U.S. patent application number 11/569816 was filed with the patent office on 2008-11-27 for wagering game having a simulated world-building feature for payoffs.
This patent application is currently assigned to WMS Gaming Inc.. Invention is credited to Peter R. Anderson, Allon G. Englman, Jeremy M. Hornik, Michael W. Mastropietro.
Application Number | 20080293478 11/569816 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35839568 |
Filed Date | 2008-11-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080293478 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Anderson; Peter R. ; et
al. |
November 27, 2008 |
Wagering Game Having a Simulated World-Building Feature for
Payoffs
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a gaming terminal and a
method of playing at the gaming terminal. The gaming terminal has a
basic wagering game and a bonus game. The bonus game simulates the
building of a world and provides bonus awards based on an
accumulation of assets by the simulated world. In response to a
player terminating a gaming session, the accumulated assets are
selectively stored by the player in a memory device and can be used
in subsequent gaming sessions. Additionally, the player can choose
to save the status of the gaming session and return at a later time
to the same status as the first gaming session.
Inventors: |
Anderson; Peter R.;
(Chicago, IL) ; Englman; Allon G.; (Chicago,
IL) ; Hornik; Jeremy M.; (Chicago, IL) ;
Mastropietro; Michael W.; (Chicago, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NIXON PEABODY LLP
161 N CLARK ST., 48TH FLOOR
CHICAGO
IL
60601-3213
US
|
Assignee: |
WMS Gaming Inc.
|
Family ID: |
35839568 |
Appl. No.: |
11/569816 |
Filed: |
July 1, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
July 1, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US05/23778 |
371 Date: |
November 30, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60586058 |
Jul 7, 2004 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3239 20130101;
G07F 17/32 20130101; G07F 17/3267 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/25 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A gaming terminal for playing a wagering game, comprising: a
basic game having a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly
selected outcome of said basic game in response to a wager input; a
bonus game simulating the building of a world and providing a bonus
award based on an accumulation of assets associated with said
simulated world, said randomly selected outcome in said wagering
game affecting said accumulation of assets; and wherein, in
response to a termination of a gaming session in which said basic
game and said bonus game were played, said accumulation of assets
being selectively stored by said player in a memory device for use
in a subsequent gaming session by said player.
2. The gaming terminal of claim 1, wherein said simulated world is
a business enterprise that is selected from the group consisting of
a ranch, an oil drilling business, a farm, a mine, an investment
group, a building developer, a cruise ship and a train yard.
3-10. (canceled)
11. The gaming terminal of claim 1, wherein said simulated world is
a non-business enterprise that is selected from the group
consisting of an aquarium, a space ship, a board game, an orchard
and a conquering warrior.
12. (canceled)
13. The gaming terminal of claim 1, wherein said simulated world
includes a physical setting and one or more inhabitants, said bonus
award based on interactions between said inhabitants.
14-16. (canceled)
17. The gaming terminal of claim 1, wherein said bonus award is
progressively increased based on said accumulation of assets.
18. (canceled)
19. The gaming terminal of claim 17, wherein said bonus award is
awarded based on a player selectable option.
20. The gaming terminal of claim 1, wherein said bonus award is
provided to the player in the form of an option to exchange said
assets for a credit award.
21. The gaming terminal of claim 20, wherein said option to
exchange said assets is triggered by one of said randomly selected
outcomes in said basic game.
22. The gaming terminal of claim 1, wherein said assets include a
first type of asset and a second type of asset.
23. The gaming terminal of claim 22, wherein said assets can
further be increased if said player acquires said first type of
asset and said second type of asset.
24. The gaming terminal of claim 1, wherein, in response to an
asset-acquiring outcome in said basic game, said player is
permitted to select from among an array of assets.
25. A method of playing a wagering game having a basic game and a
bonus game, comprising: conducting said basic game at a gaming
terminal; achieving a bonus-game outcome in said basic game, said
bonus game simulating the building of a world and providing a bonus
award based on assets associated with said simulated world; in
response to achieving a first one of said bonus-game outcomes,
accumulating at least one of said assets; in response to achieving
a second one of said bonus-game outcomes, allowing a player to
exchange at least one of said assets for a bonus award; receiving
inputs from a player to save a status of said bonus game with said
acquired assets prior to a player completing a first gaming
session; and in a subsequent gaming session, receiving inputs from
a player to start said bonus game at a point that is the same as
said status for said first gaming session.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein said simulated world is a
business enterprise that is selected from the group consisting of a
ranch, an oil-drilling business, a farm, a mine, an investment
group, a building developer, a cruise ship, and a train yard.
