Asset transfers between interactive social games

• US 8,758,119 B1
• Filed: 10/20/2011
• Issued: 06/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zynga Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Zynga Incorporated
• Inventors: Bronstein Bendayan, Manuel Uris
• Primary Examiner(s): Suhol, Dmitry
• Assistant Examiner(s): YEN, JASON TAHAI
• Application Number:
  US13/277,864
• Time in Patent Office: 978 Days
• Field of Search: 463/9, 463/25, 463/30, 463 42- 43, 705/12, 705/14.1, 705/27.2, 705/75, 705/319, 705/410
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/46 Computing the game score
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/47 involving branching, e.g. choosing one of several possible scenarios at a given point in time
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/537 using indicators, e.g. showing the condition of a game character on screen
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/79 involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/131 Protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/21 for social networking applications

Abstract

A method and system to transfer assets between interactive social games is described. In some embodiments, the method generates a visual expression of a transfer mechanism in a first computer-implemented game. The method further generates the visual expression of the transfer mechanism in a second computer-implemented game. The transfer mechanism is capable of transferring an in-game asset from the first computer-implemented game to the second computer-implemented game. The method transfers the in-game asset from the first computer-implemented game to the second computer-implemented game using the transfer mechanism.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

generating a visual expression of a transfer mechanism in a first computer-implemented game; and

responsive to a first user initiating an in-game asset request through the transfer mechanism in the first computer-implemented game, causing a second computer-implemented game to generate the visual expression of the transfer mechanism in the second computer-implemented game, the second computer-implemented game being different than the first computer-implemented game, the in-game asset request requesting an in game asset from a second user playing the second computer-implemented game.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein transferring the in-game asset is initiated in response to receiving a transfer request from a second user playing the second computer-implemented game.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein transferring the in-game asset includes adding the in-game asset to an inventory associated with the second user playing the second computer-implemented game.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the visual expression of the transfer mechanism is a vehicle that transfers the in-game asset from the first computer-implemented game to the second computer-implemented game.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the visual expression of the transfer mechanism is a building that receives the in-game asset in the first computer-implemented game and delivers the in-game asset in the second computer-implemented game.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the visual expression of the transfer mechanism is a delivery container that receives the in-game asset in the first computer-implemented game and delivers the in-game asset in the second computer-implemented game.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the visual expression of the transfer mechanism is a portal that transfers the in-game asset from the first computer-implemented game to the second computer-implemented game.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the in-game asset has value in both the first computer-implemented game and the second computer-implemented game.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the in-game asset has value in the second computer-implemented game and has no value in the first computer-implemented game.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the in-game asset has a greater value in the second computer-implemented game than in the first computer-implemented game.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the second computer-implemented game is played by a second user, the first and second users being first order friends in a social network.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the first computer-implemented game and the second computer-implemented game are interactive social games.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the in-game asset is an in-game item having utility in the second computer-implemented game.

14. A method comprising:

receiving an in-game asset request from a first computer-implemented game being played by a first user, the in-game asset having value in the first computer-implemented game, the in-game asset request requesting an in game asset from a second user playing a second computer-implemented game;

communicating, using one or more processors, the in-game asset request to the second computer-implemented game as a visual expression of a transfer mechanism responsive to receiving the request for the in-game asset, the second computer-implemented game being different than the first computer-implemented game; and

receiving the requested in-game asset from the second computer-implemented game, the in-game asset being made available to the first user of the first computer-implemented game.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the in-game asset is an in-game item having utility in the first computer-implemented game.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the in-game asset is an in-game item placed into an in-game environment of the first computer-implemented game.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the first and second computer-implemented games are interactive social games.

18. A game system comprising:

an interface to communicate with players of a game;

a memory to store data associated with the game; and

one or more processors coupled to the interface and the memory, the one or more processors configured to;

receive an in-game asset request from a first computer-implemented game being played by a first user, the in-game asset having value in the first computer-implemented game, the in-game asset request requesting an in game asset from a second user playing a second computer-implemented game;

communicating, using one or more processors, the in-game asset request to the second computer-implemented game as a visual expression of a transfer mechanism responsive to receiving the request for the in-game asset;

identify the requested in-game asset in the first second computer-implemented game, the second computer-implemented game being different than the first computer-implemented game; and

communicate the requested in-game asset to the first computer-implemented game, the in-game asset being made available for use by the user of the first computer-implemented game.

19. The game system of claim 18, wherein the requested in-game asset is an in-game item having utility in the first computer-implemented game.