Gaming machine with base game bonus feature

Abstract

A gaming machine has a display and a game controller arranged to control images of symbols displayed on the display. The game controller is arranged to play a game wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display. If a predefined winning event occurs, the machine awards a prize. Further, if an appropriate determination is made by the controller during the playing of a base game, a game bonus feature is triggered. The game bonus feature comprises both a series of free games of the base game and a secondary feature of the base game. The gaming machine includes a selector operable by a player to be awarded either the series of free games or the secondary feature of the base game.

1 . A gaming machine having a display means and a game control means arranged to control images of symbols displayed on the display means, the game control means being arranged to play a game wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display means and, if a predefined winning event occurs, the machine awards a prize, wherein, if an appropriate determination is made by the control means during the playing of a base game, a game bonus feature is triggered, the game bonus feature comprising both a series of free games of the base game and a secondary feature of the base game, and the gaming machine including a selecting means operable by a player to be awarded one of the series of free games and the secondary feature of the base game.  
   
   
       2 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  which includes a composite feature comprising a plurality of bonus features, the bonus features being independent of each other, the game bonus feature forming part of the composite feature.  
   
   
       3 . The gaming machine of  claim 2  in which, in order to be eligible for the composite feature and, hence, the game bonus feature, the player needs to wager an additional amount over and above a standard game wager.  
   
   
       4 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  in which, if the game bonus feature is triggered by the control means, a second screen is displayed to afford the player an opportunity to make a selection.  
   
   
       5 . The gaming machine of  claim 4  in which the second screen comprises a plurality of devices displayed on the second screen with the player having to select one of the devices by means of the selecting means.  
   
   
       6 . The gaming machine of  claim 5  in which the selecting means is implemented by a touch-sensitive part of the display means overlying the devices.  
   
   
       7 . The gaming machine of  claim 5  in which the selecting means comprises a button on a midtrim of the gaming machine.  
   
   
       8 . The gaming machine of  claim 5  in which, when the player has made the selection, the selected device animates to reveal one of a plurality of outcomes each of which is either a number of free games of the base game or an automatic trigger or entry to the secondary feature of the base game.  
   
   
       9 . A game to be played on a game playing apparatus, the game playing apparatus having a display means and a game control means arranged to control images displayed on the display means, wherein, if an appropriate determination is made by the control means during the playing of a base game, a game bonus feature is triggered, the game bonus feature comprising both a series of free games of the base game and a secondary feature of the base game and a player being required to operate a selecting means of the game playing apparatus to be awarded one of the series of free games and the secondary feature of the base game.  
   
   
       10 . The game of  claim 9  which includes a composite feature comprising a plurality of bonus features, the bonus features being independent of each other, the game bonus feature forming part of the composite feature.  
   
   
       11 . The game of  claim 10  in which, in order to be eligible for the composite feature and, hence, the game bonus feature, the player needs to wager an additional amount over and above a standard game wager.  
   
   
       12 . The game of  claim 9  in which, if the game bonus feature is triggered by the control means, a second screen is displayed to afford the player an opportunity to make a selection.  
   
   
       13 . The game of  claim 12  in which the second screen comprises a plurality of devices displayed on the second screen with the player having to select one of the devices by means of the selecting means of the game playing apparatus.  
   
   
       14 . The game of  claim 13  in which, when the player has made the selection, the selected device animates to reveal one of a plurality of outcomes each of which is either a number of free games of the base game or an automatic trigger or entry to the secondary feature of the base game.