IP Library Granted Patent US 9,286,758
Granted Patent B2
US 9,286,758 · App. 13/942,238 · Granted Mar 15, 2016

Controlling progress in wagering games

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,286,758
App. No.
13/942,238
Granted
Mar 15, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include detecting that a non-wagering activity is performed separate from a wagering game. The operations can further include determining that a progression requirement for a persistent-state game is fulfilled via the non-wagering activity. The operations can further include, after determining that the progression requirement is fulfilled, performing one or more of unlocking wagering game content, setting a progression limit in the persistent-state game until wagering game activity is performed, and removing a progression limit in the persistent-state game that was set via wagering activity.

Claims (39)

1. A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:

detecting, via at least one of one or more electronic processors of the gaming system, that a non-wagering activity is performed separate from a wagering game;

determining, via at least one of the one or more electronic processors, that a progression requirement for a persistent-state game is fulfilled via the non-wagering activity; and

after determining that the progression requirement is fulfilled, setting a progression limit in the persistent-state game until wagering game activity is performed in the wagering game via a wagering game machine, wherein the progression limit restricts additional progress for the persistent-state game in a wagering game session until the wagering game activity is performed, and wherein the wagering game machine includes a value input device configured to receive a monetary value for placement of wagers on one or more casino wagering games.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

associating fulfillment of the progression requirement with a wagering game player account; and

providing a marker for presentation on a depiction of a path of progression.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

providing episodic content for presentation at a location on the depiction of the path of progression that corresponds to attainment of a game objective for the persistent-state game, wherein the episodic content includes an episode from a plurality of episodes of a storyline, wherein each of the plurality of the episodes corresponds to a separate position on the depiction of the path of progression.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

detecting a request to access wagering game content, wherein the request originated from a social contact associated with the wagering game player account; and

providing access to the wagering game content by the social contact in response to detecting authorization from the wagering game player account.

5. One or more non-transitory, machine-readable storage media having instructions stored thereon, which when executed by a set of one or more electronic processors of a gaming system cause the set of one or more electronic processors to perform operations comprising:

detecting that a non-wagering activity is performed separate from one or more wagering games;

determining that a progression requirement for a persistent-state game is fulfilled via the non-wagering activity; and

after determining that the progression requirement is fulfilled, setting a progression limit in the persistent-state game until wagering game activity is performed in the one or more wagering games via a wagering game machine, wherein the progression limit restricts additional progress for the persistent-state game in a wagering game session until the wagering game activity is performed, and wherein the wagering game machine includes a value input device configured to receive a monetary value for placement of wagers on the one or more wagering games.

6. The one or more non-transitory, machine-readable storage media of claim 5 , said operations further comprising:

associating fulfillment of the progression requirement with a wagering game player account; and

providing a marker for presentation on a depiction of a path of progression.

7. The one or more non-transitory, machine-readable storage media of claim 6 , said operations further comprising:

providing episodic content for presentation at a location on the depiction of the path of progression that corresponds to attainment of a game objective for the persistent-state game, wherein the episodic content includes an episode from a plurality of episodes of a storyline, wherein each of the plurality of the episodes corresponds to a separate position on the depiction of the path of progression.

8. The one or more non-transitory, machine-readable storage media of claim 6 , said operations further comprising:

detecting a request to access wagering game content, wherein the request originated from a social contact associated with the wagering game player account; and

providing access to the wagering game content by the social contact in response to detecting authorization from the wagering game player account.

9. A gaming system comprising:

one or more processors;

an electronic communication interface device; and

one or more memory storage devices configured to store instructions, which when executed by at least one of the one or more processors cause the gaming system to perform operations to,

detect that a non-wagering activity is performed separate from one or more casino wagering games, wherein the one or more casino wagering games are provided, via the electronic communication interface device, for presentation via an electronic display device,

determine that a progression requirement for a persistent-state game is fulfilled via the non-wagering activity, and

after determination that the progression requirement is fulfilled, set a progression limit in the persistent-state game until wagering game activity is performed in the one or more casino wagering games via a wagering game machine wherein the progression limit restricts additional progress for the persistent-state game in a wagering game session until the wagering game activity is performed, and wherein the wagering game machine includes a value input device configured to receive a monetary value for placement of wagers on the one or more casino wagering games.

10. The gaming system of claim 9 , wherein the one or more memory storage devices are configured to store instructions, which when executed by at least one of the one or more processors cause the gaming system to perform operations to:

associating fulfillment of the progression requirement with a wagering game player account; and

providing a marker for presentation on a depiction of a path of progression.

11. The gaming system of claim 10 , wherein the one or more memory storage devices are configured to store instructions, which when executed by at least one of the one or more processors cause the gaming system to perform operations to:

providing episodic content for presentation at a location on the depiction of the path of progression that corresponds to attainment of a game objective for the persistent-state game, wherein the episodic content includes an episode from a plurality of episodes of a storyline, wherein each of the plurality of the episodes corresponds to a separate position on the depiction of the path of progression.

12. The gaming system of claim 10 , wherein the one or more memory storage devices are configured to store instructions, which when executed by at least one of the one or more processors cause the gaming system to perform operations to:

detecting a request to access wagering game content, wherein the request originated from a social contact associated with the wagering game player account; and

providing access to the wagering game content by the social contact in response to detecting authorization from the wagering game player account.

Assignments (11)
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 23, 2025
From: LNW GAMING, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 071340/0404 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE THE NUMBERS 7963843, 8016666, 9076281, AND 9257001 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 051642 FRAME: 0910. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Mar 21, 2023
From: BALLY GAMING, INC.
To: SG GAMING, INC.
Reel/Frame 063122/0307 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 7, 2023
From: SG GAMING, INC.
To: LNW GAMING, INC.
Reel/Frame 062669/0341 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 22, 2022
From: SG GAMING INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 059793/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 21, 2022
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: SCIENTIFIC GAMES INTERNATIONAL, INC.; WMS GAMING INC.; BALLY GAMING, INC.; DON BEST SPORTS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 059756/0397 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 19, 2020
From: BALLY GAMING, INC.
To: SG GAMING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051642/0910 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 11, 2018
From: SCIENTIFIC GAMES INTERNATIONAL, INC.; BALLY GAMING, INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 045909/0513 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 15, 2017
From: SCIENTIFIC GAMES INTERNATIONAL, INC.; BALLY GAMING, INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 044889/0662 →
MERGER Recorded Jul 29, 2015
From: WMS GAMING INC.
To: BALLY GAMING, INC.
Reel/Frame 036225/0464 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 18, 2013
From: SCIENTIFIC GAMES INTERNATIONAL, INC.; WMS GAMING INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031847/0110 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 18, 2013
From: VANN, JAMIE W.
To: WMS GAMING, INC.
Reel/Frame 030823/0661 →