Patent ID: 8448190
Filing Date: 2013-05-21
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for high reliability downloading of background assets using a manifest in a virtual world application (VWA), the method comprising: compiling the manifest of the assets potentially needed for execution by a first instance of the VWA, wherein each of the assets is associated with a priority; downloading, using the manifest and while executing the first instance of the VWA, the assets listed in the manifest based on the priorities indicated in the manifest, wherein downloading the assets includes downloading the assets based on an area identifier associated with each of the assets in the manifest, wherein the area identifier associates each of the assets with a particular virtual world area or zone, wherein the first instance of the VWA produces a virtual world including a plurality of different zones, each of the plurality of different zones having a distinct look and feel, wherein a first set of the assets is required for displaying a first zone of the plurality of different zones and a second set of the assets is required for displaying a second zone of the plurality of different zones, the second zone comprising a neighboring zone of the first zone, and wherein downloading the assets based on the area identifier associated with each of the assets includes predictively initiating background downloading of the second set of the assets based on a user's play while the user is in the first zone; and executing the first instance of the VWA for displaying the virtual world by loading at least the first set of the assets and the second set of the assets listed in the manifest.