Gaming device having multiple bonuses acting independently or simultaneously

• US 20060073878A1
• Filed: 10/01/2004
• Published: 04/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LNW Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Bally Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Inventors: Shackelford, Micheal, Tiberio, Dom, Hammond, Nathanial
• Granted Patent: US 7,377,850 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/20
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes

Abstract

A multiple bonus modifier game 10 includes a base game and two or more base award modifiers operating independently or simultaneously of each other (i.e., the two or more base award modifiers operate independently of each other or in conjunction with each other to modify a base game award). The multiple bonus modifier game 10 comprises a base game 20 that includes a plurality of spinning reels, a first base award modifier 30 that includes at least one spinning reel, and a second base award modifier 40 that includes at least one additional spinning reel. The outcome of the spinning reels in the base game 20 defines a base game award 25. The outcome of the spinning reel in the first base award modifier 30 defines a first modifier award 35, which adjusts the base game award. The outcome of the additional spinning reel in the second base award modifier 40 defines a second modifier award 45, which potentially adjusts the combined base game award 25 and first modifier award 35, if both awards are given.

Claims

1. A gaming machine having a base game and two or more base award modifiers operating independently or in conjunction with one another to modify a base game award, the gaming machine comprising:

indicia of a plurality of spinning reels employed in a base game, wherein the outcome of the indicia of spinning reels in the base game define a base game award, if any;

indicia of at least one spinning reel employed as a first base award modifier, wherein the outcome of the at least one spinning reel indicia in the first base award modifier defines a first modifier award, if any; and

wherein the first modifier award adjusts the base game award; and

indicia of at least one additional spinning reel employed as a second base award modifier;

wherein the outcome of the at least one addition spinning reel indicia in the second base award modifier defines a second modifier award, if any; and

wherein the second modifier award adjusts the combined base game award and first modifier award if both awards were given, adjusts only the base game award if only the base game award was given, and adjusts only the first modifier award if only the first modifier award was given;

wherein the first base award modifier and the second base award modifier are given regardless of whether the base game award is given;

whereby the first modifier award and the second modifier award operate independently or in conjunction with one another to modify a base game award.

2. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the outcome of the indicia of a plurality of spinning reels, the outcome of the indicia of the at least one spinning reel, and the outcome of the indicia of the at least one additional spinning reel, are all displayed along a payline.

3. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the indicia of a plurality of spinning reels spins about a substantially horizontal axis, and wherein at least one of the base award modifiers spins about a substantially vertical axis.

4. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the indicia of a plurality of spinning reels spins about a substantially horizontal axis, and wherein at least one of the base award modifiers spins in a top box game.

5. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the base game requires three coins to initiate base game play, the first base award modifier requires a forth coin to initiate first modifier play, and the second base award modifier requires a fifth coin to initiate second modifier play.

6. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein any first modifier award from the first base award modifier is an added to any base game award from the base game.

7. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein a first modifier award from the first base award modifier is awarded only if a base game award was given.

8. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein a first modifier award from the first base award modifier is awarded regardless of whether a base game award was given.

9. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein a first modifier award from the first base award modifier awards rewards a player with additional reel spins.

10. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein a second modifier award from the second base award modifier is a multiplier of the base pay award, if any, and the first modifier award, if any.

11. A gaming machine having a base game and two or more base award modifiers operating independently or in conjunction with one another to modify a base game award, the gaming machine comprising:

a base game, wherein the outcome of the base game defines a base game award, if any;

a first base award modifier, wherein the outcome of the first base award modifier defines a first modifier award, if any; and

wherein the first modifier award adjusts the base game award, if any; and

a second base award modifier;

wherein the outcome of the second base award modifier defines a second modifier award, if any;

wherein the second modifier award adjusts the combined base game award and first modifier award if both awards were given, adjusts only the base game award if only the base game award was given, and adjusts only the first modifier award if only the first modifier award was given;

whereby the first modifier award and the second modifier award operate independently or in conjunction with one another to modify a base game award.

12. The gaming machine of claim 11, wherein the outcome of the base game, the outcome of the first base award modifier, and the outcome of the second base award modifier, are all displayed along a payline.

13. The gaming machine of claim 11, wherein one or more spinning elements in the base game spin about a substantially horizontal axis, and wherein at least one of the base award modifiers spins about a substantially vertical axis.

14. The gaming machine of claim 11, wherein one or more spinning elements in the base game spin about a substantially horizontal axis, and wherein at least one of the base award modifiers spins in a top box game.

15. The gaming machine of claim 11, wherein the base game requires three coins to initiate base game play, the first base award modifier requires a forth coin to initiate first modifier play, and the second base award modifier requires a fifth coin to initiate second modifier play.

16. The gaming machine of claim 11, wherein any first modifier award from the first base award modifier is an added to any base game award from the base game.

17. The gaming machine of claim 11, wherein a first modifier award from the first base award modifier is awarded only if a base game award was given.

18. The gaming machine of claim 11, wherein a first modifier award from the first base award modifier is awarded regardless of whether a base game award was given.

19. The gaming machine of claim 11, wherein a first modifier award from the first base award modifier awards a player with additional reel spins.

20. The gaming machine of claim 11, wherein a second modifier award from the second base award modifier is a multiplier of the base pay award, if any, combined with the first modifier award, if any.

21. A gaming machine having a base game and two or more base award adjusters operating independently or in conjunction with one another to modify a base game award, the gaming machine comprising:

a base game presentation of a plurality of spinning reels, wherein the outcome of the spinning reels in the base game presentation defines a base game award, if any;

a first base award adjuster, wherein the outcome of the first base award adjuster defines one of a plurality of first adjuster awards, at least one of the first adjuster awards including a nil adjustment, and wherein the first adjuster award alters the base game award; and

a second base award adjuster;

wherein the outcome of the second base award adjuster defines one of a plurality of second adjuster awards, at least one of the second adjuster awards including a nil adjustment;

wherein the second adjuster award alters the combined base game award and the first modifier award if the base game award is given and the second adjuster awards including a non-nil adjustment, alters only the base game award if the base game award was given and the second adjuster award including a nil adjustment, and alters only the first adjuster award if no base game award was given and the first adjuster award stands independently of a base game award;

wherein the first base award modifier and the second base award modifier are given regardless of whether the base game award is given.

22. The gaming machine of claim 21, wherein the outcome of the base game presentation, the outcome of the first base award adjuster, and the outcome of the second base award adjuster are all displayed along a payline.

23. The gaming machine of claim 21, wherein the presentation of a plurality of spinning reels spins about a substantially horizontal axis, and wherein at least one of the base award adjusters spins about a substantially vertical axis.

24. The gaming machine of claim 21, wherein the presentation of a plurality of spinning reels spins about a substantially horizontal axis, and wherein at least one of the base award adjusters spins in a top box game.

25. The gaming machine of claim 21, wherein the base game requires three coins to initiate base game play, the first base award adjuster requires a forth coin to initiate first adjuster play, and the second base award adjuster requires a fifth coin to initiate the second adjuster play.

26. The gaming machine of claim 21, wherein any first adjuster award from the first base award adjuster is added to any base game award from the base game.

27. The gaming machine of claim 21, wherein a first adjuster award from the first base award adjuster is awarded only if a base game award was given.

28. The gaming machine of claim 21, wherein a first adjuster award from the first base award adjuster is awarded regardless of whether a base game award was given.

29. The gaming machine of claim 21, wherein a first adjuster award from the first base award adjuster awards rewards a player with additional reel spins.

30. The gaming machine of claim 21, wherein a second adjuster award from the second base award adjuster is a multiplier of the base pay award, if any, combined with the first adjuster award.

31. A gaming machine having a base game and two or more base award adjusters operating independently or in conjunction with one another to modify a base game award, the gaming machine comprising:

a base game presentation of a plurality of spinning reels, wherein the outcome of the spinning reels in the base game presentation define a base game award, if any;

a first base award adjuster, wherein the outcome of the first base award adjuster defines one of a plurality of first adjuster awards, at least one of the first adjuster awards including a negative adjustment, and wherein the first adjuster award alters the base game award; and

a second base award adjuster;

wherein the outcome of the second base award adjuster defines one of a plurality of second adjuster awards, at least one of the second adjuster awards including a negative adjustment;

wherein the second adjuster award alters the combined base game award and first modifier award if the base game award is given and the second adjuster awards includes a non-negative adjustment, alters only the base game award if the base game award was given and the second adjuster award includes a negative adjustment, and alters only the first adjuster award if no base game award was given and the first adjuster award stands independently of a base game award;

wherein the first base award modifier and the second base award modifier are given regardless of whether the base game award is given.

32. A gaming machine having a base game and two or more base award modifiers operating independently or in conjunction with one another to modify a base game award, the gaming machine comprising:

a base game, wherein the outcome of the base game defines a base game award, if any;

means for modifying a first base award, wherein the outcome of the first base award modifying means defines a first modifier award, if any; and

wherein the first modifier award adjusts the base game award, if any; and

means for modifying a second base award;

wherein the outcome of the second base award modifying means defines a second modifier award, if any;

wherein the second modifier award adjusts the combined base game award and the first modifier award, if both awards were given, adjusts only the base game award if only the base game award was given, and adjusts only the first modifier award if only the first modifier award was given;

wherein the first base award modifier and the second base award modifier are given regardless of whether the base game award is given.