JP2007014444A - Game apparatus, and control method and program therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game apparatus which enables the ideal expression of the way a player's ears hear a sound emitted at a distant position being delayed with a relatively simple structure. <P>SOLUTION: A judgment part 76 judges whether a pronounciative event is generated in a game or not. A voice output control part 88 starts the output of voices corresponding to the pronounciative event according to the result of the judgment by the judgment part 76. A distance information acquisition part 80 acquires distance information pertaining to the distance between the pronunciation position corresponding to the pronounciative event and the given reference position. A delay control part 82 controls the length of the time to the timing of starting the output of voice by the voice output control part 88 from the timing at which the pronounciative event is judged to be generated by the judgment part 76 based on the distance information acquired by the distance information acquisition part 80. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a game apparatus, a game apparatus control method, and a program.

There is known a game device that outputs a predetermined sound when a sounding event occurs in a game. For example, when a predetermined object placed in a three-dimensional game space collides with another object, a game apparatus that displays the explosion of the predetermined object on the game screen and outputs the explosion sound is known. (Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-47442

  In the game device as described above, when it is possible to appropriately express the sound emitted at a distant position behind the ears of the player, the reality of the game can be improved, and the interest of the game can be improved. It becomes like this.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to be able to suitably express a state in which a sound emitted at a distant position is heard behind a player's ear with a relatively simple configuration. A game device, a game device control method, and a program are provided.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a game device according to the present invention is a game device that executes a game, in accordance with a determination unit that determines whether a sounding event has occurred in the game, and a determination result by the determination unit Distance information acquisition for acquiring distance information regarding the distance between the sound output control means for starting the sound output corresponding to the sounding event, the sounding position corresponding to the sounding event, and the given reference position And the distance information acquisition means obtains the length of time from the timing when the sound generation event is determined by the determination means and the timing when the sound output control means starts the output of the sound. Delay control means for controlling based on the distance information.

  The game device control method according to the present invention includes a determination step for determining whether or not a sounding event has occurred in the game, and a determination result by the determination step in the game device control method for executing a game. In response, a sound output control step for starting output of sound corresponding to the pronunciation event, and distance information relating to a distance between the sound generation position corresponding to the sound generation event and a given reference position are acquired. A distance information acquisition step for performing, and a time length from a timing at which the sounding event is determined by the determination step to a timing at which the audio output is started by the audio output control step, A delay control step for controlling based on the distance information acquired by the distance information acquisition step; And wherein the Mukoto.

  The program according to the present invention causes a computer such as a home game machine, a portable game machine, an arcade game machine, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or a personal computer to function as a game device that executes a game. Determining means for determining whether or not a sounding event has occurred in the game, and sound output control means for starting output of sound corresponding to the sounding event in accordance with a determination result by the determining means , Distance information acquisition means for acquiring distance information regarding the distance between the sound generation position corresponding to the sound generation event and a given reference position, and timing when the sound generation event is determined to have occurred by the determination means To the timing at which the audio output control means starts the output of the audio. Is a program for causing the computer to function as a delay control means, for controlling on the basis of the distance information acquired by the distance information acquisition means.

  An information storage medium according to the present invention is a computer-readable information storage medium recording the above program. A program distribution apparatus according to the present invention is a program distribution apparatus that includes an information storage medium that records the program, reads the program from the information storage medium, and distributes the program. A program distribution method according to the present invention is a program distribution method that includes an information storage medium storing the program, reads the program from the information storage medium, and distributes the program.

  In the present invention, it is determined whether or not a pronunciation event has occurred in the game. And according to the determination result, the output of the sound corresponding to the sounding event is started. However, the length of time from the time when it is determined that the sounding event has occurred to the time when the output of the sound corresponding to the sounding event is started depends on the sounding position corresponding to the sounding event and the given reference position. , Based on distance information regarding the distance between. According to the present invention, it is possible to suitably represent a state in which a sound emitted at a distant position is heard behind a player's ear with a relatively simple configuration.

  In one aspect of the present invention, a display means for displaying a game screen representing a state in which a three-dimensional game space in which a sounding object representing a sounding body is arranged is viewed from a given viewpoint, and a determination result by the determination means. And a display control means for giving a change corresponding to the sounding event to the game screen, wherein the determining means determines whether or not a sounding event occurrence condition related to the sounding object is satisfied, The sound generation position may be the position of the sound generation object, and the reference position may be the position of the viewpoint or the position of the operation target object arranged in the three-dimensional game space. In this way, in a so-called three-dimensional game, it is possible to suitably represent a state in which sounds emitted at a distant position are heard behind the ears of the player with a relatively simple configuration.

  In the aspect of the invention, the delay control unit may generate the sounding event by the delay time acquisition unit that acquires a delay time based on the distance information acquired by the distance information acquisition unit and the determination unit. Monitoring means for monitoring whether or not at least the delay time acquired by the delay time acquisition means has passed after the timing determined to have been performed, and according to a monitoring result by the monitoring means, the audio output You may make it a control means start the said audio | voice output. In this way, after it is determined that the sounding event has occurred, “the delay time determined based on the distance information regarding the distance between the sounding position corresponding to the sounding event and the given reference position” is At least after elapse, it becomes possible to start outputting the sound corresponding to the sounding event.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the delay time acquisition means includes delay time information storage means for storing delay time information indicating the delay time in association with distance condition information indicating a condition for the distance information, The delay time information stored in the delay time information storage means is read in association with the distance condition information satisfied by the distance information acquired by the distance information acquisition means, and the delay time indicated by the delay time information is acquired. You may do it. In this way, it is possible to make the process relating to the acquisition of the delay time a relatively simple process.

  Further, in one aspect of the present invention, it includes group identification information storage means for storing any one of a plurality of group identification information in association with the sound corresponding to the pronunciation event, and the delay time information storage means is The delay time information is stored in association with a combination of the distance condition information and the group identification information, and the delay time acquisition means is distance condition information satisfied by the distance information acquired by the distance information acquisition means; The delay time information stored in the delay time information storage means in association with the combination of the group identification information stored in the group identification information storage means in association with the sound corresponding to the pronunciation event, You may make it acquire the delay time shown by delay time information. In this way, the relationship between the distance information regarding the distance between the sound generation position and the reference position and the delay time can be changed for each group to which the sound belongs. As a result, by performing grouping based on the characteristics of the voice (for example, whether the sound is high or low), based on the characteristics of the voice, distance information regarding the distance between the sound generation position and the reference position and It becomes possible to change the relationship with the delay time.

  In the aspect of the invention, the delay time acquisition unit may acquire the delay time by executing a predetermined calculation process based on the distance information acquired by the distance information acquisition unit. Good. In this way, the delay time can be acquired by executing a predetermined calculation process based on the distance information regarding the distance between the sound generation position and the reference position.

  Further, in one aspect of the present invention, it includes group identification information storage means for storing any one of a plurality of group identification information in association with a sound corresponding to the sounding event, and the delay time acquisition means The calculation processing may be made different in accordance with group identification information stored in the group identification information storage means in association with a sound corresponding to a pronunciation event. Even in this case, the relationship between the distance information regarding the distance between the sound generation position and the reference position and the delay time can be changed for each group to which the sound belongs. As a result, by performing grouping based on the characteristics of the voice (for example, whether the sound is high or low), based on the characteristics of the voice, distance information regarding the distance between the sound generation position and the reference position and It becomes possible to change the relationship with the delay time.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a game device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The game apparatus 10 shown in the figure is configured by attaching a DVD-ROM 25 and a memory card 28 as information storage media to a consumer game machine 11 and further connecting a monitor 18 and a speaker 22. For example, a home television receiver is used for the monitor 18, and its built-in speaker is used for the speaker 22.

  The home game machine 11 includes a bus 12, a microprocessor 14, an image processing unit 16, an audio processing unit 20, a DVD-ROM playback unit 24, a main memory 26, an input / output processing unit 30, and a controller 32. It is a computer game system. Components other than the controller 32 are accommodated in a housing.

  The bus 12 is for exchanging addresses and data among the units of the consumer game machine 11. The microprocessor 14, the image processing unit 16, the main memory 26, and the input / output processing unit 30 are connected by the bus 12 so that mutual data communication is possible.

  The microprocessor 14 controls each part of the consumer game machine 11 based on an operating system stored in a ROM (not shown), a program read from the DVD-ROM 25, and data read from the memory card 28. The main memory 26 is configured to include, for example, a RAM, and a program read from the DVD-ROM 25 and data read from the memory card 28 are written as necessary. The main memory 26 is also used for work of the microprocessor 14.

  The image processing unit 16 includes a VRAM, and draws a game screen on the VRAM based on the image data sent from the microprocessor 14. Then, the content is converted into a video signal and output to the monitor 18 at a predetermined timing.

  The input / output processing unit 30 is an interface for the microprocessor 14 to access the audio processing unit 20, the DVD-ROM playback unit 24, the memory card 28, and the controller 32. An audio processing unit 20, a DVD-ROM playback unit 24, a memory card 28 and a controller 32 are connected to the input / output processing unit 30.

  The sound processing unit 20 is configured to include a sound buffer, and reproduces various sound data such as game music, game sound effects, and messages read from the DVD-ROM 25 and stored in the sound buffer, from the speaker 22. Output.

