Abstract: A system, machine-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for matching players of a game is provided. A game networking system receives a request to play a game against a second player outside of a social network of the first player. The game networking system sends the request to a second client device of the second player. The game networking system receives, from the second client device, an acceptance of the request to play the game. The game networking system generates a match associated with the game in response to the acceptance. The game networking system provides a communication channel between the first player and the second player in response to the match.

Abstract: A system, machine-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for transitioning between game and non-game features is provided. Game display data is provided to a client device to display a computer-implemented game of a player. A request to transition from the computer-implemented game to a non-game feature is received from the client device. The request is received while the computer-implemented game is being displayed. Game state information associated with the player is stored in response to the request. The game state information includes information associated with a state of the computer-implemented game during receipt of the request. Non-game display data is provided to the client device to display the non-game feature.

Abstract: A system, machine-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for switching between synchronous and asynchronous game modes is provided. A first game instance of a computer-implemented game of a first player and a second player is generated. The first game instance is generated in a first mode associated with the availability of the second player to play the game. First display data is provided to a client device of the first player to display the first game instance of the game in the first mode. A change in the availability of the second player is identified. A second game instance of the game is generated in a second mode associated with the change in the availability of the second player. Second display data is provided to the client device to display the second game instance of the game in the second mode.