27-34. (canceled)
35. The method of claim 25, wherein said simulated world is a
non-business enterprise that is selected from the group consisting
of an aquarium, a space ship, a board game, an orchard, and a
conquering warrior.
36. (canceled)
37. The method of claim 25, wherein said simulated world includes a
physical setting and one or more inhabitants, said bonus award
based on interactions between said inhabitants.
38-40. (canceled)
41. The method of claim 25, wherein providing said bonus award
includes progressively increasing said bonus award based on said
accumulation of assets.
42. (canceled)
43. The method of claim 41, wherein providing said bonus award
includes awarding said bonus award based on a player selectable
option.
44. The method of claim 25, wherein providing said bonus award
includes awarding an option to exchange said assets for a credit
award.
45. The method of claim 44, wherein said option to exchange said
assets is triggered by one of said randomly selected outcomes in
said basic game.
46. The method of claim 25, wherein accumulating said assets
include accumulating a first type of asset and a second type of
asset.
47. The method of claim 46, wherein said accumulation of assets can
be increased by acquiring said first type of asset and said second
type of asset.
48. The method of claim 25, wherein, in response to said achieving
of an asset-acquiring outcome in said basic game, permitting said
player to select from among an array of assets.
49. A method of playing a wagering game having a basic game and a
bonus game, comprising: conducting said basic game at a gaming
terminal; achieving a bonus-game outcome in said basic game, said
bonus game simulating the building of a world and providing a bonus
award based on assets associated with said simulated world; in
response to achieving said bonus-game outcome, accumulating a first
set of assets; allowing said player to save a status of said bonus
game with said accumulated set of assets in a first gaming session
for use in a subsequent gaming session.
50. The method of claim 49, further comprising the step of starting
said bonus game at a point that is the same as said status for said
first gaming session.
51. The method of claim 49, further comprising the step of
accumulating a second set of assets in said bonus game in said
subsequent gaming session.
52. The method of claim 51, further comprising the step of awarding
said bonus award based on said first and said second sets of
assets.
53-56. (canceled)
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to gaming terminals
and, more particularly, to a gaming terminal having a simulated
world-building game whereby assets associated with the simulated
world can be accumulated and saved at the gaming terminal and can
be restored at a subsequent gaming session.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 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 each machine
is roughly the same (or believed to be the same), players are most
likely to be attracted to the most entertaining and exciting of the
machines.
[0003] Consequently, shrewd operators strive to employ the most
entertaining and exciting machines available because such machines
attract frequent play and, hence, increase profitability to the
operator. In the competitive gaming machine industry, there is a
continuing need for gaming machine manufacturers to produce new
types of games, or enhancements to existing games, which will
attract frequent play by enhancing the entertainment value and
excitement associated with the game.
[0004] One concept that has been successfully employed to enhance
the entertainment value of a game is that of a "bonus" game which
may be played in conjunction with a "basic" game. The bonus game
may comprise any type of game, either similar to or completely
different from the basic game, and is entered upon the occurrence
of a selected event or outcome of the basic game. Such a bonus game
produces a significantly higher level of player excitement than the
basic game because it provides a greater expectation of winning
than the basic game.
[0005] Another concept that has been employed is the use of a
progressive jackpot. In the gaming industry, a "progressive"
involves collecting coin-in data from participating gaming
device(s) (e.g. slot machines), contributing a percentage of that
coin-in data to a jackpot amount, and awarding that jackpot amount
to a player upon the occurrence of a certain jackpot-won event. The
percentage of the coin-in is determined prior to any result being
achieved and is independent of any result. A jackpot-won event
typically occurs when a "progressive winning position" is achieved
at a participating gaming device. If the gaming device is a slot
machine, a progressive winning position may, for example,
correspond to alignment of progressive jackpot reel symbols along a
certain payline. The initial progressive jackpot is a predetermined
minimum amount. That jackpot amount, however, progressively
increases as players continue to play the gaming machine without
winning the jackpot. Further, when several gaming machines are
linked together such that several players at several gaming
machines compete for the same jackpot, the jackpot progressively
increases at a much faster rate, which leads to further player
excitement.
[0006] In current basic games, bonus games, and progressive games,
the player is provided with little incentive to return to the game
at a later time. Once the player chooses to stop playing the game
in that round, the player is immediately awarded any credits that
are remaining and also loses assets that have been accumulated, but
not yet awarded. For example, in some games, the bonus game
consists of the player collecting assets and when a certain number
or combination of assets is accumulated, the player wins an award.
However, should the player choose to leave the game prior to
winning the award, the player loses all of the assets accumulated.
This can cause player frustration and does not provide the player
with any incentive to return to the game.
[0007] Such a system also encourages "vulturing," in which the
"vulturing" player waits for a person who is close to winning an
award to leave the gaming machine prior to the winning of the
award. The "vulturing" player then begins to play the machine, and
may quickly win the award without investing much time into the
game. This is also frustrating for other players.
[0008] Thus, there is a need to allow a player to accumulate assets
on gaming terminals and to have those assets restored to them
should the player return to the game at a later time. This way,
should a player choose to leave a game, anything the player has
accumulated during the game goes with them and is restored at a
later time when the player returns to the game. This alleviates the
player frustration at losing assets that they have accumulated and
also provides the player with an incentive to return to the game at
a later date.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the
needs mentioned above are met by a gaming terminal having a basic
wagering game and a bonus game. In this embodiment, the basic
wagering game includes a plurality of symbols that indicate a
randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. The bonus game
simulates the operation of a world and provides bonus awards based
on an accumulation of assets associated with the simulated world.
In response to a player terminating a gaming session, the
accumulated assets are selectively stored by the player in a memory
device and can be used in subsequent gaming sessions.
[0010] According to another embodiment of the invention, a method
of playing a wagering game is disclosed. The method includes a
basic game and a bonus game played at a gaming terminal. A
bonus-game outcome is achieved in the basic game. The bonus game
simulates an operation of a world and provides a bonus award based
on assets associated with the simulated world. Upon receiving a
first bonus-game outcome, a player accumulates at least one of the
assets. Upon receiving a second bonus-game outcome, a player can
exchange one or more assets for a payout. In response to receiving
inputs from a player prior to completing a gaining session, the
status of the bonus game and the accumulated assets can be saved in
a memory device. The player can then restore the status of the
gaming session and the accumulated assets at a later gaming
session.
[0011] According to another embodiment of the invention, a gaming
terminal for playing a wagering game includes a display and a
controller. The display displays a wagering game having a plurality
of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the
wagering game. A controller is coupled to the display. The
controller operates to simulate the building of a world, and to
provide a bonus award that is based on an accumulation of assets
associated with the simulated world. The controller also operates
to allow a player to store accumulated assets in a memory device
for use in a subsequent gaming session.
[0012] The above summary of the present invention is not intended
to represent each embodiment or every aspect of the present
invention. The detailed description and Figures will describe many
of the embodiments and aspects of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will
become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and
upon reference to the drawings.
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a video gaming terminal
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the gaming terminal of FIG.
1.
[0016] FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate the main and secondary displays
of a gaming terminal of FIG. 1 displaying a wagering game with a
winning outcome.
[0017] FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate the main and secondary displays
of a gaming terminal of FIG. 1 displaying a wagering game.
[0018] FIGS. 5a and 5b illustrate the main and secondary displays
of a gaming terminal of FIG. 1 displaying a wagering game whereby a
player has saved accumulated assets.
[0019] FIGS. 6a and 6b illustrate the main and secondary displays
of a gaming terminal of FIG. 1 displaying a wagering game.
[0020] FIGS. 7a and 7b illustrate the main and secondary displays
of a gaming terminal of FIG. 1 displaying a wagering game with a
winning outcome.
[0021] FIG. 8 illustrates the main display of a gaming terminal of
FIG. 1 displaying a wagering game.
[0022] FIG. 9 illustrates the main display of a gaming terminal of
FIG. 1 displaying a bonus game.
[0023] FIG. 10 illustrates the main display of a gaming terminal of
FIG. 1 displaying a bonus game with player selectable options.
[0024] FIGS. 11aa and 11b illustrate the main and secondary display
of a gaming terminal of FIG. 1 displaying a wagering game.
[0025] FIGS. 12a and 12b illustrate the main and secondary display
of a gaming terminal of FIG. 1 displaying a wagering game with a
winning outcome.
