A processing apparatus includes a memory and a processor. The memory is configured to store determination information of whether a first user is allowed to execute a virtual game including at least a first game period in which a first unit game is executable and a second game period in which a second unit game is executable. The processor is configured to allow, in a case where the first user selects execution of the first unit game in the first game period, the execution of the first unit game regardless of the determination information and determine, in a case where one user selects execution of the second unit game in a period before the second game period, whether the execution of the second unit game is allowed based on the determination information.

A processing apparatus includes a memory and a processor. The memory is configured to store determination information of whether a first user is allowed to execute a virtual game including at least a first game period in which a first unit game is executable and a second game period in which a second unit game is executable. The processor is configured to allow, in a case where the first user selects execution of the first unit game in the first game period, the execution of the first unit game regardless of the determination information and determine, in a case where one user selects execution of the second unit game in a period before the second game period, whether the execution of the second unit game is allowed based on the determination information.

Data characterizing historical skills-based gaming metrics for a first user and historical skills-based gaming metrics for at least one second user is accessed. Using the accessed data and a set of rules, a targeted advertisement to present to the first user is determined. The targeted advertisement specifies at least one skills-based game and a characterization of the at least one second user’s historical skills-based gaming metrics. The targeted advertisement is generated. Data characterizing the targeted advertisement is provided. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.

A system and method for creating an interactive remote golf game can comprise a processor configured to launch an application on a client computer, receive account login information, communicate with a web database to verify login information, display dashboard information, receive information regarding existing and possible golf rounds, output information regarding currently playable rounds and tournaments, receive information from a user regarding a new golf round with a set of defined rules and options for play by multiple remote users, send data to the web database regarding new round and defined rules and options for additional players to access with other instances of the application.

A system and method for creating an interactive remote golf game can comprise a processor configured to launch an application on a client computer, receive account login information, communicate with a web database to verify login information, display dashboard information, receive information regarding existing and possible golf rounds, output information regarding currently playable rounds and tournaments, receive information from a user regarding a new golf round with a set of defined rules and options for play by multiple remote users, send data to the web database regarding new round and defined rules and options for additional players to access with other instances of the application.

A system and method for launching gameplay from streaming content is provided. Information regarding media content may be stormed in memory. Such media content may have at least one or more trigger points and each trigger point may be associated with a set of game data specific to a gameplay scene within an interactive title. The media content may be streamed to a user device over a communication network. A selection of one of the at least one or more trigger points may be received over the communication network from the user device. Identifying the set of game data associated with the selected trigger point may be identified and the interactive title for gameplay may be launched by the user device based on the identified set of game data associated with the selected trigger point.

A system and method for launching gameplay from streaming content is provided. Information regarding media content may be stormed in memory. Such media content may have at least one or more trigger points and each trigger point may be associated with a set of game data specific to a gameplay scene within an interactive title. The media content may be streamed to a user device over a communication network. A selection of one of the at least one or more trigger points may be received over the communication network from the user device. Identifying the set of game data associated with the selected trigger point may be identified and the interactive title for gameplay may be launched by the user device based on the identified set of game data associated with the selected trigger point.

Methods and apparatus provide for downloading application software from a server, including: downloading the application software from the server, where a first application software file contains only a portion of the application software, and a second application software file contains more than the portion of the application software; executing the application software and generating application images based thereon, where execution of the first application software file contains enough of the application software to execute a limited amount of the application software; and displaying the application images on a display screen based on the execution of the application software, where the acquisition unit begins downloading the second application software file in a background process after downloading the first application software file and at least partially during the execution of the first application software file.

Methods and apparatus provide for downloading application software from a server, including: downloading the application software from the server, where a first application software file contains only a portion of the application software, and a second application software file contains more than the portion of the application software; executing the application software and generating application images based thereon, where execution of the first application software file contains enough of the application software to execute a limited amount of the application software; and displaying the application images on a display screen based on the execution of the application software, where the acquisition unit begins downloading the second application software file in a background process after downloading the first application software file and at least partially during the execution of the first application software file.

Data characterizing historical skills-based gaming metrics for a first user and historical skills-based gaming metrics for at least one second user is accessed. Using the accessed data and a set of rules, a targeted advertisement to present to the first user is determined. The targeted advertisement specifies at least one skills-based game and a characterization of the at least one second user's historical skills-based gaming metrics. The targeted advertisement is generated. Data characterizing the targeted advertisement is provided. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.