JP2003275461A - Game system and information storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game system and an information storage medium capable of producing replay images for a long duration by suppressing a volume of replay data to be stored. <P>SOLUTION: Animation numbers of objects to be animated, IDs of generated and eliminated bullets and effects, and IDs of map objects of replacement origins and replacement targets are stored as the replay data, and a replay process is carried out on the basis of the stored animation numbers and IDs. Storage is omitted regarding replay data of objects outside a given range from an object operated by a player. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a game system and an information storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a game system in which a user can enjoy a shooting game, a sports game, a fighting game, etc. while watching a game image displayed on a screen. Such a game system is usually provided with a function called a replay function, and by using this replay function, the player can view his or her game play from a different point of view after the game is finished. You will be able to see it at.

To implement such a replay function, it is necessary to store replay data for generating a replay image in a replay data storage section (replay buffer) in the game system. Such replay data storage methods are roughly classified into the following two methods.

That is, in the first method, the history of operation data (key data) input by the player using the game controller (operation unit) is stored in the replay data storage unit as replay data. Then, in the replay processing, the same processing as in the game is performed based on the history of these operation data to reconstruct the game scene and generate the replay image.

However, in the first method, it is necessary to trace the entire history of operation data from the start of the game during the replay processing. Therefore, it is difficult to generate a replay image from the middle of the game.

On the other hand, the second technique is, for example, the conventional technique disclosed in International Publication No. WO96 / 00601. In the second method, three-dimensional position (coordinate) data and angle (direction) data of the object are stored in the replay data storage unit. Then, in the replay processing, the replay image is generated by displaying the object at the position and the angle specified by the position data and the angle data.

However, in the second method, it is necessary to store the position data and the angle data, which have a larger data amount than the operation data, in the replay data storage section. Therefore, the used storage capacity of the replay data storage section becomes very large, and the storage capacity required for other processing is squeezed. Further, since only a few seconds of replay data can be stored in the replay data storage unit, there is a problem that it is impossible to generate a replay image for a long time.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to suppress the amount of replay data to be stored and to generate a replay image for a long time. To provide a system and an information storage medium.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is a game system for generating a game image, wherein the number of bits of position data or angle data of an object is reduced, and the number of bits is reduced. Based on the position data or the angle data stored by reducing the number of bits and the means for writing and storing the position data or the angle data with the reduced number as replay data. And means for performing replay processing of the object whose position or angle is specified by. An information storage medium according to the present invention is an information storage medium that can be used by a computer and is characterized by including information (program) for realizing (executing) the above means. Further, the program according to the present invention is a program that can be used by a computer and is a program for realizing (executing) the above means.

According to the present invention, the bit number of the position (coordinate) data or the angle (direction) data of the object is reduced (compressed) and stored in the replay data storage means.
Then, the replay processing is performed based on the position data or the angle data in which the number of bits is reduced, and the replay image is generated. Therefore, the used storage capacity of the replay data storage means can be remarkably saved, and the replay image can be generated for a long time. Even if the replay process is performed based on the position data or the angle data with the number of bits thus reduced, the player (operator) is unlikely to notice. On the other hand, since the position data or angle data used in the game can be set to the normal number of bits, it prevents the numerical calculation performed in the game from collapsing and the object to move unnaturally. it can.

Further, the game system, the information storage medium and the program according to the present invention are characterized in that the reduced bit number of the angle data is made smaller than the reduced bit number of the position data. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the situation in which the image quality of the replay image is deteriorated due to an unnatural change in the direction of the object while saving the used storage capacity of the replay data storage means.

Further, the present invention is a game system for generating a game image, wherein element data changed from a previous frame among element data to be stored as replay data is replay data storage means as replay data. And a means for performing replay processing for generating a replay image based on the element data stored as the replay data. An information storage medium according to the present invention is an information storage medium that can be used by a computer and is characterized by including information (program) for realizing (executing) the above means. Further, the program according to the present invention is a program that can be used by a computer and is a program for realizing (executing) the above means.

According to the present invention, the element data is stored in the replay data storage means on condition that the frame has changed from the previous frame. Therefore, it is possible to prevent unnecessary element data from being stored in the replay data storage means when the value of the element data has not changed for a long time. As a result, the used storage capacity of the replay data storage means can be significantly reduced.

Further, in the game system, the information storage medium and the program according to the present invention, the element data stored as replay data on condition that the frame has changed from the previous frame includes object position data, object angle data, and object data. At least one of the model number, the animation number in the animation processing of the object, and the display / non-display flag of the object. However, the element data stored as the replay data on condition that the data has changed from the previous frame is particularly preferably these data, but is not limited to these data.

The present invention is also a game system for generating a game image, wherein the animation number of an object to be animated during the game is written and stored as replay data in the replay data storage means, and the replay data. And means for performing a replay process for an object to be animated during the game, based on the animation number stored as. An information storage medium according to the present invention is an information storage medium that can be used by a computer and is characterized by including information (program) for realizing (executing) the above means. Further, the program according to the present invention is a program that can be used by a computer and is a program for realizing (executing) the above means.

According to the present invention, only by storing the animation number and the like in the replay data storage means, it is possible to realize the replay processing of the object to be animated during the game. This makes it possible to generate an appropriate replay image while saving the used storage capacity of the replay data storage means.

Further, the game system, the information storage medium and the program according to the present invention are characterized in that the animation number is stored in the replay data storage means as replay data on condition that the animation number has changed from the previous frame. By doing so, the data amount of the replay data can be further reduced.

Further, the present invention is a game system for generating a game image, wherein when an object occurs or disappears during a game, identification data for identifying the object that has occurred or disappeared is used as replay data. A replay data storage means for writing and storing, and a means for performing a replay process for automatically operating or changing an object specified by the identification data stored as the replay data according to a given algorithm. And An information storage medium according to the present invention is an information storage medium that can be used by a computer and is characterized by including information (program) for realizing (executing) the above means. Further, the program according to the present invention is a program that can be used by a computer and is a program for realizing (executing) the above means.

