WO2008008038A1 - An incentive-based video gaming system - Google Patents
An incentive-based video gaming system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2008008038A1 WO2008008038A1 PCT/SG2006/000195 SG2006000195W WO2008008038A1 WO 2008008038 A1 WO2008008038 A1 WO 2008008038A1 SG 2006000195 W SG2006000195 W SG 2006000195W WO 2008008038 A1 WO2008008038 A1 WO 2008008038A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- information element
- interactive information
- game
- video game
- interactive
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
- A63F13/60—Generating or modifying game content before or while executing the game program, e.g. authoring tools specially adapted for game development or game-integrated level editor
- A63F13/61—Generating or modifying game content before or while executing the game program, e.g. authoring tools specially adapted for game development or game-integrated level editor using advertising information
-
- A63F13/12—
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
- A63F13/30—Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
- A63F13/50—Controlling the output signals based on the game progress
- A63F13/53—Controlling the output signals based on the game progress involving additional visual information provided to the game scene, e.g. by overlay to simulate a head-up display [HUD] or displaying a laser sight in a shooting game
- A63F13/533—Controlling the output signals based on the game progress involving additional visual information provided to the game scene, e.g. by overlay to simulate a head-up display [HUD] or displaying a laser sight in a shooting game for prompting the player, e.g. by displaying a game menu
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
- A63F2300/50—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by details of game servers
- A63F2300/55—Details of game data or player data management
- A63F2300/5506—Details of game data or player data management using advertisements
Definitions
- This invention relates to a video game incorporated with at least one interactive information element.
- the invention also relates to a method of incorporating the at least one interactive information element into a video game.
- Video games are now generally acknowledged to be a means of entertaining the masses and are no longer perceived to appeal to only people of a younger age group/demographic.
- the success of standalone gaming consoles like the various iterations of Xbox from Microsoft, and the various iterations of Playstation from Sony provides evidence of the growing acceptance of video games by the mainstream.
- This successful proliferation of video games into the mainstream has given rise to a multi-million dollar video game industry which is set to grow as the industry is still in its infancy.
- a method of playing a video game with at least one interactive information element incorporated within the game includes: a player manipulating a control unit to play the game in a preferred mode; and the player having an option to engage the at least one interactive information element when playing the game in the preferred mode. It is advantageous that gameplay is not disrupted when the at least one interactive information element is engaged. Preferably, engagement of the at least one interactive information element is not mandatory for continuation of gameplay.
- the information element may be either advertisements or public announcement services.
- the at least one interactive information element may be, for example, an icon in the game, a character in the game or an item in the game.
- the manipulation of the control unit may be done either physically or neurologically.
- Engaging the at least one interactive information element may be by, for example, clicking on the interactive information element, highlighting the interactive information element or interacting with the interactive information element.
- the at least one interactive element may be located at a juncture in the game such as either a specific event in the course of the game or a specific location in the game. It is advantageous that the at least one interactive element is able to be updated.
- the video game may be run on a device such as, for example, a personal entertainment system, a video games console, a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant, a notebook or a desktop computer.
- the video game may be run either online or offline.
- engagement of the at least one interactive information element may activates an action such as, for example, an on-screen presentation, an electronic token generation system and a combination of the aforementioned.
- the on-screen presentation may be either within the course of gameplay or in a sub-screen in the game.
- the electronic tokens may be stored either locally or on a network. It is advantageous that an incidence of interactive information element engagement is countable. The number of counts of the incidence of interactive information element engagement may be stored either locally or on a network.
- a video game including at least one interactive information element, where gameplay is preferably not disrupted when the at least one interactive information element is engaged.
- a method of incorporating at least one interactive information element into a video game including: adding an engageable module into the video game; updating the engageable module with the at least one interactive information element; and locating the at least one interactive information element at a juncture in the video game. It is preferable that gameplay is not disrupted when the at least one interactive information element is engaged.
- the engageable module may be updated either locally or from a remote source via a network.
- the juncture in the video game may be either a specific event in the course of the game or a specific location in the game.
- the at least one interactive information element in the video game may be, for example, an icon in the game, a character in the game or an item in the game.
- Engaging the at least one interactive information element may be by means selected from the group comprising: clicking on the interactive information element, highlighting the interactive information element and interacting with the interactive information element. It is preferable that engagement of the at least one interactive information element is not mandatory for continuation of gameplay.
- Engagement of the at least one interactive information element may activate an action such as, for example, an on-screen presentation, an electronic token generation system and a combination of the aforementioned.
- the on-screen presentation may be either within the course of gameplay or in a sub-screen in the game.
- Electronic tokens may also be stored either locally or on a network.
- an incidence of interactive information element engagement is countable.
- the number of counts of the incidence of interactive information element engagement may be stored either locally or on a network. It is preferable that the information element is either advertisements or public announcement services. It is also preferable that the at least one interactive element is able to be updated.
- Figure 1 shows a flow chart of a preferred method of the present invention.
- Figure 2 shows a control unit used in the preferred method of the present invention.
- Figure 3 shows an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 4 shows a flow chart of another preferred method of the present invention.
- Figure 5 shows a flow chart of a client end and server interaction process in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 6 shows a screen capture of a specific juncture of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 7 shows a screen capture of another specific juncture of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 8 shows a screen capture of yet another specific juncture of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
- Figure 1 shows a flow chart of a method 20 of playing a video game with at least one interactive information element incorporated within the game.
- the video game may be of any conceivable genre. The example that is presented in a subsequent section of the description is not meant to limit the application of the present invention to video games of that genre.
- the video game may be run on a device such as, for example, a personal entertainment system, a video games console, a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant, a notebook and a desktop computer.
- the personal entertainment system may include entertainment systems installed in the passenger seats of commercial airliners, and long haul buses.
- the method 20 firstly includes a player manipulating a control unit to play the game in a preferred mode (22).
- the control unit employed may be similar to the multi-button controller 50 shown in Figure 2 or it may be any other type of control unit such as, for example, a joystick, a keypad, a keyboard and so forth.
- the control unit may be manipulated either physically or neurologically, where control units that may be manipulated by neurological commands may also be employed to play the video game.
- selecting the preferred mode in the video game means that the player selects a manner that the video game is played.
- Certain video games may have the option of playing games either on a network or offline.
- the player may encounter an option to engage the at least one interactive information element (24).
- the at least one interactive element may be located at the certain juncture in the game, wherein the juncture is either a specific event in the course of the game or a specific location in the game.
- the specific event may be at a point along a timeline of the game.
- the engagement of the at least one interactive information element may not be mandatory for the continuation of gameplay.
- the at least one interactive information element may be an icon in the game, a character in the game or an item in the game. Referring to Figure 6, the specific juncture of the game is during character selection, such as in an instance of a massively multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG).
- MMORPG massively multiplayer online role playing game
- a representation 200 of a character is shown, with the character's background and capabilities described in a background box 202 and a capabilities box 204 respectively.
