Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080248867 | WAGERING GAME INSURANCE - A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a value input device adapted to receive an input value corresponding to a wager to enable the play of a wagering game. A display is configured to display a randomly determined outcome and a controller is operative to accept a redemption of wagering insurance in association with the randomly determined outcome prior to a reveal of the randomly determined outcome and is operative to alter at least one aspect of the wagering game consistent with a condition defined by the wagering insurance. | 10-09-2008 |
20080293478 | Wagering Game Having a Simulated World-Building Feature for Payoffs - The present invention is directed to a gaming terminal and a method of playing at the gaming terminal. The gaming terminal has a basic wagering game and a bonus game. The bonus game simulates the building of a world and provides bonus awards based on an accumulation of assets by the simulated world. In response to a player terminating a gaming session, the accumulated assets are selectively stored by the player in a memory device and can be used in subsequent gaming sessions. Additionally, the player can choose to save the status of the gaming session and return at a later time to the same status as the first gaming session. | 11-27-2008 |
20090011822 | Wagering Game With Persistent State Of Game Assests Affecting Other Players - A gaming system includes a plurality of linked gaming machines, each gaming machine including a display for displaying a plurality of symbols that indicates a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game. The randomly selected outcome is selected from a plurality of outcomes in response to a wager input. Each gaming machine allows a player to achieve a player level from a plurality of player levels. The gaming system further includes a controller linked to the gaming machines. The controller is adapted to permit a certain community-event game from a plurality of community-game events to be played at two or more of gaming machines in response to a conditional state at the gaming machines. The conditional state is a function of the player levels at the gaming machines. | 01-08-2009 |
20090011823 | Wagering Game With Persistent State Of Game Assets Affecting Other Players - A gaming system includes a plurality of linked gaming machines, each gaming machine including a display for displaying a plurality of symbols that indicates a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game. The randomly selected outcome is selected from a plurality of outcomes in response to a wager input. Each gaming machine allows a player to achieve a player level from a plurality of player levels. The gaming system further includes a controller linked to the gaming machines. The controller is adapted to permit a certain community-event game from a plurality of community-game events to be played at two or more of gaming machines in response to a conditional state at the gaming machines. The conditional state is a function of the player levels at the gaming machines. | 01-08-2009 |
20090011824 | Wagering Game With Persistent State of Game Assets Affecting Other Players - A gaming system includes a plurality of linked gaming machines, each gaming machine including a display for displaying a plurality of symbols that indicates a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game. The randomly selected outcome is selected from a plurality of outcomes in response to a wager input. Each gaming machine allows a player to achieve a player level from a plurality of player levels. The gaming system further includes a controller linked to the gaming machines. The controller is adapted to permit a certain community-event game from a plurality of community-game events to be played at two or more of gaming machines in response to a conditional state at the gaming machines. The conditional state is a function of the player levels at the gaming machines. | 01-08-2009 |
20090011827 | Wagering Game With Tournament-Play Features - A method is presented for offering a wagering game tournament to a plurality of players on a plurality of gaming machines, which are located on a gaming network. The method includes increasing a prize pool based on a group achievement of the plurality of players, and distributing the prize pool to at least some of the plurality of players. | 01-08-2009 |
20090042641 | Wagering game with time-based bonus - A gaming system for playing a wagering game includes a display and a controller. The display displays a base game of the wagering game in response to receiving a wager input from a player. The controller is coupled to the display and, in response to receiving the wager input, is programmed to increment eligibility time to a counter of bonus-time eligibility. The counter is decremented as real time progresses. If the counter is greater than zero when a bonus game of the wagering game is triggered, the player is allowed to play the bonus game. | 02-12-2009 |
20090069071 | GAMING SYSTEM WITH CASCADING SYMBOL FEATURE - A gaming system comprising an input device for receiving a wager to play a wagering game. The gaming system also includes a display for displaying an array of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. In response to the randomly selected outcome including a winning symbol combination, at least one symbol that is not a part of the winning symbol combination is removed from the array and causes other symbols to move into a position of the array vacated by the at least one removed symbol. | 03-12-2009 |
20090075712 | Gaming systems having trigger time indicators - A gaming system comprises a wager input device for receiving at least one wager and one or more displays for displaying a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game. The one or more displays further display a trigger time indicator. The gaming system further comprises at least one controller operative to (i) add a portion of the at least one wager to an actual turnover, (ii) randomly select a trigger amount from a range of available trigger amounts, (iii) calculate a time estimate when the actual turnover will become equal to or greater than the trigger amount based on a current turnover rate, (iv) update the trigger time indicator based on the time estimate, and (v) award a prize in response to the actual turnover becoming equal to or greater than the trigger amount. | 03-19-2009 |
20090104968 | Wagering game system with pausing feature - A gaming system for playing a wagering game includes a gaming machine and a controller operatively associated with the gaming machine. The controller is configured to temporarily pause a game-in progress on the gaming machine following the occurrence of a pause event. The controller is also configured to reinstate a game-in progress on the gaming machine following the occurrence of an end-pause event. | 04-23-2009 |
20090104986 | Wagering Game With Multi-Level Progressive Game - A method for playing a wagering game allows an opportunity to achieve a progressive award. A wager input is received from a player for playing the wagering game. A triggered progressive game includes player-selectable elements, each of the player-selectable elements being capable of association with a progressive-winning outcome. An outcome is assigned to each of the player-selectable elements, wherein a probability that the outcome is a progressive-winning outcome depends upon an amount of the wager input. The player-selectable elements are displayed. | 04-23-2009 |
20090117969 | Wagering game system with networked gaming devices - A method of operating a plurality of wagering game tournaments on a plurality of gaming machines includes receiving a wager from a player to play a wagering game on a gaming machine of the plurality of gaming machines. The method further includes providing an option, at the gaming machine, to enter the plurality of wagering game tournaments. The method also includes entering at least one of the plurality of wagering game tournaments and playing in any entered tournament when the tournament begins. | 05-07-2009 |
20090117989 | Wagering Game System With Player Rewards - According to one aspect of the present invention, a gaming system includes a method of conducting a wagering game. The method includes identifying a player as a member of certain group, and offering the player options related to the wagering game. The options are unavailable to players who are not members of the certain group. | 05-07-2009 |
20090117990 | Gaming Machine Having An Enhanced Game Play Scheme - A gaming machine having an enhanced game play scheme is provided where, in response to receipt of a second wager to select an option, a player is provided with enhanced game play. Enhanced game play may include (1) providing more frequent bonus game play, (2) providing a larger bonus game value payout, (3) providing more frequent bonus game play and providing a larger bonus game value payout, (4) providing a larger or multiplied game value payout, (5) providing a guaranteed value payout for a non-winning outcome, (6) providing game features (7) providing a larger game value payout based on a partial game outcome, (8) providing an extra wild symbol capable of repositioning, and (9) providing a possibility of an additional reel movement to reposition an extra reel symbol or (10) providing a possibility of an extra pay line to include an extra reel symbol to increase a value payout. | 05-07-2009 |
20090131159 | Adjustment of awards in progressive system based on wager - A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a progressive jackpot awarded in response to a jackpot win event. The gaming system includes a first gaming machine linked to the progressive jackpot, the first gaming machine accepting a first wager. The gaming system further includes a second gaming machine linked to the progressive jackpot, the second gaming machine accepting a second wager that is greater than the first wager. A first player making the first wager at the first gaming machine is awarded the progressive jackpot if the jackpot win event is associated with the first gaming machine. A second player making the second wager at the second gaming machine is awarded the progressive jackpot plus an expected value equalizing award if the jackpot win event is associated with the second gaming machine. | 05-21-2009 |
