Abstract: Embodiments relate to storing hierarchically structured sub-items of scene entities in a flattened list of sub-items and performing time-constrained tasks on the sub-items in the flattened list. By storing the sub-items in the flattened list, an approximate time for processing the sub-items can be estimated more accurately, and therefore, reduces the likelihood of making overly conservative estimate of time for processing the sub-items. One or more sub-items of updated scene entities are extracted by a plurality of collectors that are executed in parallel to store the one or more sub-items in the flattened list. The sub-items are then accessed by multiple tasks executed in parallel to determine priority information associated with inclusion and rendering in subsequent frames. Sub-items with higher priority according to the priority information is given higher priority for retrieving from secondary memory and saving in primary memory.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, gaming device and computer-readable medium for video game. The method includes maintaining a virtual space for a gaming environment. The method also includes repeatedly activating an event zone in the virtual space, wherein for one or more game objects having a position in the virtual space that is within the event zone when the event zone is activated, a state of the one or more game objects in the virtual space is changed. The method further includes displaying on a display device a visual representation of the event zone and a visual representation of a marker, the marker having a position in the virtual space. The method yet further includes changing the position of the marker such that a distance involving the marker and at least part of the event zone is related to a time remaining before the next repeated activation of the event zone.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, non-transitory computer-readable medium and apparatus for dynamic management of formations in a video game. The method includes maintaining a virtual three-dimensional environment and causing a plurality of video game characters to travel along a path in the virtual three-dimensional environment in a formation. The formation has a formation type and the formation type is a first formation type. The method also includes moving the formation along the path. The method also includes, responsive to determining a change in characteristics of the path at a point in the virtual three-dimensional environment that is ahead of the formation, changing the formation type to a second formation type in advance of the change in characteristics of the path.

Abstract: A video game that is progressed by controlling a character operated by a player in a virtual game world in which the character is vulnerable to attack. A computer apparatus functions as: an attack analysing unit configured to determine a direction of an incoming attack, and an intensity of the incoming attack or a level of damage inflicted upon the character as a consequence of the incoming attack; and a graphical indicator generating unit configured to generate an on-screen graphical indicator comprising: a first pointing part arranged to indicate the determined direction of the incoming attack, and a second part arranged to indicate the determined intensity of the incoming attack or the determined level of damage inflicted upon the character as a consequence of the incoming attack; wherein the first pointing part and the second part are joined together to form the graphical indicator.

Abstract: A view of a virtual environment that includes a body of fluid is rendered by a method that includes dividing the body of fluid into a plurality of tiles having consistent size and shape and generating a distribution of waves for the plurality of tiles. A reactive region overlaying at least some of the plurality of tiles is defined and an object within the reactive region is identified. The method further includes determining an influence of the object on fluid within the reactive region, simulating motion of the fluid in the reactive region using the determined influence of the object, and rendering a frame of a video sequence including the view of the virtual environment, the view including a visual representation of at least a portion of the body of fluid.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to hexagonal fragmentation of terrain. A hive manifest specifying one or more conditions and rules for game level generation using hexagonal terrain tiles is received at a computing device. A set of hexagonal terrain tiles satisfying the one or more conditions and rules specified by the hive manifest are identified. Hexagonal terrain tile definition data corresponding to the identified set of hexagonal terrain tiles is retrieved. A game level using the retrieved hexagonal terrain tile definition data is generated by instantiating a subset of hexagonal terrain tiles of the set of hexagonal terrain tiles as a sub-level of the game level.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to providing dynamic destruction of a game object displayed in an electronic game. During a gameplay session, a determination is made that the game object has been damaged. Responsive to the determination that the game object has been damaged, a level of destructive detail is determined. A destruction object having the determined level of destructive detail is created. Using the destruction object, a graphical indication of the damage of the game object is rendered.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to macro-based customization of electronic maps. A computing device stores a macro representing a map feature. The macro includes a set of textures, and the set of textures includes a height map. The computing device places an instance of the macro in an electronic map. The instance of the macro is visually represented in the electronic map based on a set of textures of the instance of the macro that corresponds to the set of textures of the macro. The computing device edits a texture in the set of textures of the instance of the macro. The computing device updates the visual representation of the instance of the macro based on the edit to the texture.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a client device receiving information on game objects for destruction in a gameplay session. The client device determines a level of destructive detail for the game objects based on performance data. The level of destructive detail corresponds to a number or configuration of shards for the game objects to destruct into. The client device retrieves graphics data for the game objects based on the determined level of destructive detail and renders a destruction of the game objects in the gameplay session using the retrieved graphics data.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to hexagonal fragmentation of terrain. Terrain data including locations on a terrain and corresponding hex identifiers of hexagonal terrain tiles of a three-dimensional topology to be placed at the locations are received at a computing device. Hex definition data corresponding to a hexagonal terrain tile includes a constraint condition imposed on an adjacent hexagonal terrain tile so that it can be placed adjacent to the hexagonal terrain tiles. A representation of the terrain is generated by instantiating the hexagonal terrain tiles at the locations indicated in the terrain data with faces of one or more of the hexagonal terrain adjoined to each other in compliance with the constraint condition.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to simulating the movements of three or more bodies connected on a cord for use in real-time videogame applications. The state of the bodies such as position, velocity, and orientation of the bodies connected by a cord are determined in single pass without iteration. For a given time step and the state of the bodies in the time step, the Jacobian matrix for the connected bodies is calculated. The, the tension in the cord is calculated based on the Jacobian matrix. From the tension, the state of the bodies for the next time step is obtained.