US-12626565-B2 - Electronic gaming device with multiple dynamically configurable features dependent on game states

US12626565B2US 12626565 B2US12626565 B2US 12626565B2US-12626565-B2

Abstract

A gaming device for dynamically configuring a composite feature game based on a first feature game and a second feature game. When the composite feature game is triggered, a game controller determines respective current states of a first feature game and a second feature game. The current state of the first feature game comprises a first unenhanced state that has a first unenhanced play characteristic and a first enhanced state that has a first enhanced play characteristic. The current state of the second feature game comprises a second unenhanced state that has a second unenhanced play characteristic and a second enhanced state that has a second unenhanced play characteristic. The game controller dynamically incorporates one of the first enhanced play characteristic and one of the second unenhanced play characteristic and the second unenhanced play characteristic into a composite play characteristic.

Inventors

James Loader
Karen Kendall
Luke Ireland
Antoon Visser
Joshua Matos

Assignees

ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20231121
Priority Date: 20200915

Claims (20)

1 . An electronic gaming system comprising: at least one server storing a return-to-player and a plurality of composite weight tables, each of the composite weight tables listing a plurality of weight values assigned to triggering one or more of a plurality of feature games; and a remote gaming device, coupled to the at least one server, comprising a processor and a memory storing data tracking a first feature game having a first unenhanced state and a first unenhanced game characteristic, a second feature game having a second unenhanced state and a second unenhanced game characteristic, feature states and feature state counters for the first feature game and the second feature game, a pay table, and instructions, which, when executed, cause the processor to at least: receive, from the at least one server, data indicative of a first composite weight table and the return-to-player, cause the remote gaming device to display a plurality of symbols randomly selected based on a random number generated from a random number generator and the weight values in the first composite weight table received to maintain the return-to-player, cause the remote gaming device to trigger one feature game among the first feature game, the second feature game, and a composite feature game formed from the first feature game and the second feature game, when the symbols displayed include a trigger symbol, update one or more of the feature states and one or more of the feature state counters based on the triggering of the one feature game, in response to the one feature game triggered being the composite feature game, and the one or more feature state counters having reached a first threshold for the first unenhanced state, cause the remote gaming device to initiate the one feature game based on a first feature state that the first feature game is currently in, to control a display device of the remote gaming device to visually transition the first unenhanced state having the first unenhanced game characteristic to a first enhanced state having a first enhanced game characteristic, and to control the display device of the remote gaming device to visually incorporate, into the composite feature game, composite game characteristics formed from the first enhanced game characteristic, and the second feature game with either the second unenhanced game characteristic, or a second enhanced game characteristic, and access the memory for the pay table to determine a win in the one feature game.
2 . The electronic gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the processor to: when the first unenhanced game characteristic includes awarding a plurality of free games, increase the plurality of free games; when the first unenhanced game characteristic includes awarding a plurality of pay lines, increase the plurality of pay lines; when the first unenhanced game characteristic includes awarding a plurality of additional display positions, increase the plurality of additional display positions; when the first unenhanced game characteristic includes awarding a multiplier, increase the multiplier; and when the first unenhanced game characteristic includes awarding a configuring symbol for one of a first prize and a second prize, update the configuring symbol to be awardable for both the first prize and the second prize.
3 . The electronic gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the processor to, when the first feature game uses a first weight table for awards in the first unenhanced state, use a different first weight table for different larger awards for the first enhanced state.
4 . The electronic gaming system of claim 3 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the processor to return from using the different first weight table to using the first weight table when all entries in the different first weight table have been selected.
5 . The electronic gaming system of claim 1 , wherein when the first feature game is triggered, and the instructions, when executed, cause the processor to initiate the first feature game with the first unenhanced game characteristic when the first feature game is in the first unenhanced state, and initiate the first feature game with the first unenhanced game characteristic when the first feature game is in the first enhanced state.
6 . The electronic gaming system of claim 5 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the processor to increment a first game event counter in response to an occurrence of a first game event in the first feature game, advance the first feature game from the first unenhanced state to the first enhanced state upon the first game event counter reaching the first threshold, and reset the first game event counter upon either the first feature game being conducted with the first unenhanced game characteristic or the composite feature game being conducted with the first unenhanced game characteristic.
7 . The electronic gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the processor to, during the first feature game: cause a plurality of columns of display positions to display the plurality of symbols selected, wherein each column of display positions corresponds to a reel strip of a plurality of reel strips; upon the plurality of symbols selected comprising one or both of a first trigger symbol corresponding to the first feature game and a second trigger symbol corresponding to the second feature game, assign at least one trigger probability of a plurality of trigger probabilities based on identities of the one or both of the first trigger symbol and the second trigger symbol selected; determine a trigger outcome based on the at least one trigger probability assigned; and initiate the one feature game based on the trigger outcome, wherein the one feature game comprises the first feature game, the second feature game and the composite feature game.
