JP2001276435A - Game device and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a racing game arousing the new interest of a player and abundant in a reality feeling more than before. SOLUTION: A vehicle 201 running on a race course 200 is displayed on a screen, and the competition state with opponent vehicles (not shown in the figure) can be observed. A target position and the present position are displayed at the upper center of the screen. When the vehicle reaches the target position, the game time is extended as 'a bonus time', and an upper new target position is set and displayed on the screen. The player can enjoy a race having a clear purpose each time. A rolling start is used for the start method, the vehicle is running from the start point of the game, and an impressive presentation can be made from beginning to end.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is used in a game device in which a player operates an object (for example, a vehicle) displayed on a screen to compete for speed, for example, a game device for playing a racing game, and the game device. It relates to improvement of image processing technology.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional racing game, particularly a racing game in an arcade game, it is common to give a bonus time to a player every time he passes a predetermined point within a predetermined time. Further, in the conventional racing game, the sense of reality is insufficient in expressing the shape of the exhaust gas or the like that is not clear. However, players are seeking more diverse and more realistic racing games.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and provides a racing game that draws new interest from a player and is more realistic than before. The purpose is to:

[0004]

According to the present invention, a first object (own vehicle) operated by a player and moved in a virtual three-dimensional space, and a second object (enemy vehicle) moved to compete with the first object. And define the first object and the second
Display the movement status of the object on the screen,
In a game device and an image processing method for determining whether or not to continue a player's operation based on a moving state of a first object, a target ranking of the first object is set, and when the target reaches the target ranking. In addition, the play time of the player is extended, and a higher target rank is newly set. As a result, a race with a clear purpose can be enjoyed each time, and the player has a different interest than before.

According to the present invention, a first object (own vehicle) operated and moved by a player and a second object (enemy vehicle) moved to compete with the first object are defined in a virtual three-dimensional space. A game device for displaying a moving state of the first object and the second object on a screen, and producing a slipstream effect when the first object is positioned within a predetermined distance behind the second object; and In the image processing method, a display indicating the effect of the slip stream is displayed together with a display indicating the first object. This makes it easy to enjoy realistic racing.

According to the present invention, in a virtual three-dimensional space, a first object (own vehicle) operated and moved by a player and a second object (enemy vehicle) moved to compete with the first object are defined. In a game device and an image processing method for displaying a moving state of a first object and a second object on a screen, when the second object is located within a predetermined distance of the first object, the second object is displayed. Notify the player of the status of the object. This makes it possible to enjoy racing while setting up strategies that take into account the surrounding situation.

According to the present invention, a first object (own vehicle) operated and moved by a player and a second object (enemy vehicle) moved to compete with the first object are defined in a virtual three-dimensional space. A game device for displaying, on a screen, the movement status of the first object and the second object, and displaying, on the screen, a display unit for displaying the status behind the first object in response to an instruction or situation of the player; In the image processing method, when displaying the display unit, change the display position of another display already displayed on the screen,
The display unit is displayed at the place where the other display was displayed. Thereby, the game can be enjoyed from various viewpoints, and the appearance of the display unit is not overlooked.

According to the present invention, a first object (own vehicle) operated and moved by a player and a second object (enemy vehicle) moved to compete with the first object are defined in a virtual three-dimensional space. In a game apparatus and an image processing method for displaying a moving state of a first object and a second object on a screen, a pit road is defined in a course in which the first object and the second object move, and a pit road is defined. Objects enter the pit road,
Pit work is performed when a player performs a predetermined operation.
As a result, pit work that the player does not intend can be avoided. Further, at the time of the first pit work, the playing time of the player is extended, and the selection of the pit work is performed by braking in a predetermined area. This clarifies the benefits of pit-in and enhances the sense of reality, and the selection operation is close to the feeling of a real race.

According to the present invention, a first object (own vehicle) operated and moved by a player and a second object (enemy car) moved to compete with the first object are defined in a virtual three-dimensional space. In a game apparatus and an image processing method for displaying a moving state of a first object and a second object on a screen, when the first object is rotated by spinning, the angle of the first object is a predetermined angle with respect to a traveling direction. If it becomes larger, the rotation is continued until the first object is oriented in the same direction as the traveling direction. As a result, a large loss time is prevented from being generated, and the pleasure of the player is increased.

According to the present invention, a first object (own vehicle) operated and moved by a player and a second object (enemy vehicle) moved to compete with the first object are defined in a virtual three-dimensional space. In a game device and an image processing method for displaying a moving state of a first object and a second object on a screen, when a speed of the first object changes, a relative position between the first object and the second object is changed. The speed of the second object is changed with a time delay so that the speed becomes a predetermined value. This allows the vehicle to always enjoy a tense race in the vehicle group, and the movement is natural.

