FF14 is World Breaking and Just got a Patent

[Toutatis]

I don't see anywhere in that patent being specifically connected to FFXIV. Also, that description seems to involve augmented reality gaming which FFXIV is not.

To say nothing of gaming companies patenting technologies connected to their games all the time (and are always sueing each other accordingly) - a FF specific example is SE patented the old Active Time Battle system used in the pre FFX FF games, so this is hardly unusual anyway.

^ This. Op is totally misunderstanding the terms of the patent. Has nothing to do with FFXIV. The key is here and everything has to be read within this context:

A non-transitory computer-readable medium including a video game processing program for causing a server to perform functions to control progress of a video game using a virtual space corresponding to map information of a real space and positional information of a user terminal of a user is provided

[TempusFinis]

^ This. Op is totally misunderstanding the terms of the patent. Has nothing to do with FFXIV. The key is here and everything has to be read within this context:

It states the virtual information maybe tied to real world information (See Page 18, Column 5, Lines 50-54 in PDF below)

However, the arranging unit 11 may be configured so that a coordinate in the real space and a coordinate in the virtual space are defined in a one-to-one relationship, or may be configured so that the coordinates are defined in a plural-to-one relationship or a one-to-plural relationship.

It clearly states in one of the embodiments being used on stationary game apparatus (See Page 19, Column 7, Lines 15-21 in PDF below)

As the other examples of the user terminal, there are one obtained by combining various kinds of communication terminals, a personal computer, and a stationary game apparatus.

It's clear you could play this gaming invention at your house on PC and never move, and the server will still generate an environment for your character shown in Figures 14 and 15 on Pages 10 and 11.

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsea...adPdf/11654360

Again, I would highlight that this patent is very broad and very detailed on the different embodiments which it protects.

I think it could be applied to FF14, because we do have region locked content based on where our stationary game apparatus are located and one-to-plural relationship with the in-game environment, and in-game objects that are region locked.

In addition, I don't see anything in the patent or cited references about Augmented Reality. Everything is done in-game on the server, not on pictures, videos, or photos...

Ultimately, we would not know for sure until FF14 and Square Enix used a 'Virtual Patent Marking' to indicate so.

Your thoughts?

[Jojoya]

Square Enix has multiple patents related to video game technology. You just need to know the names of the subsidiary holdings companies they use for the patents to find them (Square Enix will usually be in the name but won't be the entirety of the name).

I don't get why you think this one is so amazing that it needs to be mentioned.

[Toutatis]

It states the virtual information maybe tied to real world information (See Page 18, Column 5, Lines 50-54 in PDF below)

It clearly states in one of the embodiments being used on stationary game apparatus (See Page 19, Column 7, Lines 15-21 in PDF below)

It's clear you could play this gaming invention at your house on PC and never move, and the server will still generate an environment for your character shown in Figures 14 and 15 on Pages 10 and 11.

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsea...adPdf/11654360

Again, I would highlight that this patent is very broad and very detailed on the different embodiments which it protects.

I think it could be applied to FF14, because we do have region locked content based on where our stationary game apparatus are located and one-to-plural relationship with the in-game environment, and in-game objects that are region locked.

In addition, I don't see anything in the patent or cited references about Augmented Reality. Everything is done in-game on the server, not on pictures, videos, or photos...

Ultimately, we would not know for sure until FF14 and Square Enix used a 'Virtual Patent Marking' to indicate so.

Again, you are reading this wrong and you are misinterpreting a document you do not understand. It is definitely not about FFXIV nor about region locks and it revolves around “using a virtual space corresponding to map information of a real space”. As for stationary PC or devices, it explains how it can be done (players could chose a place). Please stop taking a few lines completely out of context to invent a fake story for the forums.

Also look at the cited references (Pokemo Go, Dragon Quest Walk)

[Renalt]

I don't like patents in gaming. Want an example? The Nemesis system in Shadows of Mordor/War. It's an amazing system that is dead because nothing is being done with it.

[Jeeqbit]

Many companies make patents but other companies still compete with it without issue so unless someone just steals their exact version of it, they aren't likely to have any trouble.

Big companies such as facebook came along and made patents for lots of basic internet features that had been around for years (such as forum and blog features) that probably wouldn't even hold up in court if they tried. Big companies do this but if they went to court over it, they would probably lose, so it's just something they do for symbolism to act like a king and say these are my jewels or to try and push competitors away from their territory.

[Saraide]

Many companies make patents but other companies still compete with it without issue so unless someone just steals their exact version of it, they aren't likely to have any trouble.

Big companies such as facebook came along and made patents for lots of basic internet features that had been around for years (such as forum and blog features) that probably wouldn't even hold up in court if they tried. Big companies do this but if they went to court over it, they would probably lose, so it's just something they do for symbolism to act like a king and say these are my jewels or to try and push competitors away from their territory.

If the case isnt actually open and shut only someone extremely foolish would attempt to fight one of the tech giants in court. That stuff is expensive. The result is an overcentralization that is just one brain dead manchild from an apartheid emerald mine owner away from driving it all headfirst into a wall with no competition in place.