JP2007029754A - Game device and information storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game device and an information storage medium capable of improving player's skill by presenting an operation target value to a player and increasing challenging desire for the game. <P>SOLUTION: The game device is for the player character operated by the player to perform a game to move in a game space, and includes a means for the player to input the operation information of the player character, and an action message output means which compares the operation target value 314 which becomes the guidepost for performing a prescribed proper operation and the value which is the present operation result determined based on the operation information and corresponds to the operation target value, and executes processing for outputting an action indication message necessary for the player to perform the proper operation corresponding to the comparison result. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a game device and an information storage medium.

  Conventionally, a racing game is known, in which a player rides on a simulated moving body simulating a racing car or a motorcycle, and controls the simulated moving body to travel a predetermined course.

  In such a racing game device, the player can have a more realistic and realistic driving feeling by making the case of the simulated moving body closer to reality, making the operation performance more complicated and advanced, or setting a course with a higher difficulty level. Game devices that can be tasted are being developed. In this way, when the game device is complicated and sophisticated, or the difficulty of the course becomes high, the player is required to perform a more detailed operation.

  However, since the amount of operation in the conventional game is largely based on the experience of the player, beginners and the like have too few or too many operations at the operation points that require detailed operations, so an ideal result cannot be obtained.

For example, when a corner or the like that cannot be turned unless it is lowered to a predetermined speed is provided on the course, it is difficult for beginners or the like to grasp an appropriate corner entry speed. For this reason, beginners can not clear the corner no matter how many times they play the game, and the game is over before getting the proper operation feeling, which may cause the game to become less fun, There was a problem that it became a factor to lose the will to re-challenge the game.
“PlayStation Perfect Capture Series (66) GO on the Train! Complete Guide Book 2nd Edition” Futabasha Co., Ltd. September 25, 1998 2nd Edition p. 5, 9, 20-27

  The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a player with an appropriate operation amount to help the player to improve and to increase his willingness to challenge the game. An apparatus and an information storage medium are provided.

  The present invention is a game apparatus for playing a game in which a player character operated by a player moves in a game space, and a means for the player to input operation information of the player character and a standard for performing a predetermined appropriate operation. Is compared with the current operation result determined based on the operation information and corresponding to the operation target value, and is necessary for the player to perform an appropriate operation according to the comparison result. And an operation message output means for performing processing for outputting an operation instruction message.

  The present invention also relates to an information storage medium storing a program that causes a computer to function as each of the above means.

  The present invention also provides a game apparatus for playing a game in which a player moving body operated by a player moves on a course in a game space, and means for inputting operation information by a player operating a simulated moving body; The operation target value serving as a guideline for performing a predetermined appropriate operation is compared with the current operation result determined based on the operation information and corresponding to the operation target value, and according to the comparison result And an operation message output means for performing a process for outputting an operation instruction message necessary for the player to perform an appropriate operation.

  The present invention also relates to an information storage medium storing a program that causes a computer to function as each of the above means.

  The game apparatus of the present embodiment includes means for providing an operation point that requires a predetermined appropriate operation in a game space through which a player character operated by the player passes, and means for the player to input operation information of the player character. The player character is calculated based on the operation information, and when the player character comes to at least one of the operation point and its vicinity, an operation target value serving as a guide for performing the predetermined appropriate operation is output. And an operation target value output means for performing processing.

  In addition, the game device according to the present embodiment includes means for providing an operation point that requires a predetermined appropriate operation on a course in a game space in which a player moving body operated by the player moves, and the player operates the simulated moving body. A means for inputting operation information, and a calculation of the movement of the player moving body based on the operation information. When the player moving body comes to at least one of the operation point and its vicinity, And an operation target value output means for performing processing for outputting the operation target value.

  A player character refers to an object in the game space operated by the player.

