JP2003281570A - Game device and information storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game device and information storage medium capable of generating a realistic image capable of further giving a sense of speed with a minimized processing load. <P>SOLUTION: As the moving speed of a visual point (fighter) is increased, the visual confirmability of air flow (running cloud) 20 is enhanced. As the moving speed of the visual point is increased, the degree of extension of the air flow is increased. The characteristic color of the air flow is made to look dark, whereby the visual confirmability of the air flow is enhanced. When the moving speed is higher than VVU or lower than VVL, the processing of enhancing the visual confirmability of the air flow is omitted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game device and an information storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a game device in which a plurality of objects are arranged in an object space which is a virtual three-dimensional space and an image viewed from a given viewpoint in the object space is generated. It is very popular for experiencing reality. In the case of a game device that allows players to enjoy the control of a fighter, for example, a player causes a fighter operated by the player to fly in an object space and play a game by playing against a fighter operated by another player or a computer. have fun.

[0003]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-269723

[Patent Document 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-69169

[Patent Document 3] JP-A-9-115000

[0004]

In such a game device, it is an important technical subject to generate a more realistic image in order to improve the virtual reality of the player. Therefore, for example, it is desired to generate an image that can realistically represent the sense of speed of a fighter flying at high speed and the airflow (flowing clouds).

However, if the realism of the image is pursued too much, then a problem arises that the processing load of image generation becomes extremely heavy. In particular, in a game device that needs to generate an image in real time according to a player's operation, if the processing load of image generation increases, it becomes impossible to draw all display objects within one frame.
Problems such as missing images occur.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to generate a realistic image with a small processing load, which makes it possible to sense a sense of speed and the like. An object is to provide an apparatus and an information storage medium.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is a game device for generating an image, which is a perspective transformation of a first display object among a plurality of display objects. The first angle of view used when the second display object is used for perspective conversion of the second display object among the plurality of display objects.
And a means for generating an image of a display object including the first and second display objects so that the angle of view is different from that of the display object. An information storage medium according to the present invention is characterized by including information for realizing the above means.

According to the present invention, the first angle of view is used in the perspective transformation of the first display object, and the second angle of view is used in the perspective transformation of the second display object. used.
Therefore, the first, perspective-transformed with different angles of view,
It is possible to display the second display objects in a mixed manner on the screen. Then, for example, the first angle of view is reduced, and the second
If the angle of view of is set to the normal angle of view, the first display objects are gathered and displayed in the vicinity of the gazing point, while the second display object is generated with the normal angle of view. Become. Therefore, it is possible to generate a realistic image in which the sense of speed and the like can be more perceived without significantly increasing the processing load of image generation.

It is desirable that the first and second display objects are displayed on the same screen. In addition, the first, second, third, ...
A case where the third ... Nth angle of view is different is also included in the scope of the present invention.

In the game device and the information storage medium according to the present invention, the first angle of view may become wider as the moving speed of the viewpoint becomes faster. With this configuration, as the moving speed of the viewpoint becomes faster, the first display object is more concentrated and displayed near the gazing point on the screen. As a result, the sense of speed felt by the player can be further improved.

In the game device and the information storage medium according to the present invention, as the moving speed of the viewpoint increases, the first
The image of the first display object is changed so that the visibility of the display object is improved. If you do this,
As the moving speed of the viewpoint becomes faster, the image (color, brightness, etc.) of the first display object changes, and the first display object becomes visible. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the sense of speed felt by the player by a synergistic effect with the method of making the first and second angles of view different.

Further, the present invention is a game device for generating an image, and means for controlling a viewpoint moving in an object space, and a plurality of display objects as the viewpoint moving speed increases. Means for changing the image of the first display object so that the visibility of the first display object therein is high, and means for generating an image of the display object including the first display object It is characterized by including. An information storage medium according to the present invention is characterized by including information for realizing the above means.

According to the present invention, as the moving speed of the viewpoint becomes faster, the first display object becomes more noticeable, and the player can feel the feeling that the viewpoint (moving body) is moving at high speed. It becomes possible to tell. Note that in the present invention, as the moving speed of the viewpoint increases, the image of the first display object is changed so that the visibility is improved, while the image of the second display object is not changed. Is desirable.

In the game device and the information storage medium according to the present invention, as the moving speed of the viewpoint increases, the first
By making the characteristic color of the display object appear dark, the visibility of the first display object is enhanced. In this way, as the moving speed of the viewpoint becomes faster,
The characteristic color of the first display object can be seen more conspicuously, and the sense that the viewpoint is moving can be more effectively transmitted to the player.

