WO2002005916A1

WO2002005916A1 - Interactive double or quits game system

Info

Publication number: WO2002005916A1
Application number: PCT/FR2001/002344
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Etienne Bouedec; Isabelle Delaplace
Original assignee: La Francaise Des Jeux
Priority date: 2000-07-19
Filing date: 2001-07-18
Publication date: 2002-01-24
Also published as: EP1301253A1; FR2811907B1; FR2811907A1; AU2001279879A1

Abstract

The invention concerns an interactive game system comprising a play station provided with a central processing unit whereto are connected means for data input corresponding to the player and for supplying his credit account as well as means for displaying data input by the player and successive images of the game. The invention is characterised in that the central processing unit contains a game software displaying game phases (62, 80) with increasing stakes where winning entails for the player a choice (73, 98) between moving on to the next stage of the game staking all his gains or stopping the game and crediting his account with his gains, and where losing results in an estimate of his remaining credit (78, 101), insufficient credit means the end of the game, and sufficient credit means a choice (74, 100) between starting another game and stopping the game.

Description

System je I had interactive type of leaves or double.

The present invention.se relates to an interactive game system and relates more particularly to a game of “double or quits” type allowing the player to give up if he wishes and pocket his winnings or put it back in. A large number of gaming systems are already known, such as for example lottery games based on the purchase of a game ticket carrying at least one specific code determining the outcome of the game.

A known type of lottery game consists in acquiring, from a retailer, a game ticket comprising one or more windows masking information appearing for example in the form of a printed sign indicating the winning or losing character of the corresponding ticket and one or more identification windows masking pre-recorded information allowing the validity of a winning ticket to be checked.

To play, simply scratch the appropriate window (s) so as to uncover the signal (s) indicating whether you are in possession of a winning or losing ticket.

This type of game has the disadvantage of only lasting a very short time.

In order to remedy this drawback, a lottery game system has been proposed, also based on the purchase of a game ticket bearing one or more specific codes determining the outcome of the game, the game system comprising a game comprising a central processing unit to which are connected means for entering the or each code and a server center in which is stored a first game algorithm and with which the game station communicates for the progress, at the level of the latter, from a first game, according to the code carried by the ticket.

This system works as follows.

The player obtains, from an authorized retailer, a ticket comprising a window masking a sign indicating the outcome of the game. He scrapes off the film covering the window so as to reveal either a winning sign or a losing sign. .

If he is in possession of a winning ticket, the player has the possibility of accessing the proposed game at the gaming station. To do this, he enters the game station. A code carried by the ticket and revealed after scratching, which causes the game to run.

At the end of the latter, the player becomes aware of the amount of his winnings. This type of game increases the duration of the game but it takes place when the player already knows that he is in possession of a winning ticket.

The invention aims to create a game system which, while being relatively simple to implement, allows a player to play for a relatively prolonged period of time while only discovering the outcome of the game as it progresses.

It therefore relates to an interactive game system of the type comprising a game station provided with a central processing unit to which are connected means for the input of data corresponding to the player and the supply of his credit as well as means for displaying the data entered by the player and successive images of the game, characterized in that the central processing unit contains game software presenting game phases with increasing stakes, the winning outcome of which leads to the player a choice between on the one hand, the transition to the next game phase with replay of his winnings and on the other hand, the stopping of the game and the placing of his winnings to his credit, and whose losing outcome involves for the player, an estimate of his remaining credit, the end of the game in case of insufficient credit, and in case of sufficient credit, a choice between the wish to play another game and that to stop the game.

_. The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- Fig.1 is a schematic view of a game system according to the invention;

- Figs.2 and 3 are flowcharts of the game software located in the central processing unit of the game system of Fig.1.

In Figure 1, there is shown schematically an interactive game system according to the invention.

This system includes a gaming station 10 comprising a central unit 12, means 14 for example in the form of a ticket reader and / or keyboard for entering into the game station the data relating to the player and the supply of his credit as well as display means 16 of the data entered by the player and successive images of the game.

The central unit contains game software which will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

When the game system is networked, it can be connected by a telephone network to a server center hosting the game software.

The software is applied to a game of “leave or double” type allowing the player to give up if he wishes and receive his winnings, or to put the latter back into play.

According to the example which will now be described, the player embodies on the screen an adventurer looking for clues to reconstruct a key inside a pyramid. Throughout his journey, the adventurer will have to move through a maze strewn with fatal pitfalls. As soon as the adventurer enters a new room, a message indicates to the player his chances of winning and his earning potential.

A countdown, for example 10 seconds, tells him how much time he has left to make a choice. If there is no choice in the time allowed, the game is considered to be a loser.