  The player moving body is, for example, a car, a motorcycle, a horse, a jet ski, a boat, or the like on which the player gets on and moves in the game space. The simulated moving body is a game case imitating the player moving body. For example, the player gets on the simulated moving body and operates the simulated moving body to move the player moving body in the game space. Operation information can be entered.

  For example, in the case of a racing game, an operation target value serving as a guide for passing the operation point is an appropriate speed for passing the operation point, an appropriate running line, and the like. For example, if it is a shooting game, it is an appropriate shooting operation.

  The output form of the operation target value may be a screen display or an audio output.

  In the present embodiment, an operation point that requires a predetermined proper operation is provided in an area through which the player character or player moving body passes, and when the player character or player moving body comes to or near this operation point, An operation target value serving as a standard for the predetermined appropriate operation is output.

  For this reason, the player can obtain the amount of operation that has been large according to experience in the past as information during play, and even a beginner can grasp how to operate at an operation point that requires detailed operation. Can do.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a game apparatus that can help the player to improve by presenting the operation target value to the player and increase the willingness to challenge the game. In addition, it is possible to provide a game apparatus that can be enjoyed sufficiently even by a beginner even though it includes operation points to which detailed operations are supplied.

  Note that the operation point is preferably provided at a place where damage to the player is great unless an appropriate operation is performed.

  For example, in a race game, the operation point is preferably provided at a predetermined corner on the course, and the operation target value is an appropriate corner entry speed for passing through the corner.

  In the game device of the present embodiment, the operation target value output means outputs a current operation result determined based on operation information input by the player and corresponding to the operation target value together with the operation target value. It is characterized by doing.

  For example, when the operation target value is speed, the current operation result determined based on the operation information input by the player, and the value corresponding to the operation target value is the current value of the player moving object or the player character. It will be the speed of. By outputting the target value and the current value corresponding to the target value in this way, the player can make a difference between the operation result of the player and the target value, and can easily grasp a more appropriate operation. Can be provided.

  The game device according to the present embodiment includes means for outputting an operation instruction message necessary for the player to perform an appropriate operation.

  According to the present embodiment, since a message instructing a necessary operation is output at an operation point that requires a detailed operation or the like, it is easy for the player to instantly understand how the operation should be performed. A game device can be provided.

  The game device according to the present embodiment includes image generation means for generating a game image viewed from a virtual camera in the game space, and the operation target value is displayed in addition to the game image near the operation point. Features.

  According to the present embodiment, since the operation target value is output on the display screen displaying the game space, the player can visually receive the operation target value at a necessary point without taking his eyes off the game screen.

  The information storage medium according to the present embodiment is a computer-readable information storage medium for providing an operation point that requires a predetermined proper operation in a game space through which a player character operated by the player passes. Based on the necessary information and the operation information of the player character input by the player, the player character's motion calculation is performed, and when the player character comes to at least one of the operation point and its vicinity, a guideline for performing the predetermined appropriate operation And information necessary for outputting the operation target value.

  The information storage medium of the present embodiment is a computer-readable information storage medium, and an operation point that requires a predetermined proper operation on a course in a game space in which a player moving body operated by the player moves. If the player moving object comes to at least one of the operation point and its vicinity, the player moving object is calculated based on the information necessary to provide the player and the operation information input by the player operating the simulated moving object. And information necessary for outputting an operation target value that is a guideline for the predetermined proper operation.

  Next, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment described below, the case where the present invention is applied to a motorcycle game will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to a game apparatus that performs various other games.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows an external view of the game apparatus according to the embodiment.

  The game apparatus according to the embodiment includes a simulated racing bike 1090 simulating an actual racing bike, and a display unit 1050 arranged in front of the simulated racing bike.

  While watching the game image displayed on the screen 1050, the player 1092 operates a handle 1070, an accelerator or a brake provided on the handle 1070, or a case (body) 1090 made by imitating a real motorcycle. Roll.

  Then, when the player 1092 operates the accelerator and the brake, the moving body (bike) 1100 displayed on the screen 1050 is accelerated or decelerated. Further, when the player 1092 steers the handle 1070 or rolls the housing 1090, the moving body 1100 bends or rolls left and right.

