Gaming machine

Abstract

A gaming machine ( 1 ) including a base game of chance having random outcomes which include predetermined winning outcomes. The machine is adapted to pay winnings upon the occurrence of any of the winning outcomes. The machine is also adapted to allocate feature qualifying attributes such that accumulation of one ore more predetermined feature qualifying attributes opens a window of opportunity allowing a player to trigger a feature game at any time of their choosing whilst the window of opportunity is open. The window of opportunity remains open until the player no longer holds the one or more predetermined feature qualifying attributes.

1 . A gaming machine including: 
 a base game of chance having random outcomes which include predetermined winning outcomes, wherein said machine pays winnings upon the occurrence of any of said winning outcomes;    said machine being adapted to allocate feature qualifying attributes such that accumulation of one or more predetermined feature qualifying attributes opens a window of opportunity allowing a player to trigger a feature game at any time of their choosing whilst said window of opportunity is open; and    said window of opportunity remains open until said player no longer holds said one or more predetermined feature qualifying attributes.    
   
   
       2 . A gaming machine according to  claim 1  wherein different types of said feature qualifying attributes are represented by corresponding feature qualifying symbols.  
   
   
       3 . A gaming machine according to  claim 1  wherein said feature qualifying attributes are awarded at random.  
   
   
       4 . A gaming machine according to  claim 1  wherein said feature qualifying attributes are awarded in the event of said base game being played a predetermined number of times.  
   
   
       5 . A gaming machine according to  claim 1  wherein said feature qualifying attributes are awarded during play of said base game on the occurrence of predetermined attribute awarding combinations.  
   
   
       6 . A gaming machine according to  claim 1  wherein accumulated feature qualifying attributes used to trigger said feature game are removed from a player's tally.  
   
   
       7 . A gaming machine according to  claim 1  wherein said accumulated feature qualifying attributes are removed at random.  
   
   
       8 . A gaming machine according to  claim 1  wherein said accumulated feature qualifying attributes are removed on the occurrence of a predetermined attribute removing combination occurring during the play of said base game.  
   
   
       9 . A gaming machine according to  claim 1  wherein said accumulated feature qualifying attributes are removed in the event of said base game being played a predetermined number of times.  
   
   
       10 . A gaming machine according to  claim 1  wherein the characteristics of said feature game is dependent on the accumulation of predetermined feature qualifying attributes.  
   
   
       11 . A gaming machine according to  claim 10  wherein said feature game includes free games.  
   
   
       12 . A gaming machine according to  claim 10  wherein said feature game includes win multipliers.  
   
   
       13 . A gaming machine according to  claim 10  wherein said feature game includes substitute symbols.  
   
   
       14 . A gaming machine according to  claim 10  wherein said feature game includes bonus prizes.  
   
   
       15 . A gaming machine according to  claim 10  wherein said feature game includes held reels.  
   
   
       16 . A gaming machine according to  claim 10  wherein said feature game includes bonus reels.  
   
   
       17 . A gaming machine according to  claim 10  wherein said feature game includes bonus scatter symbols.  
   
   
       18 . A gaming machine according to  claim 10  wherein said feature game includes bonus substitute symbols.  
   
   
       19 . A gaming machine according to  claim 1  wherein said feature game includes bonus trigger combinations which award further feature qualifying attributes.  
   
   
       20 . A gaming machine according to  claim 1  wherein varying levels of said window of opportunity are provided such that higher levels are perceived by a player as returning increased winnings.  
   
   
       21 . A gaming machine according to  claim 1  wherein said feature qualifying attributes are in the form of jackpot qualifying attributes.  
   
   
       22 . A gaming machine according to  claim 21  wherein said machine is configured to provide a jackpot feature game which can be triggered by a player upon the accumulation of one or more predetermined jackpot qualifying attributes.  
   
   
       23 . A gaming machine according to  claim 22  wherein player interaction is required to determine if a jackpot prize is won during said jackpot feature game.  
   
   
       24 . A gaming machine according to  claim 23  wherein a jackpot screen will appear for facilitating said player interaction when a player triggers a jackpot feature game.  
   
   
       25 . A gaming machine according to  claim 23  wherein said jackpot prize is contributed from a stand-alone machine.  
   
   
       26 . A gaming machine according to  claim 23  wherein said jackpot prize is contributed from a number of machines networked together.  
   
   
       27 . A gaming machine according to  claim 1  wherein said base game is a spinning reel type using a simulation of five adjacent wheels to present an array of randomly selected symbols in five columns and three rows.  
   
   
       28 . A method of operating a gaming machine, the method including the steps of: providing a base game of chance having random outcomes which include predetermined winning outcomes, wherein said machine pays winnings upon the occurrence of any of said winning outcomes; 
 said machine being adapted to allocate feature qualifying attributes such that accumulation of one or more predetermined feature qualifying attributes opens a window of opportunity allowing a player to trigger a feature game at any time of their choosing whilst said window of opportunity is open; and    said window of opportunity remains open until said player no longer holds said one or more predetermined feature qualifying attributes.    
   
   
       29 . A method according to  claim 28  wherein different types of said feature qualifying attributes are represented by corresponding feature qualifying symbols.  
   
   
       30 . A method according to  claim 28  wherein said feature qualifying attributes are awarded at random.  
   
   
       31 . A method according to  claim 28  wherein said feature qualifying attributes are awarded in the event of said base game being played a predetermined number of times.  
   
   
       32 . A method according to  claim 28  wherein said feature qualifying attributes are awarded during play of said base game on the occurrence of predetermined attribute awarding combinations.  
   
   
       33 . A method according to  claim 28  wherein accumulated feature qualifying attributes used to trigger said feature game are removed from a player's tally.  
   
   
       34 . A method according to  claim 28  wherein said accumulated feature qualifying attributes are removed at random.  
   
   
       35 . A method according to  claim 28  wherein said accumulated feature qualifying attributes are removed on the occurrence of a predetermined attribute removing combination occurring during the play of said base game.  
   
   
       36 . A method according to  claim 28  wherein said accumulated feature qualifying attributes are removed in the event of said base game being played a predetermined number of times.  
   
   
       37 . A method according to  claim 28  wherein the characteristics of said feature game is dependent on the accumulation of predetermined feature qualifying attributes.  
   
   
       38 . A method according to  claim 37  wherein said feature game includes free games.  
   
   
       39 . A method according to  claim 37  wherein said feature game includes win multipliers.  
   
   
       40 . A method according to  claim 37  wherein said feature game includes substitute symbols.  
   
   
       41 . A method according to  claim 37  wherein said feature game includes bonus prizes.  
   
   
       42 . A method according to  claim 37  wherein said feature game includes held reels.  
   
   
       43 . A method according to  claim 37  wherein said feature game includes bonus reels.  
   
   
       44 . A method according to  claim 37  wherein said feature game includes bonus scatter symbols.  
   
   
       45 . A method according to  claim 37   44  wherein said feature game includes bonus substitute symbols.  
   
   
       46 . A method according to  claim 37  wherein said feature game includes bonus trigger combinations which award further feature qualifying attributes.  
   
   
       47 . A method according to  claim 28  wherein varying levels of said window of opportunity are provided such that higher levels are perceived by a player as returning increased winnings.  
   
   
       48 . A method according to  claim 28  wherein said feature qualifying attributes are in the form of jackpot qualifying attributes.  
   
   
       49 . A method according to  claim 48  wherein said machine is configured to provide a jackpot feature game which can be triggered by a player upon the accumulation of one or more predetermined jackpot qualifying attributes.  
   
   
       50 . A method according to  claim 49  wherein player interaction is required to determine if a jackpot prize is won during said jackpot feature game.  
   
   
       51 . A method according to  claim 50  wherein a jackpot screen will appear for facilitating said player interaction when a player triggers a jackpot feature game.  
   
   
       52 . A method according to  claim 50  wherein said jackpot prize is contributed from a stand-alone machine.  
   
   
       53 . A method according to  claim 50  wherein said jackpot prize is contributed from a number of machines networked together.  
   
   
       54 . A method according to  claim 28  wherein said base game is a spinning reel type using a simulation of five adjacent wheels to present an array of randomly selected symbols in five columns and three rows.