MULTIPLAYER SYNCHRONOUS GAMING SYSTEMS AND METHODS

• US 20130344963A1
• Filed: 06/21/2013
• Published: 12/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Zynga Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Zynga Incorporated
• Inventors: Gupta, Diwakar, Shim, Michael, Huang, Chih-Jen, Gaw, Derek, Allen, Jason Paul, Alvarado, Ivann
• Application Number:
  US13/924,255
• Publication Number:
  US 20130344963A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• 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 13/46 Computing the game score
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/48 Starting a game, e.g. activating a game device or waiting for other players to join a multiplayer session
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/795 for finding other players; for building a team; for providing a buddy list
• 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 13/87 Communicating with other players during game play, e.g. by e-mail or chat
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/0611 Solitary games adapted for multiple players

Abstract

A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing synchronous multiplayer games are presented. To begin, an enabling request for multiplayer functionality in a multiplayer instance that includes a single player mode game is received. The single player mode game may involve a game board dedicated to a first player. Then, the single player mode game of the multiplayer instance is matched with additional multiplayer instances. Each additional multiplayer instance includes a corresponding single player mode game dedicated to a respective player. The single player mode games from the multiplayer instance and the additional multiplayer instances are then instructed to initiate gameplay at substantially the same time. Final scores from the single player mode games from the multiplayer instance and the additional multiplayer instances are collected. A game summary page is finally communicated to the first player and the respective players.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

receiving an enabling request for multiplayer functionality in a multiplayer instance that includes a single player mode game, the single player mode game involving a game board dedicated to a first player;

matching the single player mode game of the multiplayer instance with additional multiplayer instances, each additional multiplayer instance including a corresponding single player mode game dedicated to a respective player;

instructing, by one or more processors, the single player mode games from the multiplayer instance and the additional multiplayer instances to initiate gameplay at substantially the same time;

collecting final scores from the single player mode games from the multiplayer instance and the additional multiplayer instances; and

communicating a game summary page to the first player and the respective players.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising, during gameplay of the single player mode game and the corresponding single player mode games:

receiving updates from the multiplayer instance, each update including a current score from the single player mode game; and

distributing the updates to the additional multiplayer instances.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein the updates are communicated via an event mechanism.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the matching operates by selecting the additional multiplayer instances on behalf of the first player.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the matching operates by selecting the additional multiplayer instances based on selections of the respective players made by the first player.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising displaying the multiplayer instance on a client device associated with the first player, the display of the multiplayer instance presenting a game area representing the single player mode game and status modules correspond to the respective players, the status modules presenting current scores for the respective players during gameplay.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6, wherein the display of the multiplayer instance further includes a countdown prior to the initiation of gameplay.

8. A computer system, comprising:

at least one processor; and

a multiplayer library implemented by the at least one processor and configured to;

receive an enabling request for multiplayer functionality in a multiplayer instance that includes a single player mode game, the single player mode game involving a game board dedicated to a first player;

match the single player mode game of the multiplayer instance with additional multiplayer instances, each additional multiplayer instance including a corresponding single player mode game dedicated to a respective player;

instruct the single player mode games from the multiplayer instance and the additional multiplayer instances to initiate gameplay at substantially the same time;

collect final scores from the single player mode games from the multiplayer instance and the additional multiplayer instances; and

communicate a game summary page to the first player and the respective players.

9. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the multiplayer library is further configured to, during gameplay of the single player mode game and the corresponding single player mode games:

receive updates from the multiplayer instance, each update including a current score from the single player mode game; and

distribute the updates to the additional multiplayer instances.

10. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the updates are communicated via an event mechanism.

11. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the matching operates by selecting the additional multiplayer instances on behalf of the first player.

12. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the matching operates by selecting the additional multiplayer instances based on selections of the respective players made by the first player.

13. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the multiplayer library is further configured to display the multiplayer instance on a client device associated with the first player, the display of the multiplayer instance presenting a game area representing the single player mode game and status modules correspond to the respective players, the status modules presenting current scores for the respective players during gameplay.

14. The computer system of claim 13, wherein the display of the multiplayer instance further includes a countdown prior to the initiation of gameplay.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing executable instructions thereon, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

receiving an enabling request for multiplayer functionality in a multiplayer instance that includes a single player mode game, the single player mode game involving a game board dedicated to a first player;

matching the single player mode game of the multiplayer instance with additional multiplayer instances, each additional multiplayer instance including a corresponding single player mode game dedicated to a respective player;

instructing the single player mode games from the multiplayer instance and the additional multiplayer instances to initiate gameplay at substantially the same time;

collecting final scores from the single player mode games from the multiplayer instance and the additional multiplayer instances; and

communicating a game summary page to the first player and the respective players.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, further comprising, during gameplay of the single player mode game and the corresponding single player mode games:

receiving updates from the multiplayer instance, each update including a current score from the single player mode game; and

distributing the updates to the additional multiplayer instances.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the updates are communicated via an event mechanism.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the matching operates by selecting the additional multiplayer instances on behalf of the first player.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the matching operates by selecting the additional multiplayer instances based on selections of the respective players made by the first player.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, further comprising displaying the multiplayer instance on a client device associated with the first player, the display of the multiplayer instance presenting a game area representing the single player mode game and status modules correspond to the respective players, the status modules presenting current scores for the respective players during gameplay.