VIDEO GAMES ADAPTED FOR WAGERING

• US 20100304842A1
• Filed: 02/14/2010
• Published: 12/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jon H. Muskin, Stacy Friedman
• Original Assignee: Jon H. Muskin, Stacy Friedman
• Inventors: Friedman, Stacy, Muskin, Jon
• Granted Patent: US 8,308,544 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• 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 to allow wagering during a video game, the method comprising:

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

presenting to a player a computer implemented video game playing world and allowing the player, using an input device, to play in the playing world;

for each time unit played by the player, automatically continuously debiting from the player credits an amount based on the time unit;

evaluating payback amounts based on occurrences in the playing world; and

adding the evaluated payback amounts to the player credits.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

determining payback amounts for each time unit; and

adding the determined payback amounts to the player credits.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

determining payback amounts for each time unit;

accumulating a plurality of determined payback amounts; and

adding a total of the accumulated payback amounts to the player credits at one time.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an action by the player;

debiting the player'"'"'s credits by a debit rate respective to the player'"'"'s action.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the action is attacking an enemy.

6. A method as recited in claim 5, further comprising:

determining an action reward in response to the action.

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

presenting to a player a computer implemented video game playing world and allowing the player, using an input device, to play in the playing world;

for each time unit played by the player, automatically continuously debiting from the player credits an amount based on the time unit;

evaluating payback amounts based on occurrences in the playing world; and

adding the evaluated payback amounts to the player credits.

8. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the instructions further comprise:

determining payback amounts for each time unit; and

adding the determined payback amounts to the player credits.

9. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the instructions further comprise:

determining payback amounts for each time unit;

accumulating a plurality of determined payback amounts; and

adding a total of the accumulated payback amounts to the player credits at one time.

10. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the instructions further comprise:

receiving an action by the player;

debiting the player'"'"'s credits by a debit rate respective to the player'"'"'s action.

11. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the action is attacking an enemy.

12. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the instructions further comprise determining an action reward in response to the action.