Asynchronous Challenge Gaming

• US 20090149248A1
• Filed: 11/20/2008
• Published: 06/11/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zynga Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Challenge Online Games, Inc. (Zynga Incorporated)
• Inventors: Primozich, Christian, Busey, Andrew
• Granted Patent: US 8,272,961 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/29
• 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 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/58 by computing conditions of game characters, e.g. stamina, strength, motivation or energy level
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/63 by the player, e.g. authoring using a level editor
• 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 2300/8058 Virtual breeding, e.g. tamagotchi

Abstract

Challenge gaming includes selection of individual gaming characters or teams of characters to be pitted against opposing characters in asynchronous individual competitions or sequential tournament competitions. Each of the characters has a predetermined set of characteristics such as abilities, powers, defenses or performance levels. These characteristics can be implemented in a preselected order or according to a statistical probability, for example, based on historic data. Characteristics of team members are variable based on characteristics of other team members and opposing team members or other competition factors. Game play is conducted between characters without the need for further user interaction.

Claims

1. A method of prearranging gaming character actions comprising:

providing for selection by a first user, multiple character actions defining at least one offensive or defensive action to be performed by the character;

providing a sequence assignment feature for assigning a sequential order of multiple selected character actions; and

displaying asynchronous game play between the characteristic of the first user and a second user according to the respective selected character actions and sequence assignments.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the carrying out game play includes varying the effect of a selected action according to characteristics of at least one of a team member character and an opponent character.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the characteristic includes at least one of a skill level, power level, health level, opposing action, weapon, protection, ability, speed, strength or historic performance.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising saving the user'"'"'s selection of actions and sequence assignments as an action loadout for subsequent selection by the user.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing for selection of a plurality of character equipment for use with selected character actions.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a prepackaged sequence of actions for selection by a user.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a prepackaged sequence of actions and combination of equipment for selection by a user.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising limiting use of an action to at least one of a maximum usage count, maximum or minimum frequency count, mutual exclusion with another action, use with predetermined character equipment, use with a maximum or minimum character characteristic level, and use against an opposing character having a maximum or minimum character characteristic level.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising allowing the user to select between viewing the outcome of the game play and viewing progressive stages of the game play.

10. A method of game play comprising:

providing a selection of virtual character trading cards, each card defining a set of characteristics of each respective character;

allowing a user to form a team of characters from the selection of virtual character trading cards;

allowing a user to select an opposing team for game play; and

displaying to the user and a second user of the opposing team without further user interaction, game play sequences between the two opposing teams according to rules defining the interaction of cooperating and opposing characters as a function of characteristics assigned to each character trading card.

11. The method of game play of claim 10, wherein displaying game play is asynchronous such that first and second users associated with the opposing teams can observe the game play at different times.

12. The method of game play of claim 10, wherein a team is selected from a prearranged deck of virtual character trading cards.

13. The method of game play of claim 10, further comprising providing sequential game play between different opposing teams in a tournament with the characteristics of the respective virtual trading cards being updated after each round of the tournament.

14. The method of game play of claim 10, wherein selection of a leader of a team alters the characteristics of other team characters or the effect of the characteristics of other team characters during game play.

15. The method of game play of claim 10, wherein the opposing team is composed of historic sports players and the characteristics of the virtual trading cards are based on historic data.

16. The method of game play of claim 15, wherein the opposing team, is composed of historic sports players according to historic team rosters for a season, game or inning.

17. The method of game play of claim 15, wherein the outcome of a given game play sequence or competition is determined by statistical probabilities as a function the historic data.

18. The method of game play of claim 10, wherein a characteristic associated with an virtual trading card is diminished by at least one of a frequency of play of the virtual trading card, duration of play of the virtual trading card.

19. The method of game play of claim 10, wherein the virtual trading cards of each team are randomly ordered to determine pairing of opposing characters in a game play segment.

20. The method of game play of claim 10, wherein the virtual trading cards of each team are preordered by the respective user such that opposing characters are paired according to user selected ordering in a game play segment.

21. A computer readable medium containing program instructions for carrying out a method of asynchronous game play, the method comprising:

providing a selection of virtual character trading cards, each card defining a set of characteristics of each respective character;

allowing a user to form a team of characters from the selection of virtual character trading cards;

allowing a user to select an opposing team for game play; and

displaying asynchronously to the user and a second user of the opposing team, without further user interaction, game play sequences between the two opposing teams according to rules defining the interaction of cooperating and opposing characters as a function of characteristics assigned to each character trading card.

22. A computer readable medium containing program instructions for carrying out a method of prearranging gaming character capabilities, the method comprising:

providing for selection by a user, multiple character actions each defining at least one action to be performed by the character;

providing a sequence assignment feature for assigning a sequential order to multiple selected actions; and

carrying out game play according the user'"'"'s selected actions and sequence assignment. Without further interaction by a user.