Abstract: A gaming system includes a central server or controller operable to communicate a plurality of different commands to a plurality of gaming machines to provide non-tournament game play and to provide tournament game play on the same gaming machines.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a central server or controller operable to communicate a plurality of different commands to a plurality of gaming machines to provide non-tournament game play and to provide tournament game play on the same gaming machines.

Abstract: A gaming device system in which a plurality of gaming devices are linked by a common bonus event is provided. In one embodiment, the linked gaming device system includes a shared symbol generation display that is positioned adjacent to each of a plurality of associated gaming devices and has a plurality of sections and values displayed at each section. Upon a triggering of the bonus event, any player eligible to participate in the bonus may achieve an outcome generated from the bonus event including the shared display. When the shared display is activated, it simultaneously generates a separate or individual outcome associated with each of the gaming devices. The outcomes are spatially related to one another so that a random generation of an outcome associated with one gaming device automatically generates random outcomes associated with each gaming device. Each gaming device however receives the outcome only if it has participated in the random generation.

Abstract: A gaming device including a plurality of reels, where in an unlimited free spin mode, the gaming device causes at least one of the reels to lock or remain stationary when a locking symbol appears on that reel. At least one of the symbols on the reels is associated with each of the unlocked reels. The gaming device enables a player to pick at least one of the symbols associated with the unlocked reels to determine a modifier. The gaming device activates at least one of the unlocked reels for a number of additional free spins. Each time the selected symbol occurs on at least one of the reels, the gaming device changes or increments the value of the modifier. When there are no additional free spins remaining, the gaming device modifies any awards obtained by the player in the additional free spins by the modifier to provide the player with a modified award.

Abstract: In the game, instead of filling up an entire board as is done in the known Othello® game, a certain amount of moves are made by the game, such as two moves, while the player makes a same amount of moves. The game moves first, followed by the player. The moves flank or bound and convert at least one of the opposing chips to a chip belonging to the entity making the move. For example, upon a game move, at least one player chip is bounded or flanked by game chips and converted to a game chip. Likewise, upon a player move, at least one game chip is converted to a player chip. The game and player go back and forth in that manner until each of the game moves and player moves is exhausted. The player's remaining chips are assigned values that total to an award for the player.

Abstract: A gaming device including a plurality of elements and a plurality of element groups. Each of said elements is in at least two different element groups and the plurality of elements are associated with a plurality of outcomes, such as values. The gaming device also includes an element group generator that selects one of the element groups. Selection of an element group by the element group generator activates the elements in selected element group. In one embodiment, The element group generator may also select a multi-group activator that activates the elements in each of a plurality of element groups. The gaming device selects element groups until at least one element is activated a predetermined number of times wherein the predetermined number of times is at least two. The game provides an award to a player based on the outcome or value associated with the elements activated the predetermined number of times.

Abstract: A gaming device including a re-initiation mode wherein the probability of extending the bonus game is increased by fixing the reel or reels displaying a locking symbol on the reel. In the re-initiation mode embodiment, the gaming device re-activates some or all of the reels except the reel displaying the locking symbol for a predetermined number of additional free spins or until the reactivated reels display or indicate a terminating symbol on the reels. The gaming device provides any outcomes associated with indicated symbols or combination of symbols. In one embodiment, if a terminating symbol is displayed on designated reels during one of the additional free spins, the gaming device re-initiates the bonus game.

Abstract: A gaming device including a re-initiation mode wherein the probability of extending the bonus game is increased by fixing the reel or reels displaying a locking symbol on the reel. In the re-initiation mode embodiment, the gaming device re-activates some or all of the reels except the reel displaying the locking symbol for a predetermined number of additional free spins or until the reactivated reels display or indicate a terminating symbol on the reels. The gaming device provides any outcomes associated with indicated symbols or combination of symbols. In one embodiment, if a terminating symbol is displayed on designated reels during one of the additional free spins, the gaming device re-initiates the bonus game.

Abstract: A gaming device including an outcome or award event which is triggered from a base game when at least one positive modifier symbol and at least one award symbol are indicated on the reels. In the bonus game, the positive modifier symbol includes at least one positive modifier which increases a bonus award associated with the award symbol. A negative modifier symbol, if indicated on the reels, includes at least one negative modifier which reduces the bonus award associated with the award symbol. The positive modifiers and negative modifiers are applied to the award to provide a modified award to the player in the game.

Abstract: A gaming device system in which a plurality of gaming devices are linked by a common bonus event is provided. In one embodiment, the linked gaming device system includes a shared symbol generation display that is positioned adjacent to each of a plurality of associated gaming devices and has a plurality of sections and values displayed at each section. Upon a triggering of the bonus event, any player eligible to participate in the bonus may achieve an outcome generated from the bonus event including the shared display. When the shared display is activated, it simultaneously generates a separate or individual outcome associated with each of the gaming devices. The outcomes are spatially related to one another so that a random generation of an outcome associated with one gaming device automatically generates random outcomes associated with each gaming device. Each gaming device however receives the outcome only if it has participated in the random generation.

Abstract: A gaming device includes a symbol generator which includes a plurality of sections. Each of the sections is associated with a symbol. Upon a triggering event, the gaming device determines which symbol to indicate. The gaming device rotates or moves the symbol generator and stops rotating the symbol generator to indicate a first point on the symbol generator. The first point is located between the section associated with the determined symbol and another section adjacent to this section. The gaming device indicates the adjacent section at least once and indicates the section associated with the determined symbol at least once. In one embodiment, the gaming device oscillates the symbol generator back and forth to indicate one section and then the other section to tease the player. The gaming device stops moving or rotating the symbol generator to indicate the section associated with the determined symbol. The gaming device provides an outcome to a player based on the determined symbol.

Abstract: A gaming device system in which a plurality of gaming devices are linked by a common bonus event is provided. In one embodiment, the linked gaming device system includes a shared symbol generation display that is positioned adjacent to each of a plurality of associated gaming devices and has a plurality of sections and values displayed at each section. Upon a triggering of the bonus event, any player eligible to participate in the bonus may achieve an outcome generated from the bonus event including the shared display. When the shared display is activated, it simultaneously generates a separate or individual outcome associated with each of the gaming devices. The outcomes are spatially related to one another so that a random generation of an outcome associated with one gaming device automatically generates random outcomes associated with each gaming device. Each gaming device however receives the outcome only if it has participated in the random generation.

Abstract: A gaming device including a re-initiation mode wherein the probability of extending the bonus game is increased by fixing the reel or reels displaying a locking symbol on the reel. In the re-initiation mode embodiment, the gaming device re-activates some or all of the reels except the reel displaying the locking symbol for a predetermined number of additional free spins or until the reactivated reels display or indicate a terminating symbol on the reels. The gaming device provides any outcomes associated with indicated symbols or combination of symbols. In one embodiment, if a terminating symbol is displayed on designated reels during one of the additional free spins, the gaming device re-initiates the bonus game.

Abstract: A gaming device system in which a plurality of gaming devices are linked by a common bonus event is provided. In one embodiment, the linked gaming device system includes a shared symbol generation display that is positioned adjacent to each of a plurality of associated gaming devices and has a plurality of sections and values displayed at each section. Upon a triggering of the bonus event, any player eligible to participate in the bonus may achieve an outcome generated from the bonus event including the shared display. When the shared display is activated, it simultaneously generates a separate or individual outcome associated with each of the gaming devices. The outcomes are spatially related to one another so that a random generation of an outcome associated with one gaming device automatically generates random outcomes associated with each gaming device. Each gaming device however receives the outcome only if it has participated in the random generation.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a central server or controller operable to communicate a plurality of different commands to a plurality of gaming machines to provide non-tournament game play and to provide tournament game play on the same gaming machines.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a central server or controller operable to communicate a plurality of different commands to a plurality of gaming machines to provide non-tournament game play and to provide tournament game play on the same gaming machines.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a central server or controller operable to communicate a plurality of different commands to a plurality of gaming machines to provide non-tournament game play and to provide tournament game play on the same gaming machines.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a central server or controller operable to communicate a plurality of different commands to a plurality of gaming machines to provide non-tournament game play and to provide tournament game play on the same gaming machines.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a central server or controller operable to communicate a plurality of different commands to a plurality of gaming machines to provide non-tournament game play and to provide tournament game play on the same gaming machines.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a central server or controller operable to communicate a plurality of different commands to a plurality of gaming machines to provide non-tournament game play and to provide tournament game play on the same gaming machines.