Abstract: Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of configuring gaming devices, and computer programs for configuring gaming devices are featured. A gaming machine is disclosed for communicatively coupling to peer gaming machines via a peer-to-peer network. The gaming machine includes a display device(s), a processor(s), and a memory device(s) storing instructions that cause the gaming machine to: store a first set of data indicative of the gaming machine's configuration parameters and a second set of data indicative of the gaming machine's performance; receive from one or more peer gaming machines a third set of data indicative of the peer gaming machine's(s') configuration parameters and a fourth set of data indicative of the peer gaming machine's(s') performance; analyze the third and fourth data sets to determine modifications to the gaming machine's configuration parameters to improve machine performance; and, automatically modify at least one configuration parameter of the gaming machine based upon the analysis.

Abstract: Systems and methods are used to manage the contents of NVRAM in a wagering game machine. NVRAM may be pre-allocated for various purposes prior to loading a first wagering game on a the wagering game machine. A second wagering may be loaded on the wagering game machine. The second wagering game reuses the pre-allocated NVRAM portions for the same purposes as the first wagering game.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include receiving application data provided from multiple applications on a wagering game machine. The application data can indicate needs by the multiple applications to present content on the wagering game machine. The operations can also include prioritizing the presentation of the content based on control rules that govern interoperability between the multiple applications. The operations can also include determining access rights, subscription levels, or other limitations on the multiple applications to present the content and access to each other's application data. The operations can further include presenting controls so that player accounts can modify the manner or priority of presenting the content.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for authenticating content in wagering game machines are described herein. In one embodiment, the computer-implemented method includes authenticating a first set of wagering game files stored on a storage device of a wagering game machine. The method can also include starting a wagering game on the wagering game machine if the authentication of the first set of wagering game files is successful. The method can also include authenticating, during the wagering game, a second set of wagering game files stored on the storage device of the wagering game machine, wherein the first set of wagering game files and the second set of wagering game files are mutually exclusive. The method can also include stopping the wagering game if the authentication of the second set of wagering game files is not successful.

Abstract: Described herein are processes and devices that perform operations that, in some embodiments, include receiving a request for concurrent presentation of a first wagering game and a second wagering game via a display device of a wagering game machine. The first wagering game includes first content that originates from a first content source, and the second wagering game includes second content that originates from a second content source. The operations further include accessing funds associated with the first wagering game. The operations further include funding one or more wagers for the second wagering game using at least a portion of the accessed funds associated with the first wagering game.

Abstract: Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of configuring gaming devices, and computer programs for configuring gaming devices are featured. A gaming system for playing a wagering game is disclosed which includes a processor(s), an input device(s), a gaming device(s), and a memory device(s) storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the processors, cause the gaming system to: receive, via at least one of the input devices, a desired value for a player-performance variable and/or a game-configuration variable for at least one of the gaming devices; based on the desired value, output a recommended value for a configuration parameter for the gaming device(s); and, responsive to a confirmation input received via at least one of the input devices, configure the gaming device(s) in accordance with at least the recommended value for the first configuration parameter.

Abstract: Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of configuring gaming devices, and computer programs for configuring gaming devices are featured. A gaming machine is disclosed for communicatively coupling to peer gaming machines via a peer-to-peer network. The gaming machine includes a display device(s), a processor(s), and a memory device(s) storing instructions that cause the gaming machine to: store a first set of data indicative of the gaming machine's configuration parameters and a second set of data indicative of the gaming machine's performance; receive from one or more peer gaming machines a third set of data indicative of the peer gaming machine's(s') configuration parameters and a fourth set of data indicative of the peer gaming machine's(s') performance; analyze the third and fourth data sets to determine modifications to the gaming machine's configuration parameters to improve machine performance; and, automatically modify at least one configuration parameter of the gaming machine based upon the analysis.

Abstract: A system, method, and medium are provided for resource validation. A resource to be loaded within a machine is associated with a digital certificate. The digital certificate's validation is at least partially dependent on an access key included within a BIOS of the machine. When the digital certificate is successfully validated, the resource is permissibly loaded within the machine for subsequent execution.

Abstract: Potential player proximity to a gaming machine is sensed, and used to customize the gaming machine. The potential player position may be sensed in different manners including via an ID card carried by the potential player with triangulation sensors, a cell phone, or via biometrics. The identity of the player is also associated with the ID card, and is used to access a database containing information about the potential player or type of player. Based on that stored information, the proximate gaming machine may be customized with a game or various attract modes that are more likely to attract the potential player. In further embodiments, information known to be desired by the potential player, such as sporting results may also be displayed to attract the potential player. In still further embodiments, various profiling techniques may be utilized to identify desired customizations of proximately located gaming machines.

Abstract: A method includes establishing a Near Field Communication (NFC) between a wagering game machine and a mobile device, without a manual configuration and a manual intervention. The method includes receiving, into the wagering game machine, player identification data from the mobile device through the Near Field Communication. The method includes authenticating the player identification data, wherein the authenticating is at least part of a player login into a wagering game account.

Abstract: A gaming machine for playing an episodic wagering game includes a game display and a controller. The game display is operable to display a randomly selected outcome of an episodic wagering game in response to receiving a wager from a player. The display further displays creative material content in one or more episodes of the episodic wagering game. The controller is in communication with the game display and is programmable to provide an award based on the randomly selected outcome and, in response to collecting a predetermined number of game items in one or more of the game episodes, cause the display of new creative material content of the wagering game without affecting the expected value of the episodic wagering game.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and machine-readable media including instructions for publishing gaming content are described herein. In one embodiment, a machine-readable medium includes instructions for detecting new gaming content and creating a gaming content publication indicating that the new gaming content is available. The machine-readable medium also includes instructions for transmitting the gaming system publication to a gaming network component.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include monitoring, at a wagering game machine, base wagering game activity associated with one or more base wagering games that are presented during a wagering game session. The operations can also include generating and transmitting one or more activity notification messages comprising at least an indication of the base wagering game activity to a player tracking server to cause the player tracking server to reward the base wagering game activity. The operations can further include generating and transmitting login and logout notification messages to a secondary game server to cause the secondary game server to determine secondary wagering game activity associated with one or more secondary wagering games presented during the wagering game session. The secondary wagering game activity can be used by the player tracking server to reward the secondary wagering game activity.

Abstract: Systems and methods use a reliable connection oriented protocol to send and receive messages (i.e. datagrams) between gaming applications and gaming services. In one aspect, the protocol is the SCTP protocol.

Abstract: Systems and methods manage memory in a wagering game machine. The systems and methods determine one or more quantities of various types of memory that are required by a wagering game application. The systems and methods determine if the wagering game machine has enough available memory to perform a requested operation such as downloading the wagering game, activating a component of the wagering game, or installing content for the wagering game.

Abstract: According to one example embodiment disclosed herein, a connection is established between a network and a plurality of gaming units located in a gaming establishment, wherein each gaming unit includes at least one wagering input unit; wherein the network includes one or more network resources and is connected to at least some of the plurality of gaming units; and a gaming information traffic is transmitted on the network.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining content from content sources that are accessible to a wagering game machine and determining presentation requirements for the content. The operations can further include determining a presentation template that the wagering game machine can use to present the content according the presentation requirements. The presentation template can have pre-configured presentation areas, one of which can be configured to present the content according to pre-defined configuration settings. The operations can further include determining that one pre-configured presentation area of the presentation template content can present the content in accordance with the presentation requirements, and presenting the content in pre-configured presentation area of the presentation template.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include receiving application data provided from multiple applications on a wagering game machine. The application data can indicate needs by the multiple applications to present content on the wagering game machine. The operations can also include prioritizing the presentation of the content based on control rules that govern interoperability between the multiple applications. The operations can also include determining access rights, subscription levels, or other limitations on the applications to present the content and access to each other's application data. The operations can further include presenting controls so that player accounts can modify the manner or priority of presenting the content.

Abstract: A gaming machine for playing an episodic wagering game includes a game display and a controller. The game display is operable to display a randomly selected outcome of an episodic wagering game in response to receiving a wager from a player. The display further displays creative material content in one or more episodes of the episodic wagering game. The controller is in communication with the game display and is programmable to provide an award based on the randomly selected outcome and, in response to collecting a predetermined number of game items in one or more of the game episodes, cause the display of new creative material content of the wagering game without affecting the expected value of the episodic wagering game.

Abstract: Described herein are processes and devices that control wagering transactions for multi-provider game content. One of the devices described is a wagering game system. The wagering game system can process a plurality of wagering games from multiple wagering game providers on a single wagering game machine during a single wagering game session. The system can communicate wagering transaction information for the plurality of wagering games between the wagering game machine and an account server. The wagering game system can synchronize a session funds balance on the wagering game machine with an account balance on the account server. The system can utilize different modes of synchronizing the account information for the multiple wagering games.