JP2000042250A - Game device and recording medium for use in game device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game device wherein an object to be displayed whose name has been changed can be visually distinguished from an object to be displayed having original name and the visual distinguishing can be effected by a simple construction at low costs without greatly increasing a memory capacity. SOLUTION: There are provided an external storage medium 15 and a processing means 11 for generating image data to change the displayed state of a character in response to the operation of an operation means 14. The name after changing the character is temporarily stored in a second writable, readable storage means 16, and color data of the character is changed using the name data of the character as a parameter and stored temporarily in the storage means 16 to write the name data and color data of the character on a first writable, readable storage means in an updating manner.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game device, and more particularly to a game device for capturing or nurturing a display object in a game such as a fictitious animal or an athlete, and changing the name of the display object in a game in which the game is played. The present invention relates to a game device in which a display color is changed so as to be distinguishable from a display object having an original name.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in game (or video game) software that captures or nurtures a display object (character) in a game such as a fictitious animal or an athlete, the name of the display object is designated by a player. Although there is a case where a desired name is changed or a desired name is added (registered), the appearance of the display object cannot be changed even if the name is changed, so that the appearance is distinguished from the original display object. Could not.

[0003]

Conventional game software capable of changing the name of an object to be displayed as described above or giving a desired name to the object has a form in appearance by simply changing the name. Since it cannot be changed, the original display target and the appearance cannot be distinguished, and the emotion of the player cannot be sufficiently introduced. When changing the appearance form to solve such a problem, in a game in which a display target is displayed by a two-dimensional image representation, the dot data of the character must be changed in dot units, and a dot image change operation is performed. Becomes complicated, and a memory (RAM) for storing the dot data after the change is required, so that the memory capacity increases and the cost increases. Also, in a game in which a display object is displayed using a three-dimensional image representation, it is necessary to change program data such as polygon data, and it is difficult to change the program data unless someone skilled in the creation of game software. Requires a memory having a large capacity to store the data.

[0004] Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to change the hue or color of a part of a display object when the name of the display object is changed or a unique name is given to the display object, and the name is changed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a game device which has an attachment to a displayed object and makes it easy for a player to enter emotions. Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to visually distinguish a display object whose name or the like has been changed from a display object having an original name, and to visually increase the memory capacity with a simple configuration. It is an object of the present invention to provide a game device which can be realized by an inexpensive method without causing a problem.

[0005]

An external storage medium having a game program stored therein is detachably constituted, includes a processing means, and is capable of displaying a color on a display means. The game apparatus is operated by at least a player. The game device further includes an operation unit for instructing a change in the operation of the display target for the game, and a second writable / readable storage unit built in the game device. The external storage medium includes program storage means for fixedly storing program data for the game, and a writable and readable first program for storing backup data which changes with the progress of the game and which needs to be stored. And readable storage means. The program storage means includes at least a display control program for displaying a plurality of display objects on the game screen, a name setting program in which names and / or codes are set for each display object, and a display for each display object. An operation control program for instructing a position and a movement, color data for displaying a display object by adding a color, and a name change for changing a name of at least one of the plurality of display objects A program and a color changing program for changing and setting the color data of the display object whose name has been changed are stored in advance. The processing means performs processing based on the display control program and / or the operation control program and generates image data for changing the display state of the display object in response to the operation of the operation means, and changes the name of the display object. When a condition to be changed is detected, the changed name of the display object input by the operation of the operation means is temporarily stored in the second writable / readable storage means based on the name change program, and the color change program is executed. Is used to change the color data of the display object using the changed name data of the display object temporarily stored in the second writable / readable storage means as a parameter to correspond to the display object. The data is temporarily stored in the second writable and readable storage means, and the data stored in the second writable and readable storage means is written in accordance with the condition to be written to the first writable and readable storage means. , The name data and color data for at least the changed display object temporarily stored in the second write-readable storage means renewably written into the first write-readable storage means.

[0006]

According to the present invention, when the name of a display object is changed or a unique name is given to the display object, the hue or color of a part thereof can be changed, and the name can be changed. Attached to the displayed object, and empathy of the player can be realized. In addition, the display object whose name is changed or the like can be visually distinguished from the display object with the original name, the visual distinction is simple, the cost is not increased without a large increase in the memory capacity, and the cost is low. In a simple way.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As a game to which the present invention is applied, animals, simulated pets, fictitious animals (monsters), etc. are captured, captured animals are raised, and animals captured by oneself and animals captured by friends are captured. Game, a fighting game in which each fighter refines his / her skills by training, and fights against a fighter trained by a friend, and a sports game, such as baseball or soccer, which fights. Then, in the case where a fake pet, an imaginary animal, a fighter, or an athlete who appears appears, the player can give a desired name or change the original name. In these games, in connection with the changed name, various backup data necessary for the progress of the game (for example, data of the type of skill acquired in a monster capture game or a fighting game, an ability such as an attack ability or a defense ability) In sports games such as baseball, data on player's physical ability, past batting average of each team by player, number of home runs, number of steals, error rate, defense rate, strikeout, etc. It is common to memorize the hitting power, running power, defensive power, ball speed, etc. according to the training state of the player. In the following description, a game in which monsters such as fictitious animals are captured and raised or played will be described as an example.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the principle of a game apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a game apparatus 10 of the present invention includes a game machine main body 10a, an operation device 14, and a game cartridge (hereinafter, referred to as "cartridge") 15 as an example of an external storage medium. The game machine body (hereinafter abbreviated as “game machine”) 10a is, for example, 6
A 4-bit CPU (processing means) 11 is included. CPU11
Has an input / output interface (hereinafter referred to as "I / O")
12 are connected. The I / O 12 is connected with a connector 13a for connecting a game machine memory cartridge 15 and a connector 13b for connecting an operating device (or controller) 14. The operating device 14 is connected to the connector 13b via the connector 13d. When the game machine 10a can play a game in which a plurality of players participate, a plurality of sets of the connector 13b and the operation device 14 are provided.

The memory cartridge 15 has a nonvolatile memory (eg, ROM, EP-ROM) for storing a game program.
ROM, one-time ROM, etc. (Hereinafter referred to as "ROM")
15a and a RAM (EP-ROM or the like) 15b as an example of a writable / readable storage means (or a temporary storage means) for storing backup data generated and changed with the progress of the game. Built-in). The cartridge 15 is detachably connected to the connector 13a. In the ROM 15a, for example, as shown in the memory map of FIG. 2, as a game program, for example, display data for each monster (character) appearing in the game, display data such as a background, and programs such as a display / operation control program. The data is stored. Here, the data for displaying each monster includes a monster code, a monster name, polygon data (character dot data in the case of a two-dimensional display game), texture and / or color data (in a two-dimensional display game). In this case, color designation data and color pallet data in dot units), initial values of performance data, etc. are included. Examples of the display / operation control program include, in addition to a display control program and an operation control program, various condition detection programs such as hit determination or capture, an input processing program of the operating device 14, various arithmetic processing programs, a name change program, and a color change program. Programs and the like are included. ROM 15
As the game program a, a program for breeding by capturing a plurality of training objects (monsters), changing the names of the captured monsters, and training the monsters is stored and obtained by the training. RA data for each monster
A program for updating and writing is stored in M15b. The RAM 15b receives power supply from a battery or the like in order to retain stored data even after power supply from the game machine body 10a is stopped, thereby preventing data destruction. The RAM 15b stores the identification code of the cartridge 15, the name of the player (or trainer), the code for each of a plurality of captured monsters, the changed name data, the capability data, the changed color (or hue) data, and the like. Area included. ROM 15a and RAM 15b
Is formed with a plurality of terminals on one side and mounted on a board,
It is electrically connected to the connector 13. Note that the identification code may be an arbitrary code input by a user operating the operation device 14 or a serial number of the game machine 10 in order to distinguish the owner of the cartridge 15. The serial number of the cartridge 15 may be fixedly written in the one-time ROM at the manufacturing stage.

