Parallel Script Execution for Secure Game State Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current computer-implemented online games allow players to modify scripts and game state information at the client device, leading to potential cheating and unauthorized access to in-game resources, compromising the game's security and fairness.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where both the client device and game server execute scripts in parallel, with the server maintaining a secure game state independently, allowing the server to validate client-side actions and ensure the integrity of in-game resources by executing corresponding event scripts based on player actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the client device executes scripts locally to present in-game effects, then the player experiences real-time responsiveness and immersion, but the player can modify scripts and game state information to cheat and access unauthorized in-game resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the script execution function into two separate segments: the client device executes a first script to present visual in-game effects, while the game server independently executes a second script to update the secure game state. This segmentation allows the client to maintain real-time responsiveness for visual feedback while the server handles security-critical state updates, preventing clients from cheating by modifying game state information.
Solution Approach 2:
The game server acts as an intermediary between the client device and the secure game state. The server receives updates from the client, executes the second script independently to validate and process game logic, then sends updated game state information back to the client. This intermediary role ensures that while clients get real-time visual feedback, all security-sensitive operations are mediated and controlled by the server.
2Ease of operation
If the client device executes scripts independently, then the player feels immersed in the game with immediate feedback, but the game state information can be compromised allowing unauthorized access to in-game resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the game execution into two independent but coordinated processes: client-side script execution for immersive visual presentation and server-side script execution for secure state management. This allows players to experience full immersion through immediate visual feedback while the server independently validates all game logic, preventing cheating and unauthorized resource access.
Solution Approach 2:
The server maintains a secure copy of the game state that is independent of the client's local copy. When the client executes the first script and presents visual effects, the server simultaneously executes the second script to update its secure game state copy. This copying mechanism ensures that even if the client's local state is compromised, the authoritative secure state remains protected and can be used to detect and prevent cheating.
3Reliability
If the server executes scripts to maintain secure game state, then game security and integrity are ensured, but additional computational overhead is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments computational responsibilities between client and server: the client handles computationally intensive visual rendering through the first script, while the server handles security-critical but relatively simpler logic validation through the second script. This segmentation distributes computational overhead appropriately, ensuring game state integrity without concentrating all complexity in one location.
4Reliability
If both client and server execute scripts in parallel, then security is enhanced through independent validation, but synchronization between client and server must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the server executes the second script, validates the game state, and sends updated state information back to the client as feedback. The client then synchronizes its local state with the server's authoritative state. This feedback loop ensures that parallel execution maintains security through independent validation while automatically handling synchronization without requiring complex manual coordination.
Data Source
AI summary
A game server and a client device may perform parallel execution of scripts for a computer-implemented virtual game. When the client device determines that a user of the computer-implemented game has performed an in-game action, the client device may send an update notification to the game server that indicates the in-game action and client-side game state information. Then, the client device may determine an event script to execute based on the user's in-game action, and may execute the event script to present an in-game effect to the user in near real-time. Similarly, the game server may determine a corresponding event script to execute based on the in-game action, and may maintain a secure game state by executing the corresponding script independent of the client device's script execution.