Patents Assigned to Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
  • 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
  • Apparatus and methods facilitating the use of financial transactions in a virtual environment
    Patent number: 8070599
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Leviathan entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Van Luchene
  • System which manages relationships between characters in a video game or other virtual environment
    Patent number: 8070596
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Leviathan entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Van Luchene
  • Video game with character parameters derived from other characters
    Patent number: 7974901
    Abstract: In various embodiments, apparatus and processes permit a video game in which there are relationships between player characters, karma points employed, and death and reincarnation of player characters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Van Luchene
  • Method and apparatus for massively multiplayer online games
    Patent number: 7974902
    Abstract: According to embodiments of the invention, processes and products permit relationships to be formed between player characters of a video game. In addition, death and reincarnation of player characters can be employed as features of the video game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Van Luchene
  • Software-based commerce engine deployed in video game environment
    Patent number: 7966239
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems that permit players of a video game to secure contracts in-game using, e.g., credit systems such as credit cards or other financial instruments. Virtual and/or real world financial penalties can be applied to players and/or player characters who default on agreements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Van Luchene
  • Video game including child character generation using combination of parent character attributes
    Patent number: 7806758
    Abstract: The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems. The disclosure provides a video game in which a new character can be created using attributes from multiple parent characters. Each character may contribute genetic material in the form of character attributes, which are then passed on to a child character.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene
  • Ownership of game environments in a virtual world
    Patent number: 7780532
    Abstract: The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems for allowing players to acquire ownership of game environments. Methods and systems additionally include means for buying and selling ownership or fractions of ownership in a particular game environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene
  • Event-driven alteration of avatars
    Patent number: 7775885
    Abstract: Virtual environments in which player avatars can be altered based on events that occur in a video game, metaverse or virtual environment. One event is the failure to fulfill an obligation in a virtual contract. Avatars who fail to fulfill such obligations may have their appearance, voice, or smell altered, or may be followed by one or more non player character avatars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew S. Van Luchene, Raymond J. Mueller
  • Helpfulness in a virtual environment
    Patent number: 7717782
    Abstract: A virtual game environment in which characters are allowed to give help to one another and in which the game tracks the amount of helpfulness of each character is provided. Characters may be rewarded or paid for giving help to each other. In some embodiments, help may be given in the form of advice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene
  • Virtual environment with formalized inter-character relationships
    Patent number: 7690997
    Abstract: Virtual environments in which multiple characters are allowed to form relationships wherein the relationships may provide various benefits as well as obligations are described. Systems and methods for forming, monitoring, and terminating the relationships are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene, Raymond Jay Mueller
  • Financial institutions and instruments in a virtual environment
    Patent number: 7690990
    Abstract: A virtual environment including various virtual financial institutions and instruments is described. According to some embodiments, some of the virtual financial instruments may be guaranteed by real world financial instruments such as a credit card. Accordingly, various virtual financial transactions such as virtual loans, virtual venture capital investments, virtual banking and virtual insurance are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene
  • Satisfaction of financial obligations in a virtual environment via virtual and real world currency
    Patent number: 7686691
    Abstract: The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems. The disclosure includes methods and systems for allowing game players to secure in-game contracts using credit systems such as credit cards or other financial instruments. The disclosure further provides methods and systems for providing virtual and/or real world financial penalties to game players and/or player characters who default on in-game agreements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene
  • Method and system for allocating resources in a video game
    Patent number: 7677979
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides various novel concepts to a video game environment. The disclosure describes video game environments that include a method and system for controlling the quantity and distribution of virtual natural resources, raw materials, skills and NPCs in and between games, where player characters may acquire, use and modify such virtual resources within the physical limits of the games.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene
  • Securing virtual contracts with credit
    Patent number: 7677973
    Abstract: The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems. The disclosure includes methods and systems for allowing game players to secure in-game contracts using credit systems such as credit cards or other financial instruments. The disclosure further provides methods and systems for providing virtual and/or real world financial penalties to game players and/or player characters who default on in-game agreements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene
  • Video game with registration of funding sources
    Patent number: 7677975
    Abstract: The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems for obtaining funding for developing game environments. Methods and systems include a variety of funding sources including 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, or treasury stock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Leviathan Entertainment, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Stephen Van Luchene