Systems and methods for character development in online gaming

Abstract

Certain embodiments provide a method for selecting an allocation of character attributes in a gaming system including selecting a set of characters, aggregating outcome data, aggregating allocation data, determining a correlation between outcome data and allocation data, and selecting an allocation based at least in part on the determined correlation. The set of characters includes at least one character and each character includes a set of attributes. Each attribute has an associated attribute value adapted to be adjusted. Each character is associated with an outcome record based at least in part on a competition. Outcome data is based at least in part on outcome records. Allocation data is based at least in part on each set of attributes and attribute values associated with each attribute in each set of attributes. The correlation is based at least in part on which attributes and attribute values correspond to which outcomes.

1 . A method for selecting an allocation of character attributes in a gaming system, the method including:
 selecting a set of characters,
 wherein the set of characters includes at least one character, 
 wherein each character in the set of characters includes a set of attributes, 
 wherein each set of attributes includes at least one attribute, 
 wherein each attribute has an associated attribute value adapted to be adjusted, 
 wherein each character is associated with an outcome record, 
 wherein each outcome record is based at least in part on a competition; 
   aggregating outcome data,
 wherein the outcome data is based at least in part on the outcome records; 
   aggregating allocation data,
 wherein the allocation data is based at least in part on each set of attributes and the attribute values associated with each attribute in each set of attributes; 
   determining a correlation between the outcome data and the allocation data,
 wherein the correlation is based at least in part on which attributes and attribute values correspond to which outcomes; and 
   selecting an allocation based at least in part on the determined correlation.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further including adjusting the allocation of attributes of a target character automatically based at least in part on the selected allocation. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the target character is not included in the set of characters. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further including providing allocation information to a player, wherein the allocation information is based at least in part on the determined correlation. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the player adjusts at least one attribute value based on the allocation information. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one attribute value adjusted by the player is associated with a target character not included in the set of characters. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of selecting the set of characters includes selecting a character from a plurality of available characters based at least in part on a class. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of selecting the set of characters includes selecting a character from a plurality of available characters based at least in part on a level. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of selecting the set of characters includes selecting a character from a plurality of available characters based at least in part on a play style. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of selecting the set of characters includes selecting a character based at least in part on at least one attribute. 
   
   
       11 . A method for adjusting an ancillary characteristic of a character in a game, the method including:
 selecting a character,
 wherein the character is associated with at least one ancillary characteristic, 
 wherein each ancillary characteristic is associated with an ancillary characteristic value, 
 wherein the character is associated with at least one attribute, 
 wherein each attribute is associated with an attribute value, 
 wherein each attribute value is adapted to be adjusted by a player; 
   selecting an ancillary characteristic associated with the character,   selecting an attribute associated with the character based at least in part on the selected ancillary characteristic; and   adjusting the ancillary characteristic value associated with the selected ancillary characteristic based at least in part on the attribute value associated with the selected attribute.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the character is selected from a set of characters. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the set of characters is associated with the player. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the character is adapted to be exchanged. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the character is adapted to participate in a competition. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of selecting the attribute includes selecting a plurality of attributes associated with the character based at least in part on the selected ancillary characteristic. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the adjusting step includes adjusting the ancillary characteristic value based at least in part on attribute values associated with the plurality of selected attributes. 
   
   
       18 . A computer-readable medium including a set of instructions for execution on a computer, the set of instructions including:
 a character set routine configured to support a character set,
 wherein the character set is adapted to include at least one character, 
 wherein each character in the character set includes at least one attribute, 
 wherein at least one attribute of each character in the character set is adjustable by a player; and 
   a character development routine configured to allow the player to adjust the at least one attribute of each character in the character set.   
   
   
       19 . The set of instructions of  claim 18 , further including a correlation routine configured to determine a correlation between a set of attribute allocations and a set of competition outcomes, wherein the character development routine is configured to adjust the at least one attribute based at least in part on the correlation. 
   
   
       20 . The set of instructions of  claim 18 , wherein the character development routine is configured to adjust an ancillary characteristic of a character in the character set.