U.S. Pat. No. 9,498,706

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure relates to systems and methods for providing an enhanced research game mechanic that simulates research in a game. The system may provide a gameplay experience for a game that includes a research component that simulates real-world research by integrating observation, testing, chance, and/or other characteristics of real-world research.

FIG. 1illustrates a system100configured to provide an enhanced research game mechanic that simulates discoveries in a game, according to an embodiment of the invention. System100may include a game device120, one or more client computing platforms140(illustrated as client computing platform140A,140B, . . . ,140N), and/or other components.

Game device120may include one or more processors132configured to execute one or more modules such as a game module122, a research space module124, a research input module126, a research result module128, a research transfer module130, and/or other modules.

In some embodiments, game module122may be configured to facilitate gameplay of the game or other virtual environment. For example, game module122may be configured to provide logic for the game, define a virtual space in which the game is played, and/or provide other functions for facilitating gameplay. Game module122may facilitate gameplay according to various configurations such as, for example, a hosted gameplay configuration where one or more users may play the game online, a local gameplay configuration where one or more users may play the game locally (e.g., on a console device), a hybrid configuration where one or more users may play the game locally while connecting online with other users to play the online game, and/or other configurations.

Game module122may facilitate a research aspect of the game that simulates research activities for advancing virtual knowledge for use in the game. Virtual knowledge may include virtual technologies, virtual economic knowledge, virtual cultural knowledge, and/or other types of knowledge that can be simulated and advanced for use in the game. Thus, although described hereinafter in relation to virtual technologies, the features described herein are applicable to other types of virtual knowledge as well.

Game module122facilitates discovery and use of different classes and uses of virtual technologies. For example, a class of virtual technology may include virtual steam. Uses of the class of virtual technology may include a steam engine, which may lead to other sub-uses such as a virtual steamboat. One or more users or team of users may discover and use virtual technologies in the game. Furthermore, as described more fully below, one or more users or teams of users may steal from, acquire from, jointly discover with, and/or otherwise interact with other users or teams of users in relation to virtual technology. For a given user, an indication of different technology/research levels achieved or acquired, a time when discovery locations were found, a location where discovery locations were found, and/or other information related to research levels may be stored in research level database152.

To facilitate discovery and use of virtual technology, game module122may make available one or more research units. Research units may include virtual researchers, virtual research facilities such as virtual buildings, equipment, etc., and/or other virtual units that can be used to discover virtual technologies. Research units may impose a cost for acquiring and/or using such research units. For example, game module122may receive a virtual or real currency and/or other resource (virtual or otherwise) to be used in exchange for obtaining research units. Different types of research units may each have their own characteristics, which may be stored in research unit database150.

Game module122may make available certain research units that are more effective at discovering virtual technologies than other research units (and therefore impose a higher cost than less effective research units). For example, a virtual researcher may be more skilled than another virtual researcher and therefore result in a greater ability to actually discover a virtual technology as described herein. Game module122may assign a skill level for a research unit. Examples of implementations of research unit skill levels are illustrated inFIGS. 4A and 4B. In some embodiments, research units have different specialties and combinations of research units may be used as well, as will be described in greater detail below. Various modules of computing device120may facilitate making a virtual discovery in the game.

In some embodiments, research space module124may be configured to define a research space for visual presentation to a user as part of an interface to the game. The research space may have two- and/or three-dimensional spatial dimensions and be divided into an array (e.g., plurality) of positions. Research space module124may assign a set of positions having at least two of the positions to a discovery location. Thus, a discovery location may be located at a set of positions of the research space.

A discovery location is associated with discovery of a virtual technology. For example, a first discovery location may be associated with a first virtual technology being usable in the game by the user. Likewise, a second discovery location may be associated with a second virtual technology being usable in the game.

A discovery location may be found when a user interacts with the set of positions such as when the user selects a position, indicates that a research unit is to conduct research at the position (such as by spatially moving the research unit to the position or otherwise indicating that the research unit should be associated with the position), and/or otherwise indicates a request to find a discovery location based on the user interaction. When found, the discovery location may be marked as such in the research space of the game for the user.

