JP2000300833A - Video game apparatus, music changing method and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve a smooth link between BGMs before and after shifting thereof when the shifting of the BGM to be reproduced is made in response to the switching of a game scene. SOLUTION: BGM-A and BGM-B each have a plurality of voice tracks and voice reproduction channels are allotted to each voice track from the first one on the order of higher importance to reproduce. When the shifting of music is directed from the BGM-A to the BGM-B. The voice track of the BGM-A subjected to reproduction fades out sequentially from the voice reproduction channel of the larger number. When the level of the reproduction becomes substantially zero, the voice track of the BGM-B fades in by the voice reproduction channel to start reproduction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video game apparatus, a music changing method and a recording medium, and more particularly to a technique for changing BGM (Background Music) in a video game.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a video game, generally, a BG to be reproduced according to a game scene displayed on a display device is used.
By switching M, the sense of reality of the game is enhanced. For this reason, conventionally, in a video game, a plurality of music pieces corresponding to the scene of the game are prepared. These songs are recorded on a CD when a character (hereinafter referred to as “own character”) that operates according to a player's operation is on the field (excluding a battle scene), a battle scene, and a virtual town.
-It is read from a recording medium such as a ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) into a predetermined area of the main memory of the hardware and reproduced.

[0003] Hereinafter, BGM in a conventional video game will be described.
Will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13. FIG. 10 shows songs used in each game scene,
FIG. 3A shows a music piece A reproduced in a field scene excluding a battle scene, FIG. 3B shows a music piece B reproduced in a battle scene,
FIG. 3C shows an example of a musical score pattern of a music piece C reproduced in a scene in a town. That is, the music A is composed of A1 to A16.
Up to 16 bars of music data,
Is music data of eight measures from B1 to B8, and music C is
It is assumed that the music data is composed of 12 bars of music data C1 to C12.

FIG. 11 shows a conventional BGM as a first conventional example.
It is a flowchart which shows the processing procedure for a change. In the first conventional example, first, it is determined whether or not the own character is located on the field (step S201). If it is determined that it is located on the field (step S2
01; Yes), it is determined whether the own character is in a battle scene with an enemy character (step S20).
2). If it is determined that there is no battle scene (step S2
02; No), song A is read into a predetermined area of the main memory (step S203), and the process proceeds to step S206.

If it is determined in step S202 that the game is in a battle scene (step S202; Yes), the music B is read into a predetermined area of the main memory (step S20).
4), proceed to step S206. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S201 that the own character does not exist on the field (step S201; No), in this example, it is determined that the own character exists in a virtual town, and the music C is stored in a predetermined area of the main memory. (Step S205), and the process proceeds to step S206. If the songs A, B and C have already been read into the predetermined area of the main memory in steps S203 to S205, it is not necessary to read them again.

In step S206, a process for reproducing any one of the music pieces A, B and C read into a predetermined area of the main memory is performed. Then, it is determined whether or not the music playback is to be stopped due to the occurrence of an event such as a game over that stops the music playback (step S207). When it is determined that the music reproduction is not stopped (Step S207; No), the processing from Step S201 is repeated. If it is determined in step S207 that the music playback is to be stopped (step S207; Yes),
The process of this flowchart ends.

FIG. 12 shows a conventional BG which is a second conventional example.
It is a flowchart which shows the processing procedure for M change.
In the second conventional example, first, the variable FF indicating the current situation of the own character is set to “0”, the variable a indicating the reproduction position of the music A is set to the start position of the music A, and the variable c indicating the reproduction position of the music C is set to the variable c. The initial position is set by substituting the start position of the song C (step S301). Upon completion of the initial setting, it is determined whether or not the own character is in a battle scene (step S302). If it is determined that the player character is in a battle scene (step S302; Yes), the variable FF
Is determined to be "0", that is, whether or not the own character is on the field before entering the battle (step S
303).

If it is determined that the value of the variable FF is "0" (step S303; Yes), the music that has been reproduced up to the present is the music A for the field scene, and the reproduction position of the music A at that time. Is stored in a variable a (step S
304), and proceed to step S307. Step S303
When it is determined that the value of the variable FF is not “0” (Step S303; No), the value of the variable FF is further set to “1”,
That is, it is determined whether or not the own character is in the town before entering the battle (step S305).

If it is determined that the value of the variable FF is "1" (step S305; Yes), the music C for the town scene has been reproduced up to now, and the reproduction of the music C at that time is performed. The position is stored in a variable c (step S30).
6), and proceed to step S307. If it is determined in step S305 that the value of the variable FF is not “1” (step S305; No), the process directly proceeds to step S307.

