Abstract: The invention provides scoring a performance of a guitar part in a rhythm-action game. It operates in the context of a video game platform in communication with a display and a controller and involves receiving an input performance from the controller including at least one input chord note, each input chord note including an input string value corresponding to a struck string and an input fret value associated with the input string value. Then, a reference performance is provided, which includes at least two reference chord notes to be input at a target time, each reference chord note including a reference string value and a reference fret value associated with the reference string value. Then, a degree of matching is determined between the input performance and the reference performance, and a score is assigned to the input performance based on the degree of matching.

Abstract: A multi-player game environment is created for single-player use. A user may select a single-player game or a multi-player game. When the user chooses a multi-player game, the user is prompted to select one or more customized AI characters. The AI characters may be available individually or in themed “packs.” The selected AI character or pack may be downloaded, stored, or otherwise made accessible to an electronic entertainment system. The user may select a mode or skill level for each AI character. The user may begin playing the game in a multi-player mode with the game environment populated with an avatar effectuating behaviors of the selected AI character or characters.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an administration system which facilitates efficient setup, organization, and maintenance of tournaments, including league games. In particular, the administration system provides a user-friendly, intuitive and efficient-to-use interface for organizing tournaments and tournament brackets. The user interfaces and methods described provide tournament organizers and administrators with the ability to quickly and dynamically build custom tournament brackets of virtually any desired depth and configuration. The administration system, and in particular the tournament bracket management user interfaces, enable tournament administrators to focus on the task of building a custom tournament bracket structure quickly, while also automatically handling the minute logistics underlying the tournament such as when and where games are to be played.

Abstract: A ranking system is provided. The ranking system may provide a qualitative method of ranking quantitative evaluation data of players from a plurality of player pools, wherein the plurality of player pools are a subset of the entire group of potential players. The ranking system may provide a method of transforming a plurality of two types—objective and subjective—of evaluation data for a plurality of players into a ranking for each player by standardizing both types on the same on a common scale and applying weights to prioritize specific evaluation and, separately, applying weights to indicate the relative importance between the two types—objective and subjective—of evaluation data, so as to meet the needs of a predetermined team.

Abstract: A game system is provided in which, when data is transmitted to a game apparatus of a receiver side, the influence which the transmitted data has on a game progressing in the game apparatus of the receiver side is diversified and the interest of the game is increased. The game apparatus includes a display in which a field map represents all or part of a game field in a plan view as seen from the above. A placement request icon is displayed on the display. When touching the placement request icon, a sub-character can be placed at a position where a main character is located. When a sub-character icon is selected and content of an event is determined, the sub-character is placed. When a communication connection with a different game apparatus is established, information related to the placed sub-character is transmitted.

Abstract: A system for enabling interactive gameplay is disclosed, comprising: a first server configured to communicate with a first computing device using a first Application Programming Interface (API), wherein the first server comprises a first data store; a second server configured to communicate with a second computing device using a second API, wherein the second server comprises a second data store; and a third server for communicating with the first server and second server, wherein the third server comprises a third data store; wherein the first server, second server, and third server are configured to synchronize the first data store, second data store, and third data store to enable the first computing device and second computing device to engage in an interactive game.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for conducting a combat simulation game in which each player is outfitted with equipment enabling data concerning the game play ability of the player to be transmitted to a local server for use in computing a player performance data for individual players in comparison with all other players having data stored within the system. The equipment transmits various data to the server which is utilized by the server to update the player performance data in a real-time manner that can be accessed and viewed by other players from remote locations.

Abstract: A method of gaming includes generating a game outcome. The method also includes determining whether the game outcome includes a win outcome. The method further includes providing a three-dimensional representation of an object having a plurality of win outcome modifiers thereon. Additionally, the method includes controlling display of the object in response to a modification condition being met, such that the object is displayed as rotating and the axis around which it rotates changes at least once prior to the object stopping and such that after stopping, the selected modifier of the plurality of modifiers which is to be applied is apparent from the display. The method includes modifying the win outcome with the selected modifier.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include presenting coordinated wagering game light and sound effects across multiple presentation devices in a casino. In some embodiments, the operations can trigger wagering game audio effects from lighting commands produced by network lighting controllers. The triggered audio can match characteristics of the light effects. The operations can include receiving, at a casino content presentation device, lighting data from a network lighting controller. The casino content presentation device associates the lighting data with a light effect and determines a sound effect, coupled with, or tied to, to, the light effect. The operations can further include presenting the sound effect on speakers associated with the casino content presentation device, and across other casino content presentation devices in the casino, as part of a casino-wide, synchronized, multi-media show.

