US20100160037A1 - Method of gaming, a game controller, a gaming device and a gaming system - Google Patents
Method of gaming, a game controller, a gaming device and a gaming system Download PDFInfo
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- US20100160037A1 US20100160037A1 US12/340,674 US34067408A US2010160037A1 US 20100160037 A1 US20100160037 A1 US 20100160037A1 US 34067408 A US34067408 A US 34067408A US 2010160037 A1 US2010160037 A1 US 2010160037A1
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- feature
- outcome
- player
- game
- outcomes
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- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
- G07F17/3244—Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
- G07F17/3258—Cumulative reward schemes, e.g. jackpots
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- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
Abstract
A method of gaming comprising: initiating a first feature game in response to a trigger condition being met; generating a first feature game outcome; determining whether the feature game outcome is a qualifying outcome; offering a player a selection of a plurality of second features in response to a qualifying outcome; receiving the player selection of a second feature of the plurality of features; and generating a second feature outcome for the selected second feature.
Description
- [Not Applicable]
- [Not Applicable]
- [Not Applicable]
- The present invention generally relates to a method of gaming, a game controller, a gaming device and a gaming system.
- With the increase of gambling at gaming venues has come increased competition between gaming venues to obtain a larger share of the total gambling spend. Gaming venue operators have therefore continuously looked for new variations and types of games in order to attract both new and return customers to their venues.
- In response to this need, suppliers of gaming devices and systems have attempted to provide the sought after variety, while still developing games that comply with the relevant regulations in the jurisdiction of the gaming venue operator. Suppliers of gaming devices therefore are faced with restrictions on the types of games and gaming apparatus that are allowable, both in terms of the prevailing regulations and in terms of providing a return on investment to the gaming venue operators.
- In addition, it is important that a player be able to understand the operation of a game quickly so that the player can start to quickly play the game and therefore extract maximum entertainment from the game.
- Accordingly, there is a need for further gaming systems.
- In a first aspect, the invention provides a method of gaming comprising:
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- initiating a first feature game in response to a trigger condition being met;
- generating a first feature game outcome;
- determining whether the feature game outcome is a qualifying outcome;
- offering a player a selection of a plurality of second features in response to a qualifying outcome;
- receiving the player selection of a second feature of the plurality of features; and
- generating a second feature outcome for the selected second feature.
- In an embodiment, determining whether the feature game outcome is a qualifying outcome includes generating a first outcome for the player and a second outcome for a virtual opponent of the player and determining from the first and second outcomes whether there is a qualifying outcome.
- In an embodiment, the method comprises determining whether at least one of the first and second outcomes is a designated outcome.
- In an embodiment, the method comprises comparing the first and second outcomes.
- In an embodiment, generating the first and second game outcomes comprises rolling a pair of dice for each of the player and the virtual opponent.
- In an embodiment, the method comprises making the player eligible to win a specific one of a plurality of progressive jackpots associated with the respective ones of the plurality of jackpots based on the selected second feature.
- In an embodiment, each second feature comprises generating a player feature outcome of the second feature and a virtual opponent feature outcome of the second feature for a virtual opponent of the player and determining from the player and virtual opponent feature outcomes whether there is a progressive jackpot winning outcome.
- In a second aspect, the invention provides a game controller for a gaming system, the game controller arranged to:
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- initiate a first feature game in response to a trigger condition being met;
- generate a first feature game outcome;
- determine whether the feature game outcome is a qualifying outcome;
- offer a player a selection of a plurality of second features in response to a qualifying outcome;
- receive the player selection of a second feature of the plurality of features; and
- generate a second feature outcome for the selected second feature.
- In an embodiment, the game controller is arranged to determine whether the feature game outcome is a qualifying outcome by generating a first outcome for the player and a second outcome for a virtual opponent of the player and determining from the first and second outcomes whether there is a qualifying outcome.
- In an embodiment, the game controller is arranged to determine whether at least one of the first and second outcomes is a designated outcome.
- In an embodiment, the game controller is arranged to compare the first and second outcomes.
