BR102013033136A2 - method for generating a playable limited version of a video game; and method for providing a user's remote control of the game - Google Patents

Abstract

method for generating a playable limited version of a video game; and method for providing remote control of a user's game. A method for generating a playable limited version of a video game is provided. A user game of a full version of the video game is recorded. The user's recorded game is analyzed to determine a region of interest. boundaries are defined within a videogame game context based on the given region of interest. The limited version of the video game is generated based on the defined borders.

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to methods and systems for automatic generation of suggested minigames based on recorded game play, multi-portion minigame generation for in-game play. cloud-based recorded game, share recorded game on a social graph, and remote control of a first user game by a second user.

State of the art description The video game industry has undergone many changes over the years. As the power of computers has increased, video game developers have also created gaming software that takes advantage of these increases in computer power. To this end, video game developers have encoded games that incorporate sophisticated operations and math to produce a very realistic gaming experience.

Exemplary gaming platforms may be the Sony Playstation®, Sony Playstation2® (PS2), and Sony Playstation3® (PS3), each of which is sold in the form of a game console. As is well known, the game console is designed to connect to a monitor (usually a television) and allow user interaction through manual controllers. The game console is designed with specialized processing hardware, including a CPU, a graphics synthesizer for processing graphic intensive operations, a vector unit for performing geometric transformations, and other types of hardware, firmware, and software to make the connection. The game console is also designed with an optional optical disc tray for receiving on-site game CDs through the game console. Playing online is also possible where a user can play interactively against or with other users over the internet. As the complexity of games continues to pique gamers' curiosity, game and hardware manufacturers continue to innovate to enable greater interactivity and other computer programs.

A growing trend in the computer games industry is the development of games that increase user interaction with the gaming system. One way to achieve a richer interactive experience is to use wireless game controllers whose motion is tracked by the game system for the purpose of tracking the player's movements and using these movements as information for the game. Generally speaking, gesture input feed refers to having an electronic device such as a computer system, video game console, smart gadget, etc., react to some gesture made by the player and captured by the electronic device.

Another growing trend in the industry involves the development of cloud based gaming systems. These systems may include a remote processing server that runs a game application, and communicates with a local thin client that can be configured to receive user information and display video on a display. It is in this context that the configurations of the invention arise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Configurations of the present invention provide methods and systems for automatically generating suggested game-based minigames, generating multiple-portion minigames for cloud-based gameplay, sharing the gameplay recorded on a social graph, and the remote control of a first user game by a second user. It should be appreciated that the present invention may be implemented in a variety of ways, such as a process, apparatus, system, device or method in a computer readable medium. Several inventive embodiments of the present invention are described below.

In one embodiment, a method for generating a playable limited version of a video game is provided, including the following method operations: recording a user's game of a full version of the video game; analyze the user's recorded game to determine a region of interest; set boundaries within a videogame game context based on the given region of interest; and generate the limited version of the video game based on the defined boundaries; where the method is executed by a processor.

In another embodiment, a method for generating a playable limited version of a video game is provided, including the following method operations: recording a user's game of a full version of the video game; analyze the user's recorded game to determine one or more regions of interest; present each of the regions for selection; receive a selection entry indicating a selected region of interest; for the selected region of interest, set boundaries within a videogame game context based on the selected region of interest; and generate the limited version of the video game based on the defined boundaries; where the method is executed by a processor.

In another embodiment, a method for generating a playable limited version of a video game is provided, including the following method operations: recording a player's game of a full version of the video game, wherein the user's game recording includes save one or more of user-fed data or game state data; analyze the user's recorded game to determine one or more regions of interest, where each region of interest is automatically identified based on matching one or more thresholds; present each of the regions of interest for selection; receive a selection entry indicating a selected region of interest; for the selected region of interest, set boundaries within a game's game context based on the selected region of interest; generate the limited version of the video game based on the defined boundaries; where the method is executed by a processor.

In one embodiment, a method for generating a playable version of a video game is provided, including the following method operations: recording a user's game of a full version of the video game; determining a plurality of user-defined portions of the user's recorded game; for each user-defined portion, define boundaries within a game context of the video game based on the user-defined portion, and generate a playable portion of the video game based on the defined borders; position each of the video game's playable portions in a series to define the limited version of the video game; was that the method is executed by a processor.

In another embodiment, a tangible computer readable medium having program instructions incorporated therein is provided for generating a playable limited version of a video game, including: program instructions for recording a user's game of a full version; program instructions for determining a plurality of user-defined portions of the user's recorded game; program instructions for, for each user-defined portion, to define boundaries within a game context of the video game based on the user-defined portion, and to generate a playable portion of the video game based on the defined borders; program instructions for positioning each of the portions that can be played in a series to define the limited version of the video game.

In another embodiment, a system is provided, including: at least one server computing device having logic for generating a playable limited version of a video game, including logic for recording a user's game of a full version of the video game; logic for determining a plurality of user-defined portions of the user's recorded game; logic for, in each user-defined portion, defining boundaries within a game context of the game based on the user-defined portion, and generating a playable portion of the video game based on the defined boundaries; logic to position each of the video game's playable portions in a series to define the limited version of the video game.

In one embodiment, a method for sharing the game recorded on a social graph is provided, including the following method operations: videoing a user's game during an active state of a game session; receive a command to initiate a sharing operation during the active state of the gaming session; in response to receiving the command, entering a paused state of the game session and presenting a sharing interface; process input received by the sharing interface to determine a user-defined selection of recorded video; share the user-defined selection of recorded video in a user social graphic; resume the active state of the gaming session; where the method is executed by a processor.

In another embodiment, a method for sharing game recorded on a social graph is provided, including the following method operations: videoing a user's game during an active state of a game session; receive a command to initiate a sharing operation during the active state of the gaming session; in response to receiving the command, determining a user-defined selection of the recorded video; share the user-defined selection of recorded video in a user social graphic; where the method is executed by a processor.

In another embodiment, a non-transient computer readable medium is provided having program instructions defined therein for sharing game recorded on a social graph. Program instructions include: program instructions for video recording a user's game during an active state of a game session; program instructions for receiving a command to initiate a sharing operation during the active state of the gaming session; program instructions to, in response to the command being received, determine a user-defined selection of recorded video; Program instructions for sharing the user-defined selection of recorded video in a user social graph.

In one embodiment, a method is provided for providing a user's remote game control, the method including the following method operations: presenting a live video feed of a first user's game to a second remote user; process a request to transfer game control from the first user to the second user; initiate game control of the first user by the second user; wherein the method is executed by at least one processor.

In another embodiment, there is provided a non-transient computer readable medium having program instructions incorporated therein to provide a user's remote game control, program instructions including: program instructions for displaying a live video feed of the game. from a first user to a second remote user; program instructions for processing a request to transfer game control from the first user to the second user; Program instructions for starting control of the first user's game by the second user.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention may be better understood with reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1A illustrates a user playing a cloud based video game according to embodiments of the invention. Figure 1B illustrates multiple users in multiple locations engaged in the cloud-based video game. Figure 2A illustrates a cloud gaming system according to one embodiment of the invention. Figure 2B conceptually illustrates the accumulation of game titles across multiple generations of game consoles according to embodiments of the invention. Figure 3 illustrates a method for providing game demos to a user in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Figure 4A illustrates the hierarchical arrangement of various portions of a video game according to one embodiment of the invention. Figure 4B illustrates an interface for selecting a portion of a game timeline for generating a game minigame or slice according to one embodiment of the invention. Figure 4C illustrates an interface for selecting a portion of a game timeline for generating a minigame according to one embodiment of the invention. Δ Figure 5 illustrates a series of screenshots demonstrating a method for generating a minigame from an existing on-demand video game according to one embodiment of the invention. Figure 6 illustrates a system for generating a game slice code according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 7A illustrates the modification of a virtual space for the purpose of generating a game slice of a video game according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 7B illustrates the modification of a scene graph for the purpose of generating a game slice according to embodiments of the invention. Figure 8 illustrates a method for generating a game slice according to one embodiment of the invention. Figure 9A illustrates an interface for navigating game slices associated with various game titles in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Figure 9B illustrates a game slice information page in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Figure 10 illustrates a view of a user's account information, including live views of friends on a cloud gaming social network, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Figure 11 illustrates a method for displaying live game feeds of user friends at that time, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Figure 12 illustrates a system including a cloud gaming system and a social network, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Figure 13 is a graph illustrating various game state variables over time, according to embodiments of the invention. Figure 14A illustrates a method for generating a game slice for a linear type video game according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 14B illustrates a method for generating a game slice for an open world video game according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 14C illustrates a method for generating a game slice for a sports video game according to one embodiment of the invention. Figure 15 conceptually illustrates the formation of a multiplayer sliced game according to one embodiment of the invention. Figure 16 conceptually illustrates the generation of a multiplayer sliced minigame according to one embodiment of the invention. Figure 17 illustrates an interface for sharing the game according to one embodiment of the invention. Figure 18 illustrates an interface 1800 for selecting a portion of game video recorded for sharing according to one embodiment of the invention. Figure 19 illustrates an interface 1900 for viewing one at that time live video of a player's game according to one embodiment of the invention. Figure 20 illustrates hardware and user interfaces that can be used to provide interactivity with a video game in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 21 illustrates additional hardware that can be used to process instructions in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 22 is an exemplary illustration of scene A through scene E with the respective user A through E interacting with clients 1102 that are connected to server processing via the internet, in accordance with a configuration of the present invention. Figure 23 illustrates a configuration of an Information Service Provider assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following configurations describe methods and apparatus for automatically generating suggested game-based minigames, generating multi-portion minigames for cloud-based gameplay, recording game sharing on a social graph, and remote control of a first game of user by a second user.

It will be obvious, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other cases, well known process operations have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily conceal the present invention. Figure 1A illustrates a user playing a cloud based video game according to embodiments of the invention. As shown, a UI user plays one. cloud-based video game on a dial 100. A cloud-based video game is a video game that first runs on a remote server. A server, in one configuration, can include individual servers or servers that run in virtual machine data center, where many servers can be virtualized to provide the requested processing. In the illustrated embodiment, the cloud game server (s) 104 play the video game shown in display 100. A client 101 is located at the user's location to receive and process information fed and communicate it to the video game servers. cloud gaming 104, and also receiving video and audio data from cloud gaming servers 104. Client 101 and cloud gaming servers 104 communicate over a network 102, such as the internet. In other configurations, the customer may be any device, whether portable or not, as long as the customer can communicate with a network and provide access to a display for game play and allow a user portion feed to enhance interactivity. In one configuration, the customer is a thin customer. However, in other configurations, the customer may be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a gaming console, a personal computer, a laptop, a tablet, a mobile computing device, a portable computing device, a mobile phone, a converter, a streaming media interface / device, a smart television or networked display, or any other computing device capable of being configured to accommodate a client's functionality as defined herein. In one configuration, the cloud game server is configured to hold the type of client device being used by the user, and provide an appropriate cloud game experience for the user's client device. For example, image adjustments, audio adjustments, and other types of adjustments can be optimized for the user's client device.

In various configurations, the degree of processing performed by the customer may vary with respect to input and output processing. However, in general, the state of the video game is substantially maintained and executed on game request servers 104, with the client primarily operating to receive and communicate user-fed information, and to receive video / audio for presentation. Client 101 may be an isolated device that is connected to display 100 and provides video data for display on display 100. In other configurations, customer may be integrated into display 100. In one embodiment, display 100 is a display connected to the display. network that provides a platform operating system for applications or "apps" that use display network connectivity. In such a configuration, the client may be defined by an application running on the platform provided by the display operating system. Δ Figure 1Β illustrates multiple users in multiple locations engaged in the sm cloud based video game. User UI is shown at a first location interacting with a video game shown on display 100. Users U2 and U3 are shown at a second location interacting with a video game presented on a display 106. A user U4 is shown at a third location playing a video game presented on a display 108. Users □ 5, U6, and U7 are shown in a fourth location interacting with a video game presented on a display 110.

At each of the first, second, third and fourth locations, at least one computing device is provided for processing input fed by the various users and presenting a cloud based video game on their respective displays. It should be appreciated that the computing device may be integrated into a display, or may be an isolated device such as a personal computer, converter, game console, or any other type of device having at least one processor and memory to process and store data. The computing device may execute or define a client as described above. Computing devices are networked, and communicate over a network, such as the internet 102, with cloud game servers04.

Cloud game servers 104 play the various video games being played by users, setting a given game state of the video game at any given time, and sending video data (including image data and audio data) to a computing device. in a specific location. The computing device at a given location processes input fed by the user (s) playing the video game, and transmits input data to the game request server, which in turn processes the data. to affect the game state of the game. It should be appreciated that cloud gaming facilitates multiplayer gameplay from players located in different locations by providing video game play on a remote server that is accessible to all players on a network. Thus, video game execution does not depend on any particular player's hardware or network conductivity, although this will affect the user experience for that particular player. Figure 2A illustrates a cloud gaming system according to one embodiment of the invention. As shown, a user 200 operates a controller 202 to provide input to a cloud based video game. The controller 202 may include any of several types of feed devices, such as buttons, joysticks, touchpad, TrackBall, and motion-sensitive hardware such as accelerometers, and magnetometers, and gyros. In one embodiment, controller 202 may include an illuminated object that can be tracked to determine the location of controller 202. Controller 202 can communicate wirelessly with a thin game client 204. Client 204 communicates over a network 208 with a cloud game service 210. Client 204 processes data from controller 202 to generate feed data that is communicated to a video game run by cloud game service 210. In addition, client 204 receives video data from the service 210, for display on display 206. In one configuration, client 204 may process the received video data to provide one at that time of video in a format compatible with display 206. In one configuration, the customer 204 may include a camera for tracking a controller device or an object located on the controller device. As noted, the subject can be illuminated to make tracking even easier based on the analysis of image frames captured by the camera. Cloud game service 210 includes features to provide an environment in which a video game can be played. Generally speaking, features can include various types of computer server hardware, including processors, storage devices, and networking equipment, which can be used to make running a video game application easier. In the illustrated embodiment, a video game library 212 includes several titles. Each title defines executable code as well as associated data and implement libraries that are used to represent a video game. Host 214 may be a standalone computing device that defines a platform for representing virtual machines 216. In another configuration, host 214 may operate on one or more server computing devices, manipulating the allocation and use of device-defined resources. while presenting a unified platform on which virtual machines 216 can be represented.

Each virtual machine 216 defines a resource environment that can support an operating system, in which a video game application 218 can be run. In one configuration, a virtual machine can be configured to emulate the hardware resource environment of a game console, with an operating system associated with the game console running on the virtual machine to help run the titles that were developed for that console. of games. In another configuration, the operating system may be configured to emulate a native operating system environment from a game console, although the underlying virtual machine may or may not be configured to emulate the game console hardware. In another configuration, an emulator application is run over the operating system of a virtual machine, the emulator being configured to emulate the native operating system environment of a game console to support video games designed for that game console. It should be appreciated that a variety of current and legacy game consoles can be emulated on a request-based game system. This way, a user can access different titles from different game consoles through the game request system.

When user 200 requests to play a specific video game title, the video game is retrieved from library 212. If a compatible virtual machine is no longer represented or unavailable for use, then a new compatible virtual machine is represented on host 214. The retrieved title is then run as application 218 on the available or newly represented virtual machine 216. In one configuration, this may result in determining the appropriate platform for the video game (for example, which game console or operating system the game requires to run) and assigning the title to an appropriate virtual machine for execution, for example, one having an emulator application capable of handling title execution. The running video game communicates with game client 204 to provide an interactive gaming experience for user 200. More specifically, the running video game application 218 receives feed data from client 204 over network 208. Application 218 processes the input data to update the game state of the running application. As the state of play changes, application 218 outputs video data that is sent to client 204 for display on display 206. In addition, application 218 may also output return data to client 204 which is used to provide an additional feedback mechanism for the user. By way of example, user controller 202 may include a tactile vibration feedback mechanism that can be activated based on the output feedback data from the video game application.

In one configuration, the cloud gaming system is configured to detect the type of client device associated with the user as well as a type of controller available to the user to provide input to the cloud based video game. For example, in one configuration, when a user connects to the cloud gaming system, he / she may be presented with an option to designate the type of client device with which the cloud gaming system is being accessed. In a configuration, a number of client device options are presented from which the user can select one that matches the client device. The customer may also be offered an option to designate the type of controller device that will be used to play a video game. In a configuration, a series of controller options may be presented to the user from which to select a controller type that matches their controller hardware. In other configurations, the cloud gaming system may be configured to automatically detect the client device type and / or controller device type.

For time, at the time of connecting, the client device may send information to the cloud game server by identifying itself and also identifying a connected controller device (for example, in response to a request from the cloud game server). Based on this information, the cloud game server can determine an appropriate video game output configuration and feed parameter configuration to provide a user client device and controller device optimized gaming experience. In one configuration, a lookup table is employed to determine the video game configuration and feed parameter setting based on a detected client device and a detected controller device.

It should be appreciated that a particular video game may be developed for a specific platform and a specific associated controller device. However, when such a game is made available by a cloud gaming system as presented here, the user may be accessing the video game with a different controller device. For example, a game may have been developed for a game console and its associated controller, while the user may be accessing a cloud-based version of the game from a personal computer using a keyboard and mouse. Under such conditions, the input parameter setting can define a mapping ranging from information that can be generated by the available controller device (in this case, a keyboard and mouse) to information that is acceptable for playing the video game.

In another example, a user can access the cloud gaming system from a tablet, touchscreen smartphone, or other touchscreen powered device. In this case, the client device and the controller device are integrated together in the same device, the information being provided by means of information / gestures detected on the touch screen. For such a device, the feed parameter setting can set specific touch screen feeds corresponding to game information for the video game. For example, buttons, a Dpad, or other types of feed elements could be shown or overlaid by rotating the video game to indicate places on the touch screen that the user can touch to generate a game input. Gestures such as specific direction strikes or specific touch movements can also be detected as information for the game. In one configuration, guidance may be provided to the user indicating how to provide touch screen input to the game, for example, before starting to play the game so as to suit the user by operating the controls on the touch screen. .

In some configurations, the client device serves as the connection point for a controller device. That is, the controller device communicates over a wireless or wired connection with the client device to transmit information from the controller device to the client device. The client device may in turn process this information and then transmit feed data to the cloud game server via a network (for example, accessed by a local network device such as a router). However, in other configurations, the controller itself may be a networked device, with the ability to communicate information directly over the network to the game server upon request, without requiring that such information be communicated primarily through the client device. For example, the controller could connect to a local area network device (such as the aforementioned router) to send and receive game server data upon request. Thus, while the customer may still be required to receive video broadcasts from the request-based video game and display them on a local display, input latency may be reduced by allowing the controller to send information directly over the network to the game server on request by skipping the client device.

In one configuration, a network controller and the client device may be configured to send certain types of information directly from the controller to the game server upon request, and other types of information by the client device. For example, information whose detection does not depend on any additional hardware or processing other than the controller itself can be sent directly from the controller to the cloud game server over the network by skipping the client device. This information may include button information, joystick information, built-in motion detection information (eg accelerometer, magnetometer, gyro, etc.). However, information that uses additional hardware or requires processing by the client device may be sent by the client device to the game server upon request. These may include video or audio captured from the gaming environment that may be processed by the client device prior to sending to the game server upon request. In addition, information from a controller motion detection hardware may be processed by the client device in conjunction with captured video to detect the position and motion of the controller, which would then be communicated by the client device to the video server. games on request. It should be appreciated that the controller device according to various configurations may also receive data (e.g. return data) from the client device or directly from the game server upon request. Figure 2B conceptually illustrates the accumulation of game titles across multiple generations of game consoles according to embodiments of the invention. In the video game industry, video games are designed for specific game consoles. Over time a library of game titles accumulates for a specific game console. For example, in the diagram illustrated, a first generation console 220 has a collection of game titles 228 that was developed for this. A second generation console 222 has associated with it a collection of 230 game titles that has been developed for it. And a third generation console 224 is also shown, having a collection of 232 game titles developed for it. In other configurations, there may be a collection of 234 game titles that was developed specifically as cloud-based games and collected for distribution on a cloud game system, as described here. It will be appreciated that game titles from different generations of game consoles can be collected and consolidated in the cloud game library 212. As shown, library 212 includes a first generation console library 236 that includes game titles that have been similarly, library 212 also includes a second generation console library 238 and a third generation console library 240 that contain video games that were developed for the second and third generation consoles respectively. . Customer-developed games 226 and other types of games like internet games can also be included in the 212 game library. As can be seen, a large number of game titles spanning several generations of video game consoles can be collected and made available by a game library upon request. As described, each of these games can be run on a virtual machine that simulates the operating system environment associated with a particular game console for which a game was developed. In this way, users who access the request-based gaming system are able to easily access and play games from many different consoles as well as games from other contacts such as internet games and games that have been specifically developed for use with the system. of cloud based games. Figure 3 illustrates a method for providing game demos to a user in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. An interface 300 is shown providing stickers or icons 302, 304, 306, 308, 310 and 312 of various game titles that are available for demonstration. Each icon can be configured to provide a picture indicative of the game it represents. In a configuration, when a user navigates to a particular icon, the icon may be activated to show an animation or video clip that is representative of the video game or otherwise provides the user with additional information about the video game's content. In the illustrated configuration, a user navigated to icon 302, which is therefore highlighted and displays an active animation showing a video game scene. When a user selects an icon, a preview video can be displayed according to method operation 314. If the user continues to select the game in method operation 316, then in method operation 318, the game code for The demo starts. In method 320 operation, the game demo is instantly available for play by the user. Note that because the game demo is cloud based, it can be made instantly available from a preloaded representation of the game demo on the cloud based system. When the game demo is started, the game representation is triggered for execution. In method operation 322, it is determined whether the user wishes to continue playing the game demo or playing another demo of the video game, if any are available. If so, then the method goes back to running the game demo continuously in operation 322 or running a new game demo for the video game. If not, then in operation method 324, the user is presented with an option to purchase a minigame from the video game. In addition, in operation method 326, the user may be presented with either an option to purchase a miniversion or a full version of the game, so in method operation 328 this version of the game is added to the user account. It should be noted that because games are made available on a cloud-based gaming system, adding a game to a user account may simply result in access privileges for the specific version of the game being associated with the user account. . In addition, once purchased, the game can be made available almost instantly from the cloud-based system for user gaming, especially since the game can be pre-represented on the cloud-based system. Figure 4A illustrates the hierarchical arrangement of various portions of a video game according to one embodiment of the invention. By way of example, a video game may be organized into several sections 400. In the illustrated configuration, these may include a configuration section, an introduction section, various level sections, and an output section. A certain level can be further divided into several scenes. As shown, the level 3 section is broken into several scenes 402. As the user plays in a particular scene, a game timeline of this scene can be recorded, including video recording the user's game as well as input data. and recorded game states of the game application you run. In the illustrated embodiment, the game timeline 404 is representative of the game of users of the game's level 3 scene 2. According to embodiments of the invention, a user may select portions of their recorded game from which to generate a minigame or miniface. For example, in the illustrated configuration the game timeline 404 has a start time T0 and an end time Tz. A portion of the game timeline of a Tx tempo at a time ty was selected from which a minigame is generated. Figure 4B illustrates an interface for selecting a portion of a game timeline for generating a game minigame or slice according to one embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, interface 412 is presented on a touch screen 411 of a device 410. In one configuration device 410 is a tablet. Interface 412 includes a selectable game timeline. In an expanded view 430 of the game timeline 414, it can be seen that in a game timeline configuration 414 is represented by a film strip with adjustable markers 416 and 418. Marker 416 assigns the starting point to the along the timeline of the selection game 414, while marker 418 designates the end point along the selection game's timeline. In addition, a marker 419 may be positioned within the portion of the game timeline 414 which was set by the starting marker 416 and the final marker 418. For ease of use and to provide the user with a visual understanding of which portion of their game. being selected, an initial frame 420 may be shown that corresponds to the point along the game timeline at which marker 416 was positioned. The start frame 420 is an image of the recorded game video corresponding to the time the start marker 416 is positioned. Similarly, a representative final frame 424 may be shown corresponding to the point along the game timeline at which marker 418 was positioned. Similarly, the final frame 424 is an image of the recorded game video corresponding to the moment the final marker 418 is positioned. In addition, a representative frame 422 may be shown corresponding to the position of marker 419 along the game timeline. Representative board 422 can be used as a representative image for the minigame that is created based on the selected portion of the game's timeline. It should be appreciated that while in the illustrated configuration a touch screen interface is provided and described, in other configurations various other types of input feeders may be used to select start and end points to define a game portion for creating a mini game. For example, the input may be provided by a game controller, a keyboard, via gesture input, voice input, and according to other types of input devices and mechanisms to allow selection of a portion of together with the selection of a representative picture frame of the recorded game video.

In some configurations the selection markers may not be continuously adjustable along the game timeline, but may instead be set to fit predefined time points along the game timeline. For example, predefined time points can be set to match specific events occurring on the game's timeline. The specific events of a given game timeline to which predefined time points will be assigned can be generated based on users' game analysis, and will depend on the game's specific game architecture. In a setting, predefined time points can be awarded based on a character's geographic location within a virtual world defined by the video game. For example, predefined time points can be assigned to specific times when a character has moved from a location. geographic to another geographic location, for example, moving from one scene location to another scene location, moving from city to city, entering a structure, entering a room within a structure, entering the vehicle, entering in a different type of environment, or any other kind of significant geographic transition. In another configuration, predefined time points can be awarded based on the development of a user character or entity that is controlled in the video game. For example, predefined time points may be awarded when a user-controlled character or entity accomplishes a task, acquires a skill, acquires an object, level-ups or otherwise completes a portion of the video game, or performs or achieves any other. type of significant activity in the video game. Figure 4C illustrates an interface for selecting a portion of a game timeline for generating a minigame according to one embodiment of the invention. A game timeline 414 graphically illustrates a timeline along which the user can set start and end markers 416 and 418 to designate a game selection from which to generate a minigame. A start frame 410 that corresponds to the start marker position 416 is shown, as well as an end frame 424 that corresponds to the end marker position 418. It will be appreciated that the frames can be identified from the recorded video of the user's game. A number of candidate frames 440, 442, 444, and 446 are presented from which the user can select one to be used as a representative frame for the minigame. Candidate boards can be determined by a variety of methods. For example, candidate frames may be presented from fractional intervals of the selected portion of the game's timeline. The intervals may be equivalent, so that candidate frames are equally spaced along the game's timeline, or the intervals may be non-equivalent, so that some frames are closer together than others along the line. of the game time. In one configuration, a higher density of candidate frames is generated from earlier portions of the game's timeline. In one configuration, a higher density of candidate frames is generated from both early and later regions of the game timeline, while a lower density of candidate frames is generated from central portions of the selected portion of the game timeline. .

After a user has chosen a portion of the game from which to create a minigame, configurations of the present invention provide systems and methods for creating a minigame that can be played based on the selected portion of the game. More specifically, the minigame allows another user to play substantially the same portion of the video game as the original user played, and possibly substantially under the same conditions and parameters. In this sense, the minigame is more than just a repeating video of the original user's game (although a replay of the original user's game may be presented in conjunction with the minigame), but it is a playable portion of the video game itself that was assigned based on user selection of your own game. A second user can thus experience a gaming experience substantially similar to that of the original user. Figure 5 illustrates a series of screenshots demonstrating a method for generating a minigame from an existing cloud video game according to one embodiment of the invention. Screenshot 500 shows a user's video game. In the illustrated configuration, the user plays level 3 of a video game. Upon completion of the level, the user is offered an option to generate a game slice or minigame based on the user's level game. When the user chooses to generate a game slice, then at the then 504 screenshot the user is presented with an interface for selecting a starting point for the game slice from the user's recorded game. As described, a representation of the game's timeline can be shown with an adjustable slider that the user can move to designate a starting point for the game slice. After the user has set the starting point, then in screenshot 506 the user is presented with the interface configured to allow the selection of an end point for the game slice. Again, an adjustable slider is moved by the user to designate the endpoint along the game's timeline in the interface. After the start and end points of the user's game timeline are assigned, the game slice or minigame is generated by the system, as described here elsewhere. In screenshot 508, the user may be presented with additional options, such as an option to share the newly created game slice with other users or otherwise inform other users of the newly created game slice, an option to generate another slice of play from the same timeline as the game, an option to continue playing the game at that time, an option to view the user's existing slice of play, etc. If the user chooses to view their existing game slices, then in screenshot 510, an interface is shown displaying the previously created game slices. In the illustrated configuration, the user can select one of the previously created game slices, and view information and statistics related to the game slice, as shown in screenshot 512. Information and statistics related to a particular game slice can include any one of: a game slice title, the video game from which the game slice was originally created, the date the game slice was created, the number of times the game slice was played by other users , a percentage of completion indicating an average percentage of the game slice that is completed by users proposing to play the game slice, comments left by other users, etc.

Although in the configuration described at that time an option to generate a game slice for a user following the completion of a video game level is presented, it should be noted that in other configurations the user can generate a game slice at any other time during or out of video game play, as long as there is recorded video game play from which a user-definable selection for a slice of the game. For example, in one configuration an interface may be presented that provides access to various games recorded from various video games that are associated with the user. The user can select the game from a specific video game and generate a game slice by selecting a portion of the recorded game from which to generate the game slice according to the settings described herein. Figure 6 illustrates a system for generating game slice code according to one embodiment of the invention. The terms game slice and minigame are used interchangeably here to define a highlighted and playable portion of a video game that is generated based on the existing recorded game user selection. In the illustrated embodiment, user game 600 conceptually represents a user who interacts with a full version of a video game. Main game code 602 is executed to define the full version of the video game shown by the user. As the video game is played, it generates various types of game output, including video data, game state data, and data. powered by the user. These can be recorded to define the user-recorded game. In the illustrated embodiment, an image stream 604 conceptually represents the video data output from the video game. Game state metadata 606 and user-fed data 608 are also shown. Game state data 606 includes data that defines the game state of the video game running at any time during the game. Game status data can include the values of any variables that define the game's execution state. User-fed data is data generated by capturing user-initiated actions that occur during interactivity with the video game, such as those that may be provided via activation of feed devices on controller devices, sensor data detection (for example, motion sensors), captured audio input, and the like.

As described, a user interface can graphically display the user's recorded game to facilitate user selection of a portion of the user's game from which a game slice is generated. In the illustrated configuration, the user has defined a 610 selection of their recorded game. This user-recorded game selection is used by a game slice generator to generate game slice code 622 that defines a limited game based on the selected portion of the user's game. The game slice generator 612 includes a game state analyzer 614 that analyzes the game state of the recorded selection 610. Based on the game state analysis of the recorded selection, a game breakpoint processor determines breakpoints appropriate to define the beginning and end of the game slice. Breakpoints can be set based on geography, time, task or goal accomplishment, scene boundaries (physical or temporal), or any other aspect of a video game whereby the video game game can be segmented to generate a Game slice. A brief description of some illustrative configurations will serve to highlight certain possibilities for determining a breakpoint.

For example, some video games entail control of a character that can be moved from one scene or geographic location to another scene or geographic location. The selected portion of the user's game can be determined to be generated from the game in a given scene. In such a setting, the boundaries of the particular scene can set the geographical breakpoint for the game slice by selecting the scene to exclude other scenes, which may lead to the deletion of other adjacent or added scenes, as well as scenes that are not adjacent or appended or less related or unrelated to the specific scene. It should be noted that the selection of recorded game 610 may cause play from multiple scenes, in which case the game breakpoint processor 616 may be set to set breakpoints according to the limits of the multiple scenes that are used. for the selection of recorded game.

It should be noted that a scene can be both geographic and temporal in nature. That is, the scene can not only define a geographic region within a virtual space defined by the video game, but can also be configured to exist for a certain time or at a certain time point within the broader context of the video game. Such a scene can have definite goals or objectives that must be achieved by the player. Thus, game breakpoints can be set based on chronology or other temporal aspects as defined by the video game.

In addition, a given scene may have associated objects or features that are presented as a portion of the scene during the game. These objects or characteristics can be analyzed to define other breakpoints according to their inclusion. For example, objects in the scene may be taken from a subset of implement libraries, in which case the subset of implements library may be set to the game slice by the game breakpoint processor 616, excluding other objects in the game. library of implements that are not used in the scene (s) associated with the selected game selection. It should be understood that objects and features can be dynamic elements of a given scene, with associated mechanisms defining their change in response to events occurring in the video game. For example, an object could have a damage shaping module that determines and adjusts the appearance of the object when it is damaged (for example, when struck by a weapon). Or a feature could be a vehicle that is made available during the scene, with the vehicle having associated logic that defines its appearance during the game as well as its operation and response to user input. This damage logic or modeller can also set game breakpoints for game slice generation. Various aspects of a video game that define or are otherwise used for a selected portion of a video game can be the basis for setting a game breakpoint. The presently described examples are provided by way of example only and not by way of limitation. It should be appreciated that in other configurations, other aspects of a video game can form the basis for setting breakpoints to generate a game slice.

In some configuration, a video game can be organized into multiple scenes that have to be completed linearly, so that a subsequent scene cannot be experienced until its previous scene has been completed first. Each scene may include any number of objectives or goals, some of which may be required to complete the scene and some of which may be optional to complete the scene. Objectives may include navigating from a starting location to a predefined ending location within the scene, surviving for a predefined length of time, destroying a predefined number of enemies, acquiring a certain number of points, defeating a particular enemy, or any other. activity that can set a goal within the game. A scene may have several predefined endpoints, that is, points at which the user, having reached the endpoint, is able to return to that point if the user is prevented from continuing the game for any reason (for example). , user leaves the game, user game character dies or depletes their lives or health, user vehicle crashes, etc.). At predefined endpoints, a video game can be set to automatically save user progress, or present an option for the user to save their progress.

In one configuration, the game breakpoint processor 616 is configured to set a game breakpoint at predefined endpoints. In one configuration, this is accomplished by finding the endpoints closest to the start and end points of the user's recorded game selection, and using these closest endpoints to set the game breakpoints for the game. Game slice. In another configuration, the nearest ending point that occurs before the selected game selection's selected starting point is used to set a starting breakpoint, while a closest ending point that occurs after the selected game selection's starting point. Recorded game selection is used to set a final breakpoint for game slice creation. In another embodiment, if an endpoint is within a predefined radius (for example, before or after) of the start or end points of the recorded game selection, then that endpoint is used to set a breakpoint. corresponding starting or ending game Whereas if no endpoint is within the predefined radius, then a game breakpoint is set that most closely matches the user-selected start or end point for the recorded selection. In other configurations, the default radius for the start and end points may differ for the purpose of determining whether an existing endpoint can be used to set a game breakpoint.

As discussed, the game breakpoint processor 616 determines appropriate breakpoints applicable to various aspects of the video game based on analysis of users' recorded game selection. Breakpoints set by processor 616 serve to define the limited field of the game slice that will be produced based on users' recorded game selection. In one embodiment, an overlay processor 617 is provided to generate overlays that can contribute to a better user experience by playing the game slice generated by the gaming slice generator 612. For example, in one configuration the overlay processor 617 defines Pre-game slice data that defines additional video or game information that may be provided as an introduction to the game slice prior to actual game slice play. An example of pre-game slice data is an introductory video that can provide context to a user who starts the pre-game slice game. In another embodiment, the pre-game slice data may define introductory game for the game slice, which may provide a user with an opportunity to learn techniques that may be useful or required to play the slice game. In another configuration, pre-game slice data can define a series of one or more informational screens or images that provide game slice information to the user. Such information may include controller configuration, story background information, objectives or goals, maps, or any other game-piece information that may be helpful to the user or otherwise improve the user's gaming experience. The game slice. The overlay processor 617 may also be configured to define post game slice data. In some configurations, post-game slice data may define video or images to be displayed following game-slice termination. For example, a congratulatory video could be shown after a user completes the game slice. This video can be customized based on the game player's game, for example by displaying information or images that are based on the user's game. In one configuration, postgame slice data can define a playback mechanism for playing back recorded portions of the game slice user game upon completion. In another configuration, the postgame slice data may be configured to display gameplay statistics for gameplayer users, and may indicate a comparison of users' gameplay with that of other users or that of the original gameplayer creator. . In other configurations, postgame slice data may define additional interactive elements to be presented to the user upon completion of the game slice. These may include options for partially or completely acquiring the video game on which the game slice is based, redirecting options to additional sources of video game-related information, and so on.

In some configurations, the overlay processor 617 may be configured to define elements that are overlaid on the game slice. These can include elements that can be customized by a user who is playing the game slice, such as customization of characters, objects, properties, and other types of customization options. In some configurations, the overlay processor 617 may be configured to define simplified elements for a game slice to reduce the complexity of the game slice code and the amount of resources required to execute the game slice. By way of example, many video games include artificial intelligence (AI) entities such as characters, vehicles, enemies, etc. These AI entities can be governed by the integral video game by artificial intelligence models that define the reaction and activity of AI entities based on events that occur in the video game. However, in the context of a narrow-scope game slice, it may be acceptable to simply define the activity of an AI entity through hardcode definition or simplified extrapolations, rather than completely modeling the activity of the AI entity as it would in full video game.

For example, in the complete videogame recorded game a particular AI character moves in a certain way according to his AI model that is unlikely to change in the game slice, so he can be more efficient at defining an approximation of the character's movement. AI to the game slice. This approach would not require the full AI model to be included as a portion of the game slice code, but would provide the user playing the game slice with a substantially similar experience with that AI character to that of the user's original game of which the game slice has been generated. The resource savings achieved by approximating the activity of AI entities can be even more significant when multiple AI entities are present and interacting with user-recorded game selection. Because each of the AI entities may have AI models that depend on the emission of those of the other AI entities. However, when recording the game the activity of each of these entities with AI is known, and therefore can be reproduced in the game slice through simplified mechanisms such as direct coding of their control variables and approximation of their activity.

Continuing with reference to Figure 6, a game configuration state processor 618 is provided for determining an initial game slice state. Based on the operation of the game state analyzer 614, the game breakpoint processor 616, and the game configuration state processor 618, a code set manager 620 mounts several portions of code to set the code game slice 622. When game slice code 622 is executed, user game 624 provides information for defining the execution state of the game slice code, which produces game output video data and return data to display the game slice for the user. Video data may include pre-game slice overlay video 622, game slice video 624 which is the resulting game slice video, and post-game slice overlay video 626.

It should be appreciated that in one configuration, the game slice code 622 is fully self-contained, including all the code portions that are required to execute the game slice. However, in other configurations, game slice code 622 may incorporate references or pointers to code portions in the main game code of the full video game. In addition, the game slice code 622 may include reference to or use existing implements in full video game main game code implement libraries. However, in other configurations, new implement libraries may be generated for the game slice code. Figure 7A illustrates the modification of a virtual space for purposes of generating a video slice of a video game according to an embodiment of the invention. Map 700 represents a scene or geographical portion of a video game. The map as shown is a two-dimensional representation that can be representative of a three-dimensional virtual space that is navigated and experienced during the actual video game play. As shown, map 700 illustrates a region 702, and various routes 794, 706, 708, and 710. In the videogame recorded game, a user's character 712 moves from region 702 to path 710. Based on this recorded motion and in another analysis of the video game, it can be determined that additional paths 704, 706, and 708 are not required for game slice generation. Paths may represent incorrect choices compared to path 710, or may lead to areas that are not relevant to the game slice, or may impair a player's ability to follow a path and experience a game similar to that of original user. In addition, if the areas to which routes 704, 706, and 708 lead are not supported by the game slice, then the inclusion of such paths could cause confusion among players, or at least be an uninteresting user experience. Therefore, on a modified map 720, routes 704, 706, and 708 are not available for play at slice of play, while route 710, as well as region 702, remain unchanged. So when a user plays the game slice that incorporates map-defined 720 topography, they will experience a virtual space in which routes 704, 706, and 708 are not available for passage. The user will then most likely go through path 710 as the original user, thus experiencing a similar game.

It will be appreciated that the portion of a virtual space defined for a game slice or minigame may be defined by boundaries that are determined based on the user's recorded game. Borders will define a subregion of the larger virtual space, and include a subset of the features that are available in the larger virtual space. In some configurations, virtual spatial boundaries can be determined by determining locations in the user's game-defined virtual space, and then determining predefined boundaries associated with the virtual space that are closest to those locations and arranged to encompass them. For example, a user's game might define a path traversed by a user's video game character. This path can be analyzed and based on the path location in virtual space, a set of predefined boundaries can be chosen to define a region that covers the path. In some configurations, predefined borders can be defined by specific characteristics that inherently define portions of the virtual space, for example doors, windows, walls, rooms, entrances, fences, roads, intersections, corridors, etc. Figure 7B illustrates the modification of a scene graph for the purpose of generating a game slice according to embodiments of the invention. A scene graph 730 conceptually illustrates the arrangement of several scenes A through G of a video game. It should be appreciated that scenes such as those described herein may be geographic and / or temporal in nature, and each may represent a playable portion of a video game, such as a stage, level, section, location, or any other. another organizational unit within the video game whereby a player can progress from scene to scene. In scene graph 730 several nodes are shown representative of scenes A through G. As shown, a player can progress from scene A to scene B, and from scene B to one of scenes D or E. The player can also progress from scene A for scene C, and scene C for either scene F or G. Scene 730 is illustrative of the scene organization of the full video game. However, for the purpose of creating a game slice, not all available scenes may be required for the game slice. Thus, by way of example, a scene graphic 732 illustrates the arrangement of the scenes for a game slice. As shown, scene graph 732 includes scenes A, B, C, and D, but not the other scenes that were included in the full-game scene graph 739. Thus, a user can progress from scene A to either scene B or C, and scene C to scene F. However, the other scenes in the 730 integral video game scene scene are not available for play at the slice of play. As has been described, systems according to embodiments of the invention may be configured to limit the inclusion of scenes when generating a slice of play. Thus, the game slice does not include scenes that are not required for the limited context of your game and intended purpose. Figure 8 illustrates a method for generating a game slice according to one embodiment of the invention. In method 800 operation, a user's game of a video game is recorded, including video recording of the users' game and input data and game state data of the video game. In method operation 802, a user interface is presented for game selection recorded to generate a game slice. The interface defines mechanisms for receiving user input to define starting and ending points from the recorded game. For example, an interface for checking recorded game video may be provided to enable the user to define starting and ending points within the game video based on the navigation or playback of the game video. In method operation 804, the user-defined selection of game video is received. In method 806 operation, video game breakpoints are identified based on the user-defined selection received from game video. In one configuration, there are predefined breakpoints for the video game. Based on the user-defined selection of game video, game breakpoints that are closest to the starting and ending points of the user-defined selection can be chosen as game breakpoints so that the game slice is generated. . In method operation 808, the game code is set for slice selection as defined by the breakpoints identified. In this method 810 operation, the game configuration state is set for slice selection. In one configuration, the game configuration state is based on a game state that existed during the user's recorded game. Method operation 812, the game slice code is generated, and in method operation 814, the game slice code is stored in a game slice library and associated with the user account.

In one embodiment, the method may include method operation 816, wherein game slice video selections are generated based on video and recorded user game data. Suggested user game selections can be determined based on the user's recorded game analysis. For example, portions of the game where a high level of activity (for example, an activity level that exceeds a predefined threshold) is detected could be suggested as possible game slice video selections. In method operation 818, the user interface mentioned for the game slice selection may present the suggested game slice video selections to the user. In one configuration, a representative screenshot of each suggested game slice video selection can be presented to the user. In method operation 820, a user selection of one of the suggested game slice video selections is received. Based on user selection, game slice code can be generated and stored as previously described. Figure 9A illustrates an interface for navigating game slices associated with various game titles according to one embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the interface is organized into a series of tabs, including tabs 900, 902, and 904, which when selected provide access to multiple pages corresponding to different game titles. In the illustrated configuration, tab 900 is being selected, so the displayed page provides information about game slices that were created for a specific TI game title. A game slice list 904 lists the various game slices that were created from the game title T1. In one configuration, game slice list 904 also identifies the user who created the game slice (for example, shows a username of the user who created the game slice). In one configuration, the game slice list 904 may be explored or navigated to highlight game slices other than those listed in the game slice list 904. In the illustrated configuration, a game slice A created by a user A is then highlighted, which causes details 906 to be shown which relate to the same game slice A. Details 906 may include various types of information related to game slice A, such as the level or stage from which the game slice was generated, a game detail that provides more specific information about where the game slice was created, user comments A who created the game slice, third party comments, a number of times The game slice has been played, or any other information about the game slice that may be provided when the game slice listing is highlighted. Figure 9B illustrates a game slice information page according to one embodiment of the invention. The game slice information page is for game slice A discussed with reference to Figure 9A, and can be reached when the user selects the list of game slice A as shown in Figure 9A. Continuing the reference to Figure 9B, the game slice information page provides various types of game slice related input. In addition to the bibliographic information about the game slice (for example, title, username of the user who created the game slice, creation date, etc.), a video 910 of the game slice can be shown. In one embodiment, video 910 is the original game's recorded game video that created the game slice. In another embodiment, video 910 could be recorded game video from other users, such as a user who reached the highest score in the game slice, or a user who most recently played the game slice. In one configuration, video 910 could be a live feed of a user who is playing the game slice at that time. In other configurations, instead of a video a representative game slice image could be shown. The game slice information page may further include a selectable button 912 to start game of the game slice. The game slice information page may also include a detail section 914, which can display various details and statistical information about the game slice, such as number of plays, average finishing speed, etc. The game slice entry page may also include a 916 comments section, featuring comments left by users. A 918 select button may be provided to select various options for separating comments (eg chronological, reverse chronological, most popular, by rating, by user relationship at that time (for example, comments from user friends on a social graph are prioritized), etc.). Figure 10 illustrates a view of user account information, including live views on a cloud gaming social network, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. A library section 1002 shows various game titles in the user library. These may be game titles that the player has purchased or otherwise acquired. The display of a game title may include the display of representative graphics, as well as information about the title. It will be appreciated that games may be full version game titles, but also limited version minions, each of which may be a portion of a full version game title or may be limited in some capacity compared to the full version game title. integral. A friend list 1004 lists the user's friends at that time on a social network associated with the cloud game system (that is, other users on the user's social graph at that time). The social network may be a social network that is specific to the cloud gaming system, or it may be a (third party) social network that exists independently of the cloud gaming system with which the cloud gaming system communicates. for information about the user's social graph. Friend list 1004 may include additional information about the user's friends, such as displaying games owned by each friend, identifying the friend's online status (e.g., online, offline, inactive, etc.), the friend's last connection and its duration, the friend's last game, etc.

In one configuration, a live stream live user section 106 provides live game views of friends who are currently online and may be playing a video game. In one configuration, each user has an option to set whether or not their live game is available to be viewed live by other users. In such a setting, live views are presented only to those users who have the option designed to allow their game to be viewed live by other users. In the illustrated configuration, the live active user section 1006 includes a live preview 1008 of the friend A's game at that time, as well as a live preview of the friend A's game at that time. In one configuration, the user at that time You can browse or browse friends from the 1004 friend list and / or browse the live views that are available in the live active user section 1006. In one configuration, a live view can be highlighted when the user navigates to it. , and may be presented differently from other live views. For example, live views may be displayed in an unsaturated color scheme by default, but may be displayed in a fully saturated color scheme when highlighted or selected. Live previews could also be displayed at a lower resolution, frame rate, or size by default, but when selected they would be displayed at a higher resolution, frame rate, or size. In this way, bandwidth can be allocated to a specific live view based on user selection, to present a live view that the user is interested in seeing more faithfully than other live views that may be active simultaneously. It should be appreciated that live view can display not only the specific game of a video game, but also other activity of a friend in the cloud game system, such as her browsing through menus or other types of activity related to her video session. Cloud game.

In one setting, live previews are only available to those users who are currently actively engaged in a video game game. In other words, no live view of a particular user is available when that user is either offline or online, but not actively engaged in a video game game. Thus, when a user is performing activity other than gaming on the cloud gaming system (for example, navigating a cloud gaming system graphical interface while logged in), that activity is not available in a live feed for others see. In another configuration, live view may include all activity of a user who is logged into the cloud game system, including both the user's game as well as other activity than the game.

In one setting, a user's live view can be filtered so as not to expose potentially sensitive or personal information for others to see. For example, the cloud game system may support a chat function. Since some users may want their chats to remain private, an option may be provided that excludes connections to chat when presenting a live view. It should be appreciated that a chat function may be implemented during game activity as well as during a non-game activity, and may be filtered from live views of one or both of these circumstances. In another configuration, aspects of a video game can be filtered from a live view. For example, a user may wish to keep certain user-defined settings secret, as they may confer an advantage on that user during gameplay. Thus, an option may be provided for activity related to settings that should not be displayed as a portion of the live feed (for example, when a user accesses a video game settings interface). In another setting, live view can be configured to prevent personal input (for example, prevent it from being viewed when a user accesses a personal information page, enters payment information, enters a password, etc.). ).

In one configuration, the interface provides an option for the first user to ask to join the gaming session of a second user who is currently online. For example, the first user can view the second user's live game entry and wish to enter the second user's game. In one configuration, enabling the option sends a request to the second user notifying the second user that the first user wants to join their session. If the secondary accepts the request, then a multiplayer video game mode is started, making it easier for first and second players to play multiplayer. In another configuration, two or more secondary users may already be engaged in a multiplayer game. In such a configuration, the first user may submit a request to enter the multiplayer game. Upon acceptance of the request by one of the secondary users (for example, a designated game session host), the first user is able to join the multiplayer session of the video game. It should be appreciated that the aforementioned interface showing live game feeds from secondary users makes it easier for the first user to join the secondary users game after being able to view their game.

In one configuration, the option to request to join the second user game is declared upon the determination of a video game ownership status by the first user. If the first user does not have the video game, then no options can be presented, while if the first user has the same video game as the second user, then the option to ask to join the second user game is provided as a portion of the interface. . In a configuration, when the first user is determined to not own the video game, then the first user can still join the second user in a multilayer mode, but in a limited capacity, for example being limited in terms of game duration, scenes / levels / stages / etc. available, customization options, capabilities, techniques, weapons, characters, vehicles, or any other aspect of the video game that may be limited. In one configuration, following the game's limited version game, the first user is given an option to purchase an additional portion of the video game. Continuing with the reference to Figure 10, the information shown may also include information about the user's friends 1012 game history. Game history information 1012 can provide information about a friend's game history, such as the most recently played games, the duration of the game sessions, game statistics etc. It will be appreciated that many methods and configurations for presenting a cloud gaming interface are possible according to various embodiments of the invention. In such a configuration, a method for displaying a game status at that time for users of a cloud gaming system is provided, including the following method operations: presenting a first-user cloud gaming interface; determine one or more secondary users who are friends with the first user; determine a status of at that time for each of the secondary users, the status at that time being one of online or offline; For at least one second online user to submit a live feed of a game session occurring at that time of the second user in the first user's cloud gaming interface, the live feed includes providing an option for the first user to sign in. join the second user game session that is happening online; wherein initiating multilayer mode includes determining a first user ownership status with respect to a video game that defines the second user's online gaming session; where it is determined that the first user owns the video game, then multi-layer mode provides a full version of the video game to be played; where when it is determined that the first user does not own the video game, then multiplayer mode provides playing conditions for a limited version of the video game.

In a configuration, the limited version of the video game sets a reduction, compared to the full version of the video game, by one or more of the available levels, available scenes, available features, time limit, virtual space, campaign length, number of lives, or a number of repetitions.

In one configuration, the method further includes a method operation of presenting when the video game is not owned by the first user, an option for the first user to purchase at least a portion of the video game.

In one configuration, the second online user's live feed is presented at a first resolution; and selecting the live feed triggers the second online user's live feed to appear at a higher resolution than the first resolution.

In one configuration, the second online user's live feed is presented in an unsaturated color mode; and selecting the live feed triggers the second online user's live feed presentation in a saturated color mode.

In one configuration, presenting the cloud game interface includes presenting a library of game titles associated with each of the secondary users.

In one configuration, determining one or more secondary users includes accessing a social graph associated with the first user. In one configuration, accessing the social graph includes accessing an API from a social network.

In one configuration, presenting the first user's cloud gaming interface includes presenting a list of each of the secondary users in a priority order, the priority order based on one or more statuses at that time, how recent the connection is. , or joint ownership of games with first user games. Figure 11 illustrates a method for displaying live game feeds of user friends at that time, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. In method 1100 operation, a user at that moment connects to a cloud gaming system. In method operation 1102, the user's friends at that time are identified from a user's social graph at that time. As noted, the user's social graphic at that time may be from a social network that is specific to the cloud gaming system or perhaps a social network that exists separately from the cloud gaming system. In method operation 1104, library information about the user's friends is retrieved. Library information about user friends can identify game titles in user friend libraries. In method operation 1106, the current statuses of the user's friends at that time are identified. If the status at that time of a given friend is online then in method operation 1108 it is determined whether the given friend is currently engaged in a video game play on the cloud based system. If so, then in method operation 1112, a live game feed is obtained for that user. In method operation 1110, the user's friends at that time are prioritized for display based on various factors or preferences. In method operation 1114, the user's friends at that time and their status information and game history feeds are presented in order of priority. In one setting, user friends who are currently online can be prioritized over friends who are offline. In one configuration, user friends at that time who are currently engaged in an active game can be prioritized over friends who are not currently engaged in an active game. In a configuration, friends can be prioritized based on how recently they have connected to the cloud game system. In another setting, friends can be prioritized based on common video game ownership. The examples given for prioritizing friends are provided by way of example only and not by way of limitation. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that in other configurations the user's friends at that time can be prioritized and presented in order of priority based on any other relevant factor.

Figure 12 illustrates a system including a cloud gaming system and a social network, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. A 1200 gaming system provides access to your cloud based games. The cloud game system includes a 1202 game library that contains various game titles that can be played by users. User data 1204 contains various types of data that are associated with user accounts, such as game titles that are owned by a user, and any ongoing game saved by the user. In the illustrated configuration, several game sessions are conceptually shown, including session A, session B, and session C. Session A defines a user A's game, which sees session A's game on a display A. O session A game is presented as view 1210 in user A shown 1208. Similarly, session B defines user B's game, which is presented on user B device 1212 as view 1214. In the illustrated configuration, user session view 1214 shows an interface including live views from other users, including a live view of session A and a live view of session C. As the session A and C game continues, a video of the game is streamed from sessions A and C and can be streamed by user B's session to be shown in user B's view 1214. Video of the game can be streamed via User B session, for example by decreasing resolution, size, frame rate, color saturation, etc. to conserve bandwidth.

Continuing with the reference to Figure 12, a social network 1216 is also shown. Social network 1216 includes user data 1218, which includes data such as user social graphs, posts, photos, videos, biographical information, etc. Apps 1220 can be run on the social networking platform. A graphical user interface (GUI) 1222 defines an interface for interacting with the social network. An API 1224 facilitates access to the social network. A notification module 1226 handles notification of social network users according to their preferences. As noted, user B's view 1214 includes live feeds from other users' sessions. In one configuration, User B's friends were determined based on an API 1224 access from social network 1216 to determine members of User B's social graph. These members were mentioned to users of the cloud gaming system to provide feeds from live game of user B's friends, including feeds from sessions A and C.

In one configuration, user A chooses to share his session A with his social graph. User A session communicates via API 1224 to enable social network notification module 1226 to send appropriate notification to friends on user A's social graph. When a 1230 social network user who is on user A's social graph accesses social network via a 1228 device, they may see a message or post from user A about user A's session. If configured for this, a user may receive notifications such as an email indicating that user A has shared something in the social network. It should be appreciated that user A can share various video game-related activities, such as progress in a video game, invitations to play a video game, comments on a video game, an invitation to view or play a slice of game that User A created, a video clip of user A's game, etc. Figure 13 is a graph illustrating various game state variables over time, according to embodiments of the invention. It should be appreciated that in various configurations there may be many different types of game state variables that will be particular to specific video games. Those shown and described with reference to the illustrated embodiment are provided by way of example only and not by way of limitation. Game state variables can include values that are set by the running video game, as well as values that are set by a user input. In the illustrated configuration, there are position variables shown indicating the X, Ύ, and Z positions of an object in a video game virtual space such as a character or vehicle. Camera angle variables indicate the direction of a virtual camera or virtual view in the video game. In one configuration, the camera angle is defined by and the measured azimuth component (e.g. along a horizontal plane) with respect to azimuth reference and a tilt component measured with respect to a tilt reference (e.g. , relative to the vertical). Action variables such as illustrated action variables A and B indicate the initiation and sustain of various actions within the video game. It should be appreciated that actions for a given video game will be specific to the context of the video game. By way of example, actions could include initiating specific maneuvers, applying techniques, triggering modification mechanisms that modify an existing action such as increasing its level of intensity or frequency, etc., or any other type of action or activity that can be triggered by a user input during the course of the video game. Continuing the reference to Figure 13, a weapon variable indicates the firing of a weapon from the video game. A health variable indicates a health level, for example, of a user character in the video game. Button variables indicate the state of buttons in a controlling device, for example, whether the button is in a compressed state or a released state. Joystick state variables in the illustrated configuration indicate a magnitude of joystick movement relative to a neutral position. These game state variables that have been described with reference to the illustrated configuration are merely exemplary, and it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that many other types of game state variables may be tracked over time.

Referring once again to the configuration of Figure 6, in one configuration the game state analyzer 614 may be configured to analyze the game state variables of a user-recorded game. Based on user-recorded game analysis, various regions of interest from the user-recorded game can be defined and presented to the user as possible selections from which to generate a game slice. For example, a game region characterized by high activity levels for certain game state variables could define a user-recorded game selection. It should be appreciated that the activity level for a given game state variable may be based on various factors such as intensity level, activation frequency, hold duration, etc. In some configurations, analysis of game state variables may result in the search for game regions where the activity levels of two or more different game state variables are related in a predefined manner, for example, the two or more. variables have high levels of activity simultaneously. A high level of activity can be determined based on a predefined threshold.

In various configurations, a user-recorded game region of interest can be automatically determined based on the limit detection of one or more of the following: one or more user inputs, user input speed, input frequency, video repeat types of inputs, occurrences of input patterns, inputs in combination (for example, combined keys), motion vectors, pressure exerted on a controller, excitation of a user (for example, detected based on captured image or audio data from the user). Figure 14A illustrates a method of generating a game slice for a linear type video game according to an embodiment of the invention. Generally speaking, a linear video game is one in which the progression of the player through the video game follows a linear course, in which to progress in the video game the player must first complete a goal before progressing to a next goal. Thus, all players must complete the same objectives in the same order to progress in the video game. Objectives in a linear video game may be tied to geographic and temporal locations within the context of a video game's spatiotemporal history line. In method operation 1400, a scene from a video game is identified. The scene may be both spatial and temporal in nature, and may have several objectives defined within it. In method operation 1402, a spatial or temporal extent of the scene is defined. Scene length can be set according to user input, and can also be set based on objectives that are linked to the scene. In method operation 1404, the initial properties of items, characters, or any other objects within the scene to which properties can be assigned are defined. In method operation 1406, a game slice is generated for the identified duration of the scene having initial properties as defined above. Figure 14B illustrates a method of generating a game slice for an open world video game according to one embodiment of the invention. An open world video game can be characterized as one where the user is free to pursue any number of goals in an order of their own choosing. Open-world video games typically also allow the user to navigate one or more virtual spaces at their leisure. In order to progress to different levels of the game or the full game, it may be required to complete a certain set of objectives, however users may be free to complete these objectives in different orders. In method operation 1410, a location within a virtual world of the video game is identified. In method operation 1412, a limited portion of the virtual world of the video game is identified. The limited portion of the virtual world can be defined based on user input by defining a saved game selection as described here. For example, a user's game in an open-world video game can span a wide range of locations during the course of the game. However, for the purpose of generating a game slice, the user can select a portion of the game that takes place within a limited geographic region of the video game's virtual world. This limited geographic region can be determined based on analysis of the user-selected portion of your recorded game, for example, by tracking a location of a user-controlled character within the virtual world and setting boundaries that include all locations in which it is found. existence of the character. In method operation 1414, the initial properties of various objects, characters, items, vehicles, or other objects found within the limited geographic region predetermined from the user-recorded game selection are defined. In method operation 1416, the game slice is generated based on the limited geographic region of the open world and the previously defined properties. Figure 14C illustrates a method for generating a game slice for a sports video game according to one embodiment of the invention. The game slice can be generated based on a user-defined selection of user-recorded games. In method operation 1420, a setting is identified based on the selection of user-recorded games. By way of example, the setting may define a venue for a sporting event, such as a court, stadium, track, or any other venue setting where a video game sporting event may occur. In method operation 1422, a time period is defined based on the selection of user-recorded games. The sports video game time period can determine certain aspects of the video game slice, such as the inclusion of rules or special activities that occur at certain time periods during a sport. In method operation 1424, the players of the game slice are determined based on the players included in the user-recorded game selection. Players can include one or more user-defined characters, as well as AI characters, which were controlled by the AI game character control logic running at the time of the game. As described elsewhere here, the actions of AI characters may be similar in some cases. While in other settings, the AI character control logic is set to the game slice with parameters as they were set in the selection of user-recorded games. In method operation 1426, scene attributes are set for the location setting of the sports video game slice. For example, these may include attributes such as weather, track or court conditions, and other attributes of the sport setting. In method operation 1428, the game slice for the video game is generated based on the parameters mentioned above. Figure 15 conceptually illustrates the formation of a multiplayer sliced game according to one embodiment of the invention. A video game can be organized at various levels or stages. In the illustrated configuration, a multi-level user game of a video game is shown. Specifically, a 1500 game timeline represents the user's game from a first level of the video game, while a 1502 game timeline and a 1506 game timeline represent the user's game from the second and third levels, respectively, of the video game. According to one embodiment of the invention, a user can concatenate multiple game game slices to form a larger multi-game slice minigame. In the illustrated embodiment, a selection 1502 of the game timeline 1500 is used to define a first game slice 1514. A selection 1504 of two of the user game timeline 15 is used to define a second game slice 1818. And a selection 1508 from user game timeline 1506 is used to define a third time slice 1522. The first, second and third game slices are arranged in sequence order to define the 1510 minigame. 1510 minigame includes game slices from each of the first, second, and third levels of the video game. In this way, a user who plays the 1510 minigame is able to experience limited multi-level portions of the video game while playing the 1510 minigame. This can be helpful in providing a more stimulating preview or demonstration of a video game than conventional video games in which user You can only play a portion of a game level or stage. The experience is analogous to that of a preview of a movie, which typically provides clips from different portions of the same movie, not just a single clip. In accordance with embodiments of the invention, users can enjoy multi-part demo of the game, which provides a better sense of the scope of the full video game, and which can continuously include the game from one portion to the next.

In a configuration, a user can insert additional material, such as a video, message, images, or any other type of information set by the user, before or after a slice of the game. In the illustrated embodiment, an introduction 1512 is provided for presenting a player in minigame 1510 and also perhaps presenting the player for the first game slice 1514. In addition, a message 1516 is inserted between the first game slice 1514 and the second slice of game 1514. 1518 and the third game slice 1522. In one embodiment, the inserted material may include recorded game video of the original user game from which the game slice was generated. If the recorded game is shown before playing the game slice, the player who starts the game slice can better understand the game slice and its objectives before starting the game, while it is shown after the game slice has been played, the player can understand how their game of the game compares to that of the original user. Figure 16 conceptually illustrates the generation of a multiplayer sliced minigame according to one embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated configuration, a user 1600 recorded game timeline for a game A is shown, along with the user 1604 recorded game timeline for a game B, and the user 1608 recorded game timeline for a a C game. In one configuration, the user can generate a sliced minigame with multiple games based on game slices from different video games. In the illustrated embodiment, a 1602 user-recorded game selection 1600 is used to define a 1616 game slice, while a 1606 user-recorded game selection 1602 is used to define a 1620 game slice, and a 1610 game selection written by users 1608 is used to define a 1624 game slice. Game slices 1616, 1620, and 624 are arranged in sequence to define the 1612 minigame. Optionally, additional material can be inserted before or after a game slice. In the illustrated embodiment, an introduction 1614 is inserted before game slice 1616, while an interval 1618 is defined between game slice 1616 and game slice 1620, and another interval 1622 is defined between game slice 1620 and 1624 game slice.

In the illustrated embodiment, it will be appreciated that game slices are taken from different video games. This allows the user great flexibility to jointly mix game slices that come from different game titles and genres, and even from console platform generations. By way of example only, a user can create a minigame by having game slices of each of several game titles in a single video game series.

In this way, a video game player can experience and enjoy the evolution of the video game series in a seamless gaming experience.

Embodiments of the invention have been described generally with reference to cloud gaming systems. However, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that similar concepts and principles as those described herein can be applied to traditional console-based video game systems, possibly in conjunction with cloud-based gaming systems. For example, a user can play a console-based video game and have the user's game input data and kept game metadata recorded during the game. Based on the user's game input data and game state metadata, the actual video game output can be regenerated later. Therefore, recorded input data and game state metadata can be used in conjunction with the video game code to provide an interface for selecting a portion of the user's game from which to generate a minigame, as described. Minigame code can be generated on the console and sent to a system upon request and made available for download by other users. In another configuration, the minigame code is generated by the system upon request upon receipt of the selected portion of users' game input data and game state metadata. The on-demand system processes the selected portion of users' game input data and game state metadata to generate the minigame code based on the video game code stored on the system on request. Once generated, the minigame can be made available for cloud-based gaming where the execution of the minigame occurs on the cloud-based system, but can also be made available to download to traditional console-based systems for console execution to make it easier. the console-based minigame game. In this way, minigames can be created and played by both users of console-based video game systems and users of cloud-based video game systems.

Embodiments of the invention have been described generally with reference to user-defined minigames or portions of playable video games. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many of the principles elucidated herein also readily apply to recorded game generation and sharing, including recorded game video sharing, screen captures, and live streaming of live game play. In some configurations, providing access to a minigame (for example, in response to receiving a notification) may include a recorded video presentation of the original user game that formed the basis for the minigame. In other settings, methods, systems, and interfaces are considered to facilitate sharing of the user's game on the user's social graph.

In one configuration, a method for storing game is considered. The game may be run by the operating system of a game console in response to a user request, which may come in the form of a standard file operation against a data set associated with the desired game. The request can be transmitted from an application associated with a game. The game may comprise, for example, video content, audio content and / or static visual content, including wallpaper, themes, add-on code content, or any other content associated with a game. Please note that such content may be user or developer generated, free or paid, full or for experience, and / or for sale or rent.

A portion of the game may be retained, that is, temporarily stored. For example, the previous 15 seconds, the level previously completed for the previous action within the game may be stored temporarily, as described hereinafter. The term "portion" described herein may refer to any part of the game that is divisible into any related or arbitrary groups of single or multiple bits or bytes of data. For example, game "portions" may correspond to levels, chapters, scenes, acts, characters, histories, textures, courses, actions, songs, themes, durations, sizes, files, parts of the same, and combinations of the same. In addition, portions of the game may include game captures or prescribed video capture durations.

In one configuration, portions of the game may be stored locally on the game console in temporary or permanent storage. Alternatively, or additionally, portions of the game may be transmitted over a remotely stored network. For example, portions of the game may be transmitted over a wired or wireless network to another computing device, another game console, or a remote server. These remote servers may include social media servers.

Optionally, unrecovered portions of the game or portions of the game outside a particular game interval (for example, a particular duration, level, chapter, course, etc.) may be removed from the store. This removal process can be completed by using standard file operations on the operating system.

Portions of the game may be displayed on any of a number of display devices that have access to the stored game. For example, the stored game can be viewed on a television set connected to the game console from which the game was captured. In another example, the stored game may be displayed on a computer to which the stored game was transmitted. The stored game may be displayed alone or in conjunction with other information, such as on a social media network site.

In one configuration, portions of the game are displayed by a game console associated with the user other than the user who stored or captured the game. According to this configuration, portions of the game may show a ball being thrown from a first user to a second user, from the first user's point of view. The game portions may then be transmitted to the second user's game console. Thus, the second user can view the game from the first user's point of view. The second user may also have game portions stored showing the ball being thrown by the first user and grasped by a second user, from the second user's point of view. In this configuration the second user can review the game from both the first user's point of view and the second user's point of view. Moreover, portions of the game stored by the second user may be transmitted to the first user's game console, so that the first user can review the game from two points of view. This setting can apply to any number of users having any number of views, so the game can be checked from any number of different perspectives.

With respect to the storage, transmission and / or display of portions of the game as described herein, it is contemplated that portions of the game may be stored, transmitted and displayed as image or video data. In another configuration, however, portions of the game may be stored and transmitted as telemetry or metadata representative of the image or video data, and may be recreated as images or video by a game console or other device prior to display.

In some configurations, the game portion has a predetermined relationship to the game played. For example, the portion of the game may correspond to a certain pre-game total of the game that is currently running, such as the previous 10 seconds of play. In another embodiment, a first portion of the game has a predetermined relationship to a second portion of the game. For example, the first game portion may correspond to a certain game total before receiving a request to capture a second game portion, such as the ten game seconds prior to selecting a capture button. In each of these settings, the pre-game total stored or the requested game stored can be set and adjusted by the user according to their particular preferences.

In the settings, the store is either "smart" or "elastic" so that it captures play according to unrelated variables. In such a configuration, the first portion of the game has a predetermined relationship to a game-related event. For example, the first portion of the game can be stored to include a statistical deviation, such as a high score that has been hit, obtaining a large number of points in a short time, multiple button selections on a controller, and other rare events. These statistical deviations can be determined by comparing game parameters with the average parameters for a specific game or scene or for all games in general. These average parameters can be stored locally or remotely for comparison. For example, the game console can track global high scores for a particular game, and store game where a user approaches and exceeds that high score. In another example, a remote server may track global high scores for a particular game, and may communicate this information to the game console, which stores the game in which the user approaches and surpasses that high score.

In another embodiment, the portion of the game may be stored to include an achievement, such as an achievable trophy or other milestone that has been achieved. These trophies or milestones serve as memory for any goal or game achievement, such as a certain number of points achieved, a certain level being achieved, and the like. For example, a game can be stored to include a trophy prize to reach level 10, to reach 100,000 points, etc.

Similarly, progress towards a result beyond the actual achievement of the trophy or statistical deviation may be stored for inclusion in the game twist. For example, a screenshot can be taken at each level from one to 10, creating a photo album to remember a trophy to level 10. Another example, a video can be taken from the user. winning a race from the first to the fifth time, where a trophy is awarded after five wins.

Thus, according to embodiments of the invention, at least a portion of the executed game can always be kept in a running store. In other words, when a request to share a portion of the game is received, a portion of the previous game may already be captured to include prior material. For example, if a game share request is received after a user crosses the finish line in a racing game, the stored game may include user material crossing the finish line. In other words, a user will be able to capture moments that occur before a request is made to share the game. Figure 17 illustrates a game sharing interface according to one embodiment of the invention. The 1700 interface as shown includes several selectable icons for easy sharing with a user's friends, for example members of a user's social chart. In one configuration, the 1700 interface can be accessed from a unique button on a controller device. When the button is pressed during gameplay, the 1700 interface can be presented to allow the user to share their game. Icon 1702 can be selected to start sending a screenshot to the user's game. In one configuration, icon 1702 region 1704 is populated with a screenshot of the user's recent game, thus providing a small-scale preview of the shared screenshot. In one configuration, selecting the 1702 icon may provide access to an additional screenshot selection that allows the user to select a specific screenshot from the user-recorded game to share the user's social graph. This can take the form of a navigable game video timeline that can be traversed or navigated to identify a particular point in time within the game and its corresponding screenshot. Icon 706 may be selected to begin uploading a user game video. The 1708 region of icon 1706 can be configured to show a representative video clip of the user's recent game, for example, the last 5 seconds of the user's game, a recent accomplishment, etc., thereby displaying a small-scale preview of a video clip. of the user's game that can be shared with others. Icon 1710 can be selected to start live video streaming of the user's active game. In one configuration, selecting the 1710 icon will trigger the user game restart. In another embodiment, selecting the 1710 icon provides access to an interface for determining settings for streaming video transmission, such as with whom to share streaming video, if it includes a video stream from a intended local Image capture. show the user himself during the game, enable comments, etc.

It will be appreciated that the user can share gameplay (eg a screen capture, video, or selected live game stream) with one or more selected friends, their entire social graphic, or any user on the social network. The social network can be a social gaming network associated with the platform on which the video game is run, or a third party social network that exists separately from the video game or its platform. The social network can be accessed through a defined API to allow an interface with the social network. Users with whom the game has been shared may receive a notification informing them of the shared game. This notification may take the form of a post to a social news feed, a private message via the social network, an in-game notification, an email, a chat notification, etc. Sharing the game on the social network may lead to making the game available to other subsets of the social network that may or may not be part of the social graphic of the user who is sharing. For example, for a particular video game, the game may be shared or made available to any social network user who also owns the video game and thus has guaranteed access to the shared game of the video game. This shared game can be accessed through online forums, chat rooms, or other online channels that are only available to video game players. In one setting, a video game can have a unique page or website on the social network. Of course, it will be appreciated that from the perspective of the sharing user, options may be provided to allow the user to specify and adapt with whom and with which forum their game will be shared. Figure 18 illustrates an interface 1800 for selecting a portion of game video recorded for sharing according to one embodiment of the invention. Interface 1800 includes a preview region 1802, which sequentially shows a preview of a currently selected portion of the user's game video. Screenshots 1804, 1806, 1808, 1810, and 1812 are positioned adjacent to each other in chronological order to define a screenshot timeline indicating the content of the game video. The various screenshots 1804, 1806, 1808, 1810 and 1812 may be picture frames taken at regular intervals from the game video. The screenshot timeline can be scrolled left or right to show other frames preceding or succeeding those displayed at that time. Markers 1814 and 1816 indicate the start and end points for a currently selected video clip (or segment or portion). The video clip selected at that time can be repeatedly displayed in the preview region 1802, as noted.

