Abstract:
A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game comprises one or more wild features having a wild symbol that matches or substitutes for other symbols used in the wagering game. The game may be a slot game utilizing a plurality of rotatable reels for displaying the symbols. The game includes a pay table defining standard awards for various winning combinations of the symbols. The game may duplicate a wild symbol included in a first combination of symbols into a corresponding position of a second combination of symbols to increase a probability that the second combination of symbols is a winning combination. If the wild symbol is used to complete one of the winning combinations on the pay table, the game may randomly select a modifier to enhance the standard award for that combination. Other wild features are also disclosed.

Description:
COPYRIGHT  
       [0001]     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.  
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to gaming machines, and methods for playing wagering games, and more particularly, to a gaming machine having a wild symbol feature.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Gaming machines, such as slot machines, video poker machines and the like, have been a cornerstone of the gaming industry for several years. Generally, the popularity of such machines with players is dependent on the likelihood (or perceived likelihood) of winning money at the machine and the intrinsic entertainment value of the machine relative to other available gaming options. Where the available gaming options include a number of competing machines and the expectation of winning at each machine is roughly the same (or believed to be the same), players are likely to be attracted to the most entertaining and exciting machines. Shrewd operators consequently strive to employ the most entertaining and exciting machines, features, and enhancements available because such machines attract frequent play and hence increase profitability to the operator. Therefore, there is a continuing need for gaming machine manufacturers to continuously develop new games and improved gaming enhancements that will attract frequent play through enhanced entertainment value to the player.  
         [0004]     One concept that has been successfully employed to enhance the entertainment value of a game is the concept of a “secondary” or “bonus” game that may be played in conjunction with a “basic” game. The bonus game may comprise any type of game, either similar to or completely different from the basic game, which is entered upon the occurrence of a selected event or outcome in the basic game. Generally, bonus games provide a greater expectation of winning than the basic game and may also be accompanied with more attractive or unusual video displays and/or audio. Bonus games may additionally award players with “progressive jackpot” awards that are funded, at least in part, by a percentage of coin-in from the gaming machine or a plurality of participating gaming machines. Because the bonus game concept offers tremendous advantages in player appeal and excitement relative to other known games, and because such games are attractive to both players and operators, there is a continuing need to develop gaming machines with new types of bonus games to satisfy the demands of players and operators.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     According to one aspect of the present invention, a gaming machine for conducting a wagering game comprises one or more wild features having a wild symbol that matches or substitutes for other symbols used in the wagering game. The game may be a slot game utilizing a plurality of rotatable reels for displaying the symbols. The game includes a pay table defining standard awards for various winning combinations of the symbols. The game may duplicate a wild symbol included in a first combination of symbols into a corresponding position of a second combination of symbols to increase a probability that the second combination of symbols is a winning combination. If the wild symbol is used to complete one of the winning combinations on the pay table, the game may randomly select a modifier to enhance the standard award for that combination. Other wild features are also disclosed.  
         [0006]     Additional aspects of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the detailed description of various embodiments, which is made with reference to the drawings, a brief description of which is provided below. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a gaming machine embodying the present invention;  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a control system suitable for operating the gaming machine;  
         [0009]      FIGS. 3   a  through  3   e  are display images associated with a “Big X” wagering game that may be conducted on the gaming machine;  
         [0010]      FIGS. 4   a  through  4   f  are display images associated with a “Wild Waves” wagering game that may be conducted on the gaming machine;  
         [0011]      FIGS. 5   a  through  5   i  are display images associated with a “Wild Streak” wagering game that may be conducted on the gaming machine;  
         [0012]      FIGS. 6   a  through  6   f  are display images associated with a “Wild &#39;n Crazy” wagering game that may be conducted on the gaming machine;  
         [0013]      FIGS. 7   a  through  7   g  are display images associated with a “Say Cheese” wagering game that may be conducted on the gaming machine;  
         [0014]      FIGS. 8   a  through  8   f  are display images associated with a “Lucky Horseshoes” wagering game that may be conducted on the gaming machine;  
         [0015]      FIGS. 9   a  through  9   c  are display images associated with a “Whack-a-Winner” wagering game that may be conducted on the gaming machine;  
         [0016]      FIG. 10   a  is a diagrammatic representation of a system of linked gaming machines, and  FIGS. 10   b  through  10   c  are display images associated with a “Super X” wagering game that may be conducted on the linked machines; and  
         [0017]      FIGS. 11   a  through  11   e  are display images associated with a “Lucky Stars” wagering gaming that may be conducted on the gaming machine.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0018]     While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.  
