Game Based Incentives for Commerce

• US 20110312423A1
• Filed: 06/16/2010
• Published: 12/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zynga Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Zynga Game Network Incorporated (Zynga Incorporated)
• Inventors: Mosites, Donald C., Waldron, Justin, Talapatra, Shantanu
• Granted Patent: US 8,328,642 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5506 using advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/575 for trading virtual items
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/387 Payment using discounts or coupons relating to marketing G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0209 Incentive being awarded or redeemed in connection with the playing of a video game
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3255 Incentive, loyalty and/or promotion schemes, e.g. comps, gaming associated with a purchase, gaming funded by advertisements

Abstract

The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods directed to generating game-based incentives for users of online games to purchase goods in an electronic commerce system.

Claims

1. A method comprising, on one or more computing devices:

receiving a first message identifying a user, the first message corresponding to a proposed online action;

accessing game state information to identify one or more computer-implemented games associated with the user;

generating an incentive reward for the user based on a game state of one or more of the identified games, wherein the incentive reward is an in-game benefit corresponding to at least one of the one or more identified games; and

transmitting a second message, wherein the second message includes a description of the incentive reward.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the in-game benefit comprises a virtual object having utility in one of the one or more identified games.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the game state comprises a player character state of a player character in the game associated with the user.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the player character state is the type or number of virtual objects owned by the player character.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an indication that the user has completed the proposed online action.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the proposed online action is viewing an online media content.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the proposed online action is writing an online review.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the proposed online action is viewing an online advertisement.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the proposed online action is a proposed transaction between the user and a merchant.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving an indication of a conversion event corresponding to the proposed transaction between the user and the merchant.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the first message further identifies one or more attributes of the proposed transaction.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the incentive reward is based on the game state of one or more of the identified games and at least one of the one or more attributes of the proposed transaction.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein at least one attribute of the one or more attributes is a transaction amount.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

selecting a game of the one or more identified games; and

wherein the incentive reward is generated in part based on one or more game state parameters associated with the selected game.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein selecting the game comprises selecting the game of the one or more identified games based on an experience level of a player character in the game associated with the user.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein selecting the game comprises selecting the game of the one or more identified games based on a frequency of use of the game associated with the user.

17. An apparatus, comprising:

one or more processors; and

a memory coupled to the processors comprising instructions executable by the processors, the processors operable when executing the instructions to;

receive a first message identifying a user, the first message corresponding to a proposed online action;

access game state information to identify one or more computer-implemented games associated with the user;

generate an incentive reward for the user based on a game state of one or more of the identified games, wherein the incentive reward is an in-game benefit corresponding to at least one of the one or more identified games; and

transmit a second message, wherein the second message includes a description of the incentive reward.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the in-game benefit comprises a virtual object having utility in one of the one or more identified games.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the game state comprises a player character state of a player character in the game associated with the user.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the player character state is the type or number of virtual objects owned by the player character.

21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the processors are further operable when executing the instructions to:

receive an indication that the user has completed the proposed online action.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the proposed online action is viewing an online media content.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the proposed online action is writing an online review.

24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the proposed online action is viewing an online advertisement.

25. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the proposed online action is a proposed transaction between the user and a merchant.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the processors are further operable when executing the instructions to:

receive an indication of a conversion event corresponding to the proposed transaction between the user and the merchant.

27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the first message further identifies one or more attributes of the proposed transaction.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the incentive reward is based on the game state of one or more of the identified games and at least one of the one or more attributes of the proposed transaction.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein at least one attribute of the one or more attributes is a transaction amount.

30. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the processors are further operable when executing the instructions to:

select a game of the one or more identified games; and

wherein the incentive reward is generated in part based on one or more game state parameters associated with the selected game.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein to select the game comprises selecting the game of the one or more identified games based on an experience level of a player character in the game associated with the user.

32. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein to select the game comprises selecting the game of the one or more identified games based on a frequency of use of the game associated with the user.

33. A method comprising, on one or more computing devices:

receiving a first message identifying a user, the first message corresponding to a proposed online action;

identifying one or more computer-implemented games from a plurality of computer-implemented games associated with the user;

generating an incentive reward for the user based on a selected game associated with the user, wherein the incentive reward is an in-game benefit corresponding to at least one of the one or more identified games; and

transmitting a second message, wherein the second message includes a description of the incentive reward.