8 . A method of configuring a prize in an electronic gaming system comprising a remote gaming device, coupled to at least one server, the method comprising: transmitting, from the at least one server to the remote gaming device, data indicative of a first composite weight table listing a plurality of weight values assigned to triggering one or more of a plurality of feature games, and data for maintaining a return-to-player; controlling a processor of the remote gaming device to track feature states and feature state counters for a first feature game and a second feature game; controlling the remote gaming device to display a plurality of symbols selected based on a random number generated from a random number generator and the weight values in the first composite weight table received; controlling the remote gaming device to trigger one feature game among the first feature game, the second feature game, and a composite feature game formed from the first feature game and the second feature game, when the symbols displayed include a trigger symbol; controlling the remote gaming device to update one or more of the feature states and one or more of the feature state counters based on the triggering of the one feature game; in response to the one feature game triggered being the composite feature game, and the one or more feature state counters having reached a first threshold for a first unenhanced state, controlling the remote gaming device to initiate the one feature game based on a first feature state that the first feature game is currently in, to control a display device of the remote gaming device to visually transition the first unenhanced state having a first unenhanced game characteristic to a first enhanced state having a first enhanced game characteristic, and to control the display device of the remote gaming device to visually incorporate, into the composite feature game, composite game characteristics from the first enhanced game characteristic, and the second feature game with either a second unenhanced game characteristic, or a second enhanced game characteristic; and controlling the remote gaming device to animate a win in the one feature game derived from a pay table.
9 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising when the first unenhanced game characteristic includes awarding a plurality of free games, increasing the plurality of free games; when the first unenhanced game characteristic includes awarding a plurality of pay lines, increasing the plurality of pay lines; when the first unenhanced game characteristic includes awarding a plurality of additional display positions, increasing the plurality of additional display positions; when the first unenhanced game characteristic includes awarding a multiplier, increasing the multiplier; and when the first unenhanced game characteristic includes awarding a configuring symbol for one of a first prize and a second prize, updating the configuring symbol to be awardable for both the first prize and the second prize.
10 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising, when the first feature game uses a first weight table for awards in the first unenhanced state, accessing a different first weight table for different larger awards for the first enhanced state.
11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising returning from using the different first weight table to using the first weight table when all entries in the different first weight table have been selected.
12 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising, when the first feature game is triggered, initiating the first feature game with the first unenhanced game characteristic when the first feature game is in the first unenhanced state, and initiating the first feature game with the first unenhanced game characteristic when the first feature game is in the first enhanced state.
13 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising incrementing a first game event counter in response to an occurrence of a first game event in the first feature game, advancing the first feature game from the first unenhanced state to the first enhanced state upon the first game event counter reaching the first threshold, and resetting the first game event counter upon either the first feature game being conducted with the first unenhanced game characteristic or the composite feature game being conducted with the first unenhanced game characteristic.
14 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising a plurality of instructions in a remote gaming device that comprises a processor, the remote gaming device being networked to at least one server, the at least one server, and the instructions, which, when executed, cause the processor to perform the steps of: receiving, from the at least one server, data indicative of a first composite weight table listing a plurality of weight values assigned to triggering one or more of a plurality of feature games and data for maintaining a return-to-player; tracking feature states and feature state counters for a first feature game and a second feature game; animating on the remote gaming device a plurality of symbols selected based on a random number generated from a random number generator and the weight values in the first composite weight table received to maintain the return-to-player; triggering one feature game among the first feature game, the second feature game, and a composite feature game formed from the first feature game and the second feature game, when the symbols displayed include a trigger symbol on the remote gaming device; updating one or more of the feature states and one or more of the feature state counters based on the triggering of the one feature game; in response to the one feature game triggered being the composite feature game, and the one or more feature state counters having reached a first threshold for a first unenhanced state, initiating the one feature game based on a first feature state that the first feature game is currently in, controlling a display device of the remote gaming device to visually transition the first unenhanced state having a first unenhanced game characteristic to a first enhanced state having a first enhanced game characteristic, and controlling the display device of the remote gaming device to visually incorporate, into the composite feature game, composite game characteristics formed from the first enhanced game characteristic, and the second feature game with either a second unenhanced game characteristic, or a second enhanced game characteristic; and animating a win in the one feature game based on a pay table.
15 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14 , and wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the processor to perform the steps of: when the first unenhanced game characteristic includes awarding a plurality of free games, increasing the plurality of free games; when the first unenhanced game characteristic includes awarding a plurality of pay lines, increasing the plurality of pay lines; when the first unenhanced game characteristic includes awarding a plurality of additional display positions, increasing the plurality of additional display positions; when the first unenhanced game characteristic includes awarding a multiplier, increasing the multiplier; and when the first unenhanced game characteristic includes awarding a configuring symbol for one of a first prize and a second prize, updating the configuring symbol to be awardable for both the first prize and the second prize.
16 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14 , and wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the processor to perform the step of, when the first feature game uses a first weight table for awards in the first unenhanced state, accessing a different first weight table for different larger awards for the first enhanced state.
