Abstract:
An Internet marketing venue focused around a Web-based casual game. The game is an entertainment site designed for simplicity of play with low commitment. Sponsors provide prizes and rewards, which are made available to the highest-scoring players. These winners select the prizes they most prefer, while non-winners earn points to be “spent” on rewards they choose. In this way, sponsors are connected to customers with both a proven interest and emotional investment in their products.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/291,748 filed Nov. 11, 2008 entitled Web-based Marketing Method, and claims the benefit of provisional application No. 60/018,971 filed Jan. 4, 2008, these applications being incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The Internet has become a major contributor in the fields of entertainment and new customer acquisition. The disclosed method was created to combine these two dynamic elements in a new and unique manner that both provides enhanced entertainment to the player and enhanced value to the sponsor. 
         [0003]    Entertainment on the Internet is growing dramatically, with new games being made available on a weekly, if not daily, basis. The area of casual gaming has seen particular growth, and is expected by The Casual Games Association to reach over $2 billion this year and will continue to grow at about 20% annually. The demographic often cited as the fastest growing is married women and people over 35, which is a principal demographic for many advertisers and sponsors. Internet users are often seeking a diversion that offers both entertainment and information, and provides both with a minimal investment of time and minimal commitment. 
         [0004]    Advertisers and sponsors compete on the Internet for new customers using increasingly sophisticated methods. Traditional banner-type advertisements are making way for contextual advertisements, product placement, and multimedia-type ads that invade the content of the Web site and demand attention. The advent of social media marketing and mobile platform devices is having a dynamic effect upon the on-line advertising landscape. The goal for many advertisers is to do more than just garner a casual click from a random Web site visitor. In order to maximize the return for the advertising dollars spent, advertisers attempt to acquire customers that are both demographically suitable to their products and services, as well as having a proved interest in them. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In the subject invention, casual games are offered by creating a Web page available at no cost to consumers who use personal computers or mobile platform devices for access. Advertisers are invited to offer their wares as prizes and rewards to players of the game. Players who are successful enough at the games, playing as individuals or team members to earn a prize or reward, may then select which of the offered products for which they are eligible they prefer as their prize. 
         [0006]    This method has two desirable effects. First, by enticing consumers to earn prizes and rewards, rather than simply mailing coupons to them or offering giveaways, the game fosters a sense of value akin to that fostered when actual money is spent; the prizes and rewards are not mere throwaways. Second, by allowing consumers to choose which prize they prefer, the opportunity to choose which prize or reward they prefer, the advertiser can be sure that the offered good or service is actually useful to and desired by the consumer, and can avoid the wasted expense of, for example, soliciting married consumers for dating services or male consumers for makeup promotions. 
         [0007]    The claimed method overcomes some of the shortcomings of the prior art by offering a novel means for connecting advertisers through social media with customers who are interested in their products. 
         [0008]    The foregoing and other objectives, features, and advantages of the method will be more readily understood upon consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1 : Overall system block diagram of a preferred embodiment. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2 : Block diagram showing process flow of player registration. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3 : Block diagram showing the process flow of the Web site Points Distribution System. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4 : Block diagram of information flow of prediction game event creation. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5 : Block diagram of flow of Prediction game play. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6 : Block diagram process flow of player answering questions. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7 : Block diagram of information flow of Trivia game creation. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8 : Block diagram of process flow of players participating in Trivia. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9 : Block diagram of process flow of Blackjack points play. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10 : Block diagram of process flow of Solitaire points play. 
           [0019]      FIG. 11 : Block diagram of process flow Texas Hold&#39;em points play of the prize drawing system. 
           [0020]      FIG. 12 : Block diagram of flow showing how teams are formed and compete to win prizes. 
           [0021]      FIG. 13 : Block diagram showing the process flow for the monthly/quarterly Prize Drawing. 
           [0022]      FIG. 14 : Block diagram of process flow of prize award bid system. 
           [0023]      FIG. 15 : Block diagram of flow or prize sponsor participation. 
           [0024]      FIG. 16 : Block diagram of flow of reward sponsor participation. 
           [0025]      FIG. 17 : Block diagram showing process flow of rewards redemption. 
           [0026]      FIG. 18 : Block diagram showing flow of corporate non-profit sponsorship. 
           [0027]      FIG. 19 : Block diagram of flow of auction event sponsorship. 
           [0028]      FIG. 20 : Block diagram of flow of player participation in a real-time auction event. 
           [0029]      FIG. 21 : Block diagram of flow of player participation in a silent auction event. 
           [0030]      FIG. 22 : Block diagram of flow showing how players win prizes with points in the League and Team competition. 
           [0031]      FIG. 23 : Block diagram of process flow showing how a player participates in the card race ladder board competition. 
           [0032]      FIG. 24 : Block diagram showing how a player participates in the Texas Hold&#39;em ladder board competition. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0033]    The subject method provides a relationship between a customer and the business for an extended period of time through the mechanism of ongoing Web-based games where the business&#39; product or service can be offered as a prize and/or a reward, associated with sponsor advertisements on the Web site. A customer, or more accurately player, earns points for correctly predicting the outcome of future events, answers to daily trivia questions as well as compensation for participation in card, board and other casual on-line games. These points are distributed and accumulate over time in four distinct points accounts. Points are concurrently deposited in more than one account depending upon which game activity is played. 
         [0034]    For certain card games, player chips can also be earned for team and individual prizes. Virtual chips are used as tools to play the Web site card games. Positive play chip balances allow players to compete for prize incentives simultaneously as individuals and as members of a card race team. 
         [0035]    Points in a player&#39;s monthly/quarterly prize drawing account are automatically converted to drawing tickets at a predetermined point&#39;s accumulation level. Excess points in the account are rolled over into the following month and quarter. At the end of the calendar month and quarter, a computer-generated random drawing is conducted with the number of tickets drawn matching the number of sponsored prizes offered for each drawing. Players with winning tickets are notified by e-mail of the sequence in which their ticket was drawn. The winners of a round then enter a bidding process where they select their prizes in the order of the sequence their ticket was drawn. Prize tickets remain valid until the end of the calendar quarter even if a winning monthly drawing ticket was drawn. At the end of the quarter, all tickets are liquidated. 
         [0036]    Points in a player&#39;s Rewards account can be redeemed for a tangible reward offered by an advertiser/sponsor from a list of competing offers. Individual rewards are offered at a specified valuation that translates into a points redemption cost for the player when redeemed. Rewards points do not expire as long as the player remains active on the Web site as a registered player. 
         [0037]    If a player is also a registered member of a Web site team, for certain games the player&#39;s earned points contribute to the team&#39;s aggregate point total. Teams compete for advertiser/sponsor supplied prizes on a month-to-month basis. Competitions are within geographically defined leagues and between leagues for overall team winner and placements and for winner and designated placement positions within each league. 
         [0038]    The Web site will periodically conduct real time and silent auction bid events, silent auction events or a combination of both for the purpose of infusing a dynamic element into the Web site&#39;s marketing campaign and to provide a promotion campaign platform for retailers to introduce new products and liquidate excess inventories and obsolescent products. Auction Bid Points combined with player committed Rewards points are used by the players to bid on auction items. 
         [0039]    Corporations will have the opportunity to promote their sponsors non-profit charities by matching cash donations with players&#39; offered reward points. 
         [0040]    The results of a player&#39;s chip balances for play of specific Web site card games are tabulated and recalculated daily and then factored into team and individual play ladder board competitions. Team competitions run month-to-month and are depicted and conducted as races within geographical defined leagues. Individual competitions for top performers run concurrently with the team competitions plus an extra week. Advertiser/sponsors supply prizes for each team and individual race winners and for designated race placements positions. 
         [0041]    Three elements make this method unique and valuable to businesses offering their products and services as prizes and rewards. First, the player accumulates points over time, so the prize or reward is visible to the player over an extended period of time, allowing the business time to present the player with additional information and exposure. Second, the player has to earn the points, and so has the vesting in the points that gives them an intrinsic value—points hard-earned are not to be spent lightly. Third, this intrinsic value in the points is transferred into the prize or reward by the nature of this prize or reward being chosen by the player from a selection. Prizes and rewards are both earned, and chosen, which establishes a relationship between the player and business that would not otherwise exist. 