  The DVD-ROM playback unit 24 reads a program recorded on the DVD-ROM 25 in accordance with an instruction from the microprocessor 14. Here, the DVD-ROM 25 is used to supply the program to the consumer game machine 11, but any other information storage medium such as a CD-ROM or a ROM card may be used. Further, the program may be supplied to the consumer game machine 11 from a remote place via a data communication network such as the Internet.

  The memory card 28 includes a nonvolatile memory (for example, EEPROM). The home-use game machine 11 includes a plurality of memory card slots for mounting the memory card 28, and the plurality of memory cards 28 can be mounted simultaneously. The memory card 28 is configured to be removable from the memory card slot, and is used for storing various game data such as saved data.

  The controller 32 is general-purpose operation input means for the player to input various game operations. The input / output processing unit 30 scans the state of each unit of the controller 32 at regular intervals (for example, every 1/60 seconds), and passes an operation signal representing the scan result to the microprocessor 14 via the bus 12. The microprocessor 14 determines the player's game operation based on the operation signal. The home game machine 11 is configured so that a plurality of controllers 32 can be connected, and the microprocessor 14 performs game control based on an operation signal input from each controller 32.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the controller 32. The controller 32 shown in the figure is a general-purpose game controller. As shown in FIG. 5A, the controller 32 is provided with a direction button 34, a start button 36, and buttons 38X, 38Y, 38A, and 38B on the surface. Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the back side surface of the controller 32 is provided with buttons 42L and 42R on the left and right sides of the front surface, and buttons 40L and 40R are provided on the left and right sides of the back surface, respectively. . The direction button 34 has a cross shape, and is usually used to set a moving direction of a character or a cursor. The start button 36 is a small push button having a triangular shape, and is usually used for starting a game or forcibly ending a game. Buttons 38X, 38Y, 38A, 38B, 40L, 40R, 42L, and 42R are used for other game operations.

  In the game apparatus 10 having the above-described configuration, a shooting game that performs an attack toward a target is provided.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a game screen displayed on the monitor 18. As shown in the figure, an aiming cursor 52, a bullet object 54, and a target object 56 are displayed on the game screen 50. The aiming cursor 52 moves in the game screen 50 according to a direction instruction operation using the direction button 34, for example. The bullet object 54 is fired in response to a firing instruction operation using the button 38A, for example. That is, the bullet object 54 moves straight from the position of the aiming cursor 52 at the time when the firing instruction operation is performed, toward the back of the screen. The target object 56 moves toward the front of the screen. When the bullet object 54 hits the target object 56, it is shattered and disappears from the game screen 50. When the bullet object 54 hits the target object 56 three times, the target object 56 explodes and disappears from the game screen 50. The player uses the direction button 34 and the button 38A to prevent the target object 56 from approaching.

  In the game apparatus 10, in order to display the game screen 50, for example, a virtual three-dimensional game space as shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, a spherical target object 56 is arranged in the three-dimensional game space 60. Actually, a plurality of bullet objects 54 and a plurality of target objects 56 are arranged in the three-dimensional game space 60, but are omitted in the figure. A viewpoint C is virtually set in the three-dimensional game space 60, and a state of viewing the three-dimensional game space 60 from this viewpoint C is displayed on the game screen 50.

  In the game apparatus 10, when the bullet object 54 hits the target object 56, the state is displayed on the game screen 50, and a predetermined hit sound is output from the speaker 22. Further, when the target object 56 explodes, the state is displayed on the game screen 50 and a predetermined explosion sound is output. In particular, in the game apparatus 10, when the bullet object 54 hits the target object 56, the state is immediately displayed on the game screen 50, whereas the output of the hit sound is between the viewpoint C and the target object 56. It starts to wait for the time based on the distance to pass. Similarly, when the target object 56 explodes, the state is immediately displayed on the game screen 50, whereas the explosion sound is output based on the time based on the distance between the viewpoint C and the target object 56. It starts to wait for the passage of time. In this manner, the game apparatus 10 has a relatively simple configuration in which the hit sound and explosion sound emitted in association with the target object 56 and the bullet object 54 that are distant from the viewpoint C arrive behind the player's ear. It is suitably expressed. Hereinafter, this point will be described in detail.

  FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram mainly showing functions related to the present invention among the functions realized by the game apparatus 10. As shown in the figure, the game apparatus 10 includes a game data storage unit 70 and a game control unit 74. The game data storage unit 70 is realized mainly by the main memory 26 and the DVD-ROM 25, and the game control unit 74 is realized by the microprocessor 14 executing a program read from the DVD-ROM 25.

