Abstract: Techniques for forking and merging of electronically presented content items, such as MMO and other video games, are described herein. In particular, a first content item session may be forked to generate a second (forked) content item session. The first and forked content item sessions may then continue to execute and evolve in separate directions from one another. In some examples, a user of the forked content item session may serve as an administrator of the forked content item session and may receive compensation in exchange for serving as an administrator. Additionally, one or more forked or other separate content item sessions may be merged together to form a merged content item session. In some examples, conflicts between merged content item sessions may be identified and resolved based, at least in part, on input from administrators.

Abstract: In some examples, a security camera may be inserted into an executing content item, such as a multi-player video game. The security camera may be associated with a particular participant, such as a player, of the video game or other content item. In some examples, image data, such as video data, associated with the security camera may be rendered by one or more components that are remote from the associated participant, such as one or more remote servers. The remotely rendered security camera image data may then be transmitted to the participant over one or more communications networks, such as by using streaming content delivery techniques. Also, in some examples, audio data associated with the security camera may also be remotely rendered and transmitted in combination with the security camera image data.

Abstract: A game spectating system that leverages game metadata to allow spectators to join or “step into” games being broadcast. Broadcast content may include user interface elements via which spectators can order, purchase, or otherwise obtain demo or full versions of games. Game client software and game data may be obtained and downloaded to the spectator's devices via the spectating system interfaces and broadcast streams. Spectators can order, purchase, or otherwise obtain characters, avatars, and gear for participation in particular games. Using the spectating UI to obtain the game client software, game data, characters, and gear via the broadcast streams, the spectators may join live game sessions of online games, start new game sessions, and/or replay previously recorded game sessions.

Abstract: A game spectating system that provides interfaces and methods for providing game content to viewers. The spectating system obtains game metadata from game systems for games being broadcast by the spectating system according to the API, and generates broadcast content based at least in part on the game metadata. The broadcast content includes user interface (UI) elements for obtaining virtual or physical objects corresponding to the game content. The broadcast content is provided to spectator devices with the broadcasts. The spectating system receives indications of spectators' interactions with the broadcast content from the spectator devices including interactions requesting the virtual or physical objects, and facilitates provisioning or delivery of the objects to respective spectator devices or spectators.

Abstract: Techniques for in-content security camera data streaming are described herein. In some examples, a security camera may be inserted into an executing content item, such as a multi-player video game. The security camera may be associated with a particular participant, such as a player, of the video game or other content item. In some examples, image data, such as video data, associated with the security camera may be rendered by one or more components that are remote from the associated participant, such as one or more remote servers. The remotely rendered security camera image data may then be transmitted to the participant over one or more communications networks, such as by using streaming content delivery techniques. Also, in some examples, audio data associated with the security camera may also be remotely rendered and transmitted in combination with the security camera image data.

Abstract: In some examples, a security camera may be inserted into an executing content item, such as a multi-player video game. The security camera may be associated with a particular participant, such as a player, of the video game or other content item. In some examples, image data, such as video data, associated with the security camera may be rendered by one or more components that are remote from the associated participant, such as one or more remote servers. The remotely rendered security camera image data may then be transmitted to the participant over one or more communications networks, such as by using streaming content delivery techniques. Also, in some examples, audio data associated with the security camera may also be remotely rendered and transmitted in combination with the security camera image data.

Abstract: Techniques for virtual area generation and manipulation are described herein. The described techniques may be used, for example, for virtual areas in electronically presented content items, such as video games and other media items. In some examples, one or more interfaces may be provided that allow content developers to provide and specify a set of rules associated with the virtual area. The set of rules may include, for example, terrain rules, object rules, and other rules associated with other aspects of the virtual area. The terrain rules may include rules for generating, distributing, and/or manipulating different types of terrain, such as such as flat and/or buildable space, mountains, valleys, berms, rivers, lakes, oceans, deserts, forests, and many others. The object rules may include rules for generating, distributing, and/or manipulating different types of objects, such as trees, bushes, rocks, snow, grass, fish, birds, animals, people, vehicles, buildings, and others.

Abstract: A spectating system that leverages game metadata and/or broadcast metadata to provide rewards to or otherwise acknowledge participants in broadcasts. The system may analyze the metadata to detect events or other information about broadcasts, and may recognize and/or reward participants based at least in part on the analysis. Spectators may be rewarded for participating in broadcasts, or in particular events in broadcasts. Broadcasters may be rewarded for in-game achievements or for achieving levels of audience participation or support. Participants may select or vote on other participants to receive rewards. Rewards may, for example, include acknowledgement of participants via the user interface, virtual items such as in-game virtual gear, physical items such as game-related merchandise, and granting of benefits or privileges by the spectating system and/or game system such as special content for a broadcaster's channel.

Abstract: A spectating system that generates game inputs based on spectator inputs and interactions, and provides the game inputs to game systems according to an application programming interface (API). The spectating system may allow spectators to interact with and affect a game being broadcast via inputs to and interactions with user interface (UI) elements presented on the spectating UI. Spectators may affect or influence the game, objects within the game universe, events within the game, or the players in the game via the UI elements on the spectating UI. The spectators may become involved in the games being broadcast by influencing game play via the spectating inputs. Game play for the players may be enhanced by providing interesting variations in game play based on the spectating inputs.