According to the present invention, the object specified by the identification data stored in the replay data storage means is used at the time of replay by a given algorithm (for example, in the action or change of the object in the game). According to the same algorithm), it automatically moves (moves, rotates, reproduces a motion, etc.) or changes. Therefore, an image similar to that during the game can be generated as a replay image while suppressing the storage capacity used by the replay data storage means.

Further, in the game system, the information storage medium and the program according to the present invention, when an object occurs during a game, position data, angle data or velocity data of the object at the time of occurrence is used as replay data storage means as replay data. Is stored in. By doing so, it is possible to generate replay images for various objects such as bullets and effects.

Further, the present invention is a game system for generating a game image, and when the first object is replaced with the second object during the game, the first object to be replaced is specified. Means for writing and storing the first identification data for specifying and the second identification data for specifying the second object to be replaced as replay data in the replay data storage means, and the first stored as the replay data, Means for performing a replay process for replacing the first object with the second object after the second object is returned to the first object based on the second identification data. An information storage medium according to the present invention is an information storage medium that can be used by a computer and is characterized by including information (program) for realizing (executing) the above means. Further, the program according to the present invention is a program that can be used by a computer and is a program for realizing (executing) the above means.

According to the present invention, when the first object is replaced with the second object in the game, the second object of the replacement destination is returned to the first object of the replacement source and then the first object is replaced. It becomes possible to generate an appropriate replay image in which the object is replaced with the second object.

Further, the present invention is a game system for generating a game image, wherein a packet necessary for the replay processing of the frame is determined from among the packets used for the replay processing, and it is determined that it is necessary. The replay data storage means for writing and storing the stored packet as replay data corresponding to the frame, and means for performing replay processing for generating a replay image based on the stored replay data packet. It is characterized by Further, the information storage medium according to the present invention,
An information storage medium usable by a computer,
Information (program) to realize (execute) the above means
It is characterized by including. Further, the program according to the present invention is a program that can be used by a computer and is a program for realizing (executing) the above means.

According to the present invention, the packets required for the replay processing of the frame are selected and stored in the replay data storage means, so that the replay data storage means can be used efficiently without waste. Also,
Even if the specification of the replay data is changed and it becomes necessary to store new replay data, this can be easily dealt with.

Further, the game system, the information storage medium and the program according to the present invention are the first for the first replay processing.
Packet for the second replay process,
.... The Nth packet for the Nth replay processing is prepared, and the classification data designating which of the 1st to Nth replay processing is used for each of the 1st to Nth packets It is added and stored in the replay data storage means. With this configuration, it is possible to appropriately sort the first to Nth packets for the first to Nth replay processing based on the classification data. As a result,
The packet writing process to the replay data storage unit and the packet reading process from the replay data storage unit can be simplified.

The present invention is also a game system for generating a game image, which is outside a given range specified by the position or direction of an object operated by the player or the viewpoint position or line-of-sight direction of the player. Regarding the replay data of the object, a means for writing and storing the replay data in the replay data storage means while omitting the storage thereof, and a means for performing a replay process for generating a replay image based on the stored replay data. It is characterized by including. An information storage medium according to the present invention is an information storage medium that can be used by a computer and is characterized by including information (program) for realizing (executing) the above means. Further, the program according to the present invention is a program that can be used by a computer and is a program for realizing (executing) the above means.

According to the present invention, replay data of an object outside a given range is omitted from storage, so that useless data that does not significantly affect the quality of the replay image is generated. It becomes possible to prevent the situation in which the replay data storage means is stored.

Further, the game system, the information storage medium and the program according to the present invention are characterized in that the replay data of a specific object is stored in the replay data storage means even when it is outside the given range. To do. This makes it possible to prevent a situation in which, for example, an object that should have newly occurred does not appear at all, or an object that should have disappeared appears again.

[0029]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following, a case where the present invention is applied to a shooting game will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to various games.

1. Configuration FIG. 1 shows an example of a block diagram of this embodiment. In the figure, in this embodiment, at least the processing unit 100 may be included (or the processing unit 100 and the storage unit 140, or the processing unit 100, the storage unit 140, and the information storage medium 150 may be included), and other blocks (For example, the operation unit 13
0, image generation unit 160, display unit 162, sound generation unit 17
0, sound output unit 172, communication unit 174, I / F unit 176,
The memory card 180, etc.) can be an arbitrary component.

Here, the processing unit 100 performs various processes such as control of the entire system, instruction of instructions to each block in the system, game calculation, etc., and its function is C
PU (CISC type, RISC type), DSP, or AS
It can be realized by hardware such as an IC (gate array or the like) or a given program (game program).

The operation unit 130 is for the player to input operation data, and its function can be realized by hardware such as a lever, a button, a cross key, and a housing.

The storage section 140 includes a processing section 100, an image generation section 160, a sound generation section 170, a communication section 174, and an I / F section 1.
A work area such as 76, whose function is RAM
It can be realized by hardware such as.

An information storage medium (storage medium usable by a computer) 150 stores information such as programs and data, and its function is that of an optical disc (C
D, DVD), magneto-optical disk (MO), magnetic disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, or semiconductor memory (ROM). The processing unit 100 performs various processes of the present invention (the present embodiment) based on the information stored in the information storage medium 150.
That is, in the information storage medium 150, various information (programs, data) for realizing (executing) the means of the present invention (this embodiment) (particularly the blocks included in the processing unit 100)
Is stored.

A part or all of the information stored in the information storage medium 150 is transferred to the storage section 140 when the system is powered on. The information storage medium 1
The information stored in 50 is a program code for performing the processing of the present invention, image information, sound information, display object shape information, table data, list data, player information,
It includes at least one of information for instructing processing of the present invention, information for performing processing in accordance with the instruction, and the like.

The image generation section 160 generates various images according to the instruction from the processing section 100 and the like, and the display section 162.
Output to the ASI for image generation.
It can be realized by hardware such as C, CPU, or DSP, a given program (image generation program), and image information.

The sound generation section 170 generates various sounds according to an instruction from the processing section 100 and outputs them to the sound output section 172. Its function is that of a sound generation ASIC,
It can be realized by hardware such as a CPU or a DSP, a given program (sound generation program), and sound information (waveform data, etc.).

