Abstract: A game apparatus includes a CPU, and displays on a monitor a scene viewed from a virtual camera moving in a virtual game space. In the game apparatus, an aspect ratio of an image to be displayed on the monitor is acquired, and a moving speed of the virtual camera is set based on the aspect ratio. For example, a visual field of the virtual camera is set based on the aspect ratio, and as the image is laterally longer with respect to a longitudinal thereof, the visual field in a crosswise direction is made wider, and therefore a crosswise moving speed of the virtual camera is made smaller.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computing device comprising a game for testing the spatial reasoning of a player. The game includes a virtual multi-surfaced object having at least a first surface and a second surface, with first indicia associated with the first surface and second indicia associated with the second surface. A facing surface and a goal surface are displayed on a user interface, which also includes mechanisms for changing the orientation of the virtual object by rotating the object in steps. In response to input from the game player, the virtual object is rotated. Each time the virtual object is rotated, the facing surface displayed is changed so that it correlates to the changed orientation of the virtual object. The game continues until the game player causes the facing surface to match the goal surface by entering a series of rotational moves.

Abstract: An information processing section of a game apparatus executes a program for implementing a step S100 of acquiring a camera image; a step S200 of detecting a marker; a step S400 of calculating a position and an orientation of a virtual camera; a step S600 of generating an animation in which layed-flat surfaces of a hexahedron appear, and the hexahedron is folded so as to confine virtual objects representing targets therein when a stage is cleared; a step S800 of generating an animation in which the folded hexahedron is unfolded so as to position different virtual objects thereon; a step S900 of mapping the photographed image on objects; a step S1000 of taking an image of the objects by means of the virtual camera; and a step S1100, S1200 of displaying the camera image and an object image which is superimposed on the camera image.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a broadcaster mode within a gaming environment is provided. The method includes receiving, via a networked gaming system, a request from a broadcaster for a display enhancement within the gaming environment. The broadcaster is a non-participant in a game occurring within the gaming environment. The method also includes providing, within the gaming environment, the display enhancement. A system is provided for facilitating broadcasting in a gaming environment. The system includes a server, coupled to a computing system, executing a video game program that provides the gaming environment. The video game program includes a broadcaster module that provides a broadcaster access to view the gaming environment. The video game program also includes an interactivity module that provides the broadcaster with one or more options for displaying information about the gaming environment. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having embodied thereon a program is provided.

Abstract: An action figure is provided with a serial number that provides an access code which allows owners to engage in enjoyable games or other activities via the Internet or other gaming systems. The interactive action figure system comprises a toy, statue, or other three-dimensional figurine with a serial number, and preferably a computer network accessible over the internet and a particular gaming framework managed by a network device. Owners of action figure toys may “log onto” the network using the action figure serial number as an access code to activate a particular computer character identity and participate in games such as hand-to-hand combat games, action-adventure series, or learning games. The action figure may be, for example, a warrior, sports figure, doll or teddy bear to appeal to a wide range of users. Once a particular character is activated, game play proceeds according to preset rules.

Abstract: The invention provides displaying, in a lane, a section of repeatable inputs in a sub-lane of the lane. Cue data is loaded from a data file, which includes duration data and a plurality of cues to be displayed in the sub-lane. Then, the plurality of cues and a section indicator are displayed in the sub-lane, with the section indicator based on the duration data and indicating that the plurality of cues are repeatable inputs. Then, a timer is started that is independent of a timing window of any cue of the plurality of cues. Then, it is determined if an input is received for the sub-lane before the timer reaches a timing threshold. If it is, the timer is restarted and the plurality of cues is maintained as repeatable inputs. If it is not, the section indicator is modified to indicate that the plurality of cues are not repeatable inputs.

Abstract: In a game program for a multi-player game, when a player character receives damage and the strength level reaches a certain level, the player character goes into an extension state before death, in which the character is weakened but is able to recover. If a friendly player character performs a recovery action within a certain time from the weakened state having been reached, the player character in the weakened state recovers to a normal state. On the other hand, if the player character in the weakened state is attacked by an enemy character, or if the certain time has elapsed, the player character in the weakened state is caused to die and the game is ended.

Abstract: A gaming system for playing a wagering game includes an input device for receiving a wager to play a wagering game, a display, and a controller. The controller is configured to display a three-dimensional view of at least a portion of a gaming environment and one or more movable visual elements disposed within the gaming environment. The controller is further configured to dynamically retain within the field of view a center point of a selected set of the movable visual elements.

Abstract: A gaming system and method allowing use of three dimensional objects in a wagering game. The three dimensional object includes multiple sides which are viewable by a player. Each of the multiple sides includes a symbol. An active payline contains one of the symbols. The symbols contained by the active payline are used to represent a randomly-determined result from the wagering game.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus specifies a region for displaying an advertisement from an image of a virtual space. The inspection apparatus comprises: an image mapping unit that maps an image, which uses a color that is not used in the virtual space and where the display status of the advertisement varies in accordance with a viewpoint of a user, on a region where the advertisement is to be displayed in the virtual space; an inspection image acquiring unit that acquires a virtual space that is actually displayed on a screen on a frame-by-frame basis; and an advertisement region extracting unit operative to extract, by color-filtering the acquired image of the virtual space, a region that is rendered with a color that is not used in the virtual space, as a region for displaying the advertisement perceived by a user.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes a memory, a first display device configured to display a first game, a second display device configured to display a second game, and a processor coupled to the memory, to the first display device, and to the second display device. The second display device includes a plurality of segments, wherein at least one of the segments is an electronic display device. The processor is configured to enable play of the first game in response to a wager made by the player, enable play of the second game upon detection of a triggering event during play of the first game, and during play of the first game and the second game, update the electronic display device to reflect a current award value.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include managing multiple instances of gaming applications associated with a wagering game client device and determining event data from the multiple instances of gaming applications. The operations can further include aggregating the event data into an event repository and determining that a requesting application requests some portion of the event data. The operations can further include opening a communication channel between the event data repository and the requesting application, formatting the requested portion of the event data in a format understandable to the requesting application, and communicating the requested portion of the event data to the requesting application via the communication channel.

Abstract: Video server systems and methods for providing video streams to a plurality of remote clients are described. In one implementation, the video streams are based on game states received from a remote game server. The game states are dependent on game commands received by the video server system from the remote clients and forwarded to the remote game server. The video server system is configured to appear, from the point of view of the game server, as more than one client. For example, the video server system may receive game states from the remote game server at more than one different Internet Protocol address and each of these Internet Protocol addresses may be associated with a different game session.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interactive TV camera based games in which position or orientation of points on a player or of an object held by a player are determined and used to control a video display. Both single camera and stereo camera pair based embodiments are disclosed, preferably using stereo photogrammetry where multi-degree of freedom information is desired. Large video displays, preferably life-size may be used where utmost realism of the game experience is desired.

Abstract: A companion gaming experience is associated with a particular game title, but a user interface for the companion gaming experience is generated by a separate program from the associated game title and is presented on a device separate from the device on which the game user interface itself is presented. When an associated game of the video game title is not running, the companion gaming experience presents guide information and/or statistics data for the game title. However, when an associated game of the game title is running, the companion gaming experience presents gameplay data for the game in near-real-time.

Abstract: When a game apparatus detects a double-touch in an area other than an area where an enemy character is displayed, the game apparatus causes a player character to perform a forward roll motion. On the other hand, when the game apparatus detects a touch operation onto the enemy character, a prohibition area is provided at a position of the enemy character. When the game apparatus detects a touch onto the prohibition area, even if the touch operation is the double-touch, the game apparatus prohibits the player character from performing the forward roll motion and causes the player character to attack the enemy character.

Abstract: When a method of operating a player character 40 is displayed on a first LCD 11, a movement of an enemy character 41 displayed on a second LCD 12 temporarily stops and the player character 40 moves from a display screen of the second LCD 12 to a display screen of the first LCD 11. Thus, a player's sight line is guided from the display screen of the second LCD 12 to the display screen of the first LCD 11 along with the movement of the player character 40, thereby allowing the player to confirm; with no oversight, that explanatory information regarding the method of operating the player character 40 is displayed.

Abstract: A gaming device including at least a first reel in a first reel set linked to at least a first reel in a second reel set and at least a second reel in the first reel set not linked to any reel in any second reel set. In a play of the game, symbols are independently generated for each reel set. After an award evaluation, the gaming device removes zero, one, or more symbols from the reels in the reel sets. If any empty symbol positions are formed on the first reel in the second reel set, the gaming device transfers one or more symbols from the first reel of the first reel set to the linked first reel of the second reel set to occupy the empty symbol positions. The gaming device generates symbols to fill the empty symbol positions and provides any awards for any winning symbol combinations.

Abstract: A character object CH1 is first projected onto a screen plane, and a masked area is rendered as a circular area that is centered about the position of the character object CH1 projected onto the screen plane. The obtained image data is stored in a main memory as mask data, and is used when rendering each object in a virtual game space. A transparency flag is set in advance for each of field objects OB1 to OB3. The field object OB1 whose transparency flag is “1” is rendered by using the mask data, whereas the character object CH1 and the field objects OB2 and OB3 whose transparency flag is “0” are rendered normally. Thus, it is possible to provide a video game device capable of displaying a particular object such as the player character so that it can always be seen, with minimum detraction from the atmosphere of the game field.

Abstract: If a random number is larger than a selection coefficient SF, a room unit RU is given a high priority for disposition in a map area. If the random number is not larger than the selection coefficient, no room unit is disposed on the map area. Also, if a selected open door is a door set in a room unit, the selection coefficient is multiplied by a multiplication factor, and then the multiplication result and the random number are compared. As the multiplication factor is larger, a passage unit is given a higher priority for disposition on the map area. By adjusting the selection coefficient and the multiplication factor, it is possible to generate a map in consideration of a ratio of units of two types to be disposed on the map area and an affinity between these units for connection.

Abstract: An example game device automatically receives character data from another game device positioned nearby through wireless communication, and generates an other-player character based on the character data. Further, a game is executed with the other-player character which is automatically controlled and a player character. Acquisition information is generated which enables the other game device to acquire points according to a result of the game. After the acquisition information is generated, the wireless communication is automatically conducted with the other game device to transmit the acquisition information to the other portable game device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method enables participation by a plurality of clients in a first multi-dimensional virtual environment and a second multi-dimensional virtual environment. A first client sets an object in the multi-dimensional virtual environment system to function as a portal to a second multi-dimensional virtual environment. The portal can be used by the first client and/or the second client to enter the second multi-dimensional virtual environment. A server system receives from the first client data indicating that a first object in the first multi-dimensional virtual environment has been set to function as a portal to the second multi-dimensional virtual environment, and receives from a second client participating in the first multi-dimensional virtual environment data indicating that the second client has invoked the first object. The server system transmits to the second client data representing objects in the second multi-dimensional virtual environment.

Abstract: A version file retrieving unit of a game device retrieves via a network a version file including version information identifying an OS recommended for the execution of game software running. An OS version comparing unit compares first version information on the OS running with second version information identifying the OS recommended for the execution of the game software running. When the second version indicates a version newer than that of the first version information, the OS retrieving unit downloads the latest OS and stores it in the hard disk drive.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a CPU, and viewpoint location data each of which is correlated with each plurality of operating objects different in size, which are stored in a main memory, for example. When the operating object appearing in a virtual three-dimensional space is selected based on an operation by a player, the viewpoint location data corresponding to the operating object is read, and a viewpoint location is set. The viewpoint location data is set in such a manner as to display the operating object approximately the same in size even if any operating object different in size is selected, for example. Then, based on this viewpoint location, a three-dimensional image including the operating object is displayed.

Abstract: A multi-instance, multi-user animation platform includes a plurality of modeled parallel dimensions in a computer memory. Each of the parallel dimensions may be an independent model of a physical, three-dimensional space having corresponding features such that the parallel dimensions are recognizable as counterparts to each other. Avatars are located within corresponding ones of the parallel dimensions so as to prevent over-population of any one of the parallel dimensions by avatars. Avatars are animated within different ones of the parallel dimensions using input from respective users to provide virtual-reality data. The virtual-reality data may be configured to cause remote clients to output an animated display of a corresponding one of the parallel dimensions and avatars therein.

Abstract: An action figure is provided with a serial number that provides an access code which allows owners to engage in enjoyable games or other activities via the Internet or other gaming systems. The interactive action figure system comprises a toy, statue, or other three-dimensional figurine with a serial number, and preferably a computer network accessible over the internet and a particular gaming framework managed by a network device. Owners of action figure toys may “log onto” the network using the action figure serial number as an access code to activate a particular computer character identity and participate in games such as hand-to-hand combat games, action-adventure series, or learning games. The action figure may be, for example, a warrior, sports figure, doll or teddy bear to appeal to a wide range of users. Once a particular character is activated, game play proceeds according to preset rules.

Abstract: A gaming machine display (14) includes a game playing arrangement (16) mountable in a cabinet (62) of a gaming machine (10). An electronically controlled display element (50) overlies the game playing arrangement (16) so that, depending on a state of the display element (50), the game playing arrangement (16) is visible through the display element (50).

Abstract: This document describes techniques for processing graphics in wagering game systems. Some embodiments of the inventive subject matter use stereoscopic 3-D graphics and 2-D graphics to present composite images including multiple views of a virtual 3-D wagering game environment. Such embodiments present the composite images on stereoscopic 3-D devices.

Abstract: A method of incorporating an augmented reality video image into a virtual environment comprises detecting a state of a real-world control object captured in a video image and augmenting the video image responsive to the state of the control object. The method further includes calculating trajectory parameters for an action with respect to a local co-ordinate system of the video image, responsive to the state of the control object, and embedding the augmented video image within a 3D virtual environment. The method also includes calculating the trajectory parameters for the action with respect to a local co-ordinate system of the 3D virtual environment, and rendering a graphical effect corresponding to the action within the 3D virtual environment.

Abstract: A system for initiating and using a three-dimensional object as a controlling device when interfacing with a computer system used for interactive video game play is provided. One example system includes an interface for receiving data from a capturing device of a three-dimensional space and storage coupled with computer system. The computer system provides data to a screen and receiving user input to obtain geometric parameters of the three-dimensional object and assign actions to be performed with the three-dimensional object when moved or placed in positions in front of the capture device during interactive video game play. The geometric parameters and the assigned actions being saved to a database on the storage for access during interactive video game play or future interactive sessions.

Abstract: Players of a video game can enter contracts and engage in various simple or complex financial transactions employing credit systems such as credit cards, other financial instruments and other mechanisms to facilitate the enforcement of such contracts. Default on agreements by players or player characters can result in financial penalties which the video game system can apply.

Abstract: An example game system includes a game device, a controller, and a terminal device which is a portable display device. The terminal device displays an image representing a ball placed in a virtual game space. The game device calculates the attitude of the controller to move a club in the game space based on the attitude, and moves the ball in response to the club striking the ball. An image of the game space including at least the ball after being moved is displayed on a display device separate from the portable display device.

Abstract: An image generation system that generates an image includes: a movement control section that moves a player's moving object in a virtual three-dimensional space based on input information; and an image generation section that generates an image of the virtual three-dimensional space viewed from a given viewpoint. The movement control section performs a follow-up control process that causes the player's moving object to follow a target moving object based on previous movement information about the target moving object.

Abstract: Systems and methods for defining and tracking advertising campaigns across a channel video game network are disclosed. The system allows advertisements to be dynamically activated in video games. Advertisements are tracked to determine user impressions and user exposure to the advertisement. In the system, an impression area is defined relative an advertisements in the game. Methods for redefining the impression area or for accounting for the existence of obstructions that distort the view of the advertisement are also provided.

Abstract: Systems, gaming machines, games, and methods for displaying an exploding icon are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a gaming device comprises a display screen that presents a game. The game presented on the display screen comprises one or more game icons for display in various locations on the display screen, wherein the game presents an animated icon upon the occurrence of a triggering event such that the animated icon produces one or more wild icons that move about the display screen before being positioned in fixed locations on the display screen. Additionally, the gaming device includes a means for activating the game and triggering the presentation of the animated icon, and a means for determining whether one or more combinations of the game icons and the wild icons form any winning combinations.

Abstract: In a network game, player characters manipulated by individual players of video game apparatuses belong to the same party to battle with an opponent character. When a player character making a special move is not present in the party, the display screen of each video game apparatus becomes a screen focusing on the player character of the player who uses this video game apparatus. When one of the player characters makes a special move, not only the display screen of the video game apparatus corresponding to this player, but also the display screens of the video game apparatuses corresponding to the other player characters in the party become screens focusing on the player character which makes the special move.

Abstract: A gaming environment is described. Each of values which betted by a player is compared. One of the players, who betted the largest accumulated value, can obtain a right of choice for a dealer image (or actual dealer). A game session is conducted by the selected dealer (or actual dealer).

Abstract: An interactive computerized game system including a visual display, one or more user input devices, and a processor executing software that interacts with the display and input device(s) is disclosed. The software displays images of avatars. At least one of the user input devices is a touchscreen. During gameplay, the gameplayer may touch the touchscreen to provide input. An animation is displayed in response to user input matching a predefined input.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the inventive subject matter are directed to presenting wagering game content in stereoscopic 3D according to an optimal autostereoscopic view for an autostereoscopic display based on a viewing perspective of a player when the player views the wagering game content. Some embodiments are also directed to determining that the player looks away from the wagering game content and maintaining, or freezing, presentation of wagering game content in 3D according to the optimal autostereoscopic view. Some embodiments are directed to updating the optimal autostereoscopic view based on changes to the viewing perspective while the player looks away from the wagering game content. Some embodiment are also directed to changing the presentation of the wagering game content to 2D, and restoring the one or more portions to 3D based on a degree of player attentiveness after the player looks at the wagering game content again.

Abstract: This application discloses active movement based and other video games which may be played over the internet as well in the home or elsewhere. One or two or more persons can play, generally using one or more cameras to determine the relation of an object or a part of a person to a video display on which game related graphics are displayed. Determination of object position and orientation in up to 6 degrees of freedom is disclosed, at data rates sufficient to make game play rewarding.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to implement a technique for managing physics interactions in a computer simulation, such as the interactions of objects in an online computer game. Objects in the simulation are or can become physics objects that then behave according to the rules of the physics simulator in operation. Different implementations can use different rules for how items become physics objects and for what rules are used to manage physics objects. Since physics object interactions are determined on the basis of their physical properties rather than adherence to predefined interactions, the resulting interactions are emergent and not scripted.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing programs on wagering game machine peripherals are described. The programs may be shader programs for execution by one or more programmable shaders on a graphics processing unit. The programs may provide a graphical result, e.g. an output on a display, or may provide a non-graphical result of a computation to a general purpose processor on the wagering game machine.

Abstract: The invention includes methods, systems with an apparatus configured to perform particular functions, computer program products, and apparatuses that provide means for displaying a game cue for a guitar part and/or displaying a player's input. The expected and/or input performances are indicated on a display by creating a game cue or shape on the display, each having portions of varying magnitudes based on the relative differences between the notes or fingering of expected performance and/or inputted performance.

Abstract: Trajectory-based games of chance are described that may be implemented on a video gaming machine. In a trajectory-based game of chance, a trajectory of a game object may be generated in a 3-D gaming environment. A wager may be made on an aspect of the game object's trajectory in the gaming environment such as a termination location for the trajectory of the game object. The aspect of the game object's trajectory may occur according to a known probability. Hence, an award for the trajectory-based game of chance may be proportional to the probability of the aspect of the game object's trajectory occurring.

Abstract: In order to allow the simultaneous 3D tracking of a large number of players in an entertainment system, the system includes a server computer, a plurality of client computers each connected to the server computer via a data communication network, a plurality of 3D scanners connected to each client computer, each 3D scanner continuously captures 3D data of at least one player and transmits the 3D data to the client computer. Each client computer includes a data processor for subjecting the 3D data to a motion analysis including a feature extraction of a plurality of characteristic body parts per player thereby obtaining user body motion tracking data of the player. The server computer includes a processor for comparing the user body motion tracking data from each player with reference body motion tracking data, thereby obtaining matching quality data for each player.

Abstract: Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting a wagering game, and computer programs for initiating a wagering game are presented herein. A gaming device is presented that includes a wager input device for receiving wagers from players to play a wagering game, and a display for displaying outcomes of the wagering game. The gaming device also includes a multi-layer composite lighting assembly with a first light-emitting layer, a second light-emitting layer, and a spacer. The first light-emitting layer emits light of a first color in a first direction, whereas the second light-emitting layer emits light of a second color in a second direction. The spacer, which is interposed between the first and second light-emitting layers, diffuses and focuses light emitted by the second light-emitting layer through the light emitted by the first light-emitting layer to thereby create a three-dimensional simulation of a component of the wagering game.

Abstract: Systems and methods for downloading and playing a game program on a high definition television set. The game is controlled by at least one remote controller that can be the TV manufacturer provided remote controller, cell phones, tablet devices and/or the like. The remote controller can include its own one or more displays to display information related to the game, including, for example, a figure of the game, imagery and data relating to a particular point of view including a perspective view of the player operating the remote controller, and an overview of a portion of a game space surrounding the player operating the remote control. The one or more displays can be implemented as portions of a single physical display, as separate displays on the same remote controller, or on multiple remote controllers that are physically coupled together or that are in communication with each other.

Abstract: An image generation device includes a capture direction specifying section, a capture target specifying section, a marker placement control section that disposes a marker at the capture point, and an image generation section, the capture target specifying section determining whether or not the capture target is present in the capture direction, and specifying the capture target when the capture target is present, and the marker placement control section performing a depth value correction process that corrects the depth value of the capture point when a transition has occurred from a state in which the capture target is present to a state in which the capture target is not present.

Abstract: A system and method for updating parameters of a video game is provided. As events occur in the real world that may influence a game attribute, a parameter is recorded on a server. A video game player may connect to the server and download the parameter. The parameter is stored by the video game and changes an attribute of the video game. Thus, for example, the new performance characteristics of the rising star may be recorded on the server as improved performance parameters. When these parameters are downloaded by the video game player, the video game incorporates the star-like qualities of the rising star.

Abstract: An input processing device comprises a display screen and a pointing device for inputting corresponding 2-dimensional coordinates on the display screen. A 3-dimensional space is displayed on the display screen and the 2-dimensional coordinates inputted from the pointing device are detected. Next, shift amounts, per unit of time, of the detected 2-dimensional coordinates are calculated based on a predetermined calculation start condition. And the calculated shift amounts are converted to 3-dimensional coordinate shift amounts in the 3-dimensional space.