Are there such things as a gameplay patent? I read that you can make a tetris game but you just cant call it anything ending with tris. Then I was wondering if any games have a gameplay patent such as bomberman or a flying game or a shooter game. Thank you for your help.

Yes, there are. A few years ago I applied for one but someone else had already done it.

Can you get a patent on game play, probably.
Whether it's actually valid, I am not sure. I would think patents on game play are questionable at best, but I am not a patent attorney.

Quote: Original post by fireworking
Are there such things as a gameplay patent?

Yes, they're extemely popular in the gaming (i.e. gambling) industry. Everything from 20 sided dice to the particular patterns that are used to 'win', to 16:10 aspect ratios are covered by patents :/
You occasionally see them for video game ideas, but I wouldn't pay much attention to them.

Quote: I read that you can make a tetris game but you just cant call it anything ending with tris.

That's trademark protection, not patents.

Quote: Original post by Hodgman

Quote: Original post by fireworking
Are there such things as a gameplay patent?

Yes, they're extemely popular in the gaming (i.e. gambling) industry.

And that was the case with mine.

Quote: Original post by prh99
patent attorney

Even they are idiots for patenting everything as long as the description is buzzed up and complex (including xor cursor effects). Glad I live in Europe.