Abstract: A gaming system includes at least one memory device storing instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the gaming system to receive wagers in response to inputs via at least one input device, and increment one or more first progressive jackpots by respective individual increment amounts totaling a total increment amount. One or more second progressive jackpots are incremented by respective individual increment amounts totaling the total increment amount, the total increment amount being based on the received wagers. In response to a triggering event awarding at least one of the first progressive jackpots, the awarded first progressive jackpot is reset to its reset value and the individual increment amount for the awarded first progressive jackpot is deducted from at least one of the second progressive jackpots.

Abstract: A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming terminal for a player includes receiving, via an input device, a player selection of one of a plurality of player selectable elements. Each of the player selectable elements are associated with a corresponding thematic indicia set. The method further includes conducting the wagering game with the thematic indicia set associated with the selected player selectable element being displayed on a display of the gaming terminal and while conducting the wagering game, triggering a bonus event. The method further includes awarding one of a plurality of game enhancement parameters to the player during the bonus event. The awarded one of the plurality of game enhancement parameters is dictated by the selected player selectable element.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is conducted in a gaming system including a plurality of gaming terminals that participate in a community event. The method includes providing, by at least one of one or more processors, individual enhancements at one or more of the plurality of gaming terminals. Each of the individual enhancements has an initial value prior to the community event being triggered. If the initial value exceeds a predetermined value upon the community event being triggered, the initial value is modified to a modified value based on the initial value. The modified value is awarded upon the community event being triggered.

Abstract: Dynamic user testing implemented in a wager gaming environment allows new content to be tested on-the-fly, and allows the content presented on the wagering game machines to be accordingly varied, while live, based on the dynamic user testing of the new content. Such dynamic user testing allows the new content to be tested without implementing expensive testing processes. Moreover, the new content can be provided on-the-fly for presentation on the wagering game machines without affecting an ongoing wagering game or taking the wagering game machines offline if the new content is determined to be more successful than the current content. Dynamic user testing allows a wager gaming environment to collect data for creating new wagering games, for promoting wagering games, and for testing new content across multiple platforms.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining an achievement by a player account that occurs during a wagering game session and rewarding the player accounts achievement according to achievement settings or business rules. The operations can also include generating achievement data with marketing metadata and providing the achievement data to a marketing provider to market to the player account based on the achievement data. In some embodiments, the operations can also include presenting the achievement data on a website, such as a personal wagering game web log “gaming blog”.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining a connection of a portable wagering game player drive to a wagering game network. The operations can include determining a player preference regarding a focus of data to store and storing player experience data from the wagering game network according to the player preference. The operations can further include determining a request to disconnect the portable wagering game player drive from the wagering game network, securing the player experience data for transfer beyond the wagering game network; and presenting wagering game content using a computing device outside of the wagering game network using at least some of the player experience data from the portable wagering game player drive.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes creating, by at least one processor, an online presence for a wagering game machine. The method also includes publishing wagering game activity that has occurred at the wagering game machine to the online presence for the wagering game machine.

Abstract: A wagering game account management system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations include assigning one or more money values to a graphical user interface control and linking the graphical user interface control to a credit account. The credit account is a third-party financial account from which a player account is authorized to borrow funds up to a credit limit. In some embodiments, the operations further include providing the graphical user interface control for presentation during a wagering game session associated with the player account.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include tracking progress of a wagering game player account (player account) for a persistent-state game. The player account can fulfill progression requirements for the persistent-state game, such as by performing wagering game activities. The operations can then provide, or reward, the player account with progress in the persistent-state game. Operations can mark the progress by presenting progress markers on a progress chart available to the player account. The progress chart can be based on an episodic theme. The operations can present episodic theme content at certain locations on the progress chart. The operations can further unlock content based on progress in the persistent-state game and present unlocked content to the player account. Operations can also enforce progress limits, where the player account can perform gaming activities to remove the progress limits.

Abstract: A computerized wagering game system a gaming module comprising a processor and gaming code which is operable when executed on the processor to present a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and an audio module operable to exchange digital audio data with an audio device over a digital audio format link. The digital audio format link in various embodiments comprises a SPDIF link, an AES/EBU link, an HDMI link, or an I2S link.

