Apparatuses, Methods and Systems for Providing Access to a Game Area of an Online Game Using a Multi-Level In-Game Currency Platform

Abstract

The APPARATUSES and METHODS FOR providing access to a game area of an online game includes receiving a request to access the game area, from a user, wherein the request includes information related to game attributes of the user. The game attributes of the user are analyzed to determine if the user should be provided access to the game area defined in the request. When it is determined that the user does not have one or more of the game attributes to gain access to the game area based on the analysis, determining if a specific one of the game attributes is eligible for purchase to gain access to the game area. If the specific game attribute is eligible for purchase, then facilitating purchase of the specific one of the game attributes by the user in order to gain access to the game area.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for providing access to a game area of an online game, comprising:
 receiving a request to access the game area, from a user, the request including information related to game attributes of the user;   analyzing game attributes of the user to determine if the user should be provided access to the game area defined in the request;   when it is determined that the user does not have one or more of the game attributes to gain access to the game area based on the analysis,
 determining if a specific one of the game attributes is eligible for purchase to gain access to the game area; and 
 facilitating purchase of the specific one of the game attributes that is eligible for purchase by the user in order to gain access to the game area, 
 wherein the method operations are performed by a processor. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein analyzing the game attributes further includes,
 obtaining in-game rules for the online game, the in-game rules identifying requirements for providing access to the game area for each of the game attributes; and   comparing the requirements for each of the game attributes defined by the in-game rules against the corresponding game attributes of the user to determine the specific ones of the game attributes that does not meet eligibility requirement for accessing the game area.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining eligibility to purchase further includes,
 examining information related to the specific one of the game attribute to determine if the specific one of the game attribute is eligible for purchase; and   determining purchase information for purchasing the specific one of the game attribute based on the eligibility for purchasing the corresponding game attribute.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining eligibility to purchase further includes,
 examining other game attributes of the user to determine if the user is eligible to purchase the specific one of the game attribute required for accessing the game area; and   determining purchase information for purchasing the specific one of the game attribute based on the user's eligibility for purchase.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein facilitating purchase further includes,
 providing an option to select one or more of other attributes of the user for purchasing the specific one of the game attribute.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein facilitating purchase further includes,
 providing an option to the user to purchase a specific type of virtual currency, the specific type of virtual currency used to purchase the specific one of the attribute required for gaining access to the game area, wherein the specific virtual currency is purchased using one of real currency, virtual currency different from the specific virtual currency, credit virtual currency, reward points acquired during game play of the online game.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein facilitating purchase further includes,
 retrieving social graph data from one or more social graphs associated with the user;   analyzing the social graph data associated with the user to determine one or more of user eligibility to purchase the specific game attribute, purchase rate for purchasing the specific game attribute, social contacts to request the specific game attribute or to trade one or more other game attributes of the user for the specific game attribute, the social graph data identifying social contacts, type of link and link weight established between the user and the social contacts.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the game attribute required for gaining access to the game area is possession of a predefined amount of a specific virtual currency type, wherein the specific virtual currency type is one of ordinary virtual currency, premium virtual currency, special virtual currency, credit virtual currency, or any combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the game attribute required for gaining access to the game area is possession of a predetermined game item that is required to perform a job or to progress within the game area, the game item includes one of game chips, game tools, game weapons or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the game attribute required for gaining access to the game area is an achievement of a predetermined in-game level by the user, the in-game level providing access to a game item required for performing a job or to progress within the game area. 
     
     
         11 . A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium storing instructions which when executed by a processor provides access to a game area of an online game, the storage medium having instructions to:
 receive a request to access the game area, from a user, the request including information related to game attributes of the user;   analyze game attributes of the user to determine if the user should be provided access to the game area defined in the request;   when it is determined that the user does not have one or more of the game attributes to gain access to the game area based on the analysis,
 determine if a specific one of the game attributes is eligible for purchase to gain access to the game area; and 
 facilitate purchase of the specific one of the game attributes by the user in order to gain access to the game area. 
   
     
     
         12 . The storage medium of  claim 11 , wherein instructions to analyze the game attributes further includes instructions to,
 obtain in-game rules for the online game, the in-game rules identifying requirements for providing access to the game area for each of the game attributes; and   compare the requirements for each of the game attributes defined by the in-game rules against the corresponding game attributes of the user to determine the specific ones of the game attributes that does not meet eligibility requirement for accessing the game area.   
     
     
         13 . The storage medium of  claim 11 , wherein instructions to determine eligibility to purchase further includes instructions to,
 examine information related to the specific one of the game attribute to determine if the specific one of the game attribute is eligible for purchase; and   determine purchase information for purchasing the specific one of the game attribute based on the eligibility for purchasing the corresponding game attribute.   
     
     
         14 . The storage medium of  claim 11 , wherein instructions to determine eligibility to purchase further includes instructions to,
 examine other game attributes of the user to determine if the user is eligible to purchase the specific one of the game attribute required for accessing the game area; and   determine purchase information for purchasing the specific one of the game attribute based on the user's eligibility for purchase.   
     
     
         15 . The storage medium of  claim 11 , wherein instructions to facilitate purchase further includes instructions to,
 provide an option to purchase the specific one of the game attribute using one or more of other attributes of the user.   
     
     
         16 . The storage medium of  claim 11 , wherein instructions to facilitate purchase further includes instructions to,
 provide an option to the user to purchase the specific virtual currency, the specific virtual currency used to purchase the specific one of the attribute required for gaining access to the game area.