Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for implementing an eligibility routine for group play involving one or more gaming devices. This routine includes making at least two distinct determinations regarding trigger conditions that need to be met before proceeding to a group play game event, such as a community bonus. A first determination is made to eliminate a number of triggering opportunities without interrupting game play of one or more primary base games being played on the gaming devices. A second determination is made when conditions relating to the first determination are satisfied. The second determination may include a visual component shown on the one or more gaming devices to generate anticipation for the group play game event.

Abstract: An amusement device has a display and an input device and includes a memory and a controller. The memory stores a plurality of games and a system control program. The controller is operatively coupled to the memory, the input device and the display. The controller controls the display based upon the system control program retrieved from the memory and based upon inputs from the input device. The controller is configured to grant a user a block of time for accessing the amusement device; permit the user to selectively retrieve from the memory and play a first game from the plurality of games during the block of time; and permit the user to selectively retrieve from the memory and play a second game from the plurality of games that is different than the first game during the block of time.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a casino table capable of adequately determining whether a dishonest act is committed on a card arranged on a casino table while reducing a maintenance cost, a personnel cost, etc., by using a normal card not containing the tag, etc. A game surface is imaged by an imaging device, the presence of the card placed on the game surface is detected from image data produced by an imaging signal issued from the imaging device, and trajectory data of the card placed on the game surface is produced.

Abstract: An example video game program download system and method apparatus for downloading a video game program to a target video game platform in which a processing system receives a download request from the target video game platform requesting downloading of a video game program that executes on a native video game platform different than the target video game platform. In response thereto, the requested video game program is sent along with a program for providing compatibility between the target and native video game platforms.

Abstract: Virtual items may be unlocked in a virtual space responsive to physical token detection. A common virtual item repository may be provided in the virtual space. Once unlocked, a given virtual item may be accessible to multiple characters in the virtual space via the virtual item repository. Customization of a virtual space may be facilitated. The customization may be based on the virtual items accessible via the virtual item repository.

Abstract: A gaming system and method for exchanging one or more triggered individual bonus games for one or more current plays of a community game or one or more future plays of a community game. If an individual bonus game is triggered in association with an individual gaming device, the gaming system enables the player to: (i) play the triggered individual bonus game, (ii) skip the individual bonus game and play or participate in a community or group game, or (iii) skip the individual bonus game and save an entry to play or participate in a future community or group game. In these embodiments, the gaming system determines one or more features or attributes of the available community game (which the player may play or defer play of) based, at least in part, on which of a plurality of different individual bonus games are triggered.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is conducted in a gaming system including a plurality of gaming terminals that participate in a community event. The method includes providing, by at least one of one or more processors, individual enhancements at one or more of the plurality of gaming terminals. Each of the individual enhancements has an initial value prior to the community event being triggered. If the initial value exceeds a predetermined value upon the community event being triggered, the initial value is modified to a modified value based on the initial value. The modified value is awarded upon the community event being triggered.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods of selecting and placing real-world wagers responsive to one or more wager triggers, obtaining outcomes of the real-world wagers, facilitating user interactions with various interactive media, and revealing the outcomes of the real-world wagers through the interactive media to give an appearance that the outcomes of the real-world wagers resulted from the user interactions even though the outcomes resulted from the real-world wagers and were determined before the user interactions. The system may a reveal a payout using different measures of value. For example, the system may reveal the payout as a cash reward (e.g., “defeat an enemy in a game and win two dollars”), an in-game reward (e.g., “defeat an enemy in a game and win a thermite bomb”), a multimedia reward (e.g., “defeat an enemy in a game and win two music downloads”), and/or other value.

Abstract: Participation in an online game through a plurality of different social network platforms may be facilitated. This may include enabling an individual user to log in to the online game, which may take place in a virtual space, through a plurality of different social network platforms, thereby extending the accessibility of the online game with respect to the individual user. The online game may be provided to users through different social network platforms such that a first user accessing the online game through a first social network platform may access a common instance of the online game (and/or the virtual space) with a second user accessing the online game through a second social network platform.

