Systems and Methods for Classifying Computer Video Game Genres Utilizing Multi-Dimensional Cloud Chart

Abstract

Features of electronically embodied games are logically categorized, analyzed, and compared. Features are preferably organized according to a hierarchical classification scheme, according to a classification scheme that is not strictly tautological. All suitable feature sets are contemplated, including sets corresponding to characteristics of personifications of players and non-players, types and/or uses of game space, methods of rewarding a player, etc. In other aspects comparisons are made between an evaluation game and one or more sets of historically available games. Such sets can be grouped by genre and the number of games in such sets can range anywhere from a single game to hundreds of games, or more. Reporting and guidance can include providing a risk assessment score or other risk analysis, feature assessment (prevalence), market placement, business model analysis, dynamic trend analysis, clustered pattern recognition, and image analysis.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A game analysis system for providing a prediction relative to a set of known games, comprising:
 a feature database storing feature data related to known games; and   an analysis tool comprising a processor and computer readable memory storing software instructions, the instructions causing the analysis tool to:
 analyze user-selected categories of feature data of a set of the known games from the feature database by comparing the user-selected categories of feature data of each game of the set to every other of the set to identify one or more patterns; 
 generate a prediction of a change to one or more of the identified patterns over time based on an analysis of past trends in features and their prevalence in the set of known games; and 
 present a dynamic trend analysis report that includes the prediction, wherein the prediction comprises at least one of a recommended feature, a non-recommended feature, and a recommended genre as a function of the identified clustering of the set of known games. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the feature data includes game genre. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more patterns comprise past trends in features and their prevalence. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the past trends indicate expansion of one of the identified patterns in a specific direction. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more patterns comprise past success of each game of the set to every other of the set. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the instructions further cause the analysis tool to analyze user-selected categories of the feature data of the set of the known games using clustered pattern recognition. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the instructions further cause the analysis tool to construct a multi-axis relationship chart of feature sets defined by the user-selected categories of feature data using the clustered pattern recognition, the multi-axis relationship chart based on the set of the known games, each of which is plotted by game genre relative to every other of the set, wherein the multi-axis relationship chart comprises a first cloud that represents a cluster comprising a subset of the set of known games having a first genre;
 identify a position of an evaluation game with respect to the first cloud over time;   predict movement of the first cloud based on the position of the evaluation game with respect to the first cloud over time; and   wherein the dynamic trend analysis report further includes a relationship of the evaluation game with respect to the at least one cloud, the relationship including at least one of identifying new genre of games or new types of features.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the user-selected categories of feature data comprises at least one of the following: a time made available, a publisher, a developer, a title, a brand, a franchise, an absence of a feature, a feature frequency, and a restriction on content. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the prediction comprises recommended and non-recommended features based on sales volumes of each game of the set of known games and its associated feature data. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , where the prediction is based upon an outlier to one or more of the identified patterns. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the prediction is based upon movement of the one or more the identified patterns over time. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the patterns represents a cluster, and wherein the prediction is based upon the cluster. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the prediction comprises a predicted movement of one or more of the identified patterns over time. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the instructions further causing the analysis tool to:
 identify a position of an evaluation game with respect to at least one of the identified patterns;   generate a recommendation based on the position of the evaluation game, wherein the prediction is based on an analysis of past trends in the feature data and their prevalence in the set of known games; and   present a guidance report that includes the recommendation, wherein the recommendation comprises at least one of a recommended feature to include in the evaluation game and a non-recommended feature to include in the evaluation game.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one of the identified patterns comprises a cloud, and wherein the position falls within the cloud, and the guidance report indicates the evaluation game belongs to a genre cloud group. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one of the identified patterns comprises a cloud, and wherein the position falls outside the first cloud, and the guidance report indicates the evaluation game as a breakout from specified genre cloud groups. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the recommendation is based on sales volumes of each game of the set of known games and its associated feature data. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the feature data of existing games comprises at least one of sales data, marketing data, and review data.