Multi-user game

This application is for entry into the U.S. national phase under §371 for International Application No. PCT/IB2004/003002 having an international filing date of Sep. 2, 2004, and from which priority is claimed under all applicable sections of Title 35 of the United States Code including, but not limited to, Sections 120, 363 and 365(c).

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a multi-user game. In particular, they relate to methods, servers, devices and computer program products for controlling and playing a game.

Mobile electronic devices are, in general, more limited in some respects than stationary devices. This is often due to size and power consumption restraints that are necessarily imposed on mobile devices, and in particular hand-portable mobile devices.

As a mobile electronic device typically has a limited screen size, and limited processor power it cannot typically compete in an online multi-user game in which stationary devices, with larger screens and more powerful processors compete. Examples of stationary devices include personal computers and PLAYSTATION and X-BOX consoles. Consequently popular online games are very often reserved for only stationary devices.

Also, online games that are designed for mobile devices are typically not suitable for playing using a powerful stationary device as they do not use the full capabilities of such a device.

It would be desirable to enable heterogeneous gaming platforms (stationary devices as well as mobile devices) to participate in an online game.

According to one embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of controlling a multi-user game, comprising: receiving non-game information concerning the technical capabilities of a first device; and providing game play at the first device, in dependence upon the received non-game information, that compensates for the technical capabilities of the first device.

According to another embodiment of the invention there is provided a device for controlling a multi-user game, the device comprising: a component for receiving non-game information concerning the technical capabilities of a first device; and a component for providing game play at the first device, in dependence upon the received non-game information, that compensates for the technical capabilities of the first device.

According to another embodiment of the invention there is provided a gaming device for participating in a multi-user game, the gaming device comprising: a component for providing information concerning the technical capabilities of the gaming device; and a component receiving game control data that includes compensation for the technical capabilities of the gaming device.

According to another embodiment of the invention there is provided a computer program, comprising computer program instructions which when loaded into a processor of a host device provide: a component for providing information indicating the technical capabilities of the host device; and a component for receiving game control data that includes compensation for the technical capabilities of the host device.

According to another embodiment of the invention there is provided a computer program, comprising computer program instructions which when loaded into a processor of a host device provide: a component for providing game play, in dependence upon received non-game information concerning the technical capabilities of a device, that compensates for the technical capabilities of the device.

The compensation of the technical capabilities, allows device, having different technical capabilities, to compete fairly in a single game.

According to another embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of initiating a multi-user game that has a plurality of potential roles, the method comprising: specifying a first sub-set of the plurality of potential roles; specifying a second sub-set of the plurality potential roles, that is different to the first sub-set; providing, if a first device has first technical capabilities, the first sub-set of potential roles to the first device; and providing, if a second device has second technical capabilities, different to the first technical capabilities, the second sub-set of potential roles to the second device.

According to another embodiment of the invention there is provided a gaming server for controlling a multi-user game that has a plurality of potential roles, comprising: a data structure that associates each one of a plurality of device technical capabilities with a different sub-set of the plurality of potential roles; a component for receiving an indication of the technical capabilities of a device, from a remote device; a component for determining the sub-set associated with the received technical capabilities in the database; and means for assigning to the remote device a role in the game from within the determined sub-set.

According to another embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of initiating, at a device, a multi-user game that has a plurality of potential roles, the method comprising: sending an indication of the technical capabilities of the device to a game server; receiving, in reply, a sub-set of the plurality potential roles, wherein the sub-set depends upon the sent indication; and providing a user-selectable option, for adopting one of the roles specified by the received sub-set.

According to another embodiment of the invention there is provided a device for participating in a multi-user game that has a plurality of potential roles, comprising: a component for sending an indication of the technical capabilities of the device; a component for receiving, in reply, a sub-set of the plurality of potential roles, wherein the sub-set depends upon the sent indication; and means for providing a user-selectable option, for adopting one of the roles specified by the received sub-set.

The allocation of different roles to devices, having different technical capabilities, allows the devices to compete fairly in a single game albeit in different roles.