Patent Application
20170148254
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
The present invention relates generally to gaming apparatus and methods and, more particularly, to wagering games employing a mega symbol.
Gaming machines, such as slot machines, video poker machines and the like, have been a cornerstone of the gaming industry for several years. Generally, the popularity of such machines with players is dependent on the likelihood (or perceived likelihood) of winning money at the machine and the intrinsic entertainment value of the machine relative to other available gaming options. Where the available gaming options include a number of competing machines and the expectation of winning at each machine is roughly the same (or believed to be the same), players are likely to be attracted to the most entertaining and exciting machines. Shrewd operators consequently strive to employ the most entertaining and exciting machines, features, and enhancements available because such machines attract frequent play and hence increase profitability to the operator. Therefore, there is a continuing need for gaming machine manufacturers to continuously develop new games and improved gaming enhancements that will attract frequent play through enhanced entertainment value to the player.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a gaming system comprises one or more input devices, one or more display devices, one or more processors, and one or more memory devices storing instructions. When the instructions are executed by the one or more processors, the gaming system receives, via at least one of the one or more input devices, an input indicative of a wager. The gaming system also displays on the at least one display device an array having a plurality of array positions. Each of the plurality of array positions is populated by at least one of a plurality of symbols. The plurality of symbols include a mega symbol configured to occupy at least two array positions on each of at least two adjacent columns of the array. In response to at least a portion of the mega symbol being displayed in the array, the gaming system determines a functionality for the mega symbol from a plurality of potential functionalities based on the number of array positions on which the at least a portion of the mega symbol is displayed. The gaming system further awards a payout based on the symbols displayed in the array and the determined functionality of the mega symbol.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a gaming system comprises one or more input devices, one or more display devices, one or more processors, one or more memory devices storing instructions. When the instructions are executed by the one or more processors, the gaming system receives, via at least one of the one or more input devices, an input indicative of a wager. The gaming system also displays on the at least one display device an array comprising a plurality of array positions. Each of the plurality of array positions is populated by at least one of a plurality of symbols. The plurality of symbols include a mega symbol configured to occupy at least two array positions on each of at least two adjacent columns of the array. The gaming system determines a size of the mega symbol from a plurality of different potential sizes. The size of the mega symbol is a maximum number of array positions on which the mega symbol is configured to be displayed on the array. The gaming system further spins and stops a plurality of symbol-bearing reels to populate the plurality of array positions with the at least one of the plurality of symbols. The gaming system also evaluates the symbols in the array positions of the array to determine whether the array includes a winning outcome. The gaming system additionally awards a payout for any evaluated winning outcomes.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a gaming system comprises one or more input devices, one or more display devices, one or more processors, one or more memory devices storing instructions. When the instructions are executed by the one or more processors, the gaming systems receives, via at least one of the one or more input devices, an input indicative of a wager. The gaming system also displays on the at least one display device an array comprising a plurality of array positions. Each of the plurality of array positions is populated by at least one of a plurality of symbols. The plurality of symbols include a first mega symbol and a second mega symbol. The first mega symbol and the second mega symbol are configured to occupy at least two array positions on each of at least two adjacent columns of the array. The first mega symbol and the second mega symbol each have a respective functionality. In response to at least a portion of the first mega symbol overlapping with at least a portion of the second mega symbol, the gaming system changes the functionality of at least one of the first mega symbol or the second mega symbol. The gaming system also awards a payout based on the symbols displayed in the array and the respective functionalities of the first mega symbol and the second mega symbol.
According to another aspect of the invention, a computer-implemented method in a gaming system comprises receiving a wager in response to an input via at least one input device and displaying on the at least one display device an array having a plurality of array positions. Each of the plurality of array positions is populated by at least one of a plurality of symbols. The plurality of symbols include a mega symbol configured to occupy at least two array positions on each of at least two adjacent columns of the array. In response to at least a portion of the mega symbol being displayed in the array, the method further includes determining a functionality for the mega symbol from a plurality of potential functionalities based on at least one of a number of array positions on which the at least a portion of the mega symbol is displayed, the portion of the mega symbol displayed in the array, the size of the mega symbol displayed in the array, a random determination, the received wager, or a turnover amount over a plurality of plays of a wagering game. The method also includes awarding a payout based on the symbols displayed in the array and the determined functionality of the mega symbol.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, computer readable storage media is encoded with instructions for directing a gaming system to perform the above methods.
Additional aspects of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the detailed description of various embodiments, which is made with reference to the drawings, a brief description of which is provided below.
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated. For purposes of the present detailed description, the singular includes the plural and vice versa (unless specifically disclaimed); the words “and” and “or” shall be both conjunctive and disjunctive; the word “all” means “any and all”; the word “any” means “any and all”; and the word “including” means “including without limitation.”
Referring to
The gaming terminal 10 illustrated in
Input devices, such as the touch screen 18, buttons 20, a mouse, a joystick, a gesture-sensing device, a voice-recognition device, and a virtual input device, accept player input(s) and transform the player input(s) to electronic data signals indicative of the player input(s), which correspond to an enabled feature for such input(s) at a time of activation (e.g., pressing a “Max Bet” button or soft key to indicate a player's desire to place a maximum wager to play the wagering game). The input(s), once transformed into electronic data signals, are output to a CPU for processing. The electronic data signals are selected from a group consisting essentially of an electrical current, an electrical voltage, an electrical charge, an optical signal, an optical element, a magnetic signal, and a magnetic element.
Turning now to
The CPU 30 is also connected to an input/output (I/O) bus 36, which can include any suitable bus technologies, such as an AGTL+ frontside bus and a PCI backside bus. The I/O bus 36 is connected to various input devices 38, output devices 40, and input/output devices 42 such as those discussed above in connection with
The external system 48 includes, in various aspects, a gaming network, other gaming terminals, a gaming server, a remote controller, communications hardware, or a variety of other interfaced systems or components, in any combination. In yet other aspects, the external system 48 may comprise a player's portable electronic device (e.g., cellular phone, electronic wallet, etc.) and the external system interface 46 is configured to facilitate wireless communication and data transfer between the portable electronic device and the CPU 30, such as by a near-field communication path operating via magnetic-field induction or a frequency-hopping spread spectrum RF signals (e.g., Bluetooth, etc.).
The gaming terminal 10 optionally communicates with the external system 48 such that the terminal operates as a thin, thick, or intermediate client. In general, a wagering game includes an RNG for generating a random number, game logic for determining the outcome based on the randomly generated number, and game assets (e.g., art, sound, etc.) for presenting the determined outcome to a player in an audio-visual manner. The RNG, game logic, and game assets are contained within the gaming terminal 10 (“thick client” gaming terminal), the external system 48 (“thin client” gaming terminal), or are distributed therebetween in any suitable manner (“intermediate client” gaming terminal).
The gaming terminal 10 may include additional peripheral devices or more than one of each component shown in
Referring now to
In response to receiving an input indicative of a wager, the reels 52 are rotated and stopped to place symbols on the reels in visual association with paylines such as paylines 58. The wagering game evaluates the displayed array of symbols on the stopped reels and provides immediate awards and bonus features in accordance with a pay table. The pay table may, for example, include “line pays” or “scatter pays.” Line pays occur when a predetermined type and number of symbols appear along an activated payline, typically in a particular order such as left to right, right to left, top to bottom, bottom to top, etc. Scatter pays occur when a predetermined type and number of symbols appear anywhere in the displayed array without regard to position or paylines. Similarly, the wagering game may trigger bonus features based on one or more bonus triggering symbols appearing along an activated payline (i.e., “line trigger”) or anywhere in the displayed array (i.e., “scatter trigger”). The wagering game may also provide mystery awards and features independent of the symbols appearing in the displayed array.
In accord with various methods of conducting a wagering game on a gaming system in accord with the present concepts, the wagering game includes a game sequence in which a player makes a wager and a wagering game outcome is provided or displayed in response to the wager being received or detected. The wagering game outcome is then revealed to the player in due course following initiation of the wagering game. The method comprises the acts of conducting the wagering game using a gaming apparatus, such as the gaming terminal 10 depicted in
In the aforementioned method, for each data signal, the CPU (e.g., CPU 30) is configured to process the electronic data signal, to interpret the data signal (e.g., data signals corresponding to a wager input), and to cause further actions associated with the interpretation of the signal in accord with computer instructions relating to such further actions executed by the controller. As one example, the CPU causes the recording of a digital representation of the wager in one or more storage media (e.g., storage unit 44), the CPU, in accord with associated computer instructions, causing the changing of a state of the storage media from a first state to a second state. This change in state is, for example, effected by changing a magnetization pattern on a magnetically coated surface of a magnetic storage media or changing a magnetic state of a ferromagnetic surface of a magneto-optical disc storage media, a change in state of transistors or capacitors in a volatile or a non-volatile semiconductor memory (e.g., DRAM), etc. The noted second state of the data storage media comprises storage in the storage media of data representing the electronic data signal from the CPU (e.g., the wager in the present example). As another example, the CPU further, in accord with the execution of the instructions relating to the wagering game, causes the primary display 12, other display device, or other output device (e.g., speakers, lights, communication device, etc.) to change from a first state to at least a second state, wherein the second state of the primary display comprises a visual representation of the physical player input (e.g., an acknowledgement to a player), information relating to the physical player input (e.g., an indication of the wager amount), a game sequence, an outcome of the game sequence, or any combination thereof, wherein the game sequence in accord with the present concepts comprises acts described herein. The aforementioned executing of computer instructions relating to the wagering game is further conducted in accord with a random outcome (e.g., determined by a RNG) that is used by the CPU to determine the outcome of the game sequence, using a game logic for determining the outcome based on the randomly generated number. In at least some aspects, the CPU is configured to determine an outcome of the game sequence at least partially in response to the random parameter.
