Multimedia-based video game distribution

A method comprising:

• receiving, at a game console modular card of a system that includes a display device, an encoded multimedia data stream, the encoded multimedia data stream comprising a first channel having video content representing a first list of available video games and corresponding channel identifiers, a second channel that cyclically transmits video game data associated with a first video game of the first list, the second channel associated with a first channel identifier corresponding to the first video game, a third channel having video content representing a second list of available video games and corresponding identifiers, and a fourth channel having video game data associated with a second video game of the second list, wherein the fourth channel is associated with a second channel identifier corresponding to the second video game, wherein the first list represents video games associated with a first category and the second list represents video games associated with a second category, and wherein the display device is operable to decode the encoded multimedia data stream to generate a decoded multimedia data stream and to distribute the decoded multimedia data stream to one or more networked devices;
• sending the video content representing the first list of available video games for display at the display device;
• receiving a user input indicating a selection of the first channel identifier associated with the first video game of the first list in response to display of the video content;
• obtaining the video game data associated with the first video game from the second channel for storage at the system in response to receiving the user input sending an identification of the display device to a content provider;
• receiving a decryption key to decrypt the video game data in response to the content provider verifying the identification of the display device;
• detecting a starting byte of the video game data associated with the first video game;
• and
• storing the video game data associated with the first video game beginning at the starting byte until the starting byte is detected again.

A system comprising:

• one or more storage devices to store video game data associated with a plurality of video games;
• a list generation module to generate video content representing a first list of video games and corresponding channel identifiers;
• a multimedia stream generator coupled to the one or more storage devices and the list generation module, the multimedia stream generator to generate an encoded multimedia data stream for output to a display device, the encoded multimedia data stream comprising a first channel having data representative of the video content representing the first list of video games, a second channel having video game data associated with a first video game of the first list, the second channel associated with a first channel identifier corresponding to the first video game, wherein the video game data is encrypted prior to transmission, a third channel having video content representing a second list of available video games and corresponding identifiers, and a fourth channel having video game data associated with a second video game of the second list, wherein the fourth channel is associated with a second channel identifier corresponding to the second video game, wherein the first list represents video games associated with a first category and the second list represents video games associated with a second category, the encoded multimedia stream including the video game data associated with the first video game in a repeating manner and wherein the display device is operable to decode the encoded multimedia data stream to generate a decoded multimedia data stream, to distribute the decoded multimedia data stream to one or more networked devices, to delay storage of the video game data associated with the first video game until a starting byte of the video game data is detected, and to cease storage of the video game data when the starting byte is detected again;
• and
• an authentication module to verify an identity of the display device prior to sending a decryption key to the display device, wherein the decryption key is used by the display device to decrypt the video game data.

A television comprising:

• a display;
• a first interface to receive an encoded multimedia data stream, wherein the encoded multimedia data stream comprises a first channel having video content representing a first list of available video games, a second channel having video game data associated with a first video game of the first list, a third channel having video content representing a second list of available video games and corresponding identifiers, and a fourth channel having video game data associated with a second video game of the second list, wherein the fourth channel is associated with a second channel identifier corresponding to the second video game, and wherein the first list represents video games associated with a first category and the second list represents video games associated with a second category;
• a decoder to decode the encoded multimedia data stream to generate a decoded multimedia data stream, to distribute the decoded multimedia data stream to one or more networked devices, and to provide the video content to the display;
• a control interface to receive a user input indicating a selection of a channel identifier associated with the first video game of the first list in response to display of the video content;
• a video game storage unit to obtain the video game data associated with the first video game from the second channel in response to the user input, to send an identification of the display device to a content provider, and to receive a decryption key to decrypt the video game data in response to the content provider verifying the identification of the display device, wherein the video game storage unit is configured to initiate storage of the video game data when a starting byte of the video game data is detected and to cease storage of the video game data when the starting byte is detected again;
• a first modular card receptacle coupled to the first interface;
• and
• a game console modular card coupled to the first modular card receptacle, wherein the game console modular card processes the video game data and wherein the game console modular card comprises:
• one or more controller inputs to receive user control signals related to game play;
• and
• an output to provide video data associated with the game play;
• wherein the television is operable to display the video content on the display upon receipt of a request to power up the television.