The CPU 11 is connected to a RAM 16 used as a working RAM or the like, and is connected to an image processing unit (RCP) 17. RAM16
Includes, for example, a plurality of storage areas for each player. In the storage area for each player, the backup data (the cartridge 15) stored in the RAM 15b of the cartridge 15 is stored.
ID code, owner's name, code and ability data for each of a plurality of captured monsters, changed name and changed color data, etc.), and title data and version data of the game software are written. RCP17 has a video RAM
18a is connected. The video RAM 18a has a storage area for storing color data for each of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) corresponding to each dot of one screen of a CRT such as a raster scan display. The writing and / or reading of color data for color display is performed underneath. The color data read from the video RAM 18a is supplied to an encoder and / or a composite video signal generation circuit 18b.
Is converted into an analog R signal, G signal, B signal and / or composite video signal, and is supplied to the CRT 20.

FIG. 3 is an external view of the game apparatus 10 of the present invention. 3, the game machine main body 10a includes a housing 19 in addition to the circuit configuration shown in FIG. An insertion hole 191 for mounting the cartridge 15 is formed on the upper surface of the housing 19, and a power switch 192 and a reset switch 193 are provided in front of the insertion hole 191. The cartridge connector 13a (see FIG. 1) is provided inside the cartridge insertion hole 191. A plurality of operating device connectors 13b for connecting the operating device 14 are provided on a front panel of the game machine body 10a.

The operating device 14 includes handles (three in the figure).
Is formed. Housing 14
On the upper surface of the device 1, a direction indicating switch 142 for indicating a moving direction of a character or an object operated by a player, an analog stick (also referred to as a 3D stick or a joy switch) 143 for indicating a moving direction in an analog manner, An operation switch 144 and a reset / start button 145 are provided. Operation switch 1
Reference numeral 44 denotes switches 144a to 144f, which are used for instructing the operation of the player character or the player object in the game mode and for selecting various commands. Further, a side switch 14 for instructing other operations is provided on an upper side surface of the housing 141.
6,247 are provided. Further, a RAM 15 (not shown) is provided in an insertion port (not shown) on
A connector (not shown) for connecting an expansion RAM (not shown) when the capacity of b is insufficient is provided.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a main routine for explaining the operation of the game system of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a subroutine flowchart showing details of the color changing process. Next, the operation will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

Prior to starting the game, the cartridge 15 is connected to the connector 13b, and the operating device 14 is connected to the connector 13b. At this time, when the player plays the game of the cartridge 15 for the first time, the data stored in the RAM 15b is in the initial state (all clear), but when the previously played result is stored in the backup, as shown in FIG. The various backup data for each monster is stored in the corresponding storage area of the RAM 15b.

When the power switch 192 is turned on, FIG.
Starts the main routine. That is, CPU1
1 performs the following processing based on the program data stored in the ROM 15a in the cartridge 15. In step 1, an initialization process is performed. In the initialization processing, for example, initialization data is written in the memory area of the internal RAM 16 and the V-RAM 18a, or all zeros are written. In step 2, a menu screen is displayed. At this time, the player selects a mode by operating the operation device 14 and selecting an icon indicating each operation mode displayed on the screen. The operation mode selected here is, for example, a start of a new game or a start of a game in which a previously played game is continued. If a new game is selected,
In Step 3, this is determined, and the process proceeds to Step 4. If the continuous game is selected, it is determined in step 3 that the game is not a new game, in step 5 it is determined that the game is a continuous game, and in step 6 the backup data of the RAM 15b is stored in the internal RAM.
After being transferred to and stored in step 16, the process proceeds to step 4. In step 4, a capture game process, for example, display of a monster and display for capturing the displayed monster are performed. It is determined in step 7 whether or not a monster has been captured. If it is determined that no monster has been captured, it is determined in step 8 whether or not there is a training or training instruction input. If it is determined that the game is not breeding, it is determined in step 9 whether or not there is an instruction input of a battle game. If it is determined that the game is not a fighting game, it is determined in step 10 whether or not there is an instruction input for another process. If it is determined that there is no other processing, the process returns to step 4 and steps 4, 7 to 10 are repeated until any condition is detected.

