U.S. Pat. No. 12,370,445

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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 invention 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.

The term “a multi-player online gaming platform” or “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 computing devices, thereby enabling each of the computing devices to simultaneously play in the same instance of the same game. Preferably the plurality of computing devices number in the dozens, preferably hundreds, preferably thousands. In one embodiment, the number of concurrently supported computing devices ranges from 10 to 5,000,000 and every whole number increment or range therein. Accordingly, a multi-player gaming platform/environment or a 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.

In various embodiments, a computing device includes an input/output controller, at least one communications interface and system memory. The system memory includes at least one random access memory (RAM) and at least one read-only memory (ROM). These elements are in communication with a central processing unit (CPU) to enable operation of the computing device. In various embodiments, the computing device may be a conventional standalone computer or alternatively, the functions of the computing device may be distributed across multiple computer systems and architectures.

In some embodiments, execution of a plurality of sequences of programmatic instructions or code enable or cause the CPU of the computing device to perform various functions and processes. In alternate embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of, or in combination with, software instructions for implementation of the processes of systems and methods described in this application. Thus, the systems and methods described are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software.

The term “module”, “application” or “engine” used in this disclosure may refer to computer logic utilized to provide a desired functionality, service or operation by programming or controlling a general purpose processor. Stated differently, in some embodiments, a module, application or engine implements a plurality of instructions or programmatic code to cause a general purpose processor to perform one or more functions. In various embodiments, a module, application or engine can be implemented in hardware, firmware, software or any combination thereof. The module, application or engine may be interchangeably used with unit, logic, logical block, component, or circuit, for example. The module, application or engine may be the minimum unit, or part thereof, which performs one or more particular functions.

The term “user” used in this disclosure may refer to a graphics artist or someone who is responsible for creating customized assets or objects for rendering in the game. The term “player” refers to a person involved in playing a game.

In the description and claims of the application, each of the words “comprise”, “include”, “have”, “contain”, and forms thereof, are not necessarily limited to members in a list with which the words may be associated. Thus, they are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open-ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. 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 must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context dictates otherwise. Although any systems and methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present disclosure, the preferred, systems and methods are now described.

Overview

FIG.1illustrates an embodiment of a multi-player online gaming platform/environment or a massively multiplayer online gaming system/environment100in which the systems and methods of the present specification may be implemented or executed, in accordance with some embodiments. Persons of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that while the systems and methods of the present specification are hereinafter described in the context of a multi-player online gaming platform/environment, in alternate embodiments the systems and methods of the present specification can also be implemented for single or multi-player offline gaming platform/environment.

Referring now toFIG.1, the gaming platform100comprises at least one server or host computer105that is in data communication with one or more computing devices110over a network115. Players may access the gaming platform100via the one or more computing devices110(110a,110b,110cand110d). Additionally, a user such as, for example, a graphics artist may access the gaming platform100as well as various modules or engines via a computing device190. The computing devices110comprise devices such as, but not limited to, personal or desktop computers, laptops, Netbooks, handheld devices such as smartphones, tablets, and PDAs, gaming consoles and/or any other computing platform known to persons of ordinary skill in the art. Although four computing devices110athrough110dare illustrated inFIG.1, any number of computing devices110can be in communication with the at least one server or host computer105over the network115.

The at least one server or host computer105can be any computing device having one or more processors and one or more computer-readable storage media such as RAM, hard disk or any other optical or magnetic media. The at least one server or host computer105include a plurality of modules operating to provide or implement a plurality of functional, operational or service-oriented methods of the present specification. In some embodiments, the at least one server or host computer105include or are in communication with at least one database system120. The database system120stores a plurality of game data including gaming assets or objects data associated with one or more games that are served or provided to the computing devices110over the network115. In some embodiments, the at least one server or host computer105may be implemented by a cloud of computing platforms operating together as servers or host computers105.

In accordance with aspects of the present specification, the at least one server or host computer105provides or implements a plurality of modules or engines such as, but not limited to, a master game module130and an assets creation module132. The one or more computing devices110are configured to implement or execute one or more of a plurality of player-side modules some of which are same as or similar to the modules of the at least one server or host computer105. In some embodiments each of the player computing devices110athrough110dexecutes a player gaming module130′. Alternatively, or additionally, in some embodiments, the game designer's computing device190may further integrate a user-side viewing application134(with the player gaming module130′) to access, view and interact with a plurality of GUIs (graphical user interfaces) generated by the assets creation module132. In alternate embodiments, the game designer's computing device190may use a browser application to access, view and interact with a plurality of GUIs generated by the assets creation module132.

