Fantasy sports live

Abstract

The purpose of this invention is to change and add to the way fantasy sports games are played by creating an online, virtual live interactive video game that uses fantasy sports statistics as its scoring database system and provides live worldwide communication and competition. The method of playing the online live interactive fantasy video game of the invention comprises a obtaining a subscription to play, selecting a platform from which to play the fantasy game, selecting team members to form a fantasy team, interacting with others playing the fantasy game, and controlling each team member's performance and competing against other fantasy teams. The game includes access to a live fantasy sports television channel to watch games and tournaments, live access to a fantasy sports analyst, and virtual reality software so that the player can become physically involved with the game.

1. An apparatus for playing an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game(s) game tournament comprising:
 (a) means for obtaining a subscription to play said fantasy video game tournament in an established league; 
 (b) means for at least one of obtaining and selecting a platform from which to play playing said fantasy video game tournament as an active player according to said established a set schedule via a computer, an interactive television, or a video game console; 
 (c) means for selecting fantasy team members to form a fantasy team via the computer, the interactive television, or the video game console; 
 (d) means for interacting communicating with others other users playing said fantasy video game tournament; and 
 (e) means for controlling each fantasy team member's performance and competing against other fantasy teams according to an established said set schedule and via the computer, the interactive television, or the video game console. 
 
     
     
       2. A An apparatus for playing an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 1  wherein said means for obtaining a subscription comprises one of purchasing a CD and online subscription either of which can be purchased on one of a computer means for purchasing said fantasy video game tournament or an online subscription to said fantasy video game tournament via one of an internet connection and an interactive television, and a wireless device. 
     
     
       3. A An apparatus for playing an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 1  wherein said fantasy video game tournament includes a demonstration tour explaining how to play said fantasy sports video game tournament game and or how to register said fantasy team. 
     
     
       4. A An apparatus for playing an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 1  wherein said fantasy video game tournament includes means for selecting at least one of at least one sport a game to play. 
     
     
       5. A An apparatus for playing an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 1  wherein said platform comprises all available versions of one of Xbox, Playstation, Nintendo, Wireless Mobile, PDA, and Personal Computer fantasy video game tournament includes means for playing said fantasy video game tournament on the computer, the interactive television, or the video game console comprising a wireless mobile device, personal digital assistant, or personal computer. 
     
     
       6. A An apparatus for playing an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 1  wherein said means for interacting communicating with others other users comprises one of means for video conferencing, chat rooms, Fantasy Sports Television, Fantasy Sports Bottom Line, E-mail television, e-mail, forums, Fantasy Sports Radio, and radio, or virtual reality communication equipment. 
     
     
       7. A An apparatus for playing an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 6  wherein said means for interacting communicating with others other users includes an ability to interact with means for communicating with a fantasy sports analyst. 
     
     
       8. A An apparatus for playing an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 1  wherein said means for selecting players fantasy team members comprises means for performing a fantasy draft. 
     
     
       9. A An apparatus for playing an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 1  wherein said fantasy video game tournament includes access to a live and virtual means for broadcasting on a fantasy sports television channel. 
     
     
       10. A An apparatus for playing an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 9  wherein said fantasy sports television channel includes televised fantasy games, fantasy all-star games, fantasy tournament games, fantasy commercials, virtual training information, fantasy news worldwide, promotions, advertisements, fantasy halftime shows, and or available fantasy merchandise. 
     
     
       11. A An apparatus for playing an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 1  wherein said fantasy video game tournament includes a series of options with packages including means for selecting fantasy video game tournament options including years purchased, sports or activities selections, console preference, scoring system, geography, age, time zone and favorite sports teams. 
     
     
       12. A An apparatus for playing an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 1  wherein said fantasy video game tournament includes means for playing a fantasy sports tournaments between different teams and sports tournament. 
     
     
       13. A An apparatus for playing an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 1  wherein said fantasy video game tournament includes means for providing at least one of rewards, trophies, and awardsreceived for one of individual fantasy achievements and fantasy sports tournament winners. 
     
     
       14. A An apparatus for playing an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 1  wherein said fantasy video game tournament further includes at least one means for providing a fantasy sports award ceremonyfor individual performance achievements. 
     
     
       15. A An apparatus for playing an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 1  wherein said fantasy video game tournament includes a virtual fantasy hall of famewherein fantasy sports achievements by teams and players can be recorded. 
     
     
       16. A An apparatus for playing an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 1  wherein said fantasy video game tournament includes at least one a fantasy sports publicationrelated to fantasy teams' performances. 
     
     
       17. A An apparatus for playing an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 1  wherein said fantasy video game tournament includes means for providing voting options for fantasy all-star selections. 
     
     
       18. A An apparatus for playing an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 1  wherein said fantasy video game tournament includes means for providing at least one of fantasy intermission excitement, fantasy sports halftime shows, and virtual live fan interactionwithin the game. 
     
     
       19. A An apparatus for playing an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 1  wherein said fantasy video game tournament includes means for removing or replacing a capability of firing at least one of fantasy sports owners and coaches owner or a fantasy coach. 
     
     
       20. A An apparatus for playing an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 1  wherein said fantasy video game tournament includes an option of means for selling said fantasy sports teams to said other players per policy users. 
     
     
       21. A An apparatus for playing an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 1  wherein said virtual fantasy video game tournament includes means for compiling fantasy sports statisticsas its scoring system database. 
     
     
       22. A An apparatus for playing an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 1  wherein said fantasy video game tournament includes at least one of a fantasy sports stadiums stadium and arenas a fantasy arena. 
     
     
       23. A method of playing an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament(s) tournament on a computer, an interactive television, or a video game console, said method comprising the steps of:
 (a) creating a fantasy league on the computer, the interactive television, or the video game console, the fantasy league having a predetermined number of participants; 
 (b) establishing a set schedule of play on the computer, the interactive television, or the video game console for said fantasy league established in step (a); 
 (c) obtaining a subscription to play in said fantasy game league as an active player; 
 (d) at least one of obtaining and selecting a platform from which to play said fantasy game fantasy team members on the computer, the interactive television, or the video game console to form a fantasy team in said fantasy league subscribed to in step (c); 
 (d) selecting fantasy team members to form a fantasy team; 
 (e) interacting communicating with others playing said a fantasy game selected in said fantasy league created in step (a); and 
 (f) controlling each fantasy team member's performance on the computer, the interactive television, or the video game console; and 
 (g) competing against other fantasy teams; and 
 (h) based on the controlling of each fantasy team member's performance in step (f) and the competing against other fantasy teams in step (g), compiling fantasy sports statistics in a scoring database. 
 
     
     
       24. A method of playing a an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 23  wherein said method step of obtaining a subscription comprises one of purchasing a CD and online subscription either of which can be purchased from a computer said fantasy video game tournament or an online subscription to said fantasy video game tournament via one of an Internet connectionand, and interactive television, and a wireless device. 
     
     
       25. A method of playing a an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 23  further including a step of following a demonstration tour explaining demonstrating how to play said fantasy video game tournament and how to register said fantasy team. 
     
     
       26. A method of playing a an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 23  further including a step of selecting at least one of a sport and a game to play from a list of several sports and games or an activity to play from a list of sports or activities. 
     
     
       27. A method of playing a an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 23  wherein said further including a step of at least one of obtaining and selecting a platformincludes selecting from all available versions of one of Xbox, Playstation, Nintendo, Wireless Mobile, PDA, and Personal Computer, wherein said platform comprises a video game console, wireless mobile device, personal digital assistant, or personal computer. 
     
     
       28. A method of playing a an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 23  wherein said step of interacting communicating with others includes the use of one of communicating via video conferencing, chat rooms, Fantasy Sports Television, Fantasy Sports Bottom Line, E-mail television, e-mail, forums, Fantasy Sports Radio, and radio, or virtual reality communication equipment. 
     
     
       29. A method of playing a an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 28  wherein said step of interacting communicating with others includes an ability to interact communicating with a fantasy sports analyst. 
     
     
       30. A method of playing a an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 23  wherein said step of selecting players includes fantasy team members includes executing a fantasy draft. 
     
     
       31. A method of playing a an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 23  wherein said game includes access to further including a step of broadcasting on a live fantasy sports television channel. 
     
     
       32. A method of playing a an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 31  wherein said step of broadcasting on a live fantasy sports television channel includes broadcasting televised fantasy games, fantasy all-star games, fantasy tournament games, commercials, virtual training information, fantasy sports news, promotions, advertisements, fantasy halftime shows, and or available fantasy merchandise. 
     
