AU2009202135B2

AU2009202135B2 - Gaming device and method

Info

Publication number: AU2009202135B2
Application number: AU2009202135A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jay Stone; Kim Tempest; Steven A. Weiss
Original assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Inc
Current assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Inc
Priority date: 2001-09-28
Filing date: 2009-05-28
Publication date: 2012-11-01
Anticipated expiration: 2022-09-24
Also published as: AU2009202135A1

Abstract

A method and device for gaming, in which a primary game (21) is played toward a 5 winning outcome, and in which a secondary game (30) is played concurrently with the primary game (21), using outcomes on the primary game (21) to determine the outcome of the secondary game (30). The secondary game (30) is entirely different from the primary game (21), and play continues on the secondary game (30) through successive primary games (21). The player may increase the chances of winning the 10 secondary game (30) by either increasing the wager, which increases the total number of outcomes that apply to the secondary game (30), or by choosing a variation of the secondary game (30) that has more winning outcomes possible

Description

P/00101 1 Regulatio 3.2 AuSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: Gaming device and method The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 1a Title Gaming Device and Method Technical Field The following invention is generally related to instrumentalities and 5 methodologies in gaming devices. More specifically, the instant invention is directed to a gaming device having a primary game and a secondary game, with the play of the secondary game dependent on the outcome of the primary game. Play of the secondary game continues over successive gaming sessions of the primary game until the player wins or until the player chooses a different version of the secondary game. 1.0 The primary game contains indicia of various types that affect the secondary game differently. Most specifically, the instant invention is directed to a gaming device in which the chances of achieving a desired outcome, with respect to the secondary game, may be maximized by a player. This is accomplished by either choosing a secondary game with greater chances of winning, and/or by increasing the wager, which puts 15 more indicia into play on the primary game. Background Art The primary purpose of playing any game is to win the game. While a player may initially find enjoyment in trying to win a particular game, tedium sets in if no further stimulus is offered to entertain the player. Accordingly, several games have 20 been developed that offer a "bonus" game for attaining a particular outcome, allowing the player the prospect of engaging in a different gaming proposition. Generally, such bonus games are enabled by a "triggering" outcome. When the triggering outcome appears, a secondary game screen appears, and the secondary game is played independently of the primary game. When the secondary game ends, the player 25 returns to the primary game, with no further incentive to continue play, except for the prospect of another chance at the bonus game. Secondary games are usually not triggered very often; even if the player enjoys playing the secondary game, there are not many chances to do so. Additionally, most games, whether primary or secondary, do not allow a player to control any aspects of the game, except in the case of enabling 30 several paylines by making additional wagers. These factors, embodying much 1965181 2 passivity, combine to produce stagnation, in which the player succumbs to a short attention span, and ends the gaming session. Summary of the Invention 5 According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming machine comprising a game controller arranged to: allow a player to stake a wager on a game outcome in which the gaming machine randomly selects a plurality of symbols from a predefined set of symbols; allow a player to selectively enable at least one first special symbol in the set of 10 symbols; and use the first special symbol in a second game only if: the first special symbol forms part of the plurality of symbols that are randomly selected from the predefined set of symbols; and the first special symbol was enabled by the player. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for use 15 with a gaming machine, the method comprising the steps of: allowing a player to stake a wager on a game outcome in which the gaming machine randomly selects a plurality of symbols from a predefined set of symbols; allowing a player to selectively enable at least one first special symbol in the set of symbols; and 20 using the first special symbol in a second game only if: the first special symbol forms part of the plurality of symbols that are randomly selected from the predefined set of symbols; and the first special symbol was enabled by the player. Further aspects of the invention and embodiments of the aspects described in the preceding paragraphs will be apparent from the following description and/or from the 25 accompanying drawings. The present invention relates to a new and novel device and method for gaming, in which a player has the opportunity to play a secondary game. In addition, a device and method is also described, which provides a player with the prospect of engaging in different types of gaming propositions concurrently in one 30 gaming session. In addition, a device and method is described, in which play of a secondary game spans several successive sessions of the primary game.