In step S307, "9" indicating that the player character is currently in battle is substituted for the variable FF. Further, the music B for the battle scene is read from the recording medium into a predetermined area of the main memory (step S30).
8). Then, the process proceeds to step S318.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S302 that the player character is not in a battle scene (step S302;
No), it is determined whether the own character exists on the field (step S309). If it is determined that the player character exists on the field (step S
309; Yes), it is determined whether or not the value of the variable FF is “1” (step S310).

If it is determined that the value of the variable FF is "1" (step S310; Yes), the music C for the town scene has been reproduced up to now, and the reproduction of the music C at that time is performed. After the position is stored in the variable c (step S3
11), and proceed to step S312. If it is determined in step S310 that the value of the variable FF is not “1” (step S310; No), the process proceeds to step S312. In step S312, “0” indicating that the own character is currently on the field is substituted for the variable FF. Further, the music A for the field scene is read from the recording medium into a predetermined area of the main memory together with the information on the reproduction position indicated by the variable a (step S313), and the process proceeds to step S318.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S309 that the own character does not exist on the field (step S309; No), it means that the own character exists in a virtual town, and the value of the variable FF is "0". Is determined (step S314).

When it is determined that the value of the variable FF is "0" (step S314; No), the music piece A has been reproduced up to the present, and the reproduction position of the music piece A at that time is set to the variable a. After the storage (Step S316), the process proceeds to Step S316. If it is determined in step S314 that the value of the variable FF is not “0” (step S314; N
o), proceed directly to step S316. Step S3
At 16, "1" is substituted for the variable FF. Further, the music C is read from the recording medium into a predetermined area of the main memory, the position indicated by the variable c is designated as the reproduction start position (step S317), and the process proceeds to step S318.

In step S318, a process for reproducing any one of the music pieces A, B and C read into a predetermined area of the main memory is performed. Then, it is determined whether or not the music reproduction is to be stopped due to the occurrence of an event such as a game over that stops the music reproduction (step S319). When it is determined that the music reproduction is not to be stopped (Step S319; No), the processing from Step S302 is repeated. When it is determined in step S319 that the music reproduction is to be stopped (step S319; Yes),
The process of this flowchart ends.

Next, the relationship between the switching of game scenes and the change of music in the first and second conventional examples will be described. Here, as shown in FIG. 13A, in the game scene, the player character moves on the field at timing t0, the battle starts at timing t1, the battle ends at timing t2, and the player character stops at timing t3. It is assumed that the character moves to the virtual town and the own character moves again from the virtual town to the field at the timing t4.

In this case, when the processing is performed in the first conventional example, every time the game scene is switched, the music pieces A to C corresponding to the switched scene are reproduced from the head position. For this reason, in the order shown in FIG.
The data of the music pieces A to C shown in (a) to (c) are reproduced in order.

On the other hand, when the processing is performed in the above-mentioned second conventional example, every time a game scene is switched, the music pieces A to C are reproduced from the position where the reproduction was last ended in the previous scene. For this reason, in the order shown in FIG.
The data of the music pieces A to C shown in (c) are reproduced in order. In this way, the music reproduced as BGM is changed in conjunction with the switching of the game scene, thereby increasing the sense of reality of the game.

[0019]

By the way, FIG.
The data of the music pieces A to C shown in (a) to (c) are generally
Each has a plurality of audio tracks, and each audio track is reproduced on each of a plurality of audio reproduction channels included in hardware for executing a video game.

However, in the above-described first and second conventional examples, the reproduction of the music before the change is simultaneously ended in all the audio reproduction channels, and the reproduction of the music after the change is simultaneously started. For this reason, the music before the change is suddenly switched to the music after the change and the music is reproduced, so that there is a problem that the music before and after the change is not smoothly connected.

In the case of performing a fade-in / fade-out at the time of changing the music, the problem that the reproduced music is suddenly switched is solved, but the volume level of the music temporarily reproduced becomes almost zero. Therefore, there was a problem that the music before and after the change was not smoothly connected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and when changing the music to be reproduced, a video game device and a music which smoothen the connection between the music before and after the change. An object of the present invention is to provide a reproducing method and a recording medium on which a program for realizing the method is recorded.

[0023]

In order to achieve the above object, a video game apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises:
Music data storage means for storing music data having one or more tracks for a plurality of music pieces; and music data for a plurality of music pieces stored in the music data storage means. A music reproducing means having a plurality of reproduction channels for reproducing the music in the music data, and an old music currently reproduced in the music data stored in the music data storage in response to the switching of the scene according to the progress of the game. The music change instructing means for instructing the change of the music to be reproduced by the music reproducing means from the data to another new music data, and the change of the music to be reproduced is instructed by the music change instructing means. Old music data volume lowering means for gradually lowering the reproduction volume of the track of the old music data by the reproduction channel for each track, gradually to a reproduction stop level; When the change of the music to be played is instructed by the music change instructing means, the new music which gradually raises the reproduction volume of the track of the new music data by the reproduction channel of the music data reproducing means to a certain level for each track. Data volume increasing means.

