Network game method and network game system

• US 6,929,550 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2001
• Issued: 08/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SEGA Corporation (SEGA Sammy Holdings Inc.)
• Original Assignee: SEGA Corporation (SEGA Sammy Holdings Inc.)
• Inventors: Hisada, Hiromichi
• Primary Examiner(s): HARRISON, JESSICA
• Application Number:
  US09/951,438
• Publication Number:
  US 20020034981A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,432 Days
• Field of Search: 463 40- 42, 463 16- 29, 463/1
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3288 Betting, e.g. on live events, bookmaking

Abstract

The present invention provides a second network game (for example, a betting game) using the results of a first network game (for example, a horse racing game), wherein third party users other than users running a first network game can participate. A greater number of users will thereby have interest in the first network game and the first network game will be built up. Also, a greater number of users can participate in a network game through the second network game.

Claims

1. A network game method executed on a server with the participation of users who operate terminals connected to said server through a network, comprising the steps of:

storing character data received over the network from a plurality of terminals respectively associated with a plurality of first users;

receiving a request from at least one terminal respectively associated with at least one second user connected to the server through the network for a betting game, said request including a betting data, the betting game being bet to a competitive game among a plurality of characters based on the character data, and storing the betting data;

after a closing time for bets in said betting game, determining winnings of the betting game based on a result of the competitive game, said result being determined before said closing time for bets in said betting game;

processing winnings of the betting game; and

processing prize distributions for any first user who provided the character data which won the competitive game.

2. A network game server for executing a network game with participation of users who operate terminals connected to said server through a network, comprising:

a unit for storing character data received over the network from a plurality of terminals each playing a character training simulation game, said plurality of terminals respectively associated with a plurality of first users;

a unit for receiving a request from at least one terminal respectively associated with at least one second user connected to the server through the network, for a betting game, the request including a betting data, the betting game being bet to a competitive game among the plurality of characters based on the character data, and storing the betting data;

a unit for executing and storing the results of, the competitive game, before a closing time for bets of the betting game;

a unit for determining and processing winnings of the betting game; and

a unit for processing prize distribution for any first user who provided the character data which won the competitive game.

3. A computer readable storage medium for storing a plurality of instructions, which when executed by a computer, causes said computer to execute a network game for users who operate terminals connected to the computer through a network, the network game comprising the steps of:

storing character data received over the network from a plurality of terminals respectively associated with a plurality of first users;

receiving a request from at least one terminal respectively associated with at least one second user connected to the server through the network for a betting game, said request including a betting data, the betting game being bet to a competitive game among a plurality of characters based on the character data, and storing the betting data;

after a closing time for bets in said betting game, determining winnings of the betting game based on a result of the competitive game, said result being determined before said closing time for bets in said betting game;

processing winnings of the betting game; and

processing prize distributions for any first user who provided the character data which won the competitive game.