Abstract: User interface approaches to providing help to players by playing back previously recorded inputs. Certain exemplary embodiments involve displaying, with the recorded playback, an input device icon to show where the inputs are occurring and/or where the inputs should occur if the player were to make them. Modifications are made to the previously recorded input to improve the user's ability to see what is happening, as well as making the playback seem more consistent, mechanical, and automatic. The help makes the computer application seem like the user interface is operating itself in a way that is easy to follow, rather than giving the impression that a previously recorded user input stream simply is being played back in accordance with the more organic and potentially idiosyncratic behaviors of the recorded person. The modifications may in certain exemplary embodiments include, for example, path smoothing/correction, automatic snapping, delay periods, speed normalization, etc.

Abstract: An athletic training system includes one or more panels that present a rigid front surface covered by a translucent material behind which is an illumination or light source and a pressure sensor that can detect and measure the pressure caused by impact of a ball (i.e. a soccer ball). A control device communicates with and controls the panels according to a selected exercise regimen that is designed to develop particular skills for an athletic or sporting endeavor by commanding the panel or panels to illuminate (i.e. turn on its light source). While illuminated, the panel actively monitors its pressure sensor for an indication of an impact, and upon detecting an impact, reports the detection of the impact to the control device, and turns off its illumination. The process of turning panels on and off and detecting impact can be used to construct various regimens for training and developing skills.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for managing the sensory stimulus generated by a head mounted display (HMD). One method includes an operation for identifying the game state of a game being executed for display on a head mounted display (HMD). Further, the method includes an operation for determining the game intensity value for the game state based on user intensity ratings obtained from user play of the game. The user intensity ratings represent the level of sensory stimulus presented to users during the user play of the game via the HMDs of the respective users. Further, the method includes an operation for presenting the game intensity value to the HMD for rendering during execution of the game.

Abstract: A gaming device having multiple interacting independently operated symbol generators, such as wheels. In one embodiment, each wheel includes a plurality of sections that are associated with a plurality of different outcomes which are displayed to a player. One or more of the wheels are activated, either sequentially or simultaneously and the results of the wheel activations influence one or more subsequent wheel activations. Upon a terminating event, an outcome based on the results from one or more spins of one or more of the wheels is provided to the player.

Abstract: An online game is provided to users via client computing devices. Gameplay metrics are determined for users of the online game based on actions taken by the users in the online game. Secondary games are provided, where the potential awards provided by the secondary games are determined based on the gameplay metrics of the users.

Abstract: A method for integrating game products with sale and dissemination of digital media to players includes providing for players to purchase digital media for download at a purchase price that enters the player into a game wherein the player's downloaded digital media determines whether or not the player has won in the game. The purchased downloads are downloaded from a library, wherein a number of the digital media are stored in the library in their original format, and a defined number of the digital media stored in the library are modified from their original format to include an auditory or visual indication of a winning lottery play. The players download and listen to or view their downloaded digital media to determine if they have purchased a winning digital media in the lottery game. Players losing in the lottery game may be provided a downloaded digital media in its original format.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a game-operating computer system, including: at least one server and game-operating software stored on a non-transient computer readable medium accessible by the server, where the at least one server, executing game-operating software, is at least configured to: generate an instance of a proximity game, where the instance of the proximity game is played based on the following rules: a) selecting a plurality of winning values from a pool of values, b) electronically receiving a first plurality of player-selected values from the pool of values, c) electronically receiving a second plurality of player-selected values from the pool of values, d) comparing the player-selected values with the winning values, where at least one player-selected value is not equal to at least one winning values; and e) determining at least one winning player from the at least one first player and the at least one second player.

Abstract: A method for integrating game products with sale and dissemination of digital media to players includes providing for players to purchase digital media for download at a purchase price that enters the player into a game wherein the player's downloaded digital media determines whether or not the player has won in the game. The purchased downloads are downloaded from a library, wherein a number of the digital media are stored in the library in their original format, and a defined number of the digital media stored in the library are modified from their original format to include an auditory or visual indication of a winning lottery play. The players download and listen to or view their downloaded digital media to determine if they have purchased a winning digital media in the lottery game. Players losing in the lottery game may be provided a downloaded digital media in its original format.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a gaming and/or entertainment device having at least one screen which is adjustably arranged at a device panel. In this respect, the invention in particular relates to a multigame table having a plurality of player positions at which one respective screen is arranged at a table panel and/or desk panel. In accordance with the invention, the at least one screen is adjustable between a lowered position lowered into the device panel substantially without projecting over the device panel and an operating position protruding out of the device panel. The lowered position can in particular serve as an idle position in which the respective screen is so-to-say not in the way and a substantially planar device surface, in particular a table surface, can be provided. In the named lowered position, the screen can optionally be lowered beneath the device panel and the corresponding cut-out can be closed by a cover.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the motion of a sport ball that has been impacted by an individual during the course of an athletic activity includes the steps of a portable electronic device wirelessly receiving motion data from the sport ball, and the portable electronic device determining a point of impact based on the motion data, wherein the point of impact includes a location on a surface of the sport ball where the impact occurred.

Abstract: A computer system for playing multiplayer games comprises a first gaming server which runs multiple instances of a first game and to which is connected a first plurality of players, there being a minimum number of players and a maximum number of players for any instance of the first game; and a second gaming server which runs multiple instances of a second game and to which is connected a second plurality of players, there being a minimum number of players and a maximum number of players for any instance of the second game. The first gaming server is in communication with the second gaming server and through the second gaming server makes available instances of the first game for players from said second plurality of players to join. Thus, separate gaming servers can pool instances of games and players.

Abstract: Method and system are disclosed for allowing players at wagering game terminals to select entire sets of bonus games instead of a single bonus game upon occurrence of a certain randomly selected basic game outcome. One or more of the bonus games or sets of bonus games may be temporarily unavailable or “locked” to the player. The player may unlock the bonus games or sets of bonus games by acquiring certain game assets, reaching certain game milestones, and/or exceeding certain wagering levels. The unlocked games may reveal credits, prizes, progressives, basic and/or bonus game updates, or additional bonus games, some of which may also be locked. The updates and additions may already be present in the wagering game terminals or they may be downloaded from a central location. The player may retain the locked and unlocked statuses of the bonus games across multiple wagering game sessions and/or wagering game terminals.

Abstract: A server system and the like allow the users who play asynchronous games to perceive each other's presence to prompt the users to communicate with each other and feel a sense of solidarity. When the progress of a first game played by one player has changed to be advantageous to the player due to the use of an AP recovery item or the like, a parameter in the first game is incremented (e.g., action points AP are recovered). A parameter in a second game played by a friend user of the player is also incremented (e.g., the action points AP are recovered) through an extension control process. An activation notification W12 that notifies to that effect is displayed on a user terminal of the player who plays the first game.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an audio control apparatus having a game audio port for receiving a gaming audio signal generated by a gaming application, a chat port for receiving a chat signal comprising audio information generated by at least one gamer, and an audio system coupled to the game audio port and the chat port. The audio system can be operable to detect an energy level in the chat signal that exceeds a threshold, reduce a magnitude of the gaming audio signal to a desired audio energy level responsive to the aforementioned detection, generate a mixed audio signal comprising a combination of the gaming audio signal having the reduced magnitude and the chat signal, and transmit the mixed audio signal to a listening apparatus. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method providing an additional award opportunity based on a plurality of accumulated designated symbols. In one embodiment, for each play of a game associated with a plurality of symbols including a designated symbol, the gaming system displays a plurality of the symbols at a plurality of symbol display areas, determines any awards associated with the displayed symbols, and provides any determined awards. Upon an occurrence of a designated symbol accumulation event, the gaming system displays the designated symbol at a designated symbol accumulation area. The gaming system removes the accumulated designated symbol from the designated symbol accumulation area following an expiration event. Upon an occurrence of an additional award opportunity triggering event associated with any accumulated designated symbols displayed at the designated symbol accumulation area, the gaming system provides an additional award opportunity.

Abstract: A computer readable storage medium includes computer executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform a method of online marketing. At least one deal is associated with at least one competition. A plurality of user requests is received to compete for the deal as participants in the competition. Deal payment terms are determined for the deal based on a competition result of the competition.

Abstract: A multi-user virtual reality universe (VRU) process receives input from multiple remote clients to manipulate avatars through a modeled 3-D environment. A VRU host models movement of avatars in the VRU environment in response to client input, which each user providing input for control of a corresponding avatar. The modeled VRU data is provided by the host to client workstations for display of a simulated environment visible to all participants. The host maintains personalized data for selected modeled objects or areas that is personalized for specific users in response to client input. The host includes personalized data in modeling the VRU environment. The host may segregate VRU data provided to different clients participating in the same VRU environment according to limit personalized data to authorized users, while all users receive common data.

Abstract: There is provided an amusement system which expands an opportunity that a user obtains a prize relating to a game. In an amusement system where: the game can be played on a user terminal using a game server portion of a server apparatus; a prize relating to the game is selected by the game server portion in association with an operation by a user to the user terminal; and the user can use the selected prize in the game, a vendor apparatus being constructed as a physical apparatus different from the user terminal is connected to the server apparatus, a prize is selected by the game server portion based on an operation by a user to the vendor operation, and printing-output is performed by a printer of the vendor apparatus as one example of a physical prize corresponding to the selected prize.

Abstract: A server performs a parameter calculation process that changes an event parameter of a game event based on event identification information that is linked to a help destination regardless of whether or not a user of a second terminal is a member of a game application when the server has received help request data from a first terminal and also received an access request for the help destination (help URL) about the first terminal from the second terminal.

Abstract: A networked game and method for entry of a non-winning game ticket in a second opportunity random draw game using a computer device that communicates with the game provider, each game player having a unique identifier and a determined balance of chips for selective use during game play shown on a display and at least one control feature selectively operative by the game player to play to an outcome for obtaining additional chips or not, with additional chips awarded to the player upon registering a non-winning ticket of a random draw game in the second opportunity game.