US20070155494A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20070155494A1
Application number: US11/677,989
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert Wells; Brian Mitchell; Jeremy Reddoch; William Koons
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-08-25
Filing date: 2007-02-22
Publication date: 2007-07-05

Abstract

A video game system comprises memory for storing data defining graphical objects for use in a video game. The system further comprises logic configured to enable a user to select at least one musical song to be played during a run of the video game. The logic is further configured to control at least one of the graphical objects during the run of the video game based on an attribute correlated with the selected song.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/925,778, entitled “Video Game System and Method,” and filed on Aug. 25, 2004, which is incorporated herein be reference. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/925,778 claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/497,453, entitled “Method for Incorporating and Using Music in Video Games,” and filed on Aug. 25, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference.

RELATED ART

Video games oftentimes employ sound (e.g., music and/or sound effects) during game play in order to add variety to the gaming environment and to pique a user's interest during game play.

As an example, video games from the arcade-style genre are often configured such that the user controls a fictitious character that navigates through multiple levels of courses that are each full of obstacles and adversaries that attempt to keep the user character from reaching the end of the course as quickly as possible and stop the user character from collecting scoring items along the way. In such a video game, particular music may be associated with each level or course that the character must navigate, the tempo of the music may be changed during intense situations, and/or particular music may be associated with situations during the during each level such as release of some adversary or activation of a time limited special power for the user character.

In other examples, lights may appear to blink to the beat of music or other objects may appear to behave in other ways to the beat of music. The use of music or other sounds to enhance a gaming environment is pervasive in the gaming industry.

One type of video game, referred to as a Simulation game (“SIM game”), is a computer video game that attempts to simulate real life situations. Typically, SIM games provide a graphical gaming environment and an objective or goal that a user works toward.

For example, one popular SIM game is configured to enable a user to build and design a city. The player creates zoning areas in the city, e.g., commercial, industrial, or residential, and he adds building to the city accordingly. Further, the user can implement taxes, build transportation systems, enact city ordinances, build a power grid, build parks, and the like. Throughout game play, the user may experience natural or unnatural disasters that impede his ability to build the city.

Additionally, as the game progresses, the user is rewarded with, for example, a mayoral mansion within the simulated city.

In another SIM game example, a user engages in creating characters and controlling the lives of the characters created. The goal of the game is to enable each character to reach determined personal achievement goals. Throughout the game, the user controls the behaviors of the characters created. For example, the user controls sleeping, eating, cooking, and bathing habits. The game employs artificial intelligence, allowing the characters to exercise some free will during game play. In this regard, rather than control some of the characters directly, the user establishes various attributes (e.g., personality attributes) associated with the characters, and the characters automatically perform various actions based on the user-defined attributes.

Today, video games exhibit a wide variety of methods for controlling objects within the gaming environment. Although characters and other objects appear to interact with sounds within the gaming environments, such sounds do not usually provide a basis for automatically controlling the behavior of the characters or other objects nor do the games allow users to select music or sounds that are then used within the game to substantially define or modify the primary objects of the game and their associated behavior and interrelationships.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the disclosure. Furthermore, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a gaming system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary game unit of the system illustrated inFIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is a flowchart illustrating exemplary architecture and functionality of the version synchronization of gaming system ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a data diagram illustrating an exemplary template for attributes associated with a song incorporated into the game unit illustrated inFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a data diagram illustrating an exemplary template for object personality data associated with an artificial intelligence (AI) personality incorporated into the game unit illustrated inFIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary display of a gaming environment defined by the gaming unit illustrated inFIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a data diagram illustrating exemplary object personality data associated with a character incorporated into the gaming unit illustrated inFIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a data diagram illustrating exemplary object personality data associated with another character incorporated into the gaming unit illustrated inFIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a gaming system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of gaming system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary architecture and functionality of the gaming system ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of gaming system in relation to a digital broadcast unit in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of multiple player gaming system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a gaming system interfaced with a retailer inventory system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a gaming system having version synchronization in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary architecture and functionality of the gaming system ofFIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of game content data in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a gaming system having music authentication in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary architecture and functionality of the gaming system ofFIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally pertain to video gaming systems and methods for controlling video game object features and behaviors via selected sounds, such as music, provided by the gaming systems. In one embodiment, such sounds are selected by a user playing a game provided by a game unit. In another embodiment, sounds are selected by another individual, such as, for example, a gaming system manager located remote from the game unit or a person that is in the business of selling music, e.g., a retailer or a person associated with a record label.

A system in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure allows a user to select particular types of music and/or particular songs, and music selected by the user affects particular elements and/or the behavior of particular elements in the gaming environment. Specifically, the system uses the music selected for play to initialize the game objects, their behavior, and their interrelationships based uniquely on each unique selection of music. Additionally, as the system plays, the selected music, the features and/or behavior of objects and/or characters in game are automatically controlled based on the music selected.

FIG. 1 depicts avideo gaming system100 in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Thesystem100 comprises aserver102 and agame unit104 communicating via anetwork118.

Theserver102 comprises music-powered game server (MPGS)logic106,game content data107, andmusic information108. Note that a music-powered game generally refers to a video game in which selected sounds (e.g., music) affect events that occur during game play, the features and/or behaviors of video game objects, including objects representative of characters or inanimate objects, within the game, and/or the general look and feel of the gaming environment, such as will be described hereafter.

Themusic information108 preferably comprises music-poweredattributes142 and associatedidentifiers143. The music-poweredattributes142 can comprise subsets of music-poweredattributes142 associated with a song, an album, and/or an artist, and theidentifiers143 preferably uniquely identify each set of music-poweredattributes142, such that the MPGSlogic106 can retrieve a set of music-poweredattributes142 associated with a song, an album, and/or an artist upon request.

Note that the music-poweredattribute identifiers143 may comprise a universally recognized identification schema. For example, the music-poweredattribute identifiers143 may identify a set of music-poweredattributes142 associated with a song by the song's unique barcode, or the music-poweredattribute identifiers143 may identify a set of music-poweredattributes142 associated with an album by the album's title and/or artist.

The music-poweredattributes142 comprise data that describes, defines, or otherwise gives detailed information about the song, the album, and/or the artist with which the music-poweredattributes142 are associated. The music-poweredattributes142 associated with a particular song, album, and/or artist can comprise music-poweredattributes142, such as, for example, genre, tempo, theme, a plurality of sub-themes, song or album title, topical attributes corresponding to the lyrics of the particular song, instantaneous events, hit rating, and crossover attributes, hereinafter referred to as the “music-powered song attributes.”

Additionally, music-poweredattributes142 defining, describing or otherwise providing information about an album can comprise music-poweredattributes142 associated with the album's color scheme, specific graphics associated with the album, and the like, hereinafter referred to as “music-powered album attributes.” Further, music-poweredattributes142 defining, describing or otherwise providing information about an artist can comprise music-poweredattributes142 associated with current events that are occurring relating to the artist, the artist's likes/dislikes, the artist's pet, and the like, hereinafter referred to as “music-powered artist attributes.”

These are only a few examples of various music-poweredattributes142 that can be used to provide information regarding a song, an album, and/or an artist, and other music-poweredattributes142 in other embodiments are possible.

Thegame content data107 preferably comprises information that can be used to change the gaming environment. For example,game content data107 can define models, motions, artwork, characters, objects, and game object attributes and scripts that utilize the data in conjunction with music-powered game (MPG)logic112, described further herein.

Note that a script refers to logic that provides a list of commands or actions to perform which are interpreted by the logic of a video game and provide the game developer the ability to quickly modify game play without changing the compiled video game logic. Two examples of script languages that are widely used in the video game industry are Python and Lua.

Thegame content data107 can change periodically. Further,game content data107 can be associated with the music-poweredattributes142. In this regard, as described herein, the music-poweredattributes142 may designate a color scheme for a particular album. Thus, the palette associated with the color scheme designated in the music-poweredattributes142 associated with the album can be contained within thegame content data107, as well as any art and/or graphics associated with the album.

Additionally, thegame content data107 can comprise advertisement information associated with a particular advertising campaign where an advertiser wishes to promote itself in association with particular music that consumer may enjoy in a music-powered game. As a specific example, if during a specified period of time, Coca-Cola desires to advertise its coke product in the gaming environment to consumers that enjoy hip-hop, then thegame content data107 can comprise graphics associated with virtual posters and/or billboards to be exhibited throughout the gaming environment related to Coca-Cola, and thesystem100 will only display those virtual posters and/or billboards when consumers are playing music that contains the “hip-hop” value in its genre music-poweredattribute142.

Additionally, if the gaming environment pertains to a nightclub, and Coca-Cola desires to advertise in the nightclub, thegame content107 may comprise data representative of a Coca-Cola billboard that is to be placed in the nightclub. Further, thegame content data107 may comprise a fanciful Coca-Cola lyric to be played periodically throughout game play, for example when the nightclub music is not playing, and the patrons are not dancing. Note that such lyrics can have associated with it a set of music-poweredattributes142. For example, the music-poweredattributes142 may indicate a particular moment within the game play to play the jingle, and the music-poweredattributes142 may adjectivally provide character emotions, motions, and/or events to be utilized during game play to affect video game objects within the gaming environment.

As another example, a particular artist may desire to promote his/her fan club. Thus, thegame content data107 may define a virtual poster of the artist that is to appear within the gaming environment provided by thesystem100. Further, thegame content data107 may comprise graphical data that defines an animated representation (i.e., a character) resembling the artist and associated artist attributes, as will be described further herein. Thegame content data107 may further indicate when the animated version of the artist is to appear in a game, such as, for example, when a song performed by the artist is played in the gaming environment. The animated representation of the artist may perform the song during game play, as well.

In the embodiment shown byFIG. 1, thegame unit104 comprises music-powered game (MPG)logic112 and a music-powered game engine (“MPG engine”)114. Generally, theMPG logic112 and theMPG engine114 work in conjunction to provide a music-powered video game to auser116 of thegame unit104. During the course of game play, thegame unit104 displays a game environment wherein events that occur during game play, the features and/or behaviors of video game objects, including objects representative of characters or inanimate objects, within the game, and/or the general look and feel of the gaming environment are controlled via selected music that is audible to theuser116.

TheMPGS logic106 communicates with theMPG engine114 on thegame unit104 via thenetwork118. TheMPGS logic106 transmitsmusic information108 associated with songs that are selected for play in the gaming environment via thenetwork118 to theMPG engine114. Note that music selection inputs may be provided by theuser116, by theMPG engine114, by theMPGS logic106, or by an external source (not shown), such as, for example, a set of promotional music and associated music-poweredattributes142 may be created, selected, and provided by a music label. TheMPG engine114 preferably stores themusic information108 associated with songs that are selected for play on thegame unit104, and provides themusic information108 to theMPG logic112, which is described in more detail with reference toFIG. 2.

TheMPG logic112 and theMPG engine114 control events that occur during game play, features and/or behaviors of video game objects, including objects representative of characters or inanimate objects, within the game, and/or the general look and feel of the gaming environment, based upon music selections. As described hereinafter, such selections may be based on and controlled by inputs that are provided by theuser116. TheMPG logic112 controls events that occur during game play, features and/or behaviors of video game objects, including objects representative of characters or inanimate objects, within the game, and/or the general look and feel of the gaming environment by utilizing the music-poweredattributes142 associated with one or more songs, hereinafter referred to as “song attributes,” played by thegame unit104 in accordance with the song selections made by a music-selection source, e.g., theuser116. Additionally, theMPG logic112 can also affect events that occur during game play, the features and/or behaviors of video game objects, including objects representative of characters or inanimate objects, within the game, and/or the general look and feel of the gaming environment using the music-powered album attributes and the music-powered artist attributes.

Although the embodiment being described indicates that theMPG engine114 receives music selection inputs from theuser116, the music selection inputs may also be provided by other sources in other embodiments of thegaming system100. In this regard, music can be selected by theuser116, or the game can internally make selection and/or other external sources, e.g., digital radio, can provide the music selection inputs. Furthermore, music selection inputs can be provided by retailers via promotions, described further herein and record labels promoting a concert or an album.

For example, theMPGS logic106 may provide music selection inputs indicative of promotional music and music-powered promotional attributes described hereafter, to theMPG engine114. Note that the music-powered promotional attributes are preferably a subset of the music-poweredattributes142. The promotional music and music-poweredpromotional attributes142 may be generated by a record label, for example, that desires to promote particular music associated with a particular album and/or artist, and the music-poweredpromotional attributes142 describe and/or define the promotional music, much like the music-powered song attributes described hereinabove describe and define a particular song. Thus, music retailers that have access to theserver102 may desire to promote a particular song or artist corresponding to available music inventory that the retailer may have in its store and that the retailer desires to promote. TheMPGS logic106 may then transmit music selection inputs indicative of promotional music and promotional attributes to thegame units104 ofusers116 that correspond to the available inventory or sales items of retailers in the same region as theuser116.

Regardless of the source of the music selection inputs, during game play, theMPG engine114 provides theMPG logic112 with a listing, referred to as a “playlist,” of music tracks corresponding to the music selection inputs. Such a playlist120 (FIG. 2) is described in more detail with reference toFIG. 2. The playlist120 (FIG. 2) identifies the songs that are to be played during game play and can specify the sequence that such songs are to be played. In one embodiment, theMPG logic112 displays the playlist120 (FIG. 2) to theuser116. Thus, as each song is played, theuser116 is able to see the previous song, the next song, and the like.

