AU2009200441A1 - A method of gaming, a game controller and a gaming system - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Standard Patent Applicant (s): Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited Invention Title: A METHOD OF GAMING, A GAME CONTROLLER AND A GAMING SYSTEM The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: P75997.AU.I PatSeFiing Application 2009-24doc (M) -2 Title A METHOD OF GAMING, A GAME CONTROLLER AND A GAMING SYSTEM 5 Field The invention relates to a method of gaming, a game controller and a gaming system. 10 Background Many gaming systems are provided in the form of gaming machines which allow a player to play a game such as a spinning reel type game. In such games prizes are awarded is based on particular symbol combinations of symbols displayed at predefined positions. While such gaming systems provide users with enjoyment, a need exists for alternative gaming systems in order to 20 maintain or increase player enjoyment. Summary of the Invention In a first aspect, the invention provides a method of 25 gaming comprising: selecting a plurality of symbols for display at respective ones of a plurality of sets of display positions on a display; selecting a position for at least one set of display 30 positions relative to an evaluation area of the display adapted to display fewer symbols than the display positions of the at least one set to thereby select which of the symbols of the at least one set are displayed within the evaluation area; and 35 determining whether to make an award based on the symbols displayed in the evaluation area. N:\Melboume\Cases\Patent\75000-75999\P75989.AU. I\Specis\P75997.AU. I Specification.doc 6/02/09 - 3 In an embodiment, the evaluation area is adapted to display fewer symbols for each set of display positions and a position is selected for each set of display positions. 5 In an embodiment, the evaluation area has a plurality evaluation positions arranged in a plurality of rows and columns and the method comprises displaying each set of display positions such that they correspond to one column 10 of the evaluation area. In an embodiment, the method comprises selecting the column in which each set is displayed. 15 In an embodiment, each set of display positions is used to display a subset of symbols of a set of symbols having a defined sequence relative to on another. In an embodiment, there are two more display positions for 20 each set than fit in the evaluation area. In an embodiment, there are five display positions in each set and the method comprises selecting symbols to be displayed for each set at each of the five display 25 positions. In an embodiment, there are five sets of display positions and three display positions of each set are displayed in the evaluation area. 30 In a second aspect, the invention provides a game controller for a gaming system, the game controller arranged to: select a plurality of symbols for display at 35 respective ones of a plurality of sets of display positions on a display,; select a position for at least one set of display N \Melbour\Cases\Patent\75000-75999\P75989.AU. 1\Specis\P75997.AU. I Speifcation.doc 6/02/09 - 4 positions relative to an evaluation area of the display adapted to display fewer symbols than the display positions of the at least one set to thereby select which of the symbols of the at least one set are displayed s within the evaluation area; and determine whether to make an award based on the symbols displayed in the evaluation area. In an embodiment, the game controller comprises a symbol 10 selector for selecting the symbols for display at the display positions. In an embodiment, the game controller comprises a position selector for selecting the position the at least one set 15 of display positions. In an embodiment, the game controller comprises an award determiner arranged to determine whether to make an award. 20 In an embodiment, the game controller is constituted by a processor executing program code stored in a memory. In an embodiment, the evaluation area is adapted to display fewer symbols for each set of display positions 25 and the game controller selects a position for each set of display positions. In an embodiment, the evaluation area has a plurality evaluation positions arranged in a plurality of rows and 30 columns and the game controller is arranged to control display of each set of display positions such that they correspond to one column of the evaluation area. In an embodiment, the game controller is arranged to 35 select the column in which each set is displayed. In an embodiment, the game controller is arranged to N:\Mclbourme\Cases\Patent\75000-75999\P75989.AU l\Specis\P75997.AU I Specification.doc 6/02/09 - 5 select a subset of symbols for display from a set of symbols having a defined sequence relative to on another. In an embodiment, there are two more display positions for 5 each set than fit in the evaluation area. In an embodiment, there are five display positions in each set and the game controller is arranged to select symbols to be displayed for each set at each of the five display 10 positions. In an embodiment, there are five sets of display positions and three display positions of each set are displayed in the evaluation area. 15 In a third aspect, the invention provides a gaming system comprising: a display; and a game controller arranged to: 20 select a plurality of symbols for display at respective ones of a plurality of sets of display positions on a display,; select a position for at least one set of display positions relative to an evaluation area of the display 25 adapted to display fewer symbols than the display positions of the at least one set to thereby select which of the symbols of the at least one set are displayed within the evaluation area; and determine whether to make an award based on the 30 symbols displayed in the evaluation area. In an embodiment, the game controller comprises a symbol selector for selecting the symbols for display at the display positions. 35 In an embodiment, the game controller comprises a position selector for selecting the position the at least one set N:\Melboume\Cass\Patent\75000-75999\P75989.AU. \Specis\P75997.AU. I Specification doc 6/02/09 - 6 of display positions. In an embodiment, the game controller comprises an award determiner arranged to determine whether to make an award. 5 In an embodiment, comprises a processor executing program code stored in a memory to implement the game controller. In an embodiment, the evaluation area is adapted to 10 display fewer symbols for each set of display positions and the game controller selects a position for each set of display positions. In an embodiment, the evaluation area has a plurality 15 evaluation positions arranged in a plurality of rows and columns and the game controller is arranged to control display of each set of display positions such that they correspond to one column of the evaluation area. 20 In an embodiment, the game controller is arranged to select the column in which each set is displayed. In an embodiment, the game controller is arranged to select a subset of symbols for display from a set of 25 symbols having a defined sequence relative to on another. In an embodiment, there are two more display positions for each set than fit in the evaluation area. 30 In an embodiment, there are five display positions in each set and the game controller is arranged to select symbols to be displayed for each set at each of the five display positions. 35 In an embodiment, there are five sets of display positions and three display positions of each set are displayed in the evaluation area. N \Melboume\Cases\Patent\75000-75999\P75989.AU I\Specis\P75997.AU. I Specification doc 6/02/09 - 7 In an embodiment, the display forms part of a player interface comprising a game play mechanism operable by the player to place a bet and the game controller operates to 5 select symbols in response to placement of a bet. In a fourth aspect, the invention provides computer program code which when executed implements the above method. 10 In a fifth aspect, the invention provides a computer readable medium comprising the above program code. In a sixth aspect, the invention provides a data signal 15 comprising the above program code. In a seventh aspect, the invention extends to transmitting the above program code. 20 Brief Description of Drawings An exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 25 Figure 1 is a block diagram of the core components of a gaming system; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a stand alone gaming 30 machine; Figure 3 is a block diagram of the functional components of a gaming machine; 35 Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the functional components of a memory; N:\Melboume\Cases\Patent\75000-75999\P75989 AU. I\Specis\P75997.AU I Specification doc 6/02109 - 8 Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a network gaming system; Figure 6 is a further block diagram of a gaming system; 5 Figure 7 is a flow chart of an embodiment; and Figures 8A to 8C are exemplary displays of an example. 10 Detailed Description Referring to the drawings, there is shown a gaming system having a game controller arranged to implement a game where more symbols are selected for display at more is display positions than will be evaluated and the symbols which are to be evaluated are selected, in part, by selecting positions for at least one, and advantageously, a plurality of sets of display positions relative to an evaluation area. 20 General construction of gaming system The gaming system can take a number of different forms. In a first form, a stand alone gaming machine is provided 25 wherein all or most components required for implementing the game are present in a player operable gaming machine. In a second form, a distributed architecture is provided wherein some of the components required for implementing 30 the game are present in a player operable gaming machine and some of the components required for implementing the game are located remotely relative to the gaming machine. For example, a "thick client" architecture may be used wherein part of the game is executed on a player operable 35 gaming machine and part of the game is executed remotely, such as by a gaming server; or a "thin client" architecture may be used wherein most of the game is N:\Mclbounc\Cass\Patent\750O-75999\P75989.AU. i\Spccis\P75997.AU. I Specification.doc 6/02/09 - 9 executed remotely such as by a gaming server and a player operable gaming machine is used only to display audible and/or visible gaming information to the player and receive gaming inputs from the player. 5 However, it will be understood that other arrangements are envisaged. For example, an architecture may be provided wherein a gaming machine is networked to a gaming server and the respective functions of the gaming machine and the 10 gaming server are selectively modifiable. For example, the gaming system may operate in stand alone gaming machine mode, "thick client" mode or "thin client" mode depending on the game being played, operating conditions, and so on. Other variations will be apparent to persons is skilled in the art. Irrespective of the form, the gaming system comprises several core components. At the broadest level, the core components are a player interface 50 and a game controller 20 60 as illustrated in Figure 1. The player interface is arranged to enable manual interaction between a player and the gaming system and for this purpose includes the input/output components required for the player to enter instructions and play the game. 25 Components of the player interface may vary from embodiment to embodiment but will typically include a credit mechanism 52 to enable a player to input credits and receive payouts, one or more displays 54, a game play 30 mechanism 56 comprised of one or more input devices that enable a player to input game play instructions (e.g. to place bets), and one or more speakers 58. The game controller 60 is in data communication with the 35 player interface and typically includes a processor 62 that processes the game play instructions in accordance with game play rules and outputs game play outcomes to the N \Melbournc\Cases\Patent\75OO-75999\P7599.AU \Specis\P75997.AU. I Specification.doc 6/02/09 - 10 display. Typically, the game play instructions are stored as program code in a memory 64 but can also be hardwired. Herein the term "processor" is used to refer generically to any device that can process game play instructions in 5 accordance with game play rules and may include: a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logic device or other computational device, a general purpose computer (e.g. a PC) or a server. 