Gaming Machine With Composite Symbols

Abstract

A gaming machine for providing a game based on a wager, the gaming machine comprising a user interface in communication with a game controller. The game controller is adapted to select and display a plurality of game symbols on a display, the plurality of game symbols selected from a set of game symbols, and the gaming machine is further adapted to award an award if a winning combination of game symbols occurs. The set of game symbols includes a plurality of special symbols, each special symbol associated with a special symbol attribute. The set of game symbols further includes at least one composite symbol, the or each composite symbol associated with a composite attribute, the composite attribute composed of two or more special symbol attributes.

1 . A gaming machine that provides a game based on a wager, the gaming machine comprising a user interface in communication with a game controller, the game controller adapted to select and display a plurality of game symbols on a display, the plurality of game symbols selected from a set of game symbols, the gaming machine further adapted to award an award if a winning combination of game symbols occurs, wherein
 the set of game symbols includes a plurality of special symbols, each special symbol associated with a special symbol attribute, and wherein   the set of game symbols further includes at least one composite symbol, the or each composite symbol associated with a composite attribute, the composite attribute composed of two or more special symbol attributes.   
   
   
       2 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein each different special symbol has a distinctive visual appearance, and wherein the visual appearance of the or each composite symbol is composed of the visual appearances of the two or more special symbols associated with the special symbol attributes from which the composite attribute is composed. 
   
   
       3 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein if a winning combination of game symbols which includes a composite symbol occurs, the award is determined by the game controller in accordance with all special symbol attributes from which the composite attribute of the composite symbol is composed. 
   
   
       4 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein if an activation event occurs the gaming machine adds one or more special symbols to the set of game symbols. 
   
   
       5 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein if a deactivation event occurs the gaming machine removes one or more special symbols from the set of game symbols. 
   
   
       6 . A method for use with a gaming machine, the method comprising:
 selecting a plurality of game symbols from a set of game symbols, the set of game symbols including a plurality of special symbols, each special symbol associated with a special symbol attribute, the set of game symbols further including at least one composite symbol, the or each composite symbol associated with a composite attribute, the composite attribute composed of two or more special symbol attributes;   presenting the selected symbols on a display; and   awarding an award if a winning outcome occurs.   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein each different special symbol has a distinctive visual appearance, and wherein the visual appearance of the or each composite symbol is composed of the visual appearances of the two or more special symbols associated with the special symbol attributes from which the composite attribute is composed. 
   
   
       8 . The method of either  claim 6 , wherein if a winning outcome includes a composite symbol, the award is determined in accordance with all special symbol attributes from which the composite attribute of the composite symbol is composed. 
   
   
       9 . The method of any one of  claim 6 , wherein if an activation event occurs one or more special symbols is added to the set of game symbols. 
   
   
       10 . The method of any one of  claim 6 , wherein if a deactivation event occurs one or more special symbols is removed from the set of game symbols. 
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 6  and further including a computer program comprising machine-readable program code for controlling the operation of a data processing apparatus. 
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 6  and further including a computer program product comprising machine-readable program code recorded on a machine-readable medium, for controlling the operation of a data processing apparatus. 
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 6  and further including a data signal carrying instructions and/or data.