An arcade game including a progressive bonus server connected to a plurality of individual game units. The progressive bonus server receives score contributions from each game unit to increase a progressive score. When players achieve a predetermined task on a game unit, they receive a non-monetary award based on the progressive score. Each game unit connected to the progressive bonus server may take the form of an arcade-type game with a rotating wheel on which to base scoring. A playing piece is directed down a playing surface towards a target end, and the wheel is rotated according to the target that was hit by the playing piece. The position of the wheel when it stops rotating affects the score. A non-monetary award based on the score is dispensed to the player when the game is completed.
1. A game system, the game system comprising:
a plurality of physically separated player-machines, wherein each physically separated player-machine includes its own microprocessor and software for allowing a player to play at least one game that requires sufficient skill such that it is not primarily a game of chance, wherein said player is entitled to play said at least one game due to an economic consideration, and is adapted for developing digital information resulting from play of said at least one game, and wherein each player-machine includes a wheel-shaped indicator having a plurality of segments, and wherein each segment of the plurality of segments of the wheel-shaped indicator is individually detectable by a detector of each player-machine;
a bonus apparatus including a microprocessor and software, physically separated from said plurality of player-machines and coupled with said plurality of player-machines for digital communication therewith, wherein said digital communication includes game information and award information associated with said at least one game wherein said award information may be generated based on two or more differing non-monetary criteria from said at least one game played at a player machine of the plurality of player machines.
2. The game system as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a network coupling said plurality of player-machines to said bonus apparatus.
3. The game system as recited in claim 2 , wherein said network includes a serial transmission protocol.
4. The game system as recited in claim 3 , wherein said serial transmission protocol is an RS-232 protocol.
5. The game system as recited in claim 1 , wherein said bonus apparatus provides awards based on one or more criteria, selected from a group consisting essentially of:
a game result;
a progressive score;
a completion of a specific task;
an attainment of a specific goal; and
a number of players playing.
6. The game system as recited in claim 5 , wherein said progressive score is associated with a progressive bonus that is based on contributions made by said plurality of physically separated player-machines, and wherein said progressive score can be incremented or decremented based on a multiplier associated with said contributions.
7. The game system as recited in claim 6 , wherein said contributions are based on one or more events, said one or more events comprising: consideration generated from at least one of said plurality of physically separated player-machines; and attainment of at least one pre-determined goal by at least one player playing at said plurality of physically separated player-machines.
8. The game system as recited in claim 1 , wherein said bonus apparatus provides non-monetary awards.
9. A method for a game system, the method comprising:
allowing a player to play at least one game that requires sufficient skill such that said at least one game is not primarily a game of chance, said at least one game being played on one of a plurality of physically separated player-machines in said game system, wherein each physically separated player-machine includes its own microprocessor and software for allowing said player to play said at least one game, where each of said plurality of physically separated player-machines is adapted to develop digital information resulting from play of said at least one game and for being in digital communication with other physically separated player-machines, wherein said player is entitled to play said at least one game due to an economic consideration;
spinning a wheel-shaped indicator at each player-machine as part of allowing a player to play at least one game, the wheel-shaped indicator having a plurality of segments;
detecting each segment of the plurality of segments of the wheel-shaped indicator at each player-machine using a detector at the player-machine;
digitally communicating with a bonus apparatus including its own microprocessor and software by said plurality of physically separated player-machines wherein said bonus apparatus is physically separated from said plurality of physically separated player-machines, and wherein said digital communication includes game information and award information associated with said at least one game wherein said award information may be generated based on two or more differing non-monetary criteria from said at least one game played at a player machine of the plurality of player machines.
10. The method as recited in claim 9 , wherein said digital communication is over a network.
11. The method as recited in claim 10 , wherein said network includes a serial transmission protocol.
12. The method as recited in claim 11 , wherein said serial transmission protocol is an RS-232 protocol.
13. The game system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the each physically separated player-machine is parallel-coupled to the bonus apparatus.
14. The method as recited in claim 9 , wherein the each physically separated player-machine is parallel-coupled to the bonus apparatus.