This disclosure is directed to methods, apparatuses, and systems for multilayer gaming, and, in particular, to methods, apparatuses, and systems for multiple layers interacting with each other.
To maintain or increase player interest in electronic casino games, game manufacturers frequently introduce new games. Typically, new games employ new themes (e.g., a jungle themed video slot machine) and/or new player pay out options (e.g., threaded paylines on a video slot machine). New player pay out options are desirable because they give the player more control and flexibility over his gaming environment. In addition, an increased number of payout options increases the variety of odds available to a player. For example, increasing the number of symbols which much match on a video slot machine from three to five allows game designers to create decreased odds and increased payouts. However, current electronic casino games suffer from a lack of new game types, new display modes, and new win evaluation methods.
Although the following text sets forth a detailed description of different embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that the legal scope of the invention is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment of the invention since describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims defining the invention.
It should also be understood that, unless a term is expressly defined in this patent using the sentence “As used herein, the term ‘______’ is hereby defined to mean . . . ” or a similar sentence, there is no intent to limit the meaning of that term, either expressly or by implication, beyond its plain or ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted to be limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this patent (other than the language of the claims). To the extent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term be limited, by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning. Finally, unless a claim element is defined by reciting the word “means” and a function without the recital of any structure, it is not intended that the scope of any claim element be interpreted based on the application of 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph.
The first network 12 of gaming units 20 may be provided in a first casino, and the second network 26 of gaming units 30 may be provided in a second casino located in a separate geographic location than the first casino. For example, the two casinos may be located in different areas of the same city, or they may be located in different states. The network 40 may include a plurality of network computers or server computers (not shown), each of which may be operatively interconnected. Where the network 40 comprises the Internet, data communication may take place over the communication links 42, 44 via an Internet communication protocol.
The network computer 22 may be a server computer and may be used to accumulate and analyze data relating to the operation of the gaming units 20. For example, the network computer 22 may continuously receive data from each of the gaming units 20 indicative of the dollar amount and number of wagers being made on each of the gaming units 20, data indicative of how much each of the gaming units 20 is paying out in winnings, data regarding the identity and gaming habits of players playing each of the gaming units 20, etc. The network computer 32 may be a server computer and may be used to perform the same or different functions in relation to the gaming units 30 as the network computer 22 described above.
Although each network 12, 26 is shown to include one network computer 22, 32 and four gaming units 20, 30, it should be understood that different numbers of computers and gaming units may be utilized. For example, the network 12 may include a plurality of network computers 22 and tens or hundreds of gaming units 20, all of which may be interconnected via the data link 24. The data link 24 may provided as a dedicated hardwired link or a wireless link. Although the data link 24 is shown as a single data link 24, the data link 24 may comprise multiple data links.
Referring to
If provided on the gaming unit 20, the ticket reader/printer 56 may be used to read and/or print or otherwise encode ticket vouchers 60. The ticket vouchers 60 may be composed of paper or another printable or encodable material and may have one or more of the following informational items printed or encoded thereon: the casino name, the type of ticket voucher, a validation number, a bar code with control and/or security data, the date and time of issuance of the ticket voucher, redemption instructions and restrictions, a description of an award, and any other information that may be necessary or desirable. Different types of ticket vouchers 60 could be used, such as bonus ticket vouchers, cash-redemption ticket vouchers, casino chip ticket vouchers, extra game play ticket vouchers, merchandise ticket vouchers, restaurant ticket vouchers, show ticket vouchers, etc. The ticket vouchers 60 could be printed with an optically readable material such as ink, or data on the ticket vouchers 60 could be magnetically encoded. The ticket reader/printer 56 may be provided with the ability to both read and print ticket vouchers 60, or it may be provided with the ability to only read or only print or encode ticket vouchers 60. In the latter case, for example, some of the gaming units 20 may have ticket printers 56 that may be used to print ticket vouchers 60, which could then be used by a player in other gaming units 20 that have ticket readers 56.
If provided, the card reader 58 may include any type of card reading device, such as a magnetic card reader or an optical card reader, and may be used to read data from a card offered by a player, such as a credit card or a player tracking card. If provided for player tracking purposes, the card reader 58 may be used to read data from, and/or write data to, player tracking cards that are capable of storing data representing the identity of a player, the identity of a casino, the player's gaming habits, etc.
The gaming unit 20 may include one or more audio speakers 62, a coin payout tray 64, an input control panel 66, and a color video display unit 70 for displaying images relating to the game or games provided by the gaming unit 20. The audio speakers 62 may generate audio representing sounds such as the noise of spinning slot machine reels, a dealer's voice, music, announcements or any other audio related to a casino game. The input control panel 66 may be provided with a plurality of pushbuttons or touch-sensitive areas that may be pressed by a player to select games, make wagers, make gaming decisions, etc.
If the gaming unit 20 provides a slots game having a plurality of reels and a plurality of paylines which define winning combinations of reel symbols, the control panel 66 may be provided with a plurality of selection buttons 76, each of which allows the player to select a different number of paylines prior to spinning the reels. For example, five buttons 76 may be provided, each of which may allow a player to select one, three, five, seven or nine paylines.
If the gaming unit 20 provides a slots game having a plurality of reels, the control panel 66 may be provided with a plurality of selection buttons 78 each of which allows a player to specify a wager amount for each payline selected. For example, if the smallest wager accepted by the gaming unit 20 is a quarter ($0.25), the gaming unit 20 may be provided with five selection buttons 78, each of which may allow a player to select one, two, three, four or five quarters to wager for each payline selected. In that case, if a player were to activate the “5” button 76 (meaning that five paylines were to be played on the next spin of the reels) and then activate the “3” button 78 (meaning that three coins per payline were to be wagered), the total wager would be $3.75 (assuming the minimum bet was $0.25).
