Gaming System and a Method of Gaming

Abstract

A method of community gaming comprising determining that a community game is to be conducted for one or more players of a plurality of linked gaming devices collectively offering at least two different base games, assigning to each of the one or more players, at least one of a plurality of assignable aspects of game play in the community game based on which of the at least two base games is played by each of the one or more players, and conducting the community game for said one or more players based on each assigned aspect of game play.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2011900537 having an International filing date of Feb. 17, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[Not Applicable]

MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE

[Not Applicable]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

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

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

determining that a community game is to be conducted for one or more players of a plurality of linked gaming devices collectively offering at least two different base games;

assigning to each of the one or more players, at least one of a plurality of assignable aspects of game play in the community game based on which of the at least two base games is played by each of the one or more players ; and

conducting the community game for said one or more players based on each assigned aspect of game play.

In an embodiment, the method comprises determining that the community game is to be conducted for a plurality of players.

In an embodiment, the method comprises assigning an aspect of game play specific to the respective base game played by each respective player.

In an embodiment, the method comprises determining a winning player of the community game based on the respective aspects of game play assigned to each of the one or more players.

In an embodiment, the assignable aspects of game comprise different game play objectives of the community game.

In an embodiment, the method comprises assigning each of the one or more players to respective ones of two or more participating teams in the community game based on the respective base game played.

In an embodiment, membership of one of the two or more participating teams in the community game is one aspect of game play that is assigned.

In an embodiment, the method comprises determining a winning team of the community game based on the respective aspects of game play assigned to each of the two or more participating teams in the community game.

In an embodiment, the method comprises assigning the respective aspects of game play as different game play objectives of the community game to each of the two or more participating teams in the community game.

In an embodiment, the method comprises making an award of the community game to the winning player of the community game.

In an embodiment, the method comprises making an award of the community game to the winning team of the community game.

12. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the award of the community game comprises a prize and the method comprises assigning a value of the prize based on the respective base game played.

In an embodiment, the method comprises assigning a probability to determine the winning team of community game based on a number of players assigned to each of the participating teams.

In an embodiment, the method comprises determining to conduct the community game in response to an initiation condition being met in one of the base games played.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a community game controller in communication with a plurality of linked gaming devices collectively offering at least two different base games to be played, the community game controller arranged to:

determine to conduct a community game for one or more players of the plurality of linked gaming devices;

assign to each of the one or more players at least one of a plurality of assignable aspects of game play in the community game based on which of the at least two base games is played by each of the one or more players; and

conduct the community game for said one or more players based on each assigned aspect of game play.

In an embodiment, the community game controller is arranged to determine that the community game is to be conducted for a plurality of players.

In an embodiment, the community game controller is arranged to assign an aspect of game play specific to the respective base game played by each respective player.

In an embodiment, the community game controller is arranged to determine a winning player of the community game based on the respective aspects of game play assigned to each of the one or more players.

In an embodiment, the assignable aspects of game comprise different game play objectives of the community game.

In an embodiment, the community game controller is arranged to assign each of the one or more players to respective ones of two or more participating teams in the community game based on the respective base game played.

In an embodiment, membership of one of the two or more participating teams in the community game is one aspect of game play that is assigned.

In an embodiment, the community game controller is arranged to determine a winning team of the community game based on the respective aspects of game play assigned to each of the two or more participating teams in the community game.

In an embodiment, the community game controller is arranged to assign the respective aspects of game play as different game play objectives of the community game to each of the two or more participating teams in the community game.

In an embodiment, the community game controller is arranged to make an award of the community game to the winning player of the community game.

In an embodiment, the community game controller is arranged to make an award of the community game to the winning team of the community game.

In an embodiment, the award of the community game comprises a prize and the game controller assigns a value of the prize based on the respective base game played.

In an embodiment, the community game controller is arranged to assign a probability to determine the winning team of community game based on a number of players assigned to each of the participating teams.

In an embodiment, the community game controller is arranged to conduct the community game in response to an initiation condition being met in one of the base games played.

