JP2009153692A - Program, information storage medium, and image display controller - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the expression change of characters without giving the feeling of incompatibility to a viewing person even when the sudden change of feelings occurs. <P>SOLUTION: The feeling of the opposite character 6 of a conversation is shifted corresponding to the selection of a subject and a response by a player. When the relation of the feeling of a shift origin and the feeling of a shift destination satisfies a feeling sudden change condition, the image of the opposite character 6 is controlled so as to be temporarily inserted and displayed as a special image W12 on the basis of predetermined control data (special face control texture 30) corresponding to a rising feeling when the feeling of the shift origin rises. Then, the image of the opposite character 6 is displayed and controlled on the basis of control data (face control texture 22) corresponding to the feeing of the shift destination. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a program, an information storage medium, and an image display control device.

In recent video games, a game including a scene in which a player character operated by a player and another character conversely face each other is often seen. For example, in a role-playing game (RPG), a scene where a player character talks to a villager NPC (non-player character) in a village where the player character visits to hear information, or a player NPC who forms a party with the player character talks. It is also used as an element to enrich the drama by exchanging opinions and gaining sympathy within the allies or countering each other.
In a scene where such characters face each other, it is important to express the expression of the character more emotionally. For example, in a scene where information is heard, it is an important material for bargaining such as guessing the other party's speculation from the other person's character's expression, switching the topic of conversation appropriately, and sometimes asking a bluff question. Also, in the dialogue with the opponent character, the reality felt by the player during the conversation is greatly different by changing the facial expression according to the conversation rather than displaying a doll-like character without changing the facial expression, and the fun of the game Can be increased.

The technology for changing the expression of characters expressed in computer graphics continues to advance. For example, even if you do not give instructions to keyframes one by one, even if you are not conscious, the blinking and subtle changes naturally. There is also a technique for easily expressing unconscious facial expression changes such as neck tilt and line-of-sight changes (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2007-156650 A

By the way, it is well known that human emotions do not always change smoothly, but may change suddenly. For example, it is common for people who are displeased to suddenly be upset and be in a good mood triggered by a conversation.
Even in face-to-face scenes in video games, it is natural to express such sudden emotional changes in order to improve reality and enrich the humanity of the face-to-face character. However, in the above-described conventional technology, a conscious facial expression including a facial expression change of an unconscious action is formed by synthesizing a change amount based on an unconscious action and a change quantity based on a conscious expression in the face model. For this reason, when trying to realize a sudden emotional change with this technology, the change of the face model becomes unnatural and sometimes causes a sense of incongruity. Especially for characters drawn with comic character-like semiotics (for example, non-realistic animated characters and cartoon characters), facial expressions representing emotions do not always have continuity like real people. In many cases, it can be switched semiotically, making it more difficult to feel uncomfortable.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to realize a change in the facial expression of a character with less discomfort to the viewer even when a sudden change in emotion occurs. To give a more specific example, it is possible to show a change in facial expression based on a sudden emotional change of a character drawn by cartoon character-like semiotics without a sense of incongruity.

A first invention for solving the above-described problem is a program for causing a computer to display and control an image of a character whose facial expression changes according to an instruction input by operation.
Current emotion storage means (for example, the processing unit 200, the emotion determination unit 214 in FIG. 8, the current emotion) that stores which general emotion is the general emotion among the general emotions that can be taken by the character. Emotion type data 592, steps S40 and S44 in FIG.
Emotion change condition establishment detection means (for example, the process of FIG. 8) that detects that the instruction content input by the operation satisfies a predetermined emotion change condition (for example, the emotion transition setting data 550 and the option attribute 554 in FIG. 10). Part 200, emotion determination part 214, step S18 in FIG.
Transition destination emotion determining means for determining the general emotion of the transition destination from the current general emotion (for example, the processing unit 200, the emotion determining unit 214 in FIG. 8, step S24 in FIG. 15),
A predetermined emotion sudden change condition for determining whether or not the change from the current general emotion to the determined general emotion of the transition destination is a sudden emotion change (for example, special output material data at the time of transition in FIG. 13) 560, transition pattern 561) to determine whether or not the emotion change determination means (for example, processing unit 200 in FIG. 8, sudden emotion change determination unit 216, step S26 in FIG. 16),
If the emotion sudden change condition is not satisfied, control data (for example, the character of FIG. 9) of the character image to be displayed at the time of the general emotion determined in advance corresponding to the determined general emotion of the transition destination When the character image is displayed and controlled based on the initial setting data 520 and the face control texture 524) and the emotion sudden change condition is satisfied, the character is determined in advance corresponding to the lifting emotion when the given emotion is lifted. After temporarily controlling display of the image of the character based on the control data (for example, special output material data 560 at transition and special face control texture 562 in FIG. 13), it corresponds to the determined general emotion of the transition destination Emotion transition display control means for controlling display of the character image based on the control data (for example, the processing unit 200 in FIG. 8, display control during emotion transition) 218, the image generation unit 260, Step S26~S28 in FIG 16, a S46, S36, S38), a program for causing the computer to function as a.

A tenth aspect of the invention is an image display control device that controls display of an image of a character whose expression changes according to the instruction content input by the operation.
Current emotion storage means for storing which general emotion is a general emotion that is a general emotion that the character can take;
An emotion change condition establishment detection means for detecting that the instruction content input by the operation satisfies a predetermined emotion change condition;
A transition destination emotion determination means for determining a transition destination general emotion from the current general emotion;
Emotion change determination means for determining whether or not a predetermined emotion sudden change condition is satisfied for determining whether or not a change from the current general emotion to the determined general emotion of the transition destination is an abrupt emotion change When,
The image of the character based on the control data of the image of the character displayed at the time of the general emotion determined in advance corresponding to the determined general emotion of the transition destination when the emotion sudden change condition is not satisfied When the emotion sudden change condition is satisfied, the character image is temporarily displayed based on control data determined in advance corresponding to the emotion when the given emotion is lifted. And an emotion transition display control means for controlling display of the character image based on control data corresponding to the determined general emotion of the transition destination.

According to the first or tenth invention, when the emotion of the character undergoes a sudden change, before the character is controlled with the control data corresponding to the transition destination emotion, An image in which the character image is temporarily controlled based on the corresponding special control data can be displayed.
In other words, the facial discontinuity of the facial expression depends on the impression the viewer receives from the facial expression based on the emotion, by inserting a facial expression with an extremely high emotion (raising emotion) only for a short time at the temporal discontinuity position of the facial expression. It is possible to give a sense of rationality and to dispel the sense of incongruity caused by discontinuity of facial expressions.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the emotion transition display control means satisfies the emotion sudden change condition, a predetermined control corresponding to the lifting emotion when the determined general emotion of the transition destination is lifted A first function for causing the computer to function to display-control the character image based on the control data corresponding to the determined general emotion after the character image is temporarily displayed based on the data; It is a program of 1 invention.

