U.S. Pat. No. 7,670,220

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure describes several embodiments of systems and methods for implementing showroom features, test drive features, and other features in racing games and other computer-implemented games involving cars and other vehicles. Specific details of several embodiments of the invention are described below to provide a thorough understanding of such embodiments. Other details describing well-known structures and routines often associated with computer-implemented games are not set forth below, however, to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the various embodiments. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the invention may have other embodiments in addition to those disclosed below. Such embodiments may include additional elements, or they may lack one or more of the elements described below with reference toFIGS. 1-12.

In the Figures, identical reference numbers identify identical or at least generally similar elements. To facilitate the discussion of any particular element, the most significant digit or digits of any reference number refer to the Figure in which that element is first introduced. For example, element110is first introduced and discussed with reference toFIG. 1.

Certain embodiments are described below in the context of computer-executable instructions performed by a game console or a general-purpose computer, such as a personal computer. In one embodiment, for example, these computer-executable instructions can be stored on a computer-readable medium, such as a hard disk, a floppy disk, or a CD-ROM. In other embodiments, these instructions can be stored on a server computer system and accessed via a computer network such as an intranet or the Internet. Because the basic structures and functions related to computer-executable routines and corresponding computer implementation systems are well known, they have not been shown or described in detail here to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the described embodiments.

FIG. 1is a schematic diagram illustrating a suitable gaming system100on which racing games and other computer games, video games and/or electronic games can be implemented in accordance with several embodiments of the invention. In one aspect of this embodiment, the gaming system100includes a plurality of controllers104(identified individually as a first controller104aand a second controller104b) operably connected to a game console102. The controllers104can be connected to the game console102via a wired or wireless interface. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the controllers104are universal serial bus (USB) compatible and are connected to the console102via serial cables130received in sockets110. The controllers104can be equipped with a wide variety of user-interaction mechanisms. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, each controller104includes two thumbsticks132aand132b, a D-pad134, various buttons136, and corresponding triggers138.

The foregoing features are merely illustrative of the various types of user-interaction mechanisms that can be included with the controllers104for implementing various aspects of the games described below. Such aspects include, for example, wandering around a garage or showroom to view a simulated car, selecting the car for a test drive, and test driving the car. In other embodiments, other controllers can include more or fewer such user-interaction mechanisms without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure.

Each of the controllers104can be configured to accommodate two portable memory units140for portable storage capability. The memory units140enable users to store game parameters and import them for play on other game consoles. In the illustrated embodiment, each controller104is configured to accommodate two memory units140. In other embodiments, however, suitable controllers can be configured to accommodate more or fewer memory units.

The game console102can include a plurality of cables for connection to supporting systems. For example, the game console102can be operably connected to a television or display150via audio visual interface cables120. In addition, a power cable122can provide power to the game console102. Further, a cable or modem connector124can facilitate information exchange between the game console102and a network, such as the Internet, for broadband data transmission.

The game console102can be equipped with an internal hard disk drive (not shown) and a portable media drive106. The portable media drive106can be configured to support various forms of portable storage media as represented by an optical storage disk108. Examples of suitable portable storage media can include DVD and CD-ROM game disks and the like. The game console102can further include a power button112and an eject button114. Depressing the eject button114alternately opens and closes a tray associated with the portable media device106to allow insertion and extraction of the storage disk108.

The gaming system100enables players and other users to enjoy various forms of entertainment including racing games and other games, music, and videos. With the different storage options available, such media can be played from the hard disk drive, the portable media drive106, the memory units140, or an online source. For example, the gaming system100is capable of playing music from a CD inserted in the portable media drive106, from a file on the hard disk drive, or from an online streaming source. Similarly, the gaming system100can also play a digital audio/video game from a DVD disk inserted in the portable media drive106, from a file on the hard disk drive (e.g., a file in Active Streaming Format), or an online streaming source.

The gaming system100is but one example of a suitable system for implementing embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the methods and systems disclosed herein are not limited to implementation on the gaming system100, but extend to numerous other general or special purpose computing systems or configurations. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with aspects of the invention include personal computers (PCs), server computers, portable and hand-held devices such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptop and tablet PCs, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, mini-computers, mainframe computers, electronic game consoles, and distributed computing environments that include one or more of the above systems or devices.

FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating functional components of the gaming system100configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In one aspect of this embodiment, the game console102includes a central processing unit (CPU)200and a memory controller202. The memory controller202can facilitate processor access to various types of memory. Such memory can include a flash Read Only Memory (ROM)204, a Random Access Memory (RAM)206, a hard disk drive208, and the portable media drive106. The CPU200can be equipped with a level one cache210and a level two cache212to temporarily store data and reduce the number of necessary memory access cycles, thereby improving processing speed and throughput. The CPU200, the memory controller202, and the various memory devices described above are interconnected via one or more buses, such as serial and parallel buses, memory buses, peripheral buses, and/or processor or local buses using any of a variety of bus architectures. Such architectures can include, for example, an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA), a Micro Channel Architecture (MCA), an enhanced ISA (EISA), a Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus architecture, and a Peripheral Component Interconnects (PCI) bus architecture also known as a mezzanine bus architecture.

In one embodiment, the CPU200, memory controller202, ROM204, and RAM206can be integrated into a common module214. In this embodiment, the ROM204is configured as a flash ROM that is connected to the memory controller202via a PCI bus and a ROM bus (neither of which is shown). The RAM206can be configured as a multiple Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic RAM (DDR SDRAM) that is independently controlled by the memory controller202via separate buses (not shown). The hard disk drive208and portable media drive106can be connected to the memory controller202via the PCI bus and an AT attachment (ATA) bus216.

In the illustrated embodiment, a3D graphics processing unit220and a video encoder222can form a video processing pipeline for high speed and high resolution graphics processing. Data can be carried from the graphics processing unit220to the video encoder222via a digital video bus (not shown). An audio processing unit224and an audio codec (coder/decoder)226can form a corresponding audio processing pipeline with high fidelity and stereo processing. Audio data can be carried between the audio processing unit224and the audio codec226via a communication link (not shown). The video and audio processing pipelines output data to an audio/video (AN) port228for transmission to the display150. In the illustrated embodiment, the video and audio processing components220-228are mounted on the module214.

A USB host controller230and a network interface232can also be implemented on the module214. The USB host controller230can be coupled to the CPU200and the memory controller202via a bus (e.g., a PCI bus), and serves as a host for peripheral controllers104a-104d. The network interface232can provide access to a network (e.g., the Internet, a home network, etc.) and may be any of a wide variety of wire or wireless interface components including an Ethernet card, a modem, a Bluetooth module, a cable modem, and the like.

The game console102can include dual controller port subassemblies240aand240b, and each subassembly can support two corresponding peripheral controllers104a-104d. A front panel I/O subassembly242supports the functionality of the power button112and the eject button114, as well as any light emitting diodes (LEDs) or other indicators exposed on the outer surface of the game console102. The subassemblies240a,240b, and242are coupled to the module214via one or more cable assemblies244.

Eight memory units140a-140hare illustrated as being connectable to the four controllers140a-140din a two memory units per controller configuration. Each memory unit140offers additional storage on which games, game parameters, and other data may be stored. When inserted into a controller, the memory unit140can be accessed by the memory controller202. A system power supply module250can provide power to the components of the gaming system100, and a fan252can cool the circuitry within the game console102.

The game console102described above can implement a uniform media portal model that provides a consistent user interface and navigation hierarchy to move users through various entertainment areas. The portal model offers a convenient way to access multiple different types of media content including game data, audio data, and video data regardless of the media type inserted into the portable media drive106. To implement the uniform media portal model, a console user interface (UI) application260is stored on the hard disk drive208. When the game console is powered on, various portions of the console application260are loaded into RAM206and/or caches210,212and executed on the CPU200. The console application260presents a graphical user interface that provides a consistent user experience when navigating to different media types available on the game console. Aspects of the UI application and some of the exemplary screen displays it presents are described below in more detail.