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

a plurality of linked gaming devices collectively offering at least two different base games to be played; and

a community game controller in communication with a plurality of linked gaming devices collectively offering at least two different base games to be played, the community game controller arranged to:

determine to conduct a community game for one or more players of the plurality of linked gaming devices;

assign to each of the one or more players at least one of a plurality of assignable aspects of game play in the community game based on which of the at least two base games is played by each of the one or more players; and

conduct the community game for said one or more players based on each assigned aspect of game play.

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

a plurality of linked gaming devices collectively offering at least two different base games to be played; and

means for determining to conduct a community game for one or more players of the plurality of linked gaming devices;

means for determining to conduct a community game for one or more players of the plurality of linked gaming devices;

means for assigning to each of the one or more players, at least one of a plurality of assignable aspects of game play in the community game based on which of the at least two base games is played by each of the one or more players; and

a means for conducting the community game for said one or more players.

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

a plurality of electronic gaming machines collectively offering at least two different base games to be played, each electronic gaming machine comprising a cabinet, a display mounted within the cabinet, at least one game play mechanism mounted to the cabinet operable by a player to input selections in one of the at least two base games to be played, and a base game controller disposed within the cabinet comprising a processor and a memory storing game control instructions which enable each base game controller operating in response to operation of a respective at least one game play mechanism by the player to conduct a base game; and

a community game controller operably connected to the electronic gaming machines to determine to conduct a community game for one or more players of the plurality of electronic gaming machines and to assign to each of the one or more players at least one assignable aspect of game play in the community game based on which base game is played by each of the one or more players, the community game controller comprising a processor and a memory storing game rules which when executed cause the community game controller to conduct the community game for said one or more players based on each assigned aspect of game play.

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

In a seventh aspect, the invention provides a tangible computer readable medium comprising the above program code.

In an eighth 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 the core components 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 the core components of a gaming system;

FIG. 7 is a further block diagram of the core components of a gaming system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a gaming system including a plurality of linked gaming devices, collectively offering at least two base games to be played, and a community game controller in communication with the plurality of linked gaming devices. The community game controller being arranged to determine to conduct a community game for one or more players of the plurality of linked gaming devices, assign to each of the one or more players at least one aspect of game play in the community game based on a base game played by each of the one or more players from the at least two base games which can be played, and conduct the community game for said one or more players.

General System Configuration

The gaming system can take a number of different forms. In one form shown in FIG. 1, the core components of a gaming system 40 are shown. The gaming system 40 includes a community game controller 70 arranged to conduct a community game in communication with a plurality of linked gaming devices 100a, 100b, . . . , 100n, where the communication may include data communication over a network. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the gaming devices are linked in the sense that they are connected in a network such that they may participate in the same community game and that this does not require a direct connection between each device. The community game controller 70 is also arranged to conduct the community game for players of the respective linked gaming devices upon a determination that the community game is to be conducted, assign to each of the players an aspect of game play in the community game based on a base game played by the players, and generate an outcome of the community game such as a winning player of the community game.

In the form shown in FIG. 1, each gaming device is individually operable to play the community game and a base game. Each gaming device has a respective base game controller 60a, 60b, . . . , 60n arranged to conduct the base game for each player of the respective gaming devices. In one example, the respective base game controllers 60a, 60b, . . . , 60n are arranged to conduct a plurality of base games which can be selected to be played. Alternatively, each of the respective base game controllers 60a, 60b, . . . , 60n can conduct designated base games. In any case, the community game controller is arranged to assign to each of the players of the linked gaming devices 100a, 100b, . . . , 100n an aspect of game play based on the base game played.

Also, each gaming device has respective player interfaces 50a, 50b, . . . , 50n, including respective game play mechanisms including one or more input devices, to allow each player to make an input in both the base and community games. Each player interface is thus arranged to enable manual interaction between a player and the gaming system 40 and for this purpose includes the input/output components required for the player to enter instructions to play a game and observe game outcomes. In an example, the player interfaces 50a, 50b, . . . , 50n enable players to make a selection of a base game from a plurality of base games which can be played and the community game controller 70 subsequently assigns an aspect of game play in the community game to the players based on the respective player selected base games.

