Systems and methods for providing awards and advertisement content within a gaming environment

Abstract

Computer-implemented methods for proving awards and advertisement content within a gaming environment are described. In one example embodiment, a method comprises receiving predetermined advertisement content selection criteria for selecting the advertisement content, selecting the advertisement content from an advertisement database based on the predetermined advertisement content selection criteria, and selectively providing the advertisement content for a surface of a virtual object within the game. In another example embodiment, a method comprises receiving a request to provide the award to a player playing a game, receiving predetermined award selection criteria for selecting the award, selecting the award from an award database based on the predetermined award selection criteria, and selectively providing the award to the player. The predetermined selection criteria include personal preferences, social network data, third party data, geographical locations, and demographical data.

1 . A computer-implemented method for providing advertisement content within a gaming environment, the method comprising:
 receiving predetermined advertisement content selection criteria for selecting the advertisement content;   based on the predetermined advertisement content selection criteria, selecting the advertisement content from an advertisement database; and   selectively providing the advertisement content for a surface of a virtual object within a game.   
     
     
         2 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the game is associated with a social network. 
     
     
         3 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the game is played on one or more of the following devices: a mobile device, a computer, and a video game console. 
     
     
         4 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the advertisement content is provided with respect to a portion of the game or a bonus game. 
     
     
         5 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the gaming environment includes one or more players. 
     
     
         6 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 5 , wherein the predetermined advertisement content selection criteria includes one or more of the following: a personal preference, a social network fact, a third party fact, a geographical location, and a demographical fact. 
     
     
         7 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the game is designed to include the surface of the virtual object, the surface being dedicated to displaying the advertisement content. 
     
     
         8 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the advertisement content is displayed on game indicia. 
     
     
         9 . An advertisement system for providing advertisement content within a gaming environment, the method comprising:
 a communication module to:
 receive a request to provide the advertisement content for a surface of a virtual object within a game, 
 receive predetermined advertisement content selection criteria for selecting the advertisement content; and 
   an advertisement selecting module to select the advertisement content from an advertisement database based on the predetermined advertisement content selection criteria and to provide the advertisement content for the surface of the virtual object within the game.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the game is connected with a social network. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the game is played on one or more of the following devices: a mobile device, a computer, and a video game console. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the advertisement content is provided with respect to one or more of the following: a portion of the game and a bonus game. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the gaming environment includes one or more players. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the predetermined advertisement content selection criteria includes one or more of the following: a personal preference, a social network fact, a third party fact, a geographical location, and a demographical fact. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the game is designed to include the surface of the virtual object, the surface being dedicated to displaying the advertisement content. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the advertisement content is displayed on game indicia. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the advertisement content includes one or more of the following: a tool for advancement, a winning keyword, and a winning symbol. 
     
     
         18 . A machine-readable medium comprising instructions for providing advertisement content within a gaming environment, which when implemented by one or more processors, performs the following operations:
 receive a request to provide the advertisement content for a surface of a virtual object within a game;   receive predetermined advertisement content selection criteria for selecting the advertisement content;   based on the predetermined advertisement content selection criteria, select the advertisement content from an advertisement database; and   selectively provide the advertisement content for the surface of the virtual object within the game.