[1. Game data storage unit]
The game data storage unit 70 stores various data necessary for executing the shooting game. For example, model data of the bullet object 54 and the target object 56 is stored in the game data storage unit 70. Further, for example, the position coordinates (xc, yc, zc) of the viewpoint C in the three-dimensional game space 60 and the position coordinates (xs, ys) of the aiming cursor 52 on the game screen 50 are stored. Further, for example, a target object table as shown in FIG. 6 and a bullet object table as shown in FIG. 7 are stored.

  In the target object table, position information indicating the position of each target object 56 arranged in the three-dimensional game space 60 is mainly stored. As shown in FIG. 6, the target object table includes a “target object ID” field, a “position” field, and a “number of shots” field. In the “target object ID” field, identification information (target object ID) for uniquely identifying the target object 56 is stored. The “position” field stores the position coordinates (xt, yt, zt) of the representative point (for example, the center point) of the target object 56 in the three-dimensional game space 60. The “number of shots” field stores the number of times the target object 56 has been shot. That is, the number of times the bullet object 54 has hit the target object 56 is stored.

  The bullet object table mainly stores position information indicating the position of each bullet object 54 arranged in the three-dimensional game space 60. As shown in FIG. 7, the bullet object table includes a “bullet object ID” field, a “position” field, and a “hit flag” field. In the “bullet object ID” field, identification information (bullet object ID) for uniquely identifying the bullet object 54 is stored. The “position” field stores the position coordinates (xb, yb, zb) of the representative point (for example, the center point) of the bullet object 54 in the three-dimensional game space 60. The “hit flag” field stores numerical information indicating whether or not the bullet object 54 has hit the target object 56. “0” is stored when the bullet object 54 has not yet hit the target object 56, and “1” is stored when the bullet object 54 has hit the target object 56.

[2. Audio data storage unit]
The game data storage unit 70 includes an audio data storage unit 72. The voice data storage unit 72 stores voice data used for executing the shooting game. For example, the sound data storage unit 72 stores hit sound data indicating a hit sound when the bullet object 54 hits the target object 56 and explosive sound data indicating an explosive sound when the target object 56 explodes.

  The audio data storage unit 72 stores an audio data table as shown in FIG. 8, for example, regarding the audio data to be stored. As shown in the figure, the audio data table includes an “audio data ID” field, an “audio data” field, and a “group ID” field. In the “voice data ID” field, identification information (voice data ID) for uniquely identifying the voice data is stored. In the “voice data” field, information for specifying the storage location of the voice data is stored. For example, information indicating a file name of audio data and a storage area of the audio data is stored. The “group ID” field stores identification information (group ID) of the group to which the audio data belongs. In the present embodiment, a group “G1” to which relatively high-pitched sound data belongs and a group “G2” to which relatively-low sound data belong are prepared.

[3. Game control unit]
The game control unit 74 reads the stored contents of the game data storage unit 70 and executes game control. In addition, the game control unit 74 updates the stored content of the game data storage unit 70 based on the execution result of the game control. The game control unit 74 includes a determination unit 76, a display control unit 78, a distance information acquisition unit 80, a delay control unit 82, and an audio output control unit 88.

[4. Judgment unit]
The determination unit 76 determines whether a pronunciation event has occurred in the shooting game. More specifically, the determination unit 76 determines whether a sounding event such as a hit sound or an explosion sound has occurred. In the present embodiment, the hit sound generation event is generated when the hit sound generation event generation condition related to the target object 56 (sound generation object) is satisfied. Therefore, the determination unit 76 determines whether or not the hit sound generation event generation condition related to the target object 56 is satisfied. Specifically, the determination unit 76 determines whether or not the bullet object 54 collides with the target object 56. The explosion sound generation event is generated when the explosion sound generation event generation condition related to the target object 56 is satisfied. Therefore, the determination unit 76 determines whether or not the explosion sound generation event generation condition related to the target object 56 is satisfied. Specifically, the determination unit 76 determines whether or not the bullet object 54 collides with the target object 56 and the number of shots of the target object 56 has reached three. It should be noted that whether or not the bullet object 54 has collided with the target object 56 may be determined by a known collision determination process.

[5. Display control unit]
The display control unit 78 gives a change corresponding to the pronunciation event to the game screen 50 according to the determination result by the determination unit 76. For example, if the determination unit 76 determines that a sounding event of a hit sound has occurred, the display control unit 78 displays on the game screen 50 a state in which the bullet object 54 that hits the target object 56 is shattered and disappears. Further, for example, if the determination unit 76 determines that an explosion sounding event has occurred, the display control unit 78 displays on the game screen 50 a state in which the target object 56 explodes.

[6. Distance information acquisition unit]
The distance information acquisition unit 80 acquires distance information related to the distance between the sound generation position corresponding to the sound generation event and the given reference position. In the present embodiment, the distance d between the representative point F of the target object 56 and the viewpoint C (d = ((xt−xc) ² + (yt−yc) ² + (zt−zc) ² ) ^{1 / 2} ) is acquired by the distance information acquisition unit 80 (see FIG. 4). Note that a point F ′ obtained by parallel projection (orthogonal projection) of the representative point F of the target object 56 on the XZ plane (which may be an XY plane or a YZ plane) and the viewpoint C on the XZ plane. The distance d ′ (d ′ = ((xt−xc) ² + (zt−zc) ² ) ^1/2 ) between the point C ′ formed by parallel projection is acquired by the distance information acquisition unit 80. Alternatively, see FIG. In this way, the processing load related to the acquisition of distance information by the distance information acquisition unit 80 may be reduced.

[7. Audio output control unit]
The sound output control unit 88 starts outputting the sound corresponding to the sounding event according to the determination result by the determination unit 76. In the present embodiment, when it is determined that a hit sound generation event has occurred, the audio output control unit 88 starts to output a hit sound. If it is determined that an explosion sounding event has occurred, the audio output control unit 88 starts outputting explosion sound. Note that the output of the hit sound and the explosion sound by the voice output control unit 88 is started according to the monitoring result by the monitoring unit 86 described later. In other words, the start of the output of the hit sound or explosion sound by the audio output control unit 88 is limited by the monitoring result by the monitoring unit 86.

[8. Delay control unit]
The delay control unit 82 uses the distance information acquisition unit 80 to calculate the length of time from the timing at which the sound generation event is determined by the determination unit 76 to the timing at which the audio output control unit 88 starts to output audio. Control based on the acquired distance information. The delay control unit 82 includes a delay time acquisition unit 84 and a monitoring unit 86.

[9. Delay time acquisition unit]
The delay time acquisition unit 84 acquires a delay time based on the distance information acquired by the distance information acquisition unit 80.

  In the present embodiment, for example, a delay time table as shown in FIG. 9 is stored in the delay time acquisition unit 84 (delay time information storage means). As shown in the figure, this delay time table includes a “distance range” field, a “G1” field, and a “G2” field. Information indicating the range of distance (distance condition information) is stored in the “distance range” field. The “G1” field stores a delay time applied to the audio data associated with the group ID “G1”. The “G2” field stores a delay time applied to the audio data associated with the group ID “G2”. The “G1” and “G2” fields store information (delay time information) indicating the delay time in units of a predetermined time (in this embodiment, 1/60 seconds). In the figure, ΔT1, ΔT2, ΔT3, ΔT4, ΔT5, ΔT6 are predetermined constants, and ΔT1 <ΔT3 <ΔT5, ΔT2 <ΔT4 <ΔT6, ΔT3 <ΔT4, ΔT5 <ΔT6, ΔT1 <ΔT2, ΔT3 < There is a relationship of ΔT4, ΔT5 <ΔT6. That is, the delay time of the group “G2” to which relatively low-pitched sound data belongs is larger than that of the group “G1” to which relatively high-pitched sound data belongs.

  The delay time acquisition unit 84 includes a range including the distance acquired by the distance information acquisition unit 80 and a group ID of the audio data to be output (audio data corresponding to the sounding event determined to have occurred by the determination unit 76). The delay time corresponding to the combination is acquired from the delay time table. For example, when the distance acquired by the distance information acquisition unit 80 is “D1 or more and less than D2” and the group ID of the audio data to be output is “G2”, the delay time “ΔT4” is acquired.

  The delay time acquisition unit 84 may calculate the delay time by executing a predetermined calculation process based on the distance information acquired by the distance information acquisition unit 80. For example, the delay time acquisition unit 84 may calculate the delay time by substituting the distance acquired by the distance information acquisition unit 80 into a predetermined arithmetic expression using the distance as a variable. In this case, an arithmetic expression may be provided so that the delay time increases as the distance acquired by the distance information acquisition unit 80 increases. Further, the arithmetic expression (contents of arithmetic processing) may be different for each group ID of the audio data. In the present embodiment, for the group “G2” to which relatively low-pitched sound data belongs, the distance acquired by the distance information acquisition unit 80 is smaller than the group “G1” to which relatively high-pitched sound data belongs. An arithmetic expression may be provided so as to increase the delay time even if they are the same.

[10. Monitoring department]
The monitoring unit 86 monitors whether or not it is time to cause the audio output control unit 88 to start outputting a hit sound or an explosion sound. Specifically, the monitoring unit 86 monitors whether or not at least the delay time acquired by the delay time acquisition unit 84 has elapsed after the timing at which the sound generation event is determined by the determination unit 76. The delay control unit 82 causes the sound output control unit 88 to start outputting a hit sound or an explosion sound according to the monitoring result by the monitoring unit 86.

  For example, an audio output start timing table as shown in FIG. 10 is stored in the delay control unit 82. As shown in the figure, the audio output start timing table includes an “audio data ID” field and a “remaining time” field. In the “voice data ID” field, a voice data ID (see FIG. 8) is stored. The “remaining time” field stores numerical information indicating the remaining time in units of a predetermined time (in this embodiment, 1/60 second) until the sound output control unit 88 starts outputting a hit sound or an explosion sound. The The contents of the audio output start timing table are updated by the delay time acquisition unit 84 and the monitoring unit 86. Details will be described later (see S208 and S211 in FIG. 13 and S110 in FIG. 12).

  Here, a process executed by the game apparatus 10 will be described. FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are flowcharts showing processing executed by the game apparatus 10 every predetermined time (in this embodiment, 1/60 seconds). The processes shown in these drawings are realized by the microprocessor 14 executing a program read from the DVD-ROM 25.

  As shown in FIG. 11, first, the position of each target object 56 is updated (S101). Specifically, as a new position of each target object 56, a position that is moved from the current position of the target object 56 by a predetermined distance (movement distance every 1/60 seconds) in a predetermined direction is calculated. Then, the “position” field of the target object table is updated.

  Next, the position of each bullet object 54 is updated (S102). Specifically, as a new position of each bullet object 54, a position obtained by moving from the current position of the bullet object 54 by a predetermined distance (moving distance every 1/60 seconds) in a predetermined direction is calculated. Then, the “position” field of the bullet object table is updated.

  Next, the position of the aiming cursor 52 is updated (S103). Specifically, as a new position of the aiming cursor 52, a position that is moved from the current position of the aiming cursor 52 by a predetermined distance (movement distance every 1/60 seconds) in a direction corresponding to the operation content of the direction button 34. Is calculated. The position is held in the game data storage unit 70.

  Next, it is determined whether or not a firing instruction operation has been performed (S104). That is, it is determined whether or not an operation signal indicating that the firing instruction operation has been performed is input from the controller 32.

  If it is determined that a firing instruction operation has been performed, bullet object firing processing is executed (S105). In the bullet object firing process, a record is added to the bullet object table. In the “bullet object ID” field of this record, an appropriately generated bullet object ID is stored, and in the “position” field, the position on the three-dimensional game space 60 corresponding to the position of the aiming cursor 52 at that time is stored. Stored.

  Next, a hit determination process is executed for each bullet object 54 (S106). FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the hit determination process.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in the hit determination process, the determination unit 76 determines whether the bullet object 54 has collided with the target object 56 (S201). This determination is performed by executing a known collision determination process based on the stored contents of the “position” field of the target object table or the bullet object table. If it is determined that the bullet object 54 has collided with the target object 56, the “hit flag” field of the bullet object table is updated to “1” for the bullet object 54 (S202) and The distance d to the representative point F of the target object 56 is calculated by the distance information acquisition unit 80 (S203). Further, regarding the target object 56, the value of the “number of shots” field of the target object table is incremented (S204). Then, the determination unit 76 determines whether or not the value of the “number of shots” field is less than “3” (S205).

  When the value of the “number of shots” field is less than “3”, the group ID of the sound data of the hit sound is acquired from the sound data table (S206). Next, the delay time acquisition unit 84 acquires the delay time corresponding to the combination of the distance calculated in S203 and the group ID acquired in S206 from the delay time table (S207). Then, a record is added to the audio output start timing table (S208). The voice data ID “S1” of the hit sound data is stored in the “voice data ID” field of this record, and the delay time acquired in S207 is stored in the “remaining time” field.

  On the other hand, when the value of the “number of shots” field is not less than “3”, the group ID of the explosion sound data is obtained from the sound data table (S209). Next, the delay time acquisition unit 84 acquires the delay time corresponding to the combination of the distance calculated in S203 and the group ID acquired in S209 from the delay time table (S210). Then, a record is added to the audio output start timing table (S211). The voice data ID “S2” of the explosion sound data is stored in the “voice data ID” field of this record, and the delay time acquired in S210 is stored in the “remaining time” field.

  After the process of S106 is executed, that is, after the hit determination process is executed for each bullet object 54, the game screen 50 is generated on the VRAM (S107). Specifically, an image representing a state in which “the three-dimensional game space 60 in which the bullet object 54 and the target object 56 are arranged based on the contents of the“ position ”field of the bullet object table and the target object table is viewed from the viewpoint C. Are formed on the VRAM. Thereafter, the aiming cursor 52 is drawn at a position stored in the game data storage unit 70 on the image formed on the VRAM. For the target object 56 whose number of shots has reached “3”, a predetermined object (debris object or the like) for representing the state of the target object 56 exploding is replaced with the original target object 56 in the three-dimensional game space 60. It should just be arranged in. Similarly, with respect to the bullet object 54 whose hit flag is “1”, a predetermined object (debris object or the like) for representing how the bullet object 54 is shattered is replaced with the original bullet object 54 in the three-dimensional game space 60. What is necessary is just to arrange | position.

