Game-based incentives for location-based actions

• US 8,282,491 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2011
• Issued: 10/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zynga Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Zynga Incorporated
• Inventors: Ersever, Deniz, Kheskani, Hardik, Lam, Serena, Makarsky, Christopher Joseph, Mosites, Donald C., Mullin, Benjamin, Talapatra, Shantanu, Waldron, Justin, Wang, Jackson, Auterio, Kathleen
• Primary Examiner(s): Coburn, Corbett B
• Application Number:
  US13/244,924
• Publication Number:
  US 20120040763A1
• Time in Patent Office: 379 Days
• Field of Search: 463/42, 705/14.12
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/216 using geographical information, e.g. location of the game device or player using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/822 Strategy games; Role-playing games A63F13/825, A63F13/828 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5573 player location
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/575 for trading virtual items
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing game-based incentives to users of online games as a reward for performing actions at physical locations are provided.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

accessing a game state of one or more computer-implemented games associated with a user;

determining, using at least one processor of a machine, an incentive reward for the user based at least in part on the game state of the one or more computer-implemented games, the incentive reward being an in-game asset in the one or more computer-implemented games;

determining a location-based action for the user based at least in part on the game state of the one or more computer-implemented games, the location-based action being an action performable by the user at a physical location that is external to the one or more games; and

transmitting, to a device associated with the user, a message comprising a description of the location-based action, a description of the incentive reward, and an offer of the incentive reward for performing the location-based action at the physical location.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the game state comprises a character player state in the one or more computer-implemented games.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the game state comprises current in-game assets of a player character in the one or more computer-implemented games.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting a game of the one or more computer-implemented games, wherein the determining of the incentive reward and the determining of the location-based action is based on the selected game.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the selecting of the game comprises examining factors for each of the one or more computer-implemented games by comparing the factors.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the factors are at least one selection from the group consisting of frequency of play, duration of play, and play preferences for each of the one or more computer-implemented games.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the selecting of the game comprises considering social network information associated with the user for games that interface with a social network system, the social network information including a number of social network contacts of the user in the social network, system that play the games that interface with the social network system.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining of the incentive reward is based on a thematic relationship between the incentive reward and the one or more computer-implemented games.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining of the location-based action is based on a thematic relationship between the physical location and the one or more computer-implemented games.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining of the incentive reward comprises:

determining a plurality of incentive rewards; and

providing a requirement that the user select one incentive reward from the plurality of incentive rewards.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the incentive reward is applicable to a plurality of the computer-implemented games.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining of the incentive reward comprises providing the incentive reward for a game with little or no account activity by the user.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining of the incentive reward is based on goods or services available at the physical location.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining of the location-based action is based on goods or services available at the physical location.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining of the incentive reward is based on personal and demographic information associated with users of the physical location.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining of the location-based action is based on personal and demographic information associated with users of the physical location.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining of the incentive reward is based on a purchase history of users at the physical location.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining of the location-based action is based on a purchase history of users at the physical location.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining of the incentive reward is based on geographic attributes of the physical location.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining of the location-based action is based on geographic attributes of the physical location.

21. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring for an indication of a physical presence of the user relative to the physical location.

22. 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:

accessing a game state of one or more computer-implemented games associated with a user;

determining an incentive reward tier the user based at least in part on the game state of the one or more computer-implemented games, the incentive reward being an in-game asset in the one or more computer-implemented games;

determining a location-based action for the user based at least in part on the game state of the one or more computer-implemented games, the location-based action being an action performable by the user at a physical location external to the one or more games; and

transmitting, to a device associated with the user, a message comprising a description of the location-based action, a description of the incentive reward, and an offer of the incentive reward tier performing the location-based action at the physical location.

23. A system comprising:

at least one processor of a machine; and

a game networking system configured to;

access, using the at least one processor, a game state of one or more computer-implemented games associated with a user;

determine an incentive reward for the user based at least in part on the game state of the one or more computer-implemented games, the incentive reward being an in-game asset in the one or more computer-implemented games;

determine a location-based action for the user based at least in part on the game state of the one or more computer-implemented games, the location-based action being an action performable by the user at a physical location external to the one or more games; and

transmit, to a device associated with the user, a message comprising a description of the location-based action, a description of the incentive reward, and an offer of the incentive reward for performing the location-based action at the physical location.