Patent ID: 8864589

Claim:
A video game system, comprising: a physical object including a machine-readable identification data; a reader configured to read the machine-readable identification data when the physical object is near the reader; and a processor coupled to the reader, the processor configured by program instructions to: receive, via the reader, an indication of the machine-readable identification data; retrieve, from a memory, information of a region to add to virtual game space of a video game, the region including an inanimate virtual item corresponding to the physical object at a location in the region, the region not being in the virtual game space prior to receipt of the indication of the machine-readable data, the region including structures and landscapes; allow a character to move about the region of virtual game space; determine whether the location in the region of virtual game space is currently viewable in a view of the video game presented to a user via a display; and command display of representations of video game states on the display, the representations including a representation of the inanimate virtual item responsive to a determination that the location in the region of virtual game space is currently viewable in the view of the video game.