JP2012034964A - Video game apparatus, video game control method, control program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide both game operability and exposure property of a player character.SOLUTION: There is provided a video game apparatus for generating a game image including the image of a self player character of which a movement thereof is controlled based on an operation of a user. The video game apparatus includes: a detection means for detecting a first timing of which the user needs a predetermined operation, and a second timing of which the user does not need thereof based on a game status data showing progress situation of the game; a switching means for switching, when the first timing is detected, from a viewpoint of which a 3-D model in a virtual 3-D space of the game is projected to the 2-D game image to a predetermined first person viewpoint arranged at a position where is almost the same height with eyes of the self player character; and a switching means for switching, when the second timing is detected, from the viewpoint to a predetermined 3-D viewpoint projecting a whole body of the self player character on a screen.

Description

  The present invention relates to a video game device control technique.

For example, in a traditional tennis video game,
(1) Type that allows the entire tennis court to be viewed from a distant viewpoint (2) Type that allows the player to see the tennis court from a position close to the viewpoint of the player player character (3) Types that allow the viewpoint to be switched manually. In the above type (1), the whole body of the player player character is displayed. In the type (2), the player player character is made translucent, or only the arms and rackets are displayed. The visibility of the racket is improved.

  The type (1) emphasizes the strategy based on the movement of the player character on the tennis court, and cannot perform delicate operations when hitting the ball.

  The above type (2) emphasizes delicate operations when hitting the ball, and since the opponent player character and the movement of the ball can be seen from the viewpoint of the player player character, the delicate operation when hitting the ball Is possible.

  The type (3) can be played by switching between strategy-oriented and operation-oriented according to the preference of the player (user).

JP 2010-5331 A JP 2006-68315 A

  In recent video game devices, many use a wirelessly connected motion controller in place of a conventional game pad (see, for example, Patent Document 1), and further, a player's gesture (gesturing gesture) without using a motion controller. ) And those that can be operated by voice (for example, see Patent Document 2).

  According to such a video game apparatus, since a more delicate operation can be performed as compared with the conventional game pad, the above-described type (2), that is, a type that can be seen from a position close to the viewpoint of the player player character. You can make better use of the features of the game.

  On the other hand, in order to attract the player's interest, the use of real characters such as professional sports players is increasing.

  In this case, according to the video game of the type (2) described above, only the arm and the racket can be seen when playing the game, and the whole body character such as a professional sports player who should originally want to show cannot be shown sufficiently. .

  The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-described conventional problems, and the object of the present invention is to provide a player during a period in which a delicate operation is required by a motion controller or the like and such a delicate operation is not necessary. In a game in which it is desired to display the whole body of the character and there is an appropriate time for switching the viewpoint, the operability of the game and the exposure of the player character are made compatible.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention, as described in claim 1, a video for generating a game image including an image of a self-side player character whose movement is controlled based on a user's operation Means for detecting a first timing at which the user requires a predetermined operation and a second timing at which the user no longer requires a predetermined operation based on game situation data indicating the progress of the game; When the first timing is detected, the viewpoint for projecting the three-dimensional model in the virtual three-dimensional space of the game onto the two-dimensional game image is set to the position of the eye of the self-side player character. A means for switching to a predetermined first person viewpoint, and when the second timing is detected, the viewpoint is displayed on the entire body of the player player character on the screen. Are summarized as video game and means for switching to a predetermined third person viewpoint starts to.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the video game device according to the first aspect, the game is for tennis, and the first timing is a ball hit by the opponent player character. Is the timing at which it is detected that the player character is heading toward the player character, and the second timing is the timing at which play is started and the timing at which the player player character has hit the ball. There can be.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video game device control method for generating a game image including an image of a self-player character whose movement is controlled based on a user's operation, And detecting a first timing at which the user requires a predetermined operation and a second timing at which the user no longer needs the predetermined operation, and the first timing is detected A step of switching a viewpoint for projecting a three-dimensional model in the virtual three-dimensional space of the game onto the two-dimensional game image to a predetermined first person viewpoint set to a position of the eyes of the player character on the self side. When the second timing is detected, the viewpoint is switched to a predetermined third-person viewpoint that displays the whole body of the player character on the screen. It can be configured as a video game control method and a changing step.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control program for a video game apparatus for generating a game image including an image of a player character on the self side whose movement is controlled based on a user operation, the video game apparatus Means for detecting a first timing at which the user does not need a predetermined operation and a second timing at which the user does not need a predetermined operation based on game situation data indicating the progress of the game, When the first timing is detected, the viewpoint for projecting the three-dimensional model in the virtual three-dimensional space of the game onto the two-dimensional game image is set to the position of the eyes of the self-side player character. Means for switching to the first-person viewpoint, and when the second timing is detected, the viewpoint is displayed on the whole body of the player character. It can be configured as a control program of a video game device to function as a unit, for switching a predetermined third person viewpoint to project upward.