  Next, the record whose “number of shots” field value is “3” is deleted from the target object table (S108), and the record whose “hit flag” field value is “1” is deleted from the bullet object table. (S109). That is, the record related to the bullet object 54 that hits the target object 56 or the target object 56 that explodes is deleted from the bullet object table or the target object table.

  Next, the value of the “remaining time” field of all records in the audio output start timing table is decremented by the monitoring unit 86 (S110). Then, the monitoring unit 86 determines whether or not there is a record in which the value of the “remaining time” field is “0” (S111). When there is a record whose value of the “remaining time” field is “0”, voice output based on the voice data identified by the “voice data ID” field of the record is started (S112), The record is deleted from the audio output start timing table (S113).

  As described above, in the game device 10, when the bullet object 54 hits the target object 56, the state in which the bullet object 54 hits the target object 56 is immediately displayed on the game screen 50, whereas The output is started after the time based on the distance between the viewpoint C and the target object 56 elapses. Similarly, when the target object 56 explodes, the state in which the target object 56 explodes is immediately displayed on the game screen 50, whereas the explosion sound output is the distance between the viewpoint C and the target object 56. It starts to wait for the time according to the elapse of time. For this reason, in the game apparatus 10, a state in which a hit sound or explosion sound emitted at a position away from the viewpoint C arrives behind the ears of the player is suitably produced. Furthermore, in the game apparatus 10, when the sound emitted at a position away from the viewpoint C is a low sound, the delay time is longer than that when the sound is a high sound. For this reason, when the sound emitted at a position distant from the viewpoint C is a low tone, a state in which the sound reaches the player's ears is favorably produced as compared with a case where the sound is a high tone. Yes. And in this invention, the above effects are implement | achieved by a comparatively simple structure (process).

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above.

  For example, when a game in which a player's operation target appears is provided in the game apparatus 10, the distance information acquisition unit 80 acquires distance information regarding the distance between the sound generation position and the operation target position. Also good. For example, when the game device 10 provides a game that displays a game screen as seen from a given viewpoint in a three-dimensional game space in which an operation target object that is an operation target of a player is arranged, the distance information acquisition unit 80 May acquire distance information related to the distance between the sound generation position and the position of the operation target object.

  Further, for example, the present invention is not limited to the shooting game as described above. The present invention can also be applied to other types of games (action games, role playing games, sports games, etc.) other than shooting games. The present invention can also be applied to so-called two-dimensional games.

  In the above description, the program is supplied from the DVD-ROM 25, which is an information storage medium, to the consumer game machine 11. However, the program may be distributed to a home or the like via a communication network. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a program distribution system using a communication network. A program distribution method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the program distribution system 100 includes a game database 102, a server 104, a communication network 106, a personal computer 108, a consumer game machine 110, and a PDA (personal digital assistant) 112. Among these, the game database 102 and the server 104 constitute a program distribution device 114. The communication network 106 includes, for example, the Internet and a cable television network. In this system, a game database (information storage medium) 102 stores a program similar to the content stored in the DVD-ROM 25. Then, when a consumer makes a game distribution request using the personal computer 108, the home game machine 110, the PDA 112, or the like, it is transmitted to the server 104 via the communication network 106. Then, the server 104 reads the program from the game database 102 in response to the game distribution request, and transmits it to the game distribution request source such as the personal computer 108, the home game machine 110, the PDA 112, and the like. Here, the game is distributed in response to the game distribution request, but the server 104 may transmit the game unilaterally. Further, it is not always necessary to distribute (collectively distribute) all programs necessary for realizing the game at a time, and a necessary portion may be distributed (divided distribution) according to the situation of the game. If the game is distributed via the communication network 106 in this way, the consumer can easily obtain the program.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the game device which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a controller. It is a figure which shows an example of a game screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a three-dimensional game space. It is a functional block diagram of the game device concerning this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a target object table. It is a figure which shows an example of a bullet object table. It is a figure which shows an example of an audio | voice data table. It is a figure which shows an example of a delay time table. It is a figure which shows an example of an audio | voice output start timing table. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed with a game device. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed with a game device. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed with a game device. It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the program delivery system which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Game device, 11,110 Home-use game machine, 12 bus | bath, 14 Microprocessor, 16 Image processing part, 18 Monitor, 20 Sound processing part, 22 Speaker, 24 DVD-ROM reproduction | regeneration part, 25 DVD-ROM, 26 Main memory , 28 Memory card, 30 Input / output processing unit, 32 Controller, 34 direction button, 36 Start button, 38A, 38B, 38X, 38Y, 40L, 40R, 42L, 42R button, 50 game screen, 52 Aiming cursor, 54 bullet object 56 target object, 60 three-dimensional game space, 70 game data storage unit, 72 voice data storage unit, 74 game control unit, 76 determination unit, 78 display control unit, 80 distance information acquisition unit, 82 delay control unit, 84 delay Time acquisition unit, 86 monitoring unit, 88 audio output Control unit, 100 program distribution system, 102 game database, 104 server, 106 communication network, 108 personal computer, 112 personal digital assistant (PDA), 114 program distribution device.

