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Scalable game server architecture

  • US 6,015,348 A
  • Filed: 10/18/1996
  • Issued: 01/18/2000
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A system for implementing a multi-player computer game comprising a plurality of sectors each sector defining a logical area into which players can enter and perform game-related activities, the system comprising:

  • a plurality of computers coupled via a network, the plurality of computers including;

    a first computer that, upon receiving a request to implement a first sector of the plurality of sectors as part of the multi-player computer game, spawns a first sector manager process on the first computer that implements said first sector on the first computer;

    a second computer that, upon receiving said request to implement said first sector as part of the multi-player computer game, spawns a second sector manager process on the second computer that implements said first sector on the second computer; and

    a primary controller process executing on a third computer and being in communication over the network with the first and second computers, said primary controller process, upon being notified that a player wishes to enter said first sector, makes a first determination, on the basis of computer loading information for the first and second computers, of which of the first and second computers should implement said first sector and, upon making the first determination, issues the request to the first computer to implement said first sector if the first computer has more favorable computer loading characteristics, or issues the request to the second computer to implement said first sector if the second computer has more favorable computer loading characteristics.

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