# US 2014/0194197 A1 · Game asset linked to operations performed outside the game

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- Number: US 2014/0194197 A1
- Document ID: US20140194197A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/736,889
- Filed: 2013-01-08
- Published: 2014-07-10
- Earliest claimed: 2013-01-08
- Assignees: Zynga Inc.
- Inventors: Mateo Graziosi; Rishi Sachdeva; Fabio Santini
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140194197A1

## CPC

- G06Q 30/0209: {Incentive being awarded or redeemed in connection with the playing of a video game}
- A63F 13/61: using advertising information
- A63F 13/69: by enabling or updating specific game elements, e.g. unlocking hidden features, items, levels or versions
- A63F 13/792: for payment purposes, e.g. monthly subscriptions
- A63F 13/822: Strategy games; Role-playing games (A63F13/825, A63F13/828 take precedence)
- G06Q 30/00: Commerce
- G06Q 30/02: Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
- G06Q 30/0217: involving input on products or services in exchange for incentives or rewards
- G06Q 30/0277: {Online advertisement}
- G06Q 30/0613: {using intermediate agents}
- A63F 2300/407: Data transfer via internet
- A63F 2300/554: by saving game or status data
- A63F 2300/556: Player lists, e.g. online players, buddy list, black list
- A63F 2300/57: details of game services offered to the player
- A63F 2300/65: for computing the condition of a game character
- A63F 2300/8094: Unusual game types, e.g. virtual cooking
- G06Q 30/0207: Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
- G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F: CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for executing game operations. One method includes an operation for receiving a request from a player to acquire a first game asset to be utilized in the game, the first game asset being associated with a token usable in the real world outside the game. After assigning the first game asset to the player in the game, the player is rewarded in the game with a second asset in response to the request. Further, the method includes an operation for detecting a commercial operation executed outside the game by the player with the token, and the player is rewarded in the game with a third asset in response to the detecting.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for executing game operations, the method comprising:
receiving a request from a player to acquire a first game asset to be utilized in the game, the first game asset being associated with a token usable in a real world outside the game;
assigning the first game asset to the player in the game and rewarding the player in the game with a second asset in response to the request;
detecting a commercial operation executed outside the game by the player with the token; and
rewarding the player in the game with a third asset in response to the detecting, wherein operations of the method are executed by a processor.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method as recited in claim 1, further including:
presenting growth stages associated with the first game asset after assigning the first game asset, wherein the growth stages include placing the first asset, signing up to the token, activating the token, and purchasing with the token; and
providing additional rewards to the player after reaching each of the growth stages.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method as recited in claim 2, wherein assigning the first game asset further includes:
placing a first icon associated with the first asset in a game board; and
sending a first electronic message to notify a commercial company that the player has assigned the first game asset.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method as recited in claim 3, further including:
placing new icons for the first asset in the game board after reaching each of the growth stages.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method as recited in claim 1, further including:
determining if the player meets prerequisites to obtain the first asset; and
notifying the player in the game that the player is eligible to obtain the first asset.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the prerequisites includes one or more of a minimum age, a minimum level achieved by the player in the game, or a geographic location of the player.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method as recited in claim 1, wherein detecting the commercial operation further includes:
receiving a second electronic message from a commercial company.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the commercial operation is selected from a group consisting of signing up for a prepaid card, activating the prepaid card, adding money to the prepaid card, or spending money with the prepaid card.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first asset is selected from a group consisting of a tree, a plant, a vehicle, a car, an airplane, a ship, a weapon, a gun, a rifle, a building, a castle, a decoration, a fountain, or an avatar, wherein the second asset is selected from a group consisting of a game currency, game energy, or a food item, wherein the third asset is selected from a group consisting of a game currency, game energy, or a food item.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method as recited in claim 1, further including:
providing a daily reward for a predetermined number of days after assigning the first game asset to the player in the game.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the token is selected from a group consisting of a prepaid card, a credit card, an automated teller machine (ATM) card, a store card, a membership card, or a gift card.

### Claim 12

A method for executing game operations, the method comprising:
receiving a request from a player to acquire a first game asset to be utilized in the game, the first game asset being associated with a token usable in a real world outside the game, wherein the first asset includes growth stages associated with a plurality of commercial operations executed in the real world with the token;
assigning the first game asset to the player in the game;
sending a first electronic message to notify a commercial company that the first game asset has been assigned to the player;
detecting a first commercial operation executed outside the game by the player with the token;
evolving the first asset from a first growth stage to a second stage in response to detecting the first commercial operation; and
rewarding the player in the game with a second asset in response to the evolving, wherein operations of the method are executed by a processor.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the growth stages include placing the first asset, signing up to the token, activating the token, and buying with the token.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The method as recited in claim 12, further including:
associating a different in-game icon for the first game asset for each of the growth stages.

### Claim 15 (depends on 12)

The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the token is selected from a group consisting of a prepaid card, a credit card, an automated teller machine (ATM) card, a store card, a membership card, or a gift card.

### Claim 16 (depends on 12)

The method as recited in claim 12, wherein assigning the first game asset further includes:
placing a first icon associated with the first asset in a game board; and
sending a second electronic message to notify a commercial company that the player has assigned the first game asset.

### Claim 17 (depends on 12)

The method as recited in claim 12, wherein operations of the method are performed by a computer program when executed by one or more processors, the computer program being embedded in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.

### Claim 18

A computer program embedded in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, when executed by one or more processors, for executing game operations, the computer program comprising:
program instructions for receiving a request from a player to acquire a first game asset to be utilized in the game, the first game asset being associated with a token usable in a real world outside the game;
program instructions for assigning the first game asset to the player in the game and rewarding the player in the game with a second asset in response to the request;
program instructions for detecting a commercial operation executed outside the game by the player with the token; and
program instructions for rewarding the player in the game with a third asset in response to the detecting.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The computer program as recited in claim 18, wherein the commercial operation is selected from a group consisting of performing a purchase, placing a bet, or withdrawing money from an ATM.

### Claim 20 (depends on 18)

The computer program as recited in claim 18, wherein the first asset is selected from a group consisting of a tree, a plant, a vehicle, a car, an airplane, a ship, a weapon, a gun, a rifle, a building, a castle, a decoration, a fountain, or an avatar.