Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems are provided for training a first reinforcement-learning (RL) agent and a second RL agent coupled to a computer game environment using RL techniques. The first RL agent iteratively generates a sub-goal sequence in relation to an overall goal within the computer game environment, where the first RL agent generates a new sub-goal for the sub-goal sequence after a second RL agent, interacting with the computer game environment, successfully achieves a current sub-goal in the sub-goal sequence. The second RL agent iteratively interacts with the computer game environment to achieve the current sub-goal in which each iterative interaction includes an attempt by the second RL agent for interacting with the computer game environment to achieve the current sub-goal. The first RL agent is updated using a first reward issued when the second RL agent successfully achieves the current sub-goal.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer device comprising: a user interface controllable to display to a user a gameboard of multiple user selectable game elements of at least two types; and a processor configured to: generate a user activatable booster object for display on the user interface; detect a user input to activate the booster object; activate the booster object to generate a booster effect; wherein the processor is further configured, on activation of the booster object, to generate the booster effect by detecting a group of game elements in a region defined on the gameboard; and sort the game elements in the group to display game elements of a matching type adjacent one another in the region to generate a sorted configuration of game elements in the region.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems are provided for training a first reinforcement-learning (RL) agent and a second RL agent coupled to a computer game environment using RL techniques. The first RL agent iteratively generates a sub-goal sequence in relation to an overall goal within the computer game environment, where the first RL agent generates a new sub-goal for the sub-goal sequence after a second RL agent, interacting with the computer game environment, successfully achieves a current sub-goal in the sub-goal sequence. The second RL agent iteratively interacts with the computer game environment to achieve the current sub-goal in which each iterative interaction includes an attempt by the second RL agent for interacting with the computer game environment to achieve the current sub-goal. The first RL agent is updated using a first reward issued when the second RL agent successfully achieves the current sub-goal.

Abstract: A game control method realizes an electronic game that proceeds as a result of objects being arranged in a game field. The method comprises: arranging an object; determining whether or not a group of unit elements arranged adjacent to each other in the game field forms a predetermined shape; managing a region including the group of unit elements that forms the predetermined shape as an erasure-determined region; erasing, from the game field, the group of unit elements included in the erasure-determined region, of groups of unit elements arranged in the game field, if the erasure-determined region satisfies a predetermined condition, and leaving unit elements not included in the erasure-determined region; and performing control such that a new arrangement object can be arranged in squares from which the group of unit elements have been erased.

Abstract: A game system may comprise a board comprising a plurality of pegs extending from the board, wherein the pegs may be disposed in rows; at least one deflector configured to be coupled to at least two pegs aligned with one another; at least one ball configured to move on the board between and/or along the pegs and deflector(s) from a start end to a goal end of the board; at least one goal configured to be coupled to at least two pegs in a goal row of the rows of pegs, wherein the goal is configured to receive a ball; and a plurality of play selectors which determine a play for each player during a turn of a game. The goal of the game may be to get a ball into a goal by navigating across the board having the pegs and deflectors as obstacles to movement of the ball.

Abstract: A computer device is configured to provide a computer implemented game. A display of the computer device displays game elements on a game board. First and second types of game elements are provided. The second type of game elements are associated with an effect which when triggered causes an interaction with other game elements on the game board. At least one processor of the computer device determines that a plurality of game elements satisfy a match condition and that a first game element of the second type is triggered to provide the effect. When the first game element of the second type has been triggered a plurality of times, it is removed from the game board.

Abstract: A game control method realizes an electronic game that proceeds as a result of objects being arranged in a game field. The method comprises: arranging an object; determining whether or not a group of unit elements arranged adjacent to each other in the game field forms a predetermined shape; managing a region including the group of unit elements that forms the predetermined shape as an erasure-determined region; erasing, from the game field, the group of unit elements included in the erasure-determined region, of groups of unit elements arranged in the game field, if the erasure-determined region satisfies a predetermined condition, and leaving unit elements not included in the erasure-determined region; and performing control such that a new arrangement object can be arranged in squares from which the group of unit elements have been erased.

Abstract: The information processing apparatus comprises: a movement possibility determination unit that determines whether there is a target position to which the operable object can move between the current position of the operable object and the designated position; an object movement unit that removes the restriction on movement of the operable object to move the operable object to the target position on the condition that the target position is determined; and a rendering information generation unit that generates rendering information having a different screen effects between that in the case where the non-operable object exists between the current position and the designated position and the case where the non-operable object does not exist between the current position and the designated position.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve a system comprising a computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program and method for performing operations comprising: receiving, by one or more processors that implement a messaging application, a video feed from a camera of a user device; detecting, by the messaging application, a face in the video feed; in response to detecting the face in the video feed, retrieving a three-dimensional (3D) caption; modifying the video feed to include the 3D caption at a position in 3D space of the video feed proximate to the face; and displaying a modified video feed that includes the face and the 3D caption.

Abstract: A game board is displayed on a display of a computer device. When a user engages with one or more game elements in a move, at least one processor of the computer device determines a first characteristic of a game element associated with the triggering of a first game element, a first direction associated with the triggering and a first set of locations along the first direction. The at least one processor is configured to associate each location of the determined first set of locations with a game element having the determined first characteristic.

Abstract: Wagering games include promotional events and promotional awards, such as the award of free or reduced cost goods and services. Promotional awards may be reward by the receipt of property logo symbols during game play. Promotional awards rewarded at one casino may be redeemable only at a second casino. Promotional awards may be rewarded based upon game play metrics of identified or anonymous players.

Abstract: A vehicle drive system for a vehicle including a first prime mover, a first prime mover driven transmission, and a rechargeable power source can be configured for reduced fuel consumption at idle. The vehicle drive system includes an electric motor in direct or indirect mechanical communication with the first prime mover. The control system causes fuel to be eliminated to the first prime mover while the vehicle is stopped and causes the electric motor to rotate the first prime mover at a speed, thereby reducing fuel consumption at idle for the vehicle.

Abstract: A hybrid game having a user selectable gambling game is provided.

Abstract: A method includes: processing a request to execute a purchase transaction for a virtual asset of a video game, to transfer ownership of the virtual asset from a first user account to a second user account, to transfer an amount of virtual currency from the second user account to the first user account; responsive to the request, accessing a blockchain to perform an anti-fraud verification, including analyzing data of a prior transaction involving the virtual asset that is stored to the blockchain; responsive to the anti-fraud verification providing a result that does not indicate fraudulent activity, then generating transaction data based on an identifier for the first user account, an identifier for the second user account, an identifier for the virtual asset, and the amount of virtual currency, and submitting the transaction data to a node network, to write the transaction data to a block of the blockchain.

Abstract: Machine learning is used to determine one or more video game players' ability to defeat a non-player video game opponent, such as a boss. The level of difficulty in beating the video game opponent may then be increased or decreased based on the players' ability to beat the video game opponent. In some examples, another player may then opt in to the increased or decreased level of difficulty, or may choose to play the video game without the increased or decreased level of difficulty.

Abstract: A method, device and system of prediction of a state of an object in the environment using a pre-trained action model defined by an action model neural network. A control system for an object comprises a plurality of sensors for sensing a current state and an environment in which the object is located, and a first neural network. Predicted subsequent states of the object in the environment are obtained using the action model and a current state of the object in the environment The action model maps a plurality of state-action pairs (s, a), each state-action pair encoding a state (s) of the object in the environment and an action (a) performed by the object to a predicted subsequent state (s?) of the object in the environment. An action that maximizes a value of a target, based at least on a reward for each of the predicted subsequent states, is determined. The determined action is caused to be performed.

Abstract: A dynamic multi-currency interleaved wagering system is disclosed. The system includes an interactive controller operatively connected to an application controller, the interactive controller constructed to: receive identification of valid currency types; present the valid currency types; receive identification of a chosen currency type chosen; communicate the chosen currency type and application telemetry; and receive an application resource. The system also includes a wager controller operatively connected to the application controller, the wager controller constructed to: generate and communicate a wager outcome.

Abstract: A first list that includes a first set of one or more concept terms may be obtained. The first set of one or more concept terms may be candidates for being conceptually related to a seed concept term. Prior to the obtaining, a first client computing device may provide a first plurality of individual characters and the seed concept term to a first user using the first client computing device. The first client computing device may prompt the first user to generate the first set of one or more concept terms that are conceptually related to the seed concept term using one or more of the first plurality of individual characters. In response to the obtaining, one or more particular categories to which each of the first set of one or more concept terms belongs to may be determined.

Abstract: An electromechanical gaming machine that provides an entertainment game wherein a user controls the movement of a ship across a fixed plane. A user may select a gambling game that uses non-explicit triggers for wagers through the use of an entertainment software engine. A game world engine detects the trigger and then requests a real world engine to resolve the gambling event. The results of the gambling event are communicated to the game world engine which then instructs the entertainment software engine to generate a display.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods and systems for processing replacements to a target array according to an ordered list. A system may provide automatic and intuitive identification of selectable tokens by iteratively identifying all selectable tokens for processing or replacement in an array, and, for each selectable token, determining a unique vector or angle to the selectable token from a predetermined position. The selectable tokens may be placed in a list ordered by the vector or angle. A user interface may indicate a candidate selectable token and allow the user to either select the token for processing or replacement, or navigate through the ordered list to a different candidate selectable token. In one such implementation, the user may modify the vector or angle, and the user interface may highlight another candidate selectable token corresponding to the modified vector or angle.

Abstract: The exemplary embodiments present a game mechanic for an electronic game playable on a computing device that has a display with a touchscreen configured to receive a plurality of touch inputs simultaneously. The graphical user interface of such a game displays a sequence of arrangements of input areas. For each such arrangement, the player must simultaneously touch some or all of the presented input areas in order to proceed to the next arrangement.

Abstract: A computer device has a touch screen which displays game elements. A user is able to move game elements to make a match. When a match is made, the game elements of the match are removed. Each game element is associated with a tile. Each tile either has a cover object or no cover object. Underlying entities are provided which occupy at least two tiles. The device has a processor which is configured to determine on detecting the match game condition if at least one tile of the game elements in the match game condition has a cover object and if so to remove the cover object and subsequently to determine if the underlying entities are only associated with tiles having cover tiles. If not, the underlying entity is repositioned if partially uncovered or removed if completely uncovered.

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 gaming machine having an electronic display which displays a plurality of empty drinking cups. A game controller causes the display of a ball and its movement toward and into one of the empty cups. A game play mechanism allows the player to direct the movement of the ball. If the player is successful in movement of a ball into a cup, the cup and the ball is then removed from the display. During play of the game, an amount of sobriety is determined in accord with the number of cups removed by the player. In accordance with the amount of sobriety determined, the cups are displayed in wobbling movement in order to give amusement to the game as well as difficulty in the play.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed towards software based controllers. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention are configured to provide a software based controller capable of utilization with games provided through a console, handheld device or other computing device.

Abstract: An electromechanical gaming machine that provides an entertainment game wherein a user controls the movement of a ship across a fixed plane. A user may select a gambling game that uses non-explicit triggers for wagers through the use of an entertainment software engine. A game world engine detects the trigger and then requests a real world engine to resolve the gambling event. The results of the gambling event are communicated to the game world engine which then instructs the entertainment software engine to generate a display.

Abstract: A recording medium that stores a game program processing the progress of a puzzle game and a battle game is provided. When executed on a computer including an input surface capable of detecting a touch operation of a user, the game program executes instructions. The instructions include determining whether or not a puzzle selected by the touch operation satisfies predetermined conditions, determining whether or not puzzles selected by the touch operation by drawing a locus on the input surface have the same attribute as one of the predetermined conditions, and displaying a game content for use in the battle game on a screen of the puzzle game when it is determined that the predetermined conditions are satisfied.

Abstract: A dynamic multi-currency interleaved wagering system is disclosed. The system includes an interactive controller operatively connected to an application controller, the interactive controller constructed to: receive identification of valid currency types; present the valid currency types; receive identification of a chosen currency type chosen; communicate the chosen currency type and application telemetry; and receive an application resource. The system also includes a wager controller operatively connected to the application controller, the wager controller constructed to: generate and communicate a wager outcome.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an interactive media based gambling hybrid game. Interactive media is provided to a player with the interactive media having a storyline and a plurality of storyline branches for the storyline. Player interactions with the interactive media are received and a determination is made when a real credit gambling event occurs based on the received player interactions. An outcome of the gambling event is determined and a storyline branch from among the plurality of storyline branches is determined on the basis of the outcome of the gambling event and presented to the player.

