AU2022218562A1 - A gaming system and method of gaming - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of controlling a secondary game event in a wager based game, and a game controller to control play of a 5 game, are disclosed herein.

Description

A GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF GAMING

Related Application

This application is a divisional application of Australian

application no. 2020205232, which in turn is a divisional

application of Australian application no. 2018203994,

which in turn, is a divisional of 2016210727, which, in

turn, is a divisional of application no. 2014203106,

which, in turn, is a divisional of 2011202094, the

disclosure of all of which is incorporated herein by

reference. Most of the disclosure of these applications is

also included herein, however, reference may be made to

the specifications of application nos. 2018203994,

2016210727, 2014203106 and 2011202094 as filed to gain

further understanding of the invention claimed herein.

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a gaming system and a

method of gaming, and particularly, but not exclusively,

to a gaming system, controller and method for awarding

jackpot prizes.

Background of 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 stepping 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 graphical display device. Win outcomes can

occur based on symbols appearing in one or more horizontal lines, diagonal lines, or any other predetermined way.

It is also known to award high paying prizes, referred to as jackpot prizes, which may be funded from a prize pool. Typically, a portion of a gaming machine's turnover is forwarded to a jackpot prize controller which maintains the prize pool.

One common way of awarding a jackpot prize is based on determining a certain symbol or symbol combination in a game outcome, often referred to as a symbol driven jackpot. However, a problem with this sort of jackpot awarding technique is that the probability of being awarded the jackpot prize (or simply qualifying for the prize) is not tied to the amount wagered by the player and thus does not meet regulatory gaming requirements for many jurisdictions. To overcome this problem, some gaming systems have been modified so as to increase the number of jackpot trigger symbols available for selection in the game, in proportion to the wagered amount. However, the problem with such modified jackpot awarding techniques is that players wagering small amounts are not awarded with jackpots as often as players wagering larger amounts resulting in those players losing interest in the game.

Summary of the Invention In accordance with an embodiment, the present invention provides a method of controlling a secondary game event in a wager based game, the method comprising the steps of: configuring a secondary event trigger having a hit rate which is fixed over a plurality of games; determining an amount wagered for play of one of the games; and upon determining the secondary game event trigger during the game, initiating the secondary game event in which a higher value prize and lower value prize are each eligible to be awarded, such that a probability of being awarded the higher value prize increases with the amount wagered in the game, while the probability of achieving the lower value prize decreases.

In an embodiment the secondary event trigger is a symbol driven trigger occurring during play of the game.

In an embodiment the prizes are jackpot prizes funded from a jackpot prize pool.

In an embodiment the method comprises the further step of allocating a percentage of each wager to the jackpot prize pool.

In an embodiment the method comprises the further step of setting the probabilities such that an average jackpot return over the plurality of games is substantially constant for a range of wager amounts.

In an embodiment the method comprises the further step of determining which of the higher or lower value prize to award based on the wagered amount and awarding the determined prize.

In an embodiment the method further comprises providing a plurality of distinct higher and lower value prizes, a relative probability increase for each prize with respect to the wager amount being dependent on a required rate of return.

In an embodiment the method comprises the further step of awarding a combination of the plurality of distinct prizes to achieve the required rate of return.

In an embodiment the step of determining a wager amount comprises determining an average wager amount over a number of games since a last jackpot was awarded such that the relative probabilities are determined based on the average wager amount.

In accordance with an embodiment, there is provided a game controller operable to control play of a game, the game controller comprising: a configuration module arranged to configure a secondary event trigger having a hit rate which is fixed over a plurality of games; a wager determination module arranged to determine an amount wagered for play of one of the games; trigger module arranged to trigger a secondary game event in which a higher value prize and lower value prize are each eligible to be awarded upon determining the secondary event trigger during the game, such that a probability of awarding the higher value prize increases with the amount wagered in the game, while the probability of awarding the lower value prize decreases.

In an embodiment the secondary event trigger is a symbol driven trigger occurring during play of the base game.

In an embodiment the prizes are jackpot prizes funded from a jackpot prize pool.

In an embodiment a percentage of each wager is allocated to the jackpot prize pool.

In an embodiment the probabilities are set such that an average jackpot return over the plurality of games is substantially constant for a range of wager amounts.

In an embodiment the prizes comprise a plurality of distinct higher and lower value prizes, a relative increase for each distinct prize with respect to the wager amount being dependent on a required rate of return.

