Multi-player gaming system with synchronization periods and associated synchronization methods

Multi-player games in which players cooperate and/or compete with one another over the course of several rounds of the game are disclosed. A controller may synchronize gaming devices used by the players during the multi-player games. The controller may send sync commands to the gaming devices. In response to the sync commands, the gaming devices may start a sync timer which defines a window in which certain guarded operations may be accepted by the gaming devices. The controller may send periodic sync update commands to the gaming devices which cause the gaming devices to update their respect sync timers to a time remaining of a master sync timer or window maintained by the controller. The controller may ensure that play of the multi-player game proceeds in a relatively lock-step manner across the gaming devices.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

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

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There exist multi-player games that allow participation by multiple players where one player will be the winner of the multi-player game. Multi-player games are usually played over gaming systems comprising networks of gaming machines that are independently playable of one another. That is, each gaming machine may be operable to play both a single-player game and a multi-player game, and a player may be awarded prizes from the single-player game and the multi-player game.

While such gaming systems provide players with enjoyment, a need exists for alternative gaming systems in order to maintain or increase player enjoyment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present disclosure involve synchronization of gaming devices executing multi-player games in which players cooperate and/or compete with one another over the course of several rounds of the game. To ensure fairness in play, a controller may synchronize the gaming devices used by the players during the multi-player games. To this end, the controller may send sync commands to the gaming devices. In response to the sync commands, the gaming devices may start a sync timer which defines a window in which certain guarded operations (e.g., placing bets, making game-related selections, etc.) may be accepted by the gaming devices. Moreover, the controller may send periodic sync update commands to the gaming devices which cause the gaming devices to update their respect sync timers to a time remaining of a master sync timer or window maintained by the controller. In this manner, the controller may ensure that play of the multi-player game proceeds in a relatively lock-step manner across the gaming devices to prevent players from gaining an advantage from observing selections and/or game results of other players before making their respective selections.

In a first aspect, the invention provides a gaming system comprising:a plurality of gaming devices each operable to participate in a multi-player game; anda controller in communication with each gaming device, and arranged to generate one or more multi-player game events in respect of the multi-player game, wherein:the gaming system is arranged to:receive for each multi-player game event, a player input from each gaming device participating in the multi-player game;generate for each multi-player game event, a modified multi-player game event for each participating gaming device;evaluate the modified multi-player game events to identify at least one winning multi-player gaming device; andmake an award in respect of the at least one winning multi-player gaming device.

In an embodiment, each modified multi-player game event is generated by the controller.

In an embodiment, the modified multi-player game events are generated by respective ones of the participating gaming devices.

In an embodiment, the gaming system evaluates the modified multi-player game events by evaluating for each multi-player game event, the modified multi-player game event for each participating gaming device to identify at least one winning multi-player gaming device for the multi-player game event.

In an embodiment, each modified multi-player game event is evaluated by the controller.

In an embodiment, each modified multi-player game event is evaluated by the gaming device for which the modified multi-player game event is generated.

In an embodiment, the gaming system evaluates the modified multi-player game events by:evaluating for each multi-player game event, the modified multi-player game event for each participating gaming device to determine a multi-player game outcome; andevaluating the multi-player game outcomes for all of the multi-player game events to identify the at least one winning multi-player gaming device.

In an embodiment, each multi-player game outcome is a score, and wherein the at least one winning multi-player gaming device is the participating gaming device or devices that have the highest scores.

In an embodiment, the modified multi-player game events are evaluated by the controller.

In an embodiment, the multi-player game is a spinning reel type game, and wherein the gaming system generates each multi-player game event by selecting a plurality of sets of symbols for display at respective display positions.

In an embodiment, the gaming system generates for each multi-player game event, the modified multi-player game event for each participating gaming device by generating a plurality of modified sets of symbols based on the player input received by the participating gaming device.

In an embodiment, for each multi-player game event, the player input from each participating gaming device is a selection of one or more of the display positions.

In an embodiment, the gaming system generates for each multi-player game event, the plurality of modified sets of symbols for each participating gaming device by modifying the selected symbols for display at the selection of the one or more display positions.

In an embodiment, the gaming system modifies the selected symbols to respective function symbols.

In an embodiment, each function symbol is a WILD symbol.

In an embodiment, each function symbol is a multiplier.

In an embodiment, the controller is arranged to evaluate the player input from each gaming device to determine whether or not the gaming device is eligible to participate in the multi-player game.

In an embodiment, the controller is arranged to monitor a trigger device to determine whether or not a trigger condition is met.

In an embodiment, the trigger device is a user interface, and wherein the trigger condition is that the user interface receives an input.

In an embodiment, the trigger device is a random number generator, and the trigger condition is that the random number generator generates one of one or more predetermined numbers.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a controller in communication with a plurality of gaming devices each operable to participate in a multi-player game, comprisingan event generator arranged to generate one or more multi-player game events in respect of the multi-player game; anda prize awarder arranged to make an award in respect of at least one winning multi-player gaming device, the at least one winning multi-player gaming device being identified by evaluating one or more modified multi-player game events for each multi-player game event.

In a third aspect, the invention provides an electronic method of gaming comprising a gaming system:generating one or more multi-player game events in respect of the multi-player game in which each one of a plurality of gaming devices in communication with the electronic controller is operable to participate;receiving for each multi-player game event, a player input from each gaming device participating in the multi-player game;generating for each multi-player game event, a modified multi-player game event for each participating gaming device;evaluating the modified multi-player game events to identify at least one winning multi-player gaming device; andmaking an award in respect of the at least one winning multi-player gaming device.

In a fourth aspect, the invention provides a gaming system comprising:a plurality of gaming devices each operable to participate in a multi-player game; anda controller in communication with each gaming device, and arranged to generate a multi-player game event in respect of the multi-player game, wherein:the gaming system is arranged to evaluate the multi-player game event to determine whether or not the generated multi-player game event corresponds to a winning multi-player game event; andthe controller is arranged to make an award in respect of each of the gaming device or devices participating in the multi-player game, upon a determination that the generated multi-player game event corresponds to the winning multi-player game event.

In an embodiment, the multi-player game event is evaluated by the controller.

In an embodiment, the multi-player game event is evaluated by each gaming device.

In an embodiment, the multi-player game is a spinning reel type game and the winning multi-player game event is a winning symbol combination.

In an embodiment, the controller generates the multi-player game event by selecting a plurality of sets of symbols, and the gaming system evaluates the multi-player game event by evaluating the selected symbols to determine whether or not the selected symbols include the winning symbol combination.

In an embodiment, each gaming device is arranged to receive a player input to participate in the multi-player game, and the controller is arranged to evaluate the player input received from each gaming device to determine whether or not the gaming device is eligible to participate in the multi-player game based on the player input.

In an embodiment, each gaming device comprises a display, and the controller is arranged to communicate the award to each gaming device for display on the display of the gaming device.

In an embodiment, the controller is arranged to communicate the multi-player game event to each gaming device for display on the display of the gaming device.

In an embodiment, the gaming system further comprises a plurality of multi-player game displays in communication with the controller, and wherein the controller is arranged to communicate with each multi-player game display.

In an embodiment, at least one of the gaming devices is located at a location different from the other gaming device or devices.

In a fifth aspect, the invention provides a controller in communication with a plurality of gaming devices each operable to participate in a multi-player game having a winning multi-player game event, comprising:an event generator arranged to generate a multi-player game event in respect of the multi-player game; anda prize awarder arranged to make an award in respect of each of the gaming device or devices participating in the multi-player game, upon an evaluation of the generated multi-player game event by an event evaluator that determines that the generated multi-player game event corresponds to a winning multi-player game event.

In a sixth aspect, the invention provides an electronic method of gaming comprising a gaming system:generating a multi-player game event in respect of a multi-player game in which each one of a plurality of gaming devices in communication with the electronic controller is operable to participate, the multi-player game having a winning multi-player game event;evaluating the multi-player game event to determine whether or not the generated multi-player game event corresponds to the winning multi-player game event; andmaking an award in respect of each of the gaming device or devices participating in the multi-player game, upon a determination that the generated multi-player game event corresponds to the winning multi-player game event.

The invention also provides computer program code which when executed by components of a controller of a gaming system implements any one of the above methods.

The invention also provides a tangible computer readable medium comprising the above computer program code.

Per various aspects of the present disclosure, a gaming system includes:a controller;gaming devices coupled to the controller and configured to participate in a multi-player game comprising a plurality of rounds, each gaming device comprising a player interface and a display device, wherein each gaming device is configured to:initiate a sync timer in response to a sync command received from the controller;receive, via its respective player interface, a selection of at least one display position from a plurality of display positions for its respective display device;accept the selection of the at least one display position if its respective sync timer has not expired; andfor each round of the plurality of rounds,display on its respective display device a respective modified game outcome, the respective modified game outcome corresponding to a respective initial game outcome that is modified based on the selection of the at least onedisplay position received from its respective player interface; and and update a respective score based on its respective modified game outcome;wherein the controller is configured to execute instructions stored in a memory, the instructions when executed, cause the controller to at least send the sync command to the plurality of gaming devices and identify a winning gaming device of the plurality of gaming devices based on the respective scores of the plurality of gaming devices.

Per further aspects of the gaming system,the sync command includes an expiration period for the respective sync timers of the plurality of gaming devices;the controller initiates a master sync timer and sends a sync update command comprising time remaining before expiration of the master sync timer;each gaming device receives the sync update command and updates its respective sync timer based on the time remaining provided by the received sync update command;the controller generates the respective initial game outcome for each gaming device;the controller generates the respective modified game outcome displayed by each gaming device based on the selection of the at least one display position received from each respective player interface;each gaming device generates its respective modified game outcome based on the selection of the at least one display position received via its respective player interface;each gaming device generates its respective initial game outcome;each gaming device generates its respective modified game outcome based on the selection of the at least one display position received via its respective player interface; and/oreach gaming device generates its respective modified game outcome by replacing symbols at each display position of the selection of the at least one display position with a function symbol.

Further aspects of the disclosure may involve a method of gaming per a multi-player game having a plurality of rounds. The method may include:broadcasting a sync command from a controller to a plurality of gaming devices;opening, a respective window for each gaming device from the plurality of gaming devices, in response to receiving the sync command from the controller; andreceiving, via a respective player interface of each gaming device during its respective open window, a selection of at least one display position from a plurality display positions for a respective display device of each gaming device; andfor each round of the plurality of rounds,displaying, at each gaming device, a respective modified game outcome, the respective modified game outcome corresponding to an initial game outcome for the respective gaming device that is modified based on the selection of the at least one display position received for the respective gaming device; andupdating, at each gaming device, a respective score based on its respective modified game outcome; andidentifying, with the controller coupled to the plurality of gaming devices, a winning gaming device of the plurality of gaming devices based on the respective scores of the plurality of gaming devices.

Per further aspects, the method may include:each gaming device setting an expiration period of its respective window based on an expiration period provided by the received sync command;opening a window for the controller; andperiodically broadcasting, from the controller, a sync update command comprising timing remaining for the window of the controller;receiving, with each gaming device, the sync update command; andupdating the respective window of each gaming device based on the time remaining provided by the received sync update command;generating, with controller, the respective initial game outcome for each gaming device; and/orgenerating, with the controller, the respective modified game outcome displayed by each gaming device based on the selection of display positions received from each respective player interface.

Additional aspects of the present disclosure may involve a non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising instructions that when executed, cause a gaming device to:receive a sync command from a controller;open a window in response to receiving the sync command from the controller; andreceive, via a player interface of the gaming device, a selection of at least one display position from a plurality display positions of the gaming device;accept the selection of the at least one display position if the selection is received within the open window; andfor each round of a plurality of rounds,display a modified game outcome corresponding to an initial game outcome that is modified based on the selection of the at least one display position; andupdate a respective score based on the modified game outcome; andindicate a winning gaming device of the plurality of gaming devices.

Per further aspects, the non-transitory computer readable storage medium may include:wherein execution of the instructions causes the gaming device to set an expiration period for the window per an expiration period specified by the received sync command;wherein execution of the instructions causes the gaming device to update the expiration period of the window based on time remaining provided by a received sync update command; and/orwherein execution of the instructions causes the gaming device to generate its modified game outcome by replacing a symbol at the selected display position with a function symbol.

Overview of Gaming System

Referring toFIG.1, there is shown a gaming system300comprising a bank of gaming devices90and a controller80in data communication over a network70with the bank of gaming devices90. Each of the gaming devices90is operable to participate in a multi-player game, and the controller80is arranged to generate one or more multi-player game events in respect of the multi-player game. In a “tournament game mode” embodiment, for each multi-player event, the gaming system300receives a player input from each gaming device90participating in the multi-player game, and generates a modified multi-player game event for each participating gaming device90. The gaming system300then evaluates the modified multi-player game events to identify at least one winning gaming device90, and makes an award in respect of the at least one winning multi-player gaming device90. In a “non-tournament game mode” embodiment, the gaming system300evaluates a generated multi-player game event to determine whether or not the generated multi-player game event corresponds to a winning multi-player game event. If the gaming system300determines that the generated multi-player game event corresponds to the winning multi-player game event, the controller80makes an award in respect of each of the gaming devices participating in the multi-player game.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the controller80and the gaming devices may be located at the same location or at different locations. For example, in one embodiment, the controller80and the gaming devices90may be at different premises and the controller80may be connected to the gaming devices90via the Internet. In another embodiment, one or more of the gaming devices90may be located at a different location to the other ones of the gaming devices and the two separate groups of gaming devices90may be connected to the same controller80via different networks. The network connecting each gaming device90to the controller80may be a local area network (such as Wi-Fi) or wide area network (such as a mobile data communication network) and may include devices other than the controller80and the gaming devices90(such as hand-held or mobile devices, cloud-based devices or other networking hardware).

General Construction of Gaming Devices

The gaming devices90of the gaming system300can take any suitable form including stand-alone gaming machines and server based gaming terminals.

A gaming device in the form of a stand-alone gaming machine10is illustrated inFIG.2. The gaming machine10includes a console12having a display14on which are displayed representations of a game16that can be played by a player. A mid-trim20of the gaming machine10houses a bank of buttons22for enabling a player to interact with the gaming machine, in particular during game play. The mid-trim20also houses a credit input mechanism24which in this example includes a coin input chute24A and a bill collector24B. Other credit input mechanisms may also be employed, for example, a card reader for reading a smart card, debit card or credit card. Other gaming machines may be configured for ticket in that they have a ticket reader for reading tickets having a value and crediting the player based on the face value of the ticker. A player marketing module (not shown) having a reading device may also be provided for the purpose of reading a player tracking device, for example as part of a loyalty program. The player tracking device may be in the form of a card, flash drive or any other portable storage medium capable of being read by the reading device. In some embodiments, the player marketing module may provide an additional credit mechanism, either by transferring credits to the gaming machine from credits stored on the player tracking device or by transferring credits from a player account in data communication with the player marketing module.

A top box26may carry artwork28, including for example pay tables and details of bonus awards and other information or images relating to the game. Further artwork and/or information may be provided on a front panel29of the console12. A coin tray30is mounted beneath the front panel29for dispensing cash payouts from the gaming machine10.

The display14shown inFIG.2is in the form of a video display unit, particularly a cathode ray tube screen device. Alternatively, the display14may be a liquid crystal display, plasma screen, any other suitable video display unit, or the visible portion of an electromechanical device. The top box26may also include a display, for example a video display unit, which may be of the same type as the display14, or of a different type.

FIG.3shows a block diagram of operative components of a typical gaming machine which may be the same as or different to the gaming machine ofFIG.2.

The gaming machine100includes a game controller101having a processor102mounted on a circuit board. Instructions and data to control operation of the processor102are stored in a memory103, which is in data communication with the processor102. Typically, the gaming machine100will include both volatile and non-volatile memory and more than one of each type of memory, with such memories being collectively represented by the memory103. Herein the term “processor” is used to refer generically to any device that can process game play instructions in accordance with game play rules and may include: a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logic device or other computational device, a general purpose computer (e.g., a PC) or a server. That is a processor may be provided by any suitable logic circuitry for receiving inputs, processing them in accordance with instructions stored in memory and generating outputs (for example on the display). Such processors are sometimes also referred to as central processing units (CPUs). Most processors are general purpose units, however, it is also known to provide a specific purpose processor using an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

The gaming machine has hardware meters104for purposes including ensuring regulatory compliance and monitoring player credit, an input/output (110) interface105for communicating with peripheral devices of the gaming machine100. The input/output interface105and/or the peripheral devices may be intelligent devices with their own memory for storing associated instructions and data for use with the input/output interface or the peripheral devices. A random number generator module113generates random numbers for use by the processor102. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the reference to random numbers includes pseudo-random numbers.

In the example shown inFIG.3, a player interface120includes peripheral devices that communicate with the game controller101including one or more displays106, a touch screen and/or buttons107(which provide a game play mechanism), a card and/or ticket reader108, a printer109, a bill acceptor and/or coin input mechanism110, and a coin output mechanism111.

Additional hardware may be included as part of the gaming machine100, or hardware may be omitted as required for the specific implementation. For example, while buttons or touch screens are typically used in gaming machines to allow a player to place a wager and initiate a play of a game, any input device that enables the player to input game play instructions may be used.

In addition, the gaming machine100may include a communications interface, for example a network card112. The network card may, for example, send state information to a controller to communicate the state of the gaming machine100to the controller, and receive data or commands from a controller that controls the gaming machine100. In embodiments employing a player marketing module, communications over a network may be via player marketing module—i.e., the player marketing module may be in data communication with one or more of the above devices and communicate with it on behalf of the gaming machine.

FIG.4shows a block diagram of the main components of an exemplary memory103. The memory103includes RAM103A, EPROM103B and a mass storage device103C. The RAM103A typically temporarily holds program files for execution by the processor102and related data. The EPROM103B may be a boot ROM device and/or may contain some system or game related code. The mass storage device103C is typically used to store game programs, the integrity of which may be verified and/or authenticated by the processor102using protected code from the EPROM103B or elsewhere.

It is also possible for the operative components of the gaming machine100to be distributed, for example input/output devices106,107,108,109,110,111to be provided remotely from the game controller101.

In a client server architecture a gaming device is provided by a gaming client and game server (and optionally other gaming network components). A gaming client has a similar outward appearance to gaming machine10but the game server implements most or all of the game and as such acts as the game controller while the terminal operated by the player essentially provides only the player interface. The gaming terminal receives player instructions, pass these to the game server which will process them and return game play outcomes to the gaming machine for display. Further details of a client/server gaming architecture can be found in WO 2006/052213 and PCT/SE2006/000559, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIG.5shows that a gaming device may be connected within a gaming network200which provides additional and/or enhanced functionality. The gaming network200includes a network201, which for example may be an Ethernet network. Gaming machines202, shown arranged in three banks203of two gaming machines202inFIG.5, are connected to the network201. The gaming machines202provide a player operable interface and may be the same as the gaming machines10,100shown inFIGS.2and3. While banks203of two gaming machines are illustrated inFIG.5, banks of one, three or more gaming machines are also envisaged.

Although not shown inFIG.5, the gaming machines202of each bank203may also be in direct data communication with each other. For example, each gaming machine may be directly connected to another gaming machine via an Ethernet network separate from the network201. In another example, the gaming machines may be connected wirelessly via a wireless local area network (WLAN). In yet another example, there may simply be serial or parallel connections from each gaming machine to all the other gaming machines in the bank.

One or more displays204may also be connected to the network201. For example, the displays204may be associated with one or more banks203of gaming machines. The displays204may be used to display representations associated with game play on the gaming machines202, and/or used to display other representations, such as promotional or informational material. For example, an overhead display can be arranged above a bank of gaming machines so as to allow all players to easily view the play of others.

A controller can be provided within the network200by a server208that is in data communication with one or more of the banks203of gaming machines202, such that the server208can generate game events for a multi-player game playable at the gaming machines202.

A game server205may be used to perform some of the processing required for certain games. For example, the game server205could run a random number generator engine. Alternatively, a separate random number generator server could be provided. Further, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a plurality of game servers could be provided to run different games or a single game server may run a plurality of different games as required by the terminals.

A database management server206may manage storage of game programs and associated data for downloading or access by the gaming devices202in a database206A. Typically, if the gaming system enables players to participate in a Jackpot game, a Jackpot server207will be provided to perform accounting functions for the Jackpot game. A loyalty program server212may also be provided.

Servers are also typically provided to assist in the administration of the gaming network200, including for example a licensing server209to monitor the use of licenses relating to particular games. An administrator terminal210is provided to allow an administrator to run the network201and the devices connected to the network.

The gaming network200may communicate with other gaming systems, other local networks, for example a corporate network, and/or a wide area network such as the Internet, for example through a firewall211.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in accordance with known techniques, functionality at the server side of the network may be distributed over a plurality of different computers. For example, elements may be run as a single “engine” on one server or a separate server may be provided. For example, the game server205could run a random generator engine. Alternatively, a separate random number generator server could be provided. Further, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a plurality of game servers could be provided to run different games or a single game server may run a plurality of different games as required by the terminals.

Further Details of the Gaming System

In various embodiments of the gaming system300, each gaming device90is a stand-alone gaming machine that allows play of a multi-player game in the form of a multi-player spinning reel type game. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that an alternative embodiment of the gaming system300may provide a multi-player game that is not a spinning reel type game.

In order to participate in the game, the player operates the gaming device90to specify a wager (and hence the win entitlement which will be evaluated for this play of the game) and initiates a play of the game. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a player's win entitlement will vary from game to game dependent on player selections. In most spinning reel games, it is typical for the player's win entitlement to be affected by the amount they wager and selections they make (i.e., the nature of the wager). For example, a player's win entitlement may be based on how many lines they play in each game—e.g., a minimum of one line up to the maximum number of lines allowed by the game (noting that not all permutations of win lines may be available for selection) and how much they wager per line. Such win lines are typically formed by a combination of symbol display positions, one from each reel, the symbol display positions being located relative to one another such that they form a line.

In many games, the player's win entitlement is not strictly limited to the lines they have selected, for example, “scatter” pays are awarded independently of a player's selection of pay lines and are an inherent part of the win entitlement.

Persons skilled in the art, will appreciate that in other embodiments, the player may obtain a win entitlement by selecting a number of reels to play and an amount to wager per reel. Such games are marketed under the trade name “Reel Power” by Aristocrat Leisure Industries Pty Ltd. The selection of the reel means that each displayed symbol of the reel can be substituted for a symbol at one or more designated display positions. In other words, all symbols displayed at symbol display positions corresponding to a selected reel can be used to form symbol combinations with symbols displayed at a designated, symbol display positions of the other reels. For example, if there are five reels and three symbol display positions for each reel such that the symbol display positions comprise three rows of five symbol display positions, the symbols displayed in the centre row are used for non-selected reels. As a result, the total number of ways to win is determined by multiplying the number of active display positions of each reels, the active display positions being all display positions of each selected reel and the designated display position of the non-selected reels. As a result for five reels and fifteen display positions there are 243 ways to win.

In other embodiments a player win entitlement may be affected by purchasing access to particular pay tables—e.g., a first bet amount entitles the player to wins including cherries and a second amount entitles them to wins including plums.

In various embodiments, the multi-player spinning reel type game playable on each gaming device90has three different modes of play: a base game mode, a bonus feature game mode and a tournament game mode. However, it is envisaged that the multi-player spinning reel type game may not have three different modes of play. For example, the multi-player spinning reel type game may only have a single tournament game mode of play.

In the base game mode, each gaming device90plays its “own” spinning reel type game but a win (that is, a winning symbol combination) on any one of the gaming devices90participating in the multi-player game results in a win to all of the participating gaming devices90. In the bonus feature game mode, a bonus feature option (or options) selected by the player of a designated one of the gaming devices90participating in the multi-player game is applied to the spinning reel type games played on all of the gaming devices90participating in the multi-player game. That is, a lead player (that is, the player on the designated gaming device90participating in the multi-player game) gets to select a bonus feature option or options (for example, a higher multiplier with less free spins such as 5 free spins with a 4× award multiplier, a lower multiplier with more free spins such as 10 free spins with a 2× award multiplier) for the players on all of the other participating gaming devices90. In another words, the lead player can control volatility of the game through selection of a bonus feature option (or options). In various embodiments, the designated gaming device90is the participating gaming device90that specifies the biggest wager (that is, the player that wagers the most credits). However, it is envisaged that the designated gaming device90may not be the participating gaming device90that specifies the biggest wager in alternative embodiments. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the designated gaming device90may be a randomly designated one of the gaming devices90participating in the multi-player game.

In the tournament game mode, the symbols selected for play on each participating gaming device90are the same. That is, the gaming devices90participating in the multi-player game share the same spins. However, the player on each participating gaming device90may make an independent player selection to modify the selected symbols. That is, the player on each participating gaming device90may select one or more display positions such that on the gaming device90symbols selected for display at these display positions are converted to a function symbol. Thus, the outcomes for the participating gaming devices90may be different if the players on the participating gaming devices90make different player selections.

FIG.6is a functional block diagram of one of the gaming devices90A of a “non-tournament game mode” embodiment of the gaming system300. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that this FIG. illustrates only the core components of a gaming device90of one possible embodiment of the gaming system300and that a gaming device90A of another embodiment of the gaming system300may include alternative or additional components.

As indicated above, each gaming device90A of the gaming system300enables a player to play a multi-player spinning reel type game. In this “non-tournament game mode” embodiment, the multi-player spinning reel type game is essentially a number of separate spinning reel type games being played at participating gaming devices90A where a win on any one of the participating gaming devices90A results in a win to all of the participating devices90A. Thus, even though there is no competition or cooperation between players at the participating gaming devices90A, the shared results provide the players with a “community feeling” that encourages longer, more enjoyable game play.

The gaming device90A comprises a player interface50A and a game controller60A. The player interface50A comprises a display54A for displaying the multi-player spinning reel type game to a player. That is, the display54A is arranged to display at respective ones of a plurality of display positions a plurality of symbols selected in respect of the multi-player spinning reel type game. It is envisaged that, in an alternative embodiment, the display54A may be arranged to display a single-player game in addition to the multi-player game, and that the display54A may display at any single point in time a single-player game, a multi-player game, or both a single-player game and a multi-player game. Also, it is envisaged that, in an alternative embodiment, the multi-player game may be displayed on a separate display that is not part of the gaming device90A. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the display54A of each gaming device may display only a single-player game, and an associated display that is separate to the gaming device90may be used to display the multi-player game.

The player interface50A also comprises an input device or a game play mechanism58A that enables the gaming device90A to receive an input from a player such as a wager (in particular, a wager indicating the number of rounds or plays of the multi-player game in which the player wishes to participate) or game play instructions (in particular, a selection of one or more of the display positions of the display54A where the player would like to modify). It is envisaged that, in an embodiment, the multi-player game may be offered in predetermined groupings, for example, 1, 5, 10, 25 or 100 rounds or plays.

The game controller60A comprises a processor62A and memory64A. The processor62A is shown implementing a number of modules based on program code and data stored in memory64A. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the modules are based typically on program code and data stored in memory. Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the modules need not be implemented using a processor or be based on program code and data stored in memory and that one or more of the modules could be implemented in some other way, for example, by a dedicated circuit.

The modules implemented by the processor62A include a game play controller906A and a random number generator (RNG)904A arranged to generate random numbers (or pseudo-random numbers). The game play controller906A is arranged to generate and evaluate game events for a single-player game based on single-player game data909A stored in memory64A and the random numbers (or pseudo-random numbers) generated by the RNG904A. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the single-player game data909A typically includes the rules of the game, the probability of winning, or the award(s) that can be made to a player. In various embodiments, the single-player game data909A are stored in memory64A. However, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that the single-player game data909A may alternatively be stored in a remote storage device (or remote storage devices) in an alternative embodiment.

The game controller60A also includes a communication interface68A to allow the gaming device90A to communicate with the controller80A. For example, the communication interface68A allows the gaming device90A to transmit or relay communications received from the input device58A to the controller80A, and to receive communications from the controller80A.

FIG.7is a functional block diagram of the controller80A of the “non-tournament game mode” embodiment of the gaming system300. The controller80A comprises a controller memory81and a controller processor83A. The controller80A also includes a controller communication interface85A for allowing the controller80A to communicate with the gaming device90A. For example, the controller communication interface85A allows an eligibility evaluator833A to monitor each gaming device90A for receipt of an input to participate in a multi-player game, and enables the controller80A to transmit to each participating gaming device90A symbols selected for display at the gaming device90A and any awards made in respect of the gaming device90A.

Like the processor62A of the game controller60A ofFIG.6, the controller processor83A ofFIG.7is shown implementing a number of modules implemented based on program code and data. However, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the modules can be implemented in some other way, for example, by a dedicated circuit in an alternative embodiment.

One of the modules implemented by the controller processor83A is the above described eligibility evaluator833A that monitors each gaming device90for a player input. The eligibility evaluator833A is arranged to evaluate the player input received from a gaming device via the controller communication interface85A. More specifically, the eligibility evaluator833A evaluates the input to determine whether or not the gaming device90A is eligible to participate in the multi-player game based on the input (that is, a wager) from a player to participate in a multi-player game. For example, in an embodiment, the eligibility evaluator833A may evaluate the wager by a player to determine whether or not the wager is sufficient to participate in the multi-player game. In another embodiment, the input from a player may additionally indicate the number of rounds of the multi-player game the player wishes to participate in, and the eligibility evaluator833A may evaluate the input to determine whether or not the gaming device is eligible to participate in the indicated number of rounds based on the amount wagered by the player.

The controller processor83A also implements a RNG834A, a multi-player game event generator835A, a multi-player game event modifier836A and a multi-player game event evaluator838A. The game event generator835A is arranged to generate a multi-player game event for the multi-player spinning reel type game based on random numbers (or pseudo-random numbers) generated by the RNG834A and multi-player game data stored in the controller memory818A. The game event modifier836A is arranged to modify, for each gaming device90A participating in the multi-player spinning reel type game, the multi-player game event generated by the game event generator835A based on a player selection received from the input device of the participating gaming device90A. The game event evaluator838A is arranged to evaluate, for each gaming device90A participating in the multi-player spinning reel type game, the multi-player game event modified by the game event modifier836A for the participating gaming device90A based on the multi-player game data stored in the controller memory818A to determine whether or not the multi-player game event corresponds to a winning multi-player game event.

The multi-player game event generator835A is a symbol generator arranged to select a plurality of sets of symbols in respect of respective display positions of the multi-player spinning reel type game.

The multi-player game event modifier836A is a symbol modifier arranged to modify, for each gaming device90A participating in the multi-player spinning reel type game, one or more symbols selected by symbol generator835based on a player selection received from the input device of a participating gaming device90A. Depending on the embodiment, the modification for a participating gaming device90A may be based on a player selection received from either the same participating gaming device90A or another participating gaming device90A.

In various embodiments, the symbol modifier836A modifies each selected symbol by modifying each of the selected symbols corresponding to the display positions selected by the player to a WILD symbol. It is envisaged that, in an alternative embodiment, each of the selected symbols may be modified to a different function symbol such as a multiplier. Also, in some embodiments, a player may be provided with multiple function symbols and that, for each round of play, a different function symbol (or different function symbols) may be applied to the display positions selected by each player. For example, in one embodiment, a player may be provided with a WILD symbol for one round of play and a multiplier for another round of play.

The multi-player event evaluator838A is a symbol evaluator arranged to evaluate the symbols (that is, the symbols selected by the symbol generator835A and then modified by the symbol modifier836A) to determine whether or not the symbols correspond to a winning symbol combination. The symbols evaluated by the symbol evaluator835may consist of the symbols modified by the symbol modifier908A (that is, the modified symbols at the display positions selected by the player using the input device54A) and the un-modified symbols selected for display at respective display positions of the display.

The modules implemented by the controller processor81A also include a prize awarder839A arranged to make awards to gaming devices90A participating in the multi-player spinning reel type game. Specifically, the prize awarder839A makes an award to each participating gaming device90A based on award data stored in the controller memory81A, upon a determination by the symbol evaluator835A that the symbols selected by the symbol generator835A and subsequently modified by the symbol modifier836A (if symbols selected by the symbol generator835A were subsequently modified by the symbol modifier835A) for one of the participating gaming devices90A correspond to a winning symbol combination.

In various embodiments, the symbols selected by the symbol generator835A are first transmitted via the controller communication interface85A to each participating gaming device for display on the display54A of the gaming device90A, before the symbols modified by the symbol modified836A are then separately transmitted via the controller communication interface to the gaming device90A for display on the display54A of the gaming device90A. However, it is envisaged that this need not be the case. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the selected symbols and the modified symbols for display at each gaming device90A may be transmitted together. It is also envisaged that, in an alternative embodiment, symbols may not be transmitted to the gaming devices90A for display but awards are transmitted to the participating gaming devices90A.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that some of the components (for example, the event modifier836A or the event evaluator838A) implemented by the controller80A may be implemented by each gaming device. Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the controller80A may include other components. It is also envisaged that the gaming system300may involve other devices. For example, in an embodiment, the multi-player game may be displayed to players on stand-alone multi-player game displays respectively associated with the gaming devices90A, and the controller80A may additionally include a communication interface for communicating with each of these stand-alone multi-player game displays.

As indicated above, the multi-player game may not be a spinning reel type game. For example, in an alternative embodiment, the multi-player game may be a stud poker game. In yet another embodiment, the multi-player game may be a bingo game.

FIG.8is a functional block diagram of a gaming device90B of a “tournament game mode” embodiment of the gaming system300. In this “tournament game mode” embodiment, game events are modified and evaluated by each gaming device90B (rather than by the controller and awards are made only to a predetermined one or more of the participating gaming devices90B (that is, to only the winning gaming devices90B). Also, a trigger monitor831B is implemented by the controller80B to monitor a trigger event for a trigger condition to initiate the multi-player game. As described in further detail below, depending on the embodiment, players at participating gaming devices90B may or may not be permitted make player selections after each round of play of the multi-player game. In an embodiment where players at participating gaming devices90B do not make player selections after each round of play of the multi-player game, the multi-player game can be played for multiple rounds without any player interaction after initial player selection. For example, after a 100-game grouping (that is, a multi-player game with 100 rounds of play) is wagered upon by players at participating gaming devices90B, no further player interaction is required until all 100 rounds of play are completed. As indicated above, the multi-player game may be offered in any number of predetermined groups, for example, 1, 5, 10, or 100 rounds or plays.

Like the gaming device90A of the “non-tournament game mode” embodiment, the gaming device90B inFIG.8comprises a game controller60B and a player interface50B. The player interface50B comprises a display54B for displaying the multi-player spinning reel type game and an input device58B that enables the gaming device90B to receive an input, that is, a wager for initiating the game, and a player selection of display positions for modification.

The game controller60B comprises a memory64B and a communication interface68B in communication with the controller80B of the gaming system300. The game controller60B also comprises a processor62B for implementing modules based on program code and data stored in the memory64B. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the modules need not be implemented using a processor or be based on program code and data stored in memory and that one or more of the modules could be alternatively implemented, for example, by a dedicated circuit.

As indicated above, in contrast to the “non-tournament game mode” embodiment of the gaming system300ofFIGS.6and7, game events in this “tournament game mode” embodiment of the gaming system300are modified and evaluated by each gaming device90B. Firstly, game event modification is performed by an event modifier908B implemented by the processor62B Like the event modifier836A of the “non-tournament game mode” embodiment, the event modifier908B of this “tournament game mode” embodiment is a symbol modifier arranged to modify one or more symbols selected for display at respective display positions. When in use, the symbol modifier908B modifies the selected symbols by modifying each of the selected symbols to a function symbol (which, for example, may be a WILD symbol or a multiplier) based on the player selection of the display positions received from the input device58B. It is envisaged that, in an alternative embodiment, the event modifier908B may be configured to modify not only symbols. For example, in addition or as an alternative to a symbol modifier, the event modifier908B may also be an award modifier arranged to modify an award or awards made by a controller80B.

The processor62B also implements an event evaluator909B to perform game event evaluation Like the event evaluator838A of the “non-tournament game mode” embodiment, the event evaluator909B of this “tournament game mode” embodiment is a symbol evaluator arranged to evaluate a multi-player game event in the form of selected symbols to determine whether or not the symbols correspond to a winning multi-player game event in the form of a winning symbol combination. The symbols evaluated by the symbol evaluator909B consist of the symbols modified by the symbol modifier908B (that is, the symbols at the display positions selected by the player using the input device54B) and the selected symbols not modified by the symbol modifier908B (that is, the symbols at the display positions not selected by the player using the input device54B). The outcome of each evaluation by the event evaluator909B is communicated via the communication interface68B to the controller80B. In various embodiments, each outcome is a score which is communicated via the communication interface68B to the controller80B such the controller80B may tally the total scores in respect of a plurality of multi-player game events (that is, multiple rounds of the multi-player game) to identify at least one winning gaming device90B.

The modules implemented by the processor62B also include a game play controller906B for generating and evaluating game events for a single-player game based on single-player game data909B stored in memory64B and random numbers (or pseudo-random numbers) generated by a RNG904B.

FIG.9is a functional block diagram of the controller80B of the “tournament game mode” embodiment of the gaming system300. As indicated above, in this “tournament game mode” embodiment, a trigger monitor831B is implemented to monitor a trigger device to determine whether a trigger condition is met. The trigger monitor831B is implemented by the controller processor83B of the controller80B. In various embodiments, the trigger device is a RNG834B implemented by the controller80B, and the trigger condition is the generation of one of one or more predetermined numbers by the RNG834B. When in use, the trigger monitor831monitors the RNG834B for the generation of one of the predetermined numbers, and initiates a multi-player spinning reel type game involving the gaming devices90B that are eligible to participate in the multi-player game upon the generation of one of the predetermined numbers by the RNG834B. It is envisaged that different predetermined numbers may be associated with different tiered tournament games. For example, generation of a number from1to100triggers a minor tournament, a number from101to110triggers a major tournament, and a number111triggers a grand tournament. The tournament game mode is triggered at random in various embodiments. However, it is envisaged that, in an alternative embodiment, the trigger monitor831B may alternatively not be monitoring a RNG834B, the trigger condition may alternatively not be one or more predetermined numbers generated by a RNG834B, and the tournament game mode may alternatively not be triggered randomly. For example, the trigger monitor831B may alternatively be a user interface connected to the controller80B and the trigger condition may alternatively be an input by a user of the controller80B (for example, an operator of the gaming system300such as a casino operator) to initiate a multi-player game. It is also envisaged that some embodiments may involve multiple triggers and that a tournament game mode may be triggered by different trigger conditions. Also, it is envisaged that there may be different tournament game modes and that each of the different tournament game modes may be triggered by different trigger conditions.

The trigger monitor831B is just one of a number of modules implemented by the controller processor83B. Like the controller80A of the “non-tournament game mode” embodiment, the controller processor83B also implements an eligibility evaluator833B arranged to evaluate a player input to participate in a multi-player game received from a gaming device90B to determine whether or not the gaming device90B is eligible to participate in the multi-player game. Like the controller communication interface85A of the “non-tournament game mode” embodiment, a controller communication interface85B is provided in the controller80B of various embodiments to allow communication between the controller80A and each gaming device90B such that the eligibility evaluator833B can monitor each gaming device90B for receipt of an input to participate in a multi-player game, and the controller80B can transmit to each participating gaming device90B symbols selected for display at the gaming device90B and any awards made in respect of the gaming device90B.

The controller processor83B also implements a multi-player game event generator835B in the form of a symbol generator arranged to select a plurality of sets of symbols in respect of the multi-player spinning reel type game. As indicated above, for the tournament game mode, the symbols selected for play on each participating gaming device90B are the same. The symbols selected by the symbol generator835B are transmitted via the controller communication interface of the controller80B to each gaming device90B participating in a multi-player game for display at the display54B of each gaming device90B. Before displaying to a player the symbols selected by the symbol generator835B of the controller80B, the event modifier908B of a gaming device90B modifies the selected symbols based on a player selection, and the symbol evaluator909B evaluates the selected symbols (and modified symbols if any selected symbols were modified) to determine a score in respect of the symbols selected by the symbol generator835B.

Like the controller processor81A of the “non-tournament game mode” embodiment, the controller processor81B of this “tournament game mode” embodiment also implements a prize awarder839B arranged to make an award to a gaming device90B based on award data stored in the controller memory81B. In various embodiments, awards are made by the prize awarder839B to a predetermined one or more of the participating gaming devices90B that achieve scores that are higher than those achieved by the other participating gaming devices90B. However, it is envisaged that this might not be the case in an alternative embodiment. For example, in an alternative embodiment, an award is made only to the participating gaming device90B that achieves the top score. It is envisaged that awards may be made either at the end of each multi-player event generated by the controller80B or at the end of the multi-player game. That is, awards may be made for each round of the multi-player game or only for an entire game. As indicated above, in an embodiment where prizes are awarded for the entire game, the prize awarder839B may keep track of the scores for each round of play (that is, for each generated multi-player event) and add-up or tally the scores for all of the rounds of play to identify the winning one or ones of the participating gaming devices90B.

It is envisaged that awards made in respect of a gaming device90B by the prize awarder839B may be based on a player input (that is, the wager made by the player on the gaming device90B), or if the game is triggered by the trigger monitor831B, be based on the random number (or pseudo-random number) that triggered the tournament game mode.

It is envisaged that awards made by the prize awarder839B may be funded by a prize pool. The prize pool may in turn be funded by the wagers (for example, 10% of each wager) made by the participating gaming devices90B, additional wagers (that is, “ante”) wagers dedicated to awards for tournament game modes, and/or some other form of funding. It is envisaged that awards made by the prize awarder839B may be funded by a plurality of different tiered prize pools. For example, awards in respect of a grand tournament may be derived from a $1 million prize pool, awards in respect of a major tournament may be derived from a $100,000 prize pool, and awards in respect of a minor tournament may be derived from only a $10,000 prize pool.

FIG.10is a flow chart of a method of gaming comprising a “non-tournament game mode” embodiment of the gaming system300. At step110, a player input in the form of a wager to participate in a multi-player spinning reel type game is received by the input device58A of a gaming device90A. As indicated above, the input may indicate the number of rounds of the multi-player game in which the player wishes to participate.

At step120, an eligibility evaluator833A implemented by the controller80evaluates the player input to determine whether or not the gaming device90is eligible to participate in the multi-player game. For example, the eligibility evaluator833A may evaluate the player input to determine whether or not a wager made by the player is sufficient to participate in the multi-player game. If the input indicates the number of rounds of the multi-player game in which the player wishes to participate, the eligibility evaluator833A evaluates the input to determine whether or not the gaming device90A is eligible to participate in the indicated number of rounds based on the amount wagered by the player.

In any event, if the eligibility evaluator833A determines that a gaming device90A is not eligible to participate in the multi-player game, the gaming device90A waits for another player input to participate in a tournament game mode of a multi-player spinning reel type game. Otherwise, if the eligibility evaluator833A determines that a gaming device90A is eligible to participate in the multi-player game, the gaming device90A prompts the player to make a player selection of one or more display positions at which selected symbols are to be modified. As indicated above, depending on the embodiment, the modification for a participating gaming device90A may be based on a player selection received from either the same participating gaming device or another participating gaming device90A.

At step130, the player's selection of the display positions is received by the input device58A of the gaming device90A. At step140, an event generator (or symbol generator)835A implemented by the controller80A selects a plurality of symbols based on random numbers generated by the RNG834A implemented by the controller80A, upon receiving a communication (via the respective communication interfaces68A,85A) from the gaming device90A that received the player's selection of the display positions.

At step150, an event modifier (or symbol modifier)836A modifies, for each gaming device90A of the gaming system300participating in the same multi-player game, the symbols selected by the event generator (or symbol generator)835A at the display positions selected by each player at step130. As indicated above, depending on the embodiment, the event modifier (or symbol modifier)836A may be implemented by the controller80(which performs the modification for all participating gaming devices90) or by each gaming device90A (which performs the modification only in respect of the gaming device90).

At step160, the selected and modified symbols for each participating gaming device are displayed by the display54A of the participating gaming device90A. As indicated above, in an alternative embodiment, the gaming system300may include a plurality of multi-player game displays associated with respective ones of the gaming devices90A of the gaming system300A, and the selected and modified symbols may be displayed by these associated multi-player game displays (in addition to or as an alternative to the displays54A of the gaming devices90A).

At step170, an event evaluator (or symbol evaluator)838A evaluates, for each gaming device90A of the gaming system300participating in the same multi-player game, the selected and modified symbols displayed at step160to determine whether or not the displayed symbols correspond to a winning symbol combination. As indicated above, depending on the embodiment, the event evaluator (or symbol evaluator)838A may be implemented by the controller80A (which performs the evaluation for all participating gaming devices90A) or by each gaming device90A (which performs the evaluation only in respect of the gaming device90A).

At step180, a prize awarder839A implemented by the controller80A makes awards to each of the participating gaming devices90A. At step190, the controller80A determines, for each participating gaming device90A, whether or not the multi-player game has ended. That is, the controller80A determines, for each participating gaming device90A, whether or not the gaming device90A has completed all of the rounds of play the gaming device90A is eligible to participate in. If the multi-player game has ended for a gaming device90A, the controller80A waits for another player input from the gaming device90A to participate in a multi-player spinning reel type game. Otherwise, the event generator (or symbol generator)835A selects another plurality of symbols for play of another round of the multi-player spinning reel type game. In various embodiments, the multi-player game can be played for multiple rounds without further input from players. That is, multiple rounds of the multi-player game may be played without any player interaction after a player inputs a wager and makes a player selection. However, it is envisaged that, in an alternative embodiment, players may be provided with an option to make new player selections after each round of play.

FIG.11is a flow chart of a method of gaming comprising a “tournament game mode” embodiment of the gaming system300. At step210, a RNG834B implemented by the controller generates a random number (or pseudo-random number) at regular time intervals.

At step220, a trigger monitor831B implemented by the controller80B monitors or constantly polls a trigger device in the form of the RNG834B for determining whether or not a trigger condition met, specifically, whether or not the RNG834B generates one of one or more predetermined numbers. If the trigger monitor831B determines that the trigger condition is met (that is, that a random number generated by the RNG834B is a predetermined number), a multi-player game is initiated by the controller80B. In various embodiments, the multi-player game is a multi-player spinning reel type game.

At step230, each participating gaming device90B receives from the player of the gaming device90B a player selection via the input device58B of the gaming device90B. In various embodiments, the player selection is one or more display positions of the multi-player spinning reel type game at which selected symbols are to be modified.

At step240, upon receipt of a player selection from each participating gaming device an event generator (or symbol generator)835B implemented by the controller80B selects a plurality of symbols based on random numbers generated by the RNG834B.

At step250, an event modifier (or symbol modifier)836B modifies, for each gaming device90B of the gaming system300participating in the multi-player game, the symbols selected by the event generator (or symbol generator)835B at the display positions selected by each player at step230.

At step260, the selected and modified symbols for each participating gaming device90B are evaluated by an event evaluator (or symbol evaluator)838B to determine an outcome in the form of a score.

As indicated above, depending on the embodiment, the event modifier836B and the event evaluator838B may be implemented by the controller80B (which will perform symbol modification and the evaluation for all participating gaming devices90B) or by each gaming device90B.

At step270, the controller80B determines whether or not the multi-player spinning reel type game has ended, that is, whether all rounds of play of the multi-player game have been completed. If the controller80B determines that not all rounds of play have been completed, another round of play of the multi-player game is initiated. As indicated above, depending on the embodiment, players at participating gaming devices90B may or may not be permitted make player selections after each round of play of the multi-player game. In an embodiment where player selections after each round of play of the multi-player game are expected, each participating gaming device90B again receives from the player of the gaming device90B a player selection via the input device58B of the gaming device90B. In an alternative embodiment where player selections after each round of play of the multi-player game are not permitted, the event generator (or symbol generator)835B implemented by the controller80B selects another plurality of symbols based on random numbers generated by the RNG834B for another round of play of the multi-player game.

If the controller80B determines that all rounds of play have been completed, at step280, a prize awarder839B implemented by the controller80B makes an award or awards to the winning gaming device or devices90B. In various embodiments, the winning gaming device or devices90B correspond to a predetermined number of the participating gaming devices90B that achieve total scores that are higher than those achieved by the other participating gaming devices90B. To determine the total score for each participating gaming device90B, the prize awarder839B adds up for each participating gaming device90B, the scores gained in all rounds of play. To identify the winning gaming device or devices90B, the prize awarder839B compares the total scores of the participating gaming devices90B and determines the predetermined number of the participating gaming devices90B that achieve total scores that are higher than those achieved by the other participating gaming devices90B.

Further aspects of the method will be apparent from the above description of the system. It will be appreciated that at least part of the method will be implemented digitally by a processor. Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the method could be embodied in program code. The program code could be supplied in a number of ways, for example on a tangible computer readable storage medium, such as a disc or a memory (for example, that could replace part of memory103) or as a data signal (for example, by transmitting it from a server). Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that program code provides a series of instructions executable by the processor.

FIGS.12A and12Bdepict flow charts for a method of synchronizing gaming devices such as, for example, gaming devices90A,90B which are participating in a multi-player game. As should be appreciated, players participating in certain multi-player games may find it advantageous to wait for another player to make their selection so that they may see the game results of such selection before making their own selection. This is especially true if the multi-player game provides each player with the same symbols. In such embodiments, if left unchecked, a player may observe, via another participating gaming device90A,90B, symbols of an upcoming game display.

To combat such issues and ensure players are participating on an even playing field, the participating gaming devices90A,90B may be synchronized such that game play essentially proceeds in lock-step manner across the participating gaming devices90A,90B. To this end, the controllers80A,80B may coordinate or synchronize participating gaming devices90A,90B about important, critical, and/or other portions of game play. To this end, the controllers80A,80B may establish time periods or windows in which certain guarded operations (e.g., placing a wager, initiating a spin, selecting lines to play, selecting volatility, selecting display positions, and/or other game play dependent selections) may be made and accepted by the controller80A,80B and/or gaming devices90A,90B.

To this end, the controllers80A,80B may operate per the flow chart ofFIG.12Ato establish time periods and/or windows for certain guarded operations. Moreover, the gaming devices90A,90B may operate per the flow chart ofFIG.12Bto initiate time periods or windows specified by the controllers80A,80B and ensure that certain guarded operations occur within synchronized time periods the participating gaming devices90A,90B.

Referring now toFIG.12A, a controller80A,80B may initiate or specify a sync period or window for one or more guarded operations (e.g., placing a wager, selecting lines to play, selecting volatility, selecting display positions, and/or other game play dependent selections.) To this end, the controller80A,80B at step1200may start a master sync timer or window and may send a sync command to one or more participating gaming devices90A,90B via its communication interface85A,85B. In various embodiments, the controller80A,80B and participating gaming devices90A,90B may be coupled via a closed network. As such, the controller80A,80B may generate a network broadcast message or otherwise broadcast the sync command to provide each of the participating gaming devices90A,90B with the sync command via a single networking message. In various embodiments, the controller80A,80B further starts a master timer with a certain expiration period (e.g., 30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, etc.). Moreover, the controller80A,80B may generate the sync command such that the sync command instructs recipients such as the participating gaming devise90A,90B to respectively start a sync timer with the same expiration period as the master sync timer. In this manner, the controller80A, may open a sync window across the participating gaming devices90A,90B that will close upon expiration of the master timer.

At step1205, the controller80A,80B may receive, from the participating gaming devices90A,90B, player selections and/or other information guarded by the sync window. After receiving such selections (or not), the controller80A,80B at step1210may determine whether the sync window has closed. In particular, the controller80A,80B may determine that the sync window has closed in response to expiration of the master sync timer. If the master sync timer has not expired, then the controller80A,80B at step1220may broadcast a sync update command that informs each of the participating gaming devices90A,90B how much time is remaining for the master sync timer. In various embodiments, the controller80A,80B may be configured to periodically send the sync update command at regular intervals (e.g., every 1 second, every 2 seconds, etc.). In some of these embodiments, each participating gaming device90A,90B may be configured to update the remaining time in the master sync time upon receipt of the sync update command and calculate a remaining time based on number of sync updates (or a remaining time or elapsed time communicated along with the sync update).

After the sync window has closed, the controller80A,80B at1230may control gaming devices90A,90B to deny further guarded operations (e.g., placing a wager, initiating a spin, selecting lines to play, selecting volatility, selecting display positions, and/or other game play dependent selections.) By denying such guarded operations, the controller80A,80B may prevent players from taking advantage of other players by observing their game results and basing their selection(s) and/or game play upon such observed results.

Referring toFIG.12B, the gaming devices90A,90B may operate per the depicted flow chart to initiate time periods or windows specified by the controllers80A,80B and ensure that certain guarded operations are synchronized across the participating gaming devices90A,90B. To this end, a gaming devices90A,90B at step1240may determine whether to open a window for guarded operations. In particular, the gaming device90A,90B may determine to initiate a sync timer for a window based on a sync command received from the controller80A,80B. In response to the received sync command, the gaming device90A,90B at step1250may start and display the sync timer per an expiration period specified by the received sync command.

After starting the sync timer and opening a window for guarded operations, the gaming device90A,90B at step1260may accept, via its player interface50A,50B, guarded operations (e.g., placing a wager, initiating a spin, selecting lines to play, selecting volatility, selecting display positions, and/or other game play dependent selections) and inform the controller80A,90A of such received guarded operations.

At step1270, the gaming device90A,90B may determine whether it needs to realign its sync timer with a corresponding sync timer of the controller80A.80B. In particular, the gaming device90A,90B, in response to receiving a sync update command from the controller80A,80B, may update at step1280its respective sync timer and graphical depiction on its display54B based on the remaining time provided by the sync update command. In various embodiments, the controller80A,80B may be configured to send the sync update command at regular intervals (e.g., every 1 second, every 2 seconds, etc.). See, e.g., step1220. In this manner, the sync timers of the participating gaming devices90A,90B may be kept in general synchronization with the master sync timer of the controller80A,80B.

At step1290, the gaming device90A,90B may determine whether the sync window has closed. In particular, the gaming device90A,90B may determine that the sync window has closed in response to expiration of its sync timer. If the sync timer has not expired, then the gaming device90A,90B may permit further guarded operations at1260. However, after the window has closed, the gaming device90A,90B at1295may deny further guarded operations. To this end, the gaming device90A,90B may disable aspects of its player interface50A,50B and provide visual feedback regarding its disable state (e.g., greying-out graphical controls displayed by its display54A,54B.) By denying such guarded operations, the gaming device90A,90B may prevent players from taking advantage of other players by observing their game results and basing their selection(s) and/or game play upon such observed results.

FIG.13is a flow chart of a method of gaming per a “tournament game mode” embodiment of the gaming system300and further highlights synchronization aspects discussed above with regard toFIGS.12A and12B. At step1310, the RNG834B of the controller80B may generate a random number (or pseudo-random number) at regular time intervals. In various embodiments, the RNG834B may generate the random number due to the controller processor83B executing a software module that implements the RNG834B. In some embodiments, the RNG834B may be implemented as a hardware module distinct from the controller processor83B. Such a hardware module may generate random numbers and supply the generated random numbers to the controller processor83B

At step1320, a trigger monitor831B implemented by the controller80B may monitor or constantly poll a trigger device in the form of the RNG834B for determining whether or not a trigger condition met, specifically, whether or not the RNG834B generates one of one or more predetermined numbers. If the trigger monitor831B determines that the trigger condition is met (that is, that a random number generated by the RNG834B is a predetermined number), a multi-player game may be initiated by the controller80B. In various embodiments, the multi-player game is a multi-player spinning reel type game. In various embodiments, the multi-player game is a multi-player bonus game that is initiated by one or more gaming devices (sending a trigger to trigger monitor831B).

At step1325, the controller80B may broadcast a sync command which provides each participating gaming device90B with a specified window in which the participating gaming devices90B may accept player selections. In particular, the controller80B may initiate a master sync timer and instruct the participating gaming devices90B via the sync command to likewise initiate sync timers. For example, the controller80B may start a master sync timer with a 1 minute expiration period or some other expiration period and may instruct each participating gaming device90B to start a sync timer that coincides with the master sync timer of the controller80B. Besides initiating sync timers, the sync command may further instruct participating gaming devices90B to accept player selections for display positions and forward such selections to the controller80B during the 1 minute window specified by the sync timer. In some embodiments, the sync command may not instruct the participating gaming device90B to accept and forward player selections, but instead the participating gaming devices90B may be programmed or otherwise configured to accept and forward such player selections during the sync window specified by the sync timer.

At step1327, each participating gaming device90B may update via its display54B a graphical depiction of its sync timer counting down. Moreover, each participating gaming device may prompt the player via its display54B to select a display position before the displayed timer expires. In this manner, each participating gaming device90B may provide its player with suitable feedback regarding actions to take and by when such actions are to be completed.

At step1330, each participating gaming device90B may receive from the player of the gaming device90B a player selection via the input device58B of the gaming device90B. In various embodiments, the player selection may comprise one or more display positions of the multi-player spinning reel type game at which selected symbols are to be modified.

At step1332, each participating gaming device90B and the controller80A may determine whether the sync window for receiving player selections has closed. In particular, each participating gaming device90B and the controller80A may determine wither its respective sync timer has expired. If they have expired, then the selection window has closed and the participating gaming devices90B and the controller80A may proceed with the tournament mode game. Otherwise, the controller80A at step1334may broadcast a sync update command that informs each of the participating gaming devices90B how much time is remaining on the sync timer for the controller80A. In response to the sync update command, each participating gaming device90B at step1327may update its respective sync timer and graphical depiction on its display54B based on the remaining time provided by the sync update command. In various embodiments, the controller80A may be configured to send the sync update command at regular intervals (e.g., every 1 second, every 2 seconds, etc.). In this manner, the sync timers of the participating gaming devices90B may be kept in general synchronization with the sync timer of the controller80A.

After the window has closed, the controller80A at1336may determine whether a player selection was received for each participating gaming device90B before the sync timer expired. If a player at a participating gaming device90B failed to provide a selection within the window, then the controller80A at1338may make a selection on behalf of the player. For example, the controller80A may randomly select a display position for the player. In various embodiments, the controller80A may select a display position for a player based on other criteria such as whether a particular display position has been selected by another player.

At step1340, upon receipt of a player selection from each participating gaming device an event generator (or symbol generator)835B implemented by the controller80B may select a plurality of symbols based on random numbers generated by the RNG834B.

At step1350, an event modifier (or symbol modifier)836B may modify, for each gaming device90B of the gaming system300participating in the multi-player game, the symbols selected by the event generator (or symbol generator)835B at the display positions selected by each player at step1330.

At step1360, the selected and modified symbols for each participating gaming device may be evaluated by an event evaluator (or symbol evaluator)838B to determine an outcome in the form of a score.

As indicated above, depending on the embodiment, the event modifier836B and the event evaluator838B may be implemented by the controller80B (which will perform symbol modification and the evaluation for all participating gaming devices90B) or by each gaming device90B.

At step1370, the controller80B may determine whether or not the multi-player spinning reel type game has ended, that is, whether all rounds of play of the multi-player game have been completed. If the controller80B determines that not all rounds of play have been completed, another round of play of the multi-player game may be initiated. As indicated above, depending on the embodiment, players at participating gaming devices90B may or may not be permitted to make player selections after each round of play of the multi-player game. In an embodiment where player selections after each round of play of the multi-player game are expected, each participating gaming device90B may again receive sync commands and sync update commands from the controller80B that specify a window in which player selections may be accepted by the participating gaming devices90B. In various embodiments, where player selections after each round of play of the multi-player game are not permitted, the event generator (or symbol generator)835B implemented by the controller80B may select another plurality of symbols based on random numbers generated by the RNG834B for another round of play of the multi-player game.

If the controller80B determines that all rounds of play have been completed, at step1380, a prize awarder839B implemented by the controller80B may make an award or awards to the winning gaming device or devices90B. In various embodiments, the winning gaming device or devices90B may correspond to a predetermined number of the participating gaming devices90B that achieve total scores that are higher than those achieved by the other participating gaming devices90B. To determine the total score for each participating gaming device90B, the prize awarder839B may add up for each participating gaming device90B, the scores gained in all rounds of play. To identify the winning gaming device or devices90B, the prize awarder839B may compare the total scores of the participating gaming devices90B and may determine the predetermined number of the participating gaming devices90B that achieve total scores that are higher than those achieved by the other participating gaming devices90B.

Further aspects of the method will be apparent from the above description of the system. It will be appreciated that at least part of the method will be implemented digitally by a processor. Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the method could be embodied in program code. The program code could be supplied in a number of ways, for example on a tangible computer readable storage medium, such as a disc or a memory (for example, that could replace part of memory103) or as a data signal (for example, by transmitting it from a server). Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that program code provides a series of instructions executable by the processor.

It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In particular, it will be apparent that certain features of embodiments of the invention can be employed to form further embodiments. For example, the controller80is shown inFIG.1as a separate entity to the gaming devices90. In an alternative embodiment, the controller80could be part of one of the gaming devices90, for example, in the form of a server module arranged to implement the controller80in the manner described in Australian patent application 2008205413 filed 13 Aug. 2008.