IP Library Patent Application 12139983
Patent Application
App. No. 12/139,983

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ALTERING A VIDEO GAME EXPERIENCE BASED ON A CONTROLLER TYPE

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
12/139,983
Abstract

A rhythm-action game for a home gaming platform provides a plurality of different gaming experiences depending on what type of controller is plugged into the game. The different experience may comprise a different set or ordering of songs, a different gameplay mechanism, and/or a different sets level data. For example, a game may vary the song list depending on whether the player has plugged in a simulated drum set or a simulated guitar to the game platform. Or, for example, a player may plug in a microphone to experience the game as a vocalist and be measured based on pitch matching, and then plug in a simulated drum set to experience the game as a drummer and be measured based on timing of drum pad strikes. In this way, a single game can be sold that allows users to select among a plurality of unique instrumental experiences.

Claims (24)

1 . A method for altering game content responsive to detecting a type of controller used by a player of a rhythm action game, the method comprising:

a. detecting, by a game executing on a game platform, that a first simulated musical instrument type of a plurality of simulated musical instrument types is connected to the game platform;

b. selecting, by the game in response to the detection, a first song progression from a plurality of song progressions, each song progression corresponding to a different simulated musical instrument type, and wherein at least two of the song progressions comprise different sequences of songs; and

c. providing, by the game, a session of a rhythm-action game with the selected first song progression.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of simulated instrument types comprise a guitar, a drum set, and a microphone.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein at least two of the song progressions comprise an identical set of songs in different sequential order.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the song progressions comprises a song not included in at least one other song progression.

5 . A method for altering game content responsive to detecting a type of controller used by a player of a rhythm action game, the method comprising:

a. detecting, by a game executing on a game platform, that a first simulated musical instrument type of a plurality of simulated musical instrument types is connected to the game platform;

b. selecting, by the game from a plurality of gameplay mechanics each corresponding to a different simulated musical instrument type, a first gameplay mechanic corresponding to the first simulated musical instrument type; and

c. providing, by the game, a session of a rhythm-action game with the selected gameplay mechanic.

6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of simulated instrument types comprise a guitar, a drum set, and a microphone.

7 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the selected gameplay mechanic comprises evaluating input signals received from a microphone for at least one of pitch and phoneme.

8 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the selected gameplay mechanic comprises evaluating input signals corresponding to strikes of a simulated drum pad.

9 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the selected gameplay mechanic comprises evaluating input signals corresponding to strums and fret button presses of a simulated guitar.

10 . A method for altering game content responsive to detecting a type of controller used by a player of a rhythm action game, the method comprising:

a. detecting, by a game executing on a game platform, that a first simulated musical instrument type of a plurality of simulated musical instrument types is connected to the game platform;

b. selecting, by the game from a plurality of collections of level data, each collection corresponding to a different simulated musical instrument type, a first collection of level data corresponding to the first simulated musical instrument type; and

c. providing, by the game, a session of a rhythm-action game with the selected collection of level data.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of simulated instrument types comprise a guitar, a drum set, and a microphone.

12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the selected collection of level data comprises a sequence of musical target data corresponding to a guitar track of a song.

13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the selected collection of level data comprises a sequence of musical target data corresponding to a vocal track of a song.

14 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the selected collection of level data comprises a sequence of musical target data corresponding to a drum track of a song.

15 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the selected collection of level data comprises a sequence of cues.

Assignments (3)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 13, 2021
From: COLBECK PARTNERS II, LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: HARMONIX MUSIC SYSTEMS, INC.; HARMONIX PROMOTIONS & EVENTS INC.; HARMONIX MARKETING INC.
Reel/Frame 057984/0087 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 11, 2011
From: HARMONIX MUSIC SYSTEMS, INC.; HARMONIX PROMOTIONS & EVENTS INC.; HARMONIX MARKETING INC.
To: COLBECK PARTNERS II, LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 025764/0656 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 1, 2008
From: KAY, ROBERT; TEASDALE, DANIEL CHARLES; LOPICCOLO, GREGORY B.
To: HARMONIX MUSIC SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 021906/0163 →