According to the present invention, there is provided a game apparatus and an image processing method for converting an object defined in a virtual three-dimensional space into a two-dimensional image and displaying the image on a screen, wherein the virtual three-dimensional space has a predetermined size. Defining an area and a plurality of particles having a predetermined size in the area, projecting the area and the particles in the area on a two-dimensional surface toward a viewpoint,
A grid is set in the area projected on the two-dimensional plane, and when a particle in the area projected on the two-dimensional plane overlaps a grid point in the grid, a predetermined parameter is set for the grid point, Generate pixels at grid points based on the parameters. This enables a realistic representation of an object whose shape is not clear. The region defined in the virtual three-dimensional space is a three-dimensional region, and defines the plurality of particles in the three-dimensional region. For pixels between grids, the calculation load can be reduced by setting the components so that the components of the grid points are linearly interpolated. For the projection of each particle, set the range that affects the surrounding grid points, and for each grid point, set the component of that grid point according to the number of particles in the range of influence, The larger the distance from the particle to the particle, the larger it may be. The components of each grid point may be set according to the number of particles projected on the grid point. Further, a texture image of the object to be represented is set in advance, the grid points are made to correspond to the pixels of the texture image, and a pixel at a grid point is generated from a component of the corresponding pixel and a parameter set for the grid point. Is also good.

Further, the present invention is a machine-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the image processing method. Here, the “recording medium” is a medium in which information (mainly digital data and programs) is recorded by some physical means, and causes a processing device such as a computer or a dedicated processor to perform a predetermined function. Is what you can do. In short, any method may be used as long as the program is downloaded to the computer by some means and a predetermined function is executed. For example, flexible disk, fixed disk, magnetic tape, magneto-optical disk, CD, CD-RO
M, CD-R, DVD-RAM, DVD-ROM, DV
DR, PD, MD, DCC, ROM cartridge, RAM memory cartridge with battery backup,
Includes flash memory cartridges, nonvolatile RAM cartridges, and the like. This includes the case where data is transferred from a host computer via a wired or wireless communication line (public line, data line, satellite line, etc.). The so-called Internet is included in the recording medium referred to herein.

[0013]

Next, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a game device according to the present embodiment. The game apparatus 100 includes a program data storage device or a storage medium (including an optical disk and an optical disk drive) 101 in which a game program and data (including video and music data) are stored, a game program execution and control of the entire system. A CPU 102 for calculating coordinates for displaying an image, and a CPU 10
2, a system memory 103 in which programs and data necessary for performing processing are stored, a BOOTROM 104 in which programs and data necessary to start up the game device 100 are stored, each block of the game device 100 and an external device. And a bus arbiter 105 for controlling the flow of programs and data with devices connected to the bus. These are connected to a bus (not shown).

A rendering processor 106 is connected to the bus, and the program data storage device or storage medium 1
The video (movie) data read out of the display monitor 01 and the image to be generated according to the operation of the player or the progress of the game are displayed by the rendering processor 106 on the display monitor 1.
10 is displayed. Graphic data and the like necessary for the rendering processor 106 to generate an image are stored in the graphic memory 107.

A sound processor 108 is connected to the bus, and a program data storage device or storage medium 101
The music data read out from the CPU and sound effects and sounds to be generated in accordance with the operation of the player and the progress of the game are output from the speaker 111 by the sound processor. Sound data and the like necessary for the sound processor 108 to generate sound effects and sounds are stored in the sound memory 109.

The game apparatus 100 is connected to a modem 112 and can communicate with another game apparatus 100 or a network server via a telephone line (not shown). The game device 100 further includes a backup memory 113 (including a disk storage medium and a storage device) for storing information on the progress of the game and program data input / output via a modem, and the game device 100 in accordance with the operation of the operator. Also, a controller 114 that inputs information for controlling a device (not shown) connected to the outside to the game apparatus 100 is connected.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show examples of the screen configuration of the racing game displayed on the display monitor 110. FIG. The screen of FIG. 2 shows the vehicle 201 traveling on the race course 200.
Is displayed, and the state of competition with an enemy vehicle (not shown) can be observed. The screen shown in FIG. 3 shows a view of the front of the vehicle from the cockpit of the own vehicle, and the situation of the enemy vehicle 204 ahead can be seen. Hereinafter, characteristic portions of the racing game will be sequentially described. (Target rank) The racing game of the present embodiment can select any one of a "single player" mode, a "time attack" mode and a "battle" mode, and the present embodiment is most characterized by a "single player" mode and a "battle mode". It is a target. In these modes, each player drives his or her own vehicle to reach the target order set by the game device 100, rather than simply running the course faster. In the center of the upper part of the screen, the target ranking (Target: “10
Rank is the target rank. ) And the current ranking (Position: “12th out of 30 vehicles” is the current ranking in the figure). When the vehicle reaches the target rank, the game time is extended as "bonus time", and at the same time, a new higher target rank is set and displayed on the screen. This allows you to enjoy a race with a clear purpose each time. The starting method is a rolling start, in which the vehicle is running from the start of the game, and the operation is switched to the player from a predetermined point so that the game can be started while maintaining a predetermined order with other vehicles. It has become.

