Method, apparatus, and program product for adding a reel to a game display

Abstract

A method includes operating a gaming machine in a first display mode in which a display device associated with the gaming machine displays a base array and side graphics and in which a result for a respective game play initiated through the gaming machine is represented by a set of symbols included in the base array and where the side graphics provide a continuous graphical theme on at least two sides of the base array. In response to detecting a trigger event, the gaming machine switches to a second display mode in which the display device displays a graphical transformation of at least a part of the side graphics to replace that part of the side graphics with at least one additional array location and in which a result for a respective game play initiated through the gaming machine while operating in the second display mode is represented by a respective set of symbols included in the base array and each additional array location.

1 . A method including:
 (a) operating a gaming machine in a first display mode in which a display device associated with the gaming machine displays a base array and side graphics and in which a result for a respective game play initiated through the gaming machine is represented by a set of symbols included in the base array, wherein the side graphics provide a continuous graphical theme on at least two sides of the base array;   (b) detecting a trigger event; and   (c) in response to the trigger event, switching the gaming machine to operate in a second display mode in which (i) the display device displays a graphical transformation of at least a part of the side graphics to replace that part of the side graphics with at least one additional array location, and in which (ii) a result for a respective game play initiated through the gaming machine is represented by a combination of a respective symbol in each additional array location and a respective set of symbols included in the base array.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the graphical transformation is of a part of the side graphics on a lateral side of the base array and the graphical transformation includes a graphic element that appears to move out from the area of the base array. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the display device displays the base array and side graphics in a display plane and wherein the graphical transformation includes a graphic element that appears to come from outside of the display plane. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the graphical transformation appears to move the base array so as to accommodate the at least one additional array location. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the graphical transformation is of a part of the side graphics on a lateral side of the base array that appears to have obscured the at least one additional array location such that the at least one additional array location is revealed upon completion of the graphical transformation. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the side graphics area includes one or more controls that appear to be covered as a result of the graphical transformation. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein one or more controls included in the area of the side graphics are moved to a different location of the display device as a result of the graphical transformation. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the graphical transformation is of a part of the side graphics on a lateral side of the base array and the graphical transformation includes a graphic element that appears to move vertically into the area of the side graphics on the lateral side of the base array. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus including:
 (a) a display device;   (b) a player input device; and   (c) a presentation controller, the presentation controller for (i) causing the display device to display a base array and side graphics in a first display mode in which a result for a respective game play is represented by a set of symbols included in the base array, the side graphics providing a continuous graphical theme on at least two sides of the base array, and for (ii) in response to a trigger event, causing the display device to switch to a second display mode in which the display device displays a graphical transformation of at least a part of the side graphics to replace that part of the side graphics with at least one additional array location, wherein a result for a respective game play while operating in the second display mode is represented by a combination of a respective symbol in each additional array location and a respective set of symbols included in the base array.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the graphical transformation is of a part of the side graphics on a lateral side of the base array and includes a graphic element that appears to move out from the area of the base array. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the graphical transformation is of a part of the side graphics on a lateral side of the base array and includes a graphic element that appears to move vertically into the area of the side graphics on that lateral side of the base array. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the display device displays the base array and side graphics in a display plane and wherein the graphical transformation includes a graphic element that appears to come from outside of the display plane. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the graphical transformation appears to move the base array so as to accommodate the at least one additional array location. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the graphical transformation is of a part of the side graphics on a lateral side of the base array that appears to have obscured the at least one additional array location such that the at least one additional array location is revealed upon completion of the graphical transformation. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the side graphics area includes one or more controls that appear to be covered as a result of the graphical transformation. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein one or more controls included in the area of the side graphics are moved to a different location of the display device as a result of the graphical transformation. 
     
     
         17 . A program product embodied in one or more computer readable media, the program product including:
 (a) first display mode program code executable to cause a gaming machine to operate in a first display mode in which a display device associated with the gaming machine displays a base array and side graphics, wherein a result for a respective game play initiated through the gaming machine while operating in the first display mode is represented by a set of symbols included in the base array, and wherein the side graphics provide a continuous graphical theme on at least two sides of the base array;   (b) second display mode program code executable to cause the gaming machine to operate in a second display mode in which the display device displays a graphical transformation of at least a part of the side graphics to replace that part of the side graphics with at least one additional array location, and wherein a result for a respective game play initiated at the gaming machine while operating in the second display mode is represented by a combination of a respective symbol in each additional array location and a respective set of symbols included in the base array; and   (c) display mode control program code executable to cause the gaming machine to switch from the first display mode to the second display mode in response to a trigger event.   
     
     
         18 . The program product of  claim 17  wherein the graphical transformation is of a part of the side graphics on a lateral side of the base array and the graphical transformation includes a graphic element that appears to move out from the area of the base array. 
     
     
         19 . The program product of  claim 17  wherein the graphical transformation is of a part of the side graphics on a lateral side of the base array and includes a graphic element that appears to move vertically into the area of the side graphics on that lateral side of the base array. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the graphical transformation appears to move the base array so as to accommodate the at least one additional array location.