Wake-on-Event Game Client and Monitor for Persistent World Game Environment

Abstract

A mechanism is provided for automatically waking a game client responsive to game events occurring within a persistent world online game. An event monitor monitors for events that occur in a persistent virtual world maintained by a game server. When a game event occurs that triggers an offline player rule, the player agent automatically activates execution of game client software. The player agent may also automatically log the player into the game server through the game client software. The player agent may generate and present a launcher dialog prompting the user whether to launch the game client software. Alternatively, the player agent may send a message to a messaging device of the offline player with instructions for launching the game client software remotely. Responsive to a message including a launch command, the player agent automatically launches the game client software on a game client device associated with the offline player.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]1. Technical Field[0002]The present application relates generally to an improved data processing system and method. More specifically, the present application is directed to a wake-on-event game client and monitor for a persistent world game environment.[0003]2. Description of Related Art[0004]The origin of multiplayer games may trace back to Dungeons & Dragons® or even tabletop war games. “Dungeons & Dragons” is a registered trademark of Wizards of the Coast in the United States, other countries, or both. These role playing games or tabletop games are typically played with pen-and-paper, dice, counters, markers, or the like. Players typically sit around a table and play out actions for fictional characters.[0005]A massively multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG) is an online computer or console game in which a large number of players interact with one another in a virtual world. As in all role playing games (RPGs), players assume the role of a character and t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]In another exemplary embodiment, automatically launching the game client software comprises sending a launch request from the player agent to a launcher application running on the game client device associated with the offline player and, responsive to receipt of the launch request at the launcher application, sending one or more commands to an operating system on the game client device associated with the offline player to begin execution of the game client software.

Problems solved by technology

Players of persistent world games tend to invest a great deal of time in their online characters, in some cases to the detriment of their real-life counterparts.

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