Patent ID: 8622828

Claim:
A system configured to facilitate play of an online game through a plurality of social networking platforms, the system comprising: one or more processors configured to execute computer program modules, the computer program modules comprising: a user account module configured to manage user accounts associated with individual users, the user accounts including a first user account associated with a first user and a second user account associated with a second user, wherein the first user account comprises: sets of social network authentication information corresponding to a plurality of social network accounts of the first user on a corresponding plurality of social network platforms, the sets of social network authentication information including a first set of social network authentication information corresponding to a first social network account of the first user on a first social network platform and a second set of social network authentication information corresponding to a second social network account of the first user on a second social network platform; and character information for a first character controlled by the first user in the online game; and wherein the second user account comprises: sets of social network authentication information corresponding to a plurality of social network accounts of the second user on a corresponding plurality of social network platforms, the sets of social network authentication information including a third set of social network authentication information corresponding to a first social network account of the second user on a first social network platform and a fourth set of social network authentication information corresponding to a second social network account of the second user on a second social network platform; and character information for a second character controlled by the second user in the online game; and an authentication module configured to receive authentication requests submitted by the users through social network platforms, and to authenticate the users in response to the authentication requests, wherein the authentication module is configured such that: responsive to receiving a first authentication request submitted by the first user through the first social network platform, the authentication module identifies the first user based on the inclusion of the first set of social network authentication information in the first authentication request, and logs the first user into the online game to control the first character, and responsive to receiving a second authentication request submitted by the second user through the second social network platform, the authentication module identifies the second user based on the inclusions of the fourth set of social network authentication information in the second authentication request, and logs the second user into the online game to control the second character, such that the first user and the second user may participate in the online game together.