Method and apparatus for partitioning virtual worlds using prioritized topic spaces in virtual world systems

a virtual world and topic space technology, applied in the field of online gaming applications, can solve the problems of inability to scale to support very large numbers of players within a single game/world, the network bandwidth of a single system, and the limitation of scaling in this scenario, and certain game servers, particularly those providing fps (first person shooter) style games, are only capable of supporting tens of users

Inactive Publication Date: 2010-05-06
IBM CORP
View PDF17 Cites 82 Cited by
  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Conventional massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs) and virtual worlds (such as Second Life) are unable to scale to support very large numbers of players within a single game/world.
Typically, the limits to scaling in this scenario are the network bandwidth of the single system and, more significantly, the processor capacity of a game server in the system.
Certain game servers, particularly those providing FPS (First Person Shooter) styles of games, are only capable of supporting tens of users due to the complexity of t

Method used

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
View more

Image

Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.
Viewing Examples
Smart Image
  • Method and apparatus for partitioning virtual worlds using prioritized topic spaces in virtual world systems
  • Method and apparatus for partitioning virtual worlds using prioritized topic spaces in virtual world systems
  • Method and apparatus for partitioning virtual worlds using prioritized topic spaces in virtual world systems

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

Embodiment Construction

[0014]The following description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and is not meant to limit the inventive concepts claimed herein. Further, particular features described herein can be used in combination with other described features in each of the various possible combinations and permutations. Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, all terms are to be given their broadest possible interpretation including meanings implied from the specification as well as meanings understood by those skilled in the art and / or as defined in dictionaries, treatises, etc.

[0015]The invention provides a method and apparatus for partitioning virtual worlds using prioritized topic spaces in a virtual world system. This allows reliably partitioning a virtual world to increase scalability and permit dynamic load balancing. One embodiment of the invention involves using an externally computed management grid, based on key factors of the map (such as the b...

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to view more

PUM

No PUM Login to view more

Abstract

A method and system for hosting an online virtual world system on game engine servers, is provided. One implementation involves obtaining a map representing a virtual world in the game, partitioning the map into multiple partitions, and selecting a game engine server for each partition as responsible for executing the game for detected game entities in that partition, wherein the selection is based on load balancing between the game engine servers.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates generally to online applications, and in particular to online gaming applications.[0003]2. Background Information[0004]Conventional massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs) and virtual worlds (such as Second Life) are unable to scale to support very large numbers of players within a single game / world. This is because such games and virtual worlds are reliant on a single instance of the game, running on a single physical computer system, acting as the authority for all activities within the game. Typically, the limits to scaling in this scenario are the network bandwidth of the single system and, more significantly, the processor capacity of a game server in the system. The game server, functioning as a game engine, is required to provide the simulation capabilities for every object and player in the virtual world. As the number of players (clients) increases the computing resources requir...

Claims

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to view more

Application Information

Patent Timeline
no application Login to view more
IPC IPC(8): A63F9/24
CPCA63F3/04A63F9/24A63F13/12A63F2003/0439A63F2300/534A63F2300/5533H04L67/1008H04L67/1029H04L67/1021H04L67/1002H04L67/1025H04L67/38A63F13/358H04L67/1001H04L67/131A63F13/30G06Q50/10
Inventor CHAPMAN, SYDNEY G.MILLER, CHRISTOPHER H.RENSHAW, DAVID S.SHARP, CHRISTOPHER E.
Owner IBM CORP
Who we serve
  • R&D Engineer
  • R&D Manager
  • IP Professional
Why Eureka
  • Industry Leading Data Capabilities
  • Powerful AI technology
  • Patent DNA Extraction
Social media
Try Eureka
PatSnap group products