Patenting Play: Analyzing Recent Video Game Play Patents
Patenting Play: Analyzing Recent Video Game Play Patents
Patenting Play: Analyzing Recent Video Game Play Patents
December, 25, 2025
Summary
The video game industry’s rapid growth has intensified efforts to protect gameplay innovations through patents, a practice that has long sparked controversy over breadth and innovation constraints. Recent patent activity by Nintendo and Electronic Arts highlights this tension. Nintendo has secured multiple U.S. patents covering core Pokémon-related gameplay mechanics, using accelerated examination and continuation strategies amid ongoing litigation, prompting industry concern and rare scrutiny from the USPTO director through an ex parte reexamination. Meanwhile, EA combines traditional gameplay patents with its Accessibility Patent Pledge, offering royalty-free licenses while retaining defensive leverage. Together, these developments illustrate the evolving, contested role of gameplay patents in shaping competition, accessibility, and innovation.
Reference
Baker Botts. (2025, December 25). Patenting play: Analyzing recent video game play patents. https://www.bakerbotts.com/thought-leadership/publications/2025/december/patenting-play