AU2003100284B4 - Jackpot System for Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

1/31 Jackpot System for Gaming Machines Field of the invention The present invention relates to a gaming console and to a network of gaming consoles. In addition, the present invention relates to a method of gaming.

Background to the Invention There are a variety of schemes that have been adopted to attract users to particular gaming machines in preference to others. For example, feature games, progressive jackpots, or secondary prizes may be employed to make a particular gaming machine more attractive to a potential player.

Gaming machines offering linked progressive jackpots are typically networked and a proportion of the turnover from each machine is added to a prize pool from which a jackpot is paid. One such progressive jackpot system pays a jackpot once the pool exceeds a preset amount (mystery jackpot), or on a trigger condition. One extension of such an arrangement is commonly known as "Cashcadem". The Cashcade T m method awards the jackpot after a predetermined value has been exceeded in the prize pool and a randomly selected number is matched. In one variation the randomly selected number is matched against a number allocated to each credit wagered. Other variations employ a randomly selected number to determine a gaming machine to which the jackpot is awarded after a randomly selected number of credits have been played. Certain other progressive jackpot systems award a jackpot when selected triggering symbol combinations are obtained during a game outcome. Often the amounts awarded by progressive jackpots may be in distinct categories such as mega, maxi, midi, and mini payout wins and they are in the form of a monetary reward, or a prize in goods such as a car or a holiday, or a combination of money and a good of some consideration.

In the International Patent Application No. PCT/AU98/00525 (WO 99/03078) there is described a scheme whereby the chance of winning 2/31 the jackpot is proportional to the stake wagered. To facilitate this, a jackpot will be accumulated by portions of the wagers made. That is to say, a portion of the wager will go to the games machine to compensate for any primary game wins, with a second portion of the wager going to the jackpot to s compensate for any wins that are payable by a jackpot win. Thus jackpots are funded by jackpot contributions obtained for a portion of the bet. For example a jackpot system may use 5% of the amount bet to fund a progressive jackpot. This method of funding jackpots applies also to systems discussed above and should that maximum progressive jackpot amount be exceeded, the overflow contributions are placed into a buffer amount. Upon the jackpot being triggered and payed out, the buffered amount can then be placed back into the jackpot amount becoming part of the new jackpot. If the buffer contains too many contributions, the jackpot will only be toped up an amount somewhere between the Jackpots minimum and maximum amounts, as the is jackpot can still only hold a maximum amount for a player to win. Further, jackpots may also be funded by a fixed start-up amount to which contributions in the form of a portion of turnover are added.

Currently, jackpots have perceived disadvantages to potential players as a whole as the payouts of jackpots are singular in nature with the highest payouts being restricted by gaming regulations in jurisdictions throughout the world. Despite the inventiveness of the trigger system used, the above given jackpot systems, can only offer the player a single maximum win restricted by given jurisdictions where a single wager is made. As an example, jurisdiction may be more liberal with the amounts that may be won by a player than jurisdiction As such, when a Jackpot is triggered in jurisdiction a player may win 10,000 credits, where as on the same machine, had the player won the jackpot in jurisdiction the player is only allowed to win up to 500 credits. This severely disadvantages the player in jurisdiction B when compared to jurisdiction A. In an alternative jurisdiction, although larger prizes may be permitted, they may be subjected to a tax being levied on large wins.

Further, progressive jackpots may not be permitted altogether in 3/31 certain jurisdictions, whereby preventing the above described systems from being operated.

Another disadvantage that the above systems provide, is that the player is deprived of any excitement or variability once a jackpot has been triggered; as the amount advertised will be the maximum amount won. There is no additional excitement provided to the player once the progressive jackpot has been triggered, as the payout corresponds to no more than the amount advertised contained in the jackpot pool. WO 99/03078 also discloses a method where following a trigger for a progressive jackpot, the prize awarded to the player is a portion of the advertised jackpot pool, depending on the outcomes of a sequence of jackpot games. However the disadvantage of this system is that the player can never win an amount larger than the advertised maximum nor may the player enjoy the thrill of wining a serious of game.

US5833538 (WEISS) teaches us that a game when entering a feature mode provides a player with a more advantageous game by changing the reels of the base game, creating a subliminal level change, so as to provide more excitement to the player. Weiss however fails to offer a player a chance at a progressive amount of special games only offering a stand alone gaming console feature. In short, Weiss fails to offer a system that allows a jackpot of games to be won and played by the player. As the amount of games and additional awards are simply a set of local percent return alterations, Weiss fails to offer a system that can deliver exponentially higher returns being more obvious to the player, or a large quantity of such games.

US 6224482 (Bennett) offers a jackpot system that requires a lurality of ames to be played so as to win an advertised amount of credits (or money). The game offered by Bennett provides a single jack pot amount providing set dollar values at the time of winning, which can be won through playing a set of grouped games. The games must be won in succession so as to continue to the next game in a hope of winning the total prize amount. As 4/31 such Bennett also fails to offer a chance at a multiple series of independent special games that may all be played, disadvantaging the player to win at best only an advertised amount limited by the jurisdiction the jackpot is played in.

s Patent number US 6146273 (Olsen), provides a jackpot, where access to the jackpot is activated for a period of time, allowing a range of eligible gaming consoles to concurrently play for part of the jackpot prize.

Where the jackpot value falls below a set amount, the jackpot is no-longer available to the players. Olsen teaches us that more than one game can be played to win a portion of a jackpot, differing from Bennett in that loosing of one game does not prevent another attempt at a portion of the jackpot, however Olsen does not provid a set number of special games based on a jackpot of special games to be won, but in the reverse, provides a number of unknown games to win a portion of a set amount (taken from an advertised jackpot amount in monetary terms) until the set amount is used up or a time limit expires, whilst competing with other players. Competition is imperative to this invention, as the jackpot is fixed, and if only one player was playing for the jackpot, then the amount of games played would be made redundant, as the player would at best win the exact same amount as is offered, with no volatility in the variation. As such this invention fails to offer a stand alone machine the chance at a jackpot of independent game.