  Further, as described in claim 5, it can be configured as a computer-readable recording medium in which the control program for the video game apparatus according to claim 4 is recorded.

  In the video game apparatus, the video game control method, the control program, and the recording medium of the present invention, the player character needs to be delicately operated by a motion controller or the like and does not require such a delicate operation. In a game in which it is desired to display the entire body of the player and there is an appropriate time for switching the viewpoint, it is possible to achieve both the operability of the game and the exposure of the player character.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the video game apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the data structure example of model data, control setting data, and game situation data. It is explanatory drawing of a 3rd person viewpoint and a 1st person viewpoint. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen in a 3rd person viewpoint. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen in a 1st person viewpoint. It is a flowchart which shows the process example of the viewpoint control in embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a process of setting to 3rd person viewpoint mode, switching to 1st person viewpoint mode, and switching to 3rd person viewpoint mode. It is a figure which shows the example of the determination method of whether the player character hit the ball | bowl. It is a figure which shows the example of the determination method of whether the ball | bowl is heading to the self side player character.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described.

<Configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a video game apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  1, the video game apparatus 1 includes a control unit 101, a memory 105, a controller communication unit 109, a video output unit 110, an audio output unit 111, and a communication unit 112.

  The control unit 101 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, and performs a main control operation according to a computer program.

  The memory 105 holds data as a work area for the control unit 101. The memory 105 holds model data 106, control setting data 107, and game situation data 108 as main data. Details of the data will be described later.

  The controller communication unit 109 performs data communication with the motion controller 2 that the player (user) holds and operates. The motion controller 2 includes an acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor, detects movement / rotation in the three-axis (X, Y, Z) directions, and transmits detection data to the video game apparatus 1. Note that a camera, a depth sensor, a microphone, and the like may be provided on the video game apparatus 1 side, and instead of the motion controller 2, the player's operation may be received by a player's gesture or voice.

  The video output unit 110 generates a video signal to be output to the external monitor 31.

  The audio output unit 111 generates an audio signal to be output to the external speaker 32.

  Although the monitor 31 and the speaker 32 are illustrated as those outside the video game apparatus 1, they may be disposed integrally in the video game apparatus 1.

  The communication unit 112 performs data communication with other devices and networks by wire or wireless.

  On the other hand, the control unit 101 constitutes a game progress control unit 102 that controls the progress of a video game such as tennis as a functional unit realized by a computer program. The game progress control unit 102 controls the game progress based on the operation signal received from the motion controller 2 by the controller communication unit 109.

  The game progress control unit 102 projects a basic game progress control unit 103 that controls the basic progress of the video game and a viewpoint (a three-dimensional model in the virtual three-dimensional space of the game) onto the two-dimensional screen in the course of the game progress. And a viewpoint control unit 104 that controls switching of the virtual camera position).

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the model data 106, the control setting data 107, and the game situation data 108 held in the memory 105. Here, tennis is assumed as a target video game.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the model data 106 includes a court model, a self-side player character model, a self-side arm / racquet model, an opponent player character model, and a ball model. The court model is model data for drawing a tennis court. The self player character model is model data for drawing the self player character. The self-side arm / racquet model is model data for drawing only the arm and racket of the self-side player character. The opponent player character model is model data for drawing the opponent player character. The ball model is model data for drawing a ball.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the control setting data 107 includes a third person viewpoint offset, a first person viewpoint offset, a self-side racket surface range, and a counterpart side racket surface range. The third person viewpoint offset is an offset value of the third person viewpoint (objective viewpoint) set at a position behind the player player character so that the whole body of the player player character is projected on the screen (the center point of the player player character). 3D value representing the deviation from). The first-person viewpoint offset is an offset value of the first-person viewpoint (subjective viewpoint) that is set to the position of the eyes of the player player character so that the arm and racket of the player player character are displayed on the screen. The self-side racket surface range is a value (for example, a two-dimensional value indicating the length of the long side and the short side of the ellipse) indicating the surface range of the racket of the self-side player character. The opponent side racket face range is a value indicating the face range of the opponent player character's racket.

  As shown in FIG. 2 (c), the game situation data 108 includes a self-side player character position coordinate P1, a ball position coordinate B, a ball speed vector V, a self-side racket position coordinate R1, and a self-side racket surface normal vector N1. It includes the other party racket position coordinate R2, the other party racket surface normal vector N2, and the viewpoint offset O.

  The self player character position coordinate P1 is a three-dimensional coordinate value indicating the center point of the self player character. The ball position coordinate B is a three-dimensional coordinate value indicating the center point of the ball. The ball speed vector V is a three-dimensional value indicating the speed of the ball. The self-side racket position coordinate R1 is a three-dimensional coordinate value indicating the center point of the surface of the self-side racket. The self-side racket surface normal vector N1 is a unit vector that faces the normal direction from the center point of the self-side racket surface. The opponent racket position coordinate R2 is a three-dimensional coordinate value indicating the center point of the surface of the opponent racket. The opponent racket surface normal vector N2 is a unit vector that faces the normal direction from the center point of the opponent racket surface. The viewpoint offset O is an offset value indicating the current viewpoint, and becomes the third person viewpoint when the third person viewpoint offset of the control setting data 107 is set, and becomes the first person viewpoint when the first person viewpoint offset is set. In the three-dimensional coordinates, the origin is, for example, the center of the tennis court, the right direction when viewed from behind the player character is the X axis, the vertical direction is the Y axis, and the depth direction is the Z axis.

<3rd person perspective, 1st person perspective>
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the third person viewpoint and the first person viewpoint.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the third person viewpoint (objective viewpoint) is one in which a viewpoint (virtual camera) is arranged behind the player character on the player side, and on the game screen, as shown in FIG. The whole body of the player character on the side is projected.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the first person viewpoint (subjective viewpoint) is one in which the viewpoint (virtual camera) is arranged at almost the eye position of the player character on the self side, and as shown in FIG. 5 on the game screen. In addition, only the arm and the racket are projected for the player player character on the near side, and the whole body is not projected.

<Operation>
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of viewpoint control processing in the above embodiment, which is an example of a tennis video game.

  In FIG. 6, when the play performed from the serve to the point acquisition is started (step S101), the viewpoint control unit 104 (FIG. 1) sets the third person viewpoint mode (step S102). The start of play is the timing of switching to the third person viewpoint mode.

  FIG. 7 (a) shows an example of processing for setting the third person viewpoint mode. When the processing is started (step S201), the player character of the player's own character in the model data 106 (FIG. 2 (a)) is displayed. Based on the model (step S202), the third-person viewpoint offset of the control setting data 107 (FIG. 2B) is set to the viewpoint offset O of the game situation data 108 (FIG. 2C) to move the viewpoint. Is performed (step S203), and the process is terminated (step S204). Although only the display of the player player character is shown as related to the viewpoint control, naturally other models are also displayed in parallel.

  Returning to FIG. 6, a branch is made depending on whether or not the opponent player character serves (step S103). If the opponent player character serves (Yes in step S103), whether or not the opponent player character has hit the ball It is determined whether or not (step S104). In addition, although the judgment of hit | damage here is the hit | damage by a serve at the first time, in the subsequent judgment, it becomes a hit | damage by the rally on the way.

  Whether or not the opponent player character has hit the ball (step S104) is determined by the opponent side racket position coordinate R2, the opponent side racket surface normal vector N2, and the ball position B in the game situation data 108 (FIG. 2C). And the ball velocity vector V and the contact determination between the ball and the racket surface based on the opponent side racket surface range of the control setting data 107 (FIG. 2B). That is, as shown in FIG. 8, it is determined that the ball and the racket surface are in contact with each other when the ball position B matches the two-dimensional coordinate range of the opponent racket surface range surrounding the opponent racket position coordinate R2. At this time, since the determination is performed at a predetermined time interval (for example, every frame of screen drawing), an approach within a distance obtained by multiplying the ball speed vector V by the determination interval time is determined as a contact.

Returning to FIG. 6, if it is determined that the opponent player character has hit the ball (Yes in Step S104), it is then determined whether or not the ball is facing the player character (Step S105). The determination as to whether or not the ball is facing the player character (step S105) is made based on the ball speed vector V and the player player position coordinate P1 in the game situation data 108 (FIG. 2C). . That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the Z-axis component of the ball velocity vector V is V _Z , the Z-axis component of the player side player character position coordinate P1 is P1 _Z ,
V _Z · _{P1 Z>} 0
If so, it is determined that the ball is facing the player character from the opponent's court.

  Returning to FIG. 6, when it is determined that the ball is facing the player character (Yes in step S105), the mode is switched to the first person viewpoint mode (step S106). The detection that the ball is heading toward the player character is the timing for switching to the first person viewpoint mode.

  FIG. 7B shows an example of processing for switching to the first person viewpoint mode. When the processing is started (step S211), the display of the player player character is erased (step S212), and the model data 106 (FIG. 2) is displayed. The self-side arm / racquet is displayed based on the self-side arm / racquet model of (a)) (step S213), and the control setting data 107 (FIG. The first-person viewpoint offset of (b)) is set and the viewpoint is moved (step S214), and the process ends (step S215).

  Returning to FIG. 6, after switching to the first-person viewpoint mode (step S106) or when it is not determined that the opponent player character has hit the ball (No in step S104), the ball is directed toward the player player character. If it is not determined that the point has been determined (No in step S105), it is determined whether or not the point has been determined by the opponent's batting or the like (step S107). In the case of a serve, the game is often organized so that it can be continued until the ball is hit, and when the opponent's served ball does not enter the service court of the self-side court, it becomes a point on the self side. In the middle of the rally, in addition to the case where the ball hit by the opponent does not enter the court on the opponent's side, it becomes a point on the opponent's side by skipping the opponent or missing the ball.

  If it is not determined that the opponent has hit a point (No in step S107) or if the player player character serves (No in step S103), it is determined whether or not the player player has hit the ball. (Step S108). In addition, the hit | damage here has the case of the hit | damage by a serve, and the case of the hit | damage by the rally in the middle. Further, when the self player character serves (No in step S103), the third person viewpoint mode is maintained, but the first person viewpoint mode may be switched immediately before the serve operation can be performed.

  Further, when the self player character is struck, the movement of the motion controller 2 (up / down / left / right movement and rotation) and the movement of the self player character's racket (up / down / left / right movement and rotation) are synchronized.

  It is determined whether or not the player character has hit the ball (step S108). The player side racket position coordinate R1, the player side racket surface normal vector N1, and the ball position B in the game situation data 108 (FIG. 2C). And the ball velocity vector V and the contact determination between the ball and the racket surface based on the self-side racket surface range of the control setting data 107 (FIG. 2B). The details are the same as described with reference to FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 6, when it is determined that the player character has hit the ball (Yes in step S108), the mode is switched to the third person viewpoint mode (step S109). The detection that the player character has hit the ball is the timing for switching to the third person viewpoint mode.

  FIG. 7C shows an example of processing for switching to the third person viewpoint mode. When the processing is started (step S221), the display of the self-side arm / racquet is erased (step S222), and the model data 106 (FIG. The self-side player character is displayed based on the self-side player character model (2 (a)) (step S223), and the control setting data 107 (FIG. 2 (FIG. 2 (c)) is added to the viewpoint offset O of the game situation data 108 (FIG. 2 (c)). The third person viewpoint offset of b)) is set and the viewpoint is moved (step S224), and the process is terminated (step S225).

  Returning to FIG. 6, after switching to the third-person viewpoint mode (step S109), or when it is not determined that the player character has hit the ball (No in step S108), points are given by hitting on the player side, etc. It is determined whether it has been decided (step S110). In the case of a serve, the game is often set up so that it can be continued until the ball is hit, and when the self-served ball does not enter the service court of the opponent's court, it becomes the opponent's point. In the middle of the rally, in addition to the case where the ball hit by the player does not enter the opponent's court, the player's point will be scored by the player's own swing or missed ball.

  If it is not determined that the point has been determined by the hitting on the side of the player (No in step S110), the process returns to the determination of whether the opponent player character has hit the ball (step S104).

  When it is determined that the points have been determined (Yes in step S107, Yes in step S110), after playing a video such as an emotion expression scene that expresses the joy and sadness of the player, the play ends (step S111). ) If the game is not over, the next play is started.

<Summary>
In the above embodiment, tennis has been described as an example. However, it is desired to display the whole body of the player character during a period in which a delicate operation is necessary using a motion controller or the like and such a delicate operation is not necessary. The present invention can be applied to a game where there is an appropriate interval for changing the viewpoint, for example, baseball or soccer. In baseball, when the player character is the batter, the third person viewpoint can be switched to the first person viewpoint at the timing when the pitcher starts throwing, and the third person viewpoint can be switched upon completion of the batting. In soccer, it is possible to switch from the third-person viewpoint to the first-person viewpoint at the timing when the ball is directed toward the player character, and to switch to the third-person viewpoint upon completion of the ball kick.

  The present invention has been described above by the preferred embodiments of the present invention. While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, various modifications and changes may be made to the embodiments without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Obviously you can. In other words, the present invention should not be construed as being limited by the details of the specific examples and the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Video game device 101 Control part 102 Game progress control part 103 Basic game progress control part 104 Viewpoint control part 105 Memory 106 Model data 107 Control setting data 108 Game situation data 109 To controller communication part 110 Video output part 111 Audio | voice output part 112 Communication Part 2 Motion controller 31 Monitor 32 Speaker

Claims (5)

A video game apparatus that generates a game image including an image of a self-side player character whose movement is controlled based on a user operation,
Means for detecting a first timing at which the user requires a predetermined operation and a second timing at which the user no longer requires a predetermined operation based on game status data indicating the progress of the game;
When the first timing is detected, the viewpoint for projecting the three-dimensional model in the virtual three-dimensional space of the game onto the two-dimensional game image is set to the position of the eye of the self-side player character. Means for switching to a predetermined first person view;
A video game apparatus comprising: means for switching the viewpoint to a predetermined third person viewpoint that projects the whole body of the player character on the screen when the second timing is detected. The video game device according to claim 1,
The game is for tennis,
The first timing is a timing at which it is detected that the ball hit by the opponent player character is heading toward the self player character,
2. The video game apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second timing is a timing at which play is started and a timing at which the player player character has hit the ball. A control method of a video game apparatus for generating a game image including an image of a self-side player character whose movement is controlled based on a user operation,
Detecting a first timing at which the user requires a predetermined operation and a second timing at which the user no longer requires a predetermined operation based on game status data indicating a progress of the game;
When the first timing is detected, the viewpoint for projecting the three-dimensional model in the virtual three-dimensional space of the game onto the two-dimensional game image is set to the position of the eye of the self-side player character. Switching to a predetermined first person perspective;
And a step of switching the viewpoint to a predetermined third-person viewpoint that projects the whole body of the player character on the screen when the second timing is detected. A control program for a video game apparatus that generates a game image including an image of a self-side player character whose movement is controlled based on a user operation,
A control unit of the video game device;
Means for detecting a first timing at which the user requires a predetermined operation and a second timing at which the user no longer requires a predetermined operation based on game status data indicating the progress of the game;
When the first timing is detected, the viewpoint for projecting the three-dimensional model in the virtual three-dimensional space of the game onto the two-dimensional game image is set to the position of the eye of the self-side player character. Means for switching to a predetermined first person view;
Means for switching the viewpoint to a predetermined third person viewpoint for projecting the whole body of the player character on the screen when the second timing is detected;
A video game device control program that functions as a computer program.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the control program for the video game apparatus according to claim 4 is recorded.

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