Abstract: A server computer is connected to a plurality of client computers through a network, and controls objects in a Metaverse accessed by the client computers. The server computer includes a storage unit for storing an object ID specifying an object accessible in the Metaverse by the plurality of client computers and authenticity information associated with the object ID. The authenticity information indicates that the object is genuine. The server computer also includes a communication unit for communicating with each of the client computers. The server computer also includes an enquiry unit for causing the communication unit to transmit the authenticity information corresponding to the object ID to at least one of the plurality of client computers upon receipt of an enquiry request to enquire about the object ID of the object from one of the plurality of client computers.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present specification provide systems and methods for operating game controllers. Microprocessor-controlled game controllers enable recreation of identical gaming scenarios with precision and accuracy. At least one microprocessor is connected to one or more game controllers. The microprocessor is programmed to synchronize the game controllers externally. Additionally, the microprocessor is programmed to modify one or more game controls that are provided by the game controllers. In embodiments of the present specification, game controllers are embedded with a wireless microcontroller that allow for remote feeding of commands to the microcontrollers.

Abstract: A system and method is provided that simulates gameplay of non-player characters (NPCs) distributed across networked end user devices. The system may identify end user devices that are connected to the system through a network and are available to participate in a simulation in which each participating end user device is provided with one or more NPCs to be executed. An end user device may be available to participate when it has sufficient computing capacity, such as when in an idle or standby state. As such, the system may leverage spare computing capacity of networked end user devices to execute NPCs at networked end user devices during a simulation. In this manner, the behavior of an NPC may be tested using real-world conditions that may affect gameplay, such as a network connection quality, user-to-user game engine coordination and data exchanges, and/or other real-world conditions associated with networked end user devices.

Abstract: Facets of a video game are modified based on scanning of bar codes. The bar codes may be bar codes of retail products. The facets of the video game may one or more of availability of game characters for use in play of the video game, characteristics of the game characters, availability or characteristics of in-game items, or game player status.

Abstract: The present specification describes systems and methods for customizing a video game to a player defined time period. Content units of a video game are selected based on at least one of multiple pre-defined criteria. Content units are then edited to fit into the player defined time period. Game gear required for playing the selected content units is determined. The edited content units and the selected game gear are provided to the player to play within the player defined time period.

Abstract: A system and method for providing dynamically variable maps in a video game is disclosed. A map is provided that defines a playable space available to one or more game players in a video game. Gameplay is monitored in real-time for the detection of a trigger event. Upon detection of a trigger event, a map management engine dynamically modifies a configuration of the map to improve the gameplay experience based on the type of trigger event. Dynamic modification of a map may comprise altering one or more of the map boundary, and/or the location, position, size, number, state, etc. of one or more static map objects or dynamic map objects. As a result of the dynamic modification of the map, the map may transform from its initial (or first or beginning) configuration to a modified (or new or second) configuration.

Abstract: The present specification describes computer-implemented methods and systems for secure storage and transmission of data in a distributed network environment. In embodiments, each piece of data is transformed in to multiple pieces of metadata. Each piece of metadata is transmitted and stored on a different server, which is selected from separate pools of servers.

Abstract: In a multiplayer video game, virtual cameras are controlled by continually assessing and ranking storylines relating to the interactions of various players during a game session. A ranking for each storyline may be based on various factors such as, but not limited to, what the players can see, the distance between certain players, nearby game items or in-game. Subsequently, at least one virtual camera is navigated to provide a view of the highest-ranking storyline, subject to certain limitations on how the camera can move, transition, or otherwise display the interactions between players. In embodiments, a set of rules including rules of cinematography, are used to provide additional control of the movement of the virtual camera. In embodiments, movements of a human camera-person are used on a mocap system to control the movement of the virtual camera.

Abstract: Systems and methods of generating, selecting and rendering level of detail (LOD) visual assets are described. In an offline process for auto-generating the LOD visual assets, a LOD management module receives data representative of a LOD visual asset of an object model and its associated switch distance and iteratively reduces a polygon mesh complexity of the LOD visual asset to generate a lower complexity LOD visual asset along with its associated offline authored switch distance. Data representative of the LOD visual assets is presented in one or more GUIs to enable a user to optimize the data. Subsequently, a rendering module selects a LOD visual asset based on its associated switch distance or a modulated switch distance. The modulated switch distance is determined by applying one or more corrective factors to the associated switch distance.

Abstract: Systems and methods enable most valuable players (MVPs) of a gameplay session to play a bonus gameplay session where other players (non-MVP players) participate as player-spectators in online video games and, through a collective voting mechanism or through active interaction, determine the occurrence of certain events or contents of the bonus gameplay in real time. In this manner, non-MVP players are able to directly affect the course of the bonus gameplay.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for imparting dynamic, non-linear and realistic movement and look and feel to a player's/virtual character's first-person limbs and hand-held object model, and procedurally animating a first-person virtual camera such that it simulates the movement of a camera handheld by the player/virtual character. To impart chaotic or random motion to the first-person limbs and hand-held object model a first module defines and implements first and second two dimensional mass-spring-damper systems, each of which is linked to the player's/virtual vector's view vector. Procedural animation or rotational shake is implemented by a second module by applying a coherent noise function to each of the six axes of the first-person virtual camera.

Abstract: The patent discloses improved methods and systems for detecting a collision between a player controlled virtual character in a video game and an object positioned on a surface in a virtual environment of the video game. Two geometric models are defined, one of which is preferably a cylinder and the other of which is preferably a capsule. For a frame of the video game, data indicative of a position, velocity and direction of the virtual character is acquired and, in a subsequent frame, data indicative of another position of the virtual character is acquired. The first geometric model is moved vertically downward by a predefined distance to identify a level of the ground surface and the second geometric model is moved horizontally forward to detect a collision of the virtual character with the object.

Abstract: The disclosed electronic commerce cloud-based media retailing systems and methods enable customers to execute a purchase intention of a digital product before that product is officially released for distribution. The ecommerce system comprises a digital entitlement engine and is particularly suited to pre-sell entitlements to digital products such as, but not limited to, video games, computer software, movies, and other entertainment media.

Abstract: In a process for selecting a LOD visual asset from a set of pre-generated LOD visual assets for rendering during gameplay, data representative of the set of pre-generated LOD visual assets and associated switch distances is accessed. One or more variables related to the client devices and/or the gameplay being rendered on the client devices is monitored. Thereafter, either a first action of applying at least one corrective factor to the associated switch distance in order to generate modulated switch distances and then selecting a LOD from the set of pre-generated generated LOD visual assets based on one of the modulated switch distances or a second action of selecting a LOD visual asset from the set of pre-generated LOD visual assets based on the associated switch distances corresponding to the selected LOD visual asset is performed.

Abstract: A method for generating at least one proxy level of detail (LOD) visual asset for contents of a grid cell of a game map is described. A LOD management engine receives data indicative of grid cell contents and at least one function is applied to the data. The LOD engine generates a base proxy LOD visual asset representative of the data and an associated base proxy switch distance as a result of the applying, received by a LOD management module which generates a first proxy LOD visual asset by iteratively reducing a polygon mesh complexity of the base proxy LOD visual asset until a maximum geometric deviation of the first proxy LOD visual asset approaches a predefined threshold value. The LOD management module generates a first proxy switch distance at which the predefined threshold value, when projected on a display of a default resolution, comprises a predefined number of pixels.

Abstract: The present specification describes a system and method for providing conditional access to a virtual gaming item possessed by a first player of a video game to a second player. The method includes: creating a database of conditionally accessible virtual items, wherein said accessibility is determined based on at least one predefined condition; modifying an attribute of the virtual item for making the second player aware that said item is available for conditional access for a predefined period of time; fulfilling, by the second player, at least one access condition; and providing accessibility to the item to the second player for the predefined period of time.

Abstract: The specification discloses methods and systems for enabling users to configure one or more actuators in data communication with a user's computing device and positioned on a prop to generate and deliver feedback to a motion capture actor engaged with the prop. At least one graphical interface in the computing device is configured to enable the user to configure occurrence of at least one event during a scene, associate a time and duration of occurrence to the at least one event within an overall duration of the scene, select the prop, assign the at least one event and the associated time and duration of occurrence to at least one actuator on the prop, configure at least one parameter for the feedback, and activate the at least one actuator to generate and deliver the feedback to the actor in response to an occurrence of the at least one event.

Abstract: The disclosed systems and methods integrate gaming functionality with viewing a video program. Systems and methods for generating an interactive multimedia game for a user during the viewing of a video program by the user includes a host computer that generates the game in a context of the video program viewed on a first graphical user interface and recommends the video game to the user. The user may opt to engage with the video game on a second graphical user interface, which may be overlaid on the first graphical user interface.

Abstract: A portable electronic device may be configured for play of a video game, with user controlled game characters operated based on inputs received on first user inputs of the device and a virtual game world modified based on information from motion-related sensors of the device. The modification of the virtual game world may be rotation and/or translation of the virtual game world in a gravitational reference frame. The portable electronic device may also allow for user configuration of the virtual game world.

Abstract: The disclosed systems and methods track and continuously monitor data about a player or a multiple players and create a non-playing character (NPC) and/or modify an existing NPC that replicates the player(s) play style. The disclosed systems implement an artificial intelligence engine that monitors how a real player responds to one or more events in a game and correlates game outcomes with real player actions, with the actions or reactions of third players, and/or with an amount or extent of engagement. The engine may be used to generate, host, or otherwise provide data representative of one or more NPCs to multiple different games, being hosted by one or more servers, concurrently.