Abstract: Participatory spectator roles are provided to on-line gaming systems. The degree of a spectator's participation can vary from that of an observer to that of a critic. Similarly, the degree of effect that the spectator can have on the active-players of the on-line game may also vary. The spectator receives input at various sense levels, video, audio, touch, and so on, and may provide feedback to the active-players of the on-line game using the same or different sense levels. The spectator may also be able to effect changes in the on-line game environment, by modifying landscapes and obstacles, providing clues, defining new rules or challenges, interacting with the active-players, and so on.