Container-based virtual camera rotation

A system comprising:

• a head-mounted display (HMD);
• at least one processor operatively connected to the HMD;
• and
• a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, perform a set of operations comprising:
• based on a position of the HMD, identifying an initial virtual camera rotation angle of a virtual camera, relative to a global coordinate system of a virtual world, wherein the virtual camera is wrapped in a container such that rotation of the container causes rotation of the virtual camera relative to the global coordinate system;
• receiving an indication to change a view of the virtual camera to a particular direction;
• identifying a desired rotation angle, relative to the global coordinate system, for a view to correspond to the particular direction;
• and
• rotating the container by a rotation value based at least on both the desired rotation angle and the initial virtual camera rotation angle.

A computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereupon which, when executed by one or more processors of a system, cause the system to perform operations comprising:

• based on a position of a head-mounted display (HMD), identifying an initial virtual camera rotation angle of a virtual camera, wherein the virtual camera is associated with a container such that rotation of the container causes rotation of the virtual camera relative to a global coordinate system;
• displaying, on a display screen of the HMD, a view of the virtual camera according to the initial virtual camera rotation angle;
• displaying, on the display screen of the HMD, a locomotion marker;
• receiving a selection of the locomotion marker;
• identifying a particular direction for a view corresponding to the selected locomotion marker;
• identifying a desired rotation angle for a view to correspond to the particular direction;
• and
• rotating the container by a rotation value based at least on both the desired rotation angle and the initial virtual camera rotation angle.