Techniques for improving a graphical user interface are described. In an example, a computer system receives event data from a plurality of user devices. Each event data includes an identifier of an activity in a video game, completion data indicating completion of the activity, and location data indicating where the activity was completed in the video game. The identifier can be predefined in program code of the video game. The evet data can be received based on an execution of the program code. The event data is processed to determine where the likely location for completing the activity in the video game. This likely location is shown as a graphical user interface element in a map.

Techniques for improving a user video game experience are described. In an example, a computer system receives event data from a plurality of user devices. Each event data includes an identifier of an activity in a video game and data indicating completion of the activity. The identifier can be predefined in program code of the video game. The identifier and completion data can be received based on an execution of the program code. The event data is processed to provide assistance videos to improve activity completion rates in the video game. The videos may be presented on the plurality of user devices.

A method for providing information in an HMD. The method includes defining an active zone in a virtual reality (VR) viewing environment of a user as presented through a 3D display of the HMD. The method includes placing main content in the active zone of the VR viewing environment. The method includes defining one or more peripheral zones outside of the active zone. The method includes placing secondary content in the first peripheral zone of the VR viewing environment. The method includes displaying an attractor within the active zone in conjunction with the entry of new data in the secondary content, wherein the attractor brings attention of the user to the first peripheral zone. The method includes detecting rotation of the HMD from the first orientation directed to the active zone towards a second orientation directed to the first peripheral zone. The method includes pausing the main content.

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an accessory having a plurality of tactile-sensitive buttons, a plurality of light sources, wherein each light source emits a controllable spectrum of light through a corresponding one of the plurality of tactile-sensitive buttons, and a controller coupled to the plurality of tactile-sensitive buttons, and the plurality of light sources. The controller can be operable to detect tactile contact of each of the plurality of tactile-sensitive buttons, receive status information associated with a video game, and adjust the spectrum of light emitted by at least a portion of the plurality of light sources according to the status information to indicate one or more aspects of the video game. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

A user analysis method for assisting a current user within the videogame includes: measuring one or more indicators of success for a scenario within the videogame as played by the current user, detecting if the one or more measured indicators of success are below an evaluation threshold, and if so then providing a hint to the current user relating to successful behaviour in the scenario, wherein providing a hint has a measuring step including measuring one or more indicators of behaviour for the scenario within the videogame as played by the current user, an evaluating step including evaluating the one or more measured indicators of behaviour with respect to data derived from a corpus of measured indicators of behaviour previously generated for other users for the scenario, a difference detecting step including detecting a respective difference in the one or more measured indicators of behaviour between the current user and a subset of other users detected to have a predetermined level of success in the scenario, and the providing step including providing a hint to the current user indicating a change in one or more behaviours that reduces a respective difference in the one or more measured indicators of behaviour between the current user and the subset of other users detected to have a predetermined level of success in the scenario.

Method for generating collectible media content items based on location information starts with processor receiving location information from location sensor coupled to first client computing device. Processor causes a map interface to be displayed that includes avatar of first user at a location based on the location information and a subset of a plurality of collectible items associated with geographical coordinates. When the first client computing device is determined to be within predetermined distance from a selected collectible item, processor causes front facing camera view to be displayed on the first client computing device, causes lens corresponding to selected collectible item to be applied to the front facing camera view, and causes the image of the selected collectible item displayed on the front facing camera view to change. Lens includes image of the selected collectible item that is overlaid on front facing camera view. Other embodiments are described herein.

Methods and systems for providing assistance for an online game executed by a cloud gaming system includes receiving a game objective of a user playing the online game. A current location of the user in the online game is identified. A map of vector points defined for the online game is traversed in a backward direction from a vector point corresponding to location of the game objective to the current location, to identify vector points corresponding to activities performed by a plurality of prior players to achieve the game objective for the online game. A predicate list of the activities identified from the traversing is generated for presenting to the user. The predicate list specifies a sequence in which the activities need to be performed to achieve the game objective. The activities presented in the predicate list are dynamically adjusted based on changes to the current location of the user detected in the online game.

Technology is described for surfacing in-game durational information to a player by way of a durational information platform. In a method embodiment, an operation processes a game data of a player for determining a game course the player is to take between a current state and a subsequent state within the game. The method also includes an operation for identifying a plurality of sequential segments within the game course for completion by the player and an operation for processing game telemetry of the player for determining effectiveness metrics of the player. The method further includes operations for calculating an estimated time for completion of the game course and for generating a recommendation for communication to a device of the player including the estimated time for completion.

Systems and techniques for enhancing the physical games with augmented reality is described. A system identifies a characteristic of a physical object that is located on a physical surface. The system obtains, based on the characteristic, information indicative of a rule set for the game and a state of the game based on the characteristic. A game engine is initialized based on the rule set and game state. The game engine generates a subsequent state for the game. The system renders, based on the subsequent state, an augmented reality display that incorporates the physical surface and physical object.

A game apparatus that functions as a non-limiting example information processing apparatus includes a CPU. If execution of an auto-play game is instructed, the CPU makes, from a start to an end of the auto-play game, cause a plurality of player characters, i.e., available characters used by a player and a plurality of enemy characters to play battles with each other at predetermined time intervals. For example, in halfway until the auto-play game is cleared or rendered as a game over, the player sets the available characters or sets arrangement of the available characters by referring to results of battles at every predetermined time intervals, thereby to start the auto-play game again. That is, the available character to be played against the enemy character is re-set.