According to the video game apparatus, the change of the music to be reproduced is instructed from the music change instructing means, and when the music to be reproduced from the old music to the new music is changed, the track of the old music data and the new music are used. The data track and the data track are partially overlapped and reproduced. For this reason, the music to be reproduced is not suddenly switched or the reproduction of the music is not interrupted, and the connection between the music before and after the change is smooth.

Also, the reproduction volume of the track of the old music data gradually decreases, that is, fades out for each track, and the reproduction volume of the track of the new music data gradually increases.
That is, since the next fade-in occurs, at the beginning of the change, more tracks of the old music data are reproduced, and thereafter, the number of tracks of the new music data to be reproduced gradually increases. Therefore, the transition from the old music to the new music becomes smooth.

The music change instructing means instructs to change the music to be reproduced in response to the switching of the scene in accordance with the progress of the game, so that the music is reproduced in accordance with the scene of the game being executed. This makes it possible to enhance the sense of reality of the game being executed by the player.

In the video game device, the track of the old music data and the track of the new music data may be reproduced at least partially using a common reproduction channel. In this case, the new music data volume increasing means sets the reproduction volume of the track of the new music data having the same reproduction channel as the old music data to the reproduction stop level of the corresponding track of the old music data, that is, the level at which the track becomes substantially zero. To a certain level.

Therefore, even if there is no free reproduction channel for reproducing the track of the new music data, or even if the correspondence between the track of the music and the reproduction channel is predetermined, the reproduction of the track of the old music data is stopped. Then, the track of the new music data may be reproduced. For this reason, the old music data and the new music data can be applied even if they have tracks as many as the number of reproduction channels.

In the video game apparatus, each track of the music data stored in the music data storage means may be provided with priority information indicating a priority in reproduction. In this case, the old music data volume lowering means may gradually lower the reproduction volume of the track of the old music data in order from the reproduction channel reproducing the track with the lower priority based on the priority information. it can.

As a result, it is possible to gradually shift to the new music data while leaving the lingering sound of the old music data, and the connection between the music becomes smoother.

In the above-mentioned video game apparatus, the old music data volume lowering means may start, for example, a process of lowering the volume in each reproduction channel at different timings and end the processes at predetermined intervals. The old music data reproduction stopping means may be arranged such that the old music data volume lowering means starts the processing of lowering the volume in each reproduction channel at different timings and ends the processing at the same timing.

On the other hand, the new music data volume increasing means terminates, for example, the processing of increasing the volume in each reproduction channel at a fixed period from the start of the processing or at the same timing. Can be.

That is, the volume reduction of the track of the old music data, ie, fade-out, and the increase of the volume of the track of the new music data, ie, the fade-in, in the video game apparatus can be performed by any combination of the above. It is.

In order to achieve the above object, a music changing method according to a second aspect of the present invention uses a plurality of reproduction channels for reproducing music in track units based on music data, by using at least one reproduction channel for each of at least one track. A music reproducing method for changing music to be reproduced from old music data having the music data to another different new music data, wherein the music data is reproduced from the old music data currently being reproduced in response to switching of scenes according to the progress of the game. A music change instruction step instructing another different new music data to change the music to be played, and a change in the music to be played is instructed in the music change instruction step, the track of the old music data by a plurality of playback channels. The playback volume of the old music data is gradually reduced to the playback stop level for each track, and the music change instruction step is performed. If the change of the music has been instructed to,
A new music data volume increasing step of gradually increasing the reproduction volume of the track of the new music data by a plurality of reproduction channels to a certain level sequentially for each track.

By causing the computer to execute the processing of each of these steps, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the above-described game device invention. Therefore, by executing the described processing steps using hardware such as a computer, the game technology of the present invention can be easily implemented.

In order to achieve the above object, a computer readable recording medium for recording a program for executing the music conversion method is disclosed. The video game device described above can be realized by causing a general-purpose game device or a general-purpose computer device to read and execute the program recorded on such a recording medium. Thereby, the recording medium on which the program is recorded can be easily distributed and sold independently of the hardware. Also, by using this program with hardware such as a computer, the game technology of the present invention can be easily implemented.

[0037]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a video game system according to this embodiment. The video game system according to the present embodiment includes, for example, a video game device 1 having main functions in the video game system, an input unit 2 for giving an input instruction to the video game device 1, and a video performed by the video game device 1. A display device 3 for displaying the content of the game. In the video game apparatus 1, a recording medium 4 including a CD-ROM or the like on which a game program, data, and the like are recorded is detachably set. The video game device 1 can be connected to the network 5 via a communication line 90 as necessary, or can be provided with a memory card 6 for storing game information.

The video game device 1 reads the game program and data recorded on the recording medium 4 by setting the recording medium 4, and executes the read game program. The detailed configuration of the video game device 1 will be described later.

