Exchange-based and challenge-based networked video game wagering

• US 20070265092A1
• Filed: 04/21/2006
• Published: 11/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Albert Betteridge
• Original Assignee: Albert Betteridge
• Inventors: Betteridge, Albert
• Application Number:
  US11/409,173
• Publication Number:
  US 20070265092A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3276 wherein the players compete, e.g. tournament

Abstract

In various embodiments, wagering systems, processes and computer-readable media are provided. The wager system may include a server configured for processing at least one wager on a video game match to be played on a multiplayer gaming network; at least one database operatively associated with the server, the database being configured for storing information related to the wager; and, a challenge system operatively associated with the server, the challenge system being configured to permit a challenger player to challenge an opponent player to a challenge wager associated with the video game match. In certain embodiments, the server may be configured to enable wagered video game play through a directly operatively associated game server or a directly operatively associated multiplayer gaming network to facilitate challenge-based and/or exchange-based wagering.

Claims

1. A wagering system comprising:

a server configured for processing at least one wager on a video game match to be played by players on a multiplayer gaming network;

at least one database operatively associated with the server, the database being configured for storing information related to the video game wager; and

,

a challenge system operatively associated with the server, the challenge system being configured to permit a challenger player to challenge an opponent player to a challenge wager associated with the video game match.

2. The wagering system of claim 1, further comprising a confirmation system configured to receive confirmation of the outcome of the video game match.

3. The wagering system of claim 1, further comprising at least one web site page operatively associated with the server to allow selection from among a set of video games that can be played for wagers.

4. The wagering system of claim 3, further comprising the set of video games being separated into multiple sections according to a factor selected from the group consisting of a multiplayer gaming network associated with the video game, a type of video game, and a gaming mode.

5. The wagering system of claim 1, further comprising at least one web site page operatively associated with the server to allow storage of a wager in association with at least one video game.

6. The wagering system of claim 1, further comprising at least one web site page operatively associated with the server to allow acceptance of a wager in association with at least one video game.

7. The wagering system of claim 1, further comprising at least one player profile stored on the database.

8. The wagering system of claim 1, further comprising the server being configured to transfer a wager amount based on the outcome of the video game match.

9. The wagering system of claim 1, further comprising a competency structure operatively associated with the server, the competency structure being configured for maintaining at least one skill level of at least one of the players.

10. The wagering system of claim 1, further comprising the database being configured to store multiple wagers for a particular video game or for multiple video games.

11. The wagering system of claim 1, further comprising the database being configured to permit removal of an unaccepted, stored wager.

12. The wagering system of claim 1, further comprising the server being configured to automatically communicate to the players that they should compete upon determining compatibility of stored wagers.

13. The wagering system of claim 12, wherein determining compatibility includes comparing skill levels associated with the players.

14. The wagering system of claim 1, further comprising a ratings system operatively associated with the server, the ratings system being configured to adjust a rating of at least one player.

15. The wagering system of claim 1, wherein the video game includes a video game that can be played by multiple players as a team.

16. The wagering system of claim 2, further comprising the confirmation system being configured to award a prize to the winning player upon receiving the same confirmation of the wager outcome from both players.

17. The wagering system of claim 1, further comprising a ratings system operatively associated with the server, the ratings system being configured for adjusting a rating of at least one of the players.

18. The wagering system of claim 17, further comprising the ratings system being configured to not allow a player to accept a wager if a rating of the player falls below a threshold level.

19. The wagering system of claim 2, further comprising a dispute settlement system operatively associated with the server, the dispute settlement system being configured for determining a wager outcome if the confirmation system receives a different confirmation of the wager outcome from each player.

20. The wagering system of claim 1, further comprising the challenge system being configured for permitting the challenger player to configure the challenge wager to be sent to the opponent player.

21. The wagering system of claim 1, further comprising the challenge system being configured for permitting the opponent player to select an action from the group consisting of accept, decline, and counter with respect to the challenge wager.

22. The wagering system of claim 1, further comprising a challenge room system for permitting challenger players to challenge opponent players in networked video game play.

23. The wagering system of claim 1, further comprising the server being configured to facilitate a video game tournament.

24. The wagering system of claim 1, further comprising the server being accessible through a game console.

25. The wagering system of claim 1, further comprising the server being accessible through a cable network connection.

26. The wagering system of claim 1, further comprising at least one web site operatively associated with the server, the web site being accessible through a game console.

27. The wagering system of claim 1, further comprising at least one web site operatively associated with the server, the web site being accessible through a cable network connection.

28. A method for facilitating wagering on a video game, the method comprising:

processing at least one wager on a video game match to be played by players on a multiplayer gaming network;

storing information related to the video game wager; and

,

permitting a challenger player to challenge an opponent player to a challenge wager associated with the video game match.

29. A computer-readable medium including instructions for causing a computer system to execute a method for facilitating wagering on a video game, the medium comprising:

instructions for processing at least one wager on a video game match to be played by players on a multiplayer gaming network;

instructions for storing information related to the video game wager; and

,

instructions for permitting a challenger player to challenge an opponent player to a challenge wager associated with the video game match.

30. A wagering system comprising:

a server configured for processing at least one wager on a video game match to be played on a multiplayer gaming network, wherein the server is configured to enable wagered video game play through at least one electronic environment selected from the group consisting of a directly operatively associated game server and a directly operatively associated multiplayer gaming network;

at least one database operatively associated with the server, the database being configured for storing information related to the video game wager; and

,

at least one of the following;

(i) a challenge system operatively associated with the server, the challenge system being configured to permit a challenger player to challenge an opponent player to a challenge wager associated with the video game match;

or,

(ii) an exchange-based wagering system operatively associated with the server, the exchange-based wagering system being configured to match opponents to wager on a video game.

31. The wagering system of claim 30, further comprising a confirmation system configured to facilitate confirmation of the outcome of the video game match.

32. The wagering system of claim 30, further comprising an outcome monitoring system configured to automatically verify the outcome of the video game match.

33. The wagering system of claim 30, further comprising the server being configured to facilitate a video game tournament.

34. A method for facilitating wagering on a video game, the method comprising:

processing at least one wager on a video game match to be played on a multiplayer gaming network, including enabling wagered video game play through at least one electronic environment selected from the group consisting of a directly operatively associated game server and a directly operatively associated multiplayer gaming network;

storing information related to the video game wager; and

,

at least one of the following;

(i) permitting a challenger player to challenge an opponent player to a challenge wager associated with the video game match;

or,

(ii) matching opponents to a wager on the video game match through an exchange-based wagering system.

35. A computer-readable medium including instructions for causing a computer system to facilitate wagering on a video game, the medium comprising:

instructions for processing at least one wager on a video game match to be played on a multiplayer gaming network, including instructions for enabling wagered video game play through at least one electronic environment selected from the group consisting of a directly operatively associated game server and a directly operatively associated multiplayer gaming network;

instructions for storing information related to the video game wager; and

,

at least one of the following;

(i) instructions for permitting a challenger player to challenge an opponent player to a challenge wager associated with the video game match;

or,

(ii) instructions for matching opponents to a wager on the video game match through an exchange-based wagering system.