Systems and methods for a gaming platform

Abstract

Methods and systems, according to various embodiments, are provided for a gaming platform that includes one or more various features including a sector navigator, a noise channel, and/or pods. The gaming platform can optionally be implemented as an online game that is accessible through a traditional browser or other application capable of accessing content on the Internet. Additionally, methods and systems for smart loading the gaming sectors and pods are provided such that a user of the game is subjected to minimal gameplay delays waiting for content to load.

1 . A gaming platform comprising:
 a main gaming area;   a plurality of sectors, each of which can be displayed within the main gaming area; and   a sector navigator for moving game play from a first sector to a second sector.   
   
   
       2 . The gaming platform of  claim 1  wherein the sector navigator includes a plurality of links, wherein each link represents a sector within the game. 
   
   
       3 . The gaming platform of  claim 2  wherein the sector navigator is a visual representation of each of the plurality of sectors. 
   
   
       4 . The gaming platform of  claim 1  wherein the sector navigator includes a non-enabled link to a sector that is unavailable to a user. 
   
   
       5 . The gaming platform of  claim 1  wherein the sector navigator provides a visual indication of what is taking place within a sector. 
   
   
       6 . A method of providing navigation for a game comprising:
 displaying a first sector of the game within a main gaming area;   receiving an input at a sector navigator to move to another sector; and   displaying a second sector of the game within the main gaming area in response to receiving the input.   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the sector navigator includes a plurality of links, wherein each link represents a sector within the game. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the step of receiving an input includes selection of one of the plurality of links. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the sector navigator is a visual representation of a plurality of sectors of the game. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising enabling a non-enable link within the sector navigator to provide access to a sector that was unavailable to a user. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 6  providing a visual indication within the sector navigator corresponding to an event that is taking place within a sector. 
   
   
       12 . A gaining platform comprising:
 a main gaming area; and   a noise channel displayed within a portion of the main gaming area, the noise channel providing content to a user that is related to a game being played within the main gaming area.   
   
   
       13 . The gaming platform of  claim 12  wherein the noise channel provides video clips, commercials, advertisements or news from the game. 
   
   
       14 . The gaming platform of  claim 12  wherein the noise channel includes a monitor area for displaying the content. 
   
   
       15 . The gaming platform of  claim 14  wherein the noise channel further includes a ticker and an alert window. 
   
   
       16 . The gaming platform of  claim 12  wherein the noise channel further includes a menu which allows for selection of content that has been or can be displayed in the noise channel. 
   
   
       17 . The gaming platform of  claim 12  wherein the noise channel cannot be turned off by a user. 
   
   
       18 . A method of providing content to a user of a game comprising:
 providing gameplay within a main gaming area;   providing a noise channel within a portion of the main gaming area; and   providing content through the noise channel, the content corresponding to the gameplay within the main gaming area.   
   
   
       19 . The gaming platform of  claim 18  further comprising providing video clips, commercials, advertisements or news from the game through the noise channel. 
   
   
       20 . The gaming platform of  claim 18  further comprising providing an alert to a user through an alert window of the noise channel. 
   
   
       21 . The gaming platform of  claim 18  further comprising:
 receiving an input for selecting content from a menu of the noise channel; and   providing the selected content in the noise channel in response to the received input.   
   
   
       22 . The gaming platform of  claim 18  wherein the noise channel cannot be turned off by a user. 
   
   
       23 . A method of smart loading an online game comprising:
 loading a first sector, wherein gameplay starts in the first sector of the game;   determining a second sector to load based upon a likelihood that a user will navigating to the second sector instead of a third sector upon leaving the first sector; and   loading the second sector of the game before loading the third sector of the game.   
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the determining step is based upon the behavior of the user during prior gaming sessions. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the determining step is based upon statistical behavior of other users of the online game. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 23  further comprising loading a plurality of pods in sequential order based upon a determination of the most likely pods to be first needed by the user. 
   
   
       27 . A gaming platform comprising:
 a main gaming area; and   a first pod displayed within a portion of the main gaming area, wherein the pod is a user movable object that appears above the main gaming area.   
   
   
       28 . The gaming platform of  claim 27  wherein the first pod is specific to a certain sector of a game. 
   
   
       29 . The gaming platform of  claim 27  wherein the first pod is persistent within at least two sectors within the gaming area. 
   
   
       30 . The gaming platform of  claim 27  further comprising:
 a second pod displayed within a portion of the main gaming area;   wherein the first pod is a parent pod and the second pod is a child pod.   
   
   
       31 . The gaming platform of  claim 30  wherein an event in the first pod causes a content update in the second pod. 
   
   
       32 . The gaming platform of  claim 30  wherein an event in the second pod causes a content update in the first pod.