Securing contracts in a virtual world
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method performed by a computer, the method comprising:
- providing, by a Video Game Central Server, a virtual environment in which virtual entities are able to interact with each other;
receiving, by the Video Game Central Server, a request from a first entity to enter into a virtual contract with a second entity;
determining, by the Video Game Central Server, a contract value for the contract;
determining, by the Video Game Central Server, if the first entity is eligible to enter into the virtual contract by determining if the first entity has sufficient collateral to secure the contract;
determining, by the Video Game Central Server, if the first entity is required to secure the virtual contract;
receiving, by the Video Game Central Server, a financial security from the first entity if the first entity is required to secure the virtual contract;
forming, by the Video Game Central Server, the virtual contract; and
storing, by the Video Game Central Server, terms associated with the virtual contract;
wherein determining if the first entity has sufficient collateral to secure the virtual contract comprises;
determining the contract value in real world funds andreceiving information related to a real world financial account andpinging the account to determine if the account has sufficient funds to cover the initial contract value.
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Abstract
The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems for enforcing contracts within video game environments. Methods and systems of the invention include virtual and real world penalties and remedies for entities that breach contracts or other obligations undertaken in the virtual world.
126 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method performed by a computer, the method comprising:
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providing, by a Video Game Central Server, a virtual environment in which virtual entities are able to interact with each other; receiving, by the Video Game Central Server, a request from a first entity to enter into a virtual contract with a second entity; determining, by the Video Game Central Server, a contract value for the contract; determining, by the Video Game Central Server, if the first entity is eligible to enter into the virtual contract by determining if the first entity has sufficient collateral to secure the contract; determining, by the Video Game Central Server, if the first entity is required to secure the virtual contract; receiving, by the Video Game Central Server, a financial security from the first entity if the first entity is required to secure the virtual contract; forming, by the Video Game Central Server, the virtual contract; and storing, by the Video Game Central Server, terms associated with the virtual contract; wherein determining if the first entity has sufficient collateral to secure the virtual contract comprises; determining the contract value in real world funds and receiving information related to a real world financial account and pinging the account to determine if the account has sufficient funds to cover the initial contract value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus comprising:
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a processor; and a computer readable medium in communication with the processor; in which the computer readable medium stores instructions which, when executed by the processor, direct the processor to provide a virtual environment in which virtual entities are able to interact with each other; receive a request from a first entity to enter into a virtual contract with a second entity; determine a contract value for the contract; determine if the first entity is eligible to enter into the virtual contract by determining if the first entity has sufficient collateral to secure the contract; determine if the first entity is required to secure the virtual contract; receive a financial security from the first entity if the first entity is required to secure the virtual contract; form the virtual contract; and store terms associated with the virtual contract; wherein determining if the first entity has sufficient collateral to secure the virtual contract comprises; determine the contract value in real world funds and receive information related to a real world financial account and ping the account to determine if the account has sufficient funds to cover the initial contract value.
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Specification