PROVIDING OFFERS TO COMPUTER GAME PLAYERS

• US 20090247282A1
• Filed: 03/27/2008
• Published: 10/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: World Golf Tour, Inc. (Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.)
• Original Assignee: World Golf Tour, Inc. (Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.)
• Inventors: Cheng, YuChiang
• Granted Patent: US 8,029,359 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/61 using advertising information
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/63 by the player, e.g. authoring using a level editor
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/79 involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/87 Communicating with other players during game play, e.g. by e-mail or chat
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/407 Data transfer via internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/55 Details of game data or player data management
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5506 using advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5573 player location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0209 Incentive being awarded or redeemed in connection with the playing of a video game
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3237 about the players, e.g. profiling, responsible gaming, strategy/behavior of players, location of players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3255 Incentive, loyalty and/or promotion schemes, e.g. comps, gaming associated with a purchase, gaming funded by advertisements

Abstract

A method of rewarding a game player of a game can target particular types of offers to a player. A usage profile is determined for the player, which can be based on interaction between the player and items or goals in a game. Player information is identified, such as player statistics or categorization of the player. A category is selected for the player, based on the usage profile and the player information for the player. An offer is then selected from a group of offers, wherein the offer is for a real world object, service or event.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of rewarding a game player, comprising:

determining a usage profile based on interaction between the player and items or goals in a game;

identifying player information based on player statistics;

categorizing the player, wherein the categorizing uses the usage profile and the player information to select a category for the player;

selecting an offer from a group of offers, wherein the offer is for a real world object, service or event and the selecting step includes selecting from a group of offers available for players in the category; and

providing the offer to the player.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a usage profile includes determining that the player has selected a type of equipment for use in the game.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a usage profile includes determining that the player has selected a brand of equipment for use in the game.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a usage profile includes determining that the player has selected a goal to achieve in the game.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a usage profile includes determining that the player has selected to use an item within the game with a particular frequency or for a particular length of time.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a usage profile includes determining that the player has a particular number of items in a game bag.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying player information includes determining psychographic data of the player.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying player information includes determining demographic data of the player.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying player information includes determining behavioral variables about the player.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the group of offers includes discounts on real world objects.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the group of offers includes discounts on real world opportunities.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the offer includes providing the offer to the player through one of electronic message or a postal service.

13. A computer-implemented method of determining game player information, comprising:

receiving demographic information about the player;

receiving game play information reflecting interactions between the player and an item or a goal in a game;

compiling the demographic information and game play information to create a profile; and

providing the profile to a third party for the third party to determine an offer for a real world object, service or event to provide to players matching the profile, wherein the different offers are provided to different players according to the demographic information in the profile.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising receiving from the third party the real world offer;

and providing the real world offer to the player.