KR20040081766A - Online vehicle collection and play activity - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to online games, and more particularly, to online games in which a virtual vehicle, in particular a car, can be selected, customized, and entered into races and other activities in an online joint forum. In some embodiments, the online game may include customization instructions that allow customization of the virtual vehicle in a substantially cancelable manner.

Description

ONLINE VEHICLE COLLECTION AND PLAY ACTIVITY}

Currently, network computer entertainment, including online games, provides single player, multiplayer and head-to-head competition capabilities in an online network environment. Examples of online games are disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 6,419,577, 6,325,292, 6,319,125, 6,280,325, 6,251,017, 6,224,486, and WO013788. In general, such a system is designed to allow a participant to pay a connection fee to receive access and play a game in return.

An online game based on a character who is able to store characters who can perform functions within the virtual world, and in which case these characters can be exchanged for additional attributes, or a character that can earn points. exist. Such attributes can enhance the appearance and / or performance of characters in the context of the virtual world.

This application claims the priority of US Provisional Patent Application 60 / 355,002, filed February 8, 2002.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to online games, and more particularly, to online games where virtual vehicles, in particular cars, can be selected, customized, and entered into races and other activities in an online joint forum.

1 is a flow chart illustrating a range of steps associated with an embodiment of the invention.

2 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a town center in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

3 is a flow chart illustrating the general steps of a race in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a graphical representation of a town center portion of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a graphical representation of a vehicle customization activity of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a repository of virtual spare parts and is another graphical representation of the vehicle customization activity of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates an installation of the virtual portion, and is another graphical representation of the vehicle customization activity of FIG. 5.

8 illustrates a list of equipped parts and is another graphical representation of the vehicle customization activity of FIG. 5.

9 illustrates a list of reserved spare parts, and is another graphical representation of the vehicle customization activity of FIG. 5.

10 is a graphical representation of a hometown selection zone in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention preferably provides an online game supplied by a web server with a web server via a communication network such as the Internet, and to a plurality of terminals available to the user in a web browser. In one embodiment, the present invention provides an online game interface and environment that allows a participant to select a customizable virtual vehicle, which correlates with one or more actual purchased toy vehicles and can be used to customize the virtual vehicle. The initial amount of the virtual game credit can be stored. By providing custom activities, the participant can customize the virtual vehicle instead of reducing the amount of virtual game credits, and also provide a custom tutorial, so that the participant can reduce the amount of virtual game credits, You can practice custom virtual vehicles in a virtually cancelable way.

The present invention provides a variety of online activities involving single player and customizable virtual vehicles, including both single player and multiplayer race and non-racing games, to which customizable virtual vehicles can participate. These activities provide a means for obtaining the value of entertainment and additional virtual game credits that can be used for further customization of the vehicle. Single player activities include non-racing, arcade-style game scenarios in which the virtual vehicle participates and the participant may be paid for execution, and a racing game in which the participant races the virtual vehicle against a computer controlled vehicle or clock. Multiplayer activities include various types of multiplayer races in which a participant can enter a virtual vehicle to compete with other participants in real time over a communication network. In the context of the present invention, "real time" indicates that a competing virtual vehicle is simultaneously controlled by different users during a race or other competition. Participants can store additional virtual game credits as they run in all of these activities.

The virtual vehicle provided by the present invention may be associated with a hometown. This hometown may be chosen from a location in the real world or has little to do with this location. A hometown related feature allows competition between hometowns in order to establish hometown rankings, so that the participants associated with a given hometown in this case compete with the participants associated with other hometowns, and also establish individual rankings. To provide participants with enhanced entertainment value by allowing competition between participants associated with the same hometown.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the drawings and detailed description.

The present invention is an online collection and play activity designed to allow a participant to collect and customize a virtual vehicle and to enter the virtual vehicle in various races and other activities.

In FIG. 1, a system 100 for playing online games is disclosed. The system 100 preferably includes an off server component 102 and a server 104, which in a preferred embodiment is a web server. The off server component 102 includes a new user registration zone 108 and a return user registration zone 110 as well as a real toy vehicle 106 described in more detail below. Participants may access server 104 via a communication network, such as the Internet, but the present invention may also provide a server residing on a single processor that is also connected to the local intranet or not connected to the network.

Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that there are many configurations that can be made available to participants for games with online components. For example, registration zones 108 and 110 may be installed on separate processors via CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, other software storage media, and / or downloads from the Internet. Optionally, the system 100 may include a web server 104 that includes registration zones 108 and 110 in a unified format. Alternatively, the entire game may be stored and / or installed on the processor via any storage medium, such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or any other medium suitable for storing one or more application programs.

The user may register for the game and access the server 104 via the new user registration zone 108 or the return user registration zone 110. The new user registration zone 108 for online games typically includes selecting a special username and password, while the return user registration zone 110 typically includes entering a current username and password. do. In this regard, the new user may be assigned a virtual vehicle for game participation, and the returning user may be generally associated with one or more virtual vehicles assigned and / or obtained through previous game participation.

Registration for the online game may be correlated with the purchase of the actual toy vehicle 106, in which case the registration area 108 and / or 110 enters the code provided in or on the packaging of the toy vehicle 106. It may include a step. By entering such a code, as described in more detail below, the user is assigned a virtual vehicle representing the toy vehicle 106 in various aspects as a result, or a new virtual that can be used to customize the virtual vehicle by the user. You can earn a partial or game credit. The new user registration zone 108 may also be configured to install a desktop shortcut key 112 on a computer to provide quicker access to the return user registration zone 110 when playing a game later.

Given the overall game device provided by the server 104 with reference to FIG. 1, the system 100 includes a customization guide 114, which includes customizing the virtual vehicle before entering the rest of the online game system. To practice, the game may be configured to allow the new user to initially enter the tutorial 114. From the customization tutorial 114, the user can proceed to the town center 116, which can function as the main hub for the logic structure of the game. Probably a returning user who has already passed the customization guidelines 114 at least once may be directed directly from the registration area 110 to the town center 116 without entering the guidelines 114.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, town center 116 is designed with a main central location that many parts of the virtual game world can directly access. Various aspects of the game accessible from the town center in the preferred embodiment will now be described.

From town center 116, the user can steer with racetrack entry 118 to race the virtual vehicle with one or more virtual vehicles associated with the computer generated counterpart or other user. After passing through the racetrack entry 118, the user can navigate to a virtual lobby area 120 where various races 122 can be coupled. Additional details about these races will be described below.

In addition, from town center 116, the user can navigate to a single player game entry 124 that can select a number of single player games 126, including both vehicle racing games and non-racing, arcade-style games. Can be.

From town center 116, a user can also navigate to custom activity 128. In customization activity 128, the user can customize the virtual vehicle instead of the virtual game credit. Particular components of custom activity 128 include purchasing new virtual vehicle body 130, purchasing and installing paint and decals 132, and purchasing virtual portion 134. In addition, the user can navigate to the parts installation zone 136, the parts sales zone 138, and the engine upgrade zone 140. The custom shape of the game will be described in more detail below.

From town center 116, a user may navigate to a record entry area 142 where records relating to the execution of multiple users and / or vehicles may be available. Zone 142 includes a race record zone 144 that provides the results of multiple vehicle competitions, a profile search zone 146 that allows a user to search for records related to other users, and the user to his or her personal player profile. It may include a player profile area 148 that may be updated or changed and accessible by other users.

Also, from town center 116, the user can navigate to hometown selection entry 150, from which user will proceed to select new hometown zone 152 to enter new hometown zone 154. Can be. The hometown shape of the system 100 will be described in more detail below.

An alternative embodiment of the logical structure of town center 116 is shown in FIG. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a user may enter a racetrack entry 118, a single player game entry 124, a custom activity 128, a record entry 142, and a hometown from the town center 116. Control with selection entry 150. However, the customization instructions 114 are accessible from the customization activity 128, allowing the user to easily pass back and forth between the customization activity 128 and the customization instructions 114, thereby allowing the virtual vehicle's progress during customization. Allows customization skills to be acquired intermittently.

3 shows a preferred set of steps that may be part of the race 122. The components of race 122 are pre-race activities 156 in which the user becomes familiar with racetracks and can be given the opportunity to activate and / or deactivate any virtual part for optimal execution for a particular advent race. It may include. The user can then be directed to the selection counterpart area 158 where the shape of the component can be specified. These shapes may include, for example, the opponent's racing skill and / or experience level, and whether the counter vehicle is human controlled or fully computer controlled, and the amount of virtual credit invested in the counter vehicle's virtual vehicle.