Abstract: An immersive interactive system includes a platform with specialized panel(s) supporting placement of a static background scene and one or more displays; a play area proximal to the platform; an object recognizer to detect one or more items of interest on or near the play area; one or more sensors to detect one or more user activities on the platform; and a processor coupled to the one or more displays, wherein the processor correlates and serves video and optional audio to the one or more displays based on detected object activities and sensor data.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to communication technologies and discloses a method and terminal of displaying a contact list. The method of displaying a contact list is applied on an apparatus with a touch sensitive display, comprising: detecting a touch on the touch sensitive display, after receiving an instruction for opening a contact list; determining a touch position, when detecting the touch on the touch sensitive display; and determining a large contact group corresponding to the touch position, and displaying contacts in the large contact group by the touch sensitive display. With the present disclosure, a user can find out a contact quickly, and the user's experience can be improved.

Abstract: An example game system includes a game device, a controller device, and a portable display device. The game device calculates an attitude of the controller device, and controls an attitude of a club in a virtual game space based on the attitude of the controller device. An image of the game space including the club is displayed on a predetermined display device separate from the portable display device. An image representing a ball placed in the game space is displayed on the portable display device. Moreover, an image representing a tip of the club is displayed on the portable display device, together with the image representing the ball, when a predetermined axis of the controller device extends toward the portable display device.

Abstract: A hand-held, cubic, transparent game system containing a cubiform array of individual LEDs arranged as a cubic matrix of rows and columns, an inclinometer, sound chip and speaker and a timer. Electronic control circuitry including a game-programmed processor is connected between the inclinometer and the LED array to control visible operating states of individual lamps in response to output signals from the inclinometer, according to rules of a game program. Sequential LEDs in a direction of inclination are momentarily flashed to define a traveling cursor. Turning the housing through 90 degrees transfers cursor between a row and a column.

Abstract: Various game controller hardware and user interface configurations are disclosed. Some configurations may comprise two circular trackpads, driven by the player's thumbs, which may be clickable, allowing the entire surface to act as a button. Haptic feedback may be based on dual linear resonant actuators (e.g., by means of strong, weighted electro-magnets attached to each of the dual trackpads), capable of delivering a wide range of force and vibration, allowing control over frequency, amplitude, and direction of movement. The haptics-related components in certain implementations may also play audio waveforms and thereby function as speakers. In the center of the controller according to certain configurations may be another touch-enabled surface, this one backed by a display screen. In some configurations this entire screen itself may also be clickable, like a large single button. A variety of other exemplary implementations and configurations are described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for executing multiple video games, or other sources of video, include a cloud game execution environment in which each game application is executed on the same operating system but within a virtual I/O shell. The virtual I/O shell includes virtual video, audio and input channels that allow each game application to operate as if it had dedicated drivers. In some embodiments, the systems and methods of the invention are used to provide video streams to a plurality of clients over the internet.

Abstract: A client device with processor(s), memory, and a display captures an image of a displayed interface of a game being executed on the client device. The image includes game data corresponding to game performance of a user of the client device. The client device provides, to a server, the image for extraction of the game data from the image of the displayed interface of the game. In response to providing the image, the client device receives, from the server, game ranking information specifying a ranking for the user that is based on the game data extracted from the image. In some embodiments, the client device displays the game ranking information in an interface of a social networking platform, where the game ranking information includes relative rankings of the user and social network contact(s) of the user on the social networking platform.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a display screen and a computing hardware.

Abstract: An input using a pointing device is acquired, and it is determined whether the input using the pointing device is an operation of moving an input position. If it has been determined in the determination of the operation that the input using the pointing device is the operation of moving the input position, an operation direction of the operation of moving the input position is determined. If the determined operation direction corresponds to any one of a plurality of directions determined in advance, a predetermined display target is moved in a direction based on the operation direction, thereby causing the predetermined display target to appear on a display screen. If it has been determined that the operation direction corresponds to any one of the plurality of directions, a common display target is caused to appear, regardless of which one of the plurality of directions the operation direction corresponds to.

Abstract: A method of assisting a first player of a videogame is provided. The method includes making a game state of the first player accessible to a second player. The game state describes a state of the videogame as played by the first player. The method also includes executing the videogame for the second player using the game state of the first player to define the initial state of the videogame for the second player, allowing the second player to play the videogame based upon the game state of the first player until a first predetermined criterion is met, and providing to the first player data for updating their game state in response to the play of the second player.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and a method for visualizing synthetic objects within a real-world video clip. The embodiments allow interactive, synthetic objects or characters to appear as if they are “embedded” inside or form part of a video clip. These objects move independently of the environment within the video clip and are controlled by a user. In one embodiment the video frames are set as textures in the furthermost layer in a 3D environment viewer or 3D “engine”. In another embodiment separate layers of video frames are superimposed with the synthetic objects on an output screen and synchronizing the movements and the field of view settings to give the perception that only one camera is used.

