Patent ID: 8277320

Claim:
A method for facilitating a game that operates within a social-networking application, the method comprising: using a computer to receive a request from a user to participate in a game that is running within the social-networking application, wherein the request is received at the game; in response to the request, adding the user to the game; receiving a notification at the game that the user has performed an action within the social network; in response to the notification, determining a point value assigned to the action; incrementing a score associated with the user by the point value; receiving a takeover request from the user at the game, wherein the takeover request specifies a group that includes the user and a target group that includes one or more users; determining if the group meets a takeover criteria, wherein determining if the group meets the takeover criteria comprises determining if a score associated with the group exceeds a takeover score which is comprised of a score associated with the target group incremented by a predetermined threshold; if so, combining the group and the target group within the social-networking application; and if not, rejecting the takeover request.