WO2013149282A1

WO2013149282A1 - A gaming system and method of gaming

Info

Publication number: WO2013149282A1
Application number: PCT/AU2013/000131
Authority: WO
Inventors: Arram Armen BEKARIAN
Original assignee: Nextgen Gaming Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2012-04-05
Filing date: 2013-02-15
Publication date: 2013-10-10
Also published as: AU2013201405A1

Abstract

A gaming system (100) for playing a game is disclosed. The game is a spinning reel game comprising a plurality of reels. The gaming system (100) comprises a processor (205) for controlling execution of the game and at least one display device (214) connected to the processor (205) for displaying the reels. The gaming system (100) also comprises input means (202) connected to the processor (205) and the display device (214), for use by a player in controlling one or more aspects of the game including selecting a position on one of the reels. The processor (205) controls the game such that a prize is paid upon a predetermined symbol stopping in the selected position during the game.

Description

A GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF GAMING

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a gaming system and, in particular, to a game being played on a gaming system.

Background

Games played both on land-based gaming machines and online, are extremely popular. Every year substantial amounts of money are gambled on such games. However, technological advances in the delivery of content for games, means that players of such games are becoming increasingly discerning as to the presentation of the games. Players expect to be excited by new features and by more appealing presentations of traditional features in games.

As a result, developers of games for gaming systems are forced to develop new and innovative features, including "feature games" for base games being played on the gaming systems, in order to keep existing players interested in the games and in order to attract new players to the games.

One known feature, which is very popular with gaming system players, is known as a "double-up" feature. The double-up feature typically involves a player choosing between different symbols (e.g., red and black symbols) upon winning a particular game. If the player's choice matches that of the gaming system, then the number of credits won by the player for the game is doubled.

Jackpot prizes have traditionally been used in order to keep existing players interested in the games and in order to attract new players to the games. Jackpot prizes may also be referred to as bonus prizes. Jackpot prizes may amount to a particular number of credits (e.g., one thousand credits) or a progressive jackpot prize (i.e., a jackpot prize comprising a plurality of credits, where the amount of credits is incremented). Jackpot prizes may also consist of a series of free games. For example, the player may be awarded fifteen free games. Such Jackpot prizes are typically paid for a particular combination of symbols in a base game or a feature game being played on the gaming system. However, such jackpot prizes are often viewed with scepticism by players who see them as un-winnable.

Summary

It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more disadvantages of existing arrangements.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a gaming system for playing a game, said game being a spinning reel game comprising a plurality of reels, said gaming system comprising:

a processor for controlling execution of the game;

at least one display device connected to the processor for displaying the reels; and input means connected to the processor and the display device, for use by a player in controlling one or more aspects of the game including selecting a position on one of said reels, wherein the processor controls the game such that a prize is paid upon a predetermined symbol stopping in the selected position during the game.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer implemented method of gaming using a gaming system comprising a processor for controlling the play of a game, at least one display device connected to the processor for displaying one or more screens of the game, and input means for use by a player in controlling one or more aspects of the game, said method comprising: determining a position on one of a plurality of reels displayed on the display device, as having being selected using the input means;

executing said game by spinning the plurality of reels displayed on said display device, upon receiving a signal via the input means; and

paying a prize upon a predetermined symbol stopping in the selected position during the game.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for playing a game, said game being a spinning reel game comprising a plurality of reels, said apparatus comprising:

at least one processor for controlling the play of the game;

at least one display device connected to the processor for displaying the plurality of reels;

input means connected to the processor and display device, for use by a player in selecting a position on one of said reels, wherein said processor is configured for executing said game by spinning the reels displayed on the display device, upon receiving a signal via the input means, and wherein said processor is further configured for controlling the game such that a prize is paid upon a predetermined symbol stopping in the selected position during the game.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium, having a program recorded thereon, wherein the program is configured to make a gaming system execute a gaming process, the gaming system comprising a processor for controlling the play of a game, at least one display device connected for displaying one or more screens of the game, and input means for use by a player in controlling one or more aspects of the game, said program comprising: code for determining a position on one of a plurality of reels displayed on the display device, as having being selected using the input means;

code for executing said game by spinning the plurality of reels displayed on said display device, upon receiving a signal via the input means; and

code for paying a prize upon a predetermined symbol stopping in the selected position during the game.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a gaming system for playing a game, said game being a spinning reel game comprising a plurality of reels, said gaming system comprising:

a processor for controlling execution of the game;

at least one touch screen display device connected to the processor for displaying the plurality of reels of the game and for use by a player in controlling one or more aspects of the game including selecting a position on one of said reels displayed on the touch screen display device, wherein the processor controls the game such that a prize is paid upon a predetermined symbol stopping in the selected position during the game.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a > computer implemented method of gaming using a gaming system comprising a processor for controlling the play of a game, at least one touch screen display device connected to the processor for displaying one or more screens of the game and for use by a player in controlling one or more aspects of the game, said method comprising the steps of:

determining a position on one of a plurality of reels displayed on the touch screen display device as having been selected using the touch screen display device; executing said game by spinning the reels displayed on the touch screen display device;,and

a processor for controlling the play of the game;

at least one touch screen display device connected to the processor for displaying the plurality of reels and for use by a player in selecting a position on one of said reels displayed on the touch screen display device, wherein the processor controls the game such that a prize is paid upon a predetermined symbol stopping in the selected position during the game.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium, having a program recorded thereon, where the program is configured to make a gaming system execute a gaming process, the gaming system comprising a processor for controlling the play of a game, at least one touch screen display device connected for displaying one or more screens of the game and for use by a player in controlling one or more aspects of the game, said program comprising: code for determining a position on one of a plurality of reels displayed on the touch screen display device as having been selected using the touch screen display device;

code for executing said game by spinning the reels displayed on the touch screen display device; and code for paying a prize upon a predetermined symbol stopping in the selected position during the game.

