Patent Application
20090209316
The present application is a non-provisional application, which claims priority to Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2007904610 filed Aug. 27, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The present invention relates to a gaming system and a method of gaming, and particularly, but not exclusively, to a gaming system and method of gaming wherein a base game is played which generates as one of its outcomes a feature game.
It is known to provide a gaming system which comprises a game controller arranged to control the random display of several symbols from a pre-determined set of symbols and to determine a game outcome such as a game win, based on the displayed symbols. Such gaming systems may commonly be implemented as a stepper machine provided with reels, with each reel carrying several symbols of the set, or a video machine wherein selected symbols are displayed on virtual reels on a graphical display device. Win outcomes can occur based on symbols appearing on one or more horizontal lines, diagonal lines, or in any other predetermined way.
It is known to provide gaming systems where a game controller controls play of a base game (which may determine a game outcome based on selection from a predetermined set of symbols) and a feature game. A feature game may be generated as one of the game outcomes of the base game. For example, a feature game may comprise one or more “free games” based on a predetermined combination of symbols occurring as a result of play of a base game. A feature game commonly comprises a sequence of individual feature games each of which has a respective feature game outcome. Each individual feature game outcome may be based on random selection of symbols from a pre-determined set of symbols.
During a sequence of individual feature games, a player may obtain one or more win outcomes. If a win outcome occurs early, and subsequent feature games do not provide any beneficial outcome, a player can finish a set of feature games on a “low” rather than a “high”. While feature games are enjoyable, therefore, providing an interesting variation on base game play, it can at times be difficult to maintain player interest.
In accordance with a first aspect, the present invention provides a gaming system, comprising a game controller arranged to determine an outcome of a base game and being arranged to generate a feature game set comprising a plurality of individual feature games the game controller being arranged to determine a feature game outcome for each feature game, and including an ordering facility arranged to determine an order of presentation of a plurality of the game outcomes.
In an embodiment, the order of the game outcomes is arranged to affect player interest.
In an embodiment, the order of the presentation of the plurality of game outcomes is based on the game outcomes.
In an embodiment, player interest may be maintained or increased by ordering the feature game outcomes to increase player anticipation or player enjoyment. For example, the outcomes of the feature games may be ordered so that bigger wins come later in the sequence of feature games. Player anticipation and excitement will therefore be increased, as players will learn to expect bigger wins as the sequence of feature games progresses.
It may not always be desirable to increase player interest and excitement in a feature game. In an embodiment, the order of the presentation of the outcomes of the individual feature games may be arranged to decrease player excitement. This may be useful in order to effect “harm minimisation”.
In an embodiment, the game controller may be arranged to determine the order of the individual feature game outcomes based on player related factors. For example, a harm minimisation approach may be taken if it is known that the player is potentially a problem gambler. In an embodiment, the order of individual feature game outcomes may be determined based on player tracking data.
In an embodiment, the order of individual feature game outcomes may be determined based on a type of bet made by a player.
One game outcome of an individual feature game may be generation of a further feature game sequence. The order of presentation of the game outcomes of the individual feature games in the further feature games sequence may also be determined by the ordering facility.
In an embodiment, the game controller is arranged to selectively activate the ordering facility. In an embodiment, the ordering facility may be activated on a random basis. In an embodiment, the ordering facility may be activated based on player tracking data. In an embodiment, the ordering facility may be activated based on a type of bet placed by a player.
In accordance with a second aspect, the present invention provides a method of gaming, comprising the steps of:
playing a base game;
playing a feature game set comprising a plurality of individual feature games each having an individual feature game outcome, and determining the order of at least a plurality of the individual feature game outcomes.
In an embodiment, the step of determining the order is carried out to order the individual feature game outcomes to affect player interest.
In accordance with a third aspect, the present invention provides a computer programme comprising instructions for controlling a computer to implement a system in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.
In accordance with a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a computer readable medium providing a computer programme in accordance with the third aspect of the invention.
In accordance with a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a data signal comprising a computer program in accordance with the third aspect of the invention.
Features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment thereof, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring to the drawings, there are shown example embodiments of gaming systems which are arranged to implement a game in which a plurality of symbols is selected from a set of symbols in order to determine a game outcome. In these embodiments, the gaming system is arranged to play a base game and determine an outcome of the base game. These embodiments are also arranged to play a feature game which, in this example, comprises a plurality of individual feature games each having an individual feature game outcome. The feature game may be generated as a game outcome of the base game. In one embodiment, each feature game outcome depends on selection of a plurality of symbols from a set of symbols. Note in other embodiments, types of feature games may be played which are not based on the selection of symbols.