1965181 3 In addition, a device and method is described, which offers a player the opportunity to increase the chance of winning by allowing the player to choose which secondary game is played. In addition, a device and method is described to allow the player to increase the 5 chance of winning by placing additional wagers, which affect the total number of favourable outcomes in the secondary game. In addition, a device for gaming is described, comprising, in combination a display, a wagering means, and a processor operatively coupled to said display and activated by said wagering means, said display when enabled including a plurality of 10 indicia having means for bestowing credits, said indicia categorized into classes, each said class having differing said credit-bestowing means associated with said class. In addition, a method for gaming is described, the steps including receiving a wager, enabling a display upon receipt of the wager, providing a plurality of indicia, categorizing the indicia as a function of classes, and bestowing on the classes different 15 attributes leading to credits, whereupon during play the classes affect outcome. Brief Description Of The Drawings Figure 1 is a flowchart of the methodology according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a depiction of the apparatus associated therewith. 20 Figure 3 is a depiction of the display of Figure 2, depicting a primary row and column (RXC) matrix located above a plurality of randomly-numbered positions in a secondary row and column (RXC) matrix. Best Mode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention 25 Considering the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like parts throughout the various drawing figures, reference numeral 10 as shown in FIG. 2 is directed to the device according to the present invention. In its essence, the device 10 includes a housing 16 which supports a visual display 2, preferably a video monitor, therewithin. The display 2 may include a window 8 for 30 special messages or for incrementing counting of credits accumulated by the player. The device also includes an LED or other readout 4 for prompting the player and can provide similar verbiage as the window 8 or in lieu thereof, to stimulate the player. The device includes an inlet 6 for the reception therein for coins, currency or the like to 4 auger in the inception of play. A plurality of decision-making buttons 12 are located on the face of the apparatus 10, preferable below the display 2, and a pull handle 14 can be used to initiate play as an alternative to supplement the decision-making buttons 12. A coin hopper 18 or other payment methods, i.e., ticket printers, may be included to 5 effectuate an output of an award due the player. The device 10 may have a top portion 32 with a display thereon having a motif correlative with the game to be played and can include a paytable. A plurality of speakers 34 may be included on the device for aural interaction with the player. The apparatus also includes a processor P coordinating all functions and a random number generator G operatively coupled thereto for 1 0 generating outcomes. A card 9, having a read/write instrumentality 17 thereon, can be read via input 7 as a substitute for or supplement to credit transfers as well as player identification. More specifically, and with reference to FIG. 3, greater details with respect to the video display 2 can be explored. The display 2 features a plurality of symbols 20 15 arranged in a primary row and column (RXC) matrix 21, corresponding to a primary game. Paylines 22 correspond to areas on the primary matrix 21 in which winning combinations may be located. The primary game is preferably a reel-type game, well known in the art, with multiple paylines, displaying three rows on five reels (a 3X5 matrix). Winning on the primary game involves aligning symbols on a payline 22 20 recognized in a paytable (e.g. three cherries). Below the primary matrix 21, the display 2 features a plurality of randomly-numbered positions 33 in a secondary row and column (RXC) matrix 30. Numbers for play by the device are randomly generated for play on the matrix 30. Preferably, the matrix defines a 5X5 array, correlative of BINGO, and above row one depicts the letters "BINGO," defining with positions 33 an 25 alphanumeric display. Also located on the display 2, preferably in a lower corner, a BINGO game-type indicator 35 displays the variation of BINGO currently in play. Referring to FIG. 1, the flow chart associated with the apparatus of FIGS. 2 and 3 can be explored. Initially, the display is as shown in FIG. 2, with a primary game matrix 21 positioned above a secondary game matrix 30. Initially, a player makes a wager to 30 initialize the game. If the previous secondary game ended because of a winning outcome, or if the player so desires, a BINGO game with a different winning outcome is chosen at this time. Choosing a variation with a lower probability of success may result in a larger award to the player. Preferably, the variations of the secondary game include, but are not limited to, BINGO outcomes such as five-in-a-row any way, any 35 vertical row, any horizontal row, four corners, any postage stamp (block of four), any 5 kite (diagonal five with block of four at one corner), small or large diamonds, small or large picture frames, a plus sign, letter T, letter X, letter L, letter N, and covering the entire card. In addition to indicia that produce winning outcomes on the primary game 5 matrix 21, the primary game also contains secondary indicia 24 that only relate to the secondary game. The secondary game is played on the secondary game matrix 30. Each secondary indicium may reveal a value correlative of a possible value on the secondary game matrix 30. Initially, however, BINGO ball indicia 24 need to be "enabled" prior to exposing their face value (i.e. 124). Indicia that are "enabled" 10 animate after appearing on the primary game matrix 21, spinning 180* to reveal a numeric or alphanumeric value. For example, secondary indicia 24 shown in FIG. 3 reveals Bl, 125, N37 and G59. Only G59 matches a corresponding value on matrix 30. If indicia appear that are not "enabled," a message appears, instructing the player to deposit additional wagers to enable more indicia, and play continues. In the preferred 15 embodiment, the secondary indicia are of two types, "red" and "blue" BINGO balls. The "red" secondary indicia are always enabled, that is, they always display values for possible matching on the secondary game matrix 30. The "blue" secondary indicia are only enabled, or will only display such values, if a supplemental (maximum) wager is employed. A subset of "blue" (or other color) indicia may also be enabled for 20 intermediate-level wagers. If the value displayed on the "enabled" secondary indicium matches a position 33 on the secondary game matrix 30, the indicium, or ball, travels from the primary game matrix 21 to the corresponding position 33 on the secondary game matrix 30, and that corresponding position 33 appears marked, or "covered," preferably in green. 25 Additionally, the indicium, or ball, takes on a green "halo" to indicate that its value has already been matched on the secondary game matrix 30. As mentioned, the player engages in a gaming proposition on the primary game matrix 21 for which rewards are given for specific outcomes according to a paytable. As the player continues play on the primary game, e.g., by making additional wagers, any values on enabled secondary 30 game indicia that appear are applied to the same secondary game. Play of the particular secondary game continues in this manner until a winning outcome appears on the secondary game matrix 30 or until the player chooses to play a different variation of the secondary game. Alternatively, a particular secondary game may be of fixed duration, e.g., lasting for a predetermined number of primary game sessions or 35 until the occurrence of a specified event. Whenever the player chooses to play a 6 different variation of the secondary game, the current secondary game matrix is cleared, and new randomly-generated positions 33 appear on the secondary game matrix 30. Additionally, if five specially colored (e.g. "blue") secondary indicia 24 appear simultaneously on the primary game matrix 21, the player wins. In this 5 circumstance, the player wins whether or not a maximum wager was employed, and whether or not any of the values displayed on the indicia match positions displayed on the secondary game matrix 30. If a winning outcome is attained on the secondary game matrix 30, an animated award screen appears, in which five BINGO balls animate, one for each letter of BINGO. 10 The player is allowed to choose a BINGO ball. The chosen ball displays a value, which is the award credited to the player. The value is prominently displayed, accompanied by fanfare and celebratory animation, such as fireworks. Moreover, having thus described the invention, it should be apparent that numerous structural modifications and adaptations may be resorted to without 115 departing from the scope and fair meaning of the instant invention as set forth hereinabove and as described hereinbelow by the claims.

