A system comprising one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computing instructions that cause the one or more processors to perform operations: receiving first real-world geolocation data, generating one or more first virtual encounters based at least in part upon the first real-world telematics data and the first real-world geolocation data; generating one or more second virtual encounters based at least in part upon the first real-world environmental data and the first real-world geolocation data; providing a first virtual map; providing a first virtual character associated with the first real-world user; and simulating the first virtual map and the first virtual character in a virtual game, simulating at least one of (i) the one or more first virtual encounters or (ii) the one or more second virtual encounters for the first virtual map and for the first virtual character. Other embodiments are described.

A method and apparatus for providing force feedback to a user operating a human/computer interface device in conjunction with a graphical user interface (GUI) displayed by a host computer system. A physical object, such as a joystick or a mouse, controls a graphical object, such as a cursor, within the GUI. The GUI allows the user to interface with operating system functions implemented by the computer system. A signal is output from the host computer to the interface device to apply a force sensation to the physical object using one or more actuators. This desired force sensation is associated with at least one of the graphical objects and operating system functions of the graphical user interface and is determined by a location of the cursor in the GUI with respect to targets that are associated with the graphical objects. The graphical objects include icons, windows, pull-down menus and menu items, scroll bars (sliders), and buttons. The force sensation assists the user to select a desired operating system function or physically informs the user of the graphical objects encountered by the cursor within the GUI. A microprocessor local to the interface apparatus and separate from the host computer can be used to control forces on the physical object.

Device linking is described. In one or more implementations, data is maintained at a network service that describes characteristics of a plurality of devices that are associated with a user account of the network service. A communication is formed to be received by one of the plurality of devices that includes a portion of the data that pertains to another one of the plurality of devices and that is suitable by the receiving device to discover the other one of the plurality of devices to initiate a local network connection between the devices.

In embodiments of portable device pairing with a tracking system, a pairing system includes a portable device that generates device acceleration gesture data responsive to a series of motion gestures of the portable device. The pairing system also includes a tracking system that is configured for pairing with the portable device. The tracking system recognizes the series of motion gestures of the portable device and generates tracked object position gesture data. A pairing service can then determine that the series of motion gestures of the portable device corresponds to the series of motion gestures recognized by the tracking system, and communicate a pairing match notification to both the tracking system and the portable device to establish the pairing.

An information processing apparatus capable of outputting a variety of background music according to game situations is provided. The information processing apparatus comprises: a competitive game execution unit that executes a competitive game in which a plurality of players participate; a determining unit that determines at least one player among the plurality of players who satisfies a predetermined condition relating to the competitive game during the progress of the competitive game; and a music output device that outputs, during the progress of the competitive game, a first music piece associated with a player satisfying the predetermined conditions and output, after the first music piece, a second music piece to be selected regardless of a player satisfying the predetermined conditions, wherein the music output device, when a player satisfying the predetermined condition is replaced during the progress of the game, causes the first music piece associated with the player newly satisfying the predetermined condition to be output, and after the first music piece, causes a second music piece different from the second music piece included in a music piece that was output before the player was replaced.

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.

A method and device are provided for providing a dynamic gaming environment. Physical circumstance information relating to a gaming device, such as ambient conditions or geographic location information, may be identified. A gaming application executing on the gaming device may provide or modify a gaming environment based on the identified physical circumstances information.

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.

A computer-implemented method for training a virtual character, the method can include receiving, from a user, a selection of the virtual character. The method can also include generating one or more virtual occurrences. The method can further include determining one or more outcomes associated with the one or more virtual occurrences. The method can additionally include initiating a virtual trip. The method can also include receiving telematics data associated with a real-life trip of a real-life vehicle operated by the user. The method can further include determining one or more real-life skills of the user indicative of how proficient the user operated the real-life vehicle upon encountering one or more real-life obstacles. The method can additionally include determining one or more skill points associated with the one or more real-life skills, and training the virtual character by at least updating one or more virtual ratings. Other embodiments are described.

Method and system for granting in-game resources for a telematics-based game. In some examples, a computer-implemented method includes: generating, based on a character profile, one or more virtual occurrences to be encountered by a virtual character; determining, based on a plurality of virtual ratings of the virtual character, one or more outcomes associated with the one or more virtual occurrences; determining, based on a user's driving performance during one or more real trips, a first quantity of a first game resource at least for purchasing outcome-modifying items, the outcome-modifying items being exclusively purchasable using the first game resource; upon receiving the user's selection to use a first outcome-modifying item: updating the one or more outcomes according to a predetermined adjustment; and determining, based on the updated one or more outcomes, a second quantity of a second game resource at least for purchasing character cosmetic upgrades, unlocking in-game items, and unlocking regions of a virtual map.