Gaming apparatus and systems

Abstract

A gaming apparatus includes a display module for displaying play of a main game having one or more default play parameters is capable of being triggered. A trigger means implemented by the apparatus triggers the feature game in response to a trigger occurring during play of the main game. A purchasing means is operable to allow the player to purchase a modifier using an instrument of value after the feature game has been triggered. A modifier means modifies at least one default parameter of the feature game associated with the purchased modifier prior to play thereof, whereby the modification has the effect of improving a prize award potential for the feature game.

1 . A gaming apparatus including:
 a display module for displaying play of a main game in which a feature game is capable of being triggered;   a trigger means for triggering the feature game in response to a trigger occurring during play of the main game;   a purchasing means operable to allow the player to purchase a modifier using an instrument of value after the feature game has been triggered; and   modifier means for modifying at least one default parameter of the feature game associated with the purchased modifier prior to play of the feature game, the modification having the effect of improving a prize award potential for the feature game.   
     
     
         2 . A gaming apparatus according to  claim 1 , whereby the modified at least one default parameter increases a theoretical return to player percentage of the game. 
     
     
         3 . A gaming apparatus according to  claim 1 , whereby the modified at least one default parameter does not increase a theoretical return to player percentage of the game. 
     
     
         4 . A gaming apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the instrument of value comprises machine credits. 
     
     
         5 . A gaming apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the instrument of value comprises reward points awarded to the player. 
     
     
         6 . A gaming apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein a plurality of modifiers are purchasable by the player, at least one of the plurality of modifiers being operable to modify one or more different default parameters to another of the modifiers. 
     
     
         7 . A gaming apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein a point or credit value for each purchasable modifier is dependent on an amount by which the theoretical return to player percentage is improved. 
     
     
         8 . A gaming apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the feature game is one of a series of free games or reel re-spins. 
     
     
         9 . A gaming apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the purchasable modifiers are operable to modify a number of free games or reel re-spins. 
     
     
         10 . A gaming apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the purchasable modifiers are operable to modify a pay structure for the feature game. 
     
     
         11 . A gaming apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the purchasable modifiers are operable to modify a number of paylines played in the feature game, a number of reels playable on the feature game, or a combination of the two. 
     
     
         12 . A gaming apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the purchasable modifiers are operable to modify a number of special symbols capable of being selected in the feature game. 
     
     
         13 . A gaming apparatus including:
 a display module for displaying play of a main game in which a feature game is capable of being triggered;   trigger means for triggering the feature game in response to a trigger occurring during play of the main game; and   modifier means for allowing a player to exchange a default gameplay characteristic of the feature game for a different gameplay characteristic prior to play thereof, the exchange affecting a prize award potential for the feature game.   
     
     
         14 . A gaming apparatus according to  claim 13 , further comprising a purchasing module operable to allow the player to purchase the different gameplay characteristic where the different gameplay characteristic has the effect of improving the theoretical return to player percentage for the feature game. 
     
     
         15 . A gaming apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the player is able to purchase the different gameplay characteristic using at least one of points and machine credits. 
     
     
         16 . A gaming apparatus including:
 display module for displaying play of a main game in which a feature game is capable of being triggered;   trigger means for triggering the feature game in response to a trigger occurring during play of the main game; and   modifier means for allowing a player to forfeit a gameplay characteristic of the feature game in exchange for reward points or machine credits prior to play of the feature game.   
     
     
         17 . A gaming apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the gameplay characteristic comprises a number of free games, a number of reel re-spins, or a combination of the two. 
     
     
         18 . A gaming apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the gameplay characteristic is selected from the group comprising, a win multiplier, a number of paylines played in the feature game, a number of special symbols capable of being selected in the feature game and a number of reels playable on the feature game. 
     
     
         19 . A method of gaming comprising:
 displaying play of a main game in which a feature game is capable of being triggered;   triggering the feature game in response to a trigger occurring during play of the main game; and   allowing a player to purchase a modifier operable to modify at least one default parameter of the feature game after the feature game has been triggered and prior to play thereof, the modification having the effect of improving a prize award potential for the feature game.   
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the modification of the at least one default play parameter improves a theoretical return to player percentage of the game. 
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the modification of the at least one default play parameter does not improve a theoretical return to player percentage of the game. 
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein a plurality of modifiers are purchasable by the player, at least one of the plurality of modifiers being operable to modify one or more different default play parameters to another of the modifiers. 
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein a purchase value for each purchasable modifier is dependent on an amount by which the prize award potential is improved. 
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the feature game is one of a series of free games or reel re-spins. 
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 24 , wherein the purchasable modifiers are operable to modify a number of free games, a number of reel re-spins, or a combination of the two. 
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 24 , wherein the purchasable modifiers are operable to modify one or more default parameters selected from the following: a number of paylines played in the feature game; a number of reels playable on the feature game. 
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 24 , wherein the purchasable modifiers are operable to modify a number of special symbols capable of being selected in the feature game. 
     
     
         28 . A method of gaming comprising:
 displaying play of a main game in which a feature game is capable of being triggered;   triggering the feature game in response to a trigger occurring during play of the main game; and   allowing a player to exchange at least one default play characteristic of the feature game for a different play characteristic after the feature game has been triggered and prior to play thereof, the exchange effecting a prize award potential for the feature game.   
     
     
         29 . A method according to  claim 28 , further comprising allowing the player to purchase the different play characteristic where the exchange has the effect of improving the return to player percentage for the game. 
     
     
         30 . A method of gaming comprising:
 displaying play of a main game in which a feature game is capable of being triggered;   triggering the feature game in response to a trigger occurring during play of the main game; and   allowing a player to forfeit a default play characteristic of the feature game after the feature game has been triggered and prior to play thereof in exchange for machine credits or reward points.   
     
     
         31 . A method according to  claim 28 , wherein the gameplay characteristic comprises a number of free games, a number of reel re-spins, or a combination of the two. 
     
     
         32 . A method according to  claim 31 , wherein the gameplay characteristic is selected from the group comprising, a win multiplier, a number of paylines played in the feature game, a number of special symbols capable of being selected in the feature game and a number of reels playable on the feature game. 
     
     
         33 . A gaming system including:
 at least one game device implementing a display; and   a game controller comprising a:   display controller operable to cause one or more of the game devices to display a main game in which a feature game is capable of being triggered;   trigger means for triggering the feature game for the respective game device in response to a trigger occurring during play of the main game;   a purchasing means operable to allow the respective players to purchase a modifier using an instrument of value after the feature game has been triggered; and   modifier means for modifying at least one default parameter of the feature game associated with the purchased modifier prior to play thereof, the modification having the effect of improving a prize award potential for the feature game.