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Incline Activision patents microtransaction based matchmaking

HoboForEternity

sunset tequila
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Joined
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Steve gets a Kidney but I don't even get a tag.
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-...50&s1=9789406.PN.&OS=PN/9789406&RS=PN/9789406

lazy copy from reddit:


Influencing Game-Related Purchases Through Targeted Matchmaking

According to an aspect of the invention, microtransaction engine 128 may arrange matches to influence game-related purchases. Game-related purchases may include an acquisition by a player of an item in exchange for a fee, such as a real currency fee, a virtual currency fee, and/or other type of fee. The item may include an in-game item (e.g., a power-up, virtual weaponry, a virtual vehicle, an extra life, an extended life, etc.), a new level or map, and/or other item that may be used in relation to a game.

For example, microtransaction engine 128 may match a more expert/marquee or otherwise influential player (e.g., clan leader) with a junior player to encourage the junior player to make game-related purchases. A junior player may wish to emulate a marquee player by obtaining weapons or other items used by the marquee player. Other types of pairings and/or other groupings of players may be used as well.

Microtransaction engine 128 may analyze various items used by marquee players and, if at least one of the items is currently being offered for sale (with or without a promotion), match the marquee player with another player (e.g., a junior player) that does not use or own the item. Similarly, microtransaction engine 128 may identify items offered for sale, identify marquee players that use or possess those items, and match the marquee players with other players who do not use or possess those items. In this manner, microtransaction engine 128 may leverage the matchmaking abilities described herein to influence purchase decisions for game-related purchases.

In an implementation, microtransaction engine 128 may target particular players to make game-related purchases based on their interests. For example, microtransaction engine 128 may identify a junior player to match with a marquee player based on a player profile of the junior player. In a particular example, the junior player may wish to become an expert sniper in a game (e.g., as determined from the player profile). Microtransaction engine 128 may match the junior player with a player that is a highly skilled sniper in the game. In this manner, the junior player may be encouraged to make game-related purchases such as a rifle or other item used by the highly skilled sniper.

In an implementation, when a player makes a game-related purchase, microtransaction engine 128 may encourage future purchases by matching the player (e.g., using matchmaking described herein) in a gameplay session that will utilize the game-related purchase. Doing so may enhance a level of enjoyment by the player for the game-related purchase, which may encourage future purchases. For example, if the player purchased a particular weapon, microtransaction engine 128 may match the player in a gameplay session in which the particular weapon is highly effective, giving the player an impression that the particular weapon was a good purchase. This may encourage the player to make future purchases to achieve similar gameplay results.

TL;DR Put player A in a game with player B who has item X to encourage player A to buy item X. After player A buys item X, put them in more favorable matches for the use of item X to make it seem more worthwhile and encourage future spending.

this is pretty much COD audiece :
:mixedemotions:

and the best part is they use their parents credit card. good job. good job.
 

RuySan

Augur
Joined
Jul 11, 2005
Messages
777
Location
Portugal
This just confirms the cliché that all suits are sociapaths. But if activision patents this then other companies can't use it. If you play any activision game you deserve it, so it's good news.
 

Mark Richard

Arcane
Joined
Mar 14, 2016
Messages
1,192
So they're planning on turning players into advertisements. I'm not sure what's more insulting - using me as an accessory to ruin the lives of people with obsessive compulsive disorders, or not paying me to do so.
 

Azalin

Arcane
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8b1CBU6.gif
 

ortucis

Prophet
Joined
Apr 22, 2009
Messages
2,015
They could've kept doing it without attracting attention but the greedy bastards HAD to patent that stupid shit and make it public.
 

mbv123

Arbiter
Joined
Apr 1, 2017
Messages
917
Location
Lettland
They could've kept doing it without attracting attention but the greedy bastards HAD to patent that stupid shit and make it public.
They know that they can do this shit and get away with it. Casuals simply won't care and idiots will rage on forums, but in the end will do nothing about it and will still keep buying it.
 

DraQ

Arcane
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Chrząszczyżewoszyce, powiat Łękołody
They could've kept doing it without attracting attention but the greedy bastards HAD to patent that stupid shit and make it public.
It's decline rolling over to incline and back again, multiple times and in more ways than one at once.

The base idea is of course plain fucking evil, then there is the fact that it will be targetting fucktards who do MP microtransaction games in the first place, then, there is the patent that will necessarily limit its spread and increase awareness - for good or ill.
2ibhk5d.png

You know what?
Don't mind me, I'll just sit there watching shit burn.
 

InD_ImaginE

Arcane
Patron
Joined
Aug 23, 2015
Messages
5,365
Pathfinder: Wrath
Sweet thing is even if reception to the patent is negative, they could still put them in because all the dev are probably in NDA.

The logical conclusion to micro-transaction culture :lol:
 

DeepOcean

Arcane
Joined
Nov 8, 2012
Messages
7,394
I have to admire such dedication to evil, you are really impressive Activision.
 

FeelTheRads

Arcane
Joined
Apr 18, 2008
Messages
13,716
But if activision patents this then other companies can't use it. If you play any activision game you deserve it, so it's good news.

Doesn't it mean that they can sell the license to do use this to whoever wants it? Pay to get idiots to pay you in return.

Whatever, not only those who purchase microtransactions, but even those who play games which include them as part of the gameplay deserve this.

I'm curious how this will be defended by the inevitable fanbots. You just know there are people who loved being raped.
 

fantadomat

Arcane
Edgy Vatnik Wumao
Joined
Jun 2, 2017
Messages
37,083
Location
Bulgaria
I have to admire such dedication to evil, you are really impressive Activision.
Makes you want to become part of the evil organisation. And then you remember that the boss looks like that.
That thing is way too friendly to be in charge of Activision.
The double face of Activision. One for evil and one for greater evil.
 

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