Abstract:
There is provided a system and method for gated unlock codes for videogame features and content. By maintaining a redemption database where master unlock codes are used to provide access to specific subsets of feature unlock codes, unique exclusive content may be provided for different retailers. In this manner, a universal game media containing all possible additional content may be utilized for retail distribution, reducing publishing costs while still providing customized versions for retailers with desirable exclusive content. By restricting each gaming device or user account to a single group or hierarchy of master unlock codes, the use of ancillary unlock codes with videogames purchased from different retailers may be discouraged, thereby preserving user incentives to purchase primary and secondary items with feature unlock codes at a single retailer.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to interactive gaming applications. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods for feature unlocking in interactive gaming applications. 
     2. Background Art 
     When distributing products such as videogames through retail channels, retailers may often request retailer-specific exclusive content and features to attract consumers. For example, retailers may desire a special customized version, such as a special edition or limited edition package containing exclusive items, characters, downloads, maps, bonus items, or other features specific for the retailer. Retailers can cultivate increased retail store and website traffic by promoting their special or limited edition products through advertising, circular inserts, social networking, and other promotional and marketing channels. 
     An extension to this approach is for retailers to offer secondary products and services that unlock additional content for the retailer specific videogame product. For example, the purchase of Blu-ray or DVD discs, movie tickets, grocery items, hygiene items, game accessories, premium memberships, or other products and services from the retailer may provide users with ancillary redemption codes for unlocking additional exclusive content. The ancillary redemption codes may comprise, for example, alphanumeric strings to be entered by users or barcodes to be scanned by camera. 
     Unfortunately, requiring separate packaging and program code for each specific retailer incurs significant additional development effort to implement minor differences between retailer versions. While using a single unified version would avoid this disadvantage, a single unified version would render it difficult to confirm the specific retailer where a consumer may have purchased a game product. As a result, a single unified version would have to accept the redemption codes for all retailers, and consumers could therefore purchase only the secondary products from a particular retailer and redeem the ancillary redemption codes while avoiding the purchase of the primary product, or the videogame, at the same retailer. This is an undesirable situation for retailers seeking to promote and sell both primary and secondary products to consumers. 
     Accordingly, there is a need to overcome the drawbacks and deficiencies in the art by providing an efficient and cost effective method of providing retailer exclusive features and content while preserving incentives for purchasing both primary and secondary products at a single retailer. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     There are provided systems and methods for gated unlock codes for videogame features and content, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  presents a diagram of a system for providing gated unlock codes for videogame features and content, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  presents a diagram of a user interface for providing gated unlock codes for videogame features and content, according to one embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 3  shows a flowchart describing the steps, according to one embodiment of the present invention, by which gated unlock codes for videogame features and content may be provided. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present application is directed to a system and method for gated unlock codes for videogame features and content. The following description contains specific information pertaining to the implementation of the present invention. One skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention may be implemented in a manner different from that specifically discussed in the present application. Moreover, some of the specific details of the invention are not discussed in order not to obscure the invention. The specific details not described in the present application are within the knowledge of a person of ordinary skill in the art. The drawings in the present application and their accompanying detailed description are directed to merely exemplary embodiments of the invention. To maintain brevity, other embodiments of the invention, which use the principles of the present invention, are not specifically described in the present application and are not specifically illustrated by the present drawings. 
       FIG. 1  presents a diagram of a system for providing gated unlock codes for videogame features and content, according to one embodiment of the present invention. Diagram  100  of  FIG. 1  includes game media  110 , game console  120 , display  130 , input device  135 , network  140 , and redemption database  150 . Game media  110  includes shared program data  111 , retailer specific custom data  112   a , retailer specific custom data  112   b , and memory  115 . Game console  120  includes processor  121  and memory  125 . Redemption database  150  includes retailer redemption record  151 , retailer redemption record  152 , and shared redemption record  151   c . Retailer redemption record  151   a  includes master unlock codes  152   a , feature unlock codes  153   a  and unique identifiers  154   a . Retailer redemption record  151   b  includes master unlock codes  152   b , feature unlock codes  153   b  and unique identifiers  154   b . Shared redemption record  151   c  includes feature unlock codes  153   c  and unique identifiers  154   c.    
     Shared program  111  may comprise game program code and game assets for a video game titled “Figure Story”. Retailer specific custom data  112   a  may contain game assets exclusive to the “Window Mart” retailer, whereas retailer specific custom data  112   b  may contain game assets exclusive to the “Game Pit” retailer. Memory  115  may comprise flash memory for storing user data, such as save data. In alternative embodiments, game media  110  may comprise read only media, such as an optical disc, in which case memory  115  may be omitted or relocated to game console  120 . 
     Game console  120  may comprise any device capable of functioning as a gaming device, such as a personal computer, a mobile phone, a game console, a portable gaming system, or another device. As shown in diagram  100  of  FIG. 1 , game media  110  is inserted into game console  120  for reading by processor  121 . Additionally, memory  125  may be used to store game data and may include non-volatile portions comprising flash memory or a hard disk drive to store user account data, save data, downloadable content, and other permanent data. Visual data from the videogame may be sent to display  130  for viewing by a user, and the user may use input device  135  to interact with the videogame. Display  130  may comprise, for example an internal LCD display integrated into game console  120  or an external LCD display such as a HDTV or computer monitor, and input device  135  may comprise, for example a touchscreen, a gamepad, a keyboard and mouse, or another input device. 
     Game console  120  may also connect to network  140 , which may comprise a public network such as the Internet, to communicate with redemption database  150 . Redemption database  150  may be maintained by the manufacturer of game console  120  or by the creators of game media  110 . In the example shown in diagram  100  of  FIG. 1 , processor  121  may directly query redemption database  150 , but in alternative embodiments an intermediary database interface server, not shown in  FIG. 1 , may be utilized to moderate database query traffic going in and out of redemption database  150 . 
     In some embodiments, game console  120  may lack networking hardware to communicate with network  140 , or access to network  140  may be otherwise unavailable. In this case, to interface with redemption database  150 , a user may be alternatively instructed by display  130  to perform various manual redemption methods such as accessing a redemption website or calling a telephone redemption system. To embed user or device identifying data, which may correspond to data within unique identifiers  154   a  through  154   c , game console  120  may perform a transform to an entered unlock code to embed identifying data into a special unlock code for use with the manual redemption methods. The user may then be directed to use the special unlock code when accessing the website or telephone system, which in turn may interface with redemption database  150  and return an encoded response code. After the user enters the response code, game console  120  may verify that the alternative redemption was successful and proceed as usual, or may deny access to content if the response code indicates failure. Thus, even if game console  120  cannot directly access network  140 , the user may still successfully redeem unlock codes using alternative manual redemption methods. 
     Redemption database  150  includes several records describing the redemption status of various unlock codes. Retailer redemption record  151   a , which may correspond to the “Window Mart” retailer, includes master unlock codes  152   a , which may describe all valid and activated master unlock codes referencing the videogame comprising game media  110  for various uniquely identified devices or accounts referenced by unique identifiers  154   a . For example, unique identifiers  154   a  may include an identifier for game console  120 , or an identifier for user accounts associated with game console  120 . Once a particular device or account redeems a master unlock code by recording an associated redemption record, the device or account may then be considered gated or locked to that master unlock code, or to an associated group or hierarchy of master unlock codes. 
     For example, if the unique identifier to be used is a unique identifier for game console  120 , and the unique identifier is referenced under unique identifiers  154   a , then it may be no longer possible to associate game console  120  with another master unlock code, such as master unlock codes  152   b  corresponding to the “Game Pit” retailer. Thus, the user of game console  120  is now gated or locked into unlocking content reserved for the “Window Mart” retailer only, or feature unlock codes  153   a  referencing content within retailer specific custom data  112   a . Similarly, if unique identifiers  154   b  includes a unique identifier for game console  120 , then game console  120  may be gated or locked into unlocking content reserved for the “Game Pit” retailer only, or feature unlock codes  153   b  referencing content within retailer specific custom data  112   b . However, some content, such as feature unlock codes  153   c  of shared redemption record  151   c , may be accessible globally regardless of master unlock code redemption state. 
