METHOD OF COMMUNITY GAMING AND A GAMING SYSTEM

Abstract

A method of community gaming. The method includes initiating a community game having a prize pool in response to an initiation condition being met by a first player, conducting the community game for the first player and one or more further players to determine a winner of the community game, and making an award of a first prize from the prize pool to the first player which only the first player is eligible upon determining said first player as the winner of the community game or making an award of a second prize from the prize pool to one of the further players upon determining said one of the further players as the winner of the community game.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Australian Patent Application No. AU2010902194, having a filing date of May 19, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[Not Applicable]

MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE

[Not Applicable]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

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

Current electronic gaming machines allow a player to place a wager or bet, in return for which a play of a main game provided by the gaming machine is conducted. Some gaming machines allow entry into a further game, such as a community game conducted for participating players. In this case, the community game may comprise a different game to the main game with different rules.

While such gaming systems provide users with enjoyment, a need exists for alternative gaming systems to provide users with further enjoyment.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the invention provides a method of community gaming comprising:

initiating a community game having a prize pool in response to an initiation condition being met by a first player;

conducting the community game for the first player and one or more further players to determine a winner of the community game; and

making an award of a first prize from the prize pool to the first player which only the first player is eligible upon determining said first player as the winner of the community game or making an award of a second prize from the prize pool to one of the further players upon determining said one of the further players as the winner of the community game.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a gaming system comprising:

a plurality of linked gaming devices; and

a community game controller arranged to:

• • initiate a community game having a prize pool in response to an initiation condition being met by a first linked gaming device;
  • conduct the community game for the first linked gaming device and one or more further linked gaming devices to determine a winner of the community game; and
  • make an award of a first prize from the prize pool to the first linked gaming device which only the first linked gaming device is eligible upon determining said first linked gaming device as the winner of the community game or make an award of a second prize from the prize pool to one of the further linked gaming devices upon determining said one of the further linked gaming devices as the winner of the community game.

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

a plurality of linked gaming devices;

means for initiating a community game having a prize pool in response to an initiation condition being met by a first linked gaming device;

means for conducting the community game for the first linked gaming device and one or more further linked gaming devices to determine a winner of the community game; and

means for making an award of a first prize from the prize pool to the first linked gaming device which only the first linked gaming device is eligible upon determining said first linked gaming device as the winner of the community game or making an award of a second prize from the prize pool to one of the further linked gaming devices upon determining said one of the further linked gaming devices as the winner of the community game.

In a fourth aspect, the invention provides a gaming system comprising:

a plurality of linked gaming devices, each linked gaming device comprising a cabinet, a display mounted within the cabinet, a game play mechanism mounted to the cabinet, and a main game controller disposed within the cabinet comprising a processor and a memory storing game control instructions which enable each main game controller operating in response to operation of respective game play mechanisms to conduct respective main games; and

a community game controller operably connected to the plurality of linked gaming devices, the community game controller comprising a processor and a memory storing additional game control instructions which when executed cause the community game controller to:

• • initiate a community game having a prize pool in response to an initiation condition being met by a first linked gaming device;
  • conduct the community game for the first linked gaming device and one or more further linked gaming devices to determine a winner of the community game; and
  • make an award of a first prize from the prize pool to the first linked gaming device which only the first linked gaming device is eligible upon determining said first linked gaming device as the winner of the community game or make an award of a second prize from the prize pool to one of the further linked gaming devices upon determining said one of the further linked gaming devices as the winner of the community game.

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 tangible computer readable medium comprising the above program code.

In a seventh aspect, the invention provides transmitting or receiving the above program code.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

An exemplary embodiment 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;

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 further block diagram of a gaming system; and

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a method of an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a method of community gaming and a gaming system for implementing the method. In the embodiment, the method of gaming includes initiating a community game having a prize pool in response to an initiation condition being met by a first player, conducting the community game for the first player and one or more further players to determine a winner of the community game, and making an award of a first prize from the prize pool to the first player which only the first player is eligible upon determining said first player as the winner of the community game or making an award of a second prize from the prize pool to one of the further players upon determining said one of the further players as the winner of the community game.

