PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR EXECUTING A VIDEO GAME

• US 20110230267A1
• 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:
  US12/725,200
• Publication Number:
  US 20110230267A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/57 Simulating properties, behaviour or motion of objects in the game world, e.g. computing tyre load in a car race game A63F13/56 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/69 by enabling or updating specific game elements, e.g. unlocking hidden features, items, levels or versions
• 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 13/792 for payment purposes, e.g. monthly subscriptions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/798 for assessing skills or for ranking players, e.g. for generating a hall of fame computing the game score A63F13/46
• 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 2300/575 for trading virtual items
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/807 Role playing or strategy games

Abstract

Various embodiments provide a video game environments including control of the quantity and distribution of virtual resources, raw materials, skills and NPCs in and between games. Various embodiments allow player characters to acquire, use and modify such virtual resources within the constraints.

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 include raw materials;

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;

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; and

permitting, by the Video 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 a value of the virtual resources.

3. The method of claim 2, 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;

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; and

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 a value of the virtual resources.

11. The method of claim 10, 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.