environment for single-player use
Issued: September 27, 2016, to Sony Interactive Entertainment America

Summary:

U.S. Patent No. 9,452,363 relates to creating multi-player-like experiences in a single-player game. A video game often has both single-player and multi-player. In single-player games, a user is generally the only human player. The user may interact with game elements, such as non-player characters whose actions are controlled by a set of rules. Multi-player games, on the other hand, have multiple human users, each controlling a unique character. The users may be playing together cooperatively, be part of a team, or play against one another competitively.

Playing against other people can be beneficial in improving one's skill in a game. Human players can adapt and change strategies as opposed to a non-player character rigidly following prewritten rules. There are some ways to include the benefits of multi-player games in a single-player mode. For example, tutorials can allow a player to see a "walkthrough" of a game, providing a step-by-step guide. However, this does not echo a multi-player game environment with real human players.

Using this invention, a player could select a single-player game or a multi-player game. When the user selects a multiplayer mode, the user chooses one or more AI characters. The AI characters may be available individually or in themed "packs." The selected AI character or pack may be downloaded, stored, or otherwise accessible in an electronic entertainment system. The player could then choose a mode or skill level for each character. The environment would then be populated with AI characters selected by the player, which results in better guidance during cooperative gameplay and better competition during adversarial gameplay.


Abstract:

A multi-player game environment is created for single-player use. A user may select a single-player game or a multi-player game. When the user chooses a multi-player game, the user is prompted to select one or more customized AI characters. The AI characters may be available individually or in themed "packs." The selected AI character or pack may be downloaded, stored, or otherwise made accessible to an electronic entertainment system. The user may select a mode or skill level for each AI character. The user may begin playing the game in a multi-player mode with the game environment populated with an avatar effectuating behaviors of the selected AI character or characters.


Illustrative Claim:

1. A method for creating a multi-player game environment for single-player use on an electronic entertainment system, the method comprising: providing a first user with an option to play a single-player game or a multi-player game using at least one artificial intelligence (AI) character, wherein the at least one AI character is based at least in part on behavior data of a particular second user, and wherein the behavior data includes actions and game play style of the particular second user; receiving a selection by the first user of at least one AI character; receiving one or more selections indicating a user preference for the at least one AI character, wherein the user preference includes a mode for game play, and wherein the mode includes a tutorial mode; executing non-transitory computer readable instructions stored in memory to effectuate the at least one AI character in the single-player game or the multi-player game based on the selections made by the first user that includes the behavior data of the particular second user and the mode of game play; and executing non-transitory computer readable instructions stored in memory to display the game environment for game play, wherein the game environment is populated with an avatar effectuating a behavior of the at least one AI character based on the selections made by the first user that includes the behavior data of the particular second user and the mode of game play.



Research By: Rachel Johns



U.S. Patent No. 9,409,083: Spawning new timelines during game session replay

Issued August 9, 2017, to Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Priority date: June 27, 2014

 

 

Summary:

Traditionally, to restart a multiplayer session requires that all the players begin anew. For co-op multiplayer games, restarting means starting from a point designated by the level designers. Restarting from a designated point can become frustrating when fighting a challenging boss. U.S. Patent No. 9,409,083 (the '083 Patent) describes an alternative method. Every gaming session is recorded by a game using the '083 Patent system. If the players were to die, the game would use the record to show the players a replay of their last session. The players can watch the replay and see the exact moment where things went wrong. Players can then decide to "step in" and start a new session from that point, creating a new timeline or universe that diverges from the original game session. The new (altered) gaming session will create a new record from which players can repeat the process.

 

Abstract:

A game system in which game sessions involving one or more players may be recorded and saved as game records. A previously recorded game session may be selected and replayed. However, in addition to providing a static replay of the game session, the game system may allow one or more players to step into and assume control of respective game characters at any point during the replay of the game session. When a player steps into and takes control of game a character during the playback, a new timeline is spawned from the original timeline with potentially different outcomes, and a new game record corresponding to the new timeline is generated and stored. 

 

Illustrative Claim:

1. A system, comprising; one or more computing devices configured to implement a game system configured to: store game records comprising previously played game sessions, each game session involving one or more game characters acting within a game universe along a game session timeline; receive selection input from one of one or more client devices, said selection input selecting one of the stored game records for playback; begin playback of the game session as recorded in the selected game record to at least one client device; receive game input from a game client instance on one of the one or more client devices, said game input causing an action by one of the one or more game characters within the game universe; and in response to said game input, spawn a new game session timeline from the game session timeline as recorded in the selected game record and generate a new game record for the new game session timeline.

Researched By: Andrew F. Thomas