Wagering game with bonus-game assets that can be preserved for subsequent gaming sessions

• US 20060079317A1
• Filed: 09/09/2005
• Published: 04/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: WMS Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Inventors: Gomez, Benjamin T., Flemming, Peter W., Pacey, Larry J.
• Application Number:
  US11/223,704
• Publication Number:
  US 20060079317A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3267 Game outcomes which determine the course of the subsequent game, e.g. double or quits, free games, higher payouts, different new games

Abstract

A method for playing a wagering game includes receiving wager inputs from a player for a wagering game, which includes a basic game and a bonus game, and selecting at least one randomly-selected outcome of a plurality of outcomes in response to receiving the wager inputs. The player is awarded a bonus-game asset in a first gaming session of the wagering game. A data set representing the bonus-game asset is stored, and, based on the data set, the player is allowed to use the bonus-game asset in a second gaming session.

Claims

1. A method for playing a wagering game, comprising:

receiving wager inputs from a player for a wagering game, said wagering game including a basic game and a bonus game;

selecting at least one randomly-selected outcome of a plurality of outcomes in response to said receiving step;

awarding said player a bonus-game asset in a first gaming session of said wagering game;

storing a data set representing said bonus-game asset; and

allowing said player to use said bonus-game asset, based on said data set, in a second gaming session.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising awarding at least one other bonus-game asset before said allowing step.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a choice of awards to said player in response to receiving a selection of said bonus-game asset from said player.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising selecting said choice of awards from a group including a bonus game, a general award, a new level of said wagering game, a new wagering game, a new game theme, a credit amount, a progressive jackpot, and a bonus jackpot.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting said bonus-game asset from a group including a free spin, a winning multiplier, a bonus round, a credit amount, a bonus shield, a weak-option removal, a wrong-choice protection, an undo feature, a game-termination adjusting feature, an unlock feature, a puzzle component, a treasure item, an achievement event, a collecting event, a bonus increment, and a shortcut reward.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising awarding additional bonus-game assets in at least one of said basic game and said bonus game of said wagering game.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing said data set on an item selected from the group consisting of a player ticket, a player card, and a memory device.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising playing said first gaming session of said wagering game on a first gaming terminal and said second gaming session of said wagering game on a second gaming terminal.

9. A computer readable storage medium or media encoded with instructions for directing said gaming machines to perform the method of claim 1.

10. A gaming terminal for playing a wagering game, comprising:

a display for displaying at least one randomly-selected outcome of a plurality of outcomes in response to receiving wager inputs from a player during a first gaming session of a wagering game, said wagering game including a basic game and a bonus game; and

a controller coupled to said display and programmed to

award a bonus-game asset to said player in a first gaming session of said wagering game,

store a data set representing said bonus-game asset, and

allow said player to use said bonus-game asset, based on said data set, in a second gaming session.

11. The gaming terminal of claim 10, wherein said controller is further programmed to receive a selection of said bonus-game asset from said player.

12. The gaming terminal of claim 11, wherein said controller is further programmed to provide a choice of awards to said player in response to said receiving of said wager inputs.

13. The gaming terminal of claim 11, wherein said controller is further programmed to select said choice of awards from a group including a bonus game, a general award, a new level of said wagering game, a new wagering game, a new game theme, a credit amount, a progressive jackpot, and a bonus jackpot.

14. The gaming terminal of claim 10, wherein said controller is further programmed to select said bonus-game asset from a group including a free spin, a winning multiplier, a bonus round, a credit amount, a bonus shield, a weak-option removal, a wrong-choice protection, an undo feature, a game-termination adjusting feature, an unlock feature, a puzzle component, a treasure item, an achievement event, a collecting event, a bonus increment, and a shortcut reward.

15. The gaming terminal of claim 10, wherein said controller is further programmed to allow said player to choose when to use said bonus-game asset.

16. The gaming terminal of claim 10, wherein said controller is further programmed to award additional bonus-game assets in at least one of said basic game and said bonus game of said wagering game.

17. The gaming terminal of claim 10, wherein said controller is further programmed to store said data set on an item selected from the group consisting of a player ticket, a player card, and a memory device.

18. The gaming terminal of claim 10, wherein said controller is further programmed to present said first gaming session of said wagering game on a first gaming terminal and said second gaming session of said wagering game on a second gaming terminal.

19. The gaming terminal of claim 10, wherein said controller is further programmed to present on a secondary display said bonus-game asset, said secondary display being coupled to said controller.

20. A method of operating a wagering game, comprising:

receiving wager inputs from a player for a basic wagering game;

selecting at least one randomly-selected outcome of a plurality of outcomes in response to said receiving step;

awarding during a gaming session a game-play item for use in a bonus game;

storing a data set representing said game-play item before ending said gaming session; and

using said game-play item during a subsequent gaming session.