Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include systems and methods for instituting a metagame point system that may be integrated into an online video game network for one or more video game platforms. The metagame points system may increase or decrease a user's point total based upon user performance across a plurality of different video game titles. In some implementations, the points may be transferable between users based upon user performance during multiplayer video game play. In further implementations, the points earned by a user may be redeemable for various rewards.

Abstract: A user-replaceable thumbstick top for a user input device is described. The thumbstick top comprises one or more first mating elements that are adapted to mate with one or more second mating elements of a thumbstick base of the user input device. The first and second mating elements are configured to enable the thumbstick top to be removably connected to the thumbstick base. The manner of interconnection between the thumbstick top and the thumbstick base is such that a user can connect and disconnect the two components without having to disassemble the game controller and without having to use any tools.

Abstract: A hand-held controller includes a user-input surface, a grip coupled to the user-input surface, and a cage coupled to the user-input surface at two points without the grip interposed between the user-input surface and the cage. The hand-held controller includes may further include a plurality of illumination sources on an outer surface of the cage.

Abstract: A finger pad for a game controller includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side includes a finger interface. The finger interfaces includes a plurality of planar facets. The planar facets are sized and shaped for manual manipulation by a finger. The second side includes a mounting interface.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a player's rate of play is provided. In an embodiment, a rate of play is defined that influences when a player is transferred to a new hand, such as upon folding or when play in a current hand is completed. Rate of play may be expressed, for example, as a percentage of hands to transfer upon which the player is to be moved upon folding. In another embodiment, a player may select, for example, a “Fold and Transfer” option or a “Fold and Observe” option, thereby allowing the player to better control the rate of play. In yet another embodiment, a player may designate a rate of play and be presented with a “Fold and Transfer” option and/or a “Fold and Observe” option, wherein the “Fold and Transfer” option and/or the “Fold and Observe” option may override the designated rate of play.

Abstract: Provided systems include a display that presents a player with icons. The display is animated to show movement of the icons along a path. The icons move in and out of active and inactive regions on the display and the path, based on the shape and arrangement of the active and inactive regions and the shape and arrangement of the active and inactive portions of the path. The outcome is determined based on the position and arrangement of the icons on the display and the path. The system receives player instructions and game outcomes may be random or may be predetermined. An outcome for the game may be determined from a set of potential game outcomes and visually presented to the player and an associated award or prize may be provided to the player.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure relates to altering a probability of fulfilling a game objective in a game space. The game objective may be associated with a set of potential reward items, the set of potential reward items including a first item. Probabilities of the first item from the set of potential reward items being provided to individual users as a reward for completing the game objective may be determined based on the rates of usage of the game space by the user. The probability of the first user being provided with the first item as a reward for completing the game objective may be determined based on the rate of usage of the game space by the first user.

Abstract: A system that may be utilized for sending and locking text messages is provided. The system may allow a user to send an electronic message that is encrypted, locked, hidden, or otherwise made unviewable by the system to form a locked message. The locked message may be formed by associating a game with the message and requiring that a recipient play the game and satisfy an objective of the game before the message is “unlocked” or made viewable and displayed for the recipient. The locked messages may be sent to multiple recipients or to groups and may provide opportunities for competitive or cooperative play between recipients. Promotions, coupons, incentives, coupons, and marketing materials may be sent as locked messages and require or incentivize engagement by recipients.

Abstract: An electronic gaming machine where the player plays an interactive game using their player eye gaze. A graphics processor generates an interactive game environment and defines a viewing area as its subset, the viewing area having visible game components. A display device displays the viewing area having the plurality of visible game components. The display controller controls rendering of the viewing area on the display device using the graphics processor. At least one data capture camera device continuously monitors the player eye gaze to collect player eye gaze data. The game controller determines the location of the player's eye gaze relative to the viewing area and triggers a control command to the display controller. In response, the display controller controls the display device in real-time to provide a graphical animation effect displayed on the display device representative of a visual update to the visible game components in the viewing area.

Abstract: The techniques disclosed herein enable users to collect and share a primary data structure defining a centralized object. A primary data structure can be configured to define a front face of a digital card and the centralized object can represent a person, item, or location. The primary data structure can also define attributes, e.g., characteristics or properties, related to the centralized object. The techniques disclosed herein also enable users to collect and share secondary data structures that are dependent on the primary data structure. For example, a dependent object can include an item that can be utilized by a character represented by the centralized object. A single secondary data structure can be configured to define a side of the digital card, such as the back side of a digital card. A number of secondary data structures can be acquired to create a card with any number of sides.

Abstract: A sport game which utilizes a plurality of play articles, at least three stations cum goals or targets, a playground, a game controller device and a display device is disclosed. The game is played by individual participant or participants wherein the rules of the game maintain a familiarity with an ancient puzzle game and is based on a mathematical formula of logarithmic scale where the play articles are moved around the stations by play participants to accrue points or goals and where the devices are incorporated with identification, tracking, data transmission, data processing, determination and data display capabilities to monitor and manage the game. The game provides physical, skill and cerebral challenges and is applicable to a plurality of normal sports wherein goal or target shooting is primal; the game can be played indoors or outdoors, for fun, exercise, training of sport skills, light or serious competition.

Abstract: A method of gaming in a gaming system comprise selecting a plurality of symbols for display on a display of the gaming system at a plurality of display positions, each display position comprising a plurality of borders, each display position having a least one common border with at least two other display positions. The method involves determining with the gaming system, whether there are one or more groups of at least three symbols corresponding to a designated winning symbol combination displayed at respective ones of a plurality of display positions linked in a contiguous group, the determination being based on the display positions sharing a common border. An award corresponding to a determined group is made.

Abstract: An interactive game in which one or more game characters are controlled by chewing, or other mouth-related movements of one or more players. The game may be used in conjunction with marketing of a chewable product, and the game may include a feature in which data associated with a particular product may be detected by a device associated with the game to affect play of the game. The data may be in the form of graphics such as a QR code, bar code or other code on the package interior or exterior that may be read by a camera, or may be in other forms, e.g., a code provided on a website, in an e-mail or text message, or in another way, to be entered manually by the player. The game may be played on a mobile electronic device. The game play may comprise one or more actions of the character(s) that are caused by one or more different mouth movements of the player(s).

Abstract: Instructions recorded on a non-transitory recording medium cause an information processing device that executes a battle game to execute the steps of storing different attribute information in association with each of at least two players; displaying a field including a plurality of regions, a predetermined event being set for each region, and attribute information being associable with each region; upon a player selecting at least one region from among the plurality of regions, executing processing for the event of the selected region; based on a processing result for the event, determining whether newly to associate the attribute information of the player with the selected region; and determining victory and defeat for the plurality of players based on at least one of a count, a total area, and a total volume of regions with which each piece of attribute information is associated.

Abstract: A gaming system is disclosed which includes a plurality of spinners, each spinner being associated with a plurality of display positions and having a plurality of symbols disposable at the display positions. A spinner controller is arranged to select the symbols to appear at the display positions for each spinner, and an outcome evaluator is arranged to determine whether the symbols shown at the display positions correspond to at least one winning outcome by reference to at least one defined win condition. Each win condition comprises a win line having at least three display positions from two adjacent spinners. A corresponding method of gaming is also disclosed.

Abstract: Three-dimensional virtualization may include receiving captured images of an entity and/or a scene, and/or capturing the images of the entity and/or the scene. The images may be connected in a predetermined sequence to generate a virtual environment. A virtual reality application may be generated to implement controls for manipulation of the virtual environment. Gestures related to a view generated by the virtual reality application may be received. The gestures may be translated to manipulate the view generated by the virtual reality application.

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 device directed to a combination computing and input device. The computing device providing a plurality of sides, each of the plurality of sides are disposed between an electronic display screen and a back of the computing device. The input device communicates with the computing device and provides a pair of control modules adjacent to and confining the computing device on at least two opposing sides of the computing device. The input device further provides a structural bridge securing the pair of control modules one to the other, and a touch sensitive input module. The structural bridge adaptively and snugly accommodate the length of the computing device. A first of the pair of control modules features a retention mechanism communicating with the structural bridge. The retention mechanism adaptively secures the structural bridge such that the pair of control modules snugly accommodate the length of the computing device.

Abstract: Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting wagering games, and computer programs for executing wagering games are disclosed. A gaming system is disclosed which includes one or more processors and one or more memory devices storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the processors, cause the gaming system to: receive a wager to play a wagering game with symbol-bearing reels, each of which has distinct reel positions populated by various symbols, at least one reel bearing a symbol clump; and, display via a display device a randomly determined outcome of the wagering game. Each wagering-game outcome includes predetermined symbols occupying distinct array positions in a displayed array. Each reel position has a weighted probability of occupying an array position in the array. The weighted probabilities are configured such that the symbol clump, when part of a wagering-game outcome, can only land in its entirety in the array.

Abstract: A training device includes a communication circuitry configured to communicate according to Bluetooth specification, at least one processor, and at least one memory including a computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the device to perform operations. The operations include obtaining physical activity-related measurement data of a user participating in a team sport activity, processing the physical activity-related measurement data into a physical activity-related information characterizing the physical activity of the user during the team sport activity, and broadcasting, according to the Bluetooth specification, the physical activity-related information using the communication circuitry.