Racing Game Branch Control for Varied Course Paths

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional racing games with fixed routes cause monotony as the running body repeatedly traverses the same path, leading to a lack of variety.

Innovation Solution

A game program that dynamically switches branch destinations in a racing game based on the progress of the operation target object, allowing it to enter or be restricted from entering specific paths, thereby varying the path taken by the movement objects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a fixed route is used in a racing game, then the game is easy to understand and operate, but the gameplay becomes monotonous due to repeated paths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidvariety of paths

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic path switching by changing which branch destinations are accessible based on the operation target object's progress in the racing game. Entry control objects are enabled or disabled dynamically, allowing the course structure to adapt as the game progresses, thereby preventing monotony while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of path accessibility by switching the enabled/disabled state of entry control objects. This parameter change allows different branch destinations to be accessible at different progress stages, creating variety in the racing paths without complicating the basic operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple entry control objects are implemented to switch paths, then path variety increases, but processing load increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevariety of pathsVSAvoidprocessing load

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a single entry control object that serves multiple functions by controlling access to different branch destinations at different progress stages. This multi-functional approach achieves path variety without requiring separate control mechanisms for each path switch, thereby reducing processing load

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent pre-positions entry control objects at branch portions before the game starts. These objects are enabled or disabled based on progress conditions, allowing the system to prepare path control structures in advance rather than creating them dynamically, which reduces real-time processing load

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250295994A1Non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored therein game program, information processing system, and information processing method

Publication Date: 2025.09.25 NINTENDO CO LTD

AI summary

An example of a game system executes a racing game where a plurality of movement objects are moved in a course in a virtual space. The course includes a branch portion branching into a plurality of branch destinations, and the plurality of movement objects pass through the branch portion multiple times in progressing through the course. In the branch portion, a branch destination that a movement object is allowed to enter or a branch destination that the movement object is restricted from entering is switched in accordance with a degree of progress of the movement object in the racing game.