UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
`MARSHALL DIVISION
`
`The Honorable Rodney Gilstrap
`
`
`Civil Action No. 2:19-cv-000311-JRG-RSP
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`
`
`
`
`JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
`
`
`§§§§§§§§§§
`
`
`
`Plaintiff,
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`Defendant.
`
`EXPERT REPORT OF JOSÉ ZAGAL
`
`
`
`
`
`GREE, INC.,
`
`
`v.
`
`
`SUPERCELL OY,
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`
`
`
`
`
`
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`
`
`
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`Patent Owner Gree, Inc.
`Exhibit 2008 - Page 1 of 86
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`

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`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`
`Page
`
`I.
`
`INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................. 1
`
`II. QUALIFICATIONS ............................................................................................................... 1
`
`III. MATERIALS REVIEWED .................................................................................................... 3
`
`IV. LEVEL OF ORDINARY SKILL IN THE ART .................................................................... 4
`
`V. LEGAL PRINCIPLES ............................................................................................................ 5
`
`A.
`
`B.
`
`C.
`
`D.
`
`E.
`
`F.
`
`G.
`
`Invalidity ................................................................................................................. 5
`
`Anticipation............................................................................................................. 7
`
`Obviousness ............................................................................................................ 7
`
`Secondary Considerations ..................................................................................... 12
`
`Independent Invention .......................................................................................... 13
`
`Written Description, Enablement, and Indefiniteness .......................................... 13
`
`Ineligibility ............................................................................................................ 15
`
`H. Willful Infringement ............................................................................................. 17
`
`VI. THE PATENTS IN SUIT ..................................................................................................... 17
`
`A.
`
`OVERVIEW OF THE ’107 AND ’439 PATENTS ............................................. 17
`
`1.
`2.
`
`The Specification and Claims of the ’107 and ’439 Patents ..................... 17
`Patent Prosecution History of the ’107 Patent and ’439 Patent ................ 24
`a.
`U.S. Patent Prosecution History of the ’107 Patent ...................... 24
`
`b.
`
`U.S. Patent Prosecution History of the ’439 Patent ...................... 25
`
`B.
`
`C.
`
`CLAIM CONSTRUCTION FOR THE PATENTS IN SUIT............................... 26
`
`GREE’S COMMERCIAL EMBODIMENT RELATING TO THE PATENTS IN
`SUIT ...................................................................................................................... 29
`
`VII. GENERAL STATE OF THE PRIOR ART RELATING TO THE PATENTS IN SUIT .... 31
`
`i
`
`Patent Owner Gree, Inc.
`Exhibit 2008 - Page 2 of 86
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`

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`
`
`A.
`
`Playing as a Group was Well Known Concept Long Before the Priority Dates of
`the ’107 and ’439 Patents ...................................................................................... 31
`
`1.
`2.
`
`Group Play was Common Concept in Board Games ................................ 32
`Group Play was Common Concept in Video Games ................................ 33
`a.
`Groups of Character Controlled by One Player ............................ 33
`
`b.
`
`Groups of Players Playing Together in the Game ........................ 34
`
`B.
`
`Players Collecting Points as Awards or Achievements for Completing Tasks or
`Actions (and Including as Part of Group Play) was Well Known Long Before the
`Priority Dates of the ’107 and ’439 Patents .......................................................... 43
`
`1.
`2.
`
`Collecting Points as Awards or Achievements in Boardgames ................ 43
`Collecting Points as Awards or Achievements in MMO and MMORPG
`Games ....................................................................................................... 43
`Collecting Points as Awards or Achievements in Social Networking
`Games ....................................................................................................... 49
`Collecting Points or Multiple Virtual Assets to Collect a Reward or Item was
`Well Known Long Before the Priority Dates of the ’107 and ’439 Patents ......... 50
`
`3.
`
`The Concept of Awarding Points or Virtual Assets to Guild or Group Members
`Based on Skill Level or Other Rules Set by the Game was Well Known Long
`Before the Priority Dates of the ’107 and ’439 Patents ........................................ 58
`
`1.
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`Collecting Points or Virtual Assets According to Skill Level of the Group
`Member in MMO/MMORPG Games ....................................................... 59
`Collecting Points or Virtual Assets According to Skill Level of the Group
`Member in Social Networking Games ...................................................... 73
`Collecting Points or Virtual Assets According to Skill Level of the Group
`Member in Patents and Patent Publications Relating to Games ............... 76
`Use of Generic Game Servers Involving Generic Storage Units and Generic
`Processors for Running and Managing Games Was Well Known Long Before the
`Time of the ’107 and ’439 Patents Priority Date .................................................. 79
`
`C.
`
`D.
`
`E.
`
`VIII. THE ASSERTED CLAIMS OF THE ’107 AND ’439 PATENTS ARE PATENT-
`INELIGIBLE ................................................................................................................................ 82
`
`A.
`
`B.
`
`THE ASSERTED CLAIMS OF THE ’107 AND ’439 PATENTS ARE DRAWN
`TO AN ABSTRACT IDEA .................................................................................. 82
`
`THE CLAIM LIMITATIONS OF THE ’107 AND ’439 PATENTS ADD
`NOTHING INVENTIVE ...................................................................................... 84
`
`IX. INVALIDITY OF THE PATENTS IN SUIT AS ANTICIPATED AND/OR OBVIOUS .. 90
`
`ii
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`Patent Owner Gree, Inc.
`Exhibit 2008 - Page 3 of 86
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`

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`
`
`A.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE ASSERTED PRIOR ART FOR THE PATENTS IN SUIT
`............................................................................................................................... 90
`
`1.
`2.
`
`U.S. Patent Publication 2011/0300926 to Englman.................................. 90
`Warhammer Online Age of Reckoning (“Warhammer”) ......................... 94
`a.
`Game Description ....................................................................... 101
`
`b.
`
`c.
`
`d.
`
`Character Progression and Skill Level in Warhammer ............... 105
`
`Player Groups in Warhammer .................................................... 108
`
`Group Events in Warhammer ..................................................... 113
`
`US Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0190094 to Ronen ........... 118
`3.
`US Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0003824 to Kobayashi .... 121
`4.
`U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0024462 to Qiang ......... 127
`5.
`INVALIDITY BASED ON ENGLMAN ........................................................... 130
`
`B.
`
`1.
`
`Englman Invalidates the Asserted Claims of the ’107 Patent ................. 130
`a.
`Element 1-pre: A game control method carried out by a game
`control device for providing a game to a plurality of
`communication terminals respectively used by a plurality of users,
`the game control device communicating with the plurality of
`communication terminals and having a storage unit, the method
`comprising the steps of … .......................................................... 130
`
`b.
`
`c.
`
`d.
`
`e.
`
`f.
`
`Element 1-A: (a) storing skill level information indicative of skill
`levels of each of the plurality of users of the game, in the storage
`unit; ............................................................................................. 133
`
`Element 1-B: (b) grouping the plurality of users into one or more
`groups;......................................................................................... 134
`
`Element 1-C: (c) providing one or more of a plurality of game
`pieces to a first plurality of users in a first group of said one or
`more groups, based on the skill level information, while the first
`plurality of users are at certain events in the game; .................... 135
`
`Element 1-D: (d) storing allocation information indicating which
`game piece has been provided to which user with a respective skill
`level, and a number and type of game pieces required to obtain a
`game item as a reward, in the storage unit; ................................. 140
`
`Element 1-E: (e) determining whether all of the game pieces
`required to obtain said game item have been provided to the first
`
`iii
`
`Patent Owner Gree, Inc.
`Exhibit 2008 - Page 4 of 86
`
`

`

`
`
`g.
`
`h.
`
`i.
`
`j.
`
`k.
`
`l.
`
`m.
`
`n.
`
`o.
`
`group, based on the allocation information stored in the storage
`unit; and ...................................................................................... 145
`
`Element 1-F: (f) allocating in a memory, the game item to the first
`group or at least one of the first plurality of users, when it is
`determined that all the required game pieces have been provided.
`..................................................................................................... 147
`
`Element 2: The game control method according to claim 1, further
`comprising the step of (g) creating, in response to a request from a
`communication terminal of one of the plurality of users, a new
`group to which one of the plurality of users belongs .................. 151
`
`Element 3: The game control method according to claim 1, further
`comprising the step of (h) allowing a user who plays the game to
`join a group only if the game control device has received approval
`from a communication terminal of at least one of the users in the
`group. .......................................................................................... 153
`
`Element 4: The game control method according to claim 1,
`wherein in step (c), the plurality of game pieces are respectively
`provided to users with skill levels in different ranges with different
`probabilities, based on the skill level information. ..................... 153
`
`Element 5: The game control method according to claim 1,
`wherein in step (c), the plurality of game pieces are respectively
`provided to users with skill levels in different ranges, based on the
`skill level in vb formation. ........................................................ 155
`
`Element 6: The game control method according to claim 1,
`wherein in step (c), each, of the plurality of game pieces is only
`provided to users with skill levels in a predetermined range, based
`on the skill level information. ..................................................... 156
`
`Element 7: The game control method according to claim 1,
`wherein in step (c) only one of the plurality of game pieces is
`provided to each of the first plurality of users. ........................... 159
`
`Element 8: The game control method according to claim 1, further
`comprising the steps of: (i) controlling a battle between two users
`in the game; and (j) transferring a game piece provided to one of
`the users in step (c) to the other user, depending on the outcome of
`the battle. ..................................................................................... 159
`
`Element 9-pre: A game control device for providing a game to a
`plurality of communication terminals respectively used by a
`plurality of users, the device comprising . . . .............................. 160
`
`iv
`
`Patent Owner Gree, Inc.
`Exhibit 2008 - Page 5 of 86
`
`

`

`
`
`p.
`
`q.
`
`r.
`
`s.
`
`t.
`
`u.
`
`v.
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`w.
`
`x.
`
`Element 9-A: a storage unit for storing skill level information
`indicative of skill levels of each of the plurality of users, and
`allocation information indicating which game piece has been
`provided to which user with a respective skill level, and a number
`and type of game pieces required to obtain a game item as a
`reward; ........................................................................................ 160
`
`Element 9-B: a processor for grouping the plurality of users into
`one or more groups, and for providing one or more of a plurality of
`game pieces to a first plurality of users in a first group of said one
`or more groups, based on the skill level information, while the first
`plurality of users are at certain events in the game; .................... 160
`
`Element 9-C: a determining unit for determining whether all of the
`game pieces required to obtain said game item have been provided
`to the first group, based on the allocation information stored in the
`storage unit; and .......................................................................... 160
`
`Element 9-D: a memory allocation unit for allocating in a memory,
`the game item to the first group or at least one of the first plurality
`of users, when it is determined that all the required game pieces
`have been provided. .................................................................... 161
`
`Element 10-pre: A non-transitory computer readable recording
`medium for storing a program that causes a computer of a game
`control device to execute a process, the game control device
`providing a game to a plurality of communication terminals
`respectively used by a plurality of users, and having a storage unit
`the process comprising the steps of … ....................................... 161
`
`Element 10-A: (a) storing skill level information indicative of skill
`levels of each of the plurality of users of the game, in the storage
`unit; ............................................................................................. 161
`
`Element 10-B: (b) grouping the plurality of users into one or more
`groups;......................................................................................... 162
`
`Element 10-C: (c) providing one or more of a plurality of game
`pieces to a first plurality of users in a first group of said one or
`more groups, based on the skill level information, while the first
`plurality of users are at certain events in the game; .................... 162
`
`Element 10-D: (d) storing allocation information indicating which
`game piece has been provided to which user with a respective skill
`level, and a number and type of game pieces required to obtain a
`game item as a reward, in the storage unit; ................................. 162
`
`v
`
`Patent Owner Gree, Inc.
`Exhibit 2008 - Page 6 of 86
`
`

`

`
`
`y.
`
`z.
`
`aa.
`
`Element 10-E: (e) determining whether all of the game pieces
`required to obtain said game item have been provided to the first
`group, based on the allocation information stored in the storage
`unit; and ...................................................................................... 162
`
`Element 10-F: (f) allocating in a memory, the game item to the
`first group or at least one of the first plurality of users, when it is
`determined that all the required game pieces have been provided.
`..................................................................................................... 162
`
`Element 11: The game control method according to claim 1,
`wherein in step (b), the one or more groups are formed based on
`receiving a user preference input from at least one of the plurality
`of users. ....................................................................................... 163
`
`2.
`
`Engleman Invalidates the Asserted Claims of the ’439 Patent ............... 163
`a.
`Element 1-pre: A game control method carried out by a game
`control device for providing a game to a plurality of
`communication terminals respectively used by a plurality of users,
`the game control device communicating with the plurality of
`communication terminals over a communication network and
`having a storage unit for storing information for each of the
`plurality of users, the method comprising the steps of … .......... 163
`
`b.
`
`c.
`
`d.
`
`e.
`
`f.
`
`g.
`
`Element 1-A: (a) grouping the plurality of users into one or more
`groups;......................................................................................... 163
`
`Element 1-B: (b) storing a correspondence between the plurality of
`users and the one or more groups in the storage unit; ................. 164
`
`Element 1-C: (c) transmitting information over the communication
`network to initiate a group event in which a first plurality of users
`forming a first group cooperatively participate in the game; ...... 166
`
`Element 1-D: (d) storing a parameter value for each of the plurality
`of users, wherein the parameter value for a respective user is
`increased as the respective user makes progress in the group event;
`..................................................................................................... 168
`
`Element 1-E: (e) monitoring progress of the group event and
`updating the parameter value for each of the first plurality of users
`in accordance with the progress of the first group in the group
`event; ........................................................................................... 169
`
`Element 1-F: (f) providing at least one of a plurality of game
`pieces to each of the first plurality of users in the group event,
`
`vi
`
`Patent Owner Gree, Inc.
`Exhibit 2008 - Page 7 of 86
`
`

`

`
`
`h.
`
`i.
`
`j.
`
`k.
`
`l.
`
`m.
`
`n.
`
`o.
`
`p.
`
`q.
`
`based on the parameter value for the corresponding user, wherein
`the plurality of game pieces are required to obtain a game item; 172
`
`Element 1-G: (g) storing allocation information indicating which
`game piece has been provided to which user, in the storage unit;
`..................................................................................................... 174
`
`Element 1-H: (h) determining whether all the required game pieces
`have been provided to the first plurality of users, based on the
`allocation information; and ......................................................... 174
`
`Element 1-I: (i) allocating in a memory, the game item to the first
`group or at least one of the first plurality of users, when it is
`determined that all the required game pieces have been provided
`within a predetermined period of time during which the group
`event is taking place. ................................................................... 174
`
`Element 2: The game control method according to claim 1,
`wherein in step (f), different game pieces are respectively provided
`to the first plurality of users. ....................................................... 175
`
`Element 3: The game control method according to claim 1, further
`comprising the step of (j) deleting the allocation information from
`the storage unit when the predetermined period of time has
`elapsed......................................................................................... 177
`
`Element 4: The game control method according to claim 3, further
`comprising the step of (k) periodically causing an event to occur
`for providing one of the plurality of game pieces to a user, wherein
`in step (f), one of the plurality of game pieces is provided to one of
`the first plurality of users in the event. ....................................... 179
`
`Element 5-pre: The game control method according to claim 1,
`further comprising the steps of … .............................................. 181
`
`Element 5-A: (l) storing a ranking point for the first group when it
`is determined that all the required game pieces have been provided;
`and ............................................................................................... 181
`
`Element 5-B: (m) storing a reward for the first plurality of users in
`accordance with a total value of ranking points for the first group
`during a predetermined period of time........................................ 182
`
`Element 6-pre: A game control device for providing a game to a
`plurality of communication terminals respectively used by a
`plurality of users over a communication network, the device
`comprising ….............................................................................. 182
`
`vii
`
`Patent Owner Gree, Inc.
`Exhibit 2008 - Page 8 of 86
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`

`

`
`
`r.
`
`s.
`
`t.
`
`u.
`
`v.
`
`w.
`
`x.
`
`y.
`
`z.
`
`aa.
`
`bb.
`
`cc.
`
`Element 6-A: a storage unit for storing ….................................. 183
`
`Element 6-A(i): a correspondence between the plurality of users
`and one or more groups,.............................................................. 183
`
`Element 6-A(ii): a parameter value for each of the plurality of
`users, wherein the parameter value for a respective user is
`increased as the respective user makes progress in the group event,
`and ............................................................................................... 183
`
`Element 6-A(iii): allocation information indicating which game
`piece has been provided to which user; ...................................... 183
`
`Element 6-B: a processor for … ................................................. 183
`
`Element 6-B(i): grouping the plurality of users into one or more
`groups, ......................................................................................... 183
`
`Element 6-B(ii): transmitting information over the communication
`network to initiate a group event in which a first plurality of users
`forming a first group cooperatively participate in the game, ...... 184
`
`Element 6-B(iii): monitoring progress of the group event and
`updating the parameter value for each of the first plurality of users
`in accordance with the progress of the first group in the group
`event, and .................................................................................... 184
`
`Element 6-B(iv): providing at least one of the plurality of game
`pieces to each of the first plurality of users in the group event,
`based on the parameter value for the corresponding user; .......... 184
`
`Element 6-C: a determining unit for determining whether all the
`required game pieces have been provided to the first plurality of
`users, based on the allocation information; and .......................... 184
`
`Element 6-D: a memory allocation unit for allocating in a memory,
`the game item to the first group or at least one of the first plurality
`of users, when it is determined that all the required game pieces
`have been provided within a predetermined period of time during
`which the group event is taking place. ........................................ 184
`
`Element 7-pre: A non-transitory computer readable recording
`medium for storing a program that causes a processor of a game
`control device to execute a process, the game control device
`providing a game to a plurality of communication terminals
`respectively used by a plurality of users over a communication
`network, and having a storage unit, the process comprising the
`steps of … ................................................................................... 185
`
`viii
`
`Patent Owner Gree, Inc.
`Exhibit 2008 - Page 9 of 86
`
`

`

`
`
`dd.
`
`ee.
`
`ff.
`
`gg.
`
`hh.
`
`ii.
`
`jj.
`
`kk.
`
`ll.
`
`Element 7-A: (a) grouping the plurality of users into one or more
`groups;......................................................................................... 185
`
`Element 7-B: (b) storing a correspondence between the plurality of
`users and the one or more groups in the storage unit; ................. 185
`
`Element 7-C: (c) transmitting information over the communication
`network to initiate a group event in which a first plurality of users
`forming a first group cooperatively participate in the game; ...... 185
`
`Element 7-D: (d) storing a parameter value for each of the plurality
`of users, wherein the parameter value for a respective user is
`increased as the respective user makes progress in the group event;
`..................................................................................................... 185
`
`Element 7-E: (e) monitoring progress of the group event and
`updating the parameter value for each of the first plurality of users
`in accordance with the progress of the first group in the group
`event; ........................................................................................... 186
`
`Element 7-F: (f) providing at least one of a plurality of game
`pieces to each of the first plurality of users in the group event,
`based on the parameter value for the corresponding user, wherein
`the plurality of game pieces are required to obtain a game item; 186
`
`Element 7-G: (g) storing allocation information indicating which
`game piece has been provided to which user, in the storage unit;
`..................................................................................................... 186
`
`Element 7-H: (h) determining whether all the required game pieces
`have been provided to the first plurality of users, based on the
`allocation information; and ......................................................... 186
`
`Element 7-I: (i) allocating in a memory, the game item to the first
`group or at least one of the first plurality of users, when it is
`determined that all the required game pieces have been provided
`within a predetermined period of time during which the group
`event is taking place. ................................................................... 186
`
`C.
`
`INVALIDITY BASED ON WARHAMMER .................................................... 187
`
`1.
`
`Warhammer Invalidates the Asserted Claims of the ’107 Patent ........... 187
`a.
`Element 1-pre: A game control method carried out by a game
`control device for providing a game to a plurality of
`communication terminals respectively used by a plurality of users,
`the game control device communicating with the plurality of
`
`ix
`
`Patent Owner Gree, Inc.
`Exhibit 2008 - Page 10 of 86
`
`

`

`
`
`b.
`
`c.
`
`d.
`
`e.
`
`f.
`
`g.
`
`h.
`
`i.
`
`j.
`
`k.
`
`communication terminals and having a storage unit, the method
`comprising the steps of … .......................................................... 187
`
`Element 1-A: (a) storing skill level information indicative of skill
`levels of each of the plurality of users of the game, in the storage
`unit; ............................................................................................. 189
`
`Element 1-B: (b) grouping the plurality of users into one or more
`groups;......................................................................................... 192
`
`Element 1-C: (c) providing one or more of a plurality of game
`pieces to a first plurality of users in a first group of said one or
`more groups, based on the skill level information, while the first
`plurality of users are at certain events in the game; .................... 194
`
`Element 1-D: (d) storing allocation information indicating which
`game piece has been provided to which user with a respective skill
`level, and a number and type of game pieces required to obtain a
`game item as a reward, in the storage unit; ................................. 201
`
`Element 1-E: (e) determining whether all of the game pieces
`required to obtain said game item have been provided to the first
`group, based on the allocation information stored in the storage
`unit; and ...................................................................................... 205
`
`Element 1-F: (f) allocating in a memory, the game item to the first
`group or at least one of the first plurality of users, when it is
`determined that all the required game pieces have been provided.
`..................................................................................................... 207
`
`Element 2: The game control method according to claim 1, further
`comprising the step of (g) creating, in response to a request from a
`communication terminal of one of the plurality of users, a new
`group to which one of the plurality of users belongs .................. 211
`
`Element 3: The game control method according to claim 1, further
`comprising the step of (h) allowing a user who plays the game to
`join a group only if the game control device has received approval
`from a communication terminal of at least one of the users in the
`group. .......................................................................................... 215
`
`Element 4: The game control method according to claim 1,
`wherein in step (c), the plurality of game pieces are respectively
`provided to users with skill levels in different ranges with different
`probabilities, based on the skill level information. ..................... 216
`
`Element 5: The game control method according to claim 1,
`wherein in step (c), the plurality of game pieces are respectively
`
`x
`
`Patent Owner Gree, Inc.
`Exhibit 2008 - Page 11 of 86
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`

`

`
`
`l.
`
`m.
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`n.
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`o.
`
`p.
`
`q.
`
`r.
`
`s.
`
`t.
`
`provided to users with skill levels in different ranges, based on the
`skill level information. ................................................................ 218
`
`Element 6: The game control method according to claim 1,
`wherein in step (c), each, of the plurality of game pieces is only
`provided to users with skill levels in a predetermined range, based
`on the skill level information. ..................................................... 220
`
`Element 7: The game control method according to claim 1,
`wherein in step (c) only one of the plurality of game pieces is
`provided to each of the first plurality of users. ........................... 224
`
`Element 8: The game control method according to claim 1, further
`comprising the steps of: (i) controlling a battle between two users
`in the game; and (j) transferring a game piece provided to one of
`the users in step (c) to the other user, depending on the outcome of
`the battle. ..................................................................................... 225
`
`Element 9-pre: A game control device for providing a game to a
`plurality of communication terminals respectively used by a
`plurality of users, the device comprising … ............................... 225
`
`Element 9-A: a storage unit for storing skill level information
`indicative of skill levels of each of the plurality of users, and
`allocation information indicating which game piece has been
`provided to which user with a respective skill level, and a number
`and type of game pieces required to obtain a game item as a
`reward; ........................................................................................ 226
`
`Element 9-B: a processor for grouping the plurality of users into
`one or more groups, and for providing one or more of a plurality of
`game pieces to a first plurality of users in a first group of said one
`or more groups, based on the skill level information, while the first
`plurality of users are at certain events in the game; .................... 226
`
`Element 9-C: a determining unit for determining whether all of the
`game pieces required to obtain said game item have been provided
`to the first group, based on the allocation information stored in the
`storage unit; and .......................................................................... 227
`
`Element 9-D: a memory allocation unit for allocating in a memory,
`the game item to the first group or at least one of the first plurality
`of users, when it is determined that all the required game pieces
`have been provided. .................................................................... 227
`
`Element 10-pre: A non-transitory computer readable recording
`medium for storing a program that causes a computer of a game
`control device to execute a process, the game control device
`
`xi
`
`Patent Owner Gree, Inc.
`Exhibit 2008 - Page 12 of 86
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`

`

`
`
`u.
`
`v.
`
`w.
`
`x.
`
`y.
`
`z.
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`aa.
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`providing a game to a plurality of communication terminals
`respectively used by a plurality of users, and having a storage unit
`the process comprising the steps of … ....................................... 227
`
`Element 10-A: (a) storing skill level information indicative of skill
`levels of each of the plurality of users of the game, in the storage
`unit; ............................................................................................. 228
`
`Element 10-B: (b) grouping the plurality of users into one or more
`groups;......................................................................................... 228
`
`Element 10-C: (c) providing one or more of a plurality of game
`pieces to a first plurality of users in a first group of said one or
`more groups, based on the skill level information, while the first
`plurality of users are at certai