Squad command interface for console-based video game

• US 20080215981A1
• Filed: 08/01/2007
• Published: 09/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: James R.J. York, Randy J. Pagulayan, Tim V. Fields
• Inventors: Fields, Tim V., Pagulayan, Randy J., York, James R.J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,012,016 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/720
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/42 by mapping the input signals into game commands, e.g. mapping the displacement of a stylus on a touch screen to the steering angle of a virtual vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/48 Starting a game, e.g. activating a game device or waiting for other players to join a multiplayer session
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/308 Details of the user interface
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6045 for mapping control signals received from the input arrangement into game commands
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6623 for animating a group of characters
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6669 using a plurality of virtual cameras concurrently or sequentially, e.g. automatically switching between fixed virtual cameras when a character change rooms
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8076 Shooting

Abstract

A squad command interface for a squad-based shooter video game maps character selection and command selection to actuators on a game controller. Players can select squad characters and issue a single order to multiple characters with few controller actuations.

Claims

1. One or more computer-readable storage media embodying computer-readable instructions which, when executed, provide a user interface for a squad-based shooter video game in which a player controls a squad of multiple characters, comprising:

a radar display to indicate where various characters of the squad are located relative to one another; and

a squad status display integrated with the radar display to indicate a status of each squad character.

3. The computer-readable storage media of claim 1, wherein the squad status display depicts profile images of the characters, the profile images being arranged on screen to map visually to one or more actuators on a game controller.

4. The computer-readable storage media of claim 1, wherein the squad status display indicates a current command being carried out by each squad character.

5. The computer-readable storage media of claim 1, wherein the squad status display comprises a health bar graphic to indicate a relative health of the squad characters, the health bar graphic dynamically changing as a corresponding character is harmed during combat action.

6. The computer-readable storage media of claim 1, wherein the characters can be operated in different modes and the squad status display indicates when a corresponding character is operating in one of the modes.

7. The computer-readable storage media of claim 1, further comprising a command change user interface that is presented in response to player input to enable issuance of a command to one or more of the characters.

8. A computer-implemented method for providing a user interface for a squad-based shooter video game in which a player controls a squad of multiple characters, comprising:

providing a radar display to indicate where various characters of the squad are located relative to one another; and

providing a squad status display integrated with the radar display to indicate a status of each squad character.

2. The computer-readable storage media of claim 11, wherein the radar display is circular, and the squad status display encircles the radar display.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the radar display is circular, and the squad status display encircles the radar display.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the squad status display depicts profile images of the characters, the profile images being arranged on screen to map visually to one or more actuators on a game controller.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the squad status display indicates a current command being carried out by each squad character.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the squad status display comprises a health bar graphic to indicate a relative health of the squad characters, the health bar graphic dynamically changing as a corresponding character is harmed during combat action.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the characters can be operated in different modes and the squad status display indicates when a corresponding character is operating in one of the modes.

14. The method of claim 8, further comprising providing a command change user interface that is presented in response to player input to enable issuance of a command to one or more of the characters.