Slot machine games with groups of symbols rotated together

摘要

A slot machine game provides a bonus feature wherein, after the base-game reels have stopped to populate the symbol array, a rectangular region or group of symbols within in the symbol array is selected, and this region is rotated to produce a modified symbol array which is then evaluated for wins. This is preferably done after spins that do not win a prize, in order to improve the payout and excitement of the game. The group rotation can be made available in base or bonus games, and can be used with game logic that searches for a suitable group to rotate by evaluating the prize that will result and choosing a group above a designated threshold.

主权项

1. A method of providing a wagering game on a gaming machine having a display, a wager input device, and at least one electronic controller operatively coupled to the wager input device and the display and configured to execute instructions related to the wagering game, the method comprising:
displaying a matrix of symbol locations on the display, with every symbol location in the matrix having a symbol therein; receiving a wager from a player at the wager input device, receiving a game activation at the gaming machine, and in response initiating the wagering game; after initiating the wagering game, updating the matrix of symbols locations to show a new set of symbols; determining if the updated matrix evaluates to have no winning prizes, then if so, deciding that the updated matrix qualifies for a group rotation feature, and if it qualifies:
(a) determining if the group rotation feature will activate, and if so:(b) defining a rectangular group of symbols that are a subset of the total symbols in the matrix;(c) highlighting or visually emphasizing the rectangular group, and rotating the entire group with an accompanying animation on the display showing the rotation;(d) stopping the rotation with the symbols in different positions in the matrix than before the rotation, excepting a center symbol of the group, if any; and(e) after stopping, evaluating the matrix after the rotation according to paylines defined for the wagering game and awarding any prizes due therefrom.