Network architecture to support recording and playback of real-time video games

A system for directly linking a first computer to a second computer, said system also for recording the video game interaction between said first player on said first computer and said second player on said second computer, said system comprising:

• a network;
• a first computer coupled to or previously coupled to said network;
• a server coupled to said network, said server including:
• processing logic for receiving a request for direct linking from said first computer;
• processing logic for matching said first computer with a second computer using matching criteria;
• processing logic for sending a network address of said second computer to said first computer;
• client application software executing in said first computer, said client application software including:
• processing logic for connecting said first computer to a server on said network via said network interface;
• processing logic for requesting said server to match said first computer with a second computer using matching criteria;
• processing logic for receiving a network address of said second computer from said server;
• processing logic for disconnecting said first computer from said server before establishing a direct communication link with said second computer using said network address;
• processing logic for saving game information indicative of the interaction between a first player on said first computer and a second player on said second computer;
• processing logic for reconnecting said first computer to said server;
• and
• processing logic for uploading said information from said first computer to said server memory.

A first computer for directly linking said first computer to a second computer, said first computer also for replaying video game interaction between a first player on a first computer and a second player on a second computer, said first computer comprising:

• a network interface coupled to a network;
• client application software executing in said first computer, said client application software including:
• processing logic for connecting said first computer to a server coupled to said network;
• processing logic for downloading stored game information from a server memory coupled to said server;
• processing logic for providing said game information in place of input from said first player for the execution of said video game.

A system for directly linking a first computer to a second computer, said first computer also for replaying the video game interaction between a first player on said first computer and a second player on said second computer, said system comprising:

• a network;
• a server coupled to said network, said server including a server memory;
• a first computer coupled to or previously coupled to said network;
• client application software executing in said first computer, said client application software including:
• processing logic for connecting said first computer to a server coupled to said network;
• processing logic for downloading said game information to said first computer from a server memory coupled to said server;
• and
• c) processing logic for providing said game information in place of input from said first player for the execution of said video game.