JP2009106393A - Program, information storage medium and game device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow players to smoothly and seamlessly participate in a game in progress without adding new characters in a game space or interrupting progress of the game. <P>SOLUTION: (a) One main character 10 and two or more general characters 20 are placed in the game space. The main character 10 is a player character (PC) controlled according to an operating signal from a game controller 1200a connected to a predetermined connection port 1110a of a main body device 1100. The general characters 20 are non-player characters (NPCs). (b) When a new game controller 1200b is connected to the main body device 1100, the two general characters 20a and 20c controlled as the NPCs up to then are changed to the PCs controlled according to the operating signal from a game controller 1200b. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a program for causing a computer to control the progress of a predetermined game.

As an example of a game that a plurality of players can enjoy by operating player characters in the same game space, a game in which a plurality of players form a team and battle each other is known. In such a game, before starting the game, matching is performed by combining a predetermined number of players to determine players to participate in the game, and then the game by these participating players is started (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-254980 A

  As described above, in a game in which a player who participates in a game is determined by matching before the start of the game, the players who participate in the game are fixed for each game. That is, after the game starts, a new player cannot participate in the game. On the other hand, an online game is known as another form of game that a plurality of players can enjoy in the same game world. For example, in a network RPG (Role Playing Game), a new player can join a game at an arbitrary timing while the game is in progress. In the case of such a game, the player can participate in the game world halfway by newly appearing his / her player character in the game world, and can leave the game world by leaving the player character from the game world. That is, it is possible to join / end the game world halfway with the appearance / exit of a new character in the game world.

  However, the appearance / exit of new characters in the ongoing game world has been abrupt, which has contributed to the lack of immersion in the game for other players. Furthermore, in a single computer system such as a home game device, when a new player joins in the middle, the current situation is to cope with the following coping therapy player side operation. . In other words, you can enjoy game play such as resetting and restarting the game in progress to restart the game from the initial setting of the number of players, or temporarily stopping the game in progress and changing the number of players from the settings screen The player who had been required to perform some operation / act to accept the addition of a new player at the expense of interrupting the game. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances.

The first invention for solving the above-described problems is
A computer (for example, the main device 1100 in FIG. 1) to which a controller (for example, the game controller 1200 in FIG. 1) can be connected by wire or wirelessly controls an NPC (non-player character) that can move in the game space. A program for generating an image of the game space viewed from a given virtual camera and controlling the progress of a predetermined game (for example, the game program 610 in FIG. 13),
Connection recognition means for recognizing connection of a new controller during the progress control of the game (for example, step B1 in FIG. 22),
Assigning means (for example, step B5 in FIG. 22) for assigning an NPC as a new PC (player character) controlled by an operation input of the new controller when the connection recognition means recognizes the connection of the new controller. ,
PC control means (for example, step B13 in FIG. 22) for controlling the new PC assigned by the assigning means in accordance with the operation input of the assigned new controller.
NPC control means (for example, step B15 in FIG. 22) for computer-controlling NPCs not assigned by the assignment means;
As a program for causing the computer to function.

The fifteenth invention
A game in which a controller can be connected by wire or wireless, and an NPC that can move in the game space is controlled by a computer, and an image of the game space viewed from a given virtual camera is generated to control the progress of a predetermined game. A device (for example, the home game device 1000 of FIGS. 1 and 13),
Connection recognition means (for example, controller connection detection unit 211 in FIG. 13) for recognizing connection of a new controller during the progress control of the game;
Assigning means (for example, the general character control unit 213 in FIG. 13) for assigning an NPC as a new PC controlled by an operation input of the new controller when the connection recognition means recognizes the connection of the new controller; ,
PC control means (for example, the general PC control unit 214 in FIG. 13) for controlling the new PC assigned by the assigning means in accordance with the operation input of the assigned new controller;
NPC control means (for example, the general NPC control unit 215 in FIG. 13) for computer-controlling NPCs not assigned by the assignment means;
Is a game device.

  According to the first or fifteenth invention, when connection of a new controller is recognized during the progress control of the game, the NPC in the game space is assigned as a new PC controlled by the operation input of the controller. . In other words, when a new controller is connected while the game is in progress, the controller can control the NPC in the game space as a PC. As a result, while the game is in progress, the player can participate in the game at an arbitrary timing, and the NPC arranged in the game space becomes a controllable character (PC). Therefore, a new character can appear in the game space. It is possible to participate in the game smoothly and seamlessly without interrupting the game progress.

The second invention is the program of the first invention,
The assigning means is a program for causing the computer to function so as to assign a predetermined number of NPCs selected from a plurality of NPCs as new PCs.

  According to the second aspect of the invention, an NPC selected from a plurality of NPCs in the game space is assigned to a newly connected game controller as a new PC.

The third invention is the program of the second invention,
Before the start of the game, the computer functions as NPC arrangement means (for example, the game calculation unit 210 in FIG. 13; step A1 in FIG. 21) for arranging a plurality of NPCs in the game space,
The assigning means causes the computer to function so as to select an NPC to be newly assigned as a PC from among the NPCs arranged by the NPC arranging means;
The NPC control means is an NPC arranged by the NPC arrangement means, and causes the computer to function to control the NPC not assigned by the assignment means.
It is a program for.

  According to the third aspect of the invention, an NPC to be assigned to a controller whose connection is newly recognized is selected from a plurality of NPCs arranged in the game space before the start of the game. That is, the NPC in the game space at the start of the game can be operated as a PC by the newly connected controller.

The third invention is the program of the second or third invention,
Interruption detection means (for example, controller connection detection unit 211 in FIG. 13; step B7 in FIG. 22) for detecting connection interruption of the connected controller.
In response to detection by the interruption detection means, an assignment release means (for example, the general character control unit 213 in FIG. 13; step B9 in FIG. 22) for releasing the assignment of the PC assigned to the controller in which the connection interruption is detected,
As a program for causing the computer to function.

  According to the fourth aspect of the invention, when the connection interruption of the connected controller is detected, the assignment of the PC assigned to this controller is released. That is, when the connected controller is removed, the PC that can be controlled by the controller returns to the NPC.

The fifth invention is the program of the fourth invention,
When the new controller recognized by the connection recognition means is a controller detected in the past by the interruption detection means, the assignment means assigns an NPC other than the NPC previously assigned to the controller to the This is a program for causing the computer to function as a new PC that is controlled by an operation input of the controller.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when a controller whose connection is newly recognized is a controller whose connection interruption has been detected in the past, an NPC other than the NPC previously assigned to the controller can operate the controller. Assigned as a new PC controlled by input. That is, when the connection interrupted controller is connected again, an NPC different from the previous one can be controlled by the controller as a new PC.

The sixth invention is the program of the fourth invention,
When the new controller recognized by the connection recognizing unit is a controller detected in the past by the interruption detecting unit, the assigning unit assigns the same NPC as the NPC previously assigned to the controller, It is a program for causing the computer to function so as to be assigned as a new PC controlled by an operation input of the controller.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when a controller whose connection is newly recognized is a controller whose connection interruption has been detected in the past, the same NPC as the NPC previously assigned to the controller is connected to the controller. Assigned as a new PC controlled by operation input. That is, when the connection interrupted controller is connected again, the same NPC as before can be controlled by the controller again as a PC.

The seventh invention is a program according to any one of the second to seventh inventions,
During the game progress control, virtual camera control means for controlling at least one of the viewing direction, the angle of view, and the camera position of the virtual camera so that all the current PCs are within the display range ( For example, it is a program for causing the computer to function as the virtual camera control unit 216 in FIG. 13; step A11 in FIG.

  According to the seventh aspect, during the progress control of the game, at least one of the viewing direction, the angle of view, and the camera position of the virtual camera is controlled so that all the current PCs are within the display range. In other words, during the progress control of the game, all PCs are to be displayed, so any player can visually recognize the state of his / her PC.

The eighth invention is the program of the seventh invention,
An inclusion area setting means (for example, the virtual camera control unit 216 of FIG. 13; step of FIG. 26) for setting an inclusion area (for example, the entire inclusion area 40 of FIG. 11) containing all the current PCs in the game space. F7) causes the computer to function,
The virtual camera control means causes the computer to function to control the virtual camera using the inclusion region;
It is a program for.

  According to the eighth aspect of the invention, an inclusion area that includes all current PCs is set in the game space, and the virtual camera is controlled using the inclusion area. As a result, for example, the virtual camera is controlled so as to reflect the entire inclusion area, so that even if the PC is a character having a complicated shape, it is easy to control the virtual camera within the display range of all PCs. Become.

