Abstract: An example game system includes a game apparatus, an operating device, and a hand-held device. The game apparatus receives first operation data from the operating device and second operation data from the hand-held device, and performs a predetermined game control process. Furthermore, the game apparatus generates a first game image of a virtual game space representing a result of the game control process, based on a first virtual camera, and the game apparatus also generates a second game image based on a second virtual camera. The first game image is outputted to a first display device provided independently of the hand-held device. The second game image is outputted to a second display device of the hand-held device. Moreover, the game apparatus performs as the game control process a process for controlling an attitude of the first virtual camera based on the first operation data and a position of the first virtual camera based on the second operation data.

Abstract: A system according to an embodiment includes a game progress control unit configured to control progress of a game, a screen output unit configured to output a game screen containing a path area in which a path of a puzzle game is formed to a terminal device, a placement unit configured to place a path object that functions as part of the path on the basis of advancement of turns in the path area according to an instruction from the player, a moving unit configured to advance the turns to move the moving object according to a predetermined rule, and a determination unit configured to determine whether the moving object has reached a goal point.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium including instructions, and a computer-implemented method for placing players of a multiplayer game in a virtual world are described. Territory for a player of the multiplayer game is placed in the virtual world for the multiplayer game. Territory for at least one other player is placed adjacent to the territory of the player in the virtual world. The player is determined to have entered the territory for the at least one other player. At least one in-game task is assigned to the player based on an in-game state of the player and an in-game state of the at least one other player.

Abstract: The present invention is an interactive system and method whereby participants may engage in a contest that is simultaneously or subsequently broadcast. The broadcast signal may be for the purpose of a pure entertainment source or may be an enticement to play the shown or other interactive games. The games may be computer simulation games, role-playing games, strategy games, question and answer games, casino games, or other games as desired. The broadcast signals may show a specialized view of the game being played and may contain live commentary or other enhancements. The games may be played with set top boxes connected to a television, a broadcast network, and a server system.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium including instructions, and a computer-implemented method for placing players of a multiplayer game in a virtual world are described. Territory for a player of the multiplayer game is placed in the virtual world for the multiplayer game. Territory for at least one other player is placed adjacent to the territory of the player in the virtual world. The player is determined to have entered the territory for the at least one other player. At least one in-game task is assigned to the player based on an in-game state of the player and an in-game state of the at least one other player.

Abstract: A virtual space is provided to users via client computing devices. Device information related to a client computing platform used by a user to interact with the virtual space may be obtained. Customized in-game capabilities available for the user may be determined based on the device information, which may include a description of or otherwise identify the client computing platform. The device information may include or otherwise by used to obtain device capabilities such as hardware, software, network, and/or other specifications. Different users using different client computing platforms may be provided with different in-game capabilities such as user roles, content items, levels, and/or other content or actions available for the user in the virtual space based on the client computing platform used by the users to interact with the virtual space.

Abstract: A gaming device for playing a game including one or more parameters that affect a user's participation in the game, the gaming device including a memory storing a data structure that associates each one of a plurality of device configurations with a respective game configuration, wherein each game configuration differently specifies one or more parameters of the game; means for identifying the current device configuration for the device; means for using the data structure to determine a current game configuration associated with the current device configuration; and means for controlling the game by setting parameters in the game as specified by the current game configuration.

Abstract: A computer implemented method to exchange virtual goods in a virtual environment includes receiving funds at a trading platform from a buyer. The buyer is provided with a first secret that the buyer can decrypt and a second secret that the buyer cannot decrypt. The buyer is authenticated to a seller using the first secret. A virtual item is delivered from the seller to the buyer in response to authenticating. The buyer delivers to the seller the second secret for decryption by the seller. The seller is authenticated at the trading platform with the second secret. The seller is supplied with the funds.

Abstract: A game system has at least two modes of operation, that is, a monitor game mode and a terminal device game mode. In the monitor game mode, a main game image is displayed on a monitor and a sub game image is displayed on an LCD of a terminal device. In the terminal device game mode, the main game image is displayed on the LCD of the terminal device. The mode of operation can be switched in accordance with a mode switching instruction from a user.

Abstract: According to particular embodiments, virtual trading cards including virtual statistics or characteristics of a virtual, game-based representation of a real-world sports player or other character, are updated periodically to reflect changes in a player's real-world performance. Adjusting the virtual characteristics using real-world performance causes the characteristics of the sports player's virtual trading card to change in a virtual environment as does a corresponding player's video game performance. Characteristics of team members are variable based on characteristics of other team members and opposing team members or other competition factors.