While various aspects of the present specification are being described with reference to functionalities or programming distributed across modules or engines130,130′,132and134on the server, player and game designer's sides, it should be appreciated that, in some embodiments, some or all of the functionalities or programming associated with these modules or engines may be integrated within fewer modules or in a single module—such as, for example, in the master game module130itself on the server side and in the gaming module130′ on the user side.

In embodiments, the master game module130is configured to execute an instance of an online game to facilitate interaction of the players with the game. In embodiments, the instance of the game executed may be synchronous, asynchronous, and/or semi-synchronous. The master game module130controls aspects of the game for all players and receives and processes each player's input in the game. In other words, the master game module130hosts the online game for all players, receives game data from the computing devices110and transmits updates to all computing devices110based on the received game data so that the game, on each of the computing devices110, represents the most updated or current status with reference to interactions of all players with the game. Thus, the master game module130transmits game data over the network115to the computing devices110for use and rendering by the player gaming module130′ to provide local versions and current status of the game to the players.

On the player-side, each of the one or more computing devices110implements the player gaming module130′ that operates as a gaming application to provide a player with an interface between the player and the game. The player gaming module130′ generates the interface to render a virtual environment, virtual space, game space, map or virtual world associated with the game and enables the player to interact in the virtual environment to perform a plurality of game and other tasks and objectives. The player gaming module130′ accesses at least a portion of game data, received from the game server or host computer105, to provide an accurate representation of the game to the player. The player gaming module130′ captures and processes player inputs and interactions within the virtual world or environment and provides at least a portion as updates to the game server or host computer110over the network115.

On the game designer side, the computing device190enables the game designer to access, view and interact with a plurality of GUIs generated by the asset creation module132using either the user-side viewing application134that may be standalone or integrated with other software (such as, for example, the player gaming module130′) executing on the computing device190or using a browser application.

The database system120described 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 system120may comprise one or more such databases that reside in one or more physical devices and in one or more physical locations. In some embodiments, the database system120may store a plurality of data such as, but not limited to, game data, gaming assets or objects data, and programming instructions with reference to various modules130and132.

Asset Creation Module132

In accordance with some aspects of the present specification, the asset creation module132implements a plurality of instructions or programmatic code to generate a plurality of graphical user interfaces (GUIs), for display on a game designer's computing device190, to enable the game designer to create, and automate the generation of, an inventory of a plurality of variations, customizations or modifications of gaming assets or objects based on a plurality of parameters or attributes associated with the gaming assets or objects. It should be appreciated that the asset creation module132enables generation of customized assets of many different types of gaming assets or objects such as, but not limited to, vehicles, weapons, character models, character clothing or attire, character shoes, character accessories and character hairstyles.

In accordance with some aspects, the asset creation module132is configured to generate a first GUI on the game designer's computer190to enable the game designer to select data indicative of a generic asset or object, which may belong to a high-level class of assets or objects, from a displayed one or more classes, families or groups of assets or objects, for which the game designer desires to create and auto-generate one or more variants. As an example, the game designer may interact with the first GUI to select a ‘car or sedan’ as a generic asset or object from a ‘vehicles’ class of assets or objects for which variations or customizations need to be created. In another example, the user may interact with the first GUI to select a specific ‘character outfit’ as a generic asset or object from a ‘characters’ class of assets or objects for which variations or customizations need to be created. In yet another example, the user may interact with the first GUI to select an ‘AK-47’ as a generic asset or object from a ‘weapons’ class of assets or objects for which variations or customizations need to be created.

FIG.2Ashows a first GUI202adisplaying data indicative of a plurality of generic assets or objects, in accordance with some embodiments of the present specification. As shown, the first GUI202ahas a first portion or area204that defines a first plurality of generic asset or object data204a,204b,204cfrom a ‘vehicles’ class of assets or objects, a second portion or area206that defines a second plurality of generic asset or object data206a,206b,206cfrom a ‘characters’ class, and a third portion or area208that defines a third plurality of generic asset or object data208a,208bfrom a ‘weapons’ class of assets or objects. In an example, the user has selected the sedan204aas the generic asset or object, as noted by the additional outline around the sedan image, for which variations or customizations need to be created.

