U.S. patent application number 11/758452 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-02 for real-money online multi-player trivia system, methods of operation, and storage medium.
This patent application is currently assigned to Shelford Securities, S.A.. Invention is credited to Monty Kerr, David Leb.
Application Number | 20080242423 11/758452 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39795386 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080242423 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kerr; Monty ; et
al. |
October 2, 2008 |
REAL-MONEY ONLINE MULTI-PLAYER TRIVIA SYSTEM, METHODS OF OPERATION,
AND STORAGE MEDIUM
Abstract
An apparatus, method, and storage medium for a real-money online
multi-player trivia system which allows users to compete, via a
computer network, in one or more simultaneous trivia style games
with a plurality of questions while wagering real and/or play
money. The trivia style games can be either a single trivia game
between multiple players or a tournament style game with a
plurality of single games linked together. A trivia style game may
allow betting before a question is delivered, after a question is
delivered, or after a question is answered. Further, the amount of
a player's wager may be withheld from the other players and/or
whether the player answered a question correctly or
incorrectly.
Inventors: |
Kerr; Monty; (Austin,
TX) ; Leb; David; (Panama, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HULSEY IP INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAWYERS, P.C.
919 Congress Avenue, Suite 919
AUSTIN
TX
78701
US
|
Assignee: |
Shelford Securities, S.A.
|
Family ID: |
39795386 |
Appl. No.: |
11/758452 |
Filed: |
October 26, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60908225 |
Mar 27, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/42 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101;
G07F 17/3295 20130101; G07F 17/3276 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/42 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A trivia based wagering game, the system comprising: a
communications network for providing a plurality of trivia based
games to a plurality of individuals via a network; a means for
uniquely identifying each of said individuals; a means for said
individuals to establish a stored value account, said stored value
account having a real currency amount and a play currency amount; a
means for said individuals to adjust said stored value account; a
means for a predetermined number of said individuals to enroll in
at least one of said trivia based games; a means for said
individuals to place a wager in at least one of said trivia based
games, said wager being deducted from said stored value account; a
means for delivering at least one question to said individuals; a
means for accepting an answer to said question from each of said
individuals; a means for evaluating if said answer is correct; and
a means for allocating said wagers between a rake and said stored
value accounts.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein said network is the Internet.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein a plurality of said trivia based
games are associated together to form a tournament style game.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein each said individual in said
tournament style game wagers the same amount of currency.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein said wagers are not disclosed to
other said players.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein said wager is not made by said
player until after said answer is accepted.
7. The system of claim 1 including a means for said individuals to
communicate with each other.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein said communication is disabled
when said question is delivered.
9. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for placing said wager
includes allowing said individuals to place said wager before said
individuals turn.
10. A method of using a trivia based wagering game, the method
comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of trivia based
games to a plurality of individuals via a network; uniquely
identifying each of said individuals; establishing a stored value
account for said individuals, said stored value account having a
real currency amount and a play currency amount; allowing said
individuals to adjust said stored value account; enrolling a
predetermined number of said individuals in at least one of said
trivia based games; allowing said individuals to place a wager in
at least one of said trivia based games, said wager being deducted
from said stored value account; delivering at least one question to
said individuals; accepting an answer to said question from each of
said individuals; evaluating if said answer is correct; and
allocating said wagers between a rake and said stored value
accounts.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein said network is the
Internet.
12. The method of claim 10 wherein a plurality of said trivia based
games are associated together to form a tournament style game.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein each said individual in said
tournament style game wagers the same amount of currency.
14. The method of claim 10 wherein said wagers are not disclosed to
other said players.
15. The method of claim 10 wherein said wager is not made by said
player until after said answer is accepted.
16. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of allowing
said individuals to communicate with each other.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein said communication is disabled
when said question is delivered.
18. The method of claim 10 wherein said step for placing said wager
includes allowing said individuals to place said wager before said
individuals turn.
19. A computer readable medium encoded with a program for a trivia
based wagering game, the program performing the steps of: providing
a plurality of trivia based games to a plurality of individuals via
a network; uniquely identifying each of said individuals;
establishing a stored value account for said individuals, said
stored value account having a real currency amount and a play
currency amount; allowing said individuals to adjust said stored
value account; enrolling a predetermined number of said individuals
in at least one of said trivia based games; allowing said
individuals to place a wager in at least one of said trivia based
games, said wager being deducted from said stored value account;
delivering at least one question to said individuals; accepting an
answer to said question from each of said individuals; evaluating
if said answer is correct; and allocating said wagers between a
rake and said stored value accounts.
20. The medium of claim 19 wherein said network is the
Internet.
21. The medium of claim 19 wherein a plurality of said trivia based
games are associated together to form a tournament style game.
22. The medium of claim 21 wherein each said individual in said
tournament style game wagers the same amount of currency.
23. The medium of claim 19 wherein said wagers are not disclosed to
other said players.
24. The medium of claim 19 wherein said wager is not made by said
player until after said answer is accepted.
25. The medium of claim 19 further comprising the step of allowing
said individuals to communicate with each other.
26. The medium of claim 25 wherein said communication is disabled
when said question is delivered.
27. The medium of claim 19 wherein said step for placing said wager
includes allowing said individuals to place said wager before said
individuals turn.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/908,225 filed Mar. 27, 2007.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention pertains generally to trivia games and, more
particularly, to a real-money online multi-player trivia game.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Trivia games are well known as a form of entertainment.
Generally, the trivia game consists of a question being presented
to participants and then the first participant with the correct
answer wins that round. The rounds progress for some pre-set length
and the scores are tallied to determine the overall winner.
[0004] The most common and well known of these trivia style games
are "Trivial Pursuit" and "Jeopardy." Trivial Pursuit is a board
game where participants gather at a pre-determined location and
roll a die to determine what category of question will be asked.
There are about six categories within any game; however, there are
several different versions of the game that incorporate specific
areas of trivia (movies, sports, etc.). As the participants
progress, they collect game pieces representing correct answers at
strategic points of the game. The winner is the first to collect
all of the game pieces and answer a final question. The obvious
limitations of this game are all participants must be in a
reasonable vicinity of each other--for example, the same room--and
a roll of the die determines the category of the question. Jeopardy
proceeds in a similar manner except the participants choose a
topic, and within that topic, a value for the question that
corresponds to the questions difficulty level. The question is
delivered to the participants and the first participant to "buzz
in" is given an opportunity to answer the question. If the
participant correctly answers the question, the value of the
question is credited to the participant's winnings; however, if the
participant answers the question incorrectly, the value of the
question is deducted from the participant's winnings and the
remaining participants again have the opportunity to "buzz in" and
answer the question. The obvious problem with both of these is they
require the participants to assemble at a predetermined time and
location. In addition, though Jeopardy allows for some time of
wagering, the wagered amount is, at least theoretically, tied to
the difficulty of the question thereby not allowing a participant
to wager different amounts of money for different categories or
even particular questions. Also, there is no means to either "win"
money from other players or compensate the parties running the
trivia game.
[0005] For example, a game disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,394,899 to
Walker discloses a knowledge based wagering game that affords a
plurality of players an opportunity to place a wager on the game. A
sequential series of questions is displayed to each player who
preferably selects a correct answer from a plurality of possible
answers within a predetermined period of time. The answers selected
by each player are recorded and the players are ranked with respect
to all of the other players based on the number of correct answers
selected and the amount of time taken to select the answers. Under
a pari-mutuel betting system payouts are made in accordance with
the players' relative scores.
[0006] The game disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,497,412 to Bramm
discloses a quiz game in which a player preferably attempts to
answer one or more questions in a selected category and employs a
method for selecting the category to enhance the fairness of the
game over a wide range of players' ages. At least one attribute of
the category is selected by chance and at least one other attribute
of the category is selected based on an individual preference of
the player, wherein the selected category is defined by all of the
selected attributes. The invention of the '412 Patent bases the
category selection at least in part on the individual preference of
the player increases the player's chances of correctly answering
the question(s). Such a category selection method may be
beneficially employed in an audio quiz game (e.g., a music trivia
game) that includes a source of categorized questions and answers,
an audio playing device that may selectively access and play
pre-stored audio clips, and one or more selectors for selecting the
by-chance attribute(s) of the category. The audio quiz game
preferably utilizes an audio playing device that receives the
category attributes, automatically retrieves the corresponding
audio clip based on the entered attributes, and plays the clip at
the instruction of the player. The game may be implemented as a
discrete set of game components, or electronically as a hand-held
game unit or as software to facilitate play between remote computer
users over a network, such as the Internet.
[0007] In a final example, the game disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
5,779,549 to Walker discloses a method and a system for a
distributed electronic tournament system in which many remotely
located players participate in a tournament through input/output
devices connected to a central controller which manages the
tournament. The method includes the steps of (a) uniquely
identifying a player communicating with the central controller via
an associated input/output device; (b) responding to payment of an
entry fee by the player for allowing the player to participate in a
tournament occurring within a fixed time window via an associated
input/output device; (c) accessing a database to store in the
database player information that is generated as the player
participates in the tournament, such information being available
for use in a subsequent tournament, which is administered by said
controller and in which the player participates; and (d) awarding
the player a prize for achieving a pre-established performance
level in the tournament. In another preferred embodiment, the
method further includes the steps of determining whether the player
has been qualified to advance to a subsequent game session, in
which at least one player is eliminated from the previous game
session; and permitting each player qualified to a subsequent game
session to participate in that game session. The system includes
software and hardware to implement the method steps.
[0008] A severe limitation of the prior art is its inability to
allow the user to play multiple games at the same time within the
same graphical user interface ("GUI"). The present invention
provides the ability for a user to connect to the server and then
participate in multiple games at the same time.
[0009] Additionally, the prior art does not disclose a predictive
betting method. By developing a predictive betting method, each
game may proceed at a quicker pace thereby increasing a user's
ability to play multiple games at the same time and increase the
enjoyment level for all players by reducing the "waiting" time.
[0010] Yet another limitation of the prior art is the lack of a
customer retention mechanism. By rewarding frequent and continuous
playing, customers are more likely to return when there is an
increased brand loyalty.
[0011] Finally, the prior art fails to disclose both fun and real
money wagering. By combining both fun and real money, the potential
customer/client base increases tremendously. Further, by allowing
fun money wagering, customers that would not otherwise play the
game are introduced to the system and the gaming environment. Those
customers are now significantly more likely to become real money
players.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] In one aspect of the present invention, multiple players
compete against one another in a trivia style game of skill while
wagering either fun or real money. The trivia style game could be
either a single game made up of one or more questions or a
tournament style game with one or more single games linked
together.
[0013] In another aspect of the present invention, a player may
participate in multiple trivia style games at the same time.
[0014] In another aspect of the invention, a player may select a
betting strategy before it his or her turn to bet.
[0015] In another aspect of the present invention, a player's wager
and/or whether he or she answered a question correctly is not
disclosed to other players.
[0016] These and other aspects of the disclosed subject matter, as
well as additional novel features, will be apparent from the
description provided herein. The intent of this summary is not to
be a comprehensive description of the claimed subject matter, but
rather to provide a short overview of some of the subject matter's
functionality. Other systems, methods, features and advantages here
provided will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon
examination of the following FIGUREs and detailed description. It
is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and
advantages that are included within this description, be within the
scope of the accompanying claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The novel features believed characteristic of the invention
are set forth in the claims. The invention itself, however, as well
as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages
thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following
detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a computer system and related peripherals
that may operate with the trivia based game of the present
embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 2 depicts graphically the trivia based game of the
present embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates graphically the lobby menu of the present
embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 4 graphically portrays the game play settings sub-menu
of the present embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 4a graphically portrays the game options menu of the
present embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 5 depicts graphically the application settings sub-menu
of the present embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 6 demonstrates graphically the table listing
(filtering) sub-menu of the present embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 7 represents graphically the table information sub-menu
of the present embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 7a shows a graphic of the table information menu of the
present embodiment.
[0027] FIG. 8 depicts graphically the help sub-menu of the present
embodiment.
[0028] FIG. 9 shows a flow chart of the new account creation
process of the present embodiment.
[0029] FIG. 9a depicts a graphic of the new account creation menu
of the present embodiment.
[0030] FIG. 10 shows the avatar creation menu tree of the present
embodiment.
[0031] FIG. 10a depicts a graphic of the avatar creation menu of
the present embodiment.
[0032] FIG. 11 depicts a graphic of the table creation wizard of
the present embodiment.
[0033] FIG. 12 depicts a graphic of the general game display of the
present embodiment.
[0034] FIG. 12a depicts another graphic of the general game display
of the present embodiment.
[0035] FIG. 13 portrays graphically the in-game options of the
present embodiment.