In some embodiments, whether the discovery location is found even when the user interacts with the sets of positions may be deterministic (always found) or probabilistic (sometimes found). For example, when deterministic and the user interacts with all of the positions of the set of positions, the discovery location will be found and the associated virtual technology made available to the user. On the other hand, when probabilistic and the user interacts with all of the positions of the set of positions, then the discovery location may be found 80% of the time. In some embodiments, when probabilistic, particular types of research units, numbers of research units, and/or combinations of types of research units may result enhance the probability of finding the discovery location.

Various numbers of positions and/or different configurations of the positions may be used. The sets of positions associated with a discovery location may be continuous (e.g., no intervening spaces between the positions), discontinuous (e.g., having one or more intervening positions that are not related to the discovery location), or portions of set of positions being continuous while other portions are discontinuous. Furthermore, one discovery location may overlap with another discovery location. This may occur when two classes of virtual technologies are related to one another, when particular uses of a virtual technology are related, and so forth. In these instances, finding a position in the research space associated with two or more discovery locations at least partially finds the two or more discovery locations.

In some embodiments, sets of positions may be randomly assigned to a discovery location in the research space. In these embodiments, the position of a discovery location that is associated with a particular virtual technology may change when a game is replayed. Likewise, a first user may find a discovery location associated with the particular virtual technology at a first set of positions while a second user may find the discovery location at a second set of positions. In some embodiments, a discovery location may be predefined such that the discovery location does not change from a first game instance to a second game instance or from one user to another user. In some embodiments, some discovery locations may be random while other discovery locations are predefined.

In some embodiments, research space module124may define different types of discovery locations such as primary and secondary discovery locations. A primary discovery location may be associated with a class of virtual technology while a secondary discovery location may be associated with a particular use or specific type of virtual technology. For example, a primary discovery location may be associated with the discovery of virtual steam while a secondary discovery location may be associated with a virtual steam engine.

In some embodiments, research space module124may be configured such that a secondary discovery location is findable after a corresponding primary discovery location is found. For example, the secondary discovery location may not be discoverable until the primary discovery location is found. In some of these embodiments, research space module124may arrange two or more primary discovery locations around one or more secondary discovery locations. In some embodiments, the one or more primary discovery locations may be arranged to form a boundary around the one or more secondary discovery locations such that the primary discovery locations must be discovered before the one or more secondary discovery locations.

In some embodiments, research space module124may be configured to provide an indication of a discovery location. The indication may include, for example, a visual and/or other type of indication that indicates one or more of the positions associated with the discovery location. In some embodiments, the indication may or may not be coincident with one or more of the positions associated with a discovery location. For example, research space module124may cause one or more of the positions associated with a discovery location to be visually indicated such that the user may be informed that the indicated position is part of a discovery location. In another example, research space module124may cause a position not part of but nearby (e.g., within the same display screen) a position of the discovery location to be indicated such that the user may be informed that the discovery location is nearby. In some embodiments, research space module124may provide other types of indications as well, such as a visual, audible or haptic indication when, for example, the user is traversing an area that includes a discovery location.

In some embodiments, the indication may be presented as a text or clue that indicates a discovery location. The text or clue may include a custom message and/or a generic message. For example, the indication may include a custom message that a discovery location is at a location where the user traversed within a current or prior game session or instance. The indication may also include a generic message such as a message that indicates a discovery location being positioned nearby a landmark of the virtual space.

In some embodiments, the indication may be presented differently based on the type of discovery location being indicated. For example, a first class or use of a first virtual technology may be indicated as a first color, sound, effect, etc., while a second class or use of a second virtual technology may be indicated as a second color, sound, effect, etc. In some embodiments, the indication may change as the user interactions get closer to or further from the discovery location. For example, the indication may change as a research unit is positioned closer to the discovery location.

