Abstract:
A gaming machine ( 10 ) has a display ( 14 ) and a game controller arranged to control images displayed on the display ( 14 ). The game controller is arranged to play a game ( 16 ) wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display ( 14 ). If a predefined winning event occurs, the machine ( 10 ) awards a prize. When a special symbol is carried by a symbol-carrying element into a display position on the display ( 14 ), the special symbol does at least one of altering the prize awarded for a winning result and altering a defined set of winning combinations.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to, and is a continuation of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/296,077 having a filing date of Nov. 19, 2002, which claims priority to PCT Patent Application No. PCT/AU01/00550, filed May 14, 2001, and which claims priority to Australian Patent Application No. PQ7664, filed May 22, 2000, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     [Not Applicable] 
     MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE 
     [Not Applicable] 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a gaming machine. More particularly, the invention relates to a gaming machine and to an improvement to a game played on such a gaming machine. 
     Players who regularly play gaming machines quickly tire of particular games and therefore it is necessary for manufacturers of these machines to develop innovative game features which add interest to the games. In so doing, it is hoped to keep players amused and therefore willing to continue playing the game as well as to attract new players. 
     Also, with the growth that has occurred in the gaming machine market, there is intense competition between manufacturers to supply various existing and new venues. When selecting a supplier of gaming machines, the operator of a venue will often pay close attention to the popularity of various games with their patrons. Therefore, gaming machine manufacturers are keen to devise games which are popular with the players as a mechanism for improving sales, retaining customers and attracting new customers. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming machine having a display means and a game control means arranged to control images displayed on the display means, the game control means being arranged to play a game wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display means and, if a predefined winning event occurs, the machine awards a prize, the gaming machine being characterized in that the game is a spinning reel game and, when a special symbol, carried on a reel is displayed on the display means, the special symbol alters a defined set of winning combinations applicable to that game. 
     The special symbol may determine which combinations of symbols are to be regarded as winning combinations. 
     The special symbol may be carried on one of the conventional reels of the game in which case the special symbol may substitute for a standard symbol in any winning combination in which the special symbol appears. Instead, the special symbol may appear on a dedicated, separate reel. 
     According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a gaming machine having a display means and a game control means arranged to control images displayed on the display means, the game control means being arranged to play a game wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display means and, if a predefined winning event occurs, the machine awards a prize, the gaming machine being characterized in that the game is a spinning reel game which includes a standard paytable and at least one further paytable and in that, when a special symbol is carried into a display position by a reel of the game, the special symbol causes one of said further paytables applicable to the game to be used to calculate the prize awarded for a winning combination of symbols. 
     Prizes for winning combinations of symbols in the at least one further paytable, of which there may be at least two, may vary in a non-uniform manner in comparison with corresponding prizes in the standard paytable. 
     The further paytables may award prizes that are higher than the corresponding prize in the standard paytable for that particular winning combination of symbols. 
     In accordance with this aspect also, the special symbol may be carried on one of the conventional reels of the game in which case the special symbol may substitute for a standard symbol in any winning combination in which the special symbol appears. Instead, the special symbol may appear on a dedicated, separate reel. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a three dimensional view of a gaming machine, in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows a block diagram of a control circuit of the gaming machine; 
         FIG. 3  shows a paytable for a game played on the machine of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  show screen displays of a first embodiment of the game played on the gaming machine of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  shows a screen display of a second embodiment of the game; 
         FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  show screen displays of a third embodiment of the game; 
         FIG. 6   c  shows a screen display of a fourth embodiment of the game; 
         FIG. 6   d  shows a screen display of a fifth embodiment of the game; 
         FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  show screen displays of a sixth embodiment of the game; 
         FIG. 8  shows a flow chart of the game described with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 ; and 
         FIG. 9  shows a flow chart of the embodiment of the game of  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In  FIG. 1 , reference numeral  10  generally designates a gaming machine, including a game, in accordance with the invention. The machine  10  includes a console  12  having a video display unit  14  on which a game  16  is played, in use. The preferred form of the game  16  is a spinning reel game which simulates the rotation of a number of spinning reels  18 . It will, however, be appreciated that the invention is equally applicable to other types of games such as card games or ball games such as Keno, or the like. A midtrim  20  of the machine  10  houses a bank  21  of buttons for enabling a player to play the game  16 . The midtrim  20  also houses a credit input mechanism  38  including a coin input chute  38 . 1  and a bill collector  38 . 2 . 
     The machine  10  includes a top box  22  on which artwork  24  is carried. The artwork  24  includes paytables, details of bonus awards, etc. 
     A coin tray  26  is mounted beneath the console  12  for cash payouts from the machine  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2  of the drawings, a control means or control circuit  30  is illustrated. A program which implements the game and user interface is run on a processor  32  of the control circuit  30 . The processor  32  forms part of a controller  34  which drives the screen of the video display unit  14  and which receives input signals from sensors  36 . The sensors  36  include sensors associated with the bank  21  of buttons and touch sensors mounted in the screen. The controller  34  also receives input pulses from the mechanism  38  indicating that a player has provided sufficient credit to commence playing. The mechanism  38  may, instead of the coin input chute  38 . 1  or the bill collector  38 . 2 , or in addition thereto, be a credit card reader (not shown) or any other type of validation device. 
     Finally, the controller  36  drives a payout mechanism  40  which, for example, may be a coin hopper for feeding coins to the coin tray  30  to make a pay out to a player when the player wishes to redeem his or her credit. 
     The invention relates to the use of a special symbol in the game where the special symbol performs a particular function. Thus, each symbol of the relevant type performs that function when it appears on the screen. Hence, in the case of a spinning reel game, the special symbols will be carried on the reel strips to be displayed at random intervals. 
     Referring initially to  FIG. 3  of the drawings, a paytable is illustrated and is designated generally by the reference numeral  50 . It is to be noted that, in respect of each of the standard symbols  52  demarcated on the paytable  50 , each symbol  52  has three paytables  54 ,  56  and  58  associated with it. 
     In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIGS. 4   a  to  4   b  of the drawings, a special symbol  60  is carried on at least one of the reels  18  of the game  16 . In this regard, it is to be noted that the special symbol  60  could, if desired, be carried on a dedicated sixth reel (in respect of a five reel machine) rather than on one of the standard reels  18 . The special symbol  60  in accordance with this embodiment of the invention determines the manner in which a current win is paid if a winning result occurs when the reels  18  are spun. Where the special symbol  60  is carried on the standard reel strips, as opposed to a dedicated reel, the special symbol  60  acts as a substitute symbol in addition to its special function. 
     In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   h  of the drawings, it is to be noted that two separate special symbols  60  are provided, each being of a different colour. The special symbols  60  are colour coded to correspond with the paytables  56  and  58  associated with each standard symbol  52  in the paytable  50 . The special symbol  60  functions as a win change symbol. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4   a  of the drawings, a win is awarded for 3×K appearing on payline one. Due to the fact that a grey special symbol  60  also appears, the grey paytable  56  is applicable and fifty credits are paid. Had the special symbol  60  not been present, only twenty credits would have been awarded. 
     In the example shown in  FIG. 4   b  of the drawings, the winning result includes two special symbols  60 , a grey special symbol and a black special symbol. The player is awarded one hundred credits from the black paytable  58  associated with the standard K symbol  52 . Where two or more special symbols  60  are present, only the highest valued win is paid. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5  of the drawings, a different embodiment of the win change special symbol  60  is described. In this case, each special symbol  60  has a specific effect on the way winning combinations will be paid. It is assumed that wins are awarded for combinations occurring on the three standard horizontal paylines. 
     For example, a standard paytable may be provided where all symbols pay only when appearing in a left-to-right combination on a payline (excluding the scatter feature). In this case, if the grey special symbol  60  appears on the screen, all symbols will pay for a right-to-left combination as well as the left-to-right combination. The black special symbol  60  means that all pays, i.e. the total win, are multiplied by five. The white special symbol  60  substitutes for all standard symbols and any payline win in which such a white symbol  60  substitutes will be multiplied by fifty. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5  of the drawings, a win will be paid for 3×K because of the appearance of the grey special symbol  60  causing prizes to be paid for right-to left combinations. A further win will be paid for 4×J on payline two due to the white special symbol  60  acting as a substitute symbol. In addition, due to the presence of the white special symbol  60 , the win for 4×J on payline two is multiplied by fifty. Finally, due to the presence of the black symbol  60 , the total win, i.e. the sum of all the wins, is multiplied by five. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6   a  to  5   c  of the drawings, yet a further embodiment of the win change special symbol is described. Once again, for all three examples described below, it is assumed that wins are awarded for combinations occurring on the three standard horizontal paylines. 
     In this embodiment, more than one special symbol  60  could be provided where each has a different function when substituting in a win. The preferred method is where four different special symbols  60 . 1  to  60 . 4  are provided. Special symbol  60 . 1  substitutes as a symbol in a winning combination for a left-to-right or right-to-left win, hereinafter referred to as an each way win, special symbol  60 . 2  for an “any” win, special symbol  60 . 3  for a left-to-right win and special symbol  60 . 4  for a right-to-left win. Thus, for example, the left-to-right special symbol  60 . 3  will only substitute in left-to-right winning combinations. 
     Hence, in the example shown in  FIG. 6   a  of the drawings wins would be provided for 2×10 because of “left-to-right” symbol  60 . 3 , 3×Q because of “right-to-left” symbol  60 . 4 , 3×J and 3×10 because of “each way” symbol  60 . 1  and 3×K, 2×B and 2×J because of the “any” symbol  60 . 2 . 
     If, however, the special symbols appeared in the combination shown in  FIG. 6   b  of the drawings, the result would be the following; 3×J with “left-to-right”  60 . 3  substituting, 3×Q with “each way” symbol  60 . 1  substituting and 3×Q and 2×10 with the “any” symbol  60 . 2  substituting. 
     Instead, the different functions of the special symbols could be where one functions as a standard substitute on a payline as shown by special symbol  62 . 1  in  FIG. 6   c  of the drawings, another functions as a substitute above or on the payline as shown by special symbol  62 . 2 , yet another symbol  62 . 3  substitutes below or on the payline for combinations on the payline and yet another symbol  62 . 4  substitutes on, above or below the payline. It is assumed that the standard three horizontal paylines with a left-to-right paying combination applies. 
     In the example shown in  FIG. 6   c  of the drawings, assuming only the highest win pays on any payline, prizes are awarded for 3×j on payline two due to special symbol  62 . 1 , 5×Q on payline three due to special symbol  62 . 3  and 3×K due to special symbols  62 . 2  and  62 . 3 . 
     In  FIG. 6   d  of the drawings, a further version of this embodiment is illustrated. It is assumed in this embodiment that the screen display is for a four reel game. Then, a fifth reel  18  is a dedicated reel carrying the special symbols  60 . 1  to  60 , 4  (only symbols  60 . 1 ,  60 . 2  and  60 . 3  being displayed). The special symbols  60 . 1  to  60 . 4  do not serve a substitute function, but only an indicative function. Once again, assuming a three line game, no win is achieved on payline one. If the game pays for two of a kind and because of the presence of the special symbol  60 . 3 , a prize is paid for 2×J on payline two. Due to the presence of the special symbol  60 . 1 , a prize is paid for 3×Q on payline three. 
     The fifth reel of this version may only spin up or highlight one of the special symbols  60 . 1  to  60 . 4  at a time in which case the relevant special symbol will apply to all the active paylines of the game. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  of the drawings, a further embodiment of the win change special symbol is described. Once again, it is assumed that only the three standard horizontal paylines apply. 
     In the example illustrated in  FIG. 7   a  of the drawings, a prize is awarded only for 4×Q left-to-right on payline  3 . 
     However, when a special symbol  64  is spun up anywhere on the screen, it determines that left-to-right scatter combinations of symbols now pay instead of the symbols having to occur on the paylines. Accordingly, in the example shown in  FIG. 7   b  of the drawings, a prize is paid for 5×J, 4×Q and 3×9. 
     Hence, it is an advantage of the invention that a special symbol is provided which, it is believed, will enhance player interest. 
     It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.