An example game apparatus selects an operational character that is to be used by a player in a multiplayer game with competition. The game apparatus selects an additional character that is to be added to the operational character from a plurality of candidates for an additional character to be selected. The additional character is associated with an image of the additional character, information of an effect to be given to performance in the game with competition of the operational character to which the additional character is added, and information about a type. The game apparatus generates a selection image including at least an image of the operational character selected by the player and each other user, an image of the additional character selected by the player, and an image of the type of the additional character, for display, during selection of the operational character and the additional character.

A non-limiting example game system includes a main body apparatus, and this main body apparatus performs communication with another main body apparatus in a communication game to play a virtual game. The virtual game is a multiplayer game that a plurality of players play a game, and after ending a main story of the virtual game, each player evaluates the communication game this time and an opponent player. Evaluation is performed by applauding to an opponent player and oneself. An in-game currency according to a total number of the applause of respective player is obtained, and the total number obtained in the past communication play is further accumulated. The number of selectable titles is increased according to the accumulated total number.

A non-limiting example game system includes a main body apparatus, and the main body apparatus performs communication with another main body apparatus in a communication game to play a virtual game. The virtual game is a multiplayer game that a plurality of players compete against each other, and a place of an overall ranking is determined for each player. If a main story of the virtual game is ended, a ranking announcement screen including a ranking message and a praise screen including a praise message are displayed in this order for each place of the overall ranking. The praise message is selected from a praise message table of the first place of the overall ranking and a praise message table except the first place of the overall ranking. The praise message table is set with a praise message corresponding to a praise content, and when determining a praise message for each place of the overall ranking, a praise message already having been determined as a praise message for another player is not redundantly determined.

A method for running a stand-alone program includes: running the stand-alone program in a first main program, and establishing a network connection between a first terminal and a second terminal through the first main program run in the first terminal and a second main program run in the second terminal; and transmitting, by the first terminal, image information to the second terminal and transmitting, by the second terminal, a second operation command to the first terminal, through the network connection. A first operation object and a second operation object in the stand-alone program are separately controlled.

The present disclosure provides computer-implemented methods for difficulty-adjusted multi-participant interactivity. Also provided are computer readable media and computer devices that find use, e.g., in practicing the methods of the present disclosure. In certain aspects, the disclosure pertains to closed-loop assessment and adaptive methods and systems designed to equilibrate difficulty challenge levels across multiple (two or more) participants in interactive activities. In some embodiments, a first individual presents a first simulated challenge to a second individual and the second individual responds to it. Depending upon the response of the second individual to the first challenge, the second challenge presented by the first individual to the second individual may be unchanged, made ore difficult, or made less difficult so that the modified second challenge is commensurate with the skills of the second individual. Thus, the disclosure provides customized experiences for individuals of disparate physical abilities to enjoyably interact with each other.

The present disclosure provides computer-implemented methods for difficulty-adjusted multi-participant interactivity. Also provided are computer readable media and computer devices that find use, e.g., in practicing the methods of the present disclosure. In certain aspects, the disclosure pertains to closed-loop assessment and adaptive methods and systems designed to equilibrate difficulty challenge levels across multiple (two or more) participants in interactive activities. In some embodiments, a first individual presents a first simulated challenge to a second individual and the second individual responds to it. Depending upon the response of the second individual to the first challenge, the second challenge presented by the first individual to the second individual may be unchanged, made ore difficult, or made less difficult so that the modified second challenge is commensurate with the skills of the second individual. Thus, the disclosure provides customized experiences for individuals of disparate physical abilities to enjoyably interact with each other.

A system may enable a plurality of users to engage a plurality of different devices, which operate on a respective platform of a plurality of different platforms, in a time dependent manner. The system may include a data management apparatus (DMA). The DMA may include a local DMA associated with the plurality of different devices. The DMA may include a remote DMA configured to receive and collate a plurality of data inputs from the plurality of devices in a synchronized manner, generate and relay a merged standardized data output to the plurality of devices. When demerged, the merged standardized data output may provide the plurality of devices access to the plurality of experiences for which each of the plurality of devices is enabled. The DMA may be configured to take a time dependent frame from each of the plurality of users and merge them to form a merged frame.

A system may enable a plurality of users to engage a plurality of different devices, which operate on a respective platform of a plurality of different platforms, in a time dependent manner. The system may include a data management apparatus (DMA). The DMA may include a local DMA associated with the plurality of different devices. The DMA may include a remote DMA configured to receive and collate a plurality of data inputs from the plurality of devices in a synchronized manner, generate and relay a merged standardized data output to the plurality of devices. When demerged, the merged standardized data output may provide the plurality of devices access to the plurality of experiences for which each of the plurality of devices is enabled. The DMA may be configured to take a time dependent frame from each of the plurality of users and merge them to form a merged frame.

Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for multi-player gaming. Some embodiments relate to systems having an improved communications infrastructure and improved handheld game controllers, while other embodiments relate to improvements in handling large numbers of players in the multi-player game when played in a game arena with a single large display screen showing the multi-player game images. In one particular embodiment, a system is provided that has a game server controlling a display system to display the multi-player game on the large screen and a plurality of game controllers. Each game controller has a secondary display means for providing a secondary game display and input means for receiving player input. The system further comprises communication means for enabling communication between the game server and each of the plurality of game controllers. The plurality of game controllers are located in proximity to the large display screen such that it is visible to game players manipulating the game controllers while playing the multi-player game.

Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for multi-player gaming. Some embodiments relate to systems having an improved communications infrastructure and improved handheld game controllers, while other embodiments relate to improvements in handling large numbers of players in the multi-player game when played in a game arena with a single large display screen showing the multi-player game images. In one particular embodiment, a system is provided that has a game server controlling a display system to display the multi-player game on the large screen and a plurality of game controllers. Each game controller has a secondary display means for providing a secondary game display and input means for receiving player input. The system further comprises communication means for enabling communication between the game server and each of the plurality of game controllers. The plurality of game controllers are located in proximity to the large display screen such that it is visible to game players manipulating the game controllers while playing the multi-player game.