WO2008052241A1

WO2008052241A1 - Changing reel strip layouts for a game played on a gaming system

Info

Publication number: WO2008052241A1
Application number: PCT/AU2007/001404
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gary Simon Good; Rick Tinschert; Chi We Chim
Original assignee: NextGen Gaming Pty Ltd
Current assignee: LNW Services Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2006-10-30
Filing date: 2007-09-21
Publication date: 2008-05-08
Anticipated expiration: 2009-04-30
Also published as: AU2007314125B2; AU2007314125A1

Abstract

A method (700), apparatus (101) and gaming system (100) for playing a game comprising a base game and a feature game, are disclosed. The base game is a spinning reel game comprising a plurality of spinning reels (501 to 505). The gaming system (100) comprises a processor (205) for controlling the play of the base game and the feature game. The gaming system (100) also comprises at least one display device (214) connected to the processor (205) for displaying one or more screens of the game. 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, wherein the processor (205) controls the game such that upon a trigger event occurring within the base game, a layout of the spinning reels (501 to 505) within a screen of the base game is changed to provide a new game area (800) within the screen for presentation of a feature game. The feature game comprises a plurality of feature symbols progressively moving from a first predetermined point of the new game area (800) to a second predetermined point of the new game area (800) with respective results of playing the game feature.

Description

CHANGING REEL STRIP LAYOUTS FOR A GAME PLAYED ON A GAMING

SYSTEM Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a gaming system and, in particular, to a feature game for a base 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. Summary

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a gaming system for playing a game comprising a base game and a feature game, said base game being a spinning reel game comprising a plurality of spinning reels, said gaming system comprising: a processor for controlling the play of the base game and the feature game; at least one display device connected to the processor for displaying one or more screens of the game; 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, wherein the processor controls the game such that upon a trigger event occurring within the base game, a layout of the spinning reels within a screen of the base game is changed to provide a new game area within the screen for presentation of a feature game, said feature game comprising a plurality of feature symbols progressively moving from a first predetermined point of the new game area to a second predetermined point of the new game area with respective results of playing the game feature.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer implemented method of gaming using a gaming system comprising a processor for controlling the play of a base game and a feature game, at least one display device connected for displaying one or more screens of the base game and the feature game, and input means for enabling a player to control one or more aspects of the base game and the feature game, said method comprising the steps of: changing a layout of the spinning reels within a screen of the base game, upon a trigger event occurring within the base game, to provide a new game area within the screen for presentation of a feature game; and executing said feature game comprising the representation of a plurality of feature symbols progressively moving from a first predetermined point of the new game area to a second predetermined point of the new game area with respective results of playing the feature game.

According to still another aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for playing a game comprising a base game and a feature game, said base game being a spinning reel game comprising a plurality of spinning reels, said apparatus comprising: a processor for controlling the play of the base game and the feature game; at least one display device connected to the processor for displaying one or more screens of the game; 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, wherein the processor controls the game such that upon a trigger event occurring within the base game, a layout of the spinning reels within a screen of the base game is changed to provide a new game area within the screen for presentation of a feature game, said feature game comprising a plurality of feature symbols progressively moving from a first predetermined point of the new game area to a second predetermined point of the new game area with respective results of playing the game feature.

According to still another aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer readable medium, having a program recorded thereon, where the program is configured to make a computer execute a gaming procedure for controlling the play of a base game and a feature game, said program comprising: code for changing a layout of the spinning reels within a display screen of the base game, upon a trigger event occurring within the base game, to provide a new game area within the screen for presentation of a feature game; and code for executing said feature game comprising the representation of a plurality of feature symbols progressively moving from a first predetermined point of the new game area to a second predetermined point of the new game area with respective results of playing the feature game. According to still another aspect of the present invention there is provided a gaming system for playing a game comprising a base game and a feature game, said base game being a spinning reel game comprising a plurality of spinning reels, said gaming system comprising: a processor for controlling the play of the base game and the feature game; at least one display device connected to the processor for displaying one or more screens of the game; 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, wherein the processor controls the game such that upon a trigger event occurring within the base game, a new game area is displayed for presentation of a feature game, said feature game comprising a plurality of feature symbols progressively moving from a first predetermined point of the new game area to a second predetermined point of the new game area with respective results of playing the game feature. According to still another aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer implemented method of gaming using a gaming system comprising a processor for controlling the play of a base game and a feature game, at least one display device connected for displaying one or more screens of the base game and the feature game, and input means for enabling a player to control one or more aspects of the base game and the feature game, said method comprising the steps of: providing a new game area for presentation of a feature game, upon a trigger event occurring within the base game; and executing said feature game comprising the representation of a plurality of feature symbols progressively moving from a first predetermined point of the new game area to a second predetermined point of the new game area with respective results of playing the feature game.

According to still another aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for playing a game comprising a base game and a feature game, said base game being a spinning reel game comprising a plurality of spinning reels, said apparatus comprising: a processor for controlling the play of the base game and the feature game; at least one display device connected to the processor for displaying one or more screens of the game; 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, wherein the processor controls the game such that upon a trigger event occurring within the base game, a new game area is displayed for presentation of a feature game, said feature game comprising a plurality of feature symbols progressively moving from a first predetermined point of the new game area to a second predetermined point of the new game area with respective results of playing the game feature.

According to still another aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer readable medium, having a program recorded thereon, where the program is configured to make a computer execute a gaming procedure for controlling the play of a base game and a feature game, said method comprising the steps of: code for providing a new game area for presentation of a feature game, upon a trigger event occurring within the base game; and code for executing said feature game comprising the representation of a plurality of feature symbols progressively moving from a first predetermined point of the new game area to a second predetermined point of the new game area with respective results of playing the feature game.

Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings One or more embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings and appendices, in which:

Fig. IA 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. IA and IB;

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

Fig. 5 shows a display screen presentation of a base game being implemented on the gaming systems of Figs. IA and IB; Fig. 6 shows another display screen presentation of a base game being implemented on the gaming systems of Figs. IA and IB;

Fig. 7 shows a flow diagram representing a method of performing a feature game on the gaming systems of Figs. IA and IB;

Fig. 8 shows a screen of the feature game of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 shows another screen of the feature game of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 shows another screen of the feature game of Fig. 7; Fig. 1 1 shows another screen of the feature game of Fig. 7;

Fig. 12 shows a screen of another feature game being implemented on the gaming systems of Figs. IA and IB; and Fig. 13 shows another screen of the feature game of Fig. 12.

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. IA shows a gaming system IOOA including a gaming machine 101 A for use by a player in playing a game. The gaming machine 101A comprises an enclosure 201A 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 20 IA 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. 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 108A 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 IOOA, the gaming machine 101 A is connected to a communications network 222A, 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. IA, the LAN 222A is coupled to a wide-area network (WAN) 220A, such as the Internet or a private WAN, via a connection 224A. The gaming machine 101 A may also be coupled directly to the WAN 220A via a connection 221 A.

The network 222 A comprises one or more further gaming machines 102 A 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 104 A, used for monitoring the gaming machine 101 A, is also connected to the network 222A. 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 gamine 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 10OB. The gaming system IOOB comprises a stand-alone "personal" computer 101 B for use by a player for playing a game. The personal computer 101 B 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. IA, the computer 101 B 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 101 B 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 input means for the computer 101 B also comprises a mouse pointer device 203 B.

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 IOOB, the WAN 220B typically comprises one or more further computers 102B and 103B, similar to the computer 101 B, 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 104A of the system 10OA, the server 104B of the system IOOB may be used to control the execution of one or more games being played on the gaming system IOOB. For example, the server 104B may download one or more graphic objects to the computer 101 B 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 101 B. In the system IOOB, rather than credit input means in the form of the coin input device 106 A 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 101 B will now be described in more detail below with reference to Fig. 2.

The gaming machine 101 A and the computer 101 B have similar computer hardware architecture. Accordingly, unless referred to specifically, the gaming machine 101 A and the computer 101 B will be hereinafter generically referred to as the "gaming device" 100. Similarly, components of the gaming machine 101 A and the computer 101 B, such as the enclosures 20 IA and 20 IB, and the displays 214A and 214B, respectively, will be hereinafter generically referred to as the enclosure 201 and the display 214, respectively, of - l i ¬

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 IOOA and IOOB will be hereinafter generically referred to as the gaming system 100.

