JP2018015547A - Display control method and program for causing computer to execute display control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display control method capable of providing a user with an experience like a VR space while following the conventional operational feeling of a game.SOLUTION: The display control method in a system provided with a head-mounted display (HMD) includes the steps of: generating virtual space data defining a virtual space 200 including a virtual camera 300 and character objects C1, C2; displaying a visual field image V on the HMD on the basis of a visual field CV of the virtual camera 300 and the virtual space data; updating the visual field image V by changing the direction of the virtual camera 300 on the basis of movement of the HMD; forming a field 400 defining a range where the character objects C1, C2 can move so as to surround the virtual camera 300 at an initial position of the virtual camera 300; and moving the character objects C1, C2 within the field 400 on the basis of a prescribed movement input.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

  The present disclosure relates to a display control method and a program for causing a computer to execute the display control method.

  Player-to-player or player-to-computer fighting games are known. Patent Document 1 is an invention relating to a game apparatus that controls the operation of a game character on a screen using an operation controller, in which a game character to be played is displayed on the screen, and the game character moves while moving in the horizontal direction of the screen. Disclosed is a fighting game.

JP 2003-299874 A

In recent years, games that can be immersed in a virtual reality (VR) space by wearing a head-mounted display (HMD: Head-Mounted Display) (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a VR game) are known, and seem to be a VR space. There is a lot of development to provide users with operation experience.
On the other hand, a user who plays a VR game is expected to be confused by the difference in operational feeling from a conventional game.

  An object of the present disclosure is to provide a display control method capable of providing a user with a VR space-like experience while following the operational feeling of a conventional game. Moreover, this indication aims at providing the program for making a computer perform the said display control method.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a display control method in a system including a head mounted display,
The display control method is
(A) generating virtual space data defining a virtual space including a virtual camera and a character object;
(B) displaying a visual field image on the head-mounted display based on the visual field of the virtual camera and the virtual space data;
(C) updating the visual field image by changing the orientation of the virtual camera based on the movement of the head mounted display;
(D) configuring a field defining a range in which the character object is movable so as to surround the virtual camera at an initial position of the virtual camera;
(E) moving the character object within the field based on a predetermined movement input.

  According to the present disclosure, while following the feeling of operation of the conventional game, the VR space-like experience is given to the user. Number: COL08137 Patent application 2016-145520 (Proof) Date of submission: July 25, 2016 2 Available A display control method can be provided.

It is the schematic which shows the head mounted display (HMD) system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the head of the user wearing HMD. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of a control apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the process which displays a visual field image on HMD. It is xyz space figure which shows an example of virtual space. (A) is a yx plan view of the virtual space shown in FIG. 5, and (b) is a zx plan view of the virtual space shown in FIG. 5. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the display control method which concerns on this embodiment. (A) is a schematic diagram which shows the state by which the virtual camera, the battle field, and the character object are arrange | positioned in virtual space, (b) shows the visual field image displayed on HMD in the case of (a). FIG. (A) is a figure which shows the state which the character object moved in the battle field, (b) is a figure which shows the state by which the virtual camera was moved following the moved character object. It is a figure which shows the state by which the barrier object was arrange | positioned in the battle field. (A) is a figure which shows the visual field image in the case of FIG. 10, (b) is a figure which shows a visual field image when a barrier object is destroyed. It is a figure which shows the state by which the shape of the battle field was changed. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the display control method which concerns on 2nd embodiment. (A) is a schematic diagram which shows the state by which the display object was arrange | positioned linked | related with the battle field in 2nd embodiment, (b) is a figure which shows the visual field image in the case of (a). (A) is a figure which shows the state from which the direction of the virtual camera changed to the horizontal direction from Fig.14 (a), (b) is a figure which shows the visual field image in the case of (a). It is a figure which shows a visual field image when direction of a virtual camera changes to the upward direction from Fig.14 (a). It is a schematic diagram which shows the state by which the barrier object was arrange | positioned in the battle field shown to Fig.14 (a).

[Description of Embodiments Presented by the Present Disclosure]
An overview of an embodiment indicated by the present disclosure will be described.
(1) A display control method in a system including a head mounted display,
The display control method is
(A) generating virtual space data defining a virtual space including a virtual camera and a character object;
(B) displaying a visual field image on the head-mounted display based on the visual field of the virtual camera and the virtual space data;
(C) updating the visual field image by changing the orientation of the virtual camera based on the movement of the head mounted display;
(D) configuring a field defining a range in which the character object is movable so as to surround the virtual camera at an initial position of the virtual camera;
(E) moving the character object within the field based on a predetermined movement input.

  According to the above method, it is possible to provide the user with a VR space-like experience while following the operational feeling of the conventional game.

