Abstract:
A gaming machine including a display and a user interface in communication with a game controller, which cooperate to provide a game, the gaming machine offering at least one jackpot prize and awarding at least one feature game on the occurrence of a predetermined event during play of the game. The outcomes of the feature game include a first outcome and a second outcome, wherein the gaming machine causes an increase of the jackpot prize on the occurrence of the first outcome, and causes the award of the jackpot prize on the occurrence of the second outcome. A gaming machine is also described in which an increase to a jackpot prize is variable. Also described are gaming systems including a plurality of linked gaming machines and methods for gaming.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application relates to, and claims priority from, Australian Patent Application No. 2006904518, filed on Aug. 18, 2006, entitled “Gaming Machine, System and Method With Progressive Game Feature,” which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to gaming apparatus and methods of gaming. A particular embodiment of the present invention relates to gaming apparatus and methods of gaming that offer a progressive prize. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    With the increase of gambling at gaming venues has come increased competition between gaming venues to obtain a larger share of the total gambling spend. Gaming venue operators have therefore continuously looked for new variations and types of games in order to attract both new and return customers to their venues. 
         [0004]    In response to this need, suppliers of gaming devices and systems have attempted to provide the sought after variety, while still developing games that comply with the relevant regulations in the jurisdiction of the gaming venue operator. Suppliers of gaming devices therefore are faced with restrictions on the types of games and gaming apparatus that are allowable, both in terms of the prevailing regulations and in terms of providing a return on investment to the gaming venue operators. 
         [0005]    In addition, it is important that a player be able to understand the operation of a game quickly so that the player can start to quickly play the game and therefore extract maximum entertainment from the game. 
         [0006]    Progressive jackpots may be offered on gaming machines. A progressive controller may be programmed to accumulate a percentage of the turnover bet on the machine, that percentage being accumulated in a progressive pool. On the occurrence of a predetermined event, the amount of money in the pool may be awarded to a player. 
         [0007]    Recently progressive jackpot gaming systems have been implemented which operate across a group of linked gaming machines, accumulating a percentage of turnover bet on all of the linked machines into one or more progressive pools. Again the contents of a particular progressive pool may be awarded to a player when certain trigger conditions are met. 
         [0008]    While the modified player progressive systems have increased player interest, the lack of actual or perceived player involvement in the increment of either standalone or linked progressive systems can mean that players may easily tire of playing these systems. 
         [0009]    Any reference in this specification to the prior art does not constitute an admission that such prior art was well known or forms part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    According to a first aspect, the invention broadly resides in a gaming machine having a display and a user interface in communication with a game controller, which cooperate to provide a game in which a plurality of symbols from a symbol set are displayed on the display to form at least one outcome that is evaluated for a winning combination and in which an award is awarded if a winning combination results, the gaming machine further offering at least one jackpot prize and awarding at least one feature game on the occurrence of a predetermined event during play of the game, the outcomes of the feature game including a first outcome and a second outcome, wherein the gaming machine causes an increase of the jackpot prize on the occurrence of the first outcome, and causes the award of the jackpot prize on the occurrence of the second outcome. 
         [0011]    According to a second aspect, the invention broadly resides in a gaming system including a plurality of linked gaming machines each having a display and a user interface in communication with a game controller, which cooperate to provide a game in which a plurality of symbols from a symbol set are displayed on the display to form at least one outcome that is evaluated for a winning combination and in which an award is awarded if a winning combination results, the gaming system offering at least one jackpot prize that can be won by any one of the gaming machines, wherein game play of the game provided by each gaming machine includes awarding at least one feature game on the occurrence of a predetermined event during play of the game, the outcomes of the feature game including a first outcome and a second outcome, wherein the gaming system causes an increase of the jackpot prize on the occurrence of the first outcome, and causes the award of the jackpot prize on the occurrence of the second outcome. 
         [0012]    Preferably, the amount that the jackpot prize is increased if the first outcome occurs is variable between plays of the feature game. The amount may be determined by the gaming system making a random selection from a predetermined set or range of possible values. 
