WO2008144815A1

WO2008144815A1 - Gaming machine system for a communal game

Info

Publication number: WO2008144815A1
Application number: PCT/AU2008/000745
Authority: WO
Inventors: Terry O'halloran
Original assignee: Stargames Corporation Pty Limitrd
Priority date: 2007-05-28
Filing date: 2008-05-27
Publication date: 2008-12-04
Also published as: CA2631918A1

Abstract

A gaming machine system and method of communal game includes at least one processor for determining the outcome of a communal game. A plurality of gaming terminals is in communication with at least one processor. The gaming terminals allow respective users at each of the plurality of gaming terminals to wager on the outcome of the communal game. The communal game includes a trigger event associated with at least one predetermined outcome of the communal game, the trigger event enabling an auxiliary event may be selected. The at least one processor enables selection of a single gaming terminal from among the plurality of gaming terminals to choose at least one of the plurality of auxiliary events for play by at least the one terminal from the auxiliary event menu.

Description

GAMING MACHINE SYSTEM FOR A COMMUNAL GAME FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to gaming and in particular to electronic gaming machines. The invention has been developed primarily for use with a communal slot machine system and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge.

Communal slot machines where multiple users wager on a common slot machine spin are increasing in popularity. Communal slot machines include a number of user terminals each allowing a single user to wager on a common slot machine reel spin. Typically, the spinning reels are displayed on a large communal display that all players can see. In one embodiment that is disclosed in applicant's pending Australian application AU2005202629 (which is incorporated herein by way of reference), a number of player terminals are available at which players can wager on the result of a communal reel spin. In addition to the game being displayed on the communal display, the results of each spin are displayed on each individual player terminal. Each game, or reel spin, occurs automatically after a predetermined time has elapsed and players must place their bet on their individual player terminal before the next reel spin commences at the end of a predetermined time interval, for example, every 5 seconds. The communal slot machines typically have a count-down meter that displays time left to place a wager. If the player does not place their bet before the countdown reaches zero they do not participate in that particular game and must wait to play the next game. Once the reel spin is complete the system determines whether each player has won and awards credit appropriately. The winnings for each user may be different as each player has the ability to vary their wager per line as well as the number of lines played. Therefore, although the result of each spin is the same for each player, the wagers made, the amount wagered and amounts won may be different for each player. An advantage of communal gaming systems is that they allow multiple players to play one communal game at varying stake rates. There is also a social level that introduces a team element to games that are traditionally single player, such as reel slot machines, as multiple gamers are hoping for an event or outcome that is a common goal to all. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a gaming machine system and method on the gaming system for communal gaming including: at least one processor for determining the outcome of a communal game; a plurality of gaming terminals in communication with the at least one processor; the gaming terminals allowing respective users at each of the plurality of gaming terminals to wager on the outcome of the communal game; the communal game including a trigger event associated with at least one predetermined outcome of the communal game, the trigger event enabling an auxiliary event menu to display a plurality of auxiliary events from which a single auxiliary event may be selected; and the at least one processor enabling selection of a single gaming terminal from among the plurality of gaming terminals to choose at least one of the plurality of auxiliary events for play by at least the one terminal from the auxiliary event menu.

Preferably, a single user is chosen from the respective users to choose one of the plurality of auxiliary events from the auxiliary event menu. Preferably all users that wagered on the communal game participate in the chosen auxiliary event.

Preferably the selection of the single user by the processor is random. Preferably the auxiliary events are selected from the group consisting of replacement of a symbol, positioning of a symbol, re-spin of a reel, selection of an object from among multiple objects, or play of a bonus event.

Preferably the selection of the single user by the processor is dependent upon at least one predetermined criteria that is used by the processor to perform the selection. Preferably the predetermined criteria is selected from the group consisting of magnitude of wager on past communal games, magnitude of wager relative to other users, historical gaming data, duration by time of play for one or more players or positions or the like. Examples of historical gaming data include but are not limited to gross win/session, gross losses/session, net win/loss per session, win frequency, loss frequency, player comp points accrued, and the like.

Preferably payouts for winning outcomes awarded during the auxiliary events are multiplied by a predetermined multiplier.

Preferably each user's effective wager on the auxiliary event is equivalent to the respective user's wager on the communal game. In one embodiment, a separate wager is required to participate in the auxiliary event. In another embodiment, no additional wager is required.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method for providing a communal game including: providing a plurality of gaming terminals for allowing respective users at each of the plurality of gaming terminals to wager on an outcome of the communal game; determining the outcome of a communal game; determining whether a trigger event associated with at least one predetermined outcome of the communal game has occurred; if the trigger event has occurred enabling an auxiliary event menu displaying a plurality of auxiliary events; and selecting at least one user from the respective users to choose one of the plurality of auxiliary events from the auxiliary event menu.

