Abstract: A system which accumulates symbols and determines an award based on an event occurring (or not occurring) on a displayed game field associated with a sporting event interacting with a plurality of symbols overlaid on that displayed game field.

Abstract: An electronic gaming machine and method of operation including presenting a spinning reel based game and feature game, includes presenting a feature stage determined in response to multiple individually selectable gameplay options. One of the presented options includes multiple variables unknown to the player at the time of selection. Values for the multiple variables may be determined in response to an outcome established prior to presenting the multiple gameplay options.

Abstract: Innovations in user interface (“UI”) features of electronic gaming machines (“EGMs”) are described. For example, control logic controls the UI of an EGM according to an iterative re-spin process, which uses reels and a reel area on a display screen of the EGM. In a given iteration of the re-spin process, the control logic identifies any locked reels. The control logic spins any unlocked reels for the given iteration on the display screen while holding locked reels in place. The control logic evaluates a condition that depends on whether the reel area encloses a special symbol stack for at least one unlocked, spun reel. If the condition is satisfied, the control logic continues the re-spin process. Upon exit from the re-spin process, the control logic determines a count of special symbol stacks in the reel area, determines an outcome of the re-spin process, and outputs an indication of the outcome.

Abstract: A system for playing a wagering game is described. The system includes a display device, a memory device, and a processor configured to execute instructions stored in the memory device, which when executed, cause the processor to at least: provide the wagering game on the display device; determine whether a game event has occurred during the wagering game; store a copy of the game event in the memory device in response to determining that the game event has occurred; generate digital content in response to determining that the game event has occurred; overlay the digital content on the copy of the game event; and provide access to the copy of the game event with the digital content overlaid thereon to at least one replay recipient.

Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating intra-game communication in video game environments featuring first-person or third-person perspectives by generating an on-screen graphic that includes the communication and a pointer towards a location of another user within the video game environment.

Abstract: A system and method is provided that simulates gameplay of non-player characters (NPCs) distributed across networked end user devices. The system may identify end user devices that are connected to the system through a network and are available to participate in a simulation in which each participating end user device is provided with one or more NPCs to be executed. An end user device may be available to participate when it has sufficient computing capacity, such as when in an idle or standby state. As such, the system may leverage spare computing capacity of networked end user devices to execute NPCs at networked end user devices during a simulation. In this manner, the behavior of an NPC may be tested using real-world conditions that may affect gameplay, such as a network connection quality, user-to-user game engine coordination and data exchanges, and/or other real-world conditions associated with networked end user devices.

Abstract: Techniques are described herein for facilitating the placement of props on maps by an automated prop placement tool that makes use of a trained machine learning mechanism. The machine learning mechanism is trained based on one or more training maps upon which props have been placed. The machine learning mechanism may be trained to suggest placement based on (a) spatial rules relating, (b) prop-specific rules, (c) prop-to-fixed-object distances between props and map structures, and (d) distances between props. Once the machine learning mechanism is trained, the prop placement tool may be provided as input (a) map data that defines a target map and (b) prop data that specifies the set of target props to be placed on the target map. Based on this input and the machine learning mechanism's trained model, the prop placement tool outputs a suggested placement, for each of the target props, on the target map.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for enabling all wins multiplier features on gaming devices during multiplayer gaming tournament play. The all wins multiplier features may be simultaneously engaged on multiple gaming devices at a predetermined point in time, and may generally all simultaneously terminate the all wins multiplier feature at the same time. Multiple different all wins multiplier features using different multiplier values may be enabled at different times during a particular tournament session.

Abstract: The gaming systems and methods provide award modifiers for designated winning card combinations for multi-hand poker, wherein the gaming system uses the award modifiers to determine a way to apply the award modifiers for a play of a secondary game from a plurality of different ways to apply the award modifiers.

Abstract: A gaming machine having a first reel, and a set of second reels. The first reel has a plurality of prizes displayed at respective first display positions, and spins in a first direction. Each of the second reels is aligned with one of the first display positions, and spins in a second direction to identify one of the prizes.

Abstract: An electronic gaming system includes a display device, a memory, and a processor. The processor is configured to perform a variety of operations, including, for example, determining whether a trigger condition has occurred during a base game, and determining a repeat win amount during the base game. In at least some embodiments, the processor is also configured to control the display device to display a plurality of selections, each selection corresponding to a feature game, in response to occurrence of the trigger condition. Each feature game may be associated with a win volatility and displayed in association with information about the win volatility, and each win volatility may be based, at least in part, upon the repeat win amount determined during the base game.

Abstract: A gaming device comprises a display, a processor, and a memory storing (a) a current symbol position state defining, for each of a plurality of columns of symbol positions, a number of symbol positions for which symbols are to be selected; (b) a pay table; and (c) instructions. When the instructions are executed by the processor cause the processor to control the display to display a plurality of columns of symbol positions corresponding to the current symbol position state, select symbols for the displayed symbol positions by selecting stopping positions of a plurality of reel strips, wherein at least one of the reel strips comprises at least one designated symbol, evaluate the selected symbols for winning combinations based on the pay table, and responsive to the selected symbols of a column including a designated symbol, modify the symbol position state for the respective column to include at least one additional symbol position for a next symbol selection.

Abstract: A system and method for providing dynamically variable maps in a video game is disclosed. A map is provided that defines a playable space available to one or more game players in a video game. Gameplay is monitored in real-time for the detection of a trigger event. Upon detection of a trigger event, a map management engine dynamically modifies a configuration of the map to improve the gameplay experience based on the type of trigger event. Dynamic modification of a map may comprise altering one or more of the map boundary, and/or the location, position, size, number, state, etc. of one or more static map objects or dynamic map objects. As a result of the dynamic modification of the map, the map may transform from its initial (or first or beginning) configuration to a modified (or new or second) configuration.

Abstract: A system includes a smart table configured to provide a wagering game. The smart table includes a plurality of player positions, and each player position is associated with at least one radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader of a plurality of RFID readers, each of which is configured to read data from one or more RFID chips on the smart table. The system is configured to identify a player at a player position of the plurality of player positions, and determine, using at least one RFID reader associated with the player position, a turnover accumulated by the player during a specified period, where the turnover is an aggregate amount wagered during the specified period. The system is further configured to compare the turnover accumulated by the player to a threshold turnover, and if the accumulated turnover at least meets the threshold turnover, to provide a bonus award to the player.

Abstract: An electronic gaming machine may include an illuminable notification mechanism, which may be disposed on a rear surface of the electronic gaming machine in a position or location that makes the notification mechanism visible to a casino operator. The notification mechanism may include a display, such as, for example, a display that includes at least one tri-color light emitting diode (LED). The display of the notification mechanism may be selectively illuminated in a variety of lighting configurations based, for example, upon gameplay activity of a player of the gaming machine. For instance, in some embodiments, the notification mechanism may be selectively illuminated in any of an inactive lighting configuration, an active lighting configuration, or a privileged lighting configuration. In the privileged lighting configuration, the notification mechanism may indicate that a player of the gaming machine is entitled to a complimentary item (e.g., a free or reduced-price item or service).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described that detects, via an electronic processor, a first orientation of a mobile device relative to an orientation of a gaming device. The method and/or apparatus further provides, by the electronic processor via a user interface of the mobile device, at least one bet placement option for a game conducted by the gaming device, in response to detecting the first orientation. After detection of a selection of the at least one bet placement option, the method and/or apparatus detects, via the electronic processor, a change from the first orientation of the mobile device to a second orientation different from the first orientation. The method and/or apparatus further presents, by the electronic processor via the user interface, at least one game play option for the game in response to detecting the change from the first orientation to the second orientation.

Abstract: A method for training a character for a game is described. The method includes facilitating a display of one or more scenes of the game. The one or more scenes include the character and virtual objects. The method further includes receiving input data for controlling the character by a user to interact with the virtual objects and analyzing the input data to identify interaction patterns for the character in the one or more scenes. The interaction patterns define inputs to train an artificial intelligence (AI) model associated with a user account of the user. The method includes enabling the character to interact with a new scene based on the AI model. The method includes tracking the interaction with the new scene by the character to perform additional training of the AI model.

Abstract: A gaming system and method utilize an electronic display device configured to display a plurality of symbol-bearing reels and an array of symbol positions. The array of symbol positions comprises a plurality of rows and columns. The plurality of symbol-bearing reels are spun and stopped to land symbols on the reels in the symbol positions of the array. Payouts are awarded for any winning symbol combinations along horizontal and vertical ways. In response to a triggering event, the array is expanded by expanding one or more of the rows of the array to add one or more symbol positions to each expanded row. The plurality of symbol-bearing reels are again spun and stopped to land symbols on the reels in the symbol positions of the expanded array. Payouts are again awarded for any winning symbol combinations along the horizontal and vertical ways.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer executable code that when executed by a processor cause the processor to obtain at least one image of a trigger accessory within a video stream, the at least one processor executing an augmented reality game requiring visual input from the trigger accessory to enable a user to play the augmented reality game, identify a trigger icon positioned on the trigger accessory having a configuration selected from a group of configurations dependent upon at least one of a shape and orientation of the trigger icon, apply image analysis to the trigger icon within the image to determine the orientation of the trigger accessory, and execute at least one software module of the augmented reality game dependent upon the configuration of the trigger accessory.

Abstract: A bubble creation method to be implemented by a server controls a progress of a video game. The bubble creation method includes a calculation formula specifying portion that is configured to specify one or more calculation formulas, and a bubble creation portion that is configured to create a bubble having an appearance defined by the calculation formula. The calculation formula has variables. The bubble creation portion creates a bubble whose appearance changes in accordance with a change of a value of the variable.