Patent ID: 8615449

Claim:
A system configured to facilitate gifting of virtual items between users of a virtual space, the system comprising: one or more processors configured to execute computer program modules, the computer program modules comprising: a space module configured to execute an instance of a virtual space, and to implement the instance of the virtual space to determine view information defining views of the instance of the virtual space for presentation to users through a social networking platform; a user account module configured to manage user accounts associated with individual users, the user accounts including a first user account associated with a first user, wherein the first user account comprises: social network information that identifies other users with which the first user has established social network relationships on the social networking platform; alliance information that identifies a second set of users with which the first user has established virtual space relationships within the virtual space, wherein the established virtual relationships are independent from the established social network relationships; and character information for a first character controlled by the first user in the virtual space; a virtual item purchase module configured to generate information that causes a purchase interface to be presented to the first user, the purchase interface being configured to receive selection from the first user of (i) a virtual item for purchase, and (ii) one or more users from the second set of users; and a virtual item distribution module configured to distribute, responsive to selection by the first user through the purchase interface of a first virtual item and a second user with which the first user has established a virtual space relationship, the first virtual item to the second user in the virtual space, wherein the first virtual item is held for the second user upon distribution.