The gaming system100may be operated as a standalone system by simply connecting the system to the display150. In the standalone mode, the gaming system100allows one or more players operating the controllers104to play games and view them on the display150. With the broadband connectivity made possible via the network interface232, however, the gaming system100can also be operated in a larger, network-based gaming community.

FIG. 3is a schematic diagram of a gaming environment300suitable for implementing various embodiments of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the gaming environment300includes a plurality of the gaming systems100a, . . .100ninterconnected via a network302. The network302represents any of a wide variety of data communications networks and may include public portions (e.g., the Internet), as well as private portions (e.g., a residential Local Area Network (LAN)). Further, the network302may be implemented using any one or more of a wide variety of conventional communications configurations including both wired and wireless types. Any of a wide variety of communications protocols can be used to communicate data via network302, including both public and proprietary protocols. Examples of such protocols include TCP/IP, IPX/ISPX, NetBEUI, etc.

The gaming environment300can further include one or more online services304a, . . .304mconnected to the gaming systems100via the network302. The online services304can provide various services to the players, such as hosting online games, serving downloadable music or video files, hosting gaming competitions, serving streaming A/V files, and the like. The gaming environment300can additionally include one or more remote storage locations as exemplified by remote storage308at online service304m. The remote storage308provides another location for storing data files in addition to the optical storage disk108, the hard disk drive208, and the MU(s)140. The gaming environment300may further employ a key distribution center306that plays a role in authenticating individual players and/or gaming systems100to one another as well as to online services304. The distribution center306distributes keys and service tickets to valid participants that may then be used to form games including multiple players or to purchase services from online services304.

FIG. 4illustrates a screen display400for selecting a class of car to race in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In one aspect of this embodiment, the screen display400includes a plurality of different car classes402from which a player can choose for a particular race. Each of the car classes402can include a group of cars having similar performance parameters. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the car classes402include “compact sport,” “sports convertible,” “luxury,” “classic,” and “supercar,” among others. As described in greater detail below, these classes include facsimiles of real-world cars from well known manufacturers. In addition, the car classes402can also include one or more classes of fictional cars such as “extreme cars,” “ultimate cars,” and a “bonus class.” To select one of the car classes402, the player moves a pointer404adjacent to the desired class (e.g., compact sport) by manipulating a corresponding user-interaction mechanism on the controller104(FIGS. 1-3). Once the pointer404has been positioned, the player selects an “A” button406to confirm his or her selection of the class.

FIG. 5illustrates a screen display500corresponding to a car class selection from the screen display400described above. In the illustrated embodiment, the screen display500corresponds to the compact sport class, and provides the player with three different options for selecting a car to race from this class. The first option lets the player select a car directly from the screen display500by choosing a car from a list502. To select a car in this manner, the player simply positions a pointer504adjacent to the name of the desired car in the list502and selects a corresponding “A” button506.

As the screen display500illustrates, a portion of the compact sport car names in the list502are presented in shaded text. The shaded text indicates that the player lacks a sufficient amount of points or tokens (e.g., “kudos tokens”) to unlock (i.e., purchase) these cars. As described in greater detail below, in one embodiment, such points or tokens are awarded to the player for completing different events or stages in the game and/or for demonstrating stylish and skillful maneuvers during an event. As the player progresses through the different levels of play, the player is awarded more points (e.g., more “kudos points”). The points determine a player's rank (e.g., “kudos rank”). As the player achieves progressively higher levels of rank, the player is awarded additional kudos tokens that can be exchanged for a car, enabling the player to “unlock” the car. Once a car has been unlocked, the player's ownership of the car is recorded on the hard disk of the console102(FIGS. 1-3) in the player's profile, and the player is free to use the car in subsequent racing events.

