Gaming machine with multiple reel arrays

Abstract

A gaming machine provided with an outcome arrangement of games wherein any play of said machine initiates play of at least two separately displayed games of chance; said at least two games of chance played simultaneously within a single game sequence on said gaming machine; said at least two games of chance separately displayed on a single display screen of said gaming machine, and wherein an outcome of one of said at least two games of chance may be combined with at least an outcome of a second said game of chance to award a bonus feature to a player of said gaming machine.

1 . A gaming machine provided with an outcome arrangement of games wherein any play of said machine initiates play of at least two separately displayed games of chance; said at least two games of chance played simultaneously within a single game sequence on said gaming machine; said at least two games of chance separately displayed on a single display screen of said gaming machine, and wherein an outcome of one of said at least two games of chance may be combined with at least an outcome of a second said game of chance to award a bonus feature to a player of said gaming machine. 
   
   
       2 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein said at least two games comprise a first game and a second game displayed side by side on said single display screen. 
   
   
       3 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein each of said first game and said second game includes an array of simulated reels; displayed portions of said reels forming a matrix of symbol containing elements when said reels are at rest. 
   
   
       4 . The gaming machine of  claim 3 , wherein symbols of said array of simulated reels of each said first game and said second game form separate and substantially distinct sets of symbols. 
   
   
       5 . The gaming machine of  claim 3 , wherein symbols of said array of simulated reels of each of said first game and said second game form a common set of symbols. 
   
   
       6 . The gaming machine of  claim 5 , wherein at least some symbols of said array of symbols of each of said first game and said second game are common to each of said games. 
   
   
       7 . The gaming machine of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of said symbols common to each of said first game and said second game is a scatter symbol. 
   
   
       8 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein said first game and said second game played side by side on said single display screen, are played simultaneously; said simultaneous play forming a said game sequence. 
   
   
       9 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein said first game and said second game displayed side by side on said single display screen, are played sequentially; spinning of said simulated reels of a said second game being initiated after said simulated reels of a said first game have come to rest. 
   
   
       10 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein spinning of said simulated reels of said second game is initiated after initiation of spinning of said simulated reels of said first game; said simulated reels of said second game coming to rest after said simulated reels of said first game have come to rest. 
   
   
       11 . The gaming machine of  claim 2 , wherein each of said simulated reels of said first game and of said second game comes to rest sequentially. 
   
   
       12 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein a win outcome of a said sequence of play is determined by at least one predefined pattern of said symbols displayed coincident with a predefined pay line of a said matrix of symbols of at least one of said arrays of simulated reels. 
   
   
       13 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein a win outcome of a said sequence of play is determined by a predefined pattern of said symbols displayed coincident with a predefined pay line of each said matrix of symbols of each of said arrays of simulated reels. 
   
   
       14 . The gaming machine of  claim 7 , wherein a said bonus feature is won when at least one said scatter symbol appears among said symbols displayed in each of said first game and said second game, when said simulated reels have been brought to rest at an end of a said game sequence. 
   
   
       15 . The gaming machine of  claim 7 , wherein a said bonus feature is won when at least three said scatter symbols appear among symbols displayed in said first game and said second game, when said simulated reels are at rest at an end of a said game sequence. 
   
   
       16 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein said bonus feature includes an award to a player of a number of free said game sequences. 
   
   
       17 . The gaming machine of  claim 12 , wherein, probability of a said predefined pattern of symbols appearing coincident on a said predetermined pay line of said first game and said second game, is different. 
   
   
       18 . The gaming machine of  claim 3 , wherein, when said bonus feature is won, an image of a banner is shown extending from over at least a portion of said matrix of said first game, to over at least a portion of said matrix of said second game when said game sequence is completed; said banner indicating to a player of said game sequence that said bonus feature has been won. 
   
   
       19 . The gaming machine of  claim 3 , wherein said matrix formed by displayed said symbol containing elements of said first game and said matrix formed by displayed said symbol containing elements of said second game are horizontally aligned on said single display screen. 
   
   
       20 . The gaming machine of  claim 3 , wherein said matrix of said first game and of said second game are horizontally separated one from another on said single display screen. 
   
   
       21 . A method of awarding a bonus feature in a game sequence played on a gaming machine; said method including the steps of:
 a. displaying a first game and a second game side by side on a single display screen of said gaming machine,   b. spinning simulated reels of said first game and of said second game during said game sequence,   c. awarding said bonus feature if at least one scatter feature appears among displayed symbols of said simulated reels of each of said first game and of said second game, when said reels have come to rest after completion of said game sequence.   
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said simulated reels of said first game and said second game are spun simultaneously within a said game sequence. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein said simulated reels of said first game and said second game are spun sequentially within a said game sequence. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 20 , said method further including displaying a banner spanning at least across a portion of each of said first game and said second game. 
   
   
       25 . A gaming machine as claimed in  claim 1 , and as hereinbefore particularly described with reference to what is shown in the accompanying drawings. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 21 , as hereinbefore particularly described with reference to what is shown in the accompanying drawings.