Managing franchise objects in an interactive social game

Abstract

Systems and methods to manage franchise objects in an interactive social game are described. In some embodiments, a method permits a first player to access a virtual game environment of a second player. The virtual game environment being associated with the interactive social game. The method receives a selection of a franchise object from the first player and locates the selected franchise object in the virtual game environment of the second player. Further, the method locates a franchise headquarters object in the virtual game environment of the second player and associates the franchise headquarters object with the selected franchise object.

1 . A computer-implemented method comprising:
 permitting a first player to access a virtual game environment of a second player, the virtual game environment associated with an interactive social game;   receiving a selection of a franchise object from the first player;   locating, using one or more processors, the selected franchise object in the virtual game environment of the second player;   locating a franchise headquarters object in the virtual game environment of the second player; and   associating the franchise headquarters object with the selected franchise object.   
     
     
         2 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising executing a harvest mechanic cycle for the selected franchise object, the harvest mechanic cycle generating an in-game award. 
     
     
         3 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 2 , wherein execution of the harvest mechanic cycle is initiated by the first player or the second player. 
     
     
         4 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 2 , further comprising distributing the in-game award to the first player and the second player. 
     
     
         5 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 2 , further comprising distributing the in-game award equally between the first player and the second player. 
     
     
         6 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 2 , further comprising allocating the in-game award based on revenue sharing data associated with the selected franchise object. 
     
     
         7 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the franchise headquarters object is associated with the selected franchise object. 
     
     
         8 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising modifying an appearance of the franchise headquarters object based on a number of franchise objects associated with the franchise headquarters object. 
     
     
         9 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising modifying an operational parameter of an in-game object based on a proximity of the in-game object to the franchise headquarters object. 
     
     
         10 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising displaying a franchise management interface responsive to a player activation of the franchise headquarters object. 
     
     
         11 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 10 , wherein the franchise management interface displays a plurality of franchise objects associated with the franchise headquarters object. 
     
     
         12 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 10 , wherein the franchise management interface displays a rating for each of the plurality of franchise objects associated with the franchise headquarters object. 
     
     
         13 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 10 , wherein the franchise management interface permits modification of a revenue sharing arrangement for allocating an in-game award between the first player and the second player. 
     
     
         14 . A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising:
 permitting a first player to access a virtual game environment of a second player, the virtual game environment associated with an interactive social game;   receiving a selection of a franchise object from the first player;   locating the selected franchise object in the virtual game environment of the second player;   locating a franchise headquarters object in the virtual game environment of the second player; and   associating the franchise headquarters object with the selected franchise object.   
     
     
         15 . The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of  claim 14 , wherein the machine further performs operations including modifying an appearance of the franchise headquarters object based on a number of franchise objects associated with the franchise headquarters object. 
     
     
         16 . The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of  claim 14 , wherein the machine further performs operations including modifying an operational parameter of an in-game object based on a proximity of the in-game object to the franchise headquarters object. 
     
     
         17 . The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of  claim 14 , wherein the machine further performs operations including displaying a franchise management interface responsive to a player activation of the franchise headquarters object. 
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of  claim 17 , wherein the franchise management interface displays a plurality of franchise objects associated with the franchise headquarters object. 
     
     
         19 . A game system comprising:
 an interface to communicate with players of a game;   a memory to store data associated with the game; and   one or more processors coupled to the interface and the memory, the one or more processors configured to:
 permit a first player to access a virtual game environment of a second player, the virtual game environment associated with an interactive social game; 
 receive a selection of a franchise object from the first player; 
 locate the selected franchise object in the virtual game environment of the second player; 
 receive a selection of a franchise headquarters object from the first player; 
 locate the franchise headquarters object in the virtual game environment of the second player; and 
 associate the selected franchise headquarters object with the selected franchise object. 
   
     
     
         20 . The game system of  claim 19 , wherein the one or more processors further modify an appearance of the franchise headquarters object based on a number of franchise objects associated with the franchise headquarters object.