Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention enable rich control input data to control video games that are remotely executed. Rich control input includes three-dimensional image data, color video, audio, device orientation data, and touch input. A remotely-executed video game is one executed on a server or other computing device that is networked to a client device receiving the rich control input. Rich control input includes more data than can be uploaded to a game server without degrading game performance. Embodiments of the present invention preprocess the rich control data on the client and into data that may be uploaded to the game server. The rich input stream may be processed in a general way or in a game-specific way.

Abstract: A system for presenting a skill-based game, the system includes at least one server including a processor configured to execute machine readable code, the machine readable code executable by said processor configured to cause the server to serve a set of matchups of participants of an event, to the plurality of presentation devices, the plurality of presentation devices displaying the set of matchups on a display; receive over the wide area network data from the presentation devices characterizing a set of user selected winners of the matchups made by the users; update the event data pertinent to participants in the actual events; using the updated data to calculate and assign payoffs to the users based on the fixed payoff odds.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for displaying information relating to a roulette game. A roulette game display comprises at least one of a hot bet field, a number frequency field, and an even-money bet road chart. The hot bet field displays a message including information relating to a highest ranking event stored in an event history. The number frequency field includes an arrangement of indicator spaces configured for marking to show recent results of a plurality of roulette wheel spins. The even-money bet road chart includes a grid for displaying a plurality of recently winning even-money bets.

Abstract: A method at a server system includes: in response to a request for a user to enter a first information exchange hall, detecting a lock status of predefined information of an information exchange operation that is associated with the user and a second information hall; in accordance with a determination that an operation state of an information exchange operation that was executed at the second information exchange hall is a predefined inactive operation state: changing the lock status of the predefined information from the locked state to the unlocked state; and processing entry of the user into the first information exchange hall; and in accordance with a determination that the operation state of the information exchange operation is a predefined active operation state, initiating a process to restore entry of the user into the second information exchange hall.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided to implement a technique for managing the response of a digital entity in a simulation to reflect its interaction with one or more players over time, such as managing a non-player character's responses to player characters in an online computer game. In the system, a computer system tracks the interaction of the digital entity with other entities and the occurrence or status of internal and external events to control how the digital entity reacts to current events and interactions.

Abstract: An accessory apparatus includes a housing, an apparatus connector, a plurality of auxiliary accessory interfaces, and an internal microcontroller. The connection connector is configured to mate with a corresponding accessory connector of a physical controller to electrically connect the internal microcontroller to the physical controller. Each auxiliary accessory connector is configured to enable a separate auxiliary user input device to operatively connect to the accessory apparatus and electrically connect with the internal microcontroller. The internal microcontroller is configured to: (1) receive an input control signal from an auxiliary user input device operatively connected to an auxiliary accessory connector of the plurality of auxiliary accessory connectors, (2) map the input control signal to a mapped control signal corresponding to a physical control of the physical controller, and (3) send the mapped control signal to the physical controller via the apparatus connector.

Abstract: The systems and methods are directed towards cut-scene gameplay. Cut-scene gameplay refers to implementation of gameplay within different portions of a movie. The gameplay elements invite viewers to provide input that influences how the movie progresses. The movie may include many different branching storylines. In this way, different viewers are provided different experiences even though they may all be viewing the same general movie. Furthermore, subsequent viewing of the same movie may provide different experiences or at least encourage viewers to view the movie again in order to provide different inputs in hopes of obtaining different branches/or endings of the movie.

Abstract: A method of designing multiple computer games, using a software module running on a processor, in which the module enables pre-defined kinds of game design functions to be implemented across multiple different computer games; and in which the module implements multiple pre-defined kinds of common game design functions; and is extensible in that new components can be added to the module to create new functionality.

Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to methods for making user activity recommendations. In some aspects, a process of the technology can include operations for receiving a free-to-play indication, the free-to-play indication specifying availability of a user associated with a media system, retrieving, via the network interface, peer information indicating an availability of one or more online peers of the user, and retrieving, via the network interface, activity information indicating one or more activities available to the user, and at least one of the online peers. In some aspects method can further include operations for providing an activity recommendation to the user based on the peer information and the activity information, wherein the activity recommendation includes a suggestion of at least one activity that can be conducted by the user with the media system. Systems and computer-readable media are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating graphic animation technologies with fantasy sports contest applications are provided. This invention enables a fantasy sports contest application to depict plays in various sporting events using graphic animation. The fantasy sports contest application may combine graphical representation of real-life elements such as, for example, player facial features, with default elements such as, for example, a generic player body, to create realistic graphic video. The fantasy sports contest application may provide links to animated videos for depicting plays on contest screens in which information associated with the plays may be displayed. The fantasy sports contest application may play the animated video for a user in response to the user selecting such a link. In some embodiment of the present invention, the fantasy sports contest application may also customize animated video based on user-supplied setup information.

Abstract: A game of skill played simultaneously by several players whereby each participant effectively competes only against players having a similar skill tier to provide a better opportunity to win awards. The system includes a central computer system with each remote participant having a mobile device such as a cell phone. The system also provides for effective promotion or updating to a higher skill tier of successful players of the game. Each skill tier adds complexity which increase point potentials. The game play is relatively easy initially, permitting new users to enjoy success in the game. As the user becomes more skilled and reaches higher tiers prizes increase and game elements become more challenging thus motivating continued play while retaining a player's interest. While players are able to view all scores including those in higher tiers, they will know that players in other tiers had more opportunities to earn points.

Abstract: The fencing sword comprises a handle, a guard, and a short shaft in place of the blade. Weights may be added/removed from the shaft to adjust the weight of the fencing sword. The weights can additionally be added/removed from other fencing swords having different handle designs from other forms of fencing. In some embodiments, a laser pointer is mounted to or near the shaft. The laser may register on a target mimicking scoring a touch in a bout and can be used to train a user's accuracy.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods for enabling a mobile station to control a virtual world being executed on a console system are described. The method can include establishing a communication link between the mobile station and a console system, identifying user interface characteristics of the mobile station, and providing a controller application to the mobile station, the controller application being based on the identified user interface characteristics and configured to transform user interface inputs into controller commands. The method can further include receiving signals containing data representing the controller commands from the mobile station over the communication link and determining a sequence of events of the virtual world based on the received controller commands. In one aspect, the controller application can execute in the context of an application on the mobile station.

Abstract: Gaming machines and systems are configured to distribute of viral events, such as viral gaming events, amongst devices. The devices can present the viral events. The devices can, for example, be gaming machines and/or mobile devices. According to one embodiment, once a viral event is triggered, it is presented at one or more first devices at a first time. The viral event spreads to other devices, such as one or more second devices where it can be presented at a later time. The viral event may continue to spread to numerous other devices. Feedback or metrics may be used to control the devices to which the viral event spreads and/or the rate of spread.

Abstract: When a communication unit receives a connection request from a device, a selection screen generating unit provides a selection screen for selecting a registered user. A login user storage unit separately stores information identifying a primary user who logged in first and information identifying one or more secondary users who logged in second or thereafter. Specifically, the login user storage unit stores the information identifying the primary user in association with information indicating initial login. An application startup unit starts an application upon receipt of a start instruction from the device used by the primary user but does not start the application when given the start instruction from the device used by the secondary user.

Abstract: A gaming system receives a total wager for a game session which occurs over a designated period of time. The game session includes a plurality of different wagering events. Each of the wagering events is associated with one of a plurality of different magnitudes. For each of the plurality of different wagering events, the gaming system determines: a portion of the total wager amount, and a wager by modifying the determined portion by the magnitude associated with that wagering event. The gaming system causes the wagering event to occur, determines at least one outcome for the wagering event, determines any awards based on the determined wager and the at least one determined outcome, and provides any of the determined awards to the player.

Abstract: A gaming method, apparatus and system for playing a game of chance is disclosed in which a plurality of gaming machines may be linked together for mutually competitive play. According to one embodiment, two or more gaming machines are linked to a centrally located display exhibiting a game board comprising one or more groups of earmarkable cells in one or more groups. Players on the gaming machines wager and attempt to achieve winning outcomes which earmark cells in the group with designators of their respective gaming machines. When a predetermined number or configuration of cells of a group are earmarked, an award may be distributed to those gaming machines having earmarked cells according to the number of designators within that group associated with each gaming machine. The game of chance may be configured for play on an individual gaming machine.

Abstract: A communal game is displayed by a gaming system. A plurality of gaming devices each enable a player to wager on plays of a primary game and determine an eligibility status. The communal game repeatedly generates at least one communal game symbol from a plurality of communal game symbols regardless of whether any player is wagering on plays of a primary game. The communal game triggers a bonus event based on the generated symbols. Any eligible gaming devices may participate in the bonus event. For each eligible gaming device, the gaming system applies at least one symbol or gaming element from the communal game to the primary game of the eligible gaming device. Each eligible gaming device provides an award based on any winning symbol combinations generated by application of the communal game symbol or gaming element.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include establishing a connection with an input device, from a plurality of input devices configured for user input, for use in a wagering game during a wagering game session. The operations can further include receiving input data from the input device, wherein the input data has a first format specific to the input device, and wherein the wagering game requires the input data in a second format different from the first format. The operations can further include converting the input data from the first format to the second format required by the wagering game, and providing the input data to the wagering game in the second format for use as the user input for the wagering game.

Abstract: Embodiments provide an interactive digital multimedia platform for converting existing video objects to gamified multimedia objects and a method for the same. An editor-user of the platform may modify an existing video object while the content of the video object is playing. The editor-user may provide an editing input to the platform for assigning a gaming gesture at a point in video timeline associated with the video content thereby generating a modified video content. The modified video content may be a gamified multimedia object generated from the original video object. The platform also allows multiple editor-users to assign a plurality of gaming gestures at a plurality of points in video timeline associated with the existing video content. As such, the platform is collaborative.