Method and apparatus for early termination of a game

• US 20040176157A1
• Filed: 03/03/2004
• Published: 09/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Original Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Inventors: Jorasch, James A., Tedesco, Daniel E., Tulley, Stephen C., Gelman, Geoffrey M., Walker, Jay S.
• Application Number:
  US10/793,141
• Publication Number:
  US 20040176157A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/16
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3232 wherein the operator is informed
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3262 Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided for allowing a player of an extended game to terminate the game prior to its natural conclusion. The extended game may include a secondary game or a bonus game at a gaming device. The player may choose to terminate the game as an alternative to continuing play. In terminating the game, the player may receive a termination value. In some embodiments, the termination value may compensate the player for a failure to realize a payout associated with the game'"'"'s natural conclusion.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a wager from a player at a gaming device, the wager entitling the player to play a bonus game;

determining a termination value of the bonus game; and

providing the termination value to the player in exchange for the player discontinuing play of the bonus game.

2. The method of 1, further including displaying the termination value

3. The method of 2, in which displaying includes displaying the termination value on the display screen of the gaming device.

4. The method of 1, further including:

determining a first situation of the bonus game; and

determining a second situation of the bonus game

5. The method of 4, in which determining a termination value includes determining a termination value based on the second situation of the bonus game.

6. The method of 5, further including:

offering the player a choice of receiving the termination value or continuing play of the bonus game; and

receiving from the player a selection of the termination value.

7. The method of 1, in which determining a termination value includes determining a termination value based on at least one of:

(1) a minimum amount that can be won through continued play of the bonus game;

(2) a maximum amount that can be won through continued play of the bonus game;

(3) an expected amount that would be won through continued play of the bonus game; and

(4) the wager.

8. The method of 1, in which determining a termination value includes performing a simulation of possible future courses of the bonus game.

9. The method of 1, in which determining a termination value includes calculating a termination value.

10. The method of 1, in which determining a termination value includes:

calculating a first probability of the bonus game reaching a third situation from the second situation;

determining a first payment associated with the third situation;

calculating a second probability of the bonus game reaching a fourth situation from the second situation;

determining a second payment associated with the fourth situation; and

calculating the termination value based on the first probability, the first payment, the second probability, and the second payment.

11. The method of 1, in which determining a termination value includes:

determining a third situation, in which the third situation is identical to the second situation, and in which the third situation is associated with a predetermined termination value.

12. The method of 1, in which determining a termination value includes:

determining a third situation, in which the third situation has at least one characteristic in common with the second situation, and in which the third situation is associated with a predetermined termination value.

13. The method of 1, in which in which the second situation has an associated first setting of a parameter, and in which determining a termination value includes:

determining a third situation, in which the third situation is associated with a first predetermined termination value, and in which the third situation has an associated second setting of the parameter;

determining a fourth situation, in which the fourth situation is associated with a second predetermined termination value, and in which the fourth situation has an associated third setting of the parameter;

in which the first setting is between the second setting and the third setting; and

determining the termination value based on the first predetermined termination value and the second predetermined termination value.

14. A method comprising:

receiving an indication that a player wishes to discontinue the play of an extended game at a gaming device;

displaying, only after receiving the indication, a termination value for the extended game.

15. The method of 14, further including:

receiving a confirmation from the player that the player wishes to discontinue the play of the extended game in exchange for the player receiving the termination value; and

providing the termination value to the player.

16. The method of 14 in which receiving an indication includes detecting the press of a button by a player of an extended game at a gaming device, the press indicative of a desire to discontinue play of the extended game.

17. The method of 14 in which the extended game is a bonus game.

18. The method of 14 in which the extended game is a secondary game.

19. A method comprising:

receiving an indication that a player wishes to discontinue play of a first extended game at a gaming device;

determining, at a first time, a first situation of the first extended game;

storing the first situation of the first extended game;

determining, at a second time, a second situation of a second extended game,

in which the second time is after the first time;

receiving an indication that the player wishes to resume play of the first extended game; and

restoring, at a third time, the first situation of the first extended game,

in which the third time is after the second time.

20. The method of 19 in which the extended game is a bonus game.

21. The method of 19 in which the extended game is a secondary game.