Patents Assigned to Leviathan Entertainment
  • Collections in a virtual environment
    Patent number: 9440151
    Abstract: A virtual environment in which players are able to enter into financial transactions which result in a financial obligation such as a debt. If a player defaults on a debt, the debts may then be sold or otherwise transferred to a virtual collection agency, which may be able to mete out a consequence to the defaulting player. Alternatively, the consequence may be meted out by the game server or other entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew S. Van Luchene, Raymond J. Mueller
  • Video games with valuation of a game environment
    Patent number: 8777755
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a video game permits valuation of a game environment and/or sharing value in the game. For example, players can buy and sell whole or fractional portions of the revenue sources derived from a particular game environment. The ownership may be represented as debt, stock or as some other allocations mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Van Luchene
  • System permitting funded actions in a video game
    Patent number: 8751344
    Abstract: Processes and products according to embodiments of the invention include video games with the possibility to obtain funding, such as through venture capital or the issuance of private shares among player characters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Van Luchene
  • Process and apparatus for video game development
    Patent number: 8751343
    Abstract: In an embodiment, apparatus and methods for video games permit obtaining funding for developing game environments. A variety of possible funding sources are possible, such as 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, or treasury stock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Van Luchene
  • Agreements in video games permitting virtual and real world penalties obligations and remedies
    Patent number: 8734229
    Abstract: Video game methods and apparatus permit contracts to be formed and enforced within a video game. Virtual and/or real world obligations, penalties and remedies are available for entities that are parties to or breach contracts or other obligations in virtual contracts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Van Luchene
  • Management engine for contractual terms in a video game
    Patent number: 8696448
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, a video game allows one or more players to enter contracts, where credit cards or other financial instruments are used to secure the contracts. A player defaulting on such a contract can be subjected to penalties in the video game and/or in the real world.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Van Luchene
  • Bankruptcy in a virtual environment
    Patent number: 8608536
    Abstract: A virtual environment in which characters are able to engage in a variety of financial transactions is provided. Characters who are unable to fulfill their financial obligations may enter into bankruptcy. Bankruptcy contracts may identify various conditions which must be fulfilled by the character in order to get out of bankruptcy. While in bankruptcy, the player's avatar or avatar's may be altered to indicate to the player and/or others that the character represented by the avatar is in bankruptcy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew S. Van Luchene, Raymond J. Mueller
  • Controlling player-to-player commerce in video game environment
    Patent number: 8574065
    Abstract: Players of a video game can enter contracts and engage in various simple or complex financial transactions employing credit systems such as credit cards, other financial instruments and other mechanisms to facilitate the enforcement of such contracts. Default on agreements by players or player characters can result in financial penalties which the video game system can apply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Van Luchene
  • Video game which facilitates players assisting other players
    Patent number: 8469821
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, various features in an online video game permit characters to provide assistance to other characters, and to advertise offers to help other characters. In an embodiment, the game tracks the amount of helpfulness of each character and permits rewards to be received based on the amount of helpfulness provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Van Luchene
  • Player assistance system for a video game
    Patent number: 8454442
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, in an online video game various features permit characters to render assistance to other characters, and to advertise offers to help other characters. In an embodiment, the game tracks the amount of helpfulness of each character and permits rewards to be received based on the amount of helpfulness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Van Luchene
  • Characters interactions in a video game or other virtual environment managed by an automated system
    Patent number: 8454431
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Van Luchene
  • Video games with revenue participation
    Patent number: 8409015
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a video game permits revenue sharing by players of the video game and other entities. For example, players can buy and sell whole or fractional portions of the revenue sources derived from a particular game environment. The ownership may be represented as stock or as some other allocations mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Van Luchene
  • Video game which delivers an offer to a player
    Patent number: 8360867
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a video game provides offers to players of a 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, such as the player character wearing a logo or branded material of an advertiser. 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Van Luchene
  • Products and processes for targeting offers to players in a video game
    Patent number: 8360866
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a video game is capable of providing offer to 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Van Luchene
  • Profit sharing in video game environments
    Patent number: 8267794
    Abstract: Video game methods and systems allow players to acquire ownership of video game environments. Methods and systems additionally include methods for buying and selling ownership or fractions of ownership in a particular game environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene
  • Multiplayer online game with inheritance of attributes from characters
    Patent number: 8262471
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Van Luchene
  • Video game that generates characters from other characters
    Patent number: 8251810
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Van Luchene
  • Video game capable of providing offers to players
    Patent number: 8226472
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Van Luchene
  • Products and processes for providing a video game incorporating venture capital funding
    Patent number: 8221242
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Van Luchene
  • Software-based system that manages interactions among video game characters
    Patent number: 8221243
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Van Luchene