- the interactive information element may be seen in a supplementary box 206.
- Figure 7 shows another specific juncture of the game. That juncture is a log-in page to log into the MMORPG.
- the title 208 is shown and the log-in console 210 is also shown.
- the interactive information elements may be seen in icons 212.
- Figure 8 shows yet another specific juncture of the game where the game is loading data to proceed.
- the screen basically shows a scene which is congruent to the game, with a title 214 shown, a progress bar 216 showing the progress of game loading and the interactive information element 218.
- Figure 3 shows examples of the interactive information elements being incorporated in a MMORPG.
- a character 52 in the MMORPG controlled by the player may encounter some interactive information elements like a "wings" button 54 to enable the character 52 to fly (an example of an icon in the game), a hamburger monster 56 (an example of a character in the game) and a car 58 (an example of an item in the game).
- Each interactive information element 54, 56, 58 may be linked/related to a particular advertiser.
- the interactive information elements 54, 56, 58 may be engaged in different ways. The way of engaging the interactive information elements 54, 56, 58 may depend on the type of element being engaged.
- the hamburger monster 56 may be engaged only when the character 52 fights and successfully slays the hamburger monster 56.
- the car 58 may be engaged when the character 52 enters the car 58.
- the "wings" button 54 may be engaged (for example when the character 52 wishes to fly) by clicking on the icon 54 using a pointer, or using an enclosure moving between different icons to highlight the icon 54 to engage the icon 54.
- the player If the player chooses not to engage any of the interactive information elements 54, 56, 58, the player then continues to play the game (26) without any interruption, although there may be a possibility of detriment to a conclusion/completion of the game if the player does not engage any of the interactive information elements 54, 56, 58.
- the detriment to the conclusion/completion of the game may result from not getting "rewarded" for engaging the interactive information elements 54, 56, 58.
- Rewards may be for example, electronic tokens/credits that will be described later or information that may be provided by engaging the interactive information elements 54, 56, 58 that may aid the player in subsequent portions of the video game. The player may be informed of the reward prior to engaging the at least one interactive information element.
- an action may be activated (30).
- highlighting the icon 54 may activate an on-screen presentation that may be within the course of gameplay or in a sub-screen in the game.
- the on-screen presentation may be, for example, an airliner with a particular airline's (an advertiser) paint scheme flying across the screen (overlaid on the game environment and does not disrupt gameplay) trailing a catchphrase of the airline like "A great way to fly”.
- making the character 52 enter the car 58 may activate the generation of a roar of an engine starting and revving recorded from an engine of an actual car depicted by the car 58.
- making the character 52 slay the hamburger monster 56 may generate a sub-screen showing an advertisement of a chain of fast food restaurants.
- the sub-screen may also be overlaid on the game environment and may not be disruptive to gameplay.
- the player may continue playing the game (32) after cessation of the on-screen presentation.
- Engaging the interactive information elements 54, 56, 58 may also enable electronic tokens/credits to be earned if the player does not disrupt the on-screen presentation at any juncture (34).
- the electronic tokens/credits may be stored either locally or on a separate server connected in a network (36). The stored electronic tokens/credits should be verifiable to ascertain their authenticity.
- the electronic tokens/credits may be accumulated and usable in loyalty programmes (either administered by the advertisers or the game publishers) or may be usable for the game being played to bolster the strength/abilities/weapons/prowess of the character 52.
- An example of a loyalty programme is when the video game is played on entertainment systems installed in the passenger seats of commercial airliners. Passengers on the airliner may earn electronic tokens/credits that may be converted to either frequent flyer points or inflight meal upgrades.
- the advertisers may also be able to count the incidence of interactive information element engagement by monitoring the issuance of the electronic tokens/credits (37). The advertisers may still be able to count the incidence of interactive information element engagement without the issuance of the electronic tokens/credits if engagement of the interactive information element causes a count to be sent to a counter either locally or on a separate server connected in a network (31 ).
- the local counter may send the counts of incidence of interactive information element engagement to a separate server connected in a network when the player goes online whether when playing the video game or not.
- the count for the incidence of interactive information element engagement may enable an advertiser to ascertain a value for placing interactive information elements in a particular video game.
- the interactive information elements are not only for advertising.
- the interactive information elements may be used for the propagation of public announcement services, such as emergency announcements like warnings for hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, mobilisation of armed forces and the like.
- the interactive information elements may be updated by automatically downloading and replacing relevant sub-modules controlling the interactive information elements in the video game. This facilitates the instant transmittal of emergency warnings to players of video games (preferably in a particular state/country/affected area only).
- the interactive information elements may be updated by automatically downloading and replacing relevant sub-modules controlling the interactive information elements in the video game when the player goes online whether when playing the video game or not.
- the player may continue playing the game (38) after cessation of the on-screen presentation with the issuance of tokens/credits either completed or on-going.
- the player may be notified of the number of tokens/credits being issued at any juncture after the cessation of the onscreen presentation.
- the video game may be of any conceivable genre.
- the example that is presented in the description is not meant to limit the application of the present invention to video games of that genre.
- the video game may be run on a device such as, for example, a personal entertainment system, a video games console, a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant, a notebook and a desktop computer.
- the personal entertainment system may include entertainment systems installed in the passenger seats of commercial airliners, and long haul buses.
- a control unit employed for the video game may be similar to the multi- button controller 50 shown in Figure 2 or it may be any other type of control unit such as, for example, a joystick, a keypad, a keyboard and so forth.
- the control unit may be manipulated either physically or neurologically, where control units that may be manipulated by neurological commands may also be employed to play the video game.
- the video game may have the option of playing games in several modes, such as either on a network or offline.
- the player While playing the video game, the player may encounter an option to engage at least one interactive information element in the video game.
- the at least one interactive element may be located at a juncture in the game, wherein the juncture is either a specific event in the course of the game or a specific location in the game.
- the specific event may be at a point along a timeline of the game.
- the engagement of the at least one interactive information element may not be mandatory for the continuation of gameplay.
- the at least one interactive information element may be an icon in the game, a character in the game or an item in the game.
- Figure 3 shows examples of the interactive information elements being incorporated in a massively multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG).
- MMORPG massively multiplayer online role playing game
- a character 52 in the MMORPG controlled by the player may encounter some interactive information elements like a "wings" button 54 to enable the character 52 to fly (an example of an icon in the game), a hamburger monster 56 (an example of a character in the game) and a car 58 (an example of an item in the game).
- Each interactive information element 54, 56, 58 may be linked/related to a particular advertiser.
- the interactive information elements 54, 56, 58 may be engaged in different ways. The way of engaging the interactive information elements 54, 56, 58 may depend on the type of element being engaged. For example, the hamburger monster 56 may be engaged when the character 52 fights and successfully slays the hamburger monster 56.
- the car 58 may be engaged when the character 52 enters the car 58.
