Abstract: Embodiments that relate to systems and methods for grouping players into a multiplayer game session are provided. In one embodiment, a first match request for a multiplayer game session is received and includes one or more requested player attributes. A plurality of other match requests are received, with one being a second match request including one or more requested player attributes. The first and second match requests are matched based on the requested player attributes. A notification of the match is sent to a client device of the first requesting player, with the notification configured to be received while the client device runs a user session different from the multiplayer game session. The notification includes a selectable element configured to instantiate the multiplayer game session on the client device in place of a user session when the selectable element is selected.

Abstract: Embodiments that relate to systems and methods for grouping players into a multiplayer game session are provided. In one embodiment, a first match request for a multiplayer game session is received and includes one or more requested player attributes. A plurality of other match requests are received, with one being a second match request including one or more requested player attributes. The first and second match requests are matched based on the requested player attributes. A notification of the match is sent to a client device of the first requesting player, with the notification configured to be received while the client device runs a user session different from the multiplayer game session. The notification includes a selectable element configured to instantiate the multiplayer game session on the client device in place of a user session when the selectable element is selected.

Abstract: A user of a software application (e.g., game or title) running at a gaming console may interact securely in real-time with a user of a compatible software application running at a general purpose computing device. Thus, a game player on the gaming console may play online over a secured communication channel with a game player on a PC, for example.

Abstract: In order to provide flexibility for a developer, a network API is provided which allows for a network event (for example, the receipt of data over the network) to be handled by one thread from among a predetermined number of dedicated threads. The number of dedicated threads is specified by the application at runtime and can be modified at runtime as well. Where the number of dedicated threads specified is greater than zero, dedicated threads are created which handle network events and call the specific callback functions of the application in response to the network events. Thus the number of such callback events from threads that can occur at one time is limited by the number of dedicated threads specified by the application. When the number of dedicated threads is specified as zero, no callback events can occur except when the application assigns a certain time period for them.

Abstract: In order to provide flexibility for a developer, a network API is provided which allows for a network event (for example, the receipt of data over the network) to be handled by one thread from among a predetermined number of dedicated threads. The number of dedicated threads is specified by the application at runtime and can be modified at runtime as well. Where the number of dedicated threads specified is greater than zero, dedicated threads are created which handle network events and call the specific callback functions of the application in response to the network events. Thus the number of such callback events from threads that can occur at one time is limited by the number of dedicated threads specified by the application. When the number of dedicated threads is specified as zero, no callback events can occur except when the application assigns a certain time period for them.