20090170590 | Wagering Game With Enhanced Cascading Reel Symbol Feature - A gaming machine. The gaming machine includes an input device for receiving inputs from a player during the wagering game. The inputs include a wager amount. The gaming machine also includes a display for displaying a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. The plurality of symbols is located on a plurality of reels and the randomly selected outcome is selected from a plurality of outcomes. The plurality of outcomes includes a cascade-triggering outcome and a plurality of winning outcomes. Each of the plurality of winning outcomes has an associated initial game payout. In response to the randomly selected outcome being the cascade-triggering outcome, a corresponding symbol is moved and the display displays a cascade outcome. In response to the cascade outcome being one of the plurality of winning outcomes, a cascade payout is awarded that is greater than the initial game payout for that one of the plurality of winning outcomes. | 07-02-2009 |
20090176552 | Wagering Game With Bonus-Selection Feature - A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a display for displaying a plurality of symbols indicating a randomly selected outcome and a selection-input device for selecting at least one bonus item from a plurality of bonus items. Each time a winning outcome is achieved, the selected bonus item reveals at least one of a plurality of bonus awards. | 07-09-2009 |
20090176556 | Wagering game system with shared outcome determined by a gaming machine - A gaming system for playing a wagering game and a community event includes a first gaming machine and a second gaming machine. The first gaming machine determines a randomly selected community-event outcome for the community event, and sends information related to the outcome to at least one other gaming machine of the plurality of gaming machines. The second gaming machine receives the information from the first gaming machine and plays the community event. | 07-09-2009 |
20090176558 | Apparatus, System, and Method for Responsible Gaming - A method for promoting responsible wagering game play is provided which includes the acts of tracking a player's wagering losses and triggering a wagering restriction feature when the player's wagering losses exceed a predetermined loss limit and/or a predetermined loss rate. | 07-09-2009 |
20090239631 | Wagering Game With Symbols Forming An Altered Array or Secondary Array - A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes an input device for receiving a wager to play a wagering game. The gaming system further includes a primary display ( | 09-24-2009 |
20090253483 | Wagering Game System with Community Gaming System - A gaming system for playing a wagering game and a community-event includes a plurality of gaming machines configured to participate in a community-event game. A controller is configured to determine eligibility of each of the plurality of gaming machines to play a community-event. At least one of the plurality of gaming machines is configured to determine a randomly selected community-event outcome for a community-event and to transmit a signal related to the community-event outcome to an eligible gaming machine. | 10-08-2009 |
20090270168 | Progressive Game Eligibility And Winning - A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes both enhanced as well as new ways of winning a progressive jackpot. New ways of becoming eligible for a progressive jackpot are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the reset amount, startup value, and funding percentage may be selected as needed to improve player excitement and anticipation. Players may also customize various aspects of the progressive game upon payment of a fee. | 10-29-2009 |
20090275389 | Wagering Game With Trail-Based Bonus Game Having Player-Selectable Features - A gaming system having an input device for receiving a wager to play a wagering game including a trail-based game. A display for displaying the trail-based game is also included. The trail-based game includes a plurality of elements along a trail. Each of the plurality of elements has an associated award. In response to a player meeting a predetermined criterion, the player is awarded the associated award for all of the plurality of elements. | 11-05-2009 |
20090325681 | Wagering Game With Enhanced Wager-Per-Line Feature - A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game by a player includes a display, a credit indicator and a controller. The display is for displaying a wagering-game outcome having a plurality of symbols arranged in an array. The array includes a plurality of paylines for indicating symbol combinations in the array. The player is required to play all of the plurality of paylines in exchange for a minimum wager amount. The credit indicator indicates the number of available credits for making a wager amount. The controller is in communication with the display and the credit indicator. In response to the number of available credits being less than the minimum wager amount, the controller causes the display to display a group of player options for allowing the player to select a disposition for the available credits. The group of player options includes a reduced-payline option to play less than all paylines for a subsequent wagering-game outcome. | 12-31-2009 |
20100016055 | Gaming Machine Having Player Selectable Volatility - A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a value input device for receiving a wager and a display for displaying a plurality of symbols arranged on a plurality of reels. The symbols indicate a randomly-selected outcome selected from a plurality of possible outcomes, the plurality of outcomes including at least one winning outcome. The gaming machine further includes a controller operative to receive a volatility input from a player of the gaming machine. The controller is further operative to associate an award with the at least one winning outcome wherein the associated award is either a first award amount or a second award amount based upon the volatility input. Upon the occurrence of the at least one winning outcome, the controller awards the associated award to the player. | 01-21-2010 |
20100016058 | WAGERING GAME WITH MULTIPLE REELS FORMING MULTIPLE SYMBOL ARRAYS - A gaming system for playing a wagering game comprises at least one display adapted to display a plurality of reels having symbols. The symbols indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. The plurality of reels includes at least one single-symbol reel and at least one multi-symbol reel. The at least one display is adapted to display at least one payline overlapping at least one symbol from the at least one single-symbol reel and at least one symbol from the at least one multi-symbol reel. | 01-21-2010 |
20100029367 | Wagering Game With Community Game Feature - A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a community display for displaying a community game having a plurality of features for determining a community award that is awarded to all players at eligible linked gaming machines. The community game includes selection of a player at an eligible linked gaming machine to interact with the community game to determine the community award. One of the plurality of features includes a community free spin feature that awards free spins of a base wagering game to each player. | 02-04-2010 |
20100029368 | WAGERING GAME WITH PAY LINES EXTENDING THROUGH BONUS REGIONS - A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a game display, a transmissive display, and a controller. The game display includes a plurality of mechanical reels bearing symbols configured to display randomly selected arrays of symbols. A transmissive display overlays the game display and is configured to display a video reel and to display a randomly selected symbol thereon. A selectable pay line extends through at least some of the mechanical reels and the video reel. The controller is configured to award an award related to the selectable pay line when a winning combination of symbols are displayed along the selectable pay line. | 02-04-2010 |
20100056252 | GAMING SYSTEM HAVING INCREMENTALLY ACTIVATED BONUS AWARDS - A gaming system comprises a wager input device and a display for displaying a plurality of primary symbols, a first bonus reel, and a second bonus reel. The first and second bonus reels have a plurality of bonus symbols thereon. The system further comprises a controller operative to detect a primary wager, a first bonus wager, and a second bonus wager. The controller varies the primary symbols and spins and stops the first bonus reel and the second bonus reel to display a randomly selected outcome. The controller provides a primary award if the primary symbols display a winning outcome. The controller provides a first bonus award if the first bonus wager is detected and the first bonus reel displays a first bonus winning outcome, and provides a second bonus award if the second bonus wager is detected and the second bonus reel displays a second bonus winning outcome. | 03-04-2010 |
20100056261 | Wagering Gaming With Inter-Player Competition Feature - A variety of inter-player competition features for incorporation into a gaming system are disclosed. In one embodiment, a gaming system is provided with a trail-based game and comprises a plurality of gaming machines, signage, and at least one controller. The community event is triggered by an underlying wagering game. The controller is operative to conduct a trail-based game including a token and a trail having a plurality of steps, mark one or more of the plurality of steps with a marker, display a token on at least one of the steps, reduce an award value for the step on which the token is displayed when the step is marked by one or more marker. The award value being reduced for each of the plurality of players whose marker does not mark the step. | 03-04-2010 |
20100056262 | Gaming System With Event Substitution Feature - According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system and method for conducting a wagering game on a plurality of gaming machines is disclosed. A first community event is triggered and two or more gaming machines from the plurality of gaming machines are selected to participate in the first community event. A second community event is triggered—prior to completion of the first community event—and at least one gaming machine is selected from the plurality of gaming machines to participate in the second community event. The at least one gaming machine being different from the two or more gaming machines selected to participate in the first community event. A substitute-community-event award is provided to the at least one gaming machine without playing the second community event. | 03-04-2010 |
20100075741 | WAGERING GAME WITH SYMBOL ARRAY PROVIDING AWARDS BASED ON ARRAY PATHS - A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a wager input device for receiving a wager, The gaming system further includes at least one display for displaying an array of symbols indicating a randomly selected outcome. The array of symbols include a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. The symbols include directional indicators. The randomly selected outcome is indicated by at least one sequence of symbols formed based on directions associated with the directional indicators. In response to the sequence of symbols including a predetermined symbol, an award associated with the predetermined symbol is awarded. | 03-25-2010 |
