AU2013273806A1 - A gaming system and a method of gaming - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A gaming system comprising: a display; a memory storing reel data defining a plurality of reels, each reel 5 comprising a set of symbols in a symbol sequence; and a game controller arranged to: select symbols from the reel data for display at a plurality of display positions, the selection of at least two symbols of at least one reel being performed independently of the symbol sequence; 10 display the selected symbols at respective separate display positions on the display; and control display of spinning of the reels on the display such that for each reel for which symbols are selected independently of the symbol sequence: after the reel is stopped, the at least 15 two selected symbols of each reel are displayed in their respective display positions; and during at least part of the display of spinning, the reel is displayed as spinning in the symbol sequence relative to the display positions. 4982245_1 (GHMatters) P72649.AU.4 < z oN - -- -t Nt co co Coco o0 CO0 co cu z z z uu -u N CN ZNCUa

Description

Title A GAMING SYSTEM AND A METHOD OF GAMING 5 Related Application This application is a divisional application of Australian application no. 2011211456, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 10 Field The present invention relates to a gaming system, a method of gaming, a game controller and computer program code. 15 Background to the Invention It is known to provide a gaming system such as a video slot machine wherein symbols are displayed as a plurality 20 of virtual reels on a video display. Each reel comprises a plurality of symbols arranged in a predetermined sequence. Typically, when a reel stops, a plurality of symbols of each reel are visible on the display. For example, three symbols of each reel. While the stopping 25 position of the reel can be chosen in a number of different ways, in all cases, the symbols which stop in the display are adjoining symbols in the symbol sequence. Typically, when spinning of the reels is simulated, symbols before the stopped symbols in the symbol sequence 30 will be visible at least as the reel comes to a stop. While such gaming systems provide users with enjoyment, a need exists for alternative gaming systems in order to maintain or increase player enjoyment. 35 4982245_1 (GHMatters) P72649.AU.4 - 2 Summary of the Invention In a first aspect the invention provides a gaming system comprising: 5 a display; a memory storing reel data defining a plurality of reels, each reel comprising a set of symbols in a symbol sequence; and a game controller arranged to: 10 select symbols from the reel data for display at a plurality of display positions, the selection of at least two symbols of at least one reel being performed independently of one another; display the selected symbols at respective 15 separate display positions on the display; and control display of spinning of the reels on the display such that for each reel for which symbols are selected independently of one another: after the reel is stopped, the at 20 least two selected symbols of each reel are displayed in their respective selected display positions; and during at least part of the display of spinning, the reel is displayed as spinning in the symbol sequence relative to the display positions. 25 In an embodiment, the game controller is arranged to determine a stopping order for the at least two symbols. In an embodiment, the game controller is arranged to 30 display a first symbol of the at least two symbols as stopping at the symbol's display position and subsequently display a corresponding reel as continuing to spin in the symbol sequence. 4982245_1 (GHMatters) P72649.AU.4 - 3 In an embodiment, a corresponding reel is displayed as continuing to spin in the symbol sequence until all of the at least two symbols have been displayed as stopping in 5 their respective positions. In an embodiment, a corresponding reel is displayed as spinning behind any stopped symbols such that the symbols of a corresponding reel are not visible as they pass each 10 stopped symbol. In an embodiment, three symbols are selected for each reel for display at respective ones of three display positions. 15 In an embodiment, there are five reels. In an embodiment, the game controller comprises a display controller for controlling the display. 20 In an embodiment, the game controller comprises a symbol selector for selecting the symbols. In a second aspect the invention provides a game controller arranged to: 25 select symbols for display at a plurality of display positions from reel data defining a plurality of reels, each reel comprising a set of symbols in a symbol sequence and the selection of at least two symbols of at 30 least one reel being performed independently of one another; cause a display to display the selected symbols at respective separate display positions on the display; 4982245_1 (GHMatters) P72649.AU.4 -4 and control display of spinning of the reels on the display such that for each reel for which symbols are selected independently of one another: 5 after the reel is stopped, the at least two selected symbols of each reel are displayed in their respective selected display positions; and during at least part of the display of spinning, the reel is displayed as spinning in the symbol 10 sequence relative to the display positions. In an embodiment, the game controller is arranged to determine a stopping order for the at least two symbols. 