US20050282618A1

US20050282618A1 - Communal gaming system

Info

Publication number: US20050282618A1
Application number: US11/153,936
Authority: US
Inventors: Terry O'Halloran
Original assignee: Stargames Corp Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Stargames Corp Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2004-06-16
Filing date: 2005-06-16
Publication date: 2005-12-22

Abstract

A gaming machine system for a communal slot machine game is disclosed. The system includes processing means for determining a result of a slot machine game, a communal display device (1) for displaying the result and a plurality of terminals (2-11) linked via communication means to the processing means. A number of the terminals (2-6) are physically located proximate the communal display device (1) so that players of these terminals can see the result on the communal display device (1). A number of the terminals are located remote from the communal display device (1). These remote terminals (7-11) are provided with individual displays to allow respective players to see the result. In playing a communal slot machine game with the system, the outcome at each of the terminals is solely dependent on the single, communal result determined by the processing means.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to gaming machine systems, and particularly gaming machine systems in which a communal slot game can be played on gaming machines that are linked together.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Communal gaming systems, in which multiple players use individual terminals to play a shared game, have gradually gained in popularity. These games have generally been casino-style table games such as Baccarat and Roulette, where a group of players play against or for a common result. Generally such games pit each user independently against the house, such that again whether one player wins or loses will not affect the results of another player. It is because of the style of the game that such terminals can be linked within regulatory requirements in many jurisdictions. The typical layout of these units has a number of terminals, generally from 2 to 12, placed in view of a central display or results terminal, often referred to as a dealer display device (DDD).
The advantage of these linked terminals for the operator is that they are able to earn higher returns for the system as a whole, and the system cost per terminal is decreased as the number of terminals increases.
One issue for the casino operator is the relative cost of the arrangement. Generally, the DDD is relatively expensive, and the operator may need to cater to various locations and preferences, for example smoking and non smoking. Hence, the operator may need to set up multiple communal games around individual DDDs.
It is an object of this invention to provide a gaming machine system which allows the operator to better provide for player location preferences, in a cost effective manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides in one aspect a gaming machine system including:
processing means for determining a result of a slot machine game;
a communal display device for displaying said result;
a plurality of first terminals linked via communication means to said processing means, wherein each of said plurality of first terminals are located proximate said communal display device whereby users of said first terminals are able to perceive the result displayed on said communal display device; and
a plurality of second terminals communicating with said processing means, wherein each of said plurality of second terminals are located remote from said communal device, each of said second terminals including a display for displaying the result to a user of the second terminal;
wherein an outcome at each of said first and second terminals is solely dependent on the single, communal result determined by said processing means. In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of operating a communal slot game, said game being provided using a system including processing means for determining a result of a slot machine game;
a communal display device for displaying said result;
a plurality of first terminals linked via communication means to said processing means, wherein each of said plurality of first terminals are located proximate said communal display device whereby users of said first terminals are able to perceive the result displayed on said communal display device; and
a plurality of second terminals communicating with said processing means, wherein each of said plurality of second terminals are located remote from said communal display device, each of said second terminals including a display for displaying the result to a user of the second terminal;
wherein said method includes the steps of;
receiving wagers on individual ones of said first and second terminals;
displaying an indication on at least said second terminals and on said communal display of the time remaining to play;
at the conclusion of that time, said processing means determining the result of the game and communicating the result to each of said first and second terminals; and
paying the respective payouts at each of said first and second terminals.
In a preferred form, one of said first terminals is a master terminal and includes the processing means, and relays the result to the other terminals. However, the processor may be a separate device, or a terminal not available for regular play. Most preferably, the second terminals receive results from the master terminal, as well as the images from the communal display terminal.
In the preferred system the payouts are managed by each local terminal based upon the wagers made at that terminal, and the results communicated from the processing means. However, the present invention could be implemented with the processor determining the payouts and the terminals relaying the outcome to the player.
Ideally, the processing means determines results at predetermined intervals, and the time to the next interval may be displayed on the communal display device and the displays of each of said second terminals. This has the advantage for slot machine type game over known independent slot machines of regulating the pace of play.
Each terminal may include a user interface that displays a history of user wagers, previous communal results, or other selected data. The user interface may also assist the user to place wagers on the game.
The present invention accordingly provides a way for operators to easily add further communal play terminals, without requiring any alteration to the existing network other than to provide a communication path for results. Each new terminal preferably manages payouts separately, so that the master terminal need not be modified for extra terminals as they are added.
The present invention is applicable to any type of communal game, for example simulated table games, simulated reel games, racing games or any other game which can be configured with a central result and individual betting against the house.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an exemplary configuration of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The preferred system of the present invention allows a common slot game to be played on a plurality of linked terminals which are, for example, each built similar to a standard slot machine so as to provide users with a familiar outlook. Each terminal can be linked to a central processor via communication means, such as a wired or wireless network. This central processor is responsible for determining a single result of a slot machine game effective and common for all terminals, the outcome of the players' wagers at each terminal being solely dependent on this single result. A number of the linked terminals are located proximate to a DDD, and further linked terminals are located remote from the communal display device. The remotely located terminals display the images (or a subset) from the DDD. The DDD obviates the need for such display on the proximate terminals, and although such a display could be provided on these terminals, this is not preferred.
In playing the game, a player is required to undertake no actions other than to select a wager, in a manner similar to a slot machine. The amount and nature of the wager may be selected, depending upon the communal game being played. The terminal interface and images displayed will be appropriate to the game, as is known for existing communal games. For example, for a communal slot game, the player may select the number of lines to play, and the number of credits to bet. For a roulette game, the player may select bets and combinations from a displayed layout, using a touch screen. The present invention is not limited in application to any particular game type.
