Amusement game having a probability-based award system
OwnerNeil D. Nicastro, Edward J. Suchocki +1inventors
InventorsNeil D. Nicastro, Edward J. Suchocki, Shridhar P. Joshi
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A game device allows a player to play chance-based games and skill-based games. A skill-based game is provided as an initial game, with a chance-based game being provided subsequent to the skill-based game. The chance-based game gives the player a chance to win prizes, and whether a prize is won and the value of prizes are determined by the outcome of the chance-based game.
Claims38
A method of operating an amusement game having both a chance-based game and a skill-based game, the method comprising:
- operating a skill-based video game as a primary game, the skill-based video game having a skill-based video game outcome;
- and
- operating a chance-based video game as a secondary game, the chance-based video game having a chance-based video game outcome.
A game device for playing chance-based and skill-based games, comprising:
- a central game processor adapted to coordinate game presentation;
- a display providing video representations of games in response to signals from the central game processor;
- a memory accessible by the central game processor and containing data related to chance-based and skill-based games;
- and
- a storage device adapted to record information related to a player and write information related to the player for future use by the game device.
A method of presenting chance-based and skill-based games to a player comprising:
- accepting credits from a player to form an initial credit value for a game session;
- providing the player with a choice between a chance-based game and a skill-based game;
- performing the game chosen by the player;
- and
- altering the initial credit value to an updated credit value for the game session in response to the player's performance.
The method of claim 111 wherein providing the player with a player credit indicator includes updating a player card with player credit information.
The method of claim 111 wherein providing the player with a player credit indictor includes providing the player with a visual display of the number of remaining credits and storing the number of remaining credits at a central database.
A method of presenting chance-based and skill-based games to multiple players, the method comprising:
- coordinating gameplay by a first player playing a first game device, said first game device including a chance-based game and a skill-based game, and being in communication with a connection hub;
- coordinating gameplay by a second player playing a second game device, said second game device including a chance-based game and a skill-based game, and being in communication with the connection hub;
- accepting gameplay signals generated by the first game device and the second game device at the connection hub;
- forwarding gameplay signals from the first game device through the connection hub to the second game device;
- and
- forwarding gameplay signals from the second game device through the connection hub to the first game device.
A method of presenting a game and rewarding a prize to a player comprising:
- presenting an initial skill-based game;
- determining a skill-based game outcome of the initial skill-based game;
- presenting a chance-based game in response to the outcome of the initial skill-based game meeting predetermined criteria;
- determining a chance-based game outcome of the chance-based game;
- and
- awarding a prize in response to the outcome of the chance-based game meeting at least one predetermined criterion.
A game device adapted to provide skill-based and chance-based games comprising:
- a display;
- one or more input devices adapted to alter gameplay as shown on the display;
- a central game processor;
- and
- one or more memory devices, wherein the central game processor and the memory devices are adapted to first operate an initial skill-based game on the display, the initial skill-based game having a skill-based game outcome, the game processor and memory devices further being adapted to operate a chance-based game on the display if the skill-based game outcome meets at least one predetermined criterion.
A method of operating at least one skill-based game and at least one scratch-ticket game for a player, comprising:
- operating an initial skill-based game having an initial skill-based game outcome;
- evaluating the initial skill-based game outcome;
- operating a scratch-ticket game in response to the initial skill-based game outcome meeting a predetermined skill-based game criterion, the scratch-ticket game allowing a player to select scratchable areas on a video representation of a scratch-ticket and revealing scratch-ticket symbols in response to the selection of the scratchable areas, the scratch-ticket game having at least one scratch-ticket game outcome;
- evaluating the at least one scratch-ticket game outcome;
- and
- awarding at least one prize if the at least one scratch-ticket game outcome meets at least one predetermined scratch-ticket game criterion.
A method of operating an amusement game comprising:
- providing an initial skill-based game having an initial skill-based game outcome;
- evaluating the initial skill-based game outcome;
- providing a scratch-ticket game if the initial skill-based game outcome meets at least certain predetermined skill-based game criteria, the scratch-ticket game allowing a player to select scratchable areas on a video representation of a game ticket and revealing scratch-ticket symbols in response to the selection of the scratchable areas, the scratch-ticket game having at least one scratch-ticket game outcome, the scratch ticket symbols including progressive symbols;
- evaluating the at least one scratch-ticket game outcome;
- and
- awarding a progressive prize whose value is based at least in part on the number of previous plays of the scratch-ticket game if the at least one scratch-ticket game outcome matches predetermined progressive prize criteria.
A game device comprising:
- a central game processor adapted to coordinate game presentation;
- a display providing a video representation of games in response to signals from the central game processor;
- a memory accessible by the central game processor and containing data related to chance-based and skill-based games, the data including scratch-ticket data related to a chance-based scratch-ticket game, said central processor causing said display to generate a game ticket having a plurality of scratchable areas on the display in response to said central processor accessing said scratch ticket data;
- an input device adapted to receive input from a user relating to the choice of one or more of the scratchable areas on the display, the central game processor generating a symbol on said display in response to the player selecting one of the scratchable areas.
A method of providing at least one skill-based game and at least one chance-based game to a plurality of players, comprising:
- providing an initial skill-based game to a plurality of players, the initial skill-base game having an initial skill-based game outcome;
- reporting each initial skill-based game outcome to a central location;
- comparing the initial skill-based game outcomes to predetermined skill-based game criteria;
- providing a chance-based game to those players whose initial skill-based game outcomes meet said predetermined skill-based game criteria, the chance-based game having a chance-based game outcome;
- reporting each chance-based game outcome to the central location;
- receiving information regarding all chance-based game outcomes from the central location;
- comparing the chance-based game outcome to predetermined chance-based game criteria;
- and
- awarding a grand prize to a grand prize winner in response to the chance-based game outcome associated with the grand-prize winner meeting certain of said predetermined chance-based game criteria.
A game device for providing at least one skill-based game and at least one chance-based game, comprising:
- a central game processor adapted to:
- a) provide an initial skill-based game having an initial skill-based game outcome,
- b) compare the initial skill-based game outcome to predetermined criteria for skill-based game outcomes,
- c) provide a chance-based game having a chance-based game outcome if the comparison of the initial skill-based game outcome to the predetermined criteria for skill-based game outcomes indicates that criteria for providing a chance-based game have been met,
- d) compare the chance-based game outcome to predetermined chance-based game criteria;
- and
- e) award a prize if the comparison of the chance-based game outcome and the predetermined chance-based game criteria indicate that the criteria for awarding a prize have been met;
- a display adapted to display the at least one skill-based game and the at least one chance-based game;
- a memory containing data related to the chance-based and skill-based games;
- and
- a communication module adapted to send and receive data to and from other devices.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.