Location-Based Virtual Item Provisioning System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current online games lack an effective mechanism to incentivize players to perform location-based actions outside the game environment, such as visiting physical locations, which can enhance gameplay experience and engagement.

Innovation Solution

A system that provides virtual items or in-game assets to players based on their performance of location-based actions, utilizing a network of user accounts, game engines, and location attributes to offer incentives for actions like visiting specific locations or completing tasks, thereby integrating real-world activities into the game.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If players are given in-game rewards for location-based actions, then player engagement and motivation are improved, but the system complexity increases due to integration of location tracking and verification mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplayer engagementVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an intermediary system that acts as a bridge between the physical location tracking and the virtual game environment. This intermediary layer handles the complex tasks of location verification, action validation, and reward distribution, thereby isolating the game engine from direct location-based operations and managing system complexity while maintaining player engagement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system integrates multiple functions into a unified platform that combines location tracking, action verification, reward management, and game interaction. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems, managing overall complexity while enabling comprehensive player engagement through location-based actions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the system integrates real-world location tracking with in-game rewards, then the gaming experience is enhanced, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring player actions increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegaming experienceVSAvoidaction verification
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where location data from multiple sources is continuously monitored and verified. The intermediary system receives location information, cross-validates it against predefined criteria, and provides feedback on whether actions meet reward thresholds. This multi-layered feedback approach enhances gaming experience while managing verification complexity through systematic validation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-defining location zones, action criteria, and verification rules before players attempt actions. This preparatory configuration allows the system to automatically validate player actions against predetermined parameters, enhancing gaming experience while simplifying the detection and measurement process through pre-established validation frameworks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12115446B2Providing virtual items based on location-based actions
Publication Date: 2024.10.15 ZYNGA INC
  • US12115446B2 patent drawing
  • US12115446B2 patent drawing
  • US12115446B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method of providing virtual items based on location-based action is disclosed. An indication is received of a performance of a location-based action by a player of a computer-implemented game. A virtual item is provided based on the receiving of the indication of the performance of the location-based action by the player of the computer-implemented game. The virtual item may be usable within the computer-implemented game.