Simulated lighting system and method for composited elements in a virtual environment

Abstract

A virtual environment (e.g., a game environment) is navigable by a user providing user input. The virtual environment is subject to one or more lighting effects from one or more virtual environment light sources therein. A view of the virtual environment is generated in connection with a virtual camera, with that view including at least a portion of a virtual object. The virtual object is defined in connection with an object model. Generation of the view includes: calculating color contributions for sections into which an image obtained from the virtual camera is partitioned; creating a composite image by blending (e.g., additively blending) the calculated color contributions onto the object model using an object mask, the object mask defining different effects to be applied to different parts of the virtual object; and integrating the created composite image in the view of the virtual environment.