Method for providing a feature game
A method of providing a feature game using a primary game outcome, comprising: evaluating a primary game outcome according to feature game rules, and when the primary game outcome comprises a feature-point-awarding outcome, modifying a total feature point value. The total feature point value is compared to a target range of values and a feature prize is awarded if the total feature point value is comprised in the target range of values.
Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:
It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTAn embodiment of the present invention provides a method of providing a feature game using a primary game outcome, comprising: evaluating a primary game outcome according to feature game rules, and when the primary game outcome comprises a feature-point-awarding outcome, modifying a total feature point value. The total feature point value is compared to a target range of values and a feature prize is awarded if the total feature point value is comprised in the target range of values.
Another embodiment of the present invention provides a gaming machine comprising: evaluating means for evaluating a primary game outcome according to feature game rules; storing means for storing a total feature point value and a target range of values; modifying means for modifying said feature point value; controlling means for controlling said feature game, comprising monitoring whether said total feature point value is comprised in said target range of values; and awarding means for awarding a feature prize.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a computer program, embodied on a computer readable medium or in processor-readable memory, or carried on an electrical or electromagnetic carrier signal, having codes adapted to: evaluate a primary game outcome according to feature game rules; modify a total feature point value when said primary game outcome comprises a feature-point-awarding outcome; compare said total feature point value to a target range of values; and award a feature prize if said total feature point value is comprised in said target range of values.
Another embodiment of the present invention is carried out on a gaming machine, as illustrated in
Such a gaming machine 10 is designed, as shown on
In other embodiments, the present invention may also be implemented on a computer program, or at a remote terminal, the game information (not shown) being distributed via a network, such as linked machines or the Internet, or broadcasted using an electrical or electro-magnetic signal.
An embodiment of the present invention describes a feature game wherein the player accumulates feature points awarded based on primary game outcomes in the objective of reaching a value included in at least one target range of values in a feature game.
In another embodiment, illustrated on
A feature-point-awarding outcome can consist in a predetermined combination of indicia, either awarding a prize in the primary game or not. Examples of a predetermined combination of indicia awarding a prize in the primary game would be a winning hand in a poker game, or a winning pattern in a bingo game, while examples of a predetermined winning combination awarding no prize in the primary game, would be to award feature points for a push in a Blackjack game or a line of similar, but not all identical, symbols (such as “all fruits”) in a line game. Another embodiment of feature-point-awarding outcome is to obtain predetermined special indicia, like a special symbol in a line game, a “marked” card in a poker or blackjack game, or getting a special ball in a bingo, lotto or keno game.
The number of feature points to award may be linked to the value of the prize-awarding outcome (for example a Royal Flush would award more feature points than a pair in a poker game) or totally independent of it. Also, the number of feature points may be predetermined or randomly determined upon occurrence of a feature-point-awarding outcome. In the case of a random determination, a weight may be added in such a way that a hard to obtain feature-point-awarding outcome would, in average, award a more advantageous number of feature points (according to the size, number and even distance of the target ranges of values) than an easy to get feature-point-awarding outcome.
The total feature point value is modified by applying a mathematical operation (such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division) or logical operation (such as and, or, >, <, etc.) using the feature points awarded upon occurrence of a feature-point-awarding outcome. Thus, the total feature point value may be lower or higher than its original value after the feature points have been used to modify it.
Another embodiment, for which steps are shown in
In an example of the embodiment of
In another embodiment, the feature points and target ranges of values are shared by a plurality of players playing on linked machines, whether they form a bank or they are in different sites. Accordingly, the feature points and the target ranges of values are kept on a server or network controller. Each time a player obtains a feature-point-awarding outcome, the awarded feature points are added to the network feature point counter. The player awarded the feature points that achieve a target range of values receives the prize associated with the achieved target range of values. In another embodiment, the achievement of a target range of values is a trigger to select at least one feature winner using a random process or any other winner determination, such as providing a tournament, comparing an individual feature point counter, or providing a bonus game to some or all players playing on the linked machines.
The feature points may be associated to a machine, to a bank, to a network or to a player. Accordingly, if the feature points are associated to a machine or a bank or a network, the feature points are stored on the machine, by a bank controller or by a server, regardless of the person playing on the machine. On the other hand, if the feature points belong to a player, the feature points are stored on a player card, any removable memory medium or on a server, associated with the player identification, allowing the player to retrieve his feature points whenever he plays on a machine offering an embodiment of the present invention. Also, the target ranges of values may be associated to a machine, to a bank, to a network or to a player and information about them are stored accordingly.
