Wagering game with free-play outcome having a changing multiplier feature

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a gaming terminal and a method of playing a wagering game having a free-play outcome and a multiplier feature that changes during the free game-play. The free game-play continues until a winning combination is achieved. The award associated with the winning combination is multiplied by the multiplier value achieved during the free-game play.

1 . A gaming terminal for playing a wagering game, comprising: 
 a basic game having a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of said basic game that has been selected from a plurality of outcomes in response to receiving a wager input, at least one of said plurality of outcomes being a special-event outcome, said special-event outcome allowing continued game-play until a winning outcome is achieved;    a multiplier feature for multiplying an award associated with said winning outcome during said continued game-play; and    wherein said multiplier feature changes with the games that are played during said continued game-play until said winning outcome is achieved.    
   
   
       2 . The gaming terminal of  claim 1 , wherein said special-event outcome awards free reel spins of a reel-spinning wagering game.  
   
   
       3 . The gaming terminal of  claim 1 , wherein said continued game-play includes further play of said basic game.  
   
   
       4 . The gaming terminal of  claim 1 , wherein said special-event outcome is a bonus-game outcome, and said continued game-play includes play of a bonus game that is different from said basic game.  
   
   
       5 . The gaming terminal of  claim 1 , wherein said multiplier feature randomly changes in value with each game that is played during said continued game-play.  
   
   
       6 . The gaming terminal of  claim 1 , wherein said multiplier feature changes in value in accordance with a predetermined set of values with each game that is played during said continued game-play.  
   
   
       7 . The gaming terminal of  claim 1 , wherein said multiplier feature includes a plurality of multiplier values, wherein said plurality of multiplier values increases with said each game that is played during said continued game-play.  
   
   
       8 . The gaming terminal of  claim 1 , further comprising a display for displaying a plurality of values associated with said multiplier, wherein said display displays said plurality of values in successive progression in accordance with each non-winning outcome that is achieved.  
   
   
       9 . The gaming terminal of  claim 1 , wherein said multiplier feature is affected by a symbol or combination of symbols that occurs during said continued game-play.  
   
   
       10 . A method of playing a wagering game at a gaming terminal, said wagering game having a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of said wagering game, said randomly selected outcome being selected from a plurality of outcomes, said method comprising: 
 in response to receiving a wager input from a player at said gaming terminal, conducting said wagering game;    achieving a special-event outcome selected from said plurality of outcomes;    in response to achieving said special-event outcome, providing free game-play until a winning outcome is achieved, each game that is played during said free-game play having a multiplier feature for multiplying an award associated with said winning outcome during said free game-play, said multiplier feature changing during said free-game play until a winning outcome is achieved during said free-game play;    upon said winning outcome being achieved, awarding an award based on said winning outcome.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said wagering game includes a basic game and a bonus game, said free game-play includes play of said basic game.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said wagering game includes a basic game and a bonus game, said special-event outcome is a start-bonus outcome and said free-game play includes play of said bonus game until said winning outcome is achieved.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said multiplier feature includes a plurality of multiplier values for multiplying said award.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said plurality of multiplier values increases with said each game that is played during said free game-play.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said multiplier feature randomly changes in value with said each game that is played during said free game-play.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said multiplier feature changes in value in accordance with a predetermined set of values with said each game that is played during said free game-play.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said multiplier feature is affected by a symbol or combination of symbols that occurs during said free game-play.  
   
   
       18 . A computer readable storage medium encoded with instructions for directing said gaming terminal to perform the method of  claim 10 .  
   
   
       19 . A gaming terminal for playing a wagering game, comprising: 
 a display for displaying a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of said wagering game, said randomly selected outcome being selected from a plurality of outcomes, one of said plurality of outcomes including a special-event outcome, said special event outcome providing free game-play to a player until a winning outcome is achieved;    a multiplier feature for enhancing an award obtained by achieving said winning outcome, said multiplier feature increasing during said free game-play until said winning outcome is achieved; and    a controller coupled to said display, said controller operative to conduct said wagering game and to provide an award to said player corresponding to said winning outcome.    
   
   
       20 . The gaming terminal of  claim 19 , wherein said multiplier feature is associated with values that randomly increase with each play of said free game-play.  
   
   
       21 . The gaming terminal of  claim 19 , wherein said multiplier feature is associated with values that increase in accordance with a predetermined set of values with each play of said free game-play.  
   
   
       22 . The gaming terminal of  claim 19 , wherein said controller is located within said gaming terminal.  
   
   
       23 . A method for playing a wagering game at a gaming terminal, said wagering game having a plurality of outcomes, said method comprising: 
 achieving a free-play outcome that provides free game-play of said wagering game;    activating said free game-play until a winning outcome is achieved, said free game-play having a multiplier value that changes during said free game-play; and    awarding an award associated with said winning outcome, said award being multiplied by said multiplier value that is applicable when said winning outcome is achieved.