To overcome the difficulties presented in the disclosed prior art, we found that by using a trigger condition for a jackpot that offers a number of special games, preferably with an obvious higher return than a normal game provided on a gaming machine (also known as a primary or base game), where the number of preferably higher return games is progressively accumulated, we provide for a progressive jackpot with a degree of unpredictability in the amount that can be won, whilst also allowing a player to win amounts that they would otherwise not be able to win on a conventional progressive jackpot system. Thus in this novel progressive jackpot system the prize comes in the form of a series of special games from a Jackpot of 5/31 progressive special games. Any of the commonly used trigger mechanisms for progressive jackpots may be used to trigger this novel progressive prize. In this novel progressive prize system the jackpot awarded to the player is an amount of special games rather than just a single payout, whereby an overall prize with a further degree of unpredictability and volatility is provided.

Preferably the games would be of an obvious higher return than may be found in a base game from which the jackpot was triggered, though it should be noted that a series of progressive games that are not of a higher return than the base game would also suffice. A group of potential players may perceive this as a more exciting and interesting progressive jackpot than jackpots currently offered.

Other attempts have been made in the past to offer a series of games that are linked to a scheme that is commonly referred in the art as token collection. In a token collection scheme typically, tokens or symbols are collected as a result of game outcomes and are displayed to the player on the gaming display. Upon collecting a set number of tokens a feature that may include free games is awarded to the player. As an example a game may award a token for every time a wild symbol appears on the game outcome display. Continuing with the example, after the player has collected 10 tokens (the wild symbol has appeared 10 times) 2 free games may be offered. Token collection has had a limited appeal to players due to the predictability of the trigger condition. The player can easily assess how many tokens are required to trigger a feature, thereby being discouraged to play games that do not already have some tokens left from previous play. In addition the size of the reward of token collection schemes is limited and the player knows that it makes no difference to the size of the prize should the trigger condition take an unusually high number of games before triggering, there by further discouraging the player Ultimately, players would not play these machines, waiting for someone else to start the token collection process first.

We have found that a group of potential players may perceive the progressive jackpot of special games, preferably being a higher return rate in nature than a primary game, more exciting than token collection schemes, 6/31 as the player cannot predict when the games may be triggered (since the trigger condition is that of progressive jackpots) or the subsequent prize increments while waiting for the trigger to occur.

Due to increased unpredictability and increased chances at winning a higher range of payout returns upon triggering the jackpot, we have found that by making the jackpot a collection of special games with preferably substantially better chances at winning prizes with higher retumrn games than otherwise possible, a group of potential players is attracted to this game to a significantly greater extent than to games linked to a jackpot system employing other payout methods described above. The scheme now proposed by the inventor provides the consumer with a useful choice.

Summary of the Invention In a first broad form, the present invention provides a gaming is console comprising a display, a game controller, a stake selector, and a game initiation means wherein on initiation by the game initiation means in a primary game, the game controller selects a plurality of symbols and displays the selected symbols on said display and awards a prize based upon the stakes wagered on winning combinations of the selected symbols, and wherein on a trigger event, a player after being awarded prizes from the primary game, is given the chance to participate in at least one special game preferably offering a higher return than said primary game, awarded from a progressive system where the jackpot is in the form of special games. In the first broad embodiment, for each special game awarded, a player would be required to place a wager, as in the primary game, however, the special game would have a substantially higher return awarding greater prizes to the player than a primary game such as the wager on the special games costing substantially less than betting on a base game (in some cases there may be no bet required at all, thus the special games being free where an accumulation of wins would be allowed under a given jurisdiction). In the first broad embodiment of this invention, the probability of the said trigger condition is preferably proportional to a selected portion of the stake wagered in the 7/31 primary game. The actual triggering event for the jackpot however may vary, and for example rely on combinations of symbols, a random event, or a combination of events rather then simply being a proportion of bets placed.

The jackpot is incremented progressively, and typically a player plays the primary game, with a portion of the bet being pooled. The pooled portions are then converted into special game amounts based on the average return of said special game and any amount that has been pooled. Thus it can be said that the number of special games is being progressively incremented.

For ease of reference the term progressive will be used herein to refer to an amount that is pooled as a portion of the tumrnover (or indirectly related to 0 tumrnover). Upon sufficient credits being pooled, additional special games are added to the jackpot of special games. The amount of special games will then preferably be displayed as a collection of special games on a jackpot of special games that can be won by a player. In this manner, the player can now win a number of games that will in the preferred embodiment, provide a much higher chance of winning an award when compared to the original bet in a primary game, than would otherwise be possible. For example, where a primary game may only have an 85% return rate to the player, a special game from a jackpot of jackpot described above, may offer returns of several hundred or thousands of percent return in the player's favour.

On the completion of the special games offered to the player, said display of said gaming console will preferably alert the player of the completion of the special gaming mode, and revert to playing primary games.

Preferably, a banner with the total amount won over the duration of the special games being displayed with a musical tune or noise similar, such as a hydraulics machine being shut down so as to alert the player that normal mode of play will now continue. Understandably, any such attention-grabbing device may be used to simulate the desired effect of alerting the player of either the commencement or completion of such high paying games.

