GAMING SYSTEM AND A METHOD OF GAMING

Abstract

An example gaming system includes a plurality of gaming devices. The gaming devices interconnected within the gaming system in such a manner that, when a first award is made in respect of one of the gaming devices, the gaming system conducts an independent determination for each eligible gaming device of the one or more other gaming devices of the plurality of gaming devices to determine whether to provide a corresponding award to one or more eligible gaming devices.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application relates to and claims the benefit of priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2009904181, filed on Aug. 28, 2009, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a gaming system and a method of gaming.

BACKGROUND

In some gaming systems, a player of an individual gaming machine can qualify to play a bonus game conducted by another gaming apparatus. For example, a particular gaming outcome may entitle the player to the bonus game.

In other gaming systems a plurality of players may qualify to play a bonus game where players compete against one another, with one or more players receiving an award based on their placing in the bonus game.

While such gaming systems provide players with enjoyment, a need exists for alternative gaming systems in order to maintain or increase player enjoyment.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, the invention provides a gaming system including a plurality of gaming devices, the gaming devices interconnected within the gaming system in such a manner that when a first award is made in respect of one of the gaming devices, the gaming system conducts an independent determination for each eligible gaming device of the one or more other gaming devices of the plurality of gaming devices to determine whether to provide a corresponding award to one or more eligible gaming devices.

In an embodiment, conducting an independent determination includes determining whether to award a qualifying game to each gaming device, conducting the qualifying game for each gaming device to which the qualifying game is awarded and awarding the corresponding award for a winning outcome of the qualifying game.

In an embodiment, each eligible gaming device is arranged to conduct the qualifying game.

In an embodiment, the qualifying game is a chance game where there are designated odds of the corresponding award being awarded.

In an embodiment, each gaming device is arranged to determine whether to make the first award.

In an embodiment, the gaming system includes a controller, each gaming device in data communication with the controller such that the gaming devices are interconnected by being connected to the controller.

In an embodiment, the controller determines whether to award each qualifying game.

In an embodiment, the controller is arranged to determine which of the plurality of gaming devices are eligible.

In an embodiment, the corresponding award is equivalent to the first award.

In an embodiment, the first award is an award of a number of free game events.

In an embodiment, the determination as to whether to award a qualifying game to each gaming device is random such that the number of gaming devices in respect of which a qualifying game is conducted is random.

In an embodiment, every active gaming device is eligible.

In an embodiment, a gaming device is eligible if a designated wager has been placed.

In an embodiment, the controller includes a participation module which determines which gaming devices will be awarded a qualifying game.

In an embodiment, each gaming device includes a qualifying game generator for generating a qualifying game outcome.

In an embodiment, each gaming device includes a qualifying outcome evaluator for evaluating a qualifying game outcome.

In an embodiment, each gaming device includes a feature game generator for generating a feature game outcome and a feature game outcome evaluator for evaluating the feature game to determine whether to make an award.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a method of gaming in a gaming system including:

making a first award in respect of one of a plurality of interconnected gaming devices; and

determining in response to making the first award, whether to provide a corresponding award to one or more other gaming devices of the plurality of gaming devices by conducting an independent determination in respect of each eligible gaming device of the other gaming devices as to whether to provide the corresponding award to the respective eligible gaming device.

In an embodiment, conducting an independent determination includes determining whether to award a qualifying game to each gaming device, conducting the qualifying game for each gaming device to which the qualifying game is awarded and awarding the corresponding award for a winning outcome of the qualifying game.

In an embodiment, the qualifying game is a chance game where there are designated odds of the corresponding award being awarded.

In an embodiment, the corresponding award is equivalent to the first award.

In an embodiment, the first award is an award of a number of free game events.

In an embodiment, the determination as to whether to award a qualifying game to each gaming device is random such that the number of gaming devices in respect of which a qualifying game is conducted is random.

In an embodiment, every active gaming device is eligible.

In an embodiment, a gaming device is eligible if a designated wager has been placed.

In a third aspect, the invention provides a gaming system including:

means for making a first award at one of a plurality of interconnected gaming devices; and

means for determining in response to making the first award, whether to provide a corresponding award to one or more other gaming devices of the plurality of gaming devices by conducting an independent determination in respect of each eligible gaming device of the other gaming devices as to whether to provide the corresponding award to the respective eligible gaming device.

