Patent ID: 8303415

Claim:
A computer-implemented method comprising: generating, using at least one processor of a machine, a computer-implemented game for a player; accessing social network information associated with the player of the computer-implemented game; analyzing the social network information of the player to identify one or more available friends of the player, the available friends being other players of the computer-implemented game that are available to participate in the computer-implemented game; determining a challenge for the player by an in-game obstacle of the computer-implemented game for a period of time below a critical threshold related to the computer-implemented game's ability to retain the player; and in response to the determining of the in-game obstacle, identifying one or more available players of the computer-implemented game outside the social network of the player, the one or more available players of the computer-implemented game having in-game character parameters that help the player overcome the in-game obstacle after the period of time.