Dynamic Pricing for Game Protection Extensions
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Solution Overview
Problem
In online games, the expiration of initial protection periods can lead to detrimental attacks on players who are not prepared, potentially discouraging them from continuing gameplay.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic pricing system for protection extensions based on a player's in-game power and strength, where stronger players pay more and weaker players pay less, allowing for personalized pricing and promoting player engagement by enabling them to build up their strength without immediate risk of attack.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed price is charged for protection extension, then the system is simple to implement, but it fails to account for differences in player strength and may discourage weaker players from continuing gameplay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic pricing for protection extensions by adjusting the price based on the player's current strength relative to their strength when protection began. The price is calculated as a percentage of the player's current resources (gold, gems, etc.) compared to their starting resources, creating a flexible pricing model that adapts to each player's progression and prevents pricing from being too burdensome for weaker players while generating appropriate revenue from stronger players.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pricing parameter from a fixed value to a variable value that depends on multiple factors including the player's strength level, the duration of protection needed, and the player's resource accumulation rate. By introducing these variable parameters, the system achieves adaptability without requiring complex infrastructure, as the pricing algorithm simply calculates based on readily available player data.
2Productivity
If protection extension is made available to all players, then player engagement is promoted, but stronger players may exploit the system by repeatedly extending protection to avoid competition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by limiting the scope of protection extension to specific scenarios rather than providing unlimited protection. The protection can be extended for specific durations (e.g., 1 hour, 6 hours, 24 hours) and the pricing increases with each extension, encouraging players to eventually engage in normal gameplay. This partial protection approach maintains engagement while preventing complete exploitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the pricing for protection extension is dynamically adjusted based on the player's strength changes. As players become stronger through gameplay, the protection extension price increases as a percentage of their accumulated resources, providing feedback that encourages continued engagement while maintaining game balance. This feedback loop ensures that protection remains affordable for developing players but becomes progressively more expensive for dominant players.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If protection time is extended for free, then player retention improves, but the system loses potential revenue and cannot sustain protection services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the protection duration from a fixed free period to a flexible parameter that can be extended through paid extensions. The extension price is calculated based on the player's current strength and resource accumulation, creating a scalable revenue model. Weaker players pay less and extend protection longer, while stronger players pay more but have shorter extension periods, optimizing both retention and revenue.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic pricing for protection extensions where the cost is adjusted based on the player's progression and resource accumulation. Rather than charging a flat fee, the system calculates the extension cost as a percentage of the player's current resources compared to their starting resources, creating a dynamic pricing model that scales with player success and ensures sustainable revenue while maintaining accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
One aspect of the disclosure relates to determining prices for a protection extension in an online game. The protection extension may be implemented, for example, after a user's beginning protection and/or any other in-game protection period has ceased. The protection extension may be dynamically priced for individual users. The protection extension may be priced, for example, based on the user's power and/or strength in a game, and/or based on other factors. For example, the stronger the user is in the game, the more expensive the extension of protection, and the weaker the user is in the game, the cheaper the extension of protection. This may provide an opportunity for a less experienced player to build up their strength in a game, thus promoting further player engagement. Individualizing the price of protection extensions may provide other enhancements.