Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/US20100216536A1/en
Timestamp: 2019-06-19 02:08:30
Document Index: 487021060

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 384', 'art 384', 'art 384', 'art 384', 'art 384', 'art 384', 'art.\n2']

US20100216536A1 - Gaming system having challenge gameplay - Google Patents
Gaming system having challenge gameplay Download PDF
US20100216536A1
US20100216536A1 US12/738,595 US73859508A US2010216536A1 US 20100216536 A1 US20100216536 A1 US 20100216536A1 US 73859508 A US73859508 A US 73859508A US 2010216536 A1 US2010216536 A1 US 2010216536A1
US12/738,595
US8568222B2 (en
Robert Siemasko
2007-10-17 Priority to US99926807P priority Critical
2008-04-10 Priority to US12369208P priority
2008-04-10 Priority to US61/123268 priority
2008-09-25 Priority to PCT/US2008/011091 priority patent/WO2009051637A1/en
2008-09-25 Priority to US12/738,595 priority patent/US8568222B2/en
2008-09-25 Application filed by WMS Gaming Inc filed Critical WMS Gaming Inc
2008-10-20 Assigned to WMS GAMING INC. reassignment WMS GAMING INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: SIEMASKO, ROBERT, THOMAS, ALFRED, GAGNER, MARK B., JOSHI, SHRIDHAR P.
2010-08-26 Publication of US20100216536A1 publication Critical patent/US20100216536A1/en
2013-10-29 Publication of US8568222B2 publication Critical patent/US8568222B2/en
A gaming system comprises a wager input device for receiving wagers and at least one display for displaying a challenge-play game. The system further comprises a controller operative to detect an issuance of a challenge by a first player and an acceptance of the challenge by a second player to participate in the challenge-play game. The controller detects receipt of a wager input from at least one of the first and second players, and in response thereto, causes the at least one display to display the challenge-play game. The controller determines at least one outcome of the challenge-play game, and based upon the at least one outcome, adjusts the positions of one or both of the first and second players in a standings chart.
The present invention relates generally to gaming machines, and methods for playing wagering games, and more particularly, to a gaming system having challenge game play.
Other gaming systems have employed various types of group and community play. The present invention is directed toward a gaming system having challenge game play.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a gaming system comprises a wager input device for receiving wagers and at least one display for displaying a challenge-play game. The system further comprises a controller operative to detect an issuance of a challenge by a first player and an acceptance of the challenge by a second player to participate in the challenge-play game. The controller detects receipt of a wager input from at least one of the first and second players, and in response thereto, causes the at least one display to display the challenge-play game. The controller determines at least one outcome of the challenge-play game, and based upon the at least one outcome, adjusts the positions of one or both of the first and second players in a standings chart.
According to another aspect of the invention, a gaming system comprises a first gaming device displaying a first primary wagering game to a first player in response to receiving a first primary wager and a second gaming device displaying a second primary wagering game to a second player in response to receiving a second primary wager. The system further comprises a first input device in communication with the first gaming device for receiving a challenge-play input from the first player, the challenge-play input comprising a locator input for locating a competitor and issuing a challenge-play invitation to the competitor. The system further comprises a second input device in communication with the second gaming device for receiving a response input from the second player, the response input accepting, rejecting, or modifying the challenge-play invitation. The system comprises at least one display for displaying a selected challenge-play game in response to acceptance of the challenge-play invitation by the second player.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, a method of operating a wagering game comprises displaying a first primary wagering game to a first player in response to receipt of a first primary wager and displaying a second primary wagering game to a second player in response to receipt of a second primary wager. The method further comprises detecting issuance of a challenge-play invitation by the first player and an acceptance of the challenge-play invitation by the second player, the challenge-play invitation comprising a selection of a challenge-play game. The method further comprises determining eligibility of the first and second players to participate in the challenge-play game, collecting challenge play funds for funding the challenge-play game, and displaying the challenge-play game.
