COMPUTER GAME DISPLAY SYSTEM AND PROCESSES, IN ELECTRONICALLY-CONTROLLED MULTI-PARTICIPANT GAME CONTESTS, FOR AGGREGATING AND COMPOSING A COMMON DISPLAY AND FOR INCORPORATING VIRTUAL PARTICIPANTS IN THE CONTEXT OF GAMES/CONTESTS INVOLVING ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS

An information display system and method is provided for computer-based games and the like, particularly of the type involving multiple participants who may be present at a game site or alternately located at one or more remote sites. The display system and method monitors the status of each participant as a particular game progresses. The system combines the monitored status information for all participants and generates a common information display so that individual participants can view their status relative to other game participants, and thereby assess their individual chances of winning as the game proceeds. The invention is suited for rapid and efficient playing of games of chance or skill in a casino environment or the like, wherein the game can accommodate a large number of participants including "active" participants located at the game site as well as "virtual" participants who may not be present at the game site.