AU2009201574B2 - Gaming apparatus and systems - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract GAMING APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS 5 Gaming apparatus, e.g. an Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) (1), includes a controller (2) for implementing e.g. a slot-machine game, a poker game or the like. The EGM (1) displays a gaming image on a display (5), e.g. virtual symbol reels or card hands, and receives player instructions via an input (6) or the like, e.g. to spin the reels or manage the cards. The EGM (1) includes a feature 10 event trigger component for permitting one or more user controlled attempts to trigger one or more feature events at any time during the playing of a game provided that one or more predetermined conditions have been satisfied. [Fig. 1] R:VAUW\SpecM52987\CAP - Gamig Appratus and Systems - AS FILED-doc Present Feature Events to User N Trigger Feature Selected? N Other Conditions atisfied? Optionally TriggerTrgeFate Feature Event SEnd Figure 4

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: GAMING APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS Applicant: Dynamite Innovations Pty Limited The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 1 6067 MP 2 GAMING APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS Technical Field The present invention relates to gaming apparatus and systems. It relates for example to electronic gaming machines and to networked gaming systems, such as 5 Internet-based gaming systems. Background Gaming machines have been a popular form of entertainment for many years. This popularity has been enhanced with the advent of electronic gaming machines and computer-based gaming systems, such as are provided over the Internet. 10 Many different types of game are playable. They include for example standard slot-machine type games with spinning reels, poker machines, keno, bingo, blackjack, roulette, pachinko and the like. A user will typically place a bet, press a button or pull a lever to begin a game, and will win or lose based upon the gaming machine's play algorithm and random 15 number generator. A reference herein to a patent document or other matter which is given as prior art is not to be taken as an admission that the document or matter was known or that the information it contains was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of any claims. 20 Summary of the Invention Viewed from one aspect, the present invention provides gaming apparatus including: game means for playing a game, including means for placing a bet on a game and for determining a win outcome based on the playing of a game; a feature event trigger component adapted to automatically trigger a feature event during 25 game play in response to a predefined trigger condition being met; the trigger component further adapted to permit one or more player controlled attempts to trigger the feature event prior to the predefined trigger condition being met, wherein a probability of the feature event being triggered in response to the player permitted attempt(s) is dependent on a parameter associated with the trigger condition. 30 3 According to another aspect, there is provided a method of gaming, the method comprising: in response to determining that a predefined trigger condition has occurred during game play, automatically triggering a feature event; 5 permitting one or more player controlled attempts to trigger the feature event prior to the predefined trigger condition being determined, wherein a probability of the feature event being triggered in response to the player permitted attempt(s) is dependent on a parameter associated with the trigger condition. Advantageously, embodiments allow players to have a degree of control over 10 the triggering of a feature event. It will be understood that the terms player and user may be used interchangeably in the following description of embodiments. At least one of the one or more predetermined conditions may be the user electing to trigger a user triggered feature event. In this regard, the user expresses is an interest in triggering the feature event by, for example, pressing a button associated with the game apparatus. Preferably, one or more predetermined conditions for triggering the feature event may also be based on the number of plays of a game or series of games. Alternatively, if the number of plays of a game or series of games have not 20 been satisfied (but the user has elected interest in a user triggered feature event), the feature event trigger component may randomly trigger the user triggered feature event. Preferably, even if the number of plays of a game or series of games is not satisfied (but the user has elected interest in a user triggered feature event), the 25 feature event trigger component may trigger the user triggered feature event according to chance based on the current number of plays. Thus, if the user only plays a quarter (for example) of the amount of games required in order to trigger the feature event (but the user has elected interest in a user triggered feature event), the feature event may still be triggered but is not 30 guaranteed, rather, it is determined by chance. Preferably, at least one of the one or more predetermined conditions are based on the amount bet in a game or series of games. Preferably, even if the predetermined condition of the amount bet on a game or series of games is not satisfied (but the user has elected interest in a user 3a triggered feature event), the feature event trigger component may randomly trigger the user triggered feature event. Preferably, if the amount bet on a game or series of