JP2005312722A - Game device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To notify a change in a game state such as a change in a maximum value of a moving speed of a player character by changing the view angle of a virtual camera. <P>SOLUTION: A game system is constituted by connecting a monitor and a controller to a game device. When a player character 74 is haunted by a haunting character 76, the possible maximum value of the moving speed of the player character 74 is reduced and a distance (a camera distance) between a virtual camera and the player character is reduced to zoom in the player character. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a game apparatus, and more particularly to a game apparatus that executes a game by controlling the movement of a player character photographed by a virtual camera in a virtual space in response to an operation signal from a controller.

Patent Document 1 discloses a game device that changes the angle of view of a virtual camera in accordance with the moving speed of a player character. Specifically, the angle of view is increased when the moving speed of the player character at that time is fast, and the angle of view is decreased when the moving speed is slow. This is because when the player character is moving fast, the amount of movement is large, so it is necessary to display a wide range around the player character, and not when it is moving slowly.
JP 11-154245 A [G06T 15/00 A63F 9/22 G06T 17/40 G09B 9/05]

  In the game device disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the angle of view is changed according to the moving speed at that time, there is only an effect that the periphery can be seen only at a high moving speed. There wasn't.

  Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide a novel game system.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a game apparatus capable of expressing a situation where a player object is placed through a change in the angle of view of a virtual camera and displaying a realistic game image.

  The invention of claim 1 is a game device for executing a game by controlling the movement of a player character photographed by a virtual camera in a virtual space in response to an operation signal from a controller. First parameter storage means for storing parameters, maximum value setting means for setting the maximum value of the first parameter according to the game situation, and parameters for increasing or decreasing the first parameter within the range of the maximum value based on the operation of the controller A virtual controller that controls the virtual camera so that the angle of view of the virtual camera becomes smaller as the maximum value set by the increase / decrease means, the action control means that controls the action of the player character based on the first parameter, and the maximum value setting means. It is a game device provided with a camera control means.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, for example, a game system is configured by connecting a monitor (30) and a controller (100) to a game device (12: reference numerals indicating corresponding parts in the embodiment; hereinafter the same). The game device includes, for example, a main memory, and a moving speed setting area (70e) is formed in the main memory, for example, and used as the first parameter storage means. For example, the maximum value setting means (36, 70f, S25) sets the first parameter, for example, the maximum value of the moving speed, according to the game situation such as when the player character is influenced by the non-player character. The parameter increasing / decreasing means (36, S3, S7, S11) increases / decreases the first parameter (movement speed) within the range of the set maximum value based on the number of hitting operations of the controller (100), for example, and controls the operation. The means (36, S13) controls the movement of the player character at the increased / decreased moving speed. Then, in accordance with the maximum value of the first parameter set by the maximum value setting means, the virtual camera control means (36, 70d, S25) controls the distance from the player character of the virtual camera, that is, the angle of view of the virtual camera. .

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when a non-player character, such as a “game character”, is attached to the player character, the maximum value setting means changes the first parameter, for example, the maximum value of the moving speed, to be small. Therefore, in this state, the maximum speed at which the player character can move is smaller than that in a state where a non-player character, for example, a “game character” is not attached to the player character. It is difficult to perceive.

  Therefore, in the first aspect of the invention, when the maximum value is changed or set by the maximum value setting means, the virtual camera control means (36, S25) changes the angle of view of the virtual camera in accordance with the maximum value. To. Specifically, the angle of view is made narrower as the maximum value becomes smaller. By doing so, the player character is zoomed up, and the game player does not perform zoom-up processing, but the player character is zoomed up. Can easily grasp or perceive a critical situation. That is, according to the present invention, the change in the maximum value of the player character's ability (first parameter) (change in the game situation) can be notified to the player by changing the angle of view of the virtual camera accompanying the change. In addition, since the angle of view decreases as the maximum value decreases, the angle of view decreases (that is, zooms up) as the critical state that the maximum value of the player character's ability decreases. Can be presented to the player in an easy-to-understand manner, and the player can be motivated to overcome the situation.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first parameter includes a moving speed of the player character.

  In the invention of claim 2, the maximum value of the moving speed of the player character is changed according to the game situation.

  The invention according to claim 3 is a game according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the virtual camera control means includes a table in which the maximum value of the first parameter is associated with the camera distance, and controls the virtual camera with reference to the table. Device.

  In the invention of claim 3, the correspondence table (70g) is set in the main memory (40), for example, and the virtual camera control means refers to the correspondence table and sets the distance of the virtual camera, that is, the angle of view.

  The invention according to claim 4 further includes change generating means for generating a first change in the virtual space in relation to the player character, and the maximum value setting means sets the maximum value of the first parameter according to the number of occurrences of the first change. 4. The game device according to claim 3, wherein the table is defined and the maximum value of the first parameter and the camera distance are defined for each occurrence.

  According to the invention of claim 4, the change generating means (36, S15) causes a change in the game situation by controlling a non-player character such as a clasp character. The maximum value setting means sets a maximum value corresponding to the number of times depending on how many times such a change has occurred. For example, the maximum value is set so that the maximum value of the first parameter (movement speed) decreases as the number of attached characters attached to the player character increases.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for a game device for executing a game by controlling a movement of a player character photographed by a virtual camera in a virtual space in response to an operation signal from a controller. The apparatus includes first parameter storage means for storing the first parameter of the player character, and the program sets the game apparatus to a maximum value setting means for setting the maximum value of the first parameter in accordance with the game situation, and to operate the controller. The smaller the maximum value set by the parameter increasing / decreasing means for increasing / decreasing the first parameter within the range of the maximum value, the motion control means for controlling the action of the player character based on the first parameter, and the maximum value setting means Virtual camera control hand that controls the virtual camera so that the angle of view of the virtual camera is reduced To operate as a program of the game apparatus.

  In the invention of claim 5, the same effect as that of the invention of claim 1 can be expected.

  According to the present invention, the player's ability change according to the game situation is notified to the player by controlling the angle of view of the virtual camera, so the player intuitively recognizes, for example, a critical situation by the angle of view. Or you can perceive.

  The above object, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the video game system 10 of this embodiment includes a video game apparatus 12. The video game apparatus 12 includes a substantially cubic housing 14, and an optical disk drive 16 is provided on the upper end of the housing 14. The optical disk drive 16 is loaded with an optical disk 18 such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM, which is an example of an information storage medium storing a game program or the like. A plurality of (four in the embodiment) connectors 20 are provided on the front surface of the housing 14. These connectors 20 are for connecting the controller 100 to the video game apparatus 12 by a cable 24. In this embodiment, a maximum of four controllers 100 can be connected to the video game apparatus 12.

  The controller 100 is connected to the video game apparatus 12 by a cable 22. However, the controller 100 may be connected to the video game apparatus 12 by other methods, for example, wirelessly via electromagnetic waves (for example, radio waves or infrared rays).

  Under the connector 20 on the front surface of the housing 14 of the video game apparatus 12, at least one (two in this embodiment) memory slot 22 is provided. A memory card 24 is inserted into the memory slot 22. The memory card 28 loads and temporarily stores a game program or the like read from the optical disc 18, and saves (saves) game data (for example, game results) of a game played using the game system 10. It is used for storing.

  An AV cable connector (not shown) is provided on the rear surface of the housing 14 of the video game apparatus 12, and the monitor 30 is connected to the video video game apparatus 12 through the AV cable 28 using the connector. The monitor 30 is typically a color television receiver, and the AV cable 28 inputs a video signal from the video game apparatus 12 to a video input terminal of the color television and gives an audio signal to the audio input terminal. Accordingly, for example, a game image of a three-dimensional (3D) video game is displayed on the screen 32 of the color television (monitor) 30, and stereo game sound such as game music and sound effects from the left and right speakers 34, or two speakers. If it is possible to produce a surround effect, game sound including surround sound is output.

  In this game system 10, in order for a user or game player to play a game (or other application), the user first turns on the game device 12 and then the user plays a video game (or other game that he / she wishes to play). An appropriate optical disk 18 storing the application) is selected, and the optical disk 18 is loaded into the disk drive 16 of the game apparatus 12. In response, the game device 12 starts to execute a video game or other application based on the software stored on the optical disc 18. The user operates the controller 100 to give an input to the game apparatus 12. In response, the game or other application can be started, and the moving image character (player character) can be moved in different directions.

  Here, the conga controller 100 according to the embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. The controller 100 includes a housing 112. The housing 112 includes a first housing 114 formed in a barrel shape, a second housing 116 formed in substantially the same shape and size as the first housing 114, and a first housing 114. The first housing 114 and the second housing 116 are connected to each other, and the first housing 114 and the third housing 118 are formed in a substantially rectangular column (cuboid) shape with a size smaller than that of the first housing 114 and the second housing 116. Is done.

  Further, covers 120 and 122 are provided on the upper surfaces (top surfaces) of the first housing 114 and the second housing 116, respectively, and an area covered by the covers 120 and 122 is an area operated by a player or a user (striking operation). (Operation area) or tapping operation surface. That is, the operating device or controller 100 has two operation input units on the upper surface of the first housing 114 and the upper surface of the second housing 116. For example, the covers 120 and 122 are made of rubber, elastically deformed by a player or user's tapping operation, and then return to the original shape.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a microphone 124 is provided on the upper surface of the third housing 118. In the case where a hole for collecting sound is provided, the microphone 124 is installed so that the inside of the third housing 118 or the sound collecting portion is exposed from the hole. However, in this embodiment, the microphone 124 is provided in the third housing 118. However, the microphone 124 is provided in the first housing 114 or the second housing 116 except for an operation region (operation input unit) where the user taps. You may do it.

  FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a part of the controller 100. That is, it is an exploded view of the first housing 114 side, and the second housing 116 and the third housing 118 are omitted for simplicity.

  Referring to FIG. 2, the first housing 114 includes an upper surface (top surface) panel 126, and a switch board 130 and a switch board 132 having different sizes are provided above the upper panel 126. 130 and 132 are fixedly arranged (stored) at predetermined positions on the top panel 126, respectively. Although not shown in FIG. 2, each of the switch boards 130 and 132 is provided with two contact points (only the contact points 132a and 132a of the switch board 132 are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5).

  Two rubber switches 134 are disposed above the switch boards 130 and 132, respectively, and the rubber switches 134 are joined to the tips of pressing protrusions 150 and 154 described later. Although not shown in FIG. 2, a contact 134a is provided on the back surface of the rubber switch 134, and each rubber switch 134 is provided at a position facing the contact of the switch boards 130 and 132 (see FIG. 4).

  A lid 136 of the first housing 114 is provided above the rubber switch 134 and is attached to the first housing 114 so as to cover the top panel 126, the switch boards 130 and 132, and the rubber switch 134. The lid 136 is provided with five holes 138 for passing engagement projections 148 and 154, which will be described later, and four holes 140 for passing the rubber switch 134 disposed at a position facing the pressing projections 150 and 156. .

  A push-down member 142 and a push-down member 144 having different sizes (shapes) are provided above the lid 136, and further, a cover 120 attached to the lid 136 is provided above the push-down member 142. As shown in FIG. 4 which is a part of the sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIGS. 3 and 3, the push-down member 142 has a crescent-shaped main body 146 that protrudes downward from the main body 146 and has three engagement protrusions. 148 and two pressing protrusions 150 are provided. The push-down member 144 includes a half-moon shaped main body 152 and protrudes downward from the main body 152 to be provided with three engagement protrusions 154 and two pressing protrusions 156.

  FIG. 3 is a view of the first housing 114 and the cover 120 as viewed from directly above. The engaging protrusion 148, the pressing protrusion 150, the engaging protrusion 154, and the pressing protrusion 156 are arranged at positions as shown in FIG. Is done. As can be seen from FIG. 3, the three engaging protrusions 148 are provided at the ends (the left and right ends and the lower end) of the main body 146 of the push-down member 142, and the two pressing protrusions 150 are provided between the three engaging protrusions 148. . Further, the three engaging protrusions 154 are provided at the ends (left and right ends and upper ends) of the main body 152 of the push-down member 144, and the two pressing protrusions 156 are provided between the three engaging protrusions 154. As shown in FIG. 4, the engagement protrusion 152 (the same applies to the engagement protrusion 148) has at least the engagement portion 158 provided at the tip thereof as the back surface of the upper panel 126 (inside the first housing 114). And through the hole 128 provided in the lid 136 and the hole 128 provided in the top panel 126. However, when the lid 136 is attached to the top panel 126, the hole 128 of the surface panel 126 is formed inside the hole 138. Further, the pressing protrusion 150 and the pressing protrusion 154 are provided so as to press the rubber switch 134 disposed in the hole 140 of the lid 136. In other words, the rubber switch 134 is housed in the first housing 114 such that the surface thereof (the surface joined to the pressing protrusion 150 and the pressing protrusion 156) is exposed from the hole 140 of the first housing 114.

  The tip portions of the pressing protrusions 150 and 154 are placed in contact with the rubber switch 134 as shown in FIG. Alternatively, the rubber switch 134 may be joined by a fitting structure and / or adhesion. Therefore, the push-down members 142 and 144 are supported by the rubber switch 134.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the engagement protrusion 152 (the same applies to the engagement protrusion 148) is provided with a notch (slit) 160, whereby the engagement protrusions 148 and 154 are formed on the upper surface. The diameter is reduced when passing through the hole 128 of the panel 126, and when the hole passes through the hole 128, it returns to its original state, and the engaging portion 158 engages with the back surface of the upper panel 126 (the inner wall of the first housing 114). For this reason, it is possible to prevent the push-down members 142 and 144 from being detached.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the player strikes the right side of the controller 100 (cover 120), the cover 120 is elastically deformed, and the right side of the push-down member 144 (the same applies to the push-down member 142). Try to be pushed down. At this time, the engaging portion 158 of the engaging protrusion 154 provided on the left side of the push-down member 144 is engaged with the back surface of the top panel 126. This prevents the push-down member 144 from being biased upward. Therefore, the right side of the push-down member 144 is urged downward, and the right rubber switch 134 is pressed by the pressing member 156 and contacts the switch board 132. That is, the contact 132a and the contact 134a come into contact with each other.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the player strikes the left side of the controller 100 (cover 120), the cover 120 is elastically deformed, and the left side of the push-down member 144 (the same applies to the push-down member 142). Try to be pushed down. At this time, the engaging portion 158 of the engaging protrusion 154 provided on the right side of the push-down member 144 is engaged with the back surface of the top panel 126. This prevents the push-down member 144 from being biased upward. Accordingly, the left side of the push-down member 144 is biased downward, the left rubber switch 134 is pressed by the pressing member 156, and the contact 134a of the rubber switch 134 contacts the contact 132a of the switch board 132.