  (2) In the step (e), the character object may be moved in the circumferential direction of the virtual camera in accordance with a lateral component of the movement input.

  According to the above method, for example, the character object moves so as to draw an arc around the user wearing the HMD, so that a new VR-like experience can be provided to the user.

  (3) (f) When a predetermined condition is satisfied, the method may further include a step of further restricting a range in which the character object can move.

  According to the above method, the game performance can be improved by further restricting the movement range of the character object according to the situation.

(4) The display control method is a method for playing a competitive game composed of at least one round,
The predetermined condition may include a type of the battle game or an elapsed time during the round.

  For example, by narrowing the movable range of the character object in accordance with the type of game or the time of the round, it is possible to provide the user with an experience that seems to be a VR space while improving the game performance.

  (5) In step (f), the range in which the character object can move may be changed according to the level of the round or the passage of time during one round.

  For example, it is possible to provide the user with a VR space-like experience in which the escape area of the character object gradually narrows as the level of the round or the time during one round elapses.

  (6) In the step (f), a range in which the character object can move may be limited by installing a barrier object in the field.

  (7) In the step (f), a range in which the character object can move may be limited by changing a shape of the field.

  According to these methods, the range in which the character object can move can be easily limited.

  (8) In the step (c), the position of the virtual camera may not change and the direction of the virtual camera may change in conjunction with the movement of the head mounted display.

  According to the above method, the motion sickness (so-called VR motion sickness) can be prevented because the position of the virtual camera does not change even when the orientation of the virtual camera is changed according to the movement of the HMD.

  (9) In the field, movement of the character object in the depth direction of the visual field image may be prohibited.

  According to the above method, the character object does not move in the depth direction of the visual field image, and an operation feeling similar to that of the conventional 2D fighting game can be given.

  (10) A program according to an embodiment is a program for causing a computer to execute the display control method according to any one of (1) to (9).

  According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a program that can provide a user with a VR space-like experience while following the operational feeling of a conventional game.

[Details of Embodiments Presented by the Present Disclosure]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, about the member which has the same reference number as the member already demonstrated in description of this embodiment, the description is not repeated for convenience of explanation.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a head-mounted display (hereinafter simply referred to as HMD) system 1 according to an embodiment (hereinafter simply referred to as this embodiment) shown in the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the HMD system 1 includes an HMD 110 mounted on the head of the user U, a position sensor 130, a control device 120, and an external controller 320.

  The HMD 110 includes a display unit 112, an HMD sensor 114, and a headphone 116. Note that a speaker or headphones independent of the HMD 110 may be used without providing the headphones 116 on the HMD 110.

  The display unit 112 includes a non-transmissive display device configured to cover the field of view (field of view) of the user U wearing the HMD 110. The HMD 110 may include a transmissive display device, and may be temporarily configured as a non-transmissive display device by adjusting the transmittance of the transmissive display device. Thereby, the user U can immerse in the virtual space by viewing only the visual field image displayed on the display unit 112. Note that the display unit 112 may include a display unit for the left eye that is projected onto the left eye of the user U and a display unit for the right eye that is projected onto the right eye of the user U.

  The HMD sensor 114 is mounted in the vicinity of the display unit 112 of the HMD 110. The HMD sensor 114 includes at least one of a geomagnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, and a tilt sensor (such as an angular velocity sensor and a gyro sensor), and can detect various movements of the HMD 110 mounted on the head of the user U.

  The position sensor 130 is composed of, for example, a position tracking camera, and is configured to detect the position of the HMD 110. The position sensor 130 is communicably connected to the control device 120 by wireless or wired communication, and is configured to detect information on the position, inclination, or light emission intensity of a plurality of detection points (not shown) provided in the HMD 110. . The position sensor 130 may include an infrared sensor and a plurality of optical cameras.

  The control device 120 acquires the position information of the HMD 110 based on the information acquired from the position sensor 130, and wears the position of the virtual camera in the virtual space and the HMD 110 in the real space based on the acquired position information. Thus, the position of the user U can be accurately associated.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2, a method for acquiring information related to the position and inclination of the HMD 110 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the head of the user U wearing the HMD 110. Information regarding the position and inclination of the HMD 110 that is linked to the movement of the head of the user U wearing the HMD 110 can be detected by the position sensor 130 and / or the HMD sensor 114 mounted on the HMD 110. As shown in FIG. 2, three-dimensional coordinates (uvw coordinates) are defined centering on the head of the user U wearing the HMD 110. The vertical direction in which the user U stands upright is defined as the v axis, the direction orthogonal to the v axis and connecting the center of the display unit 112 and the user U is defined as the w axis, and the direction perpendicular to the v axis and the w axis is the u axis. It prescribes as The position sensor 130 and / or the HMD sensor 114 is an angle around each uvw axis (that is, a yaw angle indicating rotation about the v axis, a pitch angle indicating rotation about the u axis, and a center about the w axis). The inclination determined by the roll angle indicating rotation) is detected. The control device 120 determines angle information for controlling the visual axis of the virtual camera that defines the visual field information based on the detected angle change around each uvw axis.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the control device 120 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 120 includes a control unit 121, a storage unit 123, an I / O (input / output) interface 124, a communication interface 125, and a bus 126. The control unit 121, the storage unit 123, the I / O interface 124, and the communication interface 125 are connected to each other via a bus 126 so as to communicate with each other.

