Abstract: A method is provided for enabling virtual gameplay with a character in a game environment. A game environment is provided in which a player can play a game via a character. The player's geographic location is detected and stored. In response to the detected geographic location, a storyline is retrieved for the character to interact with. The retrieved storyline is related to the geographic location of the player.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of providing virtual gameplay with a virtual character in a game environment. A character customization facility is provided within the game environment in which a player can set or select starting attributes for a virtual character, and set or select a graphical avatar of the virtual character. Related gameplay statistics and accumulated gameplay property are stored for the virtual character. The player selects which elements of the starting attributes, the graphical avatar, the gameplay statistics and the gameplay property should be signature elements transferrable with the virtual character beyond the first game in the game environment. Supported signature elements are carried over to a second game.

Abstract: A method is provided of virtual gameplay with linked characters in a game environment. In an interactive game environment, a request is received to link a first player character with a second character. If it is determined that the first player character is qualified to be linked with the second character, a link is created between the first player character and the second character. The actions of the linked characters are then monitored in the game environment, and statistics are stored for at least the first player character. At least one statistic of the second character can be automatically increased or decreased as a function of at least one of the stored statistics.