Baseball videogame having pitching meter, hero mode and user customization features
First Claim
1. In a baseball videogame, wherein animated action is performed by a pitcher character in response to input by a user provided through a user-operable controller, a method of controlling game play comprising:
- monitoring for user input on the user-operable controller requesting release of a baseball pitch by the pitcher character;
detecting when user input is requested on the user-operable controller requesting release of the baseball pitch by the pitcher character;
comparing a time at which the user input is detected to an optimal pitch release timing; and
controlling a timing of a break on the baseball pitch based on the comparison.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sports videogame such as a baseball videogame allows a user to control the release time of a pitch in order to control the timing of a break on the pitched ball. Other implementations of a baseball videogame allow a user to put extra spin on a pitched ball to thereby create a greater break on the pitch or allow the user to play in a hero mode which enables the user to control a videogame character in a series of specific game play scenarios designed to allow the user to immediately control the videogame character to perform unique skills. Game play may also be customized by allowing the user to incorporate user-created images into screens of game play and/or allow the user to incorporate recorded audio messages into game play.
88 Citations
25 Claims
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1. In a baseball videogame, wherein animated action is performed by a pitcher character in response to input by a user provided through a user-operable controller, a method of controlling game play comprising:
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monitoring for user input on the user-operable controller requesting release of a baseball pitch by the pitcher character;
detecting when user input is requested on the user-operable controller requesting release of the baseball pitch by the pitcher character;
comparing a time at which the user input is detected to an optimal pitch release timing; and
controlling a timing of a break on the baseball pitch based on the comparison. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of controlling game play in a baseball videogame, wherein a user interactively controls a pitcher character in response to input by a user provided through a user-operable controller, the method comprising:
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monitoring for user input on the user-operable controller requesting release of a baseball pitch by the pitcher character;
detecting when user input is requested on the user-operable controller requesting release of the baseball pitch by the pitcher character;
comparing a time at which the user input is detected to an optimal pitch release timing; and
controlling when a break on the baseball pitch occurs during its flight based on the comparison. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. In a baseball videogame, wherein animated action is performed by a pitcher baseball game character in response to input by a user provided through a user-operable controller, a method of controlling game play comprising:
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displaying and activating a pitch release meter so that the pitch release meter approaches a target;
monitoring for user input on the user-operable controller requesting release of a baseball pitch by the pitcher character;
detecting the position of the release meter when user input is requested on the user-operable controller requesting release of the baseball pitch by the pitcher character;
comparing the detected position of the release meter to the target; and
controlling when a break on the baseball pitch occurs during its flight based on the comparison. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25-103. -103. (canceled)
Specification