Gaming machines and method for displaying backgrounds on multiple gaming machines

A system is provided. The system includes a plurality of electronic gaming machines, each including a display and a controller. A first electronic gaming machine and a second electronic gaming machine are positioned adjacent to each other laterally. A first display associated with the first electronic gaming machine and a second display associated with the second electronic gaming machine are designed to line up horizontally. A controller associated with at least one of the first electronic gaming machine and the second electronic gaming machine is programmed to control the first display and the second display. The first display and the second display each display a game display area and a background area. The controller is programmed to: a) cause an image to be displayed on the first display; and b) generate and cause to be displayed an animation of the image moving from the first display to the second display.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The field of disclosure relates generally to electronic gaming, and more particularly to an electronic gaming machine and method of operation thereof that allows a background display to flow through multiple display screens associated with multiple electronic gaming machines.

BACKGROUND

Electronic gaming machines (EGMs), or gaming devices, provide a variety of wagering games such as, for example, and without limitation, slot games, video poker games, video blackjack games, roulette games, video bingo games, keno games, and other types of games that are frequently offered at casinos and other locations. Play on EGMs typically involves a player establishing a credit balance. When the player is done, he/she cashes out the credit balance (typically by pressing a cash out button to receive a ticket from the ticket printer222). The ticket may be “cashed-in” for money or inserted into another machine to establish a credit balance for play by inserting or otherwise submitting money and placing a monetary wager (deducted from the credit balance) on one or more outcomes of an instance, or play, of a primary game, sometimes referred to as a base game. In many games, a player may qualify for secondary games or bonus rounds by attaining a certain winning combination or other triggering event in the base game. Secondary games provide an opportunity to win additional game instances, credits, awards, jackpots, progressives, etc. Awards from any winning outcomes are typically added back to the credit balance and can be provided to the player upon completion of a gaming session or when the player wants to “cash out.”

Slot games are often displayed to the player in the form of various symbols arranged in a row-by-column grid, or “matrix.” Specific matching combinations of symbols along predetermined paths, or paylines, drawn through the matrix indicate the outcome of the game. The display typically highlights winning combinations and outcomes for ready identification by the player. Matching combinations and their corresponding awards are usually shown in a “pay-table” that is available to the player for reference. Often, the player may vary his/her wager to included differing numbers of paylines and/or the amount bet on each line. By varying the wager, the player may sometimes alter the frequency or number of winning combinations, the frequency or number of secondary games, and/or the amount awarded.

Typical games use a random number generator (RNG) to randomly determine the outcome of each game. The game is designed to return a certain percentage of the amount wagered back to the player, referred to as return to player (RTP), over the course of many plays or instances of the game. The RTP and randomness of the RNG are fundamental to ensuring the fairness of the games and are therefore highly regulated. The RNG may be used to randomly determine the outcome of a game and symbols may then be selected that correspond to that outcome. Alternatively, the RNG may be used to randomly select the symbols whose resulting combinations determine the outcome. Notably, some games may include an element of skill on the part of the player and are therefore not entirely random.

Many conventional gaming machines are independent of the other gaming machines that are around them.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one aspect, a system is provided. The system includes a plurality of electronic gaming machines including a first electronic gaming machine and a second electronic gaming machine. Each electronic gaming machine of the plurality of electronic gaming machines including a display and a controller. The first electronic gaming machine and the second electronic gaming machine are positioned adjacent to each other laterally. A first display associated with the first electronic gaming machine and a second display associated with the second electronic gaming machine are designed to line up horizontally. The system also includes a controller associated with at least one of the first electronic gaming machine and the second electronic gaming machine. The controller programmed to control the first display and the second display. The first display and the second display each display a game display area and a background area. The controller is programmed to cause an image to be displayed on the first display. The controller is also programmed to generate and cause to be displayed an animation of the image moving from the first display to the second display.