The game played on either of the gaming systems IOOA or IOOB 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. IA 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 101 B 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 107A, 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 106A and the note input device 107 A, 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 211 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 802.11 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 features 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.

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 10OB, 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 10OB. 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, 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 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. 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 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. These 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., 511) in Fig. 5. The paylines in Fig. 5 are three horizontal paylines (#1, #2, #3 - 509) and two diagonal paylines (#4, #5 - 510). Accordingly, the game will pay an amount of credits for a particular combination of symbols, such as three crosses (e.g., 512) on the payline 511.

The screen 500 also comprises a 'BET' meter 514. In the present example, the BET meter 514 indicates that the player has bet on all five paylines 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 player has bet five cents ($0.05) on each payline (e.g., 511) for a particular game (or spin of the reels 501 to 505). The player may indicate the amount that they wish to bet on the particular game, at step 401 using the input device 202. 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 403 with the spinning of the reels 501 to 505. The spinning of the reels 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 reels 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 404, a stopping position of each reel 501 to 505 is determined. The stopping position of each reel 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 405, a result screen 600, as seen in Fig. 6, of the base game is displayed on the screen 214. The position of the symbols in the reels 501 to 505 of the screen 600 are based on the stopping position of each of the reels 501 to 505 as determined at step 403. The screen 600 is typically displayed by the display controller application program 305.

The method 400 concludes at the next step 406, 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 31 1 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 406, 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 the star 608 in the 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 reels 501, 502 and 503, for example. However, in each of these instances, the base game would require further paylines.

A method 700 of performing a feature game of the above base game will now be described by way of example, with reference to Fig. 7. The feature game is implemented by the feature game application program 313 of Fig. 3 in conjunction with the other application programs 301 to 311 described above. In the presently described arrangements, the feature game is a racing game.

The availability or option to play a feature game is typically triggered by a combination of three or more predetermined symbols in three or more of the reel strips 501 to 505. The three or more predetermined symbols do not have to be in the same row or payline in order to trigger the feature game, although the three or more predetermined symbols may be in the same row or payline. Accordingly, the three or more predetermined symbols may be "scattered" within the reel strips 501 to 505. For example, the feature game may be 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". Many other combinations of symbols or events may be used to trigger the feature game.

The method 700 begins at step 701, in response to the trigger screen 600 occurring, where a new screen 800, as seen in Fig. 8, is displayed on the display device 214. In the screen 800, the layout of the spinning reels 501 to 505 is changed to provide a new game area within the screen 800. In particular, the screen 800 comprises the first horizontal row 617 of symbols from the screen 600, together with the new game area 801 under the row 617. Alternatively, the symbols in the first horizontal row of symbols of the screen 800 may not necessarily be the same as in the row of symbols 617 of the screen 600. In the game area 801, the player is presented with two different symbols 802 and

803, which in the present example represent motor cars. The two symbols 802 and 803 may represent anything including, for example, characters from movies. For example, the symbols 802 and 803 may alternately represent dinosaurs. The player is prompted to select one of the symbols 802 and 803 indicating which of the cars the player thinks will win a race. In the present example, the player is prompted to make this selection by way of a question 'Which car will win the race?' displayed on the screen 800. This selection may be implemented using the input device 202 or even by touching the display device 214 when the display device 214 is a touch screen. Still further, for the gaming system 10OB, the mouse 203 may be used to select one of the symbols 802 and 803. The method 700 continues at the next step 702 where, in response to the selection of one of the symbols 802 and 803, another screen 900 of the feature game as seen in Fig. 9 is displayed. The screen 900 may be displayed by the feature game application program 313, in conjunction with the display controller application program 305. The screen 900 shows alternate (plan) representations of the cars 802 and 803 at a starting point 905 (or first predetermined point of the new game area 801) ready to race on a track 901 including a finishing point 904 (or second predetermined point of the new game area 801).

