Amusement devices: games – Including means for processing electronic data – Credit/debit monitoring or manipulation
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-04
2001-10-30
O'Neill, Michael (Department: 3713)
Amusement devices: games
Including means for processing electronic data
Credit/debit monitoring or manipulation
C463S016000, C463S020000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06309300
ABSTRACT:
Cross-reference is made to application Ser. No. 09/395,034, entitled “Imaging Matching Game Method”, filed on Sep. 13, 1999 and incorporated by reference.
The present invention is directed to a gaming apparatus and method which includes a bonus feature and in particular a bonus feature that provides for player interaction such as by selecting among a plurality of selectable items.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
A number of gaming methods and apparatus provide a bonus feature. As used herein a bonus feature is a feature which provides a player with a desired item (typically, but not necessarily, a monetary prize) after at least some play of the main game. In some situations, a bonus is provided in response to achieving a outcome in the main game (such as by achieving one or more bonus results in the main game, accumulating a threshold number of points or credits in the main game, and the like. Bonusing may be provided in any of a plurality of types of main games such as slot machine games, electronic poker, blackjack or other electronic card games, electronic keno, bingo, item picking games and a plurality of other game types as a main game.
Although bonusing can be attractive both to players (e.g., because of the added interest and entertainment value associated with bonusing) and to game operators (e.g., because of the increased play or attractiveness associated with bonusing games), it is believed there is a potential for further development in bonusing, e.g., to further increase the entertainment value or interest associated with bonusing. For example, many types of bonusing occur substantially automatically, with substantially no opportunity for player interaction, such as bonusing which involves an award of a predetermined or randomly selected prize. Accordingly, it would be useful to provide a gaming apparatus and method having bonusing which provides for a degree of player interaction with the bonusing portion or feature.
Although it is believed interaction with a bonusing feature would be a useful component, when player interaction affects a type or amount of prize, there may be concerns that the resultant variability of the bonusing prize could undesirably diminish or undesirably increase the variability of overall (i.e., averaged over time) prize amounts and thus of game operator hold amounts (thus potentially affecting game operator profits). Furthermore, there may be some regulatory environments in which there are effective bounds on bonusing prizes and/or holds. Accordingly, it would be useful to provide a gaming apparatus and method permitting player interaction with bonusing in which the interaction can affect the bonus prize amount, while achieving bounds or controls on bonusing prizes, at least averaged over time.
At least some main (non-bonus) game portions have provided for a multiplier effect such as by providing certain main game results which result in multiplication of a main game prize. Bonus prizes, however, are typically provided in a non-multiplicative fashion. Accordingly, it would be useful to provide a bonusing feature which has potential for a prize multiplier.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one embodiment of the invention, a play of a main game is followed by a bonus feature in which there is substantial player interaction. According to one aspect, a player is presented with a first number of selectable items, each associated with an “associated item” (which may be, e.g., a prize amount, a “demerit”, additional pick opportunities, a multiplier, or combination of such items). The player may select a certain number of such items (with the number of “picks” allowed being less than or equal to, typically less than, the total number of selectable items). The player, at the time of picking an item, does not know which “associated items” are associated with the various selectable items. The player receives, as a bonus prize, the values associated with the selected items. If a selected item is associated with a multiplier, some or all of the bonus prize, such as all previously-selected items, are multiplied by the multiplier value. Preferably, as each item is selected by the player, the associated prize or other item (if any) is revealed. In one embodiment, after the player has exercised all his or her “picks,” items associated with any remaining selectable items are uncovered or revealed (e.g., so that the player can see the prizes or other associated items that were missed.
In one aspect a gaming system provides a main game and a bonus feature with the bonus feature providing for user interaction. In one aspect, user interaction involves allowing a player to select at least some of a plurality of selectable items. When a selectable item is selected, a prize, multiplier or other item associated with the selectable item is revealed and a total bonus prize is based on the prizes, multipliers or other items associated with the selectable items selected by the player.
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Web page for World Gaming 1998 expo; presented by International Gaming & Wagering Busuness; The Official Tradeshow of The American Gaming Association.
Jackpot Party Video™ brochure; Williams Gaming Inc.; www.wmsgaming.com; copyright 1999.
Dreamweaver™ brochure; Aristocrat Liesure Industries Pty Ltd. copyright 1997 and Feb. 1998.
Gerstman George H.
International Game Technology
O'Neill Michael
Shaw Seyfarth
LandOfFree
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