U.S. patent application number 11/850408 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-15 for gaming machine, system and method with a bonus feature.
Invention is credited to Desmond Seymer Whitcher.
Application Number | 20080113744 11/850408 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39153712 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080113744 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Whitcher; Desmond Seymer |
May 15, 2008 |
GAMING MACHINE, SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH A BONUS FEATURE
Abstract
A gaming machine that provides a game in which a plurality of
symbols from a symbol set are displayed on a display to represent
at least one game outcome. A winning combination is a bonus
feature, which results in a game controller of the gaming machine
controlling game play of the game to provide at least a chance to
win a bonus prize from a set of one or more bonus prizes. The game
controller further controls the gaming machine to award at least
one special prize that is different from the one or more bonus
prizes. Award of the special prize is dependent on a random
selection process, the performance of which is dependent on
occurrence of the bonus feature.
Inventors: |
Whitcher; Desmond Seymer;
(Pretoria, ZA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCANDREWS HELD & MALLOY, LTD
500 WEST MADISON STREET, SUITE 3400
CHICAGO
IL
60661
US
|
Family ID: |
39153712 |
Appl. No.: |
11/850408 |
Filed: |
September 5, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/20 ;
463/26 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/20 ;
463/26 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 6, 2006 |
AU |
2006904913 |
Claims
1. A gaming machine having a display and a user interface in
communication with a game controller, which cooperate to provide a
game in which a plurality of symbols from a symbol set are
displayed on the display to represent at least one game outcome
that is evaluated for a winning combination and in which an award
is awarded if a winning combination results, wherein a said winning
combination is a bonus feature, the occurrence of which results in
the game controller controlling game play of the game to provide at
least a chance to win a bonus prize from a set of one or more bonus
prizes, the game controller further controlling the gaming machine
to award at least one special prize that is different from the one
or more bonus prizes, wherein award of the special prize is
dependent on a random selection process, the performance of which
is dependent on occurrence of the bonus feature.
2. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the gaming machine does
not display on the display symbols to represent the random
selection process.
3. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the gaming machine
includes a pay schedule that advertises each of the one or more
bonus prizes but does not advertise the at least one special
prize.
4. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the special prize is only
awardable when a said bonus prize is won.
5. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein there are at least two
said bonus prizes that are winnable following occurrence of said
bonus feature.
6. The gaming machine of claim 5, wherein the plurality of
different bonus prizes include a plurality of progressive prizes
that are formed so as have different values from each other.
7. The gaming machine of claim 5, wherein the plurality of
different bonus prizes include a plurality of fixed value prizes of
different values.
8. The gaming machine of claim 6, wherein the game controller
selects each of the plurality of different bonus prizes with
different average expected frequencies.
9. The gaming machine of claim 5, wherein the bonus feature always
results in the award of a positive value bonus prize.
10. The gaming machine of claim 5, wherein the special prize is
awardable when at least one, but not all of the bonus prizes are
won.
11. The gaming machine of claim 10, wherein the special prize is
awardable when a first said bonus prize is won and not awardable
when a second said bonus prize is won, the second said bonus prize
having a higher value than the first said bonus prize.
12. The gaming machine of claim 11, wherein the special prize is
awardable only when the bonus prize of lowest value is won.
13. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the special prize is
awarded in addition to the bonus prize and the gaming machine
displays the combined special prize and bonus prize as a single
prize and does not display separate indications of each prize.
14. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein when the special prize
is awarded, it is awarded instead of the bonus prize.
15. The gaming machine of claim 14, wherein the special prize that
is awarded instead of the bonus prize always has a value higher
than the value of that bonus prize.
16. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein the random selection
process for the special prize includes selecting the value of the
special prize, so that the special prize is a randomly variable
prize.
17. A gaming machine according to claim 1 where in the award of the
special prize is dependant on the player placing an additional
bet.
18. A gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein there are a
plurality of distinct bonus features representing different winning
outcomes and wherein each bonus feature resulting in at least a
chance to win a bonus prize from a different set of one or more
bonus prizes.
19. The gaming machine of claim 18, wherein the plurality of bonus
features each result in a chance to win one of a plurality of
different bonus prizes.
20. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein on occurrence of a bonus
feature, the game controller commences play of a feature game in
which representations of the feature game are displayed on the
display that indicate to the player the bonus prize that is to be
awarded.
21. A gaming system including a plurality of gaming machines as
claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of gaming
machines are eligible to win the same said one or more bonus prizes
when a said bonus feature occurs on that gaming machine.
22. The gaming system of claim 21, wherein at least one of the one
or more bonus prizes is a progressive prize to which each of the
plurality of gaming machine contribute.
23. A method of providing awards on a gaming machine that provides
a wagering game in which a plurality of symbols from a symbol set
are displayed on a display to represent play of the wagering game,
the method including providing as one possible outcome of the game
a bonus feature; when the bonus feature occurs, providing at least
a chance to win a bonus prize from a set of one or more bonus
prizes; and when the bonus feature occurs, performing a random
selection process and awarding a special prize that is different
from the one or more bonus prizes dependent on the random selection
process.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the random selection process
determines whether or not the special prize is awarded.
25. The method of claim 23, wherein the set of one or more bonus
prizes includes a plurality of different bonus prizes and the
process of providing a chance to win a bonus prize includes
selecting which one of a plurality of bonus prizes is to be won,
the selection being controlled so that a bonus prize is always won
when the bonus feature occurs, the method further including
advertising in a pay schedule for the game the plurality of bonus
prizes but not the special prize and performing the random
selection process without displaying to a player symbols
representing the result of the random selection process and wherein
the random selection process includes a selection of the value of
the special prize so that the special prize awarded is a randomly
variable prize.
26. The method of claim 23, further including awarding a single
prize as a combination of a said bonus prize and the special prize
and displaying representations of the award of the special prize as
if the combination of a said bonus prize and the special prize was
a single prize resulting from occurrence of the bonus feature.
27. The method of claim 23, further including awarding the special
prize instead of a said bonus prize and displaying representations
of the award of the special prize as if the special prize was a
single prize resulting from occurrence of the bonus feature.
28. The method of claim 23, further including displaying a feature
game between occurrence of the bonus feature and the award of the
special prize, the feature game including representations that
indicate a said bonus prize that is to be awarded if a special
prize is not awarded.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to Australian Patent
Application No. AU2006904913, having an international filing date
of Sep. 6, 2006, entitled "Gaming Machine, System, and Method with
a Bonus Feature", which is hereby incorporated by reference herein
in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to gaming apparatus
and methods of gaming. A particular embodiment of the present
invention relates to gaming apparatus and methods of gaming that
offer a bonus feature. Another particular embodiment of the present
invention relates to a gaming apparatus and method of gaming that
offer a progressive prize.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] With the increase of gambling at gaming venues has come
increased competition between gaming venues to obtain a larger
share of the total gambling spend. Gaming venue operators have
therefore continuously looked for new variations and types of games
in order to attract both new and return customers to their
venues.
[0004] In response to this need, suppliers of gaming devices and
systems have attempted to provide the sought after variety, while
still developing games that comply with the relevant regulations in
the jurisdiction of the gaming venue operator. Suppliers of gaming
devices therefore are faced with restrictions on the types of games
and gaming apparatus that are allowable, both in terms of the
prevailing regulations and in terms of providing a return on
investment to the gaming venue operators.
[0005] In addition, it is important that a player be able to
understand the operation of a game quickly so that the player can
start to quickly play the game and therefore extract maximum
entertainment from the game.
[0006] Progressive jackpots may be offered on gaming machines. A
progressive controller may be programmed to accumulate a percentage
of the turnover bet on the machine, that percentage being
accumulated in a progressive pool. On the occurrence of a
predetermined event, the amount of money in the pool may be awarded
to a player.
