U.S. Pat. No. 8,843,557

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1illustrates a system100configured to facilitate communications among users belonging to affiliations spanning two or more virtual spaces accessible via virtual environments, in accordance with one or more implementations. In exemplary implementations, a group of users may belong to an affiliation within a first virtual space. For example, the group of users may belong to an alliance within a social network game played in a social network virtual environment. The same affiliation may be “transported” to other virtual spaces such that the same group of users are affiliated in more that one virtual space. The affiliations in different virtual spaces, which include substantially the same group of users, may be encompassed by an overarching affiliation. Synchronous and/or asynchronous communications may be facilitated via a communications interface between users belonging to one or more common affiliations. In some implementations, the communications may be facilitated among users belonging to a common overarching affiliation.

In some implementations, system100may include one or more of at least one virtual environment server102, at least one virtual space server104, and/or other components. The virtual environment server102and/or virtual space server104may be configured to communicate with one or more client computing platforms106according to a client/server architecture to provide the virtual environment and/or the virtual space to users via client computing platforms106. The virtual space server104may be configured to interface with virtual environment server102to supplement the functionality provided to the users with respect to the virtual environment and/or the virtual space. For example, virtual space server104may interface with virtual environment server102via one or more application programming interfaces.

The virtual environment server102may be configured to execute one or more computer program modules. The computer program modules may include one or more of a user module108, an environment module110, an interaction module112, a relationship module114, and/or other modules.

The user module108may be configured to access and/or manage one or more user profiles and/or user information associated with users of system100. The one or more user profiles and/or user information may include information stored by virtual environment server102, virtual space server104, one or more of the client computing platforms106, and/or other storage locations. The user profiles may include, for example, information identifying users (e.g., a username or handle, a number, an identifier, and/or other identifying information) within the virtual environment, security login information (e.g., a login code or password), virtual environment account information, subscription information, virtual currency account information (e.g., related to currency held in credit for a user), relationship information (e.g., information related to relationships between users in the virtual environment), virtual environment usage information, demographic information associated with users, interaction history among users in the virtual environment, information stated by users, purchase information of users, browsing history of users, a client computing platform identification associated with a user, a phone number associated with a user, and/or other information related to users.

The environment module110may be configured to provide one or more virtual environments to users via client computing platforms106. As used herein, a “virtual environment” may include one or more interactive, electronic social media, and/or other virtual environments. Interactive, electronic social media may include one or more of a social network, a virtual space, a micro-blogging service, a blog service (or host), a messaging service, a message board, a forum, and/or other electronically distributed media that are scalable and enable interaction between the users. Some non-limiting specific examples of interactive, electronic social media may include the social network provided by Facebook™, the social network provided by MySpace™, the social network provided by Google+™, the social network provided by Qzone™, the social network provided by Foursquare®, the micro-blogging service provided by Twitter™, the virtual world provided by SecondLife®, the massively multi-player online game provided by World of Warcraft®, the file sharing service provided by Flickr®, Blogger, YouTube, PlayStation® Home, Xbox® Live, and/or other interactive, electronic social media.

The interaction module112may be configured to monitor interactions of the users with the virtual environment and/or each other within the virtual environment. This may include monitoring, for a given user, one or more of times at which the given user is logged in to the virtual environment, areas of the virtual environment the given user views or interacts with or in, other users the given user interacts with, the nature and/or content of interactions of the given user with other users, activities participated in within the virtual environment, level, powers, or skill attained in the virtual environment, inventory items obtained in the virtual environment, and/or other interactions of the given user with the virtual environment and/or other users. Some or all of the information generated by interaction module112in monitoring the interactions of the users may be stored to the user profiles managed by user module108.

At a given time, interaction module112may determine a set of users that are currently engaged with the virtual environment and/or a set of users that are currently not engaged with the virtual environment. Being engaged with the virtual environment may refer to being logged in to the virtual environment, performing some action or interaction within the virtual environment within some period of time (e.g., the last 2 minutes), and/or other taking some other action indicating ongoing and contemporaneous engagement with the virtual environment.

The relationship module114may be configured to establish relationships between users within the virtual environment. Such relationships may include one or more of friendships, connections, followers, social links, and/or other relationships. The relationship module114may establish relationships based on relationship requests and acceptances received from users. Establishment of a relationship may be initiated by a single communication (e.g., a request) initiated by a given user requesting a relationship between the given user and one or more other users. Establishment of a relationship may require a first communication from the given user to be approved by the one or more other users. Relationships may include one or more types of relationships that have a functional purpose or impact within the virtual environment, and/or one or more types of relationships that a social construct within the virtual environment that does not have a functional result.

The virtual space server104may be configured to execute one or more computer program modules. The computer program modules may include one or more of a space module116, a space account module118, a group module120, an overarching group module122, a communication interface module124, a synchronous communications module126, an affiliate status module128, an asynchronous communications module130, a privileges module132, an alert module134, a broadcast module136, and/or other modules.

The space module116may be configured to provide one or more virtual spaces to users via client computing platforms106. As used herein, a “virtual space” may include one or more social network games and/or other virtual spaces. A virtual space may be provided via a virtual environment provided by environment module110of virtual environment server102. For example, a user may be required to be engaged in a virtual environment in order to engage in a virtual space. According to various implementations, one or more instances of a single given virtual space may be provided via one or more different virtual environments.

The space module116may determine views of the virtual space. The views may then be communicated (e.g., via streaming, via object/position data, and/or other information) from virtual space server104to client computing platforms106for presentation to users. The view determined and transmitted to a given client computing platform106may correspond to a user character being controlled by a user via the given client computing platform106. The view determined and transmitted to a given client computing platform106may correspond to a location in the virtual space (e.g., the location from which the view is taken, the location the view depicts, and/or other locations), a zoom ratio, a dimensionality of objects, a point-of-view, and/or view parameters. One or more of the view parameters may be selectable by the user.

An instance of a virtual space may comprise a simulated space that is accessible by users via clients (e.g., client computing platforms106) that present the views of the virtual space to a user. The simulated space may have a topography, express ongoing real-time interaction by one or more users, and/or include one or more objects positioned within the topography that are capable of locomotion within the topography. In some instances, the topography may be a 2-dimensional topography. In other instances, the topography may be a 3-dimensional topography. The topography may include dimensions of the space, and/or surface features of a surface or objects that are “native” to the space. In some instances, the topography may describe a surface (e.g., a ground surface) that runs through at least a substantial portion of the space. In some instances, the topography may describe a volume with one or more bodies positioned therein (e.g., a simulation of gravity-deprived space with one or more celestial bodies positioned therein). The instance executed by the computer modules may be synchronous, asynchronous, and/or semi-synchronous.

The above description of the manner in which views of virtual spaces are determined by space module116is not intended to be limiting. The space module116may be configured to express the virtual space in a more limited, or more rich, manner. For example, views determined for the virtual space may be selected from a limited set of graphics depicting an event in a given place within the virtual space. The views may include additional content (e.g., text, audio, pre-stored video content, and/or other content) that describes particulars of the current state of the place, beyond the relatively generic graphics. For example, a view may include a generic battle graphic with a textual description of the opponents to be confronted. Other expressions of individual places within the virtual space are contemplated.

Within the instance(s) of a virtual space executed by space module116, users may control characters, objects, simulated physical phenomena (e.g., wind, rain, earthquakes, and/or other phenomena), and/or other elements within the virtual space to interact with the virtual space and/or each other. The user characters may include avatars. As used herein, the term “user character” may refer to an object (or group of objects) present in the virtual space that represents an individual user. The user character may be controlled by the user with which it is associated. The user controlled element(s) may move through and interact with the virtual space (e.g., non-user characters in the virtual space, other objects in the virtual space). The user controlled elements controlled by and/or associated with a given user may be created and/or customized by the given user. The user may have an “inventory” of virtual goods and/or currency that the user can use (e.g., by manipulation of a user character or other user controlled element, and/or other items) within the virtual space.

The users may participate in the instance of the virtual space by controlling one or more of the available user controlled elements in the virtual space. Control may be exercised through control inputs and/or commands input by the users through client computing platforms106. The users may interact with each other through communications exchanged within the virtual space. Such communications may include one or more of textual chat, instant messages, private messages, voice communications, and/or other communications. Communications may be received and entered by the users via their respective client computing platforms106. Communications may be routed to and from the appropriate users through virtual space server104and/or virtual environment server102. Within the virtual space, users may participate in a game. The game may be an activity within the space (e.g., a virtual card or board game within the space), or the game may actually be the space (e.g., an online role-playing game, massively multiplayer online game, a social online game, and/or other games).

The space account module118may be configured to manage accounts associated with the individual users for individual virtual spaces. The accounts may include user information associated with the individual users. Such user information may include one or more of identification information; inventory information; financial information; relationship information; information related to the users determined by one or more of the other modules116,120,122,124,126, and/or128; demographic information; usage information; past purchase history; and/or other information related to the users. The identification information may include one or more of a username, an avatar name, a real world identification, and/or other identification information. The inventory information may identify virtual objects, virtual currency, and/or other assets available to the users. The virtual objects and/or virtual currency available to a given user may include the virtual objects and/or the virtual currency that is under the control of the given user within the virtual space. The financial information may include payment information such as an account identification that identifies an account that can be used by the user to purchase virtual goods and/or virtual currency for use within the virtual space. The funds available in the account may include real world money or funds, virtual money or funds that are not usable within the virtual space, and/or other funds.

The group module120may be configured to a group module configured to establish and/or manage affiliations within individual virtual spaces. A given affiliation within a given virtual space may include a discrete group of users. For example, a first affiliation within a first virtual space may include a first user, a second user, and/or a discrete set of other users. Examples of an affiliation may include an alliance, a guild, a faction, a club, an association, a group, a crew, a band, a clan, a family, fellowship, a gang, a league, a partnership, a syndicate, a society, a tribe, a troop, a company, and/or other affiliations that include a discrete group of individuals.

The group module120may establish affiliations based on affiliation requests and acceptances received from users. Establishment of an affiliation may be initiated by a single communication (e.g., a request) initiated by a given user requesting an affiliation between the given user and one or more other users. Establishment of an affiliation may require a first communication from the given user to be approved by the one or more other users. According to some implementations, group module120may establish affiliations intrinsically within the virtual space (e.g., faction-mates are formed based on avatar configuration), through recognized user behavior over time (e.g., raid members or player-versus-player partners), and/or other approaches for establishing affiliations.

Users belonging to an affiliation may have relationships with some or no functional significance, purpose, and/or impact within a given virtual space. Such relationships within the affiliation may include a leadership structure, a role structure, and/or other relationships within the affiliation. The functional significance of a relationship between users may vary across different virtual spaces. For example, a relationship between the first user and the second user in the first affiliation within the first virtual space may have a different functional significance than a relationship between the first user and the second user in a second affiliation in a second virtual space. By way of non-limiting example of the functional significance of an affiliation within an exemplary virtual space, affiliates within a virtual space may have certain capabilities among each other that are not available to non-affiliates such as sharing and/or trading goods, services, player characters, and/or items in the virtual space; and/or other capabilities among users belonging to an affiliation.

The overarching group module122may be configured to determine and/or manage one or more overarching affiliations. An overarching affiliation may encompass two or more affiliations from different virtual spaces that include substantially the same group of users. By way of non-limiting example, a given overarching affiliation may encompass an affiliation in one virtual space (e.g., a team) and an affiliation in another virtual space (e.g., a gang), where the two affiliations include substantially the same group of users. A given overarching affiliation may facilitate one or more of a cooperative attack, a cooperative defense, resource trading, troupe enforcements, and/or other actions carried out by a group in individual virtual spaces by individual users belonging to the given overarching affiliation. The group module120may be configured to automatically include a given user belonging to a given overarching affiliation in individual affiliations encompassed by the given overarching affiliation. A given user may be enabled to opt-in or opt-out of being automatically included in individual affiliations encompassed by an overarching affiliation.

The overarching group module122may be configured to link affiliations from different virtual spaces to yield an overarching affiliation. Such linking may be performed automatically, manually, and/or by a combination of automatic and manual operations. In some implementations, overarching group module122may monitor affiliations in two or more virtual spaces to determine affiliations including substantially the same group of users for inclusion in an overarching affiliation. A user belonging to affiliations in different virtual spaces may manually link the affiliations so as to be encompassed by an overarching affiliation. In some implementations, responsive to a first user joining a first affiliation in a first virtual space, the first user may be presented with an option to join one or more other affiliations in other virtual spaces that are encompassed by the same overarching affiliation as the first affiliation. Such an option may be presented even if the first user has not engaged one or more of the other virtual spaces, according to some implementations.

The communication interface module124may be configured to provide a communications interface for presentation to individual users. The communications interface may be presented to given user via a client computing platform106associated with that user. The communications interface may be configured to enable a given user to observe in-coming communications and provide out-going communications. According to some implementations, the communications interface may be presented within a virtual space provided by virtual space server104. The communications interface may be presented within a virtual environment provided by virtual environment server102. In some implementations, the communications interface may be presented outside of a virtual space and outside of a virtual environment. For example, the communications interface may be presented via a webpage that includes neither a virtual space nor a virtual environment. As another example, the communications interface may be provided via a mobile application on a mobile implementation of a client computing platform106. Non-limiting and exemplary implementations of the communications interface are described in connection withFIG. 2.

The synchronous communications module126may be configured to facilitate synchronous communications via the communications interface between users belonging to one or more common affiliations. The synchronous communications module126may be configured to facilitate synchronous communications among users belonging to a common overarching affiliation. By way of non-limiting example, synchronous communications may include one or more of text-based instant messaging (IM) and/or chat, live voice and/or video communications, other forms of real-time direct communications, and/or other synchronous communications. The synchronous communications may be channeled across multiple virtual spaces and/or multiple environments. For example, in some implementations, the first user and the second user are enabled to exchange synchronous communications while the first user is engaged in the first virtual space and the second user is engaged in a second virtual space. Two or more users may engage in a single synchronous communications session. In some implementations, synchronous communications module126may be configured to facilitate file transfers between users. The synchronous communications module126may utilize, leverage, and/or otherwise interface with third-party synchronous communications services (e.g., Facebook chat, Google chat, ICQ, and/or other services), in accordance with some implementations.

The affiliate status module128may be configured to provide an indication via the communications interface of whether one or more users belonging to individual ones of the common affiliations and/or common overarching affiliations are available to exchange synchronous communications. According to various implementations, a given user may be available if the user is engaged in a specific virtual space, is engaged in a specific virtual environment, has checked or logged into the communication interface, has provided an indication that the given user is available, and/or is otherwise declared as being available to exchange synchronous communications. The indication may indicate which virtual space and/or virtual environment the given user is currently engaged in. Indications provided by affiliate status module128may be presented by one or more of a textual indication, a visual indicate, and/or another indication. In some implementations, indications provided by affiliate status module128may be presented as an affiliate list showing a number of users belonging to one or more common affiliations and/or one or more common overarching affiliations, along with their respective availabilities.

The asynchronous communications module130may be configured to facilitate asynchronous communications via the communications interface between users belonging to one or more common affiliations. The asynchronous communications module130may be configured to facilitate asynchronous communications among users belonging to a common overarching affiliation. By way of non-limiting example, asynchronous communications may include one or more of emails, communications based on a store-and-forward model, and/or other asynchronous communications. The asynchronous communications module130may be configured to accept, forward, deliver, and/or store asynchronous communications. The asynchronous communications module130may utilize, leverage, and/or otherwise interface with an asynchronous communications server (not depicted) to facilitate asynchronous communications. The asynchronous communications may by conveyed whether or not a receiving party is engaged in a virtual space or virtual environment. For example, the first user may be enabled to send the second user asynchronous communications regardless of whether the second user is engaged in a virtual space or a virtual environment.

The asynchronous communications module130may be configured to manage inboxes associated with individual users. For example, a first inbox may be associated with the first user such that the first inbox is configured to contain an asynchronous communication sent by the second user to the first user. The inboxes may be presented via the communications interface. A given inbox may have multiple instantiations in different virtual spaces and/or virtual environments. In some implementations, a user may access the user's inbox via a mobile application on a mobile implementation of a client computing platform106. In some implementations, two or more asynchronous communications contained by a given inbox may be organized within the given inbox based on individual affiliations associated with the asynchronous communications contained by the given inbox. For example, one or more asynchronous communications associated with the first virtual space may be collocated in a list or file, while one or more asynchronous communications associated with the second virtual space may be collocated separately from the ones associated with the first virtual space.

The privileges module132may be configured to manage privileges associated with individual users based on statuses attributed to the individual users. Examples of such statuses may include statuses associated with one or more of progress within a virtual space; time spent engaging in a virtual space and/or virtual environment; a date on which a user joined an affiliation and/or overarching affiliation; a leadership and/or other role within a virtual space, affiliation, and/or overarching affiliation; and/or other statuses attributable to users. By way of non-limiting example, privileges may include being able to preview, approve, and/or edit communications of other users; having communications sent by a privileged user appear visually different from unprivileged users; being able to preview, approve, and/or edit alerts (discussed in further detail in connection with alert module134; having enhanced broadcast rights (discussed further in connection with broadcast module136); and/or other privileges associable to users. As a non-limiting illustration, the first user may be enabled to edit asynchronous communications of one or more other users belonging to the first affiliation responsive to a first privilege being associated with the first user and the first privilege being unassociated with the one or more other users belonging to the first affiliation. As another illustration, communications from the first user may be visibly distinct in the communications interface from communications from one or more other users responsive to a second privilege being associated with the first user and the second privilege being unassociated with the one or more other users belonging to the first affiliation.

The privileges module132may be configured to provide a privileged communications interface, which may be included in or separate from the communications interface provided by communication interface module124. The privileged communications interface may enable a given privileged user to preview and/or edit communications sent by unprivileged users. Non-limiting and exemplary implementations of the privileged communications interface are described in connection withFIG. 2.

The alert module134may be configured to distribute alerts via the communications interface to individual users belonging to the one or more common affiliations and/or common overarching affiliations. Individual ones of the alerts may be distributed responsive to one or more predetermined events occurring within one or more virtual spaces associated with the one or more common affiliations and/or common overarching affiliations. By way of illustration, an alert may be sent to all members of a given overarching affiliation responsive to a battle situation within a virtual space encompassed by the given overarching affiliation. The alerts may be distributed regardless of whether the individual users belonging to the one or more common affiliations and/or common overarching affiliations are engaged in the one or more virtual spaces associated therewith. In some implementations, different forms of a given alert may be distributed to different users according to different privileges associated with those users. For example, a first alert sent to a user associated with a privilege may contain different information relative to the first alert sent to a user unassociated with the privilege.

The alerts may be presented in various manners. The alerts may be presented to users via the communications interface provided by the communication interface module124. The alerts may be presented as synchronous communications, asynchronous communications, and/or other types of communications. The alert module134may be configured to provide an alerts interface, which may be included in or separate from the communications interface provided by communication interface module124. The alerts interface may enable a given user to observe in-coming alerts. Non-limiting and exemplary implementations of the alerts interface are described in connection withFIG. 2.

The broadcast module136may be configured to enable one or more individual users to transmit a broadcast communication to two or more other users belonging to a common affiliation and/or common overarching affiliation. A broadcast communication may include a broadcast communication one or both of a synchronous communication or an asynchronous communication. The broadcast module136may be configured to transmit a broadcast communication regardless of whether individual recipient users are engaged in a virtual space and/or virtual environment. In some implementations, a privileged user may be enabled to preview, approve, and/or edit broadcast communications prior to the broadcast communications being delivered to other users.

The broadcast module136may be configured to provide a broadcast communications interface, which may be included in or separate from the communications interface provided by communication interface module124. The broadcast communications interface may enable a given user to observe in-coming broadcast communications and/or provide out-going broadcast communications. Non-limiting and exemplary implementations of the broadcast communications interface are described in connection withFIG. 2.

In some implementations, virtual environment server102, virtual space server104, client computing platforms106, one or more external resources138, and/or other components of system100may be operatively linked via one or more electronic communication links. For example, such electronic communication links may be established, at least in part, via a network such as the Internet and/or other networks. It will be appreciated that this is not intended to be limiting, and that the scope of this disclosure includes implementations in which virtual environment server102, virtual space server104, client computing platforms106, external resources138, and/or other components of system100may be operatively linked via some other communication media.

The virtual environment server102may comprise electronic storage140, one or more processors142, and/or other components. The virtual environment server102may include communication lines, or ports to enable the exchange of information with a network and/or other computing platforms. The processors142may be configured to execute computer program modules. The processors142may be configured to execute the computer program modules via one or more of hardware, software, and/or firmware. The computer program modules may include user module108, environment module110, interaction module112, relationship module114, and/or other computer program modules. Although system100may be described in certain sections herein as including virtual environment server102, this is not intended to be limiting. The virtual environment server102may be separate and distinct from system100, and may be provided by an entity that is separate from, for example, the entity providing virtual space server104. In some implementations, the functionality attributed herein to virtual environment server102may be provided by virtual space server104.

A given client computing platform106may include one or more processors configured to execute computer program modules. The computer program modules may be configured to enable an expert or user associated with the given client computing platform106to interface with virtual environment server102, virtual space server104, and/or other components of system100, and/or provide other functionality attributed herein to client computing platforms106. By way of non-limiting example, the given client computing platform106may include one or more of a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a NetBook, a Smartphone, a gaming console, and/or other computing platforms.

The external resources138may include sources of information, hosts and/or providers of virtual environments and/or virtual spaces outside of system100, external entities participating with system100, and/or other resources. In some implementations, some or all of the functionality attributed herein to external resources138may be provided by resources included in system100.

The virtual space server104may include electronic storage144, one or more processors146, and/or other components. The virtual space server104may include communication lines, or ports to enable the exchange of information with a network and/or other computing platforms. Illustration of virtual space server104inFIG. 1is not intended to be limiting. The virtual space server104may include a plurality of hardware, software, and/or firmware components operating together to provide the functionality attributed herein to virtual space server104. For example, virtual space server104may be implemented by a cloud of computing platforms operating together as virtual space server104.

Electronic storage144may comprise electronic storage media that electronically stores information. The electronic storage media of electronic storage144may include one or both of system storage that is provided integrally (i.e., substantially non-removable) with virtual space server104and/or removable storage that is removably connectable to virtual space server104via, for example, a port (e.g., a USB port, a firewire port, etc.) or a drive (e.g., a disk drive, etc.). Electronic storage144may include one or more of optically readable storage media (e.g., optical disks, etc.), magnetically readable storage media (e.g., magnetic tape, magnetic hard drive, floppy drive, etc.), electrical charge-based storage media (e.g., EEPROM, RAM, etc.), solid-state storage media (e.g., flash drive, etc.), and/or other electronically readable storage media. The electronic storage144may include one or more virtual storage resources (e.g., cloud storage, a virtual private network, and/or other virtual storage resources). Electronic storage144may store software algorithms, information determined by processor146, information received from virtual environment server102, information received from client computing platforms106, and/or other information that enables virtual space server104to function as described herein.

Processor(s)146is configured to provide information processing capabilities in virtual space server104. As such, processor146may include one or more of a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuit designed to process information, a state machine, and/or other mechanisms for electronically processing information. Although processor146is shown inFIG. 1as a single entity, this is for illustrative purposes only. In some implementations, processor146may include a plurality of processing units. These processing units may be physically located within the same device, or processor146may represent processing functionality of a plurality of devices operating in coordination. The processor146may be configured to execute space module116, space account module118, group module120, overarching group module122, communication interface module124, synchronous communications module126, affiliate status module128, asynchronous communications module130, privileges module132, alert module134, broadcast module136, and/or other computer program modules. Processor146may be configured to execute modules116,118,120,122,124,126,128,130,132,134,136, and/or other modules by software; hardware; firmware; some combination of software, hardware, and/or firmware; and/or other mechanisms for configuring processing capabilities on processor146.

It should be appreciated that although modules116,118,120,122,124,126,128,130,132,134, and136are illustrated inFIG. 1as being co-located within a single processing unit, in implementations in which processor146includes multiple processing units, one or more of modules116,118,120,122,124,126,128,130,132,134, and/or136may be located remotely from the other modules. The description of the functionality provided by the different modules116,118,120,122,124,126,128,130,132,134, and/or136described below is for illustrative purposes, and is not intended to be limiting, as any of modules116,118,120,122,124,126,128,130,132,134, and/or136may provide more or less functionality than is described. For example, one or more of modules116,118,120,122,124,126,128,130,132,134, and/or136may be eliminated, and some or all of its functionality may be provided by other ones of modules116,118,120,122,124,126,128,130,132,134, and/or136. As another example, processor146may be configured to execute one or more additional modules that may perform some or all of the functionality attributed below to one of modules116,118,120,122,124,126,128,130,132,134, and/or136.

FIG. 2illustrates a communications interface200configured to enable a given user to observe in-coming communications and provide out-going communications, in accordance with one or more implementations. The communications interface200may be presented to a given user via a client computing platform106associated with that user. The communications interface200may be presented within a virtual environment provided by virtual environment server102, within a virtual space provided by virtual space server104, and/or outside of a virtual environment and/or virtual space. In some implementations, communications interface200may be presented by a user via a mobile application on a mobile implementation of a client computing platform106. The user interface200may be provided by communication interface module124and/or one or more other modules included in system100, other components of system100, and/or other resources. As depicted inFIG. 2, communications interface200includes a synchronous communications field202, an affiliate status field204, an asynchronous communications field206, an alerts interface208, a broadcast communications interface210, a privileged communications interface212, and/or other elements. The depiction of communications interface200inFIG. 2is not intended to be limiting as communications interface200may include more or less elements than those shown. For example, one or more of elements shown inFIG. 2may be eliminated, and some or all of its functionality may be provided by one or more other elements.

The synchronous communications field202may be configured to present synchronous communications between users belonging to one or more common affiliations and/or common overarching affiliations. As depicted inFIG. 2, synchronous communications field202may include one or more of synchronous communications214associated with a first affiliation in a first virtual space, synchronous communications216associated with a second affiliation in a second virtual space, broadcast communications218associated with an overarching affiliation that encompasses the first and second affiliations, alerts220associated with the overarching affiliation, a synchronous communication entry field222, and/or other elements. The synchronous communication entry field222may be configured to enable a user to enter out-going synchronous communications to one or more other users. In some implementations, synchronous communications may be grouped and/or otherwise organized based on an individual affiliation associated therewith. The synchronous communications field202may be facilitated and/or provided by a synchronous communications module that is the same or similar to synchronous communications module126, in accordance with one or more implementations.

The affiliate status field204may be configured to provide an indication of whether one or more users belonging to individual ones of the common affiliations and/or common overarching affiliations are available to exchange synchronous communications. As depicted inFIG. 2, affiliate status field204may include status indication224showing that “user1” is available and status indication226showing that “user2” is unavailable. The affiliate status field204may be provided by an affiliate status module that is the same or similar to affiliate status module128, in accordance with one or more implementations.

The asynchronous communications field206may be configured to present asynchronous communications between users belonging to one or more common affiliations and/or common overarching affiliations. As depicted inFIG. 2, asynchronous communications field206may include one or more of asynchronous communications228associated with a first affiliation in a first virtual space, asynchronous communications230associated with a second affiliation in a second virtual space, broadcast communications232associated with an overarching affiliation that encompasses the first and second affiliations, alerts234associated with the overarching affiliation, an asynchronous communication entry field236, and/or other elements. The asynchronous communication entry field236may be configured to enable a user to enter out-going synchronous communications to one or more other users. In some implementations, asynchronous communications may be grouped and/or otherwise organized based on an individual affiliation associated therewith. The asynchronous communications field206may be facilitated and/or provided by an asynchronous communications module that is the same or similar to asynchronous communications module130, in accordance with one or more implementations.

The asynchronous communications field206may include an inbox238configured to contain and/or organize asynchronous communications. In some implementations, two or more asynchronous communications contained by inbox238may be organized based on individual affiliations associated with the asynchronous communications contained by inbox238. For example, one or more asynchronous communications associated with the first virtual space may be collocated in a list or file, while one or more asynchronous communications associated with the second virtual space may be collocated separately from the ones associated with the first virtual space.

The alerts interface208may be configured to enable a given user to observe one or more in-coming alerts240. The alerts interface208may be provided by an alert module that is the same or similar to alert module134, in accordance with one or more implementations.

The broadcast communications interface210may be configured to enable a given user to observe in-coming broadcast communications and/or provide out-going broadcast communications. As depicted inFIG. 2, broadcast communications interface210may include a broadcast communications field242configured to present in-coming broadcast communications, a broadcast communication entry field244configured to enable a user to provide out-going broadcast communications, and/or other elements. The broadcast communications interface210may be provided by a broadcast module that is the same or similar to broadcast module136, in accordance with one or more implementations.

The privileged communications interface212may be configured to enable a given privileged user to preview and/or edit communications sent by unprivileged users. As depicted inFIG. 2, privileged communications interface212may include a communication preview field246configured to present communications provided by unprivileged users prior to delivery, a communication editing field248configured to enable editing of communications provided by unprivileged users prior to delivery. The privileged communications interface212may be provided by a privileges module that is the same or similar to privileges module132, in accordance with one or more implementations.

FIG. 3illustrates a method300for facilitating communications among users belonging to affiliations spanning two or more virtual spaces accessible via virtual environments, in accordance with one or more implementations. The operations of method300presented below are intended to be illustrative. In some implementations, method300may be accomplished with one or more additional operations not described, and/or without one or more of the operations discussed. Additionally, the order in which the operations of method300are illustrated inFIG. 3and described below is not intended to be limiting.

In some implementations, method300may be implemented in one or more processing devices (e.g., a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuit designed to process information, a state machine, and/or other mechanisms for electronically processing information). The one or more processing devices may include one or more devices executing some or all of the operations of method300in response to instructions stored electronically on an electronic storage medium. The one or more processing devices may include one or more devices configured through hardware, firmware, and/or software to be specifically designed for execution of one or more of the operations of method300.

At an operation302, affiliations within individual ones of the two or more virtual spaces may be managed. The affiliations may comprise a first affiliation within a first virtual space between a group of users including a first user and a second user. Operation302may be performed by a group module that is the same or similar to group module120, in accordance with one or more implementations.

At an operation304, one or more overarching affiliations may be managed. Individual ones of the overarching affiliations may encompass two or more affiliations from different virtual spaces that include substantially the same group of users. Operation304may be performed by an overarching group module that is the same or similar to overarching group module122, in accordance with one or more implementations.

At an operation306, a communications interface may be provided for presentation to individual users. The communications interface may be configured to enable a given user to observe in-coming communications and provide out-going communications. Operation306may be performed by a communication interface module that is the same or similar to communication interface module124, in accordance with one or more implementations.

At an operation308, synchronous communications may be facilitated via the communications interface between users belonging to one or more common affiliations and/or common overarching affiliations. In some implementations, the first user and the second user may be enabled to exchange synchronous communications while the first user is engaged in the first virtual space and the second user is engaged in a second virtual space. Operation308may be performed by a synchronous communications module that is the same or similar to synchronous communications module126, in accordance with one or more implementations.

At an operation310, asynchronous communications may be facilitated via the communications interface between users belonging to one or more common affiliations and/or common overarching affiliations. In some implementations, the first user may be enabled to send the second user asynchronous communications regardless of whether the second user is engaged in a virtual space or a virtual environment. Operation310may be performed by an asynchronous communications module that is the same or similar to asynchronous communications module130, in accordance with one or more implementation.

Although the present technology has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred implementations, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the technology is not limited to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present technology contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any implementation can be combined with one or more features of any other implementation.