[0036] FIG. 14 represents graphically the predictive betting
features of the present embodiment.
[0037] FIG. 15 depicts graphically the active betting options of
the present embodiment.
[0038] FIG. 16 a flow chart of the game resolution process of the
present embodiment.
[0039] FIGS. 16a shows a graphic of a ring style game flourish win
of the present embodiment.
[0040] FIGS. 16b shows a graphic of a tournament style game
flourish win of the present embodiment.
[0041] FIG. 17 represents graphically the tournament style game of
the present embodiment.
[0042] FIG. 18 depicts graphically the tournament summary screen of
the present embodiment.
[0043] FIG. 19 portrays graphically the registration process of the
present embodiment.
[0044] FIG. 20 demonstrates graphically the tournament settings
menu of the present embodiment.
[0045] FIG. 21 depicts graphically the profile area of the present
embodiment.
[0046] FIG. 22 presents a graphic of a single player participating
in multiple games of the present embodiment.
[0047] FIG. 23 illustrates graphically the next question selection
options of the present embodiment.
[0048] FIG. 24 illustrates graphically an exemplary network
topology of the present embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0049] Although described with particular reference to a server and
client configuration, the claimed subject matter can be implemented
in any information technology system.
[0050] Those with skill in the arts will recognize that the
disclosed embodiments have relevance to a wide variety of computing
environments in addition to those specific examples described
below.
[0051] All references, including publications, patent applications,
and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to
the same extent as if each reference were individually and
specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set
forth in its entirety herein.
[0052] With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary system within a
computing environment for implementing the invention includes a
general purpose computing device in the form of a computing system
200, commercially available from Intel, IBM, AMD, Motorola, Cyrix
and others. Components of the computing system 202 may include, but
are not limited to, a processing unit 204, a system memory 206, and
a system bus 236 that couples various system components including
the system memory to the processing unit 204. The system bus 236
may be any of several types of bus structures including a memory
bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using
any of a variety of bus architectures.
[0053] Computing system 200 typically includes a variety of
computer readable media. Computer readable media can be any
available media that can be accessed by the computing system 200
and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, and removable and
non-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation,
computer readable media may comprise computer storage media and
communication media. Computer storage media includes volatile and
nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any
method or technology for storage of information such as computer
readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other
data.
[0054] Computer memory includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM,
EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital
versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic
cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic
storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the
desired information and which can be accessed by the computing
system 200.
[0055] The system memory 206 includes computer storage media in the
form of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as read only memory
(ROM) 210 and random access memory (RAM) 212. A basic input/output
system 214 (BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to
transfer information between elements within computing system 200,
such as during start-up, is typically stored in ROM 210. RAM 212
typically contains data and/or program modules that are immediately
accessible to and/or presently being operated on by processing unit
204. By way of example, and not limitation, an operating system
216, application programs 220, other program modules 220 and
program data 222 are shown.
[0056] Computing system 200 may also include other
removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage
media. By way of example only, a hard disk drive 224 that reads
from or writes to non-removable, nonvolatile magnetic media, a
magnetic disk drive 226 that reads from or writes to a removable,
nonvolatile magnetic disk 228, and an optical disk drive 230 that
reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile optical disk 232
such as a CD ROM or other optical media could be employed to store
the invention of the present embodiment. Other
removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage
media that can be used in the exemplary operating environment
include, but are not limited to, magnetic tape cassettes, flash
memory cards, digital versatile disks, digital video tape, solid
state RAM, solid state ROM, and the like. The hard disk drive 224
is typically connected to the system bus 236 through a
non-removable memory interface such as interface 234, and magnetic
disk drive 226 and optical disk drive 230 are typically connected
to the system bus 236 by a removable memory interface, such as
interface 238.
[0057] The drives and their associated computer storage media,
discussed above, provide storage of computer readable instructions,
data structures, program modules and other data for the computing
system 200. For example, hard disk drive 224 is illustrated as
storing operating system 268, application programs 270, other
program modules 272 and program data 274. Note that these
components can either be the same as or different from operating
system 216, application programs 220, other program modules 220,
and program data 222. Operating system 268, application programs
270, other program modules 272, and program data 274 are given
different numbers hereto illustrates that, at a minimum, they are
different copies.
[0058] A user may enter commands and information into the computing
system 200 through input devices such as a tablet, or electronic
digitizer, 240, a microphone 242, a keyboard 244, and pointing
device 246, commonly referred to as a mouse, trackball, or touch
pad. These and other input devices are often connected to the
processing unit 204 through a user input interface 248 that is
coupled to the system bus 208, but may be connected by other
interface and bus structures, such as a parallel port, game port or
a universal serial bus (USB).
[0059] A monitor 250 or other type of display device is also
connected to the system bus 208 via an interface, such as a video
interface 252. The monitor 250 may also be integrated with a
touch-screen panel or the like. Note that the monitor and/or touch
screen panel can be physically coupled to a housing in which the
computing system 200 is incorporated, such as in a tablet-type
personal computer. In addition, computers such as the computing
system 200 may also include other peripheral output devices such as
speakers 254 and printer 256, which may be connected through an
output peripheral interface 258 or the like.
[0060] Computing system 200 may operate in a networked environment
using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as
a remote computing system 260. The remote computing system 260 may
be a personal computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer
device or other common network node, and typically includes many or
all of the elements described above relative to the computing
system 200, although only a memory storage device 262 has been
illustrated. The logical connections depicted include a local area
network (LAN) 264 connecting through network interface 276 and a
wide area network (WAN) 266 connecting via modem 278, but may also
include other networks. Such networking environments are
commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks,
intranets and the Internet.
[0061] For example, in the present embodiment, the computer system
200 may comprise the source machine from which data is being
migrated, and the remote computing system 260 may comprise the
destination machine. Note however that source and destination
machines need not be connected by a network or any other means, but
instead, data may be migrated via any media capable of being
written by the source platform and read by the destination platform
or platforms.
[0062] The central processor operating pursuant to operating system
software such as IBM OS/2.RTM., Linux.RTM., UNIX.RTM., Microsoft
Windows.RTM., Apple Mac OSX.RTM. and other commercially available
operating systems provides functionality for the services provided
by the present invention. The operating system or systems may
reside at a central location or distributed locations (i.e.,
mirrored or standalone).
[0063] Software programs or modules instruct the operating systems
to perform tasks such as, but not limited to, facilitating client
requests, system maintenance, security, data storage, data backup,
data mining, document/report generation and algorithms. The
provided functionality may be embodied directly in hardware, in a
software module executed by a processor or in any combination of
the two.