  The simulated racing motorcycle 1090 is configured to be tiltable in the left-right direction, and the player 1092 straddling the motorcycle 1090 moves the center of gravity to the right or left, thereby tilting the motorcycle main body to the left and right to run in the game space. It is configured to steer a motorcycle.

  The simulated motorcycle 1090 of the embodiment is configured such that when it is tilted in the left-right direction, a restoring force corresponding to the traveling speed of the player motorcycle traveling in the game space is given as a reaction force toward the neutral position. Thus, the player can obtain the same feeling of operation as when riding an actual motorcycle, and also experience the same difficulty in operating a motorcycle as when operating an actual racing motorcycle.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of a functional block diagram of the game device of the present embodiment.

  Here, the operation unit 10 is for a player to input operation information, and the function can be realized by hardware such as the handle 1070 in FIG. 1, an accelerator or a brake provided on the handle 1070, and a housing 1090. .

  The processing unit 100 performs various processes such as control of the entire apparatus, instruction instruction to each block in the apparatus, and game calculation, and functions thereof are a CPU (CISC type, RISC type), DSP, ASIC. It can be realized by hardware such as (gate array) or a given program (game program).

  The storage unit 180 serves as, for example, a work area of the processing unit 100, and its function can be realized by hardware such as a RAM.

  An information storage medium (a storage medium from which information can be read by a computer) 190 stores programs and data. The function of the information storage medium 190 is, for example, an optical disk (CDROM, DVD), magneto-optical disk (MO), magnetic disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, portable information storage device (memory card, PDA, portable game device, game cassette). ) And hardware such as a semiconductor memory (ROM). The processing unit 100 performs various processes based on programs and data stored in the information storage medium 190.

  Part or all of the information stored in the information storage medium 190 is transferred to the storage unit 180 when the apparatus is powered on.

  The processing unit 100 includes a game calculation unit 110, an image generation unit 150, and a sound generation unit 160.

  Here, the game calculation unit 110 receives a coin (price) acceptance process, a game mode setting process, a game progress process, a selection screen setting process, a moving body (motorcycle, character, robot, car, tank, airplane, spaceship). , Processing to determine the position and direction of ships, boats, skis, surfboards, balls, bullets, etc.) processing to determine the viewpoint position and line-of-sight direction, processing to reproduce the motion of the moving object, processing to place the object in the object space, Various game calculation processes such as a hit check process, a process for calculating a game result (score), a process for a plurality of players to play in a common game space, a game over process, etc. Perform based on game programs.

  The image generation unit 150 generates a game image according to the game calculation in the game calculation unit 110. The game image generated by the image generation unit 150 is displayed on the display unit 12.

  The sound generation unit 160 generates a game sound according to the game calculation in the game calculation unit 110. The game sound generated by the sound generation unit 160 is output from the sound output unit 14.

  The game calculation unit 110 includes an operation point setting processing unit 120, an operation target value output processing unit 130, and an action message output processing unit 140.

  Here, the operation point setting processing unit 120 performs a process of setting an operation point that requires a predetermined appropriate operation on the course in the game space where the player motorcycle moves. In the present embodiment, a corner having a tight curve as indicated by 210 in FIG. 3 is set as an operation point that must travel at a predetermined corner approach speed.

  Further, the operation target value output processing unit 130 performs player bike movement calculation based on the operation information of the player. When the player bike comes close to the operation point, the operation target value output processing unit 130 calculates a corner approach speed that is an operation target value serving as a guideline for proper operation. Performs processing necessary for display. The operation target value output processing unit 130 also performs processing necessary for displaying the current speed of the player bike determined based on the operation information input by the player so as to be comparable with the corner approach speed.

  The operation message output processing unit 140 performs processing for displaying an operation instruction message so that the player can enter the corner at the corner entry speed. Specifically, when the speed of the player bike is higher than the corner approach speed, a process for displaying a brake message is performed.

  Note that the game apparatus according to the present embodiment is capable of both game play in a single player mode played by one player and game play in a multiplayer mode played by a plurality of players.

  In addition, when a plurality of players play, game images and game sounds provided to the plurality of players may be generated using one game device, or connected via a transmission line or a communication line (Internet). It may be generated using a plurality of game terminals.

  Next, a display example of the operation target value at the operation point, which is a feature of the present embodiment, will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a course 200 on which a player motorcycle provided in a virtual three-dimensional space travels in the present embodiment. The tight corner 210 of the curve provided on the course 200 cannot be turned unless it is lowered to a predetermined speed. However, beginners and players who are unfamiliar with the game cannot easily grasp the proper corner entry speed, and will go out of the course or crash every time.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, a place that is difficult to pass unless an appropriate operation is performed, such as 210, is set in advance as an operation point for displaying the operation target value, and when the player bike comes to the operation point, the operation target value is set. The current operation result determined based on the operation information input by the player, the value corresponding to the operation target value, the necessary operation instruction message, and the like are displayed on the screen.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a display example of the screen at the operation point.

  In the present embodiment, the range from 310 to 340 in FIG. 4 is set as the operation target value display area for the operation point 210 in FIG.

  The approach speed display start line 310 is set at a point in front of the corner and preferably where the player starts to decelerate so as to enter the corner as the operation point at an appropriate speed. When the player bike reaches the approach speed start line 310, the display screen 312 displays the corner approach target speed 314 set as the operation target value of the operation point. The player can grasp the proper approach speed of the next corner by displaying the target value, and can start decelerating so as to enter the corner at the speed.

  A brake display start line 320 is provided after a while after the approach speed display start line 310. When the player bike crosses this point, the display screen 324 displays the current player speed 326 together with the corner entry target value 324. If the current speed of the player exceeds the target entry speed 324, a brake message 328 is displayed. In this case, the corner entry target speed 324, the current player speed 326, and the brake message 328 are displayed in warning colors such as red and yellow.

  After that, when the player decelerates, for example, when the current speed of the player is lower than the target entry speed 334 at the point 330 before the corner, the brake message is turned off as shown in the display screen 332, the target target speed 334, the current player speed. The speed display at 336 returns from the warning color to the normal color.

  When the player motorcycle exceeds the display end line 340 provided in the corner, as shown in the display screen 342, the target entry speed and the current speed display are deleted.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a specific processing example of the present embodiment.

  In this embodiment, the following processing is performed for each frame to display the operation target value at the operation point.

  First, the position on the course of the player motorcycle is calculated based on the player's operation input, and it is determined whether or not the position is within the operation target value display range (step S10). If the position is not within the operation target value display range, the operation target value is not displayed. In this embodiment, the operation target value display range means a range from the approach speed display start line 310 to the display end line 340 in FIG.

  When the position is within the operation target value display range, the operation target value is displayed (step S20).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the position of the player bike exceeds the brake display line and whether or not the current speed of the player bike is equal to or less than the operation target value (steps S30 and S40). If the position of the player bike exceeds the brake display start line and the speed of the player bike is not less than or equal to the operation target value, a brake message and the current speed of the player bike are displayed (step S50).

  When the position of the player bike exceeds the brake display start line and the speed of the player bike is below the operation target value, the brake message is not displayed and the current speed of the player bike is displayed (step S60).

  Next, an example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the apparatus shown in the figure, a CPU 1000, a ROM 1002, a RAM 1004, an information storage medium 1006, a sound generation IC 1008, an image generation IC 1010, and I / O ports 1012, 1014 are connected to each other via a system bus 1016 so that data can be transmitted and received. A display 1018 is connected to the image generation IC 1010, a speaker 1020 is connected to the sound generation IC 1008, a control device 1022 is connected to the I / O port 1012, and a communication device 1024 is connected to the I / O port 1014. Has been.

