Nothing derails the excitement of playing games online with your friends quite like finding out that you don't have a certain piece of DLC required to join their game. The USPTO recently approved a Microsoft patent application (filed way back in August 2008) for a system that would enable users to seamlessly purchase and download game add-ons from the Xbox Live Marketplace when alerted by an in-game prompt that they're missing said content (which would be required for a particular online game they're attempting to launch).

The process would allow you to make purchases without being forced out of a game lobby you might be sharing with friends -- though, really, what kind of "friends" wouldn't warn you about your game's newfound incompatibility before inviting you in? Inconsiderate friends, that's who.

[Via Eurogamer; BrokeMyController]