Abstract: Systems and methods that regulate a hybrid game to detect and/or defeat unauthorized use of the hybrid game. One embodiment includes a method of detecting unauthorized operation of a hybrid gaming system that includes a gambling game and an entertainment game. In addition, the method can include collecting first game operating performance data (GOPD) from the entertainment game while the hybrid game is being played by a first player, generating a reference profile using the first GOPD, collecting second GOPD from the entertainment game while the hybrid game is being played by a second player, comparing the second GOPD to the reference profile to determine whether the second player is operating the hybrid game in an unauthorized manner, and generating a notification to an operator upon determination that the second player is operating the hybrid game in an unauthorized manner.

Abstract: An example recording medium records an information processing program causing an information processing apparatus to operate as: a reading part reading a game program capable of being executed by any other information processing apparatus having a configuration different from that of the information processing apparatus; an emulation part emulating the read-out game program; a restriction part restricting the emulation of the game program by the emulation part; and a link information presentation part presenting link information used for accepting a purchase request for the game program, in a manner of being in correspondence to the game to be emulated.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for permitting a player to play a game at a gaming device. The gaming device provides a payout for the game. The payout is redeemable for one of a plurality of values, and at least two of the plurality of values are different from each other. The values typically have different corresponding forms of payout, such as cash or merchandise credits.

Abstract: Electronic fund transfer (EFT) systems and methods are disclosed for managing and transferring electronic funds from a patron's financial account to provide gaming or amusement credit in physical or electronic form. The systems comprise an electronic fund transfer (EFT) device, a secure payment gateway configured to connect to the patron's financial accounts via a financial network, a host system, and a funds management portal connected to the host system and to the secure payment gateway. The EFT device is configured to communicate with the patron's financial account via a secure connection to the secure payment gateway and to transmit instructions for transferring electronic funds from the patron's financial account to a credit system via the secure payment gateway and the funds management portal.

Abstract: A method comprises receiving an indication of a triggering event at a gaming device, determining a gaming content associated with the gaming device, identifying a public display on which is displayed non-gaming media content, and outputting the gaming content on the public display wherein the gaming content supersedes at least a portion of the non-gaming media content.

Abstract: A method comprises receiving an indication of a triggering event at a gaming device, determining a gaming content associated with the gaming device, identifying a public display on which is displayed non-gaming media content, and outputting the gaming content on the public display wherein the gaming content supersedes at least a portion of the non-gaming media content.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is conducted in a gaming system including a plurality of gaming terminals that participate in a community event. The method includes associating, by at least one of one or more processors, sets of one or more individual preferences with respective players at the respective gaming terminals. The method further include determining by at least one of the one or more processors, based on the sets of individual preferences, a set of one or more community preferences that govern the community event.

Abstract: Methods and devices are described that allow a casino to dynamically service patrons. The dynamic systems and methods collect data related to the behavior of multiple people in a gaming establishment, and collect data for entertainment resources in the gaming establishment, such as gaming devices and services. The data may be flexibly used. In one embodiment, a person is at least partially identified in the casino. The gaming establishment uses a model that selects tailor offerings for a person, such as advertisements for services that the person may enjoy or games on gaming machines that the person may enjoy. The model selects a tailored offering for the person based on the at least partial identification and the data previously obtained for multiple people and entertainment resources. The identification, selection and offering may be performed in real time.

Abstract: Electronic fund transfer (EFT) systems and methods are disclosed for managing and transferring electronic funds from a patron's financial account to provide gaming or amusement credit in physical or electronic form. The systems comprise an electronic fund transfer (EFT) device, a secure payment gateway configured to connect to the patron's financial accounts via a financial network, a host system, and a funds management portal connected to the host system and to the secure payment gateway. The EFT device is configured to communicate with the patron's financial account via a secure connection to the secure payment gateway and to transmit instructions for transferring electronic funds from the patron's financial account to a credit system via the secure payment gateway and the funds management portal.

Abstract: One object is to provide a video game system that can technically restrain real money trade. In accordance with one aspect, a server device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a determination unit 58 configured to determine whether an exchange of exhibited game contents and bid game contents is concluded based on a game content parameter value characterizing the exhibited game contents and the game content parameter value characterizing the bid game contents; and an updating unit 61 configured to update an owned game content storage unit 52 such that, only when the determination unit 58 determines that the exchange is concluded, the exhibited game contents are stored in association with player identification information of a bidder player and the bid game contents are stored in association with player identification information of an exhibitor player.

