| Gaming system -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Gaming systemRelated Patent Categories: Amusement Devices: Games, Including Means For Processing Electronic Data (e.g., Computer/video Game, Etc.), In A Chance ApplicationGaming system description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060281515, Gaming system. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to gaming systems, particularly but not exclusively to gaming systems where games are played by players (or punters as they are colloquially known) seeking monetary return. [0002] One particularly preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a gaming system that can be implemented by means of an internet or other communications medium (hereafter referred to as a virtual gaming system). Another preferred embodiment relates to a gaming system which can be implemented as a real (as opposed to virtual) physical gaming console, such as an arcade machine for example. [0003] Whilst the gaming systems of preferred embodiments are typically played in expectation of monetary return, the teachings of the invention may equally be applied to gaming systems which do not provide a monetary return but instead provide a return in the form of tokens, credits or prizes. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [0004] A variety of different gaming systems have previously been proposed. Of these different systems, the majority can be considered as implementing either "skill based" or "chance based" games. [0005] In general terms, skill based games can be considered to be those which require an element of skill on the part of the punter. Action games for gaming consoles are a prime example of just such a game. Chance based games, on the other hand, can be considered to be those games in which the outcome is dependent on chance irrespective (or at least largely irrespective) of the skill possessed by the punter. Roulette is a prime example of a chance based game where the ball has an equal chance of falling into any of the slots in the roulette wheel, and as such the outcome of the game is independent of the skill of the punter. [0006] It will be appreciated that in most chance based games, there is nevertheless an element of skill (usually acquired by experience) associated, for example, with picking the most likely outcome from a range of possible outcomes, but this does not detract from the fact that the determination of which outcome provides a "win" is to a large extent random, and beyond the control of the punter. [0007] Similarly, whilst in most skill based games there is usually an element of chance--for example in determining the challenge to be presented to a player--it is nevertheless the case that the ultimate achievement of a "win" will depend upon the skill of the punter playing the game. [0008] Both of these gaming genres are often described as being "addictive", but for very different reasons. Skill based games, such as the aforementioned console action games, tend to provide punters with an opportunity to test their skill against another punter or indeed against a virtual punter controlled by the console. It is this challenge, as well as the enjoyment to be had from playing the game, which induces the punters to keep playing a given game. [0009] Chance based games, on the other hand, have traditionally been associated with gambling in one form or another, and it is often the case that a principal inducement for players to keep playing is the potential for winning--typically in return for a modest stake--a relatively large jackpot prize. Referring to the example of roulette, whilst it is undoubtedly the case that it is exciting to play the game, a principal draw for a punter is the opportunity to significantly increase whatever stake that punter chooses to place on the table. Another example of a chance based game is the so-called one-armed bandit machine. Punters playing these machines do undoubtedly enjoy the experience, but as mentioned above a principal attraction of the machine is that it provides the punters with an opportunity to win a sum of money that is considerably larger than the stake they have had to place to play. [0010] An advantage of chance based games, particularly those played for monetary return, is that the potential for winning money will continue to be a draw for the punters irrespective of the age of the gaming system or the number of times they have played the game. [0011] In the case of skill based games, however, punters can quickly lose interest in the game--for example if the challenges are not sufficiently difficult, or are too difficult. It is not unusual for punters to complain that a given game has become "boring"--often because they have become so skilled at playing the game that it no longer offers a challenge. In an amusement arcade that typically includes a number of arcade machines running skill and chance based games, a machine with a skill based game that has become "boring" occupies valuable floor space which could be occupied by a new machine (with a new game) that has a greater potential for contributing to the financial well-being of the arcade. [0012] To counteract the boredom factor, it is usual for managers of amusement arcades to routinely replace the machines in their arcades, and as skill based arcade machines suffer to a greater extent from the boredom factor they tend to be replaced more often than chance based arcade machines. [0013] Replacing one gaming machine with another is an expensive process (as typically the machines are on hire), to say nothing of the inconvenience and expense associated with regularly having to move machines into and out of the arcade. [0014] This problem is also faced outside of the arcade in the home environment, for example in association with computer based gaming systems and console based gaming systems. Specifically, it is difficult to maintain the punters' interest in a given skilled based game once they have either decided that the game is too difficult, or have mastered the game to the extent where it no longer presents a challenge. From a punter's perspective, if they should lose interest in a given game then their only real option is to obtain or purchase another game, and from the game manufacturers' point of view this can cause problems if the punter starts to believe that particular types of games or games from a particular manufacturer are less interesting than others. [0015] It would be an advantage, therefore, if a gaming system could be constructed which avoided these problems. Specifically, it would be advantageous if a gaming system could be constructed that provided the opportunity for punters to play games, particularly skill based games, that are less likely to suffer, or alternatively to suffer to a lesser extent, from the aforementioned "boredom factor". SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0016] An aim of the present invention is to provide a practical and technical implementation of just such a gaming system, and with this aim in mind a first aspect of the invention provides a gaming system comprising: means configured to establish a trail comprised of a succession of trail elements of which at least some are associated with a prize, progression from one element to another along said trail being dependent upon the completion of tasks by a punter in the course of playing a game; means for determining, at the outset of a said game, the trail element to which the punter could progress in the course of playing the game; and means for controlling the provision of tasks for completion by the punter in the course of the game, said controlling means being configured to ensure that the punter is not provided with a number of tasks that, if completed, would enable the punter to progress to a trail element beyond that which the punter has been predetermined by said determining means to attain. [0017] Another aspect of the invention provides a gaming system comprising: means configured to establish a trail comprised of a succession of trail elements of which at least some are associated with a prize, progression from one element to another along said trail being dependent upon the completion of tasks by a punter in the course of playing a game; means for determining, at the outset of a said game, the trail element to which the punter could progress in the course of playing the game; and means for controlling the provision of tasks for completion by the punter in the course of the game, said controlling means being configured to ensure that the punter is provided with a number of tasks that, if completed, would enable the punter only to progress to a trail element which is the same as that which the punter has been predetermined by said determining means to attain. [0018] Another aspect of the invention pertains to a method of playing a game comprising the steps of: establishing a trail comprised of a succession of trail elements of which at least one or more are associated with a prize, progression from one element to another along said trail being dependent upon the completion of tasks by a punter in the course of playing a game; determining, at the outset of a said game, the trail element to which the punter could progress in the course of playing the game; and controlling the provision of tasks for completion by the punter in the course of the game, said controlling means being configured to ensure that the punter is not provided with a number of tasks that, if completed, would enable the punter to progress to a trail element beyond that which the punter has been predetermined by said determining means to attain. [0019] In general terms, the gaming system of the invention is configured to predetermine the trail element the punter could attain in the course of playing a game, and to never provide the punter with a number of tasks that, if completed, would enable them to progress to a trail element which is beyond that which the punter has been predetermined to attain. [0020] In this way, the gaming system of the invention effectively instils an element of chance in the game, which in the preferred embodiment is a skills based game, and thereby helps maintain the punters' interest in playing the game. [0021] Other aspects of the invention, and preferred features of those aspects, are set out in the claims and elsewhere in this description. Continue reading about Gaming system... Full patent description for Gaming system Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Gaming system patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Gaming system or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Poker game method and system Next Patent Application: Method for providing a feature game Industry Class: Amusement devices: games ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Gaming system patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.13927 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Canon USA , Celera Genomics , Cephalon, Inc. , Cingular Wireless , Clorox , Colgate-Palmolive , Corning , Cymer , |
||
