IP Library Granted Patent US 12,430,991
Granted Patent B2
US 12,430,991 · App. 18/226,955 · Granted Sep 30, 2025

Node-based game evaluation and game play

Inventors: Sean O′Donnell (Reno, NV); Aaron P. Taylor (Reno, NV); Janner Redera (Sparks, NV); Dwayne Nelson (Las Vegas, NV)
Assignee: IGT
G07F17/3262A63F13/47A63F13/5375A63F13/69G07F17/3267
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,430,991
App. No.
18/226,955
Granted
Sep 30, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to operating an electronic game according to a graph presentation representing a current state and possible future states for the game. Various embodiments described herein provide the player with a graph representing possible choices during game play with each choice influencing a future state and flow of the game. Embodiments allow player input as well as randomness to navigate the graph and determine the flow and outcomes of the game. Various embodiments determine how the player can navigate the graph, how the prizes are awarded based on the graph, and how the player can change the graph.

Claims (16)

1. A method for operating an electronic game, the method comprising:

executing, by a gaming system, an electronic game;

presenting, by the gaming system, a representation of the electronic game;

presenting, by the gaming system, a representation of a state for the electronic game, wherein the representation of the state comprises a graph, the graph comprising a node representing a current state of the electronic game connected by a plurality of edges, each edge further connected to a node representing each of a first plurality of future states of the electronic game;

detecting, by the gaming system, an occurrence of a predefined event within the electronic game;

determining, by the gaming system, whether the detected predefined event triggers a change to the state of the electronic game;

in response to determining the detected predefined event triggers a change to the state of the electronic game, receiving, by the gaming system, a player selection of one of the first plurality of future states of the electronic game; and

updating, by the gaming system, the presented representation of the state for the electronic game based on the received selection of one of the first plurality of future states, wherein updating the presented representation of the state for the electronic game comprises making the selected one of the first plurality of future states of the electronic game the current state of the electronic game and generating a second plurality of future states of the electronic game, and wherein the second plurality of future states of the electronic game are dynamically generated based on the received selection of one of the first plurality of future states of the electronic game.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining whether the detected predefined event triggers a change to the state of the electronic game comprises:

accumulating a total number of occurrences of the predefined event in the electronic game; and

determining whether the accumulated total number of occurrences of the predefined event in the electronic game exceeds a predefined threshold.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the predefined event comprises a win of a predefined amount.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the predefined event comprises a wager of a predefined amount.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the predefined event comprises a win of a predefined category.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the predefined event comprises a bonus display event.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the predefined event comprises an event based on a player selection.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 3, 2025
From: IGT
To: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 071817/0394 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 27, 2023
From: O'DONNELL, SEAN; TAYLOR, AARON P.; REDERA, JANNER; NELSON, DWAYNE
To: IGT
Reel/Frame 064404/0175 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250032928A1 · Jan 30, 2025
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