Systems and methods for casino floor optimization in a downloadable or server based gaming environment

Abstract

Certain embodiments provide systems and methods for adaptable control and configuration in a downloadable and/or server-based gaming environment. Systems and methods allow hypothetical or trial reconfiguration of a gaming floor and analysis of game performance. Systems and methods also monitor game play and provide one or more recommendations to a player and/or gaming terminal. Multi-site and local progressives may be provided for play via a downloadable and/or server-based gaming system. Tournament game play may be facilitated via the downloadable and/or server-based gaming environment.

1 . A method for gaming floor configuration, said method comprising:
 selecting one or more games from a server for remote operation or download in a trial configuration on a gaming floor;   adjusting, on a trial basis, a configuration of devices on said gaming floor based on said one or more selected games;   monitoring game play in the adjusted gaming floor configuration to generate performance data; and   analyzing the performance data from the adjusted gaming floor configuration to provide a gaming floor configuration recommendation.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising reconfiguring said configuration of devices on said gaming floor based on said gaming floor configuration recommendation. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said adjusting step comprises adjusting, on a trial basis, via computer simulation, a configuration of devices on said gaming floor based on said one or more selected games; and wherein said monitoring step comprises monitoring simulated game play in the adjusted gaming floor configuration to generate performance data. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said monitoring step comprises monitoring game play in the adjusted gaming floor configuration by a group of carded players to generate performance data. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said monitoring step further comprises monitoring, for a certain trial period, game play in the adjusted gaming floor configuration to generate performance data. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said adjusting step further comprises adjusting, on a trial basis, a configuration of a subset of devices on said gaming floor based on said one or more selected games. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of said one or more selected games is associated with a performance statistic determined based on one or more metrics and trends to determine said gaming floor configuration recommendation. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said adjusting step further comprises adjusting, on a trial basis, a configuration of devices on said gaming floor based on a trial game template. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said analysis step further comprises comparing said performance data from said adjusted gaming floor configuration with performance data from at least one of a previous gaming floor configuration and an industry benchmark. 
   
   
       10 . A method for providing suggestions to players in a downloadable or server-based gaming environment, said method comprising:
 monitoring game play, via server, by at least one of one or more players at one or more gaming devices;   analyzing game play data generated from said monitoring step to identify at least one of a pattern of play and a popularity of play; and   providing a game play recommendation, based on said at least one of a pattern of play and a popularity of play, to at least one of said one or more players for play in the downloadable or server-based gaming environment.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising reconfiguring at least one of said one or more gaming devices according to said game play recommendation. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said monitoring step further comprises monitoring one or more of game selection, frequency of play, consistency of play, most recent play, coin in percentage, and coin out percentage. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said monitoring step further comprises monitoring game play, via server, by carded players at gaming devices in a predetermined gaming area. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising providing a game play recommendation to one or more players not included in said one or more monitored players. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said game play recommendation comprises a game play trial offered to at least one of said one or more players. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said providing step further comprises providing a game play recommendation, based on player preference and said at least one of a pattern of play and a popularity of play, to at least one of said one or more players for play in the downloadable or server-based gaming environment. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising automatically activating said game play recommendation at least one of said one or more gaming devices. 
   
   
       18 . A method for progressive play in a download or server-based gaming environment, said method comprising:
 displaying, at a gaming device, one or more progressives and associated games available for play via a gaming server;   allowing a player to select from said one or more progressives to participate in said associated game via said gaming server; and   activating said associated game for play with said selected progressive via said gaming server.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said activating step further comprises activating a selected game for play with a progressive by downloading said selected game from said gaming server to said gaming device. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said one or more progressive includes one or more single-site progressives and multiple-site progressives. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said allowing step allows the player to select a progressive from said one or more progressives and then selecting from among a plurality of games to play for the selected progressive. 
   
   
       22 . A method for tournament selection and play in a downloadable or server-based gaming environment, said method comprising:
 displaying available tournament games at a plurality of gaming devices via a gaming server;   facilitating selection of a tournament game from said available tournament games;   configuring, via said gaming server, said plurality of gaming devices for tournament play with said selected tournament game;   activating said selected tournament game at a gaming terminal; and   executing play of said selected tournament game.   
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein said configuring step further comprises configuring a game running on said plurality of gaming devices for tournament play. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising the steps of:
 awarding a prize from said selected tournament game; and   reconfiguring said plurality of gaming devices to resume normal game play following conclusion of said selected tournament game.   
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said selected tournament game concludes following a predetermined period of time. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein said selected tournament game is requested and scheduled for future participation. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein said selected tournament game is downloaded to said plurality of gaming devices from said gaming server. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein said selected tournament game is executed at said plurality of gaming devices via said gaming server. 
   
   
       29 . A system providing game content in a downloadable or server-based gaming environment, said system comprising:
 a plurality of gaming devices providing game play to a plurality of players;   a gaming server including a plurality of games available for play at said plurality of gaming devices based on user selection, said gaming server including a configuration manager for configuring and managing said plurality of games for play at said plurality of gaming devices; and   a graphical user interface allowing a user to configure said plurality of games at said gaming server,   said configuration manager providing two or more of the following games for configuration of said plurality of gaming devices based on user selection:
 a) one or more games available for gaming trial on one or more of said plurality of gaming devices for a predetermined time period, wherein said configuration manager collects game play data from the gaming trial for analysis; 
 b) one or more recommended games for play on one or more of said plurality of gaming devices based on monitored data identifying at least one of a pattern of play and a popularity of play of games from at least one of said plurality of gaming devices and a plurality of monitored players; 
 c) one or more progressive prizes and one or more associated games to be played one or more of said plurality of gaming devices for said one or more progressive prizes, said configuration manager facilitating selection of a progressive prize for which to play and selection of an associated game to be played for a chance to win said progressive prize; and 
 d) one or more tournament games available for tournament play at said plurality of gaming devices, wherein said configuration manager configures said plurality of gaming devices for tournament play for a predetermined time period upon selection of one of said one or more tournament games. 
   
   
   
       30 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein said user comprises a casino operator. 
   
   
       31 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein said user comprises a player at one of said plurality of gaming devices. 
   
   
       32 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein said configuration manager provides one or more games for play at said plurality of gaming devices via downloading of said one or more games from said gaming server to said plurality of gaming devices. 
   
   
       33 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein said configuration manager provides one or more games for play at said plurality of gaming devices via server-based execution of said one or more games from said gaming server to said plurality of gaming devices. 
   
   
       34 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein said configuration manager reconfigures artwork and displays at said plurality of gaming machines based on a game selected by said user for play at said plurality of gaming machines. 
   
   
       35 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein said plurality of players at said plurality of gaming machines comprise players having player cards that are carded in at said plurality of gaming machines.