Embedding of games into third party websites

• US 8,353,760 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2011
• Issued: 01/15/2013
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Thai, Xuan
• Assistant Examiner(s): GRANT, MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER
• Application Number:
  US13/244,919
• Publication Number:
  US 20120015747A1
• Time in Patent Office: 477 Days
• Field of Search: 463/31, 463/42, 463/25, 463/40
• US Class Current: 463/25
• 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:

providing, by a game provider system of a game provider, an interface to an operator of a website that is distinct from the game provider;

receiving, from the operator, a selection of a game to be embedded into the website of the operator;

providing the game for embedding into the website of the operator;

calculating, using a processor of a machine, compensation for the operator of the website based on a monetization event associated with the game, the monetization event including an event caused by an action performed by a user during a game session that is accessed via a different website from that of the website of the operator through which the user initially registered for the game; and

allocating the compensation to the operator of the website.

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

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

associating, at the game provider system, the user of the game with the website through which the user initially registered for the game; and

tracking the 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.

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

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the action performed by the user is a click-through via the advertisement provided within the game.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein monetization event comprises registering the user for the game by the operator.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the compensation increases in proportion to a number of new users the operator registers through the website.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing the interface comprises providing the operator with an ability to choose a type and style of the game.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing of the interface comprises providing a list of games from which the operator selects the game that is embedded into the website.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing of the game comprises providing a code or link that runs the game.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising allowing the operator to sell advertising space in the game.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the advertising space is sold through an agency of the game provider system.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising allowing an advertisement to he embedded into the game, the advertisement being associated with the monetization event.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the advertisement comprises a hyperlink element operative to cause a navigation to an external web site.

15. The method of claim 13, 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 operator of the website.

16. 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:

providing, by a game provider system of a game provider, an interface to an operator of a website that is distinct from the game provider;

receiving, from the operator, a selection of a game to be embedded into the website of the operator;

providing the game for embedding into the website of the operator;

calculating compensation for the operator of the website based on a monetization event associated with the game, the monetization event including an event caused by an action performed by a user during a game session that is accessed via a different website from that of the website of the operator through which the user initially registered for the game; and

allocating the compensation to the operator of the website.

17. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 16, wherein the operations further comprise:

associating, at the game provider system, the user of the game with the website through which the user initially registered for the game; and

tracking the 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.

18. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 16, wherein the monetization event comprises registering the user for the game by the operator.

19. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 16, wherein the operations further comprise allowing an advertisement to be embedded into the game, the advertisement being associated with the monetization event.

20. A system comprising:

at least one processor of a machine; and

a game provider system of a game provider configured to;

provide an interface to an operator of a website that is distinct from the game provider;

receive, from the operator, a selection of a game to be embedded into the website of the operator;

provide the game tier embedding into the website of the operator;

calculate compensation for the operator of the website based on a monetization event associated with the game, the monetization event including an event caused by an action performed by a user during a game session that is accessed via a different website from that of the website of the operator through which the user initially registered for the game; and

allocate the compensation to the operator of the website.