- the "wings" icon 54 may be engaged (for example when the character 52 wishes to fly) by clicking on the icon 54 using a pointer, or using an enclosure moving between different icons to highlight the icon 54 to engage the icon 54.
- a more detailed description of events that occur when the interactive information elements 54, 56, 58 are engaged will be provided in a subsequent section of the description. If the player chooses not to engage any of the interactive information elements 54, 56, 58, the player then continues to play the game without any interruption, although there may be a possibility of detriment to a conclusion/completion of the game if the player does not engage any of the interactive information elements 54, 56, 58.
- the detriment to the conclusion/completion of the game may result from not getting "rewarded" for engaging the interactive information elements 54, 56, 58.
- Rewards may be for example, electronic tokens/credits that will be described later or information that may be provided by engaging the interactive information elements 54, 56, 58 that may aid the player in subsequent portions of the video game. The player may be informed of the reward prior to engaging the at least one interactive information element.
- an action may be activated.
- highlighting the icon 54 may activate an on-screen presentation that may be within the course of gameplay or in a sub-screen in the game.
- the on-screen presentation may be, for example, an airliner with a particular airline's (an advertiser) paint scheme flying across the screen (overlaid on the game environment and does not disrupt gameplay) trailing a catchphrase of the airline like "A great way to fly".
- making the character 52 enter the car 58 may activate the generation of a roar of an engine starting and revving recorded from an engine of an actual car depicted by the car 58.
- making the character 52 slay the hamburger monster 56 would generate a sub-screen showing an advertisement of a chain of fast food restaurants.
- the sub-screen may also be overlaid on the game environment and may not be disruptive to gameplay.
- the player may continue playing the game after cessation of the on-screen presentation.
- Engaging the interactive information elements 54, 56, 58 may enable electronic tokens/credits to be earned if the player does not disrupt the on-screen presentation at any juncture.
- the electronic tokens/credits may be stored either locally or on a separate server connected in a network. The stored electronic tokens/credits should be verifiable to ascertain their authenticity.
- the electronic tokens/credits may be accumulated and usable in loyalty programmes (either administered by the advertisers or the game publishers) or may be usable for the game being played to bolster the strength/abilities/weapons/prowess of the character 52.
- An example of a loyalty programme is when the video game is played on entertainment systems installed in the passenger seats of commercial airliners. Passengers on the airliner may earn electronic tokens/credits that may be converted to either frequent flyer points or inflight meal upgrades.
- the advertisers may be able to count the incidence of interactive information element engagement by monitoring the issuance of the electronic tokens/credits. The advertisers may still be able to count the incidence of interactive information element engagement without the issuance of the electronic tokens/credits if engagement of the interactive information element causes a count to be sent to a counter either locally or on a separate server connected in a network.
- the local counter may send the counts of incidence of interactive information element engagement to a separate server connected in a network when the player goes online whether when playing the video game or not.
- the count for the incidence of interactive information element engagement may enable an advertiser to ascertain a value for placing interactive information elements in a particular video game.
- the interactive information elements are not only for advertising.
- the interactive information elements may be used for the propagation of public announcement services, such as emergency announcements like warnings for hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, mobilisation of armed forces and the like.
- the interactive information elements may be updated by automatically downloading and replacing relevant sub-modules controlling the interactive information elements in the video game. This facilitates the instant transmittal of emergency warnings to players of video games (preferably in a particular state/country/affected area only).
- the interactive information elements may be updated by automatically downloading and replacing relevant sub-modules controlling the interactive information elements in the video game when the player goes online whether when playing the video game or not.
- the player may continue playing the game after cessation of the on-screen presentation with the issuance of tokens/credits either completed or on-going.
- the player may be notified of the number of tokens/credits being issued at any juncture after the cessation of the on-screen presentation.
- a method of incorporating at least one interactive information element into a video game there may be a video game that has been published or in the midst of development (80).
- a module may be added to the video game that may either be published or in the midst of development (82).
- the module may enable the at least one interactive information element to be added such that the at least one interactive information element appears in the video game and is engageable.
- the module may allow the at least one interactive information element to be updated by automatically downloading and replacing relevant sub-modules of the interactive information elements in the video game whenever the player goes online.
- the module may also enable the location of the at least one interactive information element at a juncture in the video game (84).
- the client end device such as, for example, a personal entertainment system, a video games console, a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant, a notebook and a desktop computer may be activated and subsequently connected to a server via a network (100).
- the server may then obtain data from the client end device and determine whether the interactive information element(s) is legitimate (102) as the interactive information element(s) may be illegally modified.
- the interactive information element(s) is then removed from the client end device (104). If the interactive information element(s) is found to be legitimate, the server check information on the client end device relating to the interactive information element(s) (106) and may include the downloading of the incidence of interactive information element(s) activation for processing as described in an earlier portion of the description. Subsequently, the server then determines whether the interactive information element(s) needs to be changed/renewed (108). If the interactive information element(s) needs to be changed/renewed, then new interactive information element(s) are sent to the client end device (112).
- the interactive information element(s) remains the same in the client end device (110). It should be noted that if the client end device is constantly connected to the server via a network, this method may be carried out at periodic intervals or at the user's preference. If the client end device is not constantly connected to the server via a network, the client end device may automatically connect to the server to carry out this method whenever the client end device is connected to the server via a network, or the method may be carried out at the user's preference whenever the client end device is connected to the server via a network.
Abstract
There is provided a method of playing a video game with at least one interactive information element incorporated within the game. The method includes: a player manipulating a control unit to play the game in a preferred mode; and the player having an option to engage the at least one interactive information element when playing the game in the preferred mode. It is advantageous that gameplay is not disrupted when the at least one interactive information element is engaged. Preferably, engagement of the at least one interactive information element is not mandatory for continuation of gameplay. Preferably, the information element may be either advertisements or public announcement services. In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video game including at least one interactive information element, where gameplay is preferably not disrupted when the at least one interactive information element is engaged. Finally, there is also provided a method of incorporating at least one interactive information element into a video game, including: adding an engageable module into the video game; updating the engageable module with the at least one interactive information element; and locating the at least one interactive information element at a juncture in the video game. It is preferable that gameplay is not disrupted when the at least one interactive information element is engaged. Preferably, the engageable module may be updated either locally or from a remote source via a network. The juncture in the video game may be either a specific event in the course of the game or a specific location in the game.
Description
AN INCENTIVE-BASED VIDEO GAMING SYSTEM
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a video game incorporated with at least one interactive information element. The invention also relates to a method of incorporating the at least one interactive information element into a video game.
BACKGROUND
Video games are now generally acknowledged to be a means of entertaining the masses and are no longer perceived to appeal to only people of a younger age group/demographic. The success of standalone gaming consoles like the various iterations of Xbox from Microsoft, and the various iterations of Playstation from Sony provides evidence of the growing acceptance of video games by the mainstream. This successful proliferation of video games into the mainstream has given rise to a multi-million dollar video game industry which is set to grow as the industry is still in its infancy.
