Method and apparatus for partitioning virtual worlds using prioritized topic spaces in virtual world systems

Abstract

A method and system for hosting an online virtual world system on game engine servers, is provided. One implementation involves obtaining a map representing a virtual world in the game, partitioning the map into multiple partitions, and selecting a game engine server for each partition as responsible for executing the game for detected game entities in that partition, wherein the selection is based on load balancing between the game engine servers.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates generally to online applications, and in particular to online gaming applications.[0003]2. Background Information[0004]Conventional massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs) and virtual worlds (such as Second Life) are unable to scale to support very large numbers of players within a single game / world. This is because such games and virtual worlds are reliant on a single instance of the game, running on a single physical computer system, acting as the authority for all activities within the game. Typically, the limits to scaling in this scenario are the network bandwidth of the single system and, more significantly, the processor capacity of a game server in the system. The game server, functioning as a game engine, is required to provide the simulation capabilities for every object and player in the virtual world. As the number of players (clients) increases the computing resources requir...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Conventional massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs) and virtual worlds (such as Second Life) are unable to scale to support very large numbers of players within a single game / world.

Typically, the limits to scaling in this scenario are the network bandwidth of the single system and, more significantly, the processor capacity of a game server in the system.

Certain game servers, particularly those providing FPS (First Person Shooter) styles of games, are only capable of supporting tens of users due to the complexity of the simulation and the low latency requirements of the game.

A disadvantage of this approach is that said tree is not designed to be used as the basis of a partitioning exercise, being originally designed for the rapid creation of views within the world and for deducing the sphere of influence of any given object within the map.

As there are many data formats for the storage of map data, requiring detailed knowledge of the formats makes it more difficult to build a scalable system that can support multiple game / world engines.

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