Patent Publication Number: US-2011053682-A1

Title: Gaming system and a method of gaming

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application relates to and claims the benefit of priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2009904181, filed on Aug. 28, 2009, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a gaming system and a method of gaming. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In some gaming systems, a player of an individual gaming machine can qualify to play a bonus game conducted by another gaming apparatus. For example, a particular gaming outcome may entitle the player to the bonus game. 
     In other gaming systems a plurality of players may qualify to play a bonus game where players compete against one another, with one or more players receiving an award based on their placing in the bonus game. 
     While such gaming systems provide players with enjoyment, a need exists for alternative gaming systems in order to maintain or increase player enjoyment. 
     SUMMARY 
     In a first aspect, the invention provides a gaming system including a plurality of gaming devices, the gaming devices interconnected within the gaming system in such a manner that when a first award is made in respect of one of the gaming devices, the gaming system conducts an independent determination for each eligible gaming device of the one or more other gaming devices of the plurality of gaming devices to determine whether to provide a corresponding award to one or more eligible gaming devices. 
     In an embodiment, conducting an independent determination includes determining whether to award a qualifying game to each gaming device, conducting the qualifying game for each gaming device to which the qualifying game is awarded and awarding the corresponding award for a winning outcome of the qualifying game. 
     In an embodiment, each eligible gaming device is arranged to conduct the qualifying game. 
     In an embodiment, the qualifying game is a chance game where there are designated odds of the corresponding award being awarded. 
     In an embodiment, each gaming device is arranged to determine whether to make the first award. 
     In an embodiment, the gaming system includes a controller, each gaming device in data communication with the controller such that the gaming devices are interconnected by being connected to the controller. 
     In an embodiment, the controller determines whether to award each qualifying game. 
     In an embodiment, the controller is arranged to determine which of the plurality of gaming devices are eligible. 
     In an embodiment, the corresponding award is equivalent to the first award. 
     In an embodiment, the first award is an award of a number of free game events. 
     In an embodiment, the determination as to whether to award a qualifying game to each gaming device is random such that the number of gaming devices in respect of which a qualifying game is conducted is random. 
     In an embodiment, every active gaming device is eligible. 
     In an embodiment, a gaming device is eligible if a designated wager has been placed. 
     In an embodiment, the controller includes a participation module which determines which gaming devices will be awarded a qualifying game. 
     In an embodiment, each gaming device includes a qualifying game generator for generating a qualifying game outcome. 
     In an embodiment, each gaming device includes a qualifying outcome evaluator for evaluating a qualifying game outcome. 
     In an embodiment, each gaming device includes a feature game generator for generating a feature game outcome and a feature game outcome evaluator for evaluating the feature game to determine whether to make an award. 
     In a second aspect, the invention provides a method of gaming in a gaming system including: 
     making a first award in respect of one of a plurality of interconnected gaming devices; and 
     determining in response to making the first award, whether to provide a corresponding award to one or more other gaming devices of the plurality of gaming devices by conducting an independent determination in respect of each eligible gaming device of the other gaming devices as to whether to provide the corresponding award to the respective eligible gaming device. 
     In an embodiment, conducting an independent determination includes determining whether to award a qualifying game to each gaming device, conducting the qualifying game for each gaming device to which the qualifying game is awarded and awarding the corresponding award for a winning outcome of the qualifying game. 
     In an embodiment, the qualifying game is a chance game where there are designated odds of the corresponding award being awarded. 
     In an embodiment, the corresponding award is equivalent to the first award. 
     In an embodiment, the first award is an award of a number of free game events. 
     In an embodiment, the determination as to whether to award a qualifying game to each gaming device is random such that the number of gaming devices in respect of which a qualifying game is conducted is random. 
     In an embodiment, every active gaming device is eligible. 
     In an embodiment, a gaming device is eligible if a designated wager has been placed. 
     In a third aspect, the invention provides a gaming system including: 
     means for making a first award at one of a plurality of interconnected gaming devices; and 
     means for determining in response to making the first award, whether to provide a corresponding award to one or more other gaming devices of the plurality of gaming devices by conducting an independent determination in respect of each eligible gaming device of the other gaming devices as to whether to provide the corresponding award to the respective eligible gaming device. 
