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 an award within a gaming environment, the method comprising:
 receiving predetermined award selection criteria for selecting the award;   based on the predetermined award selection criteria, selecting the award from an award database; and   selectively providing the award to a player.   
     
     
         2 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the award is a physical reward selected from one or more of the following: a gift, a merchandise, a discount coupon, a gift card, and an invitation to a private sale. 
     
     
         3 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein an in-house or a third party calculates the amount of traffic directed by the advertisement, coupons, or prizes. 
     
     
         4 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the award is a virtual reward sponsored by a third party, the virtual reward being selected from one or more of the following: a virtual gaming tool, a level of a game, a key for unlocking a level, a gaming hint, a gaming skill, a bonus game, a bonus part of the game, an additional feature of the game, an additional play time, an opportunity to engage in a random event with a chance of receiving a virtual prize. 
     
     
         5 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 4 , wherein the random event includes one or more of the following: a wheel spinning, tiles of objects for selecting, routs of objects for selecting, arrays of objects for selecting. 
     
     
         6 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 4 , wherein a value of the award is based on the level. 
     
     
         7 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the award is provided by one or more advertisers. 
     
     
         8 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein a game is played on one or more of the following devices: a mobile device, a computer, and a video game console. 
     
     
         9 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the gaming environment includes one or more players. 
     
     
         10 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 9 , wherein the predetermined award selection criteria include one or more of the following: a personal preference, a social network fact, a third party fact, a geographical location, and a demographical fact. 
     
     
         11 . A system for providing an award within a gaming environment, the system comprising a communication module to receive predetermined award selection criteria for selecting the award and an award selecting module to select, based on the predetermined award selection criteria, the award from an award database and to selectively provide the award to a player. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the award is a physical reward selected from one or more of the following: a gift, a merchandise, a discount coupon, a gift card, and an invitation to a private sale. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the award is a virtual reward sponsored by a third party, the virtual reward being selected from one or more of the following: a virtual gaming tool, a level of a game, a key for unlocking a level, a gaming hint, a gaming skill, a bonus game, a bonus part of the game, an additional feature of the game, an additional play time, an opportunity to engage in a random event with a chance of receiving a virtual prize. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the random event includes one or more of the following: a wheel spinning, tiles of objects for selecting, routs of objects for selecting, arrays of objects for selecting. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein a value of the award is based on the level. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the award is provided by one or more advertisers. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein a game is played on one or more of the following devices: a mobile device, a computer, and a video game console. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the gaming environment includes one or more players. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the predetermined award selection criteria include one or more of the following: a personal preference, a social network fact, a third party fact, a geographical location, and a demographical fact. 
     
     
         20 . A machine-readable medium comprising instructions for providing an award within a gaming environment, which when implemented by one or more processors, performs the following operations:
 receives predetermined award selection criteria for selecting the award;   based on the predetermined award selection criteria, selects the award from an award database; and   selectively provides the award to a player.