Abstract: One object is to provide a server device that enables accurate expectation of cost required to acquire a desired game content. In accordance with one aspect, a server device according to an embodiment of the present invention provides a game to one or more players via a network. This server device includes a won game content selecting unit configured to select one or more game contents as first won game contents from the game contents contained in a first deck allocated to a first player of the one or more players, an owned game content information storage unit configured to store the one or more won game contents in association with the first player identification information, and an updating unit configured to update the first deck by clearing the one or more first won game contents from the first deck.

Abstract: The instant invention is related to methods and means for interacting with real and virtual environments and entities. Various embodiments of the methods and means of the invention may be performed by and/or implemented in hardware, in software, by one or more entities, and/or by some combination of hardware, software and/or one or more entities.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system configured to unlock digital content related to toys associated with users. The digital content may be unlocked based on the associations between the toys and the users, and presence of objects associated with user accounts at predetermined geographic locations. The predetermined geographic locations may be locations within theme parks, restaurants, stores, and/or hotels. The toys associated with the users may include, for example, toys owned by the users. The toys may include physical toys and/or virtual toys in a virtual space. The objects associated with user accounts may include, for example, a mobile phone belonging to the user. The user accounts may be electronic accounts associated with individual users that include information related to the toys associated with users and information related to the objects.

Abstract: Systems and methods to selectively generate user reminders for game conditions are described. In some embodiments, a method accesses a game condition identifier associated with a game condition for a user of an online game. The method further determines a value associated with the game condition identifier and determines that the user has not performed a particular action required with respect to the game condition based on the value of the game condition identifier. Additionally, the method determines whether to remind the user of the game condition. If so, a reminder associated with the game condition is generated and presented to the user. The reminder includes a user response interface that allows the user to indicate whether the user has performed the game condition. The game condition identifier is updated if a response received from the user indicates that the user has performed the game condition.

Abstract: A system and method for operation of a game in which teams of players attempt to negotiate through a track of rooms, or several tracts of rooms. Teams attempt to progress through the track by solving problems presented in each room thereby earning access to a following room, until the team completes a track comprising several rooms. A control system is operable to control flow of teams from room to room, and to control presentation of problem solving activities to the teams, and to interpret data from the rooms to assess the performance of the team, and grant access to a following room or to bar access to a following room and/or eject the team from the room to start over on the track.

Abstract: A game apparatus includes a CPU, and the CPU controls a moving object within a virtual space on the basis of acceleration data and angular velocity data which are transmitted from a controller. For example, before the angular velocity data is above a predetermined magnitude, a position and an orientation of the moving object is controlled on the basis of the angular velocity data. When the angular velocity data is above the predetermined magnitude, an initial velocity of the moving object is decided on the basis of the acceleration data, and a moving direction (orientation) of the moving object is decided on the basis of the angular velocity data. Thereafter, the moving object moves within the virtual space according to a general physical behavior.

Abstract: The medication usage monitoring and reminding device and method enables a user to easily monitor usage of medications by weighing the medications using a weighing component, a processing component and an I/O component. Additionally, the device is able to remind a user regarding the medications if the medication has not been timely taken. The device is also able to obtain information regarding medications such as possible conflicts, updates and other information. The device is able to be used for food/drink information or dietary information.

Abstract: A method for use with a computer simulation includes providing an ability to run a simulation in which a plurality of client devices communicate over a network to interact with the simulation, providing an ability to generate a first user interface on each of the plurality of client devices for allowing users associated with the client devices to interact with the simulation, providing an ability to allow users associated with a subset of the plurality of client devices to interact with information that includes a representation of at least a portion of an environment of the simulation without allowing access thereto by the other client devices, and providing an ability for the simulation to generate an event in response to interactions with the information. A system for use in running a computer simulation and a storage medium storing a computer program executable by a processor based system are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for gathering ball game data and in particular tennis match data in real time. To this end the system comprises a hands-free voice receiving means (4) adapted to receive words spoken by the player (2) wearing the receiving means. The words are then analyzed by an analyzing means adapted to analyze a dedicated ball game vocabulary used by the player. The analysis of the spoken words translates these words into digital match data. This data can be displayed, at least as score of the game by a display (10). More elaborate match data information can be gathered. Such data may be fed to an expert system giving back advice to the player.

