Independently-defined alteration of output from software executable using later-integrated code

Abstract

A first executable, such as a computer game, is configured with a second independently operating executable that monitors events on a client operating the first executable. The second executable determines actions to be performed in response to monitored events, as defined by a business logic table. The second executable traps API calls to perform actions altering apparent output of the first executable. The business logic table may be distributed to the client separately. The second executable and the first executable may be combined in a single file. The second executable may be used to provide additional content, including advertising, in the context of an existing game or other software executable.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 956,837, filed Aug. 20, 2007, which application is specifically incorporated herein, in its entirety, by reference.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field[0003]The present disclosure relates to alteration of original output from a software executable to provide altered output, according to an alteration scheme that is defined independently of the software executable and integrated into it in a process occurring after the software executable is already defined.[0004]2. Description of Related Art[0005]Various computer programs for providing an interactive video display on client computers, for example interactive game programs, are known in the art. Advertising can be inserted during play of such games by programming a function in the game that calls advertising material from a designated source during game play, so that the advertising appears durin...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The present disclosure relates to independently-defined alteration of original output from an executable software application to provide altered output according to an alteration scheme. The software, for example, an executable computer game, is configured to produce original output in response to user inputs when operating in a specific hardware environment. The software may comprise an executable file that is compiled from a higher-level language and recognized as executable by a computer operating system, or as other discrete static code, e.g., binary code, that is executable in the applicable hardware environment. The software is therefore in executable form, and may sometimes be referred to herein as an “executable.” The original output may comprise, for example, audio, video, or electronic output from an output device connected to a processor that is running the software executable. The software executable may be configured to cause specific defined output in response to user input. For example, in response to user input from a joystick, the executable may cause a rendered sprite or avatar to move in a direction indicated by the joystick input in a modeled game environment, which is then rendered as output by a graphics engine and displayed on a display screen. The software executable may be designed to operate in stand-alone mode, for example, to provide game play on a client node without requiring real-time or near real-time communication with a remote node. The software executable may also function in a networked multiplayer mode, in which real-time or near real-time communication is performed with one or more remote nodes.

[0012]The client-side alteration engine may be incorporated into a launcher executable that includes the published executable, such as the game application, that is to be altered. The binary code of the game application may be altered to add a function call to initialize the client-side alteration, by updating the binary code automatically to include new machine language code at the application entry point. The original published code may be thereby replaced with a new executable code that first initializes and loads a client-side alteration engine DLL and then calls the original code. The alteration engine may then monitor the client machine state during operation of the original code to detect trigger events. When a trigger event as defined by the alteration scheme is detected, the alteration engine refers to the alteration scheme to identify an action triggered by the event. The alteration engine then causes the action to be carried out. The alteration scheme may be contained in one or more data files separate from the executable code running the original executable and alteration engine. In this way, the alteration scheme may be updated without requiring an update of executable code.

[0026]By avoiding the need for source code integration with the underlying game or other application, the present technology may be used to minimize the cost, complexity and time of software development and publishing, making it easy for software publishers to add features that benefit the end consumer. The methods and system described herein also enable the monetization and enhancement of already developed games where modification to the source code is no longer possible.

[0030]Another useful application of the methods and system described herein is post-launch configuration of creative and advertising content. Creative or business decisions—for example, where to put ads, the contents of an ad hoc tournament, what achievements are worthy of reward, etc.—may be delayed until after distribution of an original game to the end user. This creates the opportunity to postpone or revise the creative decisions which, because games and other forms of entertainment software can be very complex, are often a large driver of integration time, complexity, and cost. The present technology therefore enables such creative decisions, which may include or affect business decisions, to be delayed until after software release, when more information may be known about the advertiser and gamer market dynamics. A game title (and especially high-end “AAA” titles) may take 2 years or more to develop, thus making certain creative decisions so far in advance very difficult. Also, relatively few releases achieve widespread popularity, and so doing all the work upfront on many releases may mean much wasted effort for games that are played by relatively few users. Thus, the method and system described herein may shorten pre-launch time and reduce the associated cost burden of enabling games with advertising or community technology, in addition to its other potential benefits as described above.

Problems solved by technology

In addition, considerable effort may be expended in providing updateable communication features to a particular game, thereby adding time, cost and complexity to the game development process and increasing the investment required to develop a game.

It may be therefore difficult to incorporate functionality desired by the software publisher during the software development stage.

And once the software has been developed and released, changes may be even more difficult to accomplish.

Nor is the technology limited to advertising applications.

This creates the opportunity to postpone or revise the creative decisions which, because games and other forms of entertainment software can be very complex, are often a large driver of integration time, complexity, and cost.

A game title (and especially high-end “AAA” titles) may take 2 years or more to develop, thus making certain creative decisions so far in advance very difficult.

Also, relatively few releases achieve widespread popularity, and so doing all the work upfront on many releases may mean much wasted effort for games that are played by relatively few users.

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