IDENTIFICATION APPARATUS AND METHOD

1 . A method of multiplayer login for a single videogame console, comprising the steps of:

at a first videogame console associated with a first user account,

reading a machine-readable unique ID code of a physical ID object comprising the unique ID code; and

associating, in a network, the unique ID code with at least a first password of the first user account; and

at a second videogame console associated with a second user account,

logging the second user account onto the network using a second username and second password;

reading the machine-readable unique ID code of the physical ID object; and

additionally logging the first user account onto the network, submitting the unique ID code in place of at least the first password.

2 . The method according to claim 1 , comprising during subsequent gameplay the steps of:

detecting respective user activities associated with rewards; and

upon detection, crediting one or more of the rewards to the respective user account.

3 . The method according to claim 1 , in which the additionally logged in first user account has restricted access to at least some functions of the second videogame console.

4 . A second videogame console system comprising:

a second videogame console comprising a network connection configured to connect to a network; and

a reader device configured to read data, the data comprising a unique ID code and embodied in a physical ID object read by the reader device; and wherein

the second videogame console is configured to log a second user account onto the network, and configured to additionally submit, for concurrent login, details for a first user account to the network that comprises the unique ID code in place of at least a password of the first user account.

5 . The second videogame console system according to claim 4 , in which the unique ID code is embodied in a physical ID object as a fiduciary marker that is one selected from the list consisting of:

i. a fiduciary marker printed on the physical ID object;

ii. a fiduciary marker affixed to the physical ID object; and

iii. a fiduciary marker displayed on a display of the physical ID object.

6 . The second videogame console system according to claim 5 , in which the reader is a video camera mounted in an assembly comprising a window additional to the video camera through which the video camera views the physical ID object.

7 . The second videogame console system according to claim 4 , in which the second videogame console comprises:

processor means for restricting access by the user of the first user account to one or more features of an operating system of the second videogame console.

8 . A server of a network, comprising:

a network connection configured to connect to a first video game console and a second videogame console; and

a look-up table configured to associate unique IDs with at least corresponding passwords of user accounts;

the server configured to receive, from a first videogame console, login details comprising a password for a first user account and a unique ID, and configured to associate the unique ID with at least the password of the first user account;

the server configured to receive, from a second videogame console, login details for a first user account comprising at least the unique ID, and to log the first user account onto a network by reference to the password associated with the unique ID in the look-up table.

9 . The server according to claim 8 , in which the look-up table is configured to associate the unique IDs with at least corresponding passwords and usernames of user accounts.

10 . The server according to claim 8 , in which the server restricts access for the first user account to one or more online facilities on the network after logging the first user account onto the network.