Action charging in a turn-based video game

Abstract

Methods and systems for affecting a power level of an action performed by a character in a video game are disclosed. In a tum-based video game, a player-character may decide whether to instantly perform the action with a default power level, or to delay the action until after another character's turn but with an increased or charged power level. A turn sequence may be displayed as part of the graphical user interface of the video game, and the video game may increment an action meter across the turn sequence based on received user input, thereby providing the player an indication of how much delay the increased or charged power level will cause.

1 . One or more computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions for performing a method for affecting a power level of a character action in a tum-based video game, comprising steps of: 
 determining an initial turn sequence of a plurality of characters in the turn-based video game;    displaying, on a video game display device, a graphical depiction of the turn sequence;    receiving user input corresponding to a first character during the first character's turn;    while receiving the user input, displaying and incrementing an action meter with the turn sequence on the video game display device to provide an indication of a delay that will be associated with the first character's turn upon completion of the user input;    determining a charged action power level based on the received user input; and    reordering the turn sequence based on the received user input.    
   
   
       2 . The computer readable media of  claim 1 , wherein incrementing the action meter comprises incrementing the action meter a predetermined amount for a predetermined amount of time while receiving the user input.  
   
   
       3 . The computer readable media of  claim 1 , further comprising instructions for performing the steps of: 
 receiving a second predetermined input corresponding to the first character for a second turn; and    determining a default action power level based on the second predetermined input.    
   
   
       4 . The computer readable media of  claim 1 , further comprising instructions for reducing the determined action power level to a maximum action power level when the determined action power level would otherwise be above the maximum action power level.  
   
   
       5 . The computer readable media of  claim 4 , wherein the maximum action power level is based on one or more attributes of the first character.  
   
   
       6 . The computer readable media of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more attributes comprise a level of the first character.  
   
   
       7 . The computer readable media of  claim 1 , wherein the turn sequence is based on predetermined time increments.  
   
   
       8 . The computer readable media of  claim 1 , further comprising displaying a reordered turn sequence on the video game display device.  
   
   
       9 . The computer readable media of  claim 8 , wherein the reordered turn sequence comprises a graphical indicator that the first character performed an action charge.  
   
   
       10 . The computer readable media of  claim 9 , wherein the graphical indicator further indicates an amount of the action charge.  
   
   
       11 . The computer readable media of  claim 1 , further comprising instructions for the step of associating a temporary action charge modifier to the first character, wherein the determined charged action power level is further based on the temporary action charge modifier.  
   
   
       12 . The computer readable media of  claim 11 , wherein the temporary action charge modifier comprises a reward resulting in increased action charge ability.  
   
   
       13 . The computer readable media of  claim 11 , wherein the temporary action charge modifier comprises a penalty resulting in decreased action charge ability.  
   
   
       14 . The computer readable media of  claim 11 , wherein the temporary action charge modifier results from the first character interacting with a spell cast in the video game.  
   
   
       15 . The computer readable media of  claim 1 , wherein the action comprises the first character casting a spell in the video game.  
   
   
       16 . A method for affecting a power level of an action performed by a player-character in a turn-based video game, comprising steps of: 
 providing a graphical indication of a sequence of turns for a plurality of players of the tum-based video game, the plurality of players comprising the player-character; and    at a present game time corresponding to a turn of the player-character, receiving user input from a player controlling the player-character, said user input comprising a selection of a choice between performing the action at a default power level at the present game time, and performing the action with a charged power level at a time subsequent to a turn of a next character in the turn sequence.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising, while receiving the user input, dynamically increasing an action meter across the sequence of turns, wherein a size of the meter is based on an amount of time the user input is received.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of player characters further comprises a second player-character.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of player characters consists of only non-player-characters in addition to the player-character.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising reordering the sequence of turns based on a location of the action meter when the user input ceases.