Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a gaming system and, in particular, to a game being played on a gaming system.

Background

Games played both on land-based gaming machines and online, are extremely popular. Every year substantial amounts of money are gambled on such games. However, technological advances in the delivery of content for games, means that players of such games are becoming increasingly discerning as to the presentation of the games. Players expect to be excited by new features and by more appealing presentations of traditional features in games.

As a result, developers of games for gaming systems are forced to develop new and innovative features, including "feature games" for base games being played on the gaming systems, in order to keep existing players interested in the games and in order to attract new players to the games.

One known feature, which is very popular with gaming system players, is known as a "double-up" feature. The double-up feature typically involves a player choosing between different symbols (e.g., red and black symbols) upon winning a particular game. If the player's choice matches that of the gaming system, then the number of credits won by the player for the game is doubled.

Jackpot prizes have traditionally been used i order to keep existing players interested in the games and in order to attract new players to the games. Jackpot prizes may also be referred to as bonus prizes. Jackpot prizes may amount to a particular number of credits (e.g., one thousand credits) or a progressive jackpot prize (i.e., a jackpot prize comprising a plurality of credits, where the amount of credits is incremented). Jackpot prizes may also consist of a series of free games. For example, the player may be awarded fifteen free games. Such Jackpot prizes are typically paid for a particular combination of symbols in a base game or a feature game being played on the gaming system. However, such jackpot prizes are often viewed with scepticism by players who see them as un- winnable.

Summary

It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more disadvantages of existing arrangements.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a gaming system for playing a game, said game being a spinning reel game comprising a plurality of reels, said gaming system comprising:

a processor for controlling execution of the game;

at least one display device connected to the processor for displaying the plurality of reels of the game; and

input means connected to the processor and the display device, for use by a player in controlling one or more aspects of the game including selecting one or more of the plurality of reels displayed on the display device, wherein the processor controls the game such that the one or more reels selected using the input means are spun in the game.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer implemented method of gaming using a gaming system comprising a processor for controlling the play of a game, at least one display device connected to the processor for displaying one or more screens of the game, and input means for use by a player in controlling one or more aspects of the game, said method comprising the steps of: determining one or more of a plurality of reels displayed on the display device as having been selected using the input means; and

executing said game by spinning the one or more selected reels.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for playing a game, said game being a spinning reel game comprising a plurality of reels, said apparatus comprising:

a processor for controlling the play of the game;

at least one display device connected to the processor for displaying the plurality of reels; and

input means connected to the processor and the display device, for use by a player in controlling one or more aspects of the game including selecting one or more of the plurality of reels displayed on the display device, wherein the processor controls the game such that the one or more reels selected using the input means are spun in the game.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium, having a program recorded thereon, where the program is configured to make a gaming system execute a gaming process, the gaming system comprising a processor for controlling the play of a game, at least one display device connected for displaying one or more screens of the game, and input means for use by a player in controlling one or more aspects of the game, said program comprising:

code for determining one or more of a plurality of reels displayed on the display device as having been selected using the input means; and

code for executing said game by spinning the one or more reels selected using the input means. According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a gaming system for playing a game, said game being a spinning reel game comprising a plurality of reels, said gaming system comprising:

a processor for controlling execution of the game;

at least one touch screen display device connected to the processor for displaying the plurality of reels of the game and for use by a player in controlling one or more aspects of the game including selecting one or more of the plurality of reels displayed on the touch screen display device, wherein the processor controls the game such that the one or more reels selected using the touch screen display device are spun in the game.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer implemented method of gaming using a gaming system comprising a processor for controlling the play of a game, at least one touch screen display device connected t the processor for displaying one or more screens of the game and for use by a player in controlling one or more aspects of the game, said method comprising the steps of:

determining one or more of a plurality of reels displayed on the touch screen display device as having been selected using the touch screen display device; and

executing said game by spinning the one or more selected reels.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for playing a game, said game being a spinning reel game comprising a plurality of reels, said apparatus comprising:

a processor for controlling the play of the game;

at least one touch screen display device connected to the processor for displaying the plurality of reels and for use by a player in controlling one or more aspects of the game including selecting one or more of the plurality of reels displayed on the touch screen display device, wherein the processor controls the game such that the one or more reels selected using the touch screen display device are spun in the game.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium, having a program recorded thereon, 'where the program is configured to make a gaming system execute a gaming process, the gaming system comprising a processor for controlling the play of a game, at least one touch screen display device connected for displaying one or more screens of the game and for use by a player in controlling one or more aspects of the game, said program comprising:

code for determining one or more of a plurality of reels displayed on the touch screen display device as having been selected using the input means; and

code for executing said game by spinning the one or more reels selected using the touch screen display device.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a gaming system for playing a game, said game being a spinning reel game comprising a plurality of reels, said gaming system comprising:

