Asset manipulation of computer games using a network

Abstract

Computer game asset (e.g., items and dynamic content) manipulation over a network is provided. Information about game items can be stored on a separate server and users can be allowed to execute transactions on the items outside the game environment. Transactions relating to dynamic content can also be performed. Item and dynamic content changes can be updated dynamically as games execute.

1 . A method of changing ownership of items outside a game environment, comprising: 
 displaying an offer from a first user for changing ownership of an item, wherein the offer specifies one or more conditions;    receiving an acceptance of the one or more conditions in the offer from a second user, wherein one of the first user and the second user is an owner of the item; and    upon acceptance of the one or more conditions, changing the ownership of the item from the owner to the other of the first user and the second user outside the game environment.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising storing information about the item in data structures maintained separately from the game that utilizes the item.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining if the item is already subject to another offer.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising informing the owner that the item is already subject to another offer.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the offer is a sale, trade, or auction, loan, or lease.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the offer is a sale.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising receiving a price for the item as a condition.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the offer is a trade.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising receiving identification of one or more items for the trade as a condition.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the offer is an auction.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising receiving information regarding the auction as a condition.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising storing information about the item on an asset server separate from a client or server executing the game that utilizes the item.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising providing an API, wherein the API is called by the client or server executing the game that utilizes the item.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising creating an exclusive lock on the item upon request from the client or server executing the game.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein storing information includes storing information defining the owner of the item.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein storing information includes storing information defining the terms of a transaction for the item.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein storing information includes storing the locked or unlocked state of the item.  
   
   
       18 . A method of changing possession of items outside a game environment without changing ownership, comprising: 
 displaying an offer from a first user to loan or borrow an item without changing ownership, wherein the offer specifies one or more conditions;    receiving an acceptance of the one or more conditions in the offer from a second user, wherein one of the first user and the second user is an owner of the item; and    upon acceptance of the one or more conditions, allowing use of the item by a borrower, wherein the borrower is the first user if the offer was to borrow or the second user if the offer was to lend.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising storing information about the item in data structures maintained separately from the game that utilizes the item.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising determining if the item is already subject to another offer.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising informing the first owner that the item is already subject to another offer.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein a limitation on the borrower to effect the item is specified.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the offer is a loan.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising receiving a duration of the loan as a condition.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising changing the possession of the item to the owner outside the game environment when the duration of the loan expires.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the offer is a lease.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising receiving a duration of the lease as a condition.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising receiving a periodic payment amount of the lease as a condition.  
   
   
       29 - 44 . (canceled)  
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising storing information about the item on an asset server separate from a client or server executing the game that utilizes the item.  
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 45 , further comprising providing an API, wherein the API is called by the client or server executing the game that utilizes the item.  
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 45 , further comprising creating an exclusive lock on the item upon request from the client or server executing the game.  
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein storing information includes storing information defining the owner of the item.  
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein storing information includes storing information defining the terms of a transaction for the item.  
   
   
       50 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein storing information includes storing the locked or unlocked state of the item.