Systems and methods for server-based gaming

Abstract

Aspects of the present disclosure present systems, methods, and apparatus for server-based gaming. Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to systems and methods that include gaming system functionality on a host computer that provides such to individual player-operated electronic gaming machines as thin clients in thin-client architecture. Embodiments of the disclosure can provide systems and methods for tracking and/or downloading a downloadable game, and may include royalty calculation functionality for the use of proprietary gaming software at one or more electronic gaming machines.

1 . A system for providing a royalty calculation, the system comprising:
 one or more electronic gaming machines configured to receive gaming software from a communications link;   a first server configured to provide said gaming software to said one or more electronic gaming machines over a first communications link;   a second server configured to provide said gaming software to said first server over a second communications link; and   a royalty calculator configured to calculate a royalty for use of said gaming software at said one or more electronic gaming machines.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said royalty calculator calculates a royalty based on a usage time of said gaming software at said one or more electronic gaming machines. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said royalty calculator calculates a royalty based on a time-based calculation. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said royalty calculator calculates a royalty based on an event-based calculation. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said event-based calculation is based on downloads of said gaming software. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said royalty calculator calculates a royalty based on the net profit of said gaming device. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said royalty calculator calculates a royalty based on the amount of money wagered at said gaming device. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said royalty calculator calculates a royalty based on a daily rate. 
   
   
       9 . A method of providing a royalty calculation, the method comprising:
 selecting gaming software from a remote software vendor;   downloading said gaming software to a local server from said remote software vendor over a communications link;   providing said gaming software to one or more electronic gaming machines for use by a player; and   calculating a royalty calculation related to the use of the gaming software.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising providing a payment of a royalty fee to said remote software vendor based on said royalty calculation. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said royalty calculation is based on usage time of said gaming software at said one or more electronic gaming machines. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said royalty calculation is based on a percentage of money wagered at said one more electronic gaming machines. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 9 , further including providing said gaming software as a thin-client application. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said thin-client application comprises a graphical user interface viewable at said one or more electronic gaming machines. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising providing a plurality of distinct gaming software, wherein each said distinct gaming software includes a distinct royalty rate and/or schema. 
   
   
       16 . A system for providing a thin-client software application at an electronic gaming machine, the system comprising:
 a host server configured to provide a thin-client electronic gaming software application to a communications link;   a plurality of electronic gaming machines configured to receive said thin-client electronic gaming software application from said communications link; and   a royalty calculator configured to calculate a royalty related to said thin-client electronic gaming software application.   
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said host server is configured to provide graphics functionality to said plurality of electronic gaming machines. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said host server is configured to provide random number generation functionality to said plurality of electronic gaming machines. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said host server is configured to provide a wagering outcome to at least one of said plurality of electronic gaming machines based on input received from at least one of said plurality of electronic gaming machines. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said host server is configured to provide a bonus game application to at least one of said plurality of electronic gaming machines concurrent with the operation of said thin-client electronic gaming software application. 
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein said bonus game application is provided based on an outcome of a play of said thin-client electronic gaming software application. 
   
   
       22 . A method of providing a thin-client software application at an electronic gaming machine, the method comprising:
 providing electronic gaming functionality to one or more electronic gaming machines;   controlling a first portion of the gaming functionality for said one or more electronic gaming machines through a thin-client architecture with a server; and   controlling a second portion of said gaming functionality for said one or more electronic gaming machines through a thick-client architecture.   
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein providing said first portion of the gaming functionality to said one or more electronic gaming machines includes downloading gaming software onto a host server linked to said one or more electronic gaming machines. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising selecting gaming software from a vendor remote from a casino and downloading said gaming software from the software vendor over the Internet. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24  further comprising calculating a royalty calculation related to said gaming software. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25  further comprising providing a payment of a royalty fee to said software vendor based on said royalty calculation. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein controlling a first portion of the gaming functionality for said one or more electronic gaming machines through a thin-client architecture with a server comprises providing a bonus game feature to said one or more electronic gaming machines. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein controlling a first portion of the gaming functionality for said one or more electronic gaming machines through a thin-client architecture with a server comprises providing a random number generation functionality to said one or more electronic gaming machines. 
   
   
       29 . A method for a providing electronic games and recording related royalties, the method comprising:
 establishing a link between a host device and a gaming terminal;   storing at said host device a plurality of game files, each gaming file having an associated royalty schema;   selecting a first game file from said plurality of game files to provide for play at said gaming terminal;   determining a royalty related to the selected game file according to said associated royalty schema; and   recording said royalty.   
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein each game file of said plurality of game files has a distinct royalty schema. 
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said royalty is based upon a plurality of royalty schema.