JP5027355B2 - VIDEO GAME DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF, VIDEO GAME PROGRAM AND COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM CONTAINING THE PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a video game program.
[0002]
[Prior art]
  In video games such as RPG (Role Playing Game), a virtual world in which natural objects and artifacts are arranged is displayed on a display device so that the player can move his / her character within the screen of the display device. Often has become. The player can examine the object by bringing the player character closer to the object displayed on the screen. For example, when it is desired to examine the inside of a building on the screen, the player moves the character to the entrance of the building. Normally, when the character is moved to the entrance of the building, the screen is updated and an image representing the inside of the building is displayed.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  The player can only know the existence of an object displayed on the screen, and the object outside the screen can know its existence even if it is located slightly off the screen. Can not. For example, when the screen 61 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed, the player cannot find the building object 310 that is displaced by one character from the outer periphery of the screen 61.
[0004]
  However, there are players who think that it is unnatural that the player character 300 living in the virtual world is not aware of the building 310 that is only slightly off the screen. Such a player is dissatisfied with the inability to find objects in the virtual world due to the gap between the perceived range that the player character should have and the perceived range that the player actually has.
[0005]
  Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a video game program that gives a common character field of view to a player character and makes it easier for the player to find an object in the virtual world that is not displayed on the screen.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The present invention provides a video game in which a player can operate a virtual world character displayed on a display device via a computer. The computer draws the virtual world and the character on a frame buffer of the computer, and outputs the image data drawn in the frame buffer to a display screen of a display device. Set based on the range of the virtual world for drawing image data to be output to the display screen, and determine whether or not a predetermined detectable object exists within a predetermined maximum detection distance from the character If it is determined that there is a detectable object within a range within the maximum detection distance from the character, an object that blocks the line of sight is arranged between the detectable object determined to be within the maximum detection distance and the character. To determine whether an object that blocks the line of sight is placed The image of the character is drawn in the frame buffer without updating the image, and when it is determined that no object that blocks the line of sight is placed, the character is directed toward the detectable object. Update to an image and draw image data in the frame buffer.The maximum detection distance is a range within the distance corresponding to the maximum detection distance on the display screen on which the rendered image data is output, and includes the entire display screen in the vertical direction, and is outside the display screen. It is set to a size that extends to.
[0007]
  According to the present invention, the character faces the direction of an object that is not displayed on the screen, such as an object that is located outside the screen or a hidden object that is set not to be displayed on the screen. The position of the object can be estimated.In this case, when the line of sight of the player character is blocked by another object and does not pass to the detectable object, the player character does not turn its face toward the object and the line of sight passes to the detectable object. It is possible to display an image of the player character with the face facing in the direction of.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the video game apparatus according to the present embodiment. As an example, the video game apparatus 1 includes a control device 2 that controls the video game apparatus 1, and an input device (for example, a keypad) 3 and an output device (for example, a television set) 6 that are connected to the control device 2. ing. The game apparatus 1 further includes a memory card 5 that stores game data such as game progress data and environment setting data.
[0009]
  The control device 2 is a single computer. In this example, the control device 2 is a home game machine. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
[0010]
  As shown in FIG. 1, the control device 2 includes, as an example of the configuration, a main control unit 11, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, an interface unit 13, a sound processing unit 14, a graphic processing unit 15, A CD-ROM drive 16, a communication interface 17, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 18 and a bus 19 for connecting these components to each other are provided. In addition, the CD-ROM drive 16 is detachably mounted with a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) 4 which is a recording medium storing a program, image data, sound data and the like for realizing processing related to a game to be described later. It is configured to be able to.
[0011]
  The main control unit 11 is a circuit including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. The CPU is a program stored in the RAM 12 (in some cases, ROM). Each part of the control apparatus 2 is controlled according to The ROM stores a basic program such as a boot program for the control device 2 and an OS (Operating System). The main control unit 11 includes an oscillator and a timer counter (both not shown), generates a clock signal based on a timing signal output from the oscillator every predetermined period, and outputs the clock signal to the timer counter. The time is counted by counting with.
