Ambient Audio Environment in a Wagering Game

Abstract

A computerized wagering game system comprises a gaming module that includes a processor and gaming code which is operable when executed on the processor to conduct a reel slot machine wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered. An audio module is operable to play an environmental audio track that comprises sound related to a theme of the computerized wagering game. The environmental audio track is played at a time not associated with specific game play events, such as reel spin or credit bang-up.

1 . A computerized gaming system, comprising:
 a gaming module, comprising a processor and gaming code which is operable when executed on the processor to conduct a reel slot machine wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered; and   an audio module, the audio module operable to play an environmental audio track, the environmental audio track comprising sound related to a theme of the computerized wagering game, wherein the environmental audio track is played at a time not associated with specific game play events, wherein specific game play events comprise at least reel spin and credit bang-up.   
   
   
       2 . The computerized gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the audio module is further operable to play at least one additional environmental audio track. 
   
   
       3 . The computerized gaming system of  claim 2 , wherein the environmental audio track and the at least one additional audio track are played sequentially. 
   
   
       4 . The computerized gaming system of  claim 2 , wherein the environmental audio track and the at least one additional audio track are played concurrently. 
   
   
       5 . The computerized gaming system of  claim 2 , wherein the environmental audio track and the at least one additional audio track are played randomly. 
   
   
       6 . The computerized gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the environmental audio track is played in a constant loop. 
   
   
       7 . The computerized gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the audio module is operable to play environmental audio tracks only when the wagering game is in play. 
   
   
       8 . The computerized gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the audio environment comprises sounds heard in nature that are related to the theme of the game. 
   
   
       9 . A method of operating a computerized gaming system, comprising:
 playing an environmental audio track via an audio module of the computerized gaming system, the environmental audio track comprising sound related to a theme of the computerized wagering game, wherein the environmental audio track is played at a time not associated with specific game play events, wherein specific game play events comprise at least reel spin and credit bang-up, and wherein the computerized gaming system further comprises a gaming module comprising a processor and gaming code which is operable when executed on the processor to conduct a reel slot machine wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising playing at least one additional environmental audio track via the audio module. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the environmental audio track and the at least one additional audio track are played sequentially. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the environmental audio track and the at least one additional audio track are played concurrently. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the environmental audio track and the at least one additional audio track are played randomly. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the environmental audio track is played in a constant loop. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the audio module is operable to play environmental audio tracks only when the wagering game is in play. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the audio environment comprises sounds heard in nature that are related to the theme of the game. 
   
   
       17 . A machine readable medium with instructions encoded thereon, the instructions when executed operable to cause a computerized gaming system to:
 play an environmental audio track via an audio module of the computerized gaming system, the environmental audio track comprising sound related to a theme of the computerized wagering game, wherein the environmental audio track is played at a time not associated with specific game play events, wherein specific game play events comprise at least reel spin and credit bang-up, and wherein the computerized gaming system further comprises a gaming module comprising a processor and gaming code which is operable when executed on the processor to conduct a reel slot machine wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered.   
   
   
       18 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 17 , the instructions when executed farther operable to cause the computerized gaming system to play at least one additional environmental audio track via the audio module. 
   
   
       19 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 18 , wherein the environmental audio track and the at least one additional audio track are played sequentially. 
   
   
       20 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 18 , wherein the environmental audio track and the at least one additional audio track are played concurrently. 
   
   
       21 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 18 , wherein the environmental audio track and the at least one additional audio track are played randomly. 
   
   
       22 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 17 , wherein the environmental audio track is played in a constant loop. 
   
   
       23 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 17 , wherein the audio module is operable to play environmental audio tracks only when the wagering game is in play. 
   
   
       24 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 17 , wherein the audio environment comprises sounds heard in nature that are related to the theme of the game.