Patent ID: 7056217
Filing Date: 2006-06-06
Classification: A63F,H04L

Abstract:
1. A messaging system comprising: a web server computer; and a video game system for executing a video game program for a video game, the video game program being embodied on a storage device replaceably connectable by a user to the video game system and comprising program instructions for both the video game and for a messaging service client, whereby the messaging service client is activated by connecting the storage device to the video game system and executing the video game program embodied thereon, the activated messaging service client establishing a connection between the video game system and said web server computer via the Internet and sending status data from the video game system to said web server computer that is indicative of the video game program being executed by the video game system, wherein said web server computer generates a session file when the video game system connects thereto, the session file comprising the status data sent from the video game system and status data indicative of video game programs being executed by video game systems of each of one or more buddies identified on a buddy list previously defined by the user, wherein the status data of the one or more buddies on the buddy list is accessible to the user even if the video game system of the user and the video game systems of the one or more buddies are executing video game programs for playing different games.