New patent describes Miyamoto-developed hint system

by JC Fletcher { Jan 9th 2009 at 2:35PM }

While the language used in patents is miles above our heads, we feel obligated to try to report on it, because it's apparently Miyamoto's design, and it's potentially quite cool. If we understand correctly, Miyamoto has invented a system that allows players of vastly different skill levels to play adventure games like Zelda, with the ability to skip or receive hints at difficult areas. In addition to accommodating various skill levels, this is designed for people who don't have a lot of time to play games. In effect, it makes the skill level almost totally configurable.

One component of the idea is low-resolution "hint movies" that display the solutions to difficult puzzles at the player's request. In addition, there is a "digest" component that allows players just to watch the game's storyline up to the point of their choosing -- but only after a specified time period (presumably to encourage people to play the game for some number of hours before watching). Finally, there's a DVD-style "chapter" ability that allows players to start the game from a previous "scene" -- rather like the save system in the new Pikmin remake.

All the associated images use a Zelda-like game "Legend of OO" to demonstrate the concepts, but that might just be a context used to help explain the concepts. But if you want to call "OMG NEXT ZELDA CONFIRMED WITH HINT SYSTEM THING," have fun! And if the USPTO image viewer doesn't work for you, check the linked NeoGAF thread for a few images.

[Via NeoGAF]

Tags: miyamoto, patent, zelda

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

RatMasterD21 @ Jan 9th 2009 2:45PM

this is amazing but i don't need hints....although i'm glad shiggy is still finding ways to turn the casual into the hardcore....nice and slow.

I think this would be perfect for my girlfriend she gets stuck on most zelda games and gives up or buys a guide (which i then use)

Michael Gustie @ Jan 9th 2009 2:57PM

The interesting thing is that, according to the document, you will need the internet to be able to use the digest feature:

[0017]In a fourth aspect based on the first aspect, the program causes the computer to further function as connection means and digest saved-data reception means. The connection means connects the game apparatus through a network to a predetermined server in which the plurality of pieces of digest saved-data are stored. The digest saved-data reception means receives any of the plurality of pieces of digest saved-data from the predetermined server through the connection means. Further, the digest game start means starts the game process by using the digest saved-data received from the predetermined server by the digest saved-data reception means.

[0018]According to the fourth aspect, it is possible to acquire the digest saved-data through the network. Therefore, it is unnecessary to include the digest saved-data in the game program which is supplied as a product, or the like, and it is possible to reduce a storage capacity necessary for a storage medium for the game program, and the like

ZombiePikmin @ Jan 9th 2009 3:11PM

This is gonna be abused to hell by Noobs.

Mr Khan @ Jan 9th 2009 3:18PM

I quite like the possibilities here. Think. They could be free to make puzzles as hard as they wished, and it would stem frustration, without having to really build in a hand-holding kinda system (a la Prince of Persia)

Equally interesting is the branching story system they seemed to add

Thus: (taken from NeoGAF, via VGChartz)
There seem to be 3 main modes:

Game -- Play through the game normally. Hint system is available but not forced. So hardcore gamers could just play the game regularly and enjoy the challenge while more casual gamers can get hints if they get really stuck

Digest -- The game goes through important scenes (both movie and gameplay) in order. Essentially the game plays itself in this mode if you will. But you have the option of stopping the digest at any time and playing from that exact point. Plus when you choose to take control you are given the appropriate equipment and stats for that part of the game. No saving though, but it seems to be unneeded

Scenes -- essentially playthrough any puzzle or scene again. Like digest you are given the appropriate equipment and such.

What Nintendo is planning on doing is pretty insane and far more ambitious than some of you realize yet. This just might be the "gateway game" that gamers, casuals and non-gamers could all enjoy.

GTL @ Jan 9th 2009 3:19PM

hmm...how about upping the difficulty and making enemies/bosses smarter. And giving it an actual story. They've been falling off over the years.

Santos L. Halper @ Jan 9th 2009 3:57PM

Exactly what I was thinking, except I don't really have a problem with the stories. Assuming that this is the new Zelda then all that hint stuff is great (probably won't use it though) but it can't really do anything about the enemy difficulty level. The motionplus will make fighting badass but I'm afraid it will fall flat if I'm usually only fighting one enemy at a time and it dies after 2 hits. And since they're catering to casual and hardcore, they'll try and make it possible for inexperienced gamers to make it through the fights without much of a problem so....let's hope Nintendo figures something out.

samfish @ Jan 9th 2009 3:39PM

"But if you want to call "OMG NEXT ZELDA CONFIRMED WITH HINT SYSTEM THING," have fun!"

If you read the patent, it actually sounds like they're really describing the next Zelda. The patent even includes parts on how WiiMotion+ will be incorporated into the game.

There's no guarantee this'll be in the next Zelda by any means, but it's extremely probable that this relates to the next Zelda.

esposch @ Jan 9th 2009 3:44PM

OMG NEXT ZELDA CONFIRMED WITH HINT SYSTEM THING AND WIIMOTIONPLUS!!!!!1!!1!!!!ONE!

But seriously, WM+ Zelda it what I thought Twilight would be, and in fact it was the reason I got a Wii to start with.
Happy sposchy is happy.

esposch @ Jan 9th 2009 3:45PM

And while I'm at it wasn't that "chapter" thing in Alone in the Dark?

samfish @ Jan 9th 2009 3:56PM

That's simplifying what this is too much, though.

This is basically a system where you can let the CPU take over portions of the game if you think they're too hard. So if you can't beat a boss of solve a puzzle, tell the CPU to do it for you and then stop it where ever you like. So if you want the CPU to hit the boss 5 out of 6 times and you have to deliver the killing blow, you can.

The chapter thing seems to be more of a way to go back and replay puzzles or sections of the game quickly, more than anything.

esposch @ Jan 9th 2009 4:39PM

Thanks for the translation Samfish. I don't speak patent, so I didn't really know what the hell I was on about. :)

Those features are epic, but hopefully this will mean a Zelda game where you can actually get hurt!

If this shakes up the formula and includes all this digest stuff AND has WM+, maybe it could beat Ocarina of Time's Metascore of 99 (which would require a perfect 10 from every reviewer.)

Mr Khan @ Jan 9th 2009 5:08PM

Ahh. I didn't catch that Digest basically meant "make this game a movie"

Very interesting. I assumed digest would just lop off the overworld and condense dungeons, but you were still physically in control, but then at a certain point, you could cease it and resume play normally

@tomic @ Jan 9th 2009 5:23PM

Yeah, but the really clever idea is not allowing you to save in this mode, so while you can let the game play itself through some parts, you're still encouraged to play through the game yourself without skipping or letting the game hold your hand.

samfish @ Jan 9th 2009 5:41PM

I'm not sure about the "no saving" thing, actually. The Patentese mentions not being able to save in this Digest Mode, but to ME it wasn't entirely clear what that means.
It doesn't really make sense, though, to not let people save.
The purpose of this is to ensure that more people see the game all the way through. Miyamoto has complained in interviews before that something like only 40% of people actually beat Ocarina of Time. I assume that was the thinking behind this feature more than anything.

So...if you're looking for a switch and you can't find it and say, "OK game, take over and find it for me", and it finds said switch for you and then you play the rest of the dungeon...it doesn't make sense. If you use it once, do you forfeit your ability to save? I can't imagine they would do such a thing to the player.

It's one thing to let the game autoplay itself all the way through and prevent players from saving...it's another thing to actually USE this system as seemingly intended and then essentially be punished for it.

TWOO DEE @ Jan 9th 2009 7:06PM

@Sam, I think the hint system is only available during regular gameplay and not in 'digest' or 'scene' mode.

RatMasterD21 @ Jan 9th 2009 5:40PM

am i the only one who thinks this is a really really good idea?...nintendo changes the face of the game over and over and this might be the next big step

think about it no more getting stuck on some god know how to defeat boss...no more gamefaqing no more spending 20 on a guide. Not only that but it could make the games much harder for the hardcore like me buy useing the system to trick us and what not.

TWOO DEE @ Jan 9th 2009 6:14PM

*looks up at comments* ah, so this is why I haven't bothered registering on kotaku yet... :P

Mr Khan @ Jan 9th 2009 6:31PM

Aye

Their authors are better, but their commenters are worse

samfish @ Jan 9th 2009 8:22PM

The Nintendo Fan-blogs are by far the most civil of all the Joystiq/AOL/whatever network blogs. PS3 Fanboy in particular I notice is about 50% 360 trolls.

But if you think Kotaku's comments on this were bad...seriously, wait until Joystiq posts this. It'll be far nastier than Kotaku, if only because Joystiq is, for whatever reason, so hesitant to ban the trolls!
...although Kotaku has been slipping about that as of late, too...

Matias @ Jan 9th 2009 9:39PM

I don't need something to make the new zelda even easier, I never needed any guide, walkthrough or hints to beat any zelda.

Twilight Princess was awesome, but short and easy. In fact, every new zelda that comes out is shorter and easier, and that kind of disappoints me, because zelda is my favourite game series.