In some aspects, a system is provided that includes (1) a plurality of mobile devices; and (2) an application on each mobile device, the application adapted to (a) allow exercisers to form an exercise group; (b) track position or change in position of each exerciser in the exerciser group; and (c) display an avatar having a position that is controlled by a position or change in position of one or more member of the exercise group. Numerous other aspects are provided.

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.

A server device that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a memory and a processor. The processor can identify first and second players present at first and second physical locations, to identify first and second boundary and topographical information of the first and second physical locations, to map the first and second boundary and topographical information of the first and second physical locations to a virtual gaming space, to capture first and second position and orientation information for the first and second players, to map the first and second position and orientation information to the virtual gaming space, to generate first and second virtual players corresponding to the first and second players, and to transmit to first goggles information representative of the second virtual player for display superimposed onto a transparent viewing apparatus for viewing of the virtual gaming space. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

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.

Methods of interacting with a mixed reality are presented. A mobile device captures an image of a real-world object where the image has content information that can be used to control a mixed reality object through an offered command set. The mixed reality object can be real, virtual, or a mixture of both real and virtual.

In a method of notifying a user of an option to participate in a meta game, a presence of a player of a computer-implemented game at a location is detected. An association between a computer-implemented meta-game and the location is identified. The player of the computer-implemented game is presented with an option to participate in the computer-implemented meta-game. An indication of an acceptance of the option to participate in the computer-implemented meta game is received from the player of the computer-implemented game. A performance of an action within the computer-implemented game by the player of the computer-implemented game is reflected within the computer-implemented meta game.

In some aspects, a system is provided that includes a plurality of mobile devices and an application on at least a first mobile device. The application is adapted to track position information regarding the first mobile device, communicate the position information to a web server, receive position information from the web server regarding other mobile devices within a predetermined distance of the first mobile device, and use the position information regarding the other mobile devices to affect one or more characteristics of a video game executed on the first mobile device. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Various embodiments relating to management of game data of a video game by a game service and service triggered delivery of game data to various subscribers are provided. In one embodiment, game data of a video game is received at a game service computing machine as the video game is being executed on a user gaming machine. A game statistic is generated by the game service computing machine based on the game data. The game statistic is sent to subscribers having a subscription to the game statistic.

A system and method optimizes game quality by matching players for an online game to one of several virtual games. This matching process may involve filtering the players who wish to play according to various constraint minimizing criteria, packing the players into one or more virtual games to optimize game quality factors of the virtual games, and then instantiating the virtual games to actual online games played by the players. The game packing process may be iterative and may involve adding a new player into a virtual game. Game quality factor (GQF) values prior to and after the placement of the new player in the virtual game may be compared. The comparison of the GQF values may be used, at least in part to determine whether the new player is to remain in the virtual game. Various criteria may be considered in instantiating a virtual game.

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.