Interactive Strategic Game Illustrating Effects of Different Investments Over Time Under Differing Economic Conditions

Abstract

An electronic media process for an interactive strategic game illustrating the effects of different investments over time under differing economic conditions. In certain embodiments it can be played over a network and in others without a network. As a user's timeline position changes the economic indicators change which in turn affect the user's investment values. Users buy and sell investments based on upcoming economic changes trying to anticipate how those changes will affect investment values. Users are able follow different investments over time which may help them in their own investments. Achievement awards and or recognition are obtained for obtaining certain milestones such as dollar limit within the shortest timeline period.

1 . A system for illustrating the effects of different investments over time under differing economic conditions comprising:
 One or more server computers to be accessed by one or more client terminals over a communication network or a combined server-client computer which may also communicate with one or more servers and/or client terminals over a communication network   Software in machine readable code stored on a tangible medium that when executed can communicate with the server computer(s) and the client terminal(s). Said software will allow the client terminal(s) to interact with a strategic game which illustrates the effects of different investments over time under differing economic conditions where the objective is for the user to better understand the effects of different investments over time under differing economic conditions.   The machine readable code will additionally allow for receiving and processing user input and returning output to the user based on said input.   The machine readable code will additionally provide system logic for illustrating the effects of different investments over time under differing economic conditions comprising.   
   
   
       2 . The system in  claim 1  where the objectives are observing the effects of different investments over time under differing economic conditions and providing the achievement measurements and may provide awards for achievements. 
   
   
       3 . The system in  claim 1  wherein upon initial communication between the client terminal and the server(s) there may be a welcome message. 
   
   
       4 . The system in  claim 1  wherein information on prior high achievement award holders can be received by the user. 
   
   
       5 . The system in  claim 1  wherein users may receive instructions on game play including information on investments and economic indicators. 
   
   
       6 . The system in  claim 1  wherein users may receive instructions on game design. 
   
   
       7 . The system in  claim 1  wherein user information is stored. 
   
   
       8 . The system in  claim 1  wherein game information is stored. 
   
   
       9 . The system in  claim 1  wherein a user may register as a user on the server(s) and may include the ability for the user to revise some portions of their registration information. 
   
   
       10 . The system in  claim 1  wherein a user may logon for more enhanced game play. 
   
   
       11 . The system in  claim 1  wherein a user may require a verification of minimum qualifications to play. 
   
   
       12 . The system in  claim 1  wherein one or more users may communicate and exchange information using but not limited to game scenarios, text, formatted text, computer file(s), electronic signal, video and audio or any combination therein. 
   
   
       13 . The system in  claim 1  wherein Investment categories and related Investments can be defined and cataloged into one or more sets to allow the user to experience different scenarios. 
   
   
       14 . The system in  claim 13  wherein one or more of the Investments relate to Business, Real Estate, Land, Non Profit or Financial. 
   
   
       15 . The system in  claim 1  wherein economic timelines can be defined and cataloged into multiple sets to allow the user to experience different scenarios. 
   
   
       16 . The system in  claim 15  wherein one or more of the economic indicators relate to any present, past or future US Government reported indicators. (Interest, Real Estate, Land, Labor, Business or Financial) 
   
   
       17 . The system in  claim 1  wherein a user may be allowed to borrow to purchase investments. 
   
   
       18 . The system in  claim 1  wherein investments can be valued over a timeline either forward or backward in time based on differing economic conditions. 
   
   
       19 . The system in  claim 1  wherein a user may choose a game from one or more different scenarios or to continue a game previously started. The user may also be able to choose options to enhance their experience. 
   
   
       20 . The system in  claim 1  wherein information regarding future economic conditions is able to be received by the user. 
   
   
       21 . The system in  claim 1  wherein reports can be received by the user on one or more of their investments at particular places along the timeline. 
   
   
       22 . The system in  claim 1  wherein a user can suspend or terminate play of a game. 
   
   
       23 . The system in  claim 1  wherein a user can receive information on prior and in process games. 
   
   
       24 . The system in  claim 1  wherein at the conclusion of game play user and system statistic would be updated and any system cleanup would be performed. 
   
   
       25 . The system in  claim 1  wherein game play may be allowed for group play of two or more users. 
   
   
       26 . The system in  claim 1  wherein during game play a user can receive information on investment categories and related investments that a may be purchased. In a game with more than one player a user may in addition or instead of be able to receive information regarding investments for sale by other users. 
   
   
       27 . The system in  claim 1  wherein during game play a user can purchase one or more investments. 
   
   
       28 . The system in  claim 27  wherein verification of purchase criteria is determined during a purchase. 
   
   
       29 . The system in  claim 27  wherein after a successful purchase is made a user's investment record is updated as well as debt record if debt was used.
 Source of funds for purchase is reduced unless debt was used in which case debt is increased or some combination therein. If purchase involved another user then that user's records would be updated also.   
   
   
       30 . The system in  claim 1  wherein during game play a player can receive information on their current holdings and debt. 
   
   
       31 . The system in  claim 1  wherein during game play a user can sell one or more investments. In a game with more than one player a user may in addition be able to provide information on one or more of their investments for sale as well as the ability to sell those investments to other users. 
   
   
       32 . The system in  claim 31  wherein after a successful sale is made the user's investment record is updated as well as debt record if debt was used. Source of funds is increased unless debt was used in which case debt is decreased or some combination therein. If sale involved another user then that user's records would be updated also. 
   
   
       33 . The system in  claim 1  wherein during game play a player can move along the timeline in the game when it is a user instituted move game. 
   
   
       34 . The system in  claim 33  wherein the user moves the timelines forward but may be allowed to move the timeline backward as well. 
   
   
       35 . The system in  claim 33  wherein timeline movement may be initiated from another source in a non user instituted move game. 
   
   
       36 . The system in  claim 1  wherein during game play a player can receive information about one or more current economic indicators based on the current timeline position. 
   
   
       37 . The system in  claim 36  wherein a player may be able to receive one or more economic indicators from one or more past and/or future timeline positions. 
   
   
       38 . The system in  claim 1  wherein during game play the unit purchase cost of one or more investments may change relative to their position on the timeline. 
   
   
       39 . The system in  claim 1  wherein during game interest could be charged to a player if they have incurred debt.