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US 7,677,973 B2Granted
Securing virtual contracts with credit
AssigneeLeviathan Entertainment, LLC
InventorAndrew Stephen Van Luchene
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems. The disclosure includes methods and systems for allowing game players to secure in-game contracts using credit systems such as credit cards or other financial instruments. The disclosure further provides methods and systems for providing virtual and/or real world financial penalties to game players and/or player characters who default on in-game agreements.
Claims4
A method performed by a computer, the method comprising:
- providing, by a Video Game Central Server, a virtual environment that is accessible to one or more players;
- receiving, by the Video Game Central Server, credit card information from a player;
- receiving, by the Video Game Central Server, a request to enter into a virtual contract from the player;
- wherein the virtual contract includes a condition that requires the player to engage in an action other than accessing the virtual environment;
- guaranteeing, by the Video Game Central Server, the player's performance of the condition identified in the virtual contract with the financial instrument;
- penalizing, by the Video Game Central Server, the player if the condition is not met, by imposing a financial obligation on the credit card,
- where the condition is paying a periodic insurance premium for a virtual item;
- and
- maintaining, by the Video Game Central Server, the player's credit history by maintaining records of the player's contract obligations and rate of success in fulfilling the obligations.
6 more elements
A method performed by a computer, the method comprising:
- providing, by a Video Game Central Server, a virtual environment that is accessible to one or more players;
- receiving, by the Video Game Central Server, credit card information from a player;
- receiving, by the Video Game Central Server, a request to enter into a virtual contract from the player;
- wherein the virtual contract includes a condition that requires the player to engage in an action other than accessing the virtual environment;
- guaranteeing, by the Video Game Central Server, the player's performance of the condition identified in the virtual contract with the financial instrument;
- penalizing, by the Video Game Central Server, the player if the condition is not met, by imposing a financial obligation on the credit card,
- where the condition is resolving a settlement action imposed by a virtual adjudication system;
- and
- maintaining the player's credit history by maintaining records of the player's contract obligations and rate of success in fulfilling the obligations.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.