Systems and methods for managing electronic interactive gaming-based investments

Abstract

The field of the invention relates to systems and methods for facilitating investments through interactive online gaming. In one embodiment, an interactive electronic gaming system includes a game server for hosting a Web application game, accessible over a data network. One or more client communication devices are configured to access the game server. An index fund server is accessible over said data network for maintaining electronic investment portfolios. The game server is configured to intercept any electronic payment transactions over a payment gateway server through the Web application game from one or more client devices and redirect the intercepted transaction to the index fund server.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An interactive electronic gaming system comprising:
 a payment gateway server;   a game server in electronic communication with the payment gateway server, the game server being configured to intercept one or more in-game transactions of electronic funds sent through the payment gateway server;   one or more client communication devices configured to create an electronic payment gateway with the payment gateway server during an in-game transaction, over a data network;   a portfolio server, the portfolio server is accessible to the client communication device over said data network;   a portfolio database in electronic communication to said portfolio server for maintaining electronic investment portfolios;   wherein the game server is operatively coupled to a computer program product, the computer program product having a computer-usable medium having a sequence of instructions which, when executed by a processor, causes said processor to execute a process that creates investment projections based on the intercepted payment transaction and redirects electronic transfer to said portfolio database, said process comprising:   hosting at the game server a game, the game configured to receive electronic payments in exchange for virtual currency;   intercepting a first in-game transaction of electronic funds conducted through the electronic payment gateway, the first in-game transaction of electronic funds having a first numerical amount of electronic funds, the intercepting comprising listening for any in-game transactions of electronic funds sent through the electronic payment gateway to an intended recipient;   computing an expected return, wherein the return is based on the investment of the first numerical amount of actual electronic funds;   presenting to a user through a graphical display of a user device, the expected return;   receiving a second in-game transaction of electronic funds conducted through the electronic payment gateway, the second in-game transaction of electronic funds having a second numerical amount of electronic funds and an indication of authorization to transfer the second numerical amount of electronic funds to the portfolio database, the second numerical amount of electronic funds differing from the first numerical amount of electronic funds; and   electronically transferring the second numerical amount of actual electronic funds to the portfolio database at the portfolio server.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the process further includes the step of selecting long-term financial investment goals. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the process further includes the step of maintaining game metrics, said game metrics based on the relative performance of investments compared to said long-term financial investment goals. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the process further includes the step of publishing game metrics to said game server, said game metrics comparing a single user's investment performance to the average investment performance for all users stored in said portfolio database. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the process further includes the step of aggregating said second numerical amount with additional electronic funds prior to transferring said second numerical transaction amount. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said game server represents a social media platform. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said game server represents a stand-alone kiosk configured to receive both electronic and physical funds. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein computing an expected return from investing the first transaction reflects the historical performance of similar investments designed according to Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT). 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein user input modifies the first numerical amount of electronic funds to the second numerical amount of electronic funds. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the portfolio server represents a collective investment scheme. 
     
     
         12 . A method of redirecting in-game consumer transactions between a game server in electronic communication with a payment gateway server to a portfolio database, said payment gateway server configured to create an electronic payment gateway with the game server, the method comprising:
 intercepting a first in-game transaction of electronic funds conducted through the electronic payment gateway, the first in-game transaction of electronic funds having a first numerical amount of electronic funds, the intercepting comprising listening for any in-game transactions of electronic funds sent through the electronic payment gateway to an intended recipient;   computing an expected return, wherein the return is based on the investment of the first numerical amount of electronic funds;   presenting to a user through a graphical display of a user device, the expected return modifying a game metric, a game variable, or both, based on the first numerical amount of actual electronic funds;   receiving a second in-game transaction of electronic funds conducted through the electronic payment gateway, the second in-game transaction of electronic funds having a second numerical amount of electronic funds and an indication of authorization to transfer the second numerical amount of electronic funds to the portfolio database, the second numerical amount of electronic funds differing from the first numerical amount of electronic funds; and   electronically transferring the second numerical amount to the portfolio database at the portfolio server over the data network.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising converting actual funds, deposited to the game server, to an electronic payment for transfer over said electronic payment gateway prior to intercepting said transaction. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of hosting a game at the game server, the game configured to receive electronic payments in exchange for virtual currency. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising publishing game metrics to said game server, said game metrics comparing the relative performance of a single consumer's investment performance to the average investment performance for consumer accounts stored in said portfolio database. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising aggregating said second numerical amount with additional electronic funds prior to transferring said second numerical transaction amount. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said game server represents a social media platform. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said game server represents a stand-alone kiosk. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein computing an expected return from investing the first transaction reflects the historical performance of similar investments designed according to Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT). 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising modifying the first numerical amount of electronic funds to the second numerical amount of electronic funds based on user input. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said portfolio database represents a collective investment scheme.