The control panel 66 may include a “Max Bet” button 80 to allow a player to make the maximum wager allowable for a game. In the above example, where up to nine paylines were provided and up to five quarters could be wagered for each payline selected, the maximum wager would be 45 quarters, or $11.25. The control panel 66 may include a spin button 82 to allow the player to initiate spinning of the reels of a slots game after a wager has been made.
In
Although one possible control panel 66 is described above, it should be understood that different buttons could be utilized in the control panel 66, and that the particular buttons used may depend on the game or games that could be played on the gaming unit 20. Although the control panel 66 is shown to be separate from the display unit 70, it should be understood that the control panel 66 could be generated by the display unit 70. In that case, each of the buttons of the control panel 66 could be a colored area generated by the display unit 70, and some type of mechanism may be associated with the display unit 70 to detect when each of the buttons was touched, such as a touch-sensitive screen.
As shown in
One manner in which one or more of the gaming units 20 (and one or more of the gaming units 30) may operate is described below in connection with a number of flowcharts which represent a number of portions or routines of one or more computer programs, which may be stored in one or more of the memories of the controller 100. The computer program(s) or portions thereof may be stored remotely, outside of the gaming unit 20, and may control the operation of the gaming unit 20 from a remote location. Such remote control may be facilitated with the use of a wireless connection, or by an Internet interface that connects the gaming unit 20 with a remote computer (such as one of the network computers 22, 32) having a memory in which the computer program portions are stored. The computer program portions may be written in any high level language such as C, C+, C++ or the like or any low-level, assembly or machine language. By storing the computer program portions therein, various portions of the memories 102, 106 are physically and/or structurally configured in accordance with computer program instructions.
During performance of the attraction sequence, if a potential player makes any input to the gaming unit 20 as determined at block 204, the attraction sequence may be terminated and a game-selection display may be generated on the display unit 70 at block 206 to allow the player to select a game available on the gaming unit 20. The gaming unit 20 may detect an input at block 204 in various ways. For example, the gaming unit 20 could detect if the player presses any button on the gaming unit 20; the gaming unit 20 could determine if the player deposited one or more coins into the gaming unit 20; the gaming unit 20 could determine if player deposited paper currency into the gaming unit; etc.
The game-selection display generated at block 206 may include, for example, a list of video games that may be played on the gaming unit 20 and/or a visual message to prompt the player to deposit value into the gaming unit 20. While the game-selection display is generated, the gaming unit 20 may wait for the player to make a game selection. Upon selection of one of the games by the player as determined at block 208, the controller 100 may cause one of a number of game routines to be performed to allow the selected game to be played. For example, the game routines could include a video poker routine 210, a video blackjack routine 220, a slots routine 230, a video keno routine 240, and a video bingo routine 250. At block 208, if no game selection is made within a given period of time, the operation may branch back to block 202.
After one of the routines 210, 220, 230, 240, 250 has been performed to allow the player to play one of the games, block 260 may be utilized to determine whether the player wishes to terminate play on the gaming unit 20 or to select another game. If the player wishes to stop playing the gaming unit 20, which wish may be expressed, for example, by selecting a “Cash Out” button, the controller 100 may dispense value to the player at block 262 based on the outcome of the game(s) played by the player. The operation may then return to block 202. If the player did not wish to quit as determined at block 260, the routine may return to block 208 where the game-selection display may again be generated to allow the player to select another game.
It should be noted that although five gaming routines are shown in
During performance of the attraction sequence, if a potential player makes any input to the gaming unit 20 as determined at block 304, the attraction sequence may be terminated and a game display may be generated on the display unit 70 at block 306. The game display generated at block 306 may include, for example, an image of the casino game that may be played on the gaming unit 20 and/or a visual message to prompt the player to deposit value into the gaming unit 20. At block 308, the gaming unit 20 may determine if the player requested information concerning the game, in which case the requested information may be displayed at block 310. Block 312 may be used to determine if the player requested initiation of a game, in which case a game routine 320 may be performed. The game routine 320 could be any one of the game routines disclosed herein, such as one of the five game routines 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, or another game routine.
After the routine 320 has been performed to allow the player to play the game, block 322 may be utilized to determine whether the player wishes to terminate play on the gaming unit 20. If the player wishes to stop playing the gaming unit 20, which wish may be expressed, for example, by selecting a “Cash Out” button, the controller 100 may dispense value to the player at block 324 based on the outcome of the game(s) played by the player. The operation may then return to block 302. If the player did not wish to quit as determined at block 322, the operation may return to block 308.
At block 382, the routine may determine if the player desires a new hand to be dealt, which may be determined by detecting if the “Deal/Draw” button 364 was activated after a wager was made. In that case, at block 384 a video poker hand may be “dealt” by causing the display unit 70 to generate the playing card images 352. After the hand is dealt, at block 386 the routine may determine if any of the “Hold” buttons 354 have been activated by the player, in which case data regarding which of the playing card images 352 are to be “held” may be stored in the controller 100 at block 388. If the “Deal/Draw” button 364 is activated again as determined at block 390, each of the playing card images 352 that was not “held” may be caused to disappear from the video display 350 and to be replaced by a new, randomly selected, playing card image 352 at block 392.
At block 394, the routine may determine whether the poker hand represented by the playing card images 352 currently displayed is a winner. That determination may be made by comparing data representing the currently displayed poker hand with data representing all possible winning hands, which may be stored in the memory of the controller 100. If there is a winning hand, a payout value corresponding to the winning hand may be determined at block 396. At block 398, the player's cumulative value or number of credits may be updated by subtracting the bet made by the player and adding, if the hand was a winner, the payout value determined at block 396. The cumulative value or number of credits may also be displayed in the display area 366 (
Although the video poker routine 210 is described above in connection with a single poker hand of five cards, the routine 210 may be modified to allow other versions of poker to be played. For example, seven card poker may be played, or stud poker may be played. Alternatively, multiple poker hands may be simultaneously played. In that case, the game may begin by dealing a single poker hand, and the player may be allowed to hold certain cards. After deciding which cards to hold, the held cards may be duplicated in a plurality of different poker hands, with the remaining cards for each of those poker hands being randomly determined.