  The control device 120 may be configured as a personal computer, a tablet, or a wearable device separately from the HMD 110, or may be mounted inside the HMD 110. In addition, some functions of the control device 120 may be mounted on the HMD 110, and the remaining functions of the control device 120 may be mounted on another device separate from the HMD 110.

  The control unit 121 includes a memory and a processor. The memory includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which various programs are stored, a RAM (Random Access Memory) having a plurality of work areas in which various programs executed by the processor are stored, and the like. The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), and / or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and a program specified from various programs incorporated in the ROM is expanded on the RAM. It is comprised so that various processes may be performed in cooperation with.

  In particular, the controller 121 develops a display control program (to be described later) for causing the computer to execute the display control method according to the present embodiment on the RAM, and executes the program in cooperation with the RAM. May control various operations of the control device 120. The control unit 121 provides a virtual space (view image) to the display unit 112 of the HMD 110 by executing a predetermined application (game program) stored in the memory or the storage unit 123. Thereby, the user U can be immersed in the virtual space provided on the display unit 112.

  The storage unit (storage) 123 is a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a USB flash memory, and is configured to store programs and various data. The storage unit 123 may incorporate a display control program. In addition, a user authentication program, a game program including data on various images and objects, and the like may be stored. Furthermore, a database including tables for managing various data may be constructed in the storage unit 123.

  The I / O interface 124 is configured to connect the position sensor 130, the HMD 110, and the external controller 320 to the control device 120 in a communicable manner. For example, the I / O interface 124 includes a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal, a DVI (Digital Visual Bus), and the like. An interface) terminal, an HDMI (registered trademark) (high-definition multimedia interface) terminal, and the like. Note that the control device 120 may be wirelessly connected to each of the position sensor 130, the HMD 110, and the external controller 320.

  The communication interface 125 is configured to connect the control device 120 to a communication network 3 such as a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or the Internet. The communication interface 125 includes various wired connection terminals for communicating with an external device via the communication network 3 and various processing circuits for wireless connection. The communication interface 125 conforms to a communication standard for communicating via the communication network 3. Configured to fit.

  Next, processing for displaying a field-of-view image on the HMD 110 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process for displaying the visual field image on the HMD 110. FIG. 5 shows an xyz space diagram showing an example of the virtual space 200. 6A is a yx plan view of the virtual space 200 shown in FIG. 5, and FIG. 6B is a zx plan view of the virtual space 200 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in step S <b> 1, the control unit 121 (see FIG. 3) generates virtual space data that defines the virtual space 200 including the virtual camera 300. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the virtual space 200 is defined as a celestial sphere centered on the center position 21 (only the upper half celestial sphere is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6). In the virtual space 200, an xyz coordinate system with the center position 21 as the origin is set. In the initial state of the HMD system 1, the virtual camera 300 is disposed at the center position 21 of the virtual space 200. The uvw coordinate system that defines the visual field of the virtual camera 300 is determined so as to be linked to the uvw coordinate system that is defined around the head of the user U in the real space. Further, the virtual camera 300 may be moved in the virtual space 200 in conjunction with the movement of the user U wearing the HMD 110 in the real space.

  Next, in step S2, the control unit 121 specifies the field of view CV (see FIG. 6) of the virtual camera 300. Specifically, the control unit 121 acquires information on the position and inclination of the HMD 110 based on data indicating the state of the HMD 110 transmitted from the position sensor 130 and / or the HMD sensor 114. Next, the control unit 121 determines the position and orientation of the virtual camera 300 in the virtual space 200 based on information regarding the position and inclination of the HMD 110. Next, the control unit 121 determines a reference line of sight L corresponding to the visual axis of the virtual camera 300 from the position and orientation of the virtual camera 300, and specifies the field of view CV of the virtual camera 300 from the determined reference line of sight L. Here, the visual field CV of the virtual camera 300 coincides with a partial region of the virtual space 200 that is visible to the user U wearing the HMD 110. In other words, the visual field CV coincides with a partial area of the virtual space 200 displayed on the HMD 110. The visual field CV includes a first region CVa set as an angular range of the polar angle θ α with the reference line of sight L as the center in the xy plane shown in FIG. 6A, and the xz plane shown in FIG. 6B. The second region CVb is set as an angle range of the azimuth angle θ β with the reference line of sight L as the center.

