Abstract: A mechanism is provided for configuring offline player behavior within a persistent world game. A player agent for an offline player includes an event monitor that monitors for events that occur in a persistent virtual world maintained by a game server. When a game event occurs that triggers an offline player rule, the player agent may generate game events on behalf of the offline player. The player agent may also receive messages from an offline player. The messages may include commands for adding, removing, or editing offline player rules. A message may also include a command to view a list of rules or fire a one-time execution of a rule upon receipt. Therefore, a player may contribute to the persistent virtual world even when offline by sending commands using a messaging client or Web browser.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a gaming device configured to record gaming activity, a method of processing the recorded gaming activity to analyze player behavior, and a system including the gaming device. The gaming device may include a gaming display to display gaming events played on the gaming device by a player during a gaming session, a player interface panel including a plurality of gaming buttons and a game initiating button configured to initiate the gaming events, and a game processor configured to record each activity between the player and the gaming device, wherein each recorded activity is associated with a time stamp.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to present a wagering game upon which monetary value may be wagered; to present an initial image including a subset of a swarm in space representing a portion of the wagering game; and to determine the actual outcome of the wagering game based on player input indications, swarm behavior modeling, and a selected statistical game outcome. An updated image may then be generated and presented, derived from the initial image and the actual outcome.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a gaming device configured to record gaming activity, a method of processing the recorded gaming activity to analyze player behavior, and a system including the gaming device. The gaming device may include a gaming display to display gaming events played on the gaming device by a player during a gaming session, a player interface panel including a plurality of gaming buttons and a game initiating button configured to initiate the gaming events, and a game processor configured to record each activity between the player and the gaming device, wherein each recorded activity is associated with a time stamp.

Abstract: Voice communication between players using one or more multiplayer game console is selectively controlled. A player may selectively block voice communications with another player during a current and any future games. In addition, an authorized party (e.g., a parent) can selectively preclude voice communication by a minor child by setting an option that is uploaded to an online game service service; the minor child is then precluded from voice communication on any voice console via the online game service. Also, a player may be temporarily or permanently banned from voice communication during games played through an online game service in response to complaints made by other players concerning the player's behavior in voice communication while playing games, e.g., excessive use of profanity. When a player signs on to the online game service, data are downloaded to the game console that indicate any applicable restraints on voice communication.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing environmentally-sensitive simulations on a data processing system. According to an embodiment of the present invention, an ambient temperature associated with a player's location is provided to an environmental module. The environmental module provides the ambient temperature information to a simulation application. The simulation application modifies the behavior of a simulation executing on the data processing system according to the ambient temperature. The data processing system displays the simulation with the modified behavior to the player.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide apparatuses, computer media, and methods for supporting lifestyle-reward health games, in which execution is altered based on health behavior of the participant. Input data indicative of the health behavior is obtained and converted into a gaming parameter. The gaming parameter is applied to the lifestyle-reward health game in order to alter the execution of the lifestyle-reward health game. A reward parameter for the participant may be determined based on a utility function, and the reward parameter is invoked when the participant is playing the life-reward health game. Feedback to the participant may be incorporated during the execution of the lifestyle-reward health game, where the feedback is indicative of the participant's health behavior. An avatar may be depicted during execution of the lifestyle-reward health game to illustrate a predicted health condition, in which the depiction is altered by changing the timeframe of the predicted health condition.

Abstract: A pitcher character and a batter character are displayed on a browser image. The pitcher character throws a ball at a random speed in a random course. A behavior of the batter character is controlled through operation of a mouse by a player. Specifically, the player predicts a ball passing position and moves a pointer of the mouse to set a meet cursor at the predicted position on the browser image. The batter character swings a bat at the timing of the player clicking the mouse Depending on an overlap state between the meet cursor and the ball, it is judged whether or not the player has hit a home run. Resultant data of a game is sent to a server system along with identification information of the player. The server system totalizes resultant data to derive the total record per player, and produces a game award to be given to each player whose total record deserves it.

Abstract: A biofeedback training system and method which utilizes biological signals from a trainee to influence actions and events in an activity or game displayed to the trainee. A level of intelligence in a displayed activity or game is used a biofeedback variable. Decision-making rules or other abilities within an embedded game player are introduced and controlled as additional types of biofeedback variable, and represent awards in a training process. The methods and systems can be applied to any activity or game that includes goal-seeking behavior and that can be configured for automatic play by goal-oriented rules. The action and content of game-like biofeedback displays may be influenced or dictated by biological signals from a trainee viewing the display.

Abstract: User interface approaches to providing help to players by playing back previously recorded inputs. Certain exemplary embodiments involve displaying, with the recorded playback, an input device icon to show where the inputs are occurring and/or where the inputs should occur if the player were to make them. Modifications are made to the previously recorded input to improve the user's ability to see what is happening, as well as making the playback seem more consistent, mechanical, and automatic. The help makes the computer application seem like the user interface is operating itself in a way that is easy to follow, rather than giving the impression that a previously recorded user input stream simply is being played back in accordance with the more organic and potentially idiosyncratic behaviors of the recorded person. The modifications may in certain exemplary embodiments include, for example, path smoothing/correction, automatic snapping, delay periods, speed normalization, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling a novel video game in which dancing is used as a factor in the behavior of a character, a machine for the video game, and a medium in which a program for the video game is recorded, and makes it possible to dance characters 611 and 612 displayed using 3-D polygons in time with music, to evaluate their dance skills based mainly on whether dance actions are in time with the music, and to proceed with a story by winning matches with a computer or to match with other players.