Once the pre-race activity is complete and the opponent is selected, the race may begin with the first hit 160 and proceed to the second hit 162. In a preferred embodiment, the race may continue with the third hit 164 when the first two hits are 1-1 ties, while the first two hits are 2-0 with one of the opponents. If he wins, he may continue to the end race zone 166. End race zone 166 may include activities such as a detailed reassessment of the race, or may simply view a list of race results. After the race is over, a rematch option is provided to guide the other first hit 160 when a rematch is selected and to the race zone 122 when no rematch is selected, from which the town center ( Other aspects of the game, such as 116, may be approached.

As discussed above, town center 116 may serve as a steering hub for the preferred embodiment of the online game. 4 is a graphical representation of town center 116 that includes graphical icons representing many of the shapes detailed in FIGS. 1 and 2 in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the racetrack entry 118 is represented by an icon resembling the racetrack, the single player game entry 124 is represented by an icon resembling a video arcade game, and the custom activity 128 is an icon resembling an auto repair shop. The record entry 142 is represented by an icon resembling blimp, and the hometown selection entry 150 is represented by an icon resembling a network of roads and / or tunnels. 4 is also a graphical representation of a virtual vehicle 168, which in a preferred embodiment is a virtual vehicle such as a virtual race car. Town center 116 also includes a video display unit 170 that displays information such as the current hometown and hometown inhabitants, an ocean cube 172 that provides links to underwater games, and damaged or destroyed vehicles. And / or scrap yard 174, which may be a location for storage of the spare portion.

To describe in more detail a number of custom shapes of an online game, FIGS. 5-9 illustrate graphical representations of custom activities 128 in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 5-9 illustrate aspects of the custom made activity 128, but the shapes and descriptions shown herein apply in the same manner as the custom made instructions 114, except as described below. 5 illustrates custom activity 128 with virtual vehicle 168 resting on rotatable platform 176. The platform 176 is configured to rotate in response to user commands such as mouse movements, mouse clicks, or keystrokes, such that the user can look at the vehicle 168 from all angles during customization. For example, on the base of platform 176, there may be means such as a graphic icon or a rollover mechanism, which causes vehicle 168 to rotate once in a complete circle.

Also shown in FIG. 5 is a display screen 178, which is preferably located in an area behind or on the side of the vehicle 168, whereby the screen 178 can be customized activity 128. Do not interfere with other aspects of). Screen 178 is configured to display information about the plurality of vehicle components, shown at 180. The information displayed on the screen 178 may be for a particular part and may include name, price, authenticity, power, energy use, and general description for all parts. Preferably, screen 178 "rolls over" such information when the cursor is positioned on or near a corresponding vehicle component on the screen in a manner similar to those skilled in web page design techniques. Format is displayed.

Virtual component 180 may include weapons, defenses, and various types of execution enhancers, as well as virtual engine components, wheels, brakes, and other conventional automatic components, some of which may be similar in the real world. May not have Component 180 may also include paint, transfer, and other components designed to enhance the appearance and / or performance of vehicle 168. When selected, various components can be installed in or on a virtual vehicle using robotic arms 182, which hold one of the components 180 in a robotic jaw, This part is configured to be installed in the virtual vehicle. In selecting a type of part, a movable shelf 184 is shown which holds specific and selectable individual parts, preferably by clicking on the icon corresponding to the mouse. By selecting a particular component from the shelf 184, the component is subsequently selected from the shelf by the robotic arm 182 in preparation for installation in the vehicle 168.

6 and 7 are selectivity of a custom activity 128 that also includes a list display 186 while installing one of the parts 180. The list display 186 is preferably configured to remain invisible unless activated by user commands or cursor movement, eg, movement of the mouse pointer over the virtual vehicle 168. When activated, display 186 will slide upward or otherwise appear until it can fully mediate between the user's viewing distance and vehicle 168. In this regard, as best seen in FIGS. 6-7, display 186 is preferably configured to display an X-ray or other translucency of vehicle 168.

When a particular vehicle component 180 is selected, as described above, it is automatically acquired by the robotic arm 182. In this case, by clicking on a specific area of the translucent display of the vehicle 168, for example, the hood portion, the selected component is installed in the vehicle. Clicking on other areas of the translucent display of the vehicle 168, such as the trunk, allows the selected parts to be stored in the vehicle for future use.