  According to the second invention, the same effect as that of the first invention can be obtained, and after the facial expression of the transition destination emotion is overshot for a short time, the facial expression corresponding to the original transition destination emotion can be shown. it can. Therefore, it is possible to give the viewer a sense that “there is no change in facial expression even if there is a temporal discontinuity because the emotion has changed so much”, so it is more effectively caused by the discontinuity of the facial expression. It is possible to dispel the sense of incongruity.

In a third invention, the character is composed of a model of a primitive surface,
A program according to the first or second aspect of the invention for causing the computer to function as unconscious movement control means for controlling the unconscious movement of the character by changing the vertex position of the primitive surface constituting the character model.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to add to the character's facial expression unintentionally caused by a person, such as blinking, slight neck tilt, and fine line of sight movement. Therefore, the expression of the character can be shown more naturally. Originally, the discontinuity of facial expressions accompanying sudden changes in emotions is a source of discomfort, so the addition of unconscious movement is rather the opposite effect, but it is more realistic and natural before and after emotional transition. As shown in Fig. 2, it is possible to make the sensory rationality for the discontinuity of the expression stronger by enhancing the impression of showing the expression based on the lifting feeling at the moment of transition.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the emotion change condition establishment detection unit detects which of a plurality of types of emotion change conditions is satisfied, and the transition destination emotion determination unit includes at least the current general emotion and the emotion change The program according to any one of the first to third aspects of the invention for causing the computer to function so as to determine the general emotion of the transition destination based on the type of emotion change condition detected as being satisfied by the condition establishment detection means. is there.

  According to the fourth invention, the same effect as any one of the first to third inventions can be achieved, and for example, if the emotional state immediately before the emotional change occurs even if the same stimulus is present, it is a little displeased. However, it is possible to realize a richer emotional transition pattern of the target character, such as when the same stimulus is present in an unpleasant place, leading to rage.

  The fifth invention is an emotion change rate setting means (for example, the processing unit 200 in FIG. 8, the emotion change rate setting data 575 in FIG. 12, and step S22 in FIG. 15) for setting a change rate representing the ease of change of emotion. ), And the transition destination emotion determination means causes the computer to function so as to determine the general emotion of the transition destination in consideration of the rate of change. .

  According to the fifth aspect, since the ease of changing emotions can be further varied, the emotional transition patterns of the target character can be realized in a richer manner like humans.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, when the display control means at the time of emotion transition switches display control of the image of the character from the current general emotion to the determined general emotion of the transition destination, the background image of the character is subjected to emotion transition Background image display control means (for example, the processing unit 200 in FIG. 8, the emotion transition display control unit 218) that temporarily switches to a special background image for time (for example, the image of the special background data 563 in FIG. 13) and performs display control. FIG. 16 is a program according to any one of the first to fifth inventions for causing the computer to function so as to have S30 to S32).

  According to the sixth invention, the same effect as any one of the first to fifth inventions is achieved, and the background when displaying the expression of the lifting emotion is made a special background image different from before and after the emotion transition. Thus, it is possible to emphasize the impression of showing a facial expression based on the lifting feeling at the moment of transition, and to strongly feel the sensory rationality for the discontinuity of the facial expression.

  According to a seventh aspect of the invention, the background image display control means is configured to determine the current general emotion and the determined general emotion image from a plurality of special background images previously determined according to the correspondence relationship between the transition source and the general emotion of the transition destination. A program according to a sixth aspect of the invention for causing the computer to function so as to temporarily switch the background image of the character using a special background image corresponding to a general emotion at a transition destination.

  According to the seventh invention, the special background image is obtained by providing the same effect as the sixth invention and repeatedly showing the correspondence relationship between the transition source and the general emotion of the transition destination to the player through the design of the special background image. Can be recognized as a symbol of a sudden emotional change, and the sensory rationality for discontinuity of facial expressions can be felt even stronger.

  When the display control of the image of the character is switched from the current general emotion to the determined general emotion of the transition destination by the emotion transition display control means, a predetermined sound effect (for example, Sound effect output control means for controlling the output of the special sound effect data 564 in FIG. 13 (for example, the processing unit 200 in FIG. 8, the sound effect output control unit 220 in emotion transition, steps S34 to S36 in FIG. 16). As a program according to any one of the first to seventh inventions for causing the computer to function.

  According to the eighth invention, the same effects as any one of the first to seventh inventions can be obtained, the facial expression by the control data determined in advance corresponding to the lifting emotion is more impressed, and the sense of discontinuity of the facial expression The rational reason can be felt even stronger.

  A ninth invention is a computer-readable information storage medium storing any one of the programs of the first to eighth inventions. The “information storage medium” mentioned here includes, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, an IC memory, and the like. According to the ninth aspect, by causing the computer to read and execute any one of the programs of the first to eighth inventions, causing the computer to exert the same effect as any of the first to eighth inventions. Can do.

According to the present invention, when the emotion of the character undergoes a sudden change, the special control corresponding to the lifting emotion when the emotion is lifted before controlling the character with the control data corresponding to the transition destination emotion An image in which the character image is temporarily controlled based on the data can be displayed.
In other words, the facial discontinuity of the facial expression depends on the impression the viewer receives from the facial expression based on the emotion, by inserting a facial expression with an extremely high emotion (raising emotion) only for a short time at the temporal discontinuity position of the facial expression. It is possible to give a sense of rationality and to dispel the sense of incongruity caused by discontinuity of facial expressions.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, as a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied, a case where a game having a conversation scene facing a character is executed on a consumer game device will be described as an example.

[Configuration of game device]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a configuration example of a consumer game device according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the consumer game device 1200 includes a game device main body 1201, a game controller 1230, and a video monitor 1220.

  The game apparatus main body 1201 includes, for example, a control unit 1210 on which a CPU, an image processing LSI, an IC memory, and the like are mounted, and information storage medium reading devices 1206 and 1208 such as an optical disk 1202 and a memory card 1204. Then, the home game device 1200 reads the game program and various setting data from the optical disk 1202 and the memory card 1204, and the control unit 1210 executes various game operations based on operation inputs made to the game controller 1230. Run a given video game.

  The control unit 1210 includes various microprocessors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and electrical and electronic devices such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) and an IC memory. Each part of the game apparatus 1200 is controlled. The control unit 1210 includes a communication device 1212 that is connected to a communication line 1 such as the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), or a WAN (Wide Area Network) to realize data communication with an external device.

  The game controller 1230 includes a push button 1232 provided on the top surface of the controller used for selection decision, cancellation, timing input, and the like, push buttons 1233R and 1233L provided on the left and right front sides, and the vertical and horizontal directions. Each has a direction input key 1234 for inputting.

  In this embodiment, the player selects a conversation topic or a reply option using the direction input key 1234 of the game controller 1230, and inputs selection decision or cancellation, a conversation progress operation, or the like using the push button 1232.

