Methods, computer-progam products, and systems for implementing a colonial relationship in a multiplayer online game

Abstract

One aspect of the invention provides a method for implementing a colonial relationship in a multiplayer online game. The method includes: receiving instructions from a first entity to attack a second entity; determining whether the first entity's attack is successful; and if the first entity's attack is successful, establishing a colonial relationship between the second entity and the first entity, wherein a portion of production of the second entity is transferred to the first entity.

1 . A computer-implemented method for implementing a colonial relationship in a multiplayer online game, the method comprising:
 receiving instructions on a computer from a first entity to attack a second entity;   determining on the computer whether the first entity's attack is successful; and   if the first entity's attack is successful, establishing a colonial relationship between the second entity and the first entity, wherein a portion of production of the second entity is transferred to the first entity.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving instructions from the second entity to institute an uprising; and   determining whether the second entity's uprising is successful; and   if the uprising is successful, terminating the colonial relationship.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving instructions from the first entity to terminate the colonial relationship; and   terminating the colonial relationship.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving instructions from a third entity to attack the second entity;   determining whether the third entity's attack is successful; and   if the third entity's attack is successful, establishing a colonial relationship between the second entity and the third entity, wherein a portion of production of the second entity is transferred to the third entity.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving instructions from a fourth entity to attack the first entity;   determining whether the fourth entity's attack is successful; and   if the fourth entity's attack is successful:
 establishing a colonial relationship between the fourth entity and the first entity, wherein a portion of production of the first entity is transferred to the fourth entity; and 
 terminating the colonial relationship between the first entity and the second entity. 
   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving instructions from the second entity to offer a reward for assistance;   transmitting the offer to a plurality of entities;   receiving instructions from a fifth entity to assist the second entity in an uprising;   determining whether the second entity's uprising is successful; and   if the uprising is successful:
 terminating the colonial relationship; and 
 transferring the reward from the second entity to the fifth entity. 
   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining whether the first entity is eligible to enter a colonial relationship.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the determining step includes assessing whether the first entity holds a required credential. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the required credential is a title. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the determining step includes calculating whether the number of colonial relationships held by the first entity equals or exceeds a defined threshold. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the determining step includes assessing whether the first entity is a beginner, on vacation mode, or in a truce. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining whether the second entity is eligible to enter a colonial relationship.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the determining step includes assessing whether the second entity is a beginner, on vacation mode, an ally of the first entity, or a historic entity. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining whether the first entity and the second entity are commonly-owned.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first entity can designate the portion of production transferred from the second entity. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first entity is user-controlled. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second entity is user-controlled. 
     
     
         18 . A computer program product comprising non-transitory and tangible computer-usable medium having control logic stored therein for causing a computer to implement a method for implementing a colonial relationship in a multiplayer online game, the control logic comprising:
 first computer-readable program code for causing the computer to receive instructions from a first entity to attack a second entity;   second computer-readable program code for causing the computer to determine whether the first entity's attack is successful; and   third computer-readable program code for causing the computer to, if the first entity's attack is successful, establish a colonial relationship between the second entity and the first entity, wherein a portion of production of the second entity is transferred to the first entity.   
     
     
         19 . The computer program product of  claim 18 , wherein the first entity and the second entity are user-controlled. 
     
     
         20 . A system for implementing a colonial relationship in a multiplayer online game, the system comprising:
 a server configured to:
 receive instructions from a first entity to attack a second entity; 
 determine whether the first entity's attack is successful; and 
 if the first entity's attack is successful, establishing a colonial relationship between the second entity and the first entity, wherein a portion of production of the second entity is transferred to the first entity.