On the other hand, in the "time attack mode", a bonus time is added for each check point, and when the course is completed, data such as total time, lap time, section time, best lap, maximum speed and average speed are displayed. Further, in the "battle mode", a plurality of players start rolling at the same time, a bonus time is added for each check point, and the players compete in the ranking at the time of finishing the goal. (Slipstream) In this racing game, the effect of the "slipstream" in which the air resistance decreases when the own vehicle turns behind the enemy vehicle is produced, and a realistic racing can be enjoyed. When the "slip stream" effect occurs, not only will the speed of the car increase, but also the kickback of the steering will decrease.
The player can experience the effect. Drafting meter 2 showing "slip stream" almost at the bottom of the screen
02 is displayed. The drafting meter is composed of a figure in the shape of a left-facing vehicle and a band (gauge) along the upper surface thereof, and the length of the portion of the band whose color has changed corresponds to the magnitude of the effect of the "slip stream". The color of the band changes from left to right (in FIG. 2, it is inverted to the position of drf), and as the effect increases, the color change portion extends to the right. By displaying the belt together with the vehicle display in this way, the air resistance applied to the vehicle is displayed in an intuitive and easy-to-understand expression, so that the player can easily become accustomed to traveling using the “slip stream”.

When a slip stream occurs,
The effect of "turbulence (turbulence)" also occurs, and a situation where the vehicle speed drops or the vehicle body becomes unstable due to the influence of a nearby vehicle is reproduced, and the sense of reality is enhanced. (Pit radio) "Pit radio" is on the right of the current ranking display
Is displayed (characters of "PIT" and a lightning-like figure) are displayed, and after the display is activated, a message indicating caution is displayed regarding the positional relationship with the enemy vehicle and the like. As a result, it is possible to enjoy racing while setting up a strategy that considers the surrounding situation. As shown in FIG. 4, rectangular regions ZF (front), ZB (rear), ZR (right), ZL (left) of a predetermined size are provided in front, rear, left, and right of the vehicle 201.
Is set, and when an enemy vehicle enters this area, a message according to the situation is selected. Tables 1 to 24 show the contents of the pit radio messages. Even if the vehicle enters the same area, if the message is changed according to the speed of the enemy vehicle (relative speed with respect to the own vehicle), more accurate information can be transmitted to the player.

[0021]

[Table 1]

[0022]

[Table 2]

[0023]

[Table 3]

[0024]

[Table 4]

[0025]

[Table 5]

[0026]

[Table 6]

[0027]

[Table 7]

[0028]

[Table 8]

[0029]

[Table 9]

[0030]

[Table 10]

[0031]

[Table 11]

[0032]

[Table 12]

[0033]

[Table 13]

[0034]

[Table 14]

[0035]

[Table 15]

[0036]

[Table 16]

[0037]

[Table 17]

[0038]

[Table 18]

[0039]

[Table 19]

[0040]

[Table 20]

[0041]

[Table 21]

[0042]

[Table 22]

[0043]

[Table 23]

[0044]

[Table 24] (Rearview mirror) The screen display of FIGS.
Each time the start button (not shown) of 00 is pressed, the state is switched, and the rearview mirror 203 is appropriately displayed as shown in the upper part of the screen of FIG. The rearview mirror 203 appears on the display of the target rank (Target) and the current rank (Position), and at that time, the display of the target rank (Target) and the current rank (Position) moves slightly downward. This movement of the display draws the player's attention, and the player can recognize the appearance of the rearview mirror.

In the rearview mirror display, all the images displayed behind the rearview mirror are hidden.
In the display of “art” and “current position” (Position), since there is a gap in the display area, the image displayed behind it can be partially viewed. Further, since the rearview mirror is displayed above the image, the view of the player is not obstructed.

Further, on the screen, the number of laps, the lap time, and the upper rank (up to the third place in the figure) are displayed on the upper left, the remaining time is displayed on the upper right, and the tachometer and shift are displayed on the lower left. In the "competition mode", a course diagram is displayed. (Pit-in) In conventional racing games, the meaning of pit-in is often significantly different from the actual race,
In particular, in arcade games, it is difficult to reflect the advantages of pit-in (pit work such as refueling and changing tires) in a race because a short game time is assumed. Also, when a vehicle accidentally enters a pit road due to a collision or the like, it may be forcibly determined that the vehicle is in the pit against a player's intention. In this racing game, after the vehicle has entered the pit road, the player may choose to perform pit work or simply "pass" the pit.

