Casino games
Apparatus and methods related to multi-player casino games are described. An electronic gaming device is provided that allows a live player to compete against a virtual player in a multi-player wager-based game using playing cards derived from the insertion of a physical denomination of currency. The electronic gaming device can be configured to simulate the decision making of a virtual player and associated behaviors of the virtual player during game play. In some instances, the simulated behaviors of the virtual player output at the electronic gaming device can be learned by a live player so that the live player can make better or more advantageous game play decisions. The simulated behaviors of the virtual player can be conveyed to the live player via visual images, such as simulated facial expressions of the virtual player.
1. An electronic gaming device comprising:
a housing;
a video display, coupled to the housing;
a game controller, disposed within the housing, including a processor and a memory, the game controller communicatively coupled to the video display and configured to:
a) receive an indication of a wager from the live player;
b) determine behavioral information associated with the virtual player;
c) generate game information including a visual representation of a virtual character visually displaying a first expression corresponding to the behavioral information;
d) cause the video display to display the game information including the visual representation of the virtual character with said first expression;
e) cause the video display to change the visual representation of the virtual character from having the first expression to having a second, different expression;
f) receive input from the player wherein the behavioral information when correctly interpreted by the live player increases a probability of the live player's input resulting in the live player winning the game; and
g) determine a winner of the wager-based game from among the virtual player and the live player.
2. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the game controller is further configured to: g) maintain the visual representation of the virtual character with the second, different expression, for a period of time; and h) cause the video display to change the visual representation of the virtual character from having the second, different expression to having a third expression different than the second expression.
3. The electronic device according to claim 2 , wherein the third expression is the same as the first expression.
4. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the change of the visual representation of the virtual character from having the first expression to having the second, different expression is a static change.
5. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the change of the visual representation of the virtual character from having the first expression to having the second, different expression is a dynamic change.
6. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the change of the visual representation of the virtual character is based on an initial game position of the virtual player.
7. The electronic device according to claim 6 , wherein the first expression is a neutral expression, and wherein the second expression is a happy expression.
8. The electronic device according to claim 6 , wherein the first expression is a neutral expression, and wherein the second expression is a sad expression.
9. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein said video display is caused to display at least one of the visual representation of the virtual character with the first expression and the visual representation of the virtual character with the second, different expression, responsive to at least one triggering event.
10. The electronic device according to claim 9 , wherein the at least one triggering event comprises a first event and a second event, wherein the first event is an event in the wager-based game configured to cause the visual representation of the virtual character to change from the first expression to the second, different expression, and wherein the visual representation of the virtual character is configured to change from the second expression to the first expression responsive to the second event.
11. A method for providing a multiplayer wagering game between a live player and a virtual player, comprising the steps of:
providing an electronic device comprising a housing, a video display coupled to the housing, and a game controller disposed within the housing;
receiving an indication of a wager from the live player;
determining behavioral information with the game controller, the behavioral information being associated with the virtual player;
generating, with the game controller, game information including a visual representation of a virtual character visually displaying a first expression corresponding to the behavioral information;
displaying, with the video display, the game information including the visual representation of the virtual character with said first expression;
changing the visual representation of the virtual character with the video display from having the first expression to having a second, different expression;
receiving input from the player wherein the behavioral information when correctly interpreted by the live player increases a probability of the live player's input resulting in the live player winning the game; and
determining, with the game controller, a winner of the wager-based game from among the virtual player and the live player.
12. The method according to claim 11 , further comprising maintaining, with the game controller, the visual representation of the virtual character with the second, different expression, for a period of time, and changing the visual representation of the virtual character with the video display from having the second, different expression to having a third expression different than the second expression.
13. The method according to claim 12 , wherein the third expression is the same as the first expression.
14. The method according to claim 11 , wherein changing the visual representation of the virtual character from having the first expression to having the second, different expression is a static change.
15. The method according to claim 11 , wherein changing the visual representation of the virtual character from having the first expression to having the second, different expression is a dynamic change.
16. The method according to claim 11 , wherein changing the visual representation of the virtual character is based on an initial game position of the virtual player.
17. The method according to claim 16 , wherein the first expression is a neutral expression, and wherein the second expression is a happy expression.
18. The method according to claim 16 , wherein the first expression is a neutral expression, and wherein the second expression is a sad expression.
19. The method according to claim 11 , further comprising, displaying, with said video display, at least one of the visual representation of the virtual character with the first expression and the visual representation of the virtual character with the second, different expression, responsive to at least one triggering event.
20. The method according to claim 19 , wherein the at least one triggering event comprises a first event and a second event, wherein the first event is an event in the wager-based game configured to cause the visual representation of the virtual character to change from the first expression to the second, different expression, and wherein the visual representation of the virtual character is configured to change from the second expression to the first expression responsive to the second event.