Claims
- 1. A method for dynamically loading game software, comprising:
identifying a load boundary associated with a game environment; monitoring the position of a character in the game environment; and loading instructions corresponding to another game environment into a memory when the character crosses the load boundary, such that game play is not interrupted.
- 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising configuring the memory to include at least two memory segments.
- 3. The method of claim 2, wherein loading the instructions corresponding to the other game environment further comprises:
identifying the other game environment; identifying one of the at least two memory segments that is available for storing the other game environment; loading instructions corresponding to the other game environment to the available memory segment; and executing the other game environment at cessation of the game environment.
- 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the other game environment is an immediate successor level to the game environment.
- 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising restricting movement of the character if loading instructions corresponding to the other game environment is not completed.
- 6. The method of claim 1, wherein a portion of the other game environment is displayed while the character traverses the game environment.
- 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the load boundary is at a midpoint of the game environment.
- 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying continuation points in the game environment.
- 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising continuing loading the instructions corresponding to the other game environment if the character crosses one of the continuation points.
- 10. A system for dynamically loading game software, comprising:
an environment management engine for identifying a load boundary in a game environment, for monitoring the position of a character in the game environment, and for loading instructions corresponding to another game environment when the character crosses the load boundary; and at least two memory segments for storing instructions for the game environment and for receiving and storing the instructions corresponding to the other game environment.
- 11. The system of claim 10, wherein at least one of the game environment, the other game environment, and a previous environment are executed from different memory segments among the at least two memory segments.
- 12. The system of claim 10, wherein the other game environment is loaded to the at least two memory segments by writing over a previous game environment in the at least two memory segments.
- 13. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least two memory segments are included in a main memory.
- 14. The system of claim 10, wherein the load boundary is at a midpoint of the game environment.
- 15. The system of claim 10, wherein the environment management engine is further configured to identify continuation points.
- 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the continuation points trigger continuing the loading the instructions corresponding to the other game environment.
- 17. A method for creating dynamic loading game software, comprising:
calculating a load time of a game environment; setting a duration of another game environment that is equal to at least twice the calculated load time of the game environment; establishing a load boundary at a midpoint of the other game environment; and triggering the game environment to be loaded when a character in the other game environment crosses the load boundary.
- 18. The method of claim 17, wherein load times for the game environment, the other game environment, and a next game environment are equivalent.
- 19. The method of claim 17, wherein load times for the game environment, the other game environment, and a next game environment are not equivalent.
- 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the load time of the game environment increases as a level of difficulty increases.
- 21. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions for dynamically loading game software by performing the steps of:
identifying a load boundary in a game environment; monitoring the position of a character in the game environment; and loading instructions corresponding to another game environment into memory when the character crosses the load boundary, such that game play is not interrupted.
- 22. An apparatus for dynamically loading game software, comprising:
means for identifying a load boundary in a game environment; means for monitoring the position of a character in the game environment; and means for loading instructions corresponding to another game environment into memory when the character crosses the load boundary, such that game play is not interrupted.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/328,479, filed Oct. 10, 2001 and entitled “Dynamic Loading of Game Software for Smooth Game Play,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60328479 |
Oct 2001 |
US |