SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF VIRTUAL GOODS TRADING USING RATINGS TO ASCRIBE VALUE TO VIRTUAL GOODS

• US 20120231891A1
• Filed: 01/18/2012
• Published: 09/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ImagineAR, Inc.
• Original Assignee: XMG Studio, Inc.
• Inventors: Chowdhary, Yousuf, Brunet, Jeffrey, Sharma, Ravinder ("Ray"), Watkins, Oliver (Lake) Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 8,579,710 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/43
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination

Abstract

A method is provided for trading virtual goods. A game environment is provided in which a first player can acquire or develop a virtual good. This virtual good has a starting value. At least one rating of the virtual good is received from a second player via the game environment. The starting value is automatically increased or decreased as a function of the at least one rating of the virtual good. The virtual good is then made available for purchase at the new value. A system for trading virtual goods is also provided.

Claims

1. A method of trading virtual goods, comprising:

providing a game environment in which a first player can acquire or develop a virtual good, the virtual good having a starting value;

receiving via the game environment at least one rating of the virtual good from a second player; and

storing the rating on a storage means in communication with the game environment;

automatically increasing or decreasing the starting value as a function of the at least one rating of the virtual good, and storing the new value on the storage means; and

making the virtual good available for purchase at the new value retrieved from the storage means.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the starting value is set by the first player.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the starting value is a default value.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a request from a requesting player to purchase the virtual good, and checking whether the requesting player previously rated the virtual good.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising only proceeding with a sale of the virtual good to the requesting player if the requesting player did not previously rate the virtual good.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising only proceeding with a sale of the virtual good to the requesting player if the requesting player did not previously rate the virtual good negatively.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving step further comprises compiling multiple ratings before automatically increasing or decreasing the starting value.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving step further comprises averaging multiple ratings before automatically increasing or decreasing the starting value.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein calculation of the new value includes factoring in the number of ratings.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein calculation of the new value includes factoring in the number of ratings as compared with the number of players, or the number of users or viewers of the virtual good.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein calculation of the new value includes factoring in the relative experience or trustworthiness of the second player.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving step comprises automatically assessing a rating of the virtual good based on use of the virtual good by the second player in gameplay.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving step comprises prompting the second player to rate the virtual good in the course of gameplay.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the starting value and the new value are expressed in a game currency.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the starting value and the new value are expressed in a real world currency.

16. A system for trading virtual goods in a game environment, comprising:

a game engine programmed for;

providing a game environment accessible by a plurality of players, including a facility by which a first player can acquire or develop a virtual good, the virtual good having a starting value;

receiving via the game environment at least one rating of the virtual good from a second player;

automatically increasing or decreasing the starting value as a function of the at least one rating of the virtual good; and

making the virtual good available for purchase at the new value; and

a storage means in communication with the game engine for;

storing the starting value, the at least one rating and the new value.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the game engine is provided by a central game server.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the game engine is a software program stored on or accessible to a game console.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the storage means is provided by one or a combination of:

a local fixed memory, a local removable memory, a remote fixed memory, a remote removable memory, and a virtual memory.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the storage means is co-located with the central game server.

21. The system of claim 16, wherein the game engine checks for new ratings at predetermined intervals.

22. The system of claim 16, wherein the game engine compiles new ratings and calculates the new value at predetermined intervals.

23. The system of claim 16, wherein new values are made available at predetermined intervals.

24. The system of claim 16, wherein the game engine receives new ratings substantially instantaneously.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the game engine automatically increases or decreases the value of the virtual good upon receipt of each new rating.