Networked computer game system with persistent playing objects

• US 6,745,236 B1
• Filed: 11/17/1999
• Issued: 06/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Electronic Arts Incorporated
• Original Assignee: William M. Hawkins III
• Inventors: Tversky, Oren J., Hawkins, William M., Hester, Stewart K., Robins, Nick
• Primary Examiner(s): Cardone, Jason D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Blair, Douglas
• Application Number:
  US09/442,120
• Time in Patent Office: 1,658 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/217-219, 463/29, 463/42, 705/1, 705/37, 705/80, 705/500
• US Class Current: 709/218
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/34 using peer-to-peer connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/60 Generating or modifying game content before or while executing the game program, e.g. authoring tools specially adapted for game development or game-integrated level editor
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/71 using secure communication between game devices and game servers, e.g. by encrypting game data or authenticating players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/85 Providing additional services to players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/401 Secure communication, e.g. using encryption or authentication
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/407 Data transfer via internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/408 Peer to peer connection
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/532 using secure communication, e.g. by encryption, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6009 for importing or creating game content, e.g. authoring tools during game development, adapting content to different platforms, use of a scripting language to create content
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/65 for computing the condition of a game character
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/807 Role playing or strategy games
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/00075 War games
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/00643 Electric board games; Electric features of board games electric word or number games A63F3/0421; computer chess G06F; electric raffle games A63F3/081

Abstract

The mapping of playing objects from one game to another. In one embodiment, generic attributes of an object may be mapped to game-specific attributes. The mapping may either change or maintain the look and feel of an object. For example, a fast but lightly-armed starship in one game may be mapped to a quick but weak warrior in another game.

Claims

1. An apparatus accessible via a network comprising:

a processing device;

a memory coupled to said processing device;

a database on said memory storing a plurality of playing objects that are used in at least one video game, each playing object being associated with an ID field for designating a user, each playing object being unique and being associated with one user at any given time, each playing object being a data object with a collection of attributes; and

a marketplace program having instructions facilitating the sale or exchange of said playing objects between users, independent of a distributor of said video games; and

said marketplace program, upon a sale or exchange of a playing object, changing said ID field to designate an acquiring user in response to a verified message from a relinquishing user having an ID associated with said playing object.

2. An apparatus comprising:

a central server including a database for storing at least a portion of playing object data, at least one playing object being associated with a particular user, each playing object being a data object with a collection of attributes;

a user processing device programmed to play a game using said playing object;

a transfer program for transferring said portion of playing object data over a network independent of said game for use in said game;

a viewing program for viewing said playing object independent of said game; and

a user ID associated with said playing object, such that said playing object is unique to said user and modifications of said playing object do not affect other playing objects used in said game.

3. An apparatus comprising:

a plurality of processing devices;

a network interconnecting said processing devices;

at least one game program at least partially stored with one of said processing devices connected to said network;

a processing device readable media including a digital representation of a playing object, capable of manipulation by said game program running on a processing device, and capable of being transmitted separately from said program, each playing object being a data object with a collection of attributes; and

a database storing a user identification associated with an identification of one of said playing objects, said playing object being unique and being associated with only one user at any given time.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said media is accessible independent of said network, and further comprising:

a program for manipulating said playing object for one of creation, mutation, replication and recombination to generate a revised playing object; and

a plurality of instructions, stored in a memory connected to said network, for preventing use of said revised playing object in said game without prior registration in said database.