Multiplayer Game Session Setup via Preliminary Invitations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multiplayer gaming session setups face delays due to varying loading times, which can be inefficient and inconvenient for both hosts and players.
Innovation Solution
A method for creating and configuring multiplayer gaming sessions that includes a host initiating a session, selecting games, sending preliminary invitations, generating game mode and configuration options, and sending final invitations, all while the game is launched on invitee devices, allowing for streamlined session setup and reduced delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the host waits for all players to be ready before selecting a game and configuring session details, then all players can join simultaneously, but the overall setup time is extended due to sequential processing
Solution Approach 1:
The host sends a preliminary invitation to players before the game is selected or configured. This preliminary action allows players to prepare their systems in advance, so when the game is later selected and configuration is completed, players are already ready to join immediately, eliminating waiting time for game loading and configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The session creation process is divided into distinct sequential stages: preliminary invitation stage, game selection stage, configuration stage, and final invitation stage. Each stage can be completed independently and contributes to the overall session setup without requiring all players to be simultaneously ready for each step
2Ease of operation
If the host selects a game with long loading time after sending invitations, then players receive invitations in advance, but significant delays occur before the game can actually start
Solution Approach 1:
Players receive preliminary invitations that allow them to prepare their systems and load necessary game assets in advance. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the final invitation is sent after game selection, players experience minimal or no additional loading delay
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temporal parameters of game loading by allowing players to load game data asynchronously after receiving preliminary invitations but before the final session start. This transforms the loading process from a blocking operation into a background preparation phase
3Reliability
If the host requires complete game configuration before sending invitations to players, then all session details are finalized, but the overall process takes longer due to sequential processing
Solution Approach 1:
The invitation process is segmented into preliminary and final invitations. The preliminary invitation can be sent with partial configuration details, allowing the host to continue configuring session parameters while players receive initial notification. The final invitation is sent after configuration is complete, ensuring accuracy without requiring the entire process to be sequential
Solution Approach 2:
The host can continue configuring session parameters continuously after sending the preliminary invitation, rather than pausing to wait for player responses or acknowledgments. This continuous configuration process maintains reliability while reducing total setup time
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Setting up a multiplayer gaming session, including: initiating a multiplayer gaming session; selecting at least one invitee; retrieving a list of games for each invitee of the selected at least one invitee; combining the list of games for each invitee into a merged list of games; sorting the merged list of games by most commonly owned; selecting a game from the merged list of games for the multiplayer gaming session; and sending an invitation to the multiplayer gaming session to each invitee of the selected at least one invitee.