BR102013033136B1 - METHOD FOR GENERATING A LIMITED PLAYABLE VERSION OF A VIDEO GAME; AND METHOD TO PROVIDE REMOTE CONTROL OF A USER'S GAME - Google Patents

Abstract

method for generating a limited playable 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 gameplay is analyzed to determine a region of interest. Boundaries are defined within a video game playing context based on the determined region of interest. The limited version of the video game is generated based on the defined boundaries.

Description

Field of Invention

[001] The present invention relates to methods and systems for automatic generation of suggested minigames based on recorded game play, generation of minigames in multiple portions for cloud play based on recorded game play, sharing recorded game on a social graph, and remote control of a first user game by a second user.

Description of the State of the Art

[002] The video game industry has gone through 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 that end, video game developers have coded games that incorporate sophisticated operations and math to produce a very realistic gaming experience.

[003] Exemplary gaming platforms might be Sony Playstation®, Sony Playstation2® (PS2), and Sony Playstationβ® (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 to process intensive graphics operations, a vector unit to perform geometric transformations, and other types of hardware, firmware and software to make the link. The game console is even designed with an optional optical disc tray to receive game CDs on the spot through the game console. Online gaming 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 the curiosity of gamers, game and hardware manufacturers continue to innovate to enable greater interactivity and other computer programs.

[004] 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 movement is tracked by the gaming system for the purpose of tracking the player's movements and using those movements as information for the game. Generally speaking, input feed through gestures refers to causing an electronic device such as a computer system, video game console, smart appliance, etc., to react to some gesture made by the player and captured by the electronic device.

[005] Another growing trend in the industry involves the development of cloud-based gaming systems. These systems can include a remote processing server that runs a game application, and communicates with a local thin client that can be configured to receive information from users and present video on a display.

[006] It is in this context that the configurations of the invention arise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[007] Configurations of the present invention provide methods and systems for automatic generation of suggested minigames based on the recorded game, generation of minigames in multiple portions for cloud play based on the recorded game, sharing the recorded game 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 can be implemented in a variety of ways such as a process, an apparatus, a system, a device or a method on a computer readable medium. Several inventive embodiments of the present invention are described below.

[008] In one embodiment, a method for generating a limited 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; analyze the user's recorded game to determine a region of interest; defining boundaries within a video game game context based on the determined region of interest; and generate the limited version of the video game based on defined boundaries; where the method is executed by a processor.

[009] In another embodiment, a method for generating a limited 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; analyze the user's recorded game to determine one or more regions of interest; present each of the regions for selection; receive a selection input indicating a selected region of interest; for the selected region of interest, define boundaries within a video game game context based on the selected region of interest; and generate the limited version of the video game based on defined boundaries; where the method is executed by a processor.

[0010] In another embodiment, a method for generating a limited playable version of a video game is provided, including the following method operations: recording a player's game of a full-length version of the video game, wherein the game recording User input includes recording one or more of user-feed 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 input indicating a selected region of interest; for the selected region of interest, define boundaries within a video game game context based on the selected region of interest; generate the limited version of the video game based on defined boundaries; where the method is executed by a processor.

[0011] 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, defining boundaries within a game context of the video game based on the user-defined portion, and generating a playable portion of the video game based on the defined boundaries; position each of the playable portions of the video game in a series to define the limited version of the video game; where the method is executed by a processor.

[0012] 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 version integral; program instructions for determining a plurality of user-defined portions of the user's recorded game; program instructions to, 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 boundaries; program instructions for placing each of the playable portions in a series to define the limited version of the video game.

[0013] In another embodiment, a system is provided, including: at least one server computing device having logic to generate a limited playable version of a video game, including logic to record 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 video game based on the user-defined portion, and generating a playable portion of the video game based on the defined boundaries; logic to place each of the playable portions of the video game in a series to define the limited version of the video game.

[0014] In one embodiment, a method for sharing the game recorded in a social graph is provided, including the following method operations: video recording a user's game during an active state of a game session; receive a command to initiate a share operation during the active state of the game session; in response to receiving the command, entering a paused state of the game session and presenting a sharing interface; processing 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's social graph; resume game session active state; where the method is executed by a processor.

[0015] In another embodiment, a method for sharing game recorded on a social graph is provided, including the following method operations: video recording of a user's game during an active state of a game session; receive a command to initiate a share operation during the active state of the game session; in response to receiving the command, determining a user-defined selection of recorded video; share the user-defined selection of recorded video in a user's social graph; where the method is executed by a processor.

[0016] 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 videotaping 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 game session; program instructions to, in response to receiving the command, determine a user-defined selection of recorded video; program instructions to share the user-defined selection of recorded video in a user's social graph.

[0017] In one embodiment, a method is provided for providing remote control of a user's game, 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 control of the game from the first user to the second user; start control of the first user's game by the second user; where the method is executed by at least one processor.

[0018] In another embodiment, a non-transient computer readable medium is provided having program instructions incorporated therein to provide remote control of a user's game, the program instructions including: program instructions for presenting a video feed to the live gameplay from a first user to a second remote user; program instructions for processing a request to transfer control of the game from the first user to the second user; program instructions to initiate control of the first user's game by the second user.

[0019] 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

[0020] The invention can be better understood with reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0021] Figure 1A illustrates a user playing a cloud-based video game, according to configurations of the invention.

[0022] Figure 1B illustrates multiple users at multiple locations engaged in cloud-based video game play.

[0023] Figure 2A illustrates a cloud gaming system, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0024] Figure 2B conceptually illustrates the accumulation of game titles across several generations of game consoles, according to configurations of the invention.

[0025] Figure 3 illustrates a method for providing game demonstrations to a user, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0026] Figure 4A illustrates the hierarchical organization of various portions of a video game, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0027] Figure 4B illustrates an interface for selecting a portion of a game timeline for generating a minigame or game slice, according to a configuration of the invention.

[0028] Figure 4C illustrates an interface to select a portion of a game timeline to generate a minigame, according to a configuration of the invention.

[0029] Figure 5 illustrates a series of screenshots demonstrating a method to generate a minigame from an existing video game by request, according to a configuration of the invention.

[0030] Figure 6 illustrates a system for generating a game slice code, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0031] Figure 7A illustrates the modification of a virtual space for the purpose of generating a game slice of a video game, according to a configuration of the invention.

[0032] Figure 7B illustrates the modification of a scene graphic for the purpose of generating a game slice, according to configurations of the invention.

[0033] Figure 8 illustrates a method for generating a game slice, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0034] Figure 9A illustrates an interface for navigating game slices associated with various game titles, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0035] Figure 9B illustrates a game slice information page, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0036] Figure 10 illustrates a view of information about a user's account, including live views of friends in a cloud gaming social network, according to a configuration of the invention.

[0037] Figure 11 illustrates a method to present live game feeds from the user's friends at that moment, according to a configuration of the invention.

[0038] Figure 12 illustrates a system including a cloud gaming system and a social network, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0039] Figure 13 is a graph illustrating various variables on game state over time, according to configurations of the invention.

[0040] Figure 14A illustrates a method for generating a game slice for a linear type video game, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0041] Figure 14B illustrates a method for generating a game slice for an open world type video game, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0042] Figure 14C illustrates a method for generating a game slice for a sports video game, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0043] Figure 15 conceptually illustrates the formation of a game in slices with multiple games, according to a configuration of the invention.

[0044] Figure 16 conceptually illustrates the generation of a minigame in slices with multiple games, according to a configuration of the invention.

[0045] Figure 17 illustrates an interface for sharing the game, according to a configuration of the invention.

[0046] Figure 18 illustrates an interface 1800 for selecting a portion of recorded game video for sharing, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0047] Figure 19 illustrates an interface 1900 for viewing a at that moment live video of a player's game, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0048] Figure 20 illustrates hardware and user interfaces that can be used to provide interactivity with a video game, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 21 illustrates additional hardware that can be used to process instructions, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 22 is an exemplary illustration of scene A to scene E with the respective user from A to E interacting with clients 1102 that are connected to a server processing via the internet, according to a configuration of the present invention.

[0051] Figure 23 illustrates a configuration of an Information Service Provider assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] The following configurations describe methods and apparatus for automatically generating suggested minigames based on recorded game play, generating multi-portion minigames for cloud play based on recorded gameplay, sharing recorded game on a social graph, and remote control of a first user game by a second user.

[0053] It will be obvious, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention can 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 obscure the present invention.

[0054] Figure 1A illustrates a user playing a cloud-based video game, according to configurations of the invention. As shown, a U1 user plays a cloud-based video game on a 100 display. A cloud-based video game is a video game that is primarily run on a remote server. A server, in a configuration, can include individual servers or servers that run in a virtual machine data center, where many servers can be virtualized to provide the required processing. In the illustrated configuration, the cloud game server(s) 104 run the video game that is presented on the display 100. A client 101 is situated at the user's site to receive and process feed information and communicate it to the servers of cloud game 104, and also receive video and audio data from cloud game servers 104. The client 101 and cloud game servers 104 communicate over a network 102, such as the internet. In other configurations, the client can be any device, portable or not, as long as the client can communicate with a network and provide access to a display to present game and allow the feed per portion of a user to favor interactivity. In one configuration, the customer is a thin customer. However, in other configurations, the client may be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a game console, a personal computer, a laptop, a tablet, a mobile computing device, a handheld computing device, a cell phone, a converter, a streaming media device/interface, a smart television or network connected display, or any other computing device capable of being configured to meet a customer'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.

[0055] In various configurations, the degree of processing performed by the client may vary with respect to input and output processing. However, in general, the state of the video game is substantially maintained and executed on the game request servers 104, with the client functioning primarily to receive and communicate user-fed information, and to receive video/audio for presentation. Client 101 may be a standalone device that is connected to display 100 and provides video data for display on display 100. In other configurations, the client may be integrated into display 100. In one configuration, display 100 is a display connected to the network that provides one operating system per platform for applications or “apps” that use the display's network connectivity. In such a configuration, the client can be defined by an application running on the platform provided by the display operating system.

[0056] Figure 1B illustrates multiple users at multiple locations engaged in cloud-based video game play. User U1 is shown in a first location interacting with a video game presented on display 100. Users U2 and U3 are shown in a second location interacting with a video game presented on display 106. A user U4 is shown in a third location playing a video game presented on a 108 display. Users U5, U6, and U7 are shown in a fourth location interacting with a video game presented on a 110 display.

[0057] In each of the first, second, third and fourth locations, at least one computing device is provided to process input fed by the various users and present a cloud-based video game on their respective displays. It should be appreciated that the computing device can be integrated into a display, or it can be an isolated device such as a personal computer, a converter, a game console, or any other type of device having at least one processor and memory to process and store data. The computing device can run or define a client as described above. Computing devices are networked, and communicate over a network, such as the internet 102, with cloud game servers104.

[0058] Cloud game servers 104 run the various video games being played by users, setting a given game state of the video game at each moment, 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) who are playing the video game, and transmits input data to the game request server, which in turn processes the data. input to affect the game state of the video game. It should be appreciated that cloud gaming facilitates multiplayer play of players located in different locations by providing the video game play on a remote server that is accessible by all players on a network. In this way, video game play is not dependent on the hardware or network conductivity of any particular player, although this will affect the user experience for that given player.

[0059] Figure 2A illustrates a cloud gaming system, according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown, a user 200 operates a controller 202 to provide input to a cloud-based video game. Controller 202 can include any one of several types of feed devices, such as buttons, joysticks, touchpad, TrackBall, and motion sensitive hardware such as accelerometers, and magnetometers, and gyroscopes. In one configuration, controller 202 may include an illuminated object that can be tracked to determine the location of controller 202. Controller 202 may communicate wirelessly with a thin game client 204. Client 204 communicates over a network 208 with a cloud gaming service 210. The client 204 processes data from the controller 202 to generate feed data that is communicated to a video game played by the cloud gaming service 210. In addition, the client 204 receives video data from the service. cloud gaming engine 210, for display on display 206. In one configuration, the client 204 may process the received video data so as to provide a then-current video in a format compatible with the display 206. In one configuration, the client 204 may include a camera for tracking a controller device or an object located on the controller device. As noted, the object can be illuminated to further facilitate tracking based on analysis of image frames captured by the camera.

