A method of gaming, a gaming system and a game controller

Abstract

An electronic gaming machine comprising a video display; 5 and a game controller arranged to: designate a first display position on the video display; select a first symbol from a symbol set for display at the first display position; evaluate whether the first symbol is an award symbol; and control the video display to display an award 10 game in dependence on the first symbol being an award symbol. 20 24 21 65 04 30 A ug 2 02 4 3 0 A u g 2 0 2 4 A B S T R A C T 2 0 2 4 2 1 6 5 0 4 3 0 A u g 2 0 2 4 A B S T R A C T 2 0 2 4 2 1 6 5 0 4

Description

Related Application 5 This application is a divisional application of Australian Patent Application no. 2022221415, which in turn is a divisional application of Australian Patent Application No. 2020204237, which in turn is a divisional application of Australian Patent Application No. 2018203531, which in 10 turn is a divisional application of Australian patent application number 2016213713. The disclosure of this application is incorporated herein by reference. Field 15 The present invention relates to a method of gaming, a gaming system, a gaming server and a game controller. Background 20 In electronic gaming systems such as spinning reel or "slot" gaming machines, symbols are selected for display on a display of the machine. The displayed symbols are evaluated to determine whether an award is to be made to a 25 player. While such gaming systems provide players with enjoyment, a need exists for alternative gaming systems in order to maintain or increase player enjoyment. 30 Summary In a first embodiment the invention provides a method of unlocking a second base game triggered during play of a 35 first base game on an electronic gaming machine, the electronic gaming machine including a display configured to display a plurality of base games including the first 2024216504   30 Aug 2024 base game and the second base game, a player input interface including a plurality of buttons configured for operation by a player to input a wager from the established credits and to initiate a play of a game, a 5 credit input mechanism including at least one of a card reader, a ticket reader, a bill acceptor, and a coin input mechanism, the credit input mechanism configured to establish a credit balance that is increasable and decreasable based on wagering activity, a meter configured 10 for monitoring credits established via the credit input mechanism and changes to the established credits due to play of the gaming machine, a random number generator, and a game controller comprising a processor and memory storing (i) game program code defining games including 15 said plurality of base games and one or more unlock games, and (ii) symbol data defining virtual reels, and wherein the game controller is operable to assign prize values to combinations of symbols as required during play of the game, the method comprising: 20        displaying on the display a first game window for the first base game, the first game window including a first set of the virtual reels, each virtual reel in the first set of virtual reels including a plurality of symbol positions upon which a corresponding plurality of symbols 25 defined by the symbol data and selected using the random number generator are displayed, the first game window being associated with an unlock game during a first play of the first base game; displaying on the display a second game window for 30 the second base game, the second game window including a second set of virtual reels, the first game window being unlocked and the second game window being locked during the first play of the first base game; displaying, on the display, a first play result for 35 the first play of the first base game in the first game window; 2024216504   30 Aug 2024 determining, by the game controller, a game outcome for an unlock game associated with the first game window, the game outcome for the unlock game indicating a winning outcome for the unlock game, wherein an unlock symbol 5 display position is superimposed over one or more virtual reels of the first set of virtual reels in the first game window based on the winning outcome, and wherein at least one unlock symbol appears on the unlock symbol display position; 10        unlocking the second game window for at least one subsequent play based on the winning outcome of the unlock game, the unlocking resulting in the second set of virtual reels being spun during the at least one subsequent play; and 15        awarding credits to the meter based on a total of the game outcome from the first play and the at least one subsequent play. Disclosed is an electronic gaming machine comprising: 20        a video display; and a game controller arranged to: designate a first display position on the video display; select a first symbol from a symbol set for 25        display at the first display position; evaluate whether the first symbol is an award symbol; and control the video display to display an award game in dependence on the first symbol being an award 30        symbol. In an embodiment the game controller is further arranged to control the video display to display a first game window, the first game window comprising at least one game 35 symbol position, the at least one game symbol position displaying at least one game symbol from a symbol set, the at least one game symbol providing a game outcome. 2024216504   30 Aug 2024 In an embodiment the first display position corresponds to at least one game symbol position. 5 In an embodiment the first display position is co-located with at least one game symbol position. In an embodiment the game controller is arranged to control the video display to display the first symbol over 10 the at least one game symbol displayed at the co-located at least one game symbol position. In an embodiment the first display position corresponds to a plurality of game symbol positions. 15 In an embodiment the first symbol is displayed for a predetermined time period. In an embodiment the game controller is further arranged 20 to control the video display to display the award game in a second game window. In an embodiment the game controller is further arranged to control the video display to displays the award symbol 25 in the second game window. In an embodiment the game controller is arranged to display the award symbol for a predefined time period. 30 In an embodiment the first symbol is independent of the game outcome. In an embodiment the invention provides an electronic gaming machine for unlocking a second base game triggered 2024216504   30 Aug 2024 during play of a first base game, the electronic gaming machine comprising: a display configured to display a plurality of base games including the base game and the second base game; 5       a player input interface configured to receive player input, comprising a plurality of buttons configured for operation by a player to input a wager from the established credits and to initiate a play of a game; a credit input mechanism including at least one of a 10 card reader, a ticket reader, a bill acceptor, and a coin input mechanism, the credit input mechanism configured to establish a credit balance that is increasable and decreasable based on wagering activity; a meter configured for monitoring credits 15       established via the credit input mechanism and changes to the established credits due to play of the gaming machine; a random number generator; and a game controller comprising a processor and 20        memory storing (i) game program code defining games including said plurality of base games, and (ii) symbol data defining virtual reels; wherein the game controller is operable to assign prize values to combinations of symbols as 25        