In the game device and the information storage medium according to the present invention, as the moving speed of the viewpoint increases, the first
It is characterized in that the display object of appears to expand in the direction of the movement vector of the viewpoint. By doing so, as the moving speed of the viewpoint becomes faster, it is as if the first display object seems to flow in the direction of the moving vector of the viewpoint, further increasing the sense of movement that the viewpoint is moving. You can

In the game device and the information storage medium according to the present invention, when the moving speed of the viewpoint becomes faster than the given first speed, and when the moving speed of the viewpoint becomes slower than the given second speed. If at least one of the
The image generation process of the display object is omitted. By doing so, it is possible to effectively prevent a situation in which an unnatural image is generated when the moving speed of the viewpoint becomes very fast or very slow.

Further, the present invention is a game device for generating an image, wherein first and second points are obtained based on a given point and a viewpoint movement vector, and the first and second points are obtained. Of the first coordinate and the second coordinate in the screen coordinate system by perspective transformation, and the first and second widths are calculated based on the depth values of the first and second points. A third 'and a fourth' point in the screen coordinate system are obtained based on the'point and the first width, and in the screen coordinate system based on the second 'point and the second width. Means for performing the 5'and 6'points of the above, and the 3 ', 4', 5'and 6 '
And means for generating an image of a display object including the first display object specified by the point. An information storage medium according to the present invention is characterized by including information for realizing the above means.

According to the present invention, a given point for determining the first and second points (the first point and the second point and the given point may be the same point) is prepared. The image of the first display object can be generated by simply setting it. And the first and second
Since the point of is obtained based on the viewpoint movement vector,
The positional relationship between the first and second points (that is, the shape of the first display object)
Can reflect the magnitude and direction of the viewpoint movement vector. Therefore, it is possible to realize a realistic expression such as a display object that flows as the viewpoint moves with a small processing load. The first and second widths are the first and second widths.
Since it is obtained based on the depth value of the point, it is possible to give the first display object an appropriate perspective.

Further, in the game device and the information storage medium according to the present invention, the third 'and the fourth' points are orthogonal to the line connecting the first 'and the second' points and the first 'of the first'. Within the two regions bounded by the first line passing through the points, the second '
Is provided in a region to which the point does not belong, and the 5'and 6'points are orthogonal to the line connecting the 1'and 2'points and pass through the 2'point. 2 divided by 2 lines
It is characterized in that it is provided in one of the two regions to which the first 'point does not belong. By doing so, it is possible to effectively eliminate the situation in which the visibility between the first display object and the visibility of the first display object becomes extremely low due to the short distance between the first and second points.

Further, in the game device and the information storage medium according to the present invention, the angle of view used in the perspective transformation of the first display object is the same as the second display object of the plurality of display objects. It is characterized in that it is wider than the angle of view used in perspective conversion. By doing so, the first display object can be concentrated and displayed near the gazing point on the screen, and the sense of speed that the player can perceive can be further improved.

In the game device and the information storage medium according to the present invention, the image of the first display object is increased so that the visibility of the first display object increases as the length of the viewpoint movement vector increases. Is characterized by changing. By doing so, as the length of the viewpoint vector becomes longer (as the moving speed of the viewpoint becomes faster), the first display object becomes conspicuous and the feeling that the viewpoint moves at high speed. Can be effectively communicated to the player. It is particularly desirable to increase the visibility of the first display object by making the characteristic color of the first display object appear darker as the length of the viewpoint movement vector becomes longer.

[0022]

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 fighter game (flight simulator) 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, the game device of this embodiment may include at least the processing unit 100 (or the processing unit 100 and the storage unit 1).
40, or the processing unit 100, the storage unit 140, and the information storage medium 150), and other blocks (for example, the operation unit 130, the image generation unit 160, the display unit 162, the sound generation unit 170, the sound output unit 172, The communication unit 174, the I / F unit 176, the memory card 180, etc.) can be arbitrary components.

Here, the processing unit 100 controls the entire apparatus,
The CPU (C) performs various kinds of processing such as instruction of commands to each block in the device and game calculation.
It can be realized by hardware such as ISC type, RISC type, DSP, ASIC (gate array, etc.), or a given program (game program).

The operation unit 130 is for the player to input operation information, and its function can be realized by hardware such as levers and buttons.

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 from which information can be read by a computer) 150 stores information such as programs and data, and its function is an optical disk (CD, DVD), a magneto-optical disk (MO). ),
It can be realized by hardware such as a magnetic disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, or a 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, the information storage medium 150 stores various kinds of information for realizing the means of the present invention (the present embodiment) (particularly the blocks included in the processing unit 100).

A part or all of the information stored in the information storage medium 150 is stored in the storage unit 1 when the power of the apparatus is turned on.
Will be forwarded to 40. The information storage medium 150
The information stored in is the program code for performing the processing of the present invention, image information, sound information, display object shape information, table data, list data, player information, and information for instructing the processing of the present invention. , And includes at least one of information for performing processing according to the instruction.

The image generation unit 160 generates various images according to instructions from the processing unit 100 and the like, and the display unit 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 unit 170 generates various sounds according to an instruction from the processing unit 100 and outputs the sounds to the sound output unit 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 device), and its function is the communication ASI.
It can be realized by hardware such as C 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 to the information storage medium of the game device via the network and the communication unit 174. Good. The use of the information storage medium of such a host device and the use of the information storage medium of the game device are 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 generating unit 160, the sound generating 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 the memory card (in a broad sense, a portable information storage device including a portable mini game device) 180 according to an instruction from the processing unit 100. The interface can be realized by a slot for inserting a memory card, a data writing / reading controller IC, or the like. In addition, memory card 1
When information exchange with 80 is realized using 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 section 110 receives coins (price), game mode setting processing, game progress processing, selection screen setting processing, moving objects (fighters,
(Bullet, flame, etc.) position and direction, processing to determine the viewpoint position and line-of-sight direction, processing to play the motion of the moving body, processing to place objects in the object space,
Various game calculation processes such as a hit check process, a process for calculating a game result (score), a process for a plurality of players to play in a common game space, a game over process, and the like, operation information from the operation unit 130, This is performed based on the information from the memory card 180, the game program, and the like. When the present invention is applied to a game other than a fighter game, the moving body may be an airplane other than a fighter, a ship (boat, battleship, submarine, yacht, motor boat, etc.), watercraft, water ski, surfboard. ,car,
Various things such as motorcycles, tanks, robots, spaceships, characters, etc. can be considered.

The game calculation section 110 is a moving body calculation section 11
2. The viewpoint control unit 114, the angle of view setting unit 116, the image changing unit 118, and the display object expanding unit 120 are included.

Here, the moving body computing unit 112 is for computing movement information (position information, direction information, etc.) of a moving body such as a fighter, and for example, operating information input from the operating unit 130 or a given information. Based on the program, it performs processing such as moving a moving object within the object space. That is, a process of moving a moving object in the object space is performed based on operation information from a player (own player, other player) and a command (given movement control algorithm) from a computer.

More specifically, the mobile computing unit 112 is
The position and direction of the moving body is, for example, 1 frame (1/60 second)
The processing required for each is performed. For example, the position of the moving body in the (k-1) frame is PMk-1, the velocity is VMk-1, and the acceleration is AM.
Let k−1 and one frame time be Δt. Then, the position PMk and the speed VMk of the moving body in the k frame can be obtained by the following equations (1) and (2), for example.

PMk = PMk-1 + VMk-1 × Δt (1) VMk = VMk-1 + AMk-1 × Δt (2) The viewpoint control unit 114 determines the position and direction of the moving body obtained by the moving body computing unit 112. Based on such information as above, processing for obtaining the viewpoint position, line-of-sight direction, etc. is performed. More specifically, for example, a process of changing the viewpoint position or the line-of-sight direction so as to follow the position or direction of the moving body operated by the player is performed. In this case, it is desirable that the viewpoint position or the line-of-sight direction be made to follow the position or direction of the moving body while maintaining inertia, for example. The image generation unit 150 uses the viewpoint control unit 1
Will produce an image that is visible at the viewpoint controlled by 14.

The angle-of-view setting unit 116 sets the angle of view used for perspective conversion in the perspective conversion unit 164 in the image generation unit 160. More specifically, the first angle of view used for perspective conversion of the first display object (the display object that appears to flow relatively as the viewpoint moves, for example, the airflow), and the second display Used for perspective conversion of objects (display objects that are relatively invisible as the viewpoint moves, or display objects whose flow rate appears slower than the first display object, such as fighters and maps). The angle of view is set so as to be different from the second angle of view. In this way, the first display object and the second display object displayed on the same screen have different field angle settings (the first and second display objects having different field angles are the same). By mixing in the screen),
It becomes possible to generate an image with a higher sense of speed with less processing load.

In this case, the first angle of view may become wider as the moving speed of the viewpoint (moving body) becomes faster.

The image changing unit 118 performs a process for changing the image of the first display object so that the visibility of the first display object (for example, the airflow) becomes higher as the moving speed of the viewpoint becomes faster. To do. More specifically, for example, by controlling the translucency coefficient at the time of translucency processing of the background display object and the first display object, as the moving speed of the viewpoint becomes faster,
Make the characteristic color of the displayed object appear dark. By doing so, as the moving speed of the viewpoint becomes faster, the first
The display object of becomes more noticeable, and the sense of movement can be further improved.

The display object expanding section 120 performs processing for making the first display object expand and appear in the direction of the viewpoint movement vector as the viewpoint moving speed increases. By doing so, the first display object appears to flow from the back of the screen, and the sense of speed felt by the player can be further improved.