[0064] Furthermore, software operations may be executed, in part or
wholly, by one or more servers or a client's system, via hardware,
software module or any combination of the two. A software module
(program or executable) may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM
memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a
removable disk, a CD-ROM, DVD, optical disk or any other form of
storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is
coupled to the processor such that the processor can read
information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In
the alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the
processor. The processor and the storage medium may also reside in
an ASIC. The bus may be an optical or conventional bus operating
pursuant to various protocols that are well known in the art.
[0065] FIG. 2 depicts graphically the trivia based game of the
present embodiment. First, the user connects with the server 290.
The user may either connect to the server via a webpage or the
client software. If the user connects to the server via the
webpage, the user is given the option of downloading the client
software to the user's computer system 292. After the user has
downloaded the client software to the user's computer system 294,
the user may then connect to the server via the client software.
After the user connects to the server via the client software, the
server verifies the client software is up-to-date and unmodified
296. This is accomplished by a cyclic redundancy check (CRC). A CRC
is a mathematical calculation on a set of information--for example,
a piece of software code. The mathematical calculation results in a
semi-unique number. This number may then be compared against
another CRC that was calculated from a piece of code known to be
correct. If the CRCs match, there is a significant probability the
two pieces of code are the same. If the CRCs do not match, there
exists some difference between the two pieces of code. Therefore,
if the CRC on the client software does not match the CRC of the
master client software stored on the server, the server will
replace the corrupted or modified programs 298. After the client
software is verified as correct and up-to-date, the user is given
the option of either creating a new account or logging into an
existing account 300. If the user chooses to create a new account,
the user is prompted with the new account creation process 302 (see
FIG. 9). If the user already has an account, after logging in
(providing a unique username and password to the server) the user
is given the option of creating a new avatar 304. An avatar is an
online persona. If the user chooses to create a new avatar, the
user is prompted with the new avatar creation process 306 (see FIG.
10). If the user chooses not to create a new avatar or returns from
the new avatar creation process 306, then the user must choose the
avatar they will use during this session 308. Finally, the user is
presented with the lobby menu 310.
[0066] FIG. 3 illustrates graphically the lobby menu 200 of the
present embodiment. The lobby menu 310 provides several sub-menus
to the user, such as: options 320, exit 322, trivia table lobby
324, help 326 (see FIG. 8), and cashier 328. The exit 322 option
allows the user to logout out of the server and disconnects the
client software from the server. The options 320 option has two
sub-menus: game play settings 330 (see FIG. 4) and application
settings 332 (see FIG. 5). The trivia table lobby 324 is the main
area for users to choose which trivia games they want to join.
Within the trivia table lobby 324, the user has several sub-menus
and options. The join/leave 338 option provides the user the
ability to join a game 340 that has open slots available or to
leave a game 342 currently in progress. The remaining sub-menus are
the table listing/filtering 334 (see FIG. 6) sub-menu and the table
info 336 (see FIG. 7) sub-menu. The help 326 sub-menu provides
general help for the game and client software (see FIG. 8).
Finally, the cashier 328 sub-menu has several options including:
balance 344 for the user to check both the user's real and play
money balance currently in their account; withdrawals 346 for the
user to request a withdrawal be made from their positive real money
balance to a specific account (PayPal, wire transfer, electronic
funds transfer, etc.) and allows the user to cancel a previously
entered withdrawal request so the real money that would have
otherwise been transferred out of the user's real money account
will remain in the account such that the user may use the funds in
future games; purchasing 348 which allows the user to deposit
additional real money funds into their account via different
methods (PayPal, wire transfer, credit card, electronic funds
transfer, etc.); user information 350 allows the user to view and
edit information such as: title, name, birth date, address, phone
number, country, etc. and also allows the user to edit certain
purchase/withdrawal account specifics such as: method, name, phone
number, address, country, username, and password; and transaction
history 352 which allows the user to view the user's historic
transactions for certain time frames (seven days, one month, three
months, etc.). All transactions conducted within the cashier 328
sub-menu are logged for security purposes.
[0067] FIGS. 4 and 4a, respectively, graphically portray the game
play settings 330 sub-menu and a graphic of the game options menu
of the present embodiment. With respect to FIGS. 4 and 4a, the game
play settings 330 sub-menu has several options including: animation
360 for the user to adjust the animations the user sees; user chat
362 for different chat options; always ante 364 which allows the
user to adjust whether the user wants to automatically ante when
necessary for the user to stay in a game; and bad word filter 368
which allows the user to toggle and adjust a filter intended to
screen the chat and censor certain offensive or harassing words.
With respect to FIG. 4, there is also a flourish wins 366 option
which toggles a visual and/or auditory cue indicating the game is
over and a winner has been determined.
[0068] FIG. 5 depicts graphically the application settings 332
sub-menu of the present embodiment. The application settings 332
sub-menu allows the user to: minimize the application 370 which
minimizes the client software so the user can more easily gain
access to their desktop XX or see and interact with other open
programs XX; maximize the application 372 which makes the client
software display full screen on the user's monitor XX and makes the
client software the active program; audio on/off 374 toggles the
audio (shuffling sounds, dealing sounds, betting sounds, etc.) on
or off; and music on/off 376 toggles the background music on or
off.
[0069] FIG. 6 demonstrates graphically the table listing
(filtering) 334 sub-menu of the present embodiment. The table
listing (filtering) 334 sub-menu provides a method for the user to
narrow down the list of potentially hundreds or thousands of
different trivia games currently being offered. The user can sort
by one or more of the following options. The fun/real money 380
filter displays only the games that are using real or play money
depending on which the user has chosen. The type of game 382 filter
shows the types of trivia questions that will be asked during the
game (sports 392, movies 398, history (not shown), all categories
394, a sub-set of categories (not shown), etc. 396). The rule
variant 384 filter shows the different rule variants available
(winner chooses next category, loser chooses next category, etc.).
The minimum number of players 386 option displays the minimum
number of players required before the game will begin. This is
helpful as it gives the user a rough idea of how long it will be
before the game will begin (for example, a game that only needs one
more player will start immediately upon the user joining, however,
a game still needing five players will probably take longer to
begin). The game structure 388 filter shows whether the game is a
ring style 400 game or a tournament style 402 game. A ring style
400 game has a fixed number of available "seats." Once the seats in
the game are filled, the game no longer appears in the table
listing. If a person leaves an otherwise full trivia game, the
trivia game would once again appear in the table listing as
available for a user to enter. A tournament style 402 game can have
one game or several ring style games linked or tiered together (see
FIG. 17). A person skilled in the art could easily envision
additional filtering options. Finally, the reset filter 390 option
allows the user to disable any previously selected filtering
options and return to the full list of available trivia games.
[0070] FIG. 7 represents graphically the table information 336
sub-menu of the present embodiment. The table information 336
sub-menu provides a user information on a particular game before
the user has actually joined the game. The stakes 410 option tells
the user the stakes of the current game. The list of players 412
option tells the user the names of the players currently in the
game. The player's balance 414 option tells the user the balance of
chips that each player has available for play in the current game.
The average pot size 416 tells the user the average pot size over
the course of the game. Finally, the games per hour 418 tells the
user the average number of rounds (trivia questions asked and
answered) per hour to help the user evaluate the pace of the
current game.
[0071] FIG. 7a shows a graphic of the table information menu of the
present embodiment. This menu provides more specific information
about particular games including: the stakes 410; the list of
players 412 currently seated in the selected game; the average pot
size 416; the rounds per hour 418; the name of the game 420; and
the players/seats 422 which shows the number of players currently
in the game and the maximum number of players allowed in the
game.
[0072] FIG. 8 depicts graphically the help 326 sub-menu of the
present embodiment. The help 326 sub-menu provides the user with
instructions and other helpful information and reference material.
The game help 430 option provides information and instruction on
actually playing the trivia game. The user interface details 432
option provides the user a series of help "guides" for the various
graphical user interfaces ("GUIs") available to the user. The
glossary 434 option provides a quick reference glossary of terms
used in the trivia games, in the GUIs, and generally related to the
trivia game and navigation. Finally, the index 436 option allows
the user to quickly filter and navigate to a particular topic (very
similar to the index of a textbook).
[0073] FIG. 9 and 9a, respectively, show a flow chart of the new
account creation 302 process and a graphic of the new account
creation menu 303 of the present embodiment. The new account
creation 302 process provides the user the ability to create a new
account. The user is prompted to enter a series of personal
information 440. Once the user inputs the required information, the
information is transmitted 442 to the servers 753 (see FIG. 24)
where the information is verified. The servers 753 (see FIG. 24)
verify all the information was input properly 444 and prompts the
user to reenter any errant or missing information (duplicate names
or email addresses, not enough digits in a phone number, invalid
email address, etc.). Once the information is verified, the server
assigns the account a unique identification number and stores the
information in the database 446. With respect to FIG. 9a, the
personal information 440 could include: salutation 450, first name
452, last name 454, first line of address 456, second line of
address 458, city 460, state 462, zip code 464, phone number 466,
alternate phone number 468, date of birth 472, email address 474,
password 476, country 470, etc. In another embodiment, the
information required for registration is reduced for users desiring
to only play with fun money (for example, only name and date of
birth).
[0074] FIGS. 10 and 10a, respectively show the avatar creation menu
tree 306 and a graphic of the avatar creation menu 307 of the
present embodiment. The user is presented with all of the available
avatars to begin. An avatar is an online persona for the user. The
avatar is essentially a picture, graphic, or other design that will
be shown to other players once the user joins a game. The user may
filter the avatars by subject and/or topic, such as: people 480,
world/places 482, sports 484, animals 486, and things 488. When the
user identifies an avatar he or she likes, the user selects that
avatar. In the event the user cannot, or does not want to select an
avatar, there is also a random avatar 490 option where an avatar is
randomly selected for the user. The show all 492 option disables
any previously selected filters and displays all of the avatars.
Further, the user may be given the opportunity to further customize
his or her avatar, for example, by changing colors, shapes, facial
or body characteristics, etc. The user may also be given the
opportunity to upload a picture or graphic to use as his or her
avatar. It is advisable that any uploaded avatars require express
approval before use so as to mitigate any legal issues or any
explicit or offensive material.
[0075] FIG. 11 depicts graphically the table creation wizard 500 of
the present embodiment. In most cases the trivia games are
automatically created 504; however, in some cases it may be
necessary or desirable to have one or more trivia games created
manually as an operator created 502 game. The operator has access
to a GUI that provides a graphical listing of the current tables
outlining all the features of each individual table (stakes, game
type, game structure, players, etc.). The operator, from the table
creation wizard 500, has a variety of options including:
create/delete tables 508 which allows the operator to manually
create a new table or delete an existing table; lock table 506
allows the operator to prevent any further users from joining a
table effectively locking the table to the users that have already
joined the game; eject players 510 allows the operator to remove
players from a current game. A mechanism for compensating a user
that is ejected from a game may be employed. For example, the user
could receive a refund for rounds not yet complete or get free
entry into a later tournament. The operator may adjust all of the
settings for a particular game at the time of creation from the
create/delete tables 508 sub-menu, including: game type 512
(discussed in FIG. 6); fun/real money 516 (discussed in FIG. 6),
and the table name 518 which is the name of the table displayed to
the user in the table listing (filtering) 334 (see FIG. 6)
sub-menu. In addition to operator created 502 games, there will
also be automatically created 504 tables based on a series of
criteria. The first criterion is the current number of players 522
logged into the servers 753 (see FIG. 24). This criterion helps
ensure the number of games available aligns with the demand of
users. If there are many users logged into the servers 753 (see
FIG. 24), more games will be created to accommodate the heavier
user load; however, if there are only a few users logged into the
servers 753 (see FIG. 24), then not as many games are created.
Coupled with this criterion is the number of users logged in but
not currently in a game 520. This criterion helps the system
evaluate the number of users searching for a game. The more users
searching for a game, the more games will be created. Another
criterion is the total number of empty seats/tables 524 which
allows the servers 753 (see FIG. 24) to evaluate the demand for
additional tables. If there are many empty seats and/or tables, no
additional tables will be created and existing empty tables may be
dissolved until the number of empty seats/tables 524 is more
balanced with the current number of players 522 and the number of
players logged in but not in a game 520. The final criterion is the
elapsed time 526 for a particular table. If a table has remained
open and empty for an extended period of time, the table will be
dissolved.
[0076] FIGS. 12 and 12a both present a graphic of the general game
display 530 of the present embodiment. With respect to both FIGS.
12 and 12a, the general game display 530 shows a plurality of
"seats" 532 corresponding to the maximum number of players allowed
in the game. The player names and balance available for play 534
are displayed. The amount wagered 536 is displayed both numerically
and graphically as "chips" (similar to poker style gambling chips).
Each player sees a timer 540 that displays the remaining time for
that player to take some action (bet, ante, fold, select an answer,
etc.). Finally, there is an area where the players may chat with
each other 542. The chat service has several rules governing its
use. The chat functions will be handled by a chat program that may
be run on the same server as the game functions or on an entirely
separate server. The chat within a game can be seen by all the
players at the table and there will be no ability to chat privately
with any other player or user. Also, there will be no ability to
chat with users outside of a game the player is currently in. If
the player is involved with multiple games, each chat message is
delivered only to the game in which the chat message was typed (see
FIG. 22). Further, only in game chat is allowed. There is no
ability for users not actively participating in a game to chat with
each other. Any player may ignore one or more players at a table.
This allows a player to screen themselves from certain players if
the other player is annoying or otherwise disrupting the player's
enjoyment. The ignore option may be toggled to later receive chat
messages from a previously ignored player. The ignore option will
only persist for that particular game and if the user later joins a
different game, the user would then have to reactivate the ignore
option for any previously ignored player. The chat will also have a
bad word filter that may be toggled on or off at the player's
discretion which is intended to give the player the ability to
censor objectionable or harassing language. A forbidden word filter
will always be in place (the player has no option to disable it)
and will filter words considered highly objectionable. These chat
rules are intended to reduce spamming (the repeated or widespread
broadcasting of unwanted messages), reduce the ability for players
to collude, allow the players to ignore offending and/or harassing
players or words, and provide a more enjoyable playing experience
for all players. Finally, within a game a player may view a summary
of the table information, which includes a history of the rounds
played since the player joined the table. With respect to FIG. 12,
each round, the question card 538 is graphically displayed in the
center of the game for all players to view. With respect to FIG.
12a, the total pot 544 is also displayed both numerically and
graphically as "chips."
[0077] FIG. 13 portrays graphically the in-game options 550 of the
present embodiment. The player is provided with several options
during game play including: auto post ante 552 which allows the
player to toggle whether the player automatically antes; deal me
out 554 which allows the player to sit out of the round; deal me in
556 which allows a player who was previously "dealt out" to reenter
the game; and fold to any bet 558 which allows the player to stay
in the round if no one places a bet; however, if another player
places a bet, the player selecting the fold to any bet 558 option
will fold. The fold to any bet 558 option is used when the player
does not want to bet any additional funds on a particular round but
would like to continue to play in the round if it requires no
additional funds. When a player uses the deal me out 554 option,
the player no longer participates in the round. While a player is
dealt out, the player does not see any of the questions and is not
allowed to chat with other players in the game (see FIG. 12 for a
discussion about in game chat). A limit may be defined to limit the
time or rounds a player is allowed to be dealt out and still remain
a player in the game. Players with insufficient funds to
participate in additional rounds are automatically dealt out of the
game, but remain at the table until either the game is completed or
the player chooses to exit the game.
[0078] FIG. 14 represents graphically the predictive betting 560
features of the present embodiment. Generally, predictive betting
560 allows the player to queue the player's future betting choices.
This provides the benefit of speeding up game play and makes
multiple game play (see FIG. 22 for a discussion of multiple game
play) easier for the user. Predictive betting 560 is available to a
player when it is not the player's turn. After a player has chosen
a particular predictive betting 560 option, the option is
revalidated when it is the player's turn to bet. This allows the
player to change his or her mind before the predictive betting 560
option is implemented. The predictive betting 560 options include:
fold 562 which forfeits the player's bet and removes the player
from the remainder of the round; check/fold 564 allows the player
to remain in the round if the player does not need to wager any
additional funds, otherwise, the player folds; call 566 allows the
player to match the current bet at the time the call 566 option is
selected (if the bet later rises before it is actually the player's
turn to bet, the player will have to chose another betting option);
call any 568 allows the player to match any bet occurring before
the player's turn; check/call 580 allows the player to check (not
wager any more funds but stay in the round) if possible, otherwise
call the bet (wager the minimum amount to stay in the round); bet x
574 allows the player to bet a specific amount of funds but not
below the minimum to remain in the round; bet/raise x 576 allows
the player to not only match the current bet, but to raise the bet
to some specific number not to exceed the maximum allowable bet at
the table; bet pot 578 the player's bet is the same amount as is
currently in the pot; all in 570 allows the player to bet all of
the player's remaining funds provided the game settings allow such
a bet; raise x 572 allows the user to raise the bet to a specific
amount between the table minimum and the table maximum.
[0079] FIG. 15 depicts graphically the active betting 590 options
of the present embodiment. Active betting 590 occurs when
predictive betting options are no longer available--basically, when
it is the player's turn to bet. The options include: check 592
allows the player to match the minimum bet to remain in the round;
raise 594 allows the player to raise the bet up to the maximum
allowed at the table; bet 596 allows the player to bet a specific
amount between the minimum and maximum amounts allowed; and fold
598 allows the player to forfeit the funds they have already
wagered and removes the player from the remainder of the round. If
the fold 598 option is used when the player could remain in the
round with no further wagering, the player is notified of the
option of staying in the round instead of folding since remaining
in the round will cost the player no additional funds.
[0080] Once all players have had an opportunity to wager or fold,
players are given one or more trivia questions to answer. A player
answering incorrectly may be eliminated from the game or they may
be allowed to continue based on the rules of the game. A game is
composed of one or more rounds. Each round may have an opportunity
to wager or fold.
[0081] FIG. 16 a flow chart of the game resolution 600 process of
the present embodiment. Game resolution 600 occurs when a game
ending even is triggered. For example, a time limit is reached, a
pre-set number of rounds have occurred, a pre-determined number of
players have been eliminated from the game, a pre-determined number
of questions have been answered correctly, etc. First, the winner
is identified 602 and visually shown to the other players (provided
there is a winner). A game may have more than one winner. In this
instance, the pot is split or a method for breaking ties is used to
determine a single winner, based on the rules of the game.
[0082] In one embodiment of the game, a player may bet after
answering a question. In another embodiment of the game, the result
of a player's answer to a round of questions (i.e., correct or
incorrect) would be hidden from the other players. This provides an
additional element of skill and strategy for the player.
[0083] Next, the rake is taken 604 by the "house." The rake is the
amount deducted from the overall pot to compensate the house for
providing the game. The rake will be pre-set before the start of
the game to some fee, percentage (similar to pari-mutuel style
betting), or some combination thereof. The pot is distributed 606
per the distribution rules that were set prior to the game
starting. For example, the whole pot to the winner, a certain
amount to the top three players, a pre-set amount paid to the
winner, a pre-set amount to the top five players, a pre-set
percentage to the winner, etc. The player's balance is updated 608
to represent the pot distribution and the chips are visually moved
to the corresponding player's seat 610. The flourish win plays 612
(see FIG. 4 for a discussion of flourish win and FIGS. 16a and 16b
for graphics of a flourish win). Finally, there is a delay 614 to
allow the players to view the resolution of the game and to prepare
for the next round.
[0084] FIGS. 16a and 16b, respectively, show a graphic of a ring
style game flourish win 611 and a tournament style game flourish
win 613 of the present embodiment.
[0085] Independent of other events, a player may be awarded one or
more free passes after a series of incorrect answers in a
particular category or sub-category. The free pass could be used by
the player during a game to automatically select the correct answer
to a question or to automatically correct an incorrect answer. This
feature is intended to assist players that continuously miss
questions in a particular category or sub-category. Limitations
could be placed on when a player may use any accumulated passes
such as: only in fun money games, not in tournaments, only for the
same category or sub-category for which the free pass was awarded,
etc.
[0086] FIG. 17 represents graphically the tournament style game 580
of the present embodiment. In one embodiment, the tournament style
game 580 would allow an unlimited number of players to join until a
certain time had elapsed when no additional players would be
allowed to enter. In another embodiment, users would be allowed to
join a tournament style game until a pre-set maximum number of
users had joined. Regardless of how the maximum number of users is
determined, each user would pay a pre-set fee to be entered into
the tournament. The tournaments could be open to everyone or be by
invitation only. Each player would start the tournament with the
same number of chips and would continue to play until they
exhausted those chips. Once a player ran out of chips, the player
would automatically be removed from the tournament. As players were
removed, the tables would be automatically consolidated. For
example, if there were five ring style games, each with ten
players, linked together to form a tournament (for clarity, each
ring style game will be referred to here as R1 through R5). If
someone was removed from game R3, then a player from R5 would be
automatically moved to fill the vacant spot at game R3. If the next
player to be removed was in game R2, then another player would be
automatically moved from game R5 to fill the vacant spot in R2.
This would continue until there were no more players at game R5 and
then game R5 would be automatically dissolved and the tournament
would continue with only four ring style games. This would continue
until there was only one user remaining. Each player, as they were
removed from the tournament, would be ranked against the remaining
players from last to first place (the first player being removed
would be the last place). The payout could be a pre-set amount
based on the ranking of the users (for example, first place gets
50%, second 30%, etc.) or the top finishers could move on to
another tournament.
[0087] In a different embodiment, winners would be determined by
their accumulated balance after a ser number of rounds or time. In
another embodiment, the first player to a pre-determined balance or
number of correct answers would be the winner.
[0088] In yet a different embodiment, during tournament style
games, the betting could be a fixed amount for each round (for
example, always five chips). In another embodiment, during
tournament style games, the betting would occur after the question
has been answered and could be fixed to a player's confidence
level. A range of confidence levels would be presented to the
player, such as: very confident, confident, pretty sure, shaky,
uncertain, no idea. With each successive down grade in confidence,
the fixed amount wagered would decrease. For example, if the player
selected "very confident" the bet would be higher than "confident,"
but the bet would be the same for all players in the tournament
that selected the same confidence level.
[0089] In another embodiment, the result of a player's answer to a
question (i.e., correct or incorrect) would be hidden from other
players. In a different embodiment, the amount of a player's wager
could be hidden from other players. This provides additional
elements of skill and strategy for the player.
[0090] In one embodiment, each table (or player) in a tournament
would have different questions from the other tables (or players).
This would allow players in disparate geographical areas to
participate in a larger range of games. In another embodiment, each
table or player could receive questions with differing category or
difficulty based on appropriate criteria.
[0091] In another embodiment, the tables would start out having
different questions and then as the number of tables decreased (for
example, started with ten tables and there are only three
remaining) the remaining tables would synchronize. Table
synchronization requires every table start each round at the same
time. If there were three tables remaining, and one table finished
a round, that table would have to wait until the other two tables
finished that same round before the next round would begin. In yet
another embodiment, each table in a tournament would display the
same questions at the same time. If the same questions were
displayed to all of the tables from the start of the tournament, it
would be advisable to have all the tables synchronized from the
start of the tournament.
[0092] FIG. 18 depicts graphically the tournament summary screen
620 of the present embodiment. The tournament summary screen 620
provides information about upcoming 622 and currently running 624
tournaments. For both upcoming 622 and currently running 624
tournaments, the following information is displayed to the user:
the tournament ID number 626 which is a number uniquely identifying
a particular tournament; the tournament name 628; the total prize
pool 630 which is the total prize that will be awarded at the
completion of the tournament; custom message 632 which is an
operator inputted message giving additional information about the
tournament; list of players 634 shows the list of currently
registered players; and the number of registered players 636 shows
the total number of registered players. When a tournament is
underway, the following additional information is displayed: number
of times ante has increased 640; current ante amount 642; time
remaining until next ante increase 644; next ante amount 646;
ranking of each player 648 shows the user the ranking of each
participating player relative to all of the players in the
tournament; number of remaining players 650; chip balances of the
players 652 shows the amounts the players have remaining and the
largest, smallest, and average chip balances; time elapsed 654
shows the total time the tournament has been underway; and the time
until next break 656 shows the time until the next break, if any.
For upcoming games only, the registration process 638 is also an
option (see FIG. 19). As in a ring style game, the operator has the
ability to edit all aspects of the tournament prior to its start
(see FIG. 20).
[0093] In an additional embodiment, there are different styles of
tournament games including: single table tournaments and multi-tier
tournaments where winning one tournament grants you access into
another tournament.
[0094] In another embodiment, players could be allowed to create
ring or tournament games. In this embodiment, the creating player
would select some or all of the game options. The ability for
players to create games could be limited by a set of rules,
operator approval, or some other policing mechanism.
[0095] FIG. 19 portrays graphically the registration process 638 of
the present embodiment. The registration process 638 allows the
user to enter the registration process. First, the user or player
must choose to either register or unregister 660 from the
tournament. If the user chooses to register for the tournament, the
entry fee is deducted 662 from the user's account. The entry fee is
pre-set when the tournament is set up. Then the prize amount is
increased 664 to represent the additional entry fee and finally the
registered player list is updated 666 with the newly registered
player's name and other pertinent information about the player.
Prior to the tournament beginning, a registered player may also
un-register from a tournament. When a player unregisters from a
tournament, the entry fee is credited to the user's account 668,
the prize amount is reduced to represent the withdrawn entry fee
670, and the player list is updated 672 to remove the newly
unregistered player's information.
[0096] FIG. 20 demonstrates graphically the tournament settings
menu 680 of the present embodiment. The tournament settings menu
680 provides the operator the ability to create and alter
tournament style games. There are two major styles of tournament
games, the single table tournament and the multiple table
tournament. For both styles of tournament games, the options
include: game type 682; ante structure 684; entry fee 686; starting
chip level 690 which is the amount of chips every player begins
with regardless of his or her overall account balance; ante
increases 692 which is the schedule by which antes will be
increased during the tournament; prize distribution 694;
minimum/maximum players 696; registration period 698 which is the
time allowed for users to register to play in the tournament; and
start time 700. The entry fee 686 for single table tournaments is
only deducted once the tournament starts; whereas, for multiple
table tournaments, the entry fee 686 is deducted upon the user
registering for the tournament. The prize distribution 694 could
include: entry fee model 702 which is the sum of all entry fees
less any tournament fees; percentage model 704 where first place
gets a pre-set percent and each decreasing place receives a
decreasing percentage until all of the entry fees, less any
tournament fees, have been distributed; or creator choice 706 which
is some combination of the entry fee model 702 and the percentage
model 704 as determined by the creator of the tournament. In
another embodiment, winning players may receive items of real world
or game value instead of real money prizes.
[0097] FIG. 21 depicts graphically the profile area 710 of the
present embodiment. The profile area 710 is contained in the client
software and gives the user the ability to view statistics on his
or her recent game play. The statistics are broken into ring style
games 712 and tournament style games 714. For ring style games 712,
the statistics include: the number of games won 716 and the number
of games played 718. For tournament style games 714, the statistics
are further divided into single table tournaments 720 and multiple
table tournaments 722. For both, the statistics include: the number
of games played 724, the number of tournaments played 726, and the
number and percentage of the rank 728 the user finished with
respect to the other players that participated in each tournament
(for example, a user came in first place five times which was
five-percent of the total tournaments played).
[0098] FIG. 22 presents a graphic of a single player participating
in multiple games of the present embodiment. FIG. 22 shows a player
participating in four games at the same time: game 1 730, game 2
732, game 3 734, and game 4 736. To facilitate a player
participating in multiple games at the same time, the GUI is
adjusted to accommodate the viewing of multiple games. Each game
GUI is reduced to its essential information to assist the player.
When a player is participating in multiple games, the player has to
select an active game in order to perform any command or operation
in that game. For example, to select an answer in game 1 730, the
user must first activate game 1 730 by clicking on it. Game 1 730
is then highlighted to indicate to the player that this game is the
active game. The player may then interact with that particular
game, including: selecting an answer to a question, betting
options, chat, etc.
[0099] FIG. 23 illustrates graphically the next question selection
740 options of the present embodiment. In addition to having the
topics of questions confined to a specific category or
sub-category, the questions could also span multiple categories or
sub-categories. With multiple categories or sub-categories, there
are three major methods of selecting the next category or
sub-category. The random draw 742 method provides that the category
or sub-category of the next question be randomly select. The winner
selects 744 method allows the player who won the preceding round to
select the category or sub-category of the next question. Finally,
the loser selects 746 method allows the player who lost the
preceding round to select the category or sub-category of the next
question.
[0100] In an effort to not overuse any particular question and to
promote participation in real money games, questions will be
retired from real money games after being presented a pre-set
number of times. This prevents players from memorizing trivia
questions in real money games to gain an unfair advantage over
other players. After a pre-determined "cooling period," these
questions may be re-introduced to the pool of questions. Some
retired questions may be placed in a pool of questions only for fun
money games.
[0101] Further, each time a question is asked, its difficulty
factor will be adjusted based on the number of players answering
the question correctly and incorrectly. The more players that
answer a question correctly, the lower the difficulty rating of the
question will be; conversely, the more players that answer a
question incorrectly, the higher the difficulty rating of the
question will be. The difficulty factor assists the operator in
normalizing question difficulty across all of the available
questions and helps raise the overall entertainment value of the
game.
[0102] FIG. 24 illustrates graphically an exemplary network
topology of the present embodiment. Though the entire trivia game
system could be implemented on a single server, ideally each major
system would be run on one or more servers 753 behind one or more
firewalls 751. The firewall(s) 751 are to help prevent unauthorized
access to the network. In one embodiment, the servers would be
broken down into three major divisions: gaming servers 750 which
would conduct the gaming systems; application servers 762 which
would hold and administer the database management and reporting
systems; and the marketing servers 776 which would handle the
marketing systems. The gaming servers 750 could be further broken
down into: update servers 752 which would distribute and update the
client software; purchasing server 754 which would handle users
depositing and withdrawing funds from their accounts; game servers
756 which would deliver the main ring game functions to the
players; affiliate web server 758 which would provide statistics
and reporting to people/firms assisting in the sales and marketing
of the trivia games; and tournament servers 760 which would deliver
the tournament game functions. The application servers 762 could be
further broken down into: internal reporting server 764 which would
provide operators with support and administration applications;
game database servers 766 which would contain the main storage,
retrieval, and sorting system; report database server 768 which
would provide statistics and reporting on status and general game
play; affiliate database servers 770 which would store, report, and
provide management of affiliate statistics and data; and trivia
database servers 772 which would store and provide the trivia
questions. Finally, the marketing servers 776 could be further
broken down into: web servers 778 providing the main portal for
information on the trivia gaming system and DNS/mail servers 780
which would provide domain name services and e-mail
functionality.
[0103] In addition to the above described embodiments, each is
intended to include variants for any number of players, number of
rounds, number of games, number of tournament tiers, category and
sub-category combinations (for example, a top level category of
sports with one or more sub categories such as football,
basketball, volleyball, etc.), ante configurations (for example,
directly trailing, opposing positions, separated by a pre-set
number of players, etc.), betting configurations (fixed bet per
round, limit betting including minimum and/or maximum limits, no
limit betting, bet increases with each round, etc.), and bluffing
(hiding the winner of each round, allowing each player to determine
whether other players are notified of whether their answer was
correct or incorrect, etc.).
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