WO1997032286A1 - Slot machine game with dynamic payline - Google Patents

Slot machine game with dynamic payline Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1997032286A1
WO1997032286A1 PCT/AU1997/000122 AU9700122W WO9732286A1 WO 1997032286 A1 WO1997032286 A1 WO 1997032286A1 AU 9700122 W AU9700122 W AU 9700122W WO 9732286 A1 WO9732286 A1 WO 9732286A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
display
game
gaming machine
arrangement
symbols
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU1997/000122
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Nicholas Luke Bennett
Original Assignee
Aristocrat Leisure Industries Pty. Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Aristocrat Leisure Industries Pty. Ltd. filed Critical Aristocrat Leisure Industries Pty. Ltd.
Priority to US09/142,030 priority Critical patent/US6261178B1/en
Priority to AU18619/97A priority patent/AU704297B2/en
Priority to NZ331970A priority patent/NZ331970A/en
Publication of WO1997032286A1 publication Critical patent/WO1997032286A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/34—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to gaming machines of the type generally referred to as slot machines, fruit machines or poker machines, and in particular the invention provides an improvement to a game played on such a machine.
  • the present invention provides an arrangement whereby in addition to the paylines defined on the machine artwork, a further set of randomly selected symbol locations will be counted as a payline in each game.
  • the present invention consists in a gaming machine having display means arranged to display a plurality of symbols in an array of n rows and m columns, game control means arranged to control images displayed on the display means the game control means being arranged to pay a prize when a predetermined combination of symbols is displayed in a predetermined arrangement of symbol locations displayed on the display means, the gaming machine being characterised in that during each game a further arrangement of symbol locations is randomly selected and a prize is paid in the event that a predetermined combination of symbols is displayed in the randomly selected arrangement of symbol locations.
  • the randomly selected arrangement of symbol locations will include one location in every column of the display and more preferably only one location in each column.
  • the preferred embodiments of the invention use a display means which displays symbols in 3 rows and 3, 4 or 5 columns.
  • a player may cause the machine to randomly select more than one additional arrangement of locations in a game, with each such arrangement including one and only one symbol location in each column of the display.
  • the invention is equally applicable to video machines and machines employing spinning reels. Brief Description of the Drawings
  • Figure 1 diagrammatically illustrates a conventional 3 line multi-line pay arrangement for a machine with a 3x5 display format
  • Figure 2 illustrates a game example for a machine embodying the features of the present invention.
  • Figure 3 illustrates a possible machine configuration in which the games described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 may be employed, Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
  • the first embodiment of the present invention provides an arrangement for a slot machine having a 3x5 symbol matrix display with 9 possible predefined prize paying arrangements of symbol locations as illustrated in the diagram of Figure 1. Referring to the symbol positions of the display by their matrix row and column designations (e.g. AX for the top left hand corner and EZ for the bottom right hand corner).
  • the first row in this arrangement comprises the symbol positions AX.
  • BX, CX, DX, EX and the ninth line comprises the symbol positions AZ, BZ, CY, DX, EX. All of the line combinations of Figure 1 are illustrated in Table 1 below. TABLE 1
  • the game is also provided with a random feature whereby under certain circumstances, a further combination of symbol positions, referred to as the "mystery line", will be randomly selected by the machine's controller to give the player another winning opportunity.
  • the mysteiy line would have one and only one symbol position in each column of the display and would not be one of the combinations illustrated in Figure 1 and detailed in Table 1.
  • the circumstances under which a mystery line would be awarded to the player may vary depending upon the game style, but one possible arrangement would involve awarding a mystery line on any occasion when a player plays a game and no prize is won on any of the 9 predefined prize paying arrangements of symbol locations.
  • the mystery line could be provided if no prize is won on any of the predefined prize paying arrangements of symbol locations selected by the player.
  • the mystery line includes positions AY, BZ, CX, DX, EZ and contains 5 Jacks. A prize for 5 Jacks would then be paid to the player and the mystery line display would disappear when the next game is activated.
  • a slot machine 50 is illustrated in which paylines are selected for inclusion in a game by way of a touch sensitive membrane applied over the display screen 51, the membrane being divided into a number of switch panels 52 each of which corresponds with one display payline of the display 51.
  • This arrangement can be used to implement the embodiments described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.
  • the machine of Figure 5 is illustrated with a video display but may also make use of a display comprising a plurality of stepping motor driven reels carrying a plurality of symbols in which case switches 53 would include switches for line selection.

Abstract

It is normal for machines of the type having multiple pay lines (1-9) available, that the player would purchase the option of playing for a win on lines other than the centre line (i). In order to add further player interest, the game is also provided with a random feature whereby under certain circumstances, a further combination of symbol positions, referred to as the 'mystery line', will be randomly selected by the machines controller to give the player another winning opportunity.