The kudos token system described above represents one method for unlocking and/or purchasing a car in accordance with the present disclosure. In other embodiments, other methods and systems can be used by a player to gain access to and/or purchase a car. Such methods can include, for example, exchanging other forms of “value” or “points” for a car. Such forms of value can be obtained by demonstrating skill or, alternatively, they can be arbitrarily awarded to a player at the start of a game. In a further embodiment, the cars can be available without exchanging any form of value or points for the cars, but simply by indicating a desire to unlock and/or purchase a particular car.

In contrast to the cars described above with shaded names, the cars in the list502with unshaded names (e.g., the Volkswagen New Beetle RSi and the Seat Leon Cupra R) can be used by the player without exchanging any tokens. As can be seen by reference to a player status field508, in the illustrated embodiment, this particular player has zero kudos tokens. As a result, this player can only choose between the New Beetle RSi or the Cupra R for racing at this time.

The second option for selecting a car includes visiting a garage to view the cars in the selected class up close and in more detail before making a choice. To go to the garage, the player positions the pointer504adjacent to a garage identifier508and selects the “A” button506.

FIG. 6A-6Dillustrate screen displays600a-d, respectively, showing various views from within a simulated garage601configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In one aspect of this embodiment, the garage601holds all the cars in the selected class (e.g., the compact sport class). Similarly, other garages exist for each of the other classes of car (e.g., sports convertible, coupe, etc.). Referring first toFIG. 6A, the screen display600aincludes a high-resolution simulation of a compact sport car620(e.g., the Cupra R) from the list502ofFIG. 5. Selecting the “Y” button624allows the player to roam freely about the garage601in first-person mode by manipulating one or more of the user-interaction mechanisms on the player's controller104(FIGS. 1-3). This feature allows the player to view the car620from various angles and inspect the car in close detail. The player can change the color of the car by selecting the desired color from a color palette632. In addition to roaming around the garage601in a first-person walking mode, the player can also jump from one car to the next in the garage601by selecting a jump button622.

To help the player make his or her decision about whether to choose the car620, the screen display600afurther includes a plurality of car performance fields630illustrating various performance characteristics of the car620. These characteristics can include, for example, top speed, acceleration, power sliding ability, and handling. If the player wishes to choose the car620, he or she can do so by selecting the “A” button604. Alternatively, the player can jump back to the prior screen display by selecting a “B” button605.

FIG. 6Billustrates a screen display600bdepicting a broader view within the garage601. This view includes a plurality of compact sport cars in addition to the Cupra R620. In the illustrated embodiment, a portion of the cars are covered with tarps626while the Cupra R620and a Volkswagen New Beetle Rsi621are uncovered. The tarps626indicate that the player lacks the amount of tokens required to unlock and purchase the covered cars. Accordingly, only the Cupra R620and the Volkswagen New Beetle RSi621are available to this particular player. If the player is considering the Volkswagen, the player can walk over to the Volkswagen in first-person mode and inspect the car in closer detail. Alternatively, as described in greater detail below, if the player would like to test drive any of the cars in the garage601, the player can use the “B” button605to jump back to the screen display500ofFIG. 5and select the showroom feature.

FIG. 6Cillustrates a screen display600cof another view in the garage601showing a compact sport car627(e.g., a Ford Focus RS) covered by a tarp626. A cost-to-unlock field632indicates that three kudos tokens are needed to unlock the car627. However, a car status field640indicates that the player does not have enough kudos tokens to unlock the car627. If the player did have enough kudos tokens to unlock the car627, the player could do so by selecting an “A” button634.

FIG. 6Dillustrates a screen display600dof yet another view in the garage601showing various items including a simulated tool box, spare wheel rims, and other assorted car-related equipment. In addition to these items, the garage601further includes a simulated arcade cabinet650. In one aspect of this embodiment, the player can approach the arcade cabinet650in first-person mode and begin playing a computer-implemented game (e.g., “Geometry Wars”) with the arcade cabinet650. Thus, this feature enables the player to play a game within a game. This feature adds a twist to the garage601because the player may be surprised to find that the arcade cabinet650is actually functional. Further, this feature enhances the gaming experience by increasing the realism of the garage601and by piquing the player's interest as to what other surprises may be in store.