  The information storage medium 1006 mainly stores programs, image data for expressing display objects, sound data, and the like. For example, a consumer game device uses a CD-ROM, game cassette, DVD, or the like as an information storage medium for storing a game program or the like. The arcade game machine uses a memory such as a ROM. In this case, the information storage medium 1006 is a ROM 1002.

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

  In accordance with a program stored in the information storage medium 1006, a system program stored in the ROM 1002 (such as device initialization information), a signal input by the control device 1022, the CPU 1000 controls the entire device and performs various data processing. . The RAM 1004 is a storage means used as a work area of the CPU 1000 and stores the given contents of the information storage medium 1006 and the ROM 1002 or the calculation result of the CPU 1000. A data structure having a logical configuration for realizing the present embodiment is constructed on the RAM or the information storage medium.

  Further, this type of apparatus is provided with a sound generation IC 1008 and an image generation IC 1010 so that game sounds and game images can be suitably output. The sound generation IC 1008 is an integrated circuit that generates game sounds such as sound effects and background music based on information stored in the information storage medium 1006 and the ROM 1002, and the generated game sounds are output by the speaker 1020. The image generation IC 1010 is an integrated circuit that generates pixel information to be output to the display 1018 based on image information sent from the RAM 1004, the ROM 1002, the information storage medium 1006, and the like. As the display 1018, a so-called head mounted display (HMD) can be used.

  The communication device 1024 exchanges various types of information used inside the game device with the outside. The communication device 1024 is connected to other game devices to send and receive given information according to the game program, and to connect a communication line. It is used for sending and receiving information such as game programs.

  1 to 4 includes an information storage medium 1006 that stores a program for performing the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, a CPU 1000 that operates according to the program, an image generation IC 1010, a sound generation IC 1008, and the like. It is realized by. The processing performed by the image generation IC 1010, the sound generation IC 1008, and the like may be performed by software using the CPU 1000 or a general-purpose DSP.

  When the present embodiment is applied to an arcade game apparatus as shown in FIG. 1 described above, a CPU, an image generation IC, a sound generation IC, and the like are mounted on a system board (circuit board) 1106 built in the apparatus. The Then, based on at least one of the operation information from the player and the command from the computer, information for performing an operation for moving the moving body in the object space and the operation target value are added to the game image near the operation point and displayed. Information necessary for processing, information information for generating an image that can be viewed at a given viewpoint in the object space, and the like are stored in a semiconductor memory 1108 that is an information storage medium on the system board 1106. Hereinafter, these pieces of information are referred to as stored information. The stored information includes program code, image information, sound information, display object shape information, table data, list data, player information, information for instructing the processing of the present invention, It includes at least one piece of information for processing according to the instruction.

  FIG. 7A shows an example in which this embodiment is applied to a home game device. The player enjoys the game by operating the game controllers 1202 and 1204 while viewing the game image displayed on the display 1200. In this case, the stored information is stored in a CD-ROM 1206, memory cards 1208, 1209, etc., which are information storage media detachable from the main unit.

  FIG. 7B shows a host device 1300 and terminals 1304-1 to 1304- connected to the host device 1300 via a communication line (a small-scale network such as a LAN or a wide area network such as the Internet) 1302. An example in which the present embodiment is applied to a system including n will be shown. In this case, the stored information is stored in an information storage medium 1306 such as a magnetic disk device, a magnetic tape device, or a semiconductor memory that can be controlled by the host device 1300, for example. When the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n have a CPU, an image generation IC, and a sound processing IC and can generate game images and game sounds stand-alone, the host device 1300 receives game images and games. A game program or the like for generating sound is delivered to the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n. On the other hand, if it cannot be generated stand-alone, the host device 1300 generates a game image and a game sound, which is transmitted to the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n and output at the terminal.

