On-Line Virtual World Game

Abstract

A method, enabled by a computer system, for providing a computer based on-line virtual world. Steps include receiving a unique code via an electronic network, the unique code being associated with a purchased physical items such as a doll, granting access to the virtual world based on the unique code, receiving user input, via the electronic network, sufficient to define characteristics and personality traits of an avatar in the virtual world that is associated with the doll, to move the avatar to one of a plurality of venues within the virtual world, to play a selected game at the one of the plurality of venues, and to control aspects of the selected game. Further steps include awarding certificates to the avatar upon attainment of predetermined levels within the selected game, awarding medals to the avatar based on information received via the electronic network from a user, the information being responsive to a series of questions posed to the user, and presenting any awarded certificates and medals via a Yearbook presentation subsystem that aggregates any awarded certificates and medals, and presents the same on a display for the user.

1 . A method for providing a computer based on-line virtual world, comprising the steps of:
 receiving a unique code via an electronic network, the unique code being associated with a purchased physical item;   granting access to the virtual world based on the unique code;   receiving user input, via the electronic network, sufficient to define characteristics and personality traits of an avatar in the virtual world;   receiving user input, via the electronic network, to move the avatar to one of a plurality of venues within the virtual world;   receiving user input, via the electronic network, to play a selected game at the one of the plurality of venues;   receiving user input, via the electronic network, sufficient to control aspects of the selected game and awarding a first type of reward to the avatar upon attainment of predetermined levels within the selected game;   awarding a second type of reward to the avatar based on information received via the electronic network from a user, the information being responsive to a series of questions posed to the user; and   presenting any awarded rewards via an aggregation presentation subsystem that aggregates the any awarded rewards, and presents the same on a display for the user.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the item is a physical toy. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the item is a physical doll. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein default characteristics of the avatar substantially match the physical doll. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the virtual world is modeled on a university campus. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising recording scores attained by the avatar while playing a selected game and presenting the scores via the aggregation presentation susbsystem. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising generating a student identification card for the avatar and presenting at least portions of the student identification card via a profile page presented via the aggregation presentation susbsystem. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising requiring the user to accept a pledge prior to allowing access to the virtual world. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving input from a user indicative that the user desires to befriend another avatar. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising adding the another avatar to a Friend list that is accessible to the user. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising adding the another avatar to a list of avatars with which the user's avatar can communicate via virtual email. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising presenting non-playing characters at selected venues within the virtual world, and displaying the non-playing characters via the aggregation presentation subsystem. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising allowing the avatar to approach one of the non-playing characters within the virtual world and receive a challenge, the completion of which results in awarding the second type of reward. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising requiring the user to earn a predetermined number the first type of rewards before being eligible for the second type reward. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising adding a predetermined number of points to a point total when the user completes or attains a new level in the selected game. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising exchanging some of the points in the point total for at least one of clothes for the avatar or decorative items for a room in the virtual world belonging to the avatar. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the aggregation presentation subsystem is presented to the user as a Yearbook with numerous selectable display pages. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing an indication via the aggregation presentation subsystem that selected rewards have not yet been earned. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first type of reward is a certificate and the second type of reward is a medal. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising enabling a friend of the user within the on-line game to comment on selected rewards presented via the aggregation presentation subsystem.