Abstract: A method includes displaying a first level game symbol array and a second level game symbol array through a display system of a reel-type gaming machine. The first level game symbol array is produced by populating at least some game symbol locations included in an initial array of game symbol locations. Any such populated location may be populated with a first trigger symbol including a representation of a single-symbol reel. The second level game symbol array is displayed by, for each respective game symbol location populated with the first trigger symbol in the first level game symbol array, conducting a respective single-symbol reel spin simulation of the representation of the single-symbol reel. A bonus play is displayed through the gaming machine at least in part in response to a predefined number of second trigger symbols being included in the second level game symbol array.

Abstract: A method includes displaying a first level game symbol array and a second level game symbol array through a display system of a reel-type gaming machine. The first level game symbol array is produced by populating at least some game symbol locations included in an initial array of game symbol locations. Any such populated location may be populated with a first trigger symbol including a representation of a single-symbol reel. The second level game symbol array is displayed by, for each respective game symbol location populated with the first trigger symbol in the first level game symbol array, conducting a respective single-symbol reel spin simulation of the representation of the single-symbol reel. A bonus play is displayed through the gaming machine at least in part in response to a predefined number of second trigger symbols being included in the second level game symbol array.

Abstract: A method includes displaying a first level game symbol array and a second level game symbol array through a display system of a reel-type gaming machine. The first level game symbol array is produced by populating at least some game symbol locations included in an initial array of game symbol locations. Any such populated location may be populated with a first trigger symbol including a representation of a single-symbol reel. The second level game symbol array is displayed by, for each respective game symbol location populated with the first trigger symbol in the first level game symbol array, conducting a respective single-symbol reel spin simulation of the representation of the single-symbol reel. A bonus play is displayed through the gaming machine at least in part in response to a predefined number of second trigger symbols being included in the second level game symbol array.

Abstract: A gaming system includes multiple second gaming machines, a shared display arrangement located in a viewable position relative to the different gaming machines, and a shared display server. Each gaming machine is operable to cause its gaming machine display system to display a first portion of a game play in response to a play initiating input entered through that gaming machine's player input system. Each gaming machine is also operable to initiate a hand-off communication for a given game play in response to a hand-off condition occurring for that game play. The shared display server receives the hand-off communication for a respective game play and supplies control signals to the shared display arrangement. The shared display server functions to, after receipt of a respective hand-off communication for a given game play, cause the shared display arrangement to display a presentation for a second portion of the respective game play.

Abstract: A method includes displaying a first level game symbol array and a second level game symbol array through a display system of a reel-type gaming machine. The first level game symbol array is produced by populating at least some game symbol locations included in an initial array of game symbol locations. Any such populated location may be populated with a first trigger symbol including a representation of a single-symbol reel. The second level game symbol array is displayed by, for each respective game symbol location populated with the first trigger symbol in the first level game symbol array, conducting a respective single-symbol reel spin simulation of the representation of the single-symbol reel. A bonus play is displayed through the gaming machine at least in part in response to a predefined number of second trigger symbols being included in the second level game symbol array.

Abstract: A gaming system includes multiple second gaming machines, a shared display arrangement located in a viewable position relative to the different gaming machines, and a shared display server. Each gaming machine is operable to cause its gaming machine display system to display a first portion of a game play in response to a play initiating input entered through that gaming machine's player input system. Each gaming machine is also operable to initiate a hand-off communication for a given game play in response to a hand-off condition occurring for that game play. The shared display server receives the hand-off communication for a respective game play and supplies control signals to the shared display arrangement. The shared display server functions to, after receipt of a respective hand-off communication for a given game play, cause the shared display arrangement to display a presentation for a second portion of the respective game play.

Abstract: A gaming system having a game outcome generator separate from a gaming device, where the gaming device is wirelessly connected to the game outcome generator and, upon a game play request from a player, generates a request for a game play result. The game outcome generator generates a specific game outcome (won amount if the game play is a winning result, or a no-win, 0-value result) and sends it back to the gaming device. The gaming device uses the predetermined result to mimic or simulate a skill based game. The skill based game is designed to play just like an actual skill based game, which may result in poor players not getting the game to a state that has an equivalent value as that which is supposed to be awarded (equal to the predetermined game play). Each game includes a final game event, consistent with the game just played, which enables the game to make up any difference between the actual result of the skill based and the predetermined amount.