A prize associated with the achievement of a target range of values may be, but is not limited to, money, credits, comps, access to a bonus, free spins, tickets to participate in a draw, an instant prize like jewels, cars, etc. If the prize is money or credits, the prize may be calculated in the pay table or come from a progressive jackpot account, the percentage awarded to the player depending on the achieved target range of values. In an example of such an embodiment, the player is provided with three (3) target ranges of values, each awarding a percentage of the progressive jackpot. The hardest to achieve awards ten percent (10%) of the progressive jackpot, the second five percent (5%) and the easiest two percent (2%).
While illustrated in the block diagrams as groups of discrete components communicating with each other via distinct data signal connections, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the preferred embodiments are provided by a combination of hardware and software components, with some components being implemented by a given function or operation of a hardware or software system, and many of the data paths illustrated being implemented by data communication within a computer application or operating system. The structure illustrated is thus provided for efficiency of teaching the present preferred embodiment.
It should be noted that the present invention can be carried out as a method, can be embodied in a system, a computer readable medium, processor-readable memory or an electrical or electromagnetic signal.
The embodiments of the invention described above are intended to be exemplary only. The scope of the invention is therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A method of providing a feature game using a primary game outcome, comprising:
- evaluating said primary game outcome according to feature game rules;
- when said primary game outcome comprises a feature-point-awarding outcome, modifying a total feature point value;
- comparing said total feature point value to a range of values; and
- awarding a feature prize if said total feature point value is comprised in a target range of values.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a target range of values.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising resetting said total feature point value to an initial value.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising at least one of a) determining a target range of values and b) resetting said total feature point value to an initial value, if said total feature point value exceeds said target range of values.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of modifying a total feature point value comprises applying a mathematical or logical operation using a feature point.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of applying a mathematical or logical operation comprises using one or more feature points.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of awarding a feature prize comprises at least one of a) determining at a target range of values and b) resetting said total feature point value to an initial value.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein a feature-point-awarding outcome comprises one of a) a predetermined combination of indicia and b) a predetermined indicia.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein said predetermined combination of indicia comprises a winning combination in said primary game.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of adding a feature point to said total feature point value comprises determining a number of feature points.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the number of feature points is determined based at least in part on said feature-point-awarding outcome.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein the number of feature points is randomly determined.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the number of feature points is determined based at least in part on said feature-point-awarding outcome.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the number of feature points is determined based at least in part on the number of feature points separating at least one target range of values from said total feature point value.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein said total feature point value is compared to a single target range of values.
16. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
- receiving a bet;
- determining a bet level; and
- selecting a set of target ranges of values according to said bet level.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein said feature prize comprises at least one of a) money, b) credits, c) a feature, d) a material prize, e) a rebate certificate, and f) a chance to win a prize.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein said feature prize corresponds to a percentage of a progressive jackpot.
19. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of a) said total feature point value, b) said target range of values and c) said set of target ranges of values, is shared by a plurality of gaming machines.
20. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of a) said total feature point value, b) said target range of values and c) said set of target ranges of values, is associated with a player.
21. The method of claim 20 wherein the at least one of a) said total feature point value, b)said target range of values and c) said set of target ranges of values, is stored on a removable memory medium.
22. A gaming machine comprising:
- evaluating means for evaluating a primary game outcome according to feature game rules;
- storing means for storing a total feature point value and a target range of values;
- modifying means for modifying said feature point value;
- controlling means for controlling said feature game, comprising monitoring whether said total feature point value is comprised in said target range of values; and
- awarding means for awarding a feature prize.
23. The gaming machine of claim 22, wherein said controlling means monitors whether said total feature point value exceeds said target range of values.
24. The gaming machine of claim 22, comprising at least one of:
- determining means for determining a target range of values; and
- resetting means for resetting said total feature point value to an initial value.
25. A computer program, embodied on a computer readable medium or in processor-readable memory, or carried on an electrical or electromagnetic carrier signal, having codes adapted to:
- evaluate a primary game outcome according to feature game rules;
- modify a total feature point value when said primary game outcome comprises a feature-point-awarding outcome;
- compare said total feature point value to a target range of values; and
- award a feature prize if said total feature point value is comprised in said target range of values.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 8, 2005
Publication Date: Dec 14, 2006
Inventors: Gerald Duhamel (Drummondville), Marie Gagnon (Drummondville), Martin Roy (Drummondville)
Application Number: 11/147,235
International Classification: A63F 9/24 (20060101);