Video game with real world scanning aspects

Abstract

Facets of a video game are modified based on scanning of bar codes. The bar codes may be bar codes of retail products. The facets of the video game may one or more of availability of game characters for use in play of the video game, characteristics of the game characters, availability or characteristics of in-game items, or game player status.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for providing video game play benefits for scanning of bar codes, comprising:
 receiving information of a bar code;   determining a modification to a facet of a video game associated with at least some of the information of the bar code;   modifying the facet of the video game with the determined modification; and   providing for play of the video game.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the information of the bar code is a value. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the value is a number uniquely indicating a manufacturer and a product. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the facet of the video game is availability of at least one video game character for control by a game player. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the facet of the video game is availability of at least one in-game item for use in play of the video game. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the facet of the video game is a characteristic of at least one video game character. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the facet of the video game is a characteristic of at least one in-game item for use in play of the video game. 
     
     
         8 . A non-transitory computer readable memory storing program instructions, the program instructions comprising program instructions to configure at least one processor to:
 receive information of a bar code;   determine a modification to a facet of a video game associated with at least some of the information of the bar code;   modify the facet of the video game with the determined modification; and   provide for play of the video game.   
     
     
         9 . The computer readable memory of  claim 8 , wherein the information of the bar code is a value. 
     
     
         10 . The computer readable memory of  claim 8 , wherein the value is a number uniquely indicating a manufacturer and a product. 
     
     
         11 . The computer readable memory of  claim 8 , wherein the facet of the video game is availability of at least one video game character for control by a game player. 
     
     
         12 . The computer readable memory of  claim 8 , wherein the facet of the video game is availability of at least one in-game item for use in play of the video game. 
     
     
         13 . The computer readable memory of  claim 8 , wherein the facet of the video game is a characteristic of at least one video game character. 
     
     
         14 . The computer readable memory of  claim 8 , wherein the facet of the video game is a characteristic of at least one in-game item for use in play of the video game.