Referring now to
The plurality of symbols 154 are symbols respectively associated with dedicated symbol positions of respective reels 152A-152E. Upon the reels 152A-152E coming to rest after a spin of a wagering game, each of the plurality of symbols 154 displayed within the array 151 occupies a single array position within the array 151. The symbols 154 in the symbol positions of the reels 152A-152E that are not in visual association with the array 151 are not displayed.
In contrast to the symbols 154, which can occupy a single position of the array 151, the mega symbol 156 is a symbol that is associated with multiple positions of the array 151. More particularly, a mega symbol 156 is a symbol that is configured to occupy at least two symbol positions on each of at least two adjacent reels 152A-152E (e.g., at least two array positions on each of at least two adjacent columns of the array 151) when displayed in the array 151. Thus, a mega symbol 156 has a minimum size of two-by-two positions. For example, in
Although the examples illustrated and described herein generally include rectangular and/or square shaped mega symbols 156, it should be understood that the mega symbols 156 can have other shapes so long as the mega symbol 156 is configured to occupy at least two symbol positions on each at least two adjacent reels 152A-152E. The mega symbols 156 may take on other forms both symmetrical and asymmetrical as well, such as a two by four sized mega symbol, a mega symbol stretching three array columns and having a height of two in the first column, three in the second column, and two in the third column, etc.
During play of a wagering game, the reels 152A-152E can be rotated and stopped to place the symbols 154 and/or one or more mega symbols 156 in visual association with the array 151. According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the mega symbol(s) 156 can be indexed to symbol positions on two or more of the reels 152A-152E. For example, in
The final stopping position, with respect to the array 151, of the mega symbol 156 and the symbols 154 on the reels 152A-152E to which the mega symbol 156 is indexed can be determined by a single determination. For example, in
According to additional and/or alternative aspects of the present disclosure, the mega symbol 156 can be indexed to only one of the reels 152A-152E such that only a single reel 152A-152E moves the mega symbol 156 through the array 151. The portion of the mega symbol 156 that is not indexed to a reel 152A-152E overlaps with (or extends over) the symbols 154 on the adjacent reel(s) 152A-152E (e.g., as shown in
In some instances, the mega symbol 156 can be visible within the array 151 while the symbols 154 overlapping with the mega symbol 156 are not visible as shown, for example, in
When the mega symbol 156 is indexed to a single reel 152A-152E, the stopping position of the mega symbol 156 and the symbols 154 can be determined by one determination for each of the reels 152A-152E. For example, in
With the mega symbol 156 indexed to a single reel, the spinning and stopping of the reels can be visually portrayed such that the reel on which the mega symbol 156 is indexed and the adjacent reels overlapping with the mega symbol 156 appear to spin and stop in synchronization (e.g., in
It should be understood that the mega symbol 156 can be indexed to any one of the reels 152A-152E so as to extend over adjacent reels 152A-152E. Additional details for a symbol such as the mega symbol 156 being indexed to a single reel and extending over one or more adjacent reels is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/783,273, titled “Wagering Game With Reel Array Having Extended Symbol Visually Overlaying Adjacent Reel” and filed on Mar. 2, 2013, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
According to additional and/or alternative aspects of the present disclosure, the mega symbol 156 can be indexed to none of the reels 152A-152E. Instead, as shown for example in
In some instances, the mega symbol 156 indexed to the special reel 153 can be visible within the array 151 while the symbols 154 overlapping with the mega symbol 156 are not visible as shown, for example, in
With the mega symbol 156 indexed to a special reel 153, the spinning and stopping of the reels 152A-152E can be visually portrayed such that the special reel 153 and the reels 152A-152E that overlap with the special reel 153 appear to spin and stop in synchronization (e.g., in
It is contemplated that, according to some aspects, the reel(s) 152A-152E and/or the special reel(s) 153 to which the mega symbol 156 is indexed does not change from one spin to the next and/or one series of spins to the next. According to alternative aspects, the reel(s) 152A-152E and/or the special reel(s) 153 to which the mega symbol 156 is indexed can change from one spin to the next and/or from one series of spins to the next (i.e., the mega symbol 156 can change positions within the array 151 from one spin to the next and/or from one series of spins to the next).
