JP4124795B2 - GAME DEVICE, GAME DEVICE CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game apparatus, a game apparatus control method, and a program.

A game that displays a game screen representing a state in which the virtual three-dimensional space is viewed from a given viewpoint by coordinate-transforming an object placed in the virtual three-dimensional space into a screen coordinate system using a predetermined coordinate transformation operation The device is known.
JP 2005-050070 A

  In the game device as described above, for example, by using a pointing device such as an operation tool or a touch panel described in Japanese Patent No. 3262676, the user can specify a screen coordinate value (a coordinate value in the screen coordinate system) and can be specified by the user. In some cases, it is desired to realize a game that progresses based on the position in the virtual three-dimensional space corresponding to the screen coordinate value. In order to realize such a game, it is necessary to determine the position in the virtual three-dimensional space corresponding to the screen coordinate value from the screen coordinate value. However, in order to determine the position in the virtual three-dimensional space corresponding to the screen coordinate value, complicated processing must be executed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a game apparatus and a game apparatus that can determine a position in a virtual three-dimensional space corresponding to a screen coordinate value by a relatively simple process. It is to provide a control method and a program.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the game device according to the present invention converts the object arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space into the screen coordinate system using a predetermined coordinate transformation calculation, thereby converting the virtual three-dimensional space. In a game device that displays a game screen representing a state viewed from a given viewpoint, screen coordinate value designation accepting means for accepting designation of a screen coordinate value by a user, and a plurality of reference points set in the virtual three-dimensional space Reference point conversion means for acquiring a screen coordinate value corresponding to each of the plurality of reference points by converting the coordinates into the screen coordinate system using the predetermined coordinate conversion operation, and designated by the user Comparison means for comparing a screen coordinate value and a screen coordinate value corresponding to each of the plurality of reference points, and the comparison means On the basis of the comparison result, a reference point selection unit that selects at least one of the plurality of reference points, and a plurality of points in the virtual three-dimensional space based on the reference point selected by the reference point selection unit. A reference point resetting unit for resetting a reference point; and when the plurality of reference points are reset by the reference point resetting unit, conversion by the reference point conversion unit, comparison by the comparison unit, and the reference Means for re-execution of selection by the point selection means; and the virtual three-dimensional space of the reference point selected by the reference point selection means from the plurality of reference points reset by the reference point resetting means Game processing execution means for executing game processing based on the position of

  In addition, the game device control method according to the present invention performs coordinate transformation of an object arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space into a screen coordinate system using a predetermined coordinate transformation calculation, thereby giving the virtual three-dimensional space a given value. In a control method of a game device that displays a game screen representing a state viewed from a viewpoint, a screen coordinate value designation receiving step for accepting designation of a screen coordinate value by a user, and a plurality of reference points set in the virtual three-dimensional space A reference point conversion step of acquiring a screen coordinate value corresponding to each of the plurality of reference points by converting each of the coordinates into the screen coordinate system using the predetermined coordinate conversion operation; A comparison step of comparing a screen coordinate value and a screen coordinate value corresponding to each of the plurality of reference points; A reference point selection step for selecting at least one of the plurality of reference points based on the comparison result of the comparison step; and the virtual three-dimensional space based on the reference point selected by the reference point selection step. A reference point reset step for resetting a plurality of reference points, and when the plurality of reference points are reset by the reference point reset step, conversion by the reference point conversion step, comparison by the comparison step, and The virtual point of the reference point selected by the reference point selecting step among the plurality of reference points reset by the reference point resetting step; And a game process execution step for executing the game process based on the position in the three-dimensional space.

  Further, the program according to the present invention looks at the virtual three-dimensional space from a given viewpoint by coordinate-transforming an object arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space into a screen coordinate system using a predetermined coordinate transformation operation. This is a program for causing a computer such as a home game machine, a portable game machine, an arcade game machine, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or a personal computer to function as a game device that displays a game screen representing the situation. Screen coordinate value designation accepting means for accepting designation of a screen coordinate value by a user, coordinate transformation of each of a plurality of reference points set in the virtual three-dimensional space into the screen coordinate system using the predetermined coordinate transformation calculation To obtain a screen coordinate value corresponding to each of the plurality of reference points. Comparing means for comparing a screen coordinate value designated by the user and a screen coordinate value corresponding to each of the plurality of reference points, based on a comparison result by the comparing means, of the plurality of reference points Reference point selection means for selecting at least one, reference point resetting means for resetting a plurality of reference points in the virtual three-dimensional space based on the reference points selected by the reference point selection means, the reference point resetting A means for re-executing the conversion by the reference point conversion means, the comparison by the comparison means, and the selection by the reference point selection means when the plurality of reference points are reset by the setting means; and the reference Based on the position in the virtual three-dimensional space of the reference point selected by the reference point selection means from among the plurality of reference points reset by the point resetting means. Te is a program for causing the computer to function game processing executing means for executing the game processing, as.

  An information storage medium according to the present invention is a computer-readable information storage medium recording the above program. A program distribution apparatus according to the present invention is a program distribution apparatus that includes an information storage medium that records the program, reads the program from the information storage medium, and distributes the program. A program distribution method according to the present invention is a program distribution method that includes an information storage medium storing the program, reads the program from the information storage medium, and distributes the program.

