Summary:

The ‘211 patent allows games to have a more realistic and life-like feel to them because the movements of players have been redesigned to simulate those of actual opponents. The virtual camera is designed to provide alternate views of the action based on what is going on during the event. Whenever there are a lot of characters on the screen at the same time, the camera will be pulled out so that the most action can be seen while the player competes in the game.

Abstract:

Games are processed in a more realistic and immediate manner during image processing for soccer games and the like. Specifically, the movements of characters more accurately simulate those of actual opponents, resulting in greater game realism.The invention is an image processing device for imaging and displaying the behavior of characters modeled on opponents in virtual three-dimensional space. It is determined (S21 to S24) whether or not there exists a certain situation in which the relation to the game contents (in the centering area, for example) or the positional relation (such as distance) between characters and a target (such as opponent characters or the ball) having a relation through the game to said characters matches certain conditions, and the eyes of the characters are directed to the target (S25, S26, S28, etc.) when it is determined that the certain situation exists. The invention is especially suitable for soccer games.


Illustrative Claim:

1. An image processing device comprising: image generating means for generating a game screen representing a view seen from a virtual camera disposed in virtual space, wherein a plurality of predetermined areas are defined in said virtual space and an angle of said virtual camera is set for each of said plurality of predetermined areas; object setting means for setting an object in said virtual space; object behavior controlling means for controlling behavior of said object in said virtual space based on an operation of a player; camera angle adjusting means for adjusting an angle at which said virtual camera views said object, based on positional coordinates of said virtual camera in said virtual space; and object positional determination means for determining whether said object is located in one of said plurality of predetermined areas based on the positional coordinates of said virtual camera; wherein said camera angle adjusting means angularly adjusts said virtual camera to 0 degrees if said object positional determination means determines that said object is not located in said plurality of predetermined areas; and said camera angle adjusting means adjusts said virtual camera to the angle set for the area in which said object is located if said object positional determination means determines that said object is located in any of said plurality of predetermined areas.

Summary:

The ‘918 patent provides for a golf game whereby the player can make a club selection before his shot begins. The player then can press a button which begins his shot power meter as well as a shot direction meter. Thus, the player has full control of both his shot power and the direction of his shot. Each club is programmed to have different values which means that they all differ in the kind of shots the player can make. The player needs to master each club’s abilities in order to play to his maximum ability.

Abstract:

A system and method for playing a golf game. A user is allotted with an ability value for the golf game, and a plurality of available golf clubs are provided according to the user's ability value. A request ability value referred to when requesting to use a corresponding golf club and an application ability value applied when the golf club is used are allotted to each of the golf clubs. Only when the user's ability value satisfies the request ability value allotted to a golf club can the user use the golf club. Ability points that can adjust the user's ability value are allotted to the user according to a result of the golf game, so that the user can select from a wide range of golf clubs having various characteristics. Accordingly, the user can adjust the ability value which influences the percentage of winning the golf game using the ability points allotted according to the result of the golf game, thereby enhancing the fun of the golf game.


Illustrative Claim:

1. A method of playing a virtual golf game, wherein a player of the golf game is provided a set of golf clubs, wherein each golf club set is classified with a request ability value that indicates a non-monetary ability value needed by the player, and wherein each golf club set is assigned an application ability value that indicates characteristics of golf shots by the golf clubs in the golf club set, the method comprising: allotting a non-monetary, ability value to a player of the golf game, wherein at least one attribute of the player's skill in playing the virtual golf game is based on the allotted non-monetary ability value; receiving a request for a golf club of the set of golf clubs; selectively allowing the player to use the requested golf club set based on whether the non-monetary, ability value allotted to the player is equal to or higher than the request ability value of the requested golf club; determining an adjustment value according to the application ability value associated with the golf club set; adjusting an input parameter according to the adjustment value; and determining a flight distance and location of a golf ball in response to receiving an input corresponding to the adjusted input parameter such that: (1) when neither a gamble nor an over-power gamble on a golf club is requested, the flight distance is computed according to the application ability value associated with the golf club, (2) when a gamble on the golf club is requested, the flight distance is determined based on a sum of a basic flight distance and an additional value according to the result of the gamble, (3) when both a gamble and an over-power gamble are requested, the flight distance is determined based on a sum of a basic flight distance, an additional value according to the result of the gamble, and another additional value that is based on success of the over-power gamble, and (4) upon checking a level of the player and a level of the golf club and when the player's level does not match the golf club level, the flight distance is determined based on applying a compensation value that corresponds to the difference in the player's level and the level of the golf club.

Summary:

The ‘842 patent describes a system for role-playing games where the player has a wide range of characteristics which can be assigned to his character. Each characteristic carries a certain weight which factors into how much the character can grow and advance in the game. Thus, the player must take careful consideration when assigning certain characteristics to his character in order to provide the most effective combination that will lead to the best growth potential.


Abstract:

A game system provides multiple classifications of character characteristic and is capable of advancing a game by assigning the desired characteristic to a character from multiple characteristics. Two jobs, that is, a main job and a support job are selectable for a character and a fixed pattern of table configuration data is provided as characteristic value information according to the job. In addition, the table configuration data corresponding to the classification of the job is extracted and applied to a growth table for each job, and ability values of the main job and support job are weighted differently so as to achieve character characteristic having two job abilities together. Accordingly, it is possible to effectively increase the job types to be assigned to the character and to create an interesting game, while reducing necessary memory capacity.

Illustrative Claim:

1. A game system, which, when executing a game by operating a character in accordance with a game program, provides a plurality of types of characteristics of the character and advances the game by assigning at least one type of characteristic to the character from among the plurality of types of characteristics, the game system comprising: a main characteristic assigning system that assigns one of the types of characteristics to the character, the assigned type of characteristic serving as a main type of characteristic of the character; a storage that stores a plurality of predetermined sequences of characteristic value information that determines characteristic values of the character for each character level, and also stores a plurality of growth pattern values of the assigned characteristic type, each of the plurality of growth pattern values corresponding to one of the predetermined sequences; an application system that extracts characteristic value information corresponding to a character level and the growth pattern values of the assigned type of characteristic from the stored characteristic value information, and applies the characteristic values of the character in accordance with the extracted characteristic value information; and a controller that controls the character according to the characteristic values applied by the application system, wherein the plurality of growth pattern values are combined based on the plurality of assigned characteristic types, wherein each of a plurality of growth patterns comprises a stored predetermined sequence of characteristic value information, each predetermined sequence representing a progression of the characteristic values corresponding to each of the assigned characteristic types, and wherein the growth pattern values are combined by weighting and adding the characteristic value information in the predetermined sequences, based on the assigned characteristic type corresponding to the characteristic value information.

'League of Legends' gamer granted US visa recognizing him as professional athlete | The Verge:

'via Blog this'

Summary:

For those out there who love playing Bingo with multiple cards, but find it difficult to keep track of all those numbers, the ‘480 reissue patent tries to make your life easier. The patent describes a hand-held device whereby electronic cards are loaded into the device and keep track of the player’s cards and (hopefully) winnings. Whenever a number is called, the hand-held device automatically searches the stored cards for a match. If the number is a match, the device marks it off the card for the user. If the number is the winning number, the device signals that a winning pattern has been achieved and tells the user the winning pattern so he may call out the numbers and claim his earnings.

Abstract:

An electronic bingo playing apparatus and method involve the use of a hand held portable computer having a card memory which can store the content information from a plurality of standard bingo cards. This information is entered by a keyboard. Letter/number combinations which are selected during play of the game are also manually entered by the keyboard. The program memory then directs the microprocessor to search the stored cards for a match and any winning patterns of matches. Upon detection of a winning pattern, the portable computer responds with the winning card number, as well as the particular winning pattern.


Illustrative Claim:
1. An electronic bingo playing apparatus for keeping track of a plurality of five row/five column conventional bingo cards, said apparatus comprising a hand held portable computer which includes,

a keyboard comprising a plurality of data entry keys and instruction keys,

said data entry keys including ten numerical digit entry keys .[.and five alphabetic character entry keys corresponding to respective columns of a bingo card.].,

said instruction keys including a plurality of winning pattern designation keys,

a card memory operative to temporarily store bingo card content data and played number data entered by said data entry keys,

a display operative to display numerical information,

said display comprising a five-by-five matrix including a center display unit and 24 separate numerical display units arranged about said center display unit,

a microprocessor operative to control data flow from said keys to said card memory and display and between said card memory and display, and to perform data manipulations,

and a program memory in which there is stored a software program to direct microprocessor operation,

said microprocessor being operative in a set-up mode under the direction of said software program to store in said card memory the bingo card content data which is entered by said data entry keys, and to record winning pattern information which is entered by said instruction keys, and

said microprocessor being operative in play mode under the direction of said software program to scan the keyboard thereby to read each letter/number combination which is entered by said data entry keys, to scan the card memory to identify any matches between the last entered letter/number combination and the stored card content data therein, to accumulate said matches and to signal whether any winning patterns of accumulated matches have been achieved,

said data entry keys and instruction keys thereby being capable of entering all of the input information in both the setup and play modes of the microprocessor.