Loading screen mini-games are go after patent expiry

Want to add something more interesting than artwork and trivia to your loading screens? Now you can.

Previously, developers were unable to integrate mini-games into their loading screens thanks to a patent filed by Namco. The patent protected the use of auxiliary mini-games while a main game was loading, as demonstrated by the original Ridge Racer, which let users play Galaga while they waited.

Eurogamerreports that this patent expired on November 27th 2015, having been originally filed in 1995, freeing all studios to indulge themselves in distracting mini-games. Several studios have even arranged aLoading Screen Game Jamto mark the occasion.

Head over to Develop for more details.