Patent Publication Number: US-9886823-B2

Title: Gaming system and a method of gaming

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/242,166 having a filing date of Sep. 30, 2008, which claims priority to Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2007905348 having a filing date of Oct. 1, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a gaming system, a method of gaming, a game controller and computer program code. 
     BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
     Many gaming machines provide a feature game which is triggered in response to a trigger event occurring in a base game. Such feature games often award more prizes or higher prizes than the base game or are “free” in the sense that no further investment is required by the player to play the feature game. 
     While such gaming machines provide users with enjoyment, a need exists for alternative gaming systems in order to maintain or increase player enjoyment. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In a first aspect the invention provides a method of gaming comprising: 
     conducting a base game; 
     modifying a current value of a feature counter by a random value in response to a designated counter event occurring in the base game; 
     determining whether the current value of the feature counter corresponds to one of a plurality of feature games in response to a feature trigger event occurring; and 
     conducting any feature game to which the current value of the feature counter corresponds. 
     In an embodiment, the designated counter event is the completion of a designated number of game rounds in the base game. 
     In an embodiment, the designated number is one. 
     In an embodiment, the designated number is two. 
     In an embodiment, the designated counter event is the occurrence of a symbol combination in the base game. 
     In an embodiment, different ranges of counter values are allocated to each of the plurality of feature games, and the determination as to whether a feature game corresponds to the current value of the counter is based on the allocated ranges. 
     In an embodiment, at least one range of counter values is not allocated to a feature game such that if the current counter value is within that range when a feature trigger event occurs, a feature game is not conducted. 
     In an embodiment, the feature counter is modified by subtraction. 
     In an embodiment, the feature counter is modified by addition. 
     In an embodiment, the feature counter represents a time period and each of the features corresponds to a period in history. 
     In an embodiment, the random value is determined in a bonus game. 
     In an embodiment, the bonus game is a spinning wheel game, the wheel having a plurality of segments corresponding to a plurality of values and wherein the wheel is spun and the value determined based on a random stopping position of the wheel. 
     In an embodiment, wherein the prize value of the feature game is related to the size of the current value of the feature counter. 
     In an embodiment, the method comprises resetting the feature counter in response to at least a determination that a new game session is to be conducted. 
     In a second aspect the invention provides a game controller comprising a feature counter, the game controller arranged to: 
     conduct a base game; 
     modify a current value of a feature counter by a random value in response to a designated counter event occurring in the base game; 
     determine whether the current value of the feature counter corresponds to one of a plurality of feature games in response to a feature trigger event occurring; and 
     conduct any feature game to which the current value of the feature counter corresponds. 
     In an embodiment, the game controller comprises a modification module arranged to modify the feature game counter by a random value. 
     In an embodiment, the game controller comprises an available feature module arranged to carry out the determination of whether a current value of the feature counter corresponds to one of a plurality of feature games in response to a feature trigger event occurring in the base game. 
     In an embodiment, the designated counter event is the completion of a designated number of game rounds in the base game. 
     In an embodiment, the designated counter event is the occurrence of a symbol combination in the base game. 
     In an embodiment, different ranges of counter values are allocated to each of the plurality of feature games, and the determination as to whether a feature game corresponds to the current value of the counter is based on the allocated ranges. 
     In an embodiment, at least one range of counter values is not allocated to a feature game such that if the current counter value is within that range when a feature trigger event occurs, a feature game is not conducted. 
     In an embodiment, the feature counter is modified by subtraction. 
     In an embodiment, the feature counter is modified by addition. 
     In an embodiment, the feature counter represents a time period and each of the features corresponds to a period in history. 
     In an embodiment, the game controller comprises a bonus game module for conducting a bonus game to determine the random value. 
     In an embodiment, the bonus game is a spinning wheel game, the wheel having a plurality of segments corresponding to a plurality of values and wherein the wheel is spun and the value determined based on a random stopping position of the wheel. 
     In an embodiment, the prize value of the feature game is related to the size of the current value of the feature counter. 
     In an embodiment, the game controller is arranged to reset the feature counter in response to at least a determination that a new game session is to be conducted. 
     In an embodiment, the game controller is implemented, at least in part by a processor executing program instructions stored in a memory. 
     In a third aspect the invention provides a gaming system comprising: 
     a player interface; and 
     a game controller comprising a feature counter, the game controller arranged to: 
     conduct a base game; 
     modify a current value of a feature counter by a random value in response to a designated counter event occurring in the base game; 
     determine whether the current value of the feature counter corresponds to one of a plurality of feature games in response to a feature trigger event occurring; and 
     conduct any feature game to which the current value of the feature counter corresponds. 
     In an embodiment, the player interface comprises a display for displaying play of the base game, the feature counter and any feature game. 
     In an embodiment, the gaming system comprises a game play mechanism operable by the player to initiate a play of the base game. 
     In an embodiment, the game controller comprises a modification module arranged to modify the feature game counter by a random value. 
     In an embodiment, the game controller comprises an available feature module arranged to carry out the determination of whether a current value of the feature counter corresponds to one of a plurality of feature games in response to a feature trigger event occurring in the base game. 
     In an embodiment, the designated counter event is the completion of a designated number of game rounds in the base game. 
     In an embodiment, the designated counter event is the occurrence of a symbol combination in the base game. 
     In an embodiment, different ranges of counter values are allocated to each of the plurality of feature games, and the determination as to whether a feature game corresponds to the current value of the counter is based on the allocated ranges. 
     In an embodiment, at least one range of counter values is not allocated to a feature game such that if the current counter value is within that range when a feature trigger event occurs, a feature game is not conducted. 
     In an embodiment, the game controller comprises a bonus game module for conducting a bonus game to determine the random value. 
     In an embodiment, the bonus game is a spinning wheel game, the wheel having a plurality of segments corresponding to a plurality of values and wherein the wheel is spun and the value determined based on a random stopping position of the wheel. 
     In an embodiment, the prize value of the feature game is related to the size of the current value of the feature counter. 
     In an embodiment, the game controller is arranged to reset the feature counter in response to at least a determination that a new game session is to be conducted. 
     In an embodiment, the game controller is implemented, at least in part by a processor executing program instructions stored in a memory. 
     In a fourth aspect the invention provides a method of gaming comprising: 
     conducting a base game; 
     modifying a current position of a feature indicator by a random amount in response to a designated indicator event occurring in the base game; 
     determining whether the current position of the feature indicator corresponds to one of a plurality of feature games in response to a feature trigger event occurring; and 
     conducting any feature game to which the current position of the feature indicator corresponds. 
     In an embodiment, the designated indicator event is the completion of a designated number of game rounds in the base game. 
     In an embodiment, the designated indicator event is the occurrence of a symbol combination in the base game. 
     In an embodiment, the random value is determined in a bonus game. 
     In an embodiment, the bonus game is a spinning wheel game, the wheel having a plurality of segments corresponding to a plurality of values and wherein the wheel is spun and the value determined based on a random stopping position of the wheel. 
     In a fifth aspect the invention provides a game controller comprising a feature indicator, the game controller arranged to: 
     conduct a base game; 
     modify a current position of a feature indicator by a random amount in response to a designated indicator event occurring in the base game; 
     determine whether the current position of the feature indicator corresponds to one of a plurality of feature games in response to a feature trigger event occurring; and 
     conduct any feature game to which the current position of the feature indicator corresponds. 
     In an embodiment, the designated indicator event is the completion of a designated number of game rounds in the base game. 
     In an embodiment, the designated indicator event is the occurrence of a symbol combination in the base game. 
     In an embodiment, the game controller comprises a bonus game value arranged to conduct a bonus game to determine the random value. 
     In an embodiment, the bonus game is a spinning wheel game, the wheel having a plurality of segments corresponding to a plurality of values and wherein the wheel is spun and the value determined based on a random stopping position of the wheel. 
     In a sixth aspect the invention provides a gaming system comprising: 
     a player interface; and 
     a game controller arranged to: 
     conduct a base game; 
     modify a current position of a feature indicator by a random amount in response to a designated indicator event occurring in the base game; 
     determine whether the current position of the feature indicator corresponds to one of a plurality of feature games in response to a feature trigger event occurring; and 
     conduct any feature game to which the current position of the feature indicator corresponds. 
     In an embodiment, the designated indicator event is the completion of a designated number of game rounds in the base game. 
     In an embodiment, the designated indicator event is the occurrence of a symbol combination in the base game. 
     In an embodiment, the game controller comprises a bonus game value arranged to conduct a bonus game to determine the random value. 
     In an embodiment, the bonus game is a spinning wheel game, the wheel having a plurality of segments corresponding to a plurality of values and wherein the wheel is spun and the value determined based on a random stopping position of the wheel. 
     In a seventh aspect the invention provides computer program code which when executed implements any of the above methods. 
     In an eighth aspect the invention provides a computer readable medium comprising the above program code. 
     In a ninth aspect the invention provides a data signal comprising the above program code. 
     In a tenth aspect, the invention extends to transmitting the program code. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       An embodiment of the invention will now be described in relation to the following drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of the core components of a gaming system; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a gaming machine; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of the functional components of a gaming machine; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram representing the structure of a memory; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram schematic of a networked gaming system; 
         FIG. 6  is a further block diagram of the gaming system; 
         FIG. 7  is a flow chart of an embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary wheel for a bonus game; and 
         FIGS. 9A to 9C  are examples of a display indicating a player&#39;s progress towards different feature levels. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The embodiment provides a gaming system having a game controller arranged to conduct a base game and each of a plurality of feature games. When a designated counter event occurs in the base game, a feature counter is modified by a random value. If a feature trigger event occurs in the base game it is determined whether a current value of the feature counter corresponds to one of a plurality of feature games. If there is a correspondence, the relevant feature game is conducted. 
     In a first form, a stand alone gaming machine is provided wherein all or most components required for implementing the game are present in a player operable gaming machine. 
     In a second form, a distributed architecture is provided wherein some of the components required for implementing the game are present in a player operable gaming machine and some of the components required for implementing the game are located remotely relative to the gaming machine. For example, a “thick client” architecture may be used wherein part of the game is executed on a player operable gaming machine and part of the game is executed remotely, such as by a gaming server; or a “thin client” architecture may be used wherein most of the game is executed remotely such as by a gaming server and a player operable gaming machine is used only to display audible and/or visible gaming information to the player and receive gaming inputs from the player. 
     However, it will be understood that other arrangements are envisaged. For example, an architecture may be provided wherein a gaming machine is networked to a gaming server and the respective functions of the gaming machine and the gaming server are selectively modifiable. For example, the gaming system may operate in stand alone gaming machine mode, “thick client” mode or “thin client” mode depending on the game being played, operating conditions, and so on. Other variations will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. 
     Irrespective of the form, the gaming system has 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 required for the player to enter instructions and play the game. 
     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, and a speaker  58 . 
     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. 
     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 is 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 may be provided having a reading device 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. 
     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 . 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 , buttons and/or a touch screen  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 as required for the specific implementation. 
     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. 
       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 . 
       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 requirements 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. 
     One or more displays  204  may also be connected to the network  201 . The displays  204  may, for example, 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. 
     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 monitor and carry out the Jackpot game. A loyalty program server  212  may also be provided. 
     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. 
     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 games servers could be provided to run different games or a single game server may run a plurality of different games as required by the terminals. 
     In the embodiment, the base game is a spinning reel type game. Gaming systems for implementing games that involve a display of spinning reels as part of the display of the outcome of a game have either a video display or a mechanical display, these later machines most usually being “stepper” machines which have a separate stepper motor for each reel. 
     In some implementations the game controllers of such gaming machines select symbols by employing a stop determining function that randomly determines the stop position for each reel. For example, if there are five reels, each having twenty symbols, the stop determining function might determine that the stop positions are positions:  3 ,  13 ,  7 ,  9  and  17 . The spinning of the reels is then controlled so that each symbol comes to a stop in the same row, typically a predetermined row in a “window” visible to the player on the display which corresponds to a player playing a single win line. When a reel stops, the symbols will be in one of a plurality of possible symbol positions for that reel relative to the stop position. 
     Gaming systems typically allow a player to select how many win lines of a plurality of win lines they will play in each game—i.e. a minimum of one win line up to the maximum number of win lines allowed by the game. Each win line is formed by a set of symbol positions consisting of one symbol position from each reel. That is, a predetermined symbol position of each reel is assigned to a win line. The symbol positions that constitute each of the win lines are usually advertised to the player by markings on the display or diagrams showing the symbol positions that correspond to each win line. Other techniques for allowing the paler to make a bet are known such as allowing a player to select a number of reels to play. 
     The game controller  60  of the embodiment is shown in more detail in  FIG. 6 . 
     In  FIG. 6  a number of modules are implemented by the processor  62  including random number generator  621 , base game module  622 , counter modification module  623 , available feature module  624 , feature game module  625  and display controller  626 . In this embodiment, the modules are implemented as software executed by the processor. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in other embodiments, one or more of the modules may be implemented on a different processor, for example, the random number generator  621  may be implemented on a random number generator server. Further, not all of the modules need be implemented as software executed by a processor and could be implemented by dedicated hardware. 
     In the embodiment, play of the game including the input of player instructions and the display of the game is via the player interface  50 . Initially play begins with a player playing a base game under the control of the base game module  622  which implements the base game in accordance with base game data  641  which as described above will be a spinning reel type game carried out in accordance with techniques known in the art. In this respect it will be appreciated that in one example of a spinning reel type game the base game module  622  will employ the random number generator  621  to select stopping positions for a plurality of reels. During play of the base game, the counter event monitor  622 B of the base game module  622  determines whether an event has occurred in the base game which should result in a modification of a counter stored as counter data  642 . Depending on the embodiment, the counter may or may not be reset. If the counter is reset, the counter may be reset each time a game session is initiated or each time a gaming machine is not played for a predetermined time depending on the specific embodiment. Depending on the embodiment the counter event monitor  622 B can monitor for different counter events including the completion of each game round such that the counter is modified after each game round, the completion of a plurality of game rounds, or the occurrence of a particular symbol or symbol combination during the base game. 
     Once the counter event monitor  622 B determines that a counter event has occurred, it advises the counter modification module  623  which determines a modification to apply to the current value of the counter stored as counter data  642 . In the embodiment, the counter modification module  623  modifies the counter by implementing a bonus game using bonus game module  623 A. In the embodiment the bonus game is a wheel game where a wheel  800  is exemplified in  FIG. 8  is spun and a random value is obtained to add to the counter depending on the segment  801  to  814  which corresponds to the indicator  820  when the wheel stops. As indicated in  FIG. 8 , the segments can be of different sizes in order to give different probabilities to various outcomes. Each of the segments  801  to  814  may represent a different value. The value that is spun up with the bonus game wheel is added to the current counter value. The current value of the counter is displayed on display  54  by display controller  626 . The size of the segments and the values allocated to each sequence is stored as bonus game data  643 . 
     In the embodiment, the memory  64  also stores feature range data with features allocated to a plurality (N) of ranges (N+1) with one range not allocated to a feature game such that if a feature trigger event occurs during this range a feature game will not be triggered. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that in other embodiments each range of counter values may be allocated to a feature or indeed that there may be a plurality of ranges that are not allocated to a feature game. Typically, the range which does not correspond to a feature game will be the lowest range such that a feature game cannot be awarded shortly after a game session commences and the counter has been reset. 
     The feature trigger monitor  622 A of the base game module monitors outcomes of the base game to determine whether a feature trigger condition has been met. 
     The feature trigger condition can be in accordance with any one of a number of known rules including but not limited to: 
     when a special symbol, or a combination of symbols appears in the window; 
     when a time elapses; 
     when a system event occurs; 
     when an underlying random event occurs, for example, in the course of a game; or 
     when a turnover has elapsed. 
     In other embodiments, the feature trigger could occur independently of the base game, for example, it might be triggered within another feature or by a system. 
     When it determines that a feature trigger has occurred, the feature trigger monitor  622 A initiates the available feature module  624 . The available feature module compares the current value of the counter data  642  with the feature range data  644  to determine which of feature games  1  to N is available (or indeed, in some embodiments, that there isn&#39;t a feature game is available). The available feature module advises the feature game module  625  which feature game to implement and the feature game module  625  accesses feature game data  645  and accesses relevant feature data  645 A,  645 B or  645 C. The feature game is then conducted by the feature game module  625  displayed on the display of player interface  50  under controller display controller  626 . In other embodiments, there may be a plurality of feature game modules and different ones of the modules may operate depending on the determination by the available feature module  624 . For example, where the feature game module is a implemented by executing a software routine, different software routines (and hence different software modules) may be executed for each feature. 
