BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates generally to a method and system to drive game player choices and actions in real world settings to achieve virtual world benefits.

2. Related Art

Online and mobile gaming in a virtual world is well now as our first person RPG (role playing games). In 2014 online gaming was estimated as a 40 Billion USD industry. AS such, online gaming contributes significantly to the US economy. Conversely, excessive immersion in an online gaming environment has, by some, been identified as a possible cause of fatigue, obesity and reclusion. Others note improvement in coordination, vision and problem solving may be associated with immersive gaming.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein are systems and methods to encourage and/or direct actions and accomplishments in the non-virtual world visa via the goal of obtaining virtual world benefits, including but not limited to points, online game characters, accouterments, items, level-ups, advantages, prestige, fame, accolades, and collectables.

Aspect of the methods and systems disclosed herein include the support for and/or promotion by Gameco of real world (non-virtual) positive conduct. Online gaming and gaming in general has been vilified by many for the seemingly habitual nature of some game environments to some persons. A method whereby Gameco encourages non-virtual world activities, and in particular positive activities, is a powerful tool to combat misperceptions about online gaming.

Aspects of the methods and systems disclosed herein include support for and/or promotion of combining online or virtual world activities with engagement of the real (non-virtual) world.

Aspects of the methods and systems disclosed herein include support for and/or promotion of local brick and mortar businesses and the related economies by combining online or virtual world activities with engagement of the real (non-virtual) world.

Aspects of the methods and systems disclosed herein include leveraging a gaming infrastructure to encourage actions in a non-virtual environment to achieve virtual world benefits, the method comprising: participant installs an application on smart phone; the participant may also set up an account on Gameco servers; application interacts with Gameco servers; Gameco servers provide participant opportunities to acquire virtual world benefits by visiting specific geographic locations which may include businesses; participants visits specified location; and, participant is provided a virtual reward by Gameco.

Aspects of the methods and systems disclosed herein include leveraging a gaming infrastructure to encourage actions in a non-virtual environment to achieve virtual world benefits, the method comprising: a participant using a computing device logs on to an application or website which communicates with Gameco servers; from time to time Gameco servers contact the participant via the computing device to give notice of an opportunity to achieve virtual rewards in a gaming environment or virtual world via going to a location and performing some action in the real world; if the participant choses to meet the opportunity then he/she is identified at the location via location servers; Gameco servers then verify participant; and, Gameco servers determine if opportunity has been met and award virtual reward to participant. In some instances servers decisioning that additional opportunities exist for a specific participant at or near a specific location and Gameco notifies participant of the opportunity. In some instances Gameco servers contact client servers and request payment for virtual reward provided to participant.

Aspects of the methods and systems disclosed herein include leveraging a gaming infrastructure to encourage actions in a non-virtual environment to achieve virtual world rewards or items of desire, the method includes a participant using a computing device receive a notice from Gameco servers of an opportunity to act and achieve a virtual reward or benefit through actions outside of interacting with his/her computing device; participant selects an opportunity and performs an action in the real world; the participants is verified or confirmed as performing the activity by at least one of participants computing device and computing devices at client locations; Gameco servers then verify participant; and, Gameco servers determine if opportunity has been fulfilled and award virtual reward to participant. In some instances the method further comprising Gameco servers decisioning that additional opportunities exist for a specific participant at or near a specific location and Gameco notifies participant of the opportunity. In some instances Gameco servers and request payment for virtual reward for participant's activity. In some instances participant via computing device confirms to Gameco servers that he/she will chose an opportunity to act and Gameco servers record the confirmation. In some instances Gameco servers offer participant an enhanced or increased reward for making the confirmation after the participant completes the activity.

Aspects of the methods and systems disclosed herein include leveraging a gaming infrastructure to encourage commercial purchases in a non-virtual environment, the method includes a client contacts Gameco and agrees on an offer of virtual world benefits or rewards to be awarded participants in an online game for performing activities in a real world; Gameco servers populate the offer via a notification to the computing devices of at least some of the participants in the online game; if a participant performs the activity at any threshold level required a reward in the virtual game world is provided; and client pays Gameco for providing the virtual reward.

Aspects of the methods and systems disclosed herein include leveraging a gaming infrastructure to encourage commercial purchases in a non-virtual environment, the method includes a client contacts Gameco and agrees on an offer of virtual world benefits or rewards to be awarded participants in an online game for performing activities in a real world; Gameco servers populate the offer via a notification to the computing devices of at least some of the participants in the online game; and client pays Gameco for providing the notification.

The computing devices/smart devices disclosed herein operate with memory and processors whereby code is executed during processes to transform data, the computing devices run on a processor (such as, for example, controller or other processor that is not shown) which may include a central processing unit (“CPU”), digital signal processor (“DSP”), application specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”), field programmable gate array (“FPGA”), microprocessor, etc. Alternatively, portions DCA devices may also be or include hardware devices such as logic circuitry, a CPU, a DSP, ASIC, FPGA, etc. and may include hardware and software capable of receiving and sending information.

