GAMING SYSTEM, GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD HAVING PURCHASABLE GAME ADVANTAGES

• US 20080318668A1
• Filed: 06/19/2007
• Published: 12/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Baerlocher, Anthony J., Ching, Erick T.
• Application Number:
  US11/765,089
• Publication Number:
  US 20080318668A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3258 Cumulative reward schemes, e.g. jackpots

Abstract

A gaming device and method enables players to purchase one or more features that provide an advantage in a bonus event. In one embodiment, a player can purchase an advantage by paying a fee. In one embodiment, the advantage is applied to a bonus game, such as a head start in the bonus game. In an alternative embodiment, the player can purchase features that provide an advantage in obtaining a progressive award or in obtaining a level of a multiple-level progressive.

Claims

1. A gaming device operable under control of at least one processor, said gaming device comprising:

at least one display device configured to display;

(i) a primary game operable upon a wager by a player, said primary game associated with an average expected payout;

(ii) a secondary game operable upon a triggering event, said secondary game associated with an average expected payout and having at least one game advantage associated with the secondary game; and

at least one input device;

said at least one processor programmed to operate with the at least one display device and the at least one input device to;

(a) display a play of the primary game,

(b) determine a primary game outcome for said play of the primary game and provide any awards to the player associated with the primary game outcome,

(c) determine if the triggering condition occurs, and

(d) if the triggering condition occurs;

(i) enable the player to pay a fee to purchase at least one of the game advantages associated with the secondary game, and

(ii) if the player pays the fee, display at least one play of the secondary game with any purchased game advantages.

2. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the fee is independent of the wager.

3. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein if the player pays the fee, the fee does not affect the average expected payout associated with the primary game.

4. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the amount of the fee is predetermined.

5. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the amount of the fee is based on the wager in the primary game.

6. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the amount of the fee is based on the average expected payout associated with the secondary game.

7. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein if the player does not pay the fee, said at least one processor is operable to display at least one play of the secondary game without any game advantages.

8. The gaming device of claim 7, wherein the average expected payout of the secondary game with the at least one purchased game advantage is greater than the average expected payout of the secondary game without any game advantages.

9. The gaming device of claim 8, wherein the amount of the fee is based on the difference between the average expected payout of the secondary game with the at least one purchased game advantage and the average expected payout of the secondary game without any purchased game advantages.

10. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the game advantage is selected from the group consisting of:

(i) an initial number of points for the secondary game, (ii) higher awards for designated symbol combinations in the secondary game, (iii) a multiplier for the secondary game, (iv) an increased multiplier for the secondary game, (v) a different number of winning symbol combinations in the secondary game, (vi) different types of winning symbol combinations in the secondary game, (vii) an extra pick in the secondary game;

(viii) a re-pick in the secondary game;

(ix) an adjustment to advancement criteria for the secondary game; and

(x) any combination of these.

11. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the triggering condition includes an event associated with the primary game.

12. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the triggering condition is independent from the primary game.

15. The gaming device of claim 3, wherein if the fee is paid, the fee does not affect the average expected payout associated with the primary game.

13. A gaming device operable under control of at least one processor, said gaming device comprising:

at least one display device configured to display;

(i) a primary game operable upon a wager by a player, said primary game having an average expected payout,

(ii) a bonus event triggered upon a triggering event, said bonus event having an average expected payout, and

(iii) an advantage associated with said bonus event; and

at least one input device;

said at least one processor operable with the input device to enable a player to pay a fee, wherein;

(a) if the fee is paid, the advantage is employed to determine an outcome for the bonus event, if the bonus event is triggered, and

(b) if said fee is not paid, the advantage is not employed to determine the outcome for the bonus event, if the bonus event is triggered.

14. The gaming device of claim 13, wherein the fee is independent of the wager.

16. The gaming device of claim 13, wherein the amount of the fee is predetermined.

17. The gaming device of claim 13, wherein the amount of the fee is based on the wager in the primary game.

18. The gaming device of claim 13, wherein the amount of the fee is based on the average expected payout associated with the bonus event.

19. The gaming device of claim 13, wherein the average expected payout of the bonus event employing the advantage is greater than the average expected payout of the bonus event not employing the advantage.

20. The gaming device of claim 19, wherein the amount of the fee is based on the difference between the average expected payout of the bonus event employing the advantage and the average expected payout of the bonus event not employing the advantage.

21. The gaming device of claim 13, wherein the advantage is selected from the group consisting of:

(i) an initial number of points for the bonus event, (ii) higher awards for designated symbol combinations in the bonus event, (iii) a multiplier for the bonus event, (iv) an increased multiplier for the bonus event, (v) a different number of winning symbol combinations in the bonus event, (vi) different types of winning symbol combinations in the bonus event, (vii) an extra pick in the bonus event;

(viii) a re-pick in the bonus event;

(ix) an adjustment to advancement criteria for the bonus event; and

(x) any combination of these.

