Facilitating user progression in a virtual space based on user purchases of virtual currency

• US 9,665,239 B1
• Filed: 07/19/2013
• Issued: 05/30/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Electronic Arts Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Aftershock Services, Inc. (The Walt Disney Company)
• Inventors: Curtis, Matthew, Smalley, Kellen Christopher, Koh, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaffin, Jeffrey A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Brahmachari, Mandrita
• Application Number:
  US13/946,900
• Time in Patent Office: 1,411 Days
• Field of Search: 705 35, 715850
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 Details of game servers
• 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: G06F 3/04815 Interaction with a metaphor-based environment or interaction object displayed as three-dimensional, e.g. changing the user viewpoint with respect to the environment or object
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/381 Currency conversion

Abstract

A system and method for facilitating user progression in a virtual space based user purchases of virtual currency are disclosed. The facilitated user progression may include user progression a virtual space ability or abilities based on purchases of the virtual currency with real world money. Such user progression in those abilities may be distinct and separate from user progressions in other virtual space abilities based on gameplays by the users.

Claims

1. A system configured to facilitate user progression in a virtual space based on user purchases of virtual currency, the system comprising:

one or more processors configured by machine-readable instructions to;

execute an instance of the virtual space in which an online game takes place, to implement the instance of the virtual space by receiving and executing commands in the instance of the virtual space to facilitate user participation in the online game, and to facilitate presentation of the virtual space on client computing platforms;

manage user accounts associated with individual users, the user accounts indicating, for individual users, a level in a first ability and a level in a second ability, the user accounts including a first user account associated with a first user that indicates a level of the first user in the first ability and a level of the first user in the second ability;

facilitate transactions by users in which the users purchase virtual currency with real money value;

present offers of virtual items for sale to the users in exchange for virtual currency purchased by the users, the offers being presented to the users through store interfaces implemented on client computing platforms associated with the users;

increment levels of the users in the first ability based on gameplay by the users, wherein the first ability and the gameplay by the users are separate from both the transactions in which users purchase virtual currency and the offers of virtual items for sale; and

responsive to purchases of virtual currency, increment levels of the users in the second ability and provide the virtual currency purchased to the users based on the purchases of the virtual currency, without requiring separate benefit purchases, such that responsive to the first user purchasing a first amount of virtual currency, the first user receives the first amount of virtual currency and the level of the first user in the second ability is incremented, wherein the second ability is separate from both the transactions in which users purchase virtual currency and the offers of virtual items for sale.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured by machine-readable instructions such that the second ability and the first ability of the first user includes one or more of a skill, a virtual magical power, a damage inflicting ability, a damage resisting ability, a virtual technology, or a level for a building or other infrastructure.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first and second abilities are separate and distinct within the virtual space.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured by machine-readable instructions such that the facilitated transactions include a first transaction in which the first user purchases the first amount of virtual currency with real world money.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the one or more processors are further configured by machine-readable instructions such that the facilitated transactions include a second transaction in which the first user purchases a second amount of virtual currency.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are configured by machine-readable instructions such that the offers of virtual items presented to the users in exchange for virtual currency purchased by the users provide benefits to the users in the online game.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the benefits in the online game include virtual objects, virtual resources, virtual buildings, virtual troops, virtual services and/or play sessions.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured by machine-readable instructions such that the gameplay by the users that is a basis on which the levels of the users in the first ability are incremented, include performance of tasks, accumulation of points, success in activities, completion of quests and/or completion of objectives in the virtual space by the users.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured by machine-readable instructions such that:

the user accounts including a second user account associated with a second user that indicates a level of the second user in the first ability and a level of the second user in the second ability; and

responsive to the second user purchasing a second amount of virtual currency, the second user receives the second amount of virtual currency and the level of the second user in the second ability is incremented.

10. A method for facilitating user progression in a virtual space based on user purchases of virtual currency, the method being implemented in one or more physical processors configured by machine-readable instructions, the method comprising:

executing an instance of the virtual space in which an online game takes place, implementing the instance of the virtual space by receiving and executing commands in the instance of the virtual space to facilitate user participation in the online game, and facilitating presentation of the virtual space on client computing platforms;

managing user accounts associated with individual users, the user accounts indicating, for individual users, a level in a first ability and a level in a second ability, the user accounts including a first user account associated with a first user that indicates a level of the first user in the first ability and a level of the first user in the second ability;

presenting offers of virtual items for sale to the users in exchange for virtual currency purchased by the users, the offers being presented to the users through store interfaces implemented on client computing platforms associated with the users;

facilitating transactions by users in which the users purchase virtual currency with real money value;

incrementing levels of the users in the first ability based on gameplay by the users, wherein the first ability and the gameplay by the users are separate from both the transactions in which users purchase virtual currency and the offers of virtual items for sale; and

responsive to purchases of virtual currency, incrementing levels of the users in the second ability and providing the virtual currency purchased to the users based on the purchases of the virtual currency, without requiring separate benefit purchases, such that responsive to the first user purchasing a first amount of virtual currency, providing the first amount of virtual currency to the first user and incrementing the level of the first user in the second ability, wherein the second ability is separate from both the transactions in which users purchase virtual currency and the offers of virtual items for sale.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the second ability and the first ability of the first user includes one or more of a skill, a virtual magical power, a damage inflicting ability, a damage resisting ability, a virtual technology, or a level for a building or other infrastructure.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first and second abilities are separate and distinct within the virtual space.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the facilitated transactions include a first transaction in which the first user purchases the first amount of virtual currency with real world money.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the facilitated transactions include a second transaction in which the first user purchases a second amount of virtual currency.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the offers of virtual items presented to the users in exchange for virtual currency purchased by the users provide benefits to the users in the online game.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the benefits in the online game include virtual objects, virtual resources, virtual items, virtual buildings, virtual troops, virtual services, and/or play sessions.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the gameplay by the users that is a basis on which the levels of the users in the first ability are incremented, include performance of tasks, accumulation of points, success in activities, completion of quests and/or completion of objectives in the virtual space by the users.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the user accounts including a second user account associated with a second user that indicates a level of the second user in the first ability and a level of the second user in the second ability;

and

responsive to the second user purchasing a second amount of virtual currency, providing the second user the second amount of virtual currency and incrementing the level of the second user in the second ability.