Computer-readable storage medium patent by Shigeru Miyamoto

[plank]

link

Searched but did not see it posted here

[Smiles and Cries]

is that not that failed DD thing (what was it called? N64DD??

[JBuccCP]

Reading patent pages makes my head hurt.

[badcrumble]

Sounds at first glance like it's a way to treat a game like a DVD with chapters that you can skip to from the very beginning.

[DavidDayton]

Sounds at first glance like it's a way to treat a game like a DVD with chapters that you can skip to from the very beginning.

That reminds me of some failed video game from last year...

[Raist]

Reading patent pages makes my head hurt.

It's like a constest for who will make the longest sentence ever.

[wmat]

I won't visit the link, but if it points to a patent, please say so á la "Patent is here: [LINK]". There are people on these boards making their money in the technology sector and reading a patent is what they probably don't want to do. Thank you.

[swerve]

The fifth aspect of it suggests you can only access the 'skip to scene' save data when you've played for a certain time. To prevent you from spoiling it for yourself.

It's like the spirit of Ikaruga's extra credits the more you play.

Distributing the data over the net seems sensible, as does preventing the ability to save a game which was started using the 'skip to scene' data.

All in all: yawn.

[Drkirby]

Miyamoto owns it, not Nintendo? Odd... *Goes and reads*

[neoanarch]

I think its a patent for game saves.

[TJ Spyke]

I won't visit the link, but if it points to a patent, please say so á la "Patent is here: [LINK]". There are people on these boards making their money in the technology sector and reading a patent is what they probably don't want to do. Thank you.

It's a link to the patent article at the official U.S. Patent and Trademark Office website.

SAC, no it's not about the N64DD. The patent was just issued today.

[aoi tsuki]

i think this is the new holographic Pikmin storage they're planning for the next DS.

[Dani]

I won't visit the link, but if it points to a patent, please say so á la "Patent is here: [LINK]". There are people on these boards making their money in the technology sector and reading a patent is what they probably don't want to do. Thank you.

What? Grow some balls. Obviously the link is to the patent? What the hell are you expecting, a lovely website that explains it to you? Free porn? Just what?

[dyls]

This sounds like a good idea. Basically like uploading replays, but perhaps for other genres.

Furthermore, the flash memory 17 or the like stores an operation history of a game play of each player, and each player may be allowed to create his/her own "approach movie" based on the operation history. The "approach movie" created by each player may be uploaded to the server. When the hint button 102 is pressed, the server may be accessed so as to view the "approach movies" created by various players. Thus, when, for example, a plurality of methods may be considered as a method for approaching a scene in the game, a plurality of approach methods including an approach method for which a skilled operation is required, a method in which an approach is made in a relatively easy operation, and the like may be viewed. It is possible to provide each player with information about an approach method which meets, for example, a skill of the each player for game play. As a result, a player may be prevented from becoming stuck with the game for increased certainty. Further, when it is possible to create and upload his/her own "approach movie", a player can enjoy introducing his/her skill in the game approach to another player, and the game becomes more enjoyable.

So if you get stuck in Zelda, you could choose to watch how another player passed the puzzle.

[grandjedi6]

Miyamoto invented the memory card

[Raist]

Miyamoto owns it, not Nintendo? Odd... *Goes and reads*

Assignee name: Nintendo

[Drkirby]

Legend of OO:

[wmat]

What? Grow some balls. Obviously the link is to the patent? What the hell are you expecting, a lovely website that explains it to you? Free porn? Just what?

Well, it could have been an article about that patent or something, of course. It's just polite to do this. Doesn't have anything to do with having balls or not, really..

[grandjedi6]

Legend of OO:

What could it be!

[TJ Spyke]

Assignee name: Nintendo

Yep. Miyamoto is just listed as the inventor. The actual owner of the patent is Nintendo.

[Drkirby]

Wow, this one went though fast. I think the Wii's Patent took like 2 years to go though, only took this 6 months.

So, I guess this is the next Zelda game.

[Divvy]

Legend of OO:

This is actually a good idea for Zelda. In TP I was really annoyed that there wasn't some sort of boss rush mode so I could fight the awesome bosses over and over again without having to replay the whole game. This is closer to what I want.

[Drkirby]

What could it be!

Why the legend of OO. First screen too:


@ the house in the background. Its style just makes me laugh.

[jiji]

This seems to be the gist of it (paragraph breaks are mine):

[0158]As described above, in the present embodiment, when a player cannot find how to solve the "puzzle" which is set in the game, the player is allowed to view, in the scene, moving images for indicating how to solve the puzzle when the player desires to. Therefore, a player that cannot find how to solve the "puzzle" may not become stuck with the game, and reduction, due to the puzzle being unsolved, in motivation for clearing the game may be prevented. Thus, a player unaccustomed to a game or a player that does not have a lot of time for game play is allowed to play and clear the game to the end. Further, how to solve the "puzzle" is indicated as "moving images" by using an actual example in which the puzzle is actually solved, and therefore a player knows, for certain, how to actually move (operate) the player character. Therefore, for example, a player that cannot know, from a hint represented by only character information, how to solve the puzzle may not become stuck with the game, and may be allowed to play the game to the end.

So, low-quality hint movies that play ingame and display solutions, but are ugly enough to encourage the player to figure it out themself in the future.

[OuterWorldVoice]

It looks like a 2008 patent of a 1981 idea. Normally gaf hates this kind of thing, but I guess since it says Miyamoto on it, it's ok.

[grandjedi6]

Why the legend of OO. First screen too: @ the house in the background. Its style just makes me laugh.

Actually, I think this confirms that Zelda Wii is still going to be 3rd person. Success!

EDIT:



Yep, definitely looks like Nintendo is going with a in game hint system for the next Zelda. Quick someone tell the blogs!??!

[alr1ghtstart]

To be played on old wood grain TVs only.

[skybaby]

Nintendo just patented the win button!

[jiji]

[0165]Further, the use of the digest saved-data may not be allowed for a certain initial time period (immediately after the game is purchased). For example, although the digest saved-data cannot be used immediately after the game is purchased, a plurality of pieces of the digest saved-data may be gradually used in accordance with a time period in which the game has been played. In this case, the digest saved-data are set so as not to be used when the game is shipped. The flash memory 17 [internal memory] of the game apparatus body 3 [Wii] purchased by a player stores the total cumulative time period obtained by adding the time periods [EARTH HOURS] in which the game has been played.

tl;dr there's a time delay for when the instantly-viewable content (chapters?) are available.

The total cumulative time period during which the game has been played is read from the flash memory 17 every time the game is started, and when the total cumulative time period during which the game has been played is greater than a predetermined time period, the use of the digest saved-data may be allowed. Thus, the ending portion of the game cannot be played from the beginning, so that a player may not reduce his/her interest in the game, and when a user, who cannot continue the game, almost gives up the game halfway, the use of the digest saved-data is allowed, thereby enhancing the motivation of the player. The use of the digest saved-data may be allowed when a predetermined time period has passed from the release date of the game, or from a date on which the game is played for the first time as well as the use of the digest saved-data may be allowed based on the total time period during which the game has been played.

[grandjedi6]

There's actually alot of information on the next Zelda game in here.

[Sadist]

Zelda gets easier. Awesome.

:'(

[Drkirby]

Actually, I think this confirms that Zelda Wii is still going to be 3rd person. Success! EDIT: Yep, definitely looks like Nintendo is going with a in game hint system for the next Zelda. Quick someone tell the blogs!??!

The only thing I don't like is that the hud is taking up 1/3rd of the screen (I measured it, it really is taking up exactly 1/3rd) I hope its just overly big to show the point.

[Nuclear Muffin]

tl;dr there's a time delay for when the instantly-viewable content (chapters?) are available.

Sounds a lot like Metroid Prime, it would wait about 20 mins before telling the player where to go next. So it waits for a certain amount of time to pass and if a player gets stuck, it allows them to skip that part they're stuck on.

Actually the whole thing sounds like a mixture between Eternal Darkness' Jump to Game option, gamefaqs (With videos instead of text) and Metroid Prime's hint system. I do hope that the next game isn't going to be boarded like those images though!

[Duelist]

Link wielding a katana in the next Zelda, confirmed.

[grandjedi6]

[swerve]

All this 'approach movie' stuff is just an acknowledgement that most people don't finish games... sounds pretty sucky that they'd change the whole game for those of us who do, but then I guess it's just an option that I can choose to switch off.

[Drkirby]

Zelda gets easier. Awesome. :'(

Not all puzzles have hints at least. And maybe this will mean harder puzzles:

[Bo130]

Legend of Goo! World of Goo sequel!

[Drkirby]

Legend of Goo! World of Goo sequel!

... Your eye sight must be bad, there is no G.

[Bo130]

... Your eye sight must be bad, there is no G.

One can hope, can he not?

[Wes]

Is this huge? I want this to be huge.

[Perdew]

OMG ZELDA chOOse YOUR OWN ADVENTURE GAME!

[grandjedi6]

One can hope, can he not?

Its obviously Zelda

[JSnake]

... Your eye sight must be bad, there is no G.

edit: oh, those are sunglasses. joke failed. :(

[Drkirby]

One can hope, can he not?

No, you can only believe, hope isn't allowed on Neogaf.

Also, my biggest wonder is if this is going to just be a cool feature for replays, or if they can work it into the story its self.

[Coolio McAwesome]

If you get stuck in a game, you can simply skip ahead or let the computer take control of the game for you in order to get past a certain point which may be deemed as too difficult or time-consuming. The game will have predetermined saved points (digest saved data) that the user can access at any time. Additionally, when you chose one of these predetermined save points, you'll have the option from starting from that location or simply letting watching the scene play out as the computer takes control of the character. You'll also be able to download digest saved data from other players to see how they tackled a particular level or puzzle. The idea is that this will prevent people from giving up on games half-way through and will give them the opportunity to experience the entire game. I think the basic concept behind this is that many people are afraid to try certain games because they find them confusing and are afraid they won't be very good at them. Nobody wants to drop $50 on a game only to get stuck an hour into it. I think the philosophy behind this patent is that people who spend money to buy a game should have the opportunity to experience the entire content of it, regardless of their skill level. This is likely a way for Nintendo to concentrate on core titles without worrying about alienating the casual gamers. It should be noted that players will not be able to save their game if they start from one of the predetermined save points, so there's still incentive to play through the game in the traditional manner. Naturally, those who wish to clear the game on their own accord and avoid the digest saved data altogether will certainly be free to do so.

