Gaming system and method of gaming in which symbol reels selectively rotate in less than a full rotation

A gaming system is disclosed that comprises a plurality of rotatable reels, each reel comprising a plurality of selectable symbols corresponding to respective reel stopping positions. The system includes a symbol selector arranged to select a stopping position for each reel and thereby select at least one symbol from each reel, and a reel controller arranged to control rotation of the reels such that the reels rotate during implementation of a game in order to move the reels to the selected stopping positions and thereby display the selected symbols in a display area. The reel controller is arranged to control rotation of the reels such that each reel rotates less than one full rotation to the selected reel stopping position. A corresponding method of gaming is also disclosed.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/390,411, having a filing date of Oct. 6, 2010, which is also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

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

It is known to provide a gaming system which comprises a game controller arranged to randomly display several symbols from a predetermined set of symbols and to determine a game outcome such as a game win based on the displayed symbols. Such gaming systems may commonly be implemented as a stepper machine provided with reels with each reel carrying several symbols of the set, or a video machine wherein selected symbols are displayed on virtual reels on a graphical display device.

In a conventional gaming system, the reels are generally rotated and controlled so that the reels stop in a sequence commencing with a leftmost reel and ending with a rightmost reel. With such a gaming system, the rightmost reel will typically spin 3 or more revolutions more than the leftmost reel. This process is desirable for some games, but for games with a large number of free spins, this can be very time consuming and tedious for a player.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming system comprising:

a plurality of rotatable reels, each reel comprising a plurality of selectable symbols corresponding to respective reel stopping positions;

a symbol selector arranged to select a stopping position for each reel and thereby select at least one symbol from each reel; and

a reel controller arranged to control rotation of the reels such that the reels rotate during implementation of a game in order to move the reels to the selected stopping positions and thereby display the selected symbols in a display area;

wherein the reel controller is arranged to control rotation of the reels such that each reel rotates less than one full rotation to the selected reel stopping position.

In one embodiment, the reel controller is arranged to control rotation of the reels such that each reel rotates in a direction to the selected reel stopping position determined by the smallest amount of rotation required to the selected reel stopping position.

In one embodiment, if a reel already shows a selected symbol, the reel controller may be arranged to not rotate the reel.

In one embodiment, the reel controller is arranged to control rotation of the reels such that for reels that are required to rotate in order to move to a selected reel stopping position, all reels rotate in the same direction.

In one embodiment, the reel controller is arranged to control rotation of the reels such that for reels that are required to rotate in order to move to a selected stopping position, all reels rotate in randomly determined directions.

In one embodiment, the reel controller is arranged to control rotation of the reels such that for reels that are required to rotate in order to move to a selected stopping position, the reels rotate simultaneously.

In one embodiment, the reel controller is arranged to control rotation of the reels such that for reels that are required to rotate in order to move to a selected stopping position, the reels rotate in a defined sequence.

In one arrangement, the defined sequence is randomly determined.

In one embodiment, the gaming system is arranged to operate in a first mode wherein all reels do not rotate less than one full rotation in order to move to a selected stopping position, and a second mode wherein all reels rotate less than one full rotation in order to move to a selected stopping position.

In one embodiment, the gaming system is arranged to operate in the second mode in response to player input.

In one embodiment, the gaming system is arranged to operate in the second mode in response to a game condition.

In one embodiment, the gaming system is arranged to implement a base game during the first mode and to implement a feature game during the second mode.

The game condition may be a trigger condition such as display of at least one trigger symbol, such as a wild symbol. Alternatively, the trigger condition may be display of a particular combination of trigger symbols such as scattered predefined symbols or a particular combination of adjacently disposed symbols along a win line.

The gaming system may be implemented as a stand alone gaming machine or across a network.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of gaming comprising:

providing a plurality of rotatable reels, each reel comprising a plurality of selectable symbols corresponding to respective reel stopping positions;

selecting a stopping position for each reel and thereby at least one symbol from each reel; and

controlling rotation of the reels such that the reels rotate during implementation of a game in order to move the reels to the selected stopping positions and thereby display the selected symbols in a display area, each reel rotating less than one full rotation to the selected reel stopping position.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program arranged when loaded into a computer to instruct the computer to operate in accordance with a gaming system according to the first aspect of the present invention.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer readable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for causing a computer to operate in accordance with a gaming system according to the first aspect of the present invention.

