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WO2009146366A1 - Incitation pour un jeu à multiples joueurs - Google Patents

Incitation pour un jeu à multiples joueurs Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009146366A1
WO2009146366A1 PCT/US2009/045455 US2009045455W WO2009146366A1 WO 2009146366 A1 WO2009146366 A1 WO 2009146366A1 US 2009045455 W US2009045455 W US 2009045455W WO 2009146366 A1 WO2009146366 A1 WO 2009146366A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
player
game
invitation
multiplayer game
multiplayer
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2009/045455
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English (en)
Inventor
Mark E. Herrmann
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
GameLogic Inc
Original Assignee
GameLogic Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by GameLogic Inc filed Critical GameLogic Inc
Priority to AU2009251332A priority Critical patent/AU2009251332B2/en
Priority to EP09755727A priority patent/EP2331220A1/fr
Publication of WO2009146366A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009146366A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/326—Game play aspects of gaming systems
    • G07F17/3272—Games involving multiple players
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements

Definitions

  • Casinos sometimes issue free or reduced price wagers to entice people to visit a casino location. For example, an enticement of $20 in free play might be included in a direct mail piece. A person that receives such a mailer can simply bring the mailer to a designated casino location within defined time limits and receive that amount in coins, free credits on a gaming machine or promotional chips for play on table games. While such offers are enticing, they often are not strong enough to overcome the effort of returning to the casino and often times, people simply forget about the offer and do not return within the allotted time to collect their incentive.
  • Player tracking systems such as International Game Technology's Advantage system and Bally Technology's Slot Management System and Table Management System are also well known. Player tracking systems are useful for automating some or all of the tasks required to provide additional incentives for frequent or loyal play.
  • Points may be awarded for every unit of wagers made and those points may be redeemed for prizes.
  • Player tracking systems utilize magnetic striped cards to hold a unique identifier which is associated with a specific person's account.
  • Each gambling machine and/or table game position is equipped with a compatible card reader.
  • a person wishing to allow their gambling activities to be monitored inserts their card into the compatible card reader.
  • Other identification techniques are also useful with player tracking systems and include but are not limited to biometric identification, smart cards and Hollerith cards.
  • additional identity authentication is required such as entering a PIN or password on a keypad or touchscreen.
  • Most player tracking systems include a display which provides acknowledgment that the card was accurately read and associated with an account. Typically, for so long as the person's card remains inserted in the reader, all gambling activity that occurs on the associated gambling game is recorded on the identified account.
  • All card readers and displays associated with the player tracking systems are connected via a network to one or more central servers where account records are kept. Two way communication is provided by these networks, meaning the central server can monitor what is transpiring at the gaming system and the central server may pass messages to the gaming system itself, or its associated peripherals.
  • Player tracking systems are well- known in the gambling industry. Example player tracking system architectures are found in United States Patent Number 5,429,361 entitled “Gaming machine information, communication and display system” and United States Patent Number 5,655,961 entitled “Method for operating networked gaming devices,” both of which are herein incorporated by reference. Player tracking systems are also used to automatically provide awards to players as described in United States Patent Number 6,712,697 entitled “Method for crediting a player of an electronic gaming device" which is also incorporated by reference herein.
  • a key to any successful gaming operation includes getting players to visit the gambling location, and once there encouraging the players to gamble more. Providing chances to win a prize as discussed above is just one form of incentive to induce, seduce, or convince a player to visit a gambling location. Player club rewards may serve the same function and encourage increased gambling. Additionally, bonus round games are also typically thought to encourage player participation and certain known bonus games provide for player participation in the bonus round game with other players. Sweeping changes permeate the gaming industry, from modernizing gaming systems to increase visibility and attractiveness to players to fine tuning player clubs that provide valued players with rewards. One focus of these changes includes provision for new and interesting methods of rewarding players to visit gambling locations. One of the driving forces in changes in the gaming industry has been the effort associated with the modernization of gaming computer systems. This modernization of gaming machine themselves provides large amount of computing power and numerous peripheral systems that are typically under-utilized.
  • Encouragement may come in the form a win proximity meter, for example. Letting players know of winning events close by gives the individual player a sense that they too may also be close to a winning event and increase the sense of anticipation and investment in a particular gaming machine. - A -
  • a method for providing additional incentives for a player to visit a gambling location (e.g., a land-based casino or other gaming establishment) and to increase play once there.
  • a player participating in a frequent player program is provided an invitation to a multiplayer game to encourage the player to return to the casino or other establishment.
  • the player participating in a frequent player program is provided an invitation while at the gambling location. The invitation may be delivered in response to play of a game at the gambling location.
  • a player does not have to be a member of a frequent player's club to receive an invitation to a multiplayer game, rather the player may receive an invitation in response to play of an on-line game, or an "uncarded" player may receive an invitation while gambling at a gambling location.
  • the multiplayer incentive game may be funded separately from any game at which an invitation to play is delivered.
  • the funding for the multiplayer game is derived from a different source that the wagers being placed on an underlying game, as is conventionally done in a progressive type jackpot award.
  • the multiplayer game is conducted on a large scale.
  • multiple gambling locations participate in the multiplayer game, and the multiplayer game has the capacity to accommodate every player at the multiple locations (assuming they are invited).
  • large scale is intended to cover the next cardinality of gaming, in other words, a multiplayer game can be thought of as a table game in a casino, which provides for multiplayer play, but are limited to the real estate at the table, thus these types of game approach a limit somewhere around 8-12 players, a large scale game would include a multiplier over and above the 8-12 players.
  • the multiplayer game is intended to measure participation in the thousands, and in another, in the tens of thousands, other embodiments include larger player populations.
  • a massively multiplayer game is provided by invitation only. Once an invitation is presented and redeemed, the game play of the MMG is displayed on a display screen associated with a gaming machine at a gambling location.
  • the funding for the massively multiplayer game is provided separately from the games played - and/or the gaming machines on which a player may qualify to receive an invitation.
  • the massively multiplayer game takes the form of a bingo styled game.
  • the parameters for the massively multiplayer game can be set and announced in advance, or the parameters for the MMG can be announced at the time of invitation redemption. Further, the parameters can be determined dynamically.
  • a MMG comprises a bingo styled game played for an award of a predetermined jackpot.
  • the bingo styled game is executed at predetermined times over a stated period.
  • a $ 1 OK jackpot will be determined every hour, in another every 30 minutes.
  • Games can be initiated as often as minutes or seconds or any other time period.
  • establishing a regular frequency for multiplayer games provides additional incentive to players.
  • players may appreciate that qualification is ongoing and not meeting criteria for one particular multiplayer game doesn't affect the possibility of meeting the qualification for the next. Indeed the knowledge that another multiplayer game is scheduled to take place in a short time may prompt a player to continue playing where s/he would have otherwise stopped. Further, awareness of another game, may also prompt increased play. In one example, a player who just missed qualification may be incented to satisfy the requirements for the next qualification period.
  • MMG it is important to establish for potential players in a MMG that a winner from the participants will be determined at each execution regardless of the number of entrants.
  • Various embodiments of the MMG can be driven off of a number of games including for example, a bingo game, a tournament game, and a sweepstakes.
  • tournament games can include for example, blackjack tournaments, where the best of a hundred blackjack hands wins the associated jackpot, best-of tournaments can be adapted to cover almost any wagering game.
  • MMG can include rake-type games (as discussed in greater detail herein).
  • a bingo style game is provided via displays incorporated into gaming machines.
  • the bingo style game is separately funded from the underlying game or games being played on the gaming machine.
  • the bingo style game is provided separately from the base game played by the player on the gaming machine.
  • Jackpots awarded are not limited to any portion of the credits wagered on the underlying games and the game itself is separate from any underlying base game provided, according to some embodiments.
  • providing separate funding sources for the bingo style games provides a number of advantages. In one example, a number of bingo styled games can be guaranteed to be played at guaranteed times. Thus a participant is able to know in advance that a game will be played and a winner will be determined.
  • each game has its own defined pool of players that compete against each other to win the jackpot.
  • more than one winner is permitted, in such embodiments each winner may receive a stated prize or share the overall prize.
  • bingo styled games are conducted separately from the underlying base game provided on the gaming machine and in particular are not conducted according to the typical constraints of Class II slot machine games.
  • Known Class II slot machine games typically involve the entry of at least one player into a bingo style game upon initiation of a spin on the slot machine game, a winner if any is determined and the player would need to claim any win via the slot machine on which they play.
  • the incentive to go to a gambling location to enter the bingo styled game may be enhanced by the knowledge that at least one participant will win for any given drawing.
  • These invitations may be delivered by mail or through displays incorporated into gaming machines, although other communication vehicles are contemplated (cell phone, e-mail, text, in hand delivery, popup and pop-under windows, etc.).
  • a player qualifies to receive an invitation by meeting a game related threshold.
  • new players may also be given an invitation unrelated to gaming activity that can be used to enter a bingo style game.
  • These invitations may be mailed on entry into a players club, or upon submission of player information for entry into a massively multiplayer game (MMG).
  • MMG massively multiplayer game
  • Play of an online game may also trigger an invitation to a MMG.
  • an invitation is linked to play of another game, and in order to participate in the MMG, the invited player may be required to meet a threshold associated with game play.
  • the invitation indicates that a player will be entered into the MMG if the player redeems the invitation at a specific gambling location.
  • the invitation may require that the invitation be redeemed at a certain time.
  • Other requirements may also be used, for example, a player may be required to maintain qualification for the MMG after receiving an invitation. Maintaining qualification may include playing a predetermined game for a predetermined time, or simply playing a predetermined game at a specific time.
  • the multiplayer game may require a large number of participants.
  • multiplayer games where awards are tied to the underlying game are known, massively multiplayer wagering games of chance has received little attention.
  • Some known games include bonus round games in which multiple players are permitted to participate in the bonus round, however, such known games typically link the base game and the bonus game, and are limited in the type and size of the games provided.
  • a massively multiplayer game envisions the participation of players on a multi-gambling location scale, and further can be increased to include populations from multiple gambling locations.
  • the well-known operator Harrahs operates over 50 gambling locations each with massive gaming populations.
  • An embodiment provides for entry of players from over 50 gambling locations, making the invitation game truly massively multiplayer.
  • the funding for the massively multiplayer game is provided separately from the games played - and/or gaming machines on which a player may qualify to receive an invitation.
  • the massively multiplayer game takes the form of a bingo styled game.
  • the parameters for the massively multiplayer game (MMG) can be set and announced in advance, or the parameters for the MMG can be announced at the time of invitation redemption. Further, the parameters can be determined dynamically.
  • a MMG comprises a bingo styled game played for an award of a predetermined jackpot.
  • the bingo styled game is executed at predetermined times over a stated period. In one example a $1 OK jackpot will be determined every hour, in another every 30 minutes.
  • the frequency and the amount of the jackpot can be variable.
  • the award of a jackpot prize may be linked to a specific event in the multiplayer game.
  • the event is achieving a bingo, and if no one achieves a bingo in the multiplayer game, the jackpot may roll over into the next multiplayer game.
  • the number of called balls in the bingo game is limited and where no one achieves a bingo, the jackpot rolls over into the next multiplayer game.
  • the number of calls is not limited and game play progresses until a winner is determined.
  • Stated jackpot awards may vary according to player status and may also vary according to gaming qualification.
  • jackpot awards in the multiplayer game are customized for the player based on that player's status.
  • player status relates to previous play by a player a gambling location, hi another example, player status is based on achieved levels in a frequent players club.
  • the invitation may require that the threshold be maintained for the next five minutes to qualify for the invitation.
  • the display of the result of the jackpot game takes 5 minutes, so the player may be entered into a game in progress.
  • the player is provided with a qualification requirement to receive an invitation and a requirement to maintain qualification.
  • the invitation may display a requirement to maintain credit wagered levels over a period of time that includes that play of the multiplayer game.
  • a player may be prompted to accept the invitation, on a display that is touch sensitive, or in another example, the invitation may simply indicate that continued play will be deemed acceptance.
  • a player may be awarded an invitation at the conclusion of play of the online game.
  • the player may be required to return to the casino or other gambling location to accept the invitation.
  • the online game is used to incentivize players to return (or visit) the gambling location, maximizing the opportunity to increase revenues.
  • a computer implemented method for providing a player incentive comprises providing an invitation to a player to enter a multiplayer game, determining a threshold associated with providing the invitation, determining a player satisfies the threshold, and displaying to the player a status of an entry into the multiplayer game at a gambling location, and determining a winning entry from a plurality of entries into the multiplayer game.
  • the act of displaying further comprises displaying the status of the entry in response to play of another game.
  • the play of the another game occurs at a gambling location.
  • the winner entry is determined independently of game play of the another game.
  • displaying to the player a status of an entry into the multiplayer game includes an indication that the player is qualified to participate in the multiplayer game.
  • the method further comprises an act of displaying a message associated with the status of the entry to the player.
  • the message includes an indication that the player is close to qualifying for the multiplayer game.
  • the message includes an indication that the player is close to losing qualification for the multiplayer game.
  • the message includes an indication of how the player may maintain the status of the entry for the multiplayer game.
  • the message includes an indication of an opportunity to qualify for another multiplayer game.
  • the multiplayer game is funded separately from the another game.
  • the multiplayer game is funded independently from player contribution to the another game.
  • the multiplayer game includes a large number of entries.
  • the act of providing the invitation occurs across a large population of players for each multiplayer game.
  • a number of invitation exceeds a maximum number of players associated with conventional casino table based games.
  • a number of players participating in each multiplayer game is at least on the order of a number of players participating in a progressive type game.
  • the method further comprises determining a time to start the multiplayer game, and determining a time to end the multiplayer game.
  • the act of determining a winning entry from a plurality of entries into the multiplayer game occurs at the designated time.
  • Figure 3 shows a process for providing player messages according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 6 shows an example of a display on a gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 7 shows an example of a display according to one embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 9 is a block diagram of a system for providing a multiplayer incentive according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • an entity may qualify for an invitation through play of an online game that is offered over the Internet, for example.
  • qualification for an invitation may be related to gambling activity tracked through a frequent player club membership.
  • Another aspect relates to a qualified person for an invitation, where there is a determination of the qualification of that person.
  • qualified indicates that a person or persons are placed, based on a variety of criteria, into specific categories and each qualified category may be eligible for a different multiplayer game, or combination of games, different outcomes, different likelihoods of reaching a given outcome, different award schedules, different visit requirements for redemption and/or different task completion requirements for redemption. For example, specific time limits may be imposed based upon player categories, game types, winning outcome redemptions, award size and task completion requirements.
  • qualification requirements can be established, for example, as discussed in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 11/780,882 entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING PLAYER INCENTIVES,” filed on July 20, 2007, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
  • qualification for an invitation to a multiplayer game may not be the only requirement imposed before an award is determined in the multiplayer game. Once qualified for an invitation, a player may be required to perform additional actions in order to maintain an entry into the multiplayer game.
  • the requirement to maintain an entry into the multiplayer game may also be based, for instance, upon a person's participation in a particular game at a gaming location, participation in an online game, participation in a frequent player's club, answers to questions, the person's activity at a gambling location, length of visit to the gambling location, frequency of visits, average length of visit, games played, amount wagered, credits wagered over time, speed of play, coin in, average coin in or other criteria which relate to the person's instant condition. Further, the requirement to maintain an entry status may be based upon taking an action, attending an event or visiting a gambling location on a particular date.
  • the qualification for an invitation may depend at least in part, on a player taking an action within a gambling location (e.g., in a casino), or within an online gaming environment (e.g., over the Internet).
  • the action may involve the player using an identifier of a frequent player program.
  • the player may swipe his or her frequent player program card at a casino location, which causes the player to become qualified to receive an invitation to play in a multiplayer game.
  • the player may "swipe" or otherwise enter their frequent player identifier in an online environment, causing the player to become qualified.
  • various aspect of the invention may be facilitated using a frequent player tracking system.
  • gambling location refers to any location where free or fee-based gambling is allowed. Examples of gambling locations include, but are not limited to, casinos, racinos, dog-racing tracks, horse racing tracks, sports books, lottery point-of sale locations, clubs or pubs where gambling is conducted, amongst others Gambling locations may be at physical locations such as the land based casinos in Las Vegas, a range of locations, such as "any land based casino in the United States, or a virtual location such as an Internet-based gambling site. It should be appreciated that there are many possible types of gambling location and all such locations are contemplated for use in various embodiments.
  • the term "affiliated location” as used herein refers to any location that is not a
  • Wi gambling location is places identified by gambling locations or their representatives at which a person may receive an invitation, qualify to receive an invitation, when invitation or qualification does not involve any element of gambling.
  • the term "redemption location” as used herein refers to the location, which may be either a gambling location, where an invitation may be accepted to participate in a multiplayer game.
  • One embodiment of the invention is implemented as a process including acts of qualification, invitation, identification, and action, as represented in Fig. 1.
  • Step 110 includes an act of determining if a player meets a qualification, if the player does not meet the qualification initially, qualification is rechecked HO(NO).
  • Step 120 is invitation, wherein a person is invited to participate in a multiplayer game.
  • Step 130 is identification, where the person's identity is ascertained when the player accepts an invitation.
  • Step 140 includes an optional test of qualification maintenance, wherein the person is measured against a predefined requirement to determine if they are have properly maintained their eligibility to participate in the multiplayer game. If the person looses their qualification, the player can not receive an award in the multiplayer game, and the process terminates at step 150.
  • the qualification system displays a message to a player regarding qualification. In one example, the message indicates that the player is close to losing qualification. In another embodiment the message may indicate the steps necessary to maintain qualification. In one alternative, the message indicates to a player that they are close to qualifying for another multiplayer game with, for example, a larger prize award.
  • a health meter may indicate if, and how well, the player is satisfying the requirements for qualification.
  • the health meter may alter visibly in response to a player being close to losing qualification, alteration may include change in display size, flashing, change in color, flashes of color, among other visual cues. Additionally the entire display may be altered to bring a player's attention to the possibility of losing qualification. Alternatively, in one embodiment the display is altered to indicate the achievement of qualification, for example.
  • step 160 qualified persons are identified (and optionally identifying those players that maintained their entry status) and the multiplayer game is executed for the qualified players.
  • steps 110-140 may occur at the same time or in opposite order.
  • the multiplayer game may begin for players who are qualified at that time and players may be eliminated for failing to maintain eligibility to participate during the course of the multiplayer game.
  • the outcome i.e. the winner of the multiplayer game is determined. While Fig. 1 shows at least one example of the present invention which represents the steps of qualification, invitation, identification, and play as occurring in a specific order, it should be appreciated that the order of these steps may be altered and remain within the scope and spirit of the present invention.
  • qualification comprises play of an online game in an environment outside a gambling location.
  • identifying players who are likely to accept an invitation to a multiplayer game conducted at a gambling location is valuable not only to the gambling location but for the party/operator who refers such players to the gambling location. It is realized that there is a reluctance on the part of players to visit a gambling location if they are not already inclined to do so.
  • the invitation to participate in a multiplayer game serves to overcome that reluctance, according to some embodiments.
  • qualification relates to the amount of play of an online game. For example, a player who plays a minimum number of hours over a predetermined time period, receives an invitation that may be accepted at a gambling location.
  • the invitation may include requirements that must be met in order to accept/redeem the invitation.
  • the requirements include accepting the invitation by visiting a gambling location within a specified period of time.
  • the requirement includes accepting the invitation by visiting a gambling location at a specified time, or time period.
  • a player, having inserted a frequent player card into a gaming machine may be tracked by a casino management system.
  • a slot management system provides tracking functions. Tracking may include statistics on game play, for example, coin in per hour, number of wagers, amount of wager, credits wagered over time, average time of play, and may include other statistics not dependent on game play; average number of visits, average length of visit, and present length of visit as examples. Qualification to receive an in invitation to participate in a multiplayer game with a stated jackpot may be earned with respect to the tracked statistics.
  • a video poker player has her frequent player card inserted in a video poker gaming machine. During play, the players' statistics are reported to a casino management system, which may include a slot management system, or a the frequent player club system.
  • game play Other qualifications related to game play are used in various embodiments, whether for online games or for gambling games. Different examples include, time of play, time of play per session (over day or month or year(s)), average time of play, coin in per time period, average coin in for a player over a time period, money lost, money won, time of play, length of play, average statistics, credits wagered, and average wager, etc.
  • Qualification may also be related to player status or player activity. Some examples include trips to a gambling location, number of days at a gambling location, time spent at a gambling location, average duration of a trip, average number of trips to a gambling location, etc.
  • a player plays an on-line game.
  • the operator of the online game has a relationship with a gambling location, affiliated locations, or operates one of the same.
  • the online game may take any form, skill, chance, wagering, free play, competitions for points, as examples.
  • the online game operator identifies players who meet a qualification that may be provided by a gambling location, or affiliated location operator, or the qualification may be used by the online game operator to identify players of particular value to gambling locations, affiliated locations, or the like.
  • the player participates in online card based tournaments, although any on-line gaming activity that may indicate a propensity or inclination to gambling activity may be tracked and form the basis for qualification for an invitation.
  • a invitation state may be saved for later use.
  • a player may begin satisfying qualification requirement for entry into a multiplayer game, save the state of his entry, and complete the qualification requirement at a late time.
  • a time limit is set for satisfying qualifications in progress.
  • a player may begin play of a multiplayer game for which s/he has received an invitation and the state of the multiplayer game is saved for later use.
  • a time limit may also be set for completing an in progress multiplayer game.
  • an invitation indicates that the qualified player must maintain his/her entry status by continuing to play the game on which s/he qualified, for a specified period of time.
  • the invitation may indicate that a certain rate of play is required to maintain entry status.
  • the invitation indicates that it must be redeemed at a gambling location participating in the multiplayer game.
  • the invitation provides a specified time period for accepting the invitation.
  • the invitation states the amount of the jackpot that will be awarded in the multiplayer game.
  • the multiplayer game jackpot will be awarded regardless of the number of entries. Players understanding this requirement may be further incented to participate, as such players realize that reduced participation will increase the chances of winning the multiplayer j ackpot.
  • the multiplayer game is a bingo game conducted across a number of gambling locations.
  • Bingo styled games are particularly suited for the multiplayer game, as it is realized that bingo styled games may be conducted over an almost unlimited player population.
  • all that is required to increase the player capacity for bingo styled games is additional tracking and communication hardware/software.
  • increases in player population provide a number of advantages, according to some embodiments. Large populations of players can be dubbed "massive" player populations, and it is realized that the more massive the player population for the multiplayer game that can be accommodated the more incentive opportunities that may be presented. It is realized that conventional incentive games are limited in the size and scope of the player population who can participate, and according to various aspects discussed, massive player populations can be accommodated and benefits associated with such large populations can be achieved.
  • play of the underlying game may also trigger additional rewards with respect to the multiplayer game.
  • a player qualified for an invitation on a video poker game During the course of the multiplayer game, the player continued play at the video poker machine and received a royal flush. Receiving the royal flush triggered an increase in the jackpot pot award.
  • Increases may take the form of a multiplier and may include a pay table associated with odds of achieving particular events in the underlying game.
  • the multipliers and/or pay tables may be stored in a database and retrieved before, during, or after play of the underlying game.
  • Other types of games are suitable for massive multiplayer incentive games. In particular rake-type games can be implemented in massive multiplayer format.
  • electronic tables, and/or various display systems at traditional tables enable a network effect between players at the tables and players who are not, including players who are off property, players who are gaming at non-rake base games, players located at different gaming establishments, etc. Again increasing the size of the player population abile to participate increases benefits for the game operators as well as the players.
  • outcomes for a MMG can be pre- generated, for example, when a player makes a wager in a base game.
  • pre-generated outcomes include generating values for dice rolls for a MMG dependent on dice rolls, in other examples millions and/or billions of hands of poker can be pre-generated to provide for outcome determination of a MMG.
  • pre-generated hands can be selected sequentially, among other options.
  • messages may include for example:
  • the player having reached a predetermined credits wagered threshold in the slot machine game receives a message over the LCD screen attached to his gaming system.
  • the LCD may be touch sensitive and ask the player to actively select to participate or in another example presents a notification of an invitation to the next scheduled game that needs no further action o
  • Another example may invite a player to maintain current level of player for (short period of time) to be invited into jackpot game o Where the next scheduled game is in (a short period of time - typically 5 to 10 minutes) the player has increased incentive to continue gaming and may also have incentive to continue gaming at the threshold level, additionally the invitation may be crafted to spur increased play to achieve the invitation o
  • the multiplayer game may be displayed within a display of the gaming machine as a picture-in-picture display With reference to Figure 2, shown is an example of a process flow according to some aspects of the present invention.
  • Process 200 illustrates one example flow for providing an incentive to a player in the form of a multiplayer jackpot game.
  • a players places bet(s) at a gambling location.
  • information associated with the player is tracked at 204, via the player "swiping" their player card.
  • a player playing a video slot gaming machine may insert a magnetic player's club card into a card reader on the gaming machine.
  • "uncarded” players may also participate in process 200.
  • game play statistics may be tracked on a per gaming machine basis, thus at least some information associated with even an uncarded player is tracked at step 204.
  • a player accepts the invitation at a gambling location.
  • acceptance comes in the form of providing information about the player for tracking purposes.
  • a player may be issued a unique identifier at the gambling location as part of the process of acceptance.
  • a unique identifier is printed on the invitation, and the invitation itself may be used for tracking purposes.
  • the multiplayer game is executed at 418 for the eligible players.
  • the multiplayer game is executed in conjunction with the determination of entry status and the multiplayer game and the requirement for maintaining entry status proceed concurrently.
  • at the conclusion of the multiplayer game at least one winner is determined from the participant in the multiplayer game, at 420.

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  • Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système et un procédé pour inciter des joueurs à visiter un emplacement de pari. Sous un aspect, une personne qualifiée est invitée à jouer dans un jeu à multiples joueurs qui a une récompense de jackpot annoncée. Selon un mode de réalisation, il peut être demandé à la personne qualifiée d'accepter l'invitation à un emplacement de pari. Selon un mode de réalisation, il peut être demandé à un joueur de maintenir son statut qualifié en acceptant de jouer à l'emplacement de pari. Selon un autre mode de réalisation, le jeu à multiples joueurs peut recevoir un nombre presque illimité de joueurs. Dans un exemple, le jeu à multiples joueurs est un jeu de bingo avec un grand nombre de participants.
PCT/US2009/045455 2008-05-28 2009-05-28 Incitation pour un jeu à multiples joueurs Ceased WO2009146366A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2009251332A AU2009251332B2 (en) 2008-05-28 2009-05-28 Multiplayer gaming incentive
EP09755727A EP2331220A1 (fr) 2008-05-28 2009-05-28 Incitation pour un jeu à multiples joueurs

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US5666808P 2008-05-28 2008-05-28
US61/056,668 2008-05-28

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2009146366A1 true WO2009146366A1 (fr) 2009-12-03

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PCT/US2009/045455 Ceased WO2009146366A1 (fr) 2008-05-28 2009-05-28 Incitation pour un jeu à multiples joueurs

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EP (1) EP2331220A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU2009251332B2 (fr)
WO (1) WO2009146366A1 (fr)

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WO2012014159A1 (fr) * 2010-07-30 2012-02-02 Scientific Games Holdings Limited Système et procédé de conduite d'un jeu de hasard
US9466171B2 (en) 2011-09-30 2016-10-11 Bally Gaming, Inc. System and method for providing benefits on wagering and non-wagering networks

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US20030060264A1 (en) * 2001-09-21 2003-03-27 Chilton Ward W. Gaming device providing tournament entries
US20060079331A1 (en) * 2003-10-02 2006-04-13 Waterleaf Limited Electronic gaming environment with display of multiple instances of single-player games
US20060205461A1 (en) * 2005-03-11 2006-09-14 Larocca Paul System and method for rewarding game players
US20070254736A1 (en) * 2006-02-08 2007-11-01 Dow Hardy Method and system for remote entry in frequent player programs

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US6984174B2 (en) * 2001-12-20 2006-01-10 Igt Method and apparatus for a player-controllable bonus game

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030060264A1 (en) * 2001-09-21 2003-03-27 Chilton Ward W. Gaming device providing tournament entries
US20060079331A1 (en) * 2003-10-02 2006-04-13 Waterleaf Limited Electronic gaming environment with display of multiple instances of single-player games
US20060205461A1 (en) * 2005-03-11 2006-09-14 Larocca Paul System and method for rewarding game players
US20070254736A1 (en) * 2006-02-08 2007-11-01 Dow Hardy Method and system for remote entry in frequent player programs

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8398479B2 (en) 2009-07-02 2013-03-19 Scientific Games Holdings Limited System and method for conducting a game of chance
US8784185B2 (en) 2009-07-02 2014-07-22 Scientific Games Holdings Limited System and method for conducting a game of chance
WO2012014159A1 (fr) * 2010-07-30 2012-02-02 Scientific Games Holdings Limited Système et procédé de conduite d'un jeu de hasard
US9466171B2 (en) 2011-09-30 2016-10-11 Bally Gaming, Inc. System and method for providing benefits on wagering and non-wagering networks

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2009251332B2 (en) 2015-11-26
AU2009251332A1 (en) 2009-12-03
EP2331220A1 (fr) 2011-06-15

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