Character development and exchange

Abstract

There is provided a character development and exchange system for a virtual environment and related method. A character, such as an animal, human or human-like figure, doll, or other animated or cartoon-like object can be purchased by a user and then registered on a communication network via a unique code. Once registered, a set of attributes can be assigned to the character based on the type and class of the character. Attribute values can be assigned to the attributes by default or by user preferences. The characters can be manipulated within the virtual environment. In particular, the characters can be trained in order to improve their skills and to increase their overall value and worth in the virtual environment. As desired, the characters can be securely traded among users, whereby a traded character is given a new code to transfer all control of the character to the new owner.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 915,499, entitled CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND EXCHANGE and filed on May 2, 2007, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This application relates generally to computer-based character development. More specifically, this application relates to a character development and exchange system that facilitates the improvement of character traits and skills and increasing their value as a result of such improvements within a virtual environment.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The Internet has become a common resource for entertainment seekers. Through various entertainment websites, virtual communities have been established that allow users to create a virtual or online reality for themselves. Computer games have also crossed over into the online world, allowing users to play against or along with each other from the comfort...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]The subject application relates to a system(s) and/or methodology that facilitate character development and exchange. In particular, there is provided a character development and exchange method comprising registering a character for a user with a communication network by receiving a code associated with the character via the communication network; following registration of the character, assigning a set of attributes to the character based on at least one of a type and a class of the character; displaying the character on a screen in a virtual environment in a manner based at least in part upon the set of attributes, the class, and the type of the character; training the character in response to activity by the user in order to increase a value of the character in the virtual environment; when the character is listed as available for transfer to another user, blocking access to the character at least temporarily during a listing period in order to prevent modification of the character during the listing period; and when the character is transferred to the another user, associating a new code to the character, unblocking access to the character for the another user, and disassociating the code from the character to prevent a previous user from controlling the character.

[0006]According to another aspect, there is provided a character development and exchange method comprising registering a character with a communication network via receiving a code that is unique to the character in order to provide access to interact with and control of the character in a virtual environment; upon registration of the character, assigning at least one attribute to the character based on at least one of a type and class of the character; allocating an attribute value to the at least one attribute at least in part by inferring an optimum attribute value based on the user's historical character data; training the character on at least one additional attribute, wherein the at least one additional attribute is suitable for the character according to at the least one of the type and the class of the character; storing the character, the at least one attribute, the at least one additional attribute, and corresponding attribute values on the communication network; displaying the character in the virtual environment on a display screen; determining

Problems solved by technology

When it comes to most online entertainment activities including gaming and virtual communities, a disconnection unfortunately exists between objects in the real world and objects in the online world.

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