Nintendo's INSANE New Patent Could RUIN THOUSANDS Of Games, Gamers Are PISSED At Nintendo

Summary

Nintendo, celebrated for its iconic games, faces backlash after securing a U.S. patent covering broad 'summon and fight' mechanics, a feature common in many RPGs and MMOs. Critics warn this patent could threaten numerous games, from Pokémon and PAL World to Diablo and World of Warcraft, due to its sweeping language. While Nintendo is known for aggressively defending its intellectual property, many see this move as overreaching, potentially stifling creativity and competition in the gaming industry. The community and developers are watching closely, with calls for challenges to the patent to protect long-standing game mechanics and ensure the industry’s future remains open and innovative.

Takeaways

• 🎮 Nintendo has been granted a US patent for summoning characters that fight in video games, potentially impacting the entire gaming industry.
• ⚖️ The patent is broad and could apply to RPGs, MMOs, action games, and other titles beyond Pokémon and PAL World.
• 🕹️ Popular games like Diablo, Elden Ring, World of Warcraft, and Final Fantasy might technically fall under the scope of this patent.
• 💼 Nintendo has a history of aggressive legal action, often suing competitors to protect its intellectual property.
• 📜 The patent covers mechanics such as moving a main character, summoning a secondary character, and having that character fight enemies automatically or with player input.
• 😟 Many gamers and industry insiders are concerned that this patent could stifle competition and creativity in the gaming industry.
• 🕰️ Historical examples show that summoning mechanics predate Pokémon, such as in Dragon Quest, Digimon World, and Dungeons & Dragons.
• 🚨 The patent has sparked debate over whether such broad claims should have been approved and if legal challenges will arise.
• 💬 There have been no official statements yet from Nintendo, PAL World, or other companies affected by the patent.
• ⚠️ Industry experts warn that companies may need to challenge this patent quickly to prevent serious negative consequences for game development.

Q & A

What recent patent has Nintendo been granted in the US?

Nintendo has been granted a patent covering the 'summon and fight' mechanics in video games, which includes summoning a secondary character to fight enemies, either automatically or based on player input.

Why is Nintendo's new patent considered controversial?

The patent is considered controversial because it is extremely broad, potentially covering mechanics that exist in hundreds of games across RPGs, MMOs, and action genres, which could give Nintendo legal leverage over many developers.

Which games could potentially be affected by Nintendo's patent?

Games like Pokémon, Diablo, World of Warcraft, Elden Ring, and other RPGs or MMOs with summonable characters could be affected because they incorporate mechanics described in Nintendo's patent.

How does the patent specifically define the summon mechanic?

The patent defines the mechanic as allowing the main character to summon a sub-character that fights enemies automatically or based on player input. The summoned character can act even if there is no immediate enemy, moving and fighting when encountering one.

What is the ongoing legal case involving Nintendo and PAL World?

Nintendo is involved in a patent infringement case against Pocket Pair in Japan concerning PAL World. The US patent could expand Nintendo's ability to challenge similar games globally.

Why are some gamers and developers concerned about this patent?

They are concerned because the patent could stifle innovation, challenge mechanics that have existed for decades, and give Nintendo excessive control over common gameplay systems, potentially harming the video game industry.

Have other games or companies used similar summon mechanics before Pokémon?

Yes. Dragon Quest introduced summoning mechanics before Pokémon, and Digimon games featured similar mechanics as well. Many RPGs and MMOs have employed summon systems long before Nintendo’s patent.

How might Nintendo enforce this patent in the US?

Nintendo could potentially sue game developers whose games use similar summon mechanics, claiming patent infringement, thereby forcing settlements, licensing agreements, or changes to gameplay mechanics.

What is the general public reaction to this patent?

Gamers and commentators are largely critical, seeing it as an overreach. Many believe it is unfair to patent a mechanic that has existed for decades and could negatively impact the broader gaming industry.

What steps could the gaming industry take to counter this patent?

Other companies could file challenges to the patent, providing evidence that the summon-and-fight mechanics predate Pokémon and Nintendo’s patent, aiming to have it nullified to protect industry-wide innovation.

Does the patent affect only Pokémon-style games?

No, the patent is broad enough to potentially cover mechanics in many types of games, including action RPGs, MMOs, and strategy games that include any form of summoning a sub-character to fight enemies.

What concerns are raised about the patent approval process?

Critics suggest that the patent office and the approving judge may have been negligent or biased, as the mechanic is not unique to Nintendo and has existed in games for decades.