Abstract: The invention provides a unique interactive play experience carried out utilizing a toy “wand” and/or other actuation/tracking device. In one embodiment the wand incorporates a wireless transmitter and motion-sensitive circuitry adapted to actuate the transmitter in response to particular learned wand motions. The wand allows play participants to electronically and “magically” interact with their surrounding play environment simply by pointing, touching and/or using their wands in a particular manner to achieve desired goals or produce desired effects. Various wireless receivers or actuators are distributed throughout the play facility to support such wireless interaction and to facilitate full immersion in a fantasy experience in which participants can enjoy the realistic illusion of practicing, performing and mastering “real” magic.

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: In accordance with some embodiments, a gambling loss insurance policy may be provided to a player. In accordance with some embodiments, a method provides for receiving at a gaming device an amount a player desires to pay for an insurance policy to provide protection against gambling losses and determining, based on the amount, at least one requirement of the policy that the player would be required to satisfy in order to have gambling losses protected under the insurance policy. The method further provides for outputting the at least one requirement to a player (e.g., via a touchscreen menu of the gaming machine).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a gaming device having a bonus game that provides a player with a primary set of reel symbols having a primary probability of winning and a secondary set of reel symbols having a secondary probability of winning, where the secondary probability of winning is greater than the primary probability of winning.

Abstract: A wagering game is comprised of a basic game, a progressive game with a progressive payout, and an input device for identifying players who are playing the basic game and who become eligible for the progressive payout. The progressive payout can be awarded to a player during a selected time period. But, if the progressive payout is not awarded during the selected time period, the progressive payout is awarded to an eligible player that is randomly selected in a drawing. The progressive payout can have first and second payouts that are awarded, respectively, during a first time period (e.g., per week) and a second time period (e.g., per month). Thus, the player does not need to be at the gaming terminal to win the progressive jackpot.

Abstract: The gaming device provides a number of selections. When the player chooses a selection, the gaming device randomly generates a value and randomly places the value into one of a number of adjacent slots. When the bottom of each slot is covered with values, the game removes the values and provides an award to the player. In one embodiment, the award includes a value from each slot and in a preferred embodiment the award includes the smallest value from the slots. The gaming device subtracts the lowest value from the remaining values and the player chooses another selection. The process continues until one of a plurality of possible endings occurs.

Abstract: A video game apparatus includes a CPU that generates a game screen that depicts player character movement while a game is being played. In addition, the CPU controls the production of sounds that seem to eminate from one or more sound objects displayed on the game screen. When a plurality of the sound objects of the same kind exist on the game screen, the CPU computes sound volume data of the sounds produced by the respective sound objects and divides the computed sound volume data into components of right sound volume data, left sound volume data, and surround sound volume data. Using respective sound components from all the displayed sound objects, the maximum components are extracted and localization data and sound volume data are computed. Based on the computed localization data and sound volume data, the composite sound of a sound object is output.

Abstract: A method and gaming terminal for playing a wagering game. The method includes conducting the wagering game at a gaming terminal. A plurality of player-selectable game elements are displayed, such that the game elements are divided into a plurality of types. A player selects at least one of the game elements and a predetermined award amount is then revealed. If the player selects an award-all-of-type element, then all of the game elements associated with that particular type are revealed. The player then receives a wagering game payoff based on the selection.

Abstract: A gaming device including a first player interactive game requiring one or more player inputs which result in an outcome. The outcome does not result in an award provided to the player. In one embodiment, the gaming device determines a paytable employed in the wagering game based on an outcome of the interactive game. In another embodiment, the gaming device includes a plurality of different wagering games. The gaming device determines which wagering game to provide to the player based, at least in part, on the outcome of the interactive game. Other suitable functions can be employed in the wagering game based on the outcome of the interactive game in accordance with the present invention. In any embodiment, the gaming device provides an outcome to the player for the wagering game which can result in an award.

Abstract: The system and method enables the player to select a choice from a plurality of choices, wherein one or more choices can trump or beat one or more other choices, and wherein one or more choices do not trump or beat but rather tie one or more other choices. The game randomly generates an outcome from a set of possible outcomes including: a win outcome, a draw outcome and a lose outcome. Based on the player's choice and the generated outcome, the game determines and displays a game choice, which when compared to the player's choice, yields the generated outcome. If positive or neutral outcome is generated, the game continues. If negative, the game ends and the player keeps any accumulated award.

Abstract: A gaming device system in which a plurality of gaming devices are linked by a common bonus event is provided. In one embodiment, the linked gaming device system includes a shared symbol generation display that is positioned adjacent to each of a plurality of associated gaming devices and has a plurality of sections and values displayed at each section. Upon a triggering of the bonus event, any player eligible to participate in the bonus may achieve an outcome generated from the bonus event including the shared display. When the shared display is activated, it simultaneously generates a separate or individual outcome associated with each of the gaming devices. The outcomes are spatially related to one another so that a random generation of an outcome associated with one gaming device automatically generates random outcomes associated with each gaming device. Each gaming device however receives the outcome only if it has participated in the random generation.

Abstract: A gaming device having unisymbol display reels, wherein each symbol on a display of the gaming device represents or is included on a different reel. The present invention structures the paylines of the gaming device such that the gaming device can include different reel strips having different winning symbols or different proportions of winning symbols, while still maintaining payout symbols and payout combinations that have uniform odds and uniform payouts.

Abstract: A gaming device having unisymbol display reels, wherein each symbol on a display of the gaming device represents or is included on a different reel. The structure of the paylines of the gaming device is such that the gaming device can include different reel strips having different winning symbols or different proportions of winning symbols, while still maintaining payout symbols and payout combinations that have uniform odds and uniform payouts.

Abstract: A search processor associates identifying information regarding terminal devices and stores this in an information memory as a team, an information deletion processor transmits a member deletion request from one terminal device belonging to a team, to the other terminal devices belonging to the team, regarding another terminal device belonging to the team, and deletes from the information memory the identifying information regarding the other terminal device based on the responses from each terminal device, and a replacement processor transmits an admission request from one terminal device belonging to the team to the other terminal devices belonging to the team, selects a terminal device that satisfies the admission criteria included in the admission request based on the responses from the other terminal devices, and stores the identifying information regarding the selected terminal device in the information memory.

Abstract: A controller is provided with an artificial retina chip. The artificial retina chip is connected to a display unit via a game machine body. Before starting the game, the artificial retina chip is instructed to recognize an image of frame of the display unit to store such image as the reference image. After starting the game, the controller is moved to recognize the image of frame of the display unit in order to detect the designated position by comparing the coordinate position data after the movement and the coordinate position data of the reference image.

Abstract: A multi-user video game with communications capabilities allows players to communicate with one another via simulated mail, leaflets and conversations. Different installations of the game on different discrete video game playing platforms may be unique or different depending upon random or other data available at the platform. For example, different installations may have different subsets of characters, different landscapes, or the like. Player characters from one virtual environment or village may visit another virtual environment or village and return home to his or her resident environment or village. Non-player characters may move from one virtual environment or village to another—thereby providing an ever-changing variety of characters. Communications between different game playing platforms can be provided via portable memory devices, portable game playing devices, or conventional communications means such as networks.

Abstract: A terminal includes a display and a user interface. The terminal also includes means for providing the terminal display with at least one virtual display, a display portion or an object, and means for moving at least the virtual display, the display portion or the object on the display using the motion of the terminal or the motion and/or location of an object proportioned to the terminal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a processor controlled gaming device having a display device in communication with the processor. When the display device receives an input from the player, gaming device 10 randomly generates an outcome, the display device displays an event having the outcome and gaming device 10 provides the player with a payout in association with the outcome and the selected input. The inputs have paytables that vary in range. One input has a large, risky payout range with big and small payouts. One input has a small, conservative payout range with intermediate payouts. Other inputs have ranges that fall in between the risky and conservative ranges. Each of the ranges has the same overall expected value, so that gaming device 10 does not favor the player's choice of a risky or conservative input.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gaming device which generates a sound effect when the player comes within a certain proximity of reaching an award or deduction but does not reach an award or deduction. The gaming device also generates sound effects when the player fails to reach an award a certain number of times. This feature, usable in primary games and bonus rounds, provides players with information and enhances the enjoyment and entertainment which players experience.

Abstract: During play of a casino game a hidden bonus feature unknown to the player occurs as no separate indicator is activated. The occurrence of the hidden bonus feature may be at a random statistical frequency or other event. When the player inputs a correct response to the hidden bonus feature, the player receives an additional award. If a correct response is not received or if the hidden bonus feature is ignored, the player does not receive any further award. The hidden bonus feature does not affect the outcome of the play of the casino game.