System and method of navigating a virtual environment

Abstract

An electronic system accesses a game application over a computerized network, and allows a user to play individually without personal interaction with any other user within a multiplayer environment. The user is presented with a map or three-dimensional virtual rendering of the user's real-life current location in a geographic area on the display, shown as a virtual location, and dynamic data on the real-life geographic area is integrated into the display to dynamically update the map or three-dimensional rendering of the corresponding virtual location in the geographic area, thereby dynamically updating the virtual rendering of the user's current location in the real-life geographic area in real-time. Benefits are initiated to the user based on content to which the user is exposed during game play as the user dynamically navigates the map or three-dimensional virtual rendering of the real-life geographic area shown on the display in real-time, during the game application.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electronic system, comprising:
 a primary electronic device configured to access a game application over a computerized network, said primary electronic device configured to initiate said game application in response to a user request to play as an individual player without personal interaction with any other user within a multiplayer environment;   a display provided with said electronic device, wherein said user is presented with a map or three-dimensional virtual rendering created by said processor, of the user's real-life current location in a geographic area on said display, said map or three-dimensional virtual rendering which shows said user's current location as a virtual location in said geographic area;   a computer memory device configured to communicate with the primary electronic device, said memory device which contains data on at least said map or said current virtual location of said geographic area;   wherein dynamic data on said real-life geographic area is integrated into said display from said computerized network accessed by said electronic device, using said processor, to dynamically update said map or three-dimensional rendering of said corresponding virtual location in said geographic area, and dynamically update said virtual rendering of said user's current location in said real-life geographic area in real-time on said display; and   wherein benefits are initiated to said user, using said processor, based on content to which said user is exposed during game play as said user dynamically navigates said map or three-dimensional virtual rendering of said real-life geographic area shown on said display of said electronic device, in real-time, during said game application.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said electronic device is a cell phone, a personal digital assistant, a desktop computer, or a laptop computer. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 audio and video mechanism which provide audio and video data to said user in said game application.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a database at one of said electronic device or at a second electronic device accessed over said computerized network, said database which stores data on said benefits achieved during said game application.   
     
     
         5 . A computer system which automatically integrates content into an electronic device, comprising:
 at least one memory having at least one program which comprises the steps of:
 receiving a request from a user at said electronic device, which accesses said computerized network, to initiate a game application that is accessible at said electronic device; 
 initiating said game application at said electronic device for a user who plays as an individual player without personal interaction with any other user within a multiplayer environment; 
 providing a display with said electronic device, such that said user is presented with a map or three-dimensional virtual rendering created by a processor, of the user's real-life current location in a geographic area on said display, said map or three-dimensional virtual rendering which shows said user's current location as a virtual location in said geographic area; 
 integrating dynamic data received by said electronic device, into said display, on said real-life geographic area accessed by said electronic device from said computerized network using said processor, to dynamically update said map or three-dimensional rendering of said corresponding virtual location in said geographic area, and dynamically update said virtual rendering of said user's current location in said real-life geographic area in real-time on said display; and 
 initiating benefits to said user, using said processor, based on content to which said user is exposed during game play as said user dynamically navigates said map or three-dimensional virtual rendering of said real-life geographic area shown on said display of said electronic device, in real-time, during said game application; and 
   at least one processor configured to run the program.   
     
     
         6 . A non-transitory, computer-readable medium containing executable code which automatically integrates content into an electronic device, comprising:
 receiving a request from a user at said electronic device, which accesses said computerized network, to initiate a game application that is accessible at said electronic device;   initiating said game application at said electronic device for a user who plays as an individual player without personal interaction with any other user within a multiplayer environment;   providing a display with said electronic device, such that said user is presented with a map or three-dimensional virtual rendering created by a processor, of the user's real-life current location in a geographic area on said display, said map or three-dimensional virtual rendering which shows said user's current location as a virtual location in said geographic area;   integrating dynamic data received by said electronic device, into said display, on said real-life geographic area accessed by said electronic device from said computerized network using said processor, to dynamically update said map or three-dimensional rendering of said corresponding virtual location in said geographic area, and dynamically update said virtual rendering of said user's current location in said real-life geographic area in real-time on said display; and   initiating benefits to said user, using said processor, based on content to which said user is exposed during game play as said user dynamically navigates said map or three-dimensional virtual rendering of said real-life geographic area shown on said display of said electronic device, in real-time, during said game application.   
     
     
         7 . A method of initiating game play at an electronic device that accesses a game application over a computerized network, the method comprising:
 receiving a request from a user at said electronic device, which accesses said computerized network, to initiate a game application that is accessible at said electronic device;   initiating said game application at said electronic device for a user who plays as an individual player without personal interaction with any other user within a multiplayer environment;   providing a display with said electronic device, such that said user is presented with a map or three-dimensional virtual rendering created by a processor, of the user's real-life current location in a geographic area on said display, said map or three-dimensional virtual rendering which shows said user's current location as a virtual location in said geographic area;   integrating dynamic data received by said electronic device, into said display, on said real-life geographic area accessed by said electronic device from said computerized network using said processor, to dynamically update said map or three-dimensional rendering of said corresponding virtual location in said geographic area, and dynamically update said virtual rendering of said user's current location in said real-life geographic area in real-time on said display; and   initiating benefits to said user, using said processor, based on content to which said user is exposed during game play as said user dynamically navigates said map or three-dimensional virtual rendering of said real-life geographic area shown on said display of said electronic device, in real-time, during said game application.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 exposing said user to company branding during execution of said game application.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 providing real-time dynamic weather data for said real-life geographic area such that said user is exposed to said real-time dynamic weather data in same game application.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein a plurality of other users is present in said game application. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 cross-indexing said user to a character profile which tracks decisions of said user during said game application.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said character profile corresponds to a character representing said user. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said character profile includes non-identifying demographic data. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said geographic data includes data on a predetermined city. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 evaluating user actions in order to generate one or more game events for said user in said game application.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said electronic device is a cell phone, a personal digital assistant, a desktop computer, or a laptop computer. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 providing audio and video data to said user in said game application.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 storing game benefit data on one of said electronic device or on said database at a second electronic device accessed over the computerized network.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 receiving inputted information into said electronic device, from said user, on items retrieved from said virtual locations in said geographic area shown on said display.