Abstract: A game distribution platform includes a game submission interface through which a developer can submit a game. In some embodiments, when a developer submits a game using a game submission interface, the game distribution platform generates a loader for the game. The loader, when downloaded by a gaming device of a user, enables the gaming device to load the game from the platform, and to access player profiles that include game progress data. The loader may be distributed via one or more game portals.

Abstract: An online gaming system for providing online game content to users based presentation control device. The system may comprise one or more processors configured to execute computer program modules including: a game module configured to execute an instance of an online game and to implement the instance of the online game to facilitate participation of users in the online game via presentation control devices; a user module configured to manage content sets corresponding to the individual users; a presentation control device module configured to manage game content sets corresponding to presentation control devices; a detection module configured to detect users physically present at the presentation control devices; and a content module configure to: determine appropriate content sets which are to be made available for participation by the users, and effectuate presentation of the game content to facilitate participation of the users in the determined appropriate game content sets.

Abstract: A method and program product include assembling a player terrain tile for a player of a computer implemented environment. The computer implemented environment at least comprises a plurality of terrain tiles and a fluid mortar disposed about the plurality of terrain tiles. The player terrain tile and the plurality of terrain tiles each at least comprise a plurality of individual positional elements. The player terrain tile is add to the computer implemented environment within the fluid mortar. The player terrain tile is moved within the fluid mortar. Tile interaction is processed upon the player terrain tile engaging at least one of the plurality of terrain tiles.

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 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: An integrated active control system includes gaming devices, a server, and a network connecting the server and gaming devices. The gaming devices include gaming terminals and gaming tables. The integrated active control system aggregates gaming transaction information from the gaming devices and determines, for example, the effectiveness of the gaming establishment's floor configuration. Based on this effectiveness determination, at least one of the gaming devices are instructed to change their configuration. Staffing information may also be considered and reconfigured. The integrated active control system further monitors and configures gaming chips. The gaming chips are programmable, and may store monetary chip value and chip identification information. The programmable gaming chips are monitored for tracking the wagers made with the chips as well as for detecting their location.

Abstract: Handheld controllers having flexible thumbstick guards are disclosed herein for use with a handheld controller having a thumbstick or other pivotal control member. A representative guard has a tubular neck that sealably connects to a shaft portion of the thumbstick, and a skirt that sealably connects to an interior portion of the handheld controller around the control opening. The guard has a flexible joint portion interconnecting the neck and the skirt to allow the neck to move relative to the skirt upon pivoting the control member relative to the body.

Abstract: A Gaming Intelligence System and Method are described, the method comprising correlating player and game information from two sets of gaming information obtained from a plurality of gaming machines. The first set of information includes player information and transactional information and the second set of information includes game information and transactional information. By optimizing an allocation of transactional information using a goodness measure, correlations between player information and game information are obtained. A gaming intelligence system that determines correlations between player IDs and game IDs is also described.

Abstract: A method of providing prescheduling of the betting action in advance of a user turn in an online card game services performed by a game service server, the method including: providing a first user interface displaying betting options on a first user terminal, each of the betting options including a betting action associated with a betting action of an opponent having a higher-priority; receiving a user input selecting a first betting option from the betting options; receiving a second betting action of the opponent from a second user terminal; determining whether the predetermined condition is satisfied by comparing the betting action of the opponent of the predetermined condition with the second betting action, before the user turn; and executing automatically a first betting action in response to determining the predetermined condition is satisfied on the user turn.

Abstract: A gaming system for interacting with a wagering game in 3D space includes sensors positioned to define a 3D volume within which things may be introduced to make gestures that are detected in the 3D volume and associated with wagering-game functions Different 3D gestures cause different wagering-game functions to be earned out One gesture browses among selections involved in the game outcome while another gesture selects a wagering-game element 3D gestures change virtual camera angles to view hidden surfaces 3D wagering-game objects Gestures include throwing physical dice that transition to virtual dice whereupon the game software takes over to depict a randomly selected game outcome RFID-tagged chips are placed on tables to determine their value and location A fishing game detects a hook attached to a fishing rod held by the player and displays a virtual representation of the hook on four video displays.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for game incentivized resource utilization optimization in a multiplayer gaming environment. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for game incentivized resource utilization optimization in a multiplayer gaming environment is provided. The method includes hosting a multiplayer gaming environment providing a game amongst a selection of servers in a cluster and detecting overutilization of a resource in one of the servers. A remedial action likely to reduce the overutilization can be identified as can an incentive of the game likely to provoke the identified remedial action. Thereafter, the identified game incentive can be provided to a player in the multiplayer gaming environment.

Abstract: A game system and method that uses an instrument as an input encourages a user to play along with the game's soundtrack on an instrument (e.g. guitar, bass, etc.). The game cues the player to play notes and/or chords on the instrument at an appropriate time and then data is collected from the instrument via a connection between the instrument and the apparatus running the game. The game then scores the user based on note/chord and timing information it receives.

Abstract: A gaming system is described. The gaming system can include one or more host devices and EGM clients that communicate with one another over a network. Various non-gaming applications can be maintained on the host device. In response to a request received from an EGM client, a non-gaming application program can be executed on the host device. Content from the non-gaming application can be converted to a media stream that is sent to the EGM client for output. The media stream can be processed using a codec executed on the EGM. Input data associated with the content can be received at the EGM and sent to the host device. The content from the non-gaming application executed on the host can be adjusted in response to the input data received from the EGM.

Abstract: A method of transforming behavioral interaction data into visually interpretable information, the method including the steps of providing instructions to an end user to assist the end user in obtaining behavioral interaction data associated with a gaming environment including one or more gaming assets; determining one or more summaries of the obtained behavioral interaction data that enable the end user to understand how the gaming environment is affected by the behavioral interaction data.

Abstract: A removable controller accessory for a game controller. The removable controller accessory includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side includes a finger interface sized and shaped for manual manipulation by a finger. The second side includes a mounting interface configured to selectively mate with an accessory-retention feature of a mounting platform of the game controller to removably affix the removable controller accessory to the mounting platform.

Abstract: A method for providing a game through a connection with a challenge opponent, performed by a game service platform server managing a plurality of games, the method including: receiving challenge game selection information and challenge opponent request information of a challenge applicant from a first user terminal; transmitting challenge application information to a second user terminal, which is a terminal of at least one member specified based on the challenge opponent request information; and setting the member accepting a challenge to the challenge opponent based on challenge acceptance information received from the second user terminal. The first user terminal and the second user terminal execute a game service platform managing the plurality of games and provide the challenge opponent request information and the challenge acceptance information through the game service platform, respectively.

Abstract: In a cashless gaming environment, a gaming patron has accounts and may accumulate winnings as well as different types of awards. Methods for efficiently exchanging the awards are disclosed. A secondary market is established for trading different goods and services. Liquidity of credits and awards is established.

Abstract: A game controller includes an electronic input sensor and a mounting platform. The mounting platform includes an accessory-retention feature and a sensor-activation feature. The accessory-retention feature is configured to removably affix a selected removable controller accessory to the mounting platform. The selected removable controller accessory is one of a plurality of differently configured removable controller accessories removably affixable to the mounting platform. The mounting platform is configured to move from a default posture to an activation posture responsive to finger manipulation of the selected removable controller accessory when the selected removable controller accessory is affixed to the mounting platform. The sensor-activation feature interfaces with the electronic input sensor to generate an activate control signal in the activation posture.

Abstract: A method for interfacing with a video game is provided, including: rendering display data on a main display, the display data defining a scene rendered by the video game, the display data being configured to include a visual cue; capturing the display data by an image capture device incorporated into a portable device; analyzing the captured display data to identify the visual cue; in response to identification of the visual cue, determining additional information that is in addition to the scene of the video game that is displayed on the main display, the additional information defining graphics or text to be added to the scene of the video game; presenting the additional information on a personal display incorporated into the portable device, the presentation of the additional information being synchronized to the rendering of the display data on the main display.

Abstract: A gaming system enables players of a group of gaming devices to wager on progressive or other awards for that group and tracks an amount of player activity at the group. If player activity of the group exceeds an upper reconfiguration threshold, the gaming system disassociates one or more gaming devices from the group to reduce the amount of player activity. If the player activity of the group falls below a lower reconfiguration threshold, the gaming system associates one or more additional gaming devices with that group to increase player activity. Reallocation of gaming devices can occur following a player winning the award for the group. The system can incrementally increase an award reset amount, while reducing the odds of winning the award, to maintain a desired range of gaming experiences. The system can also enable a player to select an initial groups based on a characteristic of that player.