Abstract: A computer-implemented method of operating a regulated gaming machine may comprise accepting, in the regulated gaming machine, funds from a player and enabling the player to play a wager-based game that comprises a plurality of game levels. A plurality of payout schedules may be provided, each of which defining a respectively different Return to Player (RTP) percentage. The performance of the player during each of the plurality of game levels may be monitored and, during each of the plurality of game levels, a number of performance indicia may be awarded and displayed, depending upon the monitored player performance, such that a higher player performance is awarded a greater number of performance indicia than is a comparatively lower player performance. When game play has reached an end of a current level of the plurality of game levels, a bonus reward may be awarded, a value of the bonus reward being determined using a selected one of the plurality of payout schedules.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of operating a regulated gaming machine may comprise accepting funds, in the regulated gaming machine, from a player and correspondingly establishing player game credits. A game may be provided that comprises a plurality of in-game assets, each of which being configured to generate a wagering opportunity when interacted with by the player. One or more player interactions may be received, with at least one the plurality of in-game assets. For each generated wagering opportunity, it may be determined whether the received player interaction(s) resulted in a successful or an unsuccessful interaction with the in-game asset. For each successful interaction, a time elapsed until successful interaction and a wagering event may be generated. For one or more of the generated wagering events, the determined time elapsed until successful interaction may be used to select one of a plurality of payout schedules, each of which being associated with a different return to player (RTP) percentage.

Abstract: A game, configured for execution in a regulated gaming machine, may require skillful actions by a player to achieve an objective of the game. The game may be further configured such that outcomes are partially determined by randomness and partially determined by inputs to the regulated gaming machine from the player. A computer-implemented method may comprise, iteratively, during game play of the game: receiving inputs from the player via a player interface; generating a skillful action within the game based upon the received player inputs, and generating an outcome of the skillful action that is partially determined by randomness and partially determined by the generated skillful action based upon the player inputs. A reward may be selectively provided to the player according to the generated outcome and according to a predetermined target Return to Player (RTP) percentage for the game.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of operating a regulated gaming machine may comprise accepting, in the regulated gaming machine, funds from a player and enabling the player to play a multi-level wager-based game, the game comprising a plurality of wagering opportunities, a successful player interaction with each of which generates a wager. A current return to player (RTP) percentage may then be established for wagers placed. Game play may be enabled at a current level of the game and player input may be received from a user interface to cause player interactions with the wagering opportunities. For at least some of the wagering opportunities with which the player interacted, a wager may be placed at the current RTP and a predetermined number of points associated with the wagering opportunity may be collected.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of operating a regulated gaming machine may comprise accepting, in the regulated gaming machine, funds from a player and enabling the player to play a wager-based game having a plurality of stages and enabling, for a game session, game play and wagers at a current stage of the game. A determination may then be made whether game play has reached a stage complete state in which all requirements necessary for transitioning game play to a next or another stage of the plurality of stages, as may be a determination whether this is a first time, during the game session, that the game play has reached the stage complete state for the current stage. An incentive may be offered to the player to transition game play to the next or another stage when game play has reached the stage complete state for the first time and not offering the player the incentive otherwise.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of operating a regulated gaming machine may comprise accepting funds from a player and correspondingly establishing player game credits. A game and a progress indicator may be provided, with the game comprising a plurality of enabled in-game assets and at least one previously unavailable in-game asset. Each of the plurality of enabled in-game assets may be configured to generate a wagering opportunity when interacted with by the player. Game play may be enabled by receiving at least one player interaction, via a user interface of the regulated gaming machine, with at least some of the enabled plurality of in-game assets. For each generated wagering opportunity, it may be determined determining whether the received player interaction(s) resulted in a successful or an unsuccessful interaction with the enabled in-game asset with which the player interacted.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of operating a regulated gaming machine may comprise accepting money from a player and providing a game that comprises a plurality of in-game assets, each of which being configured to generate a wagering opportunity when skillfully interacted with by the player. One or more player interactions may be received with at least some of the plurality of in-game assets and, for each generated wagering opportunity, it is determined whether the received player interaction was a skillful or an unskillful interaction with the in-game asset. A wagering event is generated for each skillful interaction and, responsive to the generation of the wagering event, it is determined whether to award money to the player according to a first payout schedule defining a first Return to Player (RTP) percentage or to award the player a free play session of limited duration.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of operating a regulated gaming machine may comprise accepting, in the regulated gaming machine, funds from a player and enabling the player to play a wager-based game that comprises a plurality of game levels. A plurality of payout schedules may be provided, each of which defining a respectively different Return to Player (RTP) percentage. The performance of the player during each of the plurality of game levels may be monitored and, during each of the plurality of game levels, a number of performance indicia may be awarded and displayed, depending upon the monitored player performance, such that a higher player performance is awarded a greater number of performance indicia than is a comparatively lower player performance. When game play has reached an end of a current level of the plurality of game levels, a bonus reward may be awarded, a value of the bonus reward being determined using a selected one of the plurality of payout schedules.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of operating a regulated gaming machine may comprise accepting funds, in the regulated gaming machine, from a player and correspondingly establishing player game credits enabling the player to play a wager-based skillful game and enabling game play and receiving player input from a user interface of the regulated gaming machine as the player interacts with in-game assets. The gaming machine may then determine whether sufficient player input has been received and game play has occurred to determine a skill level of the player. When sufficient game play has occurred, the skill level of the player may be determined, and the determined skill level may be compared to at least a first predetermined threshold skill level and a second predetermined threshold skill level.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of operating a regulated gaming machine may comprise providing a game configured to interact with a player and to generate a skill-influenced random outcome comprising a generated random pattern, skewed by received skillful player interactions, within an arrangement of a predetermined plurality of elements, each random pattern being associated with an equally random probability of being generated. The player may be provided with an opportunity to select the winning pattern. To do so, an opportunity may be provided, and the player may select, a desired pattern of the predetermined plurality of elements as the pattern on which the player wishes to place a wager. The skill-influenced random outcome may then be generated and displayed, the skill-influenced random outcome comprising the skewed random pattern, skewed by the received player interactions, within the arrangement of the predetermined plurality of elements.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of determining rewards due to a player while playing a game on a regulated gaming machine may comprise providing a game configured to provide a plurality of in-game assets and a virtual avatar controlled by player inputs to interact with the plurality of in-game assets. A first health status may be established for the virtual avatar. First player inputs may be received and used to control the virtual avatar to interact with in-game assets and to make a first wager having first wager characteristics. As a result, the first health status may change to a higher or lower second health status. Second player inputs may be received to cause the virtual avatar to interact the in-game assets and to make a second wager having second, different, wager characteristics. The difference between the first wager characteristics and the second wager characteristics may be at least partially based upon the second health status.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of operating a regulated gaming machine may comprise providing a game configured to generate a plurality of in-game assets on a display, the in-game assets being configured such that successful player interaction therewith selectively triggers. An opportunity for the player to reconfigure the game in exchange for value from the player may be selectively enabled during game play. When a received player interaction is indicative of the player accepting the provided opportunity, value from the player may be accepted and the game reconfigured by changing one or more of the in-game assets and/or changing what constitutes successful interactions therewith that triggers wagers. Conversely, when the received player interaction is indicative of the player foregoing the provided opportunity, the game is continued and wagers selectively triggered without reconfiguring the game.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of authenticating a memory of a gaming machine uses a computing device having a processor communicatively coupled to a memory. The method includes identifying a first subset of the memory including one or more operational data components associated with operating the gaming machine. The method also includes identifying a second subset of the memory. At least some of the second subset of the memory is distinct from the first subset of the memory. The method further includes authenticating the first subset of the memory while the gaming machine is in a disabled state. The method also includes enabling operation of the gaming machine after the authenticating the first subset of the memory if the authentication of the first subset of the memory is successful. The method further includes authenticating the second subset of the memory while the gaming machine is in an enabled state.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of authenticating a memory of a gaming machine uses a computing device having a processor communicatively coupled to a memory. The method includes identifying a first subset of the memory including one or more operational data components associated with operating the gaming machine. The method also includes identifying a second subset of the memory. At least some of the second subset of the memory is distinct from the first subset of the memory. The method further includes authenticating the first subset of the memory while the gaming machine is in a disabled state. The method also includes enabling operation of the gaming machine after said authenticating the first subset of the memory if the authentication of the first subset of the memory is successful. The method further includes authenticating the second subset of the memory while the gaming machine is in an enabled state.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of operating a regulated gaming machine may comprise accepting funds from the player and correspondingly establishing player game credits. A game may be provided, comprising a plurality of in-game assets, each of which being configured to generate a wagering opportunity when interacted with by the player. One or more player interactions may be received with at least some of the plurality of in-game assets. For each generated wagering opportunity, the method may determine whether the received player interaction(s) resulted in successful or unsuccessful interaction(s) with the in-game asset with which the player interacted and, for each successful interaction, a wagering event may be generated, each of which requiring at least a predetermined amount of time for the gaming machine to process.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of authenticating a memory of a gaming machine uses a computing device having a processor communicatively coupled to a memory. The method includes identifying a first subset of the memory including one or more operational data components associated with operating the gaming machine. The method also includes identifying a second subset of the memory. At least some of the second subset of the memory is distinct from the first subset of the memory. The method further includes authenticating the first subset of the memory while the gaming machine is in a disabled state. The method also includes enabling operation of the gaming machine after said authenticating the first subset of the memory if the authentication of the first subset of the memory is successful. The method further includes authenticating the second subset of the memory while the gaming machine is in an enabled state.

Abstract: A game, configured for execution in a regulated gaming machine, may require skillful actions by a player to achieve an objective of the game. The game may be further configured such that outcomes are partially determined by randomness and partially determined by inputs to the regulated gaming machine from the player. A computer-implemented method may comprise, iteratively, during game play of the game: receiving inputs from the player via a player interface; generating a skillful action within the game based upon the received player inputs, and generating an outcome of the skillful action that is partially determined by randomness and partially determined by the generated skillful action based upon the player inputs. A reward may be selectively provided to the player according to the generated outcome and according to a predetermined target Return to Player (RTP) percentage for the game.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of operating a regulated gaming machine may comprise providing a game configured to generate a plurality of in-game assets on a display, the in-game assets being configured such that successful player interaction therewith selectively triggers. An opportunity for the player to reconfigure the game in exchange for value from the player may be selectively enabled during game play. When a received player interaction is indicative of the player accepting the provided opportunity, value from the player may be accepted and the game reconfigured by changing one or more of the in-game assets and/or changing what constitutes successful interactions therewith that triggers wagers. Conversely, when the received player interaction is indicative of the player foregoing the provided opportunity, the game is continued and wagers selectively triggered without reconfiguring the game.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of determining rewards due to a player playing a regulated gaming machine may comprise providing a game comprising a plurality of in-game assets, each of which being configured to give rise to a wagering opportunity when interacted with by the player, the game being further configured to have an overall minimum and an overall maximum return to player (RTP). Upon receiving player interactions, determining whether the received interaction resulted in a successful interaction or an unsuccessful interaction and generating a wagering event when the received player interaction resulted in a successful interaction. The game may be configured such that successful interactions with the in-game assets cause the game to have a return to player closer to the overall maximum RTP and such that unsuccessful interactions with the in-game assets cause the game to a have a return to player closer to the overall minimum RTP.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of operating a regulated gaming machine may comprise accepting funds, in the regulated gaming machine, from a player and correspondingly establishing player game credits. A game may be provided that comprises a plurality of in-game assets, each of which being configured to generate a wagering opportunity when interacted with by the player. One or more player interactions may be received, with at least one the plurality of in-game assets. For each generated wagering opportunity, it may be determined whether the received player interaction(s) resulted in a successful or an unsuccessful interaction with the in-game asset. For each successful interaction, a time elapsed until successful interaction and a wagering event may be generated. For one or more of the generated wagering events, the determined time elapsed until successful interaction may be used to select one of a plurality of payout schedules, each of which being associated with a different return to player (RTP) percentage.