This page covers 2 granted patents in Game Engines & Development from 2 companies: NetEase (1) and Nintendo (1).
NetEase describes a dynamic season settlement system where opposing player factions compete in special arenas to determine outcomes that affect long-term progression in MMO and RPG games. Nintendo's patent details a timed item-sharing mechanic that allows players to automatically pass spawned items to teammates by waiting, creating cooperative gameplay through simple timing rather than additional button inputs.
NetEase received 1 patent addressing player retention in massively multiplayer and role-playing games. The system replaces traditional calendar-based season resets with a competitive mechanism where representatives from opposing factions face off in dedicated arenas, with the battle results determining when and how the season concludes. This approach makes season endings depend on actual player actions and faction performance rather than running on a fixed timer.
Nintendo's patent covers a sharing mechanic that merges item collection and cooperative distribution into a single time-based interaction. When an item spawns in the game world, a player who contacts it can either keep it by moving away quickly or pass it to a teammate by remaining near the item for a set duration. The system avoids the need for separate pass buttons or inventory screens, and the patent describes how follow-up movement patterns and delayed network updates maintain consistency across both local and online play.
All data sourced from USPTO patent filings. Google Patents may take several weeks to index recent publications. If a link is unavailable, search for the patent number at USPTO Patent Public Search.