Abstract: A social networking website allowing users to interact socially without revealing any personal information about themselves. The only information they reveal is about their virtual pets in the virtual website world. Different templates for the personalizable portion of the website can be selected, some of which are restricted.

Abstract: Rewards, which can be virtual currency which can include items, on one website are transferred to be used on another website. The one website on which the rewards are earned has reciprocity with other websites, and can send those rewards to another website, either associated with the user's own account, or with someone else's account. In one embodiment, the rewards can be transferred even if the user who earns those rewards does not participate in the website that is receiving the transfer.

Abstract: An Entertainment System including a website, in combination with a commercially purchased product, wherein the system allows a product user to register a primary product online using a registration code, allowing the user access to various activities and scenarios in a “virtual world” including a virtual representation of the product, via a computer connected to the Internet. Additional ancillary products are also provided that may be related to the primary product or the virtual world, with these ancillary products also being provided with one or more codes to provide additional content, bonus items, and/or bonus access in the virtual world.

Abstract: An Entertainment System including a website, in combination with a commercially purchased product, wherein the system allows a product user to register a primary product online using a registration code, allowing the user access to various activities and scenarios in a “virtual world” including a virtual representation of the product, via a computer connected to the Internet. Additional ancillary products are also provided that may be related to the primary product or the virtual world, with these ancillary products also being provided with one or more codes to provide additional content, bonus items, and/or bonus access in the virtual world.

Abstract: A method and system of managing a user's friends in a virtual environment are presented. The method includes interacting a virtual character with a plurality of additional virtual characters in response to commands input from the user entered via the user computer. A subset of the additional users, the additional virtual characters, or a combination of the additional users and the additional virtual characters are designated as friends of the user in the virtual environment, and the friends are added to a list of friends associated with the user. The friends on the list displayed to the user can be ranked in an order based at least in part on the interacting of the virtual character controlled by the user with the plurality of additional virtual characters in the virtual environment.

Abstract: A system providing a graphical chat room and/or virtual world on a website in which users can control avatars or other characters to participate in activities and interact with other users' avatars/characters. The chat room or virtual world has a large common location where a large number of users might participate with their characters/avatars, but where because display of all of the participants and/or all of the area becomes impractical or otherwise unwieldy, the system determines an appropriate portion of the area and a limited number of avatars/characters to display based on some criteria.

Abstract: There is provided a character training and development system for a virtual environment and related method. A character can be purchased by a user and then registered on a communication network via a unique code. Once registered, a set of attributes can be assigned to the character based on the type and class of the character. Attribute values can be assigned to the attributes by default or by user preferences. The characters can be manipulated within the virtual environment. In particular, the characters can be trained in order to improve their skills, to add new skills, and to increase their overall value and worth in the virtual environment. In addition, the characters can be traded among users for a price based on their skills. Fees can be charged for each trade. Traded characters are given a new code to transfer all control of the character to the new owner.

Abstract: A computer network-based messaging system controls the content of messages sent by users. A database includes permitted words and replacement text elements corresponding to at least one permitted word. A message filter receives an entered word or phrase input by a user on a messaging device as part of a message. The message filter replaces the entered word in the message with a corresponding replacement text element stored in the database. A message sending part transmits the message including the replacement text element over a data network for viewing by other users only if every entered word in the message is included in the database. The message sending part transmits the message even though one or words contained in the replacement text element are not permitted words in the database. The system may allow deletion of a replacement text element from a message only in its entirety.

Abstract: A virtual presentation for entertaining a user, and includes generating a virtual environment that includes at least one virtual object, and displaying a virtual character in the virtual environment. The virtual character is to be controlled in the virtual environment to interact with the virtual object responsive to commands input by the user via a user computer. The method further includes evaluating a parameter associated with at least one of the virtual object and the virtual character and, responsive to the evaluating, preparing a communication from the virtual character to be transmitted to the user. The communication includes content related to the parameter evaluated and is transmitted from the virtual character to the user with the user computer.

