US 8,911,296 B2 · Social network system and method for use with and integration into a video game

Abstract

A centralized social network tool is configured to interface with and integrates into one or more videogames and/or videogame series. The social network tool may be integral to the theme of the games and be pervasive within game play. The social network may drive progression of the story and interaction between characters. According to another aspect of the invention, the members of the social network may include actual members (corresponding to real people) and virtual members (e.g., artificial intelligence controlled bot members). The virtual members may be part of the social network and may interact with real members within and outside of the game as part of the theme of the game.

Claims27

Dependent claims

A system configured to provide a social network that is integrated into one or more videogames, the system comprising:

a videogame platform configured to execute one or more computer software modules to generate, for a player, visual and audio stimulus associated with a videogame, wherein one or more virtual member characters that are controlled by artificial intelligence interact with the player in the videogame;
and
a server configured to execute one or more computer software modules to provide a social network to the player and a plurality of other players, wherein the social network is accessible outside the videogame, and wherein the one or more virtual member characters interact with the player in the social network outside the videogame.

A method of integrating a social network into one or more videogames, the system comprising:

execute one or more computer software modules on a videogame platform to generate, for a player, visual and audio stimulus associated with a videogame;
implementing artificial intelligence within the videogame platform to control one or more virtual member characters to interact with the player in the videogame;
executing one or more computer software modules on a server remote from the videogame platform to provide a social network to the player and a plurality of other players, wherein the social network is accessible outside of the videogame;
and
controlling the one or more virtual member characters to interact with the player in the social network outside of the videogame.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

13/868,013Filed 22 Apr 2013 · continuation

Priority

20 Feb 2009

Published

US 2013/0237325 A112 Sep 2013

Granted

16 Dec 2014

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification13 codes

A63F 13/12
A63F 13/825
Special adaptations for executing a specific game genre or game mode: fostering virtual characters
A63F 13/30
Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions: interconnection arrangements between game servers…
A63F 13/35
Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection…: details…

Family

Application12/390,272Parent of this continuation · filed 20 Feb 2009

US 8,425,326 B2Parent of this continuation · filed 23 Apr 2013

US 2013/0237325 A1Pre-grant publication · published 12 Sep 2013

US 2010/0216553 A1Published application

US 8,911,296 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Social network system and method for use with and integration into a video game

Life of this patent

Social network system and method for use with and integration into a video game

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims27