Computer Controlled Video Game Incorporating Constraints

• US 20110230258A1
• Filed: 03/16/2010
• Published: 09/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Andrew S Van Luchene
• Original Assignee: Andrew S Van Luchene
• Inventors: Van Luchene, Andrew
• Application Number:
  US12/725,189
• Publication Number:
  US 20110230258A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/29
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/77 involving data related to game devices or game servers, e.g. configuration data, software version or amount of memory
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/822 Strategy games; Role-playing games A63F13/825, A63F13/828 take precedence
• 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 2300/5586 for enforcing rights or rules, e.g. to prevent foul play
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/575 for trading virtual items
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/807 Role playing or strategy games

Abstract

In an embodiment, a computer controlled video game maintains one or more environments and permits control of the quantity and distribution of parameters, such as resources, materials and character attribute/skills. A player character can use and modify such parameters.

Claims

1. A method performed by a computer, the method comprising:

running, by a Video Game Central Server, a massive multi player online game that is operable to simultaneously support a plurality of players via a plurality of video game devices,

in which each of the players controls at least one player character,

in which a first game environment is provided to a first player character;

receiving, by the Video Game Central Server, a request from the first player character to acquire virtual resources from a second game environment,

wherein the virtual resources are selected from the group consisting of natural resources, raw materials, skills, and non-player characters (NPCs);

acquiring, by the Video Game Central Server, virtual resources from the second game environment for the first player character;

making the acquired virtual resources available to the first player character;

determining, by the Video Game Central Server, a value in the first game environment of the virtual resources from the second game environment; and

permitting, by the Video Game Central Server, the first player character to select an amount of virtual resources for distribution within the game environment,

wherein the resources available for selection depend on a game objective;

permitting, by the Game Central Server, access by other player characters to the selected amount of virtual resources depending on game objectives and depending on skills of the respective other player characters.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the amount of virtual resources available may alter depending on the value of the virtual resources.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the value of the virtual resources is dependent on the game objective.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the virtual resources are renewable.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising

placing, by the Video Game Central Server, the virtual resources within the virtual environment, wherein the placement of the virtual resources by the first player character is based on game objectives.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the placement of virtual resources must adhere to real world physical laws.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the placement of virtual resources adheres to virtual world physical laws.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the placement of virtual resources can be made regardless of physical laws.

9. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a computer readable medium in communication with the processor;

in which the computer readable medium stores instructions which, when executed by the processor, direct the processor to

run a massive multi player online game that is operable to simultaneously support a plurality of players via a plurality of video game devices,

in which each of the players controls at least one player character,

in which a first game environment is provided to a first player character;

receive a request from the first player character to acquire virtual resources from a second game environment,

wherein the virtual resources are selected from the group consisting of natural resources, raw materials, skills, and non-player characters (NPCs);

acquire virtual resources from the second game environment for the first player character;

make the acquired virtual resources available to the first player character;

determine a value in the first game environment of the virtual resources from the second game environment; and

permit the first player character to select an amount of virtual resources for distribution within the game environment,

wherein the resources available for selection depend on a game objective;

permit access by other player characters to the selected amount of virtual resources depending on game objectives and depending on skills of the respective other player characters.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the amount of virtual resources available may alter depending on the value of the virtual resources.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the value of the virtual resources is dependent on the game objective.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the virtual resources are renewable.