Patent ID: 8784199

Claim:
A system configured to encode, in an image file, map information used to define an array of map tiles forming a game map that is navigated during gameplay, the system comprising: one or more physical processors configured to execute computer readable instructions; and memory storing computer readable instructions configured to cause the one or more physical processors to: obtain the map information, which specifies tile information for individual ones of the map tiles; represent the tile information for individual ones of the map tiles as numerical values; use an image format to encode the numerical values that represent the tile information for the individual tiles, wherein the image format accommodates a plurality of numerical values for individual pixels to specify levels for a plurality of base colors in a color space on a per pixel basis, and wherein the encoding includes recording the numerical values that represent the tile information for individual ones of the map tiles as the plurality of numerical values for the individual pixels such that the numerical values that would ordinarily correspond to an individual pixel correspond to the tile information; generate the image file comprising the encoded numerical values; and communicate the image file, wherein the image file is used to convey at least a portion of the game map.