Gaming apparatus and method with full-motion video characters

Abstract

One embodiment relates to a gaming apparatus. The gaming apparatus includes an electronic display and a circuit configured to control the electronic display and to cause the electronic display to display a graphical scene. The graphical scene includes a first portion having a first video corresponding to a first body portion of one of a number of characters, a second portion having a second video corresponding to a second body portion of one of the number of characters, and a third portion having a third video corresponding to a third body portion of one of the number of characters.

1 . A gaming apparatus, comprising:
 an electronic display; and   a circuit configured to control the electronic display and to cause the electronic display to display a graphical scene comprising:
 a first portion comprising video corresponding to a first body portion of one of a number of characters, 
 a second portion comprising video corresponding to a second body portion of one of the number of characters, and 
 a third portion comprising video corresponding to a third body portion of one of the number of characters; 
   wherein the circuit is configured to at least one of spin, randomize, and jumble different possible videos for each of the first, second, and third portions; and   wherein the circuit is configured to enter a winning state when the video shown in the first, second, and third portions are associated with the same character wearing matching clothing.   
     
     
         2 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the circuit is configured to operate the apparatus as a slot machine. 
     
     
         3 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the graphical display includes a fourth portion comprising video corresponding to a fourth body portion. 
     
     
         4 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a user interface coupled to the circuit;   wherein the circuit is configured to receive the user selection of the one of a number of characters via the user interface.   
     
     
         5 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the fourth body portion is a head portion. 
     
     
         6 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the characters comprise videos of the same model dressed in the number of different costumes. 
     
     
         7 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the circuit is configured to cause the display of a video of the character performing an action sequence in response to the winning state. 
     
     
         8 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the circuit is configured to determine a payout in response to the win and the payout corresponds to a length of the action sequence. 
     
     
         9 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the character is a model in a cowgirl or cowboy costume and the action sequence includes bull riding. 
     
     
         10 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the character is a model in beach wear and the action sequence includes riding a wave. 
     
     
         11 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the circuit is configured to cause the display of a video of the character dancing when a win is determined. 
     
     
         12 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the circuit is configured to cause the electronic display to provide video of a model before beginning a game and wherein the circuit is configured to cause an audio system of the gaming apparatus to play audio corresponding the video, wherein the audio prompts passers-by or users to use the gaming apparatus. 
     
     
         13 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein a first character is a model in a beach wear costume and a second character is a model in a cowboy or cowgirl costume. 
     
     
         14 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the circuit is configured to cause each of the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion to include an image and/or a video of a curtain, and wherein the circuit is configured to cause the each of the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion to change from including the image and/or video of the curtain to including video of the character. 
     
     
         15 . The gaming apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a storage unit for storing a first set of videos associated with the first body portion in a plurality of costumes, a second set of videos associated with the second body portion in the plurality of costumes, and a third set of videos associated with the third body portion in the plurality of costumes, wherein the storage unit includes additional sets of videos for additional characters in the plurality of costumes.   
     
     
         16 . A method of providing a game of chance via a graphical scene shown on an electronic display, the method comprising:
 providing first video on a first portion of the graphical scene, the first video corresponding to a first body portion of a model;   providing second video on a second portion of the graphical scene, the second video corresponding to a second body portion of the model;   providing third video on a third portion of the graphical scene, the third video corresponding to a third body portion of the model; and   providing an indication of a winner if the first video, the second video, and third video are associated with the same costume theme.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 allowing selection of the model from a plurality of selections; and   providing fourth video corresponding to a head portion of the model.   
     
     
         18 . A device connected to an electronic display, the device comprising:
 a circuit configured to cause a character to be shown on the display wearing multiple pieces of clothing, wherein the circuit is configured to vary the pieces of clothing shown on the character when a game is played;   wherein the circuit is configured to enter a winning state for the game when the pieces of clothing shown on the character match once the varying of the pieces of clothing is discontinued.   
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the circuit is further configured to operate the device as a slot machine. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the character is shown in full-motion video at least prior to and after the varying of the pieces of clothing.