The game device of this embodiment is capable of both single-player mode game play in which one player plays, and multi-player mode game play in which a plurality of players play.

When a plurality of players play,
The game image and the game sound to be provided to the plurality of players may be generated using one game device, or may be generated using a plurality of game devices connected by a network (transmission line, communication line) or the like. You may.

2. Features of this Embodiment FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3 show examples of game images generated by this embodiment.

In the fighter game realized by this embodiment, the player controls his / her fighter 22 to fly in the object space while looking at the game image as shown in FIG. 2 (A). Then, play the game against other players or fighters operated by the computer.

FIG. 2A is an example of a game image from the rear view (behind view; third person view) of the fighter 22. As shown in the figure, according to the present embodiment, an airflow (flowing cloud) 20 that can be seen to flow out from near the gazing point (center) of the screen can be expressed. As a result, the sense of speed felt by the player can be improved.

FIG. 2B is an example of a game image when the viewpoint is set to the right of the fighter 22, and FIG. 3 is an example of a game image when the viewpoint is set to the front right of the fighter 22. is there. As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to express the airflow 20 extending along the moving direction of the viewpoint (fighter) regardless of the set position of the viewpoint.

In the present embodiment, the following processing is performed in order to express such an air flow (flowing cloud).

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the angle of view θ1 used in perspective conversion of the air flow 20 is the image used in perspective conversion of the fighter 22 and the map (island, lake, building) 24. It is wider than the angle θ2. That is, the screen distance (distance between the viewpoint VP and the screen 30) SD1 used for perspective conversion of the airflow 20 is set to the fighter 22,
It is smaller than the screen distance SD2 used for perspective conversion of the map 24.

For example, when the angle of view is set so that the angle of view θ1 and the angle of view θ2 are the same, a game image as shown in FIG. 5A is generated. However, in this game image, since the airflow 20 does not concentrate near the gazing point (center of the screen), another realistic image expression cannot be realized.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the angle of view θ1 is made wider than the angle of view θ2. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5B, the airflow 20 appears to flow out from the vicinity of the gazing point. Therefore, the realism of the image can be significantly increased.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, the perspective conversion is performed for the display objects other than the air flow 20, for example, the fighter 22 and the map 24, by using the view angle θ2 narrower than the view angle θ1. Therefore, a realistic image expression can be realized without increasing the processing load.

That is, in this type of game device, it is necessary to generate an image in real time according to the operation of the player. However, not only the angle of view θ1 of the air flow 20 but also display objects other than the air flow 20 (fighter 22, map 24)
If the angle of view θ2 of is also widened, the number (range) of display objects to be perspective-transformed or drawn will increase.
Therefore, the processing load of image generation is extremely increased, and it becomes impossible to draw all display objects within one frame. As a result, a display object that cannot be drawn occurs, which causes a problem such as a missing image.

In this embodiment, a wide angle of view θ1 is used for the air flow 20, while a normal angle of view θ2 is used for other display objects. Therefore, the air flow 20 is generated from the vicinity of the gazing point without significantly increasing the processing load of image generation.
It becomes possible to realize the image expression that "flows out".

Note that, as shown in FIG. 6, the angle of view θ1 for the air flow 20 may be made wider as the moving speed of the viewpoint becomes faster. With this, as the moving speed of the viewpoint becomes faster, the airflow 20 is more concentrated and displayed near the gazing point. As a result, the sense of speed felt by the player can be further improved.

For example, as a method of improving the player's sense of speed, the airflow 2 increases as the viewpoint moving speed increases.
A method of widening the angle of view for all display objects such as 0, fighter 22, map 24, etc. can be considered. However, with this method, as the moving speed of the viewpoint increases, the number of display objects to be perspective-transformed or drawn greatly increases, and the processing load of image generation becomes extremely heavy.

On the other hand, in the method of FIG. 6, since only the angle of view θ1 is widened according to the moving speed, it is possible to reduce the increase in the number of display objects to be subjected to perspective transformation and drawing, and to reduce the processing load and the realistic image. Expression becomes possible.

Further, in the present embodiment, the image of the airflow is changed so that the visibility of the airflow (first display object) increases as the moving speed of the viewpoint (fighter) increases.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the air flow 2 increases as the viewpoint moving speed increases.
Make the characteristic color of 0 appear darker. As a result, as the moving speed increases, the airflow 20 becomes more noticeable, and the player feels the presence of the airflow 20 more. Therefore, as described above, the sense of speed felt by the player can be further improved by the synergistic effect with the image effect that the airflow 20 appears to flow out from the vicinity of the gazing point as the viewpoint moves.

The method of making the characteristic color of the airflow darker as the moving speed of the viewpoint becomes faster is a semi-transparent addition process of the background display object (for example, the sky) and the airflow (first display object) (semi-transparent in a broad sense). This can be realized by controlling the translucency coefficient in (transparency processing).

