AU2007203506A1 - Electronic Game With Game Feature - Google Patents

Description

ELECTRONIC GAME WITH FEATURE GAME Ci BACKGROUND The present invention relates to gaming and slot machines games and more 5 particularly relates to a game feature whereby a player can accumulate player points during play of a main game and elect at the players option during the main game to play a feature game provided the player has, during main game play, accumulated a sufficient Cc number of player points.

PRIOR ART There are already in existence a wide variety of games for use in slot and gaming machines. In order to achieve an edge over competitors, gaming machine producers provide special game features in the hope of attracting player interest and which provide players with novel alternatives. In gaming, it is usually those features associated with jackpots or a perceived or actual increased probability of winning which are likely to attract player interest.

An electronic poker machine display will usually include five spinning reels which display symbols in numerous lines across the screen. The player can activate anything up to 20 lines according to a player wager with the chances of winning increasing according to the lines selected. In addition to the symbols display, the typical electronic machine display will include indicia for the benefit of the player relating to the number of credits the payer has, the amount wagered and periodic instructions which tell the player what the status of play is or what the player is to do next. The player typically does not have control over the jackpots or trigger conditions for feature game play.

Within this framework, game providers have sought ways to make games more attractive to the player which ensure that player interest will be maintained.

Conventional gaming machine features award a player an average of 15 free games where pays are usually multiplied by a factor. This is an unofficial industry standard for a successful game. For example, a game with 15 free games will have a hit rate of between

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S7 and 12. Therefore in its lifetime, at best, on average, 2 spins in 15 will pay during a

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N feature. Known gaming machines pay out very large amounts during feature play but a high paying feature is at the cost of numerous low paying ones and the many who do not win will walk away disenchanted with the game.

Conventional gaming machine features are played when a trigger is activated. In the Oknown game features the player has no control over the timing of the feature and a players luck becomes completely dependent upon the next few spins. Known game features are activated randomly and the player does not know when the game feature will be available nor what the criteria are to initiate the feature.

There are however some prior art machines which allow a player the same probability to achieve a jackpot by betting a single bet per line as by betting multiple credits per game.

There is a need for players to have an increased perception of an increased probability of a win.

There is also a need to allow a player to set the number of credits bet per line during a feature play. Some players vary the bet during play in the hope of hitting a feature when the bet is high. This may or may not happen but in any case the player will have no control over the initiation of the feature game. Feature play is currently determined by the individual gaming machine or linked gaming machines. The known feature plays are according to current methods triggered by such events at machine spins. The triggering is random and the player will not know when the spin will occur. There also exist machines including mystery progressive features but in these features the player still does not have any control over when to play the feature. In existing games, though a player has choice within the feature play there is no choice at present when a player can enter a game feature.

INVENTION

The present invention in one form provides an alternative to the known games and more particularly game features by providing a game feature integrated into a main game 2

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O enabling player participation in the game feature at the players election once a trigger N condition has been reached. More particularly, the invention provides a poker machine n game involving an award of player points which accumulate and are visible to the player ,i during playing of the main game so that the player can participate by election in a game feature depending upon the number of points accumulated. According to one Sembodiment the game feature may comprise free games playable using the accumulated player points. The advantage over the known feature games is that the player is able to r elect precisely when to enter the feature play from the main game.

The player within the context of choosing when to enter the feature play, take advantage of a number of different methods for accumulating points, triggering the points accumulation and for playing the feature game within the accumulated player points.

The invention in another form, relates to a gaming system in which a plurality of gaming machines are linked such that each machine contributes to an accumulation of player points for each machine such that as each machine reaches a predetermined minimum total points each machine player may participate at any time during play of a main game and at the players election in a game feature such as but not limited to, a free game, wherein the availability of the free feature to the player depends upon a machine trigger event such as machine turnover or number of points accumulated by a machine player such that any player could according to one embodiment win a jackpot by betting on a free game.

According to a preferred embodiment the points are termed Player Points which are displayed on a points display so a player can determine at any time during a main game how many player points are available and thus how many free games may be available. This allows the player to monitor game progress and to have a perception of control over the game. The player points allow a player to play while the bet is low and raise the bet if desired, during the feature.