As described above, according to some aspects of the present disclosure, the mega symbol(s) 156 can overlap with (or occupy the same array positions as) the symbols 154 on the reels 152A-152E. In the exemplary game screens 150A-150D illustrated in
For example, the mega symbol 156 can be displayed with transparency to allow the symbols 154 on the reels 152A-152E that overlap with the mega symbol 156 in the array 151 to also be visible. As shown in
As another example, the mega symbol can be displayed as a frame (i.e., a “frame mega symbol” 157) around the symbols 154 that overlap with the frame mega symbol 157 (or co-occupy an array position with a frame mega symbol 157). As shown in
As yet another example, the mega symbol 156 can be displayed as a watermark 159 on the symbols 154 of the reels 152A-152E that overlap with the mega symbol 156. As shown in
When an outcome of a wagering game includes a mega symbol 156 (or, in according to some aspects, at least a portion of a mega symbol 156), the mega symbol 156 can be evaluated as one or more symbols in accordance with a pay table and/or in accordance with one or more functionalities associated with the mega symbol 156.
According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the mega symbol 156 can be evaluated in accordance with a pay table as a single symbol. That is, the pay table can provide line pays or scatter pays that include one or more mega symbols 156 (or, in some aspects, portions thereof). As such, a payout can be awarded based on the mega symbol(s) 156 and/or the mega symbol(s) 156 in combination with one or more of the symbols 154. For example,
According to additional and/or alternative aspects of the present disclosure, the mega symbol(s) 156 can be evaluated as a plurality of symbols 154C such that each array position occupied by the mega symbol 156 is considered to be occupied by an individual symbol 154C of a type indicated by the mega symbol 156 (e.g., a “star” type of symbol is indicated by an image on the mega symbol 156 of
To demonstrate the difference between evaluating the mega symbol 156 as a single symbol and evaluating the mega symbol 156 as a plurality of symbols 154C,
Although
According to additional and/or alternative aspects, if the mega symbol(s) 156 and the symbols 154 overlapping with the mega symbol(s) 156 are both displayed in the array 151 (e.g., via a transparency, a frame 157, a watermark 159, etc.), each of the array positions occupied by the overlapping symbols 154, 156 can be evaluated as having two symbols—(1) the symbol 154 in the array position and (2) a symbol 154C indicated by the mega symbol(s) 156 in the array position. For example,
In some implementations, a pay table can include a line pay(s) and/or a scatter pay(s) for symbol combinations including both the symbols 154 on the reels 152A-152E and the symbols 154C indicated by the mega symbol 156. For example, the pay table can include a line pay for a symbol combination including more than five symbols (e.g., a payout for a combination of five “A” symbols 154 and two “star” symbols 154C in
According to additional and/or alternative implementations, the array 151 can be evaluated more than once with different symbols in the overlapped array positions. For example, the array 151 can be first evaluated with the symbols 154 in the overlapped array positions and then evaluated a second time with the symbols 154C from the mega symbol 156 in the overlapped array positions. For example, the first evaluation can include the two “A” symbols 154 and the two “K” symbols 154 in the respective overlapped array positions and the second evaluation can include four “star” symbols 154C in the respective overlapped array positions of
According to additional and/or alternative aspects of the present disclosure, the mega symbol(s) 156 can have an associated functionality that can be applied to the mega symbol 156, the symbols 154 overlapping with the mega symbol 156, and/or a combination of symbols 154, 156 including at least one of the mega symbol 156 or a symbol 154 overlapping with the mega symbol 156. As non-limiting examples, the functionality of the mega symbol(s) 156 can include one or more multipliers, wilds, automatic nudges, different pay tables, pay table upgrades, extra wilds, scatter conversions, individual reel re-spins, free spins, morphs, automatic wager increases, hold symbols, symbol movements, additional pay lines, bonus triggers, combinations thereof, and/or the like.
A multiplier functionality can be provided to multiply a payout or other outcome awarded to the player. The magnitude of the multiplier (e.g., 2× multiplier or 3× multiplier) can be a randomly determined or a fixed value. The magnitude of the multiplier can be predetermined (i.e., determined prior to a play of the wagering game) or dynamically determined (i.e., during and/or after a play of the wagering game), as described below.
A wild functionality can be provided to allow one or more symbols to be evaluated as one or more other symbols on the reels that would complete a winning combination.
An automatic nudge functionality is advantageous in situations where a better payout can be achieved by moving one or more symbols on one (or multiple) reels either up or down across a payline.
A different-pay-table functionality implements a different and higher-paying pay table, awarding larger payouts for various symbol combinations. For example if a combination of three “cherry” symbols normally pays out 200% of the original wager, the different-pay-table functionality may result in a payout of 300% of the original wager for the same combination. Similarly, if a combination of three “7” symbols normally pays out 500% of the original wager, the different-pay-table functionality may result in a payout of 1000% of the original wager for the same combination.
An upgrade functionality causes a winning symbol combination to move up at least one winning symbol combination on the pay table for the gaming terminal 10. For example, a lower-paying combination of three “cherry” symbols may pay out as if the player had achieved three “3-bars” symbols, a better combination.
