JP2012120565A - Game device, method for controlling game device, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game device, a method for controlling the game device, and a program with which a player readily understand specific movement to be made by the player.SOLUTION: In the game device 500, a game task performed by the player is set in a game. During reproduction of a music divided into a plurality of sections having a predetermined time length, the game task displays which type of movement is made with which timing. A reproduction unit 501 reproduces the music. An acquisition unit 502 acquires the type of movement to be made by a player and timing corresponding to the type of the movement by the passage of the predetermined time length from a current time. A display unit 503 displays, on a screen: a cursor image moving on a predetermined orbit at a predetermined speed with a period of the predetermined time length; and indication marks disposed on the predetermined orbit and indicating the types of movements acquired. The indication mark is disposed on the predetermined orbit, so that the cursor image reaches a position of the indication mark with timing acquired with the type of the movement indicated by the indication mark.

Description

  The present invention relates to a game device, a game device control method, and a program suitable for enabling a player to easily grasp a specific movement to be performed.

  There is a game where a player moves his / her body while looking at a mark or model displayed on the screen. For example, in order to give a lecture on how to dance, fitness, gymnastics, etc., a character whose posture changes is displayed, and the player moves his / her body with reference to the movement of the character. In Patent Document 1, an instruction mark indicating an action to be performed by a player (hereinafter referred to as a “game task”) is displayed on the screen, and when the user moves his / her foot according to the instruction mark, the game allows the user to feel like dancing. Is disclosed.

Japanese Patent No. 3003851

  By the way, in a game that progresses as the player moves in the real space, such as a dance game, simply by listing and presenting game tasks in order to cause the player to perform a specific movement, In some cases, it was difficult for the player to instantly grasp what kind of movement the player was showing.

  The present invention solves such problems, and provides a game device, a game device control method, and a program suitable for enabling a player to easily grasp a specific movement to be performed. Objective.

  In order to achieve the above object, the following invention is disclosed in accordance with the principle of the present invention.

The game device according to the first aspect of the present invention is a game in which a player should determine which type of operation should be performed at which timing while a music piece divided into a plurality of sections of a predetermined time length is being played. A game device that realizes a game to be solved, and includes a reproduction unit, an acquisition unit, and a display unit.
The playback unit plays back music.
The acquisition unit acquires the timing corresponding to the type of the action as well as the type of action to be performed by the player from the present until the predetermined time length elapses.
The display section
(A) a cursor image that moves at a predetermined speed on a predetermined trajectory with a predetermined time length as a period;
(B) an instruction mark arranged on a predetermined trajectory and representing each of the acquired types of motion;
Is displayed.
Each of the instruction marks is arranged on a predetermined trajectory so that the cursor image reaches the position of the instruction mark at the timing acquired together with the type of operation represented by the instruction mark.

  The game executed by the game device of the present invention is, for example, a dance game in which a player can enjoy the feeling of dancing when the player moves his body as indicated by the game task displayed on the screen. However, the game content is not limited to dance, and may be a game in which the player can experience gymnastics, fitness, yoga, and the like.

  The game task is presented to the player by displaying an instruction mark indicating the type of action on the screen. The movement represented by the instruction mark is, for example, an action of moving the foot in any one of up, down, left and right directions, an action of shaking the hand in any of up, down, left and right directions. Typically, the instruction mark has a design of an arrow pointing in a direction, and the game task content can be roughly grasped by looking at the arrow.

  There are roughly two ways to display the instruction mark. One is a display method (scroll display) in which the instruction mark gradually moves in accordance with the music in a predetermined direction on the screen (generally called “scroll”). The other is a display method (fixed display) in which the instruction mark is fixed at a predetermined position in the screen when a certain condition is satisfied. The certain condition is, for example, that a plurality of instruction marks apply to a predetermined arrangement pattern.

  Specifically, for example, the instruction mark is scrolled at the start of the game, and when a certain condition is satisfied, the scroll display is switched to the fixed display. In the fixed display, the instruction mark is displayed on a predetermined trajectory so that the order of the game tasks is not lost. The predetermined trajectory is, for example, a circle, an ellipse, or the like, and the instruction marks are sequentially arranged on the circumference.

  In the fixed display, a cursor image that moves on the predetermined trajectory is displayed. That is, on this predetermined trajectory, there are an indication mark whose position is fixed and a cursor image that moves on the trajectory. When the current time in the game matches the operation timing (hereinafter referred to as “task time”) indicated by the game task corresponding to the instruction mark, the position of the cursor image matches the position of the instruction mark. Therefore, the position of the cursor image on the orbit serves as a guide when the player determines the task time. Furthermore, the player can easily grasp the contents and order of the game tasks by seeing in which direction the instruction marks are arranged in order on the circumference (that is, whether the direction is arranged clockwise or counterclockwise). It becomes possible. Therefore, according to the present invention, the game device can easily grasp a specific movement to be performed by the player.

  The display unit displays a timing represented by an instruction mark whose timing is closest to the current time and whose timing is later than the current time (hereinafter referred to as “the latest instruction mark”) among the instruction marks displayed on the screen. When the time difference between the current time and the current time is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value, the instruction mark is fixedly placed on the predetermined trajectory. You may scroll-display in a direction.

  That is, the above “certain condition” may be that the time from the current time in the game to the task time corresponding to the latest instruction mark is equal to or less than the threshold value. According to the present invention, since the scroll display is switched to the fixed display when the task time corresponding to the latest instruction mark is approached, the player can grasp the game task to be cleared most recently in an easy-to-understand manner. Further, in the fixed display, the player can obtain a hint of the content of the game task corresponding to the latest instruction mark from the direction in which the player is arranged on the trajectory. Therefore, the player can easily perform a specific movement such as clockwise or counterclockwise.

  The display unit may set a predetermined threshold based on a predetermined time length of the music to be played.

  That is, the predetermined time length of the music is defined by using, for example, one bar or two bars previously defined for the music. According to the present invention, when the time from the current time in the game to the task time corresponding to the latest instruction mark becomes, for example, one measure or less, the scroll display is switched to the fixed display. Therefore, it is possible to allow the player to easily grasp the specific movement while following a part of the scroll display of the instruction mark that has been conventionally employed in game devices.

  The display unit fixes the indication mark on a predetermined trajectory when the time difference is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value and when it is determined that the predetermined number of indication marks are in a predetermined arrangement pattern from the latest indication marks. May be arranged.

  That is, the time from the current time in the game to the task time corresponding to the latest instruction mark is equal to or less than the threshold, and a plurality of instruction marks including the latest instruction mark are arranged in a predetermined arrangement pattern. It may be the “certain condition” described above. According to the present invention, when the task time corresponding to the most recent instruction mark is approached and a plurality of instruction marks including the most recent instruction mark are arranged in a predetermined arrangement pattern, the player switches from the scroll display to the fixed display. This makes it easier to understand a series of game tasks that should be cleared most recently.

A predetermined direction may be associated with each instruction mark in advance.
The predetermined arrangement pattern may represent clockwise or counterclockwise when the directions associated with the instruction marks are arranged in the order of time passage.

  That is, the instruction mark may be designed so that the direction of the action to be performed by the player can be known, for example. Typically, an arrow pointing to the right is drawn on an instruction mark indicating an operation such as pressing the right button or waving the right hand. The same applies to the other directions. In the fixed display, the instruction marks may be sequentially arranged clockwise or counterclockwise on the circular trajectory. Therefore, the player can grasp a series of movements to be taken by himself / herself corresponding to the latest instruction mark in an easy-to-understand manner by checking whether the arrangement is clockwise or counterclockwise. According to the present invention, the effect that a series of game tasks to be cleared most recently by the player can be grasped more easily is increased.

The display unit may use an image obtained by changing at least one of brightness, saturation, and hue of the image representing the instruction mark as a cursor image.
The display unit may change at least one of the brightness, saturation, and hue of the image representing the instruction mark when the current time matches the timing represented by the instruction mark.

  That is, an image having a design different from that of a normal instruction mark may be used as a cursor image. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide a cursor image having a different shape from the instruction mark. According to the present invention, not only the effect that a series of game tasks to be cleared most recently can be grasped in an easy-to-understand manner but also an advantage that the game screen does not have to be complicated can be obtained.

The shape of the predetermined trajectory may be a circle, an ellipse, a polygon, or any closed figure.
Then, the display unit may move the cursor image so as to go around a predetermined trajectory.

  According to the present invention, in the fixed display, since the instruction marks are arranged so that the order of the game tasks is easy to understand, there is an effect that the player can more easily understand a series of game tasks that should be cleared most recently. Increase.

The control method according to another aspect of the present invention is a game task that a player should determine which type of operation should be performed at which timing while a music piece divided into a plurality of sections of a predetermined time length is being played. Is a control method that is executed by a game device having a reproduction unit, an acquisition unit, and a display unit, and includes a reproduction process, an acquisition process, and a display process.
In the playback process, the playback unit plays back the music.
In the acquisition process, the acquisition unit acquires the timing corresponding to the type of action as well as the type of action to be performed by the player from the present until the predetermined time length elapses.
In the display process, the display unit
(A) a cursor image that moves at a predetermined speed on a predetermined trajectory with a predetermined time length as a period;
(B) an instruction mark arranged on a predetermined trajectory and representing each of the acquired types of motion;
Is displayed.
Further, each of the instruction marks is arranged on a predetermined trajectory so that the cursor image reaches the position of the instruction mark at a timing acquired together with the type of operation represented by the instruction mark.

  According to the present invention, the game device can easily grasp a specific movement to be performed by the player.

In the program according to another aspect of the present invention, the player should determine which kind of operation should be performed at which timing while the music divided into a plurality of sections of a predetermined time length is being played. A program that functions as a game device that realizes a game that is a game task, and the program causes a computer to function as a reproduction unit, an acquisition unit, and a display unit.
The playback unit plays back music.
The acquisition unit acquires the timing corresponding to the type of the action as well as the type of action to be performed by the player from the present until the predetermined time length elapses.
The display section
(A) a cursor image that moves at a predetermined speed on a predetermined trajectory with a predetermined time length as a period;
(B) an instruction mark arranged on a predetermined trajectory and representing each of the acquired types of motion;
Is displayed.
Further, each of the instruction marks is arranged on a predetermined trajectory so that the cursor image reaches the position of the instruction mark at a timing acquired together with the type of operation represented by the instruction mark.

According to the present invention, it is possible to cause a computer to function as a game device that operates as described above.
The program of the present invention can be recorded on a computer-readable information recording medium such as a compact disk, flexible disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, digital video disk, magnetic tape, and semiconductor memory.
The above program can be distributed and sold via a computer communication network independently of the computer on which the program is executed. The information recording medium can be distributed and sold independently of the computer.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a game device, a game device control method, and a program suitable for enabling a player to easily grasp a specific movement to be performed.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the typical information processing apparatus with which the game device of this invention is implement | achieved. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of a 1st controller. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of a 2nd controller (mat). It is a figure which shows the structural example of a game screen. It is a figure for demonstrating the functional structure of a game device. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a game screen. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the game screen when time (DELTA) T passes. It is a figure for demonstrating the process which rearranges an instruction | indication mark. It is a figure which shows the instruction mark rearranged. It is a figure which shows the rearranged instruction mark and the cursor image. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of a game screen. It is a figure which shows the rearranged instruction mark and the cursor image. It is a figure which shows the instruction mark rearranged. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a game process. It is a flowchart (continuation) for demonstrating game processing. It is a flowchart (continuation) for demonstrating game processing. It is a figure which shows the instruction mark rearranged. It is a figure which shows the rearranged instruction mark and the cursor image.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In the following, for ease of understanding, an embodiment in which the present invention is realized using a game information processing device will be described. However, the embodiment described below is for explanation, and the present invention is described. It does not limit the range. Therefore, those skilled in the art can employ embodiments in which each or all of these elements are replaced with equivalent ones, and these embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a typical information processing apparatus 100 that performs the functions of the game apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention by executing a program.

  The information processing apparatus 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, an interface 104, a first controller 105, an external memory 106, a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc ROM) drive 107, An image processing unit 108, a sound processing unit 109, a NIC (Network Interface Card) 110, and a second controller 111 are provided.

  When a DVD-ROM storing a game program and data is loaded into the DVD-ROM drive 107 and the information processing apparatus 100 is turned on, the program is executed and the game apparatus according to the present embodiment is realized. Is done.

  The CPU 101 controls the overall operation of the information processing apparatus 100 and is connected to each component to exchange control signals and data. Further, the CPU 101 uses arithmetic operations such as addition / subtraction / multiplication / division, logical sum, logical product, etc. using an ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) (not shown) for a storage area called a register (not shown) that can be accessed at high speed. , Logic operations such as logical negation, bit operations such as bit sum, bit product, bit inversion, bit shift, and bit rotation can be performed. In addition, the CPU 101 itself is configured so that saturation operations such as addition / subtraction / multiplication / division for multimedia processing, vector operations such as trigonometric functions, etc. can be performed at a high speed, and those provided with a coprocessor. There is.

  The ROM 102 records an IPL (Initial Program Loader) that is executed immediately after the power is turned on, and when this is executed, the program recorded on the DVD-ROM is read out to the RAM 103 and execution by the CPU 101 is started. The The ROM 102 stores an operating system program and various data necessary for operation control of the entire information processing apparatus 100.

  The RAM 103 is for temporarily storing data and programs, and holds programs and data read from the DVD-ROM and other data necessary for game progress and chat communication. Further, the CPU 101 provides a variable area in the RAM 103 and performs an operation by directly operating the ALU on the value stored in the variable, or temporarily stores the value stored in the RAM 103 in the register. Perform operations such as performing operations on registers and writing back the operation results to memory.

  The first controller 105 and the second controller 111 connected via the interface 104 receive an operation input performed by the player when the game is executed. Details of the first controller 105 and the second controller 111 will be described later. In the following description, the first controller 105 may be simply referred to as “controller”, and the second controller 111 may be referred to as “mat”.

  The external memory 106 detachably connected via the interface 104 stores data indicating game play status (past results, etc.), data indicating the progress of the game, and log of chat communication in a network battle ( Data) is stored in a rewritable manner. The player can appropriately record these data in the external memory 106 by inputting an instruction via the first controller 105 or the second controller 111.

  A DVD-ROM mounted on the DVD-ROM drive 107 stores a program for playing a game and image data and audio data associated with the game. Under the control of the CPU 101, the DVD-ROM drive 107 performs a reading process on the DVD-ROM loaded therein, reads out necessary programs and data, and these are temporarily stored in the RAM 103 or the like.

  The image processing unit 108 processes the data read from the DVD-ROM by the CPU 101 or an image arithmetic processor (not shown) included in the image processing unit 108, and then processes the processed data on a frame memory ( (Not shown). The image information recorded in the frame memory is converted into a video signal at a predetermined synchronization timing and output to a monitor (not shown) connected to the image processing unit 108. Thereby, various image displays are possible.

  The image calculation processor can execute a two-dimensional image overlay calculation, a transmission calculation such as α blending, and various saturation calculations at high speed.

  In addition, when the virtual space is configured in three dimensions, polygon information that is arranged in the three-dimensional space and to which various texture information is added is rendered by the Z buffer method, and a predetermined viewpoint position is used. It is also possible to execute a calculation at high speed to obtain a rendering image in which a polygon arranged in the virtual space is viewed in the direction of a predetermined line of sight.

  Further, the CPU 101 and the image arithmetic processor operate in a coordinated manner, so that a character string can be drawn as a two-dimensional image in a frame memory or drawn on the surface of each polygon according to font information that defines the character shape. is there.

  The audio processing unit 109 converts audio data read from the DVD-ROM into an analog audio signal, and outputs it from a speaker connected thereto. Further, under the control of the CPU 101, sound effects and music data to be generated during the progress of the game are generated, and sound corresponding to this is output from the speaker.

  When the audio data recorded on the DVD-ROM is MIDI data, the audio processing unit 109 refers to the sound source data included in the audio data and converts the MIDI data into PCM data. If the compressed audio data is in ADPCM format or Ogg Vorbis format, it is expanded and converted to PCM data. The PCM data can be output by performing D / A (Digital / Analog) conversion at a timing corresponding to the sampling frequency and outputting it to a speaker.

  Furthermore, a microphone can be connected to the information processing apparatus 100. In this case, the analog signal from the microphone is subjected to A / D conversion at an appropriate sampling frequency so that processing such as mixing in the audio processing unit 109 can be performed as a PCM format digital signal.

  The NIC 110 is used to connect the information processing apparatus 100 to a computer communication network (not shown) such as the Internet, and is based on the 10BASE-T / 100BASE-T standard used when configuring a LAN (Local Area Network). To connect to the Internet using an analog modem, ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) modem, ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) modem, cable television line A cable modem or the like, and an interface (not shown) that mediates between them and the CPU 101 are configured.

  In addition, the information processing apparatus 100 uses a large-capacity external storage device such as a hard disk so as to perform the same function as the ROM 102, the RAM 103, the external memory 106, the DVD-ROM attached to the DVD-ROM drive 107, and the like. You may comprise.

  The information processing apparatus 100 described above corresponds to a so-called “consumer video game apparatus”, but the present invention can be realized as long as it performs image processing to display a virtual space. Therefore, the present invention can be realized on various computers such as a mobile phone, a portable game device, a karaoke apparatus, and a general business computer.

  For example, a general computer includes an CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a DVD-ROM drive, and an NIC, as in the information processing apparatus 100, and an image processing unit having a simpler function than the information processing apparatus 100. In addition to having a hard disk as an external storage device, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic tape, and the like can be used. Further, instead of the first controller 105 and the second controller 111, a keyboard or a mouse can be used as an input device.

  In the present embodiment, a controller that can measure various parameters such as the current position and posture of the first controller 105 in the real space is employed as the first controller 105.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the external appearance of the first controller 105 and the information processing apparatus 100 that can measure various parameters such as position and posture in the actual space. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  The first controller 105 is a combination of the grip module 201 and the light emitting module 251. The grip module 201 is communicably connected to the information processing apparatus 100 by wireless communication, and the light emitting module 251 is communicably connected to the information processing apparatus 100 by wire. The sound and image of the processing result of the information processing apparatus 100 are output and displayed by the television apparatus 291.

  The grip module 201 has an appearance similar to the remote controller of the television device 291, and a CCD camera 202 is disposed at the tip thereof.

  On the other hand, the light emitting module 251 is fixed to the upper part of the television device 291. Light emitting diodes 252 are disposed at both ends of the light emitting module 251, and emits light when power is supplied from the information processing apparatus 100.

  The CCD camera 202 of the grip module 201 takes a picture of the light emitting module 251.

  Information on the captured image is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 100, and the CPU 101 of the information processing apparatus 100 determines the grip module for the light emitting module 251 based on the position where the light emitting diode 252 is captured in the captured image. The position of 201 is acquired.

  In addition, an acceleration sensor, an angular acceleration sensor, an inclination sensor, and the like are built in the grip module 201, and the posture of the grip module 201 itself can be measured. This measurement result is also transmitted to the information processing apparatus 100.

  A cross-shaped key 203 is arranged on the upper surface of the grip module 201, and the player can input various direction instructions by pressing the cross-shaped key 203. In addition to the A button 204, various buttons 206 are also arranged on the upper surface, and an instruction input associated with the button can be performed.

  On the other hand, the B button 205 is disposed on the lower surface of the grip module 201 and, in combination with the depression formed on the lower surface of the grip module 201, simulates a trigger in a handgun or a magic hand. Typically, the B button 205 is used to input an instruction for firing with a handgun or holding with a magic hand in a virtual space.

  Further, the indicator 207 on the upper surface of the grip module 201 presents to the player the operating status of the grip module 201 and the status of wireless communication with the information processing apparatus 100.

  A power button 208 prepared on the upper surface of the grip module 201 turns on / off the grip module 201 itself, and the grip module 201 is operated by a built-in battery (not shown).

  The cross key 203, the A button 204, the B button 205, the various buttons 206, and the power button 208 are also referred to as “operation targets”.

  In addition, a speaker 209 is disposed on the upper surface of the grip module 201 and outputs a sound based on a sound signal input from the sound processing unit 109. A vibrator (not shown) is prepared inside the grip module 201 so that the presence / absence and strength of vibration can be controlled based on an instruction from the information processing apparatus 100.

  The following description is based on the assumption that the position and orientation of the grip module 201 in the real world are measured using the first controller 105 that is a combination of the grip module 201 and the light emitting module 251. However, regardless of the above-described form, even when the position and orientation of the first controller 105 in the real world are measured using, for example, ultrasonic waves, infrared communication, GPS (Global Positioning System), or the like. And within the scope of the present invention.

  The second controller (mat) 111 is placed on a floor or the like, and has a mat shape that allows the player to press a predetermined area on the surface with a foot or a hand. In a predetermined area on the surface of the second controller 111, a button for receiving an instruction input by pressing from the player or a sensor for detecting pressure applied by the player is arranged.

  FIG. 3 is a view of the second controller 111 installed on the floor as viewed from directly above. In a predetermined area of the second controller 111, a button 301 for accepting an input indicating “left” from the player, a button 302 for accepting an input indicating “down” from the player, and an input indicating “up” from the player are received. A button 303 and a button 304 for receiving an input for instructing “right” from the player are arranged. The player can press the buttons 301 to 304 at an arbitrary timing.

  A state where the buttons 301 to 304 are pressed by the player is referred to as a “pressed state”, and a state where the buttons 301 to 304 are not pressed is referred to as a “non-pressed state”. The CPU 101 determines whether each of the buttons 301 to 304 is in a pressed state or a non-pressed state.

  The second controller 111 of this embodiment includes four buttons 301 to 304, but the number of buttons is not limited to four, and may be three or less or five or more.

  Next, an outline of a game executed by the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a configuration example of a game screen displayed on the monitor. On the game screen, stationary marks 401 to 404 that are drawn fixedly at predetermined positions in the screen and instruction marks 410 (410A, 410B, 410C, and 410D in this figure) that the drawing position moves with the passage of time. ), A bar line 420 (denoted as 420A, 420B, and 420C in the figure) indicating the break of the bar of the music to be played, a gauge 430 indicating the player's performance, and other background images. However, the instruction mark 410 may be fixed at a predetermined position in the screen as will be described later.

  The instruction mark 410 and the bar line 420 are scroll-displayed according to the music to be played. In the present embodiment, the instruction mark 410 is drawn with any of the up, down, left, and right arrows. The instruction mark 410 indicates that the player should make a movement related to the direction indicated by the drawn arrow at that timing, that is, the game task described above.

  For example, the instruction mark 410 indicates that the player should press the button corresponding to the drawn arrow among the buttons 301 to 304 at the timing indicated by the instruction mark 410. Typically, the player steps on the buttons 301 to 304 with his / her foot. In this case, the instruction mark 410 is also called “stepping position instruction mark” or “footnote”.

  Alternatively, for example, the instruction mark 410 represents that the grip module 201 should be shaken in the direction corresponding to the drawn arrow at the timing indicated by the instruction mark 410. In this case, the instruction mark 410 is also called a “swing position instruction mark” or “hand score”.

  Each of the stationary marks 401 to 404 indicates a timing at which the player should press the buttons 301 to 304 (hereinafter also referred to as “task time”). In the present embodiment, the stationary marks 401 to 404 are drawn with images of any of the up, down, left, and right arrows.

  The instruction mark 410 moves in accordance with the music playback speed toward the position where the stationary marks 401 to 404 are drawn. When the instruction mark 410 moves to the same position as the stationary marks 401 to 404, if the player presses the button corresponding to the direction of the arrow drawn on the stationary marks 401 to 404 among the buttons 301 to 304, the player's score A predetermined score is added or a value (dance meter) indicated by the gauge 430 is increased.

  When the instruction mark 410 has moved to a position overlapping any of the stationary marks 401 to 404, when the player presses a button (any one of the buttons 301 to 304) corresponding to the arrow indicated by the moved instruction mark 410 with the foot. You will be able to enjoy the sensation of dancing by taking exemplary dance steps that match the music being played.

  A game task is represented by a combination of a task time and information specifying a button to be pressed at the task time. One game task is expressed as [Equation 1].

  P (i) = (T (i), B (x)) [Equation 1]

  However, the game of the present embodiment has N (N is an integer of 1 or more) game tasks, and P (i) is the i-th game task (i is an integer of 1 to N) from the top. T (i) represents the task time corresponding to the game task P (i), and B (x) represents the task content.

  When the instruction mark 410 indicates “footnote”, the task content B (x) includes a value B (L) indicating that the player should press the button 301 and a value indicating that the player should press the button 302. One of B (D), a value B (U) indicating that the player should press the button 303, and a value B (R) indicating that the player should press the button 304 are designated.

  When the instruction mark 410 indicates “hand score”, the task content B (x) includes H (L) indicating that the player should swing the grip module 201 in the left direction, and the player moves the grip module 201 to his / her own. H (D) indicating that the player should swing downward, H (U) indicating that the player should swing his / her grip module 201 upward, and H (U) indicating that the player should swing his / her grip module 201 rightward One of H (R) is designated.

For example, it is assumed that a certain game task is expressed as [Equation 2].
P (i) = (T (i), B (L)) [Equation 2]
At this time, the i-th game task of the game is “the player presses the left button 301 of the second controller 111 at the task time T (i)”. Normally, the player only has to step on the left button 301 with his / her foot when the time in the game reaches T (i).

For example, it is assumed that a certain game task is expressed as [Equation 3].
P (i) = (T (i), H (R)) [Equation 3]
At this time, the i-th game task of the game is “the player swings the grip module 201 to the right at the task time T (i)”. When the time in the game reaches T (i), the player only has to swing the hand holding the grip module 201 to the right side of the player.

  A plurality of task contents can be associated with one task time. However, it is desirable to associate at most two task contents with one task time. For example, when two task contents B (x1) and B (x2) are associated with the task time T (i), the game task is expressed as [Equation 4].

  P (i) = (T (i), B (x1), B (x2)) [Equation 4]

  Alternatively, as shown in [Equation 5] and [Equation 6], they may be expressed as two different game tasks.

P (i) = (T (i), B (x1)) [Equation 5]
P (i + 1) = (T (i), B (x2)) [Equation 6]

For example, it is assumed that a certain game task is expressed as [Equation 7].
P (i) = (T (i), B (L), B (R)) [Equation 7]
At this time, the i-th game task of the game is “the player presses the left button 301 of the second controller 111 and the right button 304 of the second controller 111 at the task time T (i). Is. When the time in the game reaches T (i), the player may step on both the left button 301 and the right button 304 with his / her foot.

  The CPU 101 determines the player's score for each game task based on how close the button indicated by the task content among the buttons 301 to 304 is pressed to the task time. For example, if the button indicated by the task content is pressed at the same timing as the task time, “PERFECT”, the CPU 101 presses the button indicated by the task content at a timing within a predetermined margin before and after the task time. It is determined as “GOOD” or “BAD” when pressed or not pressed at other timings.

  Alternatively, the CPU 101 may determine the player's score for each game task based on whether the button indicated by the task content among the buttons 301 to 304 is pressed at the task time.

  It is assumed that data indicating a game task is stored in advance in the DVD-ROM or the external memory 106.

  Next, a functional configuration of the game apparatus 500 according to the present embodiment that is realized by the information processing apparatus 100 having the above hardware configuration will be described.

  In the game executed on the game device 500 of the present embodiment, when a player moves his / her body in accordance with the type and timing of the instruction mark 410 displayed on the screen, the player may experience the atmosphere in which the player is dancing. It is a dance game that can be done. In this game, while the music is being played, an instruction mark 410 indicating which kind of operation the player should perform at which timing is presented to the player.

  The music is divided in advance into a plurality of sections having a predetermined time length, typically into a plurality of bars. Bar breaks are presented to the player by bar lines 420.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the game apparatus 500 according to the present embodiment. The game device 500 includes a reproduction unit 501, an acquisition unit 502, and a display unit 503.

  The reproduction unit 501 reproduces music. The reproduced music is, for example, a dance theme music in a dance game. The CPU 101 reads music data stored in advance in the DVD-ROM or the external memory 106, decodes it with a predetermined algorithm, and outputs the music from the speaker.

  The acquisition unit 502 acquires the type of action (task content) to be performed by the player between the present and the elapse of a predetermined time length, and the timing (task time) corresponding to the type of action. The CPU 101 functions as the acquisition unit 502.

  Data indicating a game task represented by a combination of task content and task time is stored in advance in the DVD-ROM or the external memory 106. For example, when starting the game process, the CPU 101 reads data indicating the game task and temporarily stores it in the RAM 103.

