U.S. patent application number 13/624215 was filed with the patent office on 2013-03-28 for gaming apparatus, system and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to Dynamite Games Pty Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is Dynamite Games Pty Ltd.. Invention is credited to Benjamin James Ellis.
Application Number | 20130079118 13/624215 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47911882 |
Filed Date | 2013-03-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130079118 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ellis; Benjamin James |
March 28, 2013 |
GAMING APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD
Abstract
A gaming apparatus configured to provide a main game and being
capable of triggering at least one game event includes a component
for storing a main game wager value. A player operable input means
provided by the apparatus is operable to allow a player to place a
wager which is supplementary to the wager placed on the main game
and which has a value which is variable by the player in
independence of the main game wager value. A processor is
responsive to the supplementary wager value so as to determine a
characteristic of the game event.
Inventors: |
Ellis; Benjamin James;
(Sydney, AU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Dynamite Games Pty Ltd.; |
Sydney |
|
AU |
|
|
Assignee: |
Dynamite Games Pty Ltd.
Sydney
AU
|
Family ID: |
47911882 |
Appl. No.: |
13/624215 |
Filed: |
September 21, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3267 20130101;
G07F 17/3262 20130101; G07F 17/3244 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/25 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 23, 2011 |
AU |
2011226854 |
Claims
1. A gaming apparatus configured to provide a main game and being
capable of triggering at least one game event, the gaming apparatus
including: a component for storing a main game wager value; a
player operable input means being operable to allow a player to
place a wager which is supplementary to the main game wager, a
value of the supplementary wager being variable by the player in
independence of the main game wager value; and a processor
responsive to the supplementary wager value so as to determine a
characteristic of the game event.
2. A gaming apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the player
operable input means is further operable to allow the player to
vary the supplementary wager value.
3. A gaming apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the player
operable input means is operable to allow the player to vary the
supplementary wager value from either a wager value previously
selected by the player or an initial supplementary wager value
determined by the gaming apparatus.
4. A gaming apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the initial
supplementary wager value is associated with a denomination setting
for the gaming apparatus.
5. A gaming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an
indicator for providing to the player information indicative of the
characteristic and wherein the information is adjusted in response
to an adjustment of the supplementary wager value.
6. A gaming apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the game event
includes awarding a bonus game.
7. A gaming apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the game event
includes one or more free games.
8. A gaming apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the
characteristic is a probability of the game event being triggered
in association with the main game.
9. A gaming apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the processor is
configured to determine the probability such that the probability
increases in response to an increase in the supplementary wager
value.
10. A gaming apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the gaming
apparatus is capable of triggering a plurality of different game
events and wherein the characteristic defines a subset of said
plurality that are triggerable in association with the game.
11. A gaming apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the player
operable input means is operable to adjust the supplementary wager
value in predefined increments and wherein each increment is
associated with inclusion or exclusion of a different number of
game events within the subset.
12. A gaming apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the player
operable input means is operable to allow players to place a
plurality of supplementary wagers, with each wager being associated
with a different characteristic of the game event.
13. A method of gaming in which at least one game event is capable
of being triggered, the method comprising: storing a main game
wager value for play of a main game; allowing a player to place a
wager which is supplementary to the main game wager, a value of the
supplementary wager being variable by the player in independence of
the main game wager value; and determining a characteristic of the
game event responsive to the supplementary wager value.
14. A method according to claim 13 further comprising providing the
player with an indication of the characteristic and wherein the
indication is varied in response to a variation of the
supplementary wager value.
15. A method in accordance with claim 13, wherein the game event
comprises awarding a bonus game or jackpot prize such that the
determined characteristic is a probability of triggering the game
event during play of the main game.
16. A method according to claim 16, wherein the probability
increases in relation to the supplementary wager value.
17. A method according to claim 13, wherein a plurality of
different game events are triggerable during the game and wherein
the characteristic defines a subset of said plurality that will
apply for the wagered game.
18. A method according to claim 17 further comprising allowing the
player to adjust the supplementary wager value in predefined
increments and wherein each increment is associated with the
inclusion of a particular game event within the subset.