Although the above-described jackpot is a single console jackpot system, it should be appreciated that this invention applies to any form of jackpot known in the art that may hold special games as an alternative to 8/31 other forms of advertised prizes, with any reference to jackpots being considered as a collective reference to the varying progressive jackpot systems available and known in the art. Preferably however, the jackpot described herein is a linked progressive jackpot, as such jackpots are able to s generate greater returns for players, significantly increasing the players excitement and satisfaction when a linked progressive jackpot is triggered as compared to stand alone progressive jackpots, or a jackpot with a fix win metre.

In an alternative embodiment of the above described jackpot system, instead of the jackpot being in the form of the number of special games being progressively accumulated, the number of special games may be fixed, and instead other advantages that apply to the series of special games may be accumulated progressively. Thus the progressive jackpot may consist of X special games (X being a fixed number) and the prize multiplier that may be offered during the special games may also be progressively accumulated. Alternatively, advantages may alternatively refer to progressively accumulated numbers of substitute symbols that apply during the said X special games, or any other advantage that may be progressively accumulated. Thus it can be said that not only the number of special games is progressively accumulated, but also further advantages that apply during these games can be progressively accumulated as part of the special games.

For simplicity when referring to special games, it should be understood that such reference also extends to the advantages that apply during the said special games.

In a yet altemrnative embodiment of the above described jackpot system, instead of the progressive jackpot being in the form of a number of special games where all special games are of the same type, the special games may vary. For example a special game may be in the form of a wheel of luck, where the wheel is made up of segments that award a prize and other segments that do not award a prize. As the jackpot increments progressively successive non- paying segments would be changed to prize awarding segments until a certain fixed prize composition of the wheel segments is 9/31 achieved. Then the completed wheel would be counted towards a completed wheels counter of the progressive jackpot and a new uncompleted wheel would undergo its alteration process in response to the progressive jackpot being incremented. Upon triggering the jackpot the player would be awarded the number of runs on the completed wheel as per the completed wheel counter indicated by the jackpot and then a run on the wheel that is still undergoing its alteration process. Thus it can be said that the jackpot of special games may increment by altering chances in a special game until the special game is complete thus incrementing the counter of special games. In its broader form it can be said that the special games may not be all identical and that the progressive jackpot may award special games with varying rules.

For the purpose of simplicity here after when referring to special games its broadest form is intended.

In another broad form the present invention provides a network comprising a multiplicity of gaming consoles wherein each of said multiplicity of gaming consoles comprises a display, a game controller, a stake selector, and a game initiation means wherein on initiation by the game initiation means in a primary game the game controller selects a plurality of symbols and displays the selected symbols on said display and awards a prize based upon the stakes wagered on winning combinations of the selected symbols and wherein upon triggering a jackpot win, the player will be awarded the chance to participate in one or more said special games. Where a network of primary game machines can be used to provide a jackpot system, more chances to win the jackpot are given, with higher returns available. After the awarding of prizes in the primary game, the game controller would then allow the player to participate in the progressively awarded special games.The advantages of linked progressives for jackpots of monetary value are well known and include the race condition that can be generated between players of various consoles, where the winning player resets the common progressive metre, as such, special games may be offered as an altemrnative to simply monetary awards. In a third broad form, the present invention provides a i 10/31 method of gaming comprising the steps of: in a primary game selecting a plurality of symbols and displaying the selected symbols on the display; awarding a prize based upon a stake wagered on winning combinations of the selected symbols; determining the stake wagered on losing combinations, winning combinations, a combination of winning or loosing games, or a combination of the selected symbols and returning a value; and from the said value determining if a trigger condition has been met to award the player at least one jackpot game that will determine the number of special games that will be awarded from a progressive pool of special games, and that preferably provide a higher return to the player than the primary game. Preferably, the higher return will also be obvious to the player.

In another embodiment, the awarding of the primary game prizes may be delayed, and be awarded later at varying stages of game play, such as during the said special games. Thus the accumulation of special games in addition of being progressive may also be as a consequence of results of the primary game. As a further example, the player may be given the choice of receiving at least one single payment, or given the opportunity to participate in a range of said special games.

Description it will be understood in the context of the present invention that the primary game offered on the gaming console may vary from selecting a plurality of symbols and displaying the selected symbols on the display which is typical of spinning reel games, to such gaming consoles where the player may select symbols to place bets on, such as in a roulette type game, and awarding prizes for obtaining matches between the characteristics of the selected symbol and player selected fields that represent possible characteristics of selectable symbols. Further the primary game may vary in that the gaming console selecting a number of symbols in a lottery or keno type game and awarding prizes for obtaining matches between player marked 11/31 fields representing symbols and gaming console selected symbols. Further the primary game may be a two or more stage card game such as draw poker where the player holds certain symbols from the first stage and obtains replacement symbols during a subsequent stage. All of these alternative types of games are well known in the art be they table based games, or games played by electronic means.

The present invention provides a jackpot based upon a trigger condition which may have a probability proportional to a selected portion of the stake wagered in the primary game, be triggered as a mystery progressive jackpot (as well known in the art), or simply be triggered by a combination of symbols that appear on the screen. As such, it will be understood that in the context of the present invention the probability of the trigger condition may be directly proportional to the stake wagered on losing combinations, for which no prizes are awarded during a primary game, or may be inversely proportional to the stake wagered on losing combinations, for which no prizes are awarded as a bonus chance at a jackpot for having already won a prize.

Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, where a losing wager is responsible for the triggering of a jackpot, the playing of special games is similar to a second draw prize, or a consolation prize. The said selected portion of the stake wagered in the primary game may alternatively be the stake wagered on winning combinations, for which prizes are awarded. In this alternative embodiment where the trigger condition probability is proportional to the stake wagered on the winning combinations for which prizes are awarded, the special games may be considered as a bonus or ancillary prize associated with selecting winning combinations in the primary game.

