Solution for enhancing the user experience of an electronic game by making user-created game data available in context during gameplay

Abstract

The present invention discloses a system for enhancing a user's experience in an electronic game by dynamically incorporating user-created tag data. Such a system can include an electronic game application running on a network-capable computing device, a game tag monitor, and a game tag information coordinator. The game tag monitor can be configured to accept and present user-created game tag data within the electronic game application. User created game tag data can also be received outside a gameplay situation using a suitable game tagging interface. The game tag data can be presented dynamically based on the current context of the game. The game tag information coordinator can be configured to provide the game tag monitor with game tag data and receive new game tag data from the game tag monitor.

1 . A system for enhancing user experience in an electronic game by dynamically incorporating user-created tag data comprising:
 an electronic game application running on a network-capable computing device;   a game tag monitor configured to accept and present user-created game tag data within the electronic game application, wherein game tag data is presented dynamically based on a game context; and   a game tag information coordinator configured to interact with the game tag monitor, wherein an interaction with the game tag monitor includes at least one of accepting new user-created game tag data and conveying existing user-created game tag data.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the game tag monitor further comprises:
 a tag creation interface configured to accept user-entered game tag data.   
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the game tag information coordinator further comprises:
 a tag creation interface configured to accept user-entered game tag data;   a game tag engine configured to catalog a new user-created game tag data for storage, wherein cataloging aggregates related game tag data; and   an accuracy calculator configured to determine an accuracy rating for the new user-created game tag data, wherein a determination utilizes at least one of historical user data and ratings by other users.   
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the accuracy rating is stored as an element of the game tag data. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the accuracy rating represents a level of usefulness and correctness for the new game tag data. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the game tag information coordinator is a component of a community-based game information server, wherein access to game tag data requires a registration with the game information server. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the game tag monitor is an embedded component of the electronic game application. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the network-capable computing device is one of a mobile phone, a personal computer, a video game console, a laptop computer, and a hand-held video game device. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the game context includes at least one of a game scene, a game time counter, a visual game element, and a triggered game element. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein game tag data includes at least one of a game tip, a game trick, a game cheat, a game hint, and a set of game instructions. 
   
   
       11 . A method for enhancing user experience in an electronic game by dynamically incorporating user-created tag data comprising:
 a game tag monitor monitoring an electronic game application;   conveying a request to a game tag information coordinator for game tag data that is applicable to a current game context of the electronic game application;   when applicable game tag data exists, the game tag information coordinator retrieving said applicable game tag data;   the game tag information coordinator sending the applicable game tag data to the game tag monitor; and   the game tag monitor presenting the received applicable game tag data in the electronic game application.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 the game tag monitor receiving a user-request to add game tag data;   the game tag monitor invoking a tag creation interface;   the game tag monitor receiving a request to save user-inputted game tag data;   the game tag monitor conveying the user-inputted game tag data to the game tag information coordinator;   the game tag information coordinator calculating an accuracy rating for the user-inputted game tag data;   the game tag information coordinator cataloging the user-inputted game tag data; and   the game tag information coordinator storing the user-inputted game tag data and its associated accuracy rating, wherein the user-inputted game tag data is stored with existing user-created game tag data for the current game context.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein a calculation of the accuracy rating utilizes at least one of historical user data and ratings by other users. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the accuracy rating represents a level of usefulness and correctness for the user-inputted game tag data. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the current game context includes at least one of a game scene, a game time counter, a visual game element, and a triggered game element. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the game tag information coordinator is a component of a community-based game information server, wherein access to game tag data requires a registration with the game information server. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said steps of  claim 11  are performed by at least one machine in accordance with at least one computer program stored in a computer readable media, said computer programming having a plurality of code sections that are executable by the at least one machine. 
   
   
       18 . A community-enhanced gaming system comprising:
 a community-based game information server configured to collect and distribute game tag data; and   an electronic game system configured to interact with the game information server and present game tag data.   
   
   
       19 . The gaming system of  claim 18 , wherein the game information server further comprises:
 a game tag information coordinator configured to catalog new user-created game tag data for storage, wherein cataloging aggregates related game tag data, and determine an accuracy rating for new user-created game tag data.   
   
   
       20 . The gaming system of  claim 18 , wherein the electronic game system further comprises:
 an electronic game application running on a network-capable computing device; and   a game tag monitor configured to dynamically present game tag data in the electronic game application based on a game context of the electronic game application.