Nintendo

Two game engine patents explore mechanics that tie player actions to in-game systems in distinct ways. The first addresses how players can construct and deconstruct complex assemblies of virtual objects. When a player grabs one piece of a multi-object structure, shaking the controller or rapidly changing the movement direction breaks that specific component free from its connections while leaving the rest of the construction intact. This allows editing without dismantling entire creations. The second patent connects the progression of player-run clubs to gameplay advantages during matches. As a club grows in rank, the virtual stadium expands, and this growth translates into mechanical benefits during competition, not just visual changes or matchmaking adjustments. The system also adjusts how often special items appear based on both the club's rank and what's happening moment-to-moment in the match itself.

A single Hardware patent describes an analog stick that measures how hard a player pushes in addition to how far they tilt. Traditional analog sticks track angle and distance from center, but this design incorporates contact sensors that detect the force applied when the stick reaches the edge of its range of motion. The sensor placement and internal geometry allow the mechanism to register directional pressure at any angle without the stick shaft directly touching the housing opening.