Method and system for delivering and securing computer game content via the internet

A method for downloading game content to an end-user computer having a visual display, said end-user computer further coupled to a game distribution server via an Internet connection, said method comprising:

• receiving a request at said game distribution server to download said game content to said end-user computer;
• second receiving information uniquely identifying said end-user computer at said game distribution server;
• customizing said game content at said game distribution server so that said game content is only executable on said end-user computer;
• and
• transmitting said game content to said end-user computer, in response to completing said customizing.

A computer program product comprising signal-bearing media containing program instructions for execution on an end-user computer, said program instructions comprising program instructions for:

• presenting a list of game episodes on said visual display with an indication of available episodes and previously installed episodes, said presentation made from a game interface executing within said end-user computer;
• in response to a user selection of a given one of said available episodes, transmitting a request to said game distribution server to commence purchase of said given episode;
• and
• receiving said given episode and installing it on said end-user computer.

A computer program product comprising signal-bearing media containing program instructions for execution on a game distribution server, said program instructions comprising program instructions for:

• receiving a request at said game distribution server to download game content to an end-user computer;
• second receiving information uniquely identifying said end-user computer at said game distribution server;
• customizing said game content at said game distribution server so that said game content is only executable on said end-user computer;
• and
• transmitting said game content to said end-user computer, in response to completing said customizing.

A system for downloading game content, comprising:

• a network;
• a game distribution server coupled to said network;
• and
• an end-user computer having a visual display and coupled to said network, wherein said end-user computer comprises a processor for executing program instructions and a memory coupled to said processor for containing program instructions and data, wherein said program instructions
• present a list of game episodes on said visual display with an indication of available episodes and previously installed episodes, said presentation made from a game interface executing within said end-user computer,
• in response to a user selection of a given one of said available episodes, transmitting a request to said game distribution server to commence a purchase of said given episode, and
• receive said given episode and install it on said end-user computer.

A system for downloading game content, comprising:

• a network;
• an end-user computer coupled to said network;
• and a game distribution server coupled to said network, wherein said game distribution server comprises a processor for executing program instructions and a memory coupled to said processor for containing program instructions and data, wherein said program instructions
• receive a request at said game distribution server to download said game content to said end-user computer;
• second receive information uniquely identifying said end-user computer at said game distribution server;
• customize said game content at said game distribution server so that said game content is only executable on said end-user computer;
• and
• transmit said game content to said end-user computer, in response to completing said customizing.