Electronic game and method for effecting game features

• US 7,126,607 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2002
• Issued: 10/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Namco Limited (BANDAI NAMCO Holdings Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Namco Bandai Games Inc. (BANDAI NAMCO Holdings Inc.)
• Inventors: Emerson, Andre
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Kimbinh T.
• Application Number:
  US10/223,906
• Publication Number:
  US 20040046800A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,526 Days
• Field of Search: 345/473, 345/476, 345/474, 463/43, 463/51, 463/23, 463/31, 463/4, 463/36, 463/46, 715/810
• US Class Current: 345/474
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/47 involving branching, e.g. choosing one of several possible scenarios at a given point in time
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/5252 using two or more virtual cameras concurrently or sequentially, e.g. automatically switching between fixed virtual cameras when a character changes room or displaying a rear-mirror view in a car-driving game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/577 using determination of contact between game characters or objects, e.g. to avoid collision between virtual racing cars
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/69 by enabling or updating specific game elements, e.g. unlocking hidden features, items, levels or versions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/833 Hand-to-hand fighting, e.g. martial arts competition A63F13/837 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/837 Shooting of targets
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/609 for unlocking hidden game elements, e.g. features, items, levels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/643 by determining the impact between objects, e.g. collision detection
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6669 using a plurality of virtual cameras concurrently or sequentially, e.g. automatically switching between fixed virtual cameras when a character change rooms
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8029 Fighting without shooting
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8076 Shooting

Abstract

The system and method effects character interplay in a computer game having a primary character and at least one opposing character. An embodiment of the method has the steps of: identifying a relationship between the primary character and the at least one opposing character; selecting at least one feature for the primary character based on the identified relationship; executing the at least one feature such that the primary character in a first phase at least targets the at least one opposing character, in a second phase at least interfaces with the at least one opposing character, in a third phase performs the least one action relative to the at least one opposing character, and in a fourth phase at least removes the at least one opposing character from contention.

Claims

1. A method for effecting character interplay in a computer game having at least one useable game item, having a primary character and at least one opposing character, comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of predetermined scenarios;

identifying a relationship between the primary character and the at least one opposing character;

selecting one scenario of the plurality of predetermined scenarios;

contacting the game item of the at least one opposing character by the primary character according to the selected scenario;

transferring the game item from the at least one opposing character to the primary character according to the selected scenario; and

removing from contention the at least one opposing character using the game item according to the selected scenario.

2. A method for effecting character interplay in a computer game having at least one useable game item, having a primary character and at least one opposing character, comprising the steps of:

providing a special character associated with the primary character;

identifying a relationship between the primary character and the at least one opposing character;

selecting the special character;

referencing the special character to the at least one opposing character;

moving the special character from the primary character to the at least one opposing character;

removing from contention the at least one opposing character using the special character; and

transferring the game item from the at least one opposing character to the primary character using the special character.

3. A method for effecting character interplay in a computer game having a primary character and at least one opposing character, comprising the steps of:

providing at least one special game item;

identifying a relationship between the primary character and the at least one opposing character, and one of previously, concurrently, and subsequently to the relationship identification obtaining the special game item;

transferring the special game item from the primary character to a region of the at least one opposing character;

targeting the special game item by the primary character; and

activating the special game item to thereby remove the at least one opposing character from contention.

4. A method for effecting character interplay in a computer game having at least one weapon, having a primary character and at least one opposing character in a game space, comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of predetermined disarm scenarios;

targeting by the primary character the at least one opposing character;

selecting one disarm scenario of the plurality of predetermined disarm scenarios;

grabbing by the primary character the weapon of the at least one opposing character according to the selected disarm scenario;

taking by the primary character the weapon away from the at least one opposing character according to the selected disarm scenario; and

removing from contention the at least one opposing character by the primary character using the weapon according to the selected disarm scenario.

5. A method for effecting character interplay in a computer game having at least one weapon, having a primary character and at least one opposing character in a game space, comprising the steps of:

providing a fetching character associated with the primary character;

targeting by the primary character the at least one opposing character;

selecting the fetching character;

moving the fetching character from the primary character to the at least one opposing character;

removing from contention the at least one opposing character using the fetching character; and

fetching the weapon by the fetching character thereby transferring the weapon from the at least one opposing character to the primary character.