games is not satisfied (but the user has elected interest in a user triggered feature event), the feature event 5 trigger component may trigger the user triggered feature event according to chance based on the amount bet on the game or series of games. Thus, if the user only bets half the amount required in order to trigger the feature event (but the user has elected interest in a user triggered feature event), the feature event may still be triggered but is not guaranteed, rather, it is determined by chance. However, the 10 chance is not necessarily a linear 4 chance in comparison to the amount of progression towards the guaranteed trigger of the feature event. Preferably, the user elects to trigger the user triggered feature event, and the feature event trigger component either triggers the feature if the one or 5 more predetermined conditions have been satisfied or triggers the feature based on chance. In a preferred form, the feature event trigger component includes an indicator component for indicating to the user the one or more predetermined conditions required in order to trigger the one or more user triggered feature 10 events. Advantageously, the user can see what is required in order to trigger the feature event. Preferably, the indicator component displays the chance of the feature event trigger component triggering when one or more predetermined conditions have not been met. Advantageously, this allows the user to 15 possibly trigger the feature event earlier (even though not all the predetermined conditions have been satisfied) based on chance. Alternatively, the user can advantageously wait until the predetermined conditions have been met (to guarantee the trigger) or have almost been met in order to have a higher chance of the feature event triggering. 20 In an alternative, the indicator component further displays play parameters that will apply when a user triggered feature event is triggered. The play parameters may be e.g. the number of lines or hands played and the amount bet on each line or hand. The play parameters could be set to a specific value, or be determined randomly (e.g. within a set range). 25 The play parameters on the user triggered feature event may be determined from an average of play parameters existing during normal play. For example, if a user has been betting 20 lines at 10 credits per line on average, then the play parameters of the user triggered feature event may reflect this to provide an incentive to the user to bet over more lines, to bet 30 higher amounts, and to make the play of the triggered feature event reflective of the betting over the period leading up to the feature event being triggered. Preferably, the play parameters for the user triggered feature event are determined by whether or not the one or more predetermined conditions have been satisfied. Alternatively, the play parameters for the user triggered feature R:\MJM'ISpecMi2987\CAP - Gaming Apparatus and Systeas - AS FILED doc 5 event are determined from the amount bet on a game or series of games. In another alternative, the play parameters for the user triggered feature event are determined randomly. The play parameters could be entirely random or random but within a predetermined set of parameters according to the game 5 and game type. In a further alternative, the play parameters for the user triggered feature event are determined from the number of plays of a game. Preferably, the predetermined conditions that must be satisfied before the user triggered feature event is triggered are pre-defined or are determined randomly. 10 In one embodiment, two or more feature events are available to the user, the indicator component providing two or more indicators, to a user, one for each feature event. A feature event could relate to the occurrence of a particularly valuable play element, such as a wild card or wild symbol. It could further relate to a 15 bonus or extra event that provides some added benefit to the player and/or game interest. It could be for example be a free play scenario, a re-spin, a pick and win, or a game play that returns higher than usual wins. It may also be a "second screen" type feature event which may involve a play that is extraneous to a main or basic game. Further, the feature event could be e.g. a 20 luck or skills-based feature. Preferably, the feature event trigger component includes a reset component for resetting the predetermined conditions if the feature event is triggered in normal gameplay. Preferably, the feature event trigger component includes a reset 25 component for resetting the feature event or events to a different feature event or events when a feature event is triggered by the feature event trigger component and/or when a feature event is triggered in normal gameplay. Preferably, the feature event trigger component includes a reset component for resetting predetermined conditions associated with the feature 30 event or events when a feature event is triggered by the feature event trigger component and/or when a feature event is triggered through normal gameplay. In this regard if the user unsuccessfully attempts triggering the feature event early based on chance (because not all the predetermined conditions have R: \JW\SpedS2987\CAP -Gaming Apparus and Syste - AS FILED.doc 6 been satisfied) the predetermined conditions (such as number of plays required to trigger the feature event) will be reset. Preferably, the indicator components display the type of feature event that will be triggered by the feature event trigger component provided that the 5 one or more predetermined conditions have been satisfied. The game played on the game means may take any suitable form. It could be e.g. a slot machine type game, poker, keno, bingo, pachinko, blackjack, roulette or any other suitable game. The present invention may be applied to any suitable type of gaming system or platforms. It can apply to 10 stand-alone gaming apparatus, e.g. electronic gaming machines, such as video gaming machines, two gaming machines that are linked together, e.g. via a network such as an intranet, and/or two gaming systems providing through computing or other electronic devices, e.g. personal computers, PDA's, mobile telephones, digital televisions, and the like, e.g. over the 15 Internet or other communications networks. When part of a network, the feature event trigger component of a particular gaming device may be based on gameplay only on that particular device or may be based on the gameplay of other linked devices as well, e.g. all of the devices that are taking part in a particular linked game or a subset of 20 them. The feature event trigger component may trigger a feature event on an individual device or may a feature event on one of a number of the devices. Viewed from another aspect, the present invention provides a gaming system including: a game component for playing a game, including a component for 25 placing a bet on a game and for determining a win outcome based on the playing of a game; a feature event trigger component for permitting one or more user controlled attempts to trigger one or more feature events at any time during the playing of a game provided that one or more predetermined conditions have 30 been satisfied. Preferably, the system includes a central control for running a gaming algorithm, and a plurality of remote clients in communication with the central control over a communications network, the remote clients including screens for displaying gaming screens and inputs for allowing player interaction with R :MJWSpeci\52987\CAP - Gaming Apparatus and Systems - AS FILED dc 7 the central control, with indicators being provided on the client's screens for indicating to the user the one or more predetermined conditions required in order to trigger the one or more user triggered feature events. Viewed from a further aspect, the present invention provides a method 5 of operating gaming apparatus, the method including the steps of: running a game on said apparatus and receiving bets relating to said games; permitting one or more user controlled attempts to trigger one or more feature events at any time during the playing of a game provided that one or 10 more predetermined conditions have been satisfied. Viewed from another aspect, the present invention provides gaming software including a game component for playing a game, including a component for placing a bet on a game and for determining a win outcome based on the playing of a game; 15 a feature event trigger component for permitting one or more user controlled attempts to trigger one or more feature events at any time during the playing of a game provided that one or more predetermined conditions have been satisfied. It should be noted that any of the features of any of the aspects 20 mentioned above may be combined with any other features mentioned above, as appropriate. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the particularity of the drawings does not supersede the 25 generality of the preceding description of the invention. Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a block diagram of gaming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention; 30 Figures 2a and 2b are generic gaming display screen shots including a feature event trigger component according to an embodiment of the present invention; RMJW\Speci\52987\CAP - Gaming Apparatus and Systems - AS FILED.doc 8 Figure 3 is a generic gaming display screen shot according to another embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 4 is a flow diagram of a gaming control process in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 5 Detailed Description Referring to Fig. 1, gaming apparatus, which in this case takes the form of an electronic gaming machine (EGM) 1, includes various standard components, such as a controller 2 for controlling the operation of the EGM 1 and the games run on it, a coin/token/card input 3 for receiving bets, a 10 coin/token/card output 4 for paying out winnings, a display 5 for displaying game screens, and user inputs 6 for allowing user interaction, which may include e.g. buttons 7 and which may e.g. be provided as part of the display 5 in a touch-screen type manner. The EGM 1 may be a stand-alone machine. It may also be networked 15 with other EGMs and/or a control centre via a suitable communications network 8, such as a LAN and/or WAN, in order to play networked (e.g. intranet or Internet) games, such as a linked jackpot. In use, the EGM 1 will display an initial gaming screen on the display 5. A player will insert coins, tokens and/or a payment card into the 20 coin/token/card input 3, and will press a button 7 to initiate play. How matters then proceed will depend on the type of game being played. For example, in a slot machine-type game, the EGM 1 will display virtual reels of symbols, and will spin and stop these reels in various win and lose symbol combinations on a pay line in accordance with a stored gaming algorithm and random number 25 generator. Alternatively, in a poker-type game, a player will receive a number of cards with which to play for a winning hand. The player may interact with the machine via the buttons 7, so as e.g. to spin or hold reels, or to obtain and throw away cards. Whatever game is played, a common element will be