         [0019]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a gaming machine  10  is used in gaming establishments such as casinos. With regard to the present invention, the gaming machine  10  may be any type of gaming machine and may have varying structures and methods of operation. For example, the gaming machine  10  may be an electromechanical gaming machine configured to play mechanical slots, or it may be an electronic gaming machine configured to play a video casino game, such as blackjack, slots, keno, poker, blackjack, roulette, etc.  
         [0020]     The gaming machine  10  comprises a housing  12  and includes input devices, including a value input device  18  and a player input device  24 . For output the gaming machine  10  includes a primary display  14  for displaying information about the basic wagering game. The primary display  14  can also display information about a bonus wagering game and a progressive wagering game. The gaming machine  10  may also include a secondary display  16  for displaying game events, game outcomes, and/or signage information. While these typical components found in the gaming machine  10  are described below, it should be understood that numerous other elements may exist and may be used in any number of combinations to create various forms of a gaming machine  10 .  
         [0021]     The value input device  18  may be provided in many forms, individually or in combination, and is preferably located on the front of the housing  12 . The value input device  18  receives currency and/or credits that are inserted by a player. The value input device  18  may include a coin acceptor  20  for receiving coin currency (see  FIG. 1 ). Alternatively, or in addition, the value input device  18  may include a bill acceptor  22  for receiving paper currency. Furthermore, the value input device  18  may include a ticket reader, or barcode scanner, for reading information stored on a credit ticket, a card, or other tangible portable credit storage device. The credit ticket or card may also authorize access to a central account, which can transfer money to the gaming machine  10 .  
         [0022]     The player input device  24  comprises a plurality of push buttons  26  on a button panel for operating the gaming machine  10 . In addition, or alternatively, the player input device  24  may comprise a touch screen  28  mounted by adhesive, tape, or the like over the primary display  14  and/or secondary display  16 . The touch screen  28  contains soft touch keys  30  denoted by graphics on the underlying primary display  14  and used to operate the gaming machine  10 . The touch screen  28  provides players with an alternative method of input. A player enables a desired function either by touching the touch screen  28  at an appropriate touch key  30  or by pressing an appropriate push button  26  on the button panel. The touch keys  30  may be used to implement the same functions as push buttons  26 . Alternatively, the push buttons  26  may provide inputs for one aspect of the operating the game, while the touch keys  30  may allow for input needed for another aspect of the game.  
         [0023]     The various components of the gaming machine  10  may be connected directly to, or contained within, the housing  12 , as seen in  FIG. 1 , or may be located outboard of the housing  12  and connected to the housing  12  via a variety of different wired or wireless connection methods. Thus, the gaming machine  10  comprises these components whether housed in the housing  12 , or outboard of the housing  12  and connected remotely.  
         [0024]     The operation of the basic wagering game is displayed to the player on the primary display  14 . The primary display  14  can also display the bonus game associated with the basic wagering game. The primary display  14  may take the form of a cathode ray tube (CRT), a high resolution LCD, a plasma display, an LED, or any other type of display suitable for use in the gaming machine  10 . As shown, the primary display  14  includes the touch screen  28  overlaying the entire monitor (or a portion thereof) to allow players to make game-related selections. Alternatively, the primary display  14  of the gaming machine  10  may include a number of mechanical reels to display the outcome in visual associated to at least one payline  32 . In the illustrated embodiment, the gaming machine  10  is an “upright” version in which the primary display  14  is oriented vertically relative to the player. Alternatively, the gaming machine may be a “slant-top” version in which the primary display  14  is slanted at about a thirty-degree angle toward the player of the gaming machine  10 .  
