Using input from a pointing device to control a simulated object

摘要

Methods and systems for controlling vehicles within video games are described herein. A video game such as a vehicle-based combat game may have vehicles (such as airplanes) operating in a simulated three dimensional space. Users may partially control the direction of these vehicles using two-dimensional input devices by inputting a new direction for the vehicle to point and optionally a speed with which to pursue the new direction. Alternatively, a user may wish to engage in continuous banked turning of their vehicle to realistically simulate aspects of vehicle-to-vehicle combat. Rotation of the vehicle from its current direction to its new direction is controlled by an artificial intellect, which operates various control equipment of the vehicle to realistically simulate the path of the vehicle, based on whether a user has input a desired destination or a desired turn direction.

主权项

1. One or more tangible computer readable media storing instructions that, when executed by a data processing device, cause the data processing device to:
render a simulated three dimensional graphical environment for output to a display screen; control a moving vehicle within the three-dimensional graphical environment based on user input controlling a location of a two-dimensional input device; determining whether the location is within one of a first input area of a display screen and a second input area of the display screen; responsive to determining the location is within the first input area of the display screen, using destination-based control to alter a course of the vehicle to a heading in line with a destination identified by the location of the two-dimensional input device; and responsive to determining the location is within the second input area of the display screen, using direction-based control to alter the course of the vehicle in a direction identified by the location of the two-dimensional input device without an identified destination.