To allow the player to control the play of the video blackjack game, a plurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. The buttons may include a “Cash Out” button 406, a “See Pays” button 408, a “Stay” button 410, a “Hit” button 412, a “Bet One Credit” button 414, and a “Bet Max Credits” button 416. The display 400 may also include an area 418 in which the number of remaining credits or value is displayed. If the display unit 70 is provided with a touch-sensitive screen, the buttons 406, 408, 410, 412, 414, 416 may form part of the video display 400. Alternatively, one or more of those buttons may be provided as part of a control panel that is provided separately from the display unit 70.
At block 426, the player may be allowed to be “hit,” in which case at block 428 another card will be dealt to the player's hand by making another playing card image 404 appear in the display 400. If the player is hit, block 430 may determine if the player has “bust,” or exceeded 21. If the player has not bust, blocks 426 and 428 may be performed again to allow the player to be hit again.
If the player decides not to hit, at block 432 the routine may determine whether the dealer should be hit. Whether the dealer hits may be determined in accordance with predetermined rules, such as the dealer always hit if the dealer's hand totals 15 or less. If the dealer hits, at block 434 the dealer's hand may be dealt another card by making another playing card image 402 appear in the display 400. At block 436 the routine may determine whether the dealer has bust. If the dealer has not bust, blocks 432, 434 may be performed again to allow the dealer to be hit again.
If the dealer does not hit, at block 436 the outcome of the blackjack game and a corresponding payout may be determined based on, for example, whether the player or the dealer has the higher hand that does not exceed 21. If the player has a winning hand, a payout value corresponding to the winning hand may be determined at block 440. At block 442, the player's cumulative value or number of credits may be updated by subtracting the bet made by the player and adding, if the player won, the payout value determined at block 396. The cumulative value or number of credits may also be displayed in the display area 418 (
To allow the player to control the play of the slots game, a plurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. The buttons may include a “Cash Out” button 456, a “See Pays” button 458, a plurality of payline-selection buttons 460 each of which allows the player to select a different number of paylines prior to “spinning” the reels, a plurality of bet-selection buttons 462 each of which allows a player to specify a wager amount for each payline selected, a “Spin” button 464, a “Max Bet” button 466 to allow a player to make the maximum wager allowable, and a “3D Options” button 467
If the “Spin” button 464 has been activated by the player as determined at block 486, at block 488 the routine may cause the slot machine reel images 452 to begin “spinning” so as to simulate the appearance of a plurality of spinning mechanical slot machine reels. At block 490, the routine may determine the positions at which the slot machine reel images will stop, or the particular symbol images 454 that will be displayed when the reel images 452 stop spinning. At block 492, the routine may stop the reel images 452 from spinning by displaying stationary reel images 452 and images of three symbols 454 for each stopped reel image 452. The virtual reels may be stopped from left to right, from the perspective of the player, or in any other manner or sequence.
The routine may provide for the possibility of a bonus game or round if certain conditions are met, such as the display in the stopped reel images 452 of a particular symbol 454. If there is such a bonus condition as determined at block 494, the routine may proceed to block 496 where a bonus round may be played. The bonus round may be a different game than slots, and many other types of bonus games could be provided. If the player wins the bonus round, or receives additional credits or points in the bonus round, a bonus value may be determined at block 498. A payout value corresponding to outcome of the slots game and/or the bonus round may be determined at block 500. The payout value may depend on three-dimensional game options as described in detail below. At block 502, the player's cumulative value or number of credits may be updated by subtracting the bet made by the player and adding, if the slot game and/or bonus round was a winner, the payout value determined at block 500.
To allow the player to control the play of the keno game, a plurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. The buttons may include a “Cash Out” button 526, a “See Pays” button 528, a “Bet One Credit” button 530, a “Bet Max Credits” button 532, a “Select Ticket” button 534, a “Select Number” button 536, and a “Play” button 538. The display 520 may also include an area 540 in which the number of remaining credits or value is displayed. If the display unit 70 is provided with a touch-sensitive screen, the buttons may form part of the video display 520. Alternatively, one or more of those buttons may be provided as part of a control panel that is provided separately from the display unit 70.
Referring to
If play of the keno game is to begin as determined at block 568, at block 570 a game number within a range set by the casino may be randomly selected either by the controller 100 or a central computer operatively connected to the controller, such as one of the network computers 22, 32. At block 572, the randomly selected game number may be displayed on the display unit 70 and the display units 70 of other gaming units 20 (if any) which are involved in the same keno game. At block 574, the controller 100 (or the central computer noted above) may increment a count which keeps track of how many game numbers have been selected at block 570.
At block 576, the controller 100 (or one of the network computers 22, 32) may determine whether a maximum number of game numbers within the range have been randomly selected. If not, another game number may be randomly selected at block 570. If the maximum number of game numbers has been selected, at block 578 the controller 100 (or a central computer) may determine whether there are a sufficient number of matches between the game numbers selected by the player and the game numbers selected at block 570 to cause the player to win. The number of matches may depend on how many numbers the player selected and the particular keno rules being used.
If there are a sufficient number of matches, a payout may be determined at block 580 to compensate the player for winning the game. The payout may depend on the number of matches between the game numbers selected by the player and the game numbers randomly selected at block 570. At block 582, the player's cumulative value or number of credits may be updated by subtracting the bet made by the player and adding, if the keno game was won, the payout value determined at block 580. The cumulative value or number of credits may also be displayed in the display area 540 (
To allow the player to control the play of the bingo game, a plurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. The buttons may include a “Cash Out” button 604, a “See Pays” button 606, a “Bet One Credit” button 608, a “Bet Max Credits” button 610, a “Select Card” button 612, and a “Play” button 614. The display 600 may also include an area 616 in which the number of remaining credits or value is displayed. If the display unit 70 is provided with a touch-sensitive screen, the buttons may form part of the video display 600. Alternatively, one or more of those buttons may be provided as part of a control panel that is provided separately from the display unit 70.