Furthermore, the community game controller 70 conducts the community game and determines a winning player of the community game based on the respective aspects of game play assigned to each of the players. For example, a community game is conducted for players to achieve a game play objective of winning a race. In an example, the players are assigned to respective ones of two or more participating teams based on the respective base game played such that the aspect of game play assigned to the player is the team. For example, with reference to FIG. 1, Player A of gaming device 100a played base game A, Player B of gaming device 100b played base game B and Player N of gaming device 100b played base game B. In this case, the community game controller 70 assigns Player A to Team A and Player B and Player N to Team B, and Teams A and B compete to win the race. The community game controller 70 conducts the community game, generates the outcome, and determines the winning team of the community game.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that these teams may also be formed from players of designated linked gaming devices. In an example, each of the linked gaming devices designated to be played by the same team are located adjacent each other in a bank.

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 configure for ticket in such 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 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 used to initiate a play of the game.

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. Furthermore, with reference to FIG. 1, the network card sends and receives information to/from the community game controller 70 so that the community game can be conducted for the gaming machine 100. In this case, the information sent includes data indicative of the base game played by the gaming machine 100 and the information received includes community game outcome data to be displayed on the display 106.

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.

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 to conduct a community game, as described, for the plurality of gaming machines and a base game controller to conduct a base game, as described, on the gaming machines.

In a thin client embodiment, the game server 205 implements most or all of the game played by a player using the gaming machine 202, and the gaming machine 202 essentially provides only the player interface. With this embodiment, the game server 205 provides the game controller. The gaming machine will receive player instructions, pass these to the game server which will process them and return game play outcomes to the gaming machine for display. In a thin client embodiment, the gaming machines could be computer terminals, e.g. PCs running software that provides a player interface operable using standard computer input and output components. Other client/server configurations are possible, and further details of a client/server architecture can be found in WO 2006/052213 and PCT/SE2006/000559, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

A database management server 206 may manage storage of game programs and associated data for downloading or access by the gaming machines 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 system 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.

Further Detail of the Gaming System

Referring now to FIG. 6, the player interface 50a and the base game controller 60a of the gaming device 100a is shown with the base game controller 60a in data communication with the community game controller 70.

In an embodiment, the base game controller 60a conducts a base game for a player of the gaming device 100a upon input from the player interface 50a. Components of the player interface 50a may vary from embodiment to embodiment but will typically include a credit mechanism 52a to enable a player to input credits and receive payouts, one or more displays 54a, a game play mechanism 56a including one or more input devices that enable a player to input game play instructions (e.g. to place a wager), and one or more speakers 58a. The game play mechanism 56a of the player interface 50a may be in the form of an input device such as a touch screen and/or buttons to input player instructions to the base game controller 60a and to the community game controller 70.

The base game controller 60a is in data communication with the player interface 50a and includes a processor 62a to process game play instructions for a base game in accordance with game play rules and output game play outcomes to the display 54a of the gaming device 100a. Typically, the game play rules are stored as program code in a memory 64a as game rules 642a but can also be hardwired. As described, the gaming device 100a may offer multiple base games, which are stored in the game rules 642a, for player selection using the player interface 50a. The multiple offered base games, base games 1, 2, . . . , N, each have corresponding sets of game rules stored in the game rules 642a for access upon player selection. Alternatively, the linked gaming devices 100a, 100b, . . . , 100n collectively offer two or more base games conducted by the respective base game controllers 60a, 60b, . . . , 60c, with each gaming device having the corresponding base game rules stored in their respective memories. 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.

The community game controller 70 also includes a processor 72 that processes the game play instructions for a community game in accordance with game play rules 742 and outputs community game play outcomes to the respective displays of the linked gaming devices 100a, 100b, . . . , 100n. Also, it will be appreciated that community game play rules can either be stored as program code in a memory 74 of the community game controller 70 as game rules 742 or be hardwired. As described, the community game controller 70 assigns aspects of game play to the players based on the respective base games played. The aspects of game play are stored in the game rules 742 and can influence game play of the community game for each of the players including affecting the generation of community game outcomes. In an example, the base game selection affects which team a player is assigned to in the community game according to the game rules 742. Furthermore, each team may be assigned team based community game objectives which are also stored in the game rules 742. For example, the game rules 742 may specify that the community game is a race and each team competes to win the race to be made an award of the community game. In this case, the community game controller 70 outputs community game play outcomes to the respective displays of the linked gaming devices 100a, 100b, . . . , 100n until a winning team is determined.

In an embodiment, the player operates the game play mechanism 56a of the player interface 50a to make a selection of a base game from a plurality of base games offered by the gaming device 100a to be played, and to input game instructions (selected from a plurality of available instructions) and a wager to the base game controller 60a. The inputted instructions and wager are then used to initiate play of a selected base game.

In FIG. 6, the processor 62a of base game controller 60a is shown implementing a number of modules based on program code and data stored in memory 64a to conduct the selected base game. In an example, the selected base game is a spinning reel type game where the player inputs a wager and instructions to select a number of lines to be played in each game or each game round of the base game. In the example, symbols specified by the symbol data 641a are stored in memory 64a and are displayed in symbol display positions arranged in columns, generally representing reels, and the symbols 641a may include designated symbols to indicate that a community game is to be initiated (e.g. wild symbols).

The modules of the processor 62a include an outcome generator 622a which generates outcomes in the base game by employing random number generator 621a to randomly select symbols from the symbols 641a to carry out the base game. The selected symbols are advised to the display controller 624a which causes them to be displayed on display 54a at designated symbol display positions. The modules implemented by the processor 62a also include an outcome evaluator 623a arranged to evaluate outcomes generated by the outcome generator 622a against those designated by the game rules 642a. For example, in the spinning reel type game, the outcome evaluator 623a evaluates whether a designated winning combination of symbols has occurred in the base game so that a prize can be awarded to the player of the gaming device 100a. The likelihood of the occurrence of a winning outcome may be designated and stored in the game rules 642a and accordingly employed by the outcome generator 622a.

In addition, the processor 62a includes a community game module 624a to communicate data to the community game controller 70 so that the community game can be conducted for the gaming devices 100a, 100b, . . . , 100n. The community game controller 624a includes a base game determiner 626a to communicate the player base game selection, from the plurality of offered base games, to the community game controller 70. The base game determiner 626a can either determine the base game played on the gaming device 100a from the player's selection or can communicate the base game designated to be played on the gaming device 100a to the community game controller 70. In the latter case, the base game determiner 626a need only communicate the base game once to the community game controller 70.

Also, the community game module 624a includes an initiation condition determiner 628a to determine whether a community game is to be initiated based on the occurrence of a community game initiation outcome occurring in the base game (e.g. the occurrence of designated wild symbols), and to communicate this determination to the community game controller 70. In addition, it is envisaged that the initiation condition determiner 628a can determine whether a community game is to be conducted based on some other criteria such as time elapsed. The community game controller 72 then determines to conduct a community game based on the received determination data from one of the plurality of linked gaming devices 100a, 100b, . . . , 100n in communication with the community game controller 70.

In another example, the community game controller 70 determines to conduct a community game based on criteria stored in the game rules 742, such as time elapsed or an amount wagered by the plurality of linked gaming devices 100a, 100b, . . . , 100n. In the latter case, the community game controller 70 receives wagering information from the initiation condition determiner 628 to determine to conduct the community game. In a further example, the community game may be initiated according to a designated time duration expiring between successive conducted community games or a designated value of contributions made by the players to a prize (e.g. one or more progressive jackpots). In addition, the community game controller 70 can determine to conduct a community game for all players playing the same designated base game (e.g. players of base game A from offered base games A to B). Alternatively, the initiation condition determiner 628a determines that a community game initiation event has occurred in the select base game A, which is communicated to the community game controller 70 so that all players of the linked gaming devices 100a, 110b, . . . , 100n playing base game A can participate in the community game. In any event, it will be appreciated by those persons skilled in the art that other initiation criteria may be employed by the community game controller 70, such as initiating the community game at a particular time of day. For example, various eligibility criteria, such as wager amount or type, designated time between community game initiations, etc., can be stored in the game rules 742 and applied selectively.

As described, each linked gaming device 100a, 100b, . . . , 100n is individually operable to play a plurality of base games and the community game. Upon determining that the community game is to be conducted by the community game controller 70, a community game assignor 722, implemented by the processor 72, assigns aspects of game play to the players of the linked gaming devices 100a, 100b, . . . , 100n.

In an embodiment, the community game assignor 722 assigns each of the players of the linked gaming devices 100a, 100b, . . . , 100n to teams participating in the community game according to the game rules 742 based on player base game selection. For example, if there are four different base games that can be played by each of the linked gaming devices, the game rules 742 specify that players of base games A and B are assigned to Team A and players of base games C and D are assigned to Team B. It will be appreciated by those persons skilled in the art that a team may consist of one assigned player.

In addition, the same or different game play objectives may be assigned as an aspect of play. For example, the teams are assigned a different amount of credits to accrue in the community game (e.g. 1000 credits in 10 free spins of a spinning reel game) before being made an award of the community game. It will also be appreciated by those persons skilled in the art that such an objective could be displayed to the players as a race where each team attempts to reach the assigned value of credits first. Also, the award of the community game could be made out to all teams achieving their assigned objective, or a portion thereof. For example, all teams reaching the assigned value of credits in a designated time period may be made an award of the community game or the first time may be made an award of larger value than the second team to reach their assigned value of credits.

Upon assigning aspects of game play to the players of the linked gaming devices 100a, 100b, . . . , 100n, a community game outcome generator 724, implemented by the processor 72, generates a community game outcome based on the respective assigned aspects of game play stored as game rules 742. For example, the community game outcome generator 724 may employ a random number generator in association with the game rules 742 to select a team to win the community game. Alternatively, the community game assignor 722 may assign different game play objectives corresponding to the probability of winning the community game to each of the teams participating in the community game based on the game rules 742.

In one example, the community game assignor 722 assigns a probability of a team winning the community game based on the number of players assigned to that team. In a further example, the community game assignor 722 assigns a different value of prize for each team of the community game based on the game rules 742. In this case, the game rules 742 may specify that a different value of prize is assigned based on the number of players assigned to the respective teams or the base game played. Another game rule may specify the portions of the prize to be split amongst each player of the winning team. This may be split evenly or based on some other game rule, such as the player triggering the community game receiving a larger portion of the prize.

The processor 72 may also include a community game outcome determiner (not shown) to determine an outcome of the community game based on received information from the plurality of linked gaming devices 100a, 100b, . . . , 100n. In the spinning reel type community game, the community game controller 70 determines the team that has collectively accruing a designated value of credits. In this example, the designated value of contributions is stored in the game rules 742.

It will be appreciated by those persons skilled in the art that the award may comprise a prize or a jackpot (e.g. a progressive jackpot), or may comprise an award not having a credit value, such as a number of free spins in a base game or a further community game trigger. In the case where the award is a progressive jackpot, the processor 62a also implements a contribution module (not shown) arranged to contribute a designated portion of a wager inputted in the base game to the progressive jackpot and to communicate the value of the contributions to the community game controller 70 to affect the generated outcome of the community game.

A method 700 of community gaming is summarised in FIG. 7 and involves the steps of determining 710 to conduct a community game for one or more players of a plurality of linked gaming devices, assigning 720 to each of the one or more players at least one aspect of game play in the community game based on a base game played by each of the one or more players from a plurality of base games which can be played, and conducting 730 the community game for the one or more players.

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.

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:

determining that a community game is to be conducted for one or more players of a plurality of linked gaming devices collectively offering at least two different base games;

assigning to each of the one or more players, at least one of a plurality of assignable aspects of game play in the community game based on which of the at least two base games is played by each of the one or more players; and

conducting the community game for said one or more players based on each assigned aspect of game play.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, comprising determining that the community game is to be conducted for a plurality of players.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, comprising assigning an aspect of game play specific to the respective base game played by each respective player.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising determining a winning player of the community game based on the respective aspects of game play assigned to each of the one or more players.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the assignable aspects of game comprise different game play objectives of the community game.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1, comprising assigning each of the one or more players to respective ones of two or more participating teams in the community game based on the respective base game played.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein membership of one of the two or more participating teams in the community game is one aspect of game play that is assigned.

8. A method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising determining a winning team of the community game based on the respective aspects of game play assigned to each of the two or more participating teams in the community game.

9. A method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising assigning the respective aspects of game play as different game play objectives of the community game to each of the two or more participating teams in the community game.

10. A method as claimed in claim 4, further comprising making an award of the community game to the winning player of the community game.

11. A method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising making an award of the community game to the winning team of the community game.

12. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the award of the community game comprises a prize and the method comprises assigning a value of the prize based on the respective base game played.

13. A method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising assigning a probability to determine the winning team of community game based on a number of players assigned to each of the participating teams.

14. A method as claimed in claim 1, comprising determining to conduct the community game in response to an initiation condition being met in one of the base games played.

15. A community game controller in communication with a plurality of linked gaming devices collectively offering at least two different base games to be played, the community game controller arranged to:

determine to conduct a community game for one or more players of the plurality of linked gaming devices;

assign to each of the one or more players at least one of a plurality of assignable aspects of game play in the community game based on which of the at least two base games is played by each of the one or more players; and

conduct the community game for said one or more players based on each assigned aspect of game play.

16. A community game controller as claimed in claim 15, arranged to determine that the community game is to be conducted for a plurality of players.

17. A community game controller as claimed in claim 15, arranged to assign an aspect of game play specific to the respective base game played by each respective player.

18. A community game controller as claimed in claim 15, arranged to determine a winning player of the community game based on the respective aspects of game play assigned to each of the one or more players.

19. A community game controller as claimed in claim 15, wherein the assignable aspects of game comprise different game play objectives of the community game.

20. A community game controller as claimed in claim 15, arranged to assign each of the one or more players to respective ones of two or more participating teams in the community game based on the respective base game played.

21. A community game controller as claimed in claim 20, wherein membership of one of the two or more participating teams in the community game is one aspect of game play that is assigned.

22. A community game controller as claimed in claim 20, arranged to determine a winning team of the community game based on the respective aspects of game play assigned to each of the two or more participating teams in the community game.

23. A community game controller as claimed in claim 20, arranged to assign the respective aspects of game play as different game play objectives of the community game to each of the two or more participating teams in the community game.

24. A community game controller as claimed in claim 18, arranged to make an award of the community game to the winning player of the community game.

25. A community game controller as claimed in claim 22, arranged to make an award of the community game to the winning team of the community game.

26. A community game controller as claimed in claim 15, wherein the award of the community game comprises a prize and the game controller assigns a value of the prize based on the respective base game played.

27. A community game controller as claimed in claim 22, arranged to assign a probability to determine the winning team of community game based on a number of players assigned to each of the participating teams.

28. A community game controller as claimed in claim 15, arranged to conduct the community game in response to an initiation condition being met in one of the base games played.

29. A gaming system comprising:

a plurality of linked gaming devices collectively offering at least two different base games to be played; and

a community game controller in communication with a plurality of linked gaming devices collectively offering at least two different base games to be played, the community game controller arranged to: determine to conduct a community game for one or more players of the plurality of linked gaming devices; assign to each of the one or more players at least one of a plurality of assignable aspects of game play in the community game based on which of the at least two base games is played by each of the one or more players; and conduct the community game for said one or more players based on each assigned aspect of game play.

30. A gaming system comprising:

a plurality of linked gaming devices collectively offering at least two different base games to be played; and

means for determining to conduct a community game for one or more players of the plurality of linked gaming devices;

means for determining to conduct a community game for one or more players of the plurality of linked gaming devices;

means for assigning to each of the one or more players, at least one of a plurality of assignable aspects of game play in the community game based on which of the at least two base games is played by each of the one or more players; and

a means for conducting the community game for said one or more players.

31. A gaming system comprising:

a plurality of electronic gaming machines collectively offering at least two different base games to be played, each electronic gaming machine comprising a cabinet, a display mounted within the cabinet, at least one game play mechanism mounted to the cabinet operable by a player to input selections in one of the at least two base games to be played, and a base game controller disposed within the cabinet comprising a processor and a memory storing game control instructions which enable each base game controller operating in response to operation of a respective at least one game play mechanism by the player to conduct a base game; and

a community game controller operably connected to the electronic gaming machines to determine to conduct a community game for one or more players of the plurality of electronic gaming machines and to assign to each of the one or more players at least one assignable aspect of game play in the community game based on which base game is played by each of the one or more players, the community game controller comprising a processor and a memory storing game rules which when executed cause the community game controller to conduct the community game for said one or more players based on each assigned aspect of game play.

32. A method as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising executing computer program code to implement said determining, assigning and conducting.

33. A method as claimed in claim 32, further comprising storing said computer program code in a tangible computer readable medium.