     
       33. A method of playing a an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 23  wherein said game includes further including a step of selecting from a series of options with packages game options including years purchased, sports or activities selections, console preference, scoring system, geography, age, time zone and favorite sports teams. 
     
     
       34. A method of playing a an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 23  wherein said method includes further including a step of playing a fantasy sports tournaments between different teams tournament. 
     
     
       35. A method of playing a an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 23  wherein said method includes further including a step of distributing at least one of rewards, trophies, and awardsfor at least one of individual fantasy achievements and fantasy tournament winners. 
     
     
       36. A method of playing a an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 23  wherein said method further includes further including a step of holding at least one a fantasy award ceremonyfor individual performance achievements. 
     
     
       37. A method of playing a an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 23  wherein said method includes setting up further including a step of providing a virtual fantasy hall of famewherein fantasy achievements by teams and players can be recorded. 
     
     
       38. A method of playing a an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 23  wherein said method includes providing at least one further including a step of providing a fantasy sports publicationrelated to a fantasy teams' performances. 
     
     
       39. A method of playing a an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 23  wherein said method includes further including a step of providing voting options for fantasy all-star selections. 
     
     
       40. A method of playing a an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 23  wherein said method includes further including a step of providing at least one of providing fantasy sports intermission excitement, fantasy sports halftime shows and virtual live fan interactionwithin the game. 
     
     
       41. A method of playing a an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 23  wherein said method includes providing a capability of firing further including a step of removing or replacing at least one of a fantasy sports owners owner and coaches a fantasy coach. 
     
     
       42. A method of playing a an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 23  wherein said method includes providing an option of further including a step of selling said fantasy sports team(s) team to other players said others. 
     
     
       43. A method of playing a an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 23  wherein said method further includes further including a step of compiling fantasy sports statisticsas its scoring system database. 
     
     
       44. A method of playing a an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in  claim 23  wherein said method further includes further including a step of selecting at least one of a fantasy sports stadiums stadium and arenas a fantasy arena. 
     
     
       45. In combination with a fantasy sports system the improvement comprising a method of integrating a video gaming, wireless communication, and broadcasting to a system to enable a virtual federation league of tournaments. 
     
     
       46. An apparatus for playing an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in claim 21, wherein said fantasy sports statistics are used for displaying said fantasy team members' performances including while a user is playing said fantasy video game tournament. 
     
     
       47. An apparatus for playing an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in claim 21, wherein said fantasy sports statistics are used for a scoring system. 
     
     
       48. An apparatus for playing an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in claim 21, wherein said fantasy sports statistics are initialized using data and statistics from real-life scenarios. 
     
     
       49. A method of playing an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in claim 43, further including a step of using said fantasy sports statistics to display said fantasy team members' performances including while a user is playing said fantasy video game tournament. 
     
     
       50. A method of playing an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in claim 43, further including a step of using said fantasy sports statistics for a scoring system. 
     
     
       51. A method of playing an online live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament as recited in claim 43, further including a step of using data and statistics from real-life scenarios to initialize said fantasy sports statistics. 
     
     
       52. A method for implementing a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament based on fantasy sports statistics in an established league and according to a set schedule, said method comprising:
 (a) providing an online environment accessible by one or more users via a computer, interactive television, or a video game console;   (b) associating with said one or more users one or more digital representations of fantasy team members from a fantasy sports league, each digital representation having one or more attributes;   (c) the computer, the interactive television, or the video game console receiving input from said one or more users to manipulate said one or more digital representations for playing in the established league and according to the set schedule as an active player; and   (d) compiling said one or more attributes of said one or more digital representations on the computer, the interactive television, or the video game console.   
     
     
       53. A method for implementing a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament in an established league and according to a set schedule as recited in claim 52, further comprising the additional step of providing an interface to each of said one or more users of said online environment. 
     
     
       54. A method for implementing a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament in an established league and according to a set schedule as recited in claim 52, further comprising the additional step of registering each of said one or more users in connection with said online environment. 
     
     
       55. A method for implementing a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament in an established league and according to a set schedule as recited in claim 52, further comprising the additional step of implementing a scoring system. 
     
     
       56. A method for implementing a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament in an established league and according to a set schedule as recited in claim 55, wherein said step of compiling said one or more attributes includes compiling said one or more attributes using said scoring system. 
     
     
       57. A method for implementing a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament in an established league and according to a set schedule as recited in claim 55, further comprising basing said scoring system on fantasy sports statistics. 
     
     
       58. A method for implementing a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament in an established league and according to a set schedule as recited in claim 55, further comprising basing said scoring system on said one or more users' manipulation of said one or more digital representations. 
     
     
       59. A method for implementing a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament in an established league and according to a set schedule as recited in claim 55, further comprising basing said scoring system on fantasy sports statistics. 
     
     
       60. A method for implementing a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament in an established league and according to a set schedule as recited in claim 52, further comprising basing said one or more attributes on fantasy sports statistics and storing said one or more attributes in a database. 
     
     
       61. A method for implementing a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament in an established league and according to a set schedule as recited in claim 52, further comprising the additional step of competing against another of said one or more users of said fantasy video game tournament. 
     
     
       62. A method for implementing a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament in an established league and according to a set schedule as recited in claim 52, further comprising the additional step of providing software to be executed on the computer, the interactive television, or a wireless device by said one or more users of the computer, the interactive television, or the video game console. 
     
     
       63. A method for implementing a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament in an established league and according to a set schedule as recited in claim 62, further comprising the computer, the interactive television, or the video game console including any available version of a wireless mobile device, personal digital assistant, or personal computer. 
     
     
       64. A method for implementing a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament in an established league and according to a set schedule as recited in claim 52, further comprising the additional step of displaying a fantasy game environment. 
     
     
       65. A method for implementing a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament in an established league and according to a set schedule as recited in claim 64, wherein said step of receiving input from said one or more users to manipulate said one or more digital representations includes receiving input to manipulate said one or more digital representations in said fantasy game environment. 
     
     
       66. A method for implementing a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament in an established league and according to a set schedule as recited in claim 52, further comprising the additional step of implementing a fantasy league system whereby said one or more users may join a fantasy league. 
     
     
       67. A method for implementing a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament in an established league and according to a set schedule as recited in claim 66, further comprising the additional step of hosting a fantasy sports tournament. 
     
     
       68. A method for implementing a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament in an established league and according to a set schedule as recited in claim 52, further comprising the additional step of engaging a fantasy sports tournament. 
     
     
       69. A method for implementing a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament in an established league and according to a set schedule as recited in claim 52, further comprising basing said attributes on fantasy sports statistics regarding said one or more digital representations. 
     
     
       70. A method for implementing a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament in an established league and according to a set schedule as recited in claim 52, wherein said step of compiling said one or more attributes comprises utilizing information generated from manipulating said one or more digital representations. 
     
     
       71. A method for implementing a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament in an established league and according to a set schedule as recited in claim 52, further comprising basing said one or more attributes on said one or more users manipulating said one or more digital representations. 
     
     
       72. A method for implementing a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament in an established league and according to a set schedule as recited in claim 52, wherein said step of compiling said one or more attributes comprises modifying statistical information regarding said one or more digital representations. 
     
     
       73. A method for implementing a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament in an established league and according to a set schedule as recited in claim 52, further comprising the additional step of implementing a scoring system based on said one or more users manipulating of said one or more digital representations. 
     
     
       74. A method for implementing a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament in an established league and according to a set schedule as recited in claim 73, further comprising basing said scoring system on fantasy sports statistics. 
     
     
       75. A method for implementing a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament in an established league and according to a set schedule as recited in claim 52, further comprising compiling said fantasy sports statistics in a database. 
     
     
       76. A method for implementing a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament in an established league and according to a set schedule as recited in claim 52, further comprising the additional step of providing one or more fantasy training scenarios. 
     
     
       77. A method for implementing a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament in an established league and according to a set schedule as recited in claim 76, wherein said providing one or more training scenarios includes demonstrating how to interact with or play with said fantasy video game tournament. 
     
     
       78. A method for implementing a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament in an established league and according to a set schedule as recited in claim 76, wherein said providing one or more training scenarios includes providing a practice scenario to improve said one or more users' abilities. 
     
     
       79. A method for implementing a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament in an established league and according to a set schedule as recited in claim 76, wherein said providing one or more training scenarios includes providing a practice scenario to modify said one or more attributes of said one or more digital representations. 
     
     
       80. A method for implementing a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament in an established league and according to a set schedule as recited in claim 52, further comprising the additional step of displaying fantasy sports statistics in real time. 
     
     
       81. A method for implementing a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament in an established league and according to a set schedule as recited in claim 52, wherein said step of associating with said one or more users one or more digital representations includes executing a fantasy draft. 
     
     
       82. A method for implementing a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament in an established league and according to a set schedule as recited in claim 81, further comprising selecting said one or more digital representations by a computer in said fantasy draft. 
     
     
       83. A method for implementing a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament in an established league and according to a set schedule as recited in claim 81, further comprising selecting said one or more digital representations by said one or more users in said fantasy draft. 
     
     
       84. A method for implementing a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament in an established league and according to a set schedule as recited in claim 52, wherein said step of associating with said one or more users one or more digital representations includes said one or more users selecting said one or more digital representations. 
     
     
       85. A method for implementing a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament in an established league and according to a set schedule as recited in claim 52, further comprising the additional step of associating with each of said one or more users a digital team comprised of said one or more digital representations of said fantasy team members. 
     
     
       86. A method for implementing a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament in an established league and according to a set schedule as recited in claim 85, further comprising the additional step of modifying one or more of the following attributes of said digital team: fantasy team name, fantasy logo, fantasy team uniform, fantasy team colors, or fantasy stadium. 
     
     
       87. A method for implementing a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament in an established league and according to a set schedule as recited in claim 52, further comprising the additional step of competing against another of said one or more users of said fantasy video game tournament. 
     
     
       88. A method for implementing a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament in an established league and according to a set schedule as recited in claim 87, further comprising the additional step of competing against other digital teams. 
     
     
       89. A method for implementing a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament in an established league and according to a set schedule as recited in claim 87, further comprising the additional step of competing against other fantasy teams. 
     
     
       90. An online virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament system comprising:
 (a) a database of statistical information stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium, the statistical information regarding fantasy team members in fantasy sports league;   (b) an online environment for live virtual interactive fantasy video game tournaments in an established league and according to a set schedule; and   (c) a software component, said software component to be executed via a computer, an interactive television, or a video game console for accepting user input to control, as an active player, fantasy team members' performances in the online environment and for updating the statistical information in the database based on the fantasy team members' performances.   
     
     
       91. An online virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament system as recited in claim 90, further comprising input devices to send signals to the computer, the interactive television, or the video game console. 
     
     
       92. An online virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament system as recited in claim 90, wherein said software component causes the computer, the interactive television, or the video game console to interact with said online environment. 
     
     
       93. An online virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament system as recited in claim 90, wherein said software component implements a fantasy game environment. 
     
     
       94. An online virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament system as recited in claim 90, wherein said database is accessible via the Internet. 
     
     
       95. An online virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament system as recited in claim 90, wherein said database includes a scoring database. 
     
     
       96. An online virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament system as recited in claim 90, further comprising communication equipment. 
     
     
       97. An online virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament system as recited in claim 96, wherein said communication equipment comprises two or more components selected from the group consisting of: microphone, headphones, web-cam, videoconference software, and television. 
     
     
       98. A method for a user to play a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament on a computer, an interactive television comprising, or a video game console comprising:
 selecting on the computer, the interactive television, or the video game console one or more actual sports players to be represented as fantasy sports players of a fantasy league in a virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament;   displaying on the computer, the interactive television, or the video game console representations of the selected actual sports players;   for at least one of the representations corresponding to at least one of the selected actual sports players, associating characteristics corresponding to historical performance statistics of the at least one of the actual sports players represented by the at least one of the representations;   allowing the user to manipulate said at least one of the representations during play of the virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament on the computer, the interactive television, or the video game console for playing as an active player in an established league and according to a set schedule; and   compiling performance characteristics on the computer, the interactive television, or the video game console for said one or more representations in accordance with the play of the virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament so that in future play of the virtual interactive fantasy video game tournament with the user, performance of said representations during game play is affected by both the performance characteristics and said user manipulation of said one or more representations.