The input unit 2 is a controller serving as an input interface for transmitting the intention of the player.
It has buttons for instructing the start of a video game and inputting commands, and directional keys for moving a character or cursor in four directions, up, down, left, and right.

The display device 3 includes an image display device for reproducing a video output signal (video signal) 88 generated by the video game device 1 and an audio output signal (audio signal) 89.
And also has a function as an audio output device for reproducing. As the display device 3, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube)
A television receiver having a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a plasma display (PD) may be used. CRT, LCD, P
D or the like may be used as a single display device and used in combination with a sound reproducing device such as an audio device.

The recording medium 4 stores a game program and data for realizing the video game of the embodiment. The data stored in the recording medium 4 will be described later in detail. When the power button (not shown) provided on the video game device 1 is turned on while the recording medium 4 is mounted on the video game device 1, the video game device 1 Read program data or image data,
A predetermined video game process is executed based on the read game program.

The network 5 is a communication network such as the Internet or a commercial network connected via a wired or wireless communication line 90. The memory card 6 is for writing game information to be continuously saved even after the power of the video game apparatus 1 is turned off or reset, and is formed of a nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory.

Next, the configuration of the video game device 1 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 1, the video game apparatus 1 includes a main control unit 10 for performing basic arithmetic processing, an image processing unit 20 for performing image processing, an audio processing unit 30 for performing audio processing, and a recording unit. A medium drive unit 40 for processing around the medium 4, a communication processing unit 50 for communicating with the external network 5, and an input / output control unit 60 for handling input / output processing of an operation system. Prepare.

The main control unit 10 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 11 directly connected to the bus 80 and a ROM (Read Only Memory) connected to the bus 80 via a signal line 81.
ry) 12 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13 connected to the bus 80 via a signal line 82. The image processing unit 20 is connected to the bus 80 via a signal line 83. Similarly, the audio processing unit 30, the medium driving unit 40, the communication processing unit 50, and the input / output control unit 60 are connected to the bus 80 via signal lines 84 to 87, respectively. Thus, the main control unit 10, the image processing unit 20, the audio processing unit 30, the medium driving unit 40, the communication processing unit 50, and the input / output control unit 60 can exchange data with each other via the bus 80.

The CPU 11 is a central part of the main control unit 10 and executes programs stored in the ROM 12 and the RAM 13. The ROM 12 is a nonvolatile semiconductor memory that stores a boot loader and the like used at the time of startup. The RAM 13 is a volatile semiconductor memory that stores a program executed by the CPU 11 and data necessary for executing the program, or is used as a work area when the CPU 11 executes the program. R
The assignment of the area to the AM 13 and the data stored in the RAM 13 will be described later in detail.

The image processing section 20 performs coordinate conversion, light source calculation,
For example, a fixed-point matrix or vector operation is executed at high speed using a parallel processing function. The image processing unit 20 includes a CRTC (Cathode Ray Tube Control) for displaying an image.
oller) function and a high-speed polygon drawing function for a frame buffer (not shown), and executes these functions according to a polygon drawing command from the CPU 11. The image processing unit 20 has a two-dimensional address space independent of the CPU 11, and maps a frame buffer in that space.

The audio processing unit 30 is, for example, an ADPCM
(Adaptive Differential Pulse CodeModulation) The sample data is used as a sound source to reproduce sound at a sampling frequency of 44.1 KHz. The sound processing unit 30 has a plurality of sound reproduction channels capable of simultaneously generating sounds. Each audio playback channel includes pitch conversion, pitch change over time, noise source, envelope, volume functions,
And digital reverb can be set on or off.

The medium drive section 40 drives the set recording medium 4, reads data recorded on the recording medium 4 by an optical pickup, and transfers the read programs and data to the main control section 10. When a CD-ROM is used as the recording medium 4, the medium driving unit 4
0 is constituted by a CD-ROM drive.

The communication processing unit 50 exchanges information with other devices connected to the network 5, and, if necessary, communicates with the network 5 via a communication line 90.
Connected to. The input / output control unit 60 is an interface for connecting the input unit 2 and the memory card 6,
The input unit 2 and the memory card 6 are connected via signal lines 91 and 92, respectively.

Next, the configuration of the audio processing unit 30 will be described in more detail. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the audio processing unit in detail. As shown in the figure, the audio processing unit 30
No. 1 to No. It comprises 24 audio playback channels 31 numbered 24. The volume reproduced by each of the audio reproduction channels 31, that is, the audio output level is CP
It is controlled by a volume switch 31a controlled by an instruction from U11. Therefore, the fade-out effect can be obtained by controlling the volume switch 31a and gradually lowering the audio output level,
On the other hand, a fade-in effect can be obtained by gradually increasing the audio output level. The period from the start to the end of fade-out and fade-in by the volume switch 31a is controlled to be an integral multiple of a basic fade time described later. Also, each audio reproduction channel 3
The reproduced sounds of 1 are mixed and output to the display device 3 as a sound signal.

