Abstract: A method of controlling prize targets displayed during a play in a target interactive game includes receiving a total prize amount to be awarded for the play of the game and determining an expected target value for a respective record from a target sequence comprising a sequence of records. The method further includes selecting a target value for the respective record from a number of different available target values, where the selected target value comprises a value from among the number of different available target values that bears a predefined relationship to the expected target value. Once the target value is selected, the method includes selecting a target type correlated to the selected target value and then causing a prize target corresponding to the selected target type to be launched in the game.

Abstract: A gaming machine, system, method, and program product provide a new slot machine game in which a gaming meter or continuum displays advancement toward a highest state. The gaming continuum and includes a game activation display function that, based on a random selection associated with a wager activation, either partially fills the gaming continuum to provide a losing game outcome or totally fills the gaming continuum to provide a winning game outcome, the gaming continuum entering a decay state after each game outcome. The decay state includes displaying an advancing level of the gaming continuum decreasing toward a lowest state. If a wager activation occurs before the lowest state is reached, the instantaneous level of the continuum is used as the starting state of the subsequent game round.

Abstract: A gaming system, apparatus, and method are disclosed providing improvements to feature games played on slot machines or other gaming machines. A bonus symbol feature game selection is provided that determines multiple feature games to be made available for the player by a player selection. The games made available are determined at least in part based on the base game result. A wheel enhancement feature game is provided in which a wheel is modified with various types of persistent modifications selected by player picks. The enhancements accumulate until a wheel spin is achieved, building excitement with the player. Chances of achieving a wheel spin may also be altered by the persistent modifications.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a skill level input specifying a first skill level from a set of different skill levels, and in response to the skill level input, placing the gaming machine in a first state. Each respective skill level in the set of different skill levels is correlated to a different respective proportion between a player skill-dependent component and random component of the wagering game. Thus placing the gaming machine in the first state has the effect of setting that skill-dependent to random proportion to a desired value. After placing the gaming machine in the first state, the method includes receiving player inputs for which a prize may ultimately be awarded. This prize is determined by (i) any player inputs included in the player input set for the player skill-dependent component and (ii) the random component in an award proportion based on the desired value.

Abstract: A gaming system, apparatus, and method are disclosed providing a wagering games, gaming machines, networked gaming systems that provide a persistent gaming mode including a persistent game mode with multiple rounds in which each round includes a randomization of the matrix of symbol locations, a chance to win an award, and a chance to include a persistent feature event. An adjustable meter may be used to allow players to compete for the same bonuses or jackpots no matter what their bet level. A rolling meter shows special features scheduled to appear in future rounds using a rolling group of status indicators. A persistent game mode control process sets the frequency of scheduled special features and adjusts reel weights to achieve a desired payout.