Abstract: An apparatus and method for playing a version of a Cubis video game is provided. Using a computer terminal connected to a network, such as, for example, the Internet, a player places a bet. Three faces of a three-dimensional cube are displayed on the computer terminal. Each face includes N squares arranged in a N×N arrangement, where N is a whole number greater than one. For an exemplary embodiment in which N=5, the faces are configured so that there are ten columns of ten squares and five rows of ten squares. One of an ordinary symbol, a multiplier symbol, or a bomb symbol is displayed in each of the 75 squares. The computer determines whether any winning combinations are present, and provides a credit to the player according to the winning combination. When either a winning combination or a bomb symbol is present, certain squares are eliminated. Eliminated squares are refilled by shifting the remaining squares and then randomly generating new symbols.

Abstract: A multi-player on-line gaming method is disclosed where different players independently play different games on their computers in a common gaming environment. Each of the players sharing the common environment is presented with a similar display by the game server. In one embodiment, each player is presented with a display of four slot machines after registering with a server for an on-line gaming session. Each player selects, using a cursor pointing device, one of the four slot machines to play, and that machine is then associated with the player. The remote web-based game server controlling the game allows the player to see other on-line players playing on the other slot machines displayed on the same screen so the players share a common gaming experience as in a casino. The players may chat in real time by typing in their conversations via a keyboard on their home computer.