Collection and Redemption Games and Methods

Abstract

Collection and redemption games and methods of operating such games are disclosed. A collectable symbol accumulator accumulates a plurality of collectable symbols according to certain criteria. At a time based on other criteria, the collectable symbols are subsequently offered for redemption by a player for an award.

1 . 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; and    an accumulator that is incremented by one or more units based on predefined criteria, the game presenting a predefined short-term opportunity for the player to redeem the incremented units upon achieving a predetermined milestone.    
   
   
       2 . The game of  claim 1  wherein the predefined criteria are based on the determined outcome.  
   
   
       3 . The game of  claim 1  wherein the predefined criteria are not based on the determined outcome.  
   
   
       4 . The game of  claim 1  wherein the predefined criteria are based on the number of games played.  
   
   
       5 . The game  claim 1  wherein the predefined short-term opportunity for the player to redeem the incremented units expires upon the player accepting or declining the opportunity to redeem the incremented units.  
   
   
       6 . The game of  claim 1  further including a display, the display including an area wherein the accumulator is represented by one or more collectable symbols.  
   
   
       7 . The game of  claim 1 , further comprising a cash-out interface activatable by the player and a confirmation message, the confirmation message displayable on a display upon the player activating the cash-out interface.  
   
   
       8 . The game of  claim 1 , the predefined milestone being defined by the accumulation of one or more predefined quantities of the incremented units.  
   
   
       9 . The game of  claim 1  further including a wager; the number of incremented units being multiplicatively dependent upon the size of the wager.  
   
   
       10 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein the number of incremented units is dependent upon the determined outcome.  
   
   
       11 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein each incremented unit has an expected redemption value; the expected redemption value of each incremented unit remaining constant upon the achievement of the predetermined milestone.  
   
   
       12 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein each incremented unit has an expected redemption value; the expected redemption value of each incremented unit increasing upon the achievement of the predetermined milestone.  
   
   
       13 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein the incremented units are redeemed for credits, the number of credits determined by the number of incremented units redeemed.  
   
   
       14 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein the incremented units are redeemed for the opportunity to play a feature game.  
   
   
       15 . The game of  claim 14 , further comprising a progressive prize, the progressive prize awardable as a result of the feature game outcome.  
   
   
       16 . 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; an accumulator that is incremented by one or more units based on predetermined criteria;    a cash-out interface activatable by the player and a confirmation message, the confirmation message displayable on a display upon the player activating the cash-out interface.    
   
   
       17 . The game of  claim 16  wherein the predefined criteria are based on the determined outcome.  
   
   
       18 . The game of  claim 16  wherein the predefined criteria are not based on the determined outcome.  
   
   
       19 . The game of  claim 16  wherein the predefined criteria are based on the number of games played.  
   
   
       20 . The game of  claim 16  wherein the confirmation message contains the number of any non-redeemed incremented units.  
   
   
       21 . The game of  claim 16 , further including including an area on the display wherein the accumulator is represented by one or more collectable symbols.  
   
   
       22 . The game of  claim 16  further including a wager; the number of incremented units being multiplicatively dependent upon the size of the wager.  
   
   
       23 . The game of  claim 16 , wherein the number of incremented units is dependent upon the determined outcome.  
   
   
       24 . The game of  claim 16 , wherein the incremented units are redeemed for credits, the number of credits determined by the number of incremented units redeemed.  
   
   
       25 . The game of  claim 16 , wherein the incremented units are redeemed for the opportunity to play a feature game.  
   
   
       26 . The game of  claim 25 , further comprising a progressive prize, the progressive prize awardable as a result of the feature game outcome.  
   
   
       27 . A method of operating a game, the method including the steps of: 
 initiating play of a game by a player; selecting one of a set of possible outcomes of the game, the set of possible outcomes including a winning subset of outcomes; in the event predetermined criteria are satisfied, incrementing an accumulator by one or more units; further incrementing the accumulator by one or more units depending upon subsequent satisfaction of the predetermined criteria; and presenting a redemption opportunity to the player to redeem incremented units for an award or prize upon achieving a trigger level, the redemption opportunity expiring upon the player declining the redemption opportunity.    
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the predefined criteria are based on the game outcome.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the predefined criteria are not based on the game outcome.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the predefined criteria are based on the number of games played.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 27  including the step of: offering the player subsequent redemption opportunities upon achieving subsequent trigger levels, the subsequent trigger levels corresponding to the accumulation of one or more predefined quantities of the incremented units.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 27  including the step of wagering one or more bet units on the game; and the step of multiplying the number of units to be incremented by the number of bet units wagered.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the number of incremented units is dependent upon the selected outcome.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the incremented units are redeemed for credits, the number of credits determined by the number of incremented units redeemed.  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the incremented units are redeemed for the opportunity to play a feature game.  
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 35  further including the step of paying a progressive prize awardable as a result of the feature game outcome.  
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 27  further including the steps of presenting a confirmation message when the player attempts to cash out; and allowing the player to continue play in lieu of cashing out.  
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 37  wherein the confirmation message identifies the number of any non-redeemed incremented units.  
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 27  further including the step of presenting an opportunity for the player to redeem incremented units upon losing all wagerable credits.  
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 27  further including the step of associating the incremented units with the player and saving the incremented units from one playing session to another.  
   
   
       41 . A method of operating a game, the method including the steps of: 
 initiating play of a game by a player; selecting one of a set of possible outcomes of the game, the set of possible outcomes including a winning subset of outcomes; in the event predetermined criteria are satisfied, incrementing an accumulator by one or more units; further incrementing the accumulator by one or more units depending upon subsequent satisfaction of the predetermined criteria; presenting a confirmation message when the player attempts to cash out; and allowing the player to continue play in lieu of cashing out.    
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 41  wherein the predefined criteria are based on the game outcome.  
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 41  wherein the predefined criteria are not based on the game outcome.  
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 41  wherein the predefined criteria are based on the number of games played.  
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 41  including the step of wagering one or more bet units on the game; and the step of multiplying the number of units to be incremented by the number of bet units wagered.  
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 41  wherein the number of incremented units is dependent upon the selected outcome.  
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 41  wherein the incremented units are redeemed for credits, the number of credits determined by the number of incremented units redeemed.  
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 41  wherein the incremented units are redeemed for the opportunity to play a feature game.  
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 48  further including the step of paying a progressive prize awardable as a result of the feature game outcome.  
   
   
       50 . The method of  claim 41  wherein the confirmation message identifies the number of any non-redeemed incremented units.  
   
   
       51 . The method of  claim 41  further including the step of presenting an opportunity for the player to redeem incremented units upon losing all wagerable credits.  
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 41  further including the step of associating the incremented units with the player and saving the incremented units from one playing session to another.