Gaming device and method of operation thereof

• US 7,559,838 B2
• Filed: 02/07/2003
• Issued: 07/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Zynga Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Inventors: Jorasch, James A., Fincham, Magdalena M., Gelman, Geoffrey M., Walker, Jay S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Laneau; Ronald
• Application Number:
  US10/361,201
• Publication Number:
  US 20030119579A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,349 Days
• Field of Search: 463 16- 25, 463/30, 463/31
• US Class Current: 463/21
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/323 wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes

Abstract

A gaming device such as a video based gaming device provides a player the ability to modify at least one element of the gaming device. The gaming device may then modify other elements to ensure a desired house advantage. The probability of occurrence for one or more outcomes, the payout corresponding to one or more outcomes, and the wager amount required to play a game, may be modified by a player. The gaming device may then automatically determine changes in the values of other elements in order to maintain a constant house advantage. The player may also impose constraints on the value of one or more elements so that the gaming device cannot change the constrained elements in maintaining the house advantage. Software running on the gaming device may use an equation that takes into account pertinent elements such as the size of the jackpot, the size of the wager needed to play each game, and probability of hitting the jackpot during a game. Based on the equation, the software may adjust elements other than the element(s) specified by the player so that, for example, the house advantage remains constant with each game. A player interface provides an easy to use method of modifying selected elements.

Claims

1. A method performed by a device operable to facilitate a wagering game, comprising:

receiving at a device operable to facilitate a wavering game a request from a player to modify a value of a first element corresponding to the wagering game from a first value to a second value;

modifying, by the device and in response to the request from the player, the value of the first element from the first value to the second value;

determining by the device a second element corresponding to the wagering game,

wherein the second element corresponds to a third value;

determining by the device a fourth value for the second element based on at least one of the first value of the first element, the second value of the first element, and the third value of the second element; and

causing the wagering game to be modified such that the second value for the first element and the fourth value for the second element are utilized in play of the wagering game.

2. A method performed by a device operable to facilitate a wagering game, comprising:

receiving at a device operable to facilitate a wagering game a request from a player to modify a value of a first element of the wagering game from a first value to a second value;

modifying, by the device and in response to the request from the player, the value of the first element from the first value to the second value;

determining by the device a second element of the wagering game,

wherein the second element corresponds to a third value;

determining by the device a fourth value for the second element based on at least one of the first value of the first element, the second value of the first element, and the third value of the second element,

wherein the first element is the probability of occurrence of the outcome “

bar-bar-bar”

on the gaming device;

wherein the second element is the minimum amount that must be wagered for a single round of the wagering game;

wherein the first value of the first element is 0.001;

wherein the second value of the first element is 0.002;

wherein the third value of the second element is $0.50; and

wherein the fourth value of the of the second element is $0.55; and

causing the wagering game to be modified such that the second value for the first element and the fourth value for the second element are utilized in play of the wagering game.

3. A method performed by a device operable to facilitate a wagering game, comprising:

determining by a device operable to facilitate a wagering game a first category of elements of the wagering game,

wherein the first category of elements is the set of all elements, each of which describes the probability of occurrence of an outcome of the wagering game;

determining by the device a second category of elements of the wagering game,

wherein the second category of elements is the set of all elements, each of which describes the payout of an outcome of the wagering game;

determining by the device an order in which to present the first category and the second category,

thereby determining an order of customizable categories;

causing a presentation of the first and second categories according to the order of customizable categories to be presented to a player;

receiving at the device a selection of one of the first category of elements or the second category of elements,

thereby receiving a selection of a customizable category,

wherein the customizable category is the first category;

determining by the device a first element in the customizable category,

wherein the first element is the probability of occurrence of the outcome “

orange-orange-orange”

in the wagering game;

determining by the device a second element in the customizable category,

wherein the second element is the probability of occurrence of the outcome “

cherry-cherry-bar”

in the wagering game;

determining by the device an order in which to present the first element and the second element,

thereby determining an order of customizable elements;

causing a presentation of the first and second elements according to the order of customizable elements to be presented to the player;

receiving at the device a selection of one of the first element or the second element,

thereby receiving a selection of a customizable element,

wherein the customizable element is the probability of occurrence of the outcome “

cherry-cherry-bar”

in the wagering game;

determining at the device a first value for the customizable element,

wherein the first value is 0.005;

receiving at the device an indication of a second value for the customizable element,

wherein the second value is 0.009;

receiving at the device a selection of a third element,

thereby receiving a selection of a compensating element,

wherein the compensating element is the number of comp points to be provided to the player for a single round of the wagering game;

determining at the device a third value for the compensating element,

wherein the third value is 3;

determining at the device a fourth value for the compensating element based on at least one of the first value of the customizable element, the second value of the customizable element, and the third value of the compensating element,

wherein the fourth value is 1; and

causing the wagering game to be modified such that the fourth value for the compensating element is utilized in play of the wagering game.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

determining a third category of elements of a gaming device;

determining a fourth category of elements of a gaming device;

determining an order in which to present the third category and the fourth category,

thereby determining an order of compensating categories;

presenting to the player the third and fourth categories according to the order of compensating categories;

receiving a selection of one of the third category of elements or the fourth category of elements,

thereby receiving a selection of a compensating category;

determining a fourth element in the compensating category;

determining a fifth element in the compensating category;

determining an order in which to present the fourth element and the fifth element,

thereby determining an order of compensating elements;

presenting to the player the fourth and fifth elements according to the order of compensating elements; and

wherein the step of receiving an indication of a third element comprises;

receiving a selection of one of the fourth element or the fifth element,

thereby receiving a selection of a compensating element.

