The server device according to the invention includes: a storage unit that associates and stores multiple first characteristic data sets for each user and associates and stores second characteristic data for each group to which the multiple first characteristic data sets belong; a different-user-selecting unit that selects a different user when a predetermined event occurs while a game is being played; a group formation-assessing unit that determines whether or not all of the first characteristic data sets belonging to a group are included in the first characteristic data sets associated with the user and the different user; and an action-executing unit that executes predetermined actions using, in addition to the first characteristic data sets associated with the user and the different user, the second characteristic data associated with the group for which it has been determined that all of the pertinent first characteristic data sets are included.

A method of incentivizing location-based actions by groups is disclosed. A group of users of a game networking system is notified that an incentive reward is to be provided based on a number of members of the group performing a location-based action transgressing a threshold. The incentive reward is provided based on the number of members of the group performing the location-based action transgressing the threshold.

A method of changing a virtual world of a computer-implemented game based on real-world locations of players of the computer-implemented game is disclosed. A presence of a player of the computer-implemented game is detected at a physical location. A presence of an additional player of the computer-implemented game is detected at the physical location based on a communication received from the player of the computer-implemented game. An aspect of the virtual world of the computer-implemented game is changed based on the detecting of the presence of the player at the physical location and the detecting of the presence of the additional player of the computer-implemented game at the physical location.

Method for generating media content items on demand starts with a processor receiving an animation file including a first metadata based on an animation input. The animation file is associated with a media content identification. The processor generates puppets associated with frames in the animation file using the first metadata. The processor causes a puppet matching interface to be displayed on a client device. The puppet matching interface includes one of the puppets in a first pose. The processor receives a puppet posing input associated with a second pose from the client device. The processor causes the one of the puppets to be displayed in the second pose in the puppet matching interface by the client device. The processor can also generate a second metadata based on the puppet posing input. Other embodiments are disclosed herein.

Methods and apparatus provide for: generating image data for an application to be displayed on an output device; recording the image data generated by the image generating unit; and receiving operation information from an input device, where the recording includes storing the image data for an application for a predetermined period of time up to the point in time at which operation information is received during the receiving operation information from a specific input unit provided in the input device while displaying an application image.

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, receiving at a computer device a plurality of stimulus signals generated by one or more gaming accessory devices of a gamer controlling a gaming application, generating a plurality of gaming stimulations based on the plurality of stimulus signals, generating a plurality of gaming action results from the gaming application responsive to the plurality of gaming stimulations, combining the plurality of gaming action results and the plurality of gaming stimulations to generate a plurality of hardware statistics associated with the gamer, and transmitting to a social network the plurality of hardware statistics associated with the gamer.

A data processing method and a server are disclosed. The method includes: receiving, by a server, first service data that is sent by a first client (for example, an instant messaging application based client), and sending the first service data to at least one second client that has a friend association relationship with the first client; detecting one or more second clients responding to the first service data, selecting, according to a preset selection rule, a target second client, and assigning a processing permission to the target second client, so that the target second client generates second service data according to the processing permission and the first service data; and receiving the second service data, using the target second client as a first client, and using the second service data as first service data. The present disclosure can improve utility of an instant messaging application and enhance user stickiness.

The server device includes: a storage unit that associates and stores multiple first characteristic data sets for each user and associates and stores second characteristic data for each group to which the multiple first characteristic data sets belong; a different-user-selecting unit that selects a different user when a predetermined event occurs while a game is being played; a group formation-assessing unit that determines whether or not all of the first characteristic data sets belonging to a group are included in the first characteristic data sets associated with the user and the different user; and an action-executing unit that executes predetermined actions using, in addition to the first characteristic data sets associated with the user and the different user, the second characteristic data associated with the group for which it has been determined that all of the pertinent first characteristic data sets are included.

In a method of notifying a user of an option to participate in a meta game, a presence of a player of a computer-implemented game at a location is detected. An association between a computer-implemented meta-game and the location is identified. The player of the computer-implemented game is presented with an option to participate in the computer-implemented meta-game. An indication of an acceptance of the option to participate in the computer-implemented meta game is received from the player of the computer-implemented game. A performance of an action within the computer-implemented game by the player of the computer-implemented game is reflected within the computer-implemented meta game.

Aspects of the present disclosure involve a system comprising a computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program and a method for providing an in-game status bar. A gaming application is launched from a messaging application. A state in the messaging application from which the gaming application was launched is determined. A communication interface that is associated with the messaging application is generated for display, concurrently with a display of the gaming application. Functionality of the communication interface is modified based on the state in the messaging application from which the gaming application was launched.