  As described above, the control unit 121 can specify the visual field CV of the virtual camera 300 based on the data from the position sensor 130 and / or the HMD sensor 114. Here, when the user U wearing the HMD 110 moves, the control unit 121 specifies the visual field CV of the virtual camera 300 based on the data indicating the movement of the HMD 110 transmitted from the position sensor 130 and / or the HMD sensor 114. be able to. That is, the control unit 121 can move the visual field CV according to the movement of the HMD 110.

  Next, in step S <b> 3, the control unit 121 generates visual field image data indicating the visual field image displayed on the display unit 112 of the HMD 110. Specifically, the control unit 121 generates visual field image data based on virtual space data defining the virtual space 200 and the visual field CV of the virtual camera 300. In other words, the visual field CV of the virtual camera 300 determines the range to be drawn as visual field image data in the virtual space data.

  Next, in step S <b> 4, the control unit 121 displays a field image on the display unit 112 of the HMD 110 based on the field image data. As described above, the visual field CV of the virtual camera 300 is changed according to the movement of the user U wearing the HMD 110, and the visual field image V displayed on the HMD 110 is changed, so that the user U is immersed in the virtual space 200. be able to.

  Next, the display control method according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the display control method according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a virtual camera, a battle field, and a character object are arranged in the virtual space, and FIG. 8B is displayed on the HMD in the case of FIG. FIG. FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the character object has moved in the battle field, and FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the virtual camera is moved following the moved character object.

  First, as shown in FIG. 8A, the virtual space 200 according to the present embodiment includes a virtual camera 300, a battle field 400 (an example of a field), and character objects C1 and C2. The control unit 121 generates virtual space data that defines the virtual space 200 including these.

  The battle field 400 is defined as an area surrounding the virtual camera 300 in the virtual space 200. The battle field 400 is preferably disposed so as to surround the virtual camera 300 in the horizontal plane (xz plane in FIG. 8A) of the virtual space 200 at the initial position of the virtual camera 300. In this example, the battle field 400 is formed in a perfect circle arranged around the vertical axis (Y axis) at the initial position of the virtual camera 300. The battle field 400 only needs to have a shape surrounding the virtual camera 300, and may have an elliptical shape or a polygonal shape. The battle field 400 defines a range in which the character objects C1 and C2 can move. A path 410 corresponding to the center diameter of the battle field 400 is defined as the movement path of the character objects C1 and C2. The movement path 410 is provided, for example, on the center diameter (= (outer diameter + inner diameter) / 2) of the battle field 400, but can be set at any place in the radial direction of the battle field 400. The character objects C1 and C2 may be arbitrarily moved within the battle field 400 without providing the movement path 410.

  In this example, it is assumed that the player character C1 among the character objects C1 and C2 is an object that can be operated by the user U wearing the HMD 110. On the other hand, the opponent character C2 is an object operated by another user in the case of a competitive game between users, and is operated by the control device 120 (control unit 121) in the case of a competitive game of a user versus computer. Object. That is, the battle field 400 is configured as a battle field that is a stage of a battle between the player character C1 and the opponent character C2 in a battle game such as a fighting game, and the player character C1 and the opponent character C2 move along the movement path 410. While the battle is held.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in step S20, the control unit 121 sets the initial position of the virtual camera 300 and the opponent character C2 so that the player character C1 and the opponent character C2 are included in the visual field CV of the virtual camera 300 at the start of the battle game. The positions of the character objects C1 and C2 in the battle field 400 are determined.

  FIG. 8B shows the visual field image V displayed on the display unit 112 of the HMD 110 in the state of step S20. As shown in FIG. 8B, the battle field 400 and the character objects C1 and C2 on the battle field 400 are displayed in the visual field image V. Further, a fixed position including a gauge of hit point (HP) values and skill point (SP) values for using the special technique is provided at a predetermined position (here, the lower part of the screen) of the visual field image V. A user interface (UI) image 600 is displayed.

  Next, in step S22, the control unit 121 determines whether or not an operation input has been received for the character objects C1 and C2. For example, when the user U operates an operation button of the external controller 320, the control unit 121 determines that an operation input for the player character C1 has been received. Specifically, the external controller 320 generates an instruction signal instructing to move the player character C1 in response to an input operation of the user U with respect to the operation button, and transmits the generated instruction signal to the control device 120. To do. Moreover, the control part 121 determines whether the operation input with respect to the other party character C2 was received separately from the operation input with respect to the player character C1.

