Independently-defined alteration of output from software executable using distributed alteration engine
A first executable, such as a computer game, operates co-extensively with a second independently operating executable that monitors events on a client operating the first executable. The second executable determines actions to be performed in response to monitored events, as defined by a business logic table. The second executable traps API calls to perform actions altering apparent output of the first executable. The business logic table may be distributed to the client separately. The second executable and the first executable may be configured to execute during the same times on the client node. The second executable may be used to provide additional content, including advertising, in the context of an existing game or other software executable.
1. A method for causing advertising output from distributed client nodes operating a game program, comprising:
processing a defined executable file of a specified game application to develop an alteration scheme, using a second application, wherein the game application is configured to provide video output on a client node in response to client input as defined by the defined executable file, the defined executable file being capable of independent operation on the client node to provide a video game output without the additional executable code, and the additional executable code being capable of executing independently of the defined executable file;
preparing, using the second application, the additional executable code operable to detect events occurring during operation of the defined executable file on the client node and to perform respective defined actions in response to the events to implement the alteration scheme, wherein the respective defined actions include output of advertising information during operation of the game application; and
providing the additional executable code and the advertising information to the client node, whereby the advertising information is output from an output device of the client node during operation of the defined executable file thereon according to alteration scheme data obtained from a separate file located in a memory of the client node.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein preparing the additional executable code comprises configuring an installation executable for installing the additional executable code at the client node, thereby configuring the additional executable code to operate at the client node prior to the defined executable file.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein preparing the additional executable code further comprises including the additional executable code together with the installation executable in a installation file configured for installing on a client node where defined executable file is already installed.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing the alteration scheme data to the client node, the alteration scheme data configured to be used by the additional executable code to identify the respective defined actions to be automatically performed at the client node in response to the events.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein providing the alteration scheme data to the client node is accomplished by providing the alteration scheme data in the file separate from, and capable of being referenced by, the additional executable code.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing a configuration tool operative to receive input used to control preparing the additional executable code.
7. A system for providing independently-defined alteration of output from a software executable, comprising:
a software executable encoded in a computer-readable medium and operable to determine computer game output responsive to user inputs;
an event-monitoring executable encoded in the computer-readable medium independently of the software executable and adapted to detect defined machine events caused by operation of the software executable, and to cause independent computer output determined by cross-reference data located in a separate file and different from what is determined by the software executable in response to detection of the defined machine events, wherein the software executable and the event-monitoring executable are capable of operating independently of one another on a computer.
8. The system of claim 7 , further comprising the cross-reference data encoded in the computer-readable medium in a file separate from the software executable and the event-monitoring executable, the cross-reference data defining associations between the defined machine events and different types of the independent computer output.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the different types of independent computer output in the cross-reference data include displays configured for display over graphical game output.
10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the different types of independent computer output in the cross-reference data include graphical rendering textures configured for display in place of graphical rendering textures selected by the software executable.
11. The system of claim 7 , wherein the event-monitoring executable is adapted to detect, in response to operation of the software executable, machine events of at least one type selected from: a graphics API call, an audio API call, and presence of a defined graphics texture in a graphics output.
12. The system of claim 7 , wherein the event-monitoring executable is configured to cause independent computer output referencing a network address for additional information.
13. The system of claim 12 , further comprising a server adapted to provide the additional information in response to requests from remote clients operating the event-monitoring executable.
14. The system of claim 12 , further comprising a server adapted to provide, from time to time, updated cross-reference data for encoding in the computer-readable memory in a file separate from the software executable and the event-monitoring executable, the cross-reference data defining associations between the defined machine events and different types of the independent computer output.