This period saw 5 filed patents across 4 companies: Games2Coins (2), King.Com (1), Cygames (1), and Sony (1).
The patents describe technologies for reducing friction in player spending and retention, from payment transfer systems to social engagement triggers. Sony filed for a phone-to-controller tap mechanism that transfers payment credentials to game consoles, while King.Com described automatic friend alerts when players fail levels repeatedly. Games2Coins filed two related applications for middleware that converts fiat currency into blockchain-based tokens redeemable as rewards across multiple games, and Cygames described a catch-up leveling system that lets under-leveled characters progress faster without additional grinding.
Sony received 1 patent for a contactless payment system that uses the game controller as an active relay point. When a player initiates an in-game purchase on the console, the controller detects a nearby phone and transfers stored payment credentials directly to the console, eliminating the need for manual entry or direct phone-to-console pairing. The controller acts as the intermediary device that handles proximity detection and data handoff in response to purchase events.
King.Com filed 1 patent covering an automated help request system for players who become stuck in puzzle games. The system monitors player performance and, after detecting a defined number of failed attempts at a level, automatically sends alerts to the player's friends without requiring the player to manually ask for assistance. This converts moments of player frustration into programmatic social notifications that can drive friends back into the game.
Games2Coins received 2 patents describing middleware architectures that link blockchain platforms to game economies. The first application covers a system where real-world deposits on external crypto platforms trigger automated reward distributions inside multiple game titles, using blockchain as the settlement layer and a proprietary intermediate token as the common value unit. The second describes a broader cross-platform resource exchange that connects multiple games and multiple blockchain networks through a neutral intermediary layer, with a revenue-sharing structure that compensates participating game platforms for integration.
Cygames filed 1 patent for a dual-condition character progression system designed to reduce repetitive grinding. Characters or items below a player-set rank threshold can be upgraded at reduced or zero resource cost up to that threshold, while those at or above the threshold follow standard upgrade rules that consume resources. The system automates catch-up mechanics for under-leveled content without depleting the player's inventory of consumable items.
All data sourced from USPTO patent filings. Google Patents may take several weeks to index recent publications. If a link is unavailable, search for the patent number at USPTO Patent Public Search.