  That is, regardless of the position (region) of the push-down member 144 (the same applies to the push-down member 142), at least one engagement other than the engagement protrusion 154 (148) provided at or near the hit position. The engaging portion 158 of the protrusion 154 (148) engages with the back surface of the top panel 126. Therefore, when the player performs a hitting operation, the push-down member 144 (142) is pushed down, and the contact 134a of any rubber switch 134 is always in contact with the contact 132a of the switch board 132 (the contact of the switch board 130). It is.

  Specifically, when any position in the left half region of the controller 100 (cover 120) shown in FIG. 5 is hit, the engaging portion 158 of the engaging protrusion 154 provided on the right side of the push-down member 144 is Engaging with the back surface of the upper panel 126, the left side of the push-down member 144 is urged downward, the rubber switch 134 on the left side is pressed by the pressing member 156, and the contact 134a of the rubber switch 134 is contacted with the contact 132a of the switch board 132. To touch. On the other hand, when any position in the right half area of the controller 100 (cover 120) is hit, the engaging portion 158 of the engaging protrusion 154 provided on the left side of the push-down member 144 is formed on the back surface of the upper panel 126. The right side of the push-down member 144 is biased downward, the rubber switch 134 on the right side is pressed by the pressing member 156, and the contact 134a of the rubber switch 134 contacts the contact 132a of the switch board 132. Further, when any position in the central portion of the controller 100 (cover 120) is hit, both the left and right sides of the push-down member 144 are pushed down substantially uniformly, so that both the left and right rubber switches 134 are pushed by the push member 156. The contact 134a of the rubber switch 134 comes into contact with the contact 132a of the switch board 132.

  In this way, even if any position (area) of the controller 100 (cover 120 or 122) is hit, it is possible to reliably press any rubber switch and output the same operation signal.

  The electrical configuration of the controller 100 is shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 6, the controller 100 includes a controller IC 162, and a first button 164, a second button 166, a third button 168 and a fourth button 170 are connected to the controller IC 162. As shown in FIG. 1, when the cable 22 is inserted into the connector 20 of the game apparatus 12, the controller IC 162 is electrically connected to the game apparatus 12 as shown in FIG. 6. Furthermore, a microphone 124 is connected to the controller IC 162 via an operational amplifier 172.

  The first button 164 and the second button 166 are buttons provided on the first housing 114. In this embodiment, the first button 164 is located above (opposite to) the switch board 130 and the switch board 130. It is configured by two rubber switches 134 provided. The second button 166 includes a switch board 132 and two rubber switches 134 provided to face the switch board 132.

  The third button 168 and the fourth button 170 are buttons provided on the second housing 116. In this embodiment, the third button 168 is configured in the same manner as the first button 164, and the fourth button 170 is the first button 164. The configuration is the same as the 2 button 166.

  Therefore, in the controller 100, the player can perform various operations by any one of the first button 164 to the fourth button 170 or a combination of any two or more. A player's hitting operation is input to the control IC 162 by an on / off state signal of the first button 164 to the fourth button 166. Then, an operation signal corresponding to the hitting operation is output from the controller IC 162 to the game apparatus 12.

  Further, in the controller 100, when the player generates sound by clapping or voice, the sound is input to the microphone 124, amplified by the operational amplifier 172, and then input to the controller IC 162. As a result, an operation signal based on sound generation is output from the controller IC 162 to the game apparatus 12. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, when applause is performed in the vicinity of the microphone 124 of the controller 100, sound from the applause is input to the microphone 124, and if the sound volume at that time is equal to or greater than a threshold value, it is detected that sound has been input. Is done.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of the format of the operation signal output from the controller IC 162 to the game apparatus 12. However, the operation signal has a format corresponding to a standard controller of the game device 12 (in this embodiment, “GAME CUBE (product name)” manufactured and sold by the applicant of the present application), and although not shown, the controller Are two analog joysticks (control stick and C stick), cross key, A button, B button, X button, Y button, Z button, L trigger button, R trigger button, and START / PAUSE button Etc.

  As can be seen from FIG. 7, the operation signal is composed of 8 bytes, and in the first byte (1st byte), from bit 7 (b7) to bit 0 (b0) in order, “0”, “0”, “ Data on ORG_CH "," START "," Y "," X "," B ", and" A "is written. Bits 7 and 6 have a fixed value “0”, and bit 5 is written with data indicating ON / OFF of the setting mode “ORG_CH”. In this embodiment, “1” is written when the setting mode “ORG_CH” is on, and “0” is written when the setting mode “ORG_CH” is off. Here, “ORG_CH” is a variable for a mode (setting mode) for setting whether or not to reset the reference position (the origin of the joystick (neutral position)). In bits 4 to 0, data indicating ON or OFF of each of the Y button, the X button, the B button, and the A button is written. In this embodiment, when the button is on, “1” is written to the corresponding bit, and when the button is off, “0” is written to the corresponding bit.

  In the second byte (2nd byte), from bit 7 to bit 0 in order, “FIN”, “L”, “R”, “Z”, “UP”, “DOWN”, “RIGHT” and “LEFT” Data is written. Bit 7 is written with data indicating ON or OFF of the mode “FIN” for identifying the controller. In this embodiment, “1” which is ON is written in the case of the standard controller, and “0” which is OFF is written in the case of the operating device 100 (percussion instrument type controller). Bit 6 to bit 0 indicate ON / OFF of each of the L trigger button, R trigger button, Z button, UP (up) button, DOWN (down) button, RIGHT (right) button, and LEFT (left) button. Data is written. The data value written in each bit is the same as that of the Y button described above.

  The UP (up) button, the DOWN (down) button, the RIGHT (right) button, and the LEFT (left) button are buttons of the cross key.

  In the 3rd byte, data indicating the tilt amount of the control stick in the X direction is written as binary data using all 8 bits. Therefore, the inclination in the X direction is represented by “00000000” (decimal number “0”) − “11111111” (“255”). For example, when the control stick is tilted to the left, it approaches “0”, and when it is tilted to the right, it approaches “255”.

  In the default setting, the neutral position is “128 (0100000)”, so if it is smaller than this, it can be seen that it is tilted to the left, and if it is larger, it is tilted to the right. I understand. Further, the amount of inclination can be detected by the difference between the acquired data value and the data value of the neutral position.

  In the fourth byte (4th byte), data indicating the tilt amount of the control stick in the Y direction is written as binary data using all 8 bits. Therefore, the inclination in the Y direction is also expressed by “00000000” (decimal number “0”) − “11111111” (“255”), as in the X direction. For example, when the control stick is tilted down, it approaches “0”, and when it is tilted up, it approaches “255”.

In the default setting, the neutral position is “128 (0100000)”, so if it is smaller than this, it can be seen that it is tilted downward, and if it is larger, it is tilted upward. I understand. Further, the amount of inclination can be detected by the difference between the acquired data value and the data value of the neutral position.

  In the 5th byte, data indicating the tilt amount of the C stick in the X direction is written as binary data using all 8 bits. In the 6th byte, data indicating the tilt amount of the C stick in the Y direction is written as binary data using all 8 bits. The method for determining these data values is the same as that for the control stick described above.

  In the seventh byte (7th byte), data indicating the push amount of the L trigger button is written as binary data using all 0 bits. The data value when the L trigger button is not pressed is “00000000”, the data value is increased according to the amount of pressing, and the data value when pressed to the maximum is “11111111”.

  In the 8th byte, data indicating the push amount of the R trigger button is written in a binary number using all 0 bits. The method for determining the data value is the same as that for the L trigger button.

  Thus, although the format of the operation signal is shown, the joystick, the Y button, the X button, the B button, and the A button are not provided in the controller 100, and the first button 164 to the fourth button 170 are turned on / off. Since the operation signal for the sound, the operation signal based on the sound produced by the microphone 124, and the controller identification mode are output to the game apparatus 12, for example, data from the first byte to the third byte is used. Become. Specifically, on / off data of the first button 164 is written in bit 3 of the first byte, on / off data of the second button 166 is written in bit 2, and on / off of the third button 168 is written. The off data is written in bit 1, and the on / off data of the fourth button 170 is written in bit 0. Further, “0”, which is data for identifying the controller 100 (percussion instrument type controller), is written in bit 7 of the second byte. Further, the presence / absence (on / off) data of the sound input to the microphone 124 is written in the third byte. When the data of the sound volume (volume) is also output to the game device, the data value (“00000000” − “11111111”) corresponding to the volume is written in the third byte.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the controller 100 is also provided with a start / pause button 174, and the on / off data is written in bit 4.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the video game system 10 of FIG. 1 embodiment. The video game apparatus 12 is provided with a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as “CPU”) 36. The CPU 36 is also called a computer or a processor, and is responsible for overall control of the video game apparatus 12. The CPU 36 or the computer functions as a game processor, and a memory controller 38 is coupled to the CPU 36 via a bus. The memory controller 38 mainly controls writing and reading of the main memory 40 coupled via the bus under the control of the CPU 36. A GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) 42 is coupled to the memory controller 38.

  The GPU 42 forms part of the drawing means, and is constituted by, for example, a single chip ASIC. The GPU 42 receives a graphics command (graphics command) from the CPU 36 via the memory controller 38, and the geometry unit 44 and the rendering according to the command. A unit 46 generates a three-dimensional (3D) game image. That is, the geometry unit 44 rotates various characters and objects (consisting of a plurality of polygons. The polygon is a polygonal plane defined by at least three vertex coordinates), Coordinate calculation processing such as movement and deformation is performed. The rendering unit 46 performs image generation processing such as pasting a texture (texture: pattern image) on each polygon of various objects. Therefore, 3D image data to be displayed on the game screen is generated (created) by the GPU 42, and the image data is drawn (stored) in the frame buffer 48.

  Note that data (primitives, polygons, textures, etc.) necessary for the GPU 42 to execute the drawing command is acquired from the main memory 40 by the GPU 42 via the memory controller 38.

  The frame buffer 48 is a memory for drawing (accumulating) image data for one frame of the raster scan monitor 34, for example, and is rewritten frame by frame by the GPU. A video I / F 58 described later reads data from the frame buffer 48 via the memory controller 38, whereby a 3D game image is displayed on the screen of the monitor 34.

  The Z buffer 50 has a storage capacity corresponding to the number of pixels (storage position or address) corresponding to the frame buffer 48 × the number of bits of depth data per pixel, and corresponds to each storage position of the frame buffer 48. It stores dot depth information or depth data (Z value).

  Note that both the frame buffer 48 and the Z buffer 50 may be configured using part of the main memory 40.

  The memory controller 38 is also coupled to the ARAM 54 via a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) 52. Therefore, the memory controller 38 controls writing and / or reading of not only the main memory 40 but also the ARAM 54 as a sub memory.

  The DSP 52 functions as a sound processor and responds to sound (sound effects), sound or music (BGM) necessary for the game using sound waveform data (not shown) written in the ARAM 54 in accordance with instructions from the CPU 36. Generate audio data.

  Memory controller 38 is further coupled to each interface (I / F) 56, 58, 60, 62 and 64 by a bus. The controller I / F 56 is an interface for the controller 22, and provides an operation signal or data from the controller IC 162 (FIG. 6) of the controller 100 to the CPU 36 through the memory controller 38. The video I / F 58 accesses the frame buffer 48, reads the image data created by the GPU 42, and supplies the image signal or image data (digital RGB pixel value) to the monitor 30 via the AV cable 28 (FIG. 1).

  The external memory I / F 60 links the memory card 26 (FIG. 1) inserted in the front surface of the game apparatus 12 to the memory controller 38. Accordingly, the CPU 36 can write data into the memory card 26 or read data from the memory card 26 via the memory controller 38. The audio I / F 62 receives the audio data supplied from the DSP 52 or the audio stream read from the optical disc 18 through the memory controller 38 and supplies an audio signal (audio signal) corresponding to the audio data to the speaker 34 of the monitor 30.

  In the case of stereo sound, at least one speaker 34 is provided on each of the left and right. In addition, by performing the surround processing, it is possible to let the sound be heard as if the sound is generated from the rear even with only the two left and right speakers.

  The disk I / F 64 couples the disk drive 16 to the memory controller 38, so that the CPU 36 controls the disk drive 16. Program data, texture data, and the like read from the optical disk 18 by the disk drive 16 are written into the main memory 40 under the control of the CPU 36.

  FIG. 9 shows a memory map of the main memory 40. The main memory 40 includes a program storage area 68, a program data storage area 70, and a graphic data storage area 72. In the game program storage area 68, the game program 68a read from the optical disc 18 is stored all at once or partially and sequentially. However, this game program 68a is, for example, a virtual for changing or controlling the distance between the player character and a virtual camera (not shown) for photographing the player character and the like from an arbitrary viewpoint in the three-dimensional virtual space. Also includes a camera control program.

  Similarly, the program data read from the optical disk 18 is also stored in the program data storage area 70 in whole or in part and sequentially. The program data includes, for example, coordinate data of a character or object model. The program data storage area 70 is coordinate data (initial position) of a character (player character or player object) that can be moved in the game space by the game player operating the controller 100 or can be operated in any other manner. The player character coordinate data storage area 70a for storing (coordinate data), and coordinate data (non-player character: a character that cannot be operated or controlled by the game player) such as enemy characters and fairy characters (coordinate data at the initial position). ) Is stored in the non-player character coordinate data storage area 70b. The program data storage area 70 further includes a storage area 70c for storing a map (virtual three-dimensional space map) for displaying the virtual three-dimensional game space, and a virtual camera distance set in step S25 (FIG. 10) described later. , A virtual camera distance storage area 70d for storing information, a moving speed setting area 70e as a register for setting the moving speed of the player character set in step S3, S7 or S11 described later, And an area 70f for storing the maximum speed (the maximum value of the parameter) set in step S25 described later. The coordinate data is changed as the game progresses.

In the program data storage area 70, a correspondence table 70g is further set. This correspondence table 70g is a table that is referred to when the distance of the virtual camera is controlled by the above-described virtual camera control program, and is set for each number of times N in accordance with the maximum speed (maximum value of the moving speed). The distance of the virtual camera should be set correspondingly. However, in this embodiment, the number N indicates the number of times that a “game character” described later has attached to the player character, but this number N can be generally recognized as the number of times the game situation has changed. That is, when the game situation has not changed, the maximum value (maximum speed) of the moving speed of the player character is set to “S0”, and the virtual camera distance corresponding to the maximum value is set to “D0”. When the game situation change occurs once, the maximum speed) is set to “S1”, and the virtual camera distance corresponding to that is set to “D1”. When the game situation changes twice, the maximum speed) is set to “S2”, and the graphic data read out from the optical disc 18 is also stored in the temporary graphic data storage area 72 corresponding to it all at once. The graphic data stored partially and sequentially is data relating to drawing such as color and transparency. In the graphic storage area 72, a storage area 72a for storing data such as polygons of the player character (polygon list, etc.) and a storage area for storing data such as polygons of enemy characters (polygon list, etc.). 72b, a storage area 72b for storing data such as polygons of still objects (wall objects, ground objects, etc.), and a storage area 72d for storing texture data.

  Referring to FIG. 10, in the game system 10 of FIG. 1 embodiment, the game device 12 is turned on and the start switch 118 of the controller 100 is pressed to start the game. Then, the CPU 36 (FIG. 8) looks at the operation signal or controller data shown in FIG. 7 input from the controller IC 162 (FIG. 6) via the controller I / F 56 (FIG. 8).

  As described above, when the player taps the first operation surface 120, the first button 164 or the second button 166 (FIG. 6) is turned on. Therefore, the first button 164 is set to bit 3 of the first byte in FIG. ON data (left operation signal) is written, or ON data (left operation signal) of the second button 166 is written to bit 2.

  When the player taps the second operation surface 122, the third button 168 or the fourth button 170 (FIG. 6) is turned on. Therefore, the first button 167 is turned on at bit 1 of the first byte in FIG. Data (right operation signal) is written, or ON data (right operation signal) of the fourth button 170 is written to bit 0.

  Then, when the player taps the second hit operation surface 122, the CPU 36 detects the right operation signal in step S1, and in step S3, the game world or virtual world displayed on the screen 32 of the monitor 30 (FIG. 1). The player character (first character) 74 (FIG. 11) appearing in is set to move in the right direction. At this time, the CPU 36 sets the moving speed of the player character in the right direction according to, for example, the number of hitting operations or the hitting operation speed of the second hitting operation surface 122, and enters the moving speed setting area 70e of FIG. Remember me.

  Further, when the player strikes the first hit operation surface 120, the CPU 36 detects a left operation signal in step S5, and sets the player character 74 (FIG. 11) to move leftward in step S7. . At this time, the CPU 36 sets the moving speed of the player character in the left direction according to the number of hitting operations or the hitting operation speed of the first hitting operation surface 120 and stores it in the moving speed setting area 70e of FIG.

  Thereafter, in step S9, the CPU 36 determines whether or not the movement speed of the player character set in step S3 or step S7 exceeds the maximum speed (maximum possible value of the movement speed stored in the maximum speed storage area 70f). If “YES”, in the next step S11, the moving speed of the player character is set to the maximum value and stored in the moving speed setting area 70e of FIG.

  In step S13, the CPU 36 moves the player character rightward or leftward at the moving speed set in the moving speed setting area 70e of FIG. 9 in step S3, S7 or S11. That is, in step S13, the movement of the player character is controlled.

  In the next step S <b> 15, the CPU 36 controls the operation of the “game character”. The game character 76 is a non-player character that affects the player character 74 and influences the player character as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, when the attachable character 76 attaches to the player character 74, the maximum value of the moving speed of the player character is reduced. The attachment of the game character to the player character means a change in the virtual world (game world), and in this sense, step S15 constitutes a change generation means.

  Therefore, in step S17, the CPU 36 determines whether or not the player character 74 is attached to the player character 74 as shown in FIG. 11 (B) or FIG. 11 (C).

  If “YES” in the step S17, the CPU 36 increments a counter N set in, for example, a register area (not shown) of the main memory 40 in a next step S19. The counter N indicates the number of attached characters attached to the player character 74.

  If “NO” in the step S 17, in the next step S 21, the CPU 36 determines whether or not the attached character 76 attached to the player character 74 is separated from the player character 74. If “YES” in the step S21, the CPU 36 decrements the previous counter N in a step S23.

  Accordingly, in step S19 or S23, the number of attached characters 76 attached to the player character 74 at that time is counted.

  In the next step S25, the CPU 36 sets the maximum possible speed (maximum speed) of the moving speed of the player character 74 in accordance with the number N of the attached characters 76 in the maximum speed setting area 70f of the main memory 40 (FIG. 9). And the distance (camera distance) between the virtual camera and the player character corresponding to the maximum value is set in the virtual camera distance setting area 70d (FIG. 9) of the main memory 40. At this time, the correspondence table 70g set in the main memory 40 shown in FIG. 9 is referred to.

  Specifically, when the number of attached characters is “0”, the CPU 36 sets “S0” as the maximum value of the moving speed and sets “D0” as the camera distance. Similarly, when the number of attached characters is “1”, “S1” is set as the maximum value of the moving speed, and “D1” is set as the camera distance. When the number of attached characters is “2”, “S2” is set as the maximum value of the moving speed, and “D2” is set as the camera distance. Since S0> S1> S2... And D0> D1> D2..., The larger the number N of attachments, the smaller (slower) the maximum moving speed of the player character 74 and the smaller the camera distance (shorter). ) Is set.

  In the correspondence table, instead of defining the camera distance, a movement amount of the camera distance (an amount approaching the direction of the player character) may be defined.

  As described above, when the player character is attached to the player character, the player's ability value (moving speed in the embodiment) is reduced, but if there is nothing, the game player may not notice it. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the ability value of the player character is lowered, the camera distance is changed in order to make the player recognize or perceive it. In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11B and FIG. 11C, the camera distance is reduced as the maximum speed decreases, so that the virtual speed decreases as the maximum speed decreases. The angle of view of the camera is narrowed, and the player character is greatly zoomed up.

  When the player character is displayed, the direction of the virtual camera (not shown) is fixed, and the gazing point is set to the player character.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the percussion instrument type controller 100 is used, and in steps S3 and S7, the moving speed according to the number of hitting operations is set. However, the controller may be changed to a known controller with a joystick. When using a controller with a joystick, in steps S3 and S7, the moving direction of the player character is determined by the tilting direction of the joystick, and the moving speed is set according to the tilting angle of the joystick (the degree to which the lever is tilted). That's fine.

It is an illustration figure which shows the game system of one Example of this invention. It is an exploded view which shows a part of percussion instrument type | mold controller used for the Example shown in FIG. It is a top view about a part of percussion instrument type controller. FIG. 4 is a part of a cross-sectional view of a part of the percussion instrument type controller taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is an illustrative view showing a state in a case where a player performs a hitting operation in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of a percussion instrument type controller. It is an illustration figure which shows the format of the operation signal input into a game device from a percussion instrument type | mold controller. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the embodiment in FIG. 1. FIG. 9 is an illustrative view showing one example of a memory map of a main memory in the embodiment in FIG. 8; It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of FIG. 1 Example. FIG. 11 is an illustrative view showing a state in which the player character is attached to the player character in the embodiment of FIG. 1, FIG. 11A is a normal state, FIG. (C) shows a state in which two attached characters are attached to the player character. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Game system 12 ... Game device 18 ... Optical disk 30 ... Monitor 36 ... CPU
40 ... main memory 74 ... player character 76 ...

Claims (5)

A game device that executes a game by controlling a movement of a player character photographed by a virtual camera in a virtual space in response to an operation signal from a controller,
First parameter storage means for storing a first parameter of the player character;
Maximum value setting means for setting a maximum value of the first parameter in accordance with the game situation;
Parameter increasing / decreasing means for increasing or decreasing the first parameter within the range of the maximum value based on the operation of the controller;
A motion control means for controlling the motion of the player character based on the first parameter; and the virtual camera is controlled so that the angle of view of the virtual camera becomes smaller as the maximum value set by the maximum value setting means is smaller. A game apparatus comprising virtual camera control means.   The game device according to claim 1, wherein the first parameter includes a moving speed of the player character.   The game device according to claim 1, wherein the virtual camera control unit includes a table in which the maximum value of the first parameter is associated with the camera distance, and controls the virtual camera with reference to the table. Change generating means for generating a first change in the virtual space in relation to the player character;
The maximum value setting means changes the maximum value of the first parameter according to the number of occurrences of the first change,
The game apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the table defines a maximum value of the first parameter and the camera distance for each occurrence. A program for a game device that executes a game by controlling the movement of a player character photographed by a virtual camera in a virtual space in response to an operation signal from a controller,
The game device includes first parameter storage means for storing a first parameter of the player character,
The program includes a maximum value setting means for setting the maximum value of the first parameter in accordance with the game situation.
Parameter increasing / decreasing means for increasing or decreasing the first parameter within the range of the maximum value based on the operation of the controller;
A motion control means for controlling the motion of the player character based on the first parameter; and the virtual camera is controlled so that the angle of view of the virtual camera becomes smaller as the maximum value set by the maximum value setting means is smaller. A game apparatus program that operates as a virtual camera control means.

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