a processor for controlling execution of the game; and

at least one display device connected to the processor for displaying the plurality of reels of the game, wherein the processor controls the game to determine a position on one of the plurality of reels as being selected by a player and to pay a prize upon a predetermined symbol stopping in the selected position during the game.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer implemented method of gaming using a gaming system comprising a processor for controlling the play of a game, at least one display device connected to the processor for displaying one or more screens of the game, said method comprising: determining a position on one of a plurality of reels displayed on the display device as having been selected by a player; and

a processor for controlling the play of the game; and

at least one display device connected to the processor for displaying the plurality of reels, wherein the processor controls the game to determine a position on one of the plurality of reels as being selected by a player and to pay a prize upon predetermined symbol stopping in the selected position during the game.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium, having a program recorded thereon, where the program is configured to make a gaming system execute a gaming process, the gaming system comprising a processor for controlling the play of a game, at least one display device connected for displaying one or more screens of the game, said program comprising: code for determining a position on one of a plurality of reels displayed on the display device as having been selected by a player; and

Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Some aspects of the prior art and one or more embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings and appendices, in which:

Fig. 1A is a schematic block diagram of a gaming system upon which the arrangements described can be practiced;

Fig. IB is a schematic block diagram of another gaming system upon which the arrangements described can be practiced;

Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a gaming apparatus used in the gaming systems of Figs. 1A and IB;

Fig. 3 is a representation of the software architecture of the gaming systems of Figs. 1A and IB; Fig. 4 shows a flow diagram representing a method of performing a particular game in the gaming systems of Figs. 1A and IB;

Fig. 5 shows a display screen presentation of a game being implemented on the gaming systems of Figs. 1A and IB; and

Fig. 6 shows another display screen presentation of a game being implemented on the gaming systems of Figs. 1 A and IB.

Detailed Description including Best Mode

Where reference is made in any one or more of the accompanying drawings to steps and/or features, which have the same reference numerals, those steps and/or features have for the purposes of this description the same function(s) or operation(s)! unless the contrary intention appears.

It is to be noted that the discussions contained in the "Background" section and that above relating to prior art arrangements relate to discussions of documents or devices which form public knowledge through their respective publication and/or use. Such should not be interpreted as a representation by the present inventor(s) or patent applicant that such documents or devices in any way form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

Fig. 1A shows a gaming system 100A including a gaming machine 101 A for use by a player in playing a game. The gaming machine 101 A comprises an enclosure 201 A having display means in the form of a video display device 214A for displaying to the player one or more graphics screens (e.g., 105) for the game being played on the gaming machine 101 A. The enclosure 201 A also has an input device in the form of a keypad 202 A comprising one or more buttons for use by the player in controlling one or more aspects of the game. The keypad 202A may also be referred to as an input means.

Credit input means in the form of a coin input device 106A and a note input device 107A, are also included in the enclosure 201 A, to allow the player to input credit in order to play the game. A coin tray 108 A is also typically incorporated in the enclosure 201 A in order to allow cash payouts to be payed to the player.

In the gaming system 100A, the gaming machine 101 A is connected to a communications network 222 A, known as a Local Area Network (LAN), via a connection 223 A. Alternatively, the gaming machine 101 A may be standalone. As shown in Fig. 1 A, the LAN 222A is coupled to a wide-area network (WAN) 220A, such as the Internet or a private WAN, via a connection 224 A. The gaming machine 101 A may also be coupled directly to the WAN 220A via a connection 221 A.

The network 222A comprises one or more further gaming machines 102A and 103 A connected thereto. The further gaming machines are generally similar to the gaming machine 101 A but may be configured to implement different games. The further gaming machines may also be connected to the network 220A.

A server computer 104A, used for monitoring the gaming machine 101 A, is also connected to the network 222 A. The server 104A may be used for monitoring the amount of money wagered (or bet) on the gaming machine 101 A over a period of time, the amount of money payed out on the gaming machine 101 A over a period of time and any fault conditions on the gaming machine 101 A. The server 104A may also be configured to disable or enable the gaming machine 101 A.

The gaming machine 101 A will be described in more detail below with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. IB shows another gaming system 100B. The gaming system 100B comprises a stand-alone "personal" computer 101B for use by a player for playing a game. The personal computer 101B may be an IBM-PC or compatible, a Sun Sparcstation, an Apple Mac™, or one of a like computer system evolved therefrom including desktop, laptop, notebook or handheld variations thereof. As seen in Fig. 1 A, the computer 101B comprises an enclosure 20 IB and a display means in the form of a video display device 214B for displaying screens, such as the screen 105 of the game being played. The computer 101B also comprises an input device in the form of a keyboard 202B comprising one or more buttons for use by the player in playing the game. The keyboard 202B may also be referred to as an input means. The input means for the computer 101B may also comprises a mouse pointer device 203B.

The computer 101B may be connected to a local area network (LAN) 222B, via a connection 223B. The LAN 222B may couple to a wide area network (WAN) 220B, such as the Internet or a private WAN, via a connection 224B. The computer 101B is also shown coupled directly to the WAN 220B, via a connection 22 IB. In the system 100B, the WAN 220B typically comprises one or more further computers 102B and 103B, similar to the computer 101B, connected thereto, and which may be used by other persons for game playing. Further such computers may also be connected to the LAN 222A.

A remote server 104B is also connected to the WAN 220B. However, in contrast to the server 104 A of the system 100A, the server 104B of the system 100B may be used to control the execution of one or more games being played on the gaming system 100B. For example, the server 104B may download one or more graphic objects to the computer 101B for the game being played by the corresponding player, together with a display list for displaying the downloaded graphic objects for one or more screens (e.g., 105) of the game being played on the computer 101B. In this instance, the server 104B then controls the game by downloading further display lists to the computer 101 B as the game is being played by the player and being executed by the computer 101B.

In the system 100B, rather than credit input means in the form of the coin input device 106A and the note collector 107 A, the player inputs credit in order to play the game by creating an account with a provider of the game, who may or may not be the administrator of the server 104B. For example, the player may provide their credit card and contact details to the game provider via the computer 101B and the network 220B. In this instance, as the player plays the game on the computer 101B, the player's account is debited and credited according to how the player bets and wins, respectively.

The computer 101B will now be described in more detail below with reference to Fig. 2.

The gaming machine 101 A and the computer 101B have similar computer hardware architecture. Accordingly, unless referred to specifically, the gaming machine 101 A and the computer 101B will be hereinafter generically referred to as the "gaming device" 101. Similarly, components of the gaming machine 101 A and the computer 101 B, such as the enclosures 201A and 201B, and the displays 214A and 214B, respectively, will be hereinafter generically referred to as the enclosure 201 and the display 214, respectively, of the gaming device 100, unless such components are referred to specifically. Further, other components, such as the WANs 220A, 220B, and the LANs 222A and 222B, for example, will be hereinafter generically referred to as the WAN 220 and the LAN 222. Finally, unless referred to specifically, the gaming systems 100A and 100B will be hereinafter generically referred to as the gaming system 100.

The game played on either of the gaming systems 100A or 100B may be implemented as software, such as one or more application programs being executable by the gaming system 100. In particular, the game may be effected by instructions in the software that are carried out by the gaming system 100. The instructions may be formed as one or more code modules, each for performing one or more particular tasks. As will be described in detail below, the software may also be divided into separate parts, in which a one or more parts and the corresponding code modules performs the game and one or more other parts and the corresponding code modules manage a user interface between the first part and the player of the game. For example, as seen in Figs. 1A and IB, the user interface may be formed by one or more screens such as the screen 105.

The software may be stored in a computer readable medium, including the storage devices described below, for example. The software may be loaded into the gaming system 100 from the computer readable medium, and may then be executed by the gaming system 100. A computer readable medium having such software or computer program recorded on it is a computer program product. The use of the computer program product in the gaming system 100 preferably effects an advantageous apparatus for implementing the game described herein.

As seen in Fig. 2, the gaming device 101 comprises an input device 202. The input device 202 is formed by the keypad 202 A when the gaming device 101 is the gaming machine 101 A or by the keyboard 202B when the gaming device 101 is the computer 101 B. The computer 101B also comprises the mouse pointer device 203. The gaming device 101 also comprises output devices including the display device 214 and loudspeakers 217. In one configuration, the display device 214 may be a touch screen.

When the gaming device 101 is the gaming machine 101 A, the gaming apparatus 100 also comprises the coin input device 106A and the note input device 107 A, as well as a coin output device 218, as seen in Fig. 2.

An external Modulator- Demodulator (Modem) transceiver device 216 may be used by the gaming device 101 for communicating to and from the communications network 220 via the connection 221. Where the connection 221 is a telephone line, the modem 216 may be a traditional "dial-up" modem. Alternatively, where the connection 221 is a high capacity (eg: cable) connection, the modem 216 may be a broadband modem. A wireless modem may also be used for wireless connection to the network 220.

The gaming device 101 typically comprises at least one processor unit 205 for controlling at least partial execution of the game on the gaming system 100. The processor unit 205 may be formed by a micro-controller, micro-processor, programmable logic device or the like. The gaming device 101 also comprises a memory unit 206, for example, formed from semiconductor random access memory (RAM) and read only memory (ROM). A number of input/output (I/O) interfaces including an audio-video interface 207 that couples to the video display 214 and loudspeakers 217, are typically also included. The gaming device 101 also comprises an I/O interface 213 for the input device 202, and when the gaming device 100 is the gaming machine 101 A, the coin input device 106 A and the note input device 107A, as seen in Fig. 2. The interface 213 is also used for the mouse 203 when the gaming device 101 is the computer 101 B.

The gaming device 101 may also comprise or be connected to an interface 208 used for the external modem 216. The interface 208 may be used for a coin output device 218, when the gaming device 101 is the gaming machines 101 A. In some implementations, the modem 216 may be incorporated within the gaming device 101, for example within the interface 208. The gaming device 101 also has a local network interface 21 1 which, via the connection 223, permits coupling of the gaming device 101 to the LAN 222. As also shown in Fig. 2, the LAN 222 couples to the wide network 220 via the connection 224 and would typically include a so-called "firewall" device or similar functionality. The interface 211 may be formed by an Ethernet™ circuit card, a wireless Bluetooth™ or an IEEE 802.1 1 wireless arrangement.

The interfaces 208 and 213 may afford both serial and parallel connectivity, the former typically being implemented according to the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standards and having corresponding USB connectors (not illustrated). Storage devices 209 are provided and typically include a hard disk drive (HDD) 210. Other devices such as a floppy disk drive and a magnetic tape drive (not illustrated) may also be used. An optical disk drive 212 is typically provided to act as a non- volatile source of data. Portable memory devices, such optical disks (eg: CD-ROM, DVD), USB- RAM, and floppy disks for example may then be used as appropriate sources of data to the gaming system 100.

The gaming device 101 may also comprise one or more hard meters 215, which are required by some regulatory authorities. These hard meters 215 determine a cumulative number of credits input by a player of the gaming device 101 and output by the gaming device 101 throughout the life of the gaming device 101. The meters 215 are typically set to "zero" when the gaming device 101 is first configured.

The components 205 to 213 of the gaming device 101 typically communicate via an interconnected bus 204 and in a manner which results in a conventional mode of operation of the gaming device 101 known to those in the relevant art.

Fig. 3 is a representation of the software architecture 300 of the gaming system 100. The software architecture 300 comprises a base game application program 301, which controls the game being played on the gaming system 100. This game will be hereinafter referred to as the "base game". Another of the application programs of the software architecture 300 is a random number generator 303, as known to those in the relevant art, which determine the outcomes of the base game being played on the gaming system 100. A display controller application program 305 is included to implement one or more of the screens (e.g., 105) to be rendered or otherwise represented upon the display 214 for the base game and any other games, such as feature games 313 being played on the gaming device 101.

The software architecture 300 may also comprise an input device monitor application program 307 for monitoring signals from the input device 202 (and possibly the mouse 203) of the gaming device 101. For example, the input device monitor application program 307 monitors the manipulation of the input device 202 or the mouse 203 by the player of the base game in order to provide controlling commands to the base game application program 301 and any other games being played on the gaming device 101.

A credit control application program 309 is also included in the software architecture 300 for crediting or deducting any winning or losing amount from the credits of a player depending on the outcomes of the base game and any other game being played by the player. This winning or losing amount is determined by a win calculator application program 311 using a pay table. This pay table may be stored on the hard disk drive 210, for example.

For land-based gaming machines such as the gaming machine 101 A, the amount of money that each credit is worth is typically dictated by the gaming machine 101 A. For example, each credit may be worth one cent (1 ), five cents (50) or one dollar ($1) depending on the gaming machine. The amount of money that each credit is worth may be referred to as the "denomination". The denomination will determine the amount that can be bet on each the game, as will be described below. The input device 202A of the gaming machine 101 A may include buttons for use in increasing the amount that can be bet on each game. For example, the input device 202A may include a "2x" button (not shown) for doubling the denomination, a "5x" button (not shown) for multiplying the denomination by five and/or a "lOx" button (not shown) for multiplying the denomination by ten.

For online gaming using the gaming system 100B, for example, the player may select a denomination (e.g., one cent (1 ), five cents (50), one dollar ($1) etc) using the input device 202B and the mouse 203B, for example. In one example, the player may use the mouse 203 B to select a denomination by selecting a denomination symbol displayed in a screen of the base game on the display 214B. Again, this selected denomination will determine the amount that can be bet on each game, as will be described below. The software architecture 300 of the gaming system 100 may also include a feature game application program 313 implementing a feature game of the base game. Such a feature game may include the double-up feature described above.

Typically, the application programs 301 to 313 discussed above are resident on the hard disk drive 210 and are read and controlled in their execution by the processor 205, and in the following description, this will be assumed to be the case. However, in the gaming system 100B, the application programs 301 to 313 may be resident on a hard disk drive of the server 104B and be controlled in their execution by a processor of that server 104B, with the processor of the server 104B being configured to download one or more graphic objects for the game to the computer 101 B together with one or more display lists for displaying the downloaded graphic objects as one or more screens (e.g., 105) of the base game and any other game being played on the gaming system 100B.

Intermediate storage of the application programs 301 to 313 and any data fetched from the networks 220 and 222 may be accomplished using the semiconductor memory 206, possibly in concert with the hard disk drive 210. In some instances, the application programs may be supplied to a game provider (e.g., an operator of the gaming machine 101 or administrator of the server 104B) encoded on one or more CD- ROMs and be read via the corresponding drive 212, or alternatively may be read by the user from the networks 220 or 222. Still further, the software may also be loaded into the gaming system 100 from other computer readable media. Computer readable media refers to any storage medium that participates in providing instructions and/or data to the gaming system 100 for execution and/or processing. Examples of such media include floppy disks, magnetic tape, CD-ROM, a hard disk drive, a ROM or integrated circuit, a magneto-optical disk, or a computer readable card such as a PCMCIA card and the like, whether or not such devices are internal or external of the enclosure 101. Examples of computer readable transmission media that may also participate in the provision of instructions and/or data include radio or infra-red transmission channels as well as a network connection to another computer or networked device, and the Internet or Intranets including e-mail transmissions and information recorded on Websites and the like.

