JP2016053866A - Image processing program and game system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To appropriately draw an object.SOLUTION: An image processing program according to a first embodiment of this invention makes a computer function as drawing means for drawing an image seen from a virtual camera by using object data stored in a storage part. Further, the image processing program makes the computer function as determination means for determining whether the object to be drawn is arranged in a screen end area located outside a prescribed closed curve surrounding a screen center in the entire screen. In addition, the image processing program makes the computer function as processing means for applying at least one among processing for lowering resolution, processing for improving transmittance and processing for reducing the number of particles to the object to be drawn in the case that the object to be drawn is arranged in the screen end area and does not correspond to a predetermined first type of an object.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to image processing of objects arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space.

  In recent years, 3D games that provide various game experiences in a virtual three-dimensional space are gaining popularity. In a 3D game, a player can enjoy a virtual reality such as defeating an enemy character or obtaining an item by operating a controller to cause a character (player character) to perform a desired action. A large number of 3D objects (characters, items, etc.) are arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space, and an image viewed from a certain viewpoint (virtual camera) in the virtual three-dimensional space is rendered as a game screen. Therefore, if the number of objects that can be seen from the viewpoint increases or becomes complicated, there is a problem that the load of the drawing process increases.

JP 2002-197486 A Japanese Patent No. 3280355

  Further, various objects (for example, visual effects) are prepared in the virtual three-dimensional space in order to visually increase the game screen. Since the object is eye-catching, the game screen can be gorgeous, but there is a possibility that the player's attention will be excessively attracted. For example, when an object is reflected on the game screen, the player may be concerned about the object and turn his gaze. There is no problem if this object affects the progress of the game (for example, an object that informs the existence of an item, an object that produces an attack by an enemy character, etc.). You may feel that your concentration has been hindered.

  An object of the present invention is to appropriately draw an object.

  An image processing program according to a first aspect of the present invention is a means for moving a computer including an operation unit, a display unit, and a storage unit to move a virtual camera arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space in response to a user input to the operation unit. To function as. Further, the image processing program causes the computer to function as a drawing unit that draws an image viewed from the virtual camera using object data stored in the storage unit. Further, the image processing program causes the computer to function as a determination unit that determines whether or not an object to be drawn is arranged in a screen edge region outside a predetermined closed curve surrounding the screen center in the entire screen. Further, the image processing program causes the computer to perform the drawing on the object to be drawn when the object to be drawn is arranged in the screen edge region and does not correspond to the predetermined first type object. It is made to function as a processing means for performing at least one of processing for reducing resolution, processing for improving transparency, and processing for reducing the number of particles. Further, the image processing program causes the computer to function as a means for displaying an image drawn by the drawing means on the display unit.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing program that moves a computer including an operation unit, a display unit, and a storage unit to move a virtual camera arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space in response to a user input to the operation unit. To function as. Further, the image processing program causes the computer to function as a drawing unit that draws an image viewed from the virtual camera using object data stored in the storage unit. Further, the image processing program causes the computer to function as a determination unit that determines whether or not the drawing target object is blocked by another object. Further, the image processing program causes the computer to perform drawing on an object to be drawn when the object to be drawn is shielded by another object and does not correspond to the predetermined first type object. It is made to function as a processing means for performing at least one of processing for reducing resolution, processing for improving transparency, and processing for reducing the number of particles. Further, the image processing program causes the computer to function as a means for displaying an image drawn by the drawing means on the display unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the load of the object drawing process or prevent the object from concentrating the player.

The figure which illustrates the game machine which runs the game program containing the image processing program which concerns on embodiment. The block diagram which illustrates the game machine of FIG. The flowchart which illustrates the image processing which the image processing program which concerns on embodiment makes a game machine perform. Explanatory drawing of a screen edge area | region. Explanatory drawing of a screen edge area | region. Explanatory drawing of a screen edge area | region.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The image processing program according to the embodiment is typically included in a game program for a 3D game. The game program is executed by, for example, the game machine 100 shown in FIG. The game machine 100 is a computer that can execute a game program. Specifically, the game machine 100 may be a console game machine, a PC (Personal Computer), or an arcade game machine. The game program and game data required for executing the game program may be recorded on a recording medium such as the disk medium 10 or may be installed in the game machine 100.