In an embodiment the controller further comprises an award module operable to award a combination of the plurality of distinct prizes to achieve the required rate of return.

In an embodiment the determined wager amount comprises an average wager amount over a number of games since a last jackpot was awarded such that the relative probabilities are determined based on the average wager amount.

In accordance with an embodiment the present invention provides a method of controlling a secondary game event in a wager based game, the method comprising the steps of: determining an amount wagered for play of one of the games; and upon determining a particular trigger during play of the game, initiating the secondary game event in which a higher value prize and lower value prize are each eligible to be awarded, such that a probability of being awarded the higher value prize increases with the amount wagered in the game, while the probability of achieving the lower value prize decreases and such that a rate at which the secondary game event is triggered is independent of the amount wagered for play of the game.

In an embodiment the rate at which the secondary game event is triggered is fixed.

In accordance with an embodiment the present invention provides a method of controlling a secondary game event in a wager based game, the method comprising the steps of: determining an amount wagered for play of one of the games; and upon determining a particular trigger during play of the game, initiating the secondary game event in which a higher value prize and lower value prize are each eligible to be awarded, such that a probability of being awarded the higher value prize increases with the amount wagered in the game, while the probability of achieving the lower value prize decreases and such that the secondary game event is triggered once on average for every n games, where n is greater than two.

In accordance with an embodiment there is provided a game controller operable to control play of a game, the game controller comprising: a wager determination module arranged to determine an amount wagered for play of one of the games; trigger module arranged to trigger a secondary game event in which a higher value prize and lower value prize are each eligible to be awarded upon determining a secondary event trigger during the game, such that a probability of awarding the higher value prize increases with the amount wagered in the game, while the probability of awarding the lower value prize decreases and wherein a hit rate for the secondary game event trigger is independent of the amount wagered.

In accordance with an embodiment the present invention

provides a gaming system comprising a game controller in

accordance with the second or fifth aspects and at least

one gaming device providing a display arranged to display

play of the game.

In accordance with an embodiment the present invention

provides a computer program comprising instructions for

controlling a game controller in accordance with the

second aspect or a method in accordance with the first

aspect.

In accordance with an embodiment the present invention

provides a tangible computer readable medium providing a

computer program in accordance with the seventh aspect.

In accordance with a another aspect, there is provided a

method of controlling a secondary game event in a game on

a gaming machine operable to award at least one of a

plurality of prizes, the gaming machine comprising: a

credit input mechanism comprising at least one of a coin

input mechanism, a bill collector, a card reader, and a

ticket reader, the credit input mechanism configured to

receive a credit input to establish a credit balance, the

credit balance being increasable and decreasable based at

least on wagering activity; meters configured for

monitoring credits established via the credit input

mechanism and changes to the established credits due to

play of the gaming machine, the meters including a credit

meter to which credit input via the credit input mechanism is added and a win meter; a random number generator; a game play mechanism including a plurality of buttons configured for operation by a player to input a wager from the established credits and to initiate a play of a game; a gaming controller comprising a processor and a memory storing (i) game program code, (ii) symbol data, and (iii) data indicative of a predefined hit rate that is independent of a wagered amount, and wherein the game controller is operable to assign prize values to combinations of symbols as required during the game, the game controller executing the game program code stored in the memory and responsive to initiation of the play of the game with the game play mechanism to select symbols using the random number generator to generate game outcomes; the method comprising the steps of: causing, via the game controller, a secondary event trigger using the predefined hit rate; receiving, via the game play mechanism, a wager; determining, via the gaming controller, an amount wagered for a play of the game from the credit balance; decreasing the credit balance by the determined amount wagered; sorting, via the gaming controller, the determined amount wagered into one of a plurality of ranges of amounts wagered; detecting, via the gaming controller, an occurrence of the secondary event trigger during the game; in response to detecting the occurrence of the secondary event trigger during the game, initiating, via the gaming controller, a secondary game event having the plurality of prizes available to be awarded; and restricting, via the gaming controller, the plurality of prizes available to be awarded in connection with the secondary game event based on the determined amount wagered, said restricting including awarding a particular one of the plurality of prizes based on a probability that depends on the one of the plurality of ranges into which the determined amount wagered is sorted, such that for a lowest of the plurality of ranges, the lowest of the plurality of prizes is more probable to be awarded, and for a highest of the plurality of ranges, the highest of the plurality of prizes is more probable to be awarded, wherein the probability of awarding the plurality of prizes is set such that an average return of the secondary game event is the same independent of the determined amount wagered.

