Abstract:
A gaming apparatus ( 10 ) and a game controller ( 36 ) for a gaming apparatus is provided. A game provided on the gaming apparatus ( 10 ) under the control of the game controller ( 36 ) selects an outcome indicating part ( 60 ) and allocates an award based on the selection. A subset of the possible awards have a low probability of occurring and may result in a substantially larger allocated award than the other outcome indicating parts ( 60 ), while retaining an expected probability of winning based on a visual evaluation of the secondary game. A game controller and method of providing a game is also described and claimed.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a gaming apparatus, a game controller for a gaming apparatus and/or a method of providing a game of chance, all including a game generally of the type of a wheel game. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a gaming apparatus, game controller for a gamine apparatus and/or a method of providing a game of chance that includes a wheel game as a feature game.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Many gaming machines in existence at present include both a primary game, which may be a spinning reel game, and a secondary game that is a feature game. Typically the feature game is able to be played only occasionally and often provides the opportunity for winning a substantial prize. Gaming machines having a feature game have experienced widespread success in attracting and retaining players.  
         [0003]     Games incorporating a spinning wheel or a representation of a spinning wheel are often very effective at providing an enjoyable gaming experience for a player. This may be due to the simplicity of a spinning wheel combined with its visual impact.  
         [0004]     Known wheel features are a game of chance in which a player may participate, which is in addition to a primary game of a gaming machine. The game of chance involves the display of a number of segments that together form a circular shape, and a selector to select one or more of the areas so as to indicate an outcome of the game of chance. Feature games of this type will be referred to herein as “wheel features”.  
         [0005]     U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,823,874 and 5,848,932 both to Adams describe a secondary payout indicator in the form of a rotatable bonus wheel which can be caused to spin automatically or in response to some action by a player, when the primary game indicates one of a predetermined plurality of indicia.  
         [0006]     A major disadvantage of wheel features is the limitation on the size of the prize segments caused by the limited area that a representation of a wheel can occupy. There are therefore, a limited number of prizes that can be displayed effectively on the wheel without taking away from the look and feel of the wheel, and therefore taking away one of the advantages of a wheel feature, by making it cluttered and/or by making it difficult to read the prize values.  
         [0007]     Australian patent number 711501 describes providing an electronic wheel where the odds of landing on any given indicium are determined by the number of integers in a first range of integers mapped to the indicia, where the number of integers in the first range may be different from the number of indicia on the simulated wheel. This patent also describes changing, replacing or otherwise modifying indicia on a simulated wheel so that, even though it may be desired to provide only n indicium locations on the simulated wheel, the simulated wheel may be provided with in possible indicia by “swapping” new indicia onto the wheel during simulated spinning. The patent further describes having a wheel that provides the potential for winning a large or jackpot prize, but which can only provide such a win if the player has previously achieved a predefined result on a previous spin of another wheel, with the previous wheel not needing to provide an opportunity for a jackpot win.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,612,575 describes a gaming machine having a game with a bonus feature where a player places a wager, spins a plurality of first reels having indicia thereon, determining if indicia displayed by the plurality of first reels associated with a first pay line comprises a predetermined winning combination, and if so, paying a first award and then associating that first award with at least one bonus reel, permitting a player to spin the at least one bonus reel or otherwise participate in the bonus event, and determining if an award associated with the at least one bonus reel is associated with a second pay line, and if so, paying a bonus award.  
         [0009]     Regulations for some markets, including most Australian markets, requires that the odds for wheels (and other typical casino devices) when used in a gaming machine must reflect the expected odds of that device. Weightings similar to those sometimes used on reel strips of spinning reel gaming machine games, for example using a spinning reel game of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,448,419 (Telnaes) are not allowed to be applied to wheels. This makes it more difficult to offer large prizes on a wheel without reducing or eliminating the advantages of a wheel feature, because the larger the prize, the more effect it will have on the overall return to the player of the game. Accordingly, to support a large prize, either the chances of the player activating the wheel feature have to be very low or the amount of the average wager of the player needs to be high.  
         [0010]     The methods described in Australian patent number 711501 are said to address the desire of providing a wheel feature that permits relatively small wagers but provides a potential for relatively large prizes. Some of the methods may not comply with the regulations for some markets. In addition, a disadvantage of having a wheel that provides the potential for winning a large or jackpot prize, which can only provide such a win if the player has previously achieved a predefined result on a previous spin of another wheel, is that the large prize amount can not be displayed directly on the wheel. The player may therefore not have the feeling that he or she can win the large prize with just one spin of the wheel.  
         [0011]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming apparatus having a wheel feature and/or a controller for a gaming apparatus that includes a wheel feature, which overcomes or alleviates problems in such at present, or at least to provide the public with a useful choice. Further or alternate objects of the present invention may become apparent from the following description.  
