Patent Application
20090298569
[Not Applicable]
[Not Applicable]
The present invention relates to a method of gaming, a gaming system and a game controller.
Gaming systems are known comprising a game controller arranged to randomly display several symbols from a predetermined 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 video machine with selected symbols are displayed in virtual display positions corresponding for example to playing cards, on a video display.
Commonly bonus symbols can appear during such games which signify that the player has been awarded a free game or other similar bonus.
There is a need for alternative or enhanced methods and systems for awarding free games and other bonuses to add to player enjoyment.
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method of gaming comprising:
selecting a set of symbols for display to a player in a set of display positions;
determining whether to provide an additional bonus symbol association with one or more of the display positions;
activating a bonus feature if a number of bonus symbols is at least a bonus threshold; and
determining a game round outcome based at least on the selected symbols.
In one embodiment the symbols selected for display are symbols of playing cards for an initial deal of poker. In an embodiment the player may replace one or more cards in subsequent deals and the method comprises determining in respect of each replaced card whether to provide a bonus symbol at its corresponding display position.
In one embodiment the bonus threshold is three.
In one embodiment the step of activating the bonus feature comprises awarding at least one free game round.
In one embodiment the step of determining the game round outcome is also based on the bonus feature. In an embodiment the step of determining the game round outcome comprises increasing prize amounts if the bonus feature is activated.
In one embodiment a plurality of additional bonus symbols may be provided at each display position. In an embodiment each bonus symbol surrounds the selected symbol at the display position.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a gaming system comprising:
a display for symbols to be displayed in a set of display positions to a player;
a symbol selector for selecting a set of symbols for display in the display positions;
an additional bonus symbol provider for providing a one or more additional bonus symbols associated with one of more of the display positions in response to determining that one or more additional bonus symbols should be provided;
a bonus feature activator for activating a bonus feature if a number of bonus symbols is at least a bonus threshold; and
an outcome determiner for determining a game round outcome based at least on the selected symbols.
In one embodiment the symbol selector is adapted to display symbols of playing cards for an initial deal of poker. In an embodiment the player may replace one or more cards in subsequent deals and the additional bonus symbol provider is adapted to determine in respect of each replaced card whether to provide an additional bonus symbol at its corresponding display position.
In one embodiment the bonus threshold is three.
In one embodiment the step bonus feature activator is adapted to award at least one free game round.
In one embodiment the game round outcome determiner is adapted to determined the game round outcome also on the basis of the bonus feature. In an embodiment the game round outcome determiner is adapted to increase prize amounts if the bonus feature is activated.
In one embodiment the additional bonus symbol provider is adapted to provide a plurality of additional bonus symbols associated with a display position. In an embodiment the additional bonus symbol provider is adapted to provide each bonus symbol such that it surrounds the selected symbol at the display position.
In an embodiment, the gaming system comprises a game play mechanism operable by a player to make a wager and initiate a play of the game.
In an embodiment, the gaming system comprises a processor arranged to execute code stored in a memory to implement the symbol selector, additional symbol provider, bonus feature activator and outcome determiner.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a game controller comprising
a symbol selector for selecting a set of symbols for display on a display to a player in a set of display positions;
an additional bonus symbol provider for providing a one or more additional bonus symbols associated with one of more of the display positions in response to determining that one or more additional bonus symbols should be provided;
a bonus feature activator for activating a bonus feature if a number of additional bonus symbols provided is at least a bonus threshold; and
an outcome determiner for determining a game round outcome based at least on the selected symbols.
In one embodiment the symbol selector is adapted to select symbols of playing cards for an initial deal of poker. In an embodiment the player may replace one or more cards in subsequent deals and the additional bonus symbol provider is adapted to determine in respect of each replaced card whether to provide an additional bonus symbol at its corresponding display position.
In one embodiment the bonus threshold is three.
In one embodiment the step bonus feature activator is adapted to award at least one free game round.
In one embodiment the game round outcome determiner is adapted to determined the game round outcome also on the basis of the bonus feature.
In an embodiment the game round outcome determiner is adapted to increase prize amounts if the bonus feature is activated.
In one embodiment the additional bonus symbol provider is adapted to provide a plurality of additional bonus symbols associated with a display position. In an embodiment the additional bonus symbol provider is adapted to provide each bonus symbol such that it surrounds the selected symbol at the display position.
In one embodiment at least one of the symbol selector, the additional bonus symbol provider, the bonus feature activator and the outcome determiner is implemented at least in part, by a processor executing code stored in a memory.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a gaming system comprising:
means for displaying symbols in a set of display positions to a player;
means for selecting a set of symbols for display in the display positions;
means for providing a one or more additional bonus symbols associated with one of more of the display positions in response to determining that one or more additional bonus symbols should be provided;
means for activating a bonus feature if a number of additional bonus symbols provided is at least a bonus threshold; and
means for determining a game round outcome based at least on the selected symbols.
According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided an electronic gaming machine comprising:
a display for displaying a game including displaying symbols in a set of display positions to a player;
at least one input device operable to initiate a play of the game;
a game controller comprising a processor and a memory storing computer readable instructions, the processor executing the program code to implement the game in which the game controller selects a set of symbols for display in the display positions, the game controller determines whether one or more additional bonus symbols should be provided, the game controller provides one or more additional bonus symbols associated with one of more of the display positions in response to determining that one or more additional bonus symbols should be provided, the game controller activates a bonus feature if a number of additional bonus symbols provided is at least a bonus threshold, and the game controller determines a game round outcome based at least on the selected symbols.
According to a sixth aspect of the invention there is provided computer program code when executed by a computer causes the computer to implement any of the embodiments of the method of gaming of the first aspect of the invention.
According to a seventh aspect of the invention there is provided a computer readable medium comprising the program code of the sixth aspect of the invention.
According to an eighth aspect of the invention there is provided a data signal comprising the computer program code of the sixth aspect of the invention.
Referring to the drawings, there is shown a gaming system having a game controller arranged to implement a game, such as a card game, in which additional bonus symbols may be awarded which may result in activation of a bonus feature independently of the outcome of the rest of the game. In one embodiment the bonus feature is an additional prize.
The gaming system may take a number of different forms. In a first form of the single player component of the invention, 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, a game play mechanism 56 comprising one or more input devices that enable a player to input game play instructions (e.g. to place bets), and one or more speakers 58.
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. For example, the displays 204 may 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 perform accounting functions for the Jackpot game. A loyalty program server 212 may also be provided.
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 system 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.
Embodiments of the current invention relate to systems that implement a game of video poker, where card symbols are presented face down or face up in a plurality, typically five, of display positions on the display.
The game controller of one embodiment is shown in more detail in
Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of these components could be provided in other ways, for example by a dedicated circuit.
In an example of a game to which the invention is applied, with reference to
In addition, it is determined whether one or more additional bonus symbols are to be provided by additional bonus symbol provider 620 using random number generator 650 and the display positions at which they are to be provided. In one embodiment, all bonus symbols are the same. In another embodiment, there are a variety of different bonus symbols specified by bonus symbol set 643. In one embodiment, the bonus symbol provider 620 determines whether a bonus symbol should be provided independently for each display position; and the odds of a bonus symbol being selected for any position are adjusted to give a desired probability of certain numbers of bonus symbols being selected. In another embodiment, the trial conducted by random number generator is to determine the number of bonus symbols to be displayed across the display positions. In some embodiments more than one bonus symbol may be associated with a display position.
These steps are exemplified in detail in example 1 below. In step 1202 bonus feature activator 625 determines whether the number of additional bonus symbols provided is greater than the bonus threshold, and if so, records in step 1203 that the bonus feature is activated in this case the award of a bonus game on the next round. Another example is the award of a bonus multiplier. In this example, step 1202 is shown as occurring after the game symbol selection in step 1201, but in many examples of multi-step game rounds such as draw poker, the distribution of bonus symbols will occur in parallel with the steps of the game round. In one exemplary embodiment, the bonus feature may be activated after the initial deal of draw poker, or if it has not been activated, the player's decision to draw a card which can result in the award of the bonus feature. That is, in one embodiment, for each card that is redrawn a determination may be made by additional bonus symbol provider 620, using random number generator 650, whether a further bonus symbol should be selected at the display position corresponding to the card which is replaced. In step 1204, the game round outcome is determined, on the basis of the selected symbols and optionally activation of the bonus feature. In step 1205 and 1206, the player is given a free game for the next game round if the bonus feature was awarded.
A detailed example of an embodiment of the invention will now be described.
Referring now to
An advantage of this embodiment, it combines the popularity of a video poker card game with an additional game.
An advantage of certain embodiments resides in the concept of the bonus threshold, which means that bonus symbols can appear more frequently and increase player excitement and anticipation since the bonus feature is not activated unless the threshold number of symbols appear during the round.
An advantage of certain embodiments, is that the player can purse the best poker hand without having a negative effect on activation of the bonus feature.
The application of the invention to poker is not restricted to any particular temporal coincidence of the steps of the poker had and the possible appearance of bonus symbols. While in some embodiments the appearance of the symbols is timed to occur gradually to increase player anticipation, in other embodiments the bonus symbols can appear together at the conclusion of the game round.
The invention is also not restricted to any particular form of the bonus symbol, which is intended to encompass other symbolic indicators such as colour change, dynamic flashing effects, or border effects associated with a specific display position. Any visual indicator that informs the player that a display position has been provided with an analogous benefit is thus an additional bonus symbol within the scope of the invention. One particularly, advantageous bonus symbol is to provide a border around the basic symbol, for example a border of fire, indicating a “hot” position.
As is known in the art, the alteration of odds by virtue of the benefits of the bonus feature activation can be compensated by removing a fraction of a prize on the determination of each game round outcome, or by credit provided by “ante bet” to made by the player before play commences.
In some embodiments, an eligibility criteria may be applied, for example that the player has made a certain sized wager, made an ante bet, selected all win lines, played sufficient games, or the player is a member of a loyalty program.
The bonus symbols may only be available at certain stages of a game, for example in response to a trigger event such as a symbol combination in the game, occurrence of a specific symbol in the game, purchased, be caused by another connected system, based on turnover etc.
Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the method of the embodiment could be embodied in program code. The program code could be supplied in a number of ways, for example on a computer readable medium, such as a disc or a memory (for example, that could replace part of memory 103) or as a data signal (for example, by downloading it from a server).
Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that many variations may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, that additional embodiments may be formed by combining features from the above embodiments and examples.
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 is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/049,675 having a filing date of May 1, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61049675 | May 2008 | US |
