A haptic peripheral comprising a housing, a user input element, a position sensor coupled to the user input element, and an actuator located within the housing and coupled to the user input element. The position sensor is configured to detect a position of the user input element and is configured to send the position to a processor. The actuator is configured to receive a haptic effect drive signal from the processor and is configured to output a force in response to the haptic effect drive signal from the processor. The force is transmitted to the user input element as a kinesthetic haptic effect. The haptic peripheral may include a mechanical amplification system coupled to the actuator and configured to increase the force output by the actuator. In such an embodiment, the increased force is transmitted from the mechanical amplification system to the user input element as a kinesthetic haptic effect. The user input element may be a button, joystick, or trigger and is manipulated by a user to interact with a host computer.

Methods, systems, and computer programs are provided for generating an interactive space. One method includes identifying a reference point in a three-dimensional (3D) space using a portable device. The reference point is calibrated to an origin point of the portable device. The method includes determining by the device a position and an orientation of the portable device at the origin point. The position and orientation is determined using data from an inertial sensor of the portable device and data from the camera. The method includes generating by the portable device an augmented reality (AR) space using the reference point. The AR space includes virtual objects imposed over or in the 3D space.

Methods, systems, and computer programs are provided for generating an interactive space. One method includes identifying a reference point in a three-dimensional (3D) space using a portable device. The reference point is calibrated to an origin point of the portable device. The method includes determining by the device a position and an orientation of the portable device at the origin point. The position and orientation is determined using data from an inertial sensor of the portable device and data from the camera. The method includes generating by the portable device an augmented reality (AR) space using the reference point. The AR space includes virtual objects imposed over or in the 3D space.

One aspect of the disclosure relates to a multi-prize mystery box that provides an award to users who activate the mystery boxes and benefits to members of affiliations associated with the activating users. Users of an association may be provided notifications informing the users that the activating user has provided them with a benefit, increasing recognition of the activating user in the game.

One aspect of the disclosure relates to a multi-prize mystery box that provides an award to users who activate the mystery boxes and benefits to members of affiliations associated with the activating users. Users of an association may be provided notifications informing the users that the activating user has provided them with a benefit, increasing recognition of the activating user in the game.

Systems and methods for interfacing video games and user communications are provided. Communications amongst users can affect a video game provided to the users. For example, communications can be monitored to determine when a video game event occurs and then a video game event can be generated. Moreover, one or more aspects of the video game can affect communications amongst the users. For example, the active user of a video game may be used to adjust the prominence of communications amongst the users.

A controller stores a new notification in a storage section when receiving a new notification to a user device. The controller checks, in the storage section, a use status of an application of the user device. The controller determines a notification method for outputting the notification stored in the storage section to an application display of the application when determining that the application is in use based on the use status.

A controller stores a new notification in a storage section when receiving a new notification to a user device. The controller checks, in the storage section, a use status of an application of the user device. The controller determines a notification method for outputting the notification stored in the storage section to an application display of the application when determining that the application is in use based on the use status.

One variation of a method for executing an instance of a virtual multiplayer game includes: at a game console, receiving a selection for a game; identifying a group of players though peripheral devices wirelessly connected to the game console; identifying a particular player, in the group of players, exhibiting less experience with the game than other players in the group of players; rendering a virtual public game environment on the main display; at a first time, at a particular peripheral device associated with the particular player, issuing a prompt for a first game action based on a state of the virtual public game environment; at the game console, updating the virtual public game environment on the main display based on the first game action submitted by the particular player; and recording a milestone for the particular player according to the first game action.

One variation of a method for executing an instance of a virtual multiplayer game includes: at a game console, receiving a selection for a game; identifying a group of players though peripheral devices wirelessly connected to the game console; identifying a particular player, in the group of players, exhibiting less experience with the game than other players in the group of players; rendering a virtual public game environment on the main display; at a first time, at a particular peripheral device associated with the particular player, issuing a prompt for a first game action based on a state of the virtual public game environment; at the game console, updating the virtual public game environment on the main display based on the first game action submitted by the particular player; and recording a milestone for the particular player according to the first game action.