     While the above example assumes a single retailer redemption record for a single retailer, in alternative embodiments some retailers may have multiple associated retailer redemption records, for example to provide seasonal or schedule based promotions, or to provide promotions specific to particular regions or stores. In this case, the retailer redemption records associated with a specific retailer may be grouped together or placed in a hierarchy allowing users to redeem and switch membership between retailer redemption records within the same group or hierarchy. For example, the “Game Pit” retailer may provide master unlock codes for a “Summer” and a “Winter” themed game edition, and the user may be enabled to freely switch membership between the two associated retailer redemption records by re-redeeming the associated master unlock code. Moreover, in some embodiments, the user may be able to concurrently redeem multiple master unlock codes. For example, the “Game Pit” retailer may provide master unlock codes for “Special Content Pack #1”, “Special Content Pack #2”, and “Special Content Pack #3”, which may provide access to different feature unlock codes that can be all unlocked concurrently. Additionally, redeeming a specific set of master unlock codes might provide bonus exclusive feature unlock codes. For example, redeeming all of the “Special Content Pack” codes might provide the user with an exclusive item unlock code. 
     Thus, by requiring a user to redeem at least one master unlock code prior to redeeming any content or feature unlock codes, users can be gated or locked into redeeming content exclusive to a particular group, such as a specific retailer, as shown in diagram  100  of  FIG. 1 . Advantageously, since game media  110  may contain the content for all retailers, game media  110  may be produced as a cost effective universal edition for all retailers, avoiding the need for separate versions for each specific retailer. 
     Additionally, since users may now be gated into specific sets of feature unlock codes, a strong incentive and motivation for purchasing primary and secondary products at a single retailer may be maintained, since users can no longer redeem ancillary or feature unlock codes from any retailer but only from the primary retailer providing the master unlock code. The master unlock code may for example be provided to the user at the point of sale for the primary product or the videogame, for example as a redemption card including an alphanumeric code to be entered by the user using input device  135  or a barcode to be scanned using a camera of game console  120 . Although master unlock codes  152   a  and  152   b  may each include several unique unlock codes to accommodate multiple purchases, each master unlock code still performs the same function of gating the user to the associated feature unlock codes, and optionally to the associated group or hierarchy of retailer redemption records. The feature unlock codes may be provided to the user in a similar manner as with the master unlock codes, but accompanied with secondary products such as Blu-ray or DVD discs, movie tickets, grocery items, hygiene items, game accessories, premium memberships, or other products and services that may be offered at the retailer. 
     Moving to  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 2  presents a diagram of a user interface for providing gated unlock codes for videogame features and content, according to one embodiment of the present invention. Diagram  200  of  FIG. 2  includes displays  230   a  through  230   i . With regards to  FIG. 2 , it should be noted that displays  230   a  through  230   i  may each correspond to display  130  of  FIG. 1 . 
     Display  230   a  shows a user interface that may be presented to the user after initially executing the videogame software on a gaming device. The user is shown a title screen showing the title of the game, “Figure Story”, and is presented with two menu options, “New Game” to start the game, and “Redeem Code” to proceed with code redemption. Assuming the user selects “Redeem Code”, the user interface may transition to a state as shown in display  230   b.    
     Display  230   b  shows a user interface that may be presented to the user after selecting the “Redeem Code” option wherein no previous master code redemptions have been recorded. The user is prompted to enter a Master Unlock Code provided by the retailer where the videogame software was purchased. As previously discussed, the 
     Master Unlock Code may be provided as an alphanumeric code or barcode printed on a redemption card accompanying the sale of the videogame. The user may then enter or scan the code to redeem the Master Unlock Code. The Master Unlock Code may comprise a unique one-time use code that is enabled after the point of sale. Depending on whether the user purchased the videogame from “Window Mart” or from “Game Pit”, the user interface may then change to a state shown in display  230   c  or display  230   d , since a different set of Master Unlock Codes are provided at each retailer. If the user attempts to directly enter a Feature Code without redeeming a Master Unlock Code first, then the user may be taken to the screen shown by display  230   h , which might further inform the user that a Master Unlock Code must be redeemed first. 
     Display  230   c  shows a user interface that may be presented to the user after redeeming a Master Unlock Code associated with the “Window Mart” retailer. As shown in display  230   c , the user is returned to the title screen, which now states that it is the “Limited Window Mart Edition”. Thus, depending on the particular Master Unlock Code redeemed by the user, the user interface and experience of the videogame may be customized. Furthermore, the redemption of a Master Unlock Code may also include the free redemption of any number of Feature Unlock Codes. As shown in display  230   c , the game feature “Shooting Gallery” is automatically unlocked after redeeming the Master Unlock Code. 
     Similarly, display  230   d  shows a user interface that may be presented to the user after redeeming a Master Unlock Code associated with the “Game Pit” retailer. As shown in display  230   d , the user is returned to the title screen, which now states that it is the “Limited Game Pit Edition”. Further, the game feature “Roundup Stage” is automatically unlocked after redeeming the Master Unlock Code. 
     Displays  230   e  and  230   f  show user interfaces that may be presented to the user after selecting the “Redeem Code” option with a Master Unlock Code previously recorded. As shown in displays  230   e  and  230   f , the option to enter a new or changed Master Unlock Code is not provided to the user. Instead, the user is prompted to enter a Feature Unlock Code. If the user enters a Feature Unlock Code associated with a retailer not associated with the Master Unlock Code, then the user interface proceeds to the state shown in display  230   h , wherein the redemption is denied and the user is informed that the submitted Feature Unlock Code is not redeemable. 
     On the other hand, if the user redeems a Feature Unlock Code that is verified to be associated with the previously redeemed Master Unlock Code, then the corresponding game feature or content may be unlocked for the user. Thus, as shown in display  230   g , the exclusive content for Window Mart, or the “Steely” character, may be unlocked, whereas in display  230   i  the exclusive content for Game Pit, or the user interface customization “Custom Wallpaper #2”, may be unlocked. Since the Feature Unlock Codes may be provided with the purchase of secondary products at a retailer, the described gated unlock system encourages the purchase of both primary and secondary products at a single retailer as Feature Unlock Codes obtained from the secondary products of other retailers cannot be used. 
     Moving to  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 3  shows a flowchart describing the steps, according to one embodiment of the present invention, by which gated unlock codes for videogame features and content may be provided. Certain details and features have been left out of flowchart  300  that are apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art. For example, a step may comprise one or more substeps or may involve specialized equipment or materials, as known in the art. While steps  310  through  340  indicated in flowchart  300  are sufficient to describe one embodiment of the present invention, other embodiments of the invention may utilize steps different from those shown in flowchart  300 . 
     Referring to step  310  of flowchart  300  in  FIG. 3  and diagram  100  of  FIG. 1 , step  310  of flowchart  300  comprises processor  121  of game console  120  executing a program code from shared program data  111  of game media  110  to provide an interactive videogame on display  130 . As previously described, shared program data  111  may contain game program code and data assets for a game titled “Figure Story”. Processor  121  may accept user input from input device  135  to provide the interactivity for the videogame by updating visuals shown on display  130  accordingly. After step  310 , display  130  may appear similar to display  230   a  in  FIG. 2 . 
     Referring to step  320  of flowchart  300  in  FIG. 3  and diagram  100  of  FIG. 1 , step  320  of flowchart  300  comprises processor  121  of game console  120  recording, in redemption database  150  in response to a first input from input device  135 , retailer redemption record  151   a  referencing master unlock codes  152   a . Prior to step  320 , display  130  may appear similar to display  230   b  in  FIG. 2 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the plurality of master unlock codes includes master unlock codes  152   a  and  152   b , which are both associated with the interactive videogame provided by shared program data  111 . While the plurality of master unlock codes shown in  FIG. 1  are each associated with a different retailer, any criteria for categorization may be utilized. Furthermore, while the plurality of master unlock codes may be each associated with mutually exclusive feature unlock codes to reinforce retailer exclusivity, such a condition is not necessarily a requirement. Additionally, as shown by shared redemption record  151   c , feature unlock codes  153   c  may be provided which are redeemable regardless of master unlock code. 
     Thus, for example, a user may enter or scan a master unlock code within master unlock codes  152   a  as the first input using input device  135 , and game console  120  may then access network  140 , for example through mobile broadband or local Wi-Fi, to record retailer redemption record  151  within redemption database  150 . As previously described, an intermediary server may also be utilized to moderate communications between game console  120  and redemption database  150 , and alternative manual redemption methods may also be supported. Retailer redemption record  151   a  may optionally include unique identifiers  154   a , referencing a unique identifier of gaming device  120  or user accounts associated with gaming device  120 . 
     Furthermore, to prepare for situations when access to redemption database  150  may be unavailable, for example if network  140  is down or no connection is available, retailer redemption record  151   a  may also be recorded in a non-volatile portion of memory  115  and/or memory  125 . In this manner, shared program data  111  can confirm the validity of any prior redemptions even without network access, but any further redemptions of new unlock codes may require reestablishing network connectivity or using a manual redemption method. 
     After step  320 , processor  121  of game console  120  may deny any further attempts to record any further redemption records referencing master unlock codes other than those referenced in master unlock codes  152   a . For example, the game program code within shared program data  111  may only allow a single group or hierarchy of master unlock codes to be redeemed, and the record of the initial redemption may be stored in memory  115  or  125 . In this manner, the user is forced to choose from exclusive content provided by only one specific group or retailer, thereby enhancing the marketing value and desirability of the exclusive content for each retailer. If the user decides to purchase multiple copies of the videogame at different retailers, then workarounds such as creating multiple user accounts may be supported to provide access to all purchased content. 
     Furthermore, as shown in display  230   c  and  230   d  in diagram  200  of  FIG. 2 , the recording of the initial redemption record in step  320  may also be utilized to modify and customize the user interface shown to the user. Thus, title graphics and other graphical assets may be changed, sound effects and music may be changed, and other assets may be customized depending on the specific retailer associated with the master unlock code. 
     Referring to step  330  of flowchart  300  in  FIG. 3  and diagram  100  of  FIG. 1 , step  330  of flowchart  300  comprises processor  121  of game console  120  verifying, in redemption database  150  in response to a second input from input device  135 , a validity of a first feature unlock code from feature unlock codes  153   a  associated with master unlock codes  152   a  using redemption database  150 . Prior to step  330 , display  130  may appear similar to display  230   e  in  FIG. 2 . The second input may be received from the user in a similar manner to the first input from step  320 . Processor  121  may then query redemption database  150  for the existence of retailer redemption record  151   a , wherein the requested first feature unlock code is confirmed to exist within feature unlock codes  153   a . Furthermore, the query may confirm that unique identifiers  154   a  includes an identifier for game console  120  or a user account on game console  120 , and that a prior redemption using a master unlock code from master unlock codes  152   a  has previously occurred. 
     Referring to step  340  of flowchart  300  in  FIG. 3  and diagram  100  of  FIG. 1 , step  340  of flowchart  300  comprises processor  121  of game console  120  granting access to retailer specific custom data  112   a . After step  340 , display  130  may appear similar to display  230   g  of  FIG. 2 , informing the user that a specific feature is now unlocked. Thus, the program code within shared program data  111  may begin using the assets and features referenced in retailer specific custom data  112   a  by the first feature unlock code submitted in step  330 . For example, character models, voices, and other data relating to the “Steely” character may be made accessible. In this manner, the user is enabled to redeem feature unlock codes associated with a specific retailer or another grouping criteria, providing value added contents for users while maintaining user incentives to shop for primary items, or videogame software, and secondary items such as accessories at a single specific retailer offering desirable exclusive content. 
     From the above description of the invention it is manifest that various techniques can be used for implementing the concepts of the present invention without departing from its scope. Moreover, while the invention has been described with specific reference to certain embodiments, a person of ordinary skills in the art would recognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. As such, the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. It should also be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is capable of many rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention.