OPEN GAME ENGINE AND MARKETPLACE WITH ASSOCIATED GAME EDITING AND CREATION TOOLS

• US 20090253517A1
• Filed: 04/03/2009
• Published: 10/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: PopCap Games Incorporated (Electronic Arts Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: ZipZapPlay, Inc. (Electronic Arts Incorporated)
• Inventors: Nesky, John Michael, DeLeon, Christopher Lee, Hershberger, David Lee, Bererton, Thomas Andrew, Pignol, Mathilde Elodie, Wagner, Joshua Alan, Bererton, Curt Alexander
• Application Number:
  US12/417,845
• Publication Number:
  US 20090253517A1
• 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 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/63 by the player, e.g. authoring using a level editor
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/71 using secure communication between game devices and game servers, e.g. by encrypting game data or authenticating players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/575 for trading virtual items
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6009 for importing or creating game content, e.g. authoring tools during game development, adapting content to different platforms, use of a scripting language to create content

Abstract

The present invention provides a video game development platform. More specifically, aspects of the invention relate to components of applications such as video games including the source code, graphics, sounds, and animations as well as a market place where any of the above are traded for currency, tokens, credits, or given to other people. These components can then be combined, using game editing and creation tools, to make video games. Users can create and edit games, either of their own or based on other users'"'"' preexisting games, and can share their games with others. Game components may be bought, sold, traded, or otherwise distributed through an online marketplace.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a processor controlling overall operation of the system; and

a memory embodied as one or more computer storage media storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, provide a software architecture comprising;

a game component database storing a plurality of game components, wherein each game component is usable by a first user for placement in a first game created by the first user;

a game engine for rendering and executing the first game by the first user and a second user;

a game editor providing a game editing interface through which the first user creates the first game and, upon request by the second user, provides the game editor interface to the second user to edit the game.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the game editor interface includes a save tool through which the second user can save a user-selected game component used in the first game to a component library associated with the second user.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said game engine provides a link to the save tool to allow any user playing the first to save one or more components used in the first game to a component library.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a security module operable to prevent the second user from sharing a second game that uses the user-selected game component unless a predetermined condition is met.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the predetermined condition comprises the second user paying a fee corresponding to the user-selected game component.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the security module is operable to allow the second user limited use of the second game until the predetermined condition is met.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said limited use comprises personal use not shared with other users.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said game editor comprises a graphical user interface through which the first user can drag-and-drop one or more game components to a predefined area within the graphical user interface to identify one or more objectives of the first game.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a physics engine operable with a common messaging system used by all game components.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the game editor exposes an interface through which the first user can modify all levels of a game at the same time.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the game editor exposes an interface through which the first user can modify all game components of the same type at the same time.

12. A method, comprising:

sending from a game editor server computer to a first client device associated with a first user, data defining a graphical user interface through which the first user can edit a first game;

receiving at the game editor server computer, first input from the first user to edit a first game component used within the first game;

second from the game editor server computer to a second client device associated with a second user, data defining a graphical user interface through which the second player can play the first game; and

receiving at the game editor server computer second user input from the second user to save a user-selected game component from the first game to one of a shopping cart and a game component library associated with the second user.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

receiving third user input from the second user to edit a second game to include the user-selected game component.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

limiting the use of the second user of the user-selected game component until a predefined condition is met.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said limiting the use comprises preventing the second user from sharing the second game with other users, while allowing the second user to play the second game.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the predefined condition comprises receiving a payment from the second user corresponding to the user-selected game component.

19. The computer readable storage media of claim 14, wherein the predefined condition comprises receiving a payment from the second user corresponding to the user-selected game component.

20. The computer readable storage media of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises executing a physics engine to communicate with each game component,

wherein each game component uses a common messaging system to interact with other game components created by other users and to interact with the physics engine.

17. One or more tangible computer readable storage media storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by a game server computer, perform a method comprising:

sending from the game server computer to a first client device associated with a first user, data defining a graphical user interface through which the first user can edit a first game;

receiving at the game server computer, first input from the first user to edit a first game component used within the first game;

second from the game server computer to a second client device associated with a second user, data defining a graphical user interface through which the second player can play the first game;

receiving at the game server computer second user input from the second user to save a user-selected game component from the first game to one of a shopping cart and a game component library associated with the second user;

receiving third user input from the second user to edit a second game to include the user-selected game component; and

limiting the use of the second user of the user-selected game component until a predefined condition is met.

18. The computer readable storage media of claim 17, wherein said limiting the use comprises preventing the second user from sharing the second game with other users, while allowing the second user to play the second game.