Nintendo patents hint system

To help more people finish games

13 January 2009 11:23 GMT / By Verity Burns

Nintendo has patented an in-game hint system, masterminded by Shigeru Miyamoto.

The built-in walkthrough allows the computer to take control of characters and show gamers the correct way to complete harder parts of the game.

Installed either by a disc or through servers online, Nintendo hopes that the invention will prevent people from getting stuck mid-game, helping more people finish games.

"In some of these games, a volume of the story or the scenario is too large, and therefore a lot of time is needed for clearing the game", it is stated on the patent application.

"Further, in some cases, various puzzles are set in the scenario... However, there is a problem that these puzzles and the like are too difficult, and therefore the game may be stuck halfway, and the game may not be cleared to the end".

"As means for solving the problem, disclosed is a game control method for lowering the difficulty level of a game by presenting, while the game is being played, a hint for allowing the game to be continued", it added.

Would you use it?