patent
Looking Back at the DK Bongos Design Patent
Remember the plastic bongos that plugged into the GameCube to play those Donkey Kong-themed rhythm games? Well, have we got the patent for you...
Palworld 1.0 Launches as Nintendo Patent Case Targets Earlier Versions
Palworld 1.0 has launched while Nintendo and The Pokémon Company's pending patent claims against Pocketpair remain limited to earlier, pre-patch versions of the game.
Bandai Namco’s Strange Photography Arcade Cabinet Patent
Back in 2001, the U.S. Patent Office issued Bandai Namco a patent for a camera-controlled arcade game, complete with a massive cabinet styled after a camera.
Microsoft’s Earphone-Based Game Controller and Health Monitor Patent
In 2012, Microsoft received a patent for an in-ear game controller that could monitor user health data and map it to in-game graphics.
Chinese Patent Office Publishes a Nintendo Patent for a Dock Compatible with Both the Switch and Switch 2
Nintendo’s move in China might signal a coming commercial application for their dock technology.
A Look Back at the GameCube Controller’s Design Patents from Early 2001
Fancy a blast from the past? This week, we’re having a look back at the pair of patents that would go on to become Nintendo’s iconic GameCube controller.
Federal Circuit Signals Skepticism in Epic Tech LLC Patent Case
A recent Federal Circuit oral argument in Epic Tech LLC's patent case highlights the growing importance of evaluating patent strength before filing suit, as weak infringement claims may increase the risk of…
SAP SE’s 2012 “Game Buddy” Patent
Ever feel lonely while playing video games? Back in 2012, the U.S. Patent Office issued a patent to SAP SE geared toward addressing this problem with an AI companion that responds to…
Sony’s 2021 “Inventory Coach” Patent
Sifting through inventory in your favorite RPG can be boring. In 2021, Sony attempted to streamline this process by patenting an AI model to help coach you through what to throw out…
The Weird and Wonderful World of Joystick Patents
The U.S. patent office has issued some cool and strange joystick patents over the years. In this post, we have a look at some of our favorites!
Nike’s Patent for a Video Game System with Biofeedback
In 2024, Nike received a patent for a video game chair that register's a user's biometric data and displays it on screen.
Exploring Nintendo’s 2019 Pokéball Plus Patent
Nintendo’s game controller, shaped like a Pokéball and patented back in 2019, features a button, a vibrator, and an antenna.
Sony Files Patent Application on Patent Buttons That Get Harder or Softer Based on Touch
Sony's international patent application WO2026110304 concerns controller buttons with reactive hardness/softness.
The Beat Don’t Lie: An Overview of Rhythm Game Patents
A survey of some active U.S. patents relating to rhythm video games, including patents by Harmonix and Nintendo.
Nintendo’s 2014 GameBoy Emulation Patent
Nintnedo's patent relates to the emulation of GameBoy games on “low-capability target platform[s].”
Microsoft’s Accessibility-Focused Refreshable Braille Display Controller Patent
Microsoft's patent involves“a refreshable braille display accessory for a game controller” that would allow blind video game players to read on-screen text.
Corsair Receives Japanese Utility Model for “Sensing” Mouse Wheel
Corsair recently was awarded Japanese Utility Model No. 3,251,063, which describes a “sensing roller device” for a mouse that can provide a “virtual bodily sensation" (that is, it seems, tactile feedback like…
Colopl receives Japanese patent on replaying location-based events
Japanese game developer Colopl Inc. has received a Japanese patent, Japanese Pat. No. 7,671,912, directed to a “replay control means” that can “revive” an event for a specific location.
Palmer Luckey’s User-Killing VR Headset: Creepy, but Eligible to be Filed as a Patent Application
Famous VR developer Palmer Luckey recently developed a virtual reality headset rigged with bombs such that, if you lose the game, the headset explodes and kills the user. Per Luckey’s blog: The…
U.S. Patent No. 10,471,357: Systems and methods for simulating a particular user in an interactive computer system
U.S. Patent No. 10,471,357: Systems and methods for simulating a particular user in an interactive computer system Issued: November 12, 2019, to Take Two Interactive Software Inc. Priority Date: April 13, 2005…