Once the game designer has selected a generic asset or object, such as, the sedan204afrom the first GUI202a, the assets creation module132is configured to generate a second GUI to enable the user to select one or more data indicative of parameters or attributes from displayed plurality of parameters or attributes associated with the selected generic asset or object. In some embodiments, each of the displayed plurality of parameters or attributes is associated with a customizable category or aspect of the generic asset or object. For example, there may be a first customizable category or aspect of ‘visual appearances, skins or materials’, a second customizable category or aspect of ‘models, attachments and/or accessories’, a third customizable category or aspect of ‘functions or roles’, and/or a fourth customizable category or aspect of the ‘environment’ in which the asset or object is rendered in a game. In embodiments, the displayed plurality of parameters or attributes, and therefore the customizable categories or aspects, may vary depending upon the associated generic asset or object. For example, parameters or attributes related to ‘visual appearances, skins or materials’ would vary among vehicles, characters and weapons classes of assets or objects. Again, parameters or attributes related to ‘functions or roles’ may be pertinent to the vehicles class and perhaps not to the characters and weapons class of assets or objects. Thus, for a sedan exemplary set of parameters or attributes may include length, color, weight, speed, destructibility, wetness, snow, and/or locale variations such as, for example, US, EU and Japan.

As a non-limiting illustration, in response to the game designer selecting the sedan204afrom the first GUI202a,FIG.2Bshows a second GUI202bdisplaying a plurality of data indicative of parameters or attributes associated with the sedan204aasset or object, in accordance with some embodiments of the present specification. It should be appreciated that the picture of the sedan represents the asset at a first level of detail while the association of specific attributes with the sedan presents the asset at a second level of detail which is greater than the first. As shown, the second GUI202bhas a first portion or area222that displays a first plurality of data220aindicative of parameters or attributes related to a first customizable category or aspect of ‘functions or roles’ (that is, whether the sedan204arepresents a static, destructible or player-drivable vehicle), and a second portion or area224that displays a second plurality of data220bindicative of parameters or attributes related to a second customizable category or aspect of ‘environment’, that is, whether the sedan204ashould be rendered in dry, wet/rainy or snowy conditions in the game, and a third plurality of data220cindicative of parameters or attributes related to a third customizable category or aspect of ‘locale’, that is, whether the sedan204acarries, say, a US, EU or Cuban number plate in the game, is a right or left side driven vehicle, or whether the sedan204ais being rendered in the game played in US, EU or Cuba, for example.

The first portion or area222also displays a fourth plurality of data220dindicative of parameters or attributes related to a fourth customizable category or aspect of ‘visual appearance, skin or material’, that is, the color or texture in which the sedan204ashould be rendered in the game. The second GUI202bincludes a third portion or area226that displays at least one 3D view of the sedan204a. In embodiments, the 3D view of the sedan204ais updated, in real-time, to reflect the impact of the user selecting one or more of the first, second, third and fourth plurality of data220a,220b,220c,220d. Stated differently, the user is able to simultaneously view the customization effects, due to the selection of various parameters or attributes, on the sedan204aasset or object.

In some embodiments, the asset creation module132is configured to further generate a third GUI to enable the user to define or establish relationship (or restrictions/constraints) among at least two of the plurality of parameters or attributes associated with the selected generic asset or object. In various embodiments, the relationship determines which parameters or attributes can be combined or selected concurrently by the game designer to generate variants of the generic asset or object and/or which parameters or attributes cannot be combined or selected simultaneously and are therefore part of restrictions/constraints. Stated differently, the GUI enables a linking between a second parameter and a first parameter such that when the first parameter is selected, the second parameter is automatically selected as well. Conversely, the GUI enables a delinking between a second parameter and a first parameter such that when the first parameter is selected, the second parameter is automatically negated, voided, or grayed out as a potential option.

FIG.2Cshows a third GUI202cto enable the user to establish relationship between a first parameter or attribute and a second parameter or attribute, in accordance with some embodiments of the present specification. As a non-limiting example, the third GUI202cenables the user to combine the ‘locale’ parameters or attributes232and the ‘environment’ parameters or attributes234. Thus, for example, for the Euro ‘locale’ parameter or attribute232athe game designer selects dry234a, wet234band/or snow234c‘environment’ parameters or attributes. That is, for the Euro ‘locale’ variant of the sedan204a(FIG.2A), the game designer would like to auto-generate dry, wet and/or snow variations or customizations. On the other hand, for example, for the Cuba ‘locale’ parameter or attribute232bthe user selects only the dry234a′ and wet234b′ ‘environment’ parameters or attributes. That is, for the Cuba ‘locale’ variant of the sedan204a, the user would like to auto-generate dry and wet variations or customizations and should not be permitted or enabled to auto-generate snow variations or customizations.

