EMBEDDING OF GAMES INTO THIRD PARTY WEBSITES

• US 20120015724A1
• Filed: 09/26/2011
• Published: 01/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zynga Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Zynga Incorporated
• Inventors: Ocko, Matthew Adam, Pincus, Mark Jonathan, Singh, Harsimran, Trampedach, Tim Terence
• Granted Patent: US 8,257,174 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/31
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/533 for prompting the player, e.g. by displaying a game menu
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/61 using advertising information
• 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 13/792 for payment purposes, e.g. monthly subscriptions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/407 Data transfer via internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5506 using advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5513 involving billing
• 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

Systems and methods for embedding and tracking revenue from fully operational games into third party websites are disclosed.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

associating, at a game provider system, a user of a game with a website that has embedded an instance of the game into a web page transmitted to the user and through which the user initially entered the game;

tracking, using a processor of the game provider system, a monetization event during a game session after the user initially entered the game, the monetization event being associated with an action performed by the user via an advertisement provided within the game;

calculating compensation for an entity associated with the website based on the monetization event; and

allocating the compensation to the entity associated with the website.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the game is a persistent game.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the action performed by the user comprises a purchase of an item.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the item is an in-game feature for the game.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the in-game feature comprises a selection from the group consisting of a virtual object, a game level, a game status, a game access privilege, a game function, and a game tool.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the action performed by the user is a click-through via the advertisement provided within the game.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the compensation is based on a purchase of a good or service as a result of the click-through.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising presenting the advertisement within the game.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the advertisement comprises one of a branding element.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the advertisement comprises a hyperlink element operative to cause a navigation to an external web site.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving revenue from an external site providing the advertisement, the allocating of the compensation comprising allocating a portion of the received revenue to the entity associated with the website.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether the game is locked;

based on the game being locked, limiting the user to accessing the game through the website; and

based on the game being unlocked, allowing the user to access the game through any other website providing the game.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising registering the user at the game operator system in connection with the website.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising analyzing effectiveness of the game by computing a click-through rate and purchase for various combinations of content including advertisement embedded in the game.

15. A non-transitory machine readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by at least one processor of a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising:

associating, at a game provider system, a user of a game with a website that has embedded an instance of the game into a web page transmitted to the user and through which the user initially entered the game;

tracking a monetization event during a game session after the user initially entered the game, the monetization event being associated with an action performed by the user via an advertisement provided within the game;

calculating compensation for an entity associated with the website based on the monetization event; and

allocating the compensation to the entity associated with the website.

16. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 15, wherein the advertisement comprises a hyperlink element operative to cause a navigation to an external web site.

17. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise receiving revenue from an external site providing the advertisement, the allocating the compensation comprising allocating a portion of the received revenue to the entity associated with the website.

18. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise:

determining whether the game is locked;

based on the game being locked, limiting the user to accessing the game through the website; and

based on the game being unlocked, allowing the user to access the game through any other website providing the game.

19. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise analyzing effectiveness of the game by computing a click-through rate and purchase for various combinations of content including advertisement embedded in the game.

20. A system comprising:

at least one processor of a machine; and

a game provider system configured to;

associate a user of a game with a website that has embedded an instance of the game into a web page transmitted to the user and through which the user initially entered the game;

track a monetization event during a game session after the user initially entered the game, the monetization event being associated with an action performed by the user via an advertisement provided within the game;

calculate compensation for an entity associated with the website based on the monetization event; and

allocate the compensation to the entity associated with the website.