- In an embodiment, the game controller is arranged to generate the first and second game outcomes by rolling a pair of dice for each of the player and the virtual opponent.
- In an embodiment, the game controller is arranged to make the player eligible to win a specific one of a plurality progressive jackpots associated with the respective ones of the plurality of jackpots based on the selected second feature.
- In an embodiment, for each second feature the game controller generates a player feature outcome of the second feature and a virtual opponent feature outcome of the second feature for a virtual opponent of the player and determining from the player and virtual opponent feature outcomes whether there is a progressive jackpot winning outcome.
- In an embodiment, the game controller is implemented in part by a processor executing program code stored in a memory.
- In a third aspect, the invention provides a gaming system comprising:
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- at least one display for displaying game outcomes to a player; and
- a game play mechanism;
- the gaming system arranged to:
- initiate a first feature game in response to a trigger condition being met;
- generate a first feature game outcome;
- determine whether the feature game outcome is a qualifying outcome;
- offer a player a selection of a plurality of second features in response to a qualifying outcome;
- receive the player selection of a second feature of the plurality of features via the game play mechanism; and
- generate a second feature outcome for the selected second feature.
- In an embodiment, the gaming system comprises a first feature controller for initiating the first feature game and generating a first feature game outcome.
- In an embodiment, the first feature controller is also for determining whether the feature game outcome is a qualifying outcome.
- In an embodiment, the first feature controller is also for offering the player the selection of a plurality of second features.
- In an embodiment, the first feature controller is also for receiving the player selection of a second feature of the plurality of features.
- In an embodiment, the gaming system comprises a second feature controller for generating a second feature outcome for the selected second feature.
- In an embodiment, the second feature controller is located remotely of the first feature controller.
- In an embodiment, the gaming system is arranged to determine whether the feature game outcome is a qualifying outcome by generating a first outcome for the player and a second outcome for a virtual opponent of the player and determining from the first and second outcomes whether there is a qualifying outcome.
- In an embodiment, the gaming system is arranged to determine whether at least one of the first and second outcomes is a designated outcome.
- In an embodiment, the gaming system is arranged to compare the first and second outcomes.
- In an embodiment, the gaming system is arranged to generate the first and second game outcomes by rolling a pair of dice for each of the player and the virtual opponent.
- In an embodiment, the gaming system is arranged to make the player eligible to win a specific one of a plurality progressive jackpots associated with the respective ones of the plurality of jackpots based on the selected second feature.
- In an embodiment, for each second feature the gaming system generates a player feature outcome of the second feature and a virtual opponent feature outcome of the second feature for a virtual opponent of the player and determining from the player and virtual opponent feature outcomes whether there is a progressive jackpot winning outcome.
- In an embodiment, the gaming system is implemented in part by a processor executing program code stored in a memory.
- In a fourth aspect, the invention provides computer program code which when executed implements the above method.
- In a fifth aspect, the invention provides a computer readable medium comprising the above program code.
- In a sixth aspect, the invention provides a data signal comprising the above program code.
- In a seventh aspect, the invention extends to transmitting the above program code.
- Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
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FIG. 1 shows diagrammatically, a view of a gaming machine suitable for implementing the present invention. -
FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of gaming apparatus suitable for implementing the present invention. -
FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of components of the memory of the gaming apparatus represented inFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 4 shows diagrammatically, a network gaming system suitable for implementing the present invention. -
FIGS. 5A and 5B show a flowchart of a game process in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 6 shows a functional block diagram of an embodiment. - The embodiments provide a method of gaming, a gaming device, a gaming system, and a game controller where a player can win either a mystery or progressive jackpot and an ante bet is required for eligibility for the In
FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings, one example of a gaming machine suitable for implementing the present invention is generally referenced byarrow 10. - The
gaming machine 10 includes aconsole 12 having adisplay 14 on which is displayed representations of agame 16, that can be played by a player. A mid-trim 20 of thegaming machine 10 houses a bank ofbuttons 22 for enabling a player to play thegame 16. The mid-trim 20 also houses acredit input mechanism 24 including a coin input chute 24A and abill collector 24B. Atop box 26 may carryartwork 28, including for example, pay tables and details of bonus awards and other information or images relating to the game. Further artwork and/or information may be provided on thefront panel 29 of theconsole 12. Acoin tray 30 is mounted beneath theconsole 12 for cash payouts from thegaming machine 10. - The
display 14 shown inFIG. 1 is in the form of a video display unit, particularly a cathode ray tube screen device. Alternatively, thedisplay 14 may be a liquid crystal display, plasma screen, any other suitable video display unit, or the visible portion of an electromechanical device. In advantageous embodiments, thetop box 26 may include a display, for example a video display unit, which may be of the same type as thedisplay 14, or a different type of display. -
FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a gaming apparatus, generally referenced byarrow 100, suitable for implementing the present invention. Thegaming apparatus 100 may, for example, operate as a standalone gaming machine of the type shown inFIG. 1 . However, thegaming apparatus 100 may alternatively operate as a networked gaming machine, communicating with other network devices, such as one or more servers or other gaming machines. Thegaming apparatus 100 may also have distributed hardware and software components that communicate with each other directly or through a network. Accordingly, different reference numerals have been used inFIG. 2 fromFIG. 1 for components that may be equivalent. - The
gaming apparatus 100 includes a game controller 101, which in the illustrated example includes acomputational device 102, which may be a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logic device or other suitable device. Instructions and data to control operation of thecomputational device 102 are stored in amemory 103, which is in data communication with, or forms a part of, thecomputational device 102. Typically, thegaming apparatus 100 will include both volatile and non-volatile memory and more than one of each type of memory, with such memories being collectively represented by thememory 103. The instructions to cause the game controller 101 to implement the present invention will be stored in thememory 103. - The gaming apparatus may include
hardware meters 104 for the purposes of regulatory compliance and also include an input/output (I/O)interface 105 for communicating with the peripheral devices of thegaming apparatus 100. The input/output interface 105 and/or the peripheral devices may be intelligent devices with their own memory for instructions and data. - In the example shown in
FIG. 2 , the peripheral devices that communicate with the controller are one ormore displays 106, user input devices 107 (e.g. buttons or a touch screen), a card and/orticket reader 108, aprinter 109, a bill acceptor and/orcoin input mechanism 110 and acoin output mechanism 111. One or more of thedisplays 106 may include a touch screen 106A, forming part of theuser input devices 107. Additional devices may be included as part of thegaming machine 100, or devices omitted as required for the specific implementation. - In addition, the
gaming machine 100 may include a communications interface, for example anetwork card 112. The network card, may for example, send status information, accounting information or other information to a central controller, server or database and receive data or commands from the central controller, server or database. One or more of the peripheral devices, for example the card/ticket reader 108 may be able to communicate directly with thenetwork card 112. - The game controller 101 may also include a
random number generator 113, which generates a series of random numbers that determine the outcome of a series of random game events played as part of a game on thegaming apparatus 100. As explained in more detail in relation toFIG. 4 , thecomputational device 102 may include two or more controllers or processors, which may be local or remote from each other and thedisplays 106. It will be appreciated that the random number generator may generate pseudo-random or true-random numbers depending on how it is configured. -
FIG. 3 shows an exemplary block diagram of the main components of thememory 103. The RAM 103A typically temporarily holds program files for execution by thecomputational controller 102 and related data. TheEPROM 103B may hold be a boot ROM device and/or may contain some system or game related code. The mass storage device 103C is typically used to store game programs, the integrity of which may be verified and/or authenticated by thecomputational controller 102 using protected code from theEPROM 103B or elsewhere. - While the foregoing description has been provided by way of example of the embodiments of the present invention as presently contemplated, which utilize gaming apparatus and machines, those skilled in the relevant arts will appreciate that the present invention also may have application to internet gaming and/or have application to gaming over a telecommunications network, where handsets are used to display game outcomes and receive player inputs. Herein any device operable by a player to play a game such as the above described apparatus and machine is generically referred to as a gaming device.