         [0012]     Any reference in this specification to the prior art does not constitute, nor should it be considered, an admission that such prior art was widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia, or in any other jurisdiction, before the priority date of any of the appended claims.  
         [0013]     Throughout this specification the term “comprise” and variations on this term including “comprising” and “comprises” are to be understood to imply the inclusion of a feature, integer, step or element, and not to exclude other features, integers, steps or elements.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014]     According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming apparatus comprising a game controller and at least one display, the gaming apparatus operable to allow a player to play a game, wherein the game controller controls play of the game and controls the at least one display to display representations of play of the game, the representations of the game comprising a selector having at least one marker and a plurality of outcome indicating parts, each presenting to a player of the gaming machine a visually appreciable area that is available to be selected by the selector, the game controller causing display on the at least one display a representation of a selection of at least one outcome indicating part by the selector, and allocate an award to a player of the gaming machine, the allocated award being dependent on the selected at least one outcome indicating part, wherein a subset of the plurality of outcome indicating parts have a substantially lower probability of being selected in comparison to each of the other outcome indicating parts, and wherein the visually appreciable area that is available to be selected by the selector of the outcome indicating parts in the subset is substantially less than the visually appreciable area that is available to be selected by the selector for the other outcome indicating parts.  
         [0015]     Preferably, the subset of the plurality of outcome indicating parts result in a substantially larger allocated award, either in terms of value received by a player or in terms of cost to an operator of the gaming apparatus, than the other outcome indicating parts.  
         [0016]     Preferably, the outcome indicating parts together present an annular or circular shape to the player, and wherein the at least one marker one of moves and appears to move about the outcome indicating parts and then stops to show the representation of a selection of at least one outcome indicating part.  
         [0017]     Preferably, the selector comprises a plurality of illuminable areas located in a path extending about the outcome indicating parts, each of the illuminable areas being illuminated and darkened in a sequential pattern and wherein an illuminable area represents said at least one marker only when it is illuminated.  
         [0018]     Preferably, the outcome indicating parts are each displayed as a stationary area and the at least one marker is displayed as one of moving and appearing to move relative to the outcome indicating parts.  
         [0019]     Preferably, the outcome indicating parts are each displayed as a stationary area and the at least one marker is displayed as one of moving and appearing to move relative to the outcome indicating parts progressively along a path that extends past every one of the plurality of outcome indicating parts.  
         [0020]     Preferably, each outcome indicating part includes indicia on it that indicates an award to a player.  
         [0021]     Preferably, at least one of the outcome indicating parts in the subset of the plurality of the outcome indicating parts is displayed so as to be visually distinctive despite presenting a lesser visually appreciable area than the other outcome indicating parts.  
         [0022]     Preferably, the gaming apparatus includes a further game, wherein the controller causes the game to be able to be played by a player of the gaming machine only on the eventuation of at least one event that is related to play of the further game.  
         [0023]     Preferably, the probability of a member of the subset of the plurality of outcome indicating parts being selected by the selector is no higher than approximately 1 in 40 for each selection.  
         [0024]     Preferably, the probability of a member of the subset of the plurality of outcome indicating parts being selected by the selector is no higher than approximately 1 in 70 for each selection.  
         [0025]     Preferably, the probability of a member of the subset of the plurality of outcome indicating parts being selected by the selector is no higher than approximately 1 in 20 for each selection.  
         [0026]     Preferably, the subset of the plurality of outcome indicating parts consists of two outcome indicating parts.  
         [0027]     Preferably, the subset of the plurality of outcome indicating parts is a single outcome indicating part.  
         [0028]     Preferably, the allocated award that results when an outcome indicating part from the subset is selected is at least ten times the allocated award that results when any one of the other outcome indicating parts is selected.  
         [0029]     Preferably, the allocated award that results when an outcome indicating part from the subset is selected is at least twenty times the allocated award that results when any one of the other outcome indicating parts is selected.  
         [0030]     According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming apparatus having a game controller and at least one display, the gaming apparatus operable to allow a player to play a game, wherein the game controller controls play of the game and controls the at least one display to display representations of play of the game, the representations of the game comprising a plurality of outcome indicating parts and at least one marker that is locatable in a plurality of visually distinct positions that each indicate the selection of an outcome indicating part in said plurality of outcome indicating parts, the number of said visually distinct positions being greater than the number of the plurality of outcome indicating parts, and a visual representation of the selection of an outcome indicating part by the at least one marker, wherein the probability of the marker being in any one of the plurality of visually distinct positions is substantially the same as the probability that would be expected upon a visual inspection of the representations of the game, and the gaming apparatus allocates an award to a player of the gaming apparatus dependent on play of the game, the award specified by the particular position in said plurality of positions that the marker is located in when the selected outcome indicating part was selected, at least two distinct awards being awardable when at least one of said outcome indicating parts is selected.  