         [0013]    According to a third aspect, the invention broadly resides in a gaming machine including a display and a user interface in communication with a game controller, which cooperate to provide a game in which at least one outcome is defined that is evaluated for a winning outcome and in which an award is awarded if a winning outcome is defined, the gaming machine further offering at least one jackpot prize that is won by the gaming machine on the occurrence of a particular event during play of the game, wherein during play of the game, if the at least one outcome includes a particular outcome, the gaming machine causes the jackpot prize to increase, the amount of the increase being variable between separate occurrences of the particular outcome. 
         [0014]    According to a fourth aspect, the invention broadly resides in a gaming system including a plurality of linked gaming machines each having a display and a user interface in communication with a game controller, which cooperate to provide a game in which at least one outcome is defined that is evaluated for a winning outcome and in which an award is awarded if a winning outcome is defined, the gaming system further offering at least one jackpot prize that is won by a said gaming machine on the occurrence of a particular event during play of the game by that gaming machine, wherein during play of a said game on a gaming machine, if the at least one outcome includes a particular outcome, the gaming system causes the jackpot prize to increase, the amount of the increase being variable between separate occurrences of the particular outcome. 
         [0015]    Preferably, the particular event is the at least one outcome including a second particular outcome. 
         [0016]    Preferably, the game includes a feature game that is played on the occurrence of a predetermined event during play of the game, the feature game resulting in a definition of a said outcome, wherein the particular outcome is an outcome of the feature game. 
         [0017]    Preferably, the second particular outcome is also an outcome of the feature game. More preferably, the second particular outcome is a winning outcome of the feature game and the first particular outcome is a losing outcome of the feature game. The feature game may result in one of two outcomes consisting of the first particular outcome and the second particular outcome. 
         [0018]    Preferably, for any aspect/embodiment of the invention described in the preceding paragraphs, a plurality of feature games are offered, each feature game associated with a different jackpot prize, wherein a particular outcome of the feature game results in the increase of the jackpot prize associated with that feature game. Each feature game may be triggered on the occurrence distinct events during play of the game. Alternatively, one or more of the feature games may be triggered on the occurrence of a common event, the particular feature game being triggered dependent on when the event occurs. 
         [0019]    Preferably, a further jackpot prize is offered, the further jackpot prize being awarded when a player achieves a winning outcome in every one of the plurality of feature games. 
         [0020]    According to a fifth aspect, the present invention broadly resides in a gaming system including a plurality of gaming machine clients communicably coupled to a jackpot prize controller, each gaming machine client operable to transmit to the jackpot prize controller a jackpot prize increase request on the occurrence of a particular outcome in a game played by that gaming machine client, the jackpot prize controller receiving a jackpot prize increase request received from a said gaming machine client and in response incrementing a jackpot prize, and transmitting the increased amount to the plurality of gaming machine clients. 
         [0021]    Preferably, each gaming machine client is operable to transmit to the jackpot prize controller a second jackpot prize increase request, the second jackpot prize increase request being transmitted in response to the placing of a wager on a gaming machine and the jackpot prize controller receives the second jackpot prize increase request and in response increases a second jackpot prize. Preferably, the second jackpot prize increase request causes the second jackpot prize to increase in an amount proportional to the size of the wager. 
         [0022]    According to a sixth aspect, the invention broadly resides in a method for use with a gaming machine which provide a game in which a plurality of symbols are presented to form at least one outcome, the method including providing a chance to win at least one jackpot prize through play of the gaming machine and awarding at least one feature game on the occurrence of a predetermined event during play of the game, outcomes of the feature game including a first outcome and a second outcome, the method including increasing the value of the jackpot prize on the occurrence of the first outcome, and awarding the jackpot prize on the occurrence of the second outcome. 
         [0023]    According to a seventh aspect, the invention broadly resides in a method for use with a gaming system including a plurality of linked gaming machines which each provide a game in which a plurality of symbols are presented to form at least one outcome, the method including providing a chance to win at least one jackpot prize at least one jackpot through play of any one of the gaming machines by awarding at least one feature game on the occurrence of a predetermined event during play of the game, outcomes of the feature game including a first outcome and a second outcome, the method including increasing the value of the jackpot prize on the occurrence of the first outcome, and awarding the jackpot prize on the occurrence of the second outcome. 
