System, apparatus and method for saving game state and for utilizing game states on different gaming devices
View Patent ↗The present invention provides a gaming apparatus, method and system for transferring the play of a feature earned from one gaming machine, provided as a system bonus or as a promotional award to another gaming machine. The apparatus, method and system provides for selection between feature values FV A −FV X of the gaming machine.
1. A system to retire a progressive jackpot amount among a plurality of gaming devices where each is configured to provide a base game and having at least one feature having a plurality of player payback feature values FV A −FV X , and a communications network to provide communication between said gaming machines and a host processor, the system comprising:
records corresponding to feature opportunities to play a feature having a player pay back feature value of FV 1 , the sum of the feature values FV 1 substantially equal to said progressive jackpot amount;
apparatus for players to enable a provided feature opportunity of a said records at gaming devices for play thereof;
a game controller, at least one of said controller and host processor configured to (a) if a feature value of FV A −FV X =FV 1 select the equivalent feature value FV S for play by the player and (b) if no feature value of FV A −FV X =FV 1 select said feature opportunity FV S as between feature values of FV A −FV X for play by the player.
2. The system of claim 1 comprising said gaming device includes at least a plurality of feature values FV A −FV X including FV L and FV H , where FV L <FV 1 <FV H , at least one of said controller and host processor configured to randomly select between said values FV L and FV H for said value FV S .
3. The system of claim 2 comprising randomly selecting a value R between FV L and FV H and if R is < or ≦FV 1 then selecting FV H as FV S otherwise selecting FV L as said selected value FV S .
4. A method for retiring a progressive jackpot amount among a plurality of gaming devices where each is configured to provide a base game and having a plurality of feature games having a plurality of player payback feature values FV A −FV X and a communications network to provide communication between said gaming machines and a host processor, the method comprising:
providing for the parceling said jackpot amount into records corresponding to feature opportunities to play a feature having one or more player pay back feature values of FV 1 ;
enabling players to present the feature opportunity of a said record at said one or more gaming devices for play thereof;
configuring a game controller or said host processor for (a) if an feature value of FV A −FV X =FV 1 selecting the equivalent feature value FV S for play by the player and (b) if no feature value of FV A −FV X =FV 1 selecting said feature opportunity FV S for play as between feature values of FV A −FV X .
5. A method for promoting play of gaming devices where each is configured to provide a base game and having at least one feature having a plurality of player payback feature values FV A −FV X , and a communications network to provide communication between said gaming machines and a host processor, the method comprising:
enabling the providing to players of records corresponding to feature opportunities to play a feature having a player pay back feature value of FV 1 ;
providing apparatus for a player to enable a provided feature opportunity of a said record at a gaming device for play thereof;
configuring at least one of a game controller and host processor to (a) if a feature value FV 1 is substantially equal to one of the feature values FV A −FV X to select the equivalent feature value FV S for play by the player and (b) if no feature value of FV A −FV X =FV 1 select said feature opportunity FV S as between feature values of FV A −FV X for play by the player.
6. The method of claim 5 comprising enabling the providing to players of records as enabling electronic records to be created corresponding to a feature values FV 1 provided to players.
7. The method of claim 5 comprising enabling the providing to players of records as enabling providing of printed vouchers provided to players.
8. A system for promoting play of gaming devices where each is configured to provide a base game and having at least one feature having a plurality of player payback feature values FV A −FV X , and a communications network to provide communication between said gaming machines and a host processor, the system comprising:
records corresponding to feature opportunities provided to players to play a feature having a player pay back feature value of FV 1 ;
apparatus for a player to enable a provided feature opportunity of a said record at a gaming device for play thereof;
at least one of a game controller and host processor configured to (a) if a feature value FV 1 is substantially equal to one of the feature values FV A −FV X to select the equivalent feature value FV S for play by the player and (b) if no feature value of FV A −FV X =FV 1 select said feature opportunity FV S as between feature values of FV A −FV X for play by the player.
9. The system of claim 8 comprising configuring said host processor to retain said records of feature opportunities awarded to players at a data structure and to record retirement of said features by said players.