Provided is a method for controlling a computer and the like that cause players to effectively use possessed game contents in a game and increase the attractiveness of the game. The computer includes a storage unit that stores one or more game contents possessed by a player and a game content group, the one or more game contents each having a parameter value, the game content group being composed by using at least one of the one or more game contents, and makes a game proceed based on an instruction from a player. The method includes the steps of modifying the parameter value of a common game content in the game content group possessed by the player and being the same type as the one or more game contents other than the game content group, and processing an event by using the game content group whose parameter value is modified.

A computer device is configured to provide a computer implemented game. The computer device has at least one processor which is configured to determine a number of booster options that have been activated, a booster option being usable in the computer implemented game to provide a respective additional effect. The at least one processor is further configured to determining if the determined number of booster options is greater than a threshold number and when the determined number of booster options is greater than the threshold number, determine that a further booster option is to be provided in the computer implemented game.

Systems and methods to providing gated in-game access based on collections and/or combinations of unique digital articles in an online gaming platform are disclosed. Exemplary implementations may execute instances of a game; manage player accounts associated with the players, including a first player account associated with a first player, wherein a first account inventory includes a first and a second unique digital article; receive, from the first player, a first action request for an in-game action that requires ownership of the first and second unique digital articles (as recorded on an immutable ledger); permit the first action request (and other similar requests) unless and until the first player is no longer the registered owner of the first and second unique digital articles.

A non-limiting example game system includes a processor incorporated within a main body apparatus, and the processor creates, based on operation inputs of a player, a game stage by selecting components corresponding to a virtual room and by arranging panels corresponding to the components on a grid-shaped arrangement area. In the virtual room, a passage, a stairs, a door with lock blocking the passage and a treasure chest are arranged. A key for releasing the door with lock is contained in the treasure chest. The player creates the game stage by connecting all of the passages and the stairs from a start room that a game is started to a room where a boss enemy object is arranged and by taking arrangement of the doors with lock and the treasure chests containing the key into consideration.

A method of incentivizing location-based actions by groups is disclosed. A group of users of a game networking system is notified that an incentive reward is to be provided based on a number of members of the group performing a location-based action transgressing a threshold. The incentive reward is provided based on the number of members of the group performing the location-based action transgressing the threshold.

A system, machine-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing reciprocation of game asset gifts from a player is provided. A notification of a game asset of a first player that is available to a plurality of players is sent from a game server to the plurality of players. The notification is sent through a web feed in a game user interface of each player of the plurality of players. A first response requesting the game asset of the first player is received from a second web feed in a second game user interface of a second player in response to the notification. The game asset is provided to a second account of the second player in response to the first response.

A method of launching a game application includes: providing a game application launch object to an operating system, providing data specifying a plurality of modes of operation for the game application in association with the game application launch object, providing a user interface in which at least a subset of the plurality of modes of operation are presented to a user when that user performs a predetermined interaction with the game application launch object, receiving a user selection indicating a selected mode of operation, and launching the game application into a playable game state that is dependent upon the selected mode of operation.

A system for driving physical characteristics of a virtual world of a videogame provided with a physics engine module. The system including a gaming apparatus and a standard primary control device and an additional control device including a stationary base and a sphere. The stationary base is adapted to support the sphere and the sphere is detachable from the stationary base and manipulable by a player. The sphere is provided with a unique identifier and a communication system with the base. The sphere and the base include sensors. The system including means for detecting physical parameters within a player environment and using them to drive corresponding physical characteristics of the virtual world of the videogame.

An embodiment is an avatar or avatar environment to visualize data within an athletic performance system or service and/or a social network system or service, for example as part of the Internet. The avatar may further evolve or alter its appearance, animation, or other visual or audio characteristics in response to the data or other input. In particular, the avatar of an embodiment may respond to and provide visualization of athletic or sport performance data. According to one or more aspects, an avatar may be placed on other network sites and updated based on athletic performance data. The avatar may be awarded for goals achieved by a user. The awards or gifts may further include non-avatar related items such as apparel, gift cards and the like.

Aspects of this disclosure relate to rewarding users of an electronic game for real-world physical activity. Further aspects relate to altering virtual items based upon physical activity. An electronic game may comprise or otherwise relate to an online world (such as a “Virtual World”). Users may be represented through customized graphical representations, such as avatars. An account of a user (or entity) may be associated a “virtual region.” A threshold level of real-world physical activity may result in obtaining a reward that may be associated with a virtual item. A reward may be configured to result in: (1) altering visual appearance of a virtual item within a virtual region; (2) altering a virtual characteristic of a virtual item, such that the first user may engage in at least one additional virtual activity using that virtual item; and/or (3) acquiring a new virtual item for a virtual region.