         [0025]     A player begins play of the basic wagering game by making a wager via the value input device  18  of the gaming machine  10 . A player can select play by using the player input device  24 , via the buttons  26  or the touch screen keys  30 . The basic game consists of a plurality of symbols arranged in an array, and includes at least one payline  32  that indicates one or more outcomes of the basic game. Such outcomes are randomly selected in response to the wagering input by the player. At least one of the plurality of randomly-selected outcomes may be a start-bonus outcome, which can include any variations of symbols or symbol combinations triggering a bonus game.  
         [0026]     In some embodiments, the gaming machine  10  may also include a player information reader  52  that allows for identification of a player by reading a card with information indicating his or her true identity. The player information reader  52  is shown in  FIG. 1  as a card reader, but may take on many forms including a ticket reader, bar code scanner, RFID transceiver or computer readable storage medium interface. Currently, identification is generally used by casinos for rewarding certain players with complimentary services or special offers. For example, a player may be enrolled in the gaming establishment&#39;s loyalty club and may be awarded certain complimentary services as that player collects points in his or her player-tracking account. The player inserts his or her card into the player information reader  52 , which allows the casino&#39;s computers to register that player&#39;s wagering at the gaming machine  10 . The gaming machine  10  may use the secondary display  16  or other dedicated player-tracking display for providing the player with information about his or her account or other player-specific information. Also, in some embodiments, the information reader  52  may be used to restore game assets that the player achieved and saved during a previous game session.  
         [0027]     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , the various components of the gaming machine  10  are controlled by a central processing unit (CPU)  34 , also referred to herein as a controller or processor (such as a microcontroller or microprocessor). To provide gaming functions, the controller  34  executes one or more game programs stored in a computer readable storage medium, in the form of memory  36 . The controller  34  performs the random selection (using a random number generator (RNG)) of an outcome from the plurality of possible outcomes of the wagering game. Alternatively, the random event may be determined at a remote controller. The remote controller may use either an RNG or pooling scheme for its central determination of a game outcome. It should be appreciated that the controller  34  may include one or more microprocessors, including but not limited to a master processor, a slave processor, and a secondary or parallel processor.  
         [0028]     The controller  34  is also coupled to the system memory  36  and a money/credit detector  38 . The system memory  36  may comprise a volatile memory (e.g., a random-access memory (RAM)) and a non-volatile memory (e.g., an EEPROM). The system memory  36  may include multiple RAM and multiple program memories. The money/credit detector  38  signals the processor that money and/or credits have been input via the value input device  18 . Preferably, these components are located within the housing  12  of the gaming machine  10 . However, as explained above, these components may be located outboard of the housing  12  and connected to the remainder of the components of the gaming machine  10  via a variety of different wired or wireless connection methods.  
         [0029]     As seen in  FIG. 2 , the controller  34  is also connected to, and controls, the primary display  14 , the player input device  24 , and a payoff mechanism  40 . The payoff mechanism  40  is operable in response to instructions from the controller  34  to award a payoff to the player in response to certain winning outcomes that might occur in the basic game or the bonus game(s). The payoff may be provided in the form of points, bills, tickets, coupons, cards, etc. For example, in  FIG. 1 , the payoff mechanism  40  includes both a ticket printer  42  and a coin outlet  44 . However, any of a variety of payoff mechanisms  40  well known in the art may be implemented, including cards, coins, tickets, smartcards, cash, etc. The payoff amounts distributed by the payoff mechanism  40  are determined by one or more pay tables stored in the system memory  36 .  
         [0030]     Communications between the controller  34  and both the peripheral components of the gaming machine  10  and external systems  50  occur through input/output (I/O) circuits  46 ,  48 . More specifically, the controller  34  controls and receives inputs from the peripheral components of the gaming machine  10  through the input/output circuits  46 . Further, the controller  34  communicates with the external systems  50  via the I/O circuits  48  and a communication path (e.g., serial, parallel, IR, RC, 10bT, etc.). The external systems  50  may include a gaming network, other gaming machines, a gaming server, communications hardware, or a variety of other interfaced systems or components. Although the I/O circuits  46 ,  48  may be shown as a single block, it should be appreciated that each of the I/O circuits  46 ,  48  may include a number of different types of I/O circuits.  
         [0031]     Controller  34 , as used herein, comprises any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware that may be disposed or resident inside and/or outside of the gaming machine  10  that may communicate with and/or control the transfer of data between the gaming machine  10  and a bus, another computer, processor, or device and/or a service and/or a network. The controller  34  may comprise one or more controllers or processors. In  FIG. 2 , the controller  34  in the gaming machine  10  is depicted as comprising a CPU, but the controller  34  may alternatively comprise a CPU in combination with other components, such as the I/O circuits  46 ,  48  and the system memory  36 .  
         [0032]     Turning now to the remaining figures, there are shown a number of wagering games with different wild features. In the figures, like reference numerals are used to identify analogous, but not necessarily identical, components.  
         [0033]     Referring to  FIGS. 3   a  through  3   e , a gaming machine conducts a wagering game called “Big X Wild” in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3   a  depicts the reel symbols and pay table for the game.  FIG. 3   b  depicts a plurality of symbol-bearing reels  54  that may be mechanical or simulated in video. One of the reel symbols is a WILD symbol  60  that matches or substitutes for all other reel symbols to complete a winning combination along a payline  32   a . When one WILD symbol  60  completes a winning combination, the WILD symbol  60  multiplies the standard payout for that combination by 5X. When two WILD symbols  60  complete a winning combination, the WILD symbols  60  multiply the standard payout for that combination by 25X. Thus, in  FIG. 3   b  the WILD symbol  60  multiplies the standard payout of 10 credits for a winning combination of three BAR symbols by 5X to yield a total payout of 50 credits. In  FIG. 3   c  the two WILD symbols  60  multiply the standard payout of 10 credits for a winning combination of three BAR symbols by 25X to yield a total payout of 250 credits. In an alternative embodiment, the WILD symbol  60  may multiply the standard payout by a different value, such as 2X, 3X, 7X, or 10X. Referring to  FIG. 3   d , a “Big X Wild” feature is triggered by the combination of a BLANK symbol on the left reel, a WILD symbol  60  on the center reel, and a BLANK symbol on the right reel along the payline  32   a . Referring to  FIG. 3   e , this symbol combination enables extra criss-cross (X) or diagonal paylines  32   b  and  32   c , and the player is awarded for any winning combinations, i.e. combinations on the pay table in  FIG. 3   a , appearing on these enabled paylines. In the illustrated example, the player is awarded five times the sum of (i) the standard payout of 100 credits for a winning combination of three  7  symbols and (ii) the standard payout of 5 credits for a winning combination of three non-matching BAR symbols, i.e. ANY BAR pay.  
         [0034]     Referring to  FIGS. 4   a  through  4   f , a gaming machine conducts a wagering game called “Wild Waves” in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4   a  depicts the reel symbols and pay table for the game.  FIG. 4   b  depicts a plurality of symbol-bearing reels  54  that may be mechanical or simulated in video. One of the reel symbols is a WILD WAVES symbol  62  that matches or substitutes for all other reel symbols to complete a winning combination along a payline  32 . In the illustrated example, the WILD WAVES symbol  62  completes a winning combination of three SEVEN symbols to yield a payout of 120 credits according to the pay table in  FIG. 4   a . Referring to  FIG. 4   c , the WILD WAVES symbol  62  also produces a payout when one or two WILD WAVES symbols  62  land along the payline  32  without completing a winning combination of other reel symbols. In the illustrated example, one WILD WAVES symbol  62  yields a payout of 2 credits multiplied by the line bet.  