If luck and daring are there, the player can go from room to room and grab fragments of a key to open the door of a treasure room and access the riches of the Pharaoh. Success is materialized by a winning animation.

According to the invention as soon as the player obtains at least a fragment of a key, he has the possibility:

- to stop the game and pocket a prize corresponding to the number of fragments it has obtained. A dialog window appears depending on the credit available to the player to ask him if he wishes:

- play another game;

- put his win back into play for a higher prize. A message informs him on the screen of the amount of the prize and the chances of winning it.

If there is bad luck, a losing animation followed by an end message will close the game. A dialog window will appear depending on the credit available to the player to ask him if he wishes to play another game.

The architecture of the game according to the invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

The player accesses the game, the architecture of which appears in FIG. 2, from a general menu for playing games where other games are offered, among others.

If the player has selected the game according to the invention by pressing the appropriate button, he arrives on screen 20, "Rules of the game" on which an explanation of the game and a reminder of the winnings are presented to him in zones 22 and 24. The player's credit is displayed in area 26.

If this credit is sufficient, the player can access the game by pressing the play button indicated by zone 28 of screen 20.

Otherwise, a message will indicate "insufficient credit, please replenish your account please" and prohibit access to the game. In addition, the player may wish to learn more about the game world. A legend button marked by an area 30 is available to him on screen 20.

The player has a fixed time limit to play. After the menu is displayed, there is a determination during phase 32 if the playing time is exceeded.

If yes, the game is interrupted. If not, the game can progress normally.

After the “Rules of the game” screen 20, the “Legend” screen 35 appears, always under the control of a countdown phase 36 determining the duration of the game phase considered.

The “Legend” screen 35 comprises a legend detail zone 37, a menu zone 38, a rule zone 39 and a play zone 40. The scripting of the game is carried out as follows. On a screen 1 designated by the reference number 50 appears an Egyptian pyramid 52, in the middle of the desert, under a blazing sun.

During a scenario animation, a motorcycle roar becomes more and more precise, and a biker materializing an adventurer appears and stops dead.

He glances quickly behind him as if he gives the feeling of being followed or observed.

On a screen 2, designated by the number 54 appears on a large scale, a sphinx 56 in front of the pyramid. The camera follows the adventurer from behind until he enters and disappears by motorcycle in the pyramid.

When approaching the sphinx 56, a door 60 opens and possibly the face of the sphinx comes to life.

It will be noted that the screens 50 and 54 are optional because if the player presses directly on the touch screen, he enters directly into the game phase materialized by the screen 62 which presents a subjective vision of the player seeing through the eyes of the 'adventurer.

We see a room 64 opening into a corridor 66. At the entrance, two statues 67,68 placed on either side of the corridor each hold a fragment of key of which only one is good.

A countdown materialized by step 76 and a message appear on the screen to indicate to the player his potential and his chances of winning.

It is an area 70 in which appears the inscription "one chance in two to earn 10 francs and an area 72 in which is the instruction" designate the right statue ".

If the player makes the right choice, the adventurer enters the field of the camera and enters corridor 66.

A YES / NO dialog window 73 appears:

You earned 10 francs. Would you like to put your winnings back into play for 25 francs. 1 in 2 chance?

If the player refuses to put his win back into play, the game ends, the player's account is credited with the amount of the win. A window 74 of YES / NO dialog appears according to the credit of the player evaluated during step 78: “do you want to play a new game? ".

The window 74 appears in the event of a losing animation caused either by an overrun of the time allotted to the game determined during step 76 associated with the screen 3 such as steps 32, 36, are respectively associated with the “Game rules” screens. »20 and« Légende »35 or after the loss of the part represented by the screen 3.62.

The losing animation is accompanied by the credit test during phase 78.

In case of insufficient credit, the game is over. In case of sufficient credit, window 74 is displayed with the text of the proposal to make a new part above.

If yes, there is a return to screen 1, 50, otherwise the game is finished and we return to the beginning of the flowchart.

If the player agrees to continue, a black fade ensures the transition to a screen 4 - room 2, 80.

When the player makes the wrong choice, there are two types of losing animation. 1) The adventurer enters the field of the camera, and seizes the fragment of key. The ground slips away under his feet, the adventurer falls into a trap door and impaled himself on stakes.

2) The adventurer enters the camera field, grabs the fragment of the key and enters the corridor. Halfway, the two side panels close quickly, like a vice, crushing the adventurer and his flashlight, causing total darkness.

Following one or the other of the two animations, a “end of game” message appears.

The above-mentioned YES / NO dialog window 74 appears according to the player's credit: "do you want to play a new game".

When the player decides to put his winnings back into play, there is a screen 80 which has a dark area 82 indicating to the player that he has a 1 in 2 chance of winning 25 francs. The scene represented on screen 80 shows the adventurer zigzagging between the columns and stopping in a room 84 crossed in the middle by a pit 86 filled with water where there is an anaconda 88.

Two makeshift bridges 90,92 in vines and wooden planks provide access to the other side of the shore where a statue 94 of an Egyptian deity (Horus) holds in its beak a fragment of key (not shown).

A countdown materialized by step 95 and a message appear on the screen to indicate to the player to make a choice.

In a lower area 96 of the screen appears the inscription "which bridge are you using?" ".

If the player makes the right choice, the adventurer enters the field of the camera and enters the bridge.

The camera follows the adventurer following a semi-circular trajectory which ends in a lateral plane where the adventurer crosses the bridge. Then, the adventurer joined the mainland and seized the fragment of key inserted in the beak of Horus.

A YES / NO 98 dialog window appears:

You earned 25 francs. Do you want to put your winnings back into play for 75 francs. 1 in 3 chance ?. If the player gives up on continuing, the game ends by returning to square one.

If the player calls back, go to screen 5.

If the player makes the wrong choice, there is only one losing animation. The adventurer enters the field of the camera, enters the bridge which breaks under his weight.

The anaconda arises and seizes the adventurer to drown him. Both disappear momentarily leaving bubbles on the surface.

Then we see the adventurer surrounded by the anaconda at the bottom of the water. Following this animation, an end of game message appears.

A window 100 of YES / NO dialog appears according to the player's credit established in step 101 and in which is indicated: "Do you want to play a new game?"". Like window 74 associated with screen 3, this window ensures the progress of the game in the event of the player's acceptance to play a new game and the end of the game in the event of refusal.

The game flowchart continues according to the will of the player, by the successive appearances of the screen 5, 102, of the YES / NO dialog window 104 indicating the chances of winning for the player and the amount of the winning, of the YES / NO dialog window 106 proposing to play another game in case of failure in the previous part.

On screen 5, the adventurer lights up with the beam of his flashlight three narrow round conduits 107,108,109 in a hemispherical room 110. At the bottom of each conduit is a fragment of key levitating 1 meter from the ground in another room .

A countdown materialized by step 111 and a message appear on the screen to indicate to the player to make a choice. In the upper area 112 of screen 102, one reads “1 in 3 chances of. earn 75 francs and in the lower zone 113, one can read "which conduit do you use?".

As soon as the player designates a conduit, the adventurer enters the field of the camera and engages in the conduit in question. If the player makes the right choice, the adventurer crosses the conduit and takes the fragment of the key.

The YES / NO 104 dialog window appears in which one can read “you have won 75 francs. Would you like to put your win back into play for 250 francs - 1 in 3 chances? If the player refuses to put his win back into play, the game ends, the player's account is credited with the amount of the win.

The YES / NO dialog window 106 appears according to the player's credit established in step 105. In this window, one can read, "Do you want to play a new game?" ". On the other hand, if the player agrees to continue, a black fade ensures the transition to a screen 6, 114.

If the player makes the wrong choice, a losing animation appears: the adventurer enters the conduit. Halfway, a wall closes in first behind the adventurer. Then another wall in front of the adventurer. The adventurer is thus a prisoner and drowns.

At the end of this animation, an end of game message appears. The YES / NO 106 dialog window appears depending on the player's credit and it says "do you want to play a new game?" ". Screen 6 represents lit by the adventurer's torch, a room or three sarcophagi 115,116,117 are leaning against the back wall.

A countdown materialized by step 118 and a message appear on the screen to indicate to the player to proceed with his choice. In the upper area of screen 119, appears the inscription 1 in 3 chances of winning 250 francs. In the lower area of screen 120 appears the inscription "which sarcophagus do you open?" ". As soon as the player designates a sarcophagus, the adventurer enters the field of the camera, leaves in the direction of the designated sarcophagus, opens it and installs properly, the sarcophagus closes automatically. The part of the wall adjoining the sarcophagus pivots with the latter. More than two sarcophagi are then visible.

If the player makes the right choice, the sarcophagus opens and the adventurer visualizes another room in the center of which, in fragment of a key, is placed in balance under a model of a boat floating in a jar. The adventurer's hand appears in the field to grab the fragment of the key.

A YES / NO 121 dialog window appears. It says "you have won 250 francs, do you want to put your winnings back into play for 1000 francs, 1 in 4 chances?" ". If the player refuses to put his win back into play, the game ends. The player's account is credited with the amount of the win. A YES / NO dialog 122 appears according to the player's credit established in step 123. It reads "do you want to play a new game?" ".

On the other hand, if the player agrees to continue, we go to the screen 7 room 124. In the upper part 126 of the screen appears the inscription "1 chance in 4 to win 1000 francs". In the lower part 128 appears the inscription "which way do you take?" ". The choice of the player must relate to a conduit among four narrow conduits 129,130,131, 132.

A countdown materialized by step 133 and a message appear on the screen to indicate to the player to make his aforementioned choice. As soon as the player designates a conduit, the adventurer enters the. camera field.

If the player makes the right choice, the adventurer enters a conduit. A fragment of key hangs from the end of a rope. He grabbed it by the way. A YES / NO 134 dialog window appears. It says "you won 1000 francs. Would you like to put your winnings back into the game for 5,000 francs, 1 in 5 chances? ".

If the player refuses to put his win back into play, the game ends, the player's account is credited with the amount of the win. A YES / NO 135 dialog window appears depending on the player's credit established by step 136. It can be read “do you want to play a new game? ".

On the other hand, if the player agrees to continue, there is a transition to screen 8, 137. If the player makes the wrong choice, the adventurer engages in one of the conduits 129,130,131, 132, which leads out of the pyramid and causes the adventurer's fatal fall.

After this animation, an “end of game” message appears. The YES / NO 135 dialog window appears depending on the player's credit. It says "do you want to play a new game?" ".

On passing to the screen 8 137, the adventurer lights up with the beam of his lamp, a gigantic staircase torch 138 at the top of which is a door 140 of the treasure room. A camera movement follows the rise of the steps and freezes at the door where five places are dug to house the key.

A countdown materialized by step 139 and a message appear on the screen to indicate to the player to make the choice. At the top of the screen, in an area 142, appears the inscription "1 chance in 5 to win 5000 francs". At the bottom of the screen, in an area 144, appears the inscription "where do you house the key".

If the player makes the right choice, the camera pivots 45 ° from the scene and discovers the adventurer who is about to insert the key. The door opens, revealing part of the sparkling treasure room under the beam of light from the flashlight. A shimmering music sounds and a message of congratulations appears to the player: "Well done, you won 5000 francs". A YES / NO 146 dialog window appears depending on the player's credit established during step 147. It can be read “do you want to play a new game? ".

If the player makes the wrong choice, two types of losing animation can occur: 1) the camera rotates 45 ° from the stage and discovers the adventurer who is about to insert the key. A mechanism identical to a rat trap crushes the adventurer against the door.

2) the camera rotates 45 ° from the scene and discovers the adventurer who is about to insert the key. The staircase 138 retracts and the adventurer leaves in a dizzying slide and dies at the bottom of the staircase the dislocated members.

Following one of these animations, an “end of game” message appears.

The YES / NO 146 dialog window appears depending on the player's credit. It says "do you want to play a new game?" ".

Claims

1. Interactive game system of the type comprising a gaming station (10) provided with a central processing unit (12) to which are connected means (14) for the input of data corresponding to the player and to the supply credit and means (16) for displaying the data entered by the player and successive images of the game, characterized in that the central processing unit contains game software having game phases (62.80 , 10124137) to a challenging issue which the winning results for the player a choice (73,98,104,121, 134) between a ^{^} hand, the wise man changed over to the next phase of play with throw-in gains and on the other hand, stopping the game and putting his winnings to his credit, and whose losing outcome leads to the player, an estimate of his remaining credit (78,101, 105,123,136, 147), the end of the game in case insufficient credit, and in case of sufficient credit, a choice (74,100,106,122,135,146) between the penny hate to play another game and stop playing.

2. Game system according to claim 1, characterized in that the game phases with increasing stakes (62,80,110,124,137) are also with increasing difficulties.

3. Game system according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the game phases (62,80,110,124,137) are representations on the screen of the display means (16) of situations faced by an adventurer embodied by the player.

4. Game system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each choice between passing to the next game phase with the player's winnings being put into play and the game being stopped, appears on the screen display means (16) representing the corresponding situation, in the form of an inscription in an area (70,82,112,119,142) of the screen, indicating the chances of winning and the amount of the winning and of an inscription in a other area of the screen as well as a YES / NO dialog window (73,98,104,121, 134) proposing to continue the game with the chances of winning, the amount of the winning.

5. Game system according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the choice between the wish to play another game and that of stopping the game, is proposed in a YES / NO dialog window (74,100,106,122,135, 146) appearing in case of sufficient credit from the player.

6. Game system according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that each representation on a screen (62,80,110,124,137) of a situation confronted by the adventurer embodied by the player, is accompanied by a countdown stage (76,95,111, 118,133,139) which, in the event of exceeding a determined playing time, causes the game to stop.