Game System Flexible Chapter Selection and Save Data Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional games that allow chapter selection at the start can be confusing for new players, as they may select a chapter with incomprehensible content, and existing solutions do not provide flexible starting points or save data management.
Innovation Solution
A game system and method that allows players to select from various game starting points, including automatic saving and loading options, using different user interfaces for cleared and uncleared game parts, ensuring players can start from any point and manage save data effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If all chapters are selectable from the beginning, then players can start from any chapter, but new players may select chapters with incomprehensible content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments chapters into two distinct types: first-type chapters (requiring previous chapter completion) and second-type chapters (selectable without prerequisites). This segmentation is implemented through different user interfaces with distinct visual characteristics, allowing new players to easily identify selectable chapters while maintaining the option for flexible chapter selection.
Solution Approach 2:
Different visual styles and interface characteristics are applied to different chapter types. Second-type chapters display with indicators showing they can be selected without completing previous chapters, while first-type chapters show they require prerequisite completion. This local differentiation helps players quickly understand chapter selection rules without confusion.
2Device complexity
If save data is managed in a unified manner, then storage is simplified, but save data from different starting points may be mixed or overwritten
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements separate save data storage areas: first save data for games started from first-type chapters and second save data for games started from second-type chapters. The save management interface is segmented to display first save slots and second save slots distinctly, preventing mixing or overwriting of save data from different starting points.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates separate save data structures and interface representations for different game starting methods. By maintaining parallel save data systems rather than a single unified system, the patent ensures that save data integrity is preserved while managing multiple game instances simultaneously.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the game always starts from the first chapter, then gameplay continuity is maintained, but players cannot start from intermediate chapters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the game starting point dynamic rather than fixed. Players can choose to start from the first chapter (maintaining continuity) or from intermediate second-type chapters (providing flexibility). The system dynamically adjusts the game state based on the selected starting point, and dynamically manages save data loading accordingly.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-limiting game apparatus comprises a processor, and the processor displays a main menu image at the time of starting a game. If a player determines a second mode in the main menu image, and further an episode, a game starting point selection image is displayed. The player selects and determines the starting point of a game part that is selectable from a plurality of game parts constituting a scenario in the game starting point selection image, thereby to start a play of a virtual game. If the game part being played is cleared, a next game part become playable.