GB2462673A

GB2462673A - Gaming device with two modes of operation

Info

Publication number: GB2462673A
Application number: GB0815148A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chris Sheffield; Peter Gerrard
Original assignee: Barcrest Group Ltd
Current assignee: Barcrest Group Ltd
Priority date: 2008-08-20
Filing date: 2008-08-20
Publication date: 2010-02-24
Also published as: GB0815148D0

Abstract

A game of the type wherein prizes may be awarded for predetermined winning outcomes is preferably implemented on a remote platform such as a mobile telephone. The game is started either: by a wager of user points wherein it is operable to award user points if a predetermined winning outcome occurs; or, if a player is able to make a suitable payment, by a wager of monetary value wherein it is operable to award prizes with monetary value if a predetermined winning outcome occurs. When playing for monetary value the game operates in a first mode to a first paytable and, in order to improve player entertainment when playing for points the game operates in a second mode to a second paytable, Preferably, the first paytable is designed to be compliant with relevant gaming legislation in the territory where the mobile telephone is located. The second mode may offer additional or alternative bonus games with higher payback percentages. A further game of the type wherein prizes may be awarded for predetermined winning outcomes on a remote terminal includes a multiple player tournament which ranks players according to the final number of user points that they have accumulated.

Description

Interactive Gaming with Mobile Telephones The present invention relates to interactive gaming accessed via mobile telephones and to a system for implementing the same.

It is known to provide games playable on a mobile telephone. In recent times it has also become possible to provide games playable on a mobile telephone which emulate entertainment machines of the type actuable to play a game for stake value.

In such circumstances, the game may be actuated by a wager of user points and may be operable to award user points if a predetermined winning outcome occurs. If the player has registered for a suitable payment scheme, the game may be actuated by a wager of monetary value and may be operable to award prizes with monetary value if a predetermined winning outcome occurs. Since such games playable for monetary prizes are generally subject to regulation, they may contain some restrictions with regard to odds aridlor prizes awarded. As such, if a game is optionally playable for both user points and monetary value, it may provide lesser excitement when playing for points than an alternative game only playable for user points.

An additional problem with implementing such games, particularly for monetary value is obtaining payment of the stake value. Typically, there are two ways of doing so: firstly payment using a credit card or similar; and secondly payment collection by network operators for instance via reverse billed SMS messages.

Unfortunately, network operators typically make a charge in the order of 30-40% for collecting payments. As such, games operating using such payment collection methods suffer.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new method of implementing a game of the type wherein prizes may be awarded for predetermined winning outcomes on a remote terminal that at least partially overcomes or alleviates the above problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of implementing a game of the type wherein prizes may be awarded for predetermined winning outcomes on a remote terminal comprising the steps of providing a game operable in a first mode and a second mode, in the first mode the game being actuable by monetary stake value and said prizes awarded in response to winning outcomes are monetary prizes and in the second mode the game being actuable by user points and said prizes awarded in response to winning outcomes are user points wherein in the first game mode winning outcomes are determined by reference to a first paytable and in the second game mode winning outcomes are determined by reference to a second different paytable.

In this way a single game can be implemented wherein player entertainment is maximised when playing for user points but legal compliance can be maintained when playing for monetary value.

The first paytable preferably complies with all relevant gaming legislation in the territory where the remote terminal is situated. In some circumstances this may involve the step of determining the location of the terminal. The second paytable may offer differing odds and/or differing payback percentages. Typically, the second paytable may offer higher payback percentages.

Either or both modes may feature a primary game and a bonus game or games, the bonus game being initiated in response to a specified outcome in the primary game. The odds of obtaining the specified bonus game initiation outcome may vary between the first and second paytables. The odds and or payback percentages during operation of the bonus games may similarly vary between the first and second paytables. In some embodiments additional or alternative bonus games may be initiated in the second mode only.

The game may be switched between first and second modes. Mode switching may only be permitted at the completion of a game. Any remaining credit or awarded prizes in the form of game points or monetary value may be collected by the player or saved by the player for future use upon the completion of a game.

The second mode may in some embodiments be playable as a tournament between a plurality of players. Entry to the tournament may require the payment of a stake value. Implementing the tournament may involve the steps of: identifying each of a plurality of players; providing each player with a predetermined amount of user points in response to payment of a stake value; maintaining a total of user points for each player after each play of the game; ranking the plurality of players in order of the user points; and awarding one or more prizes based on ranking.

The tournament may have a predetermined duration. The duration may typically be say one day, one week, one month or similar. Prizes may be awarded at the end of the tournament or at other predetermined times during the tournament.

Prizes may be awarded for the highest points total.

In order to aid player identification and ranking, tournament entry may require the player to create or log in to a tournament account. A player may log into or out of a tournament account multiple times during the tournament. The player's current points total is recorded and stored upon logging out. This will enable a player who still has points left before the tournament ceases to pause and resume playing without loss of points. At anytime when logged in, a player may view a leader board indicating the current ranking of players participating in the tournament.

A player may be able to select one of a number of concurrently running tournaments to participate in. The tournaments may vary in duration andlor entry stake value. In some embodiments, particular tournaments may only be open to players who have exceeded a predetermined performance level in a previous tournament.

If the game is played in the first mode or in the tournament mode the player may be required to make a suitable payment before commencing play. Payments may be made by any suitable method. This may include credit card payment and/or SMS reverse billing. Awarded prizes may also be credited to a winning player by any

suitable method.

In a typical such process after a player logs in, it is determined whether the player has sufficient credit against their account to partake in a tournament or to play directly for monetary value. If further payment is required the player is provided with a choice of billing methods. In the event that SMS reverse billing is chosen, the game server running the tournament may generate and send a payment message containing SMS details directing the remote terminal to send an SMS message incorporating a suitable keyword and reference to a particular contact number. Before choosing SMS reverse billing, the player may be required to confirm they are aware of the payment they are choosing to make. Upon sending the SMS the player's network operator debits their network account and passes on a percentage of the amount debited to the game operator. When the SMS is received, the game server may check the keyword and the reference to authenticate the message. Upon authentication, the game server may proceed to allocate points to the tournament account as above or enable play directly for monetary value.

The game may be provided as a download from a central server. The remote terminal may be any suitable fixed or mobile device. In the event that the remote terminal is fixed it may be computer, digital television receiver or similar. In the event that the remote terminal is mobile it may be any suitable form of mobile terminal including a mobile telephone or similar.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of implementing a game of the type wherein prizes may be awarded for predetermined winning outcomes on a remote terminal in the form of a multiple player tournament comprising the steps of: identifying each of a plurality of players; providing each player with a predetermined amount of user points in response to payment of a stake value; maintaining a total of user points for each player after each play of the game; ranking the plurality of players in order of the user points; and awarding one or more prizes based on ranking.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for implementing a game of the type wherein prizes may be awarded for predetermined winning outcomes on a remote terminal in the form of a multiple player tournament, the system comprising: a receiver suitable for receiving data from a plurality of remote terminals and identifying the remote terminals; a transmitter suitable for transmitting data to said identified remote terminals; and control means operable to: determine whether a payment has been received for a particular remote terminal and if so allocate a predetermined number of user points to said remote terminal; determine whether data received from a remote terminal is indicative of a winning or losing outcome and thus update the user points total associated with said remote terminal; rank the plurality of user terminals in order of user points; and award one or more prizes based on ranking.

The method and system of the second and third aspects of the present invention may incorporate any of the features of the first aspect of the present invention as desired or as appropriate.

Implementing a game in this manner allows extended play via only a single payable stake thus reducing the impact of payment collection difficulties. Such extended competition also provides an added element of excitement for players.

In order that the invention is more clearly understood, one embodiment will be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a flow chart illustrating the implementation of a game on a remote terminal in accordance with the present invention.

