Computer-based gaming groups

Abstract

Groups are formed, in a computer-based (e.g., on-line) gaming environment, based on social relationships between players. The group is assigned an identity. The identity of the group is maintained within a single game title, across multiple sessions of a game title, and across multiple game titles. The group can interact within the gaming environment much like an individual user can interact. Group interaction provides a mechanism for social and cooperative game play. Groups can play games with other groups. Group members can play games with each other. Group statistics and achievements can be accumulated and aggregated. Group profiles provide information about the group, such as a list of the members of the group. Via group profiles, a member of a group can see information about other members of the group, such as other groups to which they belong. Group members can send and receive intra-group messages.

1 . A method for computer-based gaming group interaction, said method comprising: 
 forming, based on at least one social interest, a group of computer-based game players;    providing a group profile for said group;    providing a capability to interact as a group across different games, within a computer-based gaming environment.    
   
   
       2 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein at least two of said game players within said group have at least one common social interest on which said group is based.  
   
   
       3 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said act of interacting comprises at least one of playing a game, conducting non-game activities, and transferring messages among members of said group.  
   
   
       4 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 determining game performance statistics for game players of said group; and    determining game performance statistics for said group in accordance with said determined statistics for game players of said group.    
   
   
       5 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said group is managed by a service;    said service is maintained on a server; and    game players within said group connect to said service over a network via a game console.    
   
   
       6 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said group maintains said group profile across multiple sessions of a game.  
   
   
       7 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said group profile is maintained across different games, said method further comprising: 
 providing information pertaining to a presence of individual members of the group; and    providing information pertaining to a presence of said group as an entity.    
   
   
       8 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising providing group specific information observable by all members of a group.  
   
   
       9 . A system for group interaction within a computer-based game environment, said system comprising: 
 a database, within said computer-based game environment, for storing information about game players;    a service, within said computer-based game environment, for: 
 accessing said database;  
 forming a group of game players based on information stored in said database, wherein at least two of said game players within said group have at least one common social interest;  
 providing a group profile for said group as a single entity; and  
 allowing said group to interact with other game players not within said group, wherein groups can interact across different games.  
   
   
   
       10 . A system in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein: 
 said service is maintained on a server; and    game players within said group connect to said service over a network via a game console.    
   
   
       11 . A system in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein said service: 
 determines game performance statistics for game players within said group; and    determines game performance statistics for said group in accordance with said determined statistics for game players within said group.    
   
   
       12 . A system in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein said service maintains said group profile across multiple sessions of a game.  
   
   
       13 . A system in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein said service maintains said group profile across different games.  
   
   
       14 . A system in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein said group interacts with other game players not within said group by at least one of playing a game, conducting non-game activities, and transferring messages among members of said group.  
   
   
       15 . A game console comprising: 
 memory for: 
 storing information about a group of game players, wherein at least two of said game players within said group have at least one common social interest; and  
 storing information pertaining to a group profile for said group as a single entity; and  
   a processor for: 
 accessing said memory; and  
   allowing game play with said group, wherein said group can interact across different game consoles.    
   
   
       16 . A game console in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein said game console is connected to players within said group connect over a network.  
   
   
       17 . A game console in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein: 
 said game console receives game performance statistics for game players within said group; and    said game console receives game performance statistics for said group in accordance with said statistics for game players within said group.    
   
   
       18 . A system in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein said group profile is maintained across multiple sessions of a game.  
   
   
       19 . A system in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein said service group profile is maintained across different games.  
   
   
       20 . A game console in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein said game console provides interaction with other game players not within said group by at least one of playing a game, conducting non-game activities, and transferring messages among members of said group.