[0026] FIGS. 13a and 13b illustrate the main and secondary display
of a gaming terminal of FIG. 1 displaying a wagering game whereby a
player has saved accumulated assets.
[0027] 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.
DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0028] The present invention is directed to a gaming terminal and a
method of playing a wagering game. The wagering game may include a
basic game and a bonus game that includes building a simulated
world. Generally, a simulated world includes a physical setting and
one or more inhabitants. The inhabitants may be life forms,
machines, or objects. The inhabitants interact with their setting
(i.e., digging tunnels, pumping oil) and/or with the other
inhabitants. These interactions may lead to favorable outcomes for
a player. The more time a player spends playing the wagering game
and building a simulated world, the greater the number of
inhabitants and interactions that can occur, and the more chances
of getting such favorable outcomes. The occurrences of many or all
of the interactions are controlled by a processor or controller
that performs random selections, allowing the simulated world to be
conducted as part of a wagering game.
[0029] In one embodiment, the simulated world may be a business
enterprise. The business enterprise can take many different forms.
For example, a business enterprise may include a ranch, a farm, an
oil drilling business, or a gold mine, as will be shown in the
figures discussed below. These enterprises have assets that may be
accumulated by a player who can exchange the assets for an award,
i.e., credits, or save the assets for use in a future gaming
session. The present invention contemplates using many different
types of business enterprises with associated assets. Several
examples are described in more detail in the following paragraphs,
however the present invention is not limited to the examples given
here.
[0030] A simulated world may also take the form of a non-business
enterprise. Such non-business enterprises may include, as examples,
an aquarium that gradually gains more fish, a space ship that
travels to different worlds and encounters aliens, a board game
having increasingly-valued properties, and a conquering warrior
that collects valuable materials. These simulated worlds also have
assets associated with them. The present invention contemplates
using may different types of non-business enterprises with
associated assets, examples of which are, given in more detail
below. The examples are not meant, however, to limit the scope of
the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a typical gaming terminal
10 used by gaming establishments, such as casinos. With regard to
the present invention, the gaming terminal 10 may be any type of
gaming terminal and may have varying structures and methods of
operation. For example, the gaming terminal 10 may be a mechanical
gaming terminal configured to play mechanical slots, or it may be
an electromechanical or electrical gaming terminal configured to
play video slots or a video casino game, such as blackjack, slots,
keno, poker, etc.
[0032] As shown, the gaming terminal 10 includes input devices,
such as a wager acceptor 16 (shown as a card wager acceptor 16a and
a cash wager accepter 16b), a touch screen 21, a push-button panel
22, and an information reader 24. For outputs, the gaming terminal
10 includes a payout mechanism 23, a main display 26 for displaying
information about the basic wagering game, and a secondary display
27 that may display an electronic version of a pay table, and/or
also possibly game-related information or other entertainment
features. While these typical components found in the gaming
terminal 10 are described below, it should be understood that
numerous other elements may exist and may be used in any number of
combinations to create various forms of a gaming terminal.
[0033] The wager acceptor 16 may be provided in many forms,
individually or in combination. The cash wager acceptor 16a may
include a coin slot acceptor or a note acceptor to input value to
the gaming terminal 10. The card wager acceptor 16b may include a
card-reading device for reading a card that has a recorded monetary
value with which it is associated. The card wager acceptor 16b may
also receive a card that authorizes access to a central account,
which can transfer money to the gaming terminal 10.
[0034] Also included is the payout mechanism 23, which performs the
reverse functions of the wager acceptor. For example, the payout
mechanism 23 may include a coin dispenser or a note dispenser to
output value from gaming terminal 10. Also, the payout mechanism 23
may also be adapted to receive a card that authorizes the gaming
terminal to transfer credits from the gaming terminal 10 to a
central account.
[0035] The push button panel 22 is typically offered, in addition
to the touch screen 21, to provide players with an option on how to
make their game selections. Alternatively, the push button panel 22
provides inputs for one aspect of operating the game, while the
touch screen 21 allows for inputs needed for another aspect of
operating the game.
[0036] The outcome of the basic wagering game is displayed to the
player on the main display 26. The main display 26 may take the
form of a cathode ray tube (CRT), a high resolution LCD, a plasma
display, LED, or any other type of video display suitable for use
in the gaming terminal 10. As shown, the main display 26 includes
the touch screen 21 overlaying the entire monitor (or a portion
thereof) to allow players to make game-related selections.
