VIRTUAL PLAYING CHIPS IN A MULTIUSER ONLINE GAME NETWORK

• US 20120015715A1
• Filed: 09/26/2011
• Published: 01/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zynga Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Zynga Incorporated
• Inventors: Luxton, Michael Arieh, Pincus, Mark Jonathan, Schiermeyer, Carl Eric, Schoettler, Stephen Henry, Ocko, Matthew Adam
• Granted Patent: US 8,439,747 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3272 Games involving multiple players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3281 wherein game attributes are transferred between players, e.g. points, weapons, avatars

Abstract

Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for executing game transactions in an online game to acquire virtual currency. One method includes an operation for detecting a request from a player to purchase virtual currency for use in the online game. Cash or credit is received, in an online transaction, to make the purchase of the virtual currency. The virtual currency of the online game is not redeemable for cash or credit so the virtual currency cannot be considered gambling proceeds. The method further includes an operation for crediting the player with an amount of virtual currency based on the amount of the received cash or credit.

Claims

1. A method for executing game transactions in an online game, the method comprising:

detecting a request from a player to purchase virtual currency for use in the online game;

identifying receipt of cash or credit in an online transaction to make the purchase of the virtual currency, wherein the virtual currency of the online game is not redeemable for cash or credit; and

crediting the player with an amount of virtual currency based on an amount of the identified receipt of cash or credit, wherein at least one operation of the method is executed through a processor.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein transfers of virtual currency in the online game are limited by a predetermined limit amount of virtual currency.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein a frequency of virtual currency transfers in the online game is limited by a predetermined maximum amount of transfers per time period.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, further including:

utilizing the virtual currency in the game to make a wager, wherein the amount of virtual currency is increased when the player wins the wager in the online game.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, further including:

utilizing the virtual currency to buy a first item in the game.

6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the first item bought in the online game is available to the player in the online game and available in another online game.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein a first amount of virtual currency is associated with a cash or credit purchase, wherein a second amount of virtual currency is obtained during play, wherein the first amount and the second amount of virtual currency are treated differently in the online game for making purchases.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the online game is embedded within a webpage of a social networking site.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein identifying receipt of cash or credit further includes:

providing a webpage for inputting personal and financial information to authorize the purchase of the virtual currency.

10. The method as recited in claim 1, further including:

transferring an amount of virtual currency in the online game from the player to another player, wherein the transferring is limited to players connected to the player in an online social network.

11. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein transferring the amount of virtual currency further includes:

accessing an application programming interface (API) of the online social network to verify a connection between the player and the another player.

12. A method for executing game transactions in an online game, the method comprising:

embedding a game board within a webpage of a social networking site, wherein the game board includes;

a first icon of a first player playing the online game;

one or more icons associated with for other players in the game;

an amount of virtual currency for the first player; and

a user interface element for purchasing virtual items utilizing the virtual currency; and

rewarding the first player with additional virtual currency after completing a task, quest, challenge, or mission within the online game, wherein at least one operation of the method is executed through a processor.

13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the user interface for purchasing includes an option for buying a virtual item for the first player.

14. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the user interface for purchasing includes an option for buying a virtual item for one or more of the other players.

15. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the other players are friends or otherwise connected to the first player within a context of an online social network.

16. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the game board further includes:

a virtual poker table;

a virtual poker dealer;

cards the first player is holding;

amount of currency held by each player;

size of a bet of each player; and

a size of a pot for a current hand of poker.

17. A method for executing game transactions in an online game, the method comprising:

embedding, within a webpage of a social networking site, a game board for purchasing virtual items, wherein the game board includes a plurality of virtual items, each virtual item having an associated amount of virtual currency for a purchase;

receiving an input from a first player to purchase a first item from the plurality of virtual items, the input including a selection of whether to purchase the first item for the first player playing the game or purchase the first item for a second player socially linked to the first player in the online game;

debiting an account of the first player with the amount of virtual currency associated with the first item; and

delivering the first item to the first player or to the second player, wherein at least one operation of the method is executed through a processor.

18. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the first item stays associated with the first player in perpetuity.

19. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the first item stays associated with the first player for a limited duration.

20. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the first item is associated with the first player across a plurality of games.