Asynchronous Team-Based Game

Abstract

An asynchronous, multiplayer gaming platform is disclosed which provides for a collaborative team effort on a shared canvas. Shared elements (e.g., a shared canvas, shared object or a shared inventory) of a game are stored on a computer readable storage medium that is accessible to the players of the team over the network. Data is received from a first player of the team which is indicative of gaming activities modifying the shared elements. The shared elements are updated with the data received from the first player to generate an updated game state. Update data representing the updated game state is transmitted to at least one other player on the team.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for asynchronously providing a game for play by multiple players as a team over a network, the method comprising:
 storing shared elements of an asynchronous game on a computer readable storage medium that is accessible to the players of the team over the network;   receiving data from a first player of the team indicative of gaming activities modifying the shared elements of the game;   updating, with a processor, the shared elements with the data received from the first player to generate an updated game state; and   transmitting update data representing the updated game state to at least one other player on the team.   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising storing a team task which includes a plurality of subtasks that are performed by at least two separate members of the team in order to complete the team task. 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising assigning at least one of the subtasks to a player on the team based on a unique role that is assigned to the player, said role being the only role that can accomplish the subtask. 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising merging the update data into a single presentation for display to the at least one other player during gameplay. 
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising utilizing a jointly owned object in the shared elements that was previously acquired by at least one other player of the team. 
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the shared elements include a shared canvas and the method further comprises modifying the shared canvas in accordance with gaming activities of the first user and including data indicative of the first user's gaming activities in the update data. 
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising determining ghosting information to be transmitted with the update data to the at least one other player to indicate gaming activities engaged in by the first player. 
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising utilizing the ghosting information to display a ghost associated with the first player to the at least one other player and configuring the ghost to be usable by the at least one other player. 
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the shared inventory includes at least one jointly acquired object that is obtained by a collaborative effort of at least two players on the team. 
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the team represents a group of players that play together in a plurality of different games. 
     
     
         11 . A system for providing an asynchronous game to multiple players on a team over a network, comprising:
 a database for storing a shared elements of an asynchronous game that is accessible to the players of the team over the network; and   a server configured to:
 receive data from a first player of the team indicative of gaming activities modifying the shared elements; 
 update the shared elements with the data received from the first player to generate an updated game state; and 
 transmit update data representing the updated game state to at least one other player on the team. 
   
     
     
         12 . The system as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising a team controller, being stored on the server, which is configured to store information relating to a team task on the computer readable storage medium, the team task including a plurality of subtasks that are performed by at least two separate members of the team in order to complete the team task. 
     
     
         13 . The system as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the team controller is further configured to assign at least one of the subtasks to a player on the team based on a unique role that is assigned to the player, said role being the only role that can accomplish the subtask. 
     
     
         14 . The system as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising a merger for merging the update data into a single presentation for display to each user during gameplay. 
     
     
         15 . The system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein each player on the team can utilize the at least one jointly owned object in the shared elements that was previously acquired by at least one other player. 
     
     
         16 . The system as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising a ghost controller configured to determine ghosting information for the at least one other player to indicate gaming activities engaged in by the first player. 
     
     
         17 . The system as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the ghosting information is utilized to display a ghost associated with the first player to the at least one other player, and to configure the ghost for use by the at least one other player. 
     
     
         18 . The system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the shared elements include an inventory having at least one jointly acquired object that is obtained by a collaborative effort of at least two players on the team. 
     
     
         19 . The system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the team represents a group of players that play together in a plurality of different games. 
     
     
         20 . A non-transitory computer storage medium comprising a computer readable program for providing an asynchronous game to multiple players on a team over a network, wherein the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to:
 provide a shared elements to the players of the team over the network;   receive data from a first player of the team indicative of gaming activities modifying the shared elements;   update the shared elements with the data received from the first player to generate an updated game state; and   transmit update data representing the updated game state to at least one other player on the team.