Cloud Gaming Save Data Management via Intermediary Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cloud gaming systems face delays in gameplay initiation due to the time-consuming process of transferring user save data between data centers, which can lead to user disengagement and loss of interest, especially for graphic-intensive games.
Innovation Solution
Implementing the use of generic save data to allow immediate gameplay initiation while user save data is transferred, with the actual save data being integrated into the game execution during gameplay, and performing a stream test simultaneously with game machine initialization to optimize streaming quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If user save data is transferred from a second data center to a first data center before gameplay initiation, then data accuracy is improved, but wait time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system initiates the save data transfer process in advance when the user selects a game, but does not block gameplay initiation. The transfer continues in the background and completes before the game actually needs to access the save data, allowing both fast initiation and data accuracy to coexist.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an intermediary mechanism where generic save data or placeholder data is provided to the game engine immediately, while the actual user save data is being transferred. This intermediary approach allows the game to start without waiting for the full data transfer to complete.
2Reliability
If cloud gaming machine initialization is completed before gameplay streaming, then streaming quality is improved, but initialization time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary initialization of the cloud gaming machine, including assigning hardware resources and preparing the software environment, but streams the actual game content only after initialization is complete. This ensures high streaming quality without requiring users to wait for full initialization before any content delivery begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The initialization process is segmented into multiple stages: resource assignment, software loading, configuration setup, and game content streaming. Each stage can proceed independently or in parallel where possible, reducing the perceived wait time while maintaining overall initialization quality.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method is provided, including: receiving, over a network by a cloud gaming server computer, a request from a client device to initiate gameplay of a cloud video game; responsive to the request, assigning the client device to a first data center from which to stream the gameplay of the cloud video game; responsive to the request, initiating transfer of user save data over the network from a second data center to the first data center; loading the cloud video game on a cloud gaming machine at the first data center, the loading of the cloud video game including loading of generic save data; initiating interactive gameplay of the cloud video game with the generic save data; during the interactive gameplay, completing the transfer of the user save data to the first data center; applying the user save data to update the execution of the cloud video game.