Abstract: Data characterizing two players enrolled in a tournament of an online video game is received. Each player is executing a separate instance of the online video game. The online video game is asynchronous between the two players. The data is received by a tournament server hosting the tournament and separate from a game server providing game data to clients associated with the two players. An instruction for synchronous initiation of gameplay between the two players is generated. The instruction is transmitted to the clients associated with the two players, the instruction causing synchronous initiation of the asynchronous games for the two players. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.

Abstract: A system and method for more efficient tracking and automatically recommend an optimizing pinhole locations on putting greens are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system and method may be directed to identifying a global position of a pinhole location using a turf analysis device having a global positioning system (GPS) module configured to collect and assimilate pinhole location data and condition data to a server database. The server may then determine an optimal location of a new pinhole location based on all previously collected pinhole location data and all previous condition data. By tracking and analyzing the pinhole locations for one or more greens as well as corresponding condition data, follow-on pinhole locations can be optimized. In some embodiments, measurements of turf conditions may be used to influence the optimization of determining pinhole location.

Abstract: A game of chance is disclosed allowing an outcome determined by the actions of a player. The game of chance comprising a layout defining plural cells. A player selects a number of winning indicia and a pre-determined winning order for the winning indicia to be revealed. A first portion of the cells each have a winning indicia contained therein, and a remaining portion of the cells each have a non-winning indicia contained therein. The winning and non-winning indicia are initially concealed to a player and are selectively revealable by the player. The player may select a limited number of cells to reveal indicia contained therein. An object of the game is to maximize a number of winning indicia revealed by the player.

Abstract: A game of chance is disclosed allowing an outcome determined by the actions of a player. The game of chance comprises a layout defining a plurality of cells. A first portion of the cells each have a winning indicia contained therein, and a remaining portion of the cells each have a non-winning indicia contained therein. The winning and non-winning indicia are initially concealed to a player and are selectively revealable by the player. The player may select a limited number of cells to reveal the indicia contained therein. An object of the game is to maximize a number of winning indicia revealed by the player.

Abstract: A gaming system is disclosed which comprises a symbol selector arranged to select a plurality of symbols from a set of symbols for display at a plurality of display positions, a symbol position modifier operable by a player to modify the display position of at least one symbol, and an outcome generator arranged to determine a game outcome based on the displayed symbols after modification by a player of the display position of at least one symbol. A corresponding method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gaming device for awarding a beverage to a player playing a wagering game. A display displays a graphical representation of a complimentary item or service. A game controller controls play of the wagering game and randomly determines an amount of the complimentary item or service to be graphically added to the displayed complimentary item or service in response to a play of the wagering game. An output mechanism awards the complimentary item or service when the graphical representation of the complimentary item or service is completely accumulated and activated by the player.

Abstract: An electronic method of gaming comprising an electronic game controller: selecting, for each of at least one display area of a symbol display, a plurality of symbols for display at respective ones of a plurality of display positions arranged in the display area; evaluating the selected symbols to determine whether or not the selected symbols for display at at least two designated display positions are the same; upon determining that the selected symbols for display at at least two designated display positions are the same, applying a modification to each of the selected symbols for display at the at least two designated display positions to form a modified symbol display; and evaluating the modified symbol display to make an award.

Abstract: A snapshot of a game may be generated by a client. At some point, a suspension request is delivered to a computer system. Once the suspension request is received, the computer system will suspend the emulated title. The computer system generates a snapshot of the game by recording the current state of all devices being emulated. The snapshot is then delivered to the client. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A video game device calculates a difference vector extending from a predetermined reference position on the screen to an input position. Moreover, the video game device calculates movement parameter data used for moving, with respect to a fixed point in the virtual space uniquely determined based on a position of the controlled object, the point of sight to a position that is determined by a direction in the virtual space based on a direction of the difference vector and a distance in the virtual space based on a magnitude of the difference vector. The point of sight is moved based on the movement parameter data. The video game device produces an image based on a virtual camera, which has been moved according to the movement of the point of sight, and displays the image on the screen of a display device.

Abstract: Provided is a player tracking device which is operable, even when an IC card is taken into a gaming machine while a player is playing a game, to read or write information from or to another IC card or the like through a simplified touch operation. The player tracking device includes: a card unit for storing information pertinent to a play outcome on the gaming machine in an IC card through wireless communication; and a touch unit for reading information from another IC card through the wireless communication.

Abstract: A video game sharing method and system enables users to share playable video game segments with users so that the users are able to view the video game segments or interactively play the video game segments. When shared, state information for the video game segments is included such that the users begin in the same position with the same relevant statistics. By enabling video game sharing, user enjoyment and video game popularity are increased.

Abstract: A game program causes a computer to implement: a screen information generating function of generating information for displaying, in a display area of a game screen, a field where a plurality of objects is arranged, a character capable of moving in the field, and a game medium having certain status information; and an instruction accepting function of accepting from a user an instruction regarding an operation of the character. The screen information generating function further includes a preceding object information generating function of generating information for displaying, in the display area of the game screen, preceding object information regarding a plurality of objects arranged in the display area as the character moves.

Abstract: Secondary gaming functionality is implemented relative to a casino gaming machine by a secondary controller which is associated with the gaming machine. In this manner, primary gaming functionality, such as primary wagering games and the award of primary awards and/or player reward points, may be implemented by the main game controller of the gaming machine. In addition, however, secondary gaming functionality may also be implemented at the gaming machine, such as secondary wagering games, secondary awards such as bonus and progressive awards and/or player reward points, via the secondary controller. The secondary controller may only implement secondary gaming functionality in response to a secondary wager placed by a player beyond a primary wager which enables the primary gaming functionality.

Abstract: Secondary gaming functionality is implemented relative to a casino gaming machine by a secondary controller which is associated with the gaming machine. In this manner, primary gaming functionality, such as primary wagering games and the award of primary awards and/or player reward points, may be implemented by the main game controller of the gaming machine. In addition, however, secondary gaming functionality may also be implemented at the gaming machine, such as secondary wagering games and the award of secondary awards and/or player reward points, via the secondary controller. The secondary controller may only implement secondary gaming functionality in response to a secondary wager placed by a player beyond a primary wager which enables the primary gaming functionality.

Abstract: An electronic gaming device is disclosed. The electronic gaming device can comprise a control unit, a flexible display device operably coupled to the control unit, a support structure and an arm coupling the flexible display device to the support structure. The arm can adjust to alter a three dimensional shape of the flexible display device in response to control signals from the control unit.

Abstract: Provided is a game system in which when a bonus game or the like is conducted, linkage presentation using player tracking devices (PTS terminals) is performed over a plurality of gaming machines. Upon the occurrence of winning in the bonus game, a bonus server 11 transmits a bonus winning notification to a gaming machine in a bank in which a gaming machine having won therein is included. A PTS terminal of the gaming machine which has received the bonus winning notification transmits a linkage presentation start request to a gaming machine which operates as a presentation control server in the bank. The PTS terminal of the gaming machine which has received the linkage presentation start request broadcasts a linkage presentation execution request to a network segment of the bank.

Abstract: A method for sports communication and collaboration using client devices engaging a network, and an administrative memory with processor, the memory having individual user information profiles; an authentication component; a tournament database model; a registration and ranking component; a financial component; an automatic team creation component; and an operational management component that automatically; creates a tournament play sequence, tracks and calculate results, and a ranking for each individual user information profile.

Abstract: A gaming system includes one or more input devices, audio output devices, visual display devices, and information processors. At least one visual display device visually depicts a plurality of visual presentations and at least one audio output device renders audio selectively mixed from corresponding audio components of the visual presentations. At least one processor receives and processes information from at least one input device to determine a region of focused attention by the player with respect to the visual display devices. Using the region of focused attention, a corresponding primary visual presentation is determined from the plurality of visual presentations. The corresponding audio components of the plurality of presentations are selectively mixed such that the audio component of the primary visual presentation is dominant on at least one audio output device. The plurality of visual presentations may also be rearranged or altered to visually highlight the primary visual presentation.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing input by a computing device are presented. One method includes operations for receiving images of a control device that includes an object section, and for determining a location of the control device utilizing image analysis for each captured image. Additionally, the movement of the control device is tracked based on the determined locations, where the tracking of the movement includes receiving inertial sensor information obtained by sensors in the control device, and determining an orientation of the control device based on the sensor information. Additionally, the method includes an operation for translating the movement and orientation of the control device into input for a game executing in the computing device, where the input is translated into a motion and orientation of an object in the game based on the movement of the control device.

Abstract: A bonus display and gaming machine with a bonus display are disclosed, The bonus display includes a square video display arranged in a diamond pattern to display content such as a bonus wheel. Back illuminated inner and outer rings are mounted to cover at least portions of the video display and are back illuminated by, for example, light emitting diodes. To accommodate one or more pointers displayed on the video display the inner ring includes a cut-out to reveal each video pointer.