22. The gaming device of claim 13, wherein the at least one processor enables the player to pay the fee before an occurrence of the triggering event.

23. The gaming device of claim 13, wherein the at least one processor enables the player to pay the fee upon an occurrence of the triggering event.

24. The gaming device of claim 13, wherein the triggering event includes an event associated with the primary game.

25. The gaming device of claim 13, wherein the triggering event is independent from the primary game.

26. A gaming system comprising:

a controller;

a plurality of gaming devices configured to communicate with the controller, each of said gaming devices including a primary game operable upon a wager by a player;

a plurality of progressive award levels maintained by the controller, each progressive award level associated with a different range of progressive award values;

an advantage associated with said plurality of progressive award levels;

a fee required to purchase said advantage; and

a triggering event, wherein upon an occurrence of said triggering event, the controller is programmed to cause at least one of the gaming devices to provide one of the progressive award values to the player playing at said gaming device, wherein

(i) if the player playing at said gaming device paid the fee, the advantage is employed to determine which of the progressive award values to provide to the player, and

(ii) if the player playing at said gaming device did not pay the fee, the advantage is not employed to determine which of the progressive award values to provide to the player.

27. The gaming system of claim 26, wherein each player playing at one of the gaming devices is enabled to pay the fee prior to an occurrence of said triggering event.

28. The gaming system of claim 26, wherein each player playing at one of the gaming devices is enabled to pay the fee upon an occurrence of said triggering event.

29. The gaming system of claim 26, wherein said advantage is selected from the group consisting of:

(i) eligibility to win a progressive award value from a progressive award level that is associated with a higher range of progressive award values;

(ii) eligibility to play for one of the progressive award values from a plurality of different progressive award levels;

(iii) an increased probability of winning one of the progressive award values;

(iv) an advantage or head start in an event to determine which progressive award value a player will receive;

(v) any other suitable feature that gives a player an advantage in obtaining one of the progressive award values; and

(iv) any combination of these.

30. The gaming device of claim 26, wherein the fee required to purchase the advantage is independent of the wager placed to play the primary game.

31. The gaming device of claim 26, wherein the amount of the fee required to purchase the advantage is predetermined.

32. The gaming device of claim 26, wherein the amount of the fee required to purchase the advantage is based on the wager placed to play the primary game.

33. The gaming device of claim 26, wherein the triggering event includes an event associated with one of the primary games.

34. The gaming device of claim 26, wherein the triggering event is independent from the primary games.

35. A method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising:

(a) providing a primary game operable upon a wager by a player, said primary game associated with an average expected payout;

(b) providing a secondary game upon a triggering condition, said secondary game associated with an average expected payout;

(c) displaying a play of said primary game to the player;

(d) determining a primary game outcome for said play of the primary game and providing to the player any awards associated with the primary game outcome;

(f) determining whether the triggering condition occurs; and

(g) if the triggering condition occurs;

(i) enabling the player to pay a fee to purchase at least one game advantage associated with said secondary game, and

(ii) if the player pays the fee, displaying at least one play of the secondary game with any purchased game advantages.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the fee is independent of the wager placed to play the primary game.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein if the player pays the fee, the fee does not affect the average expected payout of the primary game.

38. The method of claim 35, which includes predetermining the amount of the fee.

39. The method of claim 35, which includes determining the amount of the fee based on the wager placed to play the primary game.

40. The method of claim 35, which includes determining the amount of the fee based on the average expected payout associated with the secondary game.

41. The method of claim 35, which includes displaying at least one play of the secondary game without any game advantages, if the player does not pay the fee.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the average expected payout of the secondary game with the at least one purchased game advantage is greater than the average expected payout of the secondary game without any game advantages.

43. The method of claim 42, which includes determining the amount of the fee based on the difference between the average expected payout of the secondary game with the at least one purchased game advantage and the average expected payout of the secondary game without any purchased game advantages.

44. The method of claim 35, which includes selecting the game advantage from the group consisting of:

(i) an initial number of points for the secondary game, (ii) higher awards for designated symbol combinations in the secondary game, (iii) a multiplier for the secondary game, (iv) an increased multiplier for the secondary game, (v) a different number of winning symbol combinations in the secondary game, (vi) different types of winning symbol combinations in the secondary game, (vii) an extra pick in the secondary game;

(viii) a re-pick in the secondary game;

(ix) an adjustment to advancement criteria for the secondary game; and

(x) any combination of these.

