Gaming device having a segment elimination game

Abstract

A wagering gaming device having a game including a set of segments displayed by a display device and a segment activator. Engagement of the segment activator with the segments removes the segment from the display device in one embodiment. In one embodiment, the player receives an award value for each removed segment. In this embodiment, the object of the game is to remove a maximum number of segments from the display device. A positionable blocking member is provided to direct or redirect the movement of the segment activator. Multiple apparatuses and methods are also taught, that provide a perceived skill segment elimination game.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 503,021, filed Sep. 15, 2003, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated and relied upon.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Wagering gaming machines are generally games of chance, not skill. Slot machines owe certain of their popularity to the fact that a player can play a slot machine at the player's own pace with no required skills. Most slot machines are set to pay off on average between 80 and 99 percent of the amounts wagered by the players. Nevertheless, players constantly try to inject skill or know-how into gaming devices with the hope of turning the odds in their favor. [0003] For example, there is a consensus as to good and bad slot machine locations. Some players believe that the worst slot machines for the player are the machines near the gaming tables, such as the blackjack, baccarat, and roulette tables, because the players of these games do not want to be ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] The segments can have any suitable shape, size, format and spacing. The segments can also have different suitable shapes, sizes, formats and spacing. In one embodiment, the segments are rectangular, are adjacent or in contact with each other, and displayed at a first portion of the display device such as the upper portion. In this embodiment, the projectile is displayed within or movable within part or all of the area of the display device not occupied by the segments such as a segment movement area. The projectile may have any suitable shape, size and format. The processor of the gaming device determines the speed of the movement of the segment activator or projectile and causes the segment activator or projectile to move to different positions of the display device.

[0014] Similarly, alternative embodiments, the size, shape, format, awards associated with the segments and segment activators, like the blocking members, can change. The variations can be based on various different factors such as one or more random events or determinations in another game, a triggering event, or the amount of a wager by the player in a game. Thus, the present invention provides numerous different displayable elements that can all together or each independently be changed depending on one or more factors. This, in part enables this game to be suitable for a primary game or a secondary game of a wagering gaming machine.

[0015] In one embodiment, the object of the game is to engage and eliminate as many segments displayed by the display device as possible using the segment activator or projectile, thus collecting a maximum award. A further object of the game is to prevent the segment activator or projectile from entering a projectile or game segment activator or termination area. In one embodiment, if the segment activator or projectile enters the projectile or game or termination area and the game ends, the segment activator or projectile is removed from the display device and the game ends. In another embodiment, a second segment activator or projectile is set into motion. The number of segment activators could vary as desired by the game implementor. In this embodiment, the game continues until there are no more segment activator projectiles. The number of segment activators, the awards associates with the segments, and other variables in the game can as mentioned above be based on the wager made by the player in the games or in a primary game which triggers the game or other factors. It should also be appreciated that awards can be associated with the segment activator. For instance, each segment activator used can reduce a modifier such as a multiplier.

Problems solved by technology

Some players similarly believe that machines near patrons betting on sporting events and horse races are not good.

Gaming devices of skill would also prejudice unskilled players, and unskilled players would be reluctant to play such games.

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