Accordingly, a relationship between a first parameter or attribute and a second parameter or attribute is established as follows: 1) a second one of the selected parameters (for example, dry234a, wet234band/or snow234c) is required if a first one of the selected parameters (for example, the Euro ‘locale’ parameter or attribute232a) is selected, and/or 2) a second one of the selected parameters (for example, snow variations or customizations) is eliminated if a first one of the selected parameters is selected (for example, the Cuba ‘locale’ parameter or attribute232b). In a similar manner, between first, second, and third parameters or attributes is such that a) of requiring a third one of the selected parameters only if a first one of the selected parameters is selected and if a second one of the selected parameters is selected, and/or b) eliminating a third one of the selected parameters only if a first one of the selected parameters is selected and if a second one of the selected parameters is selected. Thus, in general, based upon a selection of one attribute, another attribute may be required or may be eliminated as an available attribute when auto generating variants, as described below.

Based on the game designer's selections, inputs or responses received through the first, second and third GUIs202a,202band202c, the asset creation module132is configured to automatically generate one or more customized assets or objects of the generic asset or object, as selected in the first GUI202a.FIG.2Dillustrates a plurality of customized assets or objects240of the sedan204a(FIG.2A), in accordance with some embodiments of the present specification. As an example, the plurality of customized assets or objects240are auto-generated based on the game designer selecting a) black and blue as parameters or attributes for a customizable category or aspect of ‘visual appearance, skin or material’242for the sedan204a(FIG.2A), b) dead model, vehicle and destructible as parameters or attributes for another customizable category or aspect of ‘functions or roles’244for the sedan204a, c) dry and wet as parameters or attributes for a customizable category or aspect of ‘environment’246for the sedan204a, and d) Euro and Cuba as parameters or attributes for a customizable category or aspect of ‘locale’248for the sedan204a. Thus, the plurality of customized assets or objects240of the sedan204arepresent various permutation and combinations of the parameters or attributes242,244,246and248. It should be appreciated that whileFIG.2Dillustrates an inventory of the plurality of customized assets or objects240in textual format, in other embodiments each of the plurality of customized assets or objects240is shown to the user in graphical format (such as, for example, in 3D perspective view as illustrated inFIG.2E).

Therefore, the present invention provides for the hierarchical selection of different types of variants, some of which are required based on the selection of other variants and some of which are impermissible based on the selection of other variants, as described above. Once the full hierarchical set of different types of variants are selected, the system automatically, and without human intervention, generates permissible combinations of the different types of variants to yield multiple instances of an asset for a video game, where each instance has a different combination of traits. Therefore, if a game designer is creating an urban landscape littered with cars, this approach can rapidly enable the game designer to generate, and subsequently place, different looking vehicles within the landscape.

FIG.2Eshows a GUI202eillustrating first, second and third plurality of auto-generated customized assets or objects, in accordance with some embodiments of the present specification. As shown, the first plurality of auto-generated customized assets or objects252are variants of a first generic asset or object250, which is a ‘truck’, the second plurality of auto-generated customized assets or objects256are variants of a second generic asset or object254, which is a ‘character’, and the third plurality of auto-generated customized assets or objects260are variants of a third generic asset or object258, which is an ‘AK-47’.

Finally, the asset creation module132is configured to place or position at least one auto-generated customized asset or object into the game map for viewing by the game designer.FIG.2Fshows a GUI202fwith a customized asset or object265being positioned within a game map267, in accordance with some embodiments of the present specification. As an example, the GUI202fshows the customized asset or object265being a ‘car’. A portion or area270shows that the customized asset or object265has destructible (role), blue (visual appearance) and dry (environment) as the parameters or attributes272associated with the customized asset or object265. As shown, in accordance with some embodiments, the customized asset or object265has roles, presets or visual appearances, locales and environments as the customizable categories or aspects.

In some embodiments, the asset creation module132is configured to enable the game designer to manually place the at least one auto-generated customized asset or object into the game map for viewing. In some embodiments, the asset creation module132is configured to automatically place the at least one auto-generated customized asset or object into the game map for viewing by the game designer. In some embodiments, the asset creation module132is configured to automatically place the at least one auto-generated customized asset or object into the game map when an exact position of an auto-generated customized asset or object in an environment of the game map is non-consequential or does not matter. As a non-limiting illustration, consider a battlefield environment (in a game map) that includes a plurality of burning and damaged vehicles scattered around. In such an environment, the game artist may not be concerned or care exactly where each of the plurality of vehicles is placed but rather, is simply focused on ensuring that the battlefield be generally filled with wreckage that is placed in a believable and reasonable fashion.

