BACKGROUND

The present disclosure is generally directed to gaming machines and, in particular, toward gaming machines that enable enhanced functionality based on unlocking associated hardware.

Gaming machines utilize a combination of user interfaces, lights, speakers, and effects that engage players and enhance interactive experiences. Any type of game play functionality that presents the players with additional opportunities to win or experience a game is viewed as desirable and can lead to increased play of the gaming machine.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In certain embodiments, the present disclosure relates to devices, methods, and systems providing unlockable hardware that enables enhanced functionality for players of the gaming machine. In some embodiments, a gaming device is provided, comprising: interface hardware comprising a basic user interface device available to a player while playing a game and an enhanced user interface device that is unavailable to the player while playing the game until unlocked; a processor coupled to the interface hardware; and a memory coupled with and readable by the processor and storing therein instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: determine a progress level reached by the player while playing the game using the basic user interface device; determine, based on the progress level reached, that a hardware-unlock option is available for the player while playing the game; and activate, based on determining that the hardware-unlock option is available, the enhanced user interface device unlocking a functionality associated with the enhanced user interface device that is absent from the basic user interface device.

In some embodiments, a method is provided, comprising: determining, by a processor of a gaming device, that a player is using a basic user interface device while playing a game on the gaming device; determining, by the processor, a progress level reached by the player while playing the game on the gaming device; determining, by the processor based on the progress level reached, that a hardware-unlock option is available for the player while playing the game on the gaming device; and activating, by the processor based on determining that the hardware-unlock option is available, an enhanced user interface device previously unavailable to the player prior to reaching the progress level unlocking a functionality associated with the enhanced user interface device that is absent from the basic user interface device.

In some embodiments, a gaming machine is provided, comprising: a first user interface device available to a player while playing a game on the gaming machine; a second user interface device that is unavailable to the player until a first gaming progress level is reached by the player playing the game on the gaming machine; a third user interface device that is unavailable to the player until a second gaming progress level is reached by the player playing the game on the gaming machine; a display device; a processor coupled to the first user interface device, the second user interface device, the third user interface device, and the display device; and a memory coupled with and readable by the processor and storing therein instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: determine, when the first gaming progress level is reached by the player playing the game on the gaming machine, that the second user interface device is available to unlock; render, by the display device in response to determining that the second user interface device is available to unlock, a first player-selectable option to activate the second user interface device; receive a first input from the player selecting the first player-selectable option; activate, based on the first input received from the player, the second user interface device unlocking a functionality associated with the second user interface device that is absent from the first user interface device; determine, when the second gaming progress level is reached by the player playing the game on the gaming machine, that the third user interface device is available to unlock; render, by the display device in response to determining that the third user interface device is available to unlock, a second player-selectable option to activate the third user interface device; receive a second input from the player selecting the second player-selectable option; and activate, based on the second input received from the player, the third user interface device unlocking a functionality associated with the third user interface device that is absent from the first user interface device and the second user interface device.

Additional features and advantages are described herein and will be apparent from the following Description and the figures.