General System Configuration

Depending on the embodiment, the gaming system for implementing the above method may take a number of different forms. In one form, shown in FIG. 1, a gaming system 40 includes a community game controller 70 in communication with a plurality of gaming devices 100a, 100b, . . . , 100n. The community game controller 70 is arranged to conduct a community game for participating players of the plurality of gaming devices 100a, 100b, . . . , 100n to determine a winner of the community game. In one arrangement, the community game controller 70 is in data communication with a plurality of linked gaming devices 100a, 100b, . . . , 100n, and the data communication may be performed over a network, such as the Internet.

In the form shown in FIG. 1, each gaming device 100a, 100b, . . . , 100n has respective main game controllers 60a, 60b, . . . , 60n arranged to conduct a main game for each player of the respective gaming devices 100a, 100b, . . . , 100n. In an embodiment, a portion of amounts wagered in each main game contribute to a prize pool for the community game. The prize pool is used to pay out a first prize, such as a jackpot, for which only the first player is eligible or a second prize for one of the further players depending on who is the winner of the game. In this embodiment, each gaming device has respective player interfaces 50a, 50b, . . . , 50n including game play mechanisms to allow respective player input in the main game and the community game. In the main game, players input wagers using the respective player interfaces 50a, 50b, . . . , 50n. In the community game, players input a selection using the respective player interfaces 50a, 50b, . . . , 50n to participate in the community game, which is then used for determining a winner of the community game.

Gaming Devices

Herein, the term gaming device is used to refer to any device used by a player to play a game and specifically includes stand alone gaming machines and interactive video terminals which implement games in a client/server architecture.

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 100 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, a coin output mechanism 111, and at least one speaker 115. Additional hardware may be included as part of the gaming machine 100, or hardware may be omitted as required for 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. For example, in some gaming machines a mechanical handle is uses to initiate a play of the game.

The game controller 101 determines based on game rules stored in memory 103, the outcomes of games including whether to award a win to a player.

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.

A gaming device as indicated above may also be a gaming client of a client/server architecture where a portion of the game is executed on the client and a portion of the game is executed on the server. In such embodiments, the client typically takes the form of an interactive video terminal which has a similar outward appearance to the gaming machine described above but the terminal is only responsible for limited functions, for example rendering graphically game outcomes generated by a server. Further detail of a client/server gaming architecture may be found in WO 2006/052213 and WO 2007/086779, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Further Detail of Gaming System and Method

FIG. 5 shows a gaming system 200 in accordance with an alternative embodiment. The gaming system 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, or may have simplified functionality depending on the requirements for implementing game play. 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.

In an embodiment, the game server 205 provides a community game controller 70 (shown in FIG. 6) to conduct a community game for the plurality of gaming machines 202, in addition to a main game conducted on the gaming machines by respective game controllers, herein referred to as main game controllers 60.

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. In an example, the database management server 206 may manage a prize pool for the community game in which contributions from main game are made. In addition, one prize for an eligible player may be a progressive jackpot from the prize pool.

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 as required by the terminals.

In an embodiment, the game server 205 provides a community game controller 70 to conduct a community game for one or more gaming machines 202. A community game may have different game rules, which may be stored in database 206A, to a main game played on the plurality of gaming machines however it is to be appreciated that these rules may be the same. Also, community games may enable players of gaming machines to either play against other players, against a computer generated opponent, typically generated by the game server 205, or compete to achieve a predetermined outcome. In one embodiment, players of the gaming machines 202 compete against other players to select a lowest unique number in a designated range of numbers to be determined as the winner of the community game.

It would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that an initiation condition to initiate a community game may be determined from an event occurring in a main game, such as a triggering event (e.g. 3 scatter symbols in a spinning reel type main game), and may be determined by either the respective main game controllers 60a, 60b, . . . , 60n or the server 205 providing the community game controller 70. In one example, the main game controller 60a determines an initiation condition as being met in a main game by a player of the gaming device 100a and the community game controller 70 is subsequently advised to initiate a community game. In the example, after the initiation condition is met, the main game controller 60 prompts the player to make a wager to play for a first prize which only the player is eligible. In an example, the first prize is a progressive jackpot from the prize pool and the value of the wager is half of the credits accrued in the main game(s) played by the player. It will be appreciated however that the wager may be some other value, such as a designated value, or there may be no wager at all. Also, the player's wager may contribute to the prize pool. The community game is subsequently initiated and further players are invited to participate in the community game for a second prize. In an example, the second prize corresponds in value to the credits accrued in the respective main game(s) of the further players however it will be appreciated that the second prize may also be some other value, such as any designated value. In any event, the community game is then conducted for the participating players to determine a winner so that a corresponding prize can be awarded.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a single gaming device with player interface 50 and main game controller 60 in communication with a community game controller 70. It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the community game controller 70 may be provided by the game server 205 as described above.

The player operates game play mechanism 56 of the player interface 50 to make a selection and input game instructions, selected from a plurality of available instructions, to the main game controller 60. The player interface 50 may vary from embodiment to embodiment but will typically include a credit mechanism 52 to enable a player to input credits and receive payouts, one or more displays 54, the game play mechanism 56, and one or more speakers (not shown). The game play mechanism 56 of the player interface 50 may be in the form of an input device such as a touch screen and/or buttons to input player instructions to the main game controller 60.

The main game controller 60 is in data communication with the player interface 50 and typically includes a processor 62 to process game play instructions in accordance with game play rules and outputs game play outcomes to the display 54. Typically, the game play rules are stored as program code in a memory 64 but can also be hardwired. 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.

In an embodiment, the main game controller 60 conducts a main game, in accordance with game play rules, in response to a wager being placed by a player operating the game play mechanism 56, and a contribution from the wager (e.g. a percentage of fixed amount) is made to the prize pool of the community game by the community game module 624 communicating contribution details to the community game controller 70. The main game controller 60 includes an outcome generator 622, which operates in response to the player's operation of game play mechanism 56 to generate a main game outcome, which will then be evaluated by an outcome evaluator 623. The outcome evaluator 623 evaluates the generated main game outcome and a community game module 624, incorporated within the main game controller 60, includes an initiation condition determiner 626 to evaluate the main game outcome to determine whether an initiation condition has been met. For example, the initiation condition determiner 626 will evaluate the main game outcome to determine whether symbols occurring in the main game correspond to an initiation condition being met. In another example, the community game controller 70 advises the main game controller 60 and, in turn, the community game module 624 that an initiation condition has been met, such as when the prize pool reaches a designated value or a specific gaming device has been selected.

Referring to an example of a spinning reel type main game, the outcome generator 622 generates a main game outcome by employing random number generator 621 to randomly select symbols from a set of symbols specified by symbol data 641. The selected symbols are advised to the display controller 625 which causes them to be displayed on the display 54 at a set of display positions. When selecting symbols, the random number generator 621 may select symbols from the set of symbols 641 to correspond to an initiation condition for a community game. For example, symbols, such as scatter symbols, may be employed in the main game according to the main game rules and may also trigger the community game.

The outcome evaluator 623 evaluates the main game outcome generated by the outcome generator 622, which is displayed as symbols arranged at a set of display positions, to determine if the outcome corresponds to a winning combination specified in the prize data 642A based on game rules 642. For example, the game rules of the main game may specify that all combinations are evaluated left to right or can be evaluated right to left or both. Also, to obtain a desired return to player, a probability table having weighted outcomes may be stored in the game rules 642 and employed when selecting the symbols. In addition, further rules for determining initiation conditions for the community game may also be stored in memory 64, such as specifying which symbols are to be displayed at which designated display positions (e.g. at a designated win-line) to constitute an initiation condition. Also, the game rules 642 may contain a probability table employed to determine how often an initiation condition is to be met by a player.

As described, the community game is a different game to the main game with different rules. The rules of the community game are stored in memory 74 as game rule data, and the value of the prize pool is updated and also stored in the memory 74 as prize pool data 742. The community game controller 70 also includes a community game outcome determiner 722 to determine the outcome of the game in accordance with the stored rules. In an alternative embodiment, the outcome evaluator 623 of each gaming device may perform this function. Also, the community game may be displayed on the display 54 via the display controller 625 so that a player operating the player interface 50 can participate in the community game.

In an example, the community game rules specify that the winner of the community game is the player having selected a lowest unique number in a designated range of numbers. For example, a first player of a linked gaming device triggers a community game from a main game by obtaining 3 scatter symbols in the main game, which is determined by the initiation condition determiner 626 as an initiation condition. The first player then places a wager via the game play mechanism 56 to play for a first prize in the form of a jackpot, which only the first player is eligible, to initiate the community game and invite players of other linked gaming devices to participate in the community game and play for a different prize. In the example, the players of other linked gaming devices play for prizes corresponding in value to the respective values of credits accrued in the respective main games, i.e. to double the value of their accrued credits. It will be appreciated by those persons skilled in the art that in some embodiments the further players may be required to place a wager to participate in the community game or otherwise obtain eligibility, such as by having played their main game in a defined time period.

In the example, the community game controller 70 is in data communication with the linked gaming devices, which may be arranged in remote banks of gaming devices. For example, some banks of linked gaming devices may be located in a casino in one state while other banks may be located in a casino in another state. In any case, each of the plurality of linked gaming devices has a main game controller 60 and each is arranged to contribute to a prize pool for a community game, the value of which is stored as prize pool data 742 in the memory 74 of the connected community game controller 70. The main games will typically be different for some of the gaming devices.

As described, the initiation condition determiner 624 of a first linked gaming device determines that an outcome of a main game meets an initiation condition and the community game module 624 advises this to the player via the display controller 625. In another example, the player is provided the opportunity to initiate the community game by placing a wager as described, or play another feature game (e.g. 15 free spins). If the player places the wager, the community game module 624 advises the community game controller 70 to initiate the community game and prompt the players of the other linked gaming devices to make a selection of a number in a designated range of numbers (e.g. 1 to 100) to participate in the community game and play for a corresponding prize. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the further players will be given a designated time period to make their selection, after which they will be deemed by the community game controller 70 as not participating in the community game.

Using the above example, one bank of linked gaming devices may include three gaming devices, the players of which having selected numbers 8, 1 and 4 in the community game respectively. Also, the other bank of linked gaming devices includes three gaming devices, the players of which having selected numbers 1, 5 and 4 respectively. In this example, the player who selected the number 8 was the player that initiated (e.g. triggered) the community game and thus the only player eligible for the jackpot prize.

After these selections were inputted via the respective game play mechanisms and communicated to the community game controller 70, the community game outcome determiner 722 determines a winner of the community game as the player having selected a lowest unique number in the range of numbers. As described, if the community game outcome determiner 722 determines the player who triggered the community game as the winner, the jackpot is made to the first player. If the community game outcome determiner 722 determines one of the further players as the winner, a prize corresponding to the value of credits accrued in the respective main game(s) is made. It can be seen from the above example that the community game outcome determiner 722 would determine the player who selected number 5 as the winner of the community game so the community game controller 70 could make an award of a prize corresponding to the value of credits accrued in the respective main game(s) to that player.

The method 700 of an embodiment is summarised in FIG. 7. The method 700 of gaming includes initiating 710 a community game having a prize pool in response to an initiation condition being met by a first player (e.g. three scatter symbols appearing in a main game), the first player and one or more further players participating 820 in the community game by making a selection. For example, the players may make a selection from a designated range of numbers (e.g. 1 to 100) to participate in the community game. The method 700 includes conducting 730 the community game for the participating players to determine a winner by determining 740 the winning player based on the respective selections of the players. In the example, the winning player is the player who selected a lowest unique number in the designated range of numbers. The method 700 further includes making 750 an award of a first prize (e.g. a progressive jackpot) from the prize pool to the first player which only the first player is eligible upon determining the first player as the winner of the community game (e.g. having selected the lowest unique number), or making 860 an award of a second prize from the prize pool to one of the further players upon determining one of the further players as the winner of the community game (e.g. having selected the lowest unique number).

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 electronically (e.g. 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.

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.

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.

Claims

1. A method of community gaming comprising:

initiating a community game having a prize pool in response to an initiation condition being met by a first player;

conducting the community game for the first player and one or more further players to determine a winner of the community game; and

making an award of a first prize from the prize pool to the first player which only the first player is eligible upon determining said first player as the winner of the community game or making an award of a second prize from the prize pool to one of the further players upon determining said one of the further players as the winner of the community game.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the first player and the one or more further players participating in the community game by making a selection in the community game.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2, further comprising determining the winner of the community game based on the respective selections of the first player and the one or more further players in the community game.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3, further comprising the first player and the one or more further players making a selection of a number from a designated range of numbers.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, further comprising determining the winner of the community game as a player having selected a lowest unique number in the designated range of numbers.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the first player and the one or more further players contributing to the prize pool by making contributions from a main game.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first prize is a progressive jackpot.

8. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second prize is a value corresponding to an amount of credits acquired in the main game by said one of the further players determined as the winner of the community game.

9. A method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising the first player triggering the community game from the main game.

10. A method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising the first player initiating the community game by placing a wager in the main game.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the wager is half of a value of credits acquired in the main game.

12. A gaming system comprising:

a plurality of linked gaming devices; and

a community game controller arranged to: initiate a community game having a prize pool in response to an initiation condition being met by a first linked gaming device; conduct the community game for the first linked gaming device and one or more further linked gaming devices to determine a winner of the community game; and make an award of a first prize from the prize pool to the first linked gaming device which only the first linked gaming device is eligible upon determining said first linked gaming device as the winner of the community game or make an award of a second prize from the prize pool to one of the further linked gaming devices upon determining said one of the further linked gaming devices as the winner of the community game.

13. A gaming system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the community game controller is further arranged to receive a selection from the first linked gaming device and the one or more further linked gaming devices participating in the community game.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the community game controller is further arranged to determine the winner of the community game based on the respective selections of the linked gaming device and the one or more further linked gaming devices in the community game.

15. A gaming system as claimed in claim 14, wherein each of the respective selections comprises a selection of a number from a designated range of numbers.

16. A gaming system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the community game controller is further arranged to determine the winner of the community game as a linked gaming device having selected a lowest unique number in the designated range of numbers.

17. A gaming system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the community game controller is further arranged to receive contributions to the prize pool from the first linked gaming device and the one or more further linked gaming devices making contributions from a main game.

18. A gaming system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first prize is a progressive jackpot.

19. A gaming system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the second prize is a value corresponding to an amount of credits acquired in the main game by said one of the further linked gaming devices determined as the winner of the community game.

20. A gaming system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the first linked gaming device triggers the community game from the main game.

21. A gaming system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the first linked gaming device initiates the community game by placing a wager in the main game.

22. A gaming system as claimed in claim 21, wherein the wager is half of a value of credits acquired in the main game.

23. A gaming system comprising:

a plurality of linked gaming devices;

means for initiating a community game having a prize pool in response to an initiation condition being met by a first linked gaming device;

means for conducting the community game for the first linked gaming device and one or more further linked gaming devices to determine a winner of the community game; and

means for making an award of a first prize from the prize pool to the first linked gaming device which only the first linked gaming device is eligible upon determining said first linked gaming device as the winner of the community game or making an award of a second prize from the prize pool to one of the further linked gaming devices upon determining said one of the further linked gaming devices as the winner of the community game.

24. A gaming system comprising:

a plurality of linked gaming devices, each linked gaming device comprising a cabinet, a display mounted within the cabinet, a game play mechanism mounted to the cabinet, and a main game controller disposed within the cabinet comprising a processor and a memory storing game control instructions which enable each main game controller operating in response to operation of respective game play mechanisms to conduct respective main games; and

a community game controller operably connected to the plurality of linked gaming devices, the community game controller comprising a processor and a memory storing additional game control instructions which when executed cause the community game controller to: initiate a community game having a prize pool in response to an initiation condition being met by a first linked gaming device; conduct the community game for the first linked gaming device and one or more further linked gaming devices to determine a winner of the community game; and make an award of a first prize from the prize pool to the first linked gaming device which only the first linked gaming device is eligible upon determining said first linked gaming device as the winner of the community game or make an award of a second prize from the prize pool to one of the further linked gaming devices upon determining said one of the further linked gaming devices as the winner of the community game.

25. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising executing computer program code.

26. A method as claimed in claim 25, further comprising storing said computer program code in a tangible computer readable medium.

27. A method as claimed in claim 25, further comprising transmitting the computer program code.