JP2002298157A - Game information, information storage medium and game device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realistically express a water area such as the sea and the lake with the view thereof changed according to the change in the position of the view point and the direction of the view without impairing the feeling of distance. SOLUTION: A water surface part of a topographical model constituting the surface of the earth in a virtual space is defined by a translucent polygon. The color of the water surface is determined by a virtual body 40. When generating the game image, the virtual body 40 is depicted, and the topographical model is depicted. The virtual body 40 is set in a semi-spherical shape, a dark color and a bright color are arranged in a lowest point 44 and an upper bottom circumference 42, respectively, and the color is gradually changed from the lowest point 44 to the upper bottom circumference 42. The virtual body 40 is arranged in the virtual space following the perpendicularly downward direction of the viewpoint 10 so that the lowest point 44 is downwardly in the perpendicular direction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to game information for causing a given apparatus to generate a virtual space image based on a given viewpoint and execute a given game.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a three-dimensional virtual space and a movable body that can move in the virtual space are constructed, and an image is generated by drawing these virtual spaces based on a given viewpoint. Various games for display have been developed. That is, a game player instructs a moving direction and an operation of a specific moving object using a controller, and the game device causes the moving object to act in a virtual space in accordance with an instruction signal input from the controller to generate an image. are doing. In this type of game, virtual space is intentionally distorted or expressed two-dimensionally, creating a unique atmosphere and expecting special effects, but creating a plausible virtual space Some games generate realistic images and develop realistic games. That is, in some games, a realistic image is displayed to enhance the sense of presence in the game, and the development of the game can be impressive and persuasive, so that the player can be attracted and immersed in the game.

However, in order to generate a realistic image, a precise virtual space is constructed, and the position of each object (ie, object) arranged in the virtual space with respect to the viewpoint is determined. It must be calculated, and further subjected to physical calculations such as light source processing, and drawn. In other words, the more persuasive the image you are trying to generate,
The load on the image generation processing increases, and the speed of generating images decreases. On the other hand, during execution of the game, there is a limit to the time until the next single image is displayed. This is what is called one inter. That is, if the speed at which an image is generated becomes slow, there is a problem in that the game cannot be established because the timing for displaying the next image is too late.

Therefore, when an image is generated, a method of simplifying the expression of a portion that cannot be clearly seen on the screen to prevent complication of processing is often used. For example,
It is not necessary to clearly describe a scenery or the like that is far from the viewpoint, but rather it may be desirable to express it in a blurred manner. As one of the methods for simply expressing the processing for such a part, a plate-like object is arranged in the part or the area, and an image generated in advance in a process different from the processing during the game is placed on the surface of this object. There is a method such as pasting. Specifically, a range to be drawn and a range not to be drawn are determined based on the distance to the viewpoint, and a plate-like object on which an image of the environment is pasted on the boundary line is arranged and expressed like a signboard. I have.

[0005]

The above simplification hardly causes a problem in a game in which a change in the viewpoint position is small. This is because when the moving range of the viewpoint is narrow, it is not necessary to consider how to view from another angle or position as long as the environment seen from the narrow range looks likelihood. For example, in the real world, the appearance of mountains and stars that appear sufficiently far away does not change even if the position of the viewpoint is slightly shifted. Similarly, even if the environment existing sufficiently far from the viewpoint in the virtual space is represented by one type of image, the environment does not look unnatural unless the viewpoint is moved so much.

However, in a game in which the position of the viewpoint continuously moves over a wide range, it may be impossible to express a distant view with one type of image prepared in advance. In other words, if the range of movement of the viewpoint is wide, places that were far away from the initial viewpoint may also reach the foreground with the movement of the viewpoint, and in such a case, the detailed parts gradually become clearer. Must be expressed as However, if the simplification method is used to represent a distant place, not only do countless distant images corresponding to the positions of the viewpoints become necessary, but also the timing of switching distant images,
The timing of switching from a distant view to a close view must be discrete, which may give an unnatural impression. Further, not only the background existing in the traveling direction of the viewpoint, but also the background perpendicular to the traveling direction, it is necessary to gradually change the appearance as the viewpoint moves continuously and at high speed. As described above, in a game in which the range of the distant view changes every moment as the game progresses, a method of expressing a distant place by using an image prepared in advance is not suitable, and the player may feel uncomfortable. .

In particular, water surfaces such as the sea and lakes appear to be variously changed in accordance with the position of the viewpoint and the direction of the line of sight, and thus it is difficult to represent them plausibly. For example, when overlooking the sea over the sea, the color of the sea near the horizon looks slightly pale blue, reflecting the pale colors of clouds and sky, while the color when looking down directly below the sea has a deeper periphery. In the sea,
Absorbs light and may appear dark and deep blue. Also,
The appearance of the sea is different when looking down at the sea from a relatively low position and when looking down at the sea from a relatively high sky. In other words, when you look down at the sea from a nearby location, you can see the glittering waves and the color of the deep, deep sea. Under the influence, the sea slightly blends into the color of the sky.

As described above, the color indicated by the water surface such as the sea or the lake is not always uniform, and a slight change occurs in the color indicated according to the relationship with the position of the viewpoint and the direction of the line of sight. In order to apply the expression of the sea, lake, and the like to a game in which the viewpoint can move in a wide range, the color of the sea must also be changed according to the change in the position of the viewpoint and the direction of the line of sight. However, as described above, when the sea is represented by one type of image or a plate-like object having a blue color, it is likely that a smooth change in the color of the sea accompanying a change in the position of the viewpoint or the direction of the line of sight is likely. It is difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the above problems, and to impair the sense of distance from an object whose appearance changes with a change in the position of the viewpoint or the direction of the line of sight. It is to express without realism.

[0010]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention according to claim 1 performs an operation by a processor.
Control is game information for causing the device to generate an image of a virtual space based on a given viewpoint and to execute a given game. The game information includes a given horizontal plane (for example, the ground in this embodiment). A setting means (for example, topographic data 330 shown in FIG. 15) for setting the front surface 50) in the virtual space and a substantially plate-shaped transparent body (for example, a translucent polygon in the present embodiment) are placed on the given horizontal plane. A transparent body arranging means (for example, the terrain control unit 222 shown in FIG. 15) for arranging, and a virtual body arranging means for arranging a virtual body having given color information in the virtual space (for example, a virtual body arranging shown in FIG. 15) Part 224)
And when rendering the transparent body, if a straight line connecting the given viewpoint and a given point of the virtual body intersects with the transparent body, the color information of the transparent body and the virtual body And a drawing unit (for example, a drawing unit 246 shown in FIG. 15) for drawing the transparent body by combining the color information with the color information.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game device for generating a virtual space image based on a given viewpoint and executing a given game, wherein a given horizontal plane is set in the virtual space. Setting means, transmitting body arranging means for arranging a substantially plate-shaped transmitting body on the given horizontal plane, and virtual body arranging means for arranging a virtual body having given color information in the virtual space, at least, A color determination unit that determines color information of the virtual body according to an altitude of the given viewpoint in a virtual space; and, when rendering the transmissive body, a given one of the given viewpoint and the given body of the virtual body. When a straight line connecting a point and the transparent body intersects with each other, the drawing unit draws the transparent body by combining the color information of the transparent body and the color information of the virtual body. I do.

Here, the transparent body is not limited to a polygon or an object set completely transparent, but may be a semi-transparent body set to a given opacity. The horizontal plane does not need to be a completely horizontal plane, but includes a plane with a slight inclination.

According to the first or 16th aspect of the present invention, a horizontal plane is defined in the virtual space, and the transmitting body is arranged along the horizontal plane. In addition, the color of the object represented by the transparent body is determined by combining the color of the object with the color of the virtual body. That is, the color of each transmissive body is determined in consideration of not only the fixed color set for each transmissive body but also the color information of the virtual body separately set independently. Therefore, for example, if the color of the virtual body is changed in accordance with the movement of the position of the viewpoint (or the coordinates), the positional relationship of the individual transparent bodies arranged on the horizontal plane with respect to the viewpoint does not become inconsistent, It can be expressed by changing only the color of the transparent body.

For example, when an image including a sea or a lake is generated, if the water surface is represented by a transparent body and the color of the sea or lake is represented by a virtual body, the position of the water surface in the virtual space and the water surface The given colors can be determined separately from each other. In other words, if only the color information of the virtual body is changed according to the change in the position of the viewpoint, the color of the sea or lake can be changed without inconsistency in the physical positional relationship between the water surface and the viewpoint. Can be emphasized. Therefore,
As in the second aspect of the present invention, in the game information according to the first aspect, the setting means sets information for setting a water surface included in the virtual space to the given horizontal surface (for example, FIG. (Translucent polygons based on the indicated terrain data 330). Here, the water surface is intended to include a surface such as a sea, a lake, a marsh, a river, a field, a pond, a puddle, and the like, where the liquid is present irrespective of movement or immovability.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the game information according to the second aspect, when the transparent body arranging means includes an object under the water, the color information of the object is provided. May be included in the color information of the transparent body.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the water surface is represented by a transmissive body, when the presence of an object under the water surface is represented, the color of the object is converted to the color information of the transmissive body. Include. At this time, the color information of the object included in the color information of the transparent body is combined with the color information of the virtual body when drawing the transparent body. Therefore, the color information of the object also includes the color of the sea or lake, and it can be expressed as if the object is covered with water below the surface of the water.

