Feature eroding video game demonstration software

Abstract

A demonstration video game permits garners a more complete game experience while promoting a desire to acquire permission to continue playing. In some embodiments, a video game is implemented with trigger metrics. While a user may initially experience most or all of the full version of the game in a demonstration mode, the mode implements trigger metrics to erode game play characteristics, such as character, object, event and/or environmental features, during video game play in the demonstration mode. Thus, fewer play characteristics may be available as play continues in this mode. Multiple trigger metrics may gradually and successively limit play characteristics as play with the game continues. As the gamer loses functionality, the user may be prompted with the trigger metrics to purchase permission to continue the game in a non-demonstration mode that disables the trigger metrics and returns the game to the more complete version.

1 . A method of distributing a software game to induce a user to obtain a permission to continue playing the game, the method comprising:
 providing a software game with a plurality of play characteristics including at least one of a character feature, object feature, environmental feature and event feature, the software game being programmed to permit the user to use the plurality of play characteristics, the software game being further programmed with at least one trigger metric;   gradually eroding availability of at least one of the play characteristics as a function of the at least one trigger metric as a consequence of use of the software game by the user while continuing to permit the user to play the game, and wherein the at least one trigger metric is a game event-based function;   restoring availability of the eroded play characteristics upon receipt of the permission to continue playing the game.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further including a trigger metric that is a time-based function. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the time based function is a lapsed real time. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the time based function is a lapsed game time. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the time based function is both a lapsed real time and a lapsed game time. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The method of claim l wherein the game event-based function is a completion of a certain stage of play. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the game event-based function is a completion of the certain stage of play a plurality of times. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the receipt of the permission disables the at least one trigger metric. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the gradually eroding of the game removes play characteristics as a successive function of a plurality of trigger metrics. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  further including a trigger metric that is an event-based function and a time-based function. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the gradually eroding availability of at least one of the play characteristics comprises disabling use of an object feature of the play characteristics of the game. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the gradually eroding availability of at least one of the play characteristics comprises disabling access to an environmental feature of the play characteristics of the game. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the gradually eroding availability of at least one of the play characteristics comprises disabling access to an event feature of the play characteristics of the game. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the gradually eroding availability of at least one of the play characteristics comprises disabling access to a character feature of the play characteristics of the game. 
     
     
         16 . A machine readable medium having processor control instructions, the processor control instructions to control a processor as a software game to induce a user to obtain a permission to continue playing the game, the processor control instructions further comprising:
 instructions to initially generate a plurality of play characteristics of the software game including at least one of a character feature, object feature, environmental feature and event feature to permit the user to use the plurality of play characteristics;   instructions to control use of the plurality of play characteristics of the game by the user with at least one trigger metric;   instructions to gradually erode availability of at least one of the play characteristics as a function of the at least one trigger metric as a consequence of use of the software game by the user while continuing to permit the user to play the game, and wherein the at least one trigger metric includes a game event-based function; and   instructions to restore availability of the eroded play characteristics upon receipt of the permission to continue playing the game.   
     
     
         17 . The medium of  claim 16  further including a trigger metric that is a time-based function. 
     
     
         18 . The medium of  claim 17  wherein the time-based function is a lapsed real time. 
     
     
         19 . The medium of  claim 17  wherein the time-based function is a lapsed game time. 
     
     
         20 . The medium of  claim 17  wherein the time-based function is both a lapsed real time and a lapsed game time. 
     
     
         21 . The medium of  claim 16  wherein the trigger metric is a game event-based function. 
     
     
         22 . The medium of  claim 21  wherein the game event-based function is a completion of a certain stage of play. 
     
     
         23 . The medium of  claim 22  wherein the game event-based function is a completion of the certain stage of play a plurality of times. 
     
     
         24 . The medium of  claim 16  further comprising instructions to disable the at least one trigger metric upon receipt of the permission. 
     
     
         25 . The medium of  claim 16  wherein the instructions to gradually erode availability remove play characteristics as a successive function of a plurality of trigger metrics. 
     
     
         26 . The medium of  claim 16  wherein the at least one trigger metric is an event-based function and a time-based function. 
     
     
         27 . The medium of  claim 16  wherein the instructions to gradually erode availability of at least one of the play characteristics comprises disabling use of an object feature of the play characteristics of the game. 
     
     
         28 . The medium of  claim 16  wherein the instructions to gradually erode availability of at least one of the play characteristics comprises disabling access to an environmental feature of the play characteristics of the game. 
     
     
         29 . The medium of  claim 16  wherein the instructions to gradually erode availability of at least one of the play characteristics comprises disabling access to an event feature of the play characteristics of the game. 
     
     
         30 . The medium of  claim 16  wherein the instructions to gradually erode availability of at least one of the play characteristics comprises disabling access to a character feature of the play characteristics of the game.