Abstract:
Maintaining the integrity of a virtual currency and by reducing the impact of hacking and otherwise fraudulent manipulation of an electronic game, and thereby encouraging end users to use freemium model software, may include managing the distribution of virtual currency giveaways. In some embodiments, virtual currency may be distributed in a secure manner by a server. In addition, user interest also may be maintained by providing unique features such as a double-up mini-game that allows a user to wager an amount won on a winning slot reel spin. The user may select one of two options and either win or lose the amount wagered. In some embodiments, a user may wager more or less virtual currency by applying a multiplier to the amount won on the winning slot reel spin. In addition, user interest may be maintained by integrating story elements into the one or more themed slot games.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from Chinese Patent Application No. 201610661902.9 filed Jun. 29, 2016, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
       [0002]    This application is directed to the field of electronic products, and more particularly to the field of electronic products that use a “freemium” payment model. 
       2. Related Art 
       [0003]    The “freemium” (free+premium) model allows developers to generate revenue on their products while each end user is able to choose how much, if any, money she spends on the product. Usually, freemium products operate by implementing some form of virtual currency. Virtual currency is an in-product item that has value in the product, but not in the real world. The virtual currency may have value in a game, for example, because it may be used to enhance the player&#39;s abilities, modify actions in the game, purchase other virtual items in the game such as appearance items or the like. In the case of games that involve betting or gambling, virtual currency may be wagered. 
         [0004]    End users, or players, may earn virtual currency in a few different ways. For example, a game may provide virtual currency to a player if she completes certain tasks or activities in the game, such as playing the game a certain number of times, achieving a particular score, and the like. The game also may issue virtual currency as a bonus gift to the player based on various pre-determined parameters. If the virtual currency is used as a bet or wager, the end user may earn additional currency if she wins the bet or wager. Finally, some games allow end users to purchase virtual currency using actual currency. 
         [0005]    As with all things of value, virtual currency and the games that use them are subject to manipulation by nefarious individuals attempting to obtain large amounts of virtual currencies. This is particularly true in games in which virtual currency may be both bought with actual money and obtained for “free” through in-game activities and the like (also called “giveaways”). In some cases, users may hack the game to get more giveaways than the system would otherwise distribute to the user. Hacking the game involves modifying the source code or otherwise manipulating the game software to achieve a particular outcome. As a simple example, players may change the clock setting on a computer to trick the game into performing a time-based action. 
         [0006]    Other problems with freemium software, and in particular freemium games, is their short lifespans. Many freemium games enjoy significant initial success and popularity that dwindles over time, sometimes just weeks or months after the initial release. Because the profitability of freemium software is based on continued use, i.e. by generating revenue from advertisements or end users&#39; purchase of in game currency, it is beneficial to find ways to maintain user interaction with freemium games after release. In addition, players often lose interest in a game if they feel the other players are exploiting virtual currency systems to gain an unfair advantage. Thus, it is critical to ensure that the integrity of the virtual currency is the maintained. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, a need has long existed for improved systems and methods that solve the technical problems associated with hacking and otherwise fraudulently manipulating electronic games and that in turn encourages end users to use freemium model software. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    Maintaining the integrity of a virtual currency and by reducing the impact of hacking and otherwise fraudulent manipulation of an electronic game, and thereby encouraging end users to use freemium model software, may include managing the distribution of virtual currency giveaways. In some embodiments, virtual currency may be distributed in a secure manner by a server. In addition, user interest also may be maintained by providing unique features such as a double-up mini-game that allows a user to wager an amount won on a winning slot reel spin. The user may select one of two options and either win or lose the amount wagered. In some embodiments, a user may wager more or less virtual currency by applying a multiplier to the amount won on the winning slot reel spin. In addition, user interest may be maintained by integrating story elements into the one or more themed slot games. 