         [0042]      FIG. 1  is an overall block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present method. In this embodiment, a Web server  100  is a cloud-computing server system and the associated networking hardware, as well as various server software programs. This aggregate Web server  100  is the focal point for all interaction of the other components, accepting input from and generating output to the other components via a network, for example, a local area network. The game master/administrator component  110  is a control component which accesses various elements of the game engine  120 , database  130 , ad delivery software  140 , or prize and reward redemption sponsorships  150 . The game engine  120  is a software component that executes on a server computer and provides the Web server  100  with information to present to a browser client  160 , as well as executing various periodic and cyclic functions that operate the game. The database  130  is a software component that operates on a server computer and is the central repository of data including, but not limited to, player information such as user names, passwords, and preferences, game information such as questions and answers, advertising data, prize and reward data, control data, and all manner of data required for the computer system to function. The ad delivery software  140  is a software component that executes on a server computer and incorporates various types of advertisements into the output the Web server  100  provides for the browser client  160 . Prize and reward sponsorships  150  are business components that are represented in the method as elements of the game presented to the Web server  100  and presented to the browser client  160 . The browser client  160  is a standard software program that runs on a personal computer or mobile communication platform and is used to view Web sites on the Internet, for example, Internet Explorer or Firefox. 
         [0043]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing how a new player registers with the game. A player visits the Web site and chooses to register  200 . The player fills out a simple form  210  in their browser client which is validated by the game engine software  220 . If the information provided by the player is suitable, the game engine software creates a player account  230 , and the game engine logs the player in for a single session. The game engine software sends the player an e-mail  240  with a special, coded confirmation link, then waits for the player to click on the link in the future  250 . If the game engine software receives the appropriate code as the result of the user clicking the link  260 , the game engine software completes the registration  270  and the player is allowed to login in the future. Alternately, players can access the Web site through the Web site application  280  from a participating social network site and be automatically registered. 
         [0044]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing the process flow of the Web site Points Distribution System. The player plays various games on the Web site and is awarded points for participation and quality of play  300 . Based upon which game is played, the game engine determines how the points are distributed  305 . As an example, points earned in the Prediction and Trivia games accrue concurrently to a player&#39;s points drawing account  310 , their rewards redemption account  315 , their auction bid account  320  and if a member of a team  330 , their team&#39;s account  340 . Similarly if a player earns points playing Blackjack, Solitaire or similar card games, their game points only accrue to their points drawing account  310 , their rewards redemption account  315  and their auction bid account  330 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing how a game master creates an event to be added to the prediction game. The game master chooses a suitable real world event  400 . This event preferably has a definitive outcome that is in question, is likely to occur within a reasonable period of time, is of interest to a cross-section of the game players, and preferably is not controversial or adult in nature. The game master then does sufficient research on the event  410  to provide the players with an adequate description as well as possible encyclopedic entries on the site. The game master then takes this reference material and creates one or more questions about the event  420  that can have definitive answers. These answers are compiled  430  and checked for completeness so that every reasonable real world outcome is reflected in the answer choices. The answer choices may be single, multiple or ordered. The game master assigns points to the answers  440  in a subjective manner that nevertheless follows some guidelines. First, the societal significance plays a large part in the overall number of points that can be earned for a question. Second, the more questions there are in a given event, the fewer points can be earned for each question. Third, the more correct answers there might be for a particular question, the fewer points each of those answers are worth. Conversely, ordered answers might be assigned higher points because of the greater complexity of determining a correct order. Fourth, the farther in the future the event should finalize, the more points that can be earned for that question. Fifth, the less likely a particular answer is relative to the other answers in a question in the opinion of the game master, the more points that answer is worth relative to the others. Once points are assigned, the game master posts the event on the Web site  450 , and the event is made available to players. 