In a fourth aspect, the invention provides a gaming device for operation as one of a plurality of gaming devices of a gaming system, the gaming device arranged in such a manner that when a first award is made in respect of the gaming device, the gaming device causes the gaming system to conduct an independent determination for each eligible gaming device of the one or more other gaming devices of the plurality of gaming devices to determine whether to provide a corresponding award to each respective eligible gaming device.

In an embodiment, the gaming device is further arranged to provide a corresponding award in response to a determination by the gaming system to provide a corresponding award caused by an award being made on another one of the gaming devices.

In a fifth aspect, the invention provides computer program code which when executed implements the above method.

In a sixth aspect, the invention provides a computer readable storage medium including the program code.

In a seventh aspect, the invention includes transmitting the program code.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Certain exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a gaming system with a linked game controller;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a stand alone gaming machine;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the functional components of a gaming machine;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the functional components of a memory;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a network gaming system;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a linked game controller;

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of a linked game controller;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an embodiment; and

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of a gaming device in the form of a standalone gaming machine.

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, certain embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although the following discloses example methods, systems, articles of manufacture, and apparatus including, among other components, software executed on hardware, it should be noted that such methods and apparatus are merely illustrative and should not be considered as limiting. For example, it is contemplated that any or all of these hardware and software components could be embodied exclusively in hardware, exclusively in software, exclusively in firmware, or in any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Accordingly, while the following describes example methods, systems, articles of manufacture, and apparatus, the examples provided are not the only way to implement such methods, systems, articles of manufacture, and apparatus.

When any of the appended claims are read to cover a purely software and/or firmware implementation, at least one of the elements in an at least one example is hereby expressly defined to include a tangible medium such as a memory, DVD, CD, Blu-ray, etc., storing the software and/or firmware.

Overview of Exemplary Gaming System

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary gaming system 1 where a linked game controller 150 is in data communication over a network 2, such as an Ethernet, with a bank of five gaming devices in the form of standalone gaming machines 10. When a first award is made in respect of one of the gaming machines, for example an award of 10 free games at the gaming device, the gaming system determines whether to make a corresponding award, for example, an award of 10 free games, in respect of the other gaming devices. In an embodiment, the linked game controller 150 determines for each eligible gaming device whether a qualifying game should be awarded and the qualifying game is conducted to determine whether to make the award. In an embodiment, the qualifying game is conducted at the gaming device.

Gaming Devices

Gaming devices capable of participating in the gaming system and method of gaming of the embodiment can take any suitable form including stand alone gaming machines and server based gaming terminals.

A gaming device in the form of a stand alone gaming machine 10 is illustrated in FIG. 2. The gaming machine 10 includes a console 12 having a display 14 on which are displayed representations of a game 16 that can be played by a player. A mid-trim 20 of the gaming machine 10 houses a bank of buttons 22 for enabling a player to interact with the gaming machine, in particular during game play. The mid-trim 20 also houses a credit input mechanism 24 which in this example includes a coin input chute 24A and a bill collector 24B. Other credit input mechanisms may also be employed, for example, a card reader for reading a smart card, debit card or credit card. Other gaming machines may be configured for ticket in that they have a ticket reader for reading tickets having a value and crediting the player based on the face value of the ticker. A player marketing module (not shown) having a reading device may also be provided for the purpose of reading a player tracking device, for example as part of a loyalty program. The player tracking device may be in the form of a card, flash drive or any other portable storage medium capable of being read by the reading device. In some embodiments, the player marketing module may provide an additional credit mechanism, either by transferring credits to the gaming machine from credits stored on the player tracking device or by transferring credits from a player account in data communication with the player marketing module.

A top box 26 may carry artwork 28, including for example pay tables and details of bonus awards and other information or images relating to the game. Further artwork and/or information may be provided on a front panel 29 of the console 12. A coin tray 30 is mounted beneath the front panel 29 for dispensing cash payouts from the gaming machine 10.

The display 14 shown in FIG. 2 is in the form of a video display unit, particularly a cathode ray tube screen device. Alternatively, the display 14 may be a liquid crystal display, plasma screen, any other suitable video display unit, or the visible portion of an electromechanical device. The top box 26 may also include a display, for example a video display unit, which may be of the same type as the display 14, or of a different type.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of operative components of a typical gaming machine which may be the same as or different to the gaming machine of FIG. 2.

