Abstract: A server device according to the present invention is connected with a player terminal through a network, displays, in the player terminal, a screen in which a plurality of types of playable games is listed, receives a reservation registration request of automatic play information in which a game and a start timing specified by the player are set, and perform reservation registration of the automatic play information of the player. The server device determines whether automatically starting a game play of the specified game at the specified start timing based on the automatic play information subjected to the reservation registration, and automatically starts the game play of the game at the start timing when the determination is affirmed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to systems and methods for providing an enhanced research game mechanic that simulates research in a virtual simulation such as a game. The system may engage the user in the virtual discovery process and therefore provide the user with a more realistic sense of discovery. The game may include a research space having a plurality of spatially arranged positions. The discovery locations may be hidden from the user's view until discovered. To make a virtual discovery, a user may interact with the positions of a corresponding discovery location. For example, the user may select or otherwise indicate a position in the research space. The system may determine whether selected or indicated position corresponds to a position assigned to the discovery location. The user may interact with the position in other ways such as by positioning a research unit at a position of the research space.

Abstract: An image construction computer game method is disclosed. Further disclosed are: a system for image construction formulated as a game; a system for performing the method; a computer-executable program stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, the program including the method; and an image processing apparatus that can record the method program in a storing section.

Abstract: A system is described for a computer-based word-guessing game that can be used to elicit market-research data, specifically sentiment and awareness data. The two-person game involves a clue giver and a guesser, each playing on their own mobile device. The clue giver sends clues to induce the guesser to guess a given target word or phrase before a countdown clock runs out. The clues used and the guesses made can be analyzed to reveal the opinions and knowledge that the players have about products, brands, and people. The game features a novel mechanic in which the clue words are categorized according to how obvious they are. Using more-obvious clues causes the countdown clock to decrement faster, thereby making the game play more strategic and entertaining, while also incentivizing the clue giver to use less-obvious, sentiment-oriented words that are more useful for market-research purposes.

Abstract: An Internet based pictorial game allows participants to both contribute and decode pictorial content. The participants' performance, as well as that of artists and their artwork, can be tabulated and presented for community entertainment. Supplemental features can be added according to a desired rule set. Speech recognition can be used in some applications of the invention as well. Advertising can be integrated into game play as part of the picture decoding process.

Abstract: A game program for a game in which first and second characters battle against each other, wherein the game program causes a computer to realize: a data storage function of storing a first panel database, including a plurality of panels that the first character posesses, and a second panel database, including a plurality of panels that the second character posesses; a panel selection function of selecting panels disposed in frames of a game display screen including a battle display region formed by one or more frames, from the first and second panel databases; a panel layout function of placing the panels selected by the panel selection function in the frames; a screen display control function of displaying the game display screen on a screen display unit; and an emphasized display function of emphasizing and displaying the panels disposed by the panel layout function on the screen display unit.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure relates to a system configured to provide a virtual space, in accordance with one or more implementations. Users of virtual spaces may encounter barriers in a game. During these barriers, users may receive and/or provide assistance to other affiliation members. One aspect of the disclosure relates to allowing affiliations or other groups to utilize in-game items to assist other players in game progress in an online game. This may incent positive player actions towards affiliation members, may enhance engagement between affiliation members, may provide an incentive for users to join an affiliation, and/or have other results. These results may ultimately contribute to enhanced retention, enhanced monetization, enhanced user satisfaction, and/or other enhancements.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments enabling a saved state of an application to be stored at a central location and to be retrieved by multiple computing devices executing the application. Accordingly, saved states of applications and interfaces are also enabled to follow a user from one personal computing device to the next.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for determining and recommending a coaching decision during a football game, where the recommended coaching decision corresponds with the highest probability of winning the football game.

Abstract: A gaming system and method for administering a Sudoku-based game is provided that includes at least one engine for randomly generating a Sudoku puzzle, at least one first module for modifying the generated Sudoku puzzle into a game puzzle, at least one second module for permuting the game puzzle for each player, and at least one system for providing a game puzzle to each player and administering a gaming game from the game puzzle provided to each player.

Abstract: A gaming machine 300 includes an input device, a lower image display panel 141, and a motherboard 70. The motherboard 70 executes processes of: (a1) displaying a 29-option selection screen showing 29-option bonuses including a door 2 options on the lower image display panel 141; (a2) when the selection of the door 2 options is received by a switch, selectively executing a 2-option game of executing a predetermined game and awarding a character to a player based on the result of the predetermined game or a 1-option game of immediately providing the game character to the player, and (a3) if the 1-option game is executed in (a2) when the selection of the door 2 options is received by the switch, displaying an indication image along with the 29-option selection screen.

Abstract: Systems and methods for scoring familiarity are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method comprises selecting a topic by a first user, presenting items associated with the topic to the first user, ranking a first set of the items by the first user, presenting the items to a second user, ranking a second set of the items by the second user, and scoring the second ranking relative to the first ranking.

Abstract: Various aspects described or referenced herein are directed to different methods, systems, and computer program products for implementing automated money laundering detection, notification, and reporting techniques implemented at casino gaming networks.

Abstract: An assessment engine includes a definition of inquiry skills being assessed. Assessment models are used to infer skill demonstration as one or more students engage in inquiry within computerized simulations and/or microworlds. A pedagogical agent and/or help system provides real-time feedback to one or more students based on the assessment model outputs, and/or based on additional models that track one or more students developing proficiency across inquiry tasks over time. A pedagogical agent and/or help system for science inquiry tutoring responds in real-time on the basis of knowledge-engineered and data-mined assessment and/or tracking models.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is described. A message is received from a user via a user interface of a computer device. The message includes at least first and second portions. A virtual cryptic note is generated that includes the first portion of the message arranged in a first orientation, and the second portion of the message arranged in a second orientation that is rotated relative to the first orientation, with the second portion of the message overlapping the first portion of the message. The virtual cryptic note is provided to the user. Cryptic notes can be useful and entertaining, particularly when used online, in email and/or in social media.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method are provided for displaying feed-based information in an online game. Player feeds are received in a game networking system. A specification for displaying information from the player feeds in the game networking system is accessed. A first player profile is accessed for a first player in an online game, the first player profile identifying one or more characteristics of the first player. The first-player profile is used with the specification to determine a first display profile for displaying information from the player feeds to the first player. The feed-based information is generated for the first player by using the first display profile to access the player feeds, and the feed-based information is then displayed to the first player through a user interface of the online game.

Abstract: A pattern matching mechanic for touch screen slot machines. A pattern consisting of a sequence of randomly selected cells in a displayed symbol matrix is generated and momentarily displayed to a player as their spin is ending. The sequence can be displayed whether the spin is lost or won. A player sequence is received and compared to the pattern. A reward is provided to the player if the player sequence matches the pattern sequence. The pattern sequence can be generated with a cadence that must be matched by the player sequence. The pattern can be generated at different levels, and the reward based on the level of the pattern generated. The level can be increased when a number of consecutive patterns are matched, and decreased when a number of consecutive patterns are not matched.

Abstract: The information processing device according to the present invention fuses a basic first game content and a second game content used as source material for fusion before a preset condition related to fusing the first game content and second game content is satisfied, thereby varying the upper limits of parameters configured in the first game content in a stepwise manner, and, once the preset condition is satisfied, initializes the parameters configured in said first game content while at the same time providing items capable of increasing at least the initialized parameters configured in said first game content.

Abstract: A laser maze attraction has a series of lasers and sensors that may be configured in a maze where a user may be timed for completing the maze, but with penalties for breaking a laser beam. A controller may illuminate a plurality of lasers and monitor sensors corresponding to each of the lasers. The controller may also calculate an elapsed time and deduct a penalty for any laser beam that is broken. A customer interface may include a timer, various buttons arranged in the maze, and other devices that may be actuated during the timed event.

Abstract: Virtual competitive group management systems and methods are provided herein. Exemplary systems may execute methods via one or more processors, which are programmed to compare one or more skill levels of a player to skill levels of a plurality competitors, wherein a skill level is associated with player competitiveness within the interactive game, determine at least one of the plurality of competitors who have at least one skill level that is greater than the skill level of the player, and place the player and the at least one of the plurality of competitors into a competitive group such that the player is at a competitive disadvantage to at least one of the plurality of competitors.

