Abstract: A game apparatus includes a plurality of controllers. Each of the controllers is provided with an acceleration sensor, for example, for detecting a motion thereof. A magnitude of a motion value detected by each of the controllers is determined, and a motion with a maximum value is determined to be effective, and a game processing is executed.

Abstract: The gaming system, gaming device and method provides a reel game that includes stacks of symbols configured on the reels to minimize the effects of blocking often associated with stacks of symbols. The gaming device includes a plurality of reels wherein each reel includes a reel-strip and a plurality of symbols. The plurality of reels can be configured to include at least one stack of symbols wherein a stack of symbols is formed by placing a plurality of a designated symbol adjacent to each other on a single reel. In one embodiment, the gaming device is configured such that each subsequent reel includes a quantity of stacked symbols that is greater than the quantity of stacked symbols on a previous reel. This configuration provides that winning symbol combinations including non-stacked symbols can be formed across adjacent reels even if each reel generated a stack of symbols.

Abstract: A gaming system comprises a primary wagering facility which is usable by a player to place an initial wager on a turn of a game of blackjack, and a secondary wagering facility which automatically places a side wager on the same turn of the game of blackjack. The side wager relates to an outcome which is a function of a number of different playing cards contained in the blackjack hand dealt to the player in turn of the game of blackjack. The side wager is paid at odds of at least 2 to 1 if the first dealt card in the player's hand is of a predetermined rank.

Abstract: A hidden image game piece is formed on a transparent or translucent substrate which is part of an optical disc (e.g., a CD or DVD). The hidden image can be used to contain a “key” which is required to gain access to the data contained on the optical disc, thereby aiding in the prevention of that type of piracy of the content of the optical disc which could be accomplished by a simple disc-to-disc copy.

Abstract: A network game system is provided in which unfairness between players playing on first and second game machines can be corrected in a network game system in which the first game machine displays a game screen of a content corresponding to an operation executed in the first game machine and makes the second game machine display a game screen of a content corresponding to an operation executed in the second game machine by exchanging data with the second game machine through a communication network. A controlling unit (an operation information acquiring unit (34) and a display controller (36)) controls a length of a time period from a time when an operation is executed in the first game machine (game machine (12a)) to a time when a game screen of a content corresponding to the operation is displayed in the first game machine, based on data exchange time information related to a time period required for exchange of data between the first game machine and the second game machine (game machine (12b)).

Abstract: Provided is a network game system for providing a game played by players of game machines by operating at least one of the game machines as a server, in which: the game machine to be operated as a server can be appropriately selected; a measuring unit (22) of each of the game machines (12) measures a time required to exchange predetermined data between the game machine (12) and another game machine (12) of the game machines (12); and a server determining unit (28) determines at least one of the game machines (12) as the game machine (12) to be operated as the server according to the results of the measurement by the measuring units (22) of the game machines (12).

Abstract: To provide a network game system for switching a server-client machine without deteriorating the excitement of a game. A network game system (10) causes each of a plurality of game machines (12) to operate as a client and at least one of the plurality of game machines (12) to also operate as a server, thereby providing a game to be played by the players of the plurality of game machines (12). A game play evaluation value calculation unit (40) calculates a play evaluation value corresponding to each of the plurality of game machines (12) during a game. In the case where a predetermined switching determination time arrives during the game, a server switching unit (52) switches the game machine (12) operating as the server from the game machine (12) currently operating as the server to another game machine (12) of the plurality of game machines (12), based on the evaluation value calculated by the play evaluation value calculation unit (40).

Abstract: To provide a network game system capable of switching a server-client machine, while avoiding deterioration in the excitement of a game. A network game system (10) causes each of a plurality of game machines (12) to operate as a client and at least one of the plurality of game machines (12) to operate as a server. In the where a switching determination time arrives, a switching determination unit (52) determines whether or not to switch the game machine (12) operating as a server from the game machine (12) currently operating as the server to another game machine (12) of the plurality of game machines (12), based on the play evaluation value corresponding to each of at least one of the game machines (12).

Abstract: A gaming machine having spinning reels and methods for operating the gaming machine use a reel controller that controls motion of the spinning reels according to spin profiles for each reel. Each spin profile may be provided by the game play design and may be realized using curve fitting techniques, such as Bezier curves, splines, or approximations with line segments.

Abstract: A designated position of a topographic object provided in a virtual game space is detected from a position on a screen designated by an operation device. A shape of topography at the detected designated position of the topographic object and in a vicinity thereof, into a shape whose height is gradually changed, depending on a distance from the designated position. When the movable object contacts the topographic object, a physical calculation is performed with respect to a contact surface based on the changed shape, and based on a result of the calculation, movement of the movable object is controlled.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement for supporting the light-transmitting sheets of material in a gaming cabinet includes an upper retaining structure that secures an upper edge of the sheet, and a lower support surface upon which a lower edge portion of the sheet is disposed. A retaining bracket or the like secures at least the lower portion of the sheet of material to the gaming cabinet.

Abstract: A game apparatus includes an LCD. An on-earth object existing in a virtual game space is reproduced on the LCD from a viewpoint of capturing ahead of a flying object moving in the virtual game space. A velocity parameter and a direction parameter which defines the movement parameter of the flying object are changed in response to a button operation by a player. An altitude where the flying object will reach after a lapse of a time T (T>0) is predicted on the basis of the movement parameter of the flying object. A height above the sea level of the on-earth object existing in the predicted point is detected with reference to map data. Difference information indicating a difference between the detected height above the sea level of the on-earth object and altitude of the flying object is output to the player through the LCD.

Abstract: It is aimed at providing a golf address deviation detecting apparatus capable of detecting as to which of inaccuracy in loft angle, inaccuracy in lie angle, and inaccuracy in face orientation, inaccuracy, if any, occurred upon address by golf club is caused by. There is provided an apparatus comprising a light reflecting section(s) and light irradiating units, so that inaccuracies in loft angle, lie angle, and face orientation are detected and distinguished from one another, based on differences among patterns of the light-beams reflected by the light reflecting section(s).

Abstract: Advantage is taken of the fact that as a player tires, the high frequency components of the player's movement typically decreases in comparison with the low frequency components of the player's movement. By analyzing the frequency components of the player's motion, as obtained from signals generated by the motion input device, the system is able to determine changes in a player's response level and change the game accordingly. In one embodiment, wavelet analysis of an input device signal is used to control or adjust a program.

Abstract: A method of orienting a spherical object comprising the steps of acquiring an image of a spherical object at an imaging station; analyzing the image with a first computer to determine an analysis; transferring the object from the imaging station to orienting stations using a transfer mechanism; and orienting the object to a predetermined orientation according to the analysis; wherein the orienting stations comprise first, second, and third stations each rotating the object about a single axis; the first, second, and third stations collectively orienting the object by rotation about alternately perpendicular axes. In one embodiment, at least one of the orienting stations is at least partially mounted onto the transfer mechanism. In another embodiment, the transfer mechanism is a compliant object carrier that is movable translationally and substantially immovable rotationally. In an alternate embodiment, the ball is orientated with a gimbaled mechanism. An object orienter is also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a gaming machine carries out a main game which initiates a bonus game for a certain outcome of the main game. In one embodiment, the bonus game displays a plurality of hidden objects in the form of icons. The objects may be credits, money, letters, symbols, or anything else. The player chooses one or more options, and the hidden values for the selected options are revealed to the player. The player's goal is to obtain the highest value amount by, for example, choosing the highest value icon, or by spelling words from accumulated letters, or by accumulating symbols. After each selection by the player, the gaming machine offers the player a value (e.g., a number of credits) to end the bonus game. The player may accept the offer or continue playing the bonus game to its conclusion.

Abstract: A gaming device operable having at least one input device. The processor, under control of a processor, is operable to enable a player to participate in a play of a game including a plurality of selectable indicators. Each selectable indicator is associated with an independent probability. The play of the game involves a pick of one of the selectable indicators and a determination of whether the picked selectable indicator is a success indicator or a failure indicator.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, an on-board camera is used as a controller for a hand-held game device. Control information is provided to a game application via video captured by the camera. As the hand-held device is moved, features of the captured video are tracked. The relative motion between the tracked features and the hand-held device is translated into control information for the game application. Aspects of the game application are rendered on a display of the hand-held game device in accordance with the control information. For example, from a third person perspective, viewing a game character from overhead, rotation of the hand-held game device can be translated into rotation of the character. From a first person perspective, seeing the game through the eyes of the game character, rotation of the hand-held game device can be translated into observing various challenges coming from different directions.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a video slot machine game of chance are provided herein. A video slot machine may use M-reels to play an N-reel game, where M>N, or may use any field of play larger than necessary to determine a payout outcome of the game. For example, nine reels may be used to play a multi-line five reel video slot game. The reels may be selected by an N-reel wide frame that slides back and forth over the available reels. In some embodiments, reels on one side of the screen pay at a higher rate than reels on the other side of the screen, or pay rates of reels gradually increase or decrease from one end of the visually displayed reels to the other. Optional bonus modes may take advantage of all M reels, e.g., by sliding the frame across the reels without respinning the reels and recalculating pay lines, by providing free spins with the frame locked in place, and/or by moving the frame to a highest paying position for one or more free spins.

Abstract: A video game includes a controller, a processor and display. The controller includes a special quick look button 28 that, when activated, allows a player to causes a looking movement of a character that simulates the lateral rotation of the head or upper body of a person looking sideways while walking forward.