Gaming apparatus and method including hidden objects
View Patent ↗A method of game play, where a plurality of graphic objects are displayed on the display ( 106 ), each graphic object being operable to present one or more symbols. A subset of the graphic objects ( 604, 606, 608, 610 ) are activated to present symbols on the display, and at least one remaining graphic object ( 602 ) is obscured during the activation. The remaining graphic object ( 602 ) is revealed if a combination of symbols presented on the activated subset matches an eligibility criterion, and the revealed graphic object ( 602 ) is activated to present one or more symbols. An award is awarded if the symbols displayed on the graphic objects match a specified winning criterion.
1. A method of gaming on a gaming machine using a display, the method comprising:
selecting a plurality of symbols for display on the display, wherein the selected plurality of symbols are to be arranged on the display in at least one first group and a plurality of second groups;
displaying on the display the selected symbols in said at least one first group and said plurality of second groups;
obscuring said at least one first group of symbols displayed on the display;
revealing the obscured said at least one first group of symbols displayed on the display in response to a combination of symbols displayed in said plurality of second groups matching a predefined eligibility criterion, wherein the predefined eligibility criterion is an incomplete winning combination of symbols indicative of a possible award; and
awarding the possible award in response to at least one symbol displayed in said at least one first group on the display completing with the incomplete winning combination of symbols.
2. The method of claim 1 , and wherein the symbols displayed in the plurality of second groups remain unchanged as symbols are selected for the revealed at least one first group.
3. The method of claim 2 , and further comprising generating an indication of a possible award if the eligibility criterion is satisfied.
4. The method of claim 1 , and wherein the at least one first group and the plurality of second groups symbols are representations of reels.
5. The method of claim 4 , and wherein displaying on the display the selected symbols in said at least one first group and said plurality of second groups comprises displaying a depiction of one or more of the reels spinning and halting the spun said one or more of the reels to present at least one symbol.
6. A method of gaming on a gaming machine using a display, the method comprising:
selecting for display a plurality of symbols available on a plurality of reels, each reel having a set of symbols;
spinning a subset of the reels while obscuring at least one of the remaining reels;
revealing for displaying at least one symbol from the obscured said at least one remaining reel in response to a combination of symbols displayed on the subset of reels matching a predefined eligibility criterion, wherein the predefined eligibility criterion is an incomplete winning combination of symbols indicative of a possible award; and
awarding the possible award in response to at least one symbol revealed in said at least one of the remaining reels completing the displayed incomplete winning combination of symbols of the subset of reels.
7. A gaming machine comprising:
a display,
a game controller, and
a user interface in communication with the game controller, the game controller being operable to:
select a plurality of symbols for display on the display, wherein the selected plurality of symbols are to be arranged on the display in at least one first group and a plurality of second groups;
display on the display the selected symbols in said at least one first group and said plurality of second groups;
obscure said at least one first group of symbols displayed on the display;
reveal the obscured said at least one first group of symbols displayed on the display in response to a combination of symbols displayed in said plurality of second groups matching a predefined eligibility criterion, wherein the predefined eligibility criterion is an incomplete winning combination of symbols indicative of a possible award; and
award the possible award in response to at least one symbol displayed in said at least one first group on the display completing the incomplete winning combination of symbols.
8. A gaming machine comprising:
a plurality of reels, each of said reels having a set of symbols; and
a game controller arranged to:
select for display a plurality of symbols available on said plurality of reels;
spin a subset of the reels while obscuring at least one of the remaining reels;
reveal for displaying at least one symbol from the obscured said at least one of the remaining reels in response to a combination of symbols displayed on the subset of reels matching a predefined eligibility criterion, wherein the predefined eligibility criterion is an incomplete winning combination of symbols indicative of a possible award; and
award the possible award in response to at least one symbol revealed in said at least one of the remaining reel completing the displayed incomplete winning combination of symbols of the subset of reels.