Methods and systems for spectating a live video game are presented. In one embodiment, a method for performing an automated catch-up to a player is provided. The method includes providing an interface for presenting a first view of a video game on a client device where the first view has a first vantage point and includes a target player. The method includes an operation for providing a portal within the interface for presenting a second view of the target object, the second view having a second vantage point. The method further includes an operation for moving the second vantage point toward the target object within the portal. Additionally, the method provides an operation for wiping away the portal.

Techniques involve rendering computing graphics from decoupled inputs. Content updates (e.g., geometry, textures, lighting, audio, etc.) for 3D objects and/or a 3D scene can provided to a compositor at different rates. The compositor buffers the inputs, interpolates between buffered values, binds data for each of the content updates, and triggers drawing the data to render a frame. If buffered data fails to satisfy some criteria, previous buffered values can be used instead of the buffered data, or a different function can be performed (e.g., extrapolation instead of interpolation). User inputs from one or more I/O components (e.g., a gamepad, keyboard, mouse, etc.) can be fed directly into the compositor, which can generate and use a 3D camera from the inputs to draw frames faster than the content updates occur. As such, the present compositor improves power efficiency, and reduces latency and increases smoothness of the input response.

A method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium for display processing are provided. A projection trajectory of a projectile to a target is calculated. The projectile is moved to the target when the calculated projection trajectory satisfies a shooting condition. A current viewpoint is switched to a viewpoint from the projectile, and a first animation in which the projectile is tracked is played in slow motion. The viewpoint from the projectile is then switched to a viewpoint from the target at a preset time prior to when the projectile hits the target. A second animation is subsequently played in which the target is hit by the projectile.

A method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium for display processing are provided. A projection trajectory of a projectile to a target is calculated. The projectile is moved to the target when the calculated projection trajectory satisfies a shooting condition. A current viewpoint is switched to a viewpoint from the projectile, and a first animation in which the projectile is tracked is played in slow motion. The viewpoint from the projectile is then switched to a viewpoint from the target at a preset time prior to when the projectile hits the target. A second animation is subsequently played in which the target is hit by the projectile.

An information processing system includes: a game control unit configured to move a player character object in a virtual space; and a camera control unit configured to move a virtual camera together with the movement of the player character object in the virtual space. The camera control unit performs observation control of moving the virtual camera to make an object to be observed included in the visual field of the virtual camera in a case where the player character object is inside an observation performance region set to the object to be observed.

An information processing system includes: a game control unit configured to move a player character object in a virtual space; and a camera control unit configured to move a virtual camera together with the movement of the player character object in the virtual space. The camera control unit performs observation control of moving the virtual camera to make an object to be observed included in the visual field of the virtual camera in a case where the player character object is inside an observation performance region set to the object to be observed.

A state information storage (121) stores an observation position, an observation direction, and a base direction in a virtual space. Upon acceptance of an instruction input given to an external controller and indicating a moving direction, an observation position updater (112) updates the observation position so that the observation position moves in the moving direction indicated by the instruction input relative to the base direction. An observation direction updater (114) updates the observation direction in accordance with a change in orientation of a display apparatus (100) as detected by a detector (113). An obtainer (115) obtains a relative position between the controller and the display apparatus (100). A base direction updater (116) updates the base direction on the basis of the observation direction and of the obtained relative position.

Systems and methods for providing customized camera views and customized objects within virtualized environments are provided herein. In one embodiment a method includes detecting a gameplay event of interest within a virtual gaming environment and displaying a customized camera view of the gameplay event of interest based on user input receiving during traversal of a projectile from a weapon to a target. The customized camera view has a focal point of the projectile. In some embodiments the projectile has a virtual wrapper that can include a user-provided image.

Systems and methods for providing customized camera views and customized objects within virtualized environments are provided herein. In one embodiment a method includes detecting a gameplay event of interest within a virtual gaming environment and displaying a customized camera view of the gameplay event of interest based on user input receiving during traversal of a projectile from a weapon to a target. The customized camera view has a focal point of the projectile. In some embodiments the projectile has a virtual wrapper that can include a user-provided image.

Reduction of a work burden relating to generation of a virtual viewpoint image is implemented.

An image processing apparatus includes a virtual viewpoint image generation section that generates, on the basis of three-dimensional information that represents an imaged imaging object in a three-dimensional space, an observation image from a viewpoint in the three-dimensional space as a virtual viewpoint image, and the virtual viewpoint image generation section sets the viewpoint that follows movement of the imaging object. This makes it possible to reduce an operation burden relating to setting of a viewpoint.