Alternatively, the gaming terminal 10 may have a number of
mechanical reels to display the game outcome, as well.
[0037] In some embodiments, the information reader 24 is a card
reader that allows for identification of a player by reading a card
with information indicating his or her true identity. Currently,
identification is used by casinos for rewarding certain players
with complimentary services or special offers. For example, a
player may be enrolled in the gaming establishment's players' club
and may be awarded certain complimentary services as that player
collects points in his or her player-tracking account. The player
inserts his or her card into the player-identification card reader
24, which allows the casino's computers to register that player's
wagering at the gaming terminal 10. The information reader 24 may
also include a keypad (not shown) for entering a personal
identification number (PIN). The gaming terminal 10 may require
that the player enter their PIN prior to obtaining information. The
gaming terminal 10 may use the secondary display 27 for providing
the player with information about his or her account or other
player-specific information. Also, in some embodiments, the
information reader 24 may be used to restore assets that the player
achieved during a previous game session and had saved.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, the various components of the gaming
terminal 10 are controlled by a central processing unit (CPU) 30
(such as a microprocessor or microcontroller). To provide the
gaming functions, the CPU 30 executes a game program that allows
for the randomly selected outcome. The CPU 30 is also coupled to or
includes a local memory 32. The local memory 32 may comprise a
volatile memory 33 (e.g., a random-access memory (RAM)) and a
non-volatile memory 34 (e.g., an EEPROM). It should be appreciated
that the CPU 30 may include one or more microprocessors. Similarly,
the local memory 32 may include multiple RAM and multiple program
memories.
[0039] Communications between the peripheral components of the
gaming terminal 10 and the CPU 30 occur through input/output (I/O)
circuits 35a. As such, the CPU 30 also controls and receives inputs
from the peripheral components of the gaming terminal 10. Further,
the CPU 30 communicates with external systems via the I/O circuits
35b. Although the I/O circuits 35 may be shown as a single block,
it should be appreciated that the I/O circuits 35 may include a
number of different types of I/O circuits.
[0040] In some embodiments, the CPU 30 may not be inside the gaming
terminal 10. Instead, the CPU 30 may be part of a game network 50
(FIG. 2) and may be used to control numerous gaming terminals 10.
In these embodiments, the CPU 30 will run the basic games for each
of the gaming terminals 10, and may also be used to link the gaming
terminals 10 together. The game network 50 can include progressive
jackpots that are contributed to by all or some of the gaming
terminals 10 in the network (e.g., terminal-level jackpots that
only each terminal 10 contributes to, bank-level jackpots that are
contributed to by all of the terminals 10 in a particular bank, and
wide-area jackpots that are contributed to by a larger number of
terminals 10, such as multiple banks). Alternatively, the game
network 50 can allow the player to retrieve assets obtained while
playing one terminal 10 at a different gaming terminal that is also
part of the game network. Assets may be any number of things,
including, but not limited to, monetary or non-monetary awards,
features that a player builds up in a bonus or progressive game to
win awards, etc.
[0041] In some embodiments, the CPU 30 is also used with the
information reader 24 to restore saved assets. For example, in one
embodiment, the information reader 24 is adapted to receive and
distribute tickets. The tickets each include a unique identifier.
The unique identifier links the ticket to a file contained within
the local memory 32 or a system memory 52 located in the game
network 50. The file includes the assets that are being stored from
a previous game. Monetary awards include game credits or money,
while the non-monetary awards can be free plays (e.g., free spins),
multipliers, or access to bonus and/or progressive games.
[0042] When a player inserts a ticket into the information reader
24, the CPU 30 obtains the unique identifier and causes the
appropriate memory 32, 52 to be searched, and the file containing
the unique identifier matching the identifier on the ticket is
retrieved. Any assets or other information contained in this file
are then transmitted to the gaming terminal 10, and the player
regains any assets that were saved during a previous game. This
allows the player to keep assets even after a particular gaming
session ends, which increases player commitment to a game and
decreases vulturing (and possibly even ends it).
[0043] In other embodiments, the information reader 24 may include
a card reader, and the unique identifier provided at the gaming
terminal 10 may be stored on a personal identification card, such
as one described above. Or, the gaming terminal 10 includes a radio
frequency identification device (RFID) transceiver or receiver so
that an RFID transponder held by the player can be used to provide
the unique identifier of the player at the gaming terminal 10
without the need to insert a card into the gaming terminal 10. RFD
components can be those available from Pacific Northwest National
Laboratory (under the United States Department of Energy) of
Richland, Wash.
[0044] In other embodiments, the information reader 24 may include
a biometric reader, such as a finger, hand, or retina scanner, and
the unique identifier may be the scanned biometric information.
Additional information regarding biometric scanning, such as
fingerprint scanning or hand geometry scanning, is available from
International Biometric Group LLC of New York, N.Y. Other biometric
identification techniques can be used as well for providing a
unique identifier of the player. For example, a microphone can be
used in a biometric identification device on the gaming terminal so
that the player can be recognized using a voice recognition
system.
[0045] In other embodiments, the player may simply have to enter in
a unique identification code and password into the gaming terminal
10. In these embodiments, the player would not have to insert a
physical object (such as a card or ticket) into the gaming
terminal, but would instead use the information reader 24 as an
input device, such as a keyboard.
[0046] In summary, there are many techniques in which to provide a
unique identifier for the player so that the assets accumulated by
the player during one wagering session can be stored in either the
system memory 52 or local memory 32, thereby allowing the player to
subsequently access those assets at the same gaming terminal 10 or
a different gaming terminal within the network 50. As described
below with reference to FIGS. 3 to 13, various assets related to
the wagering game features and formats can be stored after one
gaming session and used in a subsequent gaming session(s) to
enhance the gaming experience for the player.
[0047] The main display 26 of one embodiment of the present
invention is shown in more detail in FIG. 3b. In this embodiment,
the basic wagering game is a slot machine game, with symbols on
five different reels 36, 38, 40, 42, 44. The reels 36-44 may be
either traditional mechanical reels or they may be
computer-generated images of reels, with each reel composed of a
plurality of symbols. The payline indicators 46 indicate a randomly
selected outcome for each payline, which is the combination of
symbols on the reels 3644. Thereafter, an outcome indicator 48
indicates whether the outcome has resulted in a winning outcome or
a non-winning outcome. While multiple paylines are shown, a gaming
terminal 10 with a single payline will also work with the present
invention.
[0048] A bonus game can be achieved by a bonus-game outcome in the
basic wagering game. The bonus game may be similar to or completely
different from the basic wagering game. As will be discussed in
more detail below, the bonus game simulates the building of a
world. A player receives a bonus award in the bonus game based on
the accumulation of assets associated with the simulated world. The
accumulation of assets can be affected by the randomly selected
outcome of the basic wagering game. A player can also be allowed to
exchange one or all of the accumulated assets for a payout. After a
player decides to terminate play at the gaming terminal, the
accumulated assets not exchanged by the player can be stored by the
player in the local memory 32 or system memory 52, depending on the
architecture and operation of the overall gaming system. The
accumulated assets can then be restored for use in a subsequent
gaming session by the player.
[0049] A player may also be allowed to save the status of a bonus
game (or a basic wagering game) prior to completing a gaming
session. In this case, after a player returns for a subsequent
gaming session, the gaming terminal can receive an input from the
returning player to start the wagering game at the same point as
the status of the earlier gaming session. The subsequent gaming
session may be played at the same or a different gaming terminal as
the first gaming session.
[0050] The main display 26 shown in FIG. 3b further illustrates a
basic wagering game with a ranch theme (i.e., a "Virtual Ranch")
having a randomly selected outcome that is a winning outcome. The
simulated world that is displayed on the secondary display 27 (FIG.
3a) in this example is a ranch where the player collects cows and
bulls. In this particular embodiment, a combination of three bulls
along an active payline 46 constitutes a winning outcome. The
player is awarded another bull 50 in his or her ongoing bonus game,
which is a herd of cattle displayed in the secondary display 27. A
winning outcome can also include a combination of three cow symbols
along any payline. Upon receiving this winning outcome, a player
would receive a cow for the herd. For every game that is played
where the player has at least one bull and at least one cow in the
herd, there is a chance that a bull and a cow will pair off and
make another cow that will be added to the herd. The award of a cow
or a bull can require some specific type of outcome on the reels
36-44, or can be an entirely random event. Thus, the number of cows
and bulls displayed in the secondary display 27 increases as the
player continues to play, as illustrated in FIG. 4a.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 5a, a player may get a combination of
symbols that triggers a character to appear that offers the player
a monetary or non-monetary award for the herd that the player has
accumulated thus far. The player can either accept the offer and
obtain the award or reject the offer and allow the herd to continue
to grow. For example, in FIG. 5a, the character offers the player
100 credits for the herd. The player must then make a decision of
whether to take the 100 credits or continue with the herd he has
accumulated. The appearance of the character may also occur
randomly, without a triggering combination of symbols, as in a
mystery pay.
