Wagering game with bonus-game assets that can be preserved for subsequent gaming sessions

Abstract

A method for playing a wagering game includes receiving wager inputs from a player for a wagering game, which includes a basic game and a bonus game, and selecting at least one randomly-selected outcome of a plurality of outcomes in response to receiving the wager inputs. The player is awarded a bonus-game asset in a first gaming session of the wagering game. A data set representing the bonus-game asset is stored, and, based on the data set, the player is allowed to use the bonus-game asset in a second gaming session.

1 . A method for playing a wagering game, comprising: 
 receiving wager inputs from a player for a wagering game, said wagering game including a basic game and a bonus game;    selecting at least one randomly-selected outcome of a plurality of outcomes in response to said receiving step;    awarding said player a bonus-game asset in a first gaming session of said wagering game;    storing a data set representing said bonus-game asset; and    allowing said player to use said bonus-game asset, based on said data set, in a second gaming session.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising awarding at least one other bonus-game asset before said allowing step.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing a choice of awards to said player in response to receiving a selection of said bonus-game asset from said player.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising selecting said choice of awards from a group including a bonus game, a general award, a new level of said wagering game, a new wagering game, a new game theme, a credit amount, a progressive jackpot, and a bonus jackpot.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising selecting said bonus-game asset from a group including a free spin, a winning multiplier, a bonus round, a credit amount, a bonus shield, a weak-option removal, a wrong-choice protection, an undo feature, a game-termination adjusting feature, an unlock feature, a puzzle component, a treasure item, an achievement event, a collecting event, a bonus increment, and a shortcut reward.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising awarding additional bonus-game assets in at least one of said basic game and said bonus game of said wagering game.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising storing said data set on an item selected from the group consisting of a player ticket, a player card, and a memory device.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising playing said first gaming session of said wagering game on a first gaming terminal and said second gaming session of said wagering game on a second gaming terminal.  
   
   
       9 . A computer readable storage medium or media encoded with instructions for directing said gaming machines to perform the method of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       10 . A gaming terminal for playing a wagering game, comprising: 
 a display for displaying at least one randomly-selected outcome of a plurality of outcomes in response to receiving wager inputs from a player during a first gaming session of a wagering game, said wagering game including a basic game and a bonus game; and    a controller coupled to said display and programmed to 
 award a bonus-game asset to said player in a first gaming session of said wagering game,  
 store a data set representing said bonus-game asset, and  
 allow said player to use said bonus-game asset, based on said data set, in a second gaming session.  
   
   
   
       11 . The gaming terminal of  claim 10 , wherein said controller is further programmed to receive a selection of said bonus-game asset from said player.  
   
   
       12 . The gaming terminal of  claim 11 , wherein said controller is further programmed to provide a choice of awards to said player in response to said receiving of said wager inputs.  
   
   
       13 . The gaming terminal of  claim 11 , wherein said controller is further programmed to select said choice of awards from a group including a bonus game, a general award, a new level of said wagering game, a new wagering game, a new game theme, a credit amount, a progressive jackpot, and a bonus jackpot.  
   
   
       14 . The gaming terminal of  claim 10 , wherein said controller is further programmed to select said bonus-game asset from a group including a free spin, a winning multiplier, a bonus round, a credit amount, a bonus shield, a weak-option removal, a wrong-choice protection, an undo feature, a game-termination adjusting feature, an unlock feature, a puzzle component, a treasure item, an achievement event, a collecting event, a bonus increment, and a shortcut reward.  
   
   
       15 . The gaming terminal of  claim 10 , wherein said controller is further programmed to allow said player to choose when to use said bonus-game asset.  
   
   
       16 . The gaming terminal of  claim 10 , wherein said controller is further programmed to award additional bonus-game assets in at least one of said basic game and said bonus game of said wagering game.  
   
   
       17 . The gaming terminal of  claim 10 , wherein said controller is further programmed to store said data set on an item selected from the group consisting of a player ticket, a player card, and a memory device.  
   
   
       18 . The gaming terminal of  claim 10 , wherein said controller is further programmed to present said first gaming session of said wagering game on a first gaming terminal and said second gaming session of said wagering game on a second gaming terminal.  
   
   
       19 . The gaming terminal of  claim 10 , wherein said controller is further programmed to present on a secondary display said bonus-game asset, said secondary display being coupled to said controller.  
   
   
       20 . A method of operating a wagering game, comprising: 
 receiving wager inputs from a player for a basic wagering game;    selecting at least one randomly-selected outcome of a plurality of outcomes in response to said receiving step;    awarding during a gaming session a game-play item for use in a bonus game;    storing a data set representing said game-play item before ending said gaming session; and    using said game-play item during a subsequent gaming session.