Open-ended bonus gaming machine and method

Abstract

An open-ended bonus gaming machine and method are disclosed. A gaming machine includes a game with a bonus game initiated upon a triggering event and a register that is modified by one or more units based on predefined criteria. The bonus game terminates when the register contains a predefined value.

1 . A gaming machine comprising: 
 a central processing unit operatively coupled to a set of player-operated controls;    a memory configured to store a wagering game program operable by the central processing unit in accordance with the player-operated controls;    and a display device controlled by the central processing unit upon a triggering event to display a bonus game including a register that is modified by one or more units based on predefined criteria, the display of the bonus game terminating when the register contains a predefined value.    
   
   
       2 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein the triggering event is based on an outcome of the game program.  
   
   
       3 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein the triggering event is not based on an outcome of the game program.  
   
   
       4 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein the triggering event is based on the number of games played.  
   
   
       5 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  further comprising a second display device upon which a primary game is displayed.  
   
   
       6 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein the predetermined criteria are based on the appearance of predefined indicia during display of the bonus game.  
   
   
       7 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein the register increments based on the predefined criteria.  
   
   
       8 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein the register decrements based on the predefined criteria.  
   
   
       9 . A method of operating a game, the method including the steps of: 
 accepting a wager from a player;    initiating play of a game;    selecting one of a set of possible outcomes of the game, the set of possible outcomes including a winning subset of outcomes;    upon a triggering event, initiating a bonus game;    modifying a register by one or more units based on predefined criteria, and terminating the bonus game when the register contains a predefined value.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the triggering event is based on the selected outcome being a member of the winning subset of outcomes.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the triggering event is not based on the selected outcome being a member of the winning subset of outcomes.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the triggering event is based on the number of games played.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the predetermined criteria are based on the appearance of certain indicia during play of the bonus game.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the register increments based on the predefined criteria.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the register decrements based on the predefined criteria.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the predefined value is zero.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the predefined value is not zero.