JP2010231364A - Image generation system, program and information recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide image generation system, program and information recording medium, enabling discrimination of a second object having not been bound before. <P>SOLUTION: The image generation system includes: a binding history memory unit for storing binding history information to discriminate whether or not the second object has been bound to a first object on the basis of each type of the second object; an update unit, when the first object and the second object are bound, for updating the binding history information based on the type of the bound second object; and a drawing unit for drawing the second object by drawing processing based on the binding history information according to whether or not the type has been bound before. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image generation system, a program, and an information storage medium.

  Conventionally, a game is known in which a first object that moves in a three-dimensional virtual space and a second object arranged in the virtual space are combined to enlarge the first object in a snowball style. (See Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-251076 A

  In the above prior art, one of the purposes of the game is to combine many kinds of second objects. However, in the above prior art, the player cannot determine whether the second object arranged in the virtual space is of a type that has been combined.

  Moreover, in the said prior art, when a 1st object and a 2nd object contact, both will be couple | bonded if predetermined | prescribed coupling | bonding conditions are satisfy | filled. However, in the above prior art, the player cannot determine whether or not the predetermined connectable condition is satisfied when the second object arranged in the virtual space comes into contact with the first object. It was.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image generation system, a program, and an information storage medium that enable a player to determine a second object that has not yet been combined. Is to provide.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an image generation system, a program, and an information storage medium that allow a player to determine a second object that can be combined.

  (1) In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention executes a game in which a plurality of types of second objects arranged in the virtual space are combined with a first object that moves in the virtual space, and the virtual object An image generation system that draws an image of the virtual space viewed from a virtual camera arranged in the space, wherein a virtual space in which the first object and a plurality of types of the second objects are arranged is set A space setting unit, a movement processing unit that moves the first object in the virtual space, a contact determination unit that determines whether or not the first object and the second object are in contact with each other, and the contact determination unit A combination determination for determining whether or not the contacted first object and the second object satisfy a predetermined connectable condition when it is determined that the contact is made A combination unit that combines the contacted first object and the second object when the combination determination unit determines that the combination possible condition is satisfied, and the first object for each type of the second object. A combined history storage unit for storing combined history information for identifying whether or not the object has been combined, and the second object combined when the first object and the second object are combined An update unit that updates the combination history information based on the type of the object, and the second object is drawn based on the combination history information by a drawing process according to whether or not the type has been combined The present invention relates to an image generation system characterized by having a drawing unit. The present invention also relates to a program that causes a computer to function as each of the above-described units. The present invention also relates to an information storage medium that can be read by a computer and stores (records) a program that causes the computer to function as each of the above-described units.

  According to the present invention, the player can distinguish between a second object of a type that has been combined with a second object of a type that has not been combined. Accordingly, it is possible to play by selecting a second object of a type that has not been combined and combining the second objects so that more types of second objects have been combined.

  (2) Further, in the image generation system, the program, and the information storage medium according to the present invention, the drawing unit draws the second object of a type that has been combined with the first drawing processing, and combines them. The second object of a type that has never been performed may be rendered in the second rendering process.

  In this way, the first drawing process and the second drawing process draw the second object of the type that has not been combined with the second object of the type that has been combined with each other. .

  (3) In the image generation system, the program, and the information storage medium according to the present invention, the drawing unit is a type that has been combined, and the distance from the first object or the virtual camera is The second object arranged at a position within a predetermined range may be drawn by the first drawing process, and the other second object may be drawn by the second drawing process.

  In this way, the player can particularly distinguish among the second objects of a type that have been combined, those that are located within a predetermined range.

  (4) The image generation system, the program, and the information storage medium according to the present invention include a game processing unit that controls the progress of the game and determines whether or not the progress of the game satisfies a predetermined condition. And the virtual space setting unit newly arranges the second object when it is determined that the progress status of the game satisfies a predetermined condition, and the update unit sets the progress status as a predetermined condition. Maintaining the combined history information updated before satisfying, updating the combined history information based on the type of the second object combined after the progress satisfies a predetermined condition, The drawing unit may draw the second object newly arranged after the progress condition satisfies a predetermined condition based on the combination history information.

  In this way, in the game after the progress condition satisfies the predetermined condition, the player can confirm that the second object arranged in the virtual space is combined before and after the progress condition satisfies the predetermined condition. It can be distinguished whether it is a certain type or not.

  (5) Further, the present invention executes a game in which a plurality of second objects arranged in the virtual space are combined with the first object moving in the virtual space, and the game is arranged in the virtual space. An image generation system for drawing an image of the virtual space viewed from a virtual camera, wherein the first object and a plurality of second objects having different set reference values are arranged in the virtual space A setting unit, a movement processing unit that moves the first object in the virtual space, a contact determination unit that determines whether or not the first object and the second object are in contact with each other, and the contact determination unit Based on the reference value, it is determined whether or not the contacted first object and the second object satisfy a predetermined connectable condition when it is determined that the contact is made. A combination determination unit for determining, a combination unit for combining the first object and the second object in contact with each other when the combination determination unit determines that the combination possible condition is satisfied, and the second object, An image having a drawing unit that draws by drawing processing according to whether or not the reference value that satisfies the connectable condition is set when it is determined that the contact is determined by the contact determination unit Related to the generation system. The present invention also relates to a program that causes a computer to function as each of the above-described units. The present invention also relates to an information storage medium that can be read by a computer and stores (records) a program that causes the computer to function as each of the above-described units.

  According to the present invention, the player can determine which of the plurality of second objects can be combined.

  (6) In the image generation system, the program, and the information storage medium according to the present invention, the virtual space setting unit arranges a plurality of types of the second objects in the virtual space, and the second object Combinable information storage for storing concatenable information for identifying whether or not the reference value that satisfies the combining condition is determined when it is determined that the contact determination unit determines that the contact has been made, for each type. And an update unit that updates the connectable information at a given timing, and the drawing unit may draw the second object by a drawing process corresponding to the connectable information. .

