Gaming machine and method having a point-based award

Abstract

Disclosed are games, gaming machines, gaming systems and methods including a point-based award. In accordance with one aspect, a game provides a feature game played for points. Upon conclusion of the feature game, a player is paid a prize according to the number of points accumulated during feature game play.

1 . A gaming machine comprising:
 a processor operatively coupled to a set of player-operable controls;   a first game and a second game operable by the processor in accordance with the player-operable controls, each game having a set of possible outcomes, one or more of the set of second game outcomes determined upon a triggering event associated with the first game;   an accumulator operable by the processor to accumulate points associated with the determined second game outcomes, one or more awards payable according to the number of accumulated points at the conclusion of the second game.   
   
   
       2 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  further comprising a wager input mechanism operatively coupled to the processor, wherein play of the second game is restricted by an amount of a wager placed by way of the wager input mechanism. 
   
   
       3 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  further comprising a wager input mechanism operatively coupled to the processor, wherein the award paid by the payout mechanism is scaled according to the amount of a wager placed by way of the wager input mechanism. 
   
   
       4 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein one or more of the awards comprises a progressive award. 
   
   
       5 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  further comprising a video display operatively coupled to the processor. 
   
   
       6 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  wherein the display is a wide-screen display. 
   
   
       7 . The gaming machine of  claim 4  further comprising a touch screen attached to the display. 
   
   
       8 . A method of operating a gaming machine including a first game and a second game played by a player, the method including the steps of:
 accepting a wager from a wager-input mechanism;   initiating play of the first game according to the wager;   upon a triggering event, initiating play of a second game;   determining one or more second game outcomes;   incrementing an accumulator by one or more points associated with each of the determined second game outcomes; and   selecting one of a set of progressive awards based on the value of the accumulator; and   paying the selected award to the player.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the triggering event comprises a predefined one of a set of possible first game outcomes. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising the step of restricting play of the second game based on the amount of the wager.