Rigblocks: player-deformable objects

Lydia Choy, Ryan Ingram, Ocean Quigley, Brian Sharp, Andrew Willmott

Abstract: We have built a system that allows the player to create various game models themselves, by assembling and deforming parts. This gives them compelling input into what their game world and avatar looks like. A key part of this system is what we term a Rigblock. A Rigblock is geometrical building block, representing a particular component of the model. For example, for a creature model the block may be a hand or mouth, for a vehicle, a wheel or jet engine. Physical analogues include Lego and mechano sets and their various parts.