U.S. Pat. No. 11,837,056

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, there is shown an embodiment of an electronic gaming system wherein a plurality of wild symbols are awarded by a game controller upon a trigger condition being met and are added to the selected symbols of a symbol display by the game controller to form a modified symbol display which is evaluated in order to determine whether to make an award. In an embodiment, the gaming system has components that enable a wild symbol awarding animation to accompany the awarding of the wild symbols. In an embodiment, the game controller displays selected symbols as a symbol display on a first video display and displays a first part of a wild symbol awarding animation on a second display located above the first video display. The game controller controls the movement of animated objects from the second video display to the first video display in order to add the wild symbols to the symbol display. In some embodiments, the wild symbols may include multiple wild symbols which the game controller changes into a plurality of single wild symbols after reaching a symbol display position in the symbol display. The game controller has components configures such that one of the single wild symbols stays at the symbol display position while the other one or more single wild symbols are added to other symbol display positions.

In an embodiment, the gaming system may award of a plurality of game rounds such as a number of free spins. The symbols that trigger the awarding of the game rounds may include a multiplier symbol. The game controller controls the awarding of game rounds such that the number of game rounds awarded is multiplied by the multiplier.

General Construction of Gaming System

The gaming system can take a number of different forms. In a first form, a standalone gaming machine is provided wherein all or most components required for implementing the game are present in a player operable gaming machine.

In a second form, a distributed architecture is provided wherein some of the components required for implementing the game are present in a player operable gaming machine and some of the components required for implementing the game are located remotely relative to the gaming machine. For example, a “thick client” architecture may be used wherein part of the game is executed on a player operable gaming machine and part of the game is executed remotely, such as by a gaming server; or a “thin client” architecture may be used wherein most of the game is executed remotely such as by a gaming server and a player operable gaming machine is used only to display audible and/or visible gaming information to the player and receive gaming inputs from the player.

However, it will be understood that other arrangements are envisaged. For example, an architecture may be provided wherein a gaming machine is networked to a gaming server and the respective functions of the gaming machine and the gaming server are selectively modifiable. For example, the gaming system may operate in stand alone gaming machine mode, “thick client” mode or “thin client” mode depending on the game being played, operating conditions, and so on. Other variations will be apparent to persons skilled in the art.

Irrespective of the form, the gaming system1has several core components. At the broadest level, the core components are a player interface50and a game controller60as illustrated inFIG.1. The player interface is arranged to enable manual interaction between a player and the gaming system and for this purpose includes the input/output components required for the player to enter instructions to play the game and observe the game outcomes.

Components of the player interface may vary from embodiment to embodiment but will typically include a credit mechanism52to enable a player to input credits and receive payouts, one or more displays54, a game play mechanism56including one or more input devices that enable a player to input game play instructions (e.g. to place a wager), and one or more speakers58.

The game controller60is in data communication with the player interface and typically includes a processor62that processes the game play instructions in accordance with game play rules and outputs game play outcomes to the display. Typically, the game play rules are stored as program code in a memory64but can also be hardwired. Herein the term “processor” is used to refer generically to any device that can process game play instructions in accordance with game play rules and may include: a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logic device or other computational device, a general purpose computer (e.g. a PC) or a server. That is a processor may be provided by any suitable logic circuitry for receiving inputs, processing them in accordance with instructions stored in memory and generating outputs (for example on the display). Such processors are sometimes also referred to as central processing units (CPUs). Most processors are general purpose units, however, it is also know to provide a specific purpose processor using an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

A gaming system in the form of a standalone gaming machine10is illustrated inFIG.2. The gaming machine10includes a console12having a first video display14. A mid-trim20of the gaming machine10houses a bank of buttons22for enabling a player to interact with the gaming machine, in particular during game play. The video display14may also have a touch screen to enable the user to input instructions. The video display14shown inFIG.2is in the form of a video display unit, particularly a cathode ray tube device. Alternatively, the display14may be a liquid crystal display, plasma screen, any other suitable video display unit. The top box26has a secondary video which may be of the same type as the display14, or of a different type.

While not shown inFIG.2, the mid-trim20also typically houses a credit input mechanism such as a coin input chute and a bill collector.FIG.2also shows the another credit input mechanism in the form of a player marketing module50having a reading device52for the purpose of reading a player tracking device, for example as part of a loyalty program. The player tracking device may be in the form of a card, flash drive or any other portable storage medium capable of being read by the reading device. The player marketing module50also allows the player to transferring credits to the gaming machine from credits stored on the player tracking device or by transferring credits from a player account in data communication with the player marketing module. Other embodiments of gaming machines may have a ticket reader for reading tickets having a value and crediting the player based on the face value of the ticker.