  The present invention relates to a game screen representing a state in which an object placed in a virtual three-dimensional space is viewed from a given viewpoint by performing coordinate conversion into a screen coordinate system using a predetermined coordinate conversion operation. It is related with the game device which displays. In the present invention, designation of screen coordinate values by the user is accepted. Further, each of the plurality of reference points set in the virtual three-dimensional space is coordinate-converted into the screen coordinate system using the predetermined coordinate conversion calculation, so that the screen coordinate value corresponding to each of the plurality of reference points is obtained. To be acquired. Further, the screen coordinate value designated by the user is compared with the screen coordinate value corresponding to each of the plurality of reference points. Based on the comparison result, at least one of a plurality of reference points is selected. Furthermore, a plurality of reference points are reset in the virtual three-dimensional space based on the selected reference points. When a plurality of reference points are reset, the above-described coordinate conversion, comparison, and selection are performed again for the reset reference points. Then, the game process is executed based on the position in the virtual three-dimensional space of the reference point selected from the plurality of reset reference points. According to the present invention, when selecting a reference point from among a plurality of reference points, for example, a screen coordinate value corresponding to the reference point from among the plurality of reference points is a screen coordinate value designated by the user. By selecting the reference point closest to, the position in the virtual three-dimensional space corresponding to the screen coordinate value designated by the user can be determined by a relatively simple process.

  In the aspect of the invention, the reference point resetting unit resets a plurality of positions having a predetermined positional relationship with the reference point selected by the reference point selecting unit as the plurality of reference points. May be.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the resetting by the reference point resetting unit, the conversion by the reference point converting unit, the comparison by the comparing unit, and the selection by the reference point selecting unit satisfy a predetermined condition. It may be repeatedly executed until it is done.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the predetermined condition includes: resetting by the reference point resetting unit; conversion by the reference point converting unit; comparison by the comparing unit; selection by the reference point selecting unit; It may be possible to include a condition as to whether or not the number of repeated executions is a predetermined number.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the predetermined condition is that a distance between a screen coordinate value designated by the user and a screen coordinate value corresponding to a reference point selected by the reference point selection unit is predetermined. Whether or not the distance is less than the distance may be included.

  In the aspect of the invention, the number of reference points reset by the reference point resetting unit may be larger than the number of reference points initially set in the virtual three-dimensional space. .

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a game device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The game apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 is configured by mounting an optical disk 25 and a memory card 28 as information storage media on a consumer game machine 11 and further connecting a monitor 18 and a speaker 22. For example, a home television receiver is used for the monitor 18, and its built-in speaker is used for the speaker 22.

  The home game machine 11 includes a bus 12, a microprocessor 14, an image processing unit 16, an audio processing unit 20, an optical disk drive 24, a memory card slot 27, a communication interface (I / F) 29, and a controller interface (I / F) 30. And a known computer game system including the operation input unit 31. Components other than the operation input unit 31 are accommodated in the housing.

  The bus 12 is for exchanging addresses and data among the units of the consumer game machine 11. The microprocessor 14, the image processing unit 16, the sound processing unit 20, the optical disk drive 24, the main memory 26, the memory card slot 27, the communication interface 29, and the controller interface 30 are connected by the bus 12 so that mutual data communication is possible.

  The microprocessor 14 controls each unit of the consumer game machine 11 based on an operating system stored in a ROM (not shown), a program and data read from the optical disc 25 or the memory card 28. The main memory 26 includes, for example, a RAM, and a program and data read from the optical disc 25 or the memory card 28 are written as necessary. The main memory 26 is also used for work of the microprocessor 14.

  The image processing unit 16 includes a VRAM, and draws a game screen on the VRAM based on the image data sent from the microprocessor 14. Then, the image processing unit 16 converts the content into a video signal and outputs it to the monitor 18 at a predetermined timing.

  The sound processing unit 20 is configured to include a sound buffer, reproduces various sound data such as game music, game sound effects, and messages read from the optical disc 25 and stored in the sound buffer and outputs from the speaker 22. To do.

  The optical disk drive 24 reads a program or data recorded on an optical disk 25 such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM in accordance with an instruction from the microprocessor 14. Here, the optical disk 25 is used to supply the program and data to the consumer game machine 11, but any other information storage medium such as a ROM card may be used. Moreover, you may make it supply a program and data to the consumer game machine 11 from a remote place via data communication networks, such as the internet.

  The memory card slot 27 is an interface for mounting the memory card 28. The memory card 28 includes a nonvolatile memory (for example, EEPROM). The memory card 28 is used for storing various game data such as save data.

  The communication interface 29 is an interface for communication connection to a data communication network such as the Internet.

  The controller interface 30 is an interface for wirelessly connecting the controller 32. As the controller interface 30, for example, an interface conforming to the Bluetooth interface standard can be used. The controller interface 30 may be an interface for connecting the controller 32 by wire.

  The operation input unit 31 is for a user to input an operation. The operation input unit 31 has a function as a pointing device for the user to point a position on the game screen displayed on the monitor 18, for example. As the operation input unit 31, for example, a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3262777 can be used.

  The operation input unit 31 includes a controller 32 and a light emitting unit 38. The controller 32 includes an imaging unit 34 and a captured image analysis unit 36. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation input unit 31, and FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the controller 32.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the light emitting unit 38 is disposed on the top of the monitor 18. Light sources 40 a and 40 b are provided at both ends of the light emitting unit 38. As shown in FIG. 3, a direction button 44 and buttons 46a, 46b, and 46c are provided on the surface of the controller 32. The direction button 44 has a cross shape and is generally used to instruct a moving direction of a character or a cursor. The buttons 46a, 46b, 46c are used for various game operations. One side surface of the controller 32 is provided with an imaging unit 34 which is an imaging device such as a CCD. The controller 32 includes a captured image analysis unit 36 such as a microprocessor. In the present specification, the side surface portion provided with the imaging unit 34 is referred to as a front end portion 32 a of the controller 32.