         [0009]    Other systems, methods, features, and technical advantages of the invention will be, or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and technical advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the following claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  shows an exemplary physical architecture for an exemplary system for providing an electronic game having a virtual currency; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  shows a flowchart of an exemplary process for providing a secure slot game integrated with story elements; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 3-8  show exemplary screen shots of an introductory story and tutorial mode interlaced with story elements; 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  shows a flowchart of an exemplary process for securely distributing rewards; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 10 a - b    show exemplary screen shots of a double-up mini-game provided as part of an electronic slot game; 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  shows an exemplary screenshot of a main lobby for a slot game; 
           [0017]      FIG. 12  shows an exemplary screenshot of a payout for a time-gated reward giveaway for a slot game; 
           [0018]      FIG. 13 a - b    show exemplary screenshots of another time-gated reward giveaway; 
           [0019]      FIG. 14-16  show exemplary screen shots of a virtual currency storefront; 
           [0020]      FIG. 17  shows an exemplary screenshot of a message center for use in a slot game; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 18  shows an exemplary screenshot of a leaderboard of progressive jackpot winners in a slot game. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    The elements illustrated in the Figures interoperate as explained in more detail below. Before setting forth the detailed explanation, however, it is noted that all of the discussion below, regardless of the particular implementation being described, is exemplary in nature, rather than limiting. For example, although selected aspects, features, or components of the implementations are depicted as being stored in memories, all or part of systems and methods consistent with the contact management system architecture may be stored on, distributed across, or read from other machine-readable media, for example, secondary storage devices such as hard disks, floppy disks, and CD-ROMs; a signal received from a network; other forms of ROM or RAM either currently known or later developed; and the like. 
         [0023]    Furthermore, although specific components of the communications architecture will be described, methods, systems, and articles of manufacture consistent with the contact management system architecture may include additional or different components. For example, a processor may be implemented as a microprocessor, microcontroller, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), discrete logic, or a combination of other type of circuits or logic. Similarly, memories may be DRAM, SRAM, Flash or any other type of memory. Flags, data, databases, tables, and other data structures may be separately stored and managed, may be incorporated into a single memory or database, may be distributed, or may be logically and physically organized in many different ways, including unstructured data. Programs may be parts of a single program, separate programs, or distributed across several memories and processors. Systems may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software in one processing system or distributed across multiple processing systems. 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , an exemplary architecture  10  for a system for providing an electronic game having one or more virtual currencies is shown. One or more client devices may run client applications  20   a  and  20   b  which may communicate with a game server  40  via a communications network  30 . The client applications  20   a  may provide an interface to the user or player and provide game data to the game server  40 . In response, the game server  40  may interpret that game data and issue new game data to the client devices  20   a  and  20   b . The game server  40  may store information in one or more databases  45  and also may provide an administrative interface  50  that enables an administrator to interact with the server  40 . 
         [0025]    Although references will now be made to specific components of the system performing specific features, it should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that such references are exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims in any way; furthermore, the functionalities described herein may be implemented in a virtually unlimited number of configurations. For example, the game server may be implemented as a single server configured to provide all of the systems functionalities, or the functionalities may be implemented across multiple servers. 
         [0026]    The client applications  20   a  and  20   b  may provide a user interface for the system and may communicate device specific information, user profile information, game data and other information with game server  40  via communications network  30 . In one embodiment, client applications  20   a  and  20   b  may comprise stand-alone applications which may be either platform dependent or platform independent. For example, client applications  20   a  and  20   b  may be stand-alone applications for a mobile phone configured to run on a mobile operating system such as the iOS™ operating system from Apple Inc. located in Cupertino, Calif., the Android™ operating system from Google, Inc. located in Mountain View, Calif., or the like. Alternatively, or additionally, client systems may connect to the game server via the Internet using a standard browser application. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more of the client applications  20   a  and  20   b  may be an application configured to run on mobile computer such as a laptop computer, handheld computer, tablet, mobile messaging device, or the like which may all utilize different hardware and/or software packages. Other methods may be used to implement the client devices  20   a  and  20   b.    
         [0027]    The communications network  30  may be any type any private or public communication network, such as the Internet, and may include one or more communications networks. In some embodiments, the communications network  30  may be a cellular network such as, for example, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, Global System for Mobiles (GSM) network, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network, cdmaOne network, CDMA2000 network, Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) network, Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) network, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) network, Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) network, Digital AMPS (IS-136/TDMA), Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN), Long-Term Evolution (LTE) and the like. 