  The display unit 503 displays the cursor image and the instruction mark described above on the monitor. Details of the cursor image will be described later. The CPU 101 and the image processing unit 108 cooperate to function as the display unit 503.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a game screen displayed on the monitor. This game screen includes four types of instruction marks 610A, 610B, 610C, and 610D. When the task times are arranged in order from the current time, the instruction mark 610A, the instruction mark 610B, the instruction mark 610C, and the instruction mark 610D are arranged in this order. The directions of the arrows represented by the instruction marks 610A to 610D are left, upper, right, and lower, respectively.

  Briefly explaining a series of game tasks represented by the instruction marks 610A to 610D, when these are footsteps, “the player presses the button 301, the button 303, the button 304, and the button 302 in this order”, in other words, For example, “the player moves clockwise on the mat”. Or, in the case of hand music, the game task is “the player turns his hand so that the direction changes in the order of left, top, right, bottom”, in other words, “the player turns his hand clockwise. Is.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the game screen after the time ΔT has elapsed from the time when the game screen illustrated in FIG. 6 is displayed on the monitor. The indication marks 610A, 610B, 610C, and 610D move toward the stationary marks 401, 402, 403, and 404 by a length ΔL corresponding to the time ΔT, respectively. The bar lines 620A, 620B, and 620C are also moved toward the top of the game screen by the same length ΔL. Such a display method is also called “scroll display”.

  The length ΔL is an indication mark (hereinafter “most recent indication mark”) of the indication marks 610A to 610D displayed on the screen whose task time is closest to the current time and whose current time has not yet reached the task time. 7 is the distance between the instruction mark 610A) and the corresponding stationary mark (in FIG. 7, the stationary mark 401). Since the instruction marks 610A to 610D move toward the stationary marks 401 to 404, ΔL decreases with time until the instruction marks 610A to 610D reach the stationary marks 401 to 404.

  The indication marks 610A to 610D that have moved to the vicinity of the stationary marks 401 to 404 are scored based on the type of the pressed button and the timing of pressing one or more of the buttons 301 to 304, respectively. Disappears from the screen. However, an instruction mark whose grade has not been determined due to the player not inputting an instruction or an instruction mark evaluated as “BAD” passes through the position where the stationary marks 401 to 404 are displayed, and the upper part of the screen. And then disappears from the screen. However, as will be described later, when a plurality of instruction marks to be displayed have a predetermined arrangement pattern, the display method may be different from the scroll display.

  That is, the CPU 101 determines whether ΔL has reached a predetermined threshold value Lth or less. Further, the CPU 101 determines whether or not a predetermined number of instruction marks are arranged in a predetermined arrangement pattern from the latest instruction mark.

  When it is determined that ΔL has reached the threshold value Lth or less and a predetermined number of instruction marks are arranged in a predetermined arrangement pattern from the latest instruction mark, the CPU 101, as shown in FIG. The instruction marks 610A to 610D are rearranged. After the rearrangement, the display positions of the instruction marks 610A to 610D are fixed. This display method is also called “fixed display”.

  In the present embodiment, the threshold value Lth is a length corresponding to the time of one measure of the music. However, the time corresponding to the threshold value Lth may be determined by a specific numerical value such as the number of seconds, X bars (X is an integer of 1 or more), X times of vertical synchronization interrupts, etc. Thus, it may be determined using an arbitrary unit. Further, the CPU 101 may change the threshold value Lth for each music piece, or may change the threshold value Lth according to the player's performance.

  Specifically, the predetermined arrangement pattern is as follows.

(Sequence pattern 1)
The four latest instruction marks are instruction marks 610A, 610B, 610C, and 610D in order of task time. That is, the direction of the arrow indicated by each instruction mark is in the order of left, top, right, bottom.

  In this arrangement pattern 1, the order is cyclically changed, that is, the indication marks 610B, 610C, 610D, and 610A are in order of the task time, and the indication marks 610C, 610D, 610A, and 610B are in order of the task time. And those that become instruction marks 610D, 610A, 610B, and 610C in the order of task time.

(Sequence pattern 2)
The three most recent instruction marks are instruction marks 610A, 610B, and 610C in order of task time. That is, the direction of the arrow indicated by each instruction mark is in the order of left, top, right.

(Sequence pattern 3)
The three most recent instruction marks are instruction marks 610B, 610C, and 610D in order of task time. That is, the direction of the arrow indicated by each indication mark is in the order of up, right, and down.

(Sequence pattern 4)
The three most recent instruction marks are instruction marks 610C, 610D, and 610A in order of task time. That is, the direction of the arrow indicated by each instruction mark is in the order of right, down, left.

(Sequence pattern 5)
The three most recent instruction marks are instruction marks 610D, 610A, and 610B in order of task time. That is, the direction of the arrow indicated by each indication mark is in the order of down, left, and up.

  In each of the arrangement patterns 1 to 5, the buttons 301 to 304 on the second controller (mat) 111 are pressed “clockwise” or the posture of the grip module 201 is “clockwise”. "" Indicates that it rotates.

  When it is determined that ΔL has reached the threshold value Lth and the most recent instruction mark shows a “clockwise” movement as in the arrangement patterns 1 to 5, the CPU 101 determines as shown in FIG. The instruction marks 610A to 610D are moved onto the circular orbit 800 near the positions where the stationary marks 401 to 404 are arranged, respectively.

  That is, the CPU 101 moves the instruction mark 610A to the lower side of the track 800 as indicated by the arrow Y1, moves the instruction mark 610B to the left side of the track 800 as indicated by the arrow Y2, and moves the instruction mark 610C to the arrow Y3. As shown, the mark 610D moves to the right side of the track 800 as indicated by the arrow Y4.

  However, when there are only three nearest instruction marks as in the arrangement patterns 2 to 5, the CPU 101 seems to have missing one arrow as shown in FIGS. 9 (a) to (d). Shall be placed. 9A corresponds to the array pattern 2, FIG. 9B corresponds to the array pattern 3, FIG. 9C corresponds to the array pattern 4, and FIG. 9D corresponds to the array pattern 5.

  The arrows Y1, Y2, Y3, and Y4 are described in order to clearly indicate the correspondence between the positions before and after the movement of the instruction marks 610A, 610B, 610C, and 610D. It is arbitrary what route the instruction marks 610A, 610B, 610C, and 610D move to after the movement.

  In the present embodiment, the shape of the track 800 is a perfect circle. However, the shape of the track 800 may be an ellipse, an arbitrary closed curve that is approximately circular, or a polygon such as a quadrangle.

  Further, the position of the track 800 may not be near the position where the stationary marks 401 to 404 are arranged. For example, the CPU 101 may set the trajectory 800 at a position that is estimated to be relatively easy to see from the player, such as near the center of the screen. However, it is desirable that the position does not overlap with other indication marks.

  Further, the CPU 101 arranges a cursor image that moves at a predetermined speed on the track 800 with a predetermined time length as one cycle.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a screen when the instruction marks 610A to 610D are rearranged and the cursor image 1000 is newly arranged on the trajectory 800. The position of the cursor image 1000 on the trajectory 800 is a guide for the player to grasp the task time corresponding to the instruction marks 610A to 610D. In the present embodiment, the cursor image 1000 is displayed relatively brighter than the surroundings, like a “ball of light”.

  The CPU 101 moves the cursor image 1000 in the direction of the arrow Y5 on the trajectory 800 so that the cursor image 1000 overlaps the instruction mark 610A when the current time is the task time corresponding to the instruction mark 610A. To do. The speed of movement is constant. That is, the cursor image 1000 moves clockwise on the trajectory 800 at a constant speed. The player may press the button 301 when the cursor image 1000 has moved to a position where it overlaps the instruction mark 610A. Alternatively, the player only has to swing the grip module 201 to the left when the cursor image 1000 has moved to a position where it overlaps the instruction mark 610A. The same applies to the instruction marks 610B, 610C, and 610D.

  The CPU 101 may change at least one of the brightness, saturation, and hue of the image data representing the instruction mark 610A when the current time is the task time corresponding to the instruction mark 610A. That is, in this case, when the current time is the task time corresponding to the instruction mark 610A, the color of the instruction mark 610 changes. For example, the CPU 101 may change the color of the instruction mark 610A so that the current time is the task time corresponding to the instruction mark 610A, so that it shines relatively brighter than the surrounding image. The same applies to the instruction marks 610B, 610C, and 610D.

  The CPU 101 may perform a process of moving the cursor image 1000 and may perform a process of changing the colors of the instruction marks 610A to 610D, or a process of moving the cursor image 1000 and the colors of the instruction marks 610A to 610D. It is also possible to perform only one of the process of changing the value.

  Up to this point, the case has been described where the most recent instruction mark indicates “clockwise” movement, but based on the same idea, the case where the most recent instruction mark indicates “counterclockwise” movement is also described. The present invention can be applied.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of the game screen. To briefly explain a series of game tasks represented by the instruction marks 1110A to 1110D, when these are footsteps, “the player presses the button 303, the button 301, the button 302, and the button 304 in this order”, in other words, For example, “the player moves counterclockwise on the mat”. Or, in the case of hand music, the game task is “the player turns his hand so that the direction changes in the order of top, left, bottom, right”, in other words, “the player turns his hand counterclockwise” That's it.

  When it is determined that ΔL has reached the threshold value Lth or less and the latest instruction mark indicates “counterclockwise” movement, the CPU 101 arranges the instruction marks 1110A to 1110D and the stationary marks 401 to 404 are arranged. Move on the trajectory 800 near the position to be done.

  Specifically, the predetermined arrangement pattern representing the counterclockwise direction is as follows.

(Sequence pattern 6)
The four latest instruction marks are instruction marks 1110A, 1110B, 1110C, and 1110D in order of task time. That is, the direction of the arrow indicated by each instruction mark is in the order of up, left, down, right.

  In the arrangement pattern 6, the order is cyclically changed, that is, the instruction marks 1110B, 1110C, 1110D, and 1110A are arranged in the order of the task time, and the instruction marks 1110C, 1110D, 1110A, and 1110B are arranged in the order of the task time. And those that become instruction marks 1110D, 1110A, 1110B, and 1110C in order of task time.

(Sequence pattern 7)
The three most recent instruction marks are instruction marks 1110A, 1110B, and 1110C in order of task time. That is, the direction of the arrow indicated by each indication mark is in the order of up, left, and down.

(Sequence pattern 8)
The three most recent instruction marks are instruction marks 1110B, 1110C, and 1110D in order of task time. That is, the direction of the arrow indicated by each instruction mark is in the order of left, down, and right.

(Sequence pattern 9)
The three most recent instruction marks are instruction marks 1110C, 1110D, 1110A in order of task time. That is, the direction of the arrow indicated by each instruction mark is in the order of down, right, and up.

(Sequence pattern 10)
The three most recent instruction marks are instruction marks 1110D, 1110A, 1110B in order of task time. That is, the direction of the arrow indicated by each indication mark is in the order of right, up, left.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a screen when the instruction marks 1110A to 1110D are rearranged and the cursor image 1000 is newly arranged on the trajectory 800. The position of the cursor image 1000 on the trajectory 800 is a guide for the player to determine task times corresponding to the instruction marks 1110A to 1110D.

  The CPU 101 moves the cursor image 1000 in the direction of the arrow Y6 on the trajectory 800 so that the cursor image 1000 overlaps the instruction mark 1110A when the current time reaches the task time corresponding to the instruction mark 1110A. To do. The speed of movement is constant. That is, the cursor image 1000 moves counterclockwise on the trajectory 800. The player may press the button 303 when the cursor image 1000 has moved to a position where it overlaps the instruction mark 1110A. Alternatively, the player may swing the grip module 201 upward when the cursor image 1000 moves to a position where the cursor image 1000 overlaps the instruction mark 1110A. The same applies to the instruction marks 1110B, 1110C, and 1110D.

  However, when there are only three nearest instruction marks as in the arrangement patterns 7 to 10, the CPU 101 seems to lack only one arrow as shown in FIGS. 13 (a) to (d). Shall be placed. 13A corresponds to the array pattern 8, FIG. 13B corresponds to the array pattern 9, FIG. 13C corresponds to the array pattern 10, and FIG. 13D corresponds to the array pattern 7.

  The CPU 101 may change at least one of the brightness, saturation, and hue of the image data representing the instruction mark 1110A when the current time is the task time corresponding to the instruction mark 1110A. That is, in this case, when the current time is the task time corresponding to the instruction mark 1110A, the color of the instruction mark 1110 changes. For example, the CPU 101 changes the color of the instruction mark 1110A so that the current time is a task time corresponding to the instruction mark 1110A, so that it shines relatively brighter than the surrounding image. The same applies to the instruction marks 1110B, 1110C, and 1110D.

  The CPU 101 may perform a process of moving the cursor image 1000 and a process of changing the colors of the instruction marks 1110A to 1110D. Alternatively, the CPU 101 may perform a process of moving the cursor image 1000 and the colors of the instruction marks 1110A to 1110D. It is also possible to perform only one of the process of changing the value.

  The arrangement patterns 1 to 10 described above are examples. You may define the arrangement | sequence pattern which changed these arbitrarily. It is assumed that information indicating the defined arrangement pattern is stored in advance in the DVD-ROM or the external memory 106. Further, the number of the nearest instruction marks included in the array pattern is not limited to 3 or 4, but is arbitrary.

  Even if the instruction marks 610A to 610D are displayed as shown in FIG. 7, it is generally not easy to instantly understand that this arrangement represents a “clockwise” operation unless it is an expert. Similarly, even if the instruction marks 1110A to 1110D are displayed as shown in FIG. 11, it is not easy for the player to instantly grasp that this arrangement represents a “counterclockwise” operation. However, by rearranging the instruction marks 610A to 610D and 1110A to 1110D on the circular path 800 as shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 12, the player represents the presented game task clockwise or counterclockwise. It becomes easy to grasp that it is a thing.

  Next, game processing executed by the above-described units will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. This game process is started, for example, when a music piece to be a dance subject song is selected by the player and an instruction to start the game is given. Here, as described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9, a case will be described in which a clockwise movement is displayed so as to be easily understood by the player. However, as described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13, the same processing is performed when the counterclockwise movement is displayed in an easily understandable manner.

  First, the CPU 101 acquires a game task (step S1401). For example, the CPU 101 reads out from the DVD-ROM and acquires data indicating a game task preset for the music selected by the player, that is, data indicating a footstep or a hand score.

  The CPU 101 starts playing the music (step S1402) and starts the game.

  The CPU 101 scrolls and displays the instruction mark 610 on the screen based on the game task acquired in step S1401 (step S1403).

  Specifically, the CPU 101 calculates the display position of the instruction mark 610 for each acquired game task based on the task time and the music playback speed. In addition, the CPU 101 displays an instruction mark 610 in the shape of an “arrow” indicating the task content at the calculated position. As time passes, the instruction mark 610 moves toward the stationary marks 401 to 404.

  The CPU 101 determines whether or not the latest instruction mark (instruction mark 610A in the case of FIG. 6) is the head of a predetermined array pattern (step S1404). Specifically, the CPU 101 determines whether four or three of the latest instruction marks correspond to any of the above-described arrangement patterns 1 to 5.

  When it is determined that the most recent instruction mark is the head of the predetermined arrangement pattern (step S1404; YES), the CPU 101 determines that the distance ΔL corresponding to the time from the current time to the task time indicated by the most recent instruction mark is It is then determined whether or not the threshold value Lth has been reached (step S1405). When it is determined that the latest instruction mark is not the head of the predetermined arrangement pattern (step S1404; NO), the CPU 101 proceeds to the process of step S1416 described later.

  When it is determined that the distance ΔL has not reached the threshold value Lth or less (step S1405; NO), the CPU 101 returns to the process of step S1403.

  When it is determined that the distance ΔL has reached the threshold value Lth or less (step S1405; YES), the CPU 101 rearranges each of the indication marks 610A to 610D constituting the predetermined arrangement pattern on the predetermined trajectory 800. (Step S1406). The positions of the rearranged instruction marks 610A to 610D are fixed until they are erased from the screen in step S1413 described later.

  For example, when the instruction marks 610A to 610D are arranged as shown in FIG. 7 and the distance ΔL reaches the threshold value Lth or less, the CPU 101 moves the instruction marks 610A to 610D on the track 800 as shown in FIG. Sort by.

  Here, in FIG. 7, the time interval between the first instruction mark 610A and the second instruction mark 610B, the time interval between the second instruction mark 610B and the third instruction mark 610C, and the third instruction mark 610C. And the fourth instruction mark 610D have the same time interval, and the instruction marks 610A to 610D are included within one bar. Therefore, when the CPU 101 arranges the instruction marks 610A to 610D on the track 800, the four instruction marks 610A to 610D after the rearrangement are arranged at equal intervals on a circle drawn by the track 800. In addition, since one round of the track 800 corresponds to one beat of the music, the player has that the music has four time signatures, and the instruction marks 610A to 610D are arranged at equal intervals according to the time signature. , At a glance.

  Further, the CPU 101 arranges the cursor image 1000 on the trajectory 800 (step S1407). The position of the cursor image 1000 is a measure of the task time corresponding to the instruction marks 610A to 610D.

  Then, the CPU 101 moves the cursor image 1000 on the trajectory 800 (step S1408).

  Here, the instruction marks 610A to 610D are fixed on the trajectory 800, whereas the cursor image 1000 moves so as to rotate clockwise on the circumference of the circle representing the trajectory 800. For each of the instruction marks 610A to 610D, the CPU 101 moves the cursor on the trajectory 800 so that the position of the instruction mark coincides with the position of the cursor image 1000 when the current time is the task time corresponding to the instruction mark. Move the image 1000. When the cursor image 1000 overlaps the instruction mark 610A, the player steps on the button 301 or shakes the hand holding the grip module 201 to the left.

  Next, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the current time has reached the task time corresponding to the instruction marks 610A to 610D (step S1409).

  When it is determined that the current time is not the task time corresponding to the instruction marks 610A to 610D (step S1409; NO), the CPU 101 repeats the processes of steps S1408 to S1409.

  When it is determined that the current time is the task time corresponding to the instruction marks 610A to 610D (step S1409; YES), the CPU 101 changes the color of the cursor image 1000 (step S1410). For example, the CPU 101 changes the cursor image 1000 so that it shines brighter than the surroundings. The player can recognize that the timing at which the color or brightness of the cursor image 1000 has changed corresponds to the task time. Thus, the player can not only determine the task time by comparing the cursor image 1000 and the positions of the instruction marks 610A to 610D, but also can determine the task time by viewing the color change of the cursor image 1000. You can also turn it on.

  The CPU 101 determines the player's score based on the timing at which the buttons 301 to 304 are pressed, the task time indicated by the instruction marks 610A to 610D, and the task content (step S1411). Alternatively, the CPU 101 determines the player's score based on the direction and timing at which the grip module 201 is swung, the task time indicated by the instruction marks 610A to 610D, and the task content.

  The CPU 101 determines whether or not the player's score has been determined for all the instruction marks included in the array pattern (step S1412).

  When it is determined that there is an instruction mark for which the grade has not yet been determined (step S1412; NO), the CPU 101 repeats the processing of steps S1408 to S1412.

  When it is determined that there is no instruction mark whose grade has not been determined yet, that is, the grade has been determined for all the instruction marks included in the array pattern (step S1412; YES), the CPU 101 relocates the instruction at step S1406. The marks 610A to 610D are erased from the screen (step S1413).

  Then, the CPU 101 determines whether or not to end the game (step S1414). For example, the CPU 101 determines a score for all game tasks associated with the music being played in advance, when the music has been played back, or the value indicated by the gauge 430 is less than or equal to a predetermined value (typically When it is zero), it is determined that the game is to be ended.

  When it is determined that the game is not ended (step S1414; NO), the CPU 101 returns to the process of step S1403. When it is determined that the game is to be ended (step S1414; YES), the CPU 101 ends the game.

  If it is determined in step S1404 described above that the most recent instruction mark is not the head of the predetermined array pattern (step S1404; NO), the CPU 101 determines the player's score for the most recent instruction mark (step S1416). ), The instruction mark for which the grade has been judged is erased from the screen (step S1417). Then, the CPU 101 proceeds to the process of step S1414.

  In this game process, a predetermined array pattern showing “clockwise” movement is adopted, but by performing the same process, a predetermined array pattern showing “left-handed” movement is adopted. You can also.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the player himself moves, for example, clockwise on the mat, moves counterclockwise on the mat, turns the hand clockwise, or turns the hand counterclockwise. Will be able to easily grasp the specific movement to be performed. And it becomes easy for a player to move continuously.

  Note that the game apparatus 500 can arbitrarily set this specific movement that allows the player to easily grasp the game apparatus 500. For example, the specific movement may be a movement that rotates only about a half turn instead of a round movement as shown in FIGS. 9 and 13.

  Alternatively, for example, as shown in FIGS. 17A to 17H, the game apparatus 500 may be presented to the player so that a movement that rotates by about a quarter can be easily grasped.

  That is, the two most recent instruction marks are arranged in order of task time, as shown in FIG. 17A, an arrangement pattern representing left and top, as shown in FIG. 17B, an arrangement pattern representing up and right, FIG. In the case of any one of an arrangement pattern representing right and bottom as shown in FIG. 17C and an arrangement pattern representing down and left as shown in FIG. May be rearranged on the track 800. Each of the array patterns shown in FIGS. 17A to 17D represents a motion that rotates clockwise by a quarter.

  Also, the two latest instruction marks are arranged in order of task time, as shown in FIG. 17 (e), left and bottom arrangement patterns, as shown in FIG. 17 (f), down and right arrangement patterns, and FIG. In the case of any one of an arrangement pattern representing right and top as shown in (g) and an arrangement pattern representing up and left as shown in FIG. May be rearranged on the track 800. Each of the arrangement patterns shown in FIGS. 17E to 17H represents a motion that rotates counterclockwise by a quarter.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and applications are possible. Moreover, it is also possible to freely combine the constituent elements of the above-described embodiments.

  In the above embodiment, for example, in FIG. 10, the cursor image 1000 having a shape completely different from the instruction marks 610A to 610D is used. However, the cursor image 1000 may have the shape of an arrow in the same manner as the instruction marks 610A to 610D. .

  FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the game screen when the current time is the task time corresponding to the instruction mark 610A (instruction mark with a left-pointing arrow drawn). When the current time is the task time corresponding to the instruction mark 610A, the CPU 101 changes at least one of the brightness, saturation, and hue of the instruction mark 610 instead of displaying the instruction mark 610A. The image may be displayed as the cursor image 1000.

  Alternatively, the CPU 101 may display the instruction mark 610A together with the background image 1800 in which the instruction mark 610A is emphasized when the current time is the task time corresponding to the instruction mark 610A. In this case, for example, when the current time is the task time corresponding to the instruction mark 610A, it appears to the player that the instruction mark 610A is displayed relatively brightly. Therefore, the player can grasp the task time from the change in the color of the instruction mark 610A or the change in the background color of the instruction mark 610A. This not only increases the effect of making it easier to understand a series of game tasks that the player should clear most recently, but also provides the advantage that the game screen does not have to be complicated.

  In each of the above embodiments, the first controller 105 including the grip module 201 gripped by the player and the second controller 111 (mat) pressed by the player are used. The game apparatus 500 includes a camera that captures the player, and the CPU 101 analyzes the image captured by the camera to recognize the player's pose or the distance from the game apparatus 500 to the player. The result may be treated as an instruction from the player. For example, when the CPU 101 recognizes that the player has moved one foot to his left as a result of the image analysis, the CPU 101 determines that “left” is instructed by the player. That is, the recognition result that the player moves one foot to the left is handled in the same manner as when the button 301 is pressed or the grip module 201 is swung to the left in each of the above embodiments.

  A program for operating a computer as all or part of the above-described game device 500 is stored and distributed in a computer-readable recording medium such as a memory card, CD-ROM, DVD, or MO (Magneto Optical disk), This may be installed in another computer and operated as the above-described means, or the above-described steps may be executed.

  Furthermore, the program may be stored in a disk device or the like included in a server device on the Internet, and may be downloaded onto a computer by being superimposed on a carrier wave, for example.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a game device, a game device control method, and a program suitable for enabling a player to easily grasp a specific movement to be performed.

100 Information processing apparatus 101 CPU
102 ROM
103 RAM
104 Interface 105 First controller 106 External memory 107 DVD-ROM drive 108 Image processing unit 109 Audio processing unit 110 NIC
111 Second controller (mat)
201 Grasping module 202 CCD camera 203 Cross key 204 A button 205 B button 206 Various buttons 207 Indicator 208 Power button 251 Light emitting module 252 Light emitting diode 291 Television devices 301 to 304 Buttons 401 to 404 Stationary marks 410A to 410D Instruction marks 420A to 420C Bar line 430 Gauge 500 Game device 501 Playback unit 502 Acquisition unit 503 Display units 610A to 610D Instruction marks 620A to 620C Bar line 800 Trajectory 1000 Cursor images 1110A to 1110D Instruction mark 1800 Background image

Claims (9)

A game device that realizes a game with a game task to be performed by a player as to which kind of operation should be performed at which timing while a song divided into a plurality of sections of a predetermined length of time is being played,
A playback unit for playing back the music;
An acquisition unit that acquires the timing corresponding to the type of action, together with the type of action that the player should perform, from the present until the predetermined time length elapses;
On the screen,
(A) a cursor image that moves on a predetermined trajectory at a predetermined speed with the predetermined time length as a period; and
(B) an instruction mark arranged on the predetermined trajectory and representing each of the acquired types of motion;
A display unit for displaying,
With
Each of the instruction marks is arranged on the predetermined trajectory so that the cursor image reaches the position of the instruction mark at a timing acquired together with the type of operation represented by the instruction mark.
A game device characterized by that. The game device according to claim 1,
The display unit uses an indication mark (hereinafter referred to as “the latest indication mark”) whose timing is closest to the current time and whose timing is later than the current time among the indication marks displayed on the screen. When it is determined that the time difference between the represented timing and the current time is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, the indication mark is fixedly arranged on the predetermined trajectory; Scroll display the mark in a predetermined direction in the screen,
A game device characterized by that. The game device according to claim 2,
The display unit sets the predetermined threshold based on the predetermined time length of the music to be played;
A game device characterized by that. The game device according to claim 2 or 3,
The display unit displays the indication mark when the time difference is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value, and when the predetermined number of indication marks is a predetermined arrangement pattern from the most recent indication mark. Fixedly placed on a predetermined orbit,
A game device characterized by that. The game device according to claim 4,
Each of the instruction marks is associated with a predetermined direction in advance,
The predetermined arrangement pattern represents clockwise or counterclockwise when the directions associated with each of the instruction marks are arranged in order of time passage,
A game device characterized by that. A game device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The display unit sets an image obtained by changing at least one of brightness, saturation, and hue of an image representing the instruction mark as the cursor image,
The display unit changes at least one of brightness, saturation, and hue of an image representing the instruction mark when the current time coincides with a timing represented by the instruction mark;
A game device characterized by that. A game device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The shape of the predetermined trajectory is a circle, an ellipse, a polygon, or any closed figure,
The display unit moves the cursor image so as to circulate on the predetermined trajectory.
A game device characterized by that. While playing music that is divided into a plurality of sections of a predetermined time length, a game is realized with a game task that the player should perform at which timing and which kind of operation should be performed. And a control method executed by a game device having a display unit,
A playback process in which the playback unit plays back the music;
The acquisition unit acquires the timing corresponding to the type of action together with the type of action to be performed by the player from the present until the predetermined time length elapses;
The display unit is on the screen,
(A) a cursor image that moves on a predetermined trajectory at a predetermined speed with the predetermined time length as a period; and
(B) an instruction mark arranged on the predetermined trajectory and representing each of the acquired types of motion;
Display process to display,
With
Each of the instruction marks is arranged on the predetermined trajectory so that the cursor image reaches the position of the instruction mark at a timing acquired together with the type of operation represented by the instruction mark.
A control method characterized by that. As a game device that realizes a game in which a player makes a game task that should be performed at which timing and what kind of operation should be performed while a music piece divided into a plurality of sections of a predetermined time length is being played A functioning program,
The program causes the computer to
A playback unit for playing the music;
An acquisition unit that acquires the timing corresponding to the type of action, together with the type of action to be performed by the player, from the present until the predetermined time length elapses,
On the screen,
(A) a cursor image that moves on a predetermined trajectory at a predetermined speed with the predetermined time length as a period; and
(B) an instruction mark arranged on the predetermined trajectory and representing each of the acquired types of motion;
A display for displaying
Function as
Each of the instruction marks is arranged on the predetermined trajectory so that the cursor image reaches the position of the instruction mark at a timing acquired together with the type of operation represented by the instruction mark.
A program characterized by that.

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