That ATB patent is pretty weak and my guess is that it's invalid, given that claim 7 could probably be found in a previous game. One example is Diku MUD... you pick an attack (such as punch, kick), the character deals the damage, then you have to wait a period of time dependent on that attack before you can issue another one. That dates back to the early 90s. So don't worry about it.

Seriously though, looking back at the original post, saying that "Square has used pretty much all the turn based ideas you could use to make an rpg with"... look outside Japan for your RPGs some time. It'll open your eyes. ;)

[Edited by - Kylotan on November 28, 2006 6:47:57 AM]

You could defeat that patent on summary judgement. That's almost as bad as WoTC having a patent on "Tapping" cards. LOL.

I was "Tapping" cards when I was three years old, about 30 years ago. Looks like Wizards owes me about forty billion dollars by now.