Abstract: In a video game that progresses a game using a limited number of items, the game can be made more interesting. In an area data table 126-1 of a first area, a brand ‘CAT’ having a previous brand point ‘14%’ is ‘BEST 1’, and a brand ‘BOAR’ having a previous brand point ‘13%’ is ‘BEST 2’. In addition, a brand ‘TIGER’ having a previous brand point ‘3%’ is ‘WORST 2’, and a brand ‘RAT’ having a previous brand point ‘2%’ is ‘WORST 1’. Accordingly, if a player character executes a battle against an enemy character in the first area, when an item of the brand ‘CAT’, which is ‘BEST 1’, is used, its power becomes three times higher than a reference power, and when an item of the brand ‘BOAR’, which is ‘BEST 2’, is used, its power becomes one and half times higher than the reference power. In addition, when an item of the brand ‘TIGER’, which is ‘WORST 2’, is used, its power becomes 0.5 times lower than the reference power, and an item of the brand ‘RAT’, which is ‘WORST 1’, becomes unavailable.

Abstract: Games related to the provision of information are described. Games may be formulated to exploit biases such as long shot bias and favorite bias. Games related to the provision of information are described. Games may be formulated to exploit biases relating to the Monty Hall paradox. Games related to the provision of information are described. Games may include wagering on hands of cards, e.g., poker wagering games.

Abstract: Creative multi-act games for the younger generation of casino players accustomed to creative simulation games such as “The Sims®” and familiar TV characters such as the cast of “Friends”. Stories unfold through acts that have been staged by the player by selecting and placing acting objects. A palette of betting opportunities may be provided in each act in accordance with the staged act to allow the player(s) to place bets. A typical storyboard may include three acts: (a) a construction act, (b) a testing act and (c) a destruction or resolution act. The unfolding of acts may be non-linear and several players may participate simultaneously, sharing the opportunity to affect a storyboard's direction through decision-making.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an application provision method in a client-server type system providing a game application to a plurality of users via a network. The method causes a computational resource of a server to perform the steps of: providing, to a first user using a client terminal connected to the server, a game application selected by the first user; providing, to a second user specified by the first user, the game application provided to the first user after the game application is ended by the first user; and notifying achievement levels of the first and second users to the client terminals of the first and second users after the game application is ended by the second user.

Abstract: A progressive jackpot system includes a progressive jackpot system controller, and a plurality of gaming machines coupled to the progressive jackpot system controller and participating in a progressive jackpot game in which a progressive jackpot is awarded in response to a triggering event at one of the gaming machines. A method of operating the progressive jackpot system includes maintaining data in the progressive jackpot system controller representing a composite progressive jackpot pool comprising a predetermined base component, and an incremental component funded by a portion of wagers made at the gaming machines. A message is sent from the gaming machine to the progressive jackpot system controller in response to the occurrence of a triggering event on the gaming machine. The message indicates that the triggering event has occurred and includes data representing a desired proportion of the progressive jackpot pool to award to the player.

Abstract: A gaming system includes one or more controllers and one or more memory devices storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the one or more controllers, cause the gaming system to initiate a wagering game to be played via a gaming machine and in response to a pause event, temporarily pause the wagering game-in-progress, prior to revealing a final outcome of the wagering game. While the game-in-progress is paused, the one or more controllers allow the gaming machine to participate in a community event along with a plurality of other gaming machines and in response to an end-pause event associated with the community event, reinstate the paused game-in-progress at the gaming machine.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided a method of conducting a wagering game which includes the steps of conducting a plurality of basic wagering games and enabling a bonus game in response to a bonus triggering outcome achieved in any of the basic wagering games. The method also includes deferring the enabled bonus game to permit play after completion of play of the plurality of basic wagering games.

Abstract: To reduce labor of a player to search for game content sought by the player. A game program according to the present invention causes a computer to execute: when an operation to designate game content is performed by a player, play event selection processing to select a play event in which the designated game content is obtainable from among a plurality of play events set in advance; game screen generation processing to generate a game screen including a guidance operation area that guides the player to the selected play event; and game progress processing to make a game progress with the guided play event and to make the player play the game when the guidance operation area is operated by the player while the game screen is displayed.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a display device includes a display unit, a detecting unit, and a control unit. The display unit stereoscopically displays an aggregation of a plurality of cubes in three-dimensional space. The cubes are arranged along three directions perpendicular to one another. The detecting unit detects moves of objects in the three-dimensional space. The control unit changes a location of each of the cubes according to a detection result of the detecting unit.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a game program that causes a computer to execute the following processes: a reception process; a battle process; and a notification process. The reception process is for receiving a first operational input from a first player and a second operational input from a second player who is associated with the first player. The battle process is as follows: a battle between the first player and an opposing character starts based on the first operational input; a hit point parameter of the opposing character changes through the battle; an outcome of the battle is determined; a battle between the second player and the opposing character starts The notification process is for, before the outcome of the battle with the opposing character is determined in the battle process, notifying participation information to a third player.

Abstract: Techniques to facilitate software development are disclosed. In various embodiments, an indication is received that a software development project event has occurred. One or more rules are applied to determine one of more of a notification to be sent in response to the event, a recipient to receive the notification, and a communication channel to be used to send the communication. The notification is generated and sent to the recipient via the communication channel.

Abstract: If an area in which a character has been already placed by a player in another team is selected from the areas displayed in a game field display part on a top screen and a player point count corresponding to Oshikura at the bottom of as PP selection part is selected, a comparison is made between a player point count that was selected by a player at the placement of the currently placed character and a player point count that was selected by a player who will place a new character. Then, the character related to a player having more player points is determined as the character to be placed in the area. Accordingly, more competitive game elements are realized in a game that uses multiple areas.

Abstract: Technologies for game providers to place their game worlds into existing map databases and communicate the relevant locations to location-based applications are generally described. In some examples, this may be achieved by generating maps that use non-physical locations that are still within standard location data formats at a game service provider and providing the maps and/or map data to map server providers showing game worlds mapped to those coordinates. Alternatively, the game service provider may provide the map data to the map service provider and the map may be generated at the map service provider. The imaginary location maps may be identified by extreme or non-physical altitudes, for example. Game clients may be enabled to publish the location of their game persona on an imaginary map and/or their real persona on a real map and receive location-based services for either or both personas.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments enabling a saved state of an application to be stored at a central location and to be retrieved by multiple computing devices executing the application. Accordingly, saved states of applications and interfaces are also enabled to follow a user from one personal computing device to the next.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for facilitating content distribution. A method may include receiving, at an edge proxy apparatus, a subscription request indicating content to which a subscriber is to be subscribed. The method may further include creating a flow token including content relation information referencing the indicated content and state information enabling delivery of subscribed content to a subscriber apparatus associated with the subscriber. The method may additionally include causing the flow token to be provided to a lookup service apparatus configured to provide access to flow tokens to one or more content publishers. A corresponding apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are an answering terminal, an answer counting system and a question-and-answer session method, which do not force answerers to perform complicated operations of an answering terminal when one questioner and a multiplicity of answerers have a question-and-answer session. The answer counting system comprises a receiving part; a grouping part; a result storing part; an answering action differentiating part; a differentiation result counting and analyzing part; and a displaying part.

Abstract: A computerized on-line photo identification game presented through a computer program provides a subject matter category and steps for registration of website visitors to become photo-submitting players or to become photo subject matter identifying photo identifying players who receive photos of specific subject matter within the subject matter category submitted by photo-submitting players and identify the subject matter shown in the photos by name, by matching the subject matter to stored text in the program database, or both, and in which the photo identifying players may be rated by factors including concurrence with the majority of photo identifying players in identification and in which they may also be rewarded.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a gaming system capable of providing progressive level alerts or promotions when a progressive jackpot reaches a predetermined value. In one embodiment, the user is able to register for a progressive level alert. In another embodiment, the progressive level alert is presented on an affiliated or third party website. By providing progressive jackpot amount information, the user, who may not otherwise patronize a casino, is encouraged to visit the particular casino offering games capable of awarding a progressive jackpot prize of a predetermined amount.

Abstract: The techniques described herein determine a game topic for a phrase game. Players of the phrase game may take turns submitting a phrase to a game board to earn a turn score (e.g., points or other form of value) which is added to a total, running game score. A submitted phrase played may be determined to be associated with the game topic determined for the phrase game. For instance, the game topic may include a topic phrase list that lists a plurality of phrases individually assigned a value based on an association between a phrase and the game topic. The assigned value provides an adjustment for a player turn score. For instance, the value may comprise bonus points added to regular turn points that result from the player turn score. Or, the value may be a bonus multiplier that multiplies (e.g., doubles, triples, etc.) the regular turn points.

Abstract: A block puzzle game machine comprising at least one processor, at least one memory containing a program, at least one display, and at least one input mechanism; the program comprising instructions executable by the at least one processor that implement a block puzzle game, the game comprising a virtual block puzzle, the block puzzle comprising an array of substantially cubic puzzle blocks, one face of each puzzle block bearing a face pattern that is a fragment of a solution pattern, the face patterns of the puzzle blocks together forming the solution pattern when the puzzle is in a solved state, the puzzle manipulable via a constrained set of moves to transform it from any one of a set of scrambled states to the solved state, the constrained set of moves comprising any move that rotates one row of puzzle blocks in the array ninety degrees about a longitudinal axis of the row, and any move that rotates one column of puzzle blocks in the array ninety degrees about a longitudinal axis of the column, the game con

Abstract: The present invention provides a system that allows users to directly participate in advertising resource allocation decisions for advertisers and to actively cause navigation swarms to specific websites. Swarms of users can be enabled by playing a form of hide and seek, where users (hiders) actively hide at a specific network location (the place where a swarm is desired) and other users (seekers) then actively search for the hiding users, thereby creating a swarm effect toward a particular site or set of sites.

Abstract: A player participating in a network game moves a player character of the player by manipulating a video game apparatus of the player. As the player performs an autopilot operation, the video game apparatus moves the player character as an autopilot PC. A server apparatus manages the game which progresses according to the movement of each character, and transmits progress information of the game to the video game apparatus of each player participating in the network game. The movement of the autopilot PC is decided based on an action log recording the action of the player character responding to the manipulation of the player.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein facilitate multi-lingual communications. The systems and methods of some embodiments enable multi-lingual communications through different modes of communication including, for example, Internet-based chat, e-mail, text-based mobile phone communications, postings to online forums, postings to online social media services, and the like. Certain embodiments implement communication systems and methods that translate text between two or more languages. Users of the systems and methods may be incentivized to submit corrections for inaccurate or erroneous translations, and may receive a reward for these submissions. Systems and methods for assessing the accuracy of translations are described.

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

Abstract: A method, system and program product for brokering advertising of products and services in a virtual world. The method includes accepting subscriptions from advertisers willing to pay for advertising products and services on a persona associated with a virtual space belonging to a virtual world user, creating a user profile based on specified likes/dislikes and establishing whether a user is willing to display advertising on their persona in the virtual world in exchange for receiving a benefit. Further, the method includes displaying advertisements on the persona, such that, the one or more advertisements displayed on the persona dynamically changes based on a viewing user viewing the persona of the advertising user, the one or more advertisements displayed to the viewing user being based on a viewing user profile, such that, the advertisements displayed on the persona varies simultaneously in real time mode from one viewing user to another.

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 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: An image matching game is described that provides multiple game display elements to a user. Each display element cycles through displaying one of a plurality of images. The user provides input to stop the changing display on one image. With each successive game display element, the user tries to stop the changing images on the same image as the previous display elements. When the user successfully stops the changing display elements and matching images across the game display elements, the user receives an indicia of reward. If the user fails to successfully match the image on any one element in the series of game display elements, the game turn either ends or the user loses one of a set number of attempts provided by the game. Depending on the implementation of the game, the user may receive interim level rewards for matching fewer than all of the game display elements.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of gaming comprised of; presenting a plurality of objects and adjacency requirements representing the adjacency between the objects; receiving a user's solution or answer aimed at accurately representing the positions of the objects relative to each other; and checking the user's solution against the adjacency requirements. The objects can be virtual objects presented on a computer display. The objects can also be real objects equipped with a display which presents the adjacency requirements necessary and sensors to detect the positions of the objects relative to each other.

Abstract: Systems provide shared multimedia content to a plurality of members of a collaboration group, request input related to the multimedia content from a portion of the plurality of members, modify the shared multimedia content to include an indication of a portion of the input, and provide the modified shared multimedia content to the plurality of members. The shared multimedia content may include a television program, a movie, or a real-time event. The requested input may include a prediction or a trivia answer related to the shared multimedia content.