U.S. Pat. No. 8,771,055

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, certain embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

Although the following discloses example methods, systems, articles of manufacture, and apparatus including, among other components, software executed on hardware, it should be noted that such methods and apparatus are merely illustrative and should not be considered as limiting. For example, it is contemplated that any or all of these hardware and software components could be embodied exclusively in hardware, exclusively in software, exclusively in firmware, or in any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Accordingly, while the following describes example methods, systems, articles of manufacture, and apparatus, the examples provided are not the only way to implement such methods, systems, articles of manufacture, and apparatus.

When any of the appended claims are read to cover a purely software and/or firmware implementation, at least one of the elements in an at least one example is hereby expressly defined to include a tangible medium such as a memory, DVD, CD, Blu-ray, etc. storing the software and/or firmware.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a gaming system arranged to implement a game where sets of symbols are displayed on a display and a modification rule is applied to at least one of the sets of symbols whenever there is a determination that the displayed symbols include a winning symbol combination. The modification rule is repeatedly applied until there is no winning symbol combination. In an advantageous embodiment, the modification rule is applied to each game outcome during a feature game.

General Construction of Gaming System

The gaming system can take a number of different forms. In a first form, a stand alone gaming machine is provided wherein all or most components to implement the game are present in a player operable gaming machine.

In a second form, a distributed architecture is provided wherein some of the components to implement the game are present in a player operable gaming machine and some of the components to implement 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 system has 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 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 stand alone gaming machine10is illustrated inFIG. 2. The gaming machine10includes a console12having a display14on which are displayed representations of a game16that can be played by a player. 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 mid-trim20also houses a credit input mechanism24which in this example includes a coin input chute24A and a bill collector24B. Other credit input mechanisms may also be employed, for example, a card reader for reading a smart card, debit card or credit card. Other gaming machines may configure for ticket in such that they have a ticket reader for reading tickets having a value and crediting the player based on the face value of the ticker. A player marketing module (not shown) having a reading device may also be provided for 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. In some embodiments, the player marketing module may provide an additional credit mechanism, either by 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.

A top box26may carry artwork28, including for example pay tables and details of bonus awards and other information or images relating to the game. Further 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.

The display14shown inFIG. 2is in the form of a video display unit, particularly a cathode ray tube screen device. Alternatively, the display14may be a liquid crystal display, plasma screen, any other suitable video display unit, or the visible portion of an electromechanical device. The top box26may also include a display, for example a video display unit, which may be of the same type as the display14, or of a different type.

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 based on 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.

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. 5, are connected to the network201. The gaming machines202provide a player operable interface and may be the same as the gaming machines10,100shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, or may have simplified functionality depending on the rules, guidelines, requirements, and/or preferences 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 based on the terminals.

Further Details of Gaming System

FIG. 6shows the functional components of an embodiment of the gaming system having a game controller60including a processor62arranged to implement a number of modules based on game code646and data stored in memory64. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the modules are typically implemented using a processor based on code and data stored in memory but that one or more of the modules could alternatively be implemented in some other way, for example by a dedicated circuit.

In the embodiment, the gaming system is arranged to conduct a spinning-reel type game where, during game play, symbols are selected and displayed at a plurality of sets of display positions on a display54, and a determination based on the displayed symbols is made on whether the displayed symbols include a winning symbol combination. In the embodiment, the display64is part of a player interface50. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the number of symbols displayed on the display54in the spinning-reel type game (that is, the number of sets of symbols and/or the number of symbols per set of symbols) may vary. For example, in a 4×6 spinning-reel type game, there are four sets of symbols displayed on the display54, each set of symbols being displayed at six vertically adjacent display positions; in a 5×3 spinning-reel type game, there are five sets of symbols, each set of symbols being displayed at three vertically adjacent display positions etc.

In the embodiment, the spinning-reel type game includes a base game and a feature game. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the base game is a part of the spinning-reel type game that is initiated every time a player places a wager and the feature game is a part of the spinning-reel type game that is played only occasionally upon a trigger condition being met. That is, the feature game is a feature of the spinning-reel type game that is in addition to the base game. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the base game and the feature game may be different, for example, the symbols of the feature game may be different from those of the base game. In the embodiment, the player interface50also includes a game play mechanism56for allowing a player to place wagers.

Depending on the embodiment, the spinning-reel type game can be a line-based game or a reel-based game. In a line-based game, a player's win entitlement is based on how many win lines the player plays in each game (for example, a minimum of one win line up to the maximum number of win lines allowed by the game) 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. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in some line-based games, the player's win entitlement may not be strictly limited to the lines they have selected, for example, “scatter” pays can be awarded independently of a player's selection of pay lines and can be an inherent part of a win entitlement. In such games, a winning symbol combination must fall on a win line selected by the player (or otherwise be part of the win entitlement) for the player to be awarded the corresponding award.

