System and method of an interactive multiple participant game
First Claim
1. A method for operating an interactive game on a plurality of linked gaming machines, comprising the steps of:
- entering a wager by a participating player;
providing a base game playable on each of a plurality of gaming machines by at least two respective players;
providing a community bonus game playable in common from each gaming machine in the plurality of gaming machines, said bonus game including a set of a plurality of game elements for a game, wherein said set of game elements yield letters comprising at least one word hidden from view of at least first and second players comprising said at least two respective players;
operating said base and bonus games using at least one processor including data storage containing program instructions executable by said at least one processor for carrying out a set of functions, said set of functions including;
engaging at least two gaming machines of said plurality of gaming machines in play of said community bonus game among said at least two players, said play of said community bonus game resulting in respective bonus-game outcomes for said at least two players;
receiving, during play of said community bonus game, input from said at least two players via the at least two gaming machines, said input reflecting choices made by said at least two players during play of said community bonus game, said choices affecting said respective bonus-game outcomes in a manner that has the potential of yielding different respective bonus-game outcomes as between said at least two players, said input including alternate play of said community bonus game by said at least two players who comprise said first and second players, wherein said first player and said second player alternately select a letter from a set of letters visible to said first and second players before player selection thereof, said set of letters comprising the letters of said at least one word but less than all of the letters of the alphabet, and wherein a selected letter is revealed in said set of game elements;
calculating a respective award for each of said at least two players based at least in part on said game element letters revealed in said set of game elements by each of said at least two players; and
presenting said award to said at least one player.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A plurality of linked gaming machines are disclosed that enhance the community participation and enjoyment of a game on multiple gaming machines. Players participate in an interactive game, either simultaneously, alternatively or in a systematic sequence, as a group or community. The participating players compete in the game such that the actions and results of each player affect the other players in the community. The interactive game combines skill and luck to improve play of the game. The interactive game could be a bonus game which players need to qualify in order to participate. If a player does not qualify, a wager can be placed to participate in the game. Players with different wagers can participate in the same game and players can wager on the outcomes of other players.
366 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for operating an interactive game on a plurality of linked gaming machines, comprising the steps of:
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entering a wager by a participating player; providing a base game playable on each of a plurality of gaming machines by at least two respective players; providing a community bonus game playable in common from each gaming machine in the plurality of gaming machines, said bonus game including a set of a plurality of game elements for a game, wherein said set of game elements yield letters comprising at least one word hidden from view of at least first and second players comprising said at least two respective players; operating said base and bonus games using at least one processor including data storage containing program instructions executable by said at least one processor for carrying out a set of functions, said set of functions including; engaging at least two gaming machines of said plurality of gaming machines in play of said community bonus game among said at least two players, said play of said community bonus game resulting in respective bonus-game outcomes for said at least two players; receiving, during play of said community bonus game, input from said at least two players via the at least two gaming machines, said input reflecting choices made by said at least two players during play of said community bonus game, said choices affecting said respective bonus-game outcomes in a manner that has the potential of yielding different respective bonus-game outcomes as between said at least two players, said input including alternate play of said community bonus game by said at least two players who comprise said first and second players, wherein said first player and said second player alternately select a letter from a set of letters visible to said first and second players before player selection thereof, said set of letters comprising the letters of said at least one word but less than all of the letters of the alphabet, and wherein a selected letter is revealed in said set of game elements; calculating a respective award for each of said at least two players based at least in part on said game element letters revealed in said set of game elements by each of said at least two players; and presenting said award to said at least one player. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for operating a gaming system comprising:
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providing a base game playable on each of a plurality of gaming machines by at least two respective players; providing a community bonus game playable in common from each gaming machine in the plurality of gaming machines, said bonus game including a set of a plurality of game elements for a game, wherein said set of game elements yield letters comprising at least one word hidden from view of at least first and second players comprising said at least two players; operating said base and bonus games using at least one processor including data storage containing program instructions executable by said at least one processor for carrying out a set of functions, said set of functions including; engaging at least two gaming machines among the plurality of gaming machines in play of said community bonus game among said at least two players, said play of said community bonus game resulting in respective bonus-game outcomes for said at least two players; receiving, during play of said community bonus game, input from said at least two players via said at least two gaming machines, said input reflecting choices made by said at least two players during play of said community bonus game, said choices affecting said respective bonus-game outcomes in a manner that has the potential of yielding different respective bonus-game outcomes as between said at least two players, said input including alternate play of said community bonus game by said at least two players who comprise said first and second players, wherein said first player and said second player select from a set of letters visible to said first and second players before player selection thereof, said set of letters comprising letters of said at least one word but less than all of the letters of the alphabet, and wherein a selected letter is revealed in said set of game elements; and calculating a respective bonus-game payout, if any, for each of said at least two players based at least in part on said respective bonus-game outcomes of said at least two players. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for operating a gaming system comprising:
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providing a base game playable on each of a plurality of gaming machines; providing a community bonus game playable in common from each gaming machine in the plurality of gaming machines, said bonus game including a set of game elements in the form of alphabetic letters comprising at least one word hidden from view of at least first and second players; operating said base and bonus games using at least one processor and data storage containing program instructions executable by the at least one processor for carrying out a set of functions, the set including; engaging at least two gaming machines among the plurality of gaming machines in play of said community bonus game among at least two players, said play of said community bonus game resulting in respective bonus-game outcomes for said at least first and second players; receiving, during said play of said community bonus game, input from said at least first and second players via the at least two gaming machines, said input affecting said respective bonus-game outcomes in a manner that has the potential of yielding different respective bonus-game outcomes as between at least said first and second players, wherein receiving said input comprises receiving said input as said players take alternating turns during said play of said community bonus game wherein said at least first player and said second player each alternately select one letter from a set of letters visible to said first and second players before player selection thereof, said set of letters comprising the letters of said at least one word but less than all of the letters of the alphabet, and wherein a selected letter is revealed in said set of game elements, and further including a bonus award associated with one or more letters of said set of letters, wherein said bonus award is a pick of another letter of said set of letters; and calculating a respective bonus-game payout, if any, for each of said at least first and second players based at least in part on said respective bonus-game outcomes of the at least two players. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification