Game for a gaming device that changes automatically over time

Abstract

A video gaming machine, such as a slot machine, is described herein where the game itself changes automatically at certain times independent of the outcome of any game and without any player interaction. The changed game may be the main game or a bonus game. The time between changes may be any time such as minutes, hours, days, seasons, etc. In one embodiment, a video five-reel type game having a particular theme automatically changes at a particular time into a different type of game, such as a four-reel game or a game having a different theme. In another embodiment, the symbols in a reel-type game change automatically to become other symbols so that the set of winning combinations of symbols or the payout schedule changes. By automatically changing the game independent of the outcome of any game and without the player's input, the playing experience is varied, and the player does not get bored by playing the same game.

1 . A method performed by a gaming machine comprising: 
 displaying and conducting a first type of game, one or more outcomes of the first type of game providing awards to the player;    displaying and conducting a second type of game different from the first type of game, one or more outcomes of the second type game providing awards to the player; and    automatically changing the game displayed and conducted by the gaming machine from the first type of game to the second type of game independent of the outcome of a game and without player interaction.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first type of game comprises displaying the rotation of X reels and stopping the rotation of the X reels to grant an award based upon combinations of symbols across one or more paylines, and the second type of game comprises displaying the rotation of Y reels and stopping the rotation of the Y reels to grant an award based upon combinations of symbols across one or more paylines, wherein X does not equal Y.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first type of game comprises displaying a bingo game, and the second type of game comprises displaying a roulette game.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first type of game comprises displaying the rotation of reels having a first set of symbols and stopping the rotation of the reels to grant an award based upon combinations of symbols from the first set across one or more paylines, and the second type of game comprises displaying the rotation of the reels having a second set of symbols, different from the first set of symbols, and stopping the rotation of the reels to grant an award based upon combinations of symbols from the second set across one or more paylines.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein at least some of the symbols in the first set of symbols automatically change into at least some of the symbols in the second set of symbols.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein at least some of the symbols in the first set of symbols automatically change into special symbols that perform a special function.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the special symbols include one of a bonus symbol or a wild card symbol.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first type of game has winning outcomes different from winning outcomes of the second type of game.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first type of game has a payout schedule different from a payout schedule of the second type of game.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first type of game has winning combinations of symbols different from winning combinations of symbols in the second type of game.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first type of game changes into the second type of game by changing a theme of the first type of game.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the theme of the first type of game is a winter theme, and a theme of the second type of game is a non-winter theme.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the first type of game changes into the second type of game as the seasons of the year change.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first type of game has a bingo theme, and the second type of game has a roulette theme.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first type of game changes to the second type of game over a period of time exceeding a day.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising automatically changing the second type of game back to the first type of game.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first type of game and the second type of game are bonus games.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the first type of game and the second type of game have different game rules.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising presenting the player with a selection of playing the first type of game or the second type of game.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the first type of game and the second type of game have different possible award values.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second type of game includes a progressive jackpot feature that is unavailable in the first type of game.  
   
   
       22 . A gaming device comprising: 
 a video display screen; and    a processor programmed for carrying out the following method: 
 displaying and conducting a first type of game, one or more outcomes of the first type of game providing awards to the player;  
 displaying and conducting a second type of game different from the first type of game, one or more outcomes of the second type game providing awards to the player; and  
 automatically changing the game displayed and conducted by the gaming machine from the first type of game to the second type of game independent of the outcome of a game and without player interaction.  
   
   
   
       23 . The device of  claim 22  wherein the first type of game comprises displaying the rotation of X reels and stopping the rotation of the X reels to grant an award based upon combinations of symbols across one or more paylines, and the second type of game comprises displaying the rotation of Y reels and stopping the rotation of the Y reels to grant an award based upon combinations of symbols across one or more paylines, wherein X does not equal Y.  
   
   
       24 . The device of  claim 22  wherein the first type of game comprises displaying the rotation of reels having a first set of symbols and stopping the rotation of the reels to grant an award based upon combinations of symbols from the first set across one or more paylines, and the second type of game comprises displaying the rotation of the reels having a second set of symbols, different from the first set of symbols, and stopping the rotation of the reels to grant an award based upon combinations of symbols from the second set across one or more paylines.  
   
   
       25 . The device of  claim 22  wherein the first type of game has winning outcomes different from winning outcomes of the second type of game.  
   
   
       26 . The device of  claim 22  wherein the first type of game has a payout schedule different from a payout schedule of the second type of game.  
   
   
       27 . The device of  claim 22  wherein the first type of game has winning combinations of symbols different from winning combinations of symbols in the second type of game.