In a reel-based game, a player obtains 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 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 include three rows of five symbol display positions, the symbols displayed in the centre 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. Thus, for a 5×3 spinning-reel type game having five reels and fifteen display positions, there can be 243 ways to win, such that a player wins an award if a winning combination is covered by any one of these ways to win.

As illustrated byFIG. 6, the modules implemented by the processor62include a symbol selector623, a symbol evaluator625, and a symbol modifier628.

The symbol selector623is arranged to select a symbol for display at each of the display positions on the display54during the base game and the feature game. In the embodiment, each symbol is selected from one of a plurality of predetermined sequences of symbols specified in source symbol sets642stored in memory64, each predetermined sequence of symbols representing a virtual reel of symbols having a predefined order. During game play, the symbol selector623selects the symbols for display on the display54at a set of display positions by selecting a stopping position in the sequence. In the embodiment, the stopping position is determined based on pseudo-random numbers generated by a Random Number Generator (RNG)622. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the reels may alternatively be implemented using electromechanical reels controlled by a stepper motor.

In the embodiment, the symbol evaluator625includes a trigger monitor625A arranged to determine whether a trigger condition is met during the base game. In the embodiment, the trigger condition is that an ante bet has been placed by the player and a designated symbol combination has occurred in the base game. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the trigger condition may alternatively be only the occurrence of a particular symbol combination (or symbol); be caused by another connected system; be based on a random evaluation etc.

The gaming system is arranged to initiate a feature game upon a determination by the trigger monitor625A that a trigger condition is met in the base game. Accordingly, upon a determination by the trigger monitor625A that the trigger condition has been met in the base game, the symbol selector623automatically selects a new plurality of symbols for display at the display positions on the display54for the feature game. In the embodiment, the symbol selector623is arranged to select the symbols for the feature game in the same way as for the base game (that is, from the same plurality of predetermined sequences of symbols specified in source symbol sets642based on pseudo-random numbers generated by the RNG622). However, it is envisaged that in another embodiment, the symbol selector623may select symbols differently, for example, by selecting from a different plurality of predetermined symbols.

The symbol evaluator625also includes a win determiner625B that is arranged to determine whether the displayed symbols include any winning symbol combination. A winning symbol combination entitles the player to one of the awards specified in pay table648of memory64. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that there can be different winning symbol combinations in the spinning reel-type game (such as left-to-right winning symbol combinations, scatter winning symbol combinations, wild winning symbol combinations etc). In the embodiment, the awards are in credits and thus each award is added to a win meter stored in memory64. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that there can be different types of awards in the spinning reel-type game (such as free spins, re-spins etc).

In the embodiment, the symbol modifier628is arranged to, upon a determination by the win determiner625B that the displayed symbols include any winning symbol combination, repeatedly apply a modification rule to at least one of the sets of symbols until the displayed symbols do not include any winning symbol combination. That is, the symbol modifier628applies a modification rule to the display symbols whenever there is a winning symbol combination entitling the player to an award. In the embodiment, the symbol modifier628is arranged to apply the modification rule only to the sets of symbols that contribute to the winning symbol combination. However, it is envisaged that, in other embodiments, the modification rule may be applied to other sets of symbols. For example, the modification rule may in one embodiment be applied at random to any one of more of the sets of symbols, or the modification rule may in another embodiment be applied only to the sets of symbols selected by the player.

In the embodiment, the modification rule is that a different set of symbols is selected for each of the sets of symbols to be modified (that is, each of the sets that contribute to the winning symbol combination). Accordingly, in the embodiment, all the symbols (of the sets of symbols to be modified) are modified after the application of the modification rule. However, it is envisaged that in alternative embodiments, the modification rule may not apply to all the symbols of the sets of symbols to be modified. For example, the gaming system may modify the displayed symbols by replacing only one of the symbols (from each of the sets of symbols to be modified) with a different symbol.

In the embodiment, the modification rule (that is, the selection of a different set of symbols for each of the sets of symbols to be modified) is carried out by rotating the virtual reels corresponding to the sets of symbols that contribute to the winning symbol combination (that is, the sets to be modified). It is envisaged that, in other embodiments, the modification rule may be carried out in some other way, for example, the modification may be carried out by changing or swapping the positions of the sets of symbols to be modified.