         [0046]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram showing how the prediction game operates. The game runs continuously  500  with the game master adding new events  510  in such a manner that there are usually several but at least one open event question offered for players to answer at any one time. Players regularly visit the site and answer questions for these events  520  in their browser client, provided the events are open for answering. When an event is closed  530 , the players can no longer answer questions and the game engine waits until the event is finalized  540  and the correct answers are supplied by the game master  550 . When the correct answers are supplied by the game master, the game engine calculates each player&#39;s points  560 . Points are then distributed to the player&#39;s points accounts  305 : the prize drawing account  310 , the rewards redemption account  315 , the auction bid account  320  and if the player is a member of a team  330 , to the player&#39;s team account  340 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing how players participate in the prediction game by answering questions. When a player visits the Web site  600  the game engine creates a list of questions the player has not answered  610 . The player may have the opportunity to answer all the questions  620 , or may be limited to a predetermined number of questions per visit. For each question the player answers the game engine validates the answer  630  for a variety of factors, and if the answer is valid, the game engine records the answer  640 . Once there are no more questions to answer, or the player chooses to stop answering questions,  650  the player may be presented with a review of the recorded answers  660  and the opportunity to change those answers  670 . Until an event is closed, previously answered questions can be reviewed  660  and changed  670  as well. Finally, the player leaves the Web site  680 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram showing process flow of how the Trivia game operates. The game master determines a qualified trivia question and appropriate answer  700 . The game master formulates the trivia question and answer choices including the correct answer with an explanation  710 . The game master determines whether the trivia question is appropriately an archive  720  question or a current events  725  question. The Game master enters the question and correct answer into the data base  730 . The game engine assigns a predetermined number of points  740  and a restricted period of time  750  for correctly answering the question dependent upon the category. Current event questions are assigned lower points than archived questions and will expire automatically in the data base after a predetermined duration. At player prompt the questions and answers are drawn from the data base  760  and displayed on the Web site trivia link page  770 . The player answers the questions  780  and leaves the Web site Trivia link page  790 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram showing how players participate in the Trivia game. Players are offered Trivia play of a predetermined number of trivia questions once per calendar day. To prevent collusion, the answers and the player&#39;s points score are not available until the following calendar day. The player selects the Trivia page  800  from the Web site navigation bar. The initial trivia page  810  shows the results from the player&#39;s previous trivia play including the questions offered with the correct answers, the player&#39;s selections and the points earned for those selections and possibly the explanations supporting the correct answers. A link from the page  820  takes the player to their individual current day&#39;s random trivia questions. The game engine draws a specified number of trivia questions from the data base  830  and the player sequentially answers each question  840  within a specified time period. The time remaining for each question is posted with the question. The player answers the questions presented in sequence and the inputs are recorded and scored in the game engine  850 . Questions not answered in time or not answered at all in the sequence are awarded zero points. At the end of play the player leaves the Trivia page link  860 . The results are stored until the following day when the results are posted  300  and the points distributed  305  to the player&#39;s prize drawing account  310 , rewards redemption account  315 , player&#39;s auction bid account  320  and if a member of a team  330  to the player&#39;s team account  340 . The following day or later, the player returns to the Web site Trivia page link to review the previous results and set up for the current day&#39;s Trivia contest. 
         [0050]      FIG. 9  is a block diagram showing how players participate in the Blackjack card game or similar card games for points. The Blackjack card game runs continuously on the Web site. Players play for a points award and a virtual chips award concurrently. Blackjack play points are awarded for quality of play and the number of hands played according to rules published on the Web site. The player selects the Blackjack card game link on the Web site navigation bar  900  and then selects individual play or table play  910 . The player is directed by the game engine to the appropriate game  920 . Each day players are issued a predetermined number of virtual chips which are used to score the game  930 . That same number of chips is decremented from the player&#39;s chip accumulation total at the end of the day. Negative chip balances are zeroed out such that the following day the player begins play with the daily chip issue plus the accumulation of any chips won over the daily issue amount on previous play. For each deal, the player selects the chip amount to bid  940 . The game engine determines if the player has sufficient chips to continue play  950 . If the player has chips remaining the player can adjust the chip bid  955 . If not, the player leaves the page link  960 . If the player has sufficient chips the player plays Blackjack  970 . The points earned and the player&#39;s chip balance from chips either won or lost are tabulated and displayed after each hand. The player earns points for positive game results and each hand played  300 . The game engine distributes the player&#39;s points  305  to their prize drawing account  310 , their rewards redemption account  315  and their auction bid account. At the end of play, the player leaves