WO2003050732A2 - Server and units - Google Patents
Server and units Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2003050732A2 WO2003050732A2 PCT/IB2002/005072 IB0205072W WO03050732A2 WO 2003050732 A2 WO2003050732 A2 WO 2003050732A2 IB 0205072 W IB0205072 W IB 0205072W WO 03050732 A2 WO03050732 A2 WO 03050732A2
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- user
- game
- server
- virtual
- units
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- 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
- G06Q30/00—Commerce
- G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions
Definitions
- WO 00/11625 discloses a method and device for an online games system that aims to enable users to obtain a statement for the amounts paid in by them while the game is ongoing.
- the method relies on the fact that each game is based on a point system.
- a sum of money made available by the user on the basis of a price table adapted to the individual games of the games system is converted into the game points, which are credited to a game account of the customer.
- the game account of the customer is constantly updated in line with the state of play for the entire duration of play, using a calculation module.
- the method is described as being especially suitable for online multiplayer games systems.
- the device asks for an upfront payment which is consumed in the course of the game, thereby terminating the game when the user runs out of credit.
- WO 01/48713 discloses a system and method for providing an automated gaming sen/ice to one or more players that can be implemented in a computer based environment allowing automated computation of wagers, payouts, and other gaming parameters.
- the automated gaming system can be implemented in an Internet or other network-type environment such that various players can access the automated gaming system from remote locations, thus enabling a virtual gaming environment.
- Player accounts can be established and players can be granted access to the system and their accounts.
- the accounts can be set up as debit-type accounts, whereby a player funds or replenishes his or her account in advance of wagering, using a credit card or other payment technique. In this way, real money is converted into virtual money or chips for use in, for example, a virtual casino.
- a method comprising linking a plurality of units with a central server, operating a virtual game on said server, and offering purchasing options to users of said units to purchase virtual non-monetary assets for use in said virtual game.
- a system comprising a central server, and a plurality of units linked to said server via a communication link, wherein a unit of said system includes purchasing means operable by a user to purchase virtual non-monetary assets for use by a user in a virtual game running on said server.
- the linking is carried out over a public network, preferably the Internet.
- the unit may be a digital television receiver or a personal computer.
- the purchasing means can be a computer program.
- Figure 1 is a schematic view of a system comprising a central server, and a plurality of units linked to the server via a communication link.
- the system comprises a central server 10 and a plurality of units (examples of which are shown at 12 and 14), the units being linked to the server 10 via a communication link 16.
- the link 16 is a public network, for example, the Internet.
- the unit 12 is a personal computer and the unit 14 is a digital television receiver, in the form of a set top box linked to a conventional analogue television receiver. Other units may be game consoles.
- the units are shown as having a wired connection to the server via the communication link 16, but equally the link could be wireless, via a cellular network for example.
- a virtual game is operated on the server 10, which may be, for example, a multi-user dungeon, as is well known in the art.
- the game comprises a virtual environment and users who are taking part in the game take on the role of characters in the game world who move around the virtual environment, interacting with other users, within the confines of the game model.
- the server based multiplayer game is provided free of charge for the user, and the user is represented in the game by a character.
- Each character has a number of properties (assets), for example, weapons, health, power, fitness, looks etc.
- Each user joins the game with a basic set of assets which allow for sensible gameplay. However, most parts of the game will be inaccessible or very difficult to survive with the basic outfit.
- Purchasing options are offered to users of the game. A fee (in real money) is charged for the acquisition by the user of new or enhanced assets. These additional (non-monetary) assets give the player a small advantage over other players in the game and allow for the accumulation of a higher score. Some assets will expire after a given time and there will be an additional fee to re-enable or recharge them. Expiry, in some instances, will be usage related.
- Each unit of the system is provide with purchasing means 18, operable by a user to purchase virtual non-monetary assets, for use by the user in the virtual game operating on the server 10.
- the purchasing means 18 can be a suitable user interface, or can comprise a computer program with suitable on screen menu selections. It can be used to store details of the user's financial status, for example, credit card details, and debit the user's account as purchases are made.
- the purchasing means 18 can be part of the game, for example, a virtual bazaar or trade port or similar, seamlessly integrated into the gameplay.
- the game also provides the possibility to test and evaluate new assets before purchase. Prices can also fluctuate according to a simulated stock market with bargains that can be advertised through the game.
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2002351073A AU2002351073A1 (en) | 2001-12-08 | 2002-11-29 | Server and units |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0129437.0 | 2001-12-08 | ||
GBGB0129437.0A GB0129437D0 (en) | 2001-12-08 | 2001-12-08 | Server and units |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2003050732A2 true WO2003050732A2 (en) | 2003-06-19 |
Family
ID=9927273
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/IB2002/005072 WO2003050732A2 (en) | 2001-12-08 | 2002-11-29 | Server and units |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6942575B2 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2002351073A1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB0129437D0 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2003050732A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (25)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8352400B2 (en) | 1991-12-23 | 2013-01-08 | Hoffberg Steven M | Adaptive pattern recognition based controller apparatus and method and human-factored interface therefore |
US8574074B2 (en) | 2005-09-30 | 2013-11-05 | Sony Computer Entertainment America Llc | Advertising impression determination |
US7895076B2 (en) | 1995-06-30 | 2011-02-22 | Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. | Advertisement insertion, profiling, impression, and feedback |
US7966078B2 (en) | 1999-02-01 | 2011-06-21 | Steven Hoffberg | Network media appliance system and method |
US8751310B2 (en) | 2005-09-30 | 2014-06-10 | Sony Computer Entertainment America Llc | Monitoring advertisement impressions |
KR100456601B1 (en) * | 2004-03-18 | 2004-11-10 | 엔에이치엔(주) | A registration system for game item sale and a method thereof |
US20060025208A1 (en) * | 2004-07-27 | 2006-02-02 | Kirt Ramsey | Sports wagering method and system |
US8763157B2 (en) | 2004-08-23 | 2014-06-24 | Sony Computer Entertainment America Llc | Statutory license restricted digital media playback on portable devices |
US20070025342A1 (en) * | 2005-07-14 | 2007-02-01 | Gemini Mobile Technology, Inc. | Protocol optimization for wireless networks |
US7640297B2 (en) * | 2005-07-14 | 2009-12-29 | Gemini Mobile Technologies, Inc. | Protocol optimization for wireless networks |
US8626584B2 (en) | 2005-09-30 | 2014-01-07 | Sony Computer Entertainment America Llc | Population of an advertisement reference list |
US20070118425A1 (en) | 2005-10-25 | 2007-05-24 | Podbridge, Inc. | User device agent for asynchronous advertising in time and space shifted media network |
US10657538B2 (en) | 2005-10-25 | 2020-05-19 | Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC | Resolution of advertising rules |
US8676900B2 (en) | 2005-10-25 | 2014-03-18 | Sony Computer Entertainment America Llc | Asynchronous advertising placement based on metadata |
US11004089B2 (en) | 2005-10-25 | 2021-05-11 | Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC | Associating media content files with advertisements |
EP2018728A4 (en) | 2006-05-05 | 2011-07-06 | Sony Comp Entertainment Us | Advertisement rotation |
US20080214308A1 (en) * | 2006-09-06 | 2008-09-04 | Martin Stephen Lyons | Gaming system including a player ranking function |
US8416247B2 (en) | 2007-10-09 | 2013-04-09 | Sony Computer Entertaiment America Inc. | Increasing the number of advertising impressions in an interactive environment |
US8696425B2 (en) | 2007-12-21 | 2014-04-15 | Jonathan Fine | System and method of social networking in a gaming environment |
US8769558B2 (en) | 2008-02-12 | 2014-07-01 | Sony Computer Entertainment America Llc | Discovery and analytics for episodic downloaded media |
US20100317443A1 (en) * | 2009-06-11 | 2010-12-16 | Comcast Cable Communications, Llc | Distributed Network Game System |
US8763090B2 (en) | 2009-08-11 | 2014-06-24 | Sony Computer Entertainment America Llc | Management of ancillary content delivery and presentation |
US10846779B2 (en) | 2016-11-23 | 2020-11-24 | Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC | Custom product categorization of digital media content |
US10860987B2 (en) | 2016-12-19 | 2020-12-08 | Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC | Personalized calendar for digital media content-related events |
US10931991B2 (en) | 2018-01-04 | 2021-02-23 | Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC | Methods and systems for selectively skipping through media content |
Family Cites Families (18)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6219045B1 (en) * | 1995-11-13 | 2001-04-17 | Worlds, Inc. | Scalable virtual world chat client-server system |
US6009458A (en) * | 1996-05-09 | 1999-12-28 | 3Do Company | Networked computer game system with persistent playing objects |
US6229533B1 (en) * | 1996-08-02 | 2001-05-08 | Fujitsu Limited | Ghost object for a virtual world |
US6476830B1 (en) * | 1996-08-02 | 2002-11-05 | Fujitsu Software Corporation | Virtual objects for building a community in a virtual world |
US6119229A (en) * | 1997-04-11 | 2000-09-12 | The Brodia Group | Virtual property system |
US5964660A (en) * | 1997-06-18 | 1999-10-12 | Vr-1, Inc. | Network multiplayer game |
US5971855A (en) * | 1997-09-30 | 1999-10-26 | Tiger Electronics, Ltd. | Apparatus and method of communicating between electronic games |
DE19840694A1 (en) | 1998-08-25 | 2000-03-02 | Deutsche Telekom Ag | Method and arrangement for an online gaming system |
JP2000218023A (en) * | 1999-01-29 | 2000-08-08 | Sankyo Kk | Game result value processing system |
US6273820B1 (en) * | 1999-02-04 | 2001-08-14 | Haste, Iii Thomas E. | Virtual player gaming method |
JP2001029655A (en) * | 1999-07-23 | 2001-02-06 | Square Co Ltd | Action selection support system, recording medium and game device |
US6415317B1 (en) * | 1999-10-01 | 2002-07-02 | Joshua Michael Yelon | Software system for reducing the appearance of latency in a multi-user environment |
US6508710B1 (en) | 1999-12-27 | 2003-01-21 | Virtgame Corp. | Gaming system with location verification |
JP2002056340A (en) * | 2000-08-09 | 2002-02-20 | Konami Co Ltd | Game item providing system, its method, and recording medium |
US20020082065A1 (en) * | 2000-12-26 | 2002-06-27 | Fogel David B. | Video game characters having evolving traits |
US7249139B2 (en) * | 2001-07-13 | 2007-07-24 | Accenture Global Services Gmbh | Secure virtual marketplace for virtual objects and services |
US6758746B1 (en) * | 2001-10-26 | 2004-07-06 | Thomas C. Hunter | Method for providing customized interactive entertainment over a communications network |
EP1536867A1 (en) * | 2002-08-20 | 2005-06-08 | Vivendi Universal Games, Inc. | Computer game with emotion-based character interraction |
-
2001
- 2001-12-08 GB GBGB0129437.0A patent/GB0129437D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2002
- 2002-11-29 AU AU2002351073A patent/AU2002351073A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2002-11-29 WO PCT/IB2002/005072 patent/WO2003050732A2/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2002-12-03 US US10/308,655 patent/US6942575B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US6942575B2 (en) | 2005-09-13 |
US20030109311A1 (en) | 2003-06-12 |
AU2002351073A1 (en) | 2003-06-23 |
GB0129437D0 (en) | 2002-01-30 |
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