US Patent 11169858 Faster game enablement utilizing virtual machine reuse

The disclosure is directed to a method of operating a game system where virtual machines (VM) supporting the game session can be reused by a second user after a first user ends their game session. In another aspect, the VM can be shut down if the number of VMs exceeds a target number of VMs or if an abnormality is detected in the VM. In another aspect, VMs can be instantiated in order to meet a target number of VMs. In another aspect, a software application is disclosed to execute the methods described herein. In another aspect, a game services system is disclosed that can operate a VM group, maintain a status parameter of the instantiated VMs, and service user requests for game sessions.