Abstract:
A method of gaming includes generating a game outcome. The method also includes determining whether the game outcome includes a win outcome. The method further includes providing a three-dimensional representation of an object having a plurality of win outcome modifiers thereon. Additionally, the method includes controlling display of the object in response to a modification condition being met, such that the object is displayed as rotating and the axis around which it rotates changes at least once prior to the object stopping and such that after stopping, the selected modifier of the plurality of modifiers which is to be applied is apparent from the display. The method includes modifying the win outcome with the selected modifier.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of priority to Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2008900492, filed on Feb. 4, 2008, entitled “A METHOD OF GAMING, A GAMING SYSTEM AND A GAME CONTROLLER”, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
       FIELD  
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a method of gaming, a gaming system and a game controller. 
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]    It is known for gaming machines to include multipliers which alter the prize which is awarded to a player. For example, in a slot machine type game, a special symbol appearing on the stopped reels may award a player a two times multiplier for any prize won during that spin of the reels. 
         [0004]    There is a need for an alternate technique for awarding a multiplier. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]    In a first aspect, the invention provides a method of gaming including: 
         [0006]    generating a game outcome; 
         [0007]    determining whether the game outcome includes a win outcome; 
         [0008]    providing a three-dimensional representation of an object having a plurality of win outcome modifiers thereon; 
         [0009]    controlling display of the object in response to a modification condition being met, such that the object is displayed as rotating and the axis around which it rotates changes at least once prior to the object stopping and such that after stopping, the selected modifier of the plurality of modifiers which is to be applied is apparent from the display; and 
         [0010]    modifying the win outcome with the selected modifier. 
         [0011]    In an embodiment, the object is spherical. 
         [0012]    In an embodiment, the win outcome modifiers correspond to respective ones of a plurality of regions of the surface of the object. 
         [0013]    In an embodiment, at least some of the modifiers are win outcome multipliers. 
         [0014]    In an embodiment, the axis of rotation changes a plurality of times. 
         [0015]    In an embodiment, a direction of rotation of the object changes at least once. 
         [0016]    In an embodiment, the method further includes displaying the object as translating relative to the display. 
         [0017]    In an embodiment, the object translates by rolling. 
         [0018]    In an embodiment, the object is displayed as translating relative to a plurality of targets each associated with a further win outcome modifier, the method including stopping the object at one of the plurality and additionally modifying the win outcome based on the further win outcome modifier. 
         [0019]    In an embodiment, the path followed by the translating object is randomly determined. 
         [0020]    In an embodiment, the method includes determining the stopping position of the object is randomly determined by employing a random number generator and a probability table. 
         [0021]    In an embodiment, the sizes of the regions are related to the values of the modifiers. 
         [0022]    In a second aspect, the invention provides a game controller for a gaming system, the game controller arranged to: 
         [0023]    generate a game outcome; 
         [0024]    determine whether the game outcome includes a win outcome; 
         [0025]    control display on a display of a three-dimensional representation of an object having a plurality of win outcome modifiers thereon in response to a modification condition being met, such that the object is displayed as rotating and the axis around which it rotates changes at least once prior to the object stopping and such that after stopping, the selected modifier of the plurality of modifiers which is to be applied is apparent from the display; and 
         [0026]    modify the win outcome with the selected modifier. 
         [0027]    In an embodiment, the game controller includes a modifier controller arranged to select the modifier which is to be applied. 
         [0028]    In an embodiment, the game controller includes a processor and a memory storing program code which when executed implements the functions of generating an outcome, determining whether the outcome includes a winning outcome, controlling display of the object and modifying the win outcome. 
         [0029]    In a third aspect, the invention provides a gaming system including: 
         [0030]    a display; and 
         [0031]    a game controller arranged to: 
         [0032]    generate a game outcome; 
         [0033]    determine whether the game outcome includes a win outcome; 
         [0034]    control display on the display of a three-dimensional representation of an object having a plurality of win outcome modifiers thereon in response to a modification condition being met, such that the object is displayed as rotating and the axis around which it rotates changes at least once prior to the object stopping and such that after stopping, the selected modifier of the plurality of modifiers which is to be applied is apparent from the display; and 
         [0035]    modify the win outcome with the selected modifier. 
