Patent ID: 7896733

Claim:
A video game play method for use with a video game system including a processor, a display, at least one user input device, and a graphics processor configured to produce animated graphics at least in part in response to the least one user input device for display on the display, the method comprising: causing said processor to operate with a display, at least one user input device and a graphics processor to: display a power meter providing a power indication on a single scale; automatically replenishing the power indication displayed on the single scale by the power meter without requiring user input; depleting the power indication displayed on the single scale by the power meter based at least in part on game player inputs; comparing the power indication displayed by the power meter on the single scale to a first predetermined threshold and to a second predetermined threshold different from the first predetermined threshold; if the power indication is less than the first predetermined threshold, subjecting a game character to a first consequence; and if the power indication is greater than the second predetermined threshold, subjecting the game character to a second consequence different from said first consequence, wherein the second consequence is an adverse consequence for the game character.