Wagering Game With Special-Event Eligibility Feature Based On Passive Game Play
According to one aspect of the invention, a gaming system and method for providing passive participation in at least one wagering game are disclosed. Funds are received to obtain a period of eligibility for an award associated with the wagering game. An entertainment layer having a plurality of features is conducted in response to receiving the wager. A separate gaming layer includes the wagering game. A gaming machine having a display and a player input device is in communication with the entertainment layer and the gaming layer. At least one feature of the entertainment layer is conducted during the period of eligibility. The entertainment layer is operable in response to at least one input from the player input device. Information regarding the wagering game is presented on the gaming machine.
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23 . A method of operating a gaming system, the gaming system including one or more controllers, a communication device, and a first gaming machine that is primarily used for playing a wagering game, the method providing a player at a second gaming machine with passive participation in an outcome of the wagering game played on the first gaming machine, the method comprising:
receiving, via the communication device, an input from the second gaming machine indicative of a commitment of funds to passively participate in at least one outcome of the wagering game;
presenting, during play of the wagering game, at least one feature of an entertainment layer on an electronic display device of the second gaming machine; and
presenting, on the electronic display device in the context of the at least one feature, the at least one outcome of the wagering game.
24 . The method of claim 23 , wherein the at least one feature of the entertainment layer is an amusement game, and wherein the outcome of the wagering game is presented as an award for an event in the amusement game.
25 . The method of claim 23 , wherein the at least one feature of the entertainment layer is an amusement game, and wherein the outcome of the wagering game is presented as an award for successfully completing a level of the amusement game.
26 . The method of claim 23 , wherein a user input to the at least one feature is utilized as an input to the wagering game.
27 . The method of claim 23 , wherein the at least one feature is an amusement game and a user input to the amusement game on the second gaming machine is utilized as an input to the wagering game on the first gaming machine.
28 . A gaming system configured to facilitate passive participation in a wagering game, the gaming system comprising:
a first gaming machine configured to conduct the wagering game;
a communication device configured to communicate over a communications network with the first gaming machine and a second gaming machine, the second gaming machine including an electronic display device and an electronic input device; and
one or more controllers configured to;
receive, via the communication device, an input from the second gaming machine indicative of a commitment of funds to passively participate in at least one outcome of the wagering game;
initiate, on the first gaming machine, the wagering game;
present, during play of the wagering game, at least one feature of an entertainment layer on the electronic display device of the second gaming machine; and
present, on the electronic display device in the context of the at least one feature, the at least one outcome of the wagering game.
29 . The gaming system of claim 28 , wherein the at least one feature of the entertainment layer is an amusement game.
30 . The gaming system of claim 29 , wherein the at least one outcome of the wagering game is presented as an award for an event in the amusement game.
31 . The gaming system of claim 29 , further including a gaming layer that provides gaming functionality configured to initiate the wagering game on the first gaming machine.
32 . The gaming system of claim 29 , wherein the at least one feature is an amusement game and a user input to the amusement game on the second gaming machine is utilized as an input to the wagering game on the first gaming machine.
33 . The gaming system of claim 29 , further comprising external systems that include a gaming layer having a random number generator (RNG), the RNG randomly determining the at least one outcome of the wagering game.
34 . The gaming system of claim 29 , further including external systems that include a gaming layer that provides gaming functionality configured to initiate the wagering game and further include the entertainment layer that provides the at least one feature.
35 . A first gaming machine configured provide passive participation in an outcome of a wagering game to a player at a second gaming machine, the second gaming machine including an electronic display device and an electronic input device, the first gaming machine comprising:
a communication device configured to communicate via a communications network with the second gaming machine;
one or more controllers configured to:
receive, from the second gaming machine, an input indicative of a commitment of funds to passively participate in the outcome of the wagering game;
present, during play of the wagering game, a feature of an entertainment layer on the electronic display device of the second gaming machine; and
present, on the electronic display device of the second gaming machine, the outcome of the wagering game in the context of the feature of the entertainment layer.
36 . The first gaming machine of claim 35 , wherein the feature of the entertainment layer is an amusement game, and wherein the outcome of the wagering game is presented as an award for an event in the amusement game.
37 . The first gaming machine of claim 35 , wherein the one or more controllers are connected for communication via the communication device to external systems that include a gaming layer that provides gaming functionality configured to initiate the wagering game and further include the entertainment layer that provides the feature to the second gaming machine.
38 . The first gaming machine of claim 37 , wherein the external systems are further configured to provide, via the communications device, information from the gaming layer to the first gaming machine and information from the entertainment layer to the second gaming machine.
39 . The first gaming machine of claim 35 , wherein the second gaming machine includes a presentation layer configured to present information from the entertainment layer.
40 . The first gaming machine of claim 35 , wherein the one or more controllers are further configured to provide a user an option to monitor a gaming layer for the outcome of the wagering game.
41 . The first gaming machine of claim 35 , wherein the at least one feature is a community event of the wagering game.
42 . The first gaming machine of claim 41 , wherein the community event is displayed on the electronic display device of the second gaming machine.