JP3482017B2 - 3D game device and 3D game image generation method - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a three-dimensional game device and a three-dimensional game image generation method for displaying a pseudo three-dimensional game image in which various three-dimensional objects appear.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A technique for generating a pseudo three-dimensional image by using a computer graphics technique has been used in various three-dimensional game devices today because an image with high reality can be obtained. It is used.

However, when a pseudo three-dimensional game image is generated by using this method, a near object is displayed in a large size and a far object is displayed in a small size. Therefore, it is difficult to recognize a far object displayed on the game screen. There's a problem.

[0004] For example, in a virtual three-dimensional space, when a game is conducted in which a player's moving body and an enemy's moving body move around freely, a battle is displayed if the enemy moving body is located far away. The enemy's moving body displayed as a pseudo three-dimensional image on the top is also small.
For this reason, the player cannot quickly recognize the enemy's moving body from the image on the display, and as a result, the game is over without being aware by being attacked by an invisible enemy.

Particularly, in recent three-dimensional game devices, a pseudo three-dimensional image is displayed on the display in addition to the enemy moving body.
Many objects such as various buildings and objects are displayed as surrounding scenery. For this reason, even if the moving body of the enemy moving in the three-dimensional space is displayed on the display and is located far away, the player cannot quickly identify it, and the missile from the enemy is not detected. There was a problem of being easily attacked and destroyed.

The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and an object thereof is to prevent a predetermined three-dimensional object displayed as a pseudo three-dimensional image on a display from impairing the reality of the game. The present invention provides a three-dimensional game device and a three-dimensional game image generation method that can be displayed so that the player can easily recognize them.

[0007]

To achieve the above object, the apparatus of the present invention comprises a game space calculating means for calculating a three-dimensional game space in which a three-dimensional object appears, and a calculated three-dimensional game space. An image synthesizing unit for synthesizing a pseudo three-dimensional image viewed from a predetermined viewpoint position, and a display unit for displaying the pseudo three-dimensional image,
A three-dimensional game device in which a player plays a game while looking at the pseudo three-dimensional image, wherein the game space calculation means sets a distance between the viewpoint position and a predetermined recognition target three-dimensional object in the game space as a predetermined reference. When the distance is equal to or more than a value, the determination means that makes the three-dimensional object the marker display target object, and the display position of the marker display target object on the pseudo three-dimensional image,
Marker setting means for displaying an object recognition marker, and causing the player to recognize the display position of a recognition target three-dimensional object located at a distant position by the marker.

Further, the method of the present invention calculates a three-dimensional game space in which a three-dimensional object appears, synthesizes a pseudo three-dimensional image of this three-dimensional game space viewed from a predetermined viewpoint position, and displays it on a display. A method of generating a three-dimensional game image, wherein an object recognition marker is displayed at a display position on the display of a three-dimensional recognition target object that is separated from the viewpoint position by a predetermined distance or more in the game space. To do.

As described above, according to the present invention, when the distance between the viewpoint position in the game space and the recognition target three-dimensional object exceeds a predetermined reference value, the recognition target object is displayed at the display position on the display. Display object recognition markers.

Thus, when a pseudo three-dimensional image including a recognition target three-dimensional object located at a distant place is displayed on the display, the player can surely recognize the display position of the recognition target object by the recognition marker. You can

Further, since the recognition marker is not displayed at the display position of the recognition target three-dimensional object located nearby, it does not impair the reality of the pseudo three-dimensional image.

Here, the game space computing means is formed to compute a three-dimensional game space in which a moving body represented as a three-dimensional object appears, and the discriminating means determines the viewpoint position within the game space. If the distance to the predetermined moving object is more than the reference value,
It is preferable that the three-dimensional object representing the moving body is formed as the marker display target object.

Further, when the marker display object is seen from a predetermined viewpoint position in the three-dimensional game space, the marker setting means directs the marker object to the set position or a position just before the target object toward the viewpoint position. It is preferable to set the object recognition marker.

As a result, when a shield exists between the viewpoint position in the three-dimensional game space and the object to be recognized, the marker object is also shielded by the shield at the same time. The recognition marker is not displayed for the recognition target three-dimensional object, and the recognition marker is displayed only for the recognition target three-dimensional object visible from the viewpoint position.

Therefore, for example, when two players operate a three-dimensional object representing a moving object such as a tank in the same three-dimensional game space to play a battle game, they should not be noticed while hiding behind a shield. It becomes possible to play the game while enjoying the bargaining with the opponent such as attacking the opponent.

Further, in the present invention, the marker setting means may be formed so as to display an object identification marker for distinguishing a marker display target object from other objects as the object recognition marker.

For example, assume a case where a plurality of players are competing while driving a racing car in the same three-dimensional game space. In this case, the scenery of the three-dimensional space viewed from the racing car that the driver drives is displayed as a pseudo three-dimensional image on the display means of each player. At this time, the racing car displayed near can quickly recognize which player is driving the racing car, for example, from the body number, but the racing car displayed far away can identify which player the racing car is. Often unrecognizable. In such a case, according to the present invention, by displaying, as the recognition marker, an identification marker for distinguishing each three-dimensional object from other three-dimensional objects, the player can identify which player's racing car from the image. Can be identified.

By displaying the game situation in an easy-to-understand manner to the player in this way, it becomes possible to provide a game device that allows the player to play a more interesting game.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 shows the game system of this embodiment. In the game system of the embodiment, a plurality of independent game devices 10-1 and 10-2 are connected to each other via a data transmission line.

In each of the game devices 10-1 and 10-2, a future tank operated by a player P, a future tank operated by another player P, a future tank operated by a computer, and a future tank operated in a virtual three-dimensional game space. It is configured to play a three-dimensional game in which the player moves freely and competes.

Here, an independent game device 10-
1 and 10-2 are the game devices 10-1 and 10
-2 is formed so that each can play a single player game independently. Of course, it is also possible to play a multi-player game in the same game space with another game device of another player via the data transmission line. Here, in order to simplify the description, a case where a single player game is played on one game device 10 will be described as an example.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the game apparatus 10.

The game apparatus 10 is configured to play a three-dimensional game in which a future tank operated by a player P and a future tank operated by a computer battle in a virtual three-dimensional game space.

The three-dimensional game realized by the game device 10 of the embodiment is a future tank game played in a future city where various races are gathered. In this futuristic tank game, fighters who have gathered for huge prizes will decide the champion in a death match format within the game field surrounded by squares and not allowed to escape. Each fighter competes for a champion with its own future tank. The player then participates in the game as one of these fighters.

The player P operates the future tank 20 displayed on the display 110 by operating the left and right analog levers 12 and 14 which are operation sections. That is, the player P operates the future tank 20 to control the game field 6 set in the virtual three-dimensional game space.
You can move around 0 freely back and forth and left and right. The analog levers 12 and 14 are provided with machine guns that can be fired indefinitely and missile triggers 16 and 18, which are powerful weapons with a limited number, and are displayed in the approximate center of the display 110. Aim the enemy's future tank with the aiming target 30
Operate to attack the enemy.

An overall view of the game field 60 is shown in FIG.

In the game field 60, various three-dimensional topography set by the game program is formed. First, the four sides of the game field 60 are surrounded by walls 62 so that each fighter cannot escape. A first plateau 64 is provided inside the wall 62. The zero-meter zone 66 is surrounded by this first plateau 64, with slopes 68, 70, 7 between them.
2, 74 are provided. Furthermore, zero meter zone 6
Second and third plateaus 76 and 78 are provided at 6, and obstacles 80 and 82 are also provided.

In the game field 60, the future tank 20 currently controlled by the player P and the enemy future tank 22 controlled by the enemy fighter (computer) face each other on the zero-meter zone 66.

By operating the levers 12 and 14, the player P moves his or her future tank 2 to a position in the game field 60 where the enemy future tank 22 is easily attacked.
Move 0 freely to make that attack.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the game apparatus 10 of the embodiment for playing such a three-dimensional game.
Note that description of the configuration for transmitting and receiving data to and from other game devices is omitted.

The game device 10 of the embodiment includes an operation unit 100.
A game space calculation unit 120, an image composition unit 140,
The display 110 is included.

The operation section 100 is a member operated by the player, such as the levers 12 and 14 and the triggers 16 and 18 shown in FIG.

The game space calculation unit 120 performs various game calculations based on an input signal from the player operation unit 100 and a predetermined game program, and uses the image synthesizing unit 140 to display the above on the display 110. A pseudo three-dimensional game image of the future tank game is displayed.

That is, the game space calculation unit 120
Performs a game calculation in which the future tanks 20 and 22 operated by the player P and the computer move in the game field 60 set in a predetermined three-dimensional game space as shown in FIG.

Then, this three-dimensional game space is perspective-projected by the image synthesizing section 140 onto a perspective projection plane of a predetermined viewpoint coordinate system to form a game screen consisting of a pseudo three-dimensional image, and this is displayed. Display on 110.

FIG. 5 shows the principle of such an image synthesizing method.

The game device of the embodiment stores in advance information about the three-dimensional game space 500 and the three-dimensional object 510 appearing in the three-dimensional game space 500. The image information related to the three-dimensional object 510 includes a plurality of polygons 512-1, 512-512.
It is represented as a shape model composed of a combination of 2, 512-3, ... And is stored in advance in the memory.

Taking the future tank game of the embodiment as an example, 3
The three-dimensional object 510 is the future tanks 20 and 22 appearing in the three-dimensional game space 500. In addition to this, various three-dimensional objects representing the game field 60 shown in FIG. Are arranged.

These three-dimensional objects are perspective-projected on the perspective projection plane 520 of the viewpoint coordinate system centering on the viewpoint 610 of the virtual player P, and the pseudo three-dimensional image 522 is obtained.
Is displayed on the display 110. In the embodiment, the viewpoint 610 of the player P is set from the rear of the future tank 20 operated by the player toward the front including the future tank 20 operated by the player. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the three-dimensional game space 5 is displayed on the display 110.
A view of 00 from the rear of the future tank 200 is displayed as a pseudo three-dimensional image.

The player P uses the lever 1 of the operation unit 100.
If the future tank 20 on which the user virtually rides is operated by rotating 2 and 14, the position of the viewpoint 610 with respect to the three-dimensional game space 500 changes, and the three-dimensional game space 500 will be rotated and flattened. Therefore, the game space calculation unit 120 calculates the rotation and the flattening of the three-dimensional object 510, which is a future tank configuring the three-dimensional game space 500, and other three-dimensional objects based on the operation signal and the game program. Do it in real time. And, as mentioned above, these 3
The three-dimensional object is perspective-projected on the perspective projection plane 520 and is displayed on the display 110 as a pseudo three-dimensional image 522 that changes in real time.

Therefore, the player P operates the operation section 100 to operate the future tank 20 to play the game while driving the future tank 20 in the play field 60 set in the three-dimensional game space 500. You will be able to virtually simulate your participation.

When the computer graphics technique is used, the shape model of the three-dimensional object 510 is created using an independent body coordinate system.
That is, the polygons 512-1, 512-2, ... Forming the three-dimensional object 510 are arranged in this body coordinate system to specify the shape model thereof. Moreover, three-dimensional game space 500, the world coordinate system _{(X W, Y W, Z} W) is constructed using a three-dimensional object 510 represented using a body coordinate system, the world coordinate system according to the motion model Placed inside.

Then, with the position of the viewpoint 610 as the origin,
The data is converted into a viewpoint coordinate system in which the direction of the viewpoint is the positive direction of the Z axis, and the respective coordinates are perspective-projected converted into the screen coordinate system which is the projection surface 520. In this way, the image within the field of view of the three-dimensional game space 500 that can be seen from the viewpoint 610 can be displayed on the display 110.

Then, the player P plays the display 110.
While watching such a game screen displayed above, it is possible to enjoy a three-dimensional game in which the enemy future tank 22 is attacked.

By the way, when fighting with the enemy future tank 22 while looking at the game screen displayed on the display 110, it is necessary to quickly recognize the position of the enemy future tank 22 from the game screen. .

As shown in FIG. 6, when the enemy's future tank 22 exists at a position relatively close to the viewpoint 610 of the player P, the player can surely recognize it.
However, as shown in FIG. 7A, the future tank 22 existing at a position far from the viewpoint 610 is displayed small on the display 110. Moreover, the actual game screen is shown in FIG.
Since there are more three-dimensional objects as the background than the screen shown in FIG.
In many cases, the future tank 22 existing at such a long distance cannot be accurately recognized from the game screen displayed on the screen 10.

Particularly, the Japanese Patent Application No. 4-
When the texture mapping method according to No. 252139 is used, each of the three elements forming the three-dimensional game space 500
The three-dimensional object is displayed with a color and a pattern having extremely high reality, and as a result, the future tank 22 is displayed in the play field 60 without any discomfort. For this reason, when the future tank 22 existing at a distance is displayed small on the display 110, the future tank 22 blends into the surrounding scenery and becomes extremely difficult to recognize.

In addition to this, by setting the atmosphere of the evening and the foggy state in the three-dimensional game space 500 by using a technique such as dips cueing, the future tank 22 existing far away It becomes difficult to recognize.

The feature of this embodiment is that the three-dimensional game space 50 is used.
When the recognition target object 510 (in the embodiment, the enemy future tank 22) that is away from the player P's viewpoint 610 by a predetermined distance or more is displayed in 0, at the display position,
To display an object recognition marker.

FIG. 7A shows a specific example of the marker 40 displayed on the display 110. As shown in FIG. 3B, the marker 40 is displayed at the display position of the enemy future tank 40 on the pseudo three-dimensional image so as to overlap the enemy future tank 22.

In order to perform such marker display, FIG.
As shown in FIG.
2 and a marker setting unit 124.

The discriminator 122 uses the three-dimensional game space 5
Viewpoint 610 in 00 and enemy future tank 510 (22)
If it is determined that the distance is greater than or equal to a predetermined reference value, the enemy future tank 510
(22) is set as the marker display target object.
As the distance at this time, a Z coordinate value in the viewpoint coordinate system can be used in addition to the actual distance.

When the enemy future tank 22 is determined to be the marker display target object, the marker setting unit 124 displays the enemy future tank 22 on the pseudo three-dimensional image at the display position of the enemy future tank 22 as shown in FIG. The object recognition marker 40 is displayed.

The specific structure for displaying the recognition marker 40 will be described in detail below.

First, the three-dimensional game space 500 shown in FIG.
Inside, the enemy future tank 510 (22) is
It is assumed that the enemy future tank 510 (22) is present in the field of view of and the enemy future tank 510 (22) is determined to be the marker display target object. At this time, the marker setting unit 1
As shown in FIG. 5, when the enemy future tank 510 (22) is seen from the viewpoint 610 in the three-dimensional game space 500, 24 sets the marker object 42 toward the viewpoint 610 at the display position or the front position thereof. , Perform marker object setting operation. The marker object 42 set at this time is the four corner parts 42a, 42b, 42c, 42 that represent the respective corners of the square.
Each corner part is formed by combining two rectangular polygons.

Then, the image synthesizing section 140 performs perspective projection conversion of the marker object 42 and the three-dimensional object 510 (22) representing the enemy future tank on the projection plane 520 to form a pseudo three-dimensional image 522. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the enemy future tank 22 is displayed on the display 110 together with the object recognition marker 40, and the player can accurately recognize the enemy future tank 22 located far from the surrounding scenery. You can

In particular, in the present embodiment, the recognition marker 40 is displayed in a color that can be clearly distinguished from the surrounding scenery, and even if the entire screen is subjected to a process such as depth cueing, the recognition marker 40 is recognized. It is set that 40 is not subjected to such processing.

Therefore, even when an image like fog is displayed in the three-dimensional game space 500, the enemy future tank 22 located at a distance is accurately recognized by the recognition marker 40, and the enemy future tank is attacked. It can be performed.

Further, in the present embodiment, the recognition marker 40 is used as the marker object 42 existing at the same position as or slightly before the three-dimensional object 510 representing the enemy future tank 22 in the three-dimensional game space 500. It is set. Therefore, when the enemy future tank 22 moves along with the movement of the enemy future tank 22 , and the enemy future tank 22 is hidden by the shield 80, the recognition marker 40 is also not displayed on the hidden display 110.

Moreover, by setting the marker object 42 in this way, the distance of the recognition marker 40 also changes and its size changes in association with the distance between the viewpoint and the future tank. Therefore, the player can determine the distance to the future tank from the size of the recognition marker 40.

Therefore, for example, when two players play a battle game, a strategy should be taken such that they approach the enemy future tank 22 and attack while hiding behind the shield 80 so as not to be noticed by the opponent. You can increase the fun of the game itself.

The recognition marker 40 automatically disappears from the screen when the future tank 22 approaches the viewpoint 610 of the player P and the distance becomes an easily recognizable distance equal to or less than a predetermined reference value.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 6, in the close quarter battle in which the enemy future tank 22 is located close to the enemy future tank 22, when the marker 40 is displayed, the enemy future tank 22 becomes rather difficult to see, which hinders the attack. However, in the present embodiment, since the recognition marker 40 is not displayed in such a case, it is possible to increase the reality in close quarters battle and realize a more interesting game.

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of the recognition marker display operation of the game device of the embodiment.

First, when the game is started, it is judged whether or not the enemy future tank 22 exists within the visual field of the player P in the three-dimensional game space 500 (step S ₁₀ ).

When it is determined that the enemy future tank exists within the field of view of the player P, it is next determined whether or not the enemy future tank 22 is away from the player P's viewpoint 610 by a predetermined reference value ds or more. (step S _12).

When it is determined that the enemy future tank 22 is present at a position closer than the predetermined reference value ds, a pseudo three-dimensional image with no recognition marker is displayed on the display 110 as shown in FIG.

If it is determined that the enemy future tank 22 is more than the predetermined reference value, the marker object 42 is set on the enemy future tank 22 as shown in FIG. 5 (step S ₁₄ ), and the marker object 42 is shown in FIG. As described above, the player can recognize the enemy future tank 22 located at a distant place by the recognition marker 40.

The series of operations of steps S ₁₀ , S ₁₂ , and S ₁₄ are repeated every time the game screen is updated, and the marker display operation is terminated at the time when the game is judged to be over (S ₁₆ ). To do.

By doing so, the enemy future tank displayed on the screen is displayed even when the enemy future tank operated by the computer is used as an opponent or when the future tanks operated by a plurality of players play a game. It is possible to develop a heated battle while always recognizing, and to realize a game device that can be enjoyed by a wide range of players from beginners to advanced players.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where a one-on-one battle is performed has been described as an example, but the present invention can also be used when a battle is performed between three or more future tanks.

Further, in a three-dimensional game device for playing a game in which a plurality of racing cars compete in the same game space, not only can the recognition marker 42 recognize a racing car located in front, but also the racing car. It is preferable that the car is also formed so as to include an identification mark that can be used to identify which player the racing car is driving.

For example, FIG.
It is assumed that a pseudo three-dimensional image as shown in (A) is displayed as a game screen. In this case, the position of the viewpoint 610 in the three-dimensional game space is from the rear of the racing car 410 operated by the player to the position of the racing car 41.
It is set to the front of 0. Therefore, on the game screen displayed on the display 110, the player racing car 410 traveling on the course 400 is displayed in the center, and other racing cars 420 and 430 in the field of view of the player P are also displayed. It will be.
At this time, in the embodiment, as the identification mark 40 of the distant racing car 430, as shown in FIG. 9 (B), four parts 42a representing each corner portion of a square,
In addition to 42b, 42c, and 42d, it is configured to include a part 42e representing a number given to each racing car. By displaying such an identification marker 40, the player recognizes from the game screen displayed on the display 110 whether or not there is a racing car traveling in front of him, and
It is possible to immediately identify which player the racing car is driving, and to build a racing strategy, so that a more heated racing game can be played.

Further, by setting the display start distance of the recognition marker 40 in accordance with, for example, the range limit distance of the missile of the future tank, not only the recognition of the future tank but also the out-of-range range is displayed from the display of the recognition marker 40. It is possible to make a decision as to whether or not to do so.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where the recognition marker is displayed only for the moving object set in the three-dimensional game space has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the stationary marker may be displayed if necessary. The recognition marker may be similarly displayed on the object.

[0077]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The 3D object to be recognized in the 3D game space can be displayed as an image so that the player can recognize it without impairing the reality of the game, and as a result, it can be widely enjoyed by beginners and advanced players.
There is an effect that it is possible to provide a game device that enables a three-dimensional game and a three-dimensional game image generation method.

[0078]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an example of a three-dimensional game device to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is an external view of a game system when a multi-player game is played while transmitting and receiving data between a plurality of game devices.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a game field used in the game device of this embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the game device of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a synthesizing principle of a pseudo three-dimensional game image according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a game screen displayed on the display.

FIG. 7 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a game screen displayed on the display.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the game device of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a game screen according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 game devices 20 future tanks 22 Future Tank 40 markers 60 game fields 100 operation part 110 display 120 Game space calculator 122 Judgment unit 124 Marker setting section 140 Image synthesizer

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yamamoto Ken 2-8-5 Tamagawa, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Namco Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-6-277361 (JP, A) (58) Survey Areas (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A63F 9/24 A63F 13/00-13/12

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A game space calculation means for calculating a three-dimensional game space in which an enemy moving body represented as a three-dimensional object appears, and a pseudo three-dimensional image of the calculated three-dimensional game space viewed from a predetermined viewpoint position. An image synthesizing unit for synthesizing an image, a game device for allowing a player to play a battle game against an enemy moving body while looking at the pseudo three-dimensional image displayed on the display unit, Determines whether the distance between the viewpoint position in the game space and the predetermined moving object to be recognized is greater than a reference value
However, if it is determined that the user is far away, it indicates the moving body 3
Dimensional objects as a marker display objects
And a marker for displaying the object recognition marker in the game space at the display position of the marker display target object on the pseudo three-dimensional image.
At the position associated with the location of the object, the marker
Aim the object toward the viewpoint position
A marker setting unit for setting as a car, a game apparatus according to claim including things. 2. The marker setting means according to claim 1, when the marker display target object is viewed from a predetermined viewpoint position in the three-dimensional game space, the marker object is set at the set position or a position slightly in front thereof. A game device, wherein the game device is set as the object recognition marker toward the viewpoint position. 3. The game according to claim 1, wherein the marker setting means displays an object identification marker that distinguishes a marker display target object from other objects as the object recognition marker. apparatus. 4. A three-dimensional game space in which an enemy moving body represented as a three-dimensional object appears is calculated, and a pseudo three-dimensional image obtained by viewing the calculated three-dimensional game space from a predetermined viewpoint position is synthesized on the display. And an image generation method for playing a competitive game, which determines whether the distance between the viewpoint position and a predetermined recognition target moving body in the game space is a reference value or more.
However, if it is determined that the user is far away, it indicates the moving body 3
Dimensional objects as a marker display objects
And the marker display target object in the game space so that an object recognition marker is displayed at the display position of the marker display target object on the pseudo three-dimensional image.
At the position associated with the location of the object, the marker
Aim the object toward the viewpoint position
Three-dimensional game image generation method, which comprises a marker setting procedure for setting as a car, a. 5. The object according to claim 4, wherein when the marker display target object is viewed from a predetermined viewpoint position in the three-dimensional game space, the marker object is directed to the viewpoint position at a preset position or a position in front of the object. A three-dimensional game image generation method characterized by setting as a recognition marker.