15 In an embodiment, the game controller is arranged to display a first symbol of the at least two symbols as stopping at the symbol's display position and subsequently display a corresponding reel as continuing to spin in the symbol sequence. 20 In an embodiment, a corresponding reel is displayed as continuing to spin in the symbol sequence until all of the at least two symbols have been displayed as stopping in their respective positions. 25 In an embodiment, a corresponding reel is displayed as spinning behind any stopped symbols such that the symbols of a corresponding reel are not visible as they pass each stopped symbol. 30 In an embodiment, three symbols are selected for each reel for display at respective ones of three display positions. 4982245_1 (GHMatters) P72649.AU.4 - 5 In an embodiment, there are five reels. In an embodiment, the game controller comprises a display controller for controlling the display. 5 In an embodiment, the game controller comprises a symbol selector for selecting the symbols. In an embodiment, the game controller is constituted, at 10 least in part, by a processor executing program code stored in a memory. In a third aspect the invention provides a method of gaming comprising: 15 selecting symbols for each of a plurality of reels each for display at a plurality of display positions, each reel defined by a set of symbols in a symbol sequence, the selection of at least two symbols for at least one of a plurality of reels being made 20 independently of one another; displaying the selected symbols at separate respective display positions on a display for each reel; and controlling display of spinning of the reels on 25 the display such that for each reel for which symbols are selected independently of one another: after the reel is stopped, the at least two selected symbols of each reel are displayed in their respective selected display positions; and 30 during at least part of the display of spinning, the reel is displayed as spinning in the symbol sequence relative to the display positions. 4982245_1 (GHMatters) P72649.AU.4 - 6 In an embodiment, the method comprises determining a stopping order for the at least two symbols. In an embodiment, the method comprises displaying a first 5 symbol of the at least two symbols as stopping at the symbol's display position and subsequently displaying a corresponding reel as continuing to spin in the symbol sequence. 10 In an embodiment, a corresponding reel is displayed as continuing to spin in the symbol sequence until all of the at least two symbols have been displayed as stopping in their respective positions. 15 In an embodiment, a corresponding reel is displayed as spinning behind any stopped symbols such that the symbols of each corresponding reel are not visible as they pass each stopped symbol. 20 In a fourth aspect, the invention provides computer program code which when executed implements the above methods. In a fifth aspect, the invention provides a computer 25 readable storage medium comprising the program code. In a sixth aspect, the invention provides a data signal comprising the program code. 30 In a seventh aspect, the invention extends to transmitting program code. 4982245_1 (GHMatters) P72649.AU.4 - 7 Brief Description of the Drawings An embodiment of the invention will now be described in relation to the following drawings in which: 5 Figure 1 is a block diagram of the core components of a gaming system; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a gaming machine; 10 Figure 3 is a block diagram of the functional components of a gaming machine; Figure 4 is a block diagram representing the structure of 15 a memory; Figure 5 is a diagram schematic of a networked gaming system; 20 Figure 6 is a further block diagram of the gaming system; Figure 7 is a flowchart of an embodiment; Figure 8 shows how symbols may be held while a reel 25 continues to spin; and Figure 9 shows an exemplary outcome for one reel. Detailed Description 30 The embodiment provides a gaming system of the type that implements a spinning reel game where there are a plurality of reels having a plurality of symbols in a designated symbol sequence. The gaming system has a game 35 controller which implements a game where one or more symbols are selected independently of the symbol sequence 4982245_1 (GHMatters) P72649.AU.4 - 8 for display whereby the displayed symbols of each reel may be non-adjacent symbols. The display of spinning of the reels is controlled such that during at least part of the display of spinning, the reel is displayed as spinning in 5 the symbol sequence relative to the display positions. In an embodiment, this is achieved by displaying each selected symbol as stopping independently while the remainder of the reel is displayed as continuing to rotate. In one embodiment, symbols are selected for each 10 reel independently of the symbol sequence. In other embodiments, symbols may be selected independently for a subset of reels. In a first form, a stand alone gaming machine is provided 15 wherein all or most components required for implementing the game are present in a player operable gaming machine. In a second form, a distributed architecture is provided wherein some of the components required for implementing 20 the game are present in a player operable gaming machine and some of the components required for implementing the game are located remotely relative to the gaming machine. For example, a "thick client" architecture may be used wherein part of the game is executed on a player operable 25 gaming machine and part of the game is executed remotely, such as by a gaming server; or a "thin client" architecture may be used wherein most of the game is executed remotely such as by a gaming server and a player operable gaming machine is used only to display audible 30 and/or visible gaming information to the player and receive gaming inputs from the player. However, it will be understood that other arrangements are envisaged. For example, an architecture may be provided 35 wherein a gaming machine is networked to a gaming server and the respective functions of the gaming machine and the gaming server are selectively modifiable. For example, 4982245_1 (GHMatters) P72649.AU.4 - 9 the gaming system may operate in stand alone gaming machine mode, "thick client" mode or "thin client" mode depending on the game being played, operating conditions, and so on. Other variations will be apparent to persons 5 skilled in the art. Irrespective of the form, the gaming system comprises several core components. At the broadest level, the core components are a player interface 50 and a game controller 10 60 as illustrated in Figure 1. The player interface is arranged to enable manual interaction between a player and the gaming system and for this purpose includes the input/output components required for the player to enter instructions and play the game. 15 Components of the player interface may vary from embodiment to embodiment but will typically include a credit mechanism 52 to enable a player to input credits and receive payouts, one or more displays 54, a game play 20 mechanism 56 that enables a player to input game play instructions, and a speaker 58. The game controller 60 is in data communication with the player interface and typically includes a processor 62 25 that processes the game play instructions in accordance with game play rules and outputs game play outcomes to the display. Typically, the game play instructions are stored as program code in a memory 64 but can also be hardwired. Herein the term "processor" is used to refer generically 30 to any device that can process game play instructions in accordance with game play rules and may include: a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logic device or other computational device, a general purpose computer (e.g. a PC) or a server. 35 A gaming system in the form of a stand alone gaming machine 10 is illustrated in Figure 2. The gaming machine 4982245_1 (GHMatters) P72649.AU.4 - 10 10 includes a console 12 having a video display 14 on which is displayed representations of a game 16 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 5 player to interact with the gaming machine, in particular during game play. The mid-trim 20 also houses a credit input mechanism 24 which in this example includes a coin input chute 24A and a bill collector 24B. Other credit input mechanisms may also be employed, for example, a card 10 reader for reading a smart card, debit card or credit card. A player marketing module may be provided having a reading device may also be provided for the purpose of reading a player tracking device, for example as part of a loyalty program. The player tracking device may be in the 15 form of a card, flash drive or any other portable storage medium capable of being read by the reading device. A top box 26 may carry artwork 28, including for example pay tables and details of bonus awards and other 20 information or images relating to the game. Further artwork and/or information may be provided on a front panel 29 of the console 12. A coin tray 30 is mounted beneath the front panel 29 for dispensing cash payouts from the gaming machine 10. 25 The display 14 shown in Figure 2 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 30 display unit. The top box 26 may also include a display, for example a video display unit, which may be of the same type as the display 14, or of a different type. Figure 3 shows a block diagram of operative components of 35 a typical gaming machine which may be the same as or different to the gaming machine of Figure 2. 4982245_1 (GHMatters) P72649.AU.4 - 11 The gaming machine 100 includes a game controller 101 having a processor 102. Instructions and data to control operation of the processor 102 are stored in a memory 103, which is in data communication with the processor 102. 5 Typically, the gaming machine 100 will include both volatile and non-volatile memory and more than one of each type of memory, with such memories being collectively represented by the memory 103. 10 The gaming machine has hardware meters 104 for purposes including ensuring regulatory compliance and monitoring player credit, an input/output (I/O) interface 105 for communicating with peripheral devices of the gaming machine 100. The input/output interface 105 and/or the 15 peripheral devices may be intelligent devices with their own memory for storing associated instructions and data for use with the input/output interface or the peripheral devices. A random number generator module 113 generates random numbers for use by the processor 102. Persons 20 skilled in the art will appreciate that the reference to random numbers includes pseudo-random numbers. In the example shown in Figure 3, a player interface 120 includes peripheral devices that communicate with the game 25 controller 101 including one or more displays 106, a touch screen and/or buttons 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. Additional hardware may be included as part of the gaming machine 30 100, or hardware may be omitted as required for the specific implementation. In addition, the gaming machine 100 may include a communications interface, for example a network card 112. 35 The network card may, for example, send status information, accounting information or other information to a central controller, server or database and receive 4982245_1 (GHMatters) P72649.AU.4 - 12 data or commands from the central controller, server or database. Figure 4 shows a block diagram of the main components of 5 an exemplary memory 103. The memory 103 includes RAM 103A, EPROM 103B and a mass storage device 103C. The RAM 103A typically temporarily holds program files for execution by the processor 102 and related data. The EPROM 103B may be a boot ROM device and/or may contain 10 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 processor 102 using protected code from the EPROM 103B or elsewhere. 15 It is also possible for the operative components of the gaming machine 100 to be distributed, for example input/output devices 106,107,108,109,110,111 to be provided remotely from the game controller 101. 20 Figure 5 shows a gaming system 200 in accordance with an alternative embodiment. The gaming system 200 includes a network 201, which for example may be an Ethernet network. Gaming machines 202, shown arranged in three banks 203 of 25 two gaming machines 202 in Figure 5, are connected to the network 201. The gaming machines 202 provide a player operable interface and may be the same as the gaming machines 10,100 shown in Figures 2 and 3, or may have simplified functionality depending on the requirements for 30 implementing game play. While banks 203 of two gaming machines are illustrated in Figure 5, banks of one, three or more gaming machines are also envisaged. One or more displays 204 may also be connected to the 35 network 201. The displays 204 may, for example, be associated with one or more banks 203 of gaming machines. The displays 204 may be used to display representations 4982245_1 (GHMatters) P72649.AU.4 - 13 associated with game play on the gaming machines 202, and/or used to display other representations, for example promotional or informational material. 5 In a thick client embodiment, game server 205 implements part of the game played by a player using a gaming machine 202 and the gaming machine 202 implements part of the game. With this embodiment, as both the game server and the gaming device implement part of the game, they 10 collectively provide a game controller. A database management server 206 may manage storage of game programs and associated data for downloading or access by the gaming devices 202 in a database 206A. Typically, if the gaming system enables players to participate in a Jackpot 15 game, a Jackpot server 207 will be provided to carry out the accounting in respect of the Jackpot game. A loyalty program server 212 may also be provided. In a thin client embodiment, game server 205 implements 20 most or all of the game played by a player using a gaming machine 202 and the gaming machine 202 essentially provides only the player interface. With this embodiment, the game server 205 provides the game controller. The gaming machine will receive player instructions, pass 25 these to the game server which will process them and return game play outcomes to the gaming machine for display. In a thin client embodiment, the gaming machines could be computer terminals, e.g. PCs running software that provides a player interface operable using standard 30 computer input and output components. Servers are also typically provided to assist in the administration of the gaming network 200, including for example a gaming floor management server 208, and a 35 licensing server 209 to monitor the use of licenses relating to particular games. An administrator terminal 210 is provided to allow an administrator to run the 4982245_1 (GHMatters) P72649.AU.4 - 14 network 201 and the devices connected to the network. The gaming network 200 may communicate with other gaming systems, other local networks, for example a corporate 5 network, and/or a wide area network such as the Internet, for example through a firewall 211. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in accordance with known techniques, functionality at the 10 server side of the network may be distributed over a plurality of different computers. For example, elements may be run as a single "engine" on one server or a separate server may be provided. For example, the game server 205 could run a random generator engine. 15 Alternatively, a separate random number generator server could be provided. Further, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a plurality of games servers could be provided to run different games or a single game server may run a plurality of different games as required by the 20 terminals. The embodiment provides a spinning reel type game. Spinning reel type games typically allow a player to select how many win lines of a plurality of win lines they 25 will play in each game - i.e. a minimum of one win line up to the maximum number of win lines allowed by the game. Persons, skilled in the art, will appreciate that in other embodiments, the player may select a number of reels to play. In most games, each win line is formed by a set of 30 symbol positions consisting of one symbol position from each reel. That is, a symbol position within the display which corresponds to a reel is assigned to a win line. The symbol positions that constitute each of the win lines are usually advertised to the player by markings on the 35 display or diagrams showing the symbol positions that correspond to each win line. Some of the win lines will be horizontal or diagonal lines but others may be other 4982245_1 (GHMatters) P72649.AU.4 - 15 combinations of symbols. Typically, the win lines will be constituted by symbol positions in the visible window. A game outcome is determined based on the symbols on the win lines and a prize table that specifies awards. Many 5 modern games have five reels and three symbols of each reel are displayed when the reels stop. In prior art implementations, the game controllers of such gaming machines select symbols by employing a stop 10 determining function that randomly determines the stop position for each reel. For example, if there are five reels, each having twenty symbols in a designated symbol, the stop determining function might determine that the stop positions are positions: 3, 13, 7, 9 and 17. The 15 spinning of the reels is then controlled so that each symbol designated by the stop position comes to a stop in the same row, typically a predetermined row in a "window" visible to the player on the display that corresponds to a player playing a single win line - e.g. the middle row. 20 The other symbols that are visible in the display will be adjacent symbols in the symbol sequence - e.g. if the determined stop position is 3, then the symbols allocated to positions 2 and 4 will also be visible if three symbols of each reel are displayed. 25 The gaming system of the embodiment departs from the prior art by selecting at least one of the symbols independently of the symbol sequence while still displaying the symbols as virtual reels that spin in the symbol sequence. 30 The game controller 60 of the embodiment is shown in more detail in Figure 6. It will be apparent that the processor 62 implements a number of modules, for example random number generator module 621 by executing software 35 routines. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that not all modules need be implemented by processor 62. For example, the random number generator module 621 could be 4982245_1 (GHMatters) P72649.AU.4 - 16 implemented by a separate circuit or by a random number generator server. Referring to Figure 6, in the embodiment, the symbol 5 selector 622 is arranged to select a plurality of symbols for each reel independently of the symbol order Si to SN specified in the reel data of each reel, reel 1 to reel N 641a, 641b, 641n. 10 The symbol selector 622 sends data which indicates the order in which the symbols of each reel were selected to the display controller 624. The display controller 624 controls display of spinning 15 and stopping of the symbols of each reel such that the three symbols stop in their display positions independently of one another. Accordingly it includes a symbol holder function 624a which is arranged to control the display 54 so that display of stopped symbols is 20 maintained while the remainder of the reel is display as spinning until all the selected symbols stop. The symbol holder function 624a is also arranged to adjust the display of the reels such that on subsequent rotations of the reels symbols which were previously either side of a 25 stopped symbol in the symbol sequence are shown as adjacent. In this manner, non-adjacent symbols in the symbols set may be stopped in adjacent display positions on the display. That is, the symbols are displayed in a sequence, for example from Si to SN and then continues from 30 Si. It will be appreciated that the technique has application provided for at least one reel, the reel can continue spin in the symbol sequence after at least one symbol has been 35 stopped. In one embodiment, a subset of one or more of the reels may have symbols that are selected independently of the stop sequence. In one embodiment, a subset of one 4982245_1 (GHMatters) P72649.AU.4 - 17 or more of the symbols of each reel may be selected independently of the sequence. For example, if there are three display positions for each reel, the top position could be selected independently of the sequence for each 5 reel. The reels would then be spun and the top symbol of each reel stopped while the remainder of the reel continues to spin with the remaining symbols coming to a stop in the symbol sequence. 10 In a typical implementation, there will be five reels and three display positions for each reel as indicated by the 5x3 matrix of display positions 810 in Figure 8. Accordingly, in an example where a reel contains symbols from Si to S30, i.e. Si is the first symbol position, S30 is 15 the last and any other symbol in between such as Sio represents the 1 0 th position in that reel. This reel is to spin within a reel column size of three symbols. Let the following symbols be defined as: 20 S8 = TEN [10] S9 = ACE [A] S10 = JACK [J] Si5 = QUEEN [Q] S21 = KING [K] 25 As the reel spin moves down, symbol S 9 [ACE] 830 stops at the middle reel position as shown in Figure 8. The grid 810 defines the reel stop positions. The ACE 30 symbol stops 830 on the middle reel stop position but the symbols TEN 840 and JACK 850 continue to move along with the reel spin as shown by their partial visibility. The TEN symbol 840 moves behind the ACE and the JACK 850 moves outside the reel column boundary. The shaded area 860 is 35 where the ACE symbol used to be positioned on that reel but is now blank as the ACE is "stuck" onto the middle stop reel position. This blank position may be removed 4982245_1 (GHMatters) P72649.AU.4 - 18 from sight when the reel spins on subsequent revolutions i.e. S8 will follow Sio on subsequent spinning. As the reel continues to spin, the symbol S 21 [KING] 910 stops at the top reel position and will visually operate in the same 5 way as was done for the ACE 820 symbol - i.e. the reel will continue to spin. Finally, symbol S15 [QUEEN] 930 stops at the bottom reel position. The reel column will then appear as KING, ACE, QUEEN as shown in Figure 9. 10 Thus, symbols displayed on the reel column do not follow the symbol order on the original reel. After the symbols have all stopped as indicated in Figure 9, the prize is evaluated by the prize evaluator 623 based 15 on the prize evaluation rules. The prize outcomes will depend on the symbol combinations that appear on win lines. It will be appreciated in the above example the game 20 controller determines the stopping order of the symbols by the order in which they are selected. In other embodiments, the symbol selector may be arranged to select symbols for particular positions and the game rules may specify the stopping positions assigned to those display 25 positions. The method 700 is summarised in Figure 7 which shows that at least one symbol is selected for at least one reel 710 to stop independently of the symbol sequence. Depending 30 on the embodiment, the display position and reel may also be selected. A selected symbol is then displayed as stopping at a display position 720. It is then determined whether all symbols have been stopped 730 such that at least on the initial spin, spinning of the reel continues 35 740. The process continues until all symbols have been displayed as stopped after which time a prize is awarded 750. 4982245_1 (GHMatters) P72649.AU.4 - 19 Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a number of variations may be made to the above method including that the symbols on each of the reels may be stopped 5 independently of one another or the reels may stop one at a time. Further, one symbol of each reel may be stopped and then a subsequent symbol of each reel stopped. Other variations would be apparent to persons skilled in 10 the art and should be considered as falling within the scope of the invention described herein. In particular, further embodiments can be formed from the features described above. 15 In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, 20 i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. Further aspects of the method will be apparent from the 25 above description of the gaming system. Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the method could be embodied in program code. The program code could be supplied in a number of ways, for example on a computer readable medium, such as a disc or a memory (for example, 30 that could replace part of memory 103) or as a data signal (for example, by downloading it from a server). It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute 35 an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. 4982245_1 (GHMatters) P72649.AU.4

Claims (28)

1. A gaming system comprising: 5 a display; a memory storing reel data defining a plurality of reels, each reel comprising a set of symbols in a symbol sequence; and a game controller arranged to: 10 select symbols from the reel data for display at a plurality of display positions, the selection of at least two symbols of at least one reel being performed independently of one another; display the selected symbols at respective 15 separate display positions on the display; and control display of spinning of the reels on the display such that for each reel for which symbols are selected independently of one another: after the reel is stopped, the at 20 least two selected symbols of each reel are displayed in their respective selected display positions; and during at least part of the display of spinning, the reel is displayed as spinning in the symbol sequence relative to the display positions. 25

2. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the game controller is arranged to determine a stopping order for the at least two symbols. 30

3. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the game controller is arranged to display a first symbol of the at least two symbols as stopping at the symbol's display position and subsequently display a corresponding reel as continuing to spin in the symbol 35 sequence. 4982245_1 (GHMatters) P72649.AU.4 - 21

4. A gaming system as claimed in claim 3, wherein a corresponding reel is displayed as continuing to spin in the symbol sequence until all of the at least two symbols 5 have been displayed as stopping in their respective positions.

5. A gaming system as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, wherein a corresponding reel is displayed as spinning 10 behind any stopped symbols such that the symbols of a corresponding reel are not visible as they pass each stopped symbol.

6. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 1 15 to 5, wherein three symbols are selected for each reel for display at respective ones of three display positions.

7. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein there are five reels. 20

8. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the game controller comprises a display controller for controlling the display. 25

9. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, the game controller comprises a symbol selector for selecting the symbols.

10. A game controller arranged to: 30 select symbols for display at a plurality of display positions from reel data defining a plurality of reels, each reel comprising a set of symbols in a symbol sequence and the selection of at least two symbols of at least one reel being performed independently of one 35 another; cause a display to display the selected symbols at respective separate display positions on the display; 4982245_1 (GHMatters) P72649.AU.4 - 22 and control display of spinning of the reels on the display such that for each reel for which symbols are selected independently of one another: 5 after the reel is stopped, the at least two selected symbols of each reel are displayed in their respective selected display positions; and during at least part of the display of spinning, the reel is displayed as spinning in the symbol 10 sequence relative to the display positions.

11. A game controller as claimed in claim 10, arranged to determine a stopping order for the at least two symbols. 15

12. A game controller as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, arranged to display a first symbol of the at least two symbols as stopping at the symbol's display position and subsequently display a corresponding reel as continuing to 20 spin in the symbol sequence.

13. A game controller as claimed in claim 12, wherein corresponding reel is displayed as continuing to spin in the symbol sequence until all of the at least two symbols 25 have been displayed as stopping in their respective positions.

14. A game controller as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, wherein a corresponding reel is displayed as spinning 30 behind any stopped symbols such that the symbols of a corresponding reel are not visible as they pass each stopped symbol.

15. A game controller as claimed in any one of claims 35 10 to 14, wherein three symbols are selected for each reel for display at respective ones of three display positions. 4982245_1 (GHMatters) P72649.AU.4 - 23

16. A game controller as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein there are five reels. 5

17. A game controller as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 16, wherein the game controller comprises a display controller for controlling the display. 10

18. A game controller as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 17, comprising a symbol selector for selecting the symbols.

19. A game controller as claimed in any one of claims 15 10 to 18, constituted, at least in part, by a processor executing program code stored in a memory.

20. A method of gaming comprising: selecting symbols for each of a plurality of 20 reels each for display at a plurality of display positions, each reel defined by a set of symbols in a symbol sequence, the selection of at least two symbols for at least one of a plurality of reels being made independently of one another; 25 displaying the selected symbols at separate respective display positions on a display for each reel; and controlling display of spinning of the reels on the display such that for each reel for which symbols are 30 selected independently of one another: after the reel is stopped, the at least two selected symbols of each reel are displayed in their respective selected display positions; and during at least part of the display of 35 spinning, the reel is displayed as spinning in the symbol sequence relative to the display positions. 4982245_1 (GHMatters) P72649.AU.4 - 24

21. A method as claimed in claim 20, comprising determining a stopping order for the at least two symbols. 5

22. A method as claimed in claim 20 or claim 21, comprising displaying a first symbol of the at least two symbols as stopping at the symbol's display position and subsequently displaying a corresponding reel as continuing to spin in the symbol sequence. 10

23. A gaming system as claimed in claim 22, wherein a corresponding reel is displayed as continuing to spin in the symbol sequence until all of the at least two symbols have been displayed as stopping in their respective 15 positions.

24. A gaming system as claimed in claim 22 or claim 23, wherein a corresponding reel is displayed as spinning behind any stopped symbols such that the symbols of each 20 corresponding reel are not visible as they pass each stopped symbol.

25. Computer program code which when executed implements the method of any one of claims 20 to 24. 25

26. A computer readable medium comprising the program code of claim 25.

27. A data signal comprising the program code of 30 claim 25.

28. Transmitting the program code of claim 25. 4982245_1 (GHMatters) P72649.AU.4