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FIG. 4 shows agaming system 200. Thegaming system 200 includes anetwork 201, which for example may be an Ethernet network.Gaming devices 202, shown arranged in threebanks 203 of twogaming devices 202 inFIG. 4 , are connected to thenetwork 201. Thegaming devices 202 may begaming machines 10, as shown inFIG. 1 or form part or all of anothergaming apparatus 100.Single gaming devices 202 andbanks 203 containing three ormore gaming devices 202 may also be connected to thenetwork 201. - One or more displays 204 may also be connected to the
network 201. The displays 204 may, for example, be associated with abank 203 of gaming devices. The displays 204 may be used to display representations associated with game play on thegaming devices 202, and/or used to display other representations, for example promotional or informational material. - Servers may also be connected to the
network 201. For example, agame server 205 may generate game outcomes for games played on thegaming devices 202, adatabase management server 206 may manage the storage of game programs and associated data for downloading or access by thegaming devices 202 in adatabase 206A, and ajackpot server 207 may control one or more jackpots associated with thegaming devices 202. - Further servers may be provided to assist in the administration of the
gaming system 200, including for example a gamingfloor management server 208, and alicensing server 209 to monitor the use of licenses to particular games. Anadministrator terminal 210 is provided to allow an administrator to run thenetwork 201 and the devices connected to the network. - The
gaming system 200 may communicate with other gaming systems, other local networks, for example a corporate network and/or a wide area network such as the Internet through afirewall 211. - An embodiment, which includes a feature of incrementing the progressive prize by a fixed amount upon the progressive prize not being awarded is illustrated in
FIGS. 5A , 5B andFIG. 6 . The embodiment also includes a multiple tier feature game. The embodiment describes an arrangement, where the method of gaming involves conducting a base game. The player can wager on the base game in a conventional manner. The base game may be, for example, a spinning reel game. In the alternative, the player may also place an additional ante bet when initiating a play of the base game. The ante bet provides eligibility for a first level feature game, exemplified below as the “Miss Kitty” feature from which the player can access three second level features as described in further detail below. The three second level features can each result in the award of a different progressive prize. The prize pools for the respective progressive jackpots are only incremented when the ante bet is made. The progressive prize pools are incremented in a number of ways as described below but notably, including increments of the respective prize pool by a fixed amount when a second level feature game is lost. In addition to the progressive jackpot prize, a mystery jackpot is provided which can be won irrespective of whether an ante bet is made. - Referring to
FIG. 5A , the method of the embodiment involves receiving 1601 a player wager. It is determined 1602 whether the wager includes an ante-bet. If the player does not place the ante-bet, the player is not eligible for the Miss Kitty and second level features games but is still eligible 1603 for the mystery jackpot and accordingly the mystery jackpot pool is increased based on a percentage of the amount bet by the player. As in conventional mystery jackpots, the prize pool can include a seed pool such that when a mystery jackpot is awarded the mystery jackpot can start from a non zero number. - If the bet includes the ante-bet then the player is eligible 1604 for the mystery jackpot, the feature game, and the second level feature games including the progressive jackpots. Accordingly increments apply to both the mystery and
progressive jackpots 1605 and there will be increments provided during the base game to both the mystery and progressive jackpot pool. It is determined at the end of each play of the base game whether a trigger condition has been met in respect of this play of the base game. If no trigger occurs, the process proceeds to the start and awaits thereceipt 1601 of a player wager. - If a trigger condition occurs then the first level, Miss Kitty, feature game is started 1607. Referring now to
FIG. 5B , in this example of a second level feature game, the player and “Miss Kitty” who is an animated fanciful cat each roll a pair of dice. If the player's total equals or exceeds Miss Kitty's total 1620 the player is awarded 1621 bonus credits or some other award which is typically based on the player's score. For example a multiplier of the number of spots shown on the player's dice. - If either the player or Miss Kitty role a double, the player is awarded bonus credits and may select to play any of three feature games as will be described in further detail below. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the number of feature games can vary and is advantageously a plurality of games with the upper limit of games corresponding to a desired number of progressives to be provided by the game. The third alternative 1680 is Miss Kitty's score is greater than the player's score. If this is the case a consolation prize, for example between 150 and 500 credits is awarded, and the progressive jackpot levels are incremented by set amounts of credits. That is each of the three progressive levels is incremented separately by fixed amounts. The amount that each jackpot is incremented may be the same or different. The increment is typically determined and applied at a progressive controller in data communication with a gaming device on which the game is played. However, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that progressives could only obtain contributions from one gaming machine be monitored at the gaming device. Further, there are two possible modes of operation, one where the gaming device simply indicates to a controller that there is a need to make an increment and the progressive controller applies the increment and another where the gaming device determines the progressive amount and communicates it to the progressive controller.
- Returning now to
FIG. 5B , the player is offered achoice 1631 of three selectable features each of which is associated with a respective one of three progressive jackpots. Typically, the size of the jackpots are different and are commensurate with the probability of winning a jackpot by play of the selected feature such that the player has a higher probability of obtaining award of a jackpot if they choose a lower value progressive jackpot, for example in the range of $100.00 to $200.00 than they have if they choose a game having an associated higher value jackpot, for example in the range of $2,000 to $4,000. Once the player selects the feature, the selected feature is played 1632 and it is then determined whether the player wins 1633. If the player loses then the game involves incrementing the relevant progressive associated with the selected feature by a fixedamount 1635. In the alternative if the player wins then they are awarded the progressive jackpot associated with the selected feature. The progressive jackpot pools may incorporate hidden seed pools in a manner known in the art to enable them to start from non-zero amounts. - In one example, the three features may be as follows: 1) a “granny” feature where the player has five shots determined by random trials to hit bottles displayed on a fence post. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the reference to “random” above includes pseudo random. Accordingly, the gaming device determines by
random number generator 113 how many bottles the player hits. The gaming device also determines whether an animated character named “granny” hits the bottles, and if the player's score equals or exceeds granny's score, the granny level progressive jackpot is awarded. Alternatively, if granny's score exceeds the player's score, the granny level progressive jackpot value is incremented by a set amount. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the odds of the player and granny hitting bottles could be 50/50 for each bottle or weighted in some fashion such that the player and granny need not necessarily have the same odds of hitting a bottle. - The second feature is a “bandito” feature where twelve windows are presented on the screen and the banditos hidden behind one of the twelve windows. The player gets four hits to try and find the bandito. If the player finds the bandito, the player wins the bandito jackpot level value. If the player does not find the bandito, the bandito jackpot level is incremented by a set amount.
- The third feature is the “gambler” feature. The gambler is dealt two aces. The player is dealt five cards. If the player's poker hand beats two aces, the gambler progressive jackpot level is awarded. If the player's hand does not beat the pair of aces, the gambler jackpot level is incremented by a set amount.