The ninth invention is the program of the seventh or eighth invention,
A constant PC correspondence setting means (for example, the game calculation unit 210 in FIG. 13; FIG. 13) that associates and sets one controller connected before the start of the game and a constant PC controlled according to the operation input of the controller. 21 step A1),
A constant PC control means (for example, the main character control unit 212 in FIG. 13; step A9 in FIG. 21) for controlling the constant PC in accordance with the operation input of the controller set in association with the constant PC correspondence setting means;
As the computer functions as
The virtual camera control means has camera position control means for controlling the camera position of the virtual camera in accordance with an operation input of the controller set in association with the constant PC correspondence setting means, and is controlled by the camera position control means. Controlling the viewing direction and / or the angle of view of the virtual camera with reference to the determined camera position, and causing the computer to function so as to control all current PCs within the display range;
It is a program for.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, one controller that has been connected before the start of the game is set in association with the constant PC that is controlled in accordance with the operation input of the controller. The viewing direction and / or the angle of view of the virtual camera are controlled so that all the current PCs are within the display range based on the camera position controlled according to the operation input of the controller. That is, the virtual camera can be controlled by a predetermined controller.

A tenth invention is a program according to any one of the second to ninth inventions,
A constant PC correspondence setting means (for example, the game calculation unit 210 in FIG. 13; FIG. 13) that associates and sets one controller connected before the start of the game and a constant PC controlled according to the operation input of the controller. 21 step A1),
A constant PC control means for controlling the constant PC in accordance with the operation input of the controller set in association with the constant PC correspondence setting means (for example, the game calculation unit 210 in FIG. 13; step A9 in FIG. 21);
As the computer functions as
The allocating unit causes the computer to function as a new PC that allocates an NPC whose relative positional relationship with the regular PC satisfies a predetermined selection condition;
It is a program for.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, one controller that has been connected before the start of the game and a constant PC that is controlled in accordance with the operation input of the controller are set in association with each other, and a newly recognized controller is connected to the controller. Is assigned as a new PC an NPC whose relative positional relationship with the regular PC satisfies a predetermined selection condition.

The eleventh invention is a program according to any one of the second to tenth inventions,
The controller includes left and right direction operation input units (for example, the right analog lever 1202 and the left analog lever 1204 in FIG. 1) that are gripped with both hands and operated with the left and right fingers.
The assigning means has a new controller recognized by the connection recognizing means, one new PC controlled by an operation input from the left-hand direction operation input unit of the controller, and a right-hand direction operation input. A program for causing the computer to function so as to newly allocate a new PC controlled by an operation input from the unit.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the invention, the controller has left and right direction operation input units that are gripped with both hands and operated with the left and right fingers, and the newly recognized connection includes a controller for the left hand of the controller. One new PC controlled by an operation input from the directional operation input unit and one new PC controlled by an operation input from the right-hand direction operation input unit are assigned. That is, the player can independently control two PCs with one controller.

The twelfth invention is the program of any one of the second to tenth inventions,
The controller includes a first controller that is a one-handed gripping controller that includes a direction operation input unit, and a second controller that is connected to two one-handed gripping controllers that include a direction operation input unit. Yes,
Causing the computer to function as a determination unit that determines whether the controller newly recognized by the connection recognition unit is the first controller or the second controller;
If the new controller recognized by the connection recognizing means is determined as the first controller by the determining means, the assigning means assigns a new PC to the new controller, and the second controller If determined to be a controller, the computer is caused to function so as to allocate two new PCs controlled by operation inputs from the two one-hand holding controllers of the new controller.
It is a program for.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the controller is connected to a first controller that is a single one-handed gripping controller that includes a direction operation input unit and two single-handed gripping controllers that include a direction operation input. If the newly recognized controller is the first controller, a new PC is assigned to the controller, and if the controller is the second controller, Two new PCs are assigned to the controller. That is, in the case of the first controller, the player can control one PC by holding the one-hand holding controller with either one hand, and in the case of the second controller, one player is provided for each of both hands. It becomes possible to control the two PCs independently by holding the one-hand holding controller.

A thirteenth invention is a program according to any one of the second to twelfth inventions,
In the NPC, there are a plurality of types of NPCs in which any of the characteristics of relative superiority, inferiority, enemy ally, coalescence possibility, and accessibility is predetermined.
The NPC control means causes the computer to function so as to control each NPC based on the characteristics defined in the type of the NPC;
When the allocating unit allocates a plurality of NPCs as new PCs to a new controller recognized by the connection recognizing unit, the different types of NPCs having the relative characteristics are allocated as new PCs. Make the computer work,
It is a program for.

  According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the NPC has a plurality of types of NPCs whose relative characteristics are predetermined, and the newly recognized controller has different types of NPCs having relative characteristics. Are newly assigned as controllable PCs.

  A fourteenth aspect of the invention is a computer-readable information storage medium (for example, the storage unit 600 in FIG. 13) that stores the program of any one of the first to thirteenth aspects of the invention.

  Here, the information storage medium is a storage medium such as a hard disk, an MO, a CD-ROM, a DVD, a memory card, or an IC memory that can be read by a computer. Therefore, according to the thirteenth aspect, the same effect as any one of the first to twelfth aspects can be achieved by causing the computer to read the information stored in the information storage medium and executing the arithmetic processing. be able to.

  According to the present invention, when a connection of a new controller is recognized during the progress control of the game, an NPC in the game space is assigned as a new PC controlled by the operation input of the controller. In other words, when a new controller is connected while the game is in progress, the controller can control the NPC in the game space as a PC. As a result, while the game is in progress, the player can participate in the game at an arbitrary timing, and the NPC arranged in the game space becomes a controllable character (PC). Therefore, a new character can appear in the game space. It is possible to participate in the game smoothly and seamlessly without interrupting the game progress.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, the case where the present invention is applied to a game device for home use will be described, but embodiments to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to this.

[appearance]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an appearance of a home game device 1000 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the drawing, the home game device 1000 includes a main device 1100, a game controller 1200 for a player to input a game operation, and a video monitor 1300 having a display 1302 and a speaker 1304.

  Game information including programs and data necessary for the main apparatus 1100 to perform game processing is stored in, for example, an optical disk 1122 or a memory card 1124 which is an information storage medium detachable from the main apparatus 1100. That is, the player can enjoy different games by exchanging the optical disk 1122 and the like. The game information may be downloaded from an external device by connecting to the communication line N via the communication device 1108 provided in the main device 1100. Here, the communication line N means a communication path through which data can be exchanged. That is, the communication line N includes not only a dedicated line (dedicated cable) for direct connection, a LAN (Local Area Network) by Ethernet (registered trademark), but also a communication network such as a telephone communication network, a cable network, and the Internet. This means that the communication method may be wired or wireless.

  The main device 1100 also includes a control unit 1102 on which, for example, a CPU, an image processing LSI, an IC memory, and the like are mounted, and information storage medium reading devices 1104 and 1106 such as an optical disk 1122 and a memory card 1124. Then, the CPU mounted on the control unit 1102 executes various game calculations based on game information read from the optical disk 1122 or the memory card 1124, operation signals from the game controller 1200, and the like. Generate a sound signal of the signal and game sound to execute a given video game. The generated game image and game sound are output to the video monitor 1300 via a signal cable 1130 capable of transmitting an image signal and a sound signal. The player enjoys the game by operating the game controller 1200 while watching the game image displayed on the display 1302 of the video monitor 1300 and listening to the game sound such as BGM and sound effect output from the speaker 1304.

  The game controller 1200 includes a push key 1206, a direction key 1208, a right analog lever 1202 and a left analog lever 1204 provided on the upper surface, and a right push button 1210 and a left push button 1212 provided on the side surfaces. The right analog lever 1202 and the left analog lever 1204 are directional input devices capable of inputting two axes in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction at the same time. By tilting the lever, an arbitrary direction including a biaxial component and tilting of the lever are possible. An arbitrary operation amount according to the amount can be input. Further, the right analog lever 1202 and the left analog lever 1204 can also be used as push switches by being pushed in the axial direction of the lever from a neutral state where no operation is input. A right button group 1220 is formed by a right analog lever 1202, a push key 1206, and a right push button 1210 provided on the right side of the game controller 1200, and a left analog lever 1204, a direction key 1208, and a left button provided on the left side. A left button group 1222 is formed by the push button 1212. The player holds the game controller 1200 with the left and right hands, and mainly operates the right button group 1220 with the finger of the right hand and operates the left button group 1222 with the finger of the left hand.

  Four connection ports 1110 for connecting the connector 1230 of the game controller 1200 are provided on the front surface of the main device 1100. That is, up to four game controllers 1200 can be connected to the main unit 1100, and at the same time, up to four players can enjoy the game. Note that the number of connection ports 1110 is not limited to “4”. In the game of this embodiment, the game controller 1200 may be connected to any connection port 1110. Further, when a game controller 1200 is newly connected to a vacant connection port 1110 while the game is in progress, operation input by the game controller 1200 is possible, and seamless game participation can be performed.

[principle]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the game space. As shown in FIG. 5A, in the game space, one main character 10 and a plurality of general characters 20 are arranged, and a virtual camera CM is arranged. The main character 10 is a character that is a main character in the game of the present embodiment, and is a player character (PC) that is controlled in accordance with a player's operation input. In addition, the main character 10 forms a stretchable string-like body and moves in the game space while expanding and contracting.

