Wagering game with bonus game elements dictated by basic game

• US 7,713,122 B2
• Filed: 02/22/2006
• Issued: 05/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Original Assignee: WMS Gaming Incorporated (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: Pacey, Larry J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hotaling, II; John M
• Assistant Examiner(s): TORIMIRO, ADETOKUNBO OLUSEGUN
• Application Number:
  US11/359,709
• Publication Number:
  US 20060189379A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,539 Days
• Field of Search: 463/16, 463/20, 463/25, 463/30, 463/43
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• 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

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of conducting a wagering game having a basic game and a secondary game is disclosed. A wager is received from a player to play a basic game. A plurality of bonus objects are provided within the basic game. The bonus objects are capable of being collected in the basic game. A secondary game is initiated and at least one collected bonus object is provided as a player-selectable bonus object within the secondary game. The bonus object may be capable of providing an enhanced payout in the secondary game. A system is further provided for playing the above-described wagering game having a basic game and a secondary game.

Claims

1. A method of conducting a wagering game having a basic game and a secondary game, comprising:

using an input device to accept a wager from a player to play the basic game;

using a display to display one or more bonus objects within multiple plays of the basic game, the one or more bonus objects being collectable during the multiple plays for subsequent use in the secondary game;

using the display to display an award associated with collected ones of the bonus objects in the basic game;

initiating the secondary game; and

using the display to display an array of player-selectable object within the secondary game, the array of player-selectable objects being populated by one or more bonus objects collected during different ones of the multiple plays of the basic game.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more bonus objects collected within the basic game are primary bonus objects, the primary bonus objects being combined with one or more secondary bonus objects in the secondary game to create the array of player-selectable objects.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the primary bonus objects have a greater award value than the one or more secondary bonus objects.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more bonus objects collected within the basic game are primary bonus objects, the primary bonus objects being combined with one or more end bonus-event objects in the secondary game to create the array of player-selectable objects.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the player-selectable objects include respective award values, the award values being hidden from the player, the award values being revealed only after the player selects one of the player-selectable objects.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the basic game is a slots game, the slots game including a plurality of reels, the reels including a plurality of symbols, the plurality of symbols including the displayed one or more bonus objects.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein at least one of the bonus objects is a wild card capable of representing one or more of the plurality of symbols displayed on the plurality of reels.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein at least one of the bonus objects are collected in response to the at least one of the bonus objects being displayed as part of a winning symbol combination along an active payline.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein at least one of the bonus objects is collected when the at least one bonus object is displayed within an activated payline.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more bonus objects collected within the basic game provide a payout in the secondary game in response to being selected by the player.

11. A computer readable storage medium encoded with instructions for directing a processor to perform the method of claim 1.

12. A method of conducting a wagering game, comprising:

receiving a wager to play a basic wagering game;

displaying the basic game;

displaying a plurality of collectable bonus objects within the basic game;

collecting at least two of the plurality of collectable bonus objects during multiple plays of the basic game for subsequent use in a secondary game;

displaying an award associated with the at least two collected bonus objects in the basic game;

initiating the secondary game;

displaying the at least two bonus objects collected during play of the basic wagering game as selectable bonus objects within the secondary game, the at least two bonus objects being collected during at least two plays of the basic game;

selecting, via player selection, at least one of the displayed selectable bonus objects; and

awarding a bonus award based on the selected selectable bonus objects.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the collected bonus objects are primary bonus objects, the primary bonus objects being combined with one or more end bonus-event objects to form the selectable bonus objects within the secondary game.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the primary bonus objects and the one or more end bonus-event objects are combined with one or more secondary bonus objects to form the selectable bonus objects within the secondary game.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the primary bonus objects have a greater award value than the one or more secondary bonus objects.

16. A gaming system for playing a wagering game having a basic game and a secondary game, comprising:

at least one display for displaying a plurality of symbols and a plurality of collectable bonus objects that indicate a randomly selected outcome for the basic game, the plurality of collectable bonus objects being collected during the basic game for subsequent use in the secondary game, each of the collectable bonus objects being associated with an award that is displayed in the basic game, the at least one display for displaying the secondary game in response to a predetermined event, the secondary game including an array of selectable bonus objects that is populated by at least two of the collectable bonus objects, each of the at least two collectable bonus objects being collected during different plays of the basic game;

an input device for receiving selections of the selectable bonus objects by a player during the secondary game; and

one or more controllers operative to conduct the basic game and the secondary game, and provide an award to the player based on the selections.

17. The gaming system of claim 16, wherein at least one of the one or more controllers is located within the gaming system.

18. The gaming system of claim 16, wherein the provided award is based on the accumulated value of the selectable bonus objects selected during the secondary game.

19. The gaming system of claim 16, wherein the at least one display includes a main display and a secondary display, the plurality of symbols and plurality of collectable bonus objects are displayed in the basic game on the main display and the secondary game is displayed on the secondary display.

20. The gaming system of claim 16, wherein the at least one display displays a collection box, the collection box including at least one of the collectable bonus objects therein.

21. The gaming system of claim 16, wherein the at least two bonus objects collected within the basic game are primary bonus objects, the primary bonus objects being combined with one or more secondary bonus objects in the secondary game to create the array of selectable bonus objects.

22. The gaming system of claim 16, wherein the at least two bonus objects collected within the basic game are primary bonus objects, the primary bonus objects being combined with one or more end bonus-event objects in the secondary game to create the array of selectable bonus objects.

23. The gaming system of claim 16, wherein the provided award is at least partially based on one or more of the awards associated with collected ones of the collectible bonus objects displayed in the basic game.