[jaypah]

tl;dr there's a time delay for when the instantly-viewable content (chapters?) are available. [0165]Further, the use of the digest saved-data may not be allowed for a certain initial time period (immediately after the game is purchased). For example, although the digest saved-data cannot be used immediately after the game is purchased, a plurality of pieces of the digest saved-data may be gradually used in accordance with a time period in which the game has been played. In this case, the digest saved-data are set so as not to be used when the game is shipped. The flash memory 17 [internal memory] of the game apparatus body 3 [Wii] purchased by a player stores the total cumulative time period obtained by adding the time periods[EARTH HOURS] in which the game has been played.

what the fuck space man?

[grandjedi6]

Okay this is pretty big actually:

[0103]FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a title menu of this game. As the title menu shown in FIG. 8, three options, "game", "digest", and "scene menu" are displayed. The "game" is an option for playing the game in a normal manner. The "digest" is an option for presenting a digest of a main content (storyline, flow of scenario) of the game from the beginning through the end. Further, this game is divided, in advance, into "scenes" based on the flow of the scenario. The "scene menu" is an option for allowing selection of a predetermined "scene" so as to start the game play from the selected scene. A player is allowed to select a desired one from the three options

and figure 8 is:

So it seems you can either (A) play the game normally, (B) play a "digest" of the storyline, or (C) replay/start from any scene you want. Does this mean we finally can redo any puzzle or boss we want at anytime in a Zelda game?

[Perdew]

If you get stuck in a game, you can simply skip ahead or let the computer take control of the game for you in order to get past a certain point which may be deemed as too difficult or time-consuming. The game will have predetermined saved points (digest saved data) that the user can access at any time. Additionally, when you chose one of these predetermined save points, you'll have the option from starting from that location or simply letting watching the scene play out as the computer takes control of the character. You'll also be able to download digest saved data from other players to see how they tackled a particular level or puzzle. The idea is that this will prevent people from giving up on games half-way through and will give them the opportunity to experience the entire game. I think the basic concept behind this is that many people are afraid to try certain games because they find them confusing and are afraid they won't be very good at them. Nobody wants to drop $50 on a game only to get stuck an hour into it. I think the philosophy behind this patent is that people who spend money to buy a game should have the opportunity to experience the entire content of it, regardless of their skill level. This is likely a way for Nintendo to concentrate on core titles without worrying about alienating the casual gamers. It should be noted that players will not be able to save their game if they start from one of the predetermined save points, so there's still incentive to play through the game in the traditional manner. Naturally, those who wish to clear the game on their own accord and avoid the digest saved data altogether will certainly be free to do so.

So it's like the videos in Ikaruga! Nintendo stole that shit! Sue, Treasure, sue!

[Nuclear Muffin]

In another exemplary embodiment, a gyro-sensor incorporating, for example, a rotating or vibrating element may be used for a movement sensor for detecting for a movement of the controller 7. Exemplary MEMS gyro-sensors that may be used in this embodiment are available from Analog Devices, Inc. Unlike the acceleration sensor 701, a gyro-sensor is capable of directly detecting rotation (or angular rate) around at least one axis defined by the gyroscopic element therein. Thus, due to the fundamental differences between a gyro-sensor and an acceleration sensor, corresponding changes need to be made to the processing operations that are performed on the output signals from these devices depending on which device is selected for a particular application. [0099]More specifically, when the tilt or attitude is calculated using a gyro-sensor instead of the acceleration sensor, significant changes are necessary. Specifically, when using a gyro-sensor, the value of the tilt is initialized at the start of the detection. Then, data on the angular rate which is output from the gyro-sensor is integrated. Next, a change amount in tilt from the value of the tilt initialized is calculated. In this case, the calculated tilt corresponds to a value represented by an angle. In contrast, when the acceleration sensor calculates the tilt, the tilt is calculated by comparing the value of the gravitational acceleration of each axial component with a predetermined reference, and therefore the calculated tilt can be represented as a vector, and an absolute direction can be determined with an acceleration detection means without initialization. The type of the value calculated as the tilt is also very different between a gyro sensor and an acceleration sensor; i.e., the value is an angle when a gyro sensor is used and is a vector when an acceleration sensor is used. Therefore, when a gyro sensor is used instead of an acceleration sensor or vice versa, data on tilt also needs to be processed through a predetermined conversion taking into account the fundamental differences between these two devices. Due to the fact that the nature of the gyro sensor is known to one skilled in the art, as well as the fundamental differences between the acceleration detection means and the gyro sensor, further details are not provided herein. While a gyro-sensor is advantageous in that a rotation can be directly detected, an acceleration sensor is generally more cost effective when used in connection with the controller described herein.

Interesting that the patent makes a reference to motionplus, support confirmed? (Hope it's required and not just optional!)