JP2007330675A - Game program, game apparatus, and method of controlling game - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily position a second character at the position of a first character. <P>SOLUTION: In this game program, a ball catchable region BR is recognized by a control part 1. Then, the control part 1 judges whether a fielder character 101 is positioned in the ball catchable region BR. Then, when the control part 1 judges that the fielder character 101 is positioned in the ball catchable region BR, a movement instruction for moving the fielder character 101 to the position of a ball character is issued from the control part. Then, when the movement instruction is issued from the control part 1, a state where the fielder character 101 is moved to the position of the ball character is displayed on a picture display part 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a game program, and more particularly to a game program for causing a computer to realize a game in which a first moving character and a second moving character that moves based on an input signal from an input unit are displayed on an image display unit. The present invention also relates to a game device capable of executing a game realized by the game program, and a video game control method capable of controlling the game realized by the game program by a computer.

  Conventionally, various video games have been proposed. These video games are executed in a game device. For example, a general game device includes a monitor, a game machine main body separate from the monitor, and an input unit such as a controller separate from the game machine main body. The controller has a plurality of input buttons. In such a game apparatus, a character displayed on a monitor can be operated by operating an input button.

One of the games executed in such a game apparatus is a battle game such as a baseball game (see Non-Patent Document 1). In this baseball game, the player can give various movement instructions to the pitcher character, fielder character, and catcher character by operating the controller. For example, when the player operates the fielder character, when the cross button of the controller is operated, the fielder character can be moved in the operation direction of the cross button. Specifically, when the ball is hit back to the batter character, a mark indicating the ball drop position is displayed on the monitor. When the cross button of the controller is operated with reference to this mark, a state in which the fielder character moves in the direction of the drop position is displayed on the monitor. If the fielder character can reach the ball drop position before the ball reaches the drop position, the fielder character can catch the ball.
Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball 12, Konami Co., Ltd., PS2 version, July 14, 2005

  In a conventional baseball game, the fielder character is captured by moving the fielder character to the ball drop position with reference to the mark indicating the drop position until the ball hit back by the batter character reaches the drop position. It can be made to sphere. Thus, when the fielder character catches the ball, it is necessary to move the fielder character to the ball drop position. In other words, the player continuously presses the cross button of the controller for moving the fielder character after the ball is hit back by the batter character and until the hit ball moves to the fall position. However, since the time until the ball bounced back by the batter character moves to the drop position is very short, the player presses the cross button of the controller for moving the fielder character at a high speed and moves the baller character as desired. There was a problem that it was difficult to locate at the falling position. In particular, when the player is a beginner, there is a problem that the fun of the baseball game cannot be fully enjoyed due to the difficulty of the operation related to the movement and catching of the fielder character as described above.

  An object of the present invention is to enable a second character, for example, a fielder character, to be easily positioned at the position of the first character, for example, a ball drop position.

The game program according to claim 1 realizes the following functions on a computer capable of realizing a game in which a first moving character and a second moving character that moves based on an input signal from the input unit are displayed on the image display unit. It is a program to make it.
(1) A first character position recognition function for causing the control unit to recognize the position of the first moving character.
(2) A second character position recognition function for causing the control unit to recognize the position of the second moving character.
(3) A first area recognition function for causing the control unit to recognize the first area including the position of the first moving character.
(4) A first character position determination function that causes the control unit to determine whether or not the second moving character is positioned in the first area.
(5) A movement command for causing the control unit to issue a movement command for moving the second moving character to the position of the first moving character when the control unit determines that the second moving character is located in the first area. Issue function.
(6) A character that displays a state in which the second moving character moves to the position of the first moving character on the image display unit using the image data of the second moving character when the movement command is issued from the control unit. Display function.

  In this game program, the position of the first moving character is recognized by the control unit in the first character position recognition function. In the second character position recognition function, the position of the second moving character is recognized by the control unit. In the first area recognition function, the first area including the position of the first moving character is recognized by the control unit. In the first character position determination function, the control unit determines whether or not the second moving character is positioned in the first area. In the movement command issuing function, when the control unit determines that the second movement character is located in the first area, a movement command for moving the second movement character to the position of the first movement character is issued from the control unit. publish. In the character display function, when the movement command is issued from the control unit, the state in which the second moving character moves to the position of the first moving character is displayed on the image display unit using the image data of the second moving character. Is displayed.

  For example, when a baseball game is realized by this game program, the control unit recognizes the ball drop position (the position of the first moving character). Then, the position of the fielder character (second moving character position) is recognized by the control unit. Then, a ball catching possible area (first area) including the ball dropping position is recognized by the control unit. Then, the control unit determines whether or not the fielder character is located in the ball catching possible area. When the control unit determines that the fielder character is positioned in the ball catching possible area, a movement command for moving the fielder character to the ball drop position is issued from the control unit. Then, when the movement command is issued from the control unit, the state in which the fielder character moves to the ball drop position is displayed on the image display unit using the image data of the fielder character.

  In this case, when the control unit determines that the fielder character is located in the ball catchable area including the ball drop position, the control unit issues a movement command for moving the fielder character to the ball drop position. The state in which the fielder character moves to the ball drop position is displayed on the image display unit using the image data of the fielder character. Specifically, if the player positions the fielder character in the ball catchable area including the ball drop position, the fielder character moves to the ball drop position without the player operating the input unit, for example, the controller. The moving state is displayed on the image display unit using the image data of the fielder character. Thus, the player can easily position the fielder character at the ball drop position without operating the controller. That is, the second character can be easily positioned at the position of the first character.

  Here, for ease of explanation, the case where the moving state of the ball is fly is described as an example (the same applies to the following). For this reason, the effect in the case where the position of the first moving character is made to correspond to the drop position of the ball is shown. However, even when the moving state of the ball is Goro, if the position of the first moving character is made to correspond to the position of the moving ball, the same effects as those described above or the following effects can be obtained.

A game program according to claim 2 is a program for causing a computer to further realize the following functions in the game program according to claim 1.
(7) A character movement speed recognition function that causes the control unit to recognize the movement distance of the second movement character per unit frame as the movement speed of the second movement character.
(8) A first distance recognition function that causes the control unit to recognize the first distance corresponding to the first frame number by causing the control unit to perform a calculation by multiplying the moving speed of the second moving character by the first frame number.

  In this game program, in the character moving speed recognition function, the moving distance of the second moving character per unit frame is recognized by the control unit as the moving speed of the second moving character. In the first distance recognition function, the control unit recognizes the first distance corresponding to the first frame number by causing the control unit to perform a calculation to multiply the moving speed of the second moving character by the first frame number. In the first area recognition function, the first area centered on the position of the first moving character is recognized by the control unit based on the first distance.

  For example, when a baseball game is realized by this game program, the movement distance of the fielder character per unit frame is recognized by the control unit as the movement speed of the fielder character. Then, the control unit recognizes the first distance corresponding to the first frame number by causing the control unit to execute a calculation that multiplies the moving speed of the fielder character by the first frame number. Then, the ball catching possible area centered on the ball drop position is recognized by the control unit based on the first distance.

  In this case, the ball catching possible area is recognized by the control unit based on the first distance centered on the ball drop position. For example, the control unit recognizes a circular area centered on the ball drop position and having a radius of the first distance as a ball catchable area. As a result, even if the speed of the fielder character is high and the fielder character becomes difficult to operate, the higher the speed of the fielder character, the larger the range of the ball catchable area. It becomes easy to be located in the possible area.

A game program according to claim 3 is a program for causing a computer to further realize the following functions in the game program according to claim 2.
(9) A frame number selection function for causing the control unit to selectively recognize the number of frames stored in the storage unit.
(10) A first frame number recognition function that causes the control unit to recognize the number of frames as the first frame number.

  In this game program, in the frame number selection function, the number of frames stored in the storage unit is selectively recognized by the control unit. In the first frame number recognition function, this number of frames is recognized by the control unit as the first frame number.

  For example, when a baseball game is realized by this game program, items such as “beginner”, “normal”, and “advanced” displayed on the image display unit by setting conditions before starting the game are selected from the controller. Then, the number of frames corresponding to each item is selectively recognized by the control unit by the control unit. For example, when the “beginner” item is selected, 6 frames are recognized by the control unit as the number of frames. When the “normal” item is selected, two frames are recognized by the control unit as the number of frames. Further, when the “advanced” item is selected, the control unit recognizes 0 frame as the number of frames. The number of frames recognized by the control unit in this way is recognized by the control unit as the first frame number. Thus, the player can arbitrarily set the number of frames (first frame number) according to the level of proficiency with the baseball game.

  In the game program according to claim 4, in the game program according to claim 2 or 3, when the movement command is issued from the control unit, the second moving character is moved to the position of the first moving character by the first frame number. The moving state is displayed on the image display unit using the image data of the second moving character. This function is realized in the character display function.

  For example, when a baseball game is realized by this game program, when the movement command is issued from the control unit, the state that the fielder character moves to the ball drop position by the first frame number is the image data of the fielder character. Is displayed on the image display unit.

  In this case, the state in which the fielder character moves to the ball drop position in the first frame number is displayed on the image display unit using the image data of the fielder character. Thus, the fielder character's moving state is always displayed smoothly by storing in the storage unit image data for the first number of frames from when the fielder character enters the catching posture until the ball is caught. can do.

  In the game design stage, the fielder character's posture and body shape, especially the characteristic posture and body shape up to catching, may be made to correspond to each frame. Thus, not only can the fielder character automatically display the action of catching the ball, but also the action can be displayed smoothly without a sense of incongruity.

  In the game program according to claim 5, in the game program according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the movement of the second moving character is determined when the control unit determines that the second moving character is located in the first area. The control unit issues a movement command for causing the control unit to reject the input signal from the input unit and moving the second moving character to the position of the first moving character. This function is realized in the movement command issue function.

  For example, when a baseball game is realized by this game program, if the control unit determines that the fielder character is located in the ball catchable area, the control unit accepts an input signal from the input unit regarding the movement of the fielder character. The control unit issues a movement command for moving the fielder character to the ball drop position.

  In this case, when the fielder character is located in the ball catching possible area, an input signal from the input unit regarding the movement of the fielder character cannot be received by the control unit. Then, control related to the movement of the fielder character is left to the control unit. In this state, the state in which the fielder character moves to the ball drop position is displayed on the image display unit using the image data of the fielder character. Thereby, even if the player operates the controller when the state in which the fielder character moves to the ball drop position is displayed on the image display unit, the movement state of the fielder character is not changed. The fielder character can be accurately moved to the ball drop position under the control of the control unit.

A game program according to claim 6 is a program for causing a computer to further realize the following functions in the game program according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
(11) A second area recognition function for causing the control unit to recognize the second area including the first area.
(12) A second character position determination function that causes the control unit to determine whether or not the second moving character is positioned in the second area.
(13) When the control unit determines that the second moving character is located in the second area, a movement command for moving the second moving character to the position of the first moving character is issued. A command target character recognition function that causes the control unit to recognize the second moving character to be issued.

  In this game program, the second area including the first area is recognized by the control unit in the second area recognition function. In the second character position determination function, the control unit determines whether or not the second moving character is positioned in the second area. In the command target character recognition function, when the control unit determines that the second moving character is located in the second area, the second moving character moves the second moving character to the position of the first moving character. Is recognized by the control unit as a second moving character that is a target for issuing a movement command for.

  For example, when a baseball game is realized by this game program, a fielder monitoring area (second area) including a ball catching possible area is recognized by the control unit. Then, the control unit determines whether or not the fielder character is located in the fielder monitoring area. Then, when the control unit determines that the fielder character is positioned in the fielder monitoring area, the fielder character is controlled as a fielder character to which a movement command for moving the fielder character to the ball drop position is issued. Recognized by the department.

  In this case, when the control unit determines that the fielder character is positioned in the fielder monitoring area including the ball catching possible area, the fielder character is a target for issuing a movement command for moving the fielder character to the ball drop position. Recognized as a fielder character. Specifically, when a fielder character is positioned in the fielder monitoring area, the fielder character is recognized by the control unit as a character to be subjected to a movement command. Then, a movement command for the fielder character is issued from the control unit, and a state in which the fielder character moves to the ball drop position is displayed on the image display unit using the image data of the fielder character. Thus, the fielder character can be monitored by the control unit in the fielder monitoring area, and the fielder character can be moved to the ball drop position when the fielder character under the control of the control unit is positioned in the ball catching area. .

A game program according to claim 7 is a program for causing a computer to further realize the following functions in the game program according to claim 6.
(14) A second distance recognition function for causing the control unit to recognize a second distance corresponding to the second frame number by causing the control unit to perform a calculation to multiply the moving speed by the second frame number.

  In this game program, in the second distance recognition function, the control unit recognizes the second distance corresponding to the second frame number by causing the control unit to execute a calculation to multiply the moving speed by the second frame number. In the second area recognition function, the second area centered on the position of the first moving character is recognized by the control unit based on the second distance.

  In this case, the fielder monitoring area is recognized by the control unit based on the second distance centered on the ball drop position. For example, a circular area centered on the ball drop position and having the radius of the second distance is recognized by the control unit as a fielder monitoring area. As a result, the faster the fielder character moves, the larger the fielder monitoring area, and the fielder character can be monitored accurately. When the fielder character under the control of the control unit is positioned in the ball catching possible area, the fielder character can be moved to the ball drop position. Here, the fielder monitoring area (a circular area having a radius of the second distance) includes a ball catching area (a circular area having a radius of the first distance), so the second distance is the first distance. The value is larger than the distance. That is, the second frame number is larger than the first frame number.

  A game device according to an eighth aspect is a game device capable of executing a game in which a first moving character and a second moving character that moves based on an input signal from the input unit are displayed on the image display unit. The game apparatus includes: a first character position recognizing unit that causes the control unit to recognize a position of the first moving character; a second character position recognizing unit that causes the control unit to recognize a position of the second moving character; First area recognition means for causing the control section to recognize the first area including the position, second character position recognition means for causing the control section to determine whether or not the second moving character is located in the first area, and the first area A movement command issuing means for issuing a movement command for moving the second moving character to the position of the first moving character when the control unit determines that the second moving character is positioned at Is displayed by the image display unit using the image data of the second moving character, when the second moving character moves to the position of the first moving character. And a, a character display unit for displaying.

  A game control method according to claim 9 is a game control method capable of controlling, by a computer, a game in which a first moving character and a second moving character that moves based on an input signal from the input unit are displayed on the image display unit. . The game control method includes a first character position recognition step for causing the control unit to recognize the position of the first moving character, a second character position recognition step for causing the control unit to recognize the position of the second moving character, and the first moving character. A first region recognition step for causing the control unit to recognize the first region including the position of the second character, a second character position recognition step for causing the control unit to determine whether or not the second moving character is located in the first region, A movement command issuing step for causing the control unit to issue a movement command for moving the second moving character to the position of the first moving character when the control unit determines that the second moving character is located in the region; When the command is issued from the control unit, the state of the second moving character moving to the position of the first moving character is shown in the image of the second moving character. And a, a character display step of displaying on the image display unit with the over data.

  In the present invention, when the control unit determines that the fielder character is positioned in the ball catching possible area, a movement command is issued from the control unit to move the fielder character to the ball dropping position or the moving ball position. The state in which the fielder character moves to the position where the ball falls or the ball that is moving is displayed on the image display unit using the image data of the fielder character. As a result, the player can easily move the fielder character to the ball drop position or the moving ball position without operating the controller simply by positioning the fielder character in the ball catching possible area. That is, the second character (fielder character) can be easily positioned at the position of the first character (the position of the ball falling or the position of the moving ball).

[Configuration and operation of game device]
FIG. 1 shows a basic configuration of a game device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, as an example of the video game apparatus, a home video game apparatus will be described. The home video game apparatus includes a home game machine body and a home television. The home game machine body can be loaded with a recording medium 10, and game data is read from the recording medium 10 as appropriate to execute the game. The contents of the game executed in this way are displayed on the home television.

  The game system of the home video game apparatus includes a control unit 1, a storage unit 2, an image display unit 3, an audio output unit 4, and an operation input unit 5, which are connected via a bus 6. Is done. The bus 6 includes an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, and the like. Here, the control unit 1, the storage unit 2, the audio output unit 4, and the operation input unit 5 are included in the home game machine body of the home video game apparatus, and the image display unit 3 is included in the home television. It is.

  The control unit 1 is provided mainly for controlling the progress of the entire game based on the game program. The control unit 1 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 7, a signal processor 8, and an image processor 9. The CPU 7, the signal processor 8, and the image processor 9 are connected to each other via the bus 6. The CPU 7 interprets instructions from the game program and performs various data processing and control. For example, the CPU 7 instructs the signal processor 8 to supply image data to the image processor. The signal processor 8 mainly performs calculation in the three-dimensional space, position conversion calculation from the three-dimensional space to the pseudo three-dimensional space, light source calculation processing, and in the three-dimensional space or the pseudo three-dimensional space. Image and audio data generation processing based on the executed calculation results is performed. The image processor 9 mainly performs a process of writing image data to be drawn into the RAM 12 based on the calculation result and the processing result of the signal processor 8. The CPU 7 instructs the signal processor 8 to process various data. The signal processor 8 mainly performs calculations corresponding to various data in the three-dimensional space and position conversion calculation from the three-dimensional space to the pseudo three-dimensional space.

  The storage unit 2 is provided mainly for storing program data and various data used in the program data. The storage unit 2 includes, for example, a recording medium 10, an interface circuit 11, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12. An interface circuit 11 is connected to the recording medium 10. The interface circuit 11 and the RAM 12 are connected via the bus 6. The recording medium 10 is for recording operation system program data, image data, audio data, game data including various program data, and the like. The recording medium 10 is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) cassette, an optical disk, a flexible disk, or the like, and stores operating system program data, game data, and the like. The recording medium 10 also includes a card type memory, and this card type memory is mainly used for storing various game parameters at the time of interruption when the game is interrupted. The RAM 12 is used for temporarily storing various data read from the recording medium 10 and temporarily recording the processing results from the control unit 1. The RAM 12 stores various data and address data indicating the storage position of the various data, and can be read / written by designating an arbitrary address.

  The image display unit 3 is provided mainly for outputting image data written in the RAM 12 by the image processor 9 or image data read from the recording medium 10 as an image. The image display unit 3 includes, for example, a television monitor 20, an interface circuit 21, and a D / A converter (Digital-To-Analog converter) 22. A D / A converter 22 is connected to the television monitor 20, and an interface circuit 21 is connected to the D / A converter 22. The bus 6 is connected to the interface circuit 21. Here, the image data is supplied to the D / A converter 22 via the interface circuit 21, where it is converted into an analog image signal. The analog image signal is output as an image to the television monitor 20.

  Here, the image data includes, for example, polygon data and texture data. Polygon data is the coordinate data of vertices constituting a polygon. The texture data is for setting a texture on the polygon, and is composed of texture instruction data and texture color data. The texture instruction data is data for associating polygons and textures, and the texture color data is data for designating the texture color. Here, the polygon address data and the texture address data indicating the storage position of each data are associated with the polygon data and the texture data. In such image data, the signal processor 8 coordinates the polygon data in the three-dimensional space indicated by the polygon address data (three-dimensional polygon data) based on the movement amount data and the rotation amount data of the screen itself (viewpoint). Conversion and perspective projection conversion are performed, and the data is replaced with polygon data (two-dimensional polygon data) in a two-dimensional space. Then, a polygon outline is constituted by a plurality of two-dimensional polygon data, and texture data indicated by the texture address data is written in an internal area of the polygon. In this way, it is possible to represent an object in which a texture is pasted on each polygon, that is, various characters.

  The audio output unit 4 is provided mainly for outputting audio data read from the recording medium 10 as audio. The audio output unit 4 includes, for example, a speaker 13, an amplifier circuit 14, a D / A converter 15, and an interface circuit 16. An amplifier circuit 14 is connected to the speaker 13, a D / A converter 15 is connected to the amplifier circuit 14, and an interface circuit 16 is connected to the D / A converter 15. The bus 6 is connected to the interface circuit 16. Here, the audio data is supplied to the D / A converter 15 via the interface circuit 16, where it is converted into an analog audio signal. The analog audio signal is amplified by the amplifier circuit 14 and output from the speaker 13 as audio. The audio data includes, for example, ADPCM (Adaptive Differential Pulse Code Modulation) data and PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) data. In the case of ADPCM data, sound can be output from the speaker 13 by the same processing method as described above. In the case of PCM data, by converting the PCM data into ADPCM data in the RAM 12, the sound can be output from the speaker 13 by the same processing method as described above.

  The operation input unit 5 mainly includes a controller 17, an operation information interface circuit 18, and an interface circuit 19. An operation information interface circuit 18 is connected to the controller 17, and an interface circuit 19 is connected to the operation information interface circuit 18. The bus 6 is connected to the interface circuit 19.

  The controller 17 is an operation device used by the player to input various operation commands, and sends an operation signal according to the operation of the player to the CPU 7. The controller 17 includes a first button 17a, a second button 17b, a third button 17c, a fourth button 17d, an up key 17U, a down key 17D, a left key 17L, a right key 17R, and an L1 button 17L1, L2. A button 17L2, an R1 button 17R1, an R2 button 17R2, a start button 17e, a select button 17f, a left stick 17SL and a right stick 17SR are provided.

  The up direction key 17U, the down direction key 17D, the left direction key 17L, and the right direction key 17R are used, for example, to give the CPU 7 a command for moving a character or cursor up, down, left, or right on the screen of the television monitor 20. .

  The start button 17e is used when instructing the CPU 7 to load a game program from the recording medium 10.

  The select button 17f is used when instructing the CPU 7 to make various selections for the game program loaded from the recording medium 10.

  The left stick 17SL and the right stick 17SR are stick type controllers having substantially the same configuration as a so-called joystick. This stick type controller has an upright stick. The stick is configured to be tiltable from an upright position around the fulcrum in a 360 ° direction including front, rear, left and right. The left stick 17SL and the right stick 17SR pass through the operation information interface circuit 18 and the interface circuit 19 with the values of the x-coordinate and the y-coordinate having the upright position as the origin as operation signals according to the tilt direction and tilt angle of the stick. To the CPU 7.

  The first button 17a, the second button 17b, the third button 17c, the fourth button 17d, the L1 button 17L1, the L2 button 17L2, the R1 button 17R1, and the R2 button 17R2 correspond to the game program loaded from the recording medium 10. Various functions are allocated.

  Each button and each key of the controller 17 except for the left stick 17SL and the right stick 17SR are turned on when pressed from the neutral position by an external pressing force, and return to the neutral position when the pressing force is released. It is an on / off switch that turns off.

  The schematic operation of the home video game apparatus having the above configuration will be described below. When a power switch (not shown) is turned on and the game system 1 is turned on, the CPU 7 reads image data, audio data, and a program from the recording medium 10 based on the operating system stored in the recording medium 10. Read data. Some or all of the read image data, audio data, and program data are stored in the RAM 12. Then, the CPU 7 issues a command for outputting the image data and sound data stored in the RAM 12 to the television monitor 20 and the speaker 13 as images and sounds based on the program data stored in the RAM 12.

  In the case of image data, based on a command from the CPU 7, first, the signal processor 8 performs character position calculation and light source calculation in a three-dimensional space. Next, the image processor 9 performs a process of writing image data to be drawn into the RAM 12 based on the calculation result of the signal processor 8. Then, the image data written in the RAM 12 is supplied to the D / A converter 22 via the interface circuit 21. Here, the image data is converted into an analog video signal by the D / A converter 22. The image data is supplied to the television monitor 20 and displayed as an image.

  In the case of audio data, first, the signal processor 8 generates and processes audio data based on a command from the CPU 7. Here, processing such as pitch conversion, noise addition, envelope setting, level setting, and reverb addition is performed on the audio data, for example. Next, the audio data is output from the signal processor 8 and supplied to the D / A converter 15 via the interface circuit 16. Here, the audio data is converted into an analog audio signal. The audio data is output as audio from the speaker 13 via the amplifier circuit 14.

[Outline of various processes in game devices]
The game executed on the game machine 1 is, for example, a baseball game. The game machine 1 can execute a game in which a fielder character and a ball character are displayed on an image display unit, for example, a television monitor 20. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram for explaining functions that play a major role in the present invention.

  The game space recognition means 50 has a function of causing the CPU 7 to recognize the game space.

  With this means, the game space is recognized by the CPU 7. In this means, for example, the game space is set to a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system, and the three-dimensional game space is recognized by the CPU 7. Here, the home base position is set as the origin, the direction from the home base position toward the 2 塁 base is the y axis, and the direction from the home base position toward the sky, that is, the height direction is the z axis, the y axis, and the z axis. The CPU 7 recognizes the direction orthogonal to the x axis as the x axis. Further, this means is necessary for executing a baseball game such as a foul line for distinguishing a fair area from a foul area, each base position, and a fence line for distinguishing a fair area from a home run area. Various basic coordinate data are supplied from the recording medium 10 to the RAM 12. Then, the basic coordinate data stored in the RAM 12 is recognized by the CPU 7.

  The input signal recognition unit 51 has a function of causing the CPU 7 to recognize an input signal from the controller 17 when at least one of the input buttons of the operation input unit 5 such as the controller 17 is operated. ing.

  In this means, when at least one of the input buttons of the controller 17 is operated, the CPU 7 recognizes an input signal from the controller 17. For example, in this means, when the fielder character is instructed to move, any one of the up direction key 17U, the down direction key 17D, the left direction key 17L, the right direction key 17R, the left stick 17SL, and the right stick 17SR of the controller 17 is selected. When such a key (stick) is operated, a signal for moving various characters up, down, left and right on the screen of the television monitor 20 is issued from the controller 17, and this signal is recognized by the CPU 7.

  The frame number selection means 52 has a function of allowing the CPU 7 to selectively recognize the number of frames stored in the storage unit, for example, the RAM 12.

  In this means, the CPU 7 selectively recognizes the number of frames stored in the RAM 12. For example, in this means, when items such as “beginner”, “normal”, and “advanced” are selected from the controller 17 on the setting screen displayed on the television monitor 20 before the game starts, each item corresponds to each item. The CPU 7 selectively recognizes the number of frames to be performed. For example, when the “beginner” item is selected, the CPU 7 recognizes 6 frames as the number of frames. When the “normal” item is selected, two frames are recognized by the CPU 7 as the number of frames. Further, when the “advanced” item is selected, the CPU 7 recognizes 0 frame as the number of frames. The data regarding the number of frames is loaded from the recording medium 10 to the RAM 12 when the game program is loaded, and stored in the RAM 12. In the present embodiment, unit frame, that is, one frame of image data is continuously displayed on the television monitor 20 every 1/60 (seconds).

  The first frame number recognition means 53 has a function of causing the CPU 7 to recognize the number of frames as the first frame number.

  In this means, the number of frames recognized by the CPU 7 in the frame number selection means 52 is recognized by the CPU 7 as the first frame number. For example, in this means, when “beginner item” is selected, the CPU 7 recognizes a frame number of 6 frames as the first frame number. If “normal item” is selected, the CPU 7 recognizes the number of frames of two frames as the first number of frames. Further, when “advanced item” is selected, the CPU 7 recognizes the frame number of 0 frame as the first frame number. The first frame number is managed by the CPU 7 by a variable parameter for the first frame number. A process of substituting the value of the first frame number (any value of “6”, “2”, and “0”) corresponding to each selected item into the variable parameter for the first frame number is CPU 7. , The CPU 7 sets and recognizes the first frame number. Here, a case where “beginner item” is selected, that is, a case where six frames are selected as the first frame number will be described as an example.

  The character movement speed recognition means 54 has a function of causing the CPU 7 to recognize the movement distance of the fielder character per unit frame as the movement speed of the fielder character.

  In this means, the movement distance of the fielder character per unit frame is recognized by the CPU 7 as the movement speed of the fielder character. For example, in this means, the movement distance of the fielder character per unit frame is recognized by the CPU 7 as 0.2 (m / frame), and this value of 0.2 (m / frame) is used as the movement speed of the fielder character. Recognized by the CPU 7. In this embodiment, an example in which the value of the movement speed of the fielder character is 0.2 (m / frame) is shown. However, the value of the movement speed of the fielder character is different for each fielder character. Also good. It should be noted that data relating to the movement speed of the fielder character is loaded from the recording medium 10 into the RAM 12 and stored in the RAM 12 when the game program is loaded.

  The first distance recognizing means 55 has a function of causing the CPU 7 to recognize the first distance corresponding to the first frame number by causing the CPU 7 to execute a calculation to multiply the moving speed by the first frame number.

  This means causes the CPU 7 to recognize the first distance corresponding to the first frame number by causing the CPU 7 to execute a calculation to multiply the moving speed by the first frame number. For example, in this means, the CPU 7 executes a calculation for multiplying the moving speed, for example, 0.2 (m / frame) by the first frame number, for example, 6 (frame), thereby the first distance corresponding to the first frame number, for example, 1 .2 (m) is recognized by the CPU 7.

  The second distance recognizing means 56 has a function of causing the CPU 7 to recognize the second distance corresponding to the second frame number by causing the CPU 7 to execute a calculation for multiplying the moving speed of the fielder character by the second frame number.

  This means causes the CPU 7 to recognize the second distance corresponding to the second frame number by causing the CPU 7 to execute a calculation by multiplying the moving speed of the fielder character by the second frame number. For example, this means causes the CPU 7 to execute a calculation for multiplying the moving speed, for example, 0.2 (m / frame) by the second frame number, for example, 10 (frame), thereby causing the second distance corresponding to the second frame number, for example, 2 .0 (m) is recognized by the CPU 7. Note that the value of the second number of frames, for example, a value of 10 (frames) is defined in advance in the game program.

  The movement state data calculation means 57 has a function of causing the CPU 7 to calculate movement state data indicating the movement state of the ball character.

  In this means, the movement state data indicating the movement state of the ball character is calculated by the CPU 7. Specifically, in this means, in the game space, position coordinate data indicating the position where the ball character moves, time data indicating the time at each position of the moving ball character, and the ball at each position of the moving ball character Movement speed data indicating the movement speed of the character is calculated by the CPU 7.

  In this means, for example, when the ball character is hit back by the batter character, the ball character returned from the time the ball character is hit back by the batter character is the target position (when the returned ball is a fly or liner) Is the drop position, and if the hit ball is a ball, the ball character's position coordinate data, the ball character's time data at each position on the trajectory of the ball character, The movement speed data of the ball character is calculated by the CPU 7.

  Each of these data is calculated by the CPU 7 along the time series based on the trajectory equation. The time when the ball character is hit back by the batter character corresponds to the time when the ball character starts moving on the trajectory specified by the trajectory equation, and the time when the ball character reaches the target position is specified by the trajectory equation. This corresponds to the time when the ball character moving on the trajectory reaches the fall position or the arrival position. Further, the position at which the ball character starts to move on the trajectory is determined by the CPU 7 that at least one coordinate data in the batter character's meat cursor area matches at least one coordinate data in the ball character display range. Corresponds to the position of the ball character at the time.

Here, the calculation of the trajectory of the ball character is performed as follows. First, mass data corresponding to the mass of the ball character, air resistance data corresponding to the air resistance of the ball character, and at least one coordinate data in the area of the batter character's meat cursor is at least one coordinate within the display range of the ball character. Initial position coordinate data indicating the position of the ball character when it is determined by the CPU 7 to match the data, initial speed data corresponding to the initial speed of the ball character, and discharge angle data corresponding to the discharge angle of the ball character , Is recognized by the CPU 7. Next, these various data are converted into the basic trajectory equation of the ball character (for example, fly or liner: m (d ² x / dt ² ) =-r (dx / dt), m (d ² z / dt ² ) = In consideration of -mg-r (dz / dt)), the trajectory of the ball character is calculated. Specifically, in the game program, the trajectory equation of the ball character considering the various conditions described above is described in a discretized state, and the various trajectory equations described above are included in the discretized trajectory equation. Data is substituted. In this way, by causing the CPU 7 to execute a calculation for advancing the trajectory equation after discretization into which various data is substituted every unit time (dt), the position coordinate data of the ball character and the ball character at each time are executed. Movement speed data can be calculated. The time data is obtained by causing the CPU 7 to execute a process of sequentially adding unit times to the time when the ball character is returned by the batter character with reference to the time when the ball character is returned by the batter character. It is done. Note that the position coordinate data of the ball character, the time data of the ball character, and the moving speed data of the ball character are stored in the RAM 12.

  The ball catching possible area recognizing means 58 has a function of causing the CPU 7 to recognize the ball catching possible area including the position of the ball character. Specifically, the ball catchable area recognition means has a function of causing the CPU 7 to recognize a ball catchable area centered on the position of the ball character based on the first distance.

  With this means, the CPU 7 recognizes the ball catchable area including the position of the ball character. For example, with this means, the CPU 7 recognizes a ball catchable area centered on the position of the ball character based on the first distance. Specifically, the CPU 7 recognizes the first circular area centered on the position of the ball character and having the first distance as the radius as a ball catchable area. Here, the position of the ball character used in the present embodiment corresponds to the drop position of the ball character when the returned ball character is moving in a fly or liner state. Corresponds to the position of the moving ball. This first circular region is formed on the xy plane.

  The fielder monitoring area recognition means 59 has a function of causing the CPU 7 to recognize a fielder monitoring area including a ball catching possible area. Specifically, the fielder monitoring area recognition function has a function of causing the CPU 7 to recognize a fielder monitoring area centered on the position of the ball character based on the second distance.

  In this means, the fielder monitoring area including the ball catching possible area is recognized by the CPU 7. For example, with this means, the fielder monitoring area centered on the position of the ball character is recognized by the CPU 7 based on the second distance. Specifically, the CPU 7 recognizes a second circular area centered on the position of the ball character and having a radius of the second distance as a fielder monitoring area. This second circular region is formed on the xy plane.

  The ball character display means 60 has a function of displaying the state in which the ball character moves on the track on the television monitor 20 using the image data for the ball character.

  With this means, the state in which the ball character moves on the track is displayed on the television monitor 20 using the image data for the ball character. For example, in this means, the state in which the ball character moves on the trajectory from the time when the ball character is hit back by the batter character to the time when the ball character reaches the target position is determined using the image data for the ball character. Are continuously displayed at positions on the trajectory of the ball character defined by the position coordinate data of the ball character. The time of each moment required when the moving state of the ball character is continuously displayed at the position on the trajectory of the ball character is defined by the time data of the ball character.

  The first character position recognition means 61 has a function of causing the CPU 7 to recognize the position of the ball character.

  With this means, the position of the ball character is recognized by the CPU 7. For example, with this means, the CPU 7 recognizes position coordinate data indicating the position of the ball character. Specifically, in a state where the ball character is continuously displayed on the television monitor 20, the position coordinate data indicating the position of the ball character at each time is recognized by the CPU 7.

  The fielder character display means 62 has a function of displaying the state in which the fielder character moves on the television monitor 20 using fielder character image data.

  In this means, the state in which the fielder character moves is displayed on the television monitor 20 using the image data for the fielder character. For example, in this means, any one (or stick) of the up key 17U, the down key 17D, the left key 17L, the right key 17R, the left stick 17SL, and the right stick 17SR of the controller 17 is operated. When a signal issued from the controller 17 to move the fielder character up, down, left, or right is recognized by the CPU 7, an instruction for moving the fielder character in the operation direction of the key or stick of the controller 17 is Issued by CPU7. Then, the state in which the fielder character moves in the operation direction of the controller 17 is displayed on the television monitor 20 using the image data for the fielder character.

  The second character position recognition means 63 has a function of causing the CPU 7 to recognize the position of the fielder character.

  With this means, the position of the fielder character is recognized by the CPU 7. For example, in this means, when the fielder character is moving on the television monitor 20 by operating the controller 17, the position coordinate data indicating the position of the fielder character is continuously recognized by the CPU 7.

  The second character position determination means 64 has a function of causing the CPU 7 to determine whether or not a fielder character is positioned in the fielder monitoring area.

  In this means, the CPU 7 determines whether or not the fielder character is located in the fielder monitoring area. For example, in this means, the CPU 7 executes a calculation for calculating the distance between the ball character and the fielder character based on the position coordinate data of the ball character and the position coordinate data of the fielder character. Here, by causing the CPU 7 to execute a calculation that raises the sum of the square of the position coordinate data of the ball character and the square of the position coordinate data of the fielder character to (1/2), between the ball character and the fielder character The distance is calculated.

For example, when the position coordinates of the ball character are (xb, yb, zb) and the position coordinates of the fielder character are (xk, yk, zk), the distance between the ball character and the fielder character is xy of the ball character. Using the coordinates and the xy coordinates of the fielder character, it is calculated using the formula “((xk−xb) ² + (yk−yb) ² ) ^1/2 ”. Then, the CPU 7 determines whether or not the distance between the ball character and the fielder character is smaller than the second distance r2 (the radius of the second circular area). When the CPU 7 determines that the distance between the ball character and the fielder character is smaller than the second distance r2 (the radius of the second circular area), it is determined that the fielder character is located in the fielder monitoring area. On the other hand, if the CPU 7 determines that the distance between the ball character and the fielder character is greater than the second distance r2 (the radius of the second circular area), it is determined that the fielder character is not located in the fielder monitoring area. The

  In this embodiment, an example in which the fielder monitoring area is circular is shown, but the fielder monitoring area is not necessarily circular. For example, if the fielder monitoring area is not circular, the CPU 7 determines whether or not at least one of the position coordinate data within the fielder monitoring area matches the position coordinate data of the fielder character. By making the determination, the CPU 7 can determine whether or not the fielder character is located in the fielder monitoring area. In this case, when at least one of the position coordinate data within the range of the fielder monitoring area matches the position coordinate data of the fielder character, it is determined that the fielder character is located in the fielder monitoring area. On the other hand, when the position coordinate data of the fielder character does not match any of the position coordinate data within the range of the fielder monitoring area, it is determined that the fielder character is not located in the fielder monitoring area. In this case, when the fielder monitoring area is recognized by the CPU 7, the position coordinate data corresponding to the position coordinates inside the fielder monitoring area is stored in the RAM 12, and the position coordinate data stored in the RAM 12 is stored in the CPU 7. Be recognized.

  When the CPU 7 determines that the fielder character is located in the fielder monitoring area, the command target character recognizing unit 65 determines that the fielder character positioned in the fielder monitoring area is a fielder to which a command to move to the ball character position is issued. It has a function for the CPU 7 to recognize it as a character.

  In this means, if the CPU 7 determines that the fielder character is positioned in the fielder monitoring area, the fielder character positioned in the fielder monitoring area is recognized by the CPU 7 as a character to be issued a movement command to the position of the ball character. The Specifically, when the CPU 7 determines that the fielder character is located in the fielder monitoring area, first, the position coordinate data indicating the current position of the fielder character is stored in the RAM 12, and the position coordinate data of the fielder character stored in the RAM 12 is stored. Is recognized by the CPU 7. Next, by operating the controller 17, position coordinate data indicating the position of the fielder character after movement is stored in the RAM 12, and the position coordinate data of the fielder character stored in the RAM 12 is recognized by the CPU 7. As described above, the position coordinate data of the fielder character in the fielder monitoring area is continuously stored in the RAM 12, and the position coordinate data of the fielder character continuously stored in the RAM 12 is recognized by the CPU 7, thereby the movement position of the fielder character. Is monitored by the CPU 7.

  The first character position determining means 66 has a function of causing the CPU 7 to determine whether or not the fielder character is positioned in the ball catching possible area.

  With this means, the CPU 7 determines whether or not the fielder character is located in the ball catching possible area. For example, in this means, the CPU 7 executes a calculation for calculating the distance between the ball character and the fielder character based on the position coordinate data of the ball character and the position coordinate data of the fielder character. Here, by causing the CPU 7 to execute a calculation that raises the sum of the square of the position coordinate data of the ball character and the square of the position coordinate data of the fielder character to (1/2), between the ball character and the fielder character The distance is calculated. This distance is calculated by using a formula similar to the formula shown in the second character position determining means 64. Then, the CPU 7 determines whether or not the distance between the ball character and the fielder character is smaller than the first distance (the radius of the first circular area). When the CPU 7 determines that the distance between the ball character and the fielder character is smaller than the first distance (the radius of the first circular area), it is determined that the fielder character is located in the ball catching possible area. . On the other hand, if the CPU 7 determines that the distance between the ball character and the fielder character is greater than the first distance (the radius of the first circular area), it is determined that the fielder character is not located in the ball catchable area. Is done.

  In this embodiment, an example in which the ball catchable area is circular is shown, but the ball catchable area is not necessarily circular. For example, when the ball catchable area is not circular, at least one of the position coordinate data in the range of the ball catchable area matches the position coordinate data of the fielder character. By causing the CPU 7 to determine whether or not the fielder character is located in the ball catching possible area, the CPU 7 can determine. In this case, if the position coordinate data of at least one of the position coordinate data within the range of the ball catchable area matches the position coordinate data of the fielder character, the fielder character is positioned in the ball catchable area. To be judged. On the other hand, if the position coordinate data of the fielder character does not match any of the position coordinate data in the range of the ball catchable area, it is determined that the fielder character is not located in the ball catchable area. Is done. In this case, when the ball catchable area is recognized by the CPU 7, the position coordinate data corresponding to the position coordinates inside the ball catchable area is stored in the RAM 12, and the position coordinates stored in the RAM 12 are stored. The data is recognized by the CPU 7.

  The movement command issuing means 67 has a function of causing the CPU 7 to issue a movement command for moving the fielder character to the position of the ball character when the CPU 7 determines that the fielder character is located in the ball catching possible area. Yes. Specifically, the movement command issuing means causes the CPU 7 to reject an input signal from the input unit relating to the movement of the fielder character when the fielder character determines that the fielder character is located in the ball catching possible area. Has a function of causing the CPU 7 to issue a movement command for moving the character to the position of the ball character.

  In this means, when the CPU 7 determines that the fielder character is located in the ball catching possible area, the CPU 7 issues a movement command for moving the fielder character to the position of the ball character. For example, in this means, when the CPU 7 determines that the fielder character is located in the ball catching possible area, the CPU 7 rejects the input signal from the input unit regarding the movement of the fielder character. Then, a movement command for moving the fielder character to the position of the ball character is issued from the CPU 7. Specifically, when the fielder character under the monitoring of the CPU 7 in the fielder monitoring area moves to the ball catching area and the CPU 7 determines that the fielder character is located in the ball catching area, the fielder character Even if the controller 17 issues an input signal for moving the input signal, the CPU 7 rejects the input signal. Then, the CPU 7 issues a movement command for moving the fielder character under the monitoring of the CPU 7 to the position of the ball character.

  The control character display means 68 has a function of displaying the state in which the fielder character moves to the position of the ball character on the television monitor 20 using the image data of the fielder character when a movement command is issued from the CPU 7. ing. Specifically, this means indicates that the state in which the fielder character moves to the position of the ball character by the first frame number when the movement command is issued from the CPU 7 using the image data of the fielder character. It has a function to display.

  In this means, when the movement command is issued from the CPU 7, the state in which the fielder character moves to the position of the ball character is displayed on the television monitor 20 using the image data of the fielder character. For example, in this means, when the movement command is issued from the CPU 7, the state in which the fielder character moves to the position of the ball character in the first frame number, for example, 6 frames, is determined by the television monitor using the fielder character image data. 20 is displayed. Specifically, when the movement command is issued from the CPU 7, the CPU 7 recognizes image data for 6 frames corresponding to the continuous motion from when the fielder character enters the catching posture until the ball character is caught. The Based on the position coordinate data of the fielder character and the position coordinate data of the ball character when the CPU 7 determines that the fielder character is located in the ball catching possible area, the line connecting the fielder character and the ball character is 6 etc. By causing the CPU 7 to execute the dividing calculation, position coordinate data indicating the position coordinates of the five points between the fielder character and the ball character is calculated. Then, based on the position coordinate data for six points including the position coordinate data of the five points and the position coordinate of the ball character, the fielder character captures from the position of the first point on the fielder character side to the position of the ball character. The state of catching the ball character while changing the ball posture is displayed on the television monitor 20 using image data for six frames.

  The image data for the fielder character used at each position from the first point position on the fielder character side to the ball character position gradually catches the ball from the catching start posture to the posture of catching the ball by reaching out. This is image data for six frames whose posture changes. Further, the image data for the fielder character used at the position of the ball character is image data for one frame corresponding to the posture of catching a ball with an extended hand. The image data used here is loaded from the recording medium 10 to the RAM 12 when the game program is loaded, and stored in the RAM 12.

[Processing flow and description of fielder character catching control system in baseball game]
Next, specific contents of the fielder character catching control system in the baseball game will be described. The flow related to the fielder character catching control system shown in FIG. 8 will also be described.

  Here, the case where the player moves the defensive character and the opponent player moves the batting character will be described as an example.

First, when the baseball game program is loaded on the game device, the CPU 7 recognizes the three-dimensional game space in which the baseball game is executed (S1). At this time, the basic coordinate data defined in the game space is recognized by the CPU 7. Then, the CPU 7 recognizes the position coordinate data as the initial positions of the fielder character 101 and the batter character 102 arranged in the game space. Then, the image data of each character is recognized by the CPU 7.
Further, the data relating to each fielder character 101 is recognized by the CPU 7. Data relating to each fielder character 101 includes, for example, movement distance data per unit frame. Here, the movement distance defined by the movement distance data of each fielder character 101 is set to 0.2 (m / frame). These data and image data are loaded from the recording medium 10 to the RAM 12 when the game program is loaded, and stored in the RAM 12.

  Subsequently, a plurality of setting screens for performing various settings when starting a baseball game is displayed on the television monitor 20. On these setting screens, the player can make settings such as team selection and game level. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a game level setting screen for setting the game level is displayed on the television monitor 20 so that the game level can be selected. Here, three types of game levels of “beginner”, “normal”, and “advanced” are prepared, and items corresponding to these levels (“beginner item” 201, “normal item” 202, “advanced item”). "203) is displayed on the television monitor 20 using the image data for each item.

  Subsequently, any one of “beginner item” 201, “normal item” 202, and “advanced item” 203 displayed on the television monitor 20 by operating the up key 17 U or down key 17 D of the controller 17. When one item is selected (S2), the CPU 7 selectively recognizes the number of frames corresponding to each item, and this number of frames is recognized by the CPU 7 as the first frame number (S3). For example, when “beginner item” 201 is selected, the CPU 7 recognizes 6 frames as the number of frames, and the CPU 7 recognizes the number of frames of 6 frames as the first frame number. When the “normal item” 202 is selected, the CPU 7 recognizes two frames as the number of frames, and the CPU 7 recognizes the number of frames of the two frames as the first frame number. Further, when “advanced item” 203 is selected, the CPU 7 recognizes 0 frame as the number of frames, and the CPU 7 recognizes this 0 frame number as the first frame number.

  Each item and the number of frames corresponding to each item are defined in advance in the game program. When a selection signal for each item is issued from the controller 17, the number of frames corresponding to the selection signal is recognized by the CPU 7. The Then, the CPU 7 is caused to execute processing for substituting the value of the number of frames into the variable parameter for the first number of frames. In this way, the first frame number is set and recognized by the CPU 7. Here, the case where “beginner item” 201 is selected, that is, the case where six frames are selected as the first frame number will be described as an example.

  Subsequently, the movement distance of the fielder character 101 per unit frame is recognized by the CPU 7 as the movement speed of the fielder character 101 (S4). The movement distance of the fielder character 101 per unit frame is recognized by the CPU 7 as 0.2 (m / frame), and this value of 0.2 (m / frame) is recognized by the CPU 7 as the movement speed of the fielder character 101. The Then, the CPU 7 executes a calculation to multiply the moving speed of the fielder character 101, for example, 0.2 (m / frame) by the first frame number, for example, 6 (frame), thereby the first distance r1 corresponding to the first frame number, for example, 1.2 (m) is recognized by the CPU 7 (S5). Further, by causing the CPU 7 to perform a calculation of multiplying the moving speed of the fielder character 101, for example, 0.2 (m / frame) by the second frame number, for example, 10 (frame), the second distance r2, for example, corresponding to the second frame number, 2.0 (m) is recognized by the CPU 7 (S6).

  Next, when a game start command is issued from the CPU 7 (S7), an attack screen is displayed on the television monitor 20, as shown in FIG. The attack screen is a screen when the game space is viewed from the catcher direction. In this attack screen, the fielder character 101 including the pitcher character and the batter character 102 use the image data of each character to be placed on the television monitor 20 at a position defined by the position coordinate data of each character recognized by the CPU 7. Is displayed. In addition, the meet cursor MK is displayed on the television monitor 20 using the image data for the meet cursor (S8).

  Subsequently, when the controller 17 is operated, the pitching course and the type of the pitcher character 101 are recognized by the CPU 7, and when a ball release command to the pitcher character 101 is issued from the CPU 7, the ball character 110 is recognized by the CPU 7. The state of moving to the throwing course with the ball type recognized by the CPU 7 is displayed on the television monitor 20 using the image data for the ball character (S9).

  Subsequently, in a state where the released ball character 110 is displayed on the television monitor 20, the up arrow key 17U, the down key 17D, the left key 17L, or the right key 17R of the cross button of the controller 17 is the opponent player. Is operated, the CPU 7 issues a cursor movement command for moving the meet cursor MK in the operation direction based on the input signal from the controller 17. Then, the CPU 7 recognizes the position coordinate data indicating the center position (indicated by a cross symbol in the drawing) of the meet cursor MK that moves in the operation direction according to the number of times each key is pressed. At this time, the coordinate data in the area of the meet cursor MK corresponding to the area of the meet cursor MK including the position coordinate data of the meet cursor MK is recognized by the CPU 7. Then, a state in which the meet cursor MK moves in the operation direction according to the number of times each key is pressed is displayed on the television monitor 20 based on the position coordinate data of the meet cursor MK (S10).

  Subsequently, when the third button 17c of the controller 17 is operated by the opponent player, the CPU 7 issues a swing start command for causing the batter character 102 to start the swing motion based on the input signal from the controller 17. . Then, the state in which the batter character 102 swings is displayed on the television monitor 20 using the image data for the batter character 102 (S11).

  Subsequently, the CPU 7 determines whether or not at least one coordinate data in the area of the meet cursor MK matches at least one coordinate data in the display range of the ball character 110 when the batter character 102 moves (S12). ). When the CPU 7 determines that at least one coordinate data within the area of the meet cursor MK matches at least one coordinate data within the display range of the ball character 110, the movement state indicating the movement state of the ball character 110 Data is calculated by the CPU 7 (Yes in S12).

  Specifically, when the ball character 110 is hit back by the batter character 102 (Yes in S12), the movement state data indicating the movement state of the ball character 110 is calculated by the CPU 7 (S13). Here, with reference to the time when the ball character 110 is returned by the batter character 102, the ball character 110 returned from the time when the ball character 110 is returned by the batter character 102 is the target position Po (see FIGS. 5 and 6). : The ball at each position on the trajectory 150 of the ball character 110 until the point of time when the ball hit is a fly or a liner, and when the ball hit is a fall position, or when the hit ball is a goro The CPU 7 calculates the position coordinate data of the character 110, the time data of the ball character 110, and the moving speed data of the ball character 110 based on the trajectory equation.

  Then, the defensive screen is displayed on the television monitor 20. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the defensive screen is a screen when the game space is viewed from a bird's eye view. In FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the fielder character 101 is indicated by a white circle, and the batter character 102 is indicated by a triangle. The ball character 110 is indicated by an X mark, and the trajectory 150 of the ball character 110 is indicated by a broken line. 5 and 6, the fielder character 101, the batter character 102, and the ball character 110 are simply displayed with symbols. However, the deformed characters are displayed on the television monitor 20 using image data at the positions of the symbols of the characters, as in the attack screen (see FIG. 4).

  Subsequently, the CPU 7 determines whether or not the ball character 110 moves upward or in parallel with reference to the position of the ball character 110 when the ball character 110 is returned by the batter character 102 (S14). Here, assuming that the position of the ball character 110 when the ball character 110 is hit back by the batter character 102 is a reference position (xb0, yb0, zb0), the position coordinates in the moving direction of the ball character 110 adjacent to the reference position ( The CPU 7 determines whether or not the z coordinate value zb1 of xb1, yb1, zb1) is equal to or greater than the z coordinate value zb0 of the ball character 110 at the reference position (zb1 ≧ zb0). If “zb1 ≧ zb0”, it is determined that the ball character 110 moves upward or parallel, and if “zb1 <zb0”, it is determined that the ball character 110 moves downward. In this way, the CPU 7 determines whether or not the ball character 110 moves upward or in parallel.

  If it is determined by the CPU 7 that the ball character 110 moves upward or parallel (Yes in S14), the movement state of the ball character 110 becomes a fly or liner state, and as shown in FIG. A first circular area centered on the drop position Po at 110 and having a radius of the first distance r1 is recognized by the CPU 7 as a ball catchable area BR (S15). Then, the CPU 7 recognizes a circular area centered on the drop position Po of the ball character 110 and having the radius of the second distance r2 as the fielder monitoring area YR (S16). Then, the state in which the ball character 110 moves on the track 150 from the time when the ball character 110 is returned by the batter character 102 to the time when the ball character 110 reaches the drop position Po is image data for the ball character 110. Are continuously displayed at positions on the trajectory 150 of the ball character 110 defined by the position coordinate data of the ball character 110 (S17). Then, in a state where the ball character 110 is continuously displayed on the television monitor 20, the position coordinate data indicating the position of the ball character 110 at each time is recognized by the CPU 7 (S18).

  On the other hand, when the CPU 7 determines that the ball character 110 moves downward with reference to the position coordinate data of the ball character 110 when the ball character 110 is returned by the batter character 102 (No in S14), the ball character 110 As shown in FIG. 6A, the movement state of the ball character 110 is between the time when the ball character 110 is returned by the batter character 102 and the time when the ball character 110 reaches the target position. The state of moving on the trajectory 150 is continuously displayed at the position on the trajectory 150 of the ball character 110 defined by the position coordinate data of the ball character 110 using the image data for the ball character 110 (S19). . Then, in a state where the ball character 110 is continuously displayed on the television monitor 20, the position coordinate data indicating the position of the ball character 110 is recognized by the CPU 7 (S20). Then, as shown in FIG. 6B, the CPU 7 recognizes the first circular area centered on the position of the moving ball character 110 and having the first distance r1 as the radius as a ball catchable area BR ( S21). In this case, the CPU 7 continuously recognizes the first circular area having the radius of the first distance r1 at each position of the ball character 110 on the track as the ball catchable area BR. A circular area centered on the position of the moving ball character 110 and having the radius of the second distance r2 is recognized by the CPU 7 as a fielder monitoring area YR (S22).

  Subsequently, the fielder character close to the ball character 110, for example, the center fielder character 101A in FIG. 5 and the third fielder character 101B in FIG. 6 are automatically recognized by the CPU 7 (S23). When any one of the up direction key 17U, the down direction key 17D, the left direction key 17L, the right direction key 17R, the left stick 17SL, and the right stick 17SR of the controller 17 is operated, the fielder The controller 17 issues a signal for moving the characters 101A and 101B in the operation direction of the keys or sticks of the controller 17. When this signal is recognized by the CPU 7, a command for moving the fielder characters 101 </ b> A and 101 </ b> B in the operation direction of the key or stick of the controller 17 is issued from the CPU 7. Then, the state in which the fielder characters 101A and 101B move in the operation direction of the controller 17 is displayed on the television monitor 20 using the image data for the fielder character (S24). For example, in FIG. 5, a state in which the center fielder character 101 </ b> A moves toward the drop position Po of the ball character 110 is displayed on the television monitor 20. In FIG. 6, a state in which the third fielder character 101 </ b> A moves in the moving direction of the ball character 110 is displayed on the television monitor 20. As described above, when the fielder characters 101A and 101B move, the position coordinate data indicating the positions of the moving fielder characters 101A and 101B is continuously recognized by the CPU 7 (S25).

  Subsequently, the CPU 7 executes a calculation for calculating the distance between the ball character 110 and the fielder characters 101A and 101B based on the position coordinate data of the ball character 110 and the position coordinate data of the fielder characters 101A and 101B. Here, by causing the CPU 7 to execute a calculation to raise the sum of the square of the position coordinate data of the ball character 110 and the square of the position coordinate data of the fielder characters 101A and 101B to the (1/2) power, A distance between the fielder characters 101A and 101B is calculated. Then, the CPU 7 determines whether or not the distance between the ball character 110 and the fielder characters 101A and 101B is equal to or smaller than the second distance r2 (radius of the second circular region) (S25). When the CPU 7 determines that the distance between the ball character 110 and the fielder characters 101A and 101B is equal to or less than the second distance r2 (the radius of the second circular area) (Yes in S25), the fielder monitoring area YR It is determined that the fielder characters 101A ′ and 101B ′ are located at the same time. Then, the position coordinate data indicating the current positions of the fielder characters 101A ′ and 101B ′ is stored in the RAM 12, and the position coordinate data of the fielder characters 101A ′ and 101B ′ stored in the RAM 12 is recognized by the CPU 7. When the fielder characters 101A ′ and 101B ′ are further moved by operating the controller 17, the position coordinate data indicating the moved positions of the fielder characters 101A ′ and 101B ′ are stored in the RAM 12 and stored in the RAM 12. The position coordinate data of the fielder characters 101A ′ and 101B ′ is recognized by the CPU 7. As described above, the position coordinate data of the fielder characters 101A ′ and 101B ′ in the fielder monitoring area YR is continuously stored in the RAM 12, and the position coordinate data of the fielder characters 101A ′ and 101B ′ continuously stored in the RAM 12 is stored in the CPU 7. The CPU 7 monitors the movement positions of the fielder characters 101A ′ and 101B ′ (S26).

  On the other hand, if the CPU 7 determines that the distance between the ball character 110 and the fielder characters 101A and 101B is greater than the second distance r2 (the radius of the second circular area) (No in S25), the fielder monitoring area YR Therefore, it is determined that the fielder characters 101A and 101B are not positioned. Then, step 25 (S25) is executed again.

  Subsequently, the CPU 7 executes a calculation for calculating the distance between the ball character 110 and the fielder characters 101A ′ and 101B ′ based on the position coordinate data of the ball character 110 and the position coordinate data of the fielder characters 101A ′ and 101B ′. . Here, by causing the CPU 7 to perform a calculation to raise the sum of the square of the position coordinate data of the ball character 110 and the square of the position coordinate data of the fielder characters 101A ′ and 101B ′ to (1/2), the ball character 110 is executed. The distance between 110 and the fielder characters 101A ′ and 101B ′ is calculated. The CPU 7 determines whether or not the distance between the ball character 110 and the fielder characters 101A 'and 101B' is equal to or less than the first distance r1 (radius of the first circular region) (S27). When the CPU 7 determines that the distance between the ball character 110 and the fielder characters 101A ′ and 101B ′ is equal to or less than the first distance r1 (the radius of the first circular area), the ball catching area BR is entered. It is determined that the fielder characters 101A "and 101B" are located. On the other hand, if the CPU 7 determines that the distance between the ball character 110 and the fielder characters 101A ′ and 101B ′ is greater than the first distance r1 (the radius of the first circular area), the ball catching possible area BR is entered. It is determined that the fielder characters 101A and 101B are not located.

  Subsequently, the fielder characters 101A ′ and 101B ′ move from the fielder monitoring area YR to the ball catchable area BR, and the CPU 7 determines that the fielder characters 101A ′ and 101B ′ are located in the ball catchable area BR. In this case (Yes in S27), even if an input signal for moving the fielder characters 101A ", 101B" is issued from the controller 17, the acceptance of this input signal is rejected by the CPU 7 (S28). Then, the CPU 7 issues a movement command for moving the fielder characters 101A ″, 101B ″ to the drop position of the ball character 110 or the position of the moving ball character 110. Then, 6 frames of image data corresponding to the continuous motion from when the fielder characters 101A ″, 101B ″ enter the catching posture until the ball character 110 is caught are recognized by the CPU 7 (S29).

  Based on the position coordinate data of the fielder characters 101A ″, 101B ″ and the position coordinate data of the ball character 110 when the CPU 7 determines that the fielder characters 101A ″, 101B ″ are located in the ball catching possible area BR, By causing the CPU 7 to calculate the line connecting the fielder characters 101A ″, 101B ″ and the ball character 110 into six equal parts, the position coordinates of the five points between the fielder characters 101A ″, 101B ″ and the ball character 110 are obtained. The position coordinate data shown is calculated. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a display method of the fielder character 101B ″. In FIG. 7, the five points are indicated by square marks. Then, position coordinate data indicating the positions of the five points is shown. And the position of the ball character 110 (the black circle mark and the X mark in FIG. 7) and the position coordinate data for six points, the ball from the position of the first point on the fielder character 101A ″, 101B ″ side. The state in which the fielder characters 101A "and 101B" catch the ball character 110 while changing the catching posture to the position of the character 110 is displayed on the television monitor 20 using image data for six frames (S30, (See FIG. 7).

  Here, since the image for each unit frame is naturally a still image, the display when the fielder character 101B ″ moves to the ball drop position after reaching the circular area with the radius of the first distance r1 is as follows: Six image data corresponding to each of the six frames until the fielder character catches the ball is automatically displayed in sequence, so that the game is caught at the game design stage. The image data of the fielder's posture and body shape, especially the image data of the characteristic posture and body shape, should correspond to each frame, so that the fielder character suddenly catches the ball from the standing position. An unnatural motion such as switching to a field is no longer displayed, and a smooth fielder character display without a sense of incongruity is performed. The action that the character automatically catches the ball can be displayed smoothly without a sense of incongruity.

[Other Embodiments]
(A) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which a home video game apparatus as an example of a computer to which a game program can be applied has been described. However, the game apparatus is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and a monitor is separately provided. The present invention can be similarly applied to a game device configured in a body, a game device in which a monitor is integrated, a personal computer functioning as a game device by executing a game program, a workstation, and the like.

  (B) The present invention includes a program for executing the game as described above and a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded. Examples of the recording medium include a computer-readable flexible disk, a semiconductor memory, a CD-ROM, a DVD, an MO, a ROM cassette, and the like in addition to the cartridge.

  (C) In the above embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a baseball game is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and when a character receives a pass in a soccer game or a basketball game, The present invention can also be applied to a case where a keeper catches a ball in a soccer game and a case where a character strikes back a ball in a tennis game. In this case, the same effect as that of the present invention can be obtained.

  (D) As a further different embodiment, the present invention can be applied to a game that uses hunting or fighting as a motif. For example, when a cat operated by a player is chasing a mouse that escapes, if the cat can be caught up to a predetermined distance from the mouse, the action of the cat jumping and catching the mouse is displayed in frame units. The present invention can be applied to a game having a scene such as. That is, the present invention can be applied to a game having a scene in which a second character operated by a player chases or catches a first character that performs an escape action.

  (E) In the above embodiment, when the “beginner” item is selected on the setting screen displayed on the television monitor 20 before the game starts, the number of frames is 6 frames, and when the “normal” item is selected. In the case where 2 frames and “advanced” item are selected, 0 frame is recognized by the CPU 7. For example, such a difficulty level is not selected and the number of frames is always set to 4. You may do it.

1 is a basic configuration diagram of a video game apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The functional block diagram of the said game device. The figure for demonstrating the display item of a game level setting screen. The figure for demonstrating the character and meet cursor which were displayed on the attack screen. The figure for demonstrating the track | orbit of a ball | bowl, a ball catchable area | region, and a fielder monitoring area | region (when a hit ball is a fly or a liner). The figure for demonstrating the track | orbit of a ball | bowl, a ball catching possible area | region, and a fielder monitoring area | region (when a hit ball is Goro). The figure for demonstrating the display method of the fielder located in a ball catching possible area. The flowchart 1 regarding the catching control system of a fielder character. The flowchart 2 regarding the catching control system of a fielder character. The flowchart 3 regarding the catching control system of a fielder character.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Control part 3 Image display part 5 Operation input part 7 CPU
12 RAM
17 controller 20 television monitor 50 game space recognition means 51 input signal recognition means 52 frame number selection means 53 first frame number recognition means 54 character movement speed recognition means 55 first distance recognition means 56 second distance recognition means 57 movement state data Calculation means 58 Ball catchable area recognition means 59 Fielder monitoring area recognition means 60 Ball character display means 61 First character position recognition means 62 Fielder character display means 63 Second character position recognition means 64 Second character position judgment means 65 Command target Character recognition means 66 First character position determination means 67 Movement command issue means 68 Control character display means 101 Fielder character (second movement character)
110 Ball character (first moving character)
BR ball catching possible area (first area)
YR fielder monitoring area (second area)
r1 first distance r2 second distance

Claims (9)

A computer capable of realizing a game in which a first moving character and a second moving character that moves based on an input signal from the input unit are displayed on the image display unit,
A first character position recognition function for causing the control unit to recognize the position of the first moving character;
A second character position recognition function for causing the control unit to recognize the position of the second moving character;
A first region recognition function for causing the control unit to recognize a first region including the position of the first moving character;
A first character position determination function for causing the control unit to determine whether or not the second moving character is positioned in the first area;
Movement that causes the control unit to issue a movement command for moving the second moving character to the position of the first moving character when the control unit determines that the second moving character is located in the first area. Instruction issue function,
When the movement command is issued from the control unit, the state in which the second moving character moves to the position of the first moving character is displayed on the image display unit using the image data of the second moving character. Character display function,
A game program to make it happen. In the computer,
A character moving speed recognition function for causing the control unit to recognize the moving distance of the second moving character per unit frame as the moving speed of the second moving character;
A first distance recognition function for causing the control unit to recognize a first distance corresponding to the first frame number by causing the control unit to execute a calculation by multiplying the moving speed by the first frame number;
Further realized,
In the first area recognition function, the control unit recognizes the first area around the position of the first moving character based on the first distance.
The game program according to claim 1. In the computer,
A frame number selection function that allows the control unit to selectively recognize the number of frames stored in the storage unit;
A first frame number recognition function for causing the control unit to recognize the number of frames as the first frame number;
The game program according to claim 2 for realizing further. In the character display function, when the movement command is issued from the control unit, the state in which the second movement character moves to the position of the first movement character by the first frame number is the second movement Displayed on the image display unit using the image data of the character,
The game program according to claim 2 or 3. In the movement command issuing function, when the control unit determines that the second moving character is located in the first area, the control unit accepts an input signal from the input unit regarding the movement of the second moving character. A movement command is issued from the control unit to reject and move the second moving character to the position of the first moving character;
The game program according to claim 1. In the computer,
A second region recognition function for causing the control unit to recognize a second region including the first region;
A second character position determination function for causing the control unit to determine whether or not the second moving character is positioned in the second region;
A movement command for moving the second movement character to the position of the first movement character when the control unit determines that the second movement character is located in the second area. A command target character recognition function that causes the control unit to recognize as a second moving character to be issued,
The game program according to claim 1, for further realizing the above. In the computer,
A second distance recognition function for causing the control unit to recognize a second distance corresponding to the second frame number by causing the control unit to perform a calculation by multiplying the moving speed by the second frame number;
Further realized,
In the second area recognition function, the second area centered on the position of the first moving character is recognized by the control unit based on the second distance.
The game program according to claim 6. A game device capable of executing a game in which a second moving character that moves based on an input signal from a first moving character and an input unit is displayed on an image display unit,
First character position recognition means for causing the control unit to recognize the position of the first moving character;
Second character position recognition means for causing the control unit to recognize the position of the second moving character;
First region recognition means for causing the control unit to recognize a first region including the position of the first moving character;
Second character position recognition means for causing the control unit to determine whether or not the second moving character is located in the first area;
Movement that causes the control unit to issue a movement command for moving the second moving character to the position of the first moving character when the control unit determines that the second moving character is located in the first area. Command issuing means;
When the movement command is issued from the control unit, the state in which the second moving character moves to the position of the first moving character is displayed on the image display unit using the image data of the second moving character. Character display means;
A game device comprising: A game control method capable of controlling, by a computer, a game in which a first moving character and a second moving character that moves based on an input signal from an input unit are displayed on an image display unit,
A first character position recognition step for causing the control unit to recognize the position of the first moving character;
A second character position recognition step for causing the control unit to recognize the position of the second moving character;
A first region recognition step for causing the control unit to recognize a first region including the position of the first moving character;
A second character position recognition step for causing the control unit to determine whether or not the second moving character is located in the first area;
Movement that causes the control unit to issue a movement command for moving the second moving character to the position of the first moving character when the control unit determines that the second moving character is located in the first area. An instruction issue step;
When the movement command is issued from the control unit, the state in which the second moving character moves to the position of the first moving character is displayed on the image display unit using the image data of the second moving character. A character display step;
A game control method comprising:

Images