U.S. Pat. No. 9,126,116

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The elements identified throughout are exemplary and may include various alternatives, equivalents, or derivations thereof. Various combinations of hardware, software, and computer-executable instructions may be utilized. Program modules and engines may include routines, programs, objects, components, and data structures that effectuate the performance of particular tasks when executed by a processor, which may be general purpose or application specific. Computer-executable instructions and associated data structures stored in a computer-read able storage medium represent examples of programming means for executing the steps of the methods and/or implementing particular system configurations disclosed herein.

FIG. 1illustrates an exemplary system100for ranking and managing user-generated game play advice. The system100ofFIG. 1includes a game play advice submission engine120, game play advice database130, ranking engine140, game play advice display engine150, feedback engine160, feedback database170, and ranking database180. In some embodiments (like that illustrated inFIG. 1), the system100may also include an optional weighting engine190. While various engines and databases are described in the context ofFIG. 1, an embodiment of the present invention may offer the functionality of each or certain of these engines and databases in a single ‘game play advice management’ engine or database.

System100may be implemented in a network environment110such as the Internet, a proprietary communications environment, or a combination of the two. In one example, system100is an integrated component of the Playstation® Network. System100(or components thereof) may communicate with the network environment110utilizing any number of network interfaces as are known in the art. Examples of such interfaces include a 1000BASE-T Ethernet port or an IEEE 802.11 b/g network WiFi interface.

System100may be implemented in a computing device such as a server dedicated to managing user-generated game play advice including maintenance of various databases. Alternatively, system100may be implemented in a computing device hosting a number of applications such as community maintenance, admission, and network game data distribution. System100may be dedicated to a single network game, a genre of games, or any number of games having no particular affiliation at all.

System100may also be implemented in a distributed peer-to-peer environment. In such an implementation, certain, applications and/or responsibilities may be managed by a group of computing devices in the environment. A first computing may be represented by a game platform such as the PlayStation®3. This particular computing device may be responsible for ranking operations that take place via a ranking engine and maintaining a database of related information. A second computing device such as a desktop or laptop computer may be responsible for feedback operations that take place via a feedback engine and maintaining a database of related information.

Various engines may be distributed to a community of users (e.g., players of a particular game or users in a general gaming network) through a push operation from a tasked server in the game community. Alternatively, various engines may be embodied in a computer-readable storage medium that also includes a particular game application (e.g., a disc). Distributed applications and engines may communicate directly via a group of peers or may be administered by a management server.

Game play advice submission engine120is configured to allow a user to communicate with the system100over network110for submission of game play advice. Game play advice submission engine120may generate a user-interface for allowing user interaction with the system100. The interface may be a simple text-entry screen where users identify a game title, user identity (i.e., who is submitting the advice) in the form of a ‘real name’ or ‘screen name,’ and particular game play advice.

Game play advice submission engine120may generate a ‘drop down’ menu to allow for easy entry of information. Drop-down menus may identify a variety of game titles (in order to maintain consistency of game title naming). Drop down menus may also allow for identification of particular types of advice such as special moves, Easter Eggs, unlocking weapons, or defeating particular enemies. Drop down menus may also identify particular portions of an interactive gaming environment by level or environmental description (e.g., Level 1 or ‘The Volcano’). Similar identification may occur with respect to particular objects, weapons, or enemies.

Menus generated by the game play advice submission engine120may be level-based. A level-based menu configuration may cause the selection of one item at a first level of a menu to branch out into a series of options concerning a second level of related menu items. Selection of an entry at the second level may spawn a third-level and so on. Spawning of various levels may continue until there is no further information to be entered.

Entry of the game play advice may be textual where a user enters a written description of the game play advice (e.g., ‘at the castle gate, look behind the statute for a hidden treasure’). Text-entry may occur through a virtual keyboard manipulated by a game controller coupled to a gaming platform. The gaming platform, in turn, is coupled to the system100via network110. Submission of game play advice may be audible and provided by speaking into a USB microphone headset. In some embodiments, video clips or still-frame images of game play may be submitted in the context of or as game play advice. Combinations of game play advice submissions are also within the scope of the present invention (e.g., a video clip with audible narration).