In the embodiment, the virtual reels corresponding to the sets of symbols that contribute to the winning symbol combination are rotated downward by one symbol. Therefore, upon a determination that there is a winning symbol combination in the displayed symbols, the symbol modifier628automatically rotates the virtual reels corresponding to the sets of symbols that contribute to the winning symbol combination downward by one symbol. It is envisaged that in an alternative embodiment, the rotation of the virtual reels may depend on the ante bet placed by the player (for example, the virtual reels may be rotated downward by more than one symbol if the ante bet is above a certain amount). It is also envisaged that in another embodiment, different sets of symbols may also be modified differently by rotating each reel differently (for example, the direction and/or the amount of rotation of each reel may be rotated differently depending on the symbols of the winning symbol combination).

As indicated above, the symbol modifier626is arranged to repeatedly apply the modification rule until the displayed symbols do not include any winning symbol combination. That is, the symbol modifier626continually modifies the sets of symbols so long as the displayed symbols include a winning symbol combination. In the embodiment, an award is added to the win meter whenever the win determiner625B determines that the displayed symbols include a winning symbol combination. In the embodiment, upon a determination by the win determiner625B that the displayed symbols do not include any winning symbol combination, credits in the win meter are transferred to the credit meter.

FIG. 7depicts an example flow diagram representative of processes that can be implemented using, for example, computer readable instructions that can be used to provide a method of gaming The example processes ofFIG. 7can be performed using a processor, a controller and/or any other suitable processing device. For example, the example processes ofFIG. 7can be implemented using coded instructions (e.g., computer readable instructions) stored on a tangible computer readable medium such as a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), and/or a random-access memory (RAM). As used herein, the term tangible computer readable medium is expressly defined to include any type of computer readable storage and to exclude propagating signals. Additionally or alternatively, the example processes ofFIG. 7can be implemented using coded instructions (e.g., computer readable instructions) stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium such as a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), a random-access memory (RAM), a CD, a DVD, a Blu-ray, a cache, or any other storage media in which information is stored for any duration (e.g., for extended time periods, permanently, brief instances, for temporarily buffering, and/or for caching of the information). As used herein, the term non-transitory computer readable medium is expressly defined to include any type of computer readable medium and to exclude propagating signals.

Alternatively, some or all of the example processes ofFIG. 7can be implemented using any combination(s) of application specific integrated circuit(s) (ASIC(s)), programmable logic device(s) (PLD(s)), field programmable logic device(s) (FPLD(s)), discrete logic, hardware, firmware, etc. Also, some or all of the example processes ofFIG. 7can be implemented manually or as any combination(s) of any of the foregoing techniques, for example, any combination of firmware, software, discrete logic and/or hardware. Further, although the example processes ofFIG. 7are described with reference to the flow diagram ofFIG. 7, other methods of implementing the processes ofFIG. 7may be employed. For example, the order of execution of the blocks can be changed, and/or some of the blocks described may be changed, eliminated, sub-divided, or combined. Additionally, any or all of the example processes ofFIG. 7can be performed sequentially and/or in parallel by, for example, separate processing threads, processors, devices, discrete logic, circuits, etc.

FIG. 7is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the method of gaming. At block710, the gaming system initiates a feature game after the trigger monitor625A of the symbol evaluator625determines that a trigger condition has been met in the base game.

At block720, the symbol selector623selects a new plurality of sets of symbols for each of the display positions on the display54that replaces the previous symbols displayed at each of the display positions in the base game.

As discussed above, in the embodiment, the symbol selector623selects the symbols for each set of symbols by selecting a stopping position in the corresponding virtual reel of symbols (specified by the source symbol sets642stored in memory) based on pseudo-random numbers from the RNG622.

At block730, the symbols selected by the symbol selector623are displayed by the display controller629on the display54.

At block750, the win determiner625B of the symbol evaluator625determines whether the displayed symbols include any winning symbol combination. If the displayed symbols do not include any winning symbol combination, the gaming system reverts back to the base game790.

If the win determiner625B determines that the displayed symbols include a winning symbol combination at block750, an award corresponding to the winning symbol combination is made to the player at block760.

At block770, the symbol modifier628then applies a modification to at least one of the sets of symbols. As discussed above, in the embodiment, the symbol modifier modifies the displayed symbols by rotating the virtual reels corresponding to the sets of symbols that contribute to the winning symbol combination downward by one symbol position.

At block780, the win determiner625B of the symbol evaluator625determines again whether the displayed symbols include any winning symbol combination. If the displayed symbols again include a winning symbol combination again, the blocks760and770are repeated (that is, another award corresponding to the new winning symbol combination is made to the player and the symbol modifier628again modifies the displayed symbols by rotating the virtual reels corresponding to the sets of symbols that contribute to the winning symbol combination downward by one symbol).

