Abstract: Methods for executing a game via a game cloud system are provided. One method includes providing, on a website, a plurality of mini-games stored via the game cloud system. Each of the plurality of mini-games is created based on a portion of the game. Each of the plurality of mini-games is created when the game was played and state data is captured and associated to the respective mini-game. Each of the plurality of mini-games is defined from a respective portion of the game, and the portion identified by at least part of the state data related to play of the game and game actions taken. The state data is used to enable executable play the mini-game, and each of the plurality of mini-games is sharable via the website.

Abstract: A method for jockey and horse recognition and tracking. The method includes receiving input images or a sequence of images obtained from horse racing videos or video streams; extracting features from the images by computational methods; locating jockey and horse positions of a target horse in the images by the computational methods; deciding to accept or reject the computed jockey and horse positions according to an acceptance function; and producing the final jockey and horse positions and their associated information by an error correction algorithm.

Abstract: Gaming systems and methods which utilize sporting event wager virtual tickets in association with placed sporting event wagers.

Abstract: A method for displaying the relative positions of two players playing a game on a user device. The set of levels within an episode that a first player is playing are displayed on the graphical user interface of his computer device. These levels are set out in a predetermined order, wherein access to the next level is granted once the player has completed the preceding levels. Inputs from the player are received as the player plays each level. This enables the game to determine when the level has been completed, and to generate player data indicating the level the player is playing. In an episode race, the relative positions of the two players can then be displayed based on the time taken for the first and second players to complete one or more levels in their respective sets of levels. A player may compete against bots, created from historic user data, or against live opponents. In another feature, the user can select a specific theme from a group of themes to play an episode of the game in.

Abstract: Methods for executing a game via a game cloud system are provided. One method includes providing, on a website, a plurality of mini-games stored via the game cloud system. Each of the plurality of mini-games is created based on a portion of the game. Each of the plurality of mini-games is created when the game was played and state data is captured and associated to the respective mini-game. Each of the plurality of mini-games is defined from a respective portion of the game, and the portion identified by at least part of the state data related to play of the game and game actions taken. The state data is used to enable executable play the mini-game, and each of the plurality of mini-games is sharable via the website.

Abstract: A plurality of characters with which outer appearance images and game parameters are respectively associated, even several characters having the same outer appearance images are individually managed, and a game is executed using the plurality of characters possessed by a user. For a specific character designated by the user among specific characters for which a change allowing condition for the outer appearance image is satisfied, the outer appearance image is changed to a first image set in advance in association with the specific character or a second image that has become selectable by the change allowing condition being satisfied, on the basis of a user's instruction. Further, the game parameters of all the specific characters for which the change allowing condition is satisfied are changed.

Abstract: A system for tracking competitors conducting a race on a track includes multiple object-recognition devices positioned to recognize objects at predetermined locations along the track. The object-recognition devices are configured to recognize at least one physical feature of each of the competitors. A processing device is configured to determine a time at which a competitor reached a selected one of the predetermined locations during the race based on object-recognition data from at least one of the object-recognition devices. A transmitter is configured to transmit to an output device the time at which the competitor reached the selected location during the race.

Abstract: An information processing program realizes, on a computer: a first-game control function that runs a first game while allowing a group of characters to participate therein; a subset creating function that creates, on the basis of a game result of the first game, a subset consisting of some characters included in the group of characters from a universal set consisting of all the characters included in the group of characters; and a second-game control function that runs a second game while performing control for the characters included in the subset created by the subset creating function so as to display, on a display medium, at least some character objects in the form of character objects of a predetermined kind.

Abstract: An interactive play apparatus comprising: an input device configured to receive an input from a user, one or more communications interfaces, and one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are configured to: detect one or more electronic devices; for each detected electronic device, determine one or more capabilities of said electronic device; receive one or more inputs via the input device; determine one or more user-perceptible play actions based at least in part on the received one or more inputs; translate the determined one or more play actions into one or more instructions operable to cause one or more of the detected electronic devices to perform one or more functions that at least approximate the determined one or more play actions; wherein the translation is based at least in part on the detected one or more capabilities of the respective detected electronic devices; cause the one or more of the detected electronic devices to perform said one or more functions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for virtual showroom are described. The virtual showroom may allow a consumer to virtually visit a showroom and receive detailed vehicle information in a variety of manners. A consumer may use augmented reality to highlight a vehicle and receive information regarding it. A consumer may walk through a guided showroom tour or walk through an interactive showroom tour. Another user may be conferenced into the tour as well.

Abstract: A gaming device includes a self-stabilizing module including a first portion and a second portion, a controller assembly disposed at the second portion, a motion sensor, an operation processing module, and a display screen disposed at the first portion. The operation processing module generates a frame signal to the display screen according to a program. The controller assembly and the second portion rotate about at least one self-stabilizing axis relative to the first portion when the self-stabilizing module is activated. The motion sensor generates a control signal due to the relative rotation of the first and second portions. The operation processing module generates another frame signal corresponding to a movement posture of the controller assembly relative to the display screen according to the control signal and the program. The display screen is not located on a movement track of the controller assembly. A gaming controller is also provided.

Abstract: A system, a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, and a computer-implemented method to control movement of a non-player character is provided. Actions of a player character in a race event of a multiplayer game are detected. A player character movement model based on the actions of the player character is generated. A set of non-player actions is generated in a non-player character movement model based on the player character movement model. A movement of a non-player character in the multiplayer game is controlled based on the set of non-player actions in the non-player character movement model.

Abstract: Exercise class systems and methods may include a plurality of pieces of exercise equipment and/or a plurality of sensing systems adapted to be worn on people in the class, each piece of equipment or sensing system outputting plural exercise signals relating to exercise performance on the piece of equipment or of the person with the sensing system. A computer system may also be provided. The computer system may include at least one electronic storage device which stores the plural signals from the pieces of equipment or sensing system and at least one processor which generates an output signal containing an animation corresponding to at least two of the exercise signals from each of the pieces of equipment or sensing systems. At least one display device, visible from each of the pieces of equipment or people in the class, may receive the output signal and display the animation.

Abstract: A method for controlling a virtual vehicle in a racing game application includes: obtaining a virtual vehicle traveling picture including a picture of a virtual vehicle traveling on a virtual track of the racing game application; extracting a virtual track image from the virtual vehicle traveling picture, which is an image of a virtual track segment in which the virtual vehicle is located in real time; inputting the virtual track image into a traveling decision-making model, which was generated according to a sample track image and a sample traveling policy, the sample track image and the sample traveling policy being extracted from a sample vehicle traveling picture including a picture of another virtual vehicle controlled by an actual player traveling on the virtual track; and controlling the virtual vehicle to travel on the virtual track according to a target traveling policy outputted by the traveling decision-making model.

Abstract: Gaming systems and methods that provide multiple player selectable tournaments that can be created by the operator of the gaming system or by one or more players of one or more of the gaming machines of the gaming system.

Abstract: A terminal device includes a input interface, a display configured to display a virtual space of a game application, a memory, a sensor configured to detect position information about a player, and a processor configured to execute an instruction command stored in the memory to select a desired player character from one or a plurality of player characters in response to an instruction input received by the input interface, to select a desired candidate character from one or a plurality of candidate characters in response to the instruction input to be associated with the selected desired player character, and to display a movement of the selected desired player character on the display so that the selected desired player character moves in accordance with a movement of the selected desired candidate character in the virtual space.

Abstract: Embodiments include apparatuses, methods, and systems for playing a game based on payment transactions within an electronic payment transaction processing network. Based on data provided by a user, the user is authenticated to operate a game based on payment transactions. One or more payment cards used to perform payment transactions are to be registered within the game. A data record is added and an award within the game is received for a contactless payment transaction performed using the one or more payment cards. The data record is stored in a storage accessible by the game. The award is to be converted to a benefit to the user. The received award is displayed on a leaderboard in a user interface of the game. The leaderboard also displays one or more awards received by one or more other people associated with the user. Other embodiments may also be described and claimed.

Abstract: A method of detecting significant footage for recording from a videogame includes obtaining position information for a target object within a virtual environment of the videogame, obtaining depth buffer information for a current position of a virtual camera used to generate a current image of the virtual environment for display by the videogame, calculating a first distance along a line between the current position of the virtual camera and the obtained position of the target object, detecting whether a depth buffer value along the line corresponds to at least a threshold distance from the virtual camera, the threshold distance being based upon the calculated first distance, and if so, associating the current image with an indicator that the image is significant for the purposes of recording footage from the videogame.

Abstract: A method of generating a graphical user interface for horse race betting includes displaying a first list of horses scheduled to run a first race from among a plurality of horses, displaying, in association with each horse of the first list of horses, a win selection element by which a user of the graphical user interface may mark the horse as selected to win the first race, displaying an automatic ticket generation button by which a user may request an automatic selection of horses, and, in response to a user interaction with the automatic ticket generation button, marking one or more horses of the first list of horses as selected to win the first race based on predicted win percentages of the horses of the first list. The method may include displaying, in association with each horse of the first list of horses, the predicted win percentage of the horse.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems for simulating a multiplayer game environment to allow players of different skill levels to concurrently play the same level of a gaming session, to encourage and incentivize cooperative team behavior, to match players based on subjective variables, such as likeability and a general fun factor, and to tailor gaming content based on the social group itself.

Abstract: A method includes initiating, by a processor, a simulated multiplayer game, and controlling, by the processor a display device to display a plurality of selectable items. The method also includes selecting, by the processor, a plurality of bots from a bot selection table, where the bot selection table includes a bot selection weight associated with each bot of the plurality of bots, and where each bot simulates a player behavior. The method also includes determining, by the processor and from a timed entry distribution table, an entry time for at least one bot of the plurality of bots in the simulated multiplayer game, and controlling, by the processor, the display device to simulate a selection, by the at least one bot, of at least one selectable item at the determined entry time.

Abstract: A ranking of each of a plurality of users is set, and based on a numerical value indicating the ranking, an indicator is calculated such that the smaller the numerical value, the greater a value of the indicator. Then, the indicator calculated for the user is displayed. The indicator is displayed such that the higher the ranking, the greater the value of the indicator. This can enhance the motivation of a user.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with output production are described. One example system comprises an analysis component configured to analyze a data set to produce an evaluation result. The system also comprises a production component configured to produce a rendered output based, at least in part, on the evaluation result, where the rendered output is stored in a computer-readable medium.

Abstract: A method of playing a modified electronic version of roulette includes providing an executable instruction set hosted on a gaming system having a central server system, a random number generator, a database connected to an electronic network and at least one display for presenting to a player a representation of a roulette wheel, a roulette betting table, and a bet acceptance display for placing bets. A player's bet is placed, and a random number is selected and associated to one of a field of numbers on the betting table representation as the winning number. The winning and losing bets are determined and the winning number is removed from the field of numbers on the betting table. The removed number is replaced with a randomly selected one of the numbers remaining in the field of numbers on the table and the odds of each possible bet are recalculated.

Abstract: Provided is an example system in which a vibrator continues to vibrate when a player character is in contact with a ground object in a virtual space. When the player character performs a jumping motion in the virtual space according to an operation performed by a player, the player character leaves the ground object. While the player character is performing a jumping motion, the vibration of the vibrator is temporarily stopped. When the player character drops on the ground object again, the vibration of the vibrator is resumed.

