Method to use recognition of nearby physical surfaces to generate NPC reactions to events

A system for generating an appropriate action, by a non-player character (NPC) in a game being played in an XR space, in response to a significant event occurring in the game, the system comprising:

• one or more processors;
• and
• logic encoded in one or more non-transitory media for execution by the one or more processors and when executed operable to:
• compile a record from a previously generated spatial mapping mesh (SMM) of surfaces of physical elements in the XR space, categorizing the surfaces into a first set of categories;
• after the game begins, track in real time:
• physical surroundings of the NPC in real time, allowing 3D positions of the NPC relative to physical surfaces positioned within a first range of vector distances from the NPC to be continuously determined;
• and
• events occurring in the game, allowing detection of any event deemed to be significant;
• wherein for each detected event deemed significant, occurring at a corresponding event time:
• an appropriate action is determined for the NPC to carry out in response to the detected significant event, based in part on whether the NPC is positioned within the first range of vector distances from a physical surface at the event time;
• and
• the NPC is directed to carry out the appropriate action.