FIG. 3 is a diagram of a gaming system having challenge game play features;
FIG. 4 is a screen shot of a gaming device of a gaming system depicting a first player is initiating a challenge;
FIG. 5 is a screen shot of the gaming system of FIG. 4, depicting the first player is selecting a game for the issued challenge;
FIG. 6 is a screen shot of the gaming system of FIG. 4, depicting a second player receiving the issued challenge;
FIG. 7 is a screen shot of a first player's gaming device competing in a challenge-play game; and
FIG. 8 is a screen shot of a second player's gaming device competing in a challenge-play game.
Turning now to FIG. 3, a gaming system 300 is displayed. The gaming system 300 comprises a plurality of gaming devices 310 a,b,c in communication with at least one community display 380 or overhead display. The gaming devices 310 a,b,c and the community display 380 may be in communication with and controlled by one or more operator control computers (not shown). The gaming devices 310 a,b,c can take on various forms, such as the freestanding and handheld gaming devices depicted and described with reference to FIGS. 1 a and 1 b. Each of the gaming devices 310 a,b,c comprises a primary display 314 a,b,c, which may be any form of display such as those described herein. Each primary display 314 a,b,c includes display of a primary wagering game 360 a,b,c, which in this embodiment are slot games as shown in FIG. 3. The slot games 360 a,b,c includes a plurality of reels which may be either electro-mechanical reels or simulations thereof on the primary display 314 a,b,c. The reels include a plurality of symbols displayed thereon which vary as the reels are spun and stopped. The symbols may include any variety of graphical symbols, elements, or representations, including symbols which are associated with one or more themes of the gaming machine or system. The symbols may also include a blank symbol, or empty space.
As described herein the symbols landing on the active paylines (the paylines for which a wager has been received) are evaluated for winning combinations. If a winning combination of symbols lands on an active payline a primary award is awarded in accordance with a pay table of the gaming device 310 a,b,c. The symbols on the reels form an array or matrix of symbols, having a number of rows and columns, which in the embodiment shown is three four rows and five columns. In alternate embodiments, the array may have greater or fewer symbols, and may take on a variety of different forms having greater or fewer rows and/or columns. The array may even comprise other non-rectangular forms or arrangements of symbols.
The community display 380, in an embodiment, is mounted above a bank of gaming device 310 a,b,c so as to be visible by players positioned at the gaming devices 310 a,b,c. In other embodiments, the community display 380 may be located in other areas or positions, either inside a casino or operator's establishment, or remote there from. The community display 380 displays a community game 382, which in this embodiment is a competition involving two or more players of the primary wagering games 360 a,b,c in a challenge play scenario. As shown, the community display 380 depicts a community game 382 which is the “King of the Hill Slot Tournament.” A first player (Frank Q) has issued a challenge to a second player (John H) to participate in a head-to-head competition in the community game 382. Because the second player (John H) has accepted the challenge, the community game 382 is displayed and executed. In the embodiment shown, the community game 382 is a slot tournament in which each player is given a predetermined number of spins of a slot game, and the winner is the player who totals the most credits or points during that set of spins. As indicated on the community display 380, upon conclusion of the set of spins for each player, the second player (John H) is declared the winner and is awarded 250 points in the community game 382. The losing player (Frank Q) may be awarded a second prize or consolation prize, or alternatively, may not receive any award at all.
As seen along a right hand side of the community display 380, a standings chart 384 displays the current standings of players who are competing, or in the past have competed in the community game 382. The standings chart 384 lists the players by player identifier 385 (such as their name or player identification number) and further indicates the player's position 386 (1 through 50) and point total 387. The second player (John H) is highlighted on the standings chart 384 as a result of having won the challenge-play game 382 against the first player (Frank Q). The second player's name is highlighted to indicate that he is the winner and also to indicate that he has moved up on the standings chart 384 to third position, with a total of 48,812 points. The losing player (Frank Q) also appears on the standings chart 384 with a point total of 3,798. Thus, the standings chart 384 provides a ladder system in which multiple players' cumulative point totals are kept and updated, and their relative positions are displayed, in response to the results of challenge play events occurring between or among them.
