Abstract: A game board has grooves aligned parallel to X and Y axes that define travel paths along pre-determined directions covering a surface area thereof. Notches are formed along end regions oppositely spaced from each other along an outer periphery of the board. Controllers are coupled to the board, and game pieces are positional along the grooves. Target zones are anchored to the board and spaced along the grooves. Projectiles associated with the game pieces are stored within the notches. A mechanism displaces each of the game pieces along the grooves based upon a user input through an associated controller, and maintains contact with a bottom surface of the grooves. A mechanism rotates one arm of each of the game pieces such that each player tosses one of the projectiles along a travel path terminating at one of the target zones.

Abstract: A video game that provides a player game play experience that simulates an evolution process is disclosed. In each stage of the evolution process, the player can create game content that is uploaded to a server. Other players' game content can also be downloaded into the player's game. In an embodiment of the present invention, the player-defined content can be automatically uploaded to a server, where it can be automatically downloaded to players' games in accordance with criteria such as heuristics that are relevant to the game, player preferences, rankings, community preferences and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A gaming device having an improved award offer bonus scheme wherein the player may improve their award during the bonus round. The bonus game enables the player to select an award offer from a plurality of award offers. The gaming device enables the player to modify the selected award offer, creating a subsequent or modified award, with the idea of increasing the award offer to receive a greater or higher award during a bonus game.

Abstract: An interactive game having a pre-determined outcome (e.g., a game of finite poker) that displays an initial hand of cards, receives a player-specified designation as to which cards are to held and which are to be discarded, and then displays an intermediate hand generated in accordance with the player-specified designation. Then a final hand is shown, and in those cases where the player-specified designation (Hold/Discard) is inconsistent with a transition from the intermediate hand to the final hand, an entertaining display is shown, such as a sequence of alternative playing cards. In some cases, the initial hand is a winning hand according to a predetermined payout schedule, and the final hand is a winning hand with a higher payout than the initial hand according to the same payout schedule. The disclosed methods can be used with other games, including reel-type games.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a central server or controller operable to communicate a plurality of different commands to a plurality of gaming machines to provide non-tournament game play and to provide tournament game play on the same gaming machines.

Abstract: When an operation block collides a stacked block in an X-direction, a part of the stacked block facing an operation block is shifted to the X-direction to allow the operation block to be absorbed in the stacked block and an end being opposite to the end facing the operation block of the shifted stacked block to be ejected from the stacked block. The ejected block can collide with the stacked block again as an operation block. Such a collision operation is repeatedly performed after the completion of a predetermined arrangement in the stacked block.

Abstract: A game apparatus includes an LCD and a touch panel is provided on the LCD. On the LCD is displayed a game screen on which objects of different types are disposed so as to be aligned in a reticular pattern. By a player touching a desired object, a three-dimensional location of the object is set as a point of gaze of a virtual camera. Then, by the player moving a touch location, the location of the virtual camera (viewpoint) is changed according to the movement. In a virtual space, different layers are provided for the different types of objects. The objects are disposed so as not to overlap with each other between the different layers. When the viewpoint is fixed and a plurality of objects of different types intersecting a line of sight or a line parallel to the line of sight satisfy a predetermined condition, the objects are deleted.

Abstract: The invention provides for the use of a random number generator in a roulette wheel to play a game of roulette. The gaming apparatus may have a random number generator, a roulette wheel, and means for controlling the roulette wheel to indicate a first winning number corresponding to a first random number generated by the random number generator. The roulette wheel may have a top ring, outer ring, separator ring, and an inner ring and each ring may be decoupled from each outer to spin in different directions.

Abstract: In a case where a plurality of symbols are rearranged on a display, a control for controlling a plurality of rearranged symbols to be capable of being selected, holding selected symbols according to a selection, and arranging selected symbols by carrying them over to a next game is carried out, and a control for making particular symbols among a plurality of rearranged symbols to be capable of being selected only in a case where a payout for the rearranged symbol exceeds a prescribed payout amount and a condition for having a special symbol displayed on the display is satisfied is carried out. In addition, a control for determining a number of symbols that can be selected among a plurality of rearranged symbols and a number of times of the unit game by which these selected symbols can be held is carried out.

Abstract: In the base game, when a winning combination is realized by a plurality of symbols rearranged on a display, a control for holding symbols related to this winning combination and carrying them over to a next base game is carried out, and symbols related to a newly realized winning combination are held instead of symbols already held only in case where a payout amount for the winning combination is greater than a payout amount for a winning combination already held.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus is provided with a display unit, a promotional credit member processing apparatus, and a controller that may be programmed to allow a person to obtain a first number of promotional gaming credits in response to processing of a promotional credit member by the promotional credit member processing apparatus, to allow a person to make a wager using at least one of the promotional gaming credits, and to cause a video image representing a game to be generated on the display unit. The controller may also be programmed to determine a second number of promotional gaming credits based on the first number of promotional gaming credits based on the first number of promotional gaming credits and at least one wager and to cause the promotional credit member processing apparatus to record the second number of promotional gaming credits on a promotional credit member.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a network server connected to a plurality of gaming devices that are adapted to provide a video payout on each play based on a set of payout parameters. Memory at each gaming device stores payout parameters that correspond to each possible gaming result or outcome. When a play is initiated by a player, a gaming result is generated at a gaming device. The gaming device responds by accessing a corresponding payout parameter from the memory which may be a monetary amount, a video presentation segment or a combination thereof. If the payout is video, the network server receives the payout parameter and transmits video presentation segment to the gaming device accordingly. The gaming device then provides a video payout, in the form of displayed video presentation, to the player. The player thus receives at least one form of payment on each play.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment of the present invention provides for: receiving a request for an automated session, in which the automated session comprises a plurality of games; initiating a first game of the automated session, the first game corresponding to a first gaming device; and initiating a second game of the automated session, the second game corresponding to a second gaming device.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment of the present invention provides for: receiving a request for an automated session, in which the automated session comprises a plurality of games; initiating a first game of the automated session, the first game corresponding to a first gaming device; and initiating a second game of the automated session, the second game corresponding to a second gaming device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for providing a bonus award to a gaming player for using a player tracking account associated with a gaming establishment. Provision of a bonus award is based on the access to a player tracking account. Specifically, once a gaming system detects that a gaming player has accessed a player tracking account associated with the gaming establishment, the gaming system can determine whether the player accessed the player tracking account in a manner meeting one or more bonus award criteria. For instance, the bonus award criteria can include accessing a player tracking account within a limited period of time allotted for awarding the bonus award, accessing a player tracking account according to a specified sequence with respect to accesses by other gaming players, or some other criterion.

Abstract: A device for dispensing prizes includes a housing having a plurality of compartments, a door attached to the housing for coving the compartments, and a lock for limiting access to the compartments. The contents of the compartments are visible from the outside. Each compartment contains a prize, such as a diamond. The housing may be part of, or linked to, a gaming device. When a player wins a game, which entitles the player to select a tangible award, the device signals this fact to the player. The player then selects a compartment by pressing an input device located on the housing. An attendant opens an external door, and inserts an electronic key into a receptacle associated with the selected compartment, and enters a required code into the key. The compartment then opens, and the player obtains the prize. The device may also include an inventory control system which preferably uses an RFID apparatus for monitoring the contents of each compartment, and for keeping records of an inventory of prizes.

Abstract: A gaming device having a plurality of start values. The player selects one of the start values, as part of a game sequence. During the game sequence, the gaming device increments the start value to an apparent award. The gaming device in one embodiment enables the player to keep the apparent award or trade it for another apparent award. The other apparent award in one embodiment is derived from one of the other start values. After one or more keep or trade sequences, the player achieves one of the apparent awards. The gaming device then performs a sequence in which the apparent award changes into an actual award. The gaming device provides the actual award to the player.

Abstract: A progressive system (local and wide) where a primary and secondary progressive meter is maintained is disclosed. When a progressive win event occurs, there are two payouts: the first is the primary payout and is paid to the gaming machine on which the progressive payout event occurred; the second payout, or secondary progressive, is paid to other players (or game devices) having “active” or “enrolled” status at the time of the primary payout event. The present invention provides a method for automating the “shared” win, including means for a player to determine if they are on an active machine which would allow them to share in a secondary progressive. The progressive prizes may be funded using traditional methods (e.g., percentage of wagers, marketing budget). The progressive prizes may also be funded using expired prizes which have expired or lapsed.

Abstract: With a game implemented by the present game program, an expected pass display area of a ball will be displayed on a monitor between a dispatch position of the ball and a arrival position of the ball. When a dispatch operation of a pitcher character is initiated, the contact position of a command means in the expected pass display area will be identified if the command means is placed into contact with the expected pass display area. If the contact position is moved in the expected pass display area by the command means before a character has dispatched a moving object, the contact position after movement will be identified as the final contact position. When this occurs, a ball character will be dispatched from the pitcher character to the final contact position.

Abstract: A gaming machine adapted to print validated tickets for a game player includes a microprocessor for controlling game operation (e.g., slot machine operation) and including a cashout signal input, a network interface coupled to the microprocessor for communicating with a central authority, and a memory in the network interface that stores a pre-loaded ticket validation number received from the central authority. In addition, a ticket printer is coupled to the microprocessor for printing a ticket that includes pending credit indicia and pre-loaded ticket validation indicia in response to a cashout signal on the cashout signal input. After the ticket is printed, the gaming machine obtains a new pre-loaded validation number in preparation for the next ticket printing event.