This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/889,101, filed Feb. 9, 2007, the contents of which is herein incorporated by reference.
The present invention relates to gaming systems and devices and in particular to gaming systems and devices utilizing a secondary game.
Gaming devices such as slot machines are common in gaming establishments. The mechanism of playing a slot machine is well known. A player advances a wager in respect of a single gaming event. In modern slot machines, the single gaming event is typically the generation of a random number that is compared against a pay table to determine if the single gaming event produced a winning outcome. A winning outcome will pay a multiple of the wager with the multiple being dependent on the probability of that winning outcome.
Different slot machines generally have a similar look and feel. Therefore, gaming devices will tend to be more successful if they increase the excitement of playing a game. One way to increase excitement is by increasing the level of player interaction and control.
Players are often superstitious and will tend to prefer a machine that they consider to be lucky. Where a player feels a machine is unlucky, that player may leave the machine.
Advantages of One or More Embodiments of the Present Invention
The various embodiments of the present invention may, but do not necessarily, achieve one or more of the following advantages:
the ability to provide variability within a gaming device;
provide increased player retention at a gaming device;
provide increased gaming revenues;
provide a player with the ability to vary a gaming experience;
allow a player to select a preferred gaming theme; and
allow a player to have some control of winning outcomes.
These and other advantages may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification, claims, and abstract.
In one aspect, the invention relates to a gaming system comprising a server and a gaming device in communication with the server. The server comprises a memory device configured to store first game information in a first game theme and second game information in a second game theme. The gaming device comprises a reel apparatus configured to display a first theme specific symbol related to the first theme and a second theme specific symbol related to the second theme. The gaming device may download the game information in the first theme and display a game outcome using the first theme specific symbol and may download the game information in the second theme and display a game outcome using the second theme specific symbol.
In one aspect, the invention relates to a gaming device comprising a controller; a theme selector; and at least one reel apparatus configured to display a first symbol specific to a first theme and a second symbol specific to a second theme. The controller controls a position of the reel apparatus to display a game outcome dependent on a theme selected using the theme selector.
