# 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. - **Patent:** US 12738125 - **Original title:** System and method for utilizing location-based analytics to provide gaming awards - **Granted:** 2026 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 0 - **Field:** gaming, software, telecommunications, consumer_electronics ## What it does 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 does NOT 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. ## 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 ## 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. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does How Games Give You Rewards Based on Where You Are and What You've Done cover? 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. ### When does this patent expire? This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain. ### What problem does this patent solve? 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. ### What does this patent NOT cover? Does not cover systems that provide awards based only on a player's location, without also considering their game play history. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12738125/system-and-method-for-utilizing-location-based-analytics-to-provide-gaming **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US12738125 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [How Apps Automatically Connect Friends Based on Their Current Location](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9154561/facebook-pages) — A system that automatically invites people to a group chat when they enter a specific geographic area defined by a friend's mobile device. - [How a Single Card Can Pay for Transit Using Loyalty Points](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10176475/square-point-of-sale) — A system that lets one payment card handle both retail shopping and transit fares, automatically converting loyalty points between different geographic regions to cover travel costs. - [Microsoft's Hologram System That Reacts to Your Location](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10789779/location-based-holographic-experience) — Microsoft's 2020 patent describes a headset that shows holograms based on where you are in a physical space, guiding you along a path and reacting to your movement. - [Detecting When Gamers Stop Playing to Save Power](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7782297/wii-remote) — Sony's 2010 patent on using motion and image data to detect when a gamer stops playing, allowing the game console to pause or save energy. - [How IMDb Knew If You'd Go to a Movie or Concert](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9202233/amazon-payments) — This 2015 IMDb patent describes a system that predicts if you'll attend an event, like a movie, by checking your phone's location near the event time and place, then sending you related content.