Patent Application
20090298571
[Not Applicable]
[Not Applicable]
The present invention relates to a gaming system, a method of gaming, a game controller and computer program code.
It is known to provide a gaming system which comprises 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 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 video display.
It is also known to provide a “WILD” symbol. A “WILD” symbol is a symbol which can substitute for any other symbol. For example, if a player requires five (5) “KING” symbols to form a winning combination, then a combination of four (4) KING symbols and one (1) WILD symbol also forms a winning combination, because the WILD symbol operates to “substitute for” (i.e. is equivalent to) the KING symbol.
In other words, the player perceives the WILD symbol as being a symbol that provides the player with an “extra chance” to receive a favorable game outcome (a win). While the use of WILD symbols is one feature used to gain and maintain player interest, there is a need to find new and different ways to capture and maintain player interest.
In a first aspect, the invention provides a method of gaming comprising providing an additional game that operates independently of a main game, wherein the outcome of the additional game operates to vary a sub-set of symbols in the main game responsive to a variance criterion being met, to thereby affect a game outcome in the main game.
The game outcome in turn may affect the probability of a prize being awarded. That is, the game outcome is compared against prize data to determine whether a prize is due to a player.
In an embodiment, the variance criterion is that a symbol displayed in the additional game is also displayed in the main game.
In an embodiment, the variance criterion is that an amount wagered in the main game meets or exceeds a specified wager amount. The variance criterion may alternatively be that an ante bet has been wagered in the main game to thereby activate the additional game.
In one embodiment, the outcome of the additional game is at least one symbol that operates to transform like symbols displayed in the main game to another symbol, so as to affect an outcome of the main game. The like symbol(s) may, for example, be transformed into substitute or “WILD” symbols.
In an embodiment, the symbol(s) displayed in the additional game is/are randomly selected from a subset of symbols displayable in the main game.
In an embodiment, the total number of each type of symbol available for selection in the additional game may be a function of a bet amount selected in the main game. Alternatively, a combination of the type of symbol and the total number of symbols may be utilized.
The additional game may be played at the conclusion of the main game, prior to commencement of the main game, or during the main game.
In an embodiment, the symbol(s) in the additional game are displayed in a reel format.
In a second aspect, the invention provides a game controller for a gaming system, the game controller arranged to provide an additional game that operates independently of a main game, wherein the outcome of the additional game operates to vary a sub-set of symbols in the main game responsive to a variance criterion being met, to thereby affect a game outcome in the main game.
In an embodiment, the variance criterion is that a symbol displayed in the additional game is also displayed in the main game.
In an embodiment, the variance criterion is that an amount wagered in the main game meets or exceeds a specified wager amount. The variance criterion may alternatively be that an ante bet has been wagered in the main game, to thereby activate the additional game.
In an embodiment, symbols displayed in the main game which correspond to symbols displayed in the additional game are transformed into a substitute or “WILD” symbol.
In an embodiment, the symbol(s) displayed in the additional game is/are randomly selected from a subset of symbols displayable in the main game.
In an embodiment, the total number of each type of symbol available for selection in the additional game may be a function of an amount wagered in the main game. Alternatively, a combination of the type of symbol and the total number of symbols may be utilized.
The additional game may be played at the conclusion of the main game, prior to commencement of the main game, or during the main game.
In an embodiment, the symbol(s) selected for display in the additional game are displayed in a reel format.
In an embodiment, the controller includes a display module operable to cause a representation of the main game and additional game to be displayed on a gaming terminal.
In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming system comprising a game controller arranged to control play of a main game and an additional game that operates independently of the main game, such that an outcome of the additional game operates to vary a subset of symbols displayed in the main game responsive to a variance criterion being met, to thereby affect an outcome of the main game; and a display operable to display a representation of the main game and additional game.
In a fourth aspect, the invention provides computer program code which when executed by a processor implements a method in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.
In a fifth aspect the invention provides a computer readable medium comprising the program code in accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention.
In accordance with a sixth aspect the present invention comprises transmitting or receiving a data signal comprising the computer program code in accordance with the fourth aspect.
A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described in relation to the following drawings in which:
a,
8
b and 8c are diagrams depicting examples of a reel-type game in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
An embodiment of the present invention provides a gaming system implementing a main game and an additional game. The additional game operates independently of the main game but has the effect of varying a sub-set of symbols in the main game in response to a variance criteria being met, to thereby effect the outcome of the main game. The variance criteria may, for example, be that a symbol displayed in the additional game corresponds to a symbol displayed in the main game, such that the corresponding symbol in the main game is transformed into another symbol such as a substitute or “WILD” symbol.
The gaming system may be provided in 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 carry out the accounting in respect of 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 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.
In some implementations the game controllers of such gaming machines select symbols by employing a stop determining function that randomly determines the stop position for each reel. For example, if there are five reels, each having twenty symbols, the stop determining function might determine that the stop positions are positions: 3, 13, 7, 9 and 17. The spinning of the reels is then controlled so that each symbol comes to a stop in the same row, typically a predetermined row in a “window” visible to the player on the display that which corresponds to a player playing a single win line. When a reel stops, the symbols will be in one of a plurality of possible symbol positions for that reel relative to the stop position.
Spinning reel type games typically allow a player to select how many win lines of a plurality of win lines they will play in each game—i.e. a minimum of one win line up to the maximum number of win lines allowed by the game. Persons, skilled in the art, will appreciate that in other embodiments, the player may select a number of reels to play. Each win line is formed by a set of symbol positions consisting of one symbol position from each reel. That is, a predetermined symbol position of each reel is assigned to a win line. The symbol positions that constitute each of the win lines are usually advertised to the player by markings on the display or diagrams showing the symbol positions that correspond to each win line. Some of the win lines will be horizontal or diagonal lines but others may be more complex combinations of symbols. Typically, the win lines will be constituted by symbol positions in the visible window. A game outcome is determined based on the symbols on the win lines and a prize table that specifies awards.
The game controller 60 of the preferred embodiment (as previously described with reference to
In the presently described embodiment, the game controller 60 is operable to control play of both a main game in the form of a reel game, and an additional, or supplementary, game which operates independently of the main reel game. The additional game has the effect of varying the outcome of the main game responsive to a variance criterion being met, as will be described in more detail in subsequent paragraphs.
Operation of the main game will first be described with reference to
An award determiner 624 is employed to keep track of the total award and subsequently to modify the award as more games are played. The total is maintained as total data 644 in memory 64. Thus, after each game the award determiner 624 updates the total data 644 to reflect the current total. The sequence monitor 625 monitors for completion of the sequence and, at the conclusion of the sequence, instructs the award determiner 624 to modify the accumulated total.
With reference to
That is, an additional reel 806, hereinafter referred to as the “sixth reel” (due to the embodiment having a main reel game including five reels) is provided in addition to the main reel game of a gaming machine. In the embodiment, the sixth reel 806 is displayed alongside the reel window 800 of the main game. However, it will be understood that the sixth reel 806 may be displayed in any suitable location, such as, for example, on a video screen above the main reel game. Moreover, the sixth reel 806 may be displayed in any suitable configuration, such as a “vertical” reel, a “horizontal” reel, or as a “wheel” (i.e. a wheel akin to a roulette wheel).
In another embodiment, the sixth reel 806 may be remotely displayed (e.g. the sixth reel 806 may be implemented as a roulette-style wheel which is located adjacent to, but not incorporated into, the gaming machine). Such variations are within the purview of a person skilled in the art.
In the presently described embodiment, the sixth reel includes a set of symbols that are a sub-set of the symbols available for selection (i.e. by the symbol selector 622) in the main reel game. The set of symbols available for selection and display in the sixth reel game is stored in memory 64 as supplementary symbol data 645.
It will be understood that the sixth reel 806 may include any combination of a sub-set of symbols available for selection in the main reel game, or indeed the entire set of symbols displayable in the main reel game. Moreover, the sixth reel may also include other symbols (hereafter “supplementary symbols”) not available in the main reel game. For example, the supplementary symbols may include “blank” symbols (i.e. certain spaces on the reel contain no symbol), or alternatively, the sixth reel may provide supplementary symbols which award “instant” prizes, such as a feature game, a jackpot, etc. Such variations are within the purview of a person skilled in the art.
The operation of the sixth reel is described with reference to the flowchart of
In the embodiment described herein, the spinning of the sixth reel 806 takes place after the reels of the main game have come to a stop. That is, referring to flowchart 700 of
That is, if the substitute symbol revealed in the centre position 808 of the sixth reel (i.e. the symbol that operates to substitute for the WILD symbol) appears in the initial main game, then each symbol in the main game that accords with the substitute symbol is transformed to a WILD symbol (710). Once the transformation is finalized, the final game outcome is shown to the player, and the award determiner 624 recalculates any awards due to the player (712).
A specific example will now be described with reference to the screen shots shown in
At
At
As such, the gaming system operates to change all “Q” (Queen) symbols in the main game to WILD symbols, resulting in the varied reel window shown in
According to
In the embodiment described herein, the sixth reel is spun at the conclusion of every main reel game. However, it will be understood that the sixth reel may be arranged to only spin as required. For example, the sixth reel may only spin at random times, or in response to a particular game outcome in the main reel game.
Moreover, in an alternate embodiment, the sixth reel may spin before or during the initial game. That is, the player may be notified of the identity of the WILD symbol before or at the same time as the main game result is displayed.
Optionally, the type of symbols and/or the number of times a particular type of symbol appears on the sixth reel may be determined by the bet amount placed by the player during the main reel game. In accordance with such an embodiment, the probability of symbols displayed in the main game being substituted for a WILD symbol (thereby increasing the probability of being awarded a prize) may be a function of the bet placed by the player during the main reel game. That is, the higher the bet placed by the player, the higher the probability of the WILD substitute symbol being the “necessary” substitute symbol to vary the game outcome in a manner that results in a player receiving an award.
In one example implementation, the probability may be increased by increasing the number of symbols of a particular type on the reel, such that the probability of receiving the most advantageous WILD substitute symbol is increased. By increasing the number of available symbols of a particular type, the probability of a player receiving the most desired symbols is correspondingly increased. Of course, it will be understood that any suitable technique or formula may be utilized to increase the probability of a player receiving a desired WILD substitute symbol (and therefore an additional prize or award). For example, one such technique may be to increase the number of symbols displayed in the sixth reel spin, which in turn increases the likelihood of a corresponding symbol being displayed in the main reel game. Various other techniques would be known to a person skilled in the art.
It will be understood that determining the type of symbols that appear on the sixth reel game as a function of the initial bet may be used separately or in conjunction with other incentive mechanisms, as desired by the game operator. Such variations are within the purview of a person skilled in the art.
As described above, the sixth reel may also include blank symbols. Blank symbols result in no symbols in the main game becoming WILD symbols (i.e. a blank symbol has no effect on the result of the main game).
An alternative embodiment to that previously described, may involve the player placing an ante bet during play of the main game in order to allow the additional game to become operational. Equally, the player may be required to wager more than a designated amount in the main game for the additional game to operate.
The embodiments described herein advantageously increase player interest and involvement in the game, as the player is aware that they have a “second chance” to affect the game outcome and be awarded a prize, even though they may not have won a prize in the main game.
Many gaming systems, such as the exemplary gaming system described herein, implement games that involve a display of spinning reels as part of the display of the outcome of a game. However, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention broadly described herein can be implemented in respect of other forms of games, including card games, ball draw games (e.g. bingo or keno), dice games, and pin and ball games. For example, rather than providing a reel with a number of symbols, a “deck of cards” may be provided, such that each card equates to a symbol in the main reel game. A person skilled in the art would understand that such a concept may also be easily extended to dice games, numbered ball games, or indeed any type of game of chance where markers with different values/symbols are utilized.
This application claims priority to United States Provisional Application No. 61/057654 having a filing date of May 30, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61057654 | May 2008 | US |
