U.S. Pat. No. 9,953,484

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, there is shown an embodiment of an electronic gaming system having an electronic game controller arranged to operate the gaming system to implement a game where first and second separate game instances are conducted concurrently in a symbol evaluation area that is divided between the game instances such that symbol display positions of the evaluation area are allocated to either a first game along a moveable border divider between the two game instances. The gaming system is configured to display first character symbols and non-character symbols at symbol display positions within the first game instance. The gaming system is configured to display second character symbols and non-character symbols at symbol display positions within the second game instance. In an embodiment, the first character symbols and/or non-character symbols are visually distinguishable from the second character symbols and/or non-character symbols. In an embodiment, the character symbols (also referred to as award symbols) may not include a character and/or the non-character symbols (also referred to as non-award symbols) may include a character. In an embodiment, the character symbols are visually distinguishable from the non-character symbols. For example, the character symbols and non-character symbols may be different colors, characters, letters, numbers, symbols, and/or include any suitable distinguishing feature.

In response to a determination of a winning character (e.g., the first character associated with the first game instance or the second character associated with the second game instance), the border divider between the two game instances is moved and the visual appearance of display positions that have changed control based on the movement of the border divider are updated. In an embodiment, one of the game instances gains either a row or a column of symbol display positions while the other of the game instances loses the same row or column of symbol display positions. In an embodiment, the determination of the winning character is a semi-random method based at least in part on how many spins have occurred during the game and the number or reels each character controls. In an embodiment, an award may be provided based at least in part on a total number of character/award symbols displayed in the first game instance and the second game instance.

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 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 interface50is arranged to enable manual interaction between a player and the gaming system1and 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 interface50and typically includes a processor62that processes the game play instructions in accordance with game play rules and outputs game play outcomes to the display(s)54. 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 be configured to accept a ticket such that they have a ticket reader for reading tickets having a value and crediting the player based on the face value of the ticket. 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 liquid crystal display. Alternatively, the display14may be a light emitting diode display, plasma screen, and/or any other suitable video display unit. 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 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. 2 and 3, 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 for the game and to initiate a play of the game. In the embodiment, at least certain of the wagers that the player can wager entitles the player to two separate game instances820,830being carried out in a symbol evaluation area810as shown inFIGS. 8, 9, and 10.

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 display controller625which controls the display54to display the symbol evaluation area810. In an embodiment, the symbol evaluation area810is a rectangular array of symbol display positions having a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. In an embodiment, before the player initiates play of the game, symbols from a previous play of the game are displayed at the display positions.

As can be seen fromFIG. 8, initially the two separate game instances820,830are allocated evenly sized parts of the symbol evaluation area810—i.e. the same number of symbol display positions. In the example ofFIG. 8, each game instance820,830is initially allocated four rows and six columns having twenty-four symbol display positions. The display positions in the first game instance820are populated with symbols selected from a first set of symbols comprising character symbols822and non-character symbols824. The display positions in the second game instance830are populated with symbols selected from a second set of symbols comprising character symbols832and non-character symbols834. The first and second game instances820,830are separated by a border divider840.

The outcome generator622operates in response to the player's operation of game play mechanism56to place a wager and/or initiate a play of the game and generates a game outcome which will then be evaluated by outcome evaluator623.

In an embodiment, there are a number of stages to forming a game outcome. The first part of forming the game outcome is for a symbol selector622A to select symbols from the first and second sets of symbols specified by symbol data641using random number generator621to form an initial game outcome. One example of generating a first game outcome is for the symbol selector622A to select symbols 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 reel by selecting a stopping position in the sequence. In the example shown inFIG. 8, in games where the border has not changed or is in a center position evenly dividing the first and second game instances820,830, four symbols of each of six reels are displayed for each of the game instances820,830.