Many companies have embraced opportunities offered by in-game advertising to "capture" eyeballs. Soft-drinks, cars, food, IT, media and sporting goods companies are some of the companies that invest substantial sums of money to have their marks, logos, digital representations of their products, and brands included in video games to capture the attention of the mainstream that has grown increasingly jaded of conventional forms of advertising like print and media advertisements.
However, current forms of advertising in video games are restricted to in-game billboards, in- game signages, in-game product placements and other forms of non-interactive in-game elements. A major disadvantage of the current forms of advertising is the fact that a video game player would probably gloss over all the different types of advertising when the player is engrossed by the proceedings of the game during gameplay. There is currently no impetus for the player to pay more attention to the static advertisements while playing the video game. Similarly, the existing forms of advertising do not engage the player during the course of gameplay.
There are currently also no methods available to incorporate interactive and update-able advertisements into existing video games without a major revision of the source code of the video game.
SUMMARY
In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of playing a video game with at least one interactive information element incorporated within the game. The method includes: a player manipulating a control unit to play the game in a preferred mode; and the player having an option to engage the at least one interactive information element when playing the game in the preferred mode. It is advantageous that gameplay is not disrupted when the at least one interactive information element is engaged. Preferably, engagement of the at least one interactive information element is not mandatory for continuation of gameplay. Preferably, the information element may be either advertisements or public announcement services.
Preferably the at least one interactive information element may be, for example, an icon in the game, a character in the game or an item in the game. The manipulation of the control unit may be done either physically or neurologically. Engaging the at least one interactive information element may be by, for example, clicking on the interactive information element, highlighting the interactive information element or interacting with the interactive information element. The at least one interactive element may be located at a juncture in the game such as either a specific event in the course of the game or a specific location in the game. It is advantageous that the at least one interactive element is able to be updated.
The video game may be run on a device such as, for example, a personal entertainment system, a video games console, a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant, a notebook or a desktop computer. The video game may be run either online or offline. In the video game, engagement of the at least one interactive information element may activates an action such as, for example, an on-screen presentation, an electronic token generation system and a combination of the aforementioned. The on-screen presentation may be either within the course of gameplay or in a sub-screen in the game. The electronic tokens may be stored either locally or on a network. It is advantageous that an incidence of interactive information element engagement is countable. The number of counts of the incidence of interactive information element engagement may be stored either locally or on a network.
In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video game including at least one interactive information element, where gameplay is preferably not disrupted when the at least one interactive information element is engaged.
There is also provided a method of incorporating at least one interactive information element into a video game, including: adding an engageable module into the video game; updating the engageable module with the at least one interactive information element; and locating the at least one interactive information element at a juncture in the video game. It is preferable that gameplay is not disrupted when the at least one interactive information element is engaged. Preferably, the engageable module may be updated either locally or from a remote source via
a network. The juncture in the video game may be either a specific event in the course of the game or a specific location in the game.
The at least one interactive information element in the video game may be, for example, an icon in the game, a character in the game or an item in the game. Engaging the at least one interactive information element may be by means selected from the group comprising: clicking on the interactive information element, highlighting the interactive information element and interacting with the interactive information element. It is preferable that engagement of the at least one interactive information element is not mandatory for continuation of gameplay. Engagement of the at least one interactive information element may activate an action such as, for example, an on-screen presentation, an electronic token generation system and a combination of the aforementioned. The on-screen presentation may be either within the course of gameplay or in a sub-screen in the game. Electronic tokens may also be stored either locally or on a network.
Advantageously, an incidence of interactive information element engagement is countable. The number of counts of the incidence of interactive information element engagement may be stored either locally or on a network. It is preferable that the information element is either advertisements or public announcement services. It is also preferable that the at least one interactive element is able to be updated.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
In order that the present invention may be fully understood and readily put into practical effect, there shall now be described by way of non-limitative example only preferred embodiments of the present invention, the description being with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings.
Figure 1 shows a flow chart of a preferred method of the present invention. Figure 2 shows a control unit used in the preferred method of the present invention.
Figure 3 shows an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 shows a flow chart of another preferred method of the present invention.
Figure 5 shows a flow chart of a client end and server interaction process in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 shows a screen capture of a specific juncture of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 shows a screen capture of another specific juncture of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 8 shows a screen capture of yet another specific juncture of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In a first aspect of the present invention, Figure 1 shows a flow chart of a method 20 of playing a video game with at least one interactive information element incorporated within the game. The video game may be of any conceivable genre. The example that is presented in a subsequent section of the description is not meant to limit the application of the present invention to video games of that genre. The video game may be run on a device such as, for example, a personal entertainment system, a video games console, a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant, a notebook and a desktop computer. The personal entertainment system may include entertainment systems installed in the passenger seats of commercial airliners, and long haul buses. The method 20 firstly includes a player manipulating a control unit to play the game in a preferred mode (22). The control unit employed may be similar to the multi-button controller 50 shown in Figure 2 or it may be any other type of control unit such as, for example, a joystick, a keypad, a keyboard and so forth. The control unit may be manipulated either physically or neurologically, where control units that may be manipulated by neurological commands may also be employed to play the video game. Basically, selecting the preferred mode in the video game means that the player selects a manner that the video game is played. Certain video games may have the option of playing games either on a network or offline.
In the course of gameplay in the preferred mode at a certain juncture, the player may encounter an option to engage the at least one interactive information element (24). The at least one interactive element may be located at the certain juncture in the game, wherein the juncture is either a specific event in the course of the game or a specific location in the game. The specific event may be at a point along a timeline of the game. The engagement of the at least one interactive information element may not be mandatory for the continuation of gameplay. The at least one interactive information element may be an icon in the game, a character in the game or an item in the game. Referring to Figure 6, the specific juncture of the game is during character selection, such as in an instance of a massively multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG). A representation 200 of a character is shown, with the character's background and capabilities described in a background box 202 and a capabilities box 204 respectively. The interactive information element may be seen in a supplementary box 206. Figure 7 shows another specific juncture of the game. That juncture is a log-in page to log into the MMORPG. The title 208 is shown and the log-in console 210 is also shown. The interactive information elements may be seen in icons 212. Figure 8 shows yet another specific juncture of the game where the game is loading data to proceed. The screen basically shows a scene which is congruent to the game, with a title 214 shown, a progress bar 216 showing the progress of game loading and the interactive information element 218.
Figure 3 shows examples of the interactive information elements being incorporated in a MMORPG. At a particular juncture in gameplay, a character 52 in the MMORPG controlled by the player may encounter some interactive information elements like a "wings" button 54 to enable the character 52 to fly (an example of an icon in the game), a hamburger monster 56 (an example of a character in the game) and a car 58 (an example of an item in the game). Each interactive information element 54, 56, 58 may be linked/related to a particular advertiser. The interactive information elements 54, 56, 58 may be engaged in different ways. The way of engaging the interactive information elements 54, 56, 58 may depend on the type of element being engaged. For example, the hamburger monster 56 may be engaged only when the character 52 fights and successfully slays the hamburger monster 56. Similarly, the car 58 may be engaged when the character 52 enters the car 58. The "wings" button 54 may be engaged (for example when the character 52 wishes to fly) by clicking on the icon 54 using a pointer, or using an enclosure moving between different icons to highlight the icon 54 to engage the icon 54. A more detailed description of events that occur when the interactive information elements 54, 56, 58 are engaged will be provided in a subsequent section of the description. If the player chooses not to engage any of the interactive information elements 54, 56, 58, the player then continues to play the game (26) without any interruption, although there may be a possibility of detriment to a conclusion/completion of the game if the player does not engage any of the interactive information elements 54, 56, 58. The detriment to the conclusion/completion of the game may result from not getting "rewarded" for engaging the interactive information elements 54, 56, 58. Rewards may be for example, electronic tokens/credits that will be described later or information that may be provided by engaging the interactive information elements 54, 56, 58 that may aid the player in subsequent portions of the video game. The player may be informed of the reward prior to engaging the at least one interactive information element.
If the player chooses to engage any of the interactive information elements 54, 56, 58 in one of a number of ways (28), an action may be activated (30). For example, highlighting the icon 54 may activate an on-screen presentation that may be within the course of gameplay or in a sub-screen in the game. The on-screen presentation may be, for example, an airliner with a particular airline's (an advertiser) paint scheme flying across the screen (overlaid on the game environment and does not disrupt gameplay) trailing a catchphrase of the airline like "A great way to fly". In another example, making the character 52 enter the car 58 may activate the generation of a roar of an engine starting and revving recorded from an engine of an actual car depicted by the car 58. Similarly, making the character 52 slay the hamburger monster 56 may generate a sub-screen showing an advertisement of a chain of fast food restaurants. The sub-screen may also be overlaid on the game environment and may not be disruptive to gameplay.
The player may continue playing the game (32) after cessation of the on-screen presentation. Engaging the interactive information elements 54, 56, 58 may also enable electronic tokens/credits to be earned if the player does not disrupt the on-screen presentation at any juncture (34). The electronic tokens/credits may be stored either locally or on a separate server connected in a network (36). The stored electronic tokens/credits should be verifiable to ascertain their authenticity. The electronic tokens/credits may be accumulated and usable in loyalty programmes (either administered by the advertisers or the game publishers) or may be usable for the game being played to bolster the strength/abilities/weapons/prowess of the character 52. An example of a loyalty programme is when the video game is played on entertainment systems installed in the passenger seats of commercial airliners. Passengers on the airliner may earn electronic tokens/credits that may be converted to either frequent flyer points or inflight meal upgrades.
The advertisers may also be able to count the incidence of interactive information element engagement by monitoring the issuance of the electronic tokens/credits (37). The advertisers may still be able to count the incidence of interactive information element engagement without the issuance of the electronic tokens/credits if engagement of the interactive information element causes a count to be sent to a counter either locally or on a separate server connected in a network (31 ). The local counter may send the counts of incidence of interactive information element engagement to a separate server connected in a network when the player goes online whether when playing the video game or not. The count for the incidence of interactive information element engagement may enable an advertiser to ascertain a value for placing interactive information elements in a particular video game.
However, it should be noted that the interactive information elements are not only for advertising. The interactive information elements may be used for the propagation of public announcement services, such as emergency announcements like warnings for hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, mobilisation of armed forces and the like. For video games that are played in an online mode, the interactive information elements may be updated by automatically downloading and replacing relevant sub-modules controlling the interactive information elements in the video game. This facilitates the instant transmittal of emergency warnings to players of video games (preferably in a particular state/country/affected area only). For video games that are not played online, the interactive information elements may be updated by automatically downloading and replacing relevant sub-modules controlling the interactive information elements in the video game when the player goes online whether when playing the video game or not.
The player may continue playing the game (38) after cessation of the on-screen presentation with the issuance of tokens/credits either completed or on-going. The player may be notified
of the number of tokens/credits being issued at any juncture after the cessation of the onscreen presentation.
There is also disclosed a video game that enables the aforementioned method to be conducted. The video game may be of any conceivable genre. The example that is presented in the description is not meant to limit the application of the present invention to video games of that genre. The video game may be run on a device such as, for example, a personal entertainment system, a video games console, a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant, a notebook and a desktop computer. The personal entertainment system may include entertainment systems installed in the passenger seats of commercial airliners, and long haul buses. A control unit employed for the video game may be similar to the multi- button controller 50 shown in Figure 2 or it may be any other type of control unit such as, for example, a joystick, a keypad, a keyboard and so forth. The control unit may be manipulated either physically or neurologically, where control units that may be manipulated by neurological commands may also be employed to play the video game. The video game may have the option of playing games in several modes, such as either on a network or offline.
While playing the video game, the player may encounter an option to engage at least one interactive information element in the video game. The at least one interactive element may be located at a juncture in the game, wherein the juncture is either a specific event in the course of the game or a specific location in the game. The specific event may be at a point along a timeline of the game. The engagement of the at least one interactive information element may not be mandatory for the continuation of gameplay. The at least one interactive information element may be an icon in the game, a character in the game or an item in the game. Figure 3 shows examples of the interactive information elements being incorporated in a massively multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG). At a particular juncture in gameplay, a character 52 in the MMORPG controlled by the player may encounter some interactive information elements like a "wings" button 54 to enable the character 52 to fly (an example of an icon in the game), a hamburger monster 56 (an example of a character in the game) and a car 58 (an example of an item in the game). Each interactive information element 54, 56, 58 may be linked/related to a particular advertiser. The interactive information elements 54, 56, 58 may be engaged in different ways. The way of engaging the interactive information elements 54, 56, 58 may depend on the type of element being engaged. For example, the hamburger monster 56 may be engaged when the character 52 fights and successfully slays the hamburger monster 56. Similarly, the car 58 may be engaged when the character 52 enters the car 58. The "wings" icon 54 may be engaged (for example when the character 52 wishes to fly) by clicking on the icon 54 using a pointer, or using an enclosure moving between different icons to highlight the icon 54 to engage the icon 54. A more detailed description of events that occur when the interactive information elements 54, 56, 58 are engaged will be provided in a subsequent section of the description. If the player chooses not
to engage any of the interactive information elements 54, 56, 58, the player then continues to play the game without any interruption, although there may be a possibility of detriment to a conclusion/completion of the game if the player does not engage any of the interactive information elements 54, 56, 58. The detriment to the conclusion/completion of the game may result from not getting "rewarded" for engaging the interactive information elements 54, 56, 58. Rewards may be for example, electronic tokens/credits that will be described later or information that may be provided by engaging the interactive information elements 54, 56, 58 that may aid the player in subsequent portions of the video game. The player may be informed of the reward prior to engaging the at least one interactive information element.
