Concurrent play on multiple gaming machines

A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:

• receiving an indication, via a user interface of a wager gaming machine, to use at least one identified additional wager gaming machine during a gaming session;
• sending a command to the at least one identified additional wager gaming machine to disable at least a portion of a functionality of the at least one identified additional wager gaming machine such that the at least one identified additional wager gaming machine automatically displays a visual indication that the at least one identified additional wager gaming machine is not available for use;
• for the gaming session, coordinating a plurality of responses of the at least one identified additional wager gaming machine and the wager gaming machine;
• determining a wagering rate based on wager information received via the user interface, said wagering rate based on an amount of wagers placed on each of the wager gaming machines during the gaming session relative to a quantity of the wager gaming machines used during the gaming session;
• and
• if the wagering rate falls below a predetermined level, at least partially disabling use of the at least one identified additional wager gaming machine by the player.

An apparatus, comprising:

• an interface system configured to receive an indication to use a plurality of wager gaming machines during a gaming session, the indication including an identified wager gaming machine;
• and
• a logic system configured to:
• send a command, via the interface system, to disable at least a portion of a functionality of the identified wager gaming machine such that the identified wager gaming machine is caused to automatically display a visual indication that the identified wager gaming machine is not available for use;
• for the gaming session, coordinate a plurality of responses of the identified wager gaming machine and at least one other wager gaming machine;
• and
• determine a wagering rate based on wager information received via the interface system, said wagering rate based on an amount of wagers placed on each of the plurality of wager gaming machines during the gaming session relative to a quantity of the plurality of wager gaming machines used during the gaming session;
• and
• if the wagering rate falls below a predetermined level, at least partially disable use of the plurality of wager gaming machines by the player.

A wager gaming machine comprising:

• an interface system configured to communicate with at least a second wager gaming machine;
• a user input system;
• and
• a logic system configured to:
• receive an indication, via the interface system, to initiate a wager gaming session involving at least the second wager gaming machine;
• enable the user input system to operate as at least part of a centralized device set configured to control at least the second wager gaming machine during the wager gaming session;
• determine a combined wager gaming outcome based on combining a first wager gaming outcome of the wager gaming machine with at least a second wager gaming outcome of at least the second wager gaming machine;
• evaluate the combined wager gaming outcome based on a multi-machine paytable including at least one combined wager gaming outcome that could not be entirely produced by any of the wager gaming machines;
• determine a wagering rate based on wager information received via the user input system, said wagering rate based on an amount of wagers placed on each of the wager gaming machines during the gaming session relative to a quantity of the wager gaming machines used during the gaming session;
• and
• if the wagering rate falls below a predetermined level, at least partially disable control, via the user input system, of the at least one second wager gaming machine.

A wager gaming machine comprising:

• an interface system including at least one network interface configured to communicate with at least a second wager gaming machine;
• a user input system;
• and
• a logic system configured to:
• receive an indication, via the interface system, to initiate a wager gaming session involving at least the second wager gaming machine;
• provide the gaming session by coordinating events presented on the wager gaming machine and at least the second wager gaming machine, wherein the coordinating includes controlling a time interval between an event presented on the wager gaming machine and a corresponding event presented on at least the second wager gaming machine, wherein the event includes a presentation of at least one of an image and a sound within a first game outcome of the wager gaming machine and the corresponding event includes a presentation of at least one of an image and a sound within a second game outcome of at least the second wager gaming machine;
• and
• determine a wagering rate based on wager information received via the user input system, said wagering rate based on an amount of wagers placed on each of the wager gaming machines during the gaming session relative to a quantity of the wager gaming machines used during the gaming session;
• and
• if the wagering rate falls below a predetermined level, at least partially disable use of at least the second wager gaming machine.