Wagering game, gaming machine, gaming system, and method with a player-determinable feature game aspect

Abstract

A wagering game, gaming machine, networked gaming system, and associated methods are disclosed including a bank of gaming machines connected to an overhead display enabling players at the respective gaming machines to qualify to play a player-interactive community feature game displayed on the overhead display wherein each qualified player may sequentially launch one or more virtual objects or projectiles and accumulate awards as the objects traverse a virtual surface shown on the overhead display. A stand-alone wagering game with a player-interactive feature game is also disclosed. Additionally disclosed is a web-based community game system wherein players may login, accumulate points, and redeem awards either online or at networked casino site.

1 . A method of providing a player-interactive feature game, the method including:
 receiving one or more primary game inputs through a gaming machine to initiate one or more plays of a primary game;   after the one or more plays of the primary game, initiating a feature game in which a respective outcome is defined by a function of at least two independent variables and in which each respective outcome is associated with a respective probability of obtaining that outcome such that the feature game provides a spectrum of feature game outcome probabilities;   setting a respective value for each of the at least two independent variables, wherein the value set for at least one of the at least two independent variables is dictated by a player selection received through the gaming machine, and wherein the value set for at least one of the at least two independent variables is determined randomly or pseudo-randomly; and   determining the outcome of the feature game based on the values set for the at least two independent variables.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the respective outcomes of the feature game are defined by a function of two independent variables. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the respective outcomes of the feature game are defined by a function of three independent variables and wherein the respective value of two of the independent variables is determined randomly or pseudo-randomly. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the respective outcomes of the feature game are defined by a function of at least three independent variables and wherein the respective value of two of the independent variables is dictated by a respective player selection through the gaming machine. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  including presenting a graphic representation of the feature game in accordance with the outcome of the feature game determined based on the values set for the at least two independent variables. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  including providing an award associated with the outcome of the feature game determined based on the values set for the at least two independent variables. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , further including:
 using a factor to modify a base award associated with the outcome of the feature game determined based on the values set for the at least two independent variables, the factor generated based on the player's play of the primary game;   providing the modified base award to the player for that outcome of the feature game.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the factor is a multiplier by which the base award is modified to determine the modified base award. 
     
     
         9 . A gaming system including:
 at least one display device;   a player input system;   at least one processor; and   at least one memory device storing instructions executable by the at least one processor to:
 receive one or more primary game inputs through the player input system to initiate one or more plays of a primary game; 
 after the one or more plays of the primary game, initiate a feature game in which a respective outcome is defined by a function of at least two independent variables and in which each respective outcome is associated with a respective probability of obtaining that outcome such that the feature game provides a spectrum of feature game outcome probabilities; 
 set a respective value for each of the at least two independent variables, wherein the value set for at least one of the at least two independent variables is dictated by a player selection received through the player input system, and wherein the value set for at least one of the at least two independent variables is determined randomly or pseudo-randomly; and 
 determine the outcome of the feature game based on the values set for the at least two independent variables. 
   
     
     
         10 . The gaming system of  claim 9  wherein the respective outcomes of the feature game are defined by a function of two independent variables. 
     
     
         11 . The gaming system of  claim 9  wherein the respective outcomes of the feature game are defined by a function of three independent variables and wherein the respective value of two of the independent variables is determined randomly or pseudo-randomly. 
     
     
         12 . The gaming system of  claim 9  wherein the respective outcomes of the feature game are defined by a function of at least three independent variables and wherein the respective value for each of two of the independent variables is dictated by a respective player selection through the player input system. 
     
     
         13 . The gaming system of  claim 9  wherein the at least one memory device also stores instructions executable by the at least one processor to cause the at least one display device to present a graphic representation of the feature game in accordance with the outcome of the feature game determined based on the values set for the at least two independent variables. 
     
     
         14 . The gaming system of  claim 13  wherein the at least one memory device also stores instructions executable by the at least one processor to cause the gaming system to pay an award to a player of the gaming system for the outcome of the feature game determined based on the values set for the at least two independent variables. 
     
     
         15 . The gaming system of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one memory device also stores instructions executable by the at least one processor to:
 apply a factor to modify a base award associated with the outcome of the feature game determined based on the values set for the at least two independent variables, the factor generated based on the player's play of the primary game; and   provide the modified base award to a player of the gaming system for that outcome of the feature game.   
     
     
         16 . The gaming system of  claim 15  wherein the factor is a multiplier by which the base award is modified to determine the modified base award. 
     
     
         17 . A program product stored on one or more data storage devices, the program code including:
 player input program code executable to receive one or more primary game inputs through a gaming machine to initiate one or more plays of a primary game, and to receive one or more feature game selections through the gaming machine; and   feature game program code executable to:
 (i) initiate a feature game after the one or more plays of the primary game, wherein a respective outcome of the feature game is defined by a function of at least two independent variables and wherein each respective outcome is associated with a respective probability of obtaining that outcome such that the feature game provides a spectrum of feature game outcome probabilities; 
 (ii) set a respective value for each of the at least two independent variables, wherein the value set for at least one of the at least two independent variables is dictated by a respective player selection received through the gaming machine, and wherein the value set for at least one of the at least two independent variables is determined randomly or pseudo-randomly; and 
 (iii) determine the outcome of the feature game based on the values set for the at least two independent variables. 
   
     
     
         18 . The program product of  claim 17  wherein the respective outcomes of the feature game are defined by a function of two independent variables. 
     
     
         19 . The program product of  claim 17  wherein the respective outcomes of the feature game are defined by a function of three independent variables and wherein the respective value of two of the independent variables is determined randomly or pseudo-randomly. 
     
     
         20 . The program product of  claim 17  wherein the respective outcomes of the feature game are defined by a function of at least three independent variables and wherein the respective value for each of two of the independent variables is dictated by a respective player selection through the gaming machine.