(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 8,145,702 B2 Patterson (45) Date of Patent: *Mar

US008145702B2

(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 8,145,702 B2 Patterson (45) Date of Patent: *Mar. 27, 2012

(54) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TEAM 7,500,916 B2 * 3/2009 Lieberman et a1...... 463/42 2003/0009565 A1* 1/2003 Arao ...... 709/227 BASED STRATEGY PLANNING IN 2003/0195735 A1 * 10/2003 Rosedale et al...... 703/13 COMPUTER SIMULATIONS 2008/0096663 A1 4/2008 Lieberman et a1. 2008/0140771 A1* 6/2008 Vass et al...... 709/203 (75) Inventor: Russell D. Patterson, Carlsbad, CA 2008/0294417 A1 * 11/2008 Brunstetter et al...... 703/21 (Us) OTHER PUBLICATIONS (73) Assignee; Sony Computer Entertainment Pending Unpublished US. Patent Application by Brunstetter, Aaron America LLC’ Foster City, CA (Us) et al.; US. Appl. No. 11/754,160, ?led May 25, 2007, entitled “Method and System for Managing Strategies Created by a Clan ( >1< ) NoticeZ Subject to any disclaimer, the term Ofthis Eased Strategy Sharing T001”, 39 pages. which includes the applica patent is extended or adjusted under 35 EgIXIiEZ‘glIIg/cgtgggligsr and dglawmgsc _d ” http m h_ / . , canum ayers 111 e , I PBIC 1ve.0rg U'S'C' 15403) by 552 days' LetsPlay/Arcanum/Update%2021/manual.pdf, PDF date created: This patent is subject to a terminal dis- Jl1116,2002; 190 PageS~ Claimeh MOBYGAMES, “Aaron Brunstetter”, http://www.m0bygames. com/developer/sheet/view/developerld,104961/, PDF date created: (21) App1.No.: 11/754,113 12108120102 PageS~ Continued (22) Filed: May 25, 2007 ( ) 65 P _ P bl_ _ D Primary Examiner * Bharat Barot ( ) nor u lcatlon am (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm * Fitch, Even, Tabin & US 2008/0294782 A1 Nov. 27, 2008 Flannery LLP (51) Int. Cl. (57) ABSTRACT G06F 15/16 (200601) A method for use with a computer simulation includes pro (52) US. Cl...... 709/203; 709/223; 709/224; 709/250; Vidihg an ahihty to run a Simulation in Which a plurality of 703/13 client devices communicate over a network to interact with of Classi?cation Search ...... the simulation, providing an to generate a ?rst user 709/223i224, 217, 250; 703/13, 21*22; interface on each of the plurality of client devices for allowing 463/ 41*43 users associated with the client devices to interact with the See application ?le for complete search history. simulation, providing an ability to provide information that includes a representation of at least a portion of an environ (56) References Cited ment of the simulation on a subset of the plurality of client devices, and providing an ability to allow users associated U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS with the subset of the plurality of client devices to interact 5,685,775 A * 11/1997 Bakoglu et al...... 463/41 with the information without allowing access thereto by the 5,974,442 A * 10/1999 Adams 709/227 other client devices. A system for use in running a computer 6,564,243 B1 * 5/2003 Yedidia et a1. 704/217 6,826,523 B1* 11/2004 Guy et al. 709/227 simulation and a storage medium storing a computer program 7,155,477 B2 * 12/2006 Blair et al. 709/203 executable by a processor based system are also disclosed. 7,315,801 B1* 1/2008 Dowd et al. .. 709/224 7,343,625 B1 * 3/2008 Zaidi et al...... 709/203 35 Claims, 15 Drawing Sheets

200

PROVIDING AN ABILITY TO RUN ASIMULATION IN WHICH A PLURALITY OF CLIENT DEVICES COMMUNICATE OVER 102 A NETWORK TO INTERACT WITH THE SIMULATION

PROVIDING AN ABILITY TO GENERATE A FIRST USER 204 INTERFACE ON EACH OF THE PLURALITY OF CLIENT DEVICES FOR ALLOWING USERS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CLIENT DEVICES TO INTERACT WITH THE SIMULATION