The gaming machine 100 includes a game controller 101 having a processor 102 mounted on a circuit board. Instructions and data to control operation of the processor 102 are stored in a memory 103, which is in data communication with the processor 102. Typically, the gaming machine 100 will include both volatile and non-volatile memory and more than one of each type of memory, with such memories being collectively represented by the memory 103.

The gaming machine has hardware meters 104 for purposes including ensuring regulatory compliance and monitoring player credit, an input/output (I/O) interface 105 for communicating with peripheral devices of the gaming machine 100. The input/output interface 105 and/or the peripheral devices may be intelligent devices with their own memory for storing associated instructions and data for use with the input/output interface or the peripheral devices. A random number generator module 113 generates random numbers for use by the processor 102. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the reference to random numbers includes pseudo-random numbers.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, a player interface 120 includes peripheral devices that communicate with the game controller 101 including one or more displays 106, a touch screen and/or buttons 107 (which provide a game play mechanism), a card and/or ticket reader 108, a printer 109, a bill acceptor and/or coin input mechanism 110 and a coin output mechanism 111. Additional hardware may be included as part of the gaming machine 100, or hardware may be omitted based on the specific implementation. For example, while buttons or touch screens are typically used in gaming machines to allow a player to place a wager and initiate a play of a game any input device that enables the player to input game play instructions may be used.

In addition, the gaming machine 100 may include a communications interface, for example a network card 112. The network card may, for example, send status information, accounting information or other information to a bonus controller, central controller, server or database and receive data or commands from the bonus controller, central controller, server or database. In embodiments employing a player marketing module, communications over a network may be via player marketing module—i.e. the player marketing module may be in data communication with one or more of the above devices and communicate with it on behalf of the gaming machine.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the main components of an exemplary memory 103. The memory 103 includes RAM 103A, EPROM 103B and a mass storage device 103C. The RAM 103A typically temporarily holds program files for execution by the processor 102 and related data. The EPROM 103B may be a boot ROM device and/or may contain some system or game related code. The mass storage device 103C is typically used to store game programs, the integrity of which may be verified and/or authenticated by the processor 102 using protected code from the EPROM 103B or elsewhere.

It is also possible for the operative components of the gaming machine 100 to be distributed, for example input/output devices 106,107,108,109,110,111 to be provided remotely from the game controller 101.

In a client server architecture a gaming device is provided by a gaming client and game server (and optionally other gaming network components). A gaming client has a similar outward appearance to gaming machine 10 but the game server implements most or all of the game and as such acts as the game controller while the terminal operated by the player essentially provides only the player interface. The gaming terminal receives player instructions, pass these to the game server which will process them and return game play outcomes to the gaming machine for display. Further details of a client/server gaming architecture can be found in WO 2006/052213 and PCT/SE2006/000559, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. In such an embodiment, a linked game controller can be provided, for example, by a dedicated server in data communication with the game server.

FIG. 5 shows that a gaming device may be connected within a gaming network 200 which provides additional and/or enhanced functionality. The gaming network 200 includes a network 201, which for example may be an Ethernet network. Gaming machines 202, shown arranged in three banks 203 of two gaming machines 202 in FIG. 5, are connected to the network 201. The gaming machines 202 provide a player operable interface and may be the same as the gaming machines 10,100 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. While banks 203 of two gaming machines are illustrated in FIG. 5, banks of one, three or more gaming machines are also envisaged.

One or more displays 204 may also be connected to the network 201. For example, the displays 204 may be associated with one or more banks 203 of gaming machines. The displays 204 may be used to display representations associated with game play on the gaming machines 202, and/or used to display other representations, for example promotional or informational material.

A linked game controller can be provided within such a network 200 by linked game server 205, such that the linked game server may implement a linked game for a plurality of different banks of gaming machines rather than a specific controller being provide for each bank of gaming machines.

A database management server 206 may manage storage of game programs and associated data for downloading or access by the gaming devices 202 in a database 206A. Typically, if the gaming system enables players to participate in a Jackpot game, a Jackpot server 207 will be provided to perform accounting functions for the Jackpot game. A loyalty program server 212 may also be provided.