Referring to
After the player has made a wager, at block 628 the player may select a bingo card, which may be generated randomly. The player may select more than one bingo card, and there may be a maximum number of bingo cards that a player may select. After play is to commence as determined at block 632, at block 634 a bingo number may be randomly generated by the controller 100 or a central computer such as one of the network computers 22, 32. At block 636, the bingo number may be displayed on the display unit 70 and the display units 70 of any other gaming units 20 involved in the bingo game.
At block 638, the controller 100 (or a central computer) may determine whether any player has won the bingo game. If no player has won, another bingo number may be randomly selected at block 634. If any player has bingo as determined at block 638, the routine may determine at block 640 whether the player playing that gaming unit 20 was the winner. If so, at block 642 a payout for the player may be determined. The payout may depend on the number of random numbers that were drawn before there was a winner, the total number of winners (if there was more than one player), and the amount of money that was wagered on the game. At block 644, the player's cumulative value or number of credits may be updated by subtracting the bet made by the player and adding, if the bingo game was won, the payout value determined at block 642. The cumulative value or number of credits may also be displayed in the display area 616 (
According to the present disclosure, a method and apparatus are provided for gaming using a plurality of gaming layers. As explained in greater detail below, the layers may be represented visually in such a manner that symbols, etc. associated with a first layer may appear to be in a different plane than symbols, etc. associated with a second layer, although the layers may also be represented such that elements of each layer are presented so that the symbols, etc. associated with each layer may be differentiated from the symbols, etc. of other layers, but all layers appear visually to be in a common plane. The gaming layers may be included, for example, in response to a player request or input (player-initiated), although the gaming layers may be included in response to a game event or a condition of a gaming apparatus (game-initiated), or in response to an entity other than the player or the gaming apparatus (externally-initiated). As explained in greater detail below, the layers may interact with each other, and may do so in a deterministic or a dynamic fashion.
According to the embodiment illustrated in
In an embodiment wherein each of the 3×5 matrices 702, 802, 902 represent a plurality of slot reels, each of the matrices 702, 802, 902 may have one or more paylines associated therewith. For example, one such payline may include the symbol positions 704-706-708-710-712. Another payline may be made of the symbol positions immediately below these positions (e.g., 714-716-718-720-722), again running from one edge of the matrix 702 to the other. However, other combinations of symbol positions may be defined between the leftmost edge and the rightmost edge of the matrix 702 that do not define a horizontal combination of symbol positions, symbol positions 704-716-728-720-712, for example.
Moreover, in those implementations where the display is a video representation, and thus the symbols assigned to each position in each row (which represents a reel) may be independent of each other, it may also be possible to define paylines that run from an uppermost edge of the matrix to the lowermost edge of the matrix. Thus, a payline may include symbol positions 704, 714, 724, for example.
In addition to the paylines defined using the symbol positions of the matrices 702, 802, 902 individually, other paylines may be defined using the symbol positions from combinations of the matrices 702, 802, 902. For example, as illustrated in
In fact, as illustrated in
To the extent that paylines may suggest an option for selecting a static, or predetermined, combination of symbol positions for determination of a winning combination, it will be recognized that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not so limited. For example, rather than the symbol positions 824-826-818-808-708-710-712 representing a payline, which payline may be selected by a player or associated with the player according to a game event (e.g., display of a bonus round trigger in an active or non-active payline), the positions 824-826-818-808-708-710-712 may represent a combination of symbols (or symbols and wild, or special, symbols) in contiguous symbol positions that comes about during play of the game, and is then considered as a set for purposes of determining a payout to the player. For example, the set of symbols may be formed when the same symbol (or a combination of the same symbol and wild, or special, symbols) is displayed in contiguous symbol positions.
As still another embodiment, the positions 824-826-818-808-708-710-712 may represent a combination of positions considered as a set because, for example, a trigger symbol may appear in one of the symbol positions along the combination of positions 824-826-818-808-708-710-712. For example, a trigger symbol may appear at symbol position 712, which trigger symbol may be located on an active or a non-active payline. The trigger symbol may then move along a path through the symbol positions of one or more layers. For example, the trigger symbol, which may be referred to as a moving or roving symbol, may follow the path of symbol positions 712-710-708-808-818-826-824.
The set of symbol positions 712-710-708-808-818-826-824 thus defined may be used in a variety of manners. According to one embodiment, the symbols found in symbol positions 712-710-708-808-818-826-824 may be examined to determine if a combination of symbols may be located in those symbol positions such that a payout may be provided to the player. Alternatively, according to another embodiment, it may have already been determined that a payout is to be awarded to the player, and the path of symbol positions 712-710-708-808-818-826-824 is displayed as an indication to the player that a payout will be awarded. As a variation on either of these alternative embodiments, the roving symbol may interact with the symbols in the symbol positions 712-710-708-808-818-826-824 to cause certain of the symbols to change, or morph, into wild, or special, symbols, or other symbols, with the determination or indication being based on symbols already present and/or the changed or morphed symbols.
The present disclosure is not, however, limited to embodiments wherein the various layers in a multiple layer game have the same number of matrix positions. For example, a first alternative embodiment is illustrated in
According to certain embodiments, the matrices 1002, 1052 may have both been aligned with a single row of the matrix 952. However, it will be recognized that each of the matrices 1002, 1052 is not aligned with the same row of the matrix 952 as illustrated in
The present disclosure is also not limited to layers wherein each layer defines at least one row of symbol positions, such as shown in
Layer 1100, similar to layers 700, 800, 900, 950, may have a 3×5 matrix 1102 of symbol positions. However, the layers 1150, 1200 may have matrices 1152, 1202 that are different than the other matrices illustrated in
One such embodiment using a single-position layer in multiple dimensions is illustrated in
This embodiment may also illustrate two other aspects of the present disclosure.