19. A method of gaming comprising: providing a player with an
opportunity to place a supplementary wager on a game, the
supplementary wager operable to allow a game event to be
triggerable during play of the game; displaying a probability of
triggering the game event based on a default supplementary wager
value; and allowing the player to vary the default supplementary
wager value in independence of a base wager value, to thereby
increase or decrease the probability of triggering the game event
during the game.
20. Computer readable medium implementing computer program code
which, when executed by a computing system, implements the method
according to claim 13.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to gaming apparatus, systems
and methods. It relates for example to electronic gaming machines
and to networked gaming systems, such as Internet-based gaming
systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Gaming machines have been a popular form of entertainment
for many years. This popularity has been enhanced with the advent
of electronic gaming machines and computer-based gaming systems,
such as are provided over the Internet.
[0003] Many different types of game are playable on such gaming
machines. They include for example standard slot-machine type games
with spinning reels, poker machines, keno, bingo, blackjack,
roulette, pachinko and the like.
[0004] A user will typically place a bet to begin a game, and will
win or lose based upon the rules of the game.
[0005] While such games provide users with enjoyment, the need
exists for alternative gaming systems in order to maintain or
increase player enjoyment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention there is
provided a gaming apparatus configured to provide a main game and
being capable of triggering at least one game event, the gaming
apparatus including:
[0007] a component for storing a main game wager value;
[0008] a player operable input means being operable to allow a
player to place a wager which is supplementary to the main game
wager, a value of the supplementary wager being variable by the
player in independence of the main game wager value; and
[0009] a processor responsive to the supplementary wager value so
as to determine a characteristic of the game event.
[0010] In an embodiment the player operable input means is further
operable to allow the player to vary the supplementary wager
value.
[0011] In an embodiment the game event is associated with the main
game. For example, the game event could be triggered by a bet
placed on the main game.
[0012] In an embodiment the player operable input means is operable
to allow the player to vary the supplementary wager value from
either a wager value previously selected by the player or an
initial supplementary wager value determined by the gaming
apparatus.
[0013] In an embodiment the initial supplementary wager value is
associated with a denomination setting for the gaming
apparatus.
[0014] In an embodiment the gaming apparatus further comprises an
indicator for providing to the player information indicative of the
characteristic. The information may be adjusted dynamically in
response to an adjustment of the supplementary wager value.
[0015] In an embodiment the game event includes awarding a bonus
game. The bonus game may, for example, have a higher return to
player percentage or associated worth than the main game. In
another embodiment the game event may include one or more free
games or reel re-spins.
[0016] In an embodiment the characteristic is a probability of the
game event being triggered in association with (e.g. before, during
or after) play of the main game.
[0017] In an embodiment the processing means is configured to
determine the probability such that the probability increases in
response to an increase in the supplementary wager value.
[0018] In an embodiment the gaming apparatus is capable of
triggering a plurality of different game events and wherein the
characteristic defines a subset of said plurality that are
triggerable during the game.
[0019] In an embodiment the player operable input means is operable
to adjust the supplementary wager value in predefined increments
and wherein each increment is associated with inclusion of a
different number of game events within the subset.
[0020] In an embodiment the gaming apparatus is configured to allow
players to place a plurality of supplementary wagers, with each
wager associated with a different characteristic of the game
event.
[0021] In accordance with a second aspect there is provided a
method of gaming in which at least one game event is capable of
being triggered, the method comprising:
[0022] storing a main game wager value for play of a main game;
[0023] allowing a player to place a wager which is supplementary to
the main game wager, a value of the supplementary wager being
variable by the player in independence of the main game wager
value; and
[0024] determining a characteristic of the game event responsive to
the supplementary wager value.
[0025] In an embodiment the supplementary wager value is variable
from either a wager value previously selected by the player or an
initial supplementary wager value.
[0026] In an embodiment the method further comprises providing the
player with an indication of the characteristic and wherein the
indication is varied in response to a variation of the
supplementary wager value.
[0027] In an embodiment the game event includes awarding a bonus
game.
[0028] In an embodiment the characteristic is a probability of the
game event being triggered during play of the main game.
[0029] In an embodiment the probability increases in relation to
the supplementary wager value.
[0030] In an embodiment a plurality of different game events are
triggerable during the game and wherein the characteristic defines
a subset of said plurality.
[0031] In an embodiment the method further comprises allowing the
player to adjust the supplementary wager value in predefined
increments and wherein each increment is associated with inclusion
of a different number of game events within the subset.
[0032] In an embodiment the method further comprises displaying
play of the game on an electronic gaming apparatus.
[0033] In accordance with a third aspect there is provided a method
of gaming comprising:
[0034] allowing a player to place a supplementary wager on a game,
a value of the supplementary wager being variable by a player in
independence of a base wager value, such that a probability of
triggering a feature game in the game is related to the
supplementary wager value.
[0035] In an embodiment the method further comprises displaying the
probability resulting from the varied supplementary wager value to
the player prior to initiating play of the game.
[0036] In accordance with a fourth aspect there is provided a
method of gaming comprising:
[0037] providing a player with an opportunity to place a
supplementary wager on a game, the supplementary wager operable to
allow a game event to be triggerable during play of the game;
[0038] displaying a probability of triggering the game event based
on a default supplementary wager value; and
[0039] allowing the player to vary the default supplementary wager
value in independence of a base wager value, to thereby increase or
decrease the probability of triggering the game event during the
game.
[0040] In accordance with a fifth aspect there is provided a gaming
apparatus comprising:
[0041] a player input module arranged to allow a player to place a
supplementary wager on a game, a value of the supplementary wager
being variable by the player in independence of a base wager value
such that a probability of triggering a game event in the game is
related to the supplementary wager value; and
[0042] a display arranged to display play of the game.
[0043] In accordance with a sixth aspect there is provides a gaming
apparatus configured to provide a main game and being capable of
providing at least one optional game feature, the gaming apparatus
including:
[0044] a component for storing a main game wager value;
[0045] a player operable input means being operable to allow a
player to place a supplementary wager on the game, a value of the
supplementary wager being selectable by the player in independence
of the main game wager value; and
[0046] a processor responsive to the supplementary wager value so
as to determine whether to provide at least one game feature in a
main game.
[0047] In an embodiment the at least one game feature is a
guarantee that a guaranteed feature event will trigger when a set
amount of gameplay is reached without a monitored feature event
having been triggered within the set amount of gameplay.
[0048] In an embodiment the at least one optional game feature is a
method of awarding a bonus prize to a player, the method including
the steps of:
[0049] defining a threshold value;
[0050] conducting a feature event, or part thereof, so as to
determine a feature event win value, wherein the feature event
includes the provision of a plurality of feature games; and
[0051] comparing the feature event win value to the threshold value
and, if the feature event win value is less than or equal to the
threshold value, awarding the bonus prize to the player.
[0052] In an embodiment the processor is configured to determine
not to provide the guarantee and not to provide the method of
awarding a bonus prize if the supplementary wager value is equal to
a first value.
[0053] In an embodiment the processor is configured to determine to
provide the guarantee and not to provide the method of awarding a
bonus prize if the supplementary wager value is equal to a second
value.
[0054] In an embodiment the processor is configured to determine
not to provide the guarantee and to provide the method of awarding
a bonus prize if the supplementary wager value is equal to a third
value.
[0055] In an embodiment the processor is configured to determine to
provide the guarantee and to provide the method of awarding a bonus
prize if the supplementary wager value is equal to a fourth
value.
[0056] In accordance with a seventh aspect there is provided
computer program code which when executed by a computing system
implements the method as described in accordance with any one of
the second, third or fourth aspects.
[0057] In accordance with an eighth aspect there is provided a
computer readable medium comprising the computer program code as
described in accordance with the seventh aspect.
[0058] An embodiment of the system further includes a central
control for running a gaming algorithm, and a plurality of remote
clients in communication with the central control over a
communications network, the remote clients including screens for
the display of information to players.
[0059] Embodiments of the present invention may be applied to any
suitable type of gaming system or platform. It can apply to
stand-alone gaming apparatus, e.g. electronic gaming machines, such
as video gaming machines, to gaming machines that are linked
together, e.g. via a network such as an intranet, and/or to gaming
systems provided through computing or other electronic devices,
e.g. personal computers, PDAs, mobile telephones, digital
televisions, and the like, e.g. over the Internet or other
communications networks.