  When it is determined that an operation input to the player character C1 and / or the opponent character C2 has been received (Yes in step S22), in step S24, the control unit 121 moves each character object C1, C2 based on the operation input. . Specifically, the control unit 121 receives an instruction signal from the external controller 320 via the I / O interface 124, and moves the player character C1 based on the received instruction signal. The control unit 121 moves the opponent character C2 based on an instruction signal from an external controller operated by another user or based on an instruction signal generated by the control unit 121 itself. For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, when a movement input operation in the horizontal direction (X direction in the figure) is performed on each of the character objects C1 and C2, the control unit 121 displays the character object C1. , C2 is moved in the circumferential direction of the virtual camera 300 (on the movement path 410).

  Next, in parallel with step S22 (or after step S24), in step 26, the control unit 121 determines whether or not the user U wearing the HMD 110 has moved, that is, whether or not there has been a movement input to the virtual camera 300. Determine. If the control unit 121 determines that there has been a movement input to the virtual camera 300 (Yes in step S26), in step S28, as shown in FIG. The direction of the virtual camera 300 is changed within 200. Specifically, the control unit 121 rotates the position of the virtual camera 300 as it is so as to be interlocked with the movement of the HMD 110. That is, the control unit 121 changes the orientation of the virtual camera 300 without changing the position of the virtual camera 300 in conjunction with the movement of the HMD 110. Thus, by changing only the direction without changing the position of the virtual camera 300 in accordance with the movement of the HMD 100, it is possible to prevent the user U's video sickness (so-called VR sickness).

  Next, in step S30, the control unit 121 determines whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied. And when it determines with not satisfy | filling predetermined conditions, the process of the control part 121 returns to step S22 and / or step S26. On the other hand, when it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied (Yes in step S30), in step S32, the control unit 121 arranges the barrier object W1 at a predetermined position in the battle field 400 as shown in FIG. To do. Here, the predetermined condition includes, for example, the type of the battle game, the elapsed time in each round of the battle game, and the like. That is, according to the type of game, the barrier object W1 may be arranged in the battle field 400 in advance, or the barrier object W1 may be arranged in the battle field 400 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the battle round.

  The barrier object W <b> 1 is preferably arranged on the side opposite to the visual field direction of the virtual camera 300 (the rear side of the virtual camera 300) at the initial position of the virtual camera 300. Since it is difficult for the user U to see the rear side at the initial position of the virtual camera 300, it is convenient to crush the battle field 400 on the rear side. Further, the control unit 121 may change the position of the barrier object W1 or arrange a new barrier object W2 (FIG. 10) according to the level of the battle round or the passage of time during one round. When the orientation of the virtual camera 300 is changed so that the barrier object W2 is included in the visual field CV of the virtual camera 300, the barrier object W2 is displayed in the visual field image as shown in FIG. The

  Next, in step S34, the control unit 121 determines whether or not at least one of the player character C1 and the opponent character C2 has come into contact with the barrier objects W1 and W2. If it is determined that the character objects C1 and C2 have come into contact with the barrier objects W1 and W2 (Yes in step S34), in step S36, the control unit 121 causes the character objects C1 and C2 to block with a predetermined force or more. It is determined whether or not the objects W1 and W2 are touched. If it is determined that the character objects C1 and C2 are not touching with a predetermined force or more (No in step S36), in step S38, the control unit 121 determines that the character objects C1 and C2 are the barrier objects W1 and W2. The movement of the character objects C1 and C2 is restricted so as not to proceed further. That is, by setting the barrier objects W1 and W2 in the battle field 400, the range in which the character objects C1 and C2 can move is limited.

  On the other hand, when it determines with having contacted with the force more than predetermined (Yes of step S36), the control part 121 destroys barrier object W1, W2 in step S40. For example, as shown in FIG. 11B, when the opponent character C2 attacks the player character C1, and the player character C1 comes into contact with the barrier object W2 with a predetermined force or more (strongly hits), the barrier object W2 Is destroyed. Thereby, the restriction | limiting of the movement of the character objects C1 and C2 by the barrier object W2 is cancelled | released.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the control unit 121 is configured to surround the virtual camera 300 at the initial position of the virtual camera 300, with the battle field 400 defining the range in which the character objects C1 and C2 can move. The character objects C1 and C2 are moved in the battle field 400 based on a predetermined movement input. Thereby, it is possible to provide the user with a VR space-like experience while following the operational feeling of the conventional game.

