VIRTUAL WORLD PLATFORM GAMES CONSTRUCTED FROM DIGITAL IMAGERY

• US 20090186694A1
• Filed: 01/17/2008
• Published: 07/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Sheldon, Graham Andrew Michael, Chickering, David M., Meek, Christopher A., Dani, Nishant, Gunawardana, Asela J.
• Application Number:
  US12/015,556
• Publication Number:
  US 20090186694A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/31
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/10 Control of the course of the game, e.g. start, progess, end
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/45 Controlling the progress of the video game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/52 involving aspects of the displayed game scene
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/69 by enabling or updating specific game elements, e.g. unlocking hidden features, items, levels or versions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5533 using program state or machine event data, e.g. server keeps track of the state of multiple players on in a multiple player game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/575 for trading virtual items

Abstract

An interactive game within a virtual world platform is provided wherein a sender can hide an object within a mapping application. An intended recipient of the object can be notified that the object is available and a clue can be provided. The clue can direct the recipient in searching for where the object is hidden. The objects can be intended for a single recipient, multiple recipients, or open to everyone on a first-come-first-served basis. The objects can be stolen by others and/or the objects can be re-gifted after being found. After being found, the virtual object can be automatically or manually converted into a non-virtual object.

Claims

1. A system that facilitates an interactive game within a virtual world platform, comprising:

an identifier components that corresponds one or more recipients with at least one clue associated with a virtual location;

an indicator component that conveys the at least one clue to the one or more recipients; and

a rendering component that selectively matches an entered guess location received in response to the at least one clue with a virtual location and displays the location within a virtual world platform.

2. The system of claim 1, the rendering component matches a zoom level of the entered guess location with a zoom level of the virtual location.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an object location/selector component that receives a selected object and hides that object at the virtual location;

a clue selection component that associates a clue related to the virtual location; and

a recipient selector component that corresponds the one or more recipients with the object.

4. The system of claim 3, the recipient selector component allows contacts associated with each of the one or more recipients to retrieve the object.

5. The system of claim 1, the clue is a trivia clue, a treasure hunt clue, a personal clue, or combinations thereof.

6. The system of claim 1 is provided through interaction with a social network application.

7. The system of claim. 1, further comprising a notification component that notifies the one or more recipients of the at least one clue associated with the virtual location.

8. The system of claim 1, the rendering component automatically converts a virtual object, hidden at the virtual location, to a non-virtual object.

9. A method for facilitating participation in a game presented on a virtual world platform, comprising:

presenting a first clue to at least one user, the first clue relates to a virtual location of a hidden object;

receiving a virtual location guess based on the presented first clue; and

selectively rendering the hidden object in response to the virtual location guess.

10. The method of claim 9, selectively rendering the object in response to the virtual location guess comprises applying the object to a profile page if the virtual location guess matches the virtual location of the hidden object.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprises presenting at least a second clue to the at least one user if a clue is hidden at the virtual location guess.

12. The method of claim 9, selectively rendering the object in response to the virtual location guess comprises automatically converting the hidden object to a non-virtual object.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

accepting a request to hide an object at the virtual location; and

receiving at least one clue associated with the virtual location.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving a request from an impostor to steal the hidden object;

approving the request; and

selectively allowing the impostor to retrieve the hidden object.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

accepting from the impostor a new location to hide the object and a new clue; and

notifying the intended recipient of the impostor and the new clue.

16. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

retaining a clue string; and

notifying the at least one user of the number of clues remaining.

17. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

sending the first clue to multiple contacts listed in a contact list on a device of the at least one user; and

allowing the multiple contacts to retrieve the object before the at least one user retrieves the object.

18. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving a request to re-gift the object to at least a second user; and

notifying the at least a second user of the object that has been re-gifted.

19. A computer executable system, comprising:

means for associating a virtual object with an intended recipient, a clue, and a virtual location;

means for notifying the recipient that a virtual object is available;

means for receiving a virtual location guess;

means for determining if the virtual location guess matches the virtual location; and

means for displaying the virtual object, a second clue, or an error message based on the determination.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising:

means for linking a second recipient with the intended recipient; and

means for allowing the second recipient to retrieve the virtual object before the intended recipient retrieves the virtual object.