     In a fourth aspect, the invention provides a gaming device for operation as one of a plurality of gaming devices of a gaming system, the gaming device arranged in such a manner that when a first award is made in respect of the gaming device, the gaming device causes the gaming system to conduct an independent determination for each eligible gaming device of the one or more other gaming devices of the plurality of gaming devices to determine whether to provide a corresponding award to each respective eligible gaming device. 
     In an embodiment, the gaming device is further arranged to provide a corresponding award in response to a determination by the gaming system to provide a corresponding award caused by an award being made on another one of the gaming devices. 
     In a fifth aspect, the invention provides computer program code which when executed implements the above method. 
     In a sixth aspect, the invention provides a computer readable storage medium including the program code. 
     In a seventh aspect, the invention includes transmitting the program code. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       Certain exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a gaming system with a linked game controller; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a stand alone gaming machine; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of the functional components of a gaming machine; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of the functional components of a memory; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of a network gaming system; 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a linked game controller; 
         FIG. 7  is a functional block diagram of a linked game controller; 
         FIG. 8  is a flow chart of an embodiment; and 
         FIG. 9  is a functional block diagram of a gaming device in the form of a standalone gaming machine. 
     
    
    
     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 
     Although the following discloses example methods, systems, articles of manufacture, and apparatus including, among other components, software executed on hardware, it should be noted that such methods and apparatus are merely illustrative and should not be considered as limiting. For example, it is contemplated that any or all of these hardware and software components could be embodied exclusively in hardware, exclusively in software, exclusively in firmware, or in any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Accordingly, while the following describes example methods, systems, articles of manufacture, and apparatus, the examples provided are not the only way to implement such methods, systems, articles of manufacture, and apparatus. 
     When any of the appended claims are read to cover a purely software and/or firmware implementation, at least one of the elements in an at least one example is hereby expressly defined to include a tangible medium such as a memory, DVD, CD, Blu-ray, etc., storing the software and/or firmware. 
     Overview of Exemplary Gaming System 
       FIG. 1  shows an exemplary gaming system  1  where a linked game controller  150  is in data communication over a network  2 , such as an Ethernet, with a bank of five gaming devices in the form of standalone gaming machines  10 . When a first award is made in respect of one of the gaming machines, for example an award of 10 free games at the gaming device, the gaming system determines whether to make a corresponding award, for example, an award of 10 free games, in respect of the other gaming devices. In an embodiment, the linked game controller  150  determines for each eligible gaming device whether a qualifying game should be awarded and the qualifying game is conducted to determine whether to make the award. In an embodiment, the qualifying game is conducted at the gaming device. 
     Gaming Devices 
     Gaming devices capable of participating in the gaming system and method of gaming of the embodiment can take any suitable form including stand alone gaming machines and server based gaming terminals. 
     A gaming device 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. Other gaming machines may be configured for ticket in that they have a ticket reader for reading tickets having a value and crediting the player based on the face value of the ticker. 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. In some embodiments, the player marketing module may provide an additional credit mechanism, either by transferring credits to the gaming machine from credits stored on the player tracking device or by transferring credits from a player account in data communication with the player marketing module. 
     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 . 
     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. 
       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 . 
     The gaming machine  100  includes a game controller  101  having a processor  102  mounted on a circuit board. 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 . 
     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. 
     In the example shown in  FIG. 3 , a player interface  120  includes peripheral devices that communicate with the game controller  101  including one or more displays  106 , a touch screen and/or buttons  107  (which provide a game play mechanism), 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. For example, while buttons or touch screens are typically used in gaming machines to allow a player to place a wager and initiate a play of a game any input device that enables the player to input game play instructions may be used. 
     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 bonus controller, central controller, server or database and receive data or commands from the bonus controller, central controller, server or database. In embodiments employing a player marketing module, communications over a network may be via player marketing module—i.e. the player marketing module may be in data communication with one or more of the above devices and communicate with it on behalf of the gaming machine. 
       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. 
     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 . 
     In a client server architecture a gaming device is provided by a gaming client and game server (and optionally other gaming network components). A gaming client has a similar outward appearance to gaming machine  10  but the game server implements most or all of the game and as such acts as the game controller while the terminal operated by the player essentially provides only the player interface. The gaming terminal receives player instructions, pass these to the game server which will process them and return game play outcomes to the gaming machine for display. Further details of a client/server gaming architecture can be found in WO 2006/052213 and PCT/SE2006/000559, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. In such an embodiment, a linked game controller can be provided, for example, by a dedicated server in data communication with the game server. 
       FIG. 5  shows that a gaming device may be connected within a gaming network  200  which provides additional and/or enhanced functionality. The gaming network  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 . While banks  203  of two gaming machines are illustrated in  FIG. 5 , banks of one, three or more gaming machines are also envisaged. 
     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. 
     A linked game controller can be provided within such a network  200  by linked game server  205 , such that the linked game server may implement a linked game for a plurality of different banks of gaming machines rather than a specific controller being provide for each bank of gaming machines. 
     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. 
     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. 
     The gaming network  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 . 
     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. 
     Further Detail of Gaming System 
       FIG. 9  is a functional block diagram of a gaming device  900  in the form of a stand alone gaming machine. The gaming device  900  may be the same or different to gaming machine  10 , 100  described above. In  FIG. 9 , the processor  930  of game controller  920  is shown implementing a number of modules based on program code and data stored in memory  940 . Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that various of the modules  931 , 932 , 933 , 934  could be implemented in some other way, for example as hardware by a dedicated circuit. In one embodiment, at least one embodiment at least one module is implemented as hardware. 
     The gaming device  900  includes a player interface  910  having a display  911  for displaying game outcomes to a player and a game play mechanism  912  including input devices such as touch screen or buttons to enable the player to interact with the game by placing wagers and entering any other instructions required to play the game. Game play mechanism  912  also enables the player to interact with the gaming device to learn game rules etc. The player interface  910  includes a credit mechanism  913  allowing the player to input credit into the gaming device  900  and/or be paid out any winnings or remaining credit—i.e. the credit balance will be changed by playing of the game. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that other components will be present in a gaming device  900  such as those described in relation to  FIGS. 2 to 4  above. The memory  940  includes program code for implementing a game including base game rule data  941  for implementing the rules of a base game. 
     The processor  930  when executing the program code stored in memory  940  is arranged to generate outcomes of the game in response to the operation of the game play mechanism  912 . The outcomes are generated with the outcome generator  931 . The outcome evaluator  932  evaluates the game outcomes that are generated based on the game rules (as described further below) and the wager specified with the game play mechanism  912  and updates meter data  942  which stores a credit meter and a win meter for the game. That is, placing a wager deducts credits from the credit meter, any winnings are cumulatively added to the win meter during a play of the game. At the end of a play of the game, any winnings are transferred from the win meter to the credit meter. The processor  930  also implements a communication module  933  which is intended to communicate by communication interface  950  with the linked game controller. 
     In the embodiment, when the player initially operates the game play mechanism  912  the outcome generator  931  operates as a base game generator  931 C to generate an outcome based on base game rules  941  and values obtained from random number generator  934  which is then evaluated by outcome evaluator  932  (which will effectively be a base game evaluator  932 B). In the embodiment, the outcome evaluator  932  has a trigger monitor  932 A arranged to determine whether a feature game trigger rule  943  has been satisfied such that an award is made to the player of a feature game, which may be a number of free game outcomes, a second screen feature, a re-spin feature or some other feature game known in the art. In the embodiment, the trigger monitor  932 A then causes outcome generator to act as a feature game generator  931 B to carry out the feature game based on feature game data  944  and generate one or more feature game outcomes evaluated by outcome evaluator  932  (which will effectively be a feature game evaluator  932 C). In addition, trigger monitor advises communication module  933  that an award has been which communicates via communication interface with the linked game controller  150 . 
     Linked Game Controller And Its Operation 
     Referring to  FIG. 6  there is shown further detail of the link game controller  150 . From  FIG. 6  it will be apparent that link game controller  150  is in data communication with a communal display  160  on which game outcomes can be displayed to the players playing the bank of gaming machines  10  shown in  FIG. 1 . In other embodiments, the gaming outcomes could be displayed on a top box of the individual gaming machines  10 , rather than being displayed on a communal display, or in addition to such a communal display. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the constitution of the linked game controller  150  is similar to that of the gaming device illustrated in relation to  FIGS. 2 to 4  and  9  in that it has a processor  151  arranged to implement the linked game based on program code stored in memory  152  and a display driver  154  for driving the display  160  to show the linked game outcome. The linked game controller  150  also includes a communication interface  153  which is designed to enable the processor  151  to communicate with each of the gaming devices  10 . 
     Persons skilled in the art will appreciate the above components are the core components for implementing a linked game but other components may be present in a linked game controller. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the implementation of the linked game controller is analogous to the implementation of bonus controllers in existing gaming systems and reference may be made to such bonus controllers for further details of implementation. While the linked game controller  150  is shown in  FIG. 1  as a separate entity to the gaming devices  10 , on an alternative embodiment, it could be provided by one of the gaming machines incorporating a server module arranged to implement the linked game controller in the manner described in Australian patent application 2008205413 filed 13 Aug. 2008. 
       FIG. 7  is a functional block diagram of the linked game controller  150  which shows that the processor  151  implements a number of modules in a similar manner to the processor of the gaming device shown in  FIG. 9 . AS above, in one embodiment, at least one module  703 , 704 , 705  is implemented by a dedicated circuit—e.g. the RNG  705 . The processor executes program code stored in memory  152  to instantiate a participation module  703  which communicates via data communication interface  153  with each of the gaming devices  10 / 900 . Participation module  703  includes a trigger monitor  703 A which is designed to monitor for receipt of a trigger signal from one of the gaming devices indicative that an award has been made on that device and identifying the award. The participation module  703  has an eligibility module  703 B that determines which of the gaming devices are eligible based eligibility rule data  711 . An eligibility rule may be that a gaming device has been active within a defined period or has been both active and had a qualifying bet placed, for example a max bet or an ante bet. In one example, this is achieved by polling each of the gaming devices. In another example the gaming devices may regularly communicate there eligibility over the network and the eligibility module  703 B may process data received over the network from each of the individual gaming devices to determine which machine are eligible. 
     In any event, once eligibility has been determined, the participation module  703  determines based on participation rule data  712  which gaming devices will be eligible to participate in a qualifying game for the award. In one embodiment, participation rule data  712  specifies that all gaming device will be eligible to participate. In another embodiment, participation rule data  712  causes participation module to employ random number generator  705  to determine which gaming machines of the plurality of connected gaming machines (other than the triggering gaming machine) will participate. For example, the participation rules may be cause the participation module  703  to select on average three machines out of four to participate. 
     Participation module  703  then communicates with at least the participating gaming devices to instruct them to conduct a qualifying game. It may optionally advise the non-participating gaming devices that they are not to participate. If necessary to the embodiment, participation module  703  also communicates the award which is to be made if the gaming device qualifies. That is in one embodiment the same award may always be made such that it is not necessary to communicate its identity. In other embodiments the award may vary, for example a varying number of free games may be awarded depending on the award on the triggering machine. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the award need not be identical on each gaming machine or identical to the triggering award but in one advantageous embodiment it is the same. 
     Operation of Gaming Device In Response To Participation 
     Referring again to  FIG. 9 , when the communication module  933  of game controller  920  receives participation data via communication interface indicating that it is to participate. Award initiator  933 A waits until an appropriate time, such as completion of a current play and then advices the player that a qualifying game is to begin and causes outcome generator  931  to act as a qualifying outcome generator  931 C based on qualifying game data  945 . In one example, the qualifying game is a game of chance where the player has defined odds, such as 1 in 4, of winning the qualifying game. Qualifying outcome evaluator  932 D of outcome evaluator  932  determines whether the player qualifies. If the player qualifies game controller  920  implements the award, in this example by feature game outcome generator  931 B conducting the communicated award (in the form of a feature game) which is evaluated by feature game evaluator  932 C of outcome evaluator  932  with any prizes reflected in meter data  942 . 
