Hybrid arcade-type, wager-based gaming techniques and predetermined RNG outcome batch retrieval techniques

1. A computer implemented gaming method implemented in a gaming network, the gaming network including a first electronic, wager-based gaming device (“first EGD”), the first EGD including a first display, a first input device, and a first bill or ticket acceptor, the method comprising causing at least one processor to execute a plurality of instructions for causing at least one component of the gaming network to:

enable a player to engage in interactive game play of a hybrid arcade/wager-based game at the first EGD, the hybrid arcade/wager-based game including a non-wager based gaming portion and a wager-based gaming portion;

establish an account balance using at least a portion of cash or credit received via the first bill or ticket acceptor;

link a first predetermined wager-based game event outcome to a first in-game event which may occur during play of the non-wager based game portion;

detect an occurrence of the first in-game event in the non-wager based game portion;

determine if the occurrence of the first in-game event qualifies as a wager-based triggering event;

if it is determined that the occurrence of the first in-game event qualifies as a wager-based triggering event, initiate a first wager-based game event;

automatically fund an amount wagered on the first wager-based game event using the account balance;

reveal, after initiation of the first wager-based game event, the first predetermined wager-based game event outcome as an outcome of the first wager-based game event;

establish an account balance using at least a portion of cash or credit received via the first bill or ticket acceptor;

link a second predetermined wager-based game event outcome to a second in-game event which may occur during play of the non-wager based game portion;

detect an occurrence of the second in-game event in the non-wager based game portion;

determine if the occurrence of the second in-game event qualifies as a wager-based triggering event;

if it is determined that the occurrence of the second in-game event qualifies as a wager-based triggering event, initiate a second wager-based game event;

automatically fund an amount wagered on the second wager-based game event using the account balance; and

reveal, after initiation of the second wager-based game event, the second predetermined wager-based game event outcome as an outcome of the second wager-based game event.

2. The computer implemented gaming method of claim 1 further comprising causing the at least one processor to execute additional instructions to enable the player to concurrently engage in continuous game play of the non-wager based gaming portion of the hybrid arcade/wager-based game during execution of the first wager-based game event.

3. The computer implemented gaming method of claim 1 :

wherein the first wager-based game event corresponds to a wager-based game of chance event; and

wherein the outcome of the first wager-based game event is predetermined using a random number generator (RNG).

4. The computer implemented gaming method of claim 1 further comprising causing the at least one processor to execute additional instructions to:

analyze the first wager-based game event outcome to determine whether or not to automatically modify an availability of at least one resource or attribute of the non-wager based gaming portion;

if the first wager-based game event outcome satisfies a first set of conditions, automatically modify an availability of at least one resource or attribute of the non-wager based gaming portion; and

if the first wager-based game event outcome does not satisfy the first set of criteria, not perform modification of the at least one resource or attribute of the non-wager based gaming portion in response to the first wager-based game event outcome.

5. The computer implemented gaming method of claim 1 further comprising causing the at least one processor to execute additional instructions to:

analyze the first wager-based game event outcome to determine whether or not a non-wager based gaming award should be distributed at the non-wager based gaming portion;

if the first wager-based game event outcome satisfies a first set of criteria, automatically cause the non-wager based gaming award to be distributed at the non-wager based gaming portion; and

wherein the distribution of the non-wager based gaming award includes causing at least one component of the gaming network to modify at least one in-game resource or attribute which is available for use by an in-game character during play of the non-wager based gaming portion.

6. The computer implemented gaming method of claim 1 further comprising causing the at least one processor to execute additional instructions to:

automatically retrieve a first batch of predetermined wager-based game event outcomes from a first RNG engine; and

select the first wager-based game event outcome from the first batch of predetermined wager-based game event outcomes.

7. The computer implemented gaming method of claim 1 further comprising causing the at least one processor to execute additional instructions to:

automatically retrieve a first batch of predetermined RNG outcomes from a first RNG engine;

select the first wager-based game event outcome from the first batch of predetermined wager-based game event outcomes; and

select the second wager-based game event outcome from the first batch of predetermined wager-based game event outcomes.

8. The computer implemented gaming method of claim 1 wherein the first in-game event corresponds to a spawning of a first non-player character (“First NPC”) in the non-wager based gaming portion, the method comprising causing the at least one processor to execute additional instructions to:

link the first predetermined wager-based game event outcome to the First NPC;

detect a first in-game interaction with the First NPC, the first in-game interaction being caused based on input from the player during play of the non-wager based gaming portion;

determine if the first in-game interaction with the First NPC qualifies as a wager-based triggering event;

if it is determined that the occurrence of the first in-game interaction with the First NPC qualifies as a wager-based triggering event, initiate the first wager-based game event; and

reveal, after initiation of the first wager-based game event, the first predetermined wager-based game event outcome as the outcome of the first wager-based game event which was initiated in response to the occurrence of the first in-game interaction with the First NPC.

9. The computer implemented gaming method of claim 1 wherein the first in-game event corresponds to a spawning of a first object (“First Object”) in the non-wager based gaming portion, the method comprising causing the at least one processor to execute additional instructions to:

link the first predetermined wager-based game event outcome to the First Object;

detect a first in-game interaction with the First Object, the first in-game interaction being caused based on input from the player during play of the non-wager based gaming portion;

determine if the first in-game interaction with the First Object qualifies as a wager-based triggering event;

if it is determined that the occurrence of the first in-game interaction with the First Object qualifies as a wager-based triggering event, initiate the first wager-based game event; and

reveal, after initiation of the first wager-based game event, the first predetermined wager-based game event outcome as the outcome of the first wager-based game event which was initiated in response to the occurrence of the first in-game interaction with the First Object.

10. A computer implemented gaming system implemented in a gaming network, the gaming network including a first electronic, wager-based gaming device (“first EGD”), the first EGD including a first display, a first input device, and a first bill or ticket acceptor, the system comprising at least one processor operable to execute a plurality of instructions for causing at least one component of the gaming network to:

enable a player to engage in interactive game play of a hybrid arcade/wager-based game at the first EGD, the hybrid arcade/wager-based game including a non-wager based gaming portion and a wager-based gaming portion;

establish an account balance using at least a portion of cash or credit received via the first bill or ticket acceptor;

link a first predetermined wager-based game event outcome to a first in-game event which may occur during play of the non-wager based game portion;

detect an occurrence of the first in-game event in the non-wager based game portion;

determine if the occurrence of the first in-game event qualifies as a wager-based triggering event;

if it is determined that the occurrence of the first in-game event qualifies as a wager-based triggering event, initiate a first wager-based game event;

automatically fund an amount wagered on the first wager-based game event using the account balance;

reveal, after initiation of the first wager-based game event, the first predetermined wager-based game event outcome as an outcome of the first wager-based game event;

establish an account balance using at least a portion of cash or credit received via the first bill or ticket acceptor;

link a second predetermined wager-based game event outcome to a second in-game event which may occur during play of the non-wager based game portion;

detect an occurrence of the second in-game event in the non-wager based game portion;

determine if the occurrence of the second in-game event qualifies as a wager-based triggering event;

if it is determined that the occurrence of the second in-game event qualifies as a wager-based triggering event, initiate a second wager-based game event;

automatically fund an amount wagered on the second wager-based game event using the account balance; and

reveal, after initiation of the second wager-based game event, the second predetermined wager-based game event outcome as an outcome of the second wager-based game event.

11. The computer implemented gaming system of claim 10 being further operable to cause the at least one processor to execute additional instructions to enable the player to concurrently engage in continuous game play of the non-wager based gaming portion of the hybrid arcade/wager-based game during execution of the first wager-based game event.

12. The computer implemented gaming system of claim 10 :

wherein the first wager-based game event corresponds to a wager-based game of chance event; and

wherein the outcome of the first wager-based game event is predetermined using a random number generator (RNG).

13. The computer implemented gaming system of claim 10 being further operable to cause the at least one processor to execute additional instructions to:

analyze the first wager-based game event outcome to determine whether or not to automatically modify an availability of at least one resource or attribute of the non-wager based gaming portion;

if the first wager-based game event outcome satisfies a first set of conditions, automatically modify an availability of at least one resource or attribute of the non-wager based gaming portion; and

if the first wager-based game event outcome does not satisfy the first set of criteria, not perform modification of the at least one resource or attribute of the non-wager based gaming portion in response to the first wager-based game event outcome.

14. The computer implemented gaming system of claim 10 being further operable to cause the at least one processor to execute additional instructions to:

analyze the first wager-based game event outcome to determine whether or not a non-wager based gaming award should be distributed at the non-wager based gaming portion;

if the first wager-based game event outcome satisfies a first set of criteria, automatically cause the non-wager based gaming award to be distributed at the non-wager based gaming portion; and

wherein the distribution of the non-wager based gaming award includes causing at least one component of the gaming network to modify at least one in-game resource or attribute which is available for use by an in-game character during play of the non-wager based gaming portion.

15. The computer implemented gaming system of claim 10 being further operable to cause the at least one processor to execute additional instructions to:

automatically retrieve a first batch of predetermined wager-based game event outcomes from a first RNG engine; and

select the first wager-based game event outcome from the first batch of predetermined wager-based game event outcomes.

16. The computer implemented gaming system of claim 10 being further operable to cause the at least one processor to execute additional instructions to:

automatically retrieve a first batch of predetermined RNG outcomes from a first RNG engine;

select the first wager-based game event outcome from the first batch of predetermined wager-based game event outcomes; and

select the second wager-based game event outcome from the first batch of predetermined wager-based game event outcomes.

17. The computer implemented gaming system of claim 10 wherein the first in-game event corresponds to a spawning of a first non-player character (“First NPC”) in the non-wager based gaming portion, the system comprising causing the at least one processor to execute additional instructions to:

link the first predetermined wager-based game event outcome to the First NPC;

detect a first in-game interaction with the First NPC, the first in-game interaction being caused based on input from the player during play of the non-wager based gaming portion;

determine if the first in-game interaction with the First NPC qualifies as a wager-based triggering event;

if it is determined that the occurrence of the first in-game interaction with the First NPC qualifies as a wager-based triggering event, initiate the first wager-based game event; and

reveal, after initiation of the first wager-based game event, the first predetermined wager-based game event outcome as the outcome of the first wager-based game event which was initiated in response to the occurrence of the first in-game interaction with the First NPC.

18. The computer implemented gaming system of claim 10 wherein the first in-game event corresponds to a spawning of a first object (“First Object”) in the non-wager based gaming portion, the system comprising causing the at least one processor to execute additional instructions to:

link the first predetermined wager-based game event outcome to the First Object;

detect a first in-game interaction with the First Object, the first in-game interaction being caused based on input from the player during play of the non-wager based gaming portion;

determine if the first in-game interaction with the First Object qualifies as a wager-based triggering event;

if it is determined that the occurrence of the first in-game interaction with the First Object qualifies as a wager-based triggering event, initiate the first wager-based game event; and

reveal, after initiation of the first wager-based game event, the first predetermined wager-based game event outcome as the outcome of the first wager-based game event which was initiated in response to the occurrence of the first in-game interaction with the First Object.

19. A non-transitory computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein, the computer readable code comprising causing at least one processor to execute a plurality of instructions to:

enable a player to engage in interactive game play of a hybrid arcade/wager-based game at a first electronic, wager-based gaming device (“first EGD”), the first EGD including a first display, a first input device, and a first bill or ticket acceptor, the hybrid arcade/wager-based game including a non-wager based gaming portion and a wager-based gaming portion;

establish an account balance using at least a portion of cash or credit received via the first bill or ticket acceptor;

link a first predetermined wager-based game event outcome to a first in-game event which may occur during play of the non-wager based game portion;

detect an occurrence of the first in-game event in the non-wager based game portion;

determine if the occurrence of the first in-game event qualifies as a wager-based triggering event;

if it is determined that the occurrence of the first in-game event qualifies as a wager-based triggering event, initiate a first wager-based game event;

automatically fund an amount wagered on the first wager-based game event using the account balance;

reveal, after initiation of the first wager-based game event, the first predetermined wager-based game event outcome as an outcome of the first wager-based game event;

establish an account balance using at least a portion of cash or credit received via the first bill or ticket acceptor;

link a second predetermined wager-based game event outcome to a second in-game event which may occur during play of the non-wager based game portion;

detect an occurrence of the second in-game event in the non-wager based game portion;

determine if the occurrence of the second in-game event qualifies as a wager-based triggering event;

if it is determined that the occurrence of the second in-game event qualifies as a wager-based triggering event, initiate a second wager-based game event;

automatically fund an amount wagered on the second wager-based game event using the account balance; and

reveal, after initiation of the second wager-based game event, the second predetermined wager-based game event outcome as an outcome of the second wager-based game event.