Game system

A game system comprising a data processing system and an identification element, the identification element comprising a memory for storing information relating to the game system;

• wherein the data processing system comprises a detection device defining a first detection area;
• wherein the data processing is configured to detect a presence of the identification element within the first detection area and to receive information stored in the memory of the identification element when the identification element is placed within the first detection area;
• wherein the first detection area is a read-only detection area;
• and
• wherein the detection device defines a second detection area, different from the first detection area, wherein the data processing system is configured to store data in the memory of the identification element when the identification element is placed within the second detection area.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon a computer program product comprising program code executed on the data processing system of the game system, wherein the program code is configured to cause the data processing system to:

• detect a presence of the identification element within a detection area
• create an association between a virtual object in a virtual environment and the detected identification element;
• access, when the identification element is again placed within a detection area, the information associated with the identification element;
• present a representation of the associated virtual object based on the accessed information;
• perform a play pattern procedure including controlling the representation of the virtual object;
• replace, responsive to a game event, the created association between the virtual object and the detected identification element with a second association between the identification element and a second virtual object;
• and
• present and control a representation of the second virtual object in the virtual environment upon detection of the detected identification element after the game event;
• wherein the game system further comprises:
• a detection device defining a first detection area and a second detection area, different from the first detection area;
• wherein the detection device is configured to access information associated with an identification element detected within the first detection area and to transmit information associated with an identification element to an identification element detected within the second detection area for storage of the transmitted information by the identification element;
• wherein the identification element comprises a memory for storing information relating to the game system;
• wherein the data processing is configured to detect a presence of the identification element within the first detection area and to receive information stored in the memory of the identification element when the identification element is placed within a first detection area;
• wherein the first detection area is a read-only detection area;
• and
• wherein the data processing system is configured to store data in the memory of the identification element when the identification element is placed within the second detection area.