Systems and methods to facilitate games of skill for prizes played via a communication network

• US 6,468,155 B1
• Filed: 05/08/2001
• Issued: 10/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Zynga Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Skillgames, Inc.
• Inventors: Graham, R. Montrose, Kirschner, Mark L., Davies, Sarah F., Garcia, V. Maximillian, Berlin, Eric, Feehan, William B., Mass, Richard, Zucker, David F., Murphy, Derek J., Merritt, Jr., Norman L., Zarelli, Leigh
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris, Lesley D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nicolas, Frederick C
• Application Number:
  US09/851,270
• Time in Patent Office: 532 Days
• Field of Search: 463/23, 463/29, 463/40, 463/41, 463/42
• US Class Current: 463/23
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6018 where the game content is authored by the player, e.g. level editor or by game device at runtime, e.g. level is created from music data on CD
• 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

Systems and methods are provided to facilitate games of skill for prizes played via a communication network. According to one embodiment, a potential game to be played at a remote player device via a communication network is determined. The potential game is evaluated to estimate an amount of player skill required to play the potential game, the evaluation being performed based on a sample of player performance information. The potential game is also evaluated to determine an ability of an automated game playing device to play the potential game. The potential game is modified if (i) the amount of player skill required is unacceptable or (ii) the ability of the automated game playing device is unacceptable.

Claims

1. A method of developing a game of skill, comprising:

determining a potential game to be played at a remote player device via a communication network;

evaluating the potential game to estimate an amount of player skill required to play the potential game, said evaluating being performed based on a sample of player performance information;

evaluating the potential game to determine an ability of an automated game playing device to play the potential game; and

modifying the potential game if (i) the amount of player skill required is unacceptable or (ii) the ability of the automated game playing device is unacceptable.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the remote player device comprises at least one of:

(i) a personal computer, (ii) a portable computing device, (iii) a personal digital assistant, (iv) a telephone, (v) a wireless telephone, (vi) a game terminal, (vii) an interactive television device, and (viii) a kiosk.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication network comprises at least one of:

(i) the Internet, (ii) a public network, (iii) a public switched telephone network, (iv) a proprietary network, (v) a cable television network, (vi) a wireless network, and (vii) a local area network.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving form a player a fee to play the game of skill, wherein the game of skill is based on the modified potential game;

receiving a player input parameter from the remote player device via the communication network;

determining a game result based on the player input parameter; and

providing a prize to the player based on the game result.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the fee is received from the player via a payment identifier.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the payment identifier is associated with at least one of:

(i) a credit card account, (ii) a debit card account, (iii) a bank account, and (iv) a digital payment protocol.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the prize comprises payment of at least one of:

(i) a monetary amount, and (ii) an alternate currency.

8. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

evaluating game results associated with a plurality of players; and

determining that prizes will no longer be provided with respect to the game of skill.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said modifying the potential game comprises requiring the player to utilize reasoning.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said modifying the potential game comprises requiring the player to utilize an understanding of human behavior.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said modifying the potential game comprises altering game information transmitted to the remote player device.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said modifying the potential game comprises limiting an amount of information transmitted to the remote player device.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said evaluations are performed by a game controller.

14. A game controller, comprising:

a processor; and

a storage device in communication with said processor and storing instructions adapted to be executed by said processor to;

determine a potential game to be played at a remote player device via a communication network;

evaluate the potential game to estimate an amount of player skill required to play the potential game, said evaluating being performed based on a sample of player performance information;

evaluate the potential game to determine an ability of an automated game playing device to play the potential game; and

arrange for the potential game to be modified if (i) the amount of player skill required is unacceptable or (ii) the ability of the automated game playing device is unacceptable.

15. The game controller of claim 14, wherein said storage device further stores at least one of:

(i) a player database, (ii) a game play database, and (iii) a game database.

16. The game controller of claim 14, further comprising:

a communication device coupled to said processor and adapted to communicate with at least one of;

(i) a player device, and (ii) a payment device.

17. A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method of facilitating game development, said method comprising:

determining a potential game to be played at a remote player device via a communication network;

evaluating the potential game to estimate an amount of player skill required to play the potential game, said evaluating being performed based on a sample of player performance information;

evaluating the potential game to determine an ability of an automated game playing device to play the potential game; and

arranging for the potential game to be modified if (i) the amount of player skill required is unacceptable or (ii) the ability of the automated game playing device is unacceptable.