In a further embodiment of the present invention the said trigger condition probability may be directly proportional to the prizes awarded in the primary game, thus in this context the probability of winning higher awards during the games increases with larger wins of the primary game.

Whilst it will be appreciated that one embodiment of the present invention provides a trigger condition that depends on a portion of the stake wagered in the primary game, such as the stake lost on losing combinations 12/31 of the primary game, a further embodiment provides a trigger condition that depends on the amount won in the primary game, a combination of these may also be applied. It will be further appreciated, that the triggering condition resulting in the awarding of a jackpot or jackpot special game, may also be activated in a multi layered scheme where the scheme consists of a number of steps and determinations before the trigger condition is achieved. For example the trigger condition for a jackpot may be achieved when a chain of sub-trigger conditions are all satisfied. These sub-triggers may be satisfied all within the same game play or in a sequence of game plays. For example, one such scheme may be where the player obtains a win for a wager in a first primary game, this win may then be used to determine a first sub-trigger. A second primary game immediately following the first primary game may produce a losing combination for a wager and subsequently trigger a second sub-trigger and if both sub-triggers were satisfied a jackpot would be triggered. It will be further appreciated that the probability of achieving the trigger condition rather than being limited to depend on losing bets, winning bets or amount won or lost, may depend on any amount that contains at least some component of randomness, for example the probability of achieving the trigger condition may depend on the combination of a random number and the amount wagered in the primary game. Thus any method that produces a variable and unpredictable outcome may be used to achieve the trigger 9 condition and as such, the probability of obtaining the trigger condition would not solely be a function of the amount wagered but would vary randomly between game plays, providing the player with a further element of randomness.

The gaming console includes a display. The display may be preferably a video screen on which symbols selected by the game controller are displayed but any other suitable display media may also be used for this purpose, including TFT, LCD or projection displays, hereafter for convenience referred as video or simply as a display. Conveniently, in a video screen display, winning combinations may be identified by changing the colour of the selected symbols that have resulted in a winning combination or by causing 13/31 those symbols to flash, blink, become animated, or by other means known in the art. A video display may also advantageously provide the player with information about the game, including instructions, or information about goods and services that may be available at or near the venue at which the gaming console is located. The video screen may also display information regarding the players credit or stake that is being wagered on various betting options of the game offered on the gaming console, and may display information about prizes awarded or that can be obtained, such as the amount of special games that have accumulated in the jackpot of special games thus far.

Alternatively, the display may be a window through which the player may view an analogue display of the symbols selected by the game controller. In such an arrangement the additional information about the special game is provided to the player on other suitable media as known in the art.

In one embodiment, the game controller may select a plurality of symbols and causes those symbols to be displayed on the display. Depending on the game (special or otherwise) offered on the game console, in another embodiment the game controller may get a signal from a network about one or more selected symbols and cause the display to display information about these selected symbols. For convenience the present invention will be described with reference to a game controller selecting a plurality of symbols and it will be appreciated that the present invention contemplates gaming consoles that obtain signals from a network about selected symbols and may be used to control both primary games and special games from a jackpot of special games. The game controller may be a computing device with a random, or a pseudo random number generator (RNG) wherein each number or groups of numbers have a symbol associated with them, and wherein the symbol is displayed on the display upon the selection of an appropriate number by the RNG of the game controller. The game controller selects the symbols after receiving a signal from the game initiation means. The game controller may be a mechanical electrical or electronic device that causes a digital or analogue system to display symbols on a display after they were 14/31 randomly, or pseudo randomly selected.

The stake selector may include one or more physical or virtual buttons that may allow a player to select the amount of credits or monies to be wagered on the game provided by the game controller. The stake selector typically allows a player to place a number of separate bets on various aspects of the game provided by the game controller. For example if the game offered by the game controller is a spinning reels game where selected symbols are displayed on the display in a matrix, the player may select to enable a number of lines of the matrix by placing a wager on each enabled line or pre-selected combination of lines thereof. If the game controller selects and displays on the display symbols that form win combinations along an enabled line the game controller awards a prize for the wager on that winning line. In addition prizes may also be paid if the selected symbols form win combinations that appear scattered on the matrix. Thus, in this type of game a wager may be awarded a prize if win combinations occur on the line where the wager was placed or if they occur scatted on the display. Typically when a win combination for scatters occurs, all wagers of the game are awarded a prize. Prizes are awarded according to a prize table and are awarded when matches between displayed symbols and combinations listed in the prize table exist. It is to be understood that the game offered by the game controller could be of a variety of types and not limited to only games where selected symbols are displayed on the display but could include a game such as roulette where one symbol is selected which may not be displayed on the display, but appear on an external device, and where wagers are placed on any of the possible game outcomes rather than on only a small set of preset win combinations such as those typically found on spinning reel games.

The game initiation means may be in the form of at least one physical or virtual button or other activation devices that are controlled by the player. Such buttons may be integrated or combined with a stake selection.

Alternatively, the game initiation means may be in the form of a timed initiation whereby the game controller selects and displays symbols periodically. In a further altemrnative configuration the game initiation means may be from a 15/31 source external to the game console such as through a network to which the games console is connected. There may be also a number of other types of initiation means as well known in the art, and it suffices to say that initiation means exist.

The game console may include other features such as the additional displays that may provide information to the player in respect to the size of the jackpot or other advertising materials. The game console may include a coin or token receiving means whereby coins or tokens may be inserted into the machine in order to obtain credits that may be used as a stake. Note collecting means may also be provided as well as means for receiving electronic tokens such as on a read/writeable electronic card, or credits being awarded by external sources such as over a network, or other recognition devices that are designed to add monies or credits to the game console such as ticket reading machines, smart cards, or other electronic media know in the art.

The game console may include also a credit or monies redemption means in the form of coin dispensers, banknote dispensers, ticket printers, electronic card reader/writers, magnetic card reader/writers, or such credits or moneys may be transmitted via a network or via a radio or other type of signal in a form that can eventually be converted or exchanged for some sort of consideration. It suffices to say that there may be means for redemption of prizes obtained.

A gaming console may be a physical device dedicated to the purpose of a gaming console or may be a multipurpose device that may be configured to act temporarily as a gaming console. Alternatively a gaming console may be virtually hosted on a multitasking device that can act as a gaming console such as a Personal Computer over the Internet. Gaming consoles may therefore not encompass all their components (physical or virtual) such as selection means, initiation means, RNG or others on the same device as these components may be hosted on a number of devices that are networked, but are controlled by the gaming console.

The primary game may be of any convenient type where a 16/31 player in one embodiment wagers one or more bets against a certain set of coordinates of a said game matrix where game outcomes produced by the gaming console are displayed. If certain combinations of displayed symbols appear in the set of coordinates against which a bet was wagered the gaming console awards a prize for that bet to the player. The player may obtain a number of prizes if a number of sets of coordinates contain win combinations of symbols and if a bet was placed on such set of coordinates. A single bet may also be wagered against a number of sets of combinations of the matrix and therefore each bet may obtain a number of prizes. For example a bet may be placed against coordinates of the matrix that appear in a line and at the same time it may also be placed against combinations that appear scattered on the matrix. Thus each bet may be placed against a number of sets of coordinates of the matrix and the total wager in one game may include a number of distinct bets. It may be said that bets are placed concurrently on the same game outcome and are placed against different coordinates or aspects of the game. Games of this type include those that are played on slot machines or poker machines. Typically a primary game for use in the present invention may involve the selection of at least two symbols wherein prizes are paid on the basis of the number of matching symbols or on certain selected coordinates of said game matrix wherein symbols are displayed. In more complex games said game matrix may be divided into a number of rows and winning combinations which may occur on one or more rows, on diagonals, other arrangement of coordinates of the matrix referred in the art as lines (also known as pay ways, pay lines, or win ways), or where the simple presence of symbols appear on the display or display matrix. The player may select to wager a stake against the outcome on a selected game matrix coordinate on any of the one or more of these possible symbols displayed.

In an alternative embodiment in the primary game the player may wager bets against characteristics of symbols that may be selected as a game outcome, and may place bets on fields (physical or virtual) representing such symbol characteristics. The game outcome produced by the game controller, or by an extemrnal device, may be displayed on the display and if the 17/31 characteristics of the selected symbol or symbols match the characteristics against which a bet was wagered, the gaming console awards a prize for that bet to the player.

The prize awarded on the primary game is typically in proportion to the likelihood of the particular winning combination being selected by the game controller. The prize may be paid by dispensing coins or by adding credits to the gaming console.

At the completion of each primary game the game controller determines a trigger value used in the jackpot trigger scheme, which value is related to the outcome(s) of the primary game. The game controller may determine this value directly or by subtracting the stake wagered on winning outcomes from the total stake wagered on the game. A secondary game, or jackpot game, may be played after the primary game if the jackpot trigger is satisfied. The jackpot game determines the jackpot level to be awarded to the player. The jackpot trigger condition may for example, be the unpredictable wager that resulted in a loss, matching a number in a set of random or pseudo random numbers selected by the game controller. The likelihood of the trigger condition being met varies randomly in each game and can be configured to be proportional to selected portions of the stake wagered.

In one embodiment of the present invention the said trigger value may be the loosing stake (the stake wagered on losing combinations and that result in a loss). The trigger value may provide the player with a set of numbers so that the size of the said player's set is equal to or proportional to the losing stake. For example the said player's set may contain sequential numbers commencing from one up to the number of credits wagered on losing combinations. The game controller may select a number within a given range (the controller number) and where the controller number matches a number in the range of the said player's set of numbers provided in proportion to losing credits waged (the said player's set), a jackpot is awarded. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention the stake wagered resulting in a loss may be added to a random number selected from a given range to 18/31 determine the said trigger value. The resulting number may provide the player with a range of numbers that starts from zero and ends with the said resulting number. The game controller may select a number within a given range and if the selected number falls within the range of numbers provided to the player, a jackpot is awarded. The size of the range from which the random number is selected to determine the trigger condition may be based upon the hit rate of the jackpot of special games and the number of special games that may be awarded, with the hit rate being calculated in consideration of the percentage returned to the player for each credit bet. As an example, if a player was to gamble 100 credits on a given machine with an estimated 90 percent return, a return of 90 credits to the player would be expected. If the game excluding the jackpot of special games has an estimated 85 percent return, and 5 percent are allocated to the jackpot of special games, after a period of time, the portion of the credits collected and allocated towards the jackpot are converted into additional special games that are added to the jackpot of special games for a player to win.

Although only a limited number of methods to trigger a jackpot have been described, it is to be understood that other methods for triggering the jackpot can be used without departing from the spirit of this invention.

Therefore it suffices to say that there exists a scheme that governs the trigger condition of the jackpot.

In the preferred embodiment the jackpot of special games increments as a function of the throughput of credits of the game (turnover), thus it can be said that the jackpot is replenished in a progressive manner. As an example, if 5 percent of the credits gambled are allocated to the jackpot of special games, an additional special game may be added to the jackpot every play of 50 games. In this example each special game would be worth 50 which corresponds to 250%. Thus each special game would provide the player with an average percentage retumrn equivalent to 250%, when awarded to the player.

The said game controller controls (directly or indirectly) a separate display or an area of the video display to show the current number of 19/31 special games that form part of the jackpot. Thus the number of special games that form part of the jackpot during the various stages of game play may not always be an integer number, but may be indicated as a number with two places after the decimal point. With reference to the above example, this fractional number is a consequence of the said game controlled detecting game plays before adding an additional special game to the jackpot, whereby displaying a fractional number in the interim. As an alternative embodiment, the said fractional part of special games may be indicated by a thermometer like representation, where for every time that thermometer reaches the top the number of special games in the jackpot is incremented by 1, and where the thermometer increases for every game play. Alternative methods may be employed to display the current progressive jackpot value, and specifically to indicate the number of special games currently forming part of the jackpot.

These methods may consist in changing the colour of certain graphics, changing the size of certain graphics, or adding elements to certain graphics.

In addition the modification of these graphics may appear to be incremental but not constant. As an example the graphics that represent the fractional part of special games of the jackpot (or even the entire jackpot size), may appear to mutate from game play to game play in a non linear fashion or may appear to temporarily decrease the size of the jackpot, for the purpose to convey a degree of variability of the jackpot size. Although there may exist variability in the size of the jackpot while the jackpot is incremented, on average the jackpot size increments with game play. As a further example of a method that increments the size of the jackpot of special games in a non-linear fashion, for every increment or group of increments to the jackpot a decision making process may be displayed to decide if the number of special games will increase by a multiple of 1. This may be achieved by employing a pie graph where the increments are displayed by changing the sectors of the graph and from time to time a graphic in the shape of an arm rotates within the pie graph similar to an hour hand of a clock, and where the jackpot counter of special games is then incremented depending on which sector the arm is located. Further variation to the method of incrementing the 20/31 progressive jackpot, and the way these increments are displayed to the player may exist, and it suffices to say that the jackpot increments progressively.

Further in the preferred embodiment the jackpot besides being replenished progressively, may also be reset to a set level after it is been awarded, with a s start up value, or a buffered amount as it is well known in the art.

In alternative embodiments of the present invention instead of having the progressive meter of the jackpot of special games incrementing in size as a function of turnover (as it is well known in the art), other methods are used where the progressive meter increments as a function of the primary game outcome. As an example the jackpot may increment as a function of the credits won, where the progressive meter representing the value of the jackpot increments every time there is a win by an amount proportional to the win. Alternatively, the jackpot may increment every time a bet resulted in a loss by an amount proportional to the loss. As a further alternative the jackpot may increment by an amount proportional to the number of win combinations appearing as a game result (as known in the art as a function of hits). Other alternative methods for incrementing the jackpot in a progressive manner may be used that depend on elements of the result of the primary game, without departing from the spirit of this invention.

Upon triggering the jackpot, the use of special games as an award in one embodiment may include games that are discounted in price. By reducing the cost of the credits required to place a wager, the player is significantly advantaged, so long as the return was not also decreased proportionally. For example, were a primary game may require 10 credits to place a wager on 10 win ways, a special game may simply require that one credit be placed to purchase all 10 win ways. In another embodiment, special games may include games that have a higher hit rate or higher return as described above. Thus the distribution of symbols on the reels used in the game may differ between special games and primary games, to allow for more frequent combinations of favourable symbols to appear. For example this could be achieved by the lower paying symbols being removed from the reels. In another embodiment, additional high paying symbols may be added 21/31 to the reels, or the entire range of symbols may be replaced for more favourable symbols.

In one embodiment of this invention, the player may trigger a jackpot of special games, which allows the player to purchase for example the next 10 games (where 10 games are awarded from the progressive jackpot of special games) with one or more of the following options: a) a game that is cheaper to participate in than said primary game; b) a game that offers a higher reward for at least one of the combinations of symbols found in said primary game; c) a game that offers a higher hit rate than said primary game; d) a game where at least one of the said symbols' properties has been changed to allow for increased game payout. The properties of symbols may include to be acting as wild, conveying a multiplier value to the advertised prize, acting as another symbols, paying as scattered, acting as a further trigger condition, awarding prizes independently, persisting into further games, imparting properties to other displayed symbols, or any other symbol's property as known in the art; e) a game that removes or adds at least one new symbol to allow for a higher return outcome than said primary game, where the symbols are added to the reels before the game outcome is selected or are added after the game outcome has been displayed by modifying the displayed configuration of symbols; f) a game that offers a different number of pay lines than in said primary game; g) a game offering new combinations or rules controlling existing combinations of symbols displayed to provide a higher return rate than in said primary game; h) A game that offers sub-games that occur more frequently than in the primary game or only during the special games, where the subgame may have distinct rules from the primary game; i) A game where selected symbols of one game play outcome may 22/31 persist into at least the next game of the said special games (known as holding symbols); j) A game where selected reels of one game play persist into at least the next game of said special games (known as holding reels); k) A game where the prize obtained as a game result is multiplied by a factor; I) A game where the cumulative prize obtained during a sequence of games of said special games is multiplied by a factor; m) A game that is substantially different to the primary game and that offers a higher return than said primary game.

n) Where a prize is garentted; or o) a combination thereof.

The special games offered by the jackpot preferably would be played on the same game controller that the primary games are played on. In the preferred embodiment, the player would still be required to make wages to play the special games awarded from the jackpot, so as to allow the winnings for each of the special games to reach the maximum win allowable for the jurisdiction where the gaming machine is being played. This will offer the player a unique opportunity to play a game that offers a more exciting return than would otherwise be possible. Alternatively, the games offered by the jackpot may be free, so long as the more special games total wins do not exceed the maximum for a jurisdiction.

Preferably, on the occurrence of the trigger condition triggering the jackpot and awarding of the special games, the player would be able to visibly see that the odds of the game have turned in their favour. This is easily achieved by either altering the reels, altering the paytable, bringing into play new game rules, displaying banners, or offering other graphics indicating the jackpot win or the advantages that are associated therewith. One such graphical indication may be the appearance of a jackpot character, where the jackpot character may dance in a fanciful manner on the display means before revealing the type or quantity of the special games awarded by the 23/31 gaming console. Alternatively the said jackpot character may prompt the player to start their games by first interacting with the initiation means for the jackpot game that may be displayed on the display. The outcome of the jackpot game, or sequence of plays of the jackpot game may be used by the game controller to determine the amount or type of special games to be played.

The gaming console may include also a secondary display means where the amount of special games offered by the jackpot should the said trigger condition be satisfied, is displayed. Upon the occurrence of the trigger condition and the gaming console awarding a jackpot prize of special games, the secondary display would be controlled by the gaming controller to stop displaying the amount of special games offered by the jackpot and would be updated to display a replacement value instead. The secondary display means may be a video display of the CRT type or alternatively of TFT, LCD or plasma type or may have the image projected on a screen or some other media. The secondary display may also be of analogue type with flipping cards or of electro-mechanical type, as well as other types as used for this purpose and known in the art.

In a second aspect of the present invention the gaming console 2 o may be connected to a network of other gaming consoles. The network of gaming consoles may allow the performance of the consoles to be readily monitored and the amount wagered and the amount paid in winning prizes, including the special games to be monitored. The elements of the gaming console described above, such as the display means, the secondary display means the gaming controller, the stake selector, the game initiation means, the credit or moneys input means and the primary game, any jackpot game or special games awarded by a jackpot, or the jackpot game trigger means may be distributed over the network and may be centralized for a number of gaming consoles on a network controller or may be hosted on a network controller instead of the gaming console. The jackpot character may also be displayed on a centralized display means and may be displayed as temporarily moving from the centralized display to the display means of a 24/31 gaming console in an animated sequence that notifies the player of the occurrence of the trigger condition for a jackpot game for that gaming console.

It should be noted that the jackpot herein may be presented on either a stand alone machine, or on a network that may extend from a local s area, to a wide area network or even to cover the globe. One of the greatest advantages to this system besides its introducing further unpredictability to jackpots, is that players will not be prejudiced because of the province, state, or country that governs the amount of credits that a player can win, as the total winnings of the jackpot can simply be dispersed over the sequence of special games, and the players will enjoy the same average amount of winnings from the jackpot for any jurisdiction.

The present invention will now be described with reference to the following drawings and examples in order to illustrate the present invention. The drawings and examples are provided for illustrative purposes is and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention described herein.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a gaming console according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a network according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a flow chart showing a game according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a network according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a network according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a screen showing the operation of one embodiment of the present invention on a gaming console; Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a screen showing the operation of one embodiment of the present invention on a gaming console; Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a screen showing the 25/31 operation of one embodiment of the present invention on a gaming console; and Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a screen showing the operation of one embodiment of the present invention on a gaming console.

Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of a screen showing the operation of one embodiment of the present invention on a gaming console.

Detailed Description of the Drawings Figure 1 shows a gaming console 10. The gaming console has an operating panel 20 on which there is disposed a coin slot 22, a note slot 24, stake selectors 26, and a game initiator 28. The gaming console also has a display 30 that displays the outcome of the game. Display 30 shows the reels 36 (typically of a 3, 4 or 5-reel machine) aligned to form at least one betting row. The reels 36 include a plurality of symbols 32. Line indicators 34 illuminate to display those lines on which the player has wagered a stake. A further display 40 shows the jackpot game title Action Runs T M in the title, with the mega, maxi, midi, and mini jackpot levels payout displays, as shown in a central display in Figure 4. In the jackpot levels payout displays 42 the number of special games corresponding to each jackpot level are displayed.

Figure 2 shows a network 12 having a plurality of gaming consoles 10 connected thereto. The network also includes a jackpot controller 14 and at least on centralised display 16.

Figure 3 shows a flowchart of the steps taken in one embodiment of this invention.

Figure 4 shows a network 12 including a plurality of gaming consoles 10 connected thereto. A centralised display 16 shows the values 16a of four amounts of advantages games that can be awarded by a jackpot.

An animated figure 50 or sprite such as Kenny Cash" may be seen moving around the centralised display. There are the 4 Jackpots levels 16a where the number of special games corresponding to each level that can be won are displayed, the jackpot levels being the mega, maxi, midi, and mini. These amounts 16a of special games match the corresponding amounts 42 displayed on the console 26/31 Figure 5 shows a network 12 on which the animated figure appears to move from the centralised display 16 to a further display 40 on a gaming console 10. The appearance of the sprite 50 on the further display occurs when, and in reference to Figure 3, a trigger condition for the jackpot game is satisfied at 64 (jackpot selector is activated), the sprite 50 will first move from the centralised display 16 to the further display 40 on a gaming console 10, of the gaming console 10 that triggers the jackpot game (which will result in awarding a jackpot level) and subsequently to the display 30 of the gaming console 10. While moving from the further display 40 to the display 30, the sprite 50 first exits the further display 40 and then appears on the display area 30 (so it is only on one display at any given time, not overlapping). It is within the scope of the present invention for the sprite 50 to appear on the centralised display 16, and be seen to move on to anyone of the displays 30 or 40 either directly or indirectly.

Figures 6, 7 and 8 show displays 30 in various conditions. The displays show a game where 9 pay lines (34a-34i) can be brought into play.

Figure 6 shows a display 30 where one credit was bet on each of the 9 lines (the line indicators 34a to 34i display the bet wagered on each line) and no win combination have been awarded. Where each loosing bet gives the player a chance to win the jackpot, the 9 credits bet and lost determine the possibilities of winning the said special games (if there have been more than one credit bet per pay line (34a-34i), there would have been more chances to win the Jackpot for each bought pay line (34a-34i)). For example, if 2 credits per pay line (34a-34i) were wagered on each of the 9 lines (34a-34i) and the primary game resulted in a non winning game, then there would have been 18 credits lost with 18 chances to win the jackpot, (9 x 2 18).

Figure 7, depicts an alternative embodiment of the present invention where the chance of winning the jackpot is determined by the Action Run-, symbol 31 appearing on a pay line (34a-34i). If the player has purchased the pay line 34a where 5 action run symbols 31 appear (being a shaped pay line 34a), this will satisfy the jackpot trigger condition, and award the said special games. Alternatively (and depending on the game 27/31 rules), the trigger condition may be satisfied if the Action Run- symbol 31 appears in at least 3 locations anywhere on the display (as a scatter combination). Thus there may be a number of ways of satisfying the trigger condition or displaying symbols 31 to trigger a jackpot. Additionally, a combination of methods to trigger the jackpot may be employed. Alternately, any other method as know in the art may be used for the trigger condition so as not to depart from the spirit of this invention.

The game may however be configured to not automatically allow the player to being playing the special games, but participate (as shown in figure 9) in a jackpot game first that will determine the amount 16a of advantages games that may be awarded (figure 3 in step 66). Upon satisfying the trigger condition (figure 3 step 64), if a centralised display 16 is included in the system (figure the sprite 50 that moves on this display would be seen moving to the gaming console's 10 further or secondary display 40 and in turn to gaming console's 10 gaming display 30. Alternatively in the absence of the centralised display 16 a sprite 50 will appear (such as Kenny CashTM) on the gaming console's 10, and announce the trigger of the jackpot game (as shown in figure 8).

Once the trigger condition is met (figure 3 step 65) the game display would be controlled to display the jackpot game as shown in Figure 9.

Depending on the outcome of the jackpot game and on the score obtained the appropriate jackpot level 16a of special games would be awarded. The awarding of the jackpot may be celebrated by the display 30 being controlled to display the sprite 10 animating in a fanciful manner and displaying a banner indicating the amount won.

Figure 9 shows the Action Runs

T

m Jackpot Selector as being an example of a jackpot game before the awarding of any advantages games from the jackpot (figure 3 step 68). Upon playing the jackpot selector game (the jackpot game) the reels 36 spin, the player stops the first reel via one of the buttons of the Operating Panel 20 (or other means such as by a touch screen). The player aims to stop the symbol displayed 32 on the first reel 36 28/31 so that the highest possible denomination appears on the centre line 34j. The subsequent reels 36 will come to rest automatically. The numbers displayed on the central line are added (and increment the Cashometer"). After 3 such games of the said jackpot game the total score obtained is compared to a s score table to award one of the advertised jackpot levels of special games 16a (also 42 in figure In one embodiment, a set cash payment may accompany the awarding of free special games, so as to ensure the player has enough credits to play the free special games, where each special game requires a wager.

Figure 10 shows an advantages game that the player must wager credits to play, however the return will be substantially higher than in the primary game shown in figure 6 as in the special game shown in figure all royal symbols (10, J, Q, K, A type symbols 31) have been removed, leaving only picture symbols 31 which inturn increased the chances to win higher prizes at a higher frequency.

Figure 11 shows an alternative special game in the form of a wheel of luck where the player must wager only one credit to play and where the player has 8 possibilities out of 16 to win a prize of 100 thereby the special game being a 5,000 return game, being very advantageous to the player.

The special game of this example (figure 11) is completely different from the base game of figure 6.

While we have shown and described certain embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that it is subject to many modifications and changes without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims (4)

1. A gaming console comprising a display, a game controller, a stake selector, and a game initiation means wherein on initiation by the game initiation means in a primary game the game controller selects a plurality of symbols and displays the selected symbols on said display and awards any prizes based upon the stakes wagered on winning combinations of the selected symbols, and wherein after the awarding of any prizes in the primary game, the game controller on a trigger condition awards at least one or more play of special games from a progressive jackpot of stored special games to the player..

2. A gaming console according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the awarded special games offer a higher return than a primary game due to the special game being a game type: a) that is cheaper to participate in than said primary game; b) that offers a higher reward for at least one of the combinations of symbols found also in said primary game; c) that offers a higher hit rate of wins than said primary game; d) where at least one of the said symbols' properties has been changed to allow for increased game payout. e) that removes or adds at least one new symbol to allow for a higher return than said primary game; f) that offers a different number of pay lines than in said primary game. g) offering new win combinations or new rules controlling win combinations of said symbols; h) that offers sub-games that occur more frequently than in the primary game or only during the special games, where the sub- games have different rules from the said primary game or said special game; i) where at least one selected symbols of at least one game play outcome persists into at least the next game of the said special games; 30/31 j) where at least one selected set of contiguous symbols of at least one game play persists into at least the next game of said special games; k) where the prize obtained as a special game result is multiplied by s an integer; I) where the cumulative prize obtained during a sequence of games of said special games is multiplied by an integer; m) that is substantially different to the primary game and that offers a higher return than said primary game; n) where a prize is guaranteed; or o) that is a combination thereof.

3. A gaming console according to claim 1 and 2 wherein on said trigger condition, a jackpot game is played to determine the type or quantity of said special games to be awarded.

4. a gaming console according to claims 1 to 3 wherein the said jackpot is a progressive jackpot of special games linked to at least 2 gaming consoles. A gaming console according to claims 1 to 4 wherein at least one awarded said special game requires a separate wager to be played. Dated this 2 2 nd day of April 2003 Vision Growth Pty Ltd