Gaming machine with persistent feature state

Abstract

A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine during a single gaming session is disclosed. The wagering game includes a basic game and a bonus game. The bonus game is triggered by a special outcome in the basic game. According to the method, the machine receives a first wager to play the wagering game. In response to an occurrence of the special outcome, the bonus game is conducted until terminated at one of a plurality of possible states. The machine subsequently receives a second wager to play the wagering game. In response to a subsequent occurrence of the special outcome, the bonus game resumes from the one of the plurality of possible states as long as game credits remain in the machine between the occurrence and the subsequent occurrence of the special outcome. Otherwise, the bonus game resets so that it commences from an introductory state when the special outcome subsequently occurs.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine during a single gaming session, the wagering game including a bonus game triggered by at least one special outcome in at least one other portion of the wagering game, the method comprising: 
 receiving a first wager to play the wagering game;    in response to an occurrence of the special outcome, conducting the bonus game;    receiving a second wager to play the wagering game; and    in response to a subsequent occurrence of the special outcome, resuming the bonus game from a state at which the bonus game was previously terminated.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bonus game includes a plurality of possible levels, and wherein the step of conducting the bonus game includes terminating the bonus game at one of the plurality of levels, the state being the one of the plurality of levels.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of conducting the bonus game includes terminating the bonus game at one of a plurality of possible bonus states, the state being the one of the plurality of possible bonus states.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of conducting the bonus game includes commencing the bonus game from an introductory state, and further including in response to dispensing any game credits remaining in the machine, resetting the bonus game so that the bonus game commences from the introductory state when the special outcome subsequently occurs.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of resuming the bonus game from the state at which the bonus game was previously terminated occurs as long as game credits remain in the machine between the occurrence and the subsequent occurrence of the special outcome.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one other portion of the wagering game includes a basic game.  
     
     
         7 . A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine during a single gaming session, the wagering game including a bonus game triggered by at least one special outcome in at least one other portion of the wagering game, the method comprising: 
 in response to an occurrence of the special outcome, conducting the bonus game; and    in response to a subsequent occurrence of the special outcome, resuming the bonus game from a state at which the bonus game was terminated during the conducting step.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the bonus game includes a plurality of possible levels, and wherein the step of conducting the bonus game includes terminating the bonus game at one of the plurality of levels, the state being the one of the plurality of levels.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of conducting the bonus game includes terminating the bonus game at one of a plurality of possible bonus states, the state being the one of the plurality of possible bonus states.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of conducting the bonus game includes commencing the bonus game from an introductory state, and further including in response to dispensing any game credits remaining in the machine, resetting the bonus game so that the bonus game commences from the introductory state when the special outcome subsequently occurs.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the step of resuming the bonus game from the state at which the bonus game was terminated during the conducting step occurs as long as game credits remain in the machine between the occurrence and the subsequent occurrence of the special outcome.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one other portion of the wagering game includes a basic game.  
     
     
         13 . A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine during a single gaming session, the wagering game including a bonus game triggered by at least one special outcome in at least one other portion of the wagering game, the method comprising: 
 in response to an occurrence of the special outcome, conducting the bonus game until terminated at one of a plurality of possible states; and    in response to a subsequent occurrence of the special outcome, resuming the bonus game from the one of the plurality of possible states.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of conducting the bonus game includes commencing the bonus game from an introductory state, and further including in response to dispensing any game credits remaining in the machine, resetting the bonus game so that the bonus game commences from the introductory state when the special outcome subsequently occurs.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of resuming the bonus game from the one of the plurality of possible states occurs as long as game credits remain in the machine between the occurrence and the subsequent occurrence of the special outcome.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one other portion of the wagering game includes a basic game.