     An example a method of gaming is illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 8  depicts an example flow diagram representative of processes that may be implemented using, for example, computer readable instructions that may be used to facilitate game play. The example processes of  FIG. 8  may be performed using a processor, a controller and/or any other suitable processing device. For example, the example processes of  FIG. 8  may be implemented using coded instructions (e.g., computer readable instructions) stored on a tangible computer readable medium such as a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), and/or a random-access memory (RAM). As used herein, the term tangible computer readable medium is expressly defined to include any type of computer readable storage and to exclude propagating signals. Additionally or alternatively, the example processes of  FIG. 8  may be implemented using coded instructions (e.g., computer readable instructions) stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium such as a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), a random-access memory (RAM), a cache, or any other storage media in which information is stored for any duration (e.g., for extended time periods, permanently, brief instances, for temporarily buffering, and/or for caching of the information). As used herein, the term non-transitory computer readable medium is expressly defined to include any type of computer readable medium and to exclude propagating signals. 
     Alternatively, some or all of the example processes of  FIG. 8  may be implemented using any combination(s) of application specific integrated circuit(s) (ASIC(s)), programmable logic device(s) (PLD(s)), field programmable logic device(s) (FPLD(s)), discrete logic, hardware, firmware, etc. Also, some or all of the example processes of  FIG. 8  may be implemented manually or as any combination(s) of any of the foregoing techniques, for example, any combination of firmware, software, discrete logic and/or hardware. Further, although the example processes of  FIG. 8  are described with reference to the flow diagram of  FIG. 8 , other methods of implementing the processes of  FIG. 8  may be employed. For example, the order of execution of the blocks may be changed, and/or some of the blocks described may be changed, eliminated, sub-divided, or combined. Additionally, any or all of the example processes of  FIG. 8  may be performed sequentially and/or in parallel by, for example, separate processing threads, processors, devices, discrete logic, circuits, etc. 
     The method of embodiment is summarised in  FIG. 8  which shows that the method involves a gaming device receiving  810  an award, determining  820  eligible gaming devices, determining  830  which of these will participate, and conducting  840  any necessary qualifying games to determine  850  whether an award. An award is then made  860 , for example by carrying out the feature game. 
     Further aspects of the method will be apparent from the above description of the system. It will be appreciated that at least part of the method will be implemented digitally by a processor. Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the method could be embodied in program code. The program code could be supplied in a number of ways, for example on a tangible computer readable storage 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 transmitting it from a server). Persons skilled in the art, will appreciate that program code provides a series of instructions executable by the processor. 
     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. That is a processor may be provided by any suitable logic circuitry for receiving inputs, processing them in accordance with instructions stored in memory and generating outputs (for example on the display). Such processors are sometimes also referred to as central processing units (CPUs). Most processors are general purpose units, however, it is also know to provide a specific purpose processor using, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA). 
     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, in particular it will be apparent that certain features of embodiments of the invention can be employed to form further embodiments. 
     For example, an award can be other than by gaming machine, for example, a system component such as a jackpot controller  205  may make an award, this may be communicated via the gaming device to the controller  150  or directly to the controller  150 . In this example, the award may be, for example, a consolation award of five free spins. Other free game events may be awarded such as re-spins (where some reels are held while others are re-spun). 
     In addition, it is described above that a qualifying game is conducted by each gaming device. In another embodiment a qualifying game may be conducted in some other manner, for example by the linked game controller individually for each device or as a group game. Person skilled in the art will appreciate that an embodiment above, two separate random determinations are made which decide whether the award is made. In other embodiments a single random determination may be made. In an alternative embodiment the award may be made solely based on eligibility criteria. 
     It is to be understood that, if any prior art is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the prior art forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art in any country. 
     In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires 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. 
     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. For example, it will be apparent that certain features of the invention can be combined to form further embodiments. 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. 
     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, DVD, Blu-ray, 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. 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.