Abstract: A system for providing incentives to promoters for recommending games to players of games is provided. The system comprises one or more game machines located at one or more game sites. Each of the game machines are adapted to receive input from a player of a game indicative of an identity of a promoter of a game. The system further comprises a database adapted to store information indicative of the identity of a promoter.

Abstract: A skill mapping method and apparatus is used in connection with a game of skill including a plurality of predetermined measurable features and played by a plurality of players. The method includes selecting at least one of the predetermined measurable features; measuring each player's performance in the selected predetermined measurable features; comparing each player's performance with a standard; and mapping each player to a respective skill level based on each player's performance relative to the standard.

Abstract: A multiple game amusement game system comprises a memory for storing a plurality of amusement games, a display for depicting a game selection menu including a set of game titles associated with certain ones of the plurality of amusement games, and a processing unit for rotating game titles into and out of the depicted set of game titles based on predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A method of permitting a player to play an amusement game at a given amusement game location free of charge includes the player transmitting information to an authorizing agent including information identifying at least one amusement game location. The authorizing agent creates free play authorization information and transmits the free play authorization information to one or more amusement games in the location identified by the player-transmitted information. The authorizing agent transmits to the player free play identifying information corresponding to the free play authorization information. One or more amusement games at the location identified by the player are responsive to the free play authorizing information for permitting at least one free play when corresponding free play identifying information is entered by a player.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a graphical control of a time-based set-up feature for a video game. The graphical control including a graphical interface for visually displaying a plurality of symbols of the set-up feature along a first axis and a plurality of time periods along a second axis. The graphical control further including a selector for interacting with the graphical interface to select one or more of the symbols during one or more of the time periods.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video game system including a game controller, a video display and a hand-held control unit. The game controller is coupled to the control unit and the video display. The control unit houses an accelerometer that senses the tilt of the control unit with respect to an axis. The accelerometer produces an acceleration signal indicating the tilt of the control unit with respect to the axis. The game controller processes the acceleration signal to control the movement of a game character on the video display. In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video game system that further includes a light sensor housed in the control unit. The light sensor detects one or more light pixels from the video display and produces a detection signal to the game controller. The game controller determines from the detection signal the light pixels detected from the video display.

Abstract: A video game system and method is provided in which the enabled content of a video game depends upon the type of video game controller coupled to the video game console. Specifically, in response to recognizing the video game controller as being of a matching type, the video game enables or “unlocks” extra features or “secrets” of the video game which are not otherwise available. By creating such a strong synergy between the video game and the matching video game controller, consumers are most likely to be attracted to the matching video game controller instead of other game controllers available in the marketplace.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a motion simulator for a video game. The motion simulator includes a base and a platform supported on the base. The platform has first and second sides. First and second motors drive respective first and second shafts. First and second cams are mounted to the respective first and second shafts. First and second cam followers are connected to the platform proximate the respective first and second sides. The first and second cam followers rest on the respective first and second cams such that rotation of either the first or second shaft causes vertical movement of the platform.

Abstract: A high-score display system for a video game includes a memory and a display coupled to a game controller of a video game. The game controller causes the display to show active game play sequences responsive to player inputs and simulated game play during an attract mode. Information associated with prior plays of the video game, including high score player identifiers, are stored in the memory. The controller causes selected ones of the high score player identifiers to be displayed in a plurality of available display areas of the video game including static display areas, movable display areas and conditional display areas.