Unlocking secrets of video games
AssigneeMidway Amusement Games, LLC
InventorsGeorge A. Gomez, Thomas F. Ketola
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A video game system and method is provided in which the enabled content of a video game depends upon the type of video game controller coupled to the video game console. Specifically, in response to recognizing the video game controller as being of a matching type, the video game enables or “unlocks” extra features or “secrets” of the video game which are not otherwise available. By creating such a strong synergy between the video game and the matching video game controller, consumers are most likely to be attracted to the matching video game controller instead of other game controllers available in the marketplace.
Claims22
A method of enabling extra features of a video game based upon a type of video game controller used to play the video game, the method comprising:
- providing the game controller with controller information indicating whether or not the game controller is of a matching type;
- reading the controller information;
- and
- enabling the extra features of the video game in response to the controller information indicating that the game controller is of the matching type.
A method of enabling extra video content of a video game, comprising:
- providing the video game with standard video content and the extra video content;
- providing a game controller for playing the video game, the standard video content being available to the game controller;
- determining whether or not the game controller is of a matching type;
- and
- making the extra video content available to the game controller in response to determining that the game controller is of the matching type.
A method of enabling extra video content of a video game, the video game including standard video content and the extra video content, the method comprising:
- determining whether or not a game controller coupled for playing the video game is of a matching type;
- and
- making the standard video content and the extra video content available to the game controller if the game controller is determined to be of the matching type;
- otherwise, making only the standard video content available to the game controller.
A system for enabling extra features of a video game, comprising:
- a game controller with controller information indicating whether or not the game controller is of a matching type;
- means for reading the controller information;
- and
- means for enabling the extra features of the video game in response to the controller information indicating that the game controller is of the matching type.
A system for enabling extra video content of a video game, the video game including standard video content and the extra video content, the system comprising:
- a game controller coupled for playing the video game, the standard video content being available to the game controller;
- means for determining whether or not the game controller is of a matching type;
- and
- means for making the extra video content available to the game controller in response to determining that the game controller is of the matching type.
A system for enabling extra video content of a video game, the video game including standard video content and the extra video content, the system comprising:
- means for determining whether or not a game controller coupled for playing the video game is of a matching type;
- and
- means for making the standard video content and the extra video content available to the game controller if the game controller is determined to be of the matching type, and otherwise making only the standard video content available to the game controller.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.