In the following steps 703 to 707, a series of one or more free games (or reel spins) is executed in a similar manner to steps 403 to 405 of the method 400. In the described arrangement, ten (10) free games are executed during the feature game. For each game (or each spin of the reels 501 to 505) the cars 802 and 803 are incrementally (or progressively) moved around the track 901 depending on what symbols appear in the row 617. For example, a smiley face (e.g., 902) in the row 617 after a game (or reel spin), may move the car 802 a certain distance around the track 901, whereby the more smiley faces that are in the row 617 after a game the greater the distance that the car 802 moves around the track 901. Similarly, a star 903 in the row 617 after a game (or reel spin), may move the car 803 a certain distance around the track 901, whereby the more stars that are in the row 617 after a game, the greater the distance that the car 803 will be moved around the track 901.

Accordingly, at step 703, the reels 501 to 505 are spun automatically without further input being required from the player and a result screen (e.g., the screen 1000 as seen in Fig. 10) is displayed. Then at the next step 705, the cars 802 and 803 are incrementally (or progressively) moved around the track 901 depending on what symbols appear in the row 617 of the result screen 1000. Fig. 10 shows an example result screen 1000, as displayed at step 703, with the car 802 being moved around the track 901 due to the smiley faces 1001 and 1002 in the row 617, as at step 705.

At the next step 707, if the total number of free games (e.g., ten (10) free games) have been executed, then the method 700 proceeds to step 709. Otherwise, the method 700 returns to step 703. The method 700 concludes at the next step 709, where the feature game application program 313 in conjunction with the display controller application program 305 displays a screen 1 100, as seen in Fig. 1 1, showing the winner of the feature game in the game area 801 as the car 803 that made it to the finish line 904 first during the feature game. In the example of Fig. 11 , the screen 1100 indicates that the car 803 selected by the player won the feature game using the phrase "YOU WON".

Also at step 709, if the car 802 or 803 that the player selected won the race, then the processor 205 executes the win calculator application program 311 which determines the amount of a bonus prize comprising a plurality of credits (e.g., five hundred credits). Alternatively, the bonus prize may be another feature game, more frees games, a win multiplier (i.e., where the amount of credits won in a game is multiplied by a predetermined factor) or a progressive jackpot (i.e., a bonus prize comprising a plurality of credits, where the amount of credits increment). The winning amount determined by the win calculator application program 311 is then indicated in the WIN meter 615 and credited to the CREDIT meter 516 by the credit control application program 309.

In another arrangement, if neither of the cars 802 or 803 make it to the finish line 904 during the feature game and the car selected by the player is ahead, then a further series of one or more free games (or reel spins) is executed. In the described arrangement, a further ten (10) free games are executed. Further, if both cars 802 and 803 are tied at the end of the chase the winner may be determined randomly. In one arrangement, a symbol (e.g., the cross 1005 as seen in Fig. 10) that appears in the row 617 following a free game, may help or hinder one of the cars 802 or 803 in the race. The appearance of such a symbol 1005 may result in one of the cars slowing down. For example, the symbol 1005 appearing in the row 617 may cause the car 802 to slow down. In the instance where the symbols 802 and 803 represent dinosaurs, these dinosaurs may race from one predetermined point (e.g., a left side of the game area 801) to a second predetermined point (e.g., a right side of the game area 801). In accordance with another implementation, in response to the trigger screen 600 occurring, the processor 205 executes the feature game application program 313 which, in conjunction with the display controller application program 305, displays a new screen 1200, as seen in Fig. 12, on the display device 214. The screen 1200 comprises the reels 501 to 504 from the screen 600, together with a new game area 1201 next to the reel 504.

In contrast to the game area 801, the new game area 1201 replaces the reel 505 which previously appeared on the screen 600.

In the game area 1201, the player is presented with two different symbols 1202 and 1203, which in the present example represent "rockets". Again, the two symbols 1202 and 1203 may represent any character or thing. The player is prompted to select one of the symbols 1202 and 1203 indicating which of the rockets 1202 and 1203 the player thinks will win the race by way of a question 'Which rocket will win the race?', for example. This selection may be implemented using the input device 202 or even by touching the display device 214 when the display device 214 is a touch screen. Still further, for the gaming system 10OB, the mouse 203 may be used by the player to select one of the symbols 1202 and 1203. In response to the selection of one of the symbols 1202 or 1203, the feature game application program 313, in conjunction with the display controller application program 305, displays another screen 1300 which shows the rockets 1202 and 1203 in launch pads 1301 and 1302 (at a first predetermined point of the new game area 1201), respectively, ready to take off. The feature game application program 313 then executes a series of free games (or reel spins), as at steps 703 to 707, which in the described arrangement amounts to ten (10) free games. On each spin of the reels 501 to 504, the rockets 1202 and 1203 are moved vertically in an incremental (or progressive) manner on the screen 1300 depending on the symbols that are presented in each of the reels 501 to 504. For example, a smiley face (e.g., 1203) in the any of the reels (e.g., the reel 501) after a game (or reel spin), may move the rocket 1202 a certain predetermined distance vertically on the screen 1300, whereby the more smiley faces that appear in the reels 501 to 504 after a game (or reel spin) the greater the distance that the rocket 1202 moves vertically on the screen 1300. Similarly, a star 1204 in the any of the reels (e.g., the reel 502) after a game (or reel spin), may move the rocket 1203 a certain distance vertically on the screen 1300, whereby the more stars that appear in the reels 501 to 504 after a game the greater the distance that the rocket 1203 will be moved vertically on the screen 1300.

Upon conclusion of the free games, the feature game application program 313, in conjunction with the display controller application program 305, displays the winner of the feature game in the game area 1201 as the rocket 1202 or 1203 that made it from the launch pad (or first predetermined point in the new game area 1201) to the top of the screen 1300 (or second predetermined point in the new game area 1201) during the feature game. Again, if the rocket that the player selected won (i.e., made it to the second predetermined point such as the top of the screen 1300 first), then the processor 205 executes the win calculator application program 31 1 which determines the amount of a bonus prize comprising a plurality of credits. Again, this bonus prize may be another feature game; more frees games, a win multiplier or a progressive jackpot. The winning amount determined by the win calculator application program 311 is then to the CREDIT meter 314 by the credit control application program 309. Again, if neither of the rockets 1202 or 1203 make it to the top of the screen 1300 during the feature game and the rocket selected by the player is ahead, then a further series of one or more free games (or reel spins) (e.g., a further ten (10) games) is executed. Further, if both rockets 1202 and 1203 are tied at the end of the race the winner may be determined randomly. As described above, the player is presented with two different rockets 1202 and 1203, which race to the top of the screen 1300. Again, the two symbols

1202 and 1203 may represent any character or thing. For example, the symbols 1202 and

1203 may again represent cars. In this instance, the cars may race on a vertically orientated race track within the new game area 1201. As described above, the player is presented with two symbols, which race from one predetermined point within the new game area to another predetermined point within the new game area. Again, the two symbols may represent any character or thing. For example, the car 802 may represent a police car and the other car 803 may represent a robber's car. During the feature game, the police car 802 chases the robber's car 803 within the new game area (e.g., 801 or 1201). In this instance, the player selects whether the police car 802 or the robber's car 803 will win the chase.

Further, as described above, a symbol (e.g., the cross 1005 as seen in Fig. 10) that appears in the row 617 following a free game, may help or hinder one of the cars 802 or 803 in the race. For example, where the cars 802 and 803 represent a police car and a robber's car, respectively, spikes, roadblocks, or police cars appearing anywhere on the reels 501 to 505 (i.e., in place of the symbols 506 and 507. for example) slows down the robber's car 803. Further, each oil spill, traffic light or robber car appearing anywhere on reels 501 to 503 slows down the police car 802. Still further, where the symbols 802 and 803 represent dinosaurs, a rock appearing anywhere on the reels 501 to 503 slows down one or more of the dinosaurs.

As described above, in response to the trigger screen 500 occurring, the processor 205 executes the feature game application program 313 which displays the new screen 800 with a one (1) symbol by five (5) reel layout or the screen 1200 having a three (3) symbol by four (4) reel layout. Alternatively, the screens 800 and 1200 may have many other layouts such as a three (3) symbol by three (3) reel layout, a two (1) symbol by five (5) reel layout or a three (3) symbol by one (1) reel layout. For example, the new game area 1201 of the screen 1200 may replace both reels 504 and 505. In the feature game described above, in response to the trigger screen 500 occurring, the processor 205 executes the feature game application program 313 which displays the new screen 800 on the display device 214. In the screen 800, the layout of the spinning reels 501 to 505 is changed to provide a new game area 801 within the screen 800 displayed on the display device 214. The new game area 801 is then used to display the symbols (e.g., 802, 803) for the racing feature game. Alternatively, the feature game may be played using a plurality of display devices.