In either case (installation or storage), the price of the part will be reduced in the total amount of the user's virtual game credit. If the user only orders a vehicle through the use of the customization instructions 114, the purchased parts are removed, and the virtual game credits, upon leaving the instruction 114, end of each action or other appropriate value. By returning to the user's account at time, the order creation may be substantially canceled. However, if the user is customizing the virtual vehicle in the customization activity 128, the credit is not returned and the customization cannot be substantially canceled.

On the other hand, if a particular vehicle component 180 is not selected when the list display 186 is activated, by clicking on a specific area of the translucent display of the vehicle 168, such as a hood, as shown in FIG. Causes the list of parts 188 installed in the to be displayed on the list display 186. Likewise, clicking on another area of the translucent display of the vehicle 168, such as the trunk, causes the list of purchased and stored parts 190 to be displayed on the list display 186, as shown in FIG.

Upon entering the system 100 first, in particular when dealing with the subject of the virtual game credit, or with a particular portion, such as the customization activity 128 and / or the customization guideline 114, the user is prompted to initiate the virtual game credit. Amount can be stored. These game credits are provided for customizing and / or upgrading virtual vehicles and to purchase new virtual vehicles and parts. In custom activity 128, parts and / or other custom shapes are obtained by the user instead of a reduction in the amount of virtual game credits, and such reductions and corresponding modifications made to the virtual vehicle are substantially irrevocable. However, in tutorial 114, any reduction in the amount of virtual game credit provided may be canceled before the user leaves the tutorial, because the purpose of the tutorial is to cancel the customization of the virtual vehicle for practice purposes. Because there is. As such, the user can determine how to add the pate, adhesive, transfer, automotive parts, weapons, and other components to the virtual vehicle through trial and error in a substantially cancelable manner. Also, as the amount initially provided is limited, the user can accurately determine the combination of various components that are willing to spend the virtual game credit.

The amount of virtual game credit of a user may increase when declared a winner in a competition, such as a multiplayer race, for participation and / or execution of various single player activities. The amount of virtual game credits available to the user is based on the ability to further customize the virtual vehicle, purchase and customize a new virtual vehicle, advance technology, and experience within the virtual online game provided by the system 100. Will decide.

Considering more details regarding the hometown selection entry zone 150, it can be seen that this zone leads to the hometown selection zone 152 and the new hometown entry zone 154. 10 is a graphical representation of a preferred embodiment of a hometown selection zone 152. This optional zone is a display 192 showing various information regarding the username, current hometown, player rankings, available game credits, etc., as well as links to the town center 116 and / or other zones of the system 100. It may include. This information may be similar or identical in content to information available within the player profile zone 148 reached through the record entry zone 142. In addition, hometown selection zone 152 includes a graphical representation of a road junction 194 or other similar split point, indicating that selection is possible for the next hometown destination.

Click on a branch of branch 194 to simply select a new hometown, or multiple branches of branch 194 may be labeled with a name or icon representing another hometown (not shown in the figure). Preferably, a hometown selection window 196 or other similar means, perhaps associated with a "roll-over" shape, is provided to facilitate the selection of a new hometown. By selecting a hometown, participation in online games can be expanded as follows. In some embodiments, a user competes in a race with other users associated with the same hometown and receives individual performance rankings within the hometown as a result of these competitions. On the other hand, a member of a given hometown may apply for a competition race to a member of another hometown, and the result thereof may be used to determine a hometown execution ranking with respect to another hometown. In this way, competition, teamwork and loyalty are all triggered within the context of the online game experience.

In addition to the components described above, the present invention includes a number of audio elements designed to enhance the user's gaming experience. As described in more detail below, in a preferred embodiment, whenever the user presses a button or makes some kind of selection, a simple sound is produced.

"Quiet Click" sounds can result from relatively insignificant operations such as toggle setting on and off. This sound is often audible and can be chosen to be a normal click sound. This sound can also be used in the mound down state. "Standard Click" sounds can result from more important actions, such as processing cancellation. This is also a normal click sound, but can be louder than "Quiet Click". "Important Click" is a sound that can occur when a user completes a process or operation, such as a click of a button that takes a new place by the user in the system 100. "Error Sound" may occur when a user attempts an incorrect or illegal behavior, such as an attempt to purchase a virtual component that requires more amount of virtual game credit than the user currently has available. "Place Sounds" may occur when correlated with multiple virtual places in a game. For example, when the player first inputs a new part of the game, a simple background sound is generated and the scene of the new part can be set. The background sound may include 2-5 seconds of sound to set the mood and theme for this part. The table below shows the components of the game along with "Place Sounds", according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Game components "Place Sounds" Entering town center Traffic in use Enter Custom Zone Machine shop tools Apparatus input "light saber" sound Racetrack input Engine resuscitation Arcade input Video game sound effect

When playing various games according to the present invention, the player's experience and skills can be tabulated by the score and skill level of the system. Scores are learned to play both single player and multiplayer games and races, and players may be assigned specific skill levels based on the accumulated total score. In the preferred embodiment, there are seven levels of the game 1-7, and the level of the user is based on the total score accumulated by the user over time. The following chart represents the overall score that may be needed to achieve different levels.

User level Overall score Level 1 0 Level 2 100 Level 3 1,000 Level 4 10,000 Level 5 100,000 Level 6 500,000 Level 7 1,000,000

In addition, new levels (level 8, level 9, master level, etc.) can be created to accommodate more advanced users. In a preferred embodiment, the level can play a role in the game in the following way:

When a user races, they may automatically compete with other users of the same level.

The number of engine upgrades that a user can make on a particular engine can be determined by the level. Level 1 engines can start with 10 points, and each level can allow 2 engine upgrades of 2 energy for a maximum of 4 total energy points per level, respectively. This means that the maximum total engine energy can be as follows.

User level Maximum total energy Level 1 14 Level 2 18 Level 3 22 Level 4 26 Level 5 30 Level 6 34 Level 7 38

The above described techniques may include a number of separate inventions with independent utilities. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in good form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered as limiting as many variations are possible. The main problem of the present invention includes all new and progressive and auxiliary couplings of the various elements, shapes, functions and / or properties disclosed herein. Likewise, where a claim refers to an "a" or "a first" element or equivalent thereof, such claim is understood to include one or more elements, without requiring or excluding two or more elements.

The invention embodied in many combinations and auxiliary combinations of shapes, functions, elements and / or properties may be claimed in related applications. Such claims, whether covered by different inventions or by the same invention, are considered to be included within the main problem of the invention of this disclosure, whether different, broader, narrower or the same as the scope of the original claims.

Claims (28)

In a method for providing an online game accessible by a web browser, Providing a first amount of the virtual game credits, Providing one or more virtual vehicles, Providing a customization guide allowing customization of one or more virtual vehicles, without reducing the first amount of virtual game credits; Providing a customization activity that allows customization of one or more virtual vehicles by reducing the first amount of virtual game credits. The method of claim 1, And the at least one virtual vehicle is a virtual race car. The method of claim 2, Providing multi-car races for two or more virtual vehicles, wherein there is at least one winner associated with the multi-car race, wherein the at least one winner receives a second amount of virtual game credits. How to deliver the game. The method of claim 3, wherein Wherein each of the at least two virtual vehicles is associated with a home town. The method of claim 4, wherein And the at least two virtual vehicles are associated with the same home town. An online entertainment system comprising a web server accessible through a communication network and a game provided by the web server, One or more virtual race cars, A virtual game credit of a first amount associated with the one or more virtual race cars, Custom made instructions that allow changes to the one or more virtual race cars without reducing the first amount of virtual game credits, and And an on-demand activity that allows a change to the one or more virtual race cars instead of reducing the first amount of virtual game credits. The method of claim 6, And further comprising a competition between virtual race cars, wherein there is one or more winners associated with the outcome of the competition, the one or more winners receiving a second amount of virtual game credits. The method of claim 7, wherein Further comprising a plurality of hometowns, wherein each of the one or more virtual race cars is associated with a hometown. The method of claim 8, The competition is configured to participate in a virtual race car associated with the same hometown. In electronic games, One or more virtual vehicles, Virtual game credits, Include custom made instructions, The one or more virtual vehicles can be customized instead of a portion of the virtual game credits, And the customization guide is configured to be customizable so that the one or more virtual vehicles can cancel without spending the virtual game credit. The method of claim 10, Wherein each of the one or more virtual vehicles is associated with a hometown. The method of claim 11, The at least one virtual vehicle is a virtual race car. The method of claim 12, And further comprising a competition between two or more virtual race cars, wherein the two or more virtual race cars are associated with the same hometown. The method of claim 12, And a plurality of terminals communicating with the web server through a communication network. In the online game, Game interface, accessible by web browser via network 2 or more virtual race cars, 2 or more hometowns, One or more races between the two or more virtual race cars, Each of the at least two virtual race cars is associated with one of the at least two hometowns, Wherein said at least one race is configured to permit participation only by a virtual race car associated with the same hometown. The method of claim 15, The amount of virtual game credit associated with each of the two or more virtual race cars, Custom activities in which each of the two or more virtual race cars can be customized by addition of virtual paint, adhesives and parts, instead of reducing the amount of the virtual game credits, And wherein each of the two or more virtual race cars further comprises a customization guide that can be custom made without reduction. The method of claim 16, And at least one single player game, wherein participation in the at least one single player game results in an increase in the amount of virtual game credits. As an online game interface accessible by a web browser, The game interface gives the user an amount of virtual game credits, allows the user to select a virtual vehicle, allows the user to customize the virtual vehicle instead of a portion of the virtual game credit, and allows the user to create a virtual profile. And allow the user to race the virtual vehicle with other virtual vehicles, and allow the user to enter the virtual vehicle into a plurality of single player non-racing games. The method of claim 18, And the game interface allows the participant to customize the virtual vehicle without canceling the amount of virtual game credits. In the online car game, A registration area allowing registration for the game and providing a first virtual car, A town center that provides a number of selectable activities, the town center comprising: Profile creation activity to create a personal player profile, A custom activity that provides an amount of a virtual game credit and permits customization of the first virtual vehicle instead of reducing the amount of the virtual game credit, wherein the customization is paint, adhesive for the first virtual vehicle. Custom-made activities, including the addition of automotive parts and weapons, A multiplayer racing activity that allows the first virtual car to compete with at least the second virtual car, A hometown selection activity that associates the first virtual car with a hometown and includes an option to change the hometown; Include one or more single player game activities, The customization activity includes instructions for allowing customization of the first virtual vehicle without reducing the amount of the virtual game credits, The multiplayer racing activity causes the first virtual car to compete with at least the second virtual car only if the first virtual car and at least the second virtual car are associated with the same hometown, Wherein said at least one single player game activity comprises at least one non-racing game. In how to play online car games, Communicating with a web server via a communication network, Registering a game, selecting a username, Storing the virtual car, Storing the amount of the virtual game credits, Customizing the virtual car so that it can be cancelled, Customizing the virtual car so that it cannot be canceled, and Inputting the virtual car into one or more play activities, By customizing the virtual car to be canceled, the amount of the virtual game credits is not reduced, and the order of the virtual car is not made to be canceled, and the amount of the virtual game credit is reduced. . The method of claim 21, Wherein said at least one play activity comprises a multiplayer race. The method of claim 22, And wherein said multiplayer race occurs in real time. The method of claim 21, One or more play activities comprise a single player, non-racing game. A storage medium for storing an application for a car racing game, the storage medium comprising: It has a town center that provides a number of selectable activities, which town center, Profile creation activity to create a personal player profile, A custom activity that provides an amount of a virtual game credit and permits customization of the first virtual vehicle instead of reducing the amount of the virtual game credit, wherein the customization is a paint, adhesive for the first virtual vehicle. Custom-made activities, including the addition of automotive parts and weapons, A multiplayer racing activity that allows the first virtual car to compete with at least the second virtual car, and A hometown selection activity that associates the first virtual car with a hometown and includes an option to change the hometown; The customization activity includes instructions for allowing customization of the first virtual vehicle without reducing the amount of the virtual game credits, The multiplayer racing activity is such that the first virtual car competes with at least the second virtual car only if the first virtual car and at least the second virtual car are associated with the same hometown. Application storage media. The method of claim 25, And wherein said multiplayer racing activity occurs in real time. The method of claim 26, The application storage medium for a car racing game further comprising one or more single player activities. The method of claim 27, And said at least one single player activity comprises at least one non-racing game.