[quote name='Trakan']I don't get how they can patent that, to be honest. That'd be like getting a patent on save points, autosave, or side quests.
Weird.[/QUOTE]
Not that I've read it, but from what I know on patents, it's probably got something to do with the method for handling drop-in, drop-out coop play in a game where AI handles squadmates until someone drops in and then resumes AI when that person drops out.
I'm not on the up-and-up with regards to how coop has been working -- but I think gears2 let you have different coop partners, but you still required a second person to play coop... i think this has to do with the idea of being like mercs 2, but with squad based shooters that require squadmates to be controlled by AI if your parter drops out.