VIDEO GAMES ADAPTED FOR WAGERING

• US 20100240444A1
• Filed: 02/14/2010
• Published: 09/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John Muskin, Stacy Friedman
• Original Assignee: John Muskin, Stacy Friedman
• Inventors: Muskin, John, Friedman, Stacy
• Granted Patent: US 8,113,938 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 computer implemented method to allow wagering during a video game, the method comprising:

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

allowing a player to play a computer implemented video game with an input device which allows the player to move around in and interact in a 2-D or 3-D playing world;

displaying to the player a first icon and a second icon;

receiving a choice from the player to activate either the first icon or the second icon, wherein said choice determines which variance of a payback amount is used;

determining a final payback amount based on the choice, wherein an expected value of the payback amount for the first icon is equal or approximately equal to an expected value of the payback amount for the second icon, wherein the variance of the payback amount for the first icon is different than the variance of the payback amount for the second icon; and

adding the final payback amount to the player credits.

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

if the player activated the first icon, then after the choice, debiting an amount from the player credits;

if the player activated the second icon, then after the choice, debiting an amount from the player credits.

3. An apparatus comprising:

a computer; and

a computer-readable storage in communication with the computer and storing instructions configured to direct the computer to perform;

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

allowing a player to play a computer implemented video game with an input device which allows the player to move around in and interact in a 2-D or 3-D playing world;

displaying to the player a first icon and a second icon;

receiving a choice from the player to activate either the first icon or the second icon, wherein said choice determines which variance of a payback amount is used;

determining a final payback amount based on the choice, wherein an expected value of the payback amount for the first icon is equal or approximately equal to an expected value of the payback amount for the second icon, wherein the variance of the payback amount for the first icon is different than the variance of the payback amount for the second icon; and

adding the final payback amount to the player credits.

4. An apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein:

if the player activated the first icon, then after the choice, debiting an amount from the player credits;

if the player activated the second icon, then after the choice, debiting an amount from the player credits.