Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for executing an online game. One method includes an operation for executing a first game board for a first user and a second game board for a second user. The first game board is created when the first user plays the game for the first time and the second game board is created when the second user plays the game for the first time. The method further includes operations for detecting a visit by the second user to the first game board, and for detecting a request by the second user to place a game asset in the first game board. The game asset is installed in the first game board when the first user approves the request, and the second user obtains one or more game rewards when the first user interacts with the game asset while playing the online game.

Abstract: A method of combining games suited for synchronous play with games suited for asynchronous play is disclosed. It is identified that a first player and a second player are playing a primary game. The primary game has been determined to require the first player and the second player to be online simultaneously while they are playing the primary game. The first player and a third player are provided with an option to play a secondary game simultaneously with the first game. The secondary game is adapted such that it is determined that the secondary game does not require the first player and the third player to be online simultaneously while they are playing the secondary game.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for modifying a game state of a player of a social game are presented. A first location of a first virtual object and a second location of a second virtual object in a virtual world of a social game are identified, where the first virtual object is associated with a first social contact of a player of the social game and the second virtual object is associated with a second social contact of the player of the social game. A location adjacency metric for the first virtual object and the second virtual object is determined using the first location and the second location. A social adjacency metric for the first virtual object and the second virtual object is determined. A game state for the player is modified using the location adjacency metric and the social adjacency metric.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for executing a computer game. One method includes an operation for setting an initial value to the jackpot of a first player. The jackpot of the first player is increased based on each bet by the first player in the computer game. Additionally, the jackpot of the first player is increased based on each bet made by friends of the first player in the computer game. The friends of the first player have a social connection with the first player, and the jackpot of the first player is independent from bets in the computer game of players that are not friends of the first player. The method further includes an operation for resetting the jackpot of the first player to the initial value when the first player or when any friend of the first player wins the jackpot.

Abstract: The APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AN ONLINE BEHAVIOR MONITOR (“OBM”) transform user social-gaming behavioral pattern data via various OBM components into online social-gaming experience customizations. In one embodiment, the OBM may generate individual social-gaming activity timelines for a group of users within a geographical region using user online gaming pattern and social activity data. The OBM may calculate individual time-varying activity level graphs for the users, as well as an aggregate activity level graph. The OBM may identify an activity trough in the aggregate activity level graph, and an event in the geographical region corresponding to the activity level trough. Based on keywords corresponding to the event, the OBM may obtain product results from a product database.

Abstract: A method and system to host a computer-implemented multiplayer game includes functionality to identify and resolve conflicts resulting from asynchronous game play. Client system game state information that changes responsive to in-game actions performed on a client system is intermittently synchronized with authoritative game state information, during which the in-game actions may be validated. Actions that fail a prerequisite check based on the authoritative game state information are analyzed in automated fashion to determine whether they are redundant actions that fail the prerequisite check owing to their having been performed with respect to outdated client system game state information. One or more remedial actions are performed for respective redundant actions, e.g., by allowing the redundant action and modifying the game state, by restoring spent resources to affected players, or by disallowing both the redundant action and an associated preempting action.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing jobs to be scanned based on existence of processing nodes are described. One of the methods includes obtaining identification information regarding operation of a first set of the processing nodes from an inventory and creating a job for scanning the processing nodes of the first set for security vulnerability. The job includes the identification information. The method further includes verifying the inventory to determine the first identifying information of the first set of processing nodes for removal from the job and loading the job having second identifying information for a second set of processing nodes that remain after the verifying operation.

Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to systems and methods to provide an in-game friend object in a game instance of a multiplayer online game uniquely associated with a host player. The friend object has a unique association with a player who is a guest player with respect to the host player's game instance. A state of the friend object is automatically altered, for example deteriorating at random intervals, and can be restored subject to performance of a maintenance object by the guest player, performance of the maintenance action being limited only to the guest player. The friend object may be a display object, such as a picture frame, that displays an image associated with the guest player.

Abstract: Techniques for a compressed image with alpha channel data are described. Encoded alpha channel data from a compressed image representation may be extracted. A common type pixel run characteristic may be determined for at least one common type pixel run represented in the encoded alpha channel data. A common alpha channel value is applied, based on the common type pixel run characteristic, to pixels in a decompressed image representation correlated to the at least one common type pixel run. Pixels in the decompressed image representation correlating to at least one lookup type pixel run represented in the encoded alpha channel data may be processed. The processing may include a determination of an alpha channel value based on pixel data, specific to a pixel correlated to the lookup type pixel run, in the encoded alpha channel data and an application of the alpha channel value to the pixel.

Abstract: Methods and computer programs include associating a three-dimensional collider component and a rigid body component to a two-dimensional game object used in the game play. The three-dimensional collider component and the rigid body component define a plurality of physics attributes to enable control of physical behavior of the game object. A second three-dimensional collider component is associated with a game cursor that is used for providing user input to the gameplay. The game cursor is defined as a two-dimensional object with at least a portion of the game cursor having a spherical contour. User input is detected at a touch screen interface of a computing device that is rendering the gameplay. The user input causes the spherical contour of the game cursor to control movement of the game object within the game scene of the gameplay, the movement being adjusted in accordance to physics attributes of the game object.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for obtaining game asset value is provided. One or more requests to add one or more first game assets to a game user interface of a player is received from a client device of the player. The first game assets are provided in response to the first requests. A second request to obtain a value associated with the second game asset on the game user interface is received, where the second game asset is different than the first game assets. It is determined whether a predetermined amount of time has elapsed, where the predetermined amount of time is based on a number of the first game assets. The value associated with the second game asset is provided to a game account of the player if the predetermined amount of time has elapsed.

Abstract: A gaming environment may be established, by executing a game engine module to provide an interactive game instance, and instantiating a state machine instance using one or both of a state machine client module or a state machine server module. In an example, during execution of the game engine module, scripting commands within a state machine definition may be parsed and executed to obtain information indicative of one or more of a state of an in-game object or a state transition of an in-game object. An in-game object may be controlled within the game instance via the state machine using at least a portion of the information obtained from parsing and executing the scripting commands. Use of the state machine definitions in conjunction with the scripting commands may enable representation of complex scenarios for virtual objects and events in the gaming environment in a simplified format.

Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to systems and methods to provide graphical user interfaces in computer-implemented multiplayer games. The graphical user interface includes a friends panel that is operable between a collapsed condition and an expanded condition. The friends panel provides friends information display functionality, social network management functionality, and/or messaging functionality both in the collapsed condition and in the expanded condition. In the collapsed condition, the friends panel may comprise a friends bar that shows a row of friend cards or chiclets associated with respective friends of a host player associated with a displayed game instance, the friends bar being clear of a view of a virtual in-game environment shown in the game display, while the expanded friends panel may comprise a grid of friend cards or chiclets that functionally obscures the in-game environment.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method comprises identifying a user of a computer-implemented game to interact with a further user in pursuit of a common game objective. The identifying is performed based at least partially on the user not being directly related, as reflected within relationship data, with the further user. Interactions, within the computer implemented-game, between the further user and the user in the pursuit of the common game objective of the computer-implemented game are enabled responsive to the identifying of the user.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing public gameplay is provided. Gameboard display data is generated to display a gameboard of a game. A move associated with the game is received from a client device of a player. The gameboard display data and move display data are provided to the client device to display the move on the gameboard. The gameboard display data and the move display data are also sent to a broadcast server to display the move on the gameboard via a public medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system of forming an animation of a virtual object within a virtual environment, and a storage medium storing a computer program for carrying out such a method. The virtual object comprises a plurality of object parts, and one or more predetermined object part groups each being a sequence of linked object parts. The method includes generating a target configuration for the parts of the object part group, using a scale factor to scale the target configuration.

Abstract: An RPM verifier is described. A master configuration file and a list of host servers are retrieved. The master configuration file defines rules for approved versions of software packages installed on each host server in the list. The RPM verifier queries each host server in the list for a version identifier of one or more software packages installed on each host server. The rules are applied to the version identifier to identify one or more mis-configured software packages on each host server.

Abstract: In a method of managing a location-based meta game, a presence of a device is detected at a location. The device is configured to execute a computer-implemented game. Based on the detecting of the presence of the device, the device is instructed to present a user of the computer-implemented game with an option to participate in a computer-implemented meta game associated with the location.

Abstract: An apparatus and method providing a localization framework capable of localizing dynamic text is disclosed herein. The localization framework is configured to automatically identify and prioritize certain text contained within an application code base to be translated. Such text is pre-processed prior to translation to facilitate accurate and complete translation in a target language.

Abstract: Systems and methods that provide online social game contests are described. In some embodiments, a method determines a start time and an end point associated with an online social game contest. Multiple users participating in the online game contest are identified, and the contest is initiated at the start time. Each of the multiple users has a separate online social game environment in which they participate in the contest. The online social game contest ends upon reaching the end point.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method to display icons based on messaging activity is provided. A request to access a game user interface of the first player is received from a client device of a first player, the game user interface being associated with a computer-implemented game. First player messaging activity information associated with messaging activity of the first player is accessed, the messaging activity of the first player including receipt of a message from one or more players associated with the computer-implemented game. A first manner of displaying one or more icons each identifying the one or more players is determined including determining the first manner based on the first player messaging information. Display data to display the one or more icons in the first manner within the game user interface is provided to the client device.

Abstract: A machine may generate and store a correlation among multiple identifiers of the user that enable access to an application through multiple systems. For example, the user may have a first identifier for using a first social network system, and a second identifier for using a second social network system, and the machine may generate and store a correlation between the first identifier and the second identifier. The machine may identify the user based on the first identifier and access a database that stores the correlation. The machine may then access a configuration of the application based on the correlation and configure the application in accordance with the configuration. The machine may generate a visual representation of the configured application, provide the visual representation to a device of a further user, receive an indication of an opinion of the further user on the visual representation, and present the indication.

Abstract: The invention includes a system and method for providing linked play via gaming and other devices. In some embodiments, a casino server registers a group for linked play and a group objective and format are established. The linked play commences according to the group format on the gaming devices while the casino server, or another device, concurrently facilitates interaction between the group members operating the gaming devices. The linked play is terminated according to the group format and a determination is made by the casino server whether the group objective has been achieved. Prizes are awarded via the gaming devices if the group objective was achieved.

Abstract: The APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AN ONLINE GAME MANAGER (“OGM”) transform user social graph and online behavioral pattern data inputs via OGM components into optimized server computational load reports. In one embodiment, the OGM may process a user server migration request for a user by obtaining user social graph data identifying co-users, and social activity pattern data associated with the user and the co-users. The OGM may also obtain server load indices of servers associated with the co-users, and server load analysis rules. By analyzing the server load indices using the server load analysis rules, the OGM may identify a subset of the servers as non-overloaded transfer candidate servers. The OGM may calculate transfer candidate server scores for the non-overloaded transfer candidate servers using the user social graph data and the social activity pattern data.

Abstract: Software receives a message from a client device requesting an update check for an app deployed on the client device. The message includes a version number for the app. The software determines that a count of messages requesting an update check for the app exceeds a specified number. The software obtains an executable for the app from an app database, using the received version number. The software generates a dependency analysis by scanning the executable. The dependency analysis includes a version number for at least one dependent code module. The software determines that the app is updatable by comparing the version number in the dependency analysis with a version number for source code for the dependent code module. The software creates an updated app using newer source code for the dependent code module, using a developer specification as to compilation type, and transmits the updated app to the client device.

Abstract: The apparatuses, methods and systems for application update includes determining a module dependency graph for a current version of the application, when an indication to generate an updated version of the application is received. A code database is queried to obtain all version numbers for dependent modules identified in the module dependency graph. Recent versions of all dependent modules are selected for an updated version of the application to generate an initial set of dependent modules for the application. Specification attributes for the recent version of the dependent modules are obtained and verified to determine if they are compatible with the updated version of the application. When it is determined that a specific dependent module is not compatible, a different version number for the specific dependent module is selected and the initial set is modified by replacing the recent version with the different version number to generate a modified set.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a computer-implemented online game provides dynamically variable rewards to incentivize player interaction with sponsored content presented within the game. The particular reward offered to incentivize player interaction with particular sponsored content (e.g., a particular advertisement) can be dynamically variable based on the attributes of the player, thus providing user-specific custom rewards for interaction with sponsored content. Properties of incentive rewards that may be dynamically variable can include a custom type of in-game asset or resource, and/or a custom amount of a particular in-game asset or resource.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer-readable storage medium for guiding a player to the completion of a task during game play. The player selects a control device in a graphical user interface device generated by a processor. In response to the selection, a hint is provided to the user in the graphical user interface that presents a game board to a player. The player may use the hint to accomplish the task.

Abstract: A method and system to transfer assets between interactive social games is described. In some embodiments, the method generates a visual expression of a transfer mechanism in a first computer-implemented game. The method further generates the visual expression of the transfer mechanism in a second computer-implemented game. The transfer mechanism is capable of transferring an in-game asset from the first computer-implemented game to the second computer-implemented game. The method transfers the in-game asset from the first computer-implemented game to the second computer-implemented game using the transfer mechanism.

Abstract: A method and system provides a multiplayer computer-implemented game in which a game instance defines a virtual world comprising a building displayed to a user in a game display which can be switched between an overview comprising a side on, elevational view of the building in which the interiors of multiple rooms that together define the house are simultaneously visible, and a close-up side on view of a selected room. At least the close-up view may provide a three-dimensional interactive space that is accessible to one or more player characters controlled by users, to allow movement laterally across a screen on which the game display is provided, and into a depth dimension relative to the user's view.

Abstract: A method for detecting suspicious behavior in an online gaming application is provided. The method initiates with providing an online gaming application to a user. Current gaming activity and social network activity of the user is analyzed. Prior gaming activity and social network activity of the user is also analyzed. A suspicious activity is detected based on the analyzed current gaming activity and social network activity and the analyzed prior gaming activity and social network activity. A constraint of service order is generated which defines an action to be taken in response to the detected suspicious activity.

Abstract: An advertisement is associated with a particular user move in a gaming environment where playing of the user move by a user results in the advertisement being displayed at the user's gaming device. With multiple users, each play of a unique user move results in a corresponding uniquely targeted advertisement being displayed at the respective gaming device of each user. User moves and associated advertisements are bound to one another based on a frequency of use of the user move in game play and the desirability of the advertiser to associate the advertisement with the user move.

Abstract: Disclosed in some examples are systems, methods, and machine readable mediums which allow for efficient and dynamic adaptation of one or more game objects based upon a proximity to another game object. In some examples, placement (or movement) of a game object may trigger a proximity check wherein the game map is checked to determine a set of game objects which are within a predefined proximity to the placed game object which may affect the behavior or appearance of the game object. The appropriate adaptations (if any) may be determined using a lookup table or other rule set where the inputs include the set of game objects and the locations of each of the game objects in the set relative to the placed object.

Abstract: An advertisement is associated with a particular user move in a gaming environment where playing of the user move by a user results in the advertisement being displayed at the user's gaming device. With multiple users, each play of a unique user move results in a corresponding uniquely targeted advertisement being displayed at the respective gaming device of each user. User moves and associated advertisements are bound to one another based on a frequency of use of the user move in game play and the desirability of the advertiser to associate the advertisement with the user move.

Abstract: An advertisement is associated with a particular user move in a gaming environment where playing of the user move by a user results in the advertisement being displayed at the user's gaming device. With multiple users, each play of a unique user move results in a corresponding uniquely targeted advertisement being displayed at the respective gaming device of each user. User moves and associated advertisements are bound to one another based on a frequency of use of the user move in game play and the desirability of the advertiser to associate the advertisement with the user move.

Abstract: In a method and system of providing in-game assets for location-based actions, an indication of a performance of a location-based action by a player of a computer-implemented game is received. A virtual item is provided based on the receiving of the indication of the performance of the location-based action by the player of the computer-implemented game, the virtual item being usable within the computer-implemented game.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for enhancing social collaboration in an online casino game. One method includes an operation for receiving bets from players playing in a first gambling mode in an online gambling room. The method also includes an operation for determining contributions to a community metric based on the outcomes of the bets, where all players in the online gambling room contribute towards the community metric. After detecting that the community metric reaches a predetermined goal, the online casino game enters all players in the online gambling room into a second gambling mode to achieve a room goal, where the value of the community metric does not change while players are in the second gambling mode.

Abstract: Disclosed in some examples is a method of providing a computer implemented game comprising: displaying one or more on-screen objects in accordance with the computer implemented game; accepting input from a user of the computer implemented game; responsive to receiving input from the user, updating the one or more on-screen objects according to one or more game rules using one or more computer processors; receiving a notification from a game server, over a network, that the user of the computer implemented game has completed a gameplay specific task in a second computer implemented game, wherein the second computer implemented game is provided on a separate platform from the computer implemented game; and responsive to receiving the notification from the game server, providing a reward to the user in the computer implemented game.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium, and a method for modifying a game state of a player of a social game are presented. A first location of a first virtual object and a second location of a second virtual object in a virtual world of the social game are identified. The first virtual object is associated with a first social contact of the player of the social game and the second virtual object is associated with a second social contact of the player of the social game. A location adjacency metric for the first virtual object and the second virtual object is determined using the first location and the second location. A social adjacency metric for the first virtual object and the second virtual object is determined. A game state for the player is modified using the location adjacency metric and the social adjacency metric.

Abstract: A method of voting with your feet is disclosed. A notification regarding a survey question is communicated to a player of a computer implemented game. The notification includes an indication of a particular location-based action that is to be performed by the player to answer the survey question. The answer of the player to the survey question is determined based on detection of performance of the particular location-based action by the player.

Abstract: A method of customizing offers for sales of combinations of virtual items at discounted prices is disclosed. A combination of virtual items of a computer-implemented game is selected such that the sum of the values of each of the combination of virtual items has a proportion to an amount of currency in an account of a user of the computer-implemented game, the selecting being performed by a processor. An offer for a sale of the combination of the virtual items at a discounted price is generated for the user of the computer-implemented game. The offer for the sale of the combination of virtual items at the discounted price is presented to the user.

Abstract: A system, a computer readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for updating a performance of a presentation of a virtual game environment. A presentation of a virtual game environment is generated based on a visual attribute. The visual attribute may identify a visual quality of the presentation of the virtual game environment. A visual performance metric associated with the presentation of the virtual game environment is then monitored. The visual attribute then updated based on the visual performance metric. After the visual attribute is updated, an updated presentation of the virtual game environment is generated based on the updated visual attribute.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method are provided for displaying feed-based information in an online game. Player feeds are received in a game networking system. A specification for displaying information from the player feeds in the game networking system is accessed. A first player profile is accessed for a first player in an online game, the first player profile identifying one or more characteristics of the first player. The first-player profile is used with the specification to determine a first display profile for displaying information from the player feeds to the first player. The feed-based information is generated for the first player by using the first display profile to access the player feeds, and the feed-based information is then displayed to the first player through a user interface of the online game.

Abstract: A machine may be configured to process an uncompressed image to obtain a set of intermediate images, which may be alternatively known as working images or temporary images. Such a set of intermediate images may be used as input for an image compression algorithm that, when executed by the machine or other compression engine, outputs a compressed version of the uncompressed image. For example, a compression format called “PVRTC,” which may be used on certain portable devices, accepts a set of three intermediate images as input, specifically, one full resolution, low precision version of the original uncompressed image, plus two low resolution, low frequency color versions of the original uncompressed image. A set of intermediate images for such a compression format may be generated by the machine from the original uncompressed image.

Abstract: An online game mechanic matches requests and responses of different data types that include text, image and audio. Request values corresponding to a first data type are sent to users in a distribution list, and those users send response values corresponding to a second data type. Winning response values are selected and announced.

Abstract: An online game mechanic matches requests and responses of different data types that include text, image and audio. Request values corresponding to a first data type are sent to users in a distribution list, and those users send response values corresponding to a second data type. Winning response values are selected and announced. In an example embodiment, the request values include a text description that includes at least one word, and the response values include an image file or a reference to an image file.