If the player chooses to engage any of the interactive information elements 54, 56, 58, an action may be activated. For example, highlighting the icon 54 may activate an on-screen presentation that may be within the course of gameplay or in a sub-screen in the game. The on-screen presentation may be, for example, an airliner with a particular airline's (an advertiser) paint scheme flying across the screen (overlaid on the game environment and does not disrupt gameplay) trailing a catchphrase of the airline like "A great way to fly". In another example, making the character 52 enter the car 58 may activate the generation of a roar of an engine starting and revving recorded from an engine of an actual car depicted by the car 58. Similarly, making the character 52 slay the hamburger monster 56 would generate a sub-screen showing an advertisement of a chain of fast food restaurants. The sub-screen may also be overlaid on the game environment and may not be disruptive to gameplay.
The player may continue playing the game after cessation of the on-screen presentation. Engaging the interactive information elements 54, 56, 58 may enable electronic tokens/credits to be earned if the player does not disrupt the on-screen presentation at any juncture. The electronic tokens/credits may be stored either locally or on a separate server connected in a network. The stored electronic tokens/credits should be verifiable to ascertain their authenticity. The electronic tokens/credits may be accumulated and usable in loyalty programmes (either administered by the advertisers or the game publishers) or may be usable for the game being played to bolster the strength/abilities/weapons/prowess of the character 52. An example of a loyalty programme is when the video game is played on entertainment systems installed in the passenger seats of commercial airliners. Passengers on the airliner may earn electronic tokens/credits that may be converted to either frequent flyer points or inflight meal upgrades.
The advertisers may be able to count the incidence of interactive information element engagement by monitoring the issuance of the electronic tokens/credits. The advertisers may still be able to count the incidence of interactive information element engagement without the issuance of the electronic tokens/credits if engagement of the interactive information element causes a count to be sent to a counter either locally or on a separate server connected in a
network. The local counter may send the counts of incidence of interactive information element engagement to a separate server connected in a network when the player goes online whether when playing the video game or not. The count for the incidence of interactive information element engagement may enable an advertiser to ascertain a value for placing interactive information elements in a particular video game.
However, it should be noted that the interactive information elements are not only for advertising. The interactive information elements may be used for the propagation of public announcement services, such as emergency announcements like warnings for hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, mobilisation of armed forces and the like. For video games that are played in an online mode, the interactive information elements may be updated by automatically downloading and replacing relevant sub-modules controlling the interactive information elements in the video game. This facilitates the instant transmittal of emergency warnings to players of video games (preferably in a particular state/country/affected area only). For video games that are not played online, the interactive information elements may be updated by automatically downloading and replacing relevant sub-modules controlling the interactive information elements in the video game when the player goes online whether when playing the video game or not.
The player may continue playing the game after cessation of the on-screen presentation with the issuance of tokens/credits either completed or on-going. The player may be notified of the number of tokens/credits being issued at any juncture after the cessation of the on-screen presentation.
In another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a method of incorporating at least one interactive information element into a video game. Referring to Figure 4, there may be a video game that has been published or in the midst of development (80). A module may be added to the video game that may either be published or in the midst of development (82). The module may enable the at least one interactive information element to be added such that the at least one interactive information element appears in the video game and is engageable. The module may allow the at least one interactive information element to be updated by automatically downloading and replacing relevant sub-modules of the interactive information elements in the video game whenever the player goes online. The module may also enable the location of the at least one interactive information element at a juncture in the video game (84). With the incorporation of the module in the video game (86), gameplay is still not disrupted when the at least one interactive information element is engaged. The video game with the incorporated module would be similar to the video game as described in prior sections of the description.
Referring to Figure 5, there is shown a preferred method of client end and server interaction for the present invention. Firstly, the client end device, such as, for example, a personal entertainment system, a video games console, a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant, a notebook and a desktop computer may be activated and subsequently connected to a server via a network (100). The server may then obtain data from the client end device and determine whether the interactive information element(s) is legitimate (102) as the interactive information element(s) may be illegally modified. If the interactive information element(s) is found to be not legitimate, the interactive information element(s) is then removed from the client end device (104). If the interactive information element(s) is found to be legitimate, the server check information on the client end device relating to the interactive information element(s) (106) and may include the downloading of the incidence of interactive information element(s) activation for processing as described in an earlier portion of the description. Subsequently, the server then determines whether the interactive information element(s) needs to be changed/renewed (108). If the interactive information element(s) needs to be changed/renewed, then new interactive information element(s) are sent to the client end device (112). If change/renewal of the interactive information element(s) is not required, then the interactive information element(s) remains the same in the client end device (110). It should be noted that if the client end device is constantly connected to the server via a network, this method may be carried out at periodic intervals or at the user's preference. If the client end device is not constantly connected to the server via a network, the client end device may automatically connect to the server to carry out this method whenever the client end device is connected to the server via a network, or the method may be carried out at the user's preference whenever the client end device is connected to the server via a network.
Whilst there has been described in the foregoing description preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the technology concerned that many variations or modifications in details of design or construction may be made without departing from the present invention.
Claims
1. A method of playing a video game with at least one interactive information element incorporated within the game, including: a player manipulating a control unit to play the game in a preferred mode; and the player having an option to engage the at least one interactive information element when playing the game in the preferred mode; wherein gameplay is not disrupted when the at least one interactive information element is engaged.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one interactive information element is selected from a group comprising: an icon in the game, a character in the game and an item in the game.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the manipulation of the control unit is done either physically or neurologically.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein engaging the at least one interactive information element is by means selected from the group comprising: clicking on the interactive information element, highlighting the interactive information element and interacting with the interactive information element.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein engagement of the at least one interactive information element is not mandatory for continuation of gameplay.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the video game is run on a device selected from a group comprising: a personal entertainment system, a video games console, a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant, a notebook and a desktop computer.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the video game is run either online or offline.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein engagement of the at least one interactive information element activates an action selected from the group comprising: an on-screen presentation, an electronic token generation system and a combination of the aforementioned.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the on-screen presentation is either within the course of gameplay or in a sub-screen in the game.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the electronic tokens are stored either locally or on a network.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein an incidence of interactive information element engagement is countable.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein a number of counts of the incidence of interactive information element engagement is stored either locally or on a network.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the information element is selected from the group comprising: advertisements and public announcement services.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one interactive element is located at a juncture in the game, wherein the juncture is either a specific event in the course of the game or a specific location in the game.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one interactive element is able to be updated.
16. A video game including at least one interactive information element, wherein gameplay is not disrupted when the at least one interactive information element is engaged.
17. The video game of claim 16, wherein the at least one interactive information element is selected from a group comprising: an icon in the game, a character in the game and an item in the game.