45. The method of claim 35, wherein the triggering condition includes an event associated with the primary game.

46. The method of claim 35, wherein the triggering condition is independent from the primary game.

47. The method of claim 35, which is provided to the player through a data network.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein the data network is an internet.

49. A method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising:

(a) displaying a primary game operable upon a wager by a player, said primary game having an average expected payout;

(b) displaying a bonus event upon a triggering event, said bonus event having an average expected payout;

(c) enabling the player to pay a fee to purchase at least one advantage associated with the bonus event;

(d) if the fee is paid, employing the advantage to determine an outcome for the bonus event, if the bonus event is triggered;

(e) if said fee is not paid, not employing the advantage to determine the outcome for the bonus event, if the bonus event is triggered.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the fee is independent of the wager for the primary game.

51. The method of claim 49, wherein if the fee is paid, the fee does not affect the average expected payout associated with the primary game.

52. The method of claim 49, includes predetermining the amount of the fee.

53. The method of claim 49, which includes determining the amount of the fee based on the wager for the primary game.

54. The method of claim 49, which includes determining the amount of the fee based on the average expected payout associated with the bonus event.

55. The method of claim 49, wherein the average expected payout of the bonus event employing the advantage is greater than the average expected payout of the bonus event not employing the advantage.

56. The method of claim 55, which includes determining the amount of the fee base on the difference between the average expected payout of the bonus event employing the advantage and the average expected payout of the bonus event not employing the advantage.

57. The method of claim 49, which includes selecting the advantage from the group consisting of:

(i) an initial number of points for the bonus event, (ii) higher awards for designated symbol combinations in the bonus event, (iii) a multiplier for the bonus event, (iv) an increased multiplier for the bonus event, (v) a different number of winning symbol combinations in the bonus event, (vi) different types of winning symbol combinations in the bonus event, (vii) an extra pick in the bonus event;

(viii) a re-pick in the bonus event;

(ix) an adjustment to advancement criteria for the bonus event; and

(x) any combination of these.

58. The gaming device of claim 49, which includes enabling the player to pay the fee before an occurrence of the triggering event.

59. The gaming device of claim 49, which includes enabling the player to pay the fee upon an occurrence of the triggering event.

60. The gaming device of claim 49, wherein the triggering event includes an event associated with the primary game.

61. The gaming device of claim 49, wherein the triggering event is independent from the primary game.

62. The method of claim 49, which is provided to the player through a data network.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein the data network is an internet.

64. A method of operating a gaming system, said gaming system including a plurality of gaming devices configured to communicate with a controller, wherein each of said gaming devices includes a primary game operable upon a wager placed by a player, said method comprising:

(a) maintaining a plurality of progressive award levels, each progressive award level associated with a different range of progressive award values;

(b) enabling each of the players playing at said gaming devices to pay a fee to purchase an advantage associated with said plurality of progressive award levels; and

(c) upon a triggering event, selecting at least one of said gaming devices and causing the selected gaming device to provide one of the progressive award values to the player playing at said gaming device, wherein

(i) if the player playing at the selected gaming device paid the fee, the advantage is employed to determine which of the progressive award values to provide to said player; and

(ii) if the player playing at the selected gaming device did not pay the fee, the advantage is not employed to determine which of the progressive award values to provide to said player.

65. The method of claim 64, which includes enabling each player playing at one of the gaming devices to pay the fee prior to an occurrence of said triggering event.

66. The method of claim 64, which includes enabling each player playing at one of the gaming devices to pay the fee upon an occurrence of said triggering event.

67. The method of claim 64, which includes selecting the advantage from the group consisting of:

(i) eligibility to win a progressive award value from a progressive award level that is associated with a higher range of progressive award values;

(ii) eligibility to play for one of the progressive award values from a plurality of different progressive award levels;

(iii) an increased probability of winning one of the progressive award values;

(iv) an advantage or head start in an event to determine which progressive award value a player will receive;

(v) any other suitable feature that gives a player an advantage in obtaining one of the progressive award values; and

(iv) any combination of these.

68. The method of claim 64, wherein the fee required to purchase the advantage is independent of the wager placed to play the primary game.

69. The method of claim 64, which includes predetermining the amount of the fee required to purchase the advantage.

70. The method of claim 64, which includes determining the amount of the fee required to purchase the advantage based on the wager placed to play the primary game.

71. The method of claim 64, wherein the triggering event includes an event associated with one of the primary games.

72. The method of claim 64, wherein the triggering event is independent from the primary games.

73. The method of claim 64, which is provided to the player through a data network.

74. The method of claim 74, wherein the data network is an internet.