Roaming Saved Game

Abstract

Various systems and methods are disclosed for a roaming saved game function allowing for location independent access to saved game data. In various embodiments, users may upload saved games when they sign in to an online gaming service, and download them later from another console, PC or other device so that they can continue a saved game wherever they have access to the online gaming service. In one embodiment, users may manage saved game files after signing in to the online gaming service. In other embodiments, the roaming saved game function may provide users with ease of managing their saved games. For example, users may be able to compare two saved games by comparing their level, checkpoint number and screenshot listing. The user may then select one of the saved game files to play and upload.

1 . A method for providing roaming access to saved video game data, comprising:
 receiving authentication information for a player and configuring an account associated with said player in an online gaming service;   receiving game data associated with said account for at least one game accessible via said online gaming service, said game data comprising game state, date, and time information;   storing said game data in a data store;   receiving authentication credentials and a request for access to said game data associated with said account;   authenticating the request using said authentication information, and when authenticated, transmitting summary data associated with said game data associated with said account, said summary data operable for display on a user interface device, said summary data indicating game state, date, and time information for games associated with said account;   receiving a selection indicating a selected saved game; and   transmitting game data for said selected saved game.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said storing said game data further comprises compressing and encrypting said game data. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said transmitting game data further comprises decrypting and decompressing said game data. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said game data further comprises game screenshot data. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said summary data is further operable for providing comparisons of saved game data and management of said saved game data. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing a parser for converting a cross-platform saved game. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said player is a member of a video game clan, and said game data is further associated with said video game clan. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving and storing user comments associated with said at least one game. 
     
     
         9 . A system for providing roaming access to saved video game data, comprising:
 circuitry configured to provide a user interface for retrieving video game data;   circuitry configured to transmit authentication credentials and a request for access to game data associated with an account in an online gaming service, said account associated with authentication information for a player;   circuitry configured to receive from said online gaming service summary data associated with said game data associated with said account, said summary data indicating game state, date, and time information for games associated with said account;   circuitry configured to receive from a user a selection indicating a selected saved game and transmit said selection to said online gaming service; and   circuitry configured to receive game data for said selected saved game.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 circuitry configured to provide a user interface for saving video game data; and   circuitry configured to transmit authentication information to said online gaming service, said authentication information operable to configure said account associated with said player.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising circuitry configured to transmit game data for at least one game to said online gaming service, said game data associated with said account and comprising game state, date, and time information, wherein said game data is stored in a data store and accessible by a user independent of location. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising circuitry configured to provide an application programming interface (API) further configured to provide roaming game save functions to a video game application. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising circuitry configured to compress and encrypt said game data. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein said circuitry configured to receive game data further comprises circuitry configured to decrypt and decompress said game data. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said game data further comprises game screenshot data. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said circuitry configured to provide a user interface further comprises circuitry configured to provide comparisons of saved game data and management of said saved game data. 
     
     
         17 . A computer readable medium storing thereon computer executable instructions for providing roaming access to saved video game data, comprising instructions for:
 receiving authentication information for a player and configuring an account associated with said player in an online gaming service;   receiving game data associated with said account for at least one game accessible via said online gaming service, said game data comprising game state, date, and time information;   storing said game data in a data store;   receiving authentication credentials and a request for access to said game data associated with said account;   authenticating the request using said authentication information, and when authenticated, transmitting summary data associated with said game data associated with said account, said summary data operable for display on a user interface device, said summary data indicating game state, date, and time information for games associated with said account;   receiving a selection indicating a selected saved game; and   transmitting game data for said selected saved game.   
     
     
         18 . The computer readable medium of  claim 16  further comprising instructions for providing an API configured to provide roaming game save functions to a video game application. 
     
     
         19 . The computer readable medium of  claim 1 , further comprising instructions for providing a parser for converting a cross-platform saved game. 
     
     
         20 . The computer readable medium of  claim 1 , further comprising instructions for receiving and storing user comments associated with said at least one game.