Servers are also typically provided to assist in the administration of the gaming network 200, including for example a gaming floor management server 208, and a licensing server 209 to monitor the use of licenses relating to particular games. An administrator terminal 210 is provided to allow an administrator to run the network 201 and the devices connected to the network.

The gaming network 200 may communicate with other gaming systems, other local networks, for example a corporate network, and/or a wide area network such as the Internet, for example through a firewall 211.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in accordance with known techniques, functionality at the server side of the network may be distributed over a plurality of different computers. For example, elements may be run as a single “engine” on one server or a separate server may be provided. For example, the game server 205 could run a random generator engine. Alternatively, a separate random number generator server could be provided. Further, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a plurality of game servers could be provided to run different games or a single game server may run a plurality of different games based on the terminals.

Further Detail of Gaming System

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of a gaming device 900 in the form of a stand alone gaming machine. The gaming device 900 may be the same or different to gaming machine 10,100 described above. In FIG. 9, the processor 930 of game controller 920 is shown implementing a number of modules based on program code and data stored in memory 940. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that various of the modules 931,932,933,934 could be implemented in some other way, for example as hardware by a dedicated circuit. In one embodiment, at least one embodiment at least one module is implemented as hardware.

The gaming device 900 includes a player interface 910 having a display 911 for displaying game outcomes to a player and a game play mechanism 912 including input devices such as touch screen or buttons to enable the player to interact with the game by placing wagers and entering any other instructions required to play the game. Game play mechanism 912 also enables the player to interact with the gaming device to learn game rules etc. The player interface 910 includes a credit mechanism 913 allowing the player to input credit into the gaming device 900 and/or be paid out any winnings or remaining credit—i.e. the credit balance will be changed by playing of the game. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that other components will be present in a gaming device 900 such as those described in relation to FIGS. 2 to 4 above. The memory 940 includes program code for implementing a game including base game rule data 941 for implementing the rules of a base game.

The processor 930 when executing the program code stored in memory 940 is arranged to generate outcomes of the game in response to the operation of the game play mechanism 912. The outcomes are generated with the outcome generator 931. The outcome evaluator 932 evaluates the game outcomes that are generated based on the game rules (as described further below) and the wager specified with the game play mechanism 912 and updates meter data 942 which stores a credit meter and a win meter for the game. That is, placing a wager deducts credits from the credit meter, any winnings are cumulatively added to the win meter during a play of the game. At the end of a play of the game, any winnings are transferred from the win meter to the credit meter. The processor 930 also implements a communication module 933 which is intended to communicate by communication interface 950 with the linked game controller.

In the embodiment, when the player initially operates the game play mechanism 912 the outcome generator 931 operates as a base game generator 931C to generate an outcome based on base game rules 941 and values obtained from random number generator 934 which is then evaluated by outcome evaluator 932 (which will effectively be a base game evaluator 932B). In the embodiment, the outcome evaluator 932 has a trigger monitor 932A arranged to determine whether a feature game trigger rule 943 has been satisfied such that an award is made to the player of a feature game, which may be a number of free game outcomes, a second screen feature, a re-spin feature or some other feature game known in the art. In the embodiment, the trigger monitor 932A then causes outcome generator to act as a feature game generator 931B to carry out the feature game based on feature game data 944 and generate one or more feature game outcomes evaluated by outcome evaluator 932 (which will effectively be a feature game evaluator 932C). In addition, trigger monitor advises communication module 933 that an award has been which communicates via communication interface with the linked game controller 150.

Linked Game Controller And Its Operation

Referring to FIG. 6 there is shown further detail of the link game controller 150. From FIG. 6 it will be apparent that link game controller 150 is in data communication with a communal display 160 on which game outcomes can be displayed to the players playing the bank of gaming machines 10 shown in FIG. 1. In other embodiments, the gaming outcomes could be displayed on a top box of the individual gaming machines 10, rather than being displayed on a communal display, or in addition to such a communal display.

Referring to FIG. 6, the constitution of the linked game controller 150 is similar to that of the gaming device illustrated in relation to FIGS. 2 to 4 and 9 in that it has a processor 151 arranged to implement the linked game based on program code stored in memory 152 and a display driver 154 for driving the display 160 to show the linked game outcome. The linked game controller 150 also includes a communication interface 153 which is designed to enable the processor 151 to communicate with each of the gaming devices 10.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate the above components are the core components for implementing a linked game but other components may be present in a linked game controller. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the implementation of the linked game controller is analogous to the implementation of bonus controllers in existing gaming systems and reference may be made to such bonus controllers for further details of implementation. While the linked game controller 150 is shown in FIG. 1 as a separate entity to the gaming devices 10, on an alternative embodiment, it could be provided by one of the gaming machines incorporating a server module arranged to implement the linked game controller in the manner described in Australian patent application 2008205413 filed 13 Aug. 2008.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the linked game controller 150 which shows that the processor 151 implements a number of modules in a similar manner to the processor of the gaming device shown in FIG. 9. AS above, in one embodiment, at least one module 703,704,705 is implemented by a dedicated circuit—e.g. the RNG 705. The processor executes program code stored in memory 152 to instantiate a participation module 703 which communicates via data communication interface 153 with each of the gaming devices 10/900. Participation module 703 includes a trigger monitor 703A which is designed to monitor for receipt of a trigger signal from one of the gaming devices indicative that an award has been made on that device and identifying the award. The participation module 703 has an eligibility module 703B that determines which of the gaming devices are eligible based eligibility rule data 711. An eligibility rule may be that a gaming device has been active within a defined period or has been both active and had a qualifying bet placed, for example a max bet or an ante bet. In one example, this is achieved by polling each of the gaming devices. In another example the gaming devices may regularly communicate there eligibility over the network and the eligibility module 703B may process data received over the network from each of the individual gaming devices to determine which machine are eligible.

In any event, once eligibility has been determined, the participation module 703 determines based on participation rule data 712 which gaming devices will be eligible to participate in a qualifying game for the award. In one embodiment, participation rule data 712 specifies that all gaming device will be eligible to participate. In another embodiment, participation rule data 712 causes participation module to employ random number generator 705 to determine which gaming machines of the plurality of connected gaming machines (other than the triggering gaming machine) will participate. For example, the participation rules may be cause the participation module 703 to select on average three machines out of four to participate.

Participation module 703 then communicates with at least the participating gaming devices to instruct them to conduct a qualifying game. It may optionally advise the non-participating gaming devices that they are not to participate. If necessary to the embodiment, participation module 703 also communicates the award which is to be made if the gaming device qualifies. That is in one embodiment the same award may always be made such that it is not necessary to communicate its identity. In other embodiments the award may vary, for example a varying number of free games may be awarded depending on the award on the triggering machine. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the award need not be identical on each gaming machine or identical to the triggering award but in one advantageous embodiment it is the same.

Operation of Gaming Device In Response To Participation

Referring again to FIG. 9, when the communication module 933 of game controller 920 receives participation data via communication interface indicating that it is to participate. Award initiator 933A waits until an appropriate time, such as completion of a current play and then advices the player that a qualifying game is to begin and causes outcome generator 931 to act as a qualifying outcome generator 931C based on qualifying game data 945. In one example, the qualifying game is a game of chance where the player has defined odds, such as 1 in 4, of winning the qualifying game. Qualifying outcome evaluator 932D of outcome evaluator 932 determines whether the player qualifies. If the player qualifies game controller 920 implements the award, in this example by feature game outcome generator 931B conducting the communicated award (in the form of a feature game) which is evaluated by feature game evaluator 932C of outcome evaluator 932 with any prizes reflected in meter data 942.

An example a method of gaming is illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 8. FIG. 8 depicts an example flow diagram representative of processes that may be implemented using, for example, computer readable instructions that may be used to facilitate game play. The example processes of FIG. 8 may be performed using a processor, a controller and/or any other suitable processing device. For example, the example processes of FIG. 8 may be implemented using coded instructions (e.g., computer readable instructions) stored on a tangible computer readable medium such as a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), and/or a random-access memory (RAM). As used herein, the term tangible computer readable medium is expressly defined to include any type of computer readable storage and to exclude propagating signals. Additionally or alternatively, the example processes of FIG. 8 may be implemented using coded instructions (e.g., computer readable instructions) stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium such as a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), a random-access memory (RAM), a cache, or any other storage media in which information is stored for any duration (e.g., for extended time periods, permanently, brief instances, for temporarily buffering, and/or for caching of the information). As used herein, the term non-transitory computer readable medium is expressly defined to include any type of computer readable medium and to exclude propagating signals.

Alternatively, some or all of the example processes of FIG. 8 may be implemented using any combination(s) of application specific integrated circuit(s) (ASIC(s)), programmable logic device(s) (PLD(s)), field programmable logic device(s) (FPLD(s)), discrete logic, hardware, firmware, etc. Also, some or all of the example processes of FIG. 8 may be implemented manually or as any combination(s) of any of the foregoing techniques, for example, any combination of firmware, software, discrete logic and/or hardware. Further, although the example processes of FIG. 8 are described with reference to the flow diagram of FIG. 8, other methods of implementing the processes of FIG. 8 may be employed. For example, the order of execution of the blocks may be changed, and/or some of the blocks described may be changed, eliminated, sub-divided, or combined. Additionally, any or all of the example processes of FIG. 8 may be performed sequentially and/or in parallel by, for example, separate processing threads, processors, devices, discrete logic, circuits, etc.

The method of embodiment is summarised in FIG. 8 which shows that the method involves a gaming device receiving 810 an award, determining 820 eligible gaming devices, determining 830 which of these will participate, and conducting 840 any necessary qualifying games to determine 850 whether an award. An award is then made 860, for example by carrying out the feature game.

Further aspects of the method will be apparent from the above description of the system. It will be appreciated that at least part of the method will be implemented digitally by a processor. Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the method could be embodied in program code. The program code could be supplied in a number of ways, for example on a tangible computer readable storage medium, such as a disc or a memory (for example, that could replace part of memory 103) or as a data signal (for example, by transmitting it from a server). Persons skilled in the art, will appreciate that program code provides a series of instructions executable by the processor.

Herein the term “processor” is used to refer generically to any device that can process game play instructions in accordance with game play rules and may include: a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logic device or other computational device, a general purpose computer (e.g. a PC) or a server. That is a processor may be provided by any suitable logic circuitry for receiving inputs, processing them in accordance with instructions stored in memory and generating outputs (for example on the display). Such processors are sometimes also referred to as central processing units (CPUs). Most processors are general purpose units, however, it is also know to provide a specific purpose processor using, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, in particular it will be apparent that certain features of embodiments of the invention can be employed to form further embodiments.

For example, an award can be other than by gaming machine, for example, a system component such as a jackpot controller 205 may make an award, this may be communicated via the gaming device to the controller 150 or directly to the controller 150. In this example, the award may be, for example, a consolation award of five free spins. Other free game events may be awarded such as re-spins (where some reels are held while others are re-spun).

In addition, it is described above that a qualifying game is conducted by each gaming device. In another embodiment a qualifying game may be conducted in some other manner, for example by the linked game controller individually for each device or as a group game. Person skilled in the art will appreciate that an embodiment above, two separate random determinations are made which decide whether the award is made. In other embodiments a single random determination may be made. In an alternative embodiment the award may be made solely based on eligibility criteria.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the prior art forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art in any country.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments and/or aspects without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. For example, it will be apparent that certain features of the invention can be combined to form further embodiments. The present embodiments and aspects are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Several embodiments are described above with reference to the drawings. These drawings illustrate certain details of specific embodiments that implement the systems and methods and programs of the present invention. However, describing the invention with drawings should not be construed as imposing on the invention any limitations associated with features shown in the drawings. The present invention contemplates methods, systems and program products on any electronic device and/or machine-readable media suitable for accomplishing its operations. Certain embodiments of the present invention may be implemented using an existing computer processor and/or by a special purpose computer processor incorporated for this or another purpose or by a hardwired system, for example.

Embodiments within the scope of the present invention include program products comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readable media may comprise RAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash, CD-ROM, DVD, Blu-ray, or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. When information is transferred or provided over a network or another communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to a machine, the machine properly views the connection as a machine-readable medium. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions comprise, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions.

Claims

1. A gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming devices, the gaming devices interconnected within the gaming system in such a manner that when a first award is made in respect of one of the gaming devices, the gaming system conducts an independent determination for each eligible gaming device of the one or more other gaming devices of the plurality of gaming devices to determine whether to provide a corresponding award to one or more eligible gaming devices.

2. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein conducting an independent determination comprises determining whether to award a qualifying game to each gaming device, conducting the qualifying game for each gaming device to which the qualifying game is awarded and awarding the corresponding award for a winning outcome of the qualifying game.

3. A gaming system as claimed claim 2, wherein each eligible gaming device is arranged to conduct the qualifying game.

4. A gaming system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the qualifying game is a chance game where there are designated odds of the corresponding award being awarded.

5. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each gaming device is arranged to determine whether to make the first award.

6. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, comprising a controller, each gaming device in data communication with the controller such that the gaming devices are interconnected by being connected to the controller.

7. A gaming system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the controller determines whether to award each qualifying game.

8. A gaming system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the controller is arranged to determine which of the plurality of gaming devices are eligible.

9. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the corresponding award is equivalent to the first award.

10. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first award is an award of a number of free game events.

11. A gaming system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the determination as to whether to award a qualifying game to each gaming device is random such that the number of gaming devices in respect of which a qualifying game is conducted is random.

12. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein every active gaming device is eligible.

13. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a gaming device is eligible if a designated wager has been placed.

14. A gaming system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the controller comprises a participation module which determines which gaming devices will be awarded a qualifying game.

15. A gaming system as claimed in claim 3, wherein each gaming device comprises a qualifying game generator for generating a qualifying game outcome.

16. A gaming system as claimed in claim 14, wherein each gaming device comprises a qualifying outcome evaluator for evaluating a qualifying game outcome.

17. A gaming system as claimed in claim 5, wherein each gaming device comprises a feature game generator for generating a feature game outcome and a feature game outcome evaluator for evaluating the feature game to determine whether to make an award.

18. A method of gaming in a gaming system comprising:

making a first award in respect of one of a plurality of interconnected gaming devices; and

determining in response to making the first award, whether to provide a corresponding award to one or more other gaming devices of the plurality of gaming devices by conducting an independent determination in respect of each eligible gaming device of the other gaming devices as to whether to provide the corresponding award to the respective eligible gaming device.

19. A method of gaming as claimed in claim 18, wherein conducting an independent determination comprises determining whether to award a qualifying game to each gaming device, conducting the qualifying game for each gaming device to which the qualifying game is awarded and awarding the corresponding award for a winning outcome of the qualifying game.

20. A method of gaming as claimed in claim 19, wherein the qualifying game is a chance game where there are designated odds of the corresponding award being awarded.

21. A method of gaming as claimed in claim 18, wherein the corresponding award is equivalent to the first award.

22. A method of gaming as claimed in claim 18, wherein the first award is an award of a number of free game events.

23. A method of gaming as claimed in claim 19, wherein the determination as to whether to award a qualifying game to each gaming device is random such that the number of gaming devices in respect of which a qualifying game is conducted is random.

24. A method of gaming as claimed in claim 18, wherein every active gaming device is eligible.

25. A method of gaming as claimed in claim 18, wherein a gaming device is eligible if a designated wager has been placed.

26. A gaming system comprising:

means for making a first award at one of a plurality of interconnected gaming devices; and

means for determining in response to making the first award, whether to provide a corresponding award to one or more other gaming devices of the plurality of gaming devices by conducting an independent determination in respect of each eligible gaming device of the other gaming devices as to whether to provide the corresponding award to the respective eligible gaming device.

27. A gaming device for operation as one of a plurality of gaming devices of a gaming system, the gaming device arranged in such a manner that when a first award is made in respect of the gaming device, the gaming device causes the gaming system to conduct an independent determination for each eligible gaming device of the one or more other gaming devices of the plurality of gaming devices to determine whether to provide a corresponding award to each respective eligible gaming device.

28. A gaming device as claimed in claim 27, further arranged to provide a corresponding award in response to a determination by the gaming system to provide a corresponding award caused by an award being made on another one of the gaming devices.

29. Computer program code which when executed implements a method of gaming in a gaming system comprising:

making a first award in respect of one of a plurality of interconnected gaming devices; and

determining in response to making the first award, whether to provide a corresponding award to one or more other gaming devices of the plurality of gaming devices by conducting an independent determination in respect of each eligible gaming device of the other gaming devices as to whether to provide the corresponding award to the respective eligible gaming device.