Abstract: An electronic handheld gesture game device includes a game housing with a speaker and a plurality of lights to provide commands, feedback, and other information to a player. In one type of game play experience, the game device issues one or more commands that indicate a desired movement or gesture to perform, and the player must respond by moving the game housing to simulate the desired movement or gesture. The game device is self-contained and does not require outside computing devices or visual displays to perform the game play experiences.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (20), method, and a signal and a system for presenting a name of the day including a gaming opportunity. The gaming means comprises at least one of casino, lottery, sweepstakes, competition based gaming, and skill games being presented on said media channel means to be played by at least one of every person bearing the name of the day, and persons greeting a person bearing the name of the day through the media channel means (40).

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a method and system for detecting unusual performance in a game. The game has a participant. The method calculates for the participant, a performance metric. The method compares the performance metric to a threshold value. Based on the comparison, the method optionally connects to a server. In some embodiments, the connection is for uploading a set of data from the participant to the server. The server, of some embodiments, broadcasts to the participant. The broadcast is a one-way transmission. In some embodiments, the broadcast includes a distribution based on a set of sample participants. In these embodiments, the set of sample participants comprises a representative sample of all the participants in the game. The threshold value, of some embodiments, is based on the broadcast and in some embodiments, the broadcast includes a histogram. The connecting occurs, in some embodiments, when the performance metric exceeds the threshold value.

Abstract: A server device is configured to display a game screen on a user terminal used by a user. The server device includes an item manager configured to manage points of an item obtained by the user for use in the game, and a game processor configured to calculate a first total value of points of an item selected by the user via the user terminal, to calculate a second total value of points of an item for increasing the first total value, and to increase the first total value according to the second total value.

Abstract: In response to receiving a first user action in relation to an object displayed on the rendered display, a collar is displayed on the rendered display around the object. The collar and the object can be made translucent. The collar can have the same shape as the object, but can be larger in size than the object. In response to receiving a second user action in relation to the collar, the object and the collar are moved on the rendered display in correspondence with the second user action, without finalizing a current location of the object on the rendered display after the second user action has been completed. In response to receiving a third user action, the current location of the object is finalized on the rendered display and the collar is removed from around the object on the rendered display.

Abstract: A traveling virtual pet game simulates a pet traveling between various geographic locations. As the pet travels, users interact with the virtual pet to aid the pet in acquiring traits associated with the geographic regions in which it travels and to observe traits that the pet has previously acquired.

Abstract: The accuracy of results of client-side determinations used for defining views of a virtual space may be verified via crowd-sourcing. Results of primary client-side determinations may be received from client computing platforms. Individual ones of the primary client-side determinations may be performed by individual client computing platforms presenting views of an instance of the virtual space to users. The results of the primary client-side determinations may form a basis for determining view information. The accuracy of the results of the primary client-side determinations may be verified by comparing the results of the primary client-side determinations with results of secondary client-side determinations performed by one or more client computing platforms. Individual ones of the secondary client-side determinations may simulate corresponding primary client-side determinations.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment provides a game device. The game device includes an indication acceptance unit for accepting an indication for determining an amount of movement, a movement amount determination unit for determining an amount of movement on the prescribed route, a position updating unit for updating positions of all player characters on the route in accordance with the determined amount of movement, and an event processing unit for executing an event on the player character and the indication acceptance unit includes a normal indication acceptance unit for accepting a normal indication for determining a normal amount of movement and a special indication acceptance unit for accepting a special indication for determining an amount of movement different from normal, which is executed alternative to the normal indication and of which number of permitted times of issuance by the plurality of player characters is limited.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for conducting online video game tournaments involving a series of levels. The system comprises a tournament server connected to a communications network that is in electronic communication with remotely located players who register for the tournament. The server maintains a record of registered players competing in the tournament indicating at which level each player is eligible to play and, after players indicate they are ready to play a match, the server matches players who are ready to play at the same level. This matching may be repeated at regular intervals. After being matched, players play a match and the results are reported back to the server which may award prizes or allow players to unlock other levels based on the results. In general, a player who wins a pre-defined number of matches is a row wins a grand prize.

Abstract: A game system has at least two modes of operation, that is, a monitor game mode and a terminal device game mode. In the monitor game mode, a main game image is displayed on a monitor and a sub game image is displayed on an LCD of a terminal device. In the terminal device game mode, the main game image is displayed on the LCD of the terminal device. The mode of operation can be switched in accordance with a mode switching instruction from a user.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for generating song playlists for use in an immersive virtual environment. Generally, playlists may be generated based on stored music preference data. The music preference data may be generated by storing user interactions with specific songs. The user interactions may be associated with characteristics of the user's situational context within the virtual world. The music preference data may be indexed by song name, and/or by musical properties. Subsequently, the music preference data may be used to generate a playlist adapted to the user's current situation within the virtual world.

Abstract: Multiple video game players access an encrypted video game library stored on a shared mass storage device. A multiplexer multiplexes data read from the mass storage device to provide output streams to multiple video game playing units consuming video game instructions. A secure bus communicates video game instructions from the shared mass storage device to each of the video game playing units. Video game software or other entertainment content is distributed to the shared mass storage device via electronic download in multi-level encrypted form. Before being transported, the content is encrypted and then further encrypted. Once the content has been successfully transported, it is decrypted to remove the further encryption layer—leaving the first encryption layer intact for protecting the video game during storage on mass storage at the remote distribution location.

Abstract: A system for targeting and attack of one or more enemies in a game environment is provided. A player may designate an enemy or enemies on a display screen as a target and subsequently initiate an attack of the targeted enemy or enemies. The display allows for flexibility in choosing which enemies to attack.

Abstract: Navigational data may be collected from experienced users and paths may be extracted from the navigational data. One or more points of interest may be identified in the navigational data and the points of interests may be merged into an interest region. The navigational data may be reviewed for interest paths between the interest regions. The collection of possible interest paths may be reviewed interest paths in view of statistical procedures and criteria to determine if the interest path is a preferred interest path. If the preferred interest path does not satisfy the predefined constraints, additional interest paths may be reviewed by substituting an additional interest path for the interest path and repeating the review the interest path analysis. If the preferred interest path satisfies predefined criteria, a walkthrough of the virtual world may be generated based on the preferred interest path.

Abstract: A server device according to the present invention is connected with a player terminal that displays a game screen through a network, and to execute a battle game played by a player using a plurality of characters. The server device includes: a storage unit configured to store the plurality of characters to be arranged in the character arrangement area; a special area selection unit configured to select a special area to be highlighted on a game screen; a character arrangement unit configured to arrange a character selected from the plurality of characters to be arranged in the character arrangement area in the highlighted special area; and a battle processing unit configured to control attack processing in which the character arranged in the special area performs an attack and attack processing in which a character arranged in an area other than the special area performs an attack to be different.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for using geographic information in connection with sporting activities. Sensors may be attached to users and/or clothing to generate performance data. The data, along location data, may be transmitted to a server. The server may maintain leader boards for users and locations and allow users to search for other users and locations of sporting activities.

Abstract: Various embodiments for providing a narrative summary for content related to competitive gaming are described. An aspect may provide receiving data about a competitive gaming event, the data comprising one or more data items; selecting a narrative template for the competitive gaming event according to the data, the narrative template comprising one or more word slots and one or more data slots; filling a data slot in the narrative template with a data item; filling a word slot in the narrative template with a word selected from a word list configured for the word slot; and publishing the narrative template with the one or more word slots and the one or more data slots filled as competitive gaming narrative content. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game comprising a value input device for receiving a wager, a display for displaying a plurality of selection groups, and a processor coupled to the display. Each selection group includes a plurality of selectable elements. The processor is operative to alternately select the elements in the selection groups until encountering an end-feature condition, and provide awards associated with the selected elements.

Abstract: A game system capable of determining, and reflecting in games contents, nervousness of a player due to fear or the like is provided. A game device main body 110 performs the game processing based on an operation of the player on the first controller 121, and calculates, in a scene of a game, a nervousness parameter indicating the degree of nervousness of the player in the scene based on an operation of the player on the first controller 121. Specifically, the game device main body 110 calculates the nervousness parameter in such a way that the degree of nervousness increases according to the number of operations of the player on the first controller 121 that are irrelevant to the progress of the game, or the like, and causes the nervousness parameter to be reflected in the game processing.

Abstract: A server device receives a request to start a game playable on the chat from the terminal of a chat participating user, asks other chat participating users participating in the chat for their wish to participate in the game requested to start, accepts participation of a chat participating user responding to the inquiry about the participation as a game participating user, and starts the game on the chat. The server device receives an instruction for a progress of the game from the terminal of a game participating user, and displays an image corresponding to the received instruction on the chat screen.

Abstract: Screen plane coordinates of a plane of a game display screen relative to a location of a game sensor are determined. A location of a user relative to the location of the game sensor is determined. An orientation of the user relative to the plane of the game display screen is calculated based upon the determined screen plane coordinates of the plane of the game display screen relative to the location of the game sensor and the determined location of the user relative to the location of the game sensor.

