AU770953B2

AU770953B2 - Gaming machine with moving symbols on symbol array

Info

Publication number: AU770953B2
Application number: AU29848/01A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Joel R. Jaffe
Original assignee: WMS Gaming Inc
Current assignee: LNW Gaming Inc
Priority date: 2000-03-21
Filing date: 2001-03-23
Publication date: 2004-03-11
Anticipated expiration: 2021-03-21
Also published as: AU2984801A; EP1150261A2; CA2341927A1; EP1150261A3

Description

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AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 CO MPL CTSPEC iFICATION FOR A STANDARD) PATENT

ORIGI[NAL

a a.

Name and Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title-: WMS Gaming Inc.

3401 North California Avenue Chicago Illinois 60618 United States of America Joel R. Jaffe Spruson Ferguson St Martins Tower,Level 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 Gaming Machine with Moving Symbols on Symbol Array a.

a a performing it known to me/us.- 58~45c NOSOMI% Nons~J N0SflMA N0SHdS LU9 'd 6900 'ON 9PSIH6 19 S L I 10H 'M LC/9 d 6900 ON 98~9l9~6 8 9 VN '9Z X A 8 31 :L I VV U 3VNII CD3I]9 REFERENCE To RELATED

APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-inpart of U.S. application Serial No.

09/531,712, filed March 21, 2000, and entitled "GAMING MACHINIE

WITH

MOVING SYMBOLS ON SYMBOL

ARRAY."

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to gaming machines and, more particularly, Co a gaming machine providing a game of chance in which a special symbol(s) moves around a symbol array shown on a visual display, the symbol array is evaluated for winning symbol combinations each time the special symbol(s) stops, and the game ends in response to the special symbol encountering a stop-bonus symbol jthat also moves around the symbol array.

BACKGRON OF THE INVENTION Gaming machines, such as slot machines, video poker machines and the like, have been a cornerstone of the gamning industry for several years. Generally, the popularity of such machines with players is dependent on the likelihood (or perceived likelihood) of winning money at the machine and the intrinsic entertainment value of the machine relative to other available gaming options. Where the available gaming S. S.options include a number of competing machines and the expectation of winning each *5 machine is roughly the same (or believed to be the same), players are most likely to be attracted to the most entertaining and exciting of the machines. Shrewd operators consequently strive to employ the most entertaining and exciting machines available because such machines attract frequent play and hence increase profitability to the operator. Accordingly, in the competitive gaming machine industry, there is a continuing need for gaming machine manufacturers to produce new types of games, or enhancements to existing games, which will attract frequent play by enhancing the entertainment value and excitement associated with the game.

One concept that has been successfully e mployed to enhance the entertainment value of a game is the concept of a "secondary" or "bonus" game that may be played in conjunction with a "basic" game. The bonus game may comprise any type of game, l~ow W n'r Ws d L CIL 'd 6900 'ON 98D919H T19 NosfiOH3 N0Sflud3 SLI 10H~ 'M -3either similar to or completely different from the basic game, which is entered upon the occurrence of a selected event or outcome of the basic game. Because the bonus game concept offers tremendous advantages in player appeal and excitement relative to other known games, and because such games are attractive to both players and operators, there is a continuing need to develop new features for bonus games to satisfy the demands of players and operators. Preferably, such new bonus game features will maintain, or even further enhance, the level of player excitement offered by bonus games heretofore known in the art. The present invention is directed to satisfying these needs.

SUMMARY

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming machine controlled by a processor in response to a wager, comprising a basic game including a plurality of symbols randomly placed in a viewable display area relative to at least one pay line, the basic game awarding a basic game payout for any winning symbol combinations along the pay line, the basic game including a start-bonus outcome and a bonus game triggered by the start-bonus outcome, the bonus game including a special indicator progressively moved to and stopped at one or more of the symbols in the viewable display area; wherein for each symbol where the special indicator stops, the bonus game awards a bonus game payout for a winning scatter combination formed with the symbol regardless of whether the winning scatter combination is along the pay line and wherein the symbols in the viewable display area are arranged in a rectangular array of rows and columns, and the winning scatter combination in the bonus game excludes symbols in the columns of the array to the right of the special indicator.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming 25 machine controlled by a processor in response to a wager, comprising a basic game including a plurality of symbols randomly placed in a viewable display area relative to at least one pay line, the basic game awarding a basic game payout for any winning symbol combinations along the pay line, the basic game including a start-bonus outcome and a bonus game triggered by the start-bonus outcome, the bonus game including a special S 30 indicator progressively moved to and stopped at one or more of the symbols in the viewable display area; wherein for each symbol where the special indicator stops, the bonus game awards a bonus game payout for a winning scatter combination formed with the symbol regardless of whether the winning scatter combination is along the pay line and wherein if multiple winning scatter combinations are formed with the symbol where [R:\LIBCC]03717.doc:wxb -3athe special indicator stops, the bonus game only awards the bonus game payout for a highest paying one of the winning scatter combinations.

