Gaming method with dual game function, electronic gaming apparatus for performing the gaming method, and computer program product recording a gaming program of the gaming method

Abstract

A gaming method provides a dual game function and is implemented using a gaming apparatus. The gaming method includes: a) starting a first game, and enabling collection of a plurality of objects of an object suite as predetermined object collection criteria are satisfied while playing the first game; and b) if all the objects of the object suite are collected while playing the first game, starting a second game that is played independently of the first game. A gaming apparatus and a computer program product are also disclosed.

1 . A gaming method providing a dual game function and implemented using a gaming apparatus, said gaming method comprising:
 a) starting a first game, and enabling collection of a plurality of objects of an object suite as predetermined object collection criteria are satisfied while playing the first game; and   b) if all the objects of the object suite are collected while playing the first game, starting a second game that is played independently of the first game.   
   
   
       2 . The gaming method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein, in step b), before starting the second game, a preview screen of the second game is displayed. 
   
   
       3 . The gaming method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 c) restarting the second game after the second game is finished if all the objects of the object suite are again collected during continuous play of the first game.   
   
   
       4 . The gaming method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 d) stopping the first game after the second game is finished if the player discontinues playing the first game.   
   
   
       5 . The gaming method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 e) granting an award after the second game is finished if a predetermined game winning condition is satisfied during play of the second game.   
   
   
       6 . The gaming method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein, in step a), if a newly collected object is one that has already been collected, the newly collected object is assigned to a subsequent object suite. 
   
   
       7 . The gaming method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first game is a game of slots, and one of the objects of the object suite is collected when indicia corresponding to said one of the objects form a predetermined pattern at the end of one round of the first game. 
   
   
       8 . The gaming method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the objects of the object suite are associated with a virtual race car, and the second game is a car racing game. 
   
   
       9 . A gaming apparatus providing a dual game function, comprising:
 an input unit allowing input by a player;   an output assembly for performing display; and   a processing assembly coupled to said input unit and said output assembly, and configured to perform steps of a gaming method;   wherein the gaming method includes:   a) starting a first game, and enabling collection of a plurality of objects of an object suite as predetermined object collection criteria are satisfied while playing the first game; and   b) if all the objects of the object suite are collected while playing the first game, starting a second game that is played independently of the first game.   
   
   
       10 . The gaming apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising a graphics processing assembly coupled to said processing assembly and performing graphics rendering of gaming screens of the first and second games on said output assembly. 
   
   
       11 . The gaming apparatus as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said output assembly includes a pair of first and second output units coupled to said graphics processing assembly, the gaming screen of the first game being rendered on said first output unit and the gaming screen of the second game being rendered on said second output unit. 
   
   
       12 . The gaming apparatus as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said graphics processing assembly includes a pair of first and second graphics processing units, and said output assembly includes a pair of first and second output units coupled respectively to said first and second graphics processing units, the gaming screen of the first game being rendered on said first output unit by said first graphics processing unit and the gaming screen of the second game being rendered on said second output unit by said second graphics processing unit. 
   
   
       13 . The gaming apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said processing assembly includes a pair of first and second processing units configured to perform steps of a gaming method respectively of the first and second games, said graphics processing assembly includes a pair of first and second graphics processing units coupled respectively to said first and second processing units, and said output assembly includes a pair of first and second output units coupled respectively to said first and second graphics processing units, the gaming screen of the first game being rendered on said first output unit by said first graphics processing unit and the gaming screen of the second game being rendered on said second output unit by said second graphics processing unit. 
   
   
       14 . The gaming apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein, in step b), before starting the second game, a preview screen of the second game is displayed on said output assembly. 
   
   
       15 . The gaming apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the gaming method further includes:
 c) restarting the second game after the second game is finished if all the objects of the object suite are again collected during continuous play of the first game.   
   
   
       16 . The gaming apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the gaming method further includes:
 d) stopping the first game after the second game is finished if the player discontinues playing the first game.   
   
   
       17 . The gaming apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the gaming method further includes:
 e) granting an award after the second game is finished if a predetermined game winning condition is satisfied during play of the second game.   
   
   
       18 . The gaming apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein, in step a), if a newly collected object is one that has already been collected, the newly collected object is assigned to a subsequent object suite. 
   
   
       19 . The gaming apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the first game is a game of slots, and one of the objects of the object suite is collected when indicia corresponding to said one of the objects form a predetermined pattern at the end of one round of the first game. 
   
   
       20 . The gaming apparatus as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the objects of the object suite are associated with a virtual race car, and the second game is a car racing game. 
   
   
       21 . A computer program product comprising a computer-readable storage medium that stores a gaming program for causing a computer to execute steps of a gaming method including:
 a) starting a first game, and enabling collection of a plurality of objects of an object suite as predetermined object collection criteria are satisfied while playing the first game; and   b) if all the objects of the object suite are collected while playing the first game, starting a second game that is played independently of the first game.   
   
   
       22 . The computer program product as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein, in step b), before starting the second game, a preview screen of the second game is displayed. 
   
   
       23 . The computer program product as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the gaming method further includes:
 c) restarting the second game after the second game is finished if all the objects of the object suite are again collected during continuous play of the first game.   
   
   
       24 . The computer program product as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the gaming method further includes:
 d) stopping the first game after the second game is finished if the player discontinues playing the first game.   
   
   
       25 . The computer program product as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the gaming method further includes:
 e) granting an award after the second game is finished if a predetermined game winning condition is satisfied during play of the second game.   
   
   
       26 . The computer program product as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein, in step a), if a newly collected object is one that has already been collected, the newly collected object is assigned to a subsequent object suite. 
   
   
       27 . The computer program product as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the first game is a game of slots, and one of the objects of the object suite is collected when indicia corresponding to said one of the objects form a predetermined pattern at the end of one round of the first game. 
   
   
       28 . The computer program product as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the objects of the object suite are associated with a virtual race car, and the second game is a car racing game.