Wagering game with simulated mechanical reels

A gaming machine for playing a wagering game, comprising:

• a housing having a display region;
• a controller for conducting the wagering game;
• and
• at least one video display coupled to the controller and displaying simulated mechanical reels of a slot machine in the display region, the simulated mechanical reels including images of a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game, each of the simulated mechanical reels including side edges that, from a viewing perspective of a player, are curved in a manner similar to a mechanical reel,
• wherein at least one of the simulated mechanical reels includes a plurality of imperfections similar to a mechanical reel, the plurality of imperfections including (i) a simulated wobble of the side edges during simulated rotation of the at least one simulated mechanical reel and (ii) a simulated seam extending across the at least one simulated mechanical reel.

A gaming machine for playing a wagering game, comprising:

• a housing having a display region;
• a controller for conducting the wagering game;
• and
• at least one video display coupled to the controller and displaying simulated mechanical reels of a slot machine in the display region, the simulated mechanical reels including images of a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game, each of the simulated mechanical reels including side edges that, from a viewing perspective of a player, are curved in a manner similar to a mechanical reel, each of the simulated mechanical reels including shaded regions and providing a simulated motion blur to the images of a plurality of symbols during the simulated rotation of the simulated mechanical reels;
• wherein at least one of the simulated mechanical reels includes at least one imperfection similar to a mechanical reel, the at least one imperfection including a simulated wobble of the side edges during simulated rotation of the at least one simulated mechanical reel.

A gaming machine for playing a wagering game, comprising:

• a housing having a primary display region;
• a controller for conducting the wagering game;
• at least one video display coupled to the controller and located within the housing at the primary display region, the at least one video display displaying simulated mechanical reels of a slot machine in the primary display region, the simulated mechanical reels including images of a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game, each of the simulated mechanical reels including side edges that, from a viewing perspective of a player, are curved in a manner similar to a mechanical reel, at least one of the simulated mechanical reels includes at least one imperfection similar to a mechanical reel, the at least one imperfection including a simulated wobble of the side edges during simulated rotation of the at least one simulated mechanical reel;
• a transparent window in front of the at least one video display within the primary display region and having at least a display device associated therewith, the display device displaying other information about the wagering game;
• and
• a touch screen within the primary display region for receiving inputs from the player.