As previously described, a user may find discovery locations by interacting with a position assigned to the discovery location. In some embodiments, research input module126may be configured to receive research requests from the user that indicates such interaction. The research request may include a specified position in the array of positions assigned to the discovery location. For example, the user may click on or otherwise select the specified position to indicate that a research request is being made for that position.

In some embodiments, research input module126may be configured to receive an identification of one or more research units to be used in association with the specified position. In a particular example, research input module126may receive an indication that a research unit is being spatially positioned onto (e.g., dragged and dropped or otherwise commanded to go to) the position.

In some embodiments, research result module128may be configured to determine whether the specified position corresponds to one of the discovery locations. Responsive to the specified position not corresponding to one of the discovery locations, research result module128may not provide a resulting correspondence to the user. On the other hand, responsive to the specified position corresponding to a discovery location, research result module may provide access to the virtual technology in the game associated with the discovery location.

In some embodiments, research result module128may take into account the characteristics, numbers, combinations, and/or other information related to research units. In some embodiments, for example, a skilled virtual researcher may result in a greater number of discoveries and may do so faster and/or with less use of resources than a less-skilled researcher. For example, a first virtual researcher may yield a first level of technological discovery than a second level of technological discovery of a second virtual researcher.

In some embodiments, research units may be specialized for a particular type of research. For example, a research unit specializing in discovery of one type of virtual technology may be ineffective at discovering another type of virtual technology. Accordingly, in these embodiments, research result module128may require particular types of research units to discover corresponding types of virtual technologies.

In some embodiments, research units may become fatigued over time. For example, repeated use of a virtual researcher may degrade performance of the virtual researcher. As such, research result module128may enforce a rule such that research units when repeatedly used may experience a loss of skill level or otherwise lose effectiveness at making virtual discoveries. For example, a probability of making the discovery may be diminished and/or the resulting level of technological discovery may be diminished as the virtual researcher becomes fatigued (e.g., used greater than a predefined number of times for a given time period).

In some embodiments, two research units may be combined with similar types and/or different types of other research units to together achieve greater abilities at making virtual discoveries. For example, two virtual researchers may be more effective than a single virtual researcher at making a virtual discovery. A virtual researcher combined with another type of research unit, such as research equipment, may be more effective than the virtual researcher alone. For example, the combination may yield a greater level of virtual technological knowledge when a corresponding virtual location is found and/or may increase the probability of finding the virtual location (e.g., in implementations where finding the virtual location is probabilistic).

Research result module128may enforce rules such that various numbers and/or combinations of research units may be necessary to make a virtual discovery or are more effective at making such virtual discovery. In some instances, research result module128may enforce rules such that a number and/or combination of research units experience diminishing return on gains. For example, three research units may be more effective than one research unit whereas fifty research units tasked to make a virtual discovery may not be more effective than forty-five research units tasked to make the same virtual discovery.

In some embodiments, research result module128may enforce rules such that allies or users who otherwise agree to jointly develop technology are awarded at least a portion of virtual technology for use in the game when the corresponding virtual location is found by any one or more members of the alliance.

In some embodiments, research transfer module130may be configured to transfer virtual technology from a user to a different user. When the virtual technology is transferred from a first user to a second user, for example, the corresponding discovery location may be indicated as found on the second user's research space.

A user may agree to transfer certain virtual technology to another user under an agreement. In some embodiments, a user may conquer another user such as by capturing an enemy base, city, etc., and accordingly capture technological knowledge of the enemy, thereby causing a transfer of virtual technology. Other ways to transfer virtual technology may be used as well.

In some embodiments, research transfer module130may be configured to transfer research units such as virtual researchers. Like the transfer of virtual technology, such transfers may be agreed to willingly between users or forced (e.g., in a defeat). In some embodiments, upon transfer, the skill/effectiveness of the transferred research units may be enhanced, stay the same or decreased. Such determination may be random and/or may be based on rules that take into account the circumstances of the transfer (e.g., whether the transfer was amicable, the nature of the battle leading to the defeat, etc.).