Turning to FIG. 4, the primary display 314 c of one of the gaming devices 310 c of FIG. 3 is shown, as being played by a first player (John H). The primary display 314 c displays a primary wagering game 360 c which is a slot game having a theme and title of “Reel Em In.” In the upper left hand corner of the primary display 314 c is a player label 388 a indicating that “John H” is the player playing the gaming device 310 c. The player label 388 a is associated with and corresponds to a particular player, which is identified to the gaming system 300 and gaming device 310 c by use of a player identifier, such as a player tracking card, user name and password, biometric identifier, or other identifier as described herein. The player label 388 a may display a player's name, a player nickname or screen name, a player identification number or alpha-numeric string, a player avatar or icon, or any other identifier which provides a visual indicator of the player playing the primary wagering game 360 c.
On the right hand side of the primary display 314 c is a challenge portal 390. The challenge portal 390 comprises an interface through which a player of gaming device 310 c can search for and locate other players, and issue game play challenges to such players. Thus, on a first screen of the challenge portal 390 shown in FIG. 4, a player can search for another player for the purposes of challenging that player to a game play competition. A search field 392 is displayed as well as one or more input devices 394, which in this embodiment comprises a touch screen keyboard where the player may input search string criteria, which is in turn displayed in the search field 392. In FIG. 4, the first player (John H) has used the input device 394 to input a search for a player named “Frank Q,” in accordance with the instructions in the challenge portal 390 which indicated “Type in the Name or the ID of Someone You Want to Challenge.” Upon initiating the search using the challenge portal 390, the gaming system 300 searches for and locates the desired player (Frank Q) to see if he or she is available and/or eligible to participate in a challenge-play game. For example, if the desired player (Frank Q) is playing an eligible gaming device 310, or is logged in and locatable by his player identifier, then he may be located and declared “available” for challenge play.
Turning to FIG. 5, a second screen of the challenge portal 390 presents a plurality of challenge-play games 396 a,b,c,d which are available to be selected by the player issuing the challenge. Thus, the issuing player (John H), selects the touch key button corresponding with “Reel Em In Slot Tournament” game 396 a, in accordance with the instructions on the primary display 314 which indicate to “Select Game for Challenge Play.” Once selected, the challenge-play game 396 a becomes activated. Thus, the primary display 314 c of the first player's gaming device 310 c now indicates the label “Reel Em In Slot Tournament” above the display of the primary wagering game 360 c. A point total is shown below the primary wagering game 360 c, showing the first player's (John H) accumulated points during challenge-play game 396 a. As seen in FIG. 5, prior to the commencement of the challenge-play game 396 a, the point total is zero.
Turning to FIG. 6, the primary display 314 a of a second player's gaming device 310 a of the system 300 is displayed. The primary display 314 a depicts a primary wagering game 360 a, which in this embodiment is also a slot game having geometric symbols. The second player is identified by a player label 388 b shown on the upper left hand corner of the display 314 a. Overlying the primary wagering game 360 a on the display 314 a is a pop-up window 398 which communicates challenge information to the second player (Frank Q). Here, the pop-up window 398 informs the second player of the nature of the challenge by indicating “John H has challenged you to a Reel Em In Tournament. Accept Challenge?” As seen in FIG. 6, the pop-up window 398 also prompts the second player (Frank Q) to either accept or reject the challenge by inputting “Yes” or “No” via a touch screen input in the pop-up window 398. Here the second player (Frank Q) has accepted the challenge to engage in the challenge-play game 396 a, by pressing the “Yes” touch key. As a result, the primary display 314 a on the second player's (Frank Q) gaming device 310 a has changed to display a label corresponding to “Reel Em In Slot Tournament” along a top of the display 314 a. Moreover, along a right hand side of the display 314 a, the second player (Frank Q) is now able to see the primary wagering game 360 c of the first player (John H) as well his player identifier 388 a and tournament point total. Thus, by accepting the challenge and upon commencement of the challenge-play game 396 a, the display 314 a is altered to display both the second player's game play in the challenge-play game 396 a and the first player's game play in the challenge-play game 396 a. In this way, the second player can monitor his own progress and outcomes, as well as those of the first player who issued the challenge.