[0012]
  The RAM 12 is a main storage device used by the CPU of the main control unit 11 to execute a program, and stores a program executed by the CPU and data necessary for the execution. The RAM 12 is also used as a work area during program execution.
[0013]
  The interface unit 13 is configured so that the input device 3 and the memory card 5 can be detachably connected. The interface unit 13 controls data transfer between each unit (mainly the main control unit 11) connected to the bus 19 and the input device 3 or the memory card 5.
[0014]
  The sound processing unit 14 is a circuit that performs processing for reproducing sound data such as BGM (Back Ground Music) and sound effects of a game. The sound processing unit 14 generates an audio signal based on the data stored in the RAM 12 in accordance with a command from the main control unit 11 and supplies it to the output device 6.
[0015]
  The graphic processing unit 15 includes a frame buffer (not shown), and draws an image corresponding to a command from the main control unit 11 on the frame buffer. In addition, the graphic processing unit 15 generates a video signal by adding a predetermined synchronization signal to the image data drawn in the frame buffer, and supplies this to the output device 6.
[0016]
  The CD-ROM drive 16 is a reading device that reads data stored in a CD-ROM 4 that is a recording medium. The game apparatus 1 realizes control related to a game, which will be described later, by causing the control apparatus 2 to execute control according to the game program recorded in the CD-ROM 4.
[0017]
  The communication interface 17 is a circuit that performs communication control when exchanging various data with other devices on the network 100, and is connected to the network 100 via the communication line 99 as necessary. The communication interface 17 controls exchange of information (programs and data) between the control device 2 and the communication network 100. The game program and data downloaded from the external communication network 100 via the communication interface 17 and the communication line 99 can be stored in the HDD 18.
[0018]
  The HDD 18 is an auxiliary storage device that the CPU of the main control unit 11 uses to execute a program. Various data and programs such as information downloaded using the communication interface 17 and information read from the CD-ROM 4 can be stored in the HDD 18.
[0019]
  The CD-ROM 4 stores game software. This game software includes a game program and necessary data for causing the main control unit to perform processing necessary for executing the computer game. The game program includes a program that causes the game apparatus 1 to execute the method according to the present embodiment. The game software stored in the CD-ROM 4 can be read by operating the CD-ROM drive 16.
[0020]
  Note that the game apparatus 1 can also store game software in the HDD 18. This game software may be preinstalled in the HDD 18, installed from the CD-ROM 4, or downloaded from another device on the communication network 100 as described above.
[0021]
  The input device 3 includes a plurality of operation tools that are operated by the player to input various instructions regarding the game to the control device 2. When the operating tool is operated, the input device 3 sends a command signal corresponding to the operating tool to the control device 2 via the interface unit 13. In this embodiment, as an example, a keypad 30 that is generally attached to a consumer game machine is prepared as the input device 3.
[0022]
  FIG. 2A is a plan view showing the keypad 30, and FIG. 2B is a rear view showing the keypad 30. As shown in FIG. 2A, the keypad 30 has a cross key 31 for inputting a direction instruction, and operation keys for inputting various commands to the control device 2 (for example, a ○ button 32, A Δ button 33, a □ button 34, an X button 35, a start button 36, a select button 42), and the like are provided as operation tools. The keypad 30 is also provided with joysticks 37a and 37b as operation tools. As shown in FIG. 2B, a plurality of operation keys (R1 button 38, R2 button 39, L1 button 40, L2 button 41) are provided as operation tools on the back of the keypad. Furthermore, the keypad 30 has a vibration (vibration) function. That is, the keypad 30 has a built-in motor, and the motor is activated by receiving a predetermined control signal from the control device 2 so that the keypad 30 can be vibrated as a whole.
[0023]
  The memory card 5 is an auxiliary storage device configured by a flash memory and controlled by the control device 2 to store game data. The main controller 11 controls the writing of data to the memory card 5 and the reading of data from the memory card 5 through the interface unit 13.
[0024]
  The output device 6 displays a game image based on the video signal and audio signal from the control device 2 and outputs audio. In the present embodiment, a television (TV) set is prepared as the output device 6. This television set includes a display screen 61 for image display and a speaker 62 for audio output. The television set displays an image on the display screen 61 in response to the video signal from the graphic processing unit 15 and outputs sound from the speaker 62 in response to the sound signal from the sound processing unit 14. Therefore, the television set functions as both a display device and an audio output device.
[0025]
  The main control unit 11 controls the operation of the control device 2 based on basic software stored in the ROM and game software read from the CD-ROM 4 by the CD-ROM drive 16 and stored in the RAM 12. For example, the main control unit 11 reads graphic data from the CD-ROM 4 and transfers it to the graphic processing unit 15, and instructs the graphic processing unit 15 to generate an image. In response to this instruction, the graphic processing unit 15 generates a video signal using the graphic data. This video signal is sent to the output device 6. Thereby, an image is displayed on the display screen of the output device 6.
[0026]
  In the present embodiment, a video game that progresses when the player moves the player character in the virtual world is displayed on the screen 61 of the display device 6. Various objects such as natural objects, artifacts, items, and non-player characters are arranged in the virtual world.
[0027]
  The feature of the present embodiment is that the player character has a common sense field of view, and the player displayed on the screen 61 when a predetermined object is within a predetermined visible distance from the player character in the virtual world. The character turns his face to the object. Below, this feature point is demonstrated, referring FIG. 3 and FIG.
[0028]
FIG. 3 shows an example of a screen 61 representing the virtual world. The player can move the player character 200 within the screen 61 by operating the cross key 31 of the keypad 30 or the joystick 37a or 37b. In FIG. 3, the player character 200 is moving in the direction indicated by the arrow 202.
[0029]
  As shown in FIG. 3, a building object 210 is arranged outside the area displayed on the screen 61 in this virtual world. The body of the player character 200 faces the moving direction indicated by the arrow 202, but the face of the player character 200 faces the direction of the building object 210 outside the screen, as indicated by the broken line 204. Thus, since the player character 200 faces the off-screen object 210 independently of the body direction, the player can be notified of the presence of the object 210 without preventing the player character 200 from moving the player character 200.
[0030]
  In the present embodiment, an object to which the player character 200 turns his face and a maximum distance between the object and the player character 200 at which the player character 200 can turn his face to the object are determined in advance. Hereinafter, an object set so that the player character 200 faces is referred to as a detectable object, and a maximum distance at which the player character 200 can react to the detectable object is referred to as a maximum detectable distance. An object set as a detectable object is usually an object associated with some event. The maximum detection distance can be considered as the maximum distance that the player character 200 can visually recognize in the virtual world.
[0031]
  The building object 210 is preset as a detectable object and is located within the maximum detection distance from the player character 200. In the present embodiment, a distance corresponding to twice the vertical width of the screen 61 is set as the maximum detection distance. As will be described later, when there are a plurality of detectable objects located within the maximum detection distance from the player character 200, the face of the player character 200 faces the detectable object closest to the distance.
[0032]
  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the video game apparatus 1 to turn the face of the player character 200 toward the object. This process is implemented by the control device 2 executing each video game program stored in the CD-ROM 4. Note that the game program and necessary data are sequentially read from the CD-ROM 4 and transferred to the RAM 12 according to the progress of processing, but in the following description, reading from the CD-ROM 4, transfer to the RAM 12, etc. A detailed description of may be omitted.
[0033]
  First, it is determined whether or not a detectable object exists within the maximum detection distance from the player character (step S102). This determination is made by referring to object arrangement data specifying the arrangement of the detectable object in the virtual world and searching for a detectable object located within the maximum detection distance from the player character. The object arrangement data is stored in the RAM 12 from the CD-ROM 4 when the virtual world is displayed on the screen 61.
[0034]
  If it is determined that a detectable object exists within the maximum detection distance from the player character (step S102: YES route), the detectable object closest to the player character is specified (step S104). This process is performed by referring to the position data of the player character and the detectable object stored in the RAM 12.
[0035]
  Thereafter, the image of the player character is updated according to the direction in which the identified detectable object is located (step S106). The updated player character image has a face in a direction corresponding to the direction in which the detectable object specified as the closest to the player character is located.