5. A method performed by a device operable to facilitate a wagering game, comprising:

receiving at a device operable to facilitate a wagering game a request from a player to modify a value of a payout from a first value to a second value,

wherein the payout corresponds to an outcome of a gaming device;

modifying, by the device and in response to the request from the player, the payout from the first value to the second value;

determining by the device a rate of play that is to be required of the player in order for the player to be eligible to receive a payout of the second value;

generating by the device the outcome on the gaming device;

determining by the device whether the player has played in accordance with the rate of play required of the player; and

causing, after determining that the player has played in accordance with the rate of play required of the player, a payout of the second value to be provided.

6. The method of claim 5,

wherein the rate of play is 600 games per minute.

7. The method of claim 5,

wherein the first value is different from the second value.

8. The method of claim 5,

wherein the rate of play is a first rate of play,

further comprising the step of:

determining a second rate of play for the player at the gaming device; and

wherein the step of determining a first rate of play comprises;

determining a first rate of play based on at least one of the second value and the second rate of play.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of determining a first rate of play comprises:

determining a first rate of play such that a profit the gaming device would be expected to make per hour when played at the second rate of play with the first value corresponding to the payout of the outcome is substantially equivalent to a profit the gaming device would be expected to make per hour when played at the first rate of play with the second value corresponding to the payout of the outcome.

10. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

determining a profit the gaming device would be expected to make per hour; and

wherein the step of determining a rate of play comprises;

determining a rate of play based on at least one of the profit the gaming device would be expected to make per hour and the second value.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of determining a rate of play comprises:

determining a rate of play such that the profit the gaming device would be expected to make per hour when played at the rate of play with the second value corresponding to the payout of the outcome substantially equals or exceeds a predetermined level of profit.

12. A method performed by a device operable to facilitate a wagering game, comprising:

receiving at a device operable to facilitate a wagering game a request from a player to modify a value of a payout from a first value to a second value,

wherein the payout corresponds to an outcome of the wagering game;

modifying, by the device and in response to the request from the player, the payout from the first value to the second value;

receiving at the device a commitment from the player to perform an activity in exchange for which the player will be eligible to receive a payout of the second value upon the occurrence of the outcome;

causing the outcome to be generated; and

causing a payout of the second value to be provided.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of receiving comprises:

receiving a commitment from the player to do at least one of;

(i) answer survey questions;

(ii) monitor the feed from a security camera;

(iii) participate in a focus group;

(iv) make a sales call;

(v) provide expert advice;

(vi) make a purchase;

(vii) sample a product or service;

(viii) receive a price quote on a product or service;

(ix) transfer a balance to a financial account;

(x) recommend a product or service to another; and

(xi) make a payment.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of:

receiving an indication that the player has performed the activity.

13. The method of 12, wherein the step of modifying comprises:

modifying, in response to a request from a player, the payout from a first value to a second value for a limited number of handle pulls.

16. A method performed by a device operable to facilitate a wagering game, comprising:

receiving at a device operable to facilitate a wagering game a request from a player to modify a value of a payout from a first value to a second value,

wherein the payout corresponds to an outcome of the wagering game;

modifying, by the device and in response to the request from the player, the payout from the first value to the second value;

receiving at the device a payment from the player in exchange for which the player will be eligible to receive a payout of the second value upon the occurrence of the outcome;

causing the outcome to be generated; and

causing a payout of the second value to be provided.

17. The method of 16,

wherein the step of modifying comprises:

modifying, in response to a request from a player, a payout from a first value to a second value for a limited number of handle pulls.

18. The method of 16,

wherein the step of receiving comprises:

receiving from the player a payment that is not a wager.

19. A method performed by a device operable to facilitate a wagering game, comprising:

receiving at a device operable to facilitate a wagering game, a request from a player to modify a value of a payout from a first value to a second value,

wherein the payout corresponds to an outcome of the wagering game;

modifying, by the device and in response to the request from the player, the payout from the first value to the second value;

receiving at the device an agreement from the player to have a portion of future payouts withheld in accordance with predetermined rules in exchange for which the player will be eligible to receive a payout of the second value upon the occurrence of the outcome;

causing the outcome to be generated; and

causing a payout of the second value to be provided.

20. A method performed by a device operable to facilitate a wagering game, comprising:

receiving at a device operable to facilitate a wagering game a request from a player to modify a value of a payout from a first value to a second value,

wherein the payout corresponds to an outcome of the wagering game;

modifying, by the device and in response to the request from the player, the payout from the first value to the second value;

determining a first number of comp points provided per pull of the wagering game;

determining by the device a second number of comp points to be provided per pull based on at least one of the first number of comp points and the second value;

setting the second number of comp points as the number of comp points to be provided per pull in order for the player to be eligible to receive a payout of the second value upon the occurrence of the outcome; and

causing the second number of comp points to be provided to the player upon the occurrence of the outcome.

21. A performed by a device operable to facilitate a wagering game method, comprising:

receiving at a device operable to facilitate a wagering game and from a player an indication of a first element of the wagering game;

receiving at the device and from the player an indication that the value of the first element must not be changed;

determining by the device a second element of the wagering game, wherein the second element is not the first element;

determining by the device a value for the second element; and

causing the value determined for the second element to be used in play of the wagering game.

22. A method performed by a device operable to facilitate a wagering game, comprising:

receiving at a device operable to facilitate a wagering game a request from a player to modify the value of a first element of the wagering game from a first value to a second value;

modifying, by the device and in response to the request from the player, the value of the first element from the first value to the second value;

determining by the device and at least two categories of elements of the gaming device,

wherein the at least two categories each have a respective ranking relative to the others;

selecting by the device a category of elements from the at least two categories of elements based on the respective rankings;

selecting by the device a second element from the selected category;

determining by the device a third value for the second element;

determining by the device a fourth value for the second element based on at least one of the first value of the first element, the second value of the first element, and the third value of the second element; and

causing the wagering game to be modified such that the second value for the first element and the fourth value for the second element are utilized in play of the wagering game.

23. The method of claim 22,

wherein the selected category of elements is a first category of elements;

further comprising the steps of;

determining whether the fourth value satisfies a predetermined criterion; and

if the fourth value does not satisfy the predetermined criterion,

selecting a second category of elements from the at least two categories of elements,

wherein the second category of elements has a lower ranking than the first category of elements; and

selecting a third element from the second category of elements.

24. A method performed by a device operable to facilitate a wagering game, comprising:

receiving at a device operable to facilitate a wagering a request from a player to modify the value of a first element of the wagering game from a first value to a second value;

modifying, by the device and in response to the request from the player, the value of the first element from the first value to the second value;

determining by the device two categories of elements;

selecting by the device one of the two categories of elements according to one or more predetermined criteria;

selecting by the device a second element from the selected category of elements;

determining by the device a third value for the second element;

determining by the device a fourth value for the second element based on at least one of the first value of the first element, the second value of the first element, and the third value of the second element; and

causing the wagering game to be modified such that the second value for the first element and the fourth value for the second element are utilized in play of the wagering game.

25. A method performed by a device operable to facilitate a wagering game, comprising:

determining by a device operable to facilitate a wagering game at least two categories of elements of the wagering game,

wherein each of the at least two categories has a ranking relative to each of the others;

causing the at least two categories of elements to be presented to a player,

wherein the at least two categories of elements are presented according to their respective rankings;

receiving by the device and from the player a selection of one of the at least two categories of elements;

causing one or more elements from within the selected category of elements to be presented to the player;

receiving by the device and from the player a selection of one of the presented elements;

modifying by the device the value of the element; and

causing the wagering game to be modified such that the modified value of the element is utilized in play of the wagering game.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the step of presenting the at least two categories of elements comprises:

presenting two or more of the at least two categories of elements in rank order,

wherein a higher ranking of the presented categories is presented before a lower ranking of the presented categories.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the step of presenting the at least two categories of elements comprises:

determining, from among the at least two categories of elements, a first category of a first rank;

determining, from among the at least two categories of elements, a second category of a second rank,

wherein the second rank is lower than the first rank;

presenting the first category; and

not presenting the second category.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the step of presenting the at least two categories of elements comprises:

presenting for player customization the at least two categories of elements,

wherein the at least two categories of elements are presented according to their ranking.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein the step of presenting the at least two categories of elements comprises:

presenting, for use in compensating for player customizations, the at least two categories of elements,

wherein the at least two categories of elements are presented according to their ranking.

30. A method performed by a device operable to facilitate a wagering game, comprising:

modifying, by a device operable to facilitate a wagering game and in response to a request from a player, a value of a first element of the wagering game from a first value to a second value;

determining by the device a first monetary worth per unit value of the first element;

determining by the device a second element of the gaming device;

determining by the device a third value of the second element;

determining by the device a second monetary worth per unit value of the second element;

determining by the device a fourth value for the second element based on at least one of the first value of the first element, the second value of the first element, the first monetary worth, the second monetary worth, and the third value of the second element; and

causing the wagering game to be modified such that the second value for the first element and the fourth value for the second element are utilized in play of the wagering game.