Nintendo patent details in-game walk-throughs

Wii maker's "Kind Code" system seeks to add ways for action-oriented games to be broken up into easily digestible scenes.

Lowering the barrier to entry has been one of Nintendo's central design philosophies when making Wii games for the nontraditional gaming crowd. Now, it appears as if the game maker is considering ways to extend this mentality outside the realm of games such as Wii Music and into its more action-oriented offerings such as Zelda and Super Mario Bros.

Three ways to "play."

Last year, preeminent Nintendo designer Shigeru Miyamoto filed an application to patent a "Kind Code" system with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. That patent application, which was only just recently made public through the USPTO's online database, describes an in-game walk-through and scene-select system that would specifically apply to games that fall into the genre of "a role-playing game, an action adventure game, and an action role-playing game."

Specifically, the application notes that, for some gamers, a lengthy story or challenging puzzles may prevent some gamers from seeing a game to its conclusion. Although in-game hints have already been established to compensate for challenging puzzles, the patent application claims that a drawn-out story mode may put off some players, even if the difficulty level has been reduced.

Jump to any scene at the touch of a button.

Therefore the new patent would create a way for players to watch prerecorded footage of the game being played. The application notes that if a game is played in such a fashion, gamers would not be able to save their progress. Gamers would be able to jump into and out of the action when they so desire, which would be facilitated by a scene-selection menu.

Given that the Wii is notorious for its built-in memory restrictions, the patent application also notes that the saved-game data would be served through a network, making it "unnecessary to include the digest saved-data in the game program" and "possible to reduce a storage capacity necessary for a storage medium."

113 Comments

  • star77241

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 6:35 pm PT

    What do you mean entertainment center? There's nothing except games on the Wii. It doesn't even play DVDs. It can't be a center if it only has one type of entertainment.

  • Kal_Thull

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 5:57 pm PT

    If you look at your history, Nintendo has never been a "gaming system", but more of a "entertainment center". They should really think about changing that for core gamers out there everywhere.

  • WASDPwned

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 5:57 pm PT

    Wait...didn't Alone in the Dark do something like this?

  • Binarynova

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 3:50 pm PT

    I already got off the "Wii Train" before it reached the "Enhanced Wii-Remote Addon Station". But I hope that Nintendo's new target audience will enjoy this feature. I'll stick with old-school emulators and my XBox 360.

  • okassar

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 2:01 pm PT

    That is just lame,Nintendo stop trying to be "innovative,"everything you do is just coming across as gimmicky to core gamers.You might be making good money now,but even the people who are buying the Wii are realizing how much they were ripped off and how gimmicky your marketing scheme is,just please stop lol,you definitely lost my,and many others', trust and loyalty

  • daveg1

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 8:49 am PT

    what ever happened to difficulty?? lame from nintendo..i enjoy finding things out for my self playing a game..this is only for the casuals who are killing the games industry for us who have been playing it for years..its going to end up catered for people who normaly dont even bother!

  • tu2pac

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 8:22 am PT

    Leave it to Nintendo to over simplify a game (** cough Wii Music **cough). Silly idea, I play games for a challenge. If I hit a puzzle or boss that makes me take a step back and think, then hats off to the development staff (Valkyria Chronicles).

    LOL .. can you imagine a world full of nothing but games like Wii Music ... lol.

  • marty352

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 7:45 am PT

    Not sure i like the idea of this, ye ok this will help the casual gamer out if they get stuck but this also ruins the experience for the core gamer. I like to see a game through from start to finish and its an added bonus to get unlockables its a reward for sticking with it, thats also another thing i like about the achievment points system it makes you play a game and discover more. I hope this idea doesn't become the norm and for god sake not to Zelda please!

  • Zacek1000

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 6:01 am PT

    I don't know what to think. Let's give them time.

  • kmalyan

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 2:30 am PT

    Once people buy a game, they can play it as they want. If they want to spend $100 on a game, skip to the last boss and think they have completed it - good luck to them. It does not stop how YOU play the game

  • maxgil2

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 2:27 am PT

    The only game that has annoyed me the most is Wild Arms 3 - you hav to scan to find a town eventho you're alredy @ the location?

    Re-read & looks like Ninti is trying toddlerrise their games then its ashame. Appealling to casuals is one thing, but this is crap.

  • mergalthorpe

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 1:27 am PT

    Why is this patentable? It doesn't seem nearly specific enough to me. Reeks of that Worlds.com crap.

    I don't see why any of you are surprised. Casual gamers are the future of the industry, like it or not. If anyone doubts that, go check the Wii sales numbers. They're still selling every unit they can make. In a depression. If that's not an indication of where console games are going, I don't know what is. If giving an episodic option to movie-like games will keep Nintendo in business, more power to them.

    I also don't see why you're all offended. It's not like they're adding this to some MMO where a newbie could just click a couple of buttons and jump to level INFINITE POWER. It's for single player games. A lot of this is like arguing that the existence of GameFAQs makes games easier. It does only if you choose to use it. It doesn't weaken YOUR experience if YOU don't choose to use it. Shouldn't that be the grounds on which you judge a game?

  • Henninger

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 12:30 am PT

    Im a Nintendo fan but this i disagree with. Games were meant 2 b played thru no matter how hard u think it is. Thats y this site & others were made if u needed help with how 2 beat a certain game. 2 make this application & just skip levels u deem 2 hard is bull****.

  • X-RS

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 7:00 pm PT

    im really not sure i fully see what miyamoto has in mind, it just sounds like more cheapness for general audience.

  • acsam12304

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 5:56 pm PT

    this is so stupid. skip levels of the game and start from any level you want? wow just wow!. ok ill start from the last level oh i dont know how to do this and im to lazy and such a noob to try to figuer it out. i know i will hit the help button and see how they show me how to do it.

    this is also stupid on there part. no one will want to buy there games anymore cuz everyone will just beat the game in a day and reuturn it. lets say this will help boost rental sales.

  • Kowpow

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 5:26 pm PT

    Legend Of O O was much more news worthy...

  • EternalYoshi

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 3:34 pm PT

    This is not a good idea. Nintendo. This will reduce the disc space you have to work with and spoil plot points, side quests and boss fights. We already have the internet for help with our gameplay.

    Also, you re going to spoil your audience this way, which will not help you or them in the long term.

  • Apathetic

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 2:20 pm PT

    What next? Will we just have movies of people playing games rather than playing them ourselves? Guess ill be buying SSBB the movie next cycle.

  • Timstuff

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 11:31 am PT

    I guess Nintendo has decided that it wasn't enough just to alienate core gamers by releasing no games that we like. Now they're saying "Okay, we'll release some hardcore games, but only if they're easy enough for n00bz to play too!" This is beyond moronic, and Nintendo knows it but they are too arrogant and money-minded to care. This is why hardcore gamers hate Nintendo-- Nintendo has no interest in serving them, but still have the arrogance to claim that they do.

  • JDWolfie

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 9:02 am PT

    The 360 has already mastered this practically since launch. They should do what they do. Go on an online account, download the video and delete it when you are done with it. For Wii to play online is free, so what's stopping them? They post walkthroughs for the hardcore games which are harder so why can't Wii just do the same thing?

  • 2w-sephiroth

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 8:42 am PT

    interesting... something like this was released in-game with Myst 4, Revelations. Some puzzles would be quite hard, but there was this in game hint system that you could easily use if in desperation, and the way it worked is: they would give you a slight hint, if you dont succeed then a more comprehensive explanation, if after that you are still clueless they would then explain exactly what you have to do for every puzzle in game (in the options section). It should be like that, just to make sure they dont spoil too much the casuals... and just to not spoil the fun of finding out your self on how to complete the game with a little bit of hint help as a starting moment. I remember having the zelda guide book with ocarina of time and I remember using it heavily. Now of course I am sad that I dint find my self how to finish the game freely, exploring and finding out how to do everything using inteligence and the sences.

  • bcelmo

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 3:17 am PT

    this kind of patents ruin the industry and limits the possibilities for future devs to do things in their games ... imagine a new game in a few years that has prerecorded footage of the game being played and the devs being sued by Nintendo for breaking their patent. That could also apply to the prerecorded demos from Quake that were playing in background or from Cave arcade shmups. No software patents should be a standard everywhere. I hate american law

  • silentmage_245

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 2:19 am PT

    So its cheating?

  • kavadias1981

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 1:43 am PT

    I dont get it.

  • gameking5000

    Posted Jan 12, 2009 11:04 pm PT

    Finally I don't have to be going to websites for help. Hope it will be released soon

  • xdeiri

    Posted Jan 12, 2009 10:47 pm PT

    nintendo is reminding me of that black bird (crow or something) in Warner Bros cartoons.so quiet, small and underestimated. just imagine the scene where tow big animals are fighting like the cartoons(sony and microsoft) then come the quit bird they look at him with disrespect, wtf are you doing here, the scene is gone then you here a punching sound, and the bird walk away after beating the crap out of them.lol
    dont forget the funky music.and the funny walk

  • xdeiri posted Jan 12, 2009 10:36 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    xdeiri

    Posted Jan 12, 2009 10:36 pm PT (hide)

    revolutionary NINTENDO as usual

  • Junior_AIN

    Posted Jan 12, 2009 9:23 pm PT

    lol!

    I needed to be Nintendo huh? This goes against everything I ever had as "gaming" in my life, and it comes from the company that I respected the most.

  • MKirby

    Posted Jan 12, 2009 8:50 pm PT

    "Specifically, the application notes that, for some gamers, a lengthy story or challenging puzzles may prevent some gamers from seeing a game to its conclusion."

    If you're too impatient for lengthy stories and challenging puzzles, wouldn't a simpler solution be to just not play the game?

    Way to go Nintendo, you've patented a way for gamers to watch games being played instead of actually playing them. Though, I suppose after Wii Music this was the next logical step (if you want to call that logical).

    Alternately, it looks like a way to get in on the video walkthru racket, which most likely will lead to "unauthorized" walkthrus on YouTube being taken down.

  • Zakukun

    Posted Jan 12, 2009 7:19 pm PT

    If this gives developers an excuse to focus on more difficulty options and falling back on the Kind Code for the more casual players, I'm all for it. Any bit of leg room for the developers to make they games more to how THEY want to make them, not how the audience wants them. It's a solid idea. Let's see them implement it properly, though.

  • MamoruNoHakkyou

    Posted Jan 12, 2009 7:15 pm PT

    I get the frustration. I also understand and hope that, if used, this turns into something that leads to more numerous and difficult (instead of mind numbingly easy) games being released.

  • Media_Mind

    Posted Jan 12, 2009 6:47 pm PT

    could be the next big idea

  • gcrono

    Posted Jan 12, 2009 6:42 pm PT

    this is really a good idea, because it is already happen for example there are a lot of YouTube videos that tell you how to do X task on X game so they just are bringing this to the game itself and if you don’t want it you don’t have to use it, just like Gamefaqs (its not like I use it for my games but if I want it I could)

  • Bigslice

    Posted Jan 12, 2009 6:31 pm PT

    I completely agree with you fauljosh. Many people complain that games are too easy... but those games are easy because companies need to make money off of the casual gamer because they are so numerous. However, the casual gamer is easily frustrated and if they get frustrated they a) stop playing b) associate that kind of game in a negative manner, thus preventing further purchases. Hardcore gamers love the challenge, but fewer games challenge them. However, Nintendo found a way around this. Create a difficult game with a built in "skip" function for difficult parts. Casual gamers get all the story/challenge they crave and hardcore gamers get the same. It's a best of both worlds atmosphere. And to all these people shouting "youtube, youtube" or "gamefaqs, gamefaqs" they forget... the casual gamer isn't going to get frustrated and then do research, they just stop playing and forget about the game. That does no company any good, finished games mean repeat customers and like the drug industry, the real money is in the return visit.

  • fauljosh

    Posted Jan 12, 2009 6:01 pm PT

    How can anyone think this is a bad idea? It's freaking brilliant!! Pure genius. You must not understand it if you don't like it. It means Nintendo can make hardcore games and make them as difficult as they desire. But ANYONE can play that game because there's a built in system to guide you threw any part you get stuck on. But ONLY IF YOU WANT TO USE IT. It means no game ever has to be dumbed down.

  • KhanhAgE

    Posted Jan 12, 2009 5:43 pm PT

    I guess Zelda ain't gonna be about exploring and figuring things out for yourself anymore.

  • hatieshorrer

    Posted Jan 12, 2009 5:34 pm PT

    I think this might be great for speed running games like metroid such as you could restart after completing any boss instead of just the last place you saved. I oftenly find myself doing one path on a metroid game repeatedly just for the one time I think its significantly less time then the others.

  • WiihatMii

    Posted Jan 12, 2009 5:32 pm PT

    I should like me for maybe a bit difficult to understand English apologize, but I have this post with Google can translate the work and unfortunately (yet) be faulty. ;-)

    No matter what you may think of this, I find it alarming that the Casualisierung again the first is, what about new games ever spoken. I think that Nintendo very deep in this madness lies, everything is always easier and easier to make and completely loses sight that this is not only wants but none that it is also slowly undermining what the games all about.

    My first thought: hair precisely this concept was about two years ago in a letter to the Gamepro called the massive criticism from other readers had to be inserted. The objective is clear: They want the last Noop the opportunity to complete the game can be. This has added little to do with the original idea of games as a challenge to do but it shows clearly that the focus of today's games and more experience on stage than on the real overcoming a given task. The following list shows that the passive and less games will be challenging.

    The fact that many players this angewiedert be averted. That is why it is absolutely vital that it rewards and exclusive extras for players who do not make use thereof. It is hardly a rich, this is to prove itself. If Nintendo even these Inahalte the Mies Nullcheckern would like to make available at least one would be available statistics not bad. Otherwise, it is quite unsatisfactory, unnecessarily and without the reward challenges. As such, I find this concept is not bad. Each and everyone absolutely deserves it, the end of a game to see. Therefore, it is laudable, this target group to support, but absolutely unacceptable, millions of players to take their base. What Nintendo needs is some core gamers with similar ego-syringe for core gamers. Otherwise they run the risk of many many fans playfulness.

    Incidentally, I see advantages in this patent. As it always has the certainty that every player can see the end, you do not have to shrink back to the game properly is difficult to make. Another issue is whether Casualgamer a lower degree of difficulty at all and do not want more of a serious but accessible challenge alla Guitar Hero or Tetris.

    But what I am least of all, I understand why Nintendo, as a company that wants the game is equal for everyone, and therefore the obvious, namely selectable difficulty refrained from such an intrusive and the players divisive approach permits. Songs to make the game for some of the players may be optional for all foolproof safe. So I would find the first mode, okay, there would be a second alternative in which such assistance is disabled. The Second, it only seems to watch, as is automatically played, am I now not because he is a bad joke, while I am on the third mode as freely switchable feature would have wished it to me as an equal at the beginning disposable item, but any motivation steals. In short: Nintendo eliminated all the reasons for which games to play at all. I have no exclusive bonuses, not even a complete game for bragging, scores of gamers and Trophies, which Nintendo has long established a working alternative would be to say nothing.

    I'm talking Nintendo as a customer in any case not more. The unparalleled experience of a game because I will Zeldas for the title does not come around, but that I really feel verarscht nobody should be surprised. Ultimately, however, the title of his epic world, and the rousing staging numerous loving details, but also the game and the extent of features Quanität be measured, of which I hope none of the scissors to fall victim to, otherwise I will really stinkig . Let's see if Nintendo is once again creates a really good quality game (Core you can not call it) on its feet, or whether they were filed before a loud "Ah, the Orang Utan Fritz has problems at Level 2" setting forget that the actual game experience through the game experience defined.

    Hach, I can already see the Iwata interviews before my mind's eye. Instead: "An epic game from Miyamoto master hand" is probably the headline "A game that is so easy that even" normal: thumbsup: "People can play it." loud. There was a time, as have my philosophies and desires to be one hundred percent covered with what I got from Nintendo. Meanwhile, I am not a foreign company as Nintendo, which more and more to be laughing. The fact is that with this concept, no new customers and will sooner or later very much on the nose drop. At least, if not buy this title, but then it will naturally be pushed, that there are too few "real gamers", rather than the fact that real gamers with an immutable available software, no matter how much you play, you can not have fun .

    Why does not Nintendo, Zelda, first, that no new buyers needs and secondly, surely it is not that the game easier or made captive. Even beginners want to play something like toss. Your problem is rather that they are the kind of game or the setting does not appeal. If I say to my mother, whether she wants to try a Zelda games, they justified their rejection certainly not with fear, in a boss to hang, but rather to the fact that games in general are nothing for them or they do not knows what it is all about, mostly, though, that their game too childish XY, too brutal, too shallow (casual games, for example) or is simply not on their target group is. Need for Speed and Co. are, like almost all the core games exclusively for young men interesting. Games like Heavy Rain, Shenmue or Alan Wake, this surge is missing, however, could create the marketing, which Nintendo now invested more money than the developers of the games themselves (Wii Fit for example). Power times a game, Nintendo, and you will see how an audience really expanded. GTA, for example, is not only under-core gamers popular. The fact is that there are very different problems to deal gillt before you get to set the difficulty level down to unscrew. All experiences have shown that even absolute beginners in a game verbeißen when they are lured only once. It is not about them through to facilitate the creating of each. It is a question they have to play such games, and I'm talking not freilig of casual games, which it never will create long-term customers in the medium to bind, but they suggest, is not what games are: Superficial Beschäfftigung that quickly is exhausted. Hopefully reads a post on my Nintendo.

    New is now actually presented concept in any case. Thus, for example, already in the Wii version of Alone in the Dark for use, so I think it is very questionable but think that something can be patented. Otherwise, I will soon get the exclusive license for shooters in the crosshairs.

    Incidentally, has anyone noticed that "link" in the pictures is quite childlike, and the background of a classical setting remember? Could in any case be a first indication.

  • zintarr

    Posted Jan 12, 2009 5:27 pm PT

    If this is not proof that the Wii is for dumb people nothing is!

  • roflmuffins8

    Posted Jan 12, 2009 5:26 pm PT

    I think this will ruin the fun of some games, like Zelda. Figuring out puzzles was always one of my favorite parts of it, but people will probably end up getting lazy and use the walkthrough for everything instead of actually figuring it out themselves.

  • Guzthon

    Posted Jan 12, 2009 5:22 pm PT

    For me Youtube is more than enough. If those guys are gonna use that method, it would be a problem.

  • finaleve

    Posted Jan 12, 2009 5:14 pm PT

    Honestly? I think its stupid. If you can't figure out how to do something or get somewhere in a game...just go look up gamefaqs or something, heck, go to a book or game store and find the players guide.
    It would really be just a waste of time. I'm sorry, but I prefer gamefaqs over this idea.

  • Miicrox

    Posted Jan 12, 2009 4:59 pm PT

    This proves that Nintendo is 5-10 years behind everyone else; the internet isn't a novelty anymore, and it hasn't been for at least a decade or more.

  • HOMIE_G64

    Posted Jan 12, 2009 4:58 pm PT

    I agree with everybody who say that this is absolutely ridiculous. You can only hold so much on the DVD that the Wii uses, and I don't want half of that DVD occupied with useless walkthroughs that I can easily find on YouTube or GameFaqs.

  • Miicrox

    Posted Jan 12, 2009 4:56 pm PT

    They already have this: It's called YouTube.

  • Lucidmike78

    Posted Jan 12, 2009 4:51 pm PT

    A lot of negative comments. I guess they never needed to go to a site like gamefaqs. I on the other hand find myself there a lot. If they can somehow seamlessly marry that inside the game, like a forum, it would save me a lot of trouble.

  • djmillard2

    Posted Jan 12, 2009 4:45 pm PT

    pshhhh nty

  • gsnmaster

    Posted Jan 12, 2009 4:44 pm PT

    So...having somebody show you how do to something you're stuck on? What's so wrong with that? If you don't want the solution to be spoiled to you, then just don't pay any attention to this. Simple.

  • xfactor19990

    Posted Jan 12, 2009 4:39 pm PT

    ummmm how lame i dont want a walkthrough. Nintendo needs to stop this casual crap

  • painguy1

    Posted Jan 12, 2009 4:36 pm PT

    This means harder games for hardcore players and at the same time casual players can still enjoy the hard games as well. At least thats how i take it. : )

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