Description

Slot machine game with dynamic payline
Introduction
The present invention relates to gaming machines of the type generally referred to as slot machines, fruit machines or poker machines, and in particular the invention provides an improvement to a game played on such a machine.
Players who regularly play gaming machines quickly tire of particular games and therefore it is necessary for manufacturers of these machines to come up with innovative game features that add interest to the games provided on such machines in order to keep the players amused and therefore willing to continue playing the game.
Description of the Prior Art
Gaming or poker machines have been well known in the state of New
South Wales for many years and have more recently gained considerable popularity throughout Australia, with quite substantial amounts of money wagered on these machines. There is a growing tendency for State governments to legalise the use of gaming machines by licensing operators, with resulting revenue gains through licence fees and taxation of monies invested. The licensed operation of gaming machines is the subject of State legislation and regulation. This regulation most always dictates a minimum percentage payout for a gaming machine. For example, a minimum of 85% of monies invested must be returned as winnings, and manufacturers of gaming machines therefore must design their machines around these regulatory controls.
With the growth that has occurred in the gaming machine market there is intense competition between manufacturers to supply the various existing and new venues. When selecting a supplier of gaining machines, the operator of a venue will often pay close attention to the popularity of various games with their patrons.
Therefore, gaming machine manufacturers are keen to devise games which are popular with players, as a mechanism for improving sales.
Many various strategies have been tried in the past to make games more enticing to players, and these strategies are often aimed at either increasing the maximum prize payable on a machine or creating at least the perception of more winning opportunities. The present invention falls into the latter category. For quite a few years, it has been possible to bet on more than one pay line of a slot machine simultaneously. However this feature has been restricted by the number of pay lines that could be achieved on the display format commonly used in slot machines. It should be noted that while early machines exhibited "paylines" which comprised linear combinations of display symbol locations, in more recent times more complicated arrangements of display symbol locations have been employed as "paylines". Throughout this specification the term "payline" will be taken to include any arrangement of symbol locations having the requisite characteristics to be a payline. This may include the requirement that the line includes only one symbol location in each display colunui, in the case of spinning reel machines, but may not include this restriction in the case of video display machines.
The present invention provides an arrangement whereby in addition to the paylines defined on the machine artwork, a further set of randomly selected symbol locations will be counted as a payline in each game.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention consists in a gaming machine having display means arranged to display a plurality of symbols in an array of n rows and m columns, game control means arranged to control images displayed on the display means the game control means being arranged to pay a prize when a predetermined combination of symbols is displayed in a predetermined arrangement of symbol locations displayed on the display means, the gaming machine being characterised in that during each game a further arrangement of symbol locations is randomly selected and a prize is paid in the event that a predetermined combination of symbols is displayed in the randomly selected arrangement of symbol locations.
Preferably, the randomly selected arrangement of symbol locations will include one location in every column of the display and more preferably only one location in each column. The preferred embodiments of the invention use a display means which displays symbols in 3 rows and 3, 4 or 5 columns.
In particular embodiments, a player may cause the machine to randomly select more than one additional arrangement of locations in a game, with each such arrangement including one and only one symbol location in each column of the display. The invention is equally applicable to video machines and machines employing spinning reels. Brief Description of the Drawings
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 diagrammatically illustrates a conventional 3 line multi-line pay arrangement for a machine with a 3x5 display format; and
Figure 2 illustrates a game example for a machine embodying the features of the present invention. Figure 3 illustrates a possible machine configuration in which the games described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 may be employed, Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
In the following detailed description, the methodology of the embodiments will be described and it is to be understood that it is within the capabilities of the non-inventive worker in the art to introduce the methodology on any standard microprocessor base gaming machine by means of appropriate programming.
Traditional slot machines have made use of spinning reels to provide a display function with symbols carried on the reels being aligned to produce a game result which may or may not be a winning combination.
Traditionally, such machines paid a prize only on a centre row combination, however over the years more complex pay arrangements have been developed in which winning combinations could appear on horizontal lines above and follow the centre row line, and later on diagonal lines (typically on 3 reel machines).
In more recent times video displays have been used to simulate spinning reels on these types of machines and in some instances machines have been provided with matrices of pseudo spinning wheels such as a 3x3 matrix of reels, whereby eveiy single position on the display screen is essentially independently randomly achieved and therefore it was valid to pay on vertical combinations as well as horizontal combinations. In such a machine with a 3x3 symbol matrix display, winning combinations could be achieved on any one of three horizontal pay lines, three vertical paylines and two diagonals, making 8 possible lines on which a result could be assessed. I is normal for machines of the type having multiple pay lines available, that the player would purchase the option of playing for a win on lines other than the centre line. That is to say, if the player wagered only one token he played only for a winning combination on one line, whereas if he wagered a number of tokens he may well select lo wager some of those tokens on lines other than the centre line of the display. This mechanism adds interest to the game being played by the player as essentially it enables him to make multiple bets simultaneously.
