Abstract: A game distribution server configured to separately distribute game data comprising active game data and passive game data to a plurality of remote computers each provided with a client application, comprising: storage for active game data and passive game data configured to be distributed separately and recombined at a remote computer by a client application, wherein passive game data comprise files having a larger average file size than the average file size of active game data; an active data controller configured to control supply of active game data to said remote computer responsive to events occurring during game play; a passive data controller operable to control supply of passive game data separately from said active game data; and a communications interface.

Abstract: A computer game conversion apparatus for reducing the size of a computer game comprising a plurality of game elements, the apparatus comprising: a game element similarity checker for identifying game elements of the plurality of game elements which are at least similar to a first game element of the plurality of game elements; and an optimisation module for replacing the similar game elements with a reference to the first game element and deleting the similar game elements.

Abstract: A user game apparatus configured to facilitate game playing according to which first and second separate supplies of game data are received from a remote game distribution server and combined during game play responsive to game playing events, the apparatus comprising: a request module arranged to receive a first supply of data from a first data path and a second supply of data from a second data path and operable to combine said first and second data to produce a natural game play experience; and a game synchroniser configured to control timing of supply of the first supply of data and the second supply of data from respective data buffers.