Abstract: A computer-based strategic game system for, e.g., playing chess includes a kingbrain that is characterized by a rating and a queen brain. The rating of the kingbrain is automatically adjusted to the skill of the player, as determined by the queen brain, such that the kingbrain generates opponent moves to counter the player's moves with an effectiveness that is marginally above the player's ability. When the player is losing, the kingbrain can assume an aggressive heroic style of play. On the other hand, when the player is winning, the kingbrain can assume a defensive craven style of play. As the game unfolds, the queen brain evaluates each of the player's moves, and audio-visual annotations and game commentary based on the queen brain's evaluations are spooled to disk. At the end of the game, the annotations and commentary are immediately available to the player for instruction.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for optimizing file structures stored on a memory device operatively associated with a computer. Particularly suited to optimizing individual resources within a given file to minimize seek and access time of the storage device, the present invention significantly improves execution speed of computer programs stored on CD-ROM disks. A resource optimizer first lists each resource of a given file as it is accessed, thereby forming a sequential listing of the several resources in order accessed. This list is then appended to the file. A resource arranger is then run which accesses the sequential listing and re-writes the file in access order. As the rewritten files are in resource access order, they improve the execution speed of the application program.

Abstract: The invention includes a method of synchronizing actions and sounds for display on the visual display in a computer-system. The invention also includes a simulation including synchronized actions and sounds. Specifically, the method of synchronizing actions and sounds for display on a computer system having a visual display includes determining locations in a sound recording where predetermined actions are tobe displayed, measuring the time that elapses when the sound recording is played from reference point to the locations in the sound recording where the predetermined actions are to be displayed, associating the predetermined actions with the locations in the sound recording where the predetermined actions are to be displayed, and saving the locations and their associated actions.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the movement of an object between points on a display along natural or "intelligent" paths around obstacles includes establishing a locus of data points around each obstacle along which displayed movement of the object may proceed under conditions of the direct trajectory between points intersecting the locus of data points. "Freeway" paths are provided between remote sectors of the display to expedite "natural" movements over substantial distances around obstacles in a second embodiment.

Abstract: The invented method is used in creating an interactive computer game to relate messages in the game to actions in the game. The game is designed for play on a computer system and the play of the game is controlled by software code stored in at least one code file in memory accessible by the computer system.

Abstract: Controlling successive frames of video data displays the movement of an object between points on the display along natural or `intelligent` paths around obstacles, by establishing a locus of data points around each obstacle along which displayed movement of the object may proceed under conditions of the direct trajectory between points intersecting the locus of data points. `Freeway` paths are provided between remote sectors of the display to expedite `natural` movements over substantial distances around obstacles in a second embodiment.