Gaming Machine Having A Community Game With Side Wagering

A method for conducting a communal game linked to a plurality of gaming machines each having a video display, the communal game being a game in which multiple players participate, the method comprising:

• initiating, by one or more processors, the communal game, the communal game including at least a first gaming machine and a second gaming machine;
• determining, by the one or more processors, a first value-enhancement parameter for the first gaming machine of the plurality of gaming machines based on first game-play activity of a wagering game at the first gaming machine, the first game-play activity occurring over a plurality of plays prior to initiation of the communal game;
• determining, by the one or more processors, a second value-enhancement parameter for the second gaming machine of the plurality of gaming machines based on second game-play activity of a wagering game at the second gaming machine, the second game-play activity occurring over a plurality of plays prior to initiation of the communal game, the second value-enhancement parameter having a different value than the first value-enhancement parameter;
• displaying the communal game on a communal display;
• determining, by the one or more processors, at least one communal value during the communal game, the communal value being provided to both the first gaming machine and the second gaming machine;
• enhancing, by the one or more processors, the communal value by the first value-enhancement parameter and the second value-enhancement parameter;
• and
• awarding the communal value enhanced by the first value-enhancement parameter to the first gaming machine and the communal value enhanced by the second value-enhancement parameter to the second gaming machine.

A system for conducting a communal game in which a plurality of players at a plurality of gaming machines participate, the plurality of gaming machines include a first and second gaming machine each having a display and an input device for receiving a wager, the system comprising:

• a communal display being viewable from both the first gaming machine and the second gaming machine;
• and
• one or more processors for controlling the first gaming machine, the second gaming machine, and the communal display, the one or more processors being programmed to:
• conduct a communal game, at least in part, on the communal display, the communal game including both the first and second gaming machines, the communal game resulting in at least one base award to be provided to both the first and second gaming machines,
• determine a first value-enhancement parameter for the first gaming machine based on game-play activity of the first gaming machine, the game-play activity occurring over a plurality of plays prior to conducting the communal game,
• determine a second value-enhancement parameter for the second gaming machine based on game-play activity of the second machine, the game-play activity occurring over a plurality of plays prior to conducting the communal game,
• enhance the at least one base award by the determined first and second value-enhancement parameters to determine a first award value and a second award value, respectively, and
• award the first award value to the first gaming machine and the second award value to the second gaming machine.

A method for conducting a communal game, a plurality of players at a plurality of gaming machines participating in the communal game, the plurality of players including a first player and a second player, the method comprising:

• initiating, by one or more processors, the communal game in which the plurality of players participate simultaneously, the communal game resulting in at least one base award that is provided to each of the plurality of participating players;
• determining, by the one or more processors, a first value-enhancement parameter for the first player and a second value-enhancement parameter for the second player, the first and second value-enhancement parameters being determined based at least in part on game-play activity at the respective gaming machines prior to initiation of the communal game;
• displaying, by the one or more processors, the communal game on a communal display;
• and
• awarding at least a first award to the first gaming machine and a second award to the second gaming machine, the first award being the at least one base award enhanced by the first value-enhancement parameter and the second award being the at least one base award enhanced by the second value-enhancement parameter.