         [0024]    According to an eighth aspect, the invention broadly resides in method for use with a gaming machine which provide a game in which a plurality of symbols are presented to form at least one outcome, the method including providing a chance to win at least one jackpot prize through play of the game, wherein during play of the game, if the at least one outcome includes a particular outcome, the gaming machine causes the jackpot prize to increase, the amount of the increase being variable between separate occurrences of the particular outcome. 
         [0025]    According to a ninth aspect, the invention broadly resides in a method for use with a gaming system including a plurality of linked gaming machines which each provide a game in which a plurality of symbols are presented to form at least one outcome, the method including providing a chance to win at least one jackpot prize through play of the game on any one of the gaming machines, wherein during play of a said game on a gaming machine, if the at least one outcome includes a particular outcome, the gaming system causes the jackpot prize to increase, the amount of the increase being variable between separate occurrences of the particular outcome. 
         [0026]    Further aspects and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]      FIG. 1 : shows diagrammatically, a view of a gaming machine suitable for implementing certain embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 2 : shows a block diagram of gaming apparatus suitable for implementing certain embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 3 : shows a block diagram of components of the memory of the gaming apparatus represented in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 4 : shows diagrammatically, a network gaming system suitable for implementing certain embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 5 : shows a screen display of one of a plurality of game features available in a first embodiment of the feature game of certain embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 6 : shows a screen display of the results of a game indicating an exemplary feature game has been triggered. 
           [0033]      FIG. 7 : shows an attract screen display of a game feature which has been triggered from the game of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 8 : shows a screen display of a game feature of  FIG. 5  in its initial configuration. 
           [0035]      FIG. 9 : shows a screen display of the game feature of  FIG. 5  after a number of rounds of the feature game have been played. 
           [0036]      FIG. 10 : shows a typical underlying reel structure for the safe game feature. 
           [0037]      FIG. 11 : shows a screen display of the game feature of  FIG. 5  in which a player has won. 
           [0038]      FIG. 12 : shows the attract screen display of  FIG. 5  after the player has won. 
           [0039]      FIG. 13 : shows a typical screen display of the game feature of  FIG. 6   a - 6   c  when a player has lost. 
           [0040]      FIG. 14 : shows an attract screen display of  FIG. 5  after the player has lost. 
           [0041]      FIG. 15 : shows a flowchart of a game process in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0042]    The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, certain embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0043]    In  FIG. 1  of the accompanying drawings, one example of a gaming machine suitable for implementing certain embodiments of the present invention is generally referenced by arrow  10 . 
         [0044]    The gaming machine  10  includes a console  12  having a display  14  on which is 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 play the game  16 . The mid-trim  20  also houses a credit input mechanism  24  including a coin input chute  24 A and a bill collector  24 B. 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 the front panel  29  of the console  12 . A coin tray  30  is mounted beneath the console  12  for cash payouts from the gaming machine  10 . 
         [0045]    The display  14  shown in  FIG. 1  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  in a more preferred form of gaming machine  10  to implement the present invention includes a display, for example a video display unit, which may be of the same type as the display  14 , or a different type of display. 
         [0046]      FIG. 2  shows a block diagram of a gaming apparatus, generally referenced by arrow  100 , suitable for implementing certain embodiments of the present invention. The gaming apparatus  100  may, for example, operate as a standalone gaming machine of the type shown in  FIG. 1 . However, the gaming apparatus  100  may alternatively operate as a networked gaming machine, communicating with other network devices, such as one or more servers or other gaming machines. The gaming apparatus  100  may also have distributed hardware and software components that communicate with each other directly or through a network. Accordingly, different reference numerals have been used in  FIG. 2  from  FIG. 1  for components that may be equivalent. 
         [0047]    The gaming apparatus  100  includes a game controller  101 , which in the illustrated example includes a computational device  102 , which may be a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logic device or other suitable device. Instructions and data to control operation of the computational device  102  are stored in a memory  103 , which is in data communication with, or forms a part of, the computational device  102 . Typically, the gaming apparatus  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 instructions to cause the game controller  101  to implement the present invention will be stored in the memory  103 . 
         [0048]    The gaming apparatus may include hardware meters  104  for the purposes of regulatory compliance and also include an input/output (I/O) interface  105  for communicating with the peripheral devices of the gaming apparatus  100 . The input/output interface  105  and/or the peripheral devices may be intelligent devices with their own memory for instructions and data. 
         [0049]    In the example shown in  FIG. 2 , the peripheral devices that communicate with the controller are one or more displays  106 , user input devices  107 , 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 . One or more of the displays  106  may include a touch screen  106 A, forming part of the user input devices  107 . Additional devices may be included as part of the gaming machine  100 , or devices omitted as required for the specific implementation. 
         [0050]    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 central controller, server or database and receive data or commands from a the central controller, server or database. One or more of the peripheral devices, for example the card/ticket reader  108  may be able to communicate directly with the network card  112 . 
         [0051]    The game controller  101  may also include a random number generator  113 , which generates a series of random numbers that determine the outcome of a series of random game events played as part of a game on the gaming apparatus  100 . As explained in more detail in relation to  FIG. 4 , the computational device  102  may include two or more controllers or processors, which may be local or remote from each other and the displays  106 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 3  shows an exemplary block diagram of the main components of the memory  103 . The RAM  103 A typically temporarily holds program files for execution by the computational controller  102  and related data. The EPROM  103 B may hold be a boot ROM device and/or may contain some system or game related code. The mass storage device  103 C is typically used to store game programs, the integrity of which may be verified and/or authenticated by the computational controller  102  using protected code from the EPROM  103 B or elsewhere. 
         [0053]      FIG. 4  shows a gaming system  200 . The gaming system  200  includes a network  201 , which for example may be an Ethernet network. Gaming devices  202 , shown arranged in three banks  203  of two gaming devices  202  in  FIG. 4 , are connected to the network  201 . The gaming devices  202  may be gaming machines  10 , as shown in  FIG. 1  or form part or all of another gaming apparatus  100 . Single gaming devices  202  and banks  203  containing three or more gaming devices  202  may also be connected to the network  201 . 
         [0054]    One or more displays  204  may also be connected to the network  201 . The displays  204  may, for example, be associated with a bank  203  of gaming devices. The displays  204  may be used to display representations associated with game play on the gaming devices  202 , and/or used to display other representations, for example promotional or informational material. 
         [0055]    Servers may also be connected to the network  201 . For example, a game server  205  may generate game outcomes for games played on the gaming devices  202 , a database management server  206  may manage the storage of game programs and associated data for downloading or access by the gaming devices  202  in a database  206 A, and a jackpot server  207  may control one or more jackpots associated with the gaming devices  202 . 
         [0056]    Further servers may be provided to assist in the administration of the gaming system  200 , including for example a gaming floor management server  208 , and a licensing server  209  to monitor the use of licenses 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. 
         [0057]    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 through a firewall  211 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 15  shows a process flow diagram  500  of a process performed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The process may be performed by the network gaming system  200 , in which the gaming devices  202  may each comprise part or all of a gaming apparatus  100  and the following description assumes this implementation. However, those skilled in the relevant arts will appreciate that the process will also be able to be implemented by other gaming systems. The process shown in  FIG. 15  is described below with reference to a set of exemplary screen shots of a game. 
         [0059]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a screen shot  300  may be displayed on a LCD screen or CRT display occupying the top box  26  and/or may appear on the display  204 , which may be located near to gaming devices  202  that can play a game associated with the screen shot  300 . In the screen shot  300 , a plurality of prize pool amounts are shown  301   a  to  305   a , together with a representation of a corresponding character or ‘bandit’  301   b  to  305   b . A larger illustration of one of the bandits  301   b - 305   b , in this example the bandit  306 , may also be shown, the bandit  306  alternating between different characters as time progresses as an attract screen display. 