Preferably, a single user is chosen from the respective users to choose one of the plurality of auxiliary events from the auxiliary event menu.

Preferably all users that wagered on the communal game participate in the chosen auxiliary event.

Preferably the selection of the single user is random. In other embodiments, the method of selection is predetermined. Preferably the auxiliary events are selected from the group consisting of replacement of a symbol, positioning of a symbol, re-spin of a reel, selection of an object from among multiple objects, or play of a bonus event. Preferably the selection of the single user is dependent upon at least one predetermined criteria. Preferably the predetermined criteria is selected from the group consisting of magnitude of wager on past communal games, magnitude of wager relative to other users, historical gaming data or the like. Preferably payouts for winning outcomes awarded during the auxiliary events are multiplied by a predetermined multiplier.

Preferably each user's effective wager on the auxiliary event is equivalent to the respective user's wager on the communal game. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary gaming hardware used to practice the present invention;

Figure 2 is a flowchart of a game cycle according to the invention; Figure 3 is a representation of a screen showing a visual representation of a result according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a representation of a screen showing a winning bonus game combination according to the invention;

Figure 5 is a representation of a screen showing a gamer options according to the invention; and

Figure 6 is a representation of a screen showing a gamer choice according to the invention. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment for a gaming machine system and method of play for communal gaming includes: at least one processor for determining the outcome of a communal game; a plurality of gaming terminals in communication with the at least one processor; the gaming terminals each allowing respective users at each of the plurality of gaming terminals to wager on the outcome of the communal game; the communal game including a trigger event associated with at least one predetermined outcome of the communal game, the trigger event enabling an auxiliary event menu to display a plurality of auxiliary events from which a single auxiliary event may be selected; and the at least one processor enabling selection of a single gaming terminal from among the plurality of gaming terminals to choose at least one of the plurality of auxiliary events for play by at least the one terminal from the auxiliary event menu.

Referring to Figure 1 , there is shown a multi player gaming machine system 101 for communal gaming. The system 101 includes a processor contained within a gaming controller 102 for determining the outcome of a communal game which is in this instance a slot game displayed on communal display 111. A plurality of gaming terminals 104 are in network communication with the gaming controller 102. The gaming controller is shown in a central location within the housing supporting the display 111 but may be located within one of the terminals 104 or elsewhere. The gaming terminals allow respective users (also called players or gamers) at each of the plurality of gaming terminals to wager on the outcome or spin of the slot game. The slot game has a trigger event associated with at least one predetermined outcome of the game (i.e., spin of the reels) wherein the trigger event enables the display of an auxiliary event menu 109 displaying a plurality of auxiliary events 110 (shown in Fig. 5). The gaming controller 102 is capable of selecting a single user from the respective users to choose of one of the plurality of auxiliary events 110 from the auxiliary event menu 109.

In this embodiment the auxiliary events are additional spins on the communal slot game 103, each of the available options having different parameters. For example, the choices provided to the selected player could be 10 free spins with a win multiplier of 4 (i.e., all wins in the free games are multiplied by 4) or 20 free spins with a win multiplier of 2. It will be appreciated that although the short term winnings may vary and particular players may win or lose more in the short term depending on which option is chosen, the average return (or payback) to the players will be the same over the life time of the system. Therefore, the actual choice made does not change the overall lifetime return of the gaming system. However, from the player perspective certain combinations of free games of certain multipliers may be more attractive. In this embodiment, players are not required to make an additional wager to participate in the auxiliary event.

In other embodiments auxiliary events are selected from the group consisting of replacement of a symbol, positioning of a symbol, re-spin of a reel, selection of an object from among multiple objects, or play of a bonus event. In the preferred embodiment each user's effective wager on the auxiliary event is equivalent to the respective user's wager on the communal game that triggered the auxiliary event.

According to the invention, players wager on a common game outcome. When the game permits a number of different wagering options such as multiple pay lines and wager amounts, each player may select his or her own wagering amounts and pay line options. When the common game result is displayed, each individual player is awarded a payout, when applicable, in accordance with the selected wagering options. In one form of the invention, each player who is an active player at the time of a triggering of a bonus event is paid a bonus payout in proportion to that individual's wager. For example, if player 1 and player 14 wagered $.25 and $5.00 respectively, and the bonus event paid 4X the wager, player 1 would win $1.00 and player 14 would win $20.00 on the same game outcome. In other embodiments, the wager of player that is selected to elect a bonus determines bonus payouts. For example, if player 14 was selected to choose the bonus and a game outcome resulted in a 4X win on a wager by player 14 of $5.00, all players would win $20.00. This is a less preferred method but is still considered to be within the scope of the present invention. Referring to Figure 2, the flowchart describes a game cycle according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. In step 1 a countdown commences and the time remaining until the start of the next slot game is displayed on the individual player terminals 5 to 9 as well as on the communal screen 4. At this point wagering in the game is open and players have until the end of the countdown to wager on the outcome of the game.

At step 2 players select their wager on the outcome of the slot game using their respective terminals. One of the terminal display screens is shown in Figure 3 and will be described in detail further on. Using the terminal, gamers select the bet level, in this instance the number of lines [A] and the number of credits bet per line [B]. A x B = total bet/wager in credits.

At step 3, by pressing a designated button, e.g. 'confirm' or 'play', the player lodges the wager prior to the countdown finishing and reaching zero. When the countdown reaches zero no more wagers are accepted by the terminals.

At step 4, once all the wagers are received, the gaming controller generates a result using a random number generator. In this embodiment the result is displayed at step 5 as an image of a slot machine outcome with multiple reels, however, in other embodiments the result is displayed using any suitable game, such as blackjack, poker, roulette or the like.

At step 6, the processor determines whether the feature combination or "trigger" event occurs, if the answer is yes, in step 7 the trigger bonus is activated. If no, regular play resumes at step 1. At step 7, if the result of the slot game is a predetermined combination associated with a bonus feature the combination defining a triggering event, then the bonus is awarded and the game proceeds to the bonus game. If no bonus feature is awarded then gaming controller starts a new game and reverts back to step 1. At step 8, the gaming controller determines all players' wagers and at step

9 selects one player according to the predetermined selection criteria. This selected player chooses the bonus game that will be played by all eligible players from the bonus features offered. Eligible players are those that wagered on the communal slot game. In other embodiments the bonus game is chosen by a majority vote involving all eligible gamers.

In the preferred embodiment a player is selected randomly to choose the auxiliary event, although in other embodiments the gaming controller uses predetermined criteria for selecting a player. These include: one or a combination of: magnitude of the wager on the outcome of the communal game; average historical wager on past communal games; magnitude of wager relative to other gamers; a random allocation; average magnitude of wager on past communal games; historical gaming data; information included in player loyalty programs or the like. Although it is preferred that a single user is selected to choose the auxiliary event, a plurality of users could be selected and the chosen event is the one that the majority of users select. In the event of a tie, that is an even number of users (herein also referred to as players) an event could be chosen randomly by the gaming controller.

In the preferred embodiment all players that wagered on the slot game that triggered the feature are eligible to participate in the chosen event. In some embodiments users must wager above a predetermined bet minimum, such as $1 , $2 or $5, to be eligible to participate in the auxiliary event. In other embodiments users must pay an ante bet to be eligible to participate in the auxiliary event. The ante bet could be a premium per line charge where users pay an additional sum per line to be eligible for participation in the chosen event. In other embodiments, a separate wager to participate in the auxiliary event is required. Once the determination has been made by the gaming controller, the selected player is notified on his/her terminal and, and in this embodiment, the notification is also presented on the communal display screen.

At step 10, the chosen player selects the bonus game they wish to play from the available game options using a selector on their respective gaming terminal 5 to 9. At step 11 , the choice that is made will be displayed on the communal display to notify the other gamers which bonus game will be played. At step 12 the chosen bonus game is then started and played by the eligible gamers. That is, the bonus game is provided only to gamers who wagered on the outcome of the communal slot game. Each player terminal 104 includes a player display, an example of which is shown in Figure 3. The player display shows the current player credit, the bet on the current slot spin and the win on the previous slot spin. A replica of the current slot spin outcome is also shown on each terminal so that the player can see the outcome on their display and the communal display 111. Player wins showing the winning lines can be displayed on both the player display and the communal display according to the requirements and preferences of the venue. Players set their wager by selecting the credits per line and number of lines wagered on using the relevant buttons on the touchscreen display. Other buttons provided include the collect button for paying out the credit stored in the terminal, the reserve button for reserving the terminal, the paytable button which displays the paytable for the slot game, the auto bet on button which when activated places the current bet on each spin without requiring further player interaction, the rules button which displays the rules of the current slot game, the play button that indicates the player wishes to wager on the current game and the cancel bet button for cancelling the current wager (this can only be activated prior to the commencement of the next game).

Referring now to Figure 4 there is shown a screen shot of the communal display 111 that displays the slot game 103. The slot game is programmed to start a new game and spin the reels every 15 seconds and the display shows the countdown of time 401 remaining until the next game commences. Also shown are the reels and the result of the last reel spin. Additional player and display information can also be included as required. In this embodiment the trigger event that enables the auxiliary menu is the occurrence of three tent symbols 402 displayed in a scatter fashion in the result of the slot game. The slot machine outcome has three rows and four columns and the tent symbols 402 occur in Figure 4 at row 1 column 5, row 2 column 4 and row three column 2. Scatter outcomes according to this embodiment mean that the winning symbols appear anywhere on the display.

Referring now to Figure 5 there is shown the auxiliary event menu 109 that is displayed on the communal display 111 as a result of the trigger event described above occurring. The auxiliary event menu lists two auxiliary events 110a and 110b from which the selected player can choose. The selected player is notified that they have been selected on the communal display 111 where the "XX" is replaced by the player terminal number. The selected player's terminal is activated to allow them to choose one of the auxiliary events which in this case is a choice of 20 free games with a win multiplier of 2 designated by 110a or 10 free games with a win multiplier of 4 designated by 110b. The player selects the chosen event using the inputs (in this case a touch screen button) available on their terminal. Figure.6 displays of the choice of the selected player after which the 10 free games are played and any wins multiplied by 4. After the chosen auxiliary event is complete the game returns to its normal operation after awarding any winning credits to the players that participated in the chosen auxiliary event.

In use, a player approaches one of the player gaming terminals 104 and inserts credit into the terminal using cash via a bill acceptor, a credit ticket via the ticket acceptor or any other suitable manner as made available by the casino. The player is then presented with the player selection screen 301 as shown in Figure 3. The player selects the credits to wager per line and the number of lines to play by pressing the desired buttons on the touch screen selection screen. The player selection screen also displays the result of the spinning reel game and any winning combinations on any of the paylines 1 to 25. For example, the three^{^} matching symbols 302 in winning payline 3 are shown next to the line labelled "Line 3" and the two scatter symbols 303 are shown next the line labelled "scatters". The player selection screen also includes buttons for allowing the player to collect their credit, reserve the terminal for a predetermined period of time, display the paytable, turn on the autobet feature which repeats the current bet until the feature is disabled or the player credit is exhausted, display the game rules, play the next game and cancel the current bet amount. Referring to Figure 4 and the communal display 111 , the next game commences one the countdown 401 reaches 0. At that time all wagers placed on the player terminals are locked and the virtual reels spin and the outcome in shown both on the communal display and the player terminals. If the auxiliary feature is triggered as shown in the result of the game on Figure 4, the feature is triggered and played as described above.

A payment device or system is present in the technology described herein. A representative payment acceptor includes a note, ticket or bill acceptor, credit acceptor or accounting system maintained at a central or distal processor. The player in casino-based systems may insert paper money, a ticket, a voucher, and a coin or coins, or tokens. In other embodiments, payment devices such as readers or validators for credit cards, debit cards or credit slips may accept payment. In one embodiment, a player may insert an identification card into a card reader of the gaming device. In one embodiment, the identification card is a smart card having a programmed microchip or a magnetic strip coded with a player's identification, credit totals (or related data) and other relevant information. In another embodiment, a player may carry a portable device, such as a cell phone, a radio frequency identification tag or any other suitable wireless device, which communicates a player's identification, credit totals (or related data) and other relevant information to the gaming device. In one embodiment, money may be transferred to a gaming device through electronic funds transfer. When a player funds the gaming device, the processor determines the amount of funds entered and displays the corresponding amount on the credit or other suitable display as described above.

In one embodiment, as mentioned above, one input device is a touch- screen coupled with a touch-screen controller or some other touch-sensitive display overlay or button panel or keyboard to allow for player interaction with the images on the display. The touch-screen and the touch-screen controller are connected to a video controller. A player can make decisions and input signals into the gaming device by touching the touch-screen at the appropriate places. One such input device is a conventional touch-screen button panel.

The gaming device may further include a plurality of communication ports for enabling communication of the processor with external peripherals, such as external video sources, expansion buses, game or other displays, an SCSI port or a key pad. In one embodiment, the gaming device includes a sound generating device controlled by one or more sounds cards which function in conjunction with the processor. In one embodiment, the sound generating device includes at least one and preferably a plurality of speakers or other sound generating hardware and/or software for generating sounds, such as playing music for the primary and/or secondary game or for other modes of the gaming device, such as an attract mode. In one embodiment, the gaming device provides dynamic sounds coupled with attractive multimedia images displayed on one or more of the display devices to provide an audio-visual representation or to otherwise display full-motion video with sound to attract players to the gaming device. During idle periods, the gaming device may display a sequence of audio and/or visual attraction messages to attract potential players to the gaming device. The videos may also be customized for or to provide any appropriate information. In one embodiment, the gaming machine may include a sensor, such as a camera in communication with the processor (and possibly controlled by the processor) that is selectively positioned to acquire an image of a player actively using the gaming device and/or the surrounding area of the gaming device. In one embodiment, the camera may be configured to selectively acquire still or moving (e.g., video) images and may be configured to acquire the images in either an analog, digital or other suitable format. The display devices may be configured to display the image acquired by the camera as well as display the visible manifestation of the game in split screen or picture-in-picture fashion. For example, the camera may acquire an image of the player and the processor may incorporate that image into the primary and/or secondary game as a game image, symbol or indicia.

A gaming device may also incorporate any suitable wagering primary or base game if the game described herein is implemented as a bonus or secondary game. The gaming machine or device may include some or all of the features of conventional gaming machines or devices. The primary or base game may comprise any suitable reel-type game, card game, cascading or falling symbol game, number game or other game of chance susceptible to representation in an electronic or electromechanical form, which in one embodiment produces a random outcome based on probability data at the time of or after placement of a wager. That is, different primary wagering games, such as video poker games, video blackjack games, video keno, video bingo or any other suitable primary or base game may be implemented.

In one embodiment, one or more of the gaming devices are in communication with each other and/or at least one central server, central controller or remote host through a data network or remote communication link. In this embodiment, the central server, central controller or remote host is any suitable server or computing device which includes at least one processor and at least one memory or storage device. In different such embodiments, the central server is a progressive controller or a processor of one of the gaming devices in the gaming system. In these embodiments, the processor of each gaming device is designed to transmit and receive events, messages, commands or any other suitable data or signal between the individual gaming device and the central server. The gaming device processor is operable to execute such communicated events, messages or commands in conjunction with the operation of the gaming device. Moreover, the processor of the central server is designed to transmit and receive events, messages, commands or any other suitable data or signal between the central server and each of the individual gaming devices. The central server processor is operable to execute such communicated events, messages or commands in conjunction with the operation of the central server. It should be appreciated that one, more or each of the functions of the central controller as disclosed herein may be performed by one or more gaming device processors. It should be further appreciated that one, more or each of the functions of one or more gaming device processors as disclosed herein may be performed by the central controller.

In one embodiment, the game outcome provided to the player is determined by a central server or controller and provided to the player at the gaming device. In this embodiment, each of a plurality of such gaming devices are in communication with the central server or controller. Upon a player initiating game play at one of the gaming devices, the initiated gaming device communicates a game outcome request to the central server or controller. In one embodiment, the central server or controller receives the game outcome request and randomly generates a game outcome for the primary game based on probability data. In another embodiment, the central server or controller randomly generates a game outcome for the secondary game based on probability data. In another embodiment, the central server or controller randomly generates a game outcome for both the primary game and the secondary game based on probability data. In this embodiment, the central server or controller is capable of storing and utilizing program code or other data similar to the processor and memory device of the gaming device.

In an alternative embodiment, the central server or controller maintains one or more predetermined pools or sets of predetermined game outcomes. In this embodiment, the central server or controller receives the game outcome request and independently selects a predetermined game outcome from a set or pool of game outcomes. The central server or controller flags or marks the selected game outcome as used. Once a game outcome is flagged as used, it is prevented from further selection from the set or pool and cannot be selected by the central controller or server upon another wager. The provided game outcome can include a primary game outcome, a secondary game outcome, primary and secondary game outcomes, or a series of game outcomes such as free games. The central server or controller communicates the generated or selected game outcome to the initiated gaming device. The gaming device receives the generated or selected game outcome and provides the game outcome to the player. In an alternative embodiment, how the generated or selected game outcome is to be presented or displayed to the player, such as a reel symbol combination of a slot machine or a hand of cards dealt in a card game, is also determined by the central server or controller and communicated to the initiated gaming device to be presented or displayed to the player. Central production or control can assist a gaming establishment or other entity in maintaining appropriate records, controlling gaming, reducing and preventing cheating or electronic or other errors, reducing or eliminating win-loss volatility and the like. There are hundreds of available computer languages that may be used to implement embodiments of the invention, among the more common being Ada; Algol; APL; awk; Basic; C; C++; Cobol; Delphi; Eiffel; Euphoria; Forth; Fortran; HTML; Icon; Java; Javascript; Lisp; Logo; Mathematica; MatLab; Miranda; Modula-2; Oberon; Pascal; Perl; PL/I; Prolog; Python; Rexx; SAS; Scheme; sed; Simula; Smalltalk; Snobol; SQL; Visual Basic; Visual C++; and XML. Any commercial processor may be used to implement the embodiments of the invention either as a single processor, serial or parallel set of processors in the system. Examples of commercial processors include, but are not limited to Merced™, Pentium™, Pentium II™, Xeon™, Celeron™, Pentium Pro™, Efficeon™, Athlon, AMD and the like.

Display screens may be segment display screen, analogue display screens, digital display screens, CRTs, LED screens, Plasma screens, liquid crystal diode screens, and the like. Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A gaming machine system for communal gaming including: at least one processor for determining the outcome of a communal game; a plurality of gaming terminals in communication with the at least one processor; the gaming terminals allowing respective users at each of the plurality of gaming terminals to wager on the outcome of the communal game; the communal game including a trigger event associated with at least one predetermined outcome of the communal game, the trigger event enabling an auxiliary event menu to display a plurality of auxiliary events from which a single auxiliary event may be selected; and the at least one processor enabling selection of a single gaming terminal from among the plurality of gaming terminals to choose at least one of the plurality of auxiliary events for play by at least the one terminal from the auxiliary event menu.

2. A gaming machine system according to claim 1 wherein all users that wagered on the communal game participate in the selected auxiliary event.

3. A gaming machine system according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the selection of the single gaming terminal by the processor is random.

4. A gaming machine system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the auxiliary events are selected from the group consisting of replacement of a symbol, positioning of a symbol, re-spin of a reel, selection of an object from among multiple objects, or play of a bonus event.

5. A gaming machine system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the selection of the single gaming terminal by the processor is dependent upon at least one predetermined criteria provided to the at least one processor.

6. A gaming machine system according to claim 5 wherein the predetermined criteria is selected from the group consisting of magnitude of wager on past communal games, magnitude of wager relative to other users, historical gaming data, and time of use by a player at a single gaming terminal.

7. A gaming machine system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein payouts for winning outcomes awarded during the auxiliary events are multiplied by a predetermined multiplier.

8. A gaming machine system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein each gaming terminal's effective wager on the auxiliary event is equivalent to the respective gaming terminal's wager on the communal game.

9. A method for providing a communal game including: providing a plurality of gaming terminals for allowing respective users at each of the plurality of gaming terminals to wager on an outcome of the communal game determined by a processor; determining the outcome of a communal game; determining whether a trigger event associated with at least one predetermined outcome of the communal game has occurred; if the trigger event has occurred, displaying an active auxiliary event menu that displays a plurality of auxiliary events from which at least one auxiliary event will be chosen; and selecting a single user from the respective users to choose at least one of the plurality of auxiliary events from the auxiliary event menu.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein all users that wagered on the communal game participate in the chosen auxiliary event.

11. A method according to claim 9 or 10 wherein the selection of the single user is random and only one auxiliary event may be selected.

12. A method according to any one of claims 9 to 11 wherein the auxiliary events are selected from the group consisting of replacement of a symbol, positioning of a symbol, re-spin of a reel, selection of an object from among multiple objects, and play of a bonus event.

13. A method according to any one of claims 9 to 12 wherein the selection of the single user is dependent upon at least one predetermined criteria used by the processor.

14. A method according to claim 13 wherein the predetermined criteria is selected from the group consisting of magnitude of wager on past communal games, magnitude of wager relative to other users, historical gaming data and time duration of play by individual users.

15. A method according to any one of claims 9 to 14 wherein payouts for winning outcomes awarded during the auxiliary events are multiplied by a predetermined multiplier.

16. A method according to any one of claims 9 to 15 wherein each user's effective wager on the auxiliary event is equivalent to the respective user's wager on the communal game.