Abstract: A first request to establish the trusted relationship via the online gaming platform between the first user account and other user accounts of the gaming platform is received. A second request to establish the trusted relationship between the second user account and other user accounts of the gaming platform is received. Whether the first client device corresponding to the first user account is within a defined physical range with respect to the second client device corresponding to the second user account is estimated. Responsive to estimating that the first client device is within the defined physical range with respect to the second client device, the trusted relationship between the first user account and the second user account via the online gaming platform is established and additional functionality that enables the first user account and the second user account to interact via the online gaming platform is enabled.

Abstract: A system and method includes providing, by a first instance of a messaging application hosted by a game engine executing on a first client device, a user interface for messaging with a second client device; receiving first instructions to render a first three-dimensional (3D) object in the user interface of the first client device, wherein the first 3D object is initiated by a second instance of the messaging application of the second client device; rendering, by the game engine, one or more first frames to generate the first 3D object for the presentation in the user interface of the first client device based on the first instructions; and causing the presentation of the one or more first rendered frames of the first 3D object in the user interface of the first instance of the messaging application of the first client device.

Abstract: A gaming system runs on a server executing software, and provides a first interactive interface to a first player, enabling the first player to establish a chat session as a chat leader, to invite a plurality of other players to the chat session, to select a game provided by the system from the at least one game server, and to launch the game with the chat leader and the other players in the chat session as players in the game, and provides a second interactive interface to players in the chat session as a result of invitation, the second interactive interface enabling the players in the chat session other than the leader to participate in the chat session, and to play the game selected and launched by the chat leader, who becomes a lead player in the game.

Abstract: A VIP gaming service is provided through one or more servers providing games to players as members of the service, with one or more interactive interfaces executing on a web server, whereby players connected to the web server may select and configure games to play. Players connected to the server and logged in to the service are enabled by an interactive interface to purchase an ability to privatize an instance of playing a game, if a game developer has enabled the game to be hosted on a private server, and wherein privatizing the game selected as a VIP game enables the purchasing player to control entry of other players into the game in a specific instance of play, to alter circumstances and interactions in playing the game in the specific instance of play, and to lead the other players in the instance of playing the game.

Abstract: A system incorporates a managing server executing software on a processor, game servers serving video games, a plurality of network-connected mobile computerized appliances in use by persons to play games served by the game servers; and software executing on processors of the computerized appliances. Software at the computerized appliances provides interactive interfaces, enabling a first player launch a chat session through the managing server with one or more other players, enabling any one of the players in a chat session to associate a game served by one of the one or more game servers with the chat session, and enabling players in the chat session to enter the game associated with the chat session, and to leave the game and return to the chat session.

Abstract: A system and method receiving, from a first client device associated with a first user of a collaboration platform, a first request to establish friendship with other users of the collaboration platform that are in physical proximity with the first user. The method includes determining, by a processing device, whether a second user of the collaboration platform is in the physical proximity of the first user by comparing a first indicator of physical proximity associated with the first user with a second indicator of physical proximity associated with the second user. The method also includes responsive to determining the second user of the collaboration platform is in the physical proximity of the first user based on the comparison, sending to the first user an invitation to request a friendship with the second user.

Abstract: A system and method includes establishing a trusted relationship between a first user using a first user device to access a collaboration platform and a second user using a second user device to access the collaboration platform. The method includes receiving, by the collaboration platform, a request from the first user device to establish the trusted relationship with the second user of the collaboration platform. The method also includes transmitting a first authentication code to the first user device responsive to the request. The method includes receiving a second authentication code from the second user device. The method further includes authenticating the second user to establish the trusted relationship between the first user and the second user of the collaboration platform responsive to determining the second authentication code received from the second user device matches the first authentication code transmitted to the first user device.

Abstract: A system and method includes providing, by a first instance of a messaging application hosted by a game engine executing on a first client device, a user interface for messaging with a second client device; receiving first instructions to render a first three-dimensional (3D) object in the user interface of the first client device, wherein the first 3D object is initiated by a second instance of the messaging application of the second client device; rendering, by the game engine, one or more first frames to generate the first 3D object for the presentation in the user interface of the first client device based on the first instructions; and causing the presentation of the one or more first rendered frames of the first 3D object in the user interface of the first instance of the messaging application of the first client device.

Abstract: A system incorporates a managing server executing software on a processor, game servers serving video games, a plurality of network-connected mobile computerized appliances in use by persons to play games served by the game servers; and software executing on processors of the computerized appliances. Software at the computerized appliances provides interactive interfaces, enabling a first player launch a chat session through the managing server with one or more other players, enabling any one of the players in a chat session to associate a game served by one of the one or more game servers with the chat session, and enabling players in the chat session to enter the game associated with the chat session, and to leave the game and return to the chat session.

Abstract: A video game method has steps for receiving, at a network-connected server providing video games, a request from a first player to enter a particular game, determining by software executing on a processor on the network-connected server, from a non-transitory medium, instances of the particular game already in progress, accessing stored information regarding friends of the first player, determining if one or more friends of the first player are engaged in one or more of the games already in progress, and directing the first player to a particular one of the games already in progress wherein one or more friends of the first player are engaged.

Abstract: A video game method has steps for receiving, at a network-connected server providing video games, a request from a first player to enter a particular game, determining by software executing on a processor on the network-connected server, from a non-transitory medium, instances of the particular game already in progress, accessing stored information regarding friends of the first player, determining if one or more friends of the first player are engaged in one or more of the games already in progress, and directing the first player to a particular one of the games already in progress wherein one or more friends of the first player are engaged.

Abstract: A VIP gaming service is provided through one or more servers providing games to players as members of the service, with one or more interactive interfaces executing on a web server, whereby players connected to the web server may select and configure games to play. Players connected to the server and logged in to the service are enabled by an interactive interface to purchase an ability to privatize an instance of playing a game, if a game developer has enabled the game to be hosted on a private server, and wherein privatizing the game selected as a VIP game enables the purchasing player to control entry of other players into the game in a specific instance of play, to alter circumstances and interactions in playing the game in the specific instance of play, and to lead the other players in the instance of playing the game.

Abstract: A gaming system runs on a server executing software, and provides a first interactive interface to a first player, enabling the first player to establish a chat session as a chat leader, to invite a plurality of other players to the chat session, to select a game provided by the system from the at least one game server, and to launch the game with the chat leader and the other players in the chat session as players in the game, and provides a second interactive interface to players in the chat session as a result of invitation, the second interactive interface enabling the players in the chat session other than the leader to participate in the chat session, and to play the game selected and launched by the chat leader, who becomes a lead player in the game.