Patent ID: 7256779

Claim:
A video game playing method comprising: loading a pre-determined environment-cube-mapped image having multiple planar projected images and associated depth maps; receiving real-time interactive inputs from a user; at least in part in response to said real-time interactive user inputs, compositing at least one additional three-dimensional object, having plural non-coplanar surfaces, into a scene comprising said environment-cube-mapped images; in response to said received user input, moving said three-dimensional object having said plural non-coplanar surfaces within said environment-cube-mapped images, said compositing using said depth maps to selectively render at least portions of said three-dimensional object to provide a composite image; said compositing performing depth comparisons between depth values associated with said plural non-coplanar surfaces of said three-dimensional object and said depth maps associated with said environment-cube-mapped multiple planar projected images so as to selectively allow said three-dimensional object surfaces to be partially occluded by portions of said environment-cube-mapped images as said user inputs cause said three-dimensional object to move and to thereby interact with said environment-cube-mapped images; and using a three-dimensional graphics engine to panoramically render said composite image using a desired viewing angle to provide interactive 3D video game play.