That is, the semitransparent addition process can be expressed by the following equations (3), (4) and (5).

XR = BR + α × CR (3) XG = BG + α × CG (4) XB = BB + α × CB (5) where BR, BG, and BB are R of the color information of the background display object,
G, B components, CR, CG, CB are R, G, B components of the color information of the air flow (characteristic colors of the air flow), XR, X
G and XB are R, G, and B components of the color information of the output image obtained by the translucent addition process. Further, α is a semitransparent coefficient (luminance in the luminance addition process) in the semitransparent addition process.

According to the above equations (3), (4) and (5), the air flow can be hidden by setting the translucency coefficient α = 0. Also, as the moving speed of the viewpoint increases, α
By increasing, it becomes possible to make the characteristic colors (CR, CG, CB) of the airflow appear darker as the moving speed increases.

In the equations (3), (4) and (5), the semi-transparent addition process is adopted in order to realize a method of making the characteristic color of the air flow appear darker as the moving speed of the viewpoint becomes faster. Alternatively, a semi-transparent blending process may be adopted. In this case, each of BR, BG, and BB will be multiplied by (1-α), for example.

Further, in the present embodiment, as the moving speed of the viewpoint becomes faster, the airflow (first display object) appears to expand in the direction of the moving vector of the viewpoint.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the length of the air flow 20 in the direction of the moving vector of the viewpoint becomes longer as the moving speed of the viewpoint becomes faster. There is. By doing so, it becomes possible to more realistically represent the state in which the air flow 20 comes out.
In addition, the sense of speed felt by the player can be further improved.

As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the air flow 2
When 0 is extended, it is desirable that the width of the airflow 20 becomes narrower as it goes deeper from the screen (as the depth value increases). By doing so, an appropriate perspective of the air flow 20 can be expressed.

Further, in this embodiment, when the moving speed of the viewpoint becomes faster than the given first speed VVU or becomes slower than the given second speed VVL, the air flow The image generation process of is omitted.

For example, in FIG. 8A, the viewpoint VP located behind the player's fighter 22 is moving behind the enemy fighter 23. In this case, the moving speed of the viewpoint VP is extremely high (higher than VVU). Therefore, in such a case, the processing of changing the angle of view θ1 according to the moving speed of the viewpoint VP as shown in FIG.
When the process of increasing the visibility of the air flow 20 or the process of expanding the air flow 20 according to the moving speed of the viewpoint VP as in (B) is performed, an unnatural image may be generated. For example,
The angle of view θ1 becomes too wide, the visibility (characteristic color) of the air flow 20 is emphasized too much, and the air flow 20 is stretched too much in the direction of the viewpoint movement vector.

Further, in FIG. 8B, the viewpoint VP is stopped. In such a case, even if a process of changing the angle of view, the visibility of the airflow, or the degree of extension of the airflow is performed according to the moving speed of the viewpoint VP, an unnatural image may still be generated. There is.

Therefore, in this embodiment, when the moving speed of the viewpoint becomes faster than VVU or becomes smaller than VVL, a method of omitting the image generation processing of the air flow is adopted. By doing so, it is possible to prevent a situation in which an unnatural image is generated. In particular, if this method is combined with a method of changing the shade of the characteristic color of the airflow according to the moving speed of the viewpoint, the characteristic color of the airflow becomes lighter as the moving speed of the viewpoint becomes slower, and the moving speed is faster than VVL. If it becomes slow, the airflow will disappear. Therefore, a more natural image can be generated.

3. Processing of this Embodiment Next, a detailed processing example of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of.

First, as shown in FIG. 11A, the viewpoint V
A movement vector EVP of P (for example, a vector connecting the viewpoint position one or more frames before and the current viewpoint position) is obtained (step S1).

Next, the length LV of the viewpoint movement vector EVP
It is determined whether P (corresponding to the moving speed of the viewpoint) is higher than the speed VVU (first speed) or lower than the speed VVL (second speed) (step S2). Then, as described in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the LVP is
If it is larger than VVU or smaller than VVL, the subsequent processing of steps S3 to S14 is omitted.

Next, the length LV of the viewpoint movement vector EVP
The translucency coefficient α of the air flow based on P (moving speed of the viewpoint)
(See the above equations (3), (4), and (5)) (step S3). More specifically, α is increased when LVP is long, and α is decreased when LVP is short. By doing so, as described with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the visibility of the airflow 20 (the density of the characteristic color of the airflow 20) can be increased as the moving speed of the viewpoint becomes faster. become.