         [0035]     Referring to  FIG. 4   d , a spin-to-win “Wild Waves” feature is triggered by the appearance of a BONUS symbol  64  on the right reel along the payline  32 . Referring to  FIGS. 4   e  and  4   f , the reels then repeatedly spin and stop until a winning combination lands along the payline  32 . The player is awarded a payout for that winning combination according to the pay table in  FIG. 4   a . If the winning combination contains the WILD WAVES symbol  62 , the player is awarded the payout for that combination, and the reels again repeatedly spin and stop until another winning combination lands along the payline  32 . In the illustrated example, the “Wild Waves” feature results in a total bonus of 17 credits, which is the sum of (i) a first spin-to-win yielding a payout of 5 credits for an ANY BAR win completed with a WILD WAVES symbol  62 , (ii) a second spin-to-win triggered by the first spin-to-win and yielding a payout of 2 credits for one WILD WAVES symbol  62 , and (iii) a third and final spin-to-win triggered by the second spin-to-win and yielding a payout of 10 credits for a single BAR win.  
         [0036]     Referring to  FIGS. 5   a  through  5   i , a gaming machine conducts a wagering game called “Wild Streak” in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 5   a  depicts the reel symbols and pay table for the game.  FIG. 5   b  depicts three wild symbols for the game, namely a WILD symbol  66 , a WILD  7  symbol  68 , and a WILD BAR symbol  70 .  FIG. 5   c  depicts a plurality of symbol-bearing reels  54  that may be mechanical or simulated in video. The wild symbols match or substitute for all other reel symbols to complete any winning combination along a payline  32 . More specifically, the WILD symbol  66  doubles the standard payout of any winning combination that it completes. In the example in  FIG. 5   c , the WILD symbol  66  doubles the WHITE SEVENS payout. The WILD  7  symbol  68  doubles the standard payout of any winning SEVENS combination that it completes. In the example in  FIG. 5   d , the WILD  7  symbol  68  doubles the PURPLE SEVENS payout. The WILD BAR symbol  70  doubles the standard payout of any winning BAR combination that it completes. In the example in  FIG. 5   e , the WILD BAR symbol  70  doubles the DOUBLE BAR payout.  
         [0037]     Referring to  FIG. 5   f , a “Wild Streak” feature is triggered by the appearance of any of the wild symbols  66 ,  68 , or  70  along the payline  32  without completing a winning combination of other reel symbols. The player is first awarded a payout of 2 credits (multiplied by the line bet) for one wild. In the example in  FIG. 5   f , the WILD BAR symbol  70  on the left reel triggers the “Wild Streak” feature. Referring to  FIGS. 5   g ,  5   h , and  5   i , the reels repeatedly respin and stop up to seven times. The number of respins is randomly determined. For each respin, the reel that contained the wild symbol to trigger the “Wild Streak” feature randomly respins to the same or a different wild symbol  66 ,  68 , or  70 , while the other two reels randomly respin to any of the reel symbols. In the example in  FIG. 5   h , the left reel that contained the WILD BAR symbol  70  is randomly spun to the WILD  7  symbol  68 , while the other two reels are randomly respun to BAR and DOUBLE BAR symbols, thereby creating an ANY BAR win worth 5 credits. Referring to  FIG. 5   i , if a second wild symbol lands along the payline  32  during the “Wild Streak” feature, the game awards an additional one to seven respins where the two reels that contained wild symbols randomly respin to the same or a different wild symbol  66 ,  68 , or  70 , while the other reel randomly respins to any of the reel symbols.  
         [0038]     Referring to  FIGS. 6   a  through  6   f , a gaming machine conducts a wagering game called “Wild &#39;n Crazy” in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 6   a  depicts the reel symbols and pay table for the game. The first credit wagered makes the player eligible for the payouts on the left side of the pay table, while the second credit wagered makes the player eligible for a “Crazy” feature and a “Wild &#39;n Crazy” feature.  FIGS. 6   b  and  6   c  depict a plurality of symbol-bearing reels  54  that may be mechanical or simulated in video. Two of the reel symbols are wild, namely a WILD symbol  72  and a CRAZY symbol  74 , and therefore match or substitute for all other reel symbols to complete a winning combination along a payline  32 . In the example in  FIG. 6   b , the WILD symbol  72  completes a winning combination of three DOUBLE BAR symbols. In the example in  FIG. 6   c , the CRAZY symbol  74  completes an ANY BAR win. If the CRAZY symbol  74  completes a winning combination when the player has placed a maximum wager, i.e. max bet, the “Crazy” feature is triggered. In the “Crazy” feature, the CRAZY symbol  74  locks in place and the other two reels repeatedly respin to, and pay for, the same winning combination up to seven times.  
         [0039]     Referring to  FIGS. 6   d ,  6   e , and  6   f , if the WILD symbol  72  and the CRAZY symbol  74  complete a winning combination when the player has placed a maximum wager, the “Wild “n Crazy” feature is triggered. In the ‘Wild ’ n Crazy” feature, both the WILD symbol  72  and the CRAZY symbol  74  lock in place and the remaining reel repeatedly respins to, and pays for, the same winning combination or a higher paying combination on the pay table up to seven times. The number of respins is randomly determined. In the illustrated example, the WILD and CRAZY symbols  72  and  74  first complete a single BAR win in  FIG. 6   d  and then complete a DOUBLE BAR win in  FIG. 6   f  upon respinning the center reel. After this first respin, up to six more respins may occur.  
         [0040]     Referring to  FIGS. 7   a  through  7   g , a gaming machine conducts a wagering game called “Say Cheese” in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 7   a  depicts a plurality of symbol-bearing reels  54  that may be mechanical or simulated in video. One of the reel symbols is a LUCKY CHEESE WILD symbol  76  that matches or substitutes for all other reel symbols to complete a winning combination along a payline  32 . In addition to the reels  54 , the machine includes an upper video display  16  positioned above the reels  54 . The upper display  16  may be implemented with a liquid crystal display (LCD), dot matrix, cathode ray tube (CRT), plasma, or other type of video display. When the LUCKY CHEESE WILD symbol  76  completes a winning combination along the payline  32 , e.g. a DOUBLE BAR win, the winning combination is automatically duplicated on the upper display  16 . Referring to  FIGS. 7   b  and  7   c , a mouse character then runs onto the display  16  and transforms the duplicated LUCKY CHEESE WILD symbol  76 ′ to a random multiplier  80  from 2X to 10X. The selected multiplier, e.g. 3X in  FIG. 7   c , multiplies the standard payout for the winning combination.  
         [0041]     Referring to  FIGS. 7   d ,  7   e ,  7   f , and  7   g , a “Say Cheese” free spin feature is triggered by a SAY CHEESE symbol  82  on the right reel along the payline  32 . The upper display  16  depicts a second set of reels  84  initially displaying the same reel symbols displayed on the lower set of reels  54 . The player is then awarded five free spins on both the lower set of reels  54  and the upper set of reels  84 . For each free spin, the game randomly determines the outcome for the lower set of reels  54  and randomly determines the outcome for the upper set of reels  84 . These outcomes are separately determined. The player is awarded for a payout for any winning combinations resulting from each free spin. In the example in  FIG. 7   e , the player is awarded for an ANY BAR win on the lower set of reels  54  and a SEVENS win on the upper set of reels  84 . If a free spin results in LUCKY CHEESE WILD symbol  76  in the center of any of the reels  54  or  84 , the corresponding reel on the other set of reels automatically respins to the LUCKY CHEESE WILD symbol  76  and multiplies the standard payout for any winning combination on either set of reels by a random multiplier  80  from 2X to 10X. In the example in  FIGS. 7   f  and  7   g , the LUCKY CHEESE WILD symbol  76  lands in the center of the left reel of the lower set of reels  54 , causing the corresponding left reel of the upper set of reels  84  to respin to the LUCKY CHEESE WILD symbol  76  as well. The player is awarded a mixed SEVENS payout on the upper set of reels  84 , multiplied by 5X.  
         [0042]     Referring to  FIGS. 8   a  through  8   f , a gaming machine conducts a wagering game called “Lucky Horseshoes” in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 8   a  depicts the reel symbols and pay table for the game.  FIG. 8   b  depicts a plurality of symbol-bearing reels  54  that may be mechanical or simulated in video. One of the reel symbols is a WILD HORSESHOE symbol  86  that is wild for any other reel symbol when the WILD HORSESHOE symbol lands on or within one position of a payline  32 . In the illustrated example, the WILD HORSESHOE symbol  86  completes a winning combination of mixed SEVENS to yield a standard payout of 50 credits on a 2 credit wager. Referring to  FIG. 8   c , when the WILD HORSESHOE symbol  86  lands on the payline  32  and completes a winning combination, it doubles the standard payout for that combination. In the example in  FIG. 8   c , the WILD HORSESHOE SYMBOL  86  again completes a winning combination of mixed SEVENS but this time yields a payout of 100 credits by doubling the standard payout of 50 credits on a 2 credit wager.  
         [0043]     Referring to  FIG. 8   d , each reel symbol has both a standard version without a superimposed horseshoe and a special version with a superimposed horseshoe  88 . Referring to  FIGS. 8   e  and  8   f , the horseshoe version of a symbol may be used to complete a winning combination for that symbol when the horseshoe version lands on or within one position of the payline  32 . If it lands on the payline  32 , the standard payout for that winning combination is doubled; otherwise it is not. In the example in  FIG. 8   e , the horseshoe BAR symbol  90  lands within one position of the payline  32  to complete a BAR win and yield a standard payout of 20 credits on a 2 credit wager. In the example in  FIG. 8   f , the horseshoe BAR symbol  90  lands on the payline  32  to complete a BAR win and double the standard payout.  
         [0044]     Referring to  FIGS. 9   a  through  9   c , a gaming machine conducts a wagering game called “Whack-a-Winner” in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 9   a  depicts a plurality of symbol-bearing reels  54  that may be mechanical or simulated in video. One of the reel symbols is a WILD MALLET symbol  92  that matches or substitutes for all other reel symbols to complete a winning combination along a payline  32 . In addition to the reels  54 , the machine includes an upper video display  16  positioned above the reels  54 . The upper display  16  may be implemented with a liquid crystal display (LCD), dot matrix, cathode ray tube (CRT), plasma, or other type of video display. The upper display  16  depicts three moles and/or mole holes  96  corresponding to the respective three reels  54 . Each mole  96  holds a bonus sign  98  featuring a modifier such as a multiplier ranging from 2X to 10X, a credit amount, a bonus trigger, or a change in symbol functionality. A change in symbol functionality may, for example, convert a standard line-pay reel symbol into a wild or a scatter pay symbol.  
         [0045]     Referring to  FIG. 9   b , for each spin of the reels  54 , the moles  96  randomly “pop” in and out of the holes carrying different bonus signs  98 . Referring to  FIG. 9   c , if the WILD MALLET symbol  92  lands on the payline  32 , the mole  96  that pops into the mole hole corresponding to the WILD MALLET symbol  92  is “whacked.” The player is then awarded the standard payout for the winning combination appearing along the payline  32 , modified by the modifier on the bonus sign carried by the whacked mole. In the illustrated example, the standard payout for a single BAR win is multiplied by 10X.  
         [0046]     Referring to  FIGS. 10   a  through  10   d , a gaming system conducts a progressive multiplier feature called “Super X” in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 10   a , the gaming system includes a plurality of linked gaming machines  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c , and  10   d . The number of linked machines may be less or greater than the number illustrated, and may be in the same bank, in multiple banks, in the same casino, or in multiple casinos. Also, the machines may be of the same or different themes and of the same or different denominations. In the illustrated example, the gaming machines are of different themes and of the same denomination, e.g. 25 cents. The “Super X” feature includes a multi-level bonus progressive that may be added to the linked machines. The “Super X” feature may alternatively be added to a single, standalone gaming machine. When the “Super X” feature is applied to a bank of machines, above the bank is a sign  104  with four progressive multiplier meters: (i) a Super X multiplier  100   a  ranging from 25X and above, (ii) a Big X multiplier  100   b  ranging from 10X to 25X, (iii) an X multiplier  100   c  ranging from 5X to 10X, and (iv) a Mini X multiplier  100   d  ranging from 2X to 5X. As players play the machines, the progressive multiplier meters increment in value based on predetermined or random criteria. For example, each meter may increase based on a certain number of wager inputs or based on specific outcomes at the linked machines. Each meter may reset to its lowest value in response to that meter being awarded to one of the linked machines.  
         [0047]     Referring to  FIG. 10   b , each machine includes a plurality of symbol-bearing main reels  54  and a special bonus reel  102  to the right of the main reels  54 . The bonus reel  102  carries symbols representing each of the progressive levels. The reels  54  and  102  may be mechanical or simulated in video, and both the reels  54  and the reel  102  need not be implemented with the same type of display. One of the reel symbols is a WILD symbol  106  that matches or substitutes for all other reel symbols to complete a winning combination along a payline  32 . Referring to  FIGS. 10   c  and  10   d , if the WILD symbol  106  is used to complete a winning combination along the payline  32  resulting from a spin of the reels  54 , then the game automatically spins the bonus reel  102 . The player is awarded the standard payout for the winning combination multiplied by the current value of the progressive multiplier identified by the bonus reel symbol that lands on the payline  32 . In the illustrated example, the standard payout for a DOUBLE BAR win is multiplied by the current Big X multiplier  100   b , i.e. 18X (see  FIG. 10   a ). After the Big X multiplier  100   b  is applied to the DOUBLE BAR win, the Big X multiplier  100   b  is reset to 10X.  
         [0048]     Referring to  FIGS. 11   a  through  11   e , a gaming machine conducts a wagering game called “Lucky Stars” in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 11   a  depicts the reel symbols and pay table for the game.  FIG. 11   b  depicts a plurality of symbol-bearing reels  54  that may be mechanical or simulated in video. One of the reel symbols is a wild LUCKY STAR symbol  108  that matches or substitutes for all other reel symbols to complete a winning combination along a payline  32 . In the illustrated example, the LUCKY STAR symbol  108  completes a RED SEVENS win. Referring to  FIG. 11   c , a “Lucky Stars” feature is triggered when the LUCKY STAR symbol  108  is used to complete a combination of mixed SEVENS on the payline  32 , i.e. the LUCKY STAR symbol  108  and a pair of non-matching SEVEN symbols  110  and  112  land on the payline  32 . Referring to  FIGS. 11   d  and  11   e , one of the two reels (e.g., reel  54   c ) carrying a SEVEN symbol on the payline  32  then respins to a SEVEN symbol  112  that matches the other SEVEN symbol  112 , to complete a matching SEVENS win. The game may randomly choose which of the two reels displaying non-matching SEVENS is respun, or may always respin the reel displaying the SEVEN symbol of lesser value according to the pay table in  FIG. 11   a . The player is awarded for the matching SEVENS win.  
         [0049]     Each of these embodiments and obvious variations thereof is contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, which is set forth in the following claims.