Each audio reproduction channel 31 has several other functions as described above.
Elements that correspond to these functions are not shown in FIG. 2 because they are not directly related to the change of the BGM according to this embodiment.

Next, the assignment of areas to the RAM 13 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an area allocated to the RAM 13 for changing the BGM according to the present embodiment. The RAM 13 has a program area 1 for storing the game program read from the recording medium 4.
3a, a game data area 13b for storing various data used during the game, and a music data area 13c for storing music data reproduced during the game.

The program area 13a stores a program for advancing the game and a program B shown in a flowchart described later.
A program for changing GM is stored. The game data area 13b stores data necessary for proceeding with the game, for example, parameters related to the position and ability of the own character. The game scene displayed on the display device 3 is switched according to the content of the data stored in the game data area 13b.

The music data area 13c stores the BGM of the game.
The data of the music piece used as is stored. The programs and data stored in these areas 13 a to 13 c are transferred from the recording medium 4 to the RAM 13 via the bus 80 by the medium driving unit 40 under the control of the CPU 11.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing an example of BGM data stored in the music data area shown in FIG. Here, in the music data area 13c, there are BGM-A which is old music data before change to be changed in response to the switching of the game scene, and BGM which is new music data after change.
−B is stored.

Each of the BGM-A has a sound processing unit 30
No. reproduced on the audio reproduction channel 31 of No. 1 to N
o. 20 audio tracks 131 numbered 20
have. On the other hand, BGM-B is reproduced on the audio reproduction channel 31 of the audio processing unit 30, respectively.
1 to No. It has 16 audio tracks 131 numbered 16. BGM-A and BGM-B are both
Priority information indicating the priority at the time of reproduction is set for each audio track, and in this embodiment, the smaller the number assigned to the audio track 131, the higher the priority at the time of reproduction. . Also, BGM-A,
Each audio track 131 of BGM-B is repeatedly reproduced until a stop of reproduction is instructed.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing assignment of audio tracks of BGM-A and BGM-B to audio reproduction channels included in the audio processing unit. As described above, in this embodiment, the smaller the number assigned to the audio track 131, the higher the priority. Correspondingly, the audio reproduction channel 31 also has a higher priority audio track 131 for a smaller number.
Is assigned. Specifically, BG
Both MA and BGM-B assign each audio track 131 to the audio reproduction channel 31 having the same number, and reproduce the audio track 131 on the allocated audio reproduction channel 31. Therefore, when reproducing each of the BGM-B audio tracks 131, the allocation must be switched from the BGM-A audio track 131 to which the same audio reproduction channel 31 is allocated.

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17-No. Eight audio tracks, such as hit sounds of attacks in battle scenes, are assigned to the eight audio reproduction channels 31 numbered 24 as sound effects according to the progress of the game. The audio track used for the sound effect is assigned to the audio reproduction channel 31 with priority over the audio track 131 of BGM-A and BGM-B.

Hereinafter, the operation of the video game system according to the present embodiment will be described. The player
While giving an image indicating the progress of the game displayed on the display device 3, input is performed from the input unit 2 in order to give a desired instruction to the own character. In response to this input, the game data stored in the game data area 13b changes, and the change in the game data is reflected on the image displayed on the display device 3, and the game proceeds.

Here, the player operates the input unit 2 to
When the own character is moved from one map to another map or the own character is moved to a predetermined area to generate an event such as a battle process with an enemy character, the CPU 11 performs a predetermined process. Then, an image indicating the status of the game displayed on the display device 3, that is, the game scene is switched.

As described above, when the scene of the game being executed is changed in the course of the player operating the input unit 2 to progress the game, the music played by the audio processing unit 30 is reproduced in BGM-format. A change process for changing from A to BGM-B is executed mainly by the CPU 11. The song change processing will be described in detail below. However, it is assumed that no sound effect is reproduced during this change processing.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure for changing the music. When the process starts, first, the CPU 11
Is the track number V of the music (BGM-A) currently being reproduced in each audio reproduction channel 31 of the audio processing unit 30.
_max (in this example, 20) is acquired (step S1).
01). Next, as initial setting, the value of V _max to the variable N indicating the number of tracks to be processed, a variable F indicating whether the audio track 131 to be processed in the new music
Is set to "0" indicating that there is no audio track 131 to be processed (step S102).

Next, it is determined whether or not the value of the variable N is equal to or greater than "0", that is, whether or not the old music (BGM-A) has the audio track 131 to be processed (step S10).
3). When it is determined that the value of the variable N is equal to or greater than “0” (Step S103; Yes), the value of the variable N is further set to “0”, that is, the audio track 131 to be processed with the old music (BGM-A). It is determined whether or not there is (step S104).

If it is determined that the value of the variable N is not “0” (step S104; No), the Nth audio track 131 of the old music (BGM-A) currently being reproduced is reproduced. By controlling the volume switch 31a of the audio reproduction channel 31 of the
31 is reduced by a predetermined amount (step S
105). Then, the process proceeds to step S106. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S104 that the value of the variable N is “0” (step S104; Yes), the process directly proceeds to step S106.

In step S106, it is determined whether the value of the variable F is "0", that is, whether or not the new music (BGM-B) has the audio track 131 to be processed. When it is determined that the value of the variable F is not “0” (Step S1)
06; No), a new song to be newly reproduced (BGM-B)
N + playing the (N + 1) th audio track 131
Volume switch 31 of the first audio reproduction channel 31
By controlling a, the reproduction volume of the (N + 1) th audio track 131 is increased by a predetermined amount (step S107). Then, the process proceeds to step S108. On the other hand, step S10
When it is determined in step 6 that the value of the variable F is “0” (step S106; Yes), the process directly proceeds to step S108.

In step S108, it is determined whether or not the basic fade time for reducing the reproduction volume to the minimum value or increasing the reproduction volume to the maximum value has ended. If it is determined that the basic fade time has not ended (Step S108; No), the processing from Step S104 is repeated. That is, by repeating this, step S
A fade-in process is performed at 105 and a fade-out process is performed at step S107.

It should be noted that the decrease in the reproduction volume in step S105 is determined by the determination processing in step S108 when the end of the basic fade time is determined.
The playback volume is controlled to be the minimum value. Similarly, the amount of increase in the playback volume in step S107 is determined in step S107.
When it is determined at 108 that the basic fade time is over, control is performed so that the playback volume just reaches the maximum value.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S108 that the basic fade time has ended (step S10).
8; Yes), the process proceeds to step S109. In step S109, a new music piece (BGM-
In B), it is determined whether or not the N-th audio track 131 exists. When it is determined that the Nth audio track 131 exists in the new music (step S109; Ye)
s) “1” indicating that there is an audio track to be processed is substituted into a variable F (step S110). Then, the process proceeds to step S112. When it is determined in step S109 that the Nth audio track 131 does not exist in the new music (step S109; No), “0” indicating that there is no audio track to be processed is substituted for the variable F (step S111). ). Then, the process proceeds to step S112.

In step S112, the value of the variable N is subtracted by "1", and the audio track 131 to be processed is subtracted.
To the one with the higher priority. Then, the process returns to step S103.

Similarly, the processing from step S103 to step S112 is repeatedly executed, and the value of the variable N becomes-
When it is determined that the value of the variable N is not equal to or more than “0” in step S103 (step S103; No),
The audio track 131 being reproduced by the 24 audio reproduction channels 31 is a new song (BGM-B) after the change, and the change of the song has already been completed, so the process of this flowchart ends.

Next, the music reproduced in the above-described processing is BG
The process until the change from MA to BGM-B will be described.

FIG. 7 is based on the processing procedure shown in FIG.
It is a figure which shows typically the process of change from BGM-A which is an old music to BGM-B which is a new music. When the music change process is started, first, the old music BGM-
Among the audio tracks 131 of A, the number is the largest,
The fade-out process is performed on the twentieth audio track 131 having the lowest priority within the basic fade time.
Even if the fade-out processing of the twentieth audio track 131 of BGM-A is completed, BGM
-B does not have the 20th audio track 131, so B
The fade-in process of the GM-B audio track 131 is not performed.

When the fade-out processing of the twentieth audio track 131 of the BGM-A is completed, the 19th BGM-A having the next smallest number, that is, the second highest priority, is completed.
The fade-out process is performed on the first audio track 131 within the next basic fade time. Similarly, BGM
The fade-out process is sequentially performed up to the 16th audio track 131 of -A.

The 16th audio track 13 of BGM-A
When the fade-out process of No. 1 is completed, the 16th audio track 131 exists in the BGM-B which is the new song after the change, so that the 15th BGM-A with the next smallest number, that is, the BGM-A with the next highest priority, When the fade-out processing of the audio track 131 is started, the fade-in processing of the 16th audio track 131 of BGM-B is also started. Thus, the fade-out process and the fade-in process are completed within the basic fade time.

Similarly, the first audio track 131 of BGM-A and the second audio track 13 of BGM-B
Up to 1, fade-out and fade-in are performed sequentially within each basic fade time.

First audio track 131 of BGM-A
Is completed, there is no audio track with a lower number in BGM-A. Therefore, in the next basic fade time, only the fade-in process of the first audio track 131 of BGM-B is performed. Then, by ending this fade-in process,
The process of changing the music from BGM-A to BGM-B is all completed.

