NZ703662A - System and method for conducting a tournament in a gaming network - Google Patents
System and method for conducting a tournament in a gaming networkInfo
- Publication number
- NZ703662A NZ703662A NZ703662A NZ70366215A NZ703662A NZ 703662 A NZ703662 A NZ 703662A NZ 703662 A NZ703662 A NZ 703662A NZ 70366215 A NZ70366215 A NZ 70366215A NZ 703662 A NZ703662 A NZ 703662A
- Authority
- NZ
- New Zealand
- Prior art keywords
- tournament
- play
- gaming machines
- period
- prize
- Prior art date
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- 230000000750 progressive Effects 0.000 claims description 7
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- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000004590 computer program Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 210000002381 Plasma Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000000969 carrier Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001276 controlling effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained Effects 0.000 description 1
Abstract
method for conducting tournament game play in a gaming network comprising a plurality of inter-linked gaming machines. The method comprise determining whether a tournament trigger condition has been met during a non-tournament play period during which players of the gaming machines are able to play respective primary games thereon. Responsive to determining that the tournament trigger condition has been met, a tournament entry period is commenced during which players of the gaming machines that meet a tournament participation criterion are offered the opportunity to enter a tournament in which a major tournament prize is awardable. Upon the tournament entry period closing, a tournament play period is commenced during which players of each of the interlinked gaming machines are able to continue play of the respective primary games. Responsive to determining that an award condition has been met during the tournament play period, the major tournament prize is awarded to the player of a gaming machine that has entered into the tournament based on an evaluation of data related to play of the primary games on the respective gaming machines during the tournament play period. y respective primary games thereon. Responsive to determining that the tournament trigger condition has been met, a tournament entry period is commenced during which players of the gaming machines that meet a tournament participation criterion are offered the opportunity to enter a tournament in which a major tournament prize is awardable. Upon the tournament entry period closing, a tournament play period is commenced during which players of each of the interlinked gaming machines are able to continue play of the respective primary games. Responsive to determining that an award condition has been met during the tournament play period, the major tournament prize is awarded to the player of a gaming machine that has entered into the tournament based on an evaluation of data related to play of the primary games on the respective gaming machines during the tournament play period.
Description
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONDUCTING A TOURNAMENT IN A GAMING
NETWORK
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system, apparatus and
method for conducting a tournament style game in a gaming
network. The invention has been developed primarily for use
with a plurality of inter-linked gaming machines in a gaming
establishment and will be described with reference to this
application. However, the invention is not limited to that
particular field of use and is also suitable for use with
online gaming, gaming machines that are distributed over a
plurality of gaming establishments, lotto, pools, lotteries,
art unions, bingo, raffles and other games involving one or
more wagers being placed on an outcome having a finite
probability of occurring.
Background of the Invention
The discussion of prior art within this specification is to
assist the addressee to understand the invention and is not an
admission to the extent of the common general knowledge in the
field of the invention and is included without prejudice.
Many modern-day gaming venues implement networked gaming
systems whereby multiple gaming devices are able to
communicate with a central controller, for example, to allow
the devices to participate in a linked game event, provide
remote monitoring/control of the game devices, etc.
One common form of linked game event is a tournament event,
whereby players of linked gaming machines are able to compete
against other players to win a tournament prize. Typically a
trigger (e.g. a symbol driven trigger) determined on one of
the gaming machines will cause the gaming machines to enter a
tournament mode whereby primary game play is suspended in
favour of the dedicated tournament game. While such linked
game events do increase player interest, they can be costly to
implement due to each of the gaming machines needing to be
specifically configured to run the dedicated tournament game.
Furthermore, while the dedicated tournament game is being
played the gaming venue loses out on revenue it would have
otherwise been receiving through play of the standard games on
the respective gaming machines.
Summary of the Invention
A first aspect of the invention provides a method for
conducting tournament game play in a gaming network comprising
a plurality of inter-linked gaming machines, the method
comprising:
determining whether a tournament trigger condition has
been met during a non-tournament play period during which
players of the gaming machines are able to play respective
primary games thereon;
responsive to determining that the tournament trigger
condition has been met, commencing a tournament entry period
during which players of the gaming machines that meet a
tournament participation criterion are offered the opportunity
to enter a tournament in which a major tournament prize is
awardable;
upon the tournament entry period closing, commencing a
tournament play period during which players of each of the
inter-linked gaming machines are able to continue play of the
respective primary games; and
responsive to determining that an award condition has
been met during the tournament play period, awarding the major
tournament prize to the player of a gaming machine that has
entered into the tournament based on an evaluation of data
related to play of the primary games on the respective gaming
machines during the tournament play period.
In an embodiment the data related to play of the primary games
comprises data indicative of funds won through play of the
primary games and wherein the major tournament prize is
awarded to the gaming machine which has accumulated the
greatest value of funds won during the tournament play period.
In an embodiment the method further comprises evaluating a win
meter for each of the gaming machines which records a number
of credits won through play of the respective primary game to
determine which of the gaming machines has accumulated the
greatest value of won funds.
In an embodiment the method further comprises displaying a
ranking during the tournament play period for each of the
gaming machines that have entered into the tournament based on
the current value of won funds as determined from the
respective win meters.
In an embodiment the method further comprises awarding a token
to players of inter-linked gaming machines that meet the
tournament participation criterion, the token being used to
enter into the current tournament or stored against a player
profile for use in entering into a future tournament where the
player has not met the tournament participation criterion.
In an embodiment the method further comprises awarding a minor
prize to all players of inter-linked gaming machines that meet
the tournament participation criterion.
In an embodiment the method further comprises requiring
players to forgo the minor prize in order to enter into the
tournament.
In an embodiment each of the inter-linked gaming machines
contribute a portion of turnover from play of the respective
primary games to a prize pool from which the tournament
prize(s) are funded.
In an embodiment the major tournament prize is a progressive
jackpot such that a value of the jackpot prize is
proportionate to a value of the prize pool.
In an embodiment the method further comprises allowing the
jackpot prize value to increase during the tournament entry
period through play of standard games on any one of the inter-
linked gaming machines.
In an embodiment the method further comprises displaying a
current jackpot prize value to players during the enrolment
period.
In an embodiment the tournament trigger condition takes into
consideration a current value of the prize pool and/or jackpot
prize.
In an embodiment the determination as to whether the
tournament trigger condition has been met is made in
independence of any standard game play outcomes achieved on
the gaming machines.
In an embodiment the determination as to whether the
tournament trigger condition has been met is made in
dependence of standard game play outcomes achieved on the
gaming machines.
In an embodiment the minor prize is an award of credits having
a fixed predefined value.
In an embodiment the minor prize is an award of credits having
a value proportionate to one of the major prize value and the
current prize pool value.
In an embodiment the tournament participation criteria is that
a player has achieved at least one of the following within a
predefined time period prior to commencement of the enrolment
period: completed at least a set number of plays of the
primary game; wagered at least a set number of credits on the
gaming machine; and accumulated at least a set value of funds
won through play of the primary game.
In an embodiment players of gaming machines that have not met
the tournament participation criteria are able to enter the
tournament through placing a separate tournament wager.
In an embodiment the tournament play period commences after
either a set period of time has elapsed post commencement of
the entry period, or after all players of the respective
gaming machines have either opted in or out of the tournament.
In an embodiment the method further comprises notifying
players of the gaming machines that the tournament play period
has commenced.
In an embodiment the award condition is that either a
predefined fixed time period or randomly determined time
period has elapsed since commencement of the tournament play
period.
In an embodiment the award condition is that a predefined
threshold of won funds has been accumulated by one of the
gaming machines that has entered into the tournament.
In accordance with a second aspect there is provided a method
for conducting tournament game play in a gaming network
comprising a plurality of inter-linked gaming machines, the
method comprising:
implementing win meters associated with each of the
gaming machines which are operable to record values of wins
from games played thereon;
determining whether a tournament trigger condition has
been met during a tournament trigger period during which
players of the gaming machines are able to play respective
primary games thereon;
entering gaming machines that meet a tournament
participation criterion into a tournament; and
commencing a tournament play period during which time win
meters associated with the gaming machines that have entered
the tournament are evaluated for determining a winner of a
tournament prize.
In an embodiment during the tournament play period players
continue to play the respective primary games and wherein the
tournament prize is awarded to the player who has accumulated
the greatest win value at the end of the period.
In an embodiment gaming machines that meet the tournament
participation criterion are entered into a dedicated
tournament game which is played to determine the winner of the
tournament prize.
In accordance with a third aspect there is provided a method
for conducting a tournament game in a gaming network
comprising a plurality of inter-linked gaming machines, the
method comprising:
implementing a machine interface for each inter-linked
gaming machine, the machine interface operable to communicate
with a processor of the respective gaming machine to record
data related to play of a primary game on the gaming machine;
determining whether a tournament trigger condition has
been met during a tournament trigger period during which
players of the gaming machines are able to play respective
primary games thereon;
entering one or more of the gaming machines that meet a
tournament participation criterion into the tournament; and
evaluating the recorded data for each gaming machine to
determine a winner of a tournament prize.
In an embodiment the method further comprises requiring each
player entering the tournament to register identification
details and whereby a ranking of each player during the
tournament play period is displayed in association with their
identification details.
In accordance with a fourth aspect there is provided a
tournament controller for a gaming system in which a plurality
of inter-linked gaming machines are operating, the tournament
controller comprising:
a tournament control module which is operable, under the
control of a processor, to:
(a) determine whether a tournament trigger condition
has been met during a non-tournament play period during
which players of the gaming machines are able to play
respective primary games thereon;
(b) responsive to determining that the tournament
trigger condition has been met, commence a tournament
entry period during which players of the gaming machines
that meet a tournament participation criterion are
offered the opportunity to enter a tournament in which a
major tournament prize is awardable;
(c) upon the tournament entry period closing, commence a
tournament play period during which players of each of the
inter-linked gaming machines are able to continue play of the
respective primary games; and
(d) responsive to determining that an award condition
has been met during the tournament play period, award the
major tournament prize to the player of a gaming machine that
has entered into the tournament based on an evaluation of data
related to play of the primary games on the respective gaming
machines during the tournament play period.
In accordance with a fifth aspect there is provided a
tournament controller for a gaming system comprising a
plurality of inter-linked gaming machines, the controller
comprising:
a processor operable to:
implement win meters associated with each of the
gaming machines, the meters being implementable to record
values of wins from games played on the corresponding
gaming machines;
determine whether a tournament trigger condition has
been met during a tournament trigger period during which
players of the gaming machines are able to play
respective primary games thereon
allow players of gaming machines that meet a
tournament participation criterion entry into a
tournament; and
commence a tournament play period during which time
the win meters associated with the gaming machines that
have entered the tournament are evaluated for determining
a winner of a tournament prize.
In accordance with a further aspect there is provided a
computer readable medium providing a computer program
comprising at least one instruction which, when executed by a
computer, is operable to implement the method in accordance
with any of the first through third aspects as described
above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described,
by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic view of a gaming device in accordance
with an embodiment;
Figure 2 is a schematic of a gaming system including a
plurality of inter-linked gaming devices according to an
embodiment; and
Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a
gaming device, in accordance with an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments relate to systems and methods for providing
tournament play to players of inter-linked gaming devices
operating in a gaming network. Embodiments advantageously
allow for tournament play to be provided on gaming devices
that have not been specifically configured to implement such
play. Particular embodiments also allow for tournament play to
be based on play of primary games (also commonly referred to
as “main games” which may or may not offer feature events as
will be understood by persons skilled in the art) for each of
the inter-linked gaming machines, thereby avoiding the need to
design and run a dedicated tournament game.
General Gaming Device Construction
Referring to Figure 1 there is shown an exemplary gaming
device 10 for use with a gaming network of the type typically
used in casinos. The gaming device 10 is in the form of an
electronic gaming machine (EGM) which includes various
standard components, such as a game controller 2 implementing
game logic for controlling the operation of the device and the
primary game which it runs. The device 10 comprises one or
more displays 3, such as plasma screen displays, for
displaying game screens. A player input means 4 is provided
for enabling a user to interact with the device 10 and may
include, for example, a bank of buttons 5 located in a mid-
trim of the device 10. The buttons 5 may alternatively or
additionally be provided as part of the display 3, in a touch-
screen type manner.
The device 10 also implements a note acceptor 7 (also commonly
referred to as a bill acceptor or validator) adapted to accept
bank notes as well as cashless instruments, such as paper
tickets or coupons, for inputting credits. The note acceptor
7 is additionally configured to accept and dispense notes and
tickets/coupons, for paying out winnings. A coin input chute
8 and output tray 9 are provided as an alternative means for
inputting credits and dispensing cash winnings, respectively.
The device 10 further incorporates a network interface
comprising various input and output ports for network
communications, as will be well understood by persons skilled
in the art.
The device 10 may also comprise a reading device (e.g. a card
scanner for reading a loyalty card or other form of portable
storage medium capable of being read by the card scanner)
which communicates with a player tracking module for providing
player tracking and loyalty type functions. According to the
presently described embodiment, the player tracking module is
implemented by a central controller (as will be described in
more detail in subsequent paragraphs). It will be understood,
however, that the player tracking module may be implemented by
other network connected elements. For example, the player
tracking module may be implemented by a dedicated external
player tracking system which is communicable with the gaming
device by way of the network interface.
Machine Interface Card
With additional reference to Figure 2, a plurality of the
Figure 1 gaming devices 10 are shown in communication with a
central controller 20 over a network 14 for the provision of
tournament play. According to the illustrated embodiment, the
gaming network 14 comprises a local area network (LAN),
although it will be understood that embodiments are not so
limited (e.g. the gaming devices could be communicable over a
WAN, or any suitable secure network arrangement).
To allow the gaming devices 10 to communicate with the central
controller 20 (and thereby participate in the tournament),
they are each provided with a machine interface card 11 (as
shown in detail for the first gaming device 10a). The
interface card 11 connects to the respective gaming device by
way of a suitable interface port on the network interface and
includes the appropriate network componentry for communicating
with the central controller 20 (e.g. using SAS protocol).
More particularly, the machine interface card 11 comprises a
processor which is operable to implement a tournament game
module 12 which is communicable with the corresponding game
device 10 for receiving data related to play of the primary
game. According to the illustrated embodiment, such data
includes data indicative of coin in values, number of games
played and prize values won through play of the primary game,
which data is subsequently communicated to the central
controller 20 for use in determining a tournament winner (as
will be described in more detail in subsequent paragraphs).
It will be understood that the data related to play of the
primary game may include any gaming data that is determined by
the gaming device processor 2 and communicable to the network
interface.
The tournament game module 12 is also operable to provide
other tournament related functions, including displaying
tournament related information on the gaming device display
(or some other display viewable by a player), receiving player
instructions related to tournament play and updating in-
machine credit meters based on tournament prizes. According
to the illustrated embodiment, the tournament game module 12
is capable of interrupting a gaming device display signal to
display the tournament related information (e.g. overlaying,
or resizing and utilising the additional real estate of the
primary game screen).
It will be understood that the machine interface card 11 may
be implemented as any suitable combination of programmed logic
circuitry, including, for example, hardware, software or a
combination thereof.
Detail of the Central Controller
According to the presently described embodiment, the central
controller 20 takes the form of a server computer (hereafter
central server) which implements three main modules (described
below), under the control of a processor 22 and based on
program code stored in memory 24. The central server
communicates with the gaming devices 10, via the machine
interface card 11. The central server 20 includes a display
controller 30 for causing a display screen 32 to display
information relating to tournament game play, including
tournament prize values, player rankings and tournament prize
winners.
A management and accounting module 34 provides management and
accounting functions, also sometimes called auditing
functions. Typically, these functions gather and/or report
coin-in and coin-out operations, door openings (e.g., when a
gaming device is serviced), service cycles in general, ticket
replacements, and the like. This activity generally is linked
to the game being played on the gaming device and/or the
gaming device itself.
A player tracking module 36 provides player tracking
functions. More specifically, such systems link players of
gaming devices to particular activities undertaken by the
players. The information typically tracked for each player
includes, for example, the session of game play (e.g., date,
time, location, type of machine, type of game, etc.) as well
as the individual's profile (e.g., name, address, and/or other
identifying information). In an alternative embodiment, the
central controller 20 may only record minimum player tracking
information required to implement tournament play (e.g. unique
information entered by a player to record tokens and display
player rankings, as will be discussed in more detail below).
In yet another alternative embodiment, the central
controller 20 may communicate with an external player tracking
system to obtain the relevant player tracking information for
permitting tournament play.
A tournament control module 38 is operable to administer
tournament play. According to the illustrated embodiment,
tournament play involves evaluating funds won through primary
game play on the gaming machines during a tournament play
period and awarding a prize to the player who has accumulated
the greatest value of won funds, upon determining that an
award condition has been met. In alternative embodiments, the
tournament control module 38 may evaluate other data related
to primary game play (i.e. communicated by the respective
machine interfaces 11) to determine the tournament winner.
For example, the control module 38 may evaluate total coin in
with the tournament prize awarded to the player that has
recorded the greatest total coin in value for the tournament
play period. As another example, the control module 38 may
evaluate both total coin in and won funds values and award the
prize to the player who has achieved the smallest total net
loss (i.e. coin in less won funds) for the tournament play
period. In yet a further example, the control module 38 may
evaluate the number of games played by each player during the
tournament play period with the prize awarded to the player
who has played the most games. In particular embodiment, the
control module 38 may evaluate primary game play outcomes
during the tournament play period for determining player
rankings in the tournament. For example, the control
module 38 may evaluate the number of successful double ups
within the primary game with the prize awarded to the player
who has achieved the greatest number of successful double ups
during the tournament play period. It will be appreciated
that these are but a number of examples illustrating types of
data communicable from the machine interface 11 that could be
evaluated for determining tournament player rankings.
Tournament play can thus be achieved without needing the game
controllers 2 of the networked gaming devices 10 to be
specially configured to implement a tournament game, thereby
allowing any standard gaming device 10 which implements a
machine interface card 11 (as previously described) to
participate in tournament play. Another advantage arising
through such an implementation is that the tournament prize
may be self-funding (i.e. players effectively use their own
money to race for the tournament prize).
In order to achieve the above described functionality, the
tournament control module 38 is operable to communicate with
the respective machine interface cards 11 for receiving the
data related to play of the primary game (which for the
purposes of illustration will hereafter be described based on
the won funds data example outlined above). A ranking table
is stored in memory 24 which records for each participating
gaming device 10 a current accumulated value of funds won
during a tournament play period (based on the won funds data
received from each of the machine interface cards 11
throughout the tournament play period). At the end of the
tournament play period the ranking table is reset, ready for
commencement of the next tournament.
The tournament control module 38 is also operable to
administer a tournament prize pool which funds a progressive
jackpot prize awardable to a winner of the tournament. In
this regard, it will be understood that gaming activity on the
gaming devices 10 results in a progressive prize pool value
being incremented. According to the presently described
embodiment, a percentage of each wager placed by players of
the gaming devices 10 on the respective primary games is
allocated to the progressive prize pool.
Finally, the necessary conditions and criterion for
determining when to trigger tournament play, when to award a
tournament prize and the like are stored in memory 24 in a
rule store.
Tournament Play
According to the illustrated embodiment, tournament play
consists of three distinct periods, namely a tournament
trigger period; enrolment period and tournament play period.
Each of the three periods will now be described with reference
to the flow diagram of Figure 3.
In a first step S1, the tournament control module 38 evaluates
relevant trigger condition parameters to determine whether a
tournament trigger condition has been met during a tournament
trigger period. During this period players of each of the
gaming devices 10 are able to play primary games (which may or
may not be the same primary game for each gaming device) in
the usual manner, with a portion of turnover from each wager
allocated to the prize pool. In a particular embodiment, the
tournament trigger condition is that a value of the
progressive jackpot prize has reached a predefined amount, a
randomly determined amount (i.e. within some predefined range
set by the tournament control module 38), or that some
randomly determined or fixed time period has expired. The
current jackpot prize value as well as the predefined or
randomly determined amount/range/time may or may not be
displayed to players (e.g. on the display screen 32),
depending on the desired implementation. It will be
understood that other tournament trigger conditions may
equally be implemented depending only on the desired
implementation. For example, the tournament trigger condition
may be that some predefined symbol combination or game play
outcome has been achieved on one of the gaming devices 10
(i.e. as determined from the data output by the machine
interface 11).
At step S2, responsive to determining that the tournament
trigger condition has been met, the tournament control
module 38 commences an enrolment period. At step S3, players
of gaming devices that have met a tournament participation
criterion are awarded a minor tournament prize, which they
must forfeit/exchange in order to enter the tournament (step
S4). According to the presently described embodiment, the
tournament participation criteria is that at least one wager
has been placed on the primary game within some predefined
time period (e.g. 30 seconds) prior to commencement of the
enrolment period. It will be understood that other tournament
participation criteria are equally applicable, including, for
example, criteria that take into consideration, wager amounts,
won funds, number of plays, etc. within the predefined period
leading up to commencement of the enrolment period.
The minor tournament prize make take the form of any one or
more of the following:
• machine credits paid to the credit meter of the
respective gaming devices 10
• a cash prize which may be made from a local cash hopper,
funds permitting, or by payment to an account or a
smartcard, by issuing of a voucher which may be
redeemable at a cashier, etc.
• a token which can be used by the player to either
entering into the current tournament or saved for entry
into a future tournament where their gaming device has
not met the participation criterion. The token may be
stored against their player profile by the player
tracking module using the details entered during the
player registration information entered by the player at
the EGM, or a player accounting system provided by a
third party.
Where the minor prize takes the form of cash or credits, the
prize may be funded from the prize pool. Depending on the
desired implementation, the value may be a set fixed value or
a value which is proportionate to the size of the pool. In an
alternative embodiment, the prize may be funded by the gaming
venue. The minor prize value may be displayed to the players,
for example on their gaming device display or the tournament
display screen 32.
Still with reference to step S4, the tournament control
module 38 may instruct the tournament game module 12 to
display a tournament entry interface screen on the respective
game device for allowing the player to make their selection as
to whether or not they wish to partake in tournament play
(i.e. to forfeit/exchange the award or tokens for entry into
the tournament, or retain the award and forgo play in the
current tournament). The interface may interrupt the normal
game play screen so that play is interrupted until the player
has made their selection, or alternatively be displayed
together with the normal game play screen allowing players to
continue placing wagers on the primary game while the
interface is displayed. In a particular embodiment, players
who wish to enter the tournament may also be asked to enter
player identification registration details which are recorded
in the player ranking table. After a predefined period of
time, the tournament control module closes the enrolment
period. It will be understood that the jackpot prize may
continue to increase in value during the enrolment period
based on wagers placed on the primary games during this
period.
In a particular embodiment, where a player has not qualified
for entry into the current tournament they may be allowed to
place a dedicated tournament wager of some predefined value in
order to qualify for entry, or use a previously retained
token. The tournament wager value may be a fixed value, a
value which is proportionate the jackpot prize value, or some
other suitable value determined by the gaming venue.
At step S5, a tournament play period commences and a suitable
notification is displayed to players who have entered the
tournament, e.g. by way of the gaming device display or
central display screen 32. Thereafter, players continue to
play their gaming machines in the normal manner (i.e. such
that they continue to wager credits for primary game play with
winning credits being added to their credit meter, but which
credits are also communicated to the controller for
determining player rankings). The player rankings are
continuously displayed on the central display screen 32 during
tournament play period (a personalised player ranking may also
be displayed on the individual gaming device displays, e.g.
“you are currently 28 out of 45 players”). As for the
enrolment period, the major tournament prize may increase in
value during the tournament period through primary game play
on the gaming devices 10.
In response to an award condition being met during the
tournament play period (as determined in step S6), the
tournament control module 38 evaluates the accumulated won
funds for each player (or whatever relevant primary game data
is being used to determine player rankings), for determining a
tournament winner. It will be understood that the jackpot
award condition may vary depending on the desired
implementation, but may include, for example, any one of the
following conditions:
• a predefined time period has elapsed;
• a randomly determined time period within a set range has
elapsed;
• the jackpot prize has reached a predefined value;
• the jackpot prize has reached a randomly determined value
between a set range;
According to the embodiment described herein, the major
tournament prize is in the form of a jackpot prize which is
awarded when an accrued turnover amount for the prize pool
reaches a predetermined threshold. Such a system is disclosed
in co-pending PCT application no. , which is
incorporated herein by reference. In this kind of system, the
tournament control module 38 stores in memory 24 data
indicative of a predefined jackpot value and of an accrued
prize value. The jackpot trigger condition is met when the
accrued prize value reaches the predetermined jackpot value.
In step S6, according to the illustrated embodiment, the
jackpot prize is awarded to the player who has accumulated the
greatest value of won funds (i.e. credits) since the
tournament play period commenced . After the major tournament
prize has been awarded (step S7), the ranking table is
subsequently reset before play returns to step S1. The major
tournament prize may be awarded using any of the techniques as
previously described for the minor tournament prize.
In an alternative embodiment to that described above, upon
commencement of the tournament play period, the tournament
game modules (under instruction from the tournament control
module) may cause the displays of the respective gaming
devices to display a dedicated tournament game to the players.
For example, the tournament game may comprise a simulated
table game, such as baccarat with the minor prize being used
to fund player wagers. Play of the dedicated tournament game
may be controlled by the tournament control module 38 or by
the individual tournament game modules 12. It will be
understood that for such an embodiment, the tournament game
modules 12 would need to interact with the respective game
controllers 2 to receive player inputs for play of the
dedicated tournament game or receive player instructions from
some other input means (e.g. the machine interface cards 11
may provide their own player inputs). In this regard, the
dedicated tournament game could be displayed overlaying the
primary game screen, or the primary game screen could be
resized to allow the player to view the selections in the
additional screen real estate provided by the resizing of the
primary game screen. In yet another alternative embodiment, a
separate game display could be provided for displaying the
tournament game.
It will be understood that the major tournament prize may take
forms other than a progressive jackpot prize. For example,
the major tournament prize may include any form of monetary
prize or award of credits the value of which may or may not be
related to a size of the prize pool. In a particular
embodiment, the major tournament prize is randomly selectable
from a group of prizes having different prize types and/or
values. In a particular embodiment the major tournament prize
may be a non-monetary prize, such as loyalty points, reward
points, coupons, etc.
Embodiments could provide tournament play for separate or
multiple banks of gaming machines in a venue, with the
possibility of having bank or area winners as well as major
winners. The tournament could be implemented across multiple
gaming venues (e.g. across as WAN). Again this may involve
providing bank, area and venue prize winners.
In an alternative embodiment to that described above, the
tournament play period for each player may end at a different
time. For example, the tournament play period may last for
some predefined number of spins/plays of a game (e.g. the
tournament play period may end after 100 spins), such that
some players may complete the required number of spins before
other players. In this case, the ranking displayed to players
may include current player spin number, score, and position in
tournament (e.g. 54 /528). An advantage of having the
tournament play period being spin/play based is that it more
closely replicates a race, in turn increasing player
excitement.
Some embodiments of the invention are provided in a single
gaming establishment in which the user-operable terminals are
gaming machines at the establishment. In alternative
embodiments, the gaming devices are distributed among a number
of such establishments or other locations and/or include other
devices such as personal computers. In such latter cases,
communication between the devices and the central controller
is effected for example by means of an existing network, such
as the internet, or by telephone dial-up or radio
communication or by a combination of the above.
In further embodiments, systems according to the invention are
provided in, or in combination with, the systems disclosed in
co-pending Australian patent application numbers 2005901326,
2004906409, PCT patent applications numbers:
, , ,
, , ,
, and PCT publication numbers
Al, Al, the full contents of each of which is
herein incorporated by reference. Furthermore, the
functionality of various components, such as the central
controller, have been described as being performed by distinct
devices, such as dedicated integrated circuits. However, in
preferred embodiments, all or any combination of their
functionality is instead performed by multi-purpose integrated
circuits or implemented in software executed on a
microprocessor. Particularly in such cases, the invention is
additionally embodied in a computer program or in a computer
program in a data signal or stored on a data carrier.
Claims (29)
1. A method for conducting tournament game play in a gaming network comprising a plurality of inter-linked gaming machines, the method comprising: determining whether a tournament trigger condition has been met during a non-tournament play period during which players of the gaming machines are able to play respective primary games thereon; responsive to determining that the tournament trigger condition has been met, commencing a tournament entry period during which players of the gaming machines that meet a tournament participation criterion are offered the opportunity to enter a tournament in which a major tournament prize is awardable; upon the tournament entry period closing, commencing a tournament play period during which players of each of the inter-linked gaming machines are able to continue play of the respective primary games; and responsive to determining that an award condition has been met during the tournament play period, awarding the major tournament prize to the player of a gaming machine that has entered into the tournament based on an evaluation of data related to play of the primary games on the respective gaming machines during the tournament play period.
2. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the data related to play of the primary games comprises data indicative of funds won through play of the primary games and wherein the major tournament prize is awarded to the gaming machine which has accumulated the greatest value of funds won during the tournament play period.
3. A method in accordance with claim 2, further comprising evaluating a win meter for each of the gaming machines which records a number of credits won through play of the respective primary game to determine which of the gaming machines has accumulated the greatest value of won funds.
4. A method in accordance with claim 2 or 3, further comprising displaying a ranking during the tournament play period for each of the gaming machines that have entered into the tournament based on the current value of won funds as determined from the respective win meters.
5. A method in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, further comprising awarding a token to players of inter-linked gaming machines that meet the tournament participation criterion, the token being used to enter into the current tournament or stored against a player profile for use in entering into a future tournament where the player has not met the tournament participation criterion.
6. A method in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising awarding a minor prize to all players of inter-linked gaming machines that meet the tournament participation criterion.
7. A method in accordance with claim 6, further comprising requiring players to forgo the minor prize in order to enter into the tournament.
8. A method in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the inter-linked gaming machines contribute a portion of turnover from play of the respective primary games to a prize pool from which the tournament prize(s) are funded.
9. A method in accordance with claim 8, wherein the major tournament prize is a progressive jackpot such that a value of the jackpot prize is proportionate to a value of the prize pool.
10. A method in accordance with claim 9, further comprising allowing the jackpot prize value to increase during the tournament entry period through play of standard games on any one of the inter-linked gaming machines.
11. A method in accordance with claim 9 or 10, further comprising displaying a current jackpot prize value to players during the enrolment period.
12. A method in accordance with any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the tournament trigger condition takes into consideration a current value of the prize pool and/or jackpot prize.
13. A method in accordance with any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the determination as to whether the tournament trigger condition has been met is made in independence of any standard game play outcomes achieved on the gaming machines.
14. A method in accordance with any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the determination as to whether the tournament trigger condition has been met is made in dependence of standard game play outcomes achieved on the gaming machines.
15. A method in accordance with any one of the preceding claims when dependent on claim 6, wherein the minor prize is an award of credits having a fixed predefined value.
16. A method in accordance with any one of the preceding claims when dependent on claim 6, wherein the minor prize is an award of credits having a value proportionate to one of the major prize value and the current prize pool value.
17. A method in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tournament participation criteria is that a player has achieved at least one of the following within a predefined time period prior to commencement of the enrolment period: completed at least a set number of plays of the primary game; wagered at least a set number of credits on the gaming machine; and accumulated at least a set value of funds won through play of the primary game.
18. A method in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein players of gaming machines that have not met the tournament participation criteria are able to enter the tournament through placing a separate tournament wager.
19. A method in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tournament play period commences after either a set period of time has elapsed post commencement of the entry period, or after all players of the respective gaming machines have either opted in or out of the tournament.
20. A method in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, further comprising notifying players of the gaming machines that the tournament play period has commenced.
21. A method in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the award condition is that either a predefined fixed time period or randomly determined time period has elapsed since commencement of the tournament play period.
22. A method in accordance with claims 2 or 3, wherein the award condition is that a predefined threshold of won funds has been accumulated by one of the gaming machines that has entered into the tournament.
23. A method for conducting tournament game play in a gaming network comprising a plurality of inter-linked gaming machines, the method comprising: implementing win meters associated with each of the gaming machines which are operable to record values of wins from games played thereon; determining whether a tournament trigger condition has been met during a tournament trigger period during which players of the gaming machines are able to play respective primary games thereon; entering gaming machines that meet a tournament participation criterion into a tournament; and commencing a tournament play period during which time win meters associated with the gaming machines that have entered the tournament are evaluated for determining a winner of a tournament prize.
24. A method of conducting a tournament in accordance with claim 23, wherein during the tournament play period players continue to play the respective primary games and wherein the tournament prize is awarded to the player who has accumulated the greatest win value at the end of the period.
25. A method in accordance with claim 23, wherein gaming machines that meet the tournament participation criterion are entered into a dedicated tournament game which is played to determine the winner of the tournament prize.
26. A method for conducting tournament game play in a gaming network comprising a plurality of inter-linked gaming machines, the method comprising: implementing a machine interface for each inter-linked gaming machine, the machine interface operable to communicate with a processor of the respective gaming machine to record data related to play of a primary game on the gaming machine; determining whether a tournament trigger condition has been met during a tournament trigger period during which players of the gaming machines are able to play respective primary games thereon; entering one or more of the gaming machines that meet a tournament participation criterion into the tournament; and evaluating the recorded data for each gaming machine to determine a winner of a tournament prize.
27. A method in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, further requiring each player entering the tournament to register identification details and whereby a ranking of each player during the tournament play period is displayed in association with their identification details.
28. A tournament controller for a gaming system in which a plurality of inter-linked gaming machines are operating, the tournament controller comprising: a tournament control module which is operable, under the control of a processor, to: (a) determine whether a tournament trigger condition has been met during a non-tournament play period during which players of the gaming machines are able to play respective primary games thereon; (b) responsive to determining that the tournament trigger condition has been met, commence a tournament entry period during which players of the gaming machines that meet a tournament participation criterion are offered the opportunity to enter a tournament in which a major tournament prize is awardable; (c) upon the tournament entry period closing, commence a tournament play period during which players of each of the inter-linked gaming machines are able to continue play of the respective primary games; and (d) responsive to determining that an award condition has been met during the tournament play period, award the major tournament prize to the player of a gaming machine that has entered into the tournament based on an evaluation of data related to play of the primary games on the respective gaming machines during the tournament play period.
29. A tournament controller for a gaming system comprising a plurality of inter-linked gaming machines, the controller comprising: a processor operable to: implement win meters associated with each of the gaming machines, the meters being implementable to record values of wins from games played on the corresponding gaming machines; determine whether a tournament trigger condition has been met during a tournament trigger period during which players of the gaming machines are able to play respective primary games thereon allow players of gaming machines that meet a tournament participation criterion entry into a tournament; and commence a tournament play period during which time the win meters associated with the gaming machines that have entered the tournament are evaluated for determining a winner of a tournament prize.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2014900096 | 2014-01-13 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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NZ703662A true NZ703662A (en) |
Family
ID=
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US11244532B2 (en) | 2019-03-01 | 2022-02-08 | Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited | Digital lobby and multi-game metamorphics |
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US11928930B2 (en) | 2018-10-05 | 2024-03-12 | Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. | Systems and methods for providing dynamic rewards |
US11055951B2 (en) | 2019-03-01 | 2021-07-06 | Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited | Individual metamorphic linked jackpots |
US11244532B2 (en) | 2019-03-01 | 2022-02-08 | Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited | Digital lobby and multi-game metamorphics |
US11462077B2 (en) | 2019-03-01 | 2022-10-04 | Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited | Controlling an electronic gaming machine to provide a bonus feature opportunity |
US11514746B2 (en) | 2019-03-01 | 2022-11-29 | Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited | Individual metamorphic linked jackpots |
US11790724B2 (en) | 2019-03-01 | 2023-10-17 | Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited | Individual metamorphic linked jackpots |
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US11636735B2 (en) | 2019-08-07 | 2023-04-25 | Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. | Sticky wilds feature for tournament gaming for electronic gaming machines and other computing devices |
US11887440B2 (en) | 2019-08-07 | 2024-01-30 | Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. | Tournament gaming system with all wins multiplier mode |
US11763634B2 (en) | 2019-10-10 | 2023-09-19 | Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. | Tournament gaming for electronic gaming machines and other computing devices |
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