US Patent 8062128 Utilizing line-of-sight vectors in a game environment

Utilizing line-of-sight volumes in a game environment comprises calculating a line-of-sight vector defined by the position of a game camera and the position of a character in the game environment, determining whether one of a set of predetermined game elements intersects the line-of-sight vector, and if the line-of-sight vector is intersected, replacing the game element with its corresponding line-of-sight volume. In one embodiment, a line-of-sight volume is a grid volume that has the same size and shape as it corresponding game element. The line-of-sight volume allows a user to substantially view the character in the game environment.