Furthermore, for the songs played by theMPG engine114, theMPG engine114 preferably transmits music-poweredattributes142 associated with such songs to theMPG logic112. Theattributes142 can be received from a variety of sources. In a preferred embodiment, the music-poweredattributes142 are contained within themusic information108 maintained at theserver102 and are provided to theMPG engine114 vianetwork118 by theMPGS logic106 when theMPG engine114 requests music-poweredattributes142 associated with particular music, an album, or an artist. As will be described in more detail below, theMPG logic112 uses the music-poweredattributes142 corresponding to the selected music to make decisions that affect events that occur during game play, the features and/or behaviors of video game objects, including objects representative of characters or inanimate objects, within the game, and/or the general look and feel of the gaming environment. Several of the music-powered song attributes enumerated in the foregoing non-exhaustive list are generally described hereafter, and more detailed examples of several are also provided.

In this regard, the genre of a song describes the established class or categorization of the song. For example, song genre may include rock-and-roll, reggae, classical, country, hip-hop, jazz, and/or rhythm and blues (R&B).

The tempo of a song refers to a song's beat. Tempo can be described adjectivally, such as, for example, fast, slow, or medium. The tempo can also include actual beats per minute.

The general theme of a song can describe what a song is about, for example, love, anger, death, violence, social angst, etc. Sub-themes of a song can describe or include additional themes that relate to the song's overall theme. For example, if the theme of a song is love, then a sub-theme may be “hooking up,” dating, arguing, marriage, and/or the like. The music-powered song attributes, in addition to indicating a sub-theme, can indicate the time interval in the song that the sub-theme is addressed.

The music-powered topical song attributes corresponding to the lyrics of a song define specific topics and/or events specifically addressed and/or alluded to in the song lyrics. For example, the song may contain a casual reference to a hurricane, a car wreck, or a falling chandelier. The music-powered song attributes, in addition to indicating a particular topic or event, may also comprise data indicative of when a reference to the topic or event is made in the song. For example, if one of the topics in a song is a hurricane, the music-powered song attributes may indicate the time interval in the song when a verse about a hurricane plays.

An instantaneous event refers to an event that is to occur at a particular point marked within a song. For example, an instantaneous event may refer to breaking glass that is marked to occur when a breaking glass sound effect occurs in the song.

The music-powered song attributes can provide data descriptive of instantaneous event and data indicating the point in the song that the event occurs. As an example, in music-powered song attributes associated with the Lynard Skynard song “Freebird,” the music-powered song attributes may indicate that, in the last ten seconds of the song, the characters in the gaming environment are to hold up lit cigarette lighters while another song, “Auld Lang Syne,” may have a music-powered event attribute that in the last five seconds of the song, the characters in the gaming environment are to grab their date and kiss them.

The music-powered hit rating song attribute refers to data indicative of the industry or market acceptance of the song, such as, for example, how the song might be rated on a national billboard. For example, on a scale of “1” to “10,” the hit rating music-powered song attribute might indicate a “10” if the song is a big hit or a “1” if the song is only recognized by a small niche community.

The music-powered crossover song attribute indicates whether the song might be acceptable in more than one genre. For example, the song's genre might be classified as country, but the song may further be thought of in the industry or the market as a dance song, in which case, the crossover music-powered song attribute might indicate a dance song.

Furthermore, each of the music-poweredattributes142, including the music-powered song attributes, can also have an associated magnitude. For example, if a song has a “love” theme, a value can be associated with this theme that indicates to what extent the song is a “love” song. For example, if the song only tangentially pertains to love, then the magnitude associated with the theme may be a “3,” for example, on a scale from “1” to “10.” However, if “love” is the prevailing theme of the song, then the magnitude associated with the theme may be a “10.” Thus, the magnitude of a music-poweredattribute142 can be analyzed to determine the degree to which the music-poweredattribute142 is prevalent in the song.

The music-poweredattributes142, including their corresponding magnitudes, provided by theMPG engine114 are used by theMPG logic112 to select, initialize, modify, and/or control events that occur during game play, the features and/or behaviors of video game objects, including objects representative of characters or inanimate objects, within the game, and/or the general look and feel of the gaming environment. The music-poweredattributes142 and their corresponding relationship to theMPG logic112 and theMPG engine114 is described in more detail with reference toFIGS. 3-7.

In one embodiment, a song, an album, and/or an artist is “classified” only once, and the music-poweredattributes142 associated with that classification are used by anyMPG engine114 and theMPG logic112 in initializing, modifying and/or creating events during game play, the features and/or behaviors of video game objects, including objects representative of characters or inanimate objects, within the game, and/or the general look and feel of the gaming environment. “Classifying” is a term that refers to the act of defining and populating music-poweredattributes142 for a particular song, album, and/or artist.

However, in other embodiments, the classification of a song may directly depend upon the gaming environment created by theMPG logic112. In this regard, a song may be classified differently, for example, for a nightclub game, as opposed to the same song being classified differently for a shooter game.

TheMPG engine114 performs a variety of operations. Specifically, theMPG engine114 receivesmusic information108 from theMPGS logic106, which theMPG engine114 stores, preferably in a table format, on thegame unit104 for access during game play.

Theserver102 also provides to theMPG engine114 thegame content data107, which comprises information about the video game environment that is directly associated with the music-poweredattributes142 that are new touser116 and that are to be provided to theuser116, as described hereinabove.Game content data107 can be repeatedly updated to include new game content that theMPG engine114 provides to theMPG logic112 when theuser116 initiates game play, specifically selects new music for use in thegame unit104, or requests newgame content data107 or when a record label, retailer, or theMPGS logic106 decides to download newgame content data107 to auser116, as described in more detail with reference toFIG. 14.

Thus, if the user inserts a CD into thegame unit104, and there is new music on the CD that is not yet in the catalog123 or the authenticatedsong data227, as will be described in with reference toFIG. 2, thegame104 unit preferably interacts with theserver102 to retrieve the music-poweredattributes142 from theserver102 associated with each new song. Additionally, the music-poweredattributes142 may comprise album attributes and artist attributes, as described hereinabove.

Furthermore, thegame content data107 may also comprise content associated with the song, album, or the artist, which theMPG engine114 retrieves from theserver102.

If theuser116 elects to receive newgame content data107 from theMPG engine114, theMPG logic112 can incorporate events, features and/or behaviors of video game objects, including objects representative of characters or inanimate objects, within the game, and/or the general look and feel of the gaming environment corresponding to the newgame content data107. As an example, theuser116 may elect to receivegame content data107 defining a new three-dimensional (3D) character. In this regard, theMPG logic112 can place the character in the gaming environment and the character behaves in accordance with music being played in such environment as reflected by the new character's personality. As an example, theMPGS logic106 may notify theuser116 that there is a modification (an expansion pack”) available for the user'sMPG logic112 that will provide the user116 a richer game environment and/or more functionality. Thus, theuser116 may elect to request the expansion pack for download.

Note thatgame content data107 can be transmitted by theMPGS logic106 on theserver102 to theMPG engine114 on thegame unit104. Therefore, theMPGS logic106 can periodically provide to thegame unit104 updates on thegame content data107. Furthermore, theMPG engine114 plays music from alocal playlist120 or music received from a stream server (not shown) described further herein.

Theuser116 can purchase or otherwise acquire music and associated music-poweredattributes142 for use during game play to affect events that occur during game play, the features and/or behaviors of objects, including video game objects representative of characters or inanimate objects, within the game, and/or the general look and feel of the gaming environment from internet music retailers, such as, for example, Napster. Additionally, theuser116 may purchase a CD from a retailer. When theuser116 purchases the music either through an online service or store retailer, theuser116 can download and/or copy the music to thegame unit104. In order for the music to be used by theMPG logic112, theuser116 can obtain, via theMPG engine114, music-poweredattributes142 associated with the music from themusic information108 stored by theserver102, or alternatively the music-poweredattributes142 associated with the music can be obtained directly from the CD purchased in retail or within a music file purchased online.

If theuser116 elects to use new music in thegame unit104, theMPG engine114 can receive new server music-poweredattributes142 and newgame content data107 from theMPGS logic106. TheMPG engine114 may then provide the newgame content data107 and the new music-poweredattributes142 to theMPG logic112, described further with reference toFIG. 2, and theMPG logic112 can select, initialize, modify, create, and/or control events, features and/or behaviors of video game objects, including objects representative of characters or inanimate objects, within the game, and/or the general look and feel of the gaming environment corresponding to the newgame content data107.

As an example, theuser116 may elect to select music for play in the game that references a one-eyed, one-horned, flying purple, people-eater. Thus, theMPG engine114 may request newgame content data107 and server music-poweredattributes142 andidentifiers143 that define and describe a monster having one-eye, one-horn, flies, and likes to eat people from theserver102. In this regard, theMPG logic112 can introduce the character to the gaming environment and the character behaves in accordance with music being played in such environment as reflected by the new character's personality. Alternatively, thegame content data107 could have provided a more generic character who's behavior is less driven by the specific music-poweredattributes142 of the new song and more driven by the music-poweredattributes142 of other songs classified in the system.

In some embodiments, key codes can be associated with the purchased music and used to ensure that the music is purchased or otherwise acquired from an authorized retailer or other legitimate source (i.e., the music is not pirated). Thus, a list of valid key codes can be maintained at theserver102 and/or stored in thegame unit104. Such a list may include each valid key code and an identifier of the song or songs to which it pertains. When theuser116 acquires a song from a legitimate source, theuser116 is preferably provided the valid key code for the song by the legitimate source.

Moreover, before theMPG engine114 adds a new song to the playlist or otherwise enables the new song to be used in the gaming environment provided by theMPG logic112, theMPG engine114 can be configured to request a user-provided key code from theuser116.

In one embodiment, theuser116 manually enters the user-provided key code in response to the foregoing request, which may be displayed to theuser116 as a user prompt. In this regard, the user preferably enters the key code provided by the retailer or other legitimate source at the time of purchase. In another embodiment, the user-provided key code can be automatically acquired by theMPG engine114.

For example, the associated key code may be appended to the data defining the new song or located on the same media of the newly acquired song such that the key code verification process is completely transparent to theuser116.

After obtaining the user-provided key code, theMPG engine114 can then verify whether the song has been acquired from a legitimate source by having the song's user-provided key code compared to the aforementioned list of valid key codes. Note that the actual comparison may be performed by theMPG engine114, theMPGS logic106, or any other system component. If the user-provided key code matches or otherwise corresponds to the valid key code for the new song, theMPG engine114 is authorized to interface the newly purchased song's music-poweredattributes142 with theMGP logic112 for use in affecting the gaming environment or behavior of characters or other objects in the game and theserver102 removes the key code from the list of validkey codes111 to ensure that anotheruser116 can not use the same legitimately acquired key code. TheMPG engine114 preferably does not add that new song to the playlist until a user-provided key code matches or otherwise corresponds to the song's valid key code.

Additionally, if theuser116 is unable to provide a key code that matches the song's valid key code, music retailers or record labels can provide key codes to the buyer after the purchase, e.g., online. Note that key codes can also be used on a per artist or per album basis such that a single key code can authorize the use of any song by a particular artist or a particular set of songs by one or more artists.

Moreover, theMPGS logic106, via theMPG engine114, can ensure that music to be used in the gaming environment was legitimately acquired.

In one embodiment, the list of valid key codes is stored at theserver102 askey code data111, and the operation of such an embodiment will now be described in more detail.

In the instant example, assume that theuser116 purchases a CD and that the seller is an authorized distributor that provides a valid key code to theuser116 associated with the purchase. This valid key code is stored in thekey code data111 and is associated with an identifier that identifies the purchased song.

When auser116 selects a song to be played in the gaming environment, theMPG engine114 determines whether a user-provided key code is associated with the song. If so, theMPG engine114 transmits a request to theMPGS logic106 to verify whether the song selected by theuser116 was legitimately purchased or acquired. Such a request includes information identifying the selected song as well as the user-provided key code. TheMPGS logic106 determines if the user-provided key code matches the song's valid key code stored in the validkey code data111.

If the user-provided key code does not match the valid key code, then theMPGS logic106 transmits a rejection notification to theMPG engine114, and theMPG engine114 does not allow the selected music to be used by theMPG logic112. If the user-provided key code matches the valid key code in thekey code data111, then theMPGS logic106 transmits an acceptance notification to theMPG engine114, and theMPG engine114 allows the selected music to be used by theMPG logic112. Additionally, thegame engine114 may designate the authorization of the song for use in thegame112 for future game sessions as well as designating any other songs that are associated with the valid key code (e.g., other songs from the same album or other collections of songs) for use in the game thus eliminating future prompts for the previously provided key code.

If theuser116 is unable to provide a key code that matches the valid key code, theMPG engine114 can prompt theuser116 to determine if he would like to receive a valid key code for the song that theuser116 has selected for play. If so, theMPG logic112 and/or theMPG engine114 can direct theuser116 to an internet site (not shown) or a retailer where theuser116 can purchase, for a fee or otherwise, a copy of the selected music along with the valid key code or just the valid key code.

Thus, thesystem100 serves to discourage the unlawful use of pirated music by encouraging users, e.g.,user116 of thesystem100, to obtain valid key codes for music that theuser116 desires to incorporate into the gaming environment. However, the use of key codes, as described hereinabove, is unnecessary and may be left out of at least some embodiments. Such an authentication method is further described with reference toFIGS. 2A-2B.

In one embodiment, the newly acquired music may contain on or with the media, e.g., CD, themusic information108 comparing the music-poweredattributes142 related to the newly purchased music. For example, if theuser116 purchases a CD containing a song for use by thegame unit104, the CD may include, in addition to data defining the song, data defining various music-powered attributes, as described herein. Therefore, when theuser116 loads the newly purchased music into thegame unit104, theMPG engine114 and theMPG logic112 can retrieve the music-powered attributes corresponding to the newly purchased music from the purchased media (e.g., CD) unless updates have been released since the CD was pressed.

Furthermore, music may be delivered to theuser116 along with a game (e.g., MPG logic112) that was developed to interface with theMPG engine114. In this regard, in at least some embodiments, theMPG logic112 may be contained in a cartridge or on a CD that is removable from thegame unit104. Such a cartridge or CD may include data defining not only thegame logic112 but also defining music and/or music-powered attributes to be used in the gaming environment controlled by theMPG logic112. Moreover, different types oflogic112 defining different types of video games may be interfaced with and run on thegame unit104. For example, one cartridge or CD may includelogic112 for providing a virtual nightclub game, whereas another cartridge or CD may includelogic112 for providing a virtual auto racing game. In such embodiments, theMPG engine114 is responsible for maintaining or managing data defining music and/or music-powered attributes, and each set ofMPG logic112 determines how such music-powered attributes are to be used in its respective gaming environment.

Additionally, theMPGS logic106 can track and report music and use preferences of theuser116, described further herein with reference toFIG. 8. Generally, theMPG engine114 provides information to theMPGS logic106 corresponding to the type of music acquired by the user116 (e.g., interfaced with thegame unit104 by the user116) and the frequency that theuser116 selects specific songs or particular types of music for use in the gaming environment provided by theMPG logic112. Other types of user music and use preferences may be tracked and reported in other embodiments. TheMPGS logic106 can store the reported information on the server for subsequent access and use for marketing or advertising purposes, such as is described hereafter with reference toFIG. 8.

In one embodiment, theMPGS logic106 supports the industry's popular Digital Rights Management (DRM) standards. In this regard, thesystem100 abides by the limitations specified for a particular song regarding the number of times that a song that has been downloaded can be played.

In addition, a music selection, for example one made by a music label that is promoting a particular album and/or song on the album, may provide “promotional attributes,” which are also included in the music-poweredattributes142, associated with the song and/or album that indicate that the song or album is only licensed for a specified number of times. TheMPG engine114 may be configured to ensure that the song or album is not played more than the specified number of times in the gaming environment. Furthermore, the attributes corresponding to a promotional song that is being promoted may also prompt theMPG engine114 to disable fast forward and/or skipping functionality provided to anend user116. In this regard, theuser116 may be required to listen to the complete promotional song provided by the retailer, as opposed to listening to only a portion of the song provided.

TheMPG engine114 further facilitates user registration. In this regard, before theMPGS logic106 sendsmusic information108 orgame content data107 to the user'sgame unit104, theMPGS logic106 can first request that theuser116 register with theserver102 by sending, to theserver102, various personal information about theuser116 and/orgame unit104. In particular, when anew user116 registers with theMPGS logic106, theMPG engine114 may be configured to request registration information about theuser116, such as the user's zip code, name, address, music likes/dislikes, gender, favorite bands, favorite retailers for purchasing music, and the like. Theuser116 may then enter the requested registration information through a graphical user interface provided by theMPG engine114. TheMPG engine114 transmits the registration information to theMPGS logic106 on theserver102, and theMPGS logic106 stores theuser registration information105 on theserver102.

Furthermore, theMPG engine114 can modify registration information of auser116. In this regard, theMPG engine114 may periodically request that theuser116 update his registration information.

In operation generally, theuser116, or another source as indicated herein, provides one or more inputs to initiate theMPG logic112 at thegame unit104.

Upon initiation, theMPG logic112 provides an interactive gaming environment, an example of which is illustrated and described in more detail with reference toFIG. 5.

TheMPG logic112 enables theuser116 to interactively play in the gaming environment. During play, theMPG engine114 and theMPG logic112 work in conjunction to select, initialize, create, modify, and/or control events that occur during game play, the features and/or behaviors of video game objects, including objects representative of characters or inanimate objects, within the game, and/or the general look and feel of the gaming environment in accordance with music-powered attributes of selected music.

Note that music selection inputs may be received by thegame unit104 from theuser116, from theserver102, or from other sources. In this regard, theMPG engine114 receives a music selection (e.g., a selection identifying a song or a group of songs to be included in a playlist and incorporated into the gaming environment) from theuser116 via theMPG logic112, or another source as indicated herein. TheMPG engine114 associates the music selected with its various music-powered attributes, which are described in detail hereafter, and theMPG logic112 uses the associated music-powered attributes to affect game play. TheMPG engine114 communicates the associated music-powered attributes to theMPG logic112, and theMPG logic112 uses the attributes corresponding to the selected music to affect the gaming environment.

FIG. 2A depicts anexemplary game unit104 of the present disclosure. Theexemplary game unit104 generally comprises aprocessing unit208 andmemory200.

Memory

200 comprises data representative ofgame content inventory241, aplaylist120, digital music121, an authenticatedsong list227, a music catalog123, objectpersonality data220, and aplaylist history225, and each of these components and their functionality are described further herein. Further, thememory200 comprises game unit music-poweredattributes250, theMPG engine114, theMPG logic112, and an MPG application program interface (API)204.

The game unit music-poweredattributes250 generally comprise a collection of music-poweredattributes250 that includes server music-poweredattributes251, which is preferably a selected portion of the music-poweredattributes142 from theserver102 corresponding to the music played on theparticular game unit104. Additionally, the game unit music-poweredattributes250 include music-powered playlist attributes219 and music-powered playlist history attributes119.

Theprocessing unit208 may be a digital processor or other type of circuitry configured to run theMPG logic112 and theMPG engine114, as well as other software, by processing and executing the instructions of theMPG logic112 and theMPG engine114. Theprocessing unit208 communicates to and drives the other elements within theunit104 via a local interface222, which can include one or more buses.

Furthermore, aninput device212, for example, a keyboard, a switch, a mouse, and/or other type of interface, can be used to input data (e.g., song selection inputs) from a user116 (FIG. 1) of thegame unit104, anddisplay device216, such as a monitor or television, can be used to display data to theuser116. For example, thedisplay device216 can display a graphical gaming environment to theuser116, an example of which is illustrated inFIG. 5 and described in more detail hereafter.

Examples of input devices may include, but are not limited to, a keyboard device, serial port, scanner, camera, microphone, card reader, and/or network connection.

Additionally, theexemplary game unit104 comprises anaudio device214 connected to thelocal interface223, which may comprise one or more buses. In theexemplary game unit104, theaudio device214, e.g., a speaker, preferably plays songs listed in the playlist of theMPG logic212 sequentially during play of the game.

Thegame unit104 can be connected to the network118 (FIG. 1) via anetwork device210 that allows theunit104 to exchange data with the network118 (FIG. 1). In this regard, thegame unit104 receivesmusic information108 from theserver102, via thenetwork118.

In an alternate embodiment, thenetwork device210 receives music from a streaming server (not shown). A streaming server is a computing device that transmits a stream of data representative of a single song, a portion of a song, a collection of songs, e.g., an entire album, or portions of a radio program, as described in detail with reference toFIG. 11, for example, to thegame unit104 over thenetwork118.

Examples of streaming media systems include the streaming tools for Windows Media or QuickTime. Prior to transmittal, the streaming server compresses the data, and upon delivery, the data is decompressed for use by the gaming system.

TheMPG engine114, the application program interface (API)204, and theMPG logic112 work in conjunction to provide a music-powered gaming environment to a user116 (FIG. 1). TheMPG engine114, the application program interface (API)204, and theMPG logic112 are shown as implemented in software and stored in memory202. However, each may be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and software in other embodiments. Note that theMPG engine114 comprises logic for implementing its functionality, as described herein. Further, as used herein, the term “logic,” refers to components that generally may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof, unless otherwise noted herein.

As noted herein, theMPG engine114, the MPG API204, and theMPG logic112 are shown inFIG. 2A as software stored inmemory200. When stored inmemory200, each can be stored and transported on any computer-readable medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system, or other system that can fetch the instructions from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions. In the context of this document, a “computer-readable medium” can be any means that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. Note that the computer-readable medium could even be paper or another suitable medium upon which a program is printed, as the program can be electronically captured, via for instance optical scanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted or otherwise processed in a suitable manner if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory.

The API204 comprises defined code that interfaces theMPG logic112 with theMPG engine114. In this regard, the API204 provides a programmer with, for example, specific calls to operations of theMPG engine114 that cause theMPG engine114 to perform predefined functions, such as for example, adding or deleting songs fromplaylist120 or providing theplaylist120 to thelogic112 so that the songs indicated by the playlist will be incorporated into the gaming environment. The integration of music information108 (FIG. 1) into the gaming environment is described in more detail with reference toFIGS. 3-5.

More particularly, the API204 may be defined at a high code level and provide a level of abstraction between theMPG logic112 and theMPG engine114 by which a programmer can create source code integrating API commands for controlling theMPG engine114 so that the game is music-powered, as described herein. The API204 provides the interface between a high level language, for example, “C” or “C++, in which theMPG logic112 is written, and the lower level utilities and services which can be written without necessarily considering the calling conventions supported by a compiled language.

In operation, theMPG logic112 provides the user116 a gaming environment.

For example, the gaming environment may be a virtual nightclub or war zone. Note that the gaming environment is preferably displayed within a graphical user interface (GUI), and an example of a gaming environment GUI is described in more detail with reference toFIG. 5.

A user116 (FIG. 1) initiates theMPG logic112 via theinput device212. TheMPG logic112 displays via thedisplay device216 the particular gaming-environment, and the game begins. TheMPG logic112 may initiate with a default playlist to start theuser116 in the game. The default playlist can be provided, for example, along with the data defining theMPG logic112.

TheMPG engine114 uses theplaylist120 in order to determine the initial gaming environment. For example, if the genre of the first song is country, then theMPG engine114 may be configured to provide country-like game content to theMPG logic112. Furthermore, theMPG engine114 may use theplaylist history225 as the default playlist in order to create the gaming environment, as will be described further hereinafter.

Theuser116 can add, delete, or shuffle songs within theplaylist120 during operation, and the addition and/or deletion from the playlist can affect the game play by changing the content or order of the songs being played. In one embodiment, the theme of each song in theplaylist120 is measured by type and magnitude to create a playlist theme rating that is the combined effect of each theme on theplaylist120.

This playlist theme rating can then be used to initialize objects and events. For example, if the playlist is made up of 80% love themes, 10% violence, and 10% social commentary, then thegame engine114 may initialize 80% of the characters with love traits and 80% of the game events to be love-based and likewise for the violence and social commentary themes.

In addition, the order of theplaylist120 can be significant in affecting the gaming environment. In this regard, music-powered song attributes250 of a previous song can modify a character's present state. Therefore, with respect to the character's reaction to the current song, the character may react to the current song based upon the character's state, which may be affected by the previously played song or songs. Shuffling the order of theplaylist120 and playing theMPG logic112 again, may produce a different state for the character and a different set of actions, reactions and/or interactions to the currently playing song.

Additionally, theMPG engine114 may save theplaylist120 for future use even after the current run of the game has ended, which theMPG engine114 may store asplaylist history225, as described further herein.

TheMPG logic112, in accordance with the type of gaming environment created, controls a plurality of video game objects, which may consist of, for example, characters (e.g., people or aliens), tanks, roller coasters, pets, and the like, as well as aggregate objects, such as those typically used in tycoon games, and other abstract video game elements including, but not limited to, landing squares on a board game, cards, in a card game, dice in a dice game, or questions in a quiz game. These are only exemplary video game objects, other video game objects can be used in other embodiments. Associated with a of the plurality of video game objects isobject personality data220 that defines, describes, and otherwise is used by theMPG logic112 to determine how the objects will react to music and/or sounds.

During operation, thegame unit104 receives song selections identifying songs to be played in the gaming environment provided by theMPG logic112. TheMPG engine114 stores data indicative of the music selection inputs in theplaylist120. As described herein, theplaylist120 can be a list of song identifiers for songs that theMPG engine114 plays during the game controlled by theMPG logic112.

Theplaylist120 may include the data defining such songs, although such data may be stored elsewhere. Hereafter, unless otherwise noted, it will be assumed that theplaylist120 comprises a list of song identifiers and that data defining these songs is stored in memory as digital music121.