Abstract: Techniques for virtual area generation and manipulation are described herein. The described techniques may be used, for example, for virtual areas in electronically presented content items, such as video games and other media items. In some examples, one or more interfaces may be provided that allow content developers to provide and specify a set of rules associated with the virtual area. The set of rules may include, for example, terrain rules, object rules, and other rules associated with other aspects of the virtual area. The terrain rules may include rules for generating, distributing, and/or manipulating different types of terrain, such as such as flat and/or buildable space, mountains, valleys, berms, rivers, lakes, oceans, deserts, forests, and many others. The object rules may include rules for generating, distributing, and/or manipulating different types of objects, such as trees, bushes, rocks, snow, grass, fish, birds, animals, people, vehicles, buildings, and others.

Abstract: Techniques for virtual area generation and manipulation are described herein. The described techniques may be used, for example, for virtual areas in electronically presented content items, such as video games and other media items. In some examples, one or more interfaces may be provided that allow content developers to provide and specify a set of rules associated with the virtual area. The set of rules may include, for example, terrain rules, object rules, and other rules associated with other aspects of the virtual area. The terrain rules may include rules for generating, distributing, and/or manipulating different types of terrain, such as such as flat and/or buildable space, mountains, valleys, berms, rivers, lakes, oceans, deserts, forests, and many others. The object rules may include rules for generating, distributing, and/or manipulating different types of objects, such as trees, bushes, rocks, snow, grass, fish, birds, animals, people, vehicles, buildings, and others.

Abstract: Techniques for forking and merging of electronically presented content items, such as MMO and other video games, are described herein. In particular, a first content item session may be forked to generate a second (forked) content item session. The first and forked content item sessions may then continue to execute and evolve in separate directions from one another. In some examples, a user of the forked content item session may serve as an administrator of the forked content item session and may receive compensation in exchange for serving as an administrator. Additionally, one or more forked or other separate content item sessions may be merged together to form a merged content item session. In some examples, conflicts between merged content item sessions may be identified and resolved based, at least in part, on input from administrators.

Abstract: Techniques for virtual area generation and manipulation are described herein. The described techniques may be used, for example, for virtual areas in electronically presented content items, such as video games and other media items. In some examples, one or more interfaces may be provided that allow content developers to provide and specify a set of rules associated with the virtual area. The set of rules may include, for example, terrain rules, object rules, and other rules associated with other aspects of the virtual area. The terrain rules may include rules for generating, distributing, and/or manipulating different types of terrain, such as such as flat and/or buildable space, mountains, valleys, berms, rivers, lakes, oceans, deserts, forests, and many others. The object rules may include rules for generating, distributing, and/or manipulating different types of objects, such as trees, bushes, rocks, snow, grass, fish, birds, animals, people, vehicles, buildings, and others.

Abstract: A spectating system that leverages game metadata and/or broadcast metadata to provide rewards to or otherwise acknowledge participants in broadcasts. The system may analyze the metadata to detect events or other information about broadcasts, and may recognize and/or reward participants based at least in part on the analysis. Spectators may be rewarded for participating in broadcasts, or in particular events in broadcasts. Broadcasters may be rewarded for in-game achievements or for achieving levels of audience participation or support. Participants may select or vote on other participants to receive rewards. Rewards may, for example, include acknowledgement of participants via the user interface, virtual items such as in-game virtual gear, physical items such as game-related merchandise, and granting of benefits or privileges by the spectating system and/or game system such as special content for a broadcaster's channel.

Abstract: A game spectating system that leverages game metadata to allow spectators to join or “step into” games being broadcast. Broadcast content may include user interface elements via which spectators can order, purchase, or otherwise obtain demo or full versions of games. Game client software and game data may be obtained and downloaded to the spectator's devices via the spectating system interfaces and broadcast streams. Spectators can order, purchase, or otherwise obtain characters, avatars, and gear for participation in particular games. Using the spectating UI to obtain the game client software, game data, characters, and gear via the broadcast streams, the spectators may join live game sessions of online games, start new game sessions, and/or replay previously recorded game sessions.

Abstract: A spectating system that exposes an application programming interface (API) to game systems. The spectating system obtains game metadata from the game systems for games being broadcast by the spectating system according to the API, and generates content for the broadcasts based at least in part on the game metadata. The broadcast content is provided to spectator devices with the broadcasts. The spectating system receives indications of spectators' interactions with the broadcast content from the spectator devices, and provides indications of the interactions to the game systems according to the API.

Abstract: A spectating system that generates game inputs based on spectator inputs and interactions, and provides the game inputs to game systems according to an application programming interface (API). The spectating system may allow spectators to interact with and affect a game being broadcast via inputs to and interactions with user interface (UI) elements presented on the spectating UI. Spectators may affect or influence the game, objects within the game universe, events within the game, or the players in the game via the UI elements on the spectating UI. The spectators may become involved in the games being broadcast by influencing game play via the spectating inputs. Game play for the players may be enhanced by providing interesting variations in game play based on the spectating inputs.

Abstract: A game spectating system that provides interfaces and methods for providing game content to viewers. The spectating system obtains game metadata from game systems for games being broadcast by the spectating system according to the API, and generates broadcast content based at least in part on the game metadata. The broadcast content includes user interface (UI) elements for obtaining virtual or physical objects corresponding to the game content. The broadcast content is provided to spectator devices with the broadcasts. The spectating system receives indications of spectators' interactions with the broadcast content from the spectator devices including interactions requesting the virtual or physical objects, and facilitates provisioning or delivery of the objects to respective spectator devices or spectators.