SEQUENCING AND LOCATIONS OF SELECTED VIRTUAL OBJECTS TO TRIGGER TARGETED GAME ACTIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional patent application entitled “Systems and Methods for Inter-level and Intra-Level Tuning,” Ser. No. 62/048,362, filed Sep. 10, 2014, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application entitled “Systems and Methods for Determining Game Level Attributes Based on Player Skill Level Prior to Game Play in the Level,” Ser. No. 14/546,865, filed Nov. 18, 2014, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to games and applications in general and, in particular embodiments, to triggering targeted actions in games.

[0004] In many games, there is a virtual world or some other imagined playing space where a player/user of the game controls one or more player characters (herein “character,” “player character,” or “PC”). Player characters can be considered in-game representations of the controlling player. As used herein, the terms “player,” “user,” “entity,” and “friend” may refer to the in-game player character controlled by that player, user, entity, or friend, unless context suggests otherwise. The game display can display a representation of the player character. A game engine accepts inputs from the player, determines player character actions, decides outcomes of events and presents the player with a game display illuminating what happened. In some games, there are multiple players, wherein each player controls one or more player characters.

[0005] In many computer games, there are various types of in-game assets (aka “rewards” or “loot”) that a player character can obtain within the game. For example, a player character may acquire game points, gold coins, experience points, character levels, character attributes, virtual cash, game keys, or other in-game items of value. In many computer games, there are also various types of in-game obstacles that a player must overcome to advance within the game. In-game obstacles can include tasks, puzzles, opponents, levels, gates, actions, etc. In some games, a goal of the game may be to acquire certain in-game assets, which can then be used to complete in-game tasks or to overcome certain in-game obstacles. For example, a player may be able to acquire a virtual key (i.e., the in-game asset) that can then be used to open a virtual door (i.e., the in-game obstacle).

[0006] An electronic social networking system typically operates with one or more social networking servers providing interaction between users such that a user can specify other users of the social networking system as “friends.” A collection of users and the “friend” connections between users can form a social graph that can be traversed to find second, third and more remote connections between users, much like a graph of nodes connected by edges can be traversed.

[0007] Many online computer games are operated on an online social networking system. Such an online social networking system allows both users and other parties to interact with the computer games directly, whether to play the games or to retrieve game- or user-related information. Internet users may maintain one or more accounts with various service providers, including, for example, online game networking systems and online social networking systems. Online systems can typically be accessed using browser clients (e.g., Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer).

[0016] A system, a machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, and a computer-implemented method are described herein to trigger a game action to be applied to a target virtual object in a game world based on a position of a virtual object present in a selected sequence of virtual objects of a tile board. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of example embodiments. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present technology may be practiced without these specific details.

[0017] In various embodiments, a Game Action Trigger Module (GATM) generates a virtual gaming environment comprising a concurrent display of a tile board and a game world separate from the tile board. The tile board comprises a plurality of tile board virtual objects. The GATM receives a selection of a sequence of tile board virtual objects. The GATM identifies a location of a particular tile board virtual object in the selected sequence. The GATM identifies a target game world virtual object based on the location of the particular tile board virtual object in the selected sequence. The GATM applies a game action to the target game world virtual object.

[0018] In various embodiments, a tile board of a tile-matching game requires that a user select a sequence of matching virtual objects. A minimum number of matching virtual objects must be selected in order to be considered a proper sequence. A game world is rendered and displayed concurrently with the tile board. The game world includes various game world virtual objects and game world characters. The GATM receives a user selection of a sequence of matching virtual objects in the tile board. The GATM determines a location of a particular virtual object in the selected sequence. For example, the GATM determines a position of the final virtual object in the selected sequence. A virtual object in the game world is identified based on a position of the final virtual object in the selected sequence. A game action is applied to the identified virtual object in the game world.

[0019] In various embodiments, the GATM is a one or more modules executing on a client computing device. The GATM defines a grid to be shared between a game world and a tile board. The grid defines a plurality of positional identifiers. For example, the grid has a plurality of horizontal and vertical pair positional identifiers. The GATM renders and displays the game world and the tile board concurrently. For example, the GATM renders the tile board as overlayed upon a rendered portion of the game world.

[0020] The tile board includes a plurality of selectable tile board virtual objects (hereinafter “tile objects”). Some of the tile objects are of a same type of tile object while other tile objects are of a different type of tile object. It is understood that there can be a plurality of different types of tile objects. The GATM receives a user selection of a sequence of tile objects displayed on the tile board. The GATM verifies whether each of the tile objects in the selected sequence are of a same type of (or matching) tile board object. If so, the GATM validates the selected sequence as comprising of matching tile objects.

[0021] Based on validating that the selected sequence comprises matching type tile objects, the GATM identifies a particular tile object in the selected sequence, such as, for example, the first selected tile object or the last selected tile object. The GATM identifies a position of the particular tile object with respect to the grid the tile board shares with the game world. For example, the GATM identifies horizontal and vertical positional identifiers of the grid that correspond with a location of the particular tile object on the grid.

[0022] Based on the location of the particular tile object on the grid, the GATM identifies a target virtual object in the game world (hereinafter “target game world object”). In one embodiment, the GATM identifies the target game world object based on the target game world object having a similar horizontal positional identifier on the grid. In another embodiment, the GATM identifies the target game world object based the target game world object having a similar vertical positional identifier on the grid.

[0023] Upon identifying the target game world object, the GATM triggers a game action to be applied to the target game world object. In one embodiment, the GATM renders an animation indicative of the game action. The animation begins proximate to the particular tile object in the tile and progressed to the game world and ends at the target game world object.

[0024] It is understood that the GATM is not limited to tile-matching games and that the GATM can use various different types of one or more game engines to render a game that is concurrently displayed with a game world.

[0025] In various embodiments, the GATM includes the System Tuner, as described in U.S. Provisional patent application entitled “Systems and Methods for Inter-level and Intra-Level Tuning,” Ser. No. 62/048,362 and the System Tuner as described in U.S. application entitled “Systems and Methods for Determining Game Level Attributes Based on Player Skill Level Prior to Game Play in the Level, Ser. No. 14/546,865.

[0026] In various embodiments, the System Tuner of the GATM (hereinafter “GATM Tuner”) monitors activities of a player within the tile-matching game in order to continuously calculate and update a skill level for each player (“player skill level” or “PSL”) as the player progresses between levels of the tile-matching game. In some embodiments, a game level allows the player a finite number of game moves in order to complete the game level. In other embodiments, a game move can be an in-game decision selected and performed by the player. While the player is playing a respective game level of the tile-matching game, the GATM Tuner compares the player's progress in the respective game level against a reference rate of progress for that game level. It is understood that, for various embodiments, the terms “GATM” and “GATM Tuner” can be used interchangeably.

[0027] The reference rate of progress is continuously calculated and updated by the GATM Tuner and is based on game-related data that describes the game performance of a plurality of players in a particular level of the tile-matching game. The reference rate of progress represents an ideal rate of progression for any player towards the end of the game level and/or towards an in-level purchase decision (such as an in-level transaction offer). As the GATM Tuner detects that the player's progression in the game level is better than the reference rate of progress, the GATM Tuner triggers features and attributes of the game level that increase the difficulty of the game level. As the GATM Tuner detects that the player's progression in the game level is worse than the reference rate of progress, the GATM Tuner triggers features and attributes of the game level that decrease the difficulty of the game level.

