Delegating Video Game Tasks Via a Sharing Service

Abstract

Video game tasks are delegated using a sharing service. A first computing device is configured to execute a game application. The first computing device can receive a request from a first user to delegate play of the game application to a second user so that the second user can attempt to complete a game task on behalf of the first user by controlling the game application from a second computing device that is associated with the second user. Control of the game application can be made available from the second computing device to the first computing device via a sharing session that is created and managed by a sharing service to which the first computing device and the second computing device are connected.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method comprising:
 executing, by a first computing device, a first instance of a game application;   receiving, by the first computing device, a delegation request to delegate play of the game application to complete a game task;   transferring, by the first computing device, control of the game application from the first computing device to a second computing device so that first computing device relinquishes control of the game application and the second computing device exclusively controls an entirety of the game application during a time period in which the first computing device executes the first instance of the game application, wherein the transferring includes sending game state data of the game application from the first computing device to the second computing device;   receiving, by the first computing device during the time period, game control data generated by the second computing device during the time period the second computing device controls the game application; and   providing the game control data to the first instance of the game application to perform at least a portion of the game task.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 generating, by the first computing device, an invitation to complete the game task;   sending first data associated with the invitation to the second computing device; and   receiving, by the first computing device, second data indicating that the invitation has been accepted.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising causing the second computing device to execute a second instance of the game application on the second computing device. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the game control data is generated in response to receiving control input from a user of the second computing device. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising receiving, by the first computing device during the time period, screen data streamed from the second computing device, wherein the screen data is generated by the second computing device at least partly in response to the second computing device receiving the control input and utilizing the control input to execute a second instance of the game application instantiated on the second computing device. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising receiving, by the first computing device during the time period, an interruption from a first user of the first computing device, wherein at least partly in response to receiving the interruption, transmission of the game control data from the second computing device to the first computing device is terminated. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising causing, by the first computing device, an invitation to be made available for acceptance by sending the invitation to a gaming service that is configured to present the invitation on behalf of a first user in solicitation of assistance from a second user with completing the game task, the second user being one of a plurality of users associated with the gaming service. 
     
     
         28 . A first system comprising:
 one or more processors;   at least one computer-readable storage medium to store computer-executable instructions which, in response to being performed by the one or more processors, cause the system to perform operations comprising:
 executing a first instance of a game application; 
 transferring control of the game application from the first system to a second system so that the first system relinquishes control of the game application and the second system controls the game application during a time period in which the first system executes the first instance of the game application, wherein the transferring control includes sending game state data of the game application from the first system to the second system; 
 receiving, during the time period, game control data generated by the second system during the time period the second system controls the game application; and 
 providing at least a portion of the game control data to the first instance of the game application to perform at least a portion of a game task. 
   
     
     
         29 . The first system of  claim 28 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the first system to perform operations comprising:
 receiving a delegation request to delegate a game task;   generating an invitation to complete the game task on behalf of a first user;   transmitting the invitation to the second system associated with a second user; and   receiving, a notification of acceptance indicating that the invitation has been accepted.   
     
     
         30 . The first system of  claim 29 , wherein transmitting the invitation to the second system includes transmitting the invitation to a gaming service configured to present the invitation on behalf of the first user in solicitation of assistance from the second user with completing the game task, the second user being one of a plurality of users associated with the gaming service. 
     
     
         31 . The first system of  claim 28 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the first system to perform operations comprising causing a second instance of the game application to be launched on the second system. 
     
     
         32 . The first system of  claim 28 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the first system to perform operations comprising contacting a sharing service to establish a sharing session between the first system and the second system. 
     
     
         33 . The first system of  claim 32 , wherein contacting the sharing service comprises sending data to a sharing service application programming interface configured to initiate establishment of the sharing session. 
     
     
         34 . The first system of  claim 28 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the first system to perform operations comprising:
 receiving a request to transfer the control of the game application back to the first system;   sending the request to transfer the control of the game application back to one or more of a sharing service and the second system; and   at least partly in response to sending the request to transfer the control of the game application back to the first system, receiving the control of the game application from the second system.   
     
     
         35 . The first system of  claim 29 , wherein the game task comprises:
 a developer-defined task defined by a developer of the game application;   a user-defined task defined by the first user;   completion of at least one level of the game application;   unlocking an achievement of the game application; or   attaining a position on a leaderboard associated with the game application.   
     
     
         36 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium to store computer-executable instructions which, in response to being performed by a first computing device, cause the first computing device to perform operations comprising:
 executing a first instance of a game application;   transferring control of the game application from the first computing device to a second computing device so that the first computing device relinquishes control of the game application and the second computing device exclusively controls an entirety of the game application during a time period in which the first computing device executes the first instance of the game application, wherein the transferring control includes sending game state data of the game application from the first computing device to the second computing device;   receiving game control data generated by the second computing device during the time period the second computing device controls the game application; and   providing at least a portion of the game control data to the first instance of the game application to perform at least a portion of a game task.   
     
     
         37 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 36 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the first computing device to perform operations comprising:
 receiving a delegation request to delegate a game task associated with the game application;   generating an invitation to complete the game task on behalf of a first user;   transmitting the invitation to the second computing device associated with a second user; and   receiving, a notification of acceptance indicating that the invitation has been accepted.   
     
     
         38 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 37 , wherein transmitting the invitation to the second computing device includes transmitting the invitation to a gaming service configured to present the invitation on behalf of the first user in solicitation of assistance from the second user with completing the game task, the second user being one of a plurality of users associated with the gaming service. 
     
     
         39 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 36 , wherein the game control data, when provided to the first instance of the game application, controls one or more actions within the first instance of the game application executing on the first computing device. 
     
     
         40 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 37 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the first computing device to perform operations comprising sending a request to stop receiving the game control data from the second computing device.