Various methods and apparatus are described herein for enabling one or more users to interface with virtual or augmented reality environments. An example system includes a computing network having computer servers interconnected through high bandwidth interfaces to gateways for processing data and/or for enabling communication of data between the servers and one or more local user interface devices. The servers include memory, processing circuitry, and software for designing and/or controlling virtual worlds, as well as for storing and processing user data and data provided by other components of the system. One or more virtual worlds may be presented to a user through a user device for the user to experience and interact. A large number of users may each use a device to simultaneously interface with one or more digital worlds by using the device to observe and interact with each other and with objects produced within the digital worlds.

A hand held controller for a games console comprising an outer case and at least one control located on the controller. The controller is shaped to be held in at least one hand of a user such that the at least one control is operable by the user. The at least one control extends through an aperture provided in the outer case, and wherein the controller comprises a removable buffer mounted within the aperture.

A game processing device changes a movement direction of a moving object from a first direction, which is a movement direction of the moving object, to a second direction based on an operation direction of the controller if an operation of the controller in a direction that is different from the first direction is detected.

A method for sharing gameplay is provided, including the following operations: executing a video game at a server for streaming to a client; while executing the video game, buffering a portion of gameplay of the video game, wherein the buffered portion of gameplay includes an amount of gameplay prior to a currently executing gameplay; receiving an input from a controller device used for playing the video game; responsive to receiving the input, enabling sharing of at least part of the portion of gameplay to a website.

Various methods and apparatus are described herein for enabling one or more users to interface with virtual or augmented reality environments. An example system includes a computing network having computer servers interconnected through high bandwidth interfaces to gateways for processing data and/or for enabling communication of data between the servers and one or more local user interface devices. The servers include memory, processing circuitry, and software for designing and/or controlling virtual worlds, as well as for storing and processing user data and data provided by other components of the system. One or more virtual worlds may be presented to a user through a user device for the user to experience and interact. A large number of users may each use a device to simultaneously interface with one or more digital worlds by using the device to observe and interact with each other and with objects produced within the digital worlds.

A game processing device changes a movement direction of a moving object from a first direction, which is a movement direction of the moving object, to a second direction based on an operation direction of the controller if an operation of the controller in a direction that is different from the first direction is detected.

An input device for operating a musical instrument having musical behavior of string instruments, which comprises a key plate unit containing a set of input keys to be pressed by a player, in order to generate a first set of electric input signals, which emulate a combination of pressed keys of a musical instrument or a combination of pressed strings; a stick unit with variable tension of displacement including a stick to be moved by the player between predetermined discrete positions, which emulate a combination of strummed strings of a musical instrument.

A method and apparatus that incorporate teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, presenting at a display of a computer device a first graphical user interface depicting a game space of a gaming application, receiving a detected stimulation from a mobile communication device associated with a second graphical user interface depicting a virtual peripheral controller for capturing control information for controlling the gaming application, detecting a request to swap between the computer device and mobile communication device presentation of the first graphical user interface depicting the game space and the second graphical user interface depicting the virtual peripheral controller, and presenting at the display of the computer device an adaptation of the second graphical user interface depicting the virtual peripheral controller responsive to the detected request to swap. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

An input device for operating a musical instrument having musical behavior of string instruments, which comprises a key plate unit containing a set of input keys to be pressed by a player, in order to generate a first set of electric input signals, which emulate a combination of pressed keys of a musical instrument or a combination of pressed strings; a stick unit with variable tension of displacement including a stick to be moved by the player between predetermined discrete positions, which emulate a combination of strummed strings of a musical instrument.

A method for sharing gameplay is provided, including: executing a video game; while executing the video game, buffering a first portion of gameplay of the video game, wherein buffering the first portion of gameplay captures a predefined amount of gameplay prior to a currently executing gameplay; receiving a first input generated from a controller device; responsive to receiving the first input, then capturing a second portion of the gameplay of the video game that is continuous with the first portion of gameplay; receiving a second input generated from the controller device; responsive to receiving the second input, then enabling sharing of the first and second portions of gameplay to a website.