GB2439386A

GB2439386A - Entertainment machine having a reel-based main game and an adjunct trail game

Info

Publication number: GB2439386A
Application number: GB0612193A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kevin Mcgovern
Original assignee: IGT UK Ltd
Current assignee: IGT UK Ltd
Priority date: 2006-06-20
Filing date: 2006-06-20
Publication date: 2007-12-27
Also published as: GB0612193D0

Abstract

A coin-operated player-operable gaming machine has an adjunct trail game and a further game. The trail game has a trail (23) made up of successive sections (24) at least some of which have changeable step selectors, such as rotatable reels. The further game may be a main game involving symbol selection with symbol-bearing reels (14). After actuation by a game-playing stake play progresses along the trail (23) from section (24) to section (24) with steps selected by the step selectors. If play reaches a section having an associated transfer outcome, play can then transfer to the main game using the reels (14).

Description

* I 2439386 ENTERTA[NMENT MACHINES This invention relates to

entertainment machines and is more particularly concerned with a coin-operated player-operable gaming machine of the kind which is operable to play a main game having an outcome, after actuation by a game-playing stake, whereby an award is made available to the player in the event that the outcome is of a predetermined winning nature.

As used herein the term coin is also intended to cover tokens, notes, cards and any other suitable means of providing monetary credit.

The machine of the invention may be a self-contained, stand-alone machine, or it may be a terminal or other device dependent for its operation on connection to a remotely located control system whether using a real-time or occasional connection.

Play of a main game on known entertainment machines of the above mentioned kind may involve selection and display of combinations of symbols whereby a winning outcome occurs when a selected combination is of a predetermined winning nature, or corresponds to a winning level in a predetermined ranking of combinations.

With such known entertainment machines which are of the fruit machine' kind, the symbols, which may be pictures of fruit and/or other images or the like, are displayed on the peripheries of side-by-side actual or simulated rotatable reels. The reels rotate and then come to rest to display one or more combinations of symbols across the reels on one or more win lines, one or more of such combinations being used for win assessment purposes.

With such known entertainment machines it is well known to provide a supplementary feature game using multiple display zones which may be distributed along a track or matrix or a ladder or the like. Play progresses to one or more zones e.g. in correspondence with operation of a random number selecting device such as a rotatable feature reel, an award or awards being made available in the event that play progresses to a predetermined award-winning zone or zones.

Play usually transfers from the main game to the feature game in dependence on the outcome of the main game, e.g. in correspondence with selection of one or more transfer symbols in the main game. Typically the arrangement may be such that multiple such transfer symbols have to be selected in one or a plurality of successive main games sufficient to reach a target level of such symbols as indicated, for example, by completion of, or advance to the end of a displayed transfer multisection trail or the like.

It is also known to provide a pre-gamble game using a pre-gamble display whereby the player has the option to try to qualify' to play the main game on an enhanced basis by first playing the pre-gamble game. This may involve a simple random selection procedure whereby, for example, a pointer spins around a multi-section dial and comes to rest pointing at one of the sections. If the pre-gamble game has a successful outcome the player can progress to an enhanced version of the main game. If the pre-gamble game is not successful, play then terminates.

Our copending application GB 0611902.8 provides a pre-gamble type game which can result in transfer to a feature game rather than the main reel-spin game.

Such transfer trails and pre-gamble games constitute important adjuncts to main and feature games of entertainment machines. However, for economic reasons they are required to operate relatively quickly, to ensure that they do not substantially extend overall playing time, or even so as to provide a fast-play substitute for main or feature game play. Accordingly such games are usually of a relatively simple nature and may involve, for example, selection of a section of a displayed array or sequence of such sections by actual or video simulated back illumination thereof. The play of such games therefore tends to have less entertainment value than the more complicated main and feature games which may involve operation of actual or video simulated rotatable reels or the like.

An object of the present invention is to provide an adjunct game which can lead to a further game such as a main or feature game and which can be played relatively quickly but with enhanced player entertainment value.

According to the invention therefore there is provided a coin-operated player-operable gaming machine which is operable after actuation by a game-playing stake to play an adjunct trail game having at least one outcome thereto which is a transfer outcome resulting in transfer to a further game, characterised in that the adjunct trail game has multiple sections at least some of which have respective changeable step selectors associated therewith, whereby play progresses from section to section by steps selected by said selectors, and said transfer outcome is associated with at least one section.

