U.S. Pat. No. 11,097,193

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present specification relates to dynamically providing incentives to a first player for inviting one or more additional players to a game, who join the game through the first player's invitation. Furthermore, if a second player is successfully invited to the game by the first player, and the second player further successfully invites one or more other players to the game, additional rewards and/or incentives are provided to the first player and rewards are also provided to the second player. Therefore, a hierarchy of rewards is formed with each successfully invited player. The systems and methods of the present specification may release the rewards at one or more instances of when an invited player accepts the invitation, when a player creates a gaming profile and/or activates the gaming profile, or when the successfully invited player(s) have played the game for a certain minimum amount of time or for any other pre-defined threshold, or any other occasion, which is predetermined by the game developer.

The present specification is directed towards multiple embodiments. The following disclosure is provided in order to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention. Language used in this specification should not be interpreted as a general disavowal of any one specific embodiment or used to limit the claims beyond the meaning of the terms used therein. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Also, the terminology and phraseology used is for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Thus, the present specification is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed. For purpose of clarity, details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

In the description and claims of the application, each of the words “comprise” “include” and “have”, and forms thereof, are not necessarily limited to members in a list with which the words may be associated.

It should be noted herein that any feature or component described in association with a specific embodiment may be used and implemented with any other embodiment unless clearly indicated otherwise.

It should be appreciated that the programmatic methods described herein may be performed on any computing device, including a laptop, desktop, smartphone, tablet computer, specialized gaming console, or virtual reality system. The computing device comprises at least one processor and a nonvolatile memory that stores the programmatic instructions which, when executed by the processor, perform the methods or steps disclosed herein, including the generation of a graphical user interface that is communicated to a local or remote display. The computing device is in communication with at least one remotely located server through a network of any type.

The embodiments disclosed herein are directed to an improvement in computer-related technology (enabling computers to enable improved gaming experiences in an online multiplayer gaming environment), and thus do not recite abstract ideas or concepts. The improved computing gaming experiences are achieved through the use of specific rules to collect and evaluate player data within the gaming environment which, when executed, enable the automation of specific content generation, player matching, and other gaming experiences that previously were not available or could not be automated. These new computer gaming rules improve existing technological processes in gaming and, therefore, are not abstract or conceptual in nature. This specification therefore teaches how the disclosed inventions improve a gaming technology using a specific set of rules, and particular solutions to the aforementioned failures in conventional gaming systems to achieve the desired outcomes.

While aspects of the present specification may be described herein with reference to various game levels or modes, characters, roles, game items, etc. associated with a First-Person-Shooter (FPS) game, it should be appreciated that any such examples are for illustrative purposes only, and are not intended to be limiting. The matchmaking system and method described in detail herein may be used in any genre of multiplayer video game, without limitation.

The terminology used within this specification and detailed description of the various embodiments is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention.

As used herein, the term “a degree of” may be construed to mean a measure calculated by a processing device to a certain parameter, and used to assist in inferring an extent of that parameter.

The term “generating rewards” may be construed to mean a technical process of using a processor to change data entries which are used by the processor of a gaming console or gaming server in the process of programmatically generating valuable in-game benefits for a player within a gameplay session, which may include receiving extra points, health, treasure, virtual currency, weaponry, clothing, accessories, tokens, icons, access to restricted levels, bonus play, or other benefits.

In embodiments, a “successful invitation” may be construed to mean an invitation which has been accepted by a player when invited by another player, thereby resulting in the player actually playing the game.

The term “a multiplayer game environment” or “massively multiplayer online game” may be construed to mean a specific hardware architecture in which one or more servers electronically communicate with, and concurrently support game interactions with, a plurality of client devices, thereby enabling each of the client devices to simultaneously play in the same instance of the same game. Preferably the plurality of client devices number in the dozens, preferably hundreds, preferably thousands. In one embodiment, the number of concurrently supported client devices ranges from 10 to 5,000,000 and every whole number increment or range therein. Accordingly, a multiplayer game environment or massively multiplayer online game is a computer-related technology, a non-generic technological environment, and should not be abstractly considered a generic method of organizing human activity divorced from its specific technology environment.

