Abstract: A gaming system for play of a base game, and arranged to detect a trigger condition during the base game. A feature game is implemented when a feature game frequency criterion is met. The feature game frequency criterion may be based on the number of base games having been implemented since the last implementation of a feature game.

Abstract: A system and method for providing currency multiplier items to one or more users of an online game is described. A user of an online game may obtain a currency multiplier item by purchase, by award, responsive to one or more actions taken in the online game, and/or by other methods. Use of the currency multiplier item may enable the user to adjust the amount of virtual currency in the inventory in the user's user account, wherein the adjustment to the amount of currency is not provided to the first user prior to use of the currency multiplier item.

Abstract: Preprinted game tickets, such as pull tab tickets or instant game lottery tickets, are dispensed from a vending machine. A selection option on the vending machine allows the patrons to select either redemption of the value of the winning ticket at the vending machine immediately after purchasing the ticket if the ticket is a winning ticket, or deferral of redemption of the value of the winning ticket immediately after purchasing the ticket if the ticket is a winning ticket. A ticket dispenser dispenses the purchased winning ticket after a selection option is made. A ticket marker in the vending machine visually defaces winning tickets as they are dispensed only if a patron selects the option to redeem the value of the winning ticket at the vending machine immediately after purchasing the ticket. The visual defacing of the winning tickets inhibits attempts to perform deferred redemption of the winning tickets.

Abstract: A modular pinball game truss system provides for lighting and other pinball game features, such as targets, ramps, ball pathways, bumpers, and ball-reactive game or decorative elements, features that move, make sounds, flash, display score, register points, illuminate, or otherwise react to a given pinball movement, to be easily added to existing games and changed at any time by individual game owners.

Abstract: Video server systems and methods for providing video streams to a plurality of remote clients are described. In one implementation, the video streams are based on game states received from a remote game server. The game states are dependent on game commands received by the video server system from the remote clients and forwarded to the remote game server. The video server system is configured to appear, from the point of view of the game server, as more than one client. For example, the video server system may receive game states from the remote game server at more than one different Internet Protocol address and each of these Internet Protocol addresses may be associated with a different game session.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed concerning games that use both 2D and 3D play areas. Various embodiments concern representing a 3D structure composed of a plurality of 3D shapes having a plurality of faces, presenting a plurality of elements, marking the plurality of faces and the elements, identifying a first set of one or more combinations of corresponding markings, moving the shapes of the three dimensional structure relative to the elements, and identifying a second set of one or more combinations of corresponding markings, each of the combinations of corresponding markings from the first set and the second set composed of markings from at least one of the elements and multiple faces of the shapes.

Abstract: A game device includes a first setting unit, a lottery unit, a decision unit, and a determination unit. The first setting unit sets a first character for a first player and a second character different from the first character, both belonging to a first group. The lottery unit decides stop positions of spinning slot reels of a reel group displayed on a display. The decision unit decides a battle action of the first group. The determination unit decreases hit points of an enemy character in response to the battle action and decreases hit points of at least one of the first and second characters in response to another battle action by the enemy character, so as to determine a winner based on respective remaining amounts of the hit points.

Abstract: A device for conducting a roulette game includes a rotatable wheel with a plurality of pockets each associated with a game indicium and a selector having at least one face with a payout indicator thereon. Wagers are received from players on the outcome of a spin. The selector is propelled into a rotating wheel and the game indicium associated with the pocket in which the pocket comes to rest is used to resolve the wagers. The payout indicator on a designated face of the selector determines, at least in part, the payout for certain of the winning wagers.

Abstract: A gaming device includes a cabinet, a display coupled to the cabinet, and a reel assembly positioned within the cabinet. The reel assembly includes a reel configured to rotate, and a reel strip coupled to the reel and including a symbol having a first image and a second image. The gaming device also includes a light source located within the cabinet and configured to selectively project a light for backlighting the reel strip, wherein the light source has a first mode for projecting the light in a first configuration and a second mode for projecting the light in a second configuration, and a game controller coupled to the cabinet and configured to control the light source. The first image is viewable when the light source projects the light in the first configuration to backlight the reel strip, and the second image is viewable when the light source projects the light in the second configuration to backlight the reel strip.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a method is provided that includes the steps of (1) providing an auxiliary unit adapted to allow a gaming machine to be retrofitted to provide communications services; and (2) retrofitting a non-communications-enabled gaming machine with the auxiliary unit so that the non-communications enabled gaming machine is adapted to provide communications services based on game play at the non-communications-enabled gaming machine. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A display apparatus for a gaming system comprises a display unit arranged to be mounted to an Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM). Display circuitry is arranged to control the display unit, the display circuitry being arranged to communicate with an EGM controller to display information under a control of the EGM controller.

Abstract: A user-interface for a game is separately serviced to game clients based on an identifier of a site providing a selection interface for the game. Multiple user interfaces for a game are stored. A resource server receives a request for a game that includes an identification of a web site issuing the request. The resource servers uses the identification to select a user interface module from the multiple user interface modules associated with the game. The selected user interface is assembled into the game and provided to a source of the request.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations include receiving event data from a first application available on a wagering game machine, wherein the event data is in a first data format that is natively understood by the first application and not natively understood by a second application available on the wagering game machine. In some embodiments, the operations further include converting the event data to a second data format natively understood by the second application, wherein the second data format is not natively understood by the first application. In some embodiments, the operations further include communicating the event data in the second data format to the second application.

Abstract: A virtual space is provided to users via client computing devices. Device information related to a client computing platform used by a user to interact with the virtual space may be obtained. Customized in-game capabilities available for the user may be determined based on the device information, which may include a description of or otherwise identify the client computing platform. The device information may include or otherwise by used to obtain device capabilities such as hardware, software, network, and/or other specifications. Different users using different client computing platforms may be provided with different in-game capabilities such as user roles, content items, levels, and/or other content or actions available for the user in the virtual space based on the client computing platform used by the users to access the virtual space. The device information may be used to facilitate enhanced party formation between users of the virtual space.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a plurality of outcomes of a game of chance are provided. In a spinning reel game, for example, a first game event may be provided in which a plurality of symbols are spun up on a plurality of spinning reels to form an array of symbols, each spinning reel spinning up at least three symbols and at least one of the spinning reels being defined so that at least two feature symbols can be simultaneously spun up on that reel. A result of the spin is evaluated to assess whether two or more feature symbols have been spun up on the same reel. If so, a second game event is provided in which the two or more feature symbols and all other symbols spun up on the same reel are converted to special symbols. The special symbols have an enhanced play characteristic in comparison to the other symbols, and the outcome of the game is re-evaluated to establish whether any outcomes exist which define a winning combination. A prize or an award is awarded if one or more winning combinations exist.

Abstract: A portable gaming and entertainment system (or “environment”) for use with a game console and related components that allows the user thereof to easily, safely and conveniently transport the system. The system comprises a case having a lid pivotally attached to a base. One or more custom inserts are provided to securely receive the game console therein. The custom inserts permit the system to be usable with a variety of supported game consoles. The lid includes a monitor and speakers, and is operative to be opened and maintained at a position to provide a desirable viewing angle for a user. The lid closes against the base to enclose the game console and other related components so that the user may easily transport and/or store the system.

Abstract: In certain implementations, a presentation of a virtual counterpart of an action figure may be provided based on action figure state information obtained via wireless communication with the action figure. As an example, an action figure may be detected within a short wireless communication range of a computer system. A wireless connection between the computer system and the action figure may be established based on the detection. Action figure state information identifying a position of a moveable part of the action figure relative to another part of the action figure may be received at the computer system from the action figure via the wireless connection. The relative position may be related to a pose exhibited by the action figure. A virtual counterpart of the action figure may be presented based on the relative position such that the virtual counterpart exhibits the same pose as the action figure.

Abstract: Provided is a game machine that can expand the range of play actions demanded of a player. The game machine is provided with an input apparatus including four play operation units, and provides a music game that demands of the player a predetermined operation of each play operation unit. The game machine is provided with: a vibration sensor that detects a predetermined operation of each play operation unit; and an optical sensor that detects player actions during play of the music game. Also, the game machine evaluates the predetermined operation of the player on the basis of the detection results of the vibration sensor and evaluates player actions that are correlated with the predetermined operation on the basis of the detection results of the optical sensor.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for automatically sending a popup or other message to another person's electronic device upon finishing a predetermined goal in a video game. The predetermined goal can be, for example, killing a first boss in under five minutes. The message to the friend can include a link or button enabled such that the friend can begin the game on his device in the same room, mission, scenario, etc. that the first player started out in so that the friend can attempt to duplicate or ‘one up’ the first player's achievement. Friends who are interested in receiving such messages can be determined from existing social networking sites.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for a wagering game include displaying an electronic reel simulation as a multiple reel array on a display. A game outcome is determined and presented as game symbols on the display. Before a game play and without player input, block arrangements are defined as stacks of a same size within the array, each stack has adjacent positions along a first direction within the array, each stack occupies a different position within the array in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and all of the stacks are aligned in the second direction. Winning combinations of the symbols are determined as two or more matching symbols appearing in the displayed positions in combinations of payout ways predefined before the game play. Winning blocks are determined wherein each of the one or more winning blocks include matching symbols appearing in displayed positions corresponding with the block arrangements.