Referring to Figure 1, a matrix symbolic of a typical three line by five column display matrix is illustrated, and it will be immediately apparent that in such an arrangement diagonal pay lines as conventionally used in 3x3 symbol matrix machines are not appropriate to the 3x5 format. Similarly, in slot machines which play games which follow the traditional format of a plurality of vertical spinning reels, vertical pay lines are not appropriate as there is no significant degree of randomness in the combinations provided on the vertical line. Therefore, with this in mind the first embodiment of the present invention provides an arrangement for a slot machine having a 3x5 symbol matrix display with 9 possible predefined prize paying arrangements of symbol locations as illustrated in the diagram of Figure 1. Referring to the symbol positions of the display by their matrix row and column designations (e.g. AX for the top left hand corner and EZ for the bottom right hand corner).
It will be noted that the first row in this arrangement comprises the symbol positions AX. BX, CX, DX, EX and the ninth line comprises the symbol positions AZ, BZ, CY, DX, EX. All of the line combinations of Figure 1 are illustrated in Table 1 below. TABLE 1
LINE NO DISPLAY POSITIONS USED
1 AY, BY, CY, DY, EY
2 AX, BX, CX, DX, EX
3 AZ, BZ, CZ, DZ, EZ
4 AY, BY, CX, DY, EY
5 AX, BX, CY, DX. EX
6 AZ, BZ, CY, DZ, EZ
7 AY, BY, CZ, DY. EY
8 AX, BX, CY, DZ, EZ
9 AZ, BZ, CY, DX, EX In order to add further player interest, the game is also provided with a random feature whereby under certain circumstances, a further combination of symbol positions, referred to as the "mystery line", will be randomly selected by the machine's controller to give the player another winning opportunity. Typically the mysteiy line would have one and only one symbol position in each column of the display and would not be one of the combinations illustrated in Figure 1 and detailed in Table 1. The circumstances under which a mystery line would be awarded to the player may vary depending upon the game style, but one possible arrangement would involve awarding a mystery line on any occasion when a player plays a game and no prize is won on any of the 9 predefined prize paying arrangements of symbol locations. Alternatively, the mystery line could be provided if no prize is won on any of the predefined prize paying arrangements of symbol locations selected by the player. Given that the display in the described embodiment has 3x5 symbol positions, there are 35 = 243 possible combinations having one symbol position in each column. Therefore, in a machine having 9 predefined paying arrangements of symbol locations there will be 234 normally non prize paying arrangements which are available for selection as a mysteiy line. By way of example, take the case where a player plays a 9 line game and gets results displayed as illustrated in Figure 2. The standard 9 line game has no winning combinations and accordingly the machine randomly selects and displays a mystery line superimposed over the symbol display. In the case shown in Figure 2, the mystery line includes positions AY, BZ, CX, DX, EZ and contains 5 Jacks. A prize for 5 Jacks would then be paid to the player and the mystery line display would disappear when the next game is activated.
A number of mechanisms are possible for displaying the mystery line. In the case of a physical reel machine the respective windows could be lit with a different coloured light, the edges of the windows could be lit or the symbols could be carried on a translucent reel and backlit. In the case of a video machine the symbols could change colour or intensity (eg dull), the symbol background could change or a frame could be displayed around each selected symbol position. Referring to Figure 5, a slot machine 50 is illustrated in which paylines are selected for inclusion in a game by way of a touch sensitive membrane applied over the display screen 51, the membrane being divided into a number of switch panels 52 each of which corresponds with one display payline of the display 51. This arrangement can be used to implement the embodiments described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The machine of Figure 5 is illustrated with a video display but may also make use of a display comprising a plurality of stepping motor driven reels carrying a plurality of symbols in which case switches 53 would include switches for line selection.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. A gaming machine having display means arranged to display a plurality of symbols in an array of n rows and m columns, game control means arranged to control images displayed on the display means the game control means being arranged to pay a prize when a predetermined combination of symbols is displayed in a predetermined arrangement of symbol locations displayed on the display means, the gaming machine being characterised in that during each game a further arrangement of symbol locations is randomly selected and a prize is paid in the event that a predetermined combination of symbols is displayed in the randomly selected arrangement of symbol locations.
2. The gaining machine of claim 1 wherein the randomly selected arrangement of symbol locations includes at least one location in every column of the display.
3. The gaining machine of claim 2 wherein the randomly selected arrangement of symbol locations includes only one location in each column.
4. The gaming machine as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the display means displays symbols in 3 rows and 3, 4 or 5 columns.
5. The gaming machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the machine is arranged to randomly select more than one additional arrangement of locations in a game, with each such arrangement including one and only one symbol location in each column of the display.
6. The gaming machine of claim 5 wherein the number of randomly selected arrangements in a game is selectable by the player.
7. The gaming machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the display means includes a plurality rotatable reels, each reel carrying a plurality of symbols.
8. The gaming machine as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the display means is a video display.
9. The gaming machine of claim 8 wherein the video display is arranged to display a simulation of a plurality of rotatable reels each carrying a plurality of symbols.
PCT/AU1997/000122 1996-02-28 1997-02-28 Slot machine game with dynamic payline WO1997032286A1 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/142,030 US6261178B1 (en) 1996-02-28 1997-02-28 Slot machine game with dynamic payline
AU18619/97A AU704297B2 (en) 1996-02-28 1997-02-28 Slot machine game with dynamic payline
NZ331970A NZ331970A (en) 1996-02-28 1997-02-28 Slot machine game with additional randomly selected payline

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPN8363A AUPN836396A0 (en) 1996-02-28 1996-02-28 Dynamic payline
AUPN8363 1996-02-28

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1997032286A1 true WO1997032286A1 (en) 1997-09-04

Family

ID=3792676

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU1997/000122 WO1997032286A1 (en) 1996-02-28 1997-02-28 Slot machine game with dynamic payline

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US6261178B1 (en)
AU (1) AUPN836396A0 (en)
NZ (1) NZ331970A (en)
WO (1) WO1997032286A1 (en)
ZA (1) ZA971582B (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001071678A1 (en) * 2000-03-22 2001-09-27 Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd A gaming machine with refract symbol
EP1192975A1 (en) * 1999-06-14 2002-04-03 Konami Co., Ltd. Game system, game control method, and computer-readable storage medium
US7736224B2 (en) 2002-08-20 2010-06-15 Konami Gaming Incorporated Gaming machine and method of controlling the same

Families Citing this family (147)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6960133B1 (en) 2000-08-28 2005-11-01 Igt Slot machine game having a plurality of ways for a user to obtain payouts based on selection of one or more symbols (power pays)
US6702671B2 (en) 1999-04-23 2004-03-09 Colepat, Llc Dice game and gaming system
AU768153B2 (en) * 2000-07-28 2003-12-04 Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited Gaming machine with uneven paylines
AUPQ907900A0 (en) * 2000-07-28 2000-08-24 Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited Gaming machine with uneven paylines
US7371166B1 (en) * 2000-10-16 2008-05-13 Igt Gaming device having a multi-round bonus scheme wherein each round has a probability of success
US20020198039A1 (en) * 2000-12-01 2002-12-26 Park Place Entertainment Corporation Video slot machine that awards points for interaction of objects originally outside of the symbol matrix with objects inside of the symbol matrix
US8021224B2 (en) * 2001-05-09 2011-09-20 Howard Marks Slot machine game having a plurality of ways for a user to obtain enhanced payouts based on consecutive winning combinations
US6896615B2 (en) 2001-09-06 2005-05-24 King Show Games, Llc Gaming method and apparatus implementing a hierarchical display grid and dynamically generated paylines
DE10143864C1 (en) * 2001-09-07 2003-04-17 Atronic Int Gmbh Method and device for determining a game result on a coin-operated entertainment machine
US20030064779A1 (en) * 2001-09-28 2003-04-03 Konami Gaming, Inc. Video slot gaming machine
US7628691B2 (en) * 2001-10-17 2009-12-08 Luciano Jr Robert A Dynamic paytable for interactive games
US7192347B1 (en) * 2001-11-06 2007-03-20 Bally Gaming, Inc. Game machine having a plurality of ways for a user to obtain payouts based on the appearance of any and all symbols within an active symbol matrix (“what you see is what you get”)
AUPR884101A0 (en) * 2001-11-13 2001-12-06 Ainsworth Game Technology Limited Gaming machine
US6869357B2 (en) * 2001-12-19 2005-03-22 Igt Methods of conducting games of chance and gaming devices with multiple pay lines
US7316616B2 (en) * 2002-01-16 2008-01-08 Igt Gaming system license management
US20030153379A1 (en) * 2002-02-11 2003-08-14 Nicole Beaulieu Automated selection of video gaming options
US7494413B2 (en) * 2002-02-20 2009-02-24 Igt Slot machine game having a plurality of ways for a user to obtain payouts for one or more additional pay lines formed by the appearance of special symbols in a symbol matrix
US7112136B2 (en) * 2002-06-03 2006-09-26 Wms Gaming Inc. Slot machine with reel symbol matching feature
US20030236115A1 (en) * 2002-06-24 2003-12-25 John Chamberlain Gaming apparatus with a consecutive wins multiplier
US8715058B2 (en) 2002-08-06 2014-05-06 Igt Reel and video combination machine
US7841944B2 (en) * 2002-08-06 2010-11-30 Igt Gaming device having a three dimensional display device
US8157633B2 (en) 2002-08-30 2012-04-17 Igt Gaming device having a multi-trigger bonus
US7666085B2 (en) * 2002-09-11 2010-02-23 Igt Gaming device which displays multiple gaming results wherein subsequent results are formed from previous results
US20040053677A1 (en) * 2002-09-12 2004-03-18 Hughs-Baird Andrea C. Gaming device having a scatter pay symbol
US7001278B2 (en) 2002-10-11 2006-02-21 Igt Gaming device having apparent and final awards
US7347777B2 (en) * 2002-11-08 2008-03-25 Atronic International Gmbh Gaming machine with selectable ways to win
US20040097280A1 (en) * 2002-11-20 2004-05-20 Michael Gauselmann Gaming machine having triggering event that alters the display of symbols
US7819740B2 (en) * 2003-02-10 2010-10-26 Igt Gaming device having a plurality of paylines and different modifiers associated with the paylines