The first aspect of the disclosure may be referred to as a four-dimension multiple layer game. That is, that the various layers 1300, 1350 may be displayed as to appear three-dimensional visually. Moreover, the various layers 1300, 1350 may be displayed to appear to vary with time (i.e., the fourth-dimension). In this regard, only the layer 1300 may be displayed at a first time, as in
The second aspect of the disclosure may be a variation wherein the layers 1300, 1350 interact or are considered as a group other than in regard to defining a new payline, set of symbols positions, path of symbol positions, or set of symbols. Instead, as illustrated in the variations between
As merely one example of such an embodiment, a sponsor, such as a soft-drink manufacturer, may sponsor a “surprise” bonus round to be implemented on a gaming machine at a particular time of day. The layer 1350 may appear behind the layer 1300 in which the player may already be playing a game, for example a five-reel slots game, at the particular time of day designated, as illustrated by the change in the illustration between that of
Having thus described a number of multiple layer games and their displays wherein all of the active layers are arranged one behind the next to provide a three-dimensional appearance visually, it will be recognized that all of the layers need not be displayed as illustrated in
It will also be recognized that any of the game displays illustrated in
A method of playing a multiple layer game, such as those discussed above and below, may now be discussed with reference to the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 24. This method may be carried out by the gaming apparatus, discussed above, and in particular by a controller (which may include both processor and memory) programmed to carry out the method as one or more routines, programs, etc. Alternatively, the method may be carried out by a system including the gaming apparatus, discussed above, and one or more servers, in which case parts of the method may be carried out by a controller of the gaming apparatus while parts of the method may be carried out by one of the one or more servers, with the storage of the routines, programs, etc. also shared between the gaming apparatuses and the servers, or concentrated in one location or the other. As a still further alternative, the method may be carried out by a system including two or more gaming apparatuses, each of the gaming apparatuses (or, more particularly, the controller) programmed to carry out a portion of the gaming method.
According to the method of
As indicated above, the trigger may be received from the player. That is, the player may depress a button to signal or indicate to the gaming apparatus (or system) the player's desire to play a multiple layer game. Alternatively, the signal or indication that the player desires to play a multiple layer game may be based on the size of the wager made by the player. That is, if a player wagers an amount below a threshold amount, a single layer game may be initiated. However, if the player wagers the threshold amount or greater, a multiple layer game may be initiated. As a further alternative, the multiple layer game may be provided only to players who also are members of a players' club, and indicate their presence at a gaming apparatus (and, thus, their desire to play a multiple layer game) by presenting their players' club card to a card reader associated with the gaming apparatus. As a further alternative, the player-selected preferences for extra layers may be written or stored in the form of instructions on a programmable device (“smart” card, personal data assistant, mobile phone, etc.) or a code on a disposable instrument, such as a ticket, for example, useful with a system such as the IGT EZ-Pay ticket in-ticket out system. It will be recognized that still other methods for a player-initiated trigger are possible.
In the alternative to or combination with the player-initiated trigger are triggers based on game events. For example, the trigger to play a multiple layer game may result from the presence of a trigger symbol on an active or non-active payline. It will be recognized that it may or may not be possible to form a winning combination utilizing the trigger symbol. As an alternative, the trigger may result from the presence of a combination of symbols, which combination acts as a trigger. As a further alternative, a number of consecutive wins above a threshold amount may result in a trigger. Still further, the trigger may be based on a particular outcome in a bonus game, the bonus game may be triggered in turn by a particular symbol or set of symbols being displayed on an active or a non-active payline in a primary, or base, game.
External triggers may also be used, in the combination with or the alternative to the player-initiated or game-initiated triggers discussed above. For example, an external trigger may be based on the time of day, of the day of the week, month or year. Alternatively, an external trigger may refer to a trigger established by an entity, such as a casino operator or sponsor. Such a trigger may still rely upon a player activity (e.g., indicating the player's presence via a player tracking system) or a game event (triggering of a bonus game), but the trigger will not be a traditional part of the operation of the gaming apparatus. The external trigger may be administered by a server located at a casino or under the control of a casino operator, or may be administered by a third-party separate from the casino operator, who operates the gaming apparatus, or a sponsor, who may provide the financial backing for the payouts to be provided during the multiple layer game.
As mentioned above, the various triggers may act in the alternative or in combination. That is, according to one embodiment, a player-initiated trigger may define a layer having two columns (or reels) of symbol positions that may be substituted for those in another layer. The player-trigger may further define a layer having a row (or multiple-reel slots game) that may be combined with a row of another layer for additional paylines. In response to a bonus game trigger symbol appearing in one of the layers, all of the symbols in the single row layer may be converted to wild, or special, symbols, which wild symbols are then used for the determinations of the paylines using the symbol positions from the single row layer and other layers, and are then also used in the determinations of the paylines in the other layers with the symbols aligned with the multiple layer paylines replaced by the wild symbols. Alternatively, the presence of the extra layer(s) may be triggered by an external source, such as a sponsor, but the nature of the layer(s) may be left for the player to determine from, for example, a list of possible options.
If a trigger is received, as determined at the block 1402, then the method may proceed to a block 1406. At the block 1406, a determination may be made as to whether preconditions have been met for the multiple layer game to proceed. The block 1406 may be optional, in that not all multiple layer games may require preconditions to be met before the game is played; it may be sufficient in such games that it is determined at the block 1402 that the trigger has been received. However, it is also the case that, for example, when the player initiates or triggers the multiple layer game, as determined at the block 1402, that additional conditions must be met before the game can continue. As one exemplary embodiment of a precondition that may needed to be met before the game may proceed, if the player selects a multiple layer game having three layers, the player may need to place at least a base wager in regard to each of the layers or in regard to the interaction of the layers. According to such an embodiment, the method may not proceed past the block 1406 until at least the base wagers are received.
As a further alternative, an additional wager or stake may need to be received from the player for each decision, or certain decisions, made by the player. As one example, a first wager may be required to include an extra layer, the extra layer including a single symbol position, the single symbol position and the symbol appearing therein being substitutable for one of the symbols in an aligned symbol position in another layer. Using the game illustrated in
Similarly, the wager required for substituting a reel of symbols from a layer, such as the layer 1150 to that of layer 1100 in
Assuming that any preconditions have been met, the method may continue to a block 1408, wherein the interactions between the layers may be determined. In the first pass, the interactions in a first extra layer may be defined. These interactions may be defined according to the selection of one or more paylines, for example, wherein the game of the first extra layer is a slots game. These interactions may also be defined between the first extra layer and another layer that defines the base game, and hence is referred to as the base layer. A determination is then made at a block 1410 if all layers have been defined. If so, the method proceeds to the block 1404. If not, the method returns to the block 1408.
The extra layers may also be defined as games different than the game played in the base layer, playable for reasons or payouts different than the base layer, or playable by players other than those played in the base layer. For example, an extra layer may be defined as a tournament layer, or paylines including symbol positions in the base layer and the extra layer may be defined as tournament paylines. It will be recognized that the payouts for winning combinations for these tournament layers or paylines will be different than the payouts for winning combinations in the base layer, in that the payouts for the tournament layers or paylines will be for tournament points, while payouts in the base layer may be for monetary credits or game credits, which game credits may be redeemable for monetary credits. Further, the extra layer may be defined as a group or communal game layer, or paylines including symbol position in the base layer and the extra layer may be defined as group or communal paylines, where in the group is defined as a number of players playing on different gaming apparatuses or a number of different gaming apparatuses (such as, for example, a bank of gaming apparatuses). As another alternative for the group or communal layer, the players of the communal layer may, upon receiving a symbol in the base layer, be able to transfer the symbol to the group or communal layer for use by others in the group, either by drawing the symbol from the communal layer into their base layer, after which the symbol no longer may be used by other members of the group, or drawing the symbol from the communal layer into their base layer, after which other members of the group may also be able to draw the symbol into their own base layers.
If the determination is made at the block 1402 that no multiple game trigger has been received, or if the determination is made that the layer definition is complete at the block 1410, then the method proceeds to the block 1404. At the block 1404, the base layer game may be performed. For example, wherein the base game is a slots game, the performance of the base layer game at block 1404 may include receipt of a wager, receipt of a selection of paylines, receipt of a game initiator, and determination of a payout, if any. After the completion of the performance of the base layer game at the block 1404, the method may continue to the block 1412.
At the block 1412, a determination may be made if a multiple layer game is to be played. This determination may be made based on the same triggers noted above (player-initiated, game initiated, or externally-initiated). Alternatively, this determination may be based on a flag, event, etc. that is set, initiated, etc. when the determination is made at block 1402 that a trigger has been received. For example, a flag may be set if a trigger is received to play a multiple layer game. If the determination is made at the block 1412 that a multiple layer game is not to be played, the method may proceed to the block 1414. If the determination is made at the block 1412 that a multiple layer game will be played, then the method may proceed to a block 1416.
At the block 1416, the determination may be made as to a game outcome for the first layer of the multiple layer game, and determinations may be made as to multilayer game outcomes for any additional layers or for combinations of layers. This determination may, as seen relative to the embodiments illustrated in
After the determination(s) is/are made at the block 1416, then the method may proceed to a block 1418. Similar to the determinations made at the block 1410, a determination may be made at as to whether determinations have been performed as to all extra layers. If the determination is made that other layer determinations need to be performed, the method may return to the block 1416, and may repeat the blocks 1416, 1418 as often as required to complete the necessary determinations.
If the determination is made at the block 1412 that the present game is not a multiple layer game, or if the determination is made at the block 1418 that the determinations for all included extra layers have been performed, then the method may proceed to the block 1414. At the block 1414, a determination may be made whether the player is finished playing the game, in regard to the base layer, or both the base and extra layers. If the player is not finished, then the method may return to block 1402. If the player is finished, then the method may proceed to a block 1420, and a payout may be provided according to the game outcomes and multilayer game outcomes for the first layer, the additional layers and/or combinations thereof. The payouts may be provided individually for each of the outcomes, and accumulated for presentation to the player as a single payout, or the payouts may be provided according to the accumulated outcomes.
If it is determined at the block 1452 that the preconditions are met, the method may proceed to a block 1454, where the layers may be defined. A determination may be made at a block 1456 whether all active layers have been defined. If not, the method may return to the block 1454 and may repeat blocks 1454, 1456 until all active layers have been defined.
In regard to the definition of the layers at block 1454, this activity may assume a variety of steps. For example, for instance, the definition may represent the setting of paylines, if the game is a slots game, within the individual layer. Where more than one layer is included and each layer includes symbol positions from a slots game, the definition of the layers may include the setting of paylines including symbol positions from two or more of the layers included. Further, the definition of the layers may take the form of setting rules for interaction between the layers, or the timing of the appearance of the layers. The definition of the layers may also include reference to rules established external to the player or the gaming apparatus, the exclusion of which may be done by referencing an external database or at the instruction of an external source.
An embodiment of present invention concerning the method and apparatus by which interactions may be defined between and in the various layers may be explained with reference to
A game structure may be associated with each of the layers 1510, 1520, 1530. In particular, the structure 1512 may be associated with the layer 1510, the structure 1522 may be associated with the layer 1520, and the structure 1532 may be associated with the layer 1530. One of these structures, the structure 1512, may be defined as a base structure, and the layer 1510 associated with the structure 1512 may be defined as the base layer. It will be recognized that any of the other layers 1520, 1530 and associated structures 1522, 1532 may have been designated as base layer and base structure instead.
Each structure 1512, 1522, 1532 defines all allowable actions to be taken or events to occur on or in the layer 1510, 1520, 1530. For example, the actions or events could include simple line interactions (paylines), the presence (or absence) of wild, or special, symbols, the inclusion (or exclusion) of progressive links (both external and internal), etc.
According to this embodiment, there is also provided one or more inputs 1540. These inputs may be received from one or more of the input/output devices described above for manipulation by the player. Alternatively, the inputs 1540 may be defined by signals, etc. received from external sources, such as a server or database, for example.
Also according to the embodiment, there is a collection of statistical rules 1550. This collection 1550 includes statistical rules relating all of the actions and events described in the structures 1512, 1522, 1532. These rules may be expressed in the form of tables, equations, definitions (in the form of pure set theory), routines, scripts, etc. The collection 1550 may be stored, for example, in a database.
The structures 1512, 1522, 1532 expressing the actions and events of each layer 1510, 1520, 1530, the inputs 1540 received from the player/gaming apparatus and/or external sources, and the rules 1550 are processed by a modifier ratification and verification process 1560. This process 1560 not only implements the required dynamics used as various inputs 1540 are received, the process 1560 also verifies dynamically that the defined/approved regulatory rules are followed (e.g., a set return percentage is met).
From the foregoing, the modular nature of the approach will be appreciated. Different layers may be added by including structures that express the actions and events of the layer, along with additions to the collection 1550 to express the rules for the actions and events. The process 1560 then ratifies and verifies the same, rather than placing that emphasis in the definitions of the layers themselves, such as may be expressed by static paytables.
In doing so, the result of the process 1560 is a new game structure 1570, which is the result of the structures 1512, 1522, 1532, the inputs 1540, and the rules 1550. This new game structure 1570 may be implemented directly according to the steps of the methods discussed in, for example,
Returning then to
If the determination is made at the block 1462 that the player is finished playing the game, then the method may proceeds to a block 1464, and a payout may be provided to the player. Alternatively, the method may return to the block 1452.
Having thus discussed a number of embodiments for the multiple layer game and the method of playing a multiple layer game, still further embodiments are discussed below with reference to
One embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated in
According to this embodiment, the player is permitted the options, such as how many “Z” layers 1602 to include in the game in addition to the “base layer” 1604. According to this embodiment, as above, a “base layer” 1604 may be a game surface depicted on a video display in a well known manner. For example, a typical video slot machine depicts a single game surface which includes five reels with three symbols showing on each reel. A “Z” layer 1602 may then be an additional game surface depicted on a video display in a way that makes at least a portion of the additional game surface appear on a different plane from the plane of the base layer 1604. For example, in a video slot machine, the player may select four layers of reels (i.e. one base layer 1604 and three “Z” layers 1602). In this manner, a pay line 1606 may be formed in the third dimension. Although a video slot machine is used in this description, a person of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that any casino game may include three-dimensional options as described herein.
Player selectable game options may also include which three-dimensional reel positions are “staked” (i.e., which reel positions the player would like to wager money on). For example, in a video slot machine, the player may place a transparent stake indicator over one or more reel positions.
The player selected game options may determine one or more game evaluation methods and display modes. For example, the player may choose whether “Z” layer reels are to be played separate from other layers, linearly combined with other layers, non-linearly combined with other layers, only used for free game opportunities, only used for bonus multipliers, only used for progressives, etc. After one or more random numbers are generated, the outcome of the game is displayed three-dimensionally to the player based on the selected game evaluation methods and display modes. Many different game evaluation methods (described in detail below) are possible with the addition of “Z” layers.
Generally, the routine 485 causes the gaming unit 20 to allow a player to select one or more game options. These game options include three-dimensional options such as how many “Z” layers to include in the game in addition to the “base layer” and which reel positions are “staked.” A “base layer” is a game surface depicted on a video display in a well known manner. For example, a typical video slot machine depicts a single game surface which includes five reels. A “Z” layer is an additional game surface depicted on a video display in a way that makes the additional game surface appear on a different plane from the plane of the base layer. The player's selections determine one or more game evaluation methods and display modes. For example, the player may choose to put money on a particular pay line which includes one or more “Z” layers (i.e., the player may “stake” a three-dimensional pay line). After one or more random numbers are generated, the outcome of the game is displayed to the player based on the selected game evaluation methods and display modes. Many different game evaluation methods (described in detail below) are possible with the addition of “Z” layers.
The routine 485 begins when the player selects one or more play options (block 1802). For example, the player may select a number of play layers. Play layers include the base layer and any “Z” layers. For example, by selecting one play layer, the player is indicating he wishes to play a typical (e.g., 3×5) reel layout (i.e., just the base layer). By selecting two play layers, the player is indicating that he would like to play with one “base” layer and one “Z” layer. Similarly, by selecting three play layers, the player is indicating that he would like to play with one “base” layer and two “Z” layers. In addition, the player may choose various three-dimensional payout options. For example, the player may choose whether “Z” layer reels are to be played separate from other layers, linearly combined with other layers, non-linearly combined with other layers, only used for free game opportunities, only used for bonus multipliers, only used for progressives, etc. These three-dimensional payout options are described in detail below.
After the player selects one or more play options, the video slot machine controller 100 checks any three-dimensional selections for allowability (block 1804). For example, at a one dollar slot machine with three play layers selected, the option to play each layer separately selected, and the option to linearly combine the three play layers selected, the player may be required to have at least four dollars in the machine. If the three-dimensional selections are allowable (block 1806), the controller 100 checks if the player has enough credits wagered to play the selected options (block 1808). In the example above, the player must wager four dollars. If the player has enough credits wagered (block 1810), the controller 100 waits for an input from the player to initiate play (block 1812). For example, the player may pull a traditional slot machine lever or push a button to initiate play.
Subsequently, the slot machine controller 100 determines the “Z” interaction types from the player selections. In this embodiment, the controller begins this sub-process by initializing a “Z” variable (e.g., Zflag=0000) (block 1814). Next, the controller 100 may determine if any “Z” layer options were selected by the player (block 1816). If at least one “Z” layer option was selected by the player, the controller 100 determines if the player selected an option which includes interaction between the base layer and one or more “Z” layers (block 1818). For example, the player may choose to play three completely independent layers with no interaction between the single base layer and the two “Z” layers. Alternatively, the player may select an option which includes pay lines that cross through different play layers (e.g., three of a kind with one matching symbol in each layer).
If the player selected an option which includes interaction between the base layer and one or more “Z” layers, the controller 100 may modify the “Z” variable accordingly (e.g., Zflag=0001) (block 1820). Similarly, if the player selected base layer interaction with more than one “Z” layer (block 1822), the controller may modify the “Z” variable to reflect this player selection (e.g., Zflag=0011) (block 1824). If the player also selected “Z” layer payouts (i.e., wins are possible from layer interaction) (block 1826), the controller may further modify the “Z” variable accordingly (e.g., Zflag=0111) (block 1828). Subsequently, the routine 485 exits.
The routine 500 begins when the video slot machine controller 100 selects one or more “Z” layer win evaluation methods based on the state of the “Z” variable. If no “Z” layer interaction types are selected by the player (e.g., Zflag=0000) (block 1930), no “Z” layer win evaluation methods are used by the controller 100. If the player selected base layer interaction with at least one “Z” layer (e.g., Zflag=0001) (block 1932), the controller 100 selects a single “Z” layer win evaluation method (block 1934), determines a single “Z” interaction style (block 1936), and flags a special mode single layer “Z” evaluation code (block 1936). In this manner, an appropriate evaluation routine may be selected for single “Z” layer interaction. The flagged win evaluation routine may determine what symbol combinations form predefined wins and award the associated prize(s).
If the player selected base game interaction with more than one “Z” layer (e.g., Zflag=0011) (block 1938), the controller 100 selects a multiple “Z” layer win evaluation method (block 1940), determines a multiple “Z” interaction style (block 1942), flags a special mode multiple layer “Z” evaluation code (block 1942), and overrides the single layer “Z” evaluation code (block 1942). In this manner, an appropriate evaluation routine may be selected for multiple “Z” layer interaction. The flagged win evaluation routine may determine what symbol combinations form predefined wins and award the associated prize(s). If the player also selected “Z” layer payouts (e.g., Zflag=0111) (block 1944), the controller adds a “Z” layer win evaluation code to the current evaluation method (block 1946).
Next, the controller 100 performs a win evaluation using either standard methods (i.e., one dimension) or extended methods (i.e., three dimensions) depending on the modes selected by the player (block 1950). The game must always have a payout which is statistically provable and within predetermined limits (e.g., 90% return to player). Therefore, if player selections change the structure of the game, certain variables within the game must also change to keep the payout substantially constant.
Specifically, depending on the “Z” interaction, the game style and the game mode, the win evaluation process may select certain pay tables, reel strip layouts, and/or game rules from a plurality of preprogrammed pay tables, reel strip layouts, and/or game rules. Pay tables contain the credit values that can be won for a particular symbol combination. An exemplary pay table 2000 is illustrated in
Many modifications to the pay table(s) 2000, reel strip layout(s) 2100, and game rule(s) which affect the overall percentages return structure of a game are well known. By adding a “Z” dimension, additional modifications to the pay table(s) 2000, reel strip layout(s) 2100, and game rule(s) which affect the overall percentages return structure of a game are provided. For example, each play layer may be evaluated separately using traditional methods, and then the individual results may be combined. In this embodiment, transparent overlays or “symbol within symbol” graphics may be used to present the layers to the player.
A flowchart illustrating one embodiment of this individual layer evaluation method 2200 is illustrated in
In another multi-layer win evaluation method, one or more “Z” layers may extend a base layer as illustrated in
In yet another multi-layer win evaluation method, one or more “Z” layers may interact with the base layer. For example, if a five of a kind win occurs on the base layer, one additional occurrence of the same symbol on the “Z” layer may be used to multiply the five of a kind payout by two. Two additional occurrences may multiply the five of a kind payout by three. Three additional occurrences may multiply the five of a kind payout by four. Four additional occurrences may multiply the five of a kind payout by five. Five additional occurrences may multiply the five of a kind payout by six. In the same embodiment, one additional occurrence of the same symbol on the “Z” layer may be used to turn a four of a kind win on the base layer into a five of a kind win. Two additional occurrences may be used to turn a four of a kind win on the base layer into a five of a kind win and multiply the five of a kind win by two. A person of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that this scheme may be easily extended to additional combinations of base layer wins and “Z” add-ons. For example, as shown in
A symbolic representation of additional “Z” layer win evaluation methods is illustrated in
In addition, a person of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that many other multi-layer win evaluation methods are possible within the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, a “Z” overlaid symbol matching a base layer symbol may provide a free game and/or some other prize. One or more “Z” overlaid symbols forming a pay line with one or more base layer symbols may provide a free game and/or some other prize. One or more “Z” overlaid symbols which are substitutes for one or more base layer symbols may provide a free game and/or some other prize. Substitute symbols “stand in” for other symbols according to predefined game rules. For example, a “wild card” symbol may be substituted for any “cherry” symbol. A “Z” overlaid symbol above a special (e.g., animated) base layer symbol may provide a free game and/or some other prize.
Still further, extended progressive win evaluation methods are possible within the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, a “Z” overlaid symbol matching a base layer symbol may indicate a progressive win. A “Z” overlaid symbol may indicate a chance at a progressive win, while the base layer provides the win/loss. The base layer may provide a progressive win, and the “Z” layer may indicate a win multiplier or a progressive game level.
When a plurality of “Z” levels are presented, additional win evaluation methods are possible within the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, a three of a kind win 1606 completely in the “Z” dimension is possible (see
Returning to
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/966,851, filed Sep. 28, 2001, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 09966851 | Sep 2001 | US |
Child | 11549258 | Oct 2006 | US |