A letter tile word game has letter tiles that are formed in an octagon shape, where words can be played not only vertically or horizontally, but also diagonally. Further, the letter tiles have features that permit tile interlocking when building words from the letter tiles, the interlocking feature being available in each of the horizontal word building, the vertical word building and the diagonal word building. The game does not require a separate board for play. With the interlocking nature of the letter tiles, a user can easily rotate the tiles if they want to view the game right-side-up during their turn. Further, should the game be jolted, the letter tiles, being interlocked together, do not inadvertently separate.

Various embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a virtual player interface such as button deck for a gaming device. The interface includes a touch screen display which displays one or more button icons. The size, shape and location of the button icons may be reconfigured based upon player interaction or selection. Button functions or selections may be combined into a single button. The button reconfiguration may be saved to a player account to be applied when the player uses the gaming device or other applicable device. Haptic or audible feedback may be applied to the button icon based upon the location of the player's touch relative to a target position on the icon.

A system, a machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, and a computer-implemented method are described herein for a System Tuner for customizing a player's experience. The System Tuner creates an optimal game model based on game-related data of a plurality of players. The optimal game model corresponds to a player segment in the plurality of players. The System Tuner generates one or more rules for building a game variant based on the optimal game model. The System Tuner detects a first player accessing the game. The System Tuner determines a particular player segment to which the player belongs. The System Tuner generates a game variant based on an optimal game model for the particular player segment and sends the game variant to a client device.

An electronic competitive challenge is disclosed. A prompt is presented to a group of participants. A computer system with a speech recognition module listens for multiple, simultaneous speech utterances from the group of participants. Each speech utterance is decoded, assigned a priority or timing, and associated with one of the participants. Based on the priority or timing, the content of the utterances, and a predefined rule set, one of the participants is identified as the competitive challenge winner. The prompt may be an electronic image, and the utterances may relate to a concept associated with or reflected in the image. The image may be drawn by a human and presented in a visual sequence that tracks its original creation, or it may be an image that is automatically degraded using image processing to disguise its content.

A system, a machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, and a computer-implemented method are described herein for a System Tuner for customizing a player's experience. The System Tuner calculates a player skill level for a player. The System Tuner modifies at least one attribute of a second game level based on the player skill level prior to game play of the player in the second game level. The System Tuner detects game play of the player in the second game level. The System Tuner identifies a difference between a current rate of progression of the player and a reference rate of progression. The System Tuner triggers the modified attribute of the second game according to an extent of the difference between the current rate of progression and the reference rate of progression.

A system, a machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, and a computer-implemented method are described herein for a System Tuner for customizing a player's experience. The System Tuner creates an optimal game model based on game-related data of a plurality of players. The optimal game model corresponds to a player segment in the plurality of players. The System Tuner generates one or more rules for building a game variant based on the optimal game model. The System Tuner detects a first player accessing the game. The System Tuner determines a particular player segment to which the player belongs. The System Tuner generates a game variant based on an optimal game model for the particular player segment and sends the game variant to a client device.

Methods and apparatuses for word games in which a non-acting player may score points based on a score awarded to an acting player.

A tile-on-shape puzzle game is disclosed using a plurality of unique shape designs having one or more tile projections disposed on one or both faces of the shape. The tile projections are adapted to fit in a recess on a play tile. Optional play cards are used to provide clues or shape designations and scores. Shapes are played to form a puzzle, with each player selecting where to place a shape, thereby forming a unique puzzle each time the game is played. Tiles must fill every play space on a shape to form a word or numerical/shape sequence. Gameplay provides a means to simultaneously generate and solve puzzles. Play options include competitive or cooperative play, and may be varied based on age and skill level, such as limiting the word or sequence direction to left-right, up-down, diagonal, or a combination thereof, or forming pathways with the puzzle.

The present invention is a system and method of playing word games wherein any letter of the alphabet can be switched to another by simple 180-degrees rotation. This unique feature fundamentally changes the usual manner by which word games are played. The resultant increase in available choices enhances user experience by providing more chances for beginners and more challenges for advanced players. In the embodiment described herein, elements of word games and solitaire are combined to provide a product that has both entertainment and educational values.

A system, a machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, and a computer-implemented method are described herein for a System Tuner for customizing a player's experience. The System Tuner calculates a player skill level for a player. The System Tuner modifies at least one attribute of a second game level based on the player skill level prior to game play of the player in the second game level. The System Tuner detects game play of the player in the second game level. The System Tuner identifies a difference between a current rate of progression of the player and a reference rate of progression. The System Tuner triggers the modified attribute of the second game according to an extent of the difference between the current rate of progression and the reference rate of progression.