The present disclosure is directed to methods and systems for processing replacements to a target array by a plurality of source arrays. Selected tokens in a target array may be replaced with corresponding tokens from a source array to generate a region of identical tokens, which may be processed or removed. Tokens in the target array may be shifted in a direction corresponding to the source array to fill empty cells within the target array and new tokens generated. Selections may be made from multiple source arrays iteratively, with shift directions dynamically modified.

Approaches for secondary-game-mode sessions based on primary-game-mode arrangements of user-controlled elements are provided. Actions by user-controlled elements of a first user or other game-space elements in a primary game mode of a game space may be managed. A session request for a session in a secondary game mode of the game space may be received from the first user. A first session for the first user may be executed in the secondary game mode such that: (i) the first session involves artificial-intelligence-controlled elements as opponents against the user-controlled elements; (ii) an arrangement of the user-controlled elements at a beginning of the first session is the same as an arrangement of the user-controlled elements in the primary game mode at a time of the session request; and (iii) impacts on the user-controlled elements during the first session in the secondary game mode are not reflected in the primary game mode.

A system and method for facilitating implementation of events in an online game are disclosed. Award information may be received from user. The received award information may define a type of in-game award to be distributed to players of the online game. The award information may include information indicate a corresponding award handler for determine and/or distributing the instances of the award to the players. Event information may be received from user. The received event information may specify details for implementing an event in the online game. The received event information may include event award information indicating one or more instances of an award of an award type defined by the received award information. The event information may be used to automatically implement the event in the online game, and the instances of the award may be distributed to the participating players in accordance with the event award information.

Methods and apparatus provide for executing an application program to control a game based on gameplay of a game player; receiving instructions from the game player and forwarding the instructions for controlling the game in order to manipulate the execution of the application program and to affect the game; setting respective viewpoints, from among a plurality of viewpoints, serving as bases for generating respective watching screens for viewing the game during gameplay of the game player, which viewpoints are offered to respective watching players, among a plurality of watching players, different from the game player; and deleting the at least one of the plurality of viewpoints to be the one of the respective positions of the one of the one or more objects when the one of the one or more objects disappears from view due to the gameplay of the game player.

Movement amount identifying unit 111 of exemplary game device 1 identifies, for each of characters, a movement amount, based on which a character is moved on a map, the movement amount being randomly determined. Movement processing unit 112 moves, for each of the characters, a character on the map based on a movement amount determined for the character. Mini-game executing unit 113 executes a mini-game on detecting that a first character included in the characters has reached a predetermined first cell on the map. When doing so, mini-game executing unit 113 starts the mini-game, the first character joining the mini-game from the start of the mini-game, and causes a second character included in the characters to join the mini-game subsequent to the first character with a delay, the second character having failed to reach the first cell as of the start of the mini-game.

Methods for sharing mini-games over a game cloud system include receiving a request from a first user to access a user account managed by the game cloud system. Access to the user account is provided, in response to the request. Providing access includes presenting a user interface with a plurality of mini-games available to the user account for user interaction, on a client device of the first user. The plurality of mini-games includes mini-games that have been shared and mini-games that have not been shared with other users. The method further includes detecting selection of a particular mini-game at the user interface. In response to detecting selection, an option to share the particular mini-game with other users, is provided. The option allows the first user to post the particular mini-game to a social stream of the other users.

Approaches for secondary-game-mode sessions based on primary-game-mode arrangements of user-controlled elements are provided. Actions by user-controlled elements of a first user or other game-space elements in a primary game mode of a game space may be managed. A session request for a session in a secondary game mode of the game space may be received from the first user. A first session for the first user may be executed in the secondary game mode such that: (i) the first session involves artificial-intelligence-controlled elements as opponents against the user-controlled elements; (ii) an arrangement of the user-controlled elements at a beginning of the first session is the same as an arrangement of the user-controlled elements in the primary game mode at a time of the session request; and (iii) impacts on the user-controlled elements during the first session in the secondary game mode are not reflected in the primary game mode.

Customized wait state experiences for an avatar in a virtual universe are provided by determining user alternative wait context preferences, selecting alternative wait state content objects accordingly, creating a wait state context in the virtual universe system using the alternative wait state content objects, and transporting the waiting avatar to the newly created wait state context for the duration of the wait. The custom context can include scenery, sounds, and even information streams and feeds. The avatar is optionally returned to the original context upon an event, such as a customer service representative, being available and ready to interact with the user. Artificial intelligence processes are optionally used to determine probable wait state context preferences for the user. Rewards may be given to the user for waiting, and for completing games or challenges.

An ml array of randomly selected tokens may be provided as a playing field, and a second nl array of randomly selected tokens may be provided as a hand. The player may select a cell within the ml array to replace the token in said cell with a token in a corresponding cell of the nl array. If the replacement results in a region of adjacent identical tokens in the ml array, the tokens may be removed and the player's score incremented. If no plays are possible from the player's hand, the player may draw a new hand of randomly selected tokens to replace the tokens and/or blank spaces in the nl array. Play continues until the player has exhausted a predetermined number of opportunities to draw a new hand.

Customized wait state experiences for an avatar in a virtual universe are provided by determining user alternative wait context preferences, selecting alternative wait state content objects accordingly, creating a wait state context in the virtual universe system using the alternative wait state content objects, and transporting the waiting avatar to the newly created wait state context for the duration of the wait. The custom context can include scenery, sounds, and even information streams and feeds. The avatar is optionally returned to the original context upon an event, such as a customer service representative, being available and ready to interact with the user. Artificial intelligence processes are optionally used to determine probable wait state context preferences for the user. Rewards may be given to the user for waiting, and for completing games or challenges.