AU2018241182A1 - Gaming system, method of gaming and a sound controller - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A method of providing sound to accompany a game displayed as a competition between objects, the method comprising: 5 outputting a game accompanying sound during the game, the game accompanying sound derived from a plurality of sounds associated with respective ones of a plurality of objects competing in the competition; and modifying the contribution of respective ones of the sounds to the game 10 accompanying sound based on: the relative placings in the competition of the objects with which the sounds are associated until the competition concludes; and a position of each of the objects relative to a game finish position in the game. 10718565_1 (GHMaters) P72505.AU.5

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming system, a method of gaming and a sound controller.

Background

In some games, a player is asked to select an object from many objects to compete in a race. For example, a horse in a horse race. Each horse is displayed as a visual image on the display. The horses then compete in a race and a player can see what is happening in the race and determine whether their horse is winning. Typically, movements are determined based on random numbers so that a random horse wins. It is also known to adjust the odds of individual horses in such a race.

While such races provide a visual cue to what is happening, we have determined that it would also be desirable to provide an auditory cue as additional feedback to a player.

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Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect, the invention provides a method of 5 providing sound to accompany a game displayed on a display of a gaming system as a race between characters, the method comprising:

individually outputting respective ones of a plurality of tunes corresponding to respective ones of a io plurality of characters while displaying respective characters on a display of the gaming system to distinguish which tune belongs to which character;

outputting a game accompanying sound during the race, the game accompanying sound derived from the plurality of tunes associated with respective ones of a plurality of characters competing in the race; and modifying the contribution of respective ones of the tunes to the game accompanying sound based on both:

the relative placings in the race of the characters with which the tunes are associated until the race concludes; and a position of each of the characters relative to a race finish position in the game.

In an embodiment, the method comprises outputting a final game accompanying sound consisting primarily of the tune associated with the winning character.

In an embodiment, the method comprises outputting a final game accompanying sound consisting primarily of the tune associated with the characters of a designated number of place getters in the competition.

In an embodiment, the method comprises deriving the game accompanying sound based on the tunes of the top three place getters .

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In an embodiment, the contribution of the tune of an object nearest to the finish is made more prominent as the race nears the finish.

In an embodiment, the method comprises modifying the contribution of tunes by adjusting their volume relative to other tunes .

In an embodiment, the method comprises incorporating at io least one background sound in the game accompanying sound.

In an embodiment, the plurality of tunes are compatible with one another .

In a second aspect, the invention provides a gaming system arranged to conduct a game displayed as a race between characters , comprising:

a display;

at least one speaker; and a sound controller arranged to:

individually output respective ones of a plurality of tunes corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of characters while displaying respective characters on the display to distinguish which tune belongs to which character;

output a game accompanying sound during the race, the game accompanying sound derived from a plurality of tunes associated with respective ones of a plurality of characters competing in the race; and modify the contribution of respective ones of the tunes to the game accompanying sound based on both:

the relative placings in the race of the characters with which the tunes are associated until the race concludes; and a position of each of the objects relative to a race finish position in the race.

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In an embodiment, the sound controller is arranged to output a final game accompanying sound consisting primarily of the tune associated with the winning character.

In an embodiment, the sound controller is arranged to output a final game accompanying sound consisting primarily of the tunes associated with the characters of a designated number of place getters in the competition.

In an embodiment, the sound controller is arranged to derive the game accompanying sound based on the sounds of the top three place getters.

In an embodiment, the contribution of the tune of an character nearest to the finish is made more prominent as the race nears the finish.

In an embodiment, the sound controller is arranged to modify the contribution of tunes by adjusting their volume relative to other tunes.

In an embodiment, the sound controller is arranged to incorporate at least one background sound in the game accompanying sound.

In an embodiment, the plurality of tunes are compatible with one another .

In a third aspect, the invention provides a gaming system arranged to conduct a game displayed as a race between characters , comprising:

a display;

at least one speaker; and a sound controller arranged to:

individually output respective ones of a plurality of tunes corresponding to respective ones of a

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2018241182 05 Oct 2018 plurality of characters while displaying respective characters on the display to distinguish which tune belongs to which character;

output a game accompanying sound during the race, 5 the game accompanying sound derived from a plurality of tunes associated with respective ones of a plurality of characters competing in the race; and modify the contribution of respective ones of the tunes to the game accompanying sound based on both:

io the relative placings in the race of the characters with which the tunes are associated until the race concludes; and a position of each of the objects relative to a race finish position in the race.

In an embodiment, the gaming system further comprises a game controller arranged to determine the positions of the characters in the race.

In an embodiment, the sound controller is arranged to output a final game accompanying sound consisting primarily of the tune associated with the winning character.

In an embodiment, the sound controller is arranged to output a final game accompanying sound consisting primarily of the tune associated with the characters of a designated number of place getters in the competition.

In an embodiment, the sound controller is arranged to derive the game accompanying sound based on the tunes of the top three place getters.

In an embodiment, wherein the contribution of the tune of an character nearest to the finish is made more prominent as the race nears the finish.

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In an embodiment, the sound controller is arranged to modify the contribution of tunes by adjusting their volume relative to other tunes.

In an embodiment, the sound controller is arranged to incorporate at least one background sound in the game accompanying sound.

In an embodiment, the plurality of tunes are compatible 10 with one another.

In a fourth aspect, the invention provides computer program code which when executed implements the above method.

In a fifth aspect, the invention provides a computer readable medium comprising the computer program code.

In a sixth aspect, the invention provides a data signal 20 comprising the computer program code.

In a seventh aspect, the invention extends to transmitting the computer program code.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An embodiment of the invention will now be described in relation to the following drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a block diagram of the core components of a gaming system;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a gaming machine;

Figure 3 is a block diagram of the functional components of a gaming machine;

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Figure 4 is a block diagram representing the structure of a memory;

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a networked gaming 5 system;

Figure 6 is a further block diagram of a gaming system; and

Figure 7 is a flowchart of an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a gaming system 15 arranged to conduct a game involving a competition between objects. Each object has an associated sound. The sounds are combined to form a game accompanying sound. The contributions of individual sounds to the game accompanying sound are varied based on the position of the object in the competition.

In a first form, a stand alone gaming machine is provided wherein all or most components required for implementing the game are present in a player operable gaming machine.

In a second form, a distributed architecture is provided wherein some of the components required for implementing the game are present in a player operable gaming machine and some of the components required for implementing the game are located remotely relative to the gaming machine. For example, a thick client architecture may be used wherein part of the game is executed on a player operable gaming machine and part of the game is executed remotely, such as by a gaming server; or a thin client architecture may be used wherein most of the game is executed remotely such as by a gaming server and a player operable gaming machine is used only to display audible

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2018241182 05 Oct 2018 and/or visible gaming information to the player and receive gaming inputs from the player.

However, it will be understood that other arrangements are 5 envisaged. For example, an architecture may be provided wherein a gaming machine is networked to a gaming server and the respective functions of the gaming machine and the gaming server are selectively modifiable. For example, the gaming system may operate in stand alone gaming machine mode, thick client mode or thin client mode depending on the game being played, operating conditions, and so on. Other variations will be apparent to persons skilled in the art.

Irrespective of the form, the gaming system has several core components. At the broadest level, the core components are a player interface 50 and a game controller 60 as illustrated in Figure 1. The player interface is arranged to enable manual interaction between a player and the gaming system and for this purpose includes the input/output components required for the player to enter instructions and play the game.

Components of the player interface may vary from embodiment to embodiment but will typically include a credit mechanism 52 to enable a player to input credits and receive payouts, one or more displays 54 and a game play mechanism 56 that enables a player to input game play instructions and one or more speakers 58 for outputting sound.

The game controller 60 is in data communication with the player interface and typically includes a processor 62 that processes the game play instructions in accordance with game play rules and outputs game play outcomes to the display. Typically, the game play instructions are stored as program code in a memory 64 but can also be hardwired.

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Herein the term processor is used to refer generically to any device that can process game play instructions in accordance with game play rules and may include: a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logic device or other computational device, a general purpose computer (e.g. a PC) or a server.

A gaming system in the form of a stand alone gaming machine 10 is illustrated in Figure 2. 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 interact with the gaming machine, in particular during game play. The mid-trim 20 also houses a credit input mechanism 24 which in this example includes a coin input chute 24A and a bill collector 24B. Other credit input mechanisms may also be employed, for example, a card reader for reading a smart card, debit card or credit card. A player marketing module having a reading device may also be provided for the purpose of reading a player tracking device, for example as part of a loyalty program. The player tracking device may be in the form of a card, flash drive or any other portable storage medium capable of being read by the reading device.

A top box 26 may carry artwork 28, including for example pay tables and details of bonus awards and other information or images relating to the game. Further artwork and/or information may be provided on a front panel 29 of the console 12. A coin tray 30 is mounted beneath the front panel 29 for dispensing cash payouts from the gaming machine 10.

The display 14 shown in Figure 2 is in the form of a video display unit, particularly a cathode ray tube screen device. Alternatively, the display 14 may be a liquid

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2018241182 05 Oct 2018 crystal display, plasma screen, any other suitable video display unit, or the visible portion of an electromechanical device. Displays of the embodiment are fitted with a touch screen. The top box 26 may also include a display, for example a video display unit, which may be of the same type as the display 14, or of a different type.

Figure 3 shows a block diagram of operative components of io a typical gaming machine which may be the same as or different to the gaming machine of Figure 2.

The gaming machine 100 includes a game controller 101 having a processor 102. Instructions and data to control operation of the processor 102 are stored in a memory 103, which is in data communication with the processor 102. Typically, the gaming machine 100 will include both volatile and non-volatile memory and more than one of each type of memory, with such memories being collectively represented by the memory 103.

The gaming machine has hardware meters 104 for purposes including ensuring regulatory compliance and monitoring player credit, an input/output (I/O) interface 105 for communicating with peripheral devices of the gaming machine 100. The input/output interface 105 and/or the peripheral devices may be intelligent devices with their own memory for storing associated instructions and data for use with the input/output interface or the peripheral devices. A random number generator module 113 generates random numbers for use by the processor 102. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the reference to random numbers includes pseudo-random numbers.

In the example shown in Figure 3, a player interface 120 includes peripheral devices that communicate with the game controller 101 including one or more displays 106, a touch

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2018241182 05 Oct 2018 screen and/or buttons 107, a card and/or ticket reader 108, a printer 109, a bill acceptor and/or coin input mechanism 110, a speaker 115 and a coin output mechanism 111. Additional hardware may be included as part of the gaming machine 100, or hardware may be omitted as required for the specific implementation.

In addition, the gaming machine 100 may include a communications interface, for example a network card 112.

io The network card may, for example, send status information, accounting information or other information to a central controller, server or database and receive data or commands from the central controller, server or database.

Figure 4 shows a block diagram of the main components of an exemplary memory 103. The memory 103 includes RAM 103A, EPROM 103B and a mass storage device 103C. The RAM 103A typically temporarily holds program files for execution by the processor 102 and related data. The EPROM 103B may be a boot ROM device and/or may contain some system or game related code. The mass storage device 103C is typically used to store game programs, the integrity of which may be verified and/or authenticated by the processor 102 using protected code from the EPROM 103B or elsewhere.

It is also possible for the operative components of the gaming machine 100 to be distributed, for example input/output devices 106,107,108,109,110,111, 115 to be provided remotely from the game controller 101.

Figure 5 shows a gaming system 200 in accordance with an alternative embodiment. The gaming system 200 includes a network 201, which for example may be an Ethernet network. Gaming machines 202, shown arranged in three banks 203 of two gaming machines 202 in Figure 5, are connected to the

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2018241182 05 Oct 2018 network 201. The gaming machines 202 provide a player operable interface and may be the same as the gaming machines 10,100 shown in Figures 2 and 3, or may have simplified functionality depending on the requirements for implementing game play. While banks 203 of two gaming machines are illustrated in Figure 5, banks of one, three or more gaming machines are also envisaged.

One or more displays 204 may also be connected to the io network 201. The displays 204 may, for example, be associated with one or more banks 203 of gaming machines. The displays 204 may be used to display representations associated with game play on the gaming machines 202, and/or used to display other representations, for example promotional or informational material.

In a thick client embodiment, game server 205 implements part of the game played by a player using a gaming machine 202 and the gaming machine 202 implements part of the game. With this embodiment, as both the game server and the gaming device implement part of the game, they collectively provide a game controller. A database management server 206 may manage storage of game programs and associated data for downloading or access by the gaming devices 202 in a database 206A. Typically, if the gaming system enables players to participate in a Jackpot game, a Jackpot server 207 will be provided to monitor and carry out the Jackpot game. A loyalty system 212 may also form part of the gaming network 200.

In a thin client embodiment, game server 205 implements most or all of the game played by a player using a gaming machine 202 and the gaming machine 202 essentially provides only the player interface. With this embodiment, the game server 205 provides the game controller. The gaming machine will receive player instructions, pass these to the game server which will process them and

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2018241182 05 Oct 2018 return game play outcomes to the gaming machine for display. In a thin client embodiment, the gaming machines could be computer terminals, e.g. PCs running software that provides a player interface operable using standard computer input and output components .

Servers are also typically provided to assist in the administration of the gaming network 200, including for example a gaming floor management server 208, and a licensing server 209 to monitor the use of licenses relating to particular games. An administrator terminal 210 is provided to allow an administrator to run the network 201 and the devices connected to the network.

The gaming network 200 may communicate with other gaming systems, other local networks, for example a corporate network, and/or a wide area network such as the Internet, for example through a firewall 211.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in accordance with known techniques, functionality at the server side of the network may be distributed over a plurality of different computers. For example, elements may be run as a single engine on one server or a separate server may be provided. For example, the game server 205 could run a random generator engine. Alternatively, a separate random number generator server could be provided. Further, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a plurality of games servers could be provided to run different games or a single game server may run a plurality of different games as required by the terminals .

A gaming system is shown in more detail in Figure 6. The processor 62 of the game controller 60 implements a plurality of modules 621, 622, 623 and 624 by executing program code stored in memory 64. Persons skilled in the

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2018241182 05 Oct 2018 art will appreciate that these modules can be implemented in other ways. For example, the random number generator module 624 can be provided by a dedicated hardware circuit independent of the processor 62 or by a random number generator server.

In the embodiment, the competition between objects is implemented as a racing game where animated objects race across terrain on display 54. The appearance of the io objects on the display 54 is animated by display controller 621 based on object data 641 which describes the individual objects and how they may move.

The racing game may be provided as a feature game. For example, on a slot machine type game once a particular symbol combination is awarded, a feature game may be triggered where a user gets to select an object to participate in the race (or an object is selected for the user). The outcome generator 623 conducts the race in accordance with known techniques. For example, depending on rule data 642, the outcome generator may determine how far each object is to move in each of a series of rounds by obtaining a value from the random number generator 624 and matching it to a table of movements in the rule data

642. Alternatively, each object may move by a fixed amount and the outcome generator may use the random number generator 624 to determine which object is to move. Other variations will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Once the movements have been determined, they are displayed on display 54 under control of the display controller 621.

In addition to the visual display of the objects, sound is provided via speaker 58 under control of the sound controller 622. The sound controller processes outcomes to determine how sound data 644 should be mixed by mixer 622a to produce a game accompanying sound. In the

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2018241182 05 Oct 2018 embodiment, the mixer 622a is adapted to process input sounds for each object of a plurality of objects that compete in the race by applying a weighting to the sounds based at least in part on the relative positions of the objects in the race. For example, initially the contribution of the sounds from each object are the same but as the race progresses, the sounds are varied based on the relative positions of the objects in the race. A further factor, used by the sound controller in controlling the weightings applied by the mixer 622a may be the proximity of the objects to the end of the race.

In the embodiment, greater emphasis is given to the leading objects as the race nears its conclusion. For example, by applying weightings derived from proximity to the finish. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous objects can be represented on the display. For example, vehicles, aircraft, boats, people or animals.

The method 700 of the embodiment is summarised in Figure

700. The game starts 710 and an initial game accompanying sound is output 720. The current positions are determined 730 and an adjustment 740 made to the sound 740. If the game is not over 750 the process of determining the current position 730 and adjusting the sound 740 is repeated until ultimately the game ends 760.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that an object's sound can be made up in a number of ways, for example a series of notes that form a musical tune or be a set of sounds that are output at different times during the game. The sound also need not be musical. For example, animal characters in a race could make animal noises and could make different sounds at different times of a race. Further, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the game accompanying sound can be derived such that initially only a portion of each sound can be perceived. Further, sounds of different objects may share

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2018241182 05 Oct 2018 common elements, e.g. notes. In some embodiments, there may be one or more background sounds added to the individual sounds .

Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the sound can be adjusted in a number of ways, for example by adjusting reverberation, delay, equalisation or chorusing.

Example

In a racing game, a player selects a character that he/she believes will win the race. The character could be, an animal, a car or a runner competing on a track. An initial sound may be made when the character is selected which is different to the tune the character makes during the race. For example a parrot may make a squawking sound when selected and a flapping sound during a race.

A number of tunes are played simultaneously, each tune representing a character in the race. In this example, the tunes are designed to fit together, however in other examples, the tunes may initially be discordant and become more tuneful as a clear winning tune is discerned. The number of tunes played is equal to the number of characters in the race.

To distinguish which tune belongs to which character, at the start of the feature, each tune is played on its own in conjunction with its associated character being displayed on the display.

As the race begins, the tunes are played simultaneously at equal volume. As the race progresses, the tune of the character closest to the finishing line becomes more prominent while the tunes of the others are faded.

Eventually at the end of the race, only the tune of the winning character will be heard and the tunes of the other

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2018241182 05 Oct 2018 characters are not heard.

In other embodiments it may be possible to hear a tune that is combined based on the place getters. For example,

60% to the winning character, 30% to the next character and 10% to the third character. In other embodiments, a plurality of objects may race but only a subset of the objects which are deemed active may contribute to the sound - for example, only objects associated with a player. In other embodiments, the contribution of a sound may be adjusted or initially set based on the odds of the associated object winning the race.

Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the method of the embodiment could be embodied in program code. The program code could be supplied in a number of ways, for example on a computer readable medium, such as a disc or a memory (for example, that could replace part of memory 103) or as a data signal (for example, by downloading it from a server).

It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, in particular it will be apparent that certain features of embodiments of the invention can be employed to form further embodiments .

It is to be understood that, if any prior art is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the prior art forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art in any country.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word comprise or variations such as

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2018241182 05 Oct 2018 comprises or comprising is used in an inclusive sense,

i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

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Claims (6)

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1/6

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Figure 1

1. A method of providing sound to accompany a game displayed on a display of a gaming system as a race

2/6

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Figure 2

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, comprising outputting a final game accompanying sound consisting

25 primarily of the tune associated with the winning character.

3/6

100

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Figure 3

RAM

103A

Mass storage device 103C

EPROM

103B

103

Figure 4

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, comprising outputting a final game accompanying sound consisting

30 primarily of the tunes associated with the characters of a designated number of place getters in the race.

4/6

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Figure 5

4. A method as claimed in claim 3, comprising deriving the game accompanying sound based on the tunes of

35 the top three place getters.

5/6

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5 belongs to which character;

output a game accompanying sound during the race, the game accompanying sound derived from a plurality of tunes associated with respective ones of a plurality of characters competing in the race; and io modify the contribution of respective ones of the tunes to the game accompanying sound based on both:

the relative placings in the race of the characters with which the tunes are associated until the race concludes; and

15 a position of each of the objects relative to a race finish position in the race.

18. A gaming system as claimed in claim 17, further comprising a game controller arranged to determine the

20 positions of the characters in the race.

19. A gaming system as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the sound controller is arranged to output a final game accompanying sound consisting primarily of the

25 tune associated with the winning character.

20. A gaming system as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the sound controller is arranged to output a final game accompanying sound consisting primarily of the

30 tune associated with the characters of a designated number of place getters in the race.

21. A gaming system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the sound controller is arranged to derive the game

35 accompanying sound based on the tunes of the top three place getters .

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22. A sound controller as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 21, wherein the contribution of the tune of a character nearest to the finish is made more prominent as the race nears the finish.

23. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 22, wherein the sound controller is arranged to modify the contribution of tunes by adjusting their volume relative to other tunes.

24. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 23, wherein the sound controller is arranged to incorporate at least one background sound in the game accompanying sound.

25. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 24, wherein the plurality of tunes are compatible with one another .

20 26. Computer program code which when executed implements the method of any one of claims 1 to 8.

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5 6. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising modifying the contribution of tunes by adjusting their volume relative to other tunes.

7. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, 10 comprising incorporating at least one background sound in the game accompanying sound.

8. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the plurality of tunes are compatible with one

15 another.

9. A sound controller for a gaming system arranged to conduct a game displayed as a race between characters, the sound controller arranged to:

20 individually output respective ones of a plurality of tunes corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of characters while displaying respective characters on a display of the gaming system to distinguish which tune belongs to which character;

25 output a game accompanying sound during the race, the game accompanying sound derived from a plurality of tunes associated with respective ones of a plurality of characters competing in the race; and modify the contribution of respective ones of the

30 tunes to the game accompanying sound based on both:

the relative placings in the race of the characters with which the tunes are associated until the race concludes; and a position of each of the objects relative to

35 a race finish position in the race.

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10. A sound controller as claimed in claim 9, arranged to output a final game accompanying sound consisting primarily of the tune associated with the winning character.

11. A sound controller as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, arranged to output a final game accompanying sound consisting primarily of the tune associated with the characters of a designated number of place getters in the

10 competition.

12. A sound controller as claimed in claim 11, arranged to derive the game accompanying sound based on the tunes of the top three place getters.

13. A sound controller as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the contribution of the tune of a character nearest to the finish is made more prominent as the race nears the finish.

14. A sound controller as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 13, arranged to modify the contribution of tune by adjusting their volume relative to other tunes.

25 15. A sound controller as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 14, arranged to incorporate at least one background sound in the game accompanying sound.

16. A sound controller as claimed in any one of

30 claims 9 to 15, wherein the plurality of tunes are compatible with one another.

17. A gaming system arranged to conduct a game displayed as a race between characters, comprising:

35 a display;

at least one speaker; and a sound controller arranged to:

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2018241182 05 Oct 2018 individually output respective ones of a plurality of tunes corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of characters while displaying respective characters on the display to distinguish which tune

5. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4,

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2018241182 05 Oct 2018 wherein the contribution of the tune of a character nearest to the finish is made more prominent as the race nears the finish.

5 between characters, the method comprising:

individually outputting respective ones of a plurality of tunes corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of characters while displaying respective characters on a display of the gaming system to

10 distinguish which tune belongs to which character;

outputting a game accompanying sound during the race, the game accompanying sound derived from the plurality of tunes associated with respective ones of a plurality of characters competing in the race; and

15 modifying the contribution of respective ones of the tunes to the game accompanying sound based on both:

the relative placings in the race of the characters with which the tunes are associated until the race concludes; and

20 a position of each of the characters relative to a race finish position in the game.

6/6

700

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Figure 7