[0060] Embodiments may be applied to gaming apparatus that play any
suitable game, e.g. slot-machine type games, poker, keno,
blackjack, bingo, roulette, pachinko, or the like.
[0061] In some networked embodiments of the invention, the central
control may conduct the games and manage the accounting and the
like, and a number of remote terminals/clients merely provide the
user input and display mechanisms. In other networked embodiments
of the invention, the control of the games and various other
features may be carried out at the remote terminals, or may be
split between the central control and the remote terminals.
[0062] It should be noted that any of the features of any of the
aspects mentioned above may be combined with any other features
mentioned above, as appropriate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0063] Features and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent from the following description of embodiments thereof, by
way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which:
[0064] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of gaming apparatus according to
one embodiment of the present invention;
[0065] FIG. 2 is a schematic of a game controller according to an
embodiment;
[0066] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a gaming control process in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0067] FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c are example screen shots illustrating an
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0068] In an embodiment a game controller of a gaming device
comprises a display module operable to provide the display of a
main game on an electronic gaming machine and a trigger module
being capable of triggering at least one game event. A player
operable input means is operable to allow a player to place a wager
which is supplementary to the wager placed on the main game and
which has a value which is variable by the player in independence
of the main game wager value. A processing module of the game
controller is responsive to the supplementary wager value so as to
determine a characteristic of the game event.
General Construction of a Gaming System
[0069] Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a gaming apparatus, which
in this case takes the form of an electronic gaming machine (EGM)
1, and which includes various standard components, such as a game
controller 2 for controlling the operation of the EGM 1 and the
games run on it, a note/coin/token input 3 for receiving bets, a
note/coin/token output 4 for paying out winnings, one or more
displays 5 for displaying game screens, and player input means 6
for allowing user interaction, which may include e.g. buttons 7
and/or which may e.g. be provided as part of the display 5 in a
touch-screen type manner. The EGM 1 also includes a player tracking
and marketing means 9 having a reading device (e.g. a card scanner
for reading a smart card or other form of portable storage medium
capable of being read by the card scanner) which communicates with
a remote server for providing player tracking and loyalty type
functions, as is well understood in the art. Additional hardware
may be included as part of the EGM 1, or hardware may be omitted as
required by the specific implementation.
[0070] In one form the EGM 1 may be a stand-alone machine. In
another form, the EGM may be networked with other EGMs and/or a
control centre via a suitable communications network 8, such as a
LAN and/or WAN, in order to play networked (e.g. intranet or
Internet) games, such as a linked jackpot. It will be appreciated
that the EGM 1 may include an appropriate communications interface,
such as a network card, for communicating over the communications
network 8.
[0071] In use, the EGM 1 will display an initial gaming screen on
the display 5. A player will insert bank notes, coins and/or tokens
into the EGM input 3, and will press a button 7 to initiate play of
the main game provided by the EGM 1. How matters then proceed will
depend on the type of main game being played. For example, FIG. 4
illustrates a game screen from a slot machine-type game, in which
the EGM 1 displays virtual reels 10 of symbols 11, and spins and
stops these reels 10 in various win and lose symbol combinations on
one or more paylines 12 in accordance with a stored gaming
algorithm and a random number generator. In an alternative
embodiment (not illustrated) the main game is a poker-type game, in
which a player will receive a number of cards with which to play
for a winning hand. It will be appreciated that other types of main
games may be provided, such as keno, blackjack, bingo, roulette,
pachinko, or the like. For the purposes of this detailed
description, the main focus shall be upon an embodiment providing a
slot machine-type main game.As used in this document, including in
the claims, the terms "random", "randomly", "randomized", and the
like, are to be construed as connoting either a purely random
process or a "pseudo-random" process. An example of a pseudo-random
process includes the determination by a computer processor of a
pseudo-random number in response to an output of a digital
clock.
[0072] The player may interact via the buttons 7, so as e.g. to
spin or hold reels and otherwise play the main game. A common
element will be win events, e.g. particular symbol combinations
that pay out a prize or jackpot.
[0073] Also, in order to increase interest, the main game is
capable of providing feature events that consist of one or more
feature games, which may or may not relate directly to the main
game being played, and that generally provide a prize of some sort.