18. The video game of claim 16, wherein engaging the at least one interactive information element is by means selected from the group comprising: clicking on the interactive information element, highlighting the interactive information element and interacting with the interactive information element.
19. The video game of claim 16, wherein engagement of the at least one interactive information element is not mandatory for continuation of gameplay.
20. The video game of claim 16 is run on a device selected from a group comprising: a personal entertainment system, a video games console, a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant, a notebook and a desktop computer.
21. The video game of claim 16 is run either online or offline.
22. The video game of claim 16, wherein engagement of the at least one interactive information element activates an action selected from the group comprising: an on-screen presentation, an electronic token generation system and a combination of the aforementioned.
23. The video game of claim 22, wherein the on-screen presentation is either within the course of gameplay or in a sub-screen in the game.
24. The video game of claim 22, wherein the electronic tokens are stored either locally or on a network.
25. The video game of claim 16, wherein an incidence of interactive information element engagement is countable.
26. The video game of claim 25, wherein a number of counts of the incidence of interactive information element engagement is stored either locally or on a network.
27. The video game of claim 16, wherein the information element is selected from the group comprising: advertisements, and public announcement services.
28. The video game of claim 16, wherein the at least one interactive element is located at a juncture in the game, wherein the juncture is either a specific event in the course of the game or a specific location in the game.
29. The video game of claim 16, wherein the at least one interactive element is able to be updated.
30. A method of incorporating at least one interactive information element into a video game, including: adding an engageable module into the video game; updating the engageable module with the at least one interactive information element; and locating the at least one interactive information element at a juncture in the video game, wherein gameplay is not disrupted when the at least one interactive information element is engaged.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein the engageable module is updated either locally or from a remote source via a network.
32. The method of claim 30, wherein the juncture in the video game is either a specific event in the course of the game or a specific location in the game.
33. The method of claim 30, wherein the at least one interactive information element is selected from a group comprising: an icon in the game, a character in the game and an item in the game.
34. The method of claim 30, wherein engaging the at least one interactive information element is by means selected from the group comprising: clicking on the interactive information element, highlighting the interactive information element and interacting with the interactive information element.
35. The method of claim 30, wherein engagement of the at least one interactive information element is not mandatory for continuation of gameplay.
36. The method of claim 30, wherein the video game is run on a device selected from a group comprising: a personal entertainment system, a video games console, a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant, a notebook and a desktop computer.
37. The method of claim 30, wherein the video game is run either online or offline.
38. The method of claim 30, wherein engagement of the at least one interactive information element activates an action selected from the group comprising: an on-screen presentation, an electronic token generation system and a combination of the aforementioned.
39. The method of claim 38, wherein the on-screen presentation is either within the course of gameplay or in a sub-screen in the game.
40. The method of claim 38, wherein the electronic tokens are stored either locally or on a network.
41. The method of claim 30, wherein an incidence of interactive information element engagement is countable.
42. The method of claim 41 , wherein a number of counts of the incidence of interactive information element engagement is stored either locally or on a network.
43. The method of claim 30, wherein the information element is selected from the group comprising: advertisements and public announcement services.
44. The method of claim 30, wherein the at least one interactive element is able to be updated.
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/SG2006/000195 WO2008008038A1 (en) | 2006-07-12 | 2006-07-12 | An incentive-based video gaming system |
CNA2006800553111A CN101484219A (en) | 2006-07-12 | 2006-07-12 | An incentive-based video gaming system |
US12/352,045 US20090176577A1 (en) | 2006-07-12 | 2009-01-12 | Incentive-Based Video Gaming System |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/SG2006/000195 WO2008008038A1 (en) | 2006-07-12 | 2006-07-12 | An incentive-based video gaming system |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/352,045 Continuation US20090176577A1 (en) | 2006-07-12 | 2009-01-12 | Incentive-Based Video Gaming System |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2008008038A1 true WO2008008038A1 (en) | 2008-01-17 |
Family
ID=38923508
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/SG2006/000195 WO2008008038A1 (en) | 2006-07-12 | 2006-07-12 | An incentive-based video gaming system |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20090176577A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN101484219A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2008008038A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2529804A1 (en) * | 2011-05-31 | 2012-12-05 | Nintendo Co., Ltd. | Information processing system, information processing program, and information processing method |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8926435B2 (en) * | 2008-12-15 | 2015-01-06 | Sony Computer Entertainment America Llc | Dual-mode program execution |
DE102012019726A1 (en) * | 2012-10-09 | 2014-04-10 | GAN Technologies UG (haftungsbeschränkt) | Method for displaying video advertising in browser applications |
US9452353B2 (en) | 2012-11-08 | 2016-09-27 | Visa International Service Association | Game card including payment identifier |
US10449461B1 (en) * | 2018-05-07 | 2019-10-22 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Contextual in-game element recognition, annotation and interaction based on remote user input |
US11331586B2 (en) * | 2019-08-22 | 2022-05-17 | Nvidia Corporation | Joining or replaying a game instance from a game broadcast |
Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6036601A (en) * | 1999-02-24 | 2000-03-14 | Adaboy, Inc. | Method for advertising over a computer network utilizing virtual environments of games |
WO2001035302A1 (en) * | 1999-11-11 | 2001-05-17 | United Virtualities, Inc. | Computerized advertising method and system |
EP1134009A2 (en) * | 2000-03-07 | 2001-09-19 | Fujitsu Limited | Three-dimensional interactive game system and advertising system using the same |
WO2001091869A2 (en) * | 2000-05-31 | 2001-12-06 | Intel Corporation | Providing advertising with video games |
JP2002369965A (en) * | 2001-06-15 | 2002-12-24 | Ace Denken:Kk | Game program, game site management device, program and game site management method |
US20040148221A1 (en) * | 2003-01-24 | 2004-07-29 | Viva Chu | Online game advertising system |
EP1607918A1 (en) * | 2004-06-17 | 2005-12-21 | Atronic International GmbH | Gaming machine providing pop-up advertising |
Family Cites Families (24)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8574074B2 (en) * | 2005-09-30 | 2013-11-05 | Sony Computer Entertainment America Llc | Advertising impression determination |
US7895076B2 (en) * | 1995-06-30 | 2011-02-22 | Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. | Advertisement insertion, profiling, impression, and feedback |
JP4040117B2 (en) * | 1995-06-30 | 2008-01-30 | ソニー株式会社 | Game machine and game machine control method |
US5838790A (en) * | 1996-04-19 | 1998-11-17 | Juno Online Services, L.P. | Advertisement authentication system in which advertisements are downloaded for off-line display |
US6758755B2 (en) * | 1996-11-14 | 2004-07-06 | Arcade Planet, Inc. | Prize redemption system for games executed over a wide area network |
US6643696B2 (en) * | 1997-03-21 | 2003-11-04 | Owen Davis | Method and apparatus for tracking client interaction with a network resource and creating client profiles and resource database |
WO1999060504A1 (en) * | 1998-05-15 | 1999-11-25 | Unicast Communications Corporation | A technique for implementing browser-initiated network-distributed advertising and for interstitially displaying an advertisement |
US7054831B2 (en) * | 1999-07-07 | 2006-05-30 | Eric Koenig | System and method for combining interactive game with interactive advertising |
US6928414B1 (en) * | 2000-04-12 | 2005-08-09 | Jae Heon Kim | Advertisement method using game program on the internet and method for executing the game program having the advertisement according to the advertisement method |
WO2002015103A1 (en) * | 2000-08-17 | 2002-02-21 | Day Adam S | Website promotional applet process |
US6826614B1 (en) * | 2001-05-04 | 2004-11-30 | Western Digital Ventures, Inc. | Caching advertising information in a mobile terminal to enhance remote synchronization and wireless internet browsing |
US20040116183A1 (en) * | 2002-12-16 | 2004-06-17 | Prindle Joseph Charles | Digital advertisement insertion system and method for video games |
JP4322614B2 (en) * | 2003-09-30 | 2009-09-02 | 株式会社スクウェア・エニックス | Ad distribution system |
US20060063587A1 (en) * | 2004-09-13 | 2006-03-23 | Manzo Anthony V | Gaming advertisement systems and methods |
US20060063590A1 (en) * | 2004-09-21 | 2006-03-23 | Paul Abassi | Mechanism to control game usage on user devices |
US20060111970A1 (en) * | 2004-11-24 | 2006-05-25 | Microsoft Corporation | System and method for selling on-line and off-line advertising in content delivered to a display screen |
US20060111971A1 (en) * | 2004-11-24 | 2006-05-25 | Microsoft Corporation | System and method for on-line and off-line advertising in content delivered to a display screen |
US8246464B2 (en) * | 2004-12-17 | 2012-08-21 | Google Inc. | Caching and reporting system for accelerating combined computer gaming and advertising |
US20060135233A1 (en) * | 2004-12-17 | 2006-06-22 | Daniel Willis | System and method for managing advertising content delivery in an on-line gaming environment |
EP1713206A1 (en) * | 2005-04-11 | 2006-10-18 | Last Mile Communications/Tivis Limited | A distributed communications network comprising wirelessly linked base stations |
US20060242012A1 (en) * | 2005-04-22 | 2006-10-26 | Sumit Agarwal | Determining or scoring properties to solicit to join ad network using advertiser or aggregated advertiser interest |
US20060271425A1 (en) * | 2005-05-27 | 2006-11-30 | Microsoft Corporation | Advertising in application programs |
US20060282316A1 (en) * | 2005-06-14 | 2006-12-14 | Nokia Corporation | Ad click cache on a user device and method |
US20060287916A1 (en) * | 2005-06-15 | 2006-12-21 | Steven Starr | Media marketplaces |
-
2006
- 2006-07-12 CN CNA2006800553111A patent/CN101484219A/en active Pending
- 2006-07-12 WO PCT/SG2006/000195 patent/WO2008008038A1/en active Search and Examination
-
2009
- 2009-01-12 US US12/352,045 patent/US20090176577A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6036601A (en) * | 1999-02-24 | 2000-03-14 | Adaboy, Inc. | Method for advertising over a computer network utilizing virtual environments of games |
WO2001035302A1 (en) * | 1999-11-11 | 2001-05-17 | United Virtualities, Inc. | Computerized advertising method and system |
EP1134009A2 (en) * | 2000-03-07 | 2001-09-19 | Fujitsu Limited | Three-dimensional interactive game system and advertising system using the same |
WO2001091869A2 (en) * | 2000-05-31 | 2001-12-06 | Intel Corporation | Providing advertising with video games |
JP2002369965A (en) * | 2001-06-15 | 2002-12-24 | Ace Denken:Kk | Game program, game site management device, program and game site management method |
US20040148221A1 (en) * | 2003-01-24 | 2004-07-29 | Viva Chu | Online game advertising system |
EP1607918A1 (en) * | 2004-06-17 | 2005-12-21 | Atronic International GmbH | Gaming machine providing pop-up advertising |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2529804A1 (en) * | 2011-05-31 | 2012-12-05 | Nintendo Co., Ltd. | Information processing system, information processing program, and information processing method |
US10350497B2 (en) | 2011-05-31 | 2019-07-16 | Nintendo Co., Ltd. | Information processing apparatus, information processing system, computer-readable storage medium, and information processing method for displaying a degree of progress for a task |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20090176577A1 (en) | 2009-07-09 |
CN101484219A (en) | 2009-07-15 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
JP6530363B2 (en) | Computer system, game system and game device | |
JP6549089B2 (en) | Computer system, game system and game device | |
JP7068776B2 (en) | Computer systems, control methods, viewer terminals, and programs | |
US9555333B2 (en) | Video games including real-life attributes and/or fantasy settings | |
JP7410258B2 (en) | Programs, computer systems and control methods | |
US7396281B2 (en) | Participant interaction with entertainment in real and virtual environments | |
Vedrashko | Advertising in computer games | |
JP6416819B2 (en) | Program and computer system | |
JP6437994B2 (en) | Computer system, game system, player terminal and program | |
US20090176577A1 (en) | Incentive-Based Video Gaming System | |
JP6317410B2 (en) | Program and computer system | |
JP6769813B2 (en) | Programs and computer systems | |
JP6876092B2 (en) | Computer systems, game systems and game devices | |
JP7289188B2 (en) | Program, computer system, game system, and object creation process execution control method | |
JP6722503B2 (en) | Computer system and program | |
JP6721397B2 (en) | Server system and program | |
JP6621156B1 (en) | GAME SYSTEM, COMPUTER PROGRAM USED FOR THE SAME, AND CONTROL METHOD | |
JP7018214B2 (en) | Programs, game systems and methods | |
JP7012636B2 (en) | Computer systems, game systems and game equipment | |
JP6703074B2 (en) | Program and computer system | |
JP2017196281A (en) | Server system and program | |
JP2019177036A (en) | Server system and game system | |
JP7303462B2 (en) | computer programs and computer equipment | |
WO2020166514A1 (en) | Game system, computer program for use in same, and control method | |
JP2023138715A (en) | System and computer program |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 200680055311.1 Country of ref document: CN |
|
121 | Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application |
Ref document number: 06769678 Country of ref document: EP Kind code of ref document: A1 |
|
DPE1 | Request for preliminary examination filed after expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed from 20040101) | ||
DPE1 | Request for preliminary examination filed after expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed from 20040101) | ||
NENP | Non-entry into the national phase |
Ref country code: DE |
|
NENP | Non-entry into the national phase |
Ref country code: RU |
|
122 | Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase |
Ref document number: 06769678 Country of ref document: EP Kind code of ref document: A1 |
|
DPE1 | Request for preliminary examination filed after expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed from 20040101) |