AU2019202212A1 - A gaming system and a method of gaming - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A method of gaming in a gaming system comprising: determining, with a game controller of the gaming 5 system, a game outcome for each of a sequence of games; determining, with the game controller, a total award from the game outcomes of the sequence of games; modifying the total award with the game controller to obtain a modified total award by applying one of a 10 plurality of modifications, each modification being assigned to a range of total award sizes, whereby the game controller selects the modification to apply based on a size of the total award; and awarding the modified total award with the game 15 controller. 11222538_1 (GHMaters) P72428.AU.5

Description

A GAMING SYSTEM AND A METHOD OF GAMING

Related Application

This application is a divisional application of Australian Patent Application No. 2015200983, which in turn is a divisional application of Australian Patent Application

No. 2011265484, which in turn is a divisional application of Australian Patent Application No. 2008203511. The disclosures of each of these applications are incorporated herein by reference.

Field

The present invention relates to a gaming system, a method of gaming, a game controller and computer program code.

Background to the Invention

It is known to provide a gaming system which comprises a game controller arranged to randomly display several symbols from a predetermined set of symbols and to determine a game outcome such as a game win based on the displayed symbols. Such gaming systems may commonly be implemented as a stepper machine provided with reels with each reel carrying several symbols of the set, or a video machine wherein selected symbols are displayed on virtual reels on a video display.

While such gaming systems provide users with enjoyment, a need exists for alternative gaming systems in order to maintain or increase player enjoyment.

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2019202212 29 Mar 2019

Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect, the invention provides a method of 5 gaming in a gaming system comprising:

determining, with a game controller of the gaming system, a game outcome for each of a sequence of games;

determining, with the game controller, a total award from the game outcomes of the sequence of games;

io modifying the total award with the game controller to obtain a modified total award by applying one of a plurality of modifications, each modification being assigned to a range of total award sizes, whereby the game controller selects the modification to apply based on a size of the total award; and awarding the modified total award with the game controller.

In an embodiment, at least one of the modifications is a multiplication.

In an embodiment, at least one of the modifications is to award a bonus prize as the modified total award.

In an embodiment, wherein at least one of the modifications comprises the game controller modifying the total award by:

awarding an entitlement to at least one further game outcome, determining a further total award from the at least one further game outcome;

modifying the further total award based on a size of the total award to obtain a further modified total award; and awarding the further modified total award.

In an embodiment, the method comprises determining that a

11222538_1 (GHMatters) P72428.AU.5

2019202212 29 Mar 2019 player has an entitlement to the sequence of games prior to determining the game outcomes.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a game 5 controller for a gaming system, the game controller arranged to :

determine a game outcome for each of a sequence of games;

determine a total award from the game outcomes of the io sequence of games;

modify the total award to obtain a modified total award by applying one of a plurality of modifications, each modification being assigned to a range of total award sizes, whereby the game controller selects the modification to apply based on a size of the total award; and award the modified total award.

In an embodiment, the game controller comprises an outcome 20 determiner arranged to determine each game outcome.

In an embodiment, the game controller comprises a total award module arranged to determine the total award from the game outcomes .

In an embodiment, the game controller comprises an award modification module arranged to modify the total award based on the size of the total award to obtain the modified total award.

In an embodiment, at least one of the modifications is a multiplication.

In an embodiment, at least one of the modifications is to 35 award a bonus prize as the modified total award.

In an embodiment, at least one of the modifications

11222538_1 (GHMatters) P72428.AU.5

2019202212 29 Mar 2019 comprises modifying the total award by:

awarding an entitlement to at least one further game outcome, determining a further total award from the at least 5 one further game outcome;

modifying the further total award based on a size of the total award to obtain a further modified total award; and awarding the further modified total award.

In an embodiment, the game controller is arranged to determine that a player has an entitlement to the sequence of games prior to determining the game outcomes.

In an embodiment, the game controller is implemented, at least in part, by a processor executing program code stored in a memory.