These feature events may include for example one or more free
games, a re-spin (similar to a free game but with one or more reels
held on a slot device), and the chance to play for higher winnings
or the like. They may be e.g. luck or skills based. They may be
provided as "second screen" features that display on a new screen,
and may be extraneous to the main game.
[0074] Another way of adding gaming interest is for a main game or
a feature event to include one or more wild symbols that can
represent more than one type of symbol or card, and so can increase
the chances of achieving a winning combination or the like.
Similarly, for embodiments in which the main game is a card game,
wild cards may be provided.
[0075] These win and feature events can be arranged to occur due to
the usual operation of the main game randomly or under a particular
set of circumstances, e.g. under a set symbol or card combination.
They may also occur due to an accumulation of circumstances across
a number of games, and may occur due to the condition of a device
supplemental to the EGM 1 itself, e.g. they may relate to jackpot
wins in linked jackpot systems comprising a plurality of EGMs under
a central control.
[0076] FIG. 1 illustrates an essentially stand-alone EGM (albeit
with the potential for networked connectivity). However, in an
alternative embodiment the system may be implemented over a
distributed architecture where some of the individual EGM modules
are implemented remotely. For example, in one particular form, a
central control computer which is located remotely of the EGM may
implement a controller which controls some or all of the game play
functionality (i.e. such that the EGM essentially operates as a
remote client arranged to provide audible and/or visual gaming
information to a player and allow player interaction with the
central control computer). A plurality of EGM clients may be in
communication with the central control computer over a
communications network such as a local area network and/or a wide
area network. In an alternative embodiment, the game play
functionality may be implemented by both the EGM and central
control computer such that they collectively provide a game
controller.
[0077] The central control computer has access to associated memory
and storage devices. The central control computer also has access
to ccomputer executable code for instructing the central control
computer to run the gaming algorithm that performs the embodiment
of the inventive method. In one embodiment the ccomputer executable
code is in the form of software and associated data, which are
stored upon a computer-readable medium in the form of one or more
compact disks. Alternative embodiments make use of other forms of
digital storage media, such as Digital Versatile Discs (DVD's),
hard drives, flash memory, Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory
EPROM, and the like. Alternatively, the software and its associated
data may be stored as one or more downloadable or remotely
executable files that are accessible via a computer communications
network such as the internet.
Detail of the Game Controller
[0078] The game controller 2 of an embodiment is shown in more
detail in FIG. 2. For simplicity only those modules (which may be
implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of the two)
needed to carry out embodiments are illustrated. Other standard
and/or non-standard modules may also be implemented for carrying
out operation of normal and feature game play functionality. It
will be understood that the term "processor" as used herein is to
be construed broadly and include within its scope any device that
can process gaming algorithms and may include a microprocessor,
microcontroller, programmable logic device or other computational
device, a general purpose computer, or a server computer.
Typically, the gaming algorithms (instructions) are stored as
program code in memory 13, which is in data communication with the
processor.
[0079] In the illustrated embodiment, the game controller 2
includes a processor 20 which is arranged to control play of a main
game and further configured to trigger at least one game event. The
at least one game event may be triggered during play of the main
game or, in alternative embodiments, may be triggered before or
after play of the main game. Players may place a wager which is
supplementary to the wager placed on the main (referred to as a
"supplementary wager"), the value of which affects a characteristic
of the at least one game event. The value of the supplementary
wager is variable by the player in independence of the main game
wager value. The supplementary wager value may, for example, be
varied by the player in linear increments (e.g., 10 cents, 20
cents, 30 cents, etc.) or non-linear increments (e.g., 10 cents, 1
dollar, 5 dollars, 10 dollars), with each increment having a
different effect on the characteristic. Alternatively, the value
may be set to any particular value desired by the player, with the
effect on the characteristic being adjusted by the game controller
accordingly.
[0080] To facilitate the above functionality, the processor 20
implements a number of modules, based on program code stored in
memory 13. A supplementary wager module 22 is operable to determine
a characteristic of the game event based on the variable
supplementary wager (e.g. input by the player using the player
input means 5). As will be elucidated in subsequent paragraphs, the
supplementary wager value(s) can be adjusted by the player prior to
commencement of game play to affect the characteristic of the game
event. An indication module 24 is arranged to provide to the player
information indicative of the characteristic, e.g. by way of the
EGM display 5 (i.e. and under control of the display controller
26).The indication module may be configured to depict the
information in a numeric format or a graphical format, dependent on
the desired implementation. The processor 20 also implements a
trigger module 28 arranged to trigger the game event and an outcome
determiner 30 for determining game (and game event) outcomes, with
the aid of a RNG 32.
[0081] A specific embodiment will now be described with additional
reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3 and example screen shots of
FIGS. 4a, 4b, 4c (which depict a reel-type game implementing the
variable side bet functionality). The flowchart assumes that the
game event is a feature game in the form of a bonus game called
"Jackpot Pyramid" which provides the player with an opportunity to
win one or more bonus prizes, and potentially a jackpot
prize(although it will be understood that other game events are
equally applicable as described in more detail in subsequent
paragraphs) and which is triggerable following play of the main
game. Players can adjust a value of a supplementary wager to affect
the likelihood that the Jackpot Pyramid game will be triggered
following the conclusion of a play of the main game.
[0082] At step S1 a player places a main game wager in order to
play a game in the form of a reel game on the EGM 1. For the sake
of a running example, we shall assume that the amount of the
trigger bet was $2.00(or the equivalent in credits) and that this
bet was placed on 25 lines of the main slot machine game. The
supplementary wager module 22 then sets a default supplementary
wager value and an associated probability for triggering the
feature based on that value. Both the default value and associated
odds are displayed to the player (see steps S2 and S3). According
to the illustrated example, the default supplementary wager value
is set at $0.25 with the chance of triggering the feature being 1
in 30. An example screen shot displaying the default value and
associated odds is shown in FIG. 4a (as shown to the player in the
supplementary wager window 45 at the top right of screen). The
default supplementary wager value may be determined based on the
machine denomination settings (e.g. a 1 cent machine has a 1 cent
supplementary wager default value), a parameter associated with the
main game wager, or alternatively could be set as some predefined
fixed value (e.g. $0.05). It will also be appreciated that in a
particular embodiment the default supplementary wager value may
represent a minimum value for the supplementary wager.
[0083] At step S4, the player is provided with an opportunity to
vary the default supplementary wager value so as to increase or
decrease the associated probability of triggering the feature game.
This may be achieved by selecting the up arrow 47 or down arrow 49
to increase or decrease the supplementary wager value,
respectively. In a particular embodiment, each press of the arrow
may cause the wager value to increase or decrease by a particular
increment (e.g. 1 c), depending on the desired implementation. In
response to determining that the player has adjusted the value (see
step S5), the new adjusted value is stored in memory 13 and the
process returns to step S3, for calculating the associated trigger
odds for the new stored value. For example, with reference to FIG.
4b, the player has decreased the value of the supplementary wager
to $0.10 (i.e. by selecting the down arrow 49 an appropriate number
of time), resulting in reduced odds of 1 in 75 for triggering the
feature. In FIG. 4c, the player has elected to increase the
supplementary wager value to $1.25 having the effect of increasing
the chance of triggering the feature to 1 in 6. The process loops
until the player locks in the supplementary wager value (e.g. by
hitting the "bet" button). At that time the game controller 2
initialises the game variables and parameters (step S7) and game
play commences at step S8, with the player specified odds. It will
be appreciated that the feature game may not necessarily be
triggered during play of the main game and instead could trigger
either before or after play of the main game. For example, where
the feature is a jackpot prize, the trigger module 30 may cause the
jackpot to be awarded prior to commencing the main game reel
spin.
[0084] In an alternative embodiment to that described above, the
game event may not relate to a feature game but instead be
associated with one or more main game awards or parameters
(hereafter "special awards"), with the characteristic being related
to the worth, type and/or number of special awards that are
provided. A feature game could still be triggered during game play
with an associated trigger probability tied to the base wager
amount, or the like. As previously mentioned, in particular
embodiments, players may increase (or decrease) a value of the
supplementary wager in predefined increments, with each increment
being associated with a particular combination of special awards
that are provided in the main game. An example look-up table for a
game controller illustrating how such an embodiment may operate in
practice is shown on the next page. The "Feature Guarantee" and
"Win-Win" special awards are described in Australian Patent No's
2004281073 and 2009222486 respectively, which are each incorporated
herein by reference.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Example Look-Up Supplementary Wager Value
Special Award included in Main Game None None $0.25 Feature
Guarantee $0.75 Feature Guarantee and Win-Win $1.50 Feature
Guarantee, Win-Win and 15 extra reel spins of feature game (if
triggered)
[0085] Thus, according to the above example, the greater the value
of the supplementary wager selected by the player, the greater the
number of special awards that are incorporated into the game play.
