Techniques for leveraging player's social influence and marketing potential in gaming environments

Abstract

Various aspects described or referenced herein are directed to different methods, systems, and computer program products for leveraging player's social marketing potential in gaming environments. In one embodiment, a gaming system may be configured or designed to provide functionality for automatically and/or dynamically determining Player Social Marketing Potential (PSMP) Score(s) for one or more identified user(s)/player(s) based upon selected information, criteria, considerations and/or objectives. The gaming system may also be configured or designed to facilitate and/or enable the influencing of outcomes of selected game-related activities, events, and/or situations using the respective PSMP Score(s) of one or more user(s)/player(s).

1 . A gaming system in a gaming network, comprising:
 a gaming controller;   memory;   a first display;   at least one interface for communicating with at least one other device in the gaming network;   the gaming system being operable to:   enable a first player to participate in a first gaming session which is controlled by the gaming system, the first gaming session relating to a first game;   identify the first player;   determine a first Player Social Marketing Potential (PSMP) score associated with the identified first player, wherein the first PSMP score is representative of the first player's social marketing potential relative to a first set of specified criteria;   dynamically influence, using the first PSMP score, outcomes relating to a first set of game-related events and activities relating to the first gaming session.   
     
     
         2 . The gaming system of  claim 1  being further operable to:
 dynamically calculate the first PSMP score using a first defined set of defined PSMP score calculation criteria. 
 
     
     
         3 . The gaming system of  claim 1  being further operable to:
 detect a first game-related event affecting the first player's gaming session; 
 dynamically calculate the first PSMP score using a first defined set of defined PSMP score calculation criteria and using information relating to the detected first game-related event. 
 
     
     
         4 . The gaming system of  claim 1  being further operable to:
 determine the first PSMP score using a first defined set of defined PSMP score calculation criteria; and 
 determine a second PSMP score for the first player using a second defined set of defined PSMP score calculation criteria. 
 
     
     
         5 . The gaming system of  claim 1  being further operable to:
 determine the first PSMP score using a first defined set of defined PSMP score calculation criteria; and 
 determine a second PSMP score for the first player using a second defined set of defined PSMP score calculation criteria; 
 detect a first game-related event affecting the first player's gaming session; 
 dynamically select, using information relating to the detected first game-related event, one of the PSMP scores associated with the first player; 
 determine, using the selected PSMP score associated with the first player, whether the outcome of the detected first game-related event is to be influenced to favor the first player. 
 
     
     
         6 . The gaming system of  claim 1  being further operable to:
 detect a first game-related event affecting the first player's gaming session; and 
 determine whether it is permissible to influence an outcome of the detected first game-related event using Player's PSMP Score, 
 
     
     
         7 . The gaming system of  claim 1  being further operable to:
 detect a first game-related event affecting the first player's gaming session; 
 determine whether it is permissible to influence an outcome of the detected first game-related event using Player's PSMP Score; 
 identify a first other player involved in the detected first game-related event; 
 determine a second (PSMP) score associated with the first identified other player; and 
 dynamically influence, using the first PSMP score and second PSMP score, the outcome of the detected first game-related event. 
 
     
     
         8 . The gaming system of  claim 1  being further operable to:
 detect a first game-related event affecting the first player's gaming session; 
 identify a first other player involved in the detected first game-related event; 
 determine a second (PSMP) score associated with the first identified other player; and 
 dynamically influence, using the first PSMP score and second PSMP score, the outcome of the detected first game-related event to favor the player with a relatively higher PSMP score. 
 
     
     
         9 . The gaming system of  claim 1  wherein the first set of game-related events and activities is selected from a group of sets consisting of: events or activities relating to the awarding of and/or loss of game points; events or activities relating to the awarding of and/or loss of game-related life/health points; events or activities relating to the awarding of and/or loss of game-related bonuses; events or activities relating to the awarding of and/or loss of real and/or virtual currency; events or activities relating to the awarding of, loss of, and /or possession of game-related virtual objects; events or activities relating to the awarding of and/or loss of game-related rank and/or status; events or activities relating to the awarding of, loss of, and/or possession of game-related virtual real estate; events or activities relating to the reconfiguration, improvement and/or alteration of game-related characters, object, assets or real-estate; and events or activities relating to the awarding of, loss of, possession of, and/or access to game-related character attributes; events or activities relating to the awarding of, loss of, possession of, and/or access to specialized game-related powers or abilities. 
     
     
         10 . The gaming system of  claim 1  wherein the first set of specified criteria includes at least one type of objective selected from a group consisting of: facilitating achievement of at least one identified marketing objective; facilitating achievement of at least one identified promotional objective; facilitating generation of positive marketing for the first game; facilitating generation of positive marketing for at least one identified game; facilitating generation of positive marketing for at least one identified game developer; facilitating generation of positive marketing for at least one identified game distributor; facilitating generation of positive marketing for at least one identified product or service; facilitating increased social awareness of the first game among members of at least one identified demographic group; facilitating posting of positive reviews relating to the first game; facilitating achievement of at least one identified cross-promotional objective; facilitating increased sales or subscription objectives; facilitating an increase in new player registration; and facilitating an increase player participation. 
     
     
         11 . The gaming system of  claim 1  being further operable to:
 dynamically calculate the first PSMP score using a first defined set of defined PSMP score calculation criteria; 
 wherein the first defined set of defined PSMP score calculation criteria includes at least one type of criteria selected from a group consisting of: criteria relating to a theme of the first game; criteria relating to a type of game-related event whose outcome is to be influenced; criteria relating to at least one objective as defined by the first set of specified criteria; criteria relating to the first player's online friends; criteria relating to the first player's perceived influence among members of at least one identified subgroup of an online social network; criteria relating to other players of the first game who have been identified as being a friend of the first player; demographic criteria relating to the first player; demographic criteria relating to at least a portion of the first player's online friends; historical post criteria relating to prior posts made by the first player in at least one identified online social network; criteria relating to a perceived value of the first player's friend demographic base; criteria relating to an amount of real or virtual currency spent by the first player on game-related activities; criteria relating to the first player's gaming history during at least one specified time interval; criteria relating to 3rd party scores or values relating to the first player's degree of influence in one or more social networks; criteria relating to relevancy of the first player's demographic profile with respect to specific marketing, advertising, sales, and/or promotional objectives; demographic criteria relating to demographics of the first player's online friends; criteria relating to the geographic location of the first player; criteria relating to a measure or degree of how much other social network members rely on the first player's recommendations and opinions on a given topic; criteria relating to a measure or degree of how much the first player's online activities influence members of one or more social network communities; criteria relating to a number of online players who follow posts by the first player; criteria relating to a number of online players who repost or share posts by the first player; criteria relating to a measure or degree of how influential people are who repost or share posts by the first player;; criteria relating to the measure or degree of how much the first player's posts have been disseminated within at least one identified social network community; criteria relating to a diversity of the first player's online friends; and criteria relating to a diversity of the first player's online followers. 
 
     
     
         12 . The gaming system of  claim 1  being further operable to:
 dynamically calculate the first PSMP score using a first defined set of defined PSMP score calculation criteria; 
 wherein the first set of game-related events and activities is selected from a group of sets consisting of: events or activities relating to the awarding of and/or loss of game points; events or activities relating to the awarding of and/or loss of game-related life/health points; events or activities relating to the awarding of and/or loss of game-related bonuses; events or activities relating to the awarding of and/or loss of real and/or virtual currency; events or activities relating to the awarding of, loss of, and/or possession of game-related virtual objects; events or activities relating to the awarding of and/or loss of game-related rank and/or status; events or activities relating to the awarding of, loss of, and/or possession of game-related virtual real estate; events or activities relating to the reconfiguration, improvement and/or alteration of game-related characters, object, assets or real-estate; and events or activities relating to the awarding of, loss of, possession of, and/or access to game-related character attributes; events or activities relating to the awarding of, loss of, possession of, and/or access to specialized game-related powers or abilities; 
 wherein the first set of specified criteria includes at least one type of objective selected from a group consisting of: facilitating achievement of at least one identified marketing objective; facilitating achievement of at least one identified promotional objective; facilitating generation of positive marketing for the first game; facilitating generation of positive marketing for at least one identified game; facilitating generation of positive marketing for at least one identified game developer; facilitating generation of positive marketing for at least one identified game distributor; facilitating generation of positive marketing for at least one identified product or service; facilitating increased social awareness of the first game among members of at least one identified demographic group; facilitating posting of positive reviews relating to the first game; facilitating achievement of at least one identified cross-promotional objective; facilitating increased sales or subscription objectives; facilitating an increase in new player registration; and facilitating an increase player participation; and 
 wherein the first defined set of defined PSMP score calculation criteria includes at least one type of criteria selected from a group consisting of: criteria relating to a theme of the first game; criteria relating to a type of game-related event whose outcome is to be influenced; criteria relating to at least one objective as defined by the first set of specified criteria; criteria relating to the first player's online friends; criteria relating to the first player's perceived influence among members of at least one identified subgroup of an online social network; criteria relating to other players of the first game who have been identified as being a friend of the first player; demographic criteria relating to the first player; demographic criteria relating to at least a portion of the first player's online friends; historical post criteria relating to prior posts made by the first player in at least one identified online social network; criteria relating to a perceived value of the first player's friend demographic base; criteria relating to an amount of real or virtual currency spent by the first player on game-related activities; criteria relating to the first player's gaming history during at least one specified time interval; criteria relating to 3rd party scores or values relating to the first player's degree of influence in one or more social networks; criteria relating to relevancy of the first player's demographic profile with respect to specific marketing, advertising, sales, and/or promotional objectives; demographic criteria relating to demographics of the first player's online friends; criteria relating to the geographic location of the first player; criteria relating to a measure or degree of how much other social network members rely on the first player's recommendations and opinions on a given topic; criteria relating to a measure or degree of how much the first player's online activities influence members of one or more social network communities; criteria relating to a number of online players who follow posts by the first player; criteria relating to a number of online players who repost or share posts by the first player; criteria relating to a measure or degree of how influential people are who repost or share posts by the first player; criteria relating to the measure or degree of how much the first player's posts have been disseminated within at least one identified social network community; criteria relating to a diversity of the first player's online friends; and criteria relating to a diversity of the first player's online followers. 
 
     
     
         13 . A computer implemented method for operating a gaming device in a gaming network, the method comprising:
 enabling a first player to participate in a first gaming session which is controlled by the gaming method, the first gaming session relating to a first game;   identifying the first player;   determining a first Player Social Marketing Potential (PSMP) score associated with the identified first player, wherein the first PSMP score is representative of the first player's social marketing potential relative to a first set of specified criteria;   dynamically influence, using the first PSMP score, outcomes relating to a first set of game-related events and activities relating to the first gaming session.   
     
     
         14 . The gaming method of  claim 13  further comprising:
 dynamically calculating the first PSMP score using a first defined set of defined PSMP score calculation criteria. 
 
     
     
         15 . The gaming method of  claim 13  further comprising:
 detecting a first game-related event affecting the first player's gaming session; 
 dynamically calculating the first PSMP score using a first defined set of defined PSMP score calculation criteria and using information relating to the detected first game-related event. 
 
     
     
         16 . The gaming method of  claim 13  further comprising:
 determining the first PSMP score using a first defined set of defined PSMP score calculation criteria; and 
 determining a second PSMP score for the first player using a second defined set of defined PSMP score calculation criteria. 
 
     
     
         17 . The gaming method of  claim 13  further comprising:
 determining the first PSMP score using a first defined set of defined PSMP score calculation criteria; and 
 determining a second PSMP score for the first player using a second defined set of defined PSMP score calculation criteria; 
 detecting a first game-related event affecting the first player's gaming session; 
 dynamically selecting, using information relating to the detected first game-related event, one of the PSMP scores associated with the first player; 
 determining, using the selected PSMP score associated with the first player, whether the outcome of the detected first game-related event is to be influenced to favor the first player. 
 
     
     
         18 . The gaming method of  claim 13  further comprising:
 detecting a first game-related event affecting the first player's gaming session; and 
 determining whether it is permissible to influence an outcome of the detected first game-related event using Player's PSMP Score, 
 
     
     
         19 . The gaming method of  claim 13  further comprising:
 detecting a first game-related event affecting the first player's gaming session; 
 identifying a first other player involved in the detected first game-related event; 
 determining a second (PSMP) score associated with the first identified other player; and 
 dynamically influence, using the first PSMP score and second PSMP score, the outcome of the detected first game-related event. 
 
     
     
         20 . The gaming method of  claim 13  further comprising:
 detecting a first game-related event affecting the first player's gaming session; 
 determining whether it is permissible to influence an outcome of the detected first game-related event using Player's PSMP Score; 
 identifying a first other player involved in the detected first game-related event; 
 determining a second (PSMP) score associated with the first identified other player; and 
 dynamically influencing, using the first PSMP score and second PSMP score, the outcome of the detected first game-related event to favor the player with a relatively higher PSMP score. 
 
     
     
         21 . The gaming method of  claim 13  wherein the first set of game-related events and activities is selected from a group of sets consisting of: events or activities relating to the awarding of and/or loss of game points; events or activities relating to the awarding of and/or loss of game-related life/health points; events or activities relating to the awarding of and/or loss of game-related bonuses; events or activities relating to the awarding of and/or loss of real and/or virtual currency; events or activities relating to the awarding of, loss of, and/or possession of game-related virtual objects; events or activities relating to the awarding of and/or loss of game-related rank and/or status; events or activities relating to the awarding of, loss of, and/or possession of game-related virtual real estate; events or activities relating to the reconfiguration, improvement and/or alteration of game-related characters, object, assets or real-estate; and events or activities relating to the awarding of, loss of, possession of, and/or access to game-related character attributes; events or activities relating to the awarding of, loss of, possession of, and/or access to specialized game-related powers or abilities. 
     
     
         22 . The gaming method of  claim 13  wherein the first set of specified criteria includes at least one type of objective selected from a group consisting of: facilitating achievement of at least one identified marketing objective; facilitating achievement of at least one identified promotional objective; facilitating generation of positive marketing for the first game; facilitating generation of positive marketing for at least one identified game; facilitating generation of positive marketing for at least one identified game developer; facilitating generation of positive marketing for at least one identified game distributor; facilitating generation of positive marketing for at least one identified product or service; facilitating increased social awareness of the first game among members of at least one identified demographic group; facilitating posting of positive reviews relating to the first game; facilitating achievement of at least one identified cross-promotional objective; facilitating increased sales or subscription objectives; facilitating an increase in new player registration; and facilitating an increase player participation. 
     
     
         23 . The gaming method of  claim 13  further comprising:
 dynamically calculate the first PSMP score using a first defined set of defined PSMP score calculation criteria; 
 wherein the first defined set of defined PSMP score calculation criteria includes at least one type of criteria selected from a group consisting of: criteria relating to a theme of the first game; criteria relating to a type of game-related event whose outcome is to be influenced; criteria relating to at least one objective as defined by the first set of specified criteria; criteria relating to the first player's online friends; criteria relating to the first player's perceived influence among members of at least one identified subgroup of an online social network; criteria relating to other players of the first game who have been identified as being a friend of the first player; demographic criteria relating to the first player; demographic criteria relating to at least a portion of the first player's online friends; historical post criteria relating to prior posts made by the first player in at least one identified online social network; criteria relating to a perceived value of the first player's friend demographic base; criteria relating to an amount of real or virtual currency spent by the first player on game-related activities; criteria relating to the first player's gaming history during at least one specified time interval; criteria relating to 3rd party scores or values relating to the first player's degree of influence in one or more social networks; criteria relating to relevancy of the first player's demographic profile with respect to specific marketing, advertising, sales, and/or promotional objectives; demographic criteria relating to demographics of the first player's online friends; criteria relating to the geographic location of the first player; criteria relating to a measure or degree of how much other social network members rely on the first player's recommendations and opinions on a given topic; criteria relating to a measure or degree of how much the first player's online activities influence members of one or more social network communities; criteria relating to a number of online players who follow posts by the first player; criteria relating to a number of online players who repost or share posts by the first player; criteria relating to a measure or degree of how influential people are who repost or share posts by the first player;; criteria relating to the measure or degree of how much the first player's posts have been disseminated within at least one identified social network community; criteria relating to a diversity of the first player's online friends; and criteria relating to a diversity of the first player's online followers.