Abstract: A method for a slots game is disclosed. Such a slots game includes simulated gambling elements and adventure elements. Further, such a slots game has a viral effect of attracting members of gamer's social network.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for automatically sending a popup or other message to another person's electronic device upon finishing a predetermined goal in a video game. The predetermined goal can be, for example, killing a first boss in under five minutes. The message to the friend can include a link or button enabled such that the friend can begin the game on his device in the same room, mission, scenario, etc. that the first player started out in so that the friend can attempt to duplicate or ‘one up’ the first player's achievement. Friends who are interested in receiving such messages can be determined from existing social networking sites.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for preserving game state data for an asynchronous persistent group bonus game may have a plurality of gaming machines associated with the asynchronous persistent group bonus game and at least one network server having at least one processor and at least one non-volatile memory. The processor may be configured to determine whether a bonus game session is triggered on any of the plurality of gaming machines; and if the bonus game session is triggered, display live game monitor activities, and periodically save the persistent bonus game state and other data on the at least one non-volatile memory.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for enhancing winning result opportunities in gaming activities. Embodiments involve identifying award-enhancing opportunities using dice, and enabling repetition of such award-enhancing opportunities based on the dice results until a terminating event occurs using the die/dice for a plurality of gaming devices. Award-enhancing opportunities can be accumulated during the repetition, whereby payout opportunities of the gaming event from which the dice activity was initiated may be enhanced.

Abstract: After the main ball drop of a bingo game, a player may be given a free extra bingo number. A probability of awarding a free ball may be determined, at least in part, according to a desired paytable percentage for the bingo game. In some implementations providing multi-card bingo games, a player is required to hit a predetermined pattern on more than one bingo card in order to obtain a progressive award. The number of hits in the pattern(s) and/or the number of bingo cards involved may be determined according to a desired progressive award size and/or a desired probability of obtaining the progressive award. Players may have an opportunity to purchase an additional bingo number or a block of a plurality of additional bingo numbers after the main ball drop. The block may be offered at a discount compared to the price of an individual additional bingo number.

Abstract: The value of winning tickets dispensed by a vending machine to patrons who purchased the winning tickets are awarded using selection buttons on the vending machine that provide a first option to immediately redeem the value of a winning ticket at the vending machine, and a second option to defer immediate redemption of the value of a winning ticket. The tickets are preprinted with game content and are associated with a deal of tickets that includes at least some predetermined winning tickets.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a computer-implemented method useful in playing a video game having multiple versions, the method being implemented by a video game platform that includes one or more processors, the method comprising: executing a version of the video game on the video game platform; receiving information from a memory of a toy, the information comprising type information and subtype information; displaying a representation of a game character associated with the toy, the representation of a game character based at least on the type information; using the subtype information to determine whether the toy corresponds to a different version of the video game than the version being executed; and conducting gameplay involving the representation of the game character, wherein aspects of gameplay are based in part on whether the toy corresponds to a different version of the video game than the version being executed.

Abstract: A sports training system and method comprising sensors, capable of detecting contact, disposed in selected locations of athletic equipment worn by a player. A processor communicates with the sensors, for receiving contact data from the sensors, and with an output device communicatively connected to the processor for outputting an audible or visually detectable signal in response to the contact detected by the sensors.

Abstract: An example system includes a plurality of communication terminal devices each provided with: an environmental information acquisition part acquiring information concerning a surrounding environment; a communication data generating part, on the basis of the acquired environmental information, generating communication data having a smaller data amount than the environmental information; a transmitting part transmitting the generated communication data; a receiving part receiving communication data transmitted by another communication terminal device; an image generating part generating an image on the basis of the received communication data; and a display processing part performing processing of displaying the generated image in a manner of being related to a player participating in the game.

Abstract: Provided is a game system that, while reducing a load on a communication line, enables a current situation of a game that is being played by at least one user to be known by another user. A situation identifying information transmission section transmits, to an output device, situation identifying information related to the situation of the game that is being executed in at least one game device. An output control section of the output device causes an output section to output the situation of the game based on the situation identifying information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a plurality of outcomes of a game of chance are provided. In a spinning reel game, for example, a first game event may be provided in which a plurality of symbols are spun up on a plurality of spinning reels to form an array of symbols, each spinning reel spinning up at least three symbols and at least one of the spinning reels being defined so that at least two feature symbols can be simultaneously spun up on that reel. A result of the spin is evaluated to assess whether two or more feature symbols have been spun up on the same reel. If so, a second game event is provided in which the two or more feature symbols and all other symbols spun up on the same reel are converted to special symbols. The special symbols have an enhanced play characteristic in comparison to the other symbols, and the outcome of the game is re-evaluated to establish whether any outcomes exist which define a winning combination. A prize or an award is awarded if one or more winning combinations exist.

Abstract: An electronic method of gaming comprising: displaying a sequence of first awards including a current first award; receiving one or more selections with respect to a plurality of second awards until an award condition is met; modifying the display of the sequence of first awards to sequentially advance the display of the sequence of first awards to thereby change the current first award whenever the one or more selections are received; and making the current first award when the award condition is met.

Abstract: In an embodiment of a gaming method, an identifier may be received from a first gaming unit, wherein the identifier is associated with a tournament game card, wherein the tournament game card is provided to a player in response to paying a fee. Whether the identifier received from the first gaming unit is authentic may be determined. A duration the player may play in a tournament may be determined based on the identifier, and the first gaming unit may be enabled for play in the tournament for the duration if the identifier is authentic. A tournament score of the player may be received, and a winning player of the tournament, if any, may be determined. Data indicative of a value payout to be awarded to the winning player may be generated if the winning player of the tournament is determined.

Abstract: A portable gaming and entertainment system (or “environment”) for use with a game console and related components that allows the user thereof to easily, safely and conveniently transport the system. The system comprises a case having a lid pivotally attached to a base. One or more custom inserts are provided to securely receive the game console therein. The custom inserts permit the system to be usable with a variety of supported game consoles. The lid includes a monitor and speakers, and is operative to be opened and maintained at a position to provide a desirable viewing angle for a user. The lid closes against the base to enclose the game console and other related components so that the user may easily transport and/or store the system.

Abstract: Methods for game aim assist are provided. In electronic games, a game player may control the actions of a game character within a game environment. The game environment, which includes a focus area, may be displayed from a perspective of or with respect to a game character. During game play, one or more objects may be detected in the focus area. One of the objects may then be selected based on the distance between the object and the center of the focus area. The aim of the game character is then automatically adjusted toward the selected object, which allows the game player to direct an attack action on the object.

Abstract: It is provided a game system which includes 36 indexed elements, and a pattern structure having six hexagonal patterns arranged in a cycle such that each pattern has two neighboring patterns. Each element has an index of six different indexes. Two or more indexed elements are associated with each index. Each pattern has two sites shared with each of the two neighboring patterns, and one non-shared site. The system includes a cube for selecting a sub-set of 24 indexed elements. In a number version, the different indexes constitute a single arithmetic series. In a two-party game version, 12 pattern sites are associated with a first site index and 12 pattern sites are associated with a second index, six of the sites having the first site index and six of the sites having the second site index are shared sites, and the other sites are non-shared sites. A computerized two party game includes means for prohibiting a player from disposing an indexed element on a pattern site already having that indexed element.

Abstract: Techniques for providing authentication functionality in a gaming system are disclosed. In one aspect, a gaming system is configured such that, at a given point during a current session of a game in progress that involves at least one user previously granted access by the system to participate in the current session, information available from an authentication token associated with the user is obtained prior to allowing the user to take a particular action in the game. A determination is made as to whether or not the user will be allowed to take the particular action in the game, based on the obtained information. The obtained information may comprise, for example, at least a portion of a one-time password generated by a hardware or software authentication token.

Abstract: A virtual universe application and a media (e.g. 3-D movie) presentation application communicate with each other to obtain a location of a current activity application and find, using a search engine or a content addressable index developed during use, a corresponding location accessible from the other application to synchronize the location and time of location and time of scenes in both applications. Point of view can optionally be synchronized and additional search criteria or parameters can be applied to find the best match of views presented to a user when the user toggles between the VU location and the media presentation.

Abstract: A basketball shot-tracking system comprising a wrist tracker, a net tracker, and a shot-tracking mobile application. The wrist tracker is worn on the wrist or arm of a basketball player and the net tracker is attached to the net of the basketball hoop. The wrist tracker and net tracker automatically detect shot-attempt and made-shot events, respectively, and asynchronously transmit messages to the shot-tracking mobile application reporting these events. The shot-tracking mobile application, which runs on a mobile device, such as a smart phone or tablet computer, includes program instructions that, when executed by the CPU of the wireless mobile device, causes the wireless mobile device to automatically receive and process the asynchronous event data sent by the wrist tracker and net tracker, and to automatically tabulate, store and/or display the basketball player's shooting statistics (such as total shots taken, total shots made, shooting percentage, shot locations, and the like).

Abstract: A multiple-mode card shuffling and/or card verification device includes a top surface, a card receiving area for receiving an initial set of playing cards, a randomizing or arranging system for the initial set of playing cards that can be disabled, a card collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards, the card collection surface receiving cards positioned so that all cards collected are below the top surface of the device, a card imaging system and an elevator for raising the card collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated above the top surface of the device. The processor is programmed such that cards can be verified without changing an order of cards present in the card receiving area, verified during randomization, and randomized without card verification.