         [0028]    The game server  40  may store game data, user profile information and related information in a database  45 , receive game data, device data, and user profile information from a client application  20   a  and  20   b , implement game logic, provide a user interface for an administration interface  50 , and the like. As should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from the disclosure herein, other related services may also be provided. 
         [0029]    The database  45  may store a variety of information, including user profile information, user preference information, game data, tournament data, and the like. In some embodiments, all information stored in the database  45  is encrypted. 
         [0030]    Exemplary Slot Game Using Virtual Currency and Integrated Story Elements 
         [0031]    Although reference will now be made to certain embodiments described herein with reference to a slot game that utilizes a computer environment to combine animations, sounds, characters, and other aspects to create a unique slot machine game experience, the principles presented herein may be used for other games, such as poker, black jack, roulette and the like. In addition, the embodiments presented here may also be used in non-casino games that use virtual currencies. The embodiments illustrated herein should therefore not be interpreted to be exclusive or limiting, but rather exemplary or illustrative. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a flowchart of an exemplary process for providing a secure slot game integrated with story elements is shown. A player may launch the game for the first time at step  202 . In response, the game may guide the player through an introductory story at step  204 . Exemplary screen shots  300 ,  400  and  500  showing certain aspects of an introductory story and tutorial are shown in  FIGS. 3-5 . The story elements may include visual and/or audio such as sound effects and/or voice recordings that may tell a story. In the illustrated embodiment, the story elements depict a man trying to find his girlfriend, who has mysteriously disappeared. 
         [0033]    Following the introduction, the player may be guided through a tutorial mode beginning with the introduction of a slot game at step  206  and as shown in the exemplary screenshot  600  shown in  FIG. 6 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the player is introduced to a dinosaur themed slot game. The tutorial may continue the depiction of the story elements while explaining various game mechanics to the player. For example, the tutorial may teach the player how to spin the slot reels using interface control  822 , as shown in the exemplary screenshots  600  shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . In some embodiments, the tutorial may teach the user one or more of the following mechanics: how to increase or decrease the number of line in play using interface controls  826 , how to increase or decrease the amount of virtual currency wagered per line using interface controls  824 , how to configure an auto-roll feature whereby the game automatically plays a set number of spins using and/or max bet feature interface control  830 . In addition, the tutorial may introduce an additional game feature that allows players to wager their winnings to increase the amount of virtual currency they earn by selecting the corresponding interface control  840 , described below with respect to  FIGS. 10 a    and  10   b.    
         [0034]    Referring again to  FIG. 2 , the player may continue to play the slot game. When a story triggering event is encountered at step  208 , the game may display additional story elements and/or unlock additional game features to the user at step  210 . The player may then continue playing and the process may repeat. Exemplary triggering events may include reaching a particular experience level, playing a certain number of spins, accumulating a certain number of virtual currency, and the like. For example, triggering events may be tied to a player&#39;s experience level, and new slot game may be unlocked every 5 levels. Other triggering events also may be used. Exemplary game features may include new themed slot games and the like. 
         [0035]    Secure Distribution of Rewards 
         [0036]    The game may distribute rewards in a variety of ways. For example, rewards of virtual currency may distributed from winning reel combinations on payout lines the player bet on. Rewards of virtual currency also may be distributed through reward mini-games. In some embodiments, all payouts may be distributed from a progressive pot. Some or all of a players wager may be added to the progress pot. For example, three percent (3%) of a player&#39;s wager may be added to the progressive pot. 
         [0037]    In some embodiments, the game may include one or more of the following reward mini-games that may help increase user retention and interest in the game. A first reward mini-game may be the Double-Up feature noted above and described in more detail below in connection with  FIG. 10 a - b   . The Double-Up feature may allow players to wager their winnings from winning line combinations to increase the amount of virtual currency they earn. A second reward mini-game may be a time-gated reward chest, described below in connection with  FIGS. 11 and 12 . A third of these reward mini-games may be a Daily Bonus feature, which may provide players with increasing rewards in the form of virtual currency for logging into the game for consecutive days. This feature is described below in connection with  FIGS. 13 a - b   . These features may help draw in the end user into the game by providing additional in-game rewards and through the end user&#39;s desire to progress the story. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , a flowchart of an exemplary process for securely distributing rewards is shown. The player may begin the process of obtaining a reward by selecting a reward distribution method, such as the spin button  822  (in  FIG. 8 ) at step  902 . In response, the client application  20   a  may send a request for a reward to the game server  40  at step  904 . The game server  40  may validate the request at step  906  and authorize the distribution of the reward in light of reward management rules at step  908 . If the request is valid and the distribution is authorized, the server  40  may determine a reward amount to the player via the client application  20   a  at step  910 . Rewards may be authorized, for example, if the reward is in compliance with reward management rules for associated with the reward distribution method. For example, the server  40  may provide a reel spin configuration (i.e. the configuration of the reels at rest following a spin) and, if the reel spin configuration includes a winning combination on a line on which the player has wagered, a payout amount. The reward amount may be fixed amount, such as $500 in silver coins or may be selected randomly from a set of possible rewards as described below. Other methods may be used to determine a reward amount. 
         [0039]    Exemplary Reward Distribution Methods 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIGS. 10 a  and 10 b   , exemplary screen shots  1000   a  and  1000   b  of a double-up mini-game provided as part of an electronic slot game are shown. After a player wins virtual currency when a winning line combination is spun on the slot reels, the player may be given an option to play a double-up reward mini-game by selecting a corresponding interface control (such as interface control  840  in  FIG. 8 ). In response, the player may be presented with two choices, such as dinosaur eggs  1010   a  and  1012   a . Selection of one of the options may trigger the exemplary process shown in  FIG. 9 , and the user may either win or lose an amount of virtual currency equal to the payout of the player&#39;s previous winning reel spin. For example, as shown in  FIG. 10 b   , the player has successfully chosen the winning egg  1010   b  and the game has shown the user a baby dinosaur and distributed the wagered amount to the player. In some embodiments, the player may have the option to wager a multiple of the payout of the player&#39;s previous winning reel spin, such as one-half of the payout, two times the payout, three times the payout, five times the payout and the like by selecting various interface controls such as interface controls  1024 ,  1026  and  1028 . 
         [0041]    In some embodiments, the player may have predetermined number of chances  1032  to play the double-up mini-game for each winning reel spin. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 10 a   , the user has 4 chances to play the double-up mini-game. Chances  1032  may be lost when the user loses at the double-up mini-game, or when the play either wins or loses at the double-up mini-game. If the player runs out of chances  1032 , the player may be returned to the reel for that particular slot game. Alternatively, the play may choose to leave the reward mini-game without selecting either of the two options and instead take whatever winnings the player has accumulated by selecting the control  1030 . In some embodiments, players may be given a default number of chances that increase as the player level&#39;s up, such as granting the player an additional chance for every 5 levels earned by the user. 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , an exemplary screen shot of a main slot game lobby  1100  is shown. Upon logging in to the server  40 , the client application  20   a  may present the player with a main lobby  1100  from which the player may select from a variety of games  1118 ,  1120  and  1122 . The main lobby  1100  may include player indicia  1102  that shows the player&#39;s name and current level (e.g. a numerical representation corresponding to a total number of experience points earned for performing in-game actions), silver coin indicia  1104  that shows the player&#39;s current silver coins (which may be used to wager within the slot games), and gold coin indicia  1106  that shows the player&#39;s current amount of gold coins (which may be used to purchase other in-game items such as silver coins). 
         [0043]    The main lobby also may include a time-gated reward chest that may be opened by selecting interface control  1108 . In response, the system may distribute a reward to the user, as shown in the exemplary screenshot  1200  in  FIG. 12 . The amount of the reward may be fixed or variable. In the illustrated embodiment, the system distributes  60 , 000  silver coins once every three hours to the player in response to the player selection of interface control  1108 . Other amounts and intervals also may be used for the time-gated reward chest. 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 13 a - b   , exemplary screenshots  1300   a  and  1300   b  for an exemplary daily bonus mini-game is shown. Upon logging into the system, a player may be presented with the daily bonus mini-game. In some embodiments, the daily bonus mini-game may be locked until the player reaches a particular level, completes the tutorial, or the like. The daily bonus mini-game may include reels  1310  and a virtual lever  1312 . The reels  1310  may include multiple digits and/or a multiplier. Players may select the lever  1312  to spin the reels and win the exact amount of virtual currency as the reels show when it comes to a full stop. By logging into the system on consecutive days, additional digits and/or a multiplier on the reels may be unlocked, which may dramatically increase the potential reward for the player. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 13 b   , the player has won  762  silver coins through the daily bonus reward mini-game. 
         [0045]    Referring again to  FIG. 11 , the main lobby  1100  may provide an interface control  1110  that, upon selection by the user, presents the user with the opportunity to purchase various in-game items. Referring also to  FIGS. 14-16 , exemplary screen shots  1400 ,  1500  and  1600  of a virtual currency storefront is shown. As shown in  FIG. 14 , a user may purchase one or more virtual currencies using actual currency or money. In the illustrated embodiment, the user may purchase silver coins  1410  using another virtual currency, gold coins  1510  that may be used to purchase other in-game items. 
         [0046]    In some embodiments, the user may be able to purchase additional in-game items using one or more of the virtual currencies. For example, a user may purchase avatars  1610  (as shown in  FIG. 16 ) using gold chips  1510 . Avatars  1610  may be icons, 3-D cartoon characters or other images that act as visual representations of the user in the game. In some embodiments, a user may be given a default avatar, such as a dark silhouette. 
         [0047]    Referring again to  FIG. 11  and also  FIG. 17 , the main lobby  1100  may include an interface control  1114  to view messages. Upon selection of the control  1114 , a pop-up window  1710  may be displayed that shows a lists  1712  of messages from the system or other users. Upon selection of a message from the list  1712 , the message body  1714  may be displayed as shown in the exemplary screenshot  1700 . Exemplary messages may include promotions such as virtual money package deals, special offers and the like; news such as gaming industry news; game notifications such as game unavailability due to server maintenance; in-game activities such as large payout or weekly leader notifications and the like. 
         [0048]    Referring again to  FIG. 11 , the main lobby  1100  also may include an interface control  1112  to view a leaderboard.  FIG. 18  shows an exemplary screenshot  1800  of a leaderboard of progressive jackpot winners in a slot game. The leaderboard may be reset at set intervals. 
         [0049]    A system for reducing fraud, hacking and other exploitive behavior in an electronic slot game may comprise a first software module for use on a first device comprising one or more processors and one or more memories and a second software module for use on the server computer comprising one or more processors and one or more memories. The first software module may include instructions stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium that: provide a user interface to a user, the user interface including a reel spin controls that allows a user to spin a virtual slot reel; transmit, to a server computer in response to a selection of the reel spin control, a request for a reel configuration; receive a reel spin configuration and payout amount from the server; determine if the reel spin configuration includes at least one winning combination, the payout amount is greater than zero, or both, and, if so, provide an option to play a reward mini-game in which the user may wager an amount of virtual currency based on the payout amount. The second software module may include instructions stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium that: maintain a progressive pot based on a percentage of wagers made by users; receive the request from the first device; determine the reel spin configuration and the associated payout amount; transmit, to the first device, the reel spin configuration and the associated payout amount; and if the payout amount is greater than zero, subtract the reward amount from the progressive pot. 
         [0050]    The reward mini-game may include a player choice of two options and where selection of a first of the two options results in the player winning the amount wagered and where selection of the other of the two options results in the player losing the amount wagered. 
         [0051]    The reward mini-game may further include a number of chances that the user may play the reward mini-game. 
         [0052]    The chances may be deducted when the player loses the amount wagered. 
         [0053]    The player may choose to leave the reward mini-game without selecting either of the two options. 
         [0054]    The player may select a multiplier to modify the amount wagered in the reward mini-game. 
         [0055]    The multiplier may be one selected from the group comprising a two time multiplier, a three time multiplier and a five time multiplier. 
         [0056]    The first software module may further includes instructions stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium that: in response to a user logging into the system for the first time, display an introductory story elements and a tutorial interlaced with additional story elements. 
         [0057]    The first software module may further include instructions stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium that: determine if the user has completed a trigger event and, if so, display additional story elements, unlock additional game features. 
         [0058]    The first software module may further includes instructions stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium that: display players that have won a progressive jackpot. 
         [0059]    While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents