Game with collection in advance

Abstract

Special items can be collected in advance, and only used on a special day. For example, the items can be rockets, they can only be used on Webkinz day. When the special day arrives, the countdown icon associated with the collection that has been made is changed to a launch icon. The user can drag and drop the items into order, and then they are launched in that order.

1 . A method, comprising:
 operating a virtual world, in which users can control characters in the virtual world and obtain items in the virtual world;   first providing an ability for a user to collect a first special item of a plurality of special items in the virtual world, where said first special item is one that cannot be used at a time when the first special item is collected, and can only be used during a special, prescribed period that is in the future relative to the time when the first special item was collected;   responsive to the user collecting said first special item, storing information indicating said first special item in a user account associated with the user in a way that shows the user that the first special item has been collected;   second providing an ability to collect other special items of the plurality of special items that are different than said first special item;   storing said other special items in the user account, and showing the user that the other special items have been collected, but not allowing said items to be used at a time when the other special items are collected; and   during said special period, providing an interface to allow said plurality of items to be used during said special period.   
     
     
         2 . A method as in  claim 1 , further comprising showing a first interface part indicating a countdown to said special period prior to arrival of said special period, and a second interface part being shown during said special period, said second interface part allowing using said first special item and said other special items. 
     
     
         3 . A method as in  claim 2 , wherein said plurality of special items are virtual rockets, and said second interface part is an interface part to display a simulated launch said virtual rockets. 
     
     
         4 . A method as in  claim 3 , wherein said showing shows said plurality of special items on a special user interface that has an outer shape that is the shape of a rocket. 
     
     
         5 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said items are of a specified type, and wherein said showing shows said items on a special user interface that has an outer shape that is in the shape of said specified type of item. 
     
     
         6 . A method as in  claim 5 , further comprising a separate user interface which allows a user to control an order of said items. 
     
     
         7 . A method as in  claim 6 , wherein said items are used in the order set within said special user interface. 
     
     
         8 . A Method as in  claim 1 , wherein said first providing and said second providing prevents the user from collecting any more of said special items for a specified period of time after they have collected one of the special items. 
     
     
         9 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein there are a number of said special items, and further comprising awarding the user with a special reward that is usable in the virtual world when all of said number of special items have been collected by the user. 
     
     
         10 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the special period is a designated day. 
     
     
         11 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said first providing and second providing are performed randomly. 
     
     
         12 . A method, comprising:
 from a client computer, interacting with operating a virtual world, in which users can control characters in the virtual world and obtain items in the virtual world;   collecting a first special item of a plurality of special items in the virtual world, where said first special item is one that cannot be used at a time when the first special item is collected, and can only be used during a special, prescribed period that is in the future relative to the time when the first special item was collected;   showing information to a user who has collected said special item, said information indicating said first special item in a user account associated with the user in a way that shows the user that the first special item has been collected;   collecting other special items of the plurality of special items that are different than said first special item;   showing said user that the other special items have been collected, but not allowing said items to be used at a time when the other special items are collected; and   during said special period subsequent to said time when the items are collected, providing an interface to allow said plurality of items to be used during said special period.   
     
     
         13 . A method as in  claim 12 , further comprising viewing a first interface part on said client computer, indicating a countdown to said special period prior to said special period, and also viewing a second interface part being shown during said special period, said second interface part allowing using said first special item and said other special items. 
     
     
         14 . A method as in  claim 12 , wherein said plurality of special items are virtual rockets, and said second interface part is an interface part to display a simulated launch said virtual rockets. 
     
     
         15 . A method as in  claim 14 , wherein said showing shows said plurality of special items on a special user interface that has an outer shape that is the shape of a rocket. 
     
     
         16 . A method as in  claim 14 , wherein said items are of a specified type, and wherein said showing shows said items on a special user interface that has an outer shape that is in the shape of said specified type of item. 
     
     
         17 . A method as in  claim 12 , wherein said first providing and said second providing comprises providing at random. 
     
     
         18 . A method as in  claim 17 , wherein said first and second providing prevents the user from collecting any more of said special items for a specified period of time after they have collected one of the special items. 
     
     
         19 . A method as in  claim 12 , wherein the special period is a designated day. 
     
     
         20 . A computer system comprising:
 a client computer, running software that operates a virtual world using inputs received over a network , said client computer allowing users to control characters in the virtual world and obtain items in the virtual world,   said client computer first providing an ability for a user to collect a first special item of a plurality of special items in the virtual world, where said first special item is one that cannot be used at a time when the first special item is collected, and can only be used during a special, prescribed period that is in the future relative to the time when the first special item was collected;   responsive to the user collecting said first special item, said client computer displaying information indicating said first special item in a user account associated with the user in a way that shows the user that the first special item has been collected;   said client computer second providing an ability to collect other special items of the plurality of special items that are different than said first special item;   responsive to the user collecting said second special item, said client computer displaying said other special items, but not allowing said items to be used at a time when the other special items are collected; and   during said special period, said client computer allowing to be used during said special period.   
     
     
         21 . A system as in  claim 20 , wherein said client computer further shows a first interface part indicating a countdown to said special period prior to arrival of said special period, and a second interface part being shown during said special period, said second interface part allowing using said first special item and said other special items. 
     
     
         22 . A system as in  claim 21 , wherein said plurality of special items are virtual rockets, and said second interface part is an interface part to display a simulated launch said virtual rockets. 
     
     
         23 . A system as in  claim 22 , wherein said wherein said client computer shows said plurality of special items on a special user interface that has an outer shape that is the shape of a rocket. 
     
     
         24 . A system as in  claim 21 , wherein said items are of a specified type, and wherein said wherein said client computer shows said items on a special user interface that has an outer shape that is in the shape of said specified type of item. 
     
     
         25 . A system as in  claim 24 , wherein said client computer further provides a separate user interface which allows a user to control an order of said items. 
     
     
         26 . A system as in  claim 25 , wherein said items are used in the order set within said special user interface. 
     
     
         27 . A System as in  claim 21 , wherein said client computer further prevents the user from collecting any more of said special items for a specified period of time after they have collected one of the special items. 
     
     
         28 . A system as in  claim 21 ,
 wherein the special period is a designated day.   
     
     
         29 . A system as in  claim 21 , wherein said special items are performed randomly.