  Further, as described in step S <b> 24, the character objects C <b> 1 and C <b> 2 are moved in the circumferential direction of the virtual camera 300 according to the lateral component of the movement input. Thus, since the character objects C1 and C2 move so as to draw an arc around the user U wearing the HMD 110, a new VR-like experience can be provided to the user U.

  Further, as described in step S <b> 32, when predetermined conditions are satisfied, barrier objects W <b> 1 and W <b> 2 that further limit the range in which the character objects C <b> 1 and C <b> 2 can move are arranged in the battle field 400. In this way, by narrowing the movable range of the player character C1 and the opponent character C2 according to the type of game and the time elapsed during the battle round, it is possible to provide the user with a VR space-like experience while improving the game characteristics. it can. Further, by adding a new barrier object or changing the position of the barrier object, the escape areas of the character objects C1 and C2 gradually become narrower as the level of the battle round and the time during one round elapse. A VR space-like experience can be provided to the user.

  In this way, by providing a barrier object in the battle field 400 as the round progresses, the user is provided with a so-called infinite field in which the character objects C1 and C2 can move infinitely in the circumferential direction at the start of the round. Can do. Further, when a barrier object is installed as the round progresses, the player performs a bargaining such as driving the opponent character C2 toward the barrier object or preventing the player character C1 from being driven by the barrier object. It can be provided to the user U. Here, the battle field 400 is arranged so as to surround the virtual camera 300 as described above. Thereby, even if a barrier object is installed from an infinite field state, it is easy for the player to rotate the virtual camera 300 around the vertical axis (Y axis) within a range in which the character objects C1 and C2 can move. Can be grasped. That is, when the barrier object is placed on the battle field 400, the player easily recognizes the range of the range in which the character objects C1 and C2 can move as the range in which the virtual camera 300 is rotated about the vertical axis (Y axis). can do.

  In the above embodiment, the control unit 121 limits the range in which the character objects C1 and C2 can move by installing the barrier objects W1 and W2 in the battle field 400, but is not limited to this example. . For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the range in which the character objects C1, C2 can move may be limited by changing the shape of the battle field 400 itself. At this time, as shown by the broken line M, the shape of the battle field 400 may be gradually narrowed according to the level of the battle round, the passage of time during one round, or the like.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a display control method according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the display control method according to the second embodiment. FIG. 14A is a schematic diagram showing a state in which display objects are arranged in association with the battle field, and FIG. 14B is a diagram showing a visual field image in the case of FIG. FIG. 15A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the orientation of the virtual camera is changed in the horizontal direction from FIG. 14A, and FIG. 15B is a diagram illustrating a visual field image in the case of FIG. It is. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a visual field image when the orientation of the virtual camera is changed upward from FIG.

  First, as shown in FIG. 14A, a virtual space 200 according to the present embodiment includes a virtual camera 300, a battle field 400, character objects C1 and C2, and a user interface object 500 (hereinafter referred to as UI object). The UI object is an example of a target object). The control unit 121 generates virtual space data that defines the virtual space 200 including these. Since the virtual camera 300, the battle field 400, and the character objects C1 and C2 have the same configuration as in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The UI object 500 is arranged so as to surround the virtual camera 300 in the virtual space 200. Specifically, the UI object 500 is arranged on the outer periphery of the battle field 400 arranged so as to surround the virtual camera 300. The UI object 500 is preferably installed above the battle field 400 by a predetermined height in the Y-axis direction.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in step 50, the control unit 121 sets the character object (player character C <b> 1, opponent character C <b> 2) and UI object 500 within the visual field CV at the initial position of the virtual camera 300 at the start of the battle game. Are determined so that the initial position of the virtual camera 300 and the positions of the character objects C1 and C2 in the battle field 400 are determined. Next, in step 52, the control unit 121 arranges the display object 510 along the UI object 500 in an area included in the visual field CV at the initial position of the virtual camera 300. A texture 515 including various types of information is mapped to the surface (front surface) of the display object 510 facing the virtual camera 300.

A field-of-view image V displayed on the display unit 112 of the HMD 110 in step S52 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 14B, the field image V displays the battle field 400 and the character objects C <b> 1 and C <b> 2 on the battle field 400, and the UI object 500 and the display object 510 arranged along the UI object 500. A texture 515 mapped to is displayed. The UI object 500 is displayed above the visual field image V at the initial position of the virtual camera 300 as, for example, a cylindrical electronic bulletin board surrounding the user U. The shape of the UI object 500 is not limited to that illustrated in the present embodiment, and various forms can be employed. The texture 515 mapped on the surface of the display object 510 includes, for example, various information such as the HP value and SP value of each character object C1, C2, the remaining time of the round, the score, weapons / protectors. A fixed UI image 600 including, for example, an HP value and an SP value is displayed below the visual field image V. Unlike the UI object 500, the fixed UI image 600 is always fixedly displayed at a predetermined position of the visual field image V during the battle between the player character C1 and the opponent character C2.

  Next, in step S54, the control unit 121 determines whether or not an operation input for the player character C1 and / or the opponent character C2 has been received. When it is determined that an operation input to the player character C1 and / or the opponent character C2 has been received (Yes in step S54), in step S56, the control unit 121 moves each character object C1, C2 based on the operation input. . As in the first embodiment, when a movement input operation in the horizontal direction (X direction in the drawing) is performed on each of the character objects C1 and C2, the control unit 121 performs the character object C1 in the battle field 400. , C2 is moved in the circumferential direction of the virtual camera 300 (see FIG. 9A). And the control part 121 returns a process to step S54.

  In parallel with step S54 (or after step S56), in step 58, the control unit 121 determines whether or not there has been a movement input to the virtual camera 300. If the control unit 121 determines that there has been a movement input to the virtual camera 300 (Yes in step S58), in step S60, as illustrated in FIG. 15A, the virtual space is based on the movement input. The orientation of the virtual camera 300 is changed in a state in which the position of the virtual camera 300 is fixed in 200. That is, the position of the virtual camera 300 does not change in conjunction with the movement of the HMD 110, and only the direction of the virtual camera 300 changes. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the motion sickness of the user U (so-called VR sickness).

  Next, in step S62, the control unit 121 arranges the texture 515 along the UI object 500 so that the texture 515 is displayed in the visual field CV of the virtual camera 300 according to the orientation of the virtual camera 300 changed in step S60. The position of the displayed object 510 is changed. The display of the visual field image V at this time is shown in FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 15B, the control unit 121 moves the position of the display object 510 along the UI object 500 so as to follow the movement of the virtual camera 300. Thereby, the texture 515 is always displayed in the visual field CV of the virtual camera 300.

  In this example, the UI object 500 is installed so as to extend horizontally from the battle field 400 by a predetermined height. Therefore, when the orientation of the virtual camera 300 is changed from the initial position to the upward direction (Y-axis direction) according to the movement of the HMD 110, the position of the UI object 500 in the field-of-view image V is as shown in FIG. The texture 515 is displayed along the UI object 500 while moving downward. As described above, the position of the display object 510 (that is, the display position of the texture 515) is not linked to the change in the orientation of the virtual camera 300 in the Y-axis direction. That is, in step S52, the control unit 121 moves the display position of the texture 515 based on the movement of the HMD 110 around the yaw axis (v axis), while the roll axis (w axis) and the pitch axis (u axis) of the HMD 110. ) Based on the surrounding movement, control is performed so that the display position of the texture 515 is not moved.

  Next, in step S64, the control unit 121 determines whether or not a predetermined condition including the type of the competitive game, the elapsed time in each round of the competitive game, and the like is satisfied. And when it determines with satisfy | filling a predetermined condition (Yes of step S64), in step S66, the control part 121 arrange | positions the barrier object W in the predetermined position in the battle field 400, as shown in FIG. To do. And the control part 121 returns a process to step S54 and step S58.

  The barrier object W is preferably arranged not only for the battle field 400 but also for the UI object 500. Thereby, the range in which the player character C1 and the opponent character C2 can move can be changed, and the moving position of the display object 510 along the UI object 500 can be limited. As in the first embodiment, the control unit 121 changes the position of the barrier object W or a new barrier different from the barrier object W according to the level of the battle round or the passage of time during one round. Objects may be placed. Further, as in step S40 of the first embodiment, the control unit 121 performs control so that the barrier object W is destroyed when the character objects C1 and C2 contact the barrier object W with a predetermined force or more. Also good.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the control unit 121 virtually displays the UI object 500 that defines the position of the display object 510 that can display the texture 515 including the predetermined information at the initial position of the virtual camera 300. It arrange | positions so that the camera 300 may be enclosed, and the position (display position of the texture 515) of the display object 510 is moved along the UI object 500 so that the movement of the virtual camera 300 may be followed. Thereby, the user U wearing the HMD 110 can always visually recognize the texture 515 that moves following his / her movement. If the UI object 500 is configured in a manner like a signboard (electronic bulletin board) in the virtual space 200, the user U can visually recognize the texture 515 so as to be suitable for the world view of the virtual space 200. As a result, it is possible to provide the user with a VR space-like experience.

  Further, as described in step S52, the control unit 121 moves the display position of the texture 515 based on the movement of the HMD 110 around the yaw axis (v axis), while the roll axis (w axis) and pitch of the HMD 110. Control is performed so as not to move the display position of the texture 515 based on the movement around the axis (u-axis). Thereby, it is possible to control the change in the display position of the texture 515 while reducing the amount of detection data necessary to reflect the movement of the HMD 110 in the movement of the virtual camera 300.

  Further, as described in step S50, the virtual camera 300 does not change its position in conjunction with the movement of the HMD 110, and its direction changes. By fixing the position of the virtual camera 300 in this way, even when the display position of the texture 515 is controlled only based on the movement of the HMD 110 around the roll axis, natural movement of information displayed along the UI object 500 is performed. It can be operated.

  Further, as described in steps S54 and S56, the control unit 121 restricts the movement of the player character C1 and the opponent character C2 in the battle field 400 in a predetermined direction and moves the character objects C1 and C2 in the predetermined direction. The barrier object W is arranged in the virtual space 200 in order to limit the displayable position of the texture 515 according to the restriction. The size of the battle field 400 can be fed back to the user U by limiting the display position of the texture 515 as the movable range of the character objects C1 and C2 becomes narrower.

  For example, when a predetermined condition is satisfied according to the game situation, at least a part of the information included in the texture 515 may not be allowed to follow the movement of the virtual camera 300. For example, when the battle field 400 is narrowed, the user U can recognize that the battle field 400 is narrowed by not causing the display of some information included in the texture 515 to follow the movement of the virtual camera 300.

  In the second embodiment, the display position of the texture 515 is moved by moving the display object 510 in which various pieces of information are mapped as the texture 515 along the UI object 500. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. I can't. For example, the texture may be directly mapped to the UI object 500, and the texture display position may be moved by changing the mapping position of the texture on the UI object 510.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this indication was described, the technical scope of this invention should not be limitedly interpreted by description of this embodiment. This embodiment is an example, and it is understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims. The technical scope of the present invention should be determined based on the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  In order to realize various processes executed by the control unit 121 by software, a display control program for causing a computer (processor) to execute the display control method according to the present embodiment is incorporated in the storage unit 123 or the ROM in advance. Also good. Alternatively, the display control program can be a magnetic disk (HDD, floppy disk), optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk, etc.), magneto-optical disk (MO, etc.), flash memory (SD card) , USB memory, SSD, etc.) may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. In this case, the program stored in the storage medium is incorporated into the storage unit 123 by connecting the storage medium to the control device 120. Then, the display control program incorporated in the storage unit 123 is loaded on the RAM, and the control unit 121 executes the display control method according to the present embodiment by executing the loaded program.

  The display control program may be downloaded from a computer on the communication network 3 via the communication interface 125. Similarly in this case, the downloaded program is incorporated in the storage unit 123.

1: HMD system 3: Communication network 21: Center position 110: Head mounted display (HMD)
112: Display unit 114: HMD sensor 116: Headphone 120: Control device 121: Control unit 123: Storage unit 124: I / O interface 125: Communication interface 126: Bus 130: Position sensor 200: Virtual space 300: Virtual camera 400: Battle field (field)
410: Movement path 500: UI object (target object)
510: Display object 515: Texture 600: Fixed UI image C1: Player character (character object)
C2: opponent character (character object)
CV: field of view U: user V: field of view images W1, W2, W: barrier object

Claims (10)

A display control method in a system including a head mounted display,
(A) generating virtual space data defining a virtual space including a virtual camera and a character object;
(B) displaying a visual field image on the head-mounted display based on the visual field of the virtual camera and the virtual space data;
(C) updating the visual field image by changing the orientation of the virtual camera based on the movement of the head mounted display;
(D) configuring a field defining a range in which the character object is movable so as to surround the virtual camera at an initial position of the virtual camera;
(E) moving the character object within the field based on a predetermined movement input;
Including a display control method.   The display control method according to claim 1, wherein in the step (e), the character object is moved in a circumferential direction of the virtual camera in accordance with a lateral component of the movement input.   (F) The display control method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of further restricting a range in which the character object can move when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The display control method is a method for playing a battle game composed of at least one round,
The display control method according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined condition includes a type of the competitive game or an elapsed time during the round.   The display control method according to claim 3, wherein in step (f), a range in which the character object can move is changed according to a round level or a lapse of time during one round.   The display control method according to claim 3, wherein in step (f), a range in which the character object can move is limited by installing a barrier object in the field.   The display control method according to claim 3, wherein, in the step (f), a range in which the character object can move is limited by changing a shape of the field.   The display control according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein in the step (c), the position of the virtual camera does not change and the direction of the virtual camera changes in conjunction with the movement of the head mounted display. Method.   The display control method according to claim 1, wherein in the field, movement of the character object in the depth direction of the visual field image is prohibited. A program for causing a computer to execute the display control method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.