Abstract: A simulation engine for causing a local or distributed computing system to produce a simulation of a virtual world includes one or more program modules that improve the realism and memory management of the simulation. An overworld object includes data pertaining to a world map and data pertaining to parameters for instantiating one or more NPCs within the virtual world. The world map may include map nodes that track the NPCs thereon, and also retain terrain data in a map set. The map set may be a single array of characters, each character referencing a terrain configuration that may be stored on the local computing system. An NPC object may include a hierarchy of needs that governs the behavior of the NPC. The needs may be basic needs such as eating and sleeping, and may have increasing complexity, requiring the completion of tasks and subtasks to fulfill the need.

Abstract: A simulation engine for causing a local or distributed computing system to produce a simulation of a virtual world includes one or more program modules that improve the realism and memory management of the simulation. An overworld object includes data pertaining to a world map and data pertaining to parameters for instantiating one or more NPCs within the virtual world. The world map may include map nodes that track the NPCs thereon, and also retain terrain data in a map set. The map set may be a single array of characters, each character referencing a terrain configuration that may be stored on the local computing system. An NPC object may include a hierarchy of needs that governs the behavior of the NPC. The needs may be basic needs such as eating and sleeping, and may have increasing complexity, requiring the completion of tasks and subtasks to fulfill the need.

Abstract: An adaptive locomotion control system is used within the physics processing of a computer simulation engine. The control system is applied to one or more ragdoll models which represent entities in a computer simulation. The control system applies state-detection, equation-of-motion, and applied-force functions to maintain the model's balance while standing still and while executing simple or complex movements. In one embodiment, the functions manipulate the model in a manner similar to the muscles of the modeled organism, particularly a human. In another embodiment, the functions apply spot forces to keep the model upright and to perform movements.