         [0036]    In a fourth aspect, the invention provides a method of gaming including: 
         [0037]    generating a game outcome; 
         [0038]    determining whether the game outcome includes a win outcome; 
         [0039]    providing a three-dimensional representation of an object having a plurality of win outcome modifiers thereon and representation of a plurality of targets, each target associated visually with a modifier; 
         [0040]    controlling display of the object in response to a modification condition being met, such that the object is displayed as moving relative to the targets and stopping at one of the targets, such that after stopping, a composite modifier, formed by the combination of the modifier of the object at the stop position and the modifier of the target at which the object stopped, is apparent from the display; and 
         [0041]    modifying the win outcome with the composite modifier. 
         [0042]    In a fifth aspect, the invention provides a game controller for a gaming system, the game controller arranged to: 
         [0043]    generate a game outcome; 
         [0044]    determine whether the game outcome includes a win outcome; 
         [0045]    control display on a display of a three-dimensional representation of an object having a plurality of win outcome modifiers thereon in response to a modification condition being met, such that the object is displayed as moving relative to the targets and stopping at one of the targets, such that after stopping, a composite modifier, formed by the combination of the modifier of the object at the stop position and the modifier of the target at which the object stopped, is apparent from the display; and 
         [0046]    modify the win outcome with the composite modifier. 
         [0047]    In a sixth aspect, the invention provides a gaming system including: 
         [0048]    a display; and 
         [0049]    a game controller arranged to: 
         [0050]    generate a game outcome; 
         [0051]    determine whether the game outcome includes a win outcome; 
         [0052]    control display on the display of a three-dimensional representation of an object having a plurality of win outcome modifiers thereon in response to a modification condition being met, such that the object is displayed as moving relative to the targets and stopping at one of the targets, such that after stopping, a composite modifier, formed by the combination of the modifier of the object at the stop position and the modifier of the target at which the object stopped, is apparent from the display; and 
         [0053]    modify the win outcome with the composite modifier. 
         [0054]    In a seventh aspect, the invention provides a Computer program code which when executed implements the above methods. 
         [0055]    In an eighth aspect, the invention provides a computer readable medium including the above program code. 
         [0056]    In a ninth aspect, the invention provides a data signal including the above program code. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
         [0057]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of the core components of a gaming system. 
           [0058]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a stand alone gaming machine; 
           [0059]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of the functional components of a gaming machine; 
           [0060]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of the functional components of a memory; 
           [0061]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of a network gaming system; 
           [0062]      FIG. 6  is a further block diagram of a gaming system; 
           [0063]      FIG. 7A-7D  are exemplary displays of a first example; and 
           [0064]      FIG. 8A-8B  are exemplary displays of a second example. 
           [0065]      FIG. 9  shows a flow diagram for an example method for game outcome generation. 
           [0066]      FIG. 10  shows a flow diagram for an example method for game outcome generation. 
       
    
    
       [0067]    The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, certain embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0068]    Referring to the drawings, there is shown a gaming system having a game controller arranged to implement a game where an rotating object with a changing axis of rotation is used to display a win outcome modifier when. In an embodiment, the object is a multiplier ball having a plurality of different multipliers thereon. The modifier that applies is that modifier that is displayed when the ball stops. In an embodiment, the multipliers at intervals around the surface in regions whose sizes are based at least partly on the value of the modifier. The gaming system can take a number of different forms. 
         [0069]    In a first form, a stand alone gaming machine is provided wherein all or most components implementing the game are present in a player operable gaming machine. 
         [0070]    In a second form, a distributed architecture is provided wherein some of the components implementing the game are present in a player operable gaming machine and some of the components 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 display audible and/or visible gaming information to the player and receive gaming inputs from the player. 
         [0071]    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. 
         [0072]    Irrespective of the form, the gaming system includes several core components. At the broadest level, the core components are a player interface  50  and a game controller  60  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The player interface is arranged to enable manual interaction between a player and the gaming system and for this purpose includes the input/output components for the player to enter instructions and play the game. 
         [0073]    Components of the player interface may vary from embodiment to embodiment but will typically include a credit mechanism  52  to enable a player to input credits and receive payouts, one or more displays  54 , a game play mechanism  56  that enables a player to input game play instructions (e.g. to place bets), and one or more speakers  58 . 
         [0074]    The game controller  60  is in data communication with the player interface and typically includes a processor  62  that processes the game play instructions in accordance with game play rules and outputs game play outcomes to the display. Typically, the game play instructions are stored as program code in a memory  64  but can also be hardwired. Herein the term “processor” is used to refer generically to any device that can process game play instructions in accordance with game play rules and may include: a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logic device or other computational device, a general purpose computer (e.g. a PC) or a server. 
         [0075]    A gaming system in the form of a stand alone gaming machine  10  is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The gaming machine  10  includes a console  12  having a display  14  on which are displayed representations of a game  16  that can be played by a player. A mid-trim  20  of the gaming machine  10  houses a bank of buttons  22  for enabling a player to interact with the gaming machine, in particular during game play. The mid-trim  20  also houses a credit input mechanism  24  which in this example includes a coin input chute  24 A and a bill collector  24 B. Other credit input mechanisms may also be employed, for example, a card reader for reading a smart card, debit card or credit card. A player marketing module (not shown) having a reading device may also be provided for the purpose of reading a player tracking device, for example as part of a loyalty program. The player tracking device may be in the form of a card, flash drive or any other portable storage medium capable of being read by the reading device. 
         [0076]    A top box  26  may carry artwork  28 , 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 panel  29  of the console  12 . A coin tray  30  is mounted beneath the front panel  29  for dispensing cash payouts from the gaming machine  10 . 
         [0077]    The display  14  shown in  FIG. 2  is in the form of a video display unit, particularly a cathode ray tube screen device. Alternatively, the display  14  may be a liquid crystal display, plasma screen, any other suitable video display unit, or the visible portion of an electromechanical device. The top box  26  may also include a display, for example a video display unit, which may be of the same type as the display  14 , or of a different type. It will be appreciated that the multiplier ball of the embodiment needs to be displayed on a video display, however, this could be on the main display  14  or a top box display. Hence, the multiplier ball could be used in combination with a main display  14  formed by an electromechanical device, such as a set of stepper reels of a stepper gaming machine. 
         [0078]      FIG. 3  shows a block diagram of operative components of a typical gaming machine which may be the same as or different to the gaming machine of  FIG. 2 . 
         [0079]    The gaming machine  100  includes a game controller  101  having a processor  102 . Instructions and data to control operation of the processor  102  are stored in a memory  103 , which is in data communication with the processor  102 . Typically, the gaming machine  100  will include both volatile and non-volatile memory and more than one of each type of memory, with such memories being collectively represented by the memory  103 . 
         [0080]    The gaming machine has hardware meters  104  for purposes including ensuring regulatory compliance and monitoring player credit, an input/output (I/O) interface  105  for communicating with peripheral devices of the gaming machine  100 . The input/output interface  105  and/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 module  113  generates random numbers for use by the processor  102 . Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the reference to random numbers includes pseudo-random numbers. 
         [0081]    In the example shown in  FIG. 3 , a player interface  120  includes peripheral devices that communicate with the game controller  101  include one or more displays  106 , a touch screen and/or buttons  107 , a card and/or ticket reader  108 , a printer  109 , a bill acceptor and/or coin input mechanism  110  and a coin output mechanism  111 . Additional hardware may be included as part of the gaming machine  100 , or hardware may be omitted based on the specific implementation. 
         [0082]    In addition, the gaming machine  100  may include a communications interface, for example a network card  112 . 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. 
         [0083]      FIG. 4  shows a block diagram of the main components of an exemplary memory  103 . The memory  103  includes RAM  103 A, EPROM  103 B and a mass storage device  103 C. The RAM  103 A typically temporarily holds program files for execution by the processor  102  and related data. The EPROM  103 B may be a boot ROM device and/or may contain some system or game related code. The mass storage device  103 C is typically used to store game programs, the integrity of which may be verified and/or authenticated by the processor  102  using protected code from the EPROM  103 B or elsewhere. 
         [0084]    It is also possible for the operative components of the gaming machine  100  to be distributed, for example input/output devices  106 , 107 , 108 , 109 , 110 , 111  to be provided remotely from the game controller  101 . 
         [0085]      FIG. 5  shows a gaming system  200  in accordance with an alternative embodiment. The gaming system  200  includes a network  201 , which for example may be an Ethernet network. Gaming machines  202 , shown arranged in three banks  203  of two gaming machines  202  in  FIG. 5 , are connected to the network  201 . The gaming machines  202  provide a player operable interface and may be the same as the gaming machines  10 , 100  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , or may have simplified functionality depending on the rules and/or guidelines for implementing game play. While banks  203  of two gaming machines are illustrated in  FIG. 5 , banks of one, three or more gaming machines are also envisaged. 
         [0086]    One or more displays  204  may also be connected to the network  201 . For example, the displays  204  may be associated with one or more banks  203  of gaming machines. The displays  204  may be used to display representations associated with game play on the gaming machines  202 , and/or used to display other representations, for example promotional or informational material. 
         [0087]    In a thick client embodiment, game server  205  implements part of the game played by a player using a gaming machine  202  and the gaming machine  202  implements part of the game. With this embodiment, as both the game server and the gaming device implement part of the game, they collectively provide a game controller. A database management server  206  may manage storage of game programs and associated data for downloading or access by the gaming devices  202  in a database  206 A. Typically, if the gaming system enables players to participate in a Jackpot game, a Jackpot server  207  will be provided to perform accounting functions for the Jackpot game. A loyalty program server  212  may also be provided. 
         [0088]    In a thin client embodiment, game server  205  implements most or all of the game played by a player using a gaming machine  202  and the gaming machine  202  essentially provides only the player interface. With this embodiment, the game server  205  provides the game controller. The gaming machine will receive player instructions, pass these 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. 
         [0089]    Servers are also typically provided to assist in the administration of the gaming network  200 , including for example a gaming floor management server  208 , and a licensing server  209  to monitor the use of licenses relating to particular games. An administrator terminal  210  is provided to allow an administrator to run the network  201  and the devices connected to the network. 
         [0090]    The gaming system  200  may communicate with other gaming systems, other local networks, for example a corporate network, and/or a wide area network such as the Internet, for example through a firewall  211 . 
         [0091]    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 server  205  could run a random generator engine. Alternatively, a separate random number generator server could be provided. Further, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a plurality of game servers could be provided to run different games or a single game server may run a plurality of different games based on the terminals. 
         [0092]    Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the method of the preferred embodiment could be embodied in program code. The program code could be supplied in a number of ways, for example on a computer readable medium, such as a disc or a memory (for example, that could replace part of memory  103 ) or as a data signal (for example, by downloading it from a server). 
         [0093]    A more detailed schematic view of a gaming system is shown in  FIG. 6  which shows that a number of modules are implemented by processor  62  based on program code stored in memory  64 . Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that other hardware/software implementations are possible. 
         [0094]    In  FIG. 6 , a player plays the game by entering currency with the credit mechanism which is converted to credits by game controller  60  and stored as credit data  647 . The credit data will be modified in accordance with game play and in particular by wager instructions input with the game play mechanism  56  and the prizes evaluated by the prize evaluator  623 . 
         [0095]    The game illustrated in  FIG. 6  is off the type where an outcome generator generated game outcomes by selecting symbols with a symbol selector  621  from symbol data  641  in accordance with a probability table based on a random number obtained from a random number generator  621 . In an embodiment, the game may be a spinning reel game where the symbols are the symbols on a plurality of reels. The prize outcomes are determined by the prize evaluator based on the player&#39;s win entitlement (which is based on the wager the player made) and the prize data  643 . That is, certain game outcomes will be win outcomes for the player. 
         [0096]    Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a player&#39;s win entitlement will vary from game to game and may or may not be dependent on player selections. In most spinning reel games, it is typical for the player&#39;s entitlement to be affected by the amount they wager and selections they wake (i.e. the nature of the wager). For example, a player&#39;s win entitlement may be based on how many lines they will play in each game—i.e. a minimum of one line up to the maximum number of lines allowed by the game (noting that not all permutations of win lines may be available for selection. In many games, the player&#39;s win entitlement is not strictly limited to the lines they have selected, for example, “scatter” pays are awarded independently of a player&#39;s selection of pay lines and are an inherent part of the win entitlement. 