20100105470 | GAMING SYSTEM HAVING EXPECTED VALUE INDICATORS - A gaming system comprises a wager input device for receiving at least one wager and at least one display for displaying a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game. The at least one display further displays an expected value indicator. The gaming system further comprises a controller operative to (i) add a portion of the at least one wager to an actual turnover, (ii) randomly select a trigger amount from a range of available trigger amounts, (iii) update the expected value indicator to indicate the actual turnover relative to the range, and (iv) award a mystery prize in response to the actual turnover becoming equal to or greater than the trigger amount. | 04-29-2010 |
20100120522 | GAMING SYSTEM HAVING BONUS AWARDS ENTERED INTO TOURNAMENT FEATURES - A gaming system for executing multi-mode bonus events comprises a wager input device, a primary display for displaying a primary wagering game and a bonus event, and at least one controller. The controller is operative to (i) detect receipt of a wager from a player of the gaming terminal, (ii) in response to the occurrence of a triggering event, initiate a bonus event, (iii) detect a selection between a standard bonus mode of operation and a tournament bonus mode of operation, (iv) if the standard bonus mode is selected, execute the bonus event on the primary display and provide any awards earned therein to the player, (v) if the tournament bonus mode is selected, execute the bonus event on the primary display and generate a tournament score for the player, and (vi) enter the player's tournament score into at least one tournament. | 05-13-2010 |
20100124989 | Gaming System Having Multiple Wager Levels Eligible For Progressive Jackpots - A method of conducting a wagering game having a scaled progressive award comprises receiving a first wager from a player, displaying a first play of a primary wagering game, and calculating an increment of the first wager in accordance with an increment rate. If the first wager is equal to a minimum wager, the increment is deposited into a first bin. If the first wager is greater than a minimum wager, a first portion of the increment is deposited into the first bin and a second portion of the increment is deposited into a second bin. Upon the occurrence of a triggering event, a scaled progressive award is awarded, comprising a sum of a reset value, the first bin, and any additional bins for which the player qualifies. | 05-20-2010 |
20100137047 | COMMUNITY GAMING SYSTEM WITH HYBRID COMMUNITY AND INDIVIDUAL OUTCOMES AND AWARDS - A method for conducting a community wagering game on one or more gaming devices comprises receiving a first wager from a first player and determining a first modifier associated with the first player based upon play of a first base game. The method further comprises triggering and displaying a community gaming event comprising a competition and determining a finishing order of a plurality of participants in the competition, the plurality of participants including at least first and second participants. The method further comprises associating the first player with the first participant, determining a first prize value for the first participant, the first prize value based upon the finishing order, and awarding the first player a first award comprising the first prize value as modified by the first modifier. | 06-03-2010 |
20100190543 | Wagering Game With Rule Set Altered Prior To Completion Of Reel Spin - A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a display and a controller. The display displays a plurality of spinning reels that stop to indicate a randomly selected outcome of a plurality of outcomes in response to accepting a wager input from a player. The controller is in communication with the display and is operative to conduct the wagering game in accordance with a basic set of gaming rules. The controller is further operative to cause a modification to a gaming rule of the basic set of gaming rules and to indicate the modification to the player. | 07-29-2010 |
20100210343 | GAMING SYSTEM HAVING REVEALED MYSTERY SYMBOLS - A method for conducting a wagering game comprises receiving a wager and displaying a randomly selected outcome, the randomly selected outcome comprising a plurality of symbols arranged in an array. The array comprises a plurality of symbol positions, the plurality of symbols occupying the symbol positions. Each of the plurality of symbols is selected from a set of available symbols, the set of available symbols including a plurality of standard symbols and at least one mystery symbol. The method further comprises detecting the presence of the at least one mystery symbol in at least one of the symbol positions in the array and randomly selecting one replacement symbol from the plurality of standard symbols. The method further comprises replacing all occurrences of the at least one mystery symbol in the array with the replacement symbol to create a modified array and evaluating the modified array for winning combinations of standard symbols in accordance with a pay table of the wagering game. | 08-19-2010 |
20100210344 | WAGERING A POTENTIAL FUTURE AWARD FOR A GREATER AWARD OPPORTUNITY - A wagering game has an overall payback percentage and a portion of the wagering game has a default expected value. A gamble feature is offered to the player prior to play of the portion of the wagering game but after a wager has been received. The gamble feature has a possibility of a successful outcome or an unsuccessful outcome. The outcome of the gamble feature affects the default expected value for the portion of the wagering game. The default expected value of the portion of the wagering game is altered based on the outcome of the gamble feature. The portion of the wagering game is conducted using the altered expected value. | 08-19-2010 |
20100227667 | Wagering Game Providing Player Options For Time-Based Special Event - A gaming system for playing a wagering game includes a display for displaying a base game of the wagering game in response to receiving a play wager from a player. The gaming system further includes a controller coupled to the display and programmed to determine a bonus multiplier and a bonus eligibility time for the player based on a base wager. At least one of the bonus multiplier and the bonus eligibility time is a function of both the base wager and the play wager. A bonus game is triggered and, if sufficient bonus eligibility time is available to the player when the bonus game is triggered, the player is allowed to participate in the bonus game. In response to receiving a player selection, the bonus multiplier is modified based on changes to the bonus eligibility time. | 09-09-2010 |
20100240439 | GAMING SYSTEM WITH PLAY ENHANCEMENT ICONS - A gaming system comprises a wager input device for receiving a wager and a display for displaying a wagering game having a plurality of reels comprised of a plurality of symbols. A controller operates to (i) detect receipt of the wager; (ii) activate a play of the wagering game by spinning the reels on the display; (iii) display at least one play enhancement icon on the display; (iv) cause the spinning reels to stop and the display to display a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game; and (v) enhance the randomly selected outcome of the wagering game in response to the at least one play enhancement icon on the display at any time including at least one of before spinning the reels on the display, during spinning the reels on the display, and after spinning the reels on the display. | 09-23-2010 |
20100248806 | Wagering Game With Pyramidal Bonus Selection Feature - A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes at least one display and a controller coupled to the display. The display is adapted to display a randomly selected outcome of a basic game of the wagering game. The display displays at least one free spin of a plurality of reels to indicate a free-spin outcome in response to satisfaction of a free-spin event condition in the basic game. At least one possible free-spin outcome is a special-event outcome for permitting play of the special-event. The special-event includes a plurality of levels. Each level has player-selectable elements masking awards including a level-advance outcome. The level-advance outcome allows the player to advance to a next level in the special-event. | 09-30-2010 |
20100267439 | GAMING SYSTEM HAVING COMMUNITY GAMES WITH ENHANCED INDIVIDUAL OUTCOMES - A gaming system comprises at least one wager input device, a plurality of gaming devices each displaying at least one primary wagering game, and a community display for displaying a community game. At least one controller is operative, in response to a triggering event, to (i) determine which of the plurality of gaming devices are eligible for participation in the community game, (ii) determine an individual award for each of the eligible gaming devices, (iii) determine a community award in the community game, (iv) select an individual award enhancement from a plurality of available individual award enhancements, (v) select one of the plurality of gaming devices to receive the selected individual award enhancement, and (vi) if the selected gaming device is eligible for participation in the community game, enhance the determined individual award for the selected gaming device with the selected individual award enhancement. | 10-21-2010 |
20100267442 | Gaming Machine Having A Community Game With Side Wagering - A gaming system includes at least one community display, a first gaming machine, and a second gaming machine. The at least one community display displays a communal game that includes a plurality of elements. At least some of the plurality of elements have a communal value associated therewith. The first and second gaming machines have a respective first and second video display for displaying the plurality of elements. At least some of the plurality of elements have a first and second player value associated therewith. The first and second gaming machines determine the first and second player values by applying a respective first and second value-enhancement parameter to the communal values associated with at least some of the plurality of elements. The first value-enhancement parameter is different than the second value-enhancement parameter. | 10-21-2010 |
20100285870 | WAGERING GAME WITH PLAYER-SELECTABLE ELEMENTS PROVIDING A SCRIPTED OUTCOME - A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes having a special award that includes first and second award levels. A first set of selectable elements is displayed without informing the player that the first award level has been awarded. The elements mask indicia corresponding to all or a portion of first and second level award criteria. A selection is received of a selectable element from the first set of selectable elements and the indicium for the selected element is revealed. If the indicium for the selected element does not meet the criteria corresponding to the first award level, another set of selectable elements is displayed. A player selection of one of the selectable elements from the another set of elements is received and the indicium for the selected element is revealed. The steps are repeated until a cumulative result of the revealed indicia corresponds to the first level award criteria. | 11-11-2010 |
20100298049 | WAGERING GAME APPARATUS AND METHOD TO PROVIDE A TRUSTED GAMING ENVIRONMENT - A method of configuring a wagering game system to provide a trusted gaming environment includes the acts of randomly selecting at least one simulated physical imperfection from a plurality of available simulated physical imperfections to associate with at least one element of a video image output to a wagering game machine video display and associating the selected simulated physical imperfection with at least one element of the video image. | 11-25-2010 |
20100304830 | Gaming Machine Having A Community Game With Side Wagering - A gaming system includes at least one community display, a first gaming machine, and a second gaming machine. The at least one community display displays a communal game that includes a plurality of elements. At least some of the plurality of elements have a communal value associated therewith. The first and second gaming machines have a respective first and second video display for displaying the plurality of elements. At least some of the plurality of elements have a first and second player value associated therewith. The first and second gaming machines determine the first and second player values by applying a respective first and second value-enhancement parameter to the communal values associated with at least some of the plurality of elements. The first value-enhancement parameter is different than the second value-enhancement parameter. | 12-02-2010 |
20110003629 | Gaming Machine Having Enhanced Game Play Scheme - A gaming machine having an enhanced game play scheme is provided where, in response to receipt of a second wager to select an option, a player is provided with enhanced game play. Enhanced game play may include (1) providing more frequent bonus game play, (2) providing a larger bonus game value payout, (3) providing more frequent bonus game play and providing a larger bonus game value payout, (4) providing a larger or multiplied game value payout, (5) providing a guaranteed value payout for a non-winning outcome, (6) providing game features (7) providing a larger game value payout based on a partial game outcome, (8) providing an extra wild symbol capable of repositioning, and (9) providing a possibility of an additional reel movement to reposition an extra reel symbol or (10) providing a possibility of an extra pay line to include an extra reel symbol to increase a value payout. | 01-06-2011 |
20110021260 | Wagering Game With Multiple Episode-Based Bonus Games - A gaming machine for playing an episodic wagering game includes a game display and a controller. The game display is operable to display a randomly selected outcome of an episodic wagering game in response to receiving a wager from a player. The display further displays creative material content in one or more episodes of the episodic wagering game. The controller is in communication with the game display and is programmable to provide an award based on the randomly selected outcome and, in response to collecting a predetermined number of game items in one or more of the game episodes, cause the display of new creative material content of the wagering game without affecting the expected value of the episodic wagering game. | 01-27-2011 |
20110034241 | Wagering Award Amount Determined By Wager Size And/Or Speed Of Play - A gaming system for playing a progressive wagering game includes a progressive award having a default value, which is determined based on wagers received from a plurality of players. A bonus eligibility time period is enabled, in accordance with at least one of a wager size and a player speed of play, during which an award modifier is available to at least one of the players. Based on the award modifier, the default value is changed to a modified value that is displayed in response to the award modifier being available to the player. In response to the award modifier becoming unavailable, the default value of the progressive award is displayed. The progressive award is awarded in response to achieving a winning outcome. | 02-10-2011 |
20110059800 | PRESENTING AND CONTROLLING WAGERING GAME INFORMATION - A network browser and wagering game toolbar (“toolbar”) are described herein. The network browser has a main display area that can display content. The toolbar can be in, or a part of, the network browser. The network browser and the toolbar can receive and display content. Specifically, the toolbar can receive and display wagering game content from a wagering game network as the main display area can receive and display content originating outside the wagering game network. In some embodiments, the toolbar can present content originating from one or more wagering game player accounts that provide audience participation in, or related to, wagering game activity presented on the toolbar. | 03-10-2011 |
20110098107 | Gaming System With Non-Cash-Based Progressive Awards - A gaming method includes displaying on a display a progressive award as a cash value and incrementing the progressive award in response to play of one or more processor-controlled wagering games or gaming devices linked to the progressive award. One or more processors are used to convert the cash value of the progressive award to a plurality of non-cash values of respective different game parameters, and, in response to a triggering event, a progressive game is awarded using the non-cash value of one of the game parameters. | 04-28-2011 |
20110105218 | GAMING SYSTEM HAVING MULTIPLE WAGERING GAMES WITH SHARED FEATURES - A method of playing a wagering game comprises receiving a wager, and generating a randomly selected first outcome of a first wagering game, the first outcome comprising a first plurality of symbols arranged in a first matrix. The method further comprises generating a randomly selected second outcome of a second wagering game, the second outcome comprising a second plurality of symbols arranged in a second matrix, and simultaneously displaying the first outcome and the second outcome on at least one display. The method further comprises detecting an occurrence of a triggering event, in response to the triggering event, copying a first special symbol occurring in the first outcome into the second outcome to yield a modified second outcome, and evaluating the first outcome and the modified second outcome for winning combinations of symbols. | 05-05-2011 |
20110111844 | PRESENTING AND CONTROLLING PROGRESSIVE WAGERING GAME INFORMATION - A network browser and toolbar objects are described herein. The network browser has a main display area that can display content. The toolbar objects can be on a toolbar that is a part of the network browser. The toolbar objects can indicate information associated with wagering games. Specifically, the toolbar objects can receive and display progressive game content from a progressive wagering game server. The toolbar objects can include progressive jackpot meters, progressive game branding, and other information about the progressive game content. The toolbar objects can also include settings that indicate player preferences regarding the presentation of the progressive game content on the toolbar objects. | 05-12-2011 |
20110111864 | Wagering Game With Shared Outcome Providing Individual Awards To Players - A method for conducting a community wagering game on a plurality of gaming terminals includes conducting base wagering games on the plurality of gaming terminals and triggering a community event in which at least one randomly selected outcome is shared by all participating gaming terminals. Upon triggering the community event, the first gaming terminal is entered in the community event if wagering criteria is met by the first gaming terminal, and a first enhancement is received at the first gaming terminal in accordance with additional wagering criteria being met by the first gaming terminal. Upon triggering the community event, the second gaming terminal is entered in the community event if wagering criteria is met by the second gaming terminal, and a second enhancement is received at the second gaming terminal in accordance with additional wagering criteria being met by the second gaming terminal. | 05-12-2011 |
20110118009 | WAGERING GAME TRAINING TOOL FOR WAGERING SYSTEMS - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include initiating, at a gaming machine, an analysis mode of a wagering game training tool associated with a wagering game, and determining when a player has played a predefined number of rounds of the wagering game. The operations can also include determining a skill level associated with the player for one or more areas of skill associated with the wagering game based, at least in part, on the predefined number of rounds played by the player. The operations can further include identifying an area of skill associated with the wagering game where the skill level associated with the player is less than a predefined skill level, and initiating a training mode of the wagering game training tool to improve the skill level associated with the player in the identified area of skill. | 05-19-2011 |
20110130191 | Gaming System Having Improved Progressive Jackpots - A method of operating a wagering game comprises receiving a primary wager, displaying a randomly selected outcome of a primary wagering game, and displaying at least one progressive jackpot. A first portion of the primary wager is allocated to fund the at least one progressive jackpot. An increment amount to be added to the at least one progressive jackpot is randomly determined, the at least one progressive jackpot is incremented by the increment amount, and in response to a triggering event, the at least one progressive jackpot is awarded. Alternatively, a random determination is made whether to increase the at least one progressive jackpot by a predetermined increment amount and, in response to a determination to increase the at least one progressive jackpot, the at least one progressive jackpot is incremented by the predetermined increment amount. | 06-02-2011 |
20110130194 | PRESENTING AND CONTROLLING WAGERING GAME PLAY - A network browser and toolbar objects are described herein. The network browser has a main display area that can display content. The toolbar objects can be on a toolbar that is a part of the network browser. The toolbar objects indicate information associated with wagering games. The network browser and the toolbar objects can receive and display content. Specifically, the toolbar objects can process and present wagering games using wagering game play elements (e.g., icons, graphics, etc.) on the toolbar. The toolbar can also have controls, configurations and settings associated with the toolbar, which the toolbar can communicate to a wagering game provider to determine game results. The toolbar can use the controls, configurations, and settings to affect the presentation of wagering game information on the toolbar, to control the presentation of game results using the wagering game play elements, etc. | 06-02-2011 |
20110159948 | PRESENTING AND CONTROLLING WAGERING GAME MARKETING INFORMATION - A network browser and toolbar objects are described herein. The network browser has a main display area that can display content. The toolbar objects can be on a wagering game toolbar that is a part of the network browser. The toolbar objects indicate information associated with wagering games. The network browser and the toolbar objects can receive and display content. Specifically, the toolbar objects can cross market affiliate content and wagering game content using features of the toolbar. | 06-30-2011 |
20110165938 | Wagering Game With Time-Based Bonus - A gaming system for playing a wagering game includes a display and a controller. The display displays a base game of the wagering game in response to receiving a wager input from a player. The controller is coupled to the display and, in response to receiving the wager input, is programmed to increment eligibility time to a counter of bonus-time eligibility. The counter is decremented as real time progresses. If the counter is greater than zero when a bonus game of the wagering game is triggered, the player is allowed to play the bonus game. | 07-07-2011 |
20110183746 | WAGERING GAME PROVIDING SUGGESTION FOR GAME FEATURE TO BE ACHIEVED IN SUBSEQUENT PLAY - A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a game display configured to display an array of symbols indicating a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game in response to receiving a wager from a player, an input device adapted to receive inputs from a player and to output a signal to a controller corresponding to the player inputs and a controller configured to conduct a wagering game and a game feature associated with the wagering game. The controller is further configured to enable play of the wagering game responsive to an input of a first wager and to enable the game feature responsive to an input of a second wager further to the first wager. The game feature provides an opportunity for the player to receive, further to a winning outcome in the wagering game, a first positive feature in the game feature, and provides an opportunity for the player to receive, further to a losing outcome in the wagering game, a second positive feature in the game feature. | 07-28-2011 |
20110201410 | Gaming Machine Having A Community Game With Side Wagering - According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system and method for conducting a wagering game on a plurality of gaming machines is disclosed. The method comprises the act of triggering a community event while conducting the wagering game on the plurality of gaming machines. Two or more gaming machines are selected to participate in the community event. The community event is selected from a plurality of independent community events. The gaming system comprises a plurality of gaming machines, at least one community display, and at least one controller. The controller is operative to select the two or more gaming machines to participate in the community event, and select the community event from the plurality of independent community events to display on the at least one community display. | 08-18-2011 |
20110218033 | Gaming System Having System Wide Tournament Features - A multi-mode gaming terminal comprising, a wager input device, a primary display for displaying a primary wagering game. And at least one controller operative to: (i) detect a selection between a cash mode of operation and a tournament mode of operation; (ii) if the cash mode is selected, execute the primary wagering game configured with a first payback return; (iii) if the tournament mode is selected, execute the primary wagering game in a tournament mode configured with a second payback return and a tournament return, wherein on each tournament eligible play of the primary wagering game resulting in a winning outcome, a predetermined number of tournament points are awarded and added to a tournament entry; and (iv) upon the occurrence of a triggering event, entering the tournament entry into at least one tournament. | 09-08-2011 |
20110218034 | MULTIPLAY WAGERING GAME MECHANISM - A wagering game system and its operations are described. The operations can include presenting a wagering game interface including a plurality of wagering game icons, a gameplay window, a bet panel, and a start panel. The operations can also include detecting a selection of a first wagering game icon associated with a first wagering game; presenting media representing the first wagering game within the gameplay window; detecting a selection of a second wagering game icon associated with a second wagering game; presenting media representing the second wagering game within the gameplay window; and scaling the first and second wagering games to fit within the game-play window. The operations can further include detecting input of bet information for the first and second wagering games via the bet panel, and initiating the first and second wagering games simultaneously in response to detecting a selection of a start trigger in the start panel. | 09-08-2011 |
20110230254 | WAGERING GAME HAVING PLAYER SELECTIONS ON TYPE OF WAGERING GAME AND GAME FEATURES APPLIED TO SELECTED WAGERING GAME - A gaming system and methods for conducting a wagering game allowing player selection of a base game and a game feature. A gaming system includes a display displaying a plurality of game icons and a plurality of game feature icons. Each of the game icons indicate a respective different base game and each of the game feature icons indicate a respective different game feature. An input device accepts a player selection of one of the plurality of game icons. The input device further accepts a player selection of one of the plurality of game feature icons. A controller selects a base game in response to the player selection of one of the plurality of game icons and selects a game feature in response to the player selection of one of the plurality of game feature icons. The controller operates the selected base game incorporating the selected game feature. | 09-22-2011 |
20110244938 | Wagering Game System With Shared Outcome Determined By A Gaming Machine - A gaming system for playing a wagering game and a community event includes a first gaming machine and a second gaming machine. The first gaming machine determines a randomly selected community-event outcome for the community event, and sends information related to the outcome to at least one other gaming machine of the plurality of gaming machines. The second gaming machine receives the information from the first gaming machine and plays the community event. | 10-06-2011 |
20110269548 | PRESENTING NETWORK-WIDE EVENTS IN NETWORK WAGERING VENUE - A wagering game system its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining a player account, from a network wagering venue, that is eligible to participate in a network-wide wagering game event, and selecting the player account to be a player that performs for an audience of other users. The player can win at least some portion of awards by playing a wagering game during the network-wide wagering game event. Audience member users can participate in the event using interactive features (e.g., betting features, chat features, etc.) presented in a presentation, or view, of the network-wide wagering game event. The operations can also include involving, or incorporating, the audience members, into the network-wide wagering game event in a variety of ways, such as assisting the player participant to perform better at the wagering game, engaging in side-bets, receiving awards, etc. | 11-03-2011 |
20110300926 | PRESENTING GROUP WAGERING GAMES AND AWARDS - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include monitoring wagering game play for a player account that is registered to play a group scavenger hunt game. The group scavenger hunt game may include various collectable items that group members collect to win the group scavenger hunt game. The operations can further include determining that wagering game events occur during the wagering game play, where the occurrences of the wagering game events are prerequisites for obtaining the collectable items. The operations can further include indicating on a group progress report (e.g., a website) that one of the collectable items was obtained. In some embodiments, the operations can also include awarding the player account for obtaining the item, providing trophies, or other virtual assets, for winning the group scavenger hunt game, providing benefits for holding the trophies, etc. | 12-08-2011 |
20120071226 | Wagering Game System with Community Gaming System - A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming system, the method including receiving an indication of a wager and displaying outcomes of wagering games on at least one display device in response to a wager indication being received, the displayed outcomes being randomly generated by at least one processor. The method also including accumulating a bonus-event playing time upon satisfying at least one predetermined condition as the wagering games are played, initiating a bonus game in which a player is eligible to receive awards for a period of time, determining, via at least one processor, the accumulated playing time accrued prior to the initiation of the bonus game, allowing the player to participate in the bonus game for at least as long as the accumulated playing time and providing any awards earned by the player during their participation in the bonus game. | 03-22-2012 |
20120115581 | WAGERING GAMES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS INCLUDING SKILL-BASED COMPONENTS - A wagering game system configured to conduct a wagering game includes a wagering game that itself includes at least one display device and at least one user input device, as well as one or more processors operatively associated with the wagering game machine. The one or more processors are configured to perform, responsive to instructions stored on one or more physical memory devices, the acts of randomly determining an outcome of a base wagering game, determining if a trigger condition for a skill-based game feature is satisfied by the outcome of the base wagering game, providing an option to accept the skill-based game feature or to decline the skill-based game feature in favor of a non-skill-based game feature, and executing the skill-based game feature responsive to an instruction to accept the skill-based game feature. | 05-10-2012 |
20120122547 | WAGERING GAME INCLUDING MULTIPLE ARRAYS OF REEL SYMBOLS - A gaming system displays a first array of symbols and a second array of symbols for a wagering game. The second array of symbols includes at least one second-array reel. The at least one second-array reel includes a predetermined sequence of symbols. The at least one second-array reel rotates the predetermined sequence of symbols to determine at least partially the second array of symbols. The second array is divided into at least two sub-arrays, the at least one second-array reel extending into the at least two sub-arrays. A controller selects at least one symbol from the first array and copies the at least one selected symbol into one or more positions in each of the at least two sub-arrays. The at least two sub-arrays is displayed with combinations of symbols including the at least one selected symbol. The controller evaluates the combinations to determine an outcome to the wagering game. | 05-17-2012 |
20120122591 | Gaming system with event substitution feature - According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system and method for conducting a wagering game on a plurality of gaming machines is disclosed. A first community event is triggered and two or more gaming machines from the plurality of gaming machines are selected to participate in the first community event. A second community event is triggered—prior to completion of the first community event and at least one gaming machine is selected from the plurality of gaming machines to participate in the second community event. The at least one gaming machine being different from the two or more gaming machines selected to participate in the first community event. A substitute-community-event award is provided to the at least one gaming machine without playing the second community event. | 05-17-2012 |
20120129593 | Wagering Game System With Networked Gaming Devices - A method of operating a plurality of wagering game tournaments on a plurality of gaming machines includes receiving a wager from a player to play a wagering game on a gaming machine of the plurality of gaming machines. The method further includes providing an option, at the gaming machine, to enter the plurality of wagering game tournaments. The method also includes entering at least one of the plurality of wagering game tournaments and playing in any entered tournament when the tournament begins. | 05-24-2012 |
20120172113 | Wagering Game with Alternating Picks - Method and system are disclosed for conducting a wagering game having increased excitement and enjoyment over existing wagering games. The method and system involve a bank of wagering game terminals connected to a bank controller. Each wagering game terminal allows players to play a basic wagering game that is independent of other wagering game terminals. The wagering game terminals also allow players to play a bonus game where players take turns playing to win a portion of a jackpot. The portion awarded to each player may be the actual amount won by that player, or it may be a percentage of the entire jackpot based on the actual amount won by the player relative to other players. In one implementation, only players at wagering game terminals that exceed a minimum level of wagering activity may play the bonus game. | 07-05-2012 |
20120231869 | WAGERING GAME WITH A SECONDARY GAME DETERMINED BY SYMBOL POSITIONS IN A BASE GAME - A system for playing a wagering game has basic and secondary games. The secondary game includes bonus games. Symbols are arranged in an array of symbol positions in a first display for the basic game. Each symbol position has a corresponding position in an array of bonus-game positions in a second display for the secondary game. Each bonus-game position is linked to a different bonus game. The symbols displayed in the array of symbol positions are varied during play of the basic game. The symbols include secondary game trigger symbols. If a secondary game trigger symbol is displayed in a symbol position, the corresponding position in the array of bonus-game positions for the secondary game is identified. If a predetermined number of bonus-game positions are identified, the secondary game is completed by implementing each of the different bonus games linked to the identified bonus-game positions. | 09-13-2012 |
20120238348 | GAMING SYSTEM WITH CASCADING SYMBOL FEATURE - A gaming system comprising an input device for receiving a wager to play a wagering game. The gaming system also includes a display for displaying an array of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. In response to the randomly selected outcome including a winning symbol combination, at least one symbol that is not a part of the winning symbol combination is removed from the array and causes other symbols to move into a position of the array vacated by the at least one removed symbol. | 09-20-2012 |
20120252553 | Gaming System Having Improved Progressive Jackpots - A method of operating a wagering game comprises receiving a primary wager, displaying a randomly selected outcome of a primary wagering game, and displaying at least one progressive jackpot. A first portion of the primary wager is allocated to fund the at least one progressive jackpot. An increment amount to be added to the at least one progressive jackpot is randomly determined, the at least one progressive jackpot is incremented by the increment amount, and in response to a triggering event, the at least one progressive jackpot is awarded. Alternatively, a random determination is made whether to increase the at least one progressive jackpot by a predetermined increment amount and, in response to a determination to increase the at least one progressive jackpot, the at least one progressive jackpot is incremented by the predetermined increment amount. | 10-04-2012 |
20120289313 | PRESENTING AND CONTROLLING WAGERING GAME INFORMATION - A network browser and wagering game toolbar (“toolbar”) are described herein. The network browser has a main display area that can display content. The toolbar can be in, or a part of, the network browser. The network browser and the toolbar can receive and display content. Specifically, the toolbar can receive and display wagering game content from a wagering game network as the main display area can receive and display content originating outside the wagering game network. In some embodiments, the toolbar can present content originating from one or more wagering game player accounts that provide audience participation in, or related to, wagering game activity presented on the toolbar. | 11-15-2012 |
20120289325 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD COMPRISING ASYNCHRONOUS TRIGGER OF THE N-TH UNIT PRIZE - A wagering game system includes a game controller configured to determine an eligibility threshold trigger for an n-th unit prize and add, for each connected wagering game machine, a set of discrete eligibility units to a discrete eligibility units counter responsive to an input wager at the respective wagering game machine. The game controller evaluates a subset of the set of discrete eligibility units at a selected wagering game machine against the eligibility threshold trigger to determine if the eligibility threshold trigger is satisfied by that wagering game machine and to subtract the subset of the discrete eligibility units from the discrete eligibility units counter at the selected wagering game machine. The game controller evaluates the subset of discrete eligibility units against the eligibility threshold trigger and awards the n-th unit prize if the discrete eligibility units in the subset of discrete eligibility units satisfies the eligibility threshold trigger. | 11-15-2012 |
20120289326 | Wagering Game With Multi-Level Progressive Game - A method for playing a wagering game allows an opportunity to achieve a progressive award. A wager input is received from a player for playing the wagering game. A triggered progressive game includes player-selectable elements, each of the player-selectable elements being capable of association with a progressive-winning outcome. An outcome is assigned to each of the player-selectable elements, wherein a probability that the outcome is a progressive-winning outcome depends upon an amount of the wager input. The player-selectable elements are displayed. | 11-15-2012 |
20120295696 | PRESENTING AND CONTROLLING WAGERING GAME MARKETING INFORMATION - Described are one or more embodiments that include a browser application (“browser”) with a first part (e.g., a toolbar, a dropdown, a pop-up, a widget, etc.) that presents first content associated with one or more wagering games and a second part (e.g., a main content display area) that concurrently presents second content independently from presentation of the first content in the first part of the browser. In some embodiments, the first content and second content are from separate content providers. Some embodiments are directed to determining, based on concurrent presentation of the first content and the second content, that one or more awards are available from a first of the content providers conditional upon performance of one or more activities indicated by a second of the content providers, and the browser application presents one or more indicators to indicate the one or more awards and/or the one or more activities. | 11-22-2012 |
20120295697 | PRESENTING AND CONTROLLING WAGERING GAME MARKETING INFORMATION - Described are one or more embodiments that include a browser application (“browser”) with multiple parts. A first part of the browser (e.g., a toolbar, a dropdown, a pop-up, a widget, etc.) presents first content associated with one or more wagering games. Concurrently a second part of the browser (e.g., a main content display area) presents second content independently from presentation of the first content in the first part of the browser. In some embodiments, the first content and second content are from separate content providers with a marketing relationship. In some embodiments, in response to concurrent presentation of the first and second content, the browser application detects the marketing relationship between the content providers and presents one or more indicators. The one or more indicators indicate the marketing relationship. For example, the indicators can indicate cross-marketing, available coupons, and/or awards available via the first or second content. | 11-22-2012 |
20120302326 | PRESENTING AND CONTROLLING WAGERING GAME MARKETING INFORMATION - A browser application and toolbar are described according to some embodiments. The browser application presents wagering game content in a toolbar. Some embodiments are directed to determining that a first player account uses the toolbar to access the wagering game content, determining that a second player account referred the first player account in response to determination that the first player account uses the toolbar, and providing a referral award to the second player account for referring the first player account.” | 11-29-2012 |
20120302331 | GAMING SYSTEMS HAVING EXPECTED VALUE INDICATORS - A wagering game system includes an input device, a display device, and one or more memory devices storing instructions that, when executed by a controller, cause the wagering game system to display an expected-value indicator on the display device and receive, via the input device, an input indicative of at least one wager. The instructions further cause the wagering game system to add a portion of the at least one wager to an actual turnover for a progressive jackpot and update the expected-value indicator to indicate the actual turnover for the progressive prize relative to a theoretical average trigger value, thereby indicating a theoretical probability that the progressive jackpot will be awarded and award the progressive jackpot in response to a triggering event. | 11-29-2012 |
20120322535 | Wagering Game With Rule Set Altered Prior To Completion Of Reel Spin - A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a display and a controller. The display displays a plurality of spinning reels that stop to indicate a randomly selected outcome of a plurality of outcomes in response to accepting a wager input from a player. The controller is in communication with the display and is operative to conduct the wagering game in accordance with a basic set of gaming rules. The controller is further operative to cause a modification to a gaming rule of the basic set of gaming rules and to indicate the modification to the player. | 12-20-2012 |
20120329551 | Wagering Game System With Player Rewards - A gaming system includes one or more processors and one or more memory devices storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, cause the gaming system to perform a plurality of operations. The operations include awarding a plurality of points to a player, and, in response to a predetermined number of the points being redeemed by the player, accessing or modifying wagering game content. | 12-27-2012 |
20130005427 | Wagering Game With Multiple Reels Forming Multiple Symbol Arrays - A gaming system for playing a wagering game comprises at least one display adapted to display a plurality of reels having symbols. The symbols indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. The plurality of reels includes at least one single-symbol reel and at least one multi-symbol reel. The at least one display is adapted to display at least one payline overlapping at least one symbol from the at least one single-symbol reel and at least one symbol from the at least one multi-symbol reel. | 01-03-2013 |
20130005446 | WAGERING GAME WITH PERSISTENT STATE OF GAME ASSETS AFFECTING OTHER PLAYERS - A gaming system includes a plurality of linked gaming machines, each gaming machine including a display for displaying a plurality of symbols that indicates a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game. The randomly selected outcome is selected from a plurality of outcomes in response to a wager input. Each gaming machine allows a player to achieve a player level from a plurality of player levels. The gaming system further includes a controller linked to the gaming machines. The controller is adapted to permit a certain community-event game from a plurality of community-game events to be played at two or more of gaming machines in response to a conditional state at the gaming machines. The conditional state is a function of the player levels at the gaming machines. | 01-03-2013 |
20130017885 | Wagering Game System With Shared Community Preferences - A computer-implemented method is conducted in a gaming system including a plurality of gaming terminals that participate in a community event. The method includes associating, by at least one of one or more processors, sets of one or more individual preferences with respective players at the respective gaming terminals. The method further include determining by at least one of the one or more processors, based on the sets of individual preferences, a set of one or more community preferences that govern the community event. | 01-17-2013 |
20130102374 | PRESENTING NETWORK-WIDE EVENTS IN NETWORK WAGERING VENUE - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining a player account, from a network wagering venue, that is eligible to participate in a network-wide wagering game event, and selecting the player account to be a player that performs for an audience of other users from the network wagering venue. The player can win at least some portion of awards by playing a wagering game during the network-wide wagering game event. Audience member users can participate in the event using interactive features (e.g., betting features, chat features, etc.) presented in a presentation, or view, of the network-wide wagering game event. The operations can also include involving, or incorporating, the audience members, into the network-wide wagering game event in a variety of ways, such as assisting the player participant to perform better at the wagering game, engaging in side-bets, receiving awards, etc. | 04-25-2013 |
20130102382 | PRESENTING NETWORK-WIDE EVENTS IN NETWORK WAGERING VENUE - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining a player account, from a network wagering venue, that is eligible to participate in a network-wide wagering game event, and selecting the player account to be a player that performs for an audience of other users from the network wagering venue. The player can win at least some portion of awards by playing a wagering game during the network-wide wagering game event. Audience member users can participate in the event using interactive features (e.g., betting features, chat features, etc.) presented in a presentation, or view, of the network-wide wagering game event. The operations can also include involving, or incorporating, the audience members, into the network-wide wagering game event in a variety of ways, such as assisting the player participant to perform better at the wagering game, engaging in side-bets, receiving awards, etc. | 04-25-2013 |
20130143641 | Wagering Game With Multiple Reels Forming Multiple Symbol Arrays - A gaming system for playing a wagering game comprises at least one display adapted to display a plurality of reels having symbols. The symbols indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. The plurality of reels includes at least one single-symbol reel and at least one multi-symbol reel. The at least one display is adapted to display at least one payline overlapping at least one symbol from the at least one single-symbol reel and at least one symbol from the at least one multi-symbol reel. | 06-06-2013 |
20130157747 | PRESENTING AND CONTROLLING WAGERING GAME PLAY - Some examples described include a system to perform operations that include detecting a request to present a wagering game via a browser application and providing wagering game content for the wagering game, wherein a wagering game toolbar of the browser application is configured to present the wagering game content. In some examples, the operations further include providing a wagering game result for the wagering game, wherein the wagering game toolbar is configured to present the wagering game result. | 06-20-2013 |
20130237324 | Wagering Game With Community Event In Which Individual Enhancements Are Awarded - A computer-implemented method is conducted in a gaming system including a plurality of gaming terminals that participate in a community event. The method includes providing, by at least one of one or more processors, individual enhancements at one or more of the plurality of gaming terminals. Each of the individual enhancements has an initial value prior to the community event being triggered. If the initial value exceeds a predetermined value upon the community event being triggered, the initial value is modified to a modified value based on the initial value. The modified value is awarded upon the community event being triggered. | 09-12-2013 |
20130252708 | Gaming Machine Having An Enhanced Game Play Scheme - A gaming machine having an enhanced game play scheme is provided where, in response to receipt of a second wager to select an option, a player is provided with enhanced game play. Enhanced game play may include (1) providing more frequent bonus game play, (2) providing a larger bonus game value payout, (3) providing more frequent bonus game play and providing a larger bonus game value payout, (4) providing a larger or multiplied game value payout, (5) providing a guaranteed value payout for a non-winning outcome, (6) providing game features (7) providing a larger game value payout based on a partial game outcome, (8) providing an extra wild symbol capable of repositioning, and (9) providing a possibility of an additional reel movement to reposition an extra reel symbol or (10) providing a possibility of an extra pay line to include an extra reel symbol to increase a value payout. | 09-26-2013 |
20130260864 | Wagering Game Having Free Spin Feature With Variable Quantities Of Reel Arrays - A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes at least one input device, at least one display device, at least one processor, and at least one memory device storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the gaming system to receive a wager for playing the wagering game, and trigger a free-spin event in which a plurality of free spins is awarded. For a first spin, a first number of arrays is randomly determined, displayed, and evaluated to determine whether an award condition is present. For a second spin, a second number of arrays is randomly determined, displayed, and evaluated to determine whether an award condition is present. The second number of arrays is non-equal to the first number of arrays. Any awards associated with each determined award condition are provided. | 10-03-2013 |
20130274005 | Wagering Game With Multi-Level Progressive Game - A method for playing a wagering game allows an opportunity to achieve a progressive award. A wager input is received from a player for playing the wagering game. A triggered progressive game includes player-selectable elements, each of the player-selectable elements being capable of association with a progressive-winning outcome. An outcome is assigned to each of the player-selectable elements, wherein a probability that the outcome is a progressive-winning outcome depends upon an amount of the wager input. The player-selectable elements are displayed. | 10-17-2013 |
20130288782 | GAMING MACHINE HAVING ENHANCED BONUS GAME PLAY SCHEMES - A gaming machine has a wager-input device for receiving a first wager from a player to play a wagering game having a basic game and a bonus game. A display displays a plurality of symbols located thereon during the basic game. The symbols indicate a randomly-selected outcome selected from a plurality of outcomes in response to the wager. The plurality of outcomes includes a bonus-triggering outcome. A set of available game-enhancement parameters is displayed and the player is provided an option of submitting a second wager to purchase at least one of the set of available game-enhancement parameters. The set of available game-enhancement parameters provides an enhancement selected from the group consisting of: additional bonus-triggering outcomes providing a higher probability of triggering the bonus game, and enhanced awards during the bonus game. | 10-31-2013 |
20140018162 | WAGERING GAME WITH ENHANCED WAGER-PER-LINE FEATURE - A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game by a player includes a display, a credit indicator and a controller. The display is for displaying a wagering-game outcome having a plurality of symbols arranged in an array. The array includes a plurality of paylines for indicating symbol combinations in the array. The player is required to play all of the plurality of paylines in exchange for a minimum wager amount. The credit indicator indicates the number of available credits for making a wager amount. The controller is in communication with the display and the credit indicator. In response to the number of available credits being less than the minimum wager amount, the controller causes the display to display a group of player options for allowing the player to select a disposition for the available credits. The group of player options includes a reduced-payline option to play less than all paylines for a subsequent wagering-game outcome. | 01-16-2014 |
20140024429 | Wagering Game With Elements Influenced By Symbol Array - A gaming system includes a memory device storing instructions for receiving a wager and displaying a first array of randomly selected reel symbols at respective first positions. A second array of selectable elements is displayed at respective second positions, each second position being associated with at least one respective first position. In response to the first array of randomly selected reel symbols including a triggering symbol at one of the first positions, the element at the second position associated with the one of the first positions is selected independent of player choice. An award is awarded based on the selected element. | 01-23-2014 |
20140066170 | Wagering Game Having Enhanced Display Of Winning Symbols - An outcome of a wagering game is evaluated to determine if it is a winning outcome. In response to the outcome being a winning outcome, it is determined if the winning outcome includes two or more groups of winning symbols. In response to determining that the winning outcome includes two or more groups of winning symbols, each of the two or more groups of winning symbols is visually highlight in a sequential fashion. Further, it is determined if each of the two or more groups includes winning symbols on two or more lines. In response to determining that one of the two or more groups includes winning symbols on two or more lines, the winning symbols on each of the two or more lines is visually highlighted in a sequential fashion. | 03-06-2014 |
20140094265 | WAGERING GAME INCLUDING MULTIPLE ARRAYS OF REEL SYMBOLS - A gaming system displays a first array of symbols and a second array of symbols for a wagering game. The second array of symbols includes at least one second-array reel. The at least one second-array reel includes a predetermined sequence of symbols. The at least one second-array reel rotates the predetermined sequence of symbols to determine at least partially the second array of symbols. The second array is divided into at least two sub-arrays, the at least one second-array reel extending into the at least two sub-arrays. A controller selects at least one symbol from the first array and copies the at least one selected symbol into one or more positions in each of the at least two sub-arrays. The at least two sub-arrays is displayed with combinations of symbols including the at least one selected symbol. The controller evaluates the combinations to determine an outcome to the wagering game. | 04-03-2014 |
20140141864 | PROVIDING EXCLUSIVE GAMING FEATURES FOR MOBILE GAMING - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include determining that a mobile device is activated to receive secondary wagering game content during a wagering game session conducted via a wagering game machine. In some embodiments, the wagering game machine is configured to present primary wagering game content during the wagering game session. In some embodiments, the operations further include selecting secondary wagering game content in response to determining that the mobile device is activated to receive the secondary wagering game content. In some embodiments, the secondary wagering game content provides a wagering game feature that is not available via the primary wagering game content. In some embodiments, the operations further include providing the secondary wagering game content for presentation via the mobile device during the wagering game session. | 05-22-2014 |
20140206430 | Wagering Game With Multiple Reels Forming Multiple Symbol Arrays - A gaming system for playing a wagering game comprises at least one display adapted to display a plurality of reels having symbols. The symbols indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. The plurality of reels includes at least one single-symbol reel and at least one multi-symbol reel. The at least one display is adapted to display at least one payline overlapping at least one symbol from the at least one single-symbol reel and at least one symbol from the at least one multi-symbol reel. | 07-24-2014 |
20140256413 | Wagering Game System With Player Rewards - A gaming system includes one or more processors and one or more memory devices storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, cause the gaming system to perform a plurality of operations. The operations include awarding a plurality of points to a player, and, in response to a predetermined number of the points being redeemed by the player, accessing or modifying wagering game content. | 09-11-2014 |
20140274282 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICES FOR PLAYING WAGERING GAMES WITH SYMBOL CLUMPS AND NON-UNIFORM WEIGHTING OF REEL POSITIONS - Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting wagering games, and computer programs for executing wagering games are disclosed. A gaming system is disclosed which includes one or more processors and one or more memory devices storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the processors, cause the gaming system to: receive a wager to play a wagering game with symbol-bearing reels, each of which has distinct reel positions populated by various symbols, at least one reel bearing a symbol clump; and, display via a display device a randomly determined outcome of the wagering game. Each wagering-game outcome includes predetermined symbols occupying distinct array positions in a displayed array. Each reel position has a weighted probability of occupying an array position in the array. The weighted probabilities are configured such that the symbol clump, when part of a wagering-game outcome, can only land in its entirety in the array. | 09-18-2014 |
20140274286 | WAGERING GAMES HAVING REDUCED MAXIMUM WAGERING LEVELS - A gaming system and method includes receiving a wager and in response thereto a basic game is conducted. The basic game includes a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome. In response to an offer trigger, an offer is displayed to conduct one or more subsequent plays of the basic game at a reduced maximum bet wager having a wager amount that is less than a normal maximum bet wager amount. A second input is received indicative of an acceptance of the offer for a reduced maximum bet wager. A randomly selected outcome is displayed. The plurality of possible outcomes each include a plurality of symbols arranged in an array. If the randomly selected outcome includes a winning symbol combination, an award is provided for any winning outcome. The provided award is determined as though a normal maximum bet wager amount was received. | 09-18-2014 |
20140315629 | PRESENTING AND CONTROLLING WAGERING GAME PLAY - Some examples described include a system to perform operations that include accessing a user account responsive to communication with a plug-in of a web browser. In some examples, the operations further include providing gaming information associated with the user account. The plug-in is configured to present the gaming information in a graphical-user-interface object of the web browser. The graphical-user-interface object is separate from a main display area of the web browser. In some examples, the operations further include, based on user interaction with the graphical-user-interface object, providing content that is related to the gaming information for presentation via the main display area of the web browser. | 10-23-2014 |
20140315630 | PRESENTING AND CONTROLLING WAGERING GAME PLAY - Some examples described include a system to perform operations that include detecting, via use of a gaming plug-in, that first content is presented in a main display area of a web browser. The operations can further include, after detecting that the first content is presented, detecting that second content was previously presented via the main display area of the web browser. In some examples, the second content is associated with gaming content. The operations can further include providing, in a graphical-user-interface object of the web browser separate from the main display area of the web browser, information related to the gaming content in response to the detecting that second content was previously presented via the main display area of the browser | 10-23-2014 |
20150087378 | WAGERING GAME HAVING PLAYER-DIRECTED POPULATION OF A BONUS FEATURE - A gaming system presents a wagering game that includes a bonus wheel having a plurality of wheel segments. A player directs the placement of at least one award marker on a wheel segment of the plurality, and the wagering game randomly selects a winning wheel segment of the plurality. | 03-26-2015 |