Abstract: According to some implementations, when a triggering symbol lands in a defined area of a slot game display during an instance of a base game, there is a chance that the triggering symbol may change to a new symbol. If so, the new symbol may be held in the defined area and may persist during one or more additional purchased base game instances. The new symbol may persist if at least one additional triggering symbol lands in the defined area in subsequent bought games. Each additional triggering symbol may automatically change to a new symbol as the additional triggering symbol lands in the defined area of the slot game display. Whether the triggering symbol will change to a new symbol may involve a random component. In some examples, the greater the number of triggering symbols, the greater the probability the triggering symbol will change to the new symbol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to gaming machines, systems and methods of gaming. There are a number of different ways available for determining an award by current gaming machines and systems. In this embodiment, a game controller is arranged to determine an award depending on the number of columns spanned by a cluster of symbols and the number of symbol positions in the cluster.

Abstract: A gaming machine having a display and a user interface. At least one symbol is spun up on each of a plurality of spinning reels and displayed on the display to form outcomes. If a particular outcome occurs, the gaming machine awards an award. Each reel has an associated set of symbols. The display also displays a plurality of game options, each game option designating a respective number of free games that are each associated with a designated multiplier. A game controller (a) receives an input choosing one of the options; and (b) sequentially plays each of the number of free games according to the chosen game option. If an award is payable as a result of playing the number of free games, that award is modified by the designated multiplier associated with the respective number of free games for the chosen game option.

Abstract: A gaming method including conducting a first game at a first gaming device for a first player; conducting a second game at a second gaming device for a second player; modifying play of the first game based on play of the second game; and modifying play of the second game based on play of the first game.

Abstract: The present invention relates to gaming machines, systems and methods of gaming. There are a number of different ways available for determining an award by current gaming machines and systems. In this embodiment, a game controller is arranged to determine an award depending on the number of columns spanned by a cluster of symbols and the number of symbol positions in the cluster.

Abstract: According to some implementations, when a triggering symbol lands in a defined area of a slot game display during an instance of a base game, there is a chance that the triggering symbol may change to a new symbol. If so, the new symbol may be held in the defined area and may persist during one or more additional purchased base game instances. The new symbol may persist if at least one additional triggering symbol lands in the defined area in subsequent bought games. Each additional triggering symbol may automatically change to a new symbol as the additional triggering symbol lands in the defined area of the slot game display. Whether the triggering symbol will change to a new symbol may involve a random component. In some examples, the greater the number of triggering symbols, the greater the probability the triggering symbol will change to the new symbol.

Abstract: The disclosed technology describes various embodiments for providing a non-standard progressive jackpot mechanic, which can be used to control an electronic gaming machine (“EGM”). Certain embodiments, for example, comprise inputting wager data identifying a wager selected by a player of a reel game offered by the EGM, wherein the reel game includes one or more progressive jackpot awards; and in response to the inputting, computing updated values of the one or more progressive jackpot awards, wherein the updated values are computed based at least in part on a multiplier value that alters a first set of the one or more progressive jackpot awards into a second set of the one or more progressive jackpot awards different than the first set.

Abstract: A gaming method including conducting a first game at a first gaming device for a first player; conducting a second game at a second gaming device for a second player; modifying play of the first game based on play of the second game; and modifying play of the second game based on play of the first game.

Abstract: After determining that a player has won a base game, an electronic gaming machine may award one or more free instances of a game as a bonus game or a round of bonus games. If the EGM determines that a player has won a bonus game, the EGM may present a bonus wheel. The bonus wheel may be partitioned into segments, one of which corresponds to a top-level progressive award. Other segments may correspond to multipliers of an amount won in the bonus game. A player may have a chance to win the top-level progressive award during each spin of the bonus wheel, even if the player has already won the top-level progressive award during a prior spin of the bonus wheel during the same round of bonus games. The bonus wheel may be a “weighted” wheel.

Abstract: A gaming machine may be configured for supporting games that include use of pay modalities, which are overlaid on selected symbols. The gaming machine includes a credit input mechanism configured for establishing a credit balance that is increasable and decreasable based on wagering activities, a display having a plurality of display positions, and a game controller to select a plurality of symbols, to cause the display to display the selected symbols, to determine if the selected symbols associated with at least one of one or more predetermined reels of the plurality of reels include a special symbol, and if so, to determine one or more special values associated with the special symbol, and to overlay a particular one of the one or more special values on each displayed instance of the special symbol. The game controller determines a payout based on assigned special values associated with the displayed special symbol.

Abstract: The disclosed technology describes various embodiments for providing a non-standard progressive jackpot mechanic, which can be used to control an electronic gaming machine (“EGM”). Certain embodiments, for example, comprise inputting wager data identifying a wager selected by a player of a reel game offered by the EGM, wherein the reel game includes one or more progressive jackpot awards; and in response to the inputting, computing updated values of the one or more progressive jackpot awards, wherein the updated values are computed based at least in part on a multiplier value that alters a first set of the one or more progressive jackpot awards into a second set of the one or more progressive jackpot awards different than the first set.

Abstract: After determining that a player has won a base game, an electronic gaming machine may award one or more free instances of a game as a bonus game or a round of bonus games. If the EGM determines that a player has won a bonus game, the EGM may present a bonus wheel. The bonus wheel may be partitioned into segments, one of which corresponds to a top-level progressive award. Other segments may correspond to multipliers of an amount won in the bonus game. A player may have a chance to win the top-level progressive award during each spin of the bonus wheel, even if the player has already won the top-level progressive award during a prior spin of the bonus wheel during the same round of bonus games. The bonus wheel may be a “weighted” wheel.

Abstract: A gaming machine may be configured for supporting games that include use of pay modalities, which are overlaid on selected symbols. The gaming machine includes a credit input mechanism configured for establishing a credit balance that is increasable and decreasable based on wagering activities, a display having a plurality of display positions, and a game controller to select a plurality of symbols, to cause the display to display the selected symbols, to determine if the selected symbols associated with at least one of one or more predetermined reels of the plurality of reels include a special symbol, and if so, to determine one or more special values associated with the special symbol, and to overlay a particular one of the one or more special values on each displayed instance of the special symbol. The game controller determines a payout based on assigned special values associated with the displayed special symbol.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for electronic gaming are disclosed. The method includes generating a plurality of reel strips that each include a column of symbol display positions, where each symbol display position includes a symbol, and evaluating each of the symbols in the symbol display positions. The method also includes determining that at least one of the symbols corresponds to a first in-game event, where the first in-game event is associated with a first value, and adding the first value associated with the first in-game event to a first progressive jackpot.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for electronic gaming are disclosed. The method includes generating a plurality of reel strips that each include a column of symbol display positions, where each symbol display position includes a symbol, and evaluating each of the symbols in the symbol display positions. The method also includes determining that at least one of the symbols corresponds to a first in-game event, where the first in-game event is associated with a first value, and adding the first value associated with the first in-game event to a first progressive jackpot.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for electronic gaming are disclosed. In a first aspect, a method of electronic gaming includes initiating, in response to an initial wager, a primary game, selecting, in response to the initiating the primary game, a plurality of primary game symbols, and displaying the plurality of primary game symbols in a plurality of symbol display positions associated with a plurality of reel strips. The method may further include initiating, in response to the initial wager, a jackpot game, selecting, in response to initiating the jackpot game, a jackpot game symbol from a plurality of jackpot game symbols, displaying the jackpot game symbol in a symbol display position associated with a single reel strip, and determining a jackpot award based upon the jackpot game symbol.

Abstract: After determining that a player has won a base game, an electronic gaming machine may award one or more free instances of a game as a bonus game or a round of bonus games. If the EGM determines that a player has won a bonus game, the EGM may present a bonus wheel. The bonus wheel may be partitioned into segments, one of which corresponds to a top-level progressive award. Other segments may correspond to multipliers of an amount won in the bonus game. A player may have a chance to win the top-level progressive award during each spin of the bonus wheel, even if the player has already won the top-level progressive award during a prior spin of the bonus wheel during the same round of bonus games. The bonus wheel may be a “weighted” wheel.

Abstract: Described herein is a gaming machine and, a method of gaming thereon, comprising: a symbol selector for selecting a plurality of symbols from a set of symbols during play of a game, the set of symbols including a plurality of function symbols; a display having at least a game area, the selected symbols being displayed in said game area; an outcome evaluator for determining that at least one predefined triggering criterion is satisfied; and a game area expander for expanding said game area in response to said at least one predefined triggering criterion being satisfied, such that at least one additional symbol of the set of symbols is displayed in an expanded game area.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for electronic gaming are disclosed. In a first aspect, a method of electronic gaming includes initiating, in response to an initial wager, a primary game, selecting, in response to the initiating the primary game, a plurality of primary game symbols, and displaying the plurality of primary game symbols in a plurality of symbol display positions associated with a plurality of reel strips. The method may further include initiating, in response to the initial wager, a jackpot game, selecting, in response to initiating the jackpot game, a jackpot game symbol from a plurality of jackpot game symbols, displaying the jackpot game symbol in a symbol display position associated with a single reel strip, and determining a jackpot award based upon the jackpot game symbol.

Abstract: Described herein is a gaming machine and, a method of gaming thereon, comprising: a symbol selector for selecting a plurality of symbols from a set of symbols during play of a game, the set of symbols including a plurality of function symbols; a display having at least a game area, the selected symbols being displayed in said game area; an outcome evaluator for determining that at least one predefined triggering criterion is satisfied; and a game area expander for expanding said game area in response to said at least one predefined triggering criterion being satisfied, such that at least one additional symbol of the set of symbols is displayed in an expanded game area.