Patent Publication Number: US-2015087389-A1

Title: System and method of providing system-based bonusing awards in a casino environment

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/880,734, filed Sep. 20, 2013, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     A portion of this disclosure contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of this patent document as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, patent file or records, but reserves all copyrights whatsoever in the subject matter presented herein. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention generally relates to systems and methods for providing a system based bonusing award in a casino environment. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Gaming machines, such as slot machines, are a cornerstone of the gaming industry. Many gaming machines are connected through system-based player tracking system in order to manage a player&#39;s game play history and provide additional bonus incentives in response to continued game play by the player. It is through these system-based player tracking systems that a gaming property can offer additional incentives across all games that are available to a player. 
     At least some known gaming systems provide bonus awards to players based on associated game play. The bonus awards may include additional gaming credits and/or non-gaming services such as complimentary food and beverages. However, these known systems provide the bonus awards to each player based on individual game play. Over time, a player may become frustrated with known gaming systems because of the amount of game play required to receive an award. Accordingly, new features are necessary to appeal to player interest and enhance excitement in order to entice longer play and increased profitability. The present invention is aimed at one or more of the problems identified above. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a floor-wide bonus game (or FBG) is provided. will be referred to as FBG. The bonus game may be provided or delivered by a Casino Management System or player tracking system. In general, the floor-wide bonus game may be provided to qualified players only. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, the FBG is based on a multiple round elimination format where qualified players will pick a character or an object with the goal of being the sole survivor. Qualified players are prompted to make a selection of a character or an object and the FBG will play through a series of elimination rounds that employ movies showing the actual elimination event. As the game progresses through the various rounds, certain players will be eliminated and other players will progress through to the next round. Operators can select between 2-4 elimination rounds with the resulting outcome of the game being a single survivor. All players that selected the surviving character or object will share in a defined pool of prize money. The prize money will be distributed to the players as non-cashable bonus play cash. 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a system for providing an award to a plurality of players is provided. The system includes a plurality of gaming devices and a system controller coupled to each of the gaming devices. Each of the gaming devices includes a display device. The system controller configured to initiate a bonus game and display the bonus game on a set of gaming devices. Each gaming device included in the set of gaming devices is associated with a qualified player. The bonus game includes a predefined set of bonus game symbols. The system controller selects a bonus game symbol for each qualified player from the predefined set of bonus game symbols and associates each selected bonus game symbol with the corresponding qualified player. The system controller also randomly selects a winning bonus game symbol from the predefined set of bonus game symbols, determines a number of winning qualified players associated with the winning bonus game symbol, and provides a bonus award to each of the winning qualified players. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a method of providing an award to a plurality of players is provided. The method includes the steps of initiating a bonus game being displayed on a plurality of gaming devices. Each of the plurality of gaming devices is associated with a qualified player. The bonus game includes a predefined set of bonus game symbols. The method includes selecting a bonus game symbol for each qualified player from the predefined set of bonus game symbols and associating each selected bonus game symbol with the corresponding qualified player. The method also includes randomly selecting a winning bonus game symbol from the predefined set of bonus game symbols, determining a number of winning qualified players associated with the winning bonus game symbol, and providing a bonus award to each of the winning qualified players. 
     In yet another aspect of the present invention, one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media, having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon, is provided. The computer-executable instructions cause a processor to initiate a bonus game and display the bonus game on a set of gaming devices. Each gaming device included in the set of gaming devices being associated with a qualified player. The bonus game includes a predefined set of bonus game symbols. The processor selects a bonus game symbol for each qualified player from the predefined set of bonus game symbols and associates each selected bonus game symbol with the corresponding qualified player. The processor also randomly selects a winning bonus game symbol from the predefined set of bonus game symbols, determines a number of winning qualified players associated with the winning bonus game symbol, and provides a bonus award to each of the winning qualified players. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram of a system for use in providing a bonus award to players, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an exemplary gaming device that may be used with the system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic representation of a gaming controller that may be used with the gaming device shown in  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4 . is an exemplary entertaining graphical display of a game play screen including a slot-type game that may be displayed on the gaming device shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram of the system shown in  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a portion of an exemplary player tracking module that may be used with the system shown in  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic representation of a system controller that may be used with the system shown in  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart of a method that may be used for providing an award to a plurality of players, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 9 and 10  are exemplary entertaining graphical displays of a game screen including a bonus feature game that may be displayed by the system shown in  FIG. 1  during the method shown in  FIG. 8 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference to the drawings and in operation, the present invention overcomes at least some of the disadvantages of known gaming systems by providing a system which awards a plurality of players a player tracking award in a floor-wide bonusing game. Moreover, the gaming system initiates a bonus game feature that allows a plurality of players to select bonus game symbols, conducts one or more elimination rounds with the selected bonus game symbols to determine a winning symbol, and provides an award to each player that selected the winning symbol. In addition, the system provides the bonus feature game including a set of qualification criteria and qualifies each participating player based on the associated set of qualification criteria. By providing a system that provides an award to multiple players and that limits participation in the game to qualified players, the probability of a qualified player receiving an bonus award, the player&#39;s expectation for achieving an bonus award is increased, and the incentive to players to obtain a qualified players status are increased. Thus, the amount of time that patrons play games associated with a gaming establishment is thereby increased. 
     A selected embodiment of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following description of the embodiment of the present invention is provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     System Generally 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an exemplary entertainment and monitoring system  2 . In the illustrated embodiment the entertainment and monitoring system  2  includes a system controller  200 , a player tracking system  10 , and one or more gaming devices  12 . The system controller  200 , player tracking system  10 , and gaming devices  12  are each coupled in communication via a network  14  for communication between the system controller  200 , the player tracking system  10 , and the gaming devices  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the system controller  200  includes various programs for use in executing and providing various services with the player tracking system  10  and the gaming devices  12  and controlling various operations of the player tracking system  10  and the gaming devices  12 . 
     In one embodiment, at least one of the gaming devices  12  is a video gaming machine. In another embodiment, the at least one gaming device  12  may include a personal computer, laptop, cell phone, smartphone, tablet computer, personal data assistant, and/or any suitable computing device that enables a player to connect to the network  14 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the network  14  comprises a local area network (LAN). Alternatively, the network  14  may also comprise alternate modes of digital communication, for example, an Internet link, an intranet, a WAN, dial-in-connections, cable modems, wireless modems, and/or ISDN lines. In one embodiment, the gaming device  10  may include a gaming machine installed in a casino. The system  2  may include a plurality gaming machines installed in a casino, which in one embodiment are arranged in a bank, i.e., are arranged together, adjacently (not shown). It should be noted, however, that the system  2  may include any number of gaming machines that may be arranged in any manner, such as in a circle or along a curved arc, or positioned within separate areas of a casino floor, and/or separate gaming establishments such as different casinos. Furthermore, additional groups of gaming machines may be coupled to the network  14 . In one embodiment, the system  2  may include a plurality of wagering gaming machines and a plurality of non-wagering gaming machines. 
     The player tracking system  10  tracks and stored transactions made on the gaming devices  12 , which are related to a plurality of players or patrons. The player tracking system  10  compares the tracked transaction against a set of predetermined criteria for the purpose of generated or awarding an incentive award to one or more players. In general, one or more of the gaming devices may allow the player to play a game. The game utilizes one or more in-game machine assets. When a player tracking award is triggered for a player within the player tracking system  10 , the player tracking system  10  may send a signal to the gaming device  12  which the player or patron is currently using to instruct the gaming device to award or demonstrate the awarding of the incentive award using at least one of the in-game assets stored on the gaming device. 