  In the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 7B, the processing according to the present invention may be performed in a distributed manner between the host device and the terminal (when the server is provided, the host device, the server, and the terminal). Good. The storage information for realizing the present invention is distributed to the information storage medium of the host device and the information storage medium of the terminal (or the information storage medium of the host device, the information storage medium of the server, and the information storage medium of the terminal). May be stored.

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

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

  For example, in the present embodiment, the case where a corner that cannot be bent unless it is slowed down is set as an operation point has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a corner that may decelerate more than necessary to bend at high speed may be set as an operation point.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the operation target value is the corner approach speed has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an appropriate travel line may be set as the operation target value.

  In the present embodiment, a motorcycle game has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to various games such as cars, motorcycles, horses, jet skis, and boats.

  In this embodiment, the case where the operation target value and the operation instruction message are displayed on the screen has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, it may be output by voice or the like.

  The present invention can be applied not only to home and business game devices but also to various game devices such as a simulator, a large attraction device in which a large number of players participate, a personal computer, a multimedia terminal, and a system board for generating game images. Applicable.

  Moreover, although this embodiment demonstrated the case where this invention was applied to a racing game, this invention is applicable not only to this but various games (competition game, a sports game, a battle game, a role playing game, a shooting game, etc.). .

  For example, in a shooting game, a stage that requires an appropriate shooting operation may be set as an operation point, and an operation target value may be set as an appropriate shooting operation.

  The present invention is not limited to home and business game devices, but also various image generation devices such as a simulator, a large attraction device with a large number of players participating, a personal computer, a multimedia terminal, and a system board for generating game images. It can also be applied to.

It is the outline appearance figure of the game device of this embodiment. It is an example of the functional block diagram of the game device of this Embodiment. It is the schematic of the course which the player motorcycle provided in the virtual three-dimensional space travels in the present embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of a display of the screen in an operation point. It is a flowchart figure for demonstrating the specific process example of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions which can implement | achieve this Embodiment. FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams showing examples of various types of apparatuses to which the present embodiment is applied.

Explanation of symbols

10 operation unit 12 display unit 14 sound output unit 100 processing unit 110 game calculation unit 120 operation point setting processing unit 130 operation target value output processing unit 140 operation instruction message output processing unit 150 image generation unit 160 sound generation unit 180 storage unit 190 information Storage medium 1050 Screen 1070 Handle 1090 Housing 1092 Player 1100 Moving body

Claims (4)

A game device for playing a game in which a player character operated by a player moves in a game space,
Means for the player to input operation information of the player character;
The operation target value serving as a standard for performing a predetermined appropriate operation is compared with the current operation result determined based on the operation information and corresponding to the operation target value, and the player is determined according to the comparison result. A game apparatus comprising: operation message output means for performing processing for outputting an operation instruction message necessary for performing an appropriate operation. A game device for playing a game in which a player moving body operated by a player moves on a course in a game space,
Means for the player to input operation information by operating the simulated moving body;
The operation target value serving as a standard for performing a predetermined appropriate operation is compared with the current operation result determined based on the operation information and corresponding to the operation target value, and the player is determined according to the comparison result. A game apparatus comprising: operation message output means for performing processing for outputting an operation instruction message necessary for performing an appropriate operation. A computer-readable information storage medium storing a program for playing a game in which a player character operated by a player moves in a game space,
An operation target value serving as a guideline for performing a predetermined appropriate operation is compared with a value corresponding to the operation target value, which is a current operation result determined based on the operation information of the player character input by the player, An information storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as means for outputting an operation instruction message necessary for a player to perform an appropriate operation according to a comparison result. A computer-readable information storage medium storing a program for playing a game in which a player moving body operated by a player moves on a course in a game space,
A value corresponding to the operation target value, which is a current operation result determined based on an operation target value serving as a guideline for performing a predetermined proper operation and operation information input by the player operating the simulated moving body And a program for causing the computer to function as a means for outputting an operation instruction message necessary for the player to perform an appropriate operation in accordance with the comparison result.

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