In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data signal having computer readable program code embodied therein for causing a computer to operate in accordance with a gaming system according to the first aspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a schematic block diagram of a gaming system10arranged to implement a probabilistic game, in this example of the type wherein several symbols from a set of symbols are randomly displayed, and a game outcome is determined on the basis of the displayed symbols. With some such probabilistic games, the set of symbols include standard symbols and function symbols, and the game outcome is determined on the basis of the displayed standard symbols and the function associated with any displayed function symbol. For example, standard symbols may resemble fruit such as apples, pears and bananas with a win outcome being determined when a predetermined number of the same fruit appear on a display in the same win line, scattered, and so on. The function associated with a function symbol may be for example a wild function wherein display of the function symbol is treated during consideration of the game outcome as any of the standard symbols. A function symbol may be represented as the word “WILD”, a star, or by any other suitable word or symbol. Other functions are also envisaged such as scatter functions, multiplier functions, repeat win functions, jackpot functions and feature commencement functions. The available win lines may be fixed, may be determined on the basis of the bet placed, or may be selectable by a player.

This type of game often also comprises a base game mode and a special game mode, with special game mode being triggered when a specific trigger condition occurs during base game mode. For example, base game mode may implement a base game wherein a plurality of symbols are selected for use in determining game outcomes from a set of symbols, and special game mode may implement a feature game with the feature game being triggered when a particular symbol or combination of symbols is displayed.

In a conventional gaming system having a plurality of rotatable symbol bearing reels, the reels are generally rotated and controlled so that the reels stop in a sequence commencing with a leftmost reel and ending with a rightmost reel. In one such gaming system, all reels initially spin in a downward direction, and after at least one complete reel revolution the leftmost first reel stops. After at least one more revolution, the next reel to the right, the second reel, stops, and similarly after a further revolution, the next reel to the right, the third reel, stops, and so on. In a gaming system having 3 reels, the third reel will spin typically 3 or more revolutions more than the first reel. This process is generally desirable for base games, but for games with a large number of free spins, this can be very time consuming and tedious for a player.

The present gaming system operates such that, at least during a portion of a game implemented by the gaming system, the reels are caused to rotate such that each reel moves less than one full revolution in order to display a selected symbol. In one embodiment, the reels are controlled so that the reels rotate the smallest amount up or down in order to display the selected symbol. In another embodiment, the reels are controlled such that the reels move in the same direction up or down and rotate the smallest amount in the up or down direction in order to display the selected symbols.

One example of selecting symbols is for a symbol selector to select symbols for display by selecting a reel stopping position. For this purpose, it is known to use a probability table stored in memory so as to vary the odds of a particular stop position being selected. Other techniques can be used to control the odds of particular outcomes occurring to thereby control the return to player of the game.

Referring toFIG. 1, a schematic diagram of core components of a gaming system10is shown. The core components comprise a player interface30and a game controller32. The player interface30is arranged to enable interaction between a player and the gaming system and for this purpose includes input/output components required for the player to enter instructions and play the game.

Components of the player interface30may vary but will typically include a credit mechanism34to enable a player to input credits and receive payouts, one or more displays36which may comprise a touch screen, and a game play mechanism38arranged to enable a player to input game playing instructions.

The game controller32is in data communication with the player interface30and typically includes a processor40arranged to process game play instructions and output game player outcomes to the display36. Typically, the game play instructions are stored as program code in a memory42that can also be hardwired. It will be understood that in this specification the term “processor” is used to refer generically to any device that can process game play instructions and may include a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logic device or any computational device such as a personal computer or a server.

A functional diagram illustrating operative components of the game controller32is shown inFIG. 2.

