Patent ID: 8226472

Claim:
An apparatus comprising: a processor, and a memory in communication with the processor, in which the memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, direct the processor to perform a process comprising: running a massive multi player online game that is operable to simultaneously support a plurality of players via a plurality of video game devices, in which each of the players controls one or more respective player characters; in which the players are able to interact with each other in the game; receiving, from each of a plurality of devices, a respective set of data that specifies a respective offer, a respective objective in the game, a respective virtual item, a respective price to pay for the virtual item, and a respective second player to pay for the virtual item; storing each of the plurality of sets of data as an entry in a database; determining that a player character in the game has failed more than a predetermined number of times to achieve an objective in the game; searching the database of entries for an entry that specifies the objective that the player character has failed to achieve; locating an entry in the database that specifies the objective that the player character has failed to achieve; providing, to a first player that corresponds to the player character, the offer that is specified by the located entry; receiving from the first player an acceptance of the offer; charging a credit card account of the first player for payment of the price that is specified by the located entry; providing at least part of the price to the second player that is specified by the located entry; providing to the player the virtual item that is specified by the located entry.