         [0060]    Display of the screen shot  300  may be under the control of the jackpot server  207 , which may communicate directly or indirectly with the display in the top box  26  and display  204 . Alternatively, the display in the top box  26  may be controlled by the game controller  101 . 
         [0061]    A plurality of gaming devices  202  each provide a game, which may be the same game or different games. In an embodiment of the invention as presently contemplated, the game includes a chance to win one of the prize pool amounts  301   a  to  305   a  in a feature game. Each prize pool amount  301   a  to  305   a  may have its own associated feature game. 
         [0062]    The feature game associated may be triggered during play of the game in a number of different ways. An exemplary diagrammatic representation of a game screen  310  is shown in  FIG. 6 , the game being a spinning reel game with five spinning reels, each of which display three symbols to form outcomes of the game. The outcomes of the exemplary game are the symbols in the paylines  1  to  3  shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0063]    After a bet has been placed at step  501 , the spinning reel game may be played (step  502 ). The spinning reel game may result in the occurrence of a predetermined symbol based trigger event occurring (determined in step  504 ) in the game. In  FIG. 6 , the occurrence of five PEDRO symbols in payline  2  may be a trigger event for the feature game and provided the player has purchased play of payline  2 , then the feature will be commenced by the jackpot server  207  taking control of a display  106  of the gaming device  202  to display the feature (step  506 ). In this embodiment, the reels of the spinning reel game include trigger symbols that are associated with the various prize pool amounts  301   a  to  305   a , with particular trigger symbols resulting in play for a particular prize pool. 
         [0064]    Alternatively, the feature may be triggered according an event that occurs independently of any particular outcome of the game, for example based on turnover of the game as described in Australian patent number 754689, the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. In this case there may be only a single prize pool, or alternatively, where multiple prize pools are provided the prize pool that is played for may be selected randomly. 
         [0065]    After the base game has been completed and a feature game triggered, the jackpot server  207  may cause the feature screen display  312  of  FIG. 7  to be displayed on the display  106 , in which the bandit  306  is shown enlarged and an indicator is displayed to highlight the jackpot amount associated with the bandit (e.g., the arrow  313 ). A corresponding screen display may be displayed on the display  204 . This display may replace the game display on the gaming device  202 , or alternatively be presented on a separate display, for example in a display provided in the top box  26 . 
         [0066]    After a short period of time, the display of  FIG. 7  is replaced with the screen display  316  of  FIG. 8 , shown as one example game feature. The screen display is split into two sections; section  317  showing the bandit character (PEDRO) attempting to access a safe and section  318  showing a series of buildings with windows  319 , one window  319  being arbitrarily selected by the computer prior to the commencement of the feature game as a window behind which PEDRO is hiding. Alternatively, whether PEDRO is hiding behind a window  319  may be determined when that window is selected, with a 1 in 15 chance for the first window, a 1 in 14 chance for the second window and so on. 
         [0067]    The feature game has two outcomes, a winning outcome in which the player of the gaming device  202  is awarded the prize pool  301   a  and a losing outcome, in which the player is not awarded the prize pool  301   a  and the prize pool is incremented. The increment amount may be viewed as an amount that the bandit PEDRO is playing for and the prize pool  301   a  may be viewed as an amount that the player is playing for in a competition. A consolation prize may be awarded to the player of the gaming device  202  if the losing outcome occurs. Although the examples described herein are for feature games with only two outcomes, the feature game may also have other winning or losing outcomes associated with other game events, such as the award of a fixed value prize or the award of a number of free games. 
         [0068]    The amount that the bandit is playing for is displayed as shown at  320  and the award amount  301   a  is displayed at  321  (step  508 ). The amount displayed at  320  may be randomly selected from a set of predetermined potential increment amounts or from a range of potential increment amounts. Therefore, the increment amount may vary between occurrences of the feature game. The amount could alternatively be set for every occurrence of the feature game. 
         [0069]    The amount that the player is playing for may be determined by the amount of credits bet per line in the game play that triggered the feature game, multiplied by the award amount  301   a . In the example shown, the amount shown at  321  is the award amount  301   a , as one credit only was bet per line. If two credits per line had been bet in the underlying base game, then the amount shown at  321  in  FIG. 8  would be 259,130 credits. 
         [0070]    In the game screen displays of  FIG. 8 , the PEDRO bandit is shown to be attempting to open a safe, which will open when the slots  322  on the safe door  323  have letters spelling out OPEN. The player is represented as attempting to find PEDRO behind one of the fifteen windows  319 . 
         [0071]    Accordingly, at the start of the feature, the player selects one of the windows  319 , and if this window is not the arbitrarily predetermined location of the bandit the words “No bandit” are shown. After each selection (or beforehand if the order of play is reversed), a reel associated with one of the slots  322  is spun and its stopping position randomly determined. The reels associated with the slots  322  may be as shown in  FIG. 9 , as having half their positions blank and half their positions displaying one of the letters from the word “Open”. Accordingly, for each spin, there is a 50% chance of a letter being displayed. If a letter is displayed, then a reel associated with another of the slots  322  is spun and so on until either the word “Open” is spelled out, in which case the outcome of the feature is a losing outcome, or a blank space is displayed, in which case the player is prompted to select another window. 
         [0072]    The result after two trials of this game is displayed in  FIG. 10 . Two letters have been revealed in slots  322  by the bandit, and two windows  319  have been selected by the player, neither of which resulted in a winning outcome. 
         [0073]    This process will continue (step  510 ) until the player selects the window which the bandit has been assigned as being behind. In this case the award amount  301   a  is won by the player (step  512 ) and the screen shot  326  shown in  FIG. 11  is displayed. Following this, the award amount  301   a  is reset to its seed amount (step  514 ), 100,000 in this example, and the screen shot  328  shown in  FIG. 12  is displayed, which is the same as the screen shot  300  of  FIG. 5 , except that the award amount  301   a  has been updated. Once the award amount  301   a  has been reset, control of the display  106  of the gaming device  202  may be returned to the jackpot server  207  or progressive controller (step  518 ). 
         [0074]    If instead the bandit character spells OPEN across the slots  322  the amount displayed at  320  is added to the award amount  301   a . This results in the screen shots  330  and  332  shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14  respectively, indicating to the player that they have not won the award amount  301   a  and showing that the award amount  301   a  has been increased by the amount shown at  320  (step  516 ). Once the award amount  301   a  has been increased, control of the display  106  of the gaming device  202  may be returned to the jackpot server  207  or progressive controller  101  (step  518 ). 
         [0075]    Each award amount  301   a - 305   a  may be associated with a separate second screen feature game that preferably shows a competition between the player, who is attempting to win one of the award amounts  301   a - 305   a , and a bandit, who is attempting to win an amount to be added to the jackpot. Alternatively, the feature game may not be a second screen bonus and may be played using the same screen format as the game. For example, in the spinning reel game, two separate symbols may be collected each time they are displayed in a series of games, one for the bandit and one for the player, with the first player to collect a number of symbols winning. The series of games may be provided as a feature game, for example a series of free games, or the competition may occur during ordinary play of the game. Alternatively, an animation may occur in the game simply displaying the word “WIN” or “LOSE” to indicate the outcome of the feature game. 
         [0076]    In addition to the jackpot prizes that give award amounts  301   a - 305   a , the gaming system may maintain another jackpot prize, which may be a standard progressive based on turnover on a gaming machine or a fixed value prize. In one embodiment, the progressive is designed to have a high value or a high value fixed prize is provided, which is won only if the player “beats” all of the bandits (five the example shown) in their respective feature games. 
         [0077]    A number of gaming devices  202  may contribute to the same award amounts  301   a - 305   a  and play common feature games to win the award amounts  301   a - 305   a . Alternatively, the award amounts  301   a - 305   a  may be provided for a single gaming device  202 . 
         [0078]    While the foregoing description has been provided by way of example of certain embodiments of the present invention as presently contemplated, which utilise gaming apparatus and machines, those skilled in the relevant arts will appreciate that the present invention also may have application to internet gaming and/or have application to gaming over a telecommunications network, where handsets are used to display game outcomes and receive player inputs. 
         [0079]    It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.