U.S. Pat. No. 11,944,910

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1illustrates a system100for providing virtual items to users of a virtual space, in accordance with one or more implementations. Providing the virtual space may include hosting the virtual space over a network. In some implementations, system100may include a server105. The server105may be configured to communicate with one or more client computing platforms110according to a client/server architecture. The users may access system100and/or the virtual space via client computing platforms110. In some implementations, the system may include secondary servers115configured to provide one or more additional functionalities to system100. The secondary servers115may be configured to communicate with server(s)105, client computing platforms110, and/or other elements. The secondary server(s)115may be configured to interface with server105to supplement the functionality provided to the users with respect to the virtual space. For example, secondary server(s)115may interface with server105via one or more application programming interfaces.

The server105may include one or more computer processors160configured by machine-readable instructions to perform one or more functions. The machine-readable instructions may be thought of conceptually as components of the machine-readable instructions. However, this application includes all forms of machine-readable instructions, whether provided in component form or otherwise. The server105may be configured to execute one or more computer program components. The computer program components may include one or more of a space component125, a user component130, a relationship component135, a virtual item component140, an offer component145, a distribution component155, a notification component150, and/or other components.

The space component125may facilitate participation by multiple users in an online game through client computing platforms associated with the users. The space component125may be configured to execute an instance of the online game to facilitate presentation of the online game to the users. The game module may be configured to implement in-game actions in the instance of the online game in response to actions requests for the in-game actions from the users. The space component125may be configured to facilitate user participation in the online game by effectuating transmission of information related to the instance of the online game to client computing platforms on which views of the online game are presented to users. The users may include a first user and a second user.

The space component125may be configured to implement the instance of the virtual space executed by the computer components to determine the state of the virtual space. The state may then be communicated (e.g., via streaming visual data, via object/position data, and/or other state information) from server105to client computing platforms110for presentation to users. The state determined and transmitted to a given client computing platform110may correspond to a view for a user character being controlled by a user via the given client computing platform110. The state determined and transmitted to a given client computing platform110may correspond to a location in the virtual space. The view described by the state for the given client computing platform may correspond, for example, to the location from which the view is taken, the location the view depicts and/or other locations, a zoom ratio, a dimensionality of objects, a point-of-view, and/or view parameters of the view. One or more of the view parameters may be selectable by the user.

The instance of the virtual space may comprise a simulated space that is accessible by users via clients (e.g., client computing platforms110) that present the views of the virtual space to a user. The simulated space may have a topography, express ongoing real-time interaction by one or more users, and/or include one or more objects positioned within the topography that are capable of locomotion within the topography. In some instances, the topography may be a 2-dimensional topography. In other instances, the topography may be a 3-dimensional topography. The topography may include dimensions of the space and/or surface features of a surface or objects that are “native” to the space. In some instances, the topography may describe a surface (e.g., a ground surface) that runs through at least a substantial portion of the space. In some instances, the topography may describe a volume with one or more bodies positioned therein (e.g., a simulation of gravity-deprived space with one or more celestial bodies positioned therein). The instance executed by the computer components may be synchronous, asynchronous, and/or semi-synchronous.

The above description of the manner in which state of the virtual space is determined by space component125is not intended to be limiting. The space component125may be configured to express the virtual space in a more limited, or more rich, manner. For example, views determined for the virtual space representing the state of the instance of the virtual space may be selected from a limited set of graphics depicting an event in a given place within the virtual space. The views may include additional content (e.g., text, audio, pre-stored video content, and/or other content) that describes particulars of the current state of the place, beyond the relatively generic graphics. For example, a view may include a generic battle graphic with a textual description of the opponents to be confronted. Other expressions of individual places within the virtual space are contemplated.

Within the instance(s) of the virtual space executed by space component125, users may control characters, objects, simulated physical phenomena (e.g., wind, rain, earthquakes, and/or other phenomena), and/or other elements within the virtual space to interact with the virtual space and/or each other. The user characters may include avatars. As used herein, the term “user character” may refer to an object (or group of objects) present in the virtual space that represents an individual user. The user character may be controlled by the user with which it is associated. The user-controlled element(s) may move through and interact with the virtual space (e.g., non-user characters in the virtual space, other objects in the virtual space). The user-controlled elements controlled by and/or associated with a given user may be created and/or customized by the given user. The user may have an “inventory” of virtual goods and/or currency that the user can use (e.g., by manipulation of a user character or other user-controlled element, and/or other items) within the virtual space.

The users may participate in the instance of the virtual space by controlling one or more of the available user-controlled elements in the virtual space. Control may be exercised through control inputs and/or commands input by the users through client computing platforms110. The users may interact with each other through communications exchanged within the virtual space. Such communications may include one or more of textual chat, instant messages, private messages, voice communications, and/or other communications. Communications may be received and entered by the users via their respective client computing platforms110. Communications may be routed to and from the appropriate users through server105(e.g., through space component125).