In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a

gaming system operable to award at least one of a

plurality of prizes and to play a secondary game event of

a game, the gaming system comprising: at least one gaming

device comprising: a display arranged to display play of

the game; a credit input mechanism comprising at least one

of a coin input mechanism, a bill collector, a card

reader, and a ticket reader, the credit input mechanism

configured to receive a credit input to establish a credit

balance, the credit balance being increasable and

decreasable based at least on wagering activity; meters

configured for monitoring credits established via the

credit input mechanism and changes to the established

credits due to play of the gaming machine, the meters

including a credit meter to which credit input via the

credit input mechanism is added and a win meter; a random

number generator; a game play mechanism including a

plurality of buttons configured for operation by a player

to input a wager from the established credits and to

initiate a play of a game; a gaming controller comprising

a processor and a memory storing (i) game program code,

(ii) symbol data, and (iii) data indicative of a

predefined hit rate that is independent of a wagered

amount, and wherein the game controller is operable to assign prize values to combinations of symbols as required during the game, the game controller executing the game program code stored in the memory and responsive to initiation of the play of the game with the game play mechanism to implement: a configuration module configured to configure the secondary event trigger using the hit rate; a wager determination module configured to determine the amount wagered for the play of one of the games, to sort the determined amount wagered into one of a plurality of ranges, and to decrease the credit balance by the determined amount wagered; a trigger module configured to detect an occurrence of the secondary event trigger during one of the games, and in response to the occurrence of the secondary event trigger during one of the games, to trigger a secondary game event having the plurality of prizes available to be awarded; and an award determiner module configured to determine an award of a particular one of the plurality of prizes available to be awarded in connection with the secondary game event based on a probability that depends on the one of the plurality of ranges into which the determined amount wagered is sorted, such that for a lowest of the plurality of ranges, the lowest of the plurality of prizes is more probable to be awarded, and for a highest of the plurality of ranges, the highest of the plurality of prizes is more probable to be awarded, wherein the probability of awarding the plurality of prizes is set such that an average return of the secondary game event is the same independent of the determined amount wagered.

Brief Description of the Drawings Features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments thereof, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of core components

of a gaming system in accordance with an embodiment of the

present invention;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a gaming

system in accordance with an embodiment of the present

invention with the gaming system implemented in the form

of a stand alone gaming machine;

Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram of operative

components of the gaming machine shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram of components of a

memory of the gaming machine shown in Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a gaming system in

accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present

invention with the gaming system implemented over a

network;

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of functional components

of a gaming system in accordance with an embodiment of the

present invention;

Figure 7 is a flow diagram illustrating operation of a

gaming system in accordance with an embodiment of the

present invention; and

Figures 8 & 9 are example game payout tables in accordance

with embodiments of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

In an embodiment there is provided a game controller

operable to control play of a game on a gaming device.

The game controller comprises a configuration module

arranged to configure a secondary event trigger having a

hit rate which is fixed over a plurality of games; a wager

determination module arranged to determine an amount

wagered for play of one of the games. A trigger module,

also implemented by the game controller, is arranged to

initiate a secondary game event, in which a higher value

jackpot and lower value jackpot are each eligible to be

awarded, upon detecting the secondary event trigger in the

game. The secondary game event is configured such that a

probability of awarding the higher jackpot increases with

the amount wagered, while the probability of awarding the

lower value jackpot decreases. In this manner, the game

controller is operable to provide a jackpot prize awarding

technique which triggers jackpots at the same frequency

irrespective of the amount wagered, but which may still

provide an average jackpot return which is related to the

wagered amount.

General construction of a gaming system

The gaming system can take 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,

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 comprises

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, a game play mechanism 56 that enables a player to input game play instructions (e.g. to place bets), and one or more speakers 58.

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 10 includes a console 12 having a display 14 on which are 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 (not shown) 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

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 comprise 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

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 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. For example, the displays 204 may 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 perform

accounting functions for 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

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 system 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 game 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.

Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the

method of the preferred 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).

Embodiments 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 of 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

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

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

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. 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. Some of the win lines will be horizontal or diagonal lines. Typically, the win lines will be constituted by symbol positions in the visible window. A game outcome is determined based on the symbols on the win lines and a prize table that specifies awards.

