Abstract: Technologies are described for enabling interactivity with video games by viewers of a live video game streaming service. For example, messages can be received indicating interactive control events initiated by remote viewers of a live interactive video game stream. A control state data structure can be maintained that comprises control state for the received interactive control events. The control state data structure can maintain separate control state for each of a plurality of time periods (e.g., each time period corresponding to one or more video frames). Actions in the video game can be activated based on the control state data structure.

Abstract: A method comprises electronically communicating with a game program executing on a broadcaster computer configured to stream a broadcast of the game program, the game program supporting a set of game program methods and not a set of viewer program methods. The method further comprises electronically communicating with a viewer program executing on an audience computer configured to remotely present the broadcast, the viewer program supporting the set of viewer program methods and not the set of game program methods. The method further comprises receiving, from the viewer program, an indication of an invoked viewer program method. The method further comprises translating the indication into a corresponding indication of a game program method, and electronically communicating the indication of the game program method to the game program to effectuate output of the game program corresponding to the indicated game program method.

Abstract: A broadcast computing device broadcasts an audiovisual stream via a computer network to a plurality of viewing computers. The broadcast computing device stores production information according to a hybrid data type. The broadcasting program receives a request to update the stored production information from a viewing computer, and updates the production information.

Abstract: A method for interactive event broadcasting includes receiving a video stream depicting an interactive event. Data representing one or more interactive event controls is received, the interactive event controls being manipulable by a viewer of the interactive event to provide input to the interactive event. The video stream depicting the interactive event and the one or more interactive event controls are displayed as components of a user interface, the video stream and the interactive event controls having a first spatial relationship. Based on detecting a change in state of the interactive event, the first spatial relationship between the video stream and the one or more interactive event controls is changed to a second spatial relationship.

Abstract: A method for distributing a shareable video experience among plural video-consumer devices includes receiving a data stream defining the shareable video experience and generating first and second shared video experiences. The first experience is configured for video-consumer devices capable of real-time interaction with the shareable video experience; it includes a first video stream conveying visual content of the shareable video experience and a first set of interface controls, the first set of interface controls being useable by video-consumer devices capable of real-time interaction to modify the shareable video experience. The second experience is configured for video-consumer devices incapable of real-time interaction; it includes a second video stream conveying visual content of the shareable video experience and a second set of interface controls that are useable by video-consumer devices incapable of real-time interaction to present supplementary data in connection to the shareable video experience.

Abstract: Techniques and architectures of a system may provide, among other things, a contextual help video based, at least in part, on the state of play of a user of a video game or the state of other types of interactive media content. For example, such video may be useful for self-learning using contextual video that provides useful information to the player (or a user of interactive media content). The system may involve a contextual search process, which may enable games to annotate broadcasts and game clips with real time metadata from their titles. Websites may query a service for broadcasts/game clips based on data generated by a contextual search. The system may add context to recorded and live game media and, for example, capturing and exposing a user's gaming moments.

Abstract: An application development component of a development computing system runs a software application developed with the application development component in a pre-build preview state. A broadcast feature editing component of the development computing system changes a state of a pre-production preview version of a broadcast feature associated with a broadcasting service configured to broadcast graphical content output by a post-build version of the software application. An event synchronization component of the development computing system detects the changed state of the broadcast feature and, based on the changed state, alters the running of the software application in the pre-build preview state.

Abstract: A computing system includes an input driver and a virtual input controller. The input driver is configured to receive input data from a first controller of a recognized data protocol and to provide the input data to an API of an application to control actions of a first participant in the gaming application. The virtual input controller is, in contrast, configured to receive input data from a second controller of a protocol incompatible with the input driver, translate the input data to the recognized data protocol; request a broadcast application identifier for a currently-broadcasting application from the broadcasting agent, and provide the translated input data to the input driver in association with the broadcast application identifier for controlling actions of a second participant in the application via the API of the gaming application.

Abstract: Technologies are described for enabling interactivity with video games by viewers of a live video game streaming service. For example, messages can be received indicating interactive control events initiated by remote viewers of a live interactive video game stream. A control state data structure can be maintained that comprises control state for the received interactive control events. The control state data structure can maintain separate control state for each of a plurality of time periods (e.g., each time period corresponding to one or more video frames). Actions in the video game can be activated based on the control state data structure.

Abstract: Technologies are described for enabling co-streaming of live video game streams by multiple broadcasters. For example, broadcasters that are eligible to co-stream can be determined. Invitations can be sent to the broadcasters to join a co-stream. After acceptance, a co-stream can be created. The co-stream can be streamed to viewer devices.

Abstract: Technologies are described for enabling a network protocol that supports switching between communication modes, including a plain text mode and a compressed mode. Switching between the plain text mode and the compressed mode can be performed without closing a network connection between devices. The network protocol can support communication among the devices interacting with a live interactive video game streaming service. The network protocol can also communicate throttling and/or aggregation messages between the devices of the live interactive video game streaming service.

Abstract: A leash including a housing, a reel assembly rotatably coupled to the housing, and a tether coupled to the reel assembly. The reel assembly includes a tether wheel coupled to the tether, and rotatable relative to the housing in a first rotational direction to effectuate extension of the tether, and rotatable in a second rotational direction to effectuate retraction of the tether. A hard stop gear is coupled to the tether wheel, and a soft stop gear is rotatably coupled to the hard stop gear. A dampening spring is coupled to the soft stop gear and the hard stop gear to impart a biasing force on the soft stop gear as it rotates relative to the hard stop gear. A soft stop lever is operatively coupled to the soft stop gear and is configured to selectively restrict rotation of the soft stop gear relative to the housing.

Abstract: A unified platform supports a plurality of game titles and diverse gaming devices to provide publishers and developers with a software development kit (SDK) including application programming interfaces (APIs) for creating multiplayer tournaments. Developers use the SDK to create tournament definitions and permission levels for tournament organizers. Tournament definitions specify configuration values as parameters the unified platform uses to create instances of multiplayer tournaments. Permission levels can define which tournament organizers are able to set up and manage tournaments and can define parameters to which they must adhere. The unified platform can store tournament definitions that are created by game publishers, game developers, or tournament organizers and can use the stored definitions to create tournament instances.

Abstract: A unified platform supports a plurality of game titles and diverse gaming devices to provide publishers and developers with a software development kit (SDK) including application programming interfaces (APIs) for creating multiplayer tournaments. Developers use the SDK to create tournament definitions and permission levels for tournament organizers. Tournament definitions specify configuration values as parameters the unified platform uses to create instances of multiplayer tournaments. Permission levels can define which tournament organizers are able to set up and manage tournaments and can define parameters to which they must adhere. The unified platform can store tournament definitions that are created by game publishers, game developers, or tournament organizers and can use the stored definitions to create tournament instances.

Abstract: A method providing searchable streaming video broadcasts via an interactive media server, the interactive media server generates a live broadcast video stream for each of a plurality of interactive media sessions and a video provider server providing a connection to the live broadcast video stream for viewing, the method comprising receiving an interactive media events stream for each interactive media session from the interactive media server, generating statistics data for each interactive media session based upon the events stream, and generating a searchable index of a directory of the live broadcast video streams, the searchable index including a plurality of entries, each entry including (a) a link to the live broadcast video stream for a corresponding interactive media session provided by the video provider server, and (b) metadata associated with the corresponding interactive media session, the metadata generated based upon the statistics data for the corresponding interactive media session.

Abstract: Techniques and architectures of a system may provide, among other things, a contextual help video based, at least in part, on the state of play of a user of a video game or the state of other types of interactive media content. For example, such video may be useful for self-learning using contextual video that provides useful information to the player (or a user of interactive media content). The system may involve a contextual search process, which may enable games to annotate broadcasts and game clips with real time metadata from their titles. Websites may query a service for broadcasts/game clips based on data generated by a contextual search. The system may add context to recorded and live game media and, for example, capturing and exposing a user's gaming moments.

Abstract: A method providing searchable streaming video broadcasts via an interactive media server, the interactive media server generates a live broadcast video stream for each of a plurality of interactive media sessions and a video provider server providing a connection to the live broadcast video stream for viewing, the method comprising receiving an interactive media events stream for each interactive media session from the interactive media server, generating statistics data for each interactive media session based upon the events stream, and generating a searchable index of a directory of the live broadcast video streams, the searchable index including a plurality of entries, each entry including (a) a link to the live broadcast video stream for a corresponding interactive media session provided by the video provider server, and (b) metadata associated with the corresponding interactive media session, the metadata generated based upon the statistics data for the corresponding interactive media session.

Abstract: An electronic marketplace includes a plurality of video game applications available for purchase. For each of the plurality of video game applications, the electronic marketplace may display a tile identifying the video game application, a payment object for initiating a purchase of the video game application, and a preview object to initiate viewing of a live broadcast of active gameplay of the video game application.