[0007] Recently progressive jackpot gaming systems have been
implemented which operate across a group of linked gaming machines,
accumulating a percentage of turnover bet on all of the linked
machines into one or more progressive pools. Again the contents of
a particular progressive pool may be awarded to a player when
certain trigger conditions are met.
[0008] While the modified player progressive systems have increased
player interest, the lack of actual or perceived player involvement
in the increment of either standalone or linked progressive systems
can mean that players may easily tire of playing these systems.
[0009] One way of increasing player interest in gaming is to
increase the variability of the bonus awards. Typically, this is
done by providing a base game having a bonus feature which is
triggered on a reasonably regular basis. The bonus feature, when
triggered, typically provides a feature game which itself has a
range of bonus prizes, ranging from a small bonus prize which
occurs most frequently, to a major or large jackpot prize, which
occurs relatively rarely. Clearly, in order to keep the return to
player percentage within preset parameters, it is necessary that
the major or large jackpot prize only occurs on infrequent
occasions.
[0010] The problem with this system is that players who do trigger
the bonus feature usually win only the minor bonus prize, so that
the triggering of the bonus feature is coupled with the somewhat
negative expectation that the feature game will only result in a
modest reward. It is desirable to provide a gaming system which
will increase the sense of anticipation for players on achieving a
bonus feature. It may also be desirable to provide such a gaming
system that increases the sense of anticipation for players on
achieving a bonus but without altering the return to player
percentage of the machine or system on which the bonus feature or
bonus feature and feature game is being played.
[0011] Any reference in this specification to the prior art does
not constitute an admission that such prior art was well known or
forms part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a gaming machine having a display and a user interface
in communication with a game controller, which cooperate to provide
a game in which a plurality of symbols from a symbol set are
displayed on the display to represent at least one game outcome
that is evaluated for a winning combination and in which an award
is awarded if a winning combination results, wherein a said winning
combination is a bonus feature, the occurrence of which results in
the game controller controlling game play of the game to provide at
least a chance to win a bonus prize from a set of one or more bonus
prizes, the game controller further controlling the gaming machine
to award at least one special prize that is different from the one
or more bonus prizes, wherein award of the special prize is
dependent on a random selection process, the performance of which
is dependent on occurrence of the bonus feature.
[0013] In one embodiment, the gaming machine does not display on
the display symbols to represent the random selection process.
[0014] In one embodiment, the gaming machine includes a pay
schedule that advertises each of the one or more bonus prizes but
does not advertise the at least one special prize.
[0015] In one embodiment, the special prize is only awardable when
a said bonus prize is won.
[0016] In one embodiment, there are at least two said bonus prizes
that are winnable following occurrence of said bonus feature. In
this embodiment, the plurality of different bonus prizes may
include a plurality of progressive prizes that are formed so as
have different values from each other. Instead, the plurality of
different bonus prizes may include a plurality of fixed value
prizes of different values. Also, the game controller may select
each of the plurality of different bonus prizes with different
average expected frequencies. The bonus feature may always result
in the award of a positive value bonus prize. The special prize may
be awardable when at least one, but not all of the bonus prizes are
won and also the special prize may be awardable when a first said
bonus prize is won and not awardable when a second said bonus prize
is won, the second said bonus prize having a higher value than the
first said bonus prize. The special prize may be awardable only
when the bonus prize of lowest value is won.
[0017] In one embodiment, the special prize is awarded in addition
to the bonus prize and the gaming machine displays the combined
special prize and bonus prize as a single prize and does not
display separate indications of each prize.
[0018] In one embodiment, when the special prize is awarded, it is
awarded instead of the bonus prize. In this embodiment, the special
prize may have a value higher than the value of that bonus
prize.
[0019] In one embodiment, the random selection process for the
special prize includes selecting the value of the special prize, so
that the special prize is a randomly variable prize.
[0020] In one embodiment, the award of the special prize is
dependant on the player placing an additional bet.