[0036]
  A plurality of images having differently oriented bodies are prepared for the player character, and these images are displayed in association with the moving direction of the player character. In addition, in this embodiment, a plurality of character images having the same body direction but different face directions are also prepared. These face orientations are associated with predetermined angle ranges in advance, respectively, and when the character image is displayed, the player character substantially faces the object in the direction of the object located within the predetermined angle range. looks like. In step S106, a character image having a body oriented in the direction corresponding to the moving direction of the player character and a face oriented in the angle range where the detectable object is located is displayed.
[0037]
  The process of FIG. 4 is periodically executed when the virtual world is displayed. Accordingly, when the angle range in which the detectable object is located is changed by the movement of the player character, the direction of the face of the character image is changed accordingly. Of course, the direction of the face may be updated and the direction of the eyes may be directed toward the detectable object.
[0038]
  As described above, in this embodiment, the player character faces the direction of the detectable object, so that the player can easily find an object outside the screen, and time can be saved to increase game play efficiency.
[0039]
  In FIG. 3, the detectable object 210 is arranged at a position where the player character 200 can be easily seen, but there may be a case where the wall blocks the line of sight of the player character due to a dungeon or the like. In the present embodiment, when the line of sight of the player character is blocked by another object and does not pass through the detectable object, the player character does not turn his face toward the object. When the player character moves and the line of sight passes through to the detectable object, an image of the player character with the face facing the direction of the detectable object is displayed. As a result, the player character has a more realistic field of view, and the game reality can be improved.
[0040]
  Further, in the present embodiment, when the player character acquires the ability called “item detection”, the player character turns to face the hidden item that is not displayed on the screen. This hidden item is arranged at a predetermined position in the virtual world, and is normally not displayed on the screen, and can be found by the player having the player character check its position. In the present embodiment, when the player character acquires the “item sensing” ability, a hidden item is added to the detectable object. Thereby, a player character comes to face in the direction of the hidden item which exists within the maximum detection distance.
[0041]
  FIG. 5 shows the player character 200 facing his face to the hidden item. The hidden item is arranged at a position indicated by reference numeral 220 in the screen 61 but is not displayed in the screen 61. The player character 200 turns his face to the hidden item arrangement position 200. Thus, the player can know the presence of a hidden object that is not displayed on the screen 61 even though it is arranged in the display area of the screen 61 in the virtual world, and can estimate its position from the direction of the character's face.
[0042]
  The player can find a hidden object by examining the direction in which the character is facing his face. Therefore, for example, when a player character having the “item sensing” ability enters a room where the item is hidden, the hidden item can be found without having to sequentially check the furniture in the room. Thereby, the efficiency of game play can be improved.
[0043]
  In addition, instead of acquiring the “item detection” ability, the player character may be equipped with a specific item such as an “item detection rod” to turn his face to a hidden item.
[0044]
  The present invention has been specifically described above based on the embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the steps of the method according to the present invention can be changed in order without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.
[0045]
  The player character may perform an action according to the distance between the detectable object and the player character, in addition to directing the face in the direction of the detectable object. FIG. 6 shows an action performed by the player character 200 when the detectable object 210 is separated from the player character 200 by a distance close to the maximum detection distance. As shown in FIG. 6, when the player character 200 turns his / her face in the direction of the object 210 far away, the player character 200 performs an action of raising his hand on the knee and looking far away. As described above, when the player character performs various actions according to the distance between the player character and the detectable object, it becomes easier for the player to guess the position of the detectable object from the movement, and the object can be found more easily. become.
[0046]
  Further, the detectable object that the player character turns to face may be limited to a specific type of object. For example, the object that the player character faces may be only a treasure, only an object (castle, dungeon, etc.) that can enter inside, only a hidden item, or only an enemy character.
[0047]
  Further, the player character may perform an action corresponding to the type of the detectable object in addition to turning the face in the direction of the detectable object. For example, when the detectable object is an enemy character, the player character may shake his / her body when turning his face to the enemy character. When the player character performs an action according to the type of the detectable object, the player can guess the type of the object that the player character is facing, and can cause the player character to take an action according to the type. . For example, when the player character is shaking the body, it is considered that the enemy character is in the vicinity. Therefore, the player moves the player character while avoiding the direction in which the player character faces the enemy character. You can avoid battles.
[0048]
  In the above embodiment, the present invention has been described in relation to a consumer game device, but the present invention can also be applied to a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer, an arcade game machine, or the like.
[0049]
  In the above embodiment, the display device, the input device, and the control device are separated, but the present invention can also be applied to a video game device in which the display device, the input device, and the control device are integrated.
[0050]
  In the above embodiment, a CD-ROM is used as a computer-readable recording medium for recording a game program and data. However, the recording medium is not limited to a CD-ROM, and may be another magnetic and optical recording medium or a semiconductor memory that can be read by a computer such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or a ROM card. Furthermore, a program or data for realizing the present invention may be provided by a method preinstalled in a game machine or a storage device of a computer.
[0051]
  Programs and data for realizing the present invention may be downloaded to the HDD 18 from another device on the network 100 connected via the communication line 99 by the communication interface 17 shown in FIG. It is also possible to record a program or data in the memory of another device on the communication line 99, and to read and use the program or data sequentially into the RAM 12 via the communication line 99 as necessary. is there.
[0052]
  A program or data provision form for realizing the present invention may be provided as a computer data signal superimposed on a carrier wave from another device on the network 100. For example, the control device 2 requests the transmission of the computer data signal from the communication interface 17 to another device on the communication network 100 via the communication line 99, receives the transmitted computer data signal, and stores it in the RAM 12. Thus, the present invention may be realized.
[0053]
【The invention's effect】
  According to the present invention, since the character faces the object that is not displayed on the screen, it is easy for the player to find such an object, so that time is wasted and the game can be played efficiently.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a video game apparatus according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2A is a plan view showing a keypad, and FIG. 2B is a rear view showing the keypad.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen when a detectable object exists outside the screen.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the video game apparatus.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen when a hidden item exists in the screen.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a game screen when a detectable object exists outside the screen.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen in the prior art.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Video game device, 2 ... Control device, 3 ... Input device, 4 ... CD-ROM, 5 ... Memory card, 6 ... Output device, 11 ... Main control part, 12 ... RAM, 13 ... Interface part, 14 ... Sound Processing unit, 15 ... Graphic processing unit, 16 ... CD-ROM drive, 17 ... Communication interface, 18 ... Hard disk drive, 19 ... Bus, 99 ... Communication line, 100 ... Communication network.

Claims (2)

A video game program in which a player can operate a virtual world character displayed on a display device,
When read by the computer
Drawing the virtual world and the character on a frame buffer of the computer, and outputting the image data drawn in the frame buffer to a display screen of the display device;
A predetermined maximum detection distance from the character is set based on a virtual world range for drawing image data to be output to the display screen,
Determining whether or not a predetermined detectable object exists within a range within the maximum detection distance with reference to object arrangement data specifying the arrangement of the detectable object in the virtual world;
When it is determined that the detectable object exists within a range within the maximum detection distance from the character, an object that blocks the line of sight is disposed between the detectable object determined to exist within the maximum detection distance and the character. If the object that blocks the line of sight is determined, the image data is drawn in the frame buffer without updating the character image, and the object that blocks the line of sight is disposed. When it is determined that the character has not been updated, the computer is caused to update the character to an image facing the detectable object direction and cause the frame buffer to draw image data ;
The maximum detection distance is a range within the distance corresponding to the maximum detection distance on the display screen on which the rendered image data is output, and includes the entire display screen in the vertical direction, and is outside the display screen. A video game program characterized by being set in a size up to When it is determined that the detectable object exists in a range within the maximum detection distance from the character, and a plurality of the detectable objects exist in a range within the maximum detection distance from the character, the detection object among the detection objects The video game program according to claim 1 , wherein a detectable object closest to the character is specified, and the character is updated to an image facing the specified detectable object direction.

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