Interactive game system

For use with a system in which an interactive game is transmitted via a communication network to a multiplicity of viewer units, and in which each viewer unit includes an interface device and a television, and the interface device is coupled to the communication network, a gaming method for playing the interactive game at a player unit, and for viewing the game played by the player at the multiplicity of viewer units, the method comprising:

• encoding, at a headend, a first version of the interactive game as a non-pay program which includes a first environment by employing a first gaming program code, and transmitting the first version of the interactive game to the multiplicity of viewer units;
• encoding, at the headend, a second version of the interactive game which includes a second environment by employing a second gaming program code;
• transmitting the second version of the interactive game to the player unit as a pay program which is received over a separate data stream;
• transmitting a payment authorization signal to the headend;
• enabling the player to interactively play the interactive game in the second environment defined by the second version of the interactive game in response to said step of transmitting a payment authorization signal to the headend;
• and
• viewing, at the multiplicity of viewer units, the interactive game in the first environment defined by the first version of the interactive game.

A gaming method for use with an interactive game which is played via a communication network in a plurality of modes, the method comprising:

• enabling a first player, playing at a first player unit, to interactively play the interactive game in a first mode by controlling an avatar via said communication network;
• transmitting the interactive game played in the first mode to a plurality of viewer units;
• in response to transmission of an authorization signal, enabling a second player, playing at one of the plurality of viewer units, to view the interactive game played in the first mode by the first player and to play along with the interactive game in a second mode by competing against the first player;
• and
• transmitting results of the interactive game played in the second mode via said communication network to a headend when at least one of said results exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

A gaming system comprising:

• a headend which is coupled to a communication network, the headend including:
• an encoder for encoding a first version of the interactive game as a non-pay program by employing a first gaming program code to generate an encoded first version of the interactive game, and for encoding a second version of the interactive game by employing a second gaming program code to generate an encoded second version of the interactive game, wherein the second version of the interactive game is provided as a pay program which is received over a separate data stream;
• a multiplexer for multiplexing the encoded first version of the interactive game and the encoded second version of the interactive game to produce a multiplexed signal;
• and
• a transmitter for transmitting the multiplexed signal to a plurality of viewers;
• a multiplicity of viewer units, each including a television and an interface device which is coupled to the communication network and is operative to receive, demultiplex and decode the first version of the interactive game by employing the first gaming program code;
• a player unit at which an interactive game is played by a player, the player unit including a player television, and a player interface device coupled to the player television, and to said communication network, wherein the player interface device is operative to transmit a payment authorization signal to the headend and to receive, demultiplex and decode the second version of the interactive game by employing the second gaming program code;
• and
• a player interface kit which includes at least a two-way link with the player unit, wherein
• the player interface kit is operative to detect actions performed by the player, to obtain a stream of detection signals therefrom, and to transmit the stream of detection signals to the headend via the player interface device and the communication network, and wherein
• in response to an acknowledgement of acceptance of the payment authorization signal at the headend, the detection signals are employed at the headend to implement the actions of the player in an avatar which simulates the player, the avatar being electronically inserted in the first version of the interactive game which is transmitted to said multiplicity of viewer units.

A gaming system comprising:

• a headend which is coupled to a communication network, the headend including:
• an encoder for encoding a first version of the interactive game as a non-pay program which includes a first environment by employing a first gaming program code to generate an encoded first version of the game, and for encoding a second version of the interactive game which includes a second environment by employing a second gaming program code to generate an encoded second version of the game, wherein the second version of the interactive game is provided as a pay program which is received over a separate data stream;
• a multiplexer for multiplexing the encoded first version of the interactive game and the encoded second version of the interactive game to produce a multiplexed signal;
• and
• a transmitter for transmitting the multiplexed signal to a plurality of viewers;
• a multiplicity of viewer units, each including a television and an interface device which is coupled to the communication network and is operative to receive, demultiplex and decode the first version of the interactive game by employing the first gaming program code, and to enable a viewer to view the interactive game in the first environment defined by the first version of the interactive game;
• and
• a player unit at which an interactive game is played by a player, the player unit including a player television, and a player interface device coupled to the player television, and to said communication network, wherein the player interface device is operative to transmit a payment authorization signal to the headend and to receive, demultiplex and decode the second version of the interactive game by employing the second gaming program code, and to enable the player to interactively play the interactive game in the second environment defined by the second version of the interactive game in response to an acknowledgement of acceptance of the payment authorization signal at the headend.