Communal bonus game with sequential segmented play mode

Abstract

A method of mechanical, electromechanical or video slot play is disclosed. The method comprises networked gaming machines, each machine comprising a base game and a communal second screen bonus feature that is perpetually displayed and viewable in real time. A predetermined symbol or symbol set result in a base game determines a specific number of chances for a qualified player and triggers the play of the communal bonus feature, the number of chances determining a gaming segment. Qualified players play their game segments one at a time in sequential order. Upon the completion of a gaming segment, the player collects awards and returns to the base game. If at any time a predetermined special symbol or event has been activated during a gaming segment in the bonus game event, the game is terminated, and a next bonus game event is initiated.

1 . A method of playing a wagering game among multiple players comprising:
 at least two game playing apparatus having individual player displays communicating to a common processor;   the common processor displaying a single bonus event to each individual player displays and/or to a communal bonus event display viewable by players at the at least two game playing apparatus; and   wherein a bonus event ending event causes a new bonus event to be available to the at least two game playing apparatus.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein in the bonus event, individual players at least two gaming apparatus expose hidden symbols from a pick-and-reveal set of frames that is commonly accessible to each of the at least two game playing apparatus. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the exposure of a plurality of hidden symbols comprises a gaming segment. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein gaming segments are played in sequential order by multiple players. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein at least an award of a jackpot event ends the bonus event. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein a next bonus event is offered substantially immediately after the end of the bonus event. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the bonus ending event may occur in a select-and-pick bonus screen before all available selections within the bonus have been made. 
   
   
       8 . A gaming system comprising at least two game playing apparatus having individual player displays in communication with a common processor, the common processor displaying a single bonus event to each individual player displays and/or to a communal bonus event display viewable by players at the at least two game playing apparatus; and the processor having software that recognizes a bonus event ending event that causes a new bonus event to be available to the at least two game playing apparatus. 
   
   
       9 . The gaming system of  claim 8  wherein the bonus event is controlled by the processor to provide an accumulating prize to at least one player at an individual display. 
   
   
       10 . The gaming system of  claim 8  wherein the bonus event shown at each individual player display is an identical bonus event with identical symbols displayed and identical awards available. 
   
   
       11 . The gaming system of  claim 8  wherein a combination of less than all available selections in the bonus screen consists of the bonus ending event. 
   
   
       12 . The gaming system of  claim 9  wherein a combination of less than all available selections in the bonus screen consists of the bonus ending event. 
   
   
       13 . The gaming system of  claim 10  wherein a combination of less than all available selections in the bonus screen consists of the bonus ending event.