Game play advice database130is configured to manage user-generated game play advice submitted through an interface generated by the game play advice submission engine120. Game play advice database130may manage submitted game play advice by user, game title, nature of the advice, date, size, content of the advice (e.g., video, audio, text, combinations of content), and so forth. Game play advice database130may include non-user generated game play advice (e.g., pre-stocked game play advice from the game publisher) that may also be ranked and displayed by system100.

Game play advice database130may be configured to store all game play advice received through an interface generated by game play advice submission engine120. Alternatively, certain game play advice may expire over time or upon the occurrence of certain events. For example, the game play advice database130may only retain the top-100 ranked game play advice submissions. Once a particular instance of game play advice falls below a top-100 threshold, that particular instance may be deleted from the game play advice database130. Expiration may be temporal such that instances of game play advice that are not accessed for a particular period of time are removed from the game play advice database130. Instances of game play advice may also be removed from the game play advice database130a predetermined number of days after having been submitted to the system100.

Ranking engine140is configured to manage the ranking of game play advice stored, in game play advice database130. When new game play advice is received, the ranking engine140ofFIG. 1will assign a default ranking to that new instance of game play advice. This default ranking and any other ranking (including those generated as a result of user feedback) may be measured utilizing any rubric capable of distinguishing one instance of user-generated game play advice from another. Rankings may be numeric (e.g., 1, 2, 3 . . . 101, 102, etc.) or characteristic (e.g., poor, good, very good, excellent, etc.). Simplistic rankings may also be used such as a binary indication of ‘good’/‘bad’ or ‘thumbs up’/‘thumbs down’. A percentage value may also be used by ranking engine140. For example, an ‘86% ranking’ may reflect that 86 percent of all user feedback received with respect to a particular instance of game play designated the advice as ‘good or better.’

Tie-breakers may be utilized by the ranking engine140with respect to multiple instances of game play advice that are allocated rankings of equal value. Equally-ranked game play advice may be distinguished by an alphabetical ordering of the screen name or real name of the user submitting the game play advice. Equally-ranked game play advice may also be displayed, based on the time the game play advice was submitted. Previously received and equally ranked game play advice may be moved to the bottom of a ranking ladder versus more recently received (and equally ranked) game play advice. Equally-ranked game play advice may also be displayed in a random order albeit in the context of other equally-ranked advice.

Ranking engine140may operate in conjunction with ranking database180to maintain a record of a current or prior ranking of any particular instance of game play advice. Ranking engine140may also work in conjunction feedback engine160, feedback database170, and, in some embodiments, optional weighting engine190to more accurately identify the perceived quality of game play advice as adjudicated by a community of users.

Game play advice display engine150is configured to display user-generated game play advice in accordance with a ranking result generated by ranking engine140. Game play advice display engine150acquires information from the game play advice database130(the advice) and the ranking database180(the ranking of the game play advice as determined by ranking engine140) and displays the game play advice in accordance with an allocated ranking. The game play advice display engine150may utilize an asynchronous programming language to provide real-time (or substantially near real-time) updates to ranked game play advice for display to a community of users.

Game play advice display engine150may utilize a ladder ranking of game play advice. In such an embodiment, the highest quality advice is presented at the top of a ladder and the worst advice is relegated to the bottom of the ladder. The quality of the advice decreases as a user moves from the top of the ladder to the bottom. In some embodiments, the particular arrangement of the advice may be subject to user or system preferences (e.g., the advice may be listed in an inverse order where the best advice is listed at the bottom of the ladder and the worst advice at the top).FIG. 5Aillustrates an exemplary ladder ranking500of user-generated game play advice (510a . . . f).

InFIG. 5A, the ladder ranking500includes six exemplary instances of user-generated game play advice (510a . . . f). Each instance of game play advice identifies a title of the interactive game for which the advice is rendered520(i.e., SOCOM 3); the nature of the advice530(i.e., pertaining to ‘unlockable’ weapons); and the particular unlockable weapon at issue540(e.g., an IW-80 A2, an STG-77, a medium scope, and a front grip). Each instance also includes the advice itself550(e.g., “Complete the Poland Theater of Operations” in the case of instance510a).

The information displayed in each instance of game play advice (e.g., game title, nature of the advice, etc.) and the format of the same (e.g., text entries versus graphical illustrations) may vary depending on a particular embodiment of system100and game play advice display engine150. Additional information may also be displayed in each instance of game play advice. For example, an embodiment of ladder ranking500may include the screen name of the user submitting particular information, the date the advice was submitted, a visible indication of the ranking of the instance of game play information (e.g., 1 of 6; 86% approval; thumbs up), or the number of times feedback has been rendered with respect to that particular instance of game play advice. An indication that a particular ranking is the result of a default ranking may also be displayed.

InFIG. 5A, the best quality game play advice is displayed at (or near) the top of the ladder ranking500. With respect to this particular game title, the IW-80 A2 may represent a particularly desirable weapon. Information regarding acquisition of this weapon may, therefore, be highly valued (i.e., to obtain this weapon “Complete the Poland Theater of Operations” as reflected by advice550of instance510a).

In another instance of game play advice (510f), the weapon is the same as that discussed in the most highly ranked instance (510a) (i.e., the aforementioned IW-80 A2) but the advice is of such poor quality that the advice is located at the lower-most rung of the ladder ranking500. With respect to game play advice instance510f, the user submitting the ‘advice’ has just begun playing this particular game title and does not know what an IW-80 A2 is or how to acquire the same. As such, this unhelpful instance of game play advice is appropriately ranked, and subsequently displayed at the bottom of the ladder ranking500. As a result of this ranking, a user searching for information concerning the acquisition of an IW-80 A2 saves time by avoiding review of unhelpful information. Further, the user searching for advice on acquiring the IW-80 A2 is more likely to receive complete and accurate advice.

Game play advice display engine150may display advice in the context of a real-world virtual environment and/or a first- or third-person avatar. In such an embodiment, an avatar may move about a virtual environment like that offered by Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.'s “Home.” “Home” is a three-dimensional online user community service that may be accessed utilizing the PlayStation®3 entertainment system.

The “Home” virtual environment offers a “Hall of Fame,” two examples of which are illustrated inFIG. 5BandFIG. 5C, and that could be used in conjunction with the display of user-generated game play advice. For example, display area560could be used to display a ladder ranking500like that discussed in the context ofFIG. 5A. Virtual objects associated with a reward or particular achievement may also be displayed such as a trophy. Game play advice may be displayed in the context of particular game titles or users.

In a virtual environment like that shown inFIG. 5BandFIG. 5C, game play advice display engine150may be integrated with the host of the virtual environment. Game play advice display engine150may also access the virtual environment through an application programming interface (API) native to the environment.

Other means of display of game play advice beyond the aforementioned ladder and virtual environment are within the scope of the present invention. Game play advice may be listed as a series of entries in a ‘chat’ string. Game play advice may be displayed and detailed commentary (in addition to ranking feedback) concerning the quality of that advice may be provided by the community of users. Game play advice may also be provided through, a series of hyperlinks. Graphic images may also be utilized, especially in the context of game play advice that incorporates full motion video or still images. Links to audio files may be appropriate in the ease of audio-rendered advice. All of the aforementioned means of providing game play advice to a community of users (and in accordance with an assigned default or feedback controlled ranking) may be managed by the game play advice display engine150.