PROVIDING AN ABILITY TO PROVIDE INFORMATION THAT INCLUDES A REPRESENTATION OF AT LEAST A PORTION 206 OFAN ENVIRONMENT OF THE SIMULATION ON ASUBSET / OF THE PLURALITY OF CLIENT DEVICES

PROVIDING AN ABILITY TO ALLOW USERS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SUBSEI' OF THE PLURALITY OF CLIENT 208 DEVICES TO INTERACT WITH THE INFORMATION WITHOUT ALLOWING ACCESS THER ETO BY THE OTHER CLIENT DEVICES US 8,145,702 B2 Page 2

OTHER PUBLICATIONS Wikipedia; “LittleBigPlanet;” http://en.Wikipedia.org/Wiki/Littlei binlmet; Last Modi?ed on Apr. 12, 2010; Game Released on Oct. RS Thomas, “Real-time Decision Making for Adversarial Environ 27, 2008; pp. 1-12. ments Using a Plan-based Heuristic”, Published at least by Jun. 30, Wikipedia; “MotorStorm;” http://en.Wikipedia.org/Wiki/ 2003; Northwestern University, Dissertation, 206 pages. Motorstorm; Last Modi?ed on Apr. 10, 2010; Game Released on Sony Computer Entertainment America; “Killzone 2 Guide;” Game Dec. 14, 2006; pp. 1-7. User Guide; Believed to be published at least by Feb. 25, 2009; pp. Wikipedia; “Ratchet: Deadlocked;” http://en.Wikipedia.org/Wiki/ 1-14. Ratchet:iDeadlocked; Last Modi?ed on Mar. 30, 2010; Game Sony Computer Entertainment America; “Motor Storm;” Game User Released on Oct. 25, 2005; pp. 1-6. Guide; Believed to be published at least by Dec. 14, 2006; pp. 1-19. Wikipedia; “Resistance 2;” http://en.Wikipediaorg/Wiki/Resis Sony Computer Entertainment America; “SOCOM 3 US. Navy tanceiZ; Last Modi?ed on Apr. 15, 2010; Game Released on Nov. SEALs: Instructional Guidelines;” Believed to be published at least 24, 2008; pp. 1-10. by Oct. 11, 2005; pp. 1-27. Wikipedia; “Resistance: Fall of Man;” http://en.Wikipedia.org/Wiki/ Sony Computer Entertainment America; “SOCOM II: US. Navy Resistance:ifalliofiman; Last Modi?ed on Apr. 14, 2010; Game SEALs: Instruction Manual;” Believed to be published at least by Released on Nov. 10, 2006; pp. 1-9. Nov. 4, 2003; pp. 1-27. Wikipedia; “SOCOM 3: US. Navy SEALs;”http://en.Wikipedia.org/ Sony Computer Entertainment America; “SOCOM US. Navy Wiki/SOCOMi3:iUSiNavyiSEALs; Last Modi?ed on Apr. 11, SEALs Combined Assault: Instructional Guidelines;” Believed to be 2010; Game Released on Oct. 11, 2005; pp. 1-5. published at least by Nov. 7, 2006; pp. 1-25. Wikipedia; “SOCOM II: US. Navy SEALs;” http://en.wikipedia. Sony Computer Entertainment America; “SOCOM US. Navy org/Wiki/SOCOMiII:iU.S .iNavyiSEALs; Last Modi?ed on Apr. SEALs;” Game User Guide; Believed to be published at least by Aug. 14, 2010; Game Released on Nov. 4, 2003; pp. 1-4. 27, 2002; pp. 1-27. Wikipedia; “SOCOM: US. Navy SEALs Combined Assault;” http:// Sony Computer Entertainment America; “Syphon?lter: Dark Mirror: en.Wikipedia.org/Wiki/SOCOM :iU. S .iNavyiSEAL siCom Instruction Guide;” Believed to be published at least by Mar. 14, binediAssault; Last Modi?ed on Feb. 12, 2010; Game Released on Nov. 7, 2006; pp. 1-3. 2006; pp. 1-27. Wikipedia; “SOCOM: US. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo;” http://en. Sony Computer Entertainment America; Resistance 2; “Modern Wikipedia.org/Wiki/SOCOM:iUSiNavyiSEALsiFireteami Technology;” Game User Guide; Believed to be published at least by Bravo; Last Modi?ed on Dec. 23, 2009; Game Released on Nov. 8, Nov. 24, 2008; pp. 1-16. 2005; pp. 1-2. Sony Computer Entertainment Europe; “Formula One 04;” Game Wikipedia; “SOCOM: US. Navy SEALs;” http://en.Wikipedia.org/ User Guide; Believed to be published at least by Sep. 22, 2004; pp. Wiki/SOCOM:iU.S.iNavyiSEALs; Last Modi?ed on Mar. 7, 1-19. 2010; Game Released on Aug. 27, 2002; pp. 1-2. Sony Computer Entertainment Europe; “Killzone;” Game User Wikipedia; “Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror;” http://en.wikipedia.org/ Guide; Believed to be published at least by Nov. 2, 2004; pp. 1-19. Sony Computer Entertainment Europe; “Syphon?lter: The Omega Wiki/SyphoniFilter:iDarkiMirror; Last Modi?ed on Feb. 28, 2010; Game Released on Mar. 14, 2006; pp. 1-5. Strain;” User Guide; Believed to be published at least by May 4, Wikipedia; “Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain;” http://en.Wikipedia. 2004; pp. 1-14. org/Wiki/SyphoniFilter:iTheiOmegaiStrain; Last Modi?ed on USPTO; U.S. Appl. No. 11/754,160; Of?ce Action Mailed Jan. 13, Feb. 17, 2010; Game Released on May 4, 2004; pp. 1-3. 2010; 8 pages. Wikipedia; “The Temple of Elemental Evil (video game);” http://en. Wikipedia; “Fat Princess;” http://en.Wikipedia.org/Wiki/Fatiprin Wikipedia.org/Wiki/TheiTempleiofiElementaliEvili cess; Last Modi?ed on Apr. 4, 2010; Game Released on Jul. 30,2009; %28videoigame%29; Last Modi?ed on Mar. 7, 2010; Game pp. 1-4. Released on Sep. 16, 2003; pp. 1-6. Wikipedia; “Formula One 04;” http://en.Wikipedia.org/Wiki/For Wikipedia; “Untold Legends: The Warrior’s Code;” http://en. mulaiOnei04; Last Modi?ed on Mar. 7, 2010; Game Released on Wikipedia.org/Wiki/UntoldiLegends:iTheiWarrior%27siCode; Sep. 22, 2004; 1 page. Last Modi?ed on Mar. 6, 2010; Game Released on Mar. 28, 2006; pp. Wikipedia; “Formula One Championship Edition;” http://en. 1-2. Wikipedia.org/Wiki/FormulaiOneiChampionshipiEdition; Last Wikipedia; “Vampire: The MasqueradeiBloodlinesf’ http://en. Modi?ed on Apr. 9, 2010; Game Released on Dec. 28, 2006; pp. 1-5. Wikipedia.org/Wiki/VampireiTheiMasquerade; Last Modi?ed on Wikipedia; “Killzone 2;” http://en.Wikipedia.org/Wiki/KillzoneiZ; Apr. 15, 2010; Game Released on Nov. 16, 2004; pp. 1-11. Last Modi?ed on Apr. 15, 20 1 0; Game Released on Feb. 25, 2009; pp. Wikipedia; “Warhawk (2007 video game);” http://en.wikipedia.org/ 1-12. Wiki/Warhawki%282007ivideoigame%29; Last Modi?ed on Wikipedia; “Killzone: Liberation;” http://en.Wikipedia.org/Wiki/ Apr. 12, 2010; Game Released on Sep. 20, 2007; pp. 1-8. Killzone:iLiberation; Last Modi?ed on Apr. 13, 2010; Game USPTO; Final Of?ce Action issued in US. Appl. No. 11/754,160; Released on Oct. 31, 2006; pp. 1-4. mailed Jun. 29, 2011; 13 pages. Wikipedia; “Killzone;” http://en.Wikipedia.org/Wiki/Killzone; Last Modi?ed on Apr. 14, 2010; Game Released on Nov. 2, 2004; pp. 1-4. * cited by examiner US. Patent Mar. 27, 2012 Sheet 1 0f 15 US 8,145,702 B2

226 8qu ma £83320%.wd 8585 226 .UEH

226 226 315m! mg 26:0 ooFoQ mg US. Patent Mar. 27, 2012 Sheet 2 0f 15 US 8,145,702 B2

200 / PROVIDING AN ABILITY TO RUN A SIMULATION IN WHICH A PLURALITY OF CLIENT DEVICES COMMUNICATE OVER 202 A NETWORK TO INTERACT WITH THE SIMULATION

V PROVIDING AN ABILITY TO GENERATE A FIRST USER 204 INTERFACE ON EACH OF THE PLURALITY OF CLIENT DEVICES FOR ALLOWING USERS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CLIENT DEVICES TO INTERACT WITH THE SIMULATION

V PROVIDING AN ABILITY TO PROVIDE INFORMATION THAT INCLUDES A REPRESENTATION OF AT LEAST A PORTION 206 OF AN ENVIRONMENT OF THE SIMULATION ON A SUBSET OF THE PLURALITY OF CLIENT DEVICES

V PROVIDING AN ABILITY TO ALLOW USERS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SUBSET OF THE PLURALITY OF CLIENT 208 DEVICES TO INTERACT WITH THE INFORMATION WITHOUT ALLOWING ACCESS THERETO BY THE OTHER CLIENT DEVICES

FIG. 2 US. Patent Mar. 27, 2012 Sheet 3 0f 15 US 8,145,702 B2

302

Primary Window for Game ?

FIG. 3A US. Patent Mar. 27, 2012 Sheet 4 or 15 US 8,145,702 B2

K 310 302

Strategy Creator @Q

Primary Window for Game @

FIG. SB US. Patent Mar. 27 2012 Sheet 5 or 15

FIG.4 US. Patent Mar. 27, 2012 Sheet 6 0f 15 US 8,145,702 B2

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a..ng$31 US. Patent Mar. 27, 2012 Sheet 7 0f 15 US 8,145,702 B2

600

PROVIDING AN ABILITY TO RUN A SIMULATION IN 602 WHICH A PLURALITY OF CLIENT DEVICES / COMMUNICATE OVER A NETWORK TO INTERACT WITH THE SIMULATION

v PROVIDING AN ABILITY TO GENERATE A FIRST 604 USER INTERFACE ON EACH OF THE PLURALITY OF / CLIENT DEVICES FOR ALLOWING USERS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CLIENT DEVICES TO INTERACT WITH THE SIMULATION

PROVIDING AN ABILITY TO ALLOW USERS 606 ASSOCIATED WITH A SUBSET OF THE PLURALITY / OF CLIENT DEVICES TO INTERACT WITH INFORMATION THAT INCLUDES A REPRESENTATION OF AT LEAST A PORTION OF AN ENVIRONMENT OF THE SIMULATION WITHOUT ALLOWING ACCESS THERETO BY THE OTHER CLIENT DEVICES

v PROVIDING AN ABILITY FOR THE SIMULATION TO 608 GENERATE AN EVENT IN RESPONSE TO / INTERACTIONS WITH THE INFORMATION

FIG. 6 US. Patent Mar. 27, 2012 Sheet 8 0f 15 US 8,145,702 B2

702

Primary Window for Game 704

FIG. 7A US. Patent Mar. 27, 2012 Sheet 9 0f 15 US 8,145,702 B2

702

Primary Window for Game 704

FIG. 7B US. Patent Mar. 27, 2012 Sheet 10 0f 15 US 8,145,702 B2

702

----_-_--___------_-____---_----___-m-u-uw-u

5 Our defenders are dead! Retreat to the cave : to regroup! |

Primary Window for Game 704

FIG. 7C US. Patent Mar. 27, 2012 Sheet 11 or 15 US 8,145,702 B2

702

Strategy Manager 706

Switch to plan 6—2 immediately!

Primary Window for Game 704

FIG. 7D US. Patent Mar. 27, 2012 Sheet 12 0115 US 8,145,702 B2

K 710 (702

Strategy Manager 706

Switch to plan C-2 immediately!

Primary Window for Game 704

FIG. 7E US. Patent Mar. 27, 2012 Sheet 13 0f 15 US 8,145,702 B2

802 /

Strategy Creator {1%

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FIG. 8 US. Patent Mar. 27, 2012 Sheet 14 or 15 US 8,145,702 B2

FIG.9 US. Patent Mar. 27, 2012 Sheet 15 0f 15 US 8,145,702 B2

2%$22$95 mmmhoyw822: 2:o 3&0 woo? US 8,145,702 B2 1 2 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TEAM allowing a user to interact with the simulation; providing BASED STRATEGY PLANNING IN information that includes a representation of at least a portion COMPUTER SIMULATIONS of an environment of the simulation; and establishing the user as part of a group of users having access to and which can CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED interact with the provided information; wherein the group of APPLICATIONS users includes users associated with a subset of the plurality of client devices and that client devices not in the group of This application is related to US. patent application Ser. users are denied access to the provided information. No. 11/754,160, ?led on May 27, 2007 entitled “METHOD A better understanding of the features and advantages of AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING AN EVENT IN various embodiments of the present invention will be RESPONSE TO INTERACTIONS WITH INFORMATION obtained by reference to the following detailed description AVAILABLE ONLY TOA SUBSET OF CLIENT DEVICES and accompanying drawings which set forth an illustrative INA COMPUTER SIMULATION”, the entire disclosure of embodiment in which principles of embodiments of the which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. invention are utilized.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