In another aspect, a game controller is provided. The game controller includes at least one processor in communication with at least one memory device. The game controller is in communication with a plurality of electronic gaming machines. Each electronic gaming machine of the plurality of electronic gaming machines includes a display including a background and a game display area. The game controller is programmed to determine a plurality of relative locations for the plurality of electronic gaming devices. The game controller is also programmed to generate a plurality of instructions for displaying an animation on the plurality of backgrounds of the plurality of displays. The game controller is further programmed to transmit the corresponding plurality of instructions to each of the plurality of electronic gaming machines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the exemplary embodiment, a plurality of electronic gaming machines each include large display screens. The plurality of electronic gaming machines are positioned adjacent to each other. The large display screens display an electronic game being displayed in the foreground and a background animation. The plurality of electronic gaming machines are configured so that the background animation is continuous over the plurality of associated display screens. This is configured such that an image may appear on a first display screen of the plurality of display screens and appear to travel from the first display screen to an adjacent display screen. In some embodiments, the background animation of the electronic gaming machines is controlled by a central controller. In other embodiments, the plurality of electronic gaming machines are in communication with each other to control the background animation. In some embodiments, the plurality of electronic gaming machines are permanently attached, such as all being attached to the same base. In other embodiments, the plurality of electronic gaming machines are modular such that each electronic gaming machine is physically independent of the other electronic gaming machines. In the exemplary embodiment, the display screens of the electronic gaming machines are convex at a 90 degree angle, so that images may flow around the corner. For example, a set of two machines side-by-side may have two screens that provide 180 degrees of images and may be used as an end cap on a bank of machines. In another example, four machines may be placed together to generate a 360 degree set of machines that may be walked around and show a single continuous image flowing around the display screens.

FIG. 1illustrates several different models of EGMs which may be networked to various gaming related servers. Shown is a system100in a gaming environment including one or more server computers102(e.g., slot servers of a casino) that are in communication, via a communications network, with one or more gaming devices104A-104X (EGMs, slots, video poker, bingo machines, etc.) that can implement one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The gaming devices104A-104X may alternatively be portable and/or remote gaming devices such as, but not limited to, a smart phone, a tablet, a laptop, or a game console, although such devices may require specialized software and/or hardware to comply with regulatory requirements regarding devices used for wagering or games of chance in which monetary awards are provided.

Communication between the gaming devices104A-104X and the server computers102, and among the gaming devices104A-104X, may be direct or indirect, such as over the Internet through a web site maintained by a computer on a remote server or over an online data network including commercial online service providers, Internet service providers, private networks, and the like. In other embodiments, the gaming devices104A-104X may communicate with one another and/or the server computers102over RF, cable TV, satellite links and the like.

In many configurations, the gaming machine104A may have a main display128(e.g., video display monitor) mounted to, or above, the gaming display area118. The main display128can be a high-resolution LCD, plasma, LED, or OLED panel which may be flat or curved as shown, a cathode ray tube, or other conventional electronically controlled video monitor.

In some embodiments, a player tracking card reader144, a transceiver for wireless communication with a player's smartphone, a keypad146, and/or an illuminated display148for reading, receiving, entering, and/or displaying player tracking information is provided in EGM104A. In such embodiments, a game controller within the gaming device104A can communicate with the player tracking system server110to send and receive player tracking information.

Note that not all gaming devices suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure necessarily include top wheels, top boxes, information panels, cashless ticket systems, and/or player tracking systems. Further, some suitable gaming devices have only a single game display that includes only a mechanical set of reels and/or a video display, while others are designed for bar counters or table tops and have displays that face upwards.

Example gaming device104B includes a main cabinet116including a main door154which opens to provide access to the interior of the gaming device104B. The main or service door154is typically used by service personnel to refill the ticket-out printer126and collect bills and tickets inserted into the bill validator124. The main or service door154may also be accessed to reset the machine, verify and/or upgrade the software, and for general maintenance operations.

FIG. 2is a block diagram depicting exemplary internal electronic components of a gaming device200connected to various external systems. All or parts of the example gaming device200shown could be used to implement any one of the example gaming devices104A-X depicted inFIG. 1. The games available for play on the gaming device200are controlled by a game controller202that includes one or more processors204and a game that may be stored as game software or a program206in a memory208coupled to the processor204. The memory208may include one or more mass storage devices or media that are housed within gaming device200. Within the mass storage devices and/or memory208, one or more databases210may be provided for use by the program206. A random number generator (RNG)212that can be implemented in hardware and/or software is typically used to generate random numbers that are used in the operation of game play to ensure that game play outcomes are random and meet regulations for a game of chance.

Alternatively, a game instance (i.e. a play or round of the game) may be generated on a remote gaming device such as a central determination gaming system server106(not shown inFIG. 2but seeFIG. 1). The game instance is communicated to gaming device200via the network214and then displayed on gaming device200. Gaming device200may execute game software, such as but not limited to video streaming software that allows the game to be displayed on gaming device200. When a game is stored on gaming device200, it may be loaded from a memory208(e.g., from a read only memory (ROM)) or from the central determination gaming system server106to memory208. The memory208may include RAM, ROM or another form of storage media that stores instructions for execution by the processor204. Note that embodiments of the present disclosure represent an improvement in the art of EGM software and provide new technology in that they control multiple interconnected EGMs to coordinate a background display over the interconnected EGMs. These embodiments are thus not merely new game rules or simply a new display pattern.

The gaming device200may include a topper display216or another form of a top box (e.g., a topper wheel, a topper screen, etc.) which sits above cabinet218. The cabinet218or topper display216may also house a number of other components which may be used to add features to a game being played on gaming device200, including speakers220, a ticket printer222which prints bar-coded tickets or other media or mechanisms for storing or indicating a player's credit value, a ticket reader224which reads bar-coded tickets or other media or mechanisms for storing or indicating a player's credit value, and a player tracking interface232. The player tracking interface232may include a keypad226for entering information, a player tracking display228for displaying information (e.g., an illuminated or video display), a card reader230for receiving data and/or communicating information to and from media or a device such as a smart phone enabling player tracking. Ticket printer222may be used to print tickets for a TITO system server108. The gaming device200may further include a bill validator234, player-input buttons236for player input, cabinet security sensors238to detect unauthorized opening of the cabinet218, a primary game display240, and a secondary game display242, each coupled to and operable under the control of game controller202.

FIG. 3is an exemplary diagram showing an individual EGM300as shown inFIG. 1in accordance with one embodiment of this disclosure. In some embodiments, EGM300is similar to gaming device200shown inFIG. 2or gaming devices104A-104X.

The individual EGM300includes a stand302, an interactive console304, and a display screen306. The display screen306displays a game display area308and a background that may include at least one animation310. In some embodiments, the game display area308and the background are coordinated and controlled separately, such as with Picture-in-Picture. In these embodiments, changes to the background do not affect the game display area308and the reverse. In some embodiments, game display area308may include both primary game display240and secondary game display242(both shown inFIG. 2).

In the exemplary embodiment, the display screen306is a high-resolution LCD with LED backlighting. In other embodiments, the display screen306is a plasma, LED, or OLED panel. The display screen306is convex as shown inFIGS. 3 and 9-11. This allows the display screen to be viewed at a plurality of angles. As shown inFIG. 9, the individual EGM300is design to be at a 90 degree angle. In some embodiments, the individual EGM300is designed to be modular, so that a plurality of individual EGMs300may fit together, such as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5. In other not shown embodiments, the individual EGMs300are designed to be fit together at different angles. For example, the individual EGMs300may be configured to each cover a 60 degree angle. Therefore, three EGMs would be used as an endcap and cover 180 degrees. These different angles may be required to be different sizes from the 90 degree EGMs to allow for sufficient play space for each player. While the display screens306shown in these figures are convex, concave display screens may also be used in other embodiments, such as in an inner corner of a plurality of EGMs300in an ‘L’ configuration.

