Show-Me Button for Guiding Game Play via Visual Hints
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Solution Overview
Problem
In complex graphical user interfaces of computer games, players face difficulty in completing tasks due to the visual complexity of game boards, leading to increased challenge and potential loss of interest, especially when attempting tasks for the first time.
Innovation Solution
A graphical user interface with a 'show-me' button that provides hints to players by changing the presentation of the game board, highlighting objects, regions, and tools related to specific sub-tasks, aiding in task accomplishment by guiding the player through visual and textual clues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the game board becomes more visually complex to provide more features and content, then the game becomes more engaging and feature-rich, but the tasks to be accomplished become more difficult because the objects required to complete the task are more difficult to find
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a camera control mechanism as an intermediary tool that mediates between the player and the complex game board. The camera can be controlled to zoom in on specific areas, pan across the board, and focus on relevant objects, effectively bridging the gap between the player's need to find objects and the board's complexity that hides those objects. This intermediary control system allows players to navigate complex boards without being overwhelmed by their complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera system is made dynamic and adjustable, allowing players to change the view in real-time based on their needs. The camera can zoom, pan, and focus dynamically as players interact with the game board, adapting the presentation of the complex board to highlight relevant areas and objects. This dynamic adjustment makes the complex board manageable by changing the perspective and focus according to the current task requirements.
2Quantity of substance
If the game board becomes more visually complex, then more objects and features can be included, but the steps to complete the task become more difficult for a player
Solution Approach 1:
The camera control mechanism serves as an intermediary that helps players locate and interact with objects on the complex board. By providing controlled views and focusing on relevant areas, the camera reduces the effective complexity of navigating among many objects, allowing the board to contain more objects without proportionally increasing task difficulty.
3Reliability
If no assistance is provided to players, then the game maintains its challenge and integrity, but players may lose interest when tasks become too difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The camera control system is designed as a self-service tool that players can independently activate and control when they need assistance. Rather than providing automatic hints or reducing challenge, the system empowers players to self-manage their difficulty by adjusting the camera view to locate objects and understand board states. This maintains game integrity while providing necessary assistance to prevent player disengagement.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, method and computer-readable storage medium for guiding a player to the completion of a task during game play. The player selects a control device in a graphical user interface device generated by a processor. In response to the selection, a hint is provided to the user in the graphical user interface that presents a game board to a player. The player may use the hint to accomplish the task.