The invention is also suitable for expressing the depth of the sea or the like. That is, the color and the like of the sea not only change according to the direction and position of the viewpoint, but also look different depending on the depth of the seabed. For example, when the seabed is deep, the color of the surface of the sea is dark and deep blue, and the color of the sea in shallow waters and coral reefs may appear as light blue or emerald green.
In order to express the color of the sea etc. according to such depth, if the transparent body contains the color of the shallow water (for example, white or yellow) or the color of the coral reef, the sea or lake will be compared with other parts Can be expressed in a light shade, and it can be informed that such a portion is a shallow water.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the game information according to any one of the first to third aspects,
The virtual body may have a predetermined shape, and the virtual body arranging means may include information for arranging the virtual body in the virtual space so as to follow the given viewpoint.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the virtual body has a predetermined shape and follows the viewpoint. For example, if a vertical line from the viewpoint with respect to the horizontal plane is calculated, and the virtual body is arranged so that the perpendicular line intersects with the predetermined position of the virtual body, even if the position (coordinates) of the viewpoint changes, the perpendicular line and the line-of-sight vector Does not change the position of the virtual body indicated by the line-of-sight vector according to the angle formed by. That is, if the shape and color information of the virtual body are fixedly set, and the viewpoint is followed, the appearance of the virtual body according to the angle between the direction vector and the line-of-sight vector to follow the viewpoint is fixed. Can be set to

For example, when an image of the sea is generated, the virtual body is set to a planar square, and the color gradually changed from the deep sea color to the pale sea color from the center to the edge is set. I do. And if this virtual body is arranged to follow the vertical direction of the viewpoint, the color of the sea vertically downward of the viewpoint is always expressed by a deep color regardless of the movement of the position of the viewpoint, and the gaze vector and the vertical The color of the sea can be expressed brighter with an increase in the angle formed by the line.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the game information according to the fourth aspect, means for setting a ground surface drawing range (for example, a maximum drawing range 54 in the present embodiment) in the virtual space. (For example, the topography control unit 222 shown in FIG. 15) and information for causing the device to function, and the virtual body arranging unit is configured to control the edge of the virtual body (for example, the upper bottom of the virtual body 40 in the present embodiment). The virtual body is arranged so that a straight line passing through the circumference 42) and the given viewpoint intersects near an edge of the ground surface drawing range (for example, the maximum drawing circumference 52 in the present embodiment). Information, and the setting unit may include information for setting the given horizontal plane within the ground surface drawing range (for example, the terrain data 330 shown in FIG. 15; coordinate information of the translucent polygon). Good.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the position of the virtual body is determined such that the edge of the virtual body is located on a line connecting the edge of the ground surface drawing range and the viewpoint. That is, the area where the virtual body is drawn on the screen and the ground surface (terrain)
Are always equal to each other, and the virtual object does not protrude beyond the range where the ground surface is drawn on the screen. Therefore, for example, by drawing the virtual body and then drawing the ground surface from above without drawing the virtual body and the transparent body without having to perform processing such as overlapping determination of the drawing positions,
The color information of the virtual body is left only on the water surface portion constituted by the transparent body, and the entire surface of the ground can be expressed without contradiction.

[0023] Further, as in the invention according to claim 6, in the game information according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The virtual body arranging unit arranges a reference direction of the virtual body (for example, an x-axis direction in a local coordinate system defining the virtual body 40 in the present embodiment) in a given direction in the virtual space. May be included.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the virtual body is arranged with its reference direction oriented in a given direction in the virtual space. For example, when the y-axis in the local coordinate system (x, y, z) defining the virtual body intersects perpendicularly with the horizontal plane in the virtual space and the virtual body is arranged so as to face the viewpoint, x The direction in the virtual space of the axis and the z axis is arbitrary. In such a case, for example, if the x-axis of the virtual body is set as the reference direction and the virtual body is arranged in a given direction in the virtual space, the arrangement position and orientation of the virtual body can be uniquely determined, The color of the virtual object can be defined and arranged so as to correspond to directions such as north, south, east, west, and north and down in the virtual space.

The given direction in the virtual space is
Of course, the direction of the light source may be used. Therefore, like the invention according to claim 7, in the game information according to claim 6, the virtual body arranging means includes information for setting the direction of the light source in the virtual space to the given direction. It may be that. Here, the direction of the light source is the direction of the coordinates of the point light source when the point light source is set in the virtual space, and the direction of the light source when the infinite light source (that is, the parallel light beam) is set. The direction is opposite to the direction pointed by the vector.

It should be noted that the change in color of the sea, lake, or the like may not only change with the movement of the viewpoint in the horizontal direction or the direction of the line of sight, but may also change in accordance with the altitude of the viewpoint. For example, when the height of the viewpoint with respect to the water surface is sufficiently high, the water surface may be obscured by the influence of the atmosphere, clouds, and the like, and may not be clearly seen. In such a case, it is desirable to change the color of the virtual body according to the height of the viewpoint. That is,
Like the invention according to claim 8, in the game information according to any one of claims 1 to 7, at least the height of the given viewpoint in the virtual space (for example, in the virtual space in the present embodiment, According to the viewpoint (Y coordinate)
It may include information for causing the device to function a color determining unit (for example, a color determining unit 242 shown in FIG. 15) that determines color information of the virtual body.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the game information according to the eighth aspect, the color determination means sets a specific point and color information of the specific point in the virtual body (for example, In addition to the specific point table 328 shown in FIG. 9, the specific point setting means (for example, the color determining means 242 shown in FIG. 15) for changing the color information of the specific point according to at least the altitude of the given viewpoint. And information for determining color information at a given position in the virtual body based on the color information of the specific point set by the specific point setting means.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, when changing the color information of the virtual body, only the color information of a specific point set on the virtual body is changed. The color information can also be changed. For example, when a virtual body is defined by a plurality of polygons (ie, a plurality of vertices), usually, in order to change the color of each polygon, the changed color is stored in advance for each of the vertices. It is necessary to keep. However, according to the present invention, it is sufficient to store only the color information of the specific point, and it is possible to realize various changes in the tint of the virtual body with a small amount of information.

Also, as in the invention according to claim 10,
10. The game information according to claim 9, wherein the specific point setting means sets a plurality of specific points in the virtual body, and, among the plurality of specific points, color information of at least one specific point and another specific point. May be combined based on the position of the given viewpoint, and information for setting the combined color information as the color information of the other specific point may be included.

According to the tenth aspect, it is possible to blend the color information of one or more specific points with the color information of a given specific point according to a change in the position of the viewpoint. it can. In other words, the color of a given specific point can be made closer to the color of another specific point as the viewpoint changes from a given position in the virtual space to another position. For example, when the viewpoint moves from under a cloud to a place without a cloud in the virtual space, the color information of a specific point having a bright color is compared with a specific point having dark color information with the movement of the viewpoint. Can be expressed by gradually changing the color of the sea to brighter overall.

Further, the composition ratio of the color information of one specific point to the color information of another specific point may be changed according to the height of the viewpoint. That is, as in the game information according to the tenth aspect, in the game information according to the tenth aspect, the specific point setting unit may change the color information of the other specific point as the altitude of the given viewpoint increases. And information for performing the blending so as to approach the color information of the at least one specific point.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, for example, when representing the sea, a specific point having color information near a horizontal line and a specific point having color information of a deep sea are included in a virtual body. Set. In such a case, as the height of the viewpoint increases, if a specific point having deep sea color information is blended with the color of the sea near the horizon, the sea color will shine brighter as the viewpoint increases. Can be changed. That is, a change in the height of the viewpoint can be more likely to be expressed.

It is needless to say that the color of a specific point on the virtual body may be set as the fog color. That is, as in the twelfth aspect of the present invention,
In the game information described in the above, the specific point setting means,
Information for setting color information of fog as the color information of the one specific point may be included. For example, in the case of expressing the sea, an island that exists far away from the position of the viewpoint expresses as if it exists in the distance without discomfort if it is blurred and expressed based on the color of the sea surrounding the island be able to. If the color information of the specific point of the virtual object is set as the fog color in order to realize such an expression, an object far from the viewpoint can be easily expressed in a plausible manner.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, an arithmetic and control by a processor causes an apparatus to generate an image of a virtual space including a water surface viewed from a given viewpoint and execute a given game. Means for changing the color of the water surface based on the distance from the horizontal position of the given viewpoint in the virtual space (for example, a color determining unit 242 shown in FIG. 15), The information is characterized by including information for causing the information to function.

According to the thirteenth aspect, the color of the water surface set in the virtual space can be changed according to the distance from the horizontal position of the viewpoint. In other words, even when the viewpoint moves in the horizontal direction in the virtual space, the color of the water surface can be determined based on the distance from the horizontal position of the viewpoint. Of the water surface can be expressed in different colors. Therefore, the sense of depth on the water surface can be more likely to be expressed.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, a device having an image memory (for example, a frame buffer 420 shown in FIG. 15) for storing color information related to a display image is calculated and controlled by a processor. Game information for executing a given game by generating an image of a virtual space based on the viewpoint and drawing color information related to the generated image in the image memory, the given color information (For example, the color information of the virtual body 40 in the present embodiment) is drawn in the image memory, and then the color information relating to the generated image of the virtual space is drawn in the image memory. When the space image includes a water place such as a lake, a river, or the sea, color information related to the water place (for example, a translucent polygon or a ripple model in the present embodiment).
And information for causing the device to function as a unit (for example, a drawing unit 246 shown in FIG. 15) for drawing by combining with the already drawn color information.

According to the fourteenth aspect, after the given color information is drawn in the image memory, the color information relating to the image of the virtual space such as the terrain is drawn in the image memory. At this time, if the image of the virtual space includes color information for expressing a wave or a water surface, the image is combined with the color information already drawn in the image memory and drawn in the image memory. Therefore, the color of the water can be determined and drawn by a method independent of the color of the water surface or the color of the waves.

Incidentally, as in the invention according to claim 15,
It goes without saying that the game information according to any one of claims 1 to 14 may be stored in the information storage medium.

[0039]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a case where the present invention is applied to the expression of the sea will be described, but the application of the present invention does not need to be limited to the sea. Also, a flight battle game will be described as an example of a game, but the present invention may be applied to any other game.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a home-use game device. According to the figure, a game device 1210 includes a display 1200, game controllers 1202 and 12
04 and the like are detachable. Game information such as a game program and information necessary for realizing the present invention can be stored in a CD-ROM 1206, an IC card 1208, which is an information storage medium detachable from the game apparatus 1210.
It is stored in a memory card 1212 and an information storage medium of the game device 1210 main body.

While watching the game image displayed on the display 1200, the player controls the fighter displayed on the game image by the game controller 1202 or 1212.
Enjoy the flight fighting game by operating with 04. Hereinafter, a fighter operated by a player is referred to as a self-fighter. Here, operating the own fighter means an action of designating the moving direction and the moving speed of the own fighter by pressing the operation buttons of the game controllers 1202 and 1204. In the game image, an environment surrounding the own fighter, that is, an environment such as the sky and terrain, is represented so that the position of the own fighter in the virtual space can be grasped. The position of the viewpoint for generating the game image may be set at the cockpit of the own fighter, or may be set so as to follow the own fighter and objectively express the own fighter. Good.

When executing the flight fighting game, terrain data is required for the entire range in which the own fighter (ie, viewpoint) can move. Specifically, there are cases where the own fighter flies over a mountain, flies over the sea, flies over a flat surface, and the like, and it is necessary to prepare a series of these terrain data in advance. However, when a one-frame game image is generated, if all these terrain data are read to construct a model and all the terrain models existing in the line of sight are drawn, the image generation speed is delayed. However, there is a problem that the game cannot be developed.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the drawing range when generating an image is limited based on the distance from the viewpoint. That is, even if the object exists in the line of sight of the viewpoint, if the distance from the viewpoint exceeds a predetermined distance, the object is not drawn. However, limiting the drawing range in this way may give the impression that the world farther than the drawing range has disappeared completely. For this reason, an object in the field of view is subjected to a process called fog, so that the object appears blurry as the distance from the viewpoint increases.
The portion beyond the drawing range is expressed so that it is not completely blurred.

Here, the fog process is a process of combining a predetermined color with a color of an object according to a distance from a viewpoint, and is a method of blurring the object. In particular,
A distance D _FF at which the object is completely blurred and invisible and a distance D _FN at which the object starts to be blurred are set, and a synthesis ratio of the color information is determined based on a difference between the distance d of the object and the viewpoint. For example, fog color color to be combined with the object _{C F (R, G, B} ) and then, the color of an object _{C M (R, G, B} ) when the the color C _A of the object after the fog, C _A = { _CF · (d−D _FN ) + _CM · (D _FF −d)} / (D _FF −D _FN ) (where D _FN ≦ d ≦ D _FF ) (1) Hereinafter, the distance D _FN to start the fog called fog start distance, completely the distance D _FF become fog color of fog extreme distance.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the virtual space showing the fog start distance D _FN , the fog limit distance D _FF , and the drawing range 12 with respect to the viewpoint 10. Note that the drawing range 12 is indicated by a broken line. As can be seen from the figure, a range 14 in which the fog processing is performed in a concentric spherical shape is determined according to the distance from the viewpoint 10. That is, the object is penetration gradually fog color away from the viewpoint 10 than the fog start distance D _FN, further,
When the distance between the viewpoint 10 exceeds fog extreme distance D _FF, become completely drawn filled fog color. Thus, by setting the maximum distance of a drawing range as a fog extreme distance D _FF, virtual space without giving world on the generated image based on the viewpoint 10, the impression that interruption beyond the drawing range Can be expressed.

The present invention is intended to represent a portion of the entire terrain set in the virtual space, which is to be the surface of the sea, in a plausible manner. That is, the color of the water surface is realistically changed in accordance with the movement of the viewpoint 10 and the change of the line of sight, thereby enhancing the sense of depth in the virtual space.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a change in the position of the viewpoint 10 and a change in the color of the sea. (A) and (c) schematically illustrate a cross section of the virtual space, where the viewpoints 10 are arranged at different positions, respectively.
Different gaze directions are shown. (B) is an image example based on the viewpoint 10 shown in (a), and (d) is an image example based on the viewpoint 10 shown in (c).

According to FIG. 3 (a), the viewpoint 10 makes the line-of-sight vector 20 substantially horizontal, and
Looking down at 0. Therefore, the island 30 is represented at a position close to the horizontal line 32 as in the image example shown in FIG. On the other hand, according to (c), the viewpoint 10
The position closer to the island 30 than the position shown in FIG.
A line-of-sight vector 20 is set in a direction looking down on.
Therefore, as in the image example shown in FIG.
It will be expressed surrounded by the sea. At this time, (b)
In the sea around the island 30 shown in (d), a bright sea color reflecting the sky color near the horizon may be used, and in the sea around the island 30 shown in (d), a deep and deep sea color may be used. desirable. According to the present invention, such a change in the color of the sea due to a change in the position of the viewpoint 10 can be represented in a plausible manner.

Hereinafter, the sea surface expression method will be described in detail. In the present embodiment, the sea surface is defined by a translucent polygon. That is, the terrain model (terrain data) set in the virtual space includes a land portion and a sea surface portion. Of these, the sea surface portion is represented by a translucent polygon, About the color of
Expressed by a virtual body. That is, the color of the sea seen through the translucent polygon is represented by a virtual body. Specifically, first, a virtual body is drawn. Then, the terrain model such as land and sea surface is overwritten on the virtual body. At this time, since the portion serving as the sea surface is constructed by translucent polygons, the sea color drawn earlier is reflected. Also, for the land part, if it is defined by a normal polygon, the color of the sea drawn earlier will be excluded,
Only the color of the land can be left.

The translucent polygon is a color synthesis rate α.
Among the polygons for which (or the degree of transparency) has been specified, it means a polygon having a high ratio of combining other colors, that is, a polygon having a high transmittance. For example, the color synthesis of the formula C = (1-α) · C P + α · C O ( provided that, 0 ≦ α ≦ 1) is defined by (2). Here, _CP indicates the color given to the translucent polygon, and _CO indicates the color of another object. That is, one in the case of drawing a semi-transparent polygons to pixels, the color C _P of translucent polygons, color and color C _O already given to the pixel, was synthesized on the basis of the synthesis rate α C is given to the pixel. Therefore, when a translucent polygon is drawn, the color of the object drawn before drawing the translucent polygon is reflected. On the other hand, for a normal polygon, the color synthesis rate is not defined (or α = 0). Therefore, when drawing a normal polygon, the color of the already drawn object is excluded, and only the color of the polygon is drawn. Note that white or light blue is set in advance for the translucent polygon.

Hereinafter, the virtual body will be described. First, the shape and arrangement position of the virtual body will be described. Hereinafter, a coordinate system for defining a virtual space is referred to as a world coordinate system (X, Y, Z), and a coordinate system for defining a virtual body is referred to as a local coordinate system (x, y, z). .

FIGS. 4A and 4B are views showing an example of the appearance of the virtual body 40. FIG. 4A is an oblique overhead view of the virtual body 40, FIG. 4B is a side view of the virtual body 40, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a virtual body 40. As shown in each figure, the virtual body 40 is formed into a substantially hemispherical shape by a rectangular or triangular polygon. In the following, the radius of the upper base of the virtual body 40 R, the distance from the upper base to the lowest point 44 (i.e., the length of the virtual body 40) and is L, the center point O _S of the upper base of the virtual body 40 The representative point of the virtual body 40 is used. Further, as shown in (c), set the local coordinate system (x, y, z) the origin of the center point O _S. However, the y-axis is set so as to intersect perpendicularly with the upper bottom of the virtual body 40. In addition, any numerical value such as the number of polygons constituting the virtual body 40, the radius R of the upper base, and the length L of the virtual body 40 may be any value, but the following conditions should be satisfied. In the virtual space.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are oblique overhead views showing an example in which the virtual body 40 is arranged in the virtual space. (A)
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the viewpoint 10, the virtual body 40, and the ground surface 50 are obliquely looked down, and FIG. Things. Here, the ground surface 50 is a plane (X-Z plane) where Y = 0 in the coordinate system of the virtual space. In addition, the sea surface (ie, a translucent polygon) is also arranged along the ground surface 50. In FIGS. 9A and 9B, a point O is a point obtained by projecting the viewpoint 10 parallel to the ground surface 50 along the Y axis. The circumference 52 drawn on the ground surface 50 is the fog limit distance D _FF when the viewpoint 10 is present on the ground surface 50, that is, the circumference 52 indicating the maximum drawing range on the ground surface 50. In the following, the range within the circumference of the radius D _FF centered on the point O is referred to as the maximum drawing range 54.
And the circumference is referred to as a maximum drawing circumference 52.

[0054] As shown in the figure, the virtual body 40, arranged such that the representative point O _S is located immediately below the viewpoint 10, and upper base circumference 42 of the virtual body 40 viewpoint 10 and a maximum draw It is arranged so as to intersect a straight line connecting the circumference 52. In this case, the height h of the representative point O _S of the virtual body 40, in accordance with a proportional relationship, can be calculated by _{h = Y V · (1-} R / D FF) ... (3). That is, coordinates of the viewpoint _{10 (X V, Y V,} Z V) when the coordinate of the representative point O _S of the virtual body 40 can be determined by _{(X V, h, Z V} ).

FIGS. 6A and 6B are views for explaining a change in the position of the virtual body 40 with the height of the viewpoint 10. FIG. Than (a) and (b), different high viewpoint 10, with a high degree of change in aspect 10, the distance d between the representative point O _S of the virtual body 40 is changed with the viewpoint 10. As described above, by changing the distance d between the viewpoint 10 and the virtual body 40 according to the altitude of the viewpoint 10, the virtual body 40 is always positioned at the same position on the ground surface 50 without changing its size. Color can be expressed. In (a),
A given point K of the virtual body 40 represents the color of the point M on the ground surface 50. The point K on the virtual body 40 always represents the color of the point M on the ground surface 50 even if the height of the viewpoint 10 changes, as long as the viewpoint 10 does not move in the horizontal direction, as shown in FIG. Will be done.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the virtual body 40 is always drawn at a position overlapping the maximum drawing range 54 on the ground surface 50. Therefore, there is no need to worry about the problem that only the color of the ocean is protruded from the terrain. Also, even if the virtual body 40 is drawn, if the terrain model at the overlapping position on the ground surface 50 is a land portion, the color of the land is overwritten and becomes invisible. In other words, the presence or absence of the virtual body 40 need only be always drawn without any processing such as determining the existence of the sea surface or determining an overlapping portion with the terrain model, which requires cumbersome processing. , You can easily express the color of the sea.

Next, the colors set in the virtual body 40 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the upper bottom circumference 42 of the virtual body 40 corresponds to the maximum drawing circumference 52 on the ground surface 50, and the lowest point 44 of the virtual body 40 corresponds to a position directly below the viewpoint 10. Therefore, if a bright color is arranged in the vicinity of the upper base circumference 42 of the virtual body 40 and a deeper and deeper color is arranged as approaching the lowermost point 44 of the virtual body 40, the sea is gradually changed according to the direction of the line-of-sight vector. It can be expressed so that the color changes. Further, regardless of the movement of the position of the viewpoint 10, the color of the sea near the horizon can be expressed bright, and the color of the sea near the viewpoint 10 can be expressed dark. Thus, by changing the color in the vertical direction of the virtual body 40 (that is, in the y-axis direction), the sense of depth of the sea with respect to the viewpoint 10 is emphasized.

The color of the virtual body 40 may be changed in the horizontal direction. That is, the color may be changed in a direction perpendicular to the y-axis direction (for example, the x-axis direction or the z-axis direction). As described above, by changing the color in the horizontal direction of the virtual body 40, it is possible to express the directionality of the east, west, south and north of the sea in the virtual space. For example, in a sunset scene or the like, it is desirable to change the color of the sea between the direction of the light source and the opposite direction, but according to the present invention,
The sunset can be easily expressed simply by changing the color in the horizontal direction of the virtual body 40.

More specifically, a bright color is arranged in the positive direction of the x-axis of the virtual body 40 and a dark color is arranged in the negative direction. Then, the virtual body 40 is arranged so that the positive x-axis direction of the virtual body 40 faces the direction of the light source in the virtual space. For example, if the light source is set by a point light source in the virtual space, the virtual body 40 is arranged with the positive x-axis direction of the virtual body 40 directed to the horizontal position (X, 0, Z) of the coordinates of the point light source. I do. Also,
When the light source is set as an infinite light source in the virtual space, the virtual body 40 is arranged such that the positive x-axis direction of the virtual body 40 faces the light vector. In the present embodiment, the light source is the sun, and the light source is defined by parallel rays (that is, ray vectors).

FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically depicting the virtual space from obliquely above, and shows an example in which the x-axis positive direction of the virtual body 40 is arranged so as to oppose the direction of the ray vector 60. According to the figure, the x-axis of the virtual body 40 is represented by the horizontal components (X _OPT , Z _OPT ) of the ray vector (X _OPT , Y _OPT , Z _OPT ).
_OPT ). Therefore, even if the viewpoint 10 moves in the virtual space, the color of the sea can be represented plausibly without inconsistency in the positional relationship with the light source.

Note that the color of the virtual body 40
The virtual body 40 may be represented by defining a color for each of the vertices of the polygon constituting 0, and further gradation-grading the color of each vertex for each polygon. However, when such a method is adopted, not only a large number of vertices constituting the virtual body 40 are required but also a large number of vertices constituting the virtual body 40 are stored in order to more smoothly and plausibly represent the change in the color of the sea. The amount of color information to be increased increases, and a large capacity memory is required. However, if you reduce the number of polygons,
While the required memory capacity is small, the manner in which the color of the virtual body 40 changes in units of polygons becomes conspicuous, and a natural sea color cannot be expressed.

To solve the above problem, the virtual object 40
, A specific point (hereinafter referred to as a specific point) is set, and a color is defined only at this specific point. Then, the color of an arbitrary vertex in the virtual body 40 is determined by synthesizing the color given to each specific point based on the positional relationship between the vertex and a specific point around the vertex.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of setting a specific point.
Center point O of virtual body 40_SThe cross section by the xy plane passing through
FIG. According to the figure, a virtual body on the xy plane
2 points P on the upper bottom circumference 42 on the cross section_1A(X axis square
Direction), P_1B(Negative direction of the x-axis) and P_ThreePoints set
At the lowest point 44 and the upper bottom circumference 42.
The center point of the curve connecting each specified point
P)_2A, P _2BIs set as a specific point
You. Then, a specific point P on the upper bottom circumference 42_1A, P_1BAkira
Set a red color and set the specific point P_ThreeDark to the deep
Set the color of the sea. In addition, the specific point P of the intermediate point_2A, P_2BTo
Sets the color of the sea that is neither deep nor pale. Also at sunset
Scene, etc., a specific point in the positive x-axis direction
P_1A, P_2AHas a bright color and has a negative direction
Point P_1B, P_2BSet a darker color.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the specific point table 328 storing the color of each specific point. According to the figure, the specific point table 328 stores coordinates of each specific point and color information in association with each other. Note that the coordinates here are coordinates in the local coordinate system. L is the total length of the virtual body 40, L ₂ is the distance from the upper base of the virtual body 40 to the specific points P _2A and P _2B , R is the radius of the circumference of the upper base, R ₂
Indicates the distance from the y axis to the specific points P _2A and P _2B (see FIG. 8).

Each vertex constituting the virtual body 40 (ie,
The colors of the vertices of each polygon)
Combines the color given to a fixed point or three specific points
Is determined by Note that the color of each specific point is synthesized.
Is the distance between each vertex and each specific point, or
Determined according to the angle. For example, as shown in FIG.
The color of the vertex v in one polygon constituting the virtual body 40
When determining, first, the vertex v in the local coordinate system
Coordinates (x_V, Y_V, Z_V), And the specific point table 3
3 or 4 specific points near y-axis value from 28
Select That is, according to FIG.
Is a specific point P_1A, P _1BAnd P_2A,
P_2BIs selected. The color information of these selected specific points
The synthesis method takes into account the positional relationship with the vertex v.
Anything is acceptable, but below
An example will be described.

First, the upper base circle 42 and the upper base
Of intersection p with the cross section perpendicular to₁And calculate the
Fixed point P_2A, P_2BThrough the circle parallel to the top and through point v
Intersection point p with the cross section perpendicular to the upper bottom_TwoIs calculated. Soshi
And each intersection p₁, P_TwoColor C_P1, C_P2To determine. example
If the intersection p₁When determining the color of the image shown in FIG.
As the origin O_SFrom intersection p₁Vector 70 and x
Find the angle φ between the axis and the specific point based on this angle φ
P_1A, P_1BCombine the colors of_P1To determine. That is, C_P1= ｛C_1A・ (Cosφ + 1) + C_1B(Cos (π−φ) +1)｝ / 2 (4)₁Color C_P1To determine. Intersection p_TwoAbout
Similarly, the specific point P_2A, P _2BThrough a section parallel to the top
Intersection p from the center point_TwoTo the x-axis direction
Angle φ, and the specific point P_2A, P_2BCombine the colors of_P2To
decide.

When the colors of the intersections p ₁ and p ₂ are determined, the colors of the intersections p ₁ and p ₂ are synthesized according to the distance between the vertex v and each intersection to determine the color of the vertex v. For example, FIG.
As shown in (c), when the distance between the intersection point p ₁ and the vertex v is d ₁ and the distance between the intersection point p ₂ and the vertex v is d ₂ , C _V = (C _P1 · d ₂ + C _P2 · d ₁ ) / (d ₁ + d ₂ ) (5) In this way, the colors of the vertices of each polygon constituting the virtual body 40 are determined. The colors in each polygon are determined by interpolating the colors based on the colors determined for the four or three vertices constituting each polygon.

