System for Pre-Caching Game Content Based on Game Selection Probability

Abstract

A system for serving digital games to clients has an Internet-connected server, a digital data repository coupled to the Internet-connected server, the data repository storing digital resources for playing a plurality of games on a computerized appliance; and software executing on the Internet-connected server from a non-transitory physical medium, the software providing a first function determining for a specific client a list of games by probability of subsequent client selection, a second function causing transmission of resources for the list of games determined by the first function, directed to a computerized appliance associated with client, beginning with the most probable game in the list.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for serving digital games to clients comprising:
 an Internet-connected server;   a digital data repository coupled to the Internet-connected server, the data repository storing digital resources for playing a plurality of games on a computerized appliance; and   software executing on the Internet-connected server from a non-transitory physical medium, the software providing:   a first function determining for a specific client a list of games by probability of subsequent client selection; and   a second function causing transmission of resources for the list of games determined by the first function, directed to a computerized appliance associated with client, beginning with the most probable game in the list.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data repository includes client game-selection history, and probability of game selection is based in part on the client game selection history. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data repository includes client demographics, and probability of game selection is based in part on the client demographics. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data repository includes statistics regarding game popularity among multiple clients, and probability for game selection is based in part on the popularity statistics. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data repository includes information on game component purchase history, and probability of game selection is based in part on the game component purchase history for the client. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the resources comprise one or more of metadata, scripting, images, audio, and game objects. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein resources from more than one game are transmitted serially from most probable to least probable for the listed games. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein resources from more than one game are transmitted in parallel, sharing a single path or over plural pathways. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a selection feedback channel for reporting client game selection in real time. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein client navigation is tracked in a game, and the probability of game selection in based in part on the client navigation. 
     
     
         11 . A method for serving digital games to clients comprising the steps of:
 (a) determining for a specific client a list of games by probability of subsequent client selection;   (b) causing transmission of resources for the list of games determined by the first function, directed to a computerized appliance associated with specific client, beginning with the most probable game in the list.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein determination in step (a) includes client game-selection history. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein determination in step (a) includes client demographics. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein determination in step (a) includes statistics regarding game popularity among multiple clients. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein determination in step (a) includes information on game component purchase history. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the resources comprise one or more of metadata, scripting, images, audio, and game objects. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein resources from more than one game are transmitted serially from most probable to least probable for the listed games. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein resources from more than one game are transmitted in parallel, sharing a single path or over plural pathways. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising gathering client game selection in real time via a feedback channel. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein client navigation is tracked in a game, and the probability of game selection in based in part on the client navigation.