Video games adapted for wagering

• US 8,075,383 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2010
• Issued: 12/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Olympian Gaming, LLC (Costas, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Olympian Gaming, LLC (Costas, Inc.)
• Inventors: Friedman, Stacy, Muskin, Jon
• Primary Examiner(s): Suhol, Dmitry
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kim, Kevin Y
• Application Number:
  US12/705,620
• Publication Number:
  US 20100240445A1
• Time in Patent Office: 667 Days
• Field of Search: 463/2, 463/5, 463/7, 463/16, 463/23
• US Class Current: 463/16
• 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, comprising:

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

displaying a video game to a player using a computer;

receiving an input from the player from an input device which initiates a launching of a projectile towards a target in the video game, the input involving manual skill of the player;

providing a collision handling routine comprising;

evaluating whether the projectile should hit the target based on the launching;

determining whether the projectile will hit the target based on a predetermined probability;

if the evaluating determines that the projectile should hit the target and the determining determines that the projectile will hit the target, then displaying to the player that the projectile hits the target;

if the evaluating determines that the projectile should hit the target and the determining determines that the projectile will not hit the target, then displaying to the player that the projectile does not hit the target;

if the evaluating determines that the projectile should not hit the target and the determining determines that the projectile will hit the target, then adjusting a path of the projectile so it is displayed that the projectile hits the target;

if the evaluating determines that the projectile should not hit the target and the determining determines that the projectile will not hit the target, the displaying to the player that the projectile does not hit the target;

executing the collision handling routine on the computer;

evaluating payback amounts based on occurrences in the video game; and

adding the evaluated payback amounts to the player credits.

2. A computer implemented method, comprising:

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

displaying, using an electronic computer, a video game to the player and displaying the player credits;

receiving a player input from an input device connected to the computer which initiates a launching of a projectile towards a target in the video game, the player input involving manual operation by the player;

providing a collision handling routine by the computer comprising;

determining whether the projectile hits the target;

if the determining determines that the projectile hits the target, then displaying a value, the value determined using a random mathematical model, the model comprising a set of possible outcomes that comprises a success outcome with a value greater than zero and a failure outcome with a value of zero with no immediate financial benefit to the player;

adding the value to the player credits;

wherein a credit cost for the projectile is received from the player by deducting the credit cost from the player credits except the player credits do not reflect deduction of the credit cost if the projectile does not hit the target;

executing the collision handling routine; and

providing the player an option to convert the player credits into a cash amount for redemption.

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 cash amount from a player and converting the cash amount into player credits;

displaying a video game to the player;

receiving an input from the player using an input device which initiates a launching of a projectile towards a target in the video game, the input involving manual operation of the player;

determining whether the projectile hits the target;

if the determining determines that the projectile hits the target, then displaying a value, the value determined using a random mathematical model, the model comprising a set of possible outcomes that comprises a success outcome with a value greater than zero and a failure outcome with a value of zero with no immediate financial benefit to the player;

adding the value to the player credits;

wherein a credit cost for the projectile is received from the player by deducting the credit cost from the player credits except the player credits do not reflect deduction of the credit cost if the projectile does not hit the target; and

providing the player an option to convert the player credits into a cash amount for redemption.