The memory42is arranged to store symbols data14indicative of a plurality of symbols for use during implementation of a base game and a feature game, function data16indicative of one or more functions allocatable to the symbols, and game instruction data18usable by the gaming machine10to control operation of the game.

The game controller32includes a symbol selector20which is arranged to select several symbols from the stored symbols14for display to a player. In this example, the selection carried out by the symbol selector20is made using a random number generator22.

It will be appreciated that the random number generator22may be of a type which is arranged to generate pseudo random numbers based on a seed number, and that in this specification the term “random” will be understood accordingly to mean truly random or pseudo random.

In the present example, the gaming system10is operable in normal game mode wherein a base game using symbol bearing reels is implemented and special game mode wherein a feature game using symbol bearing reels is implemented. Special game mode is arranged to commence based on occurrence of a trigger condition. For this purpose, the game controller32also comprises a trigger determiner23arranged to determine whether a trigger condition exists and to commence special game mode when the trigger condition is detected.

In this example, the game controller32also comprises a function allocator24arranged to select and allocate one or more functions to one or more symbols. Such functions include a wild function, a scatter function, or any other function which may be applied to a symbol or to the game.

When a trigger condition is detected and special game mode commences, a feature implementer25implements a feature game which may be a modified version of the base game or a different game using rotatable symbol bearing reels.

The feature implementer25communicates with a reel controller26arranged to control reel positions and reel movement in association with a display controller27. In response to instructions from the feature implementer25, the reel controller26in association with the display controller27causes the reels to rotate so as to move directly to the reel stop positions corresponding to display of the selected symbols. As such, each reel rotates less than one full revolution to the selected stop position in order to display a selected symbol.

The game controller32also comprises an outcome evaluator28which in accordance with the game instructions18determines game outcomes in this example based on the symbols selected for display to a player by the symbol selector20, and a prize allocator29arranged to allocate prizes based on the game outcomes.

In the embodiments described below, the symbol selector20, the trigger determiner23, the feature implementer25, the function allocator24, the reel controller26, and the outcome evaluator28are at least partly implemented using the processor40and associated software, although it will be understood that other implementations are envisaged.

The gaming system10can take a number of different forms.

In a first form, a stand alone gaming machine is provided wherein all or most components required for implementing the game are present in a player operable gaming machine.

In a second form, a distributed architecture is provided wherein some of the components required for implementing the game are present in a player operable gaming machine and some of the components required for implementing the game are located remotely relative to the gaming machine. For example, a “thick client” architecture may be used wherein part of the game is executed on a player operable gaming machine and part of the game is executed remotely, such as by a gaming server; or a “thin client” architecture may be used wherein most of the game is executed remotely such as by a gaming server and a player operable gaming machine is used only to play audible and/or display visible gaming information to the player and receive gaming inputs from the player.

However, it will be understood that other arrangements are envisaged. For example, an architecture may be provided wherein a gaming machine is networked to a gaming server and the respective functions of the gaming machine and the gaming server are selectively modifiable. For example, the gaming system may operate in stand alone gaming machine mode, “thick client” mode or “thin client” mode depending on the game being played, operating conditions, and so on. Other variations will be apparent to persons skilled in the art.

A gaming system in the form of a stand alone gaming machine50is illustrated inFIG. 3. The gaming machine50includes a console52having a display54on which is displayed representations of a game56that can be played by a player. A mid-trim60of the gaming machine50houses a bank of buttons62for enabling a player to interact with the gaming machine, in particular during gameplay. The mid-trim60also houses a credit input mechanism64which in this example includes a coin input chute64A and a bill collector64B. Other credit input mechanisms may also be employed, for example, a card reader for reading a smart card, debit card or credit card.

A top box66may carry artwork68, 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 panel69of the console52. A coin tray70is mounted beneath the front panel69for dispensing cash payouts from the gaming machine50.

The display54is in the form of a video display unit, particularly a cathode ray tube screen device. Alternatively, the display54may be a liquid crystal display, plasma screen, or any other suitable video display unit. The top box66may also include a display, for example a video display unit, which may be of the same type as the display54, or of a different type.