the Blackjack card game page link  980 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 10  is a block diagram showing how players participate in the Klondike solitaire game or similar card games for points. The Klondike solitaire game runs continuously on the Web site. Players play for a points award and a virtual chips award simultaneously. Klondike solitaire play points are awarded for quality of play and the number of hands played according to rules published on the Web site. The player selects the Klondike solitaire card game link on the Web site navigation bar  1000 . The game engine directs the player to the Solitaire game link on the Web site  1010 . The game engine loans the player a predetermined number of chips at first login of the day  1020 . The Game engine loads a predetermined number of chips for daily play  1030 . The player commits a predetermined number of chips from their chip account balance to play each hand of the game  1040 . The game engine determines if the player has sufficient chips to continue play  1050 . If not, the player leaves the page link  1055 . If the player has sufficient chips the player plays Solitaire  1060 . The points earned and the player&#39;s chip balance from chips either won or lost are tabulated and displayed during play  300 . The game engine distributes the player&#39;s points for the hand played and positive results  305  to their prize drawing account  310 , their rewards redemption account  315  and their auction bid account  320 . At the end of play the player leaves the Klondike solitaire card game page link  1070 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 11  is a block diagram showing how players participate in the Texas Hold&#39;em card game for points. Texas Hold&#39;em play points are awarded for the number of hands played according to rules published on the Web site. The player selects the Texas Hold&#39;em card game link on the Web site navigation bar  1100 . The player selects casual game play  1110 . The game engine directs the player to the Texas Hold&#39;em casual game link on the Web site  1120 . The game engine loans the player a predetermined number of chips for daily Texas Hold&#39;em play  1130 . The game engine determines what card tables are available and displays them on the Web site. The player selects which table to play  1140 . Alternately, the game engine randomly assigns the player a card table for play. The player plays Texas Hold&#39;em  1150  against other players and earns points for each hand or deal played  300 . The player&#39;s points are credited through the Web site&#39;s points distribution system  305  to the player&#39;s prize drawing account  310 , rewards redemption account  315  and auction bid account. At the end of play, the player leaves the page link  1160 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 12  is a block diagram describing how the Web site leagues and teams are formed and operate for competition points and chips play. The Game master forms leagues by geographical location  1200 . Game competition teams are formed  1210  with a specified limit of the number of players that form each team. To achieve competition balance the Game master may place limits on the number of teams that can compose a specific league or leagues at any one time. The team applies to a league they wish to join  1220  without regard to the residency or affiliation status of its members. The game engine determines if the league is open for new teams  1230 . If not the team applies to another league  1235 . After the team is accepted into a league  1240 , the team competes in Web site Team/League competition  1250 . Team members play qualifying games  1260  such as Predictions and Trivia for team points and card games for chips. Earned points or chips by team members are credited to the aggregate team score. The team competes in the Web site competitions between leagues and between teams within the leagues. Teams earn prizes through the competitions  1270  based upon team points or for chip scores as race winners in the ladder board card race. 
         [0054]      FIG. 13  is a block diagram showing the process flow for the monthly/quarterly Prize Drawing. A current advertiser or a new potential advertiser/sponsor is approached with an offer to become a sponsor for the Web site prize drawing  1300 . The prize offerings are posted  1310  on the Web site with links to the sponsor&#39;s Web site  1320 . The game engine will list the prize offering  1330  sequentially in the order of value with other prize offerings. Alternatively, the game engine may structure prize offerings in blocks based upon valuation and a game engine ad rotator would rotate the ads periodically within each block. The player earns prize drawing points for game play and has the option to convert rewards points for additional prize drawing points  1340 . The player views the prize offerings  1350 . When the player accumulates a specified number of points in their Prize Drawing Account the game engine automatically converts those points into a prize drawing ticket  1360 . Any excess points in the conversion process are carried over month to month and quarter to quarter  1365 . At the end of each month the game engine randomly and sequentially selects from the total number of drawing tickets, a number of prize tickets that match the number of prize offerings posted  1370 . Prizes are awarded to the recipients in accordance with the Web site&#39;s prize award bid system  1375 . If the prize drawing occurs at the end of a calendar quarter  1380 , all prize drawing tickets are liquidated  1385  after the drawing. If the prize drawing occurs at the end of a month that is not the end of the calendar quarter, all prize drawing tickets including previous winning tickets are retained for subsequent drawings  1390 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 14  is a block diagram showing the process flow for the prize award bid system. Bidding begins after a monthly/quarterly prize drawing, team points competition round or ladder board or leader board cycle ends  1400 . The game engine initiates the prize award bid system  1405 . The game engine ranks all players  1410  in the sequence order in which their winning tickets were randomly drawn or their league/team and individual competition placement in a competition round. The game may notify winners by e-mail  1415 , as well as by putting an alert in their browser client when they visit the site, of the sequence bid position of their winning ticket or competition