Claims

1. A method for use with a gaming machine, the method comprising the steps of: allowing a player to stake a wager on a game outcome in which the gaming machine randomly selects a plurality of symbols from a predefined set of symbols; 5 allowing a player to selectively enable at least one first special symbol in the set of symbols; and using the first special symbol in a second game only if: the first special symbol forms part of the plurality of symbols that are randomly selected from the predefined set of symbols; and the first special symbol was enabled by the player. 10

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of allowing the player to enable the first special symbol comprises allowing the player to make a further wager in addition to the wager, wherein the further wager causes the first special symbol to be enabled. 15

3. The method as claimed in claim I or claim 2, wherein the set of symbols comprises at least one second special symbol, and wherein the method further comprises the step of using the second special symbol in the second game: independently of whether the second special symbol has been enabled by the player; and only if the second special 20 symbol forms part of the plurality of symbols that are randomly selected from the predefined set of symbols.

4. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein allowing the player to selectively enable the first special symbol occurs subsequent to the game outcome being 25 generated.

5. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the method further comprises the step of allowing the player to select at least one of a plurality of variations of the second game. 30

6. A gaming machine comprising a game controller arranged to: allow a player to stake a wager on a game outcome in which the gaming machine randomly selects a plurality of symbols from a predefined set of symbols; 8 allow a player to selectively enable at least one first special symbol in the set of symbols; and use the first special symbol in a second game only if: the first special symbol forms part of the plurality of symbols that are randomly selected from the predefined set 5 of symbols; and the first special symbol was enabled by the player.

7. The gaming machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein allowing the player to enable the first special symbol comprises allowing the player to make a further wager in addition to the wager, wherein the further wager causes the first special symbol to be enabled. 10

8. The gaming machine as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the set of symbols comprises at least one second special symbol, and wherein the game controller is further arranged to use the second special symbol in the second game: independently of whether the second special symbol has been enabled by the player; and only if the second special 15 symbol forms part of the plurality of symbols that are randomly selected from the predefined set of symbols.

9. The gaming machine as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein allowing the player to selectively enable the first special symbol occurs subsequent to the game 20 outcome being generated.

10. The gaming machine as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the game controller is further arranged to allow the player to select at least one of a plurality of variations of the second game. 25