Abstract: According to an embodiment, players can obtain funding to assist them in developing and creating virtual assets and game environments. In return the player can provide a benefit to the funding source. Funding sources include taxes, fees, licenses, bond issuance, loans, investors, commercial paper, convertible debt, bills, notes, debt issuance, promissory notes, venture capital, the issuance of private shares, transforming the game environment into a public company through an initial public offering, or through a follow on offering such as the issuance of common stock, preferred stock, and treasury stock.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a video game permits players to provide funding to other players. Such funding may be used to develop and create virtual assets and game environments. In return the receiving player can provide a benefit to the funding source. Funding sources include taxes, fees, licenses, bond issuance, loans, investors, commercial paper, convertible debt, bills, notes, debt issuance, promissory notes, venture capital, the issuance of private shares, transforming the game environment into a public company through an initial public offering, or through a follow on offering such as the issuance of common stock, preferred stock, and treasury stock.

Abstract: Systems and methods for storing a transaction history with respect to a business entity, and an incentive regarding a business entity, previously offered to an account. A desired transaction involving a holder of the account and the business entity may be generated based on the transaction history and a metric. An incentive may be generated based on an artificial intelligence program (AIP), the transaction history, and the metric. The desired transaction and the incentive may be transmitted for presentation to a holder of the account.

Abstract: The invention broadly comprises a method for enabling point of sales (POS) functionality in a wireless communications device (WCD) including the steps of: transmitting, using an interface element in at least one specially programmed general purpose computer, a POS function control signal to a communication network for transmission to a WCD, the WCD located in a retail location; activating a POS function, in response to the control signal, to enable POS functionality in the WCD, the POS function stored in a memory element for the WCD or in a memory element for the at least one specially programmed computer; acquiring, using the POS function, an identification of an item via the WCD; receiving, using the interface element, the identification data for the item from the WCD via the communication network; and generating, using a processor for the at least one general-purpose computer, an order including the first item.

Abstract: Relationships among player characters in a video game, including parent-child relationships, can be formed. In addition, death and reincarnation of player characters can be employed as features of the video game.

Abstract: A video game permits player characters to form relationships, including parent-child relationships. In addition, death and reincarnation of player characters can be employed as features of the video game.

Abstract: A video game can provide an offer to a player of the video game. For example, the video game can provide to the player an offer to receive a particular virtual item (a virtual object or a virtual service delivered in the video game) in exchange for a particular price. The time at which the offer is provided to the player can be governed by the status in the game of the player character of the player.

Abstract: In an embodiment, products and processes permit a player to obtain funding for developing game environments. Funding sources include taxes, fees, licenses, bond issuance, loans, investors, commercial paper, convertible debt, bills, notes, debt issuance, promissory notes, venture capital, the issuance of private shares, transforming the game environment into a public company through an initial public offering, or through a follow on offering such as the issuance of common stock, preferred stock, and treasury stock.

Abstract: In an online game methods and systems disclosed herein can permit characters to give help to or offer to give help to other characters. In an embodiment, the game tracks the amount of helpfulness of each character is provided. Characters may be rewarded or paid for giving help to each other.

Abstract: A system for managing a purchase agreement, including: a memory element for at least one specially-programmed general purpose computer for storing an artificial intelligence program (AIP) and a purchase agreement between a customer and at least one business entity, the purchase agreement including at least one requirement regarding at least one retail transaction between the customer and the business entity; a processor in the specially-programmed general purpose computer for: compiling a purchasing history for the customer with respect to the business entity and the purchase agreement, the memory element for storing the purchasing history, and modifying, using the purchasing history and the AIP, the at least one requirement to increase revenue or profitability of the business entity; and an interface element in the specially-programmed general purpose computer for transmitting the modified at least one requirement for presentation to the customer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for storing a transaction history with respect to a business entity, and an incentive regarding a business entity, previously offered to an account. A desired transaction involving a holder of the account and the business entity may be generated based on the transaction history and a metric. An incentive may be generated based on an artificial intelligence program (AIP), the transaction history, and the metric. The desired transaction and the incentive may be transmitted for presentation to a holder of the account.

Abstract: In a video game a new character can be created using attributes from one or more parent characters. Each parent character may contribute character attributes which are passed on to a new child character. Relationships can be formed among characters which permit the creation of a child character.

Abstract: In various embodiments, systems generate a video game or other virtual environment and player characters in the video game can form different types of interactions and relationships. Some relationships provide benefits and/or obligations. The video game facilitates the monitoring, forming and terminating of various kinds of relationships.

Abstract: A method and apparatus allows a customer to indicate his or her brand indifference within a product category, and then receive a benefit for purchasing a product chosen by a third party from within this product category. This method and apparatus is particularly useful in differentiating between brand-loyal or brand-sensitive customers and brand-indifferent customers, and allows manufacturers to price-discriminate between these two types of customers.

Abstract: A video game allows players to gain various benefits from providing favors to other players. In certain embodiments of the invention, a player must perform favors for others before he can receive requested favors form others. Favors include, e.g., providing advice to another player, assisting another player in completing in-game activities, and loaning currency or in-game objects to another player.

Abstract: A video game can provide an offer to a player of the video game. For example, the video game can provide to the player an offer to receive a particular virtual item (a virtual object or a virtual service delivered in the video game) in exchange for a particular price. The time at which the offer is provided to the player can be governed by the status in the game of the player character of the player.

Abstract: This disclosure includes systems which generate a video game or other virtual environment, and player characters in the video game can form relationships of various natures. Certain relationships provide benefits and/or obligations. The video game facilitates the monitoring, forming and terminating of various kinds of relationships.

Abstract: This disclosure includes systems which generate a video game or other virtual environment, and institutions and transactions of a financial nature are facilitated by the video game. Some types of financial transactions may be guaranteed, such as by real world financial devices including credit cards.

Abstract: Relationships among player characters in a video game, including parent-child relationships, can be formed. In addition, death and reincarnation of player characters can be employed as features of the video game.

Abstract: A video game permits player characters to form relationships, including parent-child relationships. In addition, death and reincarnation of player characters can be employed as features of the video game.