  The game data includes object data (for example, character data, item data, background data and visual effect data), sound data (for example, BGM (Background Music) data, SE (Sound Effect) data and voice data), and a game program. Contains various tables that are referenced when executing.

  Visual effect data is a part of object data. For example, visual effects such as flame, smoke, light, water splash, rain, snowfall, thunder, grassland, hair, and attack are generated in a virtual three-dimensional space. Used to visually animate the game screen.

  In the embodiment, the objects are conveniently distinguished into a predetermined first type object and other second type objects. The first type of object may be defined as an object that affects the progress of the game (for example, an object attached to a character or an item). The second type of object is further distinguished for convenience in terms of what corresponds to the particle effect and what does not.

  The disk medium 10 is an optical disk medium such as a BD (Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc) -ROM (Read Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) -ROM, or a CD (Compact Disc) -ROM. It is not limited to these.

  The game progresses when the game machine 100 executes the game program and the player operates the controller 30. The controller 30 includes various input means (for example, button keys, joysticks, and sensors) so that the player can give various instructions to the game machine 100. For example, the player operates the controller 30 to cause the player character to take a desired action, move the shooting position or shooting direction by the virtual camera, and select, determine or cancel various menu items. Or the power of the controller 30 can be switched ON / OFF. In addition, the controller 30 may include a vibrator for haptic feedback. The game machine 100 and the controller 30 may be connected via a wired interface such as a dedicated cable, or may be wirelessly connected using short-range wireless communication (for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark)). When game machine 100 is a portable type, controller 30 may be incorporated in game machine 100.

  The game machine 100 can record / reproduce player data (for example, game progress data and environment setting data) in accordance with an operation from the player or automatically. The player data may be stored in a removable medium such as the memory card 20, or may be stored in an auxiliary storage device (for example, HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive)) in the game machine 100. Also good. The memory card 20 is a non-volatile recording medium such as a flash memory.

  The game machine 100 creates a game screen corresponding to the progress of the game at a predetermined frame rate (for example, 60 fps), and outputs a video signal representing the game screen to the display device 40. The display device 40 receives a video signal from the game machine 100 via an external input terminal and displays a game screen. The display device 40 is typically a television receiver, but is not limited thereto. The game machine 100 and the display device 40 may be connected by a wired interface such as a dedicated cable or HDMI (registered trademark) (High Definition Multimedia Interface), or may be wirelessly connected. The display device 40 may be integrated with a speaker device for outputting sound. When game machine 100 is a portable type, display device 40 may be incorporated in game machine 100.

  Further, the game machine 100 may be connected to the network via the network adapter 50. When the game machine 100 is connected to the network, the player downloads data or a program from a game server connected to the network, exchanges messages with other game machine players connected to the network, and enjoys online play. be able to. The game machine 100 and the network adapter 50 may be connected via a wired interface such as Ethernet (registered trademark), or may be connected using a wireless LAN (Local Area Network).

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the game machine 100 includes a control unit 110, a drawing processing unit 120, an audio processing unit 130, a communication processing unit 140, an I / O (input / output) interface 150, a disk, A drive 160, a memory card reader / writer 170, and a controller interface 180 are provided. Elements included in the game machine 100 are connected to each other via a bus.

  The control unit 110 includes a microcomputer that controls the operation of the game machine 100. Specifically, the control unit 110 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a ROM 112, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 113.

  The CPU 111 causes the game machine 100 to perform a desired operation by executing various programs including the aforementioned game program. Specifically, a controller (not shown in FIG. 2) generates an operation signal corresponding to the player's operation, and the CPU 111 receives the operation signal via the bus, the I / O interface 150, and the controller interface 180. The CPU 111 advances the game according to the game program and the operation signal, displays a game screen corresponding to the progress of the game on the display device, and outputs sound from the speaker device.

  The ROM 112 stores basic programs such as a boot program for the game machine 100 and an OS (Operating System) program. For example, the ROM 112 stores a basic program for reading a game program and game data from a disk medium. When the CPU 111 starts a game, the game program and game data are loaded into the disk drive 160 according to the basic program. Read from the media and transfer to RAM 112.

  The RAM 113 functions as a main storage device and a work area when the CPU 111 executes a program. Specifically, the RAM 113 temporarily stores a program (for example, a game program) executed by the CPU 111 and data (for example, game data) required for executing the program.

  The CPU 111 gives a drawing instruction to the drawing processing unit 120 in accordance with a predetermined frame rate, and various data (object data stored in the RAM 112 and position data of each object) required for drawing processing described later. And an operation signal from the controller) are supplied to the drawing processing unit 120. When a drawing instruction is given, the drawing processing unit 120 generates image data by performing drawing processing of an image seen from the virtual camera based on the supplied data. The drawing processing unit 120 includes a VRAM (Video RAM) (not shown), and writes the generated image data into the VRAM. This image data corresponds to a game screen for one frame (one frame). The drawing processing unit 120 generates a video signal by adding a predetermined synchronization signal to the image data. The drawing processing unit 120 outputs a video signal to a display device (not shown in FIG. 2) via the bus and the I / O interface 150.

  The audio processing unit 130 reads out appropriate audio data from the RAM 112 in accordance with an audio output instruction from the CPU 111, and generates an audio signal by performing predetermined processing and D / A conversion on the audio data. The audio processing unit 130 outputs an audio signal to a speaker device (not shown in FIG. 2) via the bus and the I / O interface 150.

  The communication processing unit 140 can be connected to a network via a bus, an I / O interface 150, and a network adapter (not shown in FIG. 2). The communication processing unit 140 controls the exchange of information between the network and the game machine 100. For example, the communication processing unit 140 controls data or program download from the network. Further, the communication processing unit 140 may transmit an operation signal from the controller to the network during online play, or may receive an operation signal from a controller connected to another game machine via the network. .

  The I / O interface 150 controls data input / output between the game machine 100 and an external device. Examples of the external device include a display device, a speaker device, a network adapter, a disk medium, a memory card, and a controller. Specifically, the I / O interface 150 transmits a game program and game data from the disk drive 160, player data from the memory card reader / writer 170, and an operation signal from the controller interface 180 to the control unit 110, Data received from the network adapter is transmitted to the communication processing unit 140. On the other hand, the I / O interface 150 transmits the video signal from the drawing processing unit 120 to the display device, transmits the audio signal from the audio processing unit 130 to the speaker device, and transmits from the communication processing unit 140. Transmit data to the network adapter.

  The disc drive 160 drives the disc media in accordance with a loading instruction from the CPU 111 (for example, a read instruction designating the loaded game program and game data) when the disc medium is loaded, and the program and data stored in the disc medium. Is read. The read program and data are transferred to the RAM 112 via the bus and the I / O interface 150.

  The memory card reader / writer 170 writes the player data read from the RAM 112 to the memory card in accordance with a save instruction from the CPU 111 when the memory card is mounted. On the other hand, the memory card reader / writer 170 reads designated player data from the memory card in accordance with a load instruction from the CPU 111 when the memory card is mounted. The read player data is transferred to the RAM 112. The CPU 111 can reproduce the progress state of the game at the time of the previous save by using the loaded player data.

  The controller interface 180 receives an operation signal from the controller, and transfers the operation signal to the control unit 110 via the bus and the I / O interface 150. On the other hand, the controller interface 180 transmits a controller control signal for vibrating a vibrator included in the controller to the controller in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 111.

  In the embodiment, the drawing processing unit 120 performs the image processing illustrated in FIG. 3 on the object to be drawn, thereby reducing the drawing processing load without impairing the visual impression of the game screen, The situation in which the concentration of the player is hindered by an object that does not affect the progress of the player is prevented. Note that the drawing processing unit 120 may perform the image processing of FIG. 3 only when the number of objects arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space is equal to or greater than a specified value (that is, when the drawing processing load is high).

  The drawing processing unit 120 determines whether the drawing target object corresponds to a predetermined first type object (step S201). If the drawing target object corresponds to the first type of object, the process proceeds to step S208; otherwise, the image processing of FIG. 3 proceeds to step S202.

  If the processing described later is performed on the first type of object, there is a possibility that a disadvantageous situation may be caused for the player, such as overlooking an item or not being aware of an attack from an enemy character. Therefore, it is preferable that the first type of object is subjected to normal drawing processing. When it is clear that the drawing target object does not correspond to the first type object, the determination process in step S201 may be omitted.

  Generally, the screen edge region can be defined as a region outside a predetermined closed curve surrounding the screen center in the entire game screen. This closed curve may be fixed, may be changed according to an operation from the player, or may be automatically changed according to the brightness of the game screen, for example. This closed curve may form a rectangle as shown in FIG. 4, may form a circle as shown in FIG. 5, or may form an ellipse as shown in FIG. 6. Alternatively, any other figure may be formed. However, when the figure formed by the closed curve is a polygon, an ellipse, or a circle, the determination process in step S202 can be performed more easily than when the figure is not. When the closed curve forms a complicated figure, the drawing processing unit 120 may use a determination table in which the display position (x, y) of the drawing target object is associated with the determination result.

The screen edge region illustrated in FIG. 4 is a set of in-screen positions whose distance from the screen edge is a certain value (w) or less. Therefore, for example, the drawing processing unit 120 converts the x and y coordinates of the display position (x, y) of the drawing target object into upper and lower limit values (x _max −w and x _min (= 0) + w) in the x direction and By comparing with the upper and lower limit values (y _max −w and y _min (= 0) + w) in the y direction, it can be determined whether or not the object is arranged in the screen edge region.

The screen edge region illustrated in FIG. 5 is a set of in-screen positions whose distance from the screen center is a certain value (r) or more. Therefore, the drawing processing unit 120, for example, the x-direction offset (x−x ₀ ) and the y-direction offset (y−y) with respect to the screen center (x ₀ , y ₀ ) of the display position (x, y) of the drawing target object. ₀ ) is compared with the square value (r ² ) of the constant value by comparing the square sum of ((x−x ₀ ) ² + (y−y ₀ ) ² ), to determine whether the object is placed in the screen edge area You can determine whether or not.

  In step S <b> 203, the drawing processing unit 120 determines whether or not the drawing target object is blocked by another object. If the object is occluded by another object, the image processing in FIG. 3 proceeds to step S204; otherwise (ie, if the object is completely exposed), the image processing in FIG. 3 proceeds to step S208. Proceed to When the drawing processing unit 120 can acquire the shielding rate (coverage rate) of an object, the drawing processing unit 120 can determine whether the object is shielded by another object using the shielding rate of the object to be drawn.

  Note that one of step S202 and step S203 may be omitted. Moreover, step S201, step S202, and step S203 may be performed in an order different from the order illustrated in FIG.

  In step S204, the drawing processing unit 120 determines whether the drawing target object corresponds to a particle effect. If the object corresponds to a particle effect, the image processing in FIG. 3 proceeds to step S205, and if not, the image processing in FIG. 3 proceeds to step S206. A particle effect is an object that reproduces a thing with a certain kind of ambiguity by generating minute particle objects called particles from a particle emitter. When it is clear that the object to be drawn corresponds to or does not correspond to the particle effect, the determination process in step S204 may be omitted. Similarly, when the process of step S205 is omitted, the determination process of step S204 may be omitted.

  In step S205, the drawing processing unit 120 reduces the number of particles of the object to be drawn (this corresponds to a particle effect). That is, when the second type of object that does not affect the progress of the game is arranged at the edge of the screen or behind the object, the drawing processing unit 120 reduces the number of particles to reduce the drawing processing load on the object. It can be reduced. After step S205, the image processing in FIG. 3 proceeds to step S206.

  In step S206, the drawing processing unit 120 improves the transparency of the drawing target object. That is, when the second type of object that does not affect the progress of the game is arranged at the edge of the screen or behind the object, the drawing processing unit 120 makes the object semi-transparent so that the player does not stand out. You can concentrate on the game progress. When the object is shielded by another object, the drawing processing unit 120 may greatly improve the transparency as the shielding rate of the object by the other object is high. In this way, by changing the transparency step by step, for example, when a small part of an object is occluded by another object as the virtual camera moves, the object suddenly becomes semitransparent. It is possible to prevent a situation in which the target change gives the player an uncomfortable feeling.

  Further, the drawing processing unit 120 reduces the resolution of the drawing target object (step S207). That is, when the second type of object that does not affect the progress of the game is arranged at the edge of the screen or behind the object, the drawing processing unit 120 reduces the resolution of the object to perform drawing processing on the object. It is possible to reduce the load. Specifically, the drawing processing unit 120 once draws a reduced image at a predetermined magnification (less than 1) of the object to be drawn, and enlarges the reduced image to a reciprocal number of the predetermined magnification. An object drawn with a resolution lower than normal can be obtained. After step S207, the image processing in FIG. 3 proceeds to step S208.

  Note that some of the processing in step S205, step S206, and step S207 may be omitted. Furthermore, step S205, step S206, and step S207 may be performed in an order different from the order illustrated in FIG.

  In step S208, the drawing processing unit 120 draws the object to be drawn, and the image processing in FIG. 3 ends.

  As described above, the image processing program according to the embodiment, when an object that does not affect the progress of the game is arranged at the edge of the screen or behind the object, the process for reducing the resolution and transparency of the object. Causing the computer to perform at least one of a process for improving the degree and a process for reducing the number of particles. Therefore, according to this image processing program, when an object that does not affect the progress of the game is placed at the edge of the screen or behind the object, the object is appropriately drawn. It is possible to reduce or prevent an obstacle to the concentration of the player by the object.

  At least a part of the processing of each of the above embodiments can also be realized by using a general-purpose computer as basic hardware. The program for realizing the above processing may be provided by being stored in a computer-readable storage medium. The program is stored in the storage medium as an installable file or an executable file. Examples of the storage medium include a magnetic disk, an optical disk (CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD, BD, etc.), a magneto-optical disk (MO, etc.), and a semiconductor memory. The storage medium may be any as long as it can store the program and can be read by the computer. The program for realizing the above processing may be stored on a computer (server) connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded to the computer (client) via the network.

  The above-described embodiments are merely specific examples for helping understanding of the concept of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The embodiment can add, delete, or convert various components without departing from the gist of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Disc medium 20 ... Memory card 30 ... Controller 40 ... Display apparatus 50 ... Network adapter 100 ... Game machine 110 ... Control part 111 ... CPU
112 ... ROM
113 ... RAM
120 ... Drawing processing unit 130 ... Audio processing unit 140 ... Image processing unit 150 ... I / O interface 160 ... Disk drive 170 ... Memory card reader / writer 180 ... Controller interface

Claims (4)

A computer including an operation unit, a display unit, and a storage unit,
Means for moving a virtual camera arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space in response to a user input to the operation unit;
Drawing means for drawing an image seen from the virtual camera using object data stored in the storage unit;
Determining means for determining whether or not the object to be drawn is arranged in a screen edge region outside a predetermined closed curve surrounding the screen center in the entire screen;
When the drawing target object is arranged in the screen edge area and does not correspond to a predetermined first type object, processing for reducing the resolution of the drawing target object, transparency Processing means for performing at least one of processing for improving the processing and processing for reducing the number of particles,
Means for causing the display unit to display an image drawn by the drawing means;
As an image processing program. A computer including an operation unit, a display unit, and a storage unit,
Means for moving a virtual camera arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space in response to a user input to the operation unit;
Drawing means for drawing an image seen from the virtual camera using object data stored in the storage unit;
Determining means for determining whether or not the object to be drawn is blocked by another object;
When the drawing target object is occluded by the other object and does not correspond to a predetermined first type object, a process for reducing the resolution of the drawing target object, transparency Processing means for performing at least one of processing for improving the processing and processing for reducing the number of particles,
Means for causing the display unit to display an image drawn by the drawing means;
As an image processing program.   The image processing program according to claim 2, wherein the processing means sets such that the transparency increases as the shielding ratio of the object to be drawn by the other object increases. A recording medium on which a game program including the image processing program according to claim 1 is recorded;
A game system comprising: a computer that executes the game program.

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