Patent Abstract:
A system and method for play of a community game in a casino establishment or on a network with general purpose computing devices for offering at least two players an opportunity to work cooperatively to achieve a community jackpot. The community jackpot may be awarded based on the outcome of a base game, or an outcome on a sub-game or a bonus game that involves a sequence of movements among the players. A system and method for providing hybrid jackpot funding technique is also described in which alternating funding schemes are used to fund the community jackpot and at least one other game jackpot simultaneously.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/934,926, filed on Feb. 3, 2014, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference in the present application. 
     
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
       [0002]    Portions of this disclosure contain material in which copyright is claimed by the applicant. The applicant has no objection to the copying of this material in the course of making copies of the application file or any patents that may issue on the application, but all other rights whatsoever in the copyrighted material are reserved. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Electronic gaming machines (“EGMs”) offer a variety of games such as slot games, video poker games, roulette games, keno games and other types of wagering games that are commonly deployed at a casino for use by players. Play on the EGMs typically requires the player to place a wager on the outcome of the game. The games are programmed with a predefined set of outcomes including one or more winning outcomes and one or more losing outcomes. The player is awarded for a winning outcome and receives no award for a losing outcome. 
         [0004]    Historically, the simple format of game play with a predefined set of outcomes has been appealing to players even though there are typically more losing outcomes than winning outcomes. However, game designers, players and operators of games are always striving to find appealing features and game functionality that will generate player excitement and increase, or at least maintain the interest of the player. Special awards, multipliers, bonus games and bonus features have become more and more popular in recent years as EGMs have grown more sophisticated, and players enjoy extending play with exciting new features and functionality. 
         [0005]    The present invention defines a system and method that adds excitement and a new form of entertainment to the play of wagering games. It does so by offering a fun and captivating game feature which permits a group of players to work together as a community to win one or more community jackpots. The feature may be implemented in any game. Like other games played on an EGM, the player places an initial wager to play. A random outcome is generated based on a random number received from a random number generator (“RNG”) and that outcome is displayed on the EGM display to the player. The invention may be implemented in a base game, a sub-game, a bonus or free spin game after a trigger in the base game, or in any combination where the game displays the community game play sequence. If the group of players, working together, is successful in achieving a set of game play objectives, each player in the group is awarded a portion of the community prize. If any one player does not continue to play, game play is ended and none of the players in the group is awarded a prize. The prize is a community jackpot, which is funded by wagers on EGMs played by the group of players, and may be in the form of a progressive jackpot, a mystery jackpot, a fixed jackpot or any other kind of award. 
         [0006]    The community jackpot, along with other jackpots available during play of the EGMs, is funded by wagers on the EGMs. A hybrid jackpot funding technique is also described in which alternating funding schemes are used to fund the community jackpot and at least one other game jackpot simultaneously. In the first scheme, the timing of which is after a community jackpot has been awarded and until a base level of funding for the community jackpot has been reached, the funding allocation is increased to the community jackpot and decreased to the other jackpot(s). In the second scheme, the timing of which is after the community jackpot has been reached and before it is won, the funding allocation is decreased to the community jackpot and is increased to the other jackpot(s). In that way, the time is reduced to get the community jackpot up to the base level and available to be won by players. 
         [0007]    The system and method are offered on electronic gaming machines such as slot machines and video poker machines, but may also be deployed on other devices such as on a general purpose computing device or mobile telephone in stand-alone form or connected to a network, such as the internet 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it functions, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show embodiments of the present invention in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  shows a prior art electronic gaming machine for playing a game; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2A  shows a prior electronic gaming machine for playing a game and connected to a network controlled by a server based system; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2B  shows a group of electronic gaming machines, including a grouping of EGMs for playing a community game, on a network connected to a server based system and an external system; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2C  shows computing devices for playing a game, the devices optionally adapted to be on a network connected to a server based system; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 3A-H  shows screen shots depicting an example of a sequence of play of the community game; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a time flow diagram showing the jackpot funding with at least two different funding schemes; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a hardware implementation of a jackpot funding engine. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    The present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Throughout  FIGS. 1-5 , like elements of the invention are referred to by the same reference numerals for consistency purposes. 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  shows an electronic gaming machine (“EGM”)  100  with a number of components. A primary display  105  is used to show game play and resulting outcomes, and may be in the form of a video display (shown), or alternatively, physical reels. Touch screen displays are included on most EGMs and provide a flexible interface for operation of EGM  100 , including displaying symbols during game play. Other components include a bill validator (see  FIG. 2A ) housed inside EGM  100  into which bills may be inserted through bill slot  110 . Buttons  115  on the exterior of EGM  100  are used to initiate and control EGM operations in conjunction with touch screen display  105  by the player. EGMs may further include a secondary display  120  for displaying other game functions including bonus screens. Either of primary display  105  or secondary display  120  may be used to show information to the player such as game play sequences, pay tables, messages, advertising, entertainment screens or other types of information. One or more meters  125  on display  105  are used for tracking credits available for play, amount won on a particular play, number of coins bet and other amounts. Meters  125  are typically positioned near the bottom of screen  105 . EGM  100  may also accept coins. In those cases, a coin tray  130  at the bottom of EGM  100  is used to catch coins as they are dispensed to a player. 
         [0018]    It is common for EGM  100  to include ticket-in, ticket-out (“TITO”) capabilities that require a ticket reader and ticket printer housed inside of EGM  100  for accepting bar coded credits printed on a ticket through slot  110  and for which the value of the credits is displayed on meters  125  upon a ticket being inserted. 
         [0019]      FIG. 2A  is a block diagram of EGM  100  connected to a server based system  300  and showing certain internal components of EGM  100 . All operational functions of EGM  100  are controlled by a controller  305  such as a microprocessor housed inside EGM  100  that is resident on a game board  310 . The controller executes instructions that include operation of a random number generator  315  (“RNG”) that is usually implemented in software and stored in a memory  320 . The internal components of EGM  100  are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Game outcomes are determined based on the results corresponding to the numbers selected by RNG  315 . A bill acceptor/validator  110  also has ticket printing capabilities. Bill validator  110  accepts currency in the form of bills or tickets from a player and adds credit to meter  125  on EGM  100 . 
         [0020]    An external system  350  such as a community game controller, a player tracking system, a slot accounting system or a bonusing system may also be connected to EGM  100 . These types of systems are typically connected to EGM  100  either through a separate interface board (not shown) or directly integrated with the components of EGM  100  including but not limited to game board  310 . A player tracking system may also include other components installed on EGM  100  such as a player tracking display  355 , a keypad  360  and a card reader  365 . These components allow for direct interaction between external system  350  and the player at EGM  100  to receive information from the player on the game buttons or other inputs, keypad  360  or through information on a card inserted into card reader  365 , and to display information to the player on display  355 . A network is established between external system  350  and EGM  100  by network connection  370 . The network may be connected to all EGMs  100  in a casino or any smaller subset of EGMs  100 . 
         [0021]    Server based system  300  is also connected to EGMs  100  by a network connection  375  which may be a separate connection or on a connection to the same network as external system  350 . Server based system  300  may have one or more individual servers tasked with different functions such as communicating with a player at EGM  100  to fulfill requests, delivering services such as television shows or other content, or a host of other information. 
         [0022]    In  FIG. 2A , EGM  100  is shown as a casino gaming device of the type depicted in  FIG. 1 . It will be understood that the type of network  370 ,  375  over which data is communicated can be one of several different types of networks. These networks include a Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), an intranet or the Internet. Other proprietary networks could also be used without departing from the principles of the invention. This would include such networks as a Windows network or an Ethernet network. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2B  is a block diagram showing a group of EGMs  100   1 - x  on a network connection  375  between server based system  300  and each of EGMs  100   1 - x . It should be understood that the network may be set up with any number of EGMs that may number into the thousands of machines. Each of EGMs  100   1 - x  is also connected to external system  350  that may be a player tracking, slot accounting, bonusing or other type of system. Information is communicated between EGMs  100  and server based system  300 . A group of EGMs are networked together with community game system  350  on which the community game operates. A community jackpot display  355  may also be included to display actions on the community game being played among the community EGM grouping. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2C  shows a number of general purpose computing devices which may be used to play a game, in particular it is shown: a smartphone  205  which may be an Apple iPhone 4S® as pictured, or any other mobile phone type device, a tablet computer  210  which may be an Apple iPad 3® as pictured, or any other tablet computing device, a desktop computer  215 , a laptop computer  220 , and a home video gaming device  225 . Other types of network connected devices could also be used to play games including portable video gaming devices, or an internet connected television with a browser or app capabilities. Any of these devices is capable of playing a game, including a wagering game, through an app loaded onto the device or through a website accessible using a browser on the device. In the case of the networked game, payment may be made by credit card, Paypal® or another payment service. The RNG is run securely on server based system  300  (See  FIG. 2A ) and then delivers the outcomes over the internet to be displayed on the general purpose computing device. It should also be understood that the game may be played for fun without a wager, or using promotional or “fun” credits that do not have monetary value.  FIG. 2C  further shows a server based system  300  connected to a network with multiple computing devices for playing games. 
         [0025]    It should be understood that the network shown in  FIG. 2C  operates in a manner similar to the network of  FIG. 2B , except that the computing devices on the network of  FIG. 2C  are preferably connected over the internet  380  with each device  205 - 225  connected over a secure connection  385   a - e  to server based system  300  which connects to the internet over network connection  385   f . Payments can be made securely over internet  380  using connections  385   a - e , and then delivered to an operator over connection  385   f . Similarly, the game is executed on server based system  300  using a secure RNG with the outcomes being delivered to the individual devices  205 - 225  over internet  380 . It should be understood that any one or more of the general purpose computing devices—smartphone  205 , tablet computer  210 , desktop computer  215 , laptop computer  220 , or home video gaming system  225  could be placed on a network connected to server based system  300  and used to deliver a game with one or more community jackpots. For purposes of this specification, reference to one or more EGMs  100  in an environment using a limited access intranet of the type typically found in a casino would also apply to one or more general purpose computing devices with a secure connection to a server over the internet and not involving a physical casino property at all, and which may or may not require a wager or payment to play. Alternatively, the game software or a portion of it may be resident and executed on each device  205 - 225 . Wagers by players and payments to players may be made using accounts set up with an operator of a website on which the games are run. 
         [0026]    For purposes of describing the operation and game flow of the invention, reference will be made to an EGM  100  as shown in  FIG. 1 . However, it will be understood that the game may be similarly implemented for operation and play by a user on any type of electronic device with capabilities for game play including but not limited to those shown in  FIGS. 2A-2E . 
         [0027]      FIGS. 3A-H  shows screenshots depicting an example of a sequence of play of the community game. In this example,  FIG. 3A  is a screenshot of the jackpot screen for a game known as “Jewels Factory,” which includes four different progressive jackpots: (1) Diamond  405 ; (2) Emerald  410 ; (3) Ruby  415 ; and (4) Community AMazeLand  420 . The first three jackpots  405 .  410 ,  415  are typical tiered progressive jackpots while the fourth jackpot  420  is a community jackpot that is available to a group of players working together to achieve predefined objectives. At the time of the screenshot, a community game has been started after a group of players have entered the community phase of the game. The community phase may be the base game itself, a bonus game, a sub-bonus game or any other phase of a game that is played on the community grouping of EGMs. Once the community game is triggered, the players are informed that the “Community AMazeLand is on. Continue betting to win!” as can be seen in the comment line  425  at the bottom of the screenshot. 
         [0028]    In the example shown, each of the players in the community is represented by an ant  430   a - e  on the screen. Each of the ants is shown in a chamber  435   a - e  with each player being assigned an ant  430   a - e  with a different colored vest to differentiate them, as can be seen for each of the ants in chambers  435   a - e  and corresponding to a particular ant moving cooperatively with the other participating ants in a maze  437 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 3B  is a screenshot after play of the community game has begun. During play, the players are working cooperatively to win the community jackpot  420 , but they are also playing individually for the progressive jackpots  405 ,  410 ,  415 . As can be seen in the screenshot of  FIG. 3B , the player on machine 36 has hit the diamond jackpot and is awarded a prize of          578 as indicated by reference number  425  that now presents the comment to the player “Diamond Jackpot HIT! *         578* Machine: 36.” Even after winning one of the progressive jackpots, the players in the community continue to play together for the community jackpot. 
         [0030]    In addition to the multiple jackpots displayed in  FIG. 3A , it&#39;s also possible to have mystery jackpots that are available for players to win.  FIG. 3C  shows a mystery jackpot known as the “Topaz” jackpot  440 . In this case, comment line  425  indicates to the player at machine 36 that he has won          10,892.24 after hitting the Topaz jackpot. The community game continues to be played even after a mystery jackpot has been hit by one of the players in the community. Mystery jackpots are known in the art and are jackpots that are generated on a bonus system of the type shown and described with respect to  FIG. 2A . Prior art mystery jackpot systems are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,523,665, which itself references a number of prior art patents and publications. The disclosures of U.S. Pat. No. 8,523,665 along with those other referenced patents and publications are all hereby incorporated by reference into the present case. 
         [0031]    The community jackpot requires the cooperation of all players in the particular community. As can be seen in  FIG. 3C , after an individual player has won the Topaz mystery jackpot, there is an informational message  425  indicating to the player that “Community AMazeLand can be won only with 5 active players!” If one of the community players drops out after winning a mystery or progressive jackpot, the community game is ended. 
         [0032]      FIG. 3D  is a screenshot of a game play screen for the community game. In this screenshot, a group of 5 ants  430   a - e  is working cooperatively, and is shown attempting to move a gold coin  445  to a treasure chamber  450 . The five ants  430   a - e  are controlled by 5 different players on EGMs  100 - 1  through  100 - 5  playing cooperatively in a community game grouping as shown in  FIG. 2B . If the group is successful, the players will split the community prize. Along the way, the group encounters hazards which may be in many different forms that try to block or otherwise present obstacles to the community from winning the community jackpot. In the screenshot of  FIG. 3D , one example of an obstacle is a hole  455  and a second example of an obstacle is a spider  460 . 
         [0033]    In the embodiment depicted in the screenshots of  FIG. 3E , the movement of the ants in maze  437  is controlled among the five players at EGMs making up the community or group. Each game played on one of the 5 community EGMs draws one of 4 directions for the ants to move as indicated by the arrows ( 465   a - c ) that appear next to each ant  430   a - e  in the representative chamber  435   a - e  at the bottom of the screen as shown in  FIG. 3E . It should be understood that for purposes of the example, the 4 directional arrows are “up,” “down,” “left,” or “right.” Other arrow types may also be used such as diagonal arrows or a “wild card” arrow that may be used by the player to move in any direction. A player with the “proper directional” arrow for the next move can use that arrow to move the ants collectively towards treasure chamber  450 . If none of the players has the proper directional arrow available, ants  430   a - e  are forced to move backwards, or into the path of an obstacle such as spider  460  or hole  455 . The arrows are provided to the player as they wager on each play. As the play continues, ants  430   a - e  may end up navigating maze  437  and successfully arriving at treasure chamber  450  with all of the gold coins, or they may be led to a hazard along the way such as spider  460  or hole  455 . If ants  330   a - e  are forced to move to an obstacle, play of the game ends without winning a jackpot. 
         [0034]    Visual information is continuously shown to the players about the community game and shows the activity and progress of the group of ants collectively, and the current directional arrow available to each individual ant in the chambers for the ants in comment box  425  at the bottom of the screen.  FIG. 3F  is a screenshot of an informational screen showing that the second ant from the left (chamber  435   b ) is in jeopardy of default because a wager has not been made. As can be seen, the message to all players in the group is that “Ant is missing! The game will be stopped in 15 seconds” unless a wager is placed by the player represented by that ant. In this embodiment, all players must continue to place wagers for community game play to continue, although the pace of wagering may differ between the players, provided a cumulative minimum wagering pace is complied with by all players. If one player among the group is inattentive or fails to continue to place wagers and play the game, the other players will encourage him to do so, particularly if the group is close to achieving the community jackpot.  FIG. 3G  is a screenshot of the game before or after the informational message showing the ant in chamber  435   b  that has failed to make a required wager. 
         [0035]      FIG. 3H  is a “win screen” showing that that the group has successfully navigated the group of ants  430   a - e  into treasure chamber  450  and won the community jackpot. The message “Community AMazeLand hit!”  425  is shown to the players on the screens of their individual EGMs and the prize is divided among the group. It is possible to divide the prize equally or to allocate amounts relative to the amount wagered by each player during the community game. 
         [0036]    It should be understood that in addition to showing the game play sequence on the screen of each individual EGM at which the players are positioned and wagering for play, a large community screen  355  ( FIG. 2B ) above the group of EGMs may also show the game play sequence so all of the players can see it as well as other patrons in the gaming establishment. 
         [0037]    The game play has been represented with a group of ants navigating a maze. It should be understood that there is an infinite number of game themes and variations to the play sequence that may be used to embody the invention. 
         [0038]    All of the jackpots for the game (e.g. Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Community, Mystery, etc.) are funded simultaneously from an allocated portion of the wagers on the EGMs connected to the system. It is well known to fund two or more progressive (or fixed) jackpots by taking a percentage of each wager and allocating it to the available jackpots. For example, a set of tiered progressives may have a fixed percentage assigned to them for funding such as the top prize getting 3%, the second tier prize getting 2% and the third tiered prize getting 1%. 
         [0039]    According to the present invention, a hybrid approach is used to fund the tiered prizes as well as the community prize at different times. For example, a portion of each of the amounts allocated for funding the tiered prizes—Diamond, Emerald and Ruby—is used to fund the community jackpot until it reaches its base level. Also, during the time until the base level for the community amount is reached, a hit on the community jackpot is not permitted. Therefore, in the example case presented above, one half of the funding stream for each of the tiered prizes—Diamond, Emerald and Ruby—or 1.5%, 1% and 0.5% respectively, goes to the community jackpot until it reaches a base level. At the same time and to get the community prize to the base level faster, a separate portion of the wager may also be allocated to the community jackpot. Then, once the community jackpot reaches the base level, the other funding streams are returned to the original amounts. This approach is referred to as a “hybrid” or “dynamic” funding system that allows the community jackpot to be available for play in a shortened time at the cost of a slowing in the growth rate of the funding of the other jackpots. 
         [0040]    Alternatively, the contribution scheme may be defined for the standard funding of jackpots as follows for scheme A: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                   
                 Contribution 
                 Hidden contribution 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Community level 
                 c_contr 
                 — 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Mystery level 1 
                 contr1 
                 hcontr1 
               
               
                   
                 Mystery level 2 
                 contr2 
                 hcontr2 
               
               
                   
                 Mystery level 3 
                 contr3 
                 hcontr3 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0041]    Based on the contributions from the above table and a pre-defined contribution division factor (CDF) parameter (e.g. 70%), a second set of contributions is calculated with a larger share of the total contribution going to fund the community jackpot e.g. by contributions and by a so called hidden contribution until it reaches the base level for a win. This funding scheme is a temporary scheme that is in effect until the community jackpot reaches the base level for scheme B: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Contribution 
                 Hidden contribution 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 70% (c_contr + contr1 + hcontr1 + 
               
               
                 Community 
                   
                 contr2 + hcontr2 + contr3 +  
               
               
                 level 
                 30% c_contr 
                 hcontr3) 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Mystery level 1 
                 30% contr1 
                 30% hcontr1 
               
               
                 Mystery level 2 
                 30% contr2 
                 30% hcontr2 
               
               
                 Mystery level 3 
                 30% contr3 
                 30% hcontr3 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0042]    In the case above using a CDF parameter of 70%, the mystery jackpot funding allocations are reduced by 30% each and the difference is allocated to the community jackpot or to a community hidden jackpot by community hidden contributions. Those two contributions schemes A and B are used alternately, depending on, for example, the value of the community hidden jackpot. It is possible that during the previous game, the community hidden jackpot did not reach the base level for a win—the so called community reset value. In that case, the missing amount is collected during the next game. 
         [0043]    If the CDF parameter is 70% as shown above, the community reset value is          10, and the operator sets the contribution values as follows for scheme A: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                   
                 Contribution 
                 Hidden contribution 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Community level 
                 1% 
                 — 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Mystery level 1 
                 0.8% 
                 0.2% 
               
               
                   
                 Mystery level 2 
                 0.5% 
                 0.2% 
               
               
                   
                 Mystery level 3 
                 0.3% 
                 0.1% 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0044]    Then, the second set of contributions is calculated as follows for scheme B: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Contribution 
                 Hidden contribution 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 70% of (1%) + 0.8% + 0.2% + 
               
               
                   
                   
                 0.5% + 0.2% + 0.3% + 0.1%) = 
               
               
                 Community level 
                 30% of 1% = 0.30% 
                 2.17% 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Mystery level 1  
                 30% of 0.8% = 0.24% 
                 30% of 0.2% = 0.06% 
               
               
                 Mystery level 2  
                 30% of 0.5% = 0.15% 
                 30% of 0.2% = 0.06% 
               
               
                 Mystery level 3  
                 30% of 0.3% = 0.09% 
                 30% of 0.1% = 0.03% 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0045]      FIG. 4  shows a time flow diagram using an axis of time t. The time flow diagram shows how the jackpot funding is alternated back and forth between the two schemes A and B shown above. The usage of the respective scheme A or B depends on the level or value of the community hidden jackpot. In the example, the community game starts at a first time t 1  and the community jackpot is set to the defined community reset value (e.g.          10). In parallel, the community hidden jackpot starts to grow. During a first time period  401 , starting at the first time t 1 , the jackpots of all levels are allocated according to the scheme B table. So the community hidden jackpot grows fast and the other jackpots (e.g. community jackpot, mystery jackpot of levels 1 to 3) grow more slowly. 
         [0046]    Then, when the community hidden jackpot reaches the predefined reset value of e.g.          10 at a second time t 2 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , the contribution scheme is switched to scheme A. So, at the second time t 2  during which the contribution scheme B is used, the first time period  401  ends. During a second time period  402 , starting with the second time t 2 , the contribution scheme A is used—i.e. all contributions to the jackpots return to defined standard values and the community hidden jackpot is frozen. The contribution scheme A continues until a third time t 3 , when the community game ends (e.g. the community jackpot is won). Then, for the next game, the community jackpot is set to the community reset value e.g.          10. This amount is taken from the community hidden jackpot and the contribution scheme is again switched to scheme B. The time flow as shown in  FIG. 4  starts again at the first time t 1  and the cycle repeats. 
         [0047]    Further, if the community game is finished (e.g. a player leaves the community game or does not place a wager in time) during the first time period  401  before the community hidden jackpot reaches the community reset value of e.g.          10, then the deficient amount is collected during the next game. For example, if the community game is finished during the first time period  401  and the community hidden jackpot reaches a value of only          8, then the deficient          2 is added to the community reset value during the next community game. In the next cycle, the new community reset value for this particular community game is the community reset value of          10 plus          2 making it          12. This means, during the new game the time period  401  with contribution scheme B continues until the community reset value of, for example,          10 plus          2 is reached by the community hidden jackpot. If this new value (e.g.          12) is reached by the community hidden jackpot by the second time t 2 , then the contribution scheme is switched to scheme A, which is used during the second time period  402  until the community game is finished at the time t 3 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a hardware implementation of a jackpot funding engine  505  with two funding schemes—Scheme A  510  and Scheme B  515 . A hardware switch  520  is used to switch between Scheme A  510  and Scheme B  515 . A comparator  525 , connected to switch  520  senses the value of a hidden community jackpot meter  530  for a community hidden jackpot (controlled by jackpot controller  535 ), and a reset value  540 . When comparator  525  determines that the community hidden jackpot  530  is above the base value (e.g. reset value  540 ) and prior to the jackpot being awarded, comparator  525  causes switch  520  to be in position for Scheme A  510 . Once a community jackpot is won and until the base value is reached, comparator  525  causes switch  520  to be in position for Scheme B  515 . Comparator  525  causes switch  520  to alternate between the two positions shifting funding between Scheme A  510  and Scheme B  515  over time depending on the value of the community hidden jackpot and the timing of an award of the community jackpot to winning players. 
         [0049]    While the invention has been described with respect to the figures, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the game may be implemented as a free play game in which it is not necessary to place a wager. It is also possible to include one or more special game wins that allows one or more of the players in the group to get a free move toward the treasure chamber. Further, a player may be awarded a special prize for removing an obstacle from the path. Any variation and derivation from the above description and drawings are included in the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6