Real-time analytics and feedback for electronic gaming machines

Abstract

The present disclosure relates generally to gaming systems, servers, and methods. As an example, a method is disclosed that includes receiving first data from a first gaming device describing gameplay events occurring at the first gaming device, receiving second data from a second gaming device describing gameplay events occurring at the second gaming device, analyzing the first data and the second data, identifying a feature to provide to the first gaming device based on the analysis of the first data and the second data, and providing a control signal to the first gaming device that delivers the feature to at least the first gaming device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system, comprising:
 a processor; and   a memory device coupled with the memory and comprising instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
 receive a first data stream from a first gaming device, wherein the first data stream comprises first data describing gameplay events occurring at the first gaming device; 
 receive a second data stream from a second gaming device, wherein the second data stream comprises second data describing gameplay events occurring at the second gaming device; 
 analyze the first data and the second data; 
 identify a gaming feature to provide to the first gaming device based on the analysis of the first data and the second data; and 
 provide a control signal to the first gaming device that causes the first gaming device to provide the identified gaming feature to a player of the first gaming device. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the player of the first gaming device interacts with the first gaming device during a gaming session to produce the first data stream, wherein the analysis of the first data and the second data is performed while the player is interacting with the first gaming device, and wherein the identified gaming feature is provided to the player during the gaming session. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:
 determine the first gaming device is not providing the identified gaming feature to the player prior to analyzing the first data and the second data;   determine the second gaming device is providing the identified gaming feature to a second player prior to analyzing the first data and the second data;   determine the second player and the first player have a behavior trait in common;   determine the second player is interacting with the second gaming device with a different behavior than the first player is interacting with the first gaming device; and   determine the first player comprises a likely positive response to being provided with the identified gaming feature.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:
 update a data model that describes player interactions with gaming devices over a period of time.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the identified gaming feature comprises a game not previously provided by the first gaming device prior to analyzing the first data and the second data. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:
 receive a third data stream from a third gaming device, wherein the third data stream comprises third data describing gameplay events occurring at the third gaming device; and   analyze the third data in combination with analyzing the first data and the second data.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:
 determine, based on the analysis of the first data, the second data, and the third data, that a game update is required for each of the first gaming device, the second gaming device, and the third gaming device;   determine a hardware and software version associated with each of the first gaming device, the second gaming device, and the third gaming device;   determine a first game update signal for the first gaming device that is based on the determined hardware and software version associated with the first gaming device;   transmit the first game update signal to the first gaming device;   determine a second game update signal for the second gaming device that is based on the determined hardware and software version associated with the second gaming device;   transmit the second game update signal to the second gaming device;   determine a third game update signal for the third gaming device that is based on the determined hardware and software version associated with the third gaming device; and   transmit the third game update signal to the third gaming device.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control signal comprises instructions for the first gaming device to render a visual presentation and wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:
 determine a presentation capability of the first gaming device; and   format the control signal based on the determined presentation capability of the first gaming device.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:
 provide the control signal to the second gaming device that causes the second gaming device to provide the identified gaming feature to a player of the second gaming device.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first gaming device comprises an electronic gaming machine located in a casino, wherein the identified gaming feature comprises a feature that modifies a probability of the player winning a game of chance at the electronic gaming machine, and wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:
 determine a gambling regulation that is associated with a location of the casino; and   determine that the identified gaming feature complies with the gambling regulation prior to transmitting the control signal to the electronic gaming machine.   
     
     
         11 . A server, comprising:
 a network interface;   a processor coupled with the network interface; and   a memory device coupled with the processor and comprising instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to:
 receive first data from a first gaming device describing gameplay events occurring at the first gaming device; 
 receive second data from a second gaming device describing gameplay events occurring at the second gaming device; 
 analyze the first data and the second data; 
 identify a feature to provide to the first gaming device and second gaming device based on the analysis of the first data and the second data; and 
 provide a control signal to the first gaming device and the second gaming device that delivers the feature to the first gaming device and the second gaming device. 
   
     
     
         12 . The server of  claim 11 , wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:
 identify a behavioral pattern of players based on the analysis of the first data and the second data; and   correlate the behavioral pattern to the feature based on referencing a data model that describes player interactions with gaming devices over a period of time.   
     
     
         13 . The server of  claim 11 , wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:
 determine, based on the analysis of the first data and the second data that a game update is required for both the first gaming device and the second gaming device;   determine a hardware and software version associated with each of the first gaming device and the second gaming device;   determine a first game update signal for the first gaming device that is based on the determined hardware and software version associated with the first gaming device;   transmit the first game update signal to the first gaming device;   determine a second game update signal for the second gaming device that is based on the determined hardware and software version associated with the second gaming device; and   transmit the second game update signal to the second gaming device.   
     
     
         14 . The server of  claim 11 , wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:
 determine a presentation capability of the first gaming device;   format a first version of the control signal based on the determined presentation capability of the first gaming device;   determine a presentation capability of the second gaming device;   format a second version of the control signal based on the determined presentation capability of the second gaming device;   transmit the first version of the control signal to the first gaming device; and   transmit the second version of the control signal to the second gaming device.   
     
     
         15 . The server of  claim 11 , wherein the first gaming device comprises a first electronic gaming machine located in a first casino, wherein the second gaming device comprises a second electronic gaming machine located in a second casino different from the first casino, wherein the identified feature modifies a probability of a player winning a game of chance, and wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:
 determine a first gambling regulation that is associated with a location of the first casino;   determine that the identified feature complies with the first gambling regulation prior to transmitting the control signal to the first electronic gaming machine;   determine a second gambling regulation that is associated with a location of the second casino; and   determine that the identified feature complies with the second gambling regulation prior to transmitting the control signal to the second electronic gaming machine.   
     
     
         16 . A method of managing a gaming system, the method comprising:
 receiving, at a processor, first data from a first gaming device describing gameplay events occurring at the first gaming device;   receiving, at the processor, second data from a second gaming device describing gameplay events occurring at the second gaming device;   analyzing, with the processor, the first data and the second data;   identifying, with the processor, a feature to provide to the first gaming device based on the analysis of the first data and the second data; and   providing, by the processor, a control signal to the first gaming device that delivers the feature to the first gaming device.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein a player of the first gaming device interacts with the first gaming device during a gaming session to produce the first data, wherein the analysis of the first data and the second data is performed while the player is interacting with the first gaming device, and wherein the identified feature is provided to the first gaming device during the gaming session. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 determining, with the processor, the first gaming device is not providing the identified feature to the player prior to analyzing the first data and the second data;   determining, with the processor, the second gaming device is providing the identified feature to a second player prior to analyzing the first data and the second data;   determining, with the processor, the second player and the first player have a behavior trait in common;   determining, with the processor, the second player is interacting with the second gaming device with a different behavior than the first player is interacting with the first gaming device; and   determining, with the processor, the first player comprises a likely positive response to being provided with the identified feature.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 updating, with the processor, a data model that describes player interactions with gaming devices over a period of time.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 determining, with the processor, a presentation capability of the first gaming device; and   formatting, with the processor, the control signal based on the determined presentation capability of the first gaming device.