gaming system and a method of gaming

Abstract

A gaming system comprises a first rotatable symbol selector and a second rotatable symbol selector. The first rotatable symbol selector has a surface divided into segments, with each segment having at least one of a plurality of a first set of symbols allocated thereto, each segment being associated with a peripheral portion of the first symbol selector. The second rotatable symbol selector has a surface divided into segments with each segment having at least one of a plurality of a second set of symbols allocated thereto, each segment being associated with a peripheral portion of the second symbol selector. The symbol selectors are positioned relative to each other so that after the symbol selectors are rotated and when a condition is met, the symbols associated with respective peripheral portions of the symbol selectors in a first designated relationship with one another are selected for use in a game outcome.

1 . A gaming system comprising:
 a first rotatable symbol selector having a surface divided into segments with each segment having at least one of a plurality of a first set of symbols allocated thereto, each segment being associated with a peripheral portion of the first symbol selector;   a second rotatable symbol selector having a surface divided into segments with each segment having at least one of a plurality of a second set of symbols allocated thereto, each segment being associated with a peripheral portion of the second symbol selector;   wherein the symbol selectors are positioned relative to each other so that after the symbol selectors are rotated and when a condition is met, the symbols associated with respective peripheral portions of the symbol selectors in a first designated relationship with one another are selected for use in a game outcome.   
   
   
       2 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the condition is met when the symbol selectors stop rotating. 
   
   
       3 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the condition is met when the symbol selectors have rotated for a period of time. 
   
   
       4 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the period of time is one of: a fixed amount of time, a player determined amount of time or a randomly determined amount of time. 
   
   
       5 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first rotatable symbol selector is a wheel. 
   
   
       6 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second rotatable symbol selector is a wheel. 
   
   
       7 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first rotatable symbol selector is radially divided into the segments. 
   
   
       8 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second rotatable symbol selector is radially divided into the segments. 
   
   
       9 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein one or both of the symbol selectors have all of the symbols visible on the respective surface. 
   
   
       10 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the symbol selectors are simultaneously rotatable. 
   
   
       11 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the symbol selectors are independently rotatable. 
   
   
       12 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the axes of rotation of the symbol selectors are spaced apart from one another. 
   
   
       13 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the axes of rotation are parallel to each other. 
   
   
       14 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the symbol selectors are rotatably mounted to a bearing. 
   
   
       15 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the symbol selectors are displayed on a display. 
   
   
       16 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the gaming system further comprises an indicator for indicating which first symbol and which second symbol are selected after the symbol selectors are rotated and the condition is met. 
   
   
       17 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the gaming system further comprises:
 a third rotatable symbol selector having a surface divided into segments with each segment having at least one of a plurality of third symbols allocated thereto, each segment being associated with a peripheral portion of the third symbol selector;   wherein the third symbol selector is positioned relative to the first symbol selector so that after the symbol selectors are rotated and when the predetermined condition is met, the symbols associated with respective peripheral portions of the first and third symbol selectors in a second designated relationship with one another are selected for use in the game outcome.   
   
   
       18 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the third symbol selector is positioned relative to the second symbol selector so that after the symbol selectors are rotated and when the predetermined condition is met, the symbols associated with respective periphery portions of the second and third symbol selectors in a third designated relationship with one another are selected for use in the game outcome. 
   
   
       19 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the first selector, second selector and third selector are aligned, such that the centres of the selectors form points in a straight line. 
   
   
       20 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein a centre of the third selector is not aligned with the centres of the first and second selectors. 
   
   
       21 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein one of the designated relationships comprises two or more of the peripheral portions of respective symbol selectors being closest to each other. 
   
   
       22 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein one of the designated relationships comprises one of the following:
 two or more of the peripheral portions of respective symbol selectors being in mutually equivalent relative positions;   two or more of the peripheral portions of respective symbol selectors being in mutually opposite relative positions;   two or more of the peripheral portions of respective symbol selectors being in mutually equally spaced apart relative positions;   two or more of the peripheral portions of respective symbol selectors being a respective specified distance from a common point.   
   
   
       23 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein only one of each symbol in each set of symbols occurs in the segments of one or more of the symbol selectors. 
   
   
       24 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein more than one of each symbol in each set of symbols occurs in the segments of one or more of the symbol selectors. 
   
   
       25 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein symbols on opposed sides of one or more of the selectors are the same. 
   
   
       26 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein symbols on opposed sides of one or more of the selectors are not the same. 
   
   
       27 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the sets of symbols comprise a repeating sub-set of symbols. 
   
   
       28 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the symbols do not repeat in any of the sets of symbols. 
   
   
       29 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the gaming system comprises a comparator for comparing the results of selection of one or more of the selected symbols with game criteria to determine the outcome of the game. 
   
   
       30 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the comparator is arranged to determine that the outcome of the game is a win in the event that the selected first symbol is the same as the selected second symbol. 
   
   
       31 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the comparator is arranged to determine that the outcome of the game is a win in the event that a combination of the selected symbols indicate a win. 
   
   
       32 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the comparator is arranged to determine that the outcome of the game is a loss in the event that the selected symbols do not match. 
   
   
       33 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the comparator is arranged to determine that the outcome of the game is a loss in the event that a combination of the selected symbols do not indicate a win. 
   
   
       34 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the gaming system comprises a prize allocator for allocating a prize to a player of the game based on the outcome of the game. 
   
   
       35 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein the prize allocator allocates a prize having a quantum represented by the selected symbols. 
   
   
       36 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the symbols represent a prize amount for the respective segment. 
   
   
       37 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the gaming system is arranged such that a player is able to choose to enter into another round of the game and thereby risk losing a prize or a portion of a prize, or to end the game and receive a prize won thus far. 
   
   
       38 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein the or each prize may be in the form of a monetary amount, points, tokens, progressive prizes, eligibility for feature games, tournament entitlements, or entitlements to inclusion of special symbols in subsequent rounds of the game, such as wildcard symbols. 
   
   
       39 . A gaming system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the gaming system may be implemented as a stand alone gaming machine or across a network. 
   
   
       40 . A method of playing a game using a gaming system, the gaming system comprising a first rotatable symbol selector having a surface divided into segments with each segment having at least one of a plurality of a first set of symbols allocated thereto, each segment being associated with a peripheral portion of the first symbol selector; and a second rotatable symbol selector having a surface divided into segments with each segment having at least one of a plurality of a second set of symbols allocated thereto, each segment being associated with a peripheral portion of the second symbol selector, wherein the symbol selectors are positioned relative to each other so that after the symbol selectors are rotated and when a condition is met, the symbols associated with respective peripheral portions of the symbol selectors in a first designated relationship with one another are selected for use in a game outcome, the method comprising:
 rotating the first and second symbol selectors;   determining which symbols are selected when the predetermined condition is met;   determining the outcome of the game according which symbols are selected.   
   
   
       41 . A method as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein the outcome of the game is a win in the event that the first symbol is the same as the second symbol. 
   
   
       42 . A method as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein a quantum of the outcome of the game is represented by the selected symbols. 
   
   
       43 . A method as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein the outcome of the game is a win in the event that a combination of the selected symbols indicate a win. 
   
   
       44 . A method as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein the outcome of the game is a loss in the event that the selected symbols do not match. 
   
   
       45 . A method as claimed in  claim 43 , wherein the outcome of the game is a loss in the event that a combination of the selected symbols do not indicate a win. 
   
   
       46 . A method as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein the gaming system further comprises a third rotatable symbol selector having a surface divided into segments with each segment having at least one of a plurality of third symbols allocated thereto, each segment being associated with a peripheral portion of the third symbol selector; wherein the third symbol selector is positioned relative to the first symbol selector so that after the symbol selectors are rotated and when the predetermined condition is met, the symbols associated with respective peripheral portions of the first and third symbol selectors in a second designated relationship with one another are selected for use in the game outcome; and wherein the outcome of the game is determined according to which pair of first and second symbols, first and third symbols and pair of second and third symbols are selected. 
   
   
       47 . A game controller for controlling a gaming system, the gaming system comprising:
 a first rotatable symbol selector having a surface divided into segments with each segment having at least one of a plurality of first set of symbols allocated thereto, each segment being associated with a peripheral portion of the first symbol selector,   a second rotatable symbol selector having a surface divided into segments with each segment having at least one of a plurality of second set of symbols allocated thereto, each segment being associated with a peripheral portion of the second symbol selector,   wherein the game controller is arranged to cause:   the first and second symbol selectors to rotate, and,   the symbol selectors to be positioned relative to each other when a condition is met, with a respective periphery portion of a segment of each symbol selector being in a designated relationship with each other, such that the symbols associated with the respective segments are selected for use in a game outcome.   
   
   
       48 . A game controller as claimed in  claim 47  further comprising a processor configured to control a display of the gaming system to show the symbol selectors. 
   
   
       49 . A game controller as claimed in  claim 47  further comprising a processor configured to control rotation of the symbol selectors. 
   
   
       50 . A game controller as claimed in  claim 47  further comprising a determining component for determining the condition. 
   
   
       51 . A game controller as claimed in  claim 47  further comprising a checking component for checking when the condition is met. 
   
   
       52 . A gaming system comprising the game controller as claimed in  claim 47 , wherein the gaming system is a stand alone machine comprising the game controller. 
   
   
       53 . A gaming system comprising the game controller as claimed in  claim 47 , wherein the game controller is remotely located from the display. 
   
   
       54 . A method of playing a game using a gaming controller a game controller for controlling a gaming system, the gaming system comprising: a first rotatable symbol selector having a surface divided into segments with each segment having at least one of a plurality of first set of symbols allocated thereto, each segment being associated with a peripheral portion of the first symbol selector; and a second rotatable symbol selector having a surface divided into segments with each segment having at least one of a plurality of second set of symbols allocated thereto, each segment being associated with a peripheral portion of the second symbol selector; wherein the game controller is arranged to cause: the first and second symbol selectors to rotate, and, the symbol selectors to be positioned relative to each other when a condition is met, with a respective periphery portion of a segment of each symbol selector being in a designated relationship with each other, such that the symbols associated with the respective segments are selected for use in a game outcome, said method comprising:
 displaying rotation of the first and second symbol selectors;   determining which symbols are selected when the condition is met;   determining the outcome of the game according to which symbols are selected.   
   
   
       55 . A game controller for controlling a gaming system, the game controller arranged to cause a display to show:
 a first rotatable symbol selector having a surface divided into segments with each segment having at least one of a plurality of first set of symbols allocated thereto, each segment being associated with a peripheral portion of the first symbol selector,   a second rotatable symbol selector having a surface divided into segments with each segment having at least one of a plurality of second set of symbols allocated thereto, each segment being associated with a peripheral portion of the second symbol selector,   the first and second symbol selectors rotating, and,   the symbol selectors positioned relative to each other when a condition is met, with a respective peripheral portion of a segment of each symbol selector being in a designated relationship with each other, such that the symbols associated with the respective segments are selected for use in a game outcome.   
   
   
       56 . A gaming apparatus comprising:
 a screen; and   a processor configured to control the screen to display:
 a first rotatable symbol selector having a surface divided into segments with each segment having at least one of a plurality of first set of symbols allocated thereto, each segment being associated with a peripheral portion of the first symbol selector, 
 a second rotatable symbol selector having a surface divided into segments with each segment having at least one of a plurality of second set of symbols allocated thereto, each segment being associated with a peripheral portion of the second symbol selector, 
 wherein the processor is configured to control a display to show the first and second symbol selectors rotating and then coming to a stop, wherein the symbol selectors are displayed positioned relative to each other when they stop with a respective periphery portion of each symbol selector being closest to each other, such that the symbols associated with the resulting closest periphery portions are selected for use in a game outcome. 
   
   
   
       57 . A method of playing a game using a gaming apparatus comprising a screen and a processor configured to control the screen to display:
 a first rotatable symbol selector having a surface divided into segments with each segment having at least one of a plurality of first set of symbols allocated thereto, each segment being associated with a peripheral portion of the first symbol selector, and   a second rotatable symbol selector having a surface divided into segments with each segment having at least one of a plurality of second set of symbols allocated thereto, each segment being associated with a peripheral portion of the second symbol selector,   wherein the processor is configured to control a display to show the first and second symbol selectors rotating and then coming to a stop, wherein the symbol selectors are displayed positioned relative to each other when they stop with a respective periphery portion of each symbol selector being closest to each other, such that the symbols associated with the resulting closest periphery portions are selected for use in a game outcome;   said method comprising:   displaying rotation of the first and second symbol selectors;   displaying the symbol selectors coming to a stop;   determining which symbols are selected when the symbol selectors come to a stop;   determining the outcome of the game according the selection of the symbols.   
   
   
       58 . A method of playing a game comprising:
 rotating a first symbol selector and a second symbol selector, wherein the first rotatable symbol selector has a surface divided into segments with each segment having at least one of a plurality of first set of symbols allocated thereto, each segment being associated with a peripheral portion of the first symbol selector, wherein the second rotatable symbol selector has a surface divided into segments with each segment having at least one of a plurality of second set of symbols allocated thereto, each segment being associated with a peripheral portion of the second symbol selector,   positioning the symbol selectors relative to each other so that after the symbol selectors are rotated and when a condition is met, respective peripheral portions of the symbol selectors are in a designated relationship with one another and the symbols associated with the respective peripheral portions are selected for use in a game.   
   
   
       59 . A method as claimed in  claim 58 , wherein the predefined condition is met when the symbols selectors stop rotating. 
   
   
       60 . A method as claimed in  claim 58 , wherein stopping of the rotation is by applying a rotational deceleration force to each symbol selector. 
   
   
       61 . A method as claimed in  claim 60 , wherein the deceleration force is friction. 
   
   
       62 . A method as claimed in  claim 60 , wherein the deceleration force comprises a force applied by an active brake. 
   
   
       63 . A method as claimed in  claim 59 , wherein the deceleration force is simulated. 
   
   
       64 . A method of playing a game comprising:
 rotating a first symbol selector and a second symbol selector, wherein the first rotatable symbol selector has a surface divided into segments with each segment having at least one of a plurality of first set of symbols allocated thereto, each segment being associated with a peripheral portion of the first symbol selector, wherein the second rotatable symbol selector has a surface divided into segments with each segment having at least one of a plurality of second set of symbols allocated thereto, each segment being associated with a peripheral portion of the second symbol selector,   determining the symbols associated with respective peripheral portions of each symbol selector that are positioned closest to each other; and   determining an outcome of the game according the determined symbols.   
   
   
       65 . A game comprising:
 a first rotatable symbol selector having a surface divided into segments with each segment having at least one of a plurality of a first set of symbols allocated thereto, each segment being associated with a peripheral portion of the first symbol selector;   a second rotatable symbol selector having a surface divided into segments with each segment having at least one of a plurality of a second set of symbols allocated thereto, each segment being associated with a peripheral portion of the second symbol selector;   wherein the symbol selectors are positioned relative to each other so that the symbols associated with respective peripheral portions of the symbol selectors will be in a designated relationship with one another when a condition is met, such that the symbols associated with the peripheral portions in the designated relationship are selected for use in a game outcome;   wherein the symbol selectors are rotated to play the game and the result of the game is determined according to which first symbol and which second symbol are selected.   
   
   
       66 . Logic embodied in a machine readable form for controlling a processor to operate as a gaming apparatus comprising instructions for controlling the processor to:
 display a first rotatable symbol selector having a surface divided into segments with each segment having at least one of a plurality of first set of symbols allocated thereto, each segment being associated with a peripheral portion of the first symbol selector,   display a second rotatable symbol selector having a surface divided into segments with each segment having at least one of a plurality of second set of symbols allocated thereto, each segment being associated with a peripheral portion of the second symbol selector,   display the first and second symbol selectors rotating;   display the symbol selectors positioned relative to each other when a condition is met, with a respective peripheral portion of a segment of each symbol selector being in a designated relationship with one another, such that the symbols associated with the respective segments are selected for use in a game outcome.   
   
   
       67 . Logic embodied in a machine readable form for controlling a processor to perform a method of playing a game comprising instructions for controlling the processor to:
 rotate a first symbol selector and a second symbol selector, wherein the first rotatable symbol selector has a surface divided into segments with each segment having at least one of a plurality of first set of symbols allocated thereto, each segment being associated with a peripheral portion of the first symbol selector, wherein the second rotatable symbol selector has a surface divided into segments with each segment having at least one of a plurality of second set of symbols allocated thereto, each segment being associated with a peripheral portion of the second symbol selector,   position the symbol selectors relative to each other so that after the symbol selectors are rotated and when a condition is met, so that respective peripheral portions of the symbol selectors are in a designated relationship with one another and the symbols associated with respective peripheral portions are selected for use in a game outcome.   
   
   
       68 . Logic as claimed in  claim 66 , wherein the logic is embodied in a computer program comprising instructions which when executed control the operation of the processor. 
   
   
       69 . Logic as claimed in  claim 67 , wherein the logic is embodied in a computer program comprising instructions which when executed control the operation of the processor.