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Networked game challenge system

Networked game challenge system description/claims

The present invention is directed to a local area network game system. In a preferred aspect of the invention the local area network game system allows different terminals to act as a server for particular game communications.

Amusement arcade games have the ability to connect to various networks and communicate with a local or remote server to implement various game functions including game result reporting, game set-up procedures, game downloading, tournament management, and other functions. Many of the prior art terminals have a telephone dial up capability for communicating with the server on an occasional or preprogrammed basis. Often these preprogrammed sessions are carried out after normal business hours and often during the very early morning. In other arrangements, the server is online and always available.

It is also known to provide a local connection between game terminals at a particular premise to allow head to head competition between players. This is certainly a desirable feature, however, it typically requires the players to organize themselves for this particular competition and the number of networked terminals may be limited.

It is known in casino environments to have various dedicated terminals for carrying out multi-player tournaments over a very short time. In these systems, each player competes at a terminal at the same time.

It is also known to implement using an individual terminal or a series of networked terminals, a high score tournament having a duration of several weeks or months and may include a series of rounds.

Traditional amusement games terminals are normally located in an arcade type premise or perhaps a gambling casino environment. In contrast, some amusement terminals are located in other environments such as restaurants and bars. Many of the games provided on the terminals are designed for intuitive play and the games are of a short duration. To a significant extent, the games provide entertainment value. It has become more and more desirable to have player to player competitive games available to increase competition and interest.

In some sophisticated environments, game terminals are connected to the INTERNET or other wide area networks to allow communication with a host of terminals located in remote locations. The cost to operate these global type systems can be a deterrent.

The present invention and terminal allows effective networking between terminals in a local environment and using a local area network. The arrangement is cost effective to operate and allows game terminals in non adjacent areas to be available for multi-player competition or cooperation.

Such a system that operates on a local area network allows the operator to carry out multi-player games in a cost effective manner.

The present invention also allows an individual player to organize and control play of a network game of their choice in a multi-player mode.

In a game system according to the present invention, the system includes a series of networked game terminals where each game terminal has a display and includes a series of games with at least some of the games being playable in a network mode by two or more players at different network terminals. The terminals include a player selected notice function for sending a communication to at least some of said networked terminals of an invitation to play a game in a network mode.

In a preferred aspect of the invention, the series of networked terminals are connected by a local area computer network.

In a further aspect of the invention, the networked terminals are networked over an ETHERNET network.

According to a different aspect of the invention, at least some of the networked games allow both real players at networked terminals and computer simulated players to compete in the networked games.

In a further aspect of the invention, at least some of the networked games include poker games and up to six real players can participate at different networked terminals.

In a further aspect of the invention, each networked game includes an indication on said display or access to a menu of invitations that have been received for possible participation in a networked game.

In a further aspect of the invention, each terminal includes an indication display on the display of the receipt of an invitation.

In a different aspect of the invention, each invitation includes a programmed time period after which the invitation is automatically withdrawn. With this arrangement, management of invitations by individual networked terminals is simplified as invitations expire after a predetermined time duration and are essentially self clearing.

In yet a further aspect of the invention, each terminal includes a player initiated action to withhold the display of invitations received. This feature allows a player to operate the terminal in a private mode where general invitations from other terminals are withheld or suppressed. Some players may not wish to be interrupted by the receipt of invitations, or may merely decide that he is not interested in multi-player game participation.

In a game system according to the present invention, a series of networked game terminals cooperate to allow game play on each individual terminal or game play in a network mode between terminals. Each game terminal has a series of games with at least some of the games being playable in the network mode by two or more players at different terminals. Each of the terminals includes a player selected function to send a communication to other terminals of a desire to play a game in the network mode and the ability to respond to such communications. Each of the game terminals include a normal function where notice of opportunity to participate in a networked game is actively communicated to a player of the terminal and a player selected private function where notice of the opportunity to participate in a networked game is not actively communicated to a player of the terminal.

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• Utility Patent

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