VIRTUAL WORLD ELECTRONIC GAME

• US 20080280684A1
• Filed: 07/25/2007
• Published: 11/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MGA Entertainment Incorporated
• Original Assignee: MGA Entertainment Incorporated
• Inventors: McBride, Susan, Mitchell, Stephen
• Granted Patent: US 9,205,329 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/31 Communication aspects specific to video games, e.g. between several handheld game devices at close range
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/825 Fostering virtual characters
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2457 Display screens, e.g. monitors, video displays
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/405 being a wireless ad hoc network, e.g. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Pico net
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/407 Data transfer via internet
• 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 2300/5553 user representation in the game field, e.g. avatar
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/24 Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32

Abstract

An electronic game for playing on a portable handheld game unit and on-line includes a dynamic animated virtual character that can be customized and updated both visually and functionally through game play and that can translate from a two dimensional visual presentation on a game unit to a higher order visual presentation in an interactive multi-player virtual world on-line and back while retaining any customization or upgrades is provided. Different versions of the electronic game produce different virtual characters that can interact on-line or through wireless linkage between game units.

Claims

1. A method for an interactive electronic game, the method comprising:

providing a first game playing device, the first game playing device comprising;

a display;

a computing mechanism;

software that programs the computing mechanism to display a virtual character on the display and to receive a play command from a user, the play command causing the virtual character to take an action and further causing at least one characteristic of the virtual character to be updated; and

a communications port for operatively connecting the first game playing device to a second game playing device,

in response to game progression the virtual character appearing on a display of the second game playing device;

transmitting between the two game playing devices at least one parameter corresponding to the updated characteristic of the virtual character; and

operatively connecting the second game playing device to at least a third game playing device located at a remote location, the virtual character being controlled by the user to interact in a multi-player virtual world, the virtual character exhibiting the updated characteristic in the multi-player virtual world.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the first game playing device is a handheld game device;

the virtual character'"'"'s characteristic is updated when the handheld game device is operated in a standalone mode;

the second game playing device comprises a personal computer and a server operatively connected together;

the third game playing device comprises a personal computer; and

the server generates and transmits to the personal computers data for generating the virtual world in which the virtual character acts.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein:

in response to commands input by the user while the virtual character is within the virtual world, a second characteristic of the virtual character is updated;

in response to game progression, the virtual character exits the virtual world and reappears on the display of the handheld device, and an updated parameter corresponding to the second updated characteristic is transmitted from the second game playing device to the handheld device, the virtual character thereafter exhibiting on the handheld device the updated second characteristic.

4. A method for an interactive electronic game, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of portable electronic game playing units to a plurality of players, each unit having associated therewith a respective virtual character displayed on a display of the unit;

operatively connecting each unit to a respective computer connected to a common network;

each respective virtual character appearing to move from its associated portable electronic game playing unit to a display screen of the respectively connected computer; and

thereafter each computer screen displaying the virtual characters interacting together in a virtual world, the players respectively controlling the virtual characters associated with their portable electronic game playing units.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising:

for each unit, in response to game play thereof updating at least one characteristic of the unit'"'"'s virtual character;

each respective virtual character translating with its updated characteristic as the respective character appears to move between its associated portable electronic game playing unit and the display screen of the respectively connected computer.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

returning the virtual character from the virtual world to its respective unit, the updated characteristic of the associated virtual character persisting on the unit after the unit is disconnected from its respective computer and powered down.

7. The method of claim 4 wherein:

a first user controls a first virtual character associated with a first one of the portable electronic game playing units;

for a fee, providing a second virtual character to the first user, the first user thereafter controlling the second virtual character within the virtual world, the second virtual character returning from the virtual world to the first unit.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of providing the second virtual character comprises downloading the virtual character from a server across the network to the first portable electronic game playing unit.

9. The method of claim 4 wherein the updated characteristic is selected from the group consisting of ability and appearance.

10. The method of claim 4 wherein the portable units present scenes in two dimensions, and the computer display screens to which the virtual characters move from the portable units present the virtual world in three dimensions.

11. The method of claim 4 wherein when the portable electronic game playing units are provided to the respective players, each unit has its associated virtual character programmed into non-volatile memory, the virtual characters defining distinctly different characters.

12. The method of claim 4 wherein:

each unit may be played in a standalone mode, and when the unit is played in the standalone mode, characteristics of the virtual character are enhanced thereby providing to the virtual character enhanced capabilities for interacting in the virtual world with other virtual characters.

13. A game system comprising:

a portable game playing unit for playing an electronic game, the portable game playing unit having a display, at least one player input control, a computing mechanism for generating a first virtual character on the display, and a communications port for operatively connecting the portable game playing unit to a first computer coupled to a computer network, the first computer having a computer screen;

a server computer coupled to the computer network;

software programming the portable game playing unit computing mechanism, the first computer, and the server, respectively such that;

the first virtual character translates from the portable game playing unit display to the computer screen and back to the portable game playing unit display in response to commands input to the game system by a first player;

when the first virtual character is on the computer screen, the first virtual character acts within a multi-player virtual world according to commands input by the first player, the multi-player virtual world including at least a second virtual character controlled by a second player; and

the first virtual character has at least one characteristic that can change during play of the game.

14. The game system of claim 13 wherein when the first virtual character translates from the portable game playing unit display to the computer screen the first virtual character ceases to be displayed on the portable game playing unit display and is displayed on the computer screen, and when the first virtual character translates from the computer screen to the portable game playing unit display the first virtual character ceases to be displayed on the computer screen and is displayed on the portable game playing unit display.

15. The game system of claim 13 wherein the portable game playing unit display presents a two dimensional virtual world.

16. The game system of claim 15 wherein the computer screen presents a three dimensional virtual world.

17. The game system of claim 16 wherein when the first virtual character translates from the two dimensional display to the three dimensional screen the software is programmed to generate and display the first virtual character in three dimensional perspective on the computer screen with the ability to act and move in three dimensions under the control of the first player;

and

when the first virtual character translates from the three dimensional screen to the two dimensional display software within the portable game playing unit is programmed to generate and display the first virtual character in two dimensions on the display with the ability to act and move in two dimensions under the control of the first player.

18. The game system of claim 13 wherein the at least one characteristic of the first virtual character that can change persists when the virtual character translates from the portable game playing unit display to the computer screen or back.

19. The game system of claim 13 wherein the portable game playing unit defines a first portable game playing unit, the system further comprising:

a second portable game playing unit operated by a second player at a location remote from the first portable game playing unit, and having a second display, at least one player input control, a second computing mechanism for generating the second virtual character on the second display, and a second communications port for connecting the second portable game playing unit to a second computer coupled to the computer network, the second computer having a second computer screen.

20. A portable game playing unit for playing an electronic game, the portable game playing unit comprising:

a console having a display, at least one player input control, a computing mechanism for generating and presenting on the display a first virtual character having at least one characteristic that can change during play of the game, and a communications port for operatively connecting to a computer having a computer screen and itself coupled to a computer network; and

,

software programming the portable game playing unit computing mechanism to allow the first virtual character to translate between the portable game playing unit display and the computer screen.