U.S. Patent No. 10,275,947 (the ‘947 Patent) relates to simulation video games. Simulation video games are games designed to simulate aspects of real life or a fictional reality as close as possible. A notable example in this genre is the game The SIMS. In this game a player can create a character and configure its appearance by changing its body type, physical attributes, clothing, or accessories. Previously, to make these modifications to each character the user would move a slider along a predefined range of options. The ‘947 Patent details a methods for directly manipulating the selected portions of the character. This direct manipulation improves on the variety of sliders system by simplifying the interface and design process for the user. The need for lengthy menus and sub-menus is abrogated by the direct manipulation using a mouse cursor. The cursor may directly modify hotspot areas of a character such as the character’s nose area. This is an advancement over older methods of character customization.