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But they are patentable (or at least elements of them can be). Konami successfully sued[1] the makers of In The Groove, a Dance Dance Revolution clone. I know p

But they are patentable (or at least elements of them can be). Konami successfully sued[1] the makers of In The Groove, a Dance Dance Revolution clone. I know parts of Mario Kart are patented[2], so I wouldn't be too surprised if parts of Super Mario 64 are patented as well, given that it pioneered the 3D platformer genre. [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konami_Corp._v._Roxor_Games_Inc http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konami_Corp._v._Roxor_Games_Inc. [2] http://www.google.com/patents/US7278913#v=onepage&q&f=false http://www.google.com/patents/US7278913#v=onepage&q&f=false

greggman 12y ago
Yes but patents only last 17 years? Super Mario 64 is 18-19 years old
- autoreleasepool 12y ago
  Patents can be evergreened with minor changes[0]. Pure speculation: It's possible Super Mario Sunshine(2002), Super Mario Galaxy(2007) and other Mario-like 3D could have "refreshed" any patents from Super Mario 64. That is, if any patents from Mario 64 exist. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evergreening https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evergreening
pbhjpbhj 12y ago
FWIW this http://www.leagle.com/decision/20061170445FSupp2d725_11105 http://www.leagle.com/decision/20061170445FSupp2d725_11105 appears to be the text of the decision, I couldn't find a non-commercial source for the text: gpo.gov only has N, W and S Districts of Texas for some reason. The patent in question, http://www.google.co.uk/patents/US6410835 http://www.google.co.uk/patents/US6410835. Espacenet has it too of course, http://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/claims?CC=US&NR=2001004861A1&FT=D http://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/claims?CC=..., but Google is better is it gives the B2 published form of the claims as opposed to the A1 first submitted form. Major fail there for the EPO's ESPACENET in my opinion. Claims 1, priority date is 24 July 1998: >"1. A dance game apparatus comprising: music output means for outputting one piece of music from at least one stored piece of music; a floor panel having a step-on base section; said step-on base section comprising a top panel and a support member which supports the panel; detection means for detecting a stepping operation on said step-on base section; said detection means comprising stepping sensors interposed between said panel and said support member at mutually opposing positions of said panel; said stepping sensors comprising longitudinally extending conductive sections having a longitudinal length, one of said conductive sections being moveable laterally relative to another of said conductive sections at any one of a plurality of positions along the longitudinal length of said one conductive section to effect contact with said other conductive sections at any one of a plurality of corresponding contact positions such that said stepping sensors detect stepping on said step-on base sections at plural locations corresponding to said plurality of corresponding contact positions, guidance means for performing a stepping operation instruction to said step-on base section in time with said music; measurement means for measuring a time deviation between the timing of a stepping operation instruction and the time at which the fact that said step-on base section is stepped on is detected by said detection means; and evaluation means for providing a higher score the smaller the measurement result." // FWIW the Mario Kart patent you cite refers to methods of controlling NPC in order to provide strong rivals, avoid bunching of NPC in racing games and provide variation in race orders despite relatively fixed characteristics (acceleration and top-speed). None of that prevents you having cars with the same styles, having the same tracks, having the same end goals, having the same range of pickups and such - it only relates to specific algorithms for providing competing computer controlled cars/NPC.

greggman 12y ago

Yes but patents only last 17 years? Super Mario 64 is 18-19 years old

autoreleasepool 12y ago
Patents can be evergreened with minor changes[0]. Pure speculation: It's possible Super Mario Sunshine(2002), Super Mario Galaxy(2007) and other Mario-like 3D could have "refreshed" any patents from Super Mario 64. That is, if any patents from Mario 64 exist. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evergreening https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evergreening

pbhjpbhj 12y ago

FWIW this http://www.leagle.com/decision/20061170445FSupp2d725_11105 http://www.leagle.com/decision/20061170445FSupp2d725_11105 appears to be the text of the decision, I couldn't find a non-commercial source for the text: gpo.gov only has N, W and S Districts of Texas for some reason. The patent in question, http://www.google.co.uk/patents/US6410835 http://www.google.co.uk/patents/US6410835. Espacenet has it too of course, http://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/claims?CC=US&NR=2001004861A1&FT=D http://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/claims?CC=..., but Google is better is it gives the B2 published form of the claims as opposed to the A1 first submitted form. Major fail there for the EPO's ESPACENET in my opinion. Claims 1, priority date is 24 July 1998: >"1. A dance game apparatus comprising: music output means for outputting one piece of music from at least one stored piece of music; a floor panel having a step-on base section; said step-on base section comprising a top panel and a support member which supports the panel; detection means for detecting a stepping operation on said step-on base section; said detection means comprising stepping sensors interposed between said panel and said support member at mutually opposing positions of said panel; said stepping sensors comprising longitudinally extending conductive sections having a longitudinal length, one of said conductive sections being moveable laterally relative to another of said conductive sections at any one of a plurality of positions along the longitudinal length of said one conductive section to effect contact with said other conductive sections at any one of a plurality of corresponding contact positions such that said stepping sensors detect stepping on said step-on base sections at plural locations corresponding to said plurality of corresponding contact positions, guidance means for performing a stepping operation instruction to said step-on base section in time with said music; measurement means for measuring a time deviation between the timing of a stepping operation instruction and the time at which the fact that said step-on base section is stepped on is detected by said detection means; and evaluation means for providing a higher score the smaller the measurement result." // FWIW the Mario Kart patent you cite refers to methods of controlling NPC in order to provide strong rivals, avoid bunching of NPC in racing games and provide variation in race orders despite relatively fixed characteristics (acceleration and top-speed). None of that prevents you having cars with the same styles, having the same tracks, having the same end goals, having the same range of pickups and such - it only relates to specific algorithms for providing competing computer controlled cars/NPC.