Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for executing a computer game. One method includes an operation for setting an initial value to the jackpot of a first player. The jackpot of the first player is increased based on each bet by the first player in the computer game. Additionally, the jackpot of the first player is increased based on each bet made by friends of the first player in the computer game. The friends of the first player have a social connection with the first player, and the jackpot of the first player is independent from bets in the computer game of players that are not friends of the first player. The method further includes an operation for resetting the jackpot of the first player to the initial value when the first player or when any friend of the first player wins the jackpot.

Abstract: A method and system provides a multiplayer computer-implemented game in which a game instance defines a virtual world comprising a building displayed to a user in a game display which can be switched between an overview comprising a side on, elevational view of the building in which the interiors of multiple rooms that together define the house are simultaneously visible, and a close-up side on view of a selected room. At least the close-up view may provide a three-dimensional interactive space that is accessible to one or more player characters controlled by users, to allow movement laterally across a screen on which the game display is provided, and into a depth dimension relative to the user's view.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are provided for providing players with additional side betting options. One method includes operations for receiving user account information of a first player for playing a blackjack game, and for providing data for a sideboard interface to be presented before a round of the blackjack game. The sideboard interface provides options for side bets, which are wagers on cards dealt during the round. Additionally, the method includes an operation for providing data for a blackjack interface for playing the blackjack game after side bets have been entered. A check is made to determine if the one or more cards dealt during the round of the blackjack game produce one or more winning side bets, and a currency counter of the user account is increased of the first player for the one or more winning side bets during the round of the blackjack game.

Abstract: Methods and computer programs for determining outcome of an online slot game includes receiving a spin action from a player, during game play of the online slot game. A profile graph is identified for the player. The profile graph is defined by a template with a plurality of peaks and valleys defined therein. The peaks represent a higher probability of generating a winning result and the valleys represent a higher probability of generating a losing result. Each spin action of the player corresponds to a distinct point in the profile graph. A number of virtual spins defined for the point corresponding to the spin action is determined based on location of the point in the profile graph. The defined number of virtual spins is performed and a highest or a lowest result is selected from the virtual spins for presenting to the player, in response to the spin action.

Abstract: Methods and computer programs include associating a three-dimensional collider component and a rigid body component to a two-dimensional game object used in the game play. The three-dimensional collider component and the rigid body component define a plurality of physics attributes to enable control of physical behavior of the game object. A second three-dimensional collider component is associated with a game cursor that is used for providing user input to the gameplay. The game cursor is defined as a two-dimensional object with at least a portion of the game cursor having a spherical contour. User input is detected at a touch screen interface of a computing device that is rendering the gameplay. The user input causes the spherical contour of the game cursor to control movement of the game object within the game scene of the gameplay, the movement being adjusted in accordance to physics attributes of the game object.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for providing information in a poker game. One method includes operations for providing an interface to a player for playing a poker game, and for detecting the creation of a side pot in the poker game during play. The side pot is presented in a first format, which includes the amount of the side pot. Additionally, the method includes an operation for detecting a selection by the first player in the poker game requesting additional information about the side pot. In response to the selection, the side pot is presented in a second format, which has the amount of the side pot and one icon for each of the players participating in the side pot, where players absent from the side pot are not represented in the second format.

Abstract: Disclose methods and systems provide for management of game failure in distributed gaming by automated indication of a failure acknowledgment to a client device on which an associated player plays the game, for example by automatically presenting a failure apology message on the client device. An automated interactive acknowledgment process can include providing in-game compensation to the player, thereby to lessen player frustration resulting from game failures. The automated acknowledgment interaction can include gathering failure information from the client device.

Abstract: A device, machine-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method of distributing game network features is provided. A game request to access one or more features associated with a game networking system are received by a mobile game application operating on a client device and associated with a mobile game developed by a game developer. The one or more features are integrated into the mobile game application using a software development kit (SDK) provided from the game networking system to the game developer. Information relating to the one or more features are accessed by the mobile game application in response to the game request, where the information is accessed from the game networking system using at least a portion of the SDK. The mobile game application provides the one or more features with the information using the at least a portion of the SDK.

Abstract: Disclosed in some examples are methods, machine readable mediums, and systems for allowing a user to utilize an application that is not normally browser-compatible in a browser. In some examples, this may be accomplished by utilizing a source-to-source compiler to compile the source code of the browser-incompatible application itself into browser-compatible code (such as JavaScript). In other examples, this may be accomplished by utilizing a source-to-source compiler to compile the source code of a virtual machine into browser-compatible code (such as JavaScript). Once the virtual machine is rendered browser-compatible, the virtual machine may execute within the browser, and applications that are natively executable on the execution environment simulated by the virtual machine may then be executed within the virtual machine (and by extension, within the browser).

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method to present a location-based leaderboard is provided. A request to play a game against a second player is received, the request being received from a first client device of a first player and including a location of the first client device. A pre-defined location associated with the location of the first client device is determined. A game instance of the game is generated in response to the request. An outcome associated with the game is determined. The outcome of the game instance is published including publishing the outcome based on the pre-defined location.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing game object grouping are discussed herein. For example, a virtual gaming environment is generated on a client system. The virtual gaming environment may include a first game object and a second game object. Responsive to detecting a user selection of the first game object, a game object grouping is generated. The game object grouping may include the first game object and the second game object based on matching criteria that compares a property of the first game object with a property of the second game object. The virtual environment is then updated to provide a visual indication of the game object group.

Abstract: A notification of requirements to earn a reduced-ad reward is provided to a user of an ad-associated computer application (app). Actions of the user are monitored to determine whether or not requirements to earn the reduced-ad reward are satisfied by the user. Upon determining that requirements to earn the reduced-ad reward are satisfied by the user, the reduced-ad reward is provided to the user of the ad-associated app. The reduced-ad reward is a specified amount of time in which the user can execute a reduced-ad version of the ad-associated app without monetary cost to the user.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for adjusting bonus winning odds while playing an online slots game. One method includes an operation for receiving user input during a session of an online slots game, where the user input is defined to spin wheels of the online slots game. In addition, the method includes an operation for defining an initial tier and one or more additional tiers for play of the online slots game during the session, each tier being assigned an odds value that changes with each assigned tier, and each tier being defined to have a set of spins. Further, the method includes operations for assigning tiers with changed odds when an option to play a bonus game is not presented during the predefined set of spins for each tier, and for assigning the initial tier upon determining that the bonus game was played during the session.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for allowing players to challenge other players in an online game to compete by playing a modular game within the online game. One method includes an operation for providing an interface to a first player for challenging a second player to compete in the modular game after detecting completion of the modular game by the first player. The modular game is played within an online game. Further, the method includes operations for sending a challenge to the second player, and for detecting that the second player completed the modular game in response to the challenge. The first player is rewarded a challenge award if the first player obtained a higher score than the second player in the modular game.

Abstract: Methods and systems are directed to the trapping of enemy units in a game. A game may give each player control of a certain territory or area. Each player may build or place buildings within their territory. Each player may build units capable of attacking the territory of one or more other players. One or more players may place traps within their territory. An attacking enemy unit may be captured by the trap. A captured unit may be put to work for the capturing player (e.g., to generate resources for the capturing player). In some example embodiments, a captured unit may be freed in a later attack, and resume fighting for its former controller or its liberator.

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: Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing players with rewards are described. Data indicating that a player has selected an unavailable reward may be processed. Sponsored content based on the processed data may be obtained and presented to the player. Data indicating that the player has completed an interaction with the sponsored content may be obtained and the reward may be provided in response to processing the data that indicates that the player has completed the interaction with the sponsored content.

Abstract: A system, a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, and a method to send a telephonic message is provided. A request may be received from a first mobile device operated by a first player of a computer-implemented multiplayer game. The request may include a reference to each of a plurality of second mobile devices. The plurality of second mobile devices may be identified based on the reference. A telephonic message may be generated that includes a trigger executable by each of the plurality of second mobile devices to begin an instance of the computer-implemented multiplayer game with the first mobile device. The generated telephonic message may be sent to each of the plurality of second mobile devices via an out-of-game telephonic channel.

Abstract: A system, a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, and a computer-implemented method are described herein to create and send invitations to join an online game. An Notification Generator (NG) customizes message content based on detected online game account activities and relationships between various accounts associated with an online game. When the NG detects that an account is a new account or a lapsed account, the NG identifies an additional account(s) most likely to play the particular online game with the new/lapsed account. Some additional accounts may be social network system accounts while others may be online gaming system accounts. The NG groups the additional accounts according to account-type segments, and customizes online game invitation message with message content for a respective additional account based on the account-type segment and whether it has detected a new account or lapsed account.

Abstract: A system, a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, and a computer-implemented method to present a game variant is provided. A user interface may be presented on a client device. The user interface may be receptive to user input to trigger execution of a computer-implemented multiplayer game playable via the client device by an associated player. A respective game variant may be presented, via the user interface, to the player. The respective game variant may have variant-specific game mechanics that provide for gameplay according to a respective variant set of game rules. Lastly, the respective variant set of game rules may be a variant-specific modified version of a default set of game rules.

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: Systems and methods for level-balancing an online progression game, such as by determining a placement order for puzzle games (or, other game challenges) within the progression game, are described. In some example embodiments, the systems and methods access difficulty metrics assigned to puzzle games presented by an online progression game, select a cadence, pattern and/or sequence associated with placing the puzzle games within the online progression game, and place the puzzle games within the online progression game based on matching the accessed difficulty metrics to the selected cadence, pattern, and/or sequence. For example, the systems and methods may determine and/or assign difficulty metrics to puzzle games eligible to be placed within the online progression game by playing each of the puzzle games with an artificial intelligence game play simulator configured to play multiple instances of each of the eligible puzzle games, among other things.

Abstract: A system, machine-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method of providing parental controls for game content is provided. A game server receives a request to access game content associated with a computer-implemented game, including receiving the game request from a game user interface on a client device. In response to the game request, the game server identifies that a safe mode is enabled, where the safe mode prevents restricted game content from being displayed on the game user interface. Safe mode game content in accordance with the safe mode is accessed and provided to the game user interface on the client device, where the safe mode game content includes the requested game content without the restricted game content.

Abstract: A system, a computer readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for provisioning a game container within a cloud computing system is described. To begin, a game manifest may be accessed. The game manifest may include attributes corresponding to a game infrastructure role used by a game within a cloud computing system. A workflow definition is then generated based on the attributes of the game manifest. The workflow definition may specify an instance count for the game infrastructure role and a workflow activity. A group of infrastructural service nodes are then created in the cloud computing system, where the size of the group is based on based on the instance count. The infrastructural service nodes are then configured by executing the deployment action on each of the infrastructural service nodes.

Abstract: A system, machine-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for following game-related content based on keywords is provided. A game server receives a web feed request for a web feed to be displayed on a client device, where the web feed request includes a keyword identifying a type of content to be displayed in the web feed. The game server identifies web feed content to be displayed in the web feed, including identifying content relevant to the keyword. The web feed content may include game content associated with one or more computer-implemented games. The client device is provided with the web feed content to be displayed in the web feed.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing a smart ping mechanism are presented. For example, an example embodiment may generate a game board on a first client device and a second client device. Then, the embodiment may detect, from the first client device, user activation of a smart ping mechanic. Responsive to detecting the user activation, the embodiment may generate, on the first client device, one or more user selectable communication artifacts based at least in part on contextual data derived from the game board. Then, responsive to detecting a user selection of one of the user selectable communication artifacts, the embodiment may surface the selected communication artifact to the second client device.

Abstract: Software on a server and/or client device causes a view in a graphical user interface (GUI) for a game to be displayed to a user. The game is an online gambling game for real money. The software receives input from the user. The input includes a wager and play according to game mechanics for the game. The software calculates a payout from the play. The payout includes a promotional payout that depends at least in part on a measure of social activity associated with the user or a measure of social influence associated with the user. And the software broadcasts the payout to at least one other person who is a social relation of the user.

Abstract: A system, machine-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for allowing offline gameplay is provided. A client device may receive a request to access a game through a game user interface. If the client device is offline, the client device may generate an advertisement using one or more cached objects stored on the client device and provide the advertisement in the game user interface. Additionally, when a request to purchase a game asset of the game is received while the client device is offline, a reliability score indicating a likelihood of receiving payment for the game asset may be used to determine whether to provide the game asset in the game user interface while the client device is offline.

Abstract: A system and method provide automated guild-dependent variation of in-game capabilities available to player in an computer-implemented game. An in-game capability is made available to the player in inter-guild competitive gameplay, for example comprising an object-specific ability associated with the game object, such as a collectible card. A value for a variable attribute of the in-game capability is dynamically adjusted based at least in part on one or more guild metrics for an associated guild of which the player is a member. The one or more guild metrics may include guild size and activity levels of guild members.

Abstract: A method and system to transfer assets between interactive social games is described. In some embodiments, the method generates a visual expression of a transfer mechanism in a first computer-implemented game. The method further generates the visual expression of the transfer mechanism in a second computer-implemented game. The transfer mechanism is capable of transferring an in-game asset from the first computer-implemented game to the second computer-implemented game. The method transfers the in-game asset from the first computer-implemented game to the second computer-implemented game using the transfer mechanism.

Abstract: A method performed by software generates a render request record for a render request submitted by a user of an app and stores the render request record in a queue database. The render request includes a visualization to be rendered. The software selects the render request record from the queue database. Selection of the render request record is determined at least in part by a priority value that depends on an amount of time the user has spent using the app. The software generates a rendered image for the selected render request record, using render data. Then the software publishes a publishing element including the rendered image to a newsfeed stream displayed by a social networking site.

Abstract: A device may be configured to provide a user interface that supports sequential selection of objects displayed on a screen. As configured, the device may display a presentation of multiple objects, and the device may receive a user input that defines a path within the presentation of displayed objects. The device may then determine the sequential order of a selected subset of the displayed objects. Based on this sequential order, the device may select, initiate, and perform an action that is targeted at the selected subset of the objects. In the context of an action game, the user may trace the path through various enemies, and the device may select and perform the action based on the number of enemies, the type of enemies, or the order in which the enemies were selected. Selection and initiation of the action may begin while the user input is still being received.

Abstract: A machine may be configured to process an uncompressed image to obtain a set of intermediate images, which may be alternatively known as working images or temporary images. Such a set of intermediate images may be used as input for an image compression algorithm that, when executed by the machine or other compression engine, outputs a compressed version of the uncompressed image. For example, a compression format called “PVRTC,” which may be used on certain portable devices, accepts a set of three intermediate images as input, specifically, one full resolution, low precision version of the original uncompressed image, plus two low resolution, low frequency color versions of the original uncompressed image. A set of intermediate images for such a compression format may be generated by the machine from the original uncompressed image.

Abstract: Disclosed in one example is a system for providing social networking data including a data store configured to store a user profile associated with a first user and may include a user identification, a first and second social networking user identifier for a first and second social networking service, a first and second connection between a second and third user on the first and second social networking services respectively. The system includes a response module to respond to a request for information from a social networking application with at least a portion of the profile associated with the first user if it is present in the data store. If the profile is not present in the data store, the response module may create a new profile associated with the first user and add it to the data store.

Abstract: Systems and methods that deliver game supplies are described. In some embodiments, a method receives a request for in-game supplies from a first player in an interactive social game. The method presents multiple supply options where each supply option has an associated processing time. A supply option selection is received from the first player that indicates selection of one of the multiple supply options. A supply fulfillment invitation is distributed to a second player of the interactive social game. An in-game benefit is provided to the second player in response to acceptance of the supply fulfillment invitation. The first player is notified upon completion of the processing time for the selected supply option, which indicates availability of the requested in-game supplies to the first player.

Abstract: A method of providing offers for sales of combinations of virtual items at discounted prices is disclosed. An offer is generated for a sale of a combination of virtual items at a discounted price. The offer for the sale of the combination of virtual items at the discounted price is presented to a user. The presenting suggests to the user that the combination of virtual items is randomly selected from a set of virtual items and the discounted price is randomly selected from a set of discounted prices, the presenting of the offer being performed by a processor. However, in actuality, the combination of virtual items or the discounted price may not be selected randomly.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for executing an adventure game. One method includes operations for sending an interface for a betting game, and for starting an online game that is displayed simultaneously with the interface for the betting game. The method further includes operations for detecting a bet placed in the betting game, and for determining an outcome of the bet in the betting game. An avatar is advanced along a path of the online game, where the amount of advancement of the avatar is based on the outcome of the bet.

Abstract: Disclosed in some examples is a method of providing a computer-implemented game, the method includes rendering a display of a virtual in-game environment comprising an unlocked area and a locked area, an in-game player character controlled by a player of the game having access to the unlocked areas but being restricted from accessing the locked area; and using one or more processors, applying a visual effect to the locked area to distinguish the locked area from the unlocked area, the visual effect revealing one or more aspects of the unlocked area.

Abstract: Software receives a command from a player selecting one or more businesses from a game menu in an online game that is a builder-type game. The software then receives a command from the player identifying an empty location in a game space for the game. The software causes the one or more businesses to be displayed in the game space at the location and receives a command from the player selecting a plurality of displayed businesses. The software then receives a command from the player to consolidate the displayed businesses that were selected into a consolidated business and displays the consolidated business in the game space.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium, and a method for providing a multi-move game operation are presented. A virtual game environment that includes a first game object and a second game object is generated where the first game object includes a location associated with a first location and the second game object includes a location associated with a second location within the virtual game environment. Responsive to detecting a user selection of the first game object, the system may enable a move state for the first game object. Then, responsive to detecting a placement selection, the system may update the location of the first game object from the first location to the destination location and disable the move state for the first game object. Responsive to determining that the destination location is proximate to the second location, the system may enable a move state for the second game object.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing replay data is provided. User input can be received from a first client device of a first user. The user input can include a plurality of data samples representative of a gesture made by a first user making a game move. A compressed version of the user input can be generated. The compressed version includes coded data representative of the plurality of data samples. The coded data has a smaller data size than the plurality of data samples. Replay data can be provided to a second client device of a second user. The replay data can be based on the compressed version of the user input. The replay data can be configured to representationally simulate, at the second device, the gesture made by the first user.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for surfacing game stories are presented. Embodiments may, responsive to detecting a first game action initiated by a first user, surface a first game story to a second user through a social feed. Responsive to detecting that the first game story is activated by the second user, a second game story is surfaced on the social feed that tags the first user. The second game story represents a second game action is performed in a game involving the second user based on the first game story being activated.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to games and applications in general and in particular to computer-implemented online games, such as online role-playing games, playable by more than one person from more than one location. The game engine can search a player's social network to find friends to play with. These social networks can be constructed implicitly by analyzing a player's game play information and other information.

Abstract: Systems and methods of asynchronous interactive game play are described. In some embodiments, a method permits a first player to access a first game instance of a multiplayer online game and access a second game instance of the multiplayer online game. The second game instance is accessed at a first time. The first game instance is associated with the first player and the second game instance is associated with a second player. The method receives an identification of an in-game action performed by the first player in the second game instance while the first player accesses the second game instance. The second player is permitted to access the second game instance at a second time, which is later than the first time. The method causes display to the second player an identification of the in-game action performed by the first player in the second game instance.

Abstract: Software accesses a code database and determines that a specified percentage of the code in the code database for an application has been updated. The software then accesses an application database and obtains the application as currently deployed. The software obtains one or more application specifications from the application database, based at least in part on a scan of the application. And the software obtains one or more code-module specifications from the code database, based at least in part on the one or more application specifications. The software then determines that an update can be made to the application as currently deployed, based at least in part on code-module dependencies identified in the one or more application specifications and updated code modules for the application in the code database. And the software creates a new version of the application using the updated code modules and deploys the new version.

Abstract: A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to receive a check-in indication from a physical location with a corresponding virtual location in a virtual game. An attribute in the virtual game is altered based upon the check-in indication. The attribute may be earned points for a user, a virtual object earned by a user or an enhanced popularity measure for the virtual location.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method, system and apparatus for recording audio is provided so that the recording can be authenticated. The system may be implemented as a central server that is accessed via one or more lines for audio communication, or as a stand-alone unit. The system operates by encrypting communicated data (e.g., audio signals), storing the encrypted information, and providing at least one user with a key that can be used to decrypt the stored information.

Abstract: A method of selecting players to make payments associated with a session of a game is disclosed. A player is selected to make a payment. The selecting of the player is based on a session counter of the player having a higher value than a session counter of an additional player seeking to participate in the session of the game. Based on a receiving of the payment from the selected player, the session counter of the selected player is decremented by an amount corresponding to the payment, the value of the session counter of the additional player is incremented by an amount corresponding to the payment, and the selected player and the unselected player are allowed to participate in the session of the instance of the game.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method are discussed herein. For example, an embodiment may access a game engine that defines game play logic specifying an execution of a turn in an asynchronous game. The game play logic may be independent of a client device platform. The embodiment may then select a native platform library that includes functions to coordinate game activities within the asynchronous game. The functions may be dependent on the client device platform. The embodiment may then generate an executable game based on compiling the selected native platform library with the game engine.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing a destructible game object mechanic are presented. For example, an embodiment may generate a destructible game object within a game board assigned to a user. The destructible game object may be represented by an initial state, one or more destructed states, and a reward state. Responsive to detecting a game action that satisfies a part requirement precondition associated with the one or more destructed states, the embodiment may advance the destructible game object from the initial state to the one or more destructed states. Further, responsive to detecting fulfillment of a part requirement precondition associated with the reward state, the embodiment may replace the destructible game object with a reward object.