Feedback engine160is configured to accept feedback from other game players following their viewing and subsequent use of game play advice provided via the game play advice display engine150. Feedback engine160may be integrated or work in conjunction with game play advice display engine150with respect to receiving feedback. For example, feedback engine160may generate a prompt for receiving user-generated feedback. The prompt may be displayed in the immediate context of particular instances of game play advice, which are displayed by game play advice display engine150.

User feedback may be any subjective assessment capable of distinguishing one instance of user-generated game play advice from another. User feedback may be numeric (e.g., 1 to 10, with 10 being high quality and 1 being low) or characteristic (e.g., good, very good, excellent, etc.). Simplistic binary indications of ‘good’ or ‘bad’ or a ‘thumbs up’ or ‘thumbs down’ may also be used. Feedback may include a textual (or spoken) assessment of the user-generated game play advice. Feedback may be entered manually (e.g., entry of a ‘10’ through a virtual keyboard), selected from drop down menus, or submitted via graphic representations such as on-screen icons (e.g., selecting a ‘thumbs up’).

Feedback engine160may also be configured to request and accept a grade for a particular user from a community of users, the user having submitting game play advice to the system100. The user grade may be a subjective assessment of a particular user registered with system100. Other users in a community may grade a particular user based on their knowledge of the graded user's in-game exploits in a manner similar to providing feedback with respect to game play advice.

User grades may also be assessed automatically by the ranking engine140or an independent user grade engine (not shown). A grade for a particular user may be allocated with respect to the time that a user has been registered with the system100or played a particular game title (thus suggesting experience). Grades may also be assessed based on the number of tasks that a user has completed in a particular game or the number of levels that the user has ‘conquered.’ User grades may be particular to game, geographic region, or the entirety of the gaming network. The game community may also be defined by various tiers of experience (e.g., beginners, intermediate users, and experts). User grades may also be allocated within the delineation of a particular tier to which a graded user belongs.

Feedback database170is configured to manage user feedback to game play advice submitted through feedback engine160. Feedback database170may be configured to store all community generated feedback as it pertains to game play advice. Certain feedback may expire over time (e.g., a predetermined number of days after having been submitted to the system100). Feedback database170may track the nature of the feedback (e.g., a subjective assessment) with respect to a particular instance of game play advice. Feedback database170may further track the identity of the user submitting user feedback via the feedback engine160.

Ranking database180is configured to manage ranking of user-generated game play advice as ranked by the ranking engine140. Ranking database180may also store user grade information generated by the ranking engine140. Ranking database180may be updated in real-time (or substantially in real-time) in order to provide game play advice display engine150with the most up-to-date and available ranking information as it pertains to particular instances of game play advice. Ranking information stored in the ranking database180may expire after a set period of time. Lower ranked game play advice (e.g., advice falling below a certain minimum ranking) may be removed from the ranking database180while higher ranked information is maintained in the ranking database180.

Optional weighting engine190may be used for ranking user-generated game play advice based on the quality of the advice and the reputation or experience of the user submitting the advice. Optional weighting engine190is configured to introduce a weighting algorithm that allocates a particular value to the grade of a user submitting game play advice and another value to the actual game play advice. For example, if the user is regarded by the game community (i.e., the user has a higher user grade) but the game play advice submitted by the player is of low quality (as reflected by user feedback), the optional weighting engine190may apply a first weighting value to the user grade (e.g., 75%) and a second weighting value to the game play advice (e.g., 25%) to formulate (in conjunction with the ranking engine140) a ranking of the game play advice. The game play advice is then displayed, through the game play advice display engine150whereby the first and second weighting values allocated by the optional weighting engine190proportionally affect the ranking of the game play advice. The actual weighting valuations applied to the user grade and the game play advice may be set and adjusted by an administrator of the system100.

FIG. 2illustrates an exemplary method200for ranking user-generated game play advice based on the quality of the advice. The steps identified inFIG. 2(and the order thereof) are exemplary and may include various alternatives, equivalents, or derivations thereof including but not limited to the order of execution of the same. The steps of the process ofFIG. 2(and its various alternatives) may be embodied in hardware or software including a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., optical disc, memory card, or hard drive) including instructions executable by the processor of a computing device.

