Enabling authentication and/or effectuating events in virtual environments based on shaking patterns and/or environmental information associated with real-world handheld devices

Abstract

Shaking patterns and/or environmental information associated with real-world handheld devices may form a basis for enabling authentication and/or effectuating events in a virtual environment. The handheld devices may include toys and/or other object that can be used to play. The handheld devices may be associated with the virtual environment in that individual handheld devices may share an appearance and/or theme with an avatar, a virtual object, and/or other element within the virtual environment. Shaking a pair of handheld devices together may facilitate authentication of the handheld devices with respect to the virtual environment and/or effectuate one or more events within the virtual environment. By way of non-limiting example, two avatars may dance together or become friends in the virtual environment responsive to two corresponding handheld devices being shaken together. Shake patterns may be used in conjunction with geo-location and/or environmental information to improve pairing between handheld devices.