Patents published by some of the most prominent goliaths such as Electronic Arts are an ideal way to predict a studio’s next venture. The giant American game studio is known for producing some of the best IPs in the video game industry. However, it explores many innovative concepts behind the veil of patents.
Initially filed in 2020, we came across a newly published patent from EA called “DYNAMIC CHANGES TO SINGLE PLAYER AND MULTIPLAYER MODE IN A VIDEO GAME.This patent explores a revolutionary framework that could change the entire gaming experience in the coming years.
EA’s patent secures the rights to develop a system that can reduce the disparity between different players’ single-player campaigns through “dynamically generated multiplayer maps.” Currently, most AAA games with single-player campaigns can only complete them.
The multiplayer mode is mostly based on separate objectives and does not interfere with the separate single player campaigns. However,
The recent patent discusses a new concept”for dynamically generating a multiplayer map based on single-player storyline objectives” from different players. The patent allows players to complete single player objectives and progress together in their individual storylines by playing on generated maps.
The patent explains the framework, “Storyline objectives from the single-player mode are selected and made available for completion to players in the multiplayer mode, and the single-player storylines can be enhanced by players completing the respective storyline objectives while playing in the multiplayer mode.
The players can progress individually in the single player campaigns while simultaneously playing on a dynamically generated multiplayer map to achieve the required objectives. It goes on, “Storyline objective combinations are selected from pending storyline objectives for players connecting to a multiplayer game for multiplayer map compatibility. Constraints can be used to determine compatibility.”
The description of EA’s patent delves further into the details. There is, “Multiplayer maps can be dynamically modified to support the completion of one or more single player multiplayer objectives.In addition, Electronic Arts’ legal document also discusses how the targets will be selected.
Only the compatible objectives of all objectives will be selected for all participating players to complete together. The patent explains: “a map can be selected at least in part based on both the first player’s progress and the second player’s progress in their respective storylines.”
The map is generated with different elements. Each element could support a specific player’s goal; therefore dynamic generation will be extremely useful. All elements can compensate any number of players participating in the game.
In addition, each map generated will also enable multiplayer objectives that are separate from the single player objectives. EA’s patent explains: “Accordingly, two, some, or all of the players in the multiplayer map can complete a storyline objective in addition to a multiplayer objective while playing on the multiplayer map.”
If the patent is realized, each participating player will be able to progress in their own individual campaign while playing together. However, it will not always be feasible for everyone. Some restrictions can become a hindrance.
The limitations here imply incompatibilities of objectives with other objectives and/or maps. EA’s patent delves into various types of restrictions. The storyline limitation can occur if player A has already reached a certain threshold, such as killing a certain boss; it wouldn’t make sense for Player A to face it again in a multiplayer match.
Another limitation is the tradition. For example, Player A has to hunt for slime, but the map chosen for both players ends up being a desert where slime can’t spawn due to lore restrictions. The third limitation discussed are limitations that can occur due to the card selected for all players.
For example, the map may not have enough open space for a dragon to spawn. There could be a bundle of more restrictions. However, an intricately developed framework may be able to address them. Only time will tell whether this patent becomes a reality or not.
What do you think of EA’s patent? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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