Niantic, Inc.

Edward Wu

Phillip Craig Keslin

David Kornmann

Tatsuo Nomura

John V Hanke

Alexander Vladimirov

Neal Kanodia

Naoyuki Ishitsuka

Jim Wang

Dennis Hwang

Kento Suga

Mike Quigley

Kevin Doo

Calin Matney

Bill Kilday

Michael Steranka

David Hollin

Raza Ahmad

Bill J Kilday

Systems and methods for linking real world activity, such as real world commercial activity or real world data collection activity, with a location-based parallel reality game are provided. In particular, a game server hosting a parallel reality game can modify, update, or add to game data stored in a game database associated with the parallel reality game to include certain game features in the parallel reality game linked with real world activity in the real world. The game features can be linked with activities in the real world such that player actions associated with the game features in the virtual world can lead to or encourage activity in the real world, such as commercial activity and/or data collection activity in the real world. A one-time password may be used to validate a player's location in the real world and to enable controlled access to game features in the virtual world.

Validating a player's real-world location using activity within a parallel-reality game

A shared virtual experience is provided to players of a location-based game. The virtual location of a player in the game is based on the real world location of the player's client device. If a player's location in the game is within an interaction distance of a virtual element, in indication that a shared virtual experience is available may be provided. Player input is received requesting participation in the shared virtual experience and the player is added to a lobby including a specified start time. At the specified time, the shared virtual experience begins and includes interaction with other players who were in the lobby. An update to game data is sent based on an outcome of the shared virtual experience.

Providing a shared virtual experience in a location-based game

Systems and methods for detecting and preventing cheating in a location-based game are provided. In particular, a server-side statistical cheat detection algorithm can be implemented upon receiving a player request to perform a game action. A given dataset describing the respective times and locations of previous game events performed by the player can be analyzed to determine a probability that such game events represent legitimate gameplay. The determined probability can affect whether the player-requested game action is effectuated or can influence a number of points awarded for completion of the game action. An example system includes a host server and a client device in communication over a network.

Detecting and preventing cheating in a location-based game

Validating a player's real-world location using activity within a parallel reality game

Growing community of inventors

Kirkland, WA, United States of America

Edward Wu