Abstract: A method is provided for providing payments at a gaming device, where the payments may occur at predictable times and are of predictable amounts. In one or more embodiments, a gaming device may provide a guaranteed payment every hour on the hour, so long as a player meets one or more criteria. Criteria may include a total amount wagered, a total number of handle pulls completed, or a total amount of time spent at a gaming device. One or more embodiments provide a method for withholding value from a player in order that the value may delivered later in the form of a guaranteed payment. One or more embodiments provide a method whereby multiple gaming devices may provide payments simultaneously, thereby creating mutually reinforcing sounds and visual displays.

Abstract: A method for facilitating asynchronous group play of an online casino game is provided. A group session is initiated over the Internet, including a plurality of players. A group objective defines a requirement of two or more of the plurality of players achieving winning outcomes that result from initiation of player decisions occurring in relative proximity to each other. For each player, outcomes of player decisions occurring during a period of gameplay are stored to a current session database defined in a storage device, wherein the periods of gameplay of at least two of the plurality of players are asynchronous. The current session database is analyzed to identify outcomes of two or more of the plurality of players occurring within a predefined number of player decisions of each other. The identified outcomes are combined and compared against the group objective.

Abstract: A method is provided for providing payments at a gaming device, where the payments may occur at predictable times and are of predictable amounts. In one or more embodiments, a gaming device may provide a guaranteed payment every hour on the hour, so long as a player meets one or more criteria. Criteria may include a total amount wagered, a total number of handle pulls completed, or a total amount of time spent at a gaming device. One or more embodiments provide a method for withholding value from a player in order that the value may delivered later in the form of a guaranteed payment. One or more embodiments provide a method whereby multiple gaming devices may provide payments simultaneously, thereby creating mutually reinforcing sounds and visual displays.

Abstract: The invention includes a system and method for determining and achieving an optimized rate of play of a gaming device for a given player. The system monitors play at a gaming device, determines whether adjustments to parameters that effect the potential maximum rate of play should be made, and makes the appropriate adjustments. Monitoring play includes measuring such things as force applied to input buttons and tracking unnecessary button presses at inappropriate times (i.e., while the reels are still spinning). Parameters that effect the potential maximum rate of play include reel resolution time, length of bonus displays, payout rate, and the like.

Abstract: A method is provided for providing payments at a gaming device, where the payments may occur at predictable times and are of predictable amounts. In one or more embodiments, a gaming device may provide a guaranteed payment every hour on the hour, so long as a player meets one or more criteria. Criteria may include a total amount wagered, a total number of handle pulls completed, or a total amount of time spent at a gaming device. One or more embodiments provide a method for withholding value from a player in order that the value may delivered later in the form of a guaranteed payment. One or more embodiments provide a method whereby multiple gaming devices may provide payments simultaneously, thereby creating mutually reinforcing sounds and visual displays.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are described for conducting a secondary game at a gaming device. In various embodiments, a player may acquire equity in the secondary game in such forms as a location of a game character, a number of symbols aggregated, a degree of completion of a puzzle, or a defensive provision. Certain symbols or outcomes in a primary game, however, may cause the player to lose equity in the secondary game.

Abstract: A method for facilitating asynchronous group play of an online casino game is provided. A group session is initiated over the Internet, including a plurality of players. A group objective defines a requirement of two or more of the plurality of players achieving winning outcomes that result from initiation of player decisions occurring in relative proximity to each other. For each player, outcomes of player decisions occurring during a period of gameplay are stored to a current session database defined in a storage device, wherein the periods of gameplay of at least two of the plurality of players are asynchronous. The current session database is analyzed to identify outcomes of two or more of the plurality of players occurring within a predefined number of player decisions of each other. The identified outcomes are combined and compared against the group objective.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are described for conducting a secondary game at a gaming device. In various embodiments, a player may acquire equity in the secondary game in such forms as a location of a game character, a number of symbols aggregated, a degree of completion of a puzzle, or a defensive provision. Certain symbols or outcomes in a primary game, however, may cause the player to lose equity in the secondary game.

Abstract: A method is provided for providing payments at a gaming device, where the payments may occur at predictable times and are of predictable amounts. In one or more embodiments, a gaming device may provide a guaranteed payment every hour on the hour, so long as a player meets one or more criteria. Criteria may include a total amount wagered, a total number of handle pulls completed, or a total amount of time spent at a gaming device. One or more embodiments provide a method for withholding value from a player in order that the value may delivered later in the form of a guaranteed payment. One or more embodiments provide a method whereby multiple gaming devices may provide payments simultaneously, thereby creating mutually reinforcing sounds and visual displays.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing a negative outcome at a gaming device. The system determines that a player of a gaming device has equity which may be debited. An outcome of the gaming device is determined, and it is also determined that the outcome is a negative outcome. The balance (e.g., of the gaming device or another gaming device) is reduced by more than the wager amount.

Abstract: A method is provided for providing payments at a gaming device, where the payments may occur at predictable times and are of predictable amounts. In one or more embodiments, a gaming device may provide a guaranteed payment every hour on the hour, so long as a player meets one or more criteria. Criteria may include a total amount wagered, a total number of handle pulls completed, or a total amount of time spent at a gaming device. One or more embodiments provide a method for withholding value from a player in order that the value may delivered later in the form of a guaranteed payment. One or more embodiments provide a method whereby multiple gaming devices may provide payments simultaneously, thereby creating mutually reinforcing sounds and visual displays.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally includes a gaming system which: receives a wager, upon receiving the wager, randomly generates one of a plurality of different numbers, after the random generation of the number, accesses a database that includes each of the plurality of different numbers, each different number being preassociated with one of a plurality of different audio/video segments and one of a plurality of different game results, the audio/video segments produced for a purpose other than for inclusion on the gaming device, determines which audio/video segment and game result are preassociated with the randomly generated number regardless of any player input, displays the determined audio/video output segment and the determined game result, and determines an outcome value based on the determined game result.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally includes a gaming system which receives a wager amount on a play of a primary game, outputs an audio/video programming clip in association with the wagered on play of the primary game, tracks occurrences of at least one designated event outputted in association with the audio/video programming clip, determines if a quantity of occurrences of the tracked at least one designated event outputted is at least equal to a designated quantity of occurrences of the tracked at least one designated event, the designated quantity of occurrences of the tracked at least one designated event being at least two, and when the quantity of occurrences of the tracked at least one designated event is at least equal to the designated quantity, causes an occurrence of one selected from the group consisting of: a trigger of a secondary game and a generation of a negative outcome.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally includes a gaming system which: (a) for a first play of a game of a gaming session: determines one of a plurality of different outcomes, displays the determined outcome, determines any award associated with the determined outcome, displays any determined award, and outputs a first audio/video programming clip, the first audio/video programming clip including content associated with a first point in time of an event, and (b) for a second, subsequent play of the game of the gaming session: determines one of the plurality of different outcomes, displays the determined outcome, determines any award associated with the determined outcome, displays any determined award, and outputs a second, different audio/video programming clip, the second audio/video programming clip including content associated with a second, subsequent point in time of the event.

Abstract: The invention includes a system and method for determining and achieving an optimized rate of play of a gaming device for a given player. The system monitors play at a gaming device, determines whether adjustments to parameters that effect the potential maximum rate of play should be made, and makes the appropriate adjustments. Monitoring play includes measuring such things as force applied to input buttons and tracking unnecessary button presses at inappropriate times (i.e., while the reels are still spinning). Parameters that effect the potential maximum rate of play include reel resolution time, length of bonus displays, payout rate, and the like.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are described for conducting a secondary game at a gaming device. In various embodiments, a player may acquire equity in the secondary game in such forms as a location of a game character, a number of symbols aggregated, a degree of completion of a puzzle, or a defensive provision. Certain symbols or outcomes in a primary game, however, may cause the player to lose equity in the secondary game.

Abstract: The invention includes a system and method for determining and achieving an optimized rate of play of a gaming device for a given player. The system monitors play at a gaming device, determines whether adjustments to parameters that effect the potential maximum rate of play should be made, and makes the appropriate adjustments. Monitoring play includes measuring such things as force applied to input buttons and tracking unnecessary button presses at inappropriate times (i.e., while the reels are still spinning). Parameters that effect the potential maximum rate of play include reel resolution time, length of bonus displays, payout rate, and the like.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are described for conducting a secondary game at a gaming device. In various embodiments, a player may acquire equity in the secondary game in such forms as a location of a game character, a number of symbols aggregated, a degree of completion of a puzzle, or a defensive provision. Certain symbols or outcomes in a primary game, however, may cause the player to lose equity in the secondary game.

Abstract: Methods for providing notification during an online casino game is provided. One method includes detecting a first gameplay session of the online casino game, the first gameplay session associated with a first user. The method then detects a second gameplay session of the online casino game. The second gameplay session is associated with a second user, and at least part of the second gameplay session occurring simultaneously with the first gameplay session. The method then determines whether the first user and the second user are members of a common group. If so, then the method displays a message to the first user during the first gameplay session. The message to the first user identifying the second user. The methods provided herein provide for social interaction during online game play and social friend interactions that facilitate or advance game play in an online environment.

Abstract: Methods for handling communication between players of an online casino game are provided. One method includes initiating a group session for the online casino game and assigning a first user and a second user to the group session. The method further includes hosting a group session of the online casino game, the group session defined by linked gameplay of the casino game by each of the first user and the second user. Then, during the group session, activating an instant messaging protocol to define a chat session between the first user and the second user. The method facilitates game play in a social environment and enables coordination of social game activity during game play.