         [0031]     Preferably, the outcome indicating parts together present an annular or circular shape to the player, and wherein the at least one marker one of moves and appears to move relative to the outcome indicating parts and then stops to select one or more of said outcome indicating parts.  
         [0032]     Preferably, the allocated award is substantially larger, either in terms of value received by a player or in terms of cost to an operator of the gaming apparatus than all other awardable awards when the marker is in a subset of said visually distinct positions. The allocated award may be at least ten times larger than all other awardable awards of the game when the at least one marker is in the subset of said visually distinct positions when the selected outcome indicating part was selected. Alternatively, the allocated award may be at least twenty times larger than all other awardable awards of the game when the at least one marker is in the subset of said visually distinct positions when the selected outcome indicating part was selected.  
         [0033]     Preferably, the probability of the marker selecting a member of the subset of visually distinct positions is no higher than approximately 1 in 20 for each play of the game.  
         [0034]     Preferably, the probability of the marker selecting a member of the subset of visually distinct positions is no higher than approximately 1 in 40 for each play of the game.  
         [0035]     Preferably, the probability of the marker selecting a member of the subset of visually distinct positions is no higher than approximately 1 in 70 for each play of the game.  
         [0036]     Preferably, the gaming apparatus includes a further game and the game is a bonus or feature game of said further game. The bonus or feature game may be only playable on the occurrence of at least one predetermined trigger event occurring in the further game. The award that is allocated when the marker is in the subset of said visually distinct positions may have a magnitude dependent on awards awarded during a plurality of free games on the further game. The award that is allocated when the marker is in the subset of said visually distinct positions may be predetermined so that the award is substantially larger, within statistical bounds, than all other awardable awards of the game.  
         [0037]     Preferably, at least one outcome indicating part in said plurality of outcome indicating parts indicates an award of a number of free games for the further game and the at least one marker is locatable in at least two of said visually distinct positions while selecting said at least one outcome indicating part, and wherein the award substantially larger than all other awardable awards is awarded only when the marker is one position of said at least two of said visually distinct positions. At least two outcome indicating parts in said plurality of outcome indicating parts may each indicate an award of a number of free games for the further game, the number differing between outcome indicating parts, wherein the award substantially larger than all other awardable awards is awarded when an outcome indicating part with the highest number of free games is selected by the at least one marker.  
         [0038]     Preferably, each outcome indicating part occupies substantially the same visually appreciable area.  
         [0039]     Preferably, each of the plurality of outcome indicating parts has indicia on it.  
         [0040]     Preferably, there are at least five times as many said visually distinct positions as said outcome indicating parts.  
         [0041]     Preferably, when the at least one marker is in at least one of the visually distinct positions, the award corresponds to a combination of a result indicated by the selected outcome indicating part and indicia on the at least one marker.  
         [0042]     According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game controller and associated computer memory for a gaming machine, the game controller operable to control play of a game that is played on a gaming machine and to generate control signals for at least one display, wherein when the control signals are received by a display, the display displays images of the game comprising images of a plurality of outcome indicating parts, wherein the representations of the outcome indicating parts are configured so that a plurality of possible outcomes are visually identifiable, and a representation of a selection process comprising a representation of the selection of at least one of said outcome indicating parts, wherein the probability any one of said outcome indicating parts being shown as selected in said representation of a selection process is substantially the same as the probability that would be expected upon a visual inspection of the images of the plurality of outcome indicating parts and wherein for a subset of the plurality of possible outcomes the probability that a member of the subset of the plurality of possible outcomes is selected is less than the probability that any one of the plurality of outcome indicating parts is selected, excluding any outcome indicating part that when selected by the selector only results in an outcome that is a member of the subset of the plurality of possible outcomes.  
         [0043]     Preferably, at least one outcome in the subset of plurality of outcomes is associated with an award that has a substantially greater value than each of the other outcomes of the plurality of possible outcomes.  
         [0044]     Preferably, the subset of the plurality of possible outcomes comprises a single possible outcome.  
         [0045]     Preferably, the subset of the plurality of possible outcomes are associated with an award having a magnitude that is at least ten times greater than the award associated with any other possible outcome.  
         [0046]     Preferably, the subset of the plurality of possible outcomes are associated with an award having a magnitude that is at least twenty times greater than the award associated with any other possible outcome.  
         [0047]     Preferably, the probability of the a member of the subset of the plurality of possible outcomes being selected is no higher than approximately 1 in 20 for each play of the game.  
         [0048]     Preferably, the probability of the a member of the subset of the plurality of possible outcomes being selected is no higher than approximately 1 in 40 for each play of the game.  
         [0049]     Preferably, the probability of the a member of the subset of the plurality of possible outcomes being selected is no higher than approximately 1 in 70 for each play of the game.  