Abstract: Execution of a software product in an electronic device providing a war strategy game provides a rendering of a map including a landing area and enemy territory, a first set of selectable graphical objects including selectable troop transportation units, detection of a selection of a troop transportation unit and deployment point on the landing area; and execution of a rendering of the selected troop transportation unit to a free space on the landing area in proximity of the deployment point. A troop is moved from the selected troop transportation unit along a route towards the enemy territory. A second set of selectable graphical objects including flash fire devices is rendered. Selection of a flash fire device and fire point in the enemy territory is detected. Operation of the flash fire device on the fire point is executed and the troop is moved towards the fire point.

Abstract: A graphics rendering system is provided for controlling the rendering of images to manage expected errors. The graphics rendering system receives a specification of a render task to be performed to render an image of a graphics scene and then identifies computing devices that each have a graphics processing unit. The graphics rendering system directs each of the identified computing devices to render the image specified by the render task such that each identified computing device renders the same image. When the graphics rendering system detects that a computing device has completed the render task successfully, it provides the image rendered by that computing device as the rendered image of the render task such that any other image rendered by another of the computing devices is not needed.

Abstract: A lighting assembly for a reel slot machine includes an interface board and a flexible printed circuit board (PCB). The interface board is substantially planar, electrically couplable to the reel slot machine, and includes a first electrical connection plug and a second electrical connection plug spaced from the first electrical connection plug. The flexible PCB defines a first end and a second end, the first end and second ends of the flexible PCB are electrically coupled to the first electrical connection plug and the second electrical connection plug, respectively. The flexible PCB bows away from each of the first and second ends to define a bowed primary face facing away from the interface board. The flexible PCB further comprises a plurality of light sources coupled to the bowed primary face. During use, the plurality of light sources selectively illuminate to provide lighting to a reel of the reel slot machine.

Abstract: A method of altering a wagering game theme for a flexible bank of wagering game machines, the flexible bank including a first sub-portion, a second sub-portion, and one or more display elements disposed between the first and second sub-portions, includes the acts of displaying graphical content relating to a first wagering game theme on the first and second sub-portions and on the one or more display elements and using a controller, responsive to a trigger, to switch the second sub-portion to display a second wagering game theme different than the first wagering game theme and to cause the one or more display elements to display a blank display or graphical content different than the first and second wagering game themes.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to systems and methods, which may receive wagers on one or more paylines. The disclosure relates to an electronic gaming system which allows a player to make one or more inputs via human gesturing, and associated methods.

Abstract: A method of gaming including: selecting in each game round a plurality of symbols for display to a player in a set of display positions arranged in a plurality of rows and columns, subsets of the display positions corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of reels, each reel comprising a plurality symbols; controlling the correspondence of display positions to reels so that at least one game round is a diagonal spin game round in which at least one of the reels is arranged to spin diagonally such that it corresponds to display positions in a plurality of neighboring columns; and determining an outcome for each game round based on the selected symbol.

Abstract: Users are arranged to employ gameplay terminals which including computing hardware for executing one or more software products The users share gameplay experiences by including in the one or more software products a host game software application for implementing one or more games on one or more of the terminals, and appending one or more software components to the host game software application for providing control of the host game software application on a real-time basis for recording gameplay experiences for sharing amongst the users based upon one or more of: game view, sub-game view, sensor data employed to control the game, video camera views of one or more users playing the game, game events occurring during playing the game. A software development kit is also described.

Abstract: A reel backlight structure for a mechanical reel-type game includes an undifferentiated array of LED backlights. The rows of LEDs are closely spaced apart and may extend over an arc that encompasses both three vertical stop positions and four vertical stop positions. The LEDs are mounted on a flexible substrate that may be bent to match the radius of a reel strip and held in the desired radius with mounting attachment points.

Abstract: A multi-action poker game played via a networked system such a server-based system or global computer network (e.g., the Internet). The poker game generally involves players playing two or more independent poker hands substantially simultaneously at the same virtual poker table. The multiple poker hands are distinguished using distinctive playing cards (and/or card placements) and/or poker chip counts or by multiple representations of the same virtual poker table. Alternatively, a single chip count may be used for each of the at least than two hands.

