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.

A video game device calculates a difference vector extending from a predetermined reference position on the screen to an input position. Moreover, the video game device calculates movement parameter data used for moving, with respect to a fixed point in the virtual space uniquely determined based on a position of the controlled object, the point of sight to a position that is determined by a direction in the virtual space based on a direction of the difference vector and a distance in the virtual space based on a magnitude of the difference vector. The point of sight is moved based on the movement parameter data. The video game device produces an image based on a virtual camera, which has been moved according to the movement of the point of sight, and displays the image on the screen of a display device.

An exemplary embodiment provides an image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus includes a first object control unit for changing an orientation or a direction of movement of a first object in a three-dimensional space, a virtual camera control unit for determining a direction of shooting of the virtual camera in the three-dimensional space, and a display data generation unit for generating display data based on the determined direction of shooting of the virtual camera. The virtual camera control unit includes a detection unit for detecting whether the first object is hidden by another object when viewed from the virtual camera and a first following change unit for increasing a degree of causing the direction of shooting of the virtual camera to follow the orientation or the direction of movement of the first object based on a result of detection.

A forward direction line is set on a course, in a virtual game world, on which a player object is allowed to move. An advancing direction at a current position of the player object is determined based on the forward direction line. The advancing direction is determined as a direction in which the player object advances so as to control a movement of a player character in accordance with an acceleration instruction, and a leftward-rightward movement instruction from a player. Consequently, it is possible to assist the player in controlling a direction in which an object operated by the player moves.

A non-limiting example game system includes a main body apparatus, and the main body apparatus executes a virtual game, and a game screen is displayed on a display. A player character, a first fellow character and background objects such as the ground, trees and rocks are displayed in the game screen. A judgment object of a rectangular parallelepiped is set to the player character, and it is judged whether line segments each connecting each of multiple judgment points that are set to vertices of the rectangular parallelepiped to a position of a virtual camera collide with the background object, respectively. When the number of the line segments that collide with the background object is two or more, it is judged that a silhouette of the player character is to be displayed. If it is judged that the silhouette of the player character is to be displayed, a silhouette of a part or whole of the player character that is hidden behind the background object when viewed from the virtual camera is displayed on a surface of the background object.

At least one determination coordinate is set near a virtual camera, and whether or not an obstacle object is present in a predetermined range in a direction based on a predetermined object from the determination coordinate, is determined. As a result, if the obstacle object is present, the virtual camera is moved so that the obstacle object will not be present in the predetermined range.

A method and a terminal device for switching perspective are provided. The terminal device receives a perspective switching instruction when the terminal device is in a first perspective mode in which the terminal device displays a scenario from a first perspective. The terminal device determines a second perspective mode to display the scenario from a second perspective. Next, the terminal devices adjusts a first display parameter of a first model of the scenario from the first perspective and a second display parameter of a second model of the scenario from the second perspective according to a preset rule for a transition from the first perspective mode to the second perspective mode. Further, the terminal device displays the first model according to the first display parameter and the second model according to the second display parameter during the transition from the first perspective mode to the second perspective mode.

Methods and systems for spectating a live video game are presented. In one method embodiment, an operation includes providing an interface for presenting an overhead view of an interactive environment of a video game on a head mounted display (HMD). The method also provides an operation for providing a magnifying window for displaying a magnified view of the interactive environment, where the magnified view is associated with a second vantage point that is closer to the interactive environment than is a first vantage point of the overhead view. The method further provides an operation for tracking a real-world position of a controller of the spectator and moving the location of the magnifying window to correspond to the real-world position of the controller.

A forward direction line is set on a course, in a virtual game world, on which a player object is allowed to move. An advancing direction at a current position of the player object is determined based on the forward direction line. The advancing direction is determined as a direction in which the player object advances so as to control a movement of a player character in accordance with an acceleration instruction, and a leftward-rightward movement instruction from a player. Consequently, it is possible to assist the player in controlling a direction in which an object operated by the player moves.

A drawing system and method is provided for drawing objects and maps in a virtual world editor. The drawing method performs object checking to determine if a particular object can be drawn in the virtual world editor. When drawing the object, if the drawing method for the object does not satisfy a specific condition, the method will not allow the object to set. If the object satisfies the specific condition, the method will allow the object to set and be drawn onto the terrain. If the object is obstructed as it is being drawn, the drawing system will adjust the object so it is appropriately drawn in the software environment.