Communal bonus game with sequential segmented play mode

Abstract

A method of mechanical, electromechanical or video slot play is disclosed. The method comprises networked gaming machines, each machine comprising a base game and a communal second screen bonus feature that is perpetually displayed and viewable in real time. A predetermined symbol or symbol set result in a base game determines a specific number of chances for a qualified player and triggers the play of the communal bonus feature, the number of chances determining a gaming segment. Qualified players play their game segments one at a time in sequential order. Upon the completion of a gaming segment, the player collects awards and returns to the base game. If at any time a predetermined special symbol or event has been activated during a gaming segment in the bonus game event, the game is terminated, and a next bonus game event is initiated.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA[0001]This Application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 958,906, filed 10 Jul. 2008.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to a networked, interconnected or banked slot symbol game suitable for use in casinos and other gaming enterprises. The invention further relates to mechanical, electro-mechanical, internet or video gaming play that provides a communal bonus game feature wherein eligible players play one at a time in sequenced order.[0004]2. Background of the Art[0005]Gaming machines, and in particular slot machine games, have grown exponentially in numbers in the last twenty years, as have the revenues generated by such devices. Since it is estimated that at least 70% of any casino's revenue are now provided by gaming machines, there is increasingly fierce competition among the machine manufacturers to attract and maintain customers with game content.[0006]Slot manufacturers s...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]A method and apparatus for mechanical, electromechanical, internet or video slot play on networked or banked (e.g., multiple player monitors on a single bank of monitors) gaming machines is disclosed. Each gaming machine in the network comprises a primary mechanical reel array or video symbol array (“base game”) and a secondary video symbol array (“bonus game”) disposed in a separate area from the base game. The base games may or may not be identically themed or structured games, while each bonus game displayed to the multiple players is the exact same game in the same real-time bonus stage of play. Each individual player makes a wager to play the base game and an additional wager or “side bet” is preferably required for the opportunity to play what is referred to herein as the communal bonus game feature (“CBGF”). After the wagers are made, the base game is initiated, and a final symbol result is shown. The base game is individually played by each player, although it is possible for the players to have a communal base game displayed on a communal screen and/or on individual screens. The final symbol result is analyzed for winning symbol combinations, and any individual winning combinations are paid according to a predetermined paytable. If a predetermined bonus triggering symbol or symbol set is displayed in the final symbol result, the CBGF is triggered for that player. Preferably the predetermined symbol or symbol set indicates a particular value, the value specifying the number of chances (picks, spins, game spaces or the like) that the player is afforded in the CBGF. The CBGF may be any known bonus or underlying-type game play event known in the industry, such as a preferred video game with an array of numerous masked symbols (for instance, 50 masked symbols), wherein the player is prompted to utilize his number of chances (for instance, 5 picks) to reveal that same number of prizes. The prizes ma

Problems solved by technology

Various disadvantages of the prior art referenced above include group, team or peer-to-peer play that a) causes a player to lose against other players, b) demands that a group objective be achieved in order to win a prize, c) allows other players to participate when a one player achieves a predetermined result in a base game, even if the other players do not specifically qualify to play by achieving the same said predetermined result, d) allows the actions and results of each player to affect the other players in the community, including if a negative outcome is affected e) allows only one or some of the players to win prizes, f) allows only the top-scoring player to win a prize, and / or g) dictates that the participation of the gaming terminals eligible to participate in the game may be accepted or rejected.

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