Rundown:
- Sony Interactive Entertainment may be working on a system for providing curated virtual tours in three-dimensional (3D) virtual environments, according to a recently published patent.
- The system includes storing datasets for different three-dimensional (3D) virtual environments and receiving curation input from a curator device to launch a curated tour in response.
- The system places avatars at selected locations and automatically relocates them to the next location in response to a trigger.
- The system offers an option to present a subset of the dataset when an avatar is within a predetermined proximity to a location.
- The system also provides an option to launch a particular video game between avatars during the curated tour.
Sony Interactive Entertainment has recently been awarded a patent titled “Curating Virtual Tour,” filed in August 2021 under the name of Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC. The patent, published last month, describes a system for creating customisable curated tours of three-dimensional (3D) virtual environments. These tours may include selecting a virtual environment and selecting an ordered set of various locations within the virtual environment.
Hence, a curated tour may be launched such that designated avatars may be placed in a first selected location of the ordered set and receive a subset of information about the first selected location. The technology aims to provide tailored and customisable curated tours of three-dimensional virtual environments, specifically in-game environments associated with interactive video games.
Currently, engaging with virtual environments is often limited to gameplay, which can distract from fully appreciating the details of the environment. Additionally, gameplay can make it difficult for players to visit different virtual environments with others, as different gameplay experiences can result in players being terminated at different points. The patent application describes the need for a better experience of virtual environments, including replicas of real-world locations, fantasy worlds, and digital environments associated with other media sources like movies or television shows.
The patent application proposes a method for providing curated virtual tours in three-dimensional (3D) virtual environments that allow players to experience virtual environments without the distractions of gameplay and the limitations of individual gameplay experiences. Therefore, the system aims to offer tailored and customisable virtual tours of three-dimensional (3D) environments that can be enjoyed by groups of people with different interests.
“Systems and methods for creating a customizable curated tour of three-dimensional virtual environments. Curation inputs may include selecting a virtual environment and selecting an ordered set of various locations within the virtual environment. A curated tour may be launched such that designated avatars may be placed to a first selected location of the ordered set and receive a subset of information about the first selected location,” read the abstract for the patent. “The subset of information may include user-generated content regarding the first selected location. The selected three-dimensional virtual environment may correspond to an in-game environment of an interactive content title, and specifically about one or more in-game activities in which one or more other users participated in at the first selected location.”
It is important to note that the patent does not specifically refer to virtual tours in video games. It is a system for providing curated virtual tours in three-dimensional (3D) virtual environments, which could be used in various applications, such as virtual real estate tours, museum tours, or even virtual tourism. The patent application outlines a way for a curator to select specific locations within a three-dimensional (3D) virtual environment and create a curated tour, which can be launched for others to experience.
The system also includes options for presenting a subset of the dataset when an avatar is in a certain proximity to a location and for launching games between avatars during the tour – feature discovery mode. For instance, if the virtual environment is a historical site, the system may present a subset of data about a specific event or person that is associated with the location where the player’s avatar is situated. Alternatively, if the virtual environment is a game, the system may present a subset of data related to a specific quest or objective that the player’s avatar is currently engaged in.
According to the patent’s claims, the selected three-dimensional (3D) virtual environment corresponds to a real-world location, and the dataset corresponding to that environment includes content regarding the real-world location throughout various periods. Likewise, the selected three-dimensional (3D) virtual environment may also correspond to an in-game environment of an interactive video game, and the dataset corresponding to that environment may include content regarding one or more in-game features of the in-game environment.
Additionally, the patent explains that the subset of the dataset presented when an avatar is near the first selected location includes user-generated content regarding one or more in-game activities in which one or more other players participated. Furthermore, the curator may specify custom data to include in the subset. If the selected three-dimensional (3D) virtual environment corresponds to an in-game environment of an interactive video game, the system could also provide an option to launch the particular video game between one or more avatars during the curated tour.
It’s currently unclear when or if Sony Interactive Entertainment plans to implement this system into its existing or forthcoming technologies and video game franchises. However, this technology has the potential to greatly enhance the virtual experience for players, especially those interested in virtual environments for travel, history, art, and other non-gameplay-related pursuits. Creating curated tours also allows groups to visit multiple virtual environments together, even if they are playing different games or using different media platforms.
What do you think about this? Do tell us your opinions in the comments below!
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Started out penning short stories in my room, then stumbled upon my real passion for video game and technology journalism. Now, I’m all about playing and writing about them. With experience from VeryAliGaming, eXputer.com, and TheNerdMag, I’m currently dishing out news on Gamesual from my place.
