Systems described herein may automatically and dynamically adjust the amount and type of computing resources usable to execute, process, or perform various tasks associated with a video game. Using one or more machine learning algorithms, a prediction model can be generated that uses the historical and/or current user interaction data obtained by monitoring the users playing the video game. Based on the historical and/or current user interaction data, future user interactions likely to be performed in the future can be predicted. Using the predictions of the users' future interactions, the amount and type of computing resources maintained in the systems can be adjusted such that a proper balance between reducing the consumption of computing resources and reducing the latency experienced by the users of the video game is achieved and maintained.

An apparatus and method for providing social network content in an online game is disclosed herein. Content is obtained from a social network site and is displayed within the game. The game also provides a mechanism for the user of the game to generate content to the posted within the social network from within the game. Such generated content is automatically posted in the social network for a recipient specified by the user.

An apparatus and method for providing social network content in an online game is disclosed herein. Content is obtained from a social network site and is displayed within the game. The game also provides a mechanism for the user of the game to generate content to the posted within the social network from within the game. Such generated content is automatically posted in the social network for a recipient specified by the user.

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.

A content-generation guidance system for assisting a user in generating digital content, the system comprising a content analysis unit operable to analyse a first set of pre-existing user-generated content to identify one or more aspects of the content, a correlation identification unit operable to identify a correlation between the one or more identified aspects of the first set of content and user ratings of that content, and a content modification unit operable, when a user is generating new digital content, to identify one or more aspects of the new digital content for modification in dependence upon the identified correlation or correlations.

A content-generation guidance system for assisting a user in generating digital content, the system comprising a content analysis unit operable to analyse a first set of pre-existing user-generated content to identify one or more aspects of the content, a correlation identification unit operable to identify a correlation between the one or more identified aspects of the first set of content and user ratings of that content, and a content modification unit operable, when a user is generating new digital content, to identify one or more aspects of the new digital content for modification in dependence upon the identified correlation or correlations.

A computer device comprising a user interface and a processor. A first tier of a whole rewardable object is rendered, each tier of the rewardable object comprising a set of visual objects, each visual object representing a respective game level having an associated game objective. Each visual object is associated with an object status selected from a completed status and a playable status. A completed status is assigned to the visual object when either the user has attained the associated game objective of the game level, or an indication has been received that the associated game objective of the game level has been attained at a remote user device. When all visual objects of the first tier have been assigned a completion status, it is determined that at least one virtual object of the whole rewardable object is not associated with a completed status and a second tier is rendered.

Systems and methods for algorithmically arranging contests in a lobby interface are provided. A contest management system can generate, execute and maintain a plurality of contests, such as but not limited to, fantasy sports contests. Rank values can be assigned to the contests using pacing parameters of the contests and profile attributes of users who participate in the contests. The pacing parameters, such as registration ratios and registration deadlines, can indicate if a particular contest is on pace to meet a registration threshold prior to their respective registration deadline. The contest management system can dynamically update, responsive to receiving a plurality of registrations from a plurality of users, the rank value of one or more contests responsive to a change in a registration ratio of at least one contest and arrange the plurality of contests in a lobby interface based on the updated rank values.

Systems and methods for algorithmically arranging contests in a lobby interface are provided. A contest management system can generate, execute and maintain a plurality of contests, such as but not limited to, fantasy sports contests. Rank values can be assigned to the contests using pacing parameters of the contests and profile attributes of users who participate in the contests. The pacing parameters, such as registration ratios and registration deadlines, can indicate if a particular contest is on pace to meet a registration threshold prior to their respective registration deadline. The contest management system can dynamically update, responsive to receiving a plurality of registrations from a plurality of users, the rank value of one or more contests responsive to a change in a registration ratio of at least one contest and arrange the plurality of contests in a lobby interface based on the updated rank values.