The instance of the virtual space and/or the game that takes place therein may be persistent. That is, the virtual space and/or the game may continue on whether or not individual players are currently logged in and/or participating in the game. A player that logs out of the virtual space and then logs back in some time later may find that the virtual space has been changed through the interactions of other players with the virtual space during the time the player was logged out. These changes may include changes to the simulated physical space, changes in the player's inventory, changes in other player's inventories, changes experienced by non-player characters, and/or other changes.

Interactive electronic social media may include one or more of a social network, a virtual space, a micro-blogging service, a blog service (or host), a browser-based game, a multi-player mobile game, a file (e.g., image file, video file, and/or other files) sharing service, a messaging service, a message board, a forum, and/or other electronically distributed media that are scalable and enable interaction between the users. Some non-limiting specific examples of interactive electronic social media may include the micro-blogging service provided by Twitter™, the social network provided by Facebook™, the social network provided by MySpace™, the social network provided by Foursquare®, the virtual world provided by Second Life®, the massively multi-player online game provided by World of Warcraft®, the file sharing service provided by Flickr®, Blogger, YouTube, PlayStation® Home, Xbox® Live, and/or other interactive electronic social media.

The user component130may be configured to access and/or manage one or more user profiles and/or user information associated with users of the system100. The one or more user profiles and/or user information may include information stored by server105, one or more of the client computing platforms110, and/or other storage locations. The user profiles may include, for example, information identifying users (e.g., a username or handle, a number, an identifier, and/or other identifying information) within the virtual space, security login information (e.g., a login code or password), virtual space account information, subscription information, virtual currency account information (e.g., related to currency held in credit for a user), relationship information (e.g., information related to relationships between users in the virtual space), virtual space usage information, demographic information associated with users, interaction history among users in the virtual space, information stated by users, purchase information of users, browsing history of users, a client computing platform identification associated with a user, a phone number associated with a user, and/or other information related to users.

The relationship component135may be configured to establish relationships between users within the virtual space. Such relationships may include one or more of affiliation, friendships, guilds (with guild-mates), alliances, connections, followers, comrades, teams, cooperatives, and/or other relationships. The relationship component135may establish relationships based on relationship requests and acceptances received from users. Establishment of a relationship may be initiated by a single communication (e.g., a request) initiated by a given user requesting a relationship between the given user and one or more other users. Establishment of a relationship may require a first communication from the given user to be approved by the one or more other users. Relationships may include one or more types of relationships that have a functional purpose or impact within the virtual space, and/or one or more types of relationships that a social construct within the virtual space does not have a functional result.

The relationship component135may be configured to manage one or more affiliations within the online game. A given affiliation within the online game may comprise a discrete group of users with a relationship having a functional significance within the online game. The relationship having a functional significance in the online game may impact in-game play for the users. The affiliations may comprise a first affiliation within a first online game between a group of users including the first user and the second user. The relationship having a functional significance may include one or more of a leadership role, a controller role, a mentorship role, and/or an administrator role.

The system may further comprise an interaction component. The interaction component may be configured to monitor interactions of the users with the virtual space and/or each other within the virtual space. This may include monitoring, for a given user, one or more of times at which the given user is logged in to the virtual space; areas of the virtual space the given user views or interacts with or in; other users the given user interacts with; the nature and/or content of interactions of the given user with other users; activities participated in within the virtual space; level, powers, or skill attained in the virtual space; inventory items obtained in the virtual space; and/or other interactions of the given user with the virtual space and/or other users. Some or all of the information generated by the interaction component in monitoring the interactions of the users may be stored to the user profiles managed by user component130.

At a given time, the interaction component may determine a set of users that are currently engaged with the virtual space and/or a set of users that are currently not engaged with the virtual space. Being engaged with the virtual space may refer to being logged in to the virtual space, performing some action or interaction within the virtual space within some period of time (e.g., the last 2 minutes), and/or taking some other action indicating ongoing and contemporaneous engagement with the virtual space.

The interaction component may be configured to determine, for individual users, an activity metric that indicates an activity level within the virtual space. The activity metric may be determined based on one or more of log-in frequency, amount of time logged in to the virtual space within a rolling time period (e.g., over the last day, week, month, or other rolling time period), average amount of time logged in to the virtual space over some length of time (e.g., per day, per week, and/or other length of time), average log-in session time over a rolling time period, number of inter-user communications over a length of time, number of inter-user communications per log-in, number of relationships with other users in the virtual space, number of new relationships with other users in the virtual space within a rolling time period, amount of real world money spent in the virtual space, and/or other activity parameters.

The virtual item component140may be configured to provide affiliation game units associated with affiliations within the online game. The affiliation game units may be, for example, game characters, realms associated with the affiliation, buildings providing a benefit to users, weapons associated with the affiliation, vehicles associated with the affiliation, symbolic virtual items associated with the affiliation, and/or other virtual items. The affiliation game units may be controllable in the online game by individual ones of the users in the affiliations with which they are associated. The affiliation game units may include a first affiliation game unit associated with the first affiliation.

Referring toFIG.2, disclosed is an affiliation game unit interface200. The affiliation game unit interface200may be configured to effectuate presentation of information about the affiliation game units available to members of the affiliation. The affiliation game unit interface200may include a number of tabs202associated with different aspects of the virtual space. For example, in a game operated in the virtual space, the game may include activities and virtual items associated with attacking, or defending against attack from, other users' game characters, realms, and/or virtual items. The game may include activities and virtual items associated with attacking, or defending against attack from non-player characters, realms, and/or virtual items. The game may include activities associated with growing resources, making resources, and/or developing industries, generating resources, and/or other activities. There may be any number of tabs202associated with any number of aspects of the virtual space. A user associated with an affiliation may access the affiliation game unit interface200to view the attributes and/or benefits of the affiliation game unit for the game activity. There may be multiple affiliation game units for each category type, or sub-category type, of activity experienced by users in an online game conducted in a virtual space.

An affiliation game unit may be associated with a user's attacking and/or defensive actions, such an affiliation game unit may be a military type affiliation game unit204. The military affiliation game unit204may take an appearance associated with military activities, such as a knight, soldier, general, sailor, admiral, and/or other appearances. The appearance of the affiliation game unit204may be based on a faction, affiliation, race, and/or other characteristics of a user's game character.

The affiliation game units204may include one or more benefit metrics206, wherein the benefit metrics indicate a benefit received by the affiliation members from the affiliation game unit204. The benefit metrics206may relate to the activity associated with the affiliation game unit204. For example, the benefit metrics206of the military affiliation game unit204may be associated with military-type actions. Such military-type benefit metrics206may include attack strength, defense strength, attack speed, fatigue, cohesion, effectiveness, brutality, skill, and/or other military-type benefit metrics. The benefit metrics206may have associated level values. The benefit metrics206may comprise level values, indicating a level of the benefit indicated by the benefit metric. For example, the higher the level value of a benefit metric, the more benefit is provided to the users of the affiliation. The level values associated with the benefit metrics206may be presented in the affiliation game unit interface200by level value bars208associated with each level, the more benefit is provided to the users of the affiliation.

In some implementations, there may be multiple level values for the benefit metrics of an affiliation game unit. One method contemplated for upgrading affiliation game units, by affiliation members, is to permit the affiliation members, individually or collectively, to increase the benefits provided by the affiliation game units. The benefits may be increased individually, such that for an affiliation game unit that provides multiple benefits to the users of the affiliation, the value level of each benefit metric of the affiliation game unity may be increased independently of all other benefit metrics.

In some implementations, the graphical bars208may provide an indication of how close the affiliation members are to obtaining the next level value of each benefit metric provided by the affiliation game unit. In the example, shown inFIG.2, the alliance members may be much closer to obtaining the next level value for the fatigue benefit metric, compared to the brutality level metric. In other implementations, the graphical bars208may represent the level value of the benefit metrics. In such implementations, the graphical bar associated with the fatigue benefit metric may move further to the left as the affiliation game unit204is upgraded, whereas the graphical bars associated with the other benefit metrics may move further to the right when the affiliation game unit204is upgraded.

The types of benefit metrics provided by the affiliation game units are not limited to the disclosure herein, nor to those disclosed in the Figures. Affiliation game units may provide benefits to members of an alliance with which the affiliation game units are associated for any manner of activities, events, and/or actions within the virtual space. In some implementations, the benefit metrics may reflect, but not be limited to, increased stamina, cohesion, effectiveness, brutality, speed, power, and/or other parameters for users' armed forces within the game. The benefit metrics may reflect, but not be limited to, increased production, yield, effectiveness, multiplication, and/or other parameters for users' resources within the online game. The benefit metrics may reflect, but not be limited to, a benefit over other members of different affiliations. The benefit metrics may reflect increased responsiveness of the virtual space environment to users of the affiliation. The benefit metrics may reflect, but not be limited to, availability of game elements, such as quests, missions, map areas, and/or other game elements within the virtual space. The benefit metrics may reflect, but not be limited to, a multiplier for users of an affiliation when users are purchasing virtual currency to use in the virtual space. The benefit metrics may reflect, but not be limited to, a discount when purchasing in-game items by users of the affiliation.

The offer component145may be configured to effectuate presentation of offers to the users having a given affiliation for affiliation game units. The offers may include a first offer of a first affiliation game unit. The offers may include a user cost associated with the offer, such that the first offer is for a first affiliation game unit in exchange for a first associated user cost. The offers may include a notification to the user having a given affiliation to provide one or more virtual items to increase a benefit level and/or the benefit type of the one or more benefit metrics of a given affiliation game unit associated with the affiliation. For example, a first offer may be provided to the users of the first affiliation to provide one or more virtual items in exchange for increasing the first benefit level of the first benefit metric of the first affiliation unit associated with the first affiliation.

The affiliation game unit may be a game unit which, when used by a member of the affiliation, may provide a benefit to the user. For example, if the affiliation game unit is a military general, use of the affiliation game unit being a military general may provide a benefit to the member in battles against other users. Other users, against which the affiliation game unit is used, may be users not being part of the affiliation.

The affiliation game unit may provide a benefit when the users are engaged in individual endeavors. The affiliation game unit may provide a benefit when the users are engaged in affiliation-based endeavors. Individual ones of the affiliation game units may be provided to the individual members of the affiliation when awarded to the affiliation members. One affiliation game unit may be awarded to the affiliation members providing a benefit to the affiliation individually and/or as a whole.

The affiliation game unit may be controllable by users of the affiliation within the online game. For example, both the first user and the second user may control the affiliation game unit by virtue of their inclusion in the first affiliation. The affiliation unit may be controllable by individual ones of the discrete group of users. The individual ones of the discrete group of users in the given affiliation that are able to control the one or more affiliation game units may have a relationship having a functional significance with the other users of the discrete group of users in the given affiliation. The individual ones of the discrete group of users in the given affiliation able to control a given affiliation game unit may include users having an indication of a priority for controlling the given affiliation game unit.

The affiliation game unit may not be controllable by the members of the affiliation and instead may be provided to the members of the affiliation, and the members of the affiliation may receive a benefit by virtue of the affiliation game unit being provided to them. The affiliation game unit may be upgraded such that users may provide additional virtual items to increase the level values of the benefit metrics, and/or provide additional virtual items to increase the number and/or type of the benefit metrics.

The offer component145may be configured to effectuate presentation of offers to the users having a given affiliation to purchase one or more virtual items for increasing a benefit level and/or benefit type of the one or more benefit metrics of the given affiliation game character associated with the given affiliation. The notification component may be configured to provide notifications to users of the affiliation indicating the offer for the affiliation game unit. The notification component may be configured to provide notifications to the members of a given affiliation giving an indication of the number, percentage, and/or proportion of users in a given affiliation that have accepted the offer. The notification component may provide messages to users providing encouragement to accept the offer. The notification component150may facilitate identifying, to affiliation members, those users who have accepted the offer and/or those users who have not accepted the offer. The notification component may provide notifications giving an indication of how close the members of the affiliation are to an acceptance threshold. Where the offer includes an offer for affiliation members to provide an accumulative amount of virtual currency and/or virtual items in exchange for being provided an affiliation game unit, the notification component may provide a notification giving an indication of the amount of virtual currency and/or virtual items collectively provided by the affiliation members and/or how much virtual currency and/or virtual items are required from the affiliation members to receive the affiliation game unit, and/or upgrade the affiliation game unit.

Referring toFIG.3, illustrated is an interface300for providing offers302to users having an affiliation for affiliation game units, in accordance with one or more implementations. The offer302may be to obtain an affiliation game unit304for the users having an associated affiliation. The interface300may be configured to effectuate presentation of the offer302to users through associated client computing platforms110(as shown inFIG.1). The interface300may present a title306and/or notification to the users providing an indication of the identity of the affiliation game unit304that will be obtained by enough users of the affiliation accepting the offer302. The interface300may facilitate presentation of a progress notification308, providing an indication of the number and/or amount of users of the affiliation who have so far accepted the offer302. The interface300may facilitate presentation of a notification308, providing an indication of the number and/or amount of users of the affiliation required to accept the offer before the users associated with the affiliation will be provided with the affiliation game unit304.

The interface300may provide an indication of one or more benefit metrics310associated with the offered affiliation game unit304. The one or more benefit metrics310may be associated with benefits provided to the users having an affiliation once the users accept the offer302. The interface300may effectuate presentation of level values312of the benefit metrics310associated with the affiliation game unit304. The interface300may effectuate presentation of an indication to the users of the associated user cost314that the user having the affiliation must provide to accept the offer302. In some implementations, the first offer302may comprise a first associated user cost316. The first associated user cost316may comprise multiple virtual items that the user is required to provide in order to accept the first offer302. In some implementations, the user may be required to provide quantities of the different virtual items required of the user to accept the offer302. In some implementations, the user may be required to select which of the quantities of virtual items320the user will provide to accept the offer. In the example, shown inFIG.3, the first associated user cost314comprises either one thousand five hundred Aetherstones or one Special Gem. In some implementations, for users who do not wish to provide the requested virtual items, the users may provide different virtual items, such as currency. Such currency may be in the form of precious metal, gems322, credits324, and/or other virtual currencies. The interface300may include one or more user-selectable buttons326configured to facilitate acceptance or rejection of the offer by the user. The interface300may comprise other user-selectable buttons and/or user-enterable fields. The interface300may be configured to facilitate the user selecting and/or entering the types and quantities of the virtual items associated with the user cost associated with the offer302. In some implementations the virtual items of the associated cost will be set, and the user will have to provide the set virtual items associated with the user cost of the offer.

The virtual item component140may be configured to increase a level value of one or more benefit metrics of the affiliation game units. The virtual item component140may increase the level value of the one or more benefit metrics in response to the users in the affiliations providing one or more virtual items. For example, a first level value of a first benefit metric of the first affiliation game unit may be increased in response to the first user providing one or more virtual items. The first level value of a first benefit metric of the first affiliation game unit may be increased in response to the first user and the second user providing one or more virtual items.

FIG.4illustrates an interface400for providing offers to users having an affiliation for upgrading affiliation game units406, in accordance with one or more implementations. The upgrade interface400may comprise an offer402for upgrading affiliation game units possessed by members of the affiliation. The upgrade interface400may comprise an indication of the benefit metrics408of the affiliation game unit406. The upgrade interface400may facilitate presentation of an indication of the current level value of the benefit metrics408and may facilitate presentation of an indication of the level value of the benefit metrics408after acceptance of the offer402by the user. For example, the upgrade interface400may facilitate presentation of a first set of level values410for the benefit metrics408of the affiliation game unit408, and of a second set of level values412for the benefit metrics408of the affiliation game unit408, wherein the second set of level values412indicate the level values of the benefit metrics408after the upgrade offer402is accepted by the users.

The upgrade offer402may include an associated user cost to accept the upgrade offer. The upgrade interface400may facilitate presentation of the associated user cost414for accepting the offer, as described above. The upgrade interface400may facilitate selection and/or entry by the user of an indication that the user intends to make a purchase of virtual items so that the user has sufficient virtual items to meet the requirements of the offer. For example, the upgrade interface400may include a user-selectable button416which will launch a virtual shop for facilitating the purchase of in-game virtual items. The user may be able to accept the offer to upgrade the affiliation game unit by providing a virtual currency, real currency, and/or other currency instead of providing the required virtual items. The virtual items required to be provided by the users to accept the upgrade offer402, or any offer, may relate to the affiliation game unit associated with the offer. Where the affiliation game unit is a military-type affiliation game unit, the members of the affiliation may be required to provide military-type virtual items in order to accept the offer. Where the affiliation game unit is an industrial-type affiliation game unit, the members of the affiliation may be required to provide industrial-type virtual items in order to accept the offer. The upgrade interface400may include a user-selectable button418to accept or reject the upgrade offer412.

The amount of increase of the level value of the one or more benefit metrics may be based on the amount of users having the given affiliation that provide one or more virtual items to upgrade the affiliation game unit. The amount of increase of the level value of the one or more benefit metrics of the affiliation game item may be based on the proportion of the user having a given affiliation that has provided one or more virtual items to upgrade the affiliation game unit. The amount of increase of the level value of the one or more benefit metrics of the affiliation game item may be based on the number of users having a given affiliation that have provided one or more virtual items to upgrade the affiliation game unit, exceeding one or more thresholds. The amount of increase of the level value of the one or more benefit metrics of the affiliation game item may be based on the cumulative value of the virtual items provided by the users having a given affiliation to upgrade the affiliation game unit.

The one or more benefit metrics of the one or more affiliation game units may have one or more discrete benefit level values, and the virtual item component140may be configured to promote the one or more benefit metrics from a first benefit level value to a second benefit level value in response to a threshold amount of the users having a given affiliation providing a threshold amount of one or more virtual items to promote the one or more affiliation character units. The upgrade offer402may include an offer to upgrade all of the benefit metrics408of the associated affiliation game unit406. The upgrade offer402may include an offer to upgrade individual ones of the benefit metrics408of the associated affiliation game unit406. The upgrade offer402may include an offer to increase the number and/or type of the benefit metrics408provided to the user of the affiliation. The upgrade offer402may include an offer to modify and/or change the benefit metrics408of the affiliation game unit406.

FIG.5illustrates an interface500for providing offers502to users having an affiliation for upgrading affiliation game units504, in accordance with one or more implementations. The upgrade offer500provided to the members of an affiliation may be an offer to upgrade the affiliation game unit504in exchange for the members of the affiliation cumulatively providing an amount of virtual items.FIG.3illustrates an interface300where the offer to receive the affiliation game unit304had to be accepted by a certain amount of the affiliation members.FIG.5illustrates an interface500where the offer to upgrade the affiliation game unit504requires a cumulative amount506of virtual items to be provided by the members of the affiliation. The cumulative amount506of virtual items may be provided by as few as one of the affiliation members. The upgrade interface500may facilitate presentation of the progress toward the required cumulative amount506of virtual items required to receive the upgrade of the affiliation game unit504. The upgrade interface500may facilitate selection and/or entry508by the user of an amount of the required virtual item that the user wishes to provide to the cumulative total. The upgrade interface500may effectuate presentation of the selected and/or entered amount510of the required virtual item and the amount512of the required virtual item that the user has in his or her inventory. The upgrade interface500may effectuate presentation and facilitate interaction with one or more user-selectable buttons514configured to facilitate the acceptance or rejection of the upgrade offer502.

The perceived value of the virtual items required of the users to upgrade the affiliation game unit may increase as the perceived benefit of the level value of the benefit metrics and/or the perceived benefit of the benefit metrics increase.

The virtual items requested from the users in exchange for the affiliation game units may include one or more of resources obtained in the virtual space, attacking troop units, defensive troop units, virtual items obtained in the virtual space, virtual items purchased from a game shop, and/or virtual currency. Virtual currency may take any form, such as coins, experience points, gems, precious stones, precious metals, game items, game units, virtual realms, virtual buildings, and/or other virtual items having a perceived value in the virtual space and/or online game.

The distribution component155may be configured to provide the affiliation game units in response to the users having a given affiliation accepting the offer. The distribution component155may be configured to provide the affiliation game unit upon the occurrence of one or more of the events described above with respect to the number, amount, threshold, or other measurement of users accepting the offer. For example, the distribution component155may be configured to provide the affiliation game unit to one or more members having a given affiliation in response to the number of users accepting the offer exceeding a threshold number of users, exceeding an obtained number of users, or exceeding an obtained percentage of users of the affiliation accepting the offer.

Referring again toFIG.1, the server105, client computing platforms110, secondary servers115, and/or external resources120may be operatively linked via one or more electronic communication links. For example, such electronic communication links may be established, at least in part, via a network such as the Internet and/or other networks. It will be appreciated that this is not intended to be limiting, and that the scope of this disclosure includes implementations in which servers105, client computing platforms110, and/or external resources120may be operatively linked via some other communication media. The processors160may be configured to execute computer program components. The processors160may be configured to execute the computer program components via one or more of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Although system100may be described in certain sections herein as including secondary servers115, this is not intended to be limiting. The secondary servers115may be separate and distinct from system100, and may be provided by an entity that is separate from, for example, the entity providing secondary servers115. In some implementations, the functionality attributed herein to the server105, client computing platforms110, secondary servers115, and one or more other elements may be provided by any of the elements.

A given client computing platform110may include one or more processors configured to execute computer program components. The computer program components may be configured to enable an expert or user associated with the given client computing platform110to interface with system100and/or external resources120, and/or provide other functionality attributed herein to client computing platforms110. By way of non-limiting example, the given client computing platform110may include one or more of a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a tablet computing platform, a NetBook, a Smartphone, a gaming console, and/or other computing platforms.

The external resources120may include sources of information, hosts and/or providers of virtual environments outside of system100, external entities participating with system100, and/or other resources. In some implementations, some or all of the functionality attributed herein to external resources120may be provided by resources included in system100.

The server105may include electronic storage165, one or more processors160, and/or other components. The server105may include communication lines, or ports to enable the exchange of information with a network and/or other computing platforms. Illustration of server105inFIG.1is not intended to be limiting. Electronic storage165may comprise electronic storage media that electronically stores information. The electronic storage media of electronic storage165may include one or both of system storage that is provided integrally (i.e., substantially non-removable) with server105and/or removable storage that is removably connectable to server105via, for example, a port (e.g., a USB port, a firewire port, etc.), or a drive (e.g., a disk drive, etc.). Electronic storage165may include one or more of optically readable storage media (e.g., optical disks, etc.), magnetically readable storage media (e.g., magnetic tape, magnetic hard drive, floppy drive, etc.), electrical charge-based storage media (e.g., EEPROM, RAM, etc.), solid-state storage media (e.g., flash drive, etc.), and/or other electronically readable storage media. The electronic storage165may include one or more virtual storage resources (e.g., cloud storage, a virtual private network, and/or other virtual storage resources). Electronic storage165may store software algorithms, information determined by processor160, information received from server105, information received from client computing platforms110, and/or other information that enables server105to function as described herein.

Processor(s)160may be configured to provide information processing capabilities in server105. As such, processor160may include one or more of a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuit designed to process information, a state machine, and/or other mechanisms for electronically processing information. Although processor160is shown inFIG.1as a single entity, this is for illustrative purposes only. In some implementations, processor160may include a plurality of processing units. These processing units may be physically located within the same device, or processor160may represent processing functionality of a plurality of devices operating in coordination. The processor160may be configured to execute components125,130,135,140,145,150,155, and/or other components. Processor160may be configured to execute these components by software; hardware; firmware; some combination of software, hardware, and/or firmware; and/or other mechanisms for configuring processing capabilities on processor160.

It should be appreciated that although components125,130,135,140,145,150, and155are illustrated inFIG.1as being co-located within a single processing unit, in implementations in which processor160includes multiple processing units, one or more of components125,130,135,140,145,150,155, and/or other components may be located remotely from the other components. The description of the functionality provided by the different components125,130,135,140,145,150,155, and/or other components described herein is for illustrative purposes, and is not intended to be limiting, as any of components125,130,135,140,145,150,155, and/or other components may provide more or less functionality than is described. For example, one or more of components125,130,135,140,145,150,155, and/or other components may be eliminated, and some or all of its functionality may be provided by other ones of components125,130,135,140,145,150,155, and/or other components. As another example, processor160may be configured to execute one or more additional components that may perform some or all of the functionality attributed herein to one of components125,130,135,140,145,150,155, and/or other components.

FIG.6illustrates a method600for providing virtual items to users of an online game, in accordance with one or more implementations. The operations of method600presented below are intended to be illustrative. In some embodiments, method600may be accomplished with one or more additional operations not described, and/or without one or more of the operations discussed. Additionally, the order in which the operations of method600are illustrated inFIG.6and described below is not intended to be limiting.

In some embodiments, method600may be implemented in one or more processing devices (e.g., a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuit designed to process information, a state machine, and/or other mechanisms for electronically processing information). The one or more processing devices may include one or more devices executing some or all of the operations of method600in response to instructions stored electronically on an electronic storage medium. The one or more processing devices may include one or more devices configured through hardware, firmware, and/or software to be specifically designed for execution of one or more of the operations of method600.

At an operation602, participation by multiple users in an online game may be facilitated. Facilitating participation by multiple users in the online game may be done through client computing platforms associated with the users. The operations at602may be performed by a space component, such as space component125shown inFIG.1, in accordance with one or more implementations.

At an operation604, one or more affiliations within the online game may be managed. The one or more affiliations may comprise a discrete group of users with a relationship having a functional significance within the online game that has an impact on game play, wherein the affiliations comprise a first affiliation within a first online game between a group of users including a first user and a second user. The relationship having a functional significance may include one or more of a leadership role, a controller role, a mentorship role, and/or an administrator role. The operations at604may be performed by a relationship component, such as relationship component135shown inFIG.1, in accordance with one or more implementations.

At an operation606, affiliation game units associated with affiliations within the online game may be provided to affiliation members. The affiliation game units may be controllable in the online game by individual ones of the users in the affiliations with which they are associated. The affiliation game units may include a first affiliation game unit associated with the first affiliation. In some implementations the affiliation game units may be controllable in the online game by select individual members of the affiliation. In other implementations, the affiliation game units may be controllable by multiple members of the affiliation. The first affiliation game unit may be controllable by both the first user and the second user by virtue of their inclusion in the first affiliation. The operations at606may be performed by a virtual item component, such as virtual item component140shown inFIG.1, in accordance with one or more implementations.

At an operation608, a level value of one or more benefit metrics of the affiliation game units may be increased. The level values of the one or more benefit metrics may be increased in response to the users in the affiliations providing one or more virtual items, such that a first level value of a first benefit metric of the first affiliation game unit may be increased in response to the first user and the second user providing one or more virtual items. The amount of increase in the level value may be based on the amount of users having the given affiliation that provide one or more virtual items to increase the level of the one or more benefit metrics of a given affiliation unit and based on the amount of one or more virtual items provided by the users having the given affiliation. The operations at608may be performed by a virtual item component, such as virtual item component140shown inFIG.1, in accordance with one or more implementations.

FIG.7illustrates a method700for providing offers to users to obtain affiliation game units, in accordance with one or more implementations. The operations of method700presented below are intended to be illustrative. In some embodiments, method700may be accomplished with one or more additional operations not described, and/or without one or more of the operations discussed. Additionally, the order in which the operations of method700are illustrated inFIG.7and described below is not intended to be limiting.

In some embodiments, method700may be implemented in one or more processing devices (e.g., a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuit designed to process information, a state machine, and/or other mechanisms for electronically processing information). The one or more processing devices may include one or more devices executing some or all of the operations of method700in response to instructions stored electronically on an electronic storage medium. The one or more processing devices may include one or more devices configured through hardware, firmware, and/or software to be specifically designed for execution of one or more of the operations of method700.

At an operation702, presentation of offers may be effectuated to the users having a given affiliation, wherein the offers include providing one or more virtual items to increase a benefit level of the one or more benefit metrics of the given affiliation unit associated with the given affiliation. An offer may be provided to the users of the first affiliation to provide one or more virtual items for increasing the first benefit level of the first benefit metric of the first affiliation unit associated with the first affiliation. In some implementations, at an operation702, the offers may include providing one or more affiliation game units to users having a given affiliation. The offers to the users having a given affiliation may include offers to purchase one or more virtual items in exchange for increasing the benefit level of the one or more benefit metrics of the given affiliation game character associated with the given affiliation. The operations at702may be performed by an offer component, such as offer component145shown inFIG.1, in accordance with one or more implementations.

At an operation704, acceptance of the offers to the users having the affiliation may be received. The operations at704may be performed by an offer component, such as offer component145shown inFIG.1, in accordance with one or more implementations.

At an operation706, determination of whether a threshold number of affiliation members have accepted the offer may be made. The threshold number of affiliation members may be a number of members, a percentage of members, a threshold of members, and/or other measurements of the proportion of members who have accepted the offer to obtain and/or upgrade the affiliation game unit. The operations at704may be performed by an offer component, such as offer component145shown inFIG.1, in accordance with one or more implementations. The operations at706may be performed by an offer component, such as offer component145shown inFIG.1, in accordance with one or more implementations.

In response to determining that the number of affiliation members who have accepted the offer has not breached the threshold, at an operation708, presentation of the offer to obtain the affiliation game unit to affiliation members may be effectuated. In some implementations, notifications to members who have not accepted the offer may be effectuated, wherein the notifications provide encouragement to users to accept the offer. The operations at708may be performed by an offer component and/or a notification component, such as offer component145and/or notification component150shown inFIG.1, in accordance with one or more implementations.

In response to determining that the number of affiliation members who have accepted the offer has not breached the threshold, at an operation710, presentation of notifications to members of the affiliation who have accepted the offer may be effectuated. The notifications may provide an indication of the identity of the affiliation members who have not accepted the offer. The notifications may provide an indication that the members who have accepted the offer encourage those who have not accepted the offer to do so. The operations at710may be performed by an a notification component, such as notification component150shown inFIG.1, in accordance with one or more implementations.

In response to determining that the number of affiliation members who have accepted the offer has breached the threshold, at an operation712, the affiliation game unit and/or the upgrade to the affiliation game unit may be provided to members of the affiliation. The operations at712may be performed by an a distribution component, such as distribution component155shown inFIG.1, in accordance with one or more implementations.

FIG.8illustrates a method800for determining an upgrade for affiliation game units, in accordance with one or more implementations. The operations of method800presented below are intended to be illustrative. In some embodiments, method800may be accomplished with one or more additional operations not described, and/or without one or more of the operations discussed. Additionally, the order in which the operations of method800are illustrated inFIG.8and described below is not intended to be limiting.

In some embodiments, method800may be implemented in one or more processing devices (e.g., a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuit designed to process information, a state machine, and/or other mechanisms for electronically processing information). The one or more processing devices may include one or more devices executing some or all of the operations of method800in response to instructions stored electronically on an electronic storage medium. The one or more processing devices may include one or more devices configured through hardware, firmware, and/or software to be specifically designed for execution of one or more of the operations of method800.

At an operation802, a time period may be obtained during which the offer to provide and/or upgrade one or more affiliation game units is to be provided to members of an affiliation. The operations performed at the operation802may be performed by an offer component, such as offer component145shown inFIG.1, in accordance with one or more implementations.

At an operation804, presentation of the offer may be facilitated to members of the affiliation, responsive to an indication that the time period, obtained at the operation802, has commenced. The operations performed at the operation804may be performed by an offer component, such as offer component145shown inFIG.1, in accordance with one or more implementations.

At an operation806, presentation of the offer may be ceased, responsive to an indication that the time period, obtained at the operation802, expiring. The operations performed at the operation806may be performed by an offer component, such as offer component145shown inFIG.1, in accordance with one or more implementations.

At an operation808, determination of a level and/or type of an affiliation game unit or a level and/or type of upgrade to an affiliation game unit may be made. The determination made at the operation808may be based on the amount of affiliation members who accepted the offer during the time period. For example, where a large proportion of the affiliation members accepted the offer, the level/type of the affiliation game unit and/or the amount of upgrade for the affiliation game unit may be relatively high, whereas, where a small proportion of the affiliation members accepted the offer, the level/type of the affiliation game unit and/or the amount of upgrade for the affiliation game unit may be relatively low. A high level and/or type of an affiliation game unit and/or upgrade may translate into a relatively increased benefit to members of the affiliation, wherein the benefit impacts game play in the virtual space. A low level and/or type of an affiliation game unit and/or upgrade may translate into a relatively decreased benefit to members of the affiliation. The operations at808may be performed by a distribution component, such as distribution component155shown inFIG.1, in accordance with one or more implementations.

At an operation810, the affiliation game unit and/or the upgrade determined at operation808may be provided to the members of the affiliation. All members of the affiliation may receive the affiliation game unit and/or upgrade. In some implementations, only those members who accepted the offer may receive the affiliation game unit and/or upgrade. The operations at810may be performed by an a distribution component, such as distribution component155shown inFIG.1, in accordance with one or more implementations.

Although the present technology has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred implementations, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the technology is not limited to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present technology contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any implementation can be combined with one or more features of any other implementation.