In step210, user-generated game play advice is received from a user in the community via an interface generated by the game play advice submission engine120. Upon receipt of the user-generated game play advice in step210, the advice is processed by the system100as described in the context ofFIG. 1and assigned a default ranking by ranking engine140. The game play advice may be stored in game play advice database130. The default ranking may be stored in ranking database180.

The processed and default ranked game play advice is subsequently displayed via the game play advice display engine150in step220. Upon display in step220, the user-generated game play advice is available for viewing by other members of the gaming community. The members of the community may then act upon that advice during the course of game play.

The newly received and default ranked game play advice is also displayed in conjunction with previously received game play advice, which is also stored in game play advice database130. The previously received game play advice may have been previously displayed and ranked or may be displayed for the first time with a default ranking (i.e., multiple instances of game play advice are being displayed for the first time). The newly received game play advice may also be displayed with pre-packaged game play advice from the game publisher.

A user acting upon any displayed game play advice may return to the system100and provide feedback as to the quality of that particular game play advice in step230. The feedback may be provided via a prompt generated by feedback engine160. The nature of the feedback may be like that described in the context ofFIG. 1with respect to feedback engine160(e.g., a number of ‘stars’ or ‘thumbs up’ or ‘thumbs down’). Advice that resulted in better game play may receive a higher ranking than advice that resulted in lesser game play. The presentation of the game play advice may also affect the ranking. For example, if the advice was presented in such a way as to make the advice confusing notwithstanding the validity of the advice, the particular instance may receive a lesser ranking.

After having received feedback in step230, the ranking engine140of system100will rank the new game play advice against previously received (and possibly ranked) game play advice in step240. Ranking of the new game play advice with respect to the previously received (and perhaps ranked) game play advice will take into account the feedback received by the feedback engine160and stored in feedback database170. After having received an initial indication of quality based on user feedback, game play advice will lose its ‘default’ ranking and move up or down a ladder of all available game play advice based on its valuation against other game play advice.

Following the ranking operation of step240, the results of which may be stored in ranking database180, the new game play advice and previously received game play advice will be (redisplayed by the game play advice display engine150in step250. The (re)display of the game play advice will reflect any received user feedback from step230and the subsequent ranking operation of step240. Based on the ranking operation of step240, quality game play advice will rise to the top of a list of game play advice or be communicated to the community of users such that they know the advice that has received high approval from the community versus game play advice perceived to have little or no value.

The method200ofFIG. 2may operate in real-time (or substantially in real-time) using an asynchronous programming language such as Ajax. In an asynchronous language like Ajax, small amounts of data are continually exchanged, with a database so that an entire user interface need not be reloaded, in response to each user interaction. In such an embodiment, an XMLHttpRequest object may be utilized to fetch the most recent game play advice rankings from the ranking database180ofFIG. 1. This ranking information, and the corresponding game play advice retrieved from game play advice database130, may then be displayed via an interface generated by the game play advice display engine150. Relationships between rankings, user feedback, and game play advice may be reflected by metadata or header data stored in the various databases of system100. Game play advice rankings may thus be updated as feedback is received and new rankings are calculated.

The method200ofFIG. 2may also operate subject to a predetermined schedule. For example, the ranking engine140may update the ranking database180at five minute intervals (or any other time period as may be determined by a system administrator). Once the ranking database180is updated as a result of a regularly scheduled ranking operation, the newly updated ranking information may be pushed to the game play advice display engine150for display to the community of users in conjunction with the game play advice retrieved from game play advice database130. The updated ranking information in the ranking database180may also be available for access in response to a user request or query. A user request for ranking information may instantiate the ranking operation and the subsequent display of ranked game play advice.

FIG. 3illustrates an exemplary method300for ranking user-generated game play advice based on the reputation of the user submitting the advice. The steps identified inFIG. 3(and the order thereof) are exemplary and may include various alternatives, equivalents, or derivations thereof including but not limited to the order of execution of the same. The steps of the process ofFIG. 3(and its various alternatives) may be embodied in hardware or software including a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., optical disc, memory card, or hard drive) including instructions executable by the processor of a computing device.

In step310, user-generated game play advice is received at the system100from a user in a game community. Receipt of game play advice may occur through a user Interface generated by the game play advice submission engine120. The submitting user may be identified as part of the submission process. Identification may occur through manual entry of a screen name. Identification may also occur via a user profile accessed when the user logged into the gaming community.

Automated grading of the submitting user by the ranking engine140takes place in step320such that a determination as to the authority of the provided game play advice may be made. For example, if a user is playing a particular game for the first time, any advice proffered by that player is likely of little value due to that player's general inexperience with the game. If a user is experienced with respect to that game, however, then any advice provided by that user may be of greater value due to their vast experience with game play. Experience may be derived from game play statistics or other data, which may be associated with a user profile.

Alternatively, the submitting user may be graded based on their actual performance in a particular game. A particular user may play a game numerous times but lack any exceptional ability with respect to that particular game. In these instances, grading the user based on the number of times that they have played the game may be misleading. Grading the user based on performance in the game may be more indicative of the quality of the advice the user might offer.

User performance may be based on any variety of factors. For example, a user may be graded based on a score achieved, a level reached, or a length of the user existed in a particular game environment without being ‘killed.’ Performance may also be based on objectives completed, items obtained, weapons mastered, enemies killed, and so forth.

Once the user is graded in step320, the ranking engine140will rank new game play advice against previously received (and perhaps ranked) game play advice in step330. After having received an initial indication of quality based on grading of the user, game play advice will be ranked and that ranking information will be stored in ranking database180while the game play advice is stored in game play advice database130.

Following the ranking operation of step330, the new game play advice and previously received game play advice will be displayed in step340by the game play advice display engine150. The display of the game play advice will reflect the grading of the user with respect to the game play advice as occurred in steps320and the subsequent ranking operation of step330. Based on the ranking operation of step330, quality game play advice will rise to the top of a list of game play advice or be communicated to the community of users such that they know the advice was offered by a game player of exceptional ability versus having come from a user with little to no experience or ability.

The method300ofFIG. 3may operate in real-time or substantially in real-time. Like the method ofFIG. 2(200), such real-time functionality may be effectuated using an asynchronous programming language whereby the most recent game play advice rankings vis-à-vis a user grade are retrieved from the ranking database180and displayed via the game play advice display engine150. In this matter, game play advice rankings are updated as user grading is calculated.

Like the method ofFIG. 2(200), the method ofFIG. 3(300) may also operate subject to a predetermined schedule whereby the ranking engine140updates the ranking database180at regular intervals. Once the ranking database180is updated as a result of a regularly scheduled ranking operation, the newly updated ranking information may be pushed to the game play advice display engine150for display to the community of users in conjunction with the game play advice retrieved from game play advice database130. Alternatively, the updated information in the ranking database180may available for access in response to a user request or query. A user request for ranking information may instantiate the ranking operation and the subsequent display of ranked game play advice.

User grading may also be in response to feedback received from the gaming community. In such an embodiment, user grading step320will involve feedback engine160calculating a community valuation of a particular user based on information retrieved from the feedback database170and prior ranking information retrieved from the ranking database180. Steps330and340of the method300ofFIG. 3will proceed as described above with the exception that the ranking of game play advice is now based on user feedback rather than an automated determination made solely by ranking engine140.

In a still further embodiment, the user grade may involve a weighting algorithm imposed by optional weighting engine190. In such an embodiment, community feedback may be assigned a first weighting value by the weighting algorithm of optional weighting engine190. The automated ranking generated by the ranking engine140may be allocated a second weighting value. These weighted values may proportionally affect a final ranking (also calculated by the ranking engine140) that is ultimately stored in the ranking database180for retrieval by the game play advice display engine150.

FIG. 4illustrates an exemplary method400for ranking user-generated game play advice based on the quality of the advice and the reputation of the user submitting the advice. The steps identified inFIG. 4(and the order thereof) are exemplary and may include various alternatives, equivalents, or derivations thereof including but not limited to the order of execution of the same. The steps of the process ofFIG. 4(and its various alternatives) may be embodied in hardware or software including a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., optical disc, memory card, or hard drive) including instructions executable by the processor of a computing device.

In step410, user-generated game play advice is received at the system100from a user in a game community. Upon receipt of the user-generated game play advice in step410, the advice is processed by the system100and assigned a default ranking. Game play advice may be initially received through an interface generated by the game play submission engine120and stored in the game play advice database130. Allocation of a default ranking may be allocated by ranking engine140.

The processed and default ranked game play advice is subsequently displayed by the game play advice display engine150in step420. The game play advice display engine150retrieves the default ranking information from ranking database180and the game play advice from the game play advice database130. Upon display in step420, the user-generated game play advice is available for viewing by other members of the gaming community who may then act upon that advice during the course of game play.

The newly received and default ranked game play advice may also be displayed in conjunction with previously received game play advice. The previously received game play advice may have been previously displayed (and ranked) or may be displayed for the first time with a default ranking. Display may take place concurrent with pre-packaged game play advice from the game developer, which may also be ranked.

In step430, the submitting user is graded. Grading of the submitting user takes place such that a determination as to the authority of the game play advice provided may be made as was the case inFIG. 3. As was the case inFIG. 3, a user may be graded based on experience playing a particular game or performance with respect to a particular game. Grading may also be based on community feedback.

In step440, feedback as to the quality of particular game play advice may be provided by users in the community via feedback engine160. Advice that results in better game play may receive better feedback than advice that resulted in lesser game play or that was perhaps presented in such as way as to make the advice confusing and otherwise ineffective. Feedback may be stored in feedback database170.

In step450, the grading of the user as occurred in step430and the feedback provided with respect to particular game play advice as occurred in step440may be weighted. Weighting of the user grade and advice feedback may occur through optional weighting engine190. As noted in the context ofFIG. 1, the ratio of importance of the user grade versus the user feedback may be allocated as to best overall evaluate the advice provided by the user.

Following weighting of the user grade and the user feedback in step450, the ranking engine140will rank the new game play advice against previously received game play advice in step460. After having received an initial indication of quality based on user feedback and the user grade, game play advice will lose its ‘default’ ranking and move up or down a ladder of ail available game play advice based on its valuation against other advice as a whole.

Following the ranking operation of step460, the new game play advice and previously received game play advice will be (redisplayed in step470by game play advice display engine150. The (re)display of the game play advice will reflect the results of the ranking operation of step460, which may be retrieved from ranking database180in conjunction with the actual game play advice from game play advice database130. Based on the ranking operation of step460, qualify game play advice from knowledgeable game players will rise to the top of a list of game play advice or be communicated to the community of users such that they know the advice that has received a combination of high approval from the community and was offered by an otherwise experienced or well qualified game player.

While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the aforementioned system100and methods discussed therein (e.g.,FIG. 2-4) may be utilized to receive submissions, rank, display, accept feedback, and (re)rank and (re)display various forms of information other than game play advice. For example, the present system and methods may be employed in the context of search engine results or queries for on-line audio and video content. The aforementioned system and methods may also be used with respect to (reverse) auctions and bidding based on valuation/feedback of a seller, vendor, and/or product.

In addition, modifications may be made without departing from the essential teachings of the present invention. Various alternative systems may be utilized to implement the various methodologies described herein and various methods may be used to achieve certain results from the aforementioned systems.