NPC Interaction Initiation Using Avatar Intent Prediction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity in modern virtual environments with numerous interactable non-player characters (NPCs) makes it difficult for users to initiate interactions with the desired NPC, often requiring complex inputs or leading to unintended interactions.
Innovation Solution
A processing device comprising a reception unit, calculation unit, and initiation unit that utilizes avatar and NPC properties to calculate a probability of user interaction intent, employing machine learning models to automatically initiate interactions when the probability exceeds a threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the quantity of interactable NPCs in virtual environments is increased, then the richness and complexity of the virtual environment is improved, but the difficulty of initiating interactions with a particular NPC increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects user interaction intent and initiates NPC interactions without requiring explicit user commands. The processing device monitors user behavior, calculates interaction probabilities, and autonomously selects NPCs to interact with, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring complex user inputs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of interaction initiation from manual user input to automated probability-based selection. By calculating interaction probabilities based on user properties and NPC properties, the system transforms the interaction mechanism into a parameter-driven process that adapts to user intent without requiring complex control inputs.
2Ease of operation
If traditional manual interaction methods are used, then user control is maintained, but the complexity of user inputs increases and unintended interactions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors user properties and NPC properties, calculates interaction probabilities in real-time, and adjusts interaction initiation based on this feedback loop. This feedback mechanism ensures that interactions are initiated only when the calculated probability indicates user intent, improving both simplicity and accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing device acts as an intermediary between the user and NPCs, translating user behavior into interaction decisions. Rather than directly connecting user inputs to NPC interactions, the system introduces a probabilistic calculation layer that mediates the interaction process, reducing both input complexity and targeting errors.
Data Source
AI summary
Processing devices and methods for initiating interactions with non-player characters in a virtual environment. An example processing device includes a reception unit configured to receive one or more avatar properties associated with an avatar of a user; the reception unit is configured to receive one or more non-player character, NPC, properties associated with a given NPC; a calculation unit configured to calculate, in dependence upon the received avatar properties and the received NPC properties, a probability of the user desiring to initiate an interaction between the avatar and the given NPC; and an initiation unit configured to, in response to the calculated probability being above a predetermined threshold, automatically initiate the interaction between the avatar and the given NPC.