The communication unit 174 performs various controls for communicating with an external device (for example, a host device or another game system), and its function is the communication AS.
It can be realized by hardware such as IC or CPU, or a given program (communication program).

Information for realizing the processing of the present invention (this embodiment) is distributed from the information storage medium of the host device (server) to the information storage medium 150 via the network and the communication unit 174. Good. Use of such an information storage medium of the host device (server) is also included in the scope of the present invention.

Further, a part or all of the functions of the processing unit 100 is controlled by the image generation unit 160, the sound generation unit 170, or the communication unit 1.
You may make it implement | achieve by the function of 74. Alternatively,
The image generation unit 160, the sound generation unit 170, or the communication unit 174.
Some or all of the functions of the above may be realized by the functions of the processing unit 100.

The I / F unit 176 exchanges information with a memory card (in a broad sense, a portable information storage device including a portable game machine) 180 according to an instruction from the processing unit 100. It functions as an interface, and its functions are a slot for inserting a memory card and a data write / read controller IC.
It can be realized by When information exchange with the memory card 180 is realized by wireless such as infrared rays, the function of the I / F unit 176 can be realized by hardware such as a semiconductor laser and an infrared sensor.

The processing section 100 includes a game calculation section 110.

Here, the game calculation unit 110 receives coins (price), sets various modes, advances the game, sets selection screens, positions and angles of objects (characters, moving bodies) (axis rotation). Rotation angle) processing, viewpoint position and line-of-sight angle processing, object motion playback, object placement in object space, hit check processing, game result (results, results) calculation processing, multiple Various game calculation processes such as a process for the player to play in the common game space or a game over process are performed based on operation data from the operation unit 130, data from the memory card 180, a game program, and the like.

The game calculation section 110 includes a replay data generation section 112, a packet processing section 114, and a replay processing section 1.
20 and a virtual camera processing unit 124.

Here, the replay data generator 112 is
A process of generating replay data (a candidate for replay data to be stored) stored in the replay data storage unit (replay buffer) 142 is performed. More specifically, a processing routine for controlling an object (character, moving object) operated by the player, a processing routine for controlling an object operated by the computer, and the like function as the replay data generating unit 112. That is, when the object is moved by the operation of the player or the computer, the position data and the angle (direction) of the object after the movement.
The data will be generated by the above processing routine. Then, the generated replay data is sent to the packet processing unit 11
4 will be input.

The packet processing unit 114 receives the replay data generated by the replay data generation unit 112 and writes necessary replay data in the packet format in the replay data storage unit 142 for storage.

More specifically, the packet processing unit 114
Includes a determination unit 116, a compression unit 117, an assembly unit 118, and a writing unit 119. Then, the determination unit 116 determines whether the replay data from the replay data generation unit 112 should be stored in the replay data storage unit 142. For example, compare the value of the element data of the replay data (position data, angle data, animation number, object display / non-display flag, model number, etc.) in the previous frame with the value in the previous frame, The element data of which the value has changed is stored in the replay data storage unit 142. As a general rule, replay data of an object (object outside the given range) that is a given distance away from the object operated by the player (or the viewpoint position of the player) should not be stored in the replay data storage unit 142. To do. However, the replay data regarding the newly generated object or the disappeared object is stored in the replay data storage unit 142 even if the object is separated from the object operated by the player by a predetermined distance.

The compression section 117 performs processing for compressing the replay data. More specifically, the number of bits of position data and angle data of the object in the game is reduced, and the position data and angle data with the reduced number of bits are stored in the replay data storage unit 142. In this case, the number of reduced bits (bit reduction rate) of the angle data is made smaller than the number of reduced bits of the position data. By doing so, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the direction of the object does not change smoothly in the replay image.

The assembling unit 118 performs a process of assembling a packet for replay data. That is, a header (packet length, classification data) is added to the data body compressed by reducing the number of bits, and a packet is assembled (processed).

The writing unit 119 stores the packet assembled by the assembling unit 118 in the replay data storage unit 14.
2 is written. That is, one or a plurality of packets required for the replay processing of the frame is written in the replay data storage unit 142 as the replay data corresponding to the frame.

The replay processing section 120 reads out the replay data stored in the replay data storage section 142 and performs various replay processing for generating a replay image. For example, based on the position data and the angle data stored with the reduced number of bits, the replay processing of the object whose position and angle are specified by the position data and the angle data is performed.

The replay processing unit 120 includes the reading unit 12
2. The processing unit 123 is included. Here, the reading unit 122
Performs a process of reading a packet of replay data from the replay data storage unit 142. Then, the processing unit 123
Performs the replay processing specified by the classification data included in the read packet of replay data.

The virtual camera processing section 124 performs various processes for the virtual camera.

For example, during the game, the position and angle (direction) of the virtual camera are controlled so as to follow the object that is moved by the player's operation. And
The image viewed from this virtual camera is generated by the image generation unit 160.

On the other hand, during replay, one virtual camera is randomly selected from a plurality of replay virtual cameras (virtual camera processing routine). Then, the position and angle of the selected virtual camera are controlled by a given algorithm, and the image viewed from this virtual camera is generated by the image generation unit 160.

In the game system of this embodiment,
Both single-player mode game play in which one player plays and multi-player mode game play in which a plurality of players play are possible.

When a plurality of players play,
The game images and game sounds to be provided to the plurality of players may be generated using one terminal, or may be generated using a plurality of terminals connected by a network (transmission line, communication line) or the like. Good.

2. Features of this Embodiment The first feature of this embodiment is position data in which the number of bits of position data or angle data (or velocity data) of an object in a game is reduced (compressed), and the number of bits is reduced. Alternatively, the angle data is stored as the replay data.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, during the game, the number of bits of the position data X, Y, Z of the object is all 32 bits. Also, angle data α,
The bit numbers of β and γ are all 14 bits (α, β, and γ are rotation angles around the X, Y, and Z axes, respectively). Therefore, during the game, the game image is displayed by the position data with 32-bit accuracy and the angle data with 14-bit accuracy.

In the present embodiment, the number of bits of these 32-bit position data and 14-bit angle data is reduced (rounded down, rounded off, etc.) to make 20-bit position data and 12-bit angle data, respectively. Then, the 20-bit position data and the 12-bit angle data are stored in the replay data storage unit.

Then, in the replay processing, these 20-bit position data and 12-bit angle data are read from the replay data storage unit and read out 20 times.
A replay image is generated based on the bit position data and the 12-bit angle data.

By doing so, the used storage capacity of the replay data storage section can be remarkably reduced.

That is, international publication number WO96 / 00601
In the conventional game system of, the number of bits of position data and angle data stored as replay data is
It was the same as the number of bits of position data and angle data in the game.

However, if the position data and the angle data are stored in the replay data storage unit with the same number of bits as in the game as described above, the used storage capacity of the replay data storage unit becomes very large and necessary for other processing. However, there is a problem in that the storage capacity is overwhelmed and the replay image cannot be generated for a long time.

Further, during the game, the position and angle of the object need to be numerically calculated in real time with high accuracy based on the operation data from the player. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the number of bits of the position data and angle data. There is. However, it has been found that such a high bit number is unnecessary in the replay processing. In this embodiment, paying attention to this point, the number of bits of position data and angle data used for replay processing is reduced.

That is, the position of the object in frame K-1 is PMK-1, velocity is VMK-1, acceleration is AMK-1, 1
Assuming that the frame time is Δt, the position PMK and speed VMK of the object in the frame K are calculated by the following equation (1),
Numerical calculation is performed as in (2).

PMK = PMK-1 + VMK-1 × Δt (1) VMK = VMK-1 + AMK-1 × Δt (2) In such numerical calculation, if the number of bits of position data and angle data is small, the object The movements of will be unnatural, and there will be problems such as failure in calculation.

However, in the replay processing, the numerical calculation as described above is not performed, and it is only necessary to display the object at the position and the angle specified by the position data and the angle data from the replay data storage section. Therefore, the number of bits of the position data and the angle data does not need to be as large as 32 bits and 14 bits.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the number of bits of position data and angle data obtained by numerical calculation in the game is reduced and stored in the replay data storage unit. By doing so, the used storage capacity of the replay data storage unit can be remarkably reduced, and the replay image can be generated for a long time. Then, if the number of bits is reduced in this way, the accuracy of the position data and the angle data of the object during replay becomes low, but such a decrease in accuracy is usually not noticeable to the player. No problem. Also, in the replay processing, unlike in the game, numerical calculation is not performed for that object, so there is no need to consider the problem of calculation failure.

In the present embodiment, the reduction bit number of position data is 32−20 = 12 bits, while
The reduction bit number of the angle data is 14-12 = 2 bits, and the reduction bit number of the angle data is smaller than the reduction bit number of the position data. The reason is that even if the number of reduction bits of position data is increased and the accuracy of position data is reduced, it is not so noticeable to the player, but if the number of reduction bits of angle data is increased and the accuracy of angle data is reduced, This is because it is more noticeable than in the case of position data. That is, the direction of the object does not change smoothly and the player feels unnatural.
Such a problem can be solved by reducing the reduction bit number of the angle data as compared with the reduction bit number of the position data.

The second feature of this embodiment is that, among the element data to be stored as the replay data, the element data changed from the previous frame is stored in the replay data storage means.

For example, in FIG. 3, the element data 1 has changed in the frames K + 1, K + 2, K + 4, but has not changed in the frames K, K + 3. Therefore, in this case, the element data 1 is set to the frames K + 1, K + 2, K +.
Only in No. 4 is stored in the replay data storage unit. Similarly, since the element data 2 has changed in the frames K + 3 and K + 4, it is stored in the replay data storage unit only in the frames K + 3 and K + 4.

As described above, if only the element data changed from the previous frame is stored, the redundancy of the replay data stored in the replay data storage unit can be lowered and the data to be stored in the replay data storage unit can be reduced. Will be able to effectively compress the amount of. For example, in FIG. 3, the data amount of element data 1 is 3/5 and the data amount of element data 2 is 2/5.

The element data stored as replay data on condition that the frame has changed from the previous frame is, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, object position data, angle data, model number, animation processing (vertex animation). The animation number in (processing), the display / non-display flag of the object, etc. can be considered.

For example, when the model (picture) of the object changes, the changed model number is stored in the replay data storage unit, but when it does not change, it is not stored. The animation number is also stored only when it changes. Further, the display / non-display flag of the object is also stored in the replay data storage unit only when the display is changed to the non-display or the non-display is changed to the display. By doing so, the replay data consisting of these element data can be effectively compressed.

The third feature of this embodiment is that the animation number of an object (animation object) to be animated during the game is stored as replay data, and the replay processing is performed based on the stored animation number. There is a point to do.

For example, FIGS. 5A and 5B are game scenes in which the shutter 12 (animation object) arranged in front of the character 10 (object operated by the player) is gradually opened. Where the shutter 12
Shutter 1 is opened and closed by vertex animation processing.
It is realized by transforming 2.

That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the opening and closing of the shutter 12 is represented by deforming the shutter 12 as the animation number (animation frame) advances from 0, 1, 2, ....

Therefore, in this case, the animation number of the shutter 12 is stored in the replay data storage section. Then, at the time of the replay processing, this animation number is read out, and based on the read animation number, the same animation processing as in the game is performed to express opening / closing of the shutter 12. With this configuration, the storage capacity of the replay data storage unit can be significantly reduced compared to the case where the vertex position of the shutter 12 or the like is stored as replay data.

Note that the position data and angle data of the shutter 12 are obtained when the shutter 12 is initially arranged (see FIG. 5A).
It may be stored as replay data when the game scene (B) is entered.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the animation number is stored as replay data on condition that it has changed from the previous frame. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the useless data from being stored as the replay data.

The fourth feature of this embodiment is that when an object occurs or disappears during a game, an ID (identification data) that identifies the object that occurred or disappears is stored as replay data, and is stored during replay processing. The point is that the object specified by the generated ID is automatically operated (moved, rotated, motion reproduced, etc.) or changed according to a given algorithm (program).