If it is determined in step 7 that a monster has been captured, a color change processing subroutine is performed in step 11, and the details of this color change processing will be described later with reference to FIG. If it is determined in step 8 that the input is an instruction for a training game, a training game process is performed in step 12. If the game content is a game for capturing and raising monsters, the raising game process is a process of confronting the captured monster with another monster to improve the experience value or level. When the game content is a sports game such as baseball, a process of improving the physical ability of the player such as running power, hitting power, defensive power, and ball speed by training the player is performed. In step 9 described above,
When it is determined that there is an instruction input of a fighting game, a fighting game process is performed in step 13. further,
If it is determined in step 10 that there is an instruction input for another process, other processes based on the instruction input are performed in step 14. After these steps 11 to 14, the process proceeds to step 15. Step 15
In, it is determined whether or not the game is over, and if it is determined that the game is not over, the process returns to step 4 and the above-described operation is repeated. When the game end state is determined,
In step 16, a game end process, for example, RAM1
Backup data stored in the RAM 15b
To be written to and stored in the cartridge 15 side. However, the condition for transferring the backup data stored in the RAM 16 to the RAM 15b may be not only when the game is over but also when the player selects the command display and selects the "save" command.

Next, the detailed operation of the color changing process in step 11 will be described. If it is determined in step 7 that a monster has been captured, a color change processing subroutine shown in FIG. 5 is executed. That is, in step 21, the name of the monster that has just been captured is displayed. At this time, in addition to displaying the name of the captured monster, the monster may be displayed in a predetermined color of a two-dimensional image or a three-dimensional image. In a succeeding step 22, it is determined whether or not the change of the monster name is selected. If Rename is not selected, step 2
At 3, the monster is displayed in color on the screen of the CRT 20 based on the color and / or hue data preset in the program.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 22 that the change of the name of the monster has been selected, the process of changing the name of the monster is performed in accordance with the operation of the operation device 14. This changed name will be displayed along with the code corresponding to the monster and the RA corresponding to the monster number.
It is written to the storage area of M16. At this time, along with the name change, the initial value of the ability data of the monster is R
The data is written to the storage area of AM16. This ability data, every time you gain a certain experience in the above-mentioned training mode,
The data is changed to data increased from the initial value. In a succeeding step 25, the CPU 11 performs a predetermined arithmetic processing (for example, addition processing) based on data such as the identification (ID) code of the cartridge 15, the name of the monster after the change, and the name of the trainer. Is determined as the changed color data.

More specifically, data for displaying each monster stored in the ROM 15a includes, for example, name data, ground color hue data, and hue of other parts for each monster number as shown in FIG. Data is set and stored in a table by a program. In this state, it is assumed that the hue of the ground color of a plurality (three) monsters is set, for example, as shown in the basic color of FIG. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, assuming that the player has captured a monster named “Fushigidane” of monster number 1 and changed the name to “Fushigidayo”, the basic ground color hue is dark blue. Therefore, if the same monster is displayed in different hues, the monster can be visually distinguished from the original monster and can be associated with the original monster. Therefore, a total value obtained by adding the identification (ID) code, the name of the monster after the change, and the name of the trainer is obtained,
Where the added value (total value) falls within the hue change range around the basic color is determined based on a data table or the like. As another method of determining the hue, the color data is selected as 2-byte data, and the upper 1-byte data uses the data set in the program as it is.
If the lower 1-byte data is data (addition value) obtained by performing arithmetic processing on data including the name,
Since the hue is changed depending on the lower order data, the hue can be changed to a hue of the same color system and approximate to the basic color. Thus, as shown in FIG. 8, when the name of the monster with the monster number 1 is changed to "Fushigidayo", the hue of the ground color can be changed from the original dark blue to purple. In addition, if the hue to be changed is determined in consideration of not only the changed name of the monster but also the identification code and / or the trainer's name, even if the name of the monster is changed, the identification code and / or the trainer's name will be changed. Monsters of different colors can be displayed depending on the differences.
By changing the name, various monsters having different hues can be created, and the monster captured by the player can be easily distinguished from the monsters of other players. Further, by changing the name in this way, by exchanging monsters of different colors with friends, the pleasure of exchanging monsters can be increased and friendship with friends can be achieved.

In the subsequent step 26, based on the added color change data, the hue data of the monster is
Of the table after the change (lower)
It is written to AM16. Then, in step 27, the monster of the changed hue is displayed based on the changed hue. Here, as a specific method of the hue change display, in the example of performing the three-dimensional display, a polygon corresponding to the ground color of a figure formed by collecting polygons determined by polygon data is set in a step shape. In step 25, the changed color data obtained by the calculation is pasted as a texture, and the color designation data corresponding to each dot is written on the bit map of the RAM 18a. On the other hand, in the case of a two-dimensional image in which a monster is represented by a dot image, color pallet data may be changed based on color data accompanying a name change instead of changing the color in dot units. This facilitates the color changing process.

In the above-described embodiment, the game machine body 1
0a is a video game, but in a game linked with a portable game machine, the name of a monster captured by playing the portable game machine is changed on the portable game machine side, and the portable game machine is replaced with the video game machine. When used in conjunction with, the hue of the monster whose name has been changed may be changed on the video game machine.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle block diagram of a game device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a ROM 15a and a RAM 1 of a cartridge 15.
FIG. 5B is an illustrative view of a memory map of FIG. 5B;

FIG. 3 is an external view of an example of a game device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a main routine flowchart of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a subroutine flowchart of a color changing process.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a monster-specific color table for explaining the principle of a color change process.

FIG. 7 is an illustrative view of a monster-based color change range for explaining the principle of the color change process;

FIG. 8 is an illustrative view of one example of a monster for explaining a principle of a color changing process;

[Explanation of symbols]

10; game machine 10a; game machine main body 11; CPU (processing means) 14; operating device 15; game machine memory cartridge (external storage medium) 15a; ROM (program storage means) storing a game program 15b; RAM (first writable / readable storage means) 16; Built-in RAM (second writable / readable storage means) 17; RCP

Claims (5)

[Claims] An external storage medium storing a game program is detachably configured and includes a processing means, and is capable of displaying color on a display means, wherein the external storage medium is used for a game. And a first writable and readable storage means for storing backup data which changes with the progress of the game and which needs to be stored and stored. The program storage means includes at least a display control program for displaying a plurality of display objects on a game screen, a name setting program in which a name and / or a code are set for each display object, and for each display object. An operation control program for instructing the display position and movement of the object, and color data for displaying a display object with a color. A name change program for changing the name of at least one of the display objects, and a color change program for changing color data of the display object whose name has been changed. Operating means provided by the player and instructing at least a change in the operation of a display object for a game, and a second writable / readable writable built-in and readable / readable by the game apparatus An image for processing based on the display control program and / or the operation control program, and for changing a display state of the display object in response to an operation of the operation means; When data is generated and a condition for changing the name of the display object is detected, the operation of the operation means is performed based on the name change program. Thus, the input name of the display object after the change is temporarily stored in the second writable / readable storage means, and is stored in the second writable / readable storage means based on the color change program. The color data of the display object is changed by using the temporarily stored data of the changed name of the display object as a parameter, and temporarily stored in the second writable / readable storage means corresponding to the display object. The second writable / readable storage based on a condition for writing data stored in the second writable / readable storage to the first writable / readable storage. A game apparatus characterized in that at least the changed name data and color data of the display object temporarily stored in the means are updated in the first writable / readable storage means. 2. The external storage medium further stores an identification code for distinguishing the external storage medium from another storage medium, and the color change program stored in the program storage means is capable of executing the second write / read. 2. The game apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a program that determines color data by performing arithmetic processing based on the name data and the identification code temporarily stored in a storage unit. 3. The external storage medium further stores an identification code for distinguishing the external storage medium from another storage medium, and the color change program stored in the program storage means is capable of performing the second write / read. The arithmetic processing is performed based on the name data and the identification code temporarily stored in the storage means, and the hue of the same color system as the color different from the color data assigned to each display object and designated by the color data is calculated. The game device according to claim 1, further comprising a program for determining the color data to be displayed. 4. A game determined by a display program and an operation program stored in said program storage means is a capture game for capturing a plurality of display objects, and said name change program plays said capture game. A program for displaying the name of the display object after the change and the code of the display object in association with each other, wherein the color change program is set in the program of the display object whose name has been changed. 2. A program for displaying a display object in a changed hue instead of a color.
3. The game device according to claim 1. 5. The name change program, wherein the first writable and readable storage means includes a storage area for storing a changed name and a changed color data corresponding to a code of the display object. Includes a program for writing the changed name in the name storage area of the second writable / readable storage means, wherein the color changing program stores the changed color data in the second
5. The game device according to claim 4, further comprising a program for writing in a color data storage area of said writable / readable storage means.