Artwork and/or information may be provided on a front panel29of the console12. A coin tray30is mounted beneath the front panel29for dispensing cash payouts from the gaming machine10.

FIG.3shows a block diagram of operative components of a typical gaming machine which may be the same as or different to the gaming machine ofFIG.2.

The gaming machine100includes a game controller101having a processor102mounted on a circuit board. Instructions and data to control operation of the processor102are stored in a memory103, which is in data communication with the processor102. Typically, the gaming machine100will include both volatile and non-volatile memory and more than one of each type of memory, with such memories being collectively represented by the memory103.

The gaming machine has hardware meters104for purposes including ensuring regulatory compliance and monitoring player credit, an input/output (I/O) interface105for communicating with peripheral devices of the gaming machine100. The input/output interface105and/or the peripheral devices may be intelligent devices with their own memory for storing associated instructions and data for use with the input/output interface or the peripheral devices. A random number generator module113generates random numbers for use by the processor102. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the reference to random numbers includes pseudo-random numbers.

In the example shown inFIG.3, a player interface120includes peripheral devices that communicate with the game controller101including one or more displays106, a touch screen and/or buttons107(which provide a game play mechanism), a card and/or ticket reader108, a printer109, a bill acceptor and/or coin input mechanism110and a coin output mechanism111. Additional hardware may be included as part of the gaming machine100, or hardware may be omitted as required for the specific implementation. For example, while buttons or touch screens are typically used in gaming machines to allow a player to place a wager and initiate a play of a game any input device that enables the player to input game play instructions may be used. For example, in some gaming machines a mechanical handle is used to initiate a play of the game. Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that a touch screen can be used to emulate other input devices, for example, a touch screen can display virtual buttons which a player can “press” by touching the screen where they are displayed.

In addition, the gaming machine100may include a communications interface, for example a network card112. The network card may, for example, send status information, accounting information or other information to a bonus controller, central controller, server or database and receive data or commands from the bonus controller, central controller, server or database. In embodiments employing a player marketing module, communications over a network may be via player marketing module—i.e. the player marketing module may be in data communication with one or more of the above devices and communicate with it on behalf of the gaming machine.

FIG.4shows a block diagram of the main components of an exemplary memory103. The memory103includes RAM103A, EPROM103B and a mass storage device103C. The RAM103A typically temporarily holds program files for execution by the processor102and related data. The EPROM103B may be a boot ROM device and/or may contain some system or game related code. The mass storage device103C is typically used to store game programs, the integrity of which may be verified and/or authenticated by the processor102using protected code from the EPROM103B or elsewhere.

It is also possible for the operative components of the gaming machine100to be distributed, for example input/output devices106,107,108,109,110,111to be provided remotely from the game controller101.

FIG.5shows a gaming system200in accordance with an alternative embodiment. The gaming system200includes a network201, which for example may be an Ethernet network. Gaming machines202, shown arranged in three banks203of two gaming machines202inFIG.5are connected to the network201. The gaming machines202provide a player operable interface and may be the same as the gaming machines10,100shown inFIGS.2and3, or may have simplified functionality depending on the requirements for implementing game play. While banks203of two gaming machines are illustrated inFIG.5, banks of one, three or more gaming machines are also envisaged.

One or more displays204may also be connected to the network201. For example, the displays204may be associated with one or more banks203of gaming machines. The displays204may be used to display representations associated with game play on the gaming machines202, and/or used to display other representations, for example promotional or informational material.

In a thick client embodiment, game server205implements part of the game played by a player using a gaming machine202and the gaming machine202implements part of the game. With this embodiment, as both the game server and the gaming device implement part of the game, they collectively provide a game controller. A database management server206may manage storage of game programs and associated data for downloading or access by the gaming devices202in a database206A. Typically, if the gaming system enables players to participate in a Jackpot game, a Jackpot server207will be provided to perform accounting functions for the Jackpot game. A loyalty program server212may also be provided.

In a thin client embodiment, game server205implements most or all of the game played by a player using a gaming machine202and the gaming machine202essentially provides only the player interface. With this embodiment, the game server205provides the game controller. The gaming machine will receive player instructions, pass these to the game server which will process them and return game play outcomes to the gaming machine for display. In a thin client embodiment, the gaming machines could be computer terminals, e.g. PCs running software that provides a player interface operable using standard computer input and output components. Other client/server configurations are possible, and further details of a client/server architecture can be found in WO 2006/052213 and PCT/SE2006/000559, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Servers are also typically provided to assist in the administration of the gaming network200, including for example a gaming floor management server208, and a licensing server209to monitor the use of licenses relating to particular games. An administrator terminal210is provided to allow an administrator to run the network201and the devices connected to the network.

The gaming system200may communicate with other gaming systems, other local networks, for example a corporate network, and/or a wide area network such as the Internet, for example through a firewall211.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in accordance with known techniques, functionality at the server side of the network may be distributed over a plurality of different computers. For example, elements may be run as a single “engine” on one server or a separate server may be provided. For example, the game server205could run a random generator engine. Alternatively, a separate random number generator server could be provided. Further, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a plurality of game servers could be provided to run different games or a single game server may run a plurality of different games as required by the terminals.

Further Detail of Gaming System

The player operates the game play mechanism56to specify a wager and hence the win entitlement which will be evaluated for this play of the game and initiates a play of the game. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a player's win entitlement will vary from game to game dependent on player selections. In most spinning reel games, it is typical for the player's entitlement to be affected by the amount they wager and selections they make (i.e. the nature of the wager). For example, a player's win entitlement may be based on how many lines they play in each game—e.g. a minimum of one line up to the maximum number of lines allowed by the game (noting that not all permutations of win lines may be available for selection) and how much they wager per line. Such win lines are typically formed by a combination of symbol display positions, one from each reel, the symbol display positions being located relative to one another such that they form a line.

In many games, the player's win entitlement is not strictly limited to the lines they have selected, for example, “scatter” pays are awarded independently of a player's selection of paylines and are an inherent part of the win entitlement.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in other embodiments, the player may obtain a win entitlement by selecting a number of reels to play and an amount to wager per reel. Such games are marketed under the trade name “Reel Power” by Aristocrat Leisure Industries Pty Ltd. The selection of the reel means that each displayed symbol of the reel can be substituted for a symbol at one or more designated display positions. In other words, all symbols displayed at symbol display positions corresponding to a selected reel can be used to form symbol combinations with symbols displayed at a designated, symbol display positions of the other reels. For example, if there are five reels and three symbol display positions for each reel such that the symbol display positions comprise three rows of five symbol display positions, the symbols displayed in the center row are used for non-selected reels. As a result, the total number of ways to win is determined by multiplying the number of active display positions of each reel, the active display positions being all display positions of each selected reel and the designated display position of the non-selected reels. As a result for five reels and fifteen display positions there are 243 ways to win.

InFIG.6, the processor62of game controller60of gaming system1is shown implementing a number of modules based on game program code641stored in memory64. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that various of the modules could be implemented in some other way, for example by a dedicated circuit.

These modules include the outcome generator622which operates in response to the player's operation of game play mechanism56to place a wager and initiate a play of the game and generates a game outcome which will then be evaluated by outcome evaluator623. The first part of forming the game outcome is for a symbol selector622A to select symbols from a set of symbols specified by symbol data641using random number generator621that are to make up a symbol display. If no wild symbols are to be awarded by the independent wild awarding process described below, the selected symbols are advised to the display controller625which causes them to be displayed as a symbol display on display54at a set of display positions. If wild symbols are to be incorporated into the final symbol display, in some embodiments this may be implemented by the game controller while the reels are spinning. In other embodiments, this may be implemented by the game controller as the reels reach their stop positions. In other embodiments, this may be implemented by the game controller after the reels have been stopped and the initially selected symbols have been displayed. In some embodiments, some wilds may be added by the game controller at different times. For example, single wilds and multi-wild symbols may be added by the game controller as the reels are spinning while the single wilds stemming from the multi-wilds may be added by the game controller after the reels have been stopped.

In the embodiment described below, the display positions of the symbol display are arranged in a rectangular matrix comprising a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows. However, in other arrangements are known in the gaming industry and could be employed in embodiments of the invention. For example, in some arrangements there are more symbols in some columns than other, such as 3-4-3-4-3 arrangement of seventeen display positions corresponding to respective ones of five reels. In such arrangements, the columns of four symbols can be arranged so that they are off-set or staggered relative to the columns having two symbols so that the middle two symbols in the columns of four symbols share boundaries with two symbols of each neighboring reel.

In one embodiment, the outcome generator622is arranged to generate one or more game outcomes. All outcomes are displayed on first video display54A under control of display controller625. One example of generating a first game outcome is for the symbol selector622A to select symbols for display from symbol data641in the form of a plurality of symbol sets corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of reels. The symbol sets specify a sequence of symbols for each reel such that the symbol selector622A can select all of the symbols to be displayed for each reel641A by selecting a stopping position in the sequence randomly based on a result obtained from random number generator621. In one example, three symbols of each of five reels may be displayed such that symbols are displayed at a symbol display fifteen display positions on display54A. It is known to use a probability table stored in memory64to vary the odds of a particular stop position being selected. Other techniques can be used to control the odds of particular outcomes (e.g., winning symbol combinations) occurring to thereby control the return to player of the game.

In the embodiment, in each game, a wild symbol awarder622B randomly and independently of the action of symbol selector622A determines whether or not to incorporate one or more wild symbols (symbols that substitute for other symbols in winning symbol combinations) into the symbol display. As a result, and as will be explained in further detail below, the game outcome will hence either be a symbol display based on the symbols as originally selected or a modified symbol display based on the incorporation of the one or more wild symbols into the originally selected symbols. In the embodiment, the positions at which the wild symbols are incorporated into the symbol display are also selected randomly under control of wild symbol awarder622B. Once the symbol display is finalized, it is evaluated by the outcome evaluator623to determine whether they include any winning combinations in pay table643to determine whether to make an award. Any award is added to the win meter maintained in memory64as part of meter data648. The meter data648also includes the current value of a credit meter. The current values of the credit and win meters are displayed on display54A by the display controller625. Wins are transferred from the win meter to the credit meter at the end of a play of the game. Wagers are deducted from the credit meter when play of a game commences.

As indicated above, in embodiments of the invention, the wild symbol awarder622A randomly determines each time the reels are spun whether to add one or more wild symbols to the symbol display. Therefore, in each play of the base game, there is a random determination by the wild symbol awarder622A using a value obtained from random number generator621to determine whether to add one or more wild symbols. Further, if a feature game is awarded involving a number of free games, a random determination is conducted in respect of each of the free games to determine whether to add extra wild symbols to the game outcome displayed in the symbol display. In this respect it will be appreciated that the game controller62conducts the game based on game rule data includes wild award rule data642A, which includes a table in which possible values that can be returned from the random number generator621are assigned into a range for which wild symbols will be awarded and a range for which no wild symbols are awarded. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the random number generator621producing a value within the range assigned to wild symbols being awarded is a trigger condition which leads to the adding of the one or more wild symbols.

In the embodiment, the wild symbol awarder622B, separately determines the number and type of wild symbols to be awarded with number and type selector622C using a further random process. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the wild symbol awarder could select the number of wild symbols to be awarded in a single step by breaking up the range of random number generator values assigned to the awarding of wild symbols into a number of sub-ranges associated with different numbers of wild symbols being awarded. This may also include assigning different ranges to different types of symbols. For example, as will be described in further detail below, the types of wild symbols that can be awarded include single wild symbols and multi-wild symbols. The types of wild symbols are stored as wild symbol data641B in symbol data641.

In one embodiment separate ranges are allocated to the same number of wild symbols but with a different composition of single wild and multi-wild symbols.

Further, while in the embodiment, the number and type of wild symbols that are added are randomly determined, in some embodiments, the type of wild symbols could be set and depend on the number of symbols selected.

As also shown inFIG.6, the wild symbol awarder622B also randomly selects the positions on the symbol display at which the large symbols will be displayed using position selector622D which obtains values from the random number generator621and maps these to display positions in a similar manner to the manner in which the values of the random number generator are mapped to numbers of wild symbols to be added. As indicated above, once the symbols have been selected they are evaluated by the outcome evaluator623.

In conjunction with the awarding of the wild symbols, an animation is provided where an animation controller624controls the second video display54B to display a first portion of a wild symbol awarding animation and controls the first video display54A on which to display a second portion of the wild symbol awarding animation. In the embodiment, the first portion of the wild symbol awarding animation conducted under control of animation controller624involves the display of one or more animated objects that correspond to the awarding of the wild symbols and the one or more objects move from the second video display to the first video display to provide the second portion of the wild symbol awarding animation. In the embodiment, the objects move to positions within the symbol display corresponding to symbols where symbol positions where wild symbols will be added to the symbol display. It is preferred that the second video display is positioned above the first video display so that the animated objects move down from the second video display into the first video display. Depending on the embodiment, the wild symbols may replace the symbols initially selected for display at symbol positions of the symbol display or may be displayed in conjunction with the symbols that are displayed at those positions. In some embodiments, some symbols are replaced while other symbols remain when the wild symbols are incorporated into the symbol display. For example, any scatter symbols which trigger the awarding of a feature game may displayed in addition to the wild symbols. In the embodiment, it is preferred that the number of one or more animated objects displayed in the first portion of the wild symbol awarding animation indicates a minimum number of wild symbols that will be added to the symbol display.

As indicated above, the one or more wild symbols may include a multiple wild symbol. In some embodiments, the multiple wild symbols is first added to a first symbol display position of the symbol display positions which has been randomly selected by the position selector622D and then is divided into a plurality of single wild symbols with one of the single wild symbols remaining at the original symbol position whilst new positions are randomly determined for the others of the single wild symbols. In some embodiments, this position selection occurs only after the original symbol position has been selected. In other embodiments, this position selection occurs at the time that the other positions are selected for wild symbols but is not displayed until after the multiple wild symbol has been displayed at a symbol display position. In an embodiment, the position which is selected by position selector622D for each wild symbol is randomly selected from among symbol display positions not occupied by wild symbols.

It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the animated object associated with the multiple wild symbol may be visually distinct from the animated object associated with single wild symbols in order to indicate to the player in advance that a multiple wild symbol is to be awarded.

In this respect, the animation controller624includes an animation selector624A for selecting an animation from animation data644based on the number and type of wild symbols to be awarded. In this respect, in some embodiments, the animation used may depend on the number of wild symbols, and once the number of symbols to be awarded crosses a certain threshold, a special animation may be used to display the awarding of the symbols which does not involve wild symbols being animated as individually moving to their display positions.

As indicated above, embodiments of the invention may involve the awarding by the game controller of a number of additional game rounds in the form of a plurality of free games. As known in the art, the awarding of a number of free games is often referred to as a feature game and the rules for the feature game may be the same or different to the rules of the base game. For example, there may be a change in the composition of the reels641A for the feature game or a change to the pay table641B or both. In order to allow the feature games to be conducted, the outcome evaluator623includes a trigger monitor623A which determines whether to award a feature game based on whether a trigger condition624B has been met. In embodiments of the invention, the feature game is awarded when a defined number of scatter symbols are spun up on the display. In this respect, scatter symbols are symbols which do not need to fall on a pay line (or set of reels) selected by the player but rather can appear at any position within the symbol display. In the embodiment, different numbers of free games are awarded depending on the number of scatter symbols appearing on the display when the feature game was triggered. Accordingly, the game round awarder623B awards the number of free games based on the number of scatter symbols that appear in the display. In embodiments of the invention, the scatter symbols may also be associated with a multiplier. This may be represented, for example, by a different visual appearance of some of the individual scatter symbols. Accordingly, if the scatter symbols that appear on display54A includes a multiplier, then the number of free games is multiplied by that amount by the game round awarder623B. For example, 10, 15, and 25 free games are awarded for 3, 4 or 5 scatter respectively, then if a two times multiplier scatter symbol is included in the triggering combination, the number of free games awarded would be 20, 30 and 50 respectively. Once the game rounds are awarded, they are conducted under the control of the feature game controller626which causes the outcome generator622to conduct the series of game rounds by selecting symbols in the manner described above.

In the embodiment, the scatter symbols do not trigger further free games during the feature game. However, in other embodiments additional free games may be awarded if the trigger condition is met in the free game rounds.

Referring now toFIG.7, a method700of an embodiment is summarized with respect to a flowchart. When the game starts710, the outcome generator selects720symbols for display on the first display. The outcome generator independently determines730whether to award wild symbols and if the wild symbols are not awarded then the symbol display will be evaluated770to determine whether to make an award780after which an award may or may not be made785and the game ends790(assuming no free games are awarded). Alternatively, if it is determined to award wild symbols at step730, an animation of animated objects is selected and played740on the second display54B. In this respect, in an embodiment, the animation is displayed while the reels are shown as spinning on the first display such that the animated objects move within the second display area54B while the reels spin in the first area54A. In this embodiment, the reels only stop once the animated objects have moved their symbol display positions. In other embodiments, the animation will be displayed after the reels have stopped. The method continues by moving the one or more objects to the first display750and adding wilds to the displayed symbols760. Once the final symbol display is formed, the symbols are evaluated770as described above.

FIG.8illustrates the method800of awarding a number of feature games. The game starts805and involves selecting symbols810and an evaluation of the selected symbols815. It is determined whether the selected symbols meet a trigger condition820and if not the game ends whereas if the symbols meet the trigger condition a feature game is awarded825. It is then determined whether or not the trigger symbols include a multiplier830, if they do not, then N games are awarded840, Whereas if they do include a multiplier, N×M games are awarded835where M is the value of the multiplier. In this respect, it will be appreciated that there could be more than one multiplier and accordingly, in some embodiments, the multipliers could be multiplied together. In other embodiments, the highest multiplier that is available may multiply the number of game rounds. After the additional game rounds are awarded835,840, the method involves conducting the awarded games845before the method ends850.

EXAMPLES

A number of examples of embodiments of the invention are illustrated inFIGS.9to15.

Each ofFIGS.9-15show a first video display54A positioned immediately below a second video display is54B. It will be appreciated that in practice, there may be a physical divide between the two video displays.

Example 1

Referring toFIG.9A, there is shown a symbol display900A in the first video display comprised of fifteen symbols. The game controller controls an animated object in the form of a first bird character911A to be shown in the top screen54B. InFIG.9C, the first bird character is shown at a new position911B and has been joined by a second character912B. InFIG.9C, the first character is shown as a further new position911C as it begins its descent towards the bottom screen. The second character is also shown in a new position912C and inFIG.9Dthe second character is shown in a further new position diving towards the bottom screen at position912D. InFIG.9E, the first character has entered the bottom display54A at position911A and inFIG.9Fthe second character has joined the first character and they are displayed at positions911F and912F respectively. In this respect, it will be appreciated that the first character shown at position911F is approaching the jack symbol in the top symbol display position of the second column symbol display position. It will also be appreciated that the symbols have changed duringFIGS.9A-9Ccorresponding to the movement of the reels by virtue of their spinning under control of the game controller.

Referring now toFIG.9G, the first character has now reached the top symbol display position of the second reel and has transformed into a first wild symbol921. The second character912G continues to be animated as moving throughout the bottom display54B. InFIG.9Hthe second character has changed into a wild symbol922displayed at the bottom symbol display position of the second column. It will also be appreciated that the selected symbols can include a normal wild symbol931not added by the wild symbol adder622B but rather selected from the symbols on the reels.

Referring toFIG.9I, the first character is shown as moving back to the top screen54B at position911A and this corresponds to the stopping of the reels in the bottom position.

InFIG.9J, the character reaches a final position911J which indicates to the player that the symbol display900B is finalized and will now be evaluated to determine whether to make any awards to the player based on the displayed symbols.

Example 2

FIGS.10A to10Eillustrate an example of a game controller awarding the multi-wild symbol. In this example, first, second and third characters1011,1012and1013are initially displayed in the top screen and move to the bottom screen54A in a manner similar to that described above. As shown inFIG.10Bthis results in the positioning of a single wild symbol1021at the middle position on the second reel and a single wild symbol1022at the bottom position on the third reel while a multiple wild symbol1023A is displayed at the middle position of the middle reel. It will be appreciated that the multiple wild symbol is displayed as visually distinct from the other wild symbols.

Referring toFIG.10C, the multi-wild symbol1023B is animated to show the bird character of the multi-wild symbol1023, summoning additional wild symbols.

InFIG.10D, the multi-wild symbol has changed to a single wild symbol1023C and additional characters1014and1015are added to the display. In this example, the multiple wild symbol adds four extra wilds.

In embodiments of the invention, any number between 2 and 9 wilds can be used for the multi-wild depending on the number of wilds to be added to the display.

FIG.10Eshows that seven wilds have been ultimately added to the symbol display1000to form final symbol display1000B incorporating eight wild symbols which is then evaluated. That is, there are seven single wild symbols1021-1027incorporated into the symbol display in addition to one wild symbol selected from the reels. Two of the added wilds were added as single wilds and five of which come from the adding of the multiple wild symbol.

Example 3

In this example, where a large number of wilds are awarded, an alternative form of animation is used. In this example, a character1111A is shown as moving from the top display inFIG.11Ato the bottom display when there is an initial symbol display1100A in the bottom display. In position1111B, the character is shown as flying towards the player of the game such that the player is shown in the character in close up1111C inFIG.11Cbefore the character moves out of the way and reveals the modified symbol display1100B inFIG.11D.

Example 4

Referring toFIGS.12A to12Cthere is shown an example using an alternative character in the form of a leprechaun with a bag of gold1211. Again, the reels spin on the first display54A while the first part of the wild awarding animation occurs in the second display area54B. In the example, single wild symbols are being awarded. The leprechaun reaches into the bag as shown in display position1211B and throws one or more handfuls of coins from the bag to the lower display. As shown inFIG.12C, each handful of coins is shown as landing at a symbol display position and turning into a wild symbol1221,1222to form a modified symbol display.

Example 5

As shown inFIG.13shows an alternative example of an animation of the awarding of a multi-wild symbol. In this example, the multi-wild symbol animated object takes the form of a four leaf clover1312which is thrown by the leprechaun.

InFIG.13A, the multi leaf clover is shown at a first position1312A in the top display54B as thrown by the leprechaun1311A.

As shown inFIG.13B, the four leaf clover lands at the bottom position on the first reel shown by the four leaf clover animated object1312B. It can be seen at the position beneath the four leaf clover has turned into a wild symbol1321which then results in the addition of seven wild symbols at random positions in the symbol display130C as shown inFIG.13C. That is, wild symbols1321-1327have been added to the reels by the animation.

Example 6

FIGS.14A-14Cshow an example of an alternative animation for adding a large number of symbols to the symbol display. In this example, a bag of gold1412A is thrown by the leprechaun from the top display54B to the bottom display where it is displayed inFIG.14A. The bag of gold1412B is shown as bursting inFIG.14Bresulting in the addition of eight wilds1421-1428inFIG.14Cto form the game outcome which will be evaluated.

Example 7

FIG.15shows an example of a symbol display including three scatter symbols1511,1512and1513. It will be appreciated fromFIG.15that scatter symbol1513includes the text “Two X free games” superimposed on scatter symbols. Accordingly, twice as many free games will be awarded because symbol1513is associated with a two times multiplier.

Further aspects of the method will be apparent from the above description of the system. It will be appreciated that at least part of the method will be implemented electronically, for example, digitally by a processor executing program code such as in the above description of a game controller. In this respect, in the above description certain steps are described as being carried out by a processor of a gaming system, it will be appreciated that such steps will often require a number of sub-steps to be carried out for the steps to be implemented electronically, for example due to hardware or programming limitations. For example, to carry out a step such as evaluating, determining or selecting, a processor may need to compute several values and compare those values.

For example, in some embodiments, an eligibility criterion may be applied for the player to be eligible for the extra wilds feature, for example that the player has made a certain sized wager, made an ante bet, selected all win lines, played sufficient games, or the player is a member of a loyalty program.

In the above embodiment, a series of free games or free spins is awarded. In some embodiments, there may be other types of game rounds awarded such as re-spins where some reels are held while other reels are re-spun. A game round involves at least one of the reels being “spun”—e.g. new symbols of the reels are selected for display at the display positions and the reel is either physically or virtually spun to a stop. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that there may be more than one game round in a play of a gaming machine such as is the case when a series of free spins is awarded. The outcome of a game round may be no win, a win (for example from a winning combination of symbols), a contribution towards a win accrued over a plurality of game rounds, a trigger condition occurring etc. Typically, a win will result in some form of award being made such as an award of credits. Such an award may never actually be physically received by a player. For example, many gaming systems provide a player with a double or nothing gamble feature, where the player can double or forfeit their credits before commencing another play of the game or cashing out. Further, as credits are fungible, once credits have been added to the credit meter it is not possible to distinguish between credits which exist because the player has input cash or the like and credits resulting from an award.

As indicated above, the method may be embodied in program code. The program code could be supplied in a number of ways, for example on a tangible computer readable storage medium, such as a disc or a memory device, e.g. an EEPROM, (for example, that could replace part of memory103) or as a data signal (for example, by transmitting it from a server). Further different parts of the program code can be executed by different devices, for example in a client server relationship. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that program code provides a series of instructions executable by the processor.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the prior art forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art in any country.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.