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FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of a gaming system 1700 of a exemplary embodiment for implementing the method ofFIG. 5 .FIG. 6 shows a gaming system 1700 having agaming device 700 and ajackpot controller 70. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in practice a plurality of gaming devices will be connected to the same jackpot controller in order to provide for substantial value jackpot pools as is shown inFIG. 4 where a plurality of gaming. However, asingle gaming device 700 is shown inFIG. 6 for ease of exposition. It will be appreciated that herein it is assumed that each gaming device is eligible for at least one jackpot prize (provided it is being played). In other embodiments, eligibility criteria may be applied. For example, that the gaming device is in a particular part of a venue, offers a designated game, the wager is of a certain level, or the player has inserted a player tracking card. - Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the connection between the gaming device and the
jackpot controller 70 can be a conventional network connection such as an Ethernet. Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that thegame device 700 can be exemplified in the form of agaming machine FIGS. 1 and 2 but as indicated elsewhere in the specification, the player interface which the player plays and the game controller need not necessarily be co-located. - Turning now to
FIG. 6 thegaming device 700 has aplayer interface 50 in data communication with a game controller 60. The player interface includes acredit input mechanism 52, adisplay 54 and a game play mechanism 56. The game play mechanism includes a number of buttons and/or a touch screen to enable the player to interact with the game controller 60. For ease of exposition, a subset of these is shown including an ante-bet button 56× andfeature selection buttons - In the embodiment, a series of modules are implemented by a processor 62 executing program code stored in
memory 64 such that the game controller is configured to carry out the functions described below. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that these modules could be provided in different ways, including by providing dedicated circuits configured to carry out the functions described below. Further, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that there will be other modules, for example a random number generator and a display controller for controlling the display and that these are omitted for the sake of clarity. The game controller 60 includes abase game module 621 which is arranged to carry out a base game each time the player operates input mechanism to place a wager. The game controller 60 also includes an eligibility module 625 which determines whether than ante-bet has been placed with ante-bet button 56X. When an ante-bet is placed the eligibility module activatesprogressive contribution module 626 which sends for each play 625 a of the game data to the jackpot controller to indicate that itsprogressive controller 705 should increment theprogressive value 721 to 723 which are stored inprogressive value database 720. To this end theprogressive controller 705 includes acontribution handler 710 which knows the proportional amounts which each of theprogressives trigger monitor 623A of theoutcome evaluator 623 which is arranged to evaluate the outcomes based onbase game data 641. - It will be appreciated there is also a
mystery module 628 which operates irrespective of whether the ante-bet has been placed in order to send contributions based on a percentage of turnover to the mystery controller of the jackpot controller. The mystery controller 740 increments themystery pool 741 accordingly. - The
base game data 641 also allows theoutcome generator 624A to generate the outcomes which as described above may be, for example, those of a spinning reel game. When the trigger monitor 623A determines that a trigger condition is met, for example, the occurrence of three designated scattered symbols at display positions of the virtual reels of a video spinning reel game, the trigger monitor 623A activates the secondlevel feature module 624. Thefeature module 624 includes a featuregame outcome generator 624A which, in the example given implements the dice game of the Miss Kitty game which generates outcomes based on thefeature game data 642 which in turn are evaluated by thefeature evaluator 624B based onfeature game data 624 which specifies the rules of the Miss Kitty game as described above. Thefeature module 624 also includes a feature selection module to enable a player to select the feature by operatingbuttons feature module 624 is arranged such as to communicate when a loss of the feature game occurs or that the first level features to thecontribution handler 710 of theprogressive controller 705 so that it can increment the progressive 721, 722, 723 in the manner described above. - When the player wins the first level feature, the
feature selection module 624C enables the player to select one of feature A, feature B, orfeature C level feature module 627 they could equally be provided as separate modules which are instantiated as required based on thesecond level data 643 which specifies each of features A, B andC meter data 644 is updated to reflect the outcomes of play the amount wager, any amounts won, etc. This is viewable by player ondisplay 54. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that if the player wins one of the second level features then theaward handler 730 awards the progressive to the player. Theaward handler 730 can function in the same way as typical progressive machines such as to arbitrate when two gaming machines claim a progressive in close proximity which of those is to be awarded the first progressive and which is to be awarded the second progressive. - Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that other arrangements are possible. For example, rather than the second
level feature module 627 being implemented within the game controller is could be implemented elsewhere, for example within the jackpot controller. Further, while the mystery andprogressive jackpot controllers 740, 705 are shown within asingle jackpot controller 70 and this is advantageous in terms of reducing equipment, it is not strictly necessary and they can be provided as separate controllers. - Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that an example of an exemplary trigger of the Miss Kitty feature game could be a so-called “hyperlink” trigger which is based on an amount that is bet by the player. That is, the amount bet gives the person a certain chance of the feature game being triggered.
- While it is advantageous for the player to place an ante bet to gain access to the feature, in another variant, the ante bet may not be required. It will be appreciated that in such a variant, other eligibility criteria can be applied if desired such as a bet amount, a measure of turnover, membership of a loyalty scheme.
- While the foregoing description has been provided by way of example of the embodiments of the present invention as presently contemplated, which utilize gaming apparatus and machines, those skilled in the relevant arts will appreciate that the present invention also may have application to internet gaming and/or have application to gaming over a telecommunications network, where handsets are used to display game outcomes and receive player inputs. Herein any device operable by a player to play a game such as the above described apparatus and machine is generically referred to as a gaming device.
- Further aspects of the method will be apparent from the 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, that could replace part of memory 103) or as a data signal (for example, by downloading it from a server).
- It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.
- It is to be understood that, if any prior art is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the prior art forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art in any country.
- 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, 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.
Claims (32)
1. A method of gaming comprising:
initiating a first feature game in response to a trigger condition being met;
generating a first feature game outcome;
determining whether the feature game outcome is a qualifying outcome;
offering a player a selection of a plurality of second features in response to a qualifying outcome;
receiving the player selection of a second feature of the plurality of features; and
generating a second feature outcome for the selected second feature.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein determining whether the feature game outcome is a qualifying outcome includes generating a first outcome for the player and a second outcome for a virtual opponent of the player and determining from the first and second outcomes whether there is a qualifying outcome.
3. A method as claimed in claim 2 , comprising determining whether at least one of the first and second outcomes is a designated outcome.
4. A method as claimed in claim 2 , comprising comparing the first and second outcomes.
5. A method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein generating the first and second game outcomes comprises rolling a pair of dice for each of the player and the virtual opponent.
6. A method as claimed in claim 1 , comprising making the player eligible to win a specific one of a plurality of progressive jackpots associated with the respective ones of the plurality of jackpots based on the selected second feature.
7. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each second feature comprises generating a player feature outcome of the second feature and a virtual opponent feature outcome of the second feature for a virtual opponent of the player and determining from the player and virtual opponent feature outcomes whether there is a progressive jackpot winning outcome.
8. A game controller for a gaming system, the game controller arranged to:
initiate a first feature game in response to a trigger condition being met;
generate a first feature game outcome;
determine whether the feature game outcome is a qualifying outcome;
offer a player a selection of a plurality of second features in response to a qualifying outcome;
receive the player selection of a second feature of the plurality of features; and
generate a second feature outcome for the selected second feature.
9. A game controller as claimed in claim 8 , arranged to determine whether the feature game outcome is a qualifying outcome by generating a first outcome for the player and a second outcome for a virtual opponent of the player and determining from the first and second outcomes whether there is a qualifying outcome.
10. A game controller as claimed in claim 9 , arranged to determine whether at least one of the first and second outcomes is a designated outcome.
11. A game controller as claimed in claim 9 , arranged to compare the first and second outcomes.
12. A game controller as claimed in claim 9 , arranged to generate the first and second game outcomes by rolling a pair of dice for each of the player and the virtual opponent.
13. A game controller as claimed in claim 8 , arranged to make the player eligible to win a specific one of a plurality progressive jackpots associated with the respective ones of the plurality of jackpots based on the selected second feature.
14. A game controller as claimed in claim 8 , wherein for each second feature the game controller generates a player feature outcome of the second feature and a virtual opponent feature outcome of the second feature for a virtual opponent of the player and determining from the player and virtual opponent feature outcomes whether there is a progressive jackpot winning outcome.
15. A game controller as claimed in claim 7 , implemented in part by a processor executing program code stored in a memory.
16. A gaming system comprising:
at least one display for displaying game outcomes to a player; and
a game play mechanism;
the gaming system arranged to:
initiate a first feature game in response to a trigger condition being met;
generate a first feature game outcome;
determine whether the feature game outcome is a qualifying outcome;
offer a player a selection of a plurality of second features in response to a qualifying outcome;
receive the player selection of a second feature of the plurality of features via the game play mechanism; and
generate a second feature outcome for the selected second feature.
17. A gaming system as claimed in claim 16 , comprising a first feature controller for initiating the first feature game and generating a first feature game outcome.
18. A gaming system as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the first feature controller is also for determining whether the feature game outcome is a qualifying outcome.
19. A gaming system as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the first feature controller is also for offering the player the selection of a plurality of second features.
20. A gaming system as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the first feature controller is also for receiving the player selection of a second feature of the plurality of features.
21. A gaming system as claimed in claim 16 , comprising a second feature controller for generating a second feature outcome for the selected second feature.
22. A gaming system as claimed in claim 21 , wherein the second feature controller is located remotely of the first feature controller.
23. A gaming system as claimed in claim 16 , arranged to determine whether the feature game outcome is a qualifying outcome by generating a first outcome for the player and a second outcome for a virtual opponent of the player and determining from the first and second outcomes whether there is a qualifying outcome.
24. A gaming system as claimed in claim 23 , arranged to determine whether at least one of the first and second outcomes is a designated outcome.
25. A gaming system as claimed in claim 24 , arranged to compare the first and second outcomes.
26. A gaming system as claimed in claim 23 , arranged to generate the first and second game outcomes by rolling a pair of dice for each of the player and the virtual opponent.
27. A gaming system as claimed in claim 16 , arranged to make the player eligible to win a specific one of a plurality progressive jackpots associated with the respective ones of the plurality of jackpots based on the selected second feature.
28. A gaming system as claimed in claim 16 , wherein for each second feature the gaming system generates a player feature outcome of the second feature and a virtual opponent feature outcome of the second feature for a virtual opponent of the player and determining from the player and virtual opponent feature outcomes whether there is a progressive jackpot winning outcome.
29. A gaming system as claimed in claim 16 , implemented in part by a processor executing program code stored in a memory.
30. A method of claimed in claim 1 and further including a computer readable medium comprising computer program code.
31. A method as claimed in claim 30 and further including a data signal comprising said computer program code.
32. A method as claimed in claim 30 and further including transmitting said computer program code.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/340,674 US20100160037A1 (en) | 2008-12-20 | 2008-12-20 | Method of gaming, a game controller, a gaming device and a gaming system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/340,674 US20100160037A1 (en) | 2008-12-20 | 2008-12-20 | Method of gaming, a game controller, a gaming device and a gaming system |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20100160037A1 true US20100160037A1 (en) | 2010-06-24 |
Family
ID=42266926
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/340,674 Abandoned US20100160037A1 (en) | 2008-12-20 | 2008-12-20 | Method of gaming, a game controller, a gaming device and a gaming system |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20100160037A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100113134A1 (en) * | 2008-11-05 | 2010-05-06 | Sek Hwan Joung | Method of gaming, a game controller and a gaming system |
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WO2006104731A2 (en) * | 2005-03-31 | 2006-10-05 | Wms Gaming Inc. | Wagering games with unlockable bonus rounds |
US20060252546A1 (en) * | 2005-04-06 | 2006-11-09 | Mario Castellari | Gaming apparatus and systems |
WO2007139988A2 (en) * | 2006-05-24 | 2007-12-06 | Wms Gaming Inc. | Wagering game system having bonus game configurations |
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- 2008-12-20 US US12/340,674 patent/US20100160037A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (3)
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WO2006104731A2 (en) * | 2005-03-31 | 2006-10-05 | Wms Gaming Inc. | Wagering games with unlockable bonus rounds |
US20060252546A1 (en) * | 2005-04-06 | 2006-11-09 | Mario Castellari | Gaming apparatus and systems |
WO2007139988A2 (en) * | 2006-05-24 | 2007-12-06 | Wms Gaming Inc. | Wagering game system having bonus game configurations |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US20100113134A1 (en) * | 2008-11-05 | 2010-05-06 | Sek Hwan Joung | Method of gaming, a game controller and a gaming system |
US8317595B2 (en) * | 2008-11-05 | 2012-11-27 | Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited | Method of gaming, a game controller and a gaming system |
US9147308B2 (en) | 2008-11-05 | 2015-09-29 | Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited | Method of gaming, a game controller and a gaming system |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES PTY LIMITED,AUSTRALIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:PAU, EDGAR;REEL/FRAME:022922/0780 Effective date: 20090612 |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |