Asynchronous persistent group bonus games with preserved game state data

1. A system for preserving persistent game state data for an asynchronous persistent group game, the system supporting a plurality of gaming machines, each of the plurality of gaming machines having a processor configured to determine whether a group game session is initiated, the system comprising:

a network server configured to:

operate an asynchronous persistent group game for participation by one or more players when it is determined that a group game session is initiated, the asynchronous persistent group game having game state data, and the group game session having player group game state data, wherein the game state data is associated with at least the group game session, and wherein the player group game state data pertains to players of the group game session;

save the game state data for the asynchronous persistent group game; and

save the player group game state data from the group game session, the saving distinctly saves at least a portion of the player group game state data such that it is associated with a respective one of the players of the group game session,

wherein players can play, via the gaming machines, the asynchronous persistent group game using at least a portion of the game state data when playing one or more different group game sessions instantiated in the asynchronous persistent group game, each of the one or more different group game sessions generating its own different group game state data; and

wherein the asynchronous persistent group game remains active after the group game session for a given one of the players ends to permit other of the players to concurrently play the asynchronous persistent group game during the one or more different group game sessions.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the previously saved player group game state data allows the associated player to play a subsequent group game session of the asynchronous persistent group game using game play assets obtained from the player's previous play of the asynchronous persistent group game in one or more prior group game sessions.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the previously saved player group game state data is accessed from a group game database, if it is determined that the player is resuming play of the asynchronous persistent group game.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the network server configured to:

identify a returning player seeking to play a subsequent group game session of the asynchronous persistence group game;

retrieve previously saved player group game state data associated with the returning player; and

permit the returning player to play the subsequent group game session of the asynchronous persistent group game in accordance with at least a portion of the previously saved player group game state data.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the previously saved player group game state data is retrieved from a group game database.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system includes or couples to a community display, and wherein the community display is configured to display information pertaining to the asynchronous persistent group game.

7. The system as recited in claim 6 , wherein the system facilitates display of the game state data on the community display as well as on multiple displays associated with the plurality of gaming machines.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of gaming machines are configured to execute a primary game of chance and configured to determine if a group game session is triggered, and at least one of the plurality of gaming machines having a bill/ticket acceptor.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the network server is configured to save the player group game state data in a periodic manner.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the network server is configured to:

receive an input to use a group game play asset for use with the asynchronous persistent group game.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the input is a request to purchase the group game play asset for use in playing the asynchronous persistent group game.

12. The system of claim 10 , wherein the input is a request to buy, sell or trade a game play asset with another player.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the asynchronous persistent group game is in use as at least part of a tournament.

14. A system for preserving persistent game state data for a group game, the system supporting a plurality of gaming machines, each of the plurality of gaming machines having a processor configured to determine whether a group game session is initiated, the system comprising:

a network server configured to:

operate an asynchronous persistent group game for participation by one or more players when it is determined that a group game session is initiated, the asynchronous persistent group game having game state data, and the group game session having player group game state data, wherein the game state data is associated with at least the group game session, and wherein the player group game state data pertains to players of the group game session;

save the game state data for the asynchronous persistent group game; and

save the player group game state data from the group game session, the saving distinctly saves at least a portion of the player group game state data such that it is associated with a respective one of the players of the group game session,

wherein players can play, via the gaming machines, the asynchronous persistent group game using at least a portion of the game state data when playing one or more different group game sessions instantiated in the asynchronous persistent group game, each of the one or more different group game sessions generating its own different group game state data; and

wherein the asynchronous persistent group game remains active after the group game session for a player ends to permit other of the players to continue to play the asynchronous persistent group game during the one or more different group game sessions.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the previously saved player group game state data allows the associated player to play a subsequent group game session of the asynchronous persistent group game using game play assets obtained from the player's previous play of the asynchronous persistent group game in one or more prior group game sessions.

16. The system of claim 14 , wherein the previously saved player group game state data is accessed from a group game database, if it is determined that the player is resuming play of the asynchronous persistent group game.

17. The system of claim 14 , wherein the network server configured to:

identify a returning player seeking to play a subsequent group game session of the asynchronous persistence group game;

retrieve previously saved player group game state data associated with the returning player; and

permit the returning player to play the subsequent group game session of the asynchronous persistent group game in accordance with at least a portion of the previously saved player group game state data.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the previously saved player group game state data is retrieved from a group game database.

19. A system for preserving persistent game state data for a group game, the system supporting a plurality of gaming machines, each of the plurality of gaming machines having a processor configured to determine whether a group game session is initiated, the system comprising:

a network server configured to:

operate an asynchronous persistent group game for participation by one or more players when it is determined that a group game session is initiated, the asynchronous persistent group game having game state data, and the group game session having player game state data, wherein the game state data is associated with at least the group game session, and the player game stare data pertains to players of the group game session;

save the game state data for the asynchronous persistent group game; and

save at least a portion of the player game slate data such that it is associated with a respective one of the players of the group game session,

wherein each player can play, via the gaming machines, the asynchronous persistent group game using at least a portion of the game state data; and

wherein the asynchronous persistent group game remains active after the player game session for a given one of the players ends to permit other of the players to play the asynchronous persistent group game during the one or more different group game sessions.