17 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16 , and wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the processor to perform the step of returning from using the different first weight table to using the first weight table when all entries in the different first weight table have been selected.
18 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17 , and wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the processor to perform the steps of initiating the first feature game with the first unenhanced game characteristic when the first feature game is in the first unenhanced state, and initiating the first feature game with the first unenhanced game characteristic when the first feature game is in the first enhanced state.
19 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 18 , and wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the processor to perform the steps of incrementing a first game event counter in response to an occurrence of a first game event in the first feature game, advancing the first feature game from the first unenhanced state to the first enhanced state upon the first game event counter reaching the first threshold, and resetting the first game event counter upon either the first feature game being conducted with the first unenhanced game characteristic or the composite feature game being conducted with the first unenhanced game characteristic.
20 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14 , and wherein the instructions, when executed during the first feature game, further cause the processor to perform the steps of: causing a plurality of columns of display positions to display the plurality of symbols selected, wherein each column of display positions corresponds to a reel strip of a plurality of reel strips; upon the plurality of symbols selected comprising one or both of a first trigger symbol corresponding to the first feature game and a second trigger symbol corresponding to the second feature game, assigning at least one trigger probability of a plurality of trigger probabilities based on identities of the one or both of the first trigger symbol and the second trigger symbol selected; determining a trigger outcome based on the at least one trigger probability assigned; and initiating the one feature game based on the trigger outcome, wherein the one feature game comprises the first feature game, the second feature game and the composite feature game.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/388,894, filed Jul. 29, 2021, entitled “Electronic Gaming Device with Multiple Dynamically Configurable Features Dependent on Game States,” which claims priority to Australian Patent Application No. 2020902685, filed Jul. 30, 2020, and Australian Patent Application No. 2020233655, filed Sep. 15, 2020, entitled “Gaming Device with Multiple Triggerable Features Dependent on States,” all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. BACKGROUND The present application relates to a gaming device, a method of operating a gaming device and a gaming system. The gaming device, the method and the gaming system enable the provision of multiple triggerable feature games which are dependent on at least one gaming device state when a trigger occurs. Electronic gaming machines (“EGMs”) or gaming devices provide a variety of wagering games such as slot games, video poker games, video blackjack games, roulette games, video bingo games, keno games and other types of games that are frequently offered at casinos and other locations. Play on EGMs typically involves a player establishing a credit balance by inputting money, or another form of monetary credit, and placing a monetary wager (from the credit balance) on one or more outcomes of an instance (or single play) of a primary or base game. In many games, a player may qualify for secondary games or bonus rounds by attaining a certain winning combination or triggering event in the base game. Secondary games provide an opportunity to win additional game instances, credits, awards, jackpots, progressives, etc. Awards from any winning outcomes are typically added back to the credit balance and can be provided to the player upon completion of a gaming session or when the player wants to “cash out.” “Slot” type games are often displayed to the player in the form of various symbols arrayed in a row-by-column grid or matrix. Specific matching combinations of symbols along predetermined paths (or paylines) through the matrix indicate the outcome of the game. The display typically highlights winning combinations/outcomes for ready identification by the player. Matching combinations and their corresponding awards are usually shown in a “pay-table” which is available to the player for reference. Often, the player may vary his/her wager to include differing numbers of paylines and/or the amount bet on each line. By varying the wager, the player may sometimes alter the frequency or number of winning combinations, frequency or number of secondary games, and/or the amount awarded. Typical games use a random number generator (RNG) to randomly determine the outcome of each game. The game is designed to return a certain percentage of the amount wagered back to the player (return to player=RTP) over the course of many plays or instances of the game. The RTP and randomness of the RNG are critical to ensuring the fairness of the games and are therefore highly regulated. Upon initiation of play, the RNG randomly determines a game outcome and symbols are then selected which correspond to that outcome. Notably, some games may include an element of skill on the part of the player and are therefore not entirely random. SUMMARY Certain embodiments provide a gaming device, a method of operating a gaming device and a system which implement a spinning reel game where there are a number of different feature games that can be triggered. As well as individual feature games, there is at least one composite feature game made up of individual game play characteristics of individual feature games. The composite feature games have the chance of triggering too. Each individual feature game has at least one unenhanced game play characteristic corresponding to an unenhanced state and an enhanced game play characteristic corresponding to an enhanced state. Where a composite feature is triggered it inherits the states of the individual feature games such that if one or more individual feature games are in an enhanced state, the composite feature will include the corresponding enhanced game play characteristic. In an embodiment, a gaming device comprises a display, a processor, and a memory storing (a) feature game data defining a first feature game having at least one unenhanced first game play characteristic corresponding to a unenhanced state of the first feature game, an enhanced first game play characteristic corresponding to an enhanced state of the first feature game, a second feature game having a unenhanced second game play characteristic corresponding to a unenhanced state of the second feature game and an enhanced second game play characteristic corresponding to the enhanced game play state, and a composite feature game dynamically configurable with game play characteristics of the first and second feature games, (b) current feature states for each of the first fea