Exemplary System Architecture

FIGS. 1A and 1Billustrate systems for providing multiplayer video games, according to some implementations of the present specification, referred to as a multiplayer game environment or multiplayer gaming environment.FIG. 1Aillustrates an implementation in which server(s)150function as a host computer that hosts gameplay between other devices, such as computer system(s)110.FIG. 1Billustrates an implementation in which a given computer system110functions as a host computer that hosts gameplay between (or with) other devices, such as other computer system(s)110. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the description of various system components may refer to either or both ofFIGS. 1A and 1B.

System100may be used to implement various embodiments described in subsequent sections of the present specification. For example, system100may implement various programs that result in greater performance by the players, better satisfaction with the play experience irrespective of the level of skill, result in greater satisfaction/enjoyment by the players, and/or otherwise will lead to positive gameplay outcomes for the players. In one implementation, system100may include one or more computer systems110, one or more servers150, one or more databases160, and/or other components.

Computer system110may be configured as a gaming console, a handheld gaming device, a personal computer (e.g., a desktop computer, a laptop computer, etc.), a smartphone, a tablet computing device, a smart television, and/or other device that can be used to interact with an instance of a video game.

Referring toFIG. 1B, computer system110may include one or more processors112(also interchangeably referred to herein as processors112, processor(s)112, or processor112for convenience), one or more storage devices114(which may store one or more applications120), one or more peripherals140, and/or other components. Processors112may be programmed by one or more computer program instructions. For example, processors112may be programmed by application120and/or other instructions (such as gaming instructions used to instantiate the game).

Depending on the system configuration, application120(or portions thereof) may be part of a game application, which creates a game instance to facilitate gameplay. Alternatively or additionally, application120may run on a device such as a server150to perform its designated function(s) for users in an “online” game hosted by server150.

Application120may include instructions that program computer system110, each of which are described in greater detail herein. As used herein, for convenience, the various instructions will be described as performing an operation, when, in fact, the various instructions program the processors112(and therefore computer system110) to perform the operation.

Peripherals140may be used to obtain an input (e.g., direct input, measured input, etc.) from a player. Peripherals140may include, without limitation, a game controller, a gamepad, a keyboard, a mouse, an imaging device such as a camera, a motion sensing device, a light sensor, a biometric sensor, and/or other peripheral device that can obtain an input from and/or relating to a player. Peripherals140may be coupled to a corresponding computer system110via a wired and/or wireless connection.

Server150may include one or more computing devices. Referring back toFIG. 1A, Server150may include one or more physical processors152(also interchangeably referred to herein as processors152, processor(s)152, or processor152for convenience) programmed by computer program instructions, one or more storage devices154(which may store an application120), and/or other components. Processors152may be programmed by one or more computer program instructions. For example, processors152may be programmed by gaming instructions used to instantiate the game.

Depending on the system configuration, application120(or portions thereof) may be part of a game application, which creates a game instance to facilitate gameplay. Alternatively, or additionally, portions or all of application120may run on computer system110or server150. Application120may include instructions that program server150to perform various operations, each of which are described in greater detail herein. As used herein, for convenience, the various instructions will be described as performing an operation, when, in fact, the various instructions program the processors152(and therefore server150) to perform the operation.

Although illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 1Bas a single component, computer system110and server150may each include a plurality of individual components (e.g., computer devices) each programmed with at least some of the functions described herein. In this manner, some components of computer system110and/or server150may perform some functions while other components may perform other functions, as would be appreciated. The one or more processors (112,152) may each include one or more physical processors that are programmed by computer program instructions. Thus, either or both server150and computer system110may function as a host computer programmed by application120. The various instructions described herein are exemplary only. Other configurations and numbers of instructions may be used, so long as the processor(s) (112,152) are programmed to perform the functions described herein.

Furthermore, it should be appreciated that although the various instructions are illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 1Bas being co-located within a single processing unit, in implementations in which processor(s) (112,152) includes multiple processing units, one or more instructions may be executed remotely from the other instructions.

