Method and system for updating a character profile of a virtual character of a telematics-based game. In some examples, a computer-implemented method includes: generating a virtual trip including one or more virtual occurrences with the associated one or more outcomes; presenting a trip success prediction, a predicted change in vehicle condition, a first user-selectable command, and a second user-selectable command to the user; upon receiving the user's selection of the first user-selectable command, updating the character profile by at least initiating the virtual trip with the virtual character; upon receiving the user's selection of the second user-selectable command: updating the one or more outcomes according to a predetermined adjustment; and updating the character profile by at least initiating the virtual trip with the virtual character based on the updated one or more outcomes.

Method and system for training a virtual character of a telematics-based game. In some examples, a computer-implemented method includes: determining, based at least in part upon telematics data, a plurality of skill points associated with a plurality of real skills exhibited by the user during the one or more real trips; training a virtual character by at least updating, based at least in part upon the plurality of skill points, the plurality of virtual ratings; generating, based at least in part upon the character profile, one or more virtual occurrences to be encountered by the virtual character; determining, based at least in part upon the updated plurality of virtual ratings, one or more outcomes associated with the one or more virtual occurrences; updating the character profile by at least applying the one or more virtual occurrences based on the associated one or more outcomes to the virtual character.

Handheld location based games are provided in which a user's physical location correlates to the virtual location of a virtual character on a virtual playfield. Augmented Reality (AR) systems are provided in which video game indicia are overlaid onto a user's physical environment. A landscape detector is provided that may obtain information about the user's landscape, in addition to the user's location, in order to provide overlaying information to an AR head-mounted display and control information to non-user controlled video game characters.

A method for providing a game for conquering virtual buildings on virtual maps corresponding to actual buildings on actual maps includes steps of: a game server (a) determining location information of a first player from a GPS signal, displaying the virtual maps with the virtual buildings and displaying building metadata and combat power data corresponding to a specific virtual building, (b) requesting the first player who requested a siege battle to pay siege battle fees or select siege battle requesting contents, and (c) displaying total combat powers of participating characters selected by the first player and a second player corresponding to a current owner of the specific virtual building, wherein profit distribution algorithms provide at least part of a portion of game profits generated from the siege battle fees and the siege battle requesting contents belonging to the specific virtual building or a specific virtual region to the current owner.

A server device that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a memory and a processor. The processor can identify first and second players present at first and second physical locations, to identify first and second boundary and topographical information of the first and second physical locations, to map the first and second boundary and topographical information of the first and second physical locations to a virtual gaming space, to capture first and second position and orientation information for the first and second players, to map the first and second position and orientation information to the virtual gaming space, to generate first and second virtual players corresponding to the first and second players, and to transmit to first goggles information representative of the second virtual player for display superimposed onto a transparent viewing apparatus for viewing of the virtual gaming space. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

A convenience gaming system is provided. The convenience gaming system allows users to access applications via gaming communication devices coupled to a communication network. At least a portion of the network may be wireless. The gaming applications include gambling, financial, entertainment service, and other types of transactions. The system may include a user location determination feature to prevent users from conducting transactions from unauthorized areas.

A location-based game system is provided. Such a system may take the form of any device (e.g., a wireless telephone) that includes a locating device (e.g., a GPS system). One such location-based game may operate such that the actual, physical location of a user on a physical playfield corresponds to the location of a virtual character on a virtual playfield. Such location based games are referred to herein as actuality games. In one multiplayer actuality embodiment, two game devices may communicate location, and other, information to a remote database such that the two user's may interact on different physical playfields, but play on the same virtual playfield. A number of wireless communications protocols, self-configuration, and auto-download software applications are also provided to optimize integration with, for example, a wireless telephone.

A server device that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a memory and a processor. The processor can identify first and second players present at first and second physical locations, to identify first and second boundary and topographical information of the first and second physical locations, to map the first and second boundary and topographical information of the first and second physical locations to a virtual gaming space, to capture first and second position and orientation information for the first and second players, to map the first and second position and orientation information to the virtual gaming space, to generate first and second virtual players corresponding to the first and second players, and to transmit to first goggles information representative of the second virtual player for display superimposed onto a transparent viewing apparatus for viewing of the virtual gaming space. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Aspects of this disclosure relate to rewarding users of an electronic game for real-world physical activity. Further aspects relate to altering virtual items based upon physical activity. An electronic game may comprise or otherwise relate to an online world (such as a “Virtual World”). Users may be represented through customized graphical representations, such as avatars. An account of a user (or entity) may be associated a “virtual region.” A threshold level of real-world physical activity may result in obtaining a reward that may be associated with a virtual item. A reward may be configured to result in: (1) altering visual appearance of a virtual item within a virtual region; (2) altering a virtual characteristic of a virtual item, such that the first user may engage in at least one additional virtual activity using that virtual item; and/or (3) acquiring a new virtual item for a virtual region.

A location-based game system is provided. Such a system may take the form of any device (e.g., a wireless telephone) that includes a locating device (e.g., a GPS system). One such location-based game may operate such that the actual, physical location of a user on a physical playfield corresponds to the location of a virtual character on a virtual playfield. Such location based games are referred to herein as actuality games. In one multiplayer actuality embodiment, two game devices may communicate location, and other, information to a remote database such that the two user's may interact on different physical playfields, but play on the same virtual playfield. A number of wireless communications protocols, self-configuration, and auto-download software applications are also provided to optimize integration with, for example, a wireless telephone.