Method and apparatus for providing a multiplayer gaming environment
First Claim
1. A machine-readable medium including machine-readable instructions that, if executed by a computer system, cause the computer system to perform a method comprising:
- broadcasting a gaming invitation from a host;
enabling the host to play a first game with an invitee in response to the invitee accepting the gaming invitation; and
enabling the host to accept or reject a request to join the first game from a crasher.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a host may broadcast a gaming invitation. The invitation may be communicated to an invitee via the invitee'"'"'s computer system if various parameters set by the invitee are met, including, for example, a time of day, a game type, a host identity, a location of the host or invitee, etc. If the invitation is communicated to the invitee, the invitee may accept or reject the invitation. If the gaming invitation is accepted by the invitee, multiplayer gaming between the host and the invitee may begin. For one embodiment of the present invention, a crasher may subsequently request to join a game in progress, and the host may accept or reject the crasher as an additional player. When the host signs off from a game in progress, host privileges may be transferred to another player.
63 Citations
17 Claims
-
1. A machine-readable medium including machine-readable instructions that, if executed by a computer system, cause the computer system to perform a method comprising:
-
broadcasting a gaming invitation from a host;
enabling the host to play a first game with an invitee in response to the invitee accepting the gaming invitation; and
enabling the host to accept or reject a request to join the first game from a crasher. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
-
-
5. A system comprising:
-
a processor to execute a game;
a display to provide video feedback associated with the game; and
a memory region including instructions that, if executed by the processor, cause the system to transfer a host privilege from a host to a player in response to the host signing off the game. - View Dependent Claims (6)
-
-
7. A machine-readable medium including machine-readable instructions that, if executed by a computer system, cause the computer system to perform a method comprising:
-
determining that a game is in progress; and
joining the game if a host of the game accepts a request to join the game. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A system comprising:
-
a processor to execute a game; and
a memory region including instructions that, if executed by the processor, cause the system to enable a user to accept or reject a broadcast gaming invitation from a host computer according to a predefined condition. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
Specification