Full-time turn based network multiplayer game

• US 6,179,713 B1
• Filed: 02/17/1999
• Issued: 01/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: VR-1, Inc. (Circadence Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Circadence Corporation
• Inventors: James, Stanley R., Gillam, Brandon D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Martin-Wallace, Valencia
• Assistant Examiner(s): CLAYTON, SHEILA
• Application Number:
  US09/251,924
• Time in Patent Office: 713 Days
• Field of Search: 463/39-43, 273/236, 273/250, 273/251, 273/252, 273/253, 273/254, 273/255, 273/256, 273/266
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/352 involving special game server arrangements, e.g. regional servers connected to a national server or a plurality of servers managing partitions of the game world
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/45 Controlling the progress of the video game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/61 using advertising information
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/87 Communicating with other players during game play, e.g. by e-mail or chat
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/407 Data transfer via internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/50 characterized by details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/537 for exchanging game data using a messaging service, e.g. e-mail, SMS, MMS
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5506 using advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/572 Communication between players during game play of non game information, e.g. e-mail, chat, file transfer, streaming of audio and streaming of video
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/807 Role playing or strategy games

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a computer game that is played over a computer network and is capable of accommodating a large number of players. When the game is play on the Internet, players are able to input moves and be apprised of the state of the game using the basic input/output functions of their Web browser. Consequently, the game can be played with substantially no other game related software, plug-ins or add-ons. Another embodiment of the invention relates to the management of a game data base so as to compensate for the lack of game resources that a newer player has relative to older players that are likely to possess significantly greater game resources. Further, the virtual space of the game is highly expandable and updatable. In another embodiment of the invention a game is provided that couples game playing and advertising via a game currency that an advertiser can provide to a player and which can be used by the player in playing the game. The invention allows players to change moves during a turn of a turn-based game and allows for substantially continuous game play even during processing of turns.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use in playing a turn-based computer game over a computer network involving a large number of players, the turn-based computer game involving a series of turn time periods where players can enter moves separated by turn processing time periods where moves from the preceding turn time period are processed, the apparatus comprising:

first storage means for storing status information regarding a current state of the game, wherein said current state of the game reflects any moves that have been processed from any previous turns;

second storage means, separated from said first storage means, for storing, during a given turn time period, prospective move information regarding prospective moves entered during said given turn time period so as to maintain a record of moves that have been entered and that are to be processed during the next turn processing time period; and

first processing means, operatively associated with said second storage means, for accessing said prospective move information during said given turn time period so as to allow a player to modify one of said prospective moves entered by said player during said given turn time period prior to processing of said prospective move.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first storage means and said second storage means are accessible via a server having a network address within said computer network, and said first and second storage means comprise separate areas of memory associated with said server.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first processing means comprises means for determining an identity of a player requesting access to said prospective move information, selectively permitting access to said prospective move information based on said determined identity, receiving a modification request relating to said prospective move information, and revising said prospective move information based on said modification request.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first processing means is further operative for communicating with players via said network during said turn processing time periods such that said players can continue to play said game to some degree during said turn processing time periods.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising second processing means for handling communications from players during said turn processing time periods, wherein said first processing means remains available for handling communications with players while said second processing means processes moves during said turn processing time periods.

6. An apparatus for use in playing a turn-based computer game over a computer network involving a large number of players, the turn-based computer game involving a series of turn time periods where players can enter moves separated by turn processing time periods where moves from the preceding turn time period are processed, the apparatus comprising:

game server means for use in processing moves during turn processing time periods; and

message server means, operatively associated with said game server means, for handling communications with said players over said computer network regarding said computer game during said turn time periods and during said turn processing time periods;

wherein said message server means remains open to messaging during said turn processing time periods such that players can continue to play said game to some degree during said turn processing time periods.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said game server means and said message server means operate on separate databases of game related information.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said game server means and said message server means comprise two separate but interlinked computer platforms.

9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said game server means and said messaging server means are accessible via a common address of said computer network.

10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said message server is operative for receiving an original move from a given player during a given turn time period and receiving a change to said original move from said given player during said given turn time period resulting in a changed move, and said game server means is operative for processing said changed move during a move processing time period subsequent to said given turn time period.

11. A method for use in playing a turn based computer game over a computer network involving a large number of players, the turn based computer game involving a series of turn time periods where players can enter moves separated by turn processing time periods where moves from the preceding turn time period are processed, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving an original move from a given player during a given turn time period;

receiving a change to said original move from said given player during said given turn time period resulting in a changed move; and

processing said changed move during a move processing time period subsequent to said given turn time period.

12. A method as set forth in claim 11, wherein said step of receiving a change comprises determining an identity of said player requesting said change, selectively allowing said change to be entered based on said determined identity, receiving move modification information relating to said change, accessing stored move information relating to said original move, and revising said move information based on said modification information.

13. A method as set forth in claim 11, further comprising the step of handling messages to or from said at least one of said players during said turn processing time periods so as to permit continued playing of said game.

14. A method for use in playing a turn based computer game over a computer network involving a large number of players, the turn based computer game involving a series of turn time periods where players can enter moves separated by turn processing time periods where moves from the preceding turn time period are processed, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a move from a player during a turn time period;

processing said move from said player during a turn processing time period subsequent to said turn time period; and

handling communications with said players over said computer network regarding said computer game during said turn processing time period;

wherein said players can continue to play said game to some degree during said turn processing time period.

15. A method as set forth in claim 14, wherein said step of handling communications comprises one of providing access to game-related information and allowing communication as between two or more of said players.

16. A method as set forth in claim 14, further comprising the step of receiving a change to said move during said turn time period, wherein a resulting changed move is processed during said turn processing time period.