In some embodiments, users may interact with the game using client computing platforms140, which may include one or more processors144configured to execute one or more instructions that facilitate gameplay. Client computing platform140may communicate with game device120via network110. Network110may include any one or more of, for instance, the Internet, an intranet, a PAN (Personal Area Network), a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), a SAN (Storage Area Network), a MAN (Metropolitan Area Network), a wireless network, a cellular communications network, a Public Switched Telephone Network, and/or other network.

The databases150and152described 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 (Standard Query Language), a SAN (storage area network), Microsoft Access™ or others may also be used, incorporated, or accessed. The database may comprise one or more such databases that reside in one or more physical devices and in one or more physical locations. The database may store a plurality of types of data and/or files and associated data or file descriptions, administrative information, or any other data.

Those having skill in the art will recognize that game device120and client computing platform may each comprise one or more processors (132,144), one or more interfaces (to various peripheral devices or components), non-transitory storage media (134,146), and/or other components coupled via a bus. The non-transitory storage media may comprise random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), or other memory. The memory may store computer-executable instructions to be executed by the processor as well as data that may be manipulated by the processor. The storage media may comprise floppy disks, hard disks, optical disks, tapes, or other storage media for storing computer-executable instructions and/or data.

FIG. 2illustrates an example of an arrangement of a research space200that includes a discovery location210, according to an embodiment of the invention. The research space illustrated inFIG. 2and other drawing figures are for illustrative purposes only. Various components may be added, deleted, moved, or otherwise changed so that the configuration, appearance, and/or content of the virtual spaces may be different than as illustrated in the figures. Accordingly, the virtual spaces as illustrated (and described in greater detail below) are exemplary by nature and, as such, should not be viewed as limiting.

Although illustrated as a two-dimensional grid, research space200may include positions configured in other representations such as a three-dimensional grid or other position/coordinate representation. In some embodiments, research space200may correspond with a virtual space (not illustrated) that includes an interface through which a user plays the game.

Research space200may include a plurality of positions202(illustrated inFIG. 2as positions202A,202B,202C, . . . ,202N). Only four positions202are illustrated for convenience. Research space200may include one or more discovery locations210. A discovery location210may occupy one or more positions202. In some embodiments, discovery location210occupies two or more positions202such that a user is given access to a technology associated with the discovery location when each of the two or more positions202are found by the user. Discovery location210may have various arrangements of positions, examples of which are illustrated below.

FIG. 3Aillustrates an example of an arrangement of a discovery location210having continuous positions, according to an embodiment of the invention. Continuous positions302(illustrated inFIG. 3Aas continuous positions302A,302B,302C, . . . ,302N) may be continuous in that the continuous positions302assigned to a discovery location210are adjacent to one another with no intervening positions. Although illustrated as a single row of continuous positions302, discovery location210may include any arrangement of continuous positions302such that there are no intervening positions between any two continuous positions302.

FIG. 3Billustrates an example of an arrangement of a discovery location210having discontinuous positions, according to an embodiment of the invention. Discontinuous positions304(illustrated inFIG. 3Bas discontinuous positions304A,304B, . . . ,304N) may include positions where at least two of the discontinuous positions304are intervened by at least one non-discovery location position306(illustrated inFIG. 3Bas positions306A,306B). Although illustrated as a single row of discontinuous positions304, discovery location210may include any arrangement of discontinuous positions304such that there is at least one intervening position between at least two discontinuous positions304.

FIG. 3Cillustrates an example of an arrangement of primary discovery locations210A and secondary discovery locations210B, according to an embodiment of the invention. In some embodiments, primary discovery locations210A may be required to be found before secondary discovery locations210B are findable. For example, research result module128may not be responsive to research requests that specify positions corresponding to secondary discovery locations210B unless associated discovery locations210A are found.

FIG. 3Dillustrates an example of an arrangement of primary discovery locations210A forming a boundary around secondary discovery locations210B, according to an embodiment of the invention.

The arrangements of the primary discovery locations210A and secondary discovery location210B illustrated inFIGS. 3C and 3Dare not limiting, as the primary and secondary discovery locations may have different arrangements. In some embodiments, for example, the primary and secondary discovery locations210A,210B need not be continuous. Primary discovery locations210A and secondary discovery locations210B may be separated by one or more positions of the research space, enabling different configurations for the primary and secondary discovery locations. Furthermore, as described above, the primary and secondary discovery locations may each be comprised of one or more positions, examples of which were illustrated inFIGS. 3A and 3B.

FIG. 4Aillustrates an example of the discovery capability of a research unit402in finding discovery locations, according to an embodiment of the invention. Research unit402when positioned onto the research space may make virtual discoveries when the position corresponds to a position of a discovery location. In some embodiments, research unit402may be associated with a particular skill or ability to find discovery locations. As illustrated inFIG. 4A, research unit402may include different ranges410,420in which the research unit is able to find discovery locations.

For example, when a position assigned to a discovery location is within range410, that position may be deemed to be found. In some embodiments, the different ranges410,420may be associated with different probabilities of finding a position. For example, when a position assigned to a discovery location is within range410, that position may be found 100% of the time. However, when a position assigned to a discovery location is within range420, that position may be found only 80% of the time. Different research units402may have different ranges410,420(or other number of ranges), reflecting their differences in skill.

FIG. 4Billustrates an example of the discovery capability of a research units402in finding discovery locations, according to an embodiment of the invention. In some embodiments, as illustrated inFIG. 4B, different research units402(illustrated inFIG. 4Bas research units402A,402B, . . . ,402N) may be associated with different skills related to discovery locations. Thus, some research units may be more effective at virtual discovery than other research units. Although not illustrated inFIG. 4B, a research unit402may have different skills for different types of technology/areas of research.

As illustrated inFIG. 4B, a skill may include a skill at finding discoveries (such as a probability of finding a position assigned to a research location) and a skill in producing discoveries (such as a multiplier of the level of technology achieved after discovery). For example, research unit402A may be associated with a 100% probability of finding a position assigned to a discovery location when research unit402A is placed at the position. Research unit402A may have a multiplier of 1.2 such that the resulting level of technological discovery is 1.2× a baseline level. Research units402B and402N may be individually associated with their own respective probability of finding a position assigned to a discovery location and multiplier.

FIG. 5illustrates a process500of providing an enhanced research game mechanic in an expression of a game, according to an embodiment of the invention. The various processing operations and/or data flows depicted inFIG. 5(and in the other drawing figures) are described in greater detail herein. The described operations may be accomplished using some or all of the system components described in detail above and, in some implementations, various operations may be performed in different sequences and various operations may be omitted. Additional operations may be performed along with some or all of the operations shown in the depicted flow diagrams. One or more operations may be performed simultaneously. Accordingly, the operations as illustrated (and described in greater detail below) are exemplary by nature and, as such, should not be viewed as limiting.

In an operation502, a research space for visual presentation to a user as part of an interface to a game may be defined. The research space may include spatially arranged positions, at least some of which are assigned to a discovery location. In an operation504, research requests from the user may be received. A research request from the user may include a specified position.

In an operation506, a determination of whether the specified position corresponds to a position assigned to the discovery location may be made. If the specified position does not correspond to a position assigned to the discovery location, access to the technology is not provided. On the other hand, if the specified position corresponds to a position assigned to the discovery location, a determination of whether all of the positions assigned to the discovery location have been found may be made in an operation508. If all of the positions of the discovery location have not been found, processing may return to operation504. If all of the positions of the discovery location have been found, then access to the technology may be provided in an operation510.

Although described with respect to video games, the disclosure may be used in other contexts in which a virtual space may be expressed at a client computing platform and virtual discovery takes place. Other embodiments, uses and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. The specification should be considered exemplary only, and the scope of the invention is accordingly intended to be limited only by the following claims.