In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming machine controlled by a processor in response to a wager, comprising a basic game including a plurality of symbols randomly placed in a viewable display area relative to at least one pay line, the basic game awarding a basic game payout for any winning symbol combinations along the pay line, the basic game including a start-bonus outcome and a bonus game triggered by the start-bonus outcome, the bonus game including a special indicator progressively moved to and stopped at one or more of the symbols in the viewable display area; wherein for each symbol where the special indicator stops, the bonus game awards a bonus game payout for a winning scatter combination formed with the symbol regardless of whether the winning scatter combination is along the pay line and wherein an original starting position of the special indicator in the viewable display area is a wild symbol.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming machine controlled by a processor in response to a wager, comprising a plurality of symbols randomly placed in a viewable display area relative to at least one pay line, a basic payout being awarded for any winning symbol combinations along the pay line and a special indicator progressively moved to and stopped at one or more of the symbols in the viewable display area, wherein for each symbol where the special indicator stops, a bonus payout is awarded for a winning scatter combination formed with the symbol regardless of whether the winning scatter combination is along the pay line and wherein the symbols in the viewable display area are arranged in a rectangular array of rows and columns, and the winning scatter combination excludes symbols in the columns of the 25 array to the right of the special indicator.

In accordance with a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming machine controlled by a processor in response to a wager, comprising a plurality of symbols randomly placed in a viewable display area relative to at least one pay line, a basic payout being awarded for any winning symbol combinations along the pay line and a special indicator progressively moved to and stopped at one or more of the symbols in the viewable display area, wherein for each symbol where the special indicator stops, a bonus payout is awarded for a winning scatter combination formed with the symbol regardless of whether the winning scatter combination is along the pay line and wherein if S •multiple winning scatter combinations are formed with the symbol where the special [R:\LIBCC]03717.doc:wxb 3b indicator stops, the bonus game payout is awarded for only a highest paying one of the winning scatter combinations.

In accordance with a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming machine controlled by a processor in response to a wager, comprising a plurality of symbols randomly placed in a viewable display area relative to at least one pay line, a basic payout being awarded for any winning symbol combinations along the pay line and a special indicator progressively moved to and stopped at one or more of the symbols in the viewable display area, wherein for each symbol where the special indicator stops, a bonus payout is awarded for a winning scatter combination formed with the symbol regardless of whether the winning scatter combination is along the pay line and wherein an original starting position of the special indicator in the viewable display area is a wild symbol.

In accordance with a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a slot machine comprising a visual display showing an array of symbols; a basic game controlled by a processor in response to a wager amount, wherein in the basic game the array provides rotatable reels that are rotated and stopped to place the symbols of each reel in visual association with at least one pay line, the basic game awarding a basic game payout if the symbols along the pay line correspond to a winning basic game outcome, the basic game having a start-bonus outcome and a bonus game activated by the processor in response to the start-bonus outcome, the bonus game including a plurality of bonus rounds, the array including a special symbol and a stop-bonus symbol during the bonus game, wherein during each of the bonus rounds the special symbol and the stop-bonus symbol move to and stop at new respective positions on the array, the bonus game "awarding a bonus round payout during the bonus round if the symbols along the pay line 25 correspond to a winning bonus game outcome, the bonus game ending in response to the new respective positions of the special symbol and the stop-bonus symbol on the array during one of the bonus rounds being the same position.

In accordance with an eighth aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming machine comprising a visual display showing an array of symbols in visual association with at least one pay line, the array including a special symbol and a stop-game symbol and a game of chance including a plurality of game rounds, wherein during each of the game rounds the special symbol and the stop-game symbol move to and stop at new respective positions on the array, the game of chance awarding a payout during the round if the symbols along the pay line correspond to a winning game outcome, the game of [R:\LIBCC]0371 7.doc:wxb 3cchance ending in response to the new respective positions of the special symbol and the stop-bonus symbol on the array during one of the game rounds being the same position.

In accordance with a ninth aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming machine comprising a visual display showing an array of symbols in visual association with at least one pay line, the array including first and second wild symbols and a game of chance including a plurality of game rounds, wherein during certain ones of the game rounds the first and second wild symbols move to and stop at new respective positions on the array, the game of chance awarding a payout during the round if the symbols along the pay line correspond to a winning game outcome, the game of chance evaluating the io first and second wild symbols as wilds in determining whether or not to award the payout.

In accordance with a tenth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of operating a slot machine under control of a processor comprising a) providing a basic game including a plurality of rotatable reels shown on a visual display, the plurality of reels forming an array of symbols; b) in response to a wager amount, rotating and stopping the reels to place the symbols of each reel in visual association with at least one pay line; c) awarding a basic game payout if the symbols along the pay line correspond to a winning basic game outcome; d) providing a bonus game in response to a start-bonus outcome in the basic game, the array including a special symbol and a stop-bonus symbol during the bonus game; e) moving the special symbol and the stop-bonus symbol to new respective positions on the array; f) awarding a bonus payout if the symbols along the pay line correspond to a winning bonus game outcome and g) repeating steps and until the new respective positions on the array are the same position.

**In accordance with an eleventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a *method of a method of operating a gaming machine under control of a processor o 25 comprising a) providing a game of chance including an array of symbols shown on a visual display in visual association with at least one pay line, the array including a special symbol and a stop-game symbol; b) moving the special symbol and the stop-bonus symbol to new respective positions on the array; c) awarding a payout if the symbols along the pay line correspond to a winning game outcome and d) repeating steps and until the new respective positions on the array are the same position.

In accordance with a twelfth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of operating a gaming machine under control of a processor comprising a) providing a game of chance including an array of symbols shown on a visual display in visual association with at least one pay line, the array including first and second wild symbols; [R:\LIBCC]03717.doc:wxb 3db) moving the first and second wild symbols to new respective positions on the array; c) awarding a payout if the symbols along the pay line correspond to a winning game outcome, the first and second wild symbols being evaluated as wilds in determining whether or not to award the payout and d) repeating steps and until a predetermined event occurs in the game of chance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which: a.

a S. Sa a

S..

a. Sa (THE NEXT PAGE IS PAGE 4) [R:\LIBCC]03717.doc:wxb Z 8: 'M 96 M~11 INIHd 81 LI 'M U X~i HBAL3I FIG. I is a simplified front view of a gaming machine embodying the present invention; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system suitable for operating the gaming machine; FIG. 3 is a display screen capture associated with a five-reel, nine-line basic game that is played on the gamning machine; FIG. 4 is a display screen capture showing a start-bonus outcome in the basic game which triggers the bonus game; FIGS. 5 through 13 are display screen captures associated with a first embodiment of the bonus game; and FIGS..- 14 through 16 are display screen captures associated with a second embodiment of the bonus game.

:While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EM1BODIMENTS 20 Turning now to the, drawings and referring initially to FIG, 1, there is depicted a video gaming machine 10 that may be used to implement a bonus game according to the present invention. The gaming machine 10 includes a video display 12 that may comprise a dot matrix, CRT, LED, LCD, electro-luminescent display or generally any type of video display known in the art. In the illustrated embodiment, the gaming machine 10 is an "upright" version in which the video display 12 includes a touch screen and is oriented vertically relative to the player. It will be appreciated, however, that any of several other models of gaming machines are within the scope of the present invention including, for example, a "slant-top" version in which the video display is slanted at about a thirty-degree angle toward the player, or gaming machines that include mechanical rather than video displays.

4NQSfl8h I NOQVdS 76 6900 'ON Y88% 19 NOSHH 3 NOME~d 9:Ll10 'M~AV In one embodiment, the gaming machine 10 is operable to play a game entitled WILD STREAKTm having city park theme symbols. The WILD STREAK'M game features a basic gamne in the formr of a slot machine with five simulated spinning reels (see FIG. 3) and a bonus game with symbols that move around the reels after they have been stopped. It will be appreciated, however, that the gaming machine 10 may be implemented with games other than the WILD STREAKm game and/or with any of several alternative game themes, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system suitable for operating the gaming machine 10. Coin/credit detector 14 signals a CPU 1.6 when a player has inserted a :.10 number of coins or played a number of credits. Then, the CPU 16 operates to execute a game program which causes the video display 12 to display the basic game that includes simulated reels with symbols displayed thereon (see FIG. The player may select the number of pay lines to play and the amount to wager via touch screen input keys 17. The basic game commences in response to the player activating a switch 18 by pulling a lever or pushing a button), causing the CPUJ 16 to set the reels in motion, randomly select a game outcome and then stop the reels to display symbols corresponding to the pre-selected game outcome. In one embodiment, certain of the basic game outcomes cause the CPU 16 to enter a bonus mode causing the video display 12 to show a bonus game. The display screens associated with the WILD STREAKTM bonus game will be described in detail in relation to FIGS. 6 through 12.

A system memory 20 stores control software, operational instructions and data associated with the gaining machine 10. In one embodiment, the memory comprises a separate read-only memory (ROM4) and battery-backed random-access memory (RAM), However, it will be appreciated that the system memory 20 may be implemented on any of several alternative types of memory structures or may be implemented on a single memory structure. A payoff mechanism 22 is operable in response to instructions from the CPU 16 to award a payoff of coins or credits to the player in response to certain winning outcomes which might occur in the basic game or bonus game. The payoff amounts corresponding to certain combinations of symbols in the basic game is predetermined according to a pay table stored in system 100019cm NOSO U 31 NOSAOdS L~/1 d 6900 'ON 98V12 19 NMIMH~a NOSflMS 92 LI 100Z 'Mv C2 VA Z Ni AI IIU 8 1 L I VA I 'EZ AI3d memory 20. The payoff amounts corresponding to certain outcomes of the bonus game are also stored in system memory As shown in FI2G. 3, the WILD STREAKTM basic game is implemented on the video display 12 on five video simulated spinning reels 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34 (hereinafter "reels") with nine or other number of pay lines 40-48. Each of the pay lines 40-48 extends through one symbol on each of the five reels 30-34. Generally, game play is initiated by inserting a number of coins or playing a number of credits, causing the CPU 16 (FIG. 2) to activate a number of pay lines corresponding to the number of coins or credits played, In one embodiment, the player selects the number 00*o10 of pay lines (between one and nine) to play by pressing a "Select Lines" key 50 on the video display 12. The player then chooses the number of coins or credits to bet on the selected pay lines by pressing the "Bet Per Line" key 52.

.000After activation of the pay lines, the reels 30-34 may be set in motion by 0 *0 touching the "Spin Reels" key 54 or, if the player wishes to bet the maximum amount .15 per line, by using the "Max Bet Spin" key 56 on the video display 12. Alternatively, other mechanisms such as, for example, a lever or push button may be used to set the 0 0 0. 0reels in motion. The CPU 16 uses a random number generator to select a game 0 outcome "basic" game outcome) corresponding to a particular set of reel "stop positions." The CPU 16 then causes each of the video reels 30-34 to stop at the 0. 20 appropriate stop position. Video symbols are displayed on the reels 30-34 to 0.0 0 graphically illustrate the reel stop positions and indicate whether the stop positions of the reels represent a winning game outcome. Winning basic game outcomes symbol combinations resulting in payment of coins or credits) are identifiable to the player by a pay table. In one embodiment, the pay table is affixed to the machine and/or displayed by the video display 12 in response to a command by the player by pressing the "Pay Table" button 58). A winning basic game outcome occurs when the symbols appearing on the reels 30-34 along an active pay line correspond to one of the winning combinations on the pay table. If the displayed symbols stop in a winning combination, the game credits the player an amount corresponding to the award in the pay table for that combination multiplied by the amount of credits bet on the winning 6 NOQfl9U]i I NS 8IId 6900 ON 98P9IK6 ,19 NCSHHE NOSfldsK 9LII lOH~ 'M* 6V.b 'VA '96 JIi iNidd 81Ll V 3L~Ii 03AI303 pay line. The player may collect the amount of accumulated credits by pressing the "Collect" button An example of a pay table for the WILD STREAKTM basic and bonus games is shown below: WIN COMBINATIONS

PAY

Seven Seven Seven Seven- Seven 5000 Seven -Seven Seven I Sevet-n 500 Seven Seven Seven Fountain Fountain Fountain Fountain Fountain 800 Fonti Fonan Fonan Fonti Fonti Fonan2 Fo nti Fo nai.

0 t n t n t n t n t n 0 St n Stn.ta dS an 0 St n Stn9.a d3 Bec Bec BnhBe e Benc Bec echI9 Bn BechBec Ca Can Melon Melon Melon Melon Melon 200 *Melon Melon Melon Melon Melon Mln Mln1 OrneOrang e Oran e Orange Orange Orange Orange Oran e Orane -300 9 Orange 0ran e Orange Staber Stayer tab9 tab tab 0 9eb Straberr Stawbery2 Te yte enabete plyrt iw Thewnigcmiain n hi associated payoff amounts. From the pay table it can be seen that the following reel symbols that can lead to a payoff in the basic and bonus games:

SEVEN,

FOUNTAIN, HOT DOG STAND, BENCH, CAN, MELON,

ORANGE,

STRAWBERRY, and TREE. In a Preferred implementation, the winning combinations start from the first reel 30 (left to right) and span adjacent reels. In an 7 NOSl9h I NOSA~dS L/1 'd 6900 'ON 98 M19H6 Y19 NO'SflHH3 N03ldS, L :Ll 100Z 'VM[T alternative implementation, the winning combinations start from either the first reel (left to right) or the fifth reel 34 (right to left) and span adjacent reels.

Included among the plurality of basic game outcomes are a plurality of different start-bonus outcomes for starling play of a bonus game. A start-bonus outcome may be defined in any number of ways, For example, a start-bonus outcome occurs when a special start-bonus symbol or a special combination of symbols appears on one or more of the reels 30-34 in any predetermined display position. The appearance of a start-bonus outcome causes the processor to shift operation from the basic game to a bonus game.

:10 The WILD STREAKTM4 bonus game is triggered by the combination of a 0*S@ primary streaker symbol/character on the first reel 30 and the word "Streak" .5 superimposed over any of the symbols on the fifth reel 34. In one embodiment, there 9* 9 are two primary streaker symbols: OLD MAN STREAKER and YOUNG

GUY

STREAKER. Therefore, the combination of either of these two primary streaker 00000 15 symbols on the first reel 30 and the word "Streak" superimposed over any of the 00*009. symbols on the fifth reel 34 triggers the bonus game. FIG. 4 shows an example of a start-bonus outcome in which the OLD MAN STREAKER symbol 62 appears on the first reel 30 and the word "Streak" is superimposed over the ORANGE symbol on the fifth reel 34. In the illustrated embodiment, the OLD MAN STREAKER and :520. YOUNG GUY STREAKER symbols do not appear in the pay table and, therefore, 9. 9.cannot generate a winning basic game outcome. These symbols, however, do provide start-bonus outcomes for triggering the WILD STREAKTm bonus game and, in accordance with a first embodiment, serve as wild symbols when evaluating outcomes of the bonus game.

The reels 30-34 remain stopped throughout the WILD STREAKT4 bonus game. However, the primary streaker symbol 62 and a stop-bonus

POLICEMAN

symbol 64 randomly move around the symbol array formed by the stopped reels 34.

In accordance with a first embodiment of the bonus game, during a first bonus round shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the primary streaker symbol 62 moves or "runs" from its original position on the first reel 30 to a new position on the symbol array. The 8NOSl9dJ I NOSAOdS L8/H Id 6900 'ON 98PSIK6 v 19 N03flDE NOSHdS L LI10 t0~~N streaker stops at this new position and hides behind the reel symbol

ORANGE

symbol) already present at that position. The CPU then evaluates the symbol ar-ray for any winning combinations along an active pay line that contain the primary streaker symbol 62 in the combination. The array position containing the primary streaker symbol 62 and the original position of the streaker symbol on the reel 30 serve as wilds during this evaluation. The winning combinations for the bonus game are defined by the pay table above or, alternatively, by a different pay table applicable only to the bonus game. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the primary streaker symbol 62 generates the winning combination SEVEN, SEVEN, SEVEN, SEVEN along the pay line 42, where the third SEVEN results from the ORANGE symbol being evaluated as a wild due to the primary streaker symbol 62. According to the pay table, 0 a 0this winning combination generates a bonus game payout of 500 coins multiplied by the line bet if the pay line 42 is active.

.After the first bonus round, the stop-bonus POLICEMAN symbol 64 appears in one of the symbol positions of the fifth reel 34 as shown in FIG. 6. The POLICEMAN symbol 64 always avoids the primary streaker symbol 62 when first appearing on the symbol array.

Durin each subsequent bonus round, the CPU randomly selects a destination position for the primary streaker symbol 62 and then randomly selects a destination position for POLICEMAN symbol 64 from among the remaining array positions. The streaker stops at its destination position and hides behind the reel symbol already present at that position. The CPU then evaluates the symbol array for any winning combinations along an active pay line that contain the primary streaker symbol 62 in the combination. The array position containing the primary streaker symbol 62 and the original position of the streaker symbol on the reel 30 serve as wilds during this evaluation. In the example shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the primary streaker symbol 62 generates the winning combination STRAWBERRY,

STRAWBERRY,

STRAWBERRY along the pay line 44, where the third STRAWBERRY results from the ORANGE symbol being evaluated as a wild due to the primary streaker symbol 62. According to the pay cable, this winning combination generates a bonus game payout of 7 coins multiplied by the line bet if the pay line 44 is active. In the example 9On~l I NOSA~dS L8/M d 6900 'ON 9PSIK96 Y19 NOSflD3 NO~fl~dS L~Il0

V

IW '9V 3 II INIm 811 VfV 'U 31 II 3A1333 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the primary streaker symbol 62 generates the winning combination HOT DOG STAND, HOT DOG STAND, HOT DOG STAND along the pay line 46, where the first HOT DOG STAND results from the BENCH symbol being evaluated as a wild due to the primary streaker symbol 62. According to the pay table, this winning combination generates a bonus game payout of 30 coins multiplied by the line bet if the pay line 46 is active.

The bonus game ends when the number of bonus rounds reaches a predetermined count, at which time the CPU selects the destination position for the POLICEMAN symbol 64 to be the same as the destination position of the primary 10 streaker symbol 62 the POLICEMAN symbol catches the streaker symbol). In the example shown in FIG. 11, both the primary steaker symbol 62 and the POLICEMAN symbol 64 are moving to the upper position of the fourth reel 33.

e Referring back to FIG. 6, a secondary streaker symbol 66 optionally accompanies the primary streaker symbol 62. The secondary streaker symbol 66 15 appears on the reel 30 where the primary streaker symbol 62 originally started.

Generally, the secondary streaker symbol 66 remains in this original position as a bystander as the primary streaker symbol 62 and the POLICEMAN symbol 64 "streak" around the symbol array.

On some bonus rounds, however, the secondary streaker symbol 66 may 20 remove her clothes and join the primary streaker symbol 62 in "streaking" around the symbol array. The pile of clothes is left in here place. This "double streaking" situation is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. The two streakers stop at their new positions and hide behind the reel symbols already present at those positions. The CPU then evaluates the symbol array for any winning combinations along an active pay line that contain either streaker 62 or 66 in the combination. The two array positions containing the respective primary and secondary streaker symbols 62 and 66, as well as the original position of the streaker symbols on the reel 30, serve as wilds during this evaluation, resulting in a total of three wilds. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the primary and secondary streaker symbols 62 and 66 generate the winning combination STRAWBERRY, STRAWBERRY, STRAWBERRY,

STRAWBERRY,

and STRAWBERRY along the pay line 44, where the first STRAWBERRY 10001199 NOSHn9S 3 NOSndS LE/9I 'd 6900'ON 98S9i196 ~i,19 NOSnfD8Hj NOSfHdS 8'LI ION 'M r6 results from the wild symbol on the first reel 30, the second STRAWBERRY results from the FOUNTAIN symbol being evaluated as a wild due to the secondary streaker symbol 66, and the fifth STRAWBERRY results from the ORANGE symbol being evaluated as a wild due to the Primary Streaker symbol 62. According to the pay table, this winning combination generates a bonus game payout of 100 coins multiplied by the line bet if the pay line 44 is active. The bonus game ends when either the primary streaker symbol 62 or the secondary streaker symbol 66 is "caught" by the POUCEMAN symbol 64.

In accordance with a second embodiment of the bonus game, only the original *.10 starting position of the streaker symbol on the reel 30 serves as a wild when evaluating the symbol array during each bonus round. In addition, the CPU evaluates *the symbol array for any winning combinations formed with the symbol where the .streaker stops regardless of whether the winning symbol combination is along an active pay line. Thus, the symbol where the streaker stops pays as a scatter. In ai preferred implementation of this second embodiment of the bonus game, the symbols on reels to the right of the streaker are excluded from (not counted toward) any winning combinations. The winning combinations for the bonus game are defined by .the pay cable above or, alternatively, by a different pay table applicable only to the bonus game. Preferably, only the highest paying winning combination formed with the symbol where the streaker stops is paid during a round of the bonus game.

In the example shown in FIG. 14, the primary streaker symbol 62 stops on the SEVEN in the top row of reel 30. Therefore, the CPU evaluates the symbol array for any winning combinations formed with the SEVEN regardless of whether the winning combination is along an active pay line. If, in accordance with the preferred implementation, symbols on reels to the right of the primary streaker 62 are excluded from this evaluation, then the winning scatter combination is SEVEN, SEVEN. This winning combination is formed by the SEVEN in the top row of reel 30 and the wild in the middle row of reel 30. The middle row of reel 30 is wild because this was the original position of the primary streaker symbol 62. According to the pay table, the winning combination of SEVEN, SEVEN generates a bonus game payout of 5 coins multiplied by the total bet. If, on the other hand, symbols on reels to the right of the 1000 199 I OSP9 NOS d S C/1'd 6906 'ON 9PIK96 Y19 NOSHM~ NOSflMS 8z:LI I OH~ T 6 8 'M '96 3IV~I INI~d 81 :Lt 'VV M 6 XVJi 03AI30H primary streaker 62 are included in the evaluation, then the winning scatter combination would be SEVEN, SEVEN, SEVEN, SEVEN due to the two additional SEVEN symbols on respective reels 31 and 33. According to the pay table, this winning combination produces a payout of 500 coins multiplied by the total bet.

In another example shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the primary streaker 62 moves to (see FIG. 15) and stops on the ORANGE in the mniddle row of reel 34 without encountering the policeman 64. The CPU evaluates the symbol array for the highest paying winning combination formed with the ORANGE regardless of whether the winning combination is along an active pay line. In this case, the winning combination is ORANGE, ORANGE, ORANGE, ORANGE formed by the wlId in the middle row of reel 30, the ORANGE in the bottom row of reel 31, the ORANGE in the top row of reel 32, and the ORANGE in the middle row of reel 34. According to the pay table, the winning combination of ORANGE, ORANGE,

ORANGE.

ORANGE generates a bonus game payout of 30 coins multiplied by the total bet. As stated above, only the highest paying winning combination is preferably paid out to the player during a round of the bonus game. Therefore, the winning combination of ORANGE, ORANGE, ORANGE, which generates a lesser payout of 7 coins multiplied by the total bet, is preferably not paid out. Whether or not symbols on reels to the right of the primary streaker 62 are included in the evaluation does not matter in the example in FIGS. L5 and 16 because the primary streaker 62 is already on the :rightmost reel 34.

In this second embodiment of the bonus game, the secondary streaker symbol 66 (see FIG. 14) is optionally employed and sometimes joins the primary streaker 62 in "streakcing" around the symbol array. Like the primary streaker 62, the symbol where the secondary streaker 66 stops during each bonus round pays as a scatter so that the player is awarded for the highest paying winning combination formed with the symbol where the primary streaker 62 stops and the highest paying winning combination formed with the symbol where the secondary streaker 66 stops. If the primary and secondary streakers 62 and 66 stop on the same symbol, the player I s awarded twice for the highest paying winning combination formed with that symbol.

NOSfl9J NOSHlu:S 0H' L~/l d 6900 'ON H999H Y19 NOSHH93 NOSflMS Ll!G8V'8 tV- dVA 96 All A16d 6 L LI 'ML 6 iVNl U]AI3d In one implementation, the primary and secondary streakers 62 and 66 never stop on the same symbol.

While the present invention has been described with reference to one or more Particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

For example, the basic game need not comprise a spinning reel slot machine game as illustrated in FIG. 1, but may comprise virtually any type of game of chance or skill or combination of games having outcomes start-bonus outcomes) that trigger play of a bonus game on the video display 12. For example, the basic game may comprise a video poker or'ideo blackjack game. The basic game may itself be implemented on the video display 12 or a separate video display. In embodiments where both the basic and bonus games are implemented in video, each game may be shown on the same video display 12. In an alternative embodiment, the WELD STREAKTm bonus game may be implemented as a stand-alone basic game that is not triggered by a start-bonus outcome on spinning reels. Each of these embodiments and obvious variations thereof is contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, which is set forth in the following claims.

10001 199'd 'd 6900 'ON NOH~fld~J I NOSnddS 98VSI9K6 Y19 NOSHH93 NOSAU~S L~/8 d 666 'N 6:L1 10H 'M U

Claims

1. A gaming machine controlled by a processor in response to a wager, comprising: a basic game including a plurality of symbols randomly placed in a viewable display area relative to at least one pay line, the basic game awarding a basic game payout for any winning symbol combinations along the pay line, the basic game including a start- bonus outcome; and a bonus game triggered by the start-bonus outcome, the bonus game including a special indicator progressively moved to and stopped at one or more of the symbols in the viewable display area; wherein for each symbol where the special indicator stops, the bonus game awards a bonus game payout for a winning scatter combination formed with the symbol regardless of whether the winning scatter combination is along the pay line; and wherein the symbols in the viewable display area are arranged in a rectangular array of rows and columns, and the winning scatter combination in the bonus game excludes symbols in the columns of the array to the right of the special indicator.

2. A gaming machine controlled by a processor in response to a wager, comprising: a basic game including a plurality of symbols randomly placed in a viewable display area relative to at least one pay line, the basic game awarding a basic game payout for any winning symbol combinations along the pay line, the basic game including a start- bonus outcome; and •too a bonus game triggered by the start-bonus outcome, the bonus game including a special indicator progressively moved to and stopped at one or more of the symbols in the 66@ S 25 viewable display area; wherein for each symbol where the special indicator stops, the bonus game awards a bonus game payout for a winning scatter combination formed with the symbol regardless of whether the winning scatter combination is along the pay line; and wherein if multiple winning scatter combinations are formed with the symbol 30 where the special indicator stops, the bonus game only awards the bonus game payout for g o a highest paying one of the winning scatter combinations. goes *l S 00 0o 0e•S 0oooo6 [R:\LBCG]03717.doc:wxb

3. A gaming machine controlled by a processor in response to a wager, comprising: a basic game including a plurality of symbols randomly placed in a viewable display area relative to at least one pay line, the basic game awarding a basic game payout for any winning symbol combinations along the pay line, the basic game including a start- bonus outcome; and a bonus game triggered by the start-bonus outcome, the bonus game including a special indicator progressively moved to and stopped at one or more of the symbols in the viewable display area; wherein for each symbol where the special indicator stops, the bonus game awards a bonus game payout for a winning scatter combination formed with the symbol regardless of whether the winning scatter combination is along the pay line; and wherein an original starting position of the special indicator in the viewable display area is a wild symbol.

4. A gaming machine controlled by a processor in response to a wager, comprising: a plurality of symbols randomly placed in a viewable display area relative to at least one pay line, a basic payout being awarded for any winning symbol combinations along the pay line; and a special indicator progressively moved to and stopped at one or more of the 20 symbols in the viewable display area, wherein for each symbol where the special indicator stops, a bonus payout is awarded for a winning scatter combination formed with S.the symbol regardless of whether the winning scatter combination is along the pay line; S and wherein the symbols in the viewable display area are arranged in a rectangular array of rows and columns, and the winning scatter combination excludes symbols in the columns of the array to the right of the special indicator.

5. A gaming machine controlled by a processor in response to a wager, comprising: plurality of symbols randomly placed in a viewable display area relative to at 30 least one pay line, a basic payout being awarded for any winning symbol combinations along the pay line; and a special indicator progressively moved to and stopped at one or more of the symbols in the viewable display area, wherein for each symbol where the special indicator stops, a bonus payout is awarded for a winning scatter combination formed with [R:\LIBCC]03717.doc:wxb -16- the symbol regardless of whether the winning scatter combination is along the pay line; and wherein if multiple winning scatter combinations are formed with the symbol where the special indicator stops, the bonus game payout is awarded for only a highest paying one of the winning scatter combinations.

6. A gaming machine controlled by a processor in response to a wager, comprising: a plurality of symbols randomly placed in a viewable display area relative to at least one pay line, a basic payout being awarded for any winning symbol combinations along the pay line; and a special indicator progressively moved to and stopped at one or more of the symbols in the viewable display area, wherein for each symbol where the special indicator stops, a bonus payout is awarded for a winning scatter combination formed with the symbol regardless of whether the winning scatter combination is along the pay line; and wherein an original starting position of the special indicator in the viewable display area is a wild symbol.

7. A slot machine comprising: 20 a visual display showing an array of symbols; •a basic game controlled by a processor in response to a wager amount, wherein S.in the basic game the array provides rotatable reels that are rotated and stopped to place the symbols of each reel in visual association with at least one pay line, the basic game awarding a basic game payout if the symbols along the pay line correspond to a winning basic game outcome, the basic game having a start-bonus outcome; and a bonus game activated by the processor in response to the start-bonus outcome, the bonus game including a plurality of bonus rounds, the array including a special symbol and a stop-bonus symbol during the bonus game, wherein during each of the S bonus rounds the special symbol and the stop-bonus symbol move to and stop at new 30 respective positions on the array, the bonus game awarding a bonus round payout during the bonus round if the symbols along the pay line correspond to a winning bonus game outcome, the bonus game ending in response to the new respective positions of the special S symbol and the stop-bonus symbol on the array during one of the bonus rounds being the same position. [R:\LIBCC]03717.doc:wxb I I .l -17-

8. The slot machine of claim 7 wherein the visual display is a video display.

9. The slot machine of claim 7, wherein the start-bonus outcome includes the special symbol appearing on a first of the stopped rotatable reels during the basic game, and the start-bonus symbol superimposed on any of the symbols appearing a last of the stopped rotatable reels during the basic game. The slot machine of claim 7, wherein the special symbol is wild such that the bonus game awards the bonus round payout with the special symbol evaluated as a wild.

11. The slot machine of claim 7, wherein an original position of the special symbol on the array at a beginning of the bonus game remains wild throughout the bonus game.

12. The slot machine of claim 7, wherein in the bonus game the array includes a second special symbol that, during certain ones of the bonus rounds, also moves to and stops at a new position on the array.

13. The slot machine of claim 12, wherein the second special symbol is wild such S 20 that the bonus game awards the bonus round payout with the second special symbol •evaluated as a wild. o o.

14. The slot machine of claim 7, wherein during each of the bonus rounds the special symbol and the stop-bonus symbol randomly move to and stop at the new respective positions on the array. The slot machine of claim 7, wherein the winning bonus game outcome includes the special symbol along the pay line. 30 16. A gaming machine comprising: a visual display showing an array of symbols in visual association with at least oooo one pay line, the array including a special symbol and a stop-game symbol; and a game of chance including a plurality of game rounds, wherein during each of the game rounds the special symbol and the stop-game symbol move to and stop at new [R:\LIBCC]03717.doc:wxb e U V V -18- respective positions on the array, the game of chance awarding a payout during the round if the symbols along the pay line correspond to a winning game outcome, the game of chance ending in response to the new respective positions of the special symbol and the stop-bonus symbol on the array during one of the game rounds being the same position.

17. The gaming machine of claim 16, wherein the special symbol is wild such that the game of chance awards the payout with the special symbol evaluated as a wild.

18. The gaming machine of claim 16, wherein an original position of the special symbol on the array at a beginning of the game of chance remains wild throughout the game of chance.

19. The gaming machine of claim 16, wherein the array includes a second special symbol that, during certain ones of the game rounds, also moves to and stops at a new position on the array. The gaming machine of claim 19, wherein the second special symbol is wild such that the game of chance awards the payout with the second special symbol evaluated as a wild.

21. The gaming machine of claim 16, wherein during each of the game rounds the eooo special symbol and the stop-game symbol randomly move to and stop at the new respective positions on the array.

22. The gaming machine of claim 16, wherein the winning game outcome includes the special symbol along the pay line.

23. A gaming machine comprising: a visual display showing an array of symbols in visual association with at least 30 one pay line, the array including first and second wild symbols; and a game of chance including a plurality of game rounds, wherein during certain ones of the game rounds the first and second wild symbols move to and stop at new S respective positions on the array, the game of chance awarding a payout during the round if the symbols along the pay line correspond to a winning game outcome, the game of [R:\LIBCC]03717.doc:wxb 0 *a, -19- chance evaluating the first and second wild symbols as wilds in determining whether or not to award the payout.

24. The gaming machine of claim 23, wherein original positions of the respective first and second wild symbols on the array at a beginning of the game of chance remains wild throughout the game of chance. The gaming machine of claim 24, wherein the original positions of the respective first and second wild symbols are the same position. I0

26. The gaming machine of claim 23, further including a basic game controlled by a processor in response to a wager amount, wherein in the basic game the array provides rotatable reels that are rotated and stopped to place the symbols of each reel in visual association with the pay line, the basic game awarding a basic game payout if the symbols along the pay line correspond to a winning basic game outcome, the basic game having a start-bonus outcome, and wherein the game of chance is a bonus game activated by the processor in response to the start-bonus outcome.

27. The gaming machine of claim 23, wherein the winning game outcome includes 20 at least one of the first and second wild symbols along the pay line. o oo

28. A method of operating a slot machine under control of a processor comprising: a) providing a basic game including a plurality of rotatable reels shown on a visual display, the plurality of reels forming an array of symbols; b) in response to a wager amount, rotating and stopping the reels to place the symbols of each reel in visual association with at least one pay line; c) awarding a basic game payout if the symbols along the pay line correspond to a winning basic game outcome; providing a bonus game in response to a start-bonus outcome in the basic 30 game, the array including a special symbol and a stop-bonus symbol during the bonus game; e) moving the special symbol and the stop-bonus symbol to new respective positions on the array; [R:\LIBCC]037 I7.doc:wxb U Ii I 20 f) awarding a bonus payout if the symbols along the pay line correspond to a winning bonus game outcome; and g) repeating steps and until the new respective positions on the array are the same position.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein step includes evaluating the special symbol as a wild. The method of claim 28, wherein the array in the bonus game includes a second special symbol, and wherein step includes sometimes moving the second special symbol to a new position on the array.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein step includes evaluating the second special symbol as a wild.

32. The method of claim 28, wherein step includes randomly moving the special symbol and the stop-bonus symbol to the new respective positions on the array.

33. The method of claim 28, wherein the winning bonus game outcome includes the 20 special symbol along the pay line.

34. A method of operating a gaming machine under control of a processor S"comprising: S"a) providing a game of chance including an array of symbols shown on a visual display in visual association with at least one pay line, the array including a special symbol and a stop-game symbol; b) moving the special symbol and the stop-bonus symbol to new respective positions on the array; 3 c) awarding a payout if the symbols along the pay line correspond to a winning 30 game outcome; and d) repeating steps and until the new respective positions on the array are •oo* the same position. [R:\LIBCC]03717.doc:wxb I t, -21- The method of claim 34, wherein step includes evaluating the special symbol as a wild.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein the array includes a second special symbol, and wherein step includes sometimes moving the second special symbol to a new position on the array.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein step includes evaluating the second special symbol as a wild.

38. The method of claim 34, wherein step includes randomly moving the special symbol and the stop-bonus symbol to the new respective positions on the array.

39. The method of claim 34, wherein the winning game outcome includes the special symbol along the pay line. A method of operating a gaming machine under control of a processor comprising: a) providing a game of chance including an array of symbols shown on a visual 20 display in visual association with at least one pay line, the array including first and second wild symbols; b) moving the first and second wild symbols to new respective positions on the array; c) awarding a payout if the symbols along the pay line correspond to a winning game outcome, the first and second wild symbols being evaluated as wilds in determining whether or not to award the payout; and d) repeating steps and until a predetermined event occurs in the game of S-chance. ooo• 30 41. The method of claim 40, wherein original positions of the respective first and second wild symbols on the array at a beginning of the game of chance remains wild throughout the game of chance. [R:\LLBCC]03717.doc:wxb 1 5 1 -22-

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the original positions of the respective first and second wild symbols are the same position.

43. The method of claim 40, further including: providing a basic game including a plurality of rotatable reels shown on the visual display, the plurality of reels forming the array of symbols; in response to a wager amount, rotating and stopping the reels to place the symbols of each reel in visual association with the pay line; and awarding a basic game payout if the symbols along the pay line correspond to a winning basic game outcome; and wherein step occurs in response to a start-bonus outcome in the basic game, the game of chance being a bonus game.

44. The method of claim 40, wherein the winning game outcome includes at least one of the first and second wild symbols along the pay line. A gaming machine controlled by a processor in response to a wager, said gaming machine being substantially as herein described in accordance with any one or more of Figs. 1-16 of the accompanying drawings.

46. A slot machine, said slot machine being substantially as herein described in S* accordance with any one or more of Figs. 1-16 of the accompanying drawings. to 0

47. A gaming machine, said gaming machine being substantially as herein described in accordance with any one or more of Figs. 1-16 of the accompanying drawings.

48. A method of operating a slot machine under control of a processor, said method being substantially as herein described in accordance with any one or more of Figs. 1-16 of the accompanying drawings. .oo [R:\LIBCC]03717.doc:wxb 23

49. A method of operating a gaming machine under control of a process, said method being substantially as herein described in accordance with any one or more of Figs. 1- 16 of the accompanying drawings. DATED this Twenty-Ninth Day of May, 2003 WMS Gaming Inc. Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON FERGUSON [R:\LIBCC]037 17.doc:wxb