  The general character 20 is classified into a non-player character (NPC) that is AI-controlled by a computer and a player character (PC) that is controlled in accordance with a player's operation input. A general character 20 that is an NPC (hereinafter referred to as “general NPC”) is controlled in accordance with a predetermined control routine, and a general character 20 that is a PC (hereinafter referred to as “general PC”) is controlled in accordance with a player's operation input. Move in space. Note that the general character 20 does not newly appear (appear) or disappear (return) while the game is in progress.

  The virtual camera CM is arranged so that the player character, that is, the main character 10 and all the general PCs are within the field of view, and the state of the game space based on the virtual camera CM is displayed on the display 1302 as a game screen. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5A, when all of the three general characters 20a, 20b, and 20c are NPCs, the virtual camera CM is controlled so that the main character 10 is within the field of view. The game screen is displayed with attention paid to the main character 10 as shown in FIG. However, as shown in FIG. 3A, if the general character 20a is a PC among the three general characters 20a, 20b, and 20c, and the other general characters 20b and 20c are NPCs, the virtual character 20a The camera CM is controlled so that the main character 10 and the general character 20a are within the field of view. Accordingly, the game screen in this case is displayed with attention paid to both the main character 10 and the general character 20a as shown in FIG.

  The main character 10 as a player character and the general PC are controlled in accordance with an operation input from the game controller 1200 connected to the connection port 1110. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the control relationship between the game controller 1200 and the character. In the present embodiment, of the four connection ports 1110 of the main device 1100, one connection port 1110 is set for controlling the main character 10, and the other three connection ports 1110 are set for controlling the general character 20. Is done. Then, the main character 10 is controlled in accordance with an operation input from the game controller 1200 connected to the connection port 1110 for controlling the main character 10 (hereinafter, referred to as “main character connection port”). The general character 20 is controlled in accordance with an operation input from the game controller 1200 connected to the connection port 1110 (hereinafter referred to as “general character connection port”).

  The character type (main character / general character) set as the control target of each connection port 1110 is determined before the game starts. Specifically, for example, the connection port 1110 to which the game controller 1200 is connected before the start of the game is the main character connection port, and the other connection ports 1110 are general character connection ports. However, if the game controller 1200 is connected to a plurality of connection ports 1110 before the start of the game, any one of these connected connection ports 1110 is used as the main character connection port. . In addition, when the game controller 1200 is not connected to any of the connection ports 1110, a predetermined connection port 1110 (for example, the leftmost connection port 1110) may be used as the main character connection port. Alternatively, the connection port 1110 for which the connection of the game controller 1200 is first detected after the start of the game may be set as the connection port for the main character without setting the connection port for the main character before the game starts.

  In FIG. 4, of the four connection ports 1110 a to 1110 d provided in the horizontal line in the main unit 1100, the leftmost connection port 1110 a is the main character connection port, and the other connection ports 1110 b, 1110 c, 1110 d are This is a general character connection port. As shown in FIG. 5A, when the game controller 1200a is connected only to the connection port 1110a that is the connection port for the main character, the main character 10 is controlled by the game controller 1200a. In this case, all of the general characters 20a, 20b, and 20c are NPCs.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the game controller 1200b is newly connected to the connection port 1110d, which is a general character connection port, two general characters 20a out of the general characters 20a, 20b, and 20c. , 20c become PCs, which are controlled by the game controller 1200b. The general character 20b remains NPC.

  When the game controller 1200 connected to the general character connection port is removed (connection is interrupted), the general character 20 (general PC) controlled by the game controller 1200 returns to the NPC. That is, in FIG. 5B, when the game controller 1200b is removed from the connection port 1110d, the general characters 20a and 20c, which are PCs, are changed to NPCs. However, the main character 10 is always a PC, and even if the game controller 1200a connected to the connection port 1110a, which is the main character connection port, is removed, it does not become an NPC.

  As described above, two general characters 20 (general PC) are assigned to the game controller 1200 connected to the general character connection port. That is, two general characters 20 (general PC) are controlled by one game controller 1200. These two general characters 20 are controlled independently of each other.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a control relationship between the game controller 1200 and the general character 20. As shown in the figure, each of the right button group 1220 and the left button group 1222 provided in the game controller 1200 is used to control the two general characters 20 (general PC) assigned to the game controller 1200. It is done. Here, the general character 20 (general PC) controlled by the right button group 1220 is referred to as “first general PC”, and the general character 20 (general PC) controlled by the left button group 1222 is “second general PC”. PC ". Then, the corresponding general character 20 is moved in a direction corresponding to the operation direction performed on the right analog lever 1202 or the left analog lever 1204. Further, by pressing the right push button 1210 or the left push button 1212, the corresponding general character 20 performs a predetermined specific action (for example, rides on another character within a predetermined range).

  Thus, in this embodiment, the two general characters 20 (general PC) are controlled by one game controller 1200 connected to the general character connection port. The main body device 1100 is provided with three general character connection ports. That is, a maximum of six general characters 20 can be a PC. For this reason, at least six general characters 20 are arranged in the game space.

  The general character 20 assigned to the game controller 1200 connected to the general character connection port is determined based on the positional relationship with the main character 10. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining selection of the general character 20 assigned to the game controller 1200. As shown in the figure, when the connection of the game controller 1200 to the connection port 1110 is recognized, the general character 20 (general NPC) which is the two NPCs closest to the main character 10 is the game controller as a PC. Assigned to 1200.

  In the figure, one main character 10 and five general characters 20a to 20e are arranged in the game space. Of the five general characters 20a to 20e, the general characters 20b, 20c, and 20d are NPC (general NPC), and the general characters 20a and 20e are PC (general PC). The distances Da to De between the general characters 20a to 20e and the main character 10 have a relationship of Dc <Da <Db <Dd <De. Accordingly, in this case, the general characters 20b and 20c are assigned to the game controller 1200 as a PC.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a model configuration of the main character 10. The main character 10 is designed as an imaginary worm-shaped worm (worm: a long and slender animal) that is flexible like a string and stretchable like a rheological object. A flexible body 13. That is, the main character 10 is set as a character that can be expanded and contracted with the thickness of the trunk 13 as it is, with the head 11 and tail 12 directions as the front and rear directions. In the present embodiment, the body 13 is described as being expanded and contracted. However, depending on the character design, the head 11 and the tail 12 may be freely expanded and contracted, and the body 13 may be expanded and contracted anywhere. It is.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the main character 10 has a skeleton model BM in which a plurality of nodes 2 are arranged with a constant distance L in the front-rear direction. In other words, the nodes 2 are connected by a connector 4 as a row of joint structures, and the connectors 4 all have the same fixed length L. Further, the coupling angles between the node 2 and the connector 4 are all limited to be within the predetermined angle range θ. Therefore, when the node 2 is regarded as a joint, the skeleton model BM has a plurality of joints connected in series, and each joint does not bend more than a certain angle. Here, among the plurality of nodes 2, the node 2 at the front end of the main character 10 is referred to as “front end node 2fr”, and the node 2 at the rear end is referred to as “rear end node 2rr”.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, a hit determination model HM is set for the main character 10. In the hit determination model HM in this embodiment, a hit determination area 6 is set for each node 2. The hit determination area 6 is set as a spherical area having a radius R (= the length L of the connector 4) with the position coordinates of the corresponding node 2 as the center.

  And the display model of the main character 10 is formed by polygons as shown in FIG. Specifically, each node 2 is set with a display reference circle 8 that includes the vector of the sum of the vectors directed to the adjacent nodes 2 on the surface. Then, as the head 11 and the tail 12, a model of a head or tail set in advance with the start and end nodes 2 of the skeleton model BM as reference points is arranged. For the trunk 13, a plurality of polygons are generated, deformed, and rearranged so as to smoothly connect the outer edges of the circumference defined by the display reference circle 8 set for each node. Formation of the polygon model in the trunk 13 can be realized by appropriately using a known modeling technique such as a skin forming process on the skeleton model.

  In the present embodiment, since the radius of the display reference circle 8 is set to be the same as the radius R of the hit determination area 6, it is set so that a hit determination is made when any object contacts the outer skin of the main character 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and by setting the radius slightly larger than the radius R of the hit determination area 6, a visual effect can be achieved so that the hit object stabs the main character 10 and the stabbed portion cannot be seen. May be.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a method of operating the main character 10. The main character 10 is controlled by an operation input from the game controller 1200 connected to the main character connection port. Specifically, as shown in the figure, the first operation force F1 is applied to the front end node 2fr of the skeleton model BM in accordance with the operation input (inclination direction and amount of inclination) made to the left analog lever 1204 of the game controller 1200. Is set. Further, the second operation force F2 is set to the rear end node 2rr in accordance with the operation input made to the right analog lever 1202. In addition to the operation force F, various forces set in the game space such as gravity and a force pushed by the wind, and a force received by a collision with another character can be set as appropriate, but the description is omitted here. .

  When the first operating force F1 or the second operating force F2 is set, the skeleton model BM is pulled by the operating force F so that the front end node 2fr or the rear end node 2rr is pulled, and the skeleton model BM described above. The position of each node 2 is updated in accordance with a predetermined equation of motion in consideration of the connection conditions. And the position of the display model of the leading character 10 is updated by forming the outer skin based on the skeleton model BM in which the position of each node 2 is updated. Thus, the main character 10 is represented as moving in the game space.

  Further, the main character 10 can be extended / shortened by a combination of operation inputs of the right analog lever 1202 and the left analog lever 1204. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the extension operation (extension operation) of the main character 10. As shown in FIG. 5A, when a right direction input from the right analog lever 1202 and a left direction input from the left analog lever 1204 of the game controller 1200 are simultaneously input, an extension operation input is obtained. Then, as shown in the overhead view of FIG. 5B, the skeleton model BM of the main character 10 is changed from the left side state to the right side state. That is, a new node 2a is added between the front end node 2fr and the next connected node 2b, and a new node 2d is added between the rear end node 2rr and the next connected node 2c.

  Specifically, the front end node 2fr is moved in the direction a (forward) from the next connection node 2b of the front end node 2fr toward the front end node 2fr by the length L of the connector 4, and the original end node 2fr A new node 2a is added at the position. Similarly, for the rear end node 2rr, the rear end node 2rr is moved in the direction b (backward) from the next connection node 2c of the rear end node 2rr toward the rear end node 2rr by the length L of the connector 4. It is moved and a new node 2d is added to the original position of the rear end node 2rr. Then, as shown in the overhead view of FIG. 5C, the display model of the main character 10 is formed by forming the outer skin based on the changed skeleton model BM, so that the entire length on the right side is shortened from the short overall length on the left side. Changes to a stretched state.

  On the other hand, when the right analog lever 1202 is input in the right direction and the left analog lever 1204 is input in the left direction, but is not regarded as simultaneous input, simply as in the left state of FIG. A first operating force F1 corresponding to an operation input from the left analog lever 1204 acts on the front end node 2fr, and a second operating force F2 corresponding to an input to the right analog lever 1202 acts on the rear end node 2rr. Is considered to be. Therefore, in the case of FIG. 4D, the first operating force F1 and the second operating force F2 act so as to pull the head 11 and tail 12 of the main character 10 respectively, and no new node 2 is added. The front end node 2fr and the rear end node 2rr are pulled in opposite directions. As a result, for example, if the skeleton model BM is in a curved state, it approaches a straight state as in the state on the right side of FIG. This “extension operation” is not limited to simultaneous horizontal input from the right analog lever 1202 and left analog lever 1204, but for example, upward input from one of the right analog lever 1202 and left analog lever 1204 and the other. It is good also as simultaneous input with the downward direction input from.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a shortening operation (reducing operation) of the main character 10. As shown in FIG. 5A, when a left direction input from the right analog lever 1202 and a right direction input from the left analog lever 1204 of the game controller 1200 are simultaneously input, a shortening operation input is obtained. Then, the skeleton model BM of the main character 10 is changed from the left side state to the right side state as shown in the overhead view of FIG. That is, the next connection node 2a of the front end node 2fr is deleted, and the front end node 2fr is moved to the original position of the next connection node 2a. Further, the next connection node 2d of the rear end node 2rr is deleted, and the rear end node 2rr is moved to the original position of the next connection node 2d. Then, as shown in the overhead view of FIG. 6C, the display model of the main character 10 is the right-hand side whose overall length is reduced from the left-side state by forming the outer skin based on the changed skeleton model BM. Change to state.

  On the other hand, if the left analog lever 1202 is input to the left and the left analog lever 1204 is input to the right, but the simultaneous input is not considered, the first analog signal corresponding to the input to the left analog lever 1204 is simply used. The operation force F1 is controlled to act on the front end node 2fr, and the second operation force F2 corresponding to the input to the right analog lever 1202 is controlled to act on the rear end node 2rr. Accordingly, in the case of FIG. 4D, the first operating force F1 and the second operating force F2 act to bring the head 11 and tail 12 of the main character 10 closer. As a result, if the skeleton model BM is initially curved, the front end node 2fr and the rear end node 2rr approach each other without deleting the node 2, as in the state on the left side of FIG. As shown in the state on the right side of FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the main character 10 is operated in this way. Therefore, from the standpoint of the player, it is desirable that the shooting conditions of the virtual camera CM be controlled so that the head 11 and tail 12 of the main character 10 are copied as much as possible on the game screen and the surrounding situation can be seen to some extent. become. The “imaging condition” means a position including the position of the world coordinate system of the virtual camera CM, the line-of-sight direction, and the angle of view (or the focal length of the lens).

  FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are diagrams for explaining setting of shooting conditions of the virtual camera CM. First, as shown in FIG. 11A, an individual inclusion area 30 that includes the main character 10 at the current time and an individual inclusion area 30 that includes the general character 20 (general PC) that is a PC are set. The individual inclusion area 30 is a rectangular parallelepiped formed by a plane along each of the Xw, Yw, and Zw axes of the world coordinate system, similarly to the boundary box. Next, an overall inclusion area 40 that includes all of these individual inclusion areas 30 is set. Similar to the individual inclusion area 30, the entire inclusion area 40 is also a rectangular parallelepiped formed by planes along the Xw, Yw, and Zw axes of the world coordinate system. When all the general characters are NPCs, the individual inclusion area 30 of the main character 10 becomes the entire inclusion area 40 as shown in FIG.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 12, a diagonal line 42 of the entire inclusion region 40 is obtained. The diagonal line 42 is, for example, four line segments that connect a vertex of the lower plane parallel to the XZ plane and a vertex of the upper plane that are in a symmetrical positional relationship across the center 41 of the entire inclusion region 40. In the figure, only one diagonal line 42 is shown. Subsequently, each of the four diagonal lines 42 is projected onto the image coordinate system of the captured image of the virtual camera CM, and the Xc-axis component projection dimension Lx and the Yc-axis component projection dimension Ly of the image coordinate system of the projection line segment 43 are calculated. Next, the maximum value of the calculated Xc-axis component projection dimension Lx and the maximum value of each Yc-axis component projection dimension Ly are obtained.

  Then, the obtained Xc-axis component projection dimension Lx and Yc-axis component projection dimension Ly are compared, and the larger projection dimension Lm is a predetermined ratio (for example, 80%) with respect to the screen width W in the corresponding image coordinate axis direction. The shooting conditions of the virtual camera CM are set so that That is, if the Xc-axis component projection dimension Lx is larger than the Yc-axis component projection dimension Ly (Lx> Ly), X with respect to the screen width Wx in the X-axis direction of the image coordinate system (= the lateral dimension of the captured image of the virtual camera CM). The shooting conditions (specifically, position and angle of view θc) of the virtual camera CM are set so that the ratio of the axis component projection dimension Lx is 80% (Wx: Lx = 100: 80). On the other hand, if the Xc-axis component projection dimension Lx is equal to or less than the Yc-axis component projection dimension Ly (Lx ≦ Ly), the Y axis with respect to the screen width Wy in the Y axis direction of the image coordinate system (= vertical dimension of the captured image of the virtual camera CM). The shooting conditions of the virtual camera CM are set so that the ratio of the component projection dimension Ly is 80% (Wy: Ly = 100: 80).

For example, if the angle of view θc is fixed, the shooting condition is set so that the line-of-sight direction 44 of the virtual camera CM is directed to the center 41 of the entire inclusion area 40 and the center 41 and the virtual camera CM are in accordance with the equation (1) An appropriate shooting distance Lc is obtained.
Lc = {(100/80) × Lm)} / {2 × tan (θc / 2)} (1)
Note that the angle of view θc may be obtained with the appropriate shooting distance Lc constant, and in this case, the angle of view θc can be obtained geometrically.

  Further, it can be set as appropriate whether the virtual camera CM is arranged in the left or right direction with respect to the main character 10. For example, in the present embodiment, the movement of the head 11 is controlled according to the operation input from the left analog lever 1204, and the movement of the tail 12 is controlled according to the operation input from the right analog lever 1202. It is desirable for the main character 10 to arrange the virtual camera CM on the left side so as to photograph the left side. This is because the head 11 of the main character 10 is shown on the left side of the game screen and the tail 12 is shown on the right side of the game screen. It is because it is obtained. As a result, when the head 11 and tail 12 of the main character 10 as a base point for the player to operate the main character 10 are always displayed on the game screen, and the general character 20 (general PC) that is a PC exists. This general PC is also displayed.

[Function configuration]
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the consumer game device 1000. According to the figure, the consumer game device 1000 functionally includes an operation input unit 100, a processing unit 200, an image display unit 300, a sound output unit 400, a communication unit 500, and a storage unit 600. It is configured with.

  The operation input unit 100 receives an operation instruction from the player and outputs an operation signal corresponding to various operation inputs made to the processing unit 200. In FIG. 1, the game controller 1200 corresponds to this. In this embodiment, the operation input unit 100 includes a main character operation unit 110 for performing operation input on the main character 10 and a plurality of general character operation units 120 for performing operation input on the general character 20. It is out.

  The main character operating section 110 includes a first direction input section 111 and a second direction input section 112 that allow at least two axis directions to be input with a single operation. The main character operating section 110 corresponds to the game controller 1200 connected to the main character connecting port among the connection ports 1110 of the main unit 1100. The first direction input unit 111 and the second direction input unit 112 are Each of the right button group 1220 and the left button group 1222 of the game controller 1200 corresponds.

  The general character operation unit 120 is capable of performing operation inputs to the two general characters 20 (general PCs), and performing operation inputs to the “first general PC” in order to perform the operation inputs independently of each other. The first character input unit 121 and the second character input unit 122 for performing an operation input to the “second general PC”. The general character operation unit 120 corresponds to each of the game controllers 1200 connected to the general character connection port, and the first character input unit 121 and the second character input unit 122 are the right buttons of the game controller 1200. Each of the group 1220 and the left button group 1222 corresponds. The number of general character operation units 120 is equal to the number of game controllers 1200 currently connected to the general character connection port.

  Whether the connection port 1110 of the main unit 1100 is a main character connection port or a general character connection port is determined by the game calculation unit 210 before the game starts. Then, the setting data of each connection port 1110 is stored in the connection port setting data 625.

  FIG. 14 shows an example of the data configuration of the connection port setting data 625. According to the figure, the connection port setting data 625 stores a character type 625b set as a control target in association with each connection port 625a.

  The processing unit 200 performs various arithmetic processes based on programs and data stored in the storage unit 600, operation signals from the operation input unit 100, and the like, and performs overall control of the consumer game device 1000. The processing unit 200 is realized by, for example, a microprocessor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an IC memory, or the like. In FIG. 1, the control unit 1102 built in the main device 1100 corresponds to this. In the present embodiment, the processing unit 200 includes a game calculation unit 210, an image generation unit 230, a sound generation unit 240, and a communication control unit 250.

  The game calculation unit 210 executes processing related to the progress of the game. For example, processing for forming a game space in a virtual space, control processing for various characters arranged in the game space, hit determination processing, physics calculation processing, game result calculation processing, and the like are included. In this embodiment, the game calculation unit 210 includes a controller connection detection unit 211, a leading character control unit 212, a general character control unit 213, and a virtual camera control unit 216, and a game program stored in the storage unit 600. A game process according to 610 is executed.

  The controller connection detection unit 211 detects connection / disconnection (connection interruption) of the game controller 1200 to the main device 1100. Specifically, periodically, it is determined whether or not the game controller 1200 is connected to each connection port 1110, and the controller ID of the connected game controller 1200 is acquired. Thereby, connection of a new game controller 1200 to the connection port 1110 and removal (disconnection) of the game controller 1200 connected to the connection port 1110 are detected.

  The main character control unit 212 controls the main character 10 in accordance with an operation input from the main character operation unit 110. Specifically, as described with reference to FIG. 8, the operation forces F <b> 1 and F <b> 2 corresponding to the operation inputs (inclination direction and inclination amount) from the first direction input unit 111 and the second direction input unit 112, respectively. The skeleton model BM of the main character 10 is set to the front end node 2fr and the rear end node 2rr, respectively. The operating forces F1 and F2 act on the other nodes 2 along the connector 4. Therefore, the component forces of the operation forces F1 and F2 in the connector direction are applied to each node 2 between the front end node 2fr and the rear end node 2rr according to the connection relationship between the nodes. Then, based on the applied force, each node 2 is moved so as to satisfy the connection condition of the skeleton model BM according to the equation of motion.

  When “extension operation” is input, the front end node 2fr of the skeleton model BM of the main character 10 is moved forward by the length L of the connector 4 as described with reference to FIG. A new node 2 is added to the original position of the front end node 2fr, and the rear end node 2rr is moved backward by the length L of the connector 4, and the new node 2 is moved to the original position of the rear end node 2rr. to add. Here, the “extension operation” is an operation in which the right direction from the right analog lever 1202 and the left direction from the left analog lever 1204 are input simultaneously. In other words, the main character control unit 212 has received an input of “extension operation” from the first direction input unit 111 and the second direction input unit 112 when opposite directions are input with a time difference that can be regarded as simultaneous input. to decide.

  When a predetermined “shortening operation” is performed, as described with reference to FIG. 10, the next connected node 2 of the front end node 2fr of the skeleton model BM of the main character 10 is deleted, and this next connected node The front end node 2fr is moved to the original position of 2, the next connected node 2 of the rear end node 2rr is deleted, and the rear end node 2rr is moved to the original position of the next connected node 2. Here, the “shortening operation” is an operation in which the left direction from the right analog lever 1202 and the right direction from the left analog lever 1204 are input simultaneously. In other words, if the leading character control unit 212 receives directions from the first direction input unit 111 and the second direction input unit 112 that approach each other with a time difference that can be regarded as simultaneous, a “shortening operation” is input. to decide.

  If the count value of the node increase / decrease permission timer does not reach the reference value, the main character control unit 212 does not control expansion or contraction of the main character 10 even if an expansion operation or a shortening operation is performed. The node increase / decrease permission timer counts the time during which the main character 10 is not expanded or shortened, and is reset when the control of the expansion or contraction of the main character 10 is completed. In other words, if the main character 10 is not stretched or shortened for a certain period of time or longer, the decompression or shortening control is not executed even if the stretching operation or shortening operation is input. This creates a kind of temporal “reservoir” for stretching or shortening motion, expressing the resistance when the torso of the main character 10 slowly expands or contracts, and the torso 13 grows as if it were a creature. It can appear as if stretched or shrunk by deformation.

  Data about the leading character 10 is stored in the leading character data 621. FIG. 15 shows an example of the data structure of the main character data 621. According to the figure, the main character data 621 stores a character ID 621a, model data 621b, skeleton model data 622, and action force data 623 of the main character 10.

  The skeleton model data 622 is data regarding the skeleton model BM of the main character 10 at the present time. FIG. 16 shows an example of the data structure of the skeleton model data 622. According to the figure, the skeleton model data 622 stores the current position coordinates 622b, the head-side connection node 622c, the caudal-side connection node 622d, and the effector 622e in association with each other for each node 622a. The head side connection node 622c is a node 2 connected to the head side (front side) in the connection order of the corresponding nodes 2. The tail side connection node 622d is a node 2 connected to the tail side (rear side) in the connection order of the corresponding node 2. The effector 622e is data indicating whether or not the node 2 is a node to which an operation force F corresponding to an operation input from the first direction input unit 111 or the second direction input unit 112 acts. For example, “1” is applied to the node 2 to which the operation force F1 according to the operation input from the second direction input unit 112 acts, and the node 2 to which the operation force F2 according to the operation input from the first direction input unit 111 is applied. “2” is set to 2 and “0” is set to the other nodes 2.

  The acting force data 623 is data on the force (acting force) acting on each node 2 of the main character 10 at the present time. FIG. 17 shows an example of the data structure of the acting force data 623. According to the figure, the action force data 623 stores an operation force vector 623b, an external force vector 623c, and an action force vector 623d in association with each node 623a. The operation force vector 623b is a vector of force acting on the node 2 in response to operation inputs from the first direction input unit 111 and the second direction input unit 112. The external force vector 623c is a force vector set as a field in the game space itself or a force acting by another object arranged in the game space. This includes, for example, gravity, force generated by collision or contact with other objects, force generated by receiving environmental wind, and the like. The acting force vector 623d is the sum of the operating force vector and the external force vector.

  The general character control unit 213 assigns the general character 20 to the game controller 1200 connected to the general character connection port. Specifically, when the connection of the game controller 1200 to the general character connection port is detected by the controller connection detection unit 211, the general character 20 (general NPC), which is two NPCs, is assigned to the game controller 1200. . That is, as described with reference to FIG. 6, two general characters 20 (general NPCs) that are NPCs arranged in the game space are selected in the order closer to the main character 10, and the selected general characters are selected. 20 (NPC) is changed to PC and assigned to this game controller 1200. If disconnection (connection interruption) of the game controller 1200 connected to the general character connection port is detected, the assignment of the general character 20 (general PC) to the game controller 1200 is canceled, and the general character 20 To NPC.

  Data regarding the assignment of characters to the game controller 1200 is stored in the character assignment data 626. FIG. 18 shows an example of the data configuration of the character assignment data 626. According to the figure, the character assignment data 626 stores the connected game controller 626b and the assigned character 626c in association with each other for each connection port 626a. The assigned character 626c stores the character ID of the main character 10 for the main character connection port, and the two general characters 20 assigned to the game controller 1200 connected to the port for the general character connection port. Is stored. However, no character is assigned to the connection port 1110 to which the game controller 1200 is not connected.

  The general character control unit 213 includes a general PC control unit 214 that controls the general character 20 (general PC) that is an NPC, and a general NPC control unit 215 that controls the general character 20 (general NPC) that is a PC. .

  The general NPC control unit 215 applies a general character 20 (general NPC), which is an NPC, to a predetermined control routine that is predetermined for the character and a general character action that is commonly defined for all the general characters 20. Control is performed according to the table 631.

  The general character action table 631 is a data table in which actions of the general character 20 are defined in association with their activation conditions. FIG. 30 shows an example of the data configuration of the general character action table 631. According to the figure, the general character action table 631 stores an action activation condition 631b in association with each action 631a that the general character 20 can take. The action activation condition 631b differs depending on whether the general character 20 is NPC or PC. That is, as an activation condition for NPC, conditions based on the game space environment and the relative positional relationship between the general character 20 and another character (the main character 20 or another general character 20) are set. As an activation condition at a certain time, a condition in which the activation condition for the NPC is combined with an operation signal from the game controller 1200 is set. As a result, the player can operate the general character 20 that is a PC to perform the same action as when the general character 20 is an NPC.

  The general PC control unit 214 controls the general character 20 (general PC), which is a PC, with reference to the general character action table 631 according to the operation input from the corresponding general character operation unit 120. That is, if the general character 20 (general PC) is set as the “first general PC” of the assigned game controller 1200, the control is performed according to the operation input from the first character input unit 121. If it is set as “second general PC”, control is performed according to an operation input from the second character input unit 122.

  Data about the general character 20 is stored in the general character data 624. FIG. 19 shows an example of the data configuration of the general character data 624. According to the figure, the general character data 624 is generated for each general character arranged in the game space, and the character ID 624a, the type 624b, the model data 624c, the current position 624d of the corresponding general character 20, A control form 624e and a control routine 624f are stored. The current position 624d is the position coordinates of the representative point of the general character 20 expressed in the world coordinate system. The control form 624e stores a value indicating whether the general character 20 is a PC or NPC.

  The virtual camera control unit 216 controls the virtual camera CM. Specifically, the shooting conditions of the virtual camera CM are determined as described with reference to FIGS. That is, an individual inclusion area 30 that includes the main character 10 and a general character 20 (general PC) that is a PC is set, and an overall inclusion area 40 that includes all these individual inclusion areas 30 is set. Also, the temporary placement position of the virtual camera CM is determined so that the relative position with the main character 10 satisfies a predetermined positional relationship, and the virtual camera CM is directed so as to face the center 41 of the entire inclusion region 40 with the temporary placement position as a reference. Set the gaze direction. Here, the “relative positional relationship” to be satisfied is, for example, a position obliquely above and to the left of the main character 10.

  Next, the larger projection dimension Lm is calculated from the Xc-axis component projection dimension Lx and the Yc-axis component projection dimension Yc obtained by projecting each of the four diagonal lines 42 of the entire inclusion region 40 onto the image coordinate system of the captured image of the virtual camera CM. Then, the optimum shooting distance Lc is calculated according to the equation (1) with the angle of view θc of the virtual camera CM as a predetermined value. Then, along the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera CM, the position of the optimum shooting distance Lc from the center 41 of the entire inclusion region 40 is set as the placement position of the virtual camera CM.

  Data about the virtual camera CM is stored in the virtual camera data 627. FIG. 20 shows an example of the data configuration of the virtual camera data 627. According to the figure, the virtual camera data 627 stores the current placement position 627a of the virtual camera CM, the line-of-sight direction 627b, and the angle of view 627c.

  The image generation unit 230 generates one game image in one frame time (1/60 second) based on the processing result by the game calculation unit 210, and outputs an image signal of the generated game image to the image display unit 300. . The image generation unit 230 is realized by, for example, a processor such as a digital signal processor (DSP), its control program, a drawing frame IC memory such as a frame buffer, and the like. The image display unit 300 displays various game images based on the image signal input from the image generation unit 230. For example, it can be realized by an image display device such as a flat panel display, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a projector, or a head mounted display. In FIG. 1, the display 1302 of the video monitor 1300 corresponds to this.

  The sound generation unit 240 generates sound signals of game sound effects, BGM, and various operation sounds based on the processing result of the game calculation unit 210 and outputs the sound signals to the sound output unit 400. The sound generation unit 240 is realized by a processor such as a digital signal processor (DSP) and its control program. The sound output unit 400 is realized by a device that outputs sound effects, BGM, and the like based on the sound signal input from the sound generation unit 240. In FIG. 1, the speaker 1304 of the video monitor 1300 corresponds to this.

  The communication control unit 250 executes data processing related to data communication, and realizes data exchange with an external device via the communication unit 500. Communication unit 500 is connected to communication line N to realize communication. For example, it is realized by a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), a cable communication cable jack, a control circuit, and the like. In FIG. 1, the communication device 1108 corresponds to this.

  The storage unit 600 stores a system program for realizing various functions for causing the processing unit 200 to control the home game device 1000 in an integrated manner, a game program necessary for executing the game, various data, and the like. . Further, it is used as a work area of the processing unit 200, and temporarily stores calculation results executed by the processing unit 200 according to various programs, input data input from the operation input unit 100, and the like. This function is realized by, for example, an IC memory such as a RAM and a ROM, a magnetic disk such as a hard disk, and an optical disk such as a CD-ROM and DVD. In the present embodiment, a game program 610 is stored in the storage unit 600 as a program, and main character data 621, general character data 624, connection port setting data 625, and character assignment data 626 are stored as data. The virtual camera data 627 and the general character action table 631 are stored.

[Process flow]
FIG. 21 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the game processing of the present embodiment. This process is realized by the processing unit 200 executing the game program 610. According to the figure, the game calculation unit 210 first forms a game space in the virtual space, and arranges various characters including the main character 10 and the general character 20, a virtual camera CM, and the like in this game space (steps). A1). Next, the character type (main character / general) to be set in the connection port 1110 is determined (step A3). That is, the connection port 1110 to which the game controller 1200 is currently connected is determined. If there is one, the connection port 1110 is the main character connection port. One connection port 1110 to be used is a main character connection port, and if not, one predetermined connection port 1110 is used as a main character connection port. The other connection ports 1110 are designated as general character connection ports. Thereafter, the progress control of the game is started (step A5). Then, while the game is in progress, the general character control unit 213 executes the general character control process to control the general character 20 (step A7).

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the general character control process. According to the figure, the general character control unit 213 determines whether a new game controller 1200 is connected to the general character connection port. If a new game controller 1200 is connected (step B1: YES), the two general characters 20 are selected from the general characters 20 (general NPCs) that are NPCs in the order closer to the main character 10 (step B3). These general characters 20 are changed to PCs and assigned to the new game controller 1200 (step B5).

  Further, it is determined whether or not the game controller 1200 connected to the general character connection port has been removed (disconnected). If it has been removed (step B7: YES), the general character 20 to the removed game controller 1200 is determined. Is released, and the assigned general character 20 is changed to NPC (step B9).

  Subsequently, the general character control unit 213 performs a loop A process for each of the general characters 20 arranged in the game space. In the loop A, it is determined whether the target general character 20 is a PC or NPC. If the target general character 20 is a PC (step B11: YES), it corresponds to the general character operation unit 120 to which the character is assigned. The target general character 20 is controlled in accordance with an operation input from the input unit (that is, the corresponding button group of the game controller 1200 connected to the corresponding general character connection port) (step B13). On the other hand, if the target general character 20 is NPC (step B11: NO), the target general character 20 is controlled according to the set control routine with reference to the corresponding general character data 624 (step B15). When the process of loop A for all the general characters 20 is completed, the general character control process ends.

  Further, the main character control unit 212 controls the main character 10 by executing a main character control process (step A9).

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the main character control process. According to the figure, the main character control unit 212 executes expansion / contraction processing to expand or shorten the main character 10 (step C1).

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the expansion / contraction process. According to the figure, the main character control unit 212 first adds a predetermined number of counts of the node increase / decrease permission timer (step D1), and whether the count value of the node increase / decrease permission timer after the addition has reached the reference value or not. Determine whether. If the count value of the node increase / decrease permission timer has not reached the reference value (step D3: NO), the expansion / contraction process is terminated as it is.

  On the other hand, if the count value of the node increase / decrease permission timer has reached the reference value (step D3: YES), the leading character control unit 212 determines whether a predetermined “extension operation” has been input. If it is determined that “extension operation” has been input (step D5: YES), the leading character control unit 212 uses the front end node 2fr (node 2 of the head 11) of the leading character 10 as the length L of the connector 4. The node is moved forward (step D7), and a new node 2 is added between the moved front end node 2fr and the connected node 2 (step D9). Further, the rear end node 2rr (node 12 of the tail 12) of the main character 10 is moved backward by the length L of the connector 4 (step D11), and the moved rear end node 2rr and the connection node 2 are moved. A new node 2 is added to (step D13).

  If “extension operation” is not input (step D5: NO), the leading character control unit 212 determines whether a predetermined “shortening operation” is input. If it is determined that the “shortening operation” has been input (step D15: YES), the leading character control unit 212 includes a node (next connected node) connected next to the front end node 2fr of the leading character 10; The node (connected node) connected next to the rear end node 2rr is deleted (step D17), and the front end node 2fr and the rear end node 2rr are moved to the position of the deleted next connected node (step D19). Thereafter, the main character control unit 212 resets the node increase / decrease permission timer to return to “0” and restarts (step S21), and ends the expansion / contraction process.

  When the expansion / contraction process is completed, the main character control unit 212 executes an action force setting process to set an action force on the main character 10 (step C3).

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the acting force setting process. According to the figure, the main character control unit 212 is sent from the first direction input unit 111 of the main character operation unit 110 (that is, the left analog lever 1204 of the game controller 1200 connected to the main character connection port). A first operating force F1 corresponding to the operation input (tilting direction and tilting amount) is determined and set as the operating force vector at the front end node 2fr corresponding to the head 11 of the main character 10 (step E1). Next, the component force of the operation force F1 transmitted from the front end node 2fr to each node via the connector 4 is calculated according to the connection order of the nodes 2, and is set in each node 2 as an operation force vector (step E3).

  Further, the second operation force F2 corresponding to the operation input (tilt direction and tilt amount) from the second direction input unit 112 (that is, the right analog lever 1202) of the main character operation unit 110 is determined, and the operation force is determined. The vector is set to the rear end node 2rr corresponding to the tail 12 of the main character 10 (step E5). Next, the component force of the operation force F2 transmitted from the rear end node 2rr to each node 2 via the connector 4 is calculated according to the connection order of the nodes 2 and added to the operation force vector of each node 2 (step E7).

  In addition, the main character control unit 212 sets an external force that acts on the main character 10. That is, for each node 2 of the skeleton model BM, the force set as an environmental factor in the game space such as gravity or electromagnetic force acting on the main character 10 or wind force, or the force received by collision with other objects is calculated. And set as an external force vector (step E9). Then, for all the nodes 2 of the main character 10, the sum of the operation force vector and the external force vector is obtained and set as each action force vector (step E11). When the above process is performed, the action force setting process is terminated.

  When the action force setting process ends, the main character control unit 212 subsequently performs a movement control process for the main character 10 (step C5). In this movement control process, the next position of each node 2 that satisfies the connection condition of the skeleton model BM is calculated based on the force vector set for each node 2 of the main character 10. When the above process is performed, the leading character control process is terminated.

  Further, the virtual camera control unit 216 executes a virtual camera control process to control the virtual camera CM (step A11).

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the virtual camera control process. According to the figure, the virtual camera control unit 216 determines the temporary arrangement position of the virtual camera CM so that the relative position with respect to the main character 10 has a predetermined positional relationship (step F1). In addition, an individual inclusion area 30 that includes the entire main character 10 is set (step F3), and an individual inclusion area 30 that includes each of the general characters 20 (general PC) that are PCs is set (step F5). Next, an overall inclusion area 40 that includes all of these individual inclusion areas 30 is set (step F7). Then, the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera CM is determined so as to face the center 41 of the entire inclusion region 40 as viewed from the temporary arrangement position (step F9).

  Subsequently, the virtual camera control unit 216 obtains the diagonal line 42 of the entire inclusion region 40 (Step F11), projects each obtained diagonal line 42 onto the image coordinate system of the virtual camera CM, and projects the projected dimension in the Xc axis direction on the captured image. Lx and Yc axis direction projection dimensions Ly are calculated (step F13). Next, the calculated maximum value of the Xc-axis direction projection dimension Lx and the maximum value of the Yc-axis direction projection dimension Ly are compared to determine the larger projection dimension Lm (step F15). Next, based on the projection dimension Lm, an appropriate shooting distance Lc from the center 41 of the entire inclusion region 40 of the virtual camera CM is determined according to the equation (1) (step F17). Then, a position where the appropriate shooting distance Lc is reached along the line-of-sight direction from the center 41 of the entire inclusion area 40 toward the temporary arrangement position is set as the next arrangement position of the virtual camera CM (step F19). When the above processing is performed, the virtual camera control processing is terminated.

  When the virtual camera control process is finished, the image generation unit 230 generates an image of the game space based on the virtual camera CM and displays it on the image display unit 300 as a game screen (step A13). Thereafter, the game calculation unit 210 determines whether or not the game end condition is satisfied. If not satisfied (step A15: NO), the game calculation unit 210 returns to step A7 to continue the game, and if the end condition is satisfied. (Step A15: YES), the progress of the game is terminated and the game process is terminated.

[Modification]
Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the applicable embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that the embodiment can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

(A) General character 20 assigned to game controller 1200
(A1) Positional relationship with the main character 10 In the above-described embodiment, the general character 20 to be assigned to the game controller 1200 is selected from the order closest to the main character 10. However, the relative position with respect to the main character 10 is a reference. Any general character 20 whose relationship satisfies a predetermined condition may be selected. For example, it may be selected randomly from general NPCs within a predetermined distance from the main character 10. Here, the main character 10 is used as a reference in order to prevent the display range of the virtual camera CM from becoming wide and the character in the game screen from becoming too small.

(A2) Types of General Characters 20 A plurality of types of general characters 20 may be prepared, relative characteristics (relationships) may be determined between the types, and general characters 20 having predetermined characteristics may be selected and assigned. . Examples of characteristics between the types of the general character 20 include the following. In other words, “Rion” is superior to “Rabbit”, and “Rabbit” is inferior to “Rion”. “Enemy ally” and “harnessed mouse” related to each other include “accessibility” that does not physically bring any character within a predetermined distance. Also, the types of general characters 20 are classified into “live things” and “vehicles”, and “live things” can be “ridden” on “vehicles”, and conversely “vehicles” can be “vehicles”. There is also "unable to join" that you cannot "ride". With reference to these characteristics, for example, two general characters 20 having opposite characteristics such as “Ikimono” and “Norimono”, “Keizatsukan” and “Drobo” are assigned to one game controller 1200, or “Ikimono” The general character 20 having the same characteristics such as “Ikimono” is assigned to one game controller 1200.

(A3) General Character 20 Allocation History The general character 20 to be allocated to the game controller 1200 connected to the main device 1100 may be determined based on the allocation history so far. Specifically, the general character 20 assigned to the game controller 1200 is stored in the general character assignment history data 631 as an assignment history.

  FIG. 27 shows an example of the data structure of the general character assignment history data 631. According to the figure, the general character assignment history data 631 stores, as an assignment history, the assigned general character 631b in association with each game controller 631a whose connection has been detected so far. When a new game controller 1200 is connected, a character other than the general character 20 previously assigned to the game controller 1200 is selected and assigned with reference to the general character assignment history data 631.

  Alternatively, the same character as the general character 20 previously assigned to the game controller 1200 may be assigned. At this time, if the corresponding general character 20 is currently assigned to another game controller 1200 (that is, a PC), it is selected from the other general characters 20 (general NPC) that are NPCs other than this. And assign it.

(A4) Selection by Player The player may select the general character 20 to be assigned to the newly connected game controller 1200. Specifically, when the connection of a new game controller 1200 is detected (recognized), the general character 20 (general NPC), which is an NPC at the time, is additionally displayed on the game screen, for example, Character icons (simple images) are displayed in a list or the like to the player, and the general NPC selected by the player's selection operation from the game controller 1200 is assigned to the game controller 1200 as a PC.

(B) Customization of the general character 20 The general character 20 may be customized. That is, for the general character 20 that is a PC, the corresponding player can change the character parts such as the hair and skin color of the general character 20, and items such as clothes, hats, and belongings. The parts and items that can be customized may differ depending on the type of the general character 20 and the player level.

(C) Control of virtual camera CM The virtual camera CM may be controlled by an operation input of a player. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 28, with the visual line direction 44 of the virtual camera CM directed toward the center 41 of the entire inclusion area 40, the placement position of the virtual camera CM is set to Xc according to the operation input from the game controller 1200. Control is performed so as to move in the direction a parallel to the −Zc plane and to move in the direction b parallel to the Yc-Zc plane. Then, using the controlled placement position of the virtual camera CM as a temporary placement position, an appropriate shooting distance Lc from the center 41 of the entire inclusion region 40 along the line-of-sight direction 44 is calculated to control the virtual camera CM. Thereby, the camera work which turns around with respect to the main character 10 etc. is implement | achieved.

  Here, the game controller 1200 capable of controlling the virtual camera CM is preferably the game controller 1200 connected to the main character connection port, but the game controller 1200 connected to the general character connection port may also be used. good.

  Further, the input of the control operation of the virtual camera CM in the game controller 1200 may be realized by a predetermined button operation (or may be a switch operation or a lever operation) provided in the game controller 1200, or a game The controller 1200 may include a predetermined N-axis acceleration sensor, and the game controller 1200 may be tilted.

(D) Game Controller In the above-described embodiment, the game controller 1200 is grasped with both left and right hands, and the two general characters 20 can be controlled by operating the right button group 1220 and the left button group 1222, respectively. However, other configurations are possible.

  Specifically, for example, a game controller having a shape held with one hand as shown in FIG. 29 may be used. According to the figure, the home-use game apparatus 1000A includes a bar-shaped game controller 1200A that can be held with one hand. On the upper surface of the game controller 1200A, a cross key 1242 corresponding to the right analog lever 1202 and the left analog lever 1204 is provided, and a wireless communication device 1132 mounted on a control unit 1102 built in the main body device 1100 is provided. A wireless communication device 1244 that performs wireless communication is incorporated.

  A sub controller 1200B can be connected to the game controller 1200A by wire. The sub-controller 1200B is provided with analog levers 1252 corresponding to the right analog lever 1202 and the left analog lever 1204. The operation signal of the analog lever 1252 is transmitted to the main body device 1100 via the game controller 1200A to which the sub controller 1200B is connected. That is, the game controller 1200A can form a single game controller in a single state, or can form a single game controller with the sub-controller 1200B connected.

  In this case, one general character 20 is assigned to each game controller 1200A and sub-controller 1200B. That is, the game controller 1200A transmits information indicating whether or not the sub-controller 1200B is connected to the main device 1100, and the main device 1100 determines whether or not the sub-controller 1200B is connected to the connected game controller 1200A. The general character 20 to be assigned is determined according to the above. That is, when the sub controller 1200B is not connected to the game controller 1200A, one general character is assigned to the game controller 1200A. That is, one general character 20 is assigned to the game controller as a whole. On the other hand, when the sub controller 1200B is connected to the game controller 1200A, one general character 20 is assigned to each of the game controller 1200A and the sub controller 1200B. That is, two general characters 20 are assigned to the game controller as a whole.

(E) Notification of general character 20 assignment Further, the general character 20 assigned to the game controller 1200 may be notified to the player. Specifically, for example, a predetermined mark indicating the connection port 1110 to which the corresponding game controller 1200 is connected is displayed on the general character 20 (general PC) which is a PC on the game screen.

(F) Connection form of game controller 1200 In the above-described embodiment, the main apparatus 1100 and the game controller 1200 are connected by wire, but may be connected wirelessly. In this case, the game controller 1200 that is wired to the main unit 1100 is further shifted to wireless connection while the connection is recognized, and conversely, the connection is recognized for the game controller 1200 that is wirelessly connected. It may be possible to shift to a wired connection without change.

An appearance example of a home game device. An example of a game space. An example of a game space. The control relation figure of a game controller and a character. The control relation figure of a game controller and a general character. Explanatory drawing of selection of the general character allocated to a game controller. The model structure figure of a leading character. Explanatory drawing of the operating method of a leading character. Explanatory drawing of the extending | stretching operation method of a leading character. Explanatory drawing of the shortening operation method of a leading character. Explanatory drawing of the control method of a virtual camera. Explanatory drawing of the control method of a virtual camera. The functional block diagram of a household game device. The data structural example of connection port setting data. Data structure example of the leading character data. Data structure example of skeleton model data. The data structural example of action force data. Data configuration example of character assignment data. Data structure example of general character data. The data structural example of virtual camera data. The flowchart of a game process. The flowchart of a general character control process. The flowchart of a leading character control process. The flowchart of an expansion / contraction process. The flowchart of an action force setting process. The flowchart of a virtual camera setting process. Data structure example of general character assignment history data. Explanatory drawing of the control method of a virtual camera. The other external appearance example of a household game device. The data structural example of a general character action table.

Explanation of symbols

1000 Home Game Device 100 Operation Input Unit 110 Main Character Character Operation Unit 111 First Direction Input Unit, 112 Second Direction Input Unit 120 General Character Operation Unit 121 First Character Input Unit, 122 Second Character Input Unit 200 Processing unit 210 Game calculation unit 211 Controller connection detection unit 212 Main character control unit 213 General character control unit
214 General PC control unit, 215 General NPC control unit 216 Virtual camera control unit 600 Storage unit 610 Game program 621 Main character data, 624 General character data 625 Connection port setting data, 626 Character allocation data 627 Virtual camera data 631 General character action table

Claims (15)

An NPC (non-player character) that can move in the game space is controlled by a computer that can be connected to a controller by wire or wirelessly, and an image of the game space viewed from a given virtual camera is generated to generate a predetermined A program for controlling the progress of a game,
Connection recognition means for recognizing connection of a new controller during the progress control of the game;
Assigning means for assigning an NPC as a new PC (player character) controlled by an operation input of the new controller when the connection recognition means recognizes the connection of the new controller;
PC control means for controlling the new PC assigned by the assigning means in accordance with the operation input of the assigned new controller;
NPC control means for computer-controlling NPCs not assigned by the assigning means;
A program for causing the computer to function as   The program according to claim 1, wherein the assigning unit causes the computer to function so as to assign a predetermined number of NPCs selected from a plurality of NPCs as new PCs. Causing the computer to function as NPC placement means for placing a plurality of NPCs in the game space before the start of the game;
The assigning means causes the computer to function so as to select an NPC to be newly assigned as a PC from among the NPCs arranged by the NPC arranging means;
The NPC control means is an NPC arranged by the NPC arrangement means, and causes the computer to function to control the NPC not assigned by the assignment means.
A program according to claim 2 for. Interrupt detection means for detecting connection interruption of the connected controller,
A deallocating unit for deallocating the PC allocated to the controller in which the connection interruption is detected in response to the detection by the interruption detecting unit;
The program according to claim 2 or 3, for causing the computer to function.   When the new controller recognized by the connection recognizing means is a controller detected in the past by the interruption detecting means, the assigning means assigns an NPC other than the NPC previously assigned to the controller to the relevant controller. The program according to claim 4 for causing the computer to function as a new PC controlled by an operation input of a controller.   When the new controller recognized by the connection recognizing means is a controller detected in the past by the interruption detecting means, the assigning means assigns the same NPC as the NPC previously assigned to the controller, The program according to claim 4 for causing the computer to function as a new PC that is controlled by an operation input of the controller.   Virtual camera control means for controlling at least one of the line-of-sight direction, the angle of view, and the camera position of the virtual camera to control all current PCs within the display range during the progress control of the game. The program as described in any one of Claims 2-6 for functioning the said computer. In the game space, the computer is caused to function as an inclusion area setting means for setting an inclusion area including all the current PCs,
The virtual camera control means causes the computer to function to control the virtual camera using the inclusion region;
The program according to claim 7 for. A constant PC correspondence setting means for associating and setting one controller connected before the start of the game and a constant PC controlled in accordance with an operation input of the controller;
A constant PC control means for controlling the constant PC in accordance with an operation input of a controller set in association with the constant PC correspondence setting means;
As the computer functions as
The virtual camera control means has camera position control means for controlling the camera position of the virtual camera in accordance with an operation input of the controller set in association with the constant PC correspondence setting means, and is controlled by the camera position control means. Controlling the viewing direction and / or the angle of view of the virtual camera with reference to the determined camera position, and causing the computer to function so as to control all current PCs within the display range;
A program according to claim 7 or 8. A constant PC correspondence setting means for associating and setting one controller connected before the start of the game and a constant PC controlled in accordance with an operation input of the controller;
A constant PC control means for controlling the constant PC in accordance with an operation input of a controller set in association with the constant PC correspondence setting means;
As the computer functions as
The allocating unit causes the computer to function as a new PC that allocates an NPC whose relative positional relationship with the regular PC satisfies a predetermined selection condition;
The program as described in any one of Claims 2-9 for. The controller has left and right direction operation input units that are gripped with both hands and operated with left and right fingers,
The assigning means has a new controller recognized by the connection recognizing means, one new PC controlled by an operation input from the left-hand direction operation input unit of the controller, and a right-hand direction operation input. The program as described in any one of Claims 2-10 for functioning the said computer so that one new PC controlled by the operation input from a part may be newly allocated. The controller includes a first controller that is a one-handed gripping controller that includes a direction operation input unit, and a second controller that is connected to two one-handed gripping controllers that include a direction operation input unit. Yes,
Causing the computer to function as a determination unit that determines whether the controller newly recognized by the connection recognition unit is the first controller or the second controller;
If the new controller recognized by the connection recognizing means is determined as the first controller by the determining means, the assigning means assigns a new PC to the new controller, and the second controller If determined to be a controller, the computer is caused to function so as to allocate two new PCs controlled by operation inputs from the two one-hand holding controllers of the new controller.
The program as described in any one of Claims 2-10 for. In the NPC, there are a plurality of types of NPCs in which any of the characteristics of relative superiority, inferiority, enemy ally, coalescence possibility, and accessibility is predetermined.
The NPC control means causes the computer to function so as to control each NPC based on the characteristics defined in the type of the NPC;
When the allocating unit allocates a plurality of NPCs as new PCs to a new controller recognized by the connection recognizing unit, the different types of NPCs having the relative characteristics are allocated as new PCs. Make the computer work,
A program according to any one of claims 2 to 12.   The computer-readable information storage medium which memorize | stored the program as described in any one of Claims 1-13. A game in which a controller can be connected by wire or wireless, and an NPC that can move in the game space is controlled by a computer, and an image of the game space viewed from a given virtual camera is generated to control the progress of a predetermined game. A device,
Connection recognition means for recognizing connection of a new controller during the progress control of the game;
An assigning means for assigning an NPC as a new PC controlled by an operation input of the new controller when a connection of a new controller is recognized by the connection recognizing means;
PC control means for controlling a new PC assigned by the assigning means in accordance with an operation input of the assigned new controller;
NPC control means for computer-controlling NPCs not assigned by the assigning means;
A game device comprising:

Images