Abstract: Targeting control may be facilitated in a simulated environment. In an example embodiment, a method includes acts of monitoring, generating, moving, and firing. A button input and a directional input are monitored. If a press and hold of the button input is detected, a fine aiming mode is generated. If movement of the directional input is detected during the fine aiming mode, a location of a target indicator is moved responsive to the detected movement. When a release of the button input is detected, a ranged weapon is fired based on the location of the target indicator.

Abstract: A game environment is disclosed where actions are automatically selected based on a situational awareness for a player in the game environments. The situational awareness can be determined based on conditions of the player, objects and other characters in the game environment.

Abstract: An approach is described for instructing a player character to automatically take cover in a region of a simulated environment without receiving express commands from a user. The approach determines whether the player character should take cover based on one or more factors. Such factors may include: the presence of an enemy-type character in the region; the presence of a nearby object in the region that can be used to seek cover; and a determination whether the player character's behavior is consistent with a decision to seek cover.

Abstract: Targeting control may be facilitated in a simulated environment. In an example embodiment, a method includes acts of monitoring, generating, moving, and firing. A button input and a directional input are monitored. If a press and hold of the button input is detected, a fine aiming mode is generated. If movement of the directional input is detected during the fine aiming mode, a location of a target indicator is moved responsive to the detected movement. When a release of the button input is detected, a ranged weapon is fired based on the location of the target indicator.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided which enhances video or audio effects, or both, in response to a notable event that occurs in video game to make the game experience for players more dramatic. Data about action events occurring in the video game may be used to determine if an action event corresponds to a notable event. If so, the data is used to generate and render at least one audio or video effect, or both, corresponding to the notable event. In various illustrative examples, the received data may correspond to an intensity of the action, a success of a subject player character, or the proximity to death of the subject player character. In addition to analyzing such parametric data, the notable event may be defined as one that corresponds to a predetermined action, such as a subject player character attacking another character or vice-versa, a subject player character entering a dungeon for instance, or a subject player character changing levels or zones.

Abstract: An approach is described for instructing a player character to automatically take cover in a region of a simulated environment without receiving express commands from a user. The approach determines whether the player character should take cover based on one or more factors. Such factors may include: the presence of an enemy-type character in the region; the presence of a nearby object in the region that can be used to seek cover; and a determination whether the player character's behavior is consistent with a decision to seek cover.

Abstract: A game environment is disclosed where actions are automatically selected based on a situational awareness for a player in the game environments. The situational awareness can be determined based on conditions of the player, objects and other characters in the game environment.