System, method and handheld controller for multi-player gaming
Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for multi-player gaming. Some embodiments relate to systems having an improved communications infrastructure and improved handheld game controllers, while other embodiments relate to improvements in handling large numbers of players in the multi-player game when played in a game arena with a single large display screen showing the multi-player game images. In one particular embodiment, a system is provided that has a game server controlling a display system to display the multi-player game on the large screen and a plurality of game controllers. Each game controller has a secondary display means for providing a secondary game display and input means for receiving player input. The system further comprises communication means for enabling communication between the game server and each of the plurality of game controllers. The plurality of game controllers are located in proximity to the large display screen such that it is visible to game players manipulating the game controllers while playing the multi-player game.
1. A handheld game controller for a multi-player game facilitated by a game server running a game software for the multi-player game, the game server in communication with a display system and a plurality of game controllers in proximity to the display system including the handheld game controller, the game server providing display signals for displaying a primary game display of the multi-player game on primary display of the display system, the handheld game controller comprising:
a controller display;
an input interface;
a communication interface configured to communicate with the game server to enable participation in the multi-player game by a user of the handheld game controller;
a memory configured to store computer program instructions comprising a game software module; and
a processor configured to operate the game software module corresponding to the multi-player game, the game software module being operable by the processor to provide a secondary game display on the controller display, and to enable participation in the multi-player game by the user of the handheld game controller,
wherein the secondary game display enabled by the game software module is complementary to the primary game display; and
wherein the handheld game controller is configured to download the computer program instructions comprising the game software module corresponding to the multi-player game in response to user input received via the input interface requesting the game software module without requiring the multi-player game to be preselected.
2. The handheld game controller of claim 1 , wherein the handheld game controller is configured to download the computer program instructions comprising the game software module from a remote server.
3. The handheld game controller of claim 1 , wherein the handheld game controller is configured to download the computer program instructions comprising the game software module prior to initiation of the multi-player game.
4. The handheld game controller of claim 1 , wherein the handheld game controller is configured to download the computer program instructions comprising the game software module using a preregistered account associated with the user of the handheld game controller.
5. The handheld game controller of claim 1 , wherein the handheld game controller is configured to download the computer program instructions comprising the game software module in response to user input received via the input interface selecting the multi-player game from amongst a plurality of multi-player games.
6. The handheld game controller of claim 5 , wherein the handheld game controller is configured to receive the user input selecting the multi-player game after establishing communication between the handheld game controller and the game server.
7. The handheld game controller of claim 5 , wherein the handheld game controller is configured to display a plurality of game selection options on the controller display corresponding to the plurality of multi-player games, and the user input comprises a selection of one of the displayed game selection options.
8. The handheld game controller of claim 7 , wherein the handheld game controller is configured to display the plurality of game selection options on the controller display after establishing communication between the handheld game controller and the game server.
9. The handheld game controller of claim 1 , wherein the communication interface comprises a wireless transceiver, and the handheld game controller is configured to communicate with the game server wirelessly.
10. The handheld game controller of claim 1 , wherein the handheld game controller is configured to download the computer program instructions comprising the game software module after establishing communication between the handheld game controller and the game server.
11. A handheld game controller for a multi-player game facilitated by a game server running a game software for the multi-player game, the game server in communication with a display system and a plurality of game controllers in proximity to the display system including the handheld game controller, the game server providing display signals for displaying a primary game display of the multi-player game on primary display of the display system, the handheld game controller comprising:
a controller display;
an input interface;
a communication interface configured to communicate with the game server to enable participation in the multi-player game by a user of the handheld game controller;
a memory configured to store computer program instructions comprising a game software module; and
a processor configured to operate the game software module corresponding to the multi-player game, the game software module being operable by the processor to provide a secondary game display on the controller display, and to enable participation in the multi-player game by the user of the handheld game controller,
wherein the secondary game display enabled by the game software module is complementary to the primary game display; and
wherein the handheld game controller is configured to:
establish communication with the game server;
register the handheld game controller with the game server as a participating game controller;
display a plurality of game selection options on the controller display after registering the handheld game controller, wherein the plurality of game selection options corresponds to a plurality of potential multi-player games providable by the game server, wherein the plurality of potential multi-player games includes the multi-player game;
receive user input via the input interface selecting a particular game selection option from the plurality of the game selection options;
transmit user selection data to the game server, wherein the user selection data comprises an indication of the particular game selection option;
receive a game selection message from the game server, wherein the game selection message comprises an indication of the multi-player game; and
download the computer program instructions comprising the game software module corresponding to the multi-player game in response to the game selection message.
12. The handheld game controller of claim 11 , wherein the handheld game controller is configured to download the computer program instructions comprising the game software module from a remote server.
13. The handheld game controller of claim 11 , wherein the handheld game controller is configured to download the computer program instructions comprising the game software module prior to initiation of the multi-player game.
14. The handheld game controller of claim 11 , wherein the handheld game controller is configured to download the computer program instructions comprising the game software module using a preregistered account associated with the user of the handheld game controller.
15. The handheld game controller of claim 11 , wherein the user input comprises a selection of the game selection option corresponding to the multi-player game.
16. The handheld game controller of claim 11 , wherein the user input comprises a selection of a potential multi-player game other than the multi-player game.
17. The handheld game controller of claim 11 , wherein the handheld game controller is configured to download the computer program instructions comprising the game software module without requiring the multi-player game to be preselected.
18. The handheld game controller of claim 11 , wherein the game server is configured to select the multi-player game based on user selection data from a plurality of game controllers.
19. The handheld game controller of claim 11 , wherein the communication interface comprises a wireless transceiver, and the handheld game controller is configured to communicate with the game server wirelessly.