U.S. Patent No. 9,707,476: Method for creating a mini-game

Issued July 18, 2017, to Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
Priority Date September 28, 2012

Summary:
Classic console games are known for being challenging and lengthy. Developers designed the games for children who could only buy a limited number of games but had all summer to play. Playing a classic game as an adult can be challenging due to time limitations. U.S. Patent No. 9,707,476 (the ‘476 Patent) answers this problem by transforming the classic game into a mini-game that can cover all the classic moments from a game. First, the ‘476 Patent will choose a starting location from the classic or legacy game for which a snapshot is generated. Then an event from the legacy game is chosen and tied to a trigger. Finally, a mini-game script is generated based on the snapshot and chosen event which is sent to the emulator, ready to be played. The patent describes a method for multiple events to be selected with multiple triggers. It is only upon a player hitting a game-ending trigger that the script will send game-ending instructions to the emulator. Potentially, the ‘476 Patent describes a method that would allow a person to play through Final Fantasy 7 in an hour without missing any crucial events in the game.


Abstract:
A starting location for the mini-game is chosen in the legacy game state. A snapshot is generated of that location. Once the snapshot is taken, trigger events are identified. Triggers corresponding to the trigger events are identified. A mini-game script is generated using the snapshot and triggers.


Illustrative Claim:
1. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing executable instructions and data for a mini-game configured to be implemented on an emulator operating on a network, the instructions and data comprising: a) a snapshot of a starting location for the mini-game within a legacy game execution state, wherein the snapshot includes saved data corresponding to the legacy game execution state of every device being emulated by the emulator at a designated time during emulation of a legacy game that the emulator can use to start the mini-game; b) data representing one or more identified triggers that correspond to one or more events within the legacy game; and c) a script for the mini-game generated from the snapshot and triggers.


Researched By: Andrew F. Thomas