Abstract: A slot machine, of the type having a video display screen which displays a plurality of rotatable reels carrying symbols, is arranged to pay a prize on the occurrence of a predetermined symbol or combination of symbols. The game includes a special feature which is invoked when a special triggering combination of symbols occurs. Once the special feature is triggered a wild symbol moves around the screen progressively replacing each symbol in the display with a die symbol and the prize generated is multiplied by the value shown on the die.

Abstract: A group wagering game is provided in which all entrants win or lose simultaneously as a group. The method of playing the game includes forming a group consisting of all entrants who have made a first wager on a first game and a second wager on the outcome of second group game. The outcome of the second group game is determined first, but is only applied if the first game is a winner. As such, a “bonus” round of play is provided which generates group interest and excitement in the gaming experience.

Abstract: A computer readable program product and method of controlling the display of a game three-dimensionally display an area showing the effective range of an attack when setting an attack. The data of a range area and effect area are set for each type of “magic” in advance. The range area of magic selected by a player is displayed on a screen at the time of a fight and an effect area is set by an input operation of the player at any position in the range area. The effect of the attack thus reaches the inside of the effect area by execution of the attack. The modes of the fight scene become more diverse and the tactical nature and interest of the game are thus enhanced.

Abstract: A game system in which a plurality of characters are each respectively made to act in dependence on a schedule prescribed in correspondence to a time of a game, at a time point the game has progressed to an end point of a loop range, if a predetermined progress permission condition is met, there is permitted progress of the game ahead of the loop range. If the progress permission condition is not met, the time on the game is made to a start point of the loop range. At this time, exceptional information as part including information associated with an experience on the game by a character as an operation object is maintained in a state attained at the end point of the range, having other information restored in a state corresponding to a start point.

Abstract: A golf training and game system is situated in a golf playing facility with tee and target areas. At each target area an overview video camera captures an image of the target area when a golf ball is hit from a tee. A target measuring system performs image improvement methods on the captured image, detects possible balls, and calculates coarse real coordinates for the possible balls. A memory stores real coordinates for previously-identified balls. Coordinates for possible balls and identified balls are compared to determine new balls to be identified. New ball coordinates are used to position, zoom and focus a zoom video camera and capture a fine image. The target measuring system performs image improvement methods and pattern recognition on the fine image to identify the new balls and get fine real coordinates. Information sent to a tee terminal gives feedback to the players.

Abstract: A method and system for managing a Bingo game while allowing a repeat player to play the same sets of numbers in multiple sessions of Bingo. The player preselects numbers which he wishes to play in multiple Bingo sessions. The hall stores the numbers in the memory of the computer. On the date of the Bingo game, the player chooses which preselected Bingo numbers to play. The player is provided with a ticket having the preselected numbers with a control number for each set of numbers and a validation number for the ticket. The player is also provided with a receipt indicating the number of preselected sets of numbers bought by the player and the validation number for the ticket. When a player calls Bingo, the hall enters the control number of the potentially winning set of numbers into the computer to verify the set of numbers is a winner.

Abstract: A loop track for race horses is disposed at the center of a horse race game device. Twelve race horses run on the track. A gate is disposed in a paddock in the track. The gate is advanced to a start point of the track from the paddock. Twelve satellites are disposed on three sides of the track. A large projector for displaying images of developments, etc. of a race is disposed on one of the short sides of the track. Speakers for live broadcasting, fanfares, BGM, etc. are disposed on both sides of the large projector. The horse race game device enables a larger number of running objects to be raced at once, whereby race developments are made more amusing.

Abstract: A game apparatus comprises: a macro group, with a scenario described therein, for commanding a procedure to process the scenario; a data group consisting of video data VD, graphics GF, texts TXT, audio data AD and other information used in accordance with the progress of the scenario; and a program for causing a CPU to make a game progress by using the data group on the basis of the command of the macro group. This game apparatus comprises: a first device for externally incorporating a scenario macro of, for example, a puzzle game; and a second device for giving a command to the program by means of the scenario macro SM obtained externally by the first device, and of providing a new scenario by reusing the data group.

Abstract: A portable game apparatus includes a housing. This housing is provided with an LCD and an insertion hole. A cartridge incorporating a program ROM is inserted in the insertion hole. A CPU in the housing processes a game program to display game scenes on the LCD. The cartridge further incorporates an acceleration sensor. The acceleration sensor detects a movement and tilt of the housing. When the housing is positioned at an angle easy to play, if an operation key is operated, neutral position data is stored to an internal RAM. During game play, an output of the acceleration sensor is corrected by the neutral position data so that the CPU controls game scene display according to a corrected output of the acceleration sensor.

Abstract: A game apparatus and method can determine flight characteristics of an object propelled by a player from a launch site toward a backstop. The foregoing can operate with a launch detector located at the launch site for producing a launch signal in response to launching of the object. A backstop sensing arrangement may be employed at the backstop having at least one spaced pair of sensors for producing a pair of arrival signals in response to arrival of the object at the backstop. A processor may be employed, which is coupled to the launch detector and the backstop sensing arrangement. The processor can (a) determine the relative response times of the launch detector and the backstop sensing arrangement, and (b) produce a characteristic signal as a function of the relative arrival times of the pair of arrival signals.

Abstract: A method of providing incentive to play gaming devices connected by a network to a host computer. The casino creates a player account accessible by the host computer. The account can accrue both player-tracking points and account credits. Account credits are applied to a player's account as sign-up incentive, bonus award or other player incentive. When the player inserts his or her card in a card reader at one of the gaming devices, the player has access to the account points and credits. When playing with account credits, the account is debited in the amount of the wager responsive to each game played. The credit meter is simultaneously credited, also in the amount of the wager, thereby effectively providing the player with a free game. In a related implementation, the player can convert account points to account credits thereby redeeming player-tracking points at the machine.

Abstract: Amusement park apparatus including a first plurality of entertainment providing nodes playing a second plurality of games with a third plurality of players who are simultaneously playing the second plurality of games, a node controller operative to assign each player from among the third plurality of players to an individual game from among the second plurality of games and operative to control each individual node from among the first plurality of nodes such that when the individual node enters into an interaction with an individual player, the node plays, with the individual player, the game assigned to the individual player, and a communication network operative to associate each of the first plurality of nodes with the node controller.

Abstract: A video game device of this invention comprises a speech/action storage device for storing contents of various speeches and actions of a leader character to be given to a main character as an ability growth object; an ability value updating device for successively updating an ability value of the main character according to the execution result of the content of the speech/action; a parameter storage device for storing an enthusiasm parameter which is set to be a positive value for each training-related speech/action and a negative value for any other speech/action; an enthusiasm parameter adding device for adding a set value to a present enthusiasm parameter given to the main character every time the speech/action is executed; a reliability degree calculating means for calculating a reliability degree between the main character and the leader character; and a judging device for judging a successful growth of the main character.

Abstract: An image matching gaming method suitable for use as bonus game on a slot machine is provided. The method includes allowing the player to have an active role in selecting the bonus award. The player is allowed to see all the awards associated with possible selection after his choices have been made.

Abstract: To a CPU 10 in a portable game machine 1, a temperature detector 5 and a voltage detector 6 are connected. The temperature detector 5 detects an operating temperature of an LCD 4, and the voltage detector 6 detects a power supply voltage supplied by the LCD 4. Following a program stored in on-chip ROM 13, the CPU 10 calculates a driving voltage for the LCD 4 based on the detected temperature and voltage. At the same time, the CPU 10 selects, from among a plurality of character data items which are previously provided, at least one character data item and writes the selected data item into display RAM 11. The detected temperature and voltage each correspond to the character's age and action. As a result, correct colors can be displayed even in a case where the LCD 4 is adopting an Electrically Controlled Birefringence method. Further the character selected based on the temperature and voltage is displayed on the LCD 4.

Abstract: Information-compressed image data is generated or inputted in an office unit 3. Control data and image data is transferred to specified consoles 1a-1m according to reproduction timing or reproduction procedure for the image data. Each console expands the information-compressed image data and displays an image of the data on overhead CRTs 4a, 5a, . . . 4m, 5m.

Abstract: A portable terminal machine which controls the execution of a downloaded program depending on a usage time limit when a sub program downloaded from a video game machine is stored in the storage device, the time of communication with the video game machine obtained from the clock is recorded in the sub program as a time stamp. At the time of the startup of the sub program, the portable terminal machine calculates the usage time limit based on the time of communication and compares this usage time limit against the current time obtained from the clock and stops the startup of the sub program if the usage time limit has been exceeded.

Abstract: A gaming device is provided in which a plurality of possible prizes includes both monetary prizes and/or an audio and/or motion picture output a performance of a celebrity. The output which is provided is one of a plurality of stored celebrity performances preferably selected at random.

Abstract: A gaming machine comprises a spinning reel display showing a plurality of symbols on each of a plurality of rotatable reels. The reels are rotated and stopped to place the symbols of each reel in visual association with a pay line. A winning combination of displayed symbols triggers a payoff. The distribution of payoff values and probabilities results in a high volatility index, so that the distribution is similar to a state-run lottery.

Abstract: A system for generating video pictures including various images. The system defines a target number of video images eligible for display, identifies target display positions for the images and selects various basic images from game memory. A number of change candidates is selected from among the basic images eligible for display and a change option is selected for each change candidate. The selected change options are executed to define a number of changed images, which may then be displayed with a number of the basic images to define the video pictures. The display system may be advantageously employed to generate pictures in a video game in which points are awarded for identifying the changed images.