JP3467197B2 - GAME DEVICE AND INFORMATION STORAGE MEDIUM - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game device and an information storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a game device in which a plurality of objects are arranged in an object space which is a virtual three-dimensional space and an image viewed from a given viewpoint in the object space is generated. Is known, and it is very popular for experiencing so-called virtual reality. Taking a game device that enjoys the operation of a fighter as an example,
The player causes a fighter operated by the player to fly in the object space, and another player or a computer plays a game against the operated fighter.

In such a game device, in order to improve the virtual reality of the player, it is an important technical subject to generate a more realistic image with a small calculation load. Therefore, for example, as shown in the display image of FIG. 1, it is desired to generate a more realistic contrail image with a small calculation load even for a contrail created by moving a missile or the like.

As a method of generating an image of such a contrail, there is a method of placing small 2D sprites at certain intervals. However, there is a problem that a large amount of sprites are required to express contrails, which causes an increase in processing amount.

Although it is possible to represent a contrail using a single polygonal polygonal object, there is a problem that only the bottom of the cylinder can be seen, and only a linear cylinder can be treated, depending on the viewing direction. It was

It is also conceivable to arrange a plurality of shorter cylindrical polygonal objects in succession to express a curved contrail. However, it is not possible to represent the core of clouds, smoke, etc. where the center of a cylindrical object is white and becomes thinner toward the outside, so there was another problem of adding reality.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems of the conventional game apparatus, and the purpose thereof is to be generated in association with or following a moving object such as a contrail. It is to provide a game device and an information storage medium capable of realistically expressing a mist-like object with a small calculation load.

[0008]

The present invention is a game device for generating an image to be displayed on a display unit, wherein one side is shared as a center line and radially arranged around the center line in an object space. Arrangement processing means for arranging at least one or more sub-objects composed of the defined primitive surfaces so that the center lines are continuous, and can be seen from a given viewpoint in the object space in which the sub-objects are arranged. And an image generating means for generating an image.

An information storage medium according to the present invention is characterized by including information for realizing the above means.

When arranging a plurality of the sub-objects, it is desirable to determine the apex positions other than on the center line so that the opposite sides of the center line of the primitive surface are also continuously striped.

According to the present invention, a strip-shaped object can be formed by arranging a plurality of the sub-objects in series. By using such a band-shaped object, it is possible to generate an image of a contrail, a smoke band, or the like with a small number of primitive surfaces. Further, unlike the case of using a closed object having a cylindrical shape, no problem occurs in the image even if the viewpoint position or the line-of-sight direction changes, and an image with a high degree of reality can be generated.

As described above, the present invention can generate a realistic image of a contrail or the like with a small calculation load.

In the game device of the present invention, the arrangement processing means generates the vertex positions of the primitive surfaces in real time so that the primitive surfaces are connected in a strip shape when the plurality of sub-objects are arranged. It is characterized by including.

An information storage medium according to the present invention is characterized by including information for realizing the above means.

According to the present invention, various strip-shaped objects can be generated according to the game situation. Therefore, it is possible to generate a highly realistic image with a small calculation load even for contrails, smoke, spurs, etc. having a twisted shape or a complicated shape.

In the game apparatus of the present invention, the arrangement processing means arranges at least one of the sub-objects so as to be attached to the mobile object or to follow the mobile object.

An information storage medium according to the present invention is characterized by including information for realizing the above means.

Although a cloud, smoke, or the like that follows the moving body may draw a complicated trajectory depending on the movement of the moving body, the present invention makes it possible to express the cloud or smoke rich in reality with a small calculation load. .

In the game device according to the present invention, the image generation means performs a rendering process necessary for the characteristic color of the object generated using the sub-object to appear darker as it is closer to the center line of the primitive surface. It is characterized by including a processing means.

An information storage medium according to the present invention is characterized by including information for realizing the above means. For example, it is possible to perform a gradation in which the characteristic color of the object generated using the sub-object becomes stronger as the distance from the center line increases, and the background color becomes stronger as the distance from the center line increases.

Here, the characteristic color of the object generated using the sub-object is, for example, white when the object generated using the sub-object is a contrail, and gray when the object is smoke. If it is a flame, it is red, and so on.

As described above, according to the present invention, the core of clouds, fog, or flame can be represented in an image with a small calculation load. Therefore, it is very effective in generating a fog-like object having a shape.

The game device of the present invention is characterized in that the rendering processing means performs the Guro shading processing such that the closer to the center line of the primitive surface, the darker the characteristic color of the sub-object appears.

An information storage medium according to the present invention is characterized by including information for realizing the above means. The game device of the present invention is characterized in that the rendering processing unit performs the alpha addition processing such that the closer to the center line of the primitive surface, the darker the characteristic color of the sub-object looks.

An information storage medium according to the present invention is characterized by including information for realizing the above means.

In the game device of the present invention, when the image generation processing means arranges a plurality of the sub-objects so that the center lines are continuous, the vertexes located on the center line are perspective-transformed, and after the perspective transformation. It is characterized by including clipping processing means for determining whether or not the image output of the primitive surface is performed based on whether the coordinates of the center point are within the screen display range.

An information storage medium according to the present invention is characterized in that it contains information for realizing the above means.

According to the present invention, the clipping process of the primitive surface can be efficiently performed with a small calculation load.

The game device of the present invention is characterized in that the sub-object is composed of three quadrilateral primitive surfaces shared by one side as a center line and radially arranged around the center line.

An information storage medium according to the present invention is characterized by including information for realizing the above-mentioned means.

The present invention is effective in reducing the calculation load because the sub-object can be constructed with the least number of primitive surfaces.

[0032]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described by taking a case of a fighter game (flight simulator) as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to various games. In the following, the case where the primitive surface forming the object is a polygon will be described as an example.

(1) Configuration FIG. 2 shows an example of a block diagram of the game device of this embodiment. In the figure, in the game device according to the present embodiment, at least the processing unit 100 and the image generation unit 160 (or the processing unit 100, the image generation unit 160 and the storage unit 140, or the processing unit 100, the image generation unit 160 and the storage unit). 140 and the information storage medium unit 150), and other blocks (for example, the operation unit 130, the display unit 162, the sound generation unit 170, the sound output unit 172, the communication unit 174, the I / F unit 17).
6, memory card, etc.) can be arbitrary elements. If the processing unit 100 also performs processing for image generation, the image generation unit 160 can also be an arbitrary element.

Here, the processing unit 100 performs various processes such as control of the entire apparatus, instruction of instructions to each block in the apparatus, game calculation, etc., and its function is the CPU.
It can be realized by hardware such as (CISC type, RISC type), DSP, ASIC (gate array, etc.) or a given program (game program).

The operation section 130 is for the player to input operation information, and its function can be realized by hardware such as buttons.

The storage section 140 includes a processing section 100, an image generation section 160, a sound generation section 170, a communication section 174, and an I / F section 1.
A work area such as 76, whose function is RAM
It can be realized by hardware such as.

An information storage medium (storage medium from which information can be read by a computer) 150 stores information such as programs and data, and its function is an optical disk (CD, DVD), a magneto-optical disk (MO). ),
It can be realized by hardware such as a magnetic disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, and a semiconductor memory (ROM).
The processing unit 100 performs various processes of the present invention (the present embodiment) based on the information stored in the information storage medium 150. That is, the information storage medium 150 stores various kinds of information for realizing the means of the present invention (the present embodiment) (particularly the blocks included in the processing unit 100).

Note that a part or all of the information stored in the information storage medium 150 is stored in the storage unit 1 when the apparatus is powered on.
Will be forwarded to 40. The information storage medium 150
The information stored in the memory is the program code for performing the processing of the present invention, image information, sound information such as the waveform data stored in the storage unit 140, shape information of the display object, table data, list data, a player. It includes at least one of information, information for instructing processing of the present invention, information for performing processing in accordance with the instruction, and the like.

The image generation unit 160 generates various images according to the instruction from the processing unit 100 and the like, and the display unit 162.
Output to the ASI for image generation.
It can be realized by hardware such as C, CPU, DSP, a given program (image generation program), and image information.

The sound generation section 170 generates various sounds according to an instruction from the processing section 100 and outputs them to the sound output section 172. Its function is that of a sound generation ASIC,
It can be realized by hardware such as a CPU and a DSP, a given program (sound generation program), and sound information (waveform data, etc.).

The communication unit 174 performs various controls for communicating with an external device (for example, a host device or another game device), and its function is the communication ASI.
It can be realized by hardware such as C and CPU or a given program (communication program).

Information for implementing the processing of the present invention (this embodiment) is distributed from the information storage medium of the host device to the information storage medium of the game device via the network and the communication unit 174. Good. The use of the information storage medium of such a host device and the use of the information storage medium of the game device are also included in the scope of the present invention.

The image generating section 160, the sound generating section 170,
Some or all of the functions of the communication unit 174 may be realized by the functions of the processing unit 100.

The I / F unit 176 is a memory card (in a broad sense, PDA,
Portable Information Storage Device Including Morphological Body and Game Device) 18
0 is an interface for exchanging information with 0, and its function is a data writing / reading controller IC controlled by an instruction from the CPU.
Can be realized by When information exchange with the memory card 180 is realized by wireless such as infrared rays, the function of the I / F unit 176 can be realized by hardware such as a semiconductor laser and an infrared sensor.

The processing section 100 includes a game calculation section 110. Here, the game calculation section 110 receives coins (price), game mode setting processing, game progress processing, selection screen setting processing, processing for determining the position and direction of a moving object (fighter, missile, etc.), The process of determining the viewpoint position and the direction of the line of sight, the process of playing the motion of the moving body, the process of placing the object in the object space, the process of hit checking, the process of calculating the game result (score), the game space common to multiple players. Various game calculation processing such as processing for playing or game over processing is performed based on operation information from the operation unit 130, information from the memory card 180, a game program, and the like. When the present invention is applied to a game other than a fighter game, examples of moving bodies include planes other than fighters, ships (battleships, submarines, yachts, motor boats, etc.), watercrafts, water skis, surfboards, cars. , Bikes, tanks,
Various things such as robots, airplanes, spaceships, balls, bullets, skis, etc. can be considered.

The game calculation section 110 is a moving body calculation section 12
0, a viewpoint control unit 122, an arrangement processing unit 124, a clipping calculation unit 126, and a rendering information calculation unit 128.

Here, the moving body computing section 120 computes movement information (position information, direction information, etc.) of a moving body such as a fighter plane, and, for example, operating information input from the operating section 130 or given information. Based on the program, it performs processing such as moving a moving object within the object space. That is, a process of moving a moving object in the object space is performed based on operation information from a player (own player, other player) and a command (given movement control algorithm) from a computer.

More specifically, the mobile computing unit 120 is
The position and direction of the moving body is, for example, 1 frame (1/60 second)
The processing required for each is performed. For example, the position of the moving body in the (k-1) frame is PMk-1, the velocity is VMk-1, and the acceleration is AM.
Let k−1 and one frame time be Δt. Then, the position PMk and the speed VMk of the moving body in the k frame can be obtained by the following equations (1) and (2), for example. PMk = PMk-1 + VMk-1 × Δt (1) VMk = VMk-1 + AMk-1 × Δt (2) The viewpoint control unit 122 includes information on the position and direction of the moving body obtained by the moving body computing unit 120. Based on the above, processing for obtaining the viewpoint position, line-of-sight direction, etc. is performed. More specifically, a process of changing the viewpoint position or the line-of-sight direction so as to follow the position or direction of the moving body operated by the player is performed. In this case, it is preferable that the viewpoint position or the line-of-sight direction is made to follow the position or direction of the moving body while maintaining inertia, for example. The image generator 160 will generate an image that can be seen from the viewpoint controlled by the viewpoint controller 122.

The arranging unit 124 arranges at least one sub-object composed of polygonal planes which are shared by one side as a center line and radially open around the center line in the object space so that the center lines are continuous. Perform processing to place one or more. When a plurality of sub-objects are arranged, the vertex positions of the polygon surface are generated in real time so that the polygon surfaces are connected in a strip shape.

When a plurality of sub-objects are arranged so that their center lines are continuous, the clipping calculator 126 performs perspective transformation on the vertices located on the center line,
Based on whether the coordinates of the center point after perspective transformation are within the screen display range, a process of calculating the presence or absence of image output of the primitive surface is performed.

The image generator 160 is a clipping processor 1.
Image generation processing is performed on the polygons that form the sub-object 26 that has been determined to have image output. As described above, in the present embodiment, the clipping calculation unit 126 and the image generation unit 160 function as clipping processing means.

The rendering information calculation unit 128 calculates the information necessary for performing the rendering processing necessary for the characteristic color of the sub-object to appear darker as it is closer to the center line of the polygon surface of the sub-object.

In the present embodiment, in order to express a contrail, white is strongly seen in a portion close to the center of the sub-object, and as it goes away from the center, it is blended into the sky color which is the background color. Rendering processing is performed on the polygon surface of the sub-object. Therefore, the rendering information calculation unit 128 calculates information necessary for performing such rendering processing, and the image generation unit 160
Performs rendering processing according to the calculation result to generate an image. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the rendering information calculation unit 128 and the image generation unit 160 function as a rendering processing unit.

In order to make the characteristic color of the sub-object appear darker as it is closer to the center line of the polygonal surface, Guro-shading processing or alpha addition processing may be used.

(2) Features of this Embodiment FIG. 3 shows a game image generated by this embodiment. In the fighter game realized by the present embodiment, the player looks at the game image shown in FIG.
Control your fighter plane to fly in the object space. Then, play the game against other players or fighters operated by the computer.

Note that in FIG. 3, the player's own vehicle 3 operated by the player
00 is displayed from the third person perspective,
It is also possible to generate an image from the first person view that the player will see from the cockpit.

FIG. 3 shows an image in which contrail images 330 and 340 are generated after the trajectories of the missiles 310 and 320.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are views for explaining sub-objects used to generate contrails in this embodiment.

The feature of this embodiment is that a plurality of sub-objects as shown in FIG. 4 (A) are continuously arranged, so that a contrail or the like, which is a long fog-like object output by the moving body as it moves, is generated. Is to generate.

The sub-object in FIG. 4A has a side a.
Three quadrangular polygonal planes P1 and P1 which share ₁ a ₂ as a center line and are radially arranged around the center line a ₁ a ₂
2 and P3.

By arranging the sub-objects 400 in succession, a contrail object is generated. In addition, when the objects are continuously generated, as shown in FIG.
And the sub-object 400-2 are arranged so that the center lines a ₁ a ₂ a ₃ are continuous. Then, the vertex positions of the polygon surfaces are generated in real time so that the polygon surfaces (P1 and P4, P2 and P5, P3 and P6) are connected in a strip shape.

For example, in FIG. 4B, when arranging the sub-object 400-2, the vertex a ₂ b ₂ c ₂ d ₂ is shared with the vertex a ₂ b ₂ c ₂ d ₂ of the sub-object 400-1. To generate vertex information. By doing so, it is possible to generate a flying cloud object in which polygonal surfaces are connected in a band shape around the center line as shown in FIG.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are views for explaining an example of arranging the sub-objects as a moving object such as a missile moves. In a certain frame, the missile position is K1, as shown in FIG.
At this time, it is assumed that two sub-objects SOB1 and SOB2 are arranged as shown in FIG.

In the next frame, when the missile position reaches K2 as shown in FIG. 6B, SOB1 and SOB
2 is the same arrangement as the previous frame, and SOB3 and SOB are newly added
4 is continuously arranged on SOB2 as described in FIG. 4 (B). At this time, the vertex position of SOB4 is SO
It becomes a common apex a ₃ b ₃ c ₃ d ₃ with B3 and apex a ₄ b ₄ c ₄ d ₄ determined by the position of the missile K2.

Further, in the present embodiment, the rendering processing necessary for making the characteristic color of the object generated by using the sub-object appear darker as it is closer to the center line of the polygon surface is performed.

As shown in FIG. 7A, as the polygons P1 and P2 forming the sub-object 500 are closer to the center line 510 of the sub-object, the characteristic color of the sub-object is darker, and the polygons go to the ends 520 and 530. Gradation is applied so that it blends in with the background color. For example, when a contrail object is generated by this sub-object, the characteristic color of the object is white and the background color is the sky color, for example, light blue. Therefore, FIG.
In the vicinity of the center line 510 in (A), the color is dark white, and the color becomes lighter toward the edges, and approaches white, which is the color of the sky, and near 510 and 530, it is light blue.

FIG. 7B is a diagram showing a state in which each polygon of an object in which a plurality of the sub-objects are continuously arranged is subjected to a gradation. By arranging such an object behind a missile or the like, as shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to express a contrail that has a white central portion and blends into the color of the sky toward the edges.

In the present embodiment, the process of applying the gradation is realized by performing the α addition process.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for schematically explaining an example of a process of combining the image of the sub-object and the background image by the α addition process and applying the gradation. Reference numeral 610 schematically shows the state of the α buffer that stores the image information of the sub-object, and reference numeral 620 stores the image information of the background of the sub-object. The α buffer is a kind of matte buffer that has RGB values and α values of the image for each pixel.

Reference numeral 630 schematically shows the state of the frame buffer of the combined image of 610 and 620. 61
A1 of 0, A2 of 620, A3 of 630 and B of 610
B2 of 1 and 620 and B3 of 630 represent pixels at the same position, respectively.

In the α addition processing, the color of the image 610 and 62
The image color of 0 is weighted by the α value set for each pixel and added together to generate a composite image.

For example, if the RGB and α values of A1 are (R _a1 , G
_a1 , B _a1 , α _a1 ) The RG value of A2 is (R _a2 , G _a2 ,
B _a2 ), the RGB values of A3 are (R _a3 , G _a3 , B _a3) , B1
RGB and α values of (R _b1 , G _b1 , B _b1 , α _b1 ), B2
RGB values of (R _b2 , G _b2 , B _b2 ) and RGB values of B ₃ are (R _b3 , G _b3 , B _b3 ).

When the color information of the pixel at the point A3 is set by overlapping the point A1 and the point A2, it can be expressed by the following equation, for example.

Α _a1 × R _a1 + R _a2 = R _a3 α _a1 × G _a1 + G _a2 = G _a3 α _a1 × B _a1 + B _a2 = R _a3 where A 1 (A 2) is on the center line of the sub-object Therefore, since the color of the sub-object becomes the strongest, α _a1 becomes a value close to 1, and the following formula is established.

R _a3 ≈ R _a1 G _a3 ≈ G _a1 B _a3 ≈ B _{a1 Further,} when the color information of the pixel at the B3 point is set by superimposing the B1 point and the B2 point, it is expressed by the following formula, for example. You can

Α _b1 × R _b1 + R _b2 = R _b3 α _b1 × G _b1 + G _b2 = G _b3 α _b1 × B _b1 + B _b2 = R _b3 where B ₁ (B 2) is located at the edge of the sub-object Therefore, since the background color is the strongest, α _b1 has a value close to 0, and the following formula is established.

R _a3 ≈R _a2 G _a3 ≈G _a2 B _a3 ≈B _a2 (3) Processing of this Embodiment Next, a processing example of this embodiment will be described.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing an operation example of the placement processing in this embodiment. In the present embodiment, the process of steps S10 to S50 is repeated to place the vertices of the sub-object in the object space.

First, for example, a set of vertices (a ₁ , b ₁ , c ₁ , d ₁ ) in FIG. 4A is generated (step S1).
0). If this is the first vertex to be arranged, the vertex is stored (step S30).

Then, again, for example, a set of vertices (a ₂ , b ₂ , c ₂ , d ₂ ) in FIG. 4A is generated (step S10). Since this is not the first vertex arrangement, the vertices of the previously placed (a ₁ , b ₁ , c ₁ , d ₁ ) and the presently generated (a ₂ , b ₂ , c ₂ , d ₂ ) are joined together. It is generated (step S50). As a result, the sub-object 400 as shown in FIG. 4A is arranged in the object space.

The next vertex is shown in FIG. 4B (a ₃ ,
b _3, c _3, when d ₃₎ to produce a (step S10), and also, since it is the first vertex arranged to produce the current and the vertices of the previously arranged _{(a 2, b 2, c} 2, d 2) (A ₃ ,
A band that joins b ₃ , c ₃ , and d ₃ is generated (step S
50). As a result, the sub-object 400-2 as shown in FIG. 4B is arranged in the object space.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart for explaining an operation example of clipping processing when generating images of a plurality of arranged sub-objects in the present embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an operation example of the clipping process.

First, N pieces of three-dimensional position data consisting of four vertices (three vertices + center vertices) of the smoke zones are input for the length of the smoke zones (step S110). A smoke band is an object such as a contrail that is formed by connecting sub-objects (Fig. 12).
700). The four vertices are, for example, a _k , b _k , and
c _k and d _k (k = 1 to 9), and the central vertex in this case is a _k . In FIG. 12, eight sub-object SOBs
1 to SOB8 are connected to form a smoke band, so N
= 9, which means that there are 9 sets of four vertices.

Next, the data of the central apex located on the center line among the four apexes of the smoke band is subjected to perspective projection conversion for all N smoke band data to obtain two-dimensional data on the screen (step S120). For example, in FIG. 12, the central vertex a _k
Nine pieces of data (k = 1 to 9) will be input.

