Multi-layered interactive play experience

• US 20060154726A1
• Filed: 11/15/2005
• Published: 07/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MQ Gaming LLC
• Original Assignee: Creative Kingdoms LLC (Great Wolf Resorts Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Briggs, Rick A., Weston, Denise Chapman, Barney, Jonathan A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,878,905 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/37
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/10 Control of the course of the game, e.g. start, progess, end
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/31 Communication aspects specific to video games, e.g. between several handheld game devices at close range
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/32 using local area network [LAN] connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/327 using wireless networks, e.g. Wi-Fi® or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/45 Controlling the progress of the video game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/65 automatically by game devices or servers from real world data, e.g. measurement in live racing competition
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/73 Authorising game programs or game devices, e.g. checking authenticity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/825 Fostering virtual characters
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/90 Constructional details or arrangements of video game devices not provided for in groups A63F13/20 or A63F13/25, e.g. housing, wiring, connections or cabinets
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/98 Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2492 Power supply
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1025 details of the interface with the game device, e.g. USB version detection
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1031 using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth, infrared connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/105 : using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 : being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/406 : Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5513 : involving billing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5533 : using program state or machine event data, e.g. server keeps track of the state of multiple players on in a multiple player game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/609 : for unlocking hidden game elements, e.g. features, items, levels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/807 : Role playing or strategy games
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/24 : Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2200/00 : Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 30/04 : using wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/26 : Magnetic or electric toys electric drives A63H29/22 ; indoor games played with small balls using magnetic power A63F7/0088, A63F7/068
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 21/00 : Conjuring appliances; Auxiliary apparatus for conjurers

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide a unique interactive game that includes multiple dynamic layers in which a participant may complete a variety of challenges and/or tasks. For example, the participant may obtain a toy “wand” from a retail phase that is usable in an interactive entertainment phase. The interactive entertainment phase may include multiple interrelated layers such that progress in one or more layers may affect the participant'"'"'s experience in one or more other layers. The participant may also receive training on how to use the wand and/or complete one or more special effects, adventures and/or quests. During or following the interactive entertainment phase, the participant may use accumulated points and/or powers to redeem prizes and/or compete against other participants, such as in a duel.

Claims

1-3. -3. (canceled)

4. A method for providing an interactive game, the method comprising:

providing a device to a play participant that enables the play participant to enter a game environment to participate in an interactive game;

providing in the game environment a plurality of receivers capable of receiving information from the device;

providing at least one gaming effect responsive to said plurality of receivers, the at least one gaming effect adapted to produce a first result if the information received from the device satisfies a first condition, the at least one gaming effect further configured to produce a second result if the information received from the device satisfies a second condition; and

providing for sale at least one interactive object that allows the play participant to progress in the interactive game.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said providing the device comprises selling the device to the play participant.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein selling the device to the play participant comprises performing a network transaction.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein said providing the device comprises renting the device to the play participant.

8. The method of claim 4, additionally comprising tracking a progress of the play participant in the interactive game.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the progress of the play participant is based at least in part on a number of the at least one gaming effect successfully activated by the play participant.

10. The method of claim 8, additionally comprising awarding points to the play participant based on the progress in the interactive game.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said providing for sale at least one interactive object comprises redeeming the points of the play participant for the at least one interactive object.

12. The method of claim 4, additionally comprising providing for sale the device when the play participant ends the interactive game.

13. The method of claim 4, wherein the at least one interactive object is a virtual object.

14. A game facility for providing interactive entertainment to a plurality of play participants, the game facility comprising:

a retail area comprising an interactive device for purchase by a play participant to use in an interactive game; and

an entertainment area for housing the interactive game, the entertainment area further comprising;

at least one game effect, and

at least one reader responsive to information transmitted by the interactive device, the at least one reader adapted to output a control signal to activate the at least one game effect based at least in part on the information transmitted by the interactive device.

15. The game facility of claim 14, further comprising a physical barrier separating the retail area and the entertainment area.

16. The game facility of claim 15, wherein the interactive device is capable of opening an entrance between the retail area and the entertainment area.

17. The game facility of claim 14, wherein the entertainment area further includes a database adapted to store a progress of the play participant in the interactive game.

18. The game facility of claim 17, wherein the retail area further comprises a plurality of gaming objects available for purchase by the play participant to use in the entertainment area, wherein the plurality of gaming objects is capable of advancing the progress of the play participant.

19. The game facility of claim 16, wherein the interactive device is capable of wireless communication with the at least one reader, wherein said wireless communication comprises at least one of infrared and radio frequency.

20. A multi-level interactive game for amusing and entertaining one or more game participants, the multi-level interactive game comprising:

an interactive toy device adapted to wirelessly transmit information pertaining to a game participant associated with the interactive toy device;

a transceiver network responsive to the interactive toy device and adapted to output data indicative of the information transmitted by the interactive toy device during the game participant'"'"'s involvement in an interactive game; and

a control system having a database and responsive to the data output by the transceiver network, the database of the control system being configured to store a progress of the game participant in the interactive game based at least on said data, the control system being further configured to allow advancement of the game participant from a first level of play to a second level of play in the interactive game based on the progress of the game participant.

21. The multi-level interactive game of claim 20, wherein the control system is further configured to track items earned or purchased by the game participant while involved in the interactive game.

22. The multi-level interactive game of claim 21, wherein the progress of the game participant is further based on the items earned or purchased by the game participant.

23. The multi-level interactive game of claim 22, wherein the items comprise virtual items.

24. The multi-level interactive game of claim 20, further comprising at least one game effect responsive to the data output by the transceiver network, wherein the at least one game effect is configured to produce a first result when the data satisfies a first condition, and wherein the game effect is configured to produce a second result when the data satisfies a second condition.

25. The multi-level interactive game of claim 24, wherein the interactive toy device is further configured to wirelessly transmit the information when the interactive toy device is moved in one or more predetermined directions.

26. The multi-level interactive game of claim 25, wherein the interactive toy device comprises a wand.

27. The multi-level interactive game of claim 20, further comprising a play structure configured to house the game participant and a plurality of other game participants involved in the interactive game.

28. The multi-level interactive game of claim 27, wherein the first level of play is in a first location of the play structure and the second level of play is in a second location of the play structure separate from said first location.