[0052] Finally, a player is given the option of saving the herd of
accumulated cows and bulls, as shown in FIG. 5b, for a future
gaming session. The player will then be allowed to store these
assets to be collected or used in a future gaming session. For
example, the player can save his herd containing one bull and four
cows and be able to retrieve them at a later time. The herd can be
considered an asset that is saved in a local memory 32 or system
memory 52 (or on a card, ticket, etc) for use by the player in
subsequent gaming session.
[0053] FIGS. 6-13 illustrate other variations on games played at
gaming terminals 10 that give players an option to accumulate
assets of a simulated world. For example, FIG. 6b shows a wagering
game with a main display 126 having symbols on three reels, one of
which is an oil derrick 160, and presenting on oil drilling theme
(the "Virtual Oil Baron"). Above the main display 126 in FIG. 6a is
a secondary display 127 which contains an array of oil derricks
160, each of which has a corresponding player-selectable option
162. Every time an oil derrick 160 symbol appears on an active
payline of the reels, one of the oil derricks 60 shown in the
secondary display 127 is awarded to the player. The player is
allowed to choose an oil derrick from the array of derricks using
the player-selectable option 162 located adjacent to the oil
derrick 160.
[0054] As shown in FIGS. 7a and 7b, when a player obtains three
gusher symbols on the reels, the "gusher bonus" 164 is started.
Some or all of the oil derricks 160 contained in the secondary
display 127 begin to gush oil. If one of more oil derricks 160 that
is gushing oil is one that was previously selected by the player,
the player receives the award associated with the gushing derrick
160. In the illustrated example, the player "owns" the oil derrick
in the lower right corner, and the player receives 500 credits. In
one embodiment, all oil derricks 160 that had no oil gush, but were
"owned" by the player are retained by the player for the next
gusher bonus. When the player ends the gaming session, the player
is given the option of saving the oil derricks 160 contained in the
secondary display 127. The player will then be allowed to store
these assets to be collected or used in a future gaming
session.
[0055] FIG. 8 shows a main display 226 of a wagering game having
symbols on five different reels with a farm theme (the "Virtual
Corn Crop"). Above the reels are a number of open fields 280. After
commencing play, a player may achieve a combination of symbols that
triggers a "farm bonus," as shown in FIG. 9. The "farm bonus" is
displayed on the main display 226, and presents the player with a
plurality of seed packets 282. At this time, the player is allowed
to select one or more of the seed packets 282. Some of the seed
packets 282 are associated with an award of credits, while other
seed packets 282 are associated with seeds that are planted in the
open fields 280. For example, in FIG. 9, the player has been
allowed to select three seed packets 282. One of the seed packets
282a is associated with an award of 15 credits, while two packets
282b are associated with corn seeds. As such, the player is awarded
15 credits and two of the open fields 282 are filled with corn
284.
[0056] At the end of the bonus game, the player is offered a prize
in exchange for the corn. As shown in FIG. 10, the player is
offered 200 credits for two cornfields. Alternatively, the player
can choose to keep the corn and plant extra fields. If the player
fills more open fields 280, the award is progressively larger
(e.g., 75 credits for one open field 280; 200 credits for two open
fields 280; 350 credits for three open fields 280; and 550 credits
for four open fields 280) If the player declines, the player
returns to the basic game and continues to play it, with the hope
of triggering another bonus game during which he or she may select
a packet 282 that fills the third field. Of course, variations in
the game could exist such that certain seed packets 282 are a
"drought" outcome that could destroy one or more corn fields 284.
Or, the player may be only allowed to hold his or her corn fields
for a certain length of time before there is a forced "harvest,"
which could pay less than the normal bonus award per corn field
284.
[0057] At the end of the gaming session, the player may save any
corn fields 284 for a subsequent gaming session during which he or
she may trigger a bonus game in the basic game and hopefully fill
the remaining open fields 280. As such these corn fields can be
thought of as assets that are accumulated over a period of
time.
[0058] Another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in
FIGS. 11a and 11b (the "Virtual Gold Mine"), includes a main
display 326 of a wagering game containing different symbols on five
reels. A secondary display 327 contains a miner 390 in the center
of an earthen mine. Surrounding the miner 390 at different
distances are gold nuggets 392 that are associated with bonus
values. While the values of the nuggets 392 are shown as being
equal, the values can be different as well.
[0059] After the player achieves a pick symbol 394 on one or more
of the reels, the miner 390 digs out one space in a random, or
symbol determined, direction, as shown in FIG. 12a. For a
symbol-driven direction, the pick symbol 394 may have an arrow on
it, or a player-selectable array could be provided in which the
player selects one element which reveals the direction of the next
pick movement. If the miner reaches a nugget 392, the value of the
nugget 392 is awarded to the player. After the player leaves the
game, the mine that has been dug can be saved and used in future
gaming sessions. For example, the player received 500 credits and
saved the mine as depicted in FIGS. 13a and 13b. Players may be
motivated to save the mine for a subsequent gaming session if they
are very close to a nugget 394 or a group of nuggets 394.
Furthermore, the game could be configured to allow the play (e.g.
the 500 credits), such that he or she can obtain that award
automatically at a subsequent gaming session.
[0060] In addition to the simulated worlds described above, other
simulated worlds having various assets relating to the simulated
worlds can be stored after a gaming session and used in a
subsequent gaming session. Examples of other enterprises whereby a
player achieves simulated world-building outcomes in the wagering
game and has the option of saving assets associated with the
simulated world include: an aquarium where a player can accumulate
various types of fish or ocean life as assets; a developer where
assets include buildings that become taller and wider; a cruise
ship where a player accumulates new ports and destinations; a space
ship where assets can include different worlds and aliens, and a
player can form alliances with the aliens; and a board game where a
player accumulates properties that increase in value, and can
replace properties that have lower values with properties that have
higher values, as for example, in the game Monopoly.RTM..
[0061] Other possible simulated worlds that are within the scope of
the invention can include an orchard where a player accumulates
assets such as trees that grow and produce fruit. In a wagering
game, for example, a player may achieve an outcome that allows the
player in a bonus game to pick fruit that is associated with an
award of credits. Alternatively, the player may be allowed to pick
fruit that is associated with seeds that can be planted to grow
more trees that the player can accumulate.
[0062] Another example that is within the scope of the present
invention is an investment group where a player can accumulate
stocks, bonds, etc. After achieving a certain outcome in a basic
wagering game, a player may be allowed to sell the investments that
he or she has accumulated. A player may also be given the option of
increasing certain kinds of investments by exchanging one kind of
investment for another. For example, a player may decide to cash in
all of his stocks for credits, or to exchange the stocks for other
investment opportunities.
[0063] A further example includes a conquering warrior that
accumulates gold and other treasures. In this embodiment, a player
achieves outcomes in the basic game that allows he or she to
accumulate weapons, armies, and other things necessary to conquer a
city. Once a player has accumulated such assets, he or she may be
eligible for a bonus game that allows the player to use the assets
to conquer cities or civilizations and accumulate gold, silver, and
other valuable assets. At some point, the player is offered credits
or alternatively, more weapons, for these valuable assets.
[0064] Another embodiment of the present invention may include a
train yard containing boxcars. During play of the basic game, a
player accumulates train engines. When a bonus outcome is achieved
in the basic game, each train engine that the player has
accumulated hauls away one boxcar, and an award is revealed. The
player is allowed to choose which boxcar is taken by each engine
using a player-selectable option. Thus, the player's selection
dictates the credits that are awarded. Along the way, the player
may be given the option to save the status of the game and the
accumulated assets, i.e., train engines, to be restored in a future
gaming session. This is an example of where a player accumulates
"picks" during the wagering game and uses these "picks" to select
player-selectable elements that influence the outcome of the
wagering game.
[0065] As with all of the above examples, the status of the game
and any assets that a player has accumulated may be saved in a
memory device and restored by the player in a later gaming session.
While the present invention has been described in terms of a bonus
game where assets of a simulated world are accumulated and saved,
the present invention also allows for such assets to be accumulated
and saved in a basic game.
[0066] While the present invention has been described with
reference to one or more particular embodiments, those skilled in
the art will recognize that many changes may be made thereto
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention. 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.
* * * * *