  In this way, the second object can be drawn by the drawing process corresponding to the connectable information updated at a given timing.

  (7) Further, an image generation system, a program, and an information storage medium according to the present invention control a progress of the game and determine whether or not the progress of the game satisfies a predetermined condition. A progress history storage unit that stores progress history information that is updated when it is determined that the progress of the game satisfies a predetermined condition; and the virtual space setting unit includes the first virtual space in the virtual space. A background object that cannot be combined with the object is arranged, and the drawing unit may draw the background object based on the progress history information.

  In this way, the player can determine whether or not the progress of the game satisfies a predetermined condition by the background object drawing process.

  (8) Further, in the image generation system, the program, and the information storage medium according to the present invention, the combination determination unit determines that a relationship between the sizes of the first object and the second object that are in contact with each other satisfies a predetermined condition. When the condition is satisfied, it is determined that the connectable condition is satisfied.

  This helps the player determine whether the second object is of a size that can be combined.

The functional block diagram of this embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the game screen of this embodiment. The figure explaining the character of this embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the game screen of this embodiment. The figure which shows the joint history information of this embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the game screen of this embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the game screen of this embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the game screen of this embodiment. The figure which shows the progress log information of this embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the game screen of this embodiment. The flowchart which shows the flow of the process of this embodiment. The flowchart which shows the flow of the process of this embodiment. The flowchart which shows the flow of the process of this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. The embodiment of the present invention described below does not unduly limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. In addition, all the configurations described in the embodiments of the present invention are not necessarily essential configuration requirements of the present invention.

1. Configuration FIG. 1 shows an example of a functional block diagram of an image generation system (game system) of the present embodiment. Note that the image generation system of the present embodiment may have a configuration in which some of the components (each unit) in FIG. 1 are omitted.

  The operation unit 10 is for a player to input operation data of a character (player character operated by the player, etc.), and the function is realized by a lever, a button, a steering, a microphone, a touch panel type display, or a casing. it can.

  The storage unit 20 serves as a work area for the processing unit 100, the communication unit 70, and the like, and its function can be realized by a RAM, a VRAM, or the like. The storage unit 20 includes an object data storage unit 21, a frame buffer 22, a depth buffer 23, a texture storage unit 24, a combined history storage unit 25, and a progress history storage unit 26.

  The object data storage unit 21 includes a player character (an example of a first object), an object (an example of a second object) that can be combined with a character such as a car, a building, a tree, a pillar, and a wall, and a map (a background object). Object data such as light sources that indicate the direction, intensity, and color of light travel, and various objects (objects composed of primitives such as polygons, free-form surfaces, or subdivision surfaces) representing display objects such as an example) are stored. . In the present embodiment, sizes (an example of reference values) are set for the first object and the second object. A type is set for the second object.

  In the frame buffer 22, an image obtained by viewing the virtual space from the virtual camera is drawn. The image drawn in the frame buffer is displayed on the display unit 50.

  In the depth buffer 23, a depth value (Z value) representing the distance from the virtual camera to the object is stored for each pixel corresponding to each pixel of the frame buffer.

  Texture data is stored in the texture storage unit 24. The texture data is property data given to the surface of the object such as color (RGB) and α value.

  The connection history storage unit 25 stores connection history information for identifying whether or not the second object has been combined with the first object.

  The progress history storage unit 26 stores progress history information that is updated when it is determined that the progress of the game satisfies a predetermined condition.

  An information storage medium 30 (a computer-readable medium) stores programs, data, and the like, and functions as an optical disk (CD, DVD), a magneto-optical disk (MO), a magnetic disk, a hard disk, and a magnetic tape. Alternatively, it can be realized by a memory (ROM). The processing unit 100 performs various processes of the present embodiment based on a program (data) stored in the information storage medium 30. That is, the information storage medium 30 stores a program for causing a computer to function as each unit of the present embodiment (a program for causing a computer to execute processing of each unit).

  The portable information storage device 40 stores player personal data, game save data, and the like, and can be realized by a memory card, a portable game device, or the like.

  The display unit 50 outputs an image generated according to the present embodiment, and its function can be realized by a CRT, LCD, touch panel display, HMD (head mounted display), or the like.

  The sound output unit 60 outputs the sound generated by the present embodiment, and its function can be realized by a speaker, headphones, or the like.

  The communication unit 70 performs various controls for communicating with the outside (for example, a host device or other image generation system), and functions thereof are hardware such as various processors or communication ASICs, programs, and the like. It can be realized by.

  A program (data) for causing a computer to function as each unit of the present embodiment is distributed from the information storage medium of the host device (server) to the information storage medium 30 (or storage unit 20) via the network and communication unit 70. May be. Use of the information storage medium of such a host device (server) can also be included in the scope of the present invention.

  The processing unit 100 (processor or game processing unit) performs processing such as game processing, image generation processing (drawing processing), or sound generation processing based on operation data from the operation unit 10 or a program. Here, the game process includes a process for starting a game when a game start condition is satisfied, a process for advancing the game, a process for generating an event when the event generation condition is satisfied, and an object such as a character or a map. A process for arranging, a process for displaying an object, a process for calculating a game result, a process for determining whether or not the progress of the game satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, a predetermined game unit such as a stage has been cleared), Alternatively, there is a process for ending the game when the game end condition is satisfied. The processing unit 100 performs various processes using the storage unit 20 as a work area. The functions of the processing unit 100 can be realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU (main processor), GPU (drawing processor), DSP, etc.), ASIC (gate array, etc.), and programs.

  The processing unit 100 includes a virtual space setting unit 110, a movement processing unit 112, a contact determination unit 114, a combination determination unit 116, a combination unit 118, an update unit 120, a virtual camera control unit 124, a drawing unit 126, and a sound generation unit 128. Including. Note that some of these may be omitted.

  The virtual space setting unit 110 performs processing for setting an object in the virtual space based on the object data stored in the object data storage unit 21. That is, the position and rotation angle (synonymous with direction and direction) of the object in the world coordinate system are determined, and the determined rotation angle (about the X, Y, and Z axes) is determined at the determined position (X, Y, Z). Rotate the object and light source.

  The movement processing unit 112 performs a movement / motion calculation (movement / motion simulation) of an object (such as a character, a car, or an airplane). That is, the object is moved in the object space or the object is moved (motion, animation) based on the operation data input by the player through the operation unit 10, the program (movement / motion algorithm), various data (motion data), or the like. ) Is performed. Specifically, object movement information (position, rotation angle, speed, or acceleration) and motion information (position or rotation angle of each part that constitutes the object) are sequentially transmitted every frame (1/60 seconds). Perform the required simulation process. A frame is a unit of time for performing object movement / motion processing (simulation processing) and image generation processing.

  The contact determination unit 114 determines whether or not the objects are in contact with each other based on the position, rotation angle, shape, and size of various objects arranged in the virtual space (hit check, collision determination). Object contact determination is performed using a bounding volume that approximates the display model of the object. Note that the contact determination unit 114 may determine that the objects are in contact with each other even if they are not in contact with each other. For example, it may be determined that an object that is not visually touched is touched by using a bounding volume for touch determination that is slightly larger than the object.

  When it is determined that the first object and the second object are in contact with each other, the combining determination unit 116 determines whether or not both satisfy a combining condition based on the sizes of the first object and the second object. Determine whether. For example, when the size set for the first object is larger than the size set for the second object, it is determined that the joinable condition is satisfied. Further, the combination determination unit 116 may determine that the combination possible condition is satisfied when the first object is larger than a predetermined size with respect to the second object. For example, when the size set for the first object is three times or more the size set for the second object, it may be determined that the joinable condition is satisfied.

  The combining unit 118 combines the first object and the second object that are in contact with each other when the combining determining unit 116 determines that the combining possible condition is satisfied. Specifically, the combining unit 118 adds the combined second object to the combined list stored in the storage unit 20. This combined list is stack type data in which the second objects are registered in the combined order. The combining unit 118 combines the first object and the second object at a contact point or a point in the vicinity of the contact point, and integrates the combined first object and second object into a new first object. An object. The size of the new first object is the sum of the sizes of the second objects combined with the original first object. Further, the combining unit 118 updates the bounding volume for contact determination set for the first object based on the size of the combined second object.

  When the first object and the second object are combined, the update unit 120 updates the combined history information stored in the combined history storage unit 25 based on the type of the combined second object. Further, the update unit 120 updates the progress history information stored in the progress history storage unit 26 when the processing unit 100 determines that the progress of the game satisfies a predetermined condition.

  The virtual camera control unit 124 performs a virtual camera (viewpoint) control process for generating an image that can be seen from a given (arbitrary) viewpoint in the object space. Specifically, processing for controlling the position (X, Y, Z) or rotation angle (rotation angle about the X, Y, Z axis) of the virtual camera (processing for controlling the viewpoint position, the line-of-sight direction or the angle of view) I do.

  For example, when an object (for example, a character or a car) is photographed from behind with a virtual camera, the position or rotation angle (the direction of the virtual camera) of the virtual camera is set so that the virtual camera follows changes in the position or rotation of the object. Control. In this case, the virtual camera can be controlled based on information such as the position, rotation angle, or speed of the object obtained by the movement processing unit 112. Alternatively, control may be performed such that the virtual camera is rotated at a predetermined rotation angle or moved along a predetermined movement path. In this case, the virtual camera is controlled based on the virtual camera data for specifying the position (movement path) or rotation angle of the virtual camera. When there are a plurality of virtual cameras (viewpoints), the above control process is performed for each virtual camera.

  The drawing unit 126 performs drawing processing based on the results of various processing (game processing) performed by the processing unit 100, thereby generating an image and outputting the image to the display unit 50. When generating a so-called three-dimensional game image, first, object data (model data) including vertex data (vertex position coordinates, texture coordinates, color data, normal vector, α value, etc.) of each vertex of the object (model) ) Is input from the object data storage unit 21, and vertex processing (shading by a vertex shader) is performed based on the vertex data included in the input object data. When performing the vertex processing, vertex generation processing (tessellation, curved surface division, polygon division) for re-dividing the polygon may be performed as necessary. In the vertex processing, according to the vertex processing program (vertex shader program, first shader program), vertex movement processing, coordinate conversion (world coordinate conversion, camera coordinate conversion), clipping processing, perspective processing, and other geometric processing are performed. On the basis of the processing result, the vertex data given to the vertex group constituting the object is changed (updated or adjusted). Then, rasterization (scan conversion) is performed based on the vertex data after the vertex processing, and the surface of the polygon (primitive) is associated with the pixel (pixel). Subsequent to rasterization, pixel processing (shading or fragment processing by a pixel shader) for drawing pixels (fragments forming a display screen) constituting an image is performed. In pixel processing, according to a pixel processing program (pixel shader program, second shader program), various processes such as texture reading (texture mapping), color data setting / change, translucent composition, anti-aliasing, etc. are performed, and an image is processed. The drawing color of the constituent pixels is determined, and the drawing color of the perspective-transformed object is output (drawn) to a rendering target (a buffer that can store image information in units of pixels, such as the frame buffer 22). That is, in pixel processing, per-pixel processing for setting or changing image information (color (color value, luminance value), normal, α value, etc.) in units of pixels is performed. Thereby, an image that can be seen from the virtual camera (given viewpoint) in the object space is generated. Note that when there are a plurality of virtual cameras (viewpoints), an image can be generated so that an image seen from each virtual camera can be displayed as a divided image on one screen.

  The vertex processing and pixel processing are realized by hardware that enables polygon (primitive) drawing processing to be programmed by a shader program written in a shading language, so-called programmable shaders (vertex shaders and pixel shaders). Programmable shaders can be programmed with vertex-level processing and pixel-level processing, so that the degree of freedom of drawing processing is high, and expressive power is greatly improved compared to conventional hardware-based fixed drawing processing. Can do.

  The drawing unit 126 performs geometry processing, texture mapping, hidden surface removal processing, α blending, and the like when drawing an object.

  In the geometry processing, processing such as coordinate conversion, clipping processing, perspective projection conversion, or light source calculation is performed on the object. Then, the object data (positional coordinates of object vertices, texture coordinates, color data (luminance data), normal vector, α value, etc.) after geometry processing (after perspective projection conversion) is stored in the object data storage unit 21. Is done.

  For light source calculation, various parameters set for the light source (light source intensity, color, position, light source vector, etc.), various parameters set for objects (primitives) and vertices (vectors such as reflection attributes, normals, etc.) Then, light reflection is simulated based on various parameters (gaze vector, viewpoint position, etc.) set in the virtual camera, and a basic color (diffuse) and a specular reflection component (specular) are obtained for each vertex.

  Texture mapping is a process for mapping a texture (texel value, UV coordinate value) stored in the texture storage unit 24 to an object. Specifically, the texture (surface properties such as color (RGB) and α value) is read from the texture storage unit 24 using texture coordinates or the like set (given) to the vertex of the object. Then, a texture that is a two-dimensional image is mapped to an object. In this case, processing for associating pixels with texels, bilinear interpolation, trilinear interpolation, etc. are performed as texel interpolation.

  As the hidden surface removal processing, hidden surface removal processing is performed by a depth comparison method (depth test, Z test) using a depth buffer 23 (depth buffer) in which the depth value (Z value) of the drawing pixel is stored. That is, when drawing a pixel corresponding to the primitive of the object, the depth value stored in the depth buffer 23 is referred to for each pixel. Then, the depth value of the referenced depth buffer 23 is compared with the depth value at the primitive drawing pixel, and the depth value at the drawing pixel is the front side when viewed from the virtual camera (for example, a small depth value). If it is, the drawing process of the drawing pixel is performed and the depth value of the depth buffer 23 is updated to a new depth value.

  As the α blending, a translucent synthesis process (usually α blending, addition α blending, subtraction α blending, or the like) based on the α value (A value) is performed. For example, in the case of normal α blending, the following processes (1) to (3) are performed.

R _Q = (1−α) × R ₁ + α × R ₂ (1)
G _Q = (1−α) × G ₁ + α × G ₂ (2)
B _Q = (1−α) × B ₁ + α × B ₂ (3)

  In addition, in the case of addition α blending, the following expressions (4) to (6) are performed. In the case of simple addition, α = 1 and the following formulas (4) to (6) are performed.

R _Q = R ₁ + α × R ₂ (4)
G _Q = G ₁ + α × G ₂ (5)
B _Q = B ₁ + α × B ₂ (6)

  In the case of subtractive α blending, the processing of the following equations (7) to (9) is performed. In the case of simple subtraction, α = 1 and the following formulas (7) to (9) are processed.

R _Q = R ₁ −α × R ₂ (7)
G _Q = G ₁ −α × G ₂ (8)
B _Q = B ₁ −α × B ₂ (9)

Here, R ₁ , G ₁ , B ₁ are RGB components (color values) of an image (original image) already drawn in the frame buffer 22, and R ₂ , G ₂ , B ₂ are the frame buffer 22. Are RGB components of the image to be drawn. R _Q , G _Q , and B _Q are RGB components of an image obtained by α blending. The α value is information that can be stored in association with each pixel (texel, dot), for example, plus alpha information other than color information. The α value can be used as mask information, translucency (equivalent to transparency and opacity), bump information, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, when the drawing unit 126 draws the second object, the second object to be drawn becomes the first object based on the combination history information stored in the combination history storage unit 25. Drawing is performed by drawing processing according to whether or not the type has been combined. For example, the vertex processing program and the pixel processing program are switched depending on whether the second object to be drawn is a type that has been combined with the first object.

  The drawing unit 126 is a drawing process according to whether or not a reference value that satisfies a connectable condition is set when the second object to be drawn comes into contact with the first object. Draw an object.

  Further, when drawing the background object, the drawing unit 126 refers to the progress history information stored in the progress history storage unit 26 and performs drawing by a drawing process based on the progress history information. For example, the background of the stage that has already been cleared and the background of the stage that has never been cleared are drawn by different drawing processes.

  The sound generation unit 128 performs sound processing based on the results of various processes performed by the processing unit 100, generates game sounds such as BGM, sound effects, or sounds, and outputs the game sounds to the sound output unit 60.

  Note that the image generation system of the present embodiment may be a system dedicated to the single player mode in which only one player can play, or may be a system having a multiplayer mode in which a plurality of players can play. Further, when a plurality of players play, game images and game sounds to be provided to the plurality of players may be generated using one terminal, or connected via a network (transmission line, communication line) or the like. Alternatively, it may be generated by distributed processing using a plurality of terminals (game machine, mobile phone).

2. Game Outline An outline of the game according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the game screen according to the present embodiment. The player can move the spherical character 130 (first object) in the virtual space by an operation input. In the virtual space, a plurality of types of objects (second objects) having different sizes, such as coins 132, jade balls 134, cans 136, pipes 138, people 140, buildings 142, etc., are arranged for each type. In the virtual space, a cloud 144, a mountain 146, the sun 148, the sky 150, and the ground 152 are arranged as background objects.

  When the player moves the character 130 and the character 130 and the second object come into contact with each other, and the size (diameter) of the character 130 is larger than the size of the second object with which the character 130 comes into contact, Objects are merged. Then, the combined character 130 and the second object become a new character 130. The size of the new character 130 is larger than the original character 130 by the combined second object. Further, the bounding volume for the contact determination of the new character 130 is also increased by the combined second object. The purpose of the game of the present embodiment is to combine the second object with the character 130 to make the character 130 larger in a snowball style.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining how the character 130 grows in a snowman style. Immediately after the game starts, the character 130 has the size shown in FIG. A coin 132, jade ball 134, and can 136 smaller than the character 130 can be combined with the character 130 of this size, but a pipe 138, a person 140, and a building 142 larger than the character 130 cannot be combined. . The player increases the character 130 by combining the second objects that can be combined. FIG. 3B shows a character 130 enlarged by combining from the state shown in FIG. Note that when the total size of the second objects coupled to the character 130 exceeds a certain value, the sphere (display model) at the center of the character 130 expands, so that the second object coupled to the inside of the sphere is Become invisible. At this point, the second object inside the sphere is deleted from the combined list. A pipe 138 can be further coupled to the character 130 having the size shown in FIG. Further, when the second object is combined with the character 130, the character 130 is enlarged to the size shown in FIG. A person 140 can be further coupled to the character 130 of this size. As described above, in the game according to the present embodiment, as the size of the character 130 is increased by combining more second objects, more types of second objects can be combined.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the transition of the game stage of this embodiment will be described. Size information 153 is displayed on the upper left of the game screen of FIG. In the size information 153, the size of the character 130 that is the target for clearing the stage and the current size of the character 130 are displayed. When the size of the character 130 reaches 5 m by combining the second objects, the stage shown in FIG. 2 is cleared and the next stage can be played.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the game screen of the present embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 4 is an example of a screen of the next stage that can be played after the stage shown in FIG. 2 is cleared. In the stage shown in FIG. 4, new types of second objects such as apples 154, branches 156, and trees 158 that were not in the stage shown in FIG. 2 are arranged. Further, a can 136 which is an object common to the stage shown in FIG. 2 is also arranged. Thus, in the present embodiment, there are stage-specific second objects that are arranged only on specific stages, and general-purpose second objects that are arranged on a plurality of stages. The stage shown in FIG. 4 is different in background object from the stage shown in FIG. On the stage shown in FIG. 4, a moon 160, the sky 162, and the ground 164 are arranged as background objects. Also, the stage shown in FIG. 4 is different from the stage shown in FIG. As shown in the size display 166 in FIG. 4, the clear condition is that the size of the character 130 is 10 m in the stage shown in FIG. 4. Further, the stage shown in FIG. 4 is different from the stage shown in FIG. 2 in the size of the character 130 at the start of the stage. In the stage shown in FIG. 4, the size of the character 130 at the start of the stage is 5 m.

  Thus, in the game of the present embodiment, a plurality of stages are prepared, and it is possible to play other stages by satisfying the clear condition set for one stage. As described above, the plurality of stages have different second objects, background objects, clear conditions, and the size of the character 130 at the start of the stage. In addition to the size of the character 130, the stage clearing condition may be that a specific second object is combined, the stage play time reaches a predetermined value, or the like.

3. 3. Method peculiar to this embodiment 3-1. Combined History Information FIG. 5 is a diagram showing combined history information according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the combination history information is information for identifying whether or not the character has been combined with the character 130 for each type of the second object. Here, the second object of the type whose combined flag is set to 1 has been combined with the character 130, and the second object of the type whose combined flag is set to 0 is , The character 130 has never been combined. FIG. 5A shows the connection history information when the jade ball 134 and the can 136 have been combined among the second objects.

  When a second object of a type whose combined flag is set to 0 is combined during the game, the combined flag is updated from 0 to 1. FIG. 5B shows the combined history information updated when the apple 154 is further combined in the state of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of second objects of the same type are arranged in the virtual space of this embodiment, but if one of the second objects of the same type is combined, that type of connection The completed flag is updated to 1.

  This combination history information is used to increase the player's willingness to place more types of second objects in a combined state. That is, if this combination history information is displayed on the player, the player can see the combined flag and know the type of the second object that has not been combined yet. Willingness to be in a combined state. Alternatively, instead of displaying the combined history information itself, a list of second objects may be displayed, and the display mode of the second object in the list may be changed based on the combined flag. Alternatively, only the second objects that have been combined may be displayed in a list.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the player is combined during the game by drawing the second object based on the combination history information by drawing processing according to whether or not the second object has been combined. It is possible to discriminate a second object of a type that has not been combined with a second type of second object.

3-2. Drawing Process FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the game screen of the present embodiment. In the image shown in FIG. 6, among the second objects, the jade ball 134 and the can 136 are entirely drawn in color, but the other second objects are drawn in a predetermined color only in the outline. The interior is drawn in white. The background object is also drawn with a predetermined color only in the outline, and the outline is drawn in white.

  FIG. 6 is an image drawn based on the connection history information shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, only the jasper 134 and the can 136 are coupled to the character 130. Therefore, in the combined history information shown in FIG. 5A, the combined flag of the jasper 134 and the can 136 is 1, and the combined flags of other types are 0. An image as shown in FIG. 6 is generated by drawing the second object by a drawing process corresponding to whether or not the type has been combined based on the combination history information.

  That is, when the second object to be drawn is a kind of jade ball 134 or can 136 that has been combined, the normal value based on the color value (RGB value) set in the vertex or texture data of the object Drawing is performed in rendering processing (an example of first drawing processing). On the other hand, if the second object to be drawn is of a type that has never been combined, the outline of the object is extracted, the extracted outline is in a predetermined color, and the other part is the vertex of the object or A process of drawing in white (second drawing process) is performed regardless of the color value set in the texture data. Note that contour extraction is set for a method that uses a single color model that is slightly larger than the object to be drawn, a method that identifies a pixel that is a contour based on the color difference between adjacent pixels on the frame buffer, and an object. There is a method of extracting the contour based on the angle of the normal line.

3-3. Stage Transition and Join History Information The stage transition and update of the join history information will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, it is assumed that the stage shown in FIG. 7 can be played when the stage shown in FIG. 6 is cleared.

  In the present embodiment, the combined history information illustrated in FIG. 5 is updated based on the type of the second object combined in the stage illustrated in FIG. 6 and the stage illustrated in FIG. Based on the updated combination history information, the stage shown in FIG. 6 and the stage shown in FIG. 7 are drawn.

  That is, as described above, when there is a combination in the stage shown in FIG. 6, the combination history information shown in FIG. 5 is updated. Then, based on the updated combination history information, the second object arranged on the stage shown in FIG. 6 is drawn by a drawing process according to whether or not the type has been combined.

  When the size of the character 130 reaches 5 m, the stage shown in FIG. 6 is cleared and the stage shown in FIG. 7 is started. Here, even when there is a combination in the stage shown in FIG. 7, the combination history information shown in FIG. 5 is updated as in the case of the stage shown in FIG. FIG. 5B shows the combined history information when only the apple 154 is combined with the character 130 in the stage shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5B, the combined flag of the apple 154 that is the type combined in the stage shown in FIG. In addition, the combined flag of the jade ball 134 and the can 136, which are the types combined in the stage shown in FIG.

  The second object placed on the stage shown in FIG. 7 is a type that has been combined in the stage shown in FIG. 6 or the stage shown in FIG. 7 based on the combination history information shown in FIG. It is drawn by a drawing process according to the above. Thus, on the game screen shown in FIG. 7, the can 136 combined at the stage shown in FIG. 6 and the apple 154 combined at the stage shown in FIG. 7 are drawn in color, and the other second objects are contoured. Only the line is drawn with a predetermined color, and the inside of the outline is drawn with a single white color.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, whether or not the second object has been combined at any of the plurality of stages by carrying over the combination history information before and after the stage transitions after the clear condition is satisfied. Drawing can be performed by a drawing process corresponding to the above.

3-4. Drawing Process According to Position of Second Object FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a game screen according to the present embodiment. In the game screen shown in FIG. 8, the jade ball 134b and the can 136b arranged inside the circular area 168 centering on the contact point of the character 130 with the ground 152 are drawn in color, and other second objects Only the outline is drawn in a predetermined color, and the inside of the outline is drawn in white.

  The drawing of the game screen shown in FIG. 8 uses the combined history information shown in FIG. 5A, similarly to the drawing of the game screen shown in FIG. Further, in the drawing on the game screen shown in FIG. 8, the second object is drawn by a drawing process according to whether or not the second object is arranged at a position within a predetermined distance from the character 130. .

  That is, here, if the second object to be drawn is of a kind that has been combined and is located within the area 168, it is set to the vertex or texture data of the second object. Drawing is performed by normal rendering processing based on the color values (RGB values). On the other hand, if the second object to be drawn is of a type that has never been combined, or is of a type that has been combined and is located outside the region 168, the second object The contour of the object is extracted, and the extracted contour is rendered in a predetermined color, and the other portions are rendered in white regardless of the color value set in the vertex or texture data of the second object.

  As a result, when the character 130 approaches the second object of a kind that has been combined, the effect that the second object that has been white until now becomes a color is obtained.

3-5. Background Object A background information object drawing process based on the stage clear status will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

  FIG. 9 is information (an example of progress history information) indicating the cleared status of a plurality of stages. As described above, in the game of the present embodiment, a plurality of stages are prepared, and a new stage can be played when a certain stage clear condition is satisfied. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, a cleared flag indicating whether or not the stage has been cleared is set in association with each stage. In FIG. 9, stages 1 to 3 in which 1 is set in the cleared flag indicate that the clear condition has already been satisfied for the stage. On the other hand, stages 4 to 5 in which 0 is set in the cleared flag indicate that the clear condition is not yet satisfied for the stage. When the clear condition of the stage in which 0 is set in the cleared flag is satisfied, the cleared flag is updated to 1.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a game screen according to the present embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 10 shows a game screen of a stage in which 1 is set in the cleared flag. On the game screen shown in FIG. 10, background objects (clouds 144, mountains 146, sun 148, sky 150, ground 152) are drawn in color. On the other hand, the game screens shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 to 8 described above are screens of the stage in which the cleared flag is set to 0. In these game screens, only the outline is drawn in a predetermined color on the background object. The inside of the outline is drawn with a white color. As described above, in this embodiment, the background of the cleared stage and the stage that has not been cleared are drawn by different drawing processes, so that it is possible to determine whether or not the stage that the player is currently playing has been cleared. Yes.

  In the game screen shown in FIG. 10, based on the combination history information shown in FIG. 5, the type of second object that has been combined is color, and the type of second object that has not been combined is Only the outline is drawn in a predetermined color, and the inside of the outline is drawn in white. In this way, by drawing the second object of the type that has been combined with the background object by the same drawing process, the second type of the object that has not been combined among the objects arranged in the virtual space. Only the object is drawn in a different drawing process from the other objects. This makes it easier for the player to discriminate the second object that has not yet been combined when playing the cleared stage.

4). Flowcharts FIGS. 11 to 13 are flowcharts showing the flow of processing of this embodiment.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the combining process of this embodiment. First, the image generation system moves the character 130 in the virtual space based on the operation input (step S10). Then, the image generation system determines whether or not the character 130 is in contact with the second object (step S12). If it is determined that the character 130 and the second object are in contact (step 12: Y), the image generation system next determines whether or not the size of the character 130 is larger than the contacted second object ( Step S14). When it is determined that the size of the character 130 is larger than the contacted second object (step S14: Y), the image generation system adds the contacted second object to the combined list (step S16). Then, the image generation system updates the size of the character 130 based on the size of the second object added to the combined list (step S18). Furthermore, the image generation system updates the bounding volume for contact determination set for the character 130 based on the size of the second object added to the combined list. (Step S20). Then, the image generation system updates the combined flag of the combined second object type to 1 in the combined history information (step S22).

