Patent ID: 7587502

Claim:
A method for enabling a user to access a client service that interacts with an online service, comprising: receiving an indication that a first client service is executing and is interacting with the online service, wherein the online service comprises a multiplayer game, and wherein the indication includes an address to the online service; providing a selectable interface control for accessing a second client service that can interact with the online service; detecting selection of the selectable interface control; and providing access to the second client service via a remote service if the second client service is not currently available for local execution, wherein providing access to the second client service includes: determining whether the remote service has authority to distribute the second client service; redirecting a user to the remote service such that the user is enabled to rent or buy the second client service via the remote service if the remote service has authority to distribute the second client service; and requesting access to the second client service from a distributor separate from the remote service if the remote service lacks authority to distribute the second client service.