Virtual Camera Direction Cues for Player Acceleration Objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing game programs fail to clearly display the acceleration direction of moving objects in a way that is easily understandable to players.
Innovation Solution
The game system sets the acceleration direction based on the virtual camera's line-of-sight direction or direction to the acceleration object, using directional display styles such as texture orientation and scroll direction to indicate the acceleration direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the acceleration direction is displayed using conventional methods, then the game functionality is maintained, but the player cannot intuitively understand the acceleration direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses texture orientation and visual styling changes on acceleration objects to indicate direction. The texture patterns and visual elements on the acceleration object are oriented to match the acceleration direction, providing intuitive visual feedback to players about which way the object will accelerate them without requiring additional UI elements or complex displays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a visual dimension to direction communication by using the orientation of textures and visual elements on the acceleration object surface. Instead of relying solely on traditional directional indicators or text, the solution embeds directional information in the spatial orientation of visual patterns, allowing players to understand acceleration direction through the visual arrangement and orientation of textures on the object itself.
2Loss of information
If the first direction is set along the direction from virtual camera to the first object or along the line-of-sight direction, then the acceleration direction becomes easy to understand, but the display style must be dynamically adjusted based on camera position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the texture orientation and visual element orientation on acceleration objects based on the virtual camera's position and orientation. As the camera moves or rotates, the displayed orientation of textures and visual indicators on acceleration objects automatically updates to maintain alignment with the camera's line of sight, ensuring consistent directional communication from any viewing angle.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the orientation parameter of textures and visual elements on acceleration objects based on camera position parameters. By adjusting the orientation angle and direction of visual patterns according to the camera's current state, the system maintains intuitive directional indication without requiring complex additional displays or UI elements.
3Loss of information
If texture orientation and scroll direction are used to indicate direction, then directional information is enhanced, but the rendering complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the texture serve multiple functions: it provides both the visual appearance of the acceleration object and simultaneously encodes directional information through its orientation and scroll direction. The same texture element that decorates the object also communicates acceleration direction, eliminating the need for separate directional indicators and reducing overall system complexity despite the enhanced rendering requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
An example information processing system controls a virtual camera to move in a virtual space so as to include a player character in a field of view thereof and to follow the player character from behind. The information processing system sets a first direction for a first object, which is arranged on the field and displayed in a directional display style that is directional in the first direction, wherein the first direction is set in a direction along a direction from the virtual camera to the first object or in a direction along a line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera. In response to contact between the first object and the player character, the information processing system accelerates the player character in a second direction that is along a front direction of the player character.