Kudos scoring system with self-determined goals

• US 6,763,273 B2
• Filed: 01/17/2003
• Issued: 07/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Chudley, Sarah C., Snape, Philip, Chudley, Martyn Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Neill, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Marks, Christina M.
• Application Number:
  US10/347,675
• Publication Number:
  US 20030109301A1
• Time in Patent Office: 543 Days
• Field of Search: 463/1, 463/6, 463/11, 700/91-93, 434/118
• US Class Current: 700/93
• 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 13/798 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 2300/407 Data transfer via internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/61 Score computation

Abstract

A scoring method and system for determining points in a game. Goal-based points are determined as a function of a player achieving a goal set by the player that is not predefined by the game and are used to determine the player'"'"'s status in the game, such as whether the player advances to a next level. Subjective style points are awarded if the player performs feats of style that are not necessary tasks of the game, depend upon the type of game, and may include sliding, spinning, jumping, blocking an opponent, passing an opponent, and avoiding obstacles. Objective skill points may be combined with subjective style points and goal-based points. Alternatively, one of these three types of points may be modified as a function of one or both of the other two types of points.

Claims

1. A method of awarding points to a player in a game played using an electronic device that determines points awarded to each player, comprising the steps of:

(a) enabling a player to set a goal for performance in the game, the goal comprising a handicap that will be applied to the player in the game, wherein the player indicates the handicap by indicating a head start to be provided an opponent;

(b) determining a number of goal-based points applied by the electronic device in determining a status level of the player in the game, as a function of the player'"'"'s performance in relation to at least one of approaching, achieving, and exceeding the goal set by the player; and

(c) determining a number of objective points applied by the electronic device in determining the status level of the player in the game, as a function of the player'"'"'s performance as measured against an objective criterion that is not related to the goal for performance set by the player.

2. A method of awarding points to a player in a same played using an electronic device that determines points awarded to each player, comprising the steps of:

(a) enabling a player to set a goal for performance in the game, the goal comprising a handicap that will be applied to the player in the game, wherein the player indicates the handicap by selecting a tool that has a lower performance factor than a tool of an opponent;

(b) determining a number of goal-based points applied by the electronic device in determining a status level of the player in the game, as a function of the player'"'"'s performance in relation to at least one of approaching achieving, and exceeding the goal set by the player; and

(c) determining a number of objective points applied by the electronic device in determining the status level of the player in the game, as a function of the player'"'"'s performance as measured against an objective criterion that is not related to the goal for performance set by the player.