Wagering game system with player rewards
View Patent ↗According to one aspect of the present invention, a gaming system includes a method of conducting a wagering game. The method includes identifying a player as a member of certain group, and offering the player options related to the wagering game. The options are unavailable to players who are not members of the certain group.
1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
conducting, by one or more processors, a first wagering game played by a player via a first gaming terminal in a gaming establishment in a first gaming session, the first wagering game including one or more game outcomes randomly selected from a plurality of possible game outcomes;
awarding, by one or more processors, credit-based monetary awards in response to certain ones of the game outcomes occurring in the first wagering game;
awarding, by one or more processors, an amount of non-monetary points in response to one or more game-play conditions occurring in the first wagering game, the non-monetary points being distinct from the credit-based monetary awards;
storing the amount of the non-monetary points in a player account held by the player;
awarding, by one or more processors, an additional amount of the non-monetary points in response to non-wagering game activity by the player outside the gaming establishment, the non-wagering game activity including online activity;
adding, by one or more processors, the additional amount of the non-monetary points to the player account; and
modifying, by one or more processors, a second wagering game played by the player via a second gaming terminal in a gaming establishment in a second gaming session in response to player redemption of at least a portion of the non-monetary points stored in the player account.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first and second wagering games are different.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the game-play conditions are selected from a group consisting of playing a game, mystery points, symbol combinations, functions of award and wager, side wagers, introductory new games, double points, auxiliary points jackpots, multipliers based on specific conditions, scavenger hunt, theme-specific games, sweepstakes, revenue, skill-based points, and consolation points.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the non-wagering game activity is selected from a group consisting of marketing surveys, free gifts, vouchers, web promotions, partner services, and sponsor points.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the player account is stored on at least one of a card and a server.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the modifying of the second wagering game includes providing one or more of an avatar, a medal of achievement, an early release of a wagering game, unlocked features, a different bonus game, an exclusive game, a community event, a point-based game, a credit-point mixed game, a unique point payline, a scavenger hunt assistance item, a replay feature, a priority selection, an increased max bet, play of multiple machines, play of multiple games, a secondary symbol, a jackpot threshold, a mystery bonus award, a customized game, terminator removal, a do-over, a bonus-game enhancement, a general change to rules of game, and a level advance.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the unlocked features include one or more of a bonus game and a game episode.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the modifying of the second wagering game includes unlocking one or more of a bonus game and a game episode.
9. A system comprising:
a first gaming terminal located in a gaming establishment and including
a first input device for receiving a first wager input from a player for playing a first gaming session of a first wagering game, and
a first display device for displaying, in response to the first wager input, a first randomly selected outcome from a first plurality of possible first game outcomes,
a second gaming terminal located in the gaming establishment or in another gaming establishment and including
a second input device for receiving a second wager input from a player for playing a second gaming session of a second wagering game, and
a second display device for displaying, in response to the second wager input, a second randomly selected outcome from a second plurality of possible second game outcomes; and
one or more processors programmable to
award credit-based monetary awards in response to certain ones of the game outcomes occurring in the first wagering game,
award an amount of non-monetary points in response to one or more game-play conditions occurring in the first wagering game, the non-monetary points being distinct from the credit-based monetary awards,
store the amount of the non-monetary points in a player account held by the player,
award an additional amount of the non-monetary points in response to non-wagering game activity by the player outside the gaming establishment, the non-wagering game activity including online activity,
add the additional amount of the non-monetary points to the player account, and
modify the second wagering game played by the player via the second gaming terminal in response to player redemption of at least a portion of the non-monetary points stored in the player account.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the first and second wagering games are different.
11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the game-play conditions are selected from a group consisting of playing a game, mystery points, symbol combinations, functions of award and wager, side wagers, introductory new games, double points, auxiliary points jackpots, multipliers based on specific conditions, scavenger hunt, theme-specific games, sweepstakes, revenue, skill-based points, and consolation points.
12. The system of claim 9 , wherein the non-wagering game activity is selected from a group consisting of marketing surveys, free gifts, vouchers, web promotions, partner services, and sponsor points.
13. The system of claim 9 , wherein the player account is stored on at least one of a card and a server.
14. The system of claim 9 , wherein the modifying of the second wagering game includes providing one or more of an avatar, a medal of achievement, an early release of a wagering game, unlocked features, a different bonus game, an exclusive game, a community event, a point-based game, a credit-point mixed game, a unique point payline, a scavenger hunt assistance item, a replay feature, a priority selection, an increased max bet, play of multiple machines, play of multiple games, a secondary symbol, a jackpot threshold, a mystery bonus award, a customized game, terminator removal, a do-over, a bonus-game enhancement, a general change to rules of game, and a level advance.
15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the unlocked features include one or more of a bonus game and a game episode.
16. The system of claim 9 , wherein the modifying of the second wagering game includes unlocking one or more of a bonus game and a game episode.
17. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having a stored computer program executed by a controller, the computer program being configured to cause, upon execution by the controller, the acts of:
conducting, by one or more processors, a first wagering game played by a player via a first gaming terminal in a gaming establishment in a first gaming session, the first wagering game including one or more game outcomes randomly selected from a plurality of possible game outcomes;
awarding, by one or more processors, credit-based monetary awards in response to certain ones of the game outcomes occurring in the first wagering game;
awarding, by one or more processors, an amount of non-monetary points in response to one or more game-play conditions occurring in the first wagering game, the non-monetary points being distinct from the credit-based monetary awards;
storing the amount of the non-monetary points in a player account held by the player;
awarding, by one or more processors, an additional amount of the non-monetary points in response to non-wagering game activity by the player outside the gaming establishment, the non-wagering game activity including online activity;
adding, by one or more processors, the additional amount of the non-monetary points to the player account; and
modifying, by one or more processors, a second wagering game played by the player via a second gaming terminal in a gaming establishment in a second gaming session in response to player redemption of at least a portion of the non-monetary points stored in the player account.
18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the game-play conditions are selected from a group consisting of playing a game, mystery points, symbol combinations, functions of award and wager, side wagers, introductory new games, double points, auxiliary points jackpots, multipliers based on specific conditions, scavenger hunt, theme-specific games, sweepstakes, revenue, skill-based points, and consolation points.
19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the non-wagering game activity is selected from a group consisting of marketing surveys, free gifts, vouchers, web promotions, partner services, and sponsor points.
20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the modifying of the second wagering game includes providing one or more of an avatar, a medal of achievement, an early release of a wagering game, unlocked features, a different bonus game, an exclusive game, a community event, a point-based game, a credit-point mixed game, a unique point payline, a scavenger hunt assistance item, a replay feature, a priority selection, an increased max bet, play of multiple machines, play of multiple games, a secondary symbol, a jackpot threshold, a mystery bonus award, a customized game, terminator removal, a do-over, a bonus-game enhancement, a general change to rules of game, and a level advance.