precedence. Winners may then bid on prizes  1420  in the following manner: Winners are presented with the full selection of prizes and requested to select a number of prizes  1425 , in the order of their preference, equal to their ticket drawing sequence order position or game competition precedence. For example, the first ticket draw earner or first precedent holder need only choose one prize; the second place only needs to choose two prizes, etc. This bidding process continues until all prizes have been allocated or until the time allotted for bidding expires at which point the game engine prioritizes the bids and assigns the prizes  1430  to the player&#39;s highest choice available consistent with the player&#39;s bid precedence. The Game Engine determines if there are any prizes remaining  1435 . If not, the bidding ends  1440 . The game engine notifies all prize winners of the prize they were assigned  1445 . The Game Engine notifies the advertiser/sponsor of prize recipient  1450  and the sponsor delivers the prize  1455 . In the event that there are winners who have not entered a bid for a prize, the remaining prizes will be assigned to the non-bidding winners  1460  in descending order by stated market value. The prize bidding ends  1465 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 15  is a block diagram showing how advertisers/sponsors participate in the game by making their products or services available in a prize drawing or for a competition winning or position placement prize. The process is the same for the monthly/quarterly prize drawing and all game competitions. A current advertiser or a new potential advertiser/sponsor is approached with an offer to become a sponsor  1500 . A sponsorship package is proposed  1510  whereby products or services are offered as an offset partial payment for the advertising contract  1520 . Services or products such as gift cards, e-cards or merchandise, etc. are determined to be suitable prizes. The advertiser/sponsor determines the number and value of the prize  1530  or prizes being offered. The product or service becomes a game prize  1540  and is featured prominently in various places on the Web site. The prize or reward is strongly promoted, and the player is encouraged to explore both the prize itself and the sponsor  1550  by various means including information on the Web site and advertisement links to the sponsor&#39;s Web site. At the end of the game round cycle, the game engine determines the eligible prize recipients  1560 . Winners are notified of their placement and their available prize choices  1570 . Winners respond with their prize choices and contact information  1580 . This information is in turn forwarded to the advertiser/sponsor  1585  committed to supplying the prize. The sponsor delivers the prize  1590  to the player. 
         [0057]      FIG. 16  is a block diagram describing how advertisers/sponsors participate in the games by making their products or services available as a Reward. A current advertiser or a new potential advertiser/sponsor is approached with an offer to become a sponsor  1600 . A sponsorship package is proposed  1610  where products or services are offered as a partial payment for the advertising contract  1620 . The offer is evaluated for Reward points value  1630 . This product or service becomes a posted Reward  1640  and it features prominently in various places on the Web site  1650 . The Reward is strongly promoted, and the player is encouraged to explore the Reward itself and the sponsor by various means including information on the Web site and advertisement links to the sponsor&#39;s Web site. The player chooses to redeem the Reward  1660 . The sponsor receives the player&#39;s contact information  1670  and delivers Reward directly to the winner or claimant  1680 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 17  is a block diagram showing how a player redeems Reward points for a Reward. The player selects the Rewards link from the Web site navigation bar  1700 . The game engine directs the player to the Rewards page link  1710 . Once on the link the player chooses a desired Reward  1720  from the competing offers. The game engine then confirms that the player has sufficient reward points to redeem for the chosen Reward  1730 . If so the player is provided the Reward  1740 . If not, the player has the option to select another Reward or leave the page link  1745 . The game engine requests the player confirm existing contact information  1750  such as address, and telephone number. The Game Engine verifies the player&#39;s contact information  1755 . The game engine validates the contact information  1760 . The player&#39;s Reward points total is decremented  1770 . The Reward inventory is decremented  1775 . The sponsor is given the player&#39;s contact information  1780 . The sponsor delivers the Reward to the player  1790 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 18  is a block diagram showing how a corporation might contribute to a sponsored nonprofit organization by redeeming player offered reward points. A current advertiser or a new potential advertiser/sponsor is approached with an offer to conduct a campaign for their sponsored non-profit organization  1800 . A sponsorship package contract is proposed  1810  whereby the corporation might receive free or discount banner advertising for the campaign  1820 . The corporation offers to match rewards points donations from players with cash donations to the nonprofit  1830 . The advertisement is posted on the Web site for the player to view  1840 . The player links from the banner advertisement  1850  and the offer to contribute is presented with options as to the amount the player might like to contribute  1855  and the cash equivalent the corporation will contribute for each option. The player elects to make the contribution of their reward points and selects the number of points  1860  they wish to contribute. The game engine then confirms that the player has sufficient reward points  1865  to redeem for the contribution. If not the player has the option of adjusting the offer. The game engine decrements the points from the player&#39;s reward redemption account  1870  based upon their selection. The selection information is forwarded on to the corporate sponsor  1875 . The corporation makes the appropriate contribution  1880  to the sponsored non-profit organization. The donor has the option to provide their contact information for confirmation  1890  from the sponsoring corporation and the non-profit organization. 