In the above description, an object existing within the drawing range according to the distance from the viewpoint 10 is subjected to fog processing. Thus, for example, FIG.
As shown in the figure, the altitude Y _V of the viewpoint 10 is the fog start distance D
_{In a} situation that is longer than the _FF and shorter than the fog limit distance D _FF , when looking down directly below the ground surface 50,
The color of the terrain model will be combined with the color of the fog.
At this time, if the sea and the land are mixed in the terrain model that the viewpoint 10 looks down on, the effect of fog appears on the land, but the fog is not applied to the color of the sea, and only the land Can blend in with the fog color and produce images with no perspective, such as a clear view of the sea.

In order to solve such a problem, the color of the virtual body 40 is gradually changed according to the height of the viewpoint 10 (that is, Y _V ). Specifically, the colors C _2A , C _2B , C set at the specific points P _2A , P _2B of the intermediate point and the specific point P ₃ of the lowermost point 44
₃ is synthesized with the colors C _1A and C _{1B of} the specific points P _1A and P _1B set on the circumference of the upper base based on the height Y _V of the viewpoint 10. In this case, the ratio for combining the color of each particular point, as well as the fog processing shown in equation (1) is carried out by replacing the distance d altitude Y _V viewpoint. For example, the color of the specific point P _{2A at} the intermediate point is synthesized with the color of the specific point P _1A as the fog color, and the color of the specific point P _2B is synthesized with the color of the specific point P _2B as the fog color. I do.

The specific point P of the lowest point 44_ThreeColor C_ThreeTo
Is a specific point P on the upper base circumference 42_2A, P _2BColor C_1A, C_1B
Average color C_AVEAre combined as fog colors. Sand
And average color C_AVETo C_AVE= (C_1A+ C_1B) / 2... (6)
Height Y_VAnd fog start distance D_FNAnd fog extreme distance
Release D_FFAccording to the difference between_ThreeAnd C_AVEBy combining
Specific point P_ThreeNew color C_N3To determine. C_N3= ｛C_AVE・ (Y_V-D_FN) + C_Three・ (D_FF-Y_V)｝ / (D_FF-D_FN…… (7)

FIG. 12 shows a specific point P at the lowest point 44._Threeof
The color is the average color C of the upper bottom circumference 42_AVEThe process of synthesis into
It is a graph for explanation. In the figure, the horizontal axis is viewed.
Height Y of point 10_V, The vertical axis is the specific point P after synthesis_ThreeColor C_N3
Are respectively shown. According to FIG._ThreeColor of
C_N3Is the height Y of the viewpoint 10_VIs the fog start distance D_FNThan
Color C when_ThreeBut the height Y_VStarts fog
Distance D_FNAverage color C gradually exceeds_AVEAre synthesized and high
Say Y_VIs the fog limit distance D_FFAbove is completely average color C
_AVEbecome. Thus, the fog start distance D_FNAnd
Og limit distance D_FFChanges the color of the virtual body 40 based on
By doing so, objects existing in the virtual space can be
As with fog processing, the color of the sea is
Can be set to change to a lighter shade
You. The specific point P at the intermediate point_2A, P _2BAbout the color
Is also the average color C at a specific point on the upper base circumference 42._AVEThe fog of
You may combine as a color.

According to the method described above, the color of the sea is gradually changed based on the position of the viewpoint 10 and the direction of the line of sight, so that the sense of depth of the sea in the virtual space can be expressed. Further, since the color of the sea can be changed according to the altitude of the viewpoint 10, the sense of perspective in the height direction of the virtual space is emphasized.

However, according to the above-described method, the sense of depth and the sense of three-dimensionality of the virtual space above the sea surface are emphasized,
In addition, although the sea surface can be realistically expressed, the height of the seabed cannot be expressed. For example, the color of the sea near a cliff where the landform changes rapidly from land to the sea, and the color of the sea near a sandy beach where the land changes smoothly from the land to the sea should be different from each other. For example, when the bottom of a cliff is deep relative to the sea surface, the color of the sea near the coast also shows deep blue,
If the terrain changes gently, the color of the ocean should gradually change to deep blue off the coast. But,
According to the above description, the terrain model includes the land portion and the sea surface portion, and only the sea color represented by the virtual body 40 is reflected on the sea surface portion. Therefore, a coastline like a cliff, a gentle coastline like a sandy beach, or a shallow water such as a coral reef will be expressed by the same color of the sea.

In order to solve such a problem, the following measures may be taken. That is, in the terrain model, a shallow color is placed on the translucent polygons that constitute the sea surface,
This is combined with the color of the virtual body 40. The color of the shallow water may be defined at the vertices of each polygon, or may be defined by mapping a texture representing the shallow water to the polygon. In the case of expressing by texture, the color and shading of the shallows are changed depending on the position. Regarding the color composition ratio α, instead of setting a uniform value for all polygons, a different color composition ratio α is set for each polygon, and the depth of the sea changes according to the location of the sea surface. And set it to be visible.

FIG. 13 is an example of an image expressing a shallow water by applying a color other than blue (for example, white or yellow) to a translucent polygon. According to the figure, in the image, islands 80 and 82, land 84 and sea surface 86 are represented.
The sea surface near the islands 80 and 82 and the sea surface at a position away from the islands 80 and 82 are represented by different shades. Therefore, the sea near the islands 80 and 82 can give a shallower impression than the other seas. In this way, by defining the color of the shallow water in the translucent polygon, the height of the seabed can be easily expressed.

Further, on the sea surface, water bubbles due to waves, glitters reflecting light, and the like are often seen. In order to represent such a sea surface ripple, the following contrivances may be made. That is, on a plane that is completely transparent (α = 1),
A ripple model with a translucent yellow or white portion (α ≠ 0) is defined. Then, by expressing this ripple model on the sea surface, waves and water bubbles on the sea surface are expressed.

The size and shape of the ripple model may be adapted to the size of the sea surface portion in the terrain model. However, as shown in FIG.
The shape may be equal to or slightly smaller than the maximum drawing range 54 of the ground surface 50 with respect to the viewpoint 10. As described above, when setting the size of the ripple model 90 regardless of the size of the sea surface to be rendered, it is necessary to pay attention to the timing of rendering the ripple model 90. Specifically, virtual body 4
After drawing 0, and before drawing the terrain model, the ripple model 90 is drawn. Thus, by drawing the ripple model 90 before drawing the terrain model, the shape and size of the ripple model 90 can be taken into consideration, and processing such as determination of overlap with the sea surface can be easily performed. You can express the ripple of the sea surface. That is, if the ripple model 90 is drawn before the terrain model, the land portion is overwritten on the ripple model 90, so that the color information of the ripple model 90 is obtained only for the sea surface portion formed by the translucent polygon. Will be reflected.

Next, functions required for realizing the present invention using hardware such as a computer will be described. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional block. The functional blocks shown in the figure correspond to the functions that operate based on the game information and the game device 1210 shown in FIG.
It consists of functions that it has in advance. According to FIG. 15, the functional blocks are the operation unit 100 and the processing unit 20.
0, a display unit 500, an information storage medium 300, and a temporary storage unit 400.

The operation unit 100 is a functional unit corresponding to the controllers 1202 and 1204 shown in FIG.
This is for giving an instruction to cancel, inputting selection items on a selection screen, and the like. Note that the operation unit 100 can be realized by operation devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, a control panel, and a joystick in addition to the controllers 1202 and 1204 shown in FIG.

The processing unit 200 performs various processes such as control of the entire system, instruction of instructions to each block in the system, game processing, image processing, sound processing, and the like. , DSP, etc.) or ASIC (gate array, etc.) or a given program. The processing unit 200 mainly includes a game calculation unit 220 and an image generation unit 240.

The game calculation section 220 performs a game progress process, a selection screen setting process, a process of determining the position and orientation of each object in the virtual space, a position (coordinates) of the viewpoint 10, a gaze direction, and the like. Various game processes, such as a process for determining the game information, are executed based on an operation signal input from the operation unit 100, the game information 320 stored in the information storage medium 300, and the like. Further, the game calculation section 220 includes a terrain control section 222 and a virtual body arrangement section 224 for executing the processing according to the present invention.

The terrain control unit 222 controls the information storage medium 300
Is a functional unit that determines the terrain data 330 of the range related to the viewpoint 10 (and the line of sight) among the terrain data 330 stored in the. That is, the topography control unit 222, the game calculation section 220 of the viewpoint 10 in the virtual space coordinates _{(X V, Y V, Z} V) When the line of sight vector is determined,
The maximum drawing range 54 (FIG. 5) centered on the horizontal position (X _V , 0, Z _V ) of the viewpoint 10 from among all the terrain data 330
(A) is read and output to the image generation unit 240 as a terrain model. Terrain control unit 2
22 executes a process of determining the arrangement position of the ripple model 90 and outputting it to the image generation unit 240. That is, when the coordinates of the viewpoint 10 in the virtual space are determined, the ripple model 90
_Is set to the horizontal position (X _V , 0, Z _V ) of the viewpoint 10.

The terrain data 330 stored in the information storage medium 300 stores vertex coordinate information of each polygon for forming a terrain model such as a land or sea surface in a virtual space. More specifically, local coordinates of each vertex constituting the terrain model are stored, and the local coordinate system and the coordinates in the virtual space (world coordinate system) are stored in association with each other. In addition, color information of each polygon constituting the terrain model, texture information to be mapped to each polygon, information of a color combination rate α, and the like are stored in association with each vertex.

The virtual body arrangement section 224 is provided for the game operation section 22.
When the coordinate data (X _V , Y _V , Z _V ) of the viewpoint 10 is input from 0, a process for determining the arrangement position of the virtual body 40 is executed. That is, a high degree Y _V viewpoint 10 calculates the height h is substituted into equation (3), determining the coordinates (X _V, h, Z _V) in the world coordinate system of the representative point O _S hypotheses 40 I do.
Also, a ray vector (X _OPT , Y _OPT ,
By arranging the x-axis of the virtual body 40 so as to face the horizontal component of Z _OPT ), the arrangement position and the direction of the virtual body 40 are determined. Then, the coordinates and direction of the determined representative point of the virtual body 40 are output to the image generation unit 240.

The image generation unit 240 includes a game calculation unit 220
A process of generating a game image based on an instruction signal input from the CPU and various coordinate data.
It is configured by hardware such as a U, a DSP, an IC dedicated to image generation, and a memory. Specifically, the image generation unit 24
0 denotes a process of determining a view volume (that is, a drawing range) by executing forward and backward clipping, a geometry process such as a coordinate conversion process based on the viewpoint 10 for each polygon, and a rendering such as a color interpolation process and a hidden surface removal process. By executing the processing, a game image is generated. Then, the display unit 500 displays the generated game image.
Note that the generated image is temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 400, and is output to the display unit 500 and displayed according to the display timing. The image generation unit 240 includes a color determination unit 242, a fog processing unit 244, a drawing unit 246,
including.

The color determining unit 242 mainly performs processing for changing the color of each specific point of the virtual body 40 according to the height Y _V of the viewpoint 10, and changes the color of the virtual body 40 included in the drawing range based on the viewpoint 10. Execute a process to determine. That is, when the coordinate data (X _V , Y _V , Z _V ) of the viewpoint 10 is input from the game calculation unit 220, the color determination unit 242 reads the specific point table 328 stored in the information storage medium 300,
Based on the equations (1), (6) and (7), the lowest point 44
And the colors of the specific points P _2A , P _2B , and P _{3 at} the intermediate points.

Further, the color determining section 242 controls the information storage medium 3
Based on the virtual body model data 326 stored in the virtual body 40 and the coordinates of the representative point of the virtual body 40 in the virtual space, the coordinates of the vertices (coordinates in the world coordinate system) of each polygon constituting the virtual body 40 are determined. , Each polygon and each vertex related to the drawing range are determined. Then, the determined color of each vertex is determined based on the color information determined for the specific point. Further, the color in each polygon is calculated based on the color of each vertex and output to the drawing unit 246.

The fog processing section 244 is a functional section that performs fog processing on an object existing within the drawing range according to the distance from the viewpoint 10. In other words, by geometry processing,
When the coordinate transformation based on the viewpoint 10 is performed, and the distance to the viewpoint 10 is larger than the fog start distance D _FN and smaller than the fog limit distance D _FF , the fog according to the formula (1) is calculated for the object. Execute the process. Incidentally, fog processing unit 244, the fog color C _F, determined according to the direction of the vector with respect to the object from the view point 10. For example, when the sea exists on the extension line of the vector from the viewpoint to the object, the color of the intersection between the line-of-sight vector and the virtual body 40 is determined as the fog color. Alternatively, the upper bottom circumference 42
The color information given to the specific point set above may be set as the color of the fog on the sea. If the extension line of the vector with respect to the object intersects the land, a fog color equivalent to the land color is set. Further, when the vector for the object points to the sky, the color of the sky is set as the fog color.

The drawing section 246 performs a process of drawing an object existing within the drawing range. That is, the image generation unit 240 performs a geometry process, determines coordinates on the drawing screen (that is, a two-dimensional coordinate system), and determines color information according to the positional relationship with the viewpoint 10 and the light source. A process of sequentially storing the color information of the object in the frame buffer 420 in the temporary storage unit 400 is executed. However, when drawing each object, the drawing unit 246 sorts each object according to the depth from the viewpoint 10 and draws the objects in order from the object located farther from the viewpoint 10. At this time, for an object (polygon) that does not have the color composition ratio α, the color of the object is stored in the frame buffer 420, excluding the previously drawn color. On the other hand, for an object for which the combination rate α is set, the color information previously drawn in the frame buffer 420 and the color information of the object are combined and stored in the frame buffer 420.

Further, when generating an image of one frame, the drawing unit 246 always stores new color information after resetting the data in the frame buffer 420. At this time, the drawing unit 246 draws the virtual body 40 in the first frame buffer 420. Next, Ren model 90
And then start drawing the terrain model. That is, the virtual model 40 is drawn in the frame buffer 420, the ripple model 90 is drawn, and the terrain model is drawn thereon. Therefore, of the terrain models,
The land portion is overwritten with the color information of the virtual body 40 and the ripple model 90, while the sea surface portion is α-combined with the color information of the virtual body 40 and the ripple model 90.

The information storage medium 300 is for storing a program for driving the game apparatus, a program for executing the game, and data.
M, game cassette, IC card, MO, FD, DV
D, a memory, a hard disk or other hardware. Note that the information storage medium 300 mainly stores game information 320 for executing a given game.
The game information 320 includes the game calculation program 3
22 and an image generation program 324. Furthermore,
The game information 320 includes virtual body model data 326 storing model information of the virtual body 40 (such as local coordinate data of each polygon), a specific point table 328, and terrain data 3
30 and the like are stored.

The game operation program 322 includes
The game scenario, polygon model information of each object, information for determining the operation of each object (own fighter, enemy fighter, etc.) related to the operation signal from the controller, and the viewpoint 10 according to the progress of the flight fighting game Information to determine the location,
Information related to the progress of the game, such as information for calculating the score of the player related to the progress of the game, is included. Furthermore, the game calculation program 322 includes information for determining the height of the virtual body 40 according to the altitude of the viewpoint 10, information for determining the orientation of the virtual body 40, and the like. Further, the image generation program 324 includes information necessary for executing a geometry process and a rendering process, and a program for expressing the sea surface. That is, the image generation program 324 includes information for determining the color of the specific point based on the height of the viewpoint 10, the virtual body 40, the ripple model,
Information for determining the order in which the terrain model and the like are drawn is included.

Temporary storage section 400 stores calculation results executed by processing section 200 according to various programs stored in information storage medium 300, information input from operation section 100,
A memory area for temporarily storing an image result or the like generated by the image generation unit 240, such as a RAM or a VRA
It is realized by hardware such as M. Further, temporary storage section 400 includes a frame buffer 420. The frame buffer 420 is a storage memory for storing color information for each pixel when displaying an image on the display unit 500. Display unit 500 is a functional unit that displays image data stored in frame buffer 420 in temporary storage unit 400 on a display screen in accordance with an instruction input from processing unit 200.

Next, the processing according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. That is, processing when a terrain model is included in the drawing range based on the viewpoint 10 will be described. The following process is executed for each frame. According to FIG. 16, the game calculation unit 220 determines the coordinates of the viewpoint 10 according to an input instruction from the operation unit 100 or the game information 320 (step S1). Next, the virtual body placement unit 224
Determines the orientation of the virtual body 40 based on the coordinates of the viewpoint 10 determined by the game calculation unit 220 and the position of the light source in the virtual space (step S2). Further, the virtual body placement unit 224 determines the height h of the virtual body 40 based on the height Y _V of the viewpoint 10 and the fog limit distance D _FF (Step S3).

When the coordinates of the viewpoint 10 in the virtual space are determined in step S1, the color determination unit 242 determines the color of each specific point according to the height Y _V of the viewpoint 10 (step S1).
4) Further, the color of the virtual body 40 is determined based on the color of the specific point (step S5). Then, the determined color information of the virtual body 40 is output to the drawing unit 246. Drawing unit 246
First draws the color of the virtual object 40 input from the color determination unit 242 in the frame buffer 420 (step S
6). Next, the drawing unit 246 draws a ripple model based on the coordinate data input from the terrain control unit 222 (Step S7). Then, when the drawing of the ripple model is completed, the terrain model is drawn (step S8), and this processing ends.

Next, an example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
In the device shown in FIG.
2, RAM 1004, information storage medium 1006, sound generation I
C1008, image generation IC 1010, VRAM 101
2. I / O ports 1014 and 1016 are connected to each other by a system bus 1018 so that data can be input and output therebetween. The image generation IC 1010 includes the display device 10
22 is connected to the sound generation IC 1008 and the speaker 1
020 is connected, the control device 1024 is connected to the I / O port 1014, and the I / O port 1016
Is connected to a communication device 1026.

The information storage medium 1006 corresponds to the information storage medium 300 in the functional block shown in FIG. 15, and mainly stores programs, image data for expressing a display object, sound data, play data, and the like. Things. For example, in the home game device 1210 shown in FIG. 1, a CD is used as an information storage medium for storing game information and the like.
-A ROM, a game cassette, a DVD, or the like is used, and a memory card or the like is used as an information storage medium for storing play data. When the present invention is applied to an arcade game device, a memory such as a ROM or a hard disk is used. In this case, the information storage medium 1006 is
It becomes the ROM 1002. In a personal computer, a memory such as a CD-ROM, a DVD, and a ROM, and a hard disk are used.

The control device 1024 corresponds to the game controllers 1202 and 1204, the operation panel, and the like shown in FIG. 1, and is a device for the user to input the result of the determination made in accordance with the progress of the game to the main body of the device. is there.

The program stored in the information storage medium 1006, the system program (initialization information of the apparatus main body) stored in the ROM 1002, the control apparatus 102
CPU 1000 according to a signal or the like input by
Performs control of the entire apparatus and various data processing. RAM1
A storage unit 004 is used as a work area or the like of the CPU 1000, and includes an information storage medium 1006 and a ROM.
The given contents of the field 1002 or the operation result of the CPU 1000 are stored. Also, the VRAM 1012 is
And the frame buffer 420 shown in FIG.
This is storage means for storing color information for each pixel, and requires a storage capacity corresponding to the resolution of the display device 1022.

Further, this type of device includes a sound generation IC 10
08 and an image generation IC 1010 are provided so that game sounds and game images can be suitably output. The sound generation IC 1008 includes the information storage medium 1006 and the R
This is an integrated circuit that generates game sounds such as sound effects and background music based on information stored in the OM 1002, and the generated game sounds are output by the speaker 1020. The image generation IC 1010 is a VRAM
Display device 10 based on the image information stored in 1012
22 is an integrated circuit that generates pixel information to be output to the P.22. That is, the image generation IC 1010 includes the VRAM 10
12 is converted into a display signal and output to the display device 1022. The display device 1022 has a CR
It is realized by T, LCD, TV, plasma display, projector and the like.

The communication device 1026 exchanges various types of information used inside the game device with the outside. The communication device 1026 is connected to another game device to transmit / receive given information corresponding to the game information. It is used for transmitting and receiving information such as game information via a communication line.

The various processes described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 15 include an information storage medium 1006 storing a program for performing the processes shown in the flowchart of FIG. 16, a CPU 1000 operating according to the program, and I
C1010, a sound generation IC 1008, and the like. Note that the image generation IC 1010 and the sound generation IC 1008
The processing performed by the CPU 1000 or the general-purpose D
This may be performed by software using an SP or the like.

The present invention may be applied not only to the home game apparatus 1210 shown in FIG. 1 but also to any other form of game apparatus. For example, FIG. 18 illustrates a host device 1300 and terminals 1304-1 to 1304-1 connected to the host device 1300 via a communication line 1302.
An example in which the present embodiment is applied to a game device including the game device 04-n will be described.

In the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 18, the game information 320 and the like stored in the information storage medium 300 shown in FIG. 15 are stored in, for example, a magnetic disk device, a magnetic tape device, Information storage medium 1
306. Also, the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-1
When the CPU 304-n has a CPU, an image generation IC, and a sound generation IC and can generate a game image and a game sound in a stand-alone manner, the host device 1300 generates a game image and a game sound. Is transmitted to the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n. On the other hand, if it cannot be generated standalone,
The host device 1300 generates a game image and a game sound,
This is transmitted to the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n and output at the terminals.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 19, the present embodiment may be applied to an arcade game device 600. In this arcade game device 600, the player has a speaker 606.
By operating the operation button 604 while listening to the sound output from the player, the user operates the own fighter displayed on the display 602 to enjoy a given game. A CPU, an image generation IC, a sound generation IC, and the like are mounted on a system board 608 incorporated in the arcade game device 600. The game information 320 and the like are stored in a memory 610 which is an information storage medium on the system board 608.

The present invention is not limited to those described in the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made. For example, those in the present embodiment, a position separated fog extreme distance D _FF coordinates of the viewpoint 10 from position on the parallel projection the surface along a Y axis and the maximum drawing range 54, comprising the position and position of the horizon It was explained as. However, the position of the horizon need not be limited to this position, and a more likely position of the horizon may be determined by another means.

FIG. 20 shows virtual object 4 in the present embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a side portion for determining the color of the sea from the position of the horizontal line to the maximum drawing position is combined with 0.
According to the figure, the horizontal position O (X _V ,
The position of the distance _DH from 0, Z _V ) is defined as the position 702 of the horizontal line, and the color of the sea from the horizontal line position 702 to the maximum drawing circle 52 is expressed by the side 700. In this way, by setting the position of the horizontal line independently of the maximum drawing range 54 and supplementing the color from the maximum drawing circle 52 to the set horizontal line position 702 by the side part 700, the horizontal line is always set at a likely position. Can be expressed.

In the present embodiment, the virtual body 40 is
Although described as having a hemispherical shape, it is necessary to limit it to this.
It is not necessary, and for example, the following changes are possible. Figure
21 shows an example in which a virtual body is configured by a sphere 710
It is a figure and is a figure showing the section of spherical virtual object 710. same
According to the figure, the horizontal position O of the coordinates of the viewpoint 10 and the fog pole
Limit distance D_FFThe range up to the o ′ point of the spherical virtual body 710
D_FFDetermined by the color of the range up to the point, from the viewpoint 10
Is the fog limit distance D_FFFrom horizontal line position 702 (distance
Release D_H), The spherical virtual body d_FFPoint or
D_HDetermined by the color of the range up to the point. However, this
When a spherical virtual body is adopted as shown in FIG.
At the intersection of the line connecting the fog limit distance with the virtual body
Point P_1A, P_1BMust always be changed to
You. Similarly, the specific point P _2A, P_2BAbout the bottom
P at point 44_ThreeAnd the specific point P_1A, P_1BChange to the midpoint of
You.

Alternatively, the virtual body may have a planar shape. FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the virtual body is configured by a plane, and FIG.
(B) shows an example in which the virtual body 740 is defined to have a size and shape equivalent to the square area 720 that covers the maximum drawing area 54 and a virtual body 740 defined to have a size proportional to the square area 720 that covers the maximum drawing area 54. FIG. When the virtual body is set in a plane as described above, a texture in which the color distribution is defined in advance may be mapped on the virtual body. Then, by sequentially synthesizing the base colors to be fog in accordance with the height Y _V of the viewpoint 10, it is possible to express the color of the sea or lake gradually so as to become invisible. However, when a planar virtual body is adopted, a circumference 742 corresponding to the maximum drawing circumference 52 on the square range 720 is defined on the virtual body 740 as shown in FIG. The virtual body 740 is arranged so that a straight line 750 connecting to the maximum drawing circumference 52 intersects the defined circumference 742. Also, define a reference direction,
Virtual body 7 so that the defined direction always faces the light source direction.
It is good to rotate and arrange 40.

The order of drawing described in the present embodiment is the same regardless of the shape of the virtual body. That is, the drawing order is such that, after drawing the virtual body, drawing the ripple model,
Draw a terrain model.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the ripple model 90 has the same size and shape as the maximum drawing range 54, and moves following the movement of the viewpoint 10. explained. However, when the ripple model 90 is made to follow the movement of the viewpoint 10 in this manner, the waves are always the same regardless of the sea surface in any direction, and there is a possibility that the player viewing the image may feel uncomfortable. Therefore, the ripple model is not limited to the maximum drawing range, but is defined for the entire terrain. When the ground surface 50 is drawn, it is also possible to read and draw a ripple model in a range related to the horizontal position of the viewpoint 10 regardless of the presence or absence of the sea surface included in the terrain model.

Also, it has been described that the color of the specific point set on the upper base is combined with the color of the specific point defined on the virtual body according to the altitude of the viewpoint 10. However, it is not always necessary to approach the color of the upper bottom, and a separate color
May be combined with the color of each specific point according to the height of the image. Furthermore,
In the present embodiment, the color of each specific point is determined with reference to one type of specific point table 328.
Advanced Y _V and the horizontal position O of the viewpoint 10, with changes in such viewing direction, may modify certain point table to be referred. That is, a plurality of specific point tables are prepared in advance, and the specific point tables to be sequentially adopted are determined according to the position of the viewpoint 10 in the virtual space and the line-of-sight direction. When a plurality of specific point tables are used, the color information stored in two or more specific point tables is determined based on the positional relationship with the viewpoint 10 so that the color of each specific point does not suddenly change. It is good also as combining and adopting.

Further, in the present embodiment, when expressing shallows, coral reefs, and the depth of the seabed of an island, a translucent polygon for expressing the sea surface is provided with a color for the shallows, whereby Has been described as expressing the high and low. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a shallow water object for expressing a shallow water or coral reef may be arranged below a translucent polygon serving as the sea surface. Then, the shallow object is drawn after drawing the virtual body and before drawing the terrain model. At this time, an α value (that is, a color composition ratio) is set for the shallows object, and is set so that when the shallows object is drawn, it is always combined with the color of the virtual body already drawn. Here, the shallows object may be a realistic model defined by a three-dimensional coordinate system similar to a mountain or land terrain model,
It may be a simple planar object. However, when expressing shallow water with planar objects,
The surface of the shallows object is shaded and shaded to give a three-dimensional appearance. Further, the value of the composition ratio α may not be set uniformly for the shallow object, but may be changed according to the position in the shallow object.

FIG. 23 shows a land portion 762 and a sea surface portion 764.
FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating a cross section of a terrain model 760 including a terrain model 760, and illustrates an example in which a shallow water object 770 is arranged. As shown in FIG.
0 is located below the vicinity of the boundary between the land portion 762 and the sea surface portion 764. At this time, if the α value is set so as to increase from the land direction of the shallows object 770 to the offshore direction of the sea, the expression is such that the shallows object 770 gradually blends into the color of the sea from the land to the offshore to become invisible. can do. Therefore, it is possible to express a state in which the bottom of the sea gradually deepens and reaches the deep sea.

Alternatively, shallow objects having different α values may be arranged in multiple layers. FIG.
FIG. 47 is a diagram schematically illustrating a cross section of a terrain model 760 including a sea surface portion 764 and a shallow water object 770.
This shows an example in which -1 to -3 are displayed in three layers. According to the drawing, three shallow objects 7701-
3 are staggered from land to offshore. At this time, the lowermost shallows object 770-3
If the composition rate α of the uppermost shallows object 770-1 is relatively low and the composition rate α of the uppermost shallows object 770-1 is relatively low, and it is located most offshore, the bottom of the sea will be stepped. Can be expressed to be deeper. In addition, when the shallow objects are arranged in layers as described above, the topography of the seabed looks different depending on the height and direction in which the shallows are viewed, so that the seabed can be represented more three-dimensionally and more realistically.

In this embodiment, a case has been described where the color of a wide surface of water such as the sea is represented by using a virtual body. May be expressed by the present invention. In other words, the water surface can be easily expressed by setting the semi-transparent polygon for the land portion of the terrain model (that is, for a position that is not on the ground surface 50). If the height of the water surface, such as a terraced rice field or a lake, is different for each water surface, the arrangement position of the virtual body may be sequentially changed according to the height of each water surface and the height of the viewpoint, May be represented by one virtual body. In addition, when expressing a river or the like, the water surface of the river does not necessarily have to be horizontal, and even if the water surface is a slope, application of the present invention is not hindered.

Further, the application of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned flying battle game, and may be a fighting action game as long as it is a game in which a water place appears.
It may be applied to games such as RPG and racing games. Alternatively, the present invention may be applied to a simulation device such as a flight simulator.

[0118]

According to the present invention, when expressing the surface of the earth in a virtual space, a portion to be a water surface is represented by a semi-transparent polygon (transmissive body). On the other hand, the colors of water such as the sea and lake are defined in the virtual body. Then, after drawing the virtual body, the terrain model including the water surface and the like is drawn. In other words, the color of the previously drawn virtual body is synthesized and remains only in the water surface portion formed by the translucent polygon. At this time, the virtual body is set to be substantially hemispherical, a bright color is arranged on the edge of the hemisphere, and a dark color is arranged on the top of the hemisphere,
Because the top of the head was placed vertically below the viewpoint, the color of the water surface near the viewpoint was always dark,
The color of the water surface becomes brighter as the distance from the viewpoint increases.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example in which the present invention is applied to a home game device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a drawing range.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a change in the appearance of a water surface due to a change in a viewpoint position and a line-of-sight direction.

FIG. 4A is a diagram of a virtual body viewed from obliquely above. (B) is a side view of the virtual body. (C) is a plan view of the virtual body.

FIG. 5A is a diagram viewed from an oblique direction of a virtual space, and is a diagram illustrating an example of an arrangement of a virtual body; (B) is (a)
It is sectional drawing of the virtual body shown in FIG.

FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating an example of the arrangement of virtual bodies when the position of a viewpoint is relatively low. (B) is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of a virtual body when the position of a viewpoint is comparatively high.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a virtual body is arranged in a light beam direction.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting a specific point.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a specific point table.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a process of determining a color of an arbitrary vertex v.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example in which an object existing immediately below a viewpoint is subjected to fog processing.

FIG. 12 is a graph showing a change in color of a specific point at the lowest point according to the height of the viewpoint.

FIG. 13 is an example of an image expressing a shallow water.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of arranging a ripple model.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional block.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for describing processing in the present embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing the present embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the present embodiment is applied to a game terminal connected to a host device via a communication line.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a case where the present invention is applied to an arcade game device.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example in which a virtual body according to the present embodiment is combined with a side portion for determining a color up to a horizontal line.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a virtual body is represented by a spherical object.

FIG. 22A is a diagram illustrating an example in which a virtual body is configured by a plane congruent with a square range including a maximum drawing range. (B) is a figure which shows an example which comprised the virtual body with the plane proportional to a square range.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example in which objects for shallow water are arranged in a virtual space.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example in which shallow objects are arranged in layers in a virtual space.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 operation unit 200 processing unit 220 game calculation unit 222 terrain control unit 224 virtual body placement unit 240 image generation unit 242 color determination unit 244 fog processing unit 246 drawing unit 300 information storage medium 320 game information 322 game calculation program 324 image generation program 326 Virtual body model data 328 Specific point table 330 Topographic data 400 Temporary storage unit 420 Frame buffer 300 Display unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C001 AA06 BA02 BA05 BB01 BC02 BC03 BC04 BC06 CA02 CB01 CB03 CC01 CC08 5B050 BA07 BA08 BA09 BA11 EA19 EA29 FA02

Claims (16)

[Claims] Claims 1. Game information for causing a device to generate an image of a virtual space based on a given viewpoint and to execute a given game by calculation and control by a processor, comprising: a given horizontal plane Setting means for setting a virtual body in the virtual space; transmitting body arranging means for arranging a substantially plate-shaped transparent body on the given horizontal plane; and a virtual body for arranging a virtual body having given color information in the virtual space. Arranging means, when drawing the transparent body, if a straight line connecting the given viewpoint and a given point of the virtual body intersects with the transparent body, color information of the transparent body and the Drawing means for combining the color information of the virtual body and drawing the transparent body; and game information including information for causing the apparatus to function as: 2. The game information according to claim 1, wherein the setting means includes information for setting a water surface included in the virtual space to the given horizontal surface. 3. The game according to claim 2, wherein, when an object exists under the water surface, the transparent body arranging means includes information for including color information of the object in the color information of the transparent body. information. 4. The virtual body according to claim 1, wherein the virtual body has a predetermined shape, and the virtual body arranging means arranges the virtual body in the virtual space so as to follow the given viewpoint. Game information including information to play. 5. The virtual body according to claim 4, wherein information for causing the device to function as a means for setting a ground surface drawing range in the virtual space, and wherein the virtual body arranging means includes an edge of the virtual body and the given object. Information for arranging the virtual body such that a straight line passing through the viewpoint intersects near the edge of the ground surface drawing range, and the setting unit sets the given horizontal plane within the ground surface drawing range. And game information, including. 6. The game information according to claim 1, wherein the virtual body arranging means includes information for arranging a reference direction of the virtual body in a given direction in the virtual space. . 7. The game information according to claim 6, wherein the virtual body arranging means includes information for setting a direction of a light source in the virtual space to the given direction. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a color determination unit that determines color information of the virtual body according to an altitude of the given viewpoint in the virtual space is provided in the apparatus. Game information including information for causing the game to be performed. 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the color determination means sets a specific point and color information of the specific point in the virtual body, and at least according to the altitude of the given viewpoint.
A specific point setting unit that changes color information of the specific point,
Game information including information for determining color information at a given position in the virtual body based on the color information of the specific point set by the specific point setting means. 10. The specific point setting unit according to claim 9, wherein the specific point setting means sets a plurality of specific points in the virtual body, and sets color information of at least one specific point among the plurality of specific points and another specific point. Game information including information for blending the color information of the specific viewpoint with the color information of the specific viewpoint and setting the blended color information as the color information of the other specific point. 11. The specific point setting means according to claim 10, wherein, as the altitude of the given viewpoint increases, the color information of the other specific point approaches the color information of the one specific point. Game information including information for performing the blending. 12. The game information according to claim 10, wherein the specific point setting means includes information for setting color information of fog as the color information of the one specific point. 13. Game information for causing a device to generate an image of a virtual space including a water surface viewed from a given viewpoint and to execute a given game by calculation and control by a processor, Game information including information for causing the device to function to change a color of the water surface based on a distance from a horizontal position of the given viewpoint in the virtual space. 14. An image of a virtual space based on a given viewpoint is generated for an apparatus having an image memory for storing color information related to a display image by calculation and control by a processor. By drawing the color information in the image memory, it is game information for executing a given game, and after drawing the given color information in the image memory, The color information is drawn in the image memory. At this time, when the image of the virtual space includes a water place such as a lake, a river, or a sea, the color information related to the water place is drawn in the already drawn color. Game information including information for causing the device to function as a unit for drawing by combining with information. 15. An information storage medium for storing the game information according to claim 1. 16. A game apparatus for generating an image of a virtual space based on a given viewpoint and executing a given game, comprising: setting means for setting a given horizontal plane in said virtual space; A transparent body arranging means for arranging a transparent body on the given horizontal plane; a virtual body arranging means for arranging a virtual body having given color information in the virtual space; and A color determining unit that determines color information of the virtual body according to the height of the viewpoint; and a line connecting the given viewpoint and a given point of the virtual body when drawing the transparent body. A game device comprising: a drawing unit configured to draw the transparent body by combining the color information of the transparent body and the color information of the virtual body when intersecting with the transparent body.