Patent Publication Number: US-9886822-B2

Title: Gaming system and a method of gaming

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/667,480, filed on Jul. 3, 2012, entitled “A GAMING SYSTEM AND A METHOD OF GAMING”, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a gaming system and to a method of gaming. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is known to provide a gaming system arranged to randomly display several symbols from a predetermined set of symbols and to determine a game outcome such as a game win based on the displayed symbols. 
     There is a need to provide additional game variations and ways of displaying the reels so as to maintain and possibly increase player interaction. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     In accordance with a first aspect, there is provided a gaming system including: 
     a plurality of reels, each reel having a plurality of display positions at which symbols can be positioned for display; 
     a reel display controller arranged so as to reveal symbols that are positioned at display positions of at least one reel to a player or to hide symbols that are positioned at the display positions of the at least one reel from the player; 
     wherein the gaming system is arranged to:
         spin the reels in an initial spin, during which symbols positioned at the display positions of the at least one reel are revealed;   reposition the at least one reel after the initial spin and while symbols positioned at the display positions of the at least one reel are hidden; and   reveal symbols displayed at the display positions of the at least one reel after the at least one reel has been repositioned.       

     The gaming system may be arranged to determine whether symbols positioned at the display positions after the initial spin correspond to a winning combination, and to award a prize to the player if a winning combination of symbols is determined. 
     The gaming system may be arranged to determine whether symbols positioned at the display positions after the at least one reel has been repositioned correspond to a winning combination, and to award a prize to the player if a winning combination of symbols is determined. 
     The gaming system may be arranged to reposition the at least one reel by re-spinning the at least one reel. The gaming system may be arranged to reposition the at least one reel such that a symbol positioned at at least one display position after repositioning is a wild symbol. The gaming system may be arranged to reposition the at least one reel such that each symbol positioned at each display position after repositioning is a wild symbol. 
     In one embodiment, the gaming system is arranged to determine a trigger condition and the gaming system is arranged to reveal symbols positioned at the display positions of the at least one reel in response to determination of the trigger condition. In one example the trigger condition is provided by an input, such as an input from a player. The input may be provided by touching a button of the gaming system. Further, or alternatively, the input may be provided by touching a display region of the gaming system that is associated with the at least one reel. 
     Further, or alternatively, the trigger condition may occur in response to a predetermined time or game event, such as a time at which the at least one reel comes to a rest after being repositioned. 
     In one embodiment, wherein the trigger condition is provided by an input, the gaming system is arranged to reveal symbols that are positioned at the display positions of the at least one reel at a time that the trigger condition is determined. 
     In one embodiment, the gaming system is arranged to allow a player to select the at least one reel from the plurality of reels. It will be appreciated that the selection may be made before, during or after the initial spin. 
     In one embodiment, the gaming system is arranged to operate in normal game mode and feature game mode, wherein the gaming system is arranged to: 
     spin the reels in an initial spin, during which symbols positioned at the display positions of the at least one reel are revealed when operating in normal game mode; 
     and to: 
     reposition the at least one reel after the initial spin and while symbols positioned at the display positions of the at least one reel are hidden; and 
     reveal symbols displayed at the display positions of the at least one reel after the at least one reel has been repositioned when operating in feature game mode. 
     In one embodiment, the feature game mode is implemented in response to any one of: 
     a wager; 
     display of a particular symbol or symbol combination by the reels; 
     a random event; 
     a particular win combination associated with symbols displayed by the reels. 
     In one embodiment, the gaming system comprises at least one shutter that is arranged to move between a closed configuration so as to hide the symbols that are positioned at the display positions of the at least one reel and an open configuration so as to reveal symbols that are positioned at the display positions of the at least one reel. The gaming system may comprise a plurality of shutters, each shutter corresponding to a respective reel of the plurality of reels. 
     In one embodiment the reels are implemented as mechanical type reels. 
     In accordance with a second aspect, there is provided a method of gaming including: 
     spinning a plurality of reels, each reel having a plurality of display positions at which symbols can be positioned for display, during which at least one reel is arranged such that symbols that are positioned at the display positions of the at least one reel are revealed to a player; 
     repositioning the at least one reel after the initial spin while symbols positioned at the display positions of the at least one reel are hidden from the player; and 
     revealing symbols displayed at the display positions of the at least one reel after the at least one reel has been repositioned. 
     The method may further include: 
     determining whether symbols positioned at the display positions after the initial spin correspond to a winning combination; and 
     awarding a prize to the player if a winning combination of symbols is determined. 
     In one embodiment, the method further includes: 
     determining whether symbols positioned at the display positions after the at least one reel has been repositioned correspond to a winning combination; and 
     awarding a prize to the player if a winning combination of symbols is determined. 
     In one embodiment, repositioning the at least one reel may include re-spinning the at least one reel. 
     In one embodiment, a symbol positioned at at least one display position of the at least one reel after repositioning the at least one reel is a wild symbol. Each symbol positioned at each display position of the at least one reel after repositioning the at least one reel may be a wild symbol. 
     The method may further include: 
     determining a trigger condition; and 
     revealing symbols positioned at the display positions of the at least one reel in response to determination of the trigger condition. 
     In one embodiment, the trigger condition is provided by an input. The input may be provided by touching a button of the gaming system. Further, or alternatively, the input may be provided by touching a display region of the gaming system that is associated with the at least one reel. 
     The trigger condition may occur in response to a predetermined time or game event. 
     For embodiments wherein the trigger condition is provided by an input, the method may include revealing symbols that are positioned at the display positions of the at least one reel at a time that the trigger condition is determined. 
     The method may include selecting the at least one reel from the plurality of reels. 
     In one embodiment, the method includes: 
     operating a gaming system in normal game mode, normal game mode operation comprising: 
     spinning the reels in an initial spin, during which symbols positioned at the display positions of the at least one reel are revealed when operating in normal game mode; and 
     operating the gaming system in feature game mode, feature game mode operation comprising: 
     repositioning the at least one reel after the initial spin and while symbols positioned at the display positions of the at least one reel are hidden; and
         revealing symbols displayed at the display positions of the at least one reel after the at least one reel has been repositioned.       

     The feature game mode may be implemented in response to any one of: 
     a wager; 
     display of a particular symbol or symbol combination by the reels; 
     a random event; 
     a particular win combination associated with symbols displayed by the reels. 
     The method may include: 
     moving a shutter to a closed configuration so as to hide the symbols that are positioned at the display positions of the at least one reel; and 
     moving the shutter to an open configuration so as to reveal symbols that are positioned at the display positions of the at least one reel. 
     In accordance with a third aspect, there is provided a computer program arranged when loaded into a computing device to instruct the computing device to operate in accordance with the gaming system of the first aspect. 
     In accordance with a fourth aspect, there is provided a computer readable medium having a computer readable program code embodied therein for causing a computing device to operate in accordance with the gaming system of the first aspect. 
     In accordance with a fifth aspect, there is provided a data signal having a computer readable program code embodied therein to cause a computing device to operate in accordance with the gaming system of the first aspect. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       Features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of certain embodiments thereof, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram of components of a gaming system in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram of functional components of a gaming system in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic representation of a gaming system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention with the gaming system implemented in the form of a stand alone gaming machine; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic block diagram of operative components of the gaming machine shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram of components of a memory of the gaming machine shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of a gaming system in accordance with an alternative embodiment wherein the gaming system is implemented over a network; 
         FIG. 7  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of gaming in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIGS. 8 a  to 8 d    are diagrammatic representations of reel representations displayed by a gaming system in accordance with an embodiment; and 
         FIG. 9  is a block diagram of an example processor platform that may be used to execute computer-readable instructions to implement example systems and methods described and disclosed herein. 
     
    
    
     The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, certain embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Although the following discloses example methods, systems, articles of manufacture, and apparatus including, among other components, software executed on hardware, it should be noted that such methods and apparatus are merely illustrative and should not be considered as limiting. For example, it is contemplated that any or all of these hardware and software components could be embodied exclusively in hardware, exclusively in software, exclusively in firmware, or in any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Accordingly, while the following describes example methods, systems, articles of manufacture, and apparatus, the examples provided are not the only way to implement such methods, systems, articles of manufacture, and apparatus. 
     When any of the appended claims are read to cover a purely software and/or firmware implementation, at least one of the elements in an at least one example is hereby expressly defined to include a tangible medium such as a memory, DVD, CD, Blu-ray, etc., storing the software and/or firmware. 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate to a gaming system and to a method of gaming. In general, the present gaming system operates such that, during game play, a plurality of symbols are randomly selected from a set of symbols and displayed at a corresponding plurality of display position groups, each of which includes a plurality of display positions. The symbols shown at the display positions are used to determine game outcomes by comparing the displayed symbols with defined winning combinations. 
     In one conventional type of gaming machine, a display area including 15 display positions is presented to a player with each display position including one symbol. The display positions are arranged in five vertically disposed reels, with each reel having three visible display positions. After the reels are spun and subsequently stopped, the display positions show a random selection of symbols. 
     Generally, with such games, a plurality of win patterns in the form of win lines are defined which extend across the reels and include one display position from each reel. Typically the symbols that form a win line are compared with winning symbol combinations defined in a pay table so as to determine whether a player of the game should receive an award. For example, if winning symbol combinations are based on poker hands, a particular prize would be awarded if the win line includes four aces. Other winning symbol combinations and corresponding prizes may also be defined by a pay table. 
     In an embodiment, the gaming system is arranged to selectively hide symbols that are positioned at display positions of at least one reel from a player, or to reveal the symbols that are positioned at the display positions of the at least one reel to the player. 
     When the player instructs the gaming system to play a game, the gaming system is arranged to spin the reels in an initial spin, during which symbols positioned at display positions of all reels are revealed to the player. After this initial spin, a determination may be made as to whether or not the player should receive an award. 
     After the initial spin, the player is able to select one or more reels. The gaming system is arranged to hide symbols that are positioned at the display positions of the selected reel(s) and to reposition the selected reel(s) while symbols positioned at the display positions of the selected reel(s) are hidden from the player&#39;s view. Repositioning the selected reel(s) may include repositioning the selected reel(s) to predetermined positions, such as positions wherein wild symbols are positioned at the display positions, or repositioning the selected reel(s) to random positions. 
     In one example, the selected reel(s) are repositioned by re-spinning the selected reel(s). 
     After the selected reel(s) have been repositioned, the gaming system is arranged to reveal symbols that are positioned at the display positions of the selected reel(s) to the player. 
     A gaming system that utilizes the general concept of hiding symbols that are positioned at display positions of selected reel(s) after an initial spin, repositioning the selected reel(s) while the symbols thereof are hidden from view and thereafter revealing symbols that are positioned at the display positions of the selected reel(s) will now be described in more detail. 
     The description that follows generally describes a gaming system that is arranged to display virtual reels, however it will be appreciated that a similar idea may be applied to a gaming system that employs mechanical reels. 
     Referring to the drawings, there is shown a schematic block diagram of a gaming system  10  arranged to implement a probabilistic game of the type wherein several symbols from a set of symbols are randomly displayed, and a game outcome is determined on the basis of the displayed symbols. The system is of the type including multiple game modes such as being operable in normal game mode wherein a base game is implemented and special game mode wherein a feature game is implemented. 
     With some such probabilistic games, the set of symbols used during normal game mode include standard symbols and function symbols, and the game outcome is determined on the basis of the displayed standard symbols and the function associated with any displayed function symbol. For example, standard symbols may resemble fruit such as apples, pears and bananas with a win outcome being determined when a predetermined number of the same fruit appear on a display along a win line, or are displayed according to defined outcome patterns such as scattered, and so on. The function associated with a function symbol may be for example a wild function wherein display of the function symbol is treated during consideration of the game outcome as any of the standard symbols. A function symbol may be represented as the word “WILD”, a star, or by any other suitable word or symbol. Other functions are also envisaged such as scatter functions, multiplier functions, repeat win functions, jackpot functions and feature commencement functions. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a schematic diagram of components of a gaming system  10  in accordance with an embodiment is shown. The components include a player interface  30  and a game controller  32 . The player interface  30  is arranged to enable interaction between a player and the gaming system and for this purpose includes input/output components required for the player to enter instructions and play the game. 
     Components of the player interface  30  may vary but will typically include a credit mechanism  34  to enable a player to input credits and receive payouts, one or more displays  36  which may include a touch screen, and a game play mechanism  38  arranged to enable a player to input game play instructions. 
     The game play mechanism  38  is arranged to allow a player to instruct the gaming system  10  to initiate spinning of reels in an initial spin. The game play mechanism  38  is also arranged to allow the player to select at least one reel to be hidden by the gaming system  10  after the initial spin. In response to the selection the gaming system  10  is arranged to hide symbols that are positioned at the display positions of the at least one reel and to reposition the selected reel, such as by re-spinning the selected reel, while the selected reel is hidden from the player. 
     The game play mechanism  38  is also arranged to allow the player to instruct the gaming system  10  to reveal the selected reel after the selected reel has been repositioned, although it will be appreciated that the gaming system  10  may be arranged to automatically reveal the selected reel, for example immediately after the selected reel has been repositioned. The player instructions may be input by pressing appropriate buttons such as buttons  62  shown in  FIG. 3 , or by interacting with a display  54  that includes a touch screen usable by the player to interact with the gaming system  10 . 
     The game controller  32  is in data communication with the player interface  30  and typically includes a processor  40  arranged to process game play instructions and output game player outcomes to the display  36 . Typically, the game play instructions are stored as program code in a memory  42  that can also be hardwired. It will be understood that in this specification the term “processor” is used to refer generically to any device that can process game play instructions and may include a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logic device or other computational device such as a personal computer or a server. 
     A functional diagram illustrating operative components of the game controller  32  is shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     The memory  42  is arranged to store symbols data  14  indicative of a plurality of symbols, in the present example associated with a plurality of reels, win lines data  16  indicative of available win lines, and game instruction data  18  indicative of game instructions usable by the gaming machine  10  to control operation of the game. 
     The game controller  32  includes a game implementer  21  which is arranged to select several symbols from the available symbols  14  for display to a player in a plurality of display positions of the reels. In this example, the selection carried out by the game implementer  21  is made using a random number generator  22 . 
     It will be appreciated that the random number generator  22  may be of a type which is arranged to generate pseudo random numbers based on a seed number, and that in this specification the term “random” will be understood accordingly to mean truly random or pseudo random. 
     The game controller  32  further includes a display controller  24  arranged to control display of the reels at the one or more displays  36 . In this embodiment, the game controller  32  also includes a shutter controller  26  arranged to hide and reveal the selected at least one reel by covering the selected at least one reel from view by means of a virtual or a mechanical shutter. 
     The game controller  32  also includes an outcome evaluator  28  which, in accordance with game instructions  18  determines game outcomes based on the symbols selected by the game implementer  21  for display to the player by the display controller  24 . 
     The game controller  32  also includes a prize allocator  29  arranged to allocate a prize to a player when a winning outcome exists. 
     In the embodiment described below, the game implementer  21 , the random number generator  22 , the display controller  24 , the shutter controller  26 , the outcome evaluator  28 , and the prize allocator  29  are at least partly implemented using the processor  40  and associated software although it will be understood that other implementations are envisaged. 
     The gaming system  10  can take a number of different forms. 
     In a first form, a player operable gaming device in the form of a stand alone gaming machine is provided wherein all or most components to implement the game are present in the gaming machine. 
     In a second form, a distributed architecture is provided wherein some of the components to implement the game are present in a player operable gaming device and some of the components to implement the game are located remotely relative to the gaming device. For example, a “thick client” architecture may be used wherein part of the game is executed on a player operable gaming terminal and part of the game is executed remotely, such as by a gaming server; or a “thin client” architecture may be used wherein most of the game is executed remotely such as by a gaming server and a player operable gaming terminal is used only to display audible and/or visible gaming information to the player and receive gaming inputs from the player. 
     However, it will be understood that other arrangements are envisaged. For example, an architecture may be provided wherein a gaming device is networked to a device server and the respective functions of the gaming machine and the gaming server are selectively modifiable. For example, the gaming system may operate in stand alone gaming machine mode, “thick client” mode or “thin client” mode depending on the game being played, operating conditions, and so on. Other variations will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. 
     A gaming system in the form of a stand alone gaming machine  50  is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The gaming machine  50  includes a console  52  having a display  54  on which is displayed representations of a game  56  that can be played by a player. A mid-trim  60  of the gaming machine  50  houses a bank of buttons  62  for enabling a player to interact with the gaming machine, in particular during gameplay. The mid-trim  60  also houses a credit input mechanism  64  which in this example includes a coin input chute  64 A and a bill collector  64 B. Other credit input mechanisms may also be employed, for example, a card reader for reading a smart card, debit card or credit card. 
     A top box  66  may carry artwork  68 , including for example pay tables and details of bonus awards and other information or images relating to the game. Further artwork and/or information may be provided on a front panel  69  of the console  52 . A coin tray  70  is mounted beneath the front panel  69  for dispensing cash payouts from the gaming machine  50 . 
     The display  54  is in the form of a video display unit, particularly a cathode ray tube screen device. Alternatively, the display  54  may be a liquid crystal display, plasma screen, or any other suitable video display unit. The top box  66  may also include a display, for example a video display unit, which may be of the same type as the display  54 , or of a different type. The display  54  may include a touch screen usable by a player to interact with the gaming machine, in particular during game play. 
     The display  54  in this example is arranged to display representations of several reels, each reel of which has several associated symbols. Typically 3, 4 or 5 reels are provided. During operation of the game, the reels first appear to rotate then stop with typically three symbols visible on each reel. Game outcomes are determined on the basis of the visible symbols together with any special functions associated with the symbols. 
     A player marketing module (PMM)  72  having a display  74  is connected to the gaming machine  50 . The main purpose of the PMM  72  is to allow the player to interact with a player loyalty system. The PMM has a magnetic card reader for the purpose of reading a player tracking device, for example as part of a loyalty program. However other reading devices may be employed and the player tracking device may be in the form of a card, flash drive or any other portable storage medium capable of being read by the reading device. In this example, the PMM  62  is a Sentinel III device produced by Aristocrat Technologies Pty Ltd. 
       FIG. 4  shows a block diagram of operative components of a gaming device  100  which may be the same as or different to the gaming machine shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     The gaming machine  100  includes a game controller  101  having a processor  102 . Instructions and data to control operation of the processor  102  in accordance with the present invention are stored in a memory  103  which is in data communication with the processor  102 . 
     Typically, the gaming machine  100  will include both volatile and non-volatile memory and more than one of each type of memory, with such memories being collectively represented by the memory  103 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a block diagram of the main components of an exemplary memory  103 . The memory  103  includes RAM  103 A, EPROM  103 B and a mass storage device  103 C. The RAM  103 A typically temporarily holds program files for execution by the processor  102  and related data. The EPROM  103 B may be a boot ROM device and/or may contain some system or game related code. The mass storage device  103 C is typically used to store game programs, the integrity of which may be verified and/or authenticated by the processor  102  using protected code from the EPROM  103 B or elsewhere. 
     The gaming machine has hardware meters  104  for purposes including ensuring regulatory compliance and monitoring player credit, an input/output (I/O) interface  105  for communicating with a player interface  120  of the gaming machine  100 , the player interface  120  having several peripheral devices. The input/output interface  105  and/or the peripheral devices may be intelligent devices with their own memory for storing associated instructions and data for use with the input/output interface or the peripheral devices. A random number generator module  113  generates random numbers for use by the processor  102 . 
     In the example shown in  FIG. 4 , the peripheral devices that communicate with the game controller  101  include one or more displays  106 , a touch screen and/or bank of buttons  107 , a card and/or ticket reader  108 , a printer  109 , a bill acceptor and/or coin input mechanism  110  and a coin output mechanism  111 . Additional hardware may be included as part of the gaming machine  100 , or hardware may be omitted based on the specific implementation. 
     In addition, the gaming machine  100  may include a communications interface, for example a network card  112 . The network card may, for example, send status information, accounting information or other information to a central controller, server or database and receive data or commands from the central controller, server or database. 
     It is also possible for the operative components of the gaming machine  100  to be distributed, for example input/output devices  106 ,  107 ,  108 ,  109 ,  110 ,  111  may be provided remotely from the game controller  101 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a gaming system  200  in accordance with an alternative embodiment. The gaming system  200  includes a network  201 , which for example may be an Ethernet network, a LAN or a WAN. In this example, three banks  203  of two gaming machines  202  are connected to the network  201 . The gaming machines  202  provide a player operable interface and may be the same as the gaming machines  40 , 100  shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , or may have simplified functionality depending on the rules, guidelines, requirements, and/or preferences to implement game play. While banks  203  of two gaming machines are illustrated in  FIG. 6 , banks of one, three or more gaming machines are also envisaged. 
     One or more displays  204  may also be connected to the network  201 . The displays  204  may, for example, be associated with one or more banks  203  of gaming machines. The displays  204  may be used to display representations associated with game play on the gaming machines  202 , and/or used to display other representations, for example promotional or informational material. 
     In a thick client embodiment, a game server  205  implements part of the game played by a player using a gaming machine  202  and the gaming machine  202  implements part of the game. With this embodiment, as both the game server  205  and the gaming machine  202  implement part of the game, they collectively provide a game controller. A database management server  206  may manage storage of game programs and associated data for downloading or access by the gaming devices  202  in a database  206 A. Typically, if the gaming system enables players to participate in a Jackpot game, a Jackpot server  207  will be provided to monitor and carry out the Jackpot game. 
     In a variation of the above thick client embodiment, the gaming machine  202  may implement the game, with the game server  205  functioning merely to serve data indicative of a game to the gaming machine  202  for implementation. 
     With this implementation, a data signal containing a computer program usable by the client terminal to implement the gaming system may be transferred from the game server to the client terminal, for example in response to a request by the client terminal. 
     In a thin client embodiment, the game server  205  implements most or all of the game played by a player using a gaming machine  202  and the gaming machine  202  essentially provides only the player interface. With this embodiment, the game server  205  provides the game controller. The gaming machine will receive player instructions, and pass the instructions to the game server which will process them and return game play outcomes to the gaming machine for display. In a thin client embodiment, the gaming machines could be computer terminals, e.g. PCs running software that provides a player interface operable using standard computer input and output components. 
     Servers are also typically provided to assist in the administration of the gaming system  200 , including for example a gaming floor management server  208  and a licensing server  209  to monitor the use of licenses relating to particular games. An administrator terminal  210  is provided to allow an administrator to monitor the network  201  and the devices connected to the network. 
     The gaming system  200  may communicate with other gaming systems, other local networks such as a corporate network, and/or a wide area network such as the Internet, for example through a firewall  211 . 
     A loyalty program server  212  may also be provided. 
     Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in accordance with known techniques, functionality at the server side of the network may be distributed over a plurality of different computers. For example, elements may be run as a single “engine” on one server or a separate server may be provided. For example, the game server  205  could run a random number generator engine. Alternatively, a separate random number generator server could be provided. 
     Examples of specific implementations of the gaming system will now be described in relation to a stand alone gaming machine  50  although it will be understood that implementation may also be carried out using other gaming system architectures such as a network architecture of the type shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     In this example, the gaming system includes five reels, each reel corresponding to a display position group, each of which has an associated set of display positions for displaying symbols. 
     The reels are arranged to display standard symbols and one or more function symbols and win outcomes are determined on the basis of the symbols visible at the display positions when the reels stop rotating. 
     Typically, a player will purchase or otherwise obtain win entitlements such as several win lines which are used in the game to determine win outcomes. If the displayed symbols on the reels have symbols associated with a winning combination such as a winning combination disposed on a win line, the player wins a prize. 
     The gaming system is operable in normal game mode and special game mode and may be arranged to commence special game mode when a predetermined game outcome occurs. Special game mode may include one or more free games. Special game mode may commence automatically on the basis of a game event occurring during a game such as display of a particular symbol, based on game outcomes determined by the gaming system, or may be prompted by a player pressing a button on the gaming system  10  after the player has identified that a game outcome corresponding to special game mode requirements has occurred. 
     The gaming system  10  may also be arranged so as to determine eligibility for special game mode, for example based on the amount or type of bet placed, based on certain time periods and so on. 
     Special game mode may also be arranged to commence when a special game is purchased by a player. 
     A specific example will now be described in relation to flow diagram  250  shown in  FIG. 7  which illustrates blocks  252  to  255  of a method of gaming implemented by the gaming system  10  according to an embodiment. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a flowchart of an example method.  FIG. 7  depicts an example flow diagram representative of process(es) that may be implemented using, for example, computer readable instructions that may be used to facilitate game play and/or gaming tax management. The example process(es) of  FIG. 7  may be performed using a processor, a controller and/or any other suitable processing device. For example, the example process(es) of  FIG. 7  may be implemented using coded instructions (e.g., computer readable instructions) stored on a tangible computer readable medium such as a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), and/or a random-access memory (RAM). As used herein, the term tangible computer readable medium is expressly defined to include any type of computer readable storage and to exclude propagating signals. Additionally or alternatively, the example processes of  FIGS. 6 and 7  may be implemented using coded instructions (e.g., computer readable instructions) stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium such as a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), a random-access memory (RAM), a cache, or any other storage media in which information is stored for any duration (e.g., for extended time periods, permanently, brief instances, for temporarily buffering, and/or for caching of the information). As used herein, the term non-transitory computer readable medium is expressly defined to include any type of computer readable medium and to exclude propagating signals. 
     Alternatively, some or all of the example process(es) of  FIG. 7  may be implemented using any combination(s) of application specific integrated circuit(s) (ASIC(s)), programmable logic device(s) (PLD(s)), field programmable logic device(s) (FPLD(s)), discrete logic, hardware, firmware, etc. Also, some or all of the example process(es) of  FIG. 7  may be implemented manually or as any combination(s) of any of the foregoing techniques, for example, any combination of firmware, software, discrete logic and/or hardware. Further, although the example process(es) of  FIG. 7  are described with reference to the flow diagram, other methods of implementing the process(es) of  FIG. 7  may be employed. For example, the order of execution of the blocks may be changed, and/or some of the blocks described may be changed, eliminated, sub-divided, or combined. Additionally, any or all of the example process(es) of  FIG. 7  may be performed sequentially and/or in parallel by, for example, separate processing threads, processors, devices, discrete logic, circuits, etc. 
     It will be appreciated that at least part of the method and gaming system of embodiments of the present may be implemented digitally by a processor. Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that embodiments may be implemented utilising program code. The program code could be supplied in a number of ways, for example on a tangible computer readable storage medium, such as a disc or a memory (for example, that could replace part of memory  103 ) or as a data signal (for example, by transmitting it from a server). Persons skilled in the art, will appreciate that program code provides a series of instructions executable by a processor. 
     In the example of  FIG. 7 , five spinnable reels  280 ,  282 ,  284 ,  286 ,  288  are provided and displayed on a graphical display device  54  in a display area  290 , as shown in  FIGS. 8 a  to 8 d   . Each reel  280 ,  282 ,  284 ,  286 ,  288  includes three display positions  292  for displaying corresponding symbols  294 . It will be understood that any number of reels/display position groups may be provided. 
     Each reel  280 ,  282 ,  284 ,  286 ,  288  is associated with a respective shutter, each shutter being movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. For example, shutter  298  is associated with reel  286  and is shown in the closed configuration in  FIG. 8 b   . When the shutters are in the open configuration, the shutters are not visible to a player, and the display positions  292  are not hidden from the player. 
     The configuration of each shutter is controlled by the shutter controller  26 , the shutter controller  26  being arranged to facilitate hiding the display positions  292  of each shutter&#39;s respective reel  280 ,  282 ,  284 ,  286 ,  288  by controlling each shutter to move to the closed configuration, and to facilitate revealing the display positions  292  of each shutter&#39;s respective reel  280 ,  282 ,  284 ,  286 ,  288  by controlling each shutter to move to the open configuration. 
     During implementation of a game, at block  252 , the reels  280 ,  282 ,  284 ,  286 ,  288  are spun in an initial spin. During the initial spin, the shutter controller  26  controls the shutters such that the shutters are in the open configuration and the display positions  292  of each reel  280 ,  282 ,  284 ,  286 ,  288  are revealed to the player. 
     The reels  280 ,  282 ,  284 ,  286 ,  288  will eventually come to a rest to display an array of symbols  294  to the player. An example of a possible outcome from block  252  is shown in  FIG. 8 a   . In this example, the player achieved four non-continuous ‘10’ symbols along win line  296 . The player is able to see that, if he had also achieved a ‘10’ symbol in the bottom display position  292  of reel  286 , the player would have achieved five continuous ‘10’ symbols and been allocated an appropriate prize. 
     At block  253 , the player selects at least one reel that is to be repositioned while the at least one reel is hidden from the player. In this example, the player selects reel  286 , recognizing that achieving an appropriate symbol, such as a ‘10’ or a ‘WILD’ symbol, in the lowermost display position  292  will result in the allocation of a prize. The selection is made, in this example, by touching a region of the display  54  corresponding to the reel  286 . Any other form of facilitating such a selection is envisaged, for example by player interaction with the buttons  62 . 
     In response to selection  253  of the reel  286 , the shutter controller  26  of the gaming system  10  instructs the shutter  298  to move to the closed configuration so as to hide the display positions  292 , and any symbols  294  positioned at the display positions  292 , of the reel  286  from the player&#39;s view. 
     At block  254 , the gaming system  10  repositions the selected reel  286  while the shutter  298  is closed and the reel  286  is hidden from view. In this example, the selected reel  286  is repositioned  254  such that ‘WILD’ symbols  300  are positioned at the display positions  292  of the selected reel  286 , as shown in  FIG. 8 c   . At this stage, it will be appreciated that the ‘WILD’ symbols  300  are still hidden from the player&#39;s view, the cross-hatching of the shutter  298  indicating that the ‘WILD’ symbols  300  are behind the shutter  298 . 
     At block  255 , the shutter controller  26  instructs the shutter  298  to move to the open configuration, thereby revealing the ‘WILD’ symbols  300  to the player. The shutter controller  26  can instruct the shutter  298  to move to the open configuration in response to the player selecting the reel  286  and/or shutter  298 , for example by touching a region of the display  54  corresponding to the reel  286  and/or shutter  298 . Further, or alternatively, the shutter controller  26  can be arranged to instruct the shutter  298  to move to the open configuration automatically, such as at a time after the ‘WILD’ symbols  300  are in position behind the shutter  298 , or after a predefined time period. 
     As a result of block  255 , the display positions  292  are revealed to the player, including the ‘WILD’ symbols  300 . The gaming system  10  then determines if there are any winning symbol combinations and allocates a prize to the player if a winning symbol combination is determined. In this example, the ‘WILD’ symbol  300  displayed at the lowermost display position  292  of the reel  286  completes a winning symbol combination of five ‘10’ symbols along the win line  296 . This winning symbol combination is determined and the player is awarded the corresponding prize. 
     In the above example, the selected reel  286  was described as being repositioned such that ‘WILD’ symbols  300  are positioned at the display positions  292  of the selected reel  286 . This may be achieved by re-spinning the reel  286  to a position showing only ‘WILD’ symbols at the display positions  292 , although it will be appreciated that any way of repositioning the reel  286  is envisaged. 
     It will be appreciated that the gaming system  10  may not necessarily reposition the selected reel  286  such that ‘WILD’ symbols  300  are positioned at the display positions  292  of the selected reel  286 . The gaming system  10  may be arranged to reposition the selected reel  286  such that any random symbols are positioned at the display positions  292  such as by re-spinning the reel  286  to a random position. Further, or alternatively, the gaming system  10  may be arranged to reposition the reel  286  so that a particular bonus symbol is displayed at at least one of the display positions  292  of the reel  286 . 
     As described earlier, the gaming system is arranged to operate in normal game mode and feature game mode. In one embodiment, the feature game mode corresponds to the steps  252  to  255  of the method  250 , although it will be appreciated that the feature game may include steps  253  to  255  of the method  250 , wherein the first step  252  of spinning the reels in an initial spin is part of normal game mode and a particular symbol combination achieved during the initial spin  252  triggers the feature game mode. 
     It will also be appreciated that more than one reel  280 ,  282 ,  284 ,  286 ,  288  may be selected by the player to be hidden, wherein each selected reel is repositioned while hidden from the player after the initial spin, and subsequently revealed to the player after each selected real has been repositioned. That is, the steps  252  to  255  may apply to a plurality of reels. 
     Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are determined to be within the scope of the present invention. 
     In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. 
     It is to be understood that, if any prior art is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the prior art forms a part of the common general knowledge of the art in any country. 
     It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. 
     Several embodiments are described above with reference to the drawings. These drawings illustrate certain details of specific embodiments that implement the systems and methods and programs of the present invention. However, describing the invention with drawings should not be construed as imposing on the invention any limitations associated with features shown in the drawings. It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention. 
     The present invention contemplates methods, systems and program products on any electronic device and/or machine-readable media suitable for accomplishing its operations. Certain embodiments of the present invention may be implemented using an existing computer processor and/or by a special purpose computer processor incorporated for this or another purpose or by a hardwired system, for example. 
     Embodiments within the scope of the present invention include program products comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readable media may comprise RAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. When information is transferred or provided over a network or another communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to a machine, the machine properly views the connection as a machine-readable medium. Thus, any such a connection is properly termed a machine-readable medium. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions comprise, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions. 
     For example,  FIG. 9  is a block diagram of an example processor platform  900  capable of executing the instructions of  FIG. 7  to implement the example systems and methods disclosed and described herein. The processor platform  900  can be, for example, a server, a personal computer, an Internet appliance, a set top box, or any other type of computing device. 
     The processor platform  900  of the instant example includes a processor  912 . For example, the processor  912  can be implemented by one or more microprocessors or controllers from any desired family or manufacturer. The processor  912  includes a local memory  913  (e.g., a cache) and is in communication with a main memory including a volatile memory  914  and a non-volatile memory  916  via a bus  918 . The volatile memory  914  may be implemented by Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), RAMBUS Dynamic Random Access Memory (RDRAM) and/or any other type of random access memory device. The non-volatile memory  916  may be implemented by flash memory and/or any other desired type of memory device. Access to the main memory  914 ,  916  is controlled by a memory controller. 
     The processor platform  900  also includes an interface circuit  920 . The interface circuit  920  may be implemented by any type of interface standard, such as an Ethernet interface, a universal serial bus (USB), and/or a PCI express interface. 
     One or more input devices  922  are connected to the interface circuit  920 . The input device(s)  922  permit a user to enter data and commands into the processor  912 . The input device(s) can be implemented by, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touchscreen, a track-pad, a trackball, isopoint and/or a voice recognition system. 
     One or more output devices  924  are also connected to the interface circuit  920 . The output devices  924  can be implemented, for example, by display devices (e.g., a liquid crystal display, a cathode ray tube display (CRT), etc.). The interface circuit  920 , thus, typically includes a graphics driver card. 
     The interface circuit  920  also includes a communication device such as a modem or network interface card to facilitate exchange of data with external computers via a network  926  (e.g., an Ethernet connection, a digital subscriber line (DSL), a telephone line, coaxial cable, a cellular telephone system, etc.). 
     The processor platform  900  also includes one or more mass storage devices  928  for storing software and data. Examples of such mass storage devices  928  include floppy disk drives, hard drive disks, compact disk drives and digital versatile disk (DVD) drives. The mass storage device  928  may implement a local storage device. 
     The coded instructions  932  of  FIG. 7  may be stored in the mass storage device  928 , in the volatile memory  914 , in the non-volatile memory  916 , and/or on a removable storage medium such as a CD or DVD.