Methods, systems and apparatus for virtual event initiated electronic communications

Abstract

Methods, systems and apparatus are disclosed for electronically communicating a change in the state of an object (“object information”) or player (“player information”) in an interactive, networked virtual game (“game”) to a participant who is not then currently interacting with the game (“remote player”). The remote player may also actively solicit such information (“poll move”), and/or may passively receive such information as a condition changes (“event-based push mode”) and/or may receive such information at predetermined intervals after a condition has changed (“time-based push mode”). Methods, systems and apparatus are also disclosed for a remote player to electronically communicate to the game at least one play instruction in response to object information or player information (“responsive play instruction”) pay or for a remote player to self-initiate at least one play instruction without having received object information or player information (“initiated play instruction”). Thus, the remote player remains engaged with the game even when not participating “at the screen”.

1 . A method for electronically communicating a change in the state of an object or player in an interactive, networked virtual game to a participant who is not then currently interacting with the game's native interface comprising:
 obtaining information from the participant regarding an object or player of interest;   detecting if the participant is not currently interacting with the game's native interface;   determining if there has been a change in the state of the object or player of interest during a period of time wherein the participant was not interacting with the game's native interface; and   if there has been a change in the state of the object or player of interest, electronically communicating the change to the participant.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 receiving a participant generated instruction associated with the communication regarding the change.