Social Network Game System Using Contact Attributes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current games of chance on social networks lack mechanisms to effectively incorporate social contact data to enhance player engagement and award systems, relying on traditional game mechanics rather than leveraging social network interactions.
Innovation Solution
A game system that randomly selects social contacts based on shared profile attributes, using these attributes to determine game outcomes and provide awards, such as points or discounts, by integrating social network data into the game mechanics, including slots-based, card-based, or dice-based games.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional game mechanics are used without social network integration, then game simplicity is maintained, but player engagement and entertainment value are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the game mechanics with social network functionality by integrating social contact data directly into the game outcome determination process. The game system combines traditional random selection mechanisms with social graph analysis, where awards are determined by both game play and the player's social connections, creating a hybrid system that enhances engagement without requiring completely new game mechanics
Solution Approach 2:
The game system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides entertainment through game play, collects and analyzes social network data, identifies shared interests among contacts, and distributes targeted awards. This multi-functionality allows the same system to entertain players while gathering valuable social data and providing personalized rewards based on that data
2Adaptability or versatility
If social contact data is integrated into game mechanics, then personalized awards and player engagement increase, but data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-processing and storing social contact data, including identifying shared interests and relationships among contacts, before the game is played. This advance preparation allows the game to quickly retrieve and use pre-analyzed social data during play, reducing real-time processing complexity while maintaining high personalization capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer that acts as a buffer between the complex social network data and the simple game mechanics. This intermediary processes and structures social contact information into game-relevant formats, filtering and organizing data so that the core game logic remains simple while still utilizing rich social data for personalized award determination
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure includes a game of chance in which profile data for social contacts in a social networking system is used to determine whether a player wins or loses the game of chance. An indication that a first player desires to be included in a game provided on a social network system is stored. The game randomly selects a subset of a plurality of social contacts of a second player. In response to determining that the first player is included in the randomly selected subset of the plurality of social contacts, an award is provided to the first player.