MORE DETAIL OF THE GAME CONTROLLER

The game controller 60 of an embodiment is shown in more detail in Figure 6. As described in the preceding paragraphs, embodiments of the present invention are operable to provide a jackpot prize awarding technique which has an average return that is tied to an amount wagered by a player in the game, but which is triggered at a rate which is independent of the wagered amount. According to a specific embodiment, this is achieved by awarding distinct jackpots of different prize value in a secondary event (such as a bonus game) triggered during play of a base game, such that the probability of being awarded a higher paying jackpot prize in the secondary event increases as a function of the amount wagered in the base game, while the probability of being awarded a lower paying jackpot prize decreases. In other words, the jackpot may be treated much like a feature event whereby the jackpot is won at a fixed rate independent of the wager but whereby the final prize value is related to the wager. For simplicity, only those modules needed to carry out such embodiments are illustrated in Figure 6. Other standard and/or non-standard modules may also be implemented for carrying out operation of normal and feature game play functionality.

It will be understood that the jackpot prizes may be funded from a jackpot prize pool that is implemented by the game controller 60, or by some remote jackpot controller (e.g. incorporated into the jackpot server 207, as previously described). The prize pool may be made up of contributions from a single gaming machine or from a collection of gaming machines that are each eligible to be awarded the jackpot prize. Alternatively, the jackpot prize may be some other major prize that is independent of machine contributions. Such variations are within the purview of the skilled person.

The game controller 60 includes a processor 62 which is arranged to control game play and determine a game outcome. It will be apparent that the processor 62 implements a number of modules, namely a configuration module 620, random number generator module (RNG) 621, symbol selector module 622, outcome determiner module 623, award determiner module 624, wager determination module 625, trigger module 626 and display controller module 627, 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 following description, embodiments will be described in the context of a wager based game having a plurality of reels (each carrying a plurality of symbols), which are spun to determine game outcomes. However, it will be understood that embodiments are equally applicable to non-reel based games including card games, dice games, numbered ball games, or indeed any type of game of chance where markers with different values/symbols are utilised.

During each game of the reel game, the wager determination module 625 of the game controller 60 determines an amount wagered by a player in the game (e.g. by selecting a button corresponding to the wager amount on the gaming machine which causes a signal to be sent to the game controller 60 to notify the game controller of the wager amount). The symbol selector 622 then selects symbols to be displayed in a reel window displaying a plurality of reels, based on symbol data 641 stored in memory 64, specifying the available symbols. The symbols to appear in the reel window are selected by the symbol selector 622 using a random number, or seed, 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, the amount wagered and the resultant symbol combinations. In the presently described embodiment, certain game outcomes include secondary event triggers (hereafter "jackpot triggers") which are set by the configuration module 620 and which collectively have a fixed hit rate. That is, the rate at which the secondary event is triggered is fixed over a plurality of games irrespective of the amount wagered in the base game. For example, it may be decided to trigger the secondary game event once on average for every 100 games played. It will be understood that the actual hit rate selected can be any particular rate depending on the desired implementation. The jackpot trigger may be a symbol driven trigger such as a predetermined number or combination of special symbols appearing on a selected pay line, or alternatively appearing in any location within the reel window (referred to as a "scatter" trigger). The reel window and corresponding game outcomes are displayed on the display 54, under control of the display controller 627.

Responsive to determining that a jackpot trigger has occurred in the base game, the trigger module 626 is operable to either instantly award at least one of a plurality of distinct jackpot prizes, or trigger a secondary jackpot game in which the at least one distinct jackpot prizes is awarded. In the embodiments described herein, a secondary game is triggered upon detecting three scattered "X" symbols in the base game.

The determination as to which jackpot prize (or combination of jackpot prizes) to be awarded is based on the amount wagered, such that a probability of achieving a higher valued jackpot increases with the amount wagered, while the probability of achieving a lower valued jackpot decreases. In other words, for small bets a smaller jackpot is won more often, whereas for larger bets a larger jackpot is won more often. The aforementioned technique advantageously provides that the frequency of awarding jackpot prizes remains constant irrespective of the wagered amount, while at the same time rewarding players who wager larger amounts on the game with a greater chance at being awarded a higher paying jackpot.

The method 700 of the invention is summarised in

Figure 700. At step 710 a secondary game event trigger is

set, the trigger having a hit rate which is fixed over a

plurality of games. At step 712, a wager staked on the

game is determined by the wager determination module 625.

The controller 60 then carries out play of a base game and

outcomes are determined by the outcome determiner module

623, as previously described (step 714). At step 716,

upon determining that the secondary game event has been

triggered, the trigger module 626 initiates a secondary

game event in which a higher value prize (hereafter "major

jackpot") and lower value prize (hereafter "minor

jackpot") are each eligible to be awarded, such that a

probability of being awarded the major jackpot increases

with the amount wagered, while the probability of being

awarded the minor jackpot decreases. At step 718, the

award determiner 624 determines the total award payable to

the player.

The aforementioned jackpot awarding technique can be

described mathematically as follows, where the minor

jackpot is referred to as "j" and the major jackpot as

More detailed examples of embodiments will now be

described. According to each embodiment, the game is in

the form of a reel game.

Example 1

According to a first example embodiment, the reel game is

configured such that three or more scatter symbols trigger

a secondary game (hereafter "jackpot feature") at a rate T

of 1 in 100, for an average return R of 10%. The minor

jackpot is set at j = 10 credits start-up, while the major

jackpot start-up is set at J = 100 credits. A player

betting one credit may be awarded the minor jackpot j every jackpot feature for 10 credits at 1 in 100 credits

bet, i.e. R = 10%. However for a wager of 10 credits the

player would be awarded J = 100, also with a return of

10%. In an embodiment, there may be an option for a player

to wager five credits in the game. In this case, the

probability of being awarded the minor jackpot j of 10

credits may be set to 5/9, while the probability of

winning a major jackpot is set to 4/9 to achieve the

desired 10% return as follows.

10 x 5/9 + 100 x 4/9 = 450/9 = 50 credits.

It will be understood that the same calculations for

achieving a desired return can be applied to any number of

different wagers and for any number of distinct jackpot

prizes, dependent only on the desired configuration.

Example 2

A combination of four distinct progressive jackpots may be

awarded upon triggering of the jackpot feature. The four

jackpots are divided into two lower paying jackpots having

start-up values of $10 and $20 respectively, and two

higher paying jackpots with start-ups of $1000 and $2000.

The game offers a jackpot return of 15%, again triggered one in every hundred games and with wagers ranging from $1 to $100. According to this example embodiment, for $1 wagered the game mostly awards the lower paying jackpots for an average return of $15. When the player wagers $100 for 100 games (i.e. for a contribution of $10,000 turnover), the jackpots mostly consist of the higher paying progressive jackpots of $1000 (i.e. 10% return) and $2000 (20% return).

A pay scale for a jackpot feature game similar to that described above is shown in Figure 8, with the jackpot probability plotted on the vertical axis and the total wager amount plotted on the horizontal axis. When the wager is low the MINOR and MINI jackpots (i.e. the lower paying jackpots) have a high probability of being awarded while the GRAND and MAJOR jackpots (i.e. the higher paying jackpots) have low probabilities. In contrast, when the wager is relatively large the MINOR and MINI jackpots have a lower probability of being awarded whereas the GRAND and MAJOR jackpots have higher probabilities.

It will be understood by persons skilled in the art that the adjustment in probability need not be smooth or continuous as the wager increases. For example, some jackpots could be available only for some wager intervals while still providing the same average jackpot return.

Example 3

According to the third example embodiment, a game offers a combination of jackpots to provide a 10% average jackpot return. The jackpot is triggered every 1 in 200 games with wagers ranging from $1 to $50. The jackpots are worth $20, $100 and $1000 respectively. With reference to

Figure 9, the probabilities are set such that a wager of

$1 will only ever trigger the $20 jackpot. For wagers

above $1 but less than $5, a distribution of $20 and $100

jackpots will be awarded, while a wager of $5 will always

award the $100 jackpot. Wagers of between $5 and $50 will

award either the $100 or $1000 jackpots and finally the

major $1000 jackpot is awarded for $50 wagers only.

It is possible to combine the present invention with a

traditional approach of making the feature trigger

probability proportional to the bet. A wager increase of

four credits could be accommodated with a two times better

trigger rate and a 'probability slide', as described

above, to accommodate the increased probability

distribution in the jackpot feature.

The adjustment of the jackpot according to the wager may

be done in part by repeating the jackpot. For example, a

wager of six credits may have a three times better return

due to the increased wager and be awarded twice over.

For each of the above described embodiments, the rate at

which the secondary game event triggered was fixed over a

particular number of games (e.g. triggered once on average

every 100 games). However, in an alternative embodiment,

the rate may be fixed for a particular time period, or the

like.

Further it will be understood that the prizes awarded in

the secondary event need not be jackpot prizes but instead

could be any form of prize. For example, the higher

paying prize could be an award of 20 free games while the lower paying prize could be an award of 10 free games. Such modifications are within the purview of the skilled person.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims (21)

CLAIMS:

1. A method of controlling a secondary game event in a

game on a gaming machine operable to award at least one of

a plurality of prizes, the gaming machine comprising:

a credit input mechanism comprising at least one of a

coin input mechanism, a bill collector, a card reader, and

a ticket reader, the credit input mechanism configured to

receive a credit input to establish a credit balance, the

credit balance being increasable and decreasable based at

least on wagering activity;

meters configured for monitoring credits established

via the credit input mechanism and changes to the

established credits due to play of the gaming machine, the

meters including a credit meter to which credit input via

the credit input mechanism is added and a win meter;

a random number generator;

a game play mechanism including a plurality of

buttons configured for operation by a player to input a

wager from the established credits and to initiate a play

of a game;

a gaming controller comprising a processor and

a memory storing (i) game program code, (ii) symbol

data, and (iii) data indicative of a predefined hit rate

that is independent of a wagered amount, and wherein the

game controller is operable to assign prize values to

combinations of symbols as required during the game,

the game controller executing the game program code

stored in the memory and responsive to initiation of the

play of the game with the game play mechanism to select

symbols using the random number generator to generate game

outcomes; the method comprising the steps of: causing, via the game controller, a secondary event trigger using the predefined hit rate; receiving, via the game play mechanism, a wager; determining, via the gaming controller, an amount wagered for a play of the game from the credit balance; decreasing the credit balance by the determined amount wagered; sorting, via the gaming controller, the determined amount wagered into one of a plurality of ranges of amounts wagered; detecting, via the gaming controller, an occurrence of the secondary event trigger during the game; in response to detecting the occurrence of the secondary event trigger during the game, initiating, via the gaming controller, a secondary game event having the plurality of prizes available to be awarded; and restricting, via the gaming controller, the plurality of prizes available to be awarded in connection with the secondary game event based on the determined amount wagered, said restricting including awarding a particular one of the plurality of prizes based on a probability that depends on the one of the plurality of ranges into which the determined amount wagered is sorted, such that for a lowest of the plurality of ranges, the lowest of the plurality of prizes is more probable to be awarded, and for a highest of the plurality of ranges, the highest of the plurality of prizes is more probable to be awarded, wherein the probability of awarding the plurality of prizes is set such that an average return of the secondary game event is the same independent of the determined amount wagered.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the hit

rate is fixed over an indefinite number of games.

3. A method of gaming in accordance with claim 1 or

claim 2, wherein the secondary event trigger is a symbol

driven trigger occurring during play of the game.

4. A method of gaming in accordance with any one of the

preceding claims, wherein the plurality of prizes are

jackpot prizes that are funded from a jackpot prize pool.

5. A method of gaming in accordance with claim 4,

further comprising allocating a percentage of each wager

to the jackpot prize pool.

6. A method of gaming in accordance with any one of the

preceding claims, further comprising determining which one

of the highest and lowest prizes to award based on the

determined amount wagered and the corresponding range, and

awarding the determined prize.

7. A method of gaming in accordance with any one of the

preceding claims, further comprising defining a plurality

of distinct higher and lower prizes, a relative increase

for each prize with respect to the amount wagered being

dependent on a required rate of return.

8. A method in accordance with claim 7, further

comprising awarding a combination of the plurality of

distinct prizes to achieve the required rate of return.

9. A method of gaming in accordance with any one of the

preceding claims, wherein determining the amount wagered comprises determining an average wager amount over a number of games since a last jackpot was awarded such that the relative probabilities are determined based on the average wager amount.

10. A game controller operable to control play of a plurality of games on a gaming machine a) operable to award at least one of a plurality of prizes, and b) having i) a credit input mechanism comprising at least one of a coin input mechanism, a bill collector, a card reader, and a ticket reader, the credit input mechanism configured to receive a credit input to establish a credit balance, the credit balance being increasable and decreasable based at least on wagering activity, for play of one of the plurality of games, ii) a user interface configured to receive a wager; and iii) a memory containing data indicative of a predefined hit rate that is independent of a wagered amount, and wherein each of the plurality of prizes corresponds to at least one range of a plurality of ranges of wager amounts, the game controller comprising: a configuration module arranged to configure a secondary event trigger using the predefined hit rate; a wager determination module arranged to determine an amount wagered for the play of one of the games from the credit balance, to sort the determined amount wagered into one of a plurality of ranges, and to decrease the credit balance by the determined amount wagered; a trigger module arranged to detect an occurrence of the secondary event trigger during one of the games, and in response to the occurrence of the secondary event trigger during one of the games, to trigger a secondary game event having the plurality of prizes available to be awarded; and an award determiner module configured to determine an award of a particular one of the plurality of prizes available to be awarded in connection with the secondary game event based on a probability that depends on the one of the plurality of ranges into which the determined amount wagered is sorted, such that for a lowest of the plurality of ranges, the lowest of the plurality of prizes is more probable to be awarded, and for a highest of the plurality of ranges, the highest of the plurality of prizes is more probable to be awarded, wherein the probability of awarding the plurality of prizes is set such that an average return of the secondary game event is the same independent of the determined amount wagered.

11. A game controller in accordance with claim 10, wherein the hit rate is fixed over an indefinite number of games.

12. A game controller in accordance with claim 10 or 11, wherein the secondary event trigger is a symbol driven trigger.

13. A game controller in accordance with any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the plurality of prizes are jackpot prizes funded from a jackpot prize pool.

14. A game controller in accordance with claim 13, wherein a percentage of each wager is allocated to the jackpot prize pool.

15. A game controller in accordance with any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the prizes comprise a plurality of distinct higher and lower value prizes in the respective range, a relative increase for each distinct prize with respect to the amount wagered being dependent on a required rate of return.

16. A game controller in accordance with claim 15, further comprising an award module operable to award a combination of the plurality of distinct prizes to achieve the required rate of return.

17. A game controller in accordance with any one of claims 10 to 16, wherein the determined amount wagered is an average wager amount over a number of games since a last jackpot was awarded such that the relative probabilities are determined based on the average wager amount.

18. A gaming system operable to award at least one of a plurality of prizes and to play a secondary game event of a game, the gaming system comprising: at least one gaming device comprising: a display arranged to display play of the game; a credit input mechanism comprising at least one of a coin input mechanism, a bill collector, a card reader, and a ticket reader, the credit input mechanism configured to receive a credit input to establish a credit balance, the credit balance being increasable and decreasable based at least on wagering activity; meters configured for monitoring credits established via the credit input mechanism and changes to the established credits due to play of the gaming machine, the meters including a credit meter to which credit input via the credit input mechanism is added and a win meter; a random number generator; a game play mechanism including a plurality of buttons configured for operation by a player to input a wager from the established credits and to initiate a play of a game; a gaming controller comprising a processor and a memory storing (i) game program code, (ii) symbol data, and (iii) data indicative of a predefined hit rate that is independent of a wagered amount, and wherein the game controller is operable to assign prize values to combinations of symbols as required during the game, the game controller executing the game program code stored in the memory and responsive to initiation of the play of the game with the game play mechanism to implement: a configuration module configured to configure the secondary event trigger using the hit rate; a wager determination module configured to determine the amount wagered for the play of one of the games, to sort the determined amount wagered into one of a plurality of ranges, and to decrease the credit balance by the determined amount wagered; a trigger module configured to detect an occurrence of the secondary event trigger during one of the games, and in response to the occurrence of the secondary event trigger during one of the games, to trigger a secondary game event having the plurality of prizes available to be awarded; and an award determiner module configured to determine an award of a particular one of the plurality of prizes available to be awarded in connection with the secondary game event based on a probability that depends on the one of the plurality of ranges into which the determined amount wagered is sorted, such that for a lowest of the plurality of ranges, the lowest of the plurality of prizes is more probable to be awarded, and for a highest of the plurality of ranges, the highest of the plurality of prizes is more probable to be awarded, wherein the probability of awarding the plurality of prizes is set such that an average return of the secondary game event is the same independent of the determined amount wagered.

19. A method of controlling a secondary game event in a wager based game on a gaming machine operable to award at least one of a plurality of prizes, the gaming machine having: a credit input mechanism comprising at least one of a coin input mechanism, a bill collector, a card reader, and a ticket reader, the credit input mechanism configured to receive a credit input to establish a credit balance, the credit balance being increasable and decreasable based at least on wagering activity; meters configured for monitoring credits established via the credit input mechanism and changes to the established credits due to play of the gaming machine, the meters including a credit meter to which credit input via the credit input mechanism is added and a win meter; a random number generator; a game play mechanism including a plurality of buttons configured for operation by a player to input a wager from the established credits and to initiate a play of a game; a gaming controller comprising a processor and a memory storing (i) game program code, (ii) symbol data, and (iii) data indicative of a predefined hit rate that is independent of a wagered amount, and wherein the game controller is operable to assign prize values to combinations of symbols as required during the game, the game controller executing the game program code stored in the memory and responsive to initiation of the play of the game with the game play mechanism to select symbols using the random number generator to generate game outcomes, the method comprising: determining, via the gaming controller, an amount wagered for play of the game from the credit balance; decreasing the credit balance by the determined amount wagered; sorting, via the gaming controller, the determined amount wagered into one of a plurality of ranges; detecting, via the gaming controller, an occurrence of a particular trigger during the game; and in response to detecting the occurrence of the particular trigger during play of the game, initiating, via the gaming controller, the secondary game event having the plurality of prizes available to be awarded; and determining, via the gaming controller, an award of a particular one of the plurality of prizes available to be awarded in connection with the secondary game event based on a probability that depends on the one of the plurality of ranges into which the determined amount wagered is sorted, such that for a lowest of the plurality of ranges, the lowest of the plurality of prizes is more probable to be awarded, and for a highest of the plurality of ranges, the highest of the plurality of prizes is more probable to be awarded, wherein the probability of awarding the plurality of prizes is set such that an average return of the secondary game event is the same independent of the determined amount wagered.

20. A method of controlling a secondary game event in a

game on a gaming machine operable to award at least one of

a plurality of prizes, the gaming machine having a credit

input mechanism comprising at least one of a coin input

mechanism, a bill collector, a card reader, and a ticket

reader, the credit input mechanism configured to receive a

credit input to establish a credit balance, the credit

balance being increasable and decreasable based at least

on wagering activity; and

a user interface configured to receive a wager;

for play of the game, a game controller; and

a memory containing data indicative of a

predefined hit rate that is independent of a wagered

amount, the method comprising:

determining, via the gaming controller, an amount

wagered for the play of the game from the credit balance;

decreasing the credit balance by the determined

amount wagered;

sorting, via the game controller, the determined

amount wagered into one of a plurality of ranges;

detecting, via the game controller, an occurrence of

a secondary event trigger during the game;

in response to detecting the occurrence of the

secondary event trigger during play of the game,

initiating, via the game controller, the secondary game

event having the plurality of prizes available to be

awarded; and

determining, via the gaming controller, a particular

one of the plurality of prizes to be awarded in connection

with the secondary game event based on a probability that depends on the one of the plurality of ranges into which the determined amount wagered is sorted, such that for a lowest of the plurality of ranges, the lowest of the plurality of prizes is more probable to be awarded, and for a highest of the plurality of ranges, the highest of the plurality of prizes is more probable to be awarded, wherein the probability of awarding the plurality of prizes is set such that an average return of the secondary game event is the same independent of the determined amount wagered.

21. A game controller operable to control play of a game on a gaming machine operable to award at least one of a plurality of prizes, the gaming machine comprising a credit input mechanism comprising: at least one of a coin input mechanism, a bill collector, a card reader, and a ticket reader, the credit input mechanism configured to receive a credit input to establish a credit balance, the credit balance being increasable and decreasable based at least on wagering activity; a user interface configured to receive a wager; and a memory containing data indicative of a predefined hit rate that is independent of a wagered amount; the game controller comprising: a wager determination module arranged to determine an amount wagered for play of the game from the credit balance, and to sort the determined amount wagered into one of a plurality of ranges, and to decrease the credit balance by the determined amount wagered; a trigger module arranged to detect an occurrence of a secondary event trigger during the game, and in response to an occurrence of a secondary event trigger during one of the games, to trigger a secondary game event having the plurality of prizes available to be awarded; and an award determiner module configured to determine an award of a particular one of the plurality of prizes available to be awarded in connection with the secondary game event based on a probability that depends on the one of the plurality of ranges into which the determined amount wagered is sorted, such that for a lowest of the plurality of ranges, the lowest of the plurality of prizes is more probable to be awarded, and for a highest of the plurality of ranges, the highest of the plurality of prizes is more probable to be awarded, wherein the probability of awarding the plurality of prizes is set such that an average return of the secondary game event is the same independent of the determined amount wagered.