Interactive video gaming system involving a matching feature and multiple pay tables and method of utilizing the same
A system and method for operating a casino-style video game with a matching feature whereby players seek to group like game icons with one another. The system may use multiple pay tables with a relevant pay table being selected based on the number of grouped game icons forming a winning pattern such that the greater the number of matched or grouped game icons, the greater the return to player (RTP) associated with the corresponding pay table.
1. A gaming machine comprising:
a monetary input device configured to receive a physical item associated with a monetary value;
a user interface configured to:
enable a player to select a wager for a game of chance and enable the player to initiate a cash out operation;
at least one processor running executable instructions related to a game of chance;
said at least one processor programmed to:
add said monetary value to a credit balance for said player;
deduct said selected wager from said credit balance; and
decrease said credit balance in response to said cash out operation;
a display;
a ticket reader;
a bill validator;
memory in communication with said processor, said memory storing at least multiple pay tables; and
wherein said processor running said executable instructions: (i) causes to be displayed a grid comprising a plurality of unique game icons; (ii) receives a player input consistent with moving one or more of said plurality of unique game icons to group like game icons; (iii) responsive to said player input being deemed proper, causes to be moved said one or more of said plurality of unique game icons and a bet amount to be deducted; (iv) if said move causes three or more like game icons to be grouped in a pre-established pattern, identifies a corresponding pay table, based on a number of grouped like game icons in said pre-established pattern, from said multiple pay tables stored in said memory, said multiple pay tables having increasing RTP as the number of grouped like icons increases; and (iv) awards a prize from said identified pay table.
2. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein said multiple pay tables each have a different RTP.
3. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein said processor is further configured to:
cause payouts to be impacted by an amount of time necessary for a player to make a valid move of said one or more of said plurality of unique game icons.
4. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein said one or more game icons provide enhanced payouts when used to form a pre-established pattern.
5. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein an arrangement of said plurality of said one or more game icons is designed to influence ease of play.
6. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein said pre-established pattern is a horizontal row or vertical column of three consecutive like game icons.
7. A gaming machine network comprising:
a plurality of gaming machines in communication with a central computer, each gaming machine having a display; user interface; ticket reader; bill validator; memory in communication with a processor; said memory storing at least multiple pay tables; and a monetary input device configured to receive a physical item associated with a monetary value;
said user interface configured to:
enable a player to select a wager for a game of chance and enable the player to initiate a cash out operation;
said processor running executable instructions related to a game of chance;
said processor programmed to:
add said monetary value to a credit balance for said player;
deduct said selected wager from said credit balance; and
decrease said credit balance in response to said cash out operation; and
wherein said processor running executable instructions: (i) causes to a grid of a plurality of unique game icons to be presented on said display; (ii) receives a player input consistent with moving at least one of said plurality of unique game icons to form a pattern of like game icons; (iii) responsive to said player input being deemed proper, causes to move said at least one of said plurality of unique game icons and a bet amount to be deducted; (iv) if said move causes three or more like game icons to be grouped in a pre-established pattern, identifies a corresponding pay table, based on a number of grouped like game icons in said pre-established pattern, from said multiple pay tables stored in said memory, said multiple pay tables having increasing RTP as the number of grouped like icons increases; and (iv) awards a prize from said identified pay table.
8. The gaming machine network of claim 7 wherein said multiple pay tables each have a different RTP.
9. The gaming machine network of claim 7 wherein said processor is further configured to: cause payouts to be impacted by an amount of time necessary for a player to make a valid move of said one or more of said plurality of unique game icons.
10. The gaming machine network of claim 7 wherein said one or more game icons provide enhanced payouts when used to form a pre-established pattern.
11. The gaming machine network of claim 7 wherein an arrangement of said plurality of said one or more game icons is designed to influence ease of play.