Then, a series of bands in which the coordinates of the central apex after perspective transformation are located within the screen display range, and a band (one at the edge of the screen) obtained by adding one before and one after (Step S130). The band means the sub-object of this embodiment. In FIG. 12, assuming that 710 is in the screen display range, the center vertices a _{3 to} a ₇ are in the screen display range 710, so that the sub-objects SOB ₂ to SOB 7 including the center vertices a ₂ and a ₈ before and after the center vertices a ₃ to a ₇ are included. Extract the apex.

Then, the three vertices other than the center of the end of the extracted first band and the three vertices other than the central point sharing the first band with the second band are perspective-transformed, and their coordinates and Three polygons are formed using the coordinates after the perspective transformation of the central apex obtained in step S150.

For example, the first band extracted in FIG. 12 is SOB2, and the second band is SOB3. Therefore, there are three vertices b ₂ and c other than the central vertex a ₂ of the first band.
₂ and d ₂ and the three vertices b ₃ , c ₃ and d ₃ other than the midpoint that share the second band and the first band are perspective transformed, and their coordinates and the previously obtained center Three polygons P ₂₁ , P ₂₂ , and P ₂₃ are formed using the coordinates of the vertices a ₂ and a ₃ after the perspective transformation.

Further, the vertices other than the central apex shared by the second band and the third band are perspective-transformed, and three polygons are further formed by using the four coordinates after the preceding perspective transformation (step S150). ).

For example, in FIG. 12, the third band is SO.
It is B4. Therefore, perspective transformation is performed on b ₄ , c ₄ , and d ₄ , which are the three vertices other than the midpoint that share the second and third bands.
The four coordinates after the previous perspective transformation and the central vertex a ₄ previously obtained
Is used to form three polygons P ₃₁ , P ₃₂ , and P ₃₃ .

Then, polygons are repeatedly formed in the same manner until the end of the extracted band is reached (step S16).
0). For example, in Figure 12, the last strip extracted is SOB7.
So, to repeat the same processing until the vertex _{a 8, b 8, c 8} , d 8 of its end.

(4) Example of Hardware Configuration of Present Embodiment Next, an example of the hardware configuration of a game device capable of implementing the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
In the game device shown in the figure, the CPU 1000 and the ROM 1
002, RAM 1004, information storage medium 1006, sound generation IC 1008, image generation IC 1010, and I / O ports 1012, 1014 are connected by a system bus 1016 so that data can be transmitted and received between them. A display 1018 is connected to the image generation IC 1010, a speaker 1020 is connected to the sound generation IC 1008, and a control device 102 is connected to the I / O port 1012.
2 is connected, and the communication device 10 is connected to the I / O port 1014.
24 is connected.

The information storage medium 1006 mainly stores a game program, image information for expressing a display object, and is used as a CD-ROM, a game cassette, an IC card, an MO, an FD, a memory, or the like. To be ROM
1002 stores initialization information and the like of the game apparatus body.

The control device 1022 corresponds to a game controller, and is a device for inputting the result of the judgment made by the player according to the progress of the game, into the game device main body.

According to the game program stored in the information storage medium 1006, the system program stored in the ROM 1002, the signals input by the control device 1022, etc., the CPU 1000 controls the entire device and performs various data processing. RAM1004 is this CPU10
00 is a storage unit used as a work area or the like, and stores given contents of the information storage medium 1006 and the ROM 1002, the calculation result of the CPU 1000, and the like.

Furthermore, a sound generation IC is provided in this type of game device.
A 1008 and an image generation IC 1010 are provided so that the game sound and the game screen can be appropriately output. The sound generation IC 1008 is an information storage medium 1006 or R.
It is an integrated circuit that generates a game sound such as a sound effect or a background music based on the information stored in the OM 1002, and the generated game sound is output by the speaker 1020. Further, the image generation IC 1010 is the RAM 10
04, ROM 1002, information storage medium 1006, etc., is an integrated circuit that generates pixel information to be output to the display 1018 based on image information. As the display 1018, a so-called head mounted display (HMD) can be used.

The communication device 1024 exchanges various kinds of information used inside the game device with the outside, and is connected to another game device to send and receive given information according to the game program. It is used to send and receive information such as game programs via a communication line.

The processing and the like described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 12 are realized by the information storage medium 1006 storing the game program, the CPU 1000 operating according to the game program, the image generation IC 1010, and the like. The processing performed by the image generation IC 1010, the sound generation IC 1008, and the like may be performed by software by the CPU 1000, a general-purpose DSP, or the like.

FIG. 14A shows an example in which the present embodiment is applied to an arcade game machine. The player enjoys the game by operating the lever 1102 and the button 1104 while looking at the game screen displayed on the display 1100. The IC substrate 1106 built in the device has a C
A PU, an image generation IC, a sound generation IC, etc. are mounted.
Information for playing a fighter game and information for arranging sub-objects in succession to generate an image of a contrail or the like are stored in the memory 1108 which is an information storage medium on the IC substrate 1106. Hereinafter, these pieces of information will be referred to as stored information. The stored information includes at least one of a program code, image information, sound information, display object shape information, table data, player information and the like for performing the above-described various processes.

FIG. 14B shows an example in which the present embodiment is applied to a home-use game machine. The player enjoys the game by operating the game controllers 1202 and 1204 while looking at the game screen displayed on the display 1200. In this case, the stored information is stored in the CD-ROM 120, which is an information storage medium that is removable from the main body.
6, IC cards 1208, 1209 and the like.

FIG. 14C shows a host device 1300,
An example in which the present embodiment is applied to a game device including the host device 1300 and terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n connected via a communication line 1302 will be described. In this case, the above-mentioned stored information is stored in the information storage medium 1306 such as a magnetic disk device, a magnetic tape device, or a memory that can be controlled by the host device 1300. Terminal 1304
-1 to 1304-n are CPU, image generation IC, sound generation IC
In the case where the host device 1300 is capable of generating a game image and a game sound in a stand-alone manner, the host device 1300 supplies the game program and the like for generating the game image and the game sound to the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n. Will be delivered.
On the other hand, if it cannot be generated, the host device 1300 generates a game image and a game sound, and these are generated by the terminals 1304-1 ...
It will be transmitted to 1304-n and output at the terminal.

The present invention is not limited to that described in the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made.

For example, although cases have been described with the above embodiment as examples where a contrail image is generated by consecutively arranged sub-objects, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be a band of smoke or flame ejected by the moving body. Further, sand smoke that can be formed after a moving object that travels in a desert or a dusty road, a spur that can follow the movement path of a skier, or a splash band that can be formed after running a water ski.

The present invention is very effective when a long object that follows a moving body is generated, but a short object may be used. When a short object is generated, the object may be composed of only one sub-object.

It may also be used to represent an object that does not follow a moving body. For example, even a rainbow that does not follow a moving body or smoke such as a smoke of a chimney is effective because an expression corresponding to a change in the viewpoint position can be realistically performed with a small calculation load.

The shape of the sub-object is also shown in FIG.
It is not limited to the shape described in. It may be any primitive surface that shares one side as a center line and is arranged radially around the center line, for example, as shown in FIG.
It may have a shape in which two surfaces are combined in a cross shape as shown in FIG. Also, four or more primitive surfaces may be radially arranged around the center line.

The shape of the primitive surface is not limited to the quadrangle. For example, as shown in FIG. 15B, triangular primitive surfaces may be arranged around the center line. This is especially effective when a flame object is created with one sub-object.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the gradation is applied to the polygon surface by performing the α addition processing has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be realized by Guro shading processing or may be realized by texture mapping processing.

The game of the present invention can be configured not only as a single-player game but also as a multi-player game.

Also, the embodiment is not limited to being executed by each game device alone, and may be executed by connecting to hardware such as a computer or another game device via a communication line or the like to execute distributed processing. Good.

Alternatively, a program necessary for processing may be downloaded from hardware such as a computer or another game device via a communication line or the like and executed.

[0111]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for describing an image example in which a contrail is displayed.

FIG. 2 is an example of a block diagram of a game device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a game image generated according to this embodiment.

4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining sub-objects for generating a contrail in the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a flying cloud object in which polygonal surfaces are connected in a band shape around a center line.

6A and 6B are views for explaining an example of arranging the sub-objects along with the movement of a mobile object such as a missile.

7A and 7B are diagrams for explaining a rendering process necessary for making the characteristic color of the sub-object appear darker as it is closer to the center line of the polygon surface.

FIG. 8 is an image example showing a contrail that is white at the center and melts into the color of the sky toward the edges.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for schematically explaining an example of a process in which an image of a sub-object and a background image are combined by an α addition process and a gradation is applied.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation example of arrangement processing in the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart diagram for explaining an operation example of clipping processing when generating images of a plurality of arranged sub-objects in the present embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an operation example of clipping processing.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a hardware configuration example of a game device capable of realizing the present embodiment.

14 (A), (B), and (C) are diagrams showing various types of game devices to which the present embodiment is applied.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining various examples of shapes of sub-objects of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 processing unit 110 Game calculation unit 120 Mobile computing unit 122 viewpoint control unit 124 Arrangement processing unit 126 Clipping calculator 128 Rendering information calculator 130 Operation unit 140 storage 150 information storage medium 160 image generator 162 display 170 sound generator 172 sound output section 174 Communication unit 176 I / F section 180 memory card 1000 CPU 1002 ROM 1004 RAM 1006 information storage medium 1008 Sound Generation IC 1010 Image generation IC 1012 I / O port 1014 I / O port 1016 system bus 1018 display 1020 speaker 1022 control device 1024 communication device 1100 display 1200 display 1202, 1204 Game controller 1206 CD-ROM 1208, 1209 IC card 1300 Host device 1302 communication line 1304-1 to 1304-n terminals 1306 Information storage medium

Claims (10)

(57) [Claims] 1. A game device for generating an image to be displayed on a display unit, the sub-object comprising a primitive surface shared in an object space with one side as a center line and radially arranged around the center line. A placement processing unit that performs a process for placing at least one so that the center line is continuous, and an image generation unit that generates an image viewed from a given viewpoint in the object space in which the sub-object is placed, The placement processing means attaches the sub-object to the mobile object.
Or arranged to follow a moving object
Then, the image generation means sets the α value of each pixel of the sub-object so that the color of the sub-object becomes stronger as it approaches the center line of the primitive surface, and the color of the background image becomes stronger toward the edge, A game device characterized by performing α addition processing of an image of a sub-object and a background image. 2. The means according to claim 1 , wherein when the plurality of sub-objects are arranged, the arrangement processing means generates a vertex position of the primitive surface in real time so that the primitive surfaces are connected in a strip shape. A game device comprising: 3. In any of claims 1 to 2, wherein the image generation processing means, when the center line sub-objects are a plurality arranged to be continuous, and perspective transformation for the vertices located on the center line A game device comprising clipping processing means for determining whether or not an image of the primitive surface is output based on whether the coordinates of the center point after perspective transformation are within the screen display range. 4. In any one of claims 1 to 3, said sub-objects, consisting of three rectangular primitive surface arranged to open radially around the shared center line side as the center line Characteristic game device. 5. The one of claims 1 to 4, with the sub-object, and characterized by generating an image of atomized object for mimic at least one of cloud and fog and flames and spurs Game device to play. 6. A computer-readable information storage medium in which a program for generating an image to be displayed on a display unit is stored, wherein one side is shared as a center line in the object space and a radial pattern is formed around the center line. Arrangement processing means for arranging at least one or more sub-objects, each of which is formed by opening a primitive surface and has a primitive line, and a given object in the object space in which the sub-objects are arranged. A program for causing a computer to function as an image generating unit that generates an image viewed from the viewpoint, and causing the computer to function as the arrangement processing unit.
Program attaches the sub-object to the mobile object
Or to follow the moving object
The program for causing the computer to function as the arrangement processing means includes a program for performing the arrangement processing, and the closer the center line of the primitive surface is, the stronger the color of the sub-object is, and the closer it is to the edge, the stronger the color of the background image is. An information storage medium including a program for setting the α value of each pixel of the sub-object and performing the α-addition process of the image of the sub-object and the background image as described above. 7. The program for causing a computer to function as the arrangement processing unit according to claim 6 , wherein when the plurality of sub-objects are arranged, the primitive surfaces are connected so as to be connected in a strip shape. An information storage medium including a program for generating a vertex position in real time. 8. The program for causing a computer to function as the image generation processing means according to claim 6 , wherein the plurality of sub-objects are arranged on the center line so that the center lines are continuous. Information including a program for performing perspective transformation on a vertex located at, and determining the presence or absence of image output of the primitive surface based on whether the coordinates of the center point after perspective transformation are within the screen display range. Storage medium. 9. The sub-object according to claim 6 , wherein the sub-object is composed of three quadrilateral primitive faces that share one side as a center line and are radially arranged around the center line. An information storage medium including a program. 10. The program for generating an image of a fog-like object for imitating at least one of cloud, fog, flame, and spur by using the sub-object according to claim 6. An information storage medium including :.