[0021] In one embodiment, there are a plurality of distinct bonus
features representing different winning outcomes and wherein each
bonus feature resulting in at least a chance to win a bonus prize
from a different set of one or more bonus prizes. In this
embodiment the plurality of bonus features each result in a chance
to win one of a plurality of different bonus prizes.
[0022] In one embodiment, on occurrence of a bonus feature, the
game controller commences play of a feature game in which
representations of the feature game are displayed on the display
that indicate to the player the bonus prize that is to be
awarded.
[0023] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a gaming system including a plurality of gaming
machines as described in the preceding paragraphs, wherein each of
the plurality of gaming machines are eligible to win the same said
one or more bonus prizes when a said bonus feature occurs on that
gaming machine.
[0024] In one embodiment, at least one of the one or more bonus
prizes is a progressive prize to which each of the plurality of
gaming machine contribute.
[0025] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a method of providing awards on a gaming machine that
provides a wagering game in which a plurality of symbols from a
symbol set are displayed on a display to represent play of the
wagering game, the method including providing as one possible
outcome of the game a bonus feature; when the bonus feature occurs,
providing at least a chance to win a bonus prize from a set of one
or more bonus prizes; and when the bonus feature occurs, performing
a random selection process and awarding a special prize that is
different from the one or more bonus prizes dependent on the random
selection process.
[0026] In one embodiment, the random selection process determines
whether or not the special prize is awarded.
[0027] In one embodiment, the set of one or more bonus prizes
includes a plurality of different bonus prizes and the process of
providing a chance to win a bonus prize includes selecting which
one of a plurality of bonus prizes is to be won, the selection
being controlled so that a bonus prize is always won when the bonus
feature occurs, the method further including advertising in a pay
schedule for the game the plurality of bonus prizes but not the
special prize and performing the random selection process without
displaying to a player symbols representing the result of the
random selection process and wherein the random selection process
includes a selection of the value of the special prize so that the
special prize awarded is a randomly variable prize.
[0028] In one embodiment, the method further includes awarding a
single prize as a combination of a said bonus prize and the special
prize and displaying representations of the award of the special
prize as if the combination of a said bonus prize and the special
prize was a single prize resulting from occurrence of the bonus
feature.
[0029] In one embodiment, the method further includes awarding the
special prize instead of a said bonus prize and displaying
representations of the award of the special prize as if the special
prize was a single prize resulting from occurrence of the bonus
feature.
[0030] In one embodiment, the method further includes displaying a
feature game between occurrence of the bonus feature and the award
of the special prize, the feature game including representations
that indicate a said bonus prize that is to be awarded if a special
prize is not awarded.
[0031] Further aspects of the present invention and further
embodiments of the aspects described in the preceding paragraphs
will become apparent from the following description, given by way
of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] The present invention will now be described, by way of
example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0033] FIG. 1: shows diagrammatically, a view of a gaming machine
suitable for implementing certain embodiments of the present
invention.
[0034] FIG. 2: shows a block diagram of gaming apparatus suitable
for implementing certain embodiments of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 3: shows a block diagram of components of the memory of
the gaming apparatus represented in FIG. 2.
[0036] FIG. 4: shows diagrammatically, a network gaming system
suitable for implementing certain embodiments of the present
invention.
[0037] FIG. 5: shows a flowchart of a game process in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0038] In FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings, one example of a
gaming machine suitable for implementing certain embodiments of the
present invention is generally referenced by arrow 10.
[0039] The gaming machine 10 includes a console 12 having a display
14 on which is displayed representations of a game 16 (bounding box
only shown in FIG. 1), that can be played by a player. A mid-trim
20 of the gaming machine 10 houses a bank of buttons 22 for
enabling a player to play the game 16. The mid-trim 20 also houses
a credit input mechanism 24 including a coin input chute 24A and a
bill collector 24B. 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 the front panel 29 of the console
12. A coin tray 30 is mounted beneath the console 12 for cash
payouts from the gaming machine 10.
[0040] The display 14 shown in FIG. 1 is in the form of a video
display unit, particularly a cathode ray tube screen device.