Abstract: A unique code is used to register a virtual pet or other item using a code that is associated with the pet, and which, when entered, allows viewing and interacting with a virtual representation of the actual item on the website. If the code is entered during a specific time period, it allows obtaining at least one additional item, for example an exclusive item that cannot be obtained in any other way. The specific time period can be extended, e.g., using supplemental codes. The codes may specify fixed or variable time periods, and may be generic extension codes and extend other things other than this period.

Abstract: A user interface for a virtual world includes a circular area forming a display for an item in the virtual world, and controls surrounding only a portion of the display for controlling that item.

Abstract: A computer network-based messaging system includes a multiple-layer chat filtering system for controlling the content of messages sent by users. A computer receives a message including a plurality of words entered by a sender. A word database includes a plurality of permitted words which are allowed to be transmitted. A phrase database includes a plurality of prohibited phrases which are not allowed to be transmitted. At least one of the plurality of prohibited phrases consists of a plurality of individual words that are each included in the word database. A message sending part that transmits the message over a computer network only if all of the plurality of words entered by the sender are contained in the word database and none of the plurality of prohibited phrases are contained in the message.

Abstract: A computer network-based messaging system includes a multiple-layer chat filtering system for controlling the content of messages sent by users. A computer receives a message including a plurality of words entered by a sender. A word database includes a plurality of permitted words which are allowed to be transmitted. A phrase database includes a plurality of prohibited phrases which are not allowed to be transmitted. At least one of the plurality of prohibited phrases consists of a plurality of individual words that are each included in the word database. A message sending part that transmits the message over a computer network only if all of the plurality of words entered by the sender are contained in the word database and none of the plurality of prohibited phrases are contained in the message.

Abstract: Provided is a method of interacting with a non-player character in a virtual world. With a computer system, a user is granted access to an interface allowing the user to establish a friendship with a computer-controlled character. Such a friendship is established by adding the computer-controlled character to a list of friends associated with the user. The user is then granted access to a restricted portion of the virtual world that was not accessible to the user before the user entered the friendship request.

Abstract: Systems and method provided herein involve a mechanism that allows users to have more input and influence in customizing their virtual characters' profile by developing their attributes. By developing and improving attributes of their characters, the social value of their characters can be increased within the virtual environment. Additional attributes that can be developed include, but are not limited to, strength, speed, agility, intelligence, creativity, style, streets-smart, safety-awareness, grooming, cooking, and manners. Jobs, tasks, classes, sessions, and the like, as well as competitions can be created that emphasize one or more attributes to facilitate encouraging users to have their characters learn, master, and test such new skills.

Abstract: Customized item that is usable on both a website as an item in a virtual world, and outside the website as a tangible item in the real world is provided and described. One single customization is used to create both items. The item can be the same in the virtual world as it is in the virtual world, or can be different in the virtual world.

Abstract: An Entertainment System including a website, in combination with a commercially purchased product, wherein the system allows a product user to register a primary product online using a registration code, allowing the user access to various activities and scenarios in a “virtual world” including a virtual representation of the product, via a computer connected to the Internet. Additional ancillary products are also provided that may be related to the primary product or the virtual world, with these ancillary products also being provided with one or more codes to provide additional content, bonus items, and/or bonus access in the virtual world.

Abstract: A method of providing an interactive virtual environment is provided. The method includes using a computer system to receive registration information, establish an account for a user and associating a virtual character with the account. In response to an interaction between the virtual character and a non-player character in the virtual environment, task information is served over the communication network for presenting the user controlling the virtual character with a request from the non-player character to perform a task. An invitation is received over the communication network inviting at least one additional virtual character to participate in performing the task. In response to receiving an acceptance of the task on behalf of the additional virtual character, task content is served over the communication network to allow both the virtual character and the additional virtual character to take actions to perform the task included in the request.

Abstract: A watch and win or read and win system in which the user receives information about a subject being advertised, watches or reads it, and then answers questions. If the questions are answered properly, then the user gets a virtual item that can be used in the virtual world. In one embodiment, the virtual item is related to the item being viewed. This can be used to create a more effective form of advertising.

Abstract: A donation aspect for a website is provided. Amounts of donations are limited and users are given awards based on their donations.