For example, FIG. 8A shows a game scene in which the character 10 shoots a bullet 14 during the game.
(B) is a game scene in which the shot 18 hits the enemy character 16 and an effect 18 (spark, smoke, etc.) is generated.

In the present embodiment, when objects such as the bullet 14 and the effect 18 occur or disappear, the IDs of the bullet 14 and the effect 18 are stored as replay data. Then, during the replay processing, the bullet 14 is automatically moved or the effect 18 is changed by a given algorithm based on these IDs.

For example, in FIG. 9, when a bullet 14 is generated during the game (when the character shoots a bullet), its ID (ID also indicating the generation object) is stored as replay data. Further, when the bullet 14 hits an enemy character or an obstacle and disappears or naturally disappears, its ID (ID also indicating an disappearing object) is stored in the replay data storage unit. Then, in the replay process, the bullet 14 specified by the stored ID is generated,
It automatically moves according to a given algorithm (the same algorithm as the one that moves bullets during the game), and then disappears.

In this way, it is not necessary to store the position data and angle data of the bullet as replay data after the bullet has occurred until it disappears. As a result, the used storage capacity of the replay data storage section can be further saved.

In this embodiment, when a bullet is generated, position data, angle data of the bullet 14 at the time of occurrence,
Speed (movement amount) data and the like are also stored as replay data. For example, in FIG. 10, the bullet firing position PS, the firing angle AS, and the firing speed VS are stored as replay data.

Further, when the effect 18 as shown in FIG. 8B is generated, the strength data of the effect (data indicating the strength, size, etc. of the effect) or the maintenance time data (when the effect occurs, (Representing the time from disappearance to disappearance) is also stored as replay data.

The fifth feature of this embodiment is that when the first object (replacement source) is replaced with the second object (replacement destination) during the game, the first,
A point of storing the ID of the second object as replay data, and replacing the first object with the second object after returning the second object to the first object based on these IDs during replay processing. It is in.

For example, in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the obstacle 20-1 (the map object of the replacement source) is destroyed by being hit by the bullet 14 fired by the character 10 during the game. Obstacles 20
-2 (Map object of the replacement destination) has been replaced.

When the replay process is started after the obstacle is destroyed in this way, first, the obstacle 20-2 is returned to the obstacle 20-1, as shown in FIG. 12 (A). That is, the obstacle in the destroyed state is returned to the state before the destruction. Next, as shown in FIG. 12B, the obstacle 20-1 is replaced with the obstacle 20-2.
By replacing with, the game scene in which the obstacle is destroyed by the player's shooting is reproduced. By doing so, it is possible to generate an appropriate replay image.

The obstacle is destroyed if the player succeeds in shooting, and is not destroyed unless the player succeeds in shooting. As described above, whether or not the obstacle is destroyed during the game depends on the result of the game play by the player. Therefore, at the start of the replay process, it is necessary to tell whether the obstacle is in the destructive state or the non-destructive state.
It is necessary to store the IDs of both obstacles 20-1 and 20-2 as replay data.

In this embodiment, when the object is replaced, the data specifying the position of the replaced object is also stored as the replay data.

The sixth feature of this embodiment is that among the packets used for the replay processing, the packet necessary for the replay processing of the frame is determined, and the packet determined to be necessary is associated with the frame. Is stored as replay data, and the replay processing of each frame is performed based on the stored packet of replay data.

For example, in FIG. 13, each packet processing routine OB, RE, AC, EV of the object control system, the replay control system, the action control system, and the event control system.
Determines which packet is necessary for replay processing in each frame, assembles the packets determined to be necessary, and stores them in the replay data storage unit (replay buffer).

The packet processing routines OB, RE,
Packets OB, RE, AC, E assembled by AC, EV
V is a packet of an object (object operated by a player or a computer) control system, a replay control system, an action control system, and an event control system, respectively. In addition, the action here means that an object generates an object (an attack object such as a bullet) that affects other objects. In addition, an event is an object
It refers to the generation of things (smoke, sparks, etc.) that do not affect other objects, or the change of oneself. Alternatively, it means that the map object is replaced (partial replacement of the map).

For example, in FIG. 13, in frame K,
Packet OB that changes the position and angle of the object,
Packet O to change display / non-display of objects
B, a packet OB for changing the model number, a packet AC for generating a bullet A (a bullet whose movement amount and rotation angle are constant or fixed until disappearance), and a bullet B (movement amount and rotation angle for each frame change until disappearance) Packet A that generates a bullet
C, effect A (effect that neither moves nor rotates)
Packet EV for generating a packet and a packet RE for instructing frame end are assembled and stored in the replay data storage unit as a packet of frame K.

That is, in frame K, since position data and angle data of the object (object operated by the player or the computer) have changed, it is judged that a packet for changing the position and angle is necessary, and this packet is stored in the replay data storage. Stored in the department. Similarly, display
Since the hidden flag and model number have also changed, it is determined that a packet to display / hide or change the model number is necessary,
It is stored in the replay data storage unit. Further, since the bullets A, B, and the effect A have been generated, it is determined that the packet for generating the bullets A, B, and the effect A is necessary, and is stored in the replay data storage unit.

Similarly, in frame K + 1, it is judged that a packet OB for changing the position and angle of the object, a packet RE for changing the virtual camera, and a packet RE for instructing the end of the frame are necessary, these packets are assembled, and the replay data is reassembled. It is stored in the storage unit.

In frame K + 2, packet OB for changing the animation number of the object, bullet A
Packet AC for erasing a bullet, a packet AC for erasing a bullet B, a packet EV for generating an effect B (moving or rotating effect), a packet EV for replacing a map object, and a packet RE for instructing the end of a frame are determined to be necessary. Packet is assembled and stored in the replay data storage unit.

Then, each packet stored in the replay data storage unit in this way is replay processing routine O
B, RE, AC and EV are read. Then, the replay processing routines OB, RE, AC, and EV perform the replay processing according to the read packets.

Here, packet O of the object control system, the replay control system, the action control system, and the event control system
B, RE, AC, and EV are object control systems,
It is read by the replay processing routines OB, RE, AC and EV of the replay control system, the action control system and the event control system.

