Virtual Character Auto-Follow and Prop Collection Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In online teamwork games, virtual characters often disconnect, leading to inability to interact with teammates and miss task props, causing poor gaming experience due to inability to move normally or interact with others after disconnection.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for controlling virtual characters, where a first virtual character automatically follows a target virtual character and picks up props, enabling continued interaction and task completion even during disconnection, by implementing a takeover control instruction and prop management system through a graphical user interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a virtual character disconnects from the game, then the player can resume other activities, but the virtual character cannot interact with teammates or pick up task props

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePlayer convenience during disconnectionVSAvoidVirtual character functionality during disconnection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables another player's virtual character to automatically perform actions (following, prop collection) without requiring continuous input from the original player, making the disconnected character serve itself and maintain functionality autonomously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary mechanism where a second player's virtual character acts as a proxy to perform actions on behalf of the disconnected first virtual character, enabling continued interaction and prop collection through another player's character

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the first virtual character is controlled to automatically follow the target virtual character, then interaction continuity is maintained, but additional control systems and parameters are required

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveInteraction continuity during disconnectionVSAvoidControl system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is designed to be universal and simple, using the same basic follow control that already exists in the game, rather than creating a complex new control mechanism. The existing follow function is extended to work across different player characters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If the first virtual character automatically picks up props, then task completion rate improves, but prop management and collision detection complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveTask completion rateVSAvoidProp management system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The disconnected virtual character's prop collection is automated through the second character's actions, eliminating the need for complex manual control systems. The system self-manages prop collection by leveraging the natural movement and interaction capabilities of the following character

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the game environment (prop locations, collision detection) to automatically adjust the following character's actions, enabling intelligent prop collection without requiring complex pre-programmed sequences

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20240335754A1Method for controlling virtual character, and electronic device and storage medium thereof

Publication Date: 2024.10.10 NETEASE (HANGZHOU) NETWORK CO LTD

AI summary

A method for controlling a virtual character, includes: in response to a touch operation acting on a functional control in a graphical user interface, controlling a target virtual character in a game to execute a virtual action corresponding to the functional control; and in response to a takeover control instruction for a first virtual character in the game, controlling the first virtual character to automatically follow the target virtual character, and controlling the first virtual character to automatically pick up props.