The present invention relates to an application that is configured to be operated in a multi-participant environment on a computer network. The application manages participants in an online session of a multi-user application so that if one of the participants exits the session, the session can continue without interruption. The application initiates an online session of the multi-user application, wherein the online session includes two or more participants comprised of network computers that are communicatively linked to a computer network. If the application detects that a first participant has disconnected from the online session, wherein the first participant is responsible for managing certain managerial functionality associated with the running of the multi-user application, then the application broadcasts a notification to existing participants of the online session over the communication network, thereby notifying the existing participants that the first participant has disconnected from the online session. The initiating application then re-assigns the functionality associated with the first participant to an existing participant of the online session. The participants can be communicating in a peer-to-peer arrangement or can be performing server duties in a client-server arrangement.

A device for online gaming includes an actuation component and a controller communicatively coupled to a computer system. The controller is configured to perform operations including detecting an actuation of the actuation component, wherein the actuation component is associated with performing of an action in a video game executed by the computer system. Responsive to detecting the actuation, an instruction is provided to the computer system to perform the action, wherein, based on a current value of a timer, the computer system restricts the action from being performed. The timer, having been previously initiated based on a prior actuation of the actuation component, relates to a cooldown period during which the action cannot be repeated after the action is performed. Responsive to receiving a command from the computer system, a tactile effect is generated as an indication to a user that the action can be repeated.

Methods and apparatus provide for: facilitating communication between one or more controller devices operated by one or more users, respectively, and a data processing apparatus running an application program, wherein each controller device includes a plurality of actuation elements that are operable to be manipulated by a respective one of the one or more users to input desired operations to the data processing apparatus for use by the application program; obtaining a respective controller identifier from each of the one or more controller devices; and storing in a memory the controller identifiers in response to the control section in a sequential table, such that each entry in the sequential table includes at least a sequential table entry number and a respective one of the controller identifiers.

A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, a processor that performs operations including detecting a first depression range of a button that includes an electro-mechanical sensor for detecting the first depression range, comparing the first depression range to a first actuation threshold, and asserting a first actuation state when the first depression range is at or exceeds the first actuation threshold. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, a processor that performs operations including detecting a first depression range of a button that includes an electro-mechanical sensor for detecting the first depression range, comparing the first depression range to a first actuation threshold, and asserting a first actuation state when the first depression range is at or exceeds the first actuation threshold. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Provided is a service method of providing a game play video by additionally applying advertisement content to the game play video, and more particularly, to a service method of providing a game play video by additionally applying advertisement content to the game play video, whereby advertising effects are spontaneously obtained while a user is viewing a game video by adding an advertisement to the video showing a game played by game users. According to the service method of providing a game play video by additionally applying an advertisement content to the game play video, a data capacity of a game video may be remarkably reduced and a high image quality may be maintained, and high advertising effects may be achieved without interfering with the user's viewing of the game video.

A communication game system includes a plurality of game apparatuses which are able to wirelessly communicate with each other. Each of the game apparatus registers identifying information of an opponent obtained by a short-distance wireless communication or by user's manual input in a friend list. Thereafter, the game apparatus connects to the Internet, and inquires whether it is possible to communicate with an opponent in the friend list over the network. If it is possible to communicate, the game apparatus obtains an address of the opponent to make a network communication. Even if a user makes a short distance wireless communication with a friend to exchange and register the identifying information or registers the friend by hand and then is parted from the friend, the user can safely communicate with the friend across the network without being exposed to unknown players. In a case that an additional opponent is to be added to the multiplayer game session, one of the participants transmits identifying information to introduce the communicating opponents to each other. The game apparatuses introduced to each other make a communication over a network, and add the identifying information of the opponents to the friend list, if necessary.

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a method for detecting that a gaming system has presented a first of a plurality of gaming venue states of a game, presenting a first of a plurality of screen shots at a display responsive to detecting the first gaming venue state, detecting that the gaming system has transitioned to a presentation of a second of the plurality of venue states, and presenting a second of the plurality of screen shots at the display responsive to detecting the second gaming venue state. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

The present invention relates to an application that is configured to be operated in a multi-participant environment on a computer network. The application manages participants in an online session of a multi-user application so that if one of the participants exits the session, the session can continue without interruption. The application initiates an online session of the multi-user application, wherein the online session includes two or more participants comprised of network computers that are communicatively linked to a computer network. If the application detects that a first participant has disconnected from the online session, wherein the first participant is responsible for managing certain managerial functionality associated with the running of the multi-user application, then the application broadcasts a notification to existing participants of the online session over the communication network, thereby notifying the existing participants that the first participant has disconnected from the online session. The initiating application then re-assigns the functionality associated with the first participant to an existing participant of the online session. The participants can be communicating in a peer-to-peer arrangement or can be performing server duties in a client-server arrangement.

Approaches for secondary-game-mode sessions based on primary-game-mode arrangements of user-controlled elements are provided. Actions by user-controlled elements of a first user or other game-space elements in a primary game mode of a game space may be managed. A session request for a session in a secondary game mode of the game space may be received from the first user. A first session for the first user may be executed in the secondary game mode such that: the first session involves artificial-intelligence-controlled elements as opponents against the user-controlled elements; (ii) an arrangement of the user-controlled elements at a beginning of the first session is the same as an arrangement of the user-controlled elements in the primary game mode at a time of the session request; and (iii) impacts on the user-controlled elements during the first session in the secondary game mode are not reflected in the primary game mode.