US7625280B2 (en) * 2003-02-10 2009-12-01 Igt Gaming device having separately and simultaneously displayed paylines
US20040198486A1 (en) * 2003-03-04 2004-10-07 Walker Jay S. Method and apparatus for determining and presenting outcomes at a gaming device
US7179296B2 (en) * 2003-04-02 2007-02-20 Howmedica Osteonics Corp. Partially constrained ball and socket
JP2004321245A (en) * 2003-04-21 2004-11-18 Konami Co Ltd Game machine
US8535143B2 (en) 2003-05-01 2013-09-17 Wms Gaming Inc. Gaming machine having enhanced bonus game play schemes
US20040219968A1 (en) * 2003-05-01 2004-11-04 Fiden Daniel P. Gaming machine with interactive pop-up windows
US7029396B2 (en) * 2003-05-09 2006-04-18 Wms Gaming Inc. Gaming machine with mystery pay feature
US20040229679A1 (en) * 2003-05-14 2004-11-18 Anderson Peter R. Slot machine with award-dependent animations
US7402101B2 (en) * 2003-05-29 2008-07-22 Wms Gaming Inc. Slot machine with activatable pay arrangements
GB0313012D0 (en) 2003-06-06 2003-07-09 Igt Uk Ltd Entertainment machines
US7300351B2 (en) * 2003-06-30 2007-11-27 Wms Gaming Inc. Gaming machine having a player time-selectable bonus award scheme
CA2472710A1 (en) * 2003-06-30 2004-12-30 Wms Gaming Inc. Gaming machine having a player time-selectable bonus award scheme and an intelligent button
US20050014548A1 (en) * 2003-07-15 2005-01-20 Alfred Thomas Method and apparatus for changing an appearance of mechanical devices displayed on a gaming machine
US7329180B2 (en) * 2003-08-18 2008-02-12 Nativegames Entertainment International Ltd Gaming system with multiple generic and subgeneric characteristics
US7575513B2 (en) * 2003-08-18 2009-08-18 Native Games Entertainment International, Ltd Double draw poker-type reel-type gaming system
US20060189363A1 (en) * 2005-02-18 2006-08-24 Nativegames Entertainment International Ltd. Reel-type gaming system
US7393277B2 (en) 2003-08-25 2008-07-01 Igt Horseshoe payline system and games using that system
US7922573B2 (en) 2003-09-12 2011-04-12 Igt Gaming device having concentric reels including an outer reel with display areas having different sizes and positions
US7316609B2 (en) * 2003-09-15 2008-01-08 Shuffle Master, Inc. Reveal-hide-pick-reveal video wagering game feature
AU2004212567A1 (en) * 2003-09-17 2005-04-07 Labtronix Concept Inc Evaluation based on bingo configuration on line games
US7607980B2 (en) 2003-11-10 2009-10-27 Igt Gaming device having free potential winning combinations
US20050130731A1 (en) * 2003-12-10 2005-06-16 Englman Allon G. Gaming machine having an enhanced game play scheme
US7749071B2 (en) 2004-01-02 2010-07-06 Igt Gaming device including player selectable wild symbols
US7309284B2 (en) 2004-01-12 2007-12-18 Igt Method for using a light valve to reduce the visibility of an object within a gaming apparatus
US8221206B2 (en) 2004-01-28 2012-07-17 Igt Gaming device having a partial selectable symbol matrix
US20060030387A1 (en) * 2004-08-09 2006-02-09 Jackson Kathleen N Payline system for multiline slot play using an erasing/exposure feature
US7611406B2 (en) * 2004-08-23 2009-11-03 Igt Gaming device having selectively activated extra reel
US7950994B2 (en) 2004-09-10 2011-05-31 Igt Replacement reel gaming device and method
US7749073B2 (en) * 2004-09-10 2010-07-06 Wms Gaming Inc. Wagering game with enhanced payline feature
US7740536B2 (en) 2004-09-29 2010-06-22 Igt Gaming device having player selection of scatter pay symbol positions
US7780519B2 (en) * 2004-09-30 2010-08-24 Wms Gaming Gaming machine with symbol upgrade feature
US7674174B2 (en) * 2004-10-18 2010-03-09 Igt Gaming device having one or more payline awards calculated as a function of the total wager
US8043155B2 (en) 2004-10-18 2011-10-25 Igt Gaming device having a plurality of wildcard symbol patterns
US7862421B2 (en) * 2004-12-06 2011-01-04 Igt Gaming device and method having increasing payline wager amounts
US20060148554A1 (en) * 2005-01-05 2006-07-06 Wms Gaming Inc. Wagering game with altered payline
US7578740B2 (en) * 2005-01-05 2009-08-25 Igt Gaming device and method having payline progressive awards
WO2006078670A2 (en) * 2005-01-18 2006-07-27 Wms Gaming Inc. Wagering game with enhancement feature for bonus-triggering event
US7601061B2 (en) * 2005-02-11 2009-10-13 Igt Gaming machine having independent spinning forms and multiple pay lines
US7677968B2 (en) * 2005-02-24 2010-03-16 Wms Gaming Inc. Wagering game with symbol combinations providing virtual mapping to table with game outcomes
US20060246982A1 (en) * 2005-03-29 2006-11-02 Howard Rubin Lotto bingo game
US8109823B2 (en) * 2005-05-17 2012-02-07 Wms Gaming Inc. Gaming machine with wild symbol feature
US20070011718A1 (en) * 2005-07-08 2007-01-11 Nee Patrick W Jr Efficient customized media creation through pre-encoding of common elements
US8128480B2 (en) 2005-07-29 2012-03-06 Igt Gaming device having dynamic paylines
US8500541B2 (en) * 2005-08-19 2013-08-06 Wms Gaming Inc. Wagering game with preview feature for a winning payline
US7959505B2 (en) * 2005-11-22 2011-06-14 Labtronix Concept Inc. Evaluation-structure base game feature persisting over a number of outcomes
WO2007062405A2 (en) 2005-11-22 2007-05-31 Cyberscan Technology, Inc. Regulated gaming-staging multi-act games
US7972207B2 (en) * 2005-12-05 2011-07-05 Barrie Robert P Dynamic assignment of pay lines in a game of chance
CA2628974A1 (en) 2005-12-09 2007-06-28 Igt Rotor-based gaming device having a secondary award system
JP2007275296A (en) * 2006-04-06 2007-10-25 Aruze Corp Game machine
JP2007275297A (en) * 2006-04-06 2007-10-25 Aruze Corp Game machine
US20080064477A1 (en) * 2006-05-05 2008-03-13 Colin Fong Gaming machine with random symbol selection
US7909690B2 (en) * 2006-08-08 2011-03-22 Igt Gaming device and method providing calculated reel symbol evaluation
CA2661888A1 (en) * 2006-09-01 2008-03-06 Wms Gaming Inc. Wagering game with multiple reels forming multiple symbol arrays
US20080102925A1 (en) * 2006-10-25 2008-05-01 Aruze Gaming America, Inc. Slot machine and playing method thereof
US8241104B2 (en) 2006-11-06 2012-08-14 Igt Gaming device and method having designated rules for determining ways to win
US8636579B2 (en) * 2006-11-09 2014-01-28 Wms Gaming Inc. Wagering game with pay lines extending through bonus regions
US8430739B2 (en) 2006-11-10 2013-04-30 Igt Gaming system and method having wager dependent different symbol evaluations
US8033903B2 (en) 2006-11-10 2011-10-11 Igt Gaming system and method having progressive free games
US8142273B2 (en) 2006-11-13 2012-03-27 Igt Presentation of wheels on gaming machines having multi-layer displays
US8210922B2 (en) 2006-11-13 2012-07-03 Igt Separable game graphics on a gaming machine
US8192281B2 (en) 2006-11-13 2012-06-05 Igt Simulated reel imperfections
US8360847B2 (en) 2006-11-13 2013-01-29 Igt Multimedia emulation of physical reel hardware in processor-based gaming machines
US8357033B2 (en) 2006-11-13 2013-01-22 Igt Realistic video reels
EP2089861A2 (en) 2006-11-13 2009-08-19 Itg Single plane spanning mode across independently driven displays
US8298065B2 (en) * 2007-03-22 2012-10-30 King Show Games, Inc. Gaming activity with secondary symbols forming random paylines
US20080274786A1 (en) * 2007-05-02 2008-11-06 Vision Gaming & Technology, Inc. Gaming machine utilizing distinctive paylines
WO2009005703A1 (en) * 2007-06-29 2009-01-08 Wms Gaming Inc. Wagering game having a collapsible wild feature
US20100234092A1 (en) * 2007-06-29 2010-09-16 Wms Gaming Inc. Wagering game having hybrid winning outcomes
US20090042637A1 (en) * 2007-08-06 2009-02-12 Anthony Singer Method of playing a slot machine with connected payline positions
US8915786B2 (en) 2007-08-09 2014-12-23 Igt Gaming system and method providing simultaneous gaming with linked paytable events
AU2008229753A1 (en) * 2007-10-11 2009-04-30 Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited A gaming system and a method of gaming
US8444473B2 (en) 2007-11-09 2013-05-21 Igt Gaming system, gaming device, and gaming method for shifting symbols from a staging area to a symbol matrix
US8277305B2 (en) 2007-11-09 2012-10-02 Igt Gaming device and method for providing a free spin game with payline multipliers
US8162744B2 (en) * 2008-04-18 2012-04-24 Aruze Gaming America, Inc. Gaming machine executing effects using symbols and control method thereof
AU2009201743B2 (en) * 2008-05-02 2012-05-10 Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited A gaming system and a method of gaming
US8398477B1 (en) 2008-08-07 2013-03-19 Primo Innovo, Llc Method and apparatus for a wagering game with indicia developed paylines
US8287363B2 (en) 2008-08-07 2012-10-16 Primo Innovo, Llc Method and apparatus for a wagering game with indicia developed paylines
US8177633B2 (en) 2008-08-14 2012-05-15 Igt Gaming system and method providing an award for designated losing conditions
US8636580B2 (en) * 2008-10-28 2014-01-28 Universal Entertainment Corporation Slot machine executing free game and control method thereof
US8172665B2 (en) 2008-11-12 2012-05-08 Igt Gaming system enabling a symbol driven win evaluation method
US8662986B2 (en) 2008-11-13 2014-03-04 Igt Gaming system, gaming device, and method for providing a cascading symbols game having magnetic symbols and target symbols
US8506380B2 (en) 2008-11-14 2013-08-13 Igt Gaming system, gaming device, and method for enabling a player to select volatility using game symbols
US9070259B2 (en) * 2009-08-05 2015-06-30 Bradley Berman Gaming method and apparatus for facilitating a game involving 2D and 3D play areas
US9165433B2 (en) 2009-11-10 2015-10-20 Igt Gaming system, gaming device, and method for providing a cascading symbol game including shifting symbols according to directional indicators
US8323085B2 (en) 2010-07-19 2012-12-04 King Show Games, Inc. Method and apparatus for increasing potential payout opportunities in card games
US8425316B2 (en) 2010-08-03 2013-04-23 Igt Methods and systems for improving play of a bonus game on a gaming machine and improving security within a gaming establishment
US8323091B2 (en) 2010-08-09 2012-12-04 Igt Gaming system, gaming device, and method for providing a cascading symbol game including shifting different determined symbols
US9087434B2 (en) 2010-11-10 2015-07-21 Novomatic Ag Gaming machine and method with bonus reel features
US8562419B2 (en) 2011-06-30 2013-10-22 Igt Gaming system, device, and method providing a multiple streak game
US8764548B2 (en) 2011-08-22 2014-07-01 Igt Gaming system, gaming device, and method for providing a directional symbol evaluation game
US8641505B2 (en) 2011-08-22 2014-02-04 Igt Gaming system, gaming device, and method for providing a directional symbol evaluation game
US8608545B2 (en) 2011-12-06 2013-12-17 Igt Gaming system, gaming device, and method providing a game including a cascading symbols feature causing one or more repositioned symbols to be wild symbols
US9418507B2 (en) 2012-07-05 2016-08-16 Igt Gaming system and method providing a group award presentation of a plurality of similar or identical awards
US8740689B2 (en) 2012-07-06 2014-06-03 Igt Gaming system and method configured to operate a game associated with a reflector symbol
US9245407B2 (en) 2012-07-06 2016-01-26 Igt Gaming system and method that determines awards based on quantities of symbols included in one or more strings of related symbols displayed along one or more paylines
US9805553B2 (en) 2012-07-16 2017-10-31 Igt Gaming system and method providing additional award opportunity based on a plurality of accumulated designated symbols
US9214067B2 (en) 2012-09-06 2015-12-15 Igt Gaming system and method for providing a streaming symbols game
US9177447B2 (en) 2012-09-25 2015-11-03 Igt Gaming system and method for providing a symbol matrix with a moveable symbol display window
US9533214B2 (en) 2012-09-25 2017-01-03 Igt Gaming system and method for providing plays of multiple games
US9028318B2 (en) 2012-09-27 2015-05-12 Igt Gaming system and method for providing a game which populates symbols along a path
US8992301B2 (en) 2012-09-27 2015-03-31 Igt Gaming system and method for providing a game which populates symbols along a path
US9039512B2 (en) 2012-09-27 2015-05-26 Igt Gaming system and method for providing a game which populates symbols along a path
US8986102B2 (en) 2012-12-21 2015-03-24 Wms Gaming Inc. Wagering game with ascending features
US9345960B2 (en) 2012-12-21 2016-05-24 Igt Gaming system and method providing an enhanced winning hand display feature
US9569935B2 (en) 2013-03-01 2017-02-14 King Show Games, Inc. Method and apparatus for combining symbols in gaming devices
US8840457B1 (en) 2013-03-04 2014-09-23 Igt Gaming system and method providing a slot game employing a randomly selected set of reels
US8851979B2 (en) 2013-03-07 2014-10-07 Igt Gaming system and method for providing a symbol elimination game
US8784191B1 (en) 2013-03-07 2014-07-22 Igt Gaming system and method for providing a symbol elimination game
US9177448B2 (en) 2013-03-11 2015-11-03 Igt Gaming system and method providing a slot game including a symbol generator modification event
US8870642B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2014-10-28 Igt Gaming system and method providing a multiplay slot game including a cascading symbols feature in which symbols are removed from corresponding symbol display areas of different sets of symbol display areas
US9449470B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2016-09-20 Bally Gaming, Inc. Wagering game with upgradable symbol stacks
US9811975B2 (en) 2013-09-20 2017-11-07 Sg Gaming Anz Pty Ltd Methods and apparatuses for electronic gaming including stacks and blocks of symbols
US10147281B2 (en) 2014-07-24 2018-12-04 Igt Gaming system and method having matching symbol stacks and additional award opportunities
US9972163B2 (en) 2015-01-28 2018-05-15 Bally Gaming, Inc. Association or linking of symbol bearing array elements in a gaming machine
US9640024B2 (en) 2015-01-28 2017-05-02 Bally Gaming, Inc. System and method for multiple adjusting symbol changes during a wagering game
USD798956S1 (en) 2015-09-22 2017-10-03 Linda C. Smith Slot machine
US10186106B2 (en) 2016-09-21 2019-01-22 Igt Gaming system and method for determining awards based on interacting symbols
US10950083B2 (en) 2019-02-01 2021-03-16 Everi Games, Inc. Gaming machine and method with numerical basis for prizes in reels
US11798370B2 (en) 2020-10-26 2023-10-24 Lnw Gaming, Inc. Gaming machine and method with symbol array alteration

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0058488A1 (en) * 1981-02-02 1982-08-25 Ace Coin Equipment Limited An amusement or gaming machine
WO1996008799A1 (en) * 1994-09-15 1996-03-21 Aristocrat Leisure Industries Pty. Ltd. Multiline gaming machine
US5580053A (en) * 1994-08-22 1996-12-03 Crouch; Philip C. Multi-line gaming machine

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4198052A (en) * 1977-10-19 1980-04-15 ADP - Automaten GmbH Slot machine
US4365810A (en) * 1979-09-28 1982-12-28 Selectro-Vision, Ltd. Gaming board
US4475157A (en) * 1981-11-20 1984-10-02 Bolan Patrick J Electronic bingo player
US5393057A (en) * 1992-02-07 1995-02-28 Marnell, Ii; Anthony A. Electronic gaming apparatus and method
US5332228A (en) * 1993-07-16 1994-07-26 M P Software Inc. Stud poker game with variable position wild card
US5611535A (en) * 1995-02-17 1997-03-18 Bally Gaming International, Inc. Gaming machine having compound win line
US5772506A (en) * 1996-11-08 1998-06-30 Ptt, Llc Video poker gold card game and computer system for inplementing same

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0058488A1 (en) * 1981-02-02 1982-08-25 Ace Coin Equipment Limited An amusement or gaming machine
US5580053A (en) * 1994-08-22 1996-12-03 Crouch; Philip C. Multi-line gaming machine
WO1996008799A1 (en) * 1994-09-15 1996-03-21 Aristocrat Leisure Industries Pty. Ltd. Multiline gaming machine

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1192975A1 (en) * 1999-06-14 2002-04-03 Konami Co., Ltd. Game system, game control method, and computer-readable storage medium
EP1192975A4 (en) * 1999-06-14 2005-08-10 Konami Corp Game system, game control method, and computer-readable storage medium
WO2001071678A1 (en) * 2000-03-22 2001-09-27 Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd A gaming machine with refract symbol
US6966835B2 (en) 2000-03-22 2005-11-22 Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd Gaming machine with refract symbol
US7736224B2 (en) 2002-08-20 2010-06-15 Konami Gaming Incorporated Gaming machine and method of controlling the same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ZA971582B (en) 1997-08-29
AUPN836396A0 (en) 1996-03-21
US6261178B1 (en) 2001-07-17
NZ331970A (en) 1999-06-29

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6261178B1 (en) Slot machine game with dynamic payline
US6093102A (en) Multiline gaming machine
US5580053A (en) Multi-line gaming machine
US6251013B1 (en) Slot machine game with randomly designated special symbols
US6190254B1 (en) Slot machine game with dynamic special symbols
AU710015B2 (en) Slot machine game with dynamic special symbols
US5902184A (en) Slot machine game with dynamic scorecard
AU750731B2 (en) Slot machine game with randomly-designated special symbols
US6015346A (en) Indicia selection game
US7387570B2 (en) Entertainment machines
US6604999B2 (en) Gaming machine with uneven paylines
US7029396B2 (en) Gaming machine with mystery pay feature
US7775869B2 (en) Player choice game feature
US20030073481A1 (en) Slot machine game - hidden prize
US20040162133A1 (en) Novel display and novel video payline format
AU2010246556A1 (en) Multi-line gaming machine with single wager option
US20020086726A1 (en) Gaming machine
WO2001028646A1 (en) A gaming machine with improved display means
US20090048013A1 (en) Gaming apparatus with bonus award
AU768153B2 (en) Gaming machine with uneven paylines
AU704297B2 (en) Slot machine game with dynamic payline
AU684233B2 (en) Multiline gaming machine
AU702972B2 (en) Slot machine game with dynamic scorecard
CA2523303A1 (en) Improved multiline gaming machine
AU703025B2 (en) Indicia selection game

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AU CA NZ US

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE

DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 09142030

Country of ref document: US

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 331970

Country of ref document: NZ

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: CA

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase