Slot machine with isometric symbols
A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to implement slot machine game that uses isometric symbols. The isometric symbols scroll on the screen in three-dimensions which also accommodate for hidden line removal. The game can be displayed on a traditional two-dimensional output device or an autostereoscopic display.
1. A method to implement a slot game, the method comprising:
executing instructions on an electronic processing unit to perform the following operations:
receiving a prompt from a player on an electronic input device connected to the processing unit to initiate the game;
displaying a set of reels of three dimensional symbols on an electronic output device, wherein each displayed reel in the set of reels comprises a plurality of displayed symbols in a Y direction, each displayed reel in the set of reels is displaced from each other displayed reel in the set of reels in an X direction, the X direction perpendicular to the Y direction and being in a same plane, each displayed symbol in the plurality of symbols displays its structure with a height in a direction Z, Z rising and being perpendicular to the X-Y plane; spinning each of the reels by sliding each displayed reel along the Y-direction a variable amount until the reels come to rest in a final random arrangement determined by a random number generator, wherein hidden portions of the three dimensional symbols displayed on each of the reels are not displayed;
determining whether the final arrangement forms a predefined combination; and
upon the final arrangement forming the predefined combination providing the player an award.
2. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein a playing grid defines a set of the symbols that are evaluated for the predefined playing combination, and the spinning displays some symbols on the reels that are outside of the playing grid.
3. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the prompt from the player comprises a monetary wager and the award comprises a monetary award.
4. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the prompt from the player comprises a deposit of credits from the player.
5. The method as recited in claim 4 , wherein the credits are non-cash value credits.
6. The method as recited in claim 5 , wherein the award is non-cash value credits.
7. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the game is played on a home computer which receives the final arrangement from the Internet.
8. The method a recited in claim 7 , wherein the game is embedded in a social networking site.
9. The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising, displaying a three dimensional stationary area that is not part of the reels and does not move.
10. An apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
an electronic input and electronic output device;
a processing unit operationally connected to the electronic input and the electronic output device, the processing unit connected to a storage device which stores computer readable instructions which are programmed to cause the processing unit to:
receive a prompt from a player on the electronic input device to initiate a game;
display a set of reels of three dimensional symbols on the electronic output device, wherein each displayed reel in the set of reels comprises a plurality of displayed symbols in a Y direction, each displayed reel in the set of reels is displaced from each other displayed reel in the set of reels in an X direction, the X direction perpendicular to the Y direction and being in a same plane, each displayed symbol in the plurality of symbols displays its structure with a height in a direction Z, Z rising and being perpendicular to the X-Y plane; spinning each of the reels by sliding each displayed reel along the Y-direction a variable amount until the reels come to rest in a final random arrangement determined by a random number generator, wherein hidden portions of the three dimensional symbols displayed on each of the reels are not displayed;
determine whether the final arrangement forms a predefined combination; and
provide the player an award when the final arrangement forms a predefined combination.
11. The apparatus as recited in claim 10 , wherein the computer readable instructions are further programmed such that a playing grid defines a set of the symbols that are evaluated for the predefined playing combination, and the spinning displays some symbols on the reels that are outside of the playing grid.
12. The apparatus as recited in claim 10 , wherein the computer readable instructions are further programmed such that the prompt from the player comprises a monetary wager and the award comprises a monetary award.
13. The apparatus as recited in claim 10 , wherein the computer readable instructions are further programmed such that the prompt from the player comprises a deposit of credits from the player.
14. The apparatus as recited in claim 13 , wherein the computer readable instructions are further programmed such that the credits are non-cash value credits.
15. The apparatus as recited in claim 14 , wherein the computer readable instructions are further programmed such that the award is non-cash value credits.
16. The apparatus as recited in claim 10 , wherein the computer readable instructions are further programmed such that the game is played on a home computer which receives the final arrangement from the Internet.
17. The apparatus a recited in claim 16 , wherein the computer readable instructions are further programmed such that the game is embedded in a social networking site.