Patent ID: 8628422

Claim:
A gaming system having virtual assets, comprising: a wager input device; at least one gaming terminal comprising a display for displaying a wagering game; a virtual asset server in communication with the at least one gaming terminal, the virtual asset server storing and managing a first type and a second type of virtual non-monetary assets, the first type of virtual non-monetary asset having a first plurality of attributes associated therewith, the second type of virtual asset having a second plurality of attributes associated therewith, each of the first and second pluralities of attributes pertaining to (a) persistence—whether the asset is permanent or has a limited usable life, (b) tradeability—whether or not the asset can be purchased, sold, or otherwise traded, (c) expected value—whether or not the asset has a cash value associated with it, and (d) virtual value—whether or not the asset has a perceived value associated with it and if the perceived value is fixed or controlled by a market, at least two of the first plurality of attributes being different than the corresponding two of the second plurality of attributes; and at least one controller operative to: (i) cause the first display to display the wagering game; (ii) in response to a first triggering event, award one or more of the virtual non-monetary assets to a player of the wagering game; (iii) store information regarding the awarded non-monetary virtual assets in a player account associated with the player and accessible to the virtual asset server; and (iv) provide a monetary award to the player for any winning outcomes achieved during play of the wagering game.