In the described arrangements, the base game is a spinning reel game comprising a plurality of reels, with each spin of the reels being referred to hereinafter as a 'game'. A screen 500 of the base game, as represented on the display device 214 by the display control application program 305, is shown in Fig. 5. The display device 214 is used for displaying the plurality of reels of the game. The screen 500 comprises five vertical reel strips 501 to 505, with each of the reel strips 501 to 505 displaying a series of three symbols (e.g., 506, 507 and 508), such that the symbols in the same position of each of the reel strips 501 to 505 form a horizontal row (e.g., 517). For example, the reel strip 501 comprises a star symbol 506 in a first position, a cross 507 in a second position and a square symbol 508 in a third position of the reel strip 501, with the star symbol 506 being the first symbol in the horizontal row of symbols 517. Accordingly, the screen 500 of the base game has a "three (3) symbol (or row) by five (5) reel strip" layout (i.e., a 3 x 5 reel strip layout). Other reel strip layouts may be also be used, such as a "five (5) symbols (or row) by five (5) reel strip" layout.

A method 400 of performing a particular game (i.e., spin of the reels 501 to 505) of the base game, will be described below by way of example, with reference to Fig. 4. The method 400 may be implemented as one or more modules of the application programs 301 to 311 described above.

In accordance with the method 400, the player may select one or more "stopping positions" on the reel strips 501 to 505. If a predetermined symbol (e.g., smiley face symbol 606) finishes (or stops) on one of the selected positions (e.g., position 520 of reel strip 501), upon spinning of the reel strips 501 to 505 in the base game, then a subsequent jackpot feature game will be enhanced. For example, if the jackpot feature game provides a predetermined number of free games, such as fifteen free games, then the feature game may be enhanced by the addition of further free games and/or by the addition of a prize amounting to a predetermined number of credits (e.g., one hundred extra credits). In one implementation, each of the free games of the jackpot feature game is an execution of the base game in accordance with the method 400 where the player is allowed to select a stopping position as at step 402.

As another example, the jackpot feature game may be a prize amounting to a predetermined number of credits (e.g., one hundred extra credits). In this instance, the jackpot feature game may be enhanced by a still further plurality of credits (e.g., doubling the predetermined number of credits paid in a normal jackpot feature game prize) and/or the addition of further free games.

In accordance with the present example, the appearance of a smiley face symbol (e.g., 606) at a selected stopping position results in a subsequent jackpot feature game being enhanced.

The availability or option to play the jackpot feature game in the method 400 is triggered by a combination, such as three or more predetermined symbols in three or more of the reel strips 501 to 505. In this instance, the three or more predetermined symbols do not have to be in the same row or payline in order to trigger the jackpot trigger game, although the three or more predetermined symbols may be in the same row or payline. The three or more predetermined symbols may be "scattered" within the reel strips 501 to 505.

In accordance with the present example, the jackpot feature game is triggered by the three smiley faces (e.g., 606) scattered in each of reel strips 501 to 503, respectively, as seen in Fig. 6. In this instance, the screen 600 is termed a "trigger screen". Further, each of the smiley faces (e.g., 606) may be termed "a trigger symbol". However, many other combinations of symbols or events may also be used to trigger the jackpot feature game and/or to determine if the jackpot feature game is to be enhanced.

The method 400 begins at step 401, where an initial screen of the base game is displayed, which, in the present example, is the screen 500 of Fig. 5. The screen 500 is typically displayed by the display controller application program 305 in conjunction with the base game application program 301.

At the next step 402, the base game application program 301, under execution of the processor 205, determines one or more positions on the screen 500 as selected by a player. In accordance with the present example, the player selects stopping position 530. The stopping position 530 may be selected by the player using the input means described above, such as the input device 202 (e.g., the keypad 202 A, the keyboard 202B) and/or the mouse pointer device 203B. In one arrangement, the stopping position 530 may be selected by the player using the display device 214 where the display device is a touch screen. The selected stopping position may be indicated on the screen 500. For example, the selected stopping position 530 may indicated by a broken circle or the like displayed on the screen 500 as shown in Fig. 5. Then at the next step 403, the amount of a bet placed by the player on the game to be played is determined. This amount is typically determined by the credit control application program 309 being controlled in its execution by the processor 205 typically examining player input via the input device 202.

In the described arrangements, the base game has a plurality of paylines, as known to those in the relevant art, on each of which the player of the base game may place a bet. The paylines are typically indicated by payline indicator columns 509 and 510, as seen in Fig. 5. For example, the base game described herein has five paylines which are typically indicated by the numbers one (1) to five (5) in the columns 509 and 510. Each of these five paylines is represented by phantom lines (e.g., 51 1) in Fig. 5. The paylines in Fig. 5 are three horizontal paylines (#1 , #2, #3) and two diagonal paylines (#4, #5). Accordingly, the base game will pay an amount of credits for a particular combination of symbols, such as three crosses (e.g., 512) on the payline 51 1.

The screen 500 also comprises a 'BET' meter 514. In the present example, the base game is a one cent (1 ) denomination game as indicated by Ίφ Game' sign and '$1 Buys 100 Credits' sign in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen 500. Accordingly, in the base game described herein, each credit is worth one cent (1£). As seen in Fig. 5, the BET meter 514 indicates that the player has bet on all five paylines for a particular game (or spin of the reel strips 501 to 505) by displaying the number five '5' (as indicated by the arrow 519), as seen in Fig. 5. The BET meter 514 also indicates that the total amount of the bet for the particular game is five cents ($0.05) (i.e., one cent ($0.01) for each payline).

The player may indicate the number of paylines that they wish to bet on for the particular game, at step 401 using the input device 202. The player may also select to bet a plurality of credits on each payline. For example, for the one cent (10) denomination base game, the player may select to bet two credits (i.e., two cents ($0.02)Xon each payline. Such a selection effectively transforms the base game into a two cent (20) denomination game.

In one implementation, each position determined at step 402 may cost a predetermined number of credits. For example, selection of the stopping position 530 may cost two credits (i.e., two cents ($0.02)). In this instance, the total amount of the bet for the particular game is increased to indicate the additional predetermined number of credits for selection of the stopping position 530. The BET meter 514 may also be modified to indicate the additional predetermined number of credits for selection of the stopping position 530.

As described above, for online gaming using the gaming system 100B, for example, the player may select a denomination (e.g., one cent (1 ), five cents (50) or one dollar ($1)). This selected denomination will determine the amount of money bet on each payline of the particular game and, therefore, the amount of money bet on each game.

The screen 105 also comprises a 'CREDIT' meter 516 indicating a total amount of credits for the player including the amount of credits originally input (or available on the player's account) by the player and the amount of credits won by the player during a particular playing session. Upon the bet being placed by the player, the credit control application program 309 updates the BET meter 514 and the CREDIT meter 516 to reflect the amount, of the bet.

The method 400 continues at the next step 404 with the spinning of the reel strips 501 to 505. The spinning of the reel strips 501 to 505 is initiated by the player inputting a command using the input device 202 which is monitored by the input device monitor application program 307. The spinning of the reel strips 501 to 505 is controlled by the base game application program 301 being executed by the processor 205 and is representative of the processing or actual performance of the game.

At the next step 405, a stopping position of each reel strip 501 to 505 is determined. The stopping position of each reel strip 501 to 505 is typically determined by the base game application program 301 depending on an output of the random number generator application program 303.

Then at the next step 406, result screen 600, as seen in Fig. 6, of the base game is displayed on the screen 214. The landing position of the symbols in the reel strips 501 to 505 of the screen 600 are based on the stopping position of each of the reel strips 501 to 505 as determined at step 405. The screen 600 is typically displayed by the display controller application program 305.

The method 400 continues at the next step 407, where an amount of credits payed for any combinations of symbols in the screen 600 is determined. This amount is typically determined by the win calculator application program 311 based on the pay table described above. The screen 600 includes a 'WIN' meter 615 that indicates the amount of credits and a corresponding monetary amount that the player has won from the particular game. In the present example; one hundred credits ($1.00) are payed for the combination of three stars 607, 612 and 613 on the payline 511, as indicated by the WIN meter 615. Also at step 407, the CREDIT meter 516 is updated to reflect the amount won by the player on the game.

In alternative implementations, credits may also be payed to the player for the combination of the three stars 607, 612 and 613 together with star 608 in row 617 and the star 609 in the row 619. As a further alternative, further credits may be payed out for the smiley faces (e.g., 606) in the reel strips 501 , 502 and 503, for example. However, in each of these instances, the base game would require further paylines.

At the next step 408, if the base game application program 301, under execution of the processor 205, determines that a jackpot feature game has been triggered, then the method 400 proceeds to step 409. Otherwise, the method 400 concludes. As described above, in the present example, the jackpot feature game is triggered by the three smiley faces (e.g., 606) scattered in each of reel strips 501 to 503, respectively, as seen in Fig. 6. The jackpot feature game may be implemented by the feature game application program 313 of Fig. 3 in conjunction with the other application programs 301 to 311 described above.

At step 409, the jackpot feature game is executed by the feature game application program 313. In accordance with the present example, the jackpot feature game is fifteen free games (i.e., fifteen free spins of the reel strips 501 to 505, as at step 404). Accordingly, at step 409, the program 313, under execution of the processor 205, begins to execute fifteen free games. Alternatively, where the jackpot feature game is a predetermined number of credits, at step 409, the win calculator application program 311 determines the amount of the prize and the CREDIT meter 516 is updated by the credit control application program 309.

Then at step 410, if the feature game application program 313, under execution of the processor 205, determines that the jackpot feature game is to be enhanced based on a trigger symbol stopping on one of the stopping positions determined at step 402, then the method 400 proceeds to step 411. Otherwise, the method 400 concludes. As described above, the stopping position determined at step 402 may be selected by the player using the input means described above, such as the input device 202 (e.g., the keypad 202A, the keyboard 202B) and/or the mouse pointer device 203B. In one arrangement, the stopping position determined at step 402 may be selected by the player using the display device 214 where the display device is a touch screen.

As described above, in accordance with the present example, the appearance of a smiley face symbol (e.g., 606) at a selected stopping position results in a subsequent jackpot feature game being enhanced. In the example of Fig. 6, the trigger screen 600 shows the smiley face 606 has stopped at stopping position 530.

At step 41 1, the feature game is enhanced by the feature game application program 313. As described above, in the present example, the jackpot feature game provides a predetermined number of free games. In this instance, the feature game may be enhanced at step 41 1 by the addition of further free games and or by the addition of a jackpot prize amounting to a predetermined number of extra credits (e.g., one hundred extra credits).

As also described above, in one example, the jackpot feature game may be a prize amounting to a predetermined number of credits (e.g., one hundred extra credits). In this instance, the jackpot feature game may be enhanced at step 411 by a still further plurality of credits (e.g., doubling the predetermined number of credits of a normal jackpot feature game prize) and/or by the addition of further free games.

In the example described above, one stopping position 530 was selected by the player at step 402. In an alternative implementation, the player may select one or more further stopping positions at step 402 in one or more of the other reel strips 501 to 505. In one implementation, one stopping position (e.g., 530) may be selected at step 402 for each reel strip 501 to 505. When more than one stopping position is selected at step 402, if a trigger symbol (e.g., a smiley face) stops in the screen 600 at one of these other stopping positions selected by the player, then the feature game may be further enhanced at step 41 1, for example, by way of a further number of free games and/or a larger number of credits. For example, five (5) extra free games may be paid for a trigger symbol stopping at one selected stopping position (e.g., 530), ten (10) extra free games may be paid for a trigger symbol stopping at each of two selected stopping positions, and fifteen (15) extra free games may be paid for a trigger symbol stopping at each of three selected stopping positions.

In another alternative implementation, a particular reel strip may be selected at step 402 as the stopping position. For example, the player may select reel strip 502 as a stopping position at step 402. Again, the reel strip 502 may be selected by the player using the input means described above, such as the input device 202 (e.g., the keypad 202 A, the keyboard 202B) and/or the mouse pointer device 203 B. In one arrangement, the reel strip 502 may be selected by the player using the display device 214 where the display device is a touch screen.

In the instance where the reel strip 502 is selected as a stopping position at step 402, if a trigger symbol (e.g., smiley face 623) stops in any one of the symbol positions with the selected reel strip 502, at step 405, then a subsequent feature game will be enhanced at step 41 1. Selection of a reel strip (e.g., 501) as a stopping position at step 402 may cost the player more (e.g., ten (10) extra credits) than selection of a single symbol position (e.g., 530) as the stopping position. Such an extra cost represents an increase in the bet as determined at step 403.

Further, a plurality of reel strips (e.g., reel strip 501 and reel strip 503) may be selected as stopping positions at step 402. In this instance, if a predetermined trigger symbol (e.g., smiley faces 606 and 625) stops in the screen 600 in one of the reel strips selected by the player, then the feature game will be further enhanced at step 41 1, for example, by way of a further number of free games and/or a larger number of credits.

In still another alternative implementation, a particular row may be selected at step 402 as the stopping position. For example, the player may select row 617 as a stopping position at step 402. Again, the row 617 may be selected by the player using the input means described above, such as the input device 202 (e.g., the keypad 202 A, the keyboard 202B) and/or the mouse pointer device 203B. In one arrangement, the row 617 may be selected by the player using the display device 214 where the display device is a touch screen. In the instance where the row 617 is selected, if a trigger symbol (e.g., smiley face 606) stops in the selected row 617 at step 405, then a subsequent feature game will be enhanced at step 41 1. Again, selection of a row (e.g., 617) as a stopping position at step 402 may cost the player more (e.g., ten (10) credits) than selection of a single symbol position (e.g., 530) as the stopping position. Further, selection of a row (e.g., 617) as a stopping position at step 402 may cost the player more (e.g., ten (10) credits) than selection of a single reel strip (e.g., 501) as the stopping position. Again, such an extra cost represents an increase in the bet determined at step 403.

Further, a plurality of rows (e.g., row 617 and row 619) may be selected as stopping positions at step 402. In this instance, if a trigger symbol (e.g., smiley faces 606 and 625) stops in the screen 600 in one of the rows 617, 619 selected by the player, then the feature game will be further enhanced at step 411, for example, by way of a further number of free games and/or a larger number of credits. As described above, the availability or option to play the jackpot feature game is triggered by a combination, such as three or more predetermined symbols in three or more of the reel strips 501 to 505. In an alternative implementation, the jackpot feature game may be triggered by one of the trigger symbols (e.g., smiley face 606) stopping at a selected stopping position (e.g., 530) determined at step 402. For example, the jackpot feature game may be triggered by the smiley face 606 stopping at selected position 530, or the smiley face 623 stopping at selected reel strip 502, or the smiley face 625 stopping in selected row 619. Accordingly, the selection of a stopping position may allow players to be able to increase their chances of triggering the jackpot feature game and winning the jackpot prize by betting larger amounts of credits in order to select stopping positions as described above. Further, a subsequent feature game may be enhanced depending on whether trigger symbols finish on any one or more of the selected stopping positions.

. Industrial Applicability

It is apparent from the above that the arrangements described are applicable to the gaming, computer and data processing industries.

The foregoing describes only some embodiments of the present invention, and modifications and/or changes can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, the embodiments being illustrative and not restrictive.

