Systems and methods for implementing a degree of separation game in an interactive media application

Abstract

Methods and systems of providing a game in an interactive media application based on information stored in a database are provided. The game is provided in part by using a database to select a source individual and a destination individual. Based on the source individual and information stored in a database and associated therewith, a plurality of associated candidates are selected, each of which has a defined relationship with the source individual. Representations of the source individual, the destination individual, and the first plurality of candidates are provided on a display. Based on user input, one candidate of the first plurality of candidates is selected, and it is determined whether the database defines a relationship between the selected candidate and the destination individual. If such a relationship exists, a user is alerted. If no such relationship exists, then a new set of candidates is retrieved based on the selected candidate.

1 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A method of providing media recommendations, the method comprising:
 receiving a selection of a first media element representing a first celebrity;   in response to receiving the selection of the first media element, (1) identifying a plurality of celebrities related to the first celebrity, and (2) generating for display a plurality of media elements, wherein each media element of the plurality of media elements represents a respective celebrity of the plurality of celebrities related to the first celebrity;   receiving a selection of a particular media element of the plurality of media elements, wherein the particular media element represents a second celebrity; and   in response to receiving the selection of the particular media element, generating for display a recommendation of a media asset featuring the first celebrity and the second celebrity.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising:
 receiving a selection of the recommendation; and   in response to receipt of the selection of the recommendation, generating for display the media asset.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising:
 receiving a selection of the recommendation; and   generating for display a purchase opportunity in response to receipt of the selection of the recommendation, wherein the purchase opportunity is an opportunity to purchase the media asset.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising:
 receiving a selection of the recommendation; and   generating for display a purchase opportunity in response to receipt of the selection of the recommendation, wherein the purchase opportunity is an opportunity to purchase a product related to the media asset.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein identifying the plurality of celebrities related to the first celebrity comprises:
 transmitting a request to a database that identifies the first celebrity;   receiving metadata associated with the first celebrity from the database; and   identifying the plurality of celebrities based on the received metadata.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the metadata associated with the first celebrity comprises metadata of a celebrity that matches metadata associated with the first celebrity. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the recommendation is identified based on metadata that is commonly associated with both the first celebrity and the second celebrity. 
     
     
         38 . A system for providing media recommendations, the system comprising:
 communications circuitry; and   control circuitry configured to:
 receive, using the communications circuitry, a selection of a first media element representing a first celebrity; 
 in response to receiving the selection of the first media element, (1) identify a plurality of celebrities related to the first celebrity, and (2) generate for display a plurality of media elements, wherein each media element of the plurality of media elements represents a respective celebrity of the plurality of celebrities related to the first celebrity; 
 receive a selection of a particular media element of the plurality of media elements, wherein the particular media element represents a second celebrity; and 
 in response to receiving the selection of the particular media element, generate for display a recommendation of a media asset featuring the first celebrity and the second celebrity. 
   
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 38 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
 receive a selection of the recommendation; and   in response to receipt of the selection of the recommendation, generate for display the media asset.   
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 38 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
 receive a selection of the recommendation; and   generate for display a purchase opportunity in response to receipt of the selection of the recommendation, wherein the purchase opportunity is an opportunity to purchase the media asset.   
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 38 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
 receive a selection of the recommendation; and   generate for display a purchase opportunity in response to receipt of the selection of the recommendation, wherein the purchase opportunity is an opportunity to purchase a product related to the media asset.   
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 38 , wherein the control circuitry, when identifying the plurality of celebrities related to the first celebrity, is further configured to:
 transmit a request to a database that identifies the first celebrity;   receive metadata associated with the first celebrity from the database; and   identify the plurality of celebrities based on the received metadata.   
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the metadata associated with the first celebrity comprises metadata of a celebrity that matches metadata associated with the first celebrity. 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 38 , wherein the recommendation is identified based on metadata that is commonly associated with both the first celebrity and the second celebrity. 
     
     
         45 . A non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising instructions thereon for providing media recommendations, the instructions comprising:
 instructions to receive a selection of a first media element representing a first celebrity;   instructions to, in response to receiving the selection of the first media element, (1) identify a plurality of celebrities related to the first celebrity, and (2) generate for display a plurality of media elements, wherein each media element of the plurality of media elements represents a respective celebrity of the plurality of celebrities related to the first celebrity;   instructions to receive a selection of a particular media element of the plurality of media elements, wherein the particular media element represents a second celebrity; and   instructions to, in response to receiving the selection of the particular media element, generate for display a recommendation of a media asset featuring the first celebrity and the second celebrity.   
     
     
         46 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 45 , the instructions further comprising:
 instructions to receive a selection of the recommendation; and   instructions to, in response to receipt of the selection of the recommendation, generate for display the media asset.   
     
     
         47 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 45 , the instructions further comprising:
 instructions to receive a selection of the recommendation; and   instructions to generate for display a purchase opportunity in response to receipt of the selection of the recommendation, wherein the purchase opportunity is an opportunity to purchase the media asset.   
     
     
         48 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 45 , the instructions further comprising:
 instructions to receive a selection of the recommendation; and   instructions to generate for display a purchase opportunity in response to receipt of the selection of the recommendation, wherein the purchase opportunity is an opportunity to purchase a product related to the media asset.   
     
     
         49 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 45 , wherein the instructions to identify the plurality of celebrities related to the first celebrity further comprise:
 instructions to transmit a request to a database that identifies the first celebrity;   instructions to receive metadata associated with the first celebrity from the database; and   instructions to identify the plurality of celebrities based on the received metadata.   
     
     
         50 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 49 , wherein the metadata associated with the first celebrity comprises metadata of a celebrity that matches metadata associated with the first celebrity.