Electronic gaming machine providing unlockable hardware functionality

A method, 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, wherein the basic user interface device provides a first control input that controls the game;
• determining, by the processor, a progress level reached by the player while playing the game on the gaming device;
• determining, by the processor whether a game-based hardware-unlock option is available for the player, wherein the game-based hardware-unlock option is based on the progress level reached;
• determining, when the game-based hardware-unlock option is determined not to be available for the player, whether a payment-based hardware-unlock option is available for the player, wherein the payment-based hardware-unlock option is based on a required payment amount;
• and
• activating, by the processor based on determining that one of the game-based hardware-unlock option is available and the payment-based hardware-unlock option is available for the player wherein the required payment amount is agreed to by the player, 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 and that allows the player to control the game using the enhanced user interface device.

A gaming machine, comprising:

• a first user interface device available to a player while playing a game on the gaming machine, wherein the first user interface device provides a first control input that controls the game;
• a second user interface device that is unavailable to the player until one of a first gaming progress level is reached by the player playing the game on the gaming machine and a payment-based unlock input is provided by the player playing the game on the gaming machine, wherein the second user interface device provides a second control input that controls the game;
• a display device;
• a processor coupled to the first user interface device, the second 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;
• determine, when the payment-based unlock input is provided by the player playing the game on the gaming machine, that the second user interface device is available to unlock;
• receive an input from the player accepting unlocking of the second user interface device;
• activate, based on the 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 and that allows the player to control the game using the second user interface device;
• and
• deactivate, after a predetermined condition occurs, the second user interface device locking the functionality associated with the second user interface device and preventing the player from controlling the game using the second user interface device.