IP Library Granted Patent US 10,037,324
Granted Patent B1
US 10,037,324 · App. 15/469,394 · Granted Jul 31, 2018

Stochastic chunk-based map generation

Inventor: Thomas Fontaine (San Francisco, CA)
Assignee: Electronic Arts Inc.
G06F17/30029G06F17/30061G06T11/60
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,037,324
App. No.
15/469,394
Granted
Jul 31, 2018
Kind
B1
Abstract

An approach to facilitating stochastic chunk-based map generation is provided. Tile chunks may be obtained for inclusion in a map of a virtual space. The obtained tile chunks may include first and second tile chunks having map tiles of different tile types. The first tile chunk may have a first tile of a first tile type and a second tile of a second tile type different from the first tile type. The second tile chunk may have a third tile of a third tile type and a fourth tile of a fourth tile type different from the third tile type. Stochastic distribution of the obtained tile chunks over a map area in the map may be effectuated. Distribution of individual map tiles between the distributed tile chunks on the map area may be effectuated.

Claims (30)

1. A system for facilitating stochastic chunk-based map generation, the system comprising:

non-transient electronic storage media storing individual tile chunks, the individual tile chunks including map tiles of different tile types for inclusion in one or more maps of a virtual space; and

one or more processors configured by machine-readable instructions to:

obtain tile chunks so that the obtained tile chunks can be included in a map of the virtual space, wherein the obtained tile chunks include first and second tile chunks;

obtain one or more chunk placement rules indicating where the obtained tile chunks should be distributed within the map of the virtual space in relation to other tile chunks;

effectuate stochastic distribution of the obtained tile chunks over a map area in the map of the virtual space such that, responsive to obtaining the first and second tile chunks, the first and second tile chunks are stochastically distributed within the map area according to the chunk placement rules; and

effectuate distribution of individual map tiles between the distributed tile chunks on the map area.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the map tiles of the different tile types include one or more terrains of different terrain types such that a first tile includes a first terrain of a first terrain type, a second tile includes a second terrain of a second terrain type different from the first terrain type, a third tile includes a third terrain of a third terrain type, and a fourth tile includes a fourth terrain of a fourth terrain type different from the third terrain type.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more chunk placement rules relate to spacing between the obtained tile chunks.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the chunk placement rules indicate spacing between the obtained tile chunks based on respective tiles types associated with the obtained tile chunks.

5. The system of claim 3 , wherein the one or more processors are configured by machine-readable instructions to obtain one or more tile placement rules relating to spacing between a tile of one tile type and a tile of another tile type such that the individual map tiles are distributed between the distributed tile chunks based on the tile placement rules.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are c configured by machine-readable instructions to facilitate one of more of creation, modification, or removal of one or more tile chunk sets, and wherein the tile chunk sets include a first tile chunk set having the obtained tile chunks.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the one or more processors are configured by machine-readable instructions such that the first tile chunk is predefined with first and second tiles, and the second tile chunk is predefined with third and fourth tiles.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are configured by machine-readable instructions to: execute an instance of the virtual space; and initiate generation of the map including the map area for the instance of the virtual space.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are configured by machine-readable instructions to detect one or more in-space actions by one or more users that indicate a need for a new map area such that the stochastic distribution of the obtained tile chunks over the map area is responsive to the detection of the in-space actions.

10. A method for facilitating stochastic chunk-based map generation, the method being implemented in a computer system that includes one or more processors executing machine-readable instructions, the method comprising:

obtaining tile chunks so that the obtained tile chunks can be included in a map of the virtual space, wherein the obtained tile chunks include first and second tile chunks;

obtain one or more chunk placement rules indicating where the obtained tile chunks should be distributed within the map of the virtual space in relation to other tile chunks;

effectuating stochastic distribution of the obtained tile chunks over a map area in the map of the virtual space such that, responsive to obtaining the first and second tile chunks, the first and second tile chunks are stochastically distributed within the map area according to the chunk placement rules; and

effectuating distribution of individual map tiles between the distributed tile chunks on the map area.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the map tiles of the different tile types include one or more terrains of different terrain types such that a first tile includes a first terrain of a first terrain type, a second tile includes a second terrain of a second terrain type different from the first terrain type, a third tile includes a third terrain of a third terrain type, and a fourth tile includes a fourth terrain of a fourth terrain type different from the third terrain type.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the one or more chunk placement rules related to spacing between the obtained tile chunks.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the chunk placement rules indicate spacing between the obtained tile chunks based on respective tiles types associated with the obtained tile chunks.

14. The method of claim 10 , obtaining one or more tile placement rules relating to spacing between a tile of one tile type and a tile of another tile type, wherein the individual map tiles are distributed between the distributed tile chunks based on the tile placement rules.

15. The method of claim 10 , further comprising facilitating one of more of creation, modification, or removal of one or more tile chunk sets, wherein the tile chunk sets include a first tile chunk set having the obtained tile chunks.

16. The method of claim 10 , wherein the first tile chunk is predefined with first and second tiles, and the second tile chunk is predefined the third and fourth tiles.

17. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:

executing an instance of the virtual space; and

initiating generation of the map including the map area for the instance of the virtual space.

18. The method of claim 10 , further comprising detecting one or more in-space actions by one or more users that indicate a need for a new map area, wherein the stochastic distribution of the obtained tile chunks over the map area is responsive to the detection of the in-space actions.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 28, 2018
From: AFTERSHOCK SERVICES, INC.
To: ELECTRONIC ARTS INC.
Reel/Frame 045474/0300 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 11, 2017
From: KABAM, INC.
To: AFTERSHOCK SERVICES, INC.
Reel/Frame 042211/0425 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 24, 2017
From: FONTAINE, THOMAS
To: KABAM, INC.
Reel/Frame 042093/0622 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 15094932 · Apr 8, 2016
Continuation 13668147 · Nov 2, 2012
Cited By (2)
US 12,476,877 US 12,664,214