Method and apparatus to provide a game feature

Abstract

A game feature providing method and gaming machine are disclosed. The method comprises providing a game in which outcomes are generated and evaluated and wherein a prize is awarded for a winning outcome. The method comprises archiving at least part of each game outcome. Upon occurrence of a feature-triggering outcome in the game, the method comprises re-evaluating a number of archived game outcomes according to new rules or new criteria. For its part, the gaming machine comprises game controller means generating and evaluating game outcomes, display means providing the outcomes to a player, memory means archiving at least part of each one of the game outcomes, and awarding means awarding a prize for a winning outcome. The gaming machine game controller means is adapted, upon occurrence of a triggering event, to re-evaluate a number of archived game outcomes according to at least one of new rules or new criteria.

1 . A method of providing a game feature comprising: 
 providing a game in which game outcomes are generated and evaluated and wherein a prize is awarded for a winning outcome;    archiving at least part of each of said game outcomes; and    upon occurrence of a feature-triggering outcome in said game, re-evaluating a number of archived game outcomes according to at least one of (a) new rules, and (b) new criteria.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the number of game outcomes comprises one of (a) predetermined, (b) randomly determined, and (c) determined according to the triggering event.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising displaying said archived game outcomes.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving a player input that influences said game outcome archiving.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising limiting the number of said archived game outcomes.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising modifying archived game outcomes upon fulfillment of a predetermined criterion.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said archived game outcome modification is one of (a) modifying the number of said archived game outcomes, and (b) modifying an archived game outcome to create a feature outcome.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising rewarding the player according to said feature outcome.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving betting information from the player, wherein at least one of (a) a feature outcome value, (b) a feature participation, (c) a feature participation criterion, and (d) an archiving criterion, is established according to said betting information.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising tallying information over a plurality of game outcomes, wherein said tallied information is used to a least one of (a) trigger said feature game, and (b) influence the application of said feature game.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said game comprises one of a line game, a poker, a blackjack, a keno, a lotto, a bingo, a card game, and a dice game.  
   
   
       12 . A gaming machine for providing a game feature comprising: 
 game controller means generating and evaluating outcomes;    display means providing said outcomes to a player;    memory means archiving at least part of each one of said game outcomes; and    awarding means awarding a prize for a winning outcome, wherein the game controller means is adapted, upon occurrence of a triggering event, to re-evaluate a number of archived game outcomes according to at least one of (a) new rules, and (b) new criteria.    
   
   
       13 . The gaming machine of  claim 12 , further comprising input means allowing said player to influence archiving of game outcomes.  
   
   
       14 . The gaming machine of  claim 12 , wherein said display means further provides said archived game outcomes.  
   
   
       15 . The gaming machine of  claim 12 , wherein the game controller means further modifies archived game outcomes upon fulfillment of a predetermined criterion.  
   
   
       16 . The gaming machine of  claim 12 , further comprising storage means for storing archived game outcomes identified to a player at the end of a play session with possibility for said player to retrieve said archived game outcomes at the beginning of a new play session.  
   
   
       17 . A computer program embodied in an electric or an electromagnetic carrier signal having codes adapted, when performed by a CPU of a device, adapted to: 
 provide a game in which game outcomes are generated and evaluated and wherein a prize is awarded for a winning outcome;    archive at least part of each of said game outcomes; and    upon occurrence of a feature-triggering outcome in said game, re-evaluate a number of archived game outcomes according to at least one of (a) new rules, and (b) new criteria.    
   
   
       18 . A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium or processor-readable memory having codes adapted, when performed by a CPU of a device, adapted to: 
 provide a game in which game outcomes are generated and evaluated and wherein a prize is awarded for a winning outcome;    archive at least part of each of said game outcomes; and    upon occurrence of a feature-triggering outcome in said game, re-evaluate a number of archived game outcomes according to at least one of (a) new rules, and (b) new criteria.