  When the user points the front end portion 32a of the controller 32 toward the monitor 18, the light sources 40a and 40b are projected on the captured image of the imaging unit 34. The captured image analysis unit 36 analyzes the positions of the light sources 40 a and 40 b displayed on the captured image of the imaging unit 34. The captured image analysis unit 36 acquires the position and inclination of the controller 32 based on the analysis result. More specifically, the captured image analysis unit 36 calculates a relative position of the controller 32 with respect to a predetermined reference position 42 and an inclination angle of the controller 32 with respect to a straight line connecting the light sources 40a and 40b. The game apparatus 10 stores information on the positional relationship between the reference position 42 and the game screen displayed on the monitor 18, and the position in the game screen indicated by the front end portion 32 a of the controller 32 is the captured image analysis unit. It is specified based on the position and inclination of the controller 32 acquired by 36. In this specification, information indicating the position and inclination of the controller 32 acquired by the captured image analysis unit 36, that is, information for specifying the position in the game screen pointed to by the front end portion 32 a of the controller 32 is “ This is called “pointing information”.

  An operation signal indicating the operation state of the controller 32 is transmitted from the controller 32 to the controller interface 30 at regular intervals (for example, every 1/60 seconds). For example, the above pointing information and information indicating the pressed state of the direction button 44 and the buttons 46a, 46b, and 46c are transmitted as operation signals. The controller interface 30 passes the operation signal received from the controller 32 to the microprocessor 14 via the bus 12. The microprocessor 14 determines the user's game operation based on this operation signal. For example, the microprocessor 14 specifies the position in the game screen indicated by the front end portion 32a of the controller 32 based on the operation signal (pointing information). For example, the microprocessor 14 determines whether or not the pressing operation of the direction button 44 and the buttons 46a, 46b, and 46c has been performed based on the operation signal.

  In the game apparatus 10 having the above configuration, a soccer game is provided by executing a soccer game program read from the optical disc 25.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a virtual three-dimensional space (game space) constructed in the main memory 26. As shown in FIG. 4, a soccer game venue is formed in the virtual three-dimensional space 50 by arranging a field object 52 representing a soccer field and a goal object 54 representing a goal. The field object 52 is arranged in parallel with the XwZw plane. On the field object 52, a player object 56 representing a soccer player and a ball object 58 representing a soccer ball are arranged. Although omitted in FIG. 4, 22 player objects 56 are arranged on the field object 52.

  A virtual camera 59 (viewpoint 59a and line-of-sight direction 59b) is set in the virtual three-dimensional space 50. The virtual camera 59 follows the ball object 58, for example. A game screen showing the virtual three-dimensional space 50 viewed from the virtual camera 59 is displayed on the monitor 18. That is, the game screen shows a state of the virtual three-dimensional space 50 when the line-of-sight direction 59b is viewed from the viewpoint 59a.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the game screen. As shown in FIG. 5, the game screen 60 includes an operation target player object 56a that is a player object 56 operated by a user, and a teammate player object 56b that is a player object 56 belonging to the same team as the operation target player object 56a. The opponent player object 56c, which is the player object 56 belonging to the opponent team, is displayed. The teammate player object 56b and the opponent player object 56c are operated by a computer.

  In addition, the game screen 60 shows an image showing the virtual three-dimensional space 50 viewed from the virtual camera 59, a circular cursor 62, an elapsed time image 64 showing the elapsed time, and the score status of both teams. A score situation image 66 is displayed. The cursor 62 is displayed at a position indicated by the front end portion 32a of the controller 32.

  In this soccer game, the operation target player object 56 a moves toward a position in the virtual three-dimensional space 50 corresponding to the display position of the cursor 62. For this reason, the user indicates the movement target position (movement direction) of the operation target player object 56 a by pointing at the front end portion 32 a of the controller 32. When the user presses a kick instruction button (for example, the button 46 a) while the operation target player object 56 a holds the ball object 58, the operation target player object 56 a is a virtual 3 corresponding to the display position of the cursor 62. The ball object 58 is kicked out toward the position in the dimensional space 50. For example, when the cursor 62 is moved to the position of the teammate player object 56b and the user presses the kick instruction button, the ball object 58 is kicked toward the teammate player object 56b. Also, for example, when the user presses the kick instruction button while the cursor 62 is positioned in an area (free space) where the teammate player object 56b and the opponent player object 56c are not present, the ball object 58 kicks toward the free space. Is issued. Therefore, the user instructs the kick target position (kick direction) of the operation target player object 56a by pointing at the front end portion 32a of the controller 32.

  When realizing such a soccer game, in order to specify the moving direction of the operation target player object 56a and the ball object 58, the position in the game screen 60 indicated by the front end portion 32a of the controller 32 (the display position of the cursor 62). ) To determine the position in the virtual three-dimensional space 50 corresponding to the position. Hereinafter, a technique for determining a position in the virtual three-dimensional space 50 corresponding to the display position of the cursor 62 will be described.

  First, data stored in the game apparatus 10 will be described.

  The optical disk 25 stores model data representing the shape of each object arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space 50. The model data is data indicating the coordinates of each vertex of the polygon constituting the object.

  The main memory 26 stores game situation information indicating the game situation. The game situation information includes display position information of the cursor 62, for example. The display position information of the cursor 62 is information indicating the display position of the cursor 62 in the game screen 60 by the coordinate value (screen coordinate value) in the screen coordinate system. The screen coordinate system is the XY coordinate system shown in FIG. Further, the game situation information includes, for example, position information, posture information, movement direction information, and movement speed information of the player object 56. The position information, posture information, movement direction information, and movement speed information of the player object 56 are information that indicates the position, posture, movement direction, and movement speed of the player object 56 in the virtual three-dimensional space 50 using coordinate values in the world coordinate system. It is. Here, the world coordinate system is the XwYwZw coordinate system shown in FIG. Further, the game situation information includes, for example, position information, movement direction information, and movement speed information of the ball object 58. The position information, the moving direction information, and the moving speed information of the ball object 58 are information indicating the position, moving direction, and moving speed of the ball object 58 in the virtual three-dimensional space 50 by using coordinate values in the world coordinate system. The game status information includes, for example, position information and posture information of the virtual camera 59. The position information and posture information of the virtual camera 59 is information indicating the position (viewpoint 59a) and posture (line-of-sight direction 59b) of the virtual camera 59 in the virtual three-dimensional space 50 by coordinate values in the world coordinate system. Furthermore, the game status information includes, for example, information indicating the elapsed time and the scoring status of both teams.

  Next, processing executed by the game apparatus 10 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart mainly showing the processes related to the present invention among the processes executed every predetermined time (in the case of the present embodiment, 1/60 second) in the game apparatus 10. This process is realized by the program read from the optical disc 25 being executed by the game apparatus 10 (microprocessor 14).

  As shown in FIG. 6, the game apparatus 10 executes a game situation information update process (S101). The game situation information update process is a process for updating the game situation information stored in the main memory 26. 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing the game situation information update process.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the game apparatus 10 acquires the position (screen coordinate value) in the game screen 60 pointed to by the front end portion 32a of the controller 32 based on the pointing information supplied from the controller 32 (S201). Then, the game apparatus 10 updates the display position information of the cursor 62 stored in the main memory 26 in order to store the screen coordinate value acquired in S201 as the display position of the cursor 62 (S202).

  Thereafter, the game device 10 executes processing (S203 to S214) for determining the position on the field object 52 corresponding to the display position of the cursor 62. First, the game apparatus 10 initializes the value of the variable n to 0 (S203).

In addition, the game apparatus 10 initially sets a plurality of reference points on the field object 52 (S204). FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the initial setting of the reference points. As shown in FIG. 9, the game apparatus 10 uses each vertex of a block obtained by dividing the field object 52 into four in the long side direction and the short side direction as reference points P _ij (i, j are 1 to 5). As an integer). Here refers to a reference point at the upper left from the reference point P _11, the reference point P ₁₅ and to refer to the reference point in the upper right. Further, the reference point P ₅₁ refers to the reference point of the lower left, the reference point P ₅₅ and to refer to the reference point on the bottom right.

  Further, the game device 10 initializes the variable la to La / 4 and initializes the variable lb to Lb / 4 (S205). Here, as shown in FIG. 9, La is the length of the long side of the field object 52, and Lb is the length of the short side of the field object 52.

After that, the game apparatus 10 obtains a screen coordinate value corresponding to each reference point P _ij by converting the position coordinates of each reference point P _ij from the world coordinate system to the screen coordinate system (S206). Here, the same coordinate conversion calculation as that used for converting the vertex coordinates of each object from the world coordinate system to the screen coordinate system in the processing of S102 described later is used.

Thereafter, the game device 10 calculates the distance between the screen coordinate value corresponding to the reference point P _ij and the display position (screen coordinate value) of the cursor 62 for each reference point P _ij (S207). Then, the game device 10 selects a reference point P _ij having the smallest distance calculated in S207 from among the plurality of reference points P _ij (S208).

  Thereafter, the game device 10 adds 1 to the value of the variable n (S209). Then, the game device 10 determines whether or not the value of the variable n is less than N (S210).

When the value of the variable n is less than N, the game device 10, based on the reference point _{P ij} selected in S208, it determines a reference point setting subject region on the field object 52 (S211). FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the reference point setting target region. Here, FIG. 10, in a state where the reference point P _ij is set as shown in FIG. 9 shows a reference point setting subject region in a case where the reference point P ₃₃ is selected in S208. As shown in FIG. 10, the game apparatus 10 uses a region on the field object 52 that includes the Xw-axis coordinates and the Zw-axis coordinates (xw, zw) that satisfy the following conditions (1) and (2) as reference points. The setting target area 68 is set. In the following conditions (1) and (2), (xw0, zw0) indicates the Xw-axis coordinate and the Zw-axis coordinate of the reference point P _ij selected in S208.

xw0− (la / 2) ≦ xw ≦ xw0 + (la / 2) (1)
zw0− (lb / 2) ≦ zw ≦ zw0 + (lb / 2) (2)

Then, the game device 10 resets a plurality of reference points in the reference point setting target area 68 determined in S211 (S212). FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the resetting of the reference point. Here, FIG. 11 shows a case where the reference point setting target area 68 is determined as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, the game device 10 sets each vertex of each block obtained by dividing the reference point setting target area 68 into eight in the long side direction and the short side direction as new reference points P _ij (i, j is an integer from 1 to 9). Here refers to a reference point at the upper left from the reference point P _11, the reference point P ₁₉ and to refer to the reference point in the upper right. Further, the reference point P ₉₁ indicates the lower left reference point, and the reference point P ₉₉ indicates the lower right reference point.

After resetting the reference point _Pij , the game apparatus 10 updates the variable la to la / 8 and updates the variable lb to lb / 8 (S213). Thereafter, the game apparatus 10 re-executes from the process of S206.

On the other hand, if the value of the variable n is determined to be not smaller than N in S210, the game apparatus 10, the reference point P _ij selected in S208 is is the position on the field object 52 corresponding to the display position of the cursor 62 Is determined (S214).

