System and method for saving status of paused game of chance

A wagering game system, comprising:

• a first gaming machine having:
• a wager input device to receive a wager from a player,
• a wagering game including a progression of evolving events in a continuing game play experience, wherein at least one event is dependent on at least one prior event in the progression of evolving events and including a graphical depiction of a non-numerical object,
• a first network interface,
• a first player identification input device to receive identification information from the player, and
• wherein first gaming machine receives a wager from a player via the first wager input device and player identification information via the first player identification input device, initiates the wagering game, pauses the wagering game at a paused state within the progression of evolving events and generates game status information corresponding to the paused state within the progression of evolving events of the wagering game;
• a second gaming machine having:
• a second wager input device to receive a wager from the player,
• a wagering game identical to the wagering game of the first gaming machine,
• a second player identification input device, and
• a second network interface;
• a network coupled to the first and second gaming machines;
• a central database remote from and coupled to the first and second gaming machines via the network, the central database including a record having game status information corresponding to the player identification information;
• and
• wherein the first or second gaming machine receives a second wager from the player after the pausing of the wagering game at the first gaming machine, the first player identification input device or the second player identification input device receiving player identification information from the player, the first or second gaming machine further retrieving the status information of the paused state of the wagering game from the central database and continuing play of the wagering game beginning from a point of the paused state of the wagering game.

A method for playing a wagering game, comprising:

• receiving a wager input from a player for playing a wagering game on a first gaming machine;
• presenting a progression of evolving player initiated events in a continuing game play experience, wherein each player initiated event is dependent on at least one prior event in the progression of evolving player initiated events;
• storing game information representing a saved status of the wagering game including the at least one player initiated event;
• pausing the wagering game after storing the game information;
• receiving a second wager input from the player on a second gaming machine;
• presenting on a second gaming machine the wagering game based on the stored gaming information;
• and
• receiving a player input to initiate a further player initiated event in the progression of evolving player initiated events in the continuing game player experience.