In the exemplary embodiment, the interactive console304is positioned on a shelf312may include one or more features to allow a player to play a wagering game, such as, but not limited to, buttons236, a bill validator234, ticket printer222, and a ticket reader224(all shown inFIG. 2). In some other embodiments, the interactive console304and the shelf312may be a display screen, wherein the interactive console304is a picture-in-picture display or a cut-out, so that images and animations may be displayed on the display on the shelfs312. For example, the display screen on the shelf312may display dragons flying from one EGM shelf to another.

In the exemplary embodiment, the EGM300is configured to be placed adjacent to other EGMs300and to coordinate the background images and animations between the adjacent EGMs300to allow for continuous images and animations. In some further embodiments, the adjacent EGMs300are physically locked together to ensure that the display screens306are properly lined up. In some embodiments, the images and animations are related to the theme of the associated wagering game. The images and animations may change based on gameplay. The images and animations may also change when the EGMs300are in an “attract” mode.

In some embodiments, the game display area308is a stepper reel assembly that is a cut-out from display screen306. In these embodiments, the game display area308may comprise a flat surface, such as glass. Behind the flat surface are situated stepper (mechanical) reels for playing the wagering game. In these embodiments, the game display area308would be detachable for servicing, such as releasing with a latch situated below. In some embodiments, the game display area308and stepper reels are placed in a recess in the display screen306that includes drawer slides for servicing. In these embodiments, the display of the background and the animation310would be unaffected by the cut-out and game display area308. Examples of these embodiments with stepper reel assemblies are shown inFIGS. 20-25.

In some embodiments, the background and/or animation310may include bonus information, advertising, or promotional information. For example, the game display area308may display an advertisement for a nearby restaurant and point to the restaurant. Some of the promotional information may be tailored to the individual players that are actively playing the EGM300. In some of these embodiments, the bonus information, advertisement, or promotional information may be provided by a separate server, such as the casino management system server114(shown inFIG. 1). In some embodiments, the advertising may be targeted towards the player at the machine, who may be identified via the player reward card.

In some embodiments, the display screen306is divided up into multiple sections in addition to the section dedicated to the game display area308. For example, a first section may display progressive jackpot information provided from a remote gaming server102(shown inFIG. 1) associated with the progressive jackpot. Another section may show advertising from an advertising server102, which may be associated with the casino, or location of the EGM, or the advertising server102may provide more general advertisements. A different section may show images or animations310associated with the theme of the EGM. Any of these sections may flow over multiple display screens306. For example, the progressive jackpot numbers may travel across all of the display screen306of all of the EGMs300in a row, bank, end cap, or circular configuration.

FIG. 4is an exemplary diagram showing an exemplary configuration400of two connected EGMs300as shown inFIG. 3in accordance with one embodiment of this disclosure. In configuration400, there are two individual EGMS402and404that are positioned adjacent to each other. In some embodiments, EGMS402and404are individual EGMs300that are independent and that are positioned adjacent to each other. In other embodiments, EGMs402and404are manufactured to be adjacent to each other on a single stand406. Each EGM402and404includes an interactive console408, which may be similar to interactive console304(shown inFIG. 3), and a display screen410, which may be similar to display screen306(shown inFIG. 3). Each display screen410includes a game display area412for the corresponding EGM and a background that includes at least one animation414. In some embodiments, game display area412may include both primary game display240and secondary game display242(both shown inFIG. 2).

In configuration400, the display screens410of the two EGMs are curved to generate a half circle or 180 degrees. This would allow two players to play the associated wagering game. The EGMs in configuration400may be set-up as the end cap for a row of other EGMs.

In the exemplary embodiment, EGMs402and404are in communication so that the background and animation414shown on each corresponding display screen410is coordinated. In some embodiments, a background animation414may be shown on both display screens410simultaneously and may travel between the two display screens410. For example, a dragon or a spaceship may be seen flying from the display screen410associated with EGM404to the display screen410associated with EGM402. As shown inFIG. 4, different portions of the animation414may be shown on the various display screens410. For example, the front of the spaceship or dragon may appear on the display screen410for EGM402, while the back end of the spaceship or dragon may appear on the display screen410for EGM404.

FIG. 5is an exemplary diagram another exemplary configuration500of connected EGMs300as shown inFIG. 3in accordance with one embodiment of this disclosure. In configuration500, four EGMs502are positioned in a circle configuration. In some embodiments, the four EGMs502are part of a single unit with a single display stand504. In other embodiments, the four EGMs502are individual EGMs300that are positioned in a circular arrangement. In still other embodiments, the four EGMs502are two sets of paired EGMs, such as shown in configuration400inFIG. 4. Each of the four EGMs502includes an interactive console508, which may be similar to interactive console304(shown inFIG. 3), and a display screen510, which may be similar to display screen306(shown inFIG. 3). Each display screen510includes a game display area512for the corresponding EGM502and a background that includes at least one animation514. In some embodiments, game display area512may include both primary game display240and secondary game display242(both shown inFIG. 2).

In configuration500, the display screens510of the four EGMs502are curved to generate a full circle or 360 degrees. This would allow four players to play the associated wagering game. In other configurations, other numbers of players may be able to play in the circular configuration, such as 6, in the case of 60 degree EGMs300or 3 in the case of 120 degree EGMs300.

In the exemplary embodiment, the EGMs502are in communication so that the background and animation514shown on each corresponding display screen510is coordinated. In some embodiments, a background animation514may be shown on multiple display screens510simultaneously and may travel between the four display screens510. For example, a dragon or a spaceship may be seen flying from the display screen510associated with one EGM502to the display screen510associated with another EGM502. As shown inFIG. 5, different portions of the animation514may be shown on the various display screens510. For example, the front of the spaceship or dragon may appear on the display screen510for one EGM502, while the back end of the spaceship or dragon may appear on the display screen510for another EGM502.

In the exemplary embodiment, the game display area512only covers a portion of the total display screen510. The rest of the display screen510is covered by background and animations514. In some embodiments, the background and animations514are based on the game play. These images and animations514may be based on the game as a whole or the images and animations514may be based on the current events in the game. For example, the background may include a progressive jackpot indicator that covers multiple display screens510. The progressive jackpot indicator may rotate around the display screens510. The display screens510may also show items floating up to the progressive jackpot indicator based on game play. In addition, the display screens510may also show an animation of money being funneled or dumped into a particular gaming area if one of the EGMs502wins one of the progressive jackpots. In some embodiments, the display screens510may also display advertising provided by a remote server102(shown inFIG. 1).

As shown in configuration500, the plurality of electronic gaming machines502are positioned laterally in a circular configuration so that the animation514may travel from a first display510the across all of the plurality of displays510and return to the first display510.

FIG. 6is a block diagram showing various functional elements of an example of the exemplary configuration500of connected EGMs604as shown inFIG. 5. In this embodiment, four EGMs604, which may be similar to EGMs502(shown inFIG. 5), are connected to a central controller602. Each EGM604includes a local controller606and a display608, which may be similar to display510(shown inFIG. 5).

In some embodiments, the central controller602is configured to instruct the local controllers606on how to display the background. In these embodiments, the central controller602coordinates the locations of the different pixels and objects in the background including the animation. Then the central controller602determines which display608is to display which objects and/or pixels and instructs the local controller606what to display in the various corresponding displays608. In some of these embodiments, the local controller606executes the wagering game and instructs the display608how to display the wagering game, while receiving the information from the central controller602on the information to display for the background area of the displays608. In other embodiments, the central controller602also controls the gameplay of the EGMs604and the local controller handles interpreting the instructions from the central controller602to be display on the corresponding display608.

In some embodiments, central controller602may be one of, or at least in communication with one of, casino management system114, TITO system server108, player tracking system110, and progressive system server112(all shown inFIG. 1). For example, central controller602may receive information from progressive system server112to display and the central controller602then integrates that information into the display. In some further embodiments, the central controller602and a separate server102each control different portions of he displays608. For example, an advertising server (not shown) may control a top section of the displays608and the central controller602controls the rest of the displays608. In still further embodiments, the central controller602shares control of the rest of the displays608with the local controllers606. In some embodiments, local controller606may be game controller202(shown inFIG. 2). In some embodiments, display608may include both primary game display240and secondary game display242.

While only four EGMs604are shown inFIG. 6, one skilled in the art would understand that any number of EGMs604may be connected to one or more central controllers602to coordinate the images being displayed on the various displays608.

In some embodiments, the central controller602is physically located near the EGMs604. In these embodiments, each EGM604may be directly wired into a specific port on the central controller602, so that the central controller602knows which EGM604is to be positioned where based on the corresponding port. In other embodiment, the central controller602is remote from the EGMs604and communicates with the EGMs604via a wired or wireless connection, such as through a local area network (LAN).

FIG. 7is a block diagram showing various functional elements of an example of the exemplary configuration400of connected EGMs702as shown inFIG. 4. In this embodiment, two EGMs702, which may be similar to EGMs402and404(shown inFIG. 4), are connected to each other. Each EGM702includes a local controller704and a display706, which may be similar to display410(shown inFIG. 4).

In this configuration, the local controllers704of the two EGMs702are in communication about how to display the background. In these embodiments, the two local controllers704coordinate the locations of the different pixels and objects in the background including the animation. Then two local controllers704determine which display706is to display which objects and/or pixels and instructs the corresponding display608on what to display. In some of these embodiments, the local controller704executes the wagering game and instructs the display706how to display the wagering game, while receiving the information from the other local controller704on the information to display for the background area of its displays706. In some embodiments, one local controller704is master controller and the other local controller704is a slave controller.

In some embodiments, local controller704may be game controller202(shown inFIG. 2). In some embodiments, display706may include both primary game display240and secondary game display242.

While only two EGMs702are shown inFIG. 7, one skilled in the art would understand that any number of EGMs702may be connected to each other to coordinate the images being displayed on the various displays706.

FIG. 8is an exemplary diagram a further exemplary configuration800of connected EGMs300as shown inFIG. 3in accordance with one embodiment of this disclosure. In configuration800, six EGMs802and804are positioned in an aisle configuration. In the exemplary embodiment, there are four 90 degree EGMs802, which may be similar to EGM300(shown inFIG. 3). These EGMS802are connected by EGMs804. The primary difference between EGMs802and804are whether the corresponding EGM is curved or flat. EGMs802include curved stands806, curved interactive consoles808, and curved display screens810. Flat EGMs804include non-angled stands806, non-angled interactive consoles808, and flat display screens812.

In some embodiments, each of EGM802and EGM804are individual devices and are manually positioned in configuration800. In other embodiments, the four EGMs802are two sets of paired EGMs, such as shown in configuration400inFIG. 4. While only two flat EGMs804are shown, any number of flat EGMs may be placed in between the curved EGMs802to achieve the desired shape or configuration. For example ten flat EGMs804could be placed in between two sets of two curved EGMs802to create a long aisle. In another configuration, three flat EGMs804could be placed between each pair of curved EGMs802to make a large square or rectangle.

The interactive consoles808may be similar to interactive console304(shown inFIG. 3), and the display screens810may be similar to display screen306(shown inFIG. 3). Each display screen810and812includes a game display area814for the corresponding EGM802and804and a background that includes at least one animation816.

In the exemplary embodiment, the EGMs802and804are in communication so that the background and animation816shown on each corresponding display screen810and812is coordinated. In some embodiments, a background animation816may be shown on multiple display screens810and812simultaneously and may travel between the multiple display screens810and812. For example, a dragon or a spaceship may be seen flying from the display screen810associated with one EGM802to the display screen812associated with another EGM802. As shown inFIG. 8, different portions of the animation816may be shown on the various display screens810and812. For example, the front of the spaceship or dragon may appear on the display screen810for one EGM502, while the back end of the spaceship or dragon may appear on the display screen812for another EGM804.

As shown in configuration800, the plurality of electronic gaming machines are positioned laterally in an oval configuration so that the animation816may travel from a first display the across all of the plurality of displays and return to the first display.

In the exemplary embodiment, the game display area814only covers a portion of the total display screen810and812. The rest of the display screens810and812may be covered by background and animations816. In some embodiments, the background and animations816are based on the game play. These images and animations816may be based on the game as a whole or the images and animations816may be based on the current events in the game. For example, the background may include a progressive jackpot indicator that covers multiple display screens810and812. The progressive jackpot indicator may rotate around the display screens810and812. The display screens810and812may also show items floating up to the progressive jackpot indicator based on game play. In addition, the display screens810and812may also show an animation of money being funneled or dumped into a particular gaming area if one of the EGMs802and804wins one of the progressive jackpots. In some embodiments, the display screens810and812may also display advertising provided by a remote server102(shown inFIG. 1).

FIG. 9is an exemplary process900of executing an animation on a plurality of EGMS300shown inFIG. 3. In the exemplary embodiment, process900is executed by a central controller, such as central controller602(shown inFIG. 6). In the exemplary embodiment, central controller602is in communication with a plurality of EGMs300, which may be in configurations, such as configuration400(shown inFIG. 4), configuration800(shown inFIG. 8), or any other configuration of adjacent EGMs300that allows the systems to work as described herein.

In the exemplary embodiment, the central controller602receives905a plurality of locations of a plurality of EGMs300. In some embodiments, the EGM locations are provided by a user. In other embodiments, the central controller602determines the locations of the individual EGMs through network connections, network identifiers, or direct wired connections to specific ports of the central controller602.

Using these plurality of locations, the central controller602determines910the relative locations of the plurality of EGMs300in relation to each other. The central controller602determines910which EGMs300are adjacent to each other and which direction each EGM300is in relation to the other EGMs300.

In the exemplary embodiment, the central controller602determines915an animation to display on the plurality of EGMs300. As described herein, the animation may be related to gameplay of the EGMs300, may be advertising provided by a remote server102(shown inFIG. 1), and/or progressive jackpot information provided by the progressive system server112(shown inFIG. 1). The central controller602divides920the animation into a plurality of sections based on the plurality of relative locations of the plurality of displays of the plurality of EGMs300. The central controller602determines which portions or sections of the animation to display on which display screen of which EGM300.

In the exemplary embodiment, the central controller602generates925a plurality of instructions for displaying the animation on the plurality of backgrounds of the plurality of displays of the EGMs300. In the exemplary embodiment, the central controller602generates925the instructions to allow the each of the EGMs300to display its portion of the animation. This includes instructions for ensuring that the displays of the various EGMs300are synced, so that the imagery may be displayed simultaneously and appear seamless to the observer. The central controller602transmits930the corresponding plurality of instructions to each of the plurality of EGMs300, where the instructions instruct the EGM300on what to display on the display screen of the EGM300.

In some embodiments, the game display areas308(shown inFIG. 3) are unaffected by the instructions for the display of the animation. In some embodiments, each EGM300includes a local controller606(shown inFIG. 6), where the central controller602is in communication with the local controller606. The local controller606then uses the instructions to control its display608(shown inFIG. 6). In some embodiments, the central controller602is remote from the plurality of EGMs300. In other embodiments, the central controller602is positioned adjacent or near to the EGMs300that it controls.

In some embodiments, the local controller606executes the wagering game on the game display area308of the corresponding electronic gaming machine300. In these embodiments, the central controller602instructs the plurality of local controllers606on the background and the animation to be displayed. In other embodiments, the central controller602executes the wagering game for each of the plurality of electronic gaming machines300.

FIG. 10is a top view of the individual EGM300shown inFIG. 3.FIG. 11is a front view of the individual EGM300shown inFIG. 3.FIG. 12is a side view of the individual EGM300shown inFIG. 3.FIG. 13is perspective view of the connected EGMs300in configuration400shown inFIG. 4.FIG. 14is a top view of the connected EGMs300in configuration400shown inFIG. 4.FIG. 15is a side view of the connected EGMs300in configuration400shown inFIG. 4.FIG. 16is a top view of the connected EGMs300in configuration500shown inFIG. 5.FIG. 17is a front view of the connected EGMs300in configuration500shown inFIG. 5.FIG. 18is a top view of the connected EGMs300in configuration800shown inFIG. 8.FIG. 19is a front view of the connected EGMs300in configuration800shown inFIG. 8.FIG. 20is a side view of the connected EGMs300in configuration800shown inFIG. 8.

FIG. 21is a perspective view of a single EGM300including a stepper reel assembly2100.FIG. 22is a top view of the single EGM300with the stepper reel assembly2100.FIG. 23is a side view of the single EGM300with the stepper reel assembly2100.FIG. 24is a perspective view of connected EGMs300in configuration400with stepper reel assemblies2100.FIG. 25is front view of the connected EGMs300in configuration400with stepper reel assemblies2100.FIG. 26is a perspective view of connected EGMs300in configuration800with stepper reel assemblies2100. As shown inFIGS. 21-26, instead of being a part of a display screen, such as through picture-in-picture, the game display area308is a stepper reel assembly2100that is a cut-out from display screen306. In these embodiments, the game display area308may comprise a flat surface, such as glass. Behind the flat surface are situated stepper (mechanical) reels2100for playing the wagering game. In these embodiments, the game display area308would be detachable for servicing, such as releasing with a latch situated below. In some embodiments, the game display area308and stepper reels2100are placed in a recess in the display screen306that includes drawer slides for servicing. In these embodiments, the display of the background and the animation310would be unaffected by the cut-out and game display area308.

A computer, controller, or server, such as those described herein, includes at least one processor or processing unit and a system memory. The computer, controller, or server typically has at least some form of computer readable non-transitory media. As used herein, the terms “processor” and “computer” and related terms, e.g., “processing device”, “computing device”, and “controller” are not limited to just those integrated circuits referred to in the art as a computer, but broadly refers to a microcontroller, a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller (PLC), an application specific integrated circuit, and other programmable circuits “configured to” carry out programmable instructions, and these terms are used interchangeably herein. In the embodiments described herein, memory may include, but is not limited to, a computer-readable medium or computer storage media, volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Such memory includes a random access memory (RAM), computer storage media, communication media, and a computer-readable non-volatile medium, such as flash memory. Alternatively, a floppy disk, a compact disc-read only memory (CD-ROM), a magneto-optical disk (MOD), and/or a digital versatile disc (DVD) may also be used. Also, in the embodiments described herein, additional input channels may be, but are not limited to, computer peripherals associated with an operator interface such as a mouse and a keyboard. Alternatively, other computer peripherals may also be used that may include, for example, but not be limited to, a scanner. Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment, additional output channels may include, but not be limited to, an operator interface monitor.

As indicated above, the process may be embodied in computer software. The computer software could be supplied in a number of ways, for example on a tangible, non-transitory, computer readable storage medium, such as on any nonvolatile memory device (e.g. an EEPROM). Further, different parts of the computer software can be executed by different devices, such as, for example, in a client-server relationship. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that computer software provides a series of instructions executable by the processor.