How Games Give You Rewards Based on Where You Are and What You've Done

This patent describes a system that gives players in-game benefits by looking at both their real-world location and their past actions within the game.

What it covers

This system provides a player with a benefit, like a special item or bonus, by combining two pieces of information: their current location and their past game activity. For example, if a player has a history of completing quests in a fantasy game (game play history data) and they are currently near a specific landmark in the real world (location data), the system might automatically give them a rare item or unlock a new quest tied to that location. The abstract states it uses "location data associated with the player and game play history data associated with the player" to provide a "benefit". Without the full patent claims, the exact mechanisms for how this data is collected, analyzed, or how the benefit is determined are not specified.

What it doesn't cover

• —Does not cover systems that provide awards based only on a player's location, without also considering their game play history.
• —Does not cover systems that provide awards based only on a player's game play history, without also considering their real-world location.
• —Does not cover non-gaming applications where location and history data might be used for other purposes, like targeted advertising outside of a game context.
• —Does not cover systems where the 'benefit' is not directly tied to a gaming award, such as a discount on a physical product unrelated to the game.

The clever bit

The novelty lies in the specific combination of a player's real-world location and their detailed history of playing the game to trigger a reward. Many games use location, and many use game history, but combining both to intelligently provide a benefit creates a more personalized and context-aware reward system.

Why it matters

This approach could make games more immersive by linking virtual rewards to real-world exploration and player dedication. It allows game developers to create dynamic reward systems that encourage players to visit new places or continue engaging with the game over time. This could lead to new ways for games to keep players interested and active, both inside and outside the game world.

Real-world examples

• 1.Location-based mobile games that offer bonuses for visiting specific places
• 2.Augmented reality games that integrate real-world landmarks into gameplay
• 3.Fitness apps that reward users for reaching exercise goals at certain locations