TheMPG engine114 can play music from locally stored digital music121, for example a song file in MP3 format. Thus, theMPG engine114 transmits a song, as indicated in theplaylist120, from stored digital music121 to theaudio device214. In addition to transmitting audio signals indicative of the selected song to theaudio device214, theMPG engine114 transmits the game unit music-poweredattributes250, including those server music-poweredattributes251 specifically associated with the selected song, which can include song attributes, album attributes, and/or artist attributes, among others, to theMPG logic112. As noted hereinabove, the server music-poweredattributes251 are retrieved from theserver102, and are preferably a portion of the server music-poweredattributes142 on theserver102. However, the game unit music-poweredattributes250 may also comprise music-powered attributes retrieved from a CD, a stream of data, digital broadcast data, described further hereinafter.

In this regard, theMPG engine114, as described above, maintains server music-poweredattributes251 associated with songs, albums, and/or artists that can be played by theMPG engine114. The server music-poweredattributes251 are preferably populated by theMPGS logic106. In this regard, theMPGS logic106 downloads music-poweredattributes142 to theMPG engine114 corresponding to music for which theMPG engine114 receives music selection inputs either from theuser116 or another source. In any event, the music-poweredattributes142 associated with selected digital songs121 and theidentifier143 associated with the selected songs are stored on thegame unit104 in server music-poweredattributes251 andidentifier229, respectively.

Additionally, music-poweredattributes142 or thegame content data107 that was originally distributed on a CD may be modified after distribution of the CD. TheMPG engine114 may update the server music-poweredattributes251 on thegame unit104 and thegame content inventory241 on thegame unit104 when such music-poweredattributes142 are updated. In so updating, the MPG engine compares the versions of the music-poweredattributes251 with the corresponding music-poweredattributes142 on theserver102 and updates those music-poweredattributes250 accordingly.

As an example, a song obtained from a CD may become a hit that was not expected, so it may be desirable to increase the song's hit rating, as indicated by its associated music-powered attributes. There may be a dance rating attribute associated with a song that describes to what extent a song can be danced. After release of the CD, a particular song becomes a favorite within dance clubs, so it may be desirable to increase the song's dance rating. A song may become associated with an unforeseen theme such as a song becoming popular in the gay community, being played at sporting events, or used on a political campaign, and the song's associated music-powered attributes may be modified to better reflect the song's overall market use by updating its themes and updating its hit rating to reflect its newly found popularity. The music-poweredattributes142 may be updated for a song that subsequently is associated with real world events, and events in the game can be tied to the real world events.

For example, if after a CD is distributed, a song becomes strongly linked to some new dance move, such as the well-known song “YMCA,” with its hand moves or “Macarena” with its arm/body moves, then the event values for the song can be updated for character motion files, and the song attributes can be classified with time stamps for their proper synchronization with the music. Other songs may become associated with events that are not synchronized with the music. For example if during a tour, an artist “sets their guitar on fire” during a song as Jimmy Hendrix became noted for, or “distributes scarves” as Elvis did, or has “panties thrown up on stage” as Tom Jones did, or “has fans scream at unheard of levels” as The Beatles did, then and event would be updated for the song that would trigger new world events or increase the likelihood of existing events occurring such as a speaker catching on fire, characters waving scarves, panties being found on the dance floor or patrons screaming respectively.

Before a song is played, as indicated by theplaylist120, theMPG engine114 retrieves the music-powered attributes associated with the song from the server music-poweredattributes251 and provides such music-poweredattributes251 to theMPG logic112. In this regard, theMPG engine114 identifies the song that is to be played, searches theidentifiers229 associated with the songs by use of, for example, the title and artist, and retrieves the song's music-poweredattributes251.

Note that theidentifiers229 preferably provide an index to the music-poweredattributes251.

In accordance with the manner in which theMPG logic112 has been configured to use the game unit music-poweredattributes250 in relation to its game objects, the game play proceeds and events, objects, and the look and feel of the game are affected in accordance with the provided game unit music-poweredattributes250. An exemplary gaming environment is described in detail with reference toFIG. 5.

As described herein with reference toFIG. 1, theserver102 can maintain key code data111 (FIG. 1) that comprises key codes associated with legitimately acquired music. Likewise, theMPG engine114 can maintain a current listing of the authenticated song withindata227 stored inmemory200. Thus, when theuser116 attempts to use a new song in the gaming environment, theMPG engine114 can ensure that the newly requested song has been authenticated, i.e., theuser116 is associated with a legitimatekey code111 on theserver102 with respect to the song, by searching the authenticatedsong data227. In this regard, if theuser116 purchased the song legitimately, then theMPG engine114 stores an identifier in the authenticatedsong data227 indicating that the particular song can be played by theMPG engine114. Thus, if the identifier of a particular song is listed in the authenticatedsong data227, then theengine114 is authorized to interface the song with theMPG logic112 so that it can be incorporated into the gaming environment. Authentication is described in more detail with reference toFIG. 2B.

Further, theMPG engine114 can create a catalog123 that comprises a complete listing of songs currently available for play by thegame unit104. Notably, music available to theMPG engine114 for play in the gaming environment created by theMPG logic112 can be obtained in a variety of ways. For example, music can be loaded onto thegame unit102 via a CD or downloaded from an internet site, such as, for example, as an MP3 file. TheMPG engine114 can search fixed and removable storage on thegame unit104, such as the unit's hard drive, CD drive, or DVD drive, for music that is in a format compatible to theMPG engine114. When theMPG engine114 locates music in a compatible format, theMPG engine114 can enter the located music into the catalog123 and retrieve the music-powered attributes associated with the located song from theMPGS logic106 on theserver102. TheMPG engine114 can then store the located music's associated music-poweredattributes142 in the server music-poweredattributes251 of the game unit music-poweredattributes250 for retrieval during game play.

If theuser116 is the source providing the music selection inputs, theMPG logic112 can display the catalog123 to theuser116. Theuser116 can then make a selection from the displayed catalog123. When theuser116 selects a new song from the catalog123, theMPG engine114 creates or updates theplaylist120 to reflect the music selection inputs and during game play provides the server music-poweredattributes251 corresponding to the songs selected from the catalog123.

When theMPG engine114 retains historical information regarding theplaylist120 of theuser116 from past runs of the game, theMPG engine114 can extract information from theplaylist history225 for future game play. Such information can be stored locally inmemory200 so that theMPG engine114 can access the information directly, or the information can be transmitted to theMPGS logic106 on theserver102 for storage remotely.

In one embodiment, theMPG engine114 maintains the playlist history attributes119 that define and/or describe theplaylist history225. The playlist history attributes119 can compile and characterize various music-powered attributes, such as for example, an attribute associated with songs recently played, an attributes associated with the frequency that a particular song is played, an attributes associated with the frequency that songs corresponding to a particular genre are played, and the like.

TheMPG engine114 and theMPG logic112 use the playlist history attributes119 to affect game play. For example, if a particular song associated with “love” is played repeatedly, then theMPG logic112 can use this information to affect the behavior of, for example, the attitudes of the character objects in the game. In particular, if the love song that is played over and over is slow and downbeat, over time, the characters may begin to appear bored and listless. If, however, a song about “violence” is played over and over, the characters may begin to perform violent acts, for example, fighting, throwing things, arguing, etc.

Furthermore, theMPG engine114 may use theplaylist history225 in order to modify theobject personality data220. As described herein, theplaylist history225 comprises a list of songs indicative of songs that have historically been played by theMPG engine114 by selection by theuser116 or otherwise. In addition to the list of song's, the playlist history is associated with the playlist history attributes119 in the game unit music-poweredattributes250. The playlist history attributes119 provides attributes the define, describe, or otherwise categorize theplaylist history225 so that theplaylist history225 can affect the game play through the playlist history attributes119.

Thus, assume that a character object “Bill” is in the game and that Bill'spersonality data220 indicates that he enjoys chewing bubble gum. Thus, each time that Bill appears in the gaming environment, Bill is controlled, based on hispersonality data220, such that he appears to be chewing bubble gum. However, theuser116, or any other source as described herein, may repeatedly select music associated with barbecue, as indicated by the playlist history attributes119. Over time, theMPG engine114, based on the selections of music classified on the playlist history attributes119 associated with barbecue, can modify Bill'spersonality data220 from enjoying bubble gum to preferring barbecue.

In another example, if theuser116 has historically selected a particular genre music, then the playlist history attributes119 collected from theplaylist history225 that theMPG engine114 transmits to theMPG logic112 can be associated with the particular genre of music.

As an illustration, assume theuser116 has frequently selected country music for play in the gaming environment. In such an example, theMPG logic112 stores such information in the playlist history attributes119 and utilizes the playlist history attributes119 associated with the country songs to create a country-like gaming environment. For example, theMPG engine114 may automatically provide game parameters defining a country bar, e.g., various patrons wear cowboy hats or there may be a mechanical bull in the country-like bar. However, if theuser116 has frequently selected disco music, theMPG engine114 may automatically define a disco-like bar in accordance with the playlist history attributes119, e.g., various patrons may be dressed in 1970's type of attire.

As the game is played, the behaviors of the objects and/or characters, for example patrons at a nightclub, events that occur within the nightclub, and/or the look and feel of the nightclub behave, occur, and evolve in accordance with the game unit music-poweredattributes250 relating to the music being played during the game play and the objects' and/or character's personality data.

TheMPG logic112 can effectuate initialization, modification , creation and/or control of objects, events, and/or the look and feel of the gaming environment by associating particular game unit music-poweredattributes251, playlist attributes219, and playlist history attributes119 with theobject personality data220.

Notably, anobjects personality data220 is a collection of data that defines the objects behavioral traits, physical appearance, features, and the like. For example, if a country song (as indicated by the song's music-powered attributes) is selected and an object's, for example, an object's personality data indicates that he has an extraordinary distaste for country music, then the action of the character may be controlled in response to the song to reflect this. As an example, the action of the character may be automatically controlled by theMPG logic112 such that the character appears to become more agitated or less friendly while the song is playing. As a further example, the character may be controlled such that he throws a beer bottle against the wall or stops dancing in response to the play of a country song.

TheMPG logic112 can use a script, as described hereinabove, to define objects with a standard set of behavior traits such as “like,” “dislike,” “hate,” “defend,” or “promote.” Additionally, the script can define how these behavior traits are performed independent of the actual items that are “liked, disliked, hated, defended, or promoted.”

Thesystem100 enables theMPG logic112 to extract the music-poweredattributes250 and bind them at load-time or run-time to theobject personality data220 of particular objects. Thus,MPG logic112 can initialize, modify, create and/or control events, objects, and/or look and feel in the game each time the new music is selected. Using thesystem100, theMPG logic112 can bind the music-poweredattributes250 to theobject personality data220 corresponding to a predefined and limited set of songs at the time theMPG logic112 is implemented. In this regard, theMPG logic112 may not rely on load-time or run-time additions of new music. Further, theMPG logic112 can be configured to bind music-poweredattributes250 and thepersonality data220 with respect to any music within thesystem100, realizing all songs in the system have music-poweredattributes250 at load-time or run-time.

However, if the character's personality data indicates that the character likes country music, then the character may be automatically controlled by thelogic112 such that it appears that he becomes less agitated or more friendly during the song. For example, the character may be controlled such that he begins to dance to the beat of the song being played. Other types of object personality data and the affects of the music-powered attributes on the events, the objects, and/or the look and feel of the gaming environment are possible in other examples.

Additionally, theMPG engine114 may further facilitate changes in features of the gaming environment in accordance with the game unit music-poweredattributes250. For example, if a country music song is playing or is selected via theinput device212, theMPG engine114 may transmitgame content inventory241 and music-powered attributes to theMPG logic112 that facilitates the addition of wall art corresponding to country music songs, e.g., there may appear in the gaming environment a wall poster of a country music artist, such as George Strait, or an animated character representative of the artist might appear and possibly perform a song in the gaming environment.

In one embodiment, the gaming environment can be artist centric. In such an embodiment, if theuser116 purchases a particular artist's music, then the CD purchased comprises game content inventory141 specifically corresponding to the artist, the artist's music, and music-powered attributes associated with the music. Therefore, when theuser116 loads the music and corresponding information into the game unit, theMPG engine114 and theMPG logic112 use the new game content inventory141 and the game unit music-poweredattributes250 to customize the user's gaming environment to be centered around the artist.

For example, if auser116 loads a Britney Spears CD into thegame unit104,MPG engine114 loads the new game content inventory141. The game content inventory141 may comprise a plurality of music-powered attributes associated with the new CD. The game content may comprise data defining art similar to that exhibited on the most recent label of the Britney's CD, including the color scheme. The music-powered attributes descriptive of the artist centric gaming environment may further comprise music-powered attributes associated with the lifestyle and/or current events in the artist's life. Additionally, thegame content107 delivered to thegame unit104 may comprise a new character representative of the artist, as described herein. Along with the new character are the character's associated music-powered attributes.

Thus, after receiving the newgame content inventory241 and server music-poweredattributes251, theMPG engine114 loads the received music-poweredattributes251 into theMPG logic112. In this regard, theMPG engine112 adds objects and/or modifies current objects and/or initiates events in accordance with the music-poweredattributes251 and thegame content inventory241. For example, the nightclub may be “Club Britney,” which is decorated in the same colors of those on her newest album.

Furthermore, once theuser116 loads the artist centric gaming environment via the CD or otherwise, theMPG engine114 can notify theMPGS logic106 that theuser116 now has an artist centric gaming environment. TheMPGS logic106 can store such notification. Thus, when theMPGS logic106 receives an update or new game content that pertains to the related artist, either through a record label, gamers, games designers, or the like, theMPGS logic106 can automatically provide, based on the stored notification, the update or new game content togame unit104 for incorporation into the artist centric gaming environment.

In addition to enabling auser116 to create a character having a defined personality, as described herein. TheMPG logic112 may also provide theuser116 with an “empty” character, i.e., one whose personality is not at all or fully defined.

The music selection inputs provided by theuser116 or otherwise can be used by theMPG engine114 to dynamically create the “empty” character's personality. As the music is selected for the playlist and/or played, the personality of the character is defined and changes. For example, if country-like music is selected, theobject personality data220 may be defined such that character becomes more country-like. As a further example, the character's affinity toward country music, as indicated by its associated object personality data, may be increased. Alternatively, the character's object personality data may be saved and used in future games.

As described herein, theMPG logic112 in conjunction with theMPG engine114 provides an interactive gaming environment. In this regard, theMPG engine114 receives music selection inputs indicating which music is to be played in the gaming environment. TheMPG engine114 retrieves a portion of the server music-powered attributes142 (FIG. 1) associated with the music selected by such inputs. TheMPG logic112 stores such selected portion of music-poweredattributes251 on thegame unit104, and thereafter the music-poweredattributes251 are available to theMPG logic112 to initialize, modify, create and/or control events, objects, and/or look and feel in the game. In addition, theMPG logic112 may enable auser116 to select gaming environment parameters in order to customize the gaming environment created by theMPG logic112.

In one embodiment, theuser116 customizes the gaming environment when theMPG logic112 initializes during setup, although customization of the gaming environment may occur at other times. In customizing the gaming environment, theuser116 may select graphic settings, network options, and controls, the user's avatar, i.e., an iconic representation of theuser116, and select other specialized gaming environment parameters. For example, if the simulation provided by theMPG logic112 pertains to a nightclub, theMPG logic112 can enable theuser116 to simulate purchasing the nightclub and selecting personnel staff.

In one embodiment of the system100 (FIG. 1), theMPG engine114 and theMPG logic112 enable theuser116 to create his/her own personal events, objects, including characters and/or inanimate objects, and look and feel. In this regard, theMPG logic112 displays a GUI via thedisplay device216 that preferably exhibits a character personality template with no values associated with various personality data. The personality template comprises a plurality of data identifiers and corresponding text fields in which theuser116 can enter magnitudes for customized personality traits or otherwise define such traits.

TheMPG logic112 saves the new personality template in theobject personality data220, such that theMPG engine114 can retrieve the data and provide it to theMPG logic112 for game play.

Furthermore, theMPG engine114 can transmit the newly created character and associated data to theMPGS logic106. TheMPGS logic106 can store the information corresponding to the newly created character in thegame content data107. Thereafter, theMPGS logic106 can offer the user-created game content to other users (not shown) that have similar game units104 (FIG. 4).

In another embodiment, thegame unit104 may comprise asensing unit217.

In such an embodiment, game unit music-poweredattributes250 may comprise attributes created in response to inputs from thesensing unit217.

For example, thesensing unit217 may comprise a microphone (not shown). TheMPG engine114 interfaces with thesensing unit217 and collects audio input from thesensing device217. TheMPG engine114 identifies a sound, for example a telephone ring, and assigns particular music-powered attributes to the sound. TheMPG engine114 may analyze the sound and automatically assign music-powered attributes to the sound based on such analysis. Alternatively, theMPG114 may receiveuser116 inputs for defining the music-powered attributes to be assigned to the sound.

Thus, an object available to theMPG logic112 for use in controlling the behavior of the game is the sound identified by a user input device, for example the telephone ring. Note that music-powered attributes associated with the telephone ring may comprise a general reaction attribute, such as frustration and/or disgust. Further, the music-powered attributes may comprise a motion file defining behaviors of the characters in the game, such that all the characters appear to turn and face theuser116 when the telephone ring sound is detected by thesensing unit217.

Thus, if during game play, the sensing device detects the ring of a phone, then theMPG logic112 may control the characters of the game such that each character turns toward theuser116 at thedisplay device216 and behaves as if they are disgusted by the interruption and/or the phone on a virtual bar in the nightclub might ring.

In another embodiment, theMPG engine114 may be configured to receive audio input, e.g., a song, and automatically classify the song, i.e., assign music-powered attributes to the song. In this regard, theMPG engine114 can automatically identify a song's tempo, tone, beats, theme, and/or sub-themes. Such identification may be accomplished via any known or future-developed techniques. For example, via voice recognition, theMPG engine114 can identify the use of particular words in the song, e.g., the word “love.” Thus, theMPG engine114 can use such identification to assign a “love” theme music-powered attribute to the song provided as input. Notably, a song is described merely for exemplary purposes. Other audio inputs may be provided to theMPG engine114 for classification in other embodiments, for example sound effects and books on tape. Further, such identification can be executed by theMPG engine114 prior to playing the audio during game play and/or during game play.

In such an embodiment, there is preferablycorrelation logic261 that compares data indicative of a plurality of sounds to a sound detected by thesensing device217. If thecorrelation logic261 identifies the sound, e.g., the phone is ringing, thecorrelation logic261 alerts theMPG engine114 that the phone is ringing, and theMPG engine114 transmits the ringing phone music-powered attributes to theMPG logic112. TheMPG logic112 controls the events that occur during game play, the features and/or behaviors of video game objects, including objects representative of characters or inanimate objects, within the game, and/or the general look and feel of the gaming environment, accordingly.

In another example, thesensing unit217 may observe the behavior of theuser116 and assign music-powered attributes to a song or other sound based on such observed behavior. For example, thesensing unit217 may provide a video image of theuser116 while theuser116 is listening to a particular song being played by thegame unit104 or other device. If theuser116 tends to show a relatively high degree of movement, theengine114 may assume that theuser116 enjoys the song, and modify or define at least one of the song's music-powered attributes, accordingly.

Additionally, theMPG logic112 may enable theuser116 to define his/her own set of music-powered attributes250 for storage on thegame unit104, as well. In this regard, theMPG logic112 may display to theuser116 via the display device216 a GUI that receives inputs corresponding to a song's music-powered attributes.Such user116 may share his/her classifications with other users by providing his/her music powered attributes. A peer-to-peer architecture may be used to share such music powered attributes Also, auser116 can record and/or composes his/her own music and then classifies his/her the music with music-poweredattributes250. Such classification will allow theuser116 to use the recorded or composed music with theMPG logic112 during game play. In such an embodiment, the recorded or composed music will preferably not require authentication, as described herein.

The GUI displayed by theMPG logic112 may comprise a template defining a plurality of music-powered attributes related to a song and corresponding textfields. Theuser116 can enter values into the text fields corresponding to the song, thereby customizing the music-powered attributes.

TheMPG logic112 receives the inputs and provides them to theMPG engine114, which stores the information in the game unit music-poweredattributes250. Thus, when theuser116 selects the song associated with the new music-poweredattributes251, theMPG logic112 initializes, creates, modifies, and/or controls the events, objects and/or look and feel in accordance with the new music-poweredattributes250.

FIG. 2B is a flowchart illustrating exemplary method of authentication of thesystem200 ofFIG. 2B.

A user116 (FIG. 1) inserts a newly purchased CD in a local drive (not shown) of the game unit104 (FIG. 2B), and the MPG engine114 (FIG. 2B) receives a request for a list of all available music for play in the MPG logic112 (FIG. 2B) in step282 from theuser116 via theMPG logic112.

The graphical user interface (GUI) of theMPG logic112 displays a catalog indicative of the list of available music for game play, including any music listed on the CD that may be inserted in the local drive in step284.

Theuser116 selects a song from the catalog, and the selection is a song contained on the newly purchased inserted CD in step286. If the song has already been authenticated instep288, then theMPG engine114 plays the requested song instep296. TheMPG engine114 may determine whether the song has been authenticated by searching the authenticatedsongs data227.

If the song has not been authenticated instep288, then theMPG engine114, via theMPG logic112, requests that theuser116 enter a valid key code in step290. TheMPG engine114 receives the key code from theuser116 in step292 and validates the key code instep294.

TheMPG engine114 can validate the key code by transmitting the key code to theMPGS logic106 on theserver102. In this regard, theMPGS logic106 searches the key code data111 (FIG. 1). If the key code is located in thedata111, then the key code is valid.

TheMPG engine114 then plays the requested song instep296. Further, theMPG engine114 requests from theMPGS logic106 all songs associated with the received key code instep297. TheMPG engine114 then updates the authenticatedsong data227 instep298. ThenMPGS logic106 disables the key code in thekey code data111 instep299, so that the key code used by theuser116 is unable to be used by another party illegitimately.

FIG. 3 illustrates anexemplary template300 that defines exemplary music-powered song attributes of asong300. In this regard, each song in the playlist120 (FIG. 2) is associated with a plurality of music-powered attributes that serve to describe and define details about the song. These music-powered attributes can be used by theMPG logic112 during game play in order to initialize and/or modify the gaming environment provided bysuch MPG logic112. In this regard, theMPG logic112 uses the music-powered attributes to select, initialize, create, modify, and/or control the events that occur during game play, the features and/or behaviors of video game objects, including objects representative of characters or inanimate objects, within the game, and/or the general look and feel of the gaming environment.

Thetemplate300 illustrates mere examples of music-powered song attributes that can be associated with a song. Other music-powered song attributes are possible in other embodiments. The exemplary music-powered song attributes inFIG. 3 includegenre302,tempo304,theme306,sub-themes307, time-stampedevents308, and hit rating314, andtopical lyric attribute316.

An instantiation of a particular song'sgenre302 can include, for example, country, rock-and-roll, hip-hop, reggae, or punk rock. Thegenre302 is describes the established class or categorization of the music. Thus, if the current song is a rock-and-roll song, then the characters may don rock-and-roll attire and dance as such.

However, if the current song is reggae, then the characters may have corn rolls and wear Jamaican attire. Other examples are possible in other embodiments.

An instantiation of a particular song'stempo304 can include a description of the beat of the music. Thetempo304 may include, for example, data representative of the beats per minute of the song. Such data is an indication of the speed or rhythm of the song. Thus, a crowd of people at a nightclub may be dancing very slow or not at all if the beat of the song is slow. However, if a subsequent song has a quicker beat, then the patrons may begin to dance faster and livelier.

An instantiation of a particular song'stheme306 can include, for example, love, anger, death, social angst, etc. Thus, if there is a song about love (as indicated by the music-powered song attributes) playing from theplaylist120, then the patrons may behave in accordance with their personalities with respect to love. For example, if there is a patron that recently received a broken heart, according to his personality data, and a love song is played, then he may behave distant and/or sad. If, however, another patron recently fell in love, according to his personality data, that patron may change such that he/she is more affectionate, demonstrative, and/or happy.

An instantiation of a particular song's sub-theme comprises data indicative of a variety sub-themes within the song. For example, if the song's theme is love, then the song may include sub-themes of hugging, hooking-up, meeting the parent, and the like.

An instantiation of a particular song's time-stampedevents308 can include a description of events that occur during the song and each event's associated time interval in the song. Such time-stamped events can be correlated to lyrics in the song or correlated to instantaneous events in the song.

For example, there may be a twenty (20) second interval TA associated with Event A at time TA or a ten (10) second interval TB associated with Event B at time TB. Based on the time-stamps defined by a song's music-powered attributes provided by theMPG engine114, theMPG logic112 is able to control the gaming environment according to the time-stamped events. As an example, event A may be a verse about a dog. In such an example, the song attributes indicates when the verse occurs in the song and that the verse is related to a dog. Thus, if there is a character in the nightclub whose personality data indicate that the character's dog recently got ran over by a car, then the character can be automatically controlled to exhibit sad behaviors during the twenty second verse, such as he may sit down or become teary-eyed. Alternatively, the character may get into a fight with a person he thinks ran over his dog. Thus, the game content can react and/or interact with another object based upon the game unit music-poweredattributes250.

As another example, assume that the song selected is “YMCA.” The music-powered song attributes for this song may comprise data indicating time intervals corresponding to the chorus of the song. In such an example, theMPG logic112 may utilize a motion file (not shown) to control graphical objects in the gaming environment. The motion file is a file that defines the motion and/or action to be taken by one or more characters. Therefore, theMPG logic112, by obtaining the music-powered attributes associated with “YMCA” chorus, can play a motion file defining “YMCA” arm gestures at the time intervals indicated in the music-powered song attributes. Thus, characters may appear to make sequential arm gestures resembling the letters “Y,” “M,” “C,” and “A” when such letters are heard in the song.

TheMPG logic112 can comprise a plurality of motion files. For example, theMPG logic112 may comprise motion files for walking, talking, chewing gum, fighting, sitting, leaning, and the like. Thus, theMPG logic112, in association with particular song attributes, can control the motion of the character's in the game. Furthermore, motion files may be associated with music-powered attributes that describe and/or define the motions for a particular object to make. As an example, a music-powered attribute may indicate the popularity of one or more motions defined by the motion file. In this regard, if the motion is a popular motion, then theMPG logic112 can make all or a significant number of the characters in the gaming environment perform the motion. If it is not so popular, then theMPG logic112 may make only a select few characters perform the motion.

In another example, musical rests (periods of silence) may be indicated as time-stamped events. One or more characters may be controlled to freeze or stop moving during a musical rest. In another example, characters may be controlled to dance in a particular manner during a particular part of a song. This section of the song may be time-stamped by the song attributes. Further, the song attributes may indicate that type of dancing or motions that are consistent with the time-stamped interval. Other types of time-stamped events may be indicated in other embodiments. Note that, as used herein, a “time-stamp” refers to any type of data that is used to indicate a particular point or interval within a song other type of sound.

An instantiation of a particular song's hit rating314 can include a value that quantifies the song's hit rating. For example, each song can be rated on a scale from one to ten. In this regard, if the song is a huge hit in the music market, for example based on sales, then the data representative of the status may be ten. If the song has low sales, then the status314 may be a one. Thus, if the hit rating of a song that is currently being played is ten, theMPG logic112 may control the characters in the game play to indicate that the song is favored by the characters. In such an example, the characters may be controlled in such a manner as to dance livelier or quicker as the song is being played.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplarycharacter personality template400 that can be used to describe and define a graphical character in the gaming environment. As described herein, each character created or employed by theMPG engine114 and theMPG logic112 has associated with it personality data. TheMPG logic112 uses the personality data associated with a character, as well as the song attributes for the song currently being played in order to determine events, actions taken by objects, topics of conversation discussed, and/or current behaviors of the characters. The personality data created for each object can create an artificial intelligence (Al) personality, and this Al personality can be directly related to how the object behaves in response to an external parameter or combinations of external parameters.

Thetemplate400 defines exemplary object personality data corresponding to a character in the gaming environment, including data indicative of the character'stalents402,emotional state403, music likes/dislikes404,life events405, date406,temperament407,buddy408,compatibilities409, turn-ons410, turn-offs411,short comings412, and desires/fears/interim desires413. When a character is instantiated by theMPG engine114, some or all of the data is provided a value or values that describe and define the instantiated character.

In this regard, an instantiation of a particular character may indicate that the character'stalents402 include singing, a foreign language, or art, for example, and a particular character'semotional state403 may include data indicative of happy, sad, angry, and/or frustrated. Temperament may include extrovert, sensitive, courteous, aggressive, or high-strung. These are specific examples object personality data values as shown inFIG. 4.

There are a variety of ways in which music-powered attributes could affect the objects. For example, the physical traits of the objects can be initialized, modified, created, selected, and/or controlled. Further, a character may evolve as the music-powered attributes affect the gaming environment. For example, the character may become bigger, stronger, “cooler,” prettier, and/or taller or shorter. In a war game, weapons may affect each character differently depending on music being played. For example, the weapon may affect the character's strength, stamina, reaction times, shooting accuracy and throwing accuracy.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary gaming environment created by theMPG engine114 andMPG logic112. Note that other types of video games can be music-powered, and the present disclosure is not limited to the gaming environment depicted byFIG. 5 and specifically described herein. Embodiments of the present disclosure can comprise other games, such as, for example, a racing games, shooter games, SIM games, or any other video games known or hereafter created

In particular,FIG. 5 illustrates agraphical gaming environment500 of a virtual nightclub, hereinafter referred to as “Club Mojo,” comprising a variety of graphical characters including graphical characters501-507. For brevity, the following game play example is limited tographical characters Missy503 andMike504.

TheClub Mojo500 further includes a musiccontroller GUI interface508 and aplaylist510, which lists a plurality of music tracks that will be played sequentially as the game is played. The musiccontroller GUI interface508 enables a user116 (FIG. 1) to control the play of the music. In this regard, theinterface508 provides a play button, fast forward button, rewind button, pause button, and a volume control button. Further, as described above, theuser116 is allowed to select the songs included in the playlist120 (FIG. 2) and may add to or delete from the playlist as play progresses.

When Club Mojo is initiated by a user116 (FIG. 1), theMPG engine114 provides theMPG logic112 with game parameters corresponding to a historical playlist. In this regard, some of the characters in accordance with their associated character personality traits may be more inclined to enjoy hip-hop music. Therefore, the characters that are brought into the gaming environment, if the playlist comprises a significant amount of hip-hop music, may be those that are more inclined to enjoy hip-hop music. Additionally, the graphical elements incorporated into the gaming environment that create the look and feel of Club Mojo may be more geared toward a “hip-hop” look and feel, based on the genre of the songs currently in the playlist. For example, the decorations in the bar may comprise posters of Bling Bling and/or DMX.

As the game begins, theMPG engine114 provides a variety of game unit music-poweredattributes250, including theplaylist120 and corresponding playlist attributes219 based on music selection inputs, the server music-poweredattributes251 associated with the music selected, and the playlist history attributes119. Additionally, theMPG engine114 transmitsgame content inventory241 associated with the various music-powered attributes provided.

TheMPG logic112 then select, initializes, creates, modifies and/or controls the game environment based upon the music-poweredattributes250 received. In this regard, the behavior of the graphical characters502-507, the events that may occur in the nightclub, and the look and feel of the nightclub, in accordance with the music-poweredattributes250 associated with the currently playing song, are initialized, created, modified, and/or controlled in coordination with the characters'personality data220.

Thus, theMPG logic112 may control the motion of the graphical characters502-507 in accordance with the tempo of the currently playing song. If the tempo of the song is fast-paced, then the motion of the characters consequently may be quicker than if the song had a slower beat. As another example, the music-poweredattributes250 related to a song may cause a particular character's behavior to change to a sad or bored state, which would ultimately result in the walking motion and other similar motions of the character being played more slowly.

FIG. 6 andFIG. 7 illustrate specific personality data forcharacter Missy503 andcharacter Mike504. In this regard, an instantiation ofMissy personality data600 comprisestalents602, which include surfing and needlepoint. Further, her personality data includes alife event605 indicated as breaking up with her boyfriend. Hertemperament data607 is defined by quantitatively indicating various personality traits on a scale from one to ten, including extrovert10,sensitivity7, courteous3, aggressive3, and high-strung1. Her date608 in the game play is indicated as Mike and her turn-offs data611 includes mechanics and roller coasters.

Accordingly, an instantiation ofMike personality data700 comprisestalents602, which include working on cars. Further, his personality data includes alife event705 indicating that he just bought a new car. Histemperament data607 is defined by quantitatively indicating various personality traits on a scale from one to ten, includingextrovert1, sensitivity5, courteous1, aggressive9, and high-strung8. Hisdate708 in the game play is indicated as Missy and his turn-offs data611 includes children.

In order to provide an example, the reactions of Missy and Mike to the music and to the game play is described in more detail. In this regard, in accordance with each character's personality data, the characters may react to a particular song theme, as indicated by the song's music-powered attributes.

For example, if the currently selected song displayed in theplaylist510 relates to a broken heart, as indicated by the song's correlated music-powered attribute data, thenMissy502, in particular, may behave quite sad, because she recently broke up with her boyfriend, as indicated by Missy's personality data. If the song, however, were related to fast cars, as indicated by the music-powered song attributes, thenMike504 may behave quite energetic and happy, because he recently purchased a new car, as indicated by Mike's personality data.

Furthermore, during game play,Missy502 andMike504 may spend quite a bit of time chatting, because as indicated in their respective date'spersonality data608 and708, they are presently on a date. However, as a song about fast cars begins to play and thus promptsMike504 to begin talking about his hobby of rebuilding cars, as indicated by histalent data702,Missy503 might act extraordinarily disinterested, because as indicated in her turn-offs data611, she does not like mechanics. Theuser116 may attempt to change this interaction between the characters,Missy502 andMike504, by stopping the play of the song about fast cars and starting a song about surfing, which is one of Missy's talents, as indicated by her personality data.

Note that the user selections for controlling the songs included in the playlist may be based upon the user's taste, or theuser116 may make selections of music based upon how theuser116 desires for the game to proceed. In this regard, theuser116 selects the music, but the characters Al personality determines how the character's behavior is automatically affected and controlled by the music selected by theuser116. Further, the behavior of the game environment and/or the characters is tangentially based also upon the music-powered attributes associated with the music.

It should also be noted that the user selections for controlling the songs included in the playlist may also be used by thegame unit104 to automatically select additional songs to be included in the playlist. In particular, songs having music-powered attributes similar to those of one or more songs selected by a user may be automatically selected for inclusion in the playlist. Further, songs may be automatically selected based on events within the game environment.

For example, a song about violence, as indicated by the song's music-powered attributes, may be automatically selected in response to a violent behavior exhibited by one of the characters within the gaming environment. In another example, a character's personality data may indicate that he has a favorite song that has not been played in the gaming environment for a relatively long time, and such song may, therefore, be automatically selected for inclusion in the playlist. The music-powered attributes of the songs automatically selected for inclusion in the playlist, like the music-powered attributes associated with user selected songs, may be used to control the game environments (e.g., control the behavior of a character in the game environment).

Although Club Mojo has been used as an exemplary game comprising interactive characters (i.e., characters that appear to interact with each other), there are other types of games that can be music-powered. Indeed, another exemplary gaming environment may be a shooter game, wherein a plurality of weapons can be used in defending a character in an adversarial gaming environment. The music selection inputs can control the vulnerability of a character in the game, the effectiveness of the weapon chosen by the character, and/or the events, the behavior and/or features in the gaming environment. For example, based on music-powered attributes, particular music may make it rain, make a forest grow, make the wind blow or make a river swell.

FIG. 8 illustrates asystem800 in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Thesystem800 comprises aserver802, agame unit804, and a business unit806. In addition to theMPGS logic106 and themusic information108 illustrated inFIG. 1, theserver802 further comprises user specific promotions (USP)logic807 andmetrics data808.

Themetrics data808 generally comprises data related to a plurality ofusers116 ofgame units804. In this regard,metrics data808 comprises data relating tousers116 and indicating various personal information, such as their geographical location, gender, likes/dislikes, music preferences, and the like.

The business unit806 generally comprisesUSP interface logic812. TheUSP interface logic812 enables auser814 of the business unit806 to access services and data provided by theUSP logic807 at theserver802. In this regard, an exemplaryUSP interface logic812 may comprise, for example, a web browser that communicates to theUSP logic807 via thenetwork118.

TheUSP logic807 enables an administrator (not shown) on the server's-side of thesystem800 to create, delete and modify accounts for auser814 of the business unit806. Data indicative of the created, deleted, and/or modified accounts is preferably stored asaccount data816. In this regard, theUSP logic807 can create an account for auser814 that allows theuser814 to manage game content, e.g., provide characters and corresponding Al personalities to theMPGS logic106, and to provide music selections to theMPGS logic106 specifically directed at marketing promotions. Therefore, when auser116 of agame unit104 initiates a game, theUSP logic807 and theMPGS logic106 work in conjunction to provide lists of new and current game content or music and/or corresponding music powered attributes available for download associated with a promotion or business project. Atypical user814 of the business unit806 may include record labels, artists, retailers, and the like.

As an example, theuser814 of the business unit806 may elect to perform various queries of themetrics data808 to determine a direct market ofusers116 that have recently purchased, listened to, or requested music information data on a particular album, such as a new Rolling Stones album. In determining this market, theuser814 may decide to promote a n older Rolling Stones album or other Rolling Stone products to the same direct market group.

Theuser814 can perform a variety of operations with theUSP logic807 via theUSP interface logic812. For example, theUSP interface logic812 enables theuser814 to upload game content to theUSP logic807, which theUSP logic807 in conjunction with theMPGS logic106 can offer to auser116 of theMPG logic112. In this regard, when auser116 initiates theMPG logic112, theMPGS logic106 on theserver102 can transmit to the MPG engine114 a list of currently available downloads related to, for example, promotions. TheMPG engine114 can then present the download choices via the gaming environment of theMPG logic112.

In response to a request from either theuser116 oruser814, theMPGS logic106 can download the game content to theMPG engine114 located on thegame unit104.

Notably, the game content can include models for characters or features within the game that may correspond to the particular promotion, e.g., a graphical character of a particular musical artist, such as Mick Jagger, and his corresponding AI personality character data. Additionally, Rolling Stones' songs can be provided. Further, the game content can include textures and sounds to be used by theMPG logic112 through theMPG engine114. TheUSP logic807 further enables theuser814 to schedule game content downloads, schedule music downloads, and prioritize music downloads.

Furthermore, theuser814 can access themetrics data808 that is collected by theMPGS logic106. Thismetrics data804 preferably comprises historical data representative of the music industry, including trends, market likes/dislikes, hit songs, frequency of downloads corresponding to artist and/or specific songs, and the like. Theuser814 is provided access to themetrics data804 through theUSP interface logic812 and theUSP logic807, which theuser814 can then use to target downloads to user preference, as described hereinabove.

In another example, a record label or an artist may have an album debuting in the near future. Therefore, auser814 may be a representative of the record label of the artist, and may choose to provide a promotional package tousers116 ofgaming units804 to promote the soon-to-be-debuting album. In this regard, theuser814 may compile a package (not shown) that comprises a digital data representation of a special release of a song or songs on the album including with the music-powered song attributes that are useable by theMPG engine114 and theMPG logic112 ofgaming units104. Theuser814 may further elect to provide data indicative of special characters relating to the debuting album. For example, if theuser814 is promoting a Brittany Spears album, theuser814 may elect to provide a character and related Al personality data of a character resembling Britney Spears, or to provide a plurality of characters and corresponding personalities that are indicative of current events in Britney Spears' life. For example, theuser814 may elect to download game content corresponding to Spears' new perfume, “Curious,” and attempt to promote the perfume through theMPG engine114 andMPG logic112.

Likewise, auser116 of theMPG logic112 may elect to create a gaming environment directed at a favorite and popular star or artist. Therefore, theuser116 may choose to become a “gaming fan” and unilaterally download game content andmusic information108 corresponding to his favorite artist or star. Therefore, throughout game play, over time, the user's gaming environment might evolve into a gaming environment focused on the chosen star or artist.

The foregoing can be effectuated via theMPG engine114 and theMPGS logic106. As described hereinabove, theMPG engine114 provides user preference and use metrics data to the sever802, which theMPGS logic106 stores asmetrics data808. Therefore, auser814 of the business unit806 can view data reported by theMPGS logic106 and stored asmetrics data808 via theUSP logic807. Theuser814 can identify trends, for example, in music preferences geographically.

TheUSP logic807 enables auser814 of the business unit806 to upload particular songs to a plurality ofusers116 in order to promote the particular song. In this regard, theUSP logic807 receives the request to upload and transmits the song and its music-powered attributes to theMPG engine114 of thegame unit804.

As another example, a user815 may represent a particular artist, and theuser814 may desire to promote a concert in a particular geographical region. In this regard, theuser814 of the business unit806 might provide information to the MPG logic814 a promotional version single of the artist that is going to be in concert in the particular geographical region in accordance withusers116 that are actually physically located in that geographical region.

In another example, a record label may be considering signing several artists and may wish to test consumers' reactions to songs from these artists. Therefore, auser814 may choose to provide a promotional package tousers116 to test market songs from such artists. In such an example, theMPG engine114 can definemetrics data808 indicative of the user's preference and use associated with songs or other content included in the promotional package and providesuch data808 to theserver802.Such data808 may then be analyzed by theuser814.

In another example, a record label may be considering associating an artist with a particular image or themes may wish to test consumers' reactions to those associations. Therefore, auser814 may choose to provide agame content inventory241 tousers116 to test market the association of songs from the artist to particular images or themes.

In such an example, theMPG engine114 can definemetrics data808 indicative of the user's preference and use associated with songs or other content included in thegame content inventory241 and providesuch data808 to theserver802.Such data808 may then be analyzed by theuser814. As an example of application, a record label can determine if branding a country artist with pop images and themes in an attempt to cross that artist over to the pop genre will turn-off existing country fans.

System

900 illustrated inFIG. 9 illustrates yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

System

900 comprises aserver902, agame unit904, and agame designer unit906. In addition to theMPGS logic106 and themusic data108, theserver902 further comprises gamedesign server logic904 andgame data921.

Thegame designer unit906 comprises gamedesign interface logic914, a music-powered game software development kit (MPG SDK)908, and newly developed music-powered game logic910.

The user912 is preferably a game developer. The user912 develops MPG logic910 defining a new game (i.e., a game different than the one defined by the MPG logic112) using the MPG SDK910. The user912 can then upload via theinterface914 data representative of the developed game and associated game content to theserver902.

The gamedesign server logic904 in conjunction with theMPGS logic106 can then offer new games and corresponding game content to theuser116 of thegame unit904.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary architecture and functionality of theMPG logic112 and theMPG engine114 ofFIG. 1.

A user116 (FIG. 1) or other source selects a song or songs to be played during game play of the MPG logic112 (FIG. 1) instep1000. TheMPG engine114 can receive the song selections from theuser114 via the GUI of theMPG logic112. As described herein, the selected music can originate from a variety of sources. In this regard, theuser116 can select songs that have been stored digitally on the user's game unit104 (FIG. 1), theuser116 can select songs from CDs or DVDs, or theuser116 can select songs from a stream server. Other sources for the songs are also possible in other embodiments of the present disclosure.

Instep1002, if the songs selected by the user116 (FIG. 1) do not have server music-powered attributes251 (FIG. 2) associated with them, theMPG engine114 retrieves server music-powered attributes142 (FIG. 1) and corresponding identifiers143 (FIG. 1)corresponding to the selected songs from the MPGS logic106 (FIG. 1) on the server102 (FIG. 1) instep1003.

TheMPG engine114 generates a playlist that comprises a list of songs that are to be sequentially played to the audio device214 (FIG. 2) during the game play instep1004. The playlist preferably includes music identified by the selections received instep1000. Note that if theuser116 has played theMPG logic112 previously, and there exists a playlist encompassing the user's past song selections, then theMPG engine114 can employ the historical data corresponding to the user's past selections to create the playlist. Incidentally, when theMPG logic112 initializes, theMPG engine114 provides theMPG logic112 game parameters and content corresponding to the historical playlist. Therefore, the gaming environment displayed by theMGP logic112 may look and feel in accordance with the user's indicated music preferences.

TheMPG engine114 outputs an audio signal to theaudio device214 indicative of the current song in the playlist instep1008. TheMPG logic112 modifies the look and feel of the gaming environment to reflect the music-poweredattributes251 instep1010, and theMPG logic112 initializes, selects, modifies, and/or control object traits, behaviors, and the like to reflect the song music-powered attributes instep1012.

At the end of the song, instep1014, theMPG engine114 plays the next song in the playlist120 (FIG. 1), unless it is determined instep1014 that all of the songs of the playlist have been played. Note that the methodology depicted inFIG. 10 may be repeated as desired. Further, in other embodiments, theMPG logic112, rather than theMPG engine114, may control the play of the selected music.

FIG. 11 illustrates a system1100 in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. The system1100 enables agame unit1104 to use songs broadcast from aradio station1107 in theMPG112 to select, initialize, create, modify, and/or control events that occur during game play, the features and/or behaviors of video game objects, including objects representative of characters or inanimate objects, within the game, and/or the general look and feel of the gaming environment.

System1100 comprises aserver1102, agame unit1104, and aradio server1106 associated with theradio station1107. Theserver1102 transmits server music-poweredattributes142 andcorresponding identifiers143 retrieved from themusic information108 to theMPG engine114 corresponding to the songs being transmitted by theradio server1106. In this regard, streaming data representative of the songs may be broadcast directly to thegame unit1104 by theradio server1106, or theserver1102 may receive streaming data representative of the songs, which theserver102 broadcasts to thegame unit1104.

In this regard, anencoder1111 on theradio server1106 translates the music into streaming data representative of the songs, as described herein with reference to streaming data, compresses the streaming data, and transmits the data, via thenetwork118. Thestream server1112 then makes the streaming data available to thenetwork1118.

The streaming data transmitted by theradio server1106 comprises identification information, for example in the header of the streaming data that is being transmitted. The identification information comprises data indicative of the song that is being transmitted.

When thestreaming server1112 of theradio server1106 broadcasts the songs to thenetwork1118, theserver1102 can receive the streaming data from theradio server1106. Theserver1102 can read the identification information contained in the streaming data for the song corresponding to the data received from theradio server1106 and use such identification information to search themusic information108. If theserver1102 locates the requested music-poweredattributes142 on the server music-poweredattributes142 associated with the identified song in themusic information108, then theserver1102 transmits the song and its associated music-powered attributes to theMPG engine114. TheMPG engine114 provides the music-poweredattributes251 to theMPG logic112 and plays the song via the audio device214 (FIG. 2) while theMPG logic112 uses the music-powered attributes to sleet, initialize, create, modify and/or control the gaming environment, including events that occur during game play, the features and/or behaviors of video game objects, including objects representative of characters or inanimate objects, within the game, and/or the general look and feel of the gaming environment.

Alternatively, theradio server106 may comprise adigital broadcast unit1113, which broadcasts digital radio signals. In such an embodiment, theserver1106 can broadcast both the music and themusic information108, including the music-poweredattributes142 associated with the broadcast music, to thegame unit1104. Thegame unit1104 may then play the music in the gaming environment and use the music-poweredattributes142 to affect the gaming environment as described herein. Note that theradio server1106 may download the foregoingmusic information108 from theserver1102 so that theradio server1106 may incorporatesuch information108 into its broadcast.

Alternatively, theserver1102 may comprise aradio playlist1108 associated with theradio server1106. Theradio playlist1108 preferably identifies a plurality of songs that a producer at theradio station1107 has determined will be played during a radio show. Theserver1102 stores theradio playlist1108, identifies songs in theradio play list1108, as described herein, and locates the music-powered attributes of each song in the server music-poweredattributes142 via theidentifiers143 in themusic information108. TheMPGS logic106 then transmits the music-powered attributes corresponding to each song that is to be played during a given time period to theMPG engine114, and stores the music-powered attributes in the server music-poweredattributes251. TheMPG engine114 then provides the music-poweredattributes251 to theMPG logic112, which uses such music-powered attributes to affect the gaming environment according to the songs being played.

When theserver1102 uses theradio playlist1108, the streaming data broadcast by theradio server1112 can be broadcast directly to thegame unit1104. In this regard, the MPG engine1114 identifies the song represented by the streaming data received to determine the music-poweredattributes251 to provide to theMPG logic112 when a particular song is being received. If such music-poweredattributes251 are not provided in the streaming data, theattributes251 may be received from other sources, such as the server1202, for example.

Theuser116 may further control his/her gaming environment by switching radio or other media streaming stations that may be playing other classified music or sounds (e.g., voice dialogue from sports or political talk shows) that will then impact the gaming environment accordingly. As an example, attributes associated with streaming data from a political talk show may indicate that the content of the streaming data is very argumentative. As a result, characters within the gaming environment may be controlled, based on the such attributes, such that they appear to be arguing or hostile to one another.

FIG. 12 illustrates asystem1200 in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Thesystem1200 ofFIG. 12 comprises a server1202 and

multiple game units

1204 and1206. Each

game unit

1204 and1206 comprisesMPG logic1212 and aMPG engine1214. TheMPG logic1212 and theMPG engine1214 behave in the manner described herein with reference to theMPG logic112 andMPG engine114, respectively, ofFIGS. 1 and 2.

However, eachMPG engines1214 of the

game units

1204 and1206 further enable multiple player game play. In this regard, theMPG engine1214 on thegame unit1204 facilitates multiple player game play by communicating with theMPG engine1214 on thegame unit1206.

In this regard, theuser116 can share game content and information over thenetwork118 through theMPG engines1214. Furthermore, the communicatingMPG engines1214 ensure that the gaming environments of the

multiple game units

1204 and1206 are synchronized.

For example, if theuser116 has one or more friends1216 who have agame unit1204 similar to that of theuser116, then theuser116 and his friends1216 can play the game simultaneously. During simultaneous play, theMPG engines1214 synchronize the gaming environment ofuser116 with that of his friends1216, including synchronizing each song played by the

game units

1204 and1206 so that theusers116 and1216 hear the same songs simultaneously. As a specific example, if theuser116 selects a particular song to be placed in the playlist120 (FIG. 2A) during game play, theMPG engine1214 on thegame unit1206 commands the MPE engine on thegame unit1204 to play the same song on theplaylist120 of thegame unit1204. In this regard, ifuser116 selects a country song during the course of game play, then the song plays, not only on thegame unit1206 of theuser116, but also on his friends'game unit1204.

Alternatively, synchronization of the gaming environments on the

respective game units

1204 and1206 can be managed byMPGS logic1206 on server1202. In this regard, eachMPG engine1214 communicates changes in their respective gaming environments to theMPGS logic1206, and theMPGS logic1206 ensures synchronization.

FIG. 13 illustrates anothersystem1300 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

System

1300 comprises aserver1302, agame unit1304, and aretailer system1306. Thegame unit1304 of thesystem1300 behaves in the manner described with reference to thegame unit104 ofFIG. 2A.

However, theserver1302 comprises a retail inventory interface1308 andpromotion creation logic1312. In such an embodiment, the retail inventory interface1308 is configured to access an inventory system1310 on aretailer system1306. During access, the inventory interface1308 monitors inventory listed in the inventory system1310. If the inventory interface1308 determines that a particular retail center has a surplus of a particular item, such as, for example, a surplus of Beyonce CDs, then the inventory interface1308 provides this information to thepromotion creation logic1312. In addition, the inventory system1310 may provide other information, including, but not limited to the location of the surplus, to theinventory interface1408.

Thepromotion creation logic1312 receives the information and creates a marketing promotion directed at reducing the surplus at the retail center indicated. For example, if the surplus of Beyonce CDs is at a Walmart in Dallas, Tex., thepromotion creation logic1312 may query themetrics data808, as described herein with reference toFIG. 8, to determine a group ofusers116 located in the Dallas area that may be interested in buying a hip-hop CD. Thepromotion creation logic1312 then may compilemusic information108 andgame content data107, that can include one or more advertisements and/or other information relating to Beyonce and transmit themusic information108 and thegame content107 to thoseusers116 in the group identified by themetrics data808 as being in the targeted geographical area.

FIG. 14 illustrates asystem1400 in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. As will be described in more detail below, thesystem1400 synchronizes versions of the system components, such as for example,music information108 andgame content data107.

In this regard, thesystem1400 comprise theMPG logic112, the MPG engine1414, game inventory content1407 and music-poweredattributes1451, hereinafter collectively referred to as the “components.” Preferably, each of the components is associated with a unique identification string that specifically identifies the composition of such component.

As an example, theMPG logic112, as described herein, is preferably a software component that is configured to play a particular game, including creating a GUI, displaying objects, using the displayed objects' personality data in game play, and communicating with theuser116. There may exist a plurality of games that can be interfaced with the MPG engine1414, and each game may periodically be changed, modified, edited, and updated by its game designer. With each new change and/or modification to the game, the designer may desire to provide the modified game to theuser116. In order to ensure that each game and subsequent modified game can be distinguished, the designer preferably associates a unique identifier, referred to as a “version identifier,” with the modified game, hereinafter referred to as the “game version.”

Additionally, thegame content data107 defines various features to be used in the gaming environment provided by theMPG logic112, such as artwork, models, motion files, objects, and/or object data.FIG. 16 illustrates one example ofgame content data1600 in which version identifiers are used to identify different versions of advertisements. In this regard, an advertiser may launch a campaign to advertise Coca-Cola for the month of July. Data associated with the campaign is stored in thegame content data1600 as advertisement data for Coca-Cola July Version1602.

The “July Version” may compriseartwork1604,models1606,motions1608, objects1610, andobject data1612 associated with the campaign. The “July version” may also comprise aversion identifier1613 for uniquely identifying this version.

Additionally, an advertiser may launch a comparing to advertise Sprite for the month of August. Data associated with the campaign is stored in thegame content data1600 as advertisement data forSprite August Version1614. The “August Version” may compriseartwork1616,models1618,motions1620, objects1622, andobject data1624 associated with the campaign. The “August version” may also comprise aversion identifier1625 for uniquely identifying this version. Thus, thesystem1400 can be configured to ensure that the “July Version” is downloaded and used by theMPG logic112 during July and the “August Version” is downloaded and used by theMPG logic112 in August. Other unique versions may be based on other factors pertaining to advertising objectives such as a different version, which may include different advertisements from different advertisers for each artist, each album, and/or each song. These versions may also change with time or in accordance with other factors.

In particular, during the month of July, theMPGS logic1406 can be requested to search for theversion identifier1613 and to provide theother data1602 correlated with thisidentifier1613 to the MPG engine1414, which may then insertsuch data1602 into the gaming environment by providing it to theMPG logic112. Further, during the month of August, theMPGS logic1406 can be configured to search for theversion identifier1625 and to provide theother data1614 correlated with thisidentifier1613 to the MPG engine1414, which may then insertsuch data1614

such data

1614 into the gaming environment by providing it to theMPG logic112. In other examples, any of the other components ofsystem1400 may be updated with new versions. Another exemplary embodiment for updating component versions will be described below with respect toFIG. 14.

With reference toFIG. 14, aserver1402 comprisesMPGS logic1406, a current version of theMPG engine1408, a database comprising current versions of a plurality ofMPG logic1410,music information108, andgame content data107. As described herein, thegame content data107 comprises information related to artists, albums, music, and advertisements, and such information may be specifically tied to server music-poweredattributes142. Also described further herein, thegame data content107 comprises such information as compiled software, models, animations, textures, scripts, and/or other static data. Other information may be included in thegame content data107 in other embodiments.

The MPG engine1414 ofsystem1400 differs from that embodiment disclosed with reference toFIG. 2A in that the MPG engine1414 is configured to synchronize versions of the various components of the system on thegame unit1404 with theserver1402.

Therefore, when auser116 initiates theMPG logic112, the MPG engine1414 retrieves the version identifiers of the components (e.g., the game content inventory1441, theMPG logic112, the music-poweredattributes1451, and the MPG engine1414). The MPG engine1414 then requests from theMPGS logic106 via thenetwork1418 the current version identifiers associated with such components.

TheMPGS logic1406 transmits the requested current version identifiers to the MPG engine1414. The MPG engine1414 compares the current version identifiers transmitted by theMGPS logic1406 and the version with the retrieved version identifiers to determine if the versions are synchronized (i.e., the current versions are stored in the game unit1404).

If a version exists on thegame unit1404 that is not located on the server1402 (e.g., a current version identifier for a component does not match the component's version identifier), the MPG engine1414 removes the version from thegame unit1404. Thus, it is possible for a user ofserver1402 to discontinue the use of a component by removing the component's version identifier from theserver1402.

Moreover, if a version on thegame unit1404 differs from the version on the server (e.g., if the a component's current version identifier, which is received from theserver1402 does not match the component's version identifier stored in the game unit1404), the MPG engine1414 downloads the current version from theMPGS logic1406. In this regard, as described herein, a designer may create a new version for theMPG logic112. Therefore, when auser116 initially initiates theMPG logic112 after the designer has created and stored a new version of theMPG logic112 on theserver1402, the version that is currently on thegame unit1404 is obsolete. Therefore, the MPG engine1414 determines that the versions are different and downloads the current version.

If a version is found on theserver1402 and the version is not located on thegame unit1404, the MPG engine downloads the current version from theserver1402. In this regard, as thesystem1400 evolves, new game components may be designed for implementation on thegame unit1404. Thus, in order to ensure that thegame unit1404 comprises all the available components, the MPG engine1414 preferably downloads any current version of a component that is not presently implemented on thegame unit1404.

The MPG engine1414 can repeat this process for each versioned component of thegame unit1404.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary architecture and functionality of the MPG engine1414 with version synchronization ofFIG. 14.

The MPG engine1414 requests and receives the server version identifiers of thegame content107, themusic information108, theMPG logic112 from thedatabase1410, and theMPG engine1508 instep1502. The MPG engine1414 retrieves the game unit version identifiers of the corresponding components as indicated instep1504.

The MPG engine1414 compares version identifiers of a particular component, for example the version identifiers of the MPG engine1414, as indicated in step1506.

If the game unit version identifier of the particular component does not exist on theserver1402 instep1508, then the MPG engine1414 removes the component's game unit version instep1516.

If the server version identifier of the particular component does not exist on thegame unit1404 in step1512, then the MPG engine1414 downloads the component's current version to thegame unit1404 instep1518.

If the version identifiers of the particular component are different instep1514, then the MPG engine1414 updates the component's game unit version instep1520.

If there are no more version identifiers to compare instep1522, then the synchronization of the versions on thegame unit1404 with the versions on theserver102 ends. If there are version identifiers for another component to compare instep1522, then the MPG engine1414 compares the next set of version identifiers in step1524.

FIG. 17 illustrates asystem1700 in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Thesystem1700 comprises aserver1702, agame unit1704, and anonline retailer1708. Theserver1702 comprises music-powered game server (MPGS) logic1706,music information108,game content data107, andkey code data1711. Thegame unit1704 comprisesMPG logic112, MPG engine1714, and aweb browser1712.

Insystem1700, theuser116 desires to purchase music from theonline retailer1708 over thenetwork1718 via aweb browser1712. In such an embodiment, theuser116 requests a music purchase and provides a method of payment to the music server1722. The keycode retrieval logic1720 requests a unique key code from the MPGS logic1706 on theserver1702 associated with the purchase, and the MPGS logic1706 stores in thekey code data1711 the unique key code and a correlated identifier that identifies the music (e.g., song or album) associated with the purchase. Further, the MPGS logic1706 transmits the key code to the keycode retrieval logic1720. The music server1722 transmits a receipt, the key code, and a download link to theuser116 via theweb browser1712.

Thus, when theuser116 initiates theMPG logic112 and requests that the MPG engine1714 play the newly purchased music, the MPG engine1714 requests a key code associated with the new music. Theuser116 may enter the key code in a GUI displayed by theMPG logic112.

The MPG engine1714 receives the user-provided key code and requests the MPGS logic1706 validate the key code. The MPGS logic1706 receives the user-provided key code, searches thekey code data1711, and validates the key code to the MPG engine1714 if the key code is found in thekey code data1711 associated with the music (e.g., song) that theuser116 is requesting that theMPG engine114 play in theMPG logic112.

If the MPGS logic1706 does not find the key code, the MPGS logic1706 does not validate the music, and the MPG engine1714 does not play the music in theMPG logic112.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary authentication methodology performed by thesystem1700 ofFIG. 17.

Theuser116 purchases music via anonline retailer1708 from the music server1722 instep1802. Upon request, the keycode retrieval logic1720 requests a key code from the MPGS logic1706 on theserver1702 instep1804.

The MPGS server1706 identifies unique code, as described hereinabove, stores the key code in thekey code data1711, and transmits the key code to the keycode retrieval logic1720 instep1807. The online music store transmits a receipt, the unique key code, and a download link from which to obtain the music to theuser116 in step1806.

Theuser116 downloads the music instep1808, and requests a list of all available music for theMPG logic112 instep1810. The MPG engine1714 requests a key code for the purchased music from theuser116 in step1811. The MPG engine1714 receives the key code from theuser116 in step1812.

The MPG engine1714 validates the key code instep1814. The engine1714 preferably validates the key code by transmitting the key code and the music selection to theserver1702. Theserver1702 searches thekey code data1711 to determine if the key code is found. If it is found and is correlated with the newly purchased music by thekey code data1711, theserver1702 indicates to the MPG engine1714 that the song is validated. The MPG engine1714 then plays the requested track instep1816.

The MPG engine1714 then retrieves all songs associated with the received key code instep1818 and updates the authenticated song data instep1820.

The embodiments described above generally describe the use of music-powered attribute data to adaptively select, initialize, create, modify, and/or control events that occur during game play, the features and/or behaviors of video game objects, including objects representative of characters or inanimate objects, within the game, and/or the general look and feel of the gaming environment. It should be noted that such embodiments have the effect of generally encouraging users to purchase or otherwise acquire music and/or associated music-powered attributes. For example, a user may already possess a digital copy of a song. However, without music-powered attributes associated with the song, the user will be unable to properly use the song in the gaming environment. Thus, the user may be encouraged to purchase an additional copy of the song that includes data defining the music-powered attributes related to the song. Alternatively, the user may be encouraged to purchase the music-powered attributes for the song without obtaining an additional copy of the song itself. Further, the architecture of thegame unit104 may be used, as described above, to provide advertisements to a user and to monitor the habits of the user so that more effective advertising may be conducted.

However, it should be emphasized that various modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. As an example, several of the embodiments described above allow a user to select each song that is included in a playlist. Such a feature is unnecessary in some embodiments. For example, as described above, a user may select an artist or an album, and songs associated with the selected artist or album may be automatically included in the playlist. Further, other types of selections are possible. In fact, it is unnecessary for the sounds incorporated into the gaming environment to constitute songs or other types of music. For example, sound effects, such as the sound of rain, waves, auto engines, or gun fire, may be selected and used in lieu of songs. As with the songs described above, such sound effects may be associated with attributes that are used to select, initialize, create, modify, and/or control events that occur during game play, the features and/or behaviors of video game objects, including objects representative of characters or inanimate objects, within the game, and/or the general look and feel of the gaming environment.

Claims

1. A video game system for rendering an user-interactive video game that allows users to control a behavior of objects in said video game, comprising:

memory for storing a predefined set of song attributes associated with a song, said set defining a video game event topically referenced by said song; and

logic configured to receive song data that defines said song, wherein said logic, in response to a selection of said one song by a user, is configured to audibly play said song based on said song data and to display, based on said set and in response to said selection, an occurrence of said video game event while said song is being audibly played in said video game.

2. The video game system ofclaim 1, wherein said logic is configured to synchronize a timing of said occurrence with a topical reference of said event in said song.

3. The video game system ofclaim 1, wherein said set of said song attributes is uniquely associated with said song based on an unique barcode for said song.

4. The video game system ofclaim 1, wherein said set of said song attributes is uniquely associated with said song based on an album title for said song.

5. The video game system ofclaim 1, wherein said set of said song attributes comprises an user-defined value indicating a magnitude of correlation between said song and one of said song attributes.

6. A method for use in connection with an user-interactive video game that allows users to control a behavior of objects in said video game, comprising the steps of:

storing a predefined set of song attributes associated with a song, said set defining a video game event topically referenced in said song;

receiving song data that defines said song;

receiving at least one user input for selecting said song;

audibly playing said song based on said song data in response to said at least one user input; and

displaying an occurrence of said event in said video game, based on said set and in response to said at least one user input, during said audibly playing step.

7. The method ofclaim 6, further comprising the steps of:

defining said set of said song attributes; and

inputting said set to a video game unit prior to said storing step, wherein said at least one user input is received via said video game unit, and wherein said set of said song attributes is stored in said video game unit via said storing step.

8. The method ofclaim 6, wherein said set of said song attributes is uniquely associated with said song based on an unique barcode for said song.

9. The method ofclaim 6, wherein said set of said song attributes is uniquely associated with said song based on an album title for said song.

10. The method ofclaim 6, further comprising the step of synchronizing a timing of said occurrence with a topical reference of said event in said song.

11. The method ofclaim 6, wherein said set of said song attributes comprises an user-defined value indicating a magnitude of correlation between said song and one of said song attributes.