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.

1 . In a system including a download configuration host server coupled to an electronic gaming machine comprising an operating system, a method for configuring a legacy game application on the electronic gaming machine, comprising:
 generating a downloadable package comprising a game image of the legacy game and a game descriptor file;   communicating the downloadable package from the download configuration host server to the electronic gaming machine;   installing the legacy game image on the electronic gaming machine;   configuring the installed legacy game by the operating system simulating operator configuration of the installed legacy game in response to data in the game descriptor file; and   enabling the installed legacy game for game play.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of generating a downloadable package comprises including a game image of the legacy game approved by regulators and cryptographically signed to detect modifications. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the step of generating a downloadable package comprises cryptographically signing the downloadable package to detect modifications. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the legacy game displays configuration screens for operator control, and the game descriptor file comprises data representing the configuration screens of the legacy game; and wherein the step of configuring the installed legacy game on the electronic gaming machine comprises:
 the operating system reading the configuration screen representative data from the game descriptor file; and   the operating system simulating operator control of the configuration screens of the legacy game in response to the configuration screen representative data.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the configuration screen representative data comprises data representing screen locations of buttons and/or other widgets displayed on the configuration screens of the legacy game, and the step of configuring the installed legacy game image comprises:
 the operating system reading the screen location representative data from the game descriptor file; and 
 the operating system simulating activation of buttons and/or other widgets in response to the screen location representative data appropriate for configuring the legacy game. 
 
     
     
         6 . In a system including a download configuration host server coupled to an electronic gaming machine comprising an operating system, a method for dynamically and remotely reconfiguring a legacy game application, comprising:
 generating a downloadable package comprising a game image of the legacy game image and a game descriptor file;   communicating the downloadable package from the download configuration host server to the electronic gaming machine;   installing the legacy game image on the electronic gaming machine;   configuring the installed legacy game by the operating system simulating operator activation of the legacy game in response to data in the game descriptor file;   enabling the installed legacy game for game play;   communicating a configuration change from the download configuration host server to the electronic gaming machine;   disabling the installed legacy game for game play;   reinstalling the legacy game image on the electronic gaming machine;   configuring the reinstalled installed legacy game by the operating system simulating operator activation of the legacy game in response to data in the game description file and the configuration change; and   enabling the legacy game for game play.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the legacy game displays configuration screens for operator control, and the game descriptor file comprises data representing the configuration screens of the legacy game; and wherein the step of configuring the reinstalled legacy game on the electronic gaming machine comprises:
 the operating system reading the configuration screen representative data from the game descriptor file; and   the operating system simulating operator control of the configuration screens of the legacy game in response to the configuration screen representative data.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the configuration screen representative data comprises data representing screen locations of buttons and/or other widgets displayed on the configuration screens of the legacy game, and the step of configuring the reinstalled legacy game image comprises:
 the operating system reading the screen location representative data from the game descriptor file; and 
 the operating system simulating activation of buttons and/or other widgets in response to the screen location representative data appropriate for configuring the legacy game.