Video games adapted for wagering

• US 20050192087A1
• Filed: 12/10/2004
• Published: 09/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Olympian Gaming, LLC (Costas, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Olympian Gaming, LLC (Costas, Inc.)
• Inventors: Friedman, Stacy, Muskin, Jon
• Granted Patent: US 7,682,239 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3295 Games involving skill, e.g. dexterity, memory, thinking

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to allow players to wager on video games. The method disclosed herein can allow players to win or lose money while partaking in any video game previously played for entertainment purposes. A player can purchase play time on a game, play the game and earn monetary prizes during the game, and then redeem the monetary prizes for real cash.

Claims

1. A method to allow wagering during a video game, the method comprising:

receiving a deposit representing a cash amount and converting the cash amount into credits;

allowing a player to play a video game which allows a player to move around in and interact in a 2-D or 3-D playing world;

debiting the player credits based on occurrences in the playing world;

awarding the player credits based on occurrences in the playing world; and

converting the credits to cash for disbursement to the player.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

allowing the player to make a choice in the playing world which affects the variance of awards based on the occurrences but not affecting an expected amount of credits awarded.

3. A method to allow wagering during a video game, the method comprising:

receiving an entry fee from a player;

pre-generating awards representing credit amounts that populate a playing world;

allowing a player to interact with the world and retrieve the awards; and

converting the awards to a cash amount for disbursement to the player.

4. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein the awards are represented by items that can be activated in the playing world.

5. A method as recited in claim 3, further comprising allowing the player to terminate the game before completion and awarding the player all of the pre-generated awards.

6. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein the pregenerated awards are determined remotely and stored locally.

7. A method to allow wagering during a video game, the method comprising:

receiving an entry fee from a player;

determining a total award to be awarded to the player based on the entry fee; and

allowing the player to interact in a playing world and retrieve individual awards, wherein the retrieved individual awards will not exceed the total award.

8. A method to allow wagering during a video game, the method comprising:

receiving a deposit representing a cash amount and converting the cash amount into credits;

presenting to a player a playing world;

allowing the player to take an action in the playing world which cost credits;

determining an award from the action which is credited to the player.

9. A method to allow wagering during a video game, the method comprising:

purchasing a non-wagering video game;

installing an upgrade to the video game that supplements the video by allowing for earning of credits redeemable for cash;

allowing a player to play the game and earn credits; and

allowing the player to redeem the credits for a cash disbursement.

10. A method to allow wagering during a video game, the method comprising:

receiving a deposit representing a cash amount and converting the cash amount into player credits;

presenting to a player a playing world; and

continuously debiting from the player credit an amount based on a game unit.

11. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the game unit is a unit of time.

12. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the game unit is a unit of distance moved.

13. A method as recited in claim 10, further comprising:

determining an award for each game unit.

14. A method as recited in claim 13, further comprising:

accumulating a plurality of determined awards and presenting a total of the accumulated awards to the player at one time.

15. A method as recited in claim 10, further comprising:

receiving an action by the player;

debiting the player'"'"'s credits by a debit rate respective to the player'"'"'s action.

16. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein the action is attacking an enemy.

17. A method as recited in claim 15, further comprising:

determining an action reward in response to the action.

18. A method to allow wagering during a video game, the method comprising:

determining a probability of success of an action;

determining a success or failure of the action initiated by a player;

if the action is a success then determining if the action should fail based on the probability and if the action is a failure then determining if the action should succeed based on the probability; and

displaying a result of the action.

19. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein the action is attacking an enemy.

20. A method to allow wagering during a video game, the method comprising:

receiving a deposit representing a cash amount and converting the cash amount into player credits;

displaying a playing world to a player;

allowing the player to pick up an item in the playing world;

permitting the player to use the item with a cost to use the item with a cost of the item deducted from the player credits.

21. A method as recited in claim 20, further comprising:

awarding a credit amount to the player, the credit amount based on the cost of the item.

22. A method as recited in claim 20, wherein the item is a weapon.

23. A method as recited in claim 22, wherein the use is attacking an enemy with the weapon.

24. A method to allow wagering during a video game, the method comprising:

receiving a deposit representing a cash amount and converting the cash amount into player credits;

displaying a playing world;

displaying a credit meter representing credits redeemable for cash;

displaying a game unit meter;

awarding the player additional credits in a first power-up; and

awarding the player game additional game units in a second power-up.

25. A method as recited in claim 24, wherein game units are fuel which continues the game.

26. A method as recited in claim 24, wherein game units are time left in game.

27. A method to allow wagering during a multiplayer video game, the method comprising:

allowing a first player and a second player to interact with each other in a 2D or 3D playing world, wherein the first player has a first amount of credits, and the second player has a second amount of credits;

receiving an attack by the first player to attack the second player wherein the first player succeeds;

awarding a credit gain to the first amount of credits and deducting a credit loss to the second amount of credits; and

allowing the first player and the second player to redeem the first credit amount and the second credit amount, respectively, for real cash.