Wild symbol bonus game configuration

Abstract

A bonus game is initiated, with a processor, based upon a predetermined criteria in a base game being met, the bonus game having a plurality of bonus game reels. Further, an initial random spinning is performed, with the processor, of the plurality of bonus game reels to obtain an initial plurality of bonus game symbols on each of the plurality of bonus game reels. In addition, the process provides a prize distribution based upon the initial plurality of bonus game symbols matching at least one of a plurality of predetermined paylines. A random determination, for each of the initial plurality of bonus game symbols that is not a wild symbol, is performed to determine a wild transformation status based upon the initial plurality of bonus game symbols not matching the at least one of the plurality of predetermined paylines.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 initiating, with a processor, a bonus game based upon a predetermined criteria in a base game being met, the bonus game having a plurality of bonus game reels;   performing an initial random spinning, with the processor, of the plurality of bonus game reels to obtain an initial plurality of bonus game symbols on each of the plurality of bonus game reels;   providing a prize distribution based upon the initial plurality of bonus game symbols matching at least one of a plurality of predetermined paylines;   performing a random determination, for each of the initial plurality of bonus game symbols that is not a wild symbol, to determine a wild transformation status based upon the initial plurality of bonus game symbols not matching the at least one of the plurality of predetermined paylines;   performing a wild transformation for each of the initial plurality of bonus game symbols that has the wild transformation status to transform a non-wild symbol to a wild symbol;   performing a subsequent random spinning, with the processor, of the plurality of bonus game reels to obtain a subsequent plurality of bonus game symbols on each of the plurality of bonus game reels if the wild transformation is performed; and   providing a prize distribution based upon the subsequent plurality of bonus game symbols matching the at least one of the plurality of predetermined paylines.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the random determination is based upon a fifty percent probability of the wild transformation status being wild and a fifty percent probability of the wild transformation status being inactive. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the base game has a plurality of base game reels. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising transforming the plurality of base game reels into the plurality of bonus game reels after the predetermined criteria is met. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising decrementing a predetermined counter upon the subsequent random spinning being performed. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising decrementing a predetermined counter subsequent to the initial random spinning being performed and prior to the subsequent random spinning being performed. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising performing at least one additional random spinning until at least one plurality of additional bonus game symbols matches the at least one of the plurality of predetermined paylines. 
     
     
         8 . A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having a computer readable program, wherein the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to:
 initiate, with a processor, a bonus game based upon a predetermined criteria in a base game being met, the bonus game having a plurality of bonus game reels;   perform an initial random spinning, with the processor, of the plurality of bonus game reels to obtain an initial plurality of bonus game symbols on each of the plurality of bonus game reels;   provide a prize distribution based upon the initial plurality of bonus game symbols matching at least one of a plurality of predetermined paylines;   perform a random determination, for each of the initial plurality of bonus game symbols that is not a wild symbol, to determine a wild transformation status based upon the initial plurality of bonus game symbols not matching the at least one of the plurality of predetermined paylines;   perform a wild transformation for each of the initial plurality of bonus game symbols that has the wild transformation status to transform a non-wild symbol to a wild symbol;   perform a subsequent random spinning, with the processor, of the plurality of bonus game reels to obtain a subsequent plurality of bonus game symbols on each of the plurality of bonus game reels if the wild transformation is performed; and   provide a prize distribution based upon the subsequent plurality of bonus game symbols matching the at least one of the plurality of predetermined paylines.   
     
     
         9 . The computer program product of  claim 8  wherein the random determination is based upon a fifty percent probability of the wild transformation status being wild and a fifty percent probability of the wild transformation status being inactive. 
     
     
         10 . The computer program product of  claim 8 , wherein the base game has a plurality of base game reels. 
     
     
         11 . The computer program product of  claim 8 , wherein the computer readable medium when executed on the computer further causes the computer to transform the plurality of base game reels into the plurality of bonus game reels after the predetermined criteria is met. 
     
     
         12 . The computer program product of  claim 8 , wherein the computer readable medium when executed on the computer further causes the computer to decrement a predetermined counter upon the subsequent random spinning being performed. 
     
     
         13 . The computer program product of  claim 8 , wherein the computer readable medium when executed on the computer further causes the computer to decrement a predetermined counter subsequent to the initial random spinning being performed and prior to the subsequent random spinning being performed. 
     
     
         14 . The computer program product of  claim 8 , wherein the computer readable medium when executed on the computer further causes the computer to computer readable medium when executed on the computer further causes the computer to perform at least one additional random spinning until at least one plurality of additional bonus game symbols matches the at least one of the plurality of predetermined paylines. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus comprising:
 a processor that (i) initiates a bonus game based upon a predetermined criteria in a base game being met, (ii) performs an initial random spinning of the plurality of bonus game reels to obtain an initial plurality of bonus game symbols on each of the plurality of bonus game reels, (iii) performs a subsequent random spinning, with the processor, of the plurality of bonus game reels to obtain a subsequent plurality of bonus game symbols on each of the plurality of bonus game reels if the wild transformation is performed, (iv) performs a random determination, for each of the initial plurality of bonus game symbols that is not a wild symbol, to determine a wild transformation status based upon the initial plurality of bonus game symbols not matching the at least one of the plurality of predetermined paylines, and (v) performs a wild transformation for each of the initial plurality of bonus game symbols that has the wild transformation status to transform a non-wild symbol to a wild symbol, the bonus game having a plurality of bonus game reels; and   a prize distribution module that provides a prize distribution based upon the initial plurality of bonus game symbols matching at least one of a plurality of predetermined paylines and a prize distribution based upon the subsequent plurality of bonus game symbols matching the at least one of the plurality of predetermined paylines.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the random determination is based upon a fifty percent probability of the wild transformation status being wild and a fifty percent probability of the wild transformation status being inactive. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the base game has a plurality of base game reels. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the processor also transforms the plurality of base game reels into the plurality of bonus game reels after the predetermined criteria is met. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the processor also decrements a predetermined counter upon the subsequent random spinning being performed. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the processor also decrements a predetermined counter subsequent to the initial random spinning being performed and prior to the subsequent random spinning being performed. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the processor performs at least one additional random spinning until at least one plurality of additional bonus game symbols matches the at least one of the plurality of predetermined paylines.