Abstract: A method performed for evaluating activity in a video game, including: executing a multi-player session of a video game; during the multi-player session, receiving flag event data from a first player device, the flag event data indicating that a first player has flagged a gameplay incident occurring during the multi-player session as potentially inappropriate; responsive to receiving the flag event data, then sending a request to a plurality of second player devices, wherein responsive to said request each of the plurality of second player devices renders a voting interface to obtain voting input from each of a plurality of second players regarding whether the gameplay incident is inappropriate; receiving said voting input from the plurality of second player devices, and responsive to said voting input identifying a threshold amount of the plurality of second players considering the gameplay incident to be inappropriate, then administering a penalty for the gameplay incident.

Abstract: A method including executing game logic of a video game to generate a plurality of video frames for a game play of the video game by a player, wherein game state data is generated during the executing the game logic. The method including identifying an effect that is generated for at least one video frame in the plurality of video frames based on the game state data. The method including translating the effect to a haptic response presentable to the player simultaneous with the at least one video frame, wherein the haptic response is communicating a gaming experience that is rendered by the effect in the at least one video frame.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure include systems and techniques for generating content that indicates a sensation associated with audio. One example method generally includes monitoring audio to be played during display of an associated portion of an interactive content stream provided over a communication network to at least one viewing device during an interactive session, and analyzing, via a machine learning component, the audio to determine a sensation associated with at least a portion of the audio. The method may also include determining an effect indicating the sensation, wherein the effect is associated with one or more output devices associated with the at least one viewing device, and outputting an indication of the effect to the associated output devices, wherein the effect is configured to be output along with the audio in real-time with the display of the associated portion of the interactive content stream.

Abstract: Systems and methods for customized dialogue support in virtual environments are provided. Dialogue maps stored in memory may specify dialogue triggers each associated with a corresponding dialogue instruction. Data regarding an interactive session associated with a user device may be monitored based on one or more of the stored dialogue maps. The presence of one of the dialogue triggers specified by the one or more dialogue maps may be detected based on the monitored data. Customized dialogue output may be generated in response to the detected dialogue trigger and based on the dialogue instruction corresponding to the detected dialogue trigger. The customized dialogue output may be provided to the interactive session in real-time with detection of the detected dialogue trigger.

Abstract: The present technology provides solutions for crowd-sourcing stream productions for a virtual esports environment. A method can include generating a virtual environment associated with an interactive session that includes a plurality of spectator devices, wherein each of the spectator devices is presented with a different display based on a corresponding vantage point located within the virtual environment; receiving a plurality of media captures from the spectator devices, wherein each of the media captures is captured from the corresponding vantage point of the spectator device within the virtual environment; selecting one of the media captures based on a comparison of visibility of an asset in the virtual environment; and streaming the selected media capture to a primary display on a requesting device.

Abstract: A method for reducing latency in execution of a game is described. The method includes receiving via a computer network a user input associated with the game and determining from the user input a current state of the game. While the current state of the game is being determined, the method includes predicting a next state of the game based on the user input and one or more predicted user inputs. The method further includes generating one or more predicted image frames from the next state, determining whether the one or more predicted user inputs are received via the computer network, and sending the one or more predicted image frames in response to receiving the one or more predicted user inputs to reduce the latency in execution of the game.

Abstract: Methods and systems for spectating a live video game are presented. In one embodiment, a method for performing an automated catch-up to a player is provided. The method includes providing an interface for presenting a first view of a video game on a client device where the first view has a first vantage point and includes a game player. The method includes an operation for providing a portal within the interface for presenting a second view of the game object, the second view having a second vantage point. The method further includes an operation for moving the second vantage point toward the game object within the portal. Additionally, the method provides an operation for removing the portal.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program tie physical events to virtual events by analyzing motion information from a computing device of a vehicle or analyzing contextual information from a computing device of a vehicle. Initiation of a virtual event with a display device is timed in response to detecting an impending change in center of mass motion of the user from analyzing the motion information or contextual information. A motion in the virtual event is dynamically associated with subsequent motion information.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods to for encouraging spectator participation by permitting audience participation to provide different types of in-game help or hindrance to eSport players or teams when certain tiers or thresholds of spectator engagement are reached. In one example, a player's fanbase may cheer by pressing a button or providing other input/feedback. When a specific number of spectators or a level of participation is reached, a helpful object, power-up, or other in-game advantage may be given to the player. Conversely, a harmful item, loss of an object, or other in-game hindrance may be given to the player.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing navigation assistance using eye gaze of a user. An example method provides assistive navigation in a video game. The method includes receiving input from a user device during a gameplay session of the video game. The method further includes capturing eye gaze of the user during the gameplay to identify a region of a scene of the video game associated with said eye gaze. Then, activating gaze navigation to move a focus of the scene to the region identified using the captured eye gaze. The gaze navigation is triggered automatically without said input from the user device.

Abstract: A hearing aid that includes a microphone, a signal processor, and a speaker transmits a signal to a computer. The signal transmitted to the computer can be the input to the microphone (before processing) or the output to the speaker (after processing). This enables the capturing of a HRTF that does not or that does include the enhancements of the hearing aids.

Abstract: A method is provided, including: tracking a location of a head-mounted display (HMD); tracking a gaze of a user of the HMD; generating video depicting a view of a virtual environment for the HMD based on the gaze of the user of the HMD; initiating wireless transmission of the video to the HMD for display on the HMD to the user, wherein initiating the wireless transmission includes setting a beamforming of a wireless transceiver towards the location of the head-mounted display; processing signal quality feedback received from the HMD to determine a quality of the wireless transmission; responsive to a loss in the quality of the wireless transmission, then adjusting the beamforming of the wireless transceiver.

Abstract: Systems and methods for executing content to be rendered on a screen of a head mounted display (HMD) are provided. One method includes executing the content to render interactive scenes on the screen and tracking an orientation direction of the HMD when worn on a head of a user and the interactive scenes are being rendered on the screen. The method includes changing view directions into the interactive scenes based on changes in the orientation direction of the HMD, such that movements of the head of the user causes the changes in the view directions into the interactive scenes. The method further includes receiving images of a real world space using a camera of the HMD. The camera of the HMD is configured to capture a location of real world objects in the real world space relative to the user of the HMD.

Abstract: A controller, thumbstick, or system comprising a thumbstick body, a thumbstick shaft coupled to the thumbstick body wherein the thumbstick shaft is configured to retract into the thumbstick body and wherein the thumbstick body and the thumbstick shaft is freely rotatable together around a pivot center within the controller body. In some implementations the thumbstick body included a fluid and the thumbstick shaft displaces the fluid when the thumbstick shaft retracts into the thumbstick body.

Abstract: Methods for simulating a source of sound are provided. One method includes determining, by a computer, a location in physical space of a head of a user. The location is determined by capturing images by a camera of the physical space in which a user is located. The method further includes determining a sound for delivery to two speakers worn by the user and determining, by the computer, an emanating location in the physical space for the sound. The method further includes establishing, by the computer, acoustic signals for each speaker based on the location in the physical space of the head, the sound, the emanating location in the physical space, and a selected auditory characteristics of the user. The auditory characteristics of the user are identified based on a calibration process. The method further includes transmitting, by the computer, the acoustic signals to the two speakers. The acoustic signals simulate that the sound originated at the emanating location in space.

Abstract: A watermark representing a link to an original video and/or metadata such as haptic metadata associated with the original video is embedded in the original video in such a way that a re-recording to the original video can still preserve the watermark. The watermark can be used to link to the original video or to the metadata related thereto.

Abstract: A method, system and device for controller operation, comprises detecting a change in a state of the controller from a charging state to an operation state. A state of the computing device changes from a controller charging state to a controller operation state in response to detecting the change in the state of the controller. The computing device receives an input from the controller sends a visual indication of the input to a display device. Additionally, a method, system and device for enhanced controller charging, may comprise detecting a change in a controller state from an operation state to a charging state. A computing device determines whether an ignore input is present after detecting the change in controller state and automatically signs out of a user account or automatically goes into a standby mode when the ignore input is not present.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program tie physical events to virtual events by analyzing motion information from a computing device of a vehicle or analyzing contextual information from a computing device of a vehicle. Initiation of a virtual event with a display device is timed in response to detecting an impending change in center of mass motion of the user from analyzing the motion information or contextual information. A motion in the virtual event is dynamically associated with subsequent motion information.

Abstract: A method, system, computer readable media and cloud systems are provided. In one example a method includes generating a virtual reality (VR) environment to be rendered for a head mounted display (HMD) of an HMD player during a session. The HMD player is provided with an HMD view that is controlled by movement of a character in the VR environment by the HMD player. The method includes providing a spectator view into the VR environment. The spectator view is associated with a viewing spot directed into the VR environment. Then, automatically moving said viewing spot of the spectator view to other viewing spots that follow the character in the VR environment. Moving the viewing spot of the spectator view has a delay in movement to follow the HMD view, and said delay in movement does not delay time progress for the session.

Abstract: Systems and methods for executing content to be rendered on a screen of a head mounted display (HMD) are provided. One method includes executing the content to render interactive scenes on the screen and tracking an orientation direction of the HMD when worn on a head of a user and the interactive scenes are being rendered on the screen. The method includes changing view directions into the interactive scenes based on changes in the orientation direction of the HMD, such that movements of the head of the user causes the changes in the view directions into the interactive scenes. The method further includes receiving images of a real world space using a camera of the HMD. The camera of the HMD is configured to capture a location of real world objects in the real world space relative to the user of the HMD.