  As described above, in the game apparatus 10, a plurality of reference points are set on the field object 52 (see S204 and S212). In the game apparatus 10, screen coordinate values corresponding to the respective reference points are acquired (see S206). In the game apparatus 10, a reference point whose screen coordinate value is closest to the screen coordinate value of the cursor 62 is selected from the plurality of reference points (see S207 and S208). The setting and selection of the reference point is repeated a predetermined number of times. At this time, each time the setting and selection of the reference point are repeated, the reference point setting target area becomes narrower (see S213). In the game apparatus 10, when the above reference point setting and selection are repeated a predetermined number of times, the last selected reference point is determined as the position on the field object 52 corresponding to the display position of the cursor 62 (S214). reference). According to the game apparatus 10, the position on the field object 52 corresponding to the display position of the cursor 62 can be specified with relatively high accuracy and with relatively simple processing. It should be noted that the accuracy of the position on the field object 52 corresponding to the display position of the cursor 62 can be improved by increasing the number of times the above setting and selection of the reference point is repeated.

  By the way, when initializing the reference points (S204), it may be possible to set many reference points from the beginning by finely dividing the field object 52. In this way, it is not necessary to repeat the setting and selection of the reference point. However, in this case, the coordinate transformation calculation (S206) must be performed for many reference points, which increases the processing load. In this regard, in the case of the present embodiment, when initializing the reference points, a relatively small number of reference points are set by dividing the field object 52 relatively roughly, and the reference points are reset. In this case (S212), that is, when a region including a position on the field object 52 corresponding to the display position of the cursor 62 is specified to some extent, a relatively large number of criteria are obtained by dividing the region more finely. A point is set. By doing so, it is possible to keep the number of coordinate transformation operations low compared to a mode in which many reference points are set from the beginning, and as a result, it is possible to reduce the processing load.

  When the game apparatus 10 initially sets the reference point (S204), the game apparatus 10 does not set the entire field object 52 as the reference point setting target area, but a part of the field object 52 based on the viewpoint 59a and the line-of-sight direction 59b. This area may be determined as the reference point setting target area. By doing this, when the game apparatus 10 initially sets the reference point, for example, the game apparatus 10 determines an area to be displayed on the game screen 60 on the field object 52 as the reference point setting target area, and within the area. A reference point may be set. In this way, since the region including the position on the field object 52 corresponding to the display position of the cursor 62 is specified to some extent from the initial setting of the reference point, the number of times the reference point is set and selected repeatedly. Can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to further reduce the processing load.

  Further, instead of executing the process of S210, the game apparatus 10 determines that the distance between the screen coordinate value corresponding to the reference point selected in S208 and the display position (screen coordinate value) of the cursor 62 is a predetermined reference. You may make it determine whether it is larger than distance. Here, the “reference distance” is a distance at which it can be determined that the screen coordinate value corresponding to the reference point selected in S208 and the display position (screen coordinate value) of the cursor 62 substantially match. is there. This “reference distance” is set in consideration of the accuracy with which the position on the field object 52 corresponding to the display position of the cursor 62 is to be specified. In this case, the game device 10 executes the process of S211 when the distance is larger than the reference distance, and executes the process of S214 when the distance is equal to or less than the reference distance. In this case, the processes of S203 and S209 can be omitted. In this way, the game apparatus 10 sets the reference point until it is determined that the screen coordinate value corresponding to the reference point selected in S208 and the display position (screen coordinate value) of the cursor 62 are substantially the same. And the selection may be repeated. In this way, it is possible to ensure that the position on the field object 52 corresponding to the display position of the cursor 62 is specified with a certain accuracy.

  If it is determined in S210 that the value of the variable n is less than N, the game apparatus 10 determines the screen coordinate value corresponding to the reference point selected in S208 and the display position (screen coordinate value) of the cursor 62. It may be determined whether the distance between is greater than a predetermined reference distance. Then, the game device 10 may execute the process of S211 when the distance is larger than the reference distance, and may execute the process of S214 when the distance is equal to or less than the reference distance. If it is determined that the screen coordinate value corresponding to the reference point selected in S208 and the display position (screen coordinate value) of the cursor 62 are substantially the same, the setting and selection of the reference point are repeated further. It is considered unnecessary. In this regard, if it is configured as described above, it is possible to suppress unnecessary repetition of setting and selection of the reference point, and it is possible to reduce the processing load.

  In S214, when it is determined that the reference point selected in S208 is a position on the field object 52 corresponding to the display position of the cursor 62, the game device 10 determines based on the reference point selected in S208. The game situation information is updated (S215).

  For example, the game device 10 updates the position information and movement direction information of the operation target player object 56a based on the position of the reference point selected in S208. More specifically, the game apparatus 10 acquires “the direction from the current position of the operation target player object 56a toward the reference point selected in S208”. Then, the game apparatus 10 updates the movement direction information of the operation target player object 56a so as to store the acquired direction as the movement direction of the operation target player object 56a. Further, the game apparatus 10 acquires “a position away from the current position of the operation target player object 56a by a distance corresponding to the moving speed of the operation target player object 56a in the moving direction of the operation target player object 56a”. Then, the game apparatus 10 updates the position information of the operation target player object 56a so as to store the acquired position as the current position of the operation target player object 56a. In this way, as a result of updating the position information and movement direction information of the operation target player object 56a, a state in which the operation target player object 56a moves toward the display position of the cursor 62 is displayed on the game screen 60. . When the operation target player object 56a holds the ball object 58, the game apparatus 10 updates the position information and the movement direction information of the operation target player object 56a, and the position information and the movement direction information of the ball object 58. Also update. As a result, when the operation target player object 56 a holds the ball object 58, the game screen 60 shows that the operation target player object 56 a dribbles toward the display position of the cursor 62. Become.

  Further, for example, the game apparatus 10 updates the position information and movement direction information of the ball object 58 based on the position of the reference point selected in S208. For example, the game apparatus 10 determines whether or not the operation target player object 56 a holds the ball object 58. Further, the game apparatus 10 determines whether or not the kick instruction button has been pressed based on an operation signal input from the controller 32. When the game apparatus 10 determines that the operation target player object 56a holds the ball object 58 and the kick instruction button is pressed, “from the current position of the ball object 58 or the operation target player object 56a, "Direction toward the reference point selected in S208" is acquired. Then, the game apparatus 10 updates the movement direction information of the ball object 58 so as to store the acquired direction as the movement direction of the ball object 58. Further, for example, the game apparatus 10 acquires “a position away from the current position of the ball object 58 by a distance corresponding to the moving speed of the ball object 58 in the moving direction of the ball object 58”. Then, the game apparatus 10 updates the position information of the ball object 58 so as to store the acquired position as the current position of the ball object 58. As a result of updating the position information and the moving direction information of the ball object 58 in this way, the game screen is displayed when the kick instruction button is pressed while the operation target player object 56a holds the ball object 58. 60 shows that the ball object 58 is kicked out toward the display position of the cursor 62.

  When the above game situation information update process (S101) is completed, the game apparatus 10 executes a game screen generation process (S102). In the game screen generation process, the game screen 60 is generated on the VRAM based on the game situation information stored in the main memory 26. That is, the game apparatus 10 transforms the virtual three-dimensional space 50 by converting the vertex coordinates of each object arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space 50 from the world coordinate system to the screen coordinate system using a predetermined coordinate transformation calculation. A field-of-view image representing the appearance of viewing the virtual camera 59 is drawn on the VRAM. More specifically, the game apparatus 10 executes geometry processing, and performs coordinate conversion from the world coordinate system to the viewpoint coordinate system, that is, the coordinate system having the viewpoint 59a as the origin and the line-of-sight direction 59b as the Zw axis direction. The game apparatus 10 also performs clipping processing. Then, the game apparatus 10 renders the field-of-view image on the VRAM by performing coordinate conversion of each object in the field-of-view range from the viewpoint coordinate system to the screen coordinate system. Further, the game apparatus 10 draws the cursor 62, the elapsed time image 64, and the scoring situation image 66 by overwriting the visual field image drawn on the VRAM. Thus, the game screen 60 is generated on the VRAM. The game screen 60 generated on the VRAM is displayed on the monitor 18 at a predetermined timing.

  Next, functions realized by the game apparatus 10 will be described. FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram mainly showing functions related to the present invention among the functions realized by the game apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 12, the game apparatus 10 includes a screen coordinate value designation receiving unit 70, a reference point conversion unit 72, a comparison unit 74, a reference point selection unit 76, a reference point resetting unit 78, and game processing. Part 80 is functionally included. In these functional blocks, for example, a program for causing the game apparatus 10 (microprocessor 14) to execute the processes shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 is read from the optical disc 25 and executed by the game apparatus 10 (microprocessor 14). Is realized.

  The screen coordinate value designation receiving unit 70 is realized mainly by the microprocessor 14 and the operation input unit 31. The screen coordinate value designation accepting unit 70 accepts designation of a screen coordinate value by the user. For example, the screen coordinate value designation receiving unit 70 acquires the position in the game screen 60 indicated by the front end 32a of the controller 32 based on an operation signal (pointing information) input from the controller 32. In other words, the screen coordinate value designation receiving unit 70 acquires the display position (screen coordinate value) of the cursor 62 on the game screen 60 based on the operation signal input from the controller 32.

  The reference point conversion unit 72 is realized mainly by the microprocessor 14. The reference point conversion unit 72 corresponds to each of the plurality of reference points by performing coordinate conversion of each of the plurality of reference points set in the virtual three-dimensional space 50 into a screen coordinate system using a predetermined coordinate conversion calculation. Get the screen coordinate value. Here, the predetermined coordinate transformation calculation is performed by generating the vertex coordinates of each object arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space 50 as world coordinates when generating the game screen 60 representing the virtual three-dimensional space 50 viewed from the viewpoint 59a. This is the same as the coordinate transformation calculation used for coordinate transformation from the system to the screen coordinate system.

  The comparison unit 74 is realized mainly by the microprocessor 14. The comparison unit 74 compares the screen coordinate value received by the screen coordinate value designation receiving unit 70 with the screen coordinate value corresponding to each of the plurality of reference points acquired by the reference point conversion unit 72. For example, for each of the plurality of reference points, the comparison unit 74 selects the screen coordinate values corresponding to each of the reference points acquired by the reference point conversion unit 72 and the screen coordinates received by the screen coordinate value designation receiving unit 70. The distance between the values is calculated.

  The reference point selection unit 76 is realized mainly by the microprocessor 14. The reference point selection unit 76 selects at least one of the plurality of reference points based on the comparison result by the comparison unit 74. For example, the reference point selection unit 76 may determine that the screen coordinate value acquired by the reference point conversion unit 72 is the closest to the screen coordinate value received by the screen coordinate value designation receiving unit 70 among the plurality of reference points. Select Point.

  The reference point resetting unit 78 is realized mainly by the microprocessor 14. The reference point resetting unit 78 resets a plurality of reference points in the virtual three-dimensional space 50 based on the reference point selected by the reference point selecting unit 76. The reference point resetting unit 78 resets a plurality of positions having a predetermined positional relationship with the reference point selected by the reference point selecting unit 76 as a plurality of reference points.

  When a plurality of reference points are reset by the reference point resetting unit 78, the conversion by the reference point conversion unit 72, the comparison by the comparison unit 74, and the selection by the reference point selection unit 76 are executed again.

  For example, a series of processes of resetting by the reference point resetting unit 78, conversion by the reference point conversion unit 72, comparison by the comparison unit 74, and selection by the reference point selection unit 76 are repeated until a predetermined condition is satisfied. Executed. Here, the predetermined condition is, for example, a series of processes of resetting by the reference point resetting unit 78, conversion by the reference point converting unit 72, comparison by the comparing unit 74, and selection by the reference point selecting unit 76. It includes a condition whether or not the number of repeated executions is a predetermined number. The predetermined condition is, for example, that a distance between the screen coordinate value received by the screen coordinate value designation receiving unit 70 and the screen coordinate value corresponding to the reference point selected by the reference point selecting unit 76 is a predetermined distance. Including the condition of whether it is less than or equal to.

  The game processing unit 80 is realized mainly by the microprocessor 14. The game processing unit 80 executes game processing based on the reference point selected by the reference point selection unit 76 from among the plurality of reference points reset by the reference point resetting unit 78. That is, the game processing unit 80 receives the screen coordinate value designation receiving unit 70 based on the reference point selected by the reference point selecting unit 76 among the plurality of reference points reset by the reference point resetting unit 78. A position in the virtual three-dimensional space 50 corresponding to the screen coordinate value is determined. A series of processes of resetting by the reference point resetting unit 78, conversion by the reference point conversion unit 72, comparison by the comparison unit 74, and selection by the reference point selection unit 76 are repeatedly executed until a predetermined condition is satisfied. The game processing unit 80, based on the reference point last selected by the reference point selection unit 76, in the virtual three-dimensional space 50 corresponding to the screen coordinate value received by the screen coordinate value designation receiving unit 70. Determine the position.

  For example, in the game processing unit 80, one reference point selected by the reference point selection unit 76 from the plurality of reference points reset by the reference point resetting unit 78 is received by the screen coordinate value designation receiving unit 70. It is determined that the position is in the virtual three-dimensional space 50 corresponding to the screen coordinate value. Based on the position of the reference point in the virtual three-dimensional space 50, the game processing unit 80 executes game processing (in the present embodiment, movement control processing of the operation target player object 56a and the ball object 58, etc.). To do.

  As described above, according to the game apparatus 10, the position in the virtual three-dimensional space 50 corresponding to the screen coordinate value designated by the user can be determined by a relatively simple process. As a result, according to the game apparatus 10, a game that progresses based on the position in the virtual three-dimensional space 50 corresponding to the screen coordinate value specified by the user can be realized by a relatively simple process.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above.

  For example, the game apparatus 10 may update the display position information of the cursor 62 in accordance with a direction instruction operation using the direction button 44. That is, the cursor 62 may move in the game screen 60 in accordance with a direction instruction operation using the direction button 44. In this case, the display position of the cursor 62 corresponds to the position (screen coordinate value) in the game screen 60 designated by the user. In this way, the user may be able to specify a position in the game screen 60 using the direction button 44.

  Further, for example, the operation input unit 31 may be another pointing device such as a mouse or a touch panel. For example, the cursor 62 may move in the game screen 60 in accordance with an operation using a mouse. In this case, the display position of the cursor 62 corresponds to the position (screen coordinate value) in the game screen 60 designated by the user. In this manner, the user may be able to specify the position in the game screen 60 using the mouse. For example, the cursor 62 may be displayed at a pressed position on the touch panel. In this case, the display position of the cursor 62, that is, the pressed position of the touch panel corresponds to the position (screen coordinate value) in the game screen 60 designated by the user. In this way, the user may be able to specify the position in the game screen 60 using the touch panel.

  Further, for example, the present invention can be applied to a game apparatus 10 that executes a game other than a soccer game. The present invention can be applied to the game apparatus 10 that executes a game that proceeds based on a position in the virtual three-dimensional space 50 corresponding to a screen coordinate value designated by a user.

  Further, for example, in the above description, the program is supplied from the optical disc 25 serving as an information storage medium to the consumer game machine 11, but the program may be distributed to a home or the like via a communication network. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a program distribution system using a communication network. A program distribution method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, the program distribution system 100 includes a game database 102, a server 104, a communication network 106, a personal computer 108, a consumer game machine 110, and a PDA (personal digital assistant) 112. Among these, the game database 102 and the server 104 constitute a program distribution device 114. The communication network 106 includes, for example, the Internet and a cable television network. In this system, a game database (information storage medium) 102 stores a program similar to the storage content of the optical disc 25. Then, when a consumer makes a game distribution request using the personal computer 108, the home game machine 110, the PDA 112, or the like, it is transmitted to the server 104 via the communication network 106. Then, the server 104 reads the program from the game database 102 in response to the game distribution request, and transmits it to the game distribution request source such as the personal computer 108, the home game machine 110, the PDA 112, and the like. Here, the game is distributed in response to the game distribution request, but the server 104 may transmit the game unilaterally. Further, it is not always necessary to distribute (collectively distribute) all programs necessary for realizing the game at a time, and a necessary portion may be distributed (divided distribution) according to the situation of the game. If the game is distributed via the communication network 106 in this way, the consumer can easily obtain the program.