It will be appreciated that the increments may be other than fixed
dollar amounts and could instead, for example, be a multiple of the
base wager value (expressed in absolute terms, per line wagered, or
otherwise). In a slightly alternative embodiment, the number of
special awards may remain fixed and instead the associated worth
increased with the supplementary wager value. For example, the
award could be that one or more multiplier symbols are made
available in the main game with the actual multiplier values
increasing with the supplementary wager value. It will be
appreciated that the number and type of award(s), as well as the
corresponding supplementary wager values are not limited to those
outlined above and any appropriate combination of the three above
variables may be utilised depending on the desired outcome.
[0086] The adjustment of the supplementary wager value for the
special award may also be configured to influence the odds of
triggering the feature as in the previous example. Alternatively,
the game may require the player to place an additional
supplementary wager to influence the associated odds for the
feature. An example look-up table for such an embodiment is shown
on the next page.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Example Look-Up Probability of First Special
Award Second Triggering Supplementary included in Supplementary
feature game Wager Value Main Game Wager Value (%) None None None 0
$0.25 Feature Guarantee $0.10 .013 $0.75 Feature Guarantee $0.25
.033 and Win-Win $1.50 Feature Guarantee, $1.25 .167 Win-Win and 5
extra free games in feature game (if triggered)
[0087] It will be appreciated that the game controller may be
arranged to store any number of different supplementary wagers,
each associated with one or more different game event
characteristics.
[0088] Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the game event may
relate to any form of event or game play parameter, including
features or prizes that can be triggered independently or in
dependence of (i.e. in association with) the main game. For
example, an independently triggered event may comprise of an
entirely separate game in which a jackpot prize may be awarded and
which is triggered based on some triggering technique which is not
in any way tied to an outcome of the main game. Alternatively, the
event may relate to a feature which forms part of the main game
with the characteristic relating to the inclusion, exclusion or
adjustment of that feature (e.g. inclusion of special symbols such
as wild symbols as the supplementary wager value increases). In one
particular embodiment the supplementary wager may be placed on a
side game which is displayed on the same screen display as the main
game and which is played either in sequence or concurrently with
the main game. It will be appreciated that the side game could also
be played on a separate screen to the main game, for example on a
topper of the EGM, or on a display separate of the EGM and which
forms part of a networked gaming system. In one particular
embodiment the supplementary wager value may influence a worth
(e.g. a return to player percentage) of a prize awardable as part
of the game. For example, as the supplementary wager value
increases so too does the value of a jackpot prize which may be
awarded as part of a bonus game.
[0089] In one particular embodiment, the placement of a
supplementary wager is compulsory in order to play the game. In
this case, the value of the minimum supplementary wager may be
fixed (e.g. $0.01 for a 1 cent machine), tied to the main game
wager (e.g. 1 times the bet per line wagered in the main game), or
associated with some other game play parameter. In another
embodiment, supplementary wagers may be optional with the player
qualifying for the associated feature(s) only once the
supplementary wager or wagers have been placed.
[0090] It will be appreciated that techniques other than those
described above may be utilised for providing an indication of the
game event characteristic (i.e. as affected by the supplementary
wager value selected by the player). For example, where the
characteristic relates to the odds for triggering the event, the
display may simply provide an indication that the odds are
increased or decreased based on the player selected supplementary
wager value without displaying the actual resultant odds.
Alternatively, the machine may be programmed to provide no
indication as to what effect the variation in the supplementary
wager value has on the characteristic.
[0091] It is to be understood that various alterations, additions
and/or modifications may be made to the parts previously described
without departing from the ambit of the present invention, and
that, in the light of the above teachings, the present invention
may be implemented in software, firmware and/or hardware in a
variety of manners as would be understood by a person skilled in
the art.
* * * * *