win events, e.g. 30 particular symbol or card combinations, that pay out a prize or jackpot. Also, in order to increase interest, a game will often include feature events that may or may not relate directly to the game being played, and that generally provide a bonus of some sort. These feature events may include for R:\MJW\Spec852987\CAP -Gaming Apparatus and Systems - AS FILED.doc 9 example one or more free games, a re-spin (similar to a free game but with one or more reels held), a pick and win, the chance to play for higher winnings or the like. The feature events may be luck or skills based. They may be provided as "second screen" features that display on a new screen, and may 5 be extraneous to the basic game. Another way of adding gaming interest is to include a wild feature, such as wild symbols or wild cards that can represent more than one type of symbol or card, and so can increase the chances of achieving a winning combination or the like. 10 These win and feature events can be arranged to occur randomly or under a particular set of circumstances, e.g. under a set symbol or card combination. They may also occur due to an accumulation of circumstances across a number of games, and may occur due to the condition of a device supplemental to the EGM 1 itself, e.g. they may relate to jackpot wins in linked 15 jackpot systems comprising a plurality of EGMs under a central control. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the EGM 1 includes a feature event trigger component, e.g. within the gaming algorithm. This feature event trigger component permits one or more user controlled attempts to trigger one or more feature events at any time during the playing of 20 a game provided that one or more predetermined conditions have been satisfied. Preferably only one user controlled attempt to trigger the one or more feature events is provided. The feature event trigger component includes an indicator component 9 for indicating to the user the one or more predetermined conditions required in order to trigger the one or more user 25 triggered feature events. Preferably, the indicator component 9 also displays the chance of the feature event trigger component triggering when one or more predetermined conditions have not been met. The feature event trigger component within the EGM 1 generates an indicator component 9 on the display 5 that indicates to a player the 30 predetermined conditions that must be met to trigger the one or more feature events or the chance of the feature event trigger component triggering when one or more predetermined conditions have not been met. One of the preconditions is preferably the user electing to trigger a user triggered feature event (for example, by pushing a button 7). Another R:\AWSpeom52987\CAP - Gamng Apparatus and Systems - AS FILED.doc 10 predetermined condition, in addition to the user electing to trigger a user triggered feature event, may be based on the number of plays of a game or series of games, or the amount bet on a game or over a series of games. Alternatively, provided the user has elected to trigger a user triggered 5 feature event but other predetermined conditions have not been satisfied, the feature event trigger component may randomly trigger the feature event, or may trigger the feature event according to chance based on the number of plays of a game or series of games or the amount bet on the game or series of games (again provided that the user has elected to trigger a user triggered 10 feature event). Normal triggering of the feature event, i.e. before the predetermined conditions have been met (or even if the user has not elected to trigger a user triggered feature event), may occur in any suitable manner. It may for example occur randomly, and/or on the basis of a particular set of circumstances, and/or over an accumulation of plays. It may also occur in 15 relation to a device supplemental to the game itself, e.g. the triggering of a jackpot in a linked jackpot system. Figure 2a is a generic gaming screen showing one way of implementing the indicator component 9. The screen shows a number of virtual gaming wheels 10 that are spun to provide symbol combinations in accordance with 20 the rules of the gaming algorithm run by the controller 2. It also shows the display having touch buttons 11 for increasing and decreasing the bet amount, increasing and decreasing the number of lines to be played, a transfer button to place the wager and a spin button. Also included is a feature trigger button 12 which when selected indicates to the EGM 1 that the user wishes to trigger 25 the feature shown by the indicator component 9. In the top right hand corner of the display 5, the screen includes an indicator component 9 in the form of an alpha numerical display, advising the user that if they play 48 more games (i.e. spins or hands for example) this will trigger a feature event or if they elect to attempt to trigger the feature event 30 immediately, there is a 68% chance of triggering the feature event. The EGM 1 generates a predetermined condition on the indicator component 9 on the display 5 that indicates to a player the amount of gameplay remaining before the feature event will be triggered. The EGM 1 also generates a percentage chance on the indicator component 9 of the display 5 that indicates to a player R:\MJMSpecMB52987\CAP - Gaming Apparatus and Systems - AS FILED.doc 11 the chance of triggering the feature event based on the current status of the predetermined condition. The predetermined condition or chance of triggering the feature event on the indicator component 9 may be e.g. a numerical countdown, or a virtual gauge or the like, on the display 5. 