Abstract: An options simulation engine for an options trading game. The present invention comprises a game engine for keeping track of game time and game settings, an options market simulator for providing a real-world options trading environment, and a portfolio manager engine for keeping track of a player's portfolio. The options market simulator comprises a basic stock price generator for moving stock prices, a news/rumor generator for moving stock prices, and an options pricing generator for pricing options.

Abstract: A synthetic creature (10) in which links (26), representing limbs, are loosely connected by joints (28) to independently interact and implement the physics of everyday life-like actions (18) in a character (16). Elements of mass, positive weight (46), and negative weight (48) are independently handled to mimic the closed-loop control characteristics of real animals. The synthetic creature (10) uses intelligent appearing behaviors (20) built up out of the actions (18) and recursively arranged in a hierarchical behavior tree (72) to cooperate and compete in a run-time computer (202) to give a feeling of autonomy and awareness. Further taught is an authoring environment (200) of tools used to author the character (16), actions (18), and behaviors (20) of the synthetic creature (10), which provide author feedback and simulation testing capability at the various layers (12) of the synthetic creature (10).