Abstract: A multiple viewpoint rendering method for a multiplayer online game and a multiple viewpoint rendering server using the same, the multiple viewpoint rendering server including a game progress information receiving unit configured to receive game progress information from an online game server, a viewpoint setting unit configured to obtain viewpoint information corresponding to each of the multiple terminals, a game image rendering unit configured to render game images corresponding to the multiple terminals, respectively, based on the game progress information and the viewpoint information, and a rendered image providing unit configured to provide the multiple terminals with the rendered game images corresponding to the multiple terminals, respectively.

Abstract: A gaming system employs bioinformatics to improve gamer performance and enhance the gaming experience. The gaming system monitors biometrics of gamers using gaming accessories having sensors coupled to the gaming accessories (e.g., a mouse with pulse sensor). Biometrics can be used to assess a crisis or panic reaction of the gamer. The system can also assess the state of the game in real time via API feedback, and coach the player on how best to regain control. The system can also predict a gamer's loss of control by monitoring hardware statistics associated with the game, combined with gaming feedback and biometric data, and can determine how best to coach the player to correct problems. Predictive models can be used to predict a gamer's panic attack or loss of control before it occurs. When a crisis occurs, the system can automatically contact the gamer's teammates to assist the gamer.

Abstract: An advertisement inserted in contents of, for example, a game does not serve its purpose after a while. An advertisement-information reception unit (112) receives an advertisement-space definition file (32). The advertisement-space definition file (32) is a file that defines an advertisement space for an advertisement to be inserted when contents are displayed and an advertising agency is assigned to the advertisement space. An assignment changing unit (116) cancels the assignment of an advertising agency, whose license has expired, to the advertisement space even when the advertising agency is assigned to the advertising space in the advertisement-space definition file (32). An advertisement downloading unit (118) downloads advertisement data to be inserted in the advertisement space from the server of the advertising agency validly assigned to the advertisement space.

Abstract: A toy set that enables communication between a game device and a toy without changing a hardware configuration of the game device includes a program stored in a storage medium that when executed causes the game device to detect a sequence of single frequency sounds, output a voice corresponding to a combination of the detected sounds, generate a plurality of single frequency sound and generate a control signal by a combination of the sounds. The toy incorporates a sound generation means, a voice input means, a control means and a sensing means. The control means includes a generation means for generating a control signal as a sequence of plurality of single frequency sounds sent out from the sound generation means of the toy. When the control signal is inputted from the game device, the toy performs a predetermined action which corresponds to the control signal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses detect a device; detect a status level corresponding to the device; receive content on the device based on the status level; and display the content on the device based on the status level.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing branded virtual objects in a virtual environment are presented. A game instance of a computer-implemented multiplayer online game is generated, where the game instance is associated with a virtual environment of a player. A graphical user interface to the player is provided, where the graphical user interface displays at least one branded virtual object for selection by the player, and where the branded virtual object corresponds to a real-world brand. Selection and placement of the branded virtual object in the virtual environment by the player is monitored. The virtual environment of the player is updated to include the branded virtual object.

Abstract: Some embodiments may include a poker indexing service. For example, a multi dimensional vector of player performance and/or other data may be determined based on gaming related activity that is input or otherwise captured. Such a vector may be used in various forms to generate a metric or to facilitate wagering and/or other gaming activity. Other methods and apparatus are described.

Abstract: A computerized management system for corporate, entertainment or sports management by a remote party is disclosed. For instance, in entertainment management the entertainment an event is transmitted for the remote party to remotely analyze the performer or participant. A decision is received via a communications link from a remote computing device associated with the remote party, the decision relating to a reading by an actor, choosing between different scripts, a choice of a participant, editing of a script, angle of a lens for a camera shot, and closeness of a lens for a camera shot, which take of a scene is best, choosing between different endings of a script, total budget for a production, amounts to budget for each of a plurality of line items, amounts to spend in advertising, what markets to focus on for release, or what day to release a film in different markets.

Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to systems and methods to provide an asynchronous social event in a computer-implemented game. The social event may for example be a virtual party that is staged in a game instance of a host player and may comprise automated attendance of player characters associated with one or more guest players. An event invitation may be sent to the guest players, with the player characters of guest players who accept the invitation being displayed as automatically attending the social event. The social event may be played back to the guest players asynchronously upon request.

Abstract: A method for sending a notification message using a modified form of User Datagram Protocol (UDP) multicast notification system in a client-server architecture that otherwise allows only client initiated messages. The method includes: identifying information at a server that has potential for inclusion in a notification message, wherein the server is a Download and Configuration Management (DCM) engine; querying a database for a list of clients that have registered for one or more types of notification by a UDP broadcast processor; receiving a reply with the list of clients that have registered for the one or more types of notification; and sending notification to the clients on the list.