     With particular reference to  FIG. 5 , in the illustrated embodiment the player tracking system  10  determines if a triggering event occurs based on the comparison between the predefined criteria within the player tracking system as related to the transactions within a player tracking accounts database  205 . The player tracking accounts database  205  is populated through inputs from the gaming devices  12 , and a player tracking (or host) workstation  207 . The gaming devices  12  may include wagering gaming machines  12 A . . .  12 H and non-wagering gaming machines  12 I,  12 J. A non-wagering machine  12 I,  12 J can include any terminal or network device that allows for the generation of player metrics into the system, such as a redemption kiosk  12 J or a point of sale kiosks  12 K. The player tracking workstation  207  includes any type of device used by a system admin to modify the current metrics within the player tracking accounts database  205 . 
     In one embodiment, the entertainment and monitoring system  2  may include additional functions such as, real-time multi-site, slot accounting, player tracking, cage credit and vault, sports book data collection, Point of Sale (POS) accounting, keno accounting, bingo accounting, and table game accounting, a wide area progressive jackpot, and electronic funds transfer (EFT). Additional details of exemplary entertainment and monitoring systems and/or player tracking systems, which may be used in the present invention, are disclosed in commonly owned, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/826,991, filed on Mar. 14, 2013, United States Patent Application Publication 2006/0058099A1, and United States Patent Application Publication 2003/0069071A1, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     As shown, the system  2  includes a plurality of gaming devices  12 . Gaming devices  12  may include, but are not limited to gaming machines, electronic gaming machines (such as video slot, video poker machines, or video arcade games), electric gaming machines, virtual gaming machines, e.g., for online gaming, an interface to a table management system (not shown) for table games, or other suitable devices at which a patron or player  224  may interact or access a user or player account. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to any number or type of gaming devices  12 . In one embodiment, the gaming devices  12  may include gaming machines that are organized into banks (not shown), each bank containing a plurality of gaming machines  12 . The gaming machine  12  and its operation will be discussed in further detail below. 
     The gaming devices  12  are connected via a network  14  to the player tracking system  10 . The player tracking system  10  may include one or more player tracking servers  201 . Each server  201  is generally located at one or more remote or central locations. The player tracking system  10  includes a computer program application  204  which maintains one or more player tracking accounts databases  205 . 
     The computer program application  204  and player tracking accounts databases  205  may be used to record, track, and report accounting information regarding the gaming devices  12  and players of the gaming devices  12 . Additionally, the computer program application  204  and player tracking accounts databases  205  may be used to maintain information related to player or player tracking accounts 209. 
     In general, the gaming devices  12  may be used by a user or player to access their player tracking account  209 . For example, each of the wagering gaming machines  12  is playable by a player. The player may select one of the gaming machines  12  to play and insert a coin, credit, coupon, and/or player tracking card (not shown) into the chosen gaming machine  12 . Generally, the gaming machines  12  have an associated number of credits or coins required in order to play. In the case of video slot or poker games, the game is played and an award in the form of credits may be awarded based on a pay table of the gaming machine  12 . 
     The player may be identified by entry of a player tracking card into the player identification card reader and/or entry of a player identification number (PIN) on the numeric key pad. 
     Gaming Machine 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an exemplary gaming device  12  such as, for example a gaming machine.  FIG. 3  is a schematic representation of a gaming controller  16  that may be used with the gaming device  12 . A preferred embodiment of the gaming device  12  is a video gaming machine preferably installed in a casino. In the illustrated embodiment, the gaming machine  12  includes a display device  13  for displaying a plurality of games, a user input device  14  to enable a player to interface with the gaming machine  12 , and the gaming controller  16  that is operatively coupled to the display device  13  and the user input device  14  to enable a player to play games displayed on the display device  13 . The gaming machine  12  also includes a cabinet assembly  18  that is configured to support the display device  13 , the user input device  14 , and/or the gaming controller  16  from a gaming stand  20  and/or a supporting surface  22 . 
     The display device  13  and the user input device  14  are coupled to the cabinet assembly  18  and are accessible by the player. In one embodiment, the gaming controller  16  is positioned within the cabinet assembly  18 . Alternatively, the gaming controller  16  may be separated from the cabinet assembly  18 , and connected to components of the gaming machine  12  through a network such as, for example, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), dial-in-connections, cable modems, wireless modems, and/or special high-speed Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) lines. 
     In one embodiment, the user input device  14  includes a plurality of input buttons  24 , a coin slot  26 , and/or a bill acceptor  28 . The coin slot  26  includes an opening that is configured to receive coins and/or tokens deposited by the player into the gaming machine  12 . The gaming machine  12  converts a value of the coins and/or tokens to a corresponding amount of gaming credits that are used by the player to wager on games played on the gaming machine  12 . 
     The bill acceptor  28  includes an input and output device that is configured to accept a bill, a ticket, and/or a cash card into the bill acceptor  28  to enable an amount of gaming credits associated with a monetary value of the bills, ticket, and/or cash card to be credited to the gaming machine  12 . Moreover, the gaming machine  12  may also utilize a cashless wagering system (not shown), such as a ticket in ticket out (TITO) system (not shown). In one embodiment, the bill acceptor  28  also includes a printer (not shown) that is configured to dispense a printed voucher ticket that includes information indicative of an amount of credits and/or money paid out to the player by the gaming machine  12  during a gaming session. The voucher ticket may be used at other gaming machines, or redeemed for cash, and/or other items as part of a casino cashless system (not shown). 
     A coin tray  30  is coupled to the cabinet assembly  18  and is configured to receive a plurality of coins that are dispensed from the gaming machine  12 . One or more speakers  32  are installed inside the cabinet assembly  18  to generate voice announcements and/or sound effects associated with game play. The gaming machine  12  also includes one or more lighting devices  34  that are configured to blink and/or change brightness and color in specific patterns to produce lighting effects to enhance a visual gaming experience for the player. 
     In one embodiment, the input buttons  24  include a plurality of BET switches  36  for inputting a wager on a game, a plurality of selection switches  38  for selecting a betting line and/or card, a MAXBET switch  40  for inputting a maximum wager, a PAYOUT switch  42  for ending a gaming session and dispensing accumulated gaming credits to the player, and a start switch, i.e., a SPIN/DEAL button  44  to initiate an output of a game. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the BET switches  36  include five switches from 1BET to 5BET to enable a player to wager between a minimum bet up to 5× minimum bet. Each selection switch  38  corresponds to a betting line such as, for example, a payline and/or symbol for a reel game, one or more cards for a card game, and/or a symbol for a roulette game, to enable a player to associate a wager with one or more betting lines. The MAXBET switch  40  enables a player to input the maximum bet that a player can spend against one time of a game. The PAYOUT switch  42  enables a player to receive the amount of money and/or credits awarded to the player during a gaming session, which has been credited onto the gaming machine  12 . 
     The gaming machine  12  may also include a player tracking device  46  that is coupled to the gaming controller  16  for identifying the player and/or a player tracking account  209  that is associated with the player  224 . The player tracking account  209  may include, but is not limited to, gaming credits available to the player for use in playing the gaming machine  12 . The player tracking device  46  is configured to communicate player account information between a player tracking server  201  and the gaming machine  12 . For example, the player tracking device  46  may be used to track bonus points and/or credits awarded to the player during a gaming session and/or track bonus and/or credits downloaded to the gaming machine  12  from the player tracking system. 
     The player tracking device  46  is coupled to the gaming cabinet assembly  18  and includes a player identification card reader  48 , a data display  50 , and a keypad  52 . The player identification card reader  48  is configured to accept a player tracking card (not shown) inserted by the player, and read information contained on the player tracking card to identify the player account information. The player identification card reader  48  may include, but is not limited to, a barcode reader, a magnetic card reader, and/or a radio frequency identification (RFID) card reader. The keypad  52  is configured to accept a user selection input such as, for example, a unique player personal identification number (PIN) to facilitate enabling the gaming machine  12  to identify the player, and access player account information associated with the identified player to be displayed on the data display  50 . In one embodiment, the data display  50  includes a touchscreen panel that includes the keypad  52 . Alternatively, the data display  50  and the keypad  52  may be included in the display device  13 . 
