JP2001224846A - Game system and information storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game system and an information storage medium capable of forming transformation and transfiguration into realistic images with a less processing burden and a less quantity of data. SOLUTION: This game system forming an image comprises a transparency setting part 142 setting transparency such that the transparency of a second image is lowered as the transparency of a first image is heightened, and a translucent image-plotting processing part 144 performing image-plotting processing on the basis of the transparency. At least one of the first image and second image may be an image formed on the basis of an object group which is an assembly of a plurality of objects. The first image and second image are divided in a plurality of areas, and the transparency of the respective areas of the first image and second image may be so set that at least one of the change start, change end and change function of transparency is different area by area.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a game system and an information storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a game system for generating an image which can be viewed from a given viewpoint in an object space which is a virtual three-dimensional space. Popular as something you can do.

In such a game system, for example, a virtual image which cannot occur in a real world where a bat transforms into a human being can be realistically generated by computer graphics.

[0004] Conventionally, in the case of expressing such a transformation or transformation in an image of computer graphics, for example, a plurality of model information in the progress state of the transformation are prepared, and
Images were generated while changing model information according to the progress. However, according to this method, an enormous amount of model information is required, and there is a problem that it takes time to create model information.

There is also a method of generating an image of a transformation by complementing, for example, the vertex coordinates of a polygon before and after transformation with changing weights. However, according to this method, there is a problem that the addition of the calculation is increased because the complementary calculation by the weighting is required. In addition, the number of vertices of the polygon before and after the transformation must be the same, or when the polygons are different, information for obtaining the correspondence between the vertices must be prepared.

As described above, the conventional method has a heavy processing load and an enormous amount of data, and is therefore required to generate images in real time with limited hardware resources. Etc., it was difficult to adopt.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has as its object to provide a game system and an information storage capable of realizing a transformation or a transformation with a smaller processing load and a smaller amount of data. To provide a medium.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there is provided a game system for generating an image, wherein the transparency of the first image is increased with respect to the first image and the second image which are at least partially overlapped and drawn. Means for setting transparency so that the transparency of the second image decreases, and means for performing translucent drawing processing on the first image and the second image based on the transparency. It is characterized by.

[0009] An information storage medium according to the present invention is an information storage medium usable by a computer, and includes a program for executing the above means. Further, the program according to the present invention is a program usable by a computer (including a program embodied in a carrier wave), and includes a processing routine for executing the above means.

[0010] Transparency indicates the degree of transparency, opacity, or translucency when an image is drawn.

The translucent drawing process means a process of drawing using a rendering technique for generating an image with a transparent background, and is, for example, α blending process.

According to the present invention, the transparency is set so that the transparency of the first image increases and the transparency of the second image decreases. By performing the translucent drawing processing, the first image can be faded out and the second image can be faded in.

As described above, according to the present invention, the translucency of the first image and the second image is changed to perform the translucent drawing processing, whereby the image in which the first image changes to the second image is obtained. Can be generated.

Therefore, according to the present invention, only the model information for generating the two images before and after the change needs to be prepared.
There is no need to prepare model information of the deformed image at each stage during the change. In addition, since the model information of the deformed image in each of the stages is unnecessary, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to store a huge amount of model information.

In addition, when the information is generated in real time without storing the information at the time of change in advance, usually a complement operation or the like is necessary. However, such a complement operation is not required in the present invention.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to generate an image in which a first image changes to a second image with a small processing load and a small amount of data.

In the game system, the information storage medium, and the program according to the present invention, the position where at least a part of the first image and the second image are drawn in at least two consecutive frames is overlapped. It is characterized by including a means for arranging in.

In order to arrange the first image and the second image at a position where at least a part of the first image and the second image are drawn, for example, a reference point of an object constituting the first image and a second image are set. The reference points of the constituent objects may be arranged at the same position in the world coordinate system. Here, where the reference point of each object is set is arbitrary and is not necessarily limited to the center point of the object.

In addition, regardless of the three-dimensional positional relationship between the first image and the second image, the first image and the second image may be arranged so that at least a part thereof overlaps on the frame (screen coordinate system).

When the first image and the second image have only a position on the display screen, for example, like a sprite, by controlling the coordinate values on the screen, at least a part of the two is overlapped. To place.

In this manner, by arranging the first image and the second image at positions where at least a part of the continuous frames is drawn in at least two or more consecutive frames, the first frame and the second image are placed in the continuous frame. A video can be generated in which one image changes to a second image.

The game system, the information storage medium, and the program according to the present invention may be arranged such that the first image looks like the second image in a stepwise manner in at least two or more consecutive frames. The transparency of the first image and the second image is set.

According to the present invention, it is possible to generate an image in which the first image changes stepwise into the second image in the continuous frames.

Further, the game system, the information storage medium and the program according to the present invention are characterized in that the transparency of the change is changed so that the change progresses based on the progress of the game time.

The game time means a time axis for controlling a change of an event in the game space, and may be set separately from the real time time axis, or may be set to the same time axis as the real time. May be the case.

According to the present invention, it is possible to generate an image in which the change progresses as the game time progresses when the first image changes to the second image.

Further, the game system, the information storage medium and the program according to the present invention are characterized in that the degree of change is determined based on given parameters, and the degree of transparency is changed based on the degree of change.

The given parameters can be freely set according to the game settings, and may be, for example, the ability parameters of the character, the number of hits of bullets, the number of arrivals of moving objects, the number of correct answers to the problem, or the like. But it is good.

According to the present invention, it is possible to generate an image in which the change progresses based on the value of a given parameter when the first image changes to the second image.

In the game system, the information storage medium, and the program according to the present invention, at least one of the first image and the second image is an image generated based on an object group that is a set of a plurality of objects. There is a feature.

For example, when the first image is an object group composed of a plurality of objects and the second image is one object, a video in which the plurality of objects change into one object can be generated. .

For example, when the first image is one object and the second image is an object group including a plurality of objects, it is possible to generate a video in which one object changes to a plurality of objects. I can do it.

For example, if the first image is an object group composed of a plurality of objects and the second image is also an object group composed of a plurality of objects,
An image in which a plurality of objects change into a plurality of objects can be generated.

The game system, the information storage medium, and the program according to the present invention divide the first image and the second image into a plurality of areas, and start, end, and change the change in transparency for each of the areas. The transparency of each area of the first image and the second image is set so that at least one of the functions is different.

In this way, it is possible to set so that at least one of the start, end, and change function of the transparency change differs for each region. For this reason, the first image does not change uniformly to the second image, but the start, end, and change state of the change can be different depending on the area.

For example, by making the start and end timings of the change in transparency different for each region, the state in which the change gradually progresses and the state in which the change propagates to each region are visualized. I can do it.

In the game system, the information storage medium and the program according to the present invention, the plurality of areas may be divided into the respective parts of the object constituting the first image or the second image or the first image or the first image. It is characterized in that the image is divided based on each group of the object group constituting the two images.

The division of the plurality of regions based on each part of the object constituting the first image or the second image means, for example, when the object is a human body object, the head constituting the human body object This refers to dividing an area based on each part such as a part, a leg, and a body.

In this manner, the first image or the second image is divided into regions corresponding to each part of the object, such as a head image region, a leg image region, and a body image region. You. Therefore, it is possible to generate an image that changes in units of each part of the object.

Further, when the plurality of regions are divided based on each group of the object group constituting the first image or the second image, it is possible to generate an image that changes in units of each group of the object group. I can do it.

Further, the game system, the information storage medium and the program according to the present invention determine the change start timing of the transparency in each of the above-mentioned regions in a preset order or according to the progress of a given event. It is characterized by.

According to the present invention, the change order of each area is set in advance according to the change content to be expressed,
It is possible to generate an image in which the change progresses in each region in various variations.

According to the present invention, an image in which the change progresses in each area is generated by reflecting the game situation by determining the start time of the change in the transparency of each area according to the progress of a given event. You can do it.

Further, the game system, the information storage medium and the program according to the present invention set an object or a group of objects constituting the first image or the second image by setting a range to be changed in transparency. Here, the transparency is changed in a set range.

According to the present invention, an image in which only a part of an object changes can be generated.

Further, the game system, the information storage medium, and the program according to the present invention are arranged such that the moving object constituting the first image enters a given area or reaches a given point. The transparency of the first image and the second image is changed so that the first image starts changing to the second image.

According to the present invention, it is possible to generate an image that starts changing when a moving object enters a change start position or a change start area.

Further, the game system, the information storage medium and the program according to the present invention are characterized in that:
The blending process is performed, and the transparency is changed by changing the setting of the α value.

[0049]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1. Configuration FIG. 1 shows an example of a block diagram of the present embodiment. In this figure, the present embodiment only needs to include at least the processing unit 100, and the other blocks can be optional components.

The processing section 100 performs various processes such as control of the entire system, instruction of each block in the system, game processing, image processing, sound processing, and the like. Processor (CPU, DSP)
Or an ASIC (gate array or the like) or a given program (game program).

The operation section 160 is used by a player to input operation data, and its function can be realized by hardware such as a lever, a button, and a housing.

The storage unit 170 stores the processing unit 100 and the communication unit 1
A work area such as 96
It can be realized by hardware such as.

An information storage medium (storage medium usable by a computer) 180 stores information such as programs and data.
D, DVD), magneto-optical disk (MO), magnetic disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, or memory (RO
M) and the like. Processing unit 10
0 performs various processes of the present invention (the present embodiment) based on the information stored in the information storage medium 180. That is, the information storage medium 180 stores information (program or data) for executing the means (particularly, the blocks included in the processing unit 100) of the present invention (the present embodiment).

A part or all of the information stored in the information storage medium 180 is transferred to the storage unit 170 when the power to the system is turned on. Information storage medium 1
The information stored in 80 is a program code for performing the processing of the present invention, image data, sound data, shape data of a display object, table data, list data, information for instructing the processing of the present invention, and instructions for the processing. The information includes at least one of information for performing processing according to.

The display unit 190 outputs an image generated according to the present embodiment.
LCD or HMD (Head Mount Display)
It can be realized by hardware such as.

The sound output section 192 outputs the sound generated according to the present embodiment, and its function can be realized by hardware such as a speaker.

The save information storage device 194 stores the personal data (save data) of the player and the like. As the save information storage device 194, a memory card, a portable game device, or the like can be considered. it can.

The communication unit 196 performs various controls for performing communication with the outside (for example, a host device or another game system), and has a function of various processors or an ASIC for communication. This can be realized by hardware, a program, or the like.

A program or data for executing the means of the present invention (this embodiment) is distributed from the information storage medium of the host device (server) to the information storage medium 180 via the network and the communication unit 196. It may be. Use of the information storage medium of such a host device (server) is also included in the scope of the present invention.

The processing section 100 includes a game processing section 110, an image generation section 130, and a sound generation section 150.

Here, the game processing unit 110 receives coins (price), sets various modes, progresses the game, sets a selection screen, and sets the position and rotation angle of the object (one or more primitive planes). Processing for calculating (the rotation angle around the X, Y or Z axis), processing for moving the object (motion processing), processing for obtaining the position of the viewpoint (the position of the virtual camera) and the line of sight (the rotation angle of the virtual camera), the map object Processing for arranging objects such as objects in the object space, hit check processing, processing for calculating game results (results, results), processing for playing by a plurality of players in a common game space,
Or various game processing such as game over processing,
This is performed based on operation data from the operation unit 160, personal data from the save information storage device 194, a game program, and the like.

The image generation unit 130 includes a game processing unit 110
Performs various image processing in accordance with an instruction from the camera, generates an image that can be viewed from a virtual camera (viewpoint) in the object space, and outputs the generated image to the display unit 190. In addition, the sound generation unit 150 performs various types of sound processing according to instructions from the game processing unit 110 and the like, generates sounds such as BGM, sound effects, and sounds, and outputs the sounds to the sound output unit 192.

Note that the game processing section 110 and the image generation section 1
30, all of the functions of the sound generation unit 150 may be realized by hardware, or all of them may be realized by a program. Alternatively, it may be realized by both hardware and a program.

The game processing section 110 includes a movement / motion calculation section 112 and a before and after change object setting section 114.

Here, the movement / motion calculation unit 112 calculates movement information (position data, rotation angle data) and movement information (position data, rotation angle data of each part of the object) of an object such as a car. For example,
Based on operation data, a game program, and the like input by the player via the operation unit 160, a process of moving or moving an object is performed.

More specifically, the movement / motion calculation unit 112
Performs a process of obtaining the position and rotation angle of the object, for example, for each frame (1/60 second). For example, (k-
1) The position of the object in the frame is PMk-1, the speed is VMk-1, the acceleration is AMk-1, and the time of one frame is Δt.
And Then, the position PM of the object at the k frame
k and the speed VMk are obtained, for example, as in the following equations (1) and (2).

PMk = PMk−1 + VMk−1 × Δt (1) VMk = VMk−1 + AMk−1 × Δt (2) The before and after change object setting unit 114 determines at least two consecutive frames before and after the change. A process of arranging the object before the change and the object after the change is performed such that at least a part of the image of the object and the image of the object after the change are drawn in an overlapped manner.

The image generation unit 130 includes the geometry processing unit 1
32, and a drawing unit 140.

Here, the geometry processing unit 132 performs various types of geometry processing (three-dimensional operation) such as coordinate transformation, clipping processing, perspective transformation, and light source calculation. Then, the object data (shape data such as vertex coordinates of the object, vertex texture coordinates, luminance data, etc.) after the geometry processing (after the perspective transformation) is stored in the storage unit 17.
0 in the main memory 172.

The drawing section 140 performs processing for drawing the object (model) after the geometry processing in the frame buffer 174.
2. Includes a translucent drawing processing unit 144.

Here, the transparency setting section 142 sets the transparency of the object before the change and the transparency of the object after the change so that the transparency of the object before the change increases and the transparency of the object after the change decreases. Perform processing.

The translucent rendering processing section 144 performs translucent rendering processing on the object before the change and the object after the change based on the transparency.

The transparency setting section 142 may set the transparency of the object before the change and the transparency of the object after the change so that the object before the change appears stepwise to the object after the change.

The transparency of the object before the change and the transparency of the object after the change may be changed so that the change proceeds based on the progress of the game time.

The degree of change may be determined based on given parameters, and the transparency of the object before change and the degree of transparency of the object after change may be changed based on the degree of change.

At least one of the image before the change and the image after the change may be generated based on an object group which is a set of a plurality of objects.

Further, the image before the change and the image after the change are divided into a plurality of regions, and the start of the change of the transparency for each of the regions,
The transparency of each area of the image before the change and the image after the change may be set so that at least one of the end and the change function is different.

Further, the plurality of regions are divided based on each part of an object constituting the image before and after the change or each group of an object group constituting the image before the change and the image after the change. Is also good.

Further, the timing of starting the change of the transparency may be determined for each area in a predetermined order or according to the progress of a given event.

Further, for an object or an object group constituting the image before the change and the image after the change, a range for which the transparency is to be changed is set, and the transparency is changed for the set range. Good.

Further, the translucent drawing processing section 144 may perform an α blending process as a translucent drawing process and change the transparency by changing the setting of the α value.

Note that the game system of the present embodiment
The system may be a system dedicated to the single player mode in which only one player can play, or a system having not only such a single player mode but also a multi-player mode in which a plurality of players can play.

When a plurality of players play,
The game image and the game sound to be provided to the plurality of players may be generated using one terminal, or may be generated using a plurality of terminals connected by a network (transmission line, communication line) or the like. Is also good.

2. Features of the present embodiment A feature of the present embodiment is to change the transparency at the time of performing the translucent drawing process on the first object and the second object that are arranged so that at least a part of the first object and the second object are drawn. Thus, a translucent drawing process is performed on the first object and the second object.

Thus, it is possible to generate an image in which the first object changes to the second object.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams for explaining the first object and the second object.

FIG. 2A shows the first object 210. The color information is C1 (R1, G1, B1) and the reference point is K1. The reference point is a point used when arranging the object in the world coordinate system. By placing the reference point of the object at given coordinates, the object can be arranged in the world coordinate system. It is preferable to set the reference point at the origin of the local coordinate system in order to reduce the addition of the calculation.

FIG. 2B shows the second object 220. The color information is C2 (R2, G2, B2) and the reference point is K2.

FIGS. 3A to 3D are views for explaining the state of the translucent drawing process from the start of change to the end of change when changing from the first object 210 to the second object.

In the present embodiment, the first object 210 and the second object 220 are arranged at the same position from the start of the change to the end of the change. That is, as shown in FIGS.
0 reference point K1 and second object 220 reference point K
2 at the same position on the world coordinate system.

First, a semi-transparent drawing is performed on the background image by performing an α blending process on the first object 210 with the blend coefficient αa. At this time, the color information of the background image is C0 (R0, G0, B0), the color information of the first object is Ca (Ra, Ga, Ba), and the color information after translucent drawing is C1 (R1, G1, B1). Then, the following equation is established.

C1 = C0 (1-αa) + Caαa ‥‥ (1) R1 = R0 (1-αa) + Raαa ‥‥ (2) G1 = G0 (1-αa) + Gaαa ‥‥ (3) B1 = B0 (1) -Αa) + Baαa (4) Next, the second object 220 is subjected to α blending processing with the blend coefficient αb to perform translucent drawing. The color information of the second object is expressed as Cb (ba,
Gb, Bb) and the color information after the translucent drawing is represented by C2 (b2, G
2, B2), the following equation holds.

C2 = C1 (1-αb) + Cbαb ‥‥ (5) R2 = R1 (1-αb) + Rbαb ‥‥ (6) G2 = G1 (1-αb) + Gbαb ‥‥ (7) B2 = B1 (1) −αb) + Bbαb ‥‥ (8) Here, when (1) to (4) are substituted for (5) to (8), the following is obtained.

C2 = {C0 (1-αa) + Caαa｝ (1-αb) + Cbαb ‥‥ (9) R2 = {R0 (1-αa) + Raαa｝ (1-αb) + Rbab ‥‥ (10) G2 = ｛ G0 (1-αa) + Gaαa｝ (1-αb) + Gbαb ‥‥ (12) B2 = {B0 (1-αa) + Baαa｝ (1-αb) + Bbαb ‥‥ (13) FIG. 9 is a graph showing a temporal change of a blend coefficient for determining transparency when two objects are rendered translucently. αa is the α value when the background image and the first object are translucently drawn by α blending processing, and αb is the α value when the second object 220 is further translucently drawn by α blending processing. It is. When the object is translucently drawn by performing an α blending process using the α value, when the α value is 1, the object is opaque, and the transparency of the object increases as the α value approaches 1, and the α value becomes 0.
When, the object is transparent. Therefore, the transparency of the object can be set by changing the setting of the α value.

Reference numeral 300 denotes a change progress period, in which the change starts at t1, and ends at t4.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the first object and the background image are subjected to α blending processing when α blending is performed.
By setting the value as αa in FIG. 4, the transparency at the time of drawing the image of the first object during a given time (change progress period 300) is increased stepwise. Similarly, by setting the α value at the time of performing the α blending process on the second object and the background image as αb in FIG.
FIG. 5 (A) to FIG. 5 (A) to FIG. 5 (A), in which the transparency at the time of drawing the image of the first object is gradually reduced.
(D) is a diagram showing the shape of the object recognized from the images generated at t1, t2, t3, and t4, respectively.

FIG. 3A shows a state in which the first object and the second object are translucently drawn at t1. At time t1, since αa = αat1 and αb = αbt1 (see FIG. 4), the first object 210-1 and the second object 220-1 are translucently rendered by α blending using these values. Here, since αat1、1 and αat1 に お い て 0, the image of the generated object looks like FIG. 5A.

FIG. 3B shows how the first object and the second object are rendered translucent at t2. At time t2, αa = αat2 and αb = αbt2 (see FIG. 4), so that the first object 210-2 and the second object 220-2 are translucently rendered by α blending using these values. Since the effect of the first object 210-2 is strong, the image of the generated object looks like FIG. 5B.

FIG. 3C shows a state in which the first object and the second object are translucently drawn at t3. At time t3, αa = αat3 and αb = αbt3 (see FIG. 4), so that the first object 210-3 and the second object 220-3 are translucently rendered by α blending using these values. Since the effect of the second object 220-3 is strong, the image of the generated object looks like FIG. 5C.

FIG. 3D shows how the first object and the second object are translucently drawn at t4. At t4, since αa = αat4 and αb = αbt4 (see FIG. 4), the first object 210-4 and the second object 220-4 are translucently rendered by α blending using these values. Here, since αat4、0 and αat4 ≒ 1, the image of the generated object looks like FIG. 5D.

As described above, the first object and the second object are arranged at the same position, the α values (αa, αb) are changed as shown in FIG. 4, and the translucent drawing process is performed by the α blending process. , An image in which the first object changes to the second object can be generated.

A second feature of the present embodiment is that the first image and the second image are divided into a plurality of regions, and at least the start, end, and change functions of the transparency change for each of the regions are determined. The difference lies in that the transparency of each area of the first image and the second image is set so that one is different.

A third feature of the present embodiment is that at least one of the first image and the second image is an image generated based on an object group which is a set of a plurality of objects. is there.

FIG. 6 shows the second and third feature points.
(A), (B), and (C) will be described by taking as an example a case where a plurality of bats gather and change into a human body object.

FIG. 7 shows a human body object composed of a plurality of part objects. As shown in the figure, the human body object 400 is a leg part object 410,
It is composed of a body part object 420 and a head part object 430. The leg part object 410, the body part object 420, and the head part object 430 are defined in the same local coordinate system, and are arranged in the world coordinate system at the same reference position.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C show temporal changes in blend coefficients when the leg part object 410, the body part object 420, and the head part object 430 are rendered translucently. It is the graph which did.

The bat object group consisting of a plurality of bat objects starts to change into a human body object at t1, and the change ends at t4. However, as shown in FIG. 8A, the change of the leg part object starts at t1, and the change ends at t2. Also, as shown in FIG. 8B, the change of the body part object starts at t.
2 and the change ends at t3. FIG.
As shown in (C), for the head part object, the change starts at t3 and the change ends at t4.
It is.

As described above, by shifting the start time and the end time of the change of the blend coefficient for each part object, it is possible to create an image in which the change progresses for each part object.

Next, the arrangement of the objects during the transformation and the degree of the transformation will be described.

FIGS. 9A and 9B and FIGS. 10A to 10C.
Is a chronologically picked up image of a large number of bats gathering and transforming into monsters. FIG.
A plurality of bats shown in FIG. 10A are gathered as shown in FIG. 11B and change stepwise from bottom to top as shown in FIGS. Transform into a monster.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement relationship between bats and monsters at the time of transformation. A plurality of crosses 520 in FIG. 11 are upper arm part objects 51 of the monster 500.
It shows the gathering point of the bat of 0. In the present embodiment, gathering points are set in advance on monsters by the number of bats, and information on the gathering points is previously stored as object data in the same manner as vertex information and the like. However, unlike vertex information, there is no need for connection information or texture coordination. Then, the same matrix calculation as that of the vertex information is performed to calculate the coordinates of the meeting point in the world coordinate system.

In this embodiment, the moving trajectory of the bat is controlled several seconds before the transformation takes place so that the flying bat comes to any of the above-mentioned gathering points.

FIGS. 12A, 12B and 12C are diagrams for explaining the progress of the transformation.

In this embodiment, a parameter indicating the degree of transformation is provided, and the parameter indicating the degree of transformation is increased each time the bat arrives at the meeting point. As the transformation progresses as shown in FIG. 12A, the bats are made translucent in a predetermined order.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12B, the monster object is divided into a plurality of parts 610, 620, and 630.
As the transformation progresses, each part of the body is made opaque in a predetermined order. As shown in FIG. 12C, each part is further subdivided into four to five part objects, so that a change in transparency can be smoothly expressed.

As described above, when the transparency of the object before transformation and the object after transformation are controlled by the progress of the change, the horizontal axis of the graph of the change of the blend coefficient as shown in FIG. It should be taken as a parameter.

3. FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining a processing example of the present embodiment.

FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 15C are graphs showing changes in the α value when bats and monsters are rendered translucent by α blending processing. Α in FIG.
a and αb represent the α value of the bat gathered at the gathering point of the leg of the monster and the α value of the leg of the monster, respectively. Further, αa and αb in FIG. 15B represent the α value of the bat gathered at the gathering point of the torso of the monster and the α value of the torso of the monster, respectively. Further, αa and αb in FIG. 15C represent the α value of the bat gathering at the gathering point of the head of the monster and the α value of the head of the monster, respectively. As described above, the change state of the transparency is controlled for each monster part object.

The processing of steps S10 to S130 is performed for each frame, and an image in which the bat group turns into a monster is generated.

"I" is a counter indicating the array number of the part object. First, initial setting of the counter i is performed (step S10), and while the counter i is incremented (step S20), the processing is completed for all the part objects (i) (step S13).
0), and repeat the processing of steps S30 to S130.

First, an object before transformation is drawn in steps S30 to S70. Here, the object before the transformation is a bat group.

The α value αia of the object before the transformation corresponding to the part object (i) is obtained based on the progress degree of the transformation at that time. The progress of the transformation at that time is a parameter determined based on the number of bats that have arrived.

For example, when processing is performed on the legs of a monster, the bats gathered on the legs of the monster can be obtained from the graph αa in FIG. Find the value αai.

If αai is 0, the object before the transformation is transparent, so that no drawing processing is performed (step S4).
0).

If αai is 1, the object before the transformation is opaque, so that it is rendered without translucent processing (steps S50, S70).

In the case of 0 <αai <1, the object before the transformation is translucent. Therefore, the α blending process is performed with αia, and the object before the transformation is translucently drawn (steps S50 and S60).

Next, in steps S30 to S70, the transformed object is drawn. Here, the transformed object is a monster.

The α value α corresponding to the part object (i) of the monster after the transformation based on the progress of the transformation at that time
Find ib. The progress of the transformation at that time is a parameter determined based on the number of bats that have arrived.

For example, if the processing is performed on the leg of the monster, the leg of the monster is set to αb in FIG.
From the graph, an α value αbi corresponding to the progress degree h of the transformation at that time is obtained.

If αbi is 0, the transformed part object i is transparent, so that no drawing processing is performed (step S90).

When αbi is 1, the transformed part object i is opaque, so that it is rendered without translucent processing (steps S50, S70).

If 0 <αbi <1, the transformed part object is translucent, so α blending is performed with αib, and the transformed part object is rendered translucent (steps S100 and S110).

4. Hardware Configuration Next, an example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The main processor 900 has a CD982
(Information storage medium), a program transferred via the communication interface 990, or a program stored in the ROM 950 (one of the information storage media).
Various processes such as sound processing are executed.

The coprocessor 902 assists the processing of the main processor 900, has a multiply-accumulate unit or a divider capable of high-speed parallel operation, and executes a matrix operation (vector operation) at high speed. For example, when a physical simulation for moving or moving an object requires processing such as matrix operation, a program operating on the main processor 900 instructs the coprocessor 902 to perform the processing (request ).

The geometry processor 904 performs geometry processing such as coordinate transformation, perspective transformation, light source calculation, and curved surface generation. The geometry processor 904 includes a multiply-accumulate unit and a divider capable of high-speed parallel computation, and performs matrix computation (vector Calculation) at high speed. For example, when performing processing such as coordinate transformation, perspective transformation, and light source calculation, a program operating on the main processor 900 instructs the geometry processor 904 to perform the processing.

The data decompression processor 906 performs a decoding process for decompressing compressed image data and sound data, and performs a process for accelerating the decoding process of the main processor 900. Thus, a moving image compressed by a given image compression method can be displayed on an opening screen, an intermission screen, an ending screen, a game screen, or the like. The image data and sound data to be decoded are stored in the ROM 95.
0, stored in the CD 982, or transferred from the outside via the communication interface 990.

The drawing processor 910 executes a high-speed drawing (rendering) process of an object composed of primitive surfaces such as polygons and curved surfaces. When drawing an object, the main processor 900
Uses the function of the DMA controller 970 to pass object data to the drawing processor 910,
If necessary, the texture is transferred to the texture storage unit 924. Then, the drawing processor 910 draws the object in the frame buffer 922 at high speed while performing hidden surface removal using a Z buffer or the like based on the object data and the texture. The drawing processor 910 can also perform α blending (translucent processing), depth queuing, mip mapping, fog processing, bilinear filtering, trilinear filtering, anti-aliasing, shading processing, and the like. Then, when an image for one frame is written to the frame buffer 922, the image is displayed on the display 912.

The sound processor 930 includes a multi-channel ADPCM sound source and the like, and generates high-quality game sounds such as BGM, sound effects, and voices. The generated game sound is output from the speaker 932.

Operation data from the game controller 942, save data and personal data from the memory card 944 are transferred via the serial interface 940.

A ROM 950 stores a system program and the like. In the case of the arcade game system, the ROM 950 functions as an information storage medium,
Various programs are stored in 950. Note that a hard disk may be used instead of the ROM 950.

The RAM 960 is used as a work area for various processors.

[0144] The DMA controller 970 is provided between the processor and the memory (RAM, VRAM, ROM, etc.).
A transfer is controlled.

A CD drive 980 stores a CD 982 in which programs, image data, sound data, and the like are stored.
(Information storage medium) to enable access to these programs and data.

[0146] The communication interface 990 is an interface for transferring data to and from the outside via a network. In this case, a network connected to the communication interface 990 may be a communication line (analog telephone line, ISDN), a high-speed serial bus, or the like. Then, data can be transferred via the Internet by using a communication line. Also, by using the high-speed serial bus, data transfer between another game system and another game system becomes possible.

It is to be noted that each means of the present invention may be entirely executed only by hardware, or executed only by a program stored in an information storage medium or a program distributed via a communication interface. Is also good. Alternatively, it may be executed by both hardware and a program.

When each means of the present invention is executed by both hardware and a program, a program for executing each means of the present invention using hardware is stored in the information storage medium. Will be. More specifically, the program instructs the processors 902, 904, 906, 910, 930, etc., which are hardware, to perform processing, and passes data if necessary. Then, each processor 902, 904, 906, 910,
930 etc., based on the instruction and the passed data,
Each means of the present invention will be executed.

FIG. 17A shows an example in which the present embodiment is applied to an arcade game system. The player enjoys the game by operating the lever 1102, the button 1104, and the like while watching the game image projected on the display 1100. Various processors, various memories, and the like are mounted on a built-in system board (circuit board) 1106. Information (program or data) for executing each unit of the present invention is stored in a memory 1108 which is an information storage medium on the system board 1106. Hereinafter, this information is referred to as storage information.

FIG. 17B shows an example in which the present embodiment is applied to a home game system. The player enjoys the game by operating the game controllers 1202 and 1204 while watching the game image projected on the display 1200. In this case, the storage information is stored in a CD 1206 or a memory card 1208, 1209, which is an information storage medium detachable from the main system.

FIG. 17C shows a host device 1300,
The host device 1300 and the network 1302 (LA
N or a wide area network such as the Internet).
An example in which the present embodiment is applied to a system including 4-1 to 1304-n will be described. In this case, the storage information is, for example, a magnetic disk device that can be controlled by the host device 1300,
It is stored in an information storage medium 1306 such as a magnetic tape device and a memory. If the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n are capable of generating a game image and a game sound in a stand-alone manner, the host device 1300 outputs the game image and the game sound.
A game program or the like for generating game sounds is transmitted to the terminal 1.
It is delivered to 304-1 to 1304-n. On the other hand, if it cannot be generated stand-alone, the host device 1300 generates a game image and a game sound, and transmits them to the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-1.
1304-n and output at the terminal.

In the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 17C, each means of the present invention may be executed by distributing between a host device (server) and a terminal. Further, the storage information for executing each means of the present invention may be stored separately in an information storage medium of a host device (server) and an information storage medium of a terminal.

The terminal connected to the network may be a home game system or an arcade game system. When the arcade game system is connected to a network, a save information storage device capable of exchanging information with the arcade game system and exchanging information with the home game system. (Memory card, portable game device) is desirable.

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

For example, in the invention according to the dependent claims of the present invention, a configuration in which some of the constituent elements of the dependent claims are omitted may be adopted. In addition, a main part of the invention according to one independent claim of the present invention may be made dependent on another independent claim.

For example, in the present embodiment, the case where translucent drawing is performed by α blending processing has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. Translucent drawing may be performed by another method.

For example, in the present embodiment, the case where the bat group is transformed into a monster is taken as an example, and the transparency is controlled for each part object of the monster after the change, but the part object for controlling the transparency may be the object before the change. Alternatively, the changed object may be used.

Further, the present invention can be applied to various games (fighting games, shooting games, robot battle games, sports games, competition games, role playing games, music playing games, dance games, etc.).

The present invention can be applied to various game systems such as arcade game systems, home game systems, large attraction systems in which many players participate, simulators, multimedia terminals, and system boards for generating game images. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an example of a block diagram of a game system according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams for explaining a first object and a second object. FIG.

FIGS. 3A to 3D are views for explaining a state of a translucent drawing process from a change start to a change end when changing from a first object to a second object.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing a temporal change of a blend coefficient for determining transparency when a first object and a second object are rendered translucently.

FIGS. 5A to 5D show t1, t2, and t, respectively.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating shapes of objects recognized from images generated at 3 and t4.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C are diagrams for explaining an example in which a plurality of bats gather and change into a human body object.

FIG. 7 illustrates a human body object including a plurality of part objects.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C are graphs showing temporal changes in blend coefficients when a leg part object, a body part object, and a head part object are translucently drawn, respectively. It is.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are images in which a number of bats are gathered and transformed into a monster in a time-series manner.

FIGS. 10A to 10C are images in which a large number of bats are gathered and transformed into a monster in chronological order.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an arrangement relationship between a bat and a monster during transformation.

FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C are diagrams for explaining the progress of transformation.

FIG. 13 is a graph showing the relationship between the degree of change and the blend coefficient.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining a processing example according to the embodiment;

FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 15C are graphs showing changes in α values when bats and monsters are rendered translucently.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing the present embodiment.

FIGS. 17A, 17B, and 17C are diagrams showing examples of various types of systems to which the present embodiment is applied; FIGS.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 100 processing unit 110 game processing unit 112 movement / motion calculation unit 114 before and after change object setting unit 130 image generation unit 132 geometry processing unit 140 drawing unit 142 transparency setting unit 144 translucent drawing processing unit 150 sound generation unit 160 operation unit 170 storage unit 172 Main memory 174 Frame buffer 180 Information storage medium 190 Display unit 192 Sound output unit 194 Save information storage device 196 Communication unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C001 BC00 BC03 BC05 BC06 CB01 CC02 CC08 5B080 AA13 FA17 5C082 AA06 BA43 CA55 CA56 CB01 DA87 MM02 MM05 9A001 HH30 JJ76 KK62

Claims (24)

[Claims] 1. A game system for generating an image, wherein at least a part of a first image and a second image, which are drawn in an overlapping manner, increase the transparency of the first image and a second image. A game system comprising: means for setting transparency so that the transparency of an image decreases; and means for performing translucent drawing processing on the first image and the second image based on the transparency. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: arranging the first image and the second image at positions where at least a part of the images is drawn in at least two consecutive frames. A unique game system. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, in at least two or more consecutive frames, the first image is changed to the second image in a stepwise manner. A game system for setting the transparency of the second image and the second image. 4. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the transparency of the change is changed so that the change progresses based on the progress of the game time. 5. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the degree of change is determined based on a given parameter, and the degree of transparency is changed based on the degree of change. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first image and the second image is an image generated based on an object group that is a set of a plurality of objects. A unique game system. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first image and the second image are divided into a plurality of regions, and a start, end, and a change function of a change in transparency for each of the regions are set. A game system wherein the transparency of each area of the first image and the second image is set so that one is different. 8. The group according to claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of regions is a part of an object forming the first image or the second image or an object group forming the first image or the second image. A game system, wherein the game system is divided based on each group. 9. The method according to claim 7, wherein a change start time of the transparency is determined for each area in a predetermined order or according to the progress of a given event. Game system. 10. The range according to claim 1, wherein an object or a group of objects constituting the first image or the second image is set to be a target of a change in transparency. A game system wherein the transparency is changed in a set range. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the moving object forming the first image has entered a given area or reached a given point. A game system, wherein the transparency of the first image and the second image is changed so that the image starts changing to a second image. 12. The game system according to claim 1, wherein an α blending process is performed as the translucent drawing process, and the transparency is changed by changing an α value setting. 13. An information storage medium usable by a computer, wherein at least a part of a first image and a second image, which are drawn in an overlapping manner, increase the transparency of the first image and increase the transparency of the first image. Means for setting transparency so that the transparency of the second image decreases, means for performing translucent drawing processing on the first image and the second image based on the transparency, and a program for executing An information storage medium characterized by including. 14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: arranging the first image and the second image at positions where at least a part of the images is drawn in at least two consecutive frames. An information storage medium characterized by including a program for performing 15. The method according to claim 13, wherein, in at least two or more consecutive frames, the first image looks like a stepwise change to the second image. An information storage medium for setting transparency of the image and the second image. 16. The information storage medium according to claim 13, wherein the transparency of the change is changed so that the change progresses based on the progress of the game time. 17. The information storage medium according to claim 13, wherein the degree of change is determined based on a given parameter, and the transparency is changed based on the degree of change. 18. The method according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the first image and the second image is an image generated based on an object group that is a set of a plurality of objects. Characteristic information storage medium. 19. The method according to claim 13, wherein the first image and the second image are divided into a plurality of regions, and at least the start, end, and change functions of the transparency change for each of the regions are set. An information storage medium, wherein transparency of each area of the first image and the second image is set so that one is different. 20. The object group according to claim 19, wherein the plurality of regions are each part of an object constituting the first image or the second image or an object group constituting the first image or the second image. An information storage medium, which is divided based on each of the groups. 21. The method according to claim 19, wherein the change start time of the transparency is determined for each area in a preset order or according to the progress of a given event. Information storage medium. 22. The method according to claim 13, wherein a range to be changed in transparency is set for an object or an object group constituting the first image or the second image. An information storage medium characterized by changing transparency in a set range. 23. The method according to claim 13, wherein the moving object forming the first image enters a given area or reaches a given point. An information storage medium, wherein the transparency of the first image and the second image is changed so that the image starts changing to a second image. 24. The information storage medium according to claim 13, wherein an α blending process is performed as the translucent drawing process, and the transparency is changed by changing an α value setting.