AU2005284667A1

AU2005284667A1 - A gaming apparatus with a wheel game

Info

Publication number: AU2005284667A1
Application number: AU2005284667A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Nicholas Luke Bennett
Original assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2004-09-17
Filing date: 2005-09-09
Publication date: 2006-03-23
Anticipated expiration: 2025-09-09
Also published as: US20080004098A1; AU2005284667A8; AU2008202889A1; AU2005284667B2; WO2006029446A1; AU2009202003A1; AU2005284667B8; ZA200703095B

Description

WO 2006/029446 PCT/AU2005/001373 A gaming apparatus with a wheel game Technical field The present invention relates to a gaming apparatus, a game controller for a gaming apparatus and/or a method of providing a game of chance, all including a 5 game generally of the type of a wheel game. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a gaming apparatus, game controller for a gamine apparatus and/or a method of providing a game of chance that includes a wheel game as a feature game. Background 10 Many gaming machines in existence at present include both a primary game, which may be a spinning reel game, and a secondary game that is a feature game. Typically the feature game is able to be played only occasionally and often provides the opportunity for winning a substantial prize. Gaming machines having a feature game have experienced widespread success in attracting and retaining players. 15 Games incorporating a spinning wheel or a representation of a spinning wheel are often very effective at providing an enjoyable gaming experience for a player. This may be due to the simplicity of a spinning wheel combined with its visual impact. Known wheel features are a game of chance in which a player may participate, 20 which is in addition to a primary game of a gaming machine. The game of chance involves the display of a number of segments that together form a circular shape, and a selector to select one or more of the areas so as to indicate an outcome of the game of chance. Feature games of this type will be referred to herein as "wheel features". United States patent numbers 5,823,874 and 5,848,932 both to Adams 25 describe a secondary payout indicator in the form of a rotatable bonus wheel which can be caused to spin automatically or in response to some action by a player, when the primary game indicates one of a predetermined plurality of indicia. A major disadvantage of wheel features is the limitation on the size of the prize segments caused by the limited area that a representation of a wheel can occupy. 30 There are therefore, a limited number of prizes that can be displayed effectively on the WO 2006/029446 PCT/AU2005/001373 2 wheel without taking away from the look and feel of the wheel, and therefore taking away one of the advantages of a wheel feature, by making it cluttered and/or by making it difficult to read the prize values. Australian patent number 711501 describes providing an electronic wheel 5 where the odds of landing on any given indicium are determined by the number of integers in a first range of integers mapped to the indicia, where the number of integers in the first range may be different from the number of indicia on the simulated wheel. This patent also describes changing, replacing or otherwise modifying indicia on a simulated wheel so that, even though it may be desired to 10 provide only n indicium locations on the simulated wheel, the simulated wheel may be provided with in possible indicia by "swapping" new indicia onto the wheel during simulated spinning. The patent further describes having a wheel that provides the potential for winning a large or jackpot prize, but which can only provide such a win if the player has previously achieved a predefined result on a previous spin of another 15 wheel, with the previous wheel not needing to provide an opportunity for a jackpot win. United States patent number 6,612,575 describes a gaming machine having a game with a bonus feature where a player places a wager, spins a plurality of first reels having indicia thereon, determining if indicia displayed by the plurality of first 20 reels associated with a first pay line comprises a predetermined winning combination, and if so, paying a first award and then associating that first award with at least one bonus reel, permitting a player to spin the at least one bonus reel or otherwise participate in the bonus event, and determining if an award associated with the at least one bonus reel is associated with a second pay line, and if so, paying a bonus award. 25 Regulations for some markets, including most Australian markets, requires that the odds for wheels (and other typical casino devices) when used in a gaming machine must reflect the expected odds of that device. Weightings similar to those sometimes used on reel strips of spinning reel gaming machine games, for example using a spinning reel game of the type described in United States patent number 30 4,448,419 (Telnaes) are not allowed to be applied to wheels. This makes it more difficult to offer large prizes on a wheel without reducing or eliminating the advantages of a wheel feature, because the larger the prize, the more effect it will have WO 2006/029446 PCT/AU2005/001373 3 on the overall return to the player of the game. Accordingly, to support a large prize, either the chances of the player activating the wheel feature have to be very low or the amount of the average wager of the player needs to be high. The methods described in Australian patent number 711501 are said to address 5 the desire of providing a wheel feature that permits relatively small wagers but provides a potential for relatively large prizes. Some of the methods may not comply with the regulations for some markets. In addition, a disadvantage of having a wheel that provides the potential for winning a large or jackpot prize, which can only provide such a win if the player has previously achieved a predefined result on a 10 previous spin of another wheel, is that the large prize amount can not be displayed directly on the wheel. The player may therefore not have the feeling that he or she can win the large prize with just one spin of the wheel. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming apparatus having a wheel feature and/or a controller for a gaming apparatus that includes a wheel feature, 15 which overcomes or alleviates problems in such at present, or at least to provide the public with a useful choice. Further or alternate objects of the present invention may become apparent from the following description. Any reference in this specification to the prior art does not constitute, nor should it be considered, an admission that such prior art was widely known or forms 20 part of the common general knowledge in Australia, or in any other jurisdiction, before the priority date of any of the appended claims. Throughout this specification the term "comprise" and variations on this term including "comprising" and "comprises" are to be understood to imply the inclusion of a feature, integer, step or element, and not to exclude other features, integers, steps 25 or elements. Summary of the invention According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming apparatus comprising a game controller and at least one display, the gaming apparatus operable to allow a player to play a game, wherein the game controller controls play 30 of the game and controls the at least one display to display representations of play of the game, the representations of the game comprising a selector having at least one WO 2006/029446 PCT/AU2005/001373 4 marker and a plurality of outcome indicating parts, each presenting to a player of the gaming machine a visually appreciable area that is available to be selected by the selector, the game controller causing display on the at least one display a representation of a selection of at least one outcome indicating part by the selector, 5 and allocate an award to a player of the gaming machine, the allocated award being dependent on the selected at least one outcome indicating part, wherein a subset of the plurality of outcome indicating parts have a substantially lower probability of being selected in comparison to each of the other outcome indicating parts, and wherein the visually appreciable area that is available to be selected by the selector of the outcome 10 indicating parts in the subset is substantially less than the visually appreciable area that is available to be selected by the selector for the other outcome indicating parts. Preferably, the subset of the plurality of outcome indicating parts result in a substantially larger allocated award, either in terms of value received by a player or in terms of cost to an operator of the gaming apparatus, than the other outcome 15 indicating parts. Preferably, the outcome indicating parts together present an annular or circular shape to the player, and wherein the at least one marker one of moves and appears to move about the outcome indicating parts and then stops to show the representation of a selection of at least one outcome indicating part. 20 Preferably, the selector comprises a plurality of illuminable areas located in a path extending about the outcome indicating parts, each of the illuminable areas being illuminated and darkened in a sequential pattern and wherein an illuminable area represents said at least one marker only when it is illuminated. Preferably, the outcome indicating parts are each displayed as a stationary area 25 and the at least one marker is displayed as one of moving and appearing to move relative to the outcome indicating parts. Preferably, the outcome indicating parts are each displayed as a stationary area and the at least one marker is displayed as one of moving and appearing to move relative to the outcome indicating parts progressively along a path that extends past 30 every one of the plurality of outcome indicating parts.

WO 2006/029446 PCT/AU2005/001373 5 Preferably, each outcome indicating part includes indicia on it that indicates an award to a player. Preferably, at least one of the outcome indicating parts in the subset of the plurality of the outcome indicating parts is displayed so as to be visually distinctive 5 despite presenting a lesser visually appreciable area than the other outcome indicating parts. Preferably, the gaming apparatus includes a further game, wherein the controller causes the game to be able to be played by a player of the gaming machine only on the eventuation of at least one event that is related to play of the further game. 10 Preferably, the probability of a member of the subset of the plurality of outcome indicating parts being selected by the selector is no higher than approximately 1 in 40 for each selection. Preferably, the probability of a member of the subset of the plurality of outcome indicating parts being selected by the selector is no higher than 15 approximately 1 in 70 for each selection. Preferably, the probability of a member of the subset of the plurality of outcome indicating parts being selected by the selector is no higher than approximately 1 in 20 for each selection. Preferably, the subset of the plurality of outcome indicating parts consists of 20 two outcome indicating parts. Preferably, the subset of the plurality of outcome indicating parts is a single outcome indicating part. Preferably, the allocated award that results when an outcome indicating part from the subset is selected is at least ten times the allocated award that results when 25 any one of the other outcome indicating parts is selected. Preferably, the allocated award that results when an outcome indicating part from the subset is selected is at least twenty times the allocated award that results when any one of the other outcome indicating parts is selected. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a 30 gaming apparatus having a game controller and at least one display, the gaming WO 2006/029446 PCT/AU2005/001373 6 apparatus operable to allow a player to play a game, wherein the game controller controls play of the game and controls the at least one display to display representations of play of the game, the representations of the game comprising a plurality of outcome indicating parts and at least one marker that is locatable in a 5 plurality of visually distinct positions that each indicate the selection of an outcome indicating part in said plurality of outcome indicating parts, the number of said visually distinct positions being greater than the number of the plurality of outcome indicating parts, and a visual representation of the selection of an outcome indicating part by the at least one marker, wherein the probability of the marker being in any one 10 of the plurality of visually distinct positions is substantially the same as the probability that would be expected upon a visual inspection of the representations of the game, and the gaming apparatus allocates an award to a player of the gaming apparatus dependent on play of the game, the award specified by the particular position in said plurality of positions that the marker is located in when the selected 15 outcome indicating part was selected, at least two distinct awards being awardable when at least one of said outcome indicating parts is selected. Preferably, the outcome indicating parts together present an annular or circular shape to the player, and wherein the at least one marker one of moves and appears to move relative to the outcome indicating parts and then stops to select one or more of 20 said outcome indicating parts. Preferably, the allocated award is substantially larger, either in terms of value received by a player or in terms of cost to an operator of the gaming apparatus than all other awardable awards when the marker is in a subset of said visually distinct positions. The allocated award may be at least ten times larger than all other 25 awardable awards of the game when the at least one marker is in the subset of said visually distinct positions when the selected outcome indicating part was selected. Alternatively, the allocated award may be at least twenty times larger than all other awardable awards of the game when the at least one marker is in the subset of said visually distinct positions when the selected outcome indicating part was selected. 30 Preferably, the probability of the marker selecting a member of the subset of visually distinct positions is no higher than approximately 1 in 20 for each play of the game.

WO 2006/029446 PCT/AU2005/001373 7 Preferably, the probability of the marker selecting a member of the subset of visually distinct positions is no higher than approximately 1 in 40 for each play of the game. Preferably, the probability of the marker selecting a member of the subset of 5 visually distinct positions is no higher than approximately 1 in 70 for each play of the game. Preferably, the gaming apparatus includes a further game and the game is a bonus or feature game of said further game. The bonus or feature game may be only playable on the occurrence of at least one predetermined trigger event occurring in the 10 further game. The award that is allocated when the marker is in the subset of said visually distinct positions may have a magnitude dependent on awards awarded during a plurality of free games on the further game. The award that is allocated when the marker is in the subset of said visually distinct positions may be predetermined so that the award is substantially larger, within statistical bounds, than all other 15 awardable awards of the game. Preferably, at least one outcome indicating part in said plurality of outcome indicating parts indicates an award of a number of free games for the further game and the at least one marker is locatable in at least two of said visually distinct positions while selecting said at least one outcome indicating part, and wherein the award 20 substantially larger than all other awardable awards is awarded only when the marker is one position of said at least two of said visually distinct positions. At least two outcome indicating parts in said plurality of outcome indicating parts may each indicate an award of a number of free games for the further game, the number differing between outcome indicating parts, wherein the award substantially larger 25 than all other awardable awards is awarded when an outcome indicating part with the highest number of free games is selected by the at least one marker. Preferably, each outcome indicating part occupies substantially the same visually appreciable area. Preferably, each of the plurality of outcome indicating parts has indicia on it. 30 Preferably, there are at least five times as many said visually distinct positions as said outcome indicating parts.

WO 2006/029446 PCT/AU2005/001373 8 Preferably, when the at least one marker is in at least one of the visually distinct positions, the award corresponds to a combination of a result indicated by the selected outcome indicating part and indicia on the at least one marker. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game 5 controller and associated computer memory for a gaming machine, the game controller operable to control play of a game that is played on a gaming machine and to generate control signals for at least one display, wherein when the control signals are received by a display, the display displays images of the game comprising images of a plurality of outcome indicating parts, wherein the representations of the outcome 10 indicating parts are configured so that a plurality of possible outcomes are visually identifiable, and a representation of a selection process comprising a representation of the selection of at least one of said outcome indicating parts, wherein the probability any one of said outcome indicating parts being shown as selected in said representation of a selection process is substantially the same as the probability that 15 would be expected upon a visual inspection of the images of the plurality of outcome indicating parts and wherein for a subset of the plurality of possible outcomes the probability that a member of the subset of the plurality of possible outcomes is selected is less than the probability that any one of the plurality of outcome indicating parts is selected, excluding any outcome indicating part that when selected by the 20 selector only results in an outcome that is a member of the subset of the plurality of possible outcomes. Preferably, at least one outcome in the subset of plurality of outcomes is associated with an award that has a substantially greater value than each of the other outcomes of the plurality of possible outcomes. 25 Preferably, the subset of the plurality of possible outcomes comprises a single possible outcome. Preferably, the subset of the plurality of possible outcomes are associated with an award having a magnitude that is at least ten times greater than the award associated with any other possible outcome.

WO 2006/029446 PCT/AU2005/001373 9 Preferably, the subset of the plurality of possible outcomes are associated with an award having a magnitude that is at least twenty times greater than the award associated with any other possible outcome. Preferably, the probability of the a member of the subset of the plurality of 5 possible outcomes being selected is no higher than approximately 1 in 20 for each play of the game. Preferably, the probability of the a member of the subset of the plurality of possible outcomes being selected is no higher than approximately 1 in 40 for each play of the game. 10 Preferably, the probability of the a member of the subset of the plurality of possible outcomes being selected is no higher than approximately 1 in 70 for each play of the game. Preferably, indicia are provided on each outcome indicating part, the indicia one of indicating or relating to the award that is awarded if that outcome indicating 15 part is selected. Preferably, the outcome indicating parts together present an annular or circular shape to the player. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming apparatus comprising the game controller and associated computer memory 20 described above, at least one display to receive the control signals and display to a player of the gaming machine representations of the game and an award allocator to allocate to a player of the gaming machine any award associated with the outcome of said plurality of possible outcomes that results from play of the game. Preferably, the game is a feature or bonus game of a further game provided on 25 the gaming apparatus. Preferably, only a single outcome indicating part is selected per game play of the game. Preferably, there are either eight or nine outcome indicating parts arranged to form a circle.

WO 2006/029446 PCT/AU2005/001373 10 According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computerised method of providing a game of chance on a gaming apparatus, the method comprising: a) controlling play of a game on the gaming apparatus; 5 b) causing play of the game to be displayed on at least one display of the gaming apparatus; and c) causing an award to be awarded to a player of the gaming apparatus dependent on play of the game; wherein controlling play of the game involves: 10 i) causing a plurality of possible outcomes to be shown on the at least one display so that each said possible outcome occupies a predetermined space on the at least one display, ii) selecting one of said plurality of possible outcomes, with each possible outcome selected on average across all plays of the game with a probability 15 commensurate with the size of the predetermined space that that possible outcome occupies on the at least one display relative to the area occupied by all of said plurality of possible outcomes; and wherein at least one possible outcome occupies a visually appreciable smaller space on the at least one display than the other possible outcomes. 20 Preferably, when said at least one possible outcome is selected, step c) comprises awarding a larger award, either in terms of value received by a player or in terms of cost to an operator of the gaming apparatus, than otherwise. Preferably, a single possible outcome occupies a substantially smaller space on the at least one display and wherein when said single possible outcome is selected, 25 step c) comprises awarding a substantially larger award than otherwise. Preferably, the plurality of possible outcomes together form an annular or circular shape. Preferably, the method further includes only playing the game upon the occurrence of a trigger event related to the play of a distinct further game.

WO 2006/029446 PCT/AU2005/001373 11 Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example of preferred embodiments only and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Brief description of the drawings 5 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an example gaming machine in which the present invention may be implemented. Figure 2 shows a block diagram of a control circuit of the gaming machine shown in figure 1. Figure 3 shows a screen display of an example of a primary game that may 10 give rise to a wheel feature. Figures 4 and 5 show a first embodiment of a screen display associated with a wheel feature according to an aspect of the present invention. Figure 6 shows a second embodiment of a screen display associated with a wheel feature according to an aspect of the present invention. 15 Figure 7 shows a third embodiment of a screen display associated with a wheel feature according to an aspect of the present invention. Figure 8 shows a fourth embodiment of a screen display associated with a wheel feature according to an aspect of the present invention. Figure 9 shows a representation of a wheel feature according to a fifth 20 embodiment of the present invention. Description of preferred embodiments Referring to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, a gaming machine generally referenced by arrow 10 is shown. The gaming machine 10 is an example of a gaming machine that is suitable to implement the present invention. The 25 architecture of the gaming machine 10 includes a console 12 having a display 14 on which is displayed representations of a game 16 that can be played by a player. A mid-trim 20 of the gaming machine 10 houses a bank of buttons 22 for enabling a player to play the game 16. The mid-trim 20 also houses a credit input mechanism 24 including a coin input chute 24A and a bill collector 24B. A top box 26 may carry WO 2006/029446 PCT/AU2005/001373 12 artwork 28, including for example, pay tables and details of bonus awards and other information or images relating to the game. A coin tray 30 is mounted beneath the console 12 for cash payouts from the gaming machine 10. The display 14 shown in Figure 1 is in the form of a video display unit, 5 particularly a cathode ray tube screen device. Alternatively, the display 14 may be a liquid crystal display, plasma screen, any other suitable video display unit, or the visible portion of an electromechanical device. The top box 26 may also be a display, for example a video display unit, which may the same type as the display 14, or a different type of display. 10 Referring now to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings, a simplified block diagram of a control circuit 32 for the gaining machine 10 is shown. The control circuit 32 incudes a controller 36 having a processor 34, which is most suitably a computer processor, and associated computer readable memory 42. A program 44 stored in memory 42 contains instructions, that when executed by the processor 34 15 causes the controller 36 to implement the wheel feature of the present invention, optionally also the game 16 (which may be provided through a different program and which may be controlled by a separate controller), and drive the display 14. A set of sensors 38A are provided with the bank of buttons 22 to allow the controller 36 to determine when a player depresses one of the buttons in the bank of buttons 22. One 20 or more further sensor 38B may be provided with the display 14, if the display 14 includes touch pads. Those skilled in the relevant arts will appreciate that the controller 36 may represent either a single device or a plurality of devices, which may be local or remote to each other. The processor 34 may be any suitable processor, microcontroller, programmable logic device or other suitable device for controlling a 25 gaming machine. In addition, the memory 42 may be local or remote and may be formed by multiple memory parts. The controller 36 also receives input signals from the credit input mechanism 24 to enable it to determine whether or not a player has provided sufficient credit to commence play of the game 16 and to enable a running total of a player's credit to be 30 maintained. The controller 36 also drives a payout mechanism 40, which for example, may be a coin hopper for feeding coins to the coin tray 30 to make a pay out to a player when the player wishes to redeem his or her credit.

WO 2006/029446 PCT/AU2005/001373 13 Those skilled in the relevant arts will appreciate that the gaming machine 10 may include many other components to perform functions such as additional computations, communications and monitoring of play. Figure 2 and the associated description herein is provided only to give a background to the environment in which 5 the present invention may be implemented. Those skilled in the relevant arts will also appreciate that the architecture of the gaming machine 10 is only one example of a large number of possible alternative gaming apparatus architectures that may be used with the present invention. By way of example only, a gaming apparatus may have an architecture of one or more 10 displays, a user interface, a game controller and a transaction handling unit for accepting and paying credits or currency in some form, all located together in a single housing or in a plurality of physically connected housings. This is the architecture of the gaming machine 10. A second example architecture of a gaming apparatus is to have a display and a user interface located at a separate location from a game 15 controller, wherein the game controller communicates with the display and the user interface through a fixed wire or wireless communication channel. A third example architecture is to have a first and a second display, the second display being located separate from the first display and optionally shared by a plurality of gaming machines. The second display may be controlled by a separate controller from a 20 controller for the first display, the two controllers being in communication with each other. In other variations of the architecture of the gaming apparatus that may be used with the present invention, the display 14 may be replaced by a mechanical display where a wheel feature according to the present invention is displayed to a 25 player using a separate display. The bank of buttons 22 may be omitted and reliance placed entirely on touch pads provided on the display 14, or vice versa. The credit input mechanism 24 may be a ticket reader, card reader, smart card reader, a communication interface with a personal mobile device, or any other type of validation device, either in addition to or instead of one or both of the coin input chute 30 24A and the bill collector 24B. Alternatively, where appropriate for the intended use of the gaming machine, a credit input mechanism may be omitted entirely. Similarly the pay out mechanism 40 may be a ticket printer, card writer or other suitable device, WO 2006/029446 PCT/AU2005/001373 14 or may be omitted entirely, with credits, for example, being communicated to a central database (not shown). As previously stated, the top box 26 may include a display, but it may also be omitted and if a second display is required it may be located separated from the console 12. A gaming machine, irrespective of its 5 architecture is apparatus that allows a player to participate in a game of chance, irrespective of whether or not the apparatus requires the player to wager a stake in order to participate in the primary game. Figure 3 shows a screen display 50 of an example of a game 16 that may be played on the gaming machine 10. The game 16 is a primary game and may be one of 10 several such games that may be played using the gaining machine 10. A primary game, as the term is used herein, means a game of chance, optionally with a skill component or perceived skill component, that is playable on a gaming machine. The term "base game" has a corresponding meaning. Typically, although not necessarily, a player can only participate in a wheel feature of the present invention after a trigger 15 event has occurred, the trigger event being related to play of a primary game of a gaming machine. The screen display 50 shows the occurrence of a predetermined trigger condition giving rise to a bonus feature. A bonus feature is a secondary game that can be participated in by the gaming machine 10 (or the player at the gaming machine 10) that is in addition to the primary game. Typically a bonus feature can 20 only be participated in at certain times, which may be dictated by play of the primary game. In this case, the trigger condition is the occurrence of a display of three scatter symbols 52 on the screen display 50. Upon the occurrence of the trigger condition, a bonus feature is awarded, in particular a wheel feature. Those skilled in the relevant arts will appreciate that the trigger event could be 25 any one of a number of trigger events and that multiple trigger events may exist. For example, a trigger event may be based on a measure of time, a particular amount of wagering activity on the gaming machine 10, or on some activity of a group of gaming machines including the gaming machine 10. Also, the trigger event may depend at least in part on player tracking information and may be a random or quasi 30 random event. The trigger event may be a random determination for each bet that is made on each gaming machine, where the chance of the wheel feature being triggered is dependent upon the size of the bet on the gaming machine 10, it may be a random WO 2006/029446 PCT/AU2005/001373 15 determination for each game played on each gaming machine 10 such that the chance of triggering the wheel feature is independent of bet size and the same for each game played, it may be a standard symbol based trigger - for example three or more scatter symbols appearing during base game play on one of the gaming machines 10, or it 5 may comprise the appearance of other types of symbol based triggers, such as special feature symbols being overlaid over standard reel symbols or appearing in the background of standard reel symbols, where certain combinations of the special feature symbols trigger the wheel feature. The selection of an event that triggers a wheel feature of the present invention is up to the game designer and many other 10 possibilities exist. While the preferred form of the invention is a particular form of wheel feature, the wheel feature described herein may also be a standalone game, and may also be a base game for another feature game. As an example, when the trigger event occurs the screen display 50 is replaced 15 by a screen display 54, shown in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings. The user may be requested to select a button "play feature" or similar to initiate the wheel feature. The screen display 54 shows a wheel feature indicator 55 comprising a simulated wheel 56 divided into a number of segments 60, 62 and with a plurality of chaser lights 58 arranged about the periphery of the wheel 56. The plurality of chaser lights 58 operate 20 as part of a selector to select one or more of the segments 60, with a lit chaser light 58 being a marker to show what segment has been selected. Those skilled in the relevant arts will appreciate that the selector may take different forms from a plurality of distinct chaser lights. For example, the selector may be an arrow or similar that travels around the periphery of the wheel 56 in a continuous (or at least in such small steps so 25 as to appear continuous) manner, and stop at a location determined by the controller 36. In another example, the marker may be the highlighting of segments 60 in some manner, for example by changing the colour of the segment 60 or highlighting the periphery of the segment 60 that the marker is currently pointing to. Parts of segments 60 may also be highlighted in this manner where this is required. Equally, the marker 30 may be one or more unlit segments 60. In this way the selection may be made to appear like a process of elimination. Although in the preferred embodiment the WO 2006/029446 PCT/AU2005/001373 16 marker travels around the segments 60 so as to sequentially and cyclically point to the segments 60, this is not essential and the marker may jump from segment to segment. The segments 60 are each of approximately the same size, occupying the same visual area and presenting the same area for selection to the markers, plus one 5 segment 62, which is much smaller than the remaining segments 60. The size of each segment 60, 62 is selected during the design of the game to give the desired return to player, according to the expected frequency of their associated outcome, which is often a prize, being awarded. It is to be noted that the outcome indicated by the segment 62 is a prize that is orders of magnitude greater than many of the outcomes or 10 prizes on the segments 60. The embodiments of the wheel feature indicator 55 shown in the accompanying drawings show a traditional circular wheel, with the individual outcome areas being segments of the wheel. However, alternatives to the circular wheel 56 are possible and may be used to impart a visually distinctive appearance to 15 the wheel feature. For example, an alternative wheel feature indicator may have a generally triangular, rectangular or some other polygon overall shape. The chaser lights 58 also need not travel around the periphery of a contiguous shape and may intersect parts of the wheel feature indicator, for example by travelling along a path defining a figure eight around and between two circles. However, due to its 20 simplicity, proven visual effectiveness and ability to have any sized segment without regard to having to align any intersections of outcome areas with vertices of a shape for visual impact, a single circular shape represents the preferred form of the invention. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, between seven and ten chaser lights 58 25 are associated with each segment 60, depending on the particular segment. Conversely, the segment 62 only has a single chaser light associated with it. Generally, the larger the number of chaser lights 58 associated with each segment 60, the smaller the prize (if any) that is awarded should that segment be selected and segments that award equal prizes have the same number of chaser lights 58 associated 30 with them. However, neither of these are necessary and can be varied by the game designer to achieve a required effect and playing experience.

WO 2006/029446 PCT/AU2005/001373 17 When the wheel feature is awarded, the chaser lights 58 are lit in a sequential manner to simulate movement of a marker around the periphery of the wheel 56. If required, the sequential illumination of the chaser lights 58 can be effected in a manner simulating the speeding up of the speed of travel of the lit chaser lights 58 5 around the periphery of the wheel 56, followed by the chaser lights slowing down and finally stopping. The stopping of the sequential illumination of the chaser lights 58 refers to the sequential illumination of the chaser lights 58 ceasing, with a single chaser light of the chaser lights 58 remaining illuminated. If the chaser light that remains illuminated is that opposite the segment 62, as is shown in Figure 5, a prize of 10 1000 credits, being the prize indicated by the segment 62, is awarded. Similarly, if the chaser light of the chaser lights 58 that remains illuminated is opposite another segment, then the prize that is indicated by that segment is awarded. In one possible alternative embodiment a chaser light 58 or other selector may be able to straddle two adjacent segments 60, 62, in which case a double prize could be awarded. 15 As the 1000 credit prize has only a single chaser light associated with it, in order for the odds of winning the 1000 credit prize to reflect the expected odds of that device on a visual inspection, the chance of one particular chaser light 58 being illuminated is one in seventy two, or more generally (the number of chaser lights 58 associated with a particular prize) in (the total number of chaser lights 58). Therefore, 20 a large prize can be displayed on the wheel 56 while still having an acceptable hit rate for the wheel feature and return to player percentage. If, for example, the wheel feature is triggered on average every 100 games then the feature return would be 29.028% as shown by table 1. Table I - return calculation for the feature wheel shown in Figure 4 Prize for each Probability of Average Prize segment occurrence Contribution (%) 1000 0.013889 13.889 50 0.09722 4.861 20 0.13889 2.778 15 0.1250 1.875 WO 2006/029446 PCT/AU2005/001373 18 15 0.1250 1.875 10 0.1250 1.250 10 0.1250 1.250 5 0.1250 0.625 5 0.1250 0.625 1.000 29.028 This compares favourably with a wheel where all the segments are the same size but there is no significantly larger prize offered on the wheel. For example, for a wheel feature having eight equally sized segments containing the prize values of 5 lxl50 credits, 1x20 credits, 2x15 credits, 2x10 credits and 2x5 credits and which is also triggered on average once every 100 games, the average return to player percentage would be 28.75%. It is an advantage of this arrangement that, because the wheel 56 remains stationary, the prizes applicable to the segments 60, 62 are always visible to the 10 player, increasing the sense of anticipation. However, in less preferred embodiments, the wheel 56 may turn and one or more stationary markers may be used, or both the wheel and one or more markers may move. It will also be appreciated that the top award prize carried by the segment 62 could, instead of being a number of credits, be a progressive prize, a non-monetary 15 win such as a number of free games as described below with reference to Figures 6 and 8, or another special bonus feature, which may include a car, a holiday or any other prize. In Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings, a screen display 64 including a second embodiment of the wheel feature indicator 55 is shown. With reference to the 20 previous drawings like reference numerals refer to like parts unless otherwise specified. In this embodiment many of the segments 60 of the wheel 56 carry information relating to outcomes other than a number of credits that can be awarded in the wheel feature. For example, the outcome achieved by play of the wheel feature may be the awarding of a number of free games, where a win in any free game is WO 2006/029446 PCT/AU2005/001373 19 multiplied by a certain multiplier, or where a particular symbol in the free games acts as a substitute symbol. The embodiment shown in Figure 6 illustrates another major advantage of the invention. If it was required to offer a 1000 credit prize on a wheel in which all 5 segments were equally sized, it would be necessary to make all of the segments the same size as the segment carrying the 1000 credit prize. It would be impossible or at least difficult to effectively describe free games and other such feature awards offered on the other segments because of their small size. In other words, there would not physically be enough room on the segments. 10 Of course, the segment for the major prize occupies only a small portion of the wheel in comparison to other segments. In order to draw attention to the major prize, the segment containing the prize may be made to be eye-catching, for example by having a bright red background when all other segments have a white or pale coloured background. Also, the major prize may be located top and centre and will remain 15 there in embodiments of the present invention using a selector in the form of chaser lights or similar instead of rotating the wheel 56. In Figure 7 of the drawings, a still further embodiment of a screen display 66 of a wheel feature indicator 55 is shown. With reference to the previous drawings, like reference numerals referring to like parts unless otherwise specified. In this 20 embodiment of the invention, all the segments 60 are of the same size. However, one of the segments 60A has a prize outcome of a number of credits, which is larger than the prize outcomes carried by the other segments 60. In addition, one of the chaser lights 58A associated with the segment 60A carries a multiplier on it which multiplies the number of credits shown on the segment 60A. Therefore, within the segment 60A 25 are two possible outcomes, one associated with four chaser lights (in two parts) and indicating a prize of 100 credits and another associated with one chaser light, indicating a prize of 1000 credits. The chances of winning the 1000 credits still, however, can reflect the probability that would be expected on a visual inspection of the wheel feature indicator 55. 30 Accordingly, in this embodiment of the invention, if the last chaser light 58 that remains illuminated is the chaser light 58A, then the prize awarded to the player WO 2006/029446 PCT/AU2005/001373 20 is 1000 credits, being the number of credits on the segment 60A multiplied by the multiplier carried on the chaser light 58A. Because only the one chaser light 58A associated with the segment 60A carries the multiplier, the probability of the top award prize being awarded is lower than the probability of any of the remaining 5 prizes. An advantage in selecting the segment 60A with the largest outcome for the multiplier is that the value of the multiplier can be reduced. As the multiplier is displayed on a chaser light, the display area is limited. Referring still to Figure 7, if a 1000 credit prize was to be awarded through the use of a multiplier on the chaser light 58C, then the multiplier would be 200, a three digit number that would need to be 10 printed using smaller digits than a two digit number to fit on the chaser light. In Figure 8 of the drawings, a screen display 68 of yet a further embodiment of the wheel feature indicator 55 is shown. As in the case of the previous embodiments, like reference numerals refer to like parts unless otherwise specified. In this embodiment of the invention, like the embodiment shown in Figure 7, all the 15 segments 60 are of the same size. In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, some of the segments of the segments 60 carry an outcome that is a prize in the form of a specified number of credits. If a chaser light of the chaser lights 58 that is opposite these segments is the last chaser light illuminated, the outcome is the number of credits indicated on the segment multiplied by a multiplier value that is carried by that 20 particular chaser light. If the last chaser light that is illuminated of the chaser lights 58 is associated with a segment 60 carrying a number of free games (typically for the primary game), then the prize that is awarded is the number of free games on the marked segment 60. Any win occurring during the free games is then multiplied by the multiplier of the illuminated chaser light 58. 25 As in the previous embodiments, a particular chaser light, indicated by the combination of the segment 60B and chaser light 58B, provides an award that may be of substantially higher value (in this embodiment the value is variable within statistical bounds, due to the prize being dependent on play of a primary game) than any of the other outcomes. In the illustrated embodiment, the segment 60B carries an 30 outcome of 25 free games and the chaser light 58B carries a multiplier of substantially higher value than any of the other multipliers. If the last chaser light 58 that is illuminated is chaser light 58B the player is awarded an outcome of 25 free games in WO 2006/029446 PCT/AU2005/001373 21 which any win in the free game series is multiplied by a multiplier of 30. A major prize awarded in this way may provide particular excitement to a player that wins the large prize, as the awarding of the large prize is an ongoing exercise spanning 25 games. When this is used in combination with a wheel feature, which has proven 5 appeal, the overall result may be particularly advantageous. The feature wheel indicator 55 shown in Figure 8 has a second major prize, namely 4000 credits awarded when the chaser light that indicates x20, which is opposite the segment that indicates 200, is the last chaser light of the chaser lights 58 to be illuminated. Due to the relatively small area (2 parts in 40) that the major prizes 10 occupy, it is possible with the present invention to offer more than one major prize on a feature wheel. In an alternative to the embodiments shown in Figures 7 and 8, one or more of the chaser lights 58 may indicate a prize that is independent of the segment 60 that it is opposite, if it is opposite any segment 60 at all (the chaser lights 58 that indicate an 15 independent prize may be located away from the segments 60). For example one chaser light 58 may have the symbol "$" on it and this may be the major prize. In this embodiment it is clear that the chaser lights 58 that indicate a prize that is independent of any segment is in fact itself an outcome indicating part in the same manner as the segments 60 are outcome indicating parts, the difference being that the chaser light is 20 selected when it is illuminated, in contrast to a segment 60 being selected when a marker 58 that is adjacent to the segment 60 is illuminated. A further alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 9. An arrow 70 or other marker travels continuously around the wheel 56 and an annulus 72 has been located around the wheel 56, the annulus 72 separated into parts 25 74 (only one of which is indicated in Figure 9 by a reference numeral) marked in a similar or corresponding way to the chaser lights 58 shown in Figure 8. This embodiment may be particularly suited to the use of colour coding to indicate prizes. The arrow 70 could then travel around the outer side of the annulus 72 as indicated by arrow A in Figure 9, or between the annulus 72 and the wheel 56 to select the 30 combination of one of the segments 60 and one part 74 of the annulus 72. Where the feature wheel is not circular, the annulus 72 would be replaced by a corresponding different shape. Although neither the segments 60 nor the parts 74 of the annulus 72 WO 2006/029446 PCT/AU2005/001373 22 are shown in Figure 9 with indicia (or colour coding), they will be marked so that a major prize can be won. For example, the part 74A may indicate a major prize in a similar way in which chaser light 58B (see Figure 8) indicated a major prize. Of course, the segments 60 shown in Figure 9 need not be all the same size. For example 5 the wheel 56 may have a small segment 60 that only corresponds to the part 74A in a similar manner to segment 62 only corresponding to a single chaser light 58 (see Figure 5). It will be appreciated, that, although the invention has been described with reference to the display of the wheel feature being implemented as an electronic 10 simulation of a wheel, the display of the wheel feature could be implemented in an electro-mechanical form with a stationary wheel (where this is required) and actual chaser lights arrayed about the periphery of the wheel. It is an advantage of the invention that a wheel feature is provided which addresses the limitation on the size of prize segments. In general, there are only so 15 many prizes that can be effectively displayed on a wheel without taking away from the look and feel of the wheel and making it difficult to read the prizes. With the wheel feature of the present invention, this problem is overcome. In addition, regulations for a large number of markets prohibit the use of weightings, similar to those used on reel strips, on a feature wheel. This makes it 20 more difficult to offer large prizes on a wheel because the larger the prize the more effect it will have on the overall return to the player of the game. With the wheel feature of the present invention, this problem has been addressed. Further, it is an advantage of the invention that the wheel feature avoids the need for a multi-stage process. Multi-stage processes have the disadvantage that the 25 large prize, or top prize, cannot be displayed directly on the wheel so that the player does not have a feeling of the potential of winning the large prize with just one spin of the wheel. The disadvantage of not being able to provide the potential for winning a large or jackpot prize extends to other situations also. For example it may be desired to 30 provide a prize or outcome of lower value and yet still have a low probability of occurrence of that prize or outcome. Prizes of this type may require, for example, WO 2006/029446 PCT/AU2005/001373 23 input of time by staff of the gaming machine operator. The present invention may allow such a prize to be offered. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific 5 embodiments described herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

1. A gaming apparatus comprising a game controller and at least one display, the gaming apparatus operable to allow a player to play a game, wherein the game controller controls play of the game and controls the at least one display to 5 display representations of play of the game, the representations of the game comprising a selector having at least one marker and a plurality of outcome indicating parts, each presenting to a player of the gaming machine a visually appreciable area that is available to be selected by the selector, 10 the game controller causing display on the at least one display a representation of a selection of at least one outcome indicating part by the selector, and allocate an award to a player of the gaming machine, the allocated award being dependent on the selected at least one outcome indicating part, wherein a subset of the plurality of outcome indicating parts have a 15 substantially lower probability of being selected in comparison to each of the other outcome indicating parts, and wherein the visually appreciable area that is available to be selected by the selector of the outcome indicating parts in the subset is substantially less than the visually appreciable area that is available to be selected by the selector for the other outcome indicating parts. 20

2. The gaming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the subset of the plurality of outcome indicating parts result in a substantially larger allocated award, either in terms of value received by a player or in terms of cost to an operator of the gaming apparatus, than the other outcome indicating parts.

3. The gaming apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the outcome 25 indicating parts together present an annular or circular shape to the player, and wherein the at least one marker one of moves and appears to move about the outcome indicating parts and then stops to show the representation of a selection of at least one outcome indicating part.

4. The gaming apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the selector 30 comprises a plurality of illuminable areas located in a path extending about the outcome indicating parts, each of the illuminable areas being illuminated and WO 2006/029446 PCT/AU2005/001373 25 darkened in a sequential pattern and wherein an illuminable area represents said at least one marker only when it is illuminated.

5. The gaming apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the outcome indicating parts are each displayed as a stationary area and the at least one 5 marker is displayed as one of moving and appearing to move relative to the outcome indicating parts.

6. The gaming apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the outcome indicating parts are each displayed as a stationary area and the at least one marker is displayed as one of moving and appearing to move relative to the outcome 10 indicating parts progressively along a path that extends past every one of the plurality of outcome indicating parts.

7. The gaming apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each outcome indicating part includes indicia on it that indicates an award to a player.

8. The gaming apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least one 15 of the outcome indicating parts in the subset of the plurality of the outcome indicating parts is displayed so as to be visually distinctive despite presenting a lesser visually appreciable area than the other outcome indicating parts.

9. The gaming apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 8, including a further game, wherein the controller causes the game to be able to be played by a player of 20 the gaming machine only on the eventuation of at least one event that is related to play of the further game.

10. The gaming apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the probability of a member of the subset of the plurality of outcome indicating parts being selected by the selector is no higher than approximately 1 in 40 for each 25 selection.

11. The gaming apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the probability of a member of the subset of the plurality of outcome indicating parts being selected by the selector is no higher than approximately 1 in 70 for each selection. WO 2006/029446 PCT/AU2005/001373 26

12. The gaming apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the probability of a member of the subset of the plurality of outcome indicating parts being selected by the selector is no higher than approximately 1 in 20 for each selection. 5

13. The gaming apparatus of claim 12, wherein the subset of the plurality of outcome indicating parts consists of two outcome indicating parts.

14. The gaming apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the subset of the plurality of outcome indicating parts is a single outcome indicating part.

15. The gaming apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the 10 allocated award that results when an outcome indicating part from the subset is selected is at least ten times the allocated award that results when any one of the other outcome indicating parts is selected.

16. The gaming apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the allocated award that results when an outcome indicating part from the subset is 15 selected is at least twenty times the allocated award that results when any one of the other outcome indicating parts is selected.

17. A gaming apparatus having a game controller and at least one display, the gaming apparatus operable to allow a player to play a game, wherein the game controller controls play of the game and controls the at least one display to display 20 representations of play of the game, the representations of the game comprising: i) a plurality of outcome indicating parts and at least one marker that is locatable in a plurality of visually distinct positions that each indicate the selection of an outcome indicating part in said plurality of outcome indicating parts, the number 25 of said visually distinct positions being greater than the number of the plurality of outcome indicating parts, and ii) a visual representation of the selection of an outcome indicating part by the at least one marker, wherein the probability of the marker being in any one of the plurality of 30 visually distinct positions is substantially the same as the probability that would be expected upon a visual inspection of the representations of the game, and WO 2006/029446 PCT/AU2005/001373 27 the gaming apparatus allocates an award to a player of the gaming apparatus dependent on play of the game, the award specified by the particular position in said plurality of positions that the marker is located in when the selected outcome indicating part was selected, at least two distinct awards being awardable when at 5 least one of said outcome indicating parts is selected.

18. The gaming apparatus of claim 17, wherein the outcome indicating parts together present an annular or circular shape to the player, and wherein the at least one marker one of moves and appears to move relative to the outcome indicating parts and then stops to select one or more of said outcome indicating parts. 10

19. The gaming apparatus of claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the allocated award is substantially larger, either in terms of value received by a player or in terms of cost to an operator of the gaming apparatus than all other awardable awards when the marker is in a subset of said visually distinct positions.

20. The gaming apparatus of claim 19, wherein the allocated award is at 15 least ten times larger than all other awardable awards of the game when the at least one marker is in the subset of said visually distinct positions when the selected outcome indicating part was selected.

21. The gaming apparatus of claim 19, wherein the allocated award is at least twenty times larger than all other awardable awards of the game when the at 20 least one marker is in the subset of said visually distinct positions when the selected outcome indicating part was selected.

22. The gaming apparatus of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the probability of the marker selecting a member of the subset of visually distinct positions is no higher than approximately 1 in 20 for each play of the game. 25

23. The gaming apparatus of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the probability of the marker selecting a member of the subset of visually distinct positions is no higher than approximately 1 in 40 for each play of the game.

24. The gaming apparatus of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the probability of the marker selecting a member of the subset of visually distinct 30 positions is no higher than approximately 1 in 70 for each play of the game. WO 2006/029446 PCT/AU2005/001373 28

25. The gaming apparatus of any one of claims 17 to 24, wherein the gaming apparatus includes a further game and the game is a bonus or feature game of said further game.

26. The gaming apparatus of claim 25, wherein the bonus or feature game 5 is only playable on the occurrence of at least one predetermined trigger event occurring in the further game.

27. The gaming apparatus of claim 25 or claim 26, wherein the award that is allocated when the marker is in the subset of said visually distinct positions has a magnitude dependent on awards awarded during a plurality of free games on the 10 further game.

28. The gaming apparatus of claim 27, wherein the award that is allocated when the marker is in the subset of said visually distinct positions is predetermined so that the award is substantially larger, within statistical bounds, than all other awardable awards of the game. 15

29. The gaming apparatus of any one of claims 22 to 28, wherein at least one outcome indicating part in said plurality of outcome indicating parts indicates an award of a number of free games for the further game and the at least one marker is locatable in at least two of said visually distinct positions while selecting said at least one outcome indicating part, and wherein the award substantially larger than all other 20 awardable awards is awarded only when the marker is one position of said at least two of said visually distinct positions.

30. The gaming apparatus of claim 29, wherein at least two outcome indicating parts in said plurality of outcome indicating parts each indicate an award of a number of free games for the further game, the number differing between outcome 25 indicating parts, wherein the award substantially larger than all other awardable awards is awarded when an outcome indicating part with the highest number of free games is selected by the at least one marker.

31. The gaming apparatus of any one of claims 17 to 30, wherein each outcome indicating part occupies substantially the same visually appreciable area. 30

32. The gaming apparatus of any one of claims 17 to 31, wherein each of the plurality of outcome indicating parts has indicia on it. WO 2006/029446 PCT/AU2005/001373 29

33. The gaming apparatus of any one of claims 17 to 32, wherein there are at least five times as many said visually distinct positions as said outcome indicating parts.

34. The gaming apparatus of any one of claims 17 to 33 wherein when the 5 at least one marker is in at least one of the visually distinct positions, the award corresponds to a combination of a result indicated by the selected outcome indicating part and indicia on the at least one marker.

35. A game controller and associated computer memory for a gaming machine, the game controller operable to control play of a game that is played on a 10 gaming machine and to generate control signals for at least one display, wherein when the control signals are received by a display, the display displays images of the game comprising images of a plurality of outcome indicating parts, wherein the representations of the outcome indicating parts are configured so that a plurality of possible outcomes 15 are visually identifiable, and a representation of a selection process comprising a representation of the selection of at least one of said outcome indicating parts, wherein the probability any one of said outcome indicating parts being shown as selected in said representation of a selection process is substantially the same as the 20 probability that would be expected upon a visual inspection of the images of the plurality of' outcome indicating parts and wherein for a subset of the plurality of possible outcomes the probability that a member of the subset of the plurality of possible outcomes is selected is less than the probability that any one of the plurality of outcome indicating parts is selected, excluding any outcome indicating part that 25 when selected by the selector only results in an outcome that is a member of the subset of the plurality of possible outcomes.

36. The game controller of claim 35, wherein at least one outcome in the subset of plurality of outcomes is associated with an award that has a substantially greater value than each of the other outcomes of the plurality of possible outcomes. 30

37. The game controller of either claim 35 or claim 36, wherein the subset of the plurality of possible outcomes comprises a single possible outcome. WO 2006/029446 PCT/AU2005/001373 30

38. The game controller of any one of claims 35 to 37, wherein the subset of the plurality of possible outcomes are associated with an award having a magnitude that is at least ten times greater than the award associated with any other possible outcome. 5

39. The game controller of any one of claims 35 to 37, wherein the subset of the plurality of possible outcomes are associated with an award having a magnitude that is at least twenty times greater than the award associated with any other possible outcome.

40. The game controller of any one of claims 35 to 39, wherein the 10 probability of the a member of the subset of the plurality of possible outcomes being selected is no higher than approximately 1 in 20 for each play of the game.

41. The game controller of any one of claims 35 to 39, wherein the probability of the a member of the subset of the plurality of possible outcomes being selected is no higher than approximately 1 in 40 for each play of the game. 15

42. The game controller of any one of claims 35 to 39, wherein the probability of the a member of the subset of the plurality of possible outcomes being selected is no higher than approximately 1 in 70 for each play of the game.

43. The game controller of any one of claims 35 to 42, wherein indicia are provided on each outcome indicating part, the indicia one of indicating or relating to 20 the award that is awarded if that outcome indicating part is selected.

44. The game controller of any one of claims 35 to 43, wherein the outcome indicating parts together present an annular or circular shape to the player.

45. A gaming apparatus comprising the game controller and associated computer memory of any one of claims 35 to 44, at least one display to receive the 25 control signals and display to a player of the gaming machine representations of the game and an award allocator to allocate to a player of the gaming machine any award associated with the outcome of said plurality of possible outcomes that results from play of the game.

46. The gaming apparatus of claim 45, wherein the game is a feature or 30 bonus game of a further game provided on the gaming apparatus. WO 2006/029446 PCT/AU2005/001373 31

47. The gaming apparatus of any one of claims I to 34 or either claim 45 or claim 46, wherein only a single outcome indicating part is selected per game play of the game.

48. The gaming apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 34 or any one of 5 claims 45 to 47, wherein there are either eight or nine outcome indicating parts arranged to form a circle.

49. A computerised method of providing a game of chance on a gaming apparatus, the method comprising: a) controlling play of a game on the gaming apparatus; 10 b) causing play of the game to be displayed on at least one display of the gaming apparatus; and c) causing an award to be awarded to a player of the gaming apparatus dependent on play of the game; wherein controlling play of the game involves: 15 i) causing a plurality of possible outcomes to be shown on the at least one display so that each said possible outcome occupies a predetermined space on the at least one display, ii) selecting one of said plurality of possible outcomes, with each possible outcome selected on average across all plays of the game with a probability commensurate with 20 the size of the predetermined space that that possible outcome occupies on the at least one display relative to the area occupied by all of said plurality of possible outcomes; and wherein at least one possible outcome occupies a visually appreciable smaller space on the at least one display than the other possible outcomes.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein when said at least one possible 25 outcome is selected, step c) comprises awarding a larger award, either in terms of value received by a player or in terms of cost to an operator of the gaming apparatus, than otherwise.

51. The method of claim 49 or claim 50, wherein a single possible outcome occupies a substantially smaller space on the at least one display and wherein 30 when said single possible outcome is selected, step c) comprises awarding a substantially larger award than otherwise. WO 2006/029446 PCT/AU2005/001373 32

52. The method of any one of claims 49 to 51, wherein the plurality of possible outcomes together form an annular or circular shape.

53. The method of any one of claims 49 to 51 including only playing the game upon the occurrence of a trigger event related to the play of a distinct further 5 game.

54. A gaming apparatus substantially according to any one of the embodiments herein described with reference to Figures 4 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.

55. A game controller and associated computer memory as claimed in 10 claim 35, the game controller operable to execute instructions in the computer and control play of a secondary game substantially according to any one of the embodiments herein described.

56. A computerised method of providing a game of chance on a gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 49 and substantially as herein described. 15

57. A computerised method of providing a game of chance on a gaming apparatus substantially according to any one of the embodiments as herein described with reference to Figures 4 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.