     In one embodiment, the display device  13  includes a first display  54  and a second display  56 . The first display  54  is configured to display a game screen  58  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) including indicia and/or symbols for use in a game, e.g., cards used by a card game, roulette wheel and symbols used in a roulette game, and reels used in a reel game. The game screen  58  may include any type of game including, but not limited to, a video slot game, a keno game, a blackjack game, a video poker game, or any type of game which allows a player to make a wager, play a game, and potentially provide the player an award based on an outcome of the game and a paytable. The second display  56  is configured to display game play instructions for performing the game including, but not limited to, playing instructions, paytables, paylines, betting lines and/or any other information to enable the gaming machine  12  to function as described herein. Moreover, each display  54  and  56  may be configured to display at least a portion of the game screen  58  and/or game play instructions. In one embodiment, the first and second displays  54  and  56  each include a flat panel display, such as a cathode ray tube display (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode display (LED), a plasma display, and/or any suitable visual output device capable of displaying graphical data and/or text to a user. Alternatively, a single component, such as a touch screen, may function as both the display device  13  and as the user input device  14 . In an alternative embodiment, the first display  54  and/or the second display  56  includes a plurality of mechanical reels displaying a plurality of game symbols. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , in one embodiment, the gaming controller  16  includes a processor, i.e., a central processing unit (CPU)  60 , a credit controller  62 , a console unit  64 , a payout controller  66 , a random-number generator (RNG)  68 , a lighting controller  70 , a sound controller  72 , a display controller  74 , a memory device  76 , and a database  78 . Memory device  76  includes a computer readable medium, such as, without limitation, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, a diskette, a flash drive, a compact disc, a digital video disc, and/or any suitable device that enables the CPU  60  to store, retrieve, and/or execute instructions and/or data. 
     The CPU  60  executes various programs, and thereby controls other components of the gaming controller  16  according to player instructions and data accepted by the user input device  14 . The CPU  60  in particular executes a game program, and thereby conducts a game in accordance with the embodiments described herein. The memory device  76  stores programs and databases used by the CPU  60 . Moreover, the memory device  76  stores and retrieves information in the database  78  including, but not limited to, a game type, a number of reels associated with a game, a number of reel strips associated with each reel, a number of symbol positions being displayed on each reel strip, a type of symbols being displayed on each symbol position, a predefined set of normal symbols, a predefined set of special symbols, image data for producing game images and/or screens on the display device  13 , and temporarily stores variables, parameters, and the like that are used by the CPU  60 . In addition, the memory device  76  stores indicia, symbol weights, pay tables, and/or winning combination tables which represent relationships between combinations of random numbers and types of awards. In one embodiment, the memory device  76  utilizes RAM to temporarily store programs and data necessary for the progress of the game, and EPROM to store, in advance, programs and data for controlling basic operation of the gaming machine  12 , such as the booting operation thereof. 
     The credit controller  62  manages the amount of player&#39;s credits, which is equivalent to the amount of coins and bills counted and validated by the bill acceptor  28 . The console unit  64  is coupled to the user input device  14  to monitor player selections received through the input buttons  24 , and accept various instructions and data that a player enters through the input buttons  24 . The payout controller  66  converts a player&#39;s credits to coins, bills, or other monetary data by using the coin tray  30  and/or for use in dispensing a credit voucher via the bill acceptor  28 . 
     The lighting controller  70  controls one or more lighting devices  34  to blink and/or change brightness and color in specific patterns in order to produces lighting effects associated with game play. The sound controller  72  controls the speakers  32  to output voice announcements and sound effects during game play. The display controller  74  controls the display device  13  to display various images on screens preferably by using computer graphics and image data stored in the memory device  76 . More specifically, the display controller  74  controls video reels in a game screen displayed on the first display  54  and/or the second display  56  by using computer graphics and the image data. 
     The RNG  68  generates and outputs random numbers to the CPU  60  preferably at the start of each round of game. The CPU  60  uses the random numbers to determine an outcome of a game. For example, if the game is a video slot game, the CPU  60  uses the RNG  68  to randomly select an arrangement of symbols to be displayed on video reels. Moreover, the CPU  60  generally uses random numbers generated by the RNG  68  to play the games, and to determine whether or not to provide an award to a player. In addition, the CPU  60  generates game outcomes including combinations of random numbers, and compares the generated combinations with winning combinations stored in the winning combination table to determine if the generated outcome is a winning outcome that is associated with a type of award. 
       FIG. 4  is an exemplary graphical display of a game that is displayed by the gaming device  12  shown in  FIG. 2 . In the illustrated embodiment, the gaming controller  16  is configured to display the game on the display device  13 . In one embodiment, the game includes a main game  80 , such as a video slot game. However, it should be noted that the main game  80  may be any type of game upon which a player could make a wager including, but not limited to a keno game, a blackjack game, a video poker game, or any type of game that enables the gaming machine  12  to function as described herein. In the illustrated embodiment, the main game  80  is displayed on the first display  54 . Alternatively, the main game  80  may be displayed on the first display  54  and/or the second display  56 . 
     In general, during play of the main game  80 , the gaming controller  16  randomly generates an outcome  84  of the main game  80  and displays the generated game outcome  84  in a display area  86 . The gaming controller  16  randomly selects a plurality of game symbols  88  from a predefined set of possible game symbols and displays the selected game symbols  88  associated with the generated game outcome  84  in the game display area  86 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of game symbols  88  are displayed in a grid  90  having a plurality of cells  92  arranged along a plurality of rows  94  and a plurality of columns  96 . Each cell  92  displays one or more game symbols  88  associated with the game outcome  84 . In the illustrated embodiment, the gaming controller  16  displays the game symbols  88  within a plurality of reels  100 ,  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 . Each reel  100 ,  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  is associated with a corresponding column  96 . The main game  80 , in one embodiment, includes 5 reels with 3 cells  92  displayed in the display area  86  per reel (a “3×5” arrangement). Alternatively, other reel arrangements may be used such as, for example, 4, 5, 5, 5, and 4 cells per reel, respectively (a “4-5-5-5-4” arrangement), 3-4-3-4-3, or 4-5-4-5-4 arrangements or arrangements with the same number of cells per column, such as 3×3, 3×4, 4×5, or 5×5 configurations. The main game  80  also includes a plurality of paylines  98  that extend across one or more cells  92  to indicate, to the player, a combination of game symbols  88 . In one embodiment, the gaming machine  12  displays the main game  80  via a plurality of mechanical reels (not shown) that include a plurality of symbols displayed on a circumferential surface of each reel. 
     Each slot game is generally played in a conventional manner. The player makes a wager, which may be based on a predetermined denomination and a selected number of paylines, the gaming controller  16  randomly generates an outcome for the game, spins the reels, and selectively stops the reels to display a game symbol  88  in each of the display cells  92 . If a predetermined pattern of symbols  88  is randomly chosen for each cell  92  associated with a played payline  98 , the player may be awarded a payout based on the payline, the wager, and a predetermined paytable. Moreover, the player may be awarded a payout if the combination of symbols associated with a selected payline is a winning combination. In addition, a player may receive a bonus feature and/or a bonus game based on the combination of symbols associated with the selected payline and/or the appearance of one or more predefined symbols in the game outcome  84 . Many variations to the above described general play of a slot game fall within the scope of the present invention. Such slot games are well-known in the art, and are therefore not further discussed. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the gaming machine  12  receives a signal, from the user input device  14 , that is indicative of a player&#39;s selection to initiate a gaming session including a wager amount, and a selection of one or more paylines  98  associated with a predefined set of cells  92  within the displayed grid  90 . In the illustrated embodiment, the gaming machine  12  is a multi-line game, i.e., the paylines include horizontal paylines and/or diagonal pay-lines, and/or zig-zag paylines. Moreover, the user input device  14  may allow the player to toggle to increase the bet per payline a credit at a time (up to the maximum bet). The gaming controller  16  randomly generates an outcome of the main game  80 , and displays the generated outcome on the display device  13 . In one embodiment, the gaming controller  16  is configured to rotate, and/or spin each reel  100 ,  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  to initiate a game play, and stop each reel  100 ,  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  to display a plurality of symbols  88  associated with the randomly generated outcome. In addition, the gaming controller  16  is adapted to determine if the generated outcome is a winning outcome based on the displayed game symbols  88 , a pay-table, a wager, and one or more selected paylines  98 . More specifically, the gaming device  12  determines if a combination of symbols  88  arranged along the selected payline  98  is a winning combination. The gaming controller  16  may provide an award in response to the outcome of the main game  80 . In general, the term “award” may be a payout, in terms of credits or money. Thus, gaming controller  16  may award a regular payout in response to the outcome of the main game  80 . However, it should be noted that the term award may also refer to other types of awards, including, prizes, e.g., meals, show tickets, etc. . . . , as well as in-game awards, such as free games or awarding the player one or more wild symbols or stacked wild symbols in each of the games. 
     The illustrated embodiment can also include a bonus feature or secondary game in addition to the main game on the gaming machine. The bonus feature or secondary game is an add-on to the main game utilizing any in-game machine asset (discussed in more detail below). A bonus feature or secondary game is considered an add-on to the main game that occurs during game play. The bonus feature or secondary game can used any in-game machine asset that is used to display an award related to the main game. Such awards include free spins, credits, a credit multiplier, or additional pseudo game-play unrelated to the main game. The bonus feature or secondary game can be in any of the wagering or non-wagering formats as described above (slots, video poker, etc.). A bonus feature or secondary game may also be similar to the main game through the use of additional random numbers in order to continue randomized, wager-based game play. A bonus feature or secondary game may include any additional game play and grant awards based on any particularized triggers built into the main game of the game machine. It should be noted that the game may only include the main game  80 . Alternatively, the game may include the main game  80  and one or more bonus features and/or one or more secondary games. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to any specific bonus feature or secondary game (or type thereof). Exemplary bonus features or secondary games are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,824,260, U.S. Pat. No. 8,052,515, U.S. Pat. No. 8,096,869, U.S. Pat. No. 8,303,397, and United States Patent Application Publication 2011/0223985, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     In-game machine assets are defined as any pre-coded or generated gaming elements used by the gaming machine in order to implement the main game or any of the bonus features during game play. Such assets include text, graphics, animations, audio-video elements, game-play mechanics (i.e., game rules or constructs for wagering or non-wagering games). The assets may be pre-coded into the gaming machine  12  or generated by the machine during game play. Such assets may can also be used by the gaming machine  12  during the main game or reserved exclusively by the machine for the representation of a bonus feature only. 
     Player Tracking System and Method 
     In one embodiment, the player tracking system  10  and method may be embodied or implemented via an entertaining and monitoring system which is shown in block diagram form in  FIG. 1 . The player tracking system may include additional functions such as, real-time multi-site, slot accounting, player tracking, cage credit and vault, sports book data collection, Point of Sale (POS) accounting, keno accounting, bingo accounting, and table game accounting, a wide area progressive jackpot, and electronic funds transfer (EFT). 
     As shown, the system  10  may be associated with and/or include a plurality of gaming devices  12 . Gaming devices  12  may include, but are not limited to gaming machines, electronic gaming machines (such as video slot, video poker machines, or video arcade games), electric gaming machines, virtual gaming machines, e.g., for online gaming, an interface to a table management system (not shown) for table games, kiosks  12 K, point of sale or redemption terminals  12 J, or other suitable devices at which a patron may interact or access a user or player account. However, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to any number or type of gaming devices  12 . In one embodiment, the gaming devices  12  are organized into banks (not shown), each bank containing a plurality of gaming devices  12 . 
     Other types of gaming machines which may be included (see above) are indicated with reference number  12 I. 
     The gaming devices  12  are connected via a network  14  to one or more host computers or servers  201 , which are generally located at a remote or central location. The computer  201  includes a computer program application  204  which maintains one or more player tracking accounts databases  209 . 
     The computer program application  201  and databases  205  may be used to record, track, and report accounting information regarding the gaming devices  12  and players  224  of the gaming devices  12 . Additionally, the computer program application  204  and database(s)  205  may be used to maintain information related to player or player tracking accounts (see below). 
     In general, the machines  12  may be used by a user or player, i.e., to access their player account. For example, a gaming device  12  is playable by a player  224 . The player  224  may select one of the gaming devices  12  to play and insert a coin, credit, coupon, and/or player tracking card (not shown) into the chosen gaming device  12 . Generally, the gaming devices  12  have an associated number of credits or coins required in order to play. In the case of video slot or poker games, the game is played and an award in the form of credits may be awarded based on a pay table of the gaming device  12 . 
     Input to the gaming device  12  may be accomplished via mechanical switches or buttons or via a touchscreen interface (discussed above). 
     The player  224  is identified via the player tracking card and/or a player identification number entered into player tracking device  46  at each gaming device  12  (see above). Player tracking accounts may be used, generally, to provide bonuses or player tracking awards, to a player, in addition to the award designated by, in the case of a video slot or poker machine, the gaming device  12  paytable. These bonuses may be awarded to the player  224  based a set of criteria, including, but not limited to, a) the player&#39;s play on the gaming device  12 , b) the player&#39;s overall play, c) play during a predetermined period of time, and d) the player&#39;s birthday or anniversary, or e) any other definable criteria. Additionally, bonuses may be awarded on a random basis, i.e., to a randomly chosen player or randomly chosen main game  80 . Bonuses may also be awarded in a discretionary manner or based on other criteria, such as, purchases made at a gift shop or other affiliated location. 
     In one embodiment, the player tracking device  46  includes a processor  47 , a player identification card reader  48  and/or a numeric keypad  52 , and a display  50 . In one embodiment, the display  50  is a touchscreen panel and the numeric keypad  52  is implemented thereon. 
     The player  224  may be identified by entry of a player tracking card into the player identification card reader  48  and/or entry of a player identification number (PIN) on the numeric key pad  52 . The play tracking device  46  may also be used to communicate information between the computer  201  and the corresponding gaming device  12 . The player tracking device  46  may also be used to track bonus points, i.e., incentive points or credits, downloaded from the computer  201 . 
     In one aspect of the present invention, each player tracking device  46  is associated with one of the electronic gaming devices  12 . The player tracking devices  46  identify patrons interacting with the system  2 , for tracking wagers made by the players on the electronic gaming devices  12  and record wager data associated with each wager made by the player and a respective electronic gaming device  12 . In one embodiment, the wager data includes a device type associated with respective gaming machine, an electronic gaming machine identifier, the theoretical hold percentage associated with the respective gaming machine, and an amount of the respective wager. The wager data may also include a player ID and a date/time stamp. 
     The computer or server  201  is in communication with the player tracking devices  46  and the non-gaming terminals  12 I,  12 J,  12 K for receiving the wager data associated with the patrons and the respective gaming device  12  from the player tracking device  46  and storing the wager data in the database  205  and, for receiving transaction data associated with a transaction associated with the patrons&#39; use of the non-gaming terminals  106  and storing the transaction data in the database. The computer  201  may also establishes a player rating associated with each player as a function of the wager data and the transaction data. 
     In one aspect of the present invention, the bonuses are awarded as bonus points. In one embodiment, the bonus points are incentive points. In another embodiment, the bonus points are credits. 
     The incentive points may be converted to credits using a predetermined ratio. The predetermined ratio may be 1 or any other desired ratio. The predetermined ratio may also be varied based on determined criteria, e.g., the gaming device  12  being played, the player, or the time of day. Incentive points may be designated as cashable or non-cashable. As described below, the incentive points in a player account may be downloaded to one of the gaming devices  12  for play. 
     Incentive points stored in the player account may be designated as cashable or non-cashable. In one embodiment, the player account may include only cashable incentive points. In another embodiment, the player account may include only non-cashable incentive points. In a third embodiment, the player account may include both cashable and non-cashable incentive points. In still another embodiment, the player account may include incentive points, cashable and/or non-cashable, and credits, cashable and/or non-cashable. Cashable credits, or incentive points converted into credits, may be downloaded to a gaming device  12 . When the player has finished playing the gaming device  12 , any remaining credits may be cashed out, i.e., retrieved as coins or placed on a printed ticket or player tracking card for redemption or play on another gaming device  12 . 
     Non-cashable credits must be played. When the player stops playing gaming machine  12 C, any remaining non-cashable credits which were downloaded to the gaming machine  12 C are either lost or uploaded back to the player account (see below). 
     The database  205  tracks the player account for each player in the player tracking system. In the illustrated example, the following is tracked for each player: account number, incentive points, name, cashable credits and non-cashable credits. Thus in this example, bonus points in the form of incentive points, cashable credits and non-cashable credits may be awarded. 
     In one aspect of the present invention, bonus points are awarded via electronic vouchers, i.e., records in the database  205 . A voucher is created each time bonus points are awarded. Each voucher has a voucher number and an amount (in the case a dollar or credit amount). Each voucher is assigned to a player account and includes the player account number to which it is assigned. Each voucher may include additional parameters or fields based on the needs of the system  2 . For example, an expiration date could be included which gives a date at which the respective voucher expires. The voucher may also designate the bonus points as cashable or non-cashable. 
     In one aspect of the present invention the computer  201  may create a first voucher and assign a first number of bonus points to the first voucher. The computer  201  may also create a second voucher and assign a second number of bonus points to the second voucher. The first and second vouchers may be assigned to a player account. Each voucher has a parameter. The parameter of the first voucher has a first value and the parameter of the second voucher has a second value. 
     In one embodiment, the bonus points are incentive points which may be converted to credits and downloaded to the gaming device  12 . In another embodiment, the bonus points are credits which may be downloaded to the gaming device  12 . 
     In one embodiment, the gaming device  12  may display to the player  224  a list of the vouchers which have been assigned to their player account. The player  224  may then indicate at least one voucher to download. The list may displayed whenever appropriate, for example, when the player  224  is identified to the system  2 , when the player requests the list (through a menu system), when a new voucher has been created, or any other suitable time. In one embodiment, the list may be displayed on the display  13 . In another embodiment, the list may be displayed on the player tracking device display  50 . 
     The first and second values of the parameters of the first and second vouchers may be equal or different. For example, in one embodiment the parameter relates to an expiration date of the respective voucher. The expiration date may be a function of the date of the voucher was created. Thus, the expiration dates of the first and second vouchers may be different if the vouchers were created on different days or may be the same if created on the same day. 
     In another embodiment, the parameter is one of cashable and non-cashable. The computer  201  may designate a voucher as cashable or non-cashable. Typically, this is defined by predefined criteria based on how the voucher was created. If the bonus points for a specific voucher are incentive points, the incentive points may be converted to credits prior to downloading to the gamine machine  12 . As described above, this is done using a predetermined ration which may be 1 or some other ratio. 
     In one embodiment, the gaming device  12  may provide an indication to the player  24  when the first voucher or second voucher has been assigned to the player account. For example, the indication may be an audio signal and/or a visual signal. 
     In one embodiment, the parameter may be an expiration date of the respective voucher. Each voucher may also include a second parameter designating the respective bonus points as being cashable or non-cashable. 
     In one embodiment, the computer  201  may convert the first number of bonus points to a first number of credits and download the first number of credits to the player tracking device  38 . 
     In another embodiment, the gaming device  12  has a credit meter for tracking available credits for play of the gaming device by the player  224 . The computer  201  may convert the first number of bonus points to a first number of credits and download the first number of credits to the credit meter. 
     In one embodiment, the parameter may be one lump-sum and pay for play. The computer  201  may convert the first number of bonus points to credits and download the credits to the credit meter if the first voucher is designated as lump-sum. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the gaming device  12  is capable of accepting a variable wager. The variable wager has a maximum wager value or MAX BET. In one embodiment, the maximum wager value is equal to the lesser of a value defined by the configuration of the gaming device  12 , a value defined by the incentive setup, or the remaining balance of bonus points. The computer  201  converts the first number of bonus points associated with the first voucher to a first number of credits and downloads the first number of bonus points to the player tracking device  46  as credits. The gaming device  12  allows the player  224  to place a wager and play the gaming device  12 . The gaming device  12  decrements the wager from the credit meter, decrements the maximum wager from the player tracking device  46 , and credits the maximum wager to the credit meter in response to the player  224  playing the gaming device  12 . 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the player account is credited with a first number of bonus points. The bonus points are downloaded to the player tracking device  38  as credits. The player  224  places a wager and the gaming device  12  is played. If the total of the player&#39;s wagers (over one or more games) is greater or equal to a predetermined value, i.e., a predetermined match play amount, then the match play amount is decremented from the player tracking device  46  and the match play amount is credited to the credit meter. Otherwise, the player  224  may place another wager. 
     In one aspect of the present invention, the player tracking device  46  provides an interface for interaction between the player  224  or other user (not shown), such as a slot employee or slot technician, and the host computer  201 , i.e., player tracking system. As discussed above in one embodiment, the display  50  is a touchscreen display which allows information to be displayed to the player  224  or user, as well as provide interactive buttons or menus for receiving input. Furthermore, the keypad  52  may be implemented on the display  50  and displayed on the display  50  as appropriate or required. 
     Furthermore, as discussed above, the player tracking device  38  may display a list of vouchers assigned to the player  24 . The player  24  may be allowed to select a voucher, or a number of available bonus points or credits, to download. Once the player selects a voucher or a number of credits or points to download, the credits may be downloaded to the credit meter on the gaming device  12  and are then available for use. 
     Incentive Award System and Method 
     In one aspect of the present invention, certain player tracking awards may be awarded directly by one of the gaming devices  12  instead of requiring the player  224  to download the credits using the player tracking device  46 . This may occur automatically, without the player actively requesting that an award be applied to the credit meter. In one aspect, the player tracking award may be awarded in manner which is seamless or nearly seamless to the player. For example, advanced incentive award may be awarded through a feature or secondary game. The bonus feature or secondary game may be (1) one of the feature or secondary games associated with the main game, (2) a modified bonus feature or secondary game, and (3) a bonus feature or secondary game which is dedicated to awarding the player tracking award. In general, the bonus feature or secondary game used to award the incentive award will be related to the theme of the main game and utilize at least one in-game machine asset. 
     Generally speaking, the theme of the main game relates to the characters, motifs, or branding within the game. These themes are conveyed through any number of in-game machine assets. In-game machine assets can include graphics, audio/video, or in-game mechanics that are pre-coded or generated by the gaming device in order to represent the game themes. 
     In aspect of the present invention, the player tracking system  10  identifies that a specific player  224  is eligible for a player tracking bonus or incentive award. In one embodiment, the specific award or bonus is designated as a bonus or award which may be awarded via a gaming device  12 . In general, only specific gaming machine which have been designed to work with the system  2  may be used to award the bonus or incentive award. Once the player tracking system  10  has identified that the player  224  is eligible for the bonus or incentive award, the gaming machine  12  at which the player is playing must be identified. In one embodiment, the player tracking system  10  waits for the player to logon into a gaming machine  12  via the player tracking module  46 . If the gaming machine  12  the player logs into is gaming machine  12  which may award the player tracking incentive or bonus award directly, the player tracking system  10  sends the gaming machine  12  an incentive award signal. The gaming machine  12 , in response to receiving the incentive award signal awards the player the incentive award using one of the game assets stored on the gaming machine  12 . In this manner, the player  224  does not need invoke, or interact with, the player tracking system  10  in order to be awarded or utilize the bonus award. By using one or more game assets stored on the gaming machine  12 , the awarding of the bonus award may be seamless to the player. 
     The gaming machine  12  can generate an incentive feature in any of ways mentioned at the beginning of this section. First, a bonus feature or secondary game may be associated with the main game, but utilized by the system  2  in order to grant an incentive award generated by the system. This embodiment is present in gaming machines that are pre-coded to contain both a main game and a bonus feature or secondary game separate from the incentive award system and can utilize the bonus feature or secondary game in order to grant an additional incentive awards received by the gaming machine. Such gaming machines would seamlessly integrated into the incentive award system and grant additional awards without generating a different gaming experience for the player. 
     Second, the bonus feature or secondary game may be modified in order to grant the incentive award during game play. In this embodiment, a gaming machine  12  may grant limited access to the in-game machine assets (discussed above) in order to generate a particular bonus feature or secondary game for a player during game play. Such limitation would generate a particular bonus feature based on the incentive award and any additional instructions conveyed by the system. 
     Third, the bonus feature or secondary game may be based on dedicated in-game machine assets that are only meant for the incentive award. In this embodiment, the gaming machine is programmed to retain all in-game machine assets associated with the main game exclusively for use with the main game. Additional in-game machine assets would be present within the gaming machine  12  or sent to the gaming machine along with the incentive award in order to present the incentive award to the player. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the gaming controller  16  is configured to display the bonus feature on the display  13 . In one embodiment, the bonus feature is a simulated video slot game that granted the incentive award regardless of the outcome of the game. However, it should be noted that the bonus feature may be any type of bonus feature utilizing the game assets stored or generated within the game machine  12  including, but not limited to a simulated wager game, a skills-based game, an audio/video representation indicative of the incentive award, or any type of game that enables the gaming machine  12  to function as described herein. In the illustrated embodiment, the bonus feature is displayed on the first display. Alternatively, the bonus feature may be displayed on the first display and/or the second display. 
     Through this method, the system can present the incentive award with the use of in-game machine assets and create a seamless user experience for the player. 
     Floor-Wide System for Delivering Bonus Game 
     In another aspect of the present invention, player tracking awards, incentive awards and the like may be awarded through a floor-wide system for delivering bonus game or incentive bonus game. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the system controller  200  is configured to generate a bonus feature game  250  for use in providing player tracking awards and/or incentive awards and the like to a plurality of players. In one embodiment, the incentive award may be a two part award. The initial part may be entry of into the incentive bonus feature game  250 . The second part of the incentive award may be an award based on the outcome of the incentive bonus feature game  250 . 
     With respect to qualification to enter the incentive bonus game, using the system  2 , the casino operator may establish a set of predefined criteria to qualify for the event. Criteria may include, but are not limited to a) the player&#39;s play on the gaming device  12 , b) the player&#39;s overall play, c) play during a predetermined period of time, and d) the player&#39;s birthday or anniversary, or e) any other definable criteria. 
     In one embodiment, once a player has qualified for the incentive bonus game, a message will appear informing the player that they have qualified for the event. 
     In one embodiment, the incentive bonus game (and any associated messaging) is displayed on the display  50  of the player tracking device  46  associated with the gaming device  12  the player is using. In another embodiment of the present invention, the incentive bonus game (and any associated message) is displayed on one of the displays  13 ,  54 ,  56  of the gaming device  12 . The incentive bonus game may be provided thematically using a theme associated with the incentive bonus game or may be provided using game assets associated with the gaming device  12 , as detailed above. 
     In one embodiment, the advanced bonus game is based on a multiple round elimination format. In one exemplary embodiment, after the advanced bonus game is initiated, qualified players are instructed to pick a character or an object from a presented choice of characters or objects. The goal of the advanced bonus game is to being the sole survivor. 
     Qualified players are prompted to make a selection of a character or an object and the FBG will play through a series of elimination rounds that employ movies showing the actual elimination event. As the game progresses through the various rounds, certain players will be eliminated and other players will progress through to the next round. 
     Operators can select the number of elimination rounds, e.g., between 2-4 elimination rounds with the resulting outcome of the game being a single survivor. 
     In one embodiment, multiple players may select the same character or object. Thus, if the character or object selected by multiple player is the sole survivor, then all players who selected that character will be awarded an award, which may be a share of a total award. Alternatively, each winning player may win a predetermined award, independent of the number of winners. 
     In general, in one aspect of the present invention, the prize money will be distributed to the players as non-cashable bonus play cash. 
     The incentive bonus game may be displayed on one or more of the displays of the gaming device  12 , the display associated with the player tracking device  46 , digital signage within the casino which may be seen by others, and/or any other display. 
     Qualified players will be required to insert their player&#39;s card into any machine prior to the event time. Once the system identifies the player as being qualified for the event, players will be presented with a choice of 8 selections (objects or characters), when the player makes their selection, they will be placed into a holding status until all players have joined and made their selections. At the defined time, the FBG will start and display the first series of elimination movies where some players will be eliminated. All players that survive the first round of eliminations will progress to round  2  where more players will be eliminated. This process will repeat itself until the final round where a single winner will be revealed. 
     In one aspect of the present invention, the outcome of each round of the incentive bonus game or the outcome of the incentive bonus game may be predetermined by player characteristics, e.g., the player&#39;s ranking relative to the other qualifying players. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , in one embodiment, the system controller  200  may include a processor  252 , a random-number generator (RNG)  254 , a display module  256 , a bonus feature module  258 , a memory device  260 , and a database  262 . The memory device  260  includes a computer readable medium that enables the processor  252  to store, retrieve, and/or execute instructions and/or data. The processor  252  executes various programs, and thereby controls other components of the system controller  200  according to player instructions and data accepted by the player tracking system  10  and/or the gaming devices  12 . The memory device  260  stores and retrieves information in the database  262  including, but not limited to, bonus game qualification criteria, bonus game triggering conditions, bonus game types, bonus awards, type of awards, bonus game symbols, and/or image data for producing game images and/or game screens, and temporarily stores variables, parameters, and the like in the database  262  for use by the processor  252 . 
     The display module  256  is connected each of the player tracking devices  46  and gaming devices  12  to display various images on each of the corresponding display devices  50  and  13 . In the illustrated embodiment, the display module  256  is configured to display the bonus feature game  250  on one or more of the display devices  13  and  50  to enable a corresponding player to play and/or participate in the bonus feature game  250 . In one embodiment, the display module  256  may display the bonus feature game  250  on a bonus game screen  264  (shown in  FIGS. 9  and  10 ). In addition, the display module  256  may be configured to display the bonus feature game  250  simultaneously with a main game  80  being displayed on a corresponding gaming device  12 . For example, in one embodiment, the display module  256  may display the bonus feature game  250  on the second display  56  as the display controller  74  is displaying the main game  80  on the first display  54  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). In addition, the display module  256  may display the bonus feature game  250  on the gaming machine display device  13  and/or the player tracking display device  50 . 
     The RNG  254  generates and outputs random numbers to the processor  252  for use with the bonus feature game  250 . For example, in one embodiment, the processor  252  may receive random numbers from the RNG  254  at the start of each elimination round for use in determining the game symbols that are selected for subsequent rounds. Moreover, the processor  252  may use random numbers received from the RNG  254  to select bonus game symbols being associated with each participating player at the start of the bonus feature game  250 . 
     The bonus feature module  258  includes a game program for use in executing the bonus feature game  250 . In the illustrated embodiment, the bonus feature module  258  is configured to display the bonus feature game  250  including a plurality of bonus game symbols  266  that compete in a series of elimination rounds until one of the character symbols is determined to be a winning bonus game symbol  268 . The bonus feature module  258  includes a player qualification unit  270  and a symbol selection unit  272 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the player qualification unit  270  determines a set of qualification criteria that is associated with the bonus feature game  250 . The set of qualification criteria include criteria that is indicative of qualified player that is eligible to participate in the bonus feature game  250 . In addition, the player qualification unit  270  is configured to retrieve player criteria associated with a player requesting to participate in the bonus feature game  250  and determine if the player is a qualified player based on the set of qualification criteria and the associated player criteria. 
     For example, in one embodiment, the system controller  200  may receive a request from a player to play the bonus feature game  250 . The request may be received from a corresponding gaming device  12  being played by the player and/or a player tracking device  46  being operated by the player. The request may also include a unique player identification such as, for example, a player card inserted into the player tracking device  46  and/or a unique personal identification number input into the associated gaming device  12  and/or player tracking device  46  by the player, and/or any suitable identification that may be associated with the player. Upon receiving the request from the player including the unique player identification, the player qualification unit  270  transmits a request to the player tracking system  10  to determine a player tracking account  209  being stored in the database  205  and being associated with the unique player identification. The player qualification unit  270  retrieves the player criteria contained in the corresponding player tracking account and determine if the associated player is a qualified player that is eligible to participate in the bonus feature game  250  based on the qualification criteria and the retrieve player criteria. For example, in one embodiment, the player qualification unit  270  may determine the player to be a qualified player if the associated player criteria matches the qualification criteria. The qualification criteria may include any suitable criteria including, but not limited to, duration of game play, player rating, amount of wager, average wager, average game play, average non-gaming purchase, time of day, and/or any suitable criteria that may be associated with one or more players. 
     In one embodiment, the bonus feature game  250  may be associated with a predefined set of qualification criteria. In another embodiment, prior to the initiating the bonus feature game  250 , the system controller  200  may display a player qualification criteria screen (not shown) to allow a system user such as, for example a casino operator, to establish the set of qualification criteria that may be used with the bonus feature game  250 . In another embodiment, upon initiating the bonus feature game  250 , the player qualification unit  270  may determine each player account that includes player criteria that matches the set of qualification criteria and send a notification message to each player to notify the player of the bonus feature game  250 . In addition, the player qualification unit  270  may identify each gaming device  12  and/or player tracking device  46  currently being played and/or operated by a qualified player upon initiating the bonus feature game  250  and automatically display the bonus feature game  250  on each of the corresponding gaming devices  12  and/or player tracking devices  46 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the symbol selection unit  272  displays the bonus feature game  250  including a plurality of bonus game symbols  266  that are included in a predefined set  274  of bonus game symbols  266 . In the illustrated embodiment, the symbol selection unit  272  allows each of the qualified players to select a bonus game symbol  266  and associates the selected bonus game symbol  266  with the corresponding qualified player. In one embodiment, the symbol selection unit  272  displays a limited number of bonus game symbols  266  and allows each bonus game symbol  266  to be selected by one or more qualified players. In addition, each qualified player may select only one bonus game symbol  266 . In another embodiment, the symbol selection unit  272  may randomly select a bonus game symbol  266  and associate the randomly selected bonus game symbol  266  with one or more qualified players. In addition, the symbol selection unit  272  may allow a qualified player to request a random selection of the associated bonus game symbol  266 . 
     In one embodiment, the bonus feature game  250  may include one or more elimination rounds in which a number of bonus game symbols are selected and assigned to a subsequent elimination round. During each subsequent elimination round, the number of bonus game symbols  266  remaining in the bonus feature game  250  is reduced. For example, the bonus feature game  250  may be initiated with a first number of bonus game symbols  266 . During a first elimination round, the symbol selection unit  272  selects a second number of bonus game symbols  266  for use in a subsequent round that is less than the first number of bonus game symbols  266 . In addition, during a final game round, the symbol selection unit  272  selects a winning game symbol  268  from a group of remaining symbols and provides an award to each qualified player associated with the winning game symbol  268 . 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart of a method  300  that may be used with the system  2  for providing an award to a plurality of players. The method  300  includes a plurality of steps. Each method step may be performed independently of, or in combination with, other method steps. Portions of the method  300  may be performed by any one of, or any combination of, the components of the system  2  including the system controller  201 , one or more gaming devices  12 , and/or one or more player tracking devices  46 .  FIGS. 9 and 10  are exemplary entertaining graphical displays of the bonus game screen  264  including the bonus feature game  250  that may be displayed by the system  2 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, in method step  302 , the system controller  200  displays the bonus feature game  250  on a plurality of gaming devices  12 . In one embodiment, the system controller  200  displays the bonus feature game  250  including an elimination game that includes a plurality of a bonus game symbols  266  and a winning game symbol  268  that is selected from the plurality of bonus game symbols  266 . However, it should be noted that the bonus feature game  250  may be any type of game upon which a player may be provided an award including, but not limited to a slot game, a maze game, a lottery-type game, a keno game, a blackjack game, a video poker game, or any type of game that enables the system controller  200  to function as described herein. In the illustrated embodiment, the system controller  200  detects a triggering condition and responsively initiates the bonus feature game  250  upon detecting the triggering condition. The triggering condition may include, but is not limited to, a predefined day and/or time, an amount of wagers received by a set of gaming devices, an amount of purchase made by one or more patrons, an amount of time spent at one or more gaming devices by one or more players, and/or any suitable triggering condition that may be used to initiate the bonus feature game  250 . In one embodiment, the system controller  200  may initiate the bonus feature game  250  in response to a request received from a system user such as, for example, a casino employee. 
     In one embodiment, the system controller  200  may display the bonus feature game  250  on each of the gaming devices  12  included in the system  2 . In another embodiment, the system controller  200  may display the bonus feature game  250  on a set of gaming devices  12 . The set of gaming devices  12  may include a group of predefined gaming devices  12 , such as for example, gaming machines located within a predefined area of a casino floor. In addition, the system controller  200  may display the bonus feature game  250  on a set of gaming devices that are each associated with a qualified player. In one embodiment, the system controller  200  may allow the system user to select a group of gaming devices  12  and display the bonus feature game  250  on each of the selected group of gaming devices  12 . 
     In method step  304 , the system controller  200  receives a request to play the bonus feature game  250  from a player via a corresponding gaming device  12 . In one embodiment, the system controller  200  displays a notification message on one or more gaming devices  12  notifying the players that the bonus feature game  250  is being initiated and requesting the players to participate in the bonus feature game  250 . In addition, the system controller  200  may display the notification message on each of the gaming devices  12  and/or display the notification message on a predefined set of display devices. In the illustrated embodiment, the system controller  200  receives a request from one or more players to participate in the bonus feature game  250  via a corresponding gaming device  12 . In addition, the system controller  200  may receive the player&#39;s request to participate including a unique player identification associate with the corresponding player. For example, in one embodiment, the player may transmit the unique player identification via a gaming device  12  to request participation in the bonus feature game  250 . 
     In method step  306 , the system controller  200  determines if the player is a qualified player that is eligible to participate in the bonus feature game  250 . If the system controller  200  determines the player to be a qualified player, the system controller  200  displays the bonus feature game  250  on the corresponding gaming device  12 . If the system controller  200  determines that the player is not a qualified player, the system controller  200  does not display the bonus feature game  250  to the player and returns the gaming device  12  to a previous operating status, such as displaying a main game  80 . In the illustrated embodiment, the system controller  200  generates the bonus feature game  250  including a set of qualification criteria that is indicative of a qualified player and determines if the player is a qualified player based on the set of qualification criteria. For example, the set of qualification criteria may include, but is not limited to, duration of game play, player rating, amount of wager, average wager, average game play, average non-gaming purchase, time of day, and/or any suitable criteria that may be associated with one or more players. 
     In one embodiment, the system controller  200  allows a system user to establish a unique set of qualification criteria for each of a plurality of bonus feature games  250 . In addition, the system controller  200  may allow the system user to change and/or modify a corresponding set of qualification criteria at any time prior to initiating a bonus feature game  250 . The system controller  200  may also determine a player criteria associated with the corresponding player and determine if the player is a qualified player based on the associated player criteria and the set of qualification criteria. For example, in one embodiment, the system controller  200  may receive a player&#39;s request to participate in the bonus feature game  250  including an associated unique player identification and determine a player account associated with the player as a function of the received unique identification. In addition, the system controller  200  may retrieve the associated player account from the database  205 , determine the player criteria associated with the retrieved player account, and determine if the player is a qualified player based on the associated player criteria. Moreover, the system controller  200  may determine the player to be a qualified player if the associated player criteria included in the corresponding player account matches the bonus feature game qualification criteria, and responsively display the bonus feature game  250  on the corresponding gaming device. In the illustrated embodiment, the system controller  200  allows a plurality of qualified players to participate in the bonus feature game  250 . Moreover, the system controller  200  may receive a request from a plurality of players via corresponding gaming devices  12 , determine if each player is a qualified player, and allow each of the qualified players to play the bonus feature game  250 . 
     In one embodiment, the system controller  200  may establish a bonus feature game qualification criteria including a predefined response time period and determine a player to be a qualified player if a response is received from the player within the predefined response time period. In addition, the system controller  200  may initiate a round of the bonus feature game  250  including those qualified players that have responded within the predefined response period. In one embodiment, the system controller  200  may establish the qualification criteria including a predefined number of qualified players, and initiate a round of the bonus feature game  250  when the predefined number of qualified players have responded. 
     In method step  308 , the system controller  200  selects a bonus game symbol  266  from a predefined set  274  of bonus game symbols  266  and associates the selected bonus game symbols  266  with each qualified player for use during the bonus feature game  250 . In the illustrated embodiment, the system controller  200  selects a bonus game symbol  266  for each of the qualified players and associates the selected bonus game symbols  266  with each corresponding qualified player. In one embodiment, the system controller  200  may display a symbol selection screen  276  on each corresponding gaming device  12  and allow each qualified player to select a bonus game symbol  266  from the predefined set of bonus game symbols  266 . In another embodiment, the system controller  200  may randomly select a bonus game symbol  266  for each of the qualified players. In addition, the system controller  200  may allow one or more qualified players to select an associated bonus game symbol  266  and randomly select a bonus game symbol  266  for each remaining qualified player. For example, in one embodiment, the system controller  200  may require each qualified player to select an associated bonus game symbol  266  within a predefined period of time. Upon the expiration of the predefined period of time, the system controller  200  may randomly select a symbol for each of the remaining qualified players who have not selected an associated bonus game symbol  266 . In another embodiment, the system controller  200  may determine a plurality of groups of gaming devices  12 , randomly select a bonus game symbol  266  for each of the groups of gaming devices  12  and associate the selected bonus symbol  266  with each qualified player associated with the corresponding group of gaming devices  12 . 
     In one embodiment, the system controller  200  may determine a selection probability associated with each bonus game symbol  266  and randomly select a bonus game symbol  266  for one or more qualified players as a function of the associated selection probabilities. In addition, the system controller  200  may determine the corresponding selection probabilities as a function of a player rating associated with a qualified player. For example, the selection probabilities associated with each bonus game symbol  266  may be provided as in the following chart. The following chart is provided for illustration only and does not limit the scope of the present invention. 
     
       
         
           
               
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Probability of Selecting a Game Symbol 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Player 
                 Bonus Game Symbol 
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Rating 
                 A 
                 B 
                 C 
                 D 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 High 
                  5% 
                 15% 
                 30% 
                 50% 
               
               
                   
                 Medium 
                 10% 
                 20% 
                 30% 
                 40% 
               
               
                   
                 Low 
                 30% 
                 40% 
                 15% 
                 15% 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The first column represents the player ratings associated with the qualified players. The second, third, fourth, and fifth columns represents the selection probabilities associated with a plurality of bonus game symbols  266  such as, for example a symbol “A”, a symbol “B”, a symbol “C”, and a symbol “D”, respectively. In one embodiment, the system controller  200  may determine a player rating associated with a qualified player, determine the selection probabilities associated with each of the bonus game symbols  266  as a function of the player rating, and randomly select a bonus game symbol  266  associated with the qualified player as a function of the corresponding player rating and associated selection probabilities. 
     In method step  310 , the system controller  200  conducts one or more elimination rounds associated with bonus feature game  250 . Moreover, the system controller  200  may display an elimination screen  278  on each corresponding gaming device  12  that displays the results of each elimination round. In one embodiment, the bonus feature game  250  may include a predefined number of elimination rounds. In another embodiment, the system controller  200  may randomly select a number of elimination rounds being conducted with the bonus feature game  250 . Moreover, the system controller  200  may allow a system user to select a number of elimination rounds included in the bonus feature game  250 . During each elimination round, the system controller  200  randomly selects one or more bonus game symbols  266  from a participating group of bonus game symbols  266 , and include the selected bonus game symbols  266  in a group of remaining bonus game symbols  266  for use in a subsequent elimination round and/or a final round. In addition, the system controller  200  may display a video movie and/or image of a competition between two or more participating bonus game symbols  266  to display the results of the elimination round in an entertaining display to the players. Moreover, in one embodiment, the system controller  200  may conduct an elimination round including randomly selecting a group of remaining bonus game symbols  266  from the predefined set of bonus game symbols, in which the group of remaining bonus game symbols  266  includes a fewer number of symbols than a number of symbols included in the predefined set of bonus game symbols. In addition, in one embodiment, the system controller  200  may conduct a plurality of elimination rounds and, for each elimination round, select a current group of remaining bonus game symbols  266  from a previous group bonus game symbols  266  associated with a previous elimination round, with the current group having fewer symbols than the previous group. 
     For example, in one embodiment, the system controller  200  may conduct a first elimination round  280  including establishing a participating group  282  of bonus game symbols  266  in which each of the bonus game symbols  266  are associated with one or more qualified players. During the first elimination round  280 , the system controller  200  selects one or more symbols from the participating group  282  to be included in a remaining group  284  of bonus game symbol  266  that are assigned to a second elimination round  286 . During each elimination round, the number of bonus game symbols  266  selected for each remaining group  284  of symbols is less than the number of symbols participating in the previous round. In one embodiment, the system controller  200  may randomly select the number of participating symbols associated with each elimination round, e.g. the number of bonus game symbols  266  that will be selected for a subsequent elimination round. In another embodiment, the system controller  200  may allow a system user to select the number of remaining bonus game symbols  266  for each elimination round. 
     In one embodiment, during each elimination round, the system controller  200  may determine a selection probability associated with each participating bonus game symbol  266 , and randomly select the remaining group  284  of symbols as a function of each corresponding selection probability. In one embodiment, each bonus game symbol  266  may include a predefined selection probability that is used during each elimination round. In another embodiment, each bonus game symbol  266  may include a selection probability associated with each elimination round. For example, the selection probability associated with each bonus game symbol  266  may be provided as in the following chart. The following chart is provided for illustration only and does not limit the scope of the present invention. 
     
       
         
           
               
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Probability of Selecting a Game Symbol 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Bonus Game Symbol 
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Game Round 
                 A 
                 B 
                 C 
                 D 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Elimination 
                 10% 
                 20% 
                 40% 
                 50% 
               
               
                   
                 Round 1 
               
               
                   
                 Elimination 
                 15% 
                 50% 
                 30% 
                 50% 
               
               
                   
                 Round 2 
               
               
                   
                 Final 
                 20% 
                 40% 
                 20% 
                 50% 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The first column represents the number of elimination rounds associated with bonus feature game  250 . The second, third, fourth, and fifth columns represents the selection probabilities associated with each bonus game symbol  266  such as, for example symbol “A”, symbol “B”, symbol “C”, and symbol “D”, respectively. During each elimination round, the system controller  200  determines the current elimination round, determines each bonus game symbol  266  participating in the elimination round, and determines the selection probability associated with each participating bonus game symbol  266 . For example, bonus symbol “A” has a 10% selection probability during the first elimination round, a 15% selection probability during the second elimination round, and a 20% selection probability during a final elimination round. 
     In another embodiment, the system controller  200  may adjust a selection probability associated with each bonus game symbol  266  included in the group of remaining bonus game symbols  266  participating in a current elimination round based in the number of symbols included in the current elimination round, and randomly select the bonus game symbols  266  as a function of adjusted selection probabilities. 
     In method step  312 , the system controller  200  conducts a final elimination round  288  including selecting a winning bonus game symbol  268  from a remaining group  284  of bonus game symbols  266 . In one embodiment, the system controller  200  may determine a selection probability associated with each of the bonus game symbols  266  included in the remaining group  284  and randomly select the winning bonus game symbol  268  as a function of the corresponding selection probabilities. In addition, the system controller  200  may adjust a selection probability associated with each bonus game symbol  266  included in the remaining group  284  of bonus game symbols  266  and randomly select the winning bonus game symbol  268  as a function of adjusted selection probabilities. 
     In one embodiment, the system controller  200  may initiate the bonus feature game  250  including a single elimination round and conduct the final round including randomly selecting the winning bonus game symbol  268  from the predefined set of bonus game symbols  266 . 
     In method step  314 , the system controller  200  identifies each winning qualified player associated with the winning bonus game symbol  268  and determines a number of winning qualified players. In one embodiment, the system controller  200  determines each qualified player that has selected the winning bonus symbol  268 . In another embodiment, the system controller  200  determines each qualified player associated with a gaming device  12  that is associated with the winning bonus game symbol  268 . 
     In method step  316 , the system controller  200  provides a bonus award to each winning qualified player. In one embodiment, the bonus award may include a predefined award that is provided to each of the winning qualified players. In another embodiment, the system controller  200  may determine the number of winning qualified players and split the bonus award among each of the number of winning qualified players. For example, the bonus award may include an amount of incentive points. The system controller  200  may determine the number of winning qualified players and divide the amount of incentive points based on the number of winning qualified players. In another embodiment, the system controller  200  may provide a predefined amount of incentive points to each winning qualified player. Moreover, the system controller  200  may award an amount of incentive points to each winning qualified player based on an associated player rating. For example, a higher rated player may receive a larger amount of incentive points than a lower rated player. 
     Exemplary embodiments of a gaming device, a gaming system, and a method of providing an award to a plurality of players are described above in detail. The gaming device, system, and method are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components of the gaming device and/or system and/or steps of the method may be utilized independently and separately from other components and/or steps described herein. For example, the gaming device may also be used in combination with other gaming systems and methods, and is not limited to practice with only the gaming machine as described herein. Rather, an exemplary embodiment can be implemented and utilized in connection with many other gaming system applications. 
     A controller, computing device, or computer, such as described herein, includes at least one or more processors or processing units and a system memory. The controller typically also includes at least some form of computer readable media. By way of example and not limitation, computer readable media may include computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media may include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology that enables storage of information, such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Communication media typically embody computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and include any information delivery media. Those skilled in the art should be familiar with the modulated data signal, which has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. Combinations of any of the above are also included within the scope of computer readable media. 
     The order of execution or performance of the operations in the embodiments of the invention illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, the operations described herein may be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and embodiments of the invention may include additional or fewer operations than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular operation before, contemporaneously with, or after another operation is within the scope of aspects of the invention. 
     In some embodiments, a processor, as described herein, includes any programmable system including systems and microcontrollers, reduced instruction set circuits (RISC), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), programmable logic circuits (PLC), and any other circuit or processor capable of executing the functions described herein. The above examples are exemplary only, and thus are not intended to limit in any way the definition and/or meaning of the term processor. 
     In some embodiments, a database, as described herein, includes any collection of data including hierarchical databases, relational databases, flat file databases, object-relational databases, object oriented databases, and any other structured collection of records or data that is stored in a computer system. The above examples are exemplary only, and thus are not intended to limit in any way the definition and/or meaning of the term database. Examples of databases include, but are not limited to only including, Oracle® Database, MySQL, IBM® DB2, Microsoft® SQL Server, Sybase®, and PostgreSQL. However, any database may be used that enables the systems and methods described herein. (Oracle is a registered trademark of Oracle Corporation, Redwood Shores, Calif.; IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y.; Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Wash.; and Sybase is a registered trademark of Sybase, Dublin, Calif.) 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Other aspects and features of the present invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. The invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described within the scope of the appended claims. It should also be noted, that the steps and/or functions listed within the appended claims, notwithstanding the order of which steps and/or functions are listed therein, are not limited to any specific order of operation. 
     Although specific features of various embodiments of the invention may be shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only. In accordance with the principles of the invention, any feature of a drawing may be referenced and/or claimed in combination with any feature of any other drawing.