For example, in one arrangement, the gaming device 101 may have two associated display devices 214 and 314 as shown in Fig. 2. These two display devices 214 and 314 may be adjacent to one another in a gaming area where the gaming device 101 is located. In such an arrangement, the screen 500 of the base game is displayed on the display device 214 by the display control application program 305. Then, in response to the trigger screen 500 occurring, the processor 205 executes the feature game application program 313 which displays a new game area, similar to the new game area 801, on the display device 314. Accordingly, the display device 314 may be used to display the screens of the racing feature game and the layout of the spinning reels 501 to 505 does not need to be changed to provide the new game area 801. However, in some embodiments, the layout of the spinning reels 501 to 505 may still change.

In the two display device 214, 314 arrangement, the alternate (plan) representations of the cars 802 and 803 at a starting point ready to race on a track (e.g., 901) will be presented to the player in the new game area displayed on the display device 314. Then, as in steps 703 to 707 of the method 700, a series of one or more free games (or reel spins) is executed in a similar manner. For each spin of the reels 501 to 505 displayed on the display device 214, the cars 802 and 803 are incrementally (or progressively) moved around the track displayed on the display device 314 depending on what symbols appear in the row 617.

Again, in the two display device 214, 314 arrangement, a symbol (e.g., the cross 1005 as seen in Fig. 10) that appears in the row 617 following a free game, may help or hinder one of the cars 802 or 803 in the race displayed on the display device 314. Again, the appearance of such a symbol 1005 may result in one of the cars slowing down. For example, the symbol 1005 appearing in the row 617 may cause the car 802 to slow down on the display device 314.

As another example, where the cars 802 and 803 represent a police car and a robber's car, respectively, spikes, roadblocks, or police cars appearing anywhere on the reels 501 to 505 displayed on the display screen 214 slows down the robber's car 803 displayed on the display screen 314. Further, each oil spill, traffic light or robber car appearing anywhere on reels 501 to 503 displayed on the display screen 214 slows down the police car 802 displayed on the display screen 314.

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 comprising a base game and a feature game, said base game being a spinning reel game comprising a plurality of spinning reels, said gaming system comprising: a processor for controlling the play of the base game and the feature game; at least one display device connected to the processor for displaying one or more screens of the game; 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, wherein the processor controls the game such that upon a trigger event occurring within the base game, a layout of the spinning reels within a screen of the base game is changed to provide a new game area within the screen for presentation of a feature game, said feature game comprising a plurality of feature symbols progressively moving from a first predetermined point of the new game area to a second predetermined point of the new game area with respective results of playing the game feature.

2. The gaming system according to claim 1, wherein said input means is configured to enable said player to select one of said plurality of symbols.

3. The gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the progressive movement of the symbol within the new game area is dependent on symbols appearing in one or more of said spinning reels.

4. The gaming system according to claim 1, wherein one or more base symbols appearing in one or more of said spinning reels interacts with at least one of said plurality of feature symbols.

5. The gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the changed layout of said spinning reels comprises five reels each with one symbol.

6. The gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the changed layout of said spinning reels comprises four reels each with three symbols.

7. The gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the changed layout of said spinning reels comprises five reels each with two symbols.

8. The gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the changed layout of said spinning reels comprises one reel with three symbols.

9. A computer implemented method of gaming using a gaming system comprising a processor for controlling the play of a base game and a feature game, at least one display device connected for displaying one or more screens of the base game and the feature game, and input means for enabling a player to control one or more aspects of the base game and the feature game, said method comprising the steps of: changing a layout of the spinning reels within a screen of the base game, upon a trigger event occurring within the base game, to provide a new game area within the screen for presentation of a feature game; and executing said feature game comprising the representation of a plurality of feature symbols progressively moving from a first predetermined point of the new game area to a second predetermined point of the new game area with respective results of playing the feature game.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein said input means is configured to enable said player to select one of said plurality of symbols.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the progressive movement of the symbol within the new game area is dependent on symbols appearing in one or more of said spinning reels.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein one or more base symbols appearing in one or more of said spinning reels interacts with at least one of said plurality of feature symbols.

13. The method according to claim 9, wherein the changed layout of said spinning reels comprises five reels each with one symbol.

14. The method according to claim 9, wherein the changed layout of said spinning reels comprises four reels each with three symbols.

15. The method according to claim 9, wherein the changed layout of said spinning reels comprises five reels each with two symbols.

16. The method according to claim 9, wherein the changed layout of said spinning reels comprises one reel with three symbols.

17. An apparatus for playing a game comprising a base game and a feature game, said base game being a spinning reel game comprising a plurality of spinning reels, said apparatus comprising: a processor for controlling the play of the base game and the feature game; at least one display device connected to the processor for displaying one or more screens of the game; 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, wherein the processor controls the game such that upon a trigger event occurring within the base game, a layout of the spinning reels within a screen of the base game is changed to provide a new game area within the screen for presentation of a feature game, said feature game comprising a plurality of feature symbols progressively moving from a first predetermined point of the new game area to a second predetermined point of the new game area with respective results of playing the game feature.

18. A computer readable medium, having a program recorded thereon, where the program is configured to make a computer execute a gaming procedure for controlling the play of a base game and a feature game, said program comprising: code for changing a layout of the spinning reels within a display screen of the base game, upon a trigger event occurring within the base game, to provide a new game area within the screen for presentation of a feature game; and code for executing said feature game comprising the representation of a plurality of feature symbols progressively moving from a first predetermined point of the new game area to a second predetermined point of the new game area with respective results of playing the feature game.

19. A gaming system for playing a game comprising a base game and a feature game, said base game being a spinning reel game comprising a plurality of spinning reels, said gaming system comprising: a processor for controlling the play of the base game and the feature game; at least one display device connected to the processor for displaying one or more screens of the game; 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, wherein the processor controls the game such that upon a trigger event occurring within the base game, a new game area is displayed for presentation of a feature game, said feature game comprising a plurality of feature symbols progressively moving from a first predetermined point of the new game area to a second predetermined point of the new game area with respective results of playing the game feature.

20. The gaming system according to claim 19, wherein said input means is configured to enable said player to select one of said plurality of symbols.

21. The gaming system according to claim 19, wherein the progressive movement of the symbol within the new game area is dependent on symbols appearing in one or more of said spinning reels.

22. The gaming system according to claim 19, wherein one or more base symbols appearing in one or more of said spinning reels interacts with at least one of said plurality of feature symbols.

23. A computer implemented method of gaming using a gaming system comprising a processor for controlling the play of a base game and a feature game, at least one display device connected for displaying one or more screens of the base game and the feature game, and input means for enabling a player to control one or more aspects of the base game and the feature game, said method comprising the steps of: providing a new game area for presentation of a feature game, upon a trigger event occurring within the base game; and executing said feature game comprising the representation of a plurality of feature symbols progressively moving from a first predetermined point of the new game area to a second predetermined point of the new game area with respective results of playing the feature game.

24. An apparatus for playing a game comprising a base game and a feature game, said base game being a spinning reel game comprising a plurality of spinning reels, said apparatus comprising: a processor for controlling the play of the base game and the feature game; at least one display device connected to the processor for displaying one or more screens of the game; 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, wherein the processor controls the game such that upon a trigger event occurring within the base game, a new game area is displayed for presentation of a feature game, said feature game comprising a plurality of feature symbols progressively moving from a first predetermined point of the new game area to a second predetermined point of the new game area with respective results of playing the game feature.

25. A computer readable medium, having a program recorded thereon, where the program is configured to make a computer execute a gaming procedure for controlling the play of a base game and a feature game, said method comprising the steps of: code for providing a new game area for presentation of a feature game, upon a trigger event occurring within the base game; and code for executing said feature game comprising the representation of a plurality of feature symbols progressively moving from a first predetermined point of the new game area to a second predetermined point of the new game area with respective results of playing the feature game.