KR20050085457A - Method and device for continuing an electronic multi-player game, in case of an absence of a player of said game - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is related to a method and a device for continuing and simulating an electronic multi- player game, i.e. an electronic game that involves more than one player or participant, if one of said players leaves the game. The invention is for special use in the field of mobile terminal devices, communication networks such as the internet and other mobile networks. The method for continuing a multi-player game in case of an absence of a player participating in said game according to invention comprises running a multi player game application receiving an indication that said player taking part in said multi-player game is absent, and continuing the game by simulating the participation of said player who is actually absent. So it is possible to continue a multi-player game, if one of the game partners intents to pause or to leave the game party. In such cases the at least one remaining game partner can continue the game playing against a game partner that is actually simulated by the gaming device.

Description

Method and device for continuing an electronic multi-player game, in case of an absence of a player of said game}

The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for simulating and continuing an electronic multi-player game, ie an electronic game involving more than one player or participant, when one of the players leaves the game. The invention is particularly for use in the field of mobile terminal devices, communication networks such as the Internet and other mobile networks.

Most multiplayer games like skat, two player games like "pong" (first tennis simulator), or other games of that kind, especially game partners with only two participating Games must be stopped or even terminated if one of the game partners tries to stop or leave the game. In such cases, at least one remaining game partner who can continue the game must also stop or terminate the game.

In general cases, the game must be stopped or even terminated. Some game applications allow to save game state. The game partners can thus continue the game in the same state later. However, in particular if the game depends on only two game partners, the game partner should stop the game anyway.

Electronic games have become common entertainment and are known as video games or game machines at the current technical level. To increase the fun of the game, many video games offer the option to play against the computer or against others. Some games may be played in single or two or more player modes to provide a virtual adventure, or to save expensive gaming equipment. Indeed, there are many different game simulations such as sports games, car racing, strategy games and even war games available. The appeal of some of the games is such as the Internet, where the games allow remote players to access and play different games against each other while in different rooms, houses, cities, countries or continents. The fact is that it can be played over the network.

Such games are for example disclosed in European patent applications EP 1 066 868 and EP 1 066 867. The document EP 1 066 868 discloses a "multiplayer game system using mobile telephones and game units". The disclosed game structure is played over links provided by a low power wireless connection.

The document EP 1 066 867 discloses an apparatus and method for playing games between clients of entities at different locations. The document discloses a method and apparatus for playing network based multiplayer games.

One disadvantage of the network based remote games is the fact that the wireless connections used are not reliable due to external circumstances such as interference, multipath reflection or other radio transmission characteristics. Therefore, the game may be interrupted or delayed due to data transmission failure.

Most modern multiplayer games also include an artificial intelligence engine. The artificial intelligence engine allows the user to play against the machine if there is no real game partner. One of the most common artificial intelligence engines is, for example, a chess engine, which allows a user to play chess against an intelligent device. So far, the player must decide at the start of the game whether to play against a living game partner or against a machine.

In the case of playing a multi-op game with one game partner, the game partner cannot continue if the game partner wants to stop, stop or terminate the game.

One disadvantage of the scenario is that there may be occasions when one or more players need to temporarily leave the game during the game, especially in the case of remote players competing over the network. If the user has to leave the game permanently, it can be assumed that the remaining players (if only one is left) win. This victory may be a fleeting experience if the last person playing is automatically declared the winner while not focusing on the game and without ending the running action. In the case of an electronic monopoly with several hours of play time, the victory thus given may not be satisfactory.

All of the above approaches to multiplayer games have in common that they do not provide a suitable option to terminate the electronic game in a fair manner if one of the players is absent.

Thus, it is desirable to provide the possibility of terminating the game in the same way as a sportsman without requiring an undesired victory.

Thus, it is desirable to provide the possibility of continuing the game in the absence of the player without having to interrupt the game itself.

In the case of network-based multiplayer games, it is also desirable to have a "failsafe" option that allows the game to continue even if the connection to the game server or other players is temporarily or permanently interrupted.

1 illustrates a network based multiplayer game with a star topology.

