System and method for progressive relationship development

Abstract

A computer system and computer implemented method to develop a relationship according to a multi-step process. The computer system may define a workflow having multiple stages, each stage having one or more game sessions to develop the relationship between participants. The games in successive stages of the workflow may be designed to encourage increased communication between the participants. A workflow may comprise at least three stages including a connect stage, a play stage, and a meet stage. An initial communication may include a written or asynchronous communication. Increased communication may include a voice, video, or real-time communication.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for progressively developing a relationship, comprising:
 in a computer system, instantiating a workflow for a first user and a second user, the workflow comprising a plurality of stages for developing a progressive relationship; and   for each stage in the workflow:
 selecting a game to be played between the connected users, and 
 managing a game session between the connected users; 
   wherein the game sessions of successive stages provide successively increased communication between the users.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein communication for a game session in a first stage of the workflow includes asynchronous communication and communication for a game session in a subsequent stage of the workflow includes real-time communication. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein communication for a game session in a first stage of the workflow includes written communication and communication for a game session in a subsequent stage of the workflow includes voice communication. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein communication for a game session in a first stage of the workflow includes written communication and communication for a game session in a subsequent stage of the workflow includes video communication. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a topic of communication in a subsequent stage of the workflow is more complex than communication in a first stage of the workflow. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the connected users cannot play a game in a subsequent stage until they have played a game in a first stage. 
     
     
         7 . A method for progressively developing a relationship, comprising:
 initiating at a server, a first communication between a plurality of users by moderating a connect style game having a first level of communication;   after a connect style game has been played, initiating with the server a subsequent communication between the plurality of users by moderating a play style game having a second level of communication; and   after a play style game has been played, initiating with the server a communication between the plurality of users by moderating a meet style game having a third level of communication.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the first level of communication includes asynchronous communication. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the first level of communication includes written communication. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the second level of communication includes asynchronous communication. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the second level of communication includes real-time communication. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the second level of communication includes voice communication. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the third level of communication includes real-time communication. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the third level of communication includes video communication. 
     
     
         15 . A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that when executed by a processor implements a method comprising:
 instantiating a workflow for a first user and a second user, the workflow comprising a plurality of stages for developing a progressive relationship;   for each stage in the workflow:
 selecting a game to be played between the connected users; and 
 managing a game session between the connected users; 
   wherein the game sessions of successive stages provide successively increased communication between the users.   
     
     
         16 . A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that when executed by a processor implements a method comprising:
 initiating at a server, a first communication between a plurality of users by moderating a connect style game having a first level of communication;   after a connect style game has been played, initiating with the server a subsequent communication between the plurality of users by moderating a play style game having a second level of communication; and   after a play style game has been played, initiating with the server a communication between the plurality of users by moderating a meet style game having a third level of communication.   
     
     
         17 . A system for facilitating progressive development of a relationship, comprising:
 a memory that stores a workflow for a plurality of users, the workflow comprising a plurality of stages for developing a progressive relationship;   a server connected to a network, said server configured to manage a game session between the connected users for each stage of the workflow;   wherein the game sessions of successive stages provide successively increased communication between the users   
     
     
         18 . A system for facilitating progressive development of a relationship, comprising:
 a memory that stores interactive games for a plurality of users developing a relationship;   a server connected to a network, said server configured to:
 initiate a first communication between the plurality of users by moderating a connect style game having a first level of communication; 
 after a connect style game has been played, initiate a subsequent communication between the plurality of users by moderating a play style game having a second level of communication; and 
 after a play style game has been played, initiate a final communication between the plurality of users by moderating a meet style game having a third level of communication.