Patent Publication Number: US-9895603-B2

Title: System and method for designing and selling games

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/762,476 filed on Feb. 8, 2013, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference and made a part hereof. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     The present disclosure relates generally to a system and method for designing games and offering same for sale. 
     Related Art 
     Designing games, such as board games, is challenging because of a lack of tools available for use by a game designer. Even if a good game is developed, marketing and selling the game presents another challenge. Game designers typically have very limited access to the market and essentially are forced to go through a very small number of industry gatekeepers that often extract an unreasonable amount of compensation from the designer for such access. 
     Thus, despite efforts to date, a need remains for improved systems and methods for creating or designing user-generated games, and for marketing and distributing such games. These and other inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement are addressed and/or overcome by the systems and methods of the present disclosure. 
     SUMMARY 
     A system and method for designing and selling games is provided. The method includes accessing game development software via a first computing device or processor, inputting user-specified game information, and automatically generating instructions for making the components of the game based at least in part on the user-specified game information. In certain embodiments, the method may further include the steps of transmitting the instructions for making the components of the game to an online retail platform, where the game is offered for sale or rent. Manufacturing of games can be done as needed by printing on demand at the retail platform or elsewhere. 
     Any combination or permutation of embodiments is envisioned. Additional advantageous features, functions and applications of the disclosed systems and methods of the present disclosure will be apparent from the description which follows, particularly when read in conjunction with the appended figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing features will be apparent from the following Detailed Description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram of the system of the present disclosure for designing, manufacturing and selling a game; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram showing sample components of the processing server shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram of an exemplary game designing engine in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is an exemplary flowchart of a method for designing a game according to the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart of an exemplary method for creating a user-generated game according to the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     It is to be noted that the various steps/features and combinations of steps/features described below and illustrated in the figures can be arranged and organized differently to result in embodiments which are still within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure relates to a system and method for designing and selling user-generated games. More particularly, the present disclosure provides systems and methods for allowing game designers to access a game design platform over a computer network to design a game, and then access a retail platform over a computer network for making and selling the game. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure provides systems/methods for creating a user-generated game including allowing a user to input user-specified game information into a game design processor, and to automatically generate instructions for the development of the components of a game based at least in part on the inputted user-specified game information. Moreover, the systems/methods may further include transmitting the instructions for the development of components of the game to an online retail platform (e.g., via the processor), and thereafter offering the game for sale or rent via the online retail platform to third-party purchasers. In certain embodiments, the online retail platform includes a print on demand online retail platform. 
     The systems/methods of the present disclosure will allow game designers or the like to make and widely distribute their games quickly and in a far more profitable manner. Moreover, the ease of release and the financial benefit from the systems/methods of the present disclosure will result in designers foregoing the traditional model in favor of the systems/methods of the present disclosure. As such, the systems/methods of the present disclosure will allow many games to enter the market and succeed. 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a system in an electronic commerce environment that can be programmed and/or include executable code configured to receive user-specified game information from a user for a game (e.g., a table top game such as a board game, card game, dice game or the like) to be developed, and generate instructions for the development of the components of the game based at least in part on the user-specified game information. In general, the instructions for the development of the components of the game may be transmitted to an online retail platform (e.g., website), and the game may thereafter be offered for sale via the online retail platform. 
     Referring now to the drawings, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals, respectively. Drawing figures are not necessarily to scale and in certain views, parts may have been exaggerated for purposes of clarity. 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram of an exemplary game design and selling system  10 . The system  10  includes a game design platform  30  comprising one or more computing systems including a game design processor  32 , a web server  34  and a firewall  36 . The game design platform  30  can be accessed by users over a network  20  such as the Internet or other network, such as an Internet or a wide area network (WAN) or a (LAN) to create/design a user-generated game. 
     System  10  may include a retail platform  50  for allowing users to purchase games. The retail platform  50  can be accessed by users over network  20 . Retail platform  50  can also be in direct communication with game design platform  30 . Retail platform  50  could also be a part of the game design platform  30 . Retail platform  50  may include a retail processor  52 , a web server  54 , a firewall  56  and a printer server  58  which may include a print on demand device. 
     The system  10  of the present disclosure can be accessed by users over network  20 . Various types of uses can access the system  10  including, but not limited to, game designers, game purchasers and others. For example, first game designer  60  can access the system  10  with a first computer system  61  using a first communications link over network  20  with game design platform  30  or retail platform  50  for communications concerning game designs and/or sales. A second game designer  62  can access the system  10  with a second computer system  63  using a second communications link over network  20  with game design platform  30  or retail platform  50  for communications concerning game designs and/or sales. 
     A first game buyer  70  could access the system over network  20  with a third computer system  71  using a third communications link with retail platform  50  for communications concerning purchasing games. Similarly, a second game buyer  72  could access the system over network  20  with a fourth computer system  73  using a fourth communications link with the retail platform for communications concerning purchasing games. Such communication could encompass the sending and receiving of data, instructions and/or funds from party to party. It is to be noted that system  20  may include any number of communications links and that any number of game designers  60 ,  62  and any number of game buyers  70 ,  72  could communicate with the game design and retail platforms  30 ,  50  over any number of communications links. 
     The game design processor  32  and the retail processor  52  can include single or multiple processors (or a single processor having multiple processor cores), and can include any suitable operating system and associated system software, such as the UNIX operating system, Linux, Microsoft Windows, etc. Furthermore, the functions performed by processors  32  and  52  could be provided by a single computer system, or by multiple networked computer systems (e.g., cloud or grid computing). Similarly, web servers  34  and  54  could be provided by a single computer system, or by multiple networked computer systems (e.g., cloud or grid computing). The processors  32  and  52 , and servers  34  and  54  can be located on third-party computer systems or the like. It is understood that the system/method steps associated with the present disclosure could be performed, at least in part, via computer-executable instructions stored on computer-readable media. Game design processor  32  and retail processor  52 , in combination with other components of the invention, could provide much of the functionality and processing described throughout the specification. Web servers  34  and  54  can host a game design web site and an online retail store respectively. 
     The computer systems  61 ,  63 ,  71  and  73  could each be any suitable computer system having the ability to communicate via a network  70  (e.g., having Internet connectivity), which could include a personal computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a smartphone, etc. The game design platform  30  and retail platform  50  and be accessed by computer systems  61 ,  63 ,  71  and  73  using a web browser or through an application software program (app). 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram showing components of the game design processor  32  in greater detail. Processor  32  could include a storage device  40  which could include any suitable computer-readable storage medium such as disk, non-volatile memory (e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, a flash memory, etc.), as well as a network interface  42 , a communications bus  43 , a central processing unit (e.g., incorporating a single or multiple-core microprocessor)  44 , a random access memory (RAM)  45 , etc. Much of the functionality provided by the present disclosure could be provided by a game design processing software engine  41 , which could be embodied as computer-readable program code stored on the storage device  40  and executed by the CPU  44  using any suitable, high or low level computing language, such as Java, C, C++, C#, .NET, etc. The network interface  42  could include an Ethernet network interface device, a wireless network interface device, or any other suitable device which permits the processing server/computing device  60  of system  20  to communicate via a network. It is to be noted that computer systems  52 ,  61 ,  63 ,  71  and  73  each could include some or all of the elements shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     In general, the functionality of game design processor  32  and retail processor  52  can be implemented using hardware, software and/or a combination thereof. In general, the processors  32  and  52  can be configured and adapted for use on various different computing/processing platforms and/or operating systems. Each computing device  32 ,  52  typically is in communication with a network/internet/cloud computing environment. It is noted that processing instructions can be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium and can include instructions or code that can be executed by processors  32  and  52  to design/sell a game. 
     In exemplary embodiments and as shown in  FIG. 3 , the game design engine  41  could include a user interface engine  48 , game parameters  47  (e.g., user-specified game information/parameters), and a media content creation engine  46 . In general, engine  41  can be programmed and/or include executable code configured to receive user-specified game information from a user (e.g., a user of system  10 ) for a game (e.g., board game and/or card game) to be developed via user interface screens  48  generated by the engine  31 , and generate instructions (via engine  41 ) for the development of the components of the game based at least in part on the user-specified game information. The instructions for the development of the components of the game may then be transmitted, via engine  41  and/or network  20 , to online retail platform  50 . 
     In exemplary embodiments, the user interface engine  48  can be programmed and/or include executable code to generate a graphical user interface or the like through which a user can interact with engine  41 . In one embodiment, the user interface can be associated with one or more web pages of a merchant website (e.g., platform  50 ), and the graphical user interface can be displayed to the user. The user interface displayed to the user can include data entry area to receive information from the user and/or can include data outputs to display information to the user. For example and as discussed further below, the user interface can be programmed and/or include executable code to receive user-specified game information  47  from the user for the development/design/creation of a game (e.g., board game and/or card game). In general, the user interface can be programmed and/or include executable code to interface with the media content creation engine  46  for the development of a game using engine  41 . 
     The game parameters  47  correspond to parameters/information specified by the user. In general, the game parameters  47  can include the number and/or type of components to be utilized in a user-created game. For example, some game parameters  47  to be specified by a user include whether the game is to include dice, cards and/or tokens or the like. In general, a user may specify a number of suitable options for the game components (e.g., dice, tokens and/or cards). 
     If the user specifies that the game is to include dice, the user may further be prompted (e.g., via the user interface) to specify/decide what type of dice to include (e.g., 4-sided, 6-sided, 8-sided, 10-sided, 12-sided, 20-sided, percentile sided) and/or what color of dice to include (e.g., red, green, blue, yellow, brown, purple, white, black, etc.). Moreover, the user may also specify what type/shape/color of dice pouch, if any, to include with the game. These choices could be menu driven or the like. 
     Another game parameter could be specified by a user as to whether the game includes tokens/figures or the like. If the user specifies that the game is to include tokens, the user may further be prompted (e.g., via the user interface) to specify/decide what type of tokens to include (e.g., cardboard-based, plastic-based, wood-based, metal-based), and/or what color of tokens to include (e.g., red, green, blue, yellow, brown, purple, white, black, etc.), and/or what shape/type/number of tokens to include (e.g., flat, square, round, hex, cube, pyramid, pawn, meeple, etc.). 
     Also as noted, another game parameter could indicate whether the game includes cards or the like. If the user specifies that the game is to include cards, the user may further be prompted (e.g., via user interface) to specify/decide what size (e.g., small, medium, large, rectangular, etc.) and/or type of cards to include (e.g., hero, creature, terrain, object, ability, event, location, state, trigger condition, number, solid color, color, etc.). Moreover, the user could also specify whether the cards are basic text only cards (e.g., with colored border art and/or two empty spaces for art and/or text). In one embodiment, the user-specified cards could have one or more (e.g., four) circles, squares and/or triangles in the corners of the cards for point values or the like. The cards could also account for orientation. In exemplary embodiments, the user-specified cards would be set-up for delivery to a print on demand platform  58  (e.g., a print on demand online retail platform) for subsequent delivery to a purchaser (e.g., a purchaser via game buyer computer system  70  and/or  72 ). It is to be noted that users/designers may also purchase games from platform  50 . Similarly, users/purchasers (e.g., users of systems  60 ,  62 ) may also design/create games via game design platform  30  for subsequent purchase from platform  50 . 
     In exemplary embodiments, engine  41  can be programmed and/or include executable code to specify some of the game parameters  47  and/or to restrict the user&#39;s entries to choices specified by the engine  41 . For example, the engine  41  can be programmed to specify what types/shapes/colors/prices of components (e.g., dice, tokens and/or cards) are available for selection/specification, as well as specify other parameters. The engine  41  can be programmed and/or include executable code to store the user-specified game parameters  47  for use by the media content creation engine  46 . For example, once the user has entered the requested data in the data entry fields of the user interface, the user can click on a submit button or the like to initiate the design/creation of the instructions of the game by the media content creation engine  46 . 
