Abstract: A method for conducting a computer-implemented wagering game includes using a processor to execute a plurality of plays of the wagering game, each play having an expected value. A plurality of randomly selected symbols, which are associated with each play, are displayed on a display. The processor is used to randomly assign a plurality of attributes across the plurality of plays. Each attribute increases an expected value of the play to which the attribute is assigned, from a first value to a second value. The first value is in the absence of the attribute and the second value is in the presence of the attribute.

Abstract: A method for conducting a wagering game includes awarding a plurality of positional game modifiers and a plurality of plays of the wagering game. Each play includes a set of assignable positions such that a plurality of sets of assignable positions occur over the plurality of plays, at least some of the assignable positions bearing symbols. The plurality of positional game modifiers are randomly assigned to positions in the plurality of sets of assignable positions. The plurality of plays are displayed on a display device. A processor is used to determine an outcome of each of the plays taking into account any of the positional game modifiers assigned to the positions in the set of assignable positions of each play.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming system includes receiving a wager in response to an input via at least one input device. The method also includes displaying, on at least one display device, a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game in a display area. The display area includes a plurality of reels with a plurality of symbols forming an array. The plurality of symbols includes at least one special symbol. In response to the randomly selected outcome including a special symbol on adjacent ones of the plurality of reels, the method includes changing the functionality of the special symbols on the adjacent ones of the plurality of reels to create a modified array.

Abstract: A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a display for displaying a bonus game triggered by a start-bonus outcome and for presenting a plurality of player-selectable elements. Each of the player-selectable elements has a predetermined random outcome associated therewith. A game feature associated with the bonus game is configured to introduce a computer-generated player on the display. The computer-generated player randomly selects at least one player-selectable element from the plurality of player-selectable elements.

Abstract: A method for conducting a computer-implemented wagering game includes using a processor to execute a plurality of plays of the wagering game, each play having an expected value. A plurality of randomly selected symbols, which are associated with each play, are displayed on a display. The processor is used to randomly assign a plurality of attributes across the plurality of plays. Each attribute increases an expected value of the play to which the attribute is assigned, from a first value to a second value. The first value is in the absence of the attribute and the second value is in the presence of the attribute.

Abstract: Multi-player games that foster cooperation or competition between players. A multi-player wagering game system includes a first display to display a first wagering game; a first input device corresponding to the first display to accept input from a first player; a second display to display a second wagering game, the second display being adjacent to the first display; a second input device corresponding to the second display to accept input from a second player; and a bonus display to display a bonus game. The bonus game receiving input from both the first and the second input devices. Computer software causes the first wagering game and the second wagering game to be executed. A multi-person seating device is configured to permit the first player and the second player to sit side-by-side in front of the first display and the second display, respectively.

Abstract: A slot machine operable is in a basic mode and a bonus mode. The bonus game is entered upon the occurrence of start-bonus game outcome in the basic mode. In the bonus game, a player may select from an array of windows, each associated with a bonus game outcome. Credits are awarded based upon which ones of the windows are selected. The bonus game may end upon selection of a window associated with an end-bonus outcome but otherwise continues, allowing the player to make further selections until encountering an end-bonus outcome. A bonus game resource obtained in the basic game may be exercised in the bonus game to affect the bonus game outcome. For example, where the occurrence of an end-bonus outcome would otherwise end the bonus game, a player having a bonus game resource may exercise the bonus game resource to continue playing the bonus game.

Abstract: A gaming method includes displaying on a display a progressive award as a cash value and incrementing the progressive award in response to play of one or more processor-controlled wagering games or gaming devices linked to the progressive award. One or more processors are used to convert the cash value of the progressive award to a plurality of non-cash values of respective different game parameters, and, in response to a triggering event, a progressive game is awarded using the non-cash value of one of the game parameters.

Abstract: A method for playing a wagering game allows an opportunity to achieve a progressive award. A wager input is received from a player for playing the wagering game. A triggered progressive game includes player-selectable elements, each of the player-selectable elements being capable of association with a progressive-winning outcome. An outcome is assigned to each of the player-selectable elements, wherein a probability that the outcome is a progressive-winning outcome depends upon an amount of the wager input. The player-selectable elements are displayed.

Abstract: A system includes a community screen configured to display images of a community event thereon. The system includes a number of wagering game machines coupled to the community screen. The system also includes a number of handheld devices, wherein each handheld device has a respective display and is associated with a respective one of the wagering game machines. The system includes an image module configured, for at least one handheld device of the number of handheld devices, to identify a location on the community screen based on a position of the at least one handheld device and to present an image on the display of the at least one handheld device based on the location.

Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes at least one input device, at least one display device, at least one processor, and at least one memory device storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the gaming system to receive a wager for playing the wagering game, and trigger a free-spin event in which a plurality of free spins is awarded. For a first spin, a first number of arrays is randomly determined, displayed, and evaluated to determine whether an award condition is present. For a second spin, a second number of arrays is randomly determined, displayed, and evaluated to determine whether an award condition is present. The second number of arrays is non-equal to the first number of arrays. Any awards associated with each determined award condition are provided.

Abstract: A bonus game for a slot machine operable in a basic mode and a bonus mode. The bonus game is entered upon the occurrence of a special start-bonus game outcome in the basic mode. In the bonus game, a player selects, one at a time, from an array of windows each associated with a bonus game outcome. Credits are awarded based upon which ones of the windows are selected. The bonus game ends upon selection of a window associated with an end-bonus outcome but otherwise continues, allowing the player to make further selections and accumulate further credits until encountering an end-bonus outcome. In one embodiment, a bonus game resource obtained in the basic game may be exercised in the bonus game to affect the bonus game outcome. In one embodiment, for example, where the occurrence of an end-bonus outcome would otherwise end the bonus game, a player having a bonus game resource may exercise the bonus game resource upon encountering an end-bonus outcome to continue playing the bonus game.

Abstract: A method for playing a wagering game allows an opportunity to achieve a progressive award. A wager input is received from a player for playing the wagering game. A triggered progressive game includes player-selectable elements, each of the player-selectable elements being capable of association with a progressive-winning outcome. An outcome is assigned to each of the player-selectable elements, wherein a probability that the outcome is a progressive-winning outcome depends upon an amount of the wager input. The player-selectable elements are displayed.

Abstract: Multi-player games that foster cooperation or competition between players. A multi-player wagering game system includes a first display to display a first wagering game; a first input device corresponding to the first display to accept input from a first player; a second display to display a second wagering game, the second display being adjacent to the first display; a second input device corresponding to the second display to accept input from a second player; and a bonus display to display a bonus game. The bonus game receiving input from both the first and the second input devices. Computer software causes the first wagering game and the second wagering game to be executed. A multi-person seating device is configured to permit the first player and the second player to sit side-by-side in front of the first display and the second display, respectively.

Abstract: A system and method of playing a multi-track musical composition during a wagering game in which musical tracks are successively added as bonus triggers occur, starting from an introduction portion of the musical composition and culminating in a main theme or chorus of the musical composition. Upon receipt of a wager input at a gaming terminal, a base wagering game is initiated during which several bonus triggers can occur, satisfying eligibility to conduct a bonus game. As each bonus trigger occurs, the musical composition adds a musical track to the introduction being played through audio speakers of the gaming terminal, increasing its instrumentation density to create a richer and denser sound. When the last bonus trigger occurs during the base wagering game, the music launches seamlessly from the introduction that has just been built up into the main theme or chorus of the music, which serves as the accompaniment music for the bonus game.

Abstract: A method of playing a wagering game comprises receiving a wager, and generating a randomly selected first outcome of a first wagering game, the first outcome comprising a first plurality of symbols arranged in a first matrix. The method further comprises generating a randomly selected second outcome of a second wagering game, the second outcome comprising a second plurality of symbols arranged in a second matrix, and simultaneously displaying the first outcome and the second outcome on at least one display. The method further comprises detecting an occurrence of a triggering event, in response to the triggering event, copying a first special symbol occurring in the first outcome into the second outcome to yield a modified second outcome, and evaluating the first outcome and the modified second outcome for winning combinations of symbols.

Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a wager input device and a display for displaying a randomly selected outcome. The randomly selected outcome is selected from a plurality of possible outcomes. The gaming system further includes a controller operative to display a multi-zone selection feature. The multi-zone selection feature comprises a plurality of zones, each zone having a plurality of selectable elements arranged in an array. Each selectable element is associated with a selection result. The controller is further operative, in response to selection of a first selectable element in a first one of the zones, to provide the selection result associated with a second selectable element in a second one of the zones.

Abstract: A multi-player gaming system sensing multiple simultaneous contacts on a surface of a gaming table, differentiating contacts by different players. Privacy controls selectively display private information visible to only one of the players on or near the display surface of the gaming table. The gaming system also detects physical objects placed on the surface of the gaming table, causing wagering game functions or peripheral functions to be performed as a result of the placement of the object on the display surface.

Abstract: A gaming machine for conduction a wagering game is disclosed according to one embodiment. The gaming machine comprises a wager input device for receiving a primary wager to play the wagering game. The wagering game further includes at least one display for displaying a randomly selected outcome of a basic game of the wagering game. The randomly selected outcome is indicated by a plurality of symbols. At least one of the symbols is a bonus symbol that triggers a bonus game in response to a certain condition being met. In response to the randomly selected outcome including at least one bonus symbol without the certain condition being met, the at least one bonus symbol may be utilized in a subsequent basic game to trigger a bonus game in the subsequent basic game if the certain condition is met.

Abstract: A gaming system comprises at least one input device, at least one display device, at least one processor, and at least one memory device. The memory device stores a plurality of instructions which, 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 receive a wager to play a wagering game, display an array of symbols randomly selected from a plurality of possible symbols, trigger a bonus feature if the displayed array includes a bonus triggering outcome, and, in response to the displayed array including at least one bonus triggering symbol, change one or more of the symbols adjacent to the bonus triggering symbol to respective other symbols selected from the plurality of possible symbols, and awarding an enhanced award that is greater than a basic award resulting from the bonus feature and any winning combinations of the symbols in the displayed array.