In one configuration, buttons 1818 and 1820 may be selected to shorten or lengthen, respectively, the length of the selected video portion. An 1822 preview option can be selected to trigger a repeat of a full screen preview of the currently selected video clip. An 1824 edit option can be selected to access additional features for editing video. Figure 19 illustrates an interface 1900 for viewing a user's live game video stream? according to one embodiment of the invention. In reference 1902, the name and / or nickname of the user who is streaming the game is shown. At reference 1904, the number of users watching at that time the live video stream is shown. The user game live video stream is shown in the video display region 1906. Additionally, a live user video 1908 may be included, showing a live video of the actual user whose game is being streamed live. . A 1910 command option can be selected to allow the viewing user to issue commands that affect the video game, or even take control of the streaming user's game. It will be appreciated that issuing commands internal to the game or remotely controlling the user's game may require permission, predefined or requested at the time of the game, from the user playing the game that allows the viewing user to perform these actions.

A 1912 option allows the viewing user to join the streaming user's game. And a 1914 option allows the viewing user to buy the video game that is in progress.

In addition, the interface may include a 1916 comment section that displays comments from users viewing the live video stream, indicating the timing of each comment. A 1928 comment entry field is provided for the viewing user to enter text for a comment to be posted. And the 1920 submit button is pressed to send the comment to be seen by the live streaming user and others watching the live video stream.

Although configurations of the invention have been described with reference to accessing various interfaces for sharing at the push of a unique button, it will be appreciated that in other configurations some or all of these interfaces may not be required to facilitate game sharing. for a user social chart. For example, in one configuration, a controller button can be configured to capture a user's game screen when pressed. The captured web can then be automatically uploaded and shared with the user's social graphic.

In another configuration, pressing a specific button on the controller starts recording a game video. When the specific button is pressed a second time, game video recording is interrupted, and the video clip can be uploaded to and shared on the user's social graphic. In one configuration, sending and sharing the video clip with the user's social graphic may occur automatically following the completion of the video recording operation. However, in another setting, when the specific button is pressed a second time to stop recording, an interface is presented to allow the user to customize various options such as editing the video, determining specific users to share the video with, adding a subtitle or title, etc. After user customization, the video can be shared with others or otherwise made available for viewing.

In a configuration, a specific button on the controller can be configured to share a predefined game video duration on a social network. For example, a user could specify that when the button is pressed, the previous 10 seconds of game video will be shared with the user's social graph. In another setting, it may be specified that when the button is pressed, the next 10 seconds of game video will be recorded and shared with the social graph. It should be appreciated that options for editing video and performing other types of customization may apply to recorded game video. In addition, recorded game video of a predefined duration following the button press can be combined with previously stored game video as described.

In yet another configuration, a specific button on the controller device may be configured to initiate live video streaming of the users active game. A live video stream can be preset to be made available only to members of the user's social chart, or to other or smaller user groups, such as a specific subset of the user's social chart, all users who have or have access to somehow to the same video game, any gaming platform user, etc.

AUTOMATIC GENERATION OF SUGGESTED MINIGAMES FOR

CLOUD GAME BASED ON RECORD GAME

In one embodiment, a method for generating a playable limited version of a video game is provided, including the following method operations: registering a user game of a full version of a video game; analyze the user's recorded game to determine a region of interest; set boundaries within a videogame game context based on the given region of interest; and generate the limited version of the video game based on the defined limits; where the method is executed by a processor.

In one configuration, recording the user game includes recording one or more user input data or game state data. In one configuration, user-recorded game analysis includes determining activity levels of user input data or game state data, the region of interest being a region having activity levels that exceed a predefined threshold.

In one configuration, defining boundaries within a videogame game context includes defining a spatial boundary within a videogame virtual space. In one configuration, the spatial boundary within the video game's virtual space defines a portion of the virtual space smaller than the totality of the virtual space, the portion of the virtual space having a subset of features of the virtual space.

In one configuration, defining boundaries within a videogame game context includes defining a temporal boundary within a videogame temporal context.

In one setting, defining boundaries includes identifying a nearest starting point or an ending point closer to one or more within a stage, level, or scene.

In one configuration, analyzing user recorded game includes determining user game state settings based on user recorded game; and generating the limited version of the video game includes setting the limited version of the video game to have initial game state settings based on the determined user game state settings.

In a configuration, the region of interest is automatically identified based on matching one or more thresholds. In one configuration, at least one of said thresholds is associated with one or more user inputs, a user input speed, a user input frequency, repetitions of a user input, an input pattern, sharing the context of the user. playing with other users, posting comments associated with the game on a social network, or popularity of portions of the game based on social network sharing levels.

In another embodiment, a method is provided for generating a playable limited version of a video game, including the following method operations: recording a user game of a full version of the video game; analyze the user's recorded game to determine one or more regions of interest; present each of the regions of interest for selection; receive a selection entry indicating a selected region of interest, set boundaries within a game context of the video game based on the selected region of interest; and generate the limited version of the video game based on the defined boundaries; where the method is executed by a processor.

In one configuration, recording the user's game includes recording one or more of user input data or game state data. In one configuration, user-recorded game analysis includes determining activity levels of user input data or game state data, each region of interest being a region having activity levels exceeding a predefined threshold.

In one configuration, reviewing the user-recorded game includes determining user game state settings based on the user-recorded game; and generating the limited version of the video game includes setting the limited version of the video game to have initial game state settings based on the determined user game state settings.

In a configuration, each region of interest is automatically identified based on matching one or more boundaries.

In another embodiment, a method for generating a playable limited version is provided, including the following method operations: recording a user's game from a full version of the video game, wherein the user's game recording includes recording one or more user input data or game state data; analyze the user's recorded game to determine one or more regions of interest, where each region of interest is automatically identified based on matching one or more thresholds; present each of the regions of interest for selection; receive a selection entry indicating a selected region of interest; for the selected region of interest, set borders within a game context of the video game based on the selected region of interest; generate the limited version of the video game based on the defined boundaries; where the method is executed by a processor.

In one configuration, defining boundaries within a videogame game context includes defining a spatial boundary within a videogame virtual space; The spatial boundary within the video game's virtual space defines a portion of the virtual space, the portion of the virtual space having a subset of features of the virtual space.

In one configuration, defining boundaries within a videogame game context includes defining a temporal boundary within a videogame temporal context. In one setting, defining boundaries includes identifying a nearest starting point or an ending point closer to one or more of a stage, level, or scene.

In one configuration, at least one of said thresholds is associated with one or more user inputs, a user input speed, a user input frequency, repetitions of a user input, an input pattern, context sharing. of gaming with other users, posting comments associated with the game on a social network, or popularity of portions of the game based on social sharing levels.

GENERATION OF A MULTIPLE MINI-GAME FOR CLOUD-BASED CLOUD GAME

In one embodiment, a method for generating a playable limited version of a video game is provided, including the following method operations: recording a user game of a full version of the video game; determining a plurality of user-defined portions of the user-recorded game; for each user-defined portion, define boundaries within a game context of the video game based on the user-defined portion, and generate a playable portion of the video game based on the defined borders; position each of the playable portions of the video game in a series to define the limited version of the video game; wherein the method is performed by a processor. In one embodiment, determining each user-defined portion of the user-recorded game includes receiving a user-defined starting point and a user-defined endpoint within the user-recorded game. the user-defined portion based on the user-defined starting point and user-defined endpoint.

In one configuration, recording the user's game includes recording one or more of the user input data or game state data. In one embodiment, generating the playable portion of the video game includes analyzing game state data to identify code elements, and positioning the code elements to define executable code by defining the playable portion of the video game.

In one configuration, defining boundaries within a video game context includes defining a spatial boundary within a video game virtual space. In one configuration, the spatial boundary within the video game's virtual space defines a portion of the virtual space less than a total of the virtual space, the portion of the virtual space having a subset of virtual space features.

In one configuration, defining boundaries within a videogame game context includes defining a temporal boundary within a videogame temporal context.

In one embodiment, the method further includes, for each user-defined portion, analyzing the user-recorded game to determine the user's game state settings; and wherein generating the playable portion of the video game includes defining the playable portion of the video game to have initial game state settings based on user-determined game state settings.

In one setting, defining boundaries includes identifying a starting point or ending point closest to one or more of a stage, level, or scene.

In one configuration, the method further includes recording a user-defined video; where positioning the playable portions of the video game includes placing the user-defined video in a location within the series preceding or succeeding one of the playable portions of the video game. In one configuration, user-defined video includes video from at least one of the user-defined portions of the user's recorded game.

In another embodiment, a tangible computer readable medium is provided having program instructions incorporated therein to generate a playable limited version of a video game, including: program instructions for recording a user's game of a full version of the video game. ; program instructions for determining a plurality of user-defined portions of the user's recorded game; program instructions for, for each user-defined portion, to define boundaries within a videogame context based on the user-defined portion, and to generate a playable portion of the video game based on defined borders; program instructions for positioning each of the portions that can be played in a series to define the limited version of the video game.

In one configuration, determining each user-defined portion of the user-recorded game includes receiving a user-defined starting point and a user-defined endpoint within the user-recorded game, and determining the user-defined portion based on the user-defined point. user-defined received start and at the user-defined received endpoint.

In one configuration, recording the user's game includes recording one or more of the user input data or game state data. In one embodiment, generating the playable portion of the video game includes analyzing game state data to identify code elements, and positioning the code elements to define executable code by defining the playable portion of the video game.

In another embodiment, the tangible computer readable medium further includes program instructions for, for each user-defined portion, to analyze the user-recorded game to determine the user's game state settings; and wherein generating the playable portion of the video game includes defining the playable portion of the video game to have initial game state settings based on user-determined game state settings.

In another embodiment, a system is provided, including: at least one server computing device, the minimum server computing device having logic to generate a playable limited version of a video game, including logic for recording a user's game. a full version of the video game; logic for determining a plurality of user-defined portions of the user's recorded game; logic for, in each user-defined portion, defining boundaries within a game context of the game based on the user-defined portion, and generating a playable portion of the video game based on the defined boundaries; logic to position each of the video game's playable portions in a series to define the limited version of the video game.

In one configuration, determining each user-defined portion of the user-recorded game includes receiving a user-defined starting point and a user-defined endpoint within the user-recorded game, and determining the user-defined portion based on the user-defined point. user-defined received start and at the user-defined received endpoint.

In one configuration, recording the user's game includes recording one or more of the user input data or game state data. In one embodiment, generating the playable portion of the video game includes analyzing game state data to identify code elements, and positioning the code elements to define executable code by defining the playable portion of the video game.

In one embodiment, said logic further includes logic for, for each user-defined portion, to analyze the user-recorded game to determine game state settings; and wherein generating the playable portion of the video game includes defining the playable portion of the video game to have initial game state settings based on the user's game state settings.

SHARE GAME RECORDED IN A SOCIAL GRAPH

In one embodiment, a method for sharing game recorded on a social graph is provided, including the following method operations: videoing a user's game during an active state of a game session; receive a command to initiate a sharing operation during the active state of the gaming session; in response to receiving the command, entering a paused state of the game session and presenting a sharing interface; process input received by the sharing interface to determine a user-defined selection of recorded video; share the user-defined selection of recorded video in a user social graphic; resume the active state of the gaming session; where the method is executed by a processor.

In one configuration, recording user game video includes storing the video in a store during the active state of the game session.

In one configuration, presenting the sharing interface includes retrieving and displaying one or more portions of the video from the store.

In one configuration, the sharing interface includes a duration select-r to set a user-defined selection duration.

In one configuration, sharing the selection includes sending the selection for availability to a social networking service that defines the user's social graph.

In one configuration, submitting the selection includes compressing the selection and submitting the compressed selection.

In one setting, sharing the selection includes generating a notification for a member of the user's social chart.

In one setting, notification is defined by one or more of a private message, a chat message, an in-game notification, a post to a social news feed, an email.

In one configuration, sharing the selection includes presenting the selection on a user profile page.

In one configuration, receiving the command to initiate the sharing operation is defined by pushing a button on a controller device.

In another embodiment, a method for sharing game recorded on a social graph is provided, including the following method operations: videoing a user's game during an active state of a game session; receive a command to initiate a sharing operation during the active state of the gaming session; in response to receiving the command, determining a user-defined selection of the recorded video; share the user-defined selection of recorded video in a user social graphic; where the method is executed by a processor.

In one configuration, video game user includes storing video in a store during the active state of the game session.

In one embodiment, determining the user-defined selection of recorded video includes retrieving and displaying the video from the store, and processing user input by identifying a portion of the video.

In one configuration, sharing the selection includes sending the selection for availability to a social networking service that defines the user's social graph.

In one configuration, receiving the command to initiate the sharing operation is defined by pushing a button on a controller device.

In another embodiment, a non-transient computer readable medium is provided having program instructions defined therein for sharing recorded game on a social graphic. Program instructions include: program instructions for video recording a user's game during an active state of a game session; program instructions for receiving a command to initiate a sharing operation during the active state of the gaming session; program instructions to, in response to the command being received, determine a user-defined selection of recorded video; Program instructions for sharing the user-defined selection of recorded video in a user social graph.

In one configuration, user game video recording includes storing video in a store during the active state of the game session.

In one embodiment, determining the user-defined selection of recorded video includes retrieving and displaying the video from the store, and processing user input by identifying a portion of the video.

In one configuration, sharing the selection includes sending the selection for availability to a social networking service that defines the user's social graph.

In one configuration, receiving the command to initiate the sharing operation is defined by pushing a button on a controller device.

REMOTE CONTROL OF A FIRST USER GAME BY A SECOND USER

In one embodiment, a method is provided for providing a user's remote game control, the method including the following method operations: presenting a live video feed of a first user's game to a second remote user; process a request to transfer game control from the first user to the second user; initiate game control of the first user by the second user; wherein the method is executed by at least one processor.

In one configuration, initiating first user game control by the second user includes disabling first user game control by a first controller device associated with the first user, and enabling first user game control by a second controller device associated with the first user. second user.

In one configuration, control of the first user game by the second controller device includes receiving input commands from the second controller device and applying input commands to define the first user game.

In one embodiment, the live video feed is presented through a social interface to the second user, the social interface providing access to a second user's social graph, the first user being defined as a member of the second user's social graph.

In one configuration, the social interface includes a commenting interface for posting comments during the first user's game.

In one configuration, processing of the request to transfer control includes receiving a confirmation from the first user to allow control of the first user game by the second user.

In one embodiment, presenting the live video feed of the first user game to the second user includes presenting the live video feed in a non-full screen format; and the initiation of first user game control by the second user includes triggering the live video feed presentation in a full screen format.

In another embodiment, a method for providing multiplayer gaming is provided, including the following method operations: presenting a live video feed of a first user gaming session; process a request for a second user to join the first user's game session; start the game by the second user in the first user's game session; wherein the method is executed by at least one first processor.

In one configuration, the second user starting the game in the first user session includes starting a multiplayer mode of a video game.

In one embodiment, the live video feed is presented through a social interface to the second user, the social interface providing access to a second user's social graph, the first user being defined as a member of the second user's social graph.

In one configuration, the social interface includes a commenting interface for posting comments during the first user's game.

In one configuration, processing the request to join the first user's gaming session includes receiving a confirmation from the first user to allow the second user to play in the first user's gaming session.

In one embodiment, presenting the live video feed of the first user's game to the second user includes presenting the live video feed in a non-full screen format; and second user game initiation in the first user game session includes triggering the live video feed presentation in a full screen format.

In another embodiment, there is provided a non-transient computer readable medium having program instructions incorporated therein to provide a user's remote game control, program instructions including: program instructions for displaying a live video feed of the game. from a first user to a second remote user; program instructions for processing a request to transfer game control from the first user to the second user; Program instructions for starting control of the first user's game by the second user.

In one configuration, initiating first user game control by the second user includes disabling first user game control by a first controller device associated with the first user, and enabling first user game control by a second controller device associated with the first user. second user.

In one configuration, control of the first user game by the second controller device includes receiving input commands from the second controller device and applying input commands to define the first user game.

In one configuration, the live video feed is presented through a social interface for the second user, the social interface providing access to a second user's social graph, the first user being defined as a member of the second user's social graph.

In one configuration, the social interface includes a commenting interface for posting comments during the first user's game.

In one configuration, processing of the request to transfer control includes receiving a confirmation from the first user to allow control of the first user game by the second user.

In one configuration, presenting the live video feed of the first user's game to the second user includes presenting the live video feed in a non-full screen format; and initiating first-user game control by the second user includes triggering the live video feed presentation in a full-screen format. Figure 20 illustrates hardware and user interfaces that can be used to provide interactivity with a video game in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 20 schematically illustrates the overall system architecture of the Sony® Playstation 3® entertainment device, a console that may be compatible to interface a control device with a computer program that runs on a base computing device. according to embodiments of the present invention. A system unit 2000 is provided, with various peripheral devices that may be connected to the system unit 2000. The system unit 2000 comprises: a Cell 2028 processor; a Rambus® dynamic random access memory (XDRAM) unit 2026; a Reality Synthesizer 2030 graphics unit with a unique video random access memory (VRAM) 2032; and a 1/0 2034 bridge. The 2000 system drive also comprises a Blu Ray® Disk BD-ROM® 2040 optical disc reader for reading from a 2040a disc and a 2036 hard disk drive (HDD) drive, accessible via the 2034 I / O bridge. Optionally the 2000 system unit also comprises a 2038 memory card reader for reading compact flash memory cards, Memory Stick® memory cards and the like which is similarly accessible via the I bridge. / O 2034. The 1/0 2034 bridge also connects to six Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 2024 inputs; to a 2022 gigabit Ethernet input; to an IEEE 802.11b / g 2020 wireless (wi-fi) network entry; and a Bluetooth® 2018 wireless link slot capable of supporting up to seven Bluetooth connections.

When operating, the 2034 I / O bridge handles all wireless, USB, and Ethernet data, including data from one or more 2002-2003 game controllers. For example, when a user is playing a game, the 2034 I / O bridge receives data from the 2002-2003 game controller via a Bluetooth link and directs it to the Cell 2028 processor, which updates the game state at that time accordingly. .

Wireless, USB and Ethernet inputs also provide connectivity to peripheral devices other than 2002-2003 game controllers, such as: a 2004 remote control; a 2006 keyboard; a mouse 2008; a portable entertainment device 2010, such as a Sony Playstation Portable® entertainment device; a video camera such as an EyeToy® 2012 video camera; a headset with microphone 2014; and a microphone 2015. Such peripheral devices may therefore in principle be connected to system unit 2000 without the use of wire; for example, portable entertainment device 2010 can communicate via a wifi connection for this purpose, while headset 2014 can communicate over a Bluetooth link. Providing these interfaces means that the Playstation3 device is also potentially compatible with other peripheral devices such as digital video recorders (DVRs), converters, digital cameras, portable media players, VoiceOver for ifones, mobile phones, printers and scanners.

In addition, a 2016 legacy memory card reader can be connected to the system unit via a 2024 USB port, allowing you to read 2048 memory cards of the type used by Playstation® or Playstation 2® devices.

The 2002-2003 game controllers are operable to communicate wirelessly with the system unit 200 via the Bluetooth link, or to be connected to a USB port, thus providing the power to charge the 2002-200 game controllers battery. 2003 The 2002-2003 game controllers may also include memory, a processor, a memory card reader, a permanent memory such as flash memory, light emitters such as an illuminated spherical session, LEDs, or infrared lights, microphone and loudspeaker. speakers for ultrasound communications, an acoustic camera, a digital camera, an internal clock, a recognizable shape such as the spherical section facing the gaming console, and wireless communications using protocols such as Bluetooth®, WiFi ™, etc. The 2002 game controller is a controller designed to be used with two hands, and the 2003 game controller is a one-handed controller with an accessory. In addition to the joystick or analog joysticks and conventional knob or control knobs, the game controller is susceptible to three-dimensional location determination. As a result, game controller user gestures and movements can be translated as inputs to or in place of conventional button or joystick commands. Optionally, other wirelessly enabled peripheral devices such as the Playstation ™ Portable device can be used as a controller. For the Playstation ™ Portable device, additional game or control information (for example, control instructions or number of lives) may be provided on the device screen. Other alternative or supplementary control devices may also be used, such as a dance pad (not shown), a light gun (not shown), a steering wheel and pedals (not shown) or controller bespokes, such as one or more buttons. oversized for a quiz that requires quick answers (also not shown). The 2004 remote is also operable to communicate wirelessly with the 2000 system unit via a Bluetooth link. The 704 remote control comprises controls suitable for the operation of the 2040 Blu Ray ™ Disk Player and for browsing the contents of the disc. The 2040 Blu Ray Disk ™ BD-ROM Player is operable to read Playstation and Playstation 2 compatible CD-ROMs, plus pre-recorded and blank conventional CDs, and so-called Super Audio CDs. The 2040 player is also operable to read Playstation2 and Playstation 3 compatible DVD-ROMs, in addition to pre-recorded and blank standard DVDs. The 2040 player is also operable to read Playstation3 compatible BD-ROMs as well as pre-recorded and blank conventional Blu-Rays. The 2000 system unit is operable to deliver audio and video, or generated or decoded by the Playstation 3 device via the Reality Synthesizer 2030 graphics unit, via audio and video connectors to a 2042 picture and sound output device such as a monitor or television having a 2044 display and one or more 2046 speakers. The 2050 audio connectors may include conventional analog and digital outputs, while the 2052 video connectors may diversely include component video, S-video, composite video, and a or more High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) outputs. Consequently, the video output can be in formats such as PAL or NTSC, or in high definition 720p, 1G80II or 1080p. Audio processing (generation, decoding, and so forth) is performed by the Cell 2028 processor. The Playstation 3 device's operating system supports Dolby © 5.1 surround sound, Dolby® Theater Surround (DTS), and sound decoding 7.1 surround from Blu-Ray® discs.

In the present embodiment, the video camera 2012 comprises a single charge coupled device (CCD), an LED indicator, and a hardware based real time data compression and encoding apparatus so that compressed video data can be transmitted in an appropriate format such as an internal image-based MPEG standard (animated image expert group) for decoding by the 2000 system unit. The camera's LED indicator is arranged to illuminate in response to appropriate system unit control data. 2000, for example, to mean adverse light conditions. 2012 camcorder configurations can connect to the 700 system unit in a variety of ways via a USB, Bluetooth, or wifi communication input. Camcorder configurations may include one or more associated microphones and may also be capable of transmitting audio data. In camcorder settings, the CCD may have a resolution suitable for high definition video capture. When in use, images captured by the camcorder can, for example, be embedded within a game or interpreted as game control inputs. In Dutra configuration, the camera is an infrared camera suitable for detecting infrared light.

In general, for successful data communication to occur with a peripheral device such as a video camera or remote control via one of the system unit 2000 communication inputs, an appropriate piece of software such as a device driver must be proportionate. Device driver technology is well known and will not be described in detail here except to say that the person skilled in the art will be aware that a device driver or similar software interface may be required in the present described configuration. Figure 21 illustrates additional hardware that can be used to process instructions in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The Cell 208 processor has an architecture comprising four basic components: external input and output structures comprising a 2160 memory controller and a dual bus interface controller 2170A, B; a main processor called the 2150 Power Processing Element; eight coprocessors called Synergistic Processing Elements (SPEs) 2110A-H; and a circular data bus connecting the above-mentioned components as 2180 Element Interconnect Bus. The Cell processor's total floating point performance is 218 GFLOPS, compared to the 6.2 GFLOPs of the Playstation 2 Emotion Engine device. Power Processing Element (PPE) 2150 is based on a PowerPC (PPÜ) 855 core that supports simultaneous Power 570 two-way multiresquoting running with a 3.2 GHz internal clock. It comprises a level 2 (L2) cache 512 kB and a 32 kB level 1 (L1) cache. The PPE 2150 is capable of eight one-position operations per clock style, translating to 25.6 GFLOPs at 3.2 GHz. The primary role of the PPE 2150 is to act as a controller for the 2110A-H Synergistic Processing Elements, which takes care of most of your computer workload. Operating the PPE 2150 maintains a job queue, scheduling jobs for the 2110A-H Synergistic Processing Elements and monitoring their progress. Accordingly each Synergistic Processing Element 2110A-H rotates a core whose role is to search for a job, execute it, and synchronize with the PPE 2150.

Each 2110A-H Synergic Processing Element (SPE) comprises a respective 2120A-H Synergic Processing Unit (SPU) and a respective 2140A-H Memory Flow Controller (MFC) which in turn comprises a respective Access Memory Controller. 2142A-H Dynamic Memory (DMAC), a respective 2144A-H Memory Management Unit (MMU), and a bus interface (not shown). Each 2120A-H SPU is a 3.2 GHz timed RISC processor comprising 256 kB local 2130A-H RAM, which can in principle be expanded to 4GB. Each SPE theoretically delivers 25.6 GFLOPS of performance with unique accuracy. A SPU can operate on single precision floating point members, 4 32-bit numbers, 8 16-bit integers, or 16 8-bit integers in a single clock cycle. In the same clock cycle it can also perform a memory operation. The SPU 2120Α-Η does not directly access system XDRAM 2026 memory; 64-bit addresses formed by the 2120A-H SPU are passed to the MFC 214GA-H which instructs its 2142A-H controller to access memory via the 2180 Element Interconnect Bus and 2160 memory controller. 0 Element Interconnect Bus ( EIB) 2180 is a logically circular communication bus internal to the Cell 2028 processor that connects the above processor elements, namely the PPE 2150, the 2160 memory controller, the 2170A, B dual bus interface and the 2110A-8 SPEs. H, totaling 12 participants. Participants can simultaneously read and write to the bus at a rate of 8 bytes per clock cycle. As noted earlier, each SPE 2110A-H comprises a DMAC 2142A-H to schedule longer read or write sequences. The EIB comprises four channels, two each in clockwise and counterclockwise directions. Consequently for 12 participants, the longest step data flow between any two participants is six steps in the appropriate direction. The theoretical maximum instantaneous EIB bandwidth for 12 slots is therefore 96B per clock, in case of full use through a discretion between participants. This equals a maximum theoretical bandwidth of 307.2 GB / s (gigabytes per second) at a clock rate of 3.2GHz. The 2160 memory controller comprises an XDRAM 2162 interface developed by Rambus Incorporated. The memory controller interfaces with the Rambus XDRAM 2026 with a theoretical maximum bandwidth of 25.6 GB / s. The 2170A, B dual bus interface comprises a Rambus FlexIO® system interface 2172A, B. The interface is organized into 12 channels each having an 8-bit width, with five paths facing inwards and seven facing outwards. This provides a theoretical maximum bandwidth of 62.4 GB / s (36.4 GB / s facing out, 26 GB / s facing in) between the Cell processor and the 1/0 2034 Bridge via the 2170A controller and the Reality Simulator 2130 graphics unit via 2170B controller.

Data sent by the Cell 2128 processor to the Reality Simulator 2130 graphics unit will typically comprise display lists, a sequence of commands for drawing vertices, applying textures to polygons, specifying light conditions, and so on. Figure 22 is an exemplary illustration of scene A through scene E with the respective user A through E interacting with game clients 2202 that are connected to server processing over the internet, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. A game client is a device that allows users to connect to server applications and perform processing via the internet. The game client allows users to access and play online entertainment-related content such as movies, music, and photos. In addition, the game client can provide access to online communication applications such as VOIP, text chat protocols, and email.

A user interacts with the game client via controller. In some configurations the controller is a game client specific controller while in other configurations the controller may be a combination of keyboard and mouse. In one embodiment, the gaming client is a self-contained device capable of transmitting audio and video signals to create a multimedia environment via a monitor / television and associated audio equipment. For example, the gaming client may be, but is not limited to, a thin client, an internal PCI-express card, an external PCI-express card, an ExpressCard device, an internal, external or wireless USB device, or a Firewire device, etc. In other embodiments, the game client is integrated with a television or other multimedia device such as a DVR, Blu-Ray player, DVD player or multi-channel receiver.

Within scene A of Figure 22, user A interacts with a client application displayed on a 2204A monitor using a 2206A controller pairing with the 2202A game client. Similarly, within CNA B, user B interacts with another client application that is shown on the 2204B monitor using a 2206B controller pairing with the 2202B game client. Scene C illustrates a view taken from behind user C as he looks at a monitor that displays a game and friends list of the 2202C game client. While Figure 22 shows a single server processing module, in one configuration there are multiple server processing modules around the world. Each server processing module includes sub-modules for user session control, sharing / communication logic, user geographic location, and load balancing processing service. In addition, a server processing module includes network processing and distributed storage.

When a 2202 game client connects to a server processing module, user session control can be used to authenticate the user. An authenticated user can have virtual distributed storage and virtual network processing. Examples of items that may be stored as part of virtual distributed user storage include purchased media such as, but not limited to, games, videos and music, etc. In addition, distributed storage can be used to save game status from multiple games, custom settings for single games, and general settings for the game client. In one configuration, the server processing geo module is used to determine the geo location of a user and his or her gaming client. User geographic location can be used by both sharing / communication logic and load balancing processing service to optimize performance based on geographic location and to handle the demands of multiple server processing modules. Putting in virtual world or network processing or network storage or both would allow the processing of game client tasks to be dynamically switched to an underutilized server processing module (s). Thus, load balancing can be used to minimize latency associated with both a recall of what is stored and data transmission between server processing modules and game clients. The server processing module has instances of server application Δ and server application B. The server processing module is capable of supporting multiple server applications as indicated by server application Xx and server application X2. In one configuration, server processing is based on a cluster computing architecture that allows multiple processors within a cluster to process server applications. In another configuration, a different type of multiple computer processing scheme is applied to process server applications. This allows server processing to be scaled to accommodate a larger number of game clients running multiple client applications and corresponding server applications. Alternatively, server processing can be scaled to accommodate the increasing computing demands required for more complex graphics or game processing, game compression, or application complexity. In one configuration, the server processing module performs most processing via server application. This allows relatively expensive components such as graphics processors, RAM, and general processors to be centrally located and reduces the cost of the gaming client. Processed server application data is sent back to the corresponding game client via the internet to be arranged on a monitor. Scene C illustrates an example application that can be run by the game client and server processing module. For example, in one configuration, the 2202C game client allows user C to create and view a friend list 2220 that includes user A, user B, user D, and user E. As shown in scene C, user C C is able to view real-time images or user avatars on the 2204C monitor. Server processing runs the respective 2202C game client applications and with the respective 2202 game clients from users A, user B, user D, and user E. Because server processing is aware of requests being executed by the client B, User A's friends list can indicate which game User B is playing. Further, in one configuration, user A can have an actual view of the video game directly from user B. This is enabled by merely sending processed data from the application from server B to game client A in addition to client of game B.

In addition to enabling video viewing of friends, the communication application can enable real time communications between friends. As applied to the previous example, this allows user A to encourage or hint while watching real-time video from user B. In one configuration, real-time two-way voice communication is established through a client / server application. In another configuration, a client / server application converts speech to text for display on a friend's screen. Scene D and scene E illustrate the respective user D and user E interacting with game consoles 2210D and 2210E respectively. Each 2210D and 2210E game console is connected to the server processing module and illustrates a network where the server that is processing the modules coordinates the game for both game consoles and game clients. Figure 23 illustrates a configuration of an Information Service Provider architecture. Information Service Providers (ISPs) 2370 send multiple information services to geographically dispersed 2382 users connected via 2386 network. An ISP may send only one type of service, such as stock price updates, or a variety of services. such as broadcast media, news, sports, games, etc. In addition, the services offered by each ISP are dynamic, ie services can be added or withdrawn at any time. Thus, the ISP that provides a particular type to a particular individual may change over time. For example, a user may be served by an ISP very close to the user while the user is in the city where they live, and the user may be served by a different ISP when the user travels to a different city. The hometown ISP will transfer the required information and data to the new ISP, so that user information "follows" the user to the new city making the data closer to the user and easier to access. In another configuration, a master-server relationship may be established between a master ISP, which manages information for the user, and a server ISP, which interfaces directly with the user under control of the master ISP. In another configuration, data is transferred from one ISP to another ISP as the customer moves around the world to make the ISP in the best position to serve the user to send those services. ISP 2370 includes Application Service Provider (ASP) 2372, which provides computer-based services to clients on a network. Software offered using an ASP model is also sometimes referred to as on-demand software or software or software or as a service (SaaS). A simple way to provide access to a specific application program (such as client relationship management) is by using a standard protocol such as HTTP. The application software resides on the vendor system and is accessed by users through a web browser using HTML, vendor-provided special-use client software, or another remote interface such as a thin client.

Services sent over a wide geographic area often use on-demand computing. Demand computing is a style of computing in which scalable and often virtualized features are provided as a service over the Internet. Users do not need to be experts in the technology infrastructure in the "cloud" that supports them. Cloud computing can be divided into different services, such as Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). Cloud computing services often provide common online business applications that are accessed from a web browser, while software and data are stored on servers. The term cloud is used as a metaphor for the internet, based on how the internet is presented in computer network diagrams and is an abstraction for the complex infrastructure that it encloses.

In addition, the ISP 2370 includes a 2374 Game Processing Server (GPS) that is used by game customers to play single and multiplayer video games. Most video games played on the Internet operate via a connection to a game server. Typically, games use a unique server application that collects player data and distributes it to other players. This is more efficient and effective than a peer-to-peer organization, but requires a separate server to host the server application. In another configuration, GPS establishes communication between players and their respective gaming devices exchange information without relying on centralized GPS. Unique GPSs are servers that run independently of the client. These servers are typically run on unique hardware located in data centers, providing more bandwidth and unique processing power. Exclusive servers are the preferred method of hosting game servers for most PC-based multiplayer games. Massively multiplayer games run on dedicated servers usually hosted by the software company that own the game title, allowing them to control and update the content. Broadcast Processing Server (BPS) 2376 distributes audio or video signals to an audience. Broadcasting to a very narrow range of audience is sometimes called narrowcasting. The final stretch of broadcast distribution is how the signal reaches the listener or viewer, and it can come over the air like a radio station or TV station to an antenna and receiver, or it can come through cable TV or cable radio ( or "wireless cable") through the station or directly from a network. The internet can also bring radio or TV into the container, especially by multicasting allowing signal and bandwidth to be shared. Historically, broadcasts have been delimited by a geographic region, such as national broadcasts or regional broadcasts. However, with the proliferation of fast internet, broadcasts are not geographically defined as content can reach almost any country in the world. Storage Service Provider (SSP) 2378 provides computer storage space and related management services. SSPs also offer periodic backup and archiving. By offering storage as a service, users can order more storage as needed. Another significant advantage is that SSPs include backup services and users will not lose all their data if their computer hard drives fail. In addition, a plurality of SSPs can have full or partial copies of user data, allowing users to efficiently access data regardless of whether the user is located or the device being used to access the data. For example, a user can access personal files on the home computer as well as on a mobile phone while the user is moving. Communications Provider 380 provides connectivity to users. One type of Communications Provider is an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that offers access to the internet. The ISP connects its customers using appropriate data transmission technology to send Internet Protocol datagrams, such as dial, DSL, cable modem, wireless, or unique high-speed interconnects. The Communications Provider may also provide messaging services such as email, instant messaging, and SMS text. Another type of Communications Provider is the Network Service Provider (NSP) that sells bandwidth or network access by providing direct backbone access to the internet. Network service providers may consist of telecommunications companies, data carriers, wireless providers, internet service providers, cable television operators offering high speed internet access, etc. 23 2388 Data Exchange interconnects the various modules within the 2370 ISP and connects these modules to 2382 users via the 2386 network. The 2388 Data Exchange can cover a small area where all 2370 ISP modules are very close together, or can cover a large geographical area when the different modules are geographically dispersed. For example, Data Exchange 2388 might include Gigabit (or faster) Ethernet within a data center file, or an intercontinental virtual area network (VLAN).

2382 users access remote services with the 2384 client device, which includes at least one CPU, one display, and 1/0. The client device can be a PC, a mobile phone, a netbook, a PDA, etc. In one configuration, ISP 2370 recognizes the type of device used by the client and adjusts the communication method employed. In other cases, client devices use a standard communication method, such as HTML, to access ISP 2370.

Configurations of the present invention may be practiced with. various computer system configurations including handheld devices, microprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics devices, microcomputers, large computers, and the like. The invention may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by processing devices that are connected via a wired or wireless based network.

With the above configurations in mind, it should be understood that the invention may employ various computer implemented operations involving data stored in computer systems. These operations are those that require physical manipulation of physical quantities. Any of the operations described herein that form part of the invention are useful machine operations. The invention also relates to a device or apparatus for performing such operations. The apparatus may be constructed especially for the required use, or the apparatus may be selectively activated general purpose computer or configured by a computer program stored on the computer. In particular, various general purpose machines may be used with computer programs written in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may be more convenient to construct a more specialized apparatus to perform the required operations. The invention may also be incorporated with computer readable code in a computer readable medium. Computer readable medium is any data storage device that can store data which can be read by a computer system. Examples of computer readable media include hard drives, network attached storage (NAS), read-only memory, random access memory, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, magnetic tapes, and other optical and non-optical storage devices. -otic. Computer readable media may include computer readable tangible media distributed in a network-coupled computer system so that computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed manner.

Although method operations have been described in a specific order, it should be understood that other maintenance operations may be performed between operations, or operations may be adjusted so that they occur at slightly different times, or may be distributed within a system. which allows processing operations to occur at various intervals associated with processing as long as the overlay operations process is performed as desired.

While the invention has been described in some detail for the sake of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the present embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention should not be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.

Claims (38)

Method for generating a playable limited version of a video game, comprising: recording a user's game of a full version of the video game; analyze the user's recorded game to determine a region of interest; set boundaries within a videogame game context based on the given region of interest; and generate the limited version of the video game based on the defined boundaries; where the method is executed by a processor. Method for generating a playable limited version of a video game according to claim 1, wherein recording the user game includes recording one or more of the user input data or game state data. A method of generating a playable limited version of a video game according to claim 2, wherein analyzing the user-recorded game includes determining activity levels of user input data or game state data, region of interest being a region having activity levels that exceed a predefined threshold. A method of generating a playable limited version of a video game according to claim 1, wherein defining boundaries within a video game's gaming context includes defining a spatial boundary within a virtual space of the video game. A method of generating a playable limited version of a video game according to claim 4, wherein the spatial boundary within the virtual space of the video game defines a portion of the virtual space smaller than a total of the virtual space, the portion. of virtual space having a subset of virtual space features. A method of generating a playable limited version of a video game according to claim 1, wherein defining boundaries within a game context of the video game includes defining a time boundary within a temporal context of the video game. A method of generating a playable limited version of a video game according to claim 1, wherein defining boundaries includes identifying a nearest starting point or an endpoint nearest to one or more within a stage, level or scene. A method of generating a playable limited version of a video game according to claim 1, wherein analyzing the user's recorded game includes determining the user's game state settings based on the user's recorded game; and wherein generating the limited version of the video game includes setting the limited version of the video game to have initial game state settings based on the determined user game state settings. A method of generating a playable limited version of a video game according to claim 1, wherein the region of interest is automatically identified based on matching one or more boundaries. A method of generating a playable limited version of a video game according to claim 9, wherein at least one of said limits is associated with one or more user inputs, a user input speed, a frequency. user input, replays of a user input, an input pattern, sharing game context with other users, posting comments associated with the game on a social network, or popularity of video game portions based on sharing levels from social network. A method of generating a playable limited version of a video game, comprising: recording a user's game of a full version of the video game; determining a plurality of user-defined portions of the user's recorded game; for each user-defined portion, define boundaries within a game context of the video game based on the user-defined portion, and generate a playable portion of the video game based on the defined borders; position each of the video game's playable portions in a series to define the limited version of the video game; where the method is executed by a processor. A method of generating a playable limited version of a video game according to claim 11, wherein determining each user-defined portion of the user-recorded game includes receiving a user-defined starting point and a defined endpoint. user within the user-recorded game, and determine the user-defined portion based on the user-defined starting point and the user-defined endpoint. A method of generating a playable limited version of a video game according to claim 11, wherein recording the user game includes recording one or more of the user input data or game state data. A method of generating a playable limited version of a video game according to claim 13, wherein generating the playable portion of the video game includes analyzing game state data to identify code elements, and positioning the code elements to define executable code by defining the playable portion of the video game. A method of generating a playable limited version of a video game according to claim 11, wherein defining boundaries within a video game's gaming context includes defining a spatial boundary within a virtual space of the video game. A method of generating a playable limited version of a video game according to claim 15, wherein the spatial boundary within the virtual space of the video game defines a portion of the virtual space smaller than the entire virtual space, the portion. of virtual space having a subset of virtual space features. A method for generating a playable limited version of a video game according to claim 11, wherein defining boundaries within a game context of the video game includes defining a time boundary within a temporal context of the video game. A method of generating a playable limited version of a video game according to claim 11, further comprising: for each user defined portion, analyzing the user-recorded game to determine the user's game state settings; and wherein generating the playable portion of the video game includes defining the playable portion of the video game to have initial game state settings based on user-determined game state settings. A method of generating a playable limited version of a video game according to claim 11, wherein defining boundaries includes identifying a nearest starting point or an endpoint nearest to one or more within a stage, level or scene. A method of generating a playable limited version of a video game according to claim 11, further comprising: recording a user-defined video; where positioning the playable portions of the video game includes placing the user-defined video in a location within the series preceding or succeeding one of the playable portions of the video game. A method of generating a playable limited version of a video game according to claim 20, wherein the user defined video includes video from at least one of the user defined portions of the user's recorded game. A method for sharing recorded game on a social graph, comprising: videoing a user's game during an active state of a game session; receive a command to initiate a sharing operation during the active state of the gaming session; in response to receiving the command, entering a paused state of the game session and presenting a sharing interface; process input received by the sharing interface to determine a user-defined selection of recorded video; share the user-defined selection of recorded video in a user social graphic; resume the active state of the gaming session; where the method is executed by a processor. A method for sharing game recorded on a social graph according to claim 22, wherein recording user game video includes storing the video in a store during the active state of the game session. A method for sharing game recorded on a social graph according to claim 23, wherein presenting the sharing interface includes retrieving and displaying one or more portions of the video from the store. The method for sharing game recorded in a social graph according to claim 22, wherein the sharing interface includes a duration selector for defining a user-defined selection duration. A method for sharing game recorded on a social graph according to claim 22, wherein sharing the selection includes sending the selection for availability to a social network service that defines the user's social graph. The method for sharing game recorded on a social graph according to claim 26, wherein submitting the selection includes compressing the selection and sending the compressed selection. A method for sharing game recorded on a social graph according to claim 22, wherein sharing the selection includes generating a notification for a member of the user's social graph. A method for sharing a game recorded on a social graph according to claim 28, wherein the notification is defined by one or more of a private message, a chat message, an in-game notification, a post to a social news feed, an email. A method for sharing game recorded on a social graph according to claim 22, wherein sharing the selection includes presenting the selection on a user profile page. The method for sharing game recorded on a social graph according to claim 22, wherein receiving the command to initiate the sharing operation is defined by pushing a button on a controller device. 32. A method for providing a user's remote game control, comprising: presenting a live video feed of a first user's game to a second remote user; process a request to transfer game control from the first user to the second user; initiate game control of the first user by the second user; wherein the method is executed by at least one processor. The method of providing a user's remote game control according to claim 32, wherein initiating first user game control by the second user includes disabling first user game control by a first controller device associated with the first user. user, and enable game control of the first user by a second controller device associated with the second user. 34 A method for providing a user's game remote control according to claim 33, wherein controlling the first user's game by the second controller device includes receiving input commands from the second controller device and applying input commands to define the game. from the first user. A method for providing a user's remote game control according to claim 32, wherein the live video feed is presented via a social interface to the second user, the social interface providing access to a social graph of the second user, the first user being defined as a member of the second user's social graph. A method for providing a user's remote game control according to claim 35, wherein the social interface includes a commenting interface for posting comments during the first user's game. The method of providing a user's remote game control according to claim 32, wherein processing the request to transfer control includes receiving a confirmation from the first user to allow control of the first user game by the second user. A method for providing a user's remote game control according to claim 32, wherein presenting the live video feed of the first user game to the second user includes presenting the live video feed in a format. which is not full screen; and wherein initiating first user game control by the second user includes triggering the live video feed presentation in a full screen format.