Gaming machine with enhanced feature indicator

Abstract

A gaming machine 10 has a display 14 and a game controller arranged to control images of symbols displayed on the display 14 . The game controller is arranged to play a game 16 wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display and, if a predefined winning event occurs, the machine 10 awards a prize. The gaming machine 10 comprises a bonus feature that is triggered when a trigger condition occurs in a base game and an indicator incorporated in the bonus feature indicates to the player that the chance of winning during the bonus feature is higher than in the base game that triggered the bonus feature.

1 . A gaming machine comprising a game controller arranged to facilitate a play of a first game and a play of a second game, the play of the second game being initiated as a consequence of the play of the first game, the first game being based on a plurality of separate first game reel strips each of which comprises a plurality of first game symbols, at least one of the first game reel strips comprising a special symbol, the second game being based on a plurality of separate second game reel strips each of which comprises a plurality of second game symbols, at least one of the second game reel strips comprising at least two separate instances of the special symbol, each one of the instances of the special symbol being adjacent another one of the instances of the special symbol such that there is no non-special symbol interposed between any two adjacent instances of the special symbol, the at least two instances of the special symbol being such that they contribute to the second game having an improved probability of awarding a prize relative to the first game. 
     
     
         2 . The gaming machine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the play of the second game comprises a series of rounds of the game and for each of the rounds an additional one of the special symbols is added to thereby increase a total number of the instances of the special symbol. 
     
     
         3 . The gaming machine as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein for each of the series of rounds the additional one of the special symbols is added to the same one of the second game reel strips. 
     
     
         4 . The gaming machine as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein in response to the additional one of the special symbols being added a total number of symbols associated with at least one of the second game reels strips is increased. 
     
     
         5 . The gaming machine as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein in response to the additional one of the special symbols being added a total number of symbols associated with all of the second game reel strips remains unchanged. 
     
     
         6 . The gaming machine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each of the first game reel strips comprises only one of the special symbol. 
     
     
         7 . The gaming machine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second game reel strips are based on the first game reel strips. 
     
     
         8 . A method for use with a gaming machine comprising a display and a game controller arranged to control images of symbols displayed on the display, the method comprising the step of causing the game controller to facilitate a play of a first game and a play of a second game, the play of the second game being initiated as a consequence of the play of the first game, the first game being based on a plurality of separate first game reel strips each of which comprises a plurality of first game symbols, at least one of the first game reel strips comprising a special symbol, the second game being based on a plurality of separate second game reel strips each of which comprises a plurality of second game symbols, at least one of the second game reel strips comprising at least two separate instances of the special symbol, each one of the instances of the special symbol being adjacent another one of the instances of the special symbol such that there is no non-special symbol interposed between any two adjacent instances of the special symbol, the at least two instances of the special symbol being such that they contribute to the second game having an improved probability of awarding a prize relative to the first game. 
     
     
         9 . The method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the play of the second game comprises a series of rounds of the game and for each of the rounds an additional one of the special symbols is added to thereby increase a total number of the instances of the special symbol. 
     
     
         10 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein for each of the series of rounds the additional one of the special symbols is added to the same one of the second game reel strips. 
     
     
         11 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein in response to the additional one of the special symbols being added a total number of symbols associated with at least one of the second game reels strips is increased. 
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein in response to the additional one of the special symbols being added a total number of symbols associated with all of the second game reel strips remains unchanged. 
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein each of the first game reel strips comprises only one of the special symbol. 
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the second game reel strips are based on the first game reel strips.