Time-Bound Conditional Access to Rare Virtual Gaming Items
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing video games do not effectively manage the conditional accessibility of in-game virtual items, leading to unused items lying dormant in players' inventories, which could enhance gameplay experiences for others if shared under predefined conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for generating data structures that conditionally associate virtual gaming items with predefined conditions, allowing temporary access to these items among players based on attributes and time periods, while tracking ownership and managing data structures to enforce access rules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If virtual gaming items are permanently tied to a player's gaming account, then the player has full access and control over the items, but the items remain unused and inaccessible to other players who could benefit from them
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic access rights for virtual items, allowing the owner to specify time periods during which access is granted to other players. The access rights change from permanent (owner only) to temporary (shared) and back to permanent (owner only) based on the time period specifications, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and ownership security
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the access rights to virtual items into different time periods, creating distinct access windows where other players can use the items. This segmentation allows the owner to maintain ultimate ownership while enabling controlled access to specific players during specific timeframes, balancing accessibility with ownership security
2Adaptability or versatility
If rare virtual gaming items are made accessible to multiple players, then gameplay experience is improved, but tracking and managing item access becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal data structure framework that handles multiple functions: tracking ownership, managing conditional access rights, specifying time periods, and monitoring player eligibility. This multi-functional data structure reduces overall system complexity by consolidating what would otherwise require separate tracking mechanisms for each aspect of item sharing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary access rights management system that mediates between item owners and other players. This intermediary layer handles the complexity of tracking access conditions, time periods, and player eligibility, shielding both owners and players from the underlying data structure complexity while enabling versatile item sharing
3Productivity
If conditional access to virtual items is implemented with time periods, then item utilization is improved, but access management and monitoring becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent requires owners to pre-specify access time periods and conditions before granting access to other players. This preliminary action simplifies subsequent access management by establishing clear, predetermined rules for when and how items can be shared, reducing the need for complex real-time monitoring and manual access management
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system automatically monitors whether specified time periods have elapsed and automatically revokes access when conditions are no longer met. This automated feedback loop simplifies access management by eliminating the need for manual tracking and intervention, allowing high item utilization through clear time-bound access rules
Data Source
AI summary
The present specification describes a system and method for providing conditional access to a virtual gaming item possessed by a first player of a video game to a second player. The method includes: creating a database of conditionally accessible virtual items, wherein said accessibility is determined based on at least one predefined condition; modifying an attribute of the virtual item for making the second player aware that said item is available for conditional access for a predefined period of time; fulfilling, by the second player, at least one access condition; and providing accessibility to the item to the second player for the predefined period of time.