Abstract: Methods for managing non-player characters and power centers in a computer game are based on character hierarchies and individualized correspondences between each character's traits or rank and events that involve other non-player characters or objects. Players may share power centers, character hierarchies, non-player characters, and related quests involving the shared objects with other players playing separate and unrelated game instances over a computer network, with the outcome of the quests reflected in different the games. Various configurations of game machines are used to implement the methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hybrid Raman/EDFA optical amplifier that utilizes a first optical detector that generates a first electrical or electronic signal that is proportional the combined optical power of the signal light and the leaked pump laser light, a second optical detector that generates a second electrical or electronic signal that is proportional to the power of the pump laser light and an electronic subtraction circuit that receives the first and second electrical or electronic signals and generates a difference signal that is proportional to only to the optical power of the signal light and insensitive to the power of the Raman pump laser light. The difference signal is utilized by an EDFA control circuit to control and/or adjust the operation of the EDFA based upon changes in the power of the input optical signal.