Abstract: The present invention enables a game server to provide hosting services by connecting the game server device to a peer group, notifying at least one member of the peer group of the availability of the server device, and enabling the server device to accept and respond directly to searches for the hosting services, which are directed at the peer group by one or more gaming client devices. Discovery of peer group gaming content as well as updating such content are also provided by the present invention. The present invention further enables both peer group protocol supported and non-supported devices to interact with and provide the services provided by a peer group.

Abstract: A common game controller is compatible with multiple platforms including game devices and general purpose processors. The common controller can be utilized by both developers and users. Game software can easily be implemented on multiple platforms. Common source code can be developed and compiled to run on multiple systems, for example XBOX 360®, WINDOWS XP®, and WINDOWS® VISTA. Users only have to learn and get familiar with a single game controller. The common controller includes a Universal Serial Bus (USB) compatible interface allowing the controller to be coupled to multiple types of platforms. The common controller can also include a wireless interface.

Abstract: A system for using computer input devices with software applications is disclosed. The system includes an input device mapper API, which uses a language of semantics as an interface between input devices and software applications. The input device mapper receives information about which semantics the devices connected to the computer are able to implement, and which semantics correspond to actions that a user can request the software to perform. The input device mapper maps controls on the available devices into user-requestable software actions by matching, as closely as possible, device controls and software actions that correspond to the same semantic. The system thus makes input devices and software applications transparent to each other, and permits a software application to be designed to operate without regard to which input device is being used to control its actions.

Abstract: Techniques and tools are described for creating and using application identifiers that act as “fingerprints” for applications. In one aspect, an identifier generation algorithm is applied to application data and an application identifier is generated. The application data comprises graphical icon data, and can further comprise other data (e.g., executable name, registry data). The identifier generation algorithm can be a hashing algorithm that generates a hash value. The application identifier can be sent in a database query, and a database can return results indicating, for example, whether metadata can be obtained from a metadata service, or whether the software application is of a particular type (e.g., a gaming-related application). Application identifiers can be stored, for example, in a data file along with one or more other application identifiers for other software applications. Described techniques and tools can be used in a graphical user interface-based gaming activity center.

Abstract: Parental controls for entertainment digital media are provided that allow a parent to restrict multiple user's access to entertainment content. One or more updatable rating definition files with dynamic data are used to define rating levels and content descriptors for a regional rating system. Entertainment content definition files define the rating level and content descriptors for entertainment content. User permission settings define a particular user's access rating level and content descriptors. The rating definition file can be used to compare the entertainment content definition file and user permission settings in determining if a user is allowed access to particular entertainment content.

Abstract: Various technologies related to links to content are described. Links can be generated from data acquired via a network. A link can be presented as part of a graphical user interface as a canned message according to the link data. The links can be presented as part of a graphical user interface for an operating system shell. For example, appropriate links can accompany the representation of an application. When activated, the links present content relevant to the application. The techniques can be applied to computer games.