As described above, in the video game system according to this embodiment, the music to be reproduced is changed by sequentially performing fade-out and fade-in while changing the timing for each audio track. Thereby, when changing the music used as BGM, a part of the audio track 1 of BGM-A and BGM-B is changed.
31 are reproduced while overlapping. In addition, as for the audio track 131 being reproduced by the audio reproduction channel 31, the BGM-A is larger at the beginning of the music change processing, and the BGM-B is gradually larger thereafter. For this reason, when changing the music to be played from BGM-A to BGM-B, the connection between the music before and after the change becomes smooth.

Further, the priorities of the audio tracks 131 included in the BGM-A and BGM-B are determined according to their track numbers. When the music is changed, the audio tracks of the BGM-A are assigned the lower priority. Fade-out processing is sequentially performed, and fade-in processing is sequentially performed on the BGM-B tracks in ascending order of priority. For this reason, it is gradually changed to BGM-B, which is a new song, while leaving the lingering sound of BGM-A, which is an old song before change,
The connection between songs is very smooth.

Further, when changing the music reproduced from BGM-A to BGM-B, after the fade-out processing of BGM-A is completed in each of the audio reproduction channels 31 and the volume becomes substantially 0, The fade-in processing of the BGM-B audio track 131 has started. For this reason, even if the total number of audio tracks of the music before and after the change is larger than the number of the sound reproduction channels 31, the change of the music can be smoothly performed.

Further, in the video game system of this embodiment, when the game scene is switched, the processing of the flowchart of FIG.
The music reproduced to MB is changed. For this reason, a tune suitable for the scene of the game is reproduced as BGM, and it is possible to enhance the sense of reality of the game being executed by the player.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment,
Various modifications and applications are possible. Hereinafter, modifications of the above-described embodiment applicable to the present invention will be described.

In the above embodiment, the fade-out start timing of BGM-A is sequentially shifted at a constant interval for each audio track 131, and each audio track 1
The period from the start to the completion of 31 fade-outs was fixed. Also, each audio track 131 of BGM-B
The period from the start to the end of the fade-in is fixed,
The completion timing of the fade-in has been sequentially shifted at a constant interval for each audio track 131. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the start timing of the fade-out of BGM-A is determined by which audio track 1
The fade-out completion timing of each audio track 131 may be sequentially shifted at a fixed interval, and the BGM-B fade-in completion timing may be the same for any audio track 131.
That is, the period from the start to the end of the fade-out,
Further, the period from the start to the completion of the fade-in may be different for each audio track 131.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the start timing of the fade-out of BGM-A is
1, the fade-out completion timing of each audio track 131 is sequentially shifted at regular intervals,
The period from the start to the completion of the fade-in of each audio track 131 of the BGM-B may be fixed, and the completion timing of the fade-in may be sequentially shifted for each audio track 131 at a constant interval.

Furthermore, the intervals between the timings of starting or completing the fade-out and fade-in for each audio track 131 may not be the same. Also, for example, 2
Fade-out and fade-in processing may be performed using one audio track 131 as a unit so that the timing is the same in each unit.

In the above embodiment, during the change of the BGM, no sound effect is reproduced by the sound reproduction channel 31 of the sound processing unit 30. In contrast, B
When the reproduction of the sound effect is instructed during the GM change processing, the sound reproduction channel 31 of the 17th to 24th reproduces the sound track of the sound effect with priority, and after changing the sound track, The reproduction of the BGM audio track may be started.

In the above embodiment, the audio processing unit 30 has 24 audio reproduction channels 31, and the number of BGM-A and BGM-B to be reproduced is 20, respectively.
It had 26 audio tracks 131.
However, the number of audio reproduction channels 31 and the number of BGM audio tracks to be reproduced are arbitrary as long as the number of audio tracks of each music does not exceed the number of audio reproduction channels 31. Also, the number of the audio reproduction channel 31 and
The number of the audio track 131 of the BGM to be reproduced does not necessarily have to match. Furthermore, the priority of each audio reproduction track 131 does not necessarily have to match the number.

In the above embodiment, the video game system shown in FIG. 1 was used as a platform for realizing the present invention. However, various devices such as a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer, a portable game machine, and an arcade game machine can be applied as a platform for realizing the present invention.

In the above embodiment, a CD-ROM has been described as an example of the recording medium 4. However, the recording medium 4 includes FD (Floppy Disc) and HD (Hard Dis
c) Magnetic disks and tapes such as DAT (Digital Audio Tape), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)
An optical disk such as an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk such as an MO (Magneto-Optical disc), or a semiconductor memory such as a ROM cartridge or a flash memory may be used.

In the above embodiment, the program and data for realizing the video game of the present invention are provided by the recording medium 4 which is detachable from the video game apparatus 1. However, it may be preinstalled in a storage device of a video game device or a computer device and distributed. Further, the program and data for realizing the present invention may be provided to the video game apparatus 1 as a computer signal superimposed on a carrier wave from another device on the network 5 connected via the communication line 90. Good.

In the above embodiment, the video game of the present invention is executed on the video game device 1. However, the game may be executed by executing the program using hardware resources of another device on the network 5 connected via the communication line 90 and proceeding with the game. The game may be advanced by exchanging data with another dedicated game machine or a general-purpose computer device via the network 5.

[0093]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When the music to be played is changed, the connection between the music becomes smooth.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a video game system applied to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an audio processing unit in detail.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing allocation of an area to a RAM.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of BGM data stored in a music data area.

FIG. 5 shows BGM-A and B for an audio reproduction channel.
It is a figure showing allocation of a sound track of GM-B.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a music change processing procedure according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a process of changing from an old music to a new music according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating another music change process that is different from that of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing still another music change process that is different from that of FIG. 7;

FIGS. 10A to 10C are diagrams showing examples of musical score patterns used in a conventional video game.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for changing a BGM in a conventional example.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing another processing procedure for changing BGM in the conventional example.

FIGS. 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating an example of music change according to a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Video game device 4 Recording medium 10 Main control part 11 CPU 12 ROM 13 RAM 13a Program area 13b Game data area 13c Music data area 131 Audio track 30 Audio processing part 31 Audio reproduction channel 31a Volume switch

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A music data having one or more tracks,
Music data storage means for storing a plurality of songs; and a plurality of reproduction channels for reproducing music in track units based on the music data to be reproduced among the music data for a plurality of music stored in the music data storage means. In response to switching of scenes according to the progress of the game,
Music change instructing means for instructing a change of music to be reproduced by the music reproducing means from the old music data currently being reproduced to another different new music data among the music data stored in the music data storing means; When the change of the music to be reproduced is instructed by the music change instructing means, the reproduction volume of the track of the old music data by the reproduction channel of the music reproducing means is gradually reduced to the reproduction stop level sequentially for each track. Old music data volume lowering means, and when a change of music to be reproduced is instructed by the music change instructing means, the reproduction volume of the track of the new music data by the reproduction channel of the music data reproducing means,
A video game device comprising: a new music data volume increasing means for gradually increasing the track level to a certain level sequentially for each track. 2. The track of the old music data and the track of the new music data are at least partially reproduced by using a common reproduction channel, and the new music data volume increasing means is configured to reproduce the old music data and the old music data. 2. The reproduction volume of a track of the new music data having a common reproduction channel is gradually increased to the predetermined level after the corresponding track of the old music data reaches the reproduction stop level. Video game equipment. 3. Each track of the music data stored in the music data storage means is given priority information indicating a priority order at the time of reproduction. 3. The video game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reproduction volume of the track of the old music data is gradually reduced in order from the reproduction channel that reproduces the track with the lower priority based on the degree information. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said old music data volume lowering means starts the process of lowering the volume in each of the reproduction channels at different timings, and ends the processing at a fixed period. 3. The video game device according to claim 1. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said old music data volume lowering means starts the process of lowering the volume in each reproduction channel at the same timing and ends the processing at different timings. 3. The video game device according to claim 1. 6. The video game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said new music data volume increasing means terminates the process of increasing the volume in each of the reproduction channels in a fixed period. 7. The video game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said new music data volume increasing means terminates the processing of increasing the volume in each reproduction channel at the same timing. 8. A music to be reproduced is changed from old music data having one or more tracks to different new music data by using a plurality of reproduction channels for reproducing music in track units based on music data. A music playback method, wherein in response to switching scenes according to the progress of the game,
From the old music data currently being played to another different new music data, a music change instruction step for instructing a change of the music to be played, and when a change of the music to be played is instructed in the music change instruction step, The old music data volume lowering step of gradually lowering the reproduction volume of the track of the old music data by the plurality of reproduction channels to a reproduction stop level sequentially for each track, and changing the music to be reproduced in the music change instruction step. A new music data volume increasing step of gradually increasing the reproduction volume of a track of the new music data by the plurality of reproduction channels to a certain level sequentially for each track when instructed. Method. 9. A program for changing music to be reproduced from old music data having one or more tracks to another different new music data using a plurality of reproduction channels for reproducing music data in track units. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon, in response to switching of scenes according to the progress of the game,
From the old music data currently being played to another different new music data, a music change instruction step for instructing a change of the music to be played, and when a change of the music to be played is instructed in the music change instruction step, The old music data volume lowering step of gradually lowering the reproduction volume of the track of the old music data by the plurality of reproduction channels to a reproduction stop level sequentially for each track, and changing the music to be reproduced in the music change instruction step. When instructed, a new music data volume increasing step of gradually increasing the reproduction volume of the track of the new music data by the plurality of reproduction channels to a certain level for each track is recorded. Computer readable recording medium.