[0028] The game level attributes and features the GATM Tuner can trigger are determined according to the player's PSL before the player initiates game play in the game level of the tile-matching game. Upon detecting completion of a game level by the player, the GATM Tuner updates the player's PSL based on the player's performance in the recently-completed game level and utilizes the updated PSL to determine attributes and features of the next game level the player will play.

[0029] In a tile-matching game in which the player must select matching tiles in order to form a sequence of matching tile, the player is assigned a tile bag prior to entering into an upcoming game level. A tile bag represents all the possible types of tiles that can be made available to the player on the tile board as the player submits game moves in the game level.

[0030] The GATM Tuner adjusts the tile type composition of the tile bag for a particular game level according to the PSL before the player begins game play in the particular game level. If the player's PSL is high, meaning that the player is a highly-skilled player, the GATM Tuner will utilize the high PSL to generate a tile type composition of the tile bag that includes many different types of tiles—so as to decrease a number of occurrences of adjacently placed tiles of a same tile type. If the player's PSL is low, meaning that the player is a low-skilled player, the GATM Tuner will utilize the low PSL to generate a tile type composition of the tile bag that includes few different types of tile—so as to increase a number of occurrences of adjacently placed tiles of a same tile type. The GATM Tuner can also determine, based on the PSL, a drop rate (or a drop rate range) for type of tiles based on the PSL. For example, the GATM Tuner determines a drop rate that defines how often a particular type of tile will appear as being available for selection by the player as the player selects tiles from the tile board during game play in the level. In another example, a drop rate can define how often a particular type of tile board obstacle is presented to the player. The GATM Tuner will present the tile board obstacle more often to a player with high PSL as opposed to a player with a low PSL. The GATM Tuner can also define how many matching tiles must be selected by the player from the tile board in order to form a valid sequence that triggers a game action in the concurrently displayed game world.

[0031] The GATM Tuner also utilizes the PSL to determine attributes and features of the game world in order to assure that the player's progress through the game world aligns with a reference rate of progression associated with the game world. For example, in various embodiments, the game world includes various type of characters associated with the player and various type of characters opposing the characters that are associated with the player. Each type of character can have one or more skills and assets.

[0032] In order to ensure that the player's current rate of progression through the game world is at least proximate to a reference rate of progress for the game world, the GATM Tuner selects various types of characters and their respective skills and assets based on the player's PSL. If the player's PSL indicates the player is a highly-skilled player, the GATM Tuner selects characters associated with the player that have skills and assets that are weaker than the skills and assets of the opposing players. If the player's PSL indicates the player is a low-skilled player, the GATM Tuner selects characters associated with the player that have skills and assets that are stronger than the skills and assets of the opposing players. In another embodiment, if the player's PSL indicates the player is a highly-skilled player, the GATM Tuner selects characters opposing the player's characters, that have skills and assets that are stronger than the skills and assets of the player's characters. If the player's PSL indicates the player is a low-skilled player, the GATM Tuner selects opposing the player's characters, that have skills and assets that are weaker than the skills and assets of the player's characters.”

[0033] In some embodiments, the GATM Tuner adjusts the speed of game play in the game world based on the PSL. Also, based on the PSL, the GATM Tuner adjusts the rate of occurrence of opportunities for the player to upgrade skills and assets and acquire new skills and assets of the player's respective characters in the game world.

[0034] In various embodiments, the GATM accesses game-related data of a second player that has a social network connection with the friend. The GATM selects portions of the game-related data of the second player, based on the PSL of the player, and the selected portions are included in the game world and/or tile board being played by the player. For example, the GATM selects a character associated with from a session of the game world being played by the second player and incorporates the selected character into the session of the game world being played by the player. The GATM selects the second player's character based on the player's PSL. That is, the GATM selects a character from the second player's game-related data that has skills and assets that, when used by the player, will modify the player's current rate of progression to be at least proximate to the reference rate of progression. It is understood that the GATM is not limited to selecting only characters associated with the second player. The GATM can select any portion of the second player's game-related data (e.g. characters, skills, assets, tiles, points, etc.) that will modify the player's current rate of progression to be at least proximate to the reference rate of progression.

[0035] In some embodiments, it is understood that the GATM can include modules that individually run on both client device and a server computer system. The server GATM calculates and updates the reference rate of progress and the PSL of respective players and sends the reference rate of progress and PSLs to the client GATM. In some embodiments, either the server GATM or the client GATM can calculate a respective player's current rate of progress. The server GATM also accesses the game-related data of other players in order to identify and select portions of the game-related data that will be incorporated into a player's session. In one embodiment, the server GATM sends the selected portions of the game-related data to the client GATM.

[0036] It is understood that various embodiments include the generation of one or more modules that comprise source code that, when compiled by a computing device(s), creates object code that causes the computing device(s) to perform one or more operations described herein. In other embodiments, any of the modules comprise object code that causes the computing device(s) to perform various operations described herein.

[0037] Other embodiments include the generation of one or more modules that comprise source code that, when compiled by a client computing device(s), creates object code that causes the client computing device(s) to perform one or more operations described herein in communication with a server computing devices(s). In other embodiments, any of the modules comprise object code that causes the client computing device(s) to perform various operations described herein in communication with the server computing devices(s).

[0038] Other embodiments include the generation of one or more modules that comprise source code that, when compiled by a server computing device(s), creates object code that causes the server computing device(s) to perform one or more operations described herein in communication with one or more client computing devices. In other embodiments, any of the modules comprise object code that causes the server computing device(s) to perform various operations described herein in communication with the one or more client computing devices.

[0039] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system for implementing various disclosed embodiments. In particular embodiments, system 100 comprises player 101, social networking system 120a, game networking system 120b (i.e. online gaming system), client system 130, and network 160. The components of system 100 can be connected to each other in any suitable configuration, using any suitable type of connection. The components may be connected directly or over a network 160, which may be any suitable network. For example, one or more portions of network 160 may be an ad hoc network, an intranet, an extranet, a virtual private network (VPN), a local area network (LAN), a wireless LAN (WLAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wireless WAN (WWAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a portion of the Internet, a portion of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), a cellular telephone network, another type of network, or a combination of two or more such networks.

[0040] Social networking system 120a (i.e. social network system) is a network-addressable computing system that can host one or more social graphs. Social networking system 120a can generate, store, receive, and transmit social networking data. Social networking system 120a can be accessed by the other components of system 100 either directly or via network 160. Game networking system 120b is a network-addressable computing system that can host one or more online games. Game networking system 120b can generate, store, receive, and transmit game-related data, such as, for example, game account data, game input, game state data, and game displays. Game networking system 120b can be accessed by the other components of system 100 either directly or via network 160. Player 101 may use client system 130 to access, send data to, and receive data from social networking system 120a and game networking system 120b. Client system 130 can access social networking system 120a or game networking system 120b directly, via network 160, or via a third-party system. As an example and not by way of limitation, client system 130 may access game networking system 120b via social networking system 120a. Client system 130 can be any suitable computing device, such as a personal computer, laptop, cellular phone, smart phone, computing tablet, etc.

[0041] Although FIG. 1 illustrates a particular number of players 101, social network systems 120a, game networking systems 120b, client systems 130, and networks 160, this disclosure contemplates any suitable number of players 101, social network systems 120a, game networking systems 120b, client systems 130, and networks 160. As an example and not by way of limitation, system 100 may include one or more game networking systems 120b and no social networking systems 120a. As another example and not by way of limitation, system 100 may include a system that comprises both social networking system 120a and game networking system 120b. Moreover, although FIG. 1 illustrates a particular arrangement of player 101, social networking system 120a, game networking system 120b, client system 130, and network 160, this disclosure contemplates any suitable arrangement of player 101, social networking system 120a, game networking system 120b, client system 130, and network 160.

[0042] The components of system 100 may be connected to each other using any suitable connections 110. For example, suitable connections 110 include wireline (such as, for example, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) or Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS)), wireless (such as, for example, Wi-Fi or Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX)) or optical (such as, for example, Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) or Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH)) connections. In particular embodiments, one or more connections 110 each include an ad hoc network, an intranet, an extranet, a VPN, a LAN, a WLAN, a WAN, a WWAN, a MAN, a portion of the Internet, a portion of the PSTN, a cellular telephone network, or another type of connection, or a combination of two or more such connections. Connections 110 need not necessarily be the same throughout system 100. One or more first connections 110 may differ in one or more respects from one or more second connections 110. Although FIG. 1 illustrates particular connections between player 101, social networking system 120a, game networking system 120b, client system 130, and network 160, this disclosure contemplates any suitable connections between player 101, social networking system 120a, game networking system 120b, client system 130, and network 160. As an example and not by way of limitation, in particular embodiments, client system 130 may have a direct connection to social networking system 120a or game networking system 120b, bypassing network 160.

[0043] Game Networking Systems

[0044] In an online computer game, a game engine manages the game state of the game. Game state comprises all game play parameters, including player character state, non-player character (NPC) state, in-game object state, game world state (e.g., internal game clocks, game environment), and other game play parameters. Each player 101 controls one or more player characters (PCs). The game engine controls all other aspects of the game, including non-player characters (NPCs), and in-game objects. The game engine also manages game state, including player character state for currently active (online) and inactive (offline) players.

[0045] An online game can be hosted by game networking system 120b (i.e. online gaming system), which includes a Notification Generator 150 that performs operations according to embodiments as described herein. The game networking system 120b can be accessed using any suitable connection with a suitable client system 130. A player may have a game account on game networking system 120b, wherein the game account can contain a variety of information associated with the player (e.g., the player's personal information, financial information, purchase history, player character state, game state). In some embodiments, a player may play multiple games on game networking system 120b, which may maintain a single game account for the player with respect to all the games, or multiple individual game accounts for each game with respect to the player. In some embodiments, game networking system 120b can assign a unique identifier to each player 101 of an online game hosted on game networking system 120b. Game networking system 120b can determine that a player 101 is accessing the online game by reading the user's cookies, which may be appended to HTTP requests transmitted by client system 130, and/or by the player 101 logging onto the online game.

[0046] In particular embodiments, player 101 may access an online game and control the game's progress via client system 130 (e.g., by inputting commands to the game at the client device). Client system 130 can display the game interface, receive inputs from player 101, transmitting user inputs or other events to the game engine, and receive instructions from the game engine. The game engine can be executed on any suitable system (such as, for example, client system 130, social networking system 120a, or game networking system 120b). As an example and not by way of limitation, client system 130 can download client components of an online game, which are executed locally, while a remote game server, such as game networking system 120b, provides backend support for the client components and may be responsible for maintaining application data of the game, processing the inputs from the player, updating and/or synchronizing the game state based on the game logic and each input from the player, and transmitting instructions to client system 130. As another example and not by way of limitation, each time player 101 provides an input to the game through the client system 130 (such as, for example, by typing on the keyboard or clicking the mouse of client system 130), the client components of the game may transmit the player's input to game networking system 120b.

[0047] A database may store any data relating to game play within a game networking system 120b. The database may include database tables for storing a player game state that may include information about the player's virtual gameboard, the player's character, or other game-related information. For example, player game state may include virtual objects owned or used by the player, placement positions for virtual structural objects in the player's virtual gameboard, and the like. Player game state may also include in-game obstacles of tasks for the player (e.g., new obstacles, current obstacles, completed obstacles, etc.), the player's character attributes (e.g., character health, character energy, amount of coins, amount of cash or virtual currency, etc.), and the like.

[0048] The database may also include database tables for storing a player profile that may include user-provided player information that is gathered from the player, the player's client device, or an affiliate social network. The user-provided player information may include the player's demographic information, the player's location information (e.g., a historical record of the player's location during game play as determined via a GPS-enabled device or the internet protocol (IP) address for the player's client device), the player's localization information (e.g., a list of languages chosen by the player), the types of games played by the player, and the like.

[0049] In some example embodiments, the player profile may also include derived player information that may be determined from other information stored in the database. The derived player information may include information that indicates the player's level of engagement with the virtual game, the player's friend preferences, the player's reputation, the player's pattern of game-play, and the like. For example, the game networking system 120b may determine the player's friend preferences based on player attributes that the player's first-degree friends have in common, and may store these player attributes as friend preferences in the player profile. Furthermore, the game networking system 120b may determine reputation-related information for the player based on user-generated content (UGC) from the player or the player's N^th degree friends (e.g., in-game messages or social network messages), and may store this reputation-related information in the player profile. The derived player information may also include information that indicates the player's character temperament during game play, anthropological measures for the player (e.g., tendency to like violent games), and the like.

[0050] In some example embodiments, the player's level of engagement may be indicated from the player's performance within the virtual game. For example, the player's level of engagement may be determined based on one or more of the following: a play frequency for the virtual game or for a collection of virtual games; an interaction frequency with other players of the virtual game; a response time for responding to in-game actions from other players of the virtual game; and the like.

[0051] In some example embodiments, the player's level of engagement may include a likelihood value indicating a likelihood that the player may perform a desired action. For example, the player's level of engagement may indicate a likelihood that the player may choose a particular environment, or may complete a new challenge within a determinable period of time from when it is first presented to him.

[0052] In some example embodiments, the player's level of engagement may include a likelihood that the player may be a leading player of the virtual game (a likelihood to lead). The game networking system 120b may determine the player's likelihood to lead value based on information from other players that interact with this player. For example, the game networking system 120b may determine the player's likelihood to lead value by measuring the other players' satisfaction in the virtual game, measuring their satisfaction from their interaction with the player, measuring the game-play frequency for the other players in relation to their interaction frequency with the player (e.g., the ability for the player to retain others), and/or the like.

[0053] The game networking system 120b may also determine the player's likelihood to lead value based on information about the player's interactions with others and the outcome of these interactions. For example, the game networking system 120b may determine the player's likelihood to lead value by measuring the player's amount of interaction with other players (e.g., as measured by a number of challenges that the player cooperates with others, and/or an elapsed time duration related thereto), the player's amount of communication with other players, the tone of the communication sent or received by the player, and/or the like. Moreover, the game networking system 120b may determine the player's likelihood to lead value based on determining a likelihood for the other players to perform a certain action in response to interacting or communicating with the player and/or the player's virtual environment.

[0054] In an online multiplayer game, players may control player characters (PCs), a game engine controls non-player characters (NPCs) and game features, and the game engine also manages player character state and game state and tracks the state for currently active (i.e., online) players and currently inactive (i.e., offline) players. A player character can have a set of attributes and a set of friends associated with the player character. As used herein, the term “player character state” can refer to any in-game characteristic of a player character, such as location, assets, levels, condition, health, status, inventory, skill set, name, orientation, affiliation, specialty, and so on. Player characters may be displayed as graphical avatars within a user interface of the game. In other implementations, no avatar or other graphical representation of the player character is displayed. Game state encompasses the notion of player character state and refers to any parameter value that characterizes the state of an in-game element, such as a non-player character, a virtual object (such as a wall or castle), etc. The game engine may use player character state to determine the outcome of game events, sometimes also considering set or random variables. Generally, a player character's probability of having a more favorable outcome is greater when the player character has a better state. For example, a healthier player character is less likely to die in a particular encounter relative to a weaker player character or non-player character. In some embodiments, the game engine can assign a unique client identifier to each player.

[0055] In particular embodiments, player 101 may access particular game instances of an online game. A game instance is copy of a specific game play area that is created during runtime. In particular embodiments, a game instance is a discrete game play area where one or more players 101 can interact in synchronous or asynchronous play. A game instance may be, for example, a level, zone, area, region, location, virtual space, or other suitable play area. A game instance may be populated by one or more in-game objects. Each object may be defined within the game instance by one or more variables, such as, for example, position, height, width, depth, direction, time, duration, speed, color, and other suitable variables. A game instance may be exclusive (i.e., accessible by specific players) or non-exclusive (i.e., accessible by any player). In particular embodiments, a game instance is populated by one or more player characters controlled by one or more players 101 and one or more in-game objects controlled by the game engine. When accessing an online game, the game engine may allow player 101 to select a particular game instance to play from a plurality of game instances. Alternatively, the game engine may automatically select the game instance that player 101 will access. In particular embodiments, an online game comprises only one game instance that all players 101 of the online game can access.

[0056] In particular embodiments, a specific game instance may be associated with one or more specific players. A game instance is associated with a specific player when one or more game parameters of the game instance are associated with the specific player. As an example and not by way of limitation, a game instance associated with a first player may be named “First Player's Play Area.” This game instance may be populated with the first player's PC and one or more in-game objects associated with the first player. In particular embodiments, a game instance associated with a specific player may only be accessible by that specific player. As an example and not by way of limitation, a first player may access a first game instance when playing an online game, and this first game instance may be inaccessible to all other players. In other embodiments, a game instance associated with a specific player may be accessible by one or more other players, either synchronously or asynchronously with the specific player's game play. As an example and not by way of limitation, a first player may be associated with a first game instance, but the first game instance may be accessed by all first-degree friends in the first player's social network. In particular embodiments, the game engine may create a specific game instance for a specific player when that player accesses the game. As an example and not by way of limitation, the game engine may create a first game instance when a first player initially accesses an online game, and that same game instance may be loaded each time the first player accesses the game. As another example and not by way of limitation, the game engine may create a new game instance each time a first player accesses an online game, wherein each game instance may be created randomly or selected from a set of predetermined game instances. In particular embodiments, the set of in-game actions available to a specific player may be different in a game instance that is associated with that player compared to a game instance that is not associated with that player. The set of in-game actions available to a specific player in a game instance associated with that player may be a subset, superset, or independent of the set of in-game actions available to that player in a game instance that is not associated with him. As an example and not by way of limitation, a first player may be associated with Blackacre Farm in an online farming game. The first player may be able to plant crops on Blackacre Farm. If the first player accesses game instance associated with another player, such as Whiteacre Farm, the game engine may not allow the first player to plant crops in that game instance. However, other in-game actions may be available to the first player, such as watering or fertilizing crops on Whiteacre Farm.

[0057] In particular embodiments, a game engine can interface with a social graph. Social graphs are models of connections between entities (e.g., individuals, users, contacts, friends, players, player characters, non-player characters, businesses, groups, associations, concepts, etc.). These entities are considered “users” of the social graph; as such, the terms “entity” and “user” may be used interchangeably when referring to social graphs herein. A social graph can have a node for each entity and edges to represent relationships between entities. A node in a social graph can represent any entity. In particular embodiments, a unique client identifier can be assigned to each user in the social graph. This disclosure assumes that at least one entity of a social graph is a player or player character in an online multiplayer game, though this disclosure any suitable social graph users.

[0058] The minimum number of edges required to connect a player (or player character) to another user is considered the degree of separation between them. For example, where the player and the user are directly connected (one edge), they are deemed to be separated by one degree of separation. The user would be a so-called “first-degree friend” of the player. Where the player and the user are connected through one other user (two edges), they are deemed to be separated by two degrees of separation. This user would be a so-called “second-degree friend” of the player. Where the player and the user are connected through N edges (or N−1 other users), they are deemed to be separated by N degrees of separation. This user would be a so-called “Nth-degree friend.” As used herein, the term “friend” means only first-degree friends, unless context suggests otherwise.

[0059] Within the social graph, each player (or player character) has a social network. A player's social network includes all users in the social graph within N_max degrees of the player, where N_max is the maximum degree of separation allowed by the system managing the social graph (such as, for example, social networking system 120a or game networking system 120b). In one embodiment, N_max equals 1, such that the player's social network includes only first-degree friends. In another embodiment, N_max is unlimited and the player's social network is coextensive with the social graph.

[0060] In particular embodiments, the social graph is managed by game networking system 120b, which is managed by the game operator. In other embodiments, the social graph is part of a social networking system 120a managed by a third-party (e.g., Facebook, Friendster, Myspace). In yet other embodiments, player 101 has a social network on both game networking system 120b and social networking system 120a, wherein player 101 can have a social network on the game networking system 120b that is a subset, superset, or independent of the player's social network on social networking system 120a. In such combined systems, game network system 120b can maintain social graph information with edge type attributes that indicate whether a given friend is an “in-game friend,” an “out-of-game friend,” or both. The various embodiments disclosed herein are operable when the social graph is managed by social networking system 120a, game networking system 120b, or both.

[0061] FIG. 2 shows an example of a social network within a social graph. As shown, Player 201 can be associated, connected or linked to various other users, or “friends,” within the social network 250. These associations, connections or links can track relationships between users within the social network 250 and are commonly referred to as online “friends” or “friendships” between users. Each friend or friendship in a particular user's social network within a social graph is commonly referred to as a “node.” For purposes of illustration and not by way of limitation, the details of social network 250 will be described in relation to Player 201. As used herein, the terms “player,” “user” and “account” can be used interchangeably and can refer to any user or character in an online game networking system or social networking system. As used herein, the term “friend” can mean any node within a player's social network.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 2, Player 201 has direct connections with several friends. When Player 201 has a direct connection with another individual, that connection is referred to as a first-degree friend. In social network 250, Player 201 has two first-degree friends. That is, Player 201 is directly connected to Friend 1₁ 211 and Friend 2₁ 221. In a social graph, it is possible for individuals to be connected to other individuals through their first-degree friends (i.e., friends of friends). As described above, each edge required to connect a player to another user is considered the degree of separation. For example, FIG. 2 shows that Player 201 has three second-degree friends to which he is connected via his connection to his first-degree friends. Second-degree Friend 1₂ 212 and Friend 2₂ 222 are connected to Player 201 via his first-degree Friend 1₁ 211. The limit on the depth of friend connections, or the number of degrees of separation for associations, that Player 201 is allowed is typically dictated by the restrictions and policies implemented by social networking system 120a.