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a flow of drawing processing of the second object of the present embodiment. In the drawing process of the second object, the image generation system first refers to the combination history information (step S30, and determines whether or not the combined flag of the type of the second object to be drawn is 1 (step S32). When the combined flag of the second object to be drawn is 0 (step S32: N), the image generation system draws the second object by the second drawing process (step S38). When the combined flag of the second object to be drawn is 1 (step S32: Y), the image generation system next checks whether the arrangement position of the second object to be drawn is within a predetermined range from the character 130. (Step S34) The arrangement position of the second object to be drawn is predetermined from the character 130. If it is outside the range (step S34: N), the image generation system draws the second object by the second drawing process (step S38), while the arrangement position of the second object to be drawn is the character 130. Is within the predetermined range (step S34: Y), the image generation system draws the second object by the first drawing process (step S36).

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of background object rendering processing according to this embodiment. In the background object drawing process, the image generation system first refers to the progress history information (step S40), and determines whether or not the cleared flag of the stage where the background object to be drawn is arranged is 1 (step S42). ). When the cleared flag is 1 (step S40: Y), the image generation system draws the background object by the first drawing process (step S44). On the other hand, when the cleared flag is 0 (step S42: N), the image generation system draws the background object by the second drawing process (step S46).

5). Modifications The present invention is not limited to that described in the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, terms cited as broad or synonymous terms in the description in the specification or drawings can be replaced with broad or synonymous terms in other descriptions in the specification or drawings.

5-1. Drawing Process According to Combineable Conditions In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the second object is drawn by a drawing process according to whether or not the second object is a type that has been combined. You may make it draw by the drawing process according to whether the reference value which will satisfy | fill conditions which can be combined when it contacts with the object of this is set.

  In this case, when the second object is drawn, the size of the second object is compared with the size of the character 130. If the possible condition is not satisfied, only the contour line may be drawn with a predetermined color, and the second object may be drawn with a white color inside the contour line.

  Alternatively, in addition to the combination history information shown in FIG. 5 or in place of the combination history information shown in FIG. 5, a combination indicating whether each second object can be combined with the character 130 for each type of second object. A possibility flag (an example of information that can be combined) may be set, and the second object may be drawn based on the combination permission flag. In this case, the current value of the size set for each type of the second object and the size of the character 130 at a predetermined timing (when the second object is combined, every predetermined time (for example, one frame)). Are compared, and the combination possible flag is updated based on the comparison result.

  In this way, the player can determine which of the plurality of second objects can be combined.

5-2. Drawing Processing In the above embodiment, processing for drawing an object in color is performed as the first drawing processing, and only the outline of the object is drawn in a predetermined color as the second drawing processing, and the inside of the contour is drawn in white color Although an example in which the process is performed has been described, the drawing process is not limited to this.

  For example, a process of drawing an object in color as the first drawing process may be performed, and a process of drawing the object in gray scale may be performed as the second drawing process. In this case, when the first drawing process is performed, the object is drawn by a normal rendering method based on the color value set in the vertex or texture data of the object, and when the second drawing process is performed, A predetermined filter process may be performed on the color value of the pixel of the object obtained in the first drawing process to convert the color image into a grayscale image.

  Further, a process for drawing an object in an opaque manner may be performed as the first drawing process, and a process for drawing an object in a semi-transparent state may be performed as the second drawing process.

  Further, a process of drawing an object by a normal rendering method may be performed as the first drawing process, and a process of drawing the object by distorting the object may be performed as the second drawing process. In this case, when the second drawing process is performed, the position of the vertex of the object may be changed by a vertex processing program (vertex shader program).

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which an object is drawn by the first drawing process or the second drawing process has been described. However, the drawing process is not limited to two types, and the object is one of three or more types of drawing processes. May be drawn. For example, a second object of a type that has been combined may be drawn in any of a plurality of drawing processes according to yet another condition. Specifically, as the combined history storage information, in addition to the combined flag, the number of combined objects so far is set for each type of the second object, and the combined number is a second number of types that is a predetermined number or more. The object may be drawn in the third drawing process. As the third drawing process, for example, a filter process for shining the surface of the object, or a process for mapping a texture including a mark indicating that a predetermined number or more are combined may be performed.

  In addition to the drawing process, the sound may be changed. For example, when the character 130 and the second object collide, or when the character 130 and the second object are combined, whether the second object has been combined or not, and the combining condition is satisfied. You may make it generate the sound according to whether it will be.

  In addition to the drawing process, a vibration process of the operation unit 10 may be performed. For example, when the character 130 and the second object collide, or when the character 130 and the second object are combined, whether the second object has been combined or not, and the combining condition is satisfied. You may make it vibrate the operation part 10 according to whether it will be.

5-3. Drawing Process According to the Position of the Second Object In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the second drawing process is performed according to whether or not the character 130 is placed within a predetermined range from the point in contact with the ground. Although the example in which the object is drawn has been described, the aspect of the drawing process according to the position of the second object is not limited to this.

  For example, the second object may be drawn by a drawing process according to whether or not the virtual camera is arranged within a predetermined range from the position where the virtual camera is arranged. In addition, the second object may be drawn by a drawing process depending on whether or not it is arranged within the field of view of the virtual camera.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Operation part, 20 Storage part, 21 Object data storage part, 22 Frame buffer, 23 Depth buffer, 24 Texture storage part, 25 Connection history storage part, 26 Progress history storage part, 30 Information storage medium, 40 Portable information storage device , 50 display unit, 60 sound output unit, 70 communication unit, 100 processing unit, 110 virtual space setting unit, 112 movement processing unit, 114 contact determination unit, 116 coupling determination unit, 118 coupling unit, 120 updating unit, 124 virtual camera Control unit, 126 drawing unit, 128 sound generation unit,
130 characters, 132 coins, 134 jade balls, 136 cans, 138 pipes, 140 people, 142 building, 144 clouds, 146 mountains, 148 sun, 150 sky, 152 ground, 153 size information, 154 apples, 156 branches, 158 trees , 160 months, 162 sky, 164 ground, 166 size information

Claims (11)

A computer is caused to execute a game in which a plurality of types of second objects arranged in the virtual space are combined with a first object moving in the virtual space, and the virtual camera is arranged from the virtual camera arranged in the virtual space. A program for drawing an image of a space,
A virtual space setting unit for setting a virtual space in which the first object and a plurality of types of the second objects are arranged;
A movement processing unit for moving the first object in the virtual space;
A contact determination unit that determines whether or not the first object and the second object are in contact with each other;
A combination determination unit that determines whether or not the contacted first object and the second object satisfy a predetermined combining condition when the contact determination unit determines that the contact has been made;
A combining unit that combines the first object and the second object that are in contact with each other when the combining determination unit determines that the combining possible condition is satisfied;
A combined history storage unit for storing combined history information for identifying whether or not the second object has been combined with the first object for each type of the second object;
An update unit that updates the combination history information based on a type of the second object combined when the first object and the second object are combined;
A drawing unit that draws the second object by a drawing process according to whether or not the type has been combined based on the combination history information;
A program characterized by causing a computer to function.   The drawing unit draws the second object of a type that has been combined with the first drawing process, and draws the second object of a type that has not been combined with the second drawing process. The program according to claim 1.   The drawing unit draws the first object or the second object arranged at a position within a predetermined distance from the virtual camera by a first drawing process. The program according to claim 1, wherein the second object is drawn by a second drawing process. Controlling the progress of the game, causing the computer to function as a game processing unit that determines whether the progress of the game satisfies a predetermined condition,
The virtual space setting unit newly arranges the second object when it is determined that the progress of the game satisfies a predetermined condition,
The updating unit maintains the combination history information updated before the progress state satisfies a predetermined condition, and sets the type of the second object combined after the progress state satisfies the predetermined condition. Based on the above, update the binding history information,
The said drawing part draws the said 2nd object newly arrange | positioned after the said progress condition satisfy | fills a predetermined condition based on the said joint log | history information, The Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. program. A computer is caused to execute a game for combining a plurality of second objects arranged in the virtual space with a first object moving in the virtual space, and the virtual space is arranged from the virtual camera arranged in the virtual space. A program for drawing an image that looks at
A virtual space setting unit that arranges the first object and a plurality of second objects having different set reference values in the virtual space;
A movement processing unit for moving the first object in the virtual space;
A contact determination unit that determines whether or not the first object and the second object are in contact with each other;
A combination determination unit that determines, based on the reference value, whether or not the contacted first object and the second object satisfy a predetermined combining condition when the contact determination unit determines that the contact has occurred. ,
A coupling unit that couples the first object and the second object in contact with each other when it is determined by the coupling determination unit that the coupling possible condition is satisfied;
A drawing unit that draws the second object by a drawing process according to whether or not the reference value that satisfies the combining condition is determined when it is determined that the second object is touched by the contact determination unit;
A program characterized by causing a computer to function. The virtual space setting unit arranges a plurality of types of the second objects in the virtual space,
For each type of the second object, connectable information for identifying whether or not the reference value that satisfies the connectable condition is determined when it is determined that the contact is determined by the contact determining unit is stored. A connectable information storage unit,
An update unit that updates the combinable information at a given timing;
Function as a computer
The program according to claim 5, wherein the drawing unit draws the second object by a drawing process according to the connectable information. A game processing unit that controls the progress of the game and determines whether the progress of the game satisfies a predetermined condition;
A progress history storage unit that stores progress history information updated when it is determined that the progress of the game satisfies a predetermined condition;
Function as a computer
The virtual space setting unit arranges a background object that cannot be combined with the first object in the virtual space,
The program according to claim 1, wherein the drawing unit draws the background object based on the progress history information.   The combination determination unit determines that the combination possible condition is satisfied when a relationship between the sizes of the first object and the second object in contact satisfies a predetermined condition. The program according to -7.   An information storage medium readable by a computer, wherein the program according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is stored. A game is executed in which a plurality of types of second objects arranged in the virtual space are combined with a first object moving in the virtual space, and the virtual space is viewed from a virtual camera arranged in the virtual space. An image generation system for drawing an image,
A virtual space setting unit for setting a virtual space in which the first object and a plurality of types of the second objects are arranged;
A movement processing unit for moving the first object in the virtual space;
A contact determination unit that determines whether or not the first object and the second object are in contact with each other;
A coupling determination unit that determines whether or not the contacted first object and the second object satisfy a predetermined combining condition when the contact determination unit determines that the contact has been made;
A combining unit that combines the first object and the second object that are in contact with each other when it is determined by the combining determination unit that the combining possible condition is satisfied;
A combined history storage unit for storing combined history information for identifying whether or not the second object has been combined with the first object for each type of the second object;
An update unit that updates the combination history information based on a type of the second object combined when the first object and the second object are combined;
A drawing unit that draws the second object by a drawing process based on whether or not the type has been combined based on the combination history information;
An image generation system comprising: A game is executed in which a plurality of second objects arranged in the virtual space are combined with a first object moving in the virtual space, and the virtual space is viewed from a virtual camera arranged in the virtual space An image generation system for drawing an image,
A virtual space setting unit that arranges the first object and a plurality of second objects having different set reference values in the virtual space;
A movement processing unit for moving the first object in the virtual space;
A contact determination unit that determines whether or not the first object and the second object are in contact with each other;
A combination determination unit that determines, based on the reference value, whether or not the contacted first object and the second object satisfy a predetermined combining condition when the contact determination unit determines that the contact has occurred. ,
A coupling unit that couples the first object and the second object in contact with each other when it is determined by the coupling determination unit that the coupling possible condition is satisfied;
A drawing unit that draws the second object by a drawing process according to whether or not the reference value that satisfies the combining condition is determined when it is determined that the second object is touched by the contact determination unit;
An image generation system comprising: