JP2012210252A - Game device, control method of game device, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a user to play a game while a game device is in a given posture.SOLUTION: A posture detection means (72) detects a posture of a game device (10), a game operation detection means (74) detects user game operation, and a game processing execution means (76) executes game processing corresponding to the game operation detected by the game operation detection means (74). A posture determination means (78) determines whether or not the posture of the game device (10) detected by the posture detection means (72) is a reference posture associated with the state of a game in process. On the basis of a determination result of the posture determination means (78), a game processing limiting means (80) limits the execution of the game processing corresponding to the game operation which is executed by the game processing execution means (76) and is detected by the game operation detection means (74).

Description

  The present invention relates to a game device, a game device control method, and a program.

  Conventionally, games in which a user plays a game by changing the attitude of a game device are known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a game in which a user causes a game device to have a given posture when a predetermined game event occurs.

JP 2010-136107 A

  In the conventional technology, the user can continue the game play without causing the game device to be in the given posture. However, in the game as described above, the user can change the posture of the game device. Since it is produced on the premise, in order for the user to enjoy the game play, it is preferable to play the game while keeping the game device in a given posture.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to control a game device and a game device that can surely cause a user to play a game with the game device in a given posture. It is to provide a method and a program.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a game device according to the present invention is detected by a posture detection unit that detects a posture of the game device, a game operation detection unit that detects a game operation of a user, and the game operation detection unit. Game process execution means for executing a game process corresponding to the game operation, means for acquiring the reference attitude data from means for storing reference attitude data associating a game situation and a reference attitude of the game device; A posture determination unit that determines whether or not the posture of the game device detected by the posture detection unit is the reference posture associated with the state of the game being executed, and a determination result of the posture determination unit The game corresponding to the game operation detected by the game operation detection means is executed by the game process execution means. And game process limitation means for limiting the execution of the process, characterized in that it comprises a.

  In addition, the game device control method according to the present invention is a game device control method, wherein a posture detection step of detecting a posture of the game device, a game operation detection step of detecting a user's game operation, and the game From the means for storing the reference posture data associating the game processing execution step for executing the game processing corresponding to the game operation detected in the operation detection step, the game situation, and the reference posture of the game apparatus, from the means A step of acquiring posture data; a posture determination step of determining whether or not the posture of the game device detected in the posture detection step is the reference posture associated with the state of the game being executed; Based on the determination result of the posture determination step, executed in the game process execution step, Characterized in that it comprises a game processing restriction step of restricting execution of the game processing corresponding to said game operation detected in over zooming operation detecting step.

  A program according to the present invention is a program for causing a computer to function as a game device, and includes a posture detection unit that detects a posture of the game device, a game operation detection unit that detects a user's game operation, and the game operation. The reference posture data from the game processing execution means for executing the game processing corresponding to the game operation detected by the detection means, the means for storing the reference posture data associating the game situation and the reference posture of the game apparatus. , A posture determination unit that determines whether the posture of the game device detected by the posture detection unit is the reference posture associated with the state of the game being executed, the posture determination unit On the basis of the determination result, the game operation detection means is executed by the game process execution means. Game processing limiting means for limiting the execution of the game processing corresponding to the game operation is, the causing a computer to function as a game device which comprises a.

  An information storage medium according to the present invention is an information storage medium storing the program.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably cause a user to play a game with the game device in a given posture.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the reference posture data is data associating a reference situation of the game with a reference posture of the game device, and the posture determination unit is configured to store the game being executed. When the situation becomes the reference situation, it is determined whether or not the attitude of the game device detected by the attitude detection unit is the reference attitude associated with the reference situation.

  Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the game device guides the user to change the posture of the game device to the reference posture when the state of the game being executed becomes the reference state. Is further included.

  In the aspect of the invention, the reference posture data is data in which the game situation, the reference posture of the game device, and the game operation of the user are associated with each other, and the game processing restriction unit Corresponds to the game operation associated with the current situation of the game being executed and the reference posture among the game operations detected by the game operation detection unit based on the determination result of the posture determination unit The execution of the game process is restricted.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the game device may be configured such that the orientation of the game screen displayed on the display unit corresponds to the reference posture associated with the current situation of the game being executed. And a means for controlling the display of the game screen.

It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the game device which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the game screen displayed on the display part of a game device. It is a figure which shows an example when the direction of a game screen changes. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function implement | achieved with a game device. It is a figure which shows an example of the music data corresponding to one music. It is a figure which shows the data storage example of reference | standard attitude | position data. An example of reference | standard operation data is shown. It is a figure for demonstrating the display process of a game screen. It is a flowchart which mainly shows the process relevant to this invention among the processes which a game device performs. It is a figure which shows the evaluation process of the game operation performed in S104. It is a figure which shows the reference | standard attitude | position data in a modification (1).

[1. Embodiment]
Hereinafter, examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The game device according to the embodiment of the present invention is realized using, for example, a portable game machine, an arcade game machine, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or a personal computer. Here, a case where the game device according to the embodiment of the present invention is realized using a portable game machine will be described.

[1-1. Hardware configuration of game device]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the game device according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the game apparatus 10 includes a portable game machine 11. The portable game machine 11 includes a control unit 14, a storage unit 16, a main storage 18, an image processing unit 20, a display unit 22, a touch panel 24, an input / output processing unit 26, a memory card slot 28, an operation key unit 32, and a voice processing unit 34. , An audio output unit 36, an audio input unit 38, a communication I / F (interface) 40, a sensor unit 42, and the like.

  The control unit 14 controls each unit of the game apparatus 10 based on an operating system stored in the storage unit 16, a program stored in the memory card 30, and various data.

  The storage unit 16 includes a nonvolatile storage medium such as a flash memory. The storage unit 16 stores an operating system and the like.

  The main memory 18 includes, for example, a RAM. The program stored in the storage unit 16 and the program read from the memory card 30 via the memory card slot 28 are written into the main memory 18 as necessary. The main memory 18 is also used as a working memory for the control unit 14.

  The bus 12 is used for exchanging addresses and various data between the respective units of the game apparatus 10. The control unit 14, the storage unit 16, the main storage 18, the image processing unit 20, and the input / output processing unit 26 are connected via the bus 12 so that mutual data communication is possible.

  The image processing unit 20 includes a VRAM. The image processing unit 20 draws an image on the VRAM according to an instruction from the control unit 14. The image drawn on the VRAM is displayed on the display unit 22 at a predetermined timing. The display unit 22 is, for example, one or a plurality of known liquid crystal display panels. This liquid crystal display panel has, for example, a predetermined aspect ratio (for example, 16: 9). For example, the touch panel 24 is provided so as to be superimposed on the display unit 22.

  The touch panel 24 functions as input means for a user to perform an operation. The touch panel 24 supplies contact position information corresponding to a position touched (pressed) by a user or an object (for example, a touch pen) held by the user to the control unit 14 via the input / output processing unit 26.

  The input / output processing unit 26 is an interface for the control unit 14 to exchange various data with the touch panel 24, the memory card slot 28, the operation key unit 32, the voice processing unit 34, and the communication I / F 40.

  The memory card slot 28 reads out the game program and game data stored in the memory card 30 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 14. The memory card 30 includes, for example, a nonvolatile storage medium that stores game data such as save data.

  In the present embodiment, a case where a game is executed using a program or data stored in the memory card 30 will be described, but any other information storage medium may be used. Further, a program and data may be supplied to the game apparatus 10 from a remote place via a data communication network such as the Internet.

  The operation key unit 32 functions as input means for the user to perform various operations. The operation key unit 32 includes a cross button, a slide pad, various buttons, and the like. The input / output processing unit 26 scans the state of each part of the operation key unit 32 at regular intervals (for example, every 1/60 seconds). An operation signal representing the scan result is supplied to the control unit 14 via the bus 12. The control unit 14 determines the user's operation content based on the operation signal.

  The audio processing unit 34 includes a sound buffer. The sound processing unit 34 outputs music and sound from the sound output unit 36 based on music output data and sound data stored in the sound buffer.

  The voice input unit 38 includes a microphone and the like. The voice input unit 38 detects a user's voice and the like, and inputs a detection signal to the control unit 14 via the input / output processing unit 26. The communication I / F 40 is an interface for connecting the game apparatus 10 to a communication network.

  The sensor unit 42 includes a gyro sensor that detects angular velocity, an acceleration sensor that detects acceleration, and the like. The sensor unit 42 detects the attitude of the game apparatus 10. In the present embodiment, the case where the display unit 22 is integrated with the casing of the game apparatus 10 will be described. That is, when the user changes the attitude of the game apparatus 10, the attitude of the game apparatus 10 is also changed.

  Note that the configuration of the game apparatus 10 is not limited to the above example. The game apparatus 10 may include other configurations. In addition, for example, a GPS sensor, a CCD camera, or the like may be included in the game apparatus 10.

[1-2. Game executed on game device]
Next, a game executed on the game apparatus 10 will be described. In the game apparatus 10, a game that requests the user to change the attitude of the game apparatus 10 is executed when the state of the game being executed becomes a predetermined situation.

  In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which a game in which a user performs a game operation in accordance with music is executed in the game apparatus 10. The user is required to change the attitude of the game apparatus 10 during a predetermined period of the music reproduction period. Hereinafter, a case where a game in which a user touches a given position on the touch panel 24 according to music is executed will be described as an example.

  When starting the game, the user selects one of a plurality of songs prepared in advance. Then, the selected music is reproduced. For each piece of music that can be selected by the user, the game situation in which the attitude of the game apparatus 10 should be changed (hereinafter simply referred to as “reference situation”) and the timing at which the game operation should be performed (hereinafter simply referred to as “reference operation timing”). Is defined). The user changes the attitude of the game apparatus 10 in the reference situation. In addition, the user aims to perform a game operation at a timing that matches the reference operation timing.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a game screen displayed on the display unit 22 of the game apparatus 10. The game apparatus 10 is sized to be held by a user. As shown in FIG. 2, buttons 52A, 52B, and 52C (hereinafter collectively referred to as buttons 52) are displayed in the lower area of the game screen 50 as viewed from the user. The touch panel 24 is provided so as to be superimposed on the display unit 22. For example, an action in which the user touches these buttons 52 corresponds to “game operation”.

  On the game screen 50, a guidance area 54 is displayed. The guidance area 54 is an area for guiding the user about a reference situation in which the user should change the attitude of the game apparatus 10 or a reference operation timing at which the user should touch the button 52.

  In the left area in the guide area 54, reference marks 56A, 56B, and 56C (hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as a reference mark 56) are displayed. Further, on the right side of the reference mark 56, for example, reference operation guide marks 58A, 58B, 58C (hereinafter, collectively referred to as a reference operation guide mark 58) or a reference situation guide mark 60 are displayed. ing. The reference operation guide mark 58 and the reference situation guide mark 60 gradually move from right to left as time passes. That is, the reference operation guide mark 58 and the reference situation guide mark 60 approach the reference mark 56.

  The reference mark 56 corresponds to the button 52 arranged in the lower area of the guide area 54. When the timing at which the button 52A should be touched (reference operation timing) arrives, the reference operation guide mark 58A reaches the reference mark 56A and overlaps the reference mark 56A. When the timing at which the button 52B should be touched (reference operation timing) arrives, the reference operation guide mark 58B reaches the reference mark 56B and overlaps the reference mark 56B. When the timing at which the button 52C should be touched (reference operation timing) comes, the reference operation guide mark 58C reaches the reference mark 56C and overlaps the reference mark 56C.

  For example, when the reference operation timing corresponding to the buttons 52A, 52B, and 52C arrives, the user can obtain a high evaluation by touching the buttons 52A, 52B, and 52C. Note that an evaluation cannot be obtained unless the user touches the buttons 52A, 52B, and 52C at a timing that completely coincides with the reference operation timing, and an evaluation is given according to the degree of coincidence.

  Further, when the situation of the game being executed becomes a reference situation in which the attitude of the game apparatus 10 should be changed, the reference situation guide mark 60 reaches the reference mark 56 and overlaps the reference mark 56. Further, for example, the reference situation guidance mark 60 may indicate a direction (rotation direction) in which the user should change the attitude of the game apparatus 10.

  In this way, the user depends on the reference operation guide mark 58 and the reference situation guide mark 60 that gradually approach the reference mark 56, and the reference for changing the timing at which the button 52 should be touched and the attitude of the game apparatus 10. The situation can be grasped.

  As described above, when the game being executed is in a predetermined situation (when the game is in a reference situation), the user changes the attitude of the game apparatus 10. In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the posture in which the display unit 22 of the game apparatus 10 is horizontally long as viewed from the user is referred to as “horizontal posture”. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, the orientation of the game screen 50 when the game apparatus 10 is in the landscape orientation is referred to as a “landscape state”. That is, when the game being executed is in the reference situation, the user changes the game apparatus 10 from the landscape orientation to another orientation.

  For example, when the tune of the music being played is approaching the climax period (rust), the reference status guidance mark 60 is displayed to guide the user to change the attitude of the game apparatus 10. For example, when the reference situation guidance mark 60 reaches the reference mark 56, the orientation of the game screen 50 changes. The user changes the attitude of the game apparatus 10 in accordance with the change in the direction of the game screen 50.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example when the orientation of the game screen 50 changes. As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the orientation of the game screen 50 rotates. Then, for example, the user rotates the display unit 22 counterclockwise. For example, the display position of the button 52 is changed so that the button 52 is arranged on the lower side (short side of the display unit 22) as viewed from the user. Further, for example, the display position of the reference mark 56 is changed so that the reference mark 56 is arranged on the upper side when viewed from the user.

  Further, for example, in the state of FIG. 2, the reference operation guide mark 58 and the reference situation guide mark 60 that have been moved to the left as viewed from the user are the reference operation guide marks as viewed from the user in the state of FIG. 3. 58 and the reference situation guidance mark 60 move upward. That is, as the display position of the reference mark 56 is changed, the display content in the guide area 54 is changed.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a posture in which the display unit 22 of the game apparatus 10 is vertically long when viewed from the user is referred to as a “longitudinal posture”. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the orientation of the game screen 50 when the game apparatus 10 is in the vertically long posture is referred to as “vertically long state”.

  As described above, during the climax period of the song, the user changes the game apparatus 10 from the landscape orientation to the portrait orientation and plays the game, so that the climax period of the song and a period other than the period are Play the game with distinction. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the game is produced so that display control is performed so that the reference operation guide mark 58 and the reference situation guide mark 60 move upward as viewed from the user during the climax of the song. In this case, during the climax of the song, the user can experience a feeling that the user's mood rises by playing the game while keeping the game apparatus 10 in the vertically long posture.

  In the game apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, when the state of the game being executed becomes the reference situation, the user does not react even if the user touches the button 52 unless the attitude of the game apparatus 10 is changed to the reference attitude. It is the composition. For example, when a period of climax of music comes, the user does not react to the button 52 unless the user changes the game apparatus 10 from the landscape orientation to the portrait orientation. Hereinafter, this technique will be described in detail.

[1-3. Functions realized in game device]
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing functions realized by the game apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the game apparatus 10 includes a game data storage unit 70, a posture detection unit 72, a game operation detection unit 74, a game process execution unit 76, a posture determination unit 78, and a game process restriction unit 80.

[1-3-1. Game data storage unit]
The game data storage unit 70 is realized mainly with the main memory 18 and the memory card 30. The game data storage unit 70 stores data necessary for executing the game. For example, the game data storage unit 70 stores a plurality of music data.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of music data corresponding to one music. As shown in FIG. 5, the music data includes original music data, reference attitude data, and reference operation data. The original music data is, for example, general popular music or the like stored in a predetermined data format.

  The reference posture data is data in which the game situation is associated with the reference posture of the game device. In the present embodiment, the reference posture data is associated with the reference situation of the game and the reference posture of the game apparatus 10.

  The reference situation of the game stored in the reference attitude data is a predetermined situation among situations that can be taken by the game being executed, and is a situation in which the attitude of the game apparatus 10 should be changed. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the reference situation is a situation in which the posture of the game apparatus 10 should be set to the reference posture. For example, in the reference posture data, a parameter indicating a predetermined situation among situations that can be taken by the game being executed is stored as information indicating the reference situation.

  In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the reference situation of the game indicates an elapsed time from the start of music playback. That is, for example, when the elapsed time from the start of music playback is within a predetermined period (for example, within the chorus period during which the music swells), it is determined that the game being executed has become the reference situation.

  The reference posture of the display unit 22 stored in the reference posture data is a predetermined posture among the postures of the game device 10 that can be detected by the posture detection unit 72, and is a posture related to the posture that the game device 10 should take in the reference situation. . In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the reference posture is the posture of the game apparatus 10 that the user should make in the reference situation. Further, as the reference posture of the game apparatus 10, a vertically long posture (first posture) in which the display unit 22 is vertically long when viewed from the user, a horizontally long posture in which the display unit 22 is horizontally long when viewed from the user (second posture), The case where is set will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a data storage example of the reference posture data. The t axis shown in FIG. 6 is a time axis. The t-axis indicates the passage of time from the start of music playback. For example, the reference posture data indicates a reference situation (timing) in which the posture of the game apparatus 10 should be changed in units of 1/8 measures. FIG. 6 shows data obtained by dividing one measure into eight parts for the sake of simplicity. That is, FIG. 6 shows a reference situation in which the attitude of the game apparatus 10 should be changed in units of 1/8 bar.

  As shown in FIG. 6, it is specified whether or not the posture of the game apparatus 10 should be changed at each time point of 1/8 bar. For example, in a reference situation in which the posture of the game apparatus 10 should be changed, information for identifying the reference posture that the game apparatus 10 should take is stored.

For example, at a timing (time t ₁ ) when information indicating “vertical posture” is stored, the user changes the posture of the game apparatus 10 to the vertical posture. In other words, the arrival of the timing at time t ₁ means that the game has become the reference situation. Further, for example, at a timing (time t ₂ ) when information indicating “horizontal posture” is stored, the user changes the posture of the game apparatus 10 to the horizontal posture. In other words, even the timing of the time t ₂ visits, it means that the game has become the reference situation.

The user, for example, until the time t ₁ visit, to the game apparatus 10 in landscape orientation, to play the game. On the other hand, during the period from time t ₁ to time t ₂ (for example, the climax period of climax of the music), the user plays the game with the game apparatus 10 in a vertically long posture. User, the time t ₂ and later, and the game device 10 to the horizontal attitude, to play the game.

  As described above, the user performs a game operation while changing the posture of the game apparatus 10. When and what game operation the user should perform is defined in the reference operation data.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of the reference operation data. The t-axis shown in FIG. 7 is the same as the t-axis in FIG. In other words, the reference operation data indicates the timing at which the buttons 52A, 54B, and 54C should be touched in units of 1/256 bars. Here, in order to simplify the description, one bar is divided into eight. Data is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 7, whether or not the buttons 52A, 52B, and 52C should be touched at each time point of 1/8 bar is represented by, for example, 3-bit data. In FIG. 7, the bit “A” corresponds to the button 52A. “0” indicates that the button 52A should not be touched. On the other hand, “1” indicates that the button 52A should be touched.

  Similarly, the bits “B” and “C” correspond to the buttons 52B and 52C, respectively. That is, data in which at least one of the 3-bit data is “1” can be said to be data indicating the reference operation timing.

  In the present embodiment, the display content of the game screen 50 is determined based on the reference posture data and the reference operation data described above. For example, when the situation of the game being executed becomes the reference situation, a process of guiding the user to change the attitude of the game apparatus 10 to the reference attitude is executed.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining display processing of the game screen 50. That is, FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the reference posture data and the reference situation guide mark 60 and the relationship between the reference operation data and the display position of the reference operation guide mark 58.

While the music is being reproduced, data for a predetermined period after the current time (hereinafter referred to as “guidance target period”) is read from the reference posture data and the reference operation data. Here, a case where the guidance target period is a period of one measure from the present time will be described. For example, if the present time is the time t _0, the reference attitude data and the reference operation data between times t ₀ ~t ₁ is read.

  Based on the read data, a reference status guidance mark 60 for guiding the reference posture within the guidance target period and a reference operation guidance mark 58 for guiding the reference operation timing are displayed on the game screen 50. Is displayed.

  For example, based on the reference posture data, a guide image (for example, a reference state guide mark 60) that guides the reference situation and the reference posture after the current time to the user is displayed on the game screen 50. For example, the reference situation guide mark 60 gradually moves toward the display position (reference position) of the reference mark 56 in the guide area 54 of the game screen 50.

  The display position of the reference situation guide mark 60 is adjusted so that the distance between the reference situation guide mark 60 and the reference mark 56 is a distance corresponding to the time until the reference situation arrives. For example, the distance from the reference situation guide mark 60 to the reference mark 56 becomes shorter as the time until the reference situation where the user should change the attitude of the game apparatus 10 becomes shorter.

  Similarly, based on the reference operation data, a guide image (for example, a reference operation guide mark 58) for guiding the reference operation timing after the current time to the user is displayed on the game screen 50. For example, the reference operation guide mark 58 gradually moves toward the display position (reference position) of the reference mark 56 in the guide area 54 of the game screen 50.

  The display position of the reference operation guide mark 58 is adjusted so that the distance between the reference operation guide mark 58 and the reference mark 56 is a distance corresponding to the time until the reference operation timing comes. For example, the distance from the reference operation guide mark 58A to the reference mark 56 becomes shorter as the time until the reference operation timing at which the user should touch the button 52A becomes shorter.

  In the present embodiment, the game screen 50 is displayed so that the orientation of the game screen 50 displayed on the display unit 22 corresponds to the reference orientation associated with the current situation of the game being executed. Control is performed. For example, a case where display control of the game screen 50 is performed so that the orientation of the game screen 50 becomes a direction corresponding to the reference posture associated with the reference situation when the game being executed becomes the reference situation. To do.

  The orientation corresponding to the reference orientation is the orientation of the game screen 50 when the game apparatus 10 assumes the reference orientation, and the reference orientation and the orientation of the game screen 50 are associated in advance. For example, when the reference situation comes, display control is performed so that the orientation of the game screen 50 changes from the horizontally long state of FIG. 2 to the vertically long state of FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 4, the game data storage unit 70 stores game situation data indicating the situation of the game being executed in addition to the above data. In the game situation data, for example, elapsed time since the reproduction of music is started and score data indicating the user's score is stored.

  The score data changes in value based on user evaluation. For example, when the user gets a high evaluation, the value of the score data increases. On the other hand, when the user gets a low evaluation, the value of the score data decreases. At the start of the game, an initial value may be set for the score data.

  The control unit 14 functions as a means for acquiring various data stored in the game data storage unit 70. Further, the control unit 14 functions as means for changing (updating) various data stored in the game data storage unit 70. Further, the data stored in the game data storage unit 70 is not limited to the above example, and it is only necessary to store data necessary for the game apparatus 10 to execute the game. In addition, for example, image data for the horizontally long state and image data for the vertically long state may be stored.

[1-3-2. Posture detection unit]
The posture detection unit 72 is realized mainly by the control unit 14 and the sensor unit 42. The posture detection unit 72 detects the posture of the game apparatus 10. In the present embodiment, since the display unit 22 and the game operation detection unit 74 (for example, the touch panel 24) are integrated with the game apparatus 10, the attitude of the game apparatus 10 is determined by the display unit 22 and the game operation detection. This is the same as the attitude of the unit 74.

  The posture detection unit 72 detects the posture of the game apparatus 10 based on the detection signal of the sensor unit 42. In the present embodiment, the posture detection unit 72 detects the vertically long posture of the game apparatus 10 and the horizontally long posture of the game apparatus 10.

  Various known methods can be applied to the method of detecting the attitude of the game apparatus 10 based on detection signals from a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, or the like. For example, when the game apparatus 10 includes a CCD camera, the attitude of the game apparatus 10 may be acquired based on changes in images continuously captured by the CCD camera.

[1-3-3. Game operation detection unit]
The game operation detection unit 74 is realized mainly by the control unit 14 and the touch panel 24. The game operation detection unit 74 detects a user's game operation. The game operation detection unit 74 detects a game operation based on the operation content from the operation means by the user. In the present embodiment, for example, the game operation detection unit 74 detects a game operation by determining whether or not the button 52 is touched by the user based on an operation signal supplied from the touch panel 24.

[1-3-4. Game processing execution unit]
The game process execution unit 76 is realized mainly by the control unit 14. The game process execution unit 76 executes a game process corresponding to the game operation detected by the game operation detection unit 74. The game process is a process related to a game being executed, and is, for example, a process for updating game situation data, a process for evaluating a game operation by a user, an effect process, or the like.

  The game process corresponding to the game operation is a game process that is executed when a game operation is detected. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which a game process for evaluating a user's game operation is executed based on the reference operation data and the detection result of the game operation detection unit 74 as a game process corresponding to the game operation.

  For example, the game process execution unit 76, based on the difference between the reference operation timing indicated by the reference operation data and the timing at which the user actually performed the game operation (hereinafter referred to as “operation timing”), Evaluate the game operation. For example, the smaller the time difference between the reference operation timing and the operation timing, the higher the evaluation of the game operation. In accordance with this evaluation, the value of the score data increases or decreases.

[1-3-5. Posture determination unit]
The posture determination unit 78 is realized mainly by the control unit 14. The posture determination unit 78 determines whether or not the posture of the game apparatus 10 detected by the posture detection unit 72 is a reference posture associated with the state of the game being executed. For example, the posture determination unit 78 determines whether or not the posture of the game apparatus 10 detected by the posture detection unit 72 is a reference posture associated with the reference situation when the game being executed becomes the reference situation. To do.

  The posture determination unit 78 determines whether or not the game being executed has become the reference situation by comparing the current game situation indicated by the game situation data with the reference situation indicated by the reference data. In the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the running game has reached the reference situation by determining whether or not the elapsed time of the music being played is within the period indicated by the reference situation.

  In addition, the posture determination unit 78 compares the posture of the game device 10 detected by the posture detection unit 72 with the reference posture associated with the reference situation based on the reference data, so that the posture of the game device 10 is the reference posture. It is determined whether or not. For example, whether or not the attitude of the game apparatus 10 is the reference attitude is determined by determining whether or not the deviation between the attitude of the game apparatus 10 detected by the attitude detection unit 72 and the reference attitude is within a predetermined range. Is determined.

[1-3-6. Game processing restriction section]
The game processing restriction unit 80 is realized mainly by the control unit 14. The game process restriction unit 80 restricts execution of the game process corresponding to the game operation detected by the game operation detection unit 74 that is executed by the game process execution unit 76 based on the determination result of the posture determination unit 78.

  For example, when the posture determination unit 78 does not determine that the current posture of the game apparatus 10 is the reference posture, the game processing restriction unit 80 restricts execution of the game processing by the game processing execution unit 76. For example, in this case, even if the user touches the button 52, the evaluation process by the touch is not executed. For example, execution of the game process is restricted by controlling the button 52 not to react.

  In the present embodiment, a case where the game process restriction unit 80 restricts the game process is described as a case where the user does not react even when the button 52 is touched. Is not limited to this. The game process restriction unit 80 may restrict the game process performed by the game process execution unit 76.

  That is, when the user performs a game operation, the game process restriction unit 80 performs a process different from the normal game process (that is, the game process when the display unit 22 is in the reference posture), You may make it restrict | limit the game process by the game process execution part 76. FIG. For example, when the user touches the button 52, a low evaluation may be made, or a message for guiding the user to the game apparatus 10 to be in the reference posture may be output.

[1-4. Processing executed in game device]
Next, processing executed by the game apparatus 10 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart mainly showing processing related to the present invention among the processing executed by the game apparatus 10. The control unit 14 executes the process shown in FIG. 9 according to the program stored in the memory card 30.

  As shown in FIG. 9, first, the control unit 14 starts playing a music piece (S101). The control unit 14 reads the reference posture data and the reference operation data within the guidance target period and displays the game screen 50 (S102). In S102, display control of the reference situation guidance mark 60 and the reference manipulation guidance mark 58 is executed based on the time difference between the elapsed time of the current music, the reference situation and the reference operation timing.

  The control unit 14 determines whether or not the current game situation is the reference situation (S103). In S103, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time of the current music is within the period indicated by the reference situation stored in the reference posture data. When it is determined that the current game situation is not the reference situation (S103; N), the control unit 14 executes a game operation evaluation process by the user (S104).

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the game operation evaluation process executed in S104. As shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 14 determines whether or not the current time is within the determination period (S201). The determination period is a period from a predetermined period before the reference operation timing (before the first period) to a predetermined period after the reference operation timing (after the second period). The first period and the second period may be the same or different.

  When it determines with the present time not being in the determination period (S201; N), the control part 14 complete | finishes this process. That is, the control unit 14 executes the process of S109 in FIG.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the current time is within the determination period (S201; Y), the control unit 14 determines whether or not the operated flag is “0” (S202). The operated flag is information that is stored in the main memory 18 or the like and indicates whether or not the button 52 is touched in the current determination period. The manipulated flag takes a value of 0 or 1. “0” indicates that the button 52 is not touched. On the other hand, “1” indicates that the button 52 is touched.

  When it is determined that the operated flag is not “0” (S202; N), the control unit 14 executes the process of S207 described later without executing the processes of S203 to S206 of FIG.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the operated flag is “0” (S202; Y), the control unit 14 determines whether or not the button 52 corresponding to the reference operation timing is touched (S203). The button 52 corresponding to the reference operation timing is a button 52 to be touched when the reference operation timing comes. The determination in S203 is performed based on an operation signal supplied from the touch panel 24.

  When it is determined that the button 52 is not touched (S203; N), the control unit 14 performs the process of S207 described later without performing the processes of S204 to S206 of FIG. On the other hand, when it is determined that the button 52 is touched (S203; Y), the control unit 14 updates the operated flag to “1” (S204).

  Furthermore, the control unit 14 acquires a time difference between the reference operation timing and the operation timing at which the game operation is performed (S205). This deviation time becomes a negative value when the operation timing is earlier than the reference operation timing. On the other hand, the deviation time becomes a positive value when the operation timing is delayed from the reference operation timing.

  The control unit 14 evaluates the user's game operation (that is, game processing) based on the deviation time acquired in S205 (S206). In S206, for example, the game operation is evaluated depending on whether or not the deviation time acquired in S205 is within a predetermined range. Further, for example, the score indicated by the score data stored in the main memory 18 is increased or decreased based on the evaluation.

  The control unit 14 determines whether or not the end timing of the determination period has arrived (S207). When it is determined that the end timing of the determination period has not arrived (S207; N), the control unit 14 ends this process. That is, the control unit 14 executes the process of S109 in FIG.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the end timing of the determination period has come (S207; Y), the control unit 14 determines whether or not the operated flag is “0” (S208). The case where the operated flag is “0” is a case where the button 52 is not touched within the determination period.

  When it is determined that the operated flag is “0” (S208; Y), the control unit 14 determines the lowest evaluation (S209). And the control part 14 complete | finishes this process. That is, the control unit 14 executes the process of S109 in FIG.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the operated flag is not “0” (S208; N), the control unit 14 updates the operated flag to “0” (S210). And the control part 14 complete | finishes this process. That is, the control unit 14 executes the process of S109 in FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 9, when it is determined that the current game situation is the reference situation (S103; Y), the control unit 14 performs display control of the game screen 50 based on the reference attitude stored in the reference data. (S105). For example, display control of the game screen 50 is performed so that the game screen 50 has a direction corresponding to the reference posture. For example, when the game apparatus 10 changes from the landscape orientation to the portrait orientation, the game screen 50 changes from the landscape orientation of FIG. 2 to the portrait orientation of FIG. On the other hand, when the game apparatus 10 changes from the vertically long posture to the horizontally long posture, the game screen 50 changes from the vertically long state of FIG. 3 to the horizontally long state of FIG.

  The control unit 14 acquires the attitude of the game apparatus 10 based on the detection signal of the sensor unit 42 (S106). The control unit 14 determines whether or not the attitude of the game apparatus 10 is the reference attitude by comparing the attitude of the game apparatus 10 acquired in S106 with the reference attitude stored in the reference data (S107). ).

  When it is determined that the posture of the game apparatus 10 is the reference posture (S107; Y), the process proceeds to S104. That is, since the posture of the game apparatus 10 is the reference posture, the evaluation process of the user's game operation is executed without restriction.

  When it is determined that the posture of the game apparatus 10 is not the reference posture (S107; N), the control unit 14 restricts the execution of the user game operation evaluation process (S108). That is, in this case, the game operation evaluation process in S104 is restricted from being executed. Therefore, even if the user touches the button 52, the evaluation process by the touch is not performed. If the determination period ends and the operated flag is “1” while execution of the game operation evaluation process is restricted, the operated flag is updated to “0”. .

  The control unit 14 determines whether an end condition is satisfied (S109). The ending condition may be a predetermined condition, for example, whether or not the music has ended, or whether or not the score indicated by the score data is within a predetermined range.

  When it is determined that the end condition is satisfied (S109; Y), the control unit 14 ends the process. If it is not determined that the end condition is satisfied (S109; N), the process returns to S102.

  According to the game apparatus 10 described above, when the state of the game being executed becomes the reference situation, the user is limited so that the game operation is not evaluated unless the game is played with the game apparatus 10 as the reference posture. Is done. Therefore, it is possible to cause the user to play the game with the game apparatus 10 in a given posture.

  In addition, when the state of the game being executed becomes the reference situation, the game screen 50 that is optimal when the game apparatus 10 becomes the reference posture is changed by changing the direction of the game screen to a direction corresponding to the reference posture. Can be provided to the user.

[2. Modified example]
The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. Modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  (1) For example, in the embodiment, a case has been described in which the touch of all the buttons 52 is invalidated unless the user sets the game apparatus 10 to the reference posture when the game situation becomes the reference situation. Alternatively, only the touch of some buttons 52 may be invalidated. For example, a game operation corresponding to a game process to be restricted may be defined in the reference posture data.

  In this case, the reference posture data is data in which the game situation, the reference posture of the game apparatus 10, and the user's game operation are associated with each other.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating reference posture data in the modification example (1). As shown in FIG. 11, the game operation corresponding to the game process to be restricted by the game process restriction unit 80 is associated with the reference posture data. For example, if the user has not the display unit 22 in the portrait orientation when t ₁ has visited time, evaluation process by touching the button 52A is limited. In this case, the evaluation process by touching the buttons 52B and 52C is not limited.

Further, for example, a user in the case where t ₂ came time if not the display unit 22 in the horizontal attitude, the button 52B, 52C evaluation process by touching the are limited. In this case, the evaluation process by touching the button 52A is not limited.

  Based on the determination result of the posture determination unit 78, the game processing restriction unit 80 of the modified example (1) is associated with the status of the game being executed and the reference posture among the game operations detected by the game operation detection unit 74. The execution of the game process corresponding to the game operation is restricted. That is, for example, among the game operations detected by the game operation detection unit 74, a game process corresponding to a game operation not associated with the status of the game being executed and the reference posture is executed. Therefore, execution of the game process corresponding to a part of the game operations determined based on the situation of the game being executed and the reference posture among the game operations detected by the game operation detection unit 74 is restricted.

  According to the modification (1), the game process restricted by the game process restriction unit 80 can be made different according to the situation of the game being executed and the reference posture.

  (2) Further, for example, in the embodiment, the case where the reference situation indicates whether or not the reproduction time of the music is within a predetermined period has been described as an example. The standard situation is not limited to this. In addition, for example, the reference situation may indicate whether or not the score indicated by the score data is within a predetermined range. In this case, for example, when the score indicated by the score data exceeds the reference value, the user plays the game by changing the game apparatus 10 from the horizontally long posture to the vertically long posture.

  (3) Further, for example, in the embodiment, the case has been described in which the reference posture indicates the posture that the game apparatus 10 should take in the reference situation. However, the reference posture indicates the posture that the game apparatus 10 should not take in the reference situation. May be shown. For example, when the game apparatus 10 takes a vertically long posture during the climax of the song, a horizontally long posture may be defined as the reference posture. That is, in this case, the game process restriction unit 80 restricts the execution of the game process by the game process execution unit 76 when the posture determination unit 78 determines that the current posture of the game apparatus 10 is the reference posture.

  In addition, the case where the reference posture is a horizontally long posture and a vertically long posture has been described as an example, but the reference posture may be a posture of the game apparatus 10 that can be detected by the sensor unit 42, and the reference posture is not limited thereto. Absent. In addition, for example, the reference posture may be a posture obtained by rotating the horizontally long posture illustrated in FIG. 2 by 180 degrees (that is, a posture in which the user holds the game apparatus 10 in the opposite direction).

  (4) For example, although the case where the user's game operation is an operation of touching the button 52 has been described, the game operation is not limited thereto. In addition, for example, pressing the operation key unit 32 may be a game operation, and various known operations can be applied as the game operation. Similarly, the game process corresponding to the game operation is not limited to the example of the embodiment. A process executed as a result of the game operation being applied can be applied as a game process.

  (5) For example, the case where the process of S104 is skipped so as not to execute the game process corresponding to the detected game operation has been described as a method by which the game process restriction unit 80 restricts the game process. The method by which the restriction unit 80 restricts game processing is not limited to this. In addition, for example, the game process restriction unit 80 restricts the game process corresponding to the game operation from being executed by restricting the game operation detection unit 74 from detecting the game operation itself. May be. In this case, for example, the touch panel 24 may be turned off.

  (6) Also, for example, the present invention can be applied to games other than music games. The present invention is a game in which a game process corresponding to a game operation by a user is executed, and can be applied to a game in which the user changes the posture of the game apparatus 10 during the execution of the game.

  In addition, for example, the present invention may be applied to a simulation game in which a user communicates with a character. In this case, the reference situation is, for example, a situation in which a predetermined game event occurs. When the reference situation is reached, the user changes the posture of the game apparatus 10 to communicate with the character. Similar to the embodiment, unless the game apparatus 10 is changed to the reference posture, for example, execution of the game process corresponding to the game operation for the user to communicate with the character is restricted.

  Further, for example, the present invention may be applied to a shooting game or a role playing game that is played by a user operating an operation target. In this case, the reference situation is, for example, a situation when a predetermined enemy appears. When the reference situation is reached, the user changes the posture of the game apparatus 10 and fights the enemy. Similar to the embodiment, unless the game apparatus 10 is changed to the reference posture, for example, execution of the game process corresponding to the game operation for the user to attack the enemy is restricted.

  10 game devices, 11 portable game machines, 12 buses, 14 control units, 16 storage units, 18 main storages, 20 image processing units, 22 display units, 24 touch panels, 26 input / output processing units, 28 memory card slots, 30 memory cards , 32 operation key section, 34 voice processing section, 36 voice output section, 38 voice input section, 40 communication I / F, 42 sensor section, 50 game screen, 52 buttons, 54 guide area, 56 reference mark, 58 reference operation guide Mark, 60 reference situation guidance mark, 70 game data storage unit, 72 posture detection unit, 74 game operation detection unit, 76 game process execution unit, 78 posture determination unit, 80 game process restriction unit.

Claims (7)

Attitude detection means for detecting the attitude of the game device;
Game operation detecting means for detecting a user's game operation;
Game process execution means for executing a game process corresponding to the game operation detected by the game operation detection means;
Means for acquiring the reference posture data from means for storing reference posture data associating a game situation and a reference posture of the game apparatus;
Attitude determination means for determining whether the attitude of the game device detected by the attitude detection means is the reference attitude associated with the state of the game being executed;
Game process limiting means for limiting execution of the game process corresponding to the game operation detected by the game operation detection means, executed by the game process execution means, based on a determination result of the posture determination means;
A game apparatus comprising: The reference posture data is data in which the reference situation of the game is associated with the reference posture of the game device,
When the situation of the game being executed becomes the reference situation, the attitude determination means determines whether the attitude of the game device detected by the attitude detection means is the reference attitude associated with the reference situation. Determine whether or not
The game device according to claim 1. The game device includes:
Means for guiding the user to change the posture of the game device to the reference posture when the state of the game being executed becomes the reference state;
The game apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: The reference posture data is data associating the game situation, the reference posture of the game device, and the game operation of the user,
The game process restriction means includes
Of the game operations detected by the game operation detection unit based on the determination result of the posture determination unit, the game operation associated with the current situation of the game being executed and the reference posture Limit the execution of game processing,
The game device according to claim 1, wherein the game device is a game device. The game device includes:
Means for controlling the display of the game screen so that the orientation of the game screen displayed on the display means corresponds to the reference posture associated with the current situation of the game being executed;
The game apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A control method of a game device,
An attitude detection step for detecting an attitude of the game device;
A game operation detection step for detecting a user's game operation;
A game process execution step for executing a game process corresponding to the game operation detected in the game operation detection step;
Obtaining the reference posture data from means for storing reference posture data associating a game situation and a reference posture of the game device;
A posture determination step of determining whether or not the posture of the game device detected in the posture detection step is the reference posture associated with the state of the game being executed;
A game process restriction step for restricting execution of the game process corresponding to the game operation detected in the game operation detection step, executed in the game process execution step, based on a determination result of the posture determination step;
A method for controlling a game device, comprising: A program for causing a computer to function as a game device,
Posture detecting means for detecting the posture of the game device;
Game operation detection means for detecting a user's game operation,
Game process execution means for executing a game process corresponding to the game operation detected by the game operation detection means;
Means for acquiring the reference posture data from means for storing reference posture data associating a game situation and a reference posture of the game apparatus;
Attitude determination means for determining whether the attitude of the game device detected by the attitude detection means is the reference attitude associated with the state of the game being executed;
Game process limiting means for restricting execution of the game process corresponding to the game operation detected by the game operation detection means, which is executed by the game process execution means, based on a determination result of the posture determination means;
A program for causing the computer to function as a game device.

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