In FIG. 7, a subsequent view of the primary display 314 c of the first player's (John H) gaming device 310 c is shown. The second player (Frank Q) has accepted the challenge issued by the first player (John H). Thus, on the first player's primary display 314 c (FIG. 7), the right hand portion of the display 314 c is now dedicated to displaying a view of the primary wagering game 360 a displayed on the primary display 314 a of the second player's (Frank Q) gaming device 310 a. Thus, the first player (John H) can simultaneously view his own primary wagering game 360 c and his competitor's (Frank Q) primary wagering game 360 a, as they compete in the challenge-play game 396 c. As seen in FIG. 7, the first player (John H) plays a primary wagering game 360 c which is a Reel Em In themed slot game, while the second player (Frank Q) plays a primary wagering game 360 a which has a different theme (geometric shapes). However, each player individually collects points and credits for winning outcomes in their primary wagering games 360 a,c. Such point totals are shown below their respective primary wagering games 360 a,c such that the first player (John H) can monitor his own progress in the challenge-play game 396 a, as well as the progress of his competitor (John Q). The primary display 314 c further includes a player label 388 b which indicates that the right hand side of the screen is dedicated to the second player, by displaying the second player's identification as “Frank Q,” as well as that player's tournament total (or total accumulated points in the challenge-play game 396 a). Because the challenge-play game 396 a has progressed, each of the player's respective point totals is shown below their primary wagering games 360 a,c. As seen in FIG. 7, the second player (Frank Q) has won the challenge with a total of 163,482 points.
Turning to FIG. 8, the primary display 314 a of the gaming device 310 a played by the second player (Frank Q) is displayed, upon conclusion of the challenge-play game 396 a. The upper left hand corner of the primary display 314 a displays the player label 388 b indicating “Frank 0” to demonstrate that player's participation in the primary wagering game 360 a shown thereon. On the right hand side of the display 314 a is a view of the first player's (John H) primary display 314 c and primary wagering game 360 c. Thus, as in FIG. 7 where the first player (John H) can view the progress of his competitor (Frank Q), here too, the second player (Frank Q) can view the play and progress of his competitor (John H) in the challenge-play game 396 a. Each player's respective point total is shown beneath their respective primary wagering games 360 a,c, such that the second player (Frank Q) can monitor both his own progress, and the first player's (John H) progress in the challenge-play game 396 a. The primary display 314 a further includes a player label 388 b which indicates that the right hand side of the screen is dedicated to the first player's game 360 c, by displaying the second player's identification as “John H,” as well as that player's tournament total (or total accumulated points in the challenge-play game 396). As seen herein, the second player (Frank Q) has won the challenge-play game 396 a by accumulating the most points. Thus, as seen in FIGS. 4-8, each player views and participates in the challenge-play game 396 a from their own gaming device 310 a,c, but is also able to see their competitor's progress via the picture-in-picture or split screen set up shown and described.
In addition to the individual displays of the challenge-play game 396 a on the participants” gaming devices 310 a,c, the challenge-play game 396 a (or portions thereof) may also be displayed on other displays, such as the community display 380 in FIG. 3. The challenge-play game 396 a continues until a conclusion is reached, which in this embodiment, is both players completing their designated number of spins. Upon conclusion, a winner is determined, in this case the player collecting the most points or credits in his set of free spins. The winner is given a prize and declared the victor in the challenge-play game 396 a. The loser may also be awarded a prize.
