Gaming Machine and Method Having A Multi-Progressive Feature

Abstract

Disclosed are games, gaming machines, gaming systems and methods including a multi-progressive feature. During play of a feature game, tallies are kept of the appearance of various symbols. One or more progressive awards may be paid based on the tallies.

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;   a plurality of accumulators, each associated with an icon, for tallying second game outcomes containing one or more of the icons; and   one or more awards which may be won based on the value of one or more of the accumulators at the conclusion of the plurality of second game plays.   
   
   
       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  wherein one or more of the awards comprises one or more progressive awards. 
   
   
       4 . The gaming machine of  claim 3  further comprising a wager input mechanism operatively coupled to the processor, wherein at least one progressive award is at least partially funded based on a percentage of a wager placed by way of the wager input mechanism. 
   
   
       5 . The gaming machine of  claim 3  further comprising a wager input mechanism operatively coupled to the processor, wherein at least one progressive award is not based on a percentage of a wager placed by way of the wager input mechanism. 
   
   
       6 . The gaming machine of  claim 3  wherein all progressive awards which may be won are reset to an initial funding level upon the winning of any one progressive award. 
   
   
       7 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  further comprising a video display operatively coupled to the processor. 
   
   
       8 . The gaming machine of  claim 7  wherein the display is a wide-screen display. 
   
   
       9 . The gaming machine of  claim 7  further comprising a touch screen attached to the display. 
   
   
       10 . The gaming machine of  claim 1  further comprising one or more reels associated with the second game. 
   
   
       11 . The gaming machine of  claim 10  wherein one or more of the awards comprises a progressive prize associated with at least one of a reel, a set of reels and a pay line. 
   
   
       12 . 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 a plurality of second game plays, each second game play having an outcome which may comprise one or more icons;   tallying second game outcomes comprising one or more of the icons; and   determining one or more awards which may be won according to the tally; and   paying the determined awards to the player.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the triggering event comprises a predefined one of a set of possible first game outcomes. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising the step of restricting play of the second game based on the amount of the wager. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein at least one of the awards comprises a progressive prize. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the progressive prize is at least partially funded based on a percentage of the wager. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the progressive prize is not based on a percentage of the wager. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein all progressive prizes which may be won are reset to an initial funding level upon the winning of any one progressive prize. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising one or more reels associated with the second game. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein one or more of the awards comprises a progressive prize associated with at least one of a reel, a set of reels and a pay line.