Method and apparatus for setting game parameters

• US 8,075,390 B2
• Filed: 11/03/2006
• Issued: 12/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Walker, Jay S., Jorasch, James A., Garcia, Victor M., Gelman, Geoffrey M., Tedesco, Daniel E., Santisi, Steven M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coburn, Corbett B
• Application Number:
  US11/556,399
• Publication Number:
  US 20070111778A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,866 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 463/20
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/323 wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions

Abstract

The present invention allows gaming devices to set or modify game parameters through the use of random events such as spinning slot machine reels or random number generators. In some embodiments, game parameters may be established with various initial values, and then, by spinning the gaming devices'"'"' reels, for example, random reel values lining up on the payline may be used as new game parameter values. Parameter values may be used to control or initialize almost any aspect of the gaming device play experience, ranging from the types of symbols seen on the reels, to the appearance or behavior of game characters, to the rate at which “complementary” points are awarded.

Claims

1. A gaming device comprising:

a processor;

an input device;

a display device; and

a memory device which stores a plurality of instructions which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to operate with the input device and the display device to, for each play of a game and prior to any random determinations associated with a play of the game;

determine a game parameter,

determine a range of different values associated with the game parameter,

display at least one symbol on at least one reel of a plurality of reels, each symbol representing a value within the determined range of values associated with the game parameter,

randomly select at least one of the displayed symbols,

set an actual value of the game parameter based on the at least one randomly selected symbol, and

after setting the actual value of the game parameter;

(a) determine an outcome, said outcome being determined;

(i) at least in part based on at least one random determination which occurs after the actual value of the game parameter is set, and

(ii) at least in part based on the set actual value of the game parameter,

(b) display said determined outcome,

(c) thereafter, determine any award associated with the determined outcome, and

(d) display to a player any determined award associated with the determined outcome.

2. The gaming device of claim 1 wherein the game parameter represents at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a number of game symbols with which to start the game,

a number by which any payouts will be multiplied for the plays of the game,

a maximum number of spins of the reels displayed before the player is ineligible for a puzzle completion bonus,

a number of said reels used in the play of a reel game,

a number of bonus symbols on each of the reels which initiate a bonus game,

a rate of expiration of player collected symbols,

a rate of accumulation of complementary points,

a progression rate of a progressive jackpot,

a payout for a particular symbol combination,

a probability of a particular symbol combination occurring,

an amount of wager required per spin of the reels,

a probability of the player participating in a bonus round,

a number of puzzle pieces that need to be collected by the player during a puzzle game, and

a probability of any bonus round payouts occurring.

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

for each play of a game and prior to any random determinations associated with a play of the game

(a) causing a processor to execute a plurality of instructions to determine a game parameter,

(b) causing the processor to execute the plurality of instructions to determine a range of different values associated with the game parameter,

(c) causing a display device to display at least one symbol on at least one reel of a plurality of reels, each symbol representing a value within the determined range of values associated with the game parameter,

(d) causing the processor to execute the plurality of instructions to randomly select at least one of the displayed symbols,

(e) causing the processor to execute the plurality of instructions to set an actual value of the game parameter based on the at least one randomly selected symbol, and

(f) after setting the actual value of the game parameter;

(i) causing the processor to execute the plurality of instructions to determine an outcome, said outcome being determined;

(A) at least in part based on at least one random determination which occurs after the actual value of the game parameter is set, and

(B) at least in part based on the set actual value of the game parameter,

(ii) causing the display device to display said determined outcome,

(iii) thereafter, causing the processor to execute the plurality of instructions to determine any award associated with the determined outcome, and

(iv) causing the display device to display to a player any determined award associated with the determined outcome.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the game parameter represents at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a number of game symbols with which to start the game,

a number by which any payouts will be multiplied for the plays of the game,

a maximum number of spins of the reels displayed before the player is ineligible for a puzzle completion bonus,

a number of said reels used in the play of a reel game,

a number of bonus symbols on each of the reels which initiate a bonus game,

a rate of expiration of player collected symbols,

a rate of accumulation of complementary points,

a progression rate of a progressive jackpot,

a payout for a particular symbol combination,

a probability of a particular symbol combination occurring,

an amount of wager required per spin of the reels,

a probability of the player participating in a bonus round,

a number of puzzle pieces that need to be collected by the player during a puzzle game, and

a probability of any bonus round payouts occurring.