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.

Abstract: The disclosed gaming system displays an arrangement of symbols including a plurality of symbol positions. For a play of the game, the gaming system displays a randomly generated symbol in each symbol position. One or more of the symbols are displayed as associated with a directional indicator indicating a shift direction for that symbol. If any winning symbol combination is displayed, the gaming system shifts at least one symbol within the symbol matrix according to the directional indicator associated with that symbol, such as by shifting the symbol as designated distance in the shift direction indicated by the symbol's directional indicator. In one embodiment, the gaming system removes one or more symbols in the shift path of a shifting symbol. In one embodiment, the gaming system generates and displays new symbols in the then-empty symbol positions of the symbol matrix and repeats the determination, shifting, and generation.

Abstract: In such a timing game that a user taps on a collision position at a time when fore ends of a line object 51A and a line object 51B (hereinafter line objects 51) collide, a background image in perspective is displayed as if moving in depth direction. Simultaneously, the line objects 51 are moved corresponding to the background image. Therefore, it is possible to display the line objects 51 as if moving in depth direction, so that it is possible to provide the timing game with sense of speed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a remote play device for an interactive entertainment system and may include a class D amplifier and at least one motion detection device. The remote play device may also include a processor to adapt sound effects played through the class D amplifier based upon the at least one motion detection device. A battery may also be included powering at least the class D amplifier.

Abstract: A display, as for an electronic gaming machine, includes one or more rotatable mechanical reels including at least one variable displaying position at which the display may be varied. Content is displayed at the variable displaying position when the variable displaying position registers with the display. One or more reels can include a reel strip which includes at one location a pre-printed symbol and at another location a window. A video display can be arranged, configured and controlled by a processor to cast a display at the inside of the reel to impart light and video effects to pre-printed symbol locations or to cast video content through the reel strip window.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to an electronic gaming device including a memory, a processor, and a plurality of reels. The plurality of reels may include one or more areas. The memory may include one or more one or more subscription based progressive structures. The processor may generate one or more symbols to be located in the one or more areas.

Abstract: A console for enabling play of a casino wagering game has: a video display screen; a player input system; a wager accepting and resolving system; a ball drop-and-capture gaming system; sensors for the gaming system; and a processor. Separate areas are provided on the video display screen for display of distinct results from at least two consecutive separate ball drop-and-capture events. The processor is configured to: a) receive information from sensors as to results of each ball drop-and-capture event; b) transmit viewable information to each separate area provided on the video display screen for each consecutive separate ball drop-and-capture event; and c) to compare all ball drop-and-capture events to a preselected number of memorialized ball drop-and-capture outcomes.

Abstract: System, method, and computer program product to identify relevant features in a deep question answering system, by classifying a first case received by the deep question answering system, and, while training the deep question answering system to answer the first case, identifying a first feature in the first case, computing a first feature score for the first feature, the first feature score indicating a relevance of the first feature in generating a correct response to the first case, and, identifying the first feature as relevant in answering the classified first case upon determining that the first feature score exceeds a relevance threshold.

Abstract: A system has a computerized server connected to a network and having a processor, a data repository coupled to the processor, and software (SW) executing on the processor from a non-transitory medium. The software enables a player operating a computerized appliance connected to the network to log in to a site hosted on the server, the site providing video games and other places to which the player may navigate, enables the player to purchase virtual currency spendable in games the player may enter to play and at other places the player may select to navigate, credits the player with Points in a pre-established ratio to virtual currency spent by the player while logged in to the site, and accounts for points accredited to the player and other players, and displaying on the site Point totals for at least players having the greatest number of Points.