System and method for implementing an interactive storyline

• US 20070099684A1
• Filed: 11/03/2005
• Published: 05/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Evans Butterworth
• Original Assignee: Evans Butterworth
• Inventors: Butterworth, Evans
• Application Number:
  US11/267,932
• Publication Number:
  US 20070099684A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6018 where the game content is authored by the player, e.g. level editor or by game device at runtime, e.g. level is created from music data on CD
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2562 DVDs [digital versatile discs]; Digital video discs; MMCDs; HDCDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs

Abstract

An interactive event that allows viewers to interact with a story in a video or film environment and change the story that is told based on input provided or obtained from the audience or other sources. For instance, an interactive event is created out of a movie storyline and given alternate endings, branching storylines, dead ends, advances, and regressions in the story. The system is designed to generate an interactive event out of a feature film by inserting menu prompts or branch points throughout the storyline allowing the player to navigate through the story based on input provided. The system allows the viewers to create different stories from the same situations. The events triggered may have a random component and thereby function much less like a pre-scripted story and more like real life where the story is always changing. The interactive storyline provides a domain wherein the participant experiences actions and conflicts along with their favorite characters with the goal of navigating to the end of the movie.

Claims

1. A computer program product comprising:

a computer usable memory medium having computer readable program code embodied therein where said computer readable program code is configured to;

obtain a storyline having associated video content from said computer usable memory medium where said storyline comprises references to a set of alternate video content;

display said video content in accordance with said storyline;

obtain input and provide said input to a selection interface comprising a set of branch points within said storyline where said set of branch points are associated with said references to said set of alternate video content;

obtain a selection corresponding to at least one of said set of branch points; and

display alternate video content from said set of alternate video content.

2. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein at least one of said set of branch points relates to a new storyline.

3. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein at least one of said set of branch points relates to a theme to be associated with said alternate video content.

4. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein said at least one of said set of branch points relates to a character in said storyline.

5. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein said display of said video content pauses during presentation of said selection interface.

6. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein said display of said video content continues during presentation of said selection interface.

7. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein said selection interface is presented during at least one predetermined point in said storyline.

8. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein said at least one predetermined point in said storyline is randomly selected during said display of said video content.

9. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein said at least one branch point continues said storyline.

10. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein said at least one branch point ends said storyline.

11. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein said at least one branch point replays past events in said storyline.

12. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein said at least one branch point converges to a different storyline.

13. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein said at least one branch point skips ahead in time on said storyline.

14. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein said branch points displayed in said selection interface depend on prior choices made.

15. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein said computer usable medium comprises a DVD.