Apparatus and Process for Facilitating Binding Agreements Among Players of a Video Game

Abstract

Herein described are video games which permit players to secure in-game contracts, such as by using credit cards or other financial instruments. Virtual and real world financial penalties can be applied to players and/or characters based on default of contracts.

1 . A method performed by a computer, the method comprising:
 providing, by a Video Game Central Server, a virtual environment that is accessible to one or more players;   receiving, by the Video Game Central Server, credit card information from a player;   receiving, by the Video Game Central Server, a request to enter into a virtual contract from the player; wherein the virtual contract includes a condition that requires the player to engage in an action other than accessing the virtual environment;   guaranteeing, by the Video Game Central Server, the player's performance of the condition identified in the virtual contract with the credit card information; and   penalizing, by the Video Game Central Server, the player if the condition is not met, by charging the credit card,
 where the condition is paying a periodic premium in virtual currency for a virtual loan. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , where the credit card information is further used as a means to identify the player. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising maintaining, by the Video Game Central Server, the player's credit history by maintaining records of the player's contract obligations and rate of success in fulfilling the obligations. 
     
     
         4 . A method performed by a computer, the method comprising:
 providing, by a Video Game Central Server, a virtual environment of a video game that is accessible to one or more players;   receiving, by the Video Game Central Server, credit card information from a player;   receiving. by the Video Game Central Server, a request to enter into a virtual contract from the player; wherein the virtual contract includes a condition that requires the player to engage in an action other than accessing the virtual environment;   guaranteeing, by the Video Game Central Server, the player's performance of the condition identified in the virtual contract with the credit card information;   determining that the player has broken at least one rule of the video game; and   penalizing, by the Video Game Central Server, the player by charging the credit card,
 where the condition is to not break rules of the video game. 
   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , where the credit card information is further used as a means to identify the player. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising maintaining, by the Video Game Central Server, the player's credit history by maintaining records of the player's contract obligations and rate of success in fulfilling the obligations.