In embodiments of this invention, an order is determined for presentation of the outcomes of the individual feature games to the player. The order of presentation is determined in order to affect player interest. In one embodiment, the order of the feature game outcomes is determined so that feature game “win” outcomes of greatest magnitude occur later in a sequence of feature games. Over time, this will lead to an increase in player expectations. Players will come to expect bigger wins to occur later in the sequence of the individual feature games, so maintaining player interest in the feature and the gaming system generally.
The gaming system of this embodiment of the invention can take a number of different forms.
In a first form, a stand alone gaming machine is provided wherein all or most components required for implementing the game are present in a player operable gaming machine.
In a second form, a distributed architecture is provided wherein some of the components required for implementing the game are present in a player operable gaming machine and some of the components required for implementing the game are located remotely relative to the gaming machine. For example, a “thick client” architecture may be used wherein part of the game is executed on a player operable gaming machine and part of the game is executed remotely, such as by a gaming server; or a “thin client” architecture may be used wherein most of the game is executed remotely such as by a gaming server and a player operable gaming machine is used only to display audible and/or visible gaming information to the player and receive gaming inputs from the player.
However, it will be understood that other arrangements are envisaged. For example, an architecture may be provided wherein a gaming machine is networked to a gaming server and the respective functions of the gaming machine and the gaming server are selectively modifiable. For example, the gaming system may operate in stand alone gaming machine mode, “thick client” mode or “thin client” mode depending on the game being played, operating conditions, and so on. Other variations will be apparent to persons skilled in the art.
Irrespective of the form, the gaming system comprises several core components. At the broadest level, the core components are a player interface 50 and a game controller 60 as illustrated in
Components of the player interface may vary from embodiment to embodiment but will typically include a credit mechanism 52 to enable a player to input credits and receive payouts, one or more displays 54 and a game play mechanism 56 that enables a player to input game play instructions.
The game controller 60 is in data communication with the player interface and typically includes a processor 62 that processes the game play instructions in accordance with game play rules and outputs game play outcomes to the display. Typically, the game play instructions are stored as program code in a memory 64 but can also be hardwired. Herein the term “processor” is used to refer generically to any device that can process game play instructions in accordance with game play rules and may include: a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logic device or other computational device, a general purpose computer (e.g. a PC) or a server.
A gaming system in the form of a stand alone gaming machine 10 is illustrated in
A top box 26 may carry artwork 28, including for example pay tables and details of bonus awards and other information or images relating to the game. Further artwork and/or information may be provided on a front panel 29 of the console 12. A coin tray 30 is mounted beneath the front panel 29 for dispensing cash payouts from the gaming machine 10.
The display 14 shown in
The gaming machine 100 includes a game controller 101 having a processor 102. Instructions and data to control operation of the processor 102 are stored in a memory 103, which is in data communication with the processor 102, Typically, the gaming machine 100 will include both volatile and non-volatile memory and more than one of each type of memory, with such memories being collectively represented by the memory 103.
The gaming machine has hardware meters 104 for purposes including ensuring regulatory compliance and monitoring player credit, an input/output (I/O) interface 105 for communicating with peripheral devices of the gaming machine 100. The input/output interface 105 and/or the peripheral devices may be intelligent devices with their own memory for storing associated instructions and data for use with the input/output interface or the peripheral devices. A random number generator module 113 generates random numbers for use by the processor 102. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the reference to random numbers includes pseudo-random numbers.
In the example shown in
In addition, the gaming machine 100 may include a communications interface, for example a network card 112. The network card may, for example, send status information, accounting information or other information to a central controller, server or database and receive data or commands from the central controller, server or database.
It is also possible for the operative components of the gaming machine 100 to be distributed, for example input/output devices 106,107,108,109,110,111 to be provided remotely from the game controller 101.
One or more displays 204 may also be connected to the network 201. The displays 204 may, for example, be associated with one or more banks 203 of gaming machines. The displays 204 may be used to display representations associated with game play on the gaming machines 202, and/or used to display other representations, for example promotional or informational material.
In a thick client embodiment, game server 205 implements part of the game played by a player using a gaming machine 202 and the gaming machine 202 implements part of the game. With this embodiment, as both the game server and the gaming device implement part of the game, they collectively provide a game controller. A database management server 206 may manage storage of game programs and associated data for downloading or access by the gaming devices 202 in a database 206A. Typically, if the gaming system enables players to participate in a Jackpot game, a Jackpot server 207 will be provided to monitor and carry out the Jackpot game.
In a thin client embodiment, game server 205 implements most or all of the game played by a player using a gaming machine 202 and the gaming machine 202 essentially provides only the player interface. With this embodiment, the game server 205 provides the game controller. The gaming machine will receive player instructions, pass these to the game server which will process them and return game play outcomes to the gaming machine for display. In a thin client embodiment, the gaming machines could be computer terminals, e.g. PCs running software that provides a player interface operable using standard computer input and output components.
Servers are also typically provided to assist in the administration of the gaming network 200, including for example a gaming floor management server 208, and a licensing server 209 to monitor the use of licenses relating to particular games. An administrator terminal 210 is provided to allow an administrator to run the network 201 and the devices connected to the network.
The gaming network 200 may communicate with other gaming systems, other local networks, for example a corporate network, and/or a wide area network such as the Internet, for example through a firewall 211.
Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in accordance with known techniques, functionality at the server side of the network may be distributed over a plurality of different computers. For example, elements may be run as a single “engine” on one server or a separate server may be provided. For example, the game server 205 could run a random generator engine. Alternatively, a separate random number generator server could be provided. Further, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a plurality of games servers could be provided to run different games or a single game server may run a plurality of different games as required by the terminals.
Referring to
Referring to
The game controller 300 also includes an outcome generator 302 which is arranged to determine an outcome of a game. In this embodiment, the outcome of the game depends on the selected symbols and may include a win outcome, loss outcome, a trigger outcome or a feature outcome. Game outcomes may be determined on the basis of symbols appearing in one or more horizontal lines, diagonal lines, or any other predetermined combination.
In this embodiment, the gaming system is arranged to play a base game and a feature game. As discussed above, one of the outcomes for the base game generated by the outcome generator may be a feature outcome. In this embodiment, when the base game is played and the selected symbols correspond to an outcome which is a feature outcome, then the gaming system is arranged to play a feature game and the game controller is arranged to generate a feature game set comprising a plurality of individual feature games each having an individual feature game outcome. In this embodiment, the game controller also includes a ordering facility 303 which is arranged to pre-determine an order of presentation of the outcomes of each of the individual feature games in the feature game set. In this embodiment, each of the outcomes of the individual feature games is pre-computed by the symbol selector 301 and outcome generator 302. The ordering facility 303 then orders the individual feature game outcomes. The outcomes of the feature games are ordered to affect player interest. In one example, the outcomes of each of the individual feature games may include a win outcome or loss outcome. Where a win outcome is achieved, the wins may vary in magnitude (e.g. magnitude of winnings to player). The ordering facility 303 arranges the order of the outcomes so that the win of greatest win magnitude appears towards the end of the sequence of play of the individual feature games. As players become familiar with this type of game play they will learn to expect bigger wins in a feature game sequence towards the end of the feature game sequence. This will increase player interest and anticipation in the game.
The ordering facility 303 may be arranged to affect the outcomes of the individual feature games in many different ways to affect player interest. One way, as discussed above, is to place the win outcomes of greater magnitude towards the end of the sequence of individual feature game outcomes. This may be done by ordering the sequence so that the magnitude of the wins increases as the individual feature games are played.
In another example, the sequence of feature games would not be “sorted” but, instead, the largest win in the sequence could simply be made to be the outcome of the final feature game, by ordering so that the largest win is placed at the end of the sequence. The order of the other game outcomes in this sequence of individual feature games may be random. The last game in the feature game sequence would appear to the player as being the “Golden Spin”, the best of the sequence.
One outcome of an individual feature game may be re-triggering of a further feature game set. Again, in order to increase player enjoyment, the ordering facility may arrange that the further triggering of the feature game set may come towards or at the end of the feature game sequence. In this example, the outcomes are ordered so that the feature game trigger outcome comes towards or at the end of the feature game sequence. In this case the player would come to anticipate that re-triggers of feature games are most likely at the end of the feature game sequence. The ordering facility may be separately applied to the retriggered feature game sequence.
The game controller may be linked to player tracking data and the player tracking data may be used to determine ordering of the outcomes of the feature games.
The game controller is arranged to selectively activate the ordering facility 303. This avoids the feature game outcomes being totally predictable (i.e. the biggest win always occurring at the end of the feature game sequence). Activation of the ordering facility may be random. Activation may depend on player tracking data e.g. player history as determined from player tracking data. Activation may be based on the type of bet placed by a player. If the ordering facility 303 is not activated, the game outcomes appear in random order.
The ordering facility may not always operate to increase anticipation of feature game outcomes. Where there is a need for harm minimisation, sorting or arranging wins for least impact may be desirable and the ordering facility may operate accordingly. This may or may not be linked to player history (from player tracking data). Generally, although not exclusively, in order to reduce impact, the feature game sequence will end on a “low” rather than a “high”.
As discussed above, the decision whether to activate the ordering facility for a particular set of feature games may be linked to player tracking (e.g. player preference) downloaded from the player tracking data and the Casino management system. Further, the decision whether to activate the ordering facility may depend upon a type of bet placed by a player. For example, activation may depend on line/bet configuration—if a player is only playing one line, the number of wins in a feature game sequence may not be enough to lend itself to ordering, for example.
Ordering may be implemented by generating the random seed for a series of feature games only once, at the beginning of the initial individual feature game of the set. At the initial generation of this random seed the outcomes of all the feature games that follow is determined. Alternatively, each feature game outcome may be separately randomly generated, but in this embodiment separately randomly generated before any of the feature games are played to the player. The outcomes are therefore known (by the gaming system) before commencing the play of the feature game sequence for the player.
The following example illustrates how the ordering facility may be utilised to order the individual feature game outcomes for the benefit of increased drama for the player.
In this example, the base game (and feature game) are played by selecting symbols from the following set of symbols: ACE, QUEEN, and TEN. Note that in the majority of games there will be many more symbols to select from in a symbol set than in this example, but this limited number of symbols assists for the purposes of illustration of this embodiment of the present invention. The symbols selected appear in the display in a single row of five reels. Note that the invention is not limited to five reels. More or less reels may be present in other embodiments.
The system allows for playing of a base game and a feature game. If the player achieves the following left-to-right combination in the base game, then the system is arranged to generate a feature game set of five individual feature games;
ACE-ACE-ACE-x-x (where x is any symbol).
In this example, as a result of play of the base game, an outcome is generated as follows: ACE-ACE-ACE-TEN-QUEEN.
The outcome generator 302 therefore determines that the base game outcome is generation of a feature game set, comprising five individual feature games.
Referring to
Feature game 1 40 credits; feature game 2 200 credits; feature game 3 zero credits; feature game 4 zero credits; feature game 5 1 credit.
The outcomes are randomly generated with no account taken of any affect to the player on the order of presentation of the feature game outcomes.
In the case of this embodiment of the present invention, at the commencement of the feature game set, the game controller knows that it will be awarding 241 credits over the next 5 spins. Therefore the ordering facility 303 sorts the results to be presented in an order which affects player interest. In this example with lowest winning amount first, and the highest last. This changes the winning sequence to 0, 0, 1, 40, 200 credits and the results of the feature game outcomes as illustrated in
This does not affect the payout in any material way from the prior art, and in this embodiment does not change any of the feature game outcomes, merely reordering the outcomes for maximum dramatic affect.
Referring to
At step 400, a player inputs credit for play of a base game (which may involve selection of symbols from a set of symbols, as discussed above). At 401 the gaming system is responsive to the player to actuate play of the base game. The player may be required to manipulate an interface 50 (
If the ordering facility is active (408) then at step 409 the outcomes of the individual features games are ordered. As discussed above, whether or not the ordering facility is active may depend on a number of factors (player history, etc).
At step 410, the feature games are played to the player in the order as determined by the ordering facility 303 (to affect player interest). Play then returns to step 400 or 401, once the feature game has been completed.
In the above embodiments, the ordering of the individual feature game outcomes occurs after the outcomes have been pre-computed. That is, the outcome generator produces the individual feature game outcomes and then the ordering facility re-orders those outcomes in order to affect player interest. The invention is not limited to this. In a alternative embodiment, ordering may take place as the individual feature game outcomes are generated. That is, as each individual feature game outcome is generated, it is placed in a determined order within the feature game sequence. Once all feature game outcomes have been generated and ordered, then the sequence of individual feature games is played to the player. Other alternatives are envisaged.
In the above embodiments, the base game and the feature game depend on selection of symbols from a predetermined set of symbols. The present invention is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the feature game may include individual feature games the outcome of which is not based on selection from a set of symbols. For example, individual feature games could each include the revealing of a graphical display giving information on a prize won by the feature game. Other types of feature games may be played. Similarly, the base game is not limited to a game in which symbols are selected from a predetermined set of symbols. Other types of base games may be played by gaming systems of other embodiments of this invention.
In the above embodiments, a player inputs credit and places bets in order to play the games. This invention is not limited to gambling games. Games which do not require placing of bets may still implement control of feature games in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
As discussed above, the outcomes may be ordered to provide other effects, not just increasing drama.
In the above embodiment, the game controller is arranged to selectively activate the ordering facility. This option is not essential. In other embodiments, the ordering facility may always be active.
In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007904610 | Aug 2007 | AU | national |