An important distinction between a communal game and a stand alone gaming machine is that the player does not initiate play. A central processor provides the game play and determines a result of the game, preferably at predetermined times or intervals. Ideally the central processor determines the result, provides the result for display on the communal display device and the remote terminals, and each terminal uses the local player selections and the communal results to make payouts at that terminal. As a consequence, the addition of extra terminals does not require the game engine, payouts or mathematics to change. Similarly, the removal or non-operability of terminals does not affect the ability of the system as a whole to operate.
In the preferred system the linked player terminals may have a player interface which displays a history of player wagers, previous results, or other selected data and may assist the player in making wagers on the game by providing information on the game and the manner of placing bets. The terminals need not determine any results themselves if so required by regulatory requirements. If desired, a much simpler terminal can be used rather than a conventional slot machine.
As all betting is on a communal outcome, it is possible to implement features into games which cannot be readily implemented in conventional stand alone games. For example, on the occurrence of some event, the players may have the option to participate in a different game type, which is played communally, such as a horse racing game where each player is assigned or selects a horse. Many alternatives are possible by running the game outcome communally but allowing for local betting on each terminal.
In more detail, in the preferred implementation of the present invention a communal slot game system is provided in which the game played is a slot machine game using moving (rotating) reels. The result of the game is a result as created on a slot machine and is a common result to all players on the individual terminals linked to the same central processor. The players are rewarded for their wager on the game based on the prizes generated by lines and other combinations of symbols displayed on the moving reels.
The central processor determines a result every x units of time (e.g., seconds or minutes) and displays it on a communal display and remote terminal displays. The displays show the number of lines played (selectable from 1 to y, where y is the maximum lines available) and the amount bet per line. The determined result is then fed to the individual terminals dependent on the bet configuration so that the local terminal can pay any winnings (payouts) to the players based on their bets.
Referring now to FIG. 1 a schematic diagram of an exemplary arrangement of the present invention is shown. In this arrangement, a central processor is housed in a master terminal (2). The master terminal (2) is linked via communication means to a communal display device (1). The master terminal (2) and a number of slave terminals (3-6) are physically located in close proximity to the communal display device (1) so that players on these terminals can comfortably view the communal display device (1). A number of remote slave terminals (7-11) are also provided. The location of these remote slave terminals (7-11) is generally such that players on these terminals are not able to view the communal display device (1), for example, the remote terminals may be located in a different room from the communal display device (1). Each remote slave terminal (7-11) is provided with an individual display for their respective players.
The master terminal (2) is linked with all the slave terminals (3-11) via communication means. In the configuration shown, the master terminal 2 communicates the results to the next terminal in the chain, terminal 3, which in turns send them to terminal 4, and so forth. In an alternative implementation, the master terminal provides the results directly to each terminal.
The results information sent by master terminal 2 is only timing and results information—player betting is managed by each terminal locally. Timing information may be minimal, for example to display the time remaining until next game, and to trigger a lockout while the game is played. The master terminal also drives the DDD 1, to show results information, graphics to attract players, and a suitable simulated reel movement or the like when the game is played. Operationally, once the betting time is completed, master terminal 2 sends a command to the DDD1 to represent the results in a certain graphical fashion. The results are then communicated to the other terminals.
The game itself runs on a processor (not shown) in master terminal 2. Any suitable game may be used, preferably with suitable modifications for communal play. For example, accumulating jackpots cannot be readily implemented in a communal play environment. The game engine, however, may be of any suitable conventional type, as would be understood by those skilled in the art. Although the example used is for a simulated reel game, the invention is applicable to any communal game type.
In the present example, in a slot machine game a number of moving reels are rotated to result in a random drawing of a combination of symbols. Winnings are then awarded to the players in accordance with their particular wagers based on the correspondence of this resulting combination with predetermined winning combinations. As such, upon completion of the game through the generation of the result, the relevant winnings (payouts) are awarded by each terminal (2-11) to the players in accordance with their wagers and selections.
The individual terminals (2-11), which act as automated transaction stations, record all player bets and previous results and are used to place individual bets. These terminals (2-11) are independent of each other in all respects except their common link to the result determination.
All results that are generated by the controller are visually displayed on the DDD (1) and on the displays of each remote slave terminal (7-11). The communal display device (1) and the displays of the remote slave terminals (7-11) may also provide a visual representation of the game being played. This representation may show the random drawing of the combinations and all resulting winning combinations, and display a countdown to each game (i.e., the time remaining until the result of the next game is to be determined) based on the time allocation of the x units of time.
In the above description the processor is housed in a master player terminal (2), however the processor may not necessarily be part of a player terminal. The processor could be provided in a separate unit or be incorporated with the communal display device in a display unit.
The terminals on the remote terminals 7 to 11 preferably display the same images as on the DDD, which may be simply relayed over the network. Alternatively, they may display a subset of that information which is composed and relayed, suitable to the particular conditions. For example, the display at the remote terminal may be of lower resolution and size, or the player attracting graphics may be not activated when a player is at the remote terminal and has credits in the machine. These are all matters which can be determined based upon the desired local operating conditions and system features required.
The other terminals 3-11, apart from the display, differ from a conventional gaming machine in that they do not require a game engine as such, merely appropriate software to receive and record bets, and pay them out responsive to the results supplied by the master terminal 1.
In a preferred form, the results are supplied in the form of a simple data set, which the respective terminal applies to the wagers made locally, and determines the winnings for the respective player. The results set will vary with the nature of the game. It may include a specific set of winning selections—for example, pay only certain paylines, and in this amount (for each credit).
One outcome of the present invention is that it increases the volatility of earnings for the operator. With many independent machines, each is running a separate game, and the jackpots are more likely to even out. With a communal game, if a large payout outcome occurs, then all players will win in most cases.
Whilst the system and method of the present invention has been summarised and explained by illustrative example it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many widely varying embodiments and applications are within the teaching and scope of the present invention, and that the examples presented herein are by way of illustration only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A gaming machine system including:

processing means for determining a result of a slot machine game;

a communal display device for displaying said result;

a plurality of first terminals linked via communication means to said processing means, wherein each of said plurality of first terminals are located proximate said communal display device whereby users of said first terminals are able to perceive the result displayed on said communal display device; and

a plurality of second terminals communicating with said processing means, wherein each of said plurality of second terminals are located remote from said communal display device, each of said second terminals including a display for displaying the result to a user of the second terminal;

wherein an outcome at each of said first and second terminals is solely dependent on the single, communal result determined by said processing means.

2. The gaming machine system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said first and second terminals is adapted to determine individual payouts for each of their respective users based on the communal result and a wager and selections made at each of said first and second terminals.

3. The gaming machine system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said processing means determines communal results at predetermined intervals, and the time to the next interval is displayed on the communal display device and each display of said second terminals.

4. The gaming machine system as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of said first and second terminals includes a user interface that displays a history of user wagers, previous communal results, or other selected data.

5. The gaming machine system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said user interface assists the user of each terminal to place wagers on the slot machine game.

6. The gaming machine system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said processing means is provided in one of said first terminals.

7. The gaming machine system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the timing of each play cycle is controlled by said processing means.

8. The gaming machine system according to claim 1, wherein the system is configured such that individual ones of said first and second terminals can be added or removed without altering said processing means.

9. A method of operating a communal slot game, said game being provided using a system including processing means for determining a result of a slot machine game;

a communal display device for displaying said result;

wherein said method includes the steps of;

receiving wagers on individual ones of said first and second terminals;

displaying an indication on at least said second terminals and on said communal display of the time remaining to play;

at the conclusion of that time, said processing means determining the result of the game and communicating the result to each of said first and second terminals; and

paying the respective payouts at each of said first and second terminals.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the time between successive game cycles is predetermined.

11. A method according to claim 9, wherein each of said first and second terminals is adapted to determine individual payouts for each of their respective users based on the communal result and a wager and selections made at each of said first and second terminals, and to pay the corresponding payouts.