U.S. patent application number 11/936149 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-07 for solution for enhancing the user experience of an electronic game by making user-created game data available in context during gameplay.
This patent application is currently assigned to INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION. Invention is credited to BELINDA YING-CHIEH CHANG, VIJAY DHEAP, CHRISTOPHER J. HARDEE, HEATHER C. MILLER.
Application Number | 20090118015 11/936149 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40588663 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090118015 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHANG; BELINDA YING-CHIEH ;
et al. |
May 7, 2009 |
SOLUTION FOR ENHANCING THE USER EXPERIENCE OF AN ELECTRONIC GAME BY
MAKING USER-CREATED GAME DATA AVAILABLE IN CONTEXT DURING
GAMEPLAY
Abstract
The present invention discloses a system for enhancing a user's
experience in an electronic game by dynamically incorporating
user-created tag data. Such a system can include an electronic game
application running on a network-capable computing device, a game
tag monitor, and a game tag information coordinator. The game tag
monitor can be configured to accept and present user-created game
tag data within the electronic game application. User created game
tag data can also be received outside a gameplay situation using a
suitable game tagging interface. The game tag data can be presented
dynamically based on the current context of the game. The game tag
information coordinator can be configured to provide the game tag
monitor with game tag data and receive new game tag data from the
game tag monitor.
Inventors: |
CHANG; BELINDA YING-CHIEH;
(CARY, NC) ; DHEAP; VIJAY; (DURHAM, NC) ;
HARDEE; CHRISTOPHER J.; (RALEIGH, NC) ; MILLER;
HEATHER C.; (HOLLY SPRINGS, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PATENTS ON DEMAND, P.A. IBM-RSW
4581 WESTON ROAD, SUITE 345
WESTON
FL
33331
US
|
Assignee: |
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES
CORPORATION
ARMONK
NY
|
Family ID: |
40588663 |
Appl. No.: |
11/936149 |
Filed: |
November 7, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/42 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 2300/513 20130101;
A63F 13/12 20130101; A63F 13/35 20140902; A63F 13/5375 20140902;
A63F 13/63 20140902; A63F 2300/305 20130101; A63F 13/5372 20140902;
A63F 2300/6018 20130101; A63F 2300/306 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/42 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A system for enhancing user experience in an electronic game by
dynamically incorporating user-created tag data comprising: an
electronic game application running on a network-capable computing
device; a game tag monitor configured to accept and present
user-created game tag data within the electronic game application,
wherein game tag data is presented dynamically based on a game
context; and a game tag information coordinator configured to
interact with the game tag monitor, wherein an interaction with the
game tag monitor includes at least one of accepting new
user-created game tag data and conveying existing user-created game
tag data.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the game tag monitor further
comprises: a tag creation interface configured to accept
user-entered game tag data.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the game tag information
coordinator further comprises: a tag creation interface configured
to accept user-entered game tag data; a game tag engine configured
to catalog a new user-created game tag data for storage, wherein
cataloging aggregates related game tag data; and an accuracy
calculator configured to determine an accuracy rating for the new
user-created game tag data, wherein a determination utilizes at
least one of historical user data and ratings by other users.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the accuracy rating is stored as
an element of the game tag data.
5. The system of claim 3, wherein the accuracy rating represents a
level of usefulness and correctness for the new game tag data.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the game tag information
coordinator is a component of a community-based game information
server, wherein access to game tag data requires a registration
with the game information server.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the game tag monitor is an
embedded component of the electronic game application.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the network-capable computing
device is one of a mobile phone, a personal computer, a video game
console, a laptop computer, and a hand-held video game device.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the game context includes at
least one of a game scene, a game time counter, a visual game
element, and a triggered game element.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein game tag data includes at least
one of a game tip, a game trick, a game cheat, a game hint, and a
set of game instructions.
11. A method for enhancing user experience in an electronic game by
dynamically incorporating user-created tag data comprising: a game
tag monitor monitoring an electronic game application; conveying a
request to a game tag information coordinator for game tag data
that is applicable to a current game context of the electronic game
application; when applicable game tag data exists, the game tag
information coordinator retrieving said applicable game tag data;
the game tag information coordinator sending the applicable game
tag data to the game tag monitor; and the game tag monitor
presenting the received applicable game tag data in the electronic
game application.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: the game tag
monitor receiving a user-request to add game tag data; the game tag
monitor invoking a tag creation interface; the game tag monitor
receiving a request to save user-inputted game tag data; the game
tag monitor conveying the user-inputted game tag data to the game
tag information coordinator; the game tag information coordinator
calculating an accuracy rating for the user-inputted game tag data;
the game tag information coordinator cataloging the user-inputted
game tag data; and the game tag information coordinator storing the
user-inputted game tag data and its associated accuracy rating,
wherein the user-inputted game tag data is stored with existing
user-created game tag data for the current game context.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein a calculation of the accuracy
rating utilizes at least one of historical user data and ratings by
other users.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the accuracy rating represents
a level of usefulness and correctness for the user-inputted game
tag data.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein the current game context
includes at least one of a game scene, a game time counter, a
visual game element, and a triggered game element.
16. The method of claim 11, wherein the game tag information
coordinator is a component of a community-based game information
server, wherein access to game tag data requires a registration
with the game information server.
17. The method of claim 11, wherein said steps of claim 11 are
performed by at least one machine in accordance with at least one
computer program stored in a computer readable media, said computer
programming having a plurality of code sections that are executable
by the at least one machine.
18. A community-enhanced gaming system comprising: a
community-based game information server configured to collect and
distribute game tag data; and an electronic game system configured
to interact with the game information server and present game tag
data.
19. The gaming system of claim 18, wherein the game information
server further comprises: a game tag information coordinator
configured to catalog new user-created game tag data for storage,
wherein cataloging aggregates related game tag data, and determine
an accuracy rating for new user-created game tag data.
20. The gaming system of claim 18, wherein the electronic game
system further comprises: an electronic game application running on
a network-capable computing device; and a game tag monitor
configured to dynamically present game tag data in the electronic
game application based on a game context of the electronic game
application.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of electronic
gaming and, more particularly, to enhancing the user experience of
an electronic game by making user-created game data available in
context during gameplay.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Electronic games, such as those played on personal computers
and video game consoles, have become a very popular form of
entertainment. The completion of a game often involves the
investment of a large quantity of time by the player. Many games
also include a variety of puzzles and secret areas, which tend to
greatly increase the amount of time a player spends in the game
trying to complete these objectives. Unfortunately, it can be quite
easy to miss clues and/or items needed to complete a puzzle or
enter a secret area, which is a common cause of player
frustration.
[0005] Many players, therefore, subscribe to a variety of
user-communities to find and/or share information about handling
these troublesome portions of a game. While this approach can
provide a wealth of information, the accessed information often
lacks a direct association with the specific context in the game
where it is applicable. For example, a player would need to write
down information from a Web site or switch back and forth between a
game and the Web site in order to be able to read the information
while trying to find the exact location in the game where the
information applies.
[0006] Further, the other player's providing the information may
describe the context of the game in a variety of terms that another
player may not readily understand. This is especially true when
information is provided by players of various nationalities. For
example, a player from England, when describing locations on a car,
would use the terms "boot" and "bonnet" when referring to the
American equivalent of the trunk and hood, respectively.
Additionally, there has historically been no way to assess an
accuracy or a quality of available game data, which can vary
significantly from source to source.
[0007] A number of publishers provide electronic game guides that
users can presume to be moderately accurate, which include
walk-throughs, hints, cheat codes, and other helpful data. This
pre-built data, however, is static in nature and cannot change once
delivered. The static nature of the game data can be a significant
weakness, especially when a game being described is a dynamic,
evolving game, as are many current Web based multiplayer games.
Additionally, a direct association is lacking between the game
guide and a game context, requiring users to switch back and forth
between gameplay and the guide.
[0008] What is needed is a solution that dynamically presents the
user-created data of a user-community within the actual electronic
game. That is, when playing an electronic game, a player would be
automatically shown information that pertains to the specific
context of the game from the community-based information server.
Ideally, this solution would also include a calculated accuracy
rating for each piece of information being displayed that
represents a trustworthiness of the information.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] There are shown in the drawings, embodiments which are
presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the
invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and
instrumentalities shown.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system for
enhancing the user experience of an electronic game with
user-created game tag information in accordance with embodiments of
the inventive arrangements disclosed herein.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a game tag information
coordinator in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive
arrangements disclosed herein.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method for enhancing the user
experience of an electronic game with user-created game tag
information in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive
arrangements disclosed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system 100 for
enhancing the user experience of an electronic game 120 with
user-created game tag information 122 in accordance with
embodiments of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. In
system 100, a user 105 can play an electronic game application 120
on a client 110. The electronic game 120 can be enhanced with
user-created game tag information 122 received from a game
information server 130 via network 125.
[0014] The client 110 running the electronic game application 120
can be a variety of electronic computing devices capable of
communicating with the game information server 130 over a network
125. Examples of such a client 110 can include a video game console
like a PLAYSTATION, a personal computer, a mobile phone, a laptop
computer, and the like.
[0015] The electronic game application 120 can represent a software
application providing the user 105 with electronic entertainment on
the client 110. As such, it is important to note that the
electronic game application 120 must be written to be executed in
the environment of the specific type of client 110. That is, an
electronic game 120 written for a mobile phone 110 can only be
executed on a mobile phone 110 and not a personal computer 110.
[0016] The electronic game application 120 can display user-created
game tag information 122. The user-created game tag information 122
can include a variety of textual information, such as game hints,
game tips, game cheats, and the like. Additionally, the
user-created game tag information 122 can include an accuracy
rating that represents the trustworthiness of the displayed
information 122. The user-created game tag information 122
displayed within the electronic game 120 can correspond to a
specific piece of user-created game tag data 140 stored by the game
information server 130.
[0017] The retrieval and display of the user-created game tag
information 122 can be performed by another software element called
a game tag monitor 115. The game tag monitor 115, as its name
implies, can monitor the user's 105 progression in the electronic
game 120 and request the user-created game tag data 140 that
corresponds to the specific game context from the game information
server 130. The game context can represent a specific time and/or
location the user 105 is at in the electronic game 120. For
example, when the user 105 walks their game character in a place
called "The Tombs", the game tag monitor 115 would request and
display user-created game tag data 140 that only corresponds to the
"The Tombs".
[0018] In an alternate embodiment, the game tag monitor 115 can be
an embedded component of the electronic game application 120 and
would not need to be independently initiated.
[0019] When the game tag monitor 115 receives user-created game tag
data 140 from the game information server 130, the game tag monitor
115 can display the contents of the user-created game tag data 140
as user-created game tag information 122 within the electronic game
120. Additionally, the game tag monitor 115 can include a tag
creation interface 117 that can allow a user 105 to add
user-created game tag information 122 to the electronic game
120.
[0020] User-created game tag information 122 that is added by a
user 105 via the tag creation interface 117 can be sent by the game
tag monitor 115 to the game information server 130 to be stored and
shared. The game information server 130 can be a networked
computing device configured to collect and provide user-created
game tag data 140. In order to do so, the game information server
130 can include a game tag information coordinator 133.
[0021] The game tag information coordinator 133 can be a software
application designed to catalog and assess the accuracy of received
user-created game tag data 140 from the game tag monitor 115.
Additionally, the game tag information coordinator 133 can query an
accessible data store 130 to fulfill requests from the game tag
monitor 115 for user-created game tag data 140 for an electronic
game 120.
[0022] The game tag information coordinator 133 can include a tag
creation interface 134. This tag creation interface 134 can be
similar to the tag creation interface 117 contained within the game
tag monitor 115. The tag creation interface 134 of the game tag
information coordinator 133 can be accessed by a user 105 to add
user-created game tag data 140 without running the electronic game
application 120. For example, the tag creation interface 134 of the
game tag information coordinator 133 can be a Web form accessed
with a Web browser, whereas the tag creation interface 117 of the
game tag monitor 117 can be a conventional software graphical user
interface (GUI). In general, a tag creation interface 117, 134 can
be represent any software interface including, but not limited to,
an interface available from a game console, a Web interface, a Web
plug-in, a Web service, an interface of a stand-alone program
designed to author game tag data 140, and the like.
[0023] When assessing the accuracy of user-created game tag data
140, the game tag information coordinator 133 can utilize stored
user data 145. The user data 145 can include information regarding
the reliability of a specific user 105 and/or ratings of a user's
105 game tag data 140 by other users. In another embodiment, the
user data 145 can be located in a separate data store (not shown)
from the user-created game tag data 140.
[0024] As used herein, presented data stores, including store 135,
can be a physical or virtual storage space configured to store
digital information. Data store 135 can be physically implemented
within any type of hardware including, but not limited to, a
magnetic disk, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, a digitally
encoded plastic memory, a holographic memory, or any other
recording medium. The data store 135 can be a stand-alone storage
unit as well as a storage unit formed from a plurality of physical
devices. Additionally, information can be stored within data store
135 in a variety of manners. For example, information can be stored
within a database structure or can be stored within one or more
files of a file storage system, where each file may or may not be
indexed for information searching purposes. Further, data store 135
can utilize one or more encryption mechanisms to protect stored
information from unauthorized access.
[0025] Network 125 can include any hardware/software/and firmware
necessary to convey data encoded within carrier waves. Data can be
contained within analog or digital signals and conveyed though data
or voice channels. Network 125 can include local components and
data pathways necessary for communications to be exchanged among
computing device components and between integrated device
components and peripheral devices. Network 125 can also include
network equipment, such as routers, data lines, hubs, and
intermediary servers which together form a data network, such as
the Internet. Network 125 can also include circuit-based
communication components and mobile communication components, such
as telephony switches, modems, cellular communication towers, and
the like. Network 125 can include line based and/or wireless
communication pathways.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a game tag information
coordinator 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive
arrangements disclosed herein. The game tag information coordinator
200 can be utilized in system 100 by the game information server
130 to catalog and assess the trustworthiness of user-created game
tag data 140.
[0027] To perform these functions, the game tag information
coordinator 200 can include a game tag engine 205 and an accuracy
calculator 210. The game tag engine 205 can perform the cataloging
functions of the game tag information coordinator 200. Cataloging
can allow received user-created game tag data to be properly stored
with other existing user-created game tag for the same game
context.
[0028] The accuracy calculator 210 can utilize a software algorithm
to determine an accuracy rating for user-created game data. The
value of the accuracy rating can represent a degree of
trustworthiness of the user-created game tag data. Calculation of
the accuracy rating can utilize a variety of data, such as
historical accuracy ratings for a user, ratings by other users, and
the like.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method 300 for enhancing the
user experience of an electronic game with user-created game tag
information in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive
arrangements disclosed herein. Method 300 can be performed in the
context of system 100 and/or utilize the game tag information
coordinator 200 of FIG. 2.
[0030] Method 300 can begin with step 305 where a user initiates
the game tag monitor. In step 310, the user can play an electronic
game. It should be noted that step 305 can be a sub-step of step
310 should the electronic game be designed to automatically launch
the game tag monitor.
[0031] In step 315, the game tag monitor can request game tag data
for the user's current game context from the game tag information
coordinator. The game tag information coordinator can determine if
applicable game tag data exists in step 320.
[0032] When applicable game tag data exists, flow can proceed to
step 360 where the game tag information coordinator can retrieve
the game tag data from a data store. In The game tag information
coordinator can then send the retrieved game tag data to the game
tag monitor in step 365. In step 370, the game tag monitor can
display the received game tag data in the electronic game.
[0033] The user can decide if they are finished playing the
electronic game in step 375. When the user is finished, step 380
can execute where the user can terminate the running of the
electronic game and the game tag monitor. It should be noted that
if the game tag monitor is an embedded component of the electronic
game, then step 380 would only require the termination of the
electronic game.
[0034] If the user is not yet finished playing the electronic game,
flow can return to step 310 where the user can continue to play the
game and the steps of method 300 can continue to execute
accordingly.
[0035] In the case where game tag information coordinator
determines that game tag data does not exist in step 320, flow can
proceed to step 325 where the user can decide if they wish to add
game tag data to their current place in the electronic game. If the
user does not wish to add game tag data, flow can return to step
310 where the user continues to play the electronic game.
[0036] Should the user wish to add game tag data, step 330 can
execute where the user launches the game tag creation interface. In
step 335, the user can enter their game tag data into the
interface. The user can then save their inputted data in step 340.
In one contemplated configuration, a creation of game data can
occur at anytime and not just during gameplay. For example, a user
not playing a game can invoke a game tag creation interface (e.g.,
interface 134), through which gaming information can be created. In
one embodiment, a game tagging plug-in exists, which can be added
to any interface, such as a Web interface. In such an embodiment,
the plug-in could provide a convenient method for users to add game
tag data to any game information Web site, such as adding game tag
data to a gaming BLOG.
[0037] Regardless of what interface is used to create the game tag
data, in step 345, the game tag monitor can send the entered game
tag data to the game tag information coordinator. The game tag
information coordinator can calculate an accuracy rating for the
new game tag data in step 350. In step 355, the game tag
information coordinator can save the game tag data and its accuracy
rating. Accuracy of game tag data can be reassessed on an ongoing
basis in accordance with established accuracy determination
algorithms. After the execution of step 355, flow of method 300 can
return to step 310 where the user continues to play the electronic
game.
[0038] The present invention may be realized in hardware, software,
or a combination of hardware and software. The present invention
may be realized in a centralized fashion in one computer system, or
in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across
several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer
system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods
described herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware and
software may be a general purpose computer system with a computer
program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer
system such that it carries out the methods described herein.
[0039] The present invention also may be embedded in a computer
program product, which comprises all the features enabling the
implementation of the methods described herein, and which when
loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods.
Computer program in the present context means any expression, in
any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended
to cause a system having an information processing capability to
perform a particular function either directly or after either or
both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or
notation; b) reproduction in a different material form.
[0040] This invention may be embodied in other forms without
departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof.
Accordingly, reference should be made to the following claims,
rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope
of the invention.
* * * * *