Open-Ended Bonus System And Method

Abstract

An open-ended bonus system and method are disclosed. A gaming machine system includes a gaming machine with a bonus game containing a register that is modified by one or more units based on predefined criteria, the bonus game terminating when the register contains a predefined value.

1 . A networked gaming system including a plurality of gaming machines connected through a network to a host computer, at least one of the gaming machines including a game comprising: an interface activatable by a player; 
 at least one of a set of possible outcomes determined after activation of the interface by the player, the set of possible outcomes including a winning subset of outcomes; 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 terminating when the register contains a predefined value.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the triggering event is based on the determined outcome being a member of the winning subset of outcomes.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the triggering event is not based on the determined outcome being a member of the winning subset of outcomes.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the triggering event is based on the number of games played.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the predetermined criteria are based on the appearance of predefined indicia during play of the bonus game.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the register increments based on the predefined criteria.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the register decrements based on the predefined criteria.  
   
   
       8 . A method of operating a networked gaming system, the method including the steps of: connecting a plurality of games; for one of the plurality of games, selecting one of a set of possible outcomes, 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.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the triggering event is based on the selected outcome being a member of the winning subset of outcomes.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the triggering event is not based on the selected outcome being a member of the winning subset of outcomes.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the triggering event is based on the number of games played.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the predetermined criteria are based on the appearance of predefined indicia during play of the bonus game.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the register increments based on the predefined criteria.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the register decrements based on the predefined criteria.