Abstract: A gaming machine displays a number of symbol locations with a respective graphic symbol at each symbol location. Each symbol location is shown on a display system which may comprise a set of mechanical reels or reels simulated on a video display device. The display system is capable of displaying a target symbol or any other one of a number of graphic symbols included in a group of presentation symbols. In response to a first player input, each of the number of symbol locations is caused to conduct a respective symbol change process one or more times to change the graphic symbol included at each respective symbol location. At least some of the awards available in the game are based at least in part on the absence of the target symbol at one or more of the number of symbol locations.

Abstract: A method includes displaying a number of enhancement symbols concurrently on a display device included at a gaming machine through which a wagering game may be played. The wagering game has a paytable providing at least one award level correlated to a payout value. Each of the displayed enhancement symbols is correlated to a payout modification. At least one of these enhancement symbols is selected and shown on the display device as being selected for a given play of the wagering game. The payout modification correlated to the selected enhancement symbol is used to identify a modified payout value for the outcome generated and displayed graphically for play of the game. This modified payout value is awarded for the given play of the game in lieu of or in addition to the payout value shown in the paytable for the outcome.

Abstract: A wagering game, gaming machine, gaming network, and associated methods are disclosed including scatter symbols, and more specifically a left-to-right scatter feature having variable increasing payouts associated with each symbol. The symbols in the left-to-right scatter may interact visually in a sequential manner according to a theme.

Abstract: A game is provided including a special wild symbol that applies a transformation field to other symbols around it. The effect of this transformation field is to change the symbols into wild symbols. Multiple transformation fields may overlap, increasing the value of the transformed symbol in certain designated ways. Rules are provided for applying the transformation field in certain directions with respect to the special wild symbol with which it is associated.

Abstract: A method includes displaying playing card face representations at an electronic player station. The displayed playing card face representations include card face representations that are included in a group of card face representations that has been assigned to the player in response to a bingo pattern achieved by the player in a bingo game. The player then selects one or more of the displayed card face representations to be replaced with one or more card face representations that are also included in the assigned group but have been concealed from the player. A prize is awarded to the player based on the card face representations remaining in the player's hand after replacement of the selected card face representations. This prize represents the player's prize for achieving the bingo pattern, but is based on the player's card hand produced after the player replaces the desired cards.

Abstract: A gaming machine displays a number of symbol locations with a respective graphic symbol at each symbol location. Each symbol location is shown on a display system which may comprise a set of mechanical reels or reels simulated on a video display device. The display system is capable of displaying a target symbol or any other one of a number of graphic symbols included in a group of presentation symbols. In response to a first player input, each of the number of symbol locations is caused to conduct a respective symbol change process one or more times to change the graphic symbol included at each respective symbol location. At least some of the awards available in the game are based at least in part on the absence of the target symbol at one or more of the number of symbol locations.

Abstract: A method of operating a gaming machine includes receiving one or more primary game inputs through the gaming machine to initiate one or more plays of a primary game. After the one or more plays of the primary game, a feature game is initiated and presented at the gaming machine through a display device included with the gaming machine. In response to a triggering event in the feature game and prior to completion of the feature game, the method further includes initiating an embedded bonus game and presenting the embedded bonus game through the display device. Upon completion of the embedded bonus game, the method continues with presenting a remainder of the feature game. The method further includes awarding a total prize for the feature game and embedded bonus game. The total prize is made up of a feature game prize component obtained in the presentation of the feature game and an embedded bonus game prize component obtained in the presentation of the embedded bonus game.

Abstract: A wagering game, gaming machine, networked gaming system, and associated methods are disclosed including a bank of gaming machines connected to an overhead display enabling players at the respective gaming machines to qualify to play a player-interactive community feature game displayed on the overhead display wherein each qualified player may sequentially launch one or more virtual objects or projectiles and accumulate awards as the objects traverse a virtual surface shown on the overhead display. A stand-alone wagering game with a player-interactive feature game is also disclosed. Additionally disclosed is a web-based community game system wherein players may login, accumulate points, and redeem awards either online or at networked casino site.

Abstract: A method displays a number of symbol locations with a respective graphic symbol at each symbol location. Each symbol location may comprise an actual reel or simulated reel which is capable of displaying any one of a number of graphic symbols included in a group of presentation symbols. This group of presentation symbols includes a target symbol. In response to a first player input, each of the number of symbol locations is caused to conduct a respective symbol change process one or more times to change the graphic symbol included at each respective symbol location to a respective one of the graphic symbols included in the group of presentation symbols. The symbol locations all ultimately stop at the end of a game cycle to show a respective graphic symbol included in the group of presentation symbols, and an award may be presented to the player at the end of the game cycle depending upon the particular graphic symbols shown at the various symbol locations.

Abstract: A method includes operating a bingo player station in a first play mode in which the result for a respective bingo game play initiated through the bingo player station is assigned according to a first pattern list. In response to detecting a trigger event, the bingo player station is switched from the first play mode to a second play mode and then the bingo player station is operated in this second play mode. In the second play mode, the result for a respective bingo game play initiated through the bingo player station is assigned according to a second pattern list. The bingo player station is switched from the second play mode to the first play mode in response to a return event. Both the first pattern list and the second pattern list may share at least one result level and at least one common result indicator. However, the two pattern lists are different so that a given bingo pattern correlated to a prize in one of the pattern maps may correlate to a different prize or no prize in the other pattern map.

Abstract: A game, system, apparatus, and method are disclosed with an updatable prize result structure. The result structure having several first level result identifiers and an additional second level result. First level results are each associated with an expected number of plays per game. As with each first result level, the additional second result levels are each associated with a respective number of results per given number of plays. In contrast to first level results, the second level results correlate to a player or operator assigned value which may be modified during game play to change results provided in subsequent games.

Abstract: A gaming result system is provided with program products, methods, and apparatus to implement an updatable prize result structure. The result structure having several first level result identifiers and an additional second level result. First level results are each associated with an expected number of plays per game. As with each first result level, the additional second result levels are each associated with a respective number of results per given number of plays. In contrast to first level results, the second level results correlate to a game operator assigned value which may be modified during game play to change results provided in subsequent games.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed for presenting a game using multiple award distributions. An example embodiment includes operating a player station in a first play mode in which the result for a respective game play initiated through the player station is assigned according to a first award distribution. In response to a trigger event, the result for a respective game play initiated through the player station is assigned according to a second award distribution. The player station is switched from the second play mode to the first play mode in response to a return event. Another disclosed aspect includes correlating a game result of a first game to a second game and providing a game presentation of the second game to a player.

Abstract: A method includes displaying playing card face representations at an electronic player station. The displayed playing card face representations include card face representations that are included in a group of card face representations that has been assigned to the player in response to a bingo pattern achieved by the player in a bingo game. The player may then select one or more of the displayed card face representations to be replaced with one or more card face representations that are also included in the assigned group but have been concealed from the player. A prize is ultimately awarded to the player based on the card face representations remaining in the player's hand after replacement of the selected card face representations. This prize represents the player's prize for achieving the bingo patter, but is based on the player's card hand produced after the player makes their selections and replaces the desired cards.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a first game play request at a bingo player station when the bingo player station is in a first game state and assigning a result for the first game play request according to a first pattern table. The first game state corresponds to a first result indicator state displayed by the bingo player station, and the first pattern table includes a number of first result levels with each first result level corresponding to a respective set of one or more bingo patterns and to one or more first result symbols. The method further includes placing the bingo player station in a second game state responsive to an aspect of the result assigned for the first game play request. The second game state corresponds to a second result indicator state that is graphically different from the first result indicator state.

Abstract: A result level structure includes a number of first result levels and a second result level. Each first result level correlates a respective result level identifier and a respective result value. Each first result level is also associated with a respective expected number of results per given number of plays in a game. At least one of the first result levels includes a nonzero result value and at least one of the first result levels includes a zero result value. As with each first result level, the second result level is associated with a respective expected number of results per given number of plays in the game. In contrast to the first result levels, however, the second result level correlates a respective result level identifier and a respective user definable result value field which may hold any suitable result value designated by a game operator. Thus, the second result level represents a user alterable result level.