Method and apparatus for conducting a game of chance

Abstract

The field of the invention relates generally to video gaming, and more particularly, to systems for conducting casino-based gaming. A player may be provided the option to personalize the design of the video game. The player may choose design options from pre-set themes or develop a personalized theme. A player may be provided the option to personalize the game itself.

1 . A slot machine game comprising:
 a game interface, wherein the game interface is adapted to permit at least one player to personalize the slot machine game.   
     
     
         2 . The slot machine game of  claim 1 , wherein the slot machine game is executed by a gaming operator. 
     
     
         3 . The slot machine game according to  claim 1 , wherein the slot machine game comprises at least one of a video gaming machine, a mechanical machine, or an online game. 
     
     
         4 . The slot machine game according to  claim 1 , wherein the game interface is adapted to permit the at least one player to personalize at least one visual element of the slot machine game. 
     
     
         5 . The slot machine game according to  claim 1 , wherein the game interface is adapted to permit the at least one player to personalize at least one audio element of the slot machine game. 
     
     
         6 . The slot machine game according to  claim 1 , wherein the game interface is adapted to permit the at least one player to personalize at least one game play element of the slot machine game. 
     
     
         7 . The slot machine game according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one game play element includes at least one of a number of reels in the slot machine game, a number of indicia on at least one reel, presence of a bonus game, a type of bonus game, a minimum bet, a maximum bet, and highest odds. 
     
     
         8 . The slot machine game according to  claim 1 , wherein the game interface is adapted to permit the at least one player to personalize the slot machine game by selecting a preprogrammed template. 
     
     
         9 . The slot machine game according to  claim 8 , wherein the preprogrammed template includes a theme. 
     
     
         10 . The slot machine game according to  claim 1 , wherein the game interface is adapted to permit the at least one player to personalize the slot machine game by selecting a template developed by the at least one player. 
     
     
         11 . The slot machine game according to  claim 1 , wherein personalization of the slot machine game does not affect the odds of winning. 
     
     
         12 . The slot machine game according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one player personalizes the slot machine game using options provided by the slot machine game. 
     
     
         13 . The slot machine game according to  claim 6 , wherein personalizations of game play elements have an associated pay table preprogrammed in the slot machine game. 
     
     
         14 . The slot machine game according to  claim 10 , wherein the game interface is adapted to load the template using an input/output device. 
     
     
         15 . The slot machine game according to  claim 14 , wherein the input/output devices includes at least one of a card reader, a disk drive, and a removable memory drive. 
     
     
         16 . The slot machine game according to  claim 10 , wherein the template is generated before accessing the slot machine game. 
     
     
         17 . The slot machine game according to  claim 10 , wherein the template includes at least one of player selected images and sounds. 
     
     
         18 . The slot machine game according to  claim 17 , wherein the at least one of player selected images and sounds are stored on the slot machine game. 
     
     
         19 . The slot machine game according to  claim 17 , wherein the at least one of player selected images and sounds are stored on a portable memory device. 
     
     
         20 . The slot machine game according to  claim 1 , further comprising a first level game and a second level game. 
     
     
         21 . The slot machine game according to  claim 20 , wherein an outcome of the first level game has no affect on an outcome of the second level game. 
     
     
         22 . The slot machine game according to  claim 21 , wherein the outcome of the first level game is determined randomly. 
     
     
         23 . The slot machine game according to  claim 21 , wherein at least a portion of the first level game includes a game script to trigger play of the second level game. 
     
     
         24 . A method for playing a slot machine game, the method comprising:
 permitting at least one player to personalize the slot machine game;   creating and saving personalization data; and   permitting the at least one player to play the slot machine game using the personalization data.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising an act of providing a slot machine game by a gaming operator. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein permitting the at least one player to personalize the slot machine game includes permitting the at least one player to select at least one of audio elements, visual elements, and game play elements to personalize. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein an outcome of the slot machine game is predetermined. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the act of permitting the at least one player to personalize the slot machine game has no impact on the predetermined outcome. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 24  further comprising an act of saving the at least one player's personalizations. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising an act of loading the at least one player's personalizations. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the act of permitting the at least one player to personalize the slot machine game further comprises an act of permitting the at least one player to select a preprogrammed template. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising an act of presenting a personalized pay table in response to selections made by the at least one player. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the slot machine game includes a first level game and a second level game. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the game play of the first level game does not affect an outcome of the second level game. 
     
     
         35 . A game system comprising:
 a component that presents to a user an interface of a slot machine game;   a component that permits the user to personalize at least one attribute of the slot machine game;   a component that is adapted to store the attribute; and   a component that conducts the slot machine game using the stored attribute.   
     
     
         36 . The game system according to  claim 35 , wherein the interface is adapted to permit the user to personalize at least one visual element of the slot machine game. 
     
     
         37 . The game system according to  claim 35 , wherein the interface is adapted to permit the user to personalize at least one audio element of the slot machine game. 
     
     
         38 . The game system according to  claim 35 , wherein the interface is adapted to permit the user to personalize at least one game play element of the slot machine game. 
     
     
         39 . The game system according to  claim 38 , wherein the at least one game play element includes at least one of a number of reels in the slot machine game, a number of indicia on at least one reel, presence of a bonus game, a type of bonus game, a minimum bet, a maximum bet, and highest odds. 
     
     
         40 . The game system according to  claim 35 , wherein the interface is adapted to permit the user to personalize the slot machine game by selecting a preprogrammed template. 
     
     
         41 . The game system according to  claim 40 , wherein the preprogrammed template includes a theme. 
     
     
         42 . The game system according to  claim 35 , wherein personalization of the slot machine game does not affect the odds of winning. 
     
     
         43 . The game system according to  claim 35 , wherein the interface presents options to the user for personalizing the slot machine game. 
     
     
         44 . The game system according to  claim 38 , wherein the personalization of the at least one game play element has an associated pay table. 
     
     
         45 . The game system according to  claim 44 , wherein the associated pay table is predetermined. 
     
     
         46 . The game system according to  claim 44 , further comprising a memory adapted to store the pay table. 
     
     
         47 . The game system according to  claim 40 , wherein the interface is adapted to load the preprogrammed template using an input/output device.