Patent application number | Description | Published |
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 |
20090082087 | Wagering Game With Symbol-Strings Dictation Winning Outcomes - A gaming machine and method for conducting a wagering game includes at least one string of symbols for indicating an outcome of the wagering game wherein additional symbols are introduced into the string of symbols to produce winning combinations of symbols. Upon achieving a winning combination, the winning combination is removed from the string of symbols and the remaining symbols move together to form another string of symbols. The process is repeated and subsequent strings of symbols are evaluated for additional winning combinations. | 03-26-2009 |
20090117974 | Wagering game with progressive game triggered by multiple players - A method of conducting a group wagering game that includes a special award that is attainable by players at a plurality of gaming machines. The method includes receiving wagers from players at the plurality of machines for playing machine-level wagering games. In response to achieving a triggering condition within one of the machine-level wagering games, the group wagering game is presented including an opportunity to fulfill at least one of a plurality of victory conditions. In response to all of the plurality of victory conditions being fulfilled, the special award is awarded to a player that achieves a next triggering condition. | 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 |
20090124366 | Wagering game with special event shard by adjacent gaming machines - A method of conducting a plurality of wagering games on a group of gaming machines includes receiving wagers from players at the group of gaming machines. In response to a triggering condition associated with a gaming machine of the group of gaming machines, the method further includes presenting a special event on the gaming machine, and changing a set of wagering game symbols required to achieve a known award on at least another one of the group of gaming machines. | 05-14-2009 |
20090131145 | Wagering Game with Overlying Transmissive Display for Providing Enhanced Game Features - A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a game display. A transmissive display is positioned in front of the game display directly in the player's line of sight including game-play regions at which symbols appear and regions above, below, between, and to the sides the game-play regions. The transmissive display is operable to selectively display transparent, translucent and opaque video images over the game display. The transparent, translucent and opaque video images may be used to change, for example, a play mechanic associated with the wagering game and any reel symbols associated with wagering game. The transmissive display may also be used to provide interactive player control and player selection elements for the wagering game and to facilitate player inputs to the gaming machine. The transmissive display may be further used to provide bonus features associated with a bonus game played at the gaming machine. | 05-21-2009 |
20090131146 | Wagering Game Funding Mechanisms and Methods Therefor - A system for adding funds to a handheld gaming machine. The system includes a portable digital wallet that wirelessly communicates with a handheld gaming machine (“handheld”). The digital wallet stores an amount of funds or funds associated with a remotely stored player account, and is used by the player to add credits to a handheld. The credit meter may be stored remotely, though the player perceives that the funds are actually being transferred via the digital wallet. Other funding techniques include a kiosk that accepts cash or credit/debit cards and dispenses tickets or other media that encodes information representing an amount of funds. The player uses this media to add credits to the handheld. The media may be player-dependent such that the player's identity is somehow linked to the media or it may be player-agnostic such that the player's identity is not linked to the funds associated with the media. | 05-21-2009 |
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 |
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 |
20090197684 | HANDHELD WAGERING GAME SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR CONDUCTING WAGERING GAMES THEREUPON - A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a handheld gaming machine configured to play at least one game and a controller. The controller is configured to base eligibility of the handheld gaming machine for a game-related feature at least upon a location of the handheld gaming machine and/or a proximity of the handheld gaming machine to an external device. | 08-06-2009 |
20090253491 | GAMING SYSTEM WITH PATTERENED ENHANCEMENT FEATURES - A gaming system and method for conducting a wagering game wherein a play enhancement image is displayed on a randomly selected outcome. The randomly selected outcome is enhanced by the changing of symbols in the outcome to predefined enhance symbols in a pattern in response to the play enhancement image. The play enhancement image may be an action icon traversing the display or a play enhancement image pictorially indicating a pattern in which the enhance symbols are going to form on the display. | 10-08-2009 |
20090312086 | Gaming System Having Dynamic Symbol Generation - A method of playing a wagering game comprises displaying on at least one display a first plurality of symbols located in an evaluation location, and repeatedly generating a plurality of replacement symbols at a symbol generation point on the at least one display. The method further comprises causing the plurality of replacement symbols to travel from the symbol generation point to the evaluation location along a symbol path, replacing at least one of the first plurality of symbols with at least one of the replacement symbols arriving at the evaluation location, and paying an award for a winning combination of symbols in the evaluation location. | 12-17-2009 |
20090318220 | Devices, Systems, and Methods For Accessing a Line of Credit Associated With a Player Wagering Account - A method of dynamically adjusting a player's line of credit associated with a wagering activity includes the acts of establishing a line of credit for a player and monitoring at least one factor associated with a player's wagering activity. The method further includes the acts of calculating a credit factor related to the monitored at least one factor and applying the credit factor to a player's line of credit to adjust a player's line of credit one of upwardly and downwardly responsive to the monitored at least one factor. | 12-24-2009 |
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 |
