U.S. Patent no. 9,498,706: System and method for providing an enhanced research game mechanic

Issued November 22, 2016 to Kabam Inc. (later assigned to Electronic Arts Inc.)
Priority Date March 1, 2013

Summary:
U.S. Patent No. 9,498,706 (the ‘706 Patent) relates to simulating research mechanics in a video game. Research simulation in video games typically proceeds through the usage of technology trees. These trees function by connecting nodes together where the research of one node leads to the unlocking and subsequent research of the following node. However, these research simulation mechanics are unrepresentative of the trial and error and hypothesis testing approach of real world research. The ‘706 Patent attempts to create a more realistic research and discovery system. A user may interact with discovery locations in a virtual space and by receiving affirmative decisions the user will eventually make a discovery. A player’s units in a game may also aid in the research process by boosting the discovery location or type of research that is being simulated. Discovery locations in the game can be marked with visual glowing indicators which become stronger as the player approaches the research location. Discovery locations also may be divided into primary and secondary research locations. Upon researching and discovering a primary location new secondary locations attached to it may become available. This invention attempts to create a more immersive and dynamic research simulation within the video game.

Abstract:
The disclosure relates to systems and methods for providing an enhanced research game mechanic that simulates research in a virtual simulation such as a game. The system may engage the user in the virtual discovery process and therefore provide the user with a more realistic sense of discovery. The game may include a research space having a plurality of spatially arranged positions. The discovery locations may be hidden from the user’s view until discovered. To make a virtual discovery, a user may interact with the positions of a corresponding discovery location. For example, the user may select or otherwise indicate a position in the research space. The system may determine whether selected or indicated position corresponds to a position assigned to the discovery location. The user may interact with the position in other ways such as by positioning a research unit at a position of the research space.

Illustrative Claim:
1. A game system comprising: one or more processors configured by machine-readable instructions to: define a research space for visual presentation to users on client computing platforms associated with the users as part of an interface to a game, the research space having spatial dimensions and being divided into an array of positions, with two or more of the positions being assigned as discovery locations, with the individual discovery locations being associated with different virtual technologies, the virtual technologies being virtual knowledge in the game that provide abilities to the users in the game, the individual discovery locations including a first discovery location associated with a first technology; receive research requests from the client computing platforms associated with the users, the research requests including: a first research request received from a first client computing platform associated with a first user including a first specified position in the array of positions to which a first research unit is deployed, a second research request received from a second client computing platform associated with a second user including a second specified position in the array of positions to which a second research unit is deployed, and a third research request received from a third client computing platform associated with a third user including a third specified position in the array of positions to which a third research unit is deployed, wherein the first research unit has a first skill or experience level associated with a first distance range, the second research unit has a second skill or experience level associated with a second distance range, and the third research unit has a third skill or experience level associated with a third distance range; determine, responsive to receiving the research requests, whether the first specified position, the second specified position, and/or the third specified position correspond to one of the discovery locations and/or are within associated distance ranges of the of one of the discovery locations, such that responsive to the second specified position and the third specified position being the same specified position in the array of positions, (i) the first specified position to which the first research unit is deployed is determined to correspond with the first discovery location by virtue of the first specified position corresponding to the first discovery location, (ii) the second specified position to which the second research unit is deployed is determined to correspond with the first discovery location by virtue of the second specified position being within the second distance range from the first discovery location, and (iii) the third specified position to which the third research unit is deployed is determined not to correspond with the first discovery location by virtue of the third specified position not being within the third distance range from the first discovery location; and cause the third client computing platform associated with the third user to communicate the lack of correspondence to the third user, and cause the first client computing platform associated with the first user and the second client computing platform associated with the second user to provide the first user and the second user access to the first technology in the game.