Patent ID: 6375568
Filing Date: 2002-04-23
Classification: G07F

Abstract:
An interactive gaming process comprising the steps of:(a) providing a gaming system comprising: (i) a plurality of gaming machines to be played by plurality of players, each gaming machine having a wagering game and a theme game, the wagering game having features that correspond to the theme game wherein the results of the wagering game influence the results of the theme game as the wagering game is being played, and (ii) a controller for electronically linking the gaming machines and providing stimuli to the gaming machines so as to effect gaming machine outputs that are impartial and random; (b) configuring the gaming machines to a first pay-out scheme; (c) activating each gaming machine to effect play of the wagering game and theme game wherein each gaming machine is activated by a corresponding player; (d) controlling each gaming machine to use the results of the wagering game to simultaneously play and influence the results of the theme game; (e) determining if there is a player whose theme game results meet a first predetermined criteria; (f) repeating steps (c)-(e) if in step (e), it is determined that there is no player whose theme game results meet the first predetermined criteria; (g) designating the player whose theme game results meet the first predetermined criteria as the Leader; (h) thereafter, configuring the gaming machines according to a second pay-out scheme; (i) activating the gaming machines to effect play of the wagering game wherein each gaming machine is activated by a corresponding player; (j) controlling each gaming machine to play the theme game according to the results of the wagering game; (k) determining if the current Leader's theme game results still meet the first predetermined criteria; (l) repeating steps (b)-(k) if it is determined in step (k) that the current Leader's theme game results no longer meet the first predetermined criteria; (m) determining if any of the players' theme game results meet a second predetermined criteria if it is determined in step (k) that the current Leader's theme game results continue to meet the first predetermined criteria; (n) providing a proportional share of a jackpot to each player in the group of players if in step (m), it is determined that there is a player whose theme game results meet the second predetermined criteria; and (o) repeating steps (i)-(n) if in step (m), it is determined that there is no player whose theme game results meet the second predetermined criteria.