     The media content creation engine  46  can be programmed and/or include executable code to use rules/analytics based on the stored game parameters  47  received from the user. The rules/analytics can be used by engine  46  to develop/generate instructions for the development of the components of the game based at least in part on the stored user-specified game parameters  47 . For example, the instructions for the development of the components of the game may include whether the game includes dice, tokens and/or cards, and what specific types of user-specified dice, tokens and/or cards to include with the game (including any print on demand instructions for the cards, etc.). 
     In exemplary embodiments, the engine  46  can be programmed to determine the minimum and/or user-selected price for each user-specified game component/parameter, as well as specify/determine other parameters. It is to be noted that in exemplary embodiments, a user may set a price above the minimum specified/determined price for each component/parameter (e.g., via user interface). As such, engine  46  can be used to determine the overall price of a user-specified game that is to be offered for sale to purchasers. 
     After the media content creation engine  46  has designed/created/generated the instructions of the game specified by the user, the instructions may then be transmitted via engine  41  to an online retail platform  50  in communication with network/Internet  20 . The user-specified game, including the instructions for the development of the components of the game, may then be available for purchase or rental by a third-party purchaser via the online retail platform  50 . Once a third-party purchaser has placed an order for the user-specified game, the online retail platform  50  may then ship the ordered components and the like to the purchaser, and/or send the instructions for the development of the components of the game to a print on demand platform  58  for subsequent delivery to the purchaser once printing/creation is completed by the print on demand platform  58 . 
       FIG. 4  is an exemplary flowchart of a method for designing a game according to the present disclosure. In exemplary embodiments, a user of engine  41  may first be directed by user interface to specify if cards are to be included in the game currently being designed by the user, and to specify the number of cards (Step  80 ). If the user specifies that no cards are to be included, the user may then be directed by the user interface to specify if tokens are to be included (Step  82 ). If the user specifies that tokens are to be included, the user may then be directed to specify what types of tokens (e.g., cardboard-based, plastic-based, wood-based, metal-based) are to be included (Step  84 ), and what color of tokens (e.g., red, green, blue, yellow, brown, purple, white, black, etc.) are to be included (Step  86 ), and what shape/type/number of tokens (e.g., flat, square, round, hex, cube, pyramid, pawn, meeple, etc.) are to be included (Step  88 ). 
     After the user specifies the tokens, the user may then be directed to specify if dice are to be included (Step  90 ). If the user specifies that dice are to be included, the user may then be directed to specify what types of dice (e.g., 4-sided, 6-sided, 8-sided, 10-sided, 12-sided, 20-sided, percentile sided) are to be included (Step  92 ), and what color/number of dice (e.g., red, green, blue, yellow, brown, purple, white, black, etc.) are to be included (Step  94 ) in the designed game. 
     In an exemplary embodiment and as shown in  FIG. 4 , the user has selected: (i) no cards for the user designed game; (ii) eight blue-colored, plastic-based pawn tokens and eight red-colored, plastic-based pawn tokens for the user designed game; and (iii) two white/black six-sided dice for the user designed game. The user can then click on a submit button in step  96  to initiate the design/creation of the instructions of the game by the media content creation engine  46 . Thereafter, in step  98 , the engine creates the game. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the media content creation engine  46  and/or engine  41  includes application (App) software, such as application development software. In certain embodiments, engine  46  includes media development software or the like. In general, development software is configured and adapted to generate print and/or electronic media. 
       FIG. 5  depicts a flowchart of an exemplary method for creating a user-generated game according to embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 5 , step  101  includes accessing the engine  41  via processing server  32  (which could be accessed using any of the devices  61 ,  63 ,  71 , or  73  shown in  FIG. 1 ). In step  103 , the user inputs the game parameters into engine  41  via a user interface. Step  105  includes the step of storing the game parameters. The instructions for the development of the game components are generated via engine  46  in step  107 . Step  109  includes transmitting the generated instructions via engine  41  to platform  50 , and thereafter offering the user-designed game for sale/rental via platform  50 . 
     In exemplary embodiments, users of engine  41  may sign-up for a membership (e.g., an annual membership) for use of system (e.g., via a user interface). In certain embodiments, the game or games created/designed by the users are to be owned by the users/creators, and sold (e.g., exclusively) via the platform  50 . In one embodiment, after a user signs up for a membership to use engine  41 , the user would then sign a license agreement or the like that would cover various issues (e.g., conditions of use of engine  41 , intellectual property ownership, representations of non-infringement, indemnifications, take-down guidelines, financial terms (noted below), etc.). 
     In exemplary embodiments, proceeds from the sales of the user-designed games may be split (e.g., 70%/30%) between the user and the platform  50 . Moreover, other financial provisions/terms may be entered, such as various options the platform  50  may have if certain sales thresholds are met by sales of the user-designed game. Games could be sold to customers on a per game basis, or a customer could subscribe and periodically receive games over a period of time. 
     A game design kit may include standardized components (including but not limited to dice; cards; cardboard, plastic, and wood tokens, etc.) which could be of various colors (e.g. red, green, blue, yellow, brown, purple, white, and black). Users could sign up for an annual membership to use the kit to design tabletop games (board games, card games, dice games, etc.) to be owned by the designer and sold (e.g., exclusively) on a print on demand online retail platform (a store). Upon sign up, the game designer could sign a license agreement that covers the conditions of their use of the kit and the store including, but not limited to, IP ownership, representations of non-infringement, indemnifications, take-down guidelines, etc., as well as certain financial terms noted below. 
     The kit could automatically set a minimum price for each game on the store based on the components comprising the game. The game designers can set a price above that minimum. Proceeds from the sales could be split 70/30 (developer/system). If a game sells more than a threshold ($[x.xx] in one year, or $[y.yy] total sales), the system could have the option to either: (1) publish the game and, instead of the 70/30 split, pay the designer a royalty (could be some amount greater than the percentage normal designers get like 10%) of the sales of the game; or (2) the system could pay the designer some multiple of the sales threshold to buy the rights to the game, with no further payment obligations to the designer, and it could be provided that system continued to provide a “Create by” or “Designed by” credit on subsequent releases. 
     The kit could include the following standardized components made of basic colors (red, green, blue, yellow, brown, purple, white, and black):
         Dice (4-sided, 6-sided, 8-sided, 10-sided, 12-sided, 20-sided, percentile-sided). We could offer dice pouches in the same colors   Cards (two sizes: small and large rectangular. Types: hero, creature, terrain, object, ability, event, location, state, trigger condition, number, and solid color). The cards could be basic text only cards with colored border art and two empty spaces (for art and/or text). The cards could have up to four circles/squares/triangles in the corners for point values. The cards could account for orientation. The cards would likely be digital print on demand.   Flat cardboard/plastic/wood/metal tokens: square, round, hex   Other plastic/wood/metal tokens: cube, pyramid, pawn, “meeple”       

     Although the systems and methods of the present disclosure have been described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, the present disclosure is not limited to such exemplary embodiments and/or implementations. Rather, the systems and methods of the present disclosure are susceptible to many implementations and applications, as will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art from the disclosure hereof. The present disclosure expressly encompasses such modifications, enhancements and/or variations of the disclosed embodiments. Since many changes could be made in the above construction and many widely different embodiments of this disclosure could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the drawings and specification shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Additional modifications, changes, and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure. 
     The exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative of a system and method for designing games and offering games for sale. It should be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the present disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, details disclosed herein with reference to exemplary embodiments and associated methods/techniques of use are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as the basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and use the systems/methods of the present disclosure. 
     Exemplary flowcharts are provided herein for illustrative purposes and are non-limiting examples of methods. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that exemplary methods may include more or fewer steps than those illustrated in the exemplary flowcharts, and that the steps in the exemplary flowcharts may be performed in a different order than the order shown in the illustrative flowcharts. 
     Having thus described the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the foregoing description is not intended to limit the spirit or scope thereof. What is desired to be protected is set forth in the following claims.