WO2006029446A1 - Appareil de jeu avec jeu a roue - Google Patents
Appareil de jeu avec jeu a roue Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2006029446A1 WO2006029446A1 PCT/AU2005/001373 AU2005001373W WO2006029446A1 WO 2006029446 A1 WO2006029446 A1 WO 2006029446A1 AU 2005001373 W AU2005001373 W AU 2005001373W WO 2006029446 A1 WO2006029446 A1 WO 2006029446A1
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- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- game
- gaming apparatus
- outcome indicating
- outcome
- award
- Prior art date
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
- G07F17/3286—Type of games
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
- G07F17/3202—Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
- G07F17/3204—Player-machine interfaces
- G07F17/3211—Display means
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a gaming apparatus, a game controller for a gaming apparatus and/or a method of providing a game of chance, all including a game generally of the type of a wheel game.
- the present invention relates to a gaming apparatus, game controller for a gamine apparatus and/or a method of providing a game of chance that includes a wheel game as a feature game.
- Gaming machines in existence at present include both a primary game, which may be a spinning reel game, and a secondary game that is a feature game.
- a primary game which may be a spinning reel game
- a secondary game that is a feature game.
- the feature game is able to be played only occasionally and often provides the opportunity for winning a substantial prize.
- Gaming machines having a feature game have experienced widespread success in attracting and retaining players. Games incorporating a spinning wheel or a representation of a spinning wheel are often very effective at providing an enjoyable gaming experience for a player. This may be due to the simplicity of a spinning wheel combined with its visual impact.
- wheel features are a game of chance in which a player may participate, which is in addition to a primary game of a gaming machine.
- the game of chance involves the display of a number of segments that together form a circular shape, and a selector to select one or more of the areas so as to indicate an outcome of the game of chance.
- Feature games of this type will be referred to herein as "wheel features”.
- United States patent numbers 5,823,874 and 5,848,932 both to Adams describe a secondary payout indicator in the form of a rotatable bonus wheel which can be caused to spin automatically or in response to some action by a player, when the primary game indicates one of a predetermined plurality of indicia.
- a major disadvantage of wheel features is the limitation on the size of the prize segments caused by the limited area that a representation of a wheel can occupy. There are therefore, a limited number of prizes that can be displayed effectively on the wheel without taking away from the look and feel of the wheel, and therefore taking away one of the advantages of a wheel feature, by making it cluttered and/or by making it difficult to read the prize values.
- Australian patent number 711501 describes providing an electronic wheel where the odds of landing on any given indicium are determined by the number of integers in a first range of integers mapped to the indicia, where the number of integers in the first range may be different from the number of indicia on the simulated wheel.
- This patent also describes changing, replacing or otherwise modifying indicia on a simulated wheel so that, even though it may be desired to provide only n indicium locations on the simulated wheel, the simulated wheel may be provided with m possible indicia by "swapping" new indicia onto the wheel during simulated spinning.
- the patent further describes having a wheel that provides the potential for winning a large or jackpot prize, but which can only provide such a win if the player has previously achieved a predefined result on a previous spin of another wheel, with the previous wheel not needing to provide an opportunity for a jackpot win.
- United States patent number 6,612,575 describes a gaming machine having a game with a bonus feature where a player places a wager, spins a plurality of first reels having indicia thereon, determining if indicia displayed by the plurality of first reels associated with a first pay line comprises a predetermined winning combination, and if so, paying a first award and then associating that first award with at least one bonus reel, permitting a player to spin the at least one bonus reel or otherwise participate in the bonus event, and determining if an award associated with the at least one bonus reel is associated with a second pay line, and if so, paying a bonus award.
- a gaming apparatus comprising a game controller and at least one display, the gaming apparatus operable to allow a player to play a game, wherein the game controller controls play of the game and controls the at least one display to display representations of play of the game, the representations of the game comprising a selector having at least one marker and a plurality of outcome indicating parts, each presenting to a player of the gaming machine a visually appreciable area that is available to be selected by the selector, the game controller causing display on the at least one display a representation of a selection of at least one outcome indicating part by the selector, and allocate an award to a player of the gaming machine, the allocated award being dependent on the selected at least one outcome indicating part, wherein a subset of the plurality of outcome indicating parts have a substantially lower probability of being selected in comparison to each of the other outcome indicating parts, and wherein the visually appreciable area that is available to be selected by the selector of the outcome indicating parts in the sub
- the subset of the plurality of outcome indicating parts result in a substantially larger allocated award, either in terms of value received by a player or in terms of cost to an operator of the gaming apparatus, than the other outcome indicating parts.
- the outcome indicating parts together present an annular or circular shape to the player, and wherein the at least one marker one of moves and appears to move about the outcome indicating parts and then stops to show the representation of a selection of at least one outcome indicating part.
- the selector comprises a plurality of illuminable areas located in a path extending about the outcome indicating parts, each of the illuminable areas being illuminated and darkened in a sequential pattern and wherein an illuminable area represents said at least one marker only when it is illuminated.
- the outcome indicating parts are each displayed as a stationary area and the at least one marker is displayed as one of moving and appearing to move relative to the outcome indicating parts.
- the outcome indicating parts are each displayed as a stationary area and the at least one marker is displayed as one of moving and appearing to move relative to the outcome indicating parts progressively along a path that extends past every one of the plurality of outcome indicating parts .
- each outcome indicating part includes indicia on it that indicates an award to a player.
- At least one of the outcome indicating parts in the subset of the plurality of the outcome indicating parts is displayed so as to be visually distinctive despite presenting a lesser visually appreciable area than the other outcome indicating parts.
- the gaming apparatus includes a further game, wherein the controller causes the game to be able to be played by a player of the gaming machine only on the eventration of at least one event that is related to play of the further game.
- the probability of a member of the subset of the plurality of outcome indicating parts being selected by the selector is no higher than approximately 1 in 40 for each selection.
- the probability of a member of the subset of the plurality of outcome indicating parts being selected by the selector is no higher than approximately 1 in 70 for each selection.
- the probability of a member of the subset of the plurality of outcome indicating parts being selected by the selector is no higher than approximately 1 in 20 for each selection.
- the subset of the plurality of outcome indicating parts consists of two outcome indicating parts.
- the subset of the plurality of outcome indicating parts is a single outcome indicating part.
- the allocated award that results when an outcome indicating part from the subset is selected is at least ten times the allocated award that results when any one of the other outcome indicating parts is selected.
- the allocated award that results when an outcome indicating part from the subset is selected is at least twenty times the allocated award that results when any one of the other outcome indicating parts is selected.
- a gaming apparatus having a game controller and at least one display, the gaming apparatus operable to allow a player to play a game, wherein the game controller controls play of the game and controls the at least one display to display representations of play of the game, the representations of the game comprising a plurality of outcome indicating parts and at least one marker that is locatable in a plurality of visually distinct positions that each indicate the selection of an outcome indicating part in said plurality of outcome indicating parts, the number of said visually distinct positions being greater than the number of the plurality of outcome indicating parts, and a visual representation of the selection of an outcome indicating part by the at least one marker, wherein the probability of the marker being in any one of the plurality of visually distinct positions is substantially the same as the probability that would be expected upon a visual inspection of the representations of the game, and the gaming apparatus allocates an award to a player of the gaming apparatus dependent on play of the game, the award specified by the particular position in said plurality of positions that the marker is
- the outcome indicating parts together present an annular or circular shape to the player, and wherein the at least one marker one of moves and appears to move relative to the outcome indicating parts and then stops to select one or more of said outcome indicating parts.
- the allocated award is substantially larger, either in terms of value received by a player or in terms of cost to an operator of the gaming apparatus than all other awardable awards when the marker is in a subset of said visually distinct positions.
- the allocated award may be at least ten times larger than all other awardable awards of the game when the at least one marker is in the subset of said visually distinct positions when the selected outcome indicating part was selected.
- the allocated award may be at least twenty times larger than all other awardable awards of the game when the at least one marker is in the subset of said visually distinct positions when the selected outcome indicating part was selected.
- the probability of the marker selecting a member of the subset of visually distinct positions is no higher than approximately 1 in 20 for each play of the game.
- the probability of the marker selecting a member of the subset of visually distinct positions is no higher than approximately 1 in 40 for each play of the game.
- the probability of the marker selecting a member of the subset of visually distinct positions is no higher than approximately 1 in 70 for each play of the game.
- the gaming apparatus includes a further game and the game is a bonus or feature game of said further game.
- the bonus or feature game may be only playable on the occurrence of at least one predetermined trigger event occurring in the further game.
- the award that is allocated when the marker is in the subset of said visually distinct positions may have a magnitude dependent on awards awarded during a plurality of free games on the further game.
- the award that is allocated when the marker is in the subset of said visually distinct positions may be predetermined so that the award is substantially larger, within statistical bounds, than all other awardable awards of the game.
- At least one outcome indicating part in said plurality of outcome indicating parts indicates an award of a number of free games for the further game and the at least one marker is locatable in at least two of said visually distinct positions while selecting said at least one outcome indicating part, and wherein the award substantially larger than all other awardable awards is awarded only when the marker is one position of said at least two of said visually distinct positions.
- At least two outcome indicating parts in said plurality of outcome indicating parts may each indicate an award of a number of free games for the further game, the number differing between outcome indicating parts, wherein the award substantially larger than all other awardable awards is awarded when an outcome indicating part with the highest number of free games is selected by the at least one marker.
- each outcome indicating part occupies substantially the same visually appreciable area.
- each of the plurality of outcome indicating parts has indicia on it.
- the award corresponds to a combination of a result indicated by the selected outcome indicating part and indicia on the at least one marker.
- a game controller and associated computer memory for a gaming machine, the game controller operable to control play of a game that is played on a gaming machine and to generate control signals for at least one display, wherein when the control signals are received by a display, the display displays images of the game comprising images of a plurality of outcome indicating parts, wherein the representations of the outcome indicating parts are configured so that a plurality of possible outcomes are visually identifiable, and a representation of a selection process comprising a representation of the selection of at least one of said outcome indicating parts, wherein the probability any one of said outcome indicating parts being shown as selected in said representation of a selection process is substantially the same as the probability that would be expected upon a visual inspection of the images of the plurality of outcome indicating parts and wherein for a subset of the plurality of possible outcomes the probability that a member of the subset of the plurality of possible outcomes is selected is less than the probability that any one of the plurality of outcome indicating parts is selected, excluding
- At least one outcome in the subset of plurality of outcomes is associated with an award that has a substantially greater value than each of the other outcomes of the plurality of possible outcomes.
- the subset of the plurality of possible outcomes comprises a single possible outcome.
- the subset of the plurality of possible outcomes are associated with an award having a magnitude that is at least ten times greater than the award associated with any other possible outcome.
- the subset of the plurality of possible outcomes are associated with an award having a magnitude that is at least twenty times greater than the award associated with any other possible outcome.
- the probability of the a member of the subset of the plurality of possible outcomes being selected is no higher than approximately 1 in 20 for each play of the game.
- the probability of the a member of the subset of the plurality of possible outcomes being selected is no higher than approximately 1 in 40 for each play of the game.
- the probability of the a member of the subset of the plurality of possible outcomes being selected is no higher than approximately 1 in 70 for each play of the game.
- indicia are provided on each outcome indicating part, the indicia one of indicating or relating to the award that is awarded if that outcome indicating part is selected.
- the outcome indicating parts together present an annular or circular shape to the player.
- a gaming apparatus comprising the game controller and associated computer memory described above, at least one display to receive the control signals and display to a player of the gaming machine representations of the game and an award allocator to allocate to a player of the gaming machine any award associated with the outcome of said plurality of possible outcomes that results from play of the game.
- the game is a feature or bonus game of a further game provided on the gaming apparatus.
- only a single outcome indicating part is selected per game play of the game.
- a computerised method of providing a game of chance on a gaming apparatus comprising: a) controlling play of a game on the gaming apparatus; b) causing play of the game to be displayed on at least one display of the gaming apparatus; and c) causing an award to be awarded to a player of the gaming apparatus dependent on play of the game; wherein controlling play of the game involves: i) causing a plurality of possible outcomes to be shown on the at least one display so that each said possible outcome occupies a predetermined space on the at least one display, ii) selecting one of said plurality of possible outcomes, with each possible outcome selected on average across all plays of the game with a probability commensurate with the size of the predetermined space that that possible outcome occupies on the at least one display relative to the area occupied by all of said plurality of possible outcomes; and wherein at least one possible outcome occupies a visually
- a single possible outcome occupies a substantially smaller space on the at least one display and wherein when said single possible outcome is selected, step c) comprises awarding a substantially larger award than otherwise.
- the plurality of possible outcomes together form an annular or circular shape.
- the method further includes only playing the game upon the occurrence of a trigger event related to the play of a distinct further game.
- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an example gaming machine in which the present invention may be implemented.
- Figure 2 shows a block diagram of a control circuit of the gaming machine shown in figure 1.
- Figure 3 shows a screen display of an example of a primary game that may give rise to a wheel feature.
- Figures 4 and 5 show a first embodiment of a screen display associated with a wheel feature according to an aspect of the present invention.
- Figure 6 shows a second embodiment of a screen display associated with a wheel feature according to an aspect of the present invention.
- Figure 7 shows a third embodiment of a screen display associated with a wheel feature according to an aspect of the present invention.
- Figure 8 shows a fourth embodiment of a screen display associated with a wheel feature according to an aspect of the present invention.
- Figure 9 shows a representation of a wheel feature according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
- the gaming machine 10 is an example of a gaming machine that is suitable to implement the present invention.
- the architecture of the gaming machine 10 includes a console 12 having a display 14 on which is displayed representations of a game 16 that can be played by a player.
- a mid-trim 20 of the gaming machine 10 houses a bank of buttons 22 for enabling a player to play the game 16.
- the mid-trim 20 also houses a credit input mechanism 24 including a coin input chute 24A and a bill collector 24B.
- 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.
- a coin tray 30 is mounted beneath the console 12 for cash payouts from the gaming machine 10.
- the display 14 shown in Figure 1 is in the form of a video display unit, particularly a cathode ray tube screen device.
- 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 be a display, for example a video display unit, which may the same type as the display 14, or a different type of display.
- FIG 2 of the accompanying drawings a simplified block diagram of a control circuit 32 for the gaming machine 10 is shown.
- the control circuit 32 incudes a controller 36 having a processor 34, which is most suitably a computer processor, and associated computer readable memory 42.
- a program 44 stored in memory 42 contains instructions, that when executed by the processor 34 causes the controller 36 to implement the wheel feature of the present invention, optionally also the game 16 (which may be provided through a different program and which may be controlled by a separate controller), and drive the display 14.
- a set of sensors 38A are provided with the bank of buttons 22 to allow the controller 36 to determine when a player depresses one of the buttons in the bank of buttons 22.
- One or more further sensor 38B may be provided with the display 14, if the display 14 includes touch pads.
- the controller 36 may represent either a single device or a plurality of devices, which may be local or remote to each other.
- the processor 34 may be any suitable processor, microcontroller, programmable logic device or other suitable device for controlling a gaming machine.
- the memory 42 may be local or remote and may be formed by multiple memory parts.
- the controller 36 also receives input signals from the credit input mechanism 24 to enable it to determine whether or not a player has provided sufficient credit to commence play of the game 16 and to enable a running total of a player's credit to be maintained.
- the controller 36 also drives a payout mechanism 40, which for example, may be a coin hopper for feeding coins to the coin tray 30 to make a pay out to a player when the player wishes to redeem his or her credit.
- a payout mechanism 40 which for example, may be a coin hopper for feeding coins to the coin tray 30 to make a pay out to a player when the player wishes to redeem his or her credit.
- the gaming machine 10 may include many other components to perform functions such as additional computations, communications and monitoring of play.
- Figure 2 and the associated description herein is provided only to give a background to the environment in which the present invention may be implemented.
- a gaming apparatus may have an architecture of one or more displays, a user interface, a game controller and a transaction handling unit for accepting and paying credits or currency in some form, all located together in a single housing or in a plurality of physically connected housings.
- a second example architecture of a gaming apparatus is to have a display and a user interface located at a separate location from a game controller, wherein the game controller communicates with the display and the user interface through a fixed wire or wireless communication channel.
- a third example architecture is to have a first and a second display, the second display being located separate from the first display and optionally shared by a plurality of gaming machines.
- the second display may be controlled by a separate controller from a controller for the first display, the two controllers being in communication with each other.
- the display 14 may be replaced by a mechanical display where a wheel feature according to the present invention is displayed to a player using a separate display.
- the bank of buttons 22 may be omitted and reliance placed entirely on touch pads provided on the display 14, or vice versa.
- the credit input mechanism 24 may be a ticket reader, card reader, smart card reader, a communication interface with a personal mobile device, or any other type of validation device, either in addition to or instead of one or both of the coin input chute 24 A and the bill collector 24B.
- a credit input mechanism may be omitted entirely.
- the pay out mechanism 40 may be a ticket printer, card writer or other suitable device, or may be omitted entirely, with credits, for example, being communicated to a central database (not shown).
- the top box 26 may include a display, but it may also be omitted and if a second display is required it may be located separated from the console 12.
- a gaming machine irrespective of its architecture is apparatus that allows a player to participate in a game of chance, irrespective of whether or not the apparatus requires the player to wager a stake in order to participate in the primary game.
- Figure 3 shows a screen display 50 of an example of a game 16 that may be played on the gaming machine 10.
- the game 16 is a primary game and may be one of several such games that may be played using the gaming machine 10.
- a primary game as the term is used herein, means a game of chance, optionally with a skill component or perceived skill component, that is playable on a gaming machine.
- the term "base game” has a corresponding meaning.
- a player can only participate in a wheel feature of the present invention after a trigger event has occurred, the trigger event being related to play of a primary game of a gaming machine.
- the screen display 50 shows the occurrence of a predetermined trigger condition giving rise to a bonus feature.
- a bonus feature is a secondary game that can be participated in by the gaming machine 10 (or the player at the gaming machine 10) that is in addition to the primary game. Typically a bonus feature can only be participated in at certain times, which may be dictated by play of the primary game.
- the trigger condition is the occurrence of a display of three scatter symbols 52 on the screen display 50. Upon the occurrence of the trigger condition, a bonus feature is awarded, in particular a wheel feature.
- a trigger event could be any one of a number of trigger events and that multiple trigger events may exist.
- a trigger event may be based on a measure of time, a particular amount of wagering activity on the gaming machine 10, or on some activity of a group of gaming machines including the gaming machine 10.
- the trigger event may depend at least in part on player tracking information and may be a random or quasi- random event.
- the trigger event may be a random determination for each bet that is made on each gaming machine, where the chance of the wheel feature being triggered is dependent upon the size of the bet on the gaming machine 10, it may be a random determination for each game played on each gaming machine 10 such that the chance of triggering the wheel feature is independent of bet size and the same for each game played, it may be a standard symbol based trigger - for example three or more scatter symbols appearing during base game play on one of the gaming machines 10, or it may comprise the appearance of other types of symbol based triggers, such as special feature symbols being overlaid over standard reel symbols or appearing in the background of standard reel symbols, where certain combinations of the special feature symbols trigger the wheel feature.
- the selection of an event that triggers a wheel feature of the present invention is up to the game designer and many other possibilities exist.
- wheel feature described herein may also be a standalone game, and may also be a base game for another feature game.
- the screen display 50 is replaced by a screen display 54, shown in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings.
- the user may be requested to select a button "play feature" or similar to initiate the wheel feature.
- the screen display 54 shows a wheel feature indicator 55 comprising a simulated wheel 56 divided into a number of segments 60, 62 and with a plurality of chaser lights 58 arranged about the periphery of the wheel 56.
- the plurality of chaser lights 58 operate as part of a selector to select one or more of the segments 60, with a lit chaser light 58 being a marker to show what segment has been selected.
- the selector may take different forms from a plurality of distinct chaser lights.
- the selector may be an arrow or similar that travels around the periphery of the wheel 56 in a continuous (or at least in such small steps so as to appear continuous) manner, and stop at a location determined by the controller 36.
- the marker may be the highlighting of segments 60 in some manner, for example by changing the colour of the segment 60 or highlighting the periphery of the segment 60 that the marker is currently pointing to. Parts of segments 60 may also be highlighted in this manner where this is required.
- the marker may be one or more unlit segments 60. hi this way the selection may be made to appear like a process of elimination.
- the marker travels around the segments 60 so as to sequentially and cyclically point to the segments 60, this is not essential and the marker may jump from segment to segment.
- the segments 60 are each of approximately the same size, occupying the same visual area and presenting the same area for selection to the markers, plus one segment 62, which is much smaller than the remaining segments 60.
- the size of each segment 60, 62 is selected during the design of the game to give the desired return to player, according to the expected frequency of their associated outcome, which is often a prize, being awarded. It is to be noted that the outcome indicated by the segment 62 is a prize that is orders of magnitude greater than many of the outcomes or prizes on the segments 60.
- the embodiments of the wheel feature indicator 55 shown in the accompanying drawings show a traditional circular wheel, with the individual outcome areas being segments of the wheel.
- alternatives to the circular wheel 56 are possible and may be used to impart a visually distinctive appearance to the wheel feature.
- an alternative wheel feature indicator may have a generally triangular, rectangular or some other polygon overall shape.
- the chaser lights 58 also need not travel around the periphery of a contiguous shape and may intersect parts of the wheel feature indicator, for example by travelling along a path defining a figure eight around and between two circles.
- a single circular shape represents the preferred form of the invention.
- segment 62 only has a single chaser light associated with it.
- the chaser lights 58 are lit in a sequential manner to simulate movement of a marker around the periphery of the wheel 56. If required, the sequential illumination of the chaser lights 58 can be effected in a manner simulating the speeding up of the speed of travel of the lit chaser lights 58 around the periphery of the wheel 56, followed by the chaser lights slowing down and finally stopping.
- the stopping of the sequential illumination of the chaser lights 58 refers to the sequential illumination of the chaser lights 58 ceasing, with a single chaser light of the chaser lights 58 remaining illuminated. If the chaser light that remains illuminated is that opposite the segment 62, as is shown in Figure 5, a prize of 1000 credits, being the prize indicated by the segment 62, is awarded. Similarly, if the chaser light of the chaser lights 58 that remains illuminated is opposite another segment, then the prize that is indicated by that segment is awarded. In one possible alternative embodiment a chaser light 58 or other selector may be able to straddle two adjacent segments 60, 62, in which case a double prize could be awarded.
- the chance of one particular chaser light 58 being illuminated is one in seventy two, or more generally (the number of chaser lights 58 associated with a particular prize) in (the total number of chaser lights 58). Therefore, a large prize can be displayed on the wheel 56 while still having an acceptable hit rate for the wheel feature and return to player percentage. If, for example, the wheel feature is triggered on average every 100 games then the feature return would be 29.028% as shown by table 1.
- the wheel 56 may turn and one or more stationary markers may be used, or both the wheel and one or more markers may move.
- top award prize carried by the segment 62 could, instead of being a number of credits, be a progressive prize, a non-monetary win such as a number of free games as described below with reference to Figures 6 and 8, or another special bonus feature, which may include a car, a holiday or any other prize.
- a screen display 64 including a second embodiment of the wheel feature indicator 55 is shown.
- many of the segments 60 of the wheel 56 carry information relating to outcomes other than a number of credits that can be awarded in the wheel feature.
- the outcome achieved by play of the wheel feature may be the awarding of a number of free games, where a win in any free game is multiplied by a certain multiplier, or where a particular symbol in the free games acts as a substitute symbol.
- the embodiment shown in Figure 6 illustrates another major advantage of the invention. If it was required to offer a 1000 credit prize on a wheel in which all segments were equally sized, it would be necessary to make all of the segments the same size as the segment carrying the 1000 credit prize. It would be impossible or at least difficult to effectively describe free games and other such feature awards offered on the other segments because of their small size. In other words, there would not physically be enough room on the segments.
- the segment for the major prize occupies only a small portion of the wheel in comparison to other segments.
- the segment containing the prize may be made to be eye-catching, for example by having a bright red background when all other segments have a white or pale coloured background.
- the major prize may be located top and centre and will remain there in embodiments of the present invention using a selector in the form of chaser lights or similar instead of rotating the wheel 56.
- FIG. 7 of the drawings a still further embodiment of a screen display 66 of a wheel feature indicator 55 is shown.
- all the segments 60 are of the same size.
- one of the segments 6OA has a prize outcome of a number of credits, which is larger than the prize outcomes carried by the other segments 60.
- one of the chaser lights 58 A associated with the segment 6OA carries a multiplier on it which multiplies the number of credits shown on the segment 6OA.
- the segment 6OA is two possible outcomes, one associated with four chaser lights (in two parts) and indicating a prize of 100 credits and another associated with one chaser light, indicating a prize of 1000 credits.
- the chances of winning the 1000 credits still, however, can reflect the probability that would be expected on a visual inspection of the wheel feature indicator 55. Accordingly, in this embodiment of the invention, if the last chaser light 58 that remains illuminated is the chaser light 58 A, then the prize awarded to the player is 1000 credits, being the number of credits on the segment 6OA multiplied by the multiplier carried on the chaser light 58A.
- the probability of the top award prize being awarded is lower than the probability of any of the remaining prizes.
- An advantage in selecting the segment 6OA with the largest outcome for the multiplier is that the value of the multiplier can be reduced. As the multiplier is displayed on a chaser light, the display area is limited. Referring still to Figure 7, if a 1000 credit prize was to be awarded through the use of a multiplier on the chaser light 58C, then the multiplier would be 200, a three digit number that would need to be printed using smaller digits than a two digit number to fit on the chaser light.
- FIG 8 of the drawings a screen display 68 of yet a further embodiment of the wheel feature indicator 55 is shown.
- like reference numerals refer to like parts unless otherwise specified.
- all the segments 60 are of the same size.
- some of the segments of the segments 60 carry an outcome that is a prize in the form of a specified number of credits. If a chaser light of the chaser lights 58 that is opposite these segments is the last chaser light illuminated, the outcome is the number of credits indicated on the segment multiplied by a multiplier value that is carried by that particular chaser light.
- the prize that is awarded is the number of free games on the marked segment 60. Any win occurring during the free games is then multiplied by the multiplier of the illuminated chaser light 58.
- a particular chaser light indicated by the combination of the segment 6OB and chaser light 58B, provides an award that may be of substantially higher value (in this embodiment the value is variable within statistical bounds, due to the prize being dependent on play of a primary game) than any of the other outcomes.
- the segment 6OB carries an outcome of 25 free games and the chaser light 58B carries a multiplier of substantially higher value than any of the other multipliers. If the last chaser light 58 that is illuminated is chaser light 58B the player is awarded an outcome of 25 free games in which any win in the free game series is multiplied by a multiplier of 30. A major prize awarded in this way may provide particular excitement to a player that wins the large prize, as the awarding of the large prize is an ongoing exercise spanning 25 games. When this is used in combination with a wheel feature, which has proven appeal, the overall result may be particularly advantageous.
- the feature wheel indicator 55 shown in Figure 8 has a second major prize, namely 4000 credits awarded when the chaser light that indicates x20, which is opposite the segment that indicates 200, is the last chaser light of the chaser lights 58 to be illuminated. Due to the relatively small area (2 parts in 40) that the major prizes occupy, it is possible with the present invention to offer more than one major prize on a feature wheel.
- one or more of the chaser lights 58 may indicate a prize that is independent of the segment 60 that it is opposite, if it is opposite any segment 60 at all (the chaser lights 58 that indicate an independent prize may be located away from the segments 60).
- the chaser lights 58 that indicate an independent prize may be located away from the segments 60.
- one chaser light 58 may have the symbol "$" on it and this may be the major prize.
- the chaser lights 58 that indicate a prize that is independent of any segment is in fact itself an outcome indicating part in the same manner as the segments 60 are outcome indicating parts, the difference being that the chaser light is selected when it is illuminated, in contrast to a segment 60 being selected when a marker 58 that is adjacent to the segment 60 is illuminated.
- FIG. 9 A further alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 9.
- An arrow 70 or other marker travels continuously around the wheel 56 and an annulus 72 has been located around the wheel 56, the annulus 72 separated into parts 74 (only one of which is indicated in Figure 9 by a reference numeral) marked in a similar or corresponding way to the chaser lights 58 shown in Figure 8.
- This embodiment may be particularly suited to the use of colour coding to indicate prizes.
- the arrow 70 could then travel around the outer side of the annulus 72 as indicated by arrow A in Figure 9, or between the annulus 72 and the wheel 56 to select the combination of one of the segments 60 and one part 74 of the annulus 72. Where the feature wheel is not circular, the annulus 72 would be replaced by a corresponding different shape.
- the segments 60 nor the parts 74 of the annulus 72 are shown in Figure 9 with indicia (or colour coding), they will be marked so that a major prize can be won.
- the part 74A may indicate a major prize in a similar way in which chaser light 58B (see Figure 8) indicated a major prize.
- the segments 60 shown in Figure 9 need not be all the same size.
- the wheel 56 may have a small segment 60 that only corresponds to the part 74A in a similar manner to segment 62 only corresponding to a single chaser light 58 (see Figure 5).
- the display of the wheel feature could be implemented in an electro-mechanical form with a stationary wheel (where this is required) and actual chaser lights arrayed about the periphery of the wheel.
- the wheel feature avoids the need for a multi-stage process.
- Multi-stage processes have the disadvantage that the large prize, or top prize, cannot be displayed directly on the wheel so that the player does not have a feeling of the potential of winning the large prize with just one spin of the wheel.
- the disadvantage of not being able to provide the potential for winning a large or jackpot prize extends to other situations also. For example it may be desired to provide a prize or outcome of lower value and yet still have a low probability of occurrence of that prize or outcome. Prizes of this type may require, for example, input of time by staff of the gaming machine operator. The present invention may allow such a prize to be offered.
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Slot Machines And Peripheral Devices (AREA)
Abstract
Priority Applications (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/575,325 US20080004098A1 (en) | 2004-09-17 | 2005-09-09 | Gaming Apparatus With a Wheel Game |
AU2005284667A AU2005284667B8 (en) | 2004-09-17 | 2005-09-09 | A gaming apparatus with a wheel game |
US12/171,427 US8491374B2 (en) | 2004-09-17 | 2008-07-11 | Gaming apparatus with a wheel game |
US13/927,725 US20140031104A1 (en) | 2004-09-17 | 2013-06-26 | Gaming apparatus with a wheel game |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2004905386 | 2004-09-17 | ||
AU2004905386A AU2004905386A0 (en) | 2004-09-17 | Gaming machine with wheel feature |
Related Child Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/575,325 A-371-Of-International US20080004098A1 (en) | 2004-09-17 | 2005-09-09 | Gaming Apparatus With a Wheel Game |
US12/171,427 Continuation-In-Part US8491374B2 (en) | 2004-09-17 | 2008-07-11 | Gaming apparatus with a wheel game |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2006029446A1 true WO2006029446A1 (fr) | 2006-03-23 |
Family
ID=36059621
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/AU2005/001373 WO2006029446A1 (fr) | 2004-09-17 | 2005-09-09 | Appareil de jeu avec jeu a roue |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20080004098A1 (fr) |
AU (3) | AU2005284667B8 (fr) |
WO (1) | WO2006029446A1 (fr) |
ZA (1) | ZA200703095B (fr) |
Cited By (4)
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US20080227530A1 (en) * | 2007-03-15 | 2008-09-18 | Igt | Gaming indicator |
WO2009064764A1 (fr) * | 2007-11-13 | 2009-05-22 | Multimedia Games, Inc. | Procédé, appareil et progiciel destinés à afficher des résultats de jeu via une roue avec gains variables |
US8662987B2 (en) | 2008-02-07 | 2014-03-04 | Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited | Gaming system and a method of gaming |
US8696435B2 (en) * | 2008-01-21 | 2014-04-15 | Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited | Gaming system and a method of gaming |
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US7749062B2 (en) * | 2003-04-30 | 2010-07-06 | Mudalla Technology, Inc. | Warped-conduit racer game |
US8491374B2 (en) * | 2004-09-17 | 2013-07-23 | Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited | Gaming apparatus with a wheel game |
US7833092B2 (en) * | 2004-12-21 | 2010-11-16 | Igt | Method and system for compensating for player choice in a game of chance |
US8100761B2 (en) * | 2005-05-17 | 2012-01-24 | Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd. | Gaming machine with a dynamic bonus modifier |
JP3980040B2 (ja) * | 2005-10-31 | 2007-09-19 | 株式会社コナミデジタルエンタテインメント | ゲーム装置 |
JP2009100844A (ja) * | 2007-10-22 | 2009-05-14 | Aruze Corp | 複数のスロットマシン間で賞金を取り合うゲームシステム |
JP2012100875A (ja) * | 2010-11-10 | 2012-05-31 | Universal Entertainment Corp | ゲーミングマシン |
WO2016196520A1 (fr) * | 2015-06-02 | 2016-12-08 | Gary Weingardt | Jeu de bingo à aiguille et procédé |
US11704962B2 (en) * | 2018-04-10 | 2023-07-18 | John Purcell | Electronic prize gaming apparatus |
US11282331B2 (en) * | 2018-08-07 | 2022-03-22 | Igt | Mixed reality systems and methods for enhancing gaming device experiences |
US11321995B1 (en) * | 2021-10-12 | 2022-05-03 | Justin Georgilas | Video gaming system and method of utilizing the same |
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- 2005-09-09 ZA ZA200703095A patent/ZA200703095B/xx unknown
- 2005-09-09 US US11/575,325 patent/US20080004098A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2005-09-09 AU AU2005284667A patent/AU2005284667B8/en active Active
- 2005-09-09 WO PCT/AU2005/001373 patent/WO2006029446A1/fr active Application Filing
-
2008
- 2008-07-01 AU AU2008202889A patent/AU2008202889A1/en not_active Abandoned
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2009
- 2009-05-20 AU AU2009202003A patent/AU2009202003A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU2005284667B2 (en) | 2009-05-21 |
AU2005284667B8 (en) | 2009-10-01 |
AU2005284667A1 (en) | 2006-03-23 |
US20080004098A1 (en) | 2008-01-03 |
AU2008202889A1 (en) | 2008-07-24 |
AU2009202003A1 (en) | 2009-06-11 |
AU2005284667A8 (en) | 2009-10-01 |
ZA200703095B (en) | 2008-08-27 |
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