Activision Games May Let Spectators Influence Players’ Gameplay

The patent could change the way spectators interact with streamers.

Story Highlights

  • Activision’s new patent wants to let spectators influence the gameplay of other users in real time. Viewers are currently limited in how they can provide input to the user.
  • The new system will let viewers use a voting system to choose which event takes place for the user who is currently playing the game, allowing viewers to actively participate.
  • The created events can range from natural disasters to other features that alter gameplay. The spectators can also receive rewards, possibly based on their location, for spectating the players.
  • The company has also previously patented similar ideas and other innovative features that could change the gaming industry.

Activision has recently published a patent that wants to further dynamize the relationship between the spectators and players in games. The patent talks about actively involving the spectators with the streamer of a multiplayer game. In other words, the viewers who are not currently playing the game and instead watching others can alter their gameplay.

The patent dubbed “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENABLING REMOTE VIEWERS TO PARTICIPATE IN A MULTI-PLAYER VIDEO GAME PLAY SESSION” will grant spectators the ability to influence in-game events in real-time while watching a live stream of a multiplayer title. It will let viewers use a voting system to select which event happens for the user who is currently playing the game, allowing them to actively participate.

The present specification describes systems and methods that enable non-players to participate as spectators in online video games and, through a collective voting mechanism, determine the occurrence of certain events or contents of the gameplay in real time,” reads the patent.

The flowchat shows a method to add spectator inputs into gameplay.
The flowchart shows a method to add spectator inputs into gameplay.

Activision argues that the current relationship between spectators and players is not as dynamic as it can be. Viewers who prefer watching gameplay are currently limited in how they can engage with or provide input to the user.

There is also a need for systems and methods that encourage live participation from viewers and that also keep online or remote spectators engaged. Such a system would not only allow the users to participate as spectators in video games, but also enable them to contribute towards the events or contents of the gameplay in real time.”

The flowchart shows method of generating a video game stream.
The flowchart shows a method of generating a video game stream.

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Activision clarifies that each viewer of the gameplay will receive a menu with all the choices for possible gameplay events listed. Each user can vote for their favorite choice, and the gaming event generated as a result would cater to the most-voted option. The user playing the game could be affected in various ways depending on the gaming event.

The company notes that it can range from natural disasters, such as “earthquakes, meteor showers, storms, rain, wind, fires, lightning,” and more. The gameplay can also be altered by less harmful or even beneficial changes for the player. Moreover, spectators can also receive rewards for participating in viewing the gameplay, as per the patent. 

The flowchart discusses the operation of an audience monitoring engine.
The flowchart discusses the operation of an audience monitoring engine.

All in all, we suggest taking the patent with a grain of salt; the publisher may never decide to integrate it into any of its upcoming games after all. Activision has previously secured a similar patent to make the gameplay more intuitive, patenting to let non-MVPs decide and control specific bonus matches for MVPs of the round. 

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Source
Patentscope

Shameer Sarfaraz is a Senior News Writer on eXputer who loves to keep up with the gaming and entertainment industries devoutly. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science and several years of experience reporting on games. Besides his passion for breaking news stories, Shahmeer loves spending his leisure time farming away in Stardew Valley. VGC, IGN, GameSpot, Game Rant, TheGamer, GamingBolt, The Verge, NME, Metro, Dot Esports, GameByte, Kotaku Australia, PC Gamer, and more have cited his articles.

Experience: 4+ Years || Education: Bachelor in Computer Science.

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