Another Nintendo patent: Massively Single-Player Online Game

[Feels Good Man]

When it comes to online gaming, Nintendo has always insisted it would not follow the competition but would rather wait to pursue things in its distinctive Nintendo way. In a US patent application filed in early 2010 and published last week, Nintendo is claiming dibs on the idea of a "Massively Single-Playing Online Game."

The patent gives a few examples of how such an idea could be implemented, starting with a single-player game in which the player's actions impact the characters and environment of other players enjoying the same single-player game. As the filing suggests, that would offer players some of the benefits of a traditional online world without a potential drawback inherent to massively multiplayer online games.

According to the patent application, "Those who want to play games that are more dynamic, not-based on Al and not-pre-scripted like multiplayer games, however, don't want to 'deal' with other people, appreciate the privacy it provides."

Nintendo offered more specific examples of the patent being put into use, such as a game with an economy affected by player demand for (and scarcity of) items. The company pointed to a purse in a fashion-centric game as one implementation of that, or perhaps oil in a global commodities trading game.

Another example given had one player spotting a pile of building materials in a virtual world and making a house out of it. Since the world is the same, the next player to happen along finds not a heap of lumber and tools, but a finished house (with the builder nowhere to be seen). Additionally, Nintendo's filing suggested that one player could gossip to a non-player character in the world, who would then pass it along to other players.

The application also covers one tweak to make the gameworld more traditionally multiplayer. If players have "friended" one another, they would be able to see each other and interact in the same environment.

The filing includes more eyebrow-raising information beyond the "massively single-player" concept. Specifically, it refers to an implementation of the idea on "a home video game system such as the Nintendo Wii 3D video game system, a Nintendo DS or other 3D capable interactive computer graphics display systems." While Nintendo has highly touted 3D in its 3DS handheld, the company publicly backed away from the idea of a 3D-capable successor to the Wii earlier this year, suggesting that the glasses currently required by 3D TVs would be a deal breaker for consumers.

http://uk.gamespot.com/news/6328634/ninten...mentions-wii-3d

 

[wolffangalchemist]

it certainly sounds like a neat concept, can't wait to see what they do with it/if it works as well in action as it sounds like it does on paper.

 

[dgwillia]

Sounds like a super advanced version of Demon Souls, minus the rage and loathing of mankind in general though.

 

[KazoWAR]

Spore?

 

[Bat420maN]

It sounds like this would be very good stuff to implement into the next Console based Animal Crossing.

 

[CarbonX13]

Sounds like an interesting concept, interested to see what Nintendo will do with this.

 

[KingdomBlade]

For some reason, the title immediately reminded me of AdventureQuest.

It sounds interesting, though Nintendo will have to improve their online immensely.

 

[Youkai]

I don't see how you guys can say its something good oO

they are telling you you play an mmo yust without the mmo ...
sounds like complete bullshit to me.
just think about it there are enough idiots, like the idea with the items getting priced by demand of other players, some assholes could just buy as much possible noob equips untill no newbie could ever afford such an item in the game making very bad for everybody (just an example)

they should just do normal online multiplayer like its supposed to be and if they really care so much about safety and privacy let parents enable the parental controll, man i am over 18 already i do not need nintendo to tell me that "little kids" are not supposed to see other people online -.-

 

[prowler]

Thanks but no thanks Nintendo.

 

[Deleted member 473940]

I could think of one game.. Animal Crossing

! lol

 

[Clydefrosch]

well, in general, i hardly had contact with anyone besides my rl friends in mmos lately, its just too much bitching and too much look at the glory that is my electrical penis.

besides a marketplace, i avoid contact as much as possible, so this sounds kinda nice

also nice for younger kids, where, as you already said it, animal crossing comes to mind.


if they do this nicely, i really dont see a problem with that, it could make for an interesting take at games.

not saying its obviously another hit for nintendo, just saying it could be interesting until proven differently

 

[Cyan]

When you play a MMORPG, you can choose to show only your own guild chat instead of the Global.
Imagine that when you switch to show only the private channel, it also hide the players sprites not in your guild/privacy/friend list.

Like said, IF it's correctly programmed, it could benefit the player, not showing unnecessary garbaged. (like allow friend to play together, not only a single player).
Though, It's always nice to see users selling their own items, and interacting with complete strangers, seeing other player using wonderful magic you don't even have yet, building groups with total strangers to defeat an enemy you couldn't do without help (you can't be healer/mage/sword at the same time) etc.
That MMORPG feeling won't be there

If they can do both real MMORPG and SMORPG games, why not.
some player may prefer single experience than playing with other people. but it would be for limited games like animal crossing?

 

[LunaWofl]

This could be great in simulating a virtual economy

Better save up for that bronze sword everyone keeps buying

 

[Cyan]

This could be great in simulating a virtual economy

Better save up for that bronze sword everyone keeps buying

And how would you know they are bying it, if you don't see other player using them?
It can't be appealing, you usually want what other users are using (because it's should be great if they all want it ...)

There should be a live ranking report for all items then

It will need a newer way to play. It can be interesting to see how they will implement it in a functional way.

 

[LunaWofl]

This could be great in simulating a virtual economy

Better save up for that bronze sword everyone keeps buying

And how would you know they are bying it, if you don't see other player using them?
It can't be appealing, you usually want what other users are using (because it's should be great if they all want it ...)

There should be a live ranking report for all items then

It will need a newer way to play. It can be interesting to see how they will implement it in a functional way.

You could tell by the ridiculous increase on its price tag

and with that there is an incentive for people to see what this expensive sword is all about, suggesting to players it might hold some valuable or useful properties... and then they find its the weakest weapon in the game with no great properties

This needs to happen

If for nothing more, to show how it should NOT be implemented

 

[cwstjdenobs]

This might get me interested in more than Hl2eathmatch online. Cool idea if implemented right.

 

[Wintrale]

Sounds like Animal Crossing 3D.

 

[ZaeZae64]

a game with an economy affected by player demand for (and scarcity of) items.

So, kinda like hats in TF2?

 

[Deleted User]

You can kiss piracy goodbye if this model becomes popular. Reminds me of the permanent internet connection needed to play scam ubisoft has got going. I bet they tack the words Final Fantasy onto one of the first titles.

 

[Hadrian]

Pretty sure this is an old patent, seems like we hear about this every few months.