Gaming System and Method for Providing Shared Effect In Response To A Win

Abstract

A gaming system comprising a plurality of game devices, a game controller and a shared experience controller, and a method of operating the same, is disclosed. Each game device allowing a player to make a wager on a game and awards the respective player an award as a function as a result of a win. Each game device including a signaling device for providing a visual and/or audio signal. The game controller randomly establishes the actual outcome of the game and determining if any of the players have a winning condition. The shared experience controller recognizes a winning condition or the awarding of an additional award to one of the players on a first game device and send a signal to the signaling device of at least some of the other game devices. The signaling device receives the signal and responsively producing the visual and/or audio signal.

1 . A gaming system, comprising: 
 a plurality of game devices, each game device for allowing a player to make a wager on a game and for awarding the respective player an award as a function as a result of a winning condition for the game played by the respective player, each game device including a signaling device for providing a visual and/or audio signal;    a game controller coupled to the game devices for playing the game, randomly establishing the actual outcome of the game, and determining if any of the players have a winning condition;    a shared experience controller coupled to the game devices for recognizing a winning condition for one of the players on a first game device and for sending a signal to the signaling device of at least some of the other game devices, the signaling device receives the signal and responsively produces the visual and/or audio signal.    
   
   
       2 . A gaming system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of game devices are grouped into subgroups, wherein the shared experience controller sends the signal to the game devices in the same subgroup as the first game device.  
   
   
       3 . A gaming system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of game devices are grouped into subgroups, wherein the shared experience controller sends the signal to the game devices in a different subgroup as the first game device.  
   
   
       4 . A gaming system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the players are grouped into teams, wherein the shared experience controller sends the signal to the game devices being used by players on the same team as the one player.  
   
   
       5 . A gaming system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the players are grouped into teams, wherein the shared experience controller sends the signal to the game devices being used by players on a different team then the one player.  
   
   
       6 . A gaming system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein each game device includes a gaming controller.  
   
   
       7 . A gaming system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein each game device includes a device controller, the game controller being located at a central location and coupled to each device controller, the device controller for controlling operation of the respective game device and for managing communications between the respective game device and the game controller.  
   
   
       8 . A gaming system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the game is a bingo game.  
   
   
       9 . A gaming system, as set forth in  claim 1 , the signaling devices produces the visual and/or audio signal in a coordinated manner.  
   
   
       10 . A gaming system, as set forth in  claim 9 , where the visual and/or audio signal are synchronized.  
   
   
       11 . A gaming system, as set forth in  claim 9 , where the visual and/or audio signal are produced in a predetermined pattern.  
   
   
       12 . A gaming system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the signaling device includes one or more of the following: a speaker, a candle light, a display device, or any other light emitting device located on the game device.  
   
   
       13 . A method for providing a shared experience for players of a plurality of game devices, each game device for allowing a player to make a wager on a game and having a signaling device for providing a visual and/or audio signal, the method comprising the steps of: 
 playing a game and awarding a main award if one of the players of a first game device has a winning condition;    recognizing the winning condition for the one player and responsively sending a signal to the signaling device of at least some of the other game devices; and,    receiving the signal at the signaling devices of the other game devices and producing the visual and/or audio signal.    
   
   
       14 . A method, as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of game devices are grouped into subgroups, wherein the step of sending a signal to the signaling device of the other game devices includes the step of sending the signal to the game devices in the same subgroup as the first game device.  
   
   
       15 . A method, as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of game devices are grouped into subgroups, wherein the step of sending a signal to the signaling device of the other game devices includes the step of sending the signal to the game devices in a different subgroup as the first game device.  
   
   
       16 . A method, as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the players are grouped into teams, wherein the signal is sent to games devices being used by players on the same team as the one player.  
   
   
       17 . A method, as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the players are grouped into teams, wherein the signal is sent to games devices being used by players on a different team as the one player.  
   
   
       18 . A method, as set forth in  claim 13 , including the step of producing the visual and/or audio signal in a coordinated manner.  
   
   
       19 . A method, as set forth in  claim 13 , including the step of producing the visual and/or audio signal are synchronized.  
   
   
       20 . A method, as set forth in  claim 13 , including the step of producing the visual and/or audio signal in a predetermined pattern.  
   
   
       21 . A gaming system, comprising: 
 a plurality of game devices, each game device for allowing a player to make a wager on a game and for awarding the respective player an award as a function as a result of a winning condition for the game played by the respective player, each game device including a signaling device for providing a visual and/or audio signal;    a game controller coupled to the game devices for playing the game, randomly establishing the actual outcome of the game, and determining if any of the players have a winning condition;    a shared experience controller coupled to the game devices for awarding an additional award to one of the players on a first game device and responsively for sending a signal to the signaling device of at least some of the other game devices, the signaling device including for receiving the signal and responsively producing the visual and/or audio signal.    
   
   
       22 . A gaming system, as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein the additional award is an extra award awarded in response to the winning condition.  
   
   
       23 . A gaming system, as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein the additional award is a bonus award awarded in response to a bonus game.  
   
   
       24 . A gaming system, as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of game devices are grouped into subgroups, wherein the shared experience controller sends the signal to the game devices in the same subgroup as the first game device.  
   
   
       25 . A gaming system, as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of game devices are grouped into subgroups, wherein the shared experience controller sends the signal to the game devices in a different subgroup as the first game device.  
   
   
       26 . A gaming system, as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein the players are grouped into teams, wherein the shared experience controller sends the signal to the game devices being used by players on the same team as the one player.  
   
   
       27 . A gaming system, as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein the players are grouped into teams, wherein the shared experience controller sends the signal to the game devices being used by players on a different team then the one player.  
   
   
       28 . A gaming system, as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein each game device includes a gaming controller.  
   
   
       29 . A gaming system, as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein each game device includes a device controller, the game controller being located at a central location and coupled to each device controller, the device controller for controlling operation of the respective game device and for managing communications between the respective game device and the game controller.  
   
   
       30 . A gaming system, as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein the game is a bingo game.  
   
   
       31 . A gaming system, as set forth in  claim 21 , the signaling devices produces the visual and/or audio signal in a coordinated manner.  
   
   
       32 . A gaming system, as set forth in  claim 31 , where the visual and/or audio signal are synchronized.  
   
   
       33 . A gaming system, as set forth in  claim 31 , where the visual and/or audio signal are produced in a predetermined pattern.  
   
   
       34 . A gaming system, as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein the signaling device includes one or more of the following: a speaker, a candle light, a display device, or any other light emitting device located on the game device.  
   
   
       35 . A method for providing a shared experience for players of a plurality of game devices, each game device for allowing a player to make a wager on a game and having a signaling device for providing a visual and/or audio signal, the method comprising the steps of: 
 establishing the actual outcome of the game, and determining if any of the players have a winning condition;    awarding an additional award to one of the players and responsively sending a signal to the signaling device of at least some of the other game devices; and,    receiving the signal at the signaling devices of the other game devices and producing the visual and/or audio signal.    
   
   
       36 . A gaming system, as set forth in  claim 35 , wherein the additional award is an extra award awarded in response to the winning condition.  
   
   
       37 . A gaming system, as set forth in  claim 35 , wherein the additional award is a bonus award awarded in response to a bonus game.  
   
   
       38 . A method, as set forth in  claim 35 , wherein the plurality of game devices are grouped into subgroups, wherein the step of sending a signal to the signaling device of the other game devices includes the step of sending the signal to the game devices in the same subgroup as the first game device.  
   
   
       39 . A method, as set forth in  claim 35 , wherein the plurality of game devices are grouped into subgroups, wherein the step of sending a signal to the signaling device of the other game devices includes the step of sending the signal to the game devices in a different subgroup as the first game device.  
   
   
       40 . A method, as set forth in  claim 35 , wherein the players are grouped into teams, wherein the signal is sent to games devices being used by players on the same team as the one player.  
   
   
       41 . A method, as set forth in  claim 35 , wherein the players are grouped into teams, wherein the signal is sent to games devices being used by players on a different team as the one player.  
   
   
       42 . A method, as set forth in  claim 35 , including the step of producing the visual and/or audio signal in a coordinated manner.  
   
   
       43 . A method, as set forth in  claim 35 , including the step of producing the visual and/or audio signal are synchronized.  
   
   
       44 . A method, as set forth in  claim 35 , including the step of producing the visual and/or audio signal in a predetermined pattern.