The present invention relates to gaming methods and machines and is particularly concerned with bonus rounds.
Video gaming machines are commonly used in traditional gambling establishments such as casinos and gambling centers and in other markets such as bars, restaurants, racinos, bingo halls, river boats, and cruise ships. While the regulations covering these different establishments are different, they also vary from one jurisdiction to another and the habits of players may also vary. Hence, a game that can attract and maintain the interest of a player provides higher value to the proprietor. Consequently, there is a need to continually improve game features, while maintaining a fairly high level of familiarity so that established players can also enjoy the new game features.
Because the number of games allowed within an establishment are typically regulated and because the gaming machines have a relatively short payback cycle, the gaming machine business is highly competitive. Hence there is further pressure on the industry to make improvements in game features that enhance their play value.
Gaming machines provide games that fall into general categories that emulate traditional games of chance such as keno, bingo, scratch tickets, fixed-odds betting, other types of wager games, slot-machine emulation and card game emulation. These typically reward a player having a predetermined outcome with a bonus round of play or other incentives. While numerous variations of bonus round, the bonus round still offers opportunities for further innovation that may provide an advantage with regard to playability, player loyalty or profitability.
An object of the present invention is to provide improved gaming method and machine with bonus round.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention there is provided a gaming method with bonus round comprising the steps of during a regular play session, providing a bonus trigger; on hitting the bonus trigger during a regular play session rewarding a bonus play; allowing a player to select a risk level for the bonus play; and providing the bonus play with the selected risk level. In one alternative embodiment, the bonus play may include a plurality of additional spins.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer-readable storage medium encoded with a program for enabling a gaming machine to implement the gaming method comprising the steps of during a regular play session, providing a bonus trigger; on hitting the bonus trigger during a regular play session rewarding a bonus play; allowing a player to select a risk level for the bonus play; and providing the bonus play with the selected risk level. In one alternative embodiment, the bonus play may include a plurality of additional spins.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a gaming machine with bonus round comprising: a bonus trigger for triggering a bonus during a regular play session; means for rewarding a bonus play on hitting the bonus trigger during a regular play session; means for allowing a player to select a risk level for the bonus play; and means for providing the bonus play with the selected risk level.
Conveniently, the gaming machine includes a progressive counter for incrementing in dependence upon at least one of regular play and bonus play.
Conveniently, the gaming machine includes a module for allowing a player to win an additional bonus during the bonus play.
The present invention will be further understood from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings in which:
Referring to
Referring to
In operation, the gaming machine 10 under the control of a gaming program operating the CPU 40 provides, in the game screen 16 of the display 44, a representation of an m reel by n row slot machine emulation. A player on pressing a soft key 18 marked “Play” causes the gaming machine 10 to display a spin of the reels until a display of m×n game elements are shown in the display area. Typically a number of pay lines are provided for the player to pre-select prior to pressing the play button. Then, depending upon the particular game programmed into the CPU 40, when a predetermined outcome occurs along one of the selected pay lines, the player is rewarded with an increment to a credits counter.
As such gaming machines are a familiar sight in various establishments, the gaming industry has continuously sought ways to improve the game features to enhance qualities such as player loyalty, playability and hence profitability of the gaming machines. One such improvement over the slot machine, is the ability of the display-based gaming machine 10 to provide an additional round of play, in the form of a bonus round. Typically, the bonus round is a automatic spin that provides the player with an opportunity to win additional credits, beyond those won during regular play.
Referring to
There are six regular elements that appear on all five reels as shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
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There are five separate missions to choose from each with ten question marks and their own unique background. Some of these question marks have hidden bet multipliers and some have bombs. The sequence leading into the bonus round is the same for each area. Mission one has one bomb, mission two has two bombs, mission three has three bombs, mission four has four bombs, and mission five has five bombs. The hidden bet multipliers and maximum bonus prize increase on the missions with more bombs. The object of the bonus is to select the question marks without getting a bomb. Should the player select a bomb a smaller prize will be awarded along with prizes already collected. The bonus awarded is the sum of all prizes collected.
Referring to
Once the scanner is gone from the screen are the background image of the selected mission area and the animating question marks scattered on the screen, as shown in
Credits won are added to the total bonus. The bonus amount is incremented in a similar manner as the credits window in the main game.
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Each of the mission bonus elements is hidden under a question mark and starts small and grows to a larger size when the question mark that it is under is selected. The mission bonus elements are: a suitcase, a camera, a report stamped TOP, SECRET, keys, gloves, film, sabotage plans, photos, a passport, an ID badge and a bomb.
Referring to
The above disclosure sets forth a number of embodiments of the present invention. Other arrangements or embodiments, not precisely set forth, could be practiced under the teachings of the present invention and as set forth in the following claims.
The present application is related to and claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/498,577 filed Aug. 29, 2003, the disclosure of which is herein specifically incorporated in its entirety by this reference.
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