With this arrangement, progression along the trail is effected in correspondence with operation of one or more of the changeable selectors, i.e. involving a combination of movement along the trail and change of one or more selectors, which can provide enhanced player entertainment. However, such progression can consist essentially of movement from one section to a further section whereby, despite the enhancement effect of the changeable selectors there is still the possibility of confining play to a relatively quick and simple procedure.

The said further game to which play can transfer from the adjunct game, may comprise a main game, such as a reel-based symbol selecting game, as hereinbefore described, andlor a feature game using multiple display zones which may be distributed along a track or array or matrix or a ladder or the like also as hereinbefore described.

Play of the adjunct trail game may be a necessary pre-requisite to play of the further game, i.e. such that the player has to play the adjunct game and attain the transfer outcome before the further game can be played. Alternatively however, the arrangement may be such that the adjunct game is made available as an option selectable by the player or otherwise i.e. such that play of the further game may be optionally available without having to proceed via the adjunct game. With this latter arrangement play of the further game may vary depending on whether it has been accessed direct or via the adjunct game e.g. such that the further game has one or more enhanced game play parameters, such as higher awards or more play opportunities if played after transfer from the adjunct game.

The adjunct game may have one or more other attainable outcomes thereto additional to the (or each) transfer outcome including, for example, one or more losing outcomes, one or more bonus or award or enhancement or play-parameter influencing outcomes which may be effective directly from the adjunct game andlor which may be effective in the further game after transfer thereto. By way of example, where the further game is a reel-spin main game the adjunct game may have one or more outcomes associated with numbers of reel spins and/or win lines and/or nudge steps which are used after transfer to the main game.

Most preferably provision is made for progression along the trail in successive sets of steps in the same and/or different successive games.

In the case of successive sets of steps in the same game these may be triggered in relation to parameters of the trail sections which may be predetermined or otherwise selected e.g. such that movement in one set of steps to one section may be followed by movement in a subsequent set of steps to a further section triggered by directions associated with the said one section, this being repeated until a limit is reached e.g. a number of sets of steps, time duration, etc. and/or until a section is reached which has associated therewith no trigger directions.

In the case of successive sets of steps in successive games, steps may be held over from game to game in accordance with any suitable basis e.g. such that steps in a subsequent game initiate progression from the section which had been reached in a previous game. Hold over may be on a chance basis of a predetermined probability, say 50% or less, for all games, or only for pre-credited or non-precredited games, or on any other suitable basis.

The trail may be of any suitable conformation. In one embodiment the trail comprises multiple rows of sections, say 5 rows each of 6 sections, linked to permit progression backwards and forwards from one row to the next.

Each trail section may have a respective selector associated therewith, or capable of being associated therewith.

Each selector may be arranged to change to cause different numbers of steps to be successively displayed, such changing display then terminating to cause one such number of steps to be selected and displayed without changing. Conveniently the selector may be an actual or video simulated reel having step indications, such as numbers, around its periphery, such reel being arranged to rotate and then come to rest behind a window so that the step indications can be seen through the window.

In the case where video simulation is used the arrangement may be such that changeable selectors are variably associated with trail sections i.e. such that selectors may become available at sections on any random, predetermined or other basis.

One or more trail sections may have associated therewith, permanently, or variably on any random, predetermined or other basis, progression features or directions other than said selectors, such as jump or boost directions which effect automatic progression from the respective section to a further section e.g. by a predetermined number of steps, or otherwise.

As mentioned above, the trail may have one or more outcomes thereto additional to the transfer outcome. The (or each) such outcome may be associated with a respective trail section on a predetermined or random or other basis.

Transfer to the further game may occur automatically when the (or each) section is reached which has the (or one) transfer outcome associated therewith. This may be the final section of the trail, and transfer may occur when progression has been initiated which is such as to reach, or if desired exceed, the respective section.

There may be multiple sections which have transfer outcomes associated therewith in which case transfer may be automatic or at the option of the player. In the latter case the player may wish to defer transfer to try to accumulate more or better bonuses, awards, game-play parameters or enhancements or the like before transferring to the further game.

The invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic front view of one form of a machine according to the invention; Figures 2-5 are representations of alternative displays attainable with the machine; and Figure 6 is a schematic block circuit diagram of the control system of the machine.

Referring to Figure 1 this shows a coin-operated player-operable gaming machine having a floor standing or table top or wall mounted cabinet 1 with a front wall 2 having windows through which can be seen upper and lower screens 3, 4 of the VDUs 5, 6 mounted within the cabinet 1.

At the top of the front wall there is a coin slot 7 leading within the cabinet to a coin mechanism 8.

In the lower region of the front wall 2 there is an outlet opening 9 leading to a coin dispenser 10 within the cabinet.

Player operable press-buttons 11 are provided beneath the two screens 3, 4.

Within the cabinet, as shown in Figure 2, there is a microprocessor based control unit 12 to which is connected the coin mechanism 8, the coin dispenser 10, the two VDUs 5, 6 and the buttons 11.

The upper screen 3 provides a display of a generally conventional reel-based fruit machine.

Thus, the screen 3 has three side by side windows 13 through which can be seen respective side by side reels 14 rotatable about a common horizontal axis. The reels 14 have around their peripheries equally spaced symbols, say 20 symbols whereby three symbols, one above the other, can be seen in each window 13 when the respective reel 14 is at rest. There is a central horizontal win line across the windows, and also other horizontal and diagonal win lines 16-19.

Beneath the windows 13 there are two digital displays and also a win chart showing monetary awards which are paid out when predetermined winning combinations of symbols are selected and displayed on the reels 14 through the windows 13 on the win line or win lines 15-19 which is effective for win assessment purposes.

There are buttons 11 which may be used for functions such as starting play of a main game, which causes the reels 14 to rotate and then come to rest, collecting any winnings by dispense of coins through the outlet 9, and nudge and hold functions whereby the player can seek to influence symbol selection by holding one or more reels 14 against rotation or by nudging one or more reels 14 through one or more indexed positions after rotation.

The lower screen 4 provides an adjunct trail game which can be played before play of the above mentioned main game.

Thus, the lower screen 4 shows a trail 23 made up of four horizontal rows each of six square trail sections 24, the sections being aligned in vertical columns. The sections 24 are linked to provide a continuous run of sections along a backwards and forwards folded path from a first section at bottom left to a final section at top left.

Above the trail 23 there is a digital display 25 and also a larger section 26 to which the final section 24 is linked.

The sections 24 have directions and information thereon or adjacent thereto.

in particular, in a starting condition (prior to play) the first section 24 is identified START, the first eight sections are blank except for the fifth section which is identified BOOST, and the 9" to 24th sections 24 are coloured red and are marked with numbers, except for the 10th, 13th and 19th sections which are identified BOOST.

In use, the machine is actuated for playing one or more games by introduction of a coin or coins into the coin slot 7 equal to or a multiple of a predetermined game play stake value. The credited value is shown on the digital display 25.

The player can now initiate the trail based game by pressing a start button 11.

This causes a video simulated reel to appear in the first section 24 and rotate (as shown in Figure 2) and then come to rest to display a number on its periphery.

As shown in Figure 3, the selected number may be 2 and this causes play to progress by 2 sections to the third section 24. If the player has sufficient credit value for at least one further game the player may press the start button again. On a chance basis, as discussed below this causes a video simulated reel to appear in the third section 24 and rotate and then come to rest to display a number on its periphery.

The position attained in the preceding game (in this case the third section 24 as shown in Figure 3) is retained and used as the starting point for the next game on a 50% chance probability. If the position is not held over, instead of showing the reel in -10 -the retained position (in this case the third section) the indication RESTART appears and play recommences at the first section, i.e. the reel appears and rotates at the first section.

This 50% probability factor applies at each play of the trail game.

Figure 4 shows, by way of example, the case where the reel of Figure 3 has selected and displayed the number 2 causing play to progress by two steps to the fifth section 24.

The fifth section is a BOOST section whereby play jumps by three sections to the 8 section.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, assuming adequate credit, the player can press the start button again and, on a 50% probability, this results in selection of a further number of steps with a spinning reel either starting at the eighth section (Figure 4) or back at the first position (Figure 5).

If the player is able to progress along the trail to the ninth or higher (red) sections, the player acquires main game reel spins and win lines in correspondence with the numbers indicated on the sections 24. Thus, for example, a red section 24 which has the prominent number 6 and a secondary smaller number 4 will acquire 6 reel spins and 4 effective win lines. These are shown on the digital display 21 but are not necessarily used at this stage. Some of the red sections 24 have other awards or bonuses associated therewith such as a cash prize which may be awarded to the player and shown on the digital display so as to be collectable by the player when required.

The player can continue to progress through the red sections, or restart in like manner to that described above, by playing further games. In correspondence with -11 -this, the red sections will change to display a rotatable reel or RESTART as required.

If the player obtains steps which progress play to or beyond the large section 26 linked to the final section 24, play now transfers automatically to the main reel-based game on the upper screen 3.

As an alternative to the above arrangement involving transfer exclusively from the final section 24, the arrangement may be such, alternatively or additionally to such transfer opportunity, that prizes may be collected automatically from the red sections or otherwise and, in the case of acquiring reel spins and win lines, play may transfer immediately to the reel-based game.

The player can now play a reel-based main game, as mentioned above, with the number of reel spins and effective win lines attained in the trail game.

Any winnings obtained in the reel-based main game are awarded to the player and indicated on the digital display 20. A corresponding pay out can be obtained when required.

With this arrangement, a trail game is provided which can be played quickly and easily yet which can give enhanced player entertainment as a consequence of the reel selectors associated with the sections.

The invention is of course not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiment which are described by way of example only.

Thus, for example, transfer from the trail game need not be accompanied by reel spins and win lines as described, but alternatively or additionally may involve number of nudges or other features.

Transfer need not be to a video simulated reel-based game but may be to an -12 -actual (mechanical) reel-based game or to any other suitable kind of main or feature game.

If desired the trail game may be optional i.e. such that the player can opt to start with the reel-based game or other main game instead of the trail game.

Claims

-1-3 -

CLAIMS

1. A coin-operated player-operable gaming machine which is operable after actuation by a game-playing stake to play an adjunct trail game having at least one outcome thereto which is a transfer outcome resulting in transfer to a further game, characterised in that the adjunct trail game has multiple sections at least some of which have respective changeable step selectors associated therewith, whereby play progresses from section to section by steps selected by said selectors, and said transfer outcome is associated with at least one section.

2. A machine according to claim 1 characterised in that the said further game comprises a main game which is a reel-based symbol-selecting game.

3. A machine according to claim 1 or 2 characterised in that the said further game comprises a feature game which has multiple display zones.

4. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterised in that the transfer outcome of the adjunct trail game has to be attained before the further game can be played.

5. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterised in that the adjunct game is made available as an option to the said further game.

6. A machine according to claim 5 characterised in that play of the further game varies depending on whether it has been accessed directly or via the adjunct game.

7. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterised in that the adjunct game has outcomes additional to the (or each) transfer outcome.

-14 - 8. A machine according to claim 7 when dependent on claim 2 characterised in that the adjunct game has one or more outcomes associated with numbers of reel spins.

9. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8 characterised in that provision is made for progression in successive steps along the trail of the adjunct game in the same game.

10. A machine according to claim 9 characterised in that the steps are triggered in relation to parameters of the trail sections.

11. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8 characterised in that provision is made for progression in successive steps along the trail of the adjunct game in successive games, steps being held over from game to game on a predetermined basis.

12. A machine according to claim 11 characterised in that the predetermined basis is a predetermined probability.

13. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 12 characterised in that each trail section of the adjunct game has a respective selector associated therewith.

14. A machine according to claim 13 characterised in that the selector comprises a reel having step indications around its periphery.

15. A machine according to any one of claims ito 14 characterised in that one or more trail sections of the adjunct game have associated therewith progression features which effect automatic progression from the respective section to a further section by a predetermined number of steps.

16. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 15 characterised in that transfer -15 -from the adjunct game to the further game occurs when play has progressed to a section of the trail of the adjunct game having a transfer outcome associated therewith.

17. A machine according to claim 16 characterised in that there are multiple sections with transfer outcomes associated therewith and transfer is at the option of the player.

18. A coin-operated player-operable gaming machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.