The description of the functionality provided by the different instructions described herein is for illustrative purposes, and is not intended to be limiting, as any of instructions may provide more or less functionality than is described. For example, one or more of the instructions may be eliminated, and some or all of its functionality may be provided by other ones of the instructions. As another example, processor(s) (112,152) may be programmed by one or more additional instructions that may perform some or all of the functionality attributed herein to one of the instructions.

The various instructions described herein may be stored in a storage device (114,154) which may comprise random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), and/or other memory. The storage device may store the computer program instructions (e.g., the aforementioned instructions) to be executed by processor (112,152) as well as data that may be manipulated by processor (112,152). The storage device may comprise floppy disks, hard disks, optical disks, tapes, or other storage media for storing computer-executable instructions and/or data.

The various components illustrated inFIG. 1may be coupled to at least one other component via a network, which may include any one or more of, for instance, the Internet, an intranet, a PAN (Personal Area Network), a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), a SAN (Storage Area Network), a MAN (Metropolitan Area Network), a wireless network, a cellular communications network, a Public Switched Telephone Network, and/or other network. InFIG. 1, as well as in other drawing Figures, different numbers of entities than those depicted may be used. Furthermore, according to various implementations, the components described herein may be implemented in hardware and/or software that configure hardware.

The various databases160described herein may be, include, or interface to, for example, an Oracle™ relational database sold commercially by Oracle Corporation. Other databases, such as Informix™, DB2 (Database 2) or other data storage, including file-based, or query formats, platforms, or resources such as OLAP (On Line Analytical Processing), SQL (Structured Query Language), a SAN (storage area network), Microsoft Access™ or others may also be used, incorporated, or accessed. The database may comprise one or more such databases that reside in one or more physical devices and in one or more physical locations. The database may store a plurality of types of data and/or files and associated data or file descriptions, administrative information, or any other data.

FIG. 2Aillustrates an exemplary system configuration200A in which a server hosts a plurality of computer devices to facilitate a multiplayer game, according to an implementation of the present specification. In one implementation, one or more servers150(illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 1B) may host a number of computer systems110(illustrated as computer systems110A,110B, . . . ,110N) via a network102. Each computer system110may include one or more peripherals (illustrated as peripherals140A,140B, . . . ,140N). In this manner, one or more servers150may facilitate the gameplay of different players using different computer systems110and/or otherwise provide one or more operations of application120(illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 1B).

In some instances, a given server150may be associated with a proprietary gameplay network system, such as, without limitation, the Sony PlayStation® Network, Microsoft Xbox Live®, and/or any other gameplay network system. In this implementation, a given computer system110may be associated with a particular type of gaming console. Other types of computer systems110using other types of gameplay networks may be used as well.

FIG. 2Billustrates an exemplary system configuration200B in which a plurality of computer systems110are networked together to facilitate a multiplayer game, according to an implementation of the present specification. Any one or more of the computer devices110may serve as a host and/or otherwise provide one or more operations of application120(illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 1B).

FIG. 2Cillustrates an exemplary system configuration200C in which a computer system110is used by a plurality of users to facilitate a multiplayer game, according to an implementation of the present specification. In an implementation, computer system110may be considered to host the multiplayer game and/or otherwise provide one or more operations of application120(illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 1B).

Referring toFIGS. 2A-2C, simultaneously, in an implementation, a host may facilitate the multiplayer game by sending invitations to one or more contacts through social groups, to play the game and/or performing other operations described herein. In an implementation, at least some of these operations may also or instead be performed by one or more individual computer systems110. Furthermore, the illustrated system configurations are exemplary only and should not be viewed as limiting in any way. Other system configurations may be used as well, as would be appreciated by those having skill in the art.

Data Structure and Engagement Methods

In an implementation of the present specification, application120enables players of a multiplayer game to actively engage other individuals, who may be online and are not concurrently playing the game. Application120may also enable the players to receive benefits for actively engaging the other individuals. The other individuals, referred to as potential players, may be other persons who are in contact with the players of the multiplayer game, through one or more social groups. In some embodiments, the engagement system is in the form of an invitation to play the game. Once an invitation is accepted by a recipient, the player sending the invitations is rewarded through the game.

Application Architecture

FIG. 3illustrates an exemplary set of modules implemented by application120described in the context ofFIGS. 1A and 1B, in accordance with some embodiments of the present specification. In some embodiments, application120provides or implements a plurality of modules, such as, but not limited to a player qualification module302, an invitation generation module304, an invitation transmission module306, an invitation tracking module308, and a reward allocation module310. It should be appreciated that the term ‘module’ refers to computer logic utilized to provide a desired functionality, service or operation. In various embodiments, a module can be implemented in hardware, firmware and/or software controlling a general purpose processor. In one embodiment, the modules are programmatic codes or computer executable instructions stored on a storage system, such as the game and business database system160, and executed by a processor.

In some embodiments, module302is configured to access a data structure associated with a player, analyze a plurality of fields in the data structure, and depending on the analysis, qualify the player to send gaming invitations in exchange for rewards. The data structure provides a specialized and organized format for presenting, processing, retrieving, and storing data associated with each player. In some embodiments, the data structure is derived from a game log corresponding to the player. An analysis of the data structure may qualify the players to invite others. The qualified players may include those who have initiated engagement with the game or who are waiting in a virtual game lobby associated with the game. A player may be engaged in gameplay at a client device, such as computer system110with peripherals140. Accordingly, the data structure associated with a player comprises values in data fields wherein the values are indicative of 1) the player having played a predetermined amount of games, times, total time played, hours, or total hours played and/or 2) the player having achieved a predefined level, amount of points, amount of treasure, or other virtual tokens within the multi-player online game and module302analyzes the data structure to determine if one or more of the values of the data fields qualify the player to have access to a graphical user interface through which invitations in exchange for rewards may be made. In embodiments, a value of the predetermined amount of games played, times, time played, hours, or total hours played may be reflective of a value within a particular game or in a player's gaming career.

In some embodiments, module304is configured to generate data representative of an invitation Graphical User Interface (GUI) once module302determines a player is qualified to receive the GUI. The data representing the user interface for inviting other players is generated for qualified players, identified by module302. Further, the data representative of the invitation GUI is transmitted to the client device associated with the qualified player, for display to the player. In some embodiments, the data representative of the invitation GUI comprises at least one of text, graphics, and audio, which inform the qualified player about the option of inviting other players to the game and of receiving rewards in return.FIG. 5illustrates an exemplary invitation GUI502displayed to a qualified player, in accordance with some embodiments of the present specification. GUI502comprises text504that informs the player of her/his qualification to collect rewards by inviting friends to join the player in the game. A button506is provided within GUI502, which may be clicked or selected by other means (such as a touchscreen or gaming controller) by the qualified player to start inviting others by providing their contact information.

In embodiments, the data representative of the invitation GUI is designed to attract the player's attention, so that the player may consider exercising the presented option by choosing to invite others. In embodiments, the user interface enables the qualified player to provide contact information to enable the application102to contact other players that the qualified player chooses to invite. In some embodiments, the user interface asks for a selection of social media contacts of the qualified player that are to be invited. In some embodiments, the user interface asks for the qualified player to provide email address or any other identity (ID) of other potential players that the qualified player may want to invite. In different embodiments, the user interface is configured to prompt for different types of information to enable the application to establish contact with the qualified player's invitees. Module304associates an invitation ID with the invitation generated for the player, with the player's ID.

In some embodiments, a player may send invitations to friends using a user interface, such as GUI502, that is presented in a duration when the game is about to begin, when the game is paused by the player, or at any other time including when the player is waiting in a game lobby to start playing the game. In embodiments, the player is able to send the invitation to friends who are connected to the player through one or more social mediums, such as social groups. The players may send the invitation to friends who appear to be online as well as those who appear to be offline.

In some embodiments, once the qualified player has interacted with the user interface asking the player to invite others, and if the player has chosen to invite at least one other player, module306transmits data representative of an invitation. Further, module306associates an invitation ID with an ID of the qualified player in the data structure. Module306associates the invitation ID of the player with the ID of the invited player/s, within the data structure associated with the qualified (inviting) player as well as those of the invited player/s. In some embodiments, it may happen that an invited player receives invitations from multiple inviting players. In this case, association between the invitation IDs of each inviting player with the invited player, within their corresponding data structures, is used to determine which, if any, invitation the invited player chooses to accept. The determination is subsequently useful in identifying a true claimant of the reward linked with successful acceptance of the invitation.