6. A method for effecting character interplay in a computer game having a primary character and at least one opposing character in a game space, comprising the steps of:

targeting by the primary character the at least one opposing character;

taking control of the at least one opposing character by the primary character and holding the at least one opposing character substantially in front of the primary character;

using the at least one opposing character as a shield by the primary character; and

removing from contention the at least one opposing character used by the primary character when the primary character is finished using the at least one opposing character as a shield.

7. A method for effecting character interplay in a computer game having a primary character and at least one opposing character in a game space, comprising the steps of:

providing at least one explodable item;

targeting by the primary character the at least one opposing character, and one of previously, concurrently, and subsequently to the targeting obtaining the at least one explodable item;

throwing the explodable item by the primary character to a region of the at least one opposing character;

targeting, while the explodable item is in the region of the at least one opposing character, the explodable item by the primary character; and

exploding, while the explodable item is in the region of the at least one opposing character, the explodable item to thereby remove the at least one opposing character from contention.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the explodable item is thrown through the air, and wherein the method further comprises targeting and exploding the explodable item while the expoldable item is still in the air.

9. A computer game apparatus for executing a game in which at least one primary character and at least one opposing character move through virtual space displayed on a display unit by operation of an operating unit, comprising:

computer readable media for storing at least a game program; and

a controller for executing the game program and controlling the movements of the at least one primary character and the at least one opposing character according to the game program;

wherein the game program contains embedded computer program code for controlling the movements of the at least one primary character and at least one opposing character according to the game program, the computer readable media containing computer program code segments comprising;

a first computer program code segment that provides a plurality of predetermined scenarios;

a second computer program code segment that identifies a relationship between the primary character and the at least one opposing character;

a third computer program code segment that selects one scenario of the plurality of predetermined scenarios;

a fourth computer program code segment that effects contacting a game item of the at least one opposing character by the primary character according to the selected scenario;

a fifth computer program code segment that effects transferring the game item from the at least one opposing character to the primary character according to the selected scenario; and

a sixth computer program code segment that effects removing from contention the at least one opposing character using the game item according to the selected scenarios.

10. A computer game apparatus for executing a game in which at least one primary character and at least one opposing character move through virtual space displayed on a display unit by operation of an operating unit, comprising:

computer readable media for storing at least a game program; and

a controller for executing the game program and controlling the movements of the at least one primary character and the at least one opposing character according to the game program;

wherein the game program contains embedded computer program code for controlling the movements of the at least one primary character and at least one opposing character according to the game program, the computer readable media containing computer program code segments comprising;

a first computer program code segment that provides a special character associated with the primary character;

a second computer program code segment that identifies a relationship between the primary character and the at least one opposing character;

a third computer program code segment that selects the special character;

a fourth computer program code segment that references the special character to the at least one opposing character;

a fifth computer program code segment that effects moving the special character from the primary character to the at least one opposing character;

a sixth computer program code segment that effects removing from contention the at least one opposing character using the special character; and

a seventh computer program code segment that effects transferring the game item from the at least one opposing character to the primary character using the special character.

11. A computer game apparatus for executing a game in which at least one primary character and at least one opposing character move through virtual space displayed on a display unit by operation of an operating unit, comprising:

computer readable media for storing at least a game program; and

a controller for executing the game program and controlling the movements of the at least one primary character and the at least one opposing character according to the game program;

wherein the game program contains embedded computer program code for controlling the movements of the at least one primary character and at least one opposing character according to the game program, the computer readable media containing computer program code segments comprising;

a first computer program code segment that provides at least one special game item;

a second computer program code segment that identifies a relationship between the primary character and the at least one opposing character, and one of previously, concurrently, and subsequently to the relationship identification obtaining the special game item;

a third computer program code segment that effects transferring the special game item from the primary character to a region of the at least one opposing character;

a fourth computer program code segment that effects targeting the special game item by the primary character; and

a fifth computer program code segment that effects activating the special game item to thereby remove the at least one opposing character from contention.

12. A game system that allows player input in the generation of images on a display, comprising:

means for inputting player inputs;

means for providing at least one disarm scenario;

means for detecting an opposing character in a predetermined region relative to an unarmed primary character in a virtual space;

means for running a predetermined disarm scenario between the primary character and the opposing character in response to a player selection of the predetermined disarm scenario; and

means for forming images on a display according to the predetermined disarm scenarios.

13. The game system according to claim 12, wherein the game system further comprises means for recording the running of the disarm scenario, and means for playing back the recorded disarm scenario in at least one of a same speed and a different speed than a speed of the recorded disarm scenario.

14. The game system according to claim 12, wherein the game system further comprises means for at least one of viewing and recording the running of the disarm scenario from at least one of a plurality of cameras, each of which having a respective camera angle and camera speed.

15. The game system according to claim 12, wherein the game system further comprises means for at least one of viewing and recording the running of the disarm scenario from a camera having a camera angle representative of a view by the opposing character.

16. The game system according to claim 12, wherein the game system further comprises a plurality of selectable disarm scenarios.

17. A game system that allows player input in the generation of images on a display, comprising:

means for inputting player inputs;

means for detecting an opposing character in a predetermined region relative to a primary character in a virtual space;

means for providing a fetching character for the primary character in response to a player input;

means for running a predetermined fetch scenario between the fetching character and the opposing character in response to a player selection of the predetermined fetch scenario; and

means for forming images on a display according to the predetermined fetch scenario.

18. The game system according to claim 17, wherein the game system further comprises means for recording the running of the fetch scenario, and means for playing back the recorded fetch scenario in at least one of a same speed and a different speed than a speed of the recorded fetch scenario.

19. The game system according to claim 17, wherein the game system further comprises means for at least one of viewing and recording the running of the fetch scenario from at least one of a plurality of cameras, each of which having a respective camera angle and camera speed.

20. The game system according to claim 17, wherein the game system further comprises means for at least one of viewing and recording the running of the fetch scenario from a camera having a camera angle representative of a view by the opposing character.

21. The game system according to claim 17, wherein the game system further comprises a plurality of selectable fetch scenarios.

22. A game system that allows player input in the generation of images on a display, comprising:

means for inputting player inputs;

means for detecting an opposing character in a predetermined region relative to an armed primary character in a virtual space;

means for adjoining the primary character and the opposing character in response to a player selection of a shield mode;

means for using the opposing character as a shield for the primary character from further opposing characters while in the shield mode;

means for moving the adjoined opposing character and primary character in response to player inputs while in the shield mode;

means for terminating the shield mode by one of a further player input and at least one predetermine game condition; and

means for forming images on a display according to the shield mode.

23. The game system according to claim 22, wherein the game system further comprises means for recording game play while in the shield mode, and means for playing back the recorded game play in at least one of a same speed and a different speed than a speed of the recorded game play.

24. The game system according to claim 22, wherein the game system further comprises means for at least one of viewing and recording game play while in the shield mode from at least one of a plurality of cameras, each of which having a respective camera angle and camera speed.

25. The game system according to claim 22, wherein the game system further comprises means for at least one of viewing and recording the game play while in the shield mode from a camera having a camera angle representative of a view by the opposing character.

26. A game system that allows player input in the generation of images on a display, comprising:

means for inputting player inputs;

means for providing an explodable game item to a primary character in response to player inputs;

means for detecting at least one opposing character in a predetermined region relative to the primary character in a virtual space;

means for tossing the explodable item from the primary character through the air to an area of the at least one opposing character in response to a player first input;

means for targeting and shooting by the primary character the explodable item, while the explodable item is in the air and in the area of the at least one opposing character, in response to second player inputs;

means for executing collision detection in response to the targeting and shooting of the explodable item;

means for exploding the explodable item and removing from contention the at least one opposing character; and

means for forming images on a display for depicting obtaining the explodable item, detecting the at least one opposing character, tossing the explodable item, targeting and shooting the explodable item, and exploding the explodable item and removing from contention the at least one opposing character.

27. The game system according to claim 26, wherein the game system further comprises means for recording the formed images, and means for playing back the recorded formed images in at least one of a same speed and a different speed than a speed of the recorded formed images.

28. The game system according to claim 26, wherein the game system further comprises means for at least one of viewing and recording the formed images from at least one of a plurality of cameras, each of which having a respective camera angle and camera speed.

29. The game system according to claim 26, wherein the game system further comprises means for at least one of viewing and recording the formed images from a camera having a camera angle representative of a view by the opposing character.