Systems and methods for creating a playable video game from a three-dimensional model

Abstract

Systems and methods for creating a playable video game, or playable video game levels, from a three-dimensional model comprising a plurality of various-colored blocks disposed on a grid. A set of software modules processes a digital image of the static model to translate its component elements into video game elements in a level file, which may then be played using a game driver.

1 . A method of creating a playable video game comprising:
 providing a computer;   at said computer:
 receiving an image of a design board comprising a plurality of recesses arranged in a grid and having at least one block having a color disposed in a recess of said plurality of recess; 
 recognizing in said received image a first block of said at least one block; 
 determining in said received image the location in said grid of said first block; 
 determining in said received image said color of said first block; 
 translating, according to a glyph language, said determined color to a first functional video game element; and 
 generating a video game level which, when rendered as a playable video game, implements said first functional video game element at a location in said playable video game corresponding to said determined location. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising capturing said image. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising capturing said image using an image processing system. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said image processing system comprises a digital camera. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said image processing system is integrated into said computer. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said computer comprises a mobile device or tablet computer. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said grid is arranged in a 13×13 array. 
     
     
         8 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-readable instructions stored thereon which, when executed by a microprocessor, perform the steps of:
 receiving an image of a design board comprising a plurality of recesses arranged in a grid and having at least one block having a color disposed in a recess of said plurality of recesses;   recognizing in said received image said a first block of said at least one block;   determining in said received image the location in said grid of said first block;   determining in said received image said color of said first block;   translating, according to a glyph language, said determined color to a first functional video game element; and   generating a video game level which, when rendered as a playable video game, implements said first functional video game element at a location in said playable video game corresponding to said determined location.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising capturing said image 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising capturing said image using an image processing system. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said image processing system comprises a digital camera. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising a computer including said computer-readable medium. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said computer comprises a mobile device or a tablet computer. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said grid is arranged in a 13×13 array. 
     
     
         15 . A method of creating a playable video game comprising:
 providing a computer;   at said computer:
 receiving an image of a design board comprising a grid of recesses and having a plurality of colored blocks disposed in said grid of recesses; 
 identifying in said received image said plurality of blocks; 
 determining, for each block in said plurality of identified blocks, a color of said each block and a location of said each block in said grid; 
 generating skin data, said skin data comprising an image corresponding to said determined colors and said determined locations; and 
 generating a video game level which, when rendered as a playable video game, implements at least one video game element using said skin data for a visual appearance of said at least video game element. 
   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising capturing said image. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising capturing said image using an image processing 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said computer comprises a mobile device or tablet computer. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said grid is arranged in a 13×13 array. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said plurality of blocks are the only blocks disposed in said grid of recesses.