Abstract: A method of providing virtual items based on location-based actions is disclosed. An indication is received of a performance of a location-based action by a player of a computer-implemented game. A virtual item is added to an inventory of a player character of the player of the computer-implemented game based on the receiving of the indication of the performance of the location-based action by the player of the computer-implemented game. The virtual item is usable within the computer-implemented game by the player character of the player of the computer-implemented game.

Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to systems and methods to provide interaction messages related to in-game activities and events within a computer-implemented multiplayer online game environment. In an example embodiment, potential interactions for a user's social connections are determined, and interaction messages detailing the potential interactions are generated and displayed for the user's social connections. In response to user activity with the interaction messages, various in-game events may be performed. In a further example, the interaction messages are provided and displayed directly through a “friendship” or “neighbor” bar providing a listing of in-game social connections.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating confirmation of completion of a transaction for state synchronization over a non reliable network using signature processing are described. One of the methods includes receiving a read request from a first client, sending a last known signature with a context object to the first client in response to receiving the read request, and receiving an appended signature from the first client with a context object for a transaction at the first client. The appended signature includes the last known signature and an increment by the first client. The operation of receiving the appended signature occurs upon execution of the transaction at the first client. The method further includes updating the last known signature to the appended signature and sending the updated last known signature to the first client to facilitate marking of the transaction as complete resulting in a definitive state synchronization.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for enhancing social collaboration in an online casino game. One method includes an operation for receiving bets from players playing in a first gambling mode in an online gambling room. The method also includes an operation for determining contributions to a community metric based on the outcomes of the bets, where all players in the online gambling room contribute towards the community metric. After detecting that the community metric reaches a predetermined goal, the online casino game enters all players in the online gambling room into a second gambling mode to achieve a room goal, where the value of the community metric does not change while players are in the second gambling mode.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for providing games with multi-hand bets with escalating payouts. One method includes an operation for providing an interface for a betting game, the interface including an option to select single or multiple turn bets. Additionally, the method includes an operation for detecting a player selection of the multiple-turn bet, which has a plurality of single turns, each single turn being associated with a respective payout multiplier. The method executes game operations for each single turn until the player loses or until the player plays the last turn, and calculates the total winnings, which are equal to the sum of winnings from each single turn. The winnings from each single turn are equal to the respective payout multiplier times the winnings determined from a payout table. In addition, the method includes an operation for providing the total winnings, if any, to the player.

Abstract: A system, a machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, and a computer-implemented method are described herein to modify a size of one or more input detection areas. A size modifier accesses user interface size data. The user interface size data comprises a size for a first user interface element and a size for a first user input detection area. The size modifier determines a size of a display area of a user device. The size modifier calculates a modified size of the first user interface element. The modified size of the first user interface element is based on the size for the first user interface element and the size of the display area. The size modifier calculates a modified size of the first input detection area based on the size for the first input detection area and a first factor unrelated to the size of the display area.

Abstract: Methods for allowing a user to participate and change outcome of an asynchronous game includes receiving an indication of an attack initiated by a second player on a first player's game base during game play. In response, a first social post is generated to inform friends of the first player of the attack and request assistance to defend the first player's game base. An acceptance to defend the first player's game base is detected from a third player at the first social post. In response, game replay of the attack by the second player is initiated and the third player is enabled to participate in the game replay and defend the game base of the first player. A second social post is generated to inform the first player and the friends of the first player of the third player's contribution in defending the first player's game base.

Abstract: Methods, and computer programs are provided for games with an additional chance for a fee. One method includes operations for providing an interface for playing a game, and executing game operations to determine the outcome of the game, where the outcome includes a combination obtained by the player. Additionally, the method includes operations for determining if the combination is eligible for allowing the player to improve, and for ending the betting game when the combination is ineligible for improvement. The option to improve is provided when the combination is eligible to improve the combination. In one example, the game is a video poker game, and a money card is offered to the player if the player could improve the hand to a straight or better. If the player selects the money card, a fee is charged that does not increase the bet of the player for the hand being played.

Abstract: A first remote player device records a state of the gambling game that is in progress. The gaming system interrupts the gambling game and transfers the state of the gambling game to a second remote player device. The gambling game resumes on the second remote player device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating messages within online games are described. One of the methods includes receiving a message post from a first user. The message post is displayed on an in-game object that is configured for sharing message posts between the first user and other users. The method further includes detecting an interfacing action by a second user with the in-game object. The interfacing action is an input that is responsive to request content that is part of the message post. The method further includes validating the interfacing action to meet a threshold. If the threshold is met, the virtual game object is credited to the game space of the first user. The method includes generating a reward to the second user when the interfacing action is validated. The reward is credited to a game space of the second user.

Abstract: A system, a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, and a computer-implemented method to provide efficient game access is described. A request to access a first game using a first primary identifier is received. An internal identifier and a game identifier associated with the first primary identifier are accessed. A request to access a second game using a second primary identifier is received. An internal identifier and a game identifier associated with the second primary identifier are accessed. A determination that the first and second primary identifiers are associated with a particular player is made. An association between the internal identifiers is stored.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing custom features in a game is provided. A themed game board associated with a first set of rules of a computer-implemented game is generated. The first set of rules relates to a theme of the themed game board and is different than a second set of rules associated with a game board without a theme. Game board display data is provided to a first client device of a first player to display the themed game board. A move on the themed game board is received from the first client device, and a score associated with the move is generated. The score is based on the first set of rules relating to the theme, where the score is different than a score associated with the move on the game board without a theme.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a computer-implemented online game provides dynamically variable rewards to incentivize player interaction with sponsored content presented within the game. The particular reward offered to incentivize player interaction with particular sponsored content (e.g., a particular advertisement) can be dynamically variable based on the attributes of the player, thus providing user-specific custom rewards for interaction with sponsored content. Properties of incentive rewards that may be dynamically variable can include a custom type of in-game asset or resource, and/or a custom amount of a particular in-game asset or resource.

Abstract: A system, a machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, and a computer-implemented method are described herein to render one or more graphical objects on multiple types of browsers despite the browsers providing support for different graphical capabilities. A Rendering Engine receives source data associated with a graphical object. The Rendering Engine receives an identification of a program for rendering the graphical object in a first browser that supports a graphical capability. The Rendering Engine infers an intended first graphical result of the program. The Rendering Engine identifies a function for rendering a second graphical result in a second browser that does not support the graphical capability. The second graphical result is similar to the intended first graphical result of the program. The Rendering Engine generates target data based on the source data. The Rendering Engine calls the function according to the target data.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing social network content in an online game is disclosed herein. Content is obtained from a social network site and is displayed within the game. The game also provides a mechanism for the user of the game to generate content to the posted within the social network from within the game. Such generated content is automatically posted in the social network for a recipient specified by the user.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for selecting game servers and assigning seats to players in poker tables. One method includes an operation for receiving table parameters from a user in a poker game. The table parameters identify the characteristics of a desired table for playing poker by the user. A distance from the desired table to the available poker tables is calculated, where the distance based on the similarity between the desired table and each of the available poker tables. Each of the available poker tables is served by one of a plurality of servers. Additionally, the method includes operations for selecting candidate tables from the available poker tables based on the calculated distances, and for selecting a playing table from the candidate tables at random. The user is then connected to a server that serves the selected playing table.