         [0050]     Preferably, indicia are provided on each outcome indicating part, the indicia one of indicating or relating to the award that is awarded if that outcome indicating part is selected.  
         [0051]     Preferably, the outcome indicating parts together present an annular or circular shape to the player.  
         [0052]     According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming apparatus comprising the game controller and associated computer memory described above, at least one display to receive the control signals and display to a player of the gaming machine representations of the game and an award allocator to allocate to a player of the gaming machine any award associated with the outcome of said plurality of possible outcomes that results from play of the game.  
         [0053]     Preferably, the game is a feature or bonus game of a further game provided on the gaming apparatus.  
         [0054]     Preferably, only a single outcome indicating part is selected per game play of the game.  
         [0055]     Preferably, there are either eight or nine outcome indicating parts arranged to form a circle.  
         [0056]     According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computerised method of providing a game of chance on a gaming apparatus, the method comprising:  
         [0057]     a) controlling play of a game on the gaming apparatus;  
         [0058]     b) causing play of the game to be displayed on at least one display of the gaming apparatus; and  
         [0059]     c) causing an award to be awarded to a player of the gaming apparatus dependent on play of the game;  
         [0000]     wherein controlling play of the game involves:  
         [0060]     i) causing a plurality of possible outcomes to be shown on the at least one display so that each said possible outcome occupies a predetermined space on the at least one display,  
         [0061]     ii) selecting one of said plurality of possible outcomes, with each possible outcome selected on average across all plays of the game with a probability commensurate with the size of the predetermined space that that possible outcome occupies on the at least one display relative to the area occupied by all of said plurality of possible outcomes;  
         [0000]     and wherein at least one possible outcome occupies a visually appreciable smaller space on the at least one display than the other possible outcomes.  
         [0062]     Preferably, when said at least one possible outcome is selected, step c) comprises awarding a larger award, either in terms of value received by a player or in terms of cost to an operator of the gaming apparatus, than otherwise.  
         [0063]     Preferably, a single possible outcome occupies a substantially smaller space on the at least one display and wherein when said single possible outcome is selected, step c) comprises awarding a substantially larger award than otherwise.  
         [0064]     Preferably, the plurality of possible outcomes together form an annular or circular shape.  
         [0065]     Preferably, the method further includes only playing the game upon the occurrence of a trigger event related to the play of a distinct further game.  
         [0066]     Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example of preferred embodiments only and with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0067]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an example gaming machine in which the present invention may be implemented.  
         [0068]      FIG. 2  shows a block diagram of a control circuit of the gaming machine shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0069]      FIG. 3  shows a screen display of an example of a primary game that may give rise to a wheel feature.  
         [0070]      FIGS. 4 and 5  show a first embodiment of a screen display associated with a wheel feature according to an aspect of the present invention.  
         [0071]      FIG. 6  shows a second embodiment of a screen display associated with a wheel feature according to an aspect of the present invention.  
         [0072]      FIG. 7  shows a third embodiment of a screen display associated with a wheel feature according to an aspect of the present invention.  
         [0073]      FIG. 8  shows a fourth embodiment of a screen display associated with a wheel feature according to an aspect of the present invention.  
         [0074]      FIG. 9  shows a representation of a wheel feature according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0075]     Referring to  FIG. 1  of the accompanying drawings, a gaming machine generally referenced by arrow  10  is shown. The gaming machine  10  is an example of a gaming machine that is suitable to implement the present invention. The architecture of 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. A coin tray  30  is mounted beneath the console  12  for cash payouts from the gaming machine  10 .  
         [0076]     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  may also be a display, for example a video display unit, which may the same type as the display  14 , or a different type of display.  
         [0077]     Referring now to  FIG. 2  of the accompanying drawings, a simplified block diagram of a control circuit  32  for the gaming machine  10  is shown. The control circuit  32  includes a controller  36  having a processor  34 , which is most suitably a computer processor, and associated computer readable memory  42 . A program  44  stored in memory  42  contains instructions, that when executed by the processor  34  causes the controller  36  to implement the wheel feature of the present invention, optionally also the game  16  (which may be provided through a different program and which may be controlled by a separate controller), and drive the display  14 . A set of sensors  38 A are provided with the bank of buttons  22  to allow the controller  36  to determine when a player depresses one of the buttons in the bank of buttons  22 . One or more further sensor  38 B may be provided with the display  14 , if the display  14  includes touch pads. Those skilled in the relevant arts will appreciate that the controller  36  may represent either a single device or a plurality of devices, which may be local or remote to each other. The processor  34  may be any suitable processor, microcontroller, programmable logic device or other suitable device for controlling a gaming machine. In addition, the memory  42  may be local or remote and may be formed by multiple memory parts.  