Next, the angle of view is set to be wider than the normal angle of view (step S4). That is, as described with reference to FIG. 4, the angle of view θ1 for airflow is made wider than the normal angle of view θ2. By doing this, FIG. 5 (A), (B)
As described above, it is possible to make a realistic expression that the airflow 20 appears to come from near the gazing point on the screen, and it is possible to improve the sense of speed felt by the player.

Next, based on the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction, FIG.
The center position (representative position) CP of the coordinate loop region CLR as shown in 1 (B) is obtained (step S5). That is, the offset distance DO from the position of the viewpoint VP along the line-of-sight direction
CP is a position separated by FF.

Next, the center position C of the coordinate loop area CLR
Based on the coordinates of P and a given random number table, the coordinates (air flow coordinates) of a given point PN in the coordinate loop area CLR are obtained (step S6). This point PN is a point (stationary point) whose position is fixed in the world (absolute) coordinate system.

In the present embodiment, even if the viewpoint VP moves as shown in FIG. 12 or the line-of-sight direction changes as shown in FIG. 13, the point PN (eg P1 to P8) is always within the coordinate loop area CLR. The coordinate loop processing is performed so that the point becomes. For example, as shown in G1, G2, G3, and G4 in FIG. 12, consider a case where the points P7 and P8 are out of the coordinate loop region CLR due to the movement of the viewpoint VP. Also in this case, G
As indicated by points 5 and G6, the coordinate loop processing is performed so that the points P7 and P8 become points in the coordinate loop region CLR again.

In this embodiment, the center position CP of the coordinate loop area CLR is not the position of the viewpoint VP but the offset distance DO from the position of the viewpoint VP along the line-of-sight direction.
It is set at a position separated by FF. Therefore, as compared with the case where the center position CP is set at the position of the viewpoint VP, more points PN (air flow) come to fall within the visual field range,
It is possible to increase the realism of the image with a small processing load.

Next, based on the viewpoint movement vector EVP obtained in step S1 and the point PN obtained in step S6, points PN1 and PN2 as shown in FIG. 14A are obtained.
(First and second points) are obtained (step S7). By doing so, as described with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B, as the moving speed of the viewpoint increases (as the length LVP of the moving vector EVP increases), the moving vector EVP of the viewpoint changes. The airflow 20 becomes visible along the direction.

Next, as shown in FIG. 14B, the point PN
By performing perspective transformation of 1 and PN2, points PT1 and PT2 (first 'and second' points) in the coordinate system of the screen 30 are obtained (step S8). The perspective transformation in this case is
The angle of view (θ1 in FIG. 4) set in step S4 is used.

Next, it is judged whether or not both the points PT1 and PT2 are outside the screen 30 (step S9), and if both are outside, the subsequent steps S10 to S1.
The process of 3 is omitted.

Next, the widths W1 and W2 (first and second widths) are obtained based on the depth values (Z coordinates) of the points PN1 and PN2 (step S10). The widths W1 and W2 are larger as the depth values of the points PN1 and PN2 are larger (points PN1 and P2, respectively).
The value becomes smaller as N2 is farther from the viewpoint VP). By setting the widths W1 and W2 to such values, it is possible to properly express the perspective of the air flow.

Next, the point PT in the coordinate system of the screen 30
1, PT2 and the widths W1 and W2 obtained in step S10
As shown in FIG. 15 (A), the screen 3
Points PT3, PT4, PT5, and PT6 (third ', fourth', fifth ', and sixth' points) in the 0 coordinate system are obtained (step S11). Then, as shown in FIG.
Polygon 4 with vertices T3, PT4, PT5, PT6
0 (primitive surface) is generated (specified) (step S
12). By mapping the texture 42 of the pattern of the airflow (flowing clouds) onto the polygon 40, the polygon 40 shown in FIG.
It is possible to generate an image of the airflow 20 as shown in FIG.

Next, all (N) PNs (P1 to P8)
(Step S)
13) If not completed, return to step S6,
When finished, the angle of view is returned to the normal angle of view (step S14). That is, the angle of view θ2 in FIG. 4 is restored.

Various methods can be considered as a method for obtaining the points PT3, PT4, PT5, PT6 from the points PT1, PT2 and the widths W1, W2.

For example, in FIG. 16A, from point PT1
Points separated by W1 in the direction orthogonal to the line 50 connecting the points PT1 and PT2 are defined as PT3 and PT4. See also point PT2
From PT to a point that is W2 away in the direction orthogonal to line 50
5 and PT6.

However, in this method, as shown in FIG.
As shown in (B), when the distance between the points PT1 and PT2 is short, the generated polygon 40 becomes extremely thin, and the polygon 40 (air flow) becomes invisible to the player (visibility is extremely high). It becomes low).

On the other hand, in FIG. 16C, points PT1 and PT
Of the two areas AR1 and AR2 which are orthogonal to the line 50 connecting the two and pass through the point PT1 and are defined by the line 52 (first line), the point PT is located in the area AR2 to which the point PT2 does not belong.
3, PT4 is located. Further, among the two areas AR3, AR4 which are orthogonal to the line 50 and which are divided by the line 54 (second line) passing through the point PT2, the points PT5, PT6 are provided in the area AR3 to which the point PT1 does not belong. I am trying to locate it. That is, the line 5 connecting the points PT1 and PT2
The polygon 40 is expanded along the direction of 0. By doing so, as shown in FIG. 16D, the points PT1,
Even when the distance between the PTs 2 is short, it is possible to effectively prevent a situation in which the polygon 40 becomes extremely thin and cannot be seen by simple processing.

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 apparatus shown in the figure, a CPU 1000, a ROM 1002, a RAM 100
4, 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-use game machine, a CD-R is used as an information storage medium for storing game programs and the like.
OM, game cassette, DVD, etc. are used. A memory such as a ROM is used in the arcade game machine, and in this case, the information storage medium 1006 becomes the ROM 1002.

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 main body of the device.

A program stored in the information storage medium 1006, a system program stored in the ROM 1002 (initialization information of the apparatus main body, etc.), the control device 102.
CPU 1000 in accordance with signals input by
Controls the entire device and processes various data. RAM10
Reference numeral 04 denotes a storage unit used as a work area of the CPU 1000, which is an information storage medium 1006 or ROM 10.
The given contents of 02, the calculation result of the CPU 1000, etc. are 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 IC 100 is provided in this type of device.
8 and an image generation IC 1010 are provided so that a game sound and a game image can be appropriately output.
The sound generation IC 1008 is an information storage medium 1006 or ROM 1.
It is an integrated circuit that generates game sounds such as sound effects and background music based on the information stored in 002, and the generated game sounds are output by the speaker 1020. Further, the image generation IC 1010 includes a RAM 1004,
It is an integrated circuit that generates pixel information to be output to the display 1018 based on image information sent from the ROM 1002, the information storage medium 1006, or the like. As the display 1018, a so-called head mounted display (HMD) can be used.

The communication device 1024 exchanges various information used inside the game device with the outside, and is connected to another game device 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 16D 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 like. Image generation I
It is realized by C1010 or sound generation IC 1008. The image generation IC 1010 and the sound generation IC 1008
Processing performed by the CPU 1000 or the general-purpose D
You may perform by software by SP etc.

FIG. 18A shows an example in which the present embodiment is applied to an arcade game machine. 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, etc. are mounted on a system board (circuit board) 1106 built in the device. Information for executing (implementing) the processing of the present embodiment (means of the present invention) is stored in the semiconductor memory 1108 which is an information storage medium on the system board 1106. Hereinafter, this information will be referred to as stored information.

FIG. 18B shows an example in which this embodiment is applied to a home-use game machine. The player looks at the game image displayed on the display 1200,
Enjoy the game by operating the game controllers 1202 and 1204. In this case, the stored information is stored in a CD-ROM 1206, memory cards 1208, 1209, etc., which are removable information storage media in the main unit.

FIG. 18C 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 system. In this case, the stored information is stored in an information storage medium 1306 such as a magnetic disk device, a magnetic tape device, a semiconductor memory or the like which can be controlled by the host device 1300. Terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n are CPs
In the case of having U, an image generation IC, and a sound processing IC and capable of standalone generation of a game image and a game sound, the host device 1300 provides a game program and the like for generating the game image and the game sound. Terminal 1304-1
~ 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 these are generated by the terminals 1304-1 to 130.
It will be transmitted to 4-n and output at the terminal.

In the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 18C, the processing of the present invention is distributed to the host device and the terminal (or the host device, the server and the terminal when a server is provided). You may Further, the above stored information for realizing the present invention is distributed to the information storage medium of the host device and the information storage medium of the terminal (or the information storage medium of the host device, the information storage medium of the server and the information storage medium of the terminal). You may make it store it.

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

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

For example, in the present embodiment, the case where the angle of view θ1 for the first display object and the angle of view θ2 for the second display object are made different has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the angle of view θ for the first display object is not limited to this.
1. The angle of view θ2 for the second display object, the angle of view θ3 for the third display object, ... The case where the angle of view θN for the Nth display object is different is also included in the scope of the present invention. Be done.

Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the first display object is the air flow (flowing cloud) and the second display object is the fighter or the map has been described as an example.
The second display object is not limited to this. For example, as the first display object, a display object that can be seen to flow relatively as the viewpoint (moving body) moves is particularly desirable. In addition to the air flow, various displays such as rain, snow, stars, and fog I can think of things. Further, it is particularly desirable that the second display object is a display object which is relatively invisible as the viewpoint moves, or a display object in which the degree of flow is slower than that of the second display object. Various display objects can be considered other than the machine and the map.

Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the angle of view is directly set has been described, but the case where a parameter (for example, a screen distance) that is equal (for example, mathematically equivalent) to the angle of view is set is also within the scope of the present invention. include.

Further, the first angle of view, the visibility of the first display object, or the degree of expansion of the first display object is determined based on the moving speed of the viewpoint itself and a parameter equal to the moving speed of the viewpoint. Variations are also included within the scope of the present invention.

Further, in the present embodiment, the method of arranging only the representative position (point PN) of the first display object in the object space (world coordinate system) has been described. The method of arranging only the representative position in this way is particularly desirable from the viewpoint of reducing the processing load, but the three-dimensional first display object itself may be arranged in the object space.

A method of increasing the visibility of the first display object as the moving speed of the viewpoint becomes faster is shown in FIG.
The method described in (B) is particularly desirable, but the method is not limited to this.

Further, the present invention is applicable to various games other than fighter games (airplane games other than fighters, spaceship games,
It can be applied to competitive games, fighting games, robot fighting games, sports games, shooting games, role-playing games, etc.).

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

[Brief description of drawings]

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

2A and 2B are diagrams showing an example of a game image generated according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a game image generated according to this embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method of making the angles of view θ1 and θ2 different.

5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining an image generated when the angles of view θ1 and θ2 are different.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a method of changing an angle of view θ1 according to a moving speed of a viewpoint.

7A and 7B are diagrams for explaining a method of changing the visibility and the degree of extension of the air flow according to the moving speed of the viewpoint.

8 (A) and 8 (B) show a case where the moving speed of the viewpoint is faster than the speed VVU or slower than the speed VVL.
It is a figure for demonstrating the method of omitting the image generation process of an air flow.

FIG. 9 is an example of a flowchart showing a detailed processing example of the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an example of a flowchart showing a detailed processing example of the present embodiment.

11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining a movement vector of a viewpoint and a coordinate loop area.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining coordinate loop processing in a coordinate loop area.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining coordinate loop processing in a coordinate loop area.

14A and 14B show PN to PN1,
Find PN2, PT on screen from PN1, PN2
It is a figure for demonstrating the method of calculating 1 and PT2.

15A and 15B are diagrams for explaining a method of obtaining PT3 to PT6 from PT1, PT2 and W1, W2 and generating a polygon for expressing an air flow.

16 (A), (B), (C), and (D) are
It is a figure for demonstrating various methods of obtaining PT3 to PT6 from PT1, PT2 and W1, W2.

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

18 (A), (B), and (C) are diagrams showing examples of various types of devices to which the present embodiment is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

20 Airflow (flowing clouds) 22 fighter 23 enemy fighters 24 maps 30 screen 40 polygons 42 texture 50 Line connecting PT1 and PT2 52 First Line 54 Second Line 100 processing unit 110 Game calculation unit 112 Mobile unit 114 viewpoint control unit 116 Angle of view setting section 118 Image change unit 120 Display extension unit 130 Operation unit 140 storage 150 information storage medium 160 image generator 162 display 164 perspective transformation unit 170 sound generator 172 sound output section 174 Communication unit 176 I / F section 180 memory card

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A game device for generating an image, comprising: a means for controlling a viewpoint moving in an object space; A unit for changing the image of the first display object so that the visibility of the first display object is high; and a unit for generating an image of the display object including the first display object, A game apparatus, wherein the visibility of the first display object is enhanced by making the characteristic color of the first display object appear darker as the moving speed of the viewpoint increases. 2. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the first display object is expanded in the direction of the movement vector of the viewpoint as the movement speed of the viewpoint is increased. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the moving speed of the viewpoint is faster than a given first speed, and the moving speed of the viewpoint is slower than a given second speed. In at least one case, the game device is characterized in that the process of increasing the visibility of the first display object as the moving speed of the viewpoint becomes faster is omitted. 4. A computer-readable information storage medium for generating an image, a means for controlling a viewpoint moving in an object space, and a high moving speed of the viewpoint. And a means for changing the image of the first display object so that the visibility of the first display object among the plurality of display objects increases, and a display object including the first display object. A program for causing a computer to function is included as a means for generating an image. By making the characteristic color of the first display object appear darker as the moving speed of the viewpoint increases, the first display object is displayed. An information storage medium having high visibility. 5. The information storage medium according to claim 4, wherein the first display object is expanded in the direction of the movement vector of the viewpoint as the movement speed of the viewpoint becomes faster. 6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the moving speed of the viewpoint is faster than a given first speed and the moving speed of the viewpoint is slower than a given second speed. In at least one case, an information storage medium characterized by omitting a process of increasing the visibility of the first display object as the moving speed of the viewpoint increases.