     The feature game may be of any known feature game in the art but could, for example all be spinning reel type games but use different symbols. Alternatively, the feature games may be of different types, for example some games may be selection games, some games may involve the awarding of a jackpot etc. 
     The method  700  of the embodiment is summarised in  FIG. 7  which shows that a base game is conducted  710  and is determined  720  whether to modify the counter. If the counter is to be increased it is increased  725  otherwise the method proceeds directly to determining whether the feature has been triggered  730 . If the feature is triggered the relevant feature is determined  740  and then conducted  750 . 
     EXAMPLE 
       FIGS. 9A to 9C  are examples of displays that can be made to a player in order to indicate which feature will be played if a feature is triggered during the base game. 
     In this example, a theme is applied of how many years back in time the player has progressed. A scale  910  is provided in order that the indicator  920  corresponding to the current value of the feature counter, indicates the position in years backwards from a starting position. Accordingly, the wheel shown in  FIG. 8  can be themed to indicate values in terms of numbers of years. In this example, the wheel is spun after each game and the wheel spins up values of 80 years for game  1 , 65 years for game  2  and 5 years for game  3 , such that after game  3  the indicator is at 150 years back in time as shown in  FIG. 9A . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9A to 9C  it will be seen that there are  6  feature game ranges including: first range  931  is 0 to 100 years which corresponds to no feature game; second range  932  of 100 to 300 years which corresponds to a Wild West feature; third range  933  which corresponds to the period of 300 to 1200 years back in time which is a Pirate feature; fourth range  934  which corresponds to a period 1200 to 3000 years back in time which has a Ming Dynasty feature; fifth range  935  which corresponds to the period of 3000 to 4000 years back in time and to an Ancient Greece feature; and a sixth range  936  which corresponds to more than 4000 years back in time and to an Ancient Egypt feature  936 . 
     The game is thus arranged so that the indicator will gradually move back in time for example as illustrated in  FIG. 9B  the feature game trigger is now within the pirate feature  933  range as indicated by indictor  920 B. Accordingly, if the feature trigger, for example 3 scatters, were to occur at that point, the pirate feature will be triggered. As indicated by indicator  920 C in the display  900 C of  FIG. 9C , the indicator continues moving back in time until the last of the features is reached whereafter it remains there until the feature is triggered. 
     Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in this example, the indicator is an indirect representation of the counter. In other embodiments, the counter could be directly represented. Further, rather than modifying the indicator indirectly by modifying the counter, embodiments are conceivable where the indicator is directly modified, with reference to  FIG. 6  a modified embodiment may be formed by modifying counter modification module  623  to be an indicator modification module and storing the position of the indicator as indicator data instead of counter data  642 . It would be understood that in such an embodiment counter event monitor  622 B would be understood to be an indicator event monitor—i.e. it would monitor in the same way but result in modification of an indicator instead of a counter. 
     As indicated above, the secondary feature can be a series of free games, using the same or different reels to those used in the base game or a second screen feature. 
     A person skilled in the art will appreciate that while the above embodiment has been described in relation to a video display, various other features could be implemented on a mechanical machine. For example, the reel  800  could be a physical reel which is spun mechanically. 
     The above example is an example where the counter is modified by adding years to a “years back in time” counter. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that other modifications could be applied. For example, if the scale were to show actual years a subtraction could be applied to move back in time. Other modifications such as multiplication or division could be appropriate with other ranges, for example with exponential scales. 
     A person skilled in the art will also appreciate that it is not necessary to have a display of the current counter position or that the counter position could be represented in other ways. For example simply by advising which feature is currently available. 
     Other variations will be apparent to a person skilled in the art and should be understood as falling within the scope of the invention described herein. For example, a spinning reel game, the base game could be a card game or a ball draw game such as Keno, Bingo or Arishinko. 
     Further aspects of the method will be apparent from the above description of the gaming system. 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 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). 
     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. 
     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.