Gaming device and method having a first interactive game which determines a function of a second wagering game

Abstract

A gaming device including a first player interactive game requiring one or more player inputs which result in an outcome. The outcome does not result in an award provided to the player. In one embodiment, the gaming device determines a paytable employed in the wagering game based on an outcome of the interactive game. In another embodiment, the gaming device includes a plurality of different wagering games. The gaming device determines which wagering game to provide to the player based, at least in part, on the outcome of the interactive game. Other suitable functions can be employed in the wagering game based on the outcome of the interactive game in accordance with the present invention. In any embodiment, the gaming device provides an outcome to the player for the wagering game which can result in an award.

1 . A method of operating a gaming system including a controller configured to operate with a plurality of gaming machines, said method comprising:
 causing the controller to operate with the gaming machines to:   (a) for each of the gaming machines, enable a player of said gaming machine to make at least one player input in a play of an interactive game after placing a wager for a play for a wagering game associated with the play of the interactive game, wherein the play of the wagering game occurs after the play of the interactive game;   (b) for the play of the interactive game, determine a cumulative interactive game outcome based on the player inputs of a plurality of the players; and   (c) for each play of the wagering game by one of the plurality of the players, provide:
 (i) a random determination of a wagering game outcome; 
 (ii) a display of the wagering game outcome; 
 (iii) a determination of any award to provide to the player based on the displayed wagering game outcome and a paytable for said play of the wagering game; and 
 (iv) a display of any determined awards, wherein at least one of the wagering game, the wagering game outcome, the paytable, and any award is determined in part based on the cumulative interactive game outcome. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cumulative interactive game outcome includes an accumulation of interactive game points. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , which includes enabling the plurality of the players to play the interactive game as a team. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the cumulative interactive game outcome depends on all of the players of the team. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , which includes causing the wagering game to be the same for all of the players of the team. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , which includes using a same paytable for the play of the wagering game for all of the players of the team. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3 , which includes providing a same award for the play of the wagering game for all of the players of the team. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of the players are one team of a plurality of teams for the play of the interactive game. 
     
     
         9 . The method  claim 1 , which is provided through a data network. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the data network is an internet. 
     
     
         11 . A gaming system comprising:
 a controller configured to operate with a plurality of gaming machines to:   (a) for each of the gaming machines, enable a player of said gaming machine to make at least one player input in a play of an interactive game after placing a wager for a play for a wagering game associated with the play of the interactive game, wherein the play of the wagering game occurs after the play of the interactive game;   (b) for the play of the interactive game, determine a cumulative interactive game outcome based on the player inputs of a plurality of the players; and   (c) for each play of the wagering game by one of the plurality of the players, provide:
 (i) a random determination of a wagering game outcome; 
 (ii) a display of the wagering game outcome; 
 (iii) a determination of any award to provide to the player based on the displayed wagering game outcome and a paytable for said play of the wagering game; and 
 (iv) a display of any determined awards, wherein at least one of the wagering game, the wagering game outcome, the paytable, and any award is determined in part based on the cumulative interactive game outcome. 
   
     
     
         12 . The gaming system of  claim 11 , wherein the cumulative interactive game outcome includes an accumulation of interactive game points. 
     
     
         13 . The gaming system of  claim 11 , wherein the controller is configured to operate with the plurality of gaming machines to enable the plurality of the players to play the interactive game as a team. 
     
     
         14 . The gaming system of  claim 13 , wherein the cumulative interactive game outcome depends on all of the players of the team. 
     
     
         15 . The gaming system of  claim 13 , wherein the controller is configured to operate with the plurality of gaming machines to cause the wagering game to be the same for all of the players of the team. 
     
     
         16 . The gaming system of  claim 13 , wherein the controller is configured to operate with the plurality of gaming machines to cause a same paytable to be used for the play of the wagering game for all of the players of the team. 
     
     
         17 . The gaming system of  claim 13 , wherein the controller is configured to operate with the plurality of gaming machines to cause a same award to be provided for the play of the wagering game for all of the players of the team. 
     
     
         18 . The gaming system of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of the players are one team of a plurality of teams for the play of the interactive game.