  Based on the detection signal and operation input signal received from the game controller 1230, the control unit 1210 of the game apparatus main body 1201 generates a game sound such as a game image, BGM, or sound effect and executes a video game. An image signal for displaying the generated game image and a sound signal for emitting the game sound are output to a video monitor 1220 (display monitor) connected by a signal cable 1209. The video monitor 1220 includes a display 1222 for displaying an image and a speaker 1224 for emitting sound. The video monitor 1220 displays a game screen on the display 1222 in accordance with the image signal received from the game machine main body 1201 and receives the received audio signal. The sound is emitted from the speaker 1224. That is, the player plays the game while listening to the game sound emitted from the speaker 1224 while watching the game image displayed on the display 1222.

[Overview of conversation scene control]
Next, an outline of the conversation scene control in the present embodiment will be described.
2 and 3 are diagrams showing game screen examples in the conversation scene of the video game in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the game screen W2 that is the basis of the conversation scene is a virtual camera in which the background object 4 and the object of the opponent character 6 that is the conversation partner are arranged in the virtual space. It is generated by rendering the image taken with. The lower part of the screen includes a speaker identification display unit 8 that displays identification information such as a speaker name, and a text display unit 10 that displays conversation contents in text.

  In a scene where the player inputs a topic or answer option, as shown in the game screen W4 in FIG. 3, an option display unit 11 in which the option content is displayed in the text is displayed at the center of the screen. One of the option display sections 11 is displayed in a display form different from the other, and the display is controlled so as to indicate the selection state. The player selects one of the options by operating the direction input key 1234 in the up / down direction, and operates the predetermined push button 1232 to input the selection decision.

Now, both the background object 4 and the opponent character 6 object are rendered by applying a specified texture to the polygon model.
As a background object, a model for forming a coffee shop or school classroom as a conversation place is set. The opponent character 6 has a head model placed on the chest model in front of the virtual camera. The head model is designed based on comic character-like semiotics as one of the control data for controlling the facial expression. Applied face control texture. Then, in the same manner as the technique described in Patent Document 1, the unconscious movement is expressed by changing the vertex position of the head model.

The opponent character 6 has an “emotion” parameter as one of the internal information, and the type of emotion to be set depends on the progress of the conversation, specifically, the result of the selection operation of the topic or response by the player. Are controlled to change.
For example, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an emotion type of the opponent character 6 and an example of its transition pattern in the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the opponent character 6 is roughly divided into four general emotion classifications 12, 14, 16, and 10 of “joy”, “anger”, “sorrow”, and “easy”, and further, within each general emotion category. Contains emotions divided in more detail by two. In the example shown in the figure, the general emotion classification of “Easy” is two (10a and 10b), and the general emotion classification of “joy” is “joyful” and “great pleasure” ( 12a, 12b). The general emotion classification of “sorrow” is “anxiety” and “sad” (14a, 14b), and the general emotion classification of “anger” is two each of “moody” and “anger” (16a, 16b). Contains emotions.

  The emotion type that the partner character 6 can take is “Easy” “Silence” as the initial state / basic position. Then, the degree of joy increases in the order of “serious” → “smile” → “happy” → “great joy”. In addition, the degree of anger increases in the order of “calm” → “moment” → “anger”, and the degree of sadness increases in the order of “calm” → “anxiety” → “sad”. Of course, the transition of emotion is not limited to the above order, but may be reversed.

  In addition, as shown by the black arrow in the figure, a transition pattern of sudden emotional changes such as “anger” → “joy” and vice versa can be taken. Similarly, transition patterns of sudden emotional changes of “anger” → “sorrow” and the reverse order thereof, “joy” → “sorrow”, and the reverse order thereof can also be taken. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a face control texture is set in association with each of these emotions, and a special face control texture is set for a sudden change in emotion.

In the figure, for the general emotion classifications of “joy”, “anger”, “sorrow”, and “easy”, only the face control textures 22, 26, 24, and 20 representing each classification are shown. Face control textures are set for each of the two detailed emotions included in the emotion classification, and when the emotion of the opponent character 6 changes as the game progresses, the face control texture applied to the head model of the opponent character 6 is The expression changes when switched.
These face control textures 20, 22, 24, and 26 are based on the comic character-like semiotics so that the degree of joy increases stepwise in the order of “seduce” → “smile” → “happy” → “great delight”. It is designed so that the degree of anger increases in the order of “peace” → “moment” → “anger”, and the degree of sadness increases in the order of “peace” → “anxiety” → “sad”. These face control textures are less uncomfortable as long as they are switched between adjacent ones.

In the present embodiment, special face control textures 30 to 35 that are applied only in the case of a sudden emotional change are set for each transition pattern of a sudden emotional change. In the example in the figure, “joy” → “anger”, “anger” → “joy”, “joy” → “sorrow”, “sorrow” → “joy”, “sorrow” → “anger”, “anger” → The transition pattern of “sorrow” corresponds to this.
The special face control textures 30 to 35 are designed as facial expressions that express surprise feelings and emotions that appear extreme transition destinations based on comic character-like semiotics. For example, the special face control texture 30 associated with the transition pattern of “anger” → “joy” is designed with a surprised expression, more specifically, an expression of surprise with joy. In addition, the special face control texture 31 associated with the transition pattern of “joy” → “anger” is an expression in which an anger level greater than the anger represented by the face control texture set in “anger” appears. It is designed as. Of course, a special face control texture with a surprised expression can be set for both transition patterns.

  Similarly, the special face control texture 32 associated with the transition pattern of “joy” → “sorrow” is an expression in which deeper sorrow appears than the sorrow represented by the face control texture set in “sorrow”. And a sad and shocked expression is designed. Further, the special face control texture 33 associated with the transition pattern of “sorrow” → “joy” is designed with a joyful and surprised expression. In addition, the special face control texture 34 associated with the transition pattern of “sorrow” → “anger” is designed as a completely angry facial expression, and the special face associated with the transition pattern of “anger” → “sorrow”. The control texture 35 is designed with a sad and shocked expression.

  Then, the special face control textures 30 to 35 associated with these transition patterns are the face controls corresponding to the transition destination emotion from the face control texture corresponding to the transition source emotion when the emotion of the opponent character 6 changes abruptly. While switching to the texture, it is temporarily switched to the special face control texture associated with the corresponding transition pattern, and after the image of the opponent character 6 to which the special face control texture is applied is displayed, it corresponds to the transition destination emotion Will be switched to the face control texture.

  As a result, for example, the game screens W10 to W13 in FIG. 6 are changed. That is, on the game screen W10, the emotion of the opponent character 6 is “anger: anger (“ anger ”in the general anger classification). In the head model of the opponent character 6, a face control texture 26 is applied in which an eyebrow representing “angry” is lifted and a mouth has a crested expression.

