US 8,913,064 B2 · Real-time terrain animation selection

Abstract

In-game characters select the proper animation to use depending on the state of the terrain on which they are currently moving. In this specific case the character chooses an animation depending on the angle of the ground on which it is walking. The method involves real-time determination of the ground angle which is then used to choose the most desirable animation from a closed set of pre-created animations. The animation set consists of animations rendered with the character moving on flat terrain, as well as animations rendered of the character moving uphill and downhill (separately) at pre-determined angles. In this game an animation set consisted of the following animations: 0 degrees, 15 degrees uphill, 30 degrees uphill, 45 degrees uphill, 15 degrees downhill, 30 degrees downhill, 45 degrees downhill). Drawing of the animation is offset to give the best appearance relative to the ground angle.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A computer-controlled method of providing a user interface comprising:

with a computer, displaying first virtual structure in a first orientation and floating above a virtual surface in a virtual world;
with the computer, maintaining a value representing the first orientation;
with the computer, displaying a virtual object moving on the first virtual structure in the virtual world;
automatically adding to the virtual world, with the computer while the virtual object is displayed on the first virtual structure, second virtual structure floating above the virtual surface and extending the first virtual structure, including the computer automatically selecting a second orientation for the second virtual structure, the second orientation being different from the first orientation of the first virtual structure and selected by the computer based on the computer-maintained value indicating the first orientation of the first virtual structure;
and
with the computer, displaying the virtual object moving between the first virtual structure and the second virtual structure.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Real-time terrain animation selection

Life of this patent

Real-time terrain animation selection

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21