         [0060]      FIG. 19  is a block diagram describing how advertisers/sponsors participate in the game by making their product or service available as an auction event bid item. The Web site will periodically conduct bid auction events, silent auction events or a combination of both for the purpose of infusing a dynamic element into the Web site&#39;s marketing campaign and to provide a promotion campaign platform for retailers to introduce new products and liquidate excess inventories and obsolescent products. A current advertiser or a new potential advertiser/sponsor is approached with an offer to become a contributor  1900  to the auction event. Services or products such as gift cards, e-cards, merchandise, etc. are determined to be suitable auction items for the redemption of reward points and are offered for auction  1910 . A sponsorship package is proposed  1920 . Auction items are posted  1930  on the Web page prior to the auction event itself. At a contributor&#39;s request the retail value of an item or service offered may be included in the posting. The game engine will attempt to list the auction ad offerings sequentially in the order of value. Alternatively, the game engine may structure auction ad offerings in blocks based upon valuation and the game engine ad rotator rotates the ad offering periodically within each block. The auction is conducted according to stated auction protocols and rules posted on the Web site using the player&#39;s Auction bid points and committed Reward points in a players Reward redemption account  1940 . The game engine determines the successful bidder for each auction item  1950 . All Auction bid points and committed Rewards points committed in an auction bid are decremented from the players&#39; accounts  1960 . The auction item inventory is decremented  1970 . The sponsor is given the player&#39;s contact information  1980  and the sponsor delivers the item to the player  1990 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 20  is a block diagram describing how Web site players participate in a game real-time auction event. The player selects the auction event link from the Web site navigation bar  2000 . From that link the player selects the real time auction bid option  2005  and the player is then directed to the appropriate page. The option to transfer Rewards points is activated  2010 . The player is presented with the menu of available auction items for bid  2015 . The amount of the current reward points bid leader  2020  is displayed for each item. The player selects an auction  2025  item and places a bid for the item  2030 . The game engine checks to see if the player has sufficient points for a valid bid  2035 . If not, the player has the option of purchasing or transferring additional points from their Rewards account into their Auction Bid account  2040  and rebid  2030  or cease bidding  2042 . If the player&#39;s bid is accepted  2045  the player&#39;s bid points are committed  2050  and cannot be used for any other purpose. If a player is outbid  2055 , the player has the option to rebid  2060 . If a player is the successful bid winner  2065  for an auction item, they are notified and the auction item is decremented  2070 . The sponsor is given the player&#39;s contact information  2075  and the sponsor delivers the item to the player  2080 . At the end of the auction event  2085 , the game engine terminates the option to purchase or transfer rewards points between accounts  2090 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 21  is a block diagram describing how Web site players participate in a silent game auction event. The player selects the auction event link from the Web site navigation bar  2100 . From that link the player selects the silent auction bid option  2105  and the player is then directed to the appropriate page. The option for the player to transfer Rewards points to add to their Auction Bid points is activated  2110 . The player is presented with the menu of available auction items available for bid  2115 . The player selects an auction item  2120  and bids on the item  2125 . The game engine checks to see if the player has sufficient points for a valid bid  2130 . If not, the player has the option of purchasing or transferring additional Rewards points into their account  2135  and rebid  2125  or cease bidding  2137 . If the player&#39;s bid is accepted  2140  the player&#39;s bid points are committed and decremented  2145  and cannot be used for any other purpose until the bidding is completed. When the auction ends  2150 , the game engine determines the bid winners  2155  for each item. If the player is the successful bidder for an item  2160  the player is awarded the item  2165 . The auction item is decremented  2170 . The sponsor is given the player&#39;s contact information  2175  and delivers the item to the player  2180 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 22  is a block diagram showing how a board casual game is developed for the Web site  2200  featuring a random rotational high lighter. A current advertiser or new potential advertiser/sponsor is approached to become a sponsor  2205 . The