US 11,896,905 B2
Methods and systems for continuing to execute a simulation after processing resources go offline
Michael D. Marr, Monroe, WA (US); Keith S. Kaplan, Bothell, WA (US); and Nathan T. Lewis, Woodinville, WA (US)
Assigned to Activision Publishing, Inc., Santa Monica, CA (US)
Filed by Activision Publishing, Inc., Santa Monica, CA (US)
Filed on Nov. 10, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/054,238.
Application 18/054,238 is a continuation of application No. 16/397,741, filed on Apr. 29, 2019, granted, now 11,524,237.
Application 16/397,741 is a continuation of application No. 14/712,359, filed on May 14, 2015, granted, now 10,315,113, issued on Jun. 11, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2023/0108566 A1, Apr. 6, 2023
Int. Cl. A63F 13/00 (2014.01); A63F 13/63 (2014.01); A63F 13/34 (2014.01); A63F 13/358 (2014.01); A63F 13/352 (2014.01); A63F 13/69 (2014.01)
CPC A63F 13/63 (2014.09) [A63F 13/34 (2014.09); A63F 13/352 (2014.09); A63F 13/358 (2014.09); A63F 13/69 (2014.09)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A computer implemented method of simulating a gameplay of a video game with non-player characters (NPCs), the method comprising:
conducting the gameplay of the video game using a plurality of networked end user devices, wherein each of the networked end user devices is adapted to be used by a human player and wherein each of the networked end user devices is configured to communicate with a computer system that is positioned remote from, and is distinct from, the networked end user devices and adapted to host the video game;
determining that one of the plurality of networked end user devices is no longer available to conduct the gameplay of the video game;
generating a specification of one of the NPCs based on a latest known state of said one of the NPCs executing before the one of the plurality of networked end user devices became no longer available;
identifying, by the computer system, a replacement networked end user device;
using the replacement networked end user device together with the remaining plurality of networked end user devices to conduct the gameplay of the video game;
providing the generated specification of the one of the NPCs to the replacement networked end user device;
continuing to conduct, by the computer system, the gameplay session including a simulated gameplay of the one of the NPCs; and
transmitting, from the computer system to each of the plurality of networked end user devices and the replacement networked end user device, the simulated NPC gameplay session, including the simulated gameplay of the one of the NPCs from the replacement networked end user device.