Game data validation

• US 9,669,293 B1
• Filed: 07/31/2013
• Issued: 06/06/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Niantic, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Niantic, Inc.
• Inventors: Aubin, Mark A., Spirakis, Charles, Hibbert, Chris, Kornmann, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Liddle, Jay
• Assistant Examiner(s): RADA, ALEX P
• Application Number:
  US13/955,077
• Time in Patent Office: 1,406 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/216 using geographical information, e.g. location of the game device or player using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/63 by the player, e.g. authoring using a level editor
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/65 automatically by game devices or servers from real world data, e.g. measurement in live racing competition
• 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 13/73 Authorising game programs or game devices, e.g. checking authenticity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/88 Mini-games executed independently while main games are being loaded

Abstract

Methods and systems for verifying and/or modifying game data for a location-based game, such as a parallel reality game, are provided. Game data for the location-based game can be verified and/or modified by establishing one or more mini-games to be played within the location-based game. Players can be encouraged to play the mini-game by providing a reward, such as a virtual reward that can be used in the location-based game or by providing another suitable reward. Mini-game data received from a plurality of players of the mini-game can be aggregated and used to update game data for the location-based game. In this manner, game elements, game objectives, and/or game play for all players in the location-based game (even players that do not play in the mini-game) can be adjusted based on the aggregated responses to the mini-game.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of modifying game data for a location-based game, the method comprising:

initiating, by a computer system, a mini-game associated with a location-based game by providing to a player of the location-based game a stored location for a landmark in a real world and requesting that the player travel to the stored location, wherein the stored location for the landmark is unverified;

receiving, by the computer system from the player, information indicating that the player is located at the stored location;

receiving, by the computer system, mini-game data indicating an action by the player at the stored location;

determining, by the computer system, whether the landmark is located at the stored location based on the mini-game data; and

verifying, by the computer system based on determining that the landmark is located at the stored location, the stored location for the landmark and updating game data associated with the landmark in a game database.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the location-based game is a parallel reality game, the parallel reality game having a virtual world with a geography that parallels the geography of at least a portion of the real world such that a player can navigate the virtual world by moving to different geographic locations in the real world.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising providing a reward to the player for participating in the mini-game.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein updating game data comprises adjusting one or more game elements for players of the location-based game.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein updating game data comprises adjusting one or more game objectives for players of the location-based game.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein updating game data associated with the landmark comprises updating location information for the landmark stored in the game database.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein updating game data associated with the landmark comprises adjusting a ranking score associated with the landmark, the ranking score providing a measure of the relevancy of the landmark to one or more game objectives in the location-based game.

8. A computer-based system for modifying game data for a location-based game, the system comprising:

one or more computer processors; and

a non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising computer-executable instructions which when executed by the one or more processors cause the one or more processors to perform steps comprising;

initiating a mini-game associated with a location-based game by providing to a player of the location-based game a stored location for a landmark in a real world and requesting that the player travel to the stored location, wherein the stored location for the landmark is unverified;

receiving from the player information indicating that the player is located at the stored location;

receive mini-game data indicating an action by the player at the stored location;

determine whether the landmark is located at the stored location based on the mini-game data; and

verifying, based on determining that the landmark is located at the stored location, the stored location for the landmark and updating game data associated with the landmark in a game database.

9. The computer-based system of claim 8, wherein updating game data associated with the landmark comprises updating location information for the landmark.

10. The computer-based system of claim 8, wherein updating game data associated with the landmark comprises updating a ranking score for the landmark.

11. The computer-based system of claim 8, wherein the location-based game is a parallel reality game, the parallel reality game having a virtual world with a geography that parallels the geography of at least a portion of the real world such that a player can navigate the virtual world by moving to different geographic locations in the real world.

12. The computer-based system of claim 8, wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the one or more processors to perform steps comprising providing a reward to the player for participating in the mini-game.

13. The computer-based system of claim 8, wherein updating game data comprises adjusting one or more game elements for players of the location-based game.

14. The computer-based system of claim 8, wherein updating game data comprises adjusting one or more game objectives for players of the location-based game.

15. A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions for execution by one or more processors, causing the one or more processors to perform operations for modifying game data for a location-based game, the operations comprising:

transmitting, by a mobile device to a computer system, a request from a player of the location-based game to participate in a mini-game;

receiving, by the mobile device from the computer system, a stored location for a landmark in a real world and a request that the player travel to the stored location, wherein the stored location for the landmark is unverified;

presenting, by the mobile device, a user interface including the stored location for the landmark;

responsive to the mobile device being located at the stored location, transmitting, by the mobile device to the computer system, information indicating that the player is located at the stored location and mini-game data indicating an action by the player at the stored location; and

responsive to the computer system verifying the stored location for the landmark based on the mini-game data, receiving, by the mobile device from the computer system, updated game data associated with landmark for the location-based game, the updated game data updated based at least in part on the mini-game data.

16. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the landmark is linked to a virtual element in the location-based game.

17. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the mini-game is a sub-game of the location-based game, the location-based game being a parallel reality game, the parallel reality game having a virtual world with a geography that parallels the geography of at least a portion of the real world such that a player can navigate the virtual world by moving to different geographic locations in the real world.