System, game server, terminal, and computer program product for link point scaling in a multiplayer location-aware game

Abstract

A system for scaling a link point in a multiplayer location-aware game comprises a plurality of clients capable of executing a client-side game application and a network entity capable of communicating with the plurality of clients. The plurality of clients are capable of communicating across at least one network to play a multiplayer location-aware game. The network entity is capable of determining a number of clients participating in the multiplayer location-aware game. The network entity is capable of determining a location of each of the clients participating in the multiplayer location-aware game. The network entity is capable of determining a size of at least one link point based on the number of clients and based on the location of each client.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention generally relates to systems and methods of operating a multiplayer electronic game and, more particularly, relates to systems, network entities, terminals, and computer program products for providing link point scaling in a multiplayer location-aware game. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Multiplayer electronic gaming is a popular pastime, and it continues to grow in popularity as more devices, particularly mobile devices, are created to facilitate this type of gaming. Multiplayer gaming initially only involved using personal computers connected via a wired interface to a network, such as the Internet. As wireless networks and wireless Internet access became more prevalent, multiplayer gaming took advantage of this wireless capability. Cellular telephones and other mobile electronic devices connected via wireless networks began offering gaming. Additionally, dedicated wireless mobile gaming devices were created. These wireless m...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

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Problems solved by technology

Because it is difficult or impossible for a player to interact with or even just monitor that many players, a developer of a location-aware multiplayer game will typically define small subsets of the entire gaming area for purposes of restricting certain activities within one or more of the small subsets.

Additionally, a gaming application may only permit a player to participate in particular interactions with players who are in the same link point.

Because the size of the link points is predefined by the game developer, problems may occur if the game developer incorrectly or inappropriately defines the size of the link points.

Because the size of the link points is typically defined based on the anticipated number of players in a particular geographic area, it is possible that the game developer will incorrectly anticipate the number of players.

If the number of players is smaller than anticipated, the link points may be considered too large and players may not be able to interact with enough other players to consider the game interesting and fun.

If the number of players is larger than anticipated, the link points may be considered too small and players may find it difficult to monitor or interact with the large number of other players in the same and nearby link points.

The problems that may occur when the game developer incorrectly or inappropriately defines the size of the link points are particularly troublesome in the time period immediately after the initial release of a new game.

In the initial days and weeks that a new game is available, the number of players is typically small and may be increasing slowly.

If the size of the link points is predefined based on the anticipated long-term number of players, then the link points will be too small in this initial time period.

As such, the interaction between players will be limited as discussed above, and therefore the initial players will not enjoy the game and will not recommend the game to other potential players.

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