         [0078]     The controller  36  also receives input signals from the credit input mechanism  24  to enable it to determine whether or not a player has provided sufficient credit to commence play of the game  16  and to enable a running total of a player&#39;s credit to be maintained. The controller  36  also drives a payout mechanism  40 , which for example, may be a coin hopper for feeding coins to the coin tray  30  to make a pay out to a player when the player wishes to redeem his or her credit.  
         [0079]     Those skilled in the relevant arts will appreciate that the gaming machine  10  may include many other components to perform functions such as additional computations, communications and monitoring of play.  FIG. 2  and the associated description herein is provided only to give a background to the environment in which the present invention may be implemented.  
         [0080]     Those skilled in the relevant arts will also appreciate that the architecture of the gaming machine  10  is only one example of a large number of possible alternative gaming apparatus architectures that may be used with the present invention. By way of example only, a gaming apparatus may have an architecture of one or more displays, a user interface, a game controller and a transaction handling unit for accepting and paying credits or currency in some form, all located together in a single housing or in a plurality of physically connected housings. This is the architecture of the gaming machine  10 . A second example architecture of a gaming apparatus is to have a display and a user interface located at a separate location from a game controller, wherein the game controller communicates with the display and the user interface through a fixed wire or wireless communication channel. A third example architecture is to have a first and a second display, the second display being located separate from the first display and optionally shared by a plurality of gaming machines. The second display may be controlled by a separate controller from a controller for the first display, the two controllers being in communication with each other.  
         [0081]     In other variations of the architecture of the gaming apparatus that may be used with the present invention, the display  14  may be replaced by a mechanical display where a wheel feature according to the present invention is displayed to a player using a separate display. The bank of buttons  22  may be omitted and reliance placed entirely on touch pads provided on the display  14 , or vice versa. The credit input mechanism  24  may be a ticket reader, card reader, smart card reader, a communication interface with a personal mobile device, or any other type of validation device, either in addition to or instead of one or both of the coin input chute  24 A and the bill collector  24 B. Alternatively, where appropriate for the intended use of the gaming machine, a credit input mechanism may be omitted entirely. Similarly the pay out mechanism  40  may be a ticket printer, card writer or other suitable device, or may be omitted entirely, with credits, for example, being communicated to a central database (not shown). As previously stated, the top box  26  may include a display, but it may also be omitted and if a second display is required it may be located separated from the console  12 . A gaming machine, irrespective of its architecture is apparatus that allows a player to participate in a game of chance, irrespective of whether or not the apparatus requires the player to wager a stake in order to participate in the primary game.  
         [0082]      FIG. 3  shows a screen display  50  of an example of a game  16  that may be played on the gaming machine  10 . The game  16  is a primary game and may be one of several such games that may be played using the gaming machine  10 . A primary game, as the term is used herein, means a game of chance, optionally with a skill component or perceived skill component, that is playable on a gaming machine. The term “base game” has a corresponding meaning. Typically, although not necessarily, a player can only participate in a wheel feature of the present invention after a trigger event has occurred, the trigger event being related to play of a primary game of a gaming machine. The screen display  50  shows the occurrence of a predetermined trigger condition giving rise to a bonus feature. A bonus feature is a secondary game that can be participated in by the gaming machine  10  (or the player at the gaming machine  10 ) that is in addition to the primary game. Typically a bonus feature can only be participated in at certain times, which may be dictated by play of the primary game. In this case, the trigger condition is the occurrence of a display of three scatter symbols  52  on the screen display  50 . Upon the occurrence of the trigger condition, a bonus feature is awarded, in particular a wheel feature.  
         [0083]     Those skilled in the relevant arts will appreciate that the trigger event could be any one of a number of trigger events and that multiple trigger events may exist. For example, a trigger event may be based on a measure of time, a particular amount of wagering activity on the gaming machine  10 , or on some activity of a group of gaming machines including the gaming machine  10 . Also, the trigger event may depend at least in part on player tracking information and may be a random or quasi-random event. The trigger event may be a random determination for each bet that is made on each gaming machine, where the chance of the wheel feature being triggered is dependent upon the size of the bet on the gaming machine  10 , it may be a random determination for each game played on each gaming machine  10  such that the chance of triggering the wheel feature is independent of bet size and the same for each game played, it may be a standard symbol based trigger—for example three or more scatter symbols appearing during base game play on one of the gaming machines  10 , or it may comprise the appearance of other types of symbol based triggers, such as special feature symbols being overlaid over standard reel symbols or appearing in the background of standard reel symbols, where certain combinations of the special feature symbols trigger the wheel feature. The selection of an event that triggers a wheel feature of the present invention is up to the game designer and many other possibilities exist.  
         [0084]     While the preferred form of the invention is a particular form of wheel feature, the wheel feature described herein may also be a standalone game, and may also be a base game for another feature game.  
         [0085]     As an example, when the trigger event occurs the screen display  50  is replaced by a screen display  54 , shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  of the drawings. The user may be requested to select a button “play feature” or similar to initiate the wheel feature. The screen display  54  shows a wheel feature indicator  55  comprising a simulated wheel  56  divided into a number of segments  60 ,  62  and with a plurality of chaser lights  58  arranged about the periphery of the wheel  56 . The plurality of chaser lights  58  operate as part of a selector to select one or more of the segments  60 , with a lit chaser light  58  being a marker to show what segment has been selected. Those skilled in the relevant arts will appreciate that the selector may take different forms from a plurality of distinct chaser lights. For example, the selector may be an arrow or similar that travels around the periphery of the wheel  56  in a continuous (or at least in such small steps so as to appear continuous) manner, and stop at a location determined by the controller  36 . In another example, the marker may be the highlighting of segments  60  in some manner, for example by changing the colour of the segment  60  or highlighting the periphery of the segment  60  that the marker is currently pointing to. Parts of segments  60  may also be highlighted in this manner where this is required. Equally, the marker may be one or more unlit segments  60 . In this way the selection may be made to appear like a process of elimination. Although in the preferred embodiment the marker travels around the segments  60  so as to sequentially and cyclically point to the segments  60 , this is not essential and the marker may jump from segment to segment.  
         [0086]     The segments  60  are each of approximately the same size, occupying the same visual area and presenting the same area for selection to the markers, plus one segment  62 , which is much smaller than the remaining segments  60 . The size of each segment  60 ,  62  is selected during the design of the game to give the desired return to player, according to the expected frequency of their associated outcome, which is often a prize, being awarded. It is to be noted that the outcome indicated by the segment  62  is a prize that is orders of magnitude greater than many of the outcomes or prizes on the segments  60 .  
         [0087]     The embodiments of the wheel feature indicator  55  shown in the accompanying drawings show a traditional circular wheel, with the individual outcome areas being segments of the wheel. However, alternatives to the circular wheel  56  are possible and may be used to impart a visually distinctive appearance to the wheel feature. For example, an alternative wheel feature indicator may have a generally triangular, rectangular or some other polygon overall shape. The chaser lights  58  also need not travel around the periphery of a contiguous shape and may intersect parts of the wheel feature indicator, for example by travelling along a path defining a figure eight around and between two circles. However, due to its simplicity, proven visual effectiveness and ability to have any sized segment without regard to having to align any intersections of outcome areas with vertices of a shape for visual impact, a single circular shape represents the preferred form of the invention.  
         [0088]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , between seven and ten chaser lights  58  are associated with each segment  60 , depending on the particular segment. Conversely, the segment  62  only has a single chaser light associated with it. Generally, the larger the number of chaser lights  58  associated with each segment  60 , the smaller the prize (if any) that is awarded should that segment be selected and segments that award equal prizes have the same number of chaser lights  58  associated with them. However, neither of these are necessary and can be varied by the game designer to achieve a required effect and playing experience.  
         [0089]     When the wheel feature is awarded, the chaser lights  58  are lit in a sequential manner to simulate movement of a marker around the periphery of the wheel  56 . If required, the sequential illumination of the chaser lights  58  can be effected in a manner simulating the speeding up of the speed of travel of the lit chaser lights  58  around the periphery of the wheel  56 , followed by the chaser lights slowing down and finally stopping. The stopping of the sequential illumination of the chaser lights  58  refers to the sequential illumination of the chaser lights  58  ceasing, with a single chaser light of the chaser lights  58  remaining illuminated. If the chaser light that remains illuminated is that opposite the segment  62 , as is shown in  FIG. 5 , a prize of 1000 credits, being the prize indicated by the segment  62 , is awarded. Similarly, if the chaser light of the chaser lights  58  that remains illuminated is opposite another segment, then the prize that is indicated by that segment is awarded. In one possible alternative embodiment a chaser light  58  or other selector may be able to straddle two adjacent segments  60 ,  62 , in which case a double prize could be awarded.  
         [0090]     As the 1000 credit prize has only a single chaser light associated with it, in order for the odds of winning the 1000 credit prize to reflect the expected odds of that device on a visual inspection, the chance of one particular chaser light  58  being illuminated is one in seventy two, or more generally (the number of chaser lights  58  associated with a particular prize) in (the total number of chaser lights  58 ). Therefore, a large prize can be displayed on the wheel  56  while still having an acceptable hit rate for the wheel feature and return to player percentage. If, for example, the wheel feature is triggered on average every 100 games then the feature return would be 29.028% as shown by table 1.  
                                           TABLE 1                           return calculation for the feature wheel shown in  FIG. 4              Prize for each   Probability of   Average Prize       segment   occurrence   Contribution (%)                    1000   0.013889   13.889       50   0.09722   4.861       20   0.13889   2.778       15   0.1250   1.875       15   0.1250   1.875       10   0.1250   1.250       10   0.1250   1.250       5   0.1250   0.625       5   0.1250   0.625           1.000   29.028                  
 
         [0091]     This compares favourably with a wheel where all the segments are the same size but there is no significantly larger prize offered on the wheel. For example, for a wheel feature having eight equally sized segments containing the prize values of 1×150 credits, 1×20 credits, 2×15 credits, 2×10 credits and 2×5 credits and which is also triggered on average once every 100 games, the average return to player percentage would be 28.75%.  
         [0092]     It is an advantage of this arrangement that, because the wheel  56  remains stationary, the prizes applicable to the segments  60 ,  62  are always visible to the player, increasing the sense of anticipation. However, in less preferred embodiments, the wheel  56  may turn and one or more stationary markers may be used, or both the wheel and one or more markers may move.  
         [0093]     It will also be appreciated that the top award prize carried by the segment  62  could, instead of being a number of credits, be a progressive prize, a non-monetary win such as a number of free games as described below with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 8 , or another special bonus feature, which may include a car, a holiday or any other prize.  
         [0094]     In  FIG. 6  of the accompanying drawings, a screen display  64  including a second embodiment of the wheel feature indicator  55  is shown. With reference to the previous drawings like reference numerals refer to like parts unless otherwise specified. In this embodiment many of the segments  60  of the wheel  56  carry information relating to outcomes other than a number of credits that can be awarded in the wheel feature. For example, the outcome achieved by play of the wheel feature may be the awarding of a number of free games, where a win in any free game is multiplied by a certain multiplier, or where a particular symbol in the free games acts as a substitute symbol.  
         [0095]     The embodiment shown in  FIG. 6  illustrates another major advantage of the invention. If it was required to offer a 1000 credit prize on a wheel in which all segments were equally sized, it would be necessary to make all of the segments the same size as the segment carrying the 1000 credit prize. It would be impossible or at least difficult to effectively describe free games and other such feature awards offered on the other segments because of their small size. In other words, there would not physically be enough room on the segments.  
         [0096]     Of course, the segment for the major prize occupies only a small portion of the wheel in comparison to other segments. In order to draw attention to the major prize, the segment containing the prize may be made to be eye-catching, for example by having a bright red background when all other segments have a white or pale coloured background. Also, the major prize may be located top and centre and will remain there in embodiments of the present invention using a selector in the form of chaser lights or similar instead of rotating the wheel  56 .  
         [0097]     In  FIG. 7  of the drawings, a still further embodiment of a screen display  66  of a wheel feature indicator  55  is shown. With reference to the previous drawings, like reference numerals referring to like parts unless otherwise specified. In this embodiment of the invention, all the segments  60  are of the same size. However, one of the segments  60 A has a prize outcome of a number of credits, which is larger than the prize outcomes carried by the other segments  60 . In addition, one of the chaser lights  58 A associated with the segment  60 A carries a multiplier on it which multiplies the number of credits shown on the segment  60 A. Therefore, within the segment  60 A are two possible outcomes, one associated with four chaser lights (in two parts) and indicating a prize of 100 credits and another associated with one chaser light, indicating a prize of 1000 credits. The chances of winning the 1000 credits still, however, can reflect the probability that would be expected on a visual inspection of the wheel feature indicator  55 .  
         [0098]     Accordingly, in this embodiment of the invention, if the last chaser light  58  that remains illuminated is the chaser light  58 A, then the prize awarded to the player is 1000 credits, being the number of credits on the segment  60 A multiplied by the multiplier carried on the chaser light  58 A. Because only the one chaser light  58 A associated with the segment  60 A carries the multiplier, the probability of the top award prize being awarded is lower than the probability of any of the remaining prizes. An advantage in selecting the segment  60 A with the largest outcome for the multiplier is that the value of the multiplier can be reduced. As the multiplier is displayed on a chaser light, the display area is limited. Referring still to  FIG. 7 , if a 1000 credit prize was to be awarded through the use of a multiplier on the chaser light  58 C, then the multiplier would be 200, a three digit number that would need to be printed using smaller digits than a two digit number to fit on the chaser light.  
         [0099]     In  FIG. 8  of the drawings, a screen display  68  of yet a further embodiment of the wheel feature indicator  55  is shown. As in the case of the previous embodiments, like reference numerals refer to like parts unless otherwise specified. In this embodiment of the invention, like the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , all the segments  60  are of the same size. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , some of the segments of the segments  60  carry an outcome that is a prize in the form of a specified number of credits. If a chaser light of the chaser lights  58  that is opposite these segments is the last chaser light illuminated, the outcome is the number of credits indicated on the segment multiplied by a multiplier value that is carried by that particular chaser light. If the last chaser light that is illuminated of the chaser lights  58  is associated with a segment  60  carrying a number of free games (typically for the primary game), then the prize that is awarded is the number of free games on the marked segment  60 . Any win occurring during the free games is then multiplied by the multiplier of the illuminated chaser light  58 .  
         [0100]     As in the previous embodiments, a particular chaser light, indicated by the combination of the segment  60 B and chaser light  58 B, provides an award that may be of substantially higher value (in this embodiment the value is variable within statistical bounds, due to the prize being dependent on play of a primary game) than any of the other outcomes. In the illustrated embodiment, the segment  60 B carries an outcome of 25 free games and the chaser light  58 B carries a multiplier of substantially higher value than any of the other multipliers. If the last chaser light  58  that is illuminated is chaser light  58 B the player is awarded an outcome of 25 free games in which any win in the free game series is multiplied by a multiplier of 30. A major prize awarded in this way may provide particular excitement to a player that wins the large prize, as the awarding of the large prize is an ongoing exercise spanning 25 games. When this is used in combination with a wheel feature, which has proven appeal, the overall result may be particularly advantageous.  
         [0101]     The feature wheel indicator  55  shown in  FIG. 8  has a second major prize, namely 4000 credits awarded when the chaser light that indicates ×20, which is opposite the segment that indicates 200, is the last chaser light of the chaser lights  58  to be illuminated. Due to the relatively small area (2 parts in 40) that the major prizes occupy, it is possible with the present invention to offer more than one major prize on a feature wheel.  
         [0102]     In an alternative to the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , one or more of the chaser lights  58  may indicate a prize that is independent of the segment  60  that it is opposite, if it is opposite any segment  60  at all (the chaser lights  58  that indicate an independent prize may be located away from the segments  60 ). For example one chaser light  58  may have the symbol “$” on it and this may be the major prize. In this embodiment it is clear that the chaser lights  58  that indicate a prize that is independent of any segment is in fact itself an outcome indicating part in the same manner as the segments  60  are outcome indicating parts, the difference being that the chaser light is selected when it is illuminated, in contrast to a segment  60  being selected when a marker  58  that is adjacent to the segment  60  is illuminated.  
         [0103]     A further alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 9 . An arrow  70  or other marker travels continuously around the wheel  56  and an annulus  72  has been located around the wheel  56 , the annulus  72  separated into parts  74  (only one of which is indicated in  FIG. 9  by a reference numeral) marked in a similar or corresponding way to the chaser lights  58  shown in  FIG. 8 . This embodiment may be particularly suited to the use of colour coding to indicate prizes. The arrow  70  could then travel around the outer side of the annulus  72  as indicated by arrow A in  FIG. 9 , or between the annulus  72  and the wheel  56  to select the combination of one of the segments  60  and one part  74  of the annulus  72 . Where the feature wheel is not circular, the annulus  72  would be replaced by a corresponding different shape. Although neither the segments  60  nor the parts  74  of the annulus  72  are shown in  FIG. 9  with indicia (or colour coding), they will be marked so that a major prize can be won. For example, the part  74 A may indicate a major prize in a similar way in which chaser light  58 B (see  FIG. 8 ) indicated a major prize. Of course, the segments  60  shown in  FIG. 9  need not be all the same size. For example the wheel  56  may have a small segment  60  that only corresponds to the part  74 A in a similar manner to segment  62  only corresponding to a single chaser light  58  (see  FIG. 5 ).  
         [0104]     It will be appreciated, that, although the invention has been described with reference to the display of the wheel feature being implemented as an electronic simulation of a wheel, the display of the wheel feature could be implemented in an electro-mechanical form with a stationary wheel (where this is required) and actual chaser lights arrayed about the periphery of the wheel.  
         [0105]     It is an advantage of the invention that a wheel feature is provided which addresses the limitation on the size of prize segments. In general, there are only so many prizes that can be effectively displayed on a wheel without taking away from the look and feel of the wheel and making it difficult to read the prizes. With the wheel feature of the present invention, this problem is overcome.  
         [0106]     In addition, regulations for a large number of markets prohibit the use of weightings, similar to those used on reel strips, on a feature wheel. This makes it more difficult to offer large prizes on a wheel because the larger the prize the more effect it will have on the overall return to the player of the game. With the wheel feature of the present invention, this problem has been addressed.  
         [0107]     Further, it is an advantage of the invention that the wheel feature avoids the need for a multi-stage process. Multi-stage processes have the disadvantage that the large prize, or top prize, cannot be displayed directly on the wheel so that the player does not have a feeling of the potential of winning the large prize with just one spin of the wheel.  
         [0108]     The disadvantage of not being able to provide the potential for winning a large or jackpot prize extends to other situations also. For example it may be desired to provide a prize or outcome of lower value and yet still have a low probability of occurrence of that prize or outcome. Prizes of this type may require, for example, input of time by staff of the gaming machine operator. The present invention may allow such a prize to be offered.  
         [0109]     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 described herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.