A video server is configured to provide streaming video to players of computer games over a computing network. The video server can provided video of different games to different players simultaneously. This is accomplished by rendering several video streams in parallel using a single GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The output of the GPU is provided to graphics processing pipelines that are each associated with a specific client/player and are dynamically allocated as needed. A client qualifier may be used to assure that only clients capable of presenting the streaming video to a player at a minimum level of quality receive the video stream. Video frames provided by the video server optionally include overlays added to the output of the GPU. These overlays can include voice data received from another game player.

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an apparatus having a processor to detect a gaming accessory stimulation associated with a programmable layer of a number of programmable layers. The processor identifies a substitute gaming accessory stimulation of the programmable layer of the number of programmable layers of the gaming accessory. The substitute gaming accessory stimulation of the programmable layer is associated with the gaming accessory stimulation of the programmable layer of the number of programmable layers, according to a user profile of a number of user profiles associated with a user account. Other predetermined associations of stimulations of the gaming accessory with other substitute accessory stimulations are recorded in other user profiles of the number of user profiles, and the substitute gaming accessory stimulation is provided to a computing device to manage a gaming software application. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

A system and method for entering text within a video game application are described. For example, a system according to one embodiment of the invention comprises: a video game hosting service to execute a video game in response to user input; a client device to communicate with the video game hosting service over a first communication channel, wherein the client device has a first user input device communicatively coupled thereto, and wherein control signals for the video game are generated in response to input from the first user input device and transmitted from the client device to the video game hosting service over the first communication channel, the video game hosting service controlling a video game in response to receipt of the control signals; a display device communicatively coupled to the client device, the display device to display video of the video game; wherein the video game hosting service further includes program code to open a second communication channel to receive text input, the second communication channel being separate and independent from the first communication channel and usable by a data processing device capable of generating text input, wherein in response to receipt of text input over the second communication channel, the video game hosting service causes the text input to be displayed on the display device communicatively coupled to the client device.

An optimized friend recommendation system is described. An active social network (ASN) of a player of an online game is determined based on a frequency of reciprocated communications between the player and friends of the player. The ASN of the player has friends of the player with a minimum number of closed-loop communications with the player within a predetermined duration. The social network of non-ASN friends outside the ASN of the player is identified. One or more non-ASN friends identified and suggested to socially engage with the player in an online game based on the social network of non-ASN friends of the player outside the ASN of the player are.

A system analyzes neuro-response measurements from subjects exposed to video games to identify neurologically salient locations for inclusion of stimulus material and personalized stimulus material such as video streams, advertisements, messages, product offers, purchase offers, etc. Examples of neuro-response measurements include Electroencephalography (EEG), optical imaging, and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), eye tracking, and facial emotion encoding measurements.

Methods and systems for executing games are provided. One example method includes executing at a server of the gaming system a first game logic and a second game logic. The first game logic is for a first game stream to a first user and the second game logic is for a second game stream to a second user. The method includes providing a first virtual driver for the first game logic and a second virtual driver for the second game logic. The method includes executing a hardware graphical processing unit (GPU). The hardware GPU having a non-virtual driver that communicates with each of the first and second virtual drivers. The non-virtual driver is configured for receiving data associated with the first game and the second game using the first virtual driver and the second virtual driver, respectively. The hardware GPU is configured for rendering video frames for the first game and the second game. The method includes encoding the video frames for the first game and the second game using an encoder. The encoded video frames including the first and second game streams to devices of the first and second users connected to the gaming system over a network.

Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for rendering images on a head mounted display (HMD). One method includes operations for tracking, with one or more first cameras inside the HMD, the gaze of a user and for tracking motion of the HMD. The motion of the HMD is tracked by analyzing images of the HMD taken with a second camera that is not in the HMD. Further, the method includes an operation for predicting the motion of the gaze of the user based on the gaze and the motion of the HMD. Rendering policies for a plurality of regions, defined on a view rendered by the HMD, are determined based on the predicted motion of the gaze. The images are rendered on the view based on the rendering policies.

An avatar or avatar environment to visualize data may be provided within a social networking system or service, for example as part of the Internet, and/or within a desktop widget, panel, gadget, or the like. The avatar may further evolve or alter its appearance, animation, or other visual or audio characteristics in response to the data or other input such as athletic activity performed by a corresponding user. In particular, the avatar of an embodiment may respond to and provide visualization of athletic or sport performance data.

Augmented reality presentations are provided at respective electronic devices. A first electronic device receives information relating to modification made to an augmented reality presentation at a second electronic device, and the first electronic device modifies the first augmented reality presentation in response to the information.

A communication analysis system for an online game is described. A communication history among players of the online game is retrieved. Communication tracking metrics are generated based on the communication history of the players of the online game. A retention analysis is performed with the communication tracking metrics to determine retention of players of the online game. A retention recommendation is generated based on the retention analysis.