U.S. Pat. No. 11,571,624

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1illustrates a system100configured to provide a virtual space. System100is only one example of a suitable computing environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of the features described herein. Providing the virtual space may include hosting the virtual space over a network.

In this disclosure, aspects of an online game that a user most enjoys may be identified, and content that is available for unlocking, discovery, or winning within the game may be adjusted based on the gameplay the user enjoys. Accordingly, embodiments may be configured for users to discover, unlock or win gaming content that is tailored to the user's playing style, resulting in a virtual game that may provide more engaging and immersive in-game experiences.

In some implementations, system100may include one or more servers102. The server102may be configured to communicate with one or more client computing platforms104according to a client/server architecture. The users may access system100and/or the virtual space via client computing platforms104, for instance, to engage in one or more games.

The server(s)102may be configured to execute one or more computer program modules. The computer program modules may include one or more of a game module106, an information module108, a customization module110, a user type module112, and/or other modules. As noted, the client computing platform(s)104may include one or more computer program modules that are the same as or similar to the computer program modules of the server(s)102to facilitate in-game actions.

The game module106may be configured to execute an instance of a game to facilitate presentation of the game to users. The game module106may be configured to implement in-game actions in the instance of the game, in response to action requests for the in-game actions by the users.

The game may be provided via a virtual space, and may include a plurality of resource types and/or maps. An instance of the virtual space may be executed by computer modules to determine views of the virtual space. The views may then be communicated (e.g., via streaming, via object/position data, and/or other information) from server(s)102and/or sources to client computing platforms104for presentation to users. The view determined and transmitted to a given client computing platform104may correspond to a location in the virtual space (e.g., the location from which the view is taken, the location the view depicts, and/or other locations), a zoom ratio, a dimensionality of objects, a point-of-view, and/or view parameters. One or more of the view parameters may be selectable by the user.

The instance of the virtual space may comprise a simulated space that is accessible by users via clients (e.g., client computing platform(s)104) that present the views of the virtual space to a user. The simulated space may have a topography, express ongoing real-time interaction by one or more users, and/or include one or more objects positioned within the topography that are capable of locomotion within the topography. In some instances, the topography may be a 2-dimensional topography. In other instances, the topography may be a 3-dimensional topography. The topography may include dimensions of the space, and/or surface features of a surface or objects that are “native” to the space. In some instances, the topography may describe a surface (e.g., a ground surface) that runs through at least a substantial section of the space. In some instances, the topography may describe a volume with one or more bodies positioned therein (e.g., a simulation of gravity-deprived space with one or more celestial bodies positioned therein). The instance executed by the computer modules may be synchronous, asynchronous, and/or semi-synchronous.

The above description of the manner in which views of the virtual space are provided is not intended to be limiting. The virtual space may be expressed in a more limited, or more rich, manner. For example, views determined for the virtual space may be selected from a limited set of graphics depicting an event in a given place within the virtual space. The views may include additional content (e.g., text, audio, pre-stored video content, and/or other content) that describes particulars of the current state of the place, beyond the relatively generic graphics. For example, a view may include a generic battle graphic with a textual description of the opponents to be confronted. Other expressions of individual places within the virtual space are contemplated.

Within the instance(s) of the virtual space, users may control characters, objects, simulated physical phenomena (e.g., wind, rain, earthquakes, and/or other phenomena), and/or other elements within the virtual space to interact with the virtual space and/or each other. The user characters may include avatars. As used herein, the term “user character” may refer to an object (or group of objects) present in the virtual space that corresponds to an individual user. The user character may be controlled by the user with which it is associated.

User-controlled element(s) may move through and interact with the virtual space (e.g., non-user characters in the virtual space, other objects in the virtual space). The user-controlled elements controlled by and/or associated with a given user may be created and/or customized by the given user. The user may have an “inventory” of virtual goods and/or currency (e.g., resources of the plurality of resource types) that the user can use (e.g., by manipulation of a user character or other user-controlled element, and/or other items) to perform in-game actions within the virtual space.

The users may participate in the instance of the virtual space by controlling one or more of the available user-controlled elements in the virtual space. Control may be exercised through control inputs and/or commands input by the users through client computing platforms104. The users may interact with each other through communications exchanged within the virtual space. Such communications may include one or more of textual chat, instant messages, private messages, voice communications, and/or other communications. Communications may be received and entered by the users via their respective client computing platforms104. Communications may be routed to and from the appropriate users through server(s)102.

In implementations, the game module106may also be configured to implement the customizations determined for the individual users.

The user information module108may be configured to obtain user gameplay information related to prospective usage of the online game by the users. In implementations, user information module108may be further configured to monitor the users' usage of the online game. User gameplay information may include information about the users that has some value in predicting their preferred styles of gameplay, for example demographic and geographic information, device type, interests, activity in other online games, and information about associated users, in addition to in-game actions taken by the users in the online game. Such information may be obtained directly from the users, for example using pop-ups and/or other graphical interfaces, automatically from users' social network or other profiles, from IP addresses, cookies, etc.

The customization module110may be configured to determine customizations of content in the online game made available to the individual users through participation and/or achievement within the online game. The customizations may derive from sets of user gameplay information and are designed to enhance prospective usage of the online game by the users. Determination of these customizations may be based on the user gameplay information obtained for example via the monitoring of users and others the users have relationships with (e.g., in a social network and/or within the online game). Moreover, customizations of user gameplay content may be performed on a reactionary basis, based on previous actions and gameplay by a user, and/or using a predictive algorithm that anticipates how a user will want to play a game based on information known about that user, such as demographic information, geographic information and/or device type, etc.

Customized content may include content that is provided to a user when performing in-game actions such as exploring a map, researching a technology or skill, purchasing an in-game item, and/or completing an in-game achievement. Such content may include at least one of in-game items, in-game powers, in-game skills, in-game technologies, in-game pets, in-game transportation units, in-game units, and in-game buildings. Thus, for example, in implementations a user identified as preferring resource collection may be able to select resource-collecting powers and skills when leveling up or otherwise advance in the online game, to receive resource collection-related items when defeating enemies or completing quests, to be able to purchase resource collection-related items, pets, units and/or buildings, and/or to research better resource collection technologies, which are not available or are less available to other types of users, For example, such a user might be able to purchase such items at reduced cost, develop such skills/abilities at a faster rate, etc., than for users identified as preferring player versus player or player versus environment activity. Such customizations may improve gameplay for the user, and may actually encourage the user to try other areas of gameplay in order to obtain helpful items, etc. for improved resource collection (e.g. by completing a quest).

In some implementations, items, etc. useful for other aspects of gameplay the user is identified as being less interested in may be provided to the user preferentially. For example, powerful player versus player items might drop when the user that prefers resource collection defeats enemies, enabling the user to compete in and perhaps enjoy player versus player competitions without investing more time than desired.

The user type module112is configured to determine user types of users based on obtained user gameplay information. The customization for the users may be based on the determined user types. The user type may be further comprised of at least one of the following: 1) a collection or harvesting type preferring at least one of resource collection, resource cultivation and resource manufacturing; 2) a player versus player type, preferring competing with other users within the online game; and 3) a player versus environment type preferring completing quests. User type determinations may be made based at least in part on the frequency with which users perform certain in-game actions or types of in-game actions. For example, in implementations certain in-game actions may be classified as corresponding to certain user types, e.g. resource harvesting in-game actions correspond to a collection or harvesting type, player battling in-game actions correspond to a player versus player type, etc. User types may then be determined based on the frequency with which users perform these various types of in-game actions.

In some implementations, server(s)102, client computing platforms104, and/or external resources116may be operatively linked via one or more electronic communication links. For example, such electronic communication links may be established, at least in part, via a network such as the Internet and/or other networks. The network may be a wired or wireless network such as the Internet, an intranet, a LAN, a WAN, a cellular network or another type of network. It will be understood that the network may be a combination of multiple different kinds of wired or wireless networks. It will be appreciated that this is not intended to be limiting, and that the scope of this disclosure includes implementations in which server(s)102, client computing platforms104, and/or external resources116may be operatively linked via some other communication media.

A given client computing platform104may include one or more processors configured to execute computer program modules. The computer program modules may be configured to enable an expert or user associated with the given client computing platform104to interface with system100and/or external resources116, and/or provide other functionality attributed herein to client computing platforms104. By way of non-limiting example, the given client computing platform104may include one or more of a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a tablet computing platform, a NetBook, a Smartphone, a gaming console, and/or other computing platforms.

External resources116may include sources of information, hosts and/or providers of virtual environments outside of system100, external entities participating with system100, and/or other resources. In some implementations, some or all of the functionality attributed herein to external resources116may be provided by resources included in system100.

Server102may include electronic storage118, one or more processors120, and/or other components. Server102may include communication lines, or ports to enable the exchange of information with a network and/or other computing platforms. Illustration of server102inFIG.1is not intended to be limiting. Server102may include a plurality of hardware, software, and/or firmware components operating together to provide the functionality attributed herein to server102. For example, server102may be implemented by a cloud of computing platforms operating together as server102.

Electronic storage118may comprise non-transitory storage media that electronically stores information. The electronic storage media of electronic storage118may include one or both of system storage that is provided integrally (i.e., substantially non-removable) with server102and/or removable storage that is removably connectable to server102via, for example, a port (e.g., a USB port, a firewire port, etc.) or a drive (e.g., a disk drive, etc.). Electronic storage118may include one or more of optically readable storage media (e.g., optical disks, etc.), magnetically readable storage media (e.g., magnetic tape, magnetic hard drive, floppy drive, etc.), electrical charge-based storage media (e.g., EEPROM, RAM, etc.), solid-state storage media (e.g., flash drive, etc.), and/or other electronically readable storage media. Electronic storage118may include one or more virtual storage resources (e.g., cloud storage, a virtual private network, and/or other virtual storage resources). Electronic storage118may store software algorithms, information determined by processor120, information received from server102, information received from client computing platforms104, and/or other information that enables server xx to function as described herein.

Processor(s)120is configured to provide information processing capabilities in server102. As such, processor120may include one or more of a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuit designed to process information, a state machine, and/or other mechanisms for electronically processing information. Although processor120is shown inFIG.1as a single entity, this is for illustrative purposes only. In some implementations, processor120may include a plurality of processing units. These processing units may be physically located within the same device, or processor120may represent processing functionality of a plurality of devices operating in coordination. The processor120may be configured to execute modules106,108,110, and112. Processor120may be configured to execute modules106,108,110, and112by software; hardware; firmware; some combination of software, hardware, and/or firmware; and/or other mechanisms for configuring processing capabilities on processor120. As used herein, the term “module” may refer to any component or set of components that perform the functionality attributed to the module. This may include one or more physical processors during execution of processor readable instructions, the processor readable instructions, circuitry, hardware, storage media, or any other components.

It should be appreciated that although modules106,108,110,112are illustrated inFIG.1as being implemented within a single processing unit, in implementations in which processor120includes multiple processing units, one or more of modules106,108,110, and112may be implemented remotely from the other modules. The description of the functionality provided by the different modules106,108,110, and112described below is for illustrative purposes, and is not intended to be limiting, as any of modules106,108,110, and112may provide more or less functionality than is described. For example, one or more of modules106,108,110, and112may be eliminated, and some or all of its functionality may be provided by other ones of modules106,108,110, and112. As another example, processor120may be configured to execute one or more additional modules that may perform some or all of the functionality attributed below to one of modules106,108,110, and112.

FIG.2illustrates a method200for adjusting content presented to a user of an online game based on user gameplay information. The operations of method200presented below are intended to be illustrative. In some embodiments, method200may be accomplished with one or more additional operations not described, and/or without one or more of the operations discussed. Additionally, the order in which the operations of method200are illustrated inFIG.2and described below is not intended to be limiting.

In some embodiments, method200may be implemented in one or more processing devices (e.g., a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuit designed to process information, a state machine, and/or other mechanisms for electronically processing information). The one or more processing devices may include one or more devices executing some or all of the operations of method200in response to instructions stored electronically on an electronic storage medium. The one or more processing devices may include one or more devices configured through hardware, firmware, and/or software to be specifically designed for execution of one or more of the operations of method200.

At an operation202, an instance of an online game may be executed to facilitate presentation of the game to users. The game, for instance, may include parameters including a size and/or type of virtual space the game will be played on, the number of players, resource types, user-controlled elements, and/or buildings initially allocated to users. Operation202may be performed by a game module that is the same as or similar to game module106, in accordance with one or more implementations.

At an operation204, in-game actions may be implemented in the instance of the game in response to action requests for in-game actions by the users. In implementations, the in-game actions may include collecting, harvesting, and/or manufacturing resources, player versus player competitions such as battles and skills competitions, and player versus environment interactions such as map exploration and quest completion. Operation204may be performed by a game module that is the same or similar to game module106, in accordance with one or more implementations.

At an operation206, gameplay information may be obtained that includes a set of user gameplay information related to prospective usage of the online game by a first user. In implementations, the set of user gameplay information may include online game usage information associated with the first user, online game usage information associated with other users associated with the first user, and/or the first user's usage of other online games. User gameplay information may include past behavior (online game usage) by users within the online game and/or other information known about the users, such as demographic information, geographic information, gameplay in other online games, gameplay of friends, etc. User gameplay information may comprise any information that may be used to predict a user's preferred style of gameplay going forward. Additionally, the set of user gameplay information may include at least one of specific in-game actions performed most frequently by the first user in the online game and in-game action types performed most frequently by the first user in the online game.

At operation208, user types are determined based on obtained user gameplay information. A first user type may be determined for the first user based on the first set of user gameplay information. The user types may comprise at last one of a collection and harvesting type, a player versus player type, and a player versus environment type. User types may be determined based on the frequency with which a user has performed specific in-game actions or types of in-game actions. Operation208may be performed by a user type module that is the same as or similar to user type module112, in accordance with one or more implementations.

At operation210, user gameplay information is used to determine the customization of content in the online game made available to the individual users through participation and/or achievement within the online game. In implementations, the customizations are designed to enhance prospective usage of the online game by the users. The customizations may include customization of content made available to a first user to enhance prospective usage of the online game by the first user, the customization being determined based on the set of user gameplay information.

The customizations may affects content made available to users through the users' in-game actions, which may include of at least one of exploring a map, researching a technology or skill, purchasing an in-game item, and completing an in-game achievement. The customizations may affect content that includes at least one of in-game items, in-game powers, in-game skills, in-game technologies, in-game pets, in-game transportation units, in-game units, and in-game buildings available to users. In implementations, the customizations for the users may be determined based on the predicted user types, such that the determination of the customization for the first user is determined based on the first user type for the first user. Operation210may be performed by a customization module that is the same as or similar to customization module110, in accordance with one or more implementations.

At operation212, customizations determined for the individual users are implemented, such that the customization for the first user is implemented in the instance of the online game. Operation212may be performed by a game module that is the same as or similar to the game module106, in accordance with one or more implementations.

FIG.3illustrates a method for implementing individualized content made available to a first user of an online game, in accordance with one or more implementations. The operations of method300presented below are intended to be illustrative. In some embodiments, method300may be accomplished with one or more additional operations not described, and/or without one or more of the operations discussed. Additionally, the order in which the operations of method300are illustrated inFIG.3and described below is not intended to be limiting.

In some embodiments, method300may be implemented in one or more processing devices (e.g., a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuit designed to process information, a state machine, and/or other mechanisms for electronically processing information). The one or more processing devices may include one or more devices executing some or all of the operations of method300in response to instructions stored electronically on an electronic storage medium. The one or more processing devices may include one or more devices configured through hardware, firmware, and/or software to be specifically designed for execution of one or more of the operations of method300.

At operation302, an instance of a online game may be executed to facilitate presentation of the game to users. The game, for instance, may include parameters including a size and/or type of virtual space the game will be played on, the number of players, resource types, user-controlled elements, and/or buildings initially allocated to users. Operation302may be performed by a game module that is the same as or similar to game module106, in accordance with one or more implementations.

At operation304, predictive information about a first user is obtained. Predictive information may include any information that is correlated with a certain type of gameplay or an increased frequency of certain in-game actions and/or types of in-game actions. Examples include demographic information, geographic information (obtained for example from the first user's IP address), previous gameplay of the first user in other online games, types of other games played by the user, games played by other users associated with the first user, etc. In some implementations, for example when the online game is accessed through a social networking website, the amount of information about the first user that may be obtained may be quite substantial, including hobbies and other activities of the first user, etc. Operation304may be performed by a user information module that is the same as or similar to user information module108, in accordance with one or more implementations.

At operation306, a user's in-game actions are monitored. In implementations, such monitoring includes tracking the frequency with which the first user engages in certain in-game actions or types of in-game actions. At operation308, the user gameplay information of other users associated with the first user (e.g., connected via a social network, connected via an online game network, or connected based on having similar demographic, geographic, or other predictive information) are monitored to obtain user gameplay information. Operation306and308may be performed by a user information module that is the same as or similar to user information module108, in accordance with one or more implementations.

At operation310, individualized content is implemented to the first user based on the gameplay information obtained. For example, the first user may be provided more content to unlock with the in-game actions the first user performs or is anticipated to perform most frequently, or may be provided with additional content that is easily unlocked by trying out less preferred in-game actions, to encourage the first user to experience the full range of available gameplay. In some implementations, when a user first begins to play the on-line game, there is no individualized content, or the individualized content is based only on predictive information about the user, if available. As the user plays the on-line game, the customized content may be weighted more towards the user's actual usage of the game and less or not at all towards the predictive information about the user. Operation310may be performed by a customization module that is the same as or similar to customization module110, in accordance with one or more implementations.

Although the present technology has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred implementations, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the technology is not limited to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present technology contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any implementation can be combined with one or more features of any other implementation.