual button (e.g., a button provided via a graphical user interface) in some instances. In some such examples, the mobile gaming device 256 may send a “cash out” signal to a kiosk 260 via a wireless link in response to receiving a “cash out” indication from a casino patron. The kiosk 260 may provide monetary credits to the casino patron 262 corresponding to the “cash out” signal, which may be in the form of cash, a credit ticket, a credit transmitted to a financial account corresponding to the casino patron, etc.
In some implementations, a cash-in process and/or a cash-out process may be facilitated by the TITO system server 108. For example, the TITO system server 108 may control, or at least authorize, ticket-in and ticket-out transactions that involve a mobile gaming device 256 and/or a kiosk 260.
Some mobile gaming devices 256 may be configured for receiving and/or transmitting player loyalty information. For example, some mobile gaming devices 256 may be configured for wireless communication with the player tracking system server 110. Some mobile gaming devices 256 may be configured for receiving and/or transmitting player loyalty information via wireless communication with a patron's player loyalty card, a patron's smartphone, etc.
According to some implementations, a mobile gaming device 256 may be configured to provide safeguards that prevent the mobile gaming device 256 from being used by an unauthorized person. For example, some mobile gaming devices 256 may include one or more biometric sensors and may be configured to receive input via the biometric sensor(s) to verify the identity of an authorized patron. Some mobile gaming devices 256 may be configured to function only within a predetermined or configurable area, such as a casino gaming area.
In this example, a gaming data center 276 includes various devices that are configured to provide online wagering games via the networks 417. The gaming data center 276 is capable of communication with the networks 417 via the gateway 272. In this example, switches 278 and routers 280 are configured to provide network connectivity for devices of the gaming data center 276, including storage devices 282a, servers 284a and one or more workstations 570a. The servers 284a may, for example, be configured to provide access to a library of games for online game play. In some examples, code for executing at least some of the games may initially be stored on one or more of the storage devices 282a. The code may be subsequently loaded onto a server 284a after selection by a player via an EUD and communication of that selection from the EUD via the networks 417. The server 284a onto which code for the selected game has been loaded may provide the game according to selections made by a player and indicated via the player's EUD. In other examples, code for executing at least some of the games may initially be stored on one or more of the servers 284a. Although only one gaming data center 276 is shown in
In this example, a financial institution data center 270 is also configured for communication via the networks 417. Here, the financial institution data center 270 includes servers 284b, storage devices 282b, and one or more workstations 286b. According to this example, the financial institution data center 270 is configured to maintain financial accounts, such as checking accounts, savings accounts, loan accounts, etc. In some implementations one or more of the authorized users 274a-274c may maintain at least one financial account with the financial institution that is serviced via the financial institution data center 270.
According to some implementations, the gaming data center 276 may be configured to provide online wagering games in which money may be won or lost. According to some such implementations, one or more of the servers 284a may be configured to monitor player credit balances, which may be expressed in game credits, in currency units, or in any other appropriate manner. In some implementations, the server(s) 284a may be configured to obtain financial credits from and/or provide financial credits to one or more financial institutions, according to a player's “cash in” selections, wagering game results and a player's “cash out” instructions. According to some such implementations, the server(s) 284a may be configured to electronically credit or debit the account of a player that is maintained by a financial institution, e.g., an account that is maintained via the financial institution data center 270. The server(s) 284a may, in some examples, be configured to maintain an audit record of such transactions.
In some alternative implementations, the gaming data center 276 may be configured to provide online wagering games for which credits may not be exchanged for cash or the equivalent. In some such examples, players may purchase game credits for online game play, but may not “cash out” for monetary credit after a gaming session. Moreover, although the financial institution data center 270 and the gaming data center 276 include their own servers and storage devices in this example, in some examples the financial institution data center 270 and/or the gaming data center 276 may use offsite “cloud-based” servers and/or storage devices. In some alternative examples, the financial institution data center 270 and/or the gaming data center 276 may rely entirely on cloud-based servers.
One or more types of devices in the gaming data center 276 (or elsewhere) may be capable of executing middleware, e.g., for data management and/or device communication. Authentication information, player tracking information, etc., including but not limited to information obtained by EUDs 264 and/or other information regarding authorized users of EUDs 264 (including but not limited to the authorized users 274a-274c), may be stored on storage devices 282 and/or servers 284. Other game-related information and/or software, such as information and/or software relating to leaderboards, players currently playing a game, game themes, game-related promotions, game competitions, etc., also may be stored on storage devices 282 and/or servers 284. In some implementations, some such game-related software may be available as “apps” and may be downloadable (e.g., from the gaming data center 276) by authorized users.
In some examples, authorized users and/or entities (such as representatives of gaming regulatory authorities) may obtain gaming-related information via the gaming data center 276. One or more other devices (such EUDs 264 or devices of the gaming data center 276) may act as intermediaries for such data feeds. Such devices may, for example, be capable of applying data filtering algorithms, executing data summary and/or analysis software, etc. In some implementations, data filtering, summary and/or analysis software may be available as “apps” and downloadable by authorized users.
The UI system 302 includes one or more UIs that a player can interact with. The UI system 302 could include one or more game play UIs 304, one or more bonus game play UIs 308, and one or more multiplayer UIs 312, where each UI type includes one or more mechanical UIs and/or graphical UIs (GUIs). In other words, game play UI 304, bonus game play UI 308, and the multiplayer UI 312 may utilize a variety of UI elements, such as mechanical UI elements (e.g., physical “spin” button or mechanical reels) and/or GUI elements (e.g., virtual reels shown on a video display or a virtual button deck) to receive player inputs and/or present game play to a player. Using
The game play UI 304 represents a UI that a player typically interfaces with for a base game. During a game instance of a base game, the game play UI elements 306A-306N (e.g., GUI elements depicting one or more virtual reels) are shown and/or made available to a user. In a subsequent game instance, the UI system 302 could transition out of the base game to one or more bonus games. The bonus game play UI 308 represents a UI that utilizes bonus game play UI elements 310A-310N for a player to interact with and/or view during a bonus game. In one or more embodiments, at least some of the game play UI element 306A-306N are similar to the bonus game play UI elements 310A-310N. In other embodiments, the game play UI element 306A-306N can differ from to the bonus game play UI elements 310A-310N.
Based on the player inputs, the UI system 302 could generate RNG calls to a game processing backend system 314. As an example, the UI system 302 could use one or more application programming interfaces (APIs) to generate the RNG calls. To process the RNG calls, the RNG engine 316 could utilize gaming RNG 318 and/or non-gaming RNGs 319A-319N. Gaming RNG 318 corresponds to RNG 212 shown in
After generating the UI outcome, the game processing backend system 314 sends the UI outcome to the UI system 302. Examples of UI outcomes are symbols to display on a video reel or reel stops for a mechanical reel. In one example, if the UI outcome is for a base game, the UI system 302 updates one or more game play UI elements 306A-306N, such as symbols, for the game play UI 304. In another example, if the UI outcome is for a bonus game, the UI system could update one or more bonus game play UI elements 310A-310N (e.g., symbols) for the bonus game play UI 308. In response to the updating the appropriate UI, the player may subsequently provide additional player inputs to initiate a subsequent game instance that progresses through the game processing pipeline.
In the exemplary embodiment, user interface 400 includes a plurality of columns 402a-e, each of which displays a plurality of symbol display positions 404. Symbol display positions 404a-r may be similar to game play UI elements 306A-306N (shown in
The user interface 400 also includes an enhanced RTP mode tracker 406 (also known as a frenzy mode tracker 406). The enhanced RTP mode tracker 406 includes a plurality of tracking elements 408A-408E. In the embodiment shown in
In the embodiment shown herein, there are five tracking elements 408A-408E. When all five tracking elements 408A-408E have been activated, then the enhanced RTP mode is activated. In other embodiments, there may be more or less tracking elements 408. In other embodiments, the tracking elements 408 may be different objects than envelopes and coins. Furthermore, in some other embodiments, the tracking elements 408 may be different. For example, in one embodiment, the different tracking elements 408 may be different suites, such as from a deck of cards.
In various embodiments, the enhanced RTP mode is a mode in which the player wagers the same amount at the same denomination as prior to the enhanced RTP mode.
In at least one embodiment, the EGM supports several enhanced RTP modes.
In the exemplary embodiment, at block 502, the game controller 202 receives input from the player to initiate play. In some embodiment, the game controller 202 receives this input through a user interface device such as one or more buttons 236, the primary game display 240, and the secondary game display 242 (all shown in
The game controller 202 determines the base game outcome symbol display positions at block 504. In various embodiments, game controller 202 determines the base game outcome by generating one or more random numbers via RNG engine 316. Game controller 202 uses the generated random numbers to select reel stop positions or any other way to select symbols for symbol display positions 404. In other embodiments, game controller 202 may receive an outcome from a central server, such as a bingo server or a central determination server and use the outcome to generate symbols for symbol display positions 404.
In various embodiments, game controller 202 determines if symbol display positions 404 form symbol combinations that are stored in a paytable in memory 208. Various symbol combinations may have corresponding award amounts associated with them in the paytable. Game controller 202 may determine an award amount based on a sum of the one or more award amounts for the symbol combinations formed by symbol display positions 404.
The game controller 202 determines if a free spin trigger is present in the symbol display positions 404, at block 506. In various embodiments, the free spin trigger may be a symbol or symbol combination formed by symbol display positions 404. In some embodiments, the free spin trigger may be a random determination by RNG engine 316 to trigger the free spin game. If the free spin trigger is present, then the game controller 202 may initiate play of the awarded free spins at normal mode, at 508. In some embodiments, the game controller 202 returns to block 502 after the free spin play. In other embodiments, the game controller 202 continues to block 510.
The game controller 202 determines, at block 510, if an enhanced RTP mode element is present in the plurality of symbol display positions 404. If not, the game controller 202 returns to the base game play at block 502. If the plurality of symbol display positions 404 include an enhanced RTP mode element, then the game controller 202 activates one or more tracking elements 408, at block 512. The game controller 202 may determine if the enhanced RTP trigger has been met, such as the activation of all of the tracking elements 408A-E, at block 514. If not, the game controller 202 returns to the base game play at block 502. If all of the tracking elements 408A-E have been activated, then the game controller 202 activates the enhanced RTP mode. In some embodiments, the player receives a number of enhanced RTP mode plays based on the number of activated tracking elements 408. In various embodiments, enhanced RTP model elements collected during game play persist from one play to the next. In some of these embodiments, the elements persist indefinitely until the enhanced RTP mode is triggered. In some of these embodiments, the elements persist for a predetermined event, such as until a cash out event, until a predetermined number of wagers have been made, or randomly determined event. In certain embodiments, each element has a predetermined expiration threshold, whereby, after the threshold, the accumulated element expires. In various embodiments, elements that expire are removed from the tracking element display.
In various embodiments, enhanced RTP mode may be presented visually to the player. In other embodiments, enhanced RTP mode is not visually distinguished from regular game play as represented in the exemplary embodiment of
Further, in various embodiments, more than one play of the enhanced RTP mode may be provided. The quantity of play may be predetermined, randomly determined, based on the quantity of enhanced RTP mode elements, wager level, or combinations thereof.
In the enhanced RTP mode, the game controller 202 may receive an input from the player to initiate play of the enhanced RTP mode, at 516. In various embodiments, a wager is required to play the enhanced RTP mode. The wager amount may be the same as the wager amount before the enhanced RTP mode was activated. In certain embodiments, the player may choose to not wager at the enhanced RTP mode and may choose to return to the base wager. The control may then return to block 502. If the player choose to make a wager in the enhanced RTP mode, game controller 202 may determine an outcome for a play of the enhanced RTP mode at 518.
The game controller 202 determines the enhanced RTP mode outcome and then evaluates the plurality of symbol display positions 404. Game controller generates an outcome by selecting symbols for symbol display positions based on random numbers from RNG engine 316. The selected symbols may be compared to an enhanced RTP pay table to determine if any symbol combinations formed are eligible for awards. As discussed above, an enhanced RTP paytable may be used to determine symbol combinations and award amounts.
The game controller 202 determines if a free spin trigger condition exists in the outcome of the enhanced RTP mode play. In various embodiments, one or more free spin triggers may be present in the plurality of symbol display positions 404 to trigger the free spin mode. In the example of
After completion of play of the enhanced RTP free spins or after determination that a free spin trigger condition does not exist, game controller 202 determines if there are any enhanced RTP mode plays remaining at 524. If there are, then the process 500 returns to block 516. If not, then the game controller returns to base game play at block 502.
In the exemplary embodiment, user interface 600 displays the enhanced RTP mode with the three middle columns 602b-d having been increased in size by two additional rows 604a-b. The two additional rows 604a-b increase the RTP of the game since there are more paylines (if the game is a payline evaluation), symbol combination for ReelPower wins, or scatter wins, which increases the probability a winning combination of symbols. In some embodiments, the game controller 202 evaluates the plurality of symbol display positions 404 based on the number of symbols appearing in the play area of the user interface 600 to determine awards. In other embodiments, game controller 202 evaluates the plurality of symbol display positions 404 based on one or more pay lines.
In the exemplary embodiment, the number of plays in the enhanced RTP mode is equal to the number of tracking elements 608a-608e. For example, as shown in
In the exemplary embodiment, plays of the enhanced RTP mode require a wager for each play of the enhanced RTP mode. For example, 5 plays (e.g., spins or hands) of the enhanced RTP mode may be triggered after five out of five enhanced RTP elements have been collected. For each of those 5 plays, a wager input is required for that play. In the exemplary embodiment, the amount of the wager is the same for each of the 5 plays. For example, the player bets 3 credits for each of the 5 plays. Further, the wager may be the same as the amount wagered immediately prior to the play of the enhanced RTP mode. If during any of the 5 plays, a trigger condition activates a bonus game, such as a free spin game, then those free spins are performed in the enhanced RTP mode. For example, the player is awarded 5 plays in the enhanced RTP mode during base game play. The player bets 3 credits for the first play of the enhanced RTP mode. During the first play, the player activates a bonus game which awards 8 free plays in the bonus game. The bonus game activates during the enhanced RTP mode and the 8 free plays are played using the extra two rows 604 of the enhanced RTP mode. Once the bonus game is finished, the player returns to the base game enhanced RTP mode and completes the 4 remaining plays in the enhanced RTP mode. In the exemplary embodiment, the bonus game is activated in the same manner during regular base game play and the enhanced RTP mode base game play. In other embodiment, the enhanced RTP mode may provide additional methods for activating the bonus game.
In the exemplary embodiment, the game controller 202 tracks the progress to the enhanced RTP mode based on wager level. In other words, each wager level has a corresponding progress for the enhanced RTP mode. For example, if the base game is configured for five different levels of wager amount (e.g., from one credit to five credits), game controller 2020 also tracks the progress towards the enhanced RTP mode for each of the five different wager levels. If the player switches from one wager level to a different level, tracking for the enhanced RTP mode also switches to the new mode. For example, if the player is playing at the one credit level of play, then any elements in the game outcome are tracked the progress towards the one credit level's enhanced RTP mode. When the enhanced RTP mode is activated, the player may only bet one credit for each play awarded in that mode. The player may not activate the enhanced RTP mode playing at one credit a play and then increase their bet to five credits when the enhanced RTP mode is activated.
Furthermore, in some embodiments, the progress towards the enhanced RTP mode is persistent for the EGM. For the purposes of this disclosure, persistent means continuing to exist or endure over a prolonged period. In these embodiments, the EGM does not reset the progress to the enhanced RTP mode for any of the wager levels when the player changes or if the game is not being actively played. For example, a first player may play on the EGM and earns two elements for the enhanced RTP mode. The first player may leave the game at some point. At a later point a different player may then start playing the game on the EGM. The EGM already has the two elements for the enhanced RTP mode. The second player may then collect three more elements for the enhanced RTP mode and activate the enhanced RTP mode.
In some embodiments, the player is not required to play all of the enhanced RTP mode plays. For example if the player does not have sufficient credit to play all of those plays or wishes to allow a friend or spouse to play the enhanced RTP mode plays, the player may cease play at the EGM. The next player at the EGM may then play the remaining enhanced RTP mode plays.
In various embodiments, the progress towards the enhanced RTP mode and the quantity of plays in the enhanced RTP mode are personal to the player. That this is progress may be stored in a player tracking account, or such, and be retrieved at a different gaming machine, or same gaming machine at a later time, where the player uses their player tracking account. When a player ends a play session, this information may then be stored on their account for later retrieval.
In the exemplary embodiment, user interface 700 displays the enhanced RTP mode with the three middle columns 402b-d increasing in size by four additional rows 704a-d. The four additional rows 704a-d increase the probability of the player receiving a winning combination of symbols, due to the increased number of symbol combinations that are possible with the increased rows. In some embodiments, the game controller 202 evaluates the plurality of symbol display positions 404 based on the number of symbols appearing in the play area of the user interface 700 to determine player awards. In other embodiments, game controller 202 evaluates the plurality of symbol display positions 404 based on one or more pay lines.
In some embodiments, the player enters one of the two enhanced RTP modes shown in
In some embodiments, the progress to the two or more different enhanced RTP modes may be tracked separately. In some embodiments, each mode may have its own collection elements. For example, a there may be a red collection element that is tracking towards the enhanced RTP mode as shown in
In some embodiments, the enhanced RTP mode that is provided to the player for play may depend on a wager amount of the player. For example, the enhanced RTP mode of
In this embodiment, the enhanced RTP mode provides the player with one or more guaranteed wilds for each spin during the enhanced RTP mode. Similar to the enhanced RTP mode described above, the player has to perform a series of steps to reach the enhanced RTP mode, such as collect a series of coins (e.g., tracking elements 408). For each play of the enhanced RTP mode, one or more symbol display positions 404 are replaced with a wild. In some embodiments, these wild elements appear before the spin begins, but after the player has initiated the spin. In other embodiments, the wild elements appear after the spin has been initiated (while the reels are still spinning or after they are stopped). For each play of the enhanced RTP mode, the number of wild symbols being added may be randomly determined, selected from a weighted table, or may be predetermined.
In some embodiments, the game controller 202 evaluates the plurality of symbol display positions 404 based on the number of symbols appearing in the play area of the user interface 800 to determine player awards. In other embodiments, game controller 202 evaluates the plurality of symbol display positions 404 based on one or more pay lines.
In the exemplary embodiment, user interface 1000 displays the progress towards each of the levels of enhanced RTP play. Each of the plurality of input buttons 1002-1010 is associated with a different wagering level. In some embodiments, buttons 1002-1010 are similar to buttons 122 (shown in
For tracking element 1012 that corresponds to an 88 credit wager (and button 1002), tracking elements 1012a and 1012b have been activated and tracking elements 1012c-e have not been activated yet. Each coin represents a step towards the enhanced RTP mode. At this point, the player is two of the five steps towards activating the enhanced RTP mode associated with the first wagering level. In other words, two of the elements towards enhanced RTP mode have been collected during game play over one or more game play activations, or wagers.
For tracking element 1014 that corresponds to a 176 credit (and button 1004), tracking element 1014a have been activated and tracking elements 1014b-e have not been activated yet. In the exemplary embodiment as shown in
In the exemplary embodiment, the progress towards activating the mode is associated with the individual gaming machine and is persistent across players. So if one player stops playing, the progress is saved by the gaming machine and the next player picks up at that point in the progression. The displays, as shown in
In certain embodiments, the quantity of plays of the enhanced RTP mode is based on the quantity of activated tracking elements. For example, as shown in
In certain embodiments, the quantity of tracking elements needed to trigger the play of the enhanced RTP mode is fixed or predetermined, such as shown in the examples of
In certain embodiments, the enhanced RTP mode can be presented in other forms. For example, instead of an increased number of rows, the enhanced RTP mode may be presented via a different set of reels that have a higher RTP. This may be via one or more of: different (higher) pays for symbol combination, higher frequency of higher paying symbols, increase in the number of (or probability of landing) special symbols such as wild symbols, increase in the number of (or probability of landing) free spin trigger symbols, etc. In certain embodiments, the enhanced RTP mode may be a different game altogether, such as a game of skill, a different game of chance, etc.
In certain embodiments, tracking elements in enhanced RTP mode tracker 406 are collected from left to right, visually, and used up, during play of the enhanced RTP mode from right to left. In certain embodiments, the quantity of plays of the enhanced RTP mode corresponds to the quantity of tracking elements. As each play commences (or ends), one tracking element is removed from the RTP mode tracker.
In certain embodiments, collected tracking elements may be saved to a player tracking account. After a player completes play of a game and leaves with certain collected but unused tracking elements, these may be saved to a player's associated account and later retrieved when the player logs in to the same or a different machine linked to the loyalty system. In some of these embodiments, after the player logs out and the tracking elements are saved to the player's account, they may not be available for any subsequent player and the count is reset of zero.
While the systems and methods describe enhanced RTP modes, these enhanced RTP modes are a part of the game being played on the EGM and have been factored in to the RTP of the associated game as a whole. That is, the overall RTP of the game (or EGM on which the game is played), is based on the RTP of the normal mode and the one or more enhanced RTP modes.
In certain embodiments, a player may choose to play the enhanced RTP mode prior to collected the required quantity of tracking elements or even after the required quantity of tracking elements are collected. In certain of these embodiments, there may not be a required quantity to collect and the player may choose at any point to trigger the enhanced RTP mode provided that the players has at least a minimum (such as one) elements accumulated. Further, the player may not be required to play all plays of the enhanced RTP mode, and may choose to return to the play of the regular base game at any point and any accumulated and unused tracking elements will continue to persist.
In certain embodiments, a player may choose to cash out accumulated tracking elements when the player wished to end their gaming session. Each accumulated tracking element may be assigned a value, that may be multiplied to the total quantity of accumulated tracking elements to determine a cash out value. This cash out value is then added to the player's credit balance.
While various embodiments have been described of the enhanced RTP mode using a slot game example, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the enhanced RTP mode of the present invention can be applied to any other type of game, such as a video poker game, video keno or bingo game, roulette, blackjack, baccarat, etc.
One or more of the advantages of the system described herein include, but are not limited to, a) providing visual feedback of the progress towards a specific mode; b) providing increased player engagement in progressing to specific modes; c) providing persistent progress across players towards the specific modes; d) providing enticement to play at specific wagering levels; and e) providing enticement to play a specific machine due to its current progress to a specific mode. These advantages cause a player to change or modify their normal play behavior to accommodate for these improvements. For example, a player may choose to wager a higher/lower amount if that wager amount has certain reaccumulated tracking elements from a previous play. Further, a player may choose to play for one or more additional spins if they have a certain quantity of accumulated tracking elements to try and compete the progress and trigger the enhanced RTP mode. A player may also decided to end their session early if they did not accumulate enough tracking elements.
A computer, controller, or server, such as those described herein, includes at least one processor or processing unit and a system memory. The computer, controller, or server typically has at least some form of computer readable non-transitory media. As used herein, the terms “processor” and “computer” and related terms, e.g., “processing device”, “computing device”, and “controller” are not limited to just those integrated circuits referred to in the art as a computer, but broadly refers to a microcontroller, a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller (PLC), an application specific integrated circuit, and other programmable circuits “configured to” carry out programmable instructions, and these terms are used interchangeably herein. In the embodiments described herein, memory may include, but is not limited to, a computer-readable medium or computer storage media, volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Such memory includes a random access memory (RAM), computer storage media, communication media, and a computer-readable non-volatile medium, such as flash memory. Alternatively, a floppy disk, a compact disc-read only memory (CD-ROM), a magneto-optical disk (MOD), and/or a digital versatile disc (DVD) may also be used. Also, in the embodiments described herein, additional input channels may be, but are not limited to, computer peripherals associated with an operator interface such as a mouse and a keyboard. Alternatively, other computer peripherals may also be used that may include, for example, but not be limited to, a scanner. Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment, additional output channels may include, but not be limited to, an operator interface monitor.
As indicated above, the process may be embodied in computer software. The computer software could be supplied in a number of ways, for example on a tangible, non-transitory, computer readable storage medium, such as on any nonvolatile memory device (e.g., an EEPROM). Further, different parts of the computer software can be executed by different devices, such as, for example, in a client-server relationship. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that computer software provides a series of instructions executable by the processor.
Although the flowchart of
While the invention has been described with respect to the figures, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Any variation and derivation from the above description and figures are included in the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.
This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/006,059, filed Aug. 28, 2020, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/893,590, filed Aug. 29, 2019 which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20230252855 A1 | Aug 2023 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62893590 | Aug 2019 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17006059 | Aug 2020 | US |
| Child | 18300763 | US |
