Monica A McClintic

Michael T Tessmer

William E Vorias

Julie A Mottes

A multilevel game includes a base game in which game credits and free passes may be accumulated and saved for play in a bonus event. The bonus event comprises a tic tac toe-like game in which a player is required to correctly answer trivia questions in order to receive a marker in a space of a matrix. Upon correctly answering trivia questions or presenting free passes in lieu of correct answers to trivia questions associated with a prespecified number of spaces in a prespecified arrangement on the matrix, the player may be granted an award or access to a next-higher level of the bonus event. Nonwinners of the bonus event are returned to the base game. Various other features include 'double-or-nothing' bonus play. The multilevel game may be effected by a gaming machine or a system that includes a gaming machine.

Gaming method, device, and system including trivia-based bonus game

The method includes a bonus game associated with a base game that allows players to use skill and memory to determine the outcome of the bonus game. Players are prompted at the beginning of the bonus game to select at least a first and then a second game space from an array of game spaces, revealing previously hidden indicia. The player continues the selections for a predetermined period of time or until some event occurs, terminating the selections. Bonus payouts are awarded in the event the revealed indicia match. Alternative embodiments include allowing players to qualify for a 'sneak peek', wherein all or some hidden indicia on the game space array are revealed for a short period of time, and random shuffling of the indicia to different game spaces.

Method of playing a matching bonus game

A game including at least one level in which a player wagers a resource item to progress to a next-higher level or to receive an award. When the wagered resource item matches a resource item that has been randomly selected from a predetermined group of resource items, such progress or award is granted to the player. The game may comprise a bonus event to a base game of the gaming apparatus, in which the player may have an opportunity to play for one or more resource items. The game may include one or more levels. Awards may be available at each level or upon successfully completing all of the levels of the game. The game may be effected by a stand alone gaming apparatus or by a networked gaming apparatus, in which case the game may be played against others.

Gaming method, device, and system including adventure bonus game

Methods of playing games of chance and gaming devices employing a plurality of symbol carriers, each symbol carrier bearing substantially continuously visible symbols. At least one symbol carried by each of the plurality of symbol carriers may be indicated at the end of a play sequence as a chosen symbol, by way of at least one individualized indicator. A combination of chosen symbols is randomly generated during play, and movement of the symbol carriers, indicators or both, as well as the results of play, are displayed on a video display or otherwise communicated to the player. Symbol carriers may perceptibly rotate about one or more points, translate, or otherwise move as part of the simulation. Further, a player may optionally configure parameters of the game such as symbol order, symbol carrier order, speed, rotation direction, colors, or other characteristics, as well as pay line configurations, prior to initiation of a play sequence.

Method and apparatus for gaming using symbols movable in the plane of a display

An interactive bonus game played in conjunction with a base game. To initiate play, a player selects a character from a list of characters in a gaming device. The player then makes a wager and plays the base game. Entry into the bonus game is achieved upon a qualification event in the base game. In the bonus game, the players have the option of modifying attributes for the selected characters. The bonus game provides the qualified player with the option to challenge another player or a computer-generated opponent in a player to player contest. A player may also be challenged by a computer-generated opponent. The challenged player then chooses whether to surrender to the qualified player or to accept the challenge. Upon acceptance of the challenge, the contest is conducted between the two players and a winner is determined, which may at least in part be affected by the attributes of the characters as modified by the players.

Method and apparatus for an interactive bonus game

The present invention provides a player an enhanced gaming experience by using strategy and random selection to impart at least the perception of elements of skill to players to provide access to quasi-competitive bonus games for players of different skill levels. The gaming machines of the present invention are configured to offer the features of a conventional gaming machine, such as, for example, a primary game in the form of a reel-type game or a video card game, but also enable entry into a quasi-competitive bonus game. In exemplary embodiments, the gaming machines of the present invention are networked to enable interactive bonus game play among more than one player or between a player and a computer. Players may select or adopt and modify a particular character for bonus game play, and team play between teams of players may also be offered.

Growing community of inventors

Boulder City, NV, United States of America

Monica A McClintic