In alternative embodiments, other configurations of challenge play may be utilized. For example, in an embodiment, players need not compete concurrently or simultaneously in a challenge-play game or event. One player may issue a challenge and complete his portion or “entry” in the challenge (for example, by conducting his free spins and posting a score or credit balance). The other player may receive the challenge at a later time, and accept or reject the challenge. If the other player accepts the challenge, he or she may then perform his portion or “entry” into the challenge-play game. For example, the second player may conduct his set of free spins and post a score or credit balance. At some later time, the system may evaluate the relative outcomes or scores of the participants in the challenge play event, determine and declare a winner, and award any associated prizes or awards. Moreover adjustments in the standings chart may be made accordingly.
In yet another embodiment, the challenge play event may involve more than two players. For example, the challenge play event may involve a competition amongst a plurality of players, each individually competing against the others (for example, a foot race). Moreover, the plurality of players may be subdivided into a plurality of teams which compete against one another in the challenge-play game. Players on a team may work cooperatively by taking turns, or pooling assets, results, points, or credits to achieve a team result. The various team results could then be compared to determine results of the challenge-play game. Other configurations are possible.
The content of the challenge-play game can be a large variety of game play functions and modalities. For example, the challenge play can be a board game, a sports competitions, a race, a contest, or any other game. Players can be represented in the challenge-play game by player identifiers, game pieces, player name, or an avatar or character could represent the players. Moreover, players may be given opportunities to customize their characters, avatars, or other representations by adding to, changing, or deleting assets, attributes, or skill components. The game play in the challenge-play game may be randomly determined, may be predetermined or scripted, or may be based upon skill, dexterity or prowess of the competitors. Moreover, game play in the challenge-play game may be based upon combinations of these inputs, such as random in part, and in part based upon player skill.
The challenge-play games may be accompanied by rule sets, eligibility requirements, and governing rules. For example, players may only be able to participate in (issue and accept) certain types of challenges, based upon a player's skill level, point level, membership level, etc. Outcomes of primary wagering games may be used to randomly determine eligibility for and participation in challenge play events. Certain restrictions, boundaries, and time requirements may be associated with certain challenge play events. For example, a challenge for a slot tournament to a player wherein the players need not participate simultaneously may be accompanied with a time requirement for entry. In one embodiment, when a player accepts a challenge to such a game, he is given three (3) days in which to complete a round of slot plays and post a score, credit balance, or entry into the challenge-play game. In other embodiments, other rule sets, criteria, or guidelines may be affixed to or associated with the challenge-play game. In an embodiment, the rule sets, eligibility requirements, and other guidelines are administered by an operator control computer in communication with the gaming devices and community displays of the system, over a wired or wireless network. Other rules in the rule set(s) may be directed at avoiding cheating or collusion. For example, a player may be only permitted to issue a challenge to a player who is locatable at a game device sufficiently far away from the issuing player so that the participants cannot see each others' displays, primary wagering games, or results. In this way, collusion can be minimized, using these and other rules.
In other embodiments, the ladder system of the standing chart may be utilized to foster additional competition amongst the players. For example, in the “King of the Hill” slot tournament of FIG. 3, players may be given a bonus award or extra award for climbing up the ladder a certain number of rankings, or for defeating and dethroning the first ranked player (knocking off the “King of the Hill”). In other embodiments, other incentives may be tied to the ladder system of the standing chart. For example, a player moving up a predetermined number of spots may be awarded an extra prize, award, or game play of another wagering game. Moreover, certain penalization techniques may also be applied to losers of challenge play events. A player who loses a challenge may be prohibited from participating in a challenge for a predetermined amount of time, or may be demoted a greater number of ranking in the standings chart for each subsequent loss.
In yet other embodiments, challenge-play games may include customization awards. For example, a player participating in or winning a challenge play may be provide intangible awards, such as the ability to replace symbols on his primary wagering game with customized symbols. The player may be permitted to select from screen backgrounds, customized sets of symbols, themes, etc. Moreover, the player may be allowed to upload a digital picture of himself, his family, his friends, his pet(s), etc. and use those pictures as symbols or elements in the primary wagering game, a challenge play event, or otherwise. Moreover, the player may be awarded a special symbol, payline, area, quadrant, or sector of a game field or board in which challenge play events occur. Thus, the player is permitted to passively participate in such events, without his presence required. For example, if a player is awarded a space on a board game, such as a Monopoly™ board, then even after the player leaves the casino, when other players participating in challenge play events land on that space on the board, the occupying player is given awards which are credited to his or her player account. The winning player can then learn about the awards he collected in his absence upon his return to the casino, by logging into a gaming device, or even remotely on his cellular phone or over the Internet.
Funding of challenge-play games may be accomplished in a number of ways as well. In an embodiment, players issuing and accepting invitations or challenges in a challenge play event may be required to place a side wager, or post an ante or entry fee of currency, credits, or other assets. The winner of the challenge may be awarded the losing player's ante or entry fee. Alternatively, the antes and entry fees may be collected and pooled into one or more pools and then distributed in accordance with one or more distribution rule sets which assign award values to particular results in the challenge-play games and events. In yet other embodiments, intangible prize awards in challenge play events may not require any entry fee or ante from the players and may be provided by a casino or operator as a incentivizing device or for entertainment. In yet other embodiments, the challenge play can be funded by player points, for example, frequent player points collected as part of a loyalty or reward program which tracks player game play and awards players therefore. Moreover, the funding for challenge play can come from surrender of assets or attributes collected during game play, such as player character assets, points, avatar attributes, skill levels, episodes completed, etc.
In some embodiments, the challenge-play game may be in addition to or supplemental to a primary wagering game, such as those shown in the FIGURES. However, in alternative embodiments, the challenge-play game may be the primary wagering game event. Players may play side games and make side wagers thereon in an effort to collect entries, assets, plays, points, or other inputs into the challenge-play game. Moreover, the primary wagering games may display randomly selected outcomes which form the entries in the challenge-play game. For example, a randomly selected outcome of the primary wagering game may include a set of instructions as to how a character is to move or otherwise act within a game field, board game, or playing field on which the challenge play event occurs. The symbols of the primary wagering game, for example, may indicate a direction and a number of spots to move, and the player's avatar or character on the playing field is moved in accordance with such an outcome. In so moving and acting the player's avatar or character may collect points, credits, awards, or other assets or attributes as it navigates and interacts with the playing field.
In another alternative embodiment, one or more “virtual trophies” may be used to stimulate game play and competition. For example, a virtual trophy may be provided to a player for receiving or accomplishing certain tasks or achievements during game play. In one embodiment, separate virtual trophies are created for achievements such as largest jackpot, most games played, most assets collected, most points earned, collection of certain symbols, advancement to highest episodes or stages, etc. The virtual trophies may be awarded for various achievements both inside of a casino or gaming environment, or remote therefrom, for example via game play on the internet, or a mobile device. In one embodiment, player's participation and collaboration on internet websites is a metric for which one or more trophies are awarded. The virtual trophies may be “travelling” trophies in the sense that when a person's achievement is surpassed by another player, the virtual trophy is passed from the first player to the second player. In one embodiment, the players' game play and accumulation of achievements is monitored via their player accounts, stored on a gaming system. The second player “winning” the trophy by overtaking the achievement of the first player possessing the trophy is notified of his receiving the virtual trophy while the first player “losing” the trophy is notified of his loss of the trophy. The first player may also be encouraged to return or continue game play in an effort to re-take the trophy. The encouragement may include audio and video displays, as well as incentives for game play.
The systems, devices and methods described herein offer a number of benefits and advantages over traditional gaming systems. The challenge-play games offered by the present invention provide additional opportunities to increase enjoyment, excitement and anticipation for players, while simultaneously improving revenues for casinos and operators. By capitalizing on the inherent competitiveness of players, the systems allow players to issue and accept challenges to other plays to compete in a variety of challenge-play games or events. Winners of such events are awarded, and all players may be recognized by various standings charts, ladder systems, or other devices. Challenge play provides the added bonus of “bragging rights” in addition to awards, prizes, currency, or entry into other game play. Thus, by allowing players to compete against one another, casino operators provide wagering games which entice additional and repeat play, thereby generating additional revenue. Other benefits are provided as well.
a wager input device for receiving wagers;
at least one display for displaying a challenge-play game; and
(i) detect an issuance of a challenge by a first player and an acceptance of the challenge by a second player to participate in the challenge-play game;
(ii) detect receipt of a wager input from at least one of the first and second players, and in response thereto, cause the at least one display to display the challenge-play game;
(iii) determine at least one outcome of the challenge-play game; and
(iv) based upon the at least one outcome, adjust the positions of one or both of the first and second players in a standings chart.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one display comprises a first display of a first gaming device operated by the first player and a second display of a second gaming device operated by the second player.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one display comprises a community display viewable by one or both of the first and second players.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further operative to cause the at least one display to display a first primary wagering game to the first player and a second primary wagering game to the second player.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein one or more outcomes of the first primary wagering game form an entry by the first player in the challenge-play game.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein one or more outcomes of the second primary wagering game form an entry by the second player in the challenge-play game.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further operative to declare either the first player or the second player a winning player, and provide a first award to the winning player.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one outcome is displayed on the at least one display.
a first gaming device displaying a first primary wagering game to a first player in response to receiving a first primary wager;
a second gaming device displaying a second primary wagering game to a second player in response to receiving a second primary wager;
a first input device in communication with the first gaming device for receiving a challenge-play input from the first player, the challenge-play input comprising a locator input for locating a competitor and issuing a challenge-play invitation to the competitor; and
a second input device in communication with the second gaming device for receiving a response input from the second player, the response input accepting, rejecting, or modifying the challenge-play invitation; and
at least one display for displaying a selected challenge-play game in response to acceptance of the challenge-play invitation by the second player.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the challenge-play input further comprises a selection of a challenge-play game from a plurality of available challenge-play games, the plurality of available challenge-play games including the selected challenge-play game.
11. The system of claim 9, further comprising at least one controller for determining eligibility of the first and second players to participate in the selected challenge-play game.
12. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one display comprises a first display coupled to the first gaming device and a second display coupled to the second gaming device.
13. The system of claim 9, wherein he at least one display comprises a community display.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the community display is positioned proximate one or both of the first and second gaming devices.
15. A method of operating a wagering game comprising:
displaying, on a display of a first wagering game machine, a first primary wagering game to a first player in response to receipt of a first primary wager;
displaying, on a display of a second wagering game machine, a second primary wagering game to a second player in response to receipt of a second primary wager;
detecting issuance of a challenge-play invitation by the first player and an acceptance of the challenge-play invitation by the second player, the challenge-play invitation comprising a selection of a challenge-play game;
determining eligibility of the first and second players to participate in the challenge-play game;
collecting challenge-play funds for funding the challenge-play game; and
displaying the challenge-play game on one or more of the first wagering game machine, the display of the second wagering game machine, or another display.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the challenge-play funds comprise a first side wager from the first player.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the challenge-play funds comprise a second side wager from the second player.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein the challenge-play funds comprise player award points accumulated by one or both of the first and second players.
19. The method of claim 15, wherein the challenge-play funds comprise redemption of one or more assets or attributes collected by one or both of the first and second players.
20. The method of claim 15, wherein the challenge-play funds are received from a challenge play pool and distributed in accordance with a distribution rule set, wherein the challenge play pool is funded by at least one side wager received from one or both of the first and second players.
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US8568222B2 US8568222B2 (en) 2013-10-29
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US (1) US8568222B2 (en)
WO (1) WO2009051637A1 (en)
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Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:GAGNER, MARK B.;JOSHI, SHRIDHAR P.;SIEMASKO, ROBERT;AND OTHERS;SIGNING DATES FROM 20081010 TO 20081014;REEL/FRAME:021703/0759