a processor for controlling execution of the game; and

at least one display device connected to the processor for displaying the plurality of reels of the game, wherein the processor controls the game to determine one or more of the plurality of reels as being selected for use in the game such that the one or more selected reels are spun in the game.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer implemented method of gaming using a gaming system comprising a processor for controlling the play of a game, at least one display device connected to the processor for displaying one or more screens of the game, said method comprising: determining one or more of a plurality of reels displayed on the display device as having been selected for use in the game; and

executing said game by spinning the one or more selected reels.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for playing a game, said game being a spinning reel game comprising a plurality of reels, said apparatus comprising:

a processor for controlling the play of the game; and

at least one display device connected to the processor for displaying the plurality of reels; and

input means connected to the processor and the display device, wherein the processor eontrols the game to determine one or more of the plurality of reels as being selected for use in the game such that the one or more selected reels are spun in the game.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium, having a program recorded thereon, where the program is configured to make a gaming system execute a gaming process, the gaming system comprising a processor for controlling the play of a game, at least one display device connected for displaying one or more screens of the game, said program comprising:

code for determining one or more of a plurality of reels displayed on the display device as having been selected for use in the game; and

code for executing said game by spinning the one or more selected reels.

Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Some aspects of the prior art and one or more embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings and appendices, in which: Fig. I A is a schematic block diagram of a gaming system upon which the arrangements described can be practiced;

Fig. IB is a schematic block diagram of another gaming system upon which the arrangements described can be practiced;

Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a gaming apparatus used in the gaming systems of Figs. lA and I B;

Fig. 3 is a representation of the software architecture of the gaming systems of Figs. lA and IB;

Fig. 4 shows a flow diagram representing a method of performing a particular game in the gaming systems of Figs. 1A and IB;

Fig. 5 shows a display screen presentation of a base game being implemented on the gaming systems of Figs. 1A and IB;

Fig. 6 shows another display screen presentation of a base game being implemented on the gaming systems of Figs. 1 A and IB;

Fig. 7 shows a method of performing a feature game being implemented on the gaming systems of Figs. I A and IB;

Fig. 8 shows a display screen presentation of the feature game of Fig. 7; and

Fig. 9 shows another display screen presentation of the feature game of Fig. 7.

Detailed Description including Best Mode

Where reference is made in any one or more of the accompanying drawings to steps and/or features, which have the same reference numerals, those steps and/or features have for the purposes of this description the same function(s) or operation(s), unless the contrary intention appears. It is to be noted that the discussions contained in the "Background" section and that above relating to prior art arrangements relate to discussions of documents or devices which form public knowledge through their respective publication and/or use. Such should not be interpreted as a representation by the present inventor(s) or patent applicant that such documents or devices in any way form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

Fig. 1A shows a gaming system 100A including a gaming machine 101 A for use by a player in playing a game. The gaming machine 101 A comprises an enclosure 201 A having display means in the form of a video display device 2 HA for displaying to the player one or more graphics screens (e.g., 105) for the game being played on the gaming machine 101 A. The enclosure 201 A also has an input device in the form of a keypad 202A comprising one or more buttons for use by the player in controlling one or more aspects of the game. The keypad 202A may also be referred to as an input means.

Credit input means in the form of a coin input device 106 A and a note input device 107 A, are also included in the enclosure 201 A, to allow the player to input credit in order to play the game. A coin tray 108A is also typically incorporated in the enclosure 201 A in order to allow cash payouts to be paid to the player.

In the gaming system 100A, the gaming machine 101 A is connected to a communications network 222A, known as a Local Area Network (LAN), via a connection 223A. Alternatively, the gaming machine 101 A may be standalone. As shown in Fig. 1 A, the LAN 222A is coupled to a wide-area network (WAN) 220A, such as the Internet or a private WAN, via a connection 224A. The gaming machine 101 A may also be coupled directly to the WAN 220 A via a connection 221 A. The network 222A comprises one or more further gaming machines 102A and 103 A connected thereto. The further gaming machines are generally similar to the gaming machine 101 A but may be configured to implement different games. The further gaming machines may also be connected to the network 220A.

A server computer 104 A, used for monitoring the gaming machine 101 A, is also connected to the network 222A. The server 104A may be used for monitoring the amount, of money wagered (or bet) on the gaming machine 101 A over a period of time, the amount of money paid out on the gaming machine 101 A over a period of time and any fault conditions on the gaming machine 101 A. The server 104A may also be configured to disable or enable the gaming machine 101 A.

The gaming machine 101 A will be described in more detail below with reference to Fig. 2.

Fig. I B shows another gaming system 100B. The gaming system 100B comprises a stand-alone "personal" computer 101 B for use by a player for playing a game. The personal computer 101 B may be an IBM-PC or compatible, a Sun Sparcstation, an Apple Mac ^rM , or one of a like computer system evolved therefrom including desktop, laptop, notebook or handheld variations thereof. As seen in Fig. 1 A, the computer 101B comprises an enclosure 20 I B and a display means in the form of a video display device 214B for displaying screens, such as the screen 105 of the game being played. The computer 10 I B also comprises an input device in the form of a keyboard 202B comprising one or more buttons for use by the player in playing the game. The keyboard 202B may also be referred to as an input means. The input means for the computer 101 B may also comprise a mouse pointer device 203B. The computer 101 B may be connected to a local area network (LAN) 222B, via a connection 223 B. The LAN 222B may couple to a wide area network (WAN) 220B, such as the Internet or a private WAN, via a connection 224B. The computer 101 B is also shown coupled directly to the WAN 220B, via a connection 221 B. In the system 100B, the WAN 220B typically comprises one or more further computers 102B and 103B, similar to the computer 101 B. connected thereto, and which may be used by other persons for game playing. Further such computers may also be connected to the LAN 222A.

A remote server 104B is also connected to the WAN 220B. However, in contrast to the server 104 A of the system 100 A, the server 104B of the system 100B may be used to control the execution of one or more games being played on the gaming system 100B. For example, the server 104B may download one or more graphic objects to the computer 101B for the game being played by the corresponding player, together with a display list for displaying the downloaded graphic objects for one or more screens (e.g., 105) of the game being played on the computer 101B. In this instance, the server 104B then controls the game by downloading further display lists to the computer 101 B as the game is being played by the player and being executed by the computer 101B.

In the system 100B, rather than credit input means in the form of the coin input device 106 A and the note collector 107 A, the player inputs credit in order to play the game by creating an account with a provider of the game, who may or may not be the administrator of the server 104B. For example, the player may provide their credit card and contact details to the game provider via the computer 101B and the network 220B. In this instance, as the player plays the game on the computer 101 B, the player's account is debited and credited according to how the player bets and wins, respectively. The computer 101 B will now be described in more detail below with reference to Fig. 2.

The gaming machine 101 A and the computer 10 IB have similar computer hardware architecture. Accordingly, unless referred to specifically, the gaming machine 101 A and the computer 101B will be hereinafter generically referred to as the "gaming device" 100. Similarly, components of the gaming machine 101 A and the computer 101B, such as the enclosures 201 A and 20 IB, and the displays 214A and 214B, respectively, will be hereinafter generically referred to as the enclosure 201 and the display 214, respectively, of the gaming device 100, unless such components are referred to specifically. Further, other components, such as the WANs 220A, 220B, and the LANs 222 A and 222B, for example, will be hereinafter generically referred to as the WAN 220 and the LAN 222. Finally, unless referred to specifically, the gaming systems 100A and 100B will be hereinafter generically referred to as the gaming system 100.

The game played on either of the gaming systems 100A or 100B may be implemented as software, such as one or more application programs being executable by the gaming system 100. In particular, the game may be effected by instructions in the software that are carried out by the gaming system 100. The instructions may be formed as one or more code modules, each for performing one or more particular tasks. As will be described in detail below, the software may also be divided into separate parts, in which a one or more parts and the corresponding code modules performs the game and one or more other parts and the corresponding code modules manage a user interface between the first part and the player of the game. For example, as seen in Figs. 1A and IB, the user interface may be formed by one or more screens such as the screen 105. The software may be stored in a computer readable medium, including the storage devices described below, for example. The software may be loaded into the gaming system 100 from the computer readable medium, and may then be executed by the gaming system 100. A computer readable medium having such software or computer program recorded on it is a computer program product. The use of the computer program product in the gaming system 100 preferably effects an advantageous apparatus for implementing the game described herein.

As seen in Fig. 2, the gaming device 101 comprises an input device 202. The input device 202 is formed by the keypad 202A when the gaming device 101 is the gaming machine 101 A or by the keyboard 202B when the gaming device 101 is the computer 101 B. The computer 101 B also comprises the mouse pointer device 203. The gaming device 101 also comprises output devices including the display device 214 and loudspeakers 217. In one configuration, the display device 214 may be a touch screen.

When the gaming device 101 is the gaming machine 101 A, the gaming apparatus 100 also comprises the coin input device 106A and the note input device 107 A, as well as a coin output device 218, as seen in Fig. 2.

An external Modulator- Demodulator (Modem) transceiver device 216 may be used by the gaming device 101 for communicating to and from the communications network 220 via the connection 221. Where the connection 221 is a telephone line, the modem 216 may be a traditional "dial-up" modem. Alternatively, where the connection 221 is a high capacity (eg: cable) connection, the modem 216 may be a broadband modem. A wireless modem may also be used for wireless connection to the network 220.