In an embodiment, after the selected symbols are advised to the display controller625which causes them to be displayed on display54at the symbol display positions, a determination is made as to which character has won as defined by the border change conditions642. In an embodiment, the determination comprises the border change condition determiner623A of the outcome evaluator623determining whether a first character associated with the first game instance820or a second character associated with the second game instance830has won based on the border change conditions642. In various embodiments, the border change conditions642specify a semi-random method for determining the winning character based at least in part on how many spins have occurred during the game and the number or reels each character controls. For example, a weighted table, such as the table illustrated inFIG. 11and described below, may be applied to determine whether the first character or the second character has won.

Still referring toFIG. 6, upon the border change condition determiner623A determining the winning character of the spin, the symbol display position allocator622B carries out a border change corresponding with the determined winning character and updates the display position appearance based on symbol allocation rules645. For example, by determining that the first character associated with the first game instance820has won, the symbol display position allocator622B applies the symbol allocation rules645to move the border divider840to capture a row or column previously controlled by the second character associated with the second game instance830. Moreover, the character symbols832and non-character symbols834in the captured row or column previously associated with the second game instance830are converted by the symbol display position allocator622B applying the symbol allocation rules645to character symbols822and non-character symbols824associated with the first game instance820.

FIG. 9illustrates an example of the border divider840movement and display position appearance updates from the border divider position and display position appearance illustrated inFIG. 8, based on the determined winning character. Specifically, the first row of the second game instance830inFIG. 8is converted to the last row of the first game instance820inFIG. 9as the border divider840is moved down one row. Referring toFIG. 9, after the border divider change and the update to the display position appearance of the row captured by the first game instance820, the first game instance820includes five rows and the second game instance830includes three rows. In various embodiments, the game continues until all rows are captured by one of the two characters.

The outcome controller623evaluates the total number of character symbols822and832displayed in the first game instance820and the second game instance830as specified in pay table643. For example, inFIG. 9seven “*” character symbols822and four “#” character symbols832are displayed for a total of eleven character symbols. The pay table643may specify applying a multiplier (e.g.,3or any suitable multiplier) and the total number of character symbols822,832multiplied by the multiplier is awarded to the win meter associated with the player and stored in meter data644. In an embodiment, the multiplier may vary based on game conditions. For example, the multiplier may increase with each round in the game.

FIG. 7is a flow chart700illustrating exemplary steps702-714that may be utilized for providing a spinning reel game, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 7, there is shown a flow chart700comprising exemplary steps702through714. Certain embodiments of the present invention may omit one or more of the steps, and/or perform the steps in a different order than the order listed, and/or combine certain of the steps discussed below. For example, some steps may not be performed in certain embodiments of the present invention. As a further example, certain steps may be performed in a different temporal order, including simultaneously, than listed below.

At step702, the game is started by a processor62of a game controller60at a gaming system1. For example, the game may be a stand alone game or a bonus game launched from a primary game, among other things. The game is a spinning reel game having a border divider840separating two game instances820,830each corresponding with one character. The border divider840is moveable after each reel spin during the game based on a weighted table until all reels are controlled by one character. In an embodiment, an award is provided after each reel spin that corresponds with a number of displayed character symbols822,832. In an embodiment, the two game instances820,830may be provided on one display54or multiple displays54. The game may be associated with a theme. For example,FIG. 10is a screenshot of the spinning reel game having a Game of Thrones theme where the first game instance820is associated with a first character (e.g., Jaime) and the second game instance830is associated with a second character (e.g., Brienne).

At step704, the processor62of the game controller60at the gaming system1selects symbols822,824,832,834for presentation at display positions of a display54after each spin in the game. For example, the game includes a symbol presentation area810having display positions corresponding with a first game instance820and a second game instance830. The processor62may include an outcome generator622having a symbol selector622A to select symbols from the first822,824and second832,834sets of symbols specified by symbol data641using random number generator621after each spin. The selected symbols from the first set of symbols822,824are displayed in the first game instance820and the selected symbols from the second set of symbols832,834are displayed in the second game instance830. The first set of symbols corresponding with the first game instance820comprises character symbols822and non-character symbols824. For example, referring again toFIG. 10, the character symbols822are images of Jaime and the non-character symbols824are black boxes. The second set of symbols corresponding with the second game instance830comprises character symbols832and non-character symbols834. For example, inFIG. 10the character symbols832are images of Brienne and the non-character symbols824are white boxes.

