Proximity meter manipulation on a gaming event

Abstract

Each play of a base game increases the likelihood of winning a bonus award. A cue is provided to give an indication of the change in likelihood of winning the bonus award. In one embodiment, the cue is a graphical indication that takes the form of a proximity indicator such as a bar with defined minimum and maximum points showing the boundaries of possible win thresholds. The game includes an eligibility engine that is configured to track play on the base game and trigger display of the proximity indicator only when play bears a defined relationship to a first determined play value. Display of the proximity indicator may thus be an incentive for a player to meet certain play value, whether tied to rate of play, play of a max coin bet, etc. In one aspect, the bonus award comprises the opportunity to play a secondary game.

1 . A gaming device comprising:
 a base game;   a base game pay table;   at least one bonus award mechanism configured to award a bonus award in addition to any award resulting from the base game pay table;   a first win proximity indicator configured to provide an indication of the change in likelihood of awarding the bonus award; and   an eligibility engine configured to track play on the base game and trigger the first win proximity indicator only when play bears a defined relationship to a first determined play value.   
     
     
         2 . The gaming device of  claim 1 , wherein the play tracked on the base game is a player wager on the base game. 
     
     
         3 . The gaming device of  claim 2 , wherein the first determined play value comprises a maximum credit that can be wagered so that the first win proximity indicator is provided only when the maximum credit is wagered on the base game. 
     
     
         4 . The gaming device of  claim 1 , wherein play tracked on the base game is credits remaining on the gaming device. 
     
     
         5 . The gaming device of  claim 4 , wherein the first determined play value is greater than zero so that the first win proximity indicator is provided only when the credits remaining on the gaming device is greater than zero. 
     
     
         6 . The gaming device of  claim 1 , wherein the play tracked on the base game is an elapsed time between wagers. 
     
     
         7 . The gaming device of  claim 6 , wherein the first determined play value is a predefined time so that the first win proximity indicator is provided so long as the elapsed time between wagers on the gaming device is less than the predefined time and thereafter removed from the display. 
     
     
         8 . The gaming device of  claim 1 , wherein the play tracked on the game is an acquired status of a player wagering on the gaming device. 
     
     
         9 . The gaming device of  claim 8 , wherein the first determined play value is a minimum status so that the first win proximity indicator is provided so long as the status of the player wagering on the gaming device meets a certain status threshold. 
     
     
         10 . The gaming device of  claim 1 , further including a second win proximity indicator displaying a graphical indication on a display of the change in likelihood of awarding the bonus award. 
     
     
         11 . The gaming device of  claim 1 , further including:
 a number generator configured to select at least one trigger threshold; and   at least one counter configured to generate a count related to the occurrence of wagers that bear a defined relationship to a determined value, the counter being operatively connected to the bonus award mechanism and configured to award a bonus award when the count bears a predetermined relationship to the trigger threshold.   
     
     
         12 . The gaming device of  claim 11 , wherein the trigger threshold is less than or equal to a predetermined number and wherein the display comprises an indication of the proximity of the count to the predetermined number. 
     
     
         13 . The gaming device of  claim 11 , wherein the first proximity indicator comprises light that changes condition in proportion to the change in likelihood of awarding the bonus award. 
     
     
         14 . The gaming device of  claim 11 , wherein the change of condition comprises a change in color. 
     
     
         15 . The gaming device of  claim 11 , wherein the counter is advanced only when play bears a defined relationship with a second determined play value. 
     
     
         16 . The gaming device of  claim 15 , wherein the first determined play value is the same as the second determined play value. 
     
     
         17 . The gaming device of  claim 1 , wherein the first win proximity indicator is adapted to provide a cue taken from the group consisting of a visual cue, an audible cue, a motion cue, an olfactory cue, and a themed cue. 
     
     
         18 . The gaming device of  claim 17 , further including a second win proximity indicator having a different cue than the first win proximity indicator. 
     
     
         19 . The gaming device of  claim 17 , further including a second win proximity indicator configured to provide an indication of the change in likelihood of awarding a second bonus award. 
     
     
         20 . A method of operating a gaming device comprising:
 selecting at least one trigger threshold;   generating at least one count related to the occurrence of wagers;   comparing the count and the trigger threshold;   indicating the proximity of the count to the trigger threshold if a player meets a determined eligibility criterion, otherwise concealing the proximity of the count to the trigger threshold; and   awarding a bonus award when the count substantially equals the trigger threshold.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein awarding the bonus award comprises providing the opportunity to play a secondary game. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein indicating the proximity of the count to the trigger threshold comprises changing a condition of light displayed at the gaming device in proportion to the change in proximity of the count to the trigger threshold. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein changing the condition of light comprises changing the color of light. 
     
     
         24 . The gaming device of  claim 20 , wherein the determined eligibility criterion is play of the maximum credit that can be wagered on the gaming device. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the method further comprises:
 selecting a second trigger threshold;   generating a second count related to the occurrence of wagers that bear a second defined relationship to a second determined value;   comparing the second count and the second trigger threshold; and   awarding a second bonus award when the second count substantially equals the second trigger threshold.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein indicating the proximity of the count to the trigger threshold comprises changing a condition of sound produced at the gaming device in proportion to the change in proximity of the count to the trigger threshold. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein changing the condition of sound comprises changing the pitch, timbre, volume or content of sound. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the step of indicating the count to the trigger threshold includes providing a cue taken from the group consisting of a visual cue, an audible cue, a motion cue, an olfactory cue, and a themed cue. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the trigger threshold is selected within a range defined by low and high numbers, the method further including:
 comparing the count and the high number;   displaying a graphical representation of the proximity of the count and the high number if a player meets the determined eligibility criterion, otherwise concealing the proximity of the count to the high number.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the method further comprises updating the proximity of the count to the trigger threshold after each wager. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 setting odds for awarding a bonus award;   changing the odds of winning the bonus award after at least one wager; and   displaying the change in likelihood of paying the bonus award if a player meets the determined eligibility criterion, otherwise concealing the change in likelihood of paying the bonus award.