[0063] In various embodiments, Player 201 can have Nth-degree friends connected to him through a chain of intermediary degree friends as indicated in FIG. 2. For example, Nth-degree Friend 1_N 219 is connected to Player 201 via second-degree Friend 3₂ 232 and one or more other higher-degree friends. Various embodiments may take advantage of and utilize the distinction between the various degrees of friendship relative to Player 201.

[0064] In particular embodiments, a player (or player character) can have a social graph within an online multiplayer game that is maintained by the game engine and another social graph maintained by a separate social networking system. FIG. 2 depicts an example of in-game social network 260 and out-of-game social network 250. In this example, Player 201 has out-of-game connections 255 to a plurality of friends, forming out-of-game social network 250. Here, Friend 1₁ 211 and Friend 2₁ 221 are first-degree friends with Player 201 in his out-of-game social network 250. Player 201 also has in-game connections 265 to a plurality of players, forming in-game social network 260. Here, Friend 2₁ 221, Friend 3₁ 231, and Friend 4₁ 241 are first-degree friends with Player 201 in his in-game social network 260. In some embodiments, it is possible for a friend to be in both the out-of-game social network 250 and the in-game social network 260. Here, Friend 2₁ 221 has both an out-of-game connection 255 and an in-game connection 265 with Player 201, such that Friend 2₁ 221 is in both Player 201's in-game social network 260 and Player 201's out-of-game social network 250.

[0065] As with other social networks, Player 201 can have second-degree and higher-degree friends in both his in-game and out of game social networks. In some embodiments, it is possible for Player 201 to have a friend connected to him both in his in-game and out-of-game social networks, wherein the friend is at different degrees of separation in each network. For example, if Friend 2₂ 222 had a direct in-game connection with Player 201, Friend 2₂ 222 would be a second-degree friend in Player 201's out-of-game social network, but a first-degree friend in Player 201's in-game social network. In particular embodiments, a game engine can access in-game social network 260, out-of-game social network 250, or both.

[0066] In particular embodiments, the connections in a player's in-game social network can be formed both explicitly (e.g., users must “friend” each other) and implicitly (e.g., system observes user behaviors and “friends” users to each other). Unless otherwise indicated, reference to a friend connection between two or more players can be interpreted to cover both explicit and implicit connections, using one or more social graphs and other factors to infer friend connections. The friend connections can be unidirectional or bidirectional. It is also not a limitation of this description that two players who are deemed “friends” for the purposes of this disclosure are not friends in real life (i.e., in disintermediated interactions or the like), but that could be the case.

[0067] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating components of a game networking system, according to some example embodiments. The game networking system 120b includes a player skill level module 310, an attribute modification module 320, a rate of progression module 330, a modified attribute trigger module 340, overlay module 350, sequence selection module 360, location identifier module 370, target object module 380 and game action module 390.

[0068] In various example embodiments, the player skill level module 310, is a hardware-implemented module that controls, manages and stores information related to calculating and updating a respective player skill level for one or more players.

[0069] In various example embodiments, the attribute modification module 320 is a hardware-implemented module that controls, manages and stores information related to modifying and updating one or more features and one or more attributes of a game level(s) according to one or more player skill levels. It is understood that the term “game level” refers to a level of game play in the game world and/or a level of game play in the tile-matching game.

[0070] In various example embodiments, the rate of progression module 330 is a hardware-implemented module that controls, manages and stores information related to calculating and updating a particular player's current rate of progression through a game level based on the various actions, decisions, game moves and earned points of the particular player. The rate of progression module 330 also controls, manages and stores information related to calculating and updating a range for a reference rate of progression through a game level based on the various actions, decisions, game moves and earned points of a plurality of players.

[0071] In various example embodiments, the modified attribute trigger module 340 is a hardware-implemented module that controls, manages and stores information related to triggering use of a modified attribute in a game level based on an extent of a difference between a current rate of progression and a reference rate of progression.

[0072] In various example embodiments, the overlay module 350 is a hardware-implemented module that controls, manages and stores information related to concurrently displaying a game world and a tile-matching game.

[0073] In various example embodiments, the sequence selection module 360 is a hardware-implemented module that controls, manages and stores information related to receiving and validating a sequence of virtual objects (such as tile board objects) selected by one or more players.

[0074] In various example embodiments, the location identifier module 370 is a hardware-implemented module that controls, manages and stores information related to identifying a location of a particular virtual object (such as a tile board object) that is included in a valid sequence selected by a player.

[0075] In various example embodiments, the target object module 380 is a hardware-implemented module that controls, manages and stores information related to identifying a at least one target game world object based on the identified location of the particular virtual object.

[0076] In various example embodiments, the game action module 390 is a hardware-implemented module that controls, manages and stores information related to applying and animating a game action to the at least one target game world object

[0077] The modules 310-390 are configured to communicate with each other (e.g., via a bus, shared memory, or a switch). Any one or more of the modules 310-390 described herein may be implemented using hardware (e.g., one or more processors of a machine) or a combination of hardware and software. For example, any module described herein may configure a processor (e.g., among one or more processors of a machine) to perform the operations described herein for that module. Moreover, any two or more of these modules may be combined into a single module, and the functions described herein for a single module may be subdivided among multiple modules. Furthermore, according to various example embodiments, modules described herein as being implemented within a single machine, database, or device may be distributed across multiple machines, databases, or devices.

[0078] FIG. 4 is a flowchart 400 showing an example method of applying a game action to a target game world object. FIG. 5 is a diagram of a user interface of the virtual gaming environment presenting an animation of applying a game action to a target game world object. Reference numerals of FIG. 5 will be incorporated in the discussion below of FIG. 4.

[0079] At operation 404, the GATM generates a virtual gaming environment with a game world and a tile board. In one embodiment, the GATM generates a user interface for a game world 502. The game world is based on a first game engine and includes at least one character 510 that corresponds with a player (such as Player 201). The game world further includes a variety of types of game world virtual objects, such as a barrel 515 and an adversarial character 516.

[0080] The GATM renders a tile board matching game 502-1 over a portion of the game world 502. The tile board matching game 502-1 (hereinafter “tile board”) is based on a second game engine that differs from the game world's 502 first game engine. The tile board 502-1 includes various types of tile board objects.

[0081] At operation 406, the GATM receives a selection of a sequence of tile board objects. The player selects a sequence of adjacent, matching tile board objects 504, 506, 508. The GATM receives an indication of the selection sequence and validates that the tile board objects 504, 506, 508 are the same type of tile board object (or matching tile board objects).

[0082] At operation 408, the GATM identifies a location of a particular tile board in the selected sequence. In one embodiment, the GATM identifies a location of the last tile board object 508 in the selected sequence. For example, the GATM renders the game world 502 and the tile board 502-1 with respect to a grid, such that various virtual objects in the game world 502 and the tile board 502-1 each have respective locations that correspond to one or more position identifiers on the grid. The GATM identifies a horizontal axis 514 upon which the tile board object 508 is positioned. In another embodiment, the GATM further validates that a character 510 that corresponds with the player is also located on the horizontal axis 514.

[0083] At operation 410, the GATM identifies a target game world object based on the location of the particular tile board. The GATM identifies a barrel object 515 as a target object due at least to the barrel object 515 being positioned on the same horizontal axis 514 as the tile board object 508.

[0084] At operation 412, the GATM applies a game action to the target game world object. The character 510 that corresponds with the player is rendered with a weapon 512. The GATM applies a game action on the barrel object 515 based on the capacity of the weapon 512. For example, the GATM renders an animation of the character 510 discharging the weapon 512 towards the barrel object 515 in order to eliminate the barrel object 515 from the game world 502 and expose the adversarial character 516.

[0085] FIG. 6 illustrates an example data flow between the components of system 600. In particular embodiments, system 600 can include client system 630, social networking system 120a (i.e. social network system), and game networking system 120b (i.e. online game system). The components of system 600 can be connected to each other in any suitable configuration, using any suitable type of connection. The components may be connected directly or over any suitable network. Client system 630, social networking system 120a, and game networking system 120bb can each have one or more corresponding data stores such as local data store 635, social data store 645, and game data store 665, respectively. Social networking system 120a and game networking system 120b can also have one or more servers that can communicate with client system 630 over an appropriate network. Social networking system 120a and game networking system 120b can have, for example, one or more internet servers for communicating with client system 630 via the Internet. Similarly, social networking system 120a and game networking system 120b can have one or more mobile servers for communicating with client system 630 via a mobile network (e.g., GSM, PCS, Wi-Fi, WPAN, etc.). In some embodiments, one server may be able to communicate with client system 630 over both the Internet and a mobile network. In other embodiments, separate servers can be used.

[0086] Client system 630 can receive and transmit data 623 to and from game networking system 120b. This data can include, for example, webpages, messages, game inputs, game displays, HTTP packets, data requests, transaction information, updates, and other suitable data. At some other time, or at the same time, game networking system 120b can communicate data 643, 647 (e.g., game state information, game system account information, page info, messages, data requests, updates, etc.) with other networking systems, such as social networking system 120a (e.g., Facebook, Myspace, etc.). Client system 630 can also receive and transmit data 627 to and from social networking system 120a. This data can include, for example, webpages, messages, social graph information, social network displays, HTTP packets, data requests, transaction information, updates, and other suitable data.

[0087] Communication between client system 630, social networking system 120a, and game networking system 120b can occur over any appropriate electronic communication medium or network using any suitable communications protocols. For example, client system 630, as well as various servers of the systems described herein, may include Transport Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) networking stacks to provide for datagram and transport functions. Of course, any other suitable network and transport layer protocols can be utilized.

[0088] In addition, hosts or end-systems described herein may use a variety of higher layer communications protocols, including client-server (or request-response) protocols, such as the HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and other communications protocols, such as HTTPS, FTP, SNMP, TELNET, and a number of other protocols, may be used. In some embodiments, no protocol may be used and, instead, transfer of raw data may be utilized via TCP or User Datagram Protocol. In addition, a server in one interaction context may be a client in another interaction context. In particular embodiments, the information transmitted between hosts may be formatted as HyperText Markup Language (HTML) documents. Other structured document languages or formats can be used, such as XML, and the like. Executable code objects, such as JavaScript and ActionScript, can also be embedded in the structured documents.

[0089] In some client-server protocols, such as the use of HTML over HTTP, a server generally transmits a response to a request from a client. The response may comprise one or more data objects. For example, the response may comprise a first data object, followed by subsequently transmitted data objects. In particular embodiments, a client request may cause a server to respond with a first data object, such as an HTML page, which itself refers to other data objects. A client application, such as a browser, will request these additional data objects as it parses or otherwise processes the first data object.

[0090] In particular embodiments, an instance of an online game can be stored as a set of game state parameters that characterize the state of various in-game objects, such as, for example, player character state parameters, non-player character parameters, and virtual item parameters. In particular embodiments, game state is maintained in a database as a serialized, unstructured string of text data as a so-called Binary Large Object (BLOB). When a player accesses an online game on game networking system 120b, the BLOB containing the game state for the instance corresponding to the player can be transmitted to client system 630 for use by a client-side executed object to process. In particular embodiments, the client-side executable may be a FLASH-based game, which can de-serialize the game state data in the BLOB. As a player plays the game, the game logic implemented at client system 630 maintains and modifies the various game state parameters locally. The client-side game logic may also batch game events, such as mouse clicks, and transmit these events to game networking system 120b. Game networking system 120b may itself operate by retrieving a copy of the BLOB from a database or an intermediate memory cache (memcache) layer. Game networking system 120b can also de-serialize the BLOB to resolve the game state parameters and execute its own game logic based on the events in the batch file of events transmitted by the client to synchronize the game state on the server side. Game networking system 120b may then re-serialize the game state, now modified, into a BLOB and pass this to a memory cache layer for lazy updates to a persistent database.

[0091] With a client-server environment in which the online games may run, one server system, such as game networking system 120b, may support multiple client systems 630. At any given time, there may be multiple players at multiple client systems 630 all playing the same online game. In practice, the number of players playing the same game at the same time may be very large. As the game progresses with each player, multiple players may provide different inputs to the online game at their respective client systems 630, and multiple client systems 630 may transmit multiple player inputs and/or game events to game networking system 120b for further processing. In addition, multiple client systems 630 may transmit other types of application data to game networking system 120b.

[0092] In particular embodiments, a computed-implemented game may be a text-based or turn-based game implemented as a series of web pages that are generated after a player selects one or more actions to perform. The web pages may be displayed in a browser client executed on client system 630. As an example and not by way of limitation, a client application downloaded to client system 630 may operate to serve a set of webpages to a player. As another example and not by way of limitation, a computer-implemented game may be an animated or rendered game executable as a stand-alone application or within the context of a webpage or other structured document. In particular embodiments, the computer-implemented game may be implemented using Adobe Flash-based technologies. As an example and not by way of limitation, a game may be fully or partially implemented as a SWF object that is embedded in a web page and executable by a Flash media player plug-in. In particular embodiments, one or more described webpages may be associated with or accessed by social networking system 120a. This disclosure contemplates using any suitable application for the retrieval and rendering of structured documents hosted by any suitable network-addressable resource or website.

[0093] Application event data of a game is any data relevant to the game (e.g., player inputs). In particular embodiments, each application datum may have a name and a value, and the value of the application datum may change (i.e., be updated) at any time. When an update to an application datum occurs at client system 630, either caused by an action of a game player or by the game logic itself, client system 630 may need to inform game networking system 120b of the update. For example, if the game is a farming game with a harvest mechanic (such as Zynga FarmVille), an event can correspond to a player clicking on a parcel of land to harvest a crop. In such an instance, the application event data may identify an event or action (e.g., harvest) and an object in the game to which the event or action applies. For illustration purposes and not by way of limitation, system 600 is discussed in reference to updating a multi-player online game hosted on a network-addressable system (such as, for example, social networking system 120a or game networking system 120b), where an instance of the online game is executed remotely on a client system 630, which then transmits application event data to the hosting system such that the remote game server synchronizes game state associated with the instance executed by the client system 630.

[0094] In particular embodiment, one or more objects of a game may be represented as an Adobe Flash object. Flash may manipulate vector and raster graphics, and supports bidirectional streaming of audio and video. “Flash” may mean the authoring environment, the player, or the application files. In particular embodiments, client system 630 may include a Flash client. The Flash client may be configured to receive and run Flash application or game object code from any suitable networking system (such as, for example, social networking system 120a or game networking system 120b). In particular embodiments, the Flash client may be run in a browser client executed on client system 630. A player can interact with Flash objects using client system 630 and the Flash client. The Flash objects can represent a variety of in-game objects. Thus, the player may perform various in-game actions on various in-game objects by make various changes and updates to the associated Flash objects. In particular embodiments, in-game actions can be initiated by clicking or similarly interacting with a Flash object that represents a particular in-game object. For example, a player can interact with a Flash object to use, move, rotate, delete, attack, shoot, or harvest an in-game object. This disclosure contemplates performing any suitable in-game action by interacting with any suitable Flash object. In particular embodiments, when the player makes a change to a Flash object representing an in-game object, the client-executed game logic may update one or more game state parameters associated with the in-game object. To ensure synchronization between the Flash object shown to the player at client system 630, the Flash client may send the events that caused the game state changes to the in-game object to game networking system 120b. However, to expedite the processing and hence the speed of the overall gaming experience, the Flash client may collect a batch of some number of events or updates into a batch file. The number of events or updates may be determined by the Flash client dynamically or determined by game networking system 120b based on server loads or other factors. For example, client system 630 may send a batch file to game networking system 120b whenever 50 updates have been collected or after a threshold period of time, such as every minute.

[0095] As used herein, the term “application event data” may refer to any data relevant to a computer-implemented game application that may affect one or more game state parameters, including, for example and without limitation, changes to player data or metadata, changes to player social connections or contacts, player inputs to the game, and events generated by the game logic. In particular embodiments, each application datum may have a name and a value. The value of an application datum may change at any time in response to the game play of a player or in response to the game engine (e.g., based on the game logic). In particular embodiments, an application data update occurs when the value of a specific application datum is changed. In particular embodiments, each application event datum may include an action or event name and a value (such as an object identifier). Thus, each application datum may be represented as a name-value pair in the batch file. The batch file may include a collection of name-value pairs representing the application data that have been updated at client system 630. In particular embodiments, the batch file may be a text file and the name-value pairs may be in string format.

[0096] In particular embodiments, when a player plays an online game on client system 630, game networking system 120b may serialize all the game-related data, including, for example and without limitation, game states, game events, user inputs, for this particular user and this particular game into a BLOB and stores the BLOB in a database. The BLOB may be associated with an identifier that indicates that the BLOB contains the serialized game-related data for a particular player and a particular online game. In particular embodiments, while a player is not playing the online game, the corresponding BLOB may be stored in the database. This enables a player to stop playing the game at any time without losing the current state of the game the player is in. When a player resumes playing the game next time, game networking system 120b may retrieve the corresponding BLOB from the database to determine the most-recent values of the game-related data. In particular embodiments, while a player is playing the online game, game networking system 120b may also load the corresponding BLOB into a memory cache so that the game system may have faster access to the BLOB and the game-related data contained therein.

[0097] In particular embodiments, one or more described webpages may be associated with a networking system or networking service. However, alternate embodiments may have application to the retrieval and rendering of structured documents hosted by any type of network addressable resource or web site. Additionally, as used herein, a user may be an individual, a group, or an entity (such as a business or third party application).

[0098] FIG. 7 illustrates an example computing system architecture, which may be used to implement a server 7822 or a client system 830 illustrated in FIG. 8. In one embodiment, hardware system 700 comprises a processor 702, a cache memory 704, and one or more executable modules and drivers, stored on a tangible computer readable medium, directed to the functions described herein. Additionally, hardware system 700 may include a high performance input/output (I/O) bus 706 and a standard I/O bus 708. A host bridge 710 may couple processor 702 to high performance I/O bus 706, whereas I/O bus bridge 712 couples the two buses 706 and 708 to each other. A system memory 714 and one or more network/communication interfaces 716 may couple to bus 706. Hardware system 700 may further include video memory (not shown) and a display device coupled to the video memory. Mass storage 718 and I/O ports 720 may couple to bus 708. Hardware system 700 may optionally include a keyboard, a pointing device, and a display device (not shown) coupled to bus 708. Collectively, these elements are intended to represent a broad category of computer hardware systems, including but not limited to general purpose computer systems based on the x86-compatible processors manufactured by Intel Corporation of Santa Clara, Calif., and the x86-compatible processors manufactured by Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Inc., of Sunnyvale, Calif., as well as any other suitable processor.

[0099] The elements of hardware system 700 are described in greater detail below. In particular, network interface 716 provides communication between hardware system 700 and any of a wide range of networks, such as an Ethernet (e.g., IEEE 802.3) network, a backplane, etc. Mass storage 718 provides permanent storage for the data and programming instructions to perform the above-described functions implemented in servers 1022, whereas system memory 714 (e.g., DRAM) provides temporary storage for the data and programming instructions when executed by processor 702. I/O ports 720 are one or more serial and/or parallel communication ports that provide communication between additional peripheral devices, which may be coupled to hardware system 700.

[0100] Hardware system 700 may include a variety of system architectures and various components of hardware system 700 may be rearranged. For example, cache 704 may be on-chip with processor 702. Alternatively, cache 704 and processor 702 may be packed together as a “processor module,” with processor 702 being referred to as the “processor core.” Furthermore, certain embodiments of the present disclosure may not require nor include all of the above components. For example, the peripheral devices shown coupled to standard I/O bus 708 may couple to high performance I/O bus 706. In addition, in some embodiments, only a single bus may exist, with the components of hardware system 700 being coupled to the single bus. Furthermore, hardware system 700 may include additional components, such as additional processors, storage devices, or memories.

[0101] An operating system manages and controls the operation of hardware system 700, including the input and output of data to and from software applications (not shown). The operating system provides an interface between the software applications being executed on the system and the hardware components of the system. Any suitable operating system may be used, such as the LINUX Operating System, the Apple Macintosh Operating System, available from Apple Computer Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., UNIX operating systems, Microsoft® Windows® operating systems, BSD operating systems, and the like. Of course, other embodiments are possible. For example, the functions described herein may be implemented in firmware or on an application-specific integrated circuit. Particular embodiments may operate in a wide area network environment, such as the Internet, including multiple network addressable systems.

[0102] FIG. 8 illustrates an example network environment, in which various example embodiments may operate. Network cloud 860 generally represents one or more interconnected networks, over which the systems and hosts described herein can communicate. Network cloud 860 may include packet-based wide area networks (such as the Internet), private networks, wireless networks, satellite networks, cellular networks, paging networks, and the like. As FIG. 8 illustrates, particular embodiments may operate in a network environment comprising one or more networking systems, such as social networking system 120a, game networking system 120b, and one or more client systems 830. The components of social networking system 120a and game networking system 120b operate analogously; as such, hereinafter they may be referred to simply at networking system 820. Client systems 830 are operably connected to the network environment via a network service provider, a wireless carrier, or any other suitable means.

[0103] Networking system 120 is a network addressable system that, in various example embodiments, comprises one or more physical servers 822 and data stores 824. The one or more physical servers 822 are operably connected to computer network 860 via, by way of example, a set of routers and/or networking switches 826. In an example embodiment, the functionality hosted by the one or more physical servers 822 may include web or HTTP servers, FTP servers, as well as, without limitation, webpages and applications implemented using Common Gateway Interface (CGI) script, PHP Hyper-text Preprocessor (PHP), Active Server Pages (ASP), Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML), Extensible Markup Language (XML), Java, JavaScript, Asynchronous JavaScript and XML (AJAX), Flash, ActionScript, and the like.

[0104] Physical servers 822 may host functionality directed to the operations of networking system 820. Hereinafter servers 822 may be referred to as server 822, although server 822 may include numerous servers hosting, for example, networking system 820, as well as other content distribution servers, data stores, and databases. Data store 824 may store content and data relating to, and enabling, operation of networking system 820 as digital data objects. A data object, in particular embodiments, is an item of digital information typically stored or embodied in a data file, database, or record. Content objects may take many forms, including: text (e.g., ASCII, SGML, HTML), images (e.g., jpeg, tif and gif), graphics (vector-based or bitmap), audio, video (e.g., mpeg), or other multimedia, and combinations thereof. Content object data may also include executable code objects (e.g., games executable within a browser window or frame), podcasts, etc. Logically, data store 824 corresponds to one or more of a variety of separate and integrated databases, such as relational databases and object-oriented databases, that maintain information as an integrated collection of logically related records or files stored on one or more physical systems. Structurally, data store 824 may generally include one or more of a large class of data storage and management systems. In particular embodiments, data store 824 may be implemented by any suitable physical system(s) including components, such as one or more database servers, mass storage media, media library systems, storage area networks, data storage clouds, and the like. In one example embodiment, data store 824 includes one or more servers, databases (e.g., MySQL), and/or data warehouses. Data store 824 may include data associated with different networking system 820 users and/or client systems 830.

[0105] Client system 830 is generally a computer or computing device including functionality for communicating (e.g., remotely) over a computer network. Client system 830 may be a desktop computer, laptop computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), in- or out-of-car navigation system, smart phone or other cellular or mobile phone, or mobile gaming device, among other suitable computing devices. Client system 830 may execute one or more client applications, such as a web browser (e.g., Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Google Chrome, and Opera), to access and view content over a computer network. In particular embodiments, the client applications allow a user of client system 830 to enter addresses of specific network resources to be retrieved, such as resources hosted by networking system 820. These addresses can be Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) and the like. In addition, once a page or other resource has been retrieved, the client applications may provide access to other pages or records when the user “clicks” on hyperlinks to other resources. By way of example, such hyperlinks may be located within the webpages and provide an automated way for the user to enter the URL of another page and to retrieve that page.

[0106] A webpage or resource embedded within a webpage, which may itself include multiple embedded resources, may include data records, such as plain textual information, or more complex digitally encoded multimedia content, such as software programs or other code objects, graphics, images, audio signals, videos, and so forth. One prevalent markup language for creating webpages is the Hypertext Markup Language (HTML). Other common web browser-supported languages and technologies include the Extensible Markup Language (XML), the Extensible Hypertext Markup Language (XHTML), JavaScript, Flash, ActionScript, Cascading Style Sheet (CSS), and, frequently, Java. By way of example, HTML enables a page developer to create a structured document by denoting structural semantics for text and links, as well as images, web applications, and other objects that can be embedded within the page. Generally, a webpage may be delivered to a client as a static document; however, through the use of web elements embedded in the page, an interactive experience may be achieved with the page or a sequence of pages. During a user session at the client, the web browser interprets and displays the pages and associated resources received or retrieved from the website hosting the page, as well as, potentially, resources from other websites.

[0107] When a user at a client system 830 desires to view a particular webpage (hereinafter also referred to as target structured document) hosted by networking system 820, the user's web browser, or other document Sequence Generator or suitable client application, formulates and transmits a request to networking system 820. The request generally includes a URL or other document identifier as well as metadata or other information. By way of example, the request may include information identifying the user, such as a user ID, as well as information identifying or characterizing the web browser or operating system running on the user's client computing device 830. The request may also include location information identifying a geographic location of the user's client system or a logical network location of the user's client system. The request may also include a timestamp identifying when the request was transmitted.

[0108] Although the example network environment described above and illustrated in FIG. 8 described with respect to social networking system 120a and game networking system 120b, this disclosure encompasses any suitable network environment using any suitable systems. As an example and not by way of limitation, the network environment may include online media systems, online reviewing systems, online search engines, online advertising systems, or any combination of two or more such systems.

[0109] Furthermore, the above-described elements and operations can be comprised of instructions that are stored on non-transitory storage media. The instructions can be retrieved and executed by a processing system. Some examples of instructions are software, program code, and firmware. Some examples of non-transitory storage media are memory devices, tape, disks, integrated circuits, and servers. The instructions are operational when executed by the processing system to direct the processing system to operate in accord with the disclosure. The term “processing system” refers to a single processing device or a group of inter-operational processing devices. Some examples of processing devices are integrated circuits and logic circuitry. Those skilled in the art are familiar with instructions, computers, and storage media.

[0110] One or more features from any embodiment may be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

[0111] A recitation of “a”, “an,” or “the” is intended to mean “one or more” unless specifically indicated to the contrary. In addition, it is to be understood that functional operations, such as “awarding”, “locating”, “permitting” and the like, are executed by game application logic that accesses, and/or causes changes to, various data attribute values maintained in a database or other memory.

[0112] The present disclosure encompasses all changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, and modifications to the example embodiments herein that a person having ordinary skill in the art would comprehend. Similarly, where appropriate, the appended claims encompass all changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, and modifications to the example embodiments herein that a person having ordinary skill in the art would comprehend.

[0113] For example, the methods, game features and game mechanics described herein may be implemented using hardware components, software components, and/or any combination thereof. By way of example, while embodiments of the present disclosure have been described as operating in connection with a networking website, various embodiments of the present disclosure can be used in connection with any communications facility that supports web applications. Furthermore, in some embodiments the term “web service” and “website” may be used interchangeably and additionally may refer to a custom or generalized API on a device, such as a mobile device (e.g., cellular phone, smart phone, personal GPS, personal digital assistance, personal gaming device, etc.), that makes API calls directly to a server. Still further, while the embodiments described above operate with business-related virtual objects (such as stores and restaurants), the invention can be applied to any in-game asset around which a harvest mechanic is implemented, such as a virtual stove, a plot of land, and the like. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the claims and that the disclosure is intended to cover all modifications and equivalents within the scope of the following claims.