After initially being denied, Konami has been granted a European Patent for a system that identifies which player in a soccer game has the ball, and to which nearest player the ball can be passed.
Sources: Out-Law.com | Gamasutra | The Register
Microsoft Patents Video Game Spectator Technology
Patent no. 6,999,083 provides for technologies that allow people to not just play video games against each other online, but to join the game as a spectator from anywhere in the world.
Dale’s Comment: Microsoft’s XBox 360 launch title Project Gotham 3 uses this technology. Note: I searched the U.S. patent website for under this patent number and could not find it.
Sources: Team Xbox | GameIndustry.biz | Silicon.com | VNUNet | ComputerWeekely.com | Hexus | Game News | Microsoft Press Release | Gamasutra | Next Generation | GameDaily.biz | Link | Yahoo Finance
Microsoft Patents Motion-Sensing Technology
A US patent was granted to Microsoft for a new method of spatial measurement. The setup proposed in the patent application can track an object’s path through 3D space using multiple-range cameras in a more accurate and consumer-friendly manner than has previously been available.
Source: Gamespot
Nintendo Patents “Sanity System” for Video Games
Text of Sanity Patent
Nintendo was granted a patent for a sanity system for video games by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Dale’s Comment: This patent may not be enforceable due to being obvious. Or, if it is Quantic Dream may be in breach of this patent given that the main character, Lucas Kane, in it’s critically acclaimed Indigo Prophecy game (also known as “Fahrenheit” in Europe) is directly affected by his current mental health state. This game mechanic has clearly been used before.
Source: Team Xbox
US Patent Office Grants Console Skin Patent
Dale’s Comment: This is a surprising development given that such console skins are common in the industry (witness the XBox 360 skins to the left)
Sources: ipFrontline.com