GB2256301A

GB2256301A - Game apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2256301A
Application number: GB9111125A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Wyatt James Stanley
Original assignee: LEISURE CARD Ltd
Current assignee: LEISURE CARD Ltd
Priority date: 1991-05-23
Filing date: 1991-05-23
Publication date: 1992-12-02
Also published as: GB9111125D0

Abstract

A game is played using a token which includes data so that each time the player uses the token he is offered a game of skill which is at a higher level than achieved at a previous play.

Description

GAMES APPARATUS The invention relates to games apparatus such as games machines, video machines, gaming machines and other amusement devices.

Known video games tend to have a short useful life because the players get bored with them. One reason is that the player acquires a playing skill and easily builds up a high score. When the game allows a free replay in the event of a win an experienced player can amuse himself at the machine for a long time when it would be more profitable for the operator if several individual players each paid for a turn. The machine arcade operator needs to replace his games quickly which increases costs. It is one object of this invention to provide apparatus by which a player can play a game according to his level of skill and which has other advantages.

In one aspect the invention provides a system for playing a game in which a player achieves a score according to his level of skill of play, the system comprising a games apparatus including reader/writer means to read/write a card token, the apparatus being arranged to activate a game on receipt of a valid card, the card having recorded thereon the score achieved in a previous play of the game and the apparatus being arranged to offer the player a game at a level of skill according to the previous score recorded on the card.

Preferably the token is of the type which can be optically read and the reader/writer in the apparatus is arranged to operate in the same way. Magnetic cards may be used.

Because the card can carry much data, it can be put to other uses. For example, the data in the reader/writer on a machine can be written onto a card which can then be read at a base location. This is an easier way for the operator to accumulate statistical information about use of the machine on a site because he does note need to get inside the machine cabinet. The card can carry a monetary value track which obviates the need for coin payment to start a game. The card may carry a number of credits for use in playing games.

In one example, a game machine is arranged to play a video game like Space Invaders and includes an optically controlled reader/writer. An optical card has a number of tracks each to contain data. The player inserts a blank card into the card acceptor and pays a coin into the coin mechanism. He then plays the game in the usual way until his turn is exhausted. At the end of the game data is written on to the card e.g number of hits per game type of spaceship hit type of building hit how much fuel, i.e credit used.

He then removes the card. When he next plays in that machine or another, insertion of the card into the acceptor boots up the game to display the recorded data and to start at the previous level achieved e.g instead of Space Cadet, the lowest level, to Space Avenger, a higher level. He then plays the game at the level of skill. He is spared the boredom of playing too simple a game and the arcade operator is confident that the player will be able to use that machine for reasonable time only.

Claims

1. A system for playing a game in which a player achieves a score according to his level of skill of play, the system comprising a games apparatus including reader/writer means to read/write a card token, the apparatus being arranged to activate a game on receipt of a valid token, the token having recorded thereon the score achieved in a previous play of the game and the apparatus being arranged to offer the player a game at a level of skill according to the previous score recorded on the card.

2. A system according to Claim 1, wherein the token is of the type which can be optically read or a magnetic card.

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3. A system according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the token carries a monetary value track and/or a number of credits for use in playing games.

4. A system according to any preceding Claim, wherein the game machine is arranged to play a video game like Space Invaders.

5. A system according to any preceding Claim, wherein the token includes a number of tracks each to carry data.

6. A system according to any preceding Claim, including a token acceptor to accept a blank card upon payment in a coin mechanism.