Location-based multiplayer gaming platform

Abstract

The methods and systems disclosed herein include a gaming platform that may support massively-multiplayer online computer games, with elements of social networking, in which players may use mobile devices in order to verify their location and claim a measure of control over the location. Players may function like game pieces in association with other members on a team and participate in competitions to capture and defend real-world territory as part of the gaming experience. The gaming platform and associated entities may share revenue and other incentives with entities associated with the locations controlled by the players on the game platform.

1 - 238 . (canceled) 
     
     
         239 . A method using at least one computer with a resident computer readable medium having stored thereon non-transitory instructions which, when executed by a processor of the computer, causes the processor to perform the steps of:
 associating a mobile communication facility with a plurality of mobile communication facilities, wherein the association forms a multiplayer team electronic data structure;   creating a first code associated with a geographic location;   receiving the code from the mobile communication facility;   verifying that the mobile communication facility is present at the geographic location near the time of receiving the code; and   updating the multiplayer team electronic data structure to credit a multiplayer team score based at least in part on verifying that the mobile communication facility is present at the geographic location near the time of receiving the code.   
     
     
         240 . The method of  claim 239 , wherein the geographic location is a virtual geographic location. 
     
     
         241 . The method of  claim 239 , wherein the geographic location is a retail store. 
     
     
         242 . The method of  claim 239 , wherein the geographic location is a landmark. 
     
     
         243 . The method of  claim 239 , wherein the geographic location is defined by a user of the mobile communication facility. 
     
     
         244 . The method of  claim 239 , wherein the geographic location is ground level. 
     
     
         245 . The method of  claim 239 , wherein the geographic location is subterranean. 
     
     
         246 . The method of  claim 239 , wherein the geographic location is above ground level. 
     
     
         247 . The method of  claim 239 , wherein the geographic location of the mobile communication facility is established using GPS. 
     
     
         248 . The method of  claim 239 , wherein the geographic location of the mobile communication facility is established using triangulation. 
     
     
         249 . A method using at least one computer with a resident computer readable medium having stored thereon non-transitory instructions which, when executed by a processor of the computer, causes the processor to perform the steps of:
 associating a code with a geographic location in a location data structure;   verifying a user's presence at the geographic location based at least in part on the location of a mobile communication facility that is associated with the user;   transmitting a coupon code to the mobile communication facility;   confirming use of the coupon code in completing a transaction at the geographic location;   calculating a revenue amount associated with the transaction;   awarding a location control measure to the user based on the confirmed use of the coupon code and transaction and transforming a location control data structure to reflect the awarded location control measure; and   distributing a share of the revenue associated with the transaction to a third party.   
     
     
         250 . The method of  claim 249 , wherein the transaction is an online advertisement conversion. 
     
     
         251 . The method of  claim 249 , wherein the transaction is an online transaction. 
     
     
         252 . The method of  claim 249 , wherein the transaction is a purchase at a geographic store location. 
     
     
         253 . The method of  claim 249 , wherein the transaction is a club enrollment. 
     
     
         254 . The method of  claim 249 , wherein the transaction is a credit card purchase. 
     
     
         255 . The method of  claim 249 , wherein the transaction is a phone call. 
     
     
         256 . The method of  claim 249 , wherein the transaction is a text message. 
     
     
         257 . The method of  claim 249 , wherein the transaction is viewing television content. 
     
     
         258 . A method using at least one computer with a resident computer readable medium having stored thereon non-transitory instructions which, when executed by a processor of the computer, causes the processor to perform the steps of:
 associating a code with a geographic location;   verifying a user's presence at the geographic location based at least in part on the location of a mobile communication facility that is associated with the user;   confirming a transaction at the geographic location and associating the code with the transaction upon verification of a user's presence at the geographic location;   calculating a revenue amount associated with the transaction;   awarding a location control measure to the user based on the code and the transaction and transforming a location control data structure to reflect the awarded location control measure; and   distributing a share of the revenue associated with the transaction to a third party.