Patent attributes
An online game commerce system, in one embodiment, provides an architecture for enabling the interactive trade, collection, advertisement, purchase, and sales of video game components through the representation and use of an online marketplace such as an auction, store, trading hub or similar expression within a video game. For example, an online race car game purchased at a retail store comes with five different starter cars, but game players are offered the opportunity through an online store or auction accessible through the game to purchase additional cars for $5 each or a new engine for existing cars for $1.00 each. After the initial release of the game, game publishers may offer new cars and race tracks downloadable online for a price of $5.00 each or a promotional offer of $20 for any combination of five.