required during play of the game, the game controller executing the game program code stored in the memory and responsive to initiation of the play of the game with the player input interface to: display on the display a first game window for 30        the first base game, the first game window including a first set of the virtual reels, each virtual reel in the first set of virtual reels including a plurality of symbol positions upon which a corresponding plurality of symbols defined by the 35        symbol data and selected using the random number generator are displayed, the first game window being associated with an unlock game defined by said game 2024216504   30 Aug 2024 program code during a first spin of the first base game ; display on the display a second game window for the second base game, the second game window 5         including a second set of virtual reels, the first game window being unlocked and the second game window being locked during the first spin of the first base game; display on the display a first spin result for 10         the first play of the first base game in the first game window; and determine a game outcome for the unlock game associated with the first game window, the game outcome for the unlock game indicating a winning 15         outcome for the unlock game, wherein an unlock symbol display position is superimposed over one or more virtual reels of the first set of virtual reels, and wherein at least one unlock symbol defined by the symbol data and selected by the 20         controller appears on the unlock symbol display position; unlock the second game window for at least one subsequent play based on the winning outcome of the unlock game, the unlocking resulting in the second 25 set of virtual reels : being spun during the at least one subsequent play; award credits to the meter based on a total of the game outcome from the first play and the at least one subsequent play. 30 Also disclosed is a gaming server arranged to communicate with one or more client devices over a communication network: the gaming server arranged to designate a first 35 display position on a client device; select a first symbol from a symbol set for display at the first display position; 2024216504   30 Aug 2024 evaluate whether the first symbol is an award symbol; and control the client device to display an award game in dependence on the first symbol being an award symbol. 5 In an embodiment the gaming server is further arranged to control the client device to display a first game window, the first game window comprising at least one game symbol position, the at least one game symbol position displaying 10 at least one game symbol from a symbol set, the at least one game symbol providing a game outcome. In an embodiment the first display position corresponds to at least one game symbol position. 15 In an embodiment the first display position is co-located with at least one game symbol position. In an embodiment the gaming server is further arranged to 20 control the client device to display the first symbol over the at least one game symbol displayed at the co-located at least one game symbol position. In an embodiment the first display position corresponds to 25 a plurality of game symbol positions. In an embodiment the gaming server is arranged to control the client device to display the first symbol for a predetermined time period. 30 In an embodiment the gaming server is further arranged to control the client device to display the award game in a second game window. 2024216504   30 Aug 2024 In an embodiment the gaming server is further arranged to control the client device to display the award symbol for a predefined time period. 5 In an embodiment the first symbol is independent of the game outcome. Also disclosed is a method for use of an electronic gaming server arranged to communicate with one or more client 10 devices over a communication network comprising: designating a first display position on the video display of a client device; selecting a first symbol from a symbol set for display at the first display position; 15        evaluating whether the first symbol is an award symbol; and controlling the video display to display an award game in dependence on the first symbol being an award symbol. 20 Embodiments comprise the further steps of controlling the video display to display a first game window, the first game window comprising at least one game symbol position, the at least one game symbol position displaying at least 25 one game symbol from a symbol set, the at least one game symbol providing a game outcome. In embodiments the first display position corresponds to at least one game symbol position. 30 In embodiments the first display position is co-located with at least one game symbol position. Embodiments comprise the further steps of controlling the 35 video display to display the first symbol over the at 2024216504   30 Aug 2024 least one game symbol displayed at the co-located at least one game symbol position. In embodiments the first display position corresponds to a 5 plurality of game symbol positions. Embodiments comprise the further steps of displaying the first symbol for a predetermined time period. 10 Embodiments comprise the further steps of controlling the video display to display the award game in a second game window. Embodiments comprise the further steps of controlling the 15 video display to display the award symbol in the second game window. Embodiments comprise the further steps of displaying the award symbol for a predefined time period. 20 In embodiments the first symbol is independent of the game outcome . Another embodiment provides a method of unlocking a second 25        base game triggered during play of a first base game on an electronic gaming machine, the electronic gaming machine including a display configured to display three or more game windows for display of a plurality of base games including the first base game 30        and the second base game, each of the game windows having and active and inactive state, wherein in the active state a game is displayed within the window for play by a player, or in the inactive state no game is displayed, a player input interface including 35       a plurality of buttons configured for operation by a player to input a wager from the established credits and to initiate a play of a game, a credit input 2024216504   30 Aug 2024 mechanism including at least one of a card reader, a ticket reader, a bill acceptor, and a coin input mechanism, the credit input mechanism configured to establish a credit balance that is increasable and 5       decreasable based on wagering activity, a meter configured for monitoring credits established via the credit input mechanism and changes to the established credits due to play of the gaming machine, a random number generator, and a game controller comprising a 10       processor and memory storing (i) game program code defining games including said plurality of base games and one or more unlock games, and (ii) symbol data defining symbols which define virtual reels for display during the base games in respective ones of 15        the three or more game windows, and one or more unlock symbols, and wherein the game controller is operable to assign prize values to combinations of symbols as required during play of the game, the method comprising: 20             initiating play of the game with a first game window and a second game window of the three or more game windows in the active state; displaying on the display in a first game window a first set of the virtual reels for the first base 25        game, each virtual reel in the first set of virtual reels including a plurality of symbol positions upon which a corresponding plurality of symbols defined by the symbol data and selected using the random number generator are displayed, the first game window being 30       associated with an unlock game defined by said game program code during a first play of the first base game ; displaying on the display in a second game window a second set of virtual reels for the second 35        base game, the first game window being unlocked and the second game window being locked during the first play of the first base game; 2024216504   30 Aug 2024 displaying on the display, by the game controller, a first play result for the first play of the first base game in the first game window; determining, by the game controller, a game 5        outcome for an unlock game associated with the first game window, the game outcome for the unlock game indicating a winning outcome for the unlock game, wherein an unlock symbol display position is superimposed over one or more virtual reels of the 10        first set of virtual reels in the first game window based on the winning outcome, and wherein at least one unlock symbol appears on the unlock symbol display position; in response to a winning outcome for the unlock 15         game, unlocking the second game window for at least one subsequent play based on the winning outcome of the unlock game, the unlocking resulting in the second set of virtual reels 20             being spun during the at least one subsequent play; and updating a further window of the three or more windows to an active state for subsequent game rounds; 25         and awarding credits to the meter based on a total of the game outcome from the first play and the at least one subsequent play. 30 Another embodiment provides an electronic gaming machine for, unlocking a second base game triggered during play of a first base game, the electronic gaming machine comprising: a display configured to display three or more 35        game windows for display of a plurality of base games including the base game and the second base game, each of the game windows having an active and an 2024216504   30 Aug 2024 10 20 25 30 inactive state, wherein in the active state a game is displayed within the window for play by a player, or in the inactive state no game is displayed; a player input interface configured to receive player input, comprising a plurality of buttons configured for operation by a player to input a wager from the established credits and to initiate a play of a game; a credit input mechanism including at least one of a card reader, a ticket reader, a bill acceptor, and a coin input mechanism, the credit input mechanism configured to establish a credit balance that is increasable and decreasable based on wagering activity; a meter configured for monitoring credits established via the credit input mechanism and changes to the established credits due to play of the gaming machine; a random number generator; and a game controller comprising a processor and memory storing (i) game program code defining games including said plurality of base games, and (ii) symbol data defining virtual reels; wherein the game controller is operable to assign prize values to combinations of symbols as required during play of the game, the game controller executing the game program code stored in the memory and responsive to initiation of the play of the game with the player input interface to: initiate play of the game with a first game window and a second game window of the three or more game windows in the active state; display on the display in the first game window a first set of the virtual reels for the first base game, each virtual reel in the first set of virtual reels including a plurality of symbol positions upon which a corresponding 2024216504   30 Aug 2024 plurality of symbols defined by the symbol data and selected using the random number generator are displayed, the first game window being associated with an unlock game defined by said game program code during a first spin of the first base game; display on the display in the second game window a second set of virtual reels for the second base game, the first game window being unlocked and the second game window being locked during the first spin of the first base game; display on the display a first spin result for the first play of the first base game in the first game window; and determine a game outcome for the unlock game associated with the first game window, the game outcome for the unlock game indicating a winning outcome for the unlock game, wherein an unlock symbol display position is superimposed over one or more virtual reels of the first set of virtual reels, and wherein at least one unlock symbol defined by the symbol data and selected by the controller appears on the unlock symbol display position; in response to a winning outcome for the unlock game, unlock the second game window for at least one subsequent play based on the winning outcome of the unlock game, the unlocking resulting in the second set of virtual reels being spun during the at least one subsequent play; update a further window of the three or more windows to an active state for subsequent game rounds; and award credits to the meter based on a total of the game outcome from the first play and the at least one subsequent play. 2024216504   30 Aug 2024 Brief Description of Drawings An exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be 5 described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which : Figure 1 is a block diagram of the core components of a gaming system; 10 Figure 2 is a perspective view of a stand alone gaming machine; Figure 3 is a block diagram of the functional components 15 of a gaming machine; Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the functional components of a memory; 20 Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a network gaming system; Figure 6 is a further block diagram of a gaming system; 25 Figure 7 is a flow chart of an embodiment; Figures 8a 8b and 8c are illustrations of a game in accordance with a first embodiment. 30 Figure 9 is a flow chart of an embodiment. Detailed Description Referring to the drawings, there is shown an embodiment of 35 an electronic gaming system wherein the symbols of a plurality of predetermined symbol display positions within a symbol display are evaluated to determine whether a 2024216504   30 Aug 2024 symbol lock event should be triggered. When triggered, the electronic gaming system identifies symbols in the symbol display which contribute in combination with symbols in the predetermined symbol display positions to 5 at least part of an award configuration. These symbols and the symbols of the predetermined display positions are locked in a subsequent game. In a subsequent game the remaining symbols are modified by 10 selecting symbols from a symbol set for display at the respective ones of the symbol display positions. The modified symbol display is evaluated to determine whether to make and award and to make any determined award. 