The blocks760and770are repeated until the win determiner625B determines that the display symbols do not include any winning symbol combination upon which the gaming system reverts back to the base game790.

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 digitally by a processor. Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the method could 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 (for example, that could replace part of memory103) or as a data signal (for example, by transmitting it from a server). Persons skilled in the art, will appreciate that program code provides a series of instructions executable by the processor.

EXAMPLE

FIGS. 8A to 8Gillustrate an example of the gaming system applying a modification rule to at least one of the sets of symbols displayed in the feature game. In the example, the game is a 3×5 spinning-reel type game.

FIG. 8Aillustrates the initial sets of symbols selected by the symbol selector623for display in the feature game at each of the fifteen display positions on the display54.

As discussed above, the symbols are selected and displayed on the display54after a determination by the trigger monitor625A that a trigger condition has been met in a base game.

As shown in the figure, the displayed symbols include a winning combination formed by three triangle symbols in the first three columns of display positions (as indicated by the dotted line). As indicated above, the determination of whether the displayed symbols include a winning symbol combination is made by the win determiner625B of the symbol evaluator625.

In the example, as there is a winning symbol combination, the gaming system makes an award (corresponding to the winning symbol combination) to the player. As discussed above, the award is one of the awards stored in pay table648of memory64.

Upon a determination by the win determiner625B that the displayed symbols include a winning symbol combination, the symbol modifier628also automatically applies a modification rule to at least one of the sets of symbols by rotating the reels corresponding to the sets of symbols that contribute to the winning symbol combination downward by one symbol. This is illustrated inFIG. 8B. As shown in the figure, the first three reels of symbols (displayed at the first three columns of display positions) are rotated downward by one position.

FIG. 8Cillustrates the symbols displayed at the fifteen display positions on the display54after modification.

As shown in the figure, the displayed symbols again include a winning combination formed by three triangle symbols displayed at the first three columns of display positions (as indicated again by the dotted line).

Thus, the gaming system makes another award to the player corresponding to the winning symbol combination and the symbol modifier628again modifies the sets of symbols by rotating the reels corresponding to the sets of symbols that contribute to the winning symbol combination (that is, the first three reels of symbols).

FIG. 8Dillustrates the rotation of the reels corresponding to the sets of symbols that contribute to the winning symbol combination.

FIG. 8Eillustrates the symbols displayed at the fifteen display positions on the display54after re-modification. As shown in this figure, the displayed symbols now include a winning combination formed by five number “7” symbols displayed at the five columns of display positions (as indicated again by the dotted line).

Accordingly, another award (corresponding to the five number “7” winning symbol combination) is made to the player and the symbol modifier628again applies a modification rule as illustrated inFIG. 8F. As shown in the figure, since all of the reels corresponding to the sets of symbols that contribute to the winning symbol combination, the reels corresponding to all the sets of symbols are rotated downward by one symbol.

FIG. 8Gillustrates the symbols after the application of the modification rule. In this instance, the win determiner625B determines that the displayed symbols do not include any winning symbol combination and the gaming system reverts back to the base game.

It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, in particular it will be apparent that certain features of embodiments of the invention can be employed to form further embodiments.

It is to be understood that any reference to prior art made herein does not constitute an admission that the prior art forms or formed 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.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Several embodiments are described above with reference to the drawings. These drawings illustrate certain details of specific embodiments that implement the systems and methods and programs of the present invention. However, describing the invention with drawings should not be construed as imposing on the invention any limitations associated with features shown in the drawings. The present invention contemplates methods, systems and program products on any electronic device and/or machine-readable media suitable for accomplishing its operations. Certain embodiments of the present invention may be implemented using an existing computer processor and/or by a special purpose computer processor incorporated for this or another purpose or by a hardwired system, for example.

Embodiments within the scope of the present invention include program products comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readable media may comprise RAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. When information is transferred or provided over a network or another communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to a machine, the machine properly views the connection as a machine-readable medium. Thus, any such a connection is properly termed a machine-readable medium. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions comprise, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions.

Method steps or blocks associated with certain embodiments may be implemented in one embodiment by a program product including machine-executable instructions, such as program code, for example in the form of program modules executed by machines in networked environments. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Machine-executable instructions, associated data structures, and program modules represent examples of program code for executing steps or blocks of the methods disclosed herein. The particular sequence of such executable instructions or associated data structures represents examples of corresponding acts for implementing the functions described in such steps or blocks.