In the context of this specification, the word "comprising" means "including principally but not necessarily solely" or "having" or "including", and not "consisting only of. Variations of the word "comprising", such as "comprise" and "comprises" have correspondingly varied meanings.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A gaming system for playing a game, said game being a spinning reel game comprising a plurality of reels, said gaming system comprising:

a processor for controlling execution of the game;

2. The gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the position is selected prior to execution of said game.

3. The gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the selected position is one of a plurality of symbol positions within a selected one of the plurality of reels.

4. The gaming system according to claim 3, wherein the selected reel is selected prior to execution of said game.

5. The gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the selected position is one of a plurality of symbol positions within a selected row of the plurality of reels.

6. The gaming system according to claim 3, wherein the selected row is selected prior to execution of said game.

7. The gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the prize is paid in a feature game.

8. The gaming system according to claim 1 , wherein the prize is a feature game.

9. The gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the prize is one or more free games.

10. The gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the prize is one or more extra credits.

1 1. The gaming system according to claim 1 , wherein the input means is a keyboard.

12. The gaming system according to claim 1 , wherein the input means is a keypad/

13. The gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the input means is a mouse pointer device.

1 . The gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the input means is a touch screen.

15. A computer implemented method of gaming using a gaming system comprising a processor for controlling the play of a game, at least one display device connected to the processor for displaying one or more screens of the game, and input means for use by a player in controlling one or more aspects of the game, said method comprising:

determining a position on one of a plurality of reels displayed on the display device, as having being selected using the input means;

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the position is selected prior to execution of said game.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the selected position is one of a plurality of symbol positions within a selected one of the plurality of reels.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the selected spinning reel is selected prior to execution of said game.

19. The method according to claim 15, wherein the selected position is one of a plurality of symbol positions within a selected row of the plurality of reels.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the selected row is selected prior to execution of said game.

21. The method according to claim 15, wherein the prize is paid in a feature game.

22. , The method according to claim 15, wherein the prize is a feature game. .

23. The method according to claim 15, wherein the prize is one or more free games.

24. The method according to claim 15, wherein the prize is one or more extra credits.

25. The method according to claim 15, wherein the input means is a keypad/

26. The method according to claim 15, wherein the input means is a mouse pointer device.

27. The method according to claim 15, wherein the input means is a touch screen.

28. An apparatus for playing a game, said game being a spinning reel game comprising a plurality of reels, said apparatus comprising:

at least one processor for controlling the play of the game;

at least one display device connected to the processor for displaying the plurality of reels; input means connected to the processor and display device, for use by a player in selecting a position on one of said reels, wherein said processor is configured for executing said game by spinning the reels displayed on the display device, upon receiving a signal via the input means, and wherein said processor is further configured for controling the game such that a prize is paid upon a predetermined symbol stopping in the selected position during the game.

29. A computer readable medium, having a program recorded thereon, wherein the program is configured to make a gaming system execute a gaming process, the gaming system comprising a processor for controlling the play of a game, at least one display device connected for displaying one or more screens of the game, and input means for use by a player in controlling one or more aspects of the game, said program comprising:

code for determining a position on one of a plurality of reels displayed on the display device, as having being selected using the input means;

30. A gaming system for playing a game, said game being a spinning reel game comprising a plurality of reels, said gaming system comprising:

a processor for controlling execution of the game; at least one touch screen display device connected to the processor for displaying the plurality of reels of the game and for use by a player in controlling one or more aspects of the game including selecting a position on one of said reels displayed on the touch screen display device, wherein the processor controls the game such that a prize is paid upon a predetermined symbol stopping in the selected position during the game.

31. A computer implemented method of gaming using a gaming system comprising a processor for controlling the play of a game, at least one touch screen display device connected to the processor for displaying one or more screens of the game and for use by a player in controlling one or more aspects of the game, said method comprising the steps of:

determining a position on one of a plurality of reels displayed on the touch screen display device as having been selected using the touch screen display device;

executing said game by spinning the reels displayed on the touch screen display device; and

32. An apparatus for playing a game, said game being a spinning reel game comprising a plurality of reels, said apparatus comprising:

a processor for controlling the play of the game;

33. A computer readable medium, having a program recorded thereon, where the program is configured to make a gaming system execute a gaming process, the gaming system comprising a processor for controlling the play of a game, at least one touch screen display device- connected for displaying one or more screens of the game and for use by a player in controlling one or more aspects of the game, said program comprising:

code for determining a position on one of a plurality of reels displayed on the touch screen display device as having been selected using the touch screen display device;

code for executing said game by spinning the reels displayed on the touch screen display device; and

34. A gaming system for playing a game, said game being a spinning reel game comprising a plurality of reels, said gaming system comprising:

k a processor for controlling execution of the game; and

35. A computer implemented method of gaming using a gaming system comprising a processor for controlling the play of a game, at least one display,device connected to the processor for displaying one or more screens of the game, said method comprising: determining a position on one of a plurality of reels displayed on the display device as having been selected by a player; and

36. An apparatus for playing a game, said game being a spinning reel game comprising a plurality of reels, said apparatus comprising:

a processor for controlling the play of the game; and

37. A computer readable medium, having a program recorded thereon, where the program is configured to make a gaming system execute a gaming process, the gaming system comprising a processor for controlling the play of a game, at least one display device connected for displaying one or more screens of the game, said program comprising:

code for determining a position on one of a plurality of reels displayed on the display device as having been selected by a player; and code for paying a prize Upon a predetermined symbol stopping in the selected position during the game.