Patent ID: 7794315
Filing Date: 2010-09-14
Classification: A63F

Abstract:
1. One or more computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions for performing the following steps in a video game: displaying a map scene in a role-playing-game, including a single player-controlled icon, the single player-controlled icon representing a plurality of characters; receiving a user request to move the single player-controlled icon into a location on the map scene; in response to the single player-controlled icon entering the location on the map scene, displaying a closer view of the location on the map scene, the closer view including a plurality of different areas in the location on the map scene; accessing stored preference information for each of the plurality of characters; and automatically dispersing the plurality of characters to the different areas in the location on the map scene, the dispersal being based at least in part on the preference information; receiving a user identification of a selected first one of the plurality of characters for control in at least one of the different areas; involving the first character in a first interaction in the at least one of the different areas; recording the first interaction involving the first character; receiving, following the first interaction, a user command to switch control to a second one of the plurality of characters and to rewind time to replay the first interaction from the second character's point of view; and receiving user commands to involve the second character in a second interaction, the user commands controlling the second character to alter a previous outcome of the first interaction.