Abstract: The present disclosure is directed at systems, methods, and apparatus for implementing a rhythm-action game having an improvisational fill feature. The rhythm-action game can provide a musical track having at least one section that can be varied. The rhythm-action game can also provide a database having a plurality of fills, wherein each fill includes a soundtrack and a set of cues. During run-time, the rhythm-action game can select, for each section in the musical track that can be varied, a fill from the plurality of fills. In some embodiments, this selection can be based on various characterizing parameters to ensure that the fill is a good fit for the musical track. The rhythm-action game can also display a set of visual cues associated with the selected fill, and to evaluate whether received user input substantially corresponds to the displayed cues.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed at methods and systems for implementing and scoring a vocal improvisation feature in a music video game. This feature can allow players of music video games to sing improvised harmonies for a song using a microphone controller. The improvised harmonies can be musically consonant with a pre-authored melody track programmed into the music video game. The improvised harmonies can comprise pre-authored notes programmed into the pre-authored melody track, or can be generated by the music video game during run-time based on the pre-authored melody track. The music video game can also display guidelines visually showing permissible harmony tracks in relation to the pre-authored melody track.

Abstract: A computerized technique for use with a game console, the technique including providing, using the game console, a combat video game that includes a weapon, providing, using the game console and an audiovisual system, music as a player plays the video game, analyzing, using the game console, at least one of i) the music, and ii) metadata relating to the music, to determine a property, and controlling the operation of the weapon, using the game console, as a function of the property.

Abstract: Techniques for use with a game console and a camera system, the techniques include providing a first prompt to a first player to create and perform a dance move, receiving at the game console information from the camera system reflecting a position of the first player in response to the first prompt, generating, using the game console, a target frame using the received information relating to the first player, providing, using the audiovisual system connected to the game console, a second prompt to a second player to perform the dance move created by the first player, receiving at the game console information from the camera system reflecting a position of the second player in response to the second prompt, generating, using the game console, an input frame using the information relating to the second player, and comparing the input frame to the target frame to determine a comparison value.

Abstract: The invention provides scoring a performance of a guitar part in a rhythm-action game. It operates in the context of a video game platform in communication with a display and a controller and involves receiving an input performance from the controller including at least one input chord note, each input chord note including an input string value corresponding to a struck string and an input fret value associated with the input string value. Then, a reference performance is provided, which includes at least two reference chord notes to be input at a target time, each reference chord note including a reference string value and a reference fret value associated with the reference string value. Then, a degree of matching is determined between the input performance and the reference performance, and a score is assigned to the input performance based on the degree of matching.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for preventing extraction of original audio tracks from a song. The techniques are executed on a game platform and involve providing a first and second audio track representing parts of a musical composition, mixing the first audio track and the second audio track to provide a mixed audio track, generating an audio modification data comprising a series of substantially random audio modifiers, and then modifying, before playback, the mixed audio track based on the audio modification data to provide a modified mixed audio track, such that subtracting the second audio track from the modified mixed audio track produces a third audio track with an audibly detectable deviation from the first audio track.

Abstract: The invention provides scoring a performance of a guitar part in a rhythm-action game. It operates in the context of a video game platform in communication with a display and a controller and involves receiving an input performance from the controller including at least one input chord note, each input chord note including an input string value corresponding to a struck string and an input fret value associated with the input string value. Then, a reference performance is provided, which includes at least two reference chord notes to be input at a target time, each reference chord note including a reference string value and a reference fret value associated with the reference string value. Then, a degree of matching is determined between the input performance and the reference performance, and a score is assigned to the input performance based on the degree of matching.

Abstract: Presented herein are methods, apparatuses, programs, and systems for scoring a player performance comprising one or more poses in a dance-based video game. a performance 3D skeleton is received that indicates a pose of the player. A score is calculated by comparing a position, a timing, or both, associated with one or more joints of the performance 3D skeleton to a position, a timing, or both, associated with one or more joints of a target pose and altering one or more characteristics of the dance-based video game based on the score.

Abstract: Systems and methods for indicating the performance of a plurality of players playing a video game simulating a rock band experience may include: calculating a player score for each player playing a rhythm action game within a band, each player score representing the performance level of a particular player; calculating a composite score for the band playing a rhythm action game, the composite score based in part on a performance level associated with each player within the band; displaying the composite score on a performance meter as a performance level; and displaying each player score on the performance meter as a graphical indication positioned on the meter at a position corresponding to the calculated player score.

Abstract: A simulated musical instrument may be used to alter the audio of a video game, the video aspects of video game, or both. Use of a controller simulating a musical instrument allows a rhythm-action game can be enjoyed in a manner closer to a realistic state of playing an instrument.

Abstract: A method for matching suitable remote players to one or more local players of a rhythm-action game includes identifying one or more local players to participate in a networked session of a rhythm action game corresponding to a predetermined band template, each local player associated with a type of simulated musical. A first type of simulated musical instrument represented in the predetermined band template and not associated with any of the one or more local players may then be identified, along with a remote player associated with the first type of simulated musical instrument. A game session may then be provided including the one or more local players and the identified remote player.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems and computer readable media for providing interaction between remote players and one or more local players of a rhythm-action game executed on a game platform. One or more local players is identified to participate in a networked session of a rhythm action game corresponding to a predetermined band template, each local player associated with a type of simulated musical instrument. A first type of simulated musical instrument, represented in the predetermined band template and not associated with any of the one or more local players, may then be identified, along with a remote player associated with the first type of simulated musical instrument. Then, game platforms of the local and remote players communicate to establish a networked session of the rhythm action game with the one or more local players and the identified remote player before initiating a game session where the players play the game.

Abstract: Described are methods, systems, apparatuses, computer program products embodied in a computer-readable storage medium and means for providing online challenges between bands in a musical video game. Typically the invention is executed on a game server in signal communication with a game platform and involves receiving, by the game server, musical game input data representing a musical performance of a band. Then, the game server calculates a composite score from the input data based on a gameplay challenge. Then the composite score is compared to a composite score of a second band's performance for the same gameplay challenge. In some embodiments, the comparison is displayed as a real-time representation of the two bands, even though score of the second band is based on a stored performance of the second band.

Abstract: The invention provides displaying, in a lane, a section of repeatable inputs in a sub-lane of the lane. Cue data is loaded from a data file, which includes duration data and a plurality of cues to be displayed in the sub-lane. Then, the plurality of cues and a section indicator are displayed in the sub-lane, with the section indicator based on the duration data and indicating that the plurality of cues are repeatable inputs. Then, a timer is started that is independent of a timing window of any cue of the plurality of cues. Then, it is determined if an input is received for the sub-lane before the timer reaches a timing threshold. If it is, the timer is restarted and the plurality of cues is maintained as repeatable inputs. If it is not, the section indicator is modified to indicate that the plurality of cues are not repeatable inputs.

Abstract: The invention provides a realistic drum experience in a video game. It operates in the context of a video game platform in communication with a display and a drum controller having at least one cymbal and at least one drum pad. It involves determining if a cue to be displayed on the display in a particular sub-lane should be a cue indicating a cymbal input or a cue indicating a pad input. Then, the cue is displayed in the particular sub-lane, indicating the cymbal input or pad input (dependent on the previous determination). Then, input is received from the player via the drum controller; and the input is given a first score if the input was a cymbal input associated with the particular sub-lane and the input is given a second score if the input was an input other than a cymbal input associated with the particular sub-lane.

Abstract: Presented herein are methods, apparatuses, programs, and systems for prompting a player to perform a series of dance moves. A player is prompted to perform a series of dance moves by providing a timeline comprising at least a first time interval associated with a first dance move, and a second time interval associated with a second dance move; displaying an icon representing the first dance move at a first location on the display for the duration of the first time interval; and displaying an icon representing the second dance move at the first location on the display for the duration of the second time interval, wherein the icon representing the first dance move includes one or more representations of a body and indicates on the one or more representations of the body at least one body part whose position is important during the performance of the first dance move.

Abstract: The invention includes methods, systems with an apparatus configured to perform particular functions, computer program products, and apparatuses that provide means for displaying a game cue for a guitar part and/or displaying a player's input. The expected and/or input performances are indicated on a display by creating a game cue or shape on the display, each having portions of varying magnitudes based on the relative differences between the notes or fingering of expected performance and/or inputted performance.

Abstract: Described are methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer program products, for biasing a musical performance input of a player of a rhythm-action game to a part in the game. In one aspect this is accomplished by providing, by a game platform, a history of a degree of matching between a prior music performance input data and a prior music data associated with a first part in a musical composition. Then, on a display, a plurality of target music data, each associated with a respective part in the musical composition, is displayed, with one of the plurality being associated with the first part. Music performance input data is received by the game platform via an input device, such as a microphone, and, based on the history, the received music performance input is assigned to the target music data of the plurality that is associated with the first part.

Abstract: Described are methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer program products, for displaying song lyrics and vocal cues in a rhythm-action game. In one aspect this is accomplished by displaying, on a display in communication with a game platform, a vocal cue. The vocal cue moves on the display in synchronization with a timing component of a musical composition towards a target marker. Lyrics are also displayed, but instead of moving with the movement of the vocal cue the lyrics are displayed in a fixed position. The lyrics maintain their position until the vocal cue has moved to a particular position with respect to the target marker.