Method and apparatus for player replacement in an on-line game

• US 8,167,712 B2
• Filed: 08/08/2007
• Issued: 05/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment America (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Sarkar, Bhaswar Bhanu, Choorut, Ben
• Primary Examiner(s): Hall, Arthur O.
• Application Number:
  US11/835,644
• Publication Number:
  US 20090042646A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,728 Days
• Field of Search: 463/1, 463 9- 13, 463/16, 463/20, 463/25, 463/29, 463 40- 43, 273/108.1, 273/145.R, 273/147, 273/141.A, 273/317.1, 273/351, 273454-456, 273460-461, 704/E15.047, 709203-207, 709216-219, 709/225, 709/227, 709/FOR.106, 709/FOR.111, 709/FOR.112, 709/FOR.115, 709/FOR.122, 709/FOR.130, 709/FOR.131, 709/FOR.132, 709/FOR.141, 709/FOR.148, 709/FOR.149, 709/FOR.153, 715/200, 715/700, 715/706, 715/738, 715/744, 715757-758, 715762-764, 715/741, 902/10, 902/23
• US Class Current: 463/29
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/131 Protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/145 avoiding end of session, e.g. keep-alive, heartbeats, resumption message or wake-up for inactive or interrupted session

Abstract

Methods, apparatuses, and techniques for replacing players in an online game are described. Replacing players in an online game includes associating a first player with a first online identity and associating a second player with a second online identity. Then replacing the first player and associating the first online identity with a third player that is registered with the first online identity. Replacing players in an online game can also include associating a first player with a first online identity and associating a second player with a second online identity. Then replacing the first player and the second play so that the second player is associated with the first online identity and the first player is associated with the second online identity.

Claims

1. A non-transitory storage medium storing a computer program comprising executable instructions that cause a computer to:

associate a first player with a first online identity which represents an object, persona or character under control of the first player;

associate a second player with a second online identity which represents an object, persona or character under control of the second player;

communicate a message from the first player to a plurality of players that the first player wishes to be replaced by a third player who will assume control of the object, persona or character represented by the first online identity;

receive a return message from the third player that the third player is willing to replace the first player;

replace the first player with the third player by associating the third player with the first online identity and disassociating the first player with the first online identity, such that the third player assumes control of the object, persona or character that was under control of the first player,

wherein the executable instructions that cause the computer to replace the first player is completed during a replacement time that is a substantially short period of time so as to not interrupt game play such that the replacement appears seamless to other players in an online game; and

provide game situation information to the third player before the third player is associated with the first online identity.

2. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 1, wherein the executable instructions that cause the computer to replace the first player is initiated in accordance with game rules.

3. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 1, wherein the third player is provided information about a current game situation after the replacement.

4. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 3, wherein the information comprises a clip of recent game play, the clip comprising video information.

5. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 3, wherein the information comprises messages sent by the first player to the second player.

6. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 1, wherein the executable instructions that cause the computer to replace the first player comprises executable instructions that cause the computer to associate the first online identity with artificial intelligence so that the artificial intelligence controls the first online identity.

7. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 1, wherein the executable instructions that cause the computer to replace the first player is initiated by a moderator in the online game.

8. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 1, wherein the executable instructions that cause the computer to replace the first player is initiated by a leader of a team of which the first online identity is a member.

9. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 1, wherein the third player is registered with the first online identity.