In a third aspect, the invention provides a gaming system comprising:

a player interface comprising a display for displaying game outcomes to a player; and a game controller arranged to:

determine a game outcome for each of a sequence of games;

determine a total award from the game outcomes of the sequence of games;

modify the total award to obtain a modified total award by applying one of a plurality of modifications, each modification being assigned to a range of total award sizes, whereby the game controller selects the modification to apply based on a size of the total award; and award the modified total award.

In an embodiment, the game controller comprises an outcome determiner arranged to determine each game outcome.

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In an embodiment, the game controller comprises a total award module arranged to determine the total award from the game outcomes .

In an embodiment, the game controller comprises an award modification module arranged to modify the total award based on the size of the total award to obtain the modified total award.

In an embodiment, at least one of the modifications is a multiplication.

In an embodiment, at least one of the modifications is to 15 award a bonus prize as the modified total award.

In an embodiment, at least one of the modifications comprises the game controller modifying the total award by:

awarding an entitlement to at least one further game outcome, determining a further total award from the at least one further game outcome;

modifying the further total award based on a size of 25 the total award to obtain a further modified total award;

and awarding the further modified total award.

In an embodiment, the gaming system is arranged to 30 determine that a player has an entitlement to the sequence of games prior to determining the game outcomes.

In an embodiment, the game controller is implemented, at least in part, by a processor executing program code stored in a memory.

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In a fourth aspect, the invention provides computer program code which when executed by a processor implements the method of the first aspect.

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

In a sixth aspect, the invention provides a data signal io comprising the above program code.

In a seventh aspect, the invention extends to transmitting the above 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;

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

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

Figure 6 is a further block diagram of the gaming system; 35 and

Figure 7 is a flowchart of an embodiment.

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Detailed Description

The embodiment provides a gaming system where a player 5 plays, at least one game, and in an advantageous embodiment, a sequence of games. A total award is determined for the at least one game or sequence of games. A modified total award is then determined based on the size of the total award. The total award may be modified, io for example, by assigning different modifications to different ranges of total award sizes. The gaming system may be provided in a number of different forms.

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 and/or visible gaming information to the player and receive gaming inputs from the player.

However, it will be understood that other arrangements are 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,

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2019202212 29 Mar 2019 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 .

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. 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

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2019202212 29 Mar 2019 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 io reader for reading a smart card, debit card or credit card. A player marketing module may be provided 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 crystal display, plasma screen, any other suitable video display unit, or the visible portion of an electromechanical device. 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 a typical gaming machine which may be the same as or

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2019202212 29 Mar 2019 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 io 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 has one or more displays 106, a touch screen and/or buttons 107, a card and/or ticket reader 108, a printer 109, a bill acceptor and/or coin input mechanism 110 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. The network card may, for example, send status

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2019202212 29 Mar 2019 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 io 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 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 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 network 201. The displays 204 may, for example, be

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2019202212 29 Mar 2019 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 io 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 carry out the accounting in respect of the Jackpot game. A loyalty program server 212 may also be provided.

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 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

11222538_1 (GHMatters) P72428.AU.5 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.

2019202212 29 Mar 2019

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 .

The embodiment may be implemented in relation to a spinning reel type game. Gaming systems for implementing games that involve a display of spinning reels as part of the display of the outcome of a game have either a video display or a mechanical display, these later machines most usually being stepper machines which have a separate motor for each reel. However, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention can be implemented in respect if other forms of games, including; card games; ball draw games (e.g. bingo or keno); dice games; and pin and ball games .

In some implementations the game controllers of such gaming machines select symbols by employing a stop

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2019202212 29 Mar 2019 determining function that randomly determines the stop position for each reel. For example, if there are five reels, each having twenty symbols, the stop determining function might determine that the stop positions are positions: 3, 13, 7, 9 and 17. The spinning of the reels is then controlled so that each symbol comes to a stop in the same row, typically a predetermined row in a window visible to the player on the display that which corresponds to a player playing a single win line. When a io reel stops, the symbols will be in one of a plurality of possible symbol positions for that reel relative to the stop position.

Spinning reel type games typically allow a player to 15 select how many win lines of a plurality of win lines they will play in each game - i.e. a minimum of one win line up to the maximum number of win lines allowed by the game. Persons, skilled in the art, will appreciate that in other embodiments, the player may select a number of reels to play, for example. Each win line is formed by a set of symbol positions consisting of one symbol position from each reel. That is, a predetermined symbol position of each reel is assigned to a win line. The symbol positions that constitute each of the win lines are usually advertised to the player by markings on the display or diagrams showing the symbol positions that correspond to each win line. A game outcome is determined based on the symbols on the win lines and a prize table that specifies awards .

The game controller 60 of the embodiment is shown in more detail in Figure 6. It will apparent that the processor 62 implements a number of modules based on program code stored in memory 64, namely random number generator module

621, symbol selector module 622, outcome determiner module

623, award determiner module 624, sequence monitoring module 625, entitlement module 627 and display controller

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2019202212 29 Mar 2019 module 626 based on data stored in memory 64. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that not all modules need be implemented by processor 62. For example, the random number generator module 621 could be implemented by a separate circuit or by a random number generator server.

In the embodiment, the entitlement module 627 determines when a player is entitled to a sequence of games. In other embodiments a player may be entitled to a single io game. Entitlement can be in accordance with techniques known in the art. For example:

a triggering event such as a particular symbol pattern occurring in a base game;

a special bet being placed such as an ante-bet; or by a triggering event received from a system such as a jackpot system, a loyalty system or the like.

When an entitlement is established, the entitlement module 627 instructs the sequence monitor 625 to initiate a sequence of games based on a number of games specified in sequence data 643. The sequence monitor 625 is arranged to keep track of the sequence to ensure that all games of the sequence are carried out accordingly after each game in the sequence, the sequence monitor 625 updates the sequence data 643 to indicate how many games remain in the sequence .

During each game of a sequence, the symbol selector 622 selects the symbols to appear based on symbol data 641 which specifies the available symbols. The symbols are selected by the symbol selector 622 using a random number obtained from the random number generator 621. The outcome determiner module 623 determines the game outcomes and their associated prizes based on the number of win lines the player is playing and the symbol combinations. Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the game outcomes and their associated prizes are displayed on

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2019202212 29 Mar 2019 the display 54 or under control of the display controller

626.

An award determiner 624 is employed to keep track of the 5 total award and subsequently to modify that award based on modification data 645. The total is maintained as total data 644 in memory 64. Thus, after each game the total award module 624a of the award determiner 624 updates the total data 644 to reflect the current total. The sequence monitor 625 monitors for completion of the sequence and, at the conclusion of the sequence, instructs the award determiner 624 to modify the accumulated total. The award modification module 624b applies modification rules based on modification data 645 in order to produce a modified total award. A modified total award is displayed to the player on display 54 under control of the display controller 626.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a sequence of games can be a sequence of free games; a sequence of repeat win games or a sequence of games in a second screen feature, etc.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that modification rules can vary from embodiment to embodiment. In all embodiments of the invention, the modifications depend on the size of the award total. The modification can be to multiply the total award, to give a bonus prize, to award another sequence of free games etc.

The modification can be arranged to increase the volatility of a game or to decrease the volatility of a game. The specific nature of the modifications are determined depending on the specific implementation.

The method 700 of the invention is summarised in Figure 700. At step 710 it is determined game sequence should

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2019202212 29 Mar 2019 commence. The game controller 60 then carries out a sequence of games 720, determines the total award 730, determines the modifier to apply based on the total award, applies the modifier 750 and awards the modified total award to the player 760.

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 io 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).

Examples

Example 1 - Increasing the volatility of a game

A player is playing a game and triggers a series of 10 free games.

At the conclusion of the free games, the total free game win is modified according to the following rules:

• If the total free game win is between 50 and 100, the total win is multiplied by 5;

• If the total free game win is between 101 and 500, the total win is multiplied by 10; and • If the total free game win is greater than 500, the player is given a bonus of 10000 credits.

Example 2 - Decreasing volatility of a game

Example 2 operates the same as Example 1, however, the modification rules are:

· If the total free game win is between 50 and 100, multiply the win by 10;

• If the total free game win is between 101 and 500,

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2019202212 29 Mar 2019 multiply the • If the total a bonus of 5 win by 5; and free game win is greater than 500 award free games .

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Claims (15)

1. A method of gaming in a gaming system comprising: determining, with a game controller of the gaming

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of the modifications is a multiplication.

20

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein at least one of the modifications is to award a bonus prize as the modified total award.

4. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3

25 wherein at least one of the modifications comprises the game controller modifying the total award by:

awarding an entitlement to at least one further game outcome, determining a further total award from the at least

30 one further game outcome;

modifying the further total award based on a size of the total award to obtain a further modified total award; and awarding the further modified total award.

5 23. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 15 to

22, wherein the game controller is implemented, at least in part, by a processor executing program code stored in a memory .

io 24. Computer program code which when executed by a processor implements the method of any one of claims 1 to 5.

25. A computer readable medium comprising the program

5 awarding an entitlement to at least one further game outcome, determining a further total award from the at least one further game outcome;

modifying the further total award based on a size of io the total award to obtain a further modified total award;

and awarding the further modified total award.

5. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 comprising determining that a player has an entitlement to

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2019202212 29 Mar 2019 the sequence of games prior to determining the game outcomes .

5 system, a game outcome for each of a sequence of games;

determining, with the game controller, a total award from the game outcomes of the sequence of games;

modifying the total award with the game controller to obtain a modified total award by applying one of a io plurality of modifications, each modification being assigned to a range of total award sizes, whereby the game controller selects the modification to apply based on a size of the total award; and awarding the modified total award with the game

15 controller.

6. A game controller for a gaming system, the game 5 controller arranged to:

determine a game outcome for each of a sequence of games;

determine a total award from the game outcomes of the sequence of games;

io modify the total award to obtain a modified total award by applying one of a plurality of modifications, each modification being assigned to a range of total award sizes, whereby the game controller selects the modification to apply based on a size of the total award;

15 and award the modified total award.

7. A game controller as claimed in claim 6 comprising an outcome determiner arranged to determine each game

20 outcome.

8. A game controller as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 comprising a total award module arranged to determine the total award from the game outcomes.

9. A game controller as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, comprising an award modification module arranged to modify the total award based on the size of the total award to obtain the modified total award.

10. A game controller as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 9 wherein at least one of the modifications is a multiplication.

35

11. A game controller as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 10 wherein at least one of the modifications is to award a bonus prize as the modified total award.

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12. A game controller as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein at least one of the modifications comprises modifying the total award by:

13. A game controller as claimed in any one of claims 6 15 to 12, arranged to determine that a player has an entitlement to the sequence of games prior to determining the game outcomes .

14. A game controller as claimed in any one of claims 6 20 to 13, implemented, at least in part, by a processor executing program code stored in a memory.

15. A gaming system comprising:

a player interface comprising a display for 25 displaying game outcomes to a player; and a game controller arranged to:

determine a game outcome for each of a sequence of games;

determine a total award from the game outcomes of the 30 sequence of games;

modify the total award to obtain a modified total award by applying one of a plurality of modifications, each modification being assigned to a range of total award sizes, whereby the game controller selects the

35 modification to apply based on a size of the total award; and award the modified total award.

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16. A gaming system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the game controller comprises an outcome determiner arranged to determine each game outcome.

17. A gaming system as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the game controller comprises a total award module arranged to determine the total award from the game outcomes .

18. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the game controller comprises an award modification module arranged to modify the total award based on the size of the total award to obtain the

15 modified total award.

19. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 18 wherein at least one of the modifications is a multiplication.

20. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 15 to

19, wherein at least one of the modifications is to award a bonus prize as the modified total award.

25 21. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 15 to

20, wherein at least one of the modifications comprises the game controller modifying the total award by:

awarding an entitlement to at least one further game outcome,

30 determining a further total award from the at least one further game outcome;

modifying the further total award based on a size of the total award to obtain a further modified total award; and

35 awarding the further modified total award.

22. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 15 to

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21 arranged to determine that a player has an entitlement to the sequence of games prior to determining the game outcomes .

15 code of claim 24.