Claims (9)

In a game device that executes a game,
Determining means for determining whether or not a pronunciation event has occurred in the game;
Sound output control means for starting output of sound corresponding to the pronunciation event according to the determination result by the determination means;
Distance information acquisition means for acquiring distance information regarding the distance between the pronunciation position corresponding to the pronunciation event and a given reference position;
The distance acquired by the distance information acquiring unit from the timing at which the sounding event is determined by the determining unit to the timing at which the audio output control unit starts outputting the audio Delay control means for controlling based on information;
A game apparatus comprising: The game device according to claim 1,
Display means for displaying a game screen representing a state in which a three-dimensional game space in which a sound generation object representing a sound body is arranged is viewed from a given viewpoint;
Display control means for giving a change corresponding to the pronunciation event to the game screen in accordance with a determination result by the determination means,
The determination means determines whether or not a sounding event occurrence condition related to the sounding object is satisfied,
The pronunciation position is a position of the pronunciation object,
The reference position is the position of the viewpoint or the position of the operation target object placed in the three-dimensional game space.
A game device characterized by that. The game device according to claim 1 or 2,
The delay control means includes
A delay time acquiring means for acquiring a delay time based on the distance information acquired by the distance information acquiring means;
Monitoring means for monitoring whether at least the delay time acquired by the delay time acquisition means has elapsed after the timing at which the sounding event has been determined by the determination means;
In response to a monitoring result by the monitoring unit, the audio output control unit starts output of the audio;
A game device characterized by that. The game device according to claim 3.
The delay time acquisition means includes
A delay time information storage means for storing delay time information indicating the delay time in association with distance condition information indicating a condition for the distance information;
The delay time information stored in the delay time information storage means is read in association with the distance condition information satisfied by the distance information acquired by the distance information acquisition means, and the delay time indicated by the delay time information is acquired. ,
A game device characterized by that. The game device according to claim 4,
Group identification information storage means for storing any of a plurality of group identification information in association with the sound corresponding to the pronunciation event;
The delay time information storage means stores the delay time information in association with a combination of the distance condition information and the group identification information,
The delay time acquisition unit associates distance condition information satisfied by the distance information acquired by the distance information acquisition unit, and a group identification stored in the group identification information storage unit in association with the sound corresponding to the pronunciation event. Read the delay time information stored in the delay time information storage means in association with the combination of information, and obtain the delay time indicated by the delay time information,
A game device characterized by that. The game device according to claim 3.
The game apparatus characterized in that the delay time acquisition means acquires the delay time by executing a predetermined calculation process based on the distance information acquired by the distance information acquisition means. The game device according to claim 6,
Group identification information storage means for storing any of a plurality of group identification information in association with the sound corresponding to the pronunciation event;
The delay time acquisition means makes the calculation process different according to group identification information stored in the group identification information storage means in association with a sound corresponding to the sounding event.
A game device characterized by that. In a control method of a game device for executing a game,
A determination step for determining whether a pronunciation event has occurred in the game;
An audio output control step for starting output of audio corresponding to the pronunciation event according to the determination result of the determination step;
A distance information acquisition step for acquiring distance information regarding a distance between the pronunciation position corresponding to the pronunciation event and a given reference position;
The distance acquired by the distance information acquisition step from the timing at which the sounding event is determined by the determination step to the timing at which the audio output is started by the audio output control step A delay control step for controlling based on the information;
A method for controlling a game device, comprising: A program for causing a computer to function as a game device for executing a game,
Determining means for determining whether or not a pronunciation event has occurred in the game;
Sound output control means for starting output of sound corresponding to the pronunciation event according to the determination result by the determination means;
Distance information acquisition means for acquiring distance information regarding the distance between the pronunciation position corresponding to the pronunciation event and a given reference position; and
The distance acquired by the distance information acquiring unit from the timing at which the sounding event is determined by the determining unit to the timing at which the audio output control unit starts outputting the audio Delay control means for controlling based on information,
A program for causing the computer to function as

Images