Abstract: Rendering an image of a game board on a display comprising a plurality of tiles and a tumbler object abutting at least one tile; recording in a memory the position of the tumbler object in a physical world; detecting a user input to insert a new tile; detecting if the new tile creates a match with two adjacent existing tiles and if so rendering a new image of the game board on the display wherein the new and two existing tiles are removed; detecting in the physical world if the tile abutting the tumbler object has been removed and if so rendering an image of the tumbler object falling down the display under a simulated gravity imposed by a physics engine; and monitoring the position of the falling tumbler object and on determination that one of its edges abuts another tile, preventing it from falling further.

Abstract: In one aspect, an example method includes (i) accessing, by a computing system, data associated with a program schedule for a media program; (ii) based on the accessed data, selecting, by the computing system, a social media (SM) content item, wherein the SM content item was published by a SM user, and wherein the SM user is associated with a first SM account; and (iii) responsive to selecting the SM content item, causing, by the computing system, a SM platform to request the SM user to authorize a link between the first SM account and a second SM account.

Abstract: Disclosed is an identification apparatus including an acquisition unit configured to acquire power generation information from a power generation unit; and an identification unit configured to identify a behavior characteristic in accordance with the power generation information.

Abstract: An electronic method of gaming comprises an electronic game controller forming a game outcome by selecting a plurality of symbols for display at respective ones of a plurality of symbol display positions of a symbol display, evaluating the game outcome to determine whether to a) make an award in respect of the game outcome, and b) remove one or more symbols from the symbol display, and upon removing one or more symbols, making an additional award upon the removal of the one or more symbols corresponding to one or more removal outcomes.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method comprising: storing in a memory information of one or more game objects; causing to be displayed on a user interface of a touchscreen display a game board comprising one or more of said game objects; in response to determining contact or proximity of a selector at a first location of said display, determining by the processor one or more of said game objects stored in said memory that are displayed on and/or proximate to said location; and causing one or more of said game objects that are displayed on and/or proximate to said first location to be displayed on said display in a magnified region at a second location, wherein said second location is spaced from said first location.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed towards software based controllers. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention are configured to provide a software based controller capable of utilization with games provided through a console, handheld device or other computing device.

Abstract: A method of generating a lottery ticket comprises the steps of: providing a succession of selection stages; providing for each stage two or more selection options; said selection options comprising a selection area which in response to a lottery player's interaction reveals either a winning or a losing indicator; wherein for each stage at least one of the selection options is a winning selection and at least one of the options is a losing selection.

Abstract: We describe a method of reinforcement learning for a subject system having multiple states and actions to move from one state to the next. Training data is generated by operating on the system with a succession of actions and used to train a second neural network. Target values for training the second neural network are derived from a first neural network which is generated by copying weights of the second neural network at intervals.

Abstract: Described herein are systems, devices, techniques and products for managing the dynamic assignment of media access control (MAC) addresses to wireless network devices, such as by identifying a dynamically assigned MAC address before, after, or during a wireless association process and communicating the dynamically assigned MAC address to a wireless network device. Also disclosed are systems, devices, techniques and products for preventing a denial of service attack on a wireless access point's association table, such as by requiring devices that associate with a wireless access point to respond to a query from the wireless access point shortly after association.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying devices using a bitmap are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises: accessing a memory to obtain one or more bitmaps that map each bit location in the bitmap to an index value, where one index value is assigned to each remote wireless media device of a wireless network in a wireless communication system; and examining those bitmaps and determining at least one characteristic of a remote wireless media device and a device identifier that identifies the remote wireless media device in the wireless network based on the bit position in those bitmaps.

Abstract: Systems and methods for manipulating an object include a display for displaying an object where the object has a geometric shape and is arranged in a first orientation of the geometric shape. The display also displays at least a second orientation of the geometric shape in proximity to the object. The system includes a user interface for receiving a user input to select the second orientation of the geometric shape. A processor, in communication with the display and user interface, determines one or more possible orientations of the object including the second orientation and arranges the orientation of the geometric shape of the object to match the selected second orientation.

Abstract: A networked gaming system is provided, including an entertainment software controller connected by a network to a game world controller, the entertainment software controller constructed to: present a first presentation of a skill-based game; transmit a player action of the skill-based game; receive a modified game status update; present a second presentation based on the modified update; the game world controller connected by the network to a game server, the game world controller constructed to: receive the player action; generate a wager; transmit the wager; receive a wager result; transmit, to a game server, the player action; receive a game state update based on the player action; generate the modified game state update; and transmit, to the entertainment software controller, the modified game state update; and the real world controller connected to the game world controller, and constructed to: receive the wager; and provide a wager result.

Abstract: A method and system for daisy chaining tournament audio controllers, where the method comprises, in a headset coupled to a first tournament audio controller (TAC), the first TAC being in a daisy chain of TACs: receiving a chat signal from a previous TAC in the daisy chain of TACs, receiving a microphone signal from a microphone in the headset, summing the chat signal with the microphone signal, communicating the summed signal to a next TAC in the daisy chain, and communicating the chat signal to the headset. The microphone signal may be removed from the summed chat signal and microphone signal by adding a second microphone signal 180 degrees out of phase with the microphone signal. The chat signal may be summed with the microphone signal at an amplitude set by a user of the headset after the removal of the microphone signal.

Abstract: A display device is caused to selectably display panels in a predetermined area of a display screen in a predetermined arrangement pattern. When selection of at least one displayed panel is received from a user of a video game processing apparatus, the selected panel and the number of panels are specified. It is determined whether the number of panels satisfies a skill activating condition of a player character or not by referring to skill related information. The skill related information is stored in a skill related information memory. The skill related information contains player character information indicating the player character, skill information indicating a skill, and the skill activating condition indicating an activating condition of the skill. In a case where it is determined that the number of panels satisfies the skill activating condition, action processing for the skill by the player character is carried out.

Abstract: An image generation system performs a game process of causing a game character to make a predetermined movement for a given object based on an operation input from an operation section including an acceleration sensor and causing the given object to move in an object space. The image generation system includes: an operation input detection section which detects whether or not a plurality of operation inputs including a first operation input and a second operation input for causing the game character to make a predetermined movement have been performed based on an output value from the acceleration sensor; a character movement control section which controls the game character to make a predetermined movement based on the first operation input; and an object movement control section which controls a movement state of the given object based on at least one of the first operation input and the second operation input.

Abstract: A strategy game includes a first group of primary elements representing movement, and a second group of primary elements representing combat or interaction. The first group of primary elements includes first and second game pieces representing speed and maneuver, respectively, and each having a value. The second group of primary elements includes third and fourth game pieces representing attack and defense, respectively, and each having a value. The game pieces include dice represented in different colors.

Abstract: Gaming systems and methods provide a tournament game which selectively awards an enhanced tournament play result. The enhanced tournament play result may be of variable value which is selected for the given instance in order to place the receiving tournament player in some predetermined rank in the tournament. Such a variable enhanced tournament play result in the tournament game may be used to help keep all participants interested in the tournament, even those participants who trail the tournament leaders by a wide margin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a game system having a communication function that takes into account player operability. A game device on which a mah-jongg game is executed holds registered comment information in which a plurality of registered comments are associated with a predetermined particular state in the mah-jongg game, and when a current game state transitions to the particular state, displays the plurality of registered comments associated with the particular state on a game screen. Delivery information that includes a registered comment selected by a player as a transmission comment is then sent to a server. The server holds a plurality of delivery destination addresses to which the delivery information of the player is to be sent via an open network, and when the delivery information is received from the game device, delivers the delivery information to each delivery destination address pertaining to the player corresponding to the delivery information.

Abstract: An on-line, persistent multiplayer video game wherein players compete to secure the best bargains at garage sales, using both strategy and random chance.

Abstract: A server device selects by lot one event from among a plurality of events including an encounter event with an enemy character present in a predetermined area in a network game, accepts from a user a command indicating action taken on the enemy character, when the encounter event is selected by lot, performs a process on the enemy character, based on the accepted command, and stores a status of the enemy character obtained after processed. In addition, the server device selects by lot an encounter event for re-encountering an enemy character encountered in past, with a predetermined probability, reads from a memory a status of the re-encountered enemy character obtained at a past encounter, and sets the status as an initial status of the re-encountered enemy character.

Abstract: An information processing device performs area selection processing in which a first game point or a second game point specified by a player is consumed to select an area from among a plurality of areas based on the amount of consumption of the first game points or the second game points, wherein the range of selectable areas differs between a case where the first game point is consumed to select an area and a case where the second game point is consumed to select an area, and lottery processing in which a game content to be acquired by the player is selected by lottery, based on a drawing probability associated with the area selected.