In some embodiments, the asset creation module132is in data communication with a game editor application that is accessible to the game designer through their computing device190(FIG.1). The GUI202fofFIG.2Fis an exemplary interface generated by the game editor application which is configured to generate the interface. Through the game editor application, the game designer provides customized assets or objects distribution inputs to the asset creation module132such as, but not limited to, a) defining at least one area of the game map environment (for example, the battlefield) that needs to be filled with vehicle wreckage and/or b) defining which of a plurality of auto-generated customized assets or objects (for example, vehicles or bodies) need to be used to fill the game map environment. For example, the game designer may choose that of the plurality of auto-generated customized assets or objects, which in this case is vehicles and/or bodies, 40% should be damaged trucks, 40% should be burning tanks and 20% should be charred bodies that fill the game map environment of a battlefield. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the system distributes game assets in predefined areas of game map based on a categorization provided by a game designer, wherein the categorization establishes proportions based on a certain trait.

The asset creation module132receives the customized assets or objects distribution inputs and is configured to automatically scatter or distribute the plurality of customized assets or objects into the game map environment. The asset creation module132is configured to implement a plurality of predefined, yet customizable, rules to ensure that the plurality of customized assets or objects are scattered or distributed randomly and intelligently. For example, the plurality of rules ensure that a damaged truck should not lie on top of a burning tank. Similarly, if there is a river or any other water body that runs through the battlefield then the plurality of rules ensures that none of the plurality of customized assets or objects is placed in the river. In some embodiments, the game artist may (additionally or alternatively) use the game editor application to instruct the asset creation module132to subtract or cut out the river from the area of the battlefield. Resultantly, the asset creation module132is configured to place the plurality of customized assets or objects on land, on the riverbanks, but not in the river itself. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the system is configured to automatically distribute game assets in a virtual landscape based on a) the traits of the game asset and b) to what extent the trait is compatible or incompatible with the traits of the virtual landscape. For example, a building or vehicle has a trait of being on land while a body of water has the trait of not being land. Therefore, the system would not automatically place building or vehicle assets on a body of water. Similarly, boulders, rocks, cars, tanks, and other such game assets have the trait of being on the ground or on a supported structure. Therefore, the system would not automatically place such assets such that they are floating in the air since that has the trait of not being grounded or supported by a structure. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand other similar trait compatibility tests exist and fall within the scope of this invention.

FIG.3is a flowchart of a plurality of exemplary steps of a method300of automatically generating one or more customized assets or objects of a generic asset or object, in accordance with some embodiments of the present specification. In embodiments, the method300is implemented by the asset creation module132(FIG.1).

At step302, the asset creation module132generates a first GUI (for display on the user's computing device190) to enable the game designer to select data indicative of a generic asset or object (that may belong to a high-level class of assets or objects), from displayed one or more classes, families or groups of assets or objects, for which the game designer desires to create and auto-generate one or more customized assets or objects.

At step304, based on the generic asset or object selected by the game designer, the asset creation module132generates a second GUI for display on the game designer's computing device190to enable the game designer to select one or more data indicative of parameters or attributes from displayed plurality of parameters or attributes associated with the selected generic asset or object.

At step306, the asset creation module132generates a third GUI for display on the game designer's computing device190to enable the game designer to define or establish relationships or restrictions/constraints among at least two of the displayed plurality of parameters or attributes associated with the selected generic asset or object.

At step308, based on the game designer's selections, inputs or responses received through the first, second and third GUIs, the asset creation module132automatically generates one or more customized assets or objects of the generic asset or object, selected in the first GUI, for display in a fourth GUI on the game designer's computing device190.

Finally, at step310, the asset creation module132places or positions at least one auto-generated customized asset or object, selected or chosen by the user, into a game map for display on the game designer's computing device190. In some embodiments, the at least one auto-generated customized asset or object positioned within the game map is displayed in a fifth GUI. In some embodiments, the fifth GUI is associated with a game editor application executed on the at least one server105and/or on the game designer's computing device190. In some embodiments, the asset creation module132automatically places or positions the at least one auto-generated customized asset or object into the game map. In some embodiments, the game designer manually places or positions the at least one auto-generated customized asset or object into the game map.

The above examples are merely illustrative of the many applications of the systems and methods of the present specification. 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.