Method and system for managing multiplayer game sessions

An apparatus, comprising:

• a server configured to communicatively connect with a first gaming device and at least one second gaming device in a game session of a multiplayer game operational on the first gaming device;
• wherein the server is configured to detect a request from the first gaming device to start a new game session of the multiplayer game, wherein upon receipt of the request the server is further configured to:
• identify, from a leader board of the multiplayer game, a ranking position of a first party associated with the first gaming device;
• determine a first category of players consisting of players whose ranking positions fall within a predetermined range of the identified ranking position of the first party;
• determine a number of players within the first category;
• when the number of players within the first category is below a threshold number, send an invite to at least one second party associated with the first category to join the new game session, and start the new game session between the first gaming device and a gaming device of the at least one second party upon receiving a request to join from the at least one second party;
• and, when no request to join is received within a predetermined period of time;
• search an online database for at least one other player from the first category who is currently available to join the new game session;
• and
• when the at least one other player is detected, send a game play invite to a gaming device associated with the at least one other player, the game play invite being configured to cause an instance of the multiplayer game to open on the gaming device when the game is not already running;
• and
• start the new game session between the first gaming device and the gaming device associated with the at least one other player upon receiving a request to join from the at least one other player.