Enhanced methodology and apparatus for use in a multi-player video game for generating a array of user selectable options for choosing real or computer generated users to play with and/or compete against. For example, in a simulated multiple driver racing game application, the user of a computing device is presented with an option for selecting any of various ghost data packages for downloading over a communication network such as the Internet. For example, the user may be presented with the option of selecting one of an array of ghost data packages to race against such as the top five buddies of the user with highest scores, five buddies with scores similar to a user's own score, and teams/groups of various varieties. A simulated race in a computing device initially occurs with objects and a playing field of relatively low graphic complexity, limited by constraints of the system's processing power and the associated limited number of polygons that can be processed per second, the resolution of the screen, etc. A more powerful rendering of such objects/playing field thereafter takes place in a server after the ghost/performance data is collected and uploaded.

Navigation systems and associated methods for providing navigation services are provided. Information associated with a desired route for a vehicle, such as a route between a current location and a desired destination, may be determined. Additionally, contextual information associated with the vehicle may be identified. Based upon the desired route and the contextual information, a direction may be generated for presentation to one or more users, and the generated direction may be output for presentation.

In a video game or simulator, suggested speed indicators are computed along a suggested driving line on a path (e.g., a race track) and displayed in a simple, progressive, and user-friendly format. The displayed speed indicators are based on a racer's current speed and target speeds attributed to individual locations along the suggested driving line on the path. The speed indicators provide a dynamic indication of where and how the player should slow down or speed up relative to their current speed as their racer travels along the path. The speed indicators are displayed (e.g., using color to represent different magnitudes of suggested acceleration and deceleration) along the suggested driving line in front of the racer so that the player can anticipate braking and acceleration actions as the path and the racer's speed change.

A motion simulator capable of being manufactured to have a small size so that an occupied area can be reduced, is provided. The motion simulator includes: an upper frame; a lower frame; a first link portion configured to have a bottom end hinged to one side of a rear end of the lower frame and a top end connected to one side of a rear end of the upper frame so that pitching rotation of the upper frame is performed, and to move one side of the rear end of the upper frame in a vertical direction using a first driving unit; a second link portion configured to have a bottom end hinged to the other side of the rear end of the lower frame and a top end connected to the other side of the rear end of the upper frame so that pitching rotation of the upper frame is performed, and to move the other side of the rear end of the upper frame in the vertical direction using a second driving unit; a third driving unit configured to be provided on the lower frame; and a third link portion configured to support a lower portion of the upper fame so that pitching and rolling rotation of the upper frame is performed, and to move the upper frame in the vertical direction using the third driving unit.

A method and system for cooling an electric motor of a simulation or video game controller that comprises a rotor arranged in a casing, wherein the method comprises a forced air ventilation from the outside of the casing to the inside of the casing by a fan arranged on the rotor and kinetically decoupled from the rotor. As such, cold outside air is recovered and circulates through the coils which constitute the heat source and expulsed to the other end of the motor. There is therefore a homogeneous extraction of the heat from the coils. As the fan is kinetically decoupled from the rotor, the cooling system therefore operates independently of the speed of rotation of the main shaft of the motor.

Each of a first information processing apparatus and a second information processing apparatus includes a display, an operation portion, and a radio communication unit. The second apparatus transmits operation information accepted by the operation portion of the second apparatus to the first apparatus through the radio communication unit. The first apparatus performs application processing based on operation information accepted by the operation portion of the first apparatus and the operation information from the second apparatus, generates an application image including a result of execution of the application processing, shows the application image on the display of the first apparatus, and transmits the application image to the second apparatus through the radio communication unit of the first apparatus. The second apparatus shows the application image from the first apparatus on the display of the second apparatus.

A vehicle simulation such as for example a driving game can be provided by displaying an image of a steering wheel on a touch sensitive screen. Touch inputs are used to control the rotational orientation of displayed steering wheel. The rotational orientation of the displayed steering wheel is used to apply course correction effects to a simulated vehicle. Selective application of driver assist and different scaling of touch inputs may be provided.

Systems and methods for verifying an advertisement impression in a digital environment are provided. In some aspects, methods of the subject technology include operations for defining a portion of the digital environment as an impression area, wherein the impression area is associated with a tagged advertisement area, providing a stream of an advertisement to the tagged advertisement area, and updating advertising impression information stored in memory regarding the advertisement, wherein an advertising impression is based on the identification of the character within the impression area and the availability of an unobstructed line-of-sight between the character and the tagged advertisement area. In some aspects, computer readable media are also provided.

A forward direction line is set on a course, in a virtual game world, on which a player object is allowed to move. An advancing direction at a current position of the player object is determined based on the forward direction line. The advancing direction is determined as a direction in which the player object advances so as to control a movement of a player character in accordance with an acceleration instruction, and a leftward-rightward movement instruction from a player. Consequently, it is possible to assist the player in controlling a direction in which an object operated by the player moves.

Enhanced methodology and apparatus for use in a multi-player video game for generating a array of user selectable options for choosing real or computer generated users to play with and/or compete against. For example, in a simulated multiple driver racing game application, the user of a computing device is presented with an option for selecting any of various ghost data packages for downloading over a communication network such as the Internet. For example, the user may be presented with the option of selecting one of an array of ghost data packages to race against such as the top five buddies of the user with highest scores, five buddies with scores similar to a user's own score, and teams/groups of various varieties. A simulated race in a computing device initially occurs with objects and a playing field of relatively low graphic complexity, limited by constraints of the system's processing power and the associated limited number of polygons that can be processed per second, the resolution of the screen, etc. A more powerful rendering of such objects/playing field thereafter takes place in a server after the ghost/performance data is collected and uploaded.