         [0097]    Persons, skilled in the art, will appreciate that in other embodiments, the player may obtain a win entitlement by selecting a number of reels to play. Such games are marketed under the trade name “Reel Power” by Aristocrat Leisure Industries Pty Ltd. The selection of the reel means that each symbol of the reel can be substituted for a symbol at one or more designated display positions. 
         [0098]    In other embodiments a player win entitlement may be defined by purchasing access to particular pay tables—e.g. a first bet amount entitles the player to wins including cherries and a second amount entitles them to wins including plums. The win entitlement is not always purchased—e.g. a series of free games may be awarded. 
         [0099]    A win outcome is determined based on the selected symbols of a game outcome and a player&#39;s win entitlement and a pay table  643  that specifies awards. 
         [0100]    In embodiments of this invention, a win outcome is modified by a win outcome modifier if a modification condition  648  is determined to be met by the modifier controller  624 , for example if the outcome generator  622  generates an outcome that includes a designated symbol or symbol combination. In an embodiment, a modifier may be determined each time a win outcome occurs. Modifiers may be, for example, absolute values or multipliers. The modifiers may include modifiers that do not change the win outcome (particularly in embodiments where a modifier is always calculated). A modifier may be determined in a one stage or two stage process as described in further detail below. Once the modifier is determined and displayed to the player, the prize evaluator  623  modifies the prize outcome and updates credit data  647 . The player may redeem credits via the credit mechanism  52 . 
         [0101]    In most embodiments of this invention, the modifiers are displayed by an object such a spherical ball which is displayed as rotating and having a changing axis of rotation—i.e. which changes at least once and typically multiple times—until the object stops, whereafter the object controller controls the display such that the modifier selected by the modifier controller is apparent—for example buy highlighting the modifier that is to be applied. 
         [0102]    In some embodiments, the object also moves by translation. This provides a novel and effective way of displaying the modifier. Display of the object by display controller  625  is controlled by object controller which controls the movement of the object based on object data  644  and includes and axis changer  626 A—i.e. part of the control is to change the axis of rotation. 
         [0103]    In an embodiment, a composite modifier may be applied. In such an embodiment, a plurality of targets specified by target data  646  are displayed on display  54  and the object is displayed as moving by translation relative to the targets. Each target has an associated further modifier and a target is randomly selected by the modifier controller such that the modifier on the object and the modifier on the target are combined to form a composite modifier which is applied by the prize evaluator  623 . The further modifier may have the effect of adding to the object modifier, negating the object modifier (e.g. a zero multiplier) or making no difference (e.g. a one times multiplier). It will be appreciated that in this embodiment, while the effect of the object, such as a ball, rotating around a changing axis is particularly advantageous, the object need not spin relative to the target while providing the advantageous effect of the modifier being indicated partly by the object and partly by the target. 
         [0104]    Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that while it is described above that the modifiers of the target and object are determined independently, they could be determine as a single modifier which is then split between the object and the target. 
       EXAMPLES  
     Example 1 
       [0105]    In a first example, shown the exemplary displays of  FIG. 7A to 7D . The ball is initially displayed at rest in a first position  710 A within an aperture  720 . From this first display  700 A, it will be seen that there are a plurality of different regions on the ball which correspond to different modifiers, which in these examples are multipliers. The multipliers visible in  FIG. 7A  are a ×2 and a ×50 multiplier. The shapes of the regions are not of particular importance, however, it is assistance if they can be distinguished by either borders or different colours designating different multipliers. 
         [0106]    In  FIG. 7B  there is shown a further display  700 B where the ball is shown as spinning within the aperture  720  such that the multipliers cannot readily be perceived. The spinning is such that the axis of rotation changes at least once. 
         [0107]      FIG. 7C  shows a further view where the ball has stopped at a stop position  710 C with a 2× multiplier  715  at the centre of the ball to indicate that this is the multiplier that will apply. 
         [0108]    In  FIG. 7D , it is shown that the object controller controls the display of the object to further highlight that the ×2 multiplier  715  applies by narrowing the aperture  720 A and highlighting  725  the ×2 multiplier. 
       Example 2 
       [0109]    In the second example, the multiplier ball  830  is displayed as moving by spinning and translating behind a screen  805  which has a number of slots therein  810  to  815  which provide a six different target  810  to  815  associated with six different modifiers  820  to  825 . From the modifiers shown in the exemplary display  800 A, it is seen that the modifier can be a multiplier as indicated by items  820  to  822  or an alternative prize as indicated by items  823  to  825  which correspond to different jackpot levels. That is, in this example, the prize can be modified by being replaced with a jackpot prize or supplemented by a jackpot prize. 
         [0110]    Referring now to  FIG. 8B , it will be seen that the ball  830  has come to a stop position where the 2× multiplier  835  is displayed within slot  812  indicating that a total multiplier of ×30 (i.e. 2×15) will apply to the prize and needs to be implemented by the prize evaluator  623 . 
         [0111]    It will be apparent that the roaming object in this example could also be a dice, a coin (with either win or no win) or any other object. A “no win” target could also be added—i.e. effectively a negating modifier. 
         [0112]    It will also be apparent that this target embodiment can be employed with an object that does not spin—i.e. in a variant where the novel display effect is provided by combining a target having a first modifier and a moving object having a second modifier from which a composite modifier is apparent on the display. 
         [0113]      FIG. 9  shows a flow diagram for an example method  900  for game outcome generation. At  910 , a game outcome is generated. For example, a game outcome is generated by selecting symbols (e.g., with the symbol selector  621 ) from symbol data (e.g., symbol data  641 ) in accordance with a probability table based on a random number (e.g., a random number obtained from a random number generator  621 ). In an embodiment, the game may be a spinning reel game where the symbols are the symbols on a plurality of reels. 
         [0114]    At  920 , a win outcome is determined. For example, win or prize outcome(s) can be determined by a prize evaluator based on the player&#39;s win entitlement (which is based on the wager the player made) and prize data. That is, certain game outcomes will be win outcomes for the player. 
         [0115]    Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a player&#39;s win entitlement will vary from game to game and may or may not be dependent on player selections. In most spinning reel games, it is typical for the player&#39;s entitlement to be affected by the amount they wager and selections they wake (i.e. the nature of the wager). For example, a player&#39;s win entitlement may be based on how many lines they will play in each game—i.e. a minimum of one line up to the maximum number of lines allowed by the game (noting that not all permutations of win lines may be available for selection. In many games, the player&#39;s win entitlement is not strictly limited to the lines they have selected, for example, “scatter” pays are awarded independently of a player&#39;s selection of pay lines and are an inherent part of the win entitlement. 
         [0116]    Persons, skilled in the art, will appreciate that in other embodiments, the player may obtain a win entitlement by selecting a number of reels to play. Such games are marketed under the trade name “Reel Power” by Aristocrat Leisure Industries Pty Ltd. The selection of the reel means that each symbol of the reel can be substituted for a symbol at one or more designated display positions. 
         [0117]    In other embodiments a player win entitlement may be defined by purchasing access to particular pay tables—e.g. a first bet amount entitles the player to wins including cherries and a second amount entitles them to wins including plums. The win entitlement is not always purchased—e.g. a series of free games may be awarded. 
         [0118]    A win outcome can be determined based on the selected symbols of a game outcome and a player&#39;s win entitlement and a pay table  643  that specifies awards, for example. 
         [0119]    At  930 , a modifier may be generated. For example, in certain embodiments, a win outcome is modified by a win outcome modifier if a modification condition (e.g., modification condition  648 ) is met (e.g., based on a determination by the modifier controller  624 ). For example, if the outcome generator  622  generates an outcome that includes a designated symbol or symbol combination, a win outcome modifier is generated. In an embodiment, a modifier may be determined each time a win outcome occurs. Modifiers may be, for example, absolute values or multipliers. The modifiers may include modifiers that do not change the win outcome (particularly in embodiments where a modifier is always calculated). 
         [0120]    At  930 , a game display is controlled by changing an axis of rotation of an object being displayed. For example, one or more modifiers are displayed by an object such a spherical ball which is displayed as rotating and having a changing axis of rotation—i.e. which changes at least once and typically multiple times—until the object stops, whereafter the object controller controls the display such that the modifier selected by the modifier controller is apparent—for example by highlighting the modifier that is to be applied. 
         [0121]    At  940 , a win outcome is modified based on the modifier. For example, once the modifier is determined and displayed to the player, the prize outcome and credit data are modified (e.g., the prize evaluator  623  modifies the prize outcome and updates credit data  647 ). 
         [0122]      FIG. 10  shows a flow diagram for an example method  1000  for game outcome generation. At  1010 , a game outcome is generated. For example, a game outcome is generated by selecting symbols (e.g., with the symbol selector  621 ) from symbol data (e.g., symbol data  641 ) in accordance with a probability table based on a random number (e.g., a random number obtained from a random number generator  621 ). In an embodiment, the game may be a spinning reel game where the symbols are the symbols on a plurality of reels. 
         [0123]    At  1020 , a win outcome is determined. For example, win or prize outcome(s) can be determined by a prize evaluator based on the player&#39;s win entitlement (which is based on the wager the player made) and prize data. That is, certain game outcomes will be win outcomes for the player. 
         [0124]    Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a player&#39;s win entitlement will vary from game to game and may or may not be dependent on player selections. In most spinning reel games, it is typical for the player&#39;s entitlement to be affected by the amount they wager and selections they wake (i.e. the nature of the wager). For example, a player&#39;s win entitlement may be based on how many lines they will play in each game—i.e. a minimum of one line up to the maximum number of lines allowed by the game (noting that not all permutations of win lines may be available for selection. In many games, the player&#39;s win entitlement is not strictly limited to the lines they have selected, for example, “scatter” pays are awarded independently of a player&#39;s selection of pay lines and are an inherent part of the win entitlement. 
         [0125]    Persons, skilled in the art, will appreciate that in other embodiments, the player may obtain a win entitlement by selecting a number of reels to play. Such games are marketed under the trade name “Reel Power” by Aristocrat Leisure Industries Pty Ltd. The selection of the reel means that each symbol of the reel can be substituted for a symbol at one or more designated display positions. 
         [0126]    In other embodiments a player win entitlement may be defined by purchasing access to particular pay tables—e.g. a first bet amount entitles the player to wins including cherries and a second amount entitles them to wins including plums. The win entitlement is not always purchased—e.g. a series of free games may be awarded. 
         [0127]    A win outcome can be determined based on the selected symbols of a game outcome and a player&#39;s win entitlement and a pay table  643  that specifies awards, for example. 
         [0128]    At  1030 , a modifier may be generated. For example, in certain embodiments, a win outcome is modified by a win outcome modifier if a modification condition (e.g., modification condition  648 ) is met (e.g., based on a determination by the modifier controller  624 ). For example, if the outcome generator  622  generates an outcome that includes a designated symbol or symbol combination, a win outcome modifier is generated. In an embodiment, a modifier may be determined each time a win outcome occurs. Modifiers may be, for example, absolute values or multipliers. The modifiers may include modifiers that do not change the win outcome (particularly in embodiments where a modifier is always calculated). 
         [0129]    At  1030 , a game display is controlled by moving an object relative to a target being displayed. For example, display of the object by display controller  625  is controlled by an object controller which controls the movement of the object based on object data  644  and includes and axis changer  626 A—i.e. part of the control is to change the axis of rotation. 
         [0130]    At  1040 , a win outcome is modified based on the modifier. For example, once the modifier is determined and displayed to the player, the prize outcome and credit data are modified (e.g., the prize evaluator  623  modifies the prize outcome and updates credit data  647 ). 
         [0131]    It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0132]    It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. 
         [0133]    In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context indicates otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. 
         [0134]    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 and/or aspects without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments and aspects are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Several embodiments are described above with reference to the drawings. These drawings illustrate certain details of specific embodiments that implement the systems and methods and programs of the present invention. However, describing the invention with drawings should not be construed as imposing on the invention any limitations associated with features shown in the drawings. The present invention contemplates methods, systems and program products on any electronic device and/or machine-readable media suitable for accomplishing its operations. Certain embodiments of the present invention may be implemented using an existing computer processor and/or by a special purpose computer processor incorporated for this or another purpose or by a hardwired system, for example. 
         [0135]    Embodiments within the scope of the present invention include program products comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readable media may comprise RAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. When information is transferred or provided over a network or another communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to a machine, the machine properly views the connection as a machine-readable medium. Thus, any such a connection is properly termed a machine-readable medium. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions comprise, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions.