Video game methods and systems

• US 20070087835A1
• Filed: 03/03/2006
• Published: 04/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Andrew S Van Luchene
• Original Assignee: Andrew S Van Luchene
• Inventors: Van Luchene, Andrew
• Granted Patent: US 7,677,974 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/43
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/34 using peer-to-peer connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/58 by computing conditions of game characters, e.g. stamina, strength, motivation or energy level
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/792 for payment purposes, e.g. monthly subscriptions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/822 Strategy games; Role-playing games A63F13/825, A63F13/828 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/825 Fostering virtual characters
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/408 Peer to peer connection
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5513 involving billing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5533 using program state or machine event data, e.g. server keeps track of the state of multiple players on in a multiple player game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/65 for computing the condition of a game character
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8058 Virtual breeding, e.g. tamagotchi
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/807 Role playing or strategy games

Abstract

The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems. The disclosure includes methods and systems: for forming relationships between player characters, to allow for karma points, death, and reincarnation of player characters, for inheritance between player characters, to allow a game that progresses in eras, that allow reverse outcomes of game parameters, to create in-game objects from digital images of real life objects, to provide inventory management of in-game items and attributes, to facilitate favors between player characters, and to allow for genetic crossbreeding of parents to form children.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

retrieving a plurality of player attributes;

determining if the plurality of player attributes qualify for a relationship;

if attributes qualify for a relationship, flagging character account as eligible for a relationship;

outputting relationship availability to player character;

retrieving a request to form a relationship contract;

outputting relationship contract parameters;

receiving relationship contract conditions; and

creating a new relationship contract record based on relationship contract conditions.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving a request to sever the relationship contract;

determining if the request is permitted based upon relationship contract conditions; and

severing relationship if request is permitted.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising;

outputting additional conditions that must be met in order for relationship to be severed if request is not permitted.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

retrieving a relationship contract;

determining if contract is eligible to be severed;

outputting offer to sever contract to player characters;

severing contract if offer is accepted; and

updating a relationship contract record to reflect the severed contract.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving an indication that a player character desires to enter into a parent-child contract; and

determining if a child relationship contract is available for the player character.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising outputting an available parent-child contract.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising receiving an acceptance of the parent-child contract.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising generating a genetic profile of the child player character based on part on the genetic profile of at least one parent player character.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising creating a child player character with the generated genetic profile of the child.

10. A method comprising:

receiving an indication that a game parameter has been completed by a first player character;

determining if the first player character has formed a relationship with another player character;

releasing available game attributes for successful completion of the game parameter if the player character has formed a relationship with another player character.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising categorizing relationships into a first category and a second category.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising only releasing game attributes for successful completion of the game parameter if the player character has formed a first category relationship.

13. The method of claim 10 where the relationship is marriage.

14. The method of claim 10 where the relationship is a parent-child relationship.

15. The method of claim 10 where the relationship is selected from the group consisting of:

marriage, parent-child, master-slave, affair, enchanter-enchanted, boss-employee, gods-worshipers, government officials, sports team-coaches, guilds, and general-army.

19. The method of claim 10 where the relationship is marriage.

20. The method of claim 10 where the relationship is a parent-child relationship.

16. A method comprising:

receiving a request to attempt to complete a game parameter from a first player character;

determining if the first player character has a relationship with another player character; and

initiating game parameter if the first player character has a relationship with another player character.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising categorizing relationships into a first category and a second category.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising only releasing game attributes for successful completion of the game parameter if the player character has formed a first category relationship.