Abstract: Techniques are described for providing group play bonus events with multiple game devices. A group play bonus event is initiated based in part on the occurrence of a group play bonus event trigger. End users of game devices participate in an initiated group play bonus event if the end users qualify to participate in the group play bonus event at the time of the occurrence of the group play bonus event trigger. In some situations, group play bonus events are initiated by the occurrence of a randomly generated group play bonus event trigger.

Abstract: A gaming machine is configured to selectively provide instances of a primary game and instances of a secondary game. Instances of the secondary game may be provided based at least on outcomes of primary games. The gaming machine may provide instances of the secondary game based at least on a number of secondary game credits. The number of secondary game credits may be associated with a player of the gaming machine. The number of secondary game credits may be awarded to a player of the gaming machine based at least on an outcome of the primary game and/or an outcome of the secondary game. The gaming machine may provide instances of the secondary game based at least on a number of available secondary game credits. The number of available secondary game credits may be based at least on a number of secondary game credits and/or a number of other credits.

Abstract: A gaming system having a game outcome generator separate from a gaming machine, where the gaming machine is operably connected to the game outcome generator and, upon a game play request from a player, generates a request for a game play result. The game outcome generator generates a specific game outcome (won amount if the game play is a winning result, or a no-win, o-value result) and sends it back to the gaming machine. The gaming machine uses the predetermined result to mimic or simulate a skill based game. The skill based game is designed to play just like an actual skill based game, which may result in poor players not getting the game to a state that has an equivalent value as that which is supposed to be awarded (equal to the predetermined game play). Each game includes a final game event, consistent with the game just played, which enables the game to make up any difference between the actual result of the skill based and the predetermined amount.

Abstract: A gaming system having a game outcome generator separate from a gaming device, where the gaming device is wirelessly connected to the game outcome generator and, upon a game play request from a player, generates a request for a game play result. The game outcome generator generates a specific game outcome (won amount if the game play is a winning result, or a no-win, 0-value result) and sends it back to the gaming device. The gaming device uses the predetermined result to mimic or simulate a skill based game. The skill based game is designed to play just like an actual skill based game, which may result in poor players not getting the game to a state that has an equivalent value as that which is supposed to be awarded (equal to the predetermined game play). Each game includes a final game event, consistent with the game just played, which enables the game to make up any difference between the actual result of the skill based and the predetermined amount.

Abstract: A method and gaming machine are disclosed for operating a game with a primary and embedded game. An embedded game is disclosed as a bonus game with one embodiment animating miniature reels inside the primary game symbol. Each embedded slot game may have its own progressive, or may be tied into the progress associated with the primary game. Each embedded slot game will have its own paytable, and may be a miniature version of a well-recognized full-sized slot game.

Abstract: A gaming machine is configured to selectively provide instances of a primary game and instances of a secondary game. Instances of the secondary game may be provided based at least on outcomes of primary games. The gaming machine may provide instances of the secondary game based at least on a number of secondary game credits. The number of secondary game credits may be associated with a player of the gaming machine. The number of secondary game credits may be awarded to a player of the gaming machine based at least on an outcome of the primary game and/or an outcome of the secondary game. The gaming machine may provide instances of the secondary game based at least on a number of available secondary game credits. The number of available secondary game credits may be based at least on a number of secondary game credits and/or a number of other credits.

Abstract: A method and gaming machine are disclosed for operating a game with a primary and embedded game. An embedded game is disclosed as a bonus game with one embodiment animating miniature reels inside the primary game symbol. Each embedded slot game may have its own progressive, or may be tied into the progress associated with the primary game. Each embedded slot game will have its own paytable, and may be a miniature version of a well-recognized full-sized slot game.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new bonus game for reel-based slot machines. The bonus game is an embedded slot game, with one embodiment animating miniature reels inside the primary game symbol. Each embedded slot game may have its own progressive, or may be tied into the progress associated with the primary game. Each embedded slot game will have its own paytable, and may be a miniature version of a well-recognized full-sized slot game.

Abstract: Techniques are describe for providing group play events with multiple game devices. Group play events are triggered by any game device that qualifies to participate, so that when any qualifying game device triggers a group play event, all qualifying game devices participate in the group play event. In some situations, a probability for triggering a group play event is adjusted to accommodate for a dynamically changing number of game devices that qualify over time.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a new bonus game for use with primary games of chance (reels, poker, keno, bingo, etc.). The bonus game uses a plurality of elements comprising both “good” and “bad” elements. The “bad” elements count towards an end-game condition, and are called end-game elements. The “good” elements do not contribute to ending the bonus game. When enough end-game elements are collected, selected, etc., the bonus game ends.