Abstract: Described are methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer program products, for dynamically displaying a pitch range in a rhythm-action game. In one aspect this is accomplished by a game platform dividing a musical composition into a plurality of portions each comprising one or more notes. Then the game platform determines a pitch range between a highest note and a lowest note for each portion. Then the game platform determines a display density for each portion based on the pitch range of each portion, or alternatively, a display density for the entire song based on the greatest pitch range of all portions. Then, the game platform displays each portion within a viewable area. The viewable area has a density alterable based on the portion to be displayed or a position that is alterable based on the portion to be displayed, or has both an alterable position and alterable pitch density.

Abstract: Described are methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer program products, that provide a practice mode for multiple musical parts in a rhythm-action game. In one aspect this is accomplished by displaying, on a display in communication with a game platform, a first and second target musical data associated with a musical composition. The game platform receives a selection by the user of the first target musical data to be performed and produces an audio output associated with the first and second target musical data. The game platform also produces a synthesized tone associated with the first target musical data. In some versions, the target music data that is not selected is dimmed and made less visible.

Abstract: Described are methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer program products, for scoring a musical performance after a period of ambiguity in a rhythm-action game. This is accomplished by displaying a first target music data and a second target music data where the first target music data's tolerance threshold overlaps with a second target music data's tolerance threshold. When a music performance input data is received, the game platform determines if the music performance input data is within both tolerance thresholds. Then scores are determined, based on a degree of matching between the music performance input data and the first target music data and between the music performance input data and the second target music data. The game platform then assigns the music performance input data to whichever target music data has the higher score when the difference between the first and second scores is greater than a predetermined value.

Abstract: Described are methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer program products, for scoring a musical performance involving multiple parts in a rhythm-action game. In one aspect this is accomplished by displaying, on a display in signal communication with a game platform, target musical data associated with a musical composition. The game platform receives a first music performance input data, with the first music performance input data being associated with a first part in the musical composition. The game platform also receives a second music performance input data, the second music performance input data associated with a second part in the musical composition. The game platform then calculates a first score based on the first music performance input data and a second score based on the second music performance input data. It then calculates a final or modified score based on the first score and the second score.

Abstract: Described are methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer program products, for displaying song lyrics and vocal cues in a rhythm-action game. In one aspect this is accomplished by displaying, on a display in communication with a game platform, a vocal cue. The vocal cue moves on the display in synchronization with a timing component of a musical composition towards a target marker. Lyrics are also displayed, but instead of moving with the movement of the vocal cue the lyrics are displayed in a fixed position. The lyrics maintain their position until the vocal cue has moved to a particular position with respect to the target marker.

Abstract: Described are methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer program products, for biasing a musical performance input of a player of a rhythm-action game to a part in the game. In one aspect this is accomplished by providing, by a game platform, a history of a degree of matching between a prior music performance input data and a prior music data associated with a first part in a musical composition. Then, on a display, a plurality of target music data, each associated with a respective part in the musical composition, is displayed, with one of the plurality being associated with the first part. Music performance input data is received by the game platform via an input device, such as a microphone, and, based on the history, the received music performance input is assigned to the target music data of the plurality that is associated with the first part.

Abstract: Described are methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer program products, for displaying an input at multiple octaves in a rhythm-action game. In one aspect this is accomplished by receiving by a game platform via a microphone, a music performance input data and displaying, on a display in communication with the game platform, a first pitch marker reflective of the music performance input data. Then substantially simultaneously with the display of the first pitch marker, displaying a second pitch marker at an offset, typically vertical, from the first pitch marker, the offset indicative of an octave difference between the first pitch marker and the second pitch marker.

Abstract: Described are methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer program products, for dynamically determining a musical part performed by a player of a rhythm-action game. In one aspect of a rhythm-action game, microphones are not tied to a particular part and therefore any player can play any of a number of parts, e.g., melody or harmony, lead or rhythm, guitar or bass, without switching instruments. This is accomplished by displaying, on a display, a plurality of target music data associated with a musical composition, receiving a music performance input data via the input device, determining which of the plurality of target music data has a degree of matching with the music performance input data, and assigning the music performance input data to the determined target music data.

Abstract: Described are methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer program products, for displaying a harmonically relevant pitch guide in a rhythm-action game. In one aspect this is accomplished by analyzing, by a game platform, target music data associated with a musical composition to determine a musical scale within the target music data. Then a bounded space, such as a lane to display vocal cues in, is displayed that includes a plurality of interval demarcations based on the scale, and a background comprising a color scheme based on preselected pitches of the scale. Then the game platform displays the target music data in a manner indicative of the harmonically relevant pitches with respect to the pitch guide.

Abstract: Described are methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer program products, for selectively displaying song lyrics in a rhythm-action game. In one aspect this is accomplished by determining a number of vocal cues to be displayed on a display in communication with a game platform, where the vocal cues are each associated with a lyric. Provided a number of areas available to display a set of lyrics, either before run-time or determined at run-time, the game platform determines, based on a lyric priority associated with each lyric, which of the lyrics associated with each vocal cue to display when the number of vocal cues exceeds the number of areas available.

Abstract: A simulated guitar controller is disclosed that facilitates a player using multiple fingers to strum notes which includes a body portion, a plurality of strum bars disposed on a front face of the body portion, a neck portion extending outwardly away from the body portion, and a plurality of fret buttons disposed on the neck portion.

Abstract: Described are methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer program products, that provide a practice mode for multiple musical parts in a rhythm-action game. In one aspect this is accomplished by displaying, on a display in communication with a game platform, a first and second target musical data associated with a musical composition. The game platform receives a selection by the user of the first target musical data to be performed and produces an audio output associated with the first and second target musical data. The game platform also produces a synthesized tone associated with the first target musical data. In some versions, the target music data that is not selected is dimmed and made less visible.

Abstract: Described are methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer program products, for preventing an unintentional deploy of a bonus in a video game. In one aspect this is accomplished by displaying, on a display in communication with a game platform, a target music data of a musical composition. The game platform receives a music performance input data via the microphone, and also determines if the music performance input data has a predetermined degree of matching with a vocal cue. If so, the performance input data is prevented from executing an improvisation deploy.

Abstract: Described are methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer program products, for dynamically displaying a pitch range in a rhythm-action game. In one aspect this is accomplished by a game platform dividing a musical composition into a plurality of portions each comprising one or more notes. Then the game platform determines a pitch range between a highest note and a lowest note for each portion. Then the game platform determines a display density for each portion based on the pitch range of each portion, or alternatively, a display density for the entire song based on the greatest pitch range of all portions. Then, the game platform displays each portion within a viewable area. The viewable area has a density alterable based on the portion to be displayed or a position that is alterable based on the portion to be displayed, or has both an alterable position and alterable pitch density.

Abstract: A method for providing real-time musical interaction among a plurality of players connected via a network includes the steps of receiving input from a local player representing a musical performance, generating audio output responsive to the received input, receiving second music performance data from a remote player representing a musical performance by the remote player, creating emulation data representing the remote musical performance, and using the emulation data to generate a local approximation of the remote musical performance.

Abstract: A method for facilitating real-time interaction between a first and second player of a music-based video game via a network having unpredictable delivery latency, the first player located remotely from the second player, includes displaying to a first player target musical data associated with a musical composition, receiving music performance input from the first player via a controller resembling a first musical instrument, displaying to a second player, the second player located remotely from the first player, target musical data associated with the musical composition, and receiving music performance input from the second player.

Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying cues indicating input actions in a rhythm-action game may include: displaying, to a player of a rhythm-action game, a lane divided into at least two sub-lanes, each sub-lane containing cues indicating a drum input element; and displaying, to the player, an additional cue spanning a plurality of the sub-lanes, the additional cue indicating a foot pedal action. In some embodiments, the additional cue may span all the sub-lanes. In some embodiments, each sub-lane may contain cues indicating a drum input element of a set of linearly arranged drum input elements. In other embodiments, each sub-lanes may correspond to a fret button of a simulated guitar and the additional cue may correspond to an open strum.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems and computer readable media for providing interaction between remote players and one or more local players of a rhythm-action game executed on a game platform. One or more local players is identified to participate in a networked session of a rhythm action game corresponding to a predetermined band template, each local player associated with a type of simulated musical instrument. A first type of simulated musical instrument, represented in the predetermined band template and not associated with any of the one or more local players, may then be identified, along with a remote player associated with the first type of simulated musical instrument. Then, game platforms of the local and remote players communicate to establish a networked session of the rhythm action game with the one or more local players and the identified remote player before initiating a game session where the players play the game.

Abstract: Described are methods, systems, apparatuses, computer program products embodied in a computer-readable storage medium and means for providing online challenges between bands in a musical video game. Typically the invention is executed on a game server in signal communication with a game platform and involves receiving, by the game server, musical game input data representing a musical performance of a band. Then, the game server calculates a composite score from the input data based on a gameplay challenge. Then the composite score is compared to a composite score of a second band's performance for the same gameplay challenge. In some embodiments, the comparison is displayed as a real-time representation of the two bands, even though score of the second band is based on a stored performance of the second band.

Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying cues indicating input actions in a rhythm-action game may include: displaying, to a player of a rhythm-action game, a lane divided into at least two sub-lanes, each sub-lane containing cues indicating a drum input element; and displaying, to the player, an additional cue spanning a plurality of the sub-lanes, the additional cue indicating a foot pedal action. In some embodiments, the additional cue may span all the sub-lanes. In some embodiments, each sub-lane may contain cues indicating a drum input element of a set of linearly arranged drum input elements. In other embodiments, each sub-lanes may correspond to a fret button of a simulated guitar and the additional cue may correspond to an open strum.