1. Field of the Invention The above and other aspects, features and advantages of The present invention relates generally to computer net embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent work communications, and more speci?cally to online simu 20 from the following more particular description thereof, pre lations such as online computer games. sented in conjunction with the following drawings wherein: 2. Discussion of the RelatedArt FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system that may be One type of online simulation is an online computer game, used for implementing methods and/ or techniques shown and which is a type of video game that is played over some form described herein in accordance with an embodiment of the of computer network, most commonly the Internet. Online 25 present invention; games can range from simple text based games to games FIG. 2 is a ?ow diagram illustrating a method for use with incorporating complex graphics and virtual worlds populated a computer simulation in accordance with an embodiment of by many players simultaneously. the present invention; It is with respect to these and other background informa FIGS. 3A and 3B are block diagrams illustrating example tion factors that the present invention has evolved. 30 interfaces that may be used for implementing methods and/ or techniques shown and described herein in accordance with an SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 4 and 5 are screen shots illustrating an example One embodiment provides a method for use with a com application of methods and/or techniques shown and puter simulation, comprising: providing an ability to run a 35 described herein in accordance with an embodiment of the simulation in which a plurality of client devices communicate present invention; over a network to interact with the simulation; providing an FIG. 6 is a ?ow diagram illustrating a method for use with ability to generate a ?rst user interface on each of the plurality a computer simulation in accordance with another embodi of client devices for allowing users associated with the client ment of the present invention; devices to interact with the simulation; providing an ability to 40 FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D and 7E are block diagrams illustrat provide information that includes a representation of at least ing example noti?cations and messages that may be used for a portion of an environment of the simulation on a subset of implementing methods and/ or techniques shown and the plurality of client devices; and providing an ability to described herein in accordance with embodiments of the allow users associated with the subset of the plurality of client present invention; devices to interact with the information without allowing 45 FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating example interfaces access thereto by the other client devices. that may be used for implementing methods and/ or tech Another embodiment provides a system for use in running niques shown and described herein in accordance with a computer simulation, comprising: a network; a server another embodiment of the present invention; coupled to the network; and a plurality of client devices FIG. 9 is a pictorial diagram illustrating an example appli coupled to the network; wherein the server and client devices 50 cation of methods and/or techniques shown and described are con?gured to run a simulation in which the plurality of herein in accordance with an embodiment of the present client devices communicate over the network to interact with invention; and the simulation, generate a ?rst user interface on each of the FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a processor based plurality of client devices for allowing users associated with system that may be used to run, implement and/ or execute the the client devices to interact with the simulation, provide 55 methods and/or techniques shown and described herein in information that includes a representation of at least a portion accordance with embodiments of the present invention. of an environment of the simulation on a subset of the plural ity of client devices, and allow users associated with the DETAILED DESCRIPTION subset of the plurality of client devices to interact with the information without allowing access thereto by the other 60 Online games and other simulations typically involve a client devices. plurality of client devices that communicate over a network to Another embodiment provides a storage medium storing a interact with the game or simulation. A user interface is typi computer program executable by a processor based system, cally generated on each of the plurality of client devices for the computer program causing the processor based system to allowing users associated with the client devices to interact execute steps comprising: communicating over a network to 65 with the simulation. interact with a simulation in which a plurality of client Many online games and other simulations involve teams or devices are participating; generating a ?rst user interface for “clans” of users competing against other clans. Such clans US 8,145,702 B2 3 4 may comprise users who are physically located far apart from members. Thus, in some embodiments the area 306 may be each other, perhaps in different buildings, states, or even referred to as a “strategy creator”. countries. As such, it can be dif?cult for the users in a clan to The area 306 may provide information that includes a communicate with one another to plan a strategy for the game representation of at least a portion of an environment of the or other simulation. simulation. In some embodiments, the information provided Some embodiments of the present invention provide a clan will have some relation to the environment of the simulation. based strategy sharing tool. For example, in some embodi For example, in some embodiments, the representation of at ments a clan strategy feature allows clan members to create least a portion of an environment of the simulation may game strategies on an overhead picture of the game map and comprise a map of a portion of the simulation or game world. then share the strategies with the other clan members. Such a For example, the area 306 may comprise an overhead picture of the game map. Such a map may assist clan members in feature can be akin to using digital chalk and canvas for communicating and planning a strategy. This is because the sharing information with other clan members before and/or clan members will have an actual map of the game world that during the game or other simulation. It may provide the clan they can cause their characters to go down into and move (or cell, team, guild, etc.) a community feature which allows around, ?y around, or otherwise interact with in testing and them to make strategies on a top-down view of the game map demonstrating various strategies. The users can zoom in and that is available only to those with membership in the clan. out of the map and view and go into the actual three-dimen Thus, such a strategy “chalkboar ” may allow the members of sional space to get a bird’s eye view of various regions of the predetermined teams to spend time devising and sharing game world. battle plans or other strategy. 20 In some embodiments, the area 306 is generated on only a Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a system 100 that subset of the plurality of client devices participating in the may be used for implementing one or more embodiments of simulation. The subset of the plurality of client devices may the present invention. The system may include a network 102, be the client devices of the users who are in a clan or on a such as the Internet, a server 104 coupled to the network 102, team. In some embodiments, the information provided by the and a plurality of client devices 106 each coupled to the 25 area 306 may be the same for each clan member so that all network 102. By way of example, in some embodiments the clan members will see the strategy. client devices 106 may comprise any type of device, such as In some embodiments, the strategy creator area 306 may be a computer, personal computer (PC), notebook or laptop included in the primary game window 304 as illustrated. For computer, entertainment system, game console, set-top box, example, the strategy creator may be overlayed directly onto, television, handheld device, personal digital assistance 30 or integrated into, an existing game interface. As will be (PDA), mobile device, telephone, etc. discussed below, in some embodiments the strategy creator Referring to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a method 200 that may be run before game play begins such that the strategy operates in accordance with an embodiment of the present creator may be the only, or the primary item, displayed in the invention. The method 200, which may be used with a com primary game window 304. The strategy creator may be puter simulation such as a game, begins in step 202 in which 35 grouped together in one area 306 as shown by the dashed there is provided an ability to run a simulation in which a lines, or various elements of the strategy creator may be plurality of client devices communicate over a network to distributed throughout the primary game window 304. In interact with the simulation. In some embodiments, the simu some embodiments, the strategy creator may be plotted into lation may be run by executing software components that are the three-dimensional game world simulation interface. installed on each of the client devices and on a server. For 40 Thus, in some embodiments the strategy creator may not have example, each of the client devices may have a software its own interface. component for interacting with the simulation, and a server In some embodiments, the strategy creator 306 may be may have a software component for coordinating the simula included in a separate user interface or window. FIG. 3B tion. illustrates an example implementation in accordance with an In step 204, there is provided an ability to generate a ?rst 45 embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the strat user interface on each of the plurality of client devices for egy creator 306 may be included in a separate or second user allowing users associated with the client devices to interact interface or window 310. In some embodiments, the strategy with the simulation. FIG. 3A illustrates an example imple creator may have its own user interface or window or a shared mentation of this step in accordance with an embodiment of interface or window. In some embodiments, the strategy cre the present invention. Speci?cally, a display 302 on any type 50 ator may be included in, or integrated with, any other window of client device may display a window 304 that may comprise or interface. the ?rst, primary or main user interface for the simulation. A In step 208 (FIG. 2), there is provided an ability to allow user may interact with the window 304 to interact with the users associated with the subset of the plurality of client simulation. For example, a user may control one or more devices to interact with the information provided by the strat characters displayed in the window 304 as part of participat 55 egy creator without allowing access thereto by the other client ing in an online game. Thus, in some embodiments the win devices. For example, in some embodiments, users are dow 304 may be referred to as a “primary window for the allowed to interact with the information by adding additional game”. information thereto. For example, in some embodiments, In step 206 (FIG. 2), there is provided an ability to provide users are allowed to add illustrations such as text, arrows, information that includes a representation of at least a portion 60 lines, and/or icons that would help communicate a game of an environment of the simulation on a subset of the plural strategy. In some embodiments, users may add either a voice ity of client devices. FIG. 3A illustrates an example imple recording, other audio, or text describing the game strategy mentation of this step in accordance with an embodiment of for that map/level. the present invention. Speci?cally, the display 302 on a client In some embodiments, other client devices that are not device may display an area 306 that may include the infor 65 included in the subset of the plurality of client devices are mation. In some embodiments, this area is where clan mem denied access to the information provided by the strategy bers can create game strategies to share with the other clan creator. For example, users who are not members of the clan US 8,145,702 B2 5 6 or team may not be granted access to the information. This in-game trigger to notify players of a planned event. For may allow for the information provided, such as a clan’s game example, the following noti?cation may be placed on a time strategy, to be kept secret or con?dential. As such, other clans line in the strategy: “All out offense blitZ at 5:00 minutes into or teams will not have access to a clan’s game strategy. the round.” An audio cue or text cue may be set to make this It should be well understood that the steps of the method announcement to tell the players of when to alter strategies in 200 may be executed in any order. For example, steps 206 and unison. 208 may be executed before steps 202 and 204. That is, users In some embodiments, the method 200 (FIG. 2) may be may interact with the information provided by the strategy integrated or built into the game or other simulation and creator prior to the start of the simulation or game. This way, usable with a controller from the client device. In some the users of a clan may use the strategy creator to plan a embodiments, there may be two main components: the client strategy before the simulation starts and before the ?rst user portion; and the server portion. interface is generated. For example, in some embodiments, The client portion may be run on the client devices, such as the strategy creator tool may be run in the “font-end” of the the client devices 106 (FIG. 1) (e.g. a game console, com game. The “front-end” of the game is the set of menu screens puter, etc.). This allows for the creation of the strategy via that are accessed before and after actual game play. This visual and audio elements as well as the viewing of the strat allows the strategy creation and sharing part to happen prior egy by others in the clan. to the clan match or other game being played. For example, The server portion may run on a server such as the server strategy creation may occur prior to the shooting of opponents 104 (FIG. 1) and may handle the storing and retrieval of the and the controlling of 3D characters in a 3D environment. As data the client uses to visualize the strategy. On the server, the such, in some embodiments the method 200 includes an abil 20 additions made to the overhead maps may be stored sepa ity to execute the steps 202, 204, 206 and 208, and the steps rately from the map images themselves. They may be stored may be executed in any order. as objects to make it easy to later remove an individual ele In some embodiments, any interactions with the informa ment (e.g. an arrow, line, text, etc.). This may also reduce the tion provided by the strategy creator may be stored. For amount of server side storage necessary to support the fea example, any additional information added to the representa 25 ture. tion of at least a portion of the environment of the simulation In general, in some embodiments, a user or player uses the may be stored. This way, the strategy may be saved to persis strategy creator on a client device to create or draw a strategy tent storage on the server (e. g. a database) and made available or plan. The strategy creator may include a portion of the to all members of that clan. Other clan members could then game map, which may assist in creating the strategy. The make comments in a similar manner and the strategy 30 server then saves the strategy, which may comprise a simple adjusted. package of data. Thus, in some embodiments the method 200 provides a The members of the clan or team may connect to the server way to facilitate the advanced planning of game play strate and retrieve the strategy creator data at any time. For example, gies in order to help create a solid gaming community. FIGS. the clan members may review the strategy before the game or 4 and 5 illustrate examples of how such strategies may be 35 other simulation begins. They may make comments, revi planned in accordance with embodiments of the present sions or other input to the strategy, which will also be saved by invention. Namely, the illustrated maps may be displayed in the server. the strategy creator as the representation of at least a portion Only the clan members will have access to the strategy to of an environment of the simulation. The maps may comprise view, interact, and/or modify it. This way, the other clan or maps of at least a portion of the game world. As shown, the 40 clans do not receive the strategy and do not have access to it. maps include added illustrations such as lines, circles, hand When the game or other simulation starts the server may written notes, text and annotations which may be used to distribute the strategy data to the client devices corresponding communicate a strategy to the other clan members. The illus to the members of the clan or team. The clan members may trations added to these maps comprise an example of addi then view, interact, and/ or modify the strategy data during the tional information added to the representation of at least a 45 game. The client devices may periodically ping the server to portion of an environment of the simulation. receive updates to the strategy or plan or to receive some other For example, in FIG. 4 a portion 400 of the actual game information about the plan. map may be displayed in the strategy creator for allowing clan In some embodiments, these features and techniques may members to create game strategies. In this example the added be integrated into a game or other simulation so that a strategy illustrations include a line 402 identifying “Defense A” and a 50 for winning can be easily created and shared among clan or line 404 identifying “Defense B”. Also identi?ed are “Access team members. Such features and techniques provide an easy Points” 1, 2, 3 and 4, as well as a “Flag”, “Snipers” and to use format that can be accessed by all game players and “Smoke”. In FIG. 5 a portion 500 of the actual game map may thus increase the competitiveness and entertainment value of be displayed in the strategy creator. In this example, which is the game play experience. labeled “Team A Strategy”, the added illustrations include a 55 Some embodiments of the present invention allow user line 502 identifying “Defense A”, a line 504 identifying created strategies to be tied into the game or other simulation. “Defense B”, and a line 506 identifying a defensive perimeter. For example, in some embodiments, the user created strategy The added illustrations may also include text boxes, such as data may be translated into in-game events effecting game text box 510 which states “Offensive TeamiRally at Flag play. By taking the users’ prede?ned plan, and turning that until Everyone is Alive”, text box 512 which states “Key 60 into in-game events, noti?cations, and other graphical or House to HoldiCan Fire on Grassy Hill and Street”, and text audio cues, the users’ ideas may be brought into the game or box 514 which states “Defensive PenmeteriHOLD THIS other simulation, which may change or improve the in-game LINEI”. These and/or any other type of added illustrations experience. This provides a ?exible strategy management may be used to communicate a strategy to the other clan system that may allow users to create objectives that are members. 65 actually updated with real game data to manage the created In some embodiments, the strategy creator interface may strategy. For example, when the primary defenders are killed be used to place elements on a timeline which then causes an in a game, an automated strategy manager may determine