Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and methodology for obtaining information associated with spend history of a first user in connection with playing an online game and processing the information associated with the spend history to assign the user spend parameter value to the first user which may be further used to provide selective access to an exclusive virtual section associated with an online game when the user spend parameter value meets the spend threshold.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing smart matchmaking in a massive multiplayer online game are described herein. A video game such as a vehicle-based combat game may include multiple types of vehicles, where each type of vehicle may progress through increasing tier levels. Different types of vehicles within the same tier may have different capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses. When performing matchmaking for a game session, a matchmaking server may use a battle level table defining permissible tiers of each type of vehicle allowed within a particular battle level, and may also limit the number of a specific type of vehicle allowed in any one game session. The battle table may provide an advantage to premium vehicles by limiting the tiers of other vehicles against which a similarly tiered premium vehicle may compete. Battle level difficulty may be adjusted by adjusting the ranges of permissible vehicles in each battle level.

Abstract: Systems and methods for use in providing a random reward associated with at least one play-for-fun application are disclosed. One exemplary method includes crediting, at the gaming server, gaming activity directed to a play-for-fun application by a player to a player tracking account, issuing at least one coupon associated with a random reward based on at least the gaming activity credited to the player tracking account, tracking, at the gaming server, redemption of the at least one coupon, and awarding the random reward when the coupon is redeemed at a gaming machine in accordance with at least one trigger condition.

Abstract: Pinball machines with animated playfield components and automatic level detection are described. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, a method may include changing a visual appearance of a surface of a physical object within a pinball machine, the physical object configured to physically interact with a pinball during a pinball game. In another illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, a pinball machine may be configured to receive leveling information detected by one or more accelerometers, the leveling information selected from the group consisting of: pitch, roll, and yaw. In yet another illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, a pinball machine may be configured to periodically or continuously receive leveling information detected by one or more accelerometers during a pinball game, and then discourage the player from applying force to the pinball machine in response to the leveling information meeting a value and/or encourage a player to apply force to the pinball machine.

Abstract: The system and/or method comprising: receiving, from a user on a computing device, input selecting a first country from a plurality of countries; receiving, from the user on the computing device, input selecting a first category of songs from a plurality of categories of songs; displaying, on the computing device, a chorus of a song from the selected category of songs, wherein the chorus is the main verse of the song; upon displaying the song on the computing device, displaying a timer indicating a predetermined threshold period of time; and displaying, by the computing device, a chorus of a second song from the selected category of songs, when the predetermined threshold period of time is exhausted.

Abstract: In one embodiment, method of operating a zone-based gaming activity, includes generating, in response to a request, a reconfigurable zone; determining one or more eligible participants; and modifying said zone to change the number of eligible participants.

Abstract: Pinball machines with hybrid playfields. A method may include electronically determining a physical property of a physical object, the physical object allowed to move above a display disposed within a playfield of a pinball machine, and rendering a virtual object on the display in response to an evaluation of the physical property. Another method may include rendering a virtual object on an electronic screen, the electronic screen disposed within a playfield of the pinball machine, and changing an aspect of a physical object located within the playfield in response to the virtual object exhibiting a predefined property. Yet another method may include providing a list of one or more software applications via an electronic display arranged within the playfield of the pinball machine, allowing a user to select one of the one or more software applications, and executing the selected software application.

Abstract: Players input their messages in their video game apparatuses and the messages are once collected at a server apparatus, thereafter they are distributed to all video game apparatuses from the game server apparatus. In a display screen of each video game apparatus, a chat window is displayed in order to display messages exchanged between the players on a game screen including a field and characters of the game. The chat window is sequentially enlarged up to a preset maximum number of lines when a new message is received from the game server apparatus. The chat window is sequentially reduced to the preset minimum number of lines when a predetermined time passes without any reception of new message or when the player performs a specific operation.

Abstract: A node device in a distributed virtual environment captures locational signals projected by another node device into a capture area of the node device and reflected from the capture area to a capture device of the node device. The location of the node device relative to the other node device is determined based on the captured locational signals. The determined location can be based on an angular relationship determined between the node device and the other node device based on the captured locational signals. The determined location can also be based on a relative distance determined between the node device and the other node device based on the captured locational signals. Topology of the capture area can also be detected by the node device, and topologies of multiple capture areas can be combined to define one or more surfaces in a virtual environment.

Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines, gaming tables, hand held gaming devices and/or community gaming displays. The central server monitors wagers placed on any games played. Based at least in part on the wagers placed, the central server determines when one or more bonus events will occur and which players to provide any bonus awards.

Abstract: A game method and a game system to perform the game method and embodied as a computer, the method including verifying, from a team of a user configured during a game, a chemistry level set based on a relationship between characters constituting a team, and graphically displaying the relationship between the characters on a screen based on the chemistry level. The game may be performed by applying the chemistry level.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gaming system comprising a display and a game controller, the game controller being arranged to identify a player from received player identification data, receive associated player game data of the identified player, and control the display of one or more characteristics of, or associated with, an avatar such that the player is provided with a graphical representation of the player game data. A method of gaming is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for interactive gaming among a plurality of players includes a host computer system and a plurality of player terminals communicably coupled to the host computer system or gaming platform via a network. The plurality of player terminals may be located at a plurality of licensed gaming locations. The plurality of player terminals may be configured to engage the plurality of players in a common interactive game operated by the host computer system. The plurality of player terminals can include means for dispensing player winnings from the player terminal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and a method for visualizing synthetic objects within a real-world video clip. The embodiments allow interactive, synthetic objects or characters to appear as if they are “embedded” inside or form part of a video clip. These objects move independently of the environment within the video clip and are controlled by a user. In one embodiment the video frames are set as textures in the furthermost layer in a 3D environment viewer or 3D “engine”. In another embodiment separate layers of video frames are superimposed with the synthetic objects on an output screen and synchronizing the movements and the field of view settings to give the perception that only one camera is used.

Abstract: Gaming methods and apparatus are described for providing a plurality of progressive prizes for a gaming system. Separate progressive prizes are maintained for each of a plurality of different wager options for a game playable on the gaming system. The progressive prizes can be maintained so as to reduce the difference in contribution to the expected return to player between the wager options.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to a snap-and-click display utilized to enhance the installation of a display on an electronic gaming device. The systems and methods may allow for easier installation of a display on the electronic gaming device via a snap-and-click display.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and a method for visualizing synthetic objects within a real-world video clip. The embodiments allow interactive, synthetic objects or characters to appear as if they are “embedded” inside or form part of a video clip. These objects move independently of the environment within the video clip and are controlled by a user. In one embodiment the video frames are set as textures in the furthermost layer in a 3D environment viewer or 3D “engine”. In another embodiment separate layers of video frames are superimposed with the synthetic objects on an output screen and synchronizing the movements and the field of view settings to give the perception that only one camera is used.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for multiplayer team balancing in a virtual environment. A group activity is provided in which at least two teams of avatars participate. Each team has a respective plurality of distinct avatars, and each avatar is controlled by a respective player. The at least teams are in competition with one another to achieve a predefined objective when participating in the group activity. Upon it being determined, when the group activity is in progress, that a first player of a first avatar on a first team of the at least two teams is no longer available to participate in the group activity, a balancing action is performed in order to compensate for the first player no longer being available to participate in the group activity.

Abstract: Techniques for allowing a gaming machine to exercise control over a picture-in-picture device (PIP mixer). A gaming machine includes a display device, a master game controller, the PIP mixer, and a PIP control interface. The master gaming controller is configured to execute a wager game, send a first video signal for the wager game to the PIP mixer, and send control instructions for controlling a display of one or more PIP windows to the PIP mixer via the PIP control interface. The PIP mixer receives the first video signal and a second video signal from an external source. The PIP mixer is configured to create a composite video image that includes display data of first video signal and the second video signal in PIP windows based on the control instructions. The composite video image is displayed on the display device.

Abstract: A gaming machine including a secondary processor coupled to a player tracking system for tracking game play of a patron using a virtual player loyalty card is described. A virtual player loyalty card can be created by associating an existing physical player loyalty card with a newly created mobile loyalty card account. The mobile card can be virtually inserted into an electronic gaming machine when a portable electronic device with an associated mobile application is in the vicinity of an electronic gaming machine. Once the mobile card is virtually inserted into the gaming machine, the patron's game play at the gaming machine can be tracked.