In the present invention, a game of the type wherein prizes may be awarded for predetermined winning outcomes is implemented on a remote platform such as a mobile telephone. The game is actuable either: by a wager of user points wherein it is operable to award user points if a predetermined winning outcome occurs; or, if a player is able to make a suitable payment, by a wager of monetary value wherein it is operable to award prizes with monetary value if a predetermined winning outcome occurs. When playing for monetary value the game operates in a first mode to a first paytable and, in order to improve player entertainment when playing for points the game operates in a second mode to a second paytable. The first paytable is designed to be compliant with relevant gaming legislation in the territory where the mobile telephone is located. The second paytable may be adapted or skewed to provide greater player excitement, for instance by providing a higher payback percentage.

Similarly, the second mode may offer additional or alternative bonus games with higher payback percentages.

At this stage eligibility for choosing the first or second mode may be determined by reference to registration of any payment and the location of the mobile telephone. Assuming eligibility for both modes is ascertained, the player may swap between the first and second modes when playing the game. This operation is illustrated in the flow chart of figure 1. At step 100 game operation starts.

Subsequently, at step 110 the player is offered the choice of monetary stakes (the first mode) or points stakes (the second mode). Depending upon the player selection at 110, either paytable 1 (for the first mode) is loaded at step 111 or paytable 2 (for the second mode) is loaded at step 112.

If play in the first mode is chosen, either directly or by swapping from the second mode, after paytable 1 is loaded at 111, the operation proceeds to game play with monetary stakes at step 121. After each play 121, the player may be offered the option to end play or to continue play at step 131. If continue play is chosen, the method reverts to step 121. If end play is chosen, the player may collect any prizes awarded and any remaining credit. The method may then at step 141 provide the option to swap play mode. If the player decides not to swap play mode, the game play ends at step 151. If the player does choose to swap play mode, the method reverts to step 112.

If play in the second mode is chosen, either directly or by swapping from the first mode, after paytable 2 is loaded at 112, the operation proceeds to game play with monetary stakes at step 122. After each play 122, the player may be offered the option to end play or to continue play at step 132. If continue play is chosen, the method reverts to step 122. If end play is chosen, the player may collect any prizes awarded and any remaining credit. The method may then at step 142 provide the option to swap play mode. If the player decides not to swap play mode, the game play ends at step 150. If the player does choose to swap play mode, the method reverts to step 111.

The game may also be playable in a tournament mode against other players.

In such a mode a player must log into a tournament and purchase a fixed amount of points by a suitable payment. The player may then proceed to play the game using the points, the player's wins and/or losses being recorded against their account.

During the tournament, the game server running the tournament ranks the players based on their points totals. At the predetermined end time of the tournament the top ranked player (or in some embodiments, players) is awarded a prize of monetary value.

If the game is played in the first mode or in the tournament mode the player is required to make a suitable payment or have sufficient credit before commencing play. Payments can be made by any suitable method including credit card payment and/or SMS reverse billing. In the event that SMS reverse billing is chosen, the game server running the tournament generates and sends a payment message containing SMS details directing the remote terminal to send an SMS message incorporating a suitable keyword and reference to a particular contact number. Before choosing SMS reverse billing, the player is required to confirm they are aware of the payment they are choosing to make. Upon sending the SMS the player's network operator debits their network account and passes on a percentage of the amount debited to the game operator. When the SMS is received, the game server checks the keyword and the reference to authenticate the message. Upon authentication, the game server may proceed to allocate points to the tournament account as above or enable play directly for monetary value.

The game may be downloaded from a central server. When downloading the game, the player may be offered the choice of single mode (either points or monetary prizes) or dual mode as is described herein. This will determine whether one or both tables are downloaded and whether the mode switching operation above is provided.

It is of course to be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the details of the above embodiments which are described by way of example only.

Claims

Claims 1. A method of implementing a game of the type wherein prizes may be awarded for predetermined winning outcomes on a remote terminal comprising the steps of providing a game operable in a first mode and a second mode, in the first mode the game being actuable by monetary stake value and said prizes awarded in response to winning outcomes are monetary prizes and in the second mode the game being actuable by user points and said prizes awarded in response to winning outcomes are user points wherein in the first game mode winning outcomes are determined by reference to a first paytable and in the second game mode winning outcomes are determined by reference to a second differentpaytable.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first paytable complies with all relevant gaming legislation in the territory where the remote terminal is situated.
3. A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein this involves the step of determining the *..* : 15 location of the terminal. * S.** S.
4. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the second paytable offers * *.

* *. " differing odds andlor differing payback percentages.
5. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein either or both modes feature * a primary game and a bonus game or games, the bonus game being initiated in response to a specified outcome in the primary game.
6. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the odds of obtaining the specified bonus game initiation outcome vary between the first and second paytables.

* -12-
7. A method as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the odds and or payback percentages during operation of the bonus games vary between the first andsecond paytables.
8. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the game may be switched between first and second modes.
9. A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein mode switching is only permitted at the completion of a game, any remaining credit or awarded prizes in the form of game points or monetary value being collected by the player or saved by the player for future use upon the completion of a game.
10. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the second mode is playable as a tournament between a plurality of players.
11. A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein implementing the tournament involves the steps of: identifying each of a plurality of players; providing each player with a predetermined amount of user points in response to payment of a stake value; *: : : : maintaining a total of user points for each player after each play of the game; ranking the plurality of players in order of the user points; and awarding one or * :* : :* more prizes based on ranking.
12. A method as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the tournament has a * : :* predetermined duration and prizes are awarded at the end of the tournament or at * * 20 other predetermined times during the tournament.
13. A method as claimed in claim 12 wherein prizes are awarded for the highest points total.
14. A method as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13 wherein tournament entry requires the player to create or log in to a tournament account.
15. A method as claimed in claim 14 wherein a player may log into or out of a tournament account multiple times during the tournament.
16. A method as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15 wherein and the player's current points total is recorded and stored upon logging out.
17. A method as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16 wherein at anytime when logged in, a player may view a leader board indicating the current ranking of players participating in the tournament.
18. A method as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 17 wherein a player is able to select one of a number of concurrently running tournaments to participate in.
19. A method as claimed in claim 18 wherein the tournaments vary in duration andlor entry stake value.
20. A method as claimed in claim 18 or claim 19 wherein particular tournaments are * : : : : 15 only open to players who have exceeded a predetermined performance level in a **** * * previous tournament. *�..

* : : :*
21. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein if the game is played in the first mode or in the tournament mode the player is required to make a suitable : :* payment before commencing play.

*: * 20
22. A method as claimed in claim 21 wherein the payment is made by way of credit card payment and/or SMS reverse billing.

* -14-
23. A method as claimed in claim 21 or claim 22 wherein after a player logs in, it is determined whether the player has sufficient credit against their account to partake in a tournament or to play directly for monetary value.
24. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the game is provided as a download from a central server.
25. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the remote terminal is a fixed or mobile device.
26. A method of implementing a game of the type wherein prizes may be awarded for predetermined winning outcomes on a remote terminal in the form of a multiple player tournament comprising the steps of: identifying each of a plurality of players; providing each player with a predetermined amount of user points in response to payment of a stake value; maintaining a total of user points for each player after each play of the game; ranking the plurality of players in order of the user points; and awarding one or more prizes based on ranking.

*::: : 15
27. A method as claimed in claim 26 wherein the method may incorporate any of the steps of any one of claims 1 to 25.

*
28. A system for implementing a game of the type wherein prizes may be awarded for predetermined winning outcomes on a remote terminal in the form of a multiple * : player tournament, the system comprising: a receiver suitable for receiving data *: * 20 from a plurality of remote terminals and identifying the remote terminals; a transmitter suitable for transmitting data to said identified remote terminals; and control means operable to: determine whether a payment has been received for a particular remote terminal and if so allocate a predetermined number of user --15-points to said remote terminal; determine whether data received from a remote terminal is indicative of a winning or losing outcome and thus update the user points total associated with said remote terminal; rank the plurality of user terminals in order of user points; and award one or more prizes based on ranking.
29. A system as claimed in claim 28 wherein the system is operable to implement the method of any one of claims ito 27. *1 * p p ** U * S * S *S PS * 5. * *** *5 S * P * * U,