10 A gaming system in the form of a stand alone gaming machine 10 is illustrated in Figure 2. The gaming machine 10 includes a console 12 having a display 14 on which are displayed representations of a game 16 that can be played by a player. A mid-trim 20 of the gaming machine 10 15 houses a bank of buttons 22 for enabling a player to interact with the gaming machine, in particular during game play. The mid-trim 20 also houses a credit input mechanism 24 which in this example includes a coin input chute 24A and a bill collector 24B. Other credit input 20 mechanisms may also be employed, for example, a card reader for reading a smart card, debit card or credit card. A player marketing module (not shown) having a reading device may also be provided for the purpose of reading a player tracking device, for example as part of a 25 loyalty program. The player tracking device may be in the form of a card, flash drive or any other portable storage medium capable of being read by the reading device. A top box 26 may carry artwork 28, including for example 30 pay tables and details of bonus awards and other information or images relating to the game. Further artwork and/or information may be provided on a front panel 29 of the console 12. A coin tray 30 is mounted beneath the front panel 29 for dispensing cash payouts 35 from the gaming machine 10. The display 14 shown in Figure 2 is in the form of a video N \Melbourne\Cases\Patent\75000-75999\P75989.AU. \Spccis\P75997.AU. I Specification.doc 6/02/09 - 11 display unit, particularly a cathode ray tube screen device. Alternatively, the display 14 may be a liquid crystal display, plasma screen, any other suitable video display unit, or the visible portion of an 5 electromechanical device. The top box 26 may also include a display, for example a video display unit, which may be of the same type as the display 14, or of a different type. 10 Figure 3 shows a block diagram of operative components of a typical gaming machine which may be the same as or different to the gaming machine of Figure 2. The gaming machine 100 includes a game controller 101 15 having a processor 102. Instructions and data to control operation of the processor 102 are stored in a memory 103, which is in data communication with the processor 102. Typically, the gaming machine 100 will include both volatile and non-volatile memory and more than one of each 20 type of memory, with such memories being collectively represented by the memory 103. The gaming machine has hardware meters 104 for purposes including ensuring regulatory compliance and monitoring 25 player credit, an input/output (I/0) interface 105 for communicating with peripheral devices of the gaming machine 100. The input/output interface 105 and/or the peripheral devices may be intelligent devices with their own memory for storing associated instructions and data 30 for use with the input/output interface or the peripheral devices. A random number generator module 113 generates random numbers for use by the processor 102. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the reference to random numbers includes pseudo-random numbers. 35 In the example shown in Figure 3, a player interface 120 includes peripheral devices that communicate with the game N:\MeIbourne\Cases\Patent\750O0-75999\P75989 AU. ]\Specis\P75997 AU. I Specification.doc 6/02/09 - 12 controller 101 comprise one or more displays 106, a touch screen and/or buttons 107, a card and/or ticket reader 108, a printer 109, a bill acceptor and/or coin input mechanism 110 and a coin output mechanism 111. Additional 5 hardware may be included as part of the gaming machine 100, or hardware may be omitted as required for the specific implementation. For example, while buttons or touch screens are typically used in gaming machines to allow a player to place a wager and initiate a play of a 10 game any input device that enables the player to input game play instructions may be used. In addition, the gaming machine 100 may include a communications interface, for example a network card 112. 15 The network card may, for example, send status information, accounting information or other information to a central controller, server or database and receive data or commands from the central controller, server or database. 20 Figure 4 shows a block diagram of the main components of an exemplary memory 103. The memory 103 includes RAM 103A, EPROM 103B and a mass storage device 103C. The RAM 103A typically temporarily holds program files for 25 execution by the processor 102 and related data. The EPROM 103B may be a boot ROM device and/or may contain some system or game related code. The mass storage device 103C is typically used to store game programs, the integrity of which may be verified and/or authenticated by 30 the processor 102 using protected code from the EPROM 103B or elsewhere. It is also possible for the operative components of the gaming machine 100 to be distributed, for example 35 input/output devices 106,107,108,109,110,111 to be provided remotely from the game controller 101. N.\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\75000-75999\P75989.AU. I\Specis\P75997AU. I Specification doc 6/02/09 - 13 Figure 5 shows a gaming system 200 in accordance with an alternative embodiment. The gaming system 200 includes a network 201, which for example may be an Ethernet network. Gaming machines 202, shown arranged in three banks 203 of 5 two gaming machines 202 in Figure 5, are connected to the network 201. The gaming machines 202 provide a player operable interface and may be the same as the gaming machines 10,100 shown in Figures 2 and 3, or may have simplified functionality depending on the requirements for 10 implementing game play. While banks 203 of two gaming machines are illustrated in Figure 5, banks of one, three or more gaming machines are also envisaged. One or more displays 204 may also be connected to the network 201. For example, the displays 204 may be 15 associated with one or more banks 203 of gaming machines. The displays 204 may be used to display representations associated with game play on the gaming machines 202, and/or used to display other representations, for example promotional or informational material. 20 In a thick client embodiment, game server 205 implements part of the game played by a player using a gaming machine 202 and the gaming machine 202 implements part of the game. With this embodiment, as both the game server and 25 the gaming device implement part of the game, they collectively provide a game controller. A database management server 206 may manage storage of game programs and associated data for downloading or access by the gaming devices 202 in a database 206A. Typically, if the 30 gaming system enables players to participate in a Jackpot game, a Jackpot server 207 will be provided to perform accounting functions for the Jackpot game. A loyalty program server 212 may also be provided. 35 In a thin client embodiment, game server 205 implements most or all of the game played by a player using a gaming machine 202 and the gaming machine 202 essentially N:\Melbourne\Cses\Patent\75000-75999\P75989.AU \Specis\P75997.AU. I Specification.doc 6/02/09 - 14 provides only the player interface. With this embodiment, the game server 205 provides the game controller. The gaming machine will receive player instructions, pass these to the game server which will process them and 5 return game play outcomes to the gaming machine for display. In a thin client embodiment, the gaming machines could be computer terminals, e.g. PCs running software that provides a player interface operable using standard computer input and output components. 10 Servers are also typically provided to assist in the administration of the gaming network 200, including for example a gaming floor management server 208, and a licensing server 209 to monitor the use of licenses 15 relating to particular games. An administrator terminal 210 is provided to allow an administrator to run the network 201 and the devices connected to the network. The gaming system 200 may communicate with other gaming 20 systems, other local networks, for example a corporate network, and/or a wide area network such as the Internet, for example through a firewall 211. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in 25 accordance with known techniques, functionality at the server side of the network may be distributed over a plurality of different computers. For example, elements may be run as a single "engine" on one server or a separate server may be provided. For example, the game 30 server 205 could run a random generator engine. Alternatively, a separate random number generator server could be provided. Further, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a plurality of game servers could be provided to run different games or a single game server 35 may run a plurality of different games as required by the terminals. N:\Melboune\Cases\Patent\75000-75999\P75989.AU. I\Specis\P75997.AU. I Specification.doc 6/02/09 - 15 Further detail of gaming system The outcome generator 622 operates in response to the player's operation of game play mechanism 56 to generate a s game outcome which will then be evaluated by prize evaluator 623. The player's operation of game play mechanism establishes the player's win entitlement for the game based on the bet (wager) the player makes for the game. 10 Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a player's win entitlement will vary from game to game and may or may not be dependent on player selections. In most spinning reel games, it is typical for the player's entitlement to 15 be affected by the amount they wager and selections they make (i.e. the nature of the wager). For example, a player's win entitlement may be based on how many lines they will play in each game - i.e. a minimum of one line up to the maximum number of lines allowed by the game 20 (noting that not all permutations of win lines may be available for selection. Such win lines are typically formed by a combination of displayed symbol positions, one from each reel, the symbol positions being located relative to one another such that they form a line. 25 In many games, the player's win entitlement is not strictly limited to the lines they have selected, for example, "scatter" pays are awarded independently of a players selection of pay lines and are an inherent part of 30 the win entitlement. The win entitlement is not always purchased - e.g. a series of free games may be awarded. Once the player has operated the game play mechanism 56 to place a bet, the first part of forming the game outcome is 35 for a symbol selector 622A to select sets of symbols having a designated sequence from symbols specified by symbol data 641 for display on display 54 using random N:\Melbo.ume\Cases\Patent\7500075999\P75989.AU.I\Specis\P75997.AU.I Specification.doc6/02/09 - 16 number generator 621. For example, in a spinning reel game, the symbol selector selects a set of symbols for each reel. In the embodiment, the symbol selector 622A selects more symbols for display on display 54 that will s ultimately be evaluated by award determiner 622B based on prize data 644 to determine whether the selected symbols form any winning outcomes. In one example, this is by selecting more symbols for each set than can fit in the evaluation area. In another example, this is by selecting 10 more sets of symbols than will fit in the evaluation area. Display 54 displays an evaluation area 54A. A position selector 622B of outcome generator selects where each set of selected symbols will be displayed relative to the is evaluation area. For example, by symbol selector 622A selecting where a designated symbol (such as the middle symbol) of each set of symbols should be placed relative to the evaluation area using a value obtained from random number generator 621 and a probability table which 20 specifies a relationship between the value and position. One example of selecting symbols is for the symbol selector 622A to select symbols for display from a plurality of symbol sets corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of spinning reels. The symbol sets 641 25 specify a sequence of symbols for each reel such that the symbol selector 622A can select a symbol by selecting a stopping position in the sequence to correspond to a display position - e.g. the middle display position. In one example, five symbols of each of five reels may be 30 displayed such that twenty-five symbols are displayed. The evaluation area 54A may fit, for example, at fifteen symbols. In the embodiment, constraints are placed on where the sets are positioned to ensure that the evaluation area is filled with symbols. Thus, in the 35 embodiment, the display positions are filled with selected symbol from the symbol sequence and the display positions used to fill the evaluation area are independently chosen. N \Mclboumc\Cases\Patent\75000-75999\P75989.AU. I\Spcis\P75997.AU. I Specifiction do 6/02/09 - 17 In one example embodiment, suitable for a spinning reel type game, the evaluation area has a plurality of evaluation positions arranged in a grid such that the grid 5 has a plurality of rows and columns. In this embodiment, each set of display positions is associated with a specific column, such that selecting the position is performed by selecting in which row a designated display position of the set of display positions is to be 10 displayed. As a result, the symbols are selected for display positions but the actual positions of those display positions relative to the evaluation area may vary. 15 In a spinning reel embodiment, this is displayed on the display 54 by a plurality of sets of display positions at which the selected symbols will be displayed as moving relative to the evaluation area 54A while the reels are spun. The selected symbols and positions for the display 20 positions are advised to the display controller 624 which causes them to be displayed on display 54 relative to evaluation area. The display positions stop such that a subset of them are displayed in the evaluation area and then the reels stop to show which symbols will be 25 evaluated. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the display positions could be stopped before, after or simultaneously with the reels. Once the symbols are stopped in the evaluation area, the 30 award determiner 623 determines whether the symbols in the evaluation area 54A correspond to a winning outcome specified by prize data 644 and updates meters 645 to reflect any wins. 35 Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that rather than selecting the vertical positioning of the display positions, the horizontal position or column can be N:Melboum\Cases\Patent\75000-75999\P75989.AU. l\Specis\P75997 AU. I Specification.doc 6/02/09 - 18 selected as well or instead. In one example, there are six reels and three display positions per reel but only five reels can fit in the display area as there are more display positions than evaluation positions. 5 Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that in some embodiments not all the reels move. For example, in one embodiment only one reel moves. In another embodiment some of the reels may have different numbers of display 10 positions. In one example, only one reel may be associated with more display positions than the evaluation area such that it is the only reel which moves. In other examples, more than one but less than all the reels are have more display positions than the evaluation area. In some 15 embodiments the numbers of display positions of the reels may differ for example such that some have 3 display positions while other have 5. In some embodiments, the number of reels that move at any time may be dependent on one or more conditions such as bet type, bet amount, 20 occurrences in the game, the stage of the game etc. The method 700 of an embodiment is summarised in Figure 7. Symbols are selected 710 for a plurality of sets of display positions. The positions of the display positions 25 relative to the evaluation area are also selected 720. In a reel embodiment, the reels are displayed 730 as spinning while the display positions move. Spinning and movement is then stopped 740 and the outcome is evaluated 750 to determine whether to award any prize. 30 Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the further aspect of the method will be apparent from the description of the gaming system and that the method of the embodiment could be embodied in program code. The 3s program code could be supplied in a number of ways, for example on a computer readable medium, such as a disc or a memory (for example, that could replace part of memory N:\Melboume\Cases\Patent\75000-75999\P75989.AU. I\Spccis\P75997.AU. I Specification.doc 6/02/09 - 19 103) or as a data signal (for example, by transmitting it from a server). Example 5 An example of a spinning reel type game is shown in Figures 8A to 8C. In each of Figures 8A to 8C there are five reels 811-815, each having five display positions and symbols are selected for each of the five display 10 positions. The evaluation area in the form of pay window 820 is sized such that only three symbols of each reel will fit. Figure 8A shos a starting position 800A where the middle 15 three symbols of each reel 811-815 are displayed within the pay window 820. Figure 8B shows a moving position 800A where the display positions of each reel are moving relative to the pay window 820 as indicated by arrows, 831,832,834 & 835 to thereby give the advantageous 20 impression that the reels are moving. Figure 8C shows a stop position 800C where the display positions of each reel (numbered left to right) have stopped such that the following display positions are in the evaluation area: first reel - top three symbols 25 second reel - bottom three symbols third reel - middle three symbols fourth reel - top three symbols fifth reel - bottom three symbols. 30 The game outcome is then evaluated by award determiner 623 based on the symbols within the pay window 620. It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many other modifications may be made 35 without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In particular, that features described herein can be used to form further embodiments. N:\Melbourne\CasesPatent\75000-75999\P75989.AU ]\Specis\P75997.AU. I Specification.doc 6/02/09 - 20 It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the 5 common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context 10 requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further 15 features in various embodiments of the invention. N:\Melboume\Cases\Patent\75000-75999\P75989.AU.l\Specis\P75997AU. I Specification.doc 6/02/09

Claims (37)

1. A method of gaming comprising: selecting a plurality of symbols for display at s respective ones of a plurality of sets of display positions on a display; selecting a position for at least one set of display positions relative to an evaluation area of the display adapted to display fewer symbols than the display 10 positions of the at least one set to thereby select which of the symbols of the at least one set are displayed within the evaluation area; and determining whether to make an award based on the symbols displayed in the evaluation area. 15

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the evaluation area is adapted to display fewer symbols for each set of display positions and a position is selected for each set of display positions. 20

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the evaluation area has a plurality evaluation positions arranged in a plurality of rows and columns and the method comprises displaying each set of display positions such 25 that they correspond to one column of the evaluation area.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3, comprising selecting the column in which each set is displayed. 30

5. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each set of display positions is used to display a subset of symbols of a set of symbols having a defined sequence relative to on another. 35

6. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein there are two more display positions for each set than fit in the evaluation area. N:\Mlbourne\Cases\Patent\75000-75999\P75989 AU.I\Specis\P75997 AU. I Specification doc 6/02/09 - 22

7. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein there are five display positions in each set and the method comprises selecting symbols to be displayed for 5 each set at each of the five display positions.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein there are five sets of display positions and three display positions of each set are displayed in the evaluation area. 10

9. A game controller for a gaming system, the game controller arranged to: select a plurality of symbols for display at respective ones of a plurality of sets of display 15 positions on a display,; select a position for at least one set of display positions relative to an evaluation area of the display adapted to display fewer symbols than the display positions of the at least one set to thereby select which 20 of the symbols of the at least one set are displayed within the evaluation area; and determine whether to make an award based on the symbols displayed in the evaluation area. 25

10. A game controller as claimed in claim 9, comprising a symbol selector for selecting the symbols for display at the display positions.

11. A game controller as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, 30 comprising a position selector for selecting the position the at least one set of display positions.

12. A game controller as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11 comprising an award determiner arranged to determine 35 whether to make an award.

13. A game controller as claimed in any one of claims 9 N:\Melboume\Cases\Patent\750O0-75999\P75989.AU. I\Specis\P75997.AU. I Specificationdoc 6/02/09 - 23 to 12 constituted by a processor executing program code stored in a memory.

14. A game controller as claimed in any one of claims 9 5 to 13, wherein the evaluation area is adapted to display fewer symbols for each set of display positions and the game controller selects a position for each set of display positions. 10

15. A game controller as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the evaluation area has a plurality evaluation positions arranged in a plurality of rows and columns and the game controller is arranged to control display of each set of display positions such that they 15 correspond to one column of the evaluation area.

16. A game controller as claimed in claim 15, wherein the game controller is arranged to select the column in which each set is displayed. 20

17. A game controller as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 16, wherein the game controller is arranged to select a subset of symbols for display from a set of symbols having a defined sequence relative to on another. 25

18. A game controller as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 17, wherein there are two more display positions for each set than fit in the evaluation area. 30

19. A game controller as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 18, wherein there are five display positions in each set and the game controller is arranged to select symbols to be displayed for each set at each of the five display positions. 35

20. A game controller as claimed in claim 19, wherein there are five sets of display positions and three display N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patcnt\75000-75999\P75989.AU. I\Spccis\P75997.AU. I Specification.doc 6/02/09 - 24 positions of each set are displayed in the evaluation area.

21. A gaming system comprising: s a display; and a game controller arranged to: select a plurality of symbols for display at respective ones of a plurality of sets of display positions on a display,; 10 select a position for at least one set of display positions relative to an evaluation area of the display adapted to display fewer symbols than the display positions of the at least one set to thereby select which of the symbols of the at least one set are displayed 15 within the evaluation area; and determine whether to make an award based on the symbols displayed in the evaluation area.

22. A gaming system as claimed in claim 21, wherein the 20 game controller comprises a symbol selector for selecting the symbols for display at the display positions.

23. A gaming system as claimed in claim 21 or claim 22, wherein the game controller comprises a position selector 25 for selecting the position the at least one set of display positions.

24. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 22 wherein the game controller comprises an award 30 determiner arranged to determine whether to make an award.

25. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 24, comprising a processor executing program code stored in a memory to implement the game controller. 35

26. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 25, wherein the evaluation area is adapted to display N:\Melboume\Cases\Patent\75000-75999\P75989.AU. I \Specis\P75997 AU I Specification doc 6/02/09 - 25 fewer symbols for each set of display positions and the game controller selects a position for each set of display positions. 5

27. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 26, wherein the evaluation area has a plurality evaluation positions arranged in a plurality of rows and columns and the game controller is arranged to control display of each set of display positions such that they correspond to 10 one column of the evaluation area.

28. A gaming system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the game controller is arranged to select the column in which each set is displayed. 15

29. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 28 wherein the game controller is arranged to select a subset of symbols for display from a set of symbols having a defined sequence relative to on another. 20

30. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 29, wherein there are two more display positions for each set than fit in the evaluation area. 25

31. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 30, wherein there are five display positions in each set and the game controller is arranged to select symbols to be displayed for each set at each of the five display positions. 30

32. A gaming system as claimed in claim 31, wherein there are five sets of display positions and three display positions of each set are displayed in the evaluation area. 35

33. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 32, wherein the display forms part of a player interface N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\75000-75999\P75989.AU. I\Spccis\P75997.AU I Specification doc 6/02/09 - 26 comprising a game play mechanism operable by the player to place a bet and the game controller operates to select symbols in response to placement of a bet. 5

34. Computer program code which when executed implements the method of any one of claims 1 to 8.

35. A computer readable medium comprising the computer program code of claim 34. 10

36. A data signal comprising the computer program code of claim 34.

37. Transmitting the computer program code of claim 34. 15 N \Melbourne\Cases\Patnt\75000-75999\P75989.AU. I\Specis\P75997.AU. I Specification.doc 6/02/09