Then, each replay processing routine OB, R
Each packet OB, RE, AC, EV to E, AC, EV
The sorting is performed based on the classification data added to the header of the packet, as shown in FIG.
This classification data is used for the packet processing routines OB, RE,
The AC and EV are added to the header of the packet and stored in the replay data storage unit when the packet is assembled. Since the packet of this embodiment has a variable length, the packet length is also added to the packet header.

This classification data added to the header of the packet is used to divide the packet into packets OB, RE, AC and EV.
It is data for classifying into. Further, this classification data also functions as detailed classification data of each packet OB, RE, AC, EV. For example, the packet OB is (1)
It is further classified into packets for changing the position and angle of an object, (2) packets for changing display / non-display, (3) packets for changing model number, (4) packets for changing animation number, and the like. Upon receiving the packet OB, the replay processing routine OB can know which of these packets the received packet OB is based on the classification data included in the packet OB.

As described above, according to the method of FIG. 13, it is determined which packet is necessary in each frame and only the necessary packet is stored in the replay data storage unit. Can be efficiently stored without waste.

That is, as one method of storing the replay data in the replay data storage unit, a method of always fixing the frame of the data stored in each frame is conceivable.
According to this method, the control of writing the replay data to the replay data storage unit can be simplified. However,
With this method, the replay data having the same amount of data is always stored in a frame having a large amount of replay data to be stored and a frame having a small amount of replay data to be stored, which increases the used storage capacity of the replay data storage unit.

On the other hand, in the method of FIG. 13, many packets are stored in the replay data storage unit in a frame in which the amount of replay data to be stored is large (for example, frame K in FIG. 13) and In a frame with a small amount (for example, frame K + 1 in FIG. 13), a small number of packets are stored. Therefore, the replay data can be efficiently stored in the replay data storage unit without waste.

Further, in the method of FIG. 13, when the specification of the replay data to be stored changes, for example, when a new type of replay data needs to be stored, the method can be easily changed. There is also an advantage that it can be dealt with and the scalability is very high. That is, in such a case, it is only necessary to newly define a packet corresponding to a new type of replay data.

The seventh feature of this embodiment is that the replay data of an object outside a given range specified by the position or direction of the object operated by the player (or the viewpoint position or line-of-sight direction of the player). The point is that the storage in the replay data storage unit is omitted.

For example, in FIG. 15A, the range 40
Is a range specified by the position of the object 30 operated by the player. More specifically, the range 40
Is a range within a distance D from the object 30. Then, the objects 32, 3 within this range 40
3 and 34 are stored as replay data. On the other hand, the objects 35, 36, 37 outside the range 40
Is not stored as replay data. This is because such objects 35, 36, and 37 are far away from the player's viewpoint, and it is considered that they are not noticeable even if the display is omitted during replay. By omitting the storage of the replay data (position data, angle data, etc.) for the objects 35, 36, and 37, the storage capacity used in the replay data storage unit can be further reduced.

In this embodiment, the replay data of a specific object is stored in the replay data storage unit even if the object is outside the range 40.

For example, in FIG. 15B, the replay data indicating that the object 36 has disappeared is stored. If you don't do this
This is because the object 36, which should have disappeared, enters the range 40 and appears in the field of view of the player.

Also, for the newly generated object 38, replay data indicating that the new generation has occurred is stored. If this is not done, an object that should have newly occurred during the game will not occur at the time of replay, and a mismatch will occur between the game image and the replay image.

3. Processing of this Embodiment Next, a detailed detailed example of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 16, 17, and 18.

When the frame starts, the object processing starts and it is determined whether or not there is an object to be processed (steps S1, S2, S3). If there is an object to be processed, a storage permission flag setting process is performed (step S4). That is, FIG.
In (A), the storage permission flag is set to ON (permission) for the objects in the range 40, and the storage permission flag is set to OFF (non-permission) for the objects outside the range 40.

Next, it is determined whether or not the object to be processed (object processing routine) has generated replay data (step S5). When it occurs, it is determined whether or not the replay data (element data of the replay data) that has occurred is stored in the replay data storage unit (step S6). For example, as described with reference to FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, only the element data of the replay data whose value has changed from the previous frame is stored. Further, as described with reference to FIG. 15B, an object outside the range 40 is not stored (a specific object is stored even when it is outside).

Next, the element data of the replay data is compressed (step S7). That is, as described with reference to FIG. 2, the number of bits of position data and angle data is reduced.

Next, the packet is assembled and the assembled packet is written in the replay data storage section (steps S8 and S9). That is, as described with reference to FIG. 13, only the packets necessary for the replay processing of the frame are assembled and written in the replay data storage unit.

When all objects have been processed,
Background processing starts (step S10). In this background processing, it is determined whether or not there is a map object to be replaced as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B (step S1).
1). Then, if there is a map object to be replaced, a packet for instructing replacement of the map object is assembled and written (steps S12 and S1).
3). On the other hand, if there is no map object to be replaced, a packet for instructing the end of the frame is assembled and written (step S14).

FIG. 18 is a flowchart relating to the replay processing.

When the frame starts, the packet is read from the replay data storage section as described with reference to FIG. 13 (T1, T2). Then, it is determined whether or not the read packet is a frame end packet, and if it is a frame end packet, the process is terminated (step T).
3).

On the other hand, if the packet is not the frame end packet, it is judged which replay processing packet the packet is (step T4). Then, each replay processing routine OB, RE, AC, EV executes each processing classified by the classification data (see FIG. 14) (step T5).
~ T12). Then, after executing the processing, the process returns to step T2.

4. Hardware Configuration Next, an example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the system shown in the figure, CPU 1000, ROM 1002, RAM 10
04, information storage medium 1006, sound generation IC 1008, image generation IC 1010, I / O ports 1012, 1014
Are connected by a system bus 1016 so that data can be transmitted and received between them. The image generation IC 1010
A display 1018 is connected to the sound generation IC 10
A speaker 1020 is connected to 08, and I / O port 1
A control device 1022 is connected to 012 and I / O
A communication device 1024 is connected to the O port 1014.

The information storage medium 1006 mainly stores programs, image data for expressing display objects, sound data, and the like. For example, in a home game system, a DV is used as an information storage medium for storing a game program and the like.
D, a game cassette, a CD ROM, etc. are used. A memory such as a ROM is used in the arcade game system. In this case, the information storage medium 1006 is the ROM 100.
It becomes 2.

The control device 1022 corresponds to a game controller, an operation panel, etc., and is a device for inputting the result of the judgment made by the player in accordance with the progress of the game to the system main body.

Programs stored in the information storage medium 1006, system programs stored in the ROM 1002 (initialization information of the system main body, etc.), control device 1
The CPU 10 according to a signal or the like input by 022.
00 controls the entire system and processes various data. R
The AM 1004 is a storage unit used as a work area or the like of the CPU 1000, and includes an information storage medium 1006 and R.
The given content of the OM 1002, the calculation result of the CPU 1000, or the like is stored. A data structure having a logical configuration for realizing the present embodiment is constructed on this RAM or information storage medium.

Furthermore, a sound generation IC1 is used in this type of system.
An image generation IC 1010 and an image generation IC 1010 are provided so that the game sound and the game image can be appropriately output. The sound generation IC 1008 is an information storage medium 1006 or RO.
It is an integrated circuit that generates game sounds such as sound effects and background music based on the information stored in M1002, and the generated game sounds are output by the speaker 1020. Further, the image generation IC 1010 is the RAM 10
04, ROM 1002, information storage medium 1006, etc., is an integrated circuit that generates pixel information to be output to the display 1018 based on image information. As the display 1018, a so-called head mounted display (HMD) can be used.

The communication device 1024 is for exchanging various information used inside the game system with the outside, and is connected to another game system to send and receive given information according to the game program. It is used to send and receive information such as game programs via a communication line.

The various processes described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 18 are performed by the information storage medium 1006 storing information such as programs and data, the CPU 1000 operating based on the information from the information storage medium 1006, and the image generation IC 10.
10 or a sound generation IC 1008 or the like.
The processing performed by the image generation IC 1010, the sound generation IC 1008, and the like may be performed by software by the CPU 1000, a general-purpose DSP, or the like.

FIG. 20A shows an example in which the present embodiment is applied to an arcade game system. The player enjoys the game by operating the lever 1102, the buttons 1104, etc. while watching the game image displayed on the display 1100. A CPU, an image generation IC, a sound generation IC, and the like are mounted on a built-in system board (circuit board) 1106. The information for executing (implementing) the processing of the present embodiment (means of the present invention) is the semiconductor memory 1 which is an information storage medium on the system board 1106.
It is stored in 108. Hereinafter, this information will be referred to as stored information.

FIG. 20B shows an example in which this embodiment is applied to a home game system. While watching the game image displayed on the display 1200, the player operates the game controllers 1202 and 1204 to enjoy the game. In this case, the stored information is stored in the DVD 1206, which is an information storage medium detachable from the main body system.
It is stored in the memory cards 1208, 1209 and the like.

FIG. 20C shows a host device 1300,
A terminal 1304-1 connected to the host device 1300 via a communication line (small-scale network such as LAN or wide area network such as the Internet) 1302.
1304-n is applied to the game system. In this case, the stored information is, for example, an information storage medium 1 such as a magnetic disk device, a magnetic tape device, or a semiconductor memory that can be controlled by the host device 1300.
It is stored in 306. Terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n
Has a CPU, an image generation IC, and a sound processing IC, and is capable of standalone generation of a game image and a game sound, the host device 1300 outputs a game image,
A game program or the like for generating a game sound is provided on the terminal 1
It is delivered to 304-1 to 1304-n. On the other hand, when it cannot be generated standalone, the host device 1300 generates a game image and a game sound, and the terminal device 1304-1 ...
It will be transmitted to 1304-n and output at the terminal.

In the case of the configuration of FIG. 20C, the processing of the present invention may be distributed and processed by the host device (server) and the terminal. Further, the above stored information for implementing the present invention may be distributed and stored in the information storage medium of the host device (server) and the information storage medium of the terminal.

The terminal connected to the communication line may be a home game system or an arcade game system. When the arcade game system is connected to a communication line, portable information storage that can exchange information with the arcade game system and also exchange information with the home game system. It is desirable to use a device (memory card, portable game machine).

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

For example, in an invention according to a dependent claim of the present invention, it is possible to omit some of the constituent elements of the claim to which the invention is dependent. Further, a main part of the invention according to one independent claim of the present invention can be made dependent on another independent claim.

Further, the object of reducing the number of bits is not limited to the position data or the angle data itself, and the case of reducing the number of bits of data equivalent to the position data or the angle data is also included in the scope of the present invention.

Further, the previous frame is not limited to one frame before, and the element data of the replay data stored on condition that it has changed from the previous frame is not limited to that described in this embodiment.

Also, the animation number is not limited to the animation number in the vertex animation processing,
Various objects other than the shutter can be considered as the objects to be animated.

Further, the object in which the identification data is stored when it occurs or disappears is not limited to bullets, smoke, and the like.

The map objects to be replaced are not limited to the obstacles shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, and various structures such as buildings (bridges, buildings), turrets, etc. can be considered. .

The form, classification, etc. of the packets stored in the replay data storage means are not limited to those described with reference to FIG.

The present invention is applicable to various games (sports games, car games, flight simulation games, fighting games, competition games, robot fighting games, role playing games, music playing games, dance games, etc.) other than shooting games. it can.

The present invention is also applicable to various games such as an arcade game system, a home game system, a large attraction system in which a large number of players participate, a simulator, a multimedia terminal, an image generation system, and a system board for generating a game image. Applicable to system.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a method of reducing the number of bits of position data and angle data.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a method of storing element data whose value has changed from the previous frame as replay data.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining element data of replay data.

5A and 5B are diagrams showing an example of a game scene using animation processing.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a method of storing an animation number as replay data in animation processing.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a method of storing an animation number as replay data on condition that the animation number has changed from the previous frame.

8A and 8B are diagrams showing an example of a game scene in which bullets and effects occur.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a method of storing the ID of a bullet that has occurred or disappeared as replay data when the bullet has occurred or disappeared.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a method of storing a bullet firing position, a firing angle, and a firing speed as replay data.

11A and 11B are diagrams showing an example of a game scene in which an obstacle is destroyed by a bullet fired by a character.

12A and 12B are views for explaining a method of storing IDs of replacement source and replacement destination objects as replay data, and performing remand and replacement of objects during replay processing. is there.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a method of storing only packets necessary for replay processing of the frame as replay data.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for describing classification data added to a packet header.

15A and 15B are diagrams for explaining a method of omitting the storage of replay data of an object outside a given range.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a detailed example of processing according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a detailed example of processing according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a detailed example of processing according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing the present embodiment.

20A, 20B, and 20C are diagrams showing examples of various types of systems to which the present embodiment is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 characters 12 shutters 14 bullets 16 enemy characters 18 effects 20-1, 20-2 obstacles 30, 32-38 objects 40 range 100 processing unit 110 Game calculation unit 112 Replay data generator 114 Packet processing unit 116 Judgment section 117 Compressor 118 Assembly Department 119 Writing unit 120 Replay processing unit 122 reading unit 123 processing unit 124 Virtual camera processing unit 130 Operation unit 140 storage 150 information storage medium 160 image generator 162 display 170 sound generator 172 sound output section 174 Communication unit 176 I / F section 180 memory card

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A game system for generating a game image, comprising: writing means for writing and storing, as replay data, an animation number of an object subjected to animation processing in a game as replay data, and for storing as replay data. And a replay processing unit that performs replay processing of an object that is animated in the game based on the generated animation number. 2. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the animation number in the frame is stored as replay data in the replay data storage means on condition that the frame has changed from the previous frame. 3. A game system for generating a game image, wherein when an object occurs or disappears during a game, identification data for identifying the object that has occurred or disappeared is stored as replay data as replay data. And a replay processing means for performing a replay processing for automatically operating or changing the object specified by the identification data stored as the replay data according to a given algorithm. Characteristic game system. 4. The replay data storage means according to claim 3, wherein when an object occurs during the game, position data, angle data or velocity data of the object at the time of occurrence is stored in the replay data storage means as replay data. Game system to play. 5. A game system for generating a game image, wherein a first object for replacing a first object is specified when the first object is replaced by a second object during a game. Writing means for writing and storing the identification data of No. 1 and the second identification data for specifying the second object of the replacement destination as replay data in the replay data storage means, and the first and second stored as the replay data. A replay processing means for performing a replay processing for replacing the first object with the second object after the second object is returned to the first object based on the identification data of 1. 6. A game system for generating a game image, wherein a replay of an object outside a given range specified by the position or direction of an object operated by the player or the viewpoint position or line-of-sight direction of the player. Regarding the data, while omitting the storage, writing means for writing and storing the replay data in the replay data storage means, and a replay processing means for performing a replay processing for generating a replay image based on the stored replay data, A game system comprising: 7. The game system according to claim 6, wherein the replay data of the specific object is stored in the replay data storage means even when it is outside the given range. 8. The assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an assembling unit for assembling a packet by adding a header to a data body, wherein the writing unit includes a packet for a frame used in a replay process. A packet required for the replay process is determined, and the packet determined to be necessary is written as replay data corresponding to the frame in the replay data storage unit, and the first packet for the first replay process and the second packet Second packet for replay processing: Nth packet for Nth replay processing is prepared, and classification data specifying which of the first to Nth replay processing is used is A game system which is added to the header of each of the first to Nth packets and stored in the replay data storage means. 9. An information storage medium usable by a computer, wherein the writing means stores the animation number of an object to be animated during a game as replay data in the replay data storage means, and is stored as replay data. An information storage medium including a program for causing a computer to function as replay processing means for performing replay processing of an object that is animated in a game based on the animation number. 10. The information storage medium according to claim 9, wherein the animation number of the frame is stored as replay data in the replay data storage means on condition that the animation number has changed from the previous frame. 11. An information storage medium usable by a computer, wherein when an object occurs or disappears during a game, identification data for identifying the object that has occurred or disappeared is used as replay data storage means as replay data storage means. A program that causes a computer to function as replay processing means for automatically operating or changing an object identified by identification data stored as replay data according to a given algorithm. An information storage medium comprising: 12. The replay data storage means according to claim 11, wherein when an object occurs during the game, position data, angle data or velocity data of the object at the time of occurrence is stored as replay data in the replay data storage means. Information storage medium. 13. An information storage medium usable by a computer, wherein the first object is used to specify a first object of a replacement source when the first object is replaced by a second object during a game. Of the first identification data and the second identification data for identifying the second object of the replacement destination are written and stored in the replay data storage means as the replay data, and the first and second data stored as the replay data. A program that causes a computer to function as a replay processing unit that performs a replay process of replacing the first object with the second object after replacing the second object with the first object based on the identification data. Information storage medium. 14. A computer-usable information storage medium, which is replay data of an object outside a given range specified by the position or direction of an object operated by the player, or the position of the player's viewpoint or the direction of the line of sight of the player. As for the replay processing means for writing replay data in the replay data storage means while omitting the storage, and a replay processing means for performing replay processing for generating a replay image based on the stored replay data, An information storage medium including a program for causing a function of the information storage medium. 15. The information storage medium according to claim 14, wherein the replay data of a specific object is stored in the replay data storage means even when it is outside the given range. 16. The program according to claim 9, further comprising a program that causes a computer to function as an assembling unit that adds a header to a data body to assemble a packet, and the writing unit includes a packet of a packet used for replay processing. Among them, a packet required for the replay processing of the frame is determined, the packet determined to be necessary is written in the replay data storage means as the replay data corresponding to the frame, and the first packet for the first replay processing is written. Packet, the second packet for the second replay process ... The Nth packet for the Nth replay process is prepared and is used for any of the first to Nth replay processes. Classification data to be designated is added to the header of each of the first to Nth packets and stored in the replay data storage means. Information storage medium characterized.