Camera control for third-person console video game

A method, comprising:

• moving a viewing perspective of scenes in a video game between an explorer viewpoint that shows the scenes from a third-person perspective taken behind and remote from a character being controlled and a ready viewpoint that shows the scenes from a third-person perspective taken from behind, but close to, the character;
• and
• depicting a reticle to assist in aiming at a target, the reticle remaining stationary such that the character being controlled moves relative to the reticle in order to position the reticle on a desired target,
• wherein the explorer viewpoint is a default, and the viewing perspective is moved to the ready viewpoint in response to at least one of the following conditions:
• player-actuation of a controller that is indicative of shooting;
• placement of an aiming reticle over a target;
• or
• movement of the character into a specified combat region.

A computer-readable memory storing computer executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, perform acts comprising:

• displaying scenes from a third-person perspective relative to a character being controlled in a video game, wherein the third-person perspective including an explorer viewpoint remote from the character that trails the character as the character moves around and a ready viewpoint close to the character;
• depicting a reticle to assist in aiming at a target, the reticle remaining stationary such that the character being controlled moves relative to the reticle in order to position the reticle on the target;
• and
• moving between the explorer viewpoint and the ready viewpoint as events change in the video game, wherein the moving comprises changing from the ready viewpoint to the explorer viewpoint after a predefined event ceases to exist and a specified time delay lapses,
• wherein the moving comprises changing from the explorer viewpoint to the ready viewpoint if one of the following events occurs:
• sensing player-actuation of a controller that is indicative of shooting;
• placement of the reticle over the target;
• or
• positioning of the character in a pre-specified combat region.

A console-based shooter video game, the console-based shooter video game comprising computer executable instructions stored on computer-readable media that, when executed by a processor, perform acts comprising:

• facilitating combat action during which a player controls at least one character from a third-person perspective;
• depicting action from an explorer viewpoint residing behind and removed from the character being controlled that enables a player to view a greater surrounding area;
• and
• transitioning from the explorer viewpoint to a ready viewpoint residing behind and near the character being controlled that enables the player to aim at potential targets, the transition occurring in response to an event related to readying the character to shoot, the shooter video game transitioning back to the explorer viewpoint when the character is no longer being readied to shoot and a specified time delay lapses and including a stationary reticle wherein the character is maneuverable relative to the stationary reticle in order to position the stationary reticle,
• wherein the event comprises a movement of the character into a combat region.