game such as Bingo, Sudoku, Crossword Puzzle, etc. is published on the Web site  2210 . The game is displayed as a selection choice on the Web site navigation bar of the home page, landing page and other pages as appropriate. The player clicks on the game selection  2215  and is directed to the specific board game Web page. The player plays the game  2220 . As soon as the selected game appears on the Web page the game engine software generator activates a rotational highlighter, unseen to the player and a timer  2225 . The highlighter moves at random amongst all of the board squares, including non-playable squares. The highlighter remains affixed to each square for a predetermined period of time measured in seconds. If a player places a correct marker, letter or number on a square while the highlighter is on that square  2230 , the highlighter becomes visible and the player becomes a recipient of either Rewards plus Auction points, a prize provided by the sponsor or both if the prize and points are available  2235 . (No points or prizes are awarded if the rotational high lighter hits a square that has already been filled by the player.) In an alternate version, a game timer is associated with the board game play. A listing of possible game rewards or prizes is posted on the game Web page, listed in decreasing order of value. As the game progresses, at certain timing thresholds prizes are sequentially delisted beginning with the prize with the highest value down to the lowest until all prizes are withdrawn at which point the player plays exclusively for the interest in the game. If a Prize is available, the sponsor is alerted  2240  and the sponsor provides the prize to the player  2245 . If points are available, Prize Drawing, Reward and Auction Bid points are added to the player&#39;s accounts  2250 . If no points or prizes are available, none are awarded  2260 . The player elects to continue or cease game play  2265 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 23  is a block diagram showing how a player on the Web site participates in the Web site card race ladder board competition. Positive play chip balances allow players to compete concurrently for prize incentives both as individuals and as members of a card race team. Team competitions run month to month and are depicted and conducted as races within the established geographically defined leagues for points play. Individual races run concurrently with the team races plus an additional specified number of days. Virtual chips are used for scoring the player&#39;s success at playing the game. The player links to the desired card game  2300  from the Web site navigation bar. At the beginning of each day the game engine loans the player a specified number of chips  2302  for each qualifying card game the player desires to play. The player plays the selected card game  2304  according to established rules specified on the Web site for the game. The player gains or loses chips as the player plays throughout the day on each game  2306 . At the end of the day the game engine terminates game play  2308  and subtracts the daily number of chips loaned that day for each game from the player&#39;s chip balance  2310 . Negative balances  2312  are zeroed out  2313 . Positive balances are credited to the player&#39;s ladder board score  2314 . If the player is a team member  2316  the player&#39;s chip balance is credited to their team&#39;s aggregate ladder board score  2318  as well. At the end of the day, the game engine also checks to see if the team competition cycle is ended  2320 . If not, the player&#39;s positive chip balance is carried forward  2321  to the next day&#39;s play. The process repeats until the end of the competition cycle for the team competition. At the end of the monthly card race team competition cycle, the game engine computes the team  2322  and individual chip scores  2330  and competition placements  2324  and  2332 . If the team qualifies for a prize, the prize is awarded through the prize award bid system  1400 . After the team winners and placements for the cycle have been determined, except for the players selected to continue in the individual competition cycle, the chip balances of all other players and teams are zeroed out to begin the next monthly competition cycle  2300 . Also at the end of the monthly card race team competition cycle  2330 , a specified number of individual players  2332  at the top of the card race ladder board competition continue to play  2334 . The selected player continues to compete  2336  for a specified number of days to determine an individual winner and placements. At the end of the competition cycle, the game engine computes the individual chip scores and placements  2340 . Players who qualify  2342  for a prize in the individual card race competition receive their prize through the prize award bid system  1400 . 
         [0065]    The terms and expressions that have been employed in the foregoing specification are used therein as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, it being recognized that the scope of the invention is defined and limited only by the claims which follow.