Abstract: A method includes receiving wagers from a player to play respective plays of a plurality of plays of a wagering game having event eligibility that includes a time value and a multiplier value. The method includes increasing at least one of the time value and the multiplier value as a function of the plurality of plays of the wagering game and decrementing the time value as time elapses. In response to a triggering event while the event eligibility is above an eligibility threshold, the method includes allowing the player to participate in one or more special events. The method includes allowing the player to configure at least one of a desired value of the multiplier value and a maximum value of the time value.

Abstract: A computerized wagering game system has a gaming module comprising a processor and gaming code which is operable when executed on the processor to conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and an audio module operable to use audio to foreshadow game events. The buildup and excitement of playing a wagering game system is enhanced by providing audio clues or audio foreshadowing as to the results of a wagering game event. Examples include playing subtle sounds, playing different sounds, playing sounds at different volumes such as with volume an increasing volume level, or providing other audio cues as to the outcome of a wagering game event.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can determine a wagering game in progress for a wagering game session, and determine an electronic playing card that is in use for the wagering game that uses playing cards. The operations can also determine primary content related to the wagering game, and electronically present the primary content on the electronic playing card for use in the wagering game. The primary content can include playing elements (e.g., card ranks and card suits) for the wagering game. The operations can also determine secondary content to be presented on the electronic playing card, and electronically present the secondary content on the electronic playing card during the wagering game session. The secondary content can include wagering games that are different from the primary content (e.g., secondary wagering games that use playing elements other than cards, such as slot games).

Abstract: Systems for processing wagering game events are described herein. In one embodiment, a wagering game machine comprises a plurality of input devices configured to generate events. The apparatus can also include an event handler configured to detect the events, to cause persistent storage of the events, and to transmit the events. The apparatus can also include a wagering game controller configured to receive the events from the event handler and to present and replay wagering games using the events.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gaming terminal and a method of playing a wagering game at a gaming terminal whereby multiple players make selections and accumulate bonus awards as the game is passed from one player to another. Play continues until a game-terminating object is selected. At that time, each player that participated in the wagering game receives his or her accumulated awards plus any awards won by subsequent players.

Abstract: A gaming system for playing a wagering game includes a display configured to displaying a wagering game outcome on a plurality of video reels and a controller in communication with the display. The controller is operative to randomly determine an outcome of the wagering game and to display the wagering game outcome on the plurality of reels. The wagering game outcome includes a plurality of symbols disposed on a first subset of the plurality of reels and further includes at least one meta-symbol disposed on a second subset of the plurality of reels. The controller is further operative to award an award if the displayed wagering game defines a winning wagering game outcome.

Abstract: In some embodiments a method includes receiving, from a mobile phone, a request to transfer a first fund amount from a player account to a wagering game machine. The method can also include determining that the player account does not include the first fund amount; receiving a second fund amount from a secondary funding source, and augmenting the player account by the second fund amount, wherein the augmenting results in the player account including the first fund amount. The method can also include transferring the first fund amount from the player account to the wagering game machine; debiting the player account by the first fund amount.

Abstract: A method comprises receiving a feed of a number of messages providing notification of wagering game activity, wherein the wagering game activity occurred via at least one of a wagering game machine at a wagering game establishment and an online wagering game website. The method includes storing the number of messages. The method includes filtering the number of messages to create a subset of messages, wherein the filtering is based on at least one of an operator criteria and a player criteria. The operator criteria and the player criteria comprises at least one of a jackpot win, a progressive win, an entry into a bonus round, and a win where a monetary amount won exceeds a threshold multiplier of an amount wagered. The method includes publishing the subset of messages to a computing device associated with the wagering game player.

Abstract: A mesh communications wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include tracking any number of wireless mesh network devices in relation to a wagering boundary so that the system can manage wagering games. In some embodiments, the operation can include incentivizing players to encourage other players to participate in a mesh network, thus increasing the efficiency of the mesh network. In some embodiments, the operations can include coordinating the presentation of wagering game content between mesh enabled devices.

Abstract: An illustrative method imports configuration data used by a server that supports electronic gaming machines (EGMs). Configuration data is used by operational software of the server that supports EGMs in a server-client relationship and is stored in accord with a first data structure template that defines records having fields that contain information of the configuration of each EGM. Configuration data stored in fields of records in accord with the first data structure template is automatically transferred to corresponding fields of records in accord with a second data structure template used by new operational software of the server by migration software.