The display54in this example is arranged to display representations of several reels, each reel of which has several associated symbols. Typically 3, 4 or 5 reels are provided. During operation of the game, the reels first appear to rotate then stop with typically three symbols visible on each reel.

A player marketing module (PMM)72having a display4is connected to the gaming machine10. The main purpose of the PMM72is to allow the player to interact with a player loyalty system. The PMM has a magnetic card reader for the purpose of reading a player tracking device, for example as part of a loyalty program. However other reading devices may be employed and 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 this example, the PMM72is a Sentinel III device produced by Aristocrat Technologies Pty Ltd.

FIG. 4shows a block diagram of operative components of a typical gaming machine100which may be the same as or different to the gaming machine shown inFIG. 3.

The gaming machine100includes a game controller101having a processor102. Instructions and data to control operation of the processor102in accordance with the present invention are stored in a memory103which 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.

FIG. 5shows 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.

The gaming machine has hardware meters104for purposes including ensuring regulatory compliance and monitoring player credit, an input/output (I/O) interface105for communicating with a player interface120of the gaming machine100, the player interface120having several peripheral devices. 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.

In the example shown inFIG. 4, the peripheral devices that communicate with the game controller101comprise one or more displays106, a touch screen and/or bank of buttons107, a card and/or ticket reader108, a printer109, a bill acceptor and/or coin input mechanism110and 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.

In addition, the gaming machine100may include a communications interface, for example a network card112. The network card may, for example, send status information, accounting information or other information to a central controller, server or database and receive data or commands from the central controller, server or database.

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

FIG. 6shows a gaming system200in accordance with an alternative embodiment. The gaming system200includes a network201, which for example may be an Ethernet network, a LAN or a WAN. In this example, three banks203of two gaming machines202are connected to the network201. The gaming machines202provide a player operable interface and may be the same as the gaming machines40,100shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, or may have simplified functionality depending on the requirements for implementing game play. While banks203of two gaming machines are illustrated inFIG. 6, banks of one, three or more gaming machines are also envisaged.

One or more displays204may also be connected to the network201. The displays204may, for example, 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, for example promotional or informational material.

In a thick client embodiment, a game server205implements part of the game played by a player using a gaming machine202and the gaming machine202implements part of the game. With this embodiment, as both the game server205and the gaming machine202implement part of the game, they collectively provide a game controller. 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 monitor and carry out the Jackpot game.

In a variation of the above thick client embodiment, the gaming machine202may implement the game, with the game server205functioning merely to serve data indicative of a game to the gaming machine202for implementation.

With this implementation, a data signal containing a computer program usable by the client terminal to implement the gaming system may be transferred from the game server to the client terminal, for example in response to a request by the client terminal.

In a thin client embodiment, the game server205implements most or all of the game played by a player using a gaming machine202and the gaming machine202essentially provides only the player interface. With this embodiment, the game server205provides the game controller. The gaming machine will receive player instructions, and pass the instructions to the game server which will process them and return game play outcomes to the gaming machine for display. In a thin client embodiment, the gaming machines could be computer terminals, e.g. PCs running software that provides a player interface operable using standard computer input and output components.

Servers are also typically provided to assist in the administration of the gaming system200, including for example a gaming floor management server208and a licensing server209to monitor the use of licenses relating to particular games. An administrator terminal210is provided to allow an administrator to monitor the network201and the devices connected to the network.

The gaming system200may communicate with other gaming systems, other local networks such as a corporate network, and/or a wide area network such as the Internet, for example through a firewall211.

A loyalty program server212may also be provided.

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 number generator engine. Alternatively, a separate random number generator server could be provided.

Examples of specific implementations of the gaming system will now be described with reference to flow diagram250shown inFIG. 7, which illustrates steps252to266of a method of gaming implemented by the gaming system, andFIGS. 8 to 10.

In one embodiment, the gaming system is operable in a first mode wherein the reels are not controlled so as rotate less than one full revolution and a second mode wherein the reels are controlled so as rotate less than one full revolution. The first and second modes may correspond to normal game mode wherein a base game is implemented and special game mode wherein a feature game is implemented. Alternatively, the first and second mode may occur during any game and may commence in response to player input or in response to a game condition with the game implemented during the first and second game modes being essentially the same.

The base game and the feature game are of a type including multiple rotatable reels, which may be physical reels or virtual reels, with each reel having a plurality of symbols and optionally one or more function symbols. Win outcomes are determined on the basis of the symbols visible when the reels stop rotating, and in this example three symbols are displayed on each reel at any time. A win outcome may occur based on display of the same symbol along normal win lines which may extend horizontally, diagonally, or in any other predefined continuous line. A win outcome may also occur based on display of multiple scattered symbols at any display location. A win outcome may also occur on the basis of one or more standard symbols in combination with at least one function symbol having an assigned function. For example a function symbol may correspond to a wild function, a scatter function, a multiply function, a repeat win function, and so on.

During a base game, win outcomes are determined on the basis of the symbols displayed on the reels after the reels have stopped rotating. During a feature game, one or more modifications may be made to the base game to change the operation or appearance of the base game, or a different game entirely to the base game may be implemented. For example, in one feature game, the symbol set from which the displayed symbols are selected may be substituted for another symbol set different to the first symbol set.

The gaming system is arranged to commence special game mode when a trigger condition exists258, in this example when a predetermined game outcome occurs such as when a specific combination of symbols is displayed such as scattered CAT symbols.

In the present example, 3 reels are provided and during a feature game symbols are selected and displayed on first second and third reels302,304,306respectively in a display area308. In this example, the actual selected symbols are shown on a central display line310with the reel controller26being arranged to cooperate with the display controller27so as to spin the reels and stop the reels at stop positions such that the selected symbols are shown on the central display line310.

As shown inFIG. 8, after completion of a first feature game, the symbols shown by the first, second and third reels on the central display line310are Q, 10 and 9 symbols.

In a subsequent feature game, symbols are selected, for example by the symbol selector20in association with the random number generator22, and the reel controller26in association with the display controller27causes the reels to rotate so that the reels move directly to stop positions whereby the selected symbols are shown on the central display line310. In the present example, the selected symbols are Q, J and K symbols. As shown by arrows312inFIG. 9, the first reel already shows a Q symbol so no rotation of the first reel302is required, the second reel304is required to move one stop position downward, and the third reel306is required to move 3 stop positions upward. The symbols shown on the reels after movement of the reels as indicated inFIG. 9is shown inFIG. 10.

In this example, the reels are simultaneously controlled so as to display the selected symbols with each reel simultaneously moving (if required) to the desired stopping position to display a selected symbol. However, it will be understood that other arrangements are possible. For example, the reels may be controlled so as to move sequentially to the desired stopping position in a defined sequence such as left to right or in a randomly determined sequence.

The reels are then evaluated by the outcome evaluator28and a prize paid if applicable.

The above described process continues until all feature games have been implemented.

In the present example the reels are controlled so as to rotate the minimum amount in order to display the selected symbols, irrespective of whether the required rotation is up or down. However, it will be understood that other variations are possible. For example, the reels may be controlled so that all reels move in the same direction, or so that the direction of rotation is randomly determined.

While the above example is described in relation to a video implementation of a spinning reel type probabilistic game wherein virtual reels are shown on a display, it will be understood that other variations are possible. For example, the reels may be physical reels controlled by one or more stepper motors.

While the above example is described in relation to an arrangement whereby during a feature game the reels move less that one full revolution in order to display the selected symbols, it will be appreciated that other variations are possible. For example, the reels may be controlled to move less that one full revolution in order to display the selected symbols during both a feature game and a base game or only during a base game.

The gaming system may also be arranged such that instead of controlling the reels to move less that one full revolution in order to display the selected symbols in response to a trigger condition or other game related trigger, the reels may be controlled to operate in this way in response to player input such as in response to a button press by the player.

It will be appreciated that the present invention enables fast paced game play which may be desirable in some game circumstances.