An extra-wild functionality causes one or more symbols that are normally a regular symbol, such as a “cherry” symbol or a “1-bar” symbol, to become a wild symbol.
The scatter conversions functionality converts a line pay payout into a scatter payout, such that a winning combination of symbols need not be located all on a single active payline.
The right-to-left functionality allows “right-to-left” combinations (i.e., combinations starting on the right-most reel and extending left across the reels) to win, in addition to the standard winning “left-to-right” combinations.
The re-spin functionality re-spins one or more of the reels if the player does not achieve any winning combination and/or a winning combination associated with an award above a predetermined amount, giving the player an additional chance to get a winning combination and/or a better winning combination.
The morph functionality allows one or more symbols on the reels to morph into other symbols that are more beneficial. For example, a mega symbol 156 can cause one or more of the symbols 154 overlapping with the mega symbol 156 to morph into a type of symbol indicated by the mega symbol 156. In some instances, all symbols 154 that overlap with the mega symbol 156 can morph. In other instances, only symbols 154 of one or more predetermined types (e.g., a “K” symbol or a “seven” symbol) that overlap with the mega symbol 156 can morph. In still other instances, the symbols 154 overlapping with the mega symbol 156 can morph only if those symbols 154 include a watermark associated with the mega symbol 156. As another example, if the mega symbol 156 is fully displayed within the array 151, the symbols 154 bearing the watermark can morph into a type of symbol indicated by the mega symbol 156 regardless of whether the watermarked symbols (and/or other predetermined symbols) overlap with the mega symbol 156. The watermark can be an image that is the same as or similar to an image displayed in connection with the mega symbol 156. It is contemplated that symbols capable of morphing can be identified in ways other than a watermark.
The hold symbol functionality holds one or more symbols in a certain position within the array so that, after respinning, a final symbol combination across the reels takes into account the held symbol.
The symbol movement functionality allows one or more symbols to move to other locations along a payline if it would result in a better outcome (e.g., a higher award).
A winning combination typically results in a payout that is generally proportionate to the amount wagered. For example, when five credits are wagered and the player achieves a winning combination, the payout may be at least five times as large as it would have been if only one credit had been wagered. In one exemplary implementation, the increased-wager functionality can treat a winning combination as though the player had bet the maximum amount, thereby effectively increasing the wagered amount, resulting in a higher payout. For example, if the player had only wagered one of five possible credits, the increased-wager functionality would treat the player's wager as though five credits had been wagered.
The mega-activated-pay-lines functionality can allow for new pay lines including a plurality of array positions that overlap with a mega symbol 156 to be activated. For example,
It should be understood that the functionalities of the mega symbol(s) 156 described above are provided as examples of potential functionalities. It is contemplated that other functionalities can be employed in connection with the mega symbols 156 described herein. Additionally, it is contemplated that the mega symbol(s) 156 can include an indication on the face of the mega symbol(s) 156 of the functionality or the functionalities associated with the mega symbol(s) 156 (e.g., via text, symbols, images, color, etc.).
According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the functionality can be provided for a mega symbol 156 only if the mega symbol 156 occupies the entire array 151 (as shown, e.g., in
According to additional and/or alternative aspects of the present disclosure, the functionality associated with a mega symbol 156 is provided only if the entire mega symbol 156 is displayed within the array 151. For examples,
As described above, according to various aspects of the present disclosure, the 2× multiplier functionality can be applied to the mega symbol 156, the symbols 154 overlapping with the mega symbol 156 (i.e., the “A” symbols and the “K” symbols on the reels 152D, 152E in
According to additional and/or alternative aspects of the present disclosure, the functionality associated with the mega symbol 156 can be provided if at least a portion of the mega symbol 156 is displayed within the array 151. It is contemplated that, according to some aspects, the pay table can include line pays, scatter pays, and/or bonus triggers based on a portion of the mega symbol 156 being displayed within the array 151.
According to additional and/or alternative aspects of the present disclosure, the functionality of a mega symbol 156 can remain the same (or fixed) for all plays of a wagering game. According to alternative aspects of the present disclosure, the functionality of the mega symbol 156 can vary from one spin to the next or from one series of spins to the next. That is, the type of functionality and/or the magnitude of the functionality can vary from one spin to the next and/or from one series of spins to the next.
For example, the functionality associated with one or more mega symbols 156 can be based on a wager amount for a single play and/or a turnover amount over a plurality of plays of a wagering game. In one exemplary implementation, a mega symbol 156 can be associated with a 2× multiplier for a wager of two credits, a 3× multiplier for a wager of three credits, a 4× multiplier for a wager of four credits, and a 5× multiplier for a wager of five credits. In another exemplary implementation, the mega symbol 156 can be associated with a 2× multiplier functionality for a wager of two credits, a 2× multiplier functionality and a wild functionality for a wager of three credits, a pay table upgrade functionality for a wager of four credits, and a free-spins functionality for a wager of five credits. In yet another exemplary implementation, the mega symbol 156 can be associated with a first bonus trigger functionality for a max bet wager and a second bonus trigger functionality for a wager amount that is less than the max bet amount such that different opportunities to achieve the same or different bonus awards can be triggered based on the mega symbol 156 displayed in the array 151.
As another example, the functionality associated with the one or more mega symbols 156 can be randomly determined before, during, and/or after a play of the wagering game. That is, the functionality of the mega symbol(s) 156 for one or more plays of a wagering game can be randomly determined from a plurality of potential functionalities. In some instances, each of the plurality of potential functionalities has the same odds of being randomly determined for each of the one or more of the mega symbol(s) 156. In other instances, the odds of the potential functionalities being determined for the mega symbol(s) 156 can be differently weighted such that some potential functionalities are more likely than others. It is contemplated, that according to some aspects, the weighting(s) can be based on the wager amount (and/or a turnover amount). As such, the functionalities considered to be more advantageous can be more likely to be determined for the mega symbol(s) 156 as the wager amount (or turnover amount) increases; thus, incentivizing the player to place larger wagers and/or play more rapidly.
As another example, the functionality associated with the one or more mega symbols 156 can be based on one or more of the symbols 154 in a prior spin or a current spin. As a non-limiting example,
In some instances, the functionality-changing symbol(s) 161 cause the functionality of the mega symbol 156 to change if the functionality-changing symbol(s) 161 appear anywhere in the array 151. In other instances, the functionality-changing symbol(s) 161 cause the functionality of the mega symbol 156 to change only if the functionality-changing symbol(s) 161 overlap with the mega symbol 156.
In some implementations, after the functionality of the mega symbol 156 changes from the first functionality to the second functionality, the mega symbol 156 can be associated with the second functionality until another functionality-changing symbol 161 causes the functionality of the mega symbol 156 to change again. In other implementations, the mega symbol 156 can be associated with the different second functionality until a predetermined number of spins occur or another functionality-changing symbol 161 triggers another change to the functionality of the mega symbol 156. In yet another implementation, the mega symbol 156 can be associated with the different second functionality until a predetermined amount of time expires or another functionality-changing symbol 161 causes another change to the functionality of the mega symbol 156. In other words, in some implementations, the mega symbol 156 can have a default functionality, which can be changed for a predetermined number of spins and/or a predetermined period of time based on one or a combination of functionality-changing symbols 161.
Although the example illustrated in
According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the functionality of the mega symbol 156 can be based on an amount of the mega symbol 156 displayed within the array 151. That is, the functionality can be based on the number of array positions on which the mega symbol 156 is displayed within the array 151 (i.e., based on the number of positions within the array 151 occupied by the mega symbol 156).
For example, a three-by-three sized mega symbol 156 is displayed in
It is contemplated that, according to some aspects, the functionalities associated with the different amounts of a displayed mega symbol 156 can all be different from one another (i.e., the first functionality, the second functionality, and the third functionality can all be different in
The different functionalities associated with the different amounts of the mega symbol(s) 156 displayed within the array 151 can include different types of functionalities and/or different magnitudes of functionalities. In one non-limiting implementation of the example illustrated in
While the example illustrated in
According to alternative aspects, the functionality of the mega symbol 156 can be based on the amount of the mega symbol 156 displayed within the array 151 and the size of the mega symbol 156. According to such alternative aspects, the two-by-two mega symbol 156 occupying four positions of the array 151 in
According to additional and/or alternative aspects of the present disclosure, the functionality of the mega symbol 156 can be based on the portion of the mega symbol 156 displayed on the array 151. For example,
In some implementations, the mega symbol 156 can be provided with a different functionality for each outcome illustrated in
According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the size of a mega symbol 156 can remain the same (or fixed) for all plays of a wagering game. According to additional and/or alternative aspects of the present disclosure, the size of a mega symbol 156 can vary from one spin to the next and/or from one series of spins to the next.
For example, the size of the mega symbol 156 can be randomly determined prior to, during, and/or after a play of the wagering game. As another example, the size of a mega symbol 156 can be based on a wager amount for a single play and/or a turnover amount over a plurality of plays of a wagering game. In one exemplary implementation, a mega symbol 156 can have a size of two-by-two for a wager of two credits as shown in
As a further example, the size of the mega symbol 156 can be based on one or more of the symbols 154 displayed in an array 151 for a prior spin or the current spin of the wagering game. In some implementations, the mega symbol 156 can increase in size when an outcome of a current spin and/or a prior spin of the wagering game includes a predetermined symbol (i.e., a “mega-enlarging symbol” 163). As a non-limiting example,
In additional and/or alternative implementations, the mega symbol 156 can decrease in size when an outcome of a current spin and/or a prior spin of the wagering game includes a predetermined symbol (i.e., a “mega-shrinking symbol”). As a non-limiting example,
While
In some instances, the predetermined symbol(s) (i.e., the mega-enlarging symbol 163 and/or the mega-shrinking symbol 165) can cause the size of the mega symbol 156 to change if the predetermined symbol(s) appear anywhere in the array 151. In other instances, the predetermined symbol(s) can cause the size of the mega symbol 156 to change only if the predetermined symbol(s) overlaps with the mega symbol 156. Although the examples illustrated in
It is contemplated that, according to some aspects, if an outcome includes multiple mega-enlarging symbols 163 and/or mega-shrinking symbols 165, the size of the mega symbol 156 can be proportionally changed according to the number of mega-enlarging symbols 163 and/or mega-shrinking symbols 165. For example, if an outcome included two mega-enlarging symbols 163, the mega symbol 156 can be enlarged by twice as much as if one mega-enlarging symbol 163 had been included in the outcome. According to alternative aspects, if an outcome includes multiple mega-enlarging symbols 163 and/or mega shrinking symbols 165, the size of the mega symbol 156 can be incrementally adjusted once for each mega-enlarging symbol 163 and/or mega-shrinking symbol 165. For example, if an outcome included two mega-enlarging symbols 163, the size of the mega symbol 156 can be enlarged by two increments (e.g., the change in size that would occur if a mega-enlarging symbol 163 were received in consecutive spins).
As still another example, the mega symbol 156 can change in size based on a period of time and/or a number of spins. In one exemplary implementation, the mega symbol 156 can decrease in size over a period of time and/or a number of spins. The period of time and/or the number of spins can be predetermined, random, and/or based on an outcome of a wagering game. In this way, the mega symbol 156 can decay over a plurality of plays or a period of time.
According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the size of the array 151 can be based on a wager amount for a single play of a wagering game and/or a turnover amount over a plurality of plays of the wagering game (or a period of time). As the size of the array 151 increases, the likelihood of achieving a greater portion or the entirety of a mega symbol 156 displayed within the array 151 increases, thus encouraging the player to wager greater amounts. The player may be particularly incentivized to increase the wager amount for embodiments in which the functionality of the mega symbol 156 is provided only when the entire mega symbol 156 is displayed within the array 151.
As one-non limiting example, a five-by-three array 151 can be provided for a wager of two credits, a five-by-four array 151 can be provided for a wager of three credits, and a five-by five array 151 can be provided for a wager of five credits. According to other examples, the size of the array 151 can range from three-by-three to eight-by-twenty based on a wager amount and/or a turnover amount.
In the various aspects of the present disclosure described above, the illustrated exemplary wagering game outcomes generally include one mega symbol 156 (or a portion thereof) displayed in the array 151; however, it should be understood that a plurality of mega symbols 156 (or portions thereof) can be displayed in an array 151 in accordance with the aspects of the of the present disclosure described above. That is, according to some aspects of the present disclosure, an outcome of a wagering game can include more than one mega symbol 156.
The mega symbols 156 can each be of the same type of symbol (e.g., three different mega symbols 156 can each be “star” symbols) and/or a different type of symbols (e.g., a first mega symbol 156 can be a “star” symbol and a second mega symbol 156 can be a “cherry” symbol). The plurality of mega symbols 156 can each have the same size and/or different sizes, which can be determined as described above (e.g., the size of each mega symbol 156 can be fixed, randomly determined, based on the symbol(s) displayed in the array 151, based on a wager amount, based on a turnover amount, etc.).
The plurality of mega symbols 156 each can be indexed to the same or different reel(s) and/or special reel(s) (e.g., the reels 152A-152E described and illustrated above for
The plurality of mega symbols 156 can be similarly and/or differently evaluated with respect to a pay table as a single symbol (e.g., as described and illustrated with respect to
The plurality of mega symbols 156 can each be associated with the same functionality (or the same subset of potential functionalities) and/or different functionalities (or different subsets of potential functionalities), which can be determined as described above (e.g., the functionality of each of the mega symbols 156 can be fixed, randomly determined, based on a wager amount, based on a turnover amount, based on the size of the mega symbol 156, based on the amount of the mega symbol 156 displayed within the array 151, based on the portion of the mega symbol 156 displayed within the array 15, etc.)
According to additional and/or alternative aspects of the present disclosure, the functionalities associated with one or more of a plurality of mega symbols 156 can be changed (e.g., the type and/or magnitude of a functionality can be changed) in response to the position of the plurality of mega symbols 156 with respect to each other within an array 151. For example, the functionality of one or more of the mega symbols 156 (or portions thereof) can be changed when the mega symbols 156 at least partially overlap. As another example, the functionality of one or more of the mega symbols 156 (or portions thereof) can be changed when at least one of the mega symbols 156 fully overlaps with another of the mega symbols 156. As still another example, the functionality of one or more of the mega symbols 156 (or portions thereof) can be changed when the mega symbols 156 are positioned to be flush against and/or adjacent to each other.
For example, in the first exemplary implementation described above for
The following additional non-limiting examples illustrate some further ways the functionality can be changed for the overlapping portion(s) of the mega symbols 156A, 156B, the non-overlapping portions of the mega symbols 156A, 156B, and/or the entire mega symbols 156A, 156B in response to at least a partial overlapping of the mega symbols 156A, 156B. In one non-limiting example, if the first mega symbol 156A is associated with a 2× multiplier and the second mega symbol 156B is associated with a 3× multiplier, the overlapping portions of the first mega symbol 156A and the second mega symbol 156B can be changed to a wild functionality while the functionality of the non-overlapping portions of the first mega symbol 156A and the second mega symbol 156B remain unchanged. In another non-limiting example, if the first mega symbol 156A is associated with a 2× multiplier and the second mega symbol 156B is associated with a 3× multiplier, the functionality of the entire first multiplier can be changed to a 3× multiplier while the functionality of the second mega symbol 156B remains unchanged in response to the overlapping of the first mega symbol 156A and the second mega symbol 156. In yet another non-limiting example, if the first mega symbol 156A is associated with a 2× multiplier and the second mega symbol 156B is associated with a 3× multiplier, the functionality of the entire first mega symbol 156A can be changed to a 4× multiplier and the functionality of the entire second mega symbol 156B can be changed to a scatter conversion functionality in response to the overlapping of the first mega symbol 156A and the second mega symbol 156. In a further non-limiting example, if the first mega symbol 156A is associated with a 2× multiplier and the second mega symbol 156B is associated with a 3× multiplier, the functionality of the non-overlapping portion of the first mega symbol 156A can be changed to a 4× multiplier, the functionality of the non-overlapping portion of the second mega symbol 156B can be changed to a scatter conversion functionality in response to the overlapping of the first mega symbol 156A and the second mega symbol 156, and the functionality of the overlapping portions of the first mega symbol 156A and the second mega symbol 156B can be changed to a morph functionality.
It is contemplated that if two or more mega symbols 156A, 156B overlap, the array positions of the overlapping mega symbols 156A, 156B can include a plurality of symbols 154C as described above with respect to
Although
According to additional and/or alternative aspects of the present disclosure, when a plurality of mega symbols 156 are positioned to partially overlap, fully overlap, and/or be flush and adjacent, the mega symbols 156 can cause a cascading effect to occur. The cascading effect can cause the mega symbols 156 to disappear so that the reels 152A-152E can rotate to fill the positions previously occupied by the mega symbols 156. For example,
Although, two mega symbols 156A, 156B are illustrated in
According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the mega symbol(s) 156 can have a stopper symbol functionality. When the mega symbol 156 provides a stopper symbol functionality, the mega symbol 156 is configured to stop and hold one or more predetermined symbols in the array positions above the mega symbol 156 as the reels 152A-152E (and/or a special reel 153) spin. For example,
It is contemplated that, according to some aspects, an anticipation spin effect can be utilized as the reels 152A-152E and the predetermined symbol(s) 154 stack above the mega symbol 156 so as to increase the excitement and add drama to the presentation of the wagering game. It is also contemplated that, according to some aspects, a payout or other award can be provided to the player if the predetermined symbol(s) 154 can be stacked to reach a particular position within the array 151. For example, a payout or other award can be provided in response to the predetermined symbol 154 being stacked above the mega symbol 156 to the top of the array 151. It is contemplated that, according to some aspects, one or more targets can be indicated above the mega symbol 156 at one or more positions within and/or above the array 151 and the player is awarded if the predetermined symbol(s) 154 are stacked to reach the target(s).
Another example of a mega symbol 156 having a stopper symbol functionality is illustrated in
Each of these embodiments and obvious variations thereof is contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, which is set forth in the following claims. Moreover, the present concepts expressly include any and all combinations and subcombinations of the preceding elements and aspects. As a non-limiting example, a mega symbol 156 can have an associated functionality that is based on the amount of the mega symbol 156 displayed within the array and a size that is based on a wager amount. As another non-limiting example, a plurality of mega symbols 156 can be achieved in an outcome where one of the mega symbols 156 has a size based on the symbols 154 displayed in a prior spin, another one of the mega symbols 156 has a functionality that is based on the portion of the mega symbol 156 displayed within the array 151, and still another one of the mega symbols 156 has a functionality that is only provided when entirely displayed within the array 151. As yet another non-limiting example, a mega symbol 156 can have an associated functionality that is based on the size of the mega symbol 156 and the size of the mega symbol 156 is based on the symbols 154 displayed in the array 151.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13835026 | Mar 2013 | US |
| Child | 15424637 | US |
