Enhanced method and apparatus for selecting and rendering performance data

A computing system for generating video content based on recorded interactions with a virtual three-dimensional world of a video game, comprising:

• an electronic memory storage device configured to store previously recorded video game data generated as part of video game rendering process that generates images in accordance with input provided via an input device while a first user plays the video game, the video game rendering process being performed over a first period of time, the generated images being of images of the virtual three-dimensional world that are generated by using a first virtual camera perspective, the previously recorded video game data based at least in part on input provided via the input device used to control the first virtual object during the video game, the previously recorded video game data including data for recreating at least a location of the first virtual object in the virtual three-dimensional world;
• a processing system that includes at least one hardware processor coupled to electronic memory, the processing system configured to:
• perform, over a second period of time, a movie rendering process to generate a plurality of images, the movie rendering process performed (a) using the previously recorded video game data stored in the electronic memory storage device, (b) using at least a second virtual camera perspective that is different from the first virtual camera perspective that was used in the video game rendering process, the second virtual camera perspective showing different areas of the virtual three-dimensional world than the first virtual camera perspective, and (c) without using further gameplay control input for the first virtual object;
• and
• encode movie data using the plurality of images, where contents of the movie data are reproducible without the use of the video game rendering process or the movie rendering process,
• wherein an amount of time for the first and second time periods is different for rendering for corresponding gameplay of the video game.

A method of creating movie data from recorded gameplay data created via interaction with a video game, the method comprising:

• executing the video game;
• performing a first render process as part of the video game to generate images of the virtual space from a first perspective that follows a first virtual object of a plurality of virtual objects during execution of the video game, the first render process being performed over a first period of time;
• in correspondence with performing the first render process to generate the images, displaying the generated images on a display screen;
• accepting, via an input device and while the generated images are being displayed on the display screen and during the first render process, input to control the first virtual object of the plurality of virtual objects;
• during execution of the video game, recording, to an electronic memory storage device, gameplay data that is based on the accepted gameplay input, the gameplay data usable for recreating how the first virtual object was controlled during the first render process;
• performing, over a second period of time, a second rendering process that generates movie data based on a plurality of images generated by the second render process, the second render process performed (a) using the recorded gameplay data generate the plurality of images, (b) using at least a second perspective that is different from the first perspective that was used in the first render process, the second perspective showing different areas of the virtual space than the first perspective, and (c) without using further gameplay input that controls the first virtual object, where contents of the movie data are reproducible without the use of the first render process or the second render process;
• and
• transmitting the movie data to a separate computer system for reproduction thereof without the use of the first render process in the video game or the second render process,
• wherein an amount of time for the first and second time periods is different for rendering gameplay of the video game that is associated with the gameplay data.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored thereon computer readable instructions for use with a computer system with at least one hardware processor, the stored computer readable instructions comprising instructions that are configured to cause the computer system to:

• executing a video game;
• perform a first render process as part of the video game to generate images of the virtual space from a first perspective that follows a first virtual object of a plurality of virtual objects during execution of the video game, the first render process being performed over a first period of time;
• in correspondence with performance of the first render process to generate the images, display the generated images on a display screen;
• accept, via an input device and while the generated images are being displayed on the display screen and during the first render process, input to control the first virtual object of the plurality of virtual objects;
• during execution of the video game, record, to an electronic memory storage device, gameplay data that is based on the accepted gameplay input, the gameplay data usable for recreating how the first virtual object was controlled during the first render process;
• perform over a second period of time, a second rendering process that generates movie data based on a plurality of images generated by the second render process, the second rendering process performed (a) using the recorded gameplay data generate the plurality of images, (b) using at least a second perspective that is different from the first perspective that was used in the first render process, the second perspective showing different areas of the virtual space than the first perspective, and (c) without using further gameplay input that controls the first virtual object, where contents of the movie data are reproducible without the use of the first rendering process or the second rendering process,
• wherein an amount of time for the first and second time periods is different for rendering corresponding gameplay for the video game.