Method and apparatus for determining user engagement in a videogame

1. A method of determining user engagement in a game, comprising the steps of:

receiving data from a plurality of remote entertainment devices at a server, the data from a respective entertainment device associating at least a first feature state of the game with an action by a user of that respective entertainment device indicative of a predetermined degree of engagement by the user with the game;

aggregating the data received from the plurality of entertainment devices; and

determining a level of correspondence between one or more feature states and user actions indicative of the predetermined degree of engagement, wherein at least one of:

(i) a location within a game environment associated with a low degree of engagement is modified either to incorporate a predetermined in-game feature associated with a high degree of engagement or to remove a predetermined in-game feature associated with a low degree of engagement; and

(ii) a location within the game environment associated with a high degree of engagement is modified either to incorporate a predetermined in-game feature associated with a low degree of engagement or to remove a predetermined in-game feature associated with a high degree of engagement.

2. The method of claim 1 , in which the feature state comprises one or more selected from the list consisting of:

i. a location within the game environment;

ii. the occurrence of an audio cue within the game;

iii. the occurrence of a visual cue within the game; and

iv. the appearance of a GUI.

3. The method of claim 1 , in which the step of aggregating the received data comprises: mapping each respective user action to a common representation of one or more feature states responsive to the feature state associated with the respective user action.

4. The method of claim 3 , in which the step of determining a level of correspondence with a respective feature state comprises: evaluating the number of user actions associated with a respective feature state within the common representation of the one or more feature states.

5. The method of claim 1 , in which an action by the user of indicative of a low degree of engagement with the game comprises one or more selected from the list consisting of:

i. accessing an in-game menu;

ii. accessing a fast-travel option;

iii. looking away from the game for more than a predetermined period of time;

iv. saving the game;

v. pausing the game;

vi. dying within the game; and

vii. quitting the game.

6. The method of claim 1 , in which an action by the user indicative of a high degree of engagement with the game comprises one or more selected from the list consisting of:

i. combat;

ii. using directional inputs to move a character's position or viewpoint;

iii. acquiring a collectable in-game object;

iv. completing a task set in the game;

v. accessing an in-game menu; and

vi. accessing a fast-travel option.

7. A non-transitory, computer readable medium having computer executable instructions stored thereon, which when executed by a computer system, causes the computer system to determine user engagement in a game by carrying out actions, comprising:

receiving data from a plurality of remote entertainment devices at a server, the data from a respective entertainment device associating at least a first feature state of the game with an action by a user of that respective entertainment device indicative of a predetermined degree of engagement by the user with the game;

aggregating the data received from the plurality of entertainment devices; and

determining a level of correspondence between one or more feature states and user actions indicative of the predetermined degree of engagement, wherein at least one of:

(i) a location within a game environment associated with a low degree of engagement is modified either to incorporate a predetermined in-game feature associated with a high degree of engagement or to remove a predetermined in-game feature associated with a low degree of engagement; and

(ii) a location within the game environment associated with a high degree of engagement is modified either to incorporate a predetermined in-game feature associated with a low degree of engagement or to remove a predetermined in-game feature associated with a high degree of engagement.

8. A server adapted to determine user engagement in a game comprises:

a receiver adapted to receive data from a plurality of remote entertainment devices at a server, the data from a respective entertainment device associating a feature state of the game with an action by a user of that respective entertainment device indicative of a predetermined degree of engagement by the user with the game;

a processor adapted to aggregate the data received from the plurality of entertainment devices; and

a processor adapted to determine a level of correspondence between one or more feature states and user actions indicative of the predetermined degree of engagement, wherein at least one of:

(i) a location within a game environment associated with a low degree of engagement is modified either to incorporate a predetermined in-game feature associated with a high degree of engagement or to remove a predetermined in-game feature associated with a low degree of engagement; and

(ii) a location within the game environment associated with a high degree of engagement is modified either to incorporate a predetermined in-game feature associated with a low degree of engagement or to remove a predetermined in-game feature associated with a high degree of engagement.

9. An entertainment device adapted to determine user engagement in a game comprises:

a processor adapted to monitor a feature state of the game;

a processor adapted to detect user actions that are indicative of a predetermined degree of engagement by the user with the game;

a processor adapted to associate a detected user action indicative of a predetermined degree of engagement by the user with the game with the monitored feature state; and

a transmitter adapted to transmit data comprising the associated feature state and user action to a server adapted to determine user engagement in a game by evaluating the level of correspondence between feature states and user actions indicative of the predetermined degree of engagement, wherein at least one of:

(i) a location within a game environment associated with a low degree of engagement is modified either to incorporate a predetermined in-game feature associated with a high degree of engagement or to remove a predetermined in-game feature associated with a low degree of engagement; and

(ii) a location within the game environment associated with a high degree of engagement is modified either to incorporate a predetermined in-game feature associated with a low degree of engagement or to remove a predetermined in-game feature associated with a high degree of engagement.