It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the game device which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation input part. It is a figure which shows an example of a controller. It is a figure which shows an example of virtual three-dimensional space. It is a figure which shows an example of a game screen. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed with a game device. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed with a game device. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed with a game device. It is a figure for demonstrating the initial setting of a reference point. It is a figure for demonstrating a reference point setting object area | region. It is a figure for demonstrating resetting of a reference point. It is a functional block diagram of the game device concerning this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the program delivery system which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Game device, 11,110 Home-use game machine, 12 buses, 14 microprocessor, 16 image processing part, 18 monitor, 20 sound processing part, 22 speaker, 24 optical disk drive, 25 optical disk, 26 main memory, 27 memory card slot , 28 Memory card, 29 Communication interface, 30 Controller interface, 31 Operation input unit, 32 Controller, 32a Front end, 34 Imaging unit, 36 Captured image analysis unit, 38 Light emitting unit, 40a, 40b Light source, 42 Reference position, 44 direction Button, 46a, 46b, 46c button, 50 virtual three-dimensional space, 52 field object, 54 goal object, 56 player object, 58 ball object, 59 virtual camera, 59a viewpoint, 59b gaze direction, 0 game screen, 62 cursor, 64 elapsed time image, 66 scoring situation image, 68 reference point setting target area, 70 screen coordinate value designation receiving unit, 72 reference point converting unit, 74 comparing unit, 76 reference point selecting unit, 78 standard Point resetting unit, 80 game processing unit, 100 program distribution system, 102 game database, 104 server, 106 communication network, 108 personal computer, 112 personal digital assistant (PDA), 114 program distribution device.

Claims (8)

A game that displays a game screen representing a state in which the virtual three-dimensional space is viewed from a given viewpoint by coordinate-transforming an object placed in the virtual three-dimensional space into a screen coordinate system using a predetermined coordinate transformation calculation. In the device
Screen coordinate value designation accepting means for accepting designation of a screen coordinate value by a user;
By converting each of a plurality of reference points set in the virtual three-dimensional space into the screen coordinate system using the predetermined coordinate conversion calculation, screen coordinate values corresponding to the plurality of reference points are obtained. A reference point conversion means to be acquired;
A comparison means for comparing a screen coordinate value designated by the user with a screen coordinate value corresponding to each of the plurality of reference points;
Reference point selection means for selecting at least one of the plurality of reference points based on a comparison result by the comparison means;
Reference point resetting means for resetting a plurality of reference points in the virtual three-dimensional space based on the reference points selected by the reference point selecting means;
Means for re-executing the conversion by the reference point conversion means, the comparison by the comparison means, and the selection by the reference point selection means when the plurality of reference points are reset by the reference point resetting means; ,
Game processing execution for executing game processing based on a position in the virtual three-dimensional space of a reference point selected by the reference point selection means from among the plurality of reference points reset by the reference point resetting means Means,
A game apparatus comprising: The game device according to claim 1,
The game machine characterized in that the reference point resetting means resets a plurality of positions having a predetermined positional relationship with the reference point selected by the reference point selecting means as the plurality of reference points. The game device according to claim 1 or 2,
The resetting by the reference point resetting unit, the conversion by the reference point converting unit, the comparison by the comparing unit, and the selection by the reference point selecting unit are repeatedly executed until a predetermined condition is satisfied. A game device. The game device according to claim 3.
The predetermined condition is that the reset by the reference point resetting means, the conversion by the reference point converting means, the comparison by the comparing means, and the selection by the reference point selecting means are repeated a predetermined number of times. A game device including a condition for whether or not there is a game device. The game device according to claim 3 or 4,
The predetermined condition is whether or not the distance between the screen coordinate value designated by the user and the screen coordinate value corresponding to the reference point selected by the reference point selection means is less than a predetermined distance. A game apparatus comprising: The game device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The game apparatus characterized in that the number of reference points reset by the reference point resetting means is larger than the number of reference points initially set in the virtual three-dimensional space. A game that displays a game screen representing a state in which the virtual three-dimensional space is viewed from a given viewpoint by coordinate-transforming an object placed in the virtual three-dimensional space into a screen coordinate system using a predetermined coordinate transformation calculation. In the device control method,
A screen coordinate value designation accepting step for accepting designation of a screen coordinate value by a user;
By converting each of a plurality of reference points set in the virtual three-dimensional space into the screen coordinate system using the predetermined coordinate conversion calculation, screen coordinate values corresponding to the plurality of reference points are obtained. A reference point conversion step to be acquired;
A comparison step of comparing a screen coordinate value designated by the user with a screen coordinate value corresponding to each of the plurality of reference points;
A reference point selection step of selecting at least one of the plurality of reference points based on the comparison result of the comparison step;
A reference point resetting step for resetting a plurality of reference points in the virtual three-dimensional space based on the reference point selected by the reference point selecting step;
When the plurality of reference points are reset by the reference point resetting step, the conversion by the reference point converting step, the comparison by the comparing step, and the selection by the reference point selecting step are re-executed; ,
Game processing execution for executing game processing based on a position in the virtual three-dimensional space of the reference point selected by the reference point selection step from among the plurality of reference points reset by the reference point resetting step Steps,
A method for controlling a game device, comprising: A game that displays a game screen representing a state in which the virtual three-dimensional space is viewed from a given viewpoint by coordinate-transforming an object placed in the virtual three-dimensional space into a screen coordinate system using a predetermined coordinate transformation calculation. A program for causing a computer to function as a device,
Screen coordinate designation accepting means for accepting designation of a screen coordinate value by the user,
By converting each of a plurality of reference points set in the virtual three-dimensional space into the screen coordinate system using the predetermined coordinate conversion calculation, screen coordinate values corresponding to the plurality of reference points are obtained. Reference point conversion means to obtain,
Comparison means for comparing the screen coordinate value designated by the user with the screen coordinate value corresponding to each of the plurality of reference points;
Reference point selection means for selecting at least one of the plurality of reference points based on a comparison result by the comparison means;
Reference point resetting means for resetting a plurality of reference points in the virtual three-dimensional space based on the reference points selected by the reference point selecting means;
Means for re-executing the conversion by the reference point conversion means, the comparison by the comparison means, and the selection by the reference point selection means when the reference points are reset by the reference point resetting means; as well as,
Game processing execution for executing game processing based on a position in the virtual three-dimensional space of a reference point selected by the reference point selection means from among the plurality of reference points reset by the reference point resetting means means,
A program for causing the computer to function as

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