Recipients of the invitations from the qualified player may interact with the invite to either accept or decline the invitation. The received invite may be in the form of an interactive user interface enabling the receiver to interact with the invite to either accept or decline/ignore the invitation. Based on the invited player's interaction with the invitation, module308is configured to associate the invitation ID with the ID of the accepting invitee, in the data structure. Therefore, module308is configured to also track the ID of the inviting player with the invitation ID as well as the ID of the successfully invited player. The associations determined by module308are used to determine the players deserving rewards for successfully inviting others as well as the magnitude of the rewards.

In some embodiments, the rewards are awarded to a player when the player successfully invites at least one other friend. This may be referred to herein as a first node. The player is further rewarded when the successfully invited friend from the first node, further successfully invites at least one other friend. This may be referred to herein as a second node. In this manner, the rewards are cumulatively added for the originally inviting player even when the player is no longer actively inviting friends at the first node. In some embodiments, the value or amount of rewards is the same, whereas in some other embodiments, the value or amount of rewards varies with each node of successfully invited friends. In some embodiments, the rewards decrease in value with an increase in nodes. In some embodiments, the rewards are generated for the inviting player up to a certain node of successfully invited friends. In one example, a player is rewarded up to the third node of successfully invited friends.

In some embodiments, module310is configured to analyze the data structure and associated invitation IDs to determine an appropriate reward(s). Table 1 illustrates an exemplary representation of the distribution of rewards at various nodes, in accordance with some embodiments of the present specification.

TABLE 1InvitationReward Received on Accepting by Various PlayersReceivedUponUponUponfrom &AcceptingAcceptingAcceptingPlayersAcceptedby Player Bby Player Cby Player DA—1005025BA—10050CB——100DC———

Referring to Table 1, in an exemplary process, a player A is engaged in gameplay. While the Player ‘A’ is waiting in the virtual game lobby of the game, the application qualifies ‘A’ for inviting other players to the game. The player is accordingly presented with a prompt to send an invitation to one or more friends. In the example, ‘A’ invites among other friends, a person ‘B’ who accepts the invitation from ‘A’. The acceptance of invitation from ‘A’ by ‘B’ generates a reward worth 100 points for player ‘A’. Further, once player ‘B’ is qualified, an invitation is sent, among others, to a player ‘C’ who accepts the invitation from ‘B’. The acceptance of the invitation from ‘B’ by ‘C’ generates a reward worth 100 points for player ‘B’, and 50 points for player ‘A’. Similarly, once player ‘C’ is qualified, an invitation is sent, among others, to a player ‘D’ who accepts the invitation from ‘C’. The acceptance of the invitation from ‘C’ by ‘D’ generates a reward worth 100 points for player ‘C’, 50 points for player ‘B’, and 25 points for player ‘A’. In some embodiments further successful invitations generated by player ‘D’ may not generate rewards for player ‘A’, but would generate rewards for players ‘B’ and ‘C’.

It should further be appreciated that the data structure may further track, and the system may further require, an invitee to actually play the multiplayer video game by controlling one or more virtual characters for a minimum or predefined period of time, after which the designated reward may be allocated to the player who invited the invitee. As such, a reward is generated for an inviting player when an incoming player has signed up to play the game. In some embodiments, the reward is generated when the incoming player has started playing the game. In some embodiments, the reward is generated when the incoming player has played the game to a pre-defined level, or for a pre-defined period of time, or until a pre-defined set of game objectives is attained. A friend is successfully invited to the game when one or more of the above conditions of the contact joining the game, are met. In embodiments, module308also tracks a progress of game engagement for each successfully invited friend, and generates the corresponding rewards for the inviting player. Accordingly, the system may track the time played by each invitee and Table 1 may be further modified to require data fields that require an allocation of a reward only upon a predefined amount of playing time being achieved.

In embodiments, a computer-implemented method is used in a multiplayer gaming environment to monitor the social contacts of the player, the recipients of the invitations sent by the player, the successful invitations, and the rewards.

In an exemplary embodiment, the accumulated rewards are displayed to the corresponding player and are dynamically updated with each additional successful invitation.

In embodiments, a computer implemented method of integrating a social network into one or more gaming environments of a multi-player game is used to identify at least one social group comprising one or more contacts connected to the first player. A centralized social network tool may be provided that interfaces with and integrates into one or more gaming environments. In an embodiment, a central server communicates with multiple computing devices that provide the gaming environment to different players. In an embodiment, the centralized social network tool is implemented by the central server. The social network tool may be integral to the theme of the games and be pervasive within game play. In embodiments, members of the social network include friends of the first player and/or previous and current players of the game who are friends of the first player. In embodiments, the actual players represent real people.

FIG. 4is a flow chart explaining an exemplary process implemented by some embodiments of the present specification. At402, a GUI is generated for display to a first player who is engaged in a game session of a multiplayer game. The first player has one or more contacts in a virtual social group. In embodiments, the GUI is configured to visually provide, on the display, a visual interface for inviting at least one contact from the one or more contacts in the social group to join the first player in playing in the game session.FIG. 5illustrates an exemplary GUI502that is displayed to the first player. In some embodiments, the user interface asks for a selection of social media contacts of the qualified player that are to be invited. In some embodiments, the user interface asks for the qualified player to provide email address or any other identity (ID) of other potential players that the qualified player may want to invite. In different embodiments, the user interface is configured to prompt for different types of information to enable the application to establish contact with the qualified player's invitees. Data structure of the first player is accessed and associated with the generated invitation GUI. The data structure may also indicate the qualification of the first player for displaying the invitation GUI. The data representing the user interface for inviting other players is generated for qualified players.

The first player chooses to invite other players in response to the invitation GUI, and provides contact information of one or more contacts from the first player's social group. The first player may send invitations to friends who appear to be online as well as those who appear to be offline. The invitation data is received by the processor, which in turn may associate an invitation ID with the invitation generated for the invited player, with the invited player's ID, as well as the inviting first player's ID.

At404, the invitations generated by the first player are received as invitation data. In embodiments, the invitation data is specific to the at least one contact and representative of a visual invitation to play the game session. At406, the invitation data is transmitted to the at least one contact invited by the first player. The received invite may be in the form of an interactive user interface enabling the receiver to interact with the invite to either accept or decline/ignore the invitation. At408, an engagement of each invited contact with the game session is tracked in response to the transmitted invitation data.

At410, a data structure associated with the first player is modified to reflect a value indicative of the engagement of the at least one contact invited by the first player, with the game session. The associations determined are used to determine the rewards collected by the first player, for successfully inviting others, as well as the magnitude of the rewards. At412, a first reward is generated for the first player corresponding to the value indicative of the engagement of the at least one invited contact with the game session. In embodiments, a reward is generated for the first player each time an invited contact successfully accepts the first player's invitation to join the game session. This may be referred to herein as a first node. In some embodiments, the rewards are awarded to a player when the player successfully invites at least one other friend. The player is further rewarded when the successfully invited friend from the first node, further successfully invites at least one other friend. This may be referred to herein as a second node. In this manner, the rewards are cumulatively added for the originally inviting player even when the player is no longer actively inviting friends at the first node. In some embodiments, the value or amount of rewards is the same, whereas in some other embodiments, the value or amount of rewards varies with each node of successfully invited friends. In some embodiments, the rewards decrease in value with an increase in the node. In some embodiments, the rewards are generated for the inviting player till a certain node of successfully invited friends. In one example, a player is rewarded till the third node of successfully invited friends. The data structure associations are used to determine an appropriate reward(s). In an exemplary embodiment, the accumulated rewards are displayed to the corresponding player and is dynamically updated with each additional successful invitation.

The above examples are merely illustrative of the many applications of the system of present invention. Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been described herein, it should be understood that the present invention might be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the present examples and embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention may be modified within the scope of the appended claims.