I'm 99% certain it was the actual "nemesis" mechanic. I don't think it's code-level but probably includes a specific design/implementation of the mechanic.
Then again, there's the big question of whether it'd actually hold up in court if challenged.
With a company as big as Warner there's also the question of how much it would cost to challenge it in court. I'd think any company that could afford to challenge it, would also see it as a waste of time and money.
Ah, scanning through the fucking impenetrable patent I will revise my statement to "... because you can't patent a game mechanic unless you are a megacorp with an army of soulless lawyers".
The whole story of video game patents is pretty messed up from the get go.
Used to be that "You cannot patent an idea" was a core facet of the US patent code. So when Atari tried to patent breakout, they had their claim thrown out like three times.
Eventually they succeeded on two basis: one their code of the ball bouncing was NOT based on physics, therefore it was some unique "artistic" idea to have the ball bounce at exact angles without losing momentum. Not just, you know, a thousand times easier to code than real physics, it was "art."
Secondly, they claimed all the levels in the game, taken together, was itself a "work of art" and could be patented on that ground.
At that point in time, they still could not use the patent to stop breakout clones, or even games that straight up copied part of the game. They could only use the patent to prevent illegal distribution of the game Breakout.
From then on companies mostly focused on patenting their art. (Enter the highly litigious Nintendon't into the picture.)
Over the years the entire tech industry has pushed, and pushed and pushed the patent courts until "rounded corners on a cellphone" and "minigames on a loading screen" and "two grip buttons on the back side of a controller" are all patent trolled and enforceable, even as they clearly violate the concept of patenting an idea.
Also, the game mechanic of catching imposters has been around for awhile. Gary's mod had a game, though I forget the name, that's been around forever. Deceit is another one that's been in my library for years. Quite a long list of "catch your friends lying" variety.
You didn't patent the Among Us mechanic because you can't patent a game mechanic, you fucking numpty!
Warner Brothers would disagree. See: Shadows of Mordor.
I thought that was over actual code.
I'm 99% certain it was the actual "nemesis" mechanic. I don't think it's code-level but probably includes a specific design/implementation of the mechanic.
Then again, there's the big question of whether it'd actually hold up in court if challenged.
With a company as big as Warner there's also the question of how much it would cost to challenge it in court. I'd think any company that could afford to challenge it, would also see it as a waste of time and money.
you can its why mini games on loading screens weren't a thing - someone (was it capcom?) had the patent for it
more recently warner brothers patented the nemesis mechanic from shadow of mordor
Ah, scanning through the fucking impenetrable patent I will revise my statement to "... because you can't patent a game mechanic unless you are a megacorp with an army of soulless lawyers".
The whole story of video game patents is pretty messed up from the get go.
Used to be that "You cannot patent an idea" was a core facet of the US patent code. So when Atari tried to patent breakout, they had their claim thrown out like three times.
Eventually they succeeded on two basis: one their code of the ball bouncing was NOT based on physics, therefore it was some unique "artistic" idea to have the ball bounce at exact angles without losing momentum. Not just, you know, a thousand times easier to code than real physics, it was "art."
Secondly, they claimed all the levels in the game, taken together, was itself a "work of art" and could be patented on that ground.
At that point in time, they still could not use the patent to stop breakout clones, or even games that straight up copied part of the game. They could only use the patent to prevent illegal distribution of the game Breakout.
From then on companies mostly focused on patenting their art. (Enter the highly litigious Nintendon't into the picture.)
Over the years the entire tech industry has pushed, and pushed and pushed the patent courts until "rounded corners on a cellphone" and "minigames on a loading screen" and "two grip buttons on the back side of a controller" are all patent trolled and enforceable, even as they clearly violate the concept of patenting an idea.
I think you just hit on the truth
Also, the game mechanic of catching imposters has been around for awhile. Gary's mod had a game, though I forget the name, that's been around forever. Deceit is another one that's been in my library for years. Quite a long list of "catch your friends lying" variety.