Abstract: Each of a first information processing apparatus and a second information processing apparatus includes a display, an operation portion, and a radio communication unit. The second apparatus transmits operation information accepted by the operation portion of the second apparatus to the first apparatus through the radio communication unit. The first apparatus performs application processing based on operation information accepted by the operation portion of the first apparatus and the operation information from the second apparatus, generates an application image including a result of execution of the application processing, shows the application image on the display of the first apparatus, and transmits the application image to the second apparatus through the radio communication unit of the first apparatus. The second apparatus shows the application image from the first apparatus on the display of the second apparatus.

Abstract: An avatar or avatar environment to visualize data may be provided within a social networking system or service, for example as part of the Internet, and/or within a desktop widget, panel, gadget, or the like. The avatar may further evolve or alter its appearance, animation, or other visual or audio characteristics in response to the data or other input such as athletic activity performed by a corresponding user. In particular, the avatar of an embodiment may respond to and provide visualization of athletic or sport performance data.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to analyzing recorded game information to determine information about a player's behavior. This is accomplished by analyzing the player's actions following a positive increase in credits within credit meter data. This analysis can be utilized in automatically altering a game parameter of the gaming device being played by the player or in providing operators trend information that can be used in modifying the game device or designing future gaming devices. An analysis station may be included in a gaming system using this analysis process to allow an operator to view and manipulate a graphical representation of the credit meter data.

Abstract: A video game processing apparatus is provided for controlling progress of a video game while displaying a player character on a display screen of a display device provided with a touch panel. The video game processing apparatus is provided with a virtual controller information memory for storing virtual controller information on a virtual controller. The display device is caused to display the virtual controller on the display screen on the basis of the virtual controller information. In a case where an operational input to the virtual controller displayed on the display screen is received, the video game processing apparatus updates a shape of the virtual controller on the basis of the virtual controller information, and controls an action of the player character on the basis of the received operational input. The operational input may include a slide operation and a tap operation, for example.

Abstract: A server version of an interactive application executed by a processing device of a first mobile device communicatively connected to a main video rendering device collects first data generated by a first client version of the interactive application executed by the processing device. The server version of the interactive application generates first displayable content relating to the first client version of the interactive application based on the first data, wherein the first displayable content is rendered on a display of the first mobile device. The server version of the interactive application generates second displayable content based in part on the first data and additional data relating to the server version of the interactive application, wherein the first displayable content is different from the second displayable content. The server version of the interactive application, transmits the second displayable content to the main video rendering device to be rendered on a main video display.

Abstract: A system for betting on fractional times comprises a memory coupled to a processor. The memory stores a first betting option comprising a bet that a particular participant in a race will finish a predetermined length of the race in a first range of fractional times. The memory further stores a second betting option comprising a bet that the particular participant in the race will finish the predetermined length of the race in a second range of fractional times. The processor receives a plurality of bets on at least one of the first betting option and the second betting option and determines an actual time for the particular participant to finish the predetermined length of the race. The processor then determines which of the plurality of bets are winning bets based at least in part upon the determination of the actual time and the corresponding betting options.

Abstract: Technologies are described for providing turning in virtual reality environments. For example, some implementations use roll turning that involves rotating around an outer edge of a control input, some implementations use tap turning to move directly to a location indicated by a control movement, and some implementations involve combinations of roll turning and tap turning.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for a virtual reality exercise game. One of the methods includes determining a head rotation of the user and a head lean of the user on an exercise device based on data from one or more sensors. The method includes presenting a virtual reality environment on a virtual reality headset, wherein the perspective of the user in the virtual world is determined by a vehicle that defines the velocity of the perspective, a body which defines a reference view point of the perspective (with the head looking forward), and a head which defines the view point of the perspective. The method also includes determining to apply rotation to the body in response to determining that a direction of the head rotation is in a direction of the lean.

Abstract: A videogame may be provided to one or more users in which characters controlled by users earn fans that impact the videogame similarly to fans in real life. For example, a character may earn virtual currency, be invited to participate in events and/or teams, obtain sponsorships, and/or experience other impacts associated with fanbase size. The videogame may include one or more primary objectives presented to the user. The performance of the primary objectives by the user may impact the progression of a character being controlled by the user through the videogame.

Abstract: A stretch stride system comprising a mat having a first stride pattern and a second stride pattern positioned thereon. The first stride pattern may include two or more step patterns spaced at a first interval. The second stride pattern may include two or more step pattern spaced at a second interval. The first interval and the second interval may be determined using different extended step lengths.

Abstract: An example information sharing system includes: an executing unit that executes an application program according to operations of one of a plurality of users; a recording unit that records replay data for replicating an execution process of the application program; a generating unit that generates shared information associated with the application program based on operations of the one of the plurality of users; and a sharing unit that shares the generated shared information and the recorded replay data with the plurality of users.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for operating a computer game. It can include identifying a playing user and one or more other users; storing user information about one or more other users and the game progress information of those other users; determining whether any of the other users satisfy a predetermined condition based on their game progress information; identifying any of the other users that meet the condition and qualify as substitution-target users; displaying the substitution-target users to the playing user; obtaining input from a playing user indicating the selection of at least one substitution-target user; allowing the user to play the game, and obtaining a result of a game played by a playing user on behalf of a substitution-target user, with said game being one available to the substitution-target user; and updating the game progress information of the substitution-target user in accordance with the result of that game.

Abstract: In a method of wagering, one or more primary bettors place wagers having an applicable base take-out or rake rate, and thus yielding a base payout for winning wagers. One or more secondary bettors may place wagers having an applicable modified take-out or rake rate (preferably lower than the base take-out or rake rate), thus yielding a higher payout for winning wagers than the base payout. The wagering may occur relative to card games such as poker, or other types of games or events, including sports betting. Bets may be placed with a host, such as a casino or track, or through an off-track entity such as an OTB or ADW facility.

Abstract: A system and method for recording and playback of game data is provided. A recording engine may be configured to record and playback game data, including broadcast data received over a network. The recording engine may be included in a game console or at other network-enabled devices, such as a desktop computer. The recording engine may be configured to record the game data in a buffer memory, an archival memory, and to assist in the display of the game (e.g., interacting with a graphics processing unit). Game data stored in the buffer memory may later be transferred to the archival memory. Playback commands may be operable when a portion of the game broadcast has been recorded. When a playback command is received, the game recording engine may access a portion of the game data from buffer or archival memory and displays a selected portion and may be subject to certain seek functions (e.g., fast forward and rewind). Spectators may be able to independently archive and playback game data using local memory.

Abstract: A video game processing apparatus is provided for controlling progress of a video game while displaying a player character on a display screen of a display device provided with a touch panel. The video game processing apparatus is provided with a virtual controller information memory for storing virtual controller information on a virtual controller. The display device is caused to display the virtual controller on the display screen on the basis of the virtual controller information. In a case where an operational input to the virtual controller displayed on the display screen is received, the video game processing apparatus updates a shape of the virtual controller on the basis of the virtual controller information, and controls an action of the player character on the basis of the received operational input. The operational input may include a slide operation and a tap operation, for example.

Abstract: A gaming machine runs a normal game, and runs a free game when the right to run the free game is awarded. In the free game, symbols are rearranged on a display device and a benefit is awarded based on a combination of the rearranged symbols, bonus random determination is executed based on a bonus random determination table for a number of times corresponding to the number of specific symbols rearranged, the right to run the bonus game obtained as a result of the bonus random determination is accumulatively stored in the running right stocking area of the storage device, and the bonus random determination is repeated for the awarded number of times of the free game. After the end of the free game, the bonus game is serially executed for the number of times of the bonus game accumulatively stored in the running right stocking area.

Abstract: A vehicle simulation such as for example a driving game can be provided by displaying an image of a steering wheel on a touch sensitive screen. Touch inputs are used to control the rotational orientation of displayed steering wheel. The rotational orientation of the displayed steering wheel is used to apply course correction effects to a simulated vehicle. Selective application of driver assist and different scaling of touch inputs may be provided.

Abstract: A method of playing a game, the method comprising selecting a predefined number of player indicia; providing an event reference, the event reference being viewable on a display device, the event reference comprising a plurality of event participants, the plurality of event participants being ranked; randomly generating a plurality of randomly generated indicia, the plurality of randomly generated indicia comprising a first indicia and a second indicia; associating the first indicia with a first event participant; associating the second indicia with a second event participant; obtaining the ranking of the participants based on the order they finish in the event reference; ordering the plurality of randomly generated indicia based on the ranking of their respective associated participants; and determining a game outcome, the game outcome comprising comparing the player indicia to the plurality of randomly generated indicia.

Abstract: Systems and methods may provide for obtaining first wearable sensor data associated with a first fitness session and first fitness equipment and obtaining second wearable sensor data associated with a second fitness session and second fitness equipment. Additionally, an effort normalization may be conducted between one or more settings of the second fitness equipment and one or more settings of the first fitness equipment based on the first wearable sensor data and the second wearable sensor data. In one example, a user prompt is generated during the second fitness session via a user interface of one or more of the second fitness equipment or a wearable device based on the normalization.

Abstract: A vehicle simulation such as for example a driving game can be provided by displaying an image of a steering wheel on a touch sensitive screen. Touch inputs are used to control the rotational orientation of displayed steering wheel. The rotational orientation of the displayed steering wheel is used to apply course correction effects to a simulated vehicle. Selective application of driver assist and different scaling of touch inputs may be provided.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for a video game including user determined location information is presented. Location information (e.g. GPS, Google Maps, an entered address or the like) determined by a user of a video game is acquired. Then user determined location information relating to a physical location determined by the user is mapped to a video game environment wherein the user of the video game experiences objects from the users entered location while playing the video game.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention operate a multilayer hybrid game with a real world engine connected by a communication link to a game world engine wherein the real world engine comprises a real world credit meter, a random number generator, and a real world credit pay table, wherein the real world engine is configured to receive from the game world engine via the communication link, a trigger of a wager of real world credit, determine a gambling outcome for the wager of real world credit in response to the trigger, and communicate to the game world engine via the communication link, the gambling outcome, allocate the randomly generated payout of real world credits to the credit meter, an entertainment software engine connected to the game world engine configured to execute a multilayer entertainment game that provides outcomes based upon a plurality of players' skillful execution of the multilayer entertainment game, wherein players at a same gameplay layer are engaged in g

Abstract: Technology is disclosed for starting a simulation from a real situation. In various embodiments, the technology receives a parameter corresponding to simulation of a physical entity in a virtual context, receives an attribute corresponding to the physical entity in a physical context, and simulates the physical entity in the virtual context using the attribute as a stimulus. The attribute may identify an actual occurrence during the physical context.

Abstract: A race management system is described. In one aspect, a race is chosen and an interested/committed selection is made. If “interested” is selected, the race management system prioritizes races, updates and displays a race menu, and updates and displays an interested/committed list. A TEL (Tentative Entry List) database can notify trainers when they have horses that are interested in a race that has made the TEL. Updates are sent to and/or received from the TEL database. If “committed” is selected, the race management system executes similar steps as if “interested” was selected. In another aspect, a one-day TEL template is uploaded, protocol races are inserted into the template, and prioritized races are transferred from the TEL database to the template. Based on this prioritization, the one-day TEL is constructed.

Abstract: A game control device capable of giving at least one of a plurality of game data sets that are members of an opponent game data group to a user. A match request receiving unit receives a match request sent from a user terminal. An opponent game data group determination unit determines a plurality of game data sets as members of the opponent game data group. In a case where the match request is received, a match executing unit executes a match based on one of the game data group and the game data of the user, and the opponent game data group. In a case where the match is executed, a game data giving unit gives at least one of the plurality of game data sets that are members of the opponent game data group to the user.