Gaming machines, systems, and methods with configurable button deck including a dynamic low profile pushbutton assembly

1. A gaming machine comprising:

a game interface area having an interface surface and first outer periphery defining a player interface, wherein the interface surface includes an opening extending therethrough, the game interface area comprising:

a video display having a front surface and a second outer periphery, the video display at least partly provided with an insulator and a capacitive touch sensitive element within the second outer periphery; and

at least one mechanical pushbutton received within the opening, the at least one mechanical pushbutton including a top surface and a third outer periphery defining a corresponding pushbutton area within, and

wherein the at least one mechanical pushbutton is located within the first outer periphery and external to the second outer periphery; and

a game controller connected to the video display and to the at least one mechanical pushbutton, the game controller configured to:

retrieve one of a plurality of different game interfaces;

generate and cause display of a first game interface associated with the retrieved game interface on the video display, the first game interface including a unique image; and

generate and cause display of a second game interface upon an expiration of a predetermined amount of time.

2. The gaming machine of claim 1 , further comprising a support plate, the at least one mechanical pushbutton coupled to the support plate.

3. The gaming machine of claim 2 , wherein the support plate overlies the interface surface of the player interface.

4. The gaming machine of claim 2 , further comprising at least one wire connecting the at least one mechanical pushbutton to the game controller, the at least one wire extending between the support plate and the insulator.

5. The gaming machine of claim 1 , wherein the at least one mechanical pushbutton further comprises a bezel surrounding at least a portion of the second outer periphery.

6. The gaming machine of claim 5 , wherein the bezel includes a lighting element.

7. The gaming machine of claim 6 , wherein the lighting element is operable to display a plurality of different colors.

8. The gaming machine of claim 6 , wherein the lighting element is a light emitting diode (LED) element.

9. The gaming machine of claim 1 , wherein the video display is a liquid crystal display (LCD).

10. The gaming machine of claim 1 , wherein the at least one mechanical pushbutton comprises a plurality of mechanical pushbuttons, the video display and plurality of mechanical pushbuttons in combination defining a button deck on the gaming machine.

11. The gaming machine of claim 1 , further comprising at least one of a coin acceptor, a credit element, or a cash out element.

12. The gaming machine of claim 1 , further comprises a main screen, and the game controller responsive to the at least one mechanical pushbutton to activate a game sequence on the main screen.

13. The gaming machine of claim 1 , wherein the game controller is further programmed to present, via the video display, a game interface to a player.

14. The gaming machine of claim 1 , wherein at least one additional mechanical pushbutton is located to extend partly over a first portion of the video display within the first outer periphery and partly over a surface outside of the first outer periphery.

15. A method of configuring a player interface in a gaming machine system, the player interface including an interface surface, at least one video display having a front surface defining a display screen area, and a mechanical pushbutton assembly exterior to the display screen area, the mechanical pushbutton assembly including a top surface and a pushbutton area substantially smaller than the display screen area, the mechanical pushbutton assembly positioned within an opening in the interface surface, the method implemented with a controller and comprising:

retrieving one of a plurality of different game interfaces;

dynamically generating and causing display of the retrieved game interface including a unique image on the display screen area; and

generating and causing display of a second game interface upon an expiration of a predetermined amount of time.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the mechanical pushbutton assembly includes a lighting element, the method further comprising dynamically operating the lighting element in the mechanical pushbutton assembly to present a first game interface to a player.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:

generating the unique image and operating the lighting element in the mechanical pushbutton assembly in accordance with the retrieved one of the plurality of different game interfaces.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:

accepting a game selection from a player.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein a second mechanical pushbutton assembly is located to extend partly over a first portion of the display screen area within a first outer periphery and partly over a surface outside of the first outer periphery.

20. The method of claim 15 , further comprising activating a game sequence on a main screen in response to an activation of the mechanical pushbutton assembly.