[0060] The cloud game service 210 includes features to provide an environment in which a video game can be played. Generally speaking, resources can include various types of computer server hardware, including processors, storage devices, and networking equipment, that can be used to facilitate running a video game application. In the illustrated configuration, a 212 video game library 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 stand-alone computing device that defines a platform to represent virtual machines 216. In another configuration, host 214 may operate by one or more server computing devices, handling the allocation and use of resources defined by the devices. server computing, while presenting a unified platform on which virtual machines 216 can be represented.

[0061] Each virtual machine 216 defines a resource environment that can support a system of operations, 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 in the virtual machine to help run 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 of a game console, although the underlying virtual machine may or may not be configured to emulate game console hardware. In another configuration, an emulator application is run on top of a virtual machine's operating system, the emulator being configured to emulate the native operating system environment of a game console in order to support video games designed for that game console. It should be appreciated that a variety of current and legacy gaming consoles can be emulated on an on-request based gaming system. In this way, a user can access different titles from different game consoles through the game request system.

[0062] When user 200 asks to play a specific video game title, the video game is retrieved from library 212. If a compatible virtual machine has not already been represented or is not available for use, then a new compatible virtual machine is represented on the host 214. The retrieved title is then run as application 218 on the available or newly represented virtual machine 216. In one configuration, this can entail determining the appropriate platform for the video game (for example, which game console or operating system the game requires for run) and assign the title to an appropriate virtual machine for execution, for example one having an emulator application capable of handling the title execution. The running video game application communicates with the game client 204 to provide an interactive gaming experience for the user 200. More specifically, the running video game application 218 receives feed data from the client 204 over network 208. The application 218 processes the data. Input data to update the game state of the running application. As the game state changes, application 218 outputs video data that is sent to client 204 for display on display 206. In addition, application 218 may also output data back to client 204 that is used to provide an additional feedback mechanism to the user. By way of example, the user controller 202 may include a tactile vibration feedback mechanism that can be activated based on feedback data output from the video game application.

[0063] In one configuration, the cloud gaming system is configured to detect the type of client device associated with the user, and also 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 logs into 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 series of client device options are presented from which the user can select one that matches the client device. The customer may also be presented with 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 can be presented to the user from which they can select to designate a controller type that matches their controller hardware. In other configurations, the cloud gaming system can be configured to automatically detect the device type of the client and/or the device type of the controller.

[0064] By time, at the time of connecting, the client device can send information to the cloud game server 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 setting and a feed parameter setting to provide a gaming experience optimized for the user's client device and controller device. In a 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.

[0065] It should be appreciated that a given video game can 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 might have been developed for a game console and its associated controller, while the user might 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.

[0066] In another example, a user may access the cloud gaming system from a tablet, touch-screen smartphone, or other touch-screen powered device. In this case, the client device and the controller device are integrated together in the same device, the information being provided through 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 displayed or overlaid when running the video game to indicate locations on the touch screen that the user can tap to generate game input. Gestures such as hits in specific directions or specific touch movements can also be detected as information for the game. In one configuration, guidance can be provided to the user indicating how to provide touch screen input to the game, for example, before starting to play the video game, in order to acquaint the user with operating the touch screen controls .

[0067] 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 can in turn process this information and then transmit feed data to the cloud game server via a network (eg accessed by a LAN 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 on demand, without requiring such information to be communicated first through the client device. For example, the controller could connect to a LAN device (such as the aforementioned router) to send and receive data from the game server on demand. Thus, while the customer may still be required to receive video game feeds based on requests and present them on a local display, input latency can be reduced by allowing the controller to send information directly over the network to the game server on demand, skipping the client device.

[0068] In one configuration, a networked controller and the client device can be configured to send certain types of information directly from the controller to the game server on request, and other types of information via 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, bypassing the client device. This information can include information by button, information by joysticks, information by built-in motion detection (eg accelerometer, magnetometer, gyroscope, etc.). However, information that uses additional hardware or requires processing by the client's device may be sent by the client's device to the game server on request. These can include captured video or audio from the gaming environment that can be processed by the client's device before being sent to the gaming server on demand. Furthermore, information from the controller's motion detection hardware can be processed by the client device together with captured video to detect the controller's position and motion, which would then be communicated by the client device to the server. games by request. It should be appreciated that the controller device according to various configurations can also receive data (eg feedback data) from the client device or directly from the game server on request.

[0069] Figure 2B conceptually illustrates the accumulation of game titles across several generations of game consoles, according to configurations of the invention. In the video game industry, video games are developed for specific game consoles. Over time a library of game titles is accumulated for a specific game console. For example, in the diagram illustrated, a first-generation 220 console has a collection of 228 game titles that was designed for this. A second generation 222 console has associated with it a collection of 230 game titles that were developed for it. And a 3rd generation 224 console 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 have been specifically developed as cloud-based games and collected for distribution on a cloud gaming system as described here. It will be appreciated that game titles from different generations of game consoles can be collected and consolidated into the 212 cloud game library. As shown, the 212 library includes a 236 first generation console library which includes the game titles that have been developed for the first-generation 220 console. Similarly, the 212 library 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. . Games that were developed for the 226 client and other game types such as internet games can also be included in the 212 game library. As can be seen, a large number of game titles that span multiple generations of video game consoles can be collected and made available by a game library upon request. As described, each of these games can run in 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 game system based on requests 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 were specifically developed for use with the system. of cloud-based games.

[0070] Figure 3 illustrates a method for providing game demonstrations to a user, according to an embodiment of the invention. An interface 300 is shown providing vignettes 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 an image indicative of the game it represents. In a configuration, when a user navigates to a particular icon, the icon can be turned on to show an animation or video clip that is representative of the video game or that otherwise provides additional information to the user about the video game content. In the illustrated configuration, a user has navigated to the 302 icon, 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 shown in accordance with the 314 method operation. If the user continues to select the game in the 316 method operation, then, in the 318 method operation, the game code stops the demo starts. In the operation of method 320, the game demo is instantly available for play by the user. It should be noted that because the game demo is cloud-based, it can be made available instantly from a pre-loaded representation of the game demo on the cloud-based system. When the game demo starts, the game impersonation is triggered to run. In method operation 322, it is determined whether the user wishes to continue playing the game demo or play another video game demo, if one is available. If so, then the method either reverts to continuously running the game demo in operation 322 or performs a new game demo for the video game. If not, then, in operating method 324, the user is presented with an option to purchase a mini-version of the video game. Furthermore, in operation method 326, the user may be presented with either an option to purchase a mini version or a full version of the game, then in method operation 328 this game version is added to the user's account. It should be noted that because games are made available on a cloud-based gaming system, adding a game to a user account can simply result in the association of access privileges for the specific version of the game with the user account. . Furthermore, once purchased, the game can be made available virtually instantly from the cloud-based system for user play, especially since the game can be pre-represented in the cloud-based system.

[0071] Figure 4A illustrates the hierarchical organization of various portions of a video game, according to a configuration of the invention. By way of example, a video game can be organized into several 400 sections. In the illustrated configuration, these may include a configuration section, an introduction section, several level sections, and an output section. A given level can be further divided into several scenes. As shown, the level 3 section is split into several 402 scenes. As the user plays in a given scene, a game timeline of that scene can be recorded, including video recording the user's game as well as input data. and recorded game states of the running game application. In the illustrated configuration, the 404 game timeline is representative of the users' game from scene 2 of level 3 of the game. According to configurations of the invention, a user can select portions of his recorded game from which to generate a minigame or minislice. For example, in the illustrated configuration the 404 game timeline has a start time TO and an end time TZ. A portion of the game timeline from Time Tx to Time Ty has been selected from which to generate a minigame.

[0072] Figure 4B illustrates an interface for selecting a portion of a game timeline for generating a minigame or game slice, according to a configuration of the invention. In the illustrated configuration, the 412 interface is presented on a 411 touch screen of a 410 device. In one configuration, the 410 device is a tablet. The 412 interface includes a selectable game timeline. In an expanded view 430 of the game's timeline 414, it can be seen that in a configuration of the game's timeline 414 it is represented by a strip of film with adjustable markers 416 and 418. Marker 416 designates the starting point for the along the team's 414 game timeline, while marker 418 designates the end point along the national team's game timeline. In addition, a marker 419 may be positioned within the portion of the game timeline 414 that has been established by starting marker 416 and ending marker 418. For ease of use and to provide the user with a visual understanding of which portion of their game is being selected, a starting frame 420 can be shown that corresponds to the point along the game's timeline where marker 416 was placed. Start frame 420 is an image of recorded game video corresponding to the time when start marker 416 is positioned. Similarly, a representative end frame 424 can be shown corresponding to the point along the game's timeline at which marker 418 was placed. Similarly, end frame 424 is an image of recorded game video corresponding to the time end marker 418 is placed. In addition, a representative frame 422 can be shown corresponding to the position of marker 419 along the game timeline. The representative frame 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 can be used to select start and end points to define a game portion for creating a mini game. For example, input can be provided by a game controller, a keyboard, via gesture input, voice input, and according to other types of devices and input feed mechanisms to allow selection of a portion of game along with selecting a representative image frame from the recorded game video.

[0073] In some configurations selection markers may not be continuously adjustable along the game's timeline, but can instead be configured to snap to predefined time points along the game's timeline. For example, predefined time points can be set to correspond to 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 specific game architecture of the video game. In a configuration, predefined points in time can be assigned based on a character's geographic location within a virtual world defined by the video game. For example, predefined points in time 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 one city to another city, entering a structure, entering a room within a structure, entering the vehicle, entering in a different kind of environment, or any other kind of significant geographic transition. In another configuration, predefined time points can be assigned based on the development of a character or entity of a user that is controlled in the video game. For example, predefined time points can be assigned when a character or user-controlled entity performs a task, acquires a skill, acquires an object, levels up or otherwise completes a portion of the video game, or performs or achieves something else. type of significant activity in video game.

[0074] Figure 4C illustrates an interface to select a portion of a game timeline to generate a minigame, according to a configuration 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 corresponding to the position of the start marker 416 is shown, as is an ending frame 424 that corresponds to the position of the end marker 418. It will be appreciated that 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 frames can be determined according to a variety of methods. For example, candidate frames can be presented from fractional intervals of the selected portion of the game's timeline. The intervals can be equivalent, such that candidate frames are evenly spaced along the game's timeline, or the intervals can be non-equivalent, such that some frames are closer together than others along the line of 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 .

[0075] 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 under substantially the same conditions and parameters. In this sense, the minigame is more than simply a replay video of the original user's game (although a video clip 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 designated based on the user's selection of their own game. A second user can thus experience a game experience substantially similar to that of the original user.

[0076] Figure 5 illustrates a series of screenshots demonstrating a method to generate a minigame from an existing cloud video game, according to a configuration of the invention. Screenshot 500 shows a user's video game play. In the illustrated configuration, the user plays level 3 of a video game. Upon completing the level, the user is offered an option to generate a game slice or minigame based on the user's game of that level. When the user chooses to generate a game slice, then at the time screenshot 504 the user is presented with an interface to select 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 defined the starting point, then in screenshot 506 the user is presented with the interface configured to allow selection of an ending point for the game slice. Again, an adjustable slider is moved by the user to designate the end point 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 elsewhere here. 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 game slice from the same game timeline, an option to continue playing the video game at that moment, an option to see the user's existing game slices, etc. If the user chooses to see 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. The information and statistics related to a given 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 completion percentage indicating an average percentage of the game slice that is completed by users who propose to play the game slice, comments left by other users, etc.

[0077] Although in the configuration described at that moment an option is presented to generate a game slice for a user following the completion of a video game level, it should be noted that in other configurations the user can generate a game slice in any other time during or outside of the video game game, provided there is a recorded game of the video game from which a selection can be defined by the user for a game slice. For example, in a configuration, an interface can be presented that provides access to several games recorded from several video games that are associated with the user. The user can select the game of a specific video game and generate a game slice by selecting a portion of the saved game from which to generate the game slice according to the settings described here.

[0078] Figure 6 illustrates a system for generating game slice code, according to an 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 selection of the existing recorded game user. In the illustrated configuration, 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 broadcasts, including video data, game state data, and user-feed data. These can be saved in order to define the saved game by the user. In the illustrated configuration, an image stream 604 conceptually represents the video data outputted by the video game. Game 606 state metadata and user input 608 data are also shown. The game state data 606 includes data that defines the game state of the video game running at each moment during the game. Game state data can include the values of any variables that define the game's running state. User-input data is data generated by capturing user-initiated actions that occur during interactivity with the video game, such as those that can be provided via activation of feed devices on controller devices, detection of sensor data (for example, motion sensors), captured audio input, and the like.

[0079] As described, a user interface can graphically display the user's recorded game to facilitate the user's 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 saved 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 achievement, scene boundaries (physical or temporal), or any other aspect of a video game according to which the video game game can be segmented to generate a game slice. A brief description of some illustrative settings will serve to highlight certain possibilities for determining a breakpoint.

[0080] 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 setup, the particular scene boundaries can set the geographic breakpoint for the game slice, selecting the scene to exclude other scenes, which can lead to the deletion of other adjacent or added scenes as well as of scenes that are not adjacent or added or less related or unrelated to the specific scene. It should be noted that the selection of recorded game 610 can entail gameplay from multiple scenes, in which case the game breakpoint processor 616 can be configured to set breakpoints according to the limits of the multiple scenes that are used for selection of recorded game.

[0081] 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 it can also be configured to exist for a certain time or at a certain chronological point within the larger context of the video game. A scene like this can have definite goals or goals 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.

[0082] Furthermore, a given scene may have associated objects or features that are presented as a portion of the scene during the game. These objects or features can be analyzed to set other breakpoints according to their inclusion. For example, the objects in the scene can be taken from a subset of the implement library, in which case the subset of the implement library can be set to the game slice by the 616 game breakpoint processor, excluding other objects in the library of implements that are not used in the scene(s) associated with the saved 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 taking place in the video game. For example, an object could have a damage modeler module that determines and adjusts the object's appearance when it is damaged (for example, when hit 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 gameplay, as well as its operation and response to user input. This logic or damage modeler can even set game breakpoints for game slice generation.

[0083] 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 examples described herein 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.

[0084] In some configuration, a video game can be organized into several scenes that have to be completed in a linear fashion, so that a subsequent scene cannot be experienced until its preceding scene has been completed first. Each scene can 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 can include navigating from a start location to a predefined finish 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 anything else activity that can set a goal within the game. A scene can have several predefined endpoints, ie points at which the user, once having reached the endpoint, is able to return to that endpoint if the user becomes unable to continue the game for some reason (for example , user leaves game, user's game character dies or depletes their lives or health, user's vehicle crashes, etc.). At predefined endpoints, a video game can be configured to automatically save the user's progress, or present an option for the user to save their progress.

[0085] In one configuration, the 616 game breakpoint processor is configured to set a game breakpoint at predefined endpoints. In one configuration, this is accomplished by finding the end points closest to the start and end points of the user's recorded game selection, and using those closest end points to set game breakpoints for the game slice. In another configuration, the closest ending point that occurs before the selected recorded game selection start point is used to set a starting breakpoint, while a closest ending point that occurs after the selected ending point of the Saved game selection is used to set a final breakpoint for game slice creation. In yet another configuration, if an endpoint is within a predefined radius (for example, before or after) of the start or end points of the saved game selection, then that endpoint is used to set a breakpoint match starting or ending game. Whereas if no end point is within the preset radius, then a game breakpoint is set that most closely matches the start or end point selected by the user for the saved selection. In other configurations, the preset radius for the start and end points may differ for the purpose of determining whether it is possible to use an existing end point to set a game breakpoint.

[0086] As discussed, game breakpoint processor 616 determines appropriate breakpoints applicable to various aspects of the video game based on analysis of users' recorded game selection. The breakpoints set by the processor 616 serve to define the limited field of game slice that will be produced based on the users' recorded game selection. In one configuration, an overlay processor 617 is provided to generate overlays that can contribute to a better user experience when playing the game slice generated by the game 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 can be provided as an introduction to the game slice before the actual game of the game slice. 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 configuration, the pre-game slice dice may define introductory gameplay for the game slice, which can 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 fundamentals information, objectives or goals, maps, or any other type of game slice information that may be useful to the user or otherwise improve the user's gaming experience. the game slice.

[0087] The 617 overlay processor can also be configured to set post game slice data In some configurations, the post game slice data can define video or images to be shown following game ending of the game slice. For example, a congratulatory video could be shown after a user completes the game slice. This video can be customized based on the user's game of the game slice, for example, showing information or images that are based on the user's game. In one configuration, the post-game slice data can define a replay engine to replay recorded portions of the game slice's user game after its completion. In another configuration, post-game slice data can be configured to display statistics about the game of game slice users, and may indicate a comparison of the users game with that of other users or the original game slice creator . In other configurations, the post-game slice data can define additional interactive elements to be presented to the user upon completion of the game slice. These may include options to partially or completely acquire the video game on which the game slice is based, redirect options to additional sources of video game-related information, etc.

[0088] In some configurations, the overlay processor 617 can 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's slice, such as character customization, objects, properties, and other types of customization options. In some configurations, overlay processor 617 can be configured to define simplified elements for a game slice in order to reduce the complexity of the game slice code and the amount of resources required to execute the game slice. For example, many video games include artificial intelligence (Al) entities such as characters, vehicles, enemies, etc. These Al entities can in the entire video game be governed by artificial intelligence models that define the reaction and activity of Al entities based on events that occur in the video game. However, in the context of a game slice that is limited in scope, it may be acceptable to simply define the activity of an Al entity through hardcode definition or simplified extrapolations, rather than completely modeling the activity of the Al entity as would be the case in full video game.

[0089] For example, in the recorded game of the full video game a certain character Al moves in a certain way according to his Al model that probably won't change in the game slice, so he might be more efficient to define an approximation of the Al's character move to the game slice. This approach would not require the complete Al model to be included as a portion of the game slice code, however it would provide the user playing the game slice with a substantially similar experience with respect to that Al character to the user's original game from which the game slice has been generated. The resource savings realized by approximating Al entities activity can be even more significant when multiple Al entities are present and interacting in the user-recorded game selection. Because each of the entities with Al can have Al models that depend on the emission of those of the other entities with Al. game slice through simplified mechanisms such as direct encoding of your control variables and approximation of your activity.

[0090] Continuing with reference to Figure 6, a game configuration state processor 618 is provided to determine an initial state of the game slice. Based on the operation of game state analyzer 614, game breakpoint processor 616, and game setup state processor 618, a code set manager 620 assembles various code portions to define the code of game slice 622. When game slice code 622 is executed, user game 624 provides information to set the execution state of game slice code, which produces game output video data and return data to present the game slice for the user. The video data may include pre-game slice overlay video 622, game slice video 624 which is the resulting game video of the game slice, and post-game slice overlay video 626.

[0091] It should be appreciated that in one configuration, the game slice code 622 is entirely self-sufficient, including all code portions that are required to execute the game slice. However, in other configurations, game slice code 622 may incorporate references or pointers to portions of code existing in the main game code of the entire video game. In addition, the game slice code 622 may include reference to or use existing implements in implement libraries of the main game code of the entire video game. However, in other configurations, new implement libraries can be generated for the game slice code.

[0092] Figure 7A illustrates the modification of a virtual space for purposes of generating a video slice of a video game, according to a configuration of the invention. Map 700 represents a scene or geographic 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 effective video game play. As shown, map 700 illustrates a region 702, and several paths 794, 706, 708, and 710. In the recorded video game game, a user's character 712 moves from region 702 to path 710. Based on this recorded movement and in another video game analysis, it can be determined that the additional paths 704, 706, and 708 are not needed for game slice generation. Paths may represent incorrect choices compared to path 710, or they may lead to areas that are not relevant to the game slice, or they may impair the ability of a game slice player to follow the path and experience a game similar to that of the original user. Furthermore, if the areas that paths 704, 706, and 708 lead to are not supported by the game slice, then the inclusion of such paths could cause confusion among players, or at least be an uninteresting experience for the user. Therefore, on a modified map 720, paths 704, 706, and 708 are not available for play in the game slice, while path 710, as well as region 702, remain unchanged. So when a user plays the game slice that incorporates the topography defined by map 720, he will experience a virtual space in which paths 704, 706, and 708 are not available for passing. The user will then more likely go through route 710 as the original user, thus experiencing similar gameplay.

[0093] It will be noted 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. Boundaries 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 virtual space defined by the user's game, 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 location of the path in virtual space, a set of predefined boundaries can be chosen in order to define a region that encompasses the path. In some configurations, predefined boundaries 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.

[0094] Figure 7B illustrates the modification of a scene graphic for the purpose of generating a game slice, according to configurations of the invention. A 730 scene graphic conceptually illustrates the arrangement of various scenes A to G of a video game. It should be appreciated that scenes such as those described here can be geographical and/or temporal in nature, and each can represent a playable portion of a video game, such as a stage, a level, a section, a location, or any another organizational unit within the video game according to which a player can progress from one scene to another 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 to scene B. A for scene C, and from scene C for either scene F or G. Scene graphic 730 is illustrative of the entire video game scene organization. However, for purposes of creating a game slice, not all available scenes may be required for the game slice. So, by way of example, a scene graphic 732 illustrates the organization of 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 scene graph 739 of the full video game. Thus, a user can progress from scene A to either scene B or C, and from scene C to scene F. However, the other scenes in the full video game 730 scene graphic are not available for play in the game slice. As described, systems in accordance with embodiments of the invention can be configured to limit the inclusion of scenes when generating a game slice. As such, the game slice does not include scenes that are not required for the limited context of your game and intended purpose.

[0095] Figure 8 illustrates a method for generating a game slice, according to an embodiment of the invention. In the operation of method 800, a video game user's game is recorded, including video recording of the users' game and input data and game state data of the video game. In the 802 method operation, a user interface is presented for saving game selection 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 to check recorded game video can be provided to allow the user to set start and end points within the game video based on browsing or playing the game video. In the 804 method operation, the user defined selection of game video is received. In the operation of method 806, video game breakpoints are identified based on the received user defined selection of game video. In a configuration, there are predefined breakpoints for the video game. Based on the game video user defined selection, the game breakpoints that are closest to the starting and ending points of the user defined selection can be chosen as game breakpoints for the game slice to be generated . In method operation 808, the game code is set for the slice selection as defined by the identified breakpoints. In this 810 method operation, the game setting state is set to slice selection. In a configuration, the game configuration state is based on a game state that existed during the user's recorded game. In operation of method 812, the game slice code is generated, and in the operation of method 814, the game slice code is stored in a game slice library and associated with the user's account.

[0096] In one configuration, the method may include the operation of method 816, wherein game slice video selections are generated based on the user's recorded game video and data. Users' suggested 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 game slice selection can present 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 selection by the user of one of the suggested game slice video selections is received. Based on user selection, game slice code can be generated and stored as described above.

[0097] Figure 9A illustrates an interface for navigating game slices associated with various game titles, according to an embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated configuration, the interface is organized into a series of tabs, including tabs 900, 902 and 904, which when selected provide access to various 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 T1 game title. A 904 game slice list lists the various game slices that were created from the T1 game title. In one configuration, game slice list 904 also identifies the user who created the game slice (for example, it shows a username of the user who created the game slice). In one configuration, game slice list 904 can be explored or browsed to highlight different game slices than those listed in 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 can 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 the location from which the game slice was created, comments from user A who created the game slice, third party comments, a number of times that the game slice has been played, or any other type of game slice information that may be provided when the game slice listing is highlighted.

[0098] Figure 9B illustrates a game slice information page, according to an 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 game slice A list as shown in Figure 9A. Continuing the reference to Figure 9B, the game slice information page provides several types of game slice related input. In addition to the bibliographic information about the game slice (eg title, username of the user who created the game slice, creation date, etc.), a 910 video of the game slice can be shown. In one configuration, video 910 is the recorded game video of the original user who created the game slice. In another configuration, video 910 could be game video recorded from other users, such as a user who achieved the highest score on 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 currently playing the game slice. In other configurations, instead of a video a representative game slice image could be shown.

[0099] The game slice information page may further include a selectable button 912 for starting the game of game slice. The game slice information page may also include a details section 914, which can display various details and statistical information about the game slice, such as the number of moves, average finishing speed, etc. The entry page about the game slice may also include a 916 comments section, featuring comments left by users. A select button 918 can be provided to select various options to separate the comments (eg chronological order, reverse chronological order, most popular, by rank, by relationship with the user at that time (eg comments from the user's friends in a social graph are prioritized), etc.).

[00100] Figure 10 illustrates a view of user account information, including live views on a cloud gaming social network, according to a configuration 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 can include displaying representative graphics in addition to information about the title. It will be appreciated that games may be full version game titles, but also limited version mini-versions, each of which may be a portion of a full version game title or be limited in some capacity compared to the full version game title. integral. A friends list 1004 lists the user's friends at that time on a social network associated with the cloud gaming system (ie, other users on the user's social graph at that time). The social network can be a social network that is specific to the cloud gaming system, or it can 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 that are owned by each of the friends, identifying the friend's online status (eg, online, offline. line, idle, etc.), the friend's last connection and duration, the friend's last played game, etc.

[00101]In one configuration, a live streamed active user section 106 provides live views of the game from friends who are currently online and may be playing a video game. In one setting, each user has an option to define whether or not their live game is available for viewing live by other users. In such a setup, live views are only presented from those users who have the option designated to allow their game to be viewed live by other users. In the illustrated configuration, the live active user section 1006 includes a live 1008 view of the game at that time from friend A, as well as a live view of the game at that time from friend B. In one configuration, the user at that time can browse or browse the friends from friends list 1004 and/or browse the live views that are available in the live active user section 1006. In a configuration, a live view can be highlighted when the user at that time browses to it , and can be presented differently from other live views. For example, live previews can be displayed in an unsaturated color scheme by default, but 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 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 with greater fidelity than other live views that may be active simultaneously. It should be appreciated that the live view can display not only the specific game of a video game, but also other activity of a friend on the cloud gaming system, such as her navigation through menus or other types of activity related to her session. cloud game.

[00102]In one configuration, live views are only available to those users who are currently actively engaged in playing a video game. In other words, no live preview of a particular user is available when that user is either offline, or online, but not actively engaged in playing a video game. Thus, when a user is performing an activity other than gaming on the cloud gaming system (for example, browsing a graphical interface of the cloud gaming system while logged into the system), that activity is not made available in a live feed for others see. In another configuration, the live view can include all activity of a user who is logged into the cloud gaming system, including both the user's gaming as well as other non-gaming activity.

[00103]In a configuration, a particular user's live view can be filtered so as not to expose potentially sensitive or personal information for others to view. For example, the cloud gaming system may support a chat function. As some users may want their chats to remain private, an option may be provided that excludes chat connections when presenting a live preview. It should be appreciated that a chat function can be implemented during gaming activity as well as during non-gaming activity, and may be filtered from live views of one or both of these circumstances. In another setting, 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 can 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, the live view can be configured to prevent personal input from being seen (eg, prevent it from being seen when a user accesses a personal information page, enters payment information, enters a password, etc.). ).

[00104]In a configuration, the interface provides an option for the first user to ask to join the game session of a second user who is currently online. For example, the first user might see the second user's live game entry and want to join 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 initiated, facilitating multiplayer play by first and second players. In another configuration, two or more secondary users may already be engaged in a multiplayer game. In such a setup, the first user can submit a request to join the multiplayer game. Upon acceptance of the request by one of the secondary users (eg, a designated host of the game session), the first user is enabled to join the multiplayer session of the video game. It should be appreciated that the mentioned interface showing live game feeds from secondary users makes it easy for the first user to join secondary users' game after being enabled to see their game.

[00105]In a configuration, the option to ask to join the second user's game is asserted 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, whereas if the first user has the same video game as the second user, then the option to ask to join the second user's game is provided as a portion of the interface . In one configuration, when the first user is determined not to own the video game, then the first user can still join the second user in a multi-layered mode, but in a limited capacity, eg limited in duration of the game, 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 of the limited version of the video game, the first user is given an option to purchase an additional portion of the video game.

[00106]107 Continuing with reference to Figure 10, the information shown may also include information about the game 1012 history of the user's friends. The game history information 1012 can provide information about the game history of a particular friend, such as the most recently played games, the duration of game sessions, game-related statistics, etc.

[00107]108 It will be appreciated that many methods and configurations for presenting a cloud game interface are possible in accordance with various configurations of the invention. In such a configuration, a method for displaying a currently playing status of users of a cloud gaming system is provided, including the following method operations: presenting a cloud gaming interface from a first user; determine one or more secondary users who are friends of the first user; determine a then-current status of each of the secondary users, the then-current status being either online or offline; for at least a second online user, to present a live feed of a game session occurring at that time from the second user in the first user's cloud game interface, the live feed includes providing an option for the first user to join the second user's game session happening online; wherein initiating multi-tier mode includes determining a status of first user ownership with respect to a video game that defines the second user's ongoing game session online; where it is determined that the first user owns the video game, then the multilayer 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 gameplay conditions of a limited version of the video game.

[00108] In one configuration, the limited version of the video game defines a reduction, compared to the full version of the video game, in one or more of the available levels, available scenes, available features, time limit, virtual space, campaign duration, number of lives, or a number of repetitions.

[00109] 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 acquire at least a portion of the video game.

[00110]In one configuration, the second online user's live feed is presented in a first resolution; and selecting the live feed triggers the second online user's live feed to be displayed at a second resolution higher than the first resolution.

[00111]In one configuration, the second online user's live feed is presented in an unsaturated color mode; and selecting the live feed triggers the presentation of the second online user's live feed in a saturated color mode.

[00112]In one configuration, presenting the cloud game interface includes presenting a library of game titles associated with each of the secondary users.

[00113]In a configuration, assigning 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.

[00114] In one configuration, presenting the first user's cloud game interface includes presenting a list of each of the secondary users in a priority order, the priority order being based on one or more of the statuses at that time, how recent is the connection, or ownership of games in common with the first user.

[00115]Figure 11 illustrates a method to present live game feeds from the user's friends at that moment, according to a configuration of the invention. In method operation 1100, a user at that time connects to a cloud gaming system. In method operation 1102, the user's friends at that moment are identified from a social graph of the user at that moment. As noted, the user's social graph at that time could 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 the user's friends can identify game titles in the user's friends libraries. In method operation 1106, the current status of the user's friends at that time are identified. If the status at that time of a certain friend is online then in method operation 1108 it is determined whether the certain friend is currently engaged in a video game game on the cloud-based system. If it is, then in method operation 1112, a live game feed for that user is obtained. 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 moment and information about their status and game history feeds are presented in order of priority. In one setting, the user's friends who are currently online can be prioritized over friends who are offline. In one configuration, friends of the user at the time who are currently engaged in an active game may be prioritized over friends who are not currently engaged in an active game. In one setting, friends can be prioritized based on how recently they've connected to the cloud gaming system. In another setting, friends can be prioritized based on video game common ownership. The examples of prioritizing friends shown 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.

[00116] Figure 12 illustrates a system including a cloud gaming system and a social network, according to an embodiment of the invention. A 1200 gaming system provides access to your cloud-based games. The cloud gaming 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 game in progress that the user saves. In the illustrated configuration, several game sessions are shown conceptually, including a session A, a session B, and a session C. Session A defines the game of a user A, who sees session A's game on an A display. Session A's game is presented as view 1210 in user A's display 1208. Similarly, session B defines user B's game a, which is presented on user B's device 1212 as view 1214. In the illustrated configuration, the 1214 view of user B's session shows an interface including live views of other users, including a live view of session A and a live view of session C. As the game of sessions A and C proceeds, a video The game is streamed from sessions A and C and can be streamed through user B's session so as to be shown in user B's view 1214. The game video can be streamed via user B's session, for example , diminishing the resolution, size, frame rate, color saturation, etc. to conserve bandwidth.

[00117]Continuing with 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 charts, posts, photos, videos, biographical information, etc. 1220 apps can be run on the social networking platform. A graphical user interface (GUI) 1222 defines an interface for interacting with the social network. A 1224 API facilitates access to the social network. A 1226 notification module handles notification of social network users according to their preferences. As noted, user B's 1214 view includes live feeds of other users' sessions. In one configuration, user B's friends were determined based on an access to API 1224 of social network 1216 to determine members of user B's social graph. These members were referenced to cloud gaming system users to provide feeds of Live play from user B's friends, including feeds from sessions A and C.

[00118]In one configuration, user A chooses to share his session A with his social graph. User A's session communicates via API 1224 to enable notification module 1226 of social network 1216 to send an appropriate notification to friends in user A's social graph. When a social network user 1230 who is in user A's social graph logs in the social network via a 1228 device, they can see a message or post from user A about user A's session. If configured to do so, a user can receive notifications such as an email indicating that user A has shared something on 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 about a video game, an invitation to view or play a game slice that user A has created, a video clip of user A's game, etc.

[00119] Figure 13 is a graph illustrating various game state variables over time, according to configurations of the invention. It should be appreciated that in various configurations there can 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 configuration are provided by way of example only and not by way of limitation. Game state variables can include values that are defined by the running video game as well as values that are defined by user input. In the illustrated configuration, there are position variables shown indicating the X, Y, and Z positions of an object in a video game's 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 a configuration, the camera angle is defined by and the measured azimuth component (for example, along a horizontal plane) with respect to an azimuth reference and a slope component measured with respect to a slope reference (for example , relative to the vertical). Action variables such as the illustrated action variables A and B indicate the initiation and sustaining of various actions within the video game. It should be appreciated that actions for a given video game will be specific to the video game's context. By way of example, actions could include the initiation of specific maneuvers, the application of techniques, the activation of 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 user input during the course of the video game. Continuing with reference to Figure 13, a weapon variable indicates the firing of a video game weapon. A health variable indicates a level of health, for example, of a user's character in the video game. Button variables indicate the state of buttons on a controller device, for example, whether the button is in a compressed state or a released state. Variables relative to the state of the joystick in the illustrated configuration indicate a magnitude of movement of a joystick relative to a neutral position. Those 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 can be tracked over time.

[00120] Referring again to the configuration of Figure 6, in one configuration the game state analyzer 614 can be configured to analyze the game state variables of a user-recorded game. Based on the analysis of the user-recorded game, various regions of interest of 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 levels of activity 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 can be based on various factors such as intensity level, activation frequency, sustain duration, etc. In some configurations, analysis of game state variables may result in searching for game regions where the activity levels of two or more different game state variables are related in a predefined way, 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.

[00121] In various configurations, a user-recorded game region of interest can be automatically determined based on threshold detection of one or more of the following: one or more user inputs, user input speed, input frequency , repeating input types, occurrences of input patterns, inputs in combination (eg key combinations), motion vectors, pressure exerted on a controller, excitation of a user (eg detected based on captured image data or user audio).

[00122JA 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 player's progression through the video game follows a linear course, whereby to progress in the video game the player must first complete an objective before progressing to a next objective. Thus, all players have to complete the same objectives in the same order to progress in the video game. Objectives in a linear video game can be tied to geographic and temporal locations within the context of a video game's spatiotemporal story line. In method operation 1400, a video game scene is identified. The scene can be both spatial and temporal in nature, and have multiple objectives defined within it. In method operation 1402, a spatial or temporal extent of the scene is defined. Scene duration can be set according to user input, and it 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 the initial properties as defined above.

[00123] Figure 14B illustrates a method of generating a game slice for an open world type video game, according to an embodiment of the invention. An open world type video game can be characterized as one in which 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 will. In order to progress to different levels of the video game or the full video game, it may be required to complete a certain set of objectives, however, users may be free to complete those 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 video game's virtual world 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 game in an open world video game can span a wide variety of locations during the course of the game. However, for the purpose of generating a game slice, the user can select a game portion 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's selected portion of their recorded game, for example, by tracking a location of a user-controlled character within the virtual world and setting boundaries that include all locations where the 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 previously determined from the selection of games recorded by the user 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.

[00124] Figure 14C illustrates a method for generating a game slice for a sports video game, according to an embodiment of the invention. The game slice can be generated based on a user-defined selection of user-written games. In method operation 1420, a setting is identified based on the selection of saved games by the user. By way of example, the configuration can define a sporting event location, such as a court, stadium, track, or any other location configuration in which a video game sporting event can take place. In method operation 1422, a period of time is set based on the selection of saved games by the user. 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, game slice players are determined based on the players included in the user-recorded game selection. Players can include one or more characters that have been defined by the user, as well as characters with artificial intelligence (Al) that have been controlled by the Al character control logic of the video game running at the time of the game. As described elsewhere here, the characters' actions with Al can be similar in some cases. While in other configurations, the character control logic with Al is defined for the game slice with the parameters as they were defined in the user saved game selection. In method operation 1426, scene attributes for the location setting of the sports video game slice are set. For example, these might include attributes such as weather, track or court conditions, and other attributes of the sport setup. In method operation 1428, the game slice for the video game is generated based on the aforementioned parameters.

[00125] Figure 15 conceptually illustrates the formation of a game in slices with multiple games, according to a configuration of the invention. A video game can be organized into several levels or stages. In the illustrated configuration, a user game at various levels of a video game is shown. Specifically, a game timeline 1500 represents the user's game from a first level of the video game, while a game timeline 1502 and a game timeline 1506 represent the user's game from the second and third levels, respectively, of the video game. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a user may concatenate multiple video game game slices to form a larger multiple game slice minigame. In the illustrated configuration, a selection 1502 from the game timeline 1500 is used to define a first game slice 1514. A selection 1504 of two from the user game timeline 15 is used to define a second game slice 1818. And a selection 1508 from the user game timeline 1506 is used to define a third team slice 1522. The first, second, and third game slices are arranged in sequential order to define minigame 1510. In doing so, the 1510 minigame includes game slices from each of the first, second and third levels of the video game. In this way, a user playing the 1510 minigame is able to experience limited portions of multiple levels of the video game when playing the 1510 minigame. This can be useful in providing a more stimulating preview or demonstration of a video game than conventional video games in which user can only play a portion of a video game level or stage. The experience is analogous to that of a movie preview, which typically provides clips from different portions of the same movie, not just a single clip. According to configurations of the invention, users can enjoy demonstrations of the game in multiple portions, which provides a better sense of the scope of the entire video game, and which can include the game continuously from one portion to the next.

[00126]In a configuration, a user can insert additional material, such as a video, message, images, or any other type of user-defined information, before or after a game slice. In the illustrated embodiment, an intro 1512 is provided to introduce a player to the minigame 1510 and perhaps also introduce the player to the first game slice 1514. In addition, a message 1516 is inserted between the first game slice 1514 and the second game slice 1514. game 1518 and 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 saved game is shown before playing the game slice, the player starting the game slice can better understand the game slice and its objectives before starting the game, whereas if it is displayed after the game slice has been played, the player can understand how their game slice game compares to that of the original user.

[00127] Figure 16 conceptually illustrates the generation of a minigame in slices with multiple games, according to a configuration of the invention. In the illustrated configuration, a recorded game timeline of user 1600 for a game A is shown, along with the recorded game timeline of user 1604 for a game B, and the recorded game timeline of user 1608 for 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 configuration, a selection 1602 of the user-recorded game 1600 is used to define a game slice 1616, while a selection 1606 of the user-recorded game 1604 is used to define a game slice 1620, and a game selection 1610 of the game User-written 1608 is used to define a 1624 game slice. The 1616, 1620, and 624 game slices are arranged in sequence to define the 1612 minigame. Optionally, additional material can be inserted before or after a game slice. In the illustrated configuration, a lead 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 the 1624 game slice.

[00128]In the illustrated configuration, it will be appreciated that the game slices are taken from different video games. This allows the user great flexibility to mix together game slices that come from different game titles and genres, and even console platform generations. Merely by way of example, a user can create a minigame having game slices from 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.

[00129]Configurations of the invention have been described generically 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 here can be applied to traditional console-based video game systems, possibly in conjunction with cloud-based game systems. For example, a user can play a console-based video game and have the user's game input data and retained game metadata recorded during the game. Based on the user's game input data and game state metadata, the actual video game broadcast can be regenerated later. Therefore, the 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. The minigame code can be generated on the console and uploaded to a system on request and made available for download by other users. In another configuration, the minigame code is generated by the system on demand after receiving the selected portion of the users' game input data and game state metadata. The on-demand system processes the selected portion of the users' game input data and game state metadata to generate the minigame code based on the video game code stored in the on-demand system. Once generated, the minigame can be made available for cloud-based gaming where minigame execution takes place on the cloud-based system, but it can also be made available to be downloaded to traditional console-based systems to run on the console to facilitate the console-based minigame game. In this way, minigames can be created and played by both console-based video game system users and cloud-based video game system users.

[00130]Configurations of the invention have been described generically with reference to minigames or user-defined portions of video games that can be played. However, it will be noted by those skilled in the art that many of the principles elucidated here also readily apply to recorded game generation and sharing, including the sharing of recorded game video, screen captures, and live streaming of active 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's game that formed the basis for the minigame. In most other configurations, methods, systems, and interfaces are considered to facilitate the sharing of the user's game on the user's social graph.

[00131]In a configuration, a method to store game is considered. The game may be played by a game console's operating system in response to a user request, which may take the form of a standard file operation against a set of data 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 type of content associated with a game. Please note that such content may be user-generated or developer-generated, free or paid, full or trial, and/or for sale or rental.

[00132]A portion of the game can be retained, ie temporarily stored. For example, the previous 15 seconds, the level previously completed for the previous in-game action can be temporarily stored, as described later here. The term “portion” described herein may correspond 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" can correspond to levels, chapters, scenes, acts, characters, backgrounds, textures, courses, actions, songs, themes, durations, sizes, files, parts of it, and combinations of it. Additionally, portions of the game may comprise captures of hers or prescribed video capture durations.

[00133]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, game portions can be streamed over a wired or wireless network to another computing device, to another game console, or to a remote server. These remote servers can include social media servers.

[00134]Optionally, game portions not retrieved from the store or game portions outside of a particular game range (for example, a particular duration, level, chapter, course, etc.) can be removed from the store. This removal process can be completed using standard file operations on the operating system.

[00135]The game portions 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 streamed. The stored game can be displayed alone or together with other information, such as on a social media network website.

[00136]In a configuration, portions of the game are displayed by another game console associated with the user other than the user who stored or captured the game. Under this configuration, game portions 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 can then be streamed to the second user's game console. So the second user can see 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 caught by a second user, from the point of view of the second user. In this configuration the second user can review the game from both the first user's and the second user's point of view. Furthermore, the game portions stored by the second user can be transmitted to the game console of the first user, 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.

[00137] With respect to the storage, transmission and/or display of game portions as described herein, it is considered that game portions 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 viewing.

[00138]In some configurations, the game portion has a predetermined relationship to the game being played. For example, the game portion may correspond to a certain game total before the game that is currently running, such as the previous 10 seconds of game play. In another embodiment, a first game portion has a predetermined relationship to a second game portion. For example, the first game portion may match a certain game total before receiving a request to capture a second game portion, such as the ten seconds of gameplay prior to selecting a capture button. In each of these settings, the stored game total before the game in progress or the game requested can be configured and adjusted by the user according to their particular preferences.

[00139] In configurations, the store is "smart" or "elastic" so that it captures game according to variables unrelated to time. In such a configuration, the first portion of the game has a predetermined relationship to an event game-related. For example, the first portion of the game can be stored to include a statistical deviation, such as a high score being hit, getting a large number of points in a short time span, multiple button selections on a controller, and other rare events. These statistical deviations can be determined by comparing the 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 in which a user approaches and exceeds that high score. to. In another example, a remote server can track global high scores for a particular game, and it can communicate that information to the game console, which stores game in which the user approaches and exceeds that high score.

[00140]In another configuration, the game portion may be stored to include an achievement, such as a trophy that was achieved or another milestone that was achieved. These trophies or milestones serve as a memory for any in-game or goal achievement, such as a certain number of points being achieved, a certain level being reached, and the like. For example, a game can be stored to include awarding a trophy for reaching level 10, for reaching 100,000 points, etc.

[00141]Similarly, the progress towards reaching a result, in addition to the actual achievement of the trophy or the statistical deviation, can be stored to be included in the game portion. For example, a screenshot can be taken at each of levels one to 10, creating a photo album to remember the receipt of a trophy to reach level 10. Another example, a video can be taken of the user winning a race from the first to the fifth time, where a trophy is awarded after five wins.

[00142]Thus, according to configurations of the invention, at least a part of the executed game can always be kept in a store that is being played. In other words, when a request to share a portion of the game is received, a portion of the past game can already be captured to include past material. For example, if a share game request is received after a user crosses the finish line in a racing game, the stored game may include material from the user 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.

[00143] Figure 17 illustrates an interface to share game, according to a configuration of the invention. The 1700 interface as shown includes several selectable icons to facilitate sharing with a user's friends, eg members of a user's social graph. In one configuration, the 1700 interface can be accessed from a unique button on a controller device. When the button is pressed during game play, the 1700 interface can be presented to allow the user to share their game.

[00144]The 1702 icon can be selected to start sending a screenshot to the user's game. In one configuration, region 1704 of icon 1702 is populated with a screenshot of the user's recent game, thus providing a small-scale preview of the screenshot that can be shared. In a configuration, selecting the 1702 icon can 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, which can be cycled or navigated to identify a particular point in time within the game and its corresponding screenshot.

[00145] The 706 icon can be selected to start uploading a user game video. The 1708 region of the 1706 icon can be configured to show a video clip representative of the user's recent game, for example, the last 5 seconds of the user's game, a recent achievement, etc., thus displaying a small-scale preview of a video clip of the user's game that can be shared with others.

[00146] The 1710 icon 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 to restart the game. In another configuration, selecting the 1710 icon provides access to an interface to determine settings for streaming the streaming video, such as who to share the streaming video with, if it includes a video stream of an intended local image capture to show the user itself during the game, whether to enable comments, etc.

[00147] It will be appreciated that the user can share game (eg a screenshot, video, or selected live game stream) with one or more selected friends, with their entire social graphic, or with any user on the network Social. The social network can be a gaming social network associated with the platform on which the video game is played, or a third-party social network that exists separately from the video game or its platform. The social network can be accessed through an API defined to allow an interface with the social network. Users that the game has been shared with can receive a notification informing them of the shared game. This notification can 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 entail making the game available to other subsets of the social network that may or may not be part of the sharing user's social graph. For example, for a given video game, the game can be shared or made available to any user on the social network who also owns the video game and therefore has guaranteed access to the video game's shared 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 configuration, 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 user who is sharing, options can be provided to allow the user to specify and tailor who and what forum their game will be shared with.

[00148] Figure 18 illustrates an interface 1800 for selecting a portion of recorded game video for sharing, according to an embodiment of the invention. Interface 1800 includes a preview region 1802, which sequentially displays a preview of a currently selected portion of the user's game video. Screenshots 1804, 1806, 1808, 1810, and 1812 are placed adjacent to each other in chronological order to define a screenshot timeline indicating game video content. The various 1804, 1806, 1808, 1810 and 1812 screenshots can be image frames taken at regular intervals from the game video. The screen capture timeline can be scrolled left or right to show other frames that precede or follow those currently displayed. Markers 1814 and 1816 indicate the start and end points for a currently selected video clip (or segment or portion). The currently selected video clip can be repeatedly displayed in the 1802 preview region, as noted.

[00149]In a setting, buttons 1818 and 1820 can be selected to respectively reduce or increase the duration of the selected portion of video. An 1822 preview option can be selected to trigger a replay of a full-screen preview of the currently selected video clip. An 1824 edit option can be selected to access additional features for video editing.

[00150] Figure 19 illustrates an interface 1900 to view a live video stream related to a user's game, according to a configuration of the invention. In reference 1902, the name and/or alias of the user who is streaming the game is shown. In reference 1904, the number of users currently watching the live video stream is shown. The user's game live video stream is shown in the 1906 video display region. Additionally, a 1908 user live video may be included, showing a live video of the actual user whose game is being streamed live . A command option 1910 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 noted that issuing in-game commands or remotely controlling the user's game may require permission, predefined or requested at game time, from the user who is playing the game to allow the user who is watching to perform these actions.

[00151]An option 1912 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.

[00152]In addition, the interface may include a 1916 comments section that displays comments from users who are viewing the live video stream, indicating the timing of each comment. A 1928 comment input field is provided for the viewing user to enter text for a comment to be posted. And the 1920 send button is pressed to send the comment to be seen by the user who is streaming live and others who are watching the live video stream.

[00153] Although configurations of the invention have been described with reference to accessing various interfaces for sharing from the push of an exclusive button, it will be appreciated that, in other configurations, some or all of these interfaces may not be required to facilitate the game sharing for a user social graph. For example, in a setup, a controller button can be configured to capture a screen of the user's game when pressed. The screenshot can then be automatically uploaded and shared with the user's social graph.

[00154]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 stopped, and the video clip can be sent to the user's social graph and shared there. In one configuration, uploading and sharing the video clip with the user's social graph can 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 edit the video, determine specific users to share the video with, add a caption or title, etc. After user customization, the video can be shared with others or made available in some other way for viewing.

[00155]In a configuration, a specific button on the controller can be configured to share a predefined duration of game video 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 can 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 to edit the video and play other types of customization can be applied to the recorded game video. In addition, game video recorded of a preset duration following button press can be combined with previously stored game video as described.

[00156]In yet another configuration, a specific button on the controller device can 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 graph, or to other user groups or smaller, such as a specific subset of the user's social graph, all users who have or have access to any way to the same video game, any game platform user, etc.

[00157] AUTOMATIC GENERATION OF SUGGESTED MINIGAMES FOR CLOUD GAME BASED ON RECORD GAME

[00158] In one embodiment, a method for generating a limited playable 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 video game 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.

[00159]In one configuration, recording user game includes recording one or more of user input data or game state data. In one configuration, analyzing the user-recorded game includes determining activity levels from user input data or game state data, the region of interest being a region having activity levels that exceed a predefined threshold.

[00160]In one configuration, defining boundaries within a video game 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 smaller than the entirety of the virtual space, the portion of the virtual space having a subset of virtual space features.

[00161] In one configuration, defining boundaries within a video game game context includes defining a temporal boundary within a video game temporal context.

[00162] In a configuration, defining boundaries includes identifying a closer starting point or a closer ending point to one or more within a stage, level or scene.

[00163] In one configuration, analyzing the user's recorded game includes determining the user's game state settings based on the user's 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.

[00164]In a configuration, the region of interest is automatically identified based on matching one or more boundaries. In a 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 video game portions based on social network share levels.

[00165] In another embodiment, a method is provided for generating a limited playable 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 input indicating a selected region of interest; set limits within a video game game context based on the selected region of interest; and generate the limited version of the video game based on defined boundaries; where the method is executed by a processor.

[00166]In one configuration, recording user game includes recording one or more of user input data or game state data. In one configuration, analyzing user-recorded game play includes determining activity levels from user input data or game state data, each region of interest being a region having activity levels that exceed a predefined threshold.

[00167] In one configuration, analyzing 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 determined user game state settings.

[00168]In a configuration, each region of interest is automatically identified based on correspondence with one or more thresholds.

[00169] In another embodiment, a method for generating a limited playable version is provided, including the following method operations: recording a user's game of a full version of the video game, wherein the user's game recording includes record 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 input indicating a selected region of interest; for the selected region of interest, define boundaries within a video game game context based on the selected region of interest; generate the limited version of the video game based on defined boundaries; where the method is executed by a processor.

[00170] In one configuration, defining boundaries within a video game game context includes defining a spatial boundary within a video game 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 virtual space features.

[00171] In one embodiment, defining boundaries within a video game game context includes defining a temporal boundary within a video game temporal context.

[00172]173 In a configuration, defining boundaries includes identifying a closer starting point or a closer ending point to one or more of a stage, level or scene.

[00173] In a configuration, at least one of said thresholds is associated with one or more of user inputs, a user input speed, a user input frequency, repetitions 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 social network sharing levels.

[00174] GENERATION OF A MULTI-PART MINI GAME FOR CLOUD PLAY BASED ON RECORD GAME

[00175] In one embodiment, a method for generating a limited playable version of a video game is provided, including the following method operations: recording a user game of a full version of the video game; determine a plurality of user-defined portions of the user-recorded game; for each user-defined portion, defining boundaries within a game context of the video game based on the user-defined portion, and generating a playable portion of the video game based on the defined boundaries; position each of the playable portions of the video game in a series to define the limited version of the video game; where the method is executed by a processor.

[00176] In one configuration, determining each user-defined portion of the user-recorded game includes receiving a user-defined starting point and a user-defined ending point within the user-recorded game, and determining the user-defined portion based on at the user-defined received starting point and at the user-defined endpoint.

[00177] In one configuration, recording user game includes recording one or more of 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 defining the playable portion of the video game.

[00178] 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 the entirety of the virtual space, the portion of the virtual space having a subset of virtual space features.

[00179] In one configuration, defining boundaries within a video game game context includes defining a temporal boundary within a video game temporal context.

[00180] In a configuration, 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 the user's determined game state settings.

[00181] In a configuration, defining boundaries includes identifying a starting point or ending point closest to one or more of a stage, level, or scene.

[00182] In one configuration, the method further includes recording a user-defined video; where placing the playable portions of the video game includes placing the user-defined video in a location within the series that precedes or follows 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.

[00183] 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 version full video game; program instructions for determining a plurality of user-defined portions of the user's recorded game; program instructions to, for each user-defined portion, define boundaries within a video game context based on the user-defined portion, and generate a playable portion of the video game based on the defined boundaries; program instructions for placing each of the playable portions in a series to define the limited version of the video game.

[00184] In one configuration, determining each user-defined portion of the user-recorded game includes receiving a user-defined starting point and a user-defined ending point within the user-recorded game, and determining the user-defined portion based on at the user-defined received starting point and at the user-defined received endpoint.

[00185] In one configuration, recording user game includes recording one or more of 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 defining the playable portion of the video game.

[00186] In another embodiment, the tangible computer-readable medium further includes program instructions for, 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 the user's determined game state settings.

[00187] In another embodiment, a system is provided, including: at least one server computing device, the minimum server computing device having logic to generate a limited playable version of a video game, including logic to record the game of a user 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 video game based on the user-defined portion, and generating a playable portion of the video game based on the defined boundaries; logic to place each of the playable portions of the video game in a series to define the limited version of the video game.

[00188] In one configuration, determining each user-defined portion of the user-recorded game includes receiving a user-defined starting point and a user-defined ending point within the user-recorded game, and determining the user-defined portion based on at the user-defined received starting point and at the user-defined received endpoint.

[00189]In one configuration, recording user game includes recording one or more of 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 defining the playable portion of the video game.

[00190] In a configuration, said logic further includes logic to, for each user-defined portion, 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.

[00191] SHARE GAME RECORDED ON A SOCIAL GRAPHIC

[00192]In one configuration, a method for sharing game recorded in a social graph is provided, including the following method operations: video recording a user's game during an active state of a game session; receive a command to initiate a share operation during the active state of the game 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's social graph; resume game session active state; where the method is executed by a processor.

[00193]In one configuration, recording the user's game video includes storing the video to a store during the active state of the game session.

[00194]In a configuration, presenting the sharing interface includes retrieving and presenting one or more portions of the video from the store.

[00195]In a configuration, the sharing interface includes a duration selector to set a user-defined selection duration.

[00196]In one configuration, sharing the selection includes sending the selection for availability on a social networking service that defines the user's social graph.

[00197]In a configuration, sending the selection includes compressing the selection and sending the compressed selection.

[00198]In one configuration, sharing the selection includes generating a notification to a member of the user's social graph.

[00199]In a configuration, 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.

[00200]In a configuration, sharing the selection includes presenting the selection on a user profile page.

[00201 ]In a configuration, the reception of the command to start the sharing operation is defined by pressing a button on a controller device.

[00202] In another embodiment, a method for sharing game recorded on a social graph is provided, including the following method operations: video recording a user's game during an active state of a game session; receive a command to initiate a share operation during the active state of the game session; in response to receiving the command, determining a user-defined selection of recorded video; share the user-defined selection of recorded video in a user's social graph; where the method is executed by a processor.

[00203] In one configuration, videotaping the user's game includes storing the video to a store during the active state of the game session.

[00204] In one configuration, determining the user-defined selection of recorded video includes retrieving and presenting the video from the store, and processing user input by identifying a portion of the video.

[00205]In one configuration, sharing the selection includes sending the selection for availability on a social networking service that defines the user's social graph.

[00206]In a configuration, the reception of the command to start the sharing operation is defined by pressing a button on a controller device.

[00207] 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 videotaping 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 game session; program instructions to, in response to receiving the command, determine a user-defined selection of recorded video; program instructions to share the user-defined selection of recorded video in a user's social graph.

[00208] In one configuration, video recording of the user's game includes storing the video in a store during the active state of the game session.

[00209] In one configuration, determining the user-defined selection of recorded video includes retrieving and presenting the video from the store, and processing user input by identifying a portion of the video.

[00210]In one configuration, sharing the selection includes sending the selection for availability on a social networking service that defines the user's social graph.

[00211]In a configuration, receiving the command to start the sharing operation is defined by pressing a button on a controller device.

[00212]REMOTE CONTROL OF A FIRST USER GAME BY A SECOND USER

[00213] In one embodiment, a method is provided for providing remote control of a user's game, 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 control of the game from the first user to the second user; start control of the first user's game by the second user; where the method is executed by at least one processor.

[00214] In one configuration, starting the first user's game control by the second user includes disabling the first user's game control by a first controller device associated with the first user, and enabling the first user's game control by a second device controller associated with the second user.

[00215] In one configuration, control of the first user's game by the second controlling device includes receiving input commands from the second controlling device and applying the input commands to define the first user's game.

[00216] In one configuration, 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 social graph of the second user.

[00217]In one configuration, the social interface includes a feedback interface for posting in-game feedback from the first user.

[00218]In one configuration, processing the request to transfer control includes receiving an acknowledgment from the first user to allow control of the first user's game by the second user.

[00219]In one configuration, presenting the first user's game live video feed to the second user includes presenting the live video feed in a non-full-screen format; and the initiation of game control of the first user by the second user includes triggering the live video feed presentation in a full-screen format.

[00220] 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's 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 game session of the first user; where the method is executed by at least a first processor.

[00221] In one configuration, game initiation by the second user in the first user's session includes starting a multiplayer mode of a video game.

[00222] In one configuration, 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 social graph of the second user.

[00223]In one configuration, the social interface includes a comments interface for posting in-game comments from the first user.

[00224]In one configuration, processing the request to join the first user's game session includes receiving an acknowledgment from the first user to allow the second user to play in the first user's game session.

[00225] 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 format that is not full-screen; and launching the second user game in the first user's game session includes triggering the live video feed presentation in a full screen format.

[00226] In another embodiment, a non-transient computer readable medium is provided having program instructions incorporated therein to provide remote control of a user's game, the program instructions including: program instructions for presenting a video feed to the live gameplay from a first user to a second remote user; program instructions for processing a request to transfer control of the game from the first user to the second user; program instructions to initiate control of the first user's game by the second user.

[00227]In one configuration, starting the first user's game control by the second user includes disabling the first user's game control by a first controller device associated with the first user, and enabling the first user's game control by a second device controller associated with the second user.

[00228] In one configuration, control of the first user's game by the second controlling device includes receiving input commands from the second controlling device and applying the input commands to define the first user's game.

[00229] In one configuration, 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 social graph of the second user.

[00230]In one configuration, the social interface includes a feedback interface for posting in-game feedback from the first user.

[00231 ]In one configuration, processing the request to transfer control includes receiving an acknowledgment from the first user to allow control of the first user's game by the second user.

[00232]In one configuration, presenting the first user's game live video feed to the second user includes presenting the live video feed in a non-full-screen format; and the initiation of game control of the first user by the second user includes triggering the live video feed presentation in a full-screen format.

[00233] Figure 20 illustrates hardware and user interfaces that can be used to provide interactivity with a video game, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 20 schematically illustrates the system architecture as a whole of the Sony® Playstation 3® entertainment device, a console that can be supported 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 can be connected to system unit 2000. System unit 2000 comprises: a Cell processor 2028; 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 2034 I/O bridge. System unit 2000 also comprises a Blu Ray® Disk BD-ROM® 2040 optical disc reader for reading from a 2040a disk and a hard disk drive (HDD) with case 2036, 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.

[00234]The 2034 I/O bridge also connects to six Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 2024 inputs; to a gigabit 2022 Ethernet input; to an IEEE 802.11 b/g 2020 wireless network (wi-fi) input; and a 2018 Bluetooth® wireless link port capable of supporting up to seven Bluetooth connections.

[00235]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 I/O bridge 2034 receives data from the 2002-2003 game controller over a Bluetooth link and routes it to the Cell processor 2028, which updates the state of the game at that time in agreement. .

[00236]The wireless, USB and Ethernet inputs also provide connectivity to other peripheral devices in addition to the 2002-2003 game controllers, such as: a 2004 remote control; a 2006 keyboard; a 2008 mouse; a 2010 portable entertainment device, such as a Sony Playstation Portable® entertainment device; a video camera such as an EyeToy® 2012 video camera; a 2014 microphone headset; and a 2015 microphone. Such peripheral devices can therefore in principle be connected to system unit 2000 without using wire; for example, the 2010 portable entertainment device can communicate via a wi-fi connection for this purpose, while the 2014 microphone headset can communicate via a Bluetooth link.

[00237]The provision of 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 headphones, mobile phones, printers and scanners .

[00238]In addition, a legacy 2016 memory card reader can be connected to the system unit via a 2024 USB port, allowing reading of 2048 memory cards of the type used by Playstation® or Playstation 2® devices.

[00239]The 2002-2003 game controllers are operable to wirelessly communicate with the system unit 200 via the Bluetooth link, or to be connected to a USB port, thus also providing power with which to charge the controllers battery. 2002-2003 game. 2002-2003 game controllers may also include memory, a processor, a memory card reader, permanent memory such as flash memory, light emitters such as an illuminated spherical section, LEDs, or infrared lights, microphone and loudspeaker. - speaker for ultrasound communications, an acoustic chamber, a digital camera, an internal clock, a recognizable shape such as the spherical section facing the game console, and wireless communications using protocols such as Bluetooth®, WiFiTM, etc.

[00240] The 2002 game controller is a controller designed to be used with two hands, and the 2003 game controller is a one-hand controller with an accessory. In addition to the joystick or analogue joysticks and conventional control knob or buttons, the game controller is susceptible to a three-dimensional location determination. Consequently gestures and movements by the game controller user can be translated as inputs into a game in addition to the conventional button or joystick commands or in place of them. Optionally, other wireless enabled peripheral devices such as the PlaystationTM Portable device can be used as the controller. In the case of the PlaystationTM Portable device, additional game or control information (eg, control instructions or number of lives) may be provided on the device's screen. Other alternative or supplemental control devices can also be used, such as a dance mat (not shown), a light gun (not shown), a steering wheel and pedals (not shown) or controller bespokes such as one or more buttons large size for a quiz that requires quick answers (also not shown).

[00241 ]The 2004 remote is also operable to communicate wirelessly with the 2000 system unit over a Bluetooth link. The remote control 704 comprises controls suitable for operating the Blu RayTM Disk BD-ROM 2040 player and for browsing disc content.

[00242]The Blu RayTM Disk BD-ROM 2040 reader is operable to read CD-ROMs compatible with Playstation and Playstation 2 devices, in addition to conventional pre-recorded and blank CDs, and the so-called Super Audio CDs. The 2040 player is also operable to read DVD-ROMs compatible with Playstation2 and Playstation 3 devices, in addition to conventional pre-recorded and blank DVDs. The 2040 reader is also operable to read BD-ROMs compatible with the Playstation3 device, as well as conventional pre-recorded and blank Blu-Rays.

[00243] System unit 2000 is operable to provide audio and video, either generated or decoded by the Playstation 3 device via the Reality Synthesizer 2030 graphics unit, via audio and video connectors to a 2042 sound and image output device such as a monitor or television having a 2044 display and one or more 2046 speakers. The 2050 audio connectors can include conventional analog and digital outputs, while the 2052 video connectors can diversely include a component video, S-video, video composite and one 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, 1080i or 1080p.

[00244]0 processing (generation, decoding, and so on) of audio is performed by the Cell 2028 processor. The operating system of the Playstation 3 device supports Dolby® 5.1 surround sound, Dolby® Theater Surround (DTS), and 7.1 surround sound decoding from Blu-Ray® discs.

[00245] In the present embodiment, the video camera 2012 comprises a single charge coupled device (CCD), an LED indicator, and an apparatus for hardware-based real-time data compression and encoding so that video data tablets 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 control data from the 2000 system unit, for example, to signify adverse light conditions. Camcorder 2012 settings can connect to the 700 system unit via a USB, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi communication input in various ways. Video camera configurations may include one or more associated microphones and may also be capable of transmitting audio data. In video camera settings, the CCD may have a resolution suitable for high definition video capture. When in use, images captured by the video camera can, for example, be incorporated into a game or interpreted as game control inputs. In another configuration, the camera is an infrared camera suitable for detecting infrared light.

[00246] 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 driver device must be provided. Device driver technology is well known and will not be described in detail here, except to say that one skilled in the art will be aware that a device driver or similar software interface may be required in the present described configuration.

[00247] Figure 21 illustrates additional hardware that can be used to process instructions, according to an 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 2170A,B dual bus interface controller; a main processor called Power Processing Element 2150; eight coprocessors called Synergistic Processing Elements (SPEs) 2110A-H; and a circular data bus connecting the aforementioned components as the 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.

[00248]0 Power Processing Element (PPE) 2150 is based on a PowerPC (PPU) 855 core that supports two-way simultaneous multithreading Power 570 running with an internal 3.2 GHz clock. It comprises a level cache 2 (L2) of 512 kB and a level 1 (L1) cache of 32 kB. The PPE 2150 is capable of eight single-position operations per clock style, translating to 25.6 GFLOPs at 3.2 GHz. The PPE 2150's primary role is to act as a controller for the 2110A-H Synergistic Processing Elements, which takes care of most of the computer's workload. When operating the PPE 2150 it maintains a job queue, scheduling jobs for the 2110A-H Synergistic Processing Elements and monitoring their progress. Consequently, each Synergistic Processing Element 2110A-H runs a core whose role is to search for a job, execute it and synchronize with the PPE 2150.

[00249] Each Synergistic Processing Element (SPE) 2110A-H comprises a respective Synergistic Processing Unit (SPU) 2120A-H, and a respective Memory Flow Controller (MFC) 2140A-H which in turn comprises a respective Controller Memory Access Device (DMAC)2142A-H, a corresponding Memory Management Unit (MMU)2144A-H, and a bus interface (not shown). Each 2120A-H SPU is a RISC processor clocked at 3.2GHz and comprising 256kB local 2130A-H RAM, which can in principle be expanded up to 4GB. Each SPE theoretically delivers 25.6 GFLOPS of performance with unique precision. An 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 2120A-H SPU does not directly access the system's XDRAM 2026 memory; the 64-bit addresses formed by the 2120A-H SPU are passed to the MFC 2140A-H which instructs its 2142A-H controller to access memory via the 2180 Element Interconnect Bus and 2160 memory controller.

[00250] The Element Interconnect Bus (EIB) 2180 is a logically circular communication bus internal to the Cell processor 2028 that connects the above processor elements, i.e. the PPE 2150, the memory controller 2160, the bus interface dual 2170A,B and the 8 SPEs 2110A-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 data flow for steps between any two participants is six steps in the proper direction. The theoretical maximum instantaneous EIB bandwidth for 12 slots is therefore 96B per clock, in the case of full utilization through an arbitration between participants. This equals a maximum theoretical bandwidth of 307.2 GB/s (gigabytes per second) at a clock rate of 3.2GHz.

[00251] 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.

[00252]The dual bus 2170A,B interface comprises a 2172A,B interface of Rambus FlexIO® system. The interface is organized into 12 channels each having an 8-bit width, with five paths facing inward and seven facing outward. 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 2034 I/O Bridge via the 2170A controller and the Reality Simulator 2130 graphics unit via 2170B controller.

[00253]Data sent by the Cell 2128 processor to the Reality Simulator 2130 graphics unit will typically comprise display lists, being a sequence of commands to draw vertices, apply textures to polygons, specify light conditions, and so on.

[00254] Figure 22 is an exemplary illustration of scene A to scene E with the respective user from A to E interacting with game clients 2202 that are connected to the server processing over the internet, according to a configuration of the present invention . A game client is a device that allows users to connect to server applications and perform processing over the internet. The game client allows users to access and play online entertainment-related content such as, among others, movies, music and photos. In addition, the game client can provide access to applications connected with online communication, such as VOIP, text chat protocols, and email.

[00255]A user interacts with the game client via the controller. In some configurations the controller is a game client specific controller while in other configurations the controller can be a combination of keyboard and mouse. In one configuration, the game client is a self-contained device capable of transmitting audio and video signals to create a multimedia environment through a monitor/television and associated audio equipment. For example, the game client can be, among others, a thin client, an internal PCI-express card, an external PCI-express card, an ExpressCard device, an internal USB device, external or wireless, or a Firewire device, etc. In other configurations, 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.

[00256]Within scene A of Figure 22, user A interacts with a client application displayed on a 2204A monitor using a 2206A controller paired with the 2202A game client. Similarly, within CNA B, user B interacts with another client application that is displayed on display 2204B using a controller 2206B paired with game client 2202B. Scene C illustrates a view taken from behind user C as he looks at a monitor displaying a game and friends list from 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.

[00257]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 can be stored as part of a user's virtual distributed 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 of multiple games, custom settings for single games, and general settings for the game client. In one configuration, the server processing geolocation module is used to determine the geographic location of a user and their respective game client. The user's geographic location can be used by either the sharing/communication logic or the load balancing processing service to optimize performance based on geographic location and process the demands of the multiple server processing modules. Putting in the virtual world either network processing or network storage or both would allow game client task processing 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 the transmission of data between server processing modules and game clients.

[00258]0 server processing module has instances of server application A and server application B. The server processing module is capable of supporting multiple server applications as indicated by server application X1 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 multi-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 increasing computing demands needed for more complex graphics or game processing, game compression, or application complexity. In one configuration, the server processing module performs most of the processing via the 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 displayed on a monitor.

[00259] Scene C illustrates an exemplary application that can be run by the game client and the server processing module. For example, in one configuration the game client 2202C allows user C to create and view a buddy list 2220 that includes user A, user B, user D, and user E. As shown, in scene C, user C is able to view real-time images or avatars of the respective user on the 2204C monitor. The server processing runs the respective game client applications 2202C and with the respective game clients 2202 of users A, user B, user D and user E. Because the server processing is aware of the requests being executed by the client For game B, user A's friends list can indicate which game user B is playing. Furthermore, in a configuration, user A can have an actual preview of the video game directly from user B. This is enabled by merely sending it by merely sending processed data from user B's server application to game client A in addition to the client game B.

[00260]In addition to enabling the viewing of video of friends, the communication application can allow real-time communications between friends. As applied to the previous example, this allows User A to encourage or hint while watching User B's real-time video. 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.

[00261 ] 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's processing module and illustrates a network where the server processing the modules coordinates the game for both game consoles and game clients.

[00262]Figure 23 illustrates a configuration of an Information Service Provider architecture. 2370 Information Service Providers (ISP) send multiple information services to geographically dispersed 2382 users connected via the 2386 network. An ISP may only send one type of service, such as stock price updates, or a variety of services such as broadcast media, news, sports, games, etc. Furthermore, the services offered by each ISP are dynamic, that is, services can be added or removed at any time. Thus, the ISP that provides a particular type for a particular individual may change over time. For example, a user may be served by an ISP in close proximity to the user while the user is in the city where they reside, and the user may be served by a different ISP when the user travels to a different city. The ISP in the home city will transfer the required information and data to the new ISP, so the 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 can be established between a master ISP, which manages information for the user, and a server ISP, which interfaces directly with the user under the 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 the one sending those services.

[00263] ISP 2370 includes Application Service Provider (ASP) 2372, which provides computer-based services to clients over a network. Software offered using an ASP model is also sometimes called 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 to use a standard protocol such as HTTP. Application software resides on the vendor's system and is accessed by users through a web browser using HTML, vendor-provided special-purpose client software, or another remote interface such as a thin client.

[00264] Services sent over a wide geographic area often utilize on-demand computing. On-demand computing is a style of computing in which scalable and often virtualized resources are provided as a service over the internet. Users don't need to be technology infrastructure experts in the “cloud” that supports them. Cloud computing can be divided into different services such as Infrastructure as a Service (laaS), 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 the 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 it encompasses.

[00265] In addition, ISP 2370 includes a Game Processing Server (GPS) 2374 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 it requires a separate server to host the server application. In another configuration, the GPS establishes communication between players and their respective gaming devices exchange information without relying on centralized GPS.

[00266] Exclusive 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 owns the game title, allowing them to control and update content.

[00267] Broadcast Processing Server (BPS) 2376 distributes audio or video signals to an audience. Broadcasting to a very narrow range of audiences 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 over cable TV or cable radio ( or “wireless cable”) from the station or directly from a network. The internet can also bring radio or TV to the recipient, especially by multicast allowing the signal and bandwidth to be shared. Historically, broadcasts have been delimited by a geographic region, such as national broadcasts or regional broadcast. However, with the proliferation of the fast internet, broadcasts are not defined by geographies as the content can reach almost any country in the world.

[00268] Storage Service Provider (SSP) 2378 provides computer storage space and related management services. SSPs also provide 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 won't lose all of their data if their computer's hard drives fail. In addition, a plurality of SSPs can have full or partial copies of user data, allowing users to access data efficiently 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 cell phone while the user is on the move.

[00269] The 380 Communications Provider provides connectivity to users. One type of Communications Provider is an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that provides access to the Internet. The ISP connects its customers using an appropriate data transmission technology to send Internet Protocol datagrams, such as dial-up, DSL, cable modem, wireless, or proprietary 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) which sells bandwidth or network access by providing direct backbone access to the internet. Network service providers may consist of telecommunications companies, data carriers, wireless communications providers, internet service providers, cable television operators offering high speed internet access, etc.

[00270] 2388 Data Exchange interconnects the various modules within the 2370 ISP and connects these modules to 2382 users via the 2386 network. 2388 Data Exchange can cover a small area where all 2370 ISP modules are very close together, or they can cover a large geographical area when the different modules are geographically dispersed. For example, Data Exchange 2388 may include a Gigabit (or faster) Ethernet within a data center file, or an intercontinental virtual area network (VLAN).

[00271] 2382 users access remote services with client device 2384, which includes at least a CPU, a display, and I/O. The client device can be a PC, cell phone, netbook, PDA, etc. In a configuration, the ISP 2370 recognizes the type of device used by the customer and adjusts the method of communication used. In other cases, client devices use a standard communication method, such as HTML, to access 2370 ISPs.

[00272] 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, mainframe computers, and the like. The invention can also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by processing devices that are linked via a wired or wireless based network.

[00273] With the above configurations in mind, it should be understood that the invention can 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 an apparatus for performing these operations. The apparatus may be specially constructed for the required use, or the apparatus may be a general purpose computer selectively activated or configured by a computer program stored on the computer. In particular, various general purpose machines can be used with computer programs written in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may be more convenient to build a more specialized apparatus to perform the required operations.

[00274] The invention may also be incorporated with computer-readable code on a computer-readable medium. A 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. -optics. The computer-readable medium may include tangible computer-readable medium distributed in a network-coupled computer system so that the computer-readable code is stored and executed in a distributed manner.

[00275] Although method operations have been described in a specific order, it should be understood that other maintenance operations can be performed between operations, or operations can be adjusted so that they occur at slightly different times, or they can be distributed in a system that allows processing operations to occur at various intervals associated with processing, as long as the process of overlapping operations is carried out in the desired manner.

[00276] Although the invention has been described in some detail for the purpose 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 is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.

Claims (34)

1. Method for generating a limited playable version of a video game, characterized by the fact that it comprises: recording a user's game of a full version of the video game; analyzing the user's recorded game to determine a region of interest; boundaries within a video game game context based on the determined region of interest; egenerate the limited version of the video game based on defined boundaries; where the method is executed by a processor; and in which the video game game context is determined by the relationship of a plurality of video game scenes. 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that recording the user's game includes recording one or more of the user's input data or game state data. 3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that analyzing the game recorded by the user includes determining activity levels of user input data or game state data, the region of interest being a region having levels of activities that exceed a predefined threshold. 4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that defining boundaries within a video game game context includes defining a spatial boundary within a video game virtual space. 5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the spatial boundary within the virtual space of the video game defines a portion of the virtual space smaller than a totality of the virtual space, the portion of the virtual space having a subset of characteristics of the virtual space. 6. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that defining boundaries within a video game game context includes defining a temporal boundary within a video game temporal context. 7. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that defining boundaries includes identifying a closer starting point or a closer ending point to one or more within a stage, level or scene. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein analyzing the user's recorded game includes determining the user's game state settings based on the user's recorded game; where 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. 9. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the region of interest is automatically identified based on one or more limits. 10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that at least one of said thresholds is associated with one or more user inputs, a user input speed, a user input frequency, repetitions of an input 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 social network sharing levels. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein analyzing the user's recorded game includes determining a plurality of user-defined portions of the user's recorded game; wherein defining boundaries within a game context includes, for each user-defined portion, defining boundaries within a game context of the video game based on the user-defined portion, and generating a playable portion of the video game based on defined boundaries, by positioning each of the playable portions with of the video game in a series to define the limited version of the video game. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein determining each user-defined portion of the user-recorded game includes receiving a user-defined starting point and a user-defined ending point within the user-recorded game, and determining the user-defined portion based on the user-defined received starting point and the user-defined endpoint. 13. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that recording the user's game includes recording one or more of the user's input data or game state data. 14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that 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 defining the playable portion of the video game. 15. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that defining boundaries within a video game game context includes defining a spatial boundary within a video game virtual space. 16. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that the spatial boundary within the virtual space of the video game 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 characteristics of the virtual space. 17. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that defining boundaries within a video game game context includes defining a temporal boundary within a video game temporal context. 18. The method of claim 11, further comprising: for each user-defined portion, analyzing the user-recorded game to determine the user's game state settings; wherein generating the playable portion of the video game includes defining the playable portion of the video game so as to have initial game state settings based on the user's determined game state settings. 19. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that defining boundaries includes identifying a closer starting point or a closer ending point to one or more within a stage, level or scene. 20. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises: recording a user-defined video; where placing the playable portions of the video game includes placing the user-defined video in a location within the series that precedes or follows one of the playable portions of the video game. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the user-defined video includes video of at least one of the user-defined portions of the user's recorded game. 22. Method for sharing a video game recorded game on a social network, characterized by the fact that it comprises: running, through a game console, a video game session; receiving, through the game console during the video game session, the button input from a controller device that interfaces with the game console; present, in response to receiving button input from the game console, a user interface configured to allow video game game sharing; games via user interface, one or more commands for sharing a video of at least a portion of the video game session on a social network, the video being recorded on a storage device during the video game session; and share the video on the social network. 23. Method according to claim 22, characterized in that the button input is generated in response to the actuation of a dedicated button to share the game on the controller device. 24. Method according to claim 23, characterized in that the activation of the dedicated button to share the game on the controller device is defined by pressing once, twice consecutively, or holding the dedicated button. 25. Method according to claim 22, characterized in that the video is defined from a buffered portion of the video game session that was recorded before receiving the button input by the game console. 26. Method according to claim 22, characterized in that the one or more commands to share the video includes one or more commands to edit a start point and/or an end point of the video. 27. Method according to claim 22, characterized in that sharing the video on the social network includes sharing the video on a social graphic of a user associated with the video game session. 28. Method according to claim 27, characterized in that the one or more commands to share the video includes one or more commands to edit members of the social graph to which the video will be shared. 29. Method for providing remote control of a user's game, characterized in that it comprises: executing, by a game server in the cloud, a game session of the first user of a video game, wherein executing the game session of the first user includes processing input received over a network from a first controller device associated with the first user to direct game events that occur in the first user's game session; presenting, over the network, a live video feed of the first user's game to a second remote user; processing a request to transfer control of the first user's game session to the second user; starting control of the first user's game session by the second user, where initiating control by the second user includes disabling control by the first controller device and activate control by a second controller device associated with the second user, where to initiate control by the The second user includes processing input received over the network from the second controller device to direct game events that occur in the game session of the first user; wherein the method is executed by at least one processor. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein controlling the first user's game by the second controller device includes receiving input commands from the second controller device and applying the input commands to set the first user's game. 31. Method according to claim 29, characterized in that the live video feed is presented through 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. 32. Method according to claim 31, characterized by the fact that the social interface includes a comments interface for posting comments during the game of the first user. 33. The method of claim 29, wherein processing the request to transfer control includes receiving an acknowledgment from the first user to allow control of the first user's game by the second user. 34. The method of claim 29, wherein presenting the live game video feed from the first user to the second user includes presenting the live video feed in a non-full-screen format; ewhere initiating control of the first user's game by the second user includes triggering the live video feed to be presented in a full-screen format.

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