At step706, the processor62of the game controller60at the gaming system1determines a winning character based on a weighted table. For example, the processor62may comprise an outcome controller623having a border change condition evaluator623A that determines which character has won as defined by border change conditions642. In an embodiment, the determination comprises the border change condition determiner623A of the outcome evaluator623determining whether a first character associated with the first game instance820or a second character associated with the second game instance830has won based on the border change conditions642. In various embodiments, the border change conditions642specify a semi-random method for determining the winning character based at least in part on how many spins have occurred during the game and the number or reels each character controls. The border change conditions642may include, for example, the weighted table.

For example,FIG. 11illustrates an exemplary weighted table that may be applied to determine whether the first character or the second character has won. Referring toFIG. 11, the table defines border divider positions0through8that correspond with first820and second830game instances having a total of eight rows (i.e., four rows per game instance820,830). The first character associated with the first game instance820wins when the border divider840is in position8and the second character associated with the second game instance830wins when the border divider840is in position0. At the beginning of the game, the border divider840is positioned at the center position4that equally divides the first game instance820and the second game instance830into four rows. After the first spin, there is a 1-of-2 chance that the border divider840is moved up and a 1-of-2 chance that the border divider840is moved down. The border change condition evaluator623A may apply the weighted table to determine the winning character after each spin using random number generator621. The odds of the border divider840moving up or down may be different depending on the current border divider position and the current spin number. The weighted table may be configured to specify a minimum number of spins and a maximum number of spins in the game. In the exemplary weighted table ofFIG. 11, the odds are set such that there are at least six spins and no more than twenty spins in the game.

AlthoughFIG. 11and the description above refers to border divider positions0through8corresponding with eight total rows, unless so claimed, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to nine positions or that the border divider840separates rows. Additionally and/or alternatively the border divider840may be a vertical border divider separating columns of a first game instance and a second game instance. Moreover, the number of border divider positions may be greater than or less than nine positions by varying the number of rows (or columns) for each of the first820and second830game instances. Furthermore, althoughFIG. 11and the description above refers to a minimum number of six spins and a maximum number of twenty spins in the game, unless so claimed, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to between six and twenty spins and may be any suitable number and/or range of spins. Additionally, althoughFIG. 11and the description above refers to exemplary odds at different border divider positions for different spin numbers, unless so claimed, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited to the exemplary odds illustrated inFIG. 11and may be any suitable odds.

At step708, the processor62of the game controller60at the gaming system moves the border divider840and updates the display position appearance based on the winner determined at step706. For example, the processor62may comprise an outcome generator622having a symbol display position allocator622B that carries out the border change corresponding with the determined winning character and updates the display position appearance based on symbol allocation rules645. For example, by determining that the first character associated with the first game instance820has won, the symbol display position allocator622B applies the symbol allocation rules645to move the border divider840to capture a row or column previously controlled by the second character associated with the second game instance830. The symbol display position allocator622B converts the character symbols832and non-character symbols834in the captured row or column previously associated with the second game instance830to character symbols822and non-character symbols824associated with the first game instance820based on the symbol allocation rules645. For example,FIGS. 8 and 9illustrate movement of the border divider840and conversion of the captured row from symbols832,834associated with the second game instance830to symbols822,824associated with the first game instance820.

At step710, the processor62of the game controller60at the gaming system1provides an award based on a total number of character symbols822,832presented at display52. For example, the processor62may comprise an outcome controller623configured to evaluate the total number of character symbols822and832displayed in the first game instance820and the second game instance830as specified in pay table643. For example, inFIG. 9seven “*” character symbols822and four “#” character symbols832are displayed for a total of eleven character symbols. As another example, inFIG. 10seven “Jaime” symbols822and eight “Brienne” symbols832are presented at display54for a total of fifteen character symbols. The pay table643may specify applying a multiplier (e.g., 3 or any suitable multiplier) and the total number of character symbols822,832multiplied by the multiplier is awarded to the win meter associated with the player and stored in meter data644. In various embodiments, the multiplier is selected based on the round of gaming. For example, the multiplier may increase with each spin in the game.

At step712, the processor62of the game controller60at the gaming system1determines whether all the reels are controlled by one character. For example, inFIG. 9, all of the reels are not controlled by one character. Instead, inFIG. 9five rows are controlled by the character associated with the first game instance820and three rows are controlled by the character associated with the second game instance830. If all reels are not controlled by one character as shown inFIG. 9, the method would return to step704, the round or spin number would increase by one, and a new spin occurs resulting in the processor62of the gaming system1selecting symbols822,824,832,834for presentation at display positions of the display54. If all reels are controlled by one character, the method proceeds to step714.

At step714, the game is ended by the processor62of the game controller60at the gaming system1. For example, the winning character may be displayed at the conclusion of the game. In an embodiment, if the game is a feature game, the processor62of the gaming system1may revert to the primary game at the conclusion of the feature game. Additionally and/or alternatively, the player(s) may cash out at the conclusion of the game.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that there are a number of alternative embodiments. Firstly, in the above described embodiment, the player plays both game instances. In other embodiments, game instances could be allocated to separate players in a competition between players. One of the players could be a “computer” player. Games between two players lend themselves to, for example, a tournament mode.

Further, while the above embodiment shows separate symbol sets being used to populate the two different areas, the symbols from the same symbol set could be used to populate the areas allocated to the two game instances.

Further, it will be appreciated that while the above embodiment has been described in relation to a neutral starting point between the two game instances, the game could start with one game instance having allocated to it more rows or columns than the other game instance.

In yet another embodiment, the border could run vertically. In one embodiment there could be five reels on one side of the border initially and five reels on the other side of the border. Changes to the border could result in the entirety of a reel being reallocated between the two game instances.

Aspects of the present invention provide an electronic method of gaming700in a gaming system1,10,100comprising a display14,54,106and a game controller60,101. The method700comprises displaying702,704, on the display14,54,106, an evaluation area810comprising a plurality of columns of symbol display positions. The symbol display positions are divided between first820and second game instances830by a border divider840such that symbol display positions on a first side of the border divider840are allocated to the first game instance820and symbol display positions on a second side of the border divider840are allocated to the second game instance830. The method700comprises selecting704, by the game controller60,101, symbols822,824,832,834for the first820and second830game instances and displaying the selected symbols822,824,832,834on the display14,54,106in response to initiation of a round of gaming. The method700comprises determining706, by the game controller60,101, a winning game instance associated with the round of gaming from the first game instance820and the second game instance830. The winning game instance is determined based on a round number and a position of the border divider840. The method700comprises moving708, by the game controller60,101, the border divider840based on the determination of the winning game instance. The method700comprises determining710, by the game controller60,101, an award based on symbols displayed at the symbol positions after the border divider840is moved.

In various embodiment, moving the border divider840results in one of a row or a column of symbols of a losing one of the first820or second830game instances being reallocated to the other of the first820or second830game instances that is the winning game instance. In certain embodiments, the method700comprises updating708a visual appearance of the one of the row or the column of the symbols of the losing one of the first820or second830game instances to correspond with a visual appearance of symbols for the winning game instance. In a representative embodiment, the symbols comprise first award symbols822and first non-award symbols824forming a first set of symbols associated with the first game instance820. The symbols comprise second award symbols832and second non-award symbols834forming a second set of symbols associated with the second game instance830. In various embodiments, the award is determined based on a total of the first award symbols822and the second award symbols832. In certain embodiments, the award is based on applying a multiplier to the total of the first award symbols822and the second award symbols832.

In a representative embodiment, the symbols for the first820and second830game instances are selected independently of one another. In various embodiments, the border divider840divides the columns of symbol display positions between each game instance820,830. In certain embodiments, the method700comprises executing computer program code. In a representative embodiment, the method700comprises storing the computer program code in a tangible computer readable medium64,103.

Certain embodiments provide an electronic game controller60,101comprising a display controller62,102,625configured to control a display14,54,106of a gaming system1,10,100to display an evaluation area810comprising a plurality of columns of symbol display positions. The symbol display positions are divided between first820and second830game instances by a border divider840such that symbol display positions on a first side of the border divider840are allocated to the first game instance820and symbol display positions on a second side of the border divider840are allocated to the second game instance830. The electronic game controller60,101comprises a symbol selector62,102,622A configured to select symbols822,824,832,834for the first820and second830game instances such that the selected symbols are displayed on the display14,54,106in response to initiation of a round of gaming. The electronic game controller60,101comprises a border change condition evaluator62,102,623A configured to determine a winning game instance associated with the round of gaming from the first game instance820and the second game instance830. The winning game instance is determined based on a round number and a position of the border divider840. The electronic game controller60,101comprises a symbol display position allocator62,102,622B configured to move the border divider840based on the determination of the winning game instance. The electronic game controller60,101comprises an outcome controller62,102,623configured to determine an award based on symbols displayed at the symbol positions after the border divider840is moved.

In a representative embodiment, the symbol display position allocator62,102,622B is configured to move the border divider840by reallocating one of a row or a column of a losing one of the first820or second830game instances to the other of the first820or second830game instances that is the winning game instance. In various embodiments, the symbol display position allocator62,102,622B is configured to update a visual appearance of the one of the row or the column of the symbols of the losing one of the first820or second830game instances to correspond with a visual appearance of symbols for the winning game instance. In certain embodiments, the symbols comprise first award symbols822and first non-award symbols824forming a first set of symbols associated with the first game instance820. The symbols comprise second award symbols832and second non-award symbols834forming a second set of symbols associated with the second game instance830. In a representative embodiment, the outcome controller62,102,623is configured to determine the award based on a total of the first award symbols822and the second award symbols832.

In certain embodiments, the outcome controller62,102,623is configured to determine the award based on applying a multiplier to the total of the first award symbols822and the second award symbols832. In various embodiments, the symbol selector62,102,622A is configured to select the symbols for the first820and second830game instances independently of one another. In a representative embodiment, the border divider840divides the columns of symbol display positions between each game instance820,830.

Various embodiments provide a gaming system1,10,100comprising a display14,54,106and a game controller60,101. The game controller60,101is configured to control the display14,54,106of the gaming system1,10,100to display an evaluation area810comprising a plurality of columns of symbol display positions. The symbol display positions are divided between first820and second830game instances by a border divider840such that symbol display positions on a first side of the border divider840are allocated to the first game instance820and symbol display positions on a second side of the border divider840are allocated to the second game instance830. The game controller60,101is configured to select symbols for the first820and second830game instances such that the selected symbols822,824,832,834are displayed on the display14,54,106in response to initiation of a round of gaming. The game controller60,101is configured to determine a winning game instance associated with the round of gaming from the first game instance820and the second game instance830. The winning game instance is determined based on a round number and a position of the border divider840. The game controller60,101is configured to move the border divider840based on the determination of the winning game instance. The game controller60,101is configured to determine an award based on symbols displayed at the symbol positions after the border divider840is moved.

An exemplary embodiment comprises a gaming system1,10,100comprising means for displaying an evaluation area810comprising a plurality of columns of symbol display positions. The symbol display positions are divided between first820and second830game instances by a border divider840such that symbol display positions on a first side of the border divider840are allocated to the first game instance820and symbol display positions on a second side of the border divider840are allocated to the second game instance830. The gaming system1,10,100comprises means for selecting symbols for the first820and second830game instances and displaying the selected symbols822,824,832,834on the display14,54,106in response to initiation of a round of gaming. The gaming system1,10,100comprises means for determining a winning game instance associated with the round of gaming from the first game instance820and the second game instance830. The winning game instance is determined based on a round number and a position of the border divider840. The gaming system1,10,100comprises means for moving the border divider840based on the determination of the winning game instance. The gaming system1,10,100comprises means for determining an award based on symbols displayed at the symbol positions after the border divider840is moved.

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.

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 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, 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.