Alternatively, the display 14 may be a liquid crystal display,
plasma screen, any other suitable video display unit, or the
visible portion of an electromechanical device. The top box 26 in a
more preferred form of gaming machine 10 to implement certain
embodiments of the present invention includes a display, for
example a video display unit, which may be of the same type as the
display 14, or a different type of display.
[0041] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a gaming apparatus,
generally referenced by arrow 100, suitable for implementing
certain embodiments of the present invention. The gaming apparatus
100 may, for example, operate as a standalone gaming machine of the
type shown in FIG. 1. However, the gaming apparatus 100 may
alternatively operate as a networked gaming machine, communicating
with other network devices, such as one or more servers or other
gaming machines. The gaming apparatus 100 may also have distributed
hardware and software components that communicate with each other
directly or through a network. Accordingly, different reference
numerals have been used in FIG. 2 from FIG. 1 for components that
may be equivalent.
[0042] The gaming apparatus 100 includes a game controller 101,
which in the illustrated example includes a computational device
102, which may be a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable
logic device or other suitable device. Instructions and data to
control operation of the computational device 102 are stored in a
memory 103, which is in data communication with, or forms a part of
the computational device 102. Typically, the gaming apparatus 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 instructions to cause the game
controller 101 to implement the present invention will be stored in
the memory 103.
[0043] The gaming apparatus may include hardware meters 104 for the
purposes of regulatory compliance and also include an input/output
(I/O) interface 105 for communicating with the peripheral devices
of the gaming apparatus 100. The input/output interface 105 and/or
the peripheral devices may be intelligent devices with their own
memory for instructions and data.
[0044] In the example shown in FIG. 2, the peripheral devices that
communicate with the controller are one or more displays 106, user
input devices 107, a card and/or ticket reader 108, a printer 109,
a bill acceptor and/or coin input mechanism 110 and a coin output
mechanism 111.
[0045] One or more of the displays 106 may include a touch screen
106A, forming part of the user input devices 107. Additional
devices may be included as part of the gaming machine 100, or
devices omitted as required for the specific implementation.
[0046] 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 a the central
controller, server or database. One or more of the peripheral
devices, for example the card/ticket reader 108 may be able to
communicate directly with the network card 112.
[0047] The game controller 101 may also include a random number
generator 113, which generates a series of random numbers that
determine the outcome of a series of random game events played as
part of a game on the gaming apparatus 100. As explained in more
detail in relation to FIG. 4, the computational device 102 may
include two or more controllers or processors, which may be local
or remote from each other and the displays 106.
[0048] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary block diagram of the main
components of the memory 103.
[0049] The RAM 103A typically temporarily holds program files for
execution by the computational controller 102 and related data. The
EPROM 103B may hold be a boot ROM device and/or may contain some
system or game related code. The mass storage device 103C is
typically used to store game programs, the integrity of which may
be verified and/or authenticated by the computational controller
102 using protected code from the EPROM 103B or elsewhere.
[0050] FIG. 4 shows a gaming system 200. The gaming system 200
includes a network 201, which for example may be an Ethernet
network. Gaming devices 202, shown arranged in three banks 203 of
two gaming devices 202 in FIG. 4, are connected to the network 201.
The gaming devices 202 may be gaming machines 10, as shown in FIG.
1 or form part or all of another gaming apparatus 100. Single
gaming devices 202 and banks 203 containing three or more gaming
devices 202 may also be connected to the network 201.
[0051] One or more system displays 204 may also be connected to the
network 201. The system displays 204 may, for example, be
associated with a bank 203 of gaming devices. The system displays
204 may be used to display representations associated with game
play on the gaming devices 202, and/or used to display other
representations, for example promotional or informational material.
The bonus prizes referred to later herein, which may be in the form
of fixed or progressive prizes may be displayed on a system display
204.
[0052] Servers may also be connected to the network 201. For
example, a game server 205 may generate game outcomes for games
played on the gaming devices 202, a database management server 206
may manage the storage of game programs and associated data for
downloading or access by the gaming devices 202 in a database 206A,
and a jackpot server 207 may control one or more jackpots
associated with the gaming devices 202.
[0053] Further servers may be provided to assist in the
administration of the gaming system 200, including for example a
gaming floor management server 208, and a licensing server 209 to
monitor the use of licenses 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.
[0054] The gaming system 200 may communicate with other gaming
systems, other local networks, for example a corporate network
and/or a wide area network such as the Internet through a firewall
211.
[0055] FIG. 5 shows a process flow diagram 500 of a process
performed in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. The process may be performed by the network gaming
system 200, in which the gaming devices 202 may each include part
or all of a gaming apparatus 100 and the following description
assumes this implementation. However, those skilled in the relevant
arts will appreciate that the process will also be able to be
implemented by other gaming systems.
[0056] Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a form
of randomly awarded special prize to a player in addition to prizes
that the player would expect to receive during normal play. As
described in more detail in the following paragraphs, the special
prize may be awarded together with a bonus prize that is the result
of occurrence of a bonus feature occurring during normal play or is
the result of play of a feature game that is played following
occurrence of a bonus feature. Also, a single bonus feature may
result in one of a plurality of different bonus prizes.
[0057] The special prizes may be awarded only after a feature game
has been triggered during play of the base game of a game. That is,
special prizes will not be awarded during normal play of the base
game, but once a bonus feature has occurred during normal play of
the base game a feature game occurs, and eligibility for a special
prize will then exist in addition to the player being eligible to
win one or more bonus prizes dependent on the outcome of the
feature game. The one or more bonus prizes may be one or more
progressive prizes, the progressive prizes starting at and/or
incrementing at different levels if there is more than one. The one
or more bonus prizes may be one or more fixed prizes, the fixed
prizes having differing values. The description given with
reference to FIG. 5 primarily refers in more detail to the
processes involved in implementing a game having a base game and a
feature game.
[0058] In one embodiment there is a plurality of bonus prizes
associated with the bonus feature. In this embodiment the bonus
prize that is awarded is determined by the game controller 101
according to a random selection process. The random selection
process may be weighted so that smaller value bonus prizes
statistically occur more often than the higher value bonus
prizes.
[0059] Although the description herein uses the example of a
spinning reel game, the embodiments described herein will have
application to other game formats, including by way of non-limiting
example card games, dice games and keno games.
[0060] After a bet has been placed at step 501, a base game, which
may for example be a spinning reel game is played (step 502).
During the base game a bonus feature occurs according to random
criteria (determined in step 504). For example, the bonus feature
may be the alignment of say, three symbols alongside each other on
a payline of the gaming machine, or the occurrence anywhere on the
screen of say, three special or wild symbols. Various forms of such
events are known in the art and need not be described herein in any
greater detail.
[0061] An alternative arrangement is for the bonus feature to be
triggered completely independently of the base game, for example
based on turnover of the base game as described in Australian
patent no. 754689, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by
reference. In this case there may be only a single prize pool while
alternatively where multiple prize pools are provided, the prize
pool that is played for may be selected randomly.
[0062] Once the bonus feature has occurred or been triggered, the
gaming device 202 displays the feature game (step 506). This may be
under the control of the same computational device 102 that
controlled display of the base game. In an alternative embodiment,
the game controller 101 may have a specific component that operates
the feature game, which may be physically separate from a component
that controls play of the base game, or which may be a separate
process provided using the same physical component. This
alternative embodiment may have particular application to a
plurality of linked gaming machines.
[0063] Whichever form of bonus feature is triggered, and the manner
of that triggering, a feature game will be played, as indicated at
step 508. In due course an outcome of the feature game will occur,
as indicated at step 510. The outcome of the feature game will
determine whether a bonus prize is awarded. In one embodiment there
are a plurality of different bonus prizes that can be won from the
feature game, the game controller determining which one, if any, of
the bonus prizes is awarded according to random criteria, which may
be weighted towards the lesser value bonus prizes. In one version
of this embodiment, one of the bonus prizes is always awarded from
the feature game so that there are only winning outcomes of the
feature game.
[0064] At this point, rather than simply reverting back to the base
game, the game controller assesses whether the player is eligible
for a special or random prize, as indicated at step 512.
[0065] If the game controller 101 determines that the player is not
eligible for a prize, the system reverts to the base game, as
indicated at steps 518 and 501. However, if the game controller 101
determines that the player is eligible for a special prize then the
value of that special prize will be determined, as indicated at
step 514, and the player will then be paid that special prize out
of a progressive prize pool or other prize funds source. Thereafter
the system will revert to base game play, as indicated by steps 518
and 501. Thus, if control of the display 106 of the gaming device
202 was transferred to the jackpot server 207, it is returned from
the jackpot server 207 to the game controller 101 that controls
play of the base game, as indicated in step 518.
[0066] In one embodiment, the bonus prize and the special prize are
paid. In this embodiment, the gaming device 202 may display on the
display a single combined prize representing the sum of the bonus
prize and the special prize and displaying this as the result from
the feature game. In another embodiment, when the special prize is
to be awarded, it is awarded instead of the bonus prize. In this
embodiment, all values of the special prize are preferably higher
than the advertised bonus prize for the feature outcome. Also in
this embodiment the special prize need not be of the same type as
the bonus prize, although it may be of the same type (e.g. both are
prizes in credits). In both of these embodiments, the player may be
presented with representations that indicate that the bonus prize
at least sometimes, or perhaps often depending on the particular
implementation, is higher than the advertised amount. With
continued play, the player may notice that when the prize varies
from the advertised, the extent to which it is higher than the
advertised prize also varies.
[0067] When the special prize is awarded, the gaming machine may
display a special sequence on a display 106, play a sound and/or
otherwise distinguish the prize from the normal bonus prize
associated with the feature outcome. In one embodiment, whether or
not a special sequence, sound or other distinguishing media is
presented to the player when the special prize is awarded, no
additional display of symbols representative of the random
selection process in step 514 is made by the gaming device 202.
[0068] In an alternative embodiment, the special prize may be
displayed separately to the bonus prize. This creates a different
impression to the player, who sees that they have won the
advertised prize for the feature game outcome (or bonus feature in
the embodiment where a feature game is omitted) and with continued
play sees that a separate prize is awarded at random.
[0069] Clearly, the player's eligibility for a special prize, as
indicated in step 512, can be assessed on various bases. For
example, each time a player is awarded a feature game the system
may generate an additional special prize, of varying amounts, as
randomly determined. Alternatively, only those players who win a
particular bonus prize, for example the lowest available bonus
prize in the embodiment where every play of the feature game
results in a prize, may be eligible for the special prize, somewhat
in the manner of a consolation for the player. A further
alternative would be for the player to be awarded a special prize
in conjunction with all feature outcomes, but the quantum of the
special prize that can be awarded might vary between say a very low
prize or prize range, and a quite significant prize or prize range.
Eligibility may also be dependant on the player placing an
additional bet during play of the game in which the bonus feature
may occur.
[0070] An alternative embodiment to the process shown in FIG. 5 is
for the player to be awarded a special prize where a bonus feature
has occurred but where no feature game is played and consequently
no feature game outcome is achieved. The eligibility for the
special prize may for example be dependent on which bonus feature
has occurred. Eligibility for the special prize is therefore not
tied to the provision of a feature game.
[0071] In this embodiment, when the bonus feature occurs, the
player may be directly awarded a bonus prize and is also eligible
to be awarded the randomly awarded special prize. For example, a
gaming machine may maintain a plurality of progressive prizes or a
plurality of linked gaming machines may communicate with a
progressive controller, which may be the jackpot controller 207, to
maintain a plurality of progressives, the game controller 101
selecting one of the bonus prizes at random according to a weighted
selection process.
[0072] The selection process for the bonus prizes may be similar to
the selection process described herein below for the special prize.
However, those skilled in the relevant arts will appreciate that
alternative processes exist and could be developed.
[0073] In this alternative embodiment, each progressive prize may
be awarded as a bonus prize when a particular combination occurs
during play of a game. A single particular combination may be used
as the bonus feature, following which the player could be awarded
any one of the bonus prizes.
[0074] Alternatively or in addition, different combinations may
result in the award of different progressive prizes. In another
example, the gaming machine or linked gaming machines may offer a
plurality of different fixed prizes on the occurrence of a bonus
feature, there being a random selection of which fixed prize is won
when the bonus feature occurs.
[0075] By way of example, one of the progressive prizes may be
awarded with three "J" symbols occur along a pay line of a spinning
reel game. This progressive prize may be constrained, either
statistically and/or by fixed constraints to be within a certain
range. When three "J" symbols occur along a pay line, the gaming
machine or the progressive controller if provided may cause the
award of that progressive prize. In addition, the gaming machine,
the progressive controller or another device that receives a
communication notifying of the occurrence of the three "J" symbols
randomly awards a special prize.
[0076] It is envisaged that one manner of implementing the gaming
system would be that a proportion of the revenue from each gaming
machine would contribute towards a progressive prize pool which
would then be distributed back to players via the prize awarding
system described above, on a random or quasi random basis. In an
alternative embodiment, the special prize may be in the form of a
payment by the gaming machine operator that is not incorporated
into the return to player calculations.
[0077] For a linked gaming system, the jackpot server 207 may
incorporate a random number generator 113 which allocates special
prizes to different players, depending on the random number
selected once a player achieved a feature outcome. The special
prize awarding system could be revenue neutral, that is, over time,
the system could be programmed to return to players all of the
finds contributed by individual machines, but in different value
amounts, in the manner described above. Thus, the volatility of the
system would increase, yet the overall return to player percentage
would remain consistent. The random determination may instead be
made by a random number generator 113 located in the housing of the
gaming device 202 and may also be the same RNG 113 used for other
aspects of game play.
[0078] One means of prize awarding incorporating a random number
generator 113 might be as follows:
[0079] The random number generator 113 might have say, 5000
available numbers for selection each time a player becomes eligible
for a special prize. Numbers 1 to 1000 might be allocated as a zero
prize, numbers 1001 to 2000 might be allocated as a first level of
prize, numbers 2001 to 3000 might be allocated a second level of
prize and so on. Of course, there are a wide variety of ways of
randomly awarding amounts to players on the occurrence of a
triggering event, and the above example is intended to be simply
illustrative of how the invention might be put into effect. Step
512 of the process would then involve the random number generator
113 selecting a number between 1 and 5000 which would then
determine whether a prize was to be awarded, and if so, the quantum
of the prize.
[0080] It is envisaged that the system will greatly increase a
player's interest in the game because if, in normal play, after the
bonus feature has been triggered, the feature game has been played
resulting in the feature game outcome associated with the lowest
bonus prize, once the feature game outcome is known, the player
still has a second opportunity to win, thereby increasing the
player's enjoyment and anticipation in the feature game and feature
outcome.
[0081] The system can be implemented without changing the return to
player percentage of a gaming machine, if it is implemented on a
stand alone machine, or a gaming system, if implemented across a
plurality of linked gaming machines controlled by a central jackpot
controller within a jackpot pool.
[0082] While the foregoing description has been provided by way of
example of certain embodiments of the present invention as
presently contemplated, which utilise gaming apparatus and
machines, those skilled in the relevant arts will appreciate that
certain embodiments of the present invention also may have
application to internet gaming and/or have application to gaming
over a telecommunications network, where handsets are used to
display game outcomes and receive player inputs.
[0083] It will be understood that the invention disclosed and
defined in this specification extends to all alternative
combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or
evident from the text or drawings. All of these different
combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the
invention.
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