Methods and apparatus for managing network linked gambling video games

• US 8,721,420 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2013
• Issued: 05/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Zynga Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Zynga Incorporated
• Inventors: Walker, Jay S., Jorasch, James A., Fincham, Magdelena M., Gelman, Geoffrey M., Tulley, Stephen C., Tedesco, Daniel E., Tedesco, Robert C.
• Primary Examiner(s): McClellan, James S
• Application Number:
  US13/931,732
• Publication Number:
  US 20130324224A1
• Time in Patent Office: 319 Days
• Field of Search: 463/13, 463/16, 463/20, 463/26, 463/29, 463/42
• US Class Current: 463/13
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2001/008 adapted for being playable on a screen
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3276 wherein the players compete, e.g. tournament

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for team play in video games is provided. One method includes receiving a request to initiate a gambling game for a player of a first network connected device, and joining a second player from a second networked connected device to a team. The method enables transfer of currency between the first and second players of the team using the networked during play of the gambling game. The method enables debiting an account of a player that transferred the currency and crediting an account of a player that that received the currency, and enabling wagers in the gambling game using the credited currency. The method enables displaying an avatar of the first player on a display of the second networked connected device; and displaying an avatar of the second player on a display of the first networked connected device, the method being executed by at least one processor.

Claims

1. A method for team play in video games played in a networked environment, comprising:

receiving a request to initiate a gambling game for a player of a first network connected device;

joining a second player from a second networked connected device to a team;

enabling transfer of currency between the first and second players of the team using the networked environment during play of the gambling game;

debiting an account of a player that transferred the currency and crediting an account of a player that that received the currency;

enabling wagers in the gambling game using the credited currency;

displaying an avatar of the first player on a display of the second networked connected device; and

displaying an avatar of the second player on a display of the first networked connected device, the method being executed by at least one processor.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising,

assigning the team to compete with another team of players;

monitoring win progress of each of the teams; and

assigning a prize to the team that accumulates a higher win total.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the gambling game is a poker game managed by at least one networked server.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising,

processing data to forward to one of the first or second players to identify a likelihood of bluffing during the gambling game.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the likelihood of bluffing is computed by a bluff meter that graphically indicates the likelihood of an opponent bluffing during game play.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the likelihood is computed from statistics of prior game play.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the transfer is processed in response to one player graphically moving the currency from one location on a graphical user interface to another location in the graphical user interface.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising,

receiving a request to add additional players to the team, the request being in response to detecting selection of join team play from a graphical user interface.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising,

receiving a request to search a server to identify other teams to join.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising,

generating bonus conditions for particular other teams that are available for joining;

and

receiving a request from the first player or the second player to join a new team associated with a bonus condition and enabling leaving of the team.

11. Non-transitory computer readable media having program instructions for performing the method of claim 1.

12. A server for processing team play in video games played in a networked environment, comprising,

memory,

a processor, the processor executing,

program instructions for receiving a request to initiate a gambling game for a player of a first network connected device;

program instructions for joining a second player from a second networked connected device to a team;

program instructions for enabling transfer of currency between the first and second players of the team using the networked environment during play of the gambling game;

program instructions for debiting an account of a player that transferred the currency and crediting an account of a player that that received the currency;

program instructions for enabling wagers in the gambling game using the credited currency;

program instructions for enabling display of an avatar of the first player on a display of the second networked connected device;

program instructions for enabling display of an avatar of the second player on a display of the first networked connected device.

13. The server of claim 12, wherein the processor further executes,

program instructions for assigning the team to compete with another team of players;

program instructions for monitoring win progress of each of the teams; and

program instructions for assigning a prize to the team that accumulates a higher win total.

14. The server of claim 12, wherein the gambling game is a poker game managed by networked servers.

15. The server of claim 12, wherein the processor further executes,

program instruction for processing data to forward to one of the first or second players to identify a likelihood of bluffing during the gambling game.

16. The server of claim 15, wherein the likelihood of bluffing is computed by a bluff meter that graphically indicates the likelihood of an opponent bluffing during game play.

17. The server of claim 15, wherein the likelihood is computed from statistics of prior game play.

18. The server of claim 15, wherein the transfer is processed in response to one player graphically moving the currency from one location on a graphical user interface to another location in the graphical user interface.