As mentioned above with reference toFIG. 5, there are at least three different ways a player can select a car for a race. First, the player can select the car directly from the screen display500. Second, the player can visit the garage601(FIGS. 6A-6D) and view one or more of the cars before choosing. The third option is for the player to visit a simulated showroom to view and/or test drive one or more of the cars before choosing. Referring back toFIG. 5, to go from the screen display500to the showroom, the player positions the pointer504adjacent to a showroom identifier510and selects the “A” button506. (The player can also go directly from the garage601to the showroom.)

FIG. 7illustrates a screen display700of an entryway703of a showroom701configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The showroom701of the illustrated embodiment has the look and feel of a new car showroom. In other embodiments, however, other types of showrooms having other appearances can be used without departing from the present disclosure. In one aspect of the illustrated embodiment, the entryway703includes a trophy car750covered with a tarp. Although only one trophy car is shown inFIG. 7, the entryway703can include a plurality (e.g., five) of such cars. The trophy cars can be highly desirable and awarded to the player for achieving successively higher skill levels of the racing game. In this manner, the trophy cars motivate the player to continue playing the game and increasing his or her skill level.

In addition to the trophy car750, the entryway703can also include a plurality of manufacturer signs. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the entryway703includes a first plurality of manufacturer signs760to the left (as shown), and a second plurality of manufacturer signs to the right (not shown). These signs indicate the various types of cars that are available in different wings of the showroom701for viewing and/or test driving by the player. For example, the signs illustrated inFIG. 7indicate that cars from AudiNolkswagen, BMW/Mercedes, Honda/Nissan, etc. are available for viewing and/or test driving in the left wing of the showroom701. Similarly, cars from other manufacturers are available in a corresponding right wing (not shown) of the showroom701.

FIG. 8illustrates a screen display800of a view looking down a hallway802in the left wing of the showroom701(FIG. 7). The hallway802includes a plurality of manufacturer signs862(identified individually as manufacturer signs862a-c) corresponding to the manufacturer signs760illustrated inFIG. 7. Each of the signs862is positioned directly adjacent to an entrance into a corresponding manufacturer display area. The player can roam down the hallway802in first-person mode and turn into any manufacturer display area he or she desires to view and/or test drive the cars parked within.

FIG. 9illustrates a screen display900depicting the interior of a manufacturer display area962configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In contrast to the garage601(FIGS. 6A-6D) that contains only a single class of cars but from many manufacturers, the manufacturer display area962includes many classes of cars but from only a single manufacturer (e.g., Honda/Nissan). For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the Honda/Nissan showroom includes a “classic” car951(e.g., a Nissan 240Z) and a “track special”952(e.g., a Honda NSX Type-R)—two different classes of car but the same manufacturer. If the player wishes to unlock and purchase, for example, the Nissan 240Z951, the player must have at least 7 kudos tokens, as indicated by a cost-to-unlock field932. As a kudos status field940indicates, however, this player lacks the 7 kudos tokens required to unlock and purchase the Nissan 240Z951.

Although the player currently lacks the kudos tokens required to unlock a car and use it in a race, the player can still test drive any of the cars in the manufacturer display area962, as well as any of the cars in any of the other manufacturer display areas. This feature enables the player to experience a wide range of cars having different driving characteristics and attributes, and motivates the player to acquire enough kudos tokens to ultimately be able to unlock and purchase any car of his or her choosing. In a further aspect of this embodiment, the amount of kudos required to unlock a particular car can vary based on the subjective desirability of the particular car. As an example, the Nissan 240Z951of the illustrated embodiment requires only 7 kudos tokens to unlock, while the NSX Type-R952requires13.

FIG. 10illustrates a screen display1000in which the player has walked over to the second car952(e.g., the NSX Type-R) for closer inspection. The screen display1000gives the player the option of purchasing the car by exchanging kudos tokens or taking the car for a test drive. If the player decides to test drive the NSX Type-R952, the player presses an “A” button1004. In one aspect of this embodiment, after the player selects the test drive option, various screen displays can be presented showing the NSX Type-R952rolling out of the showroom701and onto an adjacent test track.

FIG. 11illustrates a screen display1100depicting the NSX Type-R952positioned on a simulated test track1180adjacent to the showroom701(FIGS. 7-10). The player can “drive” the NSX Type-R952around the test track1180with the user-interaction mechanisms on the controller104(FIGS. 1-3) to test the performance of the NSX Type-R952. The player has the option of viewing the NSX Type-R952and the track environment from outside the car as illustrated inFIG. 11, or from inside the car in first-person mode. As the player is driving, the relative position of the NSX Type-R952on the track1180is represented by a car position marker1191on a miniature track1192. In addition, a tachometer, digital speedometer, and odometer in an instrument cluster1194provide the player with operating information during the test drive.

The screen display1100includes a number of data collection features that enable the player to record his or her performance in the NSX Type-R952for comparison to other cars. For example, the screen display1100can include a “RECORD” field1182, a “BEST” field1184, and a “LAP TIME” field1186. The RECORD field1182can display the player's best-ever lap time on the test track1180, regardless of the particular type of car the player was testing at the time. The BEST field1184can display the player's best lap time in the particular car (for example, the NSX Type-R952) he or she is currently testing. The LAP TIME field1186can display the player's elapsed time on the current lap.

In one aspect of this embodiment, as the player test drives the NSX Type-R952around the test track1180, the simulated car responds to the player's control inputs in much the same way that a “real” NSX Type-R would react to analogous control inputs. That is, the simulated version of the car tends to replicate many of the dynamic characteristics and attributes of the real version. For example, if a real NSX Type-R can out-accelerate most other cars, then the simulated version will have the same capability relative to the other simulated cars. In addition, if a real NSX Type-R has a tendency to oversteer or understeer, then the simulated version will exhibit similar cornering characteristics. By giving each of the cars a unique set of dynamic attributes that reflect their real-world counterparts, the player is allowed to experience and compare the different driving characteristics of a wide range of cars in various classes. This feature adds an extra dimension to the game that does not exist in driving games in which all of the cars demonstrate the same driving characteristics.

In addition to the foregoing, the test drive feature of the present invention can also incorporate other features to enhance the test drive experience. For example, in one embodiment, the test drive can include one or more “ghost” cars running on the track1180at the same time as the test car. These ghost cars can be stored performances from the player using other cars, or they can be stored performances of other players that have been downloaded from a remote server computer. By running the ghost cars concurrently, the player is able to directly compare the performance of different car types and different drivers to better assess his or her abilities in the particular car being tested.

Although, in the illustrated embodiment, the player can take the NSX Type-R952for a “test drive” around the track1180, in other embodiments, the player can perform other tests with the NSX Type-R952and/or other cars to determine their comparative performance capabilities. For example, in another embodiment, the player can test car performance around a “cone challenge” course. In a further embodiment, the player can test and compare the 0-60 mph time of a car, the 0-100-0 time, and/or the standing quarter mile time. Accordingly, a player can perform a multitude of different tests with different cars to determine their relative performance characteristics in accordance with present invention.

After test driving the NSX Type-R952, the player may elect to unlock the car and purchase it for use in a racing event. Alternatively, the test drive may have shown the player that the car lacks a certain attribute that the player desires for racing. Accordingly, the player may elect to test drive another car before making his or her selection for a subsequent race. If so, the player can return to the showroom701(FIGS. 7-10) and select another car from any of the manufacturer display areas for another test drive on the track1180.

The various screen displays described above with reference toFIGS. 4-11are representative of but one embodiment of the present invention. Accordingly, in other embodiments, other screen displays can be used to provide the garage, showroom, test drive, and other features described above without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. For example, in one other embodiment, a garage configured in accordance with the present invention can hold cars from more than a single class. Similarly, in a further embodiment, a showroom configured in accordance with the present invention can have cars from more than one manufacturer gathered in a single display area.

In yet another embodiment, aspects of the present invention can extend to viewing and/or testing equipment and devices other than vehicles. For example, in one other embodiment, a room (or set of rooms) in a showroom or similar setting can contain a group of guns that a player can select from to test (e.g., on a simulated firing range) before selecting one for use in a computer-implemented game. In a further embodiment, a room or other area can contain a group of musical instruments that the player can “play” to compare. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments reflected in the screen displays described above, but extends to other embodiments in which one or more players compare “performance” of two or more different devices.

FIG. 12is a flow diagram illustrating a routine1200for selecting a car at the start of an auto racing game in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In block1202, the routine receives a selection of a car class by a player. In one embodiment, the car class can correspond to one of the different classes of cars listed inFIG. 4and described above (e.g., compact sport, sports convertible, coupe, etc.). After receiving the car class selection, the routine displays a list of cars in the selected class in block1204. The routine then proceeds to decision block1206to determine if the player has selected one of the cars from the displayed list. If so, then the routine proceeds to decision block1208to determine if the player already owns the selected car.

If the player already owns the selected car, then the routine proceeds directly to block1210and receives the color and transmission selections from the player. Conversely, if the player does not own the car, then in block1214the routine removes a preset number of kudos tokens from the player's total in exchange for the car and unlocks the car for the player. Then the routine receives car color and transmission selections from the player in block1210. In block1212, the routine starts a race in which the player controls a simulated version of the selected car having the color and type of transmission chosen by the player in block1210. After block1212, the routine is complete.

Returning to decision block1206, if the routine does not receive a car selection from the list displayed in block1204, then the routine proceeds to decision block1216to determine if it has received a request from the player to visit the garage. If the routine has received a garage request, then in block1218the routine displays the interior of the requested garage showing one or more of the cars in the selected class. In decision block1220, the routine determines if it has received a selection from the player of one of the cars in the garage. If not, then the routine can continue to display cars in the garage or, alternatively, the routine can return to block1204and repeat the display of the list of cars in the selected class. Conversely, if the routine does receive a car selection in decision block1220, then the routine advances to decision block1208and proceeds as described above.

Returning to decision block1216, if the routine does not receive a garage request from the player, then the routine proceeds to decision block1222to determine if it has received a showroom request from the player. If the routine has not received a showroom request, then the routine can continue to wait for a car selection, a garage request, a showroom request, or some other input from the player. Conversely, if the routine does receive a showroom request from the player, then the routine proceeds to block1224and displays at least some cars in a simulated showroom setting. In decision block1226, the routine determines if it has received a test drive selection from the player corresponding to a car in the showroom the player wishes to test drive. If so, then in block1228, the routine implements a test drive for the player using the selected car. Returning to decision block1226, if the routine does not receive a test drive selection, then the routine proceeds directly to decision block1230.

In decision block1230, the routine determines if it has received a car selection from the player corresponding to a car in the showroom the player wishes to purchase for use in a race. Such a selection may be the result of the player test driving the car in block1228and finding the car to his or her liking. If the routine does receive a car selection from the player, the routine advances to decision block1208and proceeds as described above. Conversely, if the routine does not receive a car selection from the player, then the routine can continue to display cars in the showroom. Alternatively, if the player wishes, the routine can return to block1218and display the garage or return to block1204and display the list of cars in the selected class.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, although selected embodiments of the invention have been described above in the context of car racing games, in other embodiments, the methods and systems disclosed herein can be used in other types of games involving other types of vehicles. Such games can include, for example, games in which the player or players choose from one or more different types of vehicles or other equipment before the start of actual competitive play. For example, in an air racing or air combat game, methods at least generally similar to those described above can be implemented to allow the players to test and compare one type of aircraft to another. Similarly, such methods can also be used in boat racing games, motorcycle racing games, and essentially any type of game where a choice of different type of vehicle and/or equipment is available to the players. Accordingly, the invention is not limited, except as by the appended claims.