Legacy Game Download and Configuration

Abstract

A system includes a download configuration host server coupled to an electronic gaming machine which, in turn, comprises an operating system. A method for configuring a legacy game application on the electronic gaming machine comprises the following steps. A downloadable package comprising a game image of the legacy game and a game descriptor file is generated. The downloadable package is communicated from the download configuration host server to the electronic gaming machine. The legacy game image is installed on the electronic gaming machine. The installed legacy game is configured by the operating system. The operating system simulates configuration of the installed legacy game by an operator in response to data in the game descriptor file. The installed legacy game is then enabled for game play.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to creating and downloading game packages, and in particular for creating and downloading game packages for legacy games.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Advances in the design and implementation of gaming machines sometimes prevent older games from operating in newer gaming machines. New hardware and / or software is developed for gaming machines to provide new and / or improved game play experiences for players, and capabilities for owners and operators. For example, operating systems controlling the operation of the processor or processors in gaming machines are updated to provide new such capabilities. New games may then be designed and implemented to take advantage of these new capabilities. However, in some cases, older games, termed legacy games in the present application, which were not designed to use the new capabilities, are unable to take advantage of them. In such a situation, a legacy game may need to be reprogramme...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a system and method for configuring a legacy game application on an electronic gaming machine. The system includes a download configuration host server and an electronic gaming machine with an operating system. The method involves generating a downloadable package containing a game image and a game descriptor file, and communicating this package to the electronic gaming machine. The game image is installed on the machine and the operating system simulates the configuration of the game based on the data in the game descriptor file. The installed game is then enabled for play. The technical effect of this invention is that it allows for easy and efficient configuration of legacy game applications on electronic gaming machines, reducing the time and effort required for installation and setup."

Problems solved by technology

However, in some cases, older games, termed legacy games in the present application, which were not designed to use the new capabilities, are unable to take advantage of them.

However, in a legacy slot machine game, configuration data, such as maximum lines, maximum wager per line, and so forth, is set during installation of the game and is unchangeable without uninstalling (deleting) and then reinstalling the game in the gaming machine.

Thus, legacy games are currently not able to cooperate with the new operating system to provide dynamic configuration option change.

This typically takes time and money.

For a game not requiring any changes to the game play this is a waste of time and money.

Images