15 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 20 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 25 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 30 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 35 and / or visible gaming information to the player and receive gaming inputs from the player. The gaming machine could be in the form of many electronic devices including 2024216504   30 Aug 2024 PC, laptop, mobile phone. However, it will be understood that other arrangements are envisaged. For example, an architecture may be provided 5 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 10 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 system 1 has several 15 core components. At the broadest level, the core components are a player interface 50 and a game controller 60 as illustrated in Figure 1. The player interface is arranged to enable manual interaction between a player and the gaming system and for this purpose includes the 20 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 25 embodiment to embodiment but will typically include a credit mechanism 52 to enable a player to input credits and receive payouts, one or more displays 54, a game play mechanism 56 including one or more input devices that enable a player to input game play instructions (e.g. to 30 place a wager), and one or more speakers 58. The game controller 60 is in data communication with the player interface and typically includes a processor 62 that processes the game play instructions in accordance 35 with game play rules and outputs game play outcomes to the display. Typically, the game play rules are stored as program code in a memory 64 but can also be hardwired. 2024216504   30 Aug 2024 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 5 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 10 the display). Such processors are sometimes also referred to as central processing units (CPUs). Most processors are general purpose units, however, it is also known to provide a specific purpose processor using an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable 15 gate array (FPGA). A gaming system in the form of a standalone gaming machine 10 is illustrated in Figure 2. The gaming machine 10 includes a console 12 having a first video display 14. A 20 mid-trim 20 of the gaming machine 10 houses a bank of buttons 22 for enabling a player to interact with the gaming machine, in particular during game play. The video display 14 may also have a touch screen to enable the user to input instructions. The video display 14 shown in 25 Figure 2 is in the form of a video display unit, particularly a cathode ray tube device. Alternatively, the display 14 may be a liquid crystal display, plasma screen, any other suitable video display unit. The top box 26 has a secondary video which may be of the same type 30 as the display 14, or of a different type. While not shown in Figure 2, the mid-trim 20 also typically houses a credit input mechanism such as a coin input chute and a bill collector. Figure 2 also shows the 35 another credit input mechanism in the form of a player marketing module 50 having a reading device 52 for the purpose of reading a player tracking device, for example 2024216504   30 Aug 2024 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. The player marketing module 50 also allows 5 the player to 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. Other embodiments of gaming machines may have a ticket reader 10 for reading tickets having a value and crediting the player based on the face value of the ticker. Artwork and / or information may be provided on a front panel 29 of the console 12. A coin tray 30 is mounted 15 beneath the front panel 29 for dispensing cash payouts from the gaming machine 10. Figure 3 shows a block diagram of operative components of a typical gaming machine which may be the same as or 20 different to the gaming machine of Figure 2. The gaming machine 100 includes a game controller 101 having a processor 102 mounted on a circuit board. Instructions and data to control operation of the 25 processor 102 are stored in a memory 103, which is in data communication with the processor 102. Typically, the gaming machine 100 will include both volatile and nonvolatile memory and more than one of each type of memory, with such memories being collectively represented by the 30 memory 103. The gaming machine has hardware meters 104 for purposes including ensuring regulatory compliance and monitoring player credit, an input / output (I / O) interface 105 for 35 communicating with peripheral devices of the gaming machine 100. The input / output interface 105 and / or the peripheral devices may be intelligent devices with their 2024216504   30 Aug 2024 own memory for storing associated instructions and data for use with the input / output interface or the peripheral devices. A random number generator module 113 generates random numbers for use by the processor 102. Persons 5 skilled in the art will appreciate that the reference to random numbers includes pseudo-random numbers. In the example shown in Figure 3, a player interface 120 includes peripheral devices that communicate with the game 10 controller 101 including one or more displays 106, a touch screen and / or buttons 107 (which provide a game play mechanism), a card and / or ticket reader 108, a printer 109, a bill acceptor and / or coin input mechanism 110 and a coin output mechanism 111. Additional hardware may be 15 included as part of the gaming machine 100, 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 20 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 25 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 machine 100 may include a 30 communications interface, for example a network card 112. 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 35 controller, central controller, server or database. In embodiments employing a player marketing module, communications over a network may be via player marketing 2024216504   30 Aug 2024 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. 5 Figure 4 shows a block diagram of the main components of an exemplary memory 103. The memory 103 includes RAM 103A, EPROM 103B and a mass storage device 1030. The RAM 103A typically temporarily holds program files for execution by the processor 102 and related data. The 10 EPROM 103B may be a boot ROM device and / or may contain some system or game related code. The mass storage device 1030 is typically used to store game programs, the integrity of which may be verified and / or authenticated by the processor 102 using protected code from the EPROM 103B 15 or elsewhere. It is also possible for the operative components of the gaming machine 100 to be distributed, for example input / output devices 106,107,108,109,110,111 to be 20 provided remotely from the game controller 101. Figure 5 shows a gaming system 200 in accordance with an alternative embodiment. The gaming system 200 includes a network 201, which for example may be an Ethernet network. 25 Gaming machines 202, shown arranged in three banks 203 of two gaming machines 202 in Figure 5 are connected to the network 201. The gaming machines 202 provide a player operable interface and may be the same as the gaming machines 10,100 shown in Figures 2 and 3, or may have 30 simplified functionality depending on the requirements for implementing game play. While banks 203 of two gaming machines are illustrated in Figure 5, banks of one, three or more gaming machines are also envisaged. 35 One or more displays 204 may also be connected to the network 201. For example, the displays 204 may be associated with one or more banks 203 of gaming machines. 2024216504   30 Aug 2024 The displays 204 may be used to display representations associated with game play on the gaming machines 202, and / or used to display other representations, for example promotional or informational material. 5 In a thick client embodiment, game server 205 implements part of the game played by a player using a gaming machine 202 and the gaming machine 202 implements part of the game. With this embodiment, as both the game server and 10 the gaming device implement part of the game, they collectively provide a game controller. A database management server 206 may manage storage of game programs and associated data for downloading or access by the gaming devices 202 in a database 206A. Typically, if the 15 gaming system enables players to participate in a Jackpot game, a Jackpot server 207 will be provided to perform accounting functions for the Jackpot game. A loyalty program server 212 may also be provided. 20 In a thin client embodiment, game server 205 implements most or all of the game played by a player using a gaming machine 202 and the gaming machine 202 essentially provides only the player interface. With this embodiment, the game server 205 provides the game controller. The 25 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 30 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 35 incorporated herein by reference. Servers are also typically provided to assist in the 2024216504   30 Aug 2024 administration of the gaming network 200, including for example a gaming floor management server 208, and a licensing server 209 to monitor the use of licenses relating to particular games. An administrator terminal 5  210 is provided to allow an administrator to run the network 201 and the devices connected to the network. The gaming system 200 may communicate with other gaming systems, other local networks, for example a corporate 10 network, and / or a wide area network such as the Internet, for example through a firewall 211. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in accordance with known techniques, functionality at the 15 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 server 205 could run a random generator engine. 20 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 25 terminals. Further detail of gaming system The player operates the game play mechanism 56 to specify 30 a wager and hence the win entitlement which will be evaluated for this play of the game and initiates a play of the game. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a player's win entitlement will vary from game to game dependent on player selections. In most spinning reel 35 games, it is typical for the player's entitlement to be affected by the amount they wager and selections they make (i.e. the nature of the wager). For example, a player's 2024216504   30 Aug 2024 win entitlement may be based on how many lines they play in each game - e.g. a minimum of one line up to the maximum number of lines allowed by the game (noting that not all permutations of win lines may be available for 5 selection) and how much they wager per line. Such win lines are typically formed by a combination of symbol display positions, one from each reel, the symbol display positions being located relative to one another such that they form a line. 10 In many games, the player's win entitlement is not strictly limited to the lines they have selected, for example, "scatter" pays are awarded independently of a player's selection of paylines and are an inherent part of 15 the win entitlement. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in other embodiments, the player may obtain a win entitlement by selecting a number of reels to play and an amount to wager 20 per reel. Such games are marketed under the trade name "Reel Power" by Aristocrat Leisure Industries Pty Ltd. The selection of the reel means that each displayed symbol of the reel can be substituted for a symbol at one or more designated display positions. In other words, all symbols 25 displayed at symbol display positions corresponding to a selected reel can be used to form symbol combinations with symbols displayed at a designated, symbol display positions of the other reels. For example, if there are five reels and three symbol display positions for each 30 reel such that the symbol display positions comprise three rows of five symbol display positions, the symbols displayed in the centre row are used for non-selected reels. As a result, the total number of ways to win is determined by multiplying the number of active display 35 positions of each reel, the active display positions being all display positions of each selected reel and the designated display position of the non-selected reels. As 2024216504   30 Aug 2024 a result for five reels and fifteen display positions there are 243 ways to win. In Figure 6, the processor 62 of game controller 60 of 5 gaming system 1 is shown implementing a number of modules based on game program code 646 stored in memory 64. 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. 10 These modules include the outcome generator 620 which operates in response to the player's operation of game play mechanism 56 to place a wager and initiate a play of the game and generates a game outcome which will then be 15 evaluated by outcome evaluator 626. The first part of forming the game outcome is for a symbol selector 623 to select symbols from a set of symbols specified by symbol data 642 using random number generator 20  622 that are to make up a symbol display. The selected symbols are advised to the display controller 629 which causes them to be displayed as a symbol display on display 54 at a set of display positions. If wild symbols are to be incorporated into the final symbol display, in some 25 embodiments this may occur while the reels are spinning. In other embodiments, this may occur as the reels reach their stop positions. In other embodiments, this may occur after the reels have been stopped and the initially selected symbols have been displayed. In some embodiments, 30 some wilds may be added at different times. For example, single wilds and multi-wild symbols may be added as the reels are spinning while the single wilds stemming from the multi-wilds may be added after the reels have been stopped. 35 In one game embodiment the display positions of the symbol display are arranged in a matrix comprising a plurality of 2024216504   30 Aug 2024 columns and a plurality of rows. In the embodiment described below the symbol display is arranged as a rectangular matrix having five columns and four rows to provide twenty display positions. 5 The outcome generator 620 is arranged to generate one or more game outcomes. All outcomes are displayed on video display 54 under control of display controller 629. One example of generating a first game outcome is for the 10 symbol selector 623 to select symbols for display from symbol data in the form of a plurality of symbol sets 642 corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of reels. The symbol sets specify a sequence of symbols for each reel such that the symbol selector 623 can select all of 15 the symbols to be displayed for each reel by selecting a stopping position in the sequence randomly based on a result obtained from random number generator 622. It is known to use a probability table stored in memory 64 to vary the odds of a particular stop position being 20 selected. Other techniques can be used to control the odds of particular outcomes occurring to thereby control the return to player of the game. In embodiments adjacent symbol display positions may be 25 independent reels or may be a common reel. For example a column may include symbol display positions which all display symbols from a single reel. This can be referred to as a single strip. 30 In some embodiments, during a game reels can be locked. When a reel is locked, the symbol displayed on the reel is held for a subsequent game during which reels which are not locked are spun and the display symbol updated. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that when a reel 35 is spun and updated it may or may not display a different symbol depending on the final position of the reel. 2024216504   30 Aug 2024 In an embodiment, processor 62 executes an unlock game. The unlock game is independent of any base games being displayed on display 54. If a player obtains a successful outcome in the unlock game he is provided access to a 5 further game. The further game may be an additional base game or a feature game. In some embodiments a successful outcome in the unlock game may provide the player with access to other games or events. 10 Embodiments of the invention implement an unlock game. The unlock game is an independent game for which a winning outcome may result in a player being awarded access to additional 'unlocked' games. Unlock games may be displayed simultaneously with base games displayed on 15 display 54. On obtaining a winning result of the unlock game a player is awarded a win feature, for example a feature game or an additional base game. The win feature is 'unlocked' by the winning result. 20 Activation of an unlock game is triggered during a game sequence. Upon triggering an unlock game at 700, processor 62 retrieves unlock game code 646 from memory 64. Display controller 629 designates a position on display 54 for displaying the unlock game. The display 25 position may be specified within unlock game code 646. The unlock game includes displayed symbols. The symbols may be displayed at separate designated symbol display positions on video display 54 or may share a display position with the symbol display position for other games 30 being displayed on display 54. In some embodiments the symbol display for the unlock game is co-located with one or multiple symbol display positions of other displayed games . 35 On activation of the unlock game, game generator 620 generates one or more game outcomes for the unlock game at 710. The unlock game operates independently of any other 2024216504   30 Aug 2024 games displayed on display 54 and controlled by controller 62. The game outcome is displayed on video display 54 under control of display controller 629. In an example, symbol selector 623 selects symbols for display at the 5 designated position from unlock symbol set 642. The unlock symbol set specifies symbols associated with the unlock game. Symbol selector selects an unlock game symbol for display at the designated position based on a result obtained from random number generator 622. It is 10 known to use a probability table stored in memory 64 to vary the odds of a particular stop position being selected. Other techniques can be used to control the odds of particular outcomes occurring to control the return to player of the game. 15 The selected unlock game symbol is displayed at the designated positioned on the display. Outcome evaluator 626 determines whether the displayed symbol relates to a winning outcome based on winning unlock game data 647 20 stored in memory 64 at 720. In the event that the game outcome is a winning outcome at 730 a player may be awarded a prize at 740 in accordance with winning unlock game prize data 648. The prize may be 25 access to a feature game or access to an additional base game. In further embodiments the prize may entitle the player to further credits. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that the prize may take different forms depending on the game sequence. 30 In embodiments of the invention the unlock game may be displayed at an independent position on display 54 from any base games the player is currently playing. Alternatively the unlock game may be co-located with 35 display symbols of active base games. The symbols of the unlock game may be superimposed onto display symbols of base games. In embodiment the symbol position for an 2024216504   30 Aug 2024 unlock game corresponds to the symbol position for a base game. The symbols are directly overlaid and have the same sizing. In further embodiments the size of the symbol positions is different, for example when the unlock symbol 5 is bigger than the symbols for the base game the symbol position for the unlock game corresponds to multiple symbol positions for the base game. In embodiments of the invention the symbol set of the 10 unlock game may be different from the symbol set of base games displayed on display 54. The symbol set may include a designated 'unlock' symbol which identifies an unlock event. Alternatively, symbols used in other games may be designated as unlock symbols for the purpose of the unlock 15 game. In some embodiments, the symbol set for the unlock game includes an unlock symbol and blank symbols. In embodiments the unlock game may be played concurrently with base games. In such embodiments the symbol positions 20 for a base game and an unlock game are spun simultaneously. Alternatively, symbol positions for a base game are spun separately from those of a base game. For example, a base game may be executed and symbols selected for display before the unlock game is executed 25 and the unlock game display position spun. In embodiments the unlock symbols are arranged on a reel. A reel is a predefined sequence of the unlock symbols. On execution of an unlock game the random number generator 30  622 in combination with symbol selector 623 determines a display position for the reel. In an embodiment in which only a single symbol is displayed, the displayed symbol will be the symbol which corresponds to the display position of the reel. In further embodiments the random 35 number generator 622 and symbol selector generate a single symbol for display. 2024216504   30 Aug 2024 Examples An example of an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 8a, 8b and 8c, Figure 9 and with 5 further reference to Figure 6. Figure 8a shows a video display 800 controlled by game controller 60. Video display 800 includes six game windows 801 802 803 804 805 806. Each game window is 10 arranged to display a plurality of symbol display positions arranged in a rectangular matrix having five columns and four rows. Windows may be active, in which a game is displayed within the window and played by a player, or inactive, in which no game is displayed. 15 In Figure 8a game windows 801 802 are active. Game windows 803 804 805 806 are inactive. A base game defined in base game code 646 is displayed in active game windows 801 802. An unlock game defined in unlock game code 646 20 is displayed in active game window 802. The base game includes twenty symbols incorporating symbol display positions from each of the five columns and four rows. The unlock game includes one symbol displayed across the display positions of columns 812 813 814. The symbol of 25 the unlock game extends across twelve symbol positions. At 901 the outcome generator 620 generates a game outcome for the base games of windows 801 802. The game outcome is determined by the random number generator in 30 combination with symbol selector 623 using symbol sets of the base game from the symbol sets memory module 642. At 902 outcome generator 620 generates a game outcome for the unlock game of window 802. The game outcome is 35 determined by the random number generator in combination with symbol selector 623 using the symbol set of the unlock game from the symbol sets memory module 642. 2024216504   30 Aug 2024 The game outcomes are generated simultaneously by processor 62. In further embodiments game outcomes may be generated at separate times by processor 62. During 5 processing of the game outcomes or for a predetermined time period, display controller may display symbols in the symbol display positions. The symbols may be displayed as animated spinning reels. 10 At 905 display controller 629 determines which symbols should be displayed at the display positions of active windows 801 802. The unlock game code 646 defines the display requirements for the outcome symbols of the unlock game. The outcome symbols of the unlock game are 15 displayed in preference to any symbols from other games using the same display positions. At 905 display controller 629 determines the display requirements of the base game and unlock game and resolves 20 any conflicting display requirements. At 906 display controller 629 displays the game outcomes in windows 801 802 . Figure 8a shows the resulting display from step 906. A 25 first base game outcome is displayed in window 801. The outcome includes base game outcome symbols in each of the display positions of rows 811 812 813 815 816 and rows 821 822 823 824. The outcome of the game in window 801 is fully visible to the player. 30 Two games are played in window 802, a second base game and an unlock game. The base game uses all twenty of the display positions including rows 811 812 813 814 815 and rows 831 832 833 834. The unlock game uses display 35 positions of rows 812 813 814 and rows 831 832 833 834. Therefore, the unlock game uses twelve of the twenty display positions of window 802. As mentioned above, 2024216504   30 Aug 2024 unlock game code 646 identifies that the outcome symbols of unlocks games are displayed in preference to any symbols from other games using the same display positions. 5 In 802, the outcome of the unlock game is superimposed on the outcome of the base game in columns 812 813 814. Consequently, in window 802 display positions of columns 811 and 815 display the symbols of the outcome of the base game and columns 812 813 814 display the symbols of the 10 outcome of the unlock game. Outcome generator 620 has generated an outcome for the second base game for display in columns 812 813 814 of window 802 but display controller 629 has determined not to display those symbols at the current time. 15 At 907 unlock game outcome evaluator 627 determines the outcome of the unlock game. Winning combination data for the unlock game is retrieved from winning combination data memory module 648. In the example of Figure 8a the 20 Wonder4 Tower logo is a winning symbol. The winning outcome of the unlock game triggers an unlock event. Upon unlock game outcome evaluator 627 determining a winning outcome, window 803 is activated by display 25 controller 629, as shown in Figure 8b. In window 801 display controller 629 maintains the displayed outcome of the first base game. In window 802 display controller 629 replaces the unlock symbols with the outcome symbols from the second base game. In window 803 display controller 30 displays symbols identifying window 803 is unlocked. In the example of Figure 8b the unlock symbol is the Wonder4 Tower logo. The unlock symbol is animated in window 803 to identify to the player that the window is about to be unlocked. The unlocked symbol is displayed for a 35 predefined time period. In further embodiments the unlocked symbols may be displayed until a player interacts 2024216504   30 Aug 2024 with the game, for example provides input to initiate a new game . When the unlocked symbol is removed from window 803 a 5 third base game is displayed, as shown in Figure 8c. The third base game is then active. In further embodiments unlock games are triggered at various times during the game sequence. At each unlock 10 game a player plays the game to unlock the next inactive window until all windows are active. In an embodiment the unlock symbol set includes unlock symbols and blanks. In the event that the outcome of the 15 unlock game is unsuccessful the blank is displayed. The animation of the unlock game and base games can be controlled to spin the different reels at different times. In an embodiment the display controller animates the reels 20 of the base game spinning and stops reels of different display positions at different times. The unlock game reel is stopped as the last reel of the base game stops. Further aspects of the method will be apparent from the 25 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 30 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 35 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 2024216504   30 Aug 2024 values . As indicated above, the method may be embodied in program code. The program code could be supplied in a number of 5 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 memory 103) or as a data signal (for example, by transmitting it from a server). Further different parts of the program code can 10 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. 15 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. 20 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, 25 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.

Claims

1. A method of unlocking a second base game triggered during play of a first base game on an electronic5       gaming machine, the electronic gaming machineincluding a display configured to display three or more game windows for display of a plurality of base games including the first base game and the second base game, each of the game windows having an active10        and an inactive state, wherein in the active state agame is displayed within the window for play by a player, or in the inactive state no game is displayed, a player input interface including a plurality of buttons configured for operation by a15        player to input a wager from the established creditsand to initiate a play of a game, a credit input mechanism including at least one of a card reader, a ticket reader, a bill acceptor, and a coin input mechanism, the credit input mechanism configured to20        establish a credit balance that is increasable anddecreasable based on wagering activity, a meter configured for monitoring credits established via the credit input mechanism and changes to the established credits due to play of the gaming machine, a random25        number generator, and a game controller comprising aprocessor and memory storing (i) game program code defining games including said plurality of base games and one or more unlock games, and (ii) symbol data defining symbols which define virtual reels for30        display during the base games in respective ones ofthe three or more game windows, and one or more unlock symbols, and wherein the game controller is operable to assign prize values to combinations of symbols as required during play of the game, the35        method comprising:2024216504   30 Aug 202410202530initiating play of the game with a first game window and a second game window of the three or more game windows in the active state;displaying on the display in a first game window a first set of the virtual reels for the first base game, each virtual reel in the first set of virtual reels including a plurality of symbol positions upon which a corresponding plurality of symbols defined by the symbol data and selected using the random number generator are displayed, the first game window being associated with an unlock game defined by said game program code during a first play of the first base game ;displaying on the display in a second game window a second set of virtual reels for the second base game, the first game window being unlocked and the second game window being locked during the first play of the first base game;displaying on the display, by the game controller, a first play result for the first play of the first base game in the first game window;determining, by the game controller, a game outcome for an unlock game associated with the first game window, the game outcome for the unlock game indicating a winning outcome for the unlock game, wherein an unlock symbol display position is superimposed over one or more virtual reels of the first set of virtual reels in the first game window based on the winning outcome, and wherein at least one unlock symbol appears on the unlock symbol display position;in response to a winning outcome for the unlock game,unlocking the second game window for at least one subsequent play based on the winning outcome of the unlock game, the unlocking resulting in the second set of virtual reels2024216504   30 Aug 2024being spun during the at least one subsequent play; andupdating a further window of the three or more windows to an active state for subsequent5              game rounds;andawarding credits to the meter based on a total of the game outcome from the first play and the at least one subsequent play.

102. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the sets of virtual reels comprises a 3x5 matrix of display positions .15  3. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein an unlockanimation sequence is displayed when the second game window is unlocked.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the unlock symbol20        display position is superimposed over a 3x3 matrix ofdisplay positions of the first set of virtual reels.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the unlock symbol has a size equivalent to the 3x3 matrix of the unlock25        symbol display position.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the unlock symbol display position is substantially centered over one of the sets of virtual reels.

307. The method of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein unlocking the second game window for at least one subsequent spin further includes dissociating the unlock game from the first game window and35        associating the unlock game with the second gamewindow for the at least one subsequent spin.2024216504   30 Aug 20248. The method of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the game windows are activated in a sequence and when the further game window transitions to the active state, the unlock game is updated to be associated with a5        next game window in the sequence from the game windowin which the unlock outcome occurred.

9. An electronic gaming machine for, unlocking a second base game triggered during play of a first base game, 10       the electronic gaming machine comprising:a display configured to display three or more game windows for display of a plurality of base games including the base game and the second base game, each of the game windows having an active and an15        inactive state, wherein in the active state a game isdisplayed within the window for play by a player, or in the inactive state no game is displayed;a player input interface configured to receive player input, comprising a plurality of buttons20        configured for operation by a player to input a wagerfrom the established credits and to initiate a play of a game;a credit input mechanism including at least one of a card reader, a ticket reader, a bill acceptor, 25        and a coin input mechanism, the credit inputmechanism configured to establish a credit balance that is increasable and decreasable based on wagering activity;a meter configured for monitoring credits30       established via the credit input mechanism andchanges to the established credits due to play of the gaming machine;a random number generator; anda game controller comprising a processor and35        memory storing (i) game program code defining gamesincluding said plurality of base games, and (ii) symbol data defining virtual reels;2024216504   30 Aug 2024wherein the game controller is operable to assign prize values to combinations of symbols as required during play of the game, the game controller executing the game program code stored in the memory 5        and responsive to initiation of the play of the gamewith the player input interface to:initiate play of the game with a first game window and a second game window of the three or more game windows in the active state;10                  display on the display in the first gamewindow a first set of the virtual reels for the first base game, each virtual reel in the first set of virtual reels including a plurality of symbol positions upon which a corresponding15             plurality of symbols defined by the symbol dataand selected using the random number generator are displayed, the first game window being associated with an unlock game defined by said game program code during a first spin of the20              first base game;display on the display in the second game window a second set of virtual reels for the second base game, the first game window being unlocked and the second game window being locked25             during the first spin of the first base game;display on the display a first spin result for the first play of the first base game in the first game window; anddetermine a game outcome for the unlock30             game associated with the first game window, thegame outcome for the unlock game indicating a winning outcome for the unlock game, wherein an unlock symbol display position is superimposed over one or more virtual reels of the first set35             of virtual reels, and wherein at least oneunlock symbol defined by the symbol data and2024216504   30 Aug 2024selected by the controller appears on the unlock symbol display position;in response to a winning outcome for the unlock game,5                  unlock the second game window for at leastone subsequent play based on the winning outcome of the unlock game, the unlocking resulting in the second set of virtual reels being spun during the at least one subsequent play;10                  update a further window of the three ormore windows to an active state for subsequent game rounds; andaward credits to the meter based on a total of the game outcome from the first play and the15             at least one subsequent play.

10. The electronic gaming machine of claim 9, wherein each of the sets of virtual reels comprises a 3x5 matrix of display positions.2011. The electronic gaming machine of claim 9 or claim 10, wherein an unlock animation sequence is displayed when the second game window is unlocked.25  12. The electronic gaming machine of claim 10, whereinthe unlock symbol display position is superimposed over a 3x3 matrix of display positions of the first set of virtual reels.30  13. The electronic gaming machine of claim 12, whereinthe unlock symbol has a size equivalent to the 3x3 matrix of the unlock symbol display position.

14. The electronic gaming machine of claim 10, wherein35       the unlock symbol display position is substantiallycentered over one of the sets of virtual reels.2024216504   30 Aug 202415. The electronic gaming machine of any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein unlocking the second game window for at least one subsequent spin further includes dissociating the unlock game from the first game5       window and associating the unlock game with thesecond game window for the at least one subsequent spin .

16. The electronic gaming machine of any one of10        claims 9 to 15, wherein the game windows areactivated in a sequence and when the further game window transitions to the active state, the unlock game is updated to be associated with a next game window in the sequence from the game window in which15        the unlock outcome occurred.

Images