Skill-based bonus game building in a gaming system

1. A method of operating an electronic gaming machine (EGM) in a gaming system, by at least one processor, comprising:

collecting one or more bonus symbols during game play of a base game funded by one or more wagers;

initiating and executing an intermediate bonus game according to a first outcome of the base game based on the collection of the one or more bonus symbols, wherein the first outcome is randomly determined using a Random Number Generator (RNG); and

initiating and executing a skill-based bonus game according to a second outcome of the intermediate bonus game, wherein executing the skill-based bonus game comprises:

offering a player a choice to select between playing the skill-based bonus game with a skill input device that receives a quantifiable skill input from the player and playing the skill-based bonus game with the RNG, wherein the choice offered to the player comprises a choice to use an automated mechanism for the skill-based bonus game;

receiving, from the player, a response to the choice offered to the player, wherein the response to the choice comprises a selection of the automated mechanism thereby causing the skill-based bonus game to be played with an output of the RNG; and

based on the response received from the player, conducting the skill-based bonus game based on input received from the RNG, wherein the input received during the skill-based bonus game causes the skill-based bonus game to generate a third outcome of the skill-based bonus game.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

detecting the quantifiable skill input from the player using the skill input device.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising generating the third outcome of the skill-based bonus game according to the output of the RNG.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the third outcome of the skill-based bonus game comprises providing a free game to the player.

5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising initiating and executing the free game subsequent to a completion of the skill-based bonus game.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising establishing an initial credit balance for a placement of the one or more wagers to receive potential winnings resulting from the first outcome of the base game; and

providing a progressive award as the second outcome of the intermediate bonus game, the progressive award comprising a multiple of the one or more wagers.

7. An electronic gaming machine (EGM) comprising:

a display;

one or more input devices that comprise a skill input device that receives a quantifiable skill input from a player;

a Random Number Generator (RNG);

a memory device; and

a processor executing instructions stored in the memory device, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the processor to:

collect one or more bonus symbols during game play of a base game funded by one or more wagers;

initiate and execute an intermediate bonus game according to a first outcome of the base game based on the collection of the one or more bonus symbols, wherein the first outcome is randomly determined using the RNG; and

initiate and execute a skill-based bonus game according to a second outcome of the intermediate bonus game, wherein executing the skill-based bonus game comprises:

offering the player a choice to select between playing the skill-based bonus game with the skill input device and playing the skill-based bonus game with the RNG, wherein the choice offered to the player comprises a choice to use an automated mechanism for the skill-based bonus game;

receiving, from the player, a response to the choice offered to the player, wherein the response to the choice comprises a selection of the automated mechanism thereby causing the skill-based bonus game to be played with an output of the RNG; and

based on the response received from the player, conducting the skill-based bonus game based on input received from the RNG, wherein the input received during the skill-based bonus game causes the skill-based bonus game to generate a third outcome of the skill-based bonus game.

8. The EGM of claim 7 , wherein when executed by the processor, the instructions cause the processor to detect the quantifiable skill input from the player using the skill input device.

9. The EGM of claim 7 , wherein when executed by the processor, the instructions cause the processor to generate the third outcome of the skill-based bonus game according to the output of the RNG.

10. The EGM of claim 7 , wherein the third outcome of the skill-based bonus game comprises providing a free game to the player.

11. The EGM of claim 10 , wherein when executed by the processor, the instructions cause the processor to perform one selected from a list comprising:

initiating and executing the free game subsequent to a completion of the skill-based bonus game;

and

providing a progressive award as the second outcome of the intermediate bonus game, the progressive award comprising a multiple of the one or more wagers.

12. A gaming system comprising:

a server processor; and

server memory that stores executable instructions which, when executed by the server processor, causes the server processor to:

collect one or more bonus symbols during game play of a base game funded by one or more wagers;

initiate and execute an intermediate bonus game according to a first outcome of the base game based on the collection of the one or more bonus symbols, wherein the first outcome is randomly determined using a Random Number Generator (RNG); and

initiate and execute a skill-based bonus game according to a second outcome of the intermediate bonus game, wherein executing the skill-based bonus game comprises:

offering a player a choice to select between playing the skill-based bonus game with a skill input device that receives a quantifiable skill input from the player and playing the skill-based bonus game with the RNG, wherein the choice offered to the player comprises a choice to use an automated mechanism for the skill-based bonus game;

receiving, from the player, a response to the choice offered to the player, wherein the response to the choice comprises a selection of the automated mechanism thereby causing the skill-based bonus game to be played with an output of the RNG; and

based on the response received from the player, conducting the skill-based bonus game based on input received from the RNG, wherein the input received during the skill-based bonus game causes the skill-based bonus game to generate a third outcome of the skill-based bonus game.

13. The gaming system of claim 12 , wherein when executed by the server processor, the executable instructions cause the server processor to detect the skill input from the player using the skill input device.

14. The gaming system of claim 12 , wherein when executed by the server processor, the executable instructions cause the server processor to generate the third outcome of the skill-based bonus game according to the output of the RNG.

15. The gaming system of claim 12 , herein the third outcome of the skill-based bonus game comprises providing a free game to the player.

16. The gaming system of claim 15 , wherein when executed by the server processor, the executable instructions cause the server processor to perform one selected from a list comprising:

initiating and executing the free game subsequent to a completion of the skill-based bonus game;

and

providing a progressive award as the second outcome of the intermediate bonus game, the progressive award comprising a multiple of the one or more wagers.