Gaming appartus and systems

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention provides an option by which a feature event may be triggered in response to a specific player input. This advantageously provides the game designer with additional options to ensure that the game provides a suitable return-to-player performance. An embodiment of the method is as shown in FIG. 4.

1 . Gaming apparatus configured to provide a main game and being capable of triggering at least one feature event, the gaming apparatus including:
 a component for storing a probability value that automatically varies in dependence upon at least one predefined criterion associated with the main game;   an input means operable by a player specifically to attempt to trigger a feature event; and   a component responsive to said input means for determining with reference to the probability value whether to trigger the feature event.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further including an indicator component for indicating the probability value to the player. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the indicator component displays a numerical depiction of the probability value or a graphical depiction of the probability value. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the predefined criterion is any one of:
 a gameplay measurement associated with the main game; 
 an achievement in the main game of an event; or 
 a random adjustment that occurs during the course of play of the main game or at the end of a sequence of play of the main game. 
 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the predefined criterion is a gameplay measurement and further including:
 a component for monitoring gameplay; 
 a component for monitoring for the occurrence of a monitored event; and 
 an event guarantee component for guaranteeing that a feature event will automatically trigger if the monitored event has not otherwise triggered within a set amount of gameplay. 
 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the feature event is any one or more of: an extraneous game from a main game; a bonus game; a free play or free play series; a re-spin or re-spin series; an appearance of a wild feature; a fixed or incrementing jackpot prize or bonus play that can yield a jackpot prize; and/or changes to the main game functions, or addition of gameplay elements, that increase relative odds of achieving a prize. 
     
     
         7 . A method of triggering a feature event in a gaming apparatus configured to provide a main game, the method including the steps of:
 storing a probability value that automatically varies in dependence upon at least one predefined criterion associated with the main game;   receiving a player generated input signal indicating specifically that the player wishes to attempt to trigger a feature event; and   determining, in response to the player generated input signal and with reference to the probability value, whether to trigger the feature event.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the likelihood of triggering the feature event when executing the step of determining whether to trigger the feature event is equal to the probability value. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the probability value is reset to a default value or to a randomly determined value at the time of or subsequent to the step of determining whether to trigger the feature event. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the likelihood of triggering the feature event when executing the step of determining whether to trigger the feature event is less than the probability value. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the amount by which the likelihood of triggering the feature event is less than the probability value is dependent upon a player input. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the amount by which the likelihood of triggering the feature event is less than the probability value is automatically determined. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the probability value is decremented by an amount equal to the likelihood of triggering the feature event at the time of or subsequent to the step of determining whether to trigger the feature event. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the predefined criterion is a gameplay measurement associated with the main game and further including the steps of:
 monitoring gameplay; 
 monitoring for the occurrence of a monitored event; and 
 automatically triggering a feature event if the monitored event has not otherwise triggered within a set amount of gameplay. 
 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 7  further including the steps of:
 defining a maximum probability value; and 
 automatically determining whether to trigger a feature event if the probability value equals or exceeds the maximum probability value. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the feature event is any one or more of: an extraneous game from a main game; a bonus game; a free play or free play series; a re-spin or re-spin series; an appearance of a wild feature; a fixed or incrementing jackpot prize or bonus play that can yield a jackpot prize; and/or changes to the main game functions, or addition of gameplay elements, that increase relative odds of achieving a prize. 
     
     
         17 . Computer executable code for instructing a computer to perform the method according to  claim 7 . 
     
     
         18 . A computing apparatus having a central processing unit, associated memory and storage devices, and input and output devices, said apparatus being configured to perform a method according to  claim 7 . 
     
     
         19 . A gaming system configured to provide a main game and being capable of triggering at least one feature event, the gaming system including:
 a component for storing a probability value that automatically varies in dependence upon at least one predefined criterion associated with the main game;   an input means operable by a player specifically to attempt to trigger a feature event; and   a component responsive to said input means for determining with reference to the probability value whether to trigger the feature event.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19  further including a central control for running a gaming algorithm, and a plurality of remote clients in communication with the central control over a communications network, the remote clients including screens for the display of information to players. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20  wherein the input means allows for player interaction with the central control. 
     
     
         22 . Gaming apparatus configured to provide a main game and being capable of triggering at least one feature event, the gaming apparatus including:
 a component for monitoring gameplay;   a component for storing a probability value that automatically varies in dependence upon at least one predefined criterion associated with the main game;   an input means operable by a player solely to attempt to trigger a feature event; and   a component responsive to said input means for determining with reference to the probability value whether to trigger the feature event.   
     
     
         23 . Gaming apparatus including:
 a component for monitoring gameplay of a main game capable of automatically triggering at least one feature;   a component for storing a probability value that automatically varies in dependence upon at least one predefined criterion associated with the main game;   an input means operable by a player to attempt to trigger a feature event other than via said automatic triggering; and   a component responsive to said input means for determining with reference to the probability value whether to trigger the feature event.   
     
     
         24 . Gaming apparatus configured to provide a main game and being capable of triggering at least one feature event, the gaming apparatus including:
 a component for monitoring gameplay;   a component for storing a probability value that automatically varies in dependence upon a gameplay measurement associated with the main game;   an input means operable by a player specifically to attempt to trigger a feature event;   a component responsive to said input means for determining with reference to the probability value whether to trigger the feature event;   a component for monitoring for the occurrence of a monitored event; and   an event guarantee component for guaranteeing that a feature event will automatically trigger if the monitored event has not otherwise triggered within a set amount of gameplay.