Abstract: A gaming system identifies, from a gaming network having a cluster of electronic gaming machines (EGMs), those of the EGMs having an availability and unavailability for use. Those of the EGMs having the availability for use are organized. A user selects one of the organized EGMs.

Abstract: An information processing device is configured to execute: setting a protective state for protecting a character from a danger in a game; setting a moving direction of the character in the protective state to a predetermined direction; detecting that the character in the protective state is overlapping with an obstacle in a virtual world; and correcting the moving direction that has been set by the action setting when the obstacle is detected.

Abstract: A method is provided for creating or evolving a virtual environment with a computer system. Steps of the method include: forming a plurality of layers of data, including a first layer and a second layer, each layer including a plurality of cells containing data corresponding to a variable; operating on the data from the cells in the first layer with a function to yield target data; distributing the target data to corresponding cells in the second layer; and altering the data in at least one of the plurality of cells in each layer according to a rule.

Abstract: An information processing device is configured to execute: performing game processing including movement of a plurality of characters in a virtual world; specifying one character as a specific character on the basis of predetermined conditions; judging whether there is commonality in movement of a plurality of non-specific characters other than the specific character; determining at least one of the characters for which it has been judged that there is commonality, as a preferential display character; and adjusting drawing related parameters so that the preferential display character is located in a predetermined area of a display image.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure relates to facilitating the development and provision of enhanced video of game playback, including the ability to augment a video of game playback with information relating to the game state of the game. A video may be generated based on game state information associated with one or more selected portions of the game. The video may include visual features that may not have been present in corresponding views that were presented to the user during game play of those one or more portions of the game. The user may augment the video with displayed information based on game logic for the online game. For example, displayed information may include commentary, tips on how the user could have maximized his game play, influential plays from the one or more portions of the game, and/or other information based on the game logic.

Abstract: A gaming system including a control lever having an operation unit which is rotatable by a player and resembles a reel, a display, a storage unit and a controller is provided. When it is determined that the fishing is failed, the controller obtains the number of rotation of the operation unit until a predetermined time elapses from the timing at which fish is hooked by a fishline in a fishing game, and selects one of a plurality of levels based on the obtained number of rotation. The controller then obtains a set of display state data associated with the selected level and causes the display a failure image representing failure in fishing in one of a plurality of display states, based on the set of display state data.

Abstract: A detection device is used in a gaming machine that detects numbers of dots on a plurality of dice having wireless tags. The detection device reads the wireless tags which are embedded on each face of the dice by a reader having an antenna. The antenna of the reader includes a first antenna portion disposed substantially in a central portion of a field that supports the dice, and formed in a substantially circular shape, and a plurality of second antenna portions disposed so as to superimpose a detection area of the first antenna portion, and having a detection area larger than the first antenna portion. The first antenna portion and the plurality of the second antenna portions are disposed so as to have a portion of detection areas mutually superimposed on a playing board.

Abstract: A game system includes a game apparatus, a first output device having a first display section and a first sound output section, and a second output device having a second display section and a second sound output section. In this system, a first sound signal to be output to the first sound output section and a second sound signal to be output to the second sound output section are generated based on the same sound data. When transmitting the two sound signals, the timing to transmit the first sound signal to the first sound section is delayed by a predetermined time with respect to the timing to transmit the second sound signal to the second audio section.

Abstract: An electromechanical wager-based gaming machine includes a plurality of reels that are aligned as they are spun so that the reels can be rapidly stopped in response to a player's input. One reel is selected as a reference reel and other reels are brought into alignment using feedback from reel position sensors.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling vehicles within graphically simulated environments are described herein. A video game such as a vehicle-based combat game may have vehicles (such as airplanes) operating in a simulated three dimensional space. In a destination based control mode, users may partially control vehicles using two-dimensional input devices by inputting a new destination for the vehicle to go to, and the game's control logic may then automatically calculate how to control the vehicle toward the new heading. Fight and assault (bombing) control sub-modes may be provided. In addition, in an immediate control mode, a user may provide input that indicates a direction and speed of rotation, to provide more direct control of a vehicles control systems and/or control surfaces.

Abstract: A control lever which is included in a gaming machine and rotatable forward and backward includes a grip which is held by a hand of a player and allows the player to fix or rotate the control lever in forward and backward directions and a reel unit including a rotation axis, a reel handle configured to rotate the rotation axis, a rotation sensor configured to detect the number of rotation of the rotation axis, and a rotation resistance imparting unit configured to impart resistance to the rotation axis such that torque increases in accordance with the rotational speed of the rotation of the rotation axis in one direction. The reel unit is formed on a side of the grip such that, while the control lever is fixed as the player holds the grip by one hand, the reel handle can be rotated by the other hand of the player.

Abstract: A portable, handheld game console includes a main body incorporating a touch-sensitive display screen and a variety of input devices. The input devices can include shoulder buttons located on a peripheral side surface of the main body, as well as input devices located on the main body adjacent the touch-sensitive display screen.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for handling a touch input to a game executed on a device. The method includes the operation of rendering the game on the device. The device includes a touch screen for receiving touch input from a user. The game renders a game object that is moveable in one or more directions within a scene of the game. A touch input is detected from the touch screen when the game object is selected for movement. The touch input is analyzed to determine if the touch input is a movement gesture with a swipe profile and a direction. When the touch input is a movement gesture, the game object is caused to move along the direction defined by the touch input.

Abstract: Techniques are described herein for automatically determining a play personality of a user. Play personalities develop from play type and play patterns, which may be automatically determined by computing devices based on that user/subject's information and actions. Furthermore, in a gaming environment, the play personality of the user/subject may be represented by an avatar, doppelganger, narrative, graphic or iconic depiction. The play personality may be determined based on the avatar or doppelganger's actions, which may include but are not limited to how they respond to questions posed by non-playing characters and/or the avatars or doppelgangers of other users. Once determined, the play personality may be used as a basis for identifying and integrating intrinsic motivators and integrating user-centric design which can alter some aspect of the game environment, such as the appearance of the avatar, or the nature of a quest, or means for identifying or exploring solutions in gamification.

Abstract: An application execution unit executes a game program. A play item acquisition processing unit generates item acquisition information by using an item ID associated with a met play requirement of a game, and a hard disk drive stores the generated item acquisition information. The play item acquisition processing unit refers to execution information stored in an execution information storing unit and generates an item acquisition table that maps an item ID to attribute information.

Abstract: Techniques are described herein for automatically determining a play personality of a user. Play personalities develop from play type and play patterns, which may be automatically determined by computing devices based on that user/subject's information and actions. Furthermore, in a gaming environment, the play personality of the user/subject may be represented by an avatar, doppelganger, narrative, graphic or iconic depiction. The play personality may be determined based on the avatar or doppelganger's actions, which may include but are not limited to how they respond to questions posed by non-playing characters and/or the avatars or doppelgangers of other users. Once determined, the play personality may be used as a basis for identifying and integrating intrinsic motivators and integrating user-centric design which can alter some aspect of the game environment, such as the appearance of the avatar, or the nature of a quest, or means for identifying or exploring solutions in gamification.

Abstract: A display unit that displays a player character and a plurality of types of panels in a tile manner as a game image, and an input unit that receives an input of selecting the same type of adjacent panels of the plurality of types of panels starting from the player character as a starting point, in each turn. An effect on the game is provided according to the type of the panels, the input of which has been received in the input unit.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and systems for warning a user of a head mounted display during gameplay of a video game. A game is executed causing interactive scenes of the game to be rendered on a display portion of a head mounted display (HMD) worn by a user. A change in position of the HMD worn by the user, while the user is interacting with the game, is detected. The change in position is evaluated, the evaluation causing a signal to be generated when the change exceeds a pre-defined threshold value. When the signal is generated, content is sent to interrupt the interactive scenes being rendered on the display portion of the HMD. The data sent provides descriptive context for the signal.

Abstract: A system for allowing an alternative action in a virtual world may include a processor and a module operable on the processor for allowing an alternative action in a virtual world in response to a request for an original action for an avatar of a user being unavailable in the virtual world. A queue stores the request in response to the original action being unavailable. Another module may determine if an alternative action is available for the avatar in response to the original action being unavailable. A further module may present an interface to permit the user to accept the alternative action. The avatar is permitted to perform the alternative action in response to the user accepting the alternative action while the request for the original action is still in the queue.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to implement slot machine game that uses isometric symbols. The isometric symbols scroll on the screen in three-dimensions which also accommodate for hidden line removal. The game can be displayed on a traditional two-dimensional output device or an autostereoscopic display.

Abstract: A game system includes a game device and a terminal device. The game device obtains operation data representing an operation on the terminal device. Moreover, the game device generates a first game image and second game images based on a game process based on the operation data. The first game image is output to, and displayed on, a television separate from the terminal device. The second game image is wirelessly transmitted to, and displayed on, the terminal device. The game device calculates an attitude of the terminal device based on data output from an inertia sensor of the terminal device, and switches between second game images in accordance with the attitude of the terminal device.