20090327060 | CASH-OUT METHODS AND SYSTEMS YIELDING ENHANCED TIME-DEFERRED VALUE - A method of exchanging assets within a wagering establishment computer-based marketplace layer including the acts of accessing a wagering establishment marketplace layer using a peripheral device, offering a first asset for exchange in the wagering establishment marketplace layer to all participants in the wagering establishment marketplace layer. The method also includes the acts of receiving an offer to exchange a second asset for the first asset from an anonymous one of the participants in the wagering establishment marketplace layer, accepting the offer to exchange the second asset for the first asset from the anonymous one of the participants in the wagering establishment marketplace layer, and transferring the first asset in exchange for the second asset. | 12-31-2009 |
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 |
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 |
20100041472 | WAGERING GAME AWARD SYSTEM - A wagering game award system is described herein. In some embodiments, the wagering game award system detects a player identifier associated with a wagering game award system, where the wagering game award system supports a plurality of award types. The system can also determine a number of awards of a first type, wherein the number of awards are associated with the player identifier, and wherein the first type is one of the award types. The system can also detect a request to exchange some of the number of awards for awards of a second type, wherein the second type is one of the award types. The system can also submit the request. | 02-18-2010 |
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 |
20100062830 | WAGERING GAME HAVING BONUS-AWARD FEATURE WITH CHANGING STATE - A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a display arrangement for displaying a video image overlaying a game display. The video image includes special symbols for indicating a bonus-award feature having a changing state. The changing state is continually updated or modified based on outcomes of the wagering game as displayed on the game display. The gaming system further includes a controller operative to cause the bonus-award feature to provide an award to the player in response to the state of the bonus-award feature meeting certain criteria. | 03-11-2010 |
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 |
20100203963 | INTEGRATING SOCIAL CONTACT IDENTIFIERS INTO WAGERING GAMES - Described herein are processes and devices that integrate social contact identifiers into wagering games. One of the devices described is a social contact identifier integrator. The social contact identifier integrator can display one or more elements of a wagering game, such as graphics that are part of, or connected to, the wagering game. A player of the wagering game can have a social network account that has one or more related social network accounts, such as friends or acquaintances. The social contact identifier integrator selects a social contact identifier from one of the related social network accounts and integrates the social contact identifier into the wagering game. The social contact identifier integrator can also determine and assign rewards to the player or to the related social network account whose social contact identifier appeared in the wagering game. | 08-12-2010 |
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 |
20100222123 | Wagering Game with Group Free-Spin Bonus - A method of conducting a wagering game on a plurality of gaming machines. The method includes receiving wagers from players at the plurality of gaming machines to play a basic game. A plurality of symbols is displayed on each of the plurality of gaming machines. The plurality of symbols indicate a randomly selected outcome at each of the plurality of gaming machines. The method also includes aggregating a plurality of special-game triggering events at the plurality of gaming machines. In response to a predetermined number of the plurality of special-game triggering events being achieved, a community-based special event involving eligible of the plurality of gaming machines is initiated. | 09-02-2010 |
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 |
20100227670 | Player Wagering Account and Methods Thereof - A system for adding funds to a handheld gaming machine. The system includes a portable digital wallet that wirelessly communicates with a handheld gaming machine (“handheld”). The digital wallet stores an amount of funds or funds associated with a remotely stored player account, and is used by the player to add credits to a handheld. The credit meter may be stored remotely, though the player perceives that the funds are actually being transferred via the digital wallet. Other funding techniques include a kiosk that accepts cash or credit/debit cards and dispenses tickets or other media that encodes information representing an amount of funds. The player uses this media to add credits to the handheld. The media may be player-dependent such that the player's identity is somehow linked to the media or it may be player-agnostic such that the player's identity is not linked to the funds associated with the media. | 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 |
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 |
20100279764 | GROUP GAMES AND REWARDS IN WAGERING SYSTEMS - Described herein are processes and devices that determine and assign rewards as a group in a wagering game system utilizing social contacts. One of the devices described herein, a wagering game system, determines a first player account associated with a wagering game and looks at the first player account to determine a second player account associated with the first player account as a social network contact. The first player account and the second player account comprise a group of members in a group game or challenge. The wagering game system determines a reward that can be assigned to the group members. The wagering game system determines one or more tasks that must be performed before assigning the reward. The wagering game system presents the one or more tasks to the group members. The wagering game system detects when the tasks are completed and assigns the reward to the group members. | 11-04-2010 |
20100292000 | WAGERING GAME THEME RATING MECHANISM FOR WAGERING GAME SYSTEMS - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include determining player activity data, associated with a player, for each of a plurality of game themes associated with a plurality of wagering games played by the player on one or more wagering game machines of the wagering game system. The operations can also include determining a game theme rating profile for the player based on the player activity data associated with the plurality of game themes. The operations can further include determining when a wagering game session associated with the player is initiated, comparing the game theme rating profile associated with the player to a plurality of game theme rating profiles associated with a plurality of additional players of the wagering game system, and suggesting, during the wagering game session, one or more wagering games to the player based on the comparison results. | 11-18-2010 |
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 |
20100317424 | WAGERING GAME WITH COMMUNITY GAME HAVING A PERSISTENT-STATE FEATURE - A gaming system for playing a wagering game includes a plurality of gaming machines configured to receive a wagering input and to access a group game including a persistent-state gaming environment. A controller is configured to maintain the persistent-state gaming environment and to control game play within the persistent-state gaming environment. The persistent-state gaming environment is configured to permit ingress and egress of players into and out of the persistent-state gaming environment. | 12-16-2010 |
20100317442 | WAGERING GAME COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT - A wagering game community environment is described herein. In some embodiments, the environment includes a community server to provide services for a wagering game community. In some embodiments, the community server comprises a communications controller configured to receive communications from community terminals and to send the communications to wagering game machines. In some embodiments, the community server also includes a promotions controller configured to award promotional material to members of the virtual gaming community based on their use of the community terminals, the promotional material being for use in wagering games available on the wagering game machines. | 12-16-2010 |
20110014975 | GAMING SYSTEM HAVING DISPLAYS WITH INTEGRATED IMAGE CAPTURE CAPABLITIES - A gaming system comprises a wager input device for receiving at least one wager and a display for displaying a wagering game. The display includes an integrated image capture device for visually capturing objects proximate the display. The system further comprises at least one controller operative to (i) detect the presence of at least a first object proximate the display, (ii) cause the image capture device to visually capture the first object and create a stored image thereof, (iii) graphically integrate the stored image of the first object into the wagering game, and (iv) display one or more outcomes of the wagering game which include one or more symbols comprising at least a portion of the stored image. | 01-20-2011 |
20110028207 | INTEGRATING VIDEO BROADCASTS INTO WAGERING GAMES - Described herein are processes and devices that integrate video broadcasts into wagering games. One of the devices described is a wagering game system. The wagering game system can receive a video feed and detect activity performed in the video feed. The system can generate a wagering game character that in some way emulates the activity performed in the video feed. The system can detecting activities performed by the wagering game character and utilize the activities to generating a wagering game outcome. The system can also generate overlay objects to be used as wagering game elements and integrate the overlay objects with the video feed as a wagering game, or in conjunction with wagering games. | 02-03-2011 |
20110065495 | NETWORKED COMMUNITY CHEST - A wagering game in which a bonus event is triggered and during the bonus event possible bonus awards are displayed on corresponding displays of electronic gaming devices (EGDs) and eliminated one at a time until the predetermined bonus award remains and is revealed to the player. The EGDs are linked together to a main controller, and a predetermined bonus award is randomly determined for each EGD. The main controller stores all of the predetermined bonus awards for all of the EGDs participating in the bonus event, and communicates a subset of possible bonus awards to each of the EGDs, where each subset includes the predetermined bonus award to be awarded at each EGD and at least one decoy bonus award that will not be awarded. The EGDs display a bonus award show in which the decoy bonus awards are eliminated, one at a time, preferably such that the highest valued decoy bonus awards are eliminated last, until one remaining predetermined bonus award is revealed to the player. | 03-17-2011 |
20110092275 | LIVING WAGERING GAMES - A system can invigorate wagering games with dynamic updates to reflect changes in ongoing current events. Current real-life data about at least one of a current event and a public figure are acquired. Game data for a wagering game are updated based, at least in part, on the acquired current real-life data. A plurality of wagering game machines that host instances of the wagering game are determined. The updated game data is indicated over a network to the plurality of wagering game machines that host instances of the wagering games. | 04-21-2011 |
20110117987 | Wagering Game With Overlying Transmissive Display for Providing Enhanced Game Features - A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a primary display and a secondary display. A transmissive display is positioned in front of the primary display directly in the player's line of sight. The transmissive display is operable to selectively display transparent, translucent and opaque video images over the primary display. The transparent, translucent and opaque video images may be used to change, for example, a play mechanic associated with the wagering game and any reel symbols associated with wagering game. The transmissive display may also be used to provide interactive player control and player selection elements for the wagering game and to facilitate player inputs to the gaming machine. Where the gaming machine includes a bonus game, the transmissive display may be further used to provide bonus features associated with the gaming machine. In some embodiments, the transmissive display may also be positioned over the secondary display. | 05-19-2011 |
20110124393 | Wagering Game With Unilateral Player Selection For Developing a Group - A wagering game system includes a service for conducting a group-wagering game for a group of players under the control of a gaming control system and a plurality of gaming terminals, each gaming terminal connected to the service and being configured to conduct a group-wagering game in combination with the service. The gaming control system is configured to permit a player in the group of players to unilaterally alter a membership of the group of players. | 05-26-2011 |
20110143834 | LOCATION-BASED CUSTOMIZATION OF AVATARS IN GAMING SYSTEMS - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include determining that a wagering game session for a wagering game is initiated at a first gaming location. The wagering game comprises an avatar that is customizable according to a plurality of location-based customization options. The operations can also include configuring the wagering game with a first set of customization options, associated with the first gaming location, for the avatar of the wagering game to be played on a first gaming machine associated with the first gaming location. The operations can further include determining that a wagering game session for the wagering game is initiated at a second gaming location, and configuring the wagering game with a second set of customization options, associated with the second gaming location, for the avatar of the wagering game to be played on a second gaming machine. | 06-16-2011 |