Abstract: A method is disclosed in a gaming and media system for quickly and efficiently showing all friends gaming at a given time, what they are playing, and for providing the ability to download and/or join their friend's game. Information relating to which friends are gaming online, what games they are playing and whether their games are joinable are consolidated onto a single GUI. That same GUI, referred to as a Friends Playing Now GUI, also provides the user with the ability to join games which are indicated to be joinable.

Abstract: Electronic fund transfer (EFT) systems and methods are disclosed for managing and transferring electronic funds from a patron's financial account to provide gaming or amusement credit in physical or electronic form. The systems comprise an electronic fund transfer (EFT) device, a secure payment gateway configured to connect to the patron's financial accounts via a financial network, a host system, and a funds management portal connected to the host system and to the secure payment gateway. The EFT device is configured to communicate with the patron's financial account via a secure connection to the secure payment gateway and to transmit instructions for transferring electronic funds from the patron's financial account to a credit system via the secure payment gateway and the funds management portal.

Abstract: Devices including gaming consoles, personal computers, tablets, smartphones, and the like may be configured with a client for capturing signals which are representative of user interactions with applications such as games. The captured signals are sent to a cloud-based service for archival storage. The service can subsequently replay the archived captured signals and compare them against known rules to determine if an achievement obtained by a user during interaction with the application was legitimately obtained in compliance with the rules or obtained improperly, for example by cheating or exploiting a bug in the application to falsely trigger the achievement. If the achievement is invalid, then the service can retroactively revoke the achievement. Alternatively, the service can replay the captured signals and detect instances in which an achievement was validly achieved but not properly acknowledged. The achievement can then be awarded or unlocked for the user retroactively.

Abstract: For facilitating re-experience of an event of a gaming device with a player, upon verification, access is granted to the player to a data processing device. The data processing device is in communication with, yet external to, the gaming device, and the data processing device has been provided a sampling of data from the gaming device through a gaming system, the sampling of data associated with the event to be re-experienced by the player. Responsive to an input received from at least one of the player and an operator, at least one of construction, presentation, and delivery of a facsimile animation re-creation of the event is customized.

Abstract: A game control device includes an associator configured to associate a game-playing user with one or more users; an executor configured to execute a game for the game-playing user; an acquirer configured to acquire execution-related information indicating execution status in the game with regard to the one or more users, based on information of an operational input by the game-playing user; and a provider configured to provide the game-playing user with a benefit in the game, based on the execution-related information acquired by the acquirer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for embedding and tracking revenue from fully operational games into third party websites are disclosed.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include communicably connecting a mobile device to a wagering game server on a wagering game network. The operations can further include associating, by the wagering game server, the mobile device with a selected wagering game machine among a plurality of wagering game machine. The operations can further include providing content to present on the mobile device, the content including a play initiation button of a wagering game played via the selected wagering game machine. The operations can further include in response to the play initiation button being actuated, receiving, at the wagering game server, a command from the mobile device to initiate play of the wagering game. The operations can further include in response to the command, presenting a result of the wagering game on the selected wagering game machine.

Abstract: For facilitating re-experience of an event of a gaming device with a player, at least one of an available plurality of data sampled by the gaming device by a gaming system having supervisory hierarchical control over the gaming device, is monitored. The data is compared against a predetermined threshold to determine whether the predetermined threshold is exceeded. If the threshold is exceeded, at least a portion of the sampled data is provided to a data processing device to be processed in re-creating the event at a subsequent time.

Abstract: Gapless looping playback of an audio sound seamlessly without any silence between loops. An uncompressed digital audio file is divided and encoded using an MP3 encoder to produce two encoded files, A and B. The MP3 encoder adds a padding delay at the beginning and end of each file. Two timers are defined: T1=A?(a+b) and T2=B?(d+c), where a is the padding delay at the end of A, b is the delay at the beginning of B, c is the delay at the beginning of A, and d is the delay at the end of B. Simultaneously, a decoder starts to decode A on Track 1 and T1 is started. Immediately after T1 expires, a decoder starts to decode B on Track 2 and T2 is started. Thanks to the timers, the respective end and beginning of the sound portions of A and B temporally align so that no silence is heard.

Abstract: One or more instances of a bonus game (e.g., Class II games such as Bingo games) may be provided to players of another wagering game (e.g., a Class III game such as a slot game, a poker game, etc.). Some implementations of the invention allow players to exchange indicia of credit (e.g., money, game credits, or player loyalty points) for bonus opportunities. For example, players may be able to purchase one or more Bingo cards for Bingo bonus games. Some implementations award bonus opportunities to players based on wager levels, game results, a player's level in a player loyalty program and/or other criteria.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a gaming machine including an elimination game. The elimination game may be played on a stand-alone gaming machine or on a group of linked gaming machines. The elimination game is played by plurality of entities, each comprising one or more virtual players or real players. During the elimination game, the entities play one or more games that are provided as part of the elimination game. For example, video slot or poker games may be used for the game play in the elimination game. One or more elimination tests are applied to the entities using results from the game play. When conditions used in the elimination tests are met for one of the entities, that entity is removed from the elimination game before reaching the finish of the elimination game. The last remaining entity that avoids elimination and reaches the finish of the elimination receives an award.

Abstract: A local engagement system is described herein that leverages devices people commonly carry with them to dynamically engage them based on their locations and/or activities. One goal of the above referenced system is to leverage the power of the various devices present while providing the audience with a chance to better engage and participate with each other. A side benefit is additional opportunities to market products and services in new and exciting ways. The system includes a presentation component at the event or venue that links to existing systems, a web interface, and optional individual client applications for the devices. Thus, the local engagement system provides a highly engaging experience to people that might otherwise be idle and provides an enhanced opportunity for advertisers or educators to reach the people and give them something entertaining to do.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide systems and methods for multi-tiered gaming data download. The system includes a gaming device for local play of a game. The gaming device includes a communication interface receiving and transmitting data to download a game for play at the gaming device. The system also includes a plurality of download servers communicating with the gaming device to provide game data for download to and play at the gaming device. The system further includes a middle tier server acting as a hub to communicate with the plurality of download servers to provide game data from one or more of the plurality of download servers. The middle tier server allocates download server resources and schedules a download of game data from one or more download servers to the gaming device based on resource constraints at the plurality of download servers and availability for download at the gaming device.

Abstract: A method and system is provided to tie role-driven gaming purchases to executable transactions during a game so that on-line or related gaming systems create economic value inside the game itself. Players may control characters within a game which uses money to exchange goods or services to reach a goal, accomplish a task, or succeed in an event. The invention also provides for a participant to enter a game as a service provider to other players wherein the player receives compensation for the service. The service may be to provide aid in the form of a character or to provide educational services, for example. Accounts may be created to accumulate winnings or earnings as games are played.

Abstract: The invention features methods, systems and computer program product for the provision of entertainment content and storytelling of a customized story based on trigger points in a GPS system. The trigger points can be pre-determined or conditional. The invention provides an interactive entertainment method that features an ongoing story that will be told based on the trigger points. Stories are tailored and customized to incorporate points of interest along a travel route.

Abstract: A computer-based method and a system for awarding points to players of a casino game by keeping track of plays made by the players. The system includes a processor connected to a play sensor, an identification sensor and a memory. The identification sensor detects a first player-identifying device associated with a first player. The memory stores a point count for each player. The play sensor detects each play made by the first player, and upon detection of the play, the processor increments a point count for the first player. The point count increment may be based on the predetermined value of each play of the casino game. The processor can further store the date and time of each play of the first player in the memory in order to keep track of times of each play made by the players.

Abstract: A information processing apparatus includes: a game processing unit; a determining unit that determines whether a predetermined condition is satisfied in game processing; a permitting unit that permits the use of a predetermined raw content when the condition is satisfied; a user content generating unit that generates user content for communication between users according to a process including reflecting the raw content permitted for use on the user content and also including processing a portion of the user content on which the raw content is reflected; and a user content transmitting unit that transmits the user content to another device.

Abstract: A method, a system and a computer readable recording medium for registering a friend in a game. The method of registering a friend in a game, performed by a game service platform server includes: registering at least a member as a game friend among members who have joined the game managed by the game service platform server, based on friend registration request information received from a user terminal; providing the user terminal with information on the game currently accessed by the member registered as a friend; and providing the user terminal with information needed to execute the game, in response to a receipt of game selection information indicating that the game friend has selected the currently accessed game from the user terminal.

Abstract: A system for interfacing with a third-party application is described. The system includes a third-party device, a server-based system configured to communicate with the third-party device, and a gaming device configured to communicate with the server-based system to display content of the product or service. The gaming device is configured to generate an outcome of a wager-based game independent of the content that is displayed.

Abstract: An approach to facilitate providing personalized leaderboards based upon user parameters, game parameters or a combination thereof. The personalized leaderboard determined by identifying a group of users (i) to which the first user belongs, and (ii) among which performance in the online game by the first user as characterized by the first set of game parameter values is relatively high. Providing leaderboards where the user features relatively high incentivizes the user to continue playing the game to continue progressing toward the top of the leaderboard, improving player retention.

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.

Abstract: A wagering game, gaming machine, gaming system and method are disclosed wherein a player-interactive bonus feature is triggered and displayed simultaneously with a wagering game presentation and a bonus award is paid responsive to a player selecting a displayed bonus target, such as a balloon. The bonus award is paid in addition to any award payable based on the wagering game outcome.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allowing remote players to participate in live games offered by a central gaming server.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods for managing the contents of NVRAM in a wagering game machine. A method copies a first data of an NVRAM module to a storage device, wherein the NVRAM module is associated with a wagering game machine and then copies a second data to the NVRAM module.

Abstract: A gaming system used in a wager-based electronic gaming machine is described. The gaming system is configured to provide picture in a picture capabilities on the electronic gaming machine. In one embodiment, the gaming system can include a first gaming device and a second gaming device where the first gaming device controls the second gaming device. The first gaming device can be configured to receive data and/or communicate with an electronic gaming machine controller, a value input device and value output device. The second gaming device can be configured to receive touchscreen data from a touchscreen display and first video data from the first gaming device and second video data from the EGM controller. Under control of the first gaming device, the first video data and second video data can be output in various sizes and locations on the touchscreen display.

Abstract: A system and method for actively validating a network device is provided. Nodes in a network game community are prompted to engage in interrogation and response to facilitate the identification of nodes operating with hacked, modified and non-typical game configurations. In one embodiment, a query is presented to a user's machine which triggers a response, and where the response indicates whether certain data at the user is valid and wherein invalid data is suggestive of illegal community behavior. Functions are triggered and data is queried to determine whether the state of game environment is operating according to known metrics or constraints.

Abstract: This description describes wagering game systems that process metadata. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a wagering game presentation unit configured to present wagering games and create extended metadata and wager gaming content. The apparatus can also include operating system modules configured to store the wager gaming content as a file in a file system and to store the extended metadata at locations associated with the file.

Abstract: In various embodiments, methods and systems for game development based on an integrated game development cloud computing platform are provided. Development components that facilitate game development using an integrated game-cloud component are initiated. An input is received to perform a game development task. The game development task is associated with one or more games. The game development task is executed using the integrated game-cloud component. The integrated game-cloud component comprises a game-development-platform development component and a cloud-computing-platform development component combined into an integrated development component supported on the integrated game development cloud computing platform. The game development task can be associated with a first game-platform and a second game-platform of a selected game. The game-platform functions with a cross-platform support component having an integrated core module and an integrated game-platform module.

Abstract: Techniques are described for facilitating performance of tasks by users in a computer game environment. In some situations, the techniques include automated operations of a system that receives multiple tasks from a task fulfillment system, provides the multiple tasks to multiple users as part of playing an electronic game, receives results of performance of the tasks by the users as part of the game playing, sends the task performance results to the task fulfillment system, receives and retains monetary compensation for the performance of the tasks, and provides non-monetary virtual rewards to the multiple users for the performance of the provided multiple tasks. The non-monetary virtual rewards may be rewards that are part of the electronic game and are usable by the multiple users as part of the playing of the electronic game.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention allow players to instantly access and begin playing games through an online service. To make the games instantly available, an online service keeps instances of games running in active memory waiting for a player to be added. The game instances running in active memory are not attached to a player profile or an I/O channel from a game client. Once the player requests a game, the player's player profile is loaded into the running game instance and an I/O channel is mapped from the game client to the game instance. From the player's perspective, the preloaded game instances allow the player to browse directly from game to game with very little delay. To optimize the usage of server-side resources, historical usage data may be analyzed to anticipate demand for different games.

Abstract: Some examples described include a system to perform operations that include detecting a request to present a wagering game via a browser application and providing wagering game content for the wagering game, wherein a wagering game toolbar of the browser application is configured to present the wagering game content. In some examples, the operations further include providing a wagering game result for the wagering game, wherein the wagering game toolbar is configured to present the wagering game result.