Patent ID: 8322723
Filing Date: 2012-12-04
Classification: A63F,G06Q,G07F

Abstract:
1. A game method, at least partially implemented in a data processing system, for enabling a plurality of players to compete in a gameplay session, over a plurality of time-limited rounds, puzzle-based game, comprising a plurality of puzzle components each comprising a plurality of puzzle elements selected from the group consisting of pattern-matching puzzles and pattern-completion puzzles, each plural puzzle component having a respective predefined solution determinable by the plural players during gameplay in accordance with at least one corresponding predefined solution determination path, and further comprising at least one predefined scoring rule for correlating, for each plural puzzle component, the degree of progress made along the at least one corresponding predefined solution determination path toward determination of the respective predefined solution thereof during each particular plural round, to a corresponding puzzle solution score, the game method, comprising the steps of: (a) providing, by the data processing system, at a start of each plural round of the gameplay session, at least one plural puzzle component selected from the plurality of puzzle components, to each corresponding plural player, wherein each said provided at least one plural puzzle component comprises plural puzzle elements that are common to respective plural puzzle elements of other at least one plural puzzle components provided to each said other corresponding plural player, and wherein each said provided at least one plural puzzle component is selected such that the respective predefined solution thereof is the same for all corresponding plural players; (b) enabling, by the data processing system, each plural player to place a wager, at the onset of each plural round; (c) enabling, by the data processing system during each round of the gameplay session and until a conclusion thereof, each plural player to interact with their corresponding assigned at least one plural puzzle component, to select a particular at least one corresponding predefined solution determination path, and to progress toward determination of the corresponding predefined solution thereof by solving at least a portion of said plural puzzle elements thereof; (d) determining, prior to conclusion of the gameplay session, for each plural round thereof, by the data processing system in accordance with the at least one predefined scoring rule, each said plural round's puzzle solution score for each plural player that placed a wager at said step (b) previously performed during said plural round; and (e) determining at a conclusion of a last plural round of the gameplay session, by the data processing system, a total session score for each plural player that placed said wagers at previous performances of said step (b) during previous plural rounds, by calculating a sum total of said plural player's puzzle solution scores received during the gameplay session.