The gaming device 101 typically comprises at least one processor unit 205 for controlling at least partial execution of the game on the gaming system 100. The processor unit 205 may be formed by a micro-controller, micro-processor, programmable logic device or the like. The gaming device 101 also comprises a memory unit 206, for example, formed from semiconductor random access memory (RAM) and read only memory (ROM). A number of input/output (I/O) interfaces including an audio-video interface 207 that couples to the video display 214 and loudspeakers 217, are typically also included. The gaming device 101 also comprises an I/O interface 213 for the input device 202, and when the gaming device 100 is the gaming machine 101 A, the coin input device 106A and the note input device 107A, as seen in Fig. 2. The interface 213 is also used for the mouse 203 when the gaming device 101 is the computer 10 IB.

The gaming device 101 may also comprise or be connected to an interface 208 used for the external modem 216. The interface 208 may be used for a coin output device 218, when the gaming device 101 is the gaming machines 101 A. In some implementations, the modem 216 may be incorporated within the gaming device 101, for example within the interface 208. The gaming device 101 also has a local network interface 211 which, via the connection 223, permits coupling of the gaming device 101 to the LAN 222. As also shown in Fig. 2, the LAN 222 couples to the wide network 220 via the connection 224 and would typically include a so-called "firewall" device or similar functionality. The interface 211 may be formed by an Ethernet ^rM circuit card, a wireless Bluetooth ^{1 M} or an IEEE 802.1 1 wireless arrangement.

The interfaces 208 and 213 may afford both serial and parallel connectivity, the former typically being implemented according to the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standards and having corresponding USB connectors (not illustrated). Storage devices 209 are provided and typically include a hard disk drive (HDD) 210. Other devices such as a floppy disk drive and a magnetic tape drive (not illustrated) may also be used. An optical disk drive 212 is typically provided to act as a non- volatile source of data. Portable memory devices, such optical disks (eg: CD-ROM, DVD), USB-RAM, and floppy disks for example may then be used as appropriate sources of data to the gaming system 100.

The gaming device 101 may also comprise one or more hard meters 215, which are required by some regulatory authorities. These hard meters 215 determine a cumulative number of credits input by a player of the gaming device 101 and output by the gaming device 101 throughout the life of the gaming device 101. The meters 215 are typically set to "zero" when the gaming device 101 is first configured.

The components 205 to 213 of the gaming device 101 typically communicate via an interconnected bus 204 and in a manner which results in a conventional mode of operation of the gaming device 101 known to those in the relevant art.

Fig. 3 is a representation of the software architecture 300 of the gaming system 100. The software architecture 300 comprises a base game application program 301, which controls the game being played on the gaming system 100. This game will be hereinafter referred to as the "base game". Another of the application programs of the software architecture 300 is a random number generator 303, as known to those in the relevant art, which determine the outcomes of the base game being played on the gaming system 100. A display controller application program 305 is included to implement one or more of the screens (e.g., 105) to be rendered or otherwise represented upon the display 214 for the base game and any other games, such as feature games being played on the gaming device 101.

The software architecture 300 may also comprise an input device monitor application program 307 for monitoring signals from the input device 202 (and possibly the mouse 203) of the gaming device 101. For example, the input device monitor application program 307 monitors the manipulation of the input device 202 or the mouse 203 by the player of the base game in order to provide controlling commands to the base game application program 301 and any other games being played on the gaming device 101.

A credit control application program 309 is also included in the software architecture 300 for crediting or deducting any winning or losing amount from the credits of a player depending on the outcomes of the base game and any other game being played by the player. This winning or losing amount is determined by a win calculator application program 31 1 using a pay table. This pay table may be stored on the hard disk drive 210, for example.

For land-based gaming machines such as the gaming machine 101 A, the amount of money that each credit is worth is typically dictated by the gaming machine 101 A. For example, each credit may be worth one cent (10), five cents (50) or one dollar ($1) depending on the gaming machine. The amount of money that each credit is worth may be referred to as the "denomination". The denomination will determine the amount that can be bet on each the game, as will be described below. The input device 202A of the gaming machine 101 A may include buttons for use in increasing the amount that can be bet on each game. For example, the input device 202A may include a "2x" button (not shown) for doubling the denomination, a "5x" button (not shown) for multiplying the denomination by five and/or a "lOx" button (not shown) for multiplying the denomination by ten.

For online gaming using the gaming system 100B, for example, the player may select a denomination (e.g., one cent (10), five cents (50), one dollar ($1) etc) using the input device 202B and the mouse 203B, for example. In one example, the player may use the mouse 203B to select a denomination by selecting a denomination symbol displayed in a screen of the base game on the display 214B. Again, this selected denomination will determine the amount that can be bet on each game, as will be described below.

The software architecture 300 of the gaming system 100 may also include a feature game application program 313 implementing a feature game of the base game. Such a feature game may include the double-up feature described above.

Typically, the application programs 301 to 313 discussed above are resident on the hard disk drive 210 and are read and controlled in their execution by the processor 205, and in the following description, this will be assumed to be the case. However, in the gaming system 100B, the application programs 301 to 313 may be resident on a hard disk drive of the server 104B and be controlled in their execution by a processor of that server 104B, with the processor of the server 104B being configured to download one or more graphic objects for the game to the computer 101 B together with one or more display lists for displaying the downloaded graphic objects as one or more screens (e.g., 105) of the base game and any other game being played on the gaming system 100B.

Intermediate storage of the application programs 301 to 313 and any data fetched from the networks 220 and 222 may be accomplished using the semiconductor memory 206, possibly in concert with the hard disk drive 210. In some instances, the application programs may be supplied to a game provider (e.g., an operator of the gaming machine 101 or administrator of the server 104B) encoded on one or more CD-ROMs and be read via the corresponding drive 212, or alternatively may be read by the user from the networks 220 or 222. Still further, the software may also be loaded into the gaming system 100 from other computer readable media. Computer readable media refers to any storage medium that participates in providing instructions and/or data to the gaming system 100 for execution and/or processing. Examples of such media include floppy disks, magnetic tape, CD-ROM, a hard disk drive, a ROM or integrated circuit, a magneto-optical disk, or a computer readable card such as a PCMCIA card and the like, whether or not such devices are internal or external of the enclosure 101. Examples of computer readable transmission media that may also participate in the provision of instructions and/or data include radio or infra-red transmission channels as well as a network connection to another computer or networked device, and the Internet or Intranets including e-mail transmissions and information recorded on Websites and the like.

In the described arrangements, the base game is a spinning reel game comprising a plurality of reels, with each spin of the reels being referred to hereinafter as a 'game'. A screen 500 of the base game, as represented on the display device 214 by the display control application program 305, is shown in Fig. 5. The display device 214 is used for displaying the plurality of reels of the game. The screen 500 comprises five reels 501 to 505, where each of the reels 501 to 505 has a corresponding reel strip. A reel strip is an arrangement of symbols. A reel is a virtual barrel that a corresponding reel strip is wound around. As seen in Fig. 5, each of the reels 501 to 505 displays a series of three symbols (e.g., 506, 507 and 508) from a corresponding reel strip, such that the symbols in the same position of each of the reels 501 to 505 form a horizontal row (e.g., 517). For example, the reel 501 comprises a star symbol 506 in a first position, a cross 507 in a second position and a square symbol 508 in a third position of the reel 501 , with the star symbol 506 being the first symbol in the horizontal row of symbols 517. Accordingly, the screen 500 of the base game has a "three (3) symbol (or row) by five (5) reel" layout (i.e., a 3 x 5 reel strip layout). Other reel layouts may be also be used, such as a "five (5) symbols (or row) by five (5) reel" layout. A method 400 of performing a particular game (i.e., spin of the reels 501 to 505) of the base game, will be described below by way of example, with reference to Fig. 4. The method 400 may be implemented as one or more modules of the application programs 301 to 31 1 described above.

The method 400 begins at step 401 , where an initial screen of the base game is displayed, which, in the present example, is the screen 500 of Fig. 5. The screen 500 is typically displayed by the display controller application program 305 in conjunction with the base game application program 301.

At the next step 402, the amount of a bet placed by the player on the game to be played is determined. This amount is typically determined by the credit control application program 309 being controlled in its execution by the processor 205 typically examining player input via the input device 202.

In the described arrangements, the base game has a plurality of paylines, as known to those in the relevant art, on each of which the player of the base game may place a bet. The paylines are typically indicated by payline indicator columns 509 and 510, as seen in Fig. 5. For example, the base game described herein has five paylines which are- typically indicated by the numbers one (1) to five. (5) in the columns 509 and 510. Each of these five paylines is represented by phantom lines (e.g., 511) in Fig. 5. The paylines in Fig. 5 are three horizontal paylines (#1 , #2, #3) and two diagonal paylines (#4, #5). Accordingly, the base game will pay an amount of credits for a particular combination of symbols, such as three crosses (e.g., 512) on the payline 51 1.

The screen 500 also comprises a 'BET' meter 514. In the present example, the base game is a one cent (l ^) denomination game as indicated by Ί' Game' sign and '$1 Buys 100 Credits' sign in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen 500. Accordingly, in the base game described herein, each credit is worth one cent (10). As seen in Fig. 5, the BET meter 514 indicates that the player has bet on all five paylines for a particular game (or spin of the reels 501 to 505) by displaying the number five '5' (as indicated by the arrow 519), as seen in Fig. 5. The BET meter 514 also indicates that the total amount of the bet for the particular game is five cents ($0.05) (i.e., one cent ($0.01) for each payline).

The player may indicate the number of paylines that they wish to bet on for the particular game, at step 401 using the input device 202. The player may also select to bet a plurality of credits on each payline. For example, for the one cent (1 ) denomination base game, the player may select to bet two credits (i.e., two cents ($0.02)) on each payline. Such a selection effectively transforms the base game into a two cent (20) denomination game.

As described above, for online gaming using the gaming system 100B, for example, the player may select a denomination (e.g., one cent (10), five cents (50) or one dollar ($1)). This selected denomination will determine the amount of money bet on each payline of the particular game and, therefore, the amount of money bet on each game.

The screen 105 also comprises a 'CREDIT' meter 516 indicating a total amount of credits for the player including the amount of credits originally input (or available on the player's account) by the player and the amount of credits won by the player during a particular playing session. Upon the bet being placed by the player, the credit control application program 309 updates the BET meter 514 and the CREDIT meter 516 to reflect the amount of the bet.

The method 400 continues at the next step 403 with the spinning of the reels 501 to 505. The spinning of the reels 501 to 505 is initiated by the player inputting a command using the input device 202 which is monitored by the input device monitor application program 307. The spinning of the reel 501 to 505 is controlled by the base game application program 301 being executed by the processor 205 and is representative of the processing or actual performance of the game.

At the next step 404, a stopping position of each reel 501 to 505 is determined. The stopping position of each reel 501 to 505 is typically determined by the base game application program 301 depending on an output of the random number generator application program 303.

Then at the next step 405, a result screen 600, as seen in Fig. 6, of the base game is displayed on the screen 214. The position of the symbols in the reels 501 to 505 of the screen 600 are based on the stopping position of each of the reels 501 to 505 as determined at step 403. The screen 600 is typically displayed by the display controller application program 305.

The method 400 concludes at the next step 406, where a prize (e.g., an amount of credits) is paid for any combination(s) of symbols in the screen 600 is determined. A prize may be paid upon a predetermined symbol stopping in a predetermined position in at least one of the reels during the game. The prize paid at step 406 is typically determined by the win calculator application program 31 1 based on the pay table described above. The screen 600 includes a 'WIN' meter 615 that indicates the amount of credits and a corresponding monetary amount that the player has won from the particular game. In the present example, one hundred credits ($1.00) are paid for the combination of three stars 607, 612 and 613 on the payline 51 1, as indicated by the WIN meter 615. Also at step 406, the CREDIT meter 516 is updated to reflect the amount won by the player on the game. Alternatively, the prize paid at step 406 may be a progressive jackpot (i.e., a jackpot prize comprising a plurality of credits, where the amount of credits is incremented). In still another alternative, a feature prize, such as frees games or a win multiplier (i.e., where the amount of credits won in the base game is multiplied by a predetermined factor), may be paid at step 406.

In alternative implementations, a prize (e.g., a plurality of credits) may also be paid to the player for the combination of the three stars 607, 612 and 613 together with star 608 in the row 617 and the star 609 in the row 619. As a further alternative, a further prize (e.g., further credits) may be paid out for the smiley faces (e.g., 606) in the reels 501 , 502 and 503, for example. However, in each of these instances, the base game would require further pay lines.

A method 700 of performing a feature game will now be described by way of example, with reference to Figs. 7, 8 and 9. The method 700 may be implemented as one or more modules of the application programs 301 to 31 1 described above. As described above, the base game is a spinning reel game comprising five reels 501 to 505, with each of the reels 501 to 505 displaying a series of three symbols (e.g., 506, 507 and 508), such that the symbols in the same position of each of the reels 501 to 505 form a horizontal row (e.g., 517). As also described above, the base game will pay an amount of credits for a particular combination of symbols, such as three crosses (e.g., 512) on the payline 51 1.

The feature game allows a player to select one or more of the reels 501 to 505 for use in playing the feature game. Each reel (e.g., 501 to 505) is displayed and spun in a particular game (or spin of one or more of the reels 501 to 505) once the particular reel has been selected. The reels 501 to 505 may be selected by the player using the input means described above, such as the keypad 202A, the keyboard 202B and the mouse pointer device 203B. In one arrangement, the reels 501 to 505 may be selected by the player using the display device 214 where the display device 214 is a touch screen.

The feature game will pay an amount of credits for a particular combination of symbols in the selected reel. For example, if the player selects reel 501 and none of the other reels 502 to 505, then only the reel 501 will be spun in the feature game. In this instance, the feature game will pay a prize (e.g., an amount of credits) for a single symbol (e.g., cross 507) stopping in the selected reel 501 once the reel has been spun in accordance with the feature game. The feature game may be configured to pay an amount of credits for the symbol (e.g., cross 507) stopping in a predetermined position in the selected reel 501 once the reel has been spun in accordance with the feature game.

As another example, if the player selects reels 501 and 503, then only the reels 501 and 503 will be spun in the feature game. In this instance, the feature game will pay a prize (e.g., an amount of credits) for a combination of symbols (e.g., crosses 607 and 612) stopping in the selected reels 501 and 503 once the reels 501 and 503 have been spun in accordance with the feature game.

Accordingly, the combination of symbols appearing in a result screen (e.g., 600), and any prize paid (e.g., an amount of credits) for such a combination, is determined based on the number of reels selected.

In one implementation, the feature game is played continuously, in a similar manner to the base game described above, and includes a step where a player is allowed to select the reel (e.g., the reel 501) or reels (e.g., reels 501 and 503) for use in playing the game. In an implementation where the feature game is played continuously, the feature game is played as the base game. The player may pay a predetermined amount of credits for each reel selected. For example, the player may pay one or more credits (e.g., at one cent ($0.01 ) for each credit) for each selected reel.

Alternatively, rather than being played continuously, the availability or option to play the feature game may be triggered by a combination, such as three or more predetermined symbols in three or more of the reels 501 to ¹ 505 in a particular game (or spin of the reels 501 to 505) of the base game. In this instance, the three or more predetermined symbols may not have to be in the same row or payline in order to trigger the feature game, although the three or more predetermined symbols may be in the same row or payline. Accordingly, the three or more predetermined symbols may be "scattered" within the reels 501 to 505 as displayed on a result screen (e.g., 600) of the base game in order to trigger the feature game. For example, the feature game may be triggered by the three smiley faces (e.g., 606) scattered in each of reels 501 to 503, respectively, as seen in Fig. 6. In this instance, the screen 600 is termed a "trigger screen". Many other combinations of symbols or events may also be used to trigger the feature game.

The method 700 will be described by way of example with reference to a particular game (or spin of one or more of the reels 501 to 505).

The method 700 begins at step 701 , where an initial screen of the feature game is displayed, which, in the present example, is the screen 500 of Fig. 5. The screen 500 is typically displayed by the display controller application program 305 in conjunction with the feature game application program 313.

At the next step 702, one or more of the reels 501 to 505 are determined for use in playing the particular game of the feature game. The one or more reels 501 to 505 are determined at step 702 based on selections made by the player. The selections may be made by the player using the input device 202 for example. Alternatively, the selections may be made by the player using the input means described above, such as the keypad 202A, the keyboard 202B and the mouse pointer device 203B. In one arrangement, the reels 501 to 505 may be selected by the player using the display device 214 where the display device 214 is a touch screen.

The determination of which of the reels 501 to 505 are to be used in the game is typically determined by the feature game application program 313, controlled in its execution by the processor 205. In this instance, the feature game application program 313 may examine player input via the input device 202 and/or via the other input means described above, such as the mouse pointer device 203B and the display device 214 where the display device 214 is a touch screen display device. Accordingly, the reels selected at step 702 are a subset of the plurality of reels 501 to 505 of the game.

The player may pay a predetermined amount of credits for each reel selected at step 702. For example, the player may pay one or more credits (e.g, at one cent ($0.01) for each credit) for each selected reel.

Then at the next step 703, the screen 500 displayed at step 701 is modified by removing any of the reels 501 to 505 which have not been selected at step 702. In the present example, reels 501, 503 and 505 were selected by the player at step 702 resulting in screen 800 (see Fig. 8) including the reels 501 , 503 and 505 being displayed at step 703. Accordingly, reels 502 and 504 have been removed from the screen 500. The screen 800 is typically displayed by the display controller application program 305 in conjunction with the feature game application program 313.

At the next step 704, the amount of a bet placed by the player on the game to be played is determined. This amount is typically determined by the credit control application program 309 being controlled in its execution by the processor 205 typically examining player input via the input device 202.

In one implementation, the amount of the bet may be based on the amount paid for each of the selected reels 501 to 505. For example, one credit may be paid for each selected reel (e.g., 501). In this instance, if the player selects two reels, then the total amount of the bet may be two credits.

In one implementation, the feature game application program 313 may also determine the number of paylines bet on for the particular game. The player may indicate the number of paylines that they wish to bet on for the particular game at step 702 using the input device 202. The feature game described herein has three paylines which are indicated by the numbers one (1), two (2) and (3) three in the column 509. Each of the three paylines is represented by phantom lines (e.g., 81 1) in Fig. 8. The paylines in Fig. 8 are three horizontal paylines (#1, #2, #3). Accordingly, the feature game will pay an amount of credits for a particular combination of symbols, such as two crosses (e.g., 812) on the payline 51 1 of the particular game. The player may also select to bet a plurality of credits on each payline at step 702. For example, the player may select to bet two credits on each payline.

As seen in Fig. 8, in the present example, the BET meter 514 indicates that the player has bet on all three paylines for the particular game (i.e., one spin of the reels 501, 503 and 505) by displaying the number three '3' (as indicated by the arrow 819), as seen in Fig. 8. The BET meter 514 also indicates the total amount of the bet for the particular game.

The method 700 continues at the next step 705 with the spinning of the reels as selected by the player and determined by the feature game application program 313 at step 702. As described above, in the present example, the reels 501, 503 and 505 were selected. The spinning of the reels 501 , 503 and 505 is initiated by the player inputting a command using the input device 202 which is monitored by the input device monitor application program 307. The spinning of the reels 501 , 503 and 505 is controlled by the feature game application program 313 and/or the feature game application program 313, possibly in conjunction with the base game application program 313, and is representative of the processing or actual performance of the particular game of the feature game. As described above, the feature game application program 313 and base game application program 313 are controlled in their execution by the processor 205. Accordingly, the processor 205 controls the game such that the reels (e,g., 501, 503 and 505) selected using the input means are spun in the game. Further, the selected reels (e.g., 501, 503 and 505) are selected by the player using the input means prior to execution of the particular game.

Then at the next step 706, a stopping position of each reel 501, 503 and 505 is determined. The stopping position of each reel 501 , 503 and 505 is typically determined by the feature game application program 313, possibly in conjunction with the base game application program 313, depending on an output of the random number generator application program 303.

At the next step 707, a result screen 900, as seen in Fig. 9, of the feature game is displayed on the screen 214. In the present example, the position of the symbols in the reels 501 , 503 and 505 displayed on the screen 900 are based on the stopping position of each of the reels 501 to 505 as determined at step 403. The screen 900 is typically displayed by the display controller application program 305.

Then at the next step 708, a prize may be paid for any combination(s) of symbols in the screen 900 is determined. The prize may be a prize amounting to a plurality of credits (e.g., one thousand credits) or a progressive jackpot (i.e., a jackpot prize comprising a plurality of credits, where the amount of credits is incremented). Alternatively, a feature prize, such as frees games or a win multiplier (i.e., where the amount of credits won in the base game is multiplied by a predetermined factor), may be paid at step 708. In one implementation, the free games paid at step 708 may be games where the player is allowed to select one or more of the reels 501 to 505 for use in playing the free games. Accordingly, in an implementation where the feature game is played continuously as the base game, the player is allowed to select one or more of the reels 501 to 505 for use in playing both the base game and the feature games resulting from a feature prize. The player may pay a predetermined amount of credits for each reel selected in the base game and a predetermined amount of credits for each reel selected in the feature game.

The screen 900 includes the 'WIN' meter 615 that indicates the amount of credits and a corresponding monetary amount that the player has won from the particular game of the feature game. The prize paid at step 708 may be determined by the win calculator application program 31 1 and if the prize is a prize amounting to a plurality of credits, the WIN meter 615 and the CREDIT meter 516 are updated by the credit control application program 309. In the present example, one hundred credits ($1.00) are paid for each credit bet on the payline 51 1 , for the combination of three stars 907, 912 and 913 on the payline 51 1 , as indicated by the WIN meter 615.

Following step 708, the method 700 may return to step 702 where a further selection of reels 501 to 505 may be made by the player for determination by the feature game application program 313.

The feature game described above allows players to increase their chances of winning by selecting more reels 501 to 505 to play in any particular game of the feature game. The feature game described above may also allow players who want to bet less than they would be able to on conventional gaming machines and systems, to play longer and have a fulfilling play experience. For example, a minimum bet for the base game described above may be one dollar ($1), where each credit is worth one cent (l jzi). In this instance, each spin of the reels 501 to 505 in the base game would cost one dollar ($1). However, the feature game may only cost twenty cents (i.e., twenty credits) for each selected reel (e.g, 501) and this cost may represent the amount of the bet on a particular payline such as the payline 51 1. Accordingly, the player does not have to bet the entire one dollar ($ 1 ) for the game.

Industrial Applicability

It is apparent from the above that the arrangements described are applicable to the gaming, computer and data processing industries.

The foregoing describes only some embodiments of the present invention, and modifications and/or changes can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, the embodiments being illustrative and not restrictive.

In the context of this specification, the word "comprising" means "including principally but not necessarily solely" or "having" or "including", and not "consisting only of. Variations of the word "comprising", such as "comprise" and "comprises" have correspondingly varied meanings.