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

Sunborn's Patented Rendering Technology for Realistic Silk Stockings

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

This technology, currently featured in Girls’ Frontline 2: Exilium, significantly enhances the realism of in-game silk stockings. According to Google Patents, the patent covers a "silk stocking object rendering method and device," differentiating their approach from more stylized or cartoonish representations. The patent also includes improvements to the animation physics applied to the stockings.

Sunborn's technique successfully captures the "highlight feeling of real silk stockings," avoiding the common pitfalls of rendering them with a metallic or plastic appearance. The patent details a multi-step process involving specialized code, precise light reflection parameter adjustments, and meticulous color transition fine-tuning. The result is a visually superior rendering of silk stockings for the female characters in Girls’ Frontline 2.

Positive Fan Reaction and Industry Discussion

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. However, some voiced concerns about the potential negative impact of such patents on the game industry as a whole. Nevertheless, the consensus among fans is that the improved silk stocking rendering in Girls’ Frontline 2 is a significant upgrade over its predecessor.

The patent's expiration date is July 7, 2043, meaning the exclusive rights to this specific rendering method will last for nearly two decades. While other companies are prohibited from using this exact method without permission, they may request licensing from Sunborn at their discretion.

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