Abstract: An in-content challenge platform and method for generating single user challenges within multiplayer games (and other media) is disclosed. The in-content challenge platform provides various in-content challenges and prize promotions to users for completing specific win conditions within an instance content (e.g., a video game, a fitness application, a streaming video service, etc.). In some embodiments, the platform can be integrated directly into the game itself. In other embodiments, the platform is seen as an overlay to the game. In still other embodiments, the user can interact with the platform through a separate piece of software that is reached via a client device independent of the content or a third-party system providing the content itself.

Abstract: A game controller includes a first handle body. The first handle body includes a first operation interface, a first connection portion, a first control circuit, a first battery, and a first communication module. The first operation interface is electrically connected to the first connection portion. The first communication module includes a first wireless communication circuit and a first wired communication circuit. The first control circuit is electrically connected to the first communication module, the first battery, the first operation interface and the first connection portion. The first mobile device is disposed at a side of the first handle body. When the first mobile device is electrically connected to the first connection portion of the first handle body, the first control circuit turns on the first wired communication circuit of the first communication module to communicate with the first mobile device by the first connection portion.

Abstract: A contribution degree calculation apparatus calculates a contribution degree of each of a plurality of players in a video game in which the plurality of players participate. The contribution degree calculation apparatus includes: a biological information obtainer configured to obtain biological information respectively corresponding to the plurality of players; a game data obtainer configured to obtain game data generated by the plurality of players playing the video game; a first calculator configured to calculate a first index related to a degree of an influence by one of the plurality of players to another player and a second index related to a mental load of the one player, from biological information corresponding to the one player; and a second calculator configured to calculate a contribution degree of the one player from the first index and the second index and from the game data.

Abstract: An operation device includes a housing, a tiltable cylindrical operation member having a step portion on an inner circumferential surface, a first holding member which is held by the housing and rotatable in a first direction in accordance with a tilting operation of the operation member, a first detecting portion for detecting a rotation of the first holding member, and a returning mechanism disposed inside the operation member to return the tilted operation member to an initial position, wherein the returning mechanism includes an actuator, a slide member having a first cam surface at one end, a cam member having a second cam surface at one end which faces the first cam surface, a first elastic member, and a second elastic member.

Abstract: A multi-user virtual reality universe (VRU) process receives input from multiple remote clients to manipulate avatars through a modeled 3-D environment. A VRU host models movement of avatars in the VRU environment in response to client input, which each user providing input for control of a corresponding avatar. The modeled VRU data is provided by the host to client workstations for display of a simulated environment visible to all participants. The host maintains personalized data for selected modeled objects or areas that is personalized for specific users in response to client input. The host includes personalized data in modeling the VRU environment. The host may segregate VRU data provided to different clients participating in the same VRU environment according to limit personalized data to authorized users, while all users receive common data.

Abstract: An information management system includes a gaming machine and an information processing device configured to communicate with the gaming machine, wherein the information processing device manages gaming machine identification information of the gaming machine to which an information card is used as time series information associated with information card identification information based upon the information card identification information of the information card not associated with personal information and the gaming machine identification information unique to the gaming machine transmitted from the gaming machine.

Abstract: A system, a machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, and a computer-implemented method are described herein for an Alliance Engine. The Alliance Engine receives a selection, by a first player, of a first tile to be controlled by a first enforcer asset on behalf of the first player. The first tile provides access to a first type of in-game resource to the first player. The Alliance Engine detects the first tile is adjacent to a second tile. The second tile is controlled by a second enforcer asset on behalf of a second player. The first player and the second player belong to a player alliance. The second tile providing access to a second type of in-game resource to the second player. Based on the detected adjacency, the Alliance Engine transfers a portion of the first type of in-game resource of the first tile to the second player. The Alliance Engine transfers a portion of the second type of in-game resource of the second tile to the first player.

Abstract: A gaming platform including a programmable hand-held video gaming controller in electrical communication with an integrated foot-pedal gaming controller and/or an integrated mouthpiece gaming controller platform. The programmable hand-held video gaming controller including at least one game function activation area, each of the at least one game function activation areas operating a game function, each of the at least one game function activation areas further including a function control transfer switch. The integrated foot-pedal gaming controller platform including at least one foot pedal configured to control at least one game function when a corresponding function control transfer switch on the programmable hand-held video gaming controller is activated; and the integrated mouthpiece gaming controller platform configured to control at least one game function when a corresponding function control transfer switch on the programmable hand-held video gaming controller is activated.

Abstract: A game controller is provided. The game controller includes a first handle, a second handle, and a function expansion module. The first handle and the second handle are connected to each other to jointly form an accommodating space. The function expansion module is disposed in the accommodating space between the first handle and the second handle. The function expansion module is connected to the first handle or the second handle.

Abstract: A system for synchronising role-play amongst two or more role-players; said system comprising: A portable digital device closely associated with each role-player; each portable digital device including at least a processor in communication with a memory thereby to execute commands of an application stored in the memory; the processor in communication with input/output apparatus as directed by the commands of the application stored in the memory; each portable digital device in communication with a local network thereby to place each portable digital device in communication with each other portable digital device participating in the role-play; a downloadable role-play and synchronisation application which is downloaded and stored on and executing on each portable digital device; a suite of audio files for each portable digital device participating in the role-play; each suite of audio files containing a file specific to each character in the role play which incorporates: a) The characters' internal dialogue;

Abstract: To provide a game controller with which a detection means for detecting an insertion degree of a length can be simplified. A game controller includes a controller body to which is attached a flexible member having formed therein an insertion hole into which a length is inserted, a laser transmitter/receiver that is installed on an outer periphery of the controller body and measures a distance with respect to a base surface of the length by transmission and reception of a wave to detect an insertion degree of the length inserted from the insertion hole, and a wiring cable and a control circuit that output the insertion degree of the length detected by the laser transmitter/receiver.

Abstract: A method by which a streaming interactive video user session is handed off from one streaming interactive video server to another without noticeable disruption to the video stream or the user interactivity. A compression technique utilized includes executing a video game on a game server to generate a stream of uncompressed streaming interactive video for a first player participating in a multiplayer session of the video game; receiving input commands at the game server over a network, wherein the input commands provide instructions for executing the video game in association with the first player and are generated from an input device of the first player; and compressing video frames associated with the execution of the video game at the first game server using tiles, wherein one tile from each video frame is encoded as an I tile, and remaining tiles in the corresponding video frame are encoded as P tiles.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes a plurality of reels associated with the game of chance. Each of the plurality of reels includes a plurality of reel positions to generate a symbol thereon. The gaming machine also includes a display including a defined plurality of positions to present a symbol thereon. The gaming machine also includes a processor programmed to generate a spin of the plurality of reels. The spin results in a play area including one or more symbols generated from each of the plurality of reels. The processor is also programmed to identify a first unfolding symbol in a first position on the play area, determine a second position on the play area adjacent to the first position, and display a second unfolding symbol in the second position on based at least in part on the determining, thereby unfolding the first unfolding symbol.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a network accessible sports betting server that allows players to anonymously place wagers on sporting events using an anonymous account identifier that is not associated with any personal information of the player. The player may use the anonymous account identifier to access an available monetary balance for wagering, view, filter, and place wagers on sporting events using various wagering game machines, and continue to use the account identifier to track all associated wagering transactions while a remaining balance remains or pending wagering transactions are outstanding. The gaming system enables the player to use mobile devices and casino gaming machines to interchangeably interface with the anonymous account, viewing the remaining balance, place wagers, etc.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a fantasy sports game. In some embodiments, an expected performance value may be determined that may affect the outcomes of a fantasy game. In some embodiments, player location may affect available opponents for a game. Groups may play against one another in a fantasy competition. Various examples of fantasy gaming options are given.

Abstract: A game machine featuring a play field, a light source and a transmissive electronic display covering at least a portion of the play field. The play field having a top and bottom and a translucent back panel having first and second sides. The back panel being located between the play field and the light source. The play field located between the back panel and the electronic display. The light source illuminating the electronic display through the back panel to present images over the play field.

Abstract: Facilitating entry and/or selection of one or more awards associated with a secondary game to increase the probability of obtaining a more desirable award. Access to a secondary game may be selectively provided, to players of an online game, to facilitate player participations in individual episodes of the secondary game. A set of potential awards may be obtained together with a set of award probabilities for the set of potential awards. Entry and/or selection of one or more of the potential awards in the set of potential awards to be removed from or replaced in the set of potential awards to create an adjusted set of potential awards, may be received from the player. A first potential may be selected based on the award probabilities and distributed to the first player for use within the online game.

Abstract: Servers and method for use in creating a random reward are disclosed. One exemplary method includes receiving a request for a random reward from an organizer, establishing a random reward in response to the request, transmitting a credential associated with the random reward to a player, and crediting gaming activity associated with the credential to the random reward. Access to the random reward is limited to players presenting the credential.

Abstract: A graphical user interface for a gaming console is configured to render a first graphical element in a first region that includes multiple user selectable resource objects, detect a first touching operation at a first location in the first region to select and highlight a resource, detect a first touching operation and a second touching operation in the second region, render an instance of the resource at a first and second location in the second region, determine if a time period of the first and second touching operation exceeds a predetermined time period, and if so, render multiple instances of the resource at the first and second location in the second region, wherein a number of rendered the multiple instances of the resource is determined by a duration that the time period of the second touching exceeds the predetermined time period.

Abstract: A game controller is provided. The game controller includes a first handheld body and a first support unit. The first handheld body includes a first operation interface and a first connection portion. The first operation interface is electrically connected to the first connection portion. The first support unit is pivotally connected to a side of the first handheld body. The first support unit is foldably disposed on a side of the first handheld body. When the first support unit is in an unfolded state, a mobile device is fixedly disposed between the first support unit and the first handheld body.