Abstract: A gaming system comprises a wager input device and at least one display for displaying a primary wagering game and a secondary wagering game. The secondary wagering game comprises a playing field, the playing field having a set of field attributes associated therewith. The system further comprises a controller operative to (i) determine and display a first outcome of the primary wagering game, (ii) determine if a first set of game attributes associated with first outcome is eligible for play in the secondary wagering game, (iii) if the first outcome is eligible, determine a second outcome of the secondary wagering game by resolving the first set of game attributes with the set of field attributes in accordance with a first rule set, and (iv) if the second outcome is a winning outcome, award a first award.

Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes at least one display having a display region displaying an array including a plurality of moveable reels having symbols for indicating a randomly selected outcome selected from a plurality of outcomes. The plurality of reels includes a plurality of multi-symbol reels that display multiple symbols in the display region and a plurality of single-symbol reels each of which displays a single symbol in the display region. The plurality of outcomes includes at least one winning outcome. The at least one winning outcome is indicated by symbols positioned along at least one payline extending through the multi-symbol reels and at least one symbol from any one of the plurality of single-symbol reels.

Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a wager input device for receiving a wager from a player to play a wagering game. The system includes a display for displaying an array of selectable elements. Each of the selectable elements is associated with an award. The system also includes a player input device for receiving selections from the array of selectable elements. Also included in the gaming system is a feature for returning to the array of selectable elements. The feature includes at least one game-return outcome and at least one game-terminating outcome awarding a first award for the selections. A multiplier changes each time a game-return outcome is achieved.

Abstract: A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine. The method includes receiving a wager from a player and displaying a first winning combination of symbols in an array. The first winning combination is associated with a first award. In response to a predetermined event, the first winning combination is upgraded to a second winning combination of symbols, and the second winning combination is associated with a second award that is higher than the first award. The second winning combination of symbols is displayed and the player is provided with the second award.

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 gaming terminal is utilized for playing a wagering game. A wager-input device receives a wager from a player. A display displays symbols indicating a randomly selected outcome selected from a plurality of outcomes. The plurality of outcomes include at least one special-event outcome that awards additional game play at a time selectable by the player. The additional game play provides a guaranteed winning outcome. A special-event input device initiates the additional game play in response to the player activating the special-event input device. The additional game play is implemented with a game-enhancement parameter such that the guaranteed winning outcome has an enhanced payout.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gaming terminal and a method of playing a wagering game. The wagering game may include a basic game and a bonus game that includes selectable objects. The objects can be selected by a player or by a computer. Each of the selectable objects is associated with a bonus award. During game play, a player or computer selects objects until a predetermined number of selections occurs or a stop-selection feature occurs. After selection ends, the bonus awards associated with the selected objects are displayed. Subsequently, the awards associated with the non-selected objects may be revealed. At this time, instead of the game ending, at least one of the awards associated with the selected objects is altered, producing an adjusted bonus award for that selection. The player receives an overall bonus award that is based on the adjusted bonus awards.

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: According to one aspect of the present invention, a method of conducting a wagering game is provided. The method allows an opportunity to achieve a first progressive award and a second progressive award. The method comprises the acts of receiving a primary wager from a player for playing the wagering game and initiating the wagering game. The method further includes the act of displaying a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game via a plurality of symbols. The plurality of symbols are selected from a set of symbols including a predetermined symbol. In response to the randomly selected outcome including a first number of the predetermined symbols, the method includes the act of triggering an event in which the first progressive award can be achieved. In response to the randomly selected outcome including a second number of the predetermined symbols, the method includes the act of triggering an event in which the second progressive award can be achieved.

Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game comprises a value input device for receiving a wager to play the wagering game, a display for displaying a plurality of selectable elements, and a controller coupled to the display. The controller is operative to designate at least one of the selectable elements as a rental element and repeat an award associated with the rental element as other ones of the selectable elements are successively selected. Methods for conducting a wagering game are also disclosed.

Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a wager input device for receiving a wager, The gaming system further includes at least one display for displaying an array of symbols indicating a randomly selected outcome. The array of symbols include a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. The symbols include directional indicators. The randomly selected outcome is indicated by at least one sequence of symbols formed based on directions associated with the directional indicators. In response to the sequence of symbols including a predetermined symbol, an award associated with the predetermined symbol is awarded.

Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a community display for displaying a community game having a plurality of features for determining a community award that is awarded to all players at eligible linked gaming machines. The community game includes selection of a player at an eligible linked gaming machine to interact with the community game to determine the community award. One of the plurality of features includes a community free spin feature that awards free spins of a base wagering game to each player.

Abstract: A method and system for conducting a wagering game is disclosed. A randomly selected outcome of the wagering game is displayed in a display area. The display area includes a plurality of reels with symbols forming an array. The display area includes a plurality of active paylines extending through symbol locations within the array. Each symbol on one of the plurality of reels is changed to an altered symbol providing a wild function and an additional game-enhancement function. A payout is awarded based on a reevaluation of symbol combinations along the plurality of active paylines including the wild functions and the additional game enhancement functions.

Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a display and a controller. The display displays a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game including a plurality of reels with symbols forming an array. The symbols include a directional wild symbol having a direction indicator. The controller is coupled to the display and operative to (i) display the directional wild symbol on the display, (ii) provide a wild function to a symbol that is adjacent to the directional wild symbol and at a certain orientation relative to the directional wild symbol as indicated by the direction indicator, and (iii) provide an award based on the array with the adjacent symbol having the wild function.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a gaming machine for conducting a wagering game comprises a plurality of indicia and a plurality of moveable elements. The plurality of indicia represent a plurality of possible game outcomes including a selected game outcome. The plurality of moveable elements move relative to the plurality of indicia and subsequently stop at one of the plurality of indicia to represent the selected game outcome.

Abstract: A gaming system having an input device for receiving a wager to play a wagering game including a trail-based game. A display for displaying the trail-based game is also included. The trail-based game includes a plurality of elements along a trail. Each of the plurality of elements has an associated award. In response to a player meeting a predetermined criterion, the player is awarded the associated award for all of the plurality of elements.

Abstract: A dynamically re-configurable input panel for a gaming machine, in one implementation, comprises a plurality of electrical contact regions disposed on the input panel and a plurality of display elements associated with the electrical contact regions, wherein information displayed on the display elements is dynamically re-configurable under game machine software control. In one implementation, the plurality of electrical contact regions comprises a plurality of electrical switches. Each of these switches may have a self-contained, re-configurable display element.

Abstract: 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.

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 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.