2 illustrates a network based multiplayer game with an interwoven topology.

3 shows a flowchart of a method according to one aspect of the present invention.

4 illustrates one embodiment of a gaming device in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a method is provided for continuing an electronic multi-player game. The method includes executing an electronic multiplayer game application, and receiving an indication that one of the players is away. The method is characterized by simulating (fictive) participation of the absent player in a running game.

The operation of a multiplayer game application and the receipt of an indication that a participant or player participating in the multiplayer game is missing or will be known is known in the art. The display of the absence is generally performed by pressing the "pause" key on the game device, where the game can be interrupted or terminated. The termination may be an inevitable result because the game is a multiplayer game and the number of remaining players may not be sufficient to formally end the game.

The method of the invention is preferably characterized by simulating the participation of the absent player by simulating the movement and movement of the absent player.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for preventing the interruption or termination of a multi-party game when one (or more) of the participants wants to leave or must leave the game. In most multi opponent games, especially games based on two players, if the game partner cannot continue the game or if it can be known to someone else to replace the player, the game It must be stopped or even terminated. This inconvenience can be avoided if the gaming application also includes an artificial intelligence engine that can take the place of a game partner who wants to stop or leave the game.

If the game application includes an artificial intelligence engine that can take the place of a game partner who wants to leave the game, interruptions can easily be avoided. To this end, the game user interface can provide a message to the remaining game partners who can continue the game and ask if they wish to continue the game. If the answer is yes, the game application can start the artificial intelligence engine of the game directly. The artificial intelligence engine can then read the current game state from the internal game state register of the game application and replace the game partner who stopped the game. It is also possible to consider the corresponding entry in the game configuration options that allow the user to enable automatic game continuation if one game partner leaves the game. In this way, the game can continue seamlessly.

In one exemplary embodiment, the multiplayer game is a network based multiplayer game. The present invention is particularly useful in online or network based games because communication between players is strongly limited to the game itself. There is no easy way to convey the fact that one of the players wants to quit the game, compared to the standard scenario with two or more players in a single room and the option to postpone the running game. . Another drawback of network-based games is the connection between players. During the game, the game may be interrupted or terminated by interrupting or interrupting the connection between players. Thus, it would be very useful to have the option to continue playing without any interruption even if the connection between players is temporarily interrupted.

In another exemplary embodiment, the method includes monitoring inputs of players of a multiplayer game, analyzing the inputs to determine game characteristics of the players, and absent according to the determined game characteristics. And simulating a game action and a game of the players.

While the player is still participating in the game, by monitoring the inputs of at least one participant of the multiplayer game, it is easy to determine the possibility of whether the player will win or lose the game. The game characteristics of the at least one monitored player can be determined by analyzing the inputs according to game specific parameters. Depending on the game parameters actually used, such as accuracy, performance, strategy and preferred key combinations, the behavior may be determined for each participant individually. With these parameters, the participation of an absent player can be simulated in a very realistic way in accordance with the determined game characteristics.

By using this improved simulation, it is possible to ensure that the remaining players are not aware of changes in the game. For example, by improving the simulation in this suitable way, the final result can be ensured to represent the most likely final result.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises determining a result of the game based on the determined game characteristics of the at least one monitored player. Thus the final result can be estimated from previous game characteristics. By taking into account the determined game characteristics and the previous game, the game can be terminated with at least a very likely end result.

For example, the final result can be calculated by determining the determined strength and actual scores of the play of each game partner to determine the possible result very quickly. It is also possible to simulate a "fast forward" button. At this point, all participants of the running game are simulated at high speeds and can quickly estimate the most likely final results. This fast forward option can be used to simulate the rest of the game in a time-lapse fashion. Thus, players can view or observe the rest of the game at "high speed". This "fast forward" option may also provide a more appropriate termination of the game in the period of change between the actual participation up to the final termination with the final result estimated through manual progression of the game.

In another exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises transmitting the determined game characteristics to another game device. According to the usage scenario, the game is played in one video game or through a central game server, for example. The central game server has the advantage of being able to use large computational resources without having to save battery power. However, the game server has the disadvantage of monitoring or managing all players at the same time. Thus, it may be simpler for each game device in the network to simply determine the actual game characteristics of each player and send the game characteristics with an upcoming missed notification. One of the disadvantages of this procedure is that this data transmission must be standardized.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the indication indicating the absence of the player includes a notification received from the absent player. Thus, the player can notify other players about his intention to leave the game. The indication may also include a notification from the network that the connection to one of the players is actually interrupted or interrupted.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises sending a notification to at least one of the other participants of the multiplayer game. The notification includes information that the participant is actually being simulated. This ensures that all players actually know the progress of the game. Each player can determine whether each player wants to finish a partially simulated game or whether a partially or fully simulated game can be considered an interesting solution.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises stopping the game when all participants are absent. Thus, playing a fully simulated game can prevent the server from wasting resources. When the function is disabled, simulation can be used to determine typical characteristics of the electronic game, where the machine simulating the virtual player interacts with the virtual game. If you disable this option, a fully simulated game can be used as a kind of screen saver for computer devices, showing much more activity than the standard "star-flight" simulation. . Thus, an animated "ant-farm" of the animated aquarium can be implemented.

In another exemplary embodiment, the method further includes terminating the simulation when an absent participant returns to the game. This corresponds to players who rejoin the game after a break. In multiplayer games, it is apparent that the probability of interruption increases with the number of players participating. Thus, the more a game requires more players, the more likely there is a break in each player's rest. Thus, it is clear from the present invention that it is beneficial for games that require more players to play the game.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, when the software tool is executed on a computer or a network device, a software tool is provided that includes program code means for performing the above-described method.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program product downloadable from a server to perform the method described above, wherein the computer program product performs all steps of the methods when the program is run on a computer or network device. Program code means for performing.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, when the program product is executed in a computer or a network device, a computer program product is provided comprising program code means stored in a computer readable medium for performing the above-described method.

According to another aspect of the invention, a computer data signal is provided. The computer data signal represents a program that, when executed in a computer or network device, causes the computer to perform the steps of the method included in the above description and is implemented on a carrier wave.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a multiplayer game apparatus is provided for continuing the multiplayer game when a participant of the multiplayer game is missed. The multiplayer gaming device includes a memory, a processor, at least two interfaces, a detector and a simulation component. The game device may be embodied as a resident fixed line telephone or a mobile terminal device having the above functionality.

Memory, processor, and at least two interfaces are standard components of conventional electronic multiplayer games. Memory is used to store and access data of game applications. Such electronic games are known in the state of the art. The interfaces are generally provided for exchanging game data with players or other connected game devices to provide a multiplayer game option. Nowadays, multiplayer game devices are small computers, and a processor in the multiplayer game devices is connected to the memory and further configured to execute a multiplayer game program. The apparatus is generally performed by software received from the memory. The at least two interfaces are connected to the processor. The interfaces are adapted to exchange game data. That is, it is made to exchange RGB / audio signals such as those used in computer monitors or generated on displays, audiovisual signals such as composite video signals used in televisions.

The game device is characterized in that it comprises a detector and a simulation component. The detector is used to detect an indication that a participant of the multiplayer game is away. Such an indication may be detected, for example, as an interrupted connection to the player interface, or as a signal from a player wishing to interrupt the game. For example, if a connection to a controller such as a joystick, joypad, or anything else of that kind (player input interface) is interrupted or interrupted, a break key is pressed (for example among the controllers). Only one), or the indication can be detected immediately if the connection to the remote player / game device is interrupted.

The simulation component is connected to the processor. The simulation component is further configured to simulate the participation of an absent player in the game. The basic idea is to continue the game by pretending that the absent player is still participating. Thus, when the absence indication is received, the game's interaction with the player is simulated by the electronic component.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the multiplayer game apparatus further includes a network interface. Basically, the network interface is intended to allow a network based game to interact with remote players via the network. The network interface can also be used to access game data and download new games. The network interface may be a wired or wireless network interface. The interface can be, for example, an interface to an on-premises or wide area network.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the multiplayer gaming device comprises a mobile phone. The present invention is useful when applied to mobile phones for multiplayer games played over a wireless connection that can be interrupted due to radio interference, such as multipath reflection. In addition, especially in the case of mobile phones, it is very likely that the running game is interrupted by an incoming phone call. The application of the present invention in mobile phones is very useful because incoming phone calls do not automatically interrupt a running network game.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the processor or the simulation component comprises an artificial intelligence engine. Artificial function engines are generally provided in electronic game devices to provide a single player mode. In single player mode, players can compete against the computer. In the present invention, the artificial intelligence engine is used to simulate the participation of an absent player. More complex approaches to implementing the present invention may also include a player characteristic assessment component. The player characteristic evaluation component is suitable for determining the characteristics of each player's play and using these characteristics to improve the simulation of participation of an absent player.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multiplayer game network server capable of continuing the multiplayer game when a player of the multiplayer game is missed. The server includes a memory, a processor, at least one interface, a detector and a simulation component.

The memory, the processor, and the interface are standard components of a multiplayer game server known in the art. The processor is connected to the interface and the memory. The processor is configured to execute a multiplayer game program or a multiplayer game application. The interface is adapted to exchange game data with players connected to a server via the network as is known in the art.

The multiplayer game server according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises a detector and a simulation component. A detector is provided that detects an indication that a player of the multiplayer game is absent. The detector may be implemented in the processor or in the interface device. The detector detects that a player is no longer participating in the game. The detector is connected to the processor or the simulation component to initiate a simulation that simulates the participation of an absent player in the game. Thus, if one of the players quits or disconnects from the server, there is no need to interrupt the running game.

The simulation component can be implemented as an artificial intelligence engine that allows several game partners to implement a seamless continuation of game progression if they wish to interrupt, leave or leave the game. The AI engine can also replace one or more game partners and allow the game to continue as long as at least one real player is present.

Note that only the case where one player leaves the game is described in the above specification. It is apparent that the disclosed methods and procedures may be repeated in a similar manner even when another game partner or more than one game partner leaves the game.

Note that the present invention can also be used in the opposite direction. That is, a user who plays a game in the single player mode with respect to the virtual competitor may handover the score of the virtual competitor to the actual player. In the case of a simple video game, this implementation will be relatively easy to implement, for example, by means of a pause menu and respective takeover functions. In the case of a multiplayer online game or network game, handover protocols and data exchanges needed to synchronize the two game devices must be developed and any suitable protocol or programming language used to correspond to the communication network actually used. Can be.

The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 illustrates a star topology of a conventional electronic multiplayer game. The star topology includes a number of interface devices 24, 26, 28 and a central game server 22. According to other embodiments, this topology may be implemented as shown as a plurality of gameable phones that are connected 20 to the central game server device 22 via a telephone or short-range wireless. If the interface devices 24, 26, 28 are computers and the communication lines 20 are for example an internet network, the game server 22 is a centralized internet game server. In the simplest case, the interface devices are game controllers of a video game. The star topology is based on the idea that a single simulation is run in one place and the interface devices only exchange movements of the players and not the simulation itself. The star topology is characterized by including a single processor executing one game or simulation program. If one of the connections to the interface device is interrupted, each interface device cannot continue the game. The star topology corresponds to a hierarchical structure where one of the devices is a master and the interface devices are slaves.

The presented use case relates to a multi party game, which is provided and arranged in a network such as the Internet, for example. The network has a star topology. The actual game logic and intelligence components are located on the server 22, which controls the game flow and ensures data exchange 20 between different game partners 24, 26, 28. If a new game partner (not shown) wants to join or even leave the game, the server 22 also controls the availability and handshaking procedures of the participants. The server also controls the connection status of clients (mobile game users). If a client is out of coverage or range (temporarily or permanently), the server can recognize it within a reasonable time period. This time period will of course depend on the type of game. Turn-by-turn games such as chess, for example, may allow longer durations than fast shooting or jump and run games.

In accordance with the present invention, server 22 may take the role of game partners 24, 26, 28 in different situations. Some such scenarios are illustrated below.

If one of the game partners, for example game partner 24, tries to leave the game, the game partner must send a message to game server 22 indicating the intention to leave or stop. The game server 22 will immediately take over the role of the game partner 24 attempting to leave or abort. To this end, an instance of the artificial intelligence engine of the server 22 may be automatically activated. This instance plays against other game partners 26 and 28 so that no other player or one of the people on the same team can recognize that they have left the game.

In addition, server 22 can periodically check the availability of game partners 24, 26, 28 by testing the connection. If the user or one of the game devices 24, 26, 28 is disconnected for some reason (e.g. temporarily out of the reachable range), the server 22 acts as lost game partner. Will be replaced automatically. When the game partner returns to the game, the game partner must first register himself with the server 22. The server 22 will check if it is possible to hand over the game to the returned user. If possible, the server will send the final game state to the user and take over the game to the user.

Another usage scenario deals with multiple opponent games initiated by one mobile game partner using wireless communication means for game data exchange. The radio means may include Bluetooth, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Universal Mobile Telephone Standard (UMTS), Local Area Network (LAN), Infrared and others of that kind. It may be. No matter which connection means is used for the game opponent, one game partner must act as a server and control the exchange of data between the other partners. The game device operating as the server 22 in this game will play the same role as the network based (intensive) server 22 described in the above sentence. However, there are some additional aspects that must be considered.

One important scenario is when a game partner of a device operating as game server 22 wants to leave the game. In this case, you need to take over the server role to one of the other partners. The server device sends an indication to the game partner and asks the opponent which can be the game server. If one device of a game partner can act as a game server, the original server will send the corresponding data to the other device (new server) before leaving the game so that other game partners can continue the game. The takeover of the game server can be seamless. In this case, data exchange will occur between the devices without any user interaction. This means that game engines must have the function of hidden handshaking and data exchange procedures. Another option is user interaction required to take over server data. In this case, while data exchange is being performed, the game partner will stop the game for a short period of time.

2 illustrates a conventional interwoven topology of an electronic multiplayer game. The interuven topology includes a number of interface devices 24, 26, 28 that are interconnected. According to other embodiments, this topology may be implemented as shown as a number of gameable telephone devices interconnected 20 via telephone or short-range wireless. Unlike the star topology, the interuven structure is characterized by including a distributed game program for exchanging movements between the respective interface devices. If the connection is interrupted, signal exchange is interrupted and the portion of the simulation or game representing the other players is interrupted. In the case of team play, such interruption may be perceived as disturbing, but in the case of concurrence games, interruption may be unfairly advantageous for one competitor.

Mixing of the topologies is also possible. At this time, the star topology is extended by star topology subsections (“Snowflake” structure) or interneuve topology subsections. Alternatively, the interuven topology can include small star topology subsections.

All of the above-mentioned topologies have in common that in a multiplayer game with the minimum necessary players, the game is stopped or stopped if the number of actual players falls below the threshold minimum. This is independent of the reason for the decline of the players. In the case of elimination games, reaching the minimum generally defines the end of the game. If the minimum is reached due to connection failure or interruption or termination of the player, there is actually no way to continue the game in a fair manner.

3 shows a flowchart of one embodiment of a method for continuing a multiplayer game when one or more players are missed during a game, in accordance with the present invention. The present invention may basically provide a game character "autopilot" for the absent players to continue running the game. The present invention can provide a virtual game experience in part with other game partners by using an artificial intelligence engine to implement seamless continuation of game progress when some game partners are absent.

The illustrated flow chart can basically be divided into three parts. Conventional game parts shown in double outline boxes 40, 44 and 46, basic invention parts shown in thick outline boxes 44, 54 and 58, and additional step features 42 shown in normal outline boxes. , 48, 50, 52, 56, 60, 62 and 64). Electronic games are generally based on start options for single or multiplayer modes. Single player modes of electronic games are not discussed below since they are not the subject of the present invention. Thus, the electronic game starts in the multiplayer mode 40. Multiplayer game options are for example "vs." of electronic games. Or known as versus mode. Conventionally, if one of the players leaves the game (44) to perform a short time action, such as receiving a phone call, the game is suspended (46) until the player returns. Alternatively, if the player cannot return, the game ends. Such scenarios are well known to people playing multiplayer electronic games. If the game device or interface device of the game is implemented in a telephone, it will be very likely that the user interrupts the running game to receive a telephone call. This has the disadvantage that other players in the distance cannot easily recognize whether the user actually interrupted and how long this interruption will last. The present invention can be activated, for example, by the "failsafe" option 42 in the settings menu of the electronic game as an option. The "safety in case of failure" option can also be automatically activated when online, network or remote game modes are activated. If the reason for one player's interruption is, for example, a message that the user wants to display or an incoming phone call, accepting the phone call / message display can automatically start the fail-safe option. However, when the user receives an incoming call or reads a message, the user can activate the feature in such a way that the game device asks for confirmation whether the game will continue automatically.

The user may also want to select whether the artificial intelligence engine will replace the game function depending on the type of message received. If a short message is received, the user may not want to abort the game, but it may be recognized that an incoming phone call is important enough to abort the running game. Thus, by activating the AI engine, the user can select specific phone numbers that actually stop the game, and select specific phone numbers where incoming calls / messages are ignored if a particular game is running.

The user may also want to choose whether or not the AI engine will replace game functionality depending on the nature of the game and the type of communication terminal / device used. If the communication terminal is a standard mobile phone (e.g. Nokia 6210), the user needs to press the dedicated button and place the phone on his head in order to make a phone call. It can be activated to automatically take over the game.

The headset is equipped with a hands-free loudspeaker (such as the Nokia 9210 phone, for example) that is connected to the phone or that the phone does not need to be handed so that the user can continue the game even on a phone call. , User can select this option. You may also prefer to continue playing chess, regardless of what other activities you are performing, but if you are playing a car racing game or similar online, in the event of an interruption, the artificial game engine immediately You may prefer to continue the part.

The basic principle of the present invention is shown in thick outline boxes 44, 54 and 58. In the simplest version boxes 42, 48 and 50 are ignored. If one player leaves the multiplayer game or is missed at another point, the game begins simulating the missed player 54 and continues the game 58. It basically takes over the missing player by being automated until the game ends, stops 46 or the missing player returns.

In the case of a more complex approach, the method of simulating an absent player involves determining 52 the number of actual non-simulated players in a multiplayer game and playing a multiplayer game when only the simulated game characters remain. Terminating or stopping 46 may be further included. Thus, it is possible to prevent the simulated game characters from continuing to play for several hours even when no actual player remains.

The method may also include notifying 56 the remaining players about the number of game characters that are actually simulated. This can be implemented with a small game interruption and the players themselves can decide what number of virtual players they want to play with or against. This may be implemented, for example, as a fraction representing the percentage or portion of the actual or simulated players in the total number of game characters or players. The human or virtual percentage can be inserted into the display only if it is a permanent part of the information displayed on the screen of the electronic game or if the percentage changes. Alternatively, the simulated game characters can change the visual appearance by simulating color or device. The simulated character may have a sash, antenna, blinking light, visibility features, or anything that can indicate that the game character is actually simulated. Thus, for example, in car racing, all auto-tuned cars can be depicted in a translucent manner, such as with a large antenna or as a "ghost car".

The method may further comprise an artificial intelligence engine for improving the quality of the player's simulation. The artificial intelligence engine can monitor 48 the performance of one or more players to better simulate each player's individual game characteristics. The system may, for example, analyze the number of keystrokes, the number of successful actions and preferred key combinations, or game strategies. More complex simulation programs can even increase performance by considering or simulating performance variations, luckiness factor, or even learning. This improved simulation can be used to end the game by playing in a very realistic way. To further increase the performance of the system and simulation, the behavioral patterns of each player can be monitored in multiple games, even in a number of different games to determine typical behavioral patterns and solutions. The more games each player plays, the better the system can use this information to simulate the individual characteristics of each participant in the game.

The method can be used to determine one-dimensional game strength by creating game characters that can reach the same performance of the player in a simple manner. In the simplest manner, an automatically adjusted car with the same average lap time in a car race is simulated, for example. By using more complex simulations, average lap times and average sector and curve velocities can be simulated. In a more complex version of the simulation, the average amount of change and the average track line of track lines that are actually or virtually driven can be simulated. The more variables in each user's behavioral pattern are determined and simulated, the better and more realistic the simulation will feel.

In a network based multiplayer game based on a star topology, behavioral pattern analysis 48 may also be used to determine the average player, average play time and difficulty of the average game. Thus, the information gathered by observing players in the intensive network game can be used to improve the next generation of games in terms of variables such as difficulty, play time, interest, required reaction time, eye movements, and story depth. Can be used. The simulated character can also be used to generate an average player as a tool for objectively determining the parameters of a video or computer game.

The method for continuing a multiplayer game when a player is away can also be extended by the rejoin function for one or more players. For example, in the case of a flight simulation game, the "auto-pilot" may be switched off if the player returns to the game and continues with the higher score again. The simulation can be extended in that the simulation of the player can be activated when the player is away, as well as the simulation can be terminated to allow the returned player to start a "automatically extended" game. have. The expansion is indicated by a box 60 indicating that one player has returned. The "returning" player may act as one of the missing players or on behalf of the missing player. A notification may be displayed to the absent player as to whether the player is able to return or whether his score can be replaced by another player. The simulation may be a timer that is controlled to provide a reliable return of, for example, 1/5 to 1/10 of the estimated play time and retrieves new players after the time has elapsed. In the case of "open score", it is checked by determining the number of simulated characters or whether a new player can replace the running simulated game character (62) and the simulation is still running. If so, the game continues again at the actual score of the simulation (64).

If there is an artificial engine available and the game application is implemented such that the artificial intelligence engine takes the place of the game partner as necessary as mentioned above, the disadvantages of the prior art and the need to stop or terminate the game can be avoided. If the player wants to leave the multiplayer game, there are two options for implementing this functionality (44).

1) In the method of interaction, the player signals the game partner (s) with the intention to abort the game. The game application of the other game partner receives this indication and provides a message to the other game partner (s) still wanting to continue playing the game, reporting the game partner's intent and whether the player (s) wants to continue the game. Contact If desired, the artificial intelligence engine can be started and the game can proceed in the same state.

2) In the automatic method, the game includes a dedicated configuration option entry related to the seamless continuation of the game (see box 42). If this option is enabled, the game application is guaranteed to automatically replace the game partner leaving by the artificial intelligence engine and the game can continue seamlessly.

In the simplest case, the invention can be implemented in game software. The invention can also be implemented in a hardware implementation. At this time, the movement and the movement of the user are analyzed for the behavior patterns. The hardware implementation can be connected between the input and output interfaces of the game device. After sufficient training, the player can be analyzed in his or her response to display the output, and thus it will be possible to implement a virtual player "black box" that mimics the actual player's behavior.

4 illustrates one embodiment of a gaming device in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. The illustrated embodiment shows a game device 70 having a game processor 80 and player interfaces 72, 74, 76. The game device further includes a connection 84 to additional player interfaces, game devices or other devices 82 such as game servers. User interfaces may include, for example, a keyboard or keypad 72, joystick 74, and display 76. The game device further includes a central processing unit 78 shown as a computer. The apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a user interaction analysis and simulation unit 80. The simulation unit 80 may be controlled by the user and the central processing unit 78. If a user interacting with a game application running on the central processor 78 wishes to interrupt the game, the simulation unit 80 replaces the user's inputs and moves the user's inputs. You can simulate this and let the game continue. If the user wishes to rejoin the game, the user or player simulation unit 80 may be overridden by user input at the keyboard 72 or joystick 74. Alternatively, the player simulation unit 80 is connected to the central processing unit 78 via a connection 84 to simulate input and movement from other players of the multiplayer game 82. It can be branched to the other side. When the simulation unit 80 is branched to a connection 84 to other players, movement of other players can be simulated and multiplayer even if the connection 84 to other players or game devices 82 is interrupted. The game may end.

Note that the simulation unit 80 can be implemented in the central processing unit 78. The simulation unit 80 may be implemented as a software application running on the central processing unit 78.

Note that the concepts described in the above description assume that at least one device must act as a server and control the data flow in a multi- opponent game. This will of course facilitate concept implementation and reduce overhead. However, it is not absolutely necessary. Even in a peer-to-peer scenario, this kind of seamless hand-over can be effective. In this case, all parties involved have the same role and level of control. In this case, all relevant devices check the availability of other game participants by checking their connections. If one game member is disconnected (eg due to being out of range), the first device that recognizes the loss of the game member activates its artificial intelligence engine and runs the game seamlessly. To ensure. For this purpose, the first device indicates that it is going to send a broadcast message to other active devices and take over the role of the lost game partner. This will avoid any possible network conflicts. In addition, the expression "multi player gaming device" may be used to refer to an electronic game capable of providing entertainment to more than one player and may include the ability to provide games in single player mode. It will be clear. The invention is not limited to multiplayer only electronic games.

This specification includes descriptions of embodiments and implementations of the invention with the aid of examples. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the details of the embodiments provided above and that the invention may also be embodied in other forms without departing from the features of the invention. The embodiments provided above are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. Thus, the possibility of using and implementing the invention is limited only by the claims contained therein. Accordingly, various options for implementing the invention as determined by the claims, including equivalent implementations, are also within the scope of the invention.

Claims (18)

A method for continuing the multiplayer game when a player participating in the multi-player game is absent, -Running a multiplayer game application, the method comprising: Receiving an indication that the player participating in the multiplayer game is away; And Actually continuing the game by simulating the participation of the absent player. The method of claim 1, The multiplayer game is a network based multiplayer game. The method of claim 1, Monitoring inputs of at least one player of the multiplayer game; Analyzing the inputs to determine game characteristics of the at least one monitored player; And -Simulating the participation of the absent player in response to the determined game characteristics. The method of claim 3, Determining the outcome of the game based on the determined game characteristics of the at least one monitored player. The method of claim 3, Transmitting the determined game characteristics to another game device. The method of claim 1, And the indication that the player is absent comprises a notification received from the absent player. The method of claim 1, Sending a notification to at least one of the other players of the multiplayer game, wherein the notification includes information that the participation of at least one player is actually simulated. The method of claim 1, If all players are absent, further comprising stopping the game. The method of claim 1, If the absent player returns to the game, terminating a simulation of the participation. A software tool comprising program code means stored in a computer readable medium for performing the method of any one of claims 1 to 9 when the software tool is executed on a computer or a network device. A computer program product comprising program code means stored in a computer readable medium for performing the method of any one of claims 1 to 9 when the program product is executed on a computer or a network device. A computer program product comprising program code downloadable from a server for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 when the program product is run on a computer or network device. A computer data signal representing a program instructing a computer to perform the steps of the method according to any of claims 1 to 9 and embodied in a carrier wave. A multiplayer game device for continuing the multiplayer game when a player participating in the multiplayer game is absent, - Memory; A processor connected to the memory, the processor configured to execute a multiplayer game program; And At least two interfaces connected to the processor, the multiplayer game apparatus comprising interfaces adapted to exchange game data, A detector for detecting an indication that a player of the multiplayer game is absent; And A simulation component connected to the processor, the simulation component configured to simulate participation of an absent player in the game when the absence indication is detected. The method of claim 14, And a network interface. The method of claim 14, And a mobile phone. The method of claim 14, And the simulation component comprises an artificial intelligence engine. A network multiplayer game server capable of continuing the multiplayer game when a participant of a multiplayer game is missed, - Memory; A processor connected to the memory, the processor configured to execute a multiplayer game program; And At least one interface connected to said processor, said network multiplayer game server comprising an interface adapted to transmit and receive game data, said network comprising: A detector for detecting an indication that a player of the multiplayer game is absent; And A simulation component connected to the processor, the simulation component configured to simulate participation of an absent player when the absence indication is detected.