Virtual Suspension Items for Online Game Wait Period Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Online games often require players to wait or consume resources for game actions to complete, which can lead to reduced player engagement and retention due to the time constraints and resource demands.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of virtual items such as wait-period suspension items and resource requirement suspension items that can be purchased and activated to reduce or eliminate wait times and resource consumption for specific game actions, allowing players to perform actions instantly or with reduced requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wait-period requirements are enforced for game actions, then game balance and resource management are maintained, but player engagement and retention are reduced due to time constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces virtual items as intermediary objects that mediate between the game's wait-period requirements and player desires for faster action completion. These items act as a buffer mechanism, allowing players to bypass wait periods by consuming virtual goods, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining game balance and reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of wait-period duration dynamically based on player possession of virtual items. When players acquire suspension items, the wait-period parameter is modified or suspended for specific game actions, allowing the system to adapt time requirements based on player status and item ownership.
2Reliability
If resource requirements are enforced for game actions, then game economy and progression balance are maintained, but player productivity and action completion speed are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Virtual items serve as intermediary resources that substitute for traditional resource requirements. Instead of requiring players to accumulate and spend in-game resources for every action, the system introduces suspension items that can be consumed to bypass resource requirements, thereby maintaining game economy while increasing player productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows players to perform actions partially or excessively by using suspension items. Players can choose to complete actions immediately using suspension items rather than waiting for resource accumulation, enabling partial bypass of resource requirements when items are available.
3Productivity
If virtual items are introduced to reduce wait periods and resource requirements, then player engagement and monetization opportunities are enhanced, but game complexity and item management systems increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the virtual item system into distinct types (wait-period suspension items, resource requirement suspension items, etc.), each with specific functions. This segmentation allows the complex item management system to be organized into manageable categories, making it easier to track and manage different item types while enhancing player engagement through varied item benefits.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for facilitating game action time requirement suspension in an online game are disclosed. Instances of time requirement suspension items may be offered for purchase in an online store associated with the online game. A given time requirement suspension item may be configured to reduce time requirements (e.g., wait-period) for game actions requested by a player during a corresponding time period subsequent to the activation of the instance of the requirement suspension item by the player. The player may activate a purchased instance of the requirement suspension item in the online game to reduce the time requirements for the game actions requested by the player during the time period.