Girls Frontline 2 Render Silk Stockings So Well, There's a Patent for It

Girls’ Frontline developers secure a patent for their innovative silk stocking rendering technology. This article delves into MICA Team/Sunborn's strategic move to protect their advanced rendering techniques.

Sunborn's Patented Rendering Technology for Realistic Silk Stockings

MICA Team/Sunborn has officially patented its unique method and device for rendering silk stockings within video games. The patent application, filed in China on July 7, 2023, was granted on June 6, 2024, granting them exclusive rights to this object rendering technology.

This groundbreaking technology, currently featured in Girls’ Frontline 2: Exilium, addresses the long-standing challenge of realistically rendering silk stockings in games, moving beyond the limitations of cartoonish or overly-plastic representations. The patent covers both the rendering technique and the supporting tool, enhancing not only the visual appearance but also the animation physics of the stockings.

Sunborn's method achieves a remarkably realistic "highlight feeling" characteristic of genuine silk, avoiding the common pitfalls of metallic or plastic-like appearances. This is achieved through a multi-step process involving specialized code, precise light reflection parameter adjustments, and meticulous color transition fine-tuning. The result is a significant visual upgrade to the female characters' stockings in Girls’ Frontline 2.

Positive Fan Reaction and Industry Implications

A December 8th Twitter post by Cleista highlighted the patent, sparking overwhelmingly positive reactions from Girls’ Frontline fans. Many praised Sunborn CEO Yuzhong and the company's artists for their dedication to detail and commitment to realism. While some expressed concerns about the potential impact of such patents on the game industry, the majority celebrated the noticeable improvement in the visual quality of the silk stockings compared to the previous game.

Sunborn's patent protection extends until July 7, 2043, effectively preventing other companies from utilizing this specific rendering method for nearly two decades. However, permission to use the technology may be granted at Sunborn's discretion.

For further details on Girls’ Frontline 2: Exilium, please refer to the linked article below.