Here, if an option that greatly improves the other party's mood is selected in the conversation option as in the game screen W11, the emotion of the opponent character 6 undergoes a sudden emotional change, resulting in “joy: happy (“ joy ”in general). It is assumed that the control is made so as to transit to the emotion classification “delight”) ”.
Then, a special game image W12 to which the special face control texture 30 associated with the emotion transition pattern of “anger” → “joy” is applied (hereinafter also referred to as “special image” in this specification), for example. Insert display (switch display in a significantly shorter time than the previous and next cuts). Furthermore, at this time, in the present embodiment, the background is set as a special background image 40 that is not a rendering of the background object 4.
Then, after the special image W12 is displayed for about 1 to 2 seconds, for example, an image obtained by rendering the background object 4 by applying the face control texture corresponding to the transition destination “delight” to the head object of the opponent character 6 A game image W13 with the background is displayed.

As a result, even if the basic design of the facial expression is designed as cartoon character semiotics, when the emotion changes greatly, the expression of the opponent character 6 is expressed by the expression of the uplifting emotion that is said to be a surprise or a transition destination overshoot. The state can be displayed as an insert. As a result, the transition pattern from the expression of “anger” to the expression of “great pleasure” makes the user feel that the face has suddenly changed to what he sees simply by switching the texture. Can be greatly eased.
In other words, the image using the special face control texture is inserted and displayed in the place where the natural expression with the unconscious action is folded until just before that, and it is clearly shown to the player that the sudden change of emotion has occurred. By prompting the switching of recognition, the sense of incongruity associated with the switching can be greatly relieved.

  Further, in the present embodiment, even if the transition pattern of the sudden emotion change as described above is not used, the background object may be a transition pattern (equivalent to the white arrow in FIG. 4) that changes the general emotion classification of the emotion between adjacent classifications. The same effect can be achieved by displaying a special image as an insert instead of 4.

Specifically, for example, as shown in the game screens W15 to W18 of FIG. 7, when the player selects a topic that improves the mood for the opponent character 6 in the “anger” state (game screens W15 to W18), It is assumed that the emotion of the character 6 has changed from “anger: anger” to “easy: calm”. In this case, since the general emotion classification of emotion changes from “anger” to “easy”, as shown in the game screen W17, the head model of the opponent character 6 is associated with “tranquility” which is the emotion of the transition destination. The applied face control texture 20 is applied immediately, but the background uses the special background image 42. Then, if the insert display of the special background image 42 is performed, the background object 4 is returned to the rendered image as in the game screen W18.
This clearly indicates to the player that the general emotion classification has changed but not the sudden emotional change, and makes it more uncomfortable that the face control texture has been switched even when transitioning between adjacent general emotion classifications. It can be further reduced.

  For emotion changes within the same general emotion classification, the face control texture corresponding to the transition destination emotion is immediately applied in accordance with the emotion change, and the special background images 40 and 42 are not inserted and displayed.

[Description of functional block]
Next, a specific configuration for realizing the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the consumer game device 1200 in the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the present embodiment includes an operation input unit 100, a processing unit 200, a sound output unit 350, an image display unit 360, a communication unit 370, and a storage unit 500.

  The operation input unit 100 is realized by input devices and sensors such as a push button, a lever, a touch pad, a dial, a keyboard, a mouse, various pointers, an acceleration sensor, and a tilt sensor, and is used for various operation inputs made by a player. In response, an operation input signal is output to the processing unit 200. The game controller 1230 in FIG. 1 corresponds to the operation input unit 100.

  The processing unit 200 is realized by electronic components such as a microprocessor, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), and an IC memory, for example. The processing unit 200 inputs and outputs data to and from each functional unit, and inputs a predetermined program, data, and operation input. Various arithmetic processes are executed based on the operation input signal from the unit 100 to control the operation of the consumer game device 1200. In FIG. 1, the control unit 1210 built in the game apparatus main body 1201 corresponds to the processing unit 200.

  The processing unit 200 in the present embodiment includes a game calculation unit 210, a sound generation unit 250, an image generation unit 260, and a communication control unit 270.

  The game calculation unit 210 executes processing related to the progress of the game. For example, a process for forming a game space in a three-dimensional virtual space, an arrangement control process for an object such as a character arranged in the game space, an automatic control process for NPC movement, a conversation progress control, and a game result determination process Is included in the execution target.

  More specifically, the game calculation unit 210 of the present embodiment includes an unconscious movement control unit 212, an emotion determination unit 214, a sudden emotion change determination unit 216, an emotion transition display control unit 218, and an emotion transition effect. And a sound output control unit 220.

  The unconscious movement control unit 212 controls the unconscious movement of the character by changing the vertex position of the primitive surface constituting the head model of the opponent character 6. The said control part is realizable by the technique of patent document 1, for example.

The emotion determination unit 214 detects that an instruction content such as selection of a conversation topic or a response input by the player in a face-to-face scene with the opponent character 6 satisfies a predetermined emotion change condition. Determine the general emotion of the transition destination from the emotion.
Specifically, referring to the topic setting data 540 stored in advance in the storage unit 500, the emotion setting points 590 are increased or decreased from the result of the selection operation by the player during the conversation of the face-to-face scene, and the increased or decreased emotion setting points are set. At 590, the transition destination emotion is determined. As shown in FIG. 20, the emotion setting points 590 are coordinate values (points) set in three dimensions of “joy”, “anger”, and “sorrow” with the detailed emotion “calm” of the general emotion classification “Raku” as the origin. Treat as. The coordinate value that can be taken is an integer of the minimum value “0” in this embodiment. For example, the coordinate value is treated as a three-dimensional coordinate value such as: (joy, anger, sadness) = (1, 3, 2). Of these, the dimension having the maximum value is set as the current general emotion classification, and a detailed emotion is determined by comparing the maximum value with a preset range setting (transition destination emotion determination TBL 570 described later). The movement of coordinates is regarded as a change in emotion. In the example in the figure, the emotion changes from (joy, anger, sorrow) = (1, 3, 2) to (joy, anger, sorrow) = (4, 1, 1), and the white arrow indicates the emotion. Shows the magnitude and direction of the transition.

In addition, the emotion determination unit 214 increases or decreases these values from the result of the selection operation by the player, and automatically brings these values close to “0” as time elapses, and sets the maximum value of the emotion setting point 590. The dimension shown is determined as the general emotion classification of the transition destination, and the detailed emotion included in the general emotion classification is determined by the magnitude of the value.
It should be noted that, in connection with the determination, information indicating the current general emotion is temporarily stored in the storage unit 500 as current emotion type data 592, and information indicating the general emotion of the transition destination is also temporarily stored as transition destination emotion type data 594. Remember me.

Furthermore, the emotion determination unit 214 in the present embodiment includes an emotion change rate setting unit 215 that varies the ease of change of emotion according to the progress of the game.
The emotion change rate setting unit 215 varies the increase / decrease amount of the emotion setting point 590 according to the state of the opponent character 6 and the progress of the game. For example, when the partner character 6 is in a “tipy” state, the amount of increase in the value of the “joy” dimension of the emotion setting point 590 is added to adjust the direction to improve the emotion, and it is said that it becomes a state where the mood tends to improve. It is a good condition. Of course, the number of dimensions of the emotion setting point 590 to be changed and the increase / decrease amount may be appropriately set. Further, the variable method is not limited to adding / subtracting the correction value of the point, but the correction rate may be defined and the original increase amount may be changed by multiplication with the correction rate.

  The sudden emotion change determination unit 216 determines whether or not an emotion sudden change condition for determining whether or not the change from the current general emotion to the transition destination general emotion is an abrupt emotion change. In this embodiment, the sudden change condition of emotion is defined by the relative relationship between the general emotion classification of the transition source and the general emotion classification of the transition destination, that is, the transition pattern.

  When the emotion transition display control unit 218 does not satisfy the sudden emotion change condition, the partner character displayed when the general emotion is determined in advance corresponding to the general emotion of the transition destination determined by the emotion determination unit 214. Display control of the image of the same character based on the control data of the image 6 (face control textures 20, 22, 24, and 26 in the present embodiment), and if the emotional sudden change condition is satisfied, the given emotion is raised After controlling to temporarily insert and display the image of the opponent character 6 as a special image based on control data (special face control textures 30 to 35 in the present embodiment) determined in advance corresponding to the feeling of lifting The display of the image of the opponent character 6 is controlled based on the control data corresponding to the general emotion of the transition destination determined by the emotion determination unit 214. Further, the emotion transition display control unit 218 performs display control so that the special background image is temporarily used as the background of the game screen when the general emotion classification changes between the transition source emotion and the transition destination emotion.

  When the general emotion classification changes between the transition source emotion and the transition destination emotion, the emotion transition sound effect output control unit 220 temporarily outputs a special sound effect so that the general emotion classification changes. Inform the player that there was an emotional change.

  The sound generation unit 250 is realized by a known technique such as a processor such as a digital signal processor (DSP) or a control program thereof, and based on the processing result by the game calculation unit 210, the sound generation unit 250 generates sound effects, BGM, and various operation sounds related to the game. A sound signal is generated and output to the sound output unit 350.

  The sound output unit 350 is realized by a device that outputs sound effects, BGM, and the like based on the sound signal input from the sound generation unit 250. In FIG. 1, the speaker 1224 of the video monitor 1220 corresponds to this.

  The image generation unit 260 is realized by a known technique such as a processor such as a digital signal processor (DSP), a control program thereof, a drawing frame IC memory such as a frame buffer, and the like. For example, the image generation unit 260 generates one game image in one frame time (1/60 seconds) 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 360. To do.

  The image display unit 360 displays various game images based on the image signal input from the image generation unit 260. 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 1222 of the video monitor 1220 corresponds.

  The communication control unit 270 executes data processing related to data communication, and realizes data exchange with an external device via the communication unit 370.

  The communication unit 370 is connected to the communication line 1 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, and the communication device 1212 corresponds to this in FIG.

  The storage unit 500 stores pre-defined programs and data, and is used as a work area of the processing unit 200. The calculation result executed by the processing unit 200 according to various programs, input data input from the operation input unit 100, and the like. Is temporarily stored. 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.

The storage unit 500 according to the present embodiment includes a system program 501 for realizing various functions for causing the processing unit 200 to control the game apparatus 1200 in an integrated manner, a game program 502 necessary for executing a game, and various types of programs. Store data etc.
The game program 502 includes an unconscious motion control program 504 for causing the head model of the opponent character 6 to unconsciously move, and the processing unit 200 reads out and executes the game program 502 as a game calculation unit 210. This function can be realized.

The storage unit 500 stores game space initial setting data 510, character initial setting data 520, unconscious action setting data 530, and topic setting data 540 as data prepared in advance.
Furthermore, status data 580, emotion setting points 590, current emotion type data 592, and transition destination emotion type data 594 are stored as data that is generated as the game progresses and is rewritten as needed. In addition, as information necessary for executing processing relating to the progress of the game, for example, data such as angle of view, line-of-sight direction, and posture information for controlling the virtual camera, count data of various time limits, and the like are stored as appropriate. .

  The game space initial setting data 510 stores various data for forming the game space in the three-dimensional virtual space. For example, model data, texture data, and motion data relating to an arrangement such as the sky, the ground surface, and a building are stored. Data defining the background object 4 of the face-to-face scene is also included here. In the case of a poker game, data for displaying items such as playing cards is also included.

The character initial setting data 520 stores initial setting data relating to motion control of characters appearing in a game including the opponent character 6. For example, if the game content is RPG, a whole body model, applied texture, motion data, and the like are included as appropriate in order to cause the character to take an action in a battle scene or the like.
For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the head model data 521, the face control texture TBL (table) 522, the chest model data 525, the chest texture data 526, and the emotion transition setting are related to this embodiment. Data 550 and transition special output material data 560 are included.

  The face control texture TBL 522 stores control data for forming an expression on the head model in association with the emotion type 523. In the present embodiment, the face control texture 524 to be pasted on the head model is stored as control data. That is, the face control texture TBL 522 corresponds to one of the facial expression collection of the character.

The emotion transition setting data 550 is data corresponding to a personality setting that defines a condition for changing the emotion of the character, how to change, and the degree of change.
For example, as shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of data sets 551 are defined for each application situation 552. One data set 551 stores a TBL (table) in which the current emotion type 553, the option attribute 554, and the emotion setting point increase / decrease setting 555 are associated with the application status 552. That is, in the specific situation defined in the application situation 552, when the current emotion type of the opponent character 6 is the current emotion information 553, the topic or response choice attribute selected by the player during the conversation is the choice attribute. If it is 554, it is determined that the emotion change condition is satisfied, and the emotion setting point 590 is increased or decreased by the value set in the corresponding emotion setting point increase / decrease setting 555.

  Emotion transition setting data 550 further includes transition destination emotion determination TBL 570 and emotion change rate setting data 575.

Transition destination emotion determination TBL 570 defines a condition for determining an emotion from emotion setting point 590. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, a determination condition 571 and a transition destination emotion 572 are stored in association with each other.
In the present embodiment, the determination condition 571 is set as a dimension (joy / anger / sorrow) taking the maximum value among the points of pleasure / anger / sorrow of the emotion setting point 590 and a range of the values. In the example of “(joy, anger, sorrow) = (1, x, x) to (2, x, x)” in the same figure, the point of the “joy” dimension is the highest, and the value is “1” or “ In the case of “2”, it indicates that the “smile” emotion of the general emotion classification “Raku” is set as the transition destination.

The emotion change rate setting data 575 stores information for changing the degree of change in the emotion setting point 590 according to the progress of the game.
For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the application condition 576 for storing information indicating the game progress status and the correction value 577 are stored in association with each other. The emotion determination unit 214 reads out the correction value 577 that matches the application condition 576, and corrects only the read out correction value 577 in the emotion setting point increase / decrease setting 555 (see FIG. 10) of the emotion transition setting data 550. 590 is changed. That is, the emotion change rate setting data 575 is information that defines the fluctuation of the emotion change degree for each situation. Of course, instead of the correction value 577, it may be defined by a correction factor (a coefficient to be multiplied when the emotion setting point is increased or decreased).

The transition special output material data 560 stores data for output control specially executed when the transition source and transition destination general emotion classifications are different.
For example, as shown in FIG. 13, a special face control texture 562, special background data 563, and a sound are output together when displaying a special image in association with a transition pattern 561 corresponding to the detection condition of the sudden emotion change condition. Special sound effects data 564 such as sound effects are stored in association with each other.

The transition pattern 561 defines general emotion classifications of a transition source and a transition destination. In the example of the figure, the original side of the arrow indicates the general emotion classification of the transition source, and the forward side of the arrow indicates the general emotion classification of the transition destination.
The special background data 563 includes special images 40 and 42 designed based on the relative relationship between the transition destination and the emotion of the transition source (for example, a relationship focusing on the dimension and the increase amount of the emotion setting point 590). A two-dimensional image corresponding to is defined. For example, when the emotion changes in the direction of joy, an image is defined such that a star mark will fly. Therefore, the transition pattern 561 is “anger → joy”, “anger → easy”, and “easy → joy”. In the above, the same image is set. Of course, the special background data 563 may be control data for generating an image (for example, a symbol mark and its movement control data) instead of the image data itself.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the special face control texture 562 and the special sound effect data 564 are set only for the transition pattern of the sudden emotion change, and the general emotion classification of the transition source or the transition destination is “Easy”. “NULL” indicating no setting is associated with a transition pattern (for example, anger → easy) between general emotion classifications.

The topic setting data 540 stores data for setting conversation contents used in the face-to-face scene.
For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the generation timing 541, the situation type 542, the dialog data 543, the option data 544, and the option attribute 545 are stored in association with each other. The generation timing 541 can appropriately set information indicating a specific game progress status, for example, the position of the player character in the game space, the time in the game world, the acquisition status of the specific item, and the like. Information indicating the type of situation defined at the occurrence timing 541 is stored in the situation type 542. If the condition defined by the generation timing 541 is met, the conversation scene is faced and the conversation is controlled in accordance with the corresponding dialog data 543. The dialog data 543 stores a speaker and its dialogue text in correspondence with the display order in the same manner as a known conversation executed in a conventional game, and a part of the dialog data 543 requests selection operation input by the player. The location to be set is set. Options that can be input by the player are stored in corresponding option data 544, and an option attribute 545 is set for each of the options.

  The status data 580 stores information indicating the current state of characters appearing in the game for each character. For example, the position coordinates in the current game space, the moving speed, the state of the possessed item, status information such as “tip tips”, “neboke”, and “hystery” can be set as appropriate.

[Description of process flow]
Next, the flow of processing in this embodiment will be described. Note that the overall processing of the game can be realized in the same manner as a known video game, so here, the processing related to the conversation scenes facing each other will be mainly described.

  15 to 17 are flowcharts for explaining the flow of processing relating to a conversation scene in the present embodiment. First, as shown in FIG. 15, the processing unit 200 refers to the game space initial setting data 510 and generates a game space by placing the background object 4 where the conversation takes place in the virtual three-dimensional space (step S200). S2) The face control texture corresponding to the emotion type currently set in the emotion type data 592 is read from the face control texture TBL 522 of the character initial setting data 520, the head model of the opponent character 6 to which this is applied, and the chest A chest model to which the texture data 526 is applied is placed (step S4).

  Next, the processing unit 200 starts unconscious motion control to cause the opponent character 6 to perform unconscious motion (step S6), and generates a conversation scene game screen (see the game image W2 in FIG. 2) and display control processing. Is started (step S8). Then, the conversation is controlled in accordance with the topic setting data 540 (step S10).

  Next, the processing unit 200 determines whether or not a predetermined conversation end condition is satisfied (step S12). As the conversation end condition, for example, when the dialog data 543 of the topic setting data 540 is displayed to the end, when the time limit is reached, or when a specific emotion (for example, “anger”) is continued for a reference time or more. It can be set appropriately.

When it is determined that the conversation end condition is satisfied (YES in step S12), the processing unit 200 ends a series of processes for realizing the facing conversation scene.
On the other hand, when it is determined that the conversation end condition is not satisfied (NO in step S12), the processing unit 200 determines whether or not there has been an input operation of a topic or a response option by the player (step S14).

  If it is determined that there has been an option input operation by the player (YES in step S14), the processing unit 200 next corresponds to the option data 544 of the option selected by the player with reference to the topic setting data 540. The choice attribute 545 is read (step S16), the emotion setting point increase / decrease setting 555 of the choice attribute 554 corresponding to the current emotion type 553 that matches the choice attribute 545 read in step S16 with reference to the emotion transition setting data 550 is set. A value is read (step S18).

  Further, the processing unit 200 refers to the emotion change rate setting data 575 and the status data 580 and reads a correction value 577 corresponding to the application condition 576 that matches the current situation of the opponent character 6 (step S20), and step S18. After correcting the setting value of the emotion setting point increase / decrease setting 555 read out in step S20 with the correction value 577 read out in step S20, the emotion setting point 590 is changed / updated with the corrected value (step S22).

  Then, the processing unit 200 refers to the transition destination emotion determination TBL 570, determines the transition destination emotion based on the changed emotion setting point 590, and stores information indicating the transition destination emotion in the transition destination emotion type data 594 ( Step S24).

  Next, moving to the flowchart of FIG. 16, the processing unit 200 refers to the current emotion type data 592 and the transition destination emotion type data 594 and also refers to the transition special output material data 560. Then, it is determined whether or not the special face control texture 562 corresponding to the transition pattern 561 that satisfies the relative relationship between the current emotion and the transition destination emotion is set (step S26). If it has been set (YES in step S26), the screen is switched to the special face control texture 562 set in the head model of the opponent character 6 (step S28).

Next, the processing unit 200 determines whether or not special background data 563 corresponding to the transition pattern 561 that matches the current emotion and the transition destination emotion is set (step S30).
If not set (NO in step S30), the processing unit 200 determines that there is no emotional change enough to perform special display control in the option selected by the player, and the current emotion type data 592 in terms of the type of transition destination emotion. (Step S44), the face control texture corresponding to the current emotion set in the updated current emotion type data 592 is read from the face control texture TBL 522, and the application is switched to the head model of the opponent character 6 (step S44). S46), the process returns to step S10.

  On the other hand, when the special background data 563 is set (YES in step S30), the processing unit 200 generates a special image using the image of the special background data 563 as the background of the opponent character 6 (step S32). Specifically, the polygon with the special background data 563 may be arranged behind the opponent character 6 and closer to the virtual camera than the background object 4. Alternatively, the rendering result of the opponent character 6 may be synthesized on the special background data 563 with the background object 4 excluded from the rendering target. If the special face control texture is applied to the head model of the opponent character 6 in step S28, an image like the special image W12 of FIG. 6 is generated. If the special face control texture is not applied, the special face control texture of FIG. An image such as the special image W17 is generated.

Next, the processing unit 200 determines whether or not special sound effect data 564 corresponding to the transition pattern 561 that matches the current emotion and the transition destination emotion is set (step S34). If it is set (YES in step S34), the special image generated earlier is temporarily displayed on the image display unit 360, and the special sound effect is emitted to the sound output unit 350, and the insert display control is performed. (Step S36).
If the special sound effect 564 is not set (NO in step S34), only the special image is displayed on the image display unit 360 and the insert display is controlled (step S38). In the present embodiment, the special image is displayed for about 1 to 2 seconds by the insert display control.

  When the processing unit 200 ends the insert display control, the processor 200 refers to the transition destination emotion type data 594, stores the information of the transition destination emotion type data 594 in the current emotion type data 592, and updates the current emotion ( Step S40) and return to Step S2.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S14 in FIG. 15 that there is no option input (NO in step S14), the processing unit 200 moves to the flowchart in FIG. 17 and cools down the emotion using a known internal timer process. Time counting is executed (step S50). If the counted cool-down time has not reached a predetermined reference value (for example, 2 minutes) (NO in step S52), the process returns to step S10.

  On the other hand, when the cool-down time has reached the reference value (YES in step S52), the processing unit 200 resets the cool-down time counter (step S54), The value is subtracted by “1” (step S56). However, in this embodiment, the minimum value of each value of the emotion setting point 590 is “0”.

  Next, based on the emotion setting point 590 after the change, the processing unit 200 refers to the transition destination emotion determination TBL 570 and determines the dimension indicating the maximum value among the values of joy, anger, and sadness and its value. In comparison with 571, the corresponding transition destination emotion 572 is determined as the cool-down transition destination emotion (step S58). Then, the information indicating the determined transition destination emotion is stored in the current emotion type data 592 (step S60), and the face control texture corresponding to the current emotion set in the current emotion type data 592 is selected from the face control texture TBL522. Then, it is applied to the head model of the opponent character 6 (step S62), and the process returns to step S10.

  Therefore, if the player does not input an option for the option through the processes in steps S50 to S62, the value of all dimensions of the emotion setting point 590 will eventually reach “0”, and the emotion will become “calm”, so that there is no stimulation. For example, the characteristics of human emotions such as regaining calmness can be expressed in the facial expression control of the opponent character 6. Moreover, since the transition special output material data 560 is not referred to in these processing steps, no special image is displayed even if an emotion transitions between adjacent general emotion classifications. For this reason, the expression becomes calm as nature and emotions become calmer.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the expression of the opponent character appearing in the face-to-face conversation scene is expressed with emotion, the gauge display control such as the emotion level seen in the conventional interactive game is not performed. In both cases, the player can discriminate emotions visually. This will help you enjoy the game in its original form, such as having a conversation looking at the expression of the conversation partner, not the gauge. Even if the expression of the opponent character is expressed by switching a plurality of control data (face control texture in this embodiment) designed based on comic character-like semiotics, it is seen when the emotion changes suddenly. It is possible to reduce the sense of incongruity with sudden changes in facial expressions.

[Modification]
As described above, the embodiment to which the present invention is applied has been described. However, the application form of the present invention is not limited to this, and components can be added, omitted, or changed as appropriate.

For example, in the above embodiment, the size of the special image using the special face control texture (see the special image W12 in FIG. 6) is set to the full screen size. However, the size is not limited to this, and the special background image 44 of the special image W12B in FIG. Any size that can cover the face of the opponent character 6 may be used.
Further, the size of the face of the opponent character 6 included in the special background image 44 is not limited to the same size as the image immediately before or after the insert display, and as shown in FIG. But it ’s okay. In this case, the head model of the opponent character 6 to which the special face control texture is applied using the special background image as the background in the virtual three-dimensional space is arranged in a separate virtual three-dimensional space, and the center of the face is placed in the second virtual camera. Separately generate / trim images taken with Then, insert display control may be performed by synthesizing the face of the opponent character 6 in a strip shape on the immediately preceding game screen (game screen W11 in the example of FIG. 6).

  Moreover, although the example which uses a face control texture was given and demonstrated as data which control the other party's 6 facial expression, it is not restricted to this. For example, when using a realistic three-dimensional model formed from the eyes, eyebrows, nose, mouth, and teeth visible to the head model, the parts where the facial expressions are determined are formed. The vertex position movement control information may be used as control data. That is, in the example of FIG. 6, the apex positions of the eyes, eyebrows, nose and mouth are changed so that the expression of “anger”, the expression of “surprise”, and then the expression of “great pleasure” are changed. May be expressed.

In the above embodiment, the value handled as the point of the coordinate value is an integer. However, it is needless to say that the configuration may handle a numerical value after the decimal point.
Furthermore, as in the above embodiment, in the transition pattern 561 of the transition special output material data 560, the relation between the emotions before and after the transition is defined as a condition by the combination of the identification information of the transition source emotion and the identification information of the transition destination emotion. However, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a vector (corresponding to the white arrow in FIG. 20) from the three-dimensional coordinates of the transition source emotion to the three-dimensional coordinates of the transition destination emotion is defined as a condition. More specifically, for example, a special face control texture is set for each range of vector directions, and the application / non-application of the corresponding special face control texture is determined on condition that the vector size is equal to or greater than a reference value. You may do that.

More specifically, the orthogonal coordinate system of (joy, anger, sadness) is converted into a polar coordinate system (r, θ, φ). On the other hand, for example, whether the declination θ is 0 to 180 degrees or 180 degrees to 360 degrees, or the declination φ is 0 to 180 degrees or 180 degrees to 360 degrees, a total of four vector direction ranges. A special face control texture corresponding to the combination is prepared in advance. Then, the special face control texture is selected depending on which vector direction range the declination angles θ and φ of (r, θ, φ) converted into the polar coordinate system are. If the radius r (vector magnitude) is equal to or greater than the reference value, the selected special face control texture is applied.
Of course, when the number of emotions to be handled is increased from the four categories of emotions, emotions may be handled in the same way with more dimensions.

Further, the present embodiment is not limited to the video game executed on the home game device 1200, and may be executed on the arcade game device 1300 as shown in FIG.
The arcade game apparatus 1300 includes an image display device 1302 corresponding to the image display unit 360, a speaker 1304 corresponding to the sound output unit 350, a joystick 1306 and a button switch 1308 corresponding to the operation input unit 100. A control board 1320 corresponding to the control unit 1210 is mounted in the housing. The control board 1320 is a means for controlling the operation of the arcade game apparatus 1300 as a whole, including a CPU for executing game calculations, an LSI such as a sound generation LSI, a GPU, and an IC memory such as a RAM and a ROM. It corresponds to the processing unit 200 and the storage unit 500. A system program, a game program, and various data may be stored in advance in an IC memory, and a wireless communication module corresponding to the communication unit 370 is installed as in the first embodiment, via a communication line. It may be configured to be downloaded from an external device and used.
Similarly, the above embodiment can also be applied to a game executed on a personal computer, PDF, mobile phone, or the like.

In the above embodiment, an example of executing a conversation scene inserted in the game, such as a text adventure game or RPG based on a love simulation, has been described. The game can be similarly applied to a game that includes situations that face each other close enough to distinguish changes.
For example, the present invention can be applied to table games such as mahjong and poker that are played while looking at the face of the opponent (game character), and breeding games that virtually raise animals. In the case of a poker game, the contents of conversation topics and response options (for example, option attribute 554 in FIG. 10 and option data 544 in FIG. 14) are used for the current hand with the type of card drawn by the opponent character 6 and the card drawn. If it is defined by the types of roles that can be created, the emotion can be changed each time the opponent character 6 draws a card, and the expression can be controlled to change. Of course, in this case, an optional card is automatically selected at random in the same manner as a known poker game.

The system block diagram which shows the structural example of a household game device. The figure which shows the example of a game screen in a conversation scene. The figure which shows the example of a game screen in a conversation scene. The figure for demonstrating an example of the relationship between the kind of emotion set to an other party character, and the transition of an emotion. The figure for demonstrating the example of the face control texture matched with the emotion kind, and a special face control texture. The figure for demonstrating the example of a change of a game screen. The figure for demonstrating the example of a change of a game screen. The functional block diagram which shows the function structural example of a game device. The figure which shows the data structural example of character initial setting data. The figure which shows the data structural example of emotion transition setting data. The figure which shows the data structural example of transition destination emotion determination TBL. The figure which shows the data structural example of emotion change rate setting data. The figure which shows the data structural example of the special output material data at the time of a transition. The figure which shows the data structural example of topic setting data. The flowchart for demonstrating the flow of the process which concerns on a conversation scene. The flowchart for demonstrating the flow of the process which concerns on a conversation scene. The flowchart for demonstrating the flow of the process which concerns on a conversation scene. The figure for demonstrating the modification of the special image to which the special face control texture is applied. The perspective external view which shows the structural example of an arcade game device. The figure for demonstrating the concept which treats an emotion as a multidimensional coordinate value.

Explanation of symbols

4 background object 6 partner character 10 text display unit 11 option display unit 20, 22, 24, 26 face control texture 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 special face control texture 40, 42, 44 special background image 200 processing unit 210 Game Calculation Unit 212 Unconscious Action Control Unit 214 Emotion Determination Unit 215 Emotion Change Rate Setting Unit 216 Sudden Emotion Change Determination Unit 218 Emotion Transition Display Control Unit 220 Emotion Transition Effect Sound Output Control Unit 500 Storage Unit 502 Game Program 520 Character Initial Setting data 522 Face control texture TBL
550 Emotion transition setting data
553 Current emotion type
554 Choice attribute
555 Emotion setting point increase / decrease setting 560 Transition special output material data
561 Transition pattern
562 Special Face Control Texture
563 Special background data
564 Special sound effect data 570 Transition destination emotion determination TBL
575 Emotion change rate setting data 590 Emotion setting point 592 Current emotion type data 594 Transition destination emotion type data

Claims (10)

A program for causing a computer to display and control an image of a character whose facial expression changes according to an instruction input by an operation,
Current emotion storage means for storing which general emotion is a general emotion that is a general emotion that can be taken by the character,
Emotion change condition establishment detection means for detecting that the instruction content input by the operation satisfies a predetermined emotion change condition;
Transition destination emotion determination means for determining the general emotion of the transition destination from the current general emotion,
Emotion change determination means for determining whether or not a predetermined emotion sudden change condition is satisfied for determining whether or not a change from the current general emotion to the determined general emotion of the transition destination is an abrupt emotion change ,
The image of the character based on the control data of the image of the character displayed at the time of the general emotion determined in advance corresponding to the determined general emotion of the transition destination when the emotion sudden change condition is not satisfied When the emotion sudden change condition is satisfied, the character image is temporarily displayed based on control data determined in advance corresponding to the emotion when the given emotion is lifted. Then, an emotion transition display control means for controlling display of the image of the character based on control data corresponding to the determined general emotion of the transition destination,
A program for causing the computer to function as   When the display control means at the time of emotion transition satisfies the emotion sudden change condition, the character of the character is determined based on control data determined in advance corresponding to the lifting emotion when the determined general emotion of the transition destination is lifted. The program according to claim 1, wherein the computer is caused to function to display-control the image of the character based on control data corresponding to the determined general emotion of the transition destination after temporarily controlling display of the image. . The character is composed of a model of a primitive surface,
The program according to claim 1 or 2 for causing the computer to function as unconscious movement control means for controlling an unconscious movement of the character by shifting a vertex position of a primitive surface constituting the model of the character. The emotion change condition establishment detection means detects which condition of a plurality of types of emotion change conditions is satisfied,
The transition destination emotion determination means determines the general emotion of the transition destination based on at least the current general emotion and the type of emotion change condition detected as being satisfied by the emotion change condition establishment detection means;
The program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, for causing the computer to function as described above. Causing the computer to function as an emotion change rate setting means for setting a change rate representing the ease of change of emotion,
The transition destination emotion determining means for causing the computer to function so as to determine the general emotion of the transition destination in consideration of the change rate;
The program according to claim 4.   When the emotion transition display control means switches display control of the character image from the current general emotion to the determined general emotion of the transition destination, the character background image is used as a special background image for emotion transition. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which causes the computer to function so as to have background image display control means for temporarily controlling display control.   The background image display control means converts the current general emotion and the determined general emotion of the transition destination from a plurality of special background images determined in advance according to the correspondence between the general emotion of the transition source and the transition destination. The program according to claim 6 for causing the computer to function to temporarily switch the background image of the character by using a corresponding special background image.   Sound effect output control for performing output control of a predetermined sound effect when the display control of the image of the character is switched from the current general emotion to the determined general emotion of the transition destination by the display control means at the time of emotion transition The program as described in any one of Claims 1-7 for functioning the said computer as a means.   The computer-readable information storage medium which memorize | stored the program as described in any one of Claims 1-8. An image display control device that controls display of an image of a character whose facial expression changes according to an operation input instruction,
Current emotion storage means for storing which general emotion is a general emotion that is a general emotion that the character can take;
An emotion change condition establishment detection means for detecting that the instruction content input by the operation satisfies a predetermined emotion change condition;
A transition destination emotion determination means for determining a transition destination general emotion from the current general emotion;
Emotion change determination means for determining whether or not a predetermined emotion sudden change condition is satisfied for determining whether or not a change from the current general emotion to the determined general emotion of the transition destination is an abrupt emotion change When,
The image of the character based on the control data of the image of the character displayed at the time of the general emotion determined in advance corresponding to the determined general emotion of the transition destination when the emotion sudden change condition is not satisfied When the emotion sudden change condition is satisfied, the character image is temporarily displayed based on control data determined in advance corresponding to the emotion when the given emotion is lifted. Then, the emotion transition display control means for controlling the display of the image of the character based on the control data corresponding to the determined general emotion of the transition destination,
An image display control device.