5 Gameplay may be measured by, for example, a measurement of user interaction with the gaming apparatus. For example, it may be based on the number of games played or the amount of bets wagered. Thus, in accordance with this embodiment, a user triggered feature event is provided by which a player will know the predetermined condition that 10 must occur before the feature event is triggered together with the chance of triggering the feature event even if the predetermined condition is not met. The predetermined conditions will change as gameplay continues together with the chance of triggering the feature event (typically the predetermined conditions will decrease and the chance of triggering the feature event will 15 increase in the case of plays of a game). In one embodiment, the predetermined condition displayed on the indicator 9 will decrease from an initial number that may represent the number of games to play before a feature event triggers or may represent the remaining bet value that must be placed before the feature event triggers. The initial count value may be a preset 20 amount in accordance with e.g. a look-up table or a sequence of numbers or the like, or may be randomly chosen e.g. using a random number generator operating between some minimum and maximum gameplay values. Similarly, the chance of triggering the feature shown on the indicator component 9 will increase as the number associated with the predetermined condition 25 decreases. The indicator component 9 need not specify what feature events will trigger and any appropriate feature event may be triggered if required. This may add to the excitement of gameplay. Alternatively, the type of feature event may be shown so that the user can decide whether they wish to trigger the feature event or not. The indicator component 9 indicates the 30 predetermined conditions that must be met in order to trigger the feature event. One of the predetermined conditions is that the user selects a feature trigger button 12 which indicates to the EGM controller 2 that the user wishes to trigger the feature event shown by the indicator component 9. Preferably, in addition to the user selecting the feature trigger button 12 in order to trigger the R:VAJW\SpecA82987\CAP - Gaming Apparatus and Systems - AS FILEDcdoc 12 feature event, the user must also satisfy the predetermined conditions displayed on the indicator component 9. In this case in order to trigger the feature event of Figure 2a, the user must play 48 games (i.e. spins or hands etc). 5 Alternatively, the user may wish to attempt to trigger the feature event immediately, despite not having played the 48 games which would guarantee the triggering of the feature event. In this case, should the user elect to attempt to trigger the feature, there is a 68% chance that the feature will trigger. 10 After selecting the feature trigger button 12, a popup 13 such as that shown in Figure 2b appears. The popup 13 includes a feature trigger button 12 and a return to game button 15. The popup 13 indicates to the user that should they elect to press the feature trigger button 12, there is a 68% chance of triggering the feature. By pressing the feature trigger button 12, the EGM 15 will randomly determine if the feature event will be triggered or not. Preferably, the percentage chance shown in the popup 13 and indicator component 9 is reflective of the chance to trigger the feature. Alternatively, if the user decides not to take a chance on triggering the feature and wishes to keep playing to increase their chance of the feature triggering (or guarantee their chance by 20 spinning a further 48 times) the user selects the return to game button 15. This will return the user to the screen shown in Figure 2a. The user can then play more games which will decrease predetermined condition in the form of the amount of games required to be played as shown in Figure 2a. If the user attempts to trigger the feature event before all of the 25 predetermined conditions are satisfied (such as, for example before the 48 spins have been spun) and they are unsuccessful, a reset component in the feature event trigger component resets the predetermined conditions. In the case of Figure 2a, the number of spins may reset to 125 (for example) and the chance of triggering may move back to 0% or another suitable low chance. 30 As an alternative to the predetermined conditions being the number of games or series of games played, such as that shown in Figure 2a, the predetermined condition may be that the user plays a predetermined number of lines, or, alternatively a predetermined amount of bets in a game or a series of games. R:\MJW\SpeaoB52987\CAP - Gaming Apparats and Systems - AS FILEDdoc 13 The EGM 1 may provide more than one feature event, and more than one indicator component 9 may then be displayed. For example, Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the present invention in which a pair of indicator components 9A, 9B is provided. 5 In the embodiment shown, one indicator component 9A relates to a free game feature event that will occur provided its predetermined conditions are met, whilst the other indicator component 9B relates to a five of a kind feature event that will occur provided its predetermined conditions are met. Advantageously, this provides the user with a choice as to which feature event, 10 or type of feature event they would like to trigger or take a chance on triggering. Preferably, each feature event and indicator component are independent of each other. In an alternative, the triggering of one feature may result in both feature events being reset. When part of a network, the triggering of one feature one feature may 15 result in all feature events being reset across other linked devices as well, e.g. all of the devices that are taking part in a particular linked game or a subset of them. With regard to indicator component 9A, the user can play 300 games without triggering a random free game feature during normal game play in 20 order to guarantee the trigger of a free game feature played over 20 pay lines at 5 credits per pay line or the user can attempt to trigger the feature event early and have a percentage chance to trigger the feature event. The user increases their chances of triggering the feature event as they play more games (approaching 300 in this example). Thus, where 300 spins remain 25 before the feature event is guaranteed to be triggered the percentage chance of the user triggering the feature if they selected the feature trigger button 12 would be close to zero. If the user had played through 150 spins and 150 more spins were required to trigger the feature event, at this point the chance of triggering the event (should the user select feature trigger button 12) would 30 be greater (say, for example 20%). In the indicator component 9, the parameters of play are playing 20 lines at 5 credits per line. Therefore, in the event that the player has only played 150 games (out of the 300 required to guarantee that the feature will trigger) but the user indicated via the feature trigger button 12 that they wish to R:MJV\SpecI\852987\CAP - Gaming Apparatus and Systems . AS FILED.doc 14 trigger a feature event, a random determination may then be made that may award play on a feature event (assuming it triggers) for example played over 20 pay lines at 5 credits per pay line, or for example 20 pay lines at 10 credits per pay line, or 20 pay lines at 1 credit per pay line or 10 pay lines at 1 credit 5 per pay line. The EGM 1 would determine suitable play parameters in this instance in order to make the game mathematically viable when a less number of plays of a game or series of games once the instant feature button 12 is selected. Preferably, play parameters are predetermined according to the type of game or type of feature event. 10 Preferably, once a feature event has been triggered (whether in normal play of a game or via the feature event trigger component) the indicator components 9, 9A, 9B are reset. Alternatively, if a feature event has been triggered (whether in normal play of a game or via the feature event trigger component) the indicator component related to the triggered feature event is 15 reset. Thus, for example, if the feature event associated with 9B is triggered (either in normal play of a game or via the feature event trigger component) the indicator component 9B is reset. Figure 4 shows an example flow chart for the control of the feature event trigger component by the controller 2. Thus, in one embodiment, the 20 invention may be put into effect by the controller 2 running software that incorporates a sub routine executing in a manner similar to that shown. The routine is entered at step S1 when gameplay, e.g. a user play of some sort occurs e.g. when a start button is pressed, or credits are inserted. The feature event trigger component included in the EGM 1 (e.g. within 25 the gaming algorithm) via the controller 2 presents one or more indicator components 9 on the display 5 to present to the user. The controller 2 then determines at step S3 whether the user has selected the feature trigger button 12 or not. If the user has not selected the feature trigger button 12, control moves to step S1 again where the user can bet in a normal manner. If the 30 answer is yes (the user has selected the feature trigger button), control moves to step S4 where the controller 2 then determines whether or not the user has satisfied any other predetermined conditions associated with the feature event trigger component which is preferably shown on the indicator component 9. This may be, for example the number of games or series of games played R:\AJWSpeo852987\CAP - Gaming Apparatus and Systems - AS FILED doc 15 once the feature trigger button 12 has been selected. If the predetermined conditions are satisfied then control moves to step S5 where the feature event is triggered before the routine ends at step S6 and the user is returned to normal gameplay. 5 If at step S4 the answer is "no", control passes to step S7 where the feature event trigger component included in the EGM 1 (e.g. within the gaming algorithm) optionally triggers the feature. This may be random or may depend on the number of games or series of games played described above with reference to Figures 2a, 2b and 3). Following this, control moves to step S6 10 where the routine ends. The routine shown will execute with every play of the game. Instead of the gaming apparatus being an EGM, it may take any other suitable form, and could for example comprise a game provided on a computing or other electronic device, such as on a personal computer, PDA, 15 mobile phone, digital television, or the like. The game may be provided over an intranet, the internet, or some other communication system, such as a mobile telephone system. It is to be understood that various alterations, additions and/or modifications may be made to the parts previously described without departing 20 from the ambit of the present invention, and that, in the light of the above teachings, the present invention may be implemented in software, firmware and/or hardware in a variety of manners as would be understood by a person skilled in the art. R:\MJW\Sped\M2987\CAP - Gaming ApparAs and Systems. AS FILED dc

Claims (24)

1. Gaming apparatus including: game means for playing a game, including means for placing a bet on a game 5 and for determining a win outcome based on the playing of a game; a feature event trigger component adapted to automatically trigger a feature event during game play in response to a predefined trigger condition being met; the feature event trigger component further adapted to permit one or more player controlled attempts to trigger the feature event prior to the predefined trigger 10 condition being met, wherein a probability of the feature event being triggered in response to the player permitted attempt(s) is dependent on a parameter associated with the trigger condition.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the trigger condition is that a predefined 15 number of plays of a game or series of games has been played by the player.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the probability is dependent on a current number of games played by the player. 20

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the trigger condition is that a player has bet a predefined amount on a game or series of games.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the probability is dependent on a current amount bet by the player. 25

6. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the feature event trigger component is further arranged to randomly trigger the feature event.

7. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the feature event 30 trigger component includes an indicator component for indicating to the player the trigger condition required in order to trigger the feature event. 17

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the indicator component is arranged to control a display device to display the current probability of triggering the feature event in response to a player controlled attempt. 5

9. The apparatus of claim 7 or 8, wherein the indicator component displays play parameters that will apply when the feature event is triggered.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein play parameters for the feature event are determined from an average of play parameters existing during normal play. 10

11. The apparatus of claim 9 or 10, wherein play parameters for the feature event are determined by whether or not the trigger condition has been satisfied.

12. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein two or more 15 feature event are available to be triggered, and wherein the indicator component provides an indicator, for each triggerable feature event.

13. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the feature event is the appearance of a wild feature. 20

14. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the feature event is one of an extraneous game from a main game, a bonus game, a free play, a re spin, or a high payout game. 25

15. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the feature event is a feature event selected from a set of possible feature events.

16. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the feature event trigger component includes a reset component for resetting the trigger condition if the 30 feature event is triggered in normal gameplay.

17. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the reset component is arranged to reset the feature event or select a new feature event after a feature event has been triggered by the feature event trigger component. 18

18. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the game played by the gaming apparatus is from the group of a slot-machine game, poker, keno, bingo, blackjack, roulette, or pachinko. 5

19. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is an electronic gaming machine.

20. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus includes a 10 central control and a plurality of remote devices in communication with the central control.

21. A method of gaming, the method comprising: in response to determining that a predefined trigger condition has occurred 15 during game play, automatically triggering a feature event; permitting one or more player controlled attempts to trigger the feature event prior to the predefined trigger condition being determined, wherein a probability of the feature event being triggered in response to the player permitted attempt(s) is dependent on a parameter associated with the trigger condition. 20

22. Gaming software including: a game component for playing a game, including a component for placing a bet on a game and for determining a win outcome based on the playing of a game; a feature event trigger component for automatically triggering a feature event 25 in response to determining that a predefined trigger condition has occurred during the play of the game, the trigger component further arranged to permit one or more player controlled attempts to trigger the feature event prior to the predefined trigger condition being determined, wherein a probability of the feature event being triggered in response to the player permitted attempt(s) is dependent on a parameter 30 associated with the trigger condition.

23. A gaming apparatus, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 19

24. A method of operating gaming apparatus, substantially as herein described with reference to the example.