20110143841 | WAGERING GAME DIGITAL REPRESENTATIVE - A wagering game developer can support an online wager gaming community and provide digital representatives to members to enhance real-life wager gaming experience. A digital representative of a wagering game player can be imported from a remote store associated with an online wager gaming community. Data associated with the digital representative can also be imported. Wagering game activity of the wagering game player at one or more electronic wagering game machines in a wagering game establishment is determined. One or more digital representative data updates for the digital representative are determined based, at least in part, on the determined wagering game activity of the wagering game player. The one or more digital representative updates are applied to the data associated with the digital representative. The digital representative and the updated data associated with the digital representative are exported. | 06-16-2011 |
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 |
20110319153 | System and Method for Blind Selection of Plural Selectable Elements Prior to a Reveal in a Wagering Game - A method for conducting a wagering game on a wagering game device includes using one or more processors to define, in a game feature, a plurality of selectable elements, at least some of the plurality of selectable elements being associated with selectable element awards. The method also includes receiving player selections of the selectable elements, subject to a predefined geometric rule-based selection constraint, until the player has either selected a selectable element associated with a game-ending outcome or completed selections from among the plurality of selectable elements. The method further includes revealing the selectable element awards only after all player selections of the selectable elements have been received and awarding to the player any selectable element awards relating to any selected selectable elements. | 12-29-2011 |
20120009991 | GAMING DEVICE FOR WAGERING ON MULTIPLE GAME OUTCOMES - Systems and methods for wagering on game outcomes allow a player to wager on game outcomes resulting from linked gaming devices linked to a primary gaming device being played by the player. A primary game display shows game plays and outcomes and allows wagering on a primary game and a linked game display shows game plays and outcomes and allows wagering on linked games. Both the primary and linked gaming devices may be the same type of gaming device, or they may be two different types of gaming devices, such as gaming devices for playing slot games, card games, keno, and the like. Further, either or both of the primary and linked games may allow bonus game outcomes resulting in a bonus game having bonus game awards. | 01-12-2012 |
20120015707 | WAGERING GAMES WITH BONUS GAME ACCRUAL THROUGH MULTIPLE PLAYS OF A BASIC GAME - Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting a wagering game, and computer programs for initiating a wagering game are presented herein. One concept of the present disclosure is directed to earning bonus features through play of multiple games in series or in parallel. A wagering game includes a base game and a bonus game. A number of base games are conducted in series or in parallel. For each of the conducted base games, one or more bonus-game-modifiers are added to a feature pool (e.g., a queue) in response to a predetermined event (e.g., a winning outcome) occurring in that base game. In response to a triggering event (e.g., filling the feature pool, a symbol-based trigger in the current base game, etc.), the bonus game is conducted as modified by the bonus-game-modifiers in the feature pool. | 01-19-2012 |
20120028701 | GAMING SYSTEMS HAVING MULTI-OUTPUT DISPLAYS - A gaming system comprises a wager input device and a housing. The gaming system further comprises a multi-output display supported by the housing, the multi-output display displaying a first video presentation viewable from a first position having a first viewing angle relative to the display. The multi-output display displays a second video presentation viewable from a second position having a second viewing angle relative to the display, wherein the second video presentation is not viewable from the first position. At least one of the first and second video presentations includes displaying a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game. The gaming system further comprises a controller operative to simultaneously generate the first and second video presentations on the multi-output display. | 02-02-2012 |
20120088567 | Wagering Game With Overlaying Transmissive Display For Providing Enhanced Game Features - A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a game display. A transmissive display is positioned in front of the game display directly in the player's line of sight including game-play regions at which symbols appear and regions above, below, between, and to the sides the game-play regions. The transmissive display is operable to selectively display transparent, translucent and opaque video images over the game display. The transparent, translucent and opaque video images may be used to change, for example, a play mechanic associated with the wagering game and any reel symbols associated with wagering game. The transmissive display may also be used to provide interactive player control and player selection elements for the wagering game and to facilitate player inputs to the gaming machine. The transmissive display may be further used to provide bonus features associated with a bonus game played at the gaming machine. | 04-12-2012 |
20120094744 | SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE FOR WIDE-AREA WAGERING GAME AND METHODS FOR CONDUCTING WIDE-AREA WAGERING GAMES - A wagering game system wide-area central gaming controller (WAGC) determines a threshold trigger (TT) for awarding a wide-area award, divides a condition prerequisite for the TT into a set of discrete threshold units (TU), one of which is associated with the TT, and distributes to each local central gaming controller (LCGC) a block of the TU for evaluation against an outcome or wager from each eligible wagering game machine. The WAGC also subtracts the distributed block of the TU from the set of TU, continues distributing to each LCGC a block of the TU selected from the set of TU for evaluation against an outcome or wager from each eligible wagering game machine and subtracting the distributed block of the TU from the set of TU until one LCGC confirms to the WAGC that a wagering game machine satisfied the TT associated with a TU allocated to the relevant LCGC. | 04-19-2012 |
20120115580 | WAGERING GAME WITH PLAYER-DIRECTED PURSUIT OF AWARD OUTCOMES - A method and system for conducting a wagering game includes receiving a wager. A standard game of the wagering game is initiated via a processor. The standard game has an expected value associated therewith. A player-directed secondary game that is associated with the standard game is initiated via a processor. The player-directed secondary game includes a plurality of player-selectable and player-directed game sequences. Each of the game sequences has a predetermined completion threshold capable of being achieved during play of the standard game. A player selection of one of the game sequences of the player-directed secondary game is received. In response to receiving the player selection of one of the game sequences and achieving the predetermined completion threshold for that game sequence during play of the standard game, a secondary award is awarded that is independent of the expected value of the standard game. | 05-10-2012 |
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 |
20120115594 | GAME SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH ADJUSTABLE ELIGIBILITY FOR BONUS FEATURES - A method and a gaming system for adjusting eligibility rules for wager-dependent bonus features in a wagering game, the game including one or more rule-adjusting activities related to randomly generated outcomes of the game. Rule-adjusting activities achieved by a player can be assessed according a qualification scheme, and can qualify the player for the wager-dependent bonus award even though the player made a non-eligible wager. | 05-10-2012 |
20120122531 | Wagering Game with Incremental Unlocking of Content - A gaming system includes a credit detector adapted to detect a wager to play a wagering game, one or more displays adapted to display, in response to the wager, a base game and a secondary game, the base game providing a trigger that provides an opportunity to play the secondary game, the secondary game including a plurality of decision points, each decision point requiring a selection of one of a plurality of paths and a controller operative to respond to the selection of the path at the one decision point and provide a next decision point for a subsequent selection of another path, a state of the secondary game remaining persistent during repeated plays of the base game so that selected paths in the secondary game are combined to provide non-linear unlocking of a bonus award. | 05-17-2012 |
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 |
20120178525 | WAGERING GAME DIGITAL REPRESENTATIVE - A wagering game developer can support an online wager gaming community and provide digital representatives to members to enhance real-life wager gaming experience. A wagering game establishment server imports a digital representative of a wagering game player from the online wager gaming community. The server determines wagering game activity of the wagering game player at one or more electronic wagering game machines. The server determines an update for the digital representative based on the determined wagering game activity of the wagering game player, and then associates the update with the digital representative. The update includes a second executable code. Later, the server exports the digital representative with the second executable code associated therewith to the online wager gaming community. | 07-12-2012 |
20120184351 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICES FOR PLAYING WAGERING GAMES WITH UNLOCKABLE COMMUNITY GAME FEATURES - Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting a wagering game, and computer programs for executing a wagering game are presented herein. A gaming system is presented that includes at least one input device, at least one display, at least one processor, and at least one memory device. The memory device stores instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to operate with the display and the input device to conduct a wagering game including a plurality of unlockable features. The unlockable features are initially inaccessible to players at first and second gaming terminals. In response to an unlocking event achieved by a first player during play of the game, the processor unlocks at least one of the unlockable features such that both the first player at the first gaming terminal and a second player at the second gaming terminal can access the unlocked feature. | 07-19-2012 |
20120196671 | DYNAMIC PLAYER TRACKING CARD - Electronic paper (e-paper) can be incorporated onto player tracking cards ( | 08-02-2012 |
20120202588 | WAGERING GAME COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT - A wagering game community environment is described herein. In some embodiments, the environment includes a community server to provide services for a wagering game community. In some embodiments, the community server comprises a communications controller configured to receive communications from community terminals and to send the communications to wagering game machines. In some embodiments, the community server also includes a promotions controller configured to award promotional material to members of the virtual community based on their use of the community terminals, the promotional material being for use in wagering games available on the wagering game machines. | 08-09-2012 |
20120202601 | WAGERING GAME COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT - A wagering game community environment is described herein. In some embodiments, the environment includes a community server to provide services for a wagering game community. In some embodiments, the community server comprises a communications controller configured to receive communications from community terminals and to send the communications to wagering game machines. In some embodiments, the community server also includes a promotions controller configured to award promotional material to members of the virtual community based on their use of the community terminals, the promotional material being for use in wagering games available on the wagering game machines. | 08-09-2012 |
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 |
20120276990 | HANDHELD WAGERING GAME SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR CONDUCTING WAGERING GAMES THEREUPON - A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a handheld gaming machine configured to play at least one game and a controller. The controller is configured to base eligibility of the handheld gaming machine for a game-related feature at least upon a location of the handheld gaming machine and/or a proximity of the handheld gaming machine to an external device. | 11-01-2012 |
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 |
20130059653 | GAMING DEVICE FOR WAGERING ON MULTIPLE GAME OUTCOMES - Systems and methods for wagering on game outcomes allow a player to wager on game outcomes resulting from linked gaming devices linked to a primary gaming device being played by the player. A primary game display shows game plays and outcomes and allows wagering on a primary game and a linked game display shows game plays and outcomes and allows wagering on linked games. Both the primary and linked gaming devices may be the same type of gaming device, or they may be two different types of gaming devices, such as gaming devices for playing slot games, card games, keno, and the like. Further, either or both of the primary and linked games may allow bonus game outcomes resulting in a bonus game having bonus game awards. | 03-07-2013 |
20130084946 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICES FOR PLAYING WAGERING GAMES WITH SYMBOL-DRIVEN EXPECTED VALUE ENHANCEMENTS AND ELIMINATIONS - Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting wagering games, and computer programs for executing wagering games are disclosed. A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes an input device, a display device, a processor, and a memory device. The memory device stores instructions which cause the processor to operate with the display device to: randomly determine an outcome of the wagering game; display symbols indicative of the wagering-game outcome; determine if the displayed symbols include to an expected-value (EV) enhancement symbol combination or an EV-elimination symbol combination, the EV-enhancement and EV-elimination symbol combinations both including a common symbol arranged in a common manner; activate, responsive to the displayed symbols including the EV-enhancement symbol combination, an EV-increasing opportunity that modifies a wagering-game parameter thereby increasing the EV of the wagering game; and deactivate, responsive to the displayed symbol-combination corresponding to the EV-elimination symbol combination, one or more EV-increasing opportunities. | 04-04-2013 |
20130090158 | System and Method for Assessing and Providing Location-Based Benefits - A gaming system includes a community server, processor, communications controller, and physical memory device bearing instructions for execution by the processor. The system processes gaming session information relating to a player's wagering-game machine gaming session and determines whether the gaming session information satisfies a condition precedent to an award of player profile content. The processor stores the player profile content in association with the player identified in the gaming session information and the information sent to the wagering-game server by the communications controller includes information relating to a location-based incentive available to the player. | 04-11-2013 |
20130102375 | WAGERING GAME WITH EXPANDING REELS - A method for conducting a wagering game includes receiving a wager to play the wagering game. A base array of symbol positions arranged in a plurality of columns is displayed. A plurality of symbols is randomly distributed such that each of the symbol positions in the base array is associated with one or more of the symbols. An extent by which the base array of symbol positions is to be expanded is indicated by the symbols. The base array of symbol positions is expanded into an expanded array of symbol positions including at least one additional symbol position. | 04-25-2013 |
20130122988 | WAGERING GAME HAVING A CONTINUOUS REEL STRIP POPULATING MORE THAN ONE EVALUATION WINDOW - A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes at least one input device, at least one display device, and at least one processor. The gaming system further includes at least one memory device that stores a plurality of instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device and the at least one input device to display a wagering game having an array of symbol positions, the array of symbol positions being populated by a plurality of symbols for indicating a randomly selected outcome, the array of symbol positions forming a plurality of groups of symbol positions, wherein a single reel populates more than one non-adjacent groups of symbol positions. | 05-16-2013 |
20130123005 | ONLINE IMMERSIVE ENVIRONMENT AND WAGERING GAMES - A method includes defining a number of locations in an online immersive environment, wherein each of the number of locations includes a number of games. The defining includes defining a rule set for a location. The rule set includes a rule that defines access to a game. The access to the game is based on game play of a different game. The method includes defining a number of paths between the number of locations in the online immersive environment, wherein the defining includes defining a rule for access to a path to travel between two locations. The method includes presenting a different game that is part of a location in the online immersive environment. The method includes enabling access to the game in the location, in response to determining that game play of the different game satisfies the rule that defines access to the game. | 05-16-2013 |
20130130781 | FUNDING AND REWARDING WAGERING GAME PLAYER ACCOUNTS - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include transmitting an offer of a reward to deposit funds into a wagering game player account prior to initiating a wagering game session within a gaming venue, such as a physical gamine venue (e.g., a casino). In one example, the offer is transmitted to a computing device accessible outside the gaming venue. The operations can further include detecting player input associated with the offer, where the player input authorizes a transfer of the funds from a financial account for deposit into the wagering game player account. The operations can further include transferring of the funds specified via the player input from the financial account to the wagering game player account. The operations can further include assigning the reward to the wagering game player account in response to the transferring of the funds. | 05-23-2013 |
20130130782 | DISTRIBUTED BONUS FEATURE - Systems and operations for a distributed bonus game feature for wagering game systems are disclosed. In one example, a wagering game may award a bonus game to a player. A delay period is set for the bonus game. The delay period and other details regarding the bonus game are persistently stored on a paper ticket or in a database on a wagering game server. The bonus game may be initiated (after the delay period) on a different wagering game machine than the machine that awarded the bonus game. In a second example, funding for a bonus game for a player may be determined in accordance with a random number generator on a wagering game machine currently occupied by a player. If the player moves to a different machine, output from a random number generator on the new machine may be used to determine continued funding for the bonus game. | 05-23-2013 |
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 |
20130150150 | INTEGRATING SOCIAL CONTACT IDENTIFIERS INTO WAGERING GAMES - Described herein are processes and devices that integrate social contact identifiers into wagering games. Some embodiments include providing game play elements configured for use in presentation of possible outcomes for a wagering game, wherein the wagering game is associated with a first player account stored on an account server. Some embodiments further include selecting, via one or more processors, a second player account indicated in the first player account as a social contact of a player associated with the first player account. Some embodiments further include, via at least one of the one or more processors, providing a social contact identifier of the second player account for use in the wagering game to represent at least a portion of at least one of the game play elements. | 06-13-2013 |
20130157741 | SYMBOL COLLECTION DURING REEL SPIN - A method for conducting a wagering game via a gaming terminal includes receiving, via an input device, a wager to play the wagering game. An array of symbol positions arranged in a plurality of columns is displayed, on one or more display devices. At least a portion of a plurality of symbols is visually moved with respect to the array of symbol positions on the one or more display devices. One or more of the plurality of the symbols are special symbols. In response to one or more of the special symbols being visually moved on the one or more display devices, the visually moved special symbols are caused to be visually collected in a symbol collection area adjacent to the array of symbol positions on the one or more display devices. | 06-20-2013 |
20130190077 | PLAYER WAGERING ACCOUNT AND METHODS THEREOF - A system for adding funds to a handheld gaming machine. The system includes a portable digital wallet that wirelessly communicates with a handheld gaming machine (“handheld”). The digital wallet stores an amount of funds or funds associated with a remotely stored player account, and is used by the player to add credits to a handheld. The credit meter may be stored remotely, though the player perceives that the funds are actually being transferred via the digital wallet. Other funding techniques include a kiosk that accepts cash or credit/debit cards and dispenses tickets or other media that encodes information representing an amount of funds. The player uses this media to add credits to the handheld. The media may be player-dependent such that the player's identity is somehow linked to the media or it may be player-agnostic such that the player's identity is not linked to the funds associated with the media. | 07-25-2013 |
20130196744 | ADAPTER FOR LOYALTY PROGRAM POINTS - An adapter for wagering game systems designed to communicate using a first protocol is provided that communicates with systems designed to communicate using a second protocol different from the first protocol. The adapter may provide a translation service that translates from the first protocol to the second protocol and vice-versa. Additionally, the adapter may provide a transaction clearing house service. The translation and transaction clearing house services provided by the adapter can be used to access disparate systems using disparate protocols. For example, a wagering game system that is designed to communicate with other wagering game systems using a first protocol can use the adapter to access loyalty points systems and other systems that are designed to use a second communications protocol. | 08-01-2013 |
20130252699 | WAGERING GAME HAVING MOVING EVALUATION WINDOW WITHIN SYMBOL ARRAY - A method for conducting a wagering game includes receiving a wager and displaying a plurality of symbol-bearing reels. A first set of reels to be evaluated is highlight, spun, and stopped such that a first randomly selected outcome is indicated. The first outcome is evaluated to determine if it is a winning outcome. In response to a winning outcome, a second set of reels to be evaluated is highlighted. The second set of reels includes at least one of the reels of the first set of reels and one of the reels that is adjacent to the first set of reels. The one of the reels that is adjacent to the first set of reels is stopped such that a second randomly selected outcome is indicated by the second set of reels. The second outcome is evaluated to determine if the second outcome is a winning outcome. | 09-26-2013 |
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 |
20130288784 | WAGERING GAME AWARD SYSTEM - A wagering game award system is described herein. In some embodiments, the wagering game award system detects player activity in a wagering game system. The system can also award a first value type to a player account for participation in activities in the wagering game system. The system can also receive a request to exchange the first value type for a second value type, wherein the first value type and the second value type are not currencies issued by a world government. The system can also determine that the first value type is exchangeable for the second value type. The system can also determine a conversion rate, wherein the conversion rate indicated the first value type in terms of the second value type. The system can also exchange the first value type for the second value type based on the conversion rate. | 10-31-2013 |
20130324213 | Wagering Game With Reel Array Having Extended Symbol Visually Overlaying Adjacent Reel - A gaming system includes an input device, a display device, a processor, and a memory device. The memory device stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the gaming system to receive a wager and to display an array having a plurality of symbol positions, each of the symbol positions being populated by symbols located on a plurality of symbol-bearing reels. The reels spin and stop to place symbols on the symbol-bearing reels in visual association with symbol positions of the array. At least one extended symbol indexed on a first reel visually overlaps one or more symbols on an adjacent second reel (a) as the first reel spins the extended symbol through the array and (b) without affecting a stopping position of the adjacent second reel. An award is awarded for any winning combinations defined by the symbols in the display area. | 12-05-2013 |
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 |
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 |
20140155145 | HANDHELD WAGERING GAME SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR CONDUCTING WAGERING GAMES THEREUPON - A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a handheld gaming machine configured to play at least one game and a controller. The controller is configured to base eligibility of the handheld gaming machine for a game-related feature at least upon a location of the handheld gaming machine and/or a proximity of the handheld gaming machine to an external device. | 06-05-2014 |
20140162769 | WAGERING GAME AWARD SYSTEM - Embodiments of the inventive subject matter include detecting, by one or more processors, one or more events of a first event type, a second event type, and a third event type. Embodiments further include, in response to the detecting the one or more events of the first event type, the second event type, and the third event type, determining, by the one or more processors, non-cash awards of a first award type, second award type, and third award type, respectively, to provide to the player. | 06-12-2014 |
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 |
20140213337 | ENHANCED WAGERING GAME SYSTEM WITH ADDITIONAL BONUS CHALLENGES - A gaming system and method for conducting a wagering game includes a display having a display area showing a poker-themed wagering game. A wager input device receives a base wager to play the poker-themed wagering game. A controller is coupled to the display and the wager input device. The controller is operative to provide a plurality of symbol-bearing objects to form a user-playable hand and award a payoff based on a ranking of the user-playable hand meeting a predetermined criterion. The controller may receive a side wager separate from the base wager from the player to trigger a challenge based on meeting a condition in at least one of a predetermined number of future plays of the wagering game. Additional free challenges may be triggered for the predetermined number of future plays. | 07-31-2014 |
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 |
20140274288 | WAGERING GAMES EMPLOYING A MEGA SYMBOL - A method in a gaming system comprises receiving a wager and displaying an array having a plurality of array positions. Each of the plurality of array positions is populated by at least one of a plurality of symbols, which include a mega symbol configured to occupy at least two array positions on each of at least two adjacent columns of the array. In response to at least a portion of the mega symbol displayed in the array, the method includes determining a functionality for the mega symbol based on a number of array positions on which the mega symbol is displayed, the portion of the mega symbol displayed, the size of the mega symbol displayed, a random determination, the received wager, or a turnover amount over a plurality of plays. A payout is awarded based on the symbols displayed in the array and the determined functionality of the mega symbol. | 09-18-2014 |
20140309015 | WAGERING GAME WITH EXPANDING REELS - A method for conducting a wagering game includes receiving a wager to play the wagering game. A base array of symbol positions arranged in a plurality of columns is displayed. A plurality of symbols is randomly distributed such that each of the symbol positions in the base array is associated with one or more of the symbols. An extent by which the base array of symbol positions is to be expanded is indicated by the symbols. The base array of symbol positions is expanded into an expanded array of symbol positions including at least one additional symbol position. | 10-16-2014 |
20140315621 | GAMING DEVICE FOR WAGERING ON MULTIPLE GAME OUTCOMES - Systems and methods for wagering on game outcomes allow a player to wager on game outcomes resulting from linked gaming devices linked to a primary gaming device being played by the player. A primary game display shows game plays and outcomes and allows wagering on a primary game and a linked game display shows game plays and outcomes and allows wagering on linked games. Both the primary and linked gaming devices may be the same type of gaming device, or they may be two different types of gaming devices, such as gaming devices for playing slot games, card games, keno, and the like. Further, either or both of the primary and linked games may allow bonus game outcomes resulting in a bonus game having bonus game awards. | 10-23-2014 |
20140335944 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ASSESSING AND PROVIDING LOCATION-BASED BENEFITS - A gaming system community server communications controller sends information to a wagering-game server. A community server processor obtains gaming session information relating to a player's gaming session from the wagering-game server or wagering-game machine. The system determines whether the gaming session information satisfies a condition precedent to an award of player profile content comprising a currency in a community server secondary economy, game content available to the player on the community server, non-game content available to the player on the community server, game content available to the wagering-game machine player, non-game content available to the wagering-game machine player, and/or game content available to the player from the wagering-game server. The player profile content is stored in association with the player identified in the gaming session information and the information sent to the wagering-game server by the communications controller includes information relating to a location-based incentive available to the player. | 11-13-2014 |
20140378216 | WAGERING GAME AWARD SYSTEM - Embodiments of the inventive subject matter include a method comprising determining, by a wagering game unit of a wagering game machine, a result of a wagering game. The method can also include requesting, over a network by an award system unit of the wagering game machine, awards of a first award type be added to an electronic player account based on the result of the wagering game. The method can include receiving, by the award system unit, electronic input requesting to exchange the awards of the first award type in the electronic player account for awards of a second award type. The method can include requesting, over the network by the award system unit, exchange of the awards of the first award type in the electronic player account for the awards of the second award type. | 12-25-2014 |
20150072759 | Wagering Game With Evaluable Symbols Randomly Determined By Sub-Arrays - A gaming system includes one or more input devices, display devices, processors, and memory devices. At least one of the memory devices store instructions that cause the system to receive a wager and to display a main array with main positions including a special position, which is randomly transformed into a sub-array with secondary positions. An outcome for the sub-array is determined in which the secondary positions are populated with respective secondary symbols. The outcome of the sub-array determines a special symbol that is associated with the special position of the main array. The special symbol is displayed for the special position. The main positions are populated with main symbols and the special symbol, the main array including may symbols populating the main positions and any determined special symbols populating the transformed special positions. An evaluation of the main array is performed to determine if a winning combination is achieved. | 03-12-2015 |