FIG. 5 shows the situation of the vehicle on the pit road PR. When the vehicle 201 enters the pit road PR from the right side of the figure, the vehicle becomes an auto drive (arrows P1, P2),
First, it reaches the braking area BA (the pit road is colored red). Just before the braking area BA appears on the screen, "Pit work when depressing the brake in the red area!
! Is displayed, and the player knows that the selection is possible. When the brake is depressed in the braking area BA, the vehicle 201 automatically enters the pit work PW (arrow P4), and the pit work is processed. After that, the user exits the pit work PW (arrow P5) and returns to the course (arrow P6). If the brake is not depressed in the braking area BA, the vehicle can proceed straight, for example, on the pit road PR (arrow P3) and return to the course (arrow P6) in accordance with the handle operation of the player. When the pit enters, the subtraction of the remaining time stops, but the measurement of the total time and the lap time continues. Therefore, the pit work is a loss time in the race, but in this race game, a bonus time is given only to the first pit work, and the advantage of the pit work is expressed. However, on the last lap of the course, the subtraction of the remaining time is not stopped. This is to prevent a disadvantage that obtaining a bonus time makes it more advantageous to enter the pit than to run the course. At the time of pit entry, processing for removing severely damaged body parts is possible, and in this respect, the sense of reality is also enhanced. (Spin trick) During a race, a vehicle may spin due to a collision with an enemy vehicle or fence, a braking operation error, etc. At this time, the vehicle is once stable in the tire running direction, that is, in the traveling direction or the opposite direction. Because of the nature of the spin, the spin often rotates 180 degrees and stops in a state facing backward. This is based on the characteristics of the actual vehicle. However, if the vehicle is turned over and then restarted, a large loss time will be generated, and this will cause a decrease in the exhilaration of running in the racing game. Therefore, in the present racing game, when a spin occurs, a characteristic is provided in which the vehicle stops almost in the forward direction without giving an unnatural feeling.

FIG. 6 shows a state in which the vehicle spins up to an angle B with respect to the traveling direction A of the course. Here, the angle in the counterclockwise direction is defined as positive and expressed in arc degrees. The driving force of the vehicle to suppress spin is angular acceleration (second derivative of angle B)
In the conventional racing game, the rotation is suppressed until B = π / 2 or B = −π / 2, but after exceeding this, the angular acceleration is maximized when B = π or B = −π. It became. In this racing game, as shown in equation (1), rotation starts by spin, and B = π / 2 or B =
Although the rotation is suppressed until -π / 2, the angular acceleration is set to zero while the vehicle rotates from π / 2 to -π / 2 after the rotation is exceeded.

[0049]

(Equation 1) This ensures that the vehicle rotates up to an angle of -π / 2 (up to an angle of π / 2 when clockwise), so that the angle B when the vehicle stops, as shown in equation (2), Become more forward than. The movement is natural.

[0050]

(Equation 2) (Optimization of enemy vehicle speed) Although the speed of the player's vehicle differs depending on the player's technology, the sense of urgency and power as a race disappears if the distance from the enemy vehicle is too large. In this racing game, the speed of all enemy vehicles is adjusted in accordance with the own vehicle speed in "single player". Here, the vehicle speed is V, and the speeds of n enemy vehicles are Vi (i = 1 to
n), the target value of the enemy vehicle speed is Si (i = 1 to n), and the target value of the relative speed between the own vehicle and the enemy vehicle is f (n) (i = 1 to n).
Then, the target value is set as in Expression (3). The target value of the relative speed f (n) is recorded in a table or the like in advance.

[0051]

(Equation 3) This allows the vehicle to always enjoy the race in a group of vehicles with the enemy vehicle. However, if the enemy vehicle follows the change in the speed of the own vehicle, the sense of being overtaken by the enemy vehicle or being overtaken by the enemy vehicle becomes unnatural. On the other hand, it is performed relatively slowly with a time delay. This provides a natural sense of overtaking. (Expression of exhaust gas) One of the important factors that enhance the power of a racing game is the expression of exhaust gas and dust. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when displaying the exhaust gas EX behind the traveling vehicle 201, a smoke (exhaust gas) polygon is conventionally used.

8 to 12 show a conventional method of expressing the exhaust gas EX.

As shown in FIG. 8, an area EXA for displaying exhaust gas is set behind the vehicle 201, and smoke (exhaust gas) composed of polygons is arranged in this area. As shown in FIG. 9, the exhaust gas EX is expressed as a three-dimensional surface formed by a polygon PL such as a triangle. Then, the shape of the exhaust gas EX is changed for each frame as shown in FIGS.

However, since the polygon has a linear shape, it is not suitable for expressing an object whose shape is not clear, such as exhaust gas, and has an unnatural expression. Also, if a large number of polygon motion patterns are prepared, the amount of data becomes enormous and a large memory space is occupied.

As another method of expressing the exhaust gas EX, a plurality of two-dimensional smoke pictures as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 are prepared, and are switched for each display frame like an animation pattern. There is also a method of expressing the movement of smoke by displaying. However, in this method, it is necessary to have a lot of smoke image patterns, and to express the motion realistically, a large-capacity image memory is required.

In this racing game, particles arranged in a three-dimensional space are projected on a screen, a grid is set on the screen, and the particles and the grid on the screen overlap (there are grid points in the range of influence of the particles). Or not)
Define the brightness, density and translucency of each grid point, assign a texture with a prepared smoke picture to this grid point, and use the brightness, density and translucency information of the previous grid point as a texture. The texture image at the lattice point is obtained by reflecting the reflection. Further, the entire exhaust gas EX is obtained by interpolating the pixels between the lattice points.

The details of the processing will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 13, a plurality of spherical particles EP
Is three-dimensionally distributed in a region where the exhaust gas EX is to be generated. Each spherical particle EP is projected (one-point perspective) on a screen SC corresponding to the display screen of the game apparatus toward a predetermined viewpoint EY assuming the viewpoint of the player, and a two-dimensional image ep is calculated. In the three-dimensional space of FIG. 13, the y coordinate is set in the vertical direction, the x coordinate in the horizontal direction, and the z coordinate in the depth direction.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, on the screen SC, the y coordinate is set in the vertical direction and the x coordinate is set in the horizontal direction. The particle image ep on the screen SC has a diameter ed corresponding to the distance L of each particle EP from the viewpoint EY, and the diameter increases as the distance decreases. As a result, perspectives and the like can be expressed. As shown in FIG. 15, grids at predetermined intervals are defined on the screen SC, and information such as luminance is calculated for each grid point CR. The diameter ed of each particle image ep indicates a range affected by the particle image, and the brightness and density of the grid points CR included in the affected range are increased by the particles EP. Also, the translucency is set low (approaching opacity).
When one grid point CR is included in the range of influence of the plurality of particle images ep, information on the grid point CR is calculated as the sum of the effects of these particles. In the figure, grid points CR1, CR2,
CR3 is included in the influence range of each of the two particle images.

FIG. 16 shows the effect of the particle image on each grid point. In the figure, black circles indicate grid points CR1, CR2, and CR3 within the influence range of two particle images, and white circles indicate grid points CR4 to CR16 included in the influence range of one particle image. The distribution of the particles EX in FIG. 13 is changed for each frame. As a mode of this change, a random mode, a mode calculated based on an equation of motion, or the like can be adopted. Further, each particle may have a constant luminance, or each particle may have a different luminance and color.

In addition to the above-described brightness setting based on the particle image, the basic shape of the exhaust gas is set by the exhaust gas texture basic figure EXTX shown in FIG. by this,
An image of an object such as exhaust gas to be expressed can be easily given. The pixels defining the texture basic graphic EXTX do not necessarily correspond to the grid points of the screen SC, and the correspondence between each grid point of the screen SC and the pixel PX of the texture basic graphic is set. In FIG. 17, the texture basic figure is composed of 42 × 42 pixels, and the screen S
The number of grid points of C is 9 × 7, and every fifth pixel of the texture basic figure is associated with each grid point in the x and y directions. In FIG. 17, among the grid points of the screen SC, grid points to which the luminance due to the influence of the particle EX is given by the processing of FIG. 16 are indicated by circles, CR1 to CR3 are indicated by black circles, and CR4 to CR16 are indicated by white circles. I have.

Each pixel of the texture basic graphic EXTX is given luminance (R, G, B, α), and the corresponding grid point is the sum of the luminance due to the effect of the particle image and the luminance of the corresponding pixel. It is the luminance of the point. For example, the R component R of the i-th grid point CR (i, j) in the x-direction and the y-th
(I, j), G component G (i, j), B component B (i, j)
Is s the number of particle images that affect the grid points, and the R component exr (i, j,
q), G component exg (i, j), B component exb (i, j)
j), it is expressed by equations (4) to (6). As the transparency α, the transparency of the texture basic figure may be used as it is. When the added value exceeds the upper limit of each of the R, G, and B components, the brightness is set to the upper limit luminance.

[0063]

(Equation 4) After calculating the brightness of each grid point CR (i, j) in this way, as shown in FIG. 18, the brightness of the pixels between the grids is obtained by interpolation.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged view of the screen SC for illustrating the method of calculating the luminance between lattice points, and shows the i-th screen in the x direction and the y screen.
The j-th grid point in the direction is denoted by CR (i, j). Here, the lattice points CR (i, j), CR (i + 1, j), CR (i, j)
+1) and CR (i + 1, j + 1) as an example. The distance between the lattice points is x direction Lx, the y direction Ly, the distance in the x direction in this region is xi, the distance in the y direction is yi, and the luminance (R, G or B component) of each lattice point is D (i,
j), D (i + 1, j), D (i, j + 1), D (i + 1, j)
+1), the transparency d (i, j, xi, yi) at the position of the distance (xi, yi) is calculated by the linear interpolation of the equation (4).

[0065]

(Equation 5) In equation (7), the luminance of a pixel displayed on a grid line is obtained by interpolation (primary interpolation) from the luminance set on each grid point, and another pixel in the horizontal or vertical direction is calculated from the pixel. (Secondary interpolation) to set the luminance of the pixel on the two-dimensional plane.

By expressing such exhaust gas, a smoke-like image can be expressed more than the conventional expression of smoke by polygons, and the movement of smoke can be expressed more smoothly than by the expression of smoke by conventional animation patterns. Become like

As for the transparency, the influence of the transparency of the particle image and the transparency of the texture basic figure may be considered.

FIG. 20 is a conceptual diagram showing another exhaust gas treatment. Here, the calculation is simplified by referring only to the number of particle images on the grid points. Also, the size of the particle itself is given without considering the influence range of the particle image.

Referring to FIG. 20, considering four grid points CR1, CR2, CR3, and CR4 of the screen SC as an example, one particle exists on the grid point CR1, and three particles exist on the grid point CR2. There are particles, zero particles exist on the lattice point CR3, and two particles exist on the lattice point CR4. Here, for each grid point, the grid point CR3 (0 particle image) has 100% transparency, the grid point CR1 (1 particle image) has 80% transparency, and the grid point CR4 (2 particle images) has 600% transparency. At the lattice point CR2 (three particle images), transparency such as 40% transparency is given. Similarly, the color is set to an intermediate color obtained by blending the colors of the particles present on the lattice points. The above is merely an example, and various transparency setting methods can be adopted.

After calculating the transparency on the grid points, FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 19, the transparency is given to the pixels between the lattices by the interpolation operation. (Ranking) Further, in this racing game, the ranking of the results of the race is updated every predetermined period, and for example, the ranking of the latest one week is displayed. In traditional racing games, all good results are preserved, and rather than stimulating the players' competitiveness, they tend to be depressed by too high a goal. This racing game improves on that point and is designed to motivate players. (Hidden game) In this racing game, in addition to the course introduced at the start of the game, there is a hidden course that can be used by a hidden command (specific operation input), and a running method such as defeating a predetermined pylon during the race is performed. And a hidden game where you can get points. As a result, various playing methods according to the skill level are possible, and the player is not bored. (Overall Flow) FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the overall flow of the racing game. Prior to the start of the game, an introduction of a course other than the “hidden course”, a game rule explanation, a driver introduction for each vehicle, and a vehicle introduction are performed as “advertise” (step S101). When the game is started by coin insertion or the like (step S102), there is an inquiry as to whether or not to wait for an opponent in the "competition mode" (step S103). Here, when the battle is canceled or when the opponent is determined in the "battle mode", the process proceeds to course selection (step S104). A difficulty level is set for the course, and the player can select a course having a difficulty level suitable for himself / herself. If it is not the "battle mode", the "time attack mode" is selected from here (step S10).
5) It is also possible. Next, a vehicle is selected (step S
107), a transmission is selected (step S)
107). There is also a hidden driver for the vehicle driver, which can be selected by a special operation. In transmission selection, automatic, manual, four-speed transmission and the like can be selected. In the "battle mode", a name entry is made here (step S10).
8). Next, the process proceeds to a race (step S109). When the race has ended (goal or time-up), the result is displayed (step S110), and when the race is in the "battle mode", the process ends (step S114). In the case of "single player" or "time attack mode", the screen shifts to the ending screen after displaying the result (step S11).
2), impressive scenes such as pit-in / stop of the vehicle, driver's getting-off, pose, pit crew gathering, etc. flow, and the race is replayed. After that, when the second game is started, the race replay is performed again. "Single player"
Alternatively, in the case of the "time attack mode", a name entry next to the ending is performed (step S113), and the game is ended (step S114).

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the above-mentioned pit-in processing. Processing during the race (step S20)
When the vehicle enters the pit road following step 1) (step S202), auto-drive (steering cannot be performed) is performed, and a message regarding the braking area is displayed (step S203). Next, it is determined whether or not braking has been performed in the braking area (step S204). If braking has been performed, the process proceeds to pit work processing (step S205). Here, the pit work scene is displayed, and if it is the first pit stop, the bonus time is added and the order is reset. After the processing of the pit work and when the braking is not performed, the pit is out by the auto drive (step S2).
06), returning to the race (S207).

According to the present invention, it is possible to draw out new interests of a player and enjoy a more realistic racing game than before.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a screen configuration of the game device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of another screen configuration of the game device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing an area around a host vehicle in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a pit-in situation in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a situation at the time of the own vehicle spinning in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing an expression of exhaust gas of the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing a conventional display of exhaust gas.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing a conventional exhaust gas represented by a polygon.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing exhaust gas represented by another polygon.

FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing exhaust gas represented by another polygon.

FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram showing exhaust gas represented by another polygon.

FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing a perspective view of particles for expressing exhaust gas on a screen in the present embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a particle image on a screen according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram showing a particle image on a screen and a grid on the screen in the present embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a conceptual diagram showing the strength of the effect of each particle image on each grid point in the grid of FIG.

17 is a conceptual diagram showing the strength of the influence of each particle image on each grid point in the grid of FIG.

FIG. 18 is a conceptual diagram illustrating interpolation of pixels between grid points.

FIG. 19 is a conceptual diagram generalizing pixels interpolated in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a conceptual diagram showing a screen and a grid in another processing of exhaust gas.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating overall processing of the present embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a pit-in process according to the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 200 course 201 vehicle 202 drafting meter 203 rearview mirror 204 enemy vehicle EX exhaust gas EP particle ep particle image EXTX texture basic figure CR grid point

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Shu Ito 1-2-12 Haneda, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term in SEGA Enterprises Co., Ltd. (Reference) 2C001 AA00 AA09 BA00 BA01 BA02 BA05 BB00 BB04 BB05 BB08 BC00 BC01 BC03 BD03 CA01 CA04 CA05 CB01 CB06 CC02 CC08 5B080 AA03 BA04 FA02 FA16 FA17

Claims (33)

[Claims] 1. A first object (own vehicle) operated and moved by a player and a second object (enemy vehicle) moved to compete with the first object are defined in a virtual three-dimensional space.
In a game device for displaying on the screen the movement status of the first object and the second object, and determining whether or not to continue the operation of the player based on the movement status of the first object, the target ranking of the first object A game device for extending the playing time of a player and newly setting a higher target rank when the target rank is reached. 2. In a virtual three-dimensional space, a first object (own vehicle) operated and moved by a player and a second object (enemy vehicle) moved to compete with the first object are defined.
A game device that displays a moving state of the object and the second object on a screen and generates a slipstream effect when the first object is located within a predetermined distance behind the second object. A game device, wherein a display indicating the effect of the slip stream is displayed together with a display indicating the first object. 3. In a virtual three-dimensional space, a first object (own vehicle) operated and moved by a player and a second object (enemy vehicle) moved to compete with the first object are defined.
A game device displaying, on a screen, the movement state of the second object and the second object, when the second object is located within a predetermined distance of the first object, the state of the second object is determined by the player A game device characterized in that a game device is notified. 4. In a virtual three-dimensional space, a first object (own vehicle) that is operated and moved by a player and a second object (enemy vehicle) that moves to compete with the first object are defined.
A game device displaying, on a screen, a movement state of the object and the second object, and displaying, on the screen, a display unit that displays a situation behind the first object in response to an instruction or situation of the player. When displaying the display unit, the display device changes a display position of another display already displayed on the screen, and displays the display unit at a position where the other display was displayed. . 5. In a virtual three-dimensional space, a first object (own vehicle) operated and moved by a player and a second object (enemy vehicle) moved to compete with the first object are defined.
A pit load is defined on a course on which the first object and the second object move, and the first object is displayed on the pit load A pit work when a player performs a predetermined operation. 6. The game device according to claim 5, wherein the playing time of the player is extended during the first pit work. 7. The game device according to claim 5, wherein the selection of the pit work is performed by braking in a predetermined area. 8. In a virtual three-dimensional space, a first object (own vehicle) operated and moved by a player and a second object (enemy vehicle) moved to compete with the first object are defined.
When the first object spins and rotates, when the angle thereof becomes larger than a predetermined angle with respect to the traveling direction, in the game device displaying the moving state of the object and the second object on the screen, A game device wherein the rotation is continued until the first object is oriented in the same direction as the traveling direction. 9. In a virtual three-dimensional space, a first object (own vehicle) operated and moved by a player and a second object (enemy vehicle) moved to compete with the first object are defined.
In a game device that displays the moving state of the first object and the second object on a screen, when the speed of the first object changes, the relative speed between the first object and the second object becomes a predetermined value. like,
A game device, wherein the speed of the second object is changed with a time delay. 10. A game device for converting an object defined in a virtual three-dimensional space into a two-dimensional image and displaying the two-dimensional image on a screen, wherein: a region having a predetermined size in the virtual three-dimensional space; Defining a plurality of particles having a size of, projecting the region and particles in the region on a two-dimensional surface toward a viewpoint, setting a grid in the region projected on the two-dimensional surface, When a particle in a region projected on a two-dimensional surface and a grid point in the grid overlap, a predetermined parameter is set for the grid point, and a pixel at the grid point is generated based on the parameter. Game device. 11. The game device according to claim 10, wherein the area defined in the virtual three-dimensional space is a three-dimensional area, and the plurality of particles are defined in the three-dimensional area. 12. The game apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the components between the grids are set such that the components of the grid points are linearly interpolated. 13. The projection of each particle is set with a range that influences surrounding grid points, and for each grid point, the component of the grid point is set by the number of particles in the range that has influence. The game device according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein 14. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the range of influence changes according to the distance from the viewpoint to the particle.
The game device according to the above. 15. The game device according to claim 10, wherein a component of each grid point is set according to the number of particles projected onto the grid point. 16. A texture image of an object to be represented is set in advance, each of said grid points is made to correspond to a pixel of said texture image, and a pixel at a grid point is determined from a component of a corresponding pixel and a parameter set for said grid point. The game device according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein the game device generates: 17. In a virtual three-dimensional space, a first object (own vehicle) operated and moved by a player and a second object (enemy vehicle) moved to compete with the first object are defined. In the image processing method of the game device, the moving state of the object and the second object are displayed on a screen, and whether or not the operation of the player is continued is determined based on the moving state of the first object. An image processing method comprising: setting a target rank of a player, and when the target rank is reached, extending the playing time of the player and newly setting a higher target rank. 18. In a virtual three-dimensional space, a first object (own vehicle) operated and moved by a player and a second object (enemy vehicle) moved to compete with the first object are defined. Image processing of a game apparatus for displaying a moving state of an object and a second object on a screen and producing a slipstream effect when the first object is located within a predetermined distance behind the second object An image processing method, wherein a display indicating the effect of the slip stream is displayed together with a display indicating the first object. 19. In a virtual three-dimensional space, a first object (own vehicle) operated and moved by a player and a second object (enemy vehicle) moved to compete with the first object are defined. An image processing method of a game device for displaying a moving state of an object and a second object on a screen, wherein the state of the second object is determined when the second object is located within a predetermined distance of the first object. An image processing method comprising: notifying a player of an image. 20. In a virtual three-dimensional space, a first object (own vehicle) operated and moved by a player and a second object (enemy vehicle) moved to compete with the first object are defined. Image processing of a game device for displaying, on a screen, a movement state of an object and a second object, and displaying, on a screen, a display unit for displaying a situation behind the first object in response to an instruction or situation of a player. In the method, when displaying the display unit, a display position of another display already displayed on the screen is changed, and the display unit is displayed at a location where the other display was displayed. Image processing method. 21. In a virtual three-dimensional space, a first object (own vehicle) operated and moved by a player and a second object (enemy vehicle) moved to compete with the first object are defined. An image processing method for a game device for displaying a moving state of an object and a second object on a screen,
A pit road is defined in a course where the first object and the second object move, and the first object enters the pit road and performs pit work when a player performs a predetermined operation. An image processing method characterized by the following. 22. The image processing method according to claim 21, wherein the playing time of the player is extended during the first pit work. 23. A pit work is selected by braking in a predetermined area.
2. The image processing method according to 1. 24. In a virtual three-dimensional space, a first object (own vehicle) operated and moved by a player and a second object (enemy vehicle) moved to compete with the first object are defined. An image processing method for a game device for displaying a moving state of an object and a second object on a screen,
When the first object spins and rotates and its angle becomes larger than a predetermined angle with respect to the traveling direction, the rotation is continued until the first object is oriented in the same direction as the traveling direction. An image processing method characterized by the following. 25. In a virtual three-dimensional space, a first object (own vehicle) operated and moved by a player and a second object (enemy vehicle) moved to compete with the first object are defined. An image processing method for a game device for displaying a moving state of an object and a second object on a screen,
When the speed of the first object changes, the speed of the second object is changed with a time delay so that the relative speed between the first object and the second object becomes a predetermined value. Characteristic image processing method. 26. An image processing method for a game device for converting an object defined in a virtual three-dimensional space into a two-dimensional image and displaying the two-dimensional image on a screen, the method comprising the steps of: A plurality of particles having a predetermined size are defined in the region, the region and the particles in the region are projected on a two-dimensional surface toward a viewpoint, and a grid is formed in the region projected on the two-dimensional surface. Setting, when a particle in the area projected on the two-dimensional plane and a grid point in the grid overlap, a predetermined parameter is set to the grid point, and a pixel at the grid point is generated based on the parameter. An image processing method comprising: 27. The image processing method according to claim 26, wherein the area defined in the virtual three-dimensional space is a three-dimensional area, and the plurality of particles are defined in the three-dimensional area. 28. The image processing method according to claim 26, wherein the components of the pixels between the grids are set such that the components of the grid points are linearly interpolated. 29. A range that affects surrounding grid points is set in the projection of each particle, and for each grid point, a component of the grid point is set by the number of particles in the range that affects the grid points. The image processing method according to any one of claims 26 to 28. 30. The influence range changes according to a distance from a viewpoint to a particle.
The image processing method described in the above. 31. The image processing method according to claim 26, wherein a component of each grid point is set according to the number of particles projected overlapping the grid point. 32. A texture image of an object to be represented is set in advance, each of said grid points is made to correspond to a pixel of said texture image, and a pixel at a grid point is determined from a component of a corresponding pixel and a parameter set for said grid point. The image processing method according to any one of claims 26 to 31, further comprising: 33. A machine-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the image processing method according to claim 17. Description: