Slot Machine Style Game with Player Selected Game Symbols

• US 20140315616A1
• Filed: 04/19/2013
• Published: 10/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: MGT Studios, Inc. (MGT Capital Investments Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Avcom, Inc. (MGT Capital Investments Incorporated)
• Inventors: Avin, Jeremy A., Swift, Brian D.
• Application Number:
  US13/866,580
• Publication Number:
  US 20140315616A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/20
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/34 depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines

Abstract

A method for a slot machine style game is disclosed. The method includes the steps of determining an outcome of the slot machine style game and displaying a plurality of game symbols corresponding to the outcome. At least one of the game symbols is a symbol selected by a player. The method also includes the steps of determining whether at least a portion of the plurality of game symbols is a winning combination and, when there is a winning combination, determining a first award associated with the winning combination.

Claims

1. A method for a slot machine style game, comprising the steps of:

a. determining an outcome of the slot machine style game;

b. displaying a plurality of game symbols corresponding to the outcome, wherein at least one of the game symbols is a symbol selected by a player;

c. determining whether at least a portion of the plurality of game symbols is a winning combination; and

d. when there is a winning combination, determining a first award associated with the winning combination.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of

a. performing an augmentation routine associated with the player-selected symbol to transform at least some of the displayed plurality of game symbols;

b. determining a second award based on the first award and the result of the augmentation routine;

c. providing the second award to a player.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of selecting, by a player, symbols that are to be included in the slot machine style game.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of selecting occurs on a screen or display mode that differs from a screen or display mode used for displaying a plurality of game symbols in step 1(b).

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the player-selected symbols have requirements associated therewith, and wherein the player-selected symbols may be selected only when the requirements are met.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the player-selected symbols requirements include at least one of account balance, frequency of game play by player, and criteria associated with the player.

7. The method of claim 2, further comprising, after step 2(b), transforming the player-selected symbols into different symbols.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of transforming comprises changing the displayed symbols, either by augmentation or replacement, and displaying the transformed symbol.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein steps 1(a) and 1(c) are carried out on a first device, and the step 1(b) is carried out on a second device, wherein the first device differs from the second device.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of actuating the slot machine style game using an input selected from the group consisting of a touch screen input, a motion sensor, a mechanical button, a microphone, a camera, and an auxiliary input device.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the player has a location associated therewith, further comprising the steps of

a. increasing the second award based on the location of the player;

and

b. displaying the increased second award to the player.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the player plays the slot machine style game on a device, wherein the device has a camera with a flash associated therewith, further comprising the step of lighting or toggling the flash when the plurality of game symbols is a winning combination.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the player plays the slot machine style game on a device, wherein the device has a camera with a flash associated therewith, wherein the device vibrates when the plurality of game symbols is a winning combination.

14. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of providing the second award to the player comprises displaying the second award to the player or updating an account associated with the player.

15. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of providing the second award to the player comprises providing money or an equivalent thereof to the player.

16. A method for a slot machine style game, comprising the steps of:

a. receiving a request to begin the slot machine style game and determining whether the request is valid;

b. when the request is determined to be valid,

i. determining an outcome of the slot machine style game;

ii. determining a plurality of game symbols to be displayed, wherein at least one of the game symbols is a symbol selected by a player;

iii. determining whether at least a portion of the plurality of game symbols is a winning combination; and

iv. when there is a winning combination, determining a first award associated with the winning combination.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the steps of

a. performing an augmentation routine associated with the player-selected symbols;

b. determining a second award based on the first award and the result of the augmentation routine;

c. providing the second award to a player.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step 17(c) comprises transmitting the plurality of game symbols, the results of the augmentation routine, the first award, and the second award to a device associated with a player.