In one form, the present invention comprises a method of playing a slot machine game comprising the steps of; a) providing a gaming machine with a main game display and a game feature; Ob) allowing a player to accumulate player points during play of said main game;

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c) means for displaying said accumulated player points d) enabling a player to elect to play said feature game using the player points in the feature game at any time during play of said main game once a predetermined number of player points have been accumulated by said player during said main 0 game.

According to one embodiment of the method aspect the player may start or stop participation in the game feature at any time during play of the feature. Play in the game D feature will be terminated when the player points fall below a predetermined minimum number in which case the player will be prohibited from participation in the feature until a predetermined minimum number of points are accumulated.

In its broadest form the present invention comprises: a gaming machine including: a game display for a main game and control means for enabling a player to initiate play of the main game; a feature game associated with the main game and capable of being played by said player 0 after initiating play of said main game; a display indicating an accumulation of player points during play of said main game; said player points accumulating to said player each time a predetermined trigger event is achieved by the player during play of the main game; wherein said player may at any time during play of said main game and upon accumulation of a predetermined minimum number of player points, elect to play said feature game using said player points.

According to a preferred embodiment, said player points are indicated on a player points display. Preferably, the win criteria comprise a reel display of one or more predetermined special symbols, numbers, icons or the like which trigger accumulation of said points.

The player points accumulate each time a win criterion is reached until a player elects to start said game feature.

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The main game feature comprises free games awarded to the player commensurate with

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Othe number of points accumulated by the player during said main game. A player may elect to withdraw from play of said feature games at any time during play of said feature games. The feature games may be commenced by pressing a start button on the gaming N 5 machine and when player points have expired, a player is prevented from playing the feature game until a predetermined number of points are accumulated in the main game.

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ttrIn another broad form the present invention comprises: a game feature playable on Ca gaming machine having a main game display, means to initiate and control play of a b main game wherein, the game feature may be played by a player at the players election Sat any time during play of said main game.

According to a preferred embodiment, the game feature is available to a player when the player accumulates a predetermined minimum number of points during play of said main game wherein the player accumulates the points when said predetermined win criteria are satisfied during playing of said main game. The predetermined win criteria for said main game may according to one embodiment be one or a combination of trigger symbols, icons, numbers or the like. The game feature may only be played with a predetermined minimum number of points accumulated in said main game.

0 According to a method aspect the present invention comprises; a method of playing a gaming machine having a man game display, means for actuating play of said main game; a feature game and means for actuating the game feature; the method comprising the steps of; a) initiating play of said main game feature; b) allowing a player to accumulate points during play of the main game responsive to a predetermined trigger event occurring during play of said main game; c) displaying said accumulated player points; d) allowing a player to elect at any time during playing the main game and upon accumulation of a predetermined number of player point credits to initiate play of said feature game; e) using the player points in the feature game Preferably, the method comprises the further step of allowing a player to terminate play Zof said game feature at any time during play of the game feature.

In another broad form the present invention comprises: a gaming machine including a main game having a feature game; the feature game comprising a display associated with the main game on which there is displayed points (Ni r- which are received by a player during playing said main game; wherein said points are S) accumulated each time a predetermined symbol appears on a reel strip during playing said (Ni main game and the points allow play of said feature game.

Preferably, said points are awarded each time said symbol appears wherein the magnitude of the points are increased linearly relative to a multiplier of a number of play lines and credits be per line.

Preferably, the number of points awarded determines the number of free games available to a player during playing of the main game.

In another broad form the present invention comprises: a gaming machine including a main game having a feature game; the feature game comprising a display associated with the main game on which there is displayed points which are received by a player during playing said main game; wherein said points are accumulated each time a predetermined symbol appears on a reel strip during playing said main game; wherein said accumulation of said points allows a player to elect to play free games at any tine during play of the main game.

Preferably, said points are awarded each time the symbol appears on game reels wherein, the magnitude of the points are increased linearly or non-linearly relative to a multiplier of a number of play lines and credits be per line.

According to one embodiment, the player has the option of changing the number lines or the bet per line in order to increase or decrease the number of awarded free games In another broad form of the method aspect the present invention comprises; Oa method of playing a poker machine game which includes a free feature game, wherein

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the method comprises the steps of; a) initiating play of a main game on a poker machine; b) allowing a player to accumulate a predetermined minimum number of player points when a predetermined trigger event occurs; Sc) initiating a start feature button to activate a set up display to start a free feature game d) inviting a player to select at least one free game from said free games available and/or a number of lines on which to wager; e) selecting from available pay line buttons on a machine button panel; f) selecting free game bet per line buttons on said button panel g) calculating the number of free games available to said player; h) allowing said player to play at least one free game.

In another broad form of the method aspect, the present invention comprises; a method of playing a poker machine game which includes a free feature game, wherein the method comprises the steps of; a) initiating play of a main game on a poker machine; b) displaying a progressive points tally on a screen display; c) initiating a start feature button to activate a set up display to start a free feature game, wherein said free games are activated by a predetermined trigger; d) allowing a player to determine the total number of games available; e) inviting a player to play at least one free game from said free games available and/or a number of lines on which to wager; f) selecting from available pay line buttons on a machine button panel; g) selecting free game bet per line buttons on said button panel h) calculating the total number of free games available to said player and displaying said total on said set up display; i) allowing said player to either play at least one free game or to elect to return to said main game without play of any free games or during play of free games.

OAccording to a preferred embodiment, said trigger is either a special reel symbol or is

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N based on a predetermined machine turnover. Should a player elect to not to play available free games, the player can at any time elect to change the wagering with free games and ri have the total games available recalculated.

According to a preferred embodiment the number of available free games are determined Sfrom the number of player points, number of lines and bets per line. Preferably, a player is allowed an option to alter the number of lines and/or the bet per line to increase or decrease the awarded free games.

In another broad form of the method aspect, the present invention comprises; a method of playing a poker machine reel game which includes a free feature game, wherein the method comprises the steps of; a) initiating play of a main game in which player points are accumulated when a predetermined symbol appears; b) initiating a start feature button to activate a set up display to start a free feature game, wherein said free games are activated by a predetermined trigger; c) displaying a progressive player points tally on a screen display; d) allowing a player to play at least one free game from said free games available and/or to select a number of lines on which to wager; e) selecting from available pay line buttons on a machine button panel; f) displaying a screen message for selecting free game bet per line buttons on said button panel; and g) calculating the total number of free games available to said player and displaying said total on said set up display; h) allowing said player to either play at least one free game or to elect to return to said main game without play of any free games or i) in the event that the calculated number of free games based on selected number of lines and amount of bet per line exceeds the number of games available based on the player points accumulated by a player, inviting the player to return to main game or to 8 a O return to said start feature to adjust selection of free game number lines and bets per line;

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or n j) in the event that the calculated number of free games based on selected number of ri lines and amount of bet per line does not exceed the number of games available based on the player points accumulated by a player, inviting the player to either return to main game or to return to said start feature to adjust selection of free game number lines and bets per line; or to play free games.

(Ni According to a preferred embodiment the trigger comprises either a predetermined turnover or a special reel symbol.

D In another broad form according to a system aspect the present invention comprises: a gaming system comprising a plurality of electronically linked gaming machines in which each machine in the system is capable of receiving and accumulating points towards free games responsive to a trigger event following which points are awarded to a player on one or more linked machines, thereby enabling one or more players to determine the number of free games a player has been awarded according to player participation criteria.

One embodiment of the trigger event may be a symbol appearing on a reel on a gaming machine or when a machine reaches a predetermined minimum turnover. The player participation criteria which determines number of free games would include an election as to number of bets per line and number of lines. According to the system aspect, each machine may participate in a chance to win a common prize or progressive jackpot. A network would allow variations such as distribution of random bonus points to a particular machine or to a machine showing a high player bet rate or return.

In another broad form the present invention comprises: a player card for use in a method of playing a gaming machine having a main game display, means for actuating play of said main game; a game feature and means for actuating the game feature; the method comprising the steps; a) initiating play of said main game; b) allowing a player during play of said main game to accumulate a predetermined

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Sminimum number of player points upon achievement of predetermined win criteria.; c) allowing a player to elect at any time during playing the main game upon receipt of a N 5 predetermined minimum number of player points to initiate play of said game feature using said points; IN wherein, the card is readable by the machine and is capable of receiving into a memory on the card, player points to enable said player to use the saved player points on a gaming machine.

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The method comprises the step prior to step of awarding a player a predetermined number of points stored on said card so that a player commences a main game having already accumulated said predetermined number of points. The points on the card may be played on one or more gaming machines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention will now be described in more detail according to a preferred but non limiting embodiment and with reference to the accompanying illustrations; wherein S Figure 1 shows a main game screen with a points meter display; Figure 2 shows a set up screen with the total number of points displayed and Free Game Number of Lines Prompt.

Figure 3 shows a set up screen with a" Bet Per Line Prompt" Figure 4 shows a set up screen with resulting free games displayed Figure 5 shows a set up screen with options displayed.

Figure 6 shows a schematic layout of a free game feature according to one embodiment; and Figure 7 shows a table of possible total bet figures based on 20 lines with a maximum bet of $5.00.

O Referring to figure 1 there is shown a main game screen 1 which includes reel items 2, 3,

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4, 5 and 6 and indicia of a game feature which comprises a points meter display 7 which M demonstrates to a player an accumulated number of player points which enable a player to N determine the number of free games available to the player after a trigger event has occurred which causes the accumulation of the points.

O The screen of figure 1 will be viewed by the player during playing of the main game.

SDuring playing of the main game a random symbol will appear on one or more of reel items 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 which constitutes a trigger event for accumulation of player points on meter display 7. The trigger event is represented by special symbol 8.

The player points are displayed on the screen at all times. At any time during the playing of the main game the player may elect to press a start feature button on a machine console which activates access to a free game set up option.

Figure 2 shows a free game set up screen which displays the number of available player points and a screen invitation to select a free game number of lines. This enables the player to select the number of lines which the player wishes to wager the free games on.

On the gaming machine, there will be a row of pay line buttons from which the player may select the maximum number of lines on which to play selected free games.

Figure 3 shows the free game set up screen which displays the total number of player points available to the player to play, confirmation of the free game number of lines selected by the player and an invitation to select the free game bet per line which enables the player to select the number of bets per line which the player wishes to wager on. To enable this, on the gaming machine there will be a row of bet buttons from which the player may select the amount of credits the player wishes to wager during the free games.

Once player choice of number of lines and bets per line are selected, the machine calculates the number of free games available to the player based on the power points accumulated. As shown in figure 4, the number of free games available to the player will be displayed on the screen. In the example shown on the screen of figure 4, the player has at his disposal 65 free games and has elected to bet on 20 lines at 10 credits per line. The b player can also elect to change the number of lines or bets per line, which will affect the N, number of Free Games available to be played.

Where the player elects not to play free games, the player may change the screen set up ,i feature. As shown in figure 5, a message will appear on the screen inviting the player to start the free game feature or to press 'double up' to change the previous election. If on Sthe other hand the player wishes to return to the main game the player may press RESERVE to return to the main game and recommence playing to gain further accumulation of player points. This process may be repeated at the election of the player Sany number of times during playing the main game.

Players earn and accumulate points either as a percentage of turnover like a progressive jackpot) or by hitting a special symbol. If special symbols are used then the player's bet affects the points awarded per symbol hit. The special symbol may be a standard scatter so that a player will associate the feature trigger with the scatter symbol. The special symbol is inserted into reel strips as shown in figure 1.

A player is able to play credits in the main game down to zero then redeem free games.

However, player points may not be accumulated during free games.

As an example of the operation of the free game feature, TABLE 1 sets out possible options available to a player to manipulate the free game feature.

NO OF PLAYER POINTS CREDITS PER LINE NO OF LINES FREE GAMES 1000 5 20 1000 10 20 1000 10 10 1000 player [power] points may be exchanged for 20 free games at 5 credits per line on lines or 10 free games at 10 credits per line on 20 lines or 20 free games at 10 credits per line on 10 lines.

OThe free game feature calculation is based upon a simple 15 20 free game feature.

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However, instead of conventionally triggering the feature the RTP i is in effect stored and accumulated For example, if in a conventional 20 free game feature, the feature hit rate is 1 in 140 spins then enough power points should be accumulated so that the equivalent of free game is awarded in power points every 140 spins. Therefore in 280 spins the Sequivalent of 40 free games is awarded in player points or based on a conventional feature hit rate of 140, player points would award one 20 line free game per 7 spins.

r Preferably, special symbols are removed from the feature game reel strips when free games are played. The free game feature may however be entered after credits are exhausted provided there are power points on the player point meter. As a minimum, a player may play one free game at one credit on one line.

A player can adjust betting options to alter the number of free games available to a player.

Calculation of the player points feature may be simplified by reducing the number of variables and thus the calculations required to determine free games. Various maximum bet configurations may be used, each with its own set of calculations.

The special trigger symbol may be used as a scatter or as a pay line symbol. Also more than one type of special symbol may be used with varying player point values. The special symbols may award pays which are added in credits to the credit meter as well as awarding player points.

According to an alternative form of the invention, there is provided a gaming system comprising a plurality of electronically linked gaming machines in which each machine in the system is capable of receiving and accumulating points towards free games responsive to a trigger event following which points are awarded to a player. Various trigger options are available. According to this embodiment, each machine participates in a chance to win a common prize or progressive jackpot. According to the system aspect each machine in a network of machines would operate in respect of the free game feature as described above for an individual machine. A network would allow variations such as the distribution of random bonus points to a particular machine or to a machine showing a high player bet rate or turnover.

OReferring to figure 6 there is shown a schematic layout of a player points game

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methodology according to one embodiment of the invention. The method involves the steps of; ,i initiating play of a main game on a poker machine and playing said main game for a S predetermined minimum period during which player points are accumulated when a Spoints trigger condition is achieved. At the election of the player the points may be used to play feature games. which results in a display of power points which are accumulated r by playing the main game. A start feature is activated by pressing a button to activate a set up display to start a free game feature, wherein said free games are activated by a predetermined trigger which may be a predetermined machine turnover or occurrence of a reel symbol. A progressive player points tally is displayed on a screen which allows the player to determine the total number of free games available. The player is invited to play available free games and to select variables namely a number of lines on which to wager and free game bet per line buttons on said button panel whereupon the machine calculates the total number of free games available to said player and displays said total on said set up display; The player either plays said available free games or elects to return to said main game without playing any free games. In the event that the calculated number of free games based on selected number of lines and amount of bet per line exceeds the number of games available based on the power points accumulated by a player, the player is invited to return to main game or to return to adjust selection of free game number lines and bets per line. In the event that the calculated number of free games based on selected number of lines and amount of bet per line does not exceed the number of games available based on the player points accumulated by a player, the player is invited to either return to the main game or to return to the start feature to adjust selection of free game number lines and bets per line or to play free games. At any time during play of the free games the player can return to the main game and acquire additional player points According to a preferred embodiment the trigger comprises either a predetermined machine turnover or a special reel symbol.

OFigure 7 shows a table of possible total bet figures based on 20 lines Max Bet of $5.00.

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The player points may be accumulated according to a number of alternative Smethods. For instance the accumulation could be based on the number of wins for I example five 10's, or four 9's. The player will in the main game still be to accumulate betting credits but in addition, a particular special reel symbol or combination of symbols Swould trigger an accumulation of player points co incident with accumulation of credits.

For instance a player may acquire 100 credits and at the same time acquire 10 player Spoints. Alternatively the accumulation of points may be based on machine turnover. This

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may be based on button pressing.

According to one embodiment, the points are calculated from a player's bet each time a bet is made. At minimum bet a minimum number of points will be created and when a maximum bet is wagered a maximum number of points are accumulated. The machine will allocate increments linearly or non-linearly per bet. The higher the bet the higher the number of points awarded.

A predetermined number of points will contribute to higher reward features. For example, 5000 points may be allocated for a "pick a prize" whereas a greater number say 10000 may be required to play free games.

The player points can, at the option of the player, be used in whole or in part. If used in part, a stop feature may be activated by the player whereupon the player can choose to re enter the main game to accumulate more points.

In an alternative embodiment, a player may be awarded feature spins to trigger symbol driven link or random mystery link. Thus more points will equate to more spins.

This aspect may incorporate a link progressive game feature where the player would trade accumulated points for a chance to win the linked progressive jackpot. Points are awarded to each player on the link when any player wins. The player can then play the feature for a symbol driven link or random mystery link.

In a further embodiment, a players points can be stored through a player tracking system to a rewards card. This allows a player to accumulate points on a "credit card" 0 and remove that card from play on one machine to play on another machine. The card N, may be transported from machine to machine or from club to club. A player may be given a number of points to join a club to be redeemed in any participating club. In this regime C1 the player can use a predetermined number of points and apply a stop feature when that number has expired.

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r It will be recognized by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the invention as broadly described herein without departing from the overall spirit and scope of the invention.