A game device includes a board surface configured to allow articles of a first type and a second type to be placed, and for the articles of the first type and the second type placed on the board surface, acquires first game information associated with the article of the first type or second game information associated with the article of the second type. The device executes a game based on the acquired first game information, and changes a state of acquisition of information from an article on the board surface to one of a first state and a second state according to the progress of the game, the first state in which the first game information is acquired from the article of the first type, the second state in which the second game information is acquired from the article of the second type.

An augmented digital game comprising a plurality of game rules, a plurality of game elements, and a plurality of game component objects each representing a different one of the game elements. The game is implemented at least in part by a computer-implemented method that associates an inactive power with a player of the game, and automatically assigns the inactive power to a selected one of the game component objects. This assignment may occur without any input from the player related to the assignment. The method also determines that an activation event has occurred, and activates the power after determining that the activation event has occurred. The activated power introduces at least one exception to the plurality of rules thereby modifying the game. The method also determines whether the player has won the modified game.

An augmented digital game comprising a plurality of game rules, a plurality of game elements, and a plurality of game component objects each representing a different one of the game elements. The game is implemented at least in part by a computer-implemented method that associates an inactive power with a player of the game, and automatically assigns the inactive power to a selected one of the game component objects. This assignment may occur without any input from the player related to the assignment. The method also determines that an activation event has occurred, and activates the power after determining that the activation event has occurred. The activated power introduces at least one exception to the plurality of rules thereby modifying the game. The method also determines whether the player has won the modified game.

A non-transitory computer readable medium according to various embodiments store one or more programs include instructions cause, a first processor of an first electronic device to, transmit in response to identification of a first instructions executable by a second processor of the electronic device, at least portion of information associated with the identified first instructions, to a second electronic device, receive a signal associated with the first instructions from the second electronic device, store in response to identification of second instructions distinct from the first instructions from the received signal and executable by the second processor, the second instructions in the memory and transmit in response to identification of a command indicating upload of the first instructions from the received signal, the first instructions executable by the second processor to the second electronic device.

An image processing method comprises receiving content; displaying the content on a display; detecting a capture trigger for capturing a screenshot of the content displayed on the display; acquiring additional information relating to the content displayed on the display at a capture timing corresponding to a timing at which the capture trigger is detected; and capturing the screenshot of the content displayed on the display at the capture timing and adding the additional information to the screenshot to generate an additional-information-added image.

An image processing method comprises receiving content; displaying the content on a display; detecting a capture trigger for capturing a screenshot of the content displayed on the display; acquiring additional information relating to the content displayed on the display at a capture timing corresponding to a timing at which the capture trigger is detected; and capturing the screenshot of the content displayed on the display at the capture timing and adding the additional information to the screenshot to generate an additional-information-added image.

A video game system includes a video server system (VSS) having a first network address. The VSS pairs a game controller having a second network address with a display system having a third network address. The VSS receives controller data packets directed to the first network address from the game controller over a first communication channel. The controller data packets include the second network address and information for updating a game state of a video game. The VSS decodes the controller data packets and directs generation of an updated game state of the video game using information within the controller data packets. The VSS generates a video stream of the video game using the updated game state. The VSS transmits the video stream to the display system at the third network address over a second communication channel. The first and second communication channels differ by at least one network segment.

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 system for viewing a shared virtual reality having a plurality of virtual reality headsets. Each headset producing a shared virtual reality that is viewed by persons wearing the headsets. The system comprises a communication network to which each headset is in communication to send and receive a virtual orientation and a virtual position associated with each person of the persons wearing the headsets. The system comprises a computer in communication with each headset through the network which transmits a virtual audience that is viewed by each headset. The virtual audience formed from the virtual orientation and the virtual position associated with each person wearing the headset over time as each person views the virtual story, so each person views in the headset the person is wearing the virtual story, the virtual orientation and virtual position of each other person of the persons wearing the headset. A method for viewing a shared virtual reality. A non-transitory readable storage medium which includes a computer program stored on the storage medium in a non-transient memory for viewing a shared virtual reality.

The present invention describes methods to customize massively-multiplayer-online-game (MMOG) Avatars beyond what can be displayed during general game-play. General game play refers to when a user is in a game with control of their Avatar. One knowledgeable in the art would understand that MMOGs are limited by their game engines to the complexity of Avatars that may be displayed to a user during general game-play, while maintaining acceptable frame rates. Furthermore one knowledgeable in the art would understand that Avatar complexity may further be limited due to the target machine the MMOG is designed to run on. The current invention describes methods to produce a custom Avatar image for non-game use, wherein the custom Avatar has higher resolution and greater choices than are available in-game.