JP2019213870A - Game processing program, game processing device, and game processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To assist players to understand the situation among the players in a game of a virtual space progressed by the players.SOLUTION: A control unit 21 of a game processing device 20 displays an image of a virtual space including the selectable target object on a display 14 according to the position and orientation of a predetermined part of the body of each player, specifies the position and orientation of a predetermined part of the body of each player on the basis of the detection value of a sensor 12, determines whether or not the gaze position of each player is on the target object in a first state, and when it is determined the gaze position of one player is on the target object, displays the target object in a second state in a recognizable manner on the display 14 of one player and the display 14 of another player that one player is gazing at the target object.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a game processing program, a game processing device, and a game processing method for displaying an image of a virtual space on a display and providing a game played by a plurality of players.

  2. Description of the Related Art A virtual reality game in which an image of a virtual space is displayed on a head mounted display (hereinafter, HMD) mounted on a player's head and played is known (for example, see Patent Literature 1). The HMD includes a gyro sensor, for example, and can detect the movement of the player's head. When the player moves the head, the HMD changes the image displayed on the display following the movement of the head. In this way, the game image follows the movement of the head, so that the player can further concentrate his or her consciousness on the game. That is, the immersion feeling in the game can be enhanced.

JP 07-200622 A

  However, in the game device using the HMD described in Patent Literature 1, a game provided by a single player is provided, and a game in which a plurality of players cooperate and advance is not assumed. Therefore, when the game device is used for a game by a plurality of players, it is difficult for the player to grasp the situation of another player because the player wears the HMD. When it becomes difficult to grasp the situation between the players, it becomes difficult for the players to cooperate and progress the game while communicating.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to assist players in grasping the situation in a virtual space game played by a plurality of players.

  A game processing program that solves the above-mentioned problem uses a game processing device provided with a control unit that manages the progress of a game, and a detection device that specifies the position and orientation of a player's head to generate an image of a virtual space. A program for displaying on a display and providing a game progressed by a plurality of players, wherein the control unit detects an image of a virtual space including a selectable target object on the display by the detection device. A spatial image display unit that displays each according to the position and orientation of the performed player's head, and a determination unit that determines whether the gaze position of each player is on the target object in a first state. When it is determined that the gaze position of one player is on the target object, the display of the one player On the display of the fine other player, the target object from the second state, the one player to function as an object changing unit that identifiably indication that gazing the target object.

In the game processing program, it is preferable that the object changing unit displays a direction from the position of the player in the virtual space toward the gaze position as a light ray.
In the above-mentioned game processing program, it is preferable that the object changing unit continues a state in which the display mode of the target object changes after the display mode of the target object changes.

  In the game processing program, it is preferable that the object changing unit maintains a state in which the display mode of the target object has changed, on condition that the player keeps watching.

  In the game processing program, it is preferable that, when the specified gaze position is on the target object, the object change unit outputs a gaze time display indicating a time period during which gaze is continued.

  A game processing device for solving the above-mentioned problem is to provide a game in which a plurality of players progress by displaying an image of a virtual space on a display using a detection device for specifying the position and orientation of a player's head. A game processing device, wherein the display displays an image of a virtual space including a selectable target object in accordance with the position and orientation of the player's head detected by the detection device. And a determination unit that determines whether the gaze position of each player is on the target object in the first state, and it is determined that the gaze position of one player is on the target object. In this case, the object of the second state is displayed on the display of the one player and the display of the other player. Transfected with, and a object change portion that identifiably indicates that the one player is gazing the target object.

  A game processing method that solves the above-mentioned problem uses an image processing apparatus that includes a control unit that manages the progress of a game, and a detection apparatus that specifies the position and orientation of the player's head. A game processing method for providing a game displayed on a display and progressed by a plurality of players, wherein the control unit detects an image of a virtual space including a selectable target object on the display. Is displayed in accordance with the position and orientation of the player's head detected by, and it is determined whether or not the gaze position of each player is on the target object in a first state. When it is determined that the gaze position is on the target object, the display of the one player and the display of the other player are determined. Ray, the target object from the second state, it is identifiably displayed the said one player is gazing the target object.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the game processing program, the game processing apparatus, and the game processing method according to the present invention, it is possible to assist in understanding the situation between players in a game in a virtual space progressed by a plurality of players.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a gaze position displayed in a virtual space according to the first embodiment. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of an object selecting process according to the first embodiment. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of an object display process according to the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a game progress process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is an image displayed on the display of the first embodiment, and is a schematic diagram showing a state before an object is selected. FIG. 4 is an image displayed on the display of the first embodiment, and is a schematic diagram illustrating a state after an object is selected. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of an object selecting process according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is an image displayed on the display according to the second embodiment, and is a schematic diagram illustrating a state before an object is selected. FIG. 13 is an image displayed on the display according to the second embodiment, and is a schematic diagram illustrating a state after an object is selected.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a game processing program, a game processing device, and a game processing method will be described. In a game provided to a player by executing a game processing program in a game processing device, it is assumed that all players wear a head mounted display (HMD) on their heads. In the present embodiment, a game in which two players progress in a team will be described. However, the number of people constituting the team may be any number.

  With reference to FIG. 1, a configuration of a system including the HMD 10 and the game processing device 20 will be described. First, the configuration of the HMD 10 connected to the game processing device 20 will be described. The HMD 10 includes an HMD control unit 11, a sensor 12 as a detection device, and an input / output interface unit (I / F unit) 13. The HMD control unit 11 outputs various information to the game processing device 20 via the input / output I / F unit 13 and inputs various information from the game processing device 20. The sensor 12 corresponds to a detection device for specifying the position and orientation of the player's head. The sensor 12 includes at least one of a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, and the like, and detects the movement of the player's head. As another embodiment, a sensor that directly detects the movement of the player's eyeball, for example, a line-of-sight detection sensor that enters near-infrared rays into the iris and detects reflected light thereof may be used as the sensor 12. . Here, in the present embodiment, the head of the player corresponds to a predetermined part of the body of the player of the present invention.

  Further, the HMD 10 includes a display 14 for displaying an image and a speaker 15 for outputting a sound. For example, the display 14 displays an image viewed by the left eye and an image viewed by the right eye with parallax. Thereby, the player can visually recognize a stereoscopic image having a sense of depth. The HMD control unit 11 displays an image corresponding to the image signal received from the game processing device 20 on the display 14 via the input / output I / F unit 13. The speaker 15 is a headphone or the like, and outputs a sound effect, a sound explaining the progress of the game, and the like.

  Next, the configuration of the game processing device 20 will be described. The game processing device 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, and an input / output unit 23. The control unit 21 includes hardware elements such as a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM. Further, the control unit 21 includes a gaze position specifying unit 24, a game management unit 25, and a display control unit 26. In the present embodiment, the control unit 21 functions as the gaze position specifying unit 24, the game management unit 25, and the display control unit 26 by causing a hardware element to execute a game processing program. The control unit 21 corresponds to a space image display unit, a gaze position display unit, a display mode change unit, and a determination unit.

The storage unit 22 stores virtual space image information 27, target object information 28, object status information 29, gaze position information 30, and gaze time information 31.
The virtual space image information 27 is data for drawing an image of a background or object of the virtual space shared by the two players.

  The target object information 28 is information on a target object that is an object selectable by the player among the objects displayed in the virtual space, and includes the coordinates of the target object. The target object is selected by the player continuing to gaze for a predetermined time. The display mode of the target object changes when the selection is completed.

  The object status information 29 is information indicating a selected state of each target object, and in the present embodiment, includes a “basic state” or a “valid state” as the selected state. In the present embodiment, the “basic state” is a state before selection, and the “valid state” is a state in which the selection has been completed and the display mode has changed.

The gaze position information 30 is information indicating the gaze position of each player. In the present embodiment, coordinates indicating the gaze position specified in the virtual space are recorded for each player.
The gaze time information 31 is information on the time during which each player continues to gaze at the target object.

  The gaze position specifying unit 24 of the control unit 21 inputs a detection signal of the sensor 12 from the HMD control unit 11 of the HMD 10 mounted on each player via the input / output unit 23. In addition, the gaze position specifying unit 24 specifies the gaze position of the player using the coordinates of the virtual space using the input detection signal, and stores the specified gaze position in the storage unit 22.

  The game management unit 25 compares the coordinates of the gaze position information 30 with the positions of the objects included in the target object information 28, and determines whether the gaze position is on the target object. When determining that the gaze position is on the target object, the game management unit 25 measures a gaze time, which is a time during which the player continues to gaze at the target object, based on a system time or the like using a clock signal of the CPU or the like. I do. Further, the game management unit 25 stores the measured gaze time as the gaze time information 31 in the storage unit 22.

  In addition, the game management unit 25 determines whether the gaze time has reached a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds), and determines that the selection of the target object has been completed when the gaze time has reached the predetermined time. The game management unit 25 updates the object status information 29 of the selected target object to a valid state.

  In addition, the game management unit 25 determines whether the mission clear condition is satisfied within the game time limit based on the object situation information 29. Here, it is assumed that, as the mission clear condition, there is a simultaneous and predetermined number of target objects for which the valid state is set. When the mission clear condition is not satisfied and the elapsed time from the start of the game has reached the time limit, the game management unit 25 determines that the game is over.

  Further, the game management unit 25 extracts audio information such as sound effects and audio explaining the progress of the game from an audio information storage unit (not shown), and transmits the extracted audio information to the HMD 10 via the input / output unit 23.

  The display control unit 26 specifies a visual field range in the virtual space centered on the gaze position indicated by the gaze position information 30 of each player, and extracts virtual space image information 27 corresponding to the visual field range. Further, the display control unit 26 transmits the extracted virtual space image information 27 to the HMD 10 as an image signal.

  The display control unit 26 displays the target object according to the object status information 29. When the object status information 29 includes the basic state as the selected state, the display control unit 26 sets the target object to normal display. When the object status information 29 includes the valid state as the selected state, the display control unit 26 displays the target object in the valid state. As a result, the color, shape, and brightness of the target object change, or a new display is added to the target object, as compared with the display in the basic state.

Further, the display control unit 26 displays a character corresponding to the player in the virtual space for each player.
Next, the gaze position display function of the game processing device 20 will be described with reference to FIG. The gaze position identification unit 24 receives the detection signal of the sensor 12 from the HMD 10 and identifies the position and orientation of the head of the player 101 according to the detection signal. More specifically, the gaze position identification unit 24 determines the position and orientation of the head as the X-axis along the horizontal direction and the pitch θp indicating the rotation direction about the X-axis, the Y-axis along the vertical direction, and the Y-axis along the vertical direction. The yaw θy indicating the rotation direction about the axis, the Z axis along the depth direction, and the roll θr indicating the rotation direction about the Z axis in the three-axis direction and the angle around each axis are calculated.

  The gaze position specifying unit 24 specifies the gaze position of the player 101 in the virtual space 100 based on the specified position and orientation of the head. As a method of specifying the gaze position, a known method according to the type of the sensor 12 can be used. For example, the gaze position identification unit 24 virtually sets a straight line connecting the left eye position and the right eye position, extends in a direction orthogonal to the straight line, and passes a direction passing through a middle point between the left eye position and the right eye position in the line of sight direction D1. And Further, the gaze position specifying unit 24 specifies the intersection of the line of sight direction D1 and the object 102 (or the background) as the gaze position P1. When a sensor that detects the movement of the eyeball or a sensor that detects reflected light from inside the iris is used as the sensor 12, the gaze direction is specified based on the movement of the eyeball and the reflected light.

  The display control unit 26 displays a light ray 103 traveling in the virtual space 100 toward the gaze position P1 on the virtual space image. In the present embodiment, the light beam 103 heading to the gaze position P1 is displayed as a light beam emitted from the electric lamp 105 of the character corresponding to the player. The light emission position of the electric lamp 105 can be set to a predetermined position and direction moved from the specified position and direction of the head. Further, the display control unit 26 displays the specified gaze position P1 on the virtual space image as the irradiation position 104 where the light beam 103 is irradiated on the object 102 or the background.

  Since the virtual space is shared by two players, when the irradiation position 104 indicating the gaze position of one player 101 is included in the visual field of the other player 101, the display 14 of the latter player 101 is displayed on the display 14. The irradiation position 104 of the former player 101 is displayed. As a result, the latter player can grasp the object seen by the former player 101 in the virtual section.

  When the light ray 103 of one player 101 is included in the visual field of the other player 101, the light ray 103 of the former player is displayed on the display 14 of the latter player 101. Therefore, the latter player 101 can grasp the destination of the line of sight of the former player 101.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7, a processing procedure of each processing for providing a game to a player will be described. In the present embodiment, each process will be described by exemplifying the mission clear condition of the game as “a pair of valid target objects exist simultaneously” within the time limit. Note that objects other than the target object cannot be selected. Also, it is assumed that two players must select one object at a time. However, the mission clear condition and the condition regarding the selection of the object are not limited to these, and can be changed as appropriate.

  When the game is started, the control unit 21 of the game processing device 20 calculates the position and orientation of the head according to the detection signal input from the sensor 12 of the HMD 10. Further, the control unit 21 specifies the gaze position based on the position and orientation of the head. Further, the control unit 21 extracts the virtual space image information 27 in the visual field range centered on the gaze position, and transmits the extracted virtual space image information 27 to the HMD control unit 11 as an image signal. The HMD control unit 11 outputs an image corresponding to the received image signal to the display 14. As described above, the game processing device 20 proceeds with the game while displaying the virtual space image corresponding to the position and the orientation of the player's head on the display 14.

(Object selection process)
With reference to FIG. 3, the procedure of the object selection process will be described. This process is executed for each player. The condition for ending this process is that either the mission has been cleared or the elapsed time measured from the start of the game before the mission has been cleared has reached a time limit. This process is repeated until the termination condition is satisfied.

  When the game is started, the control unit 21 of the game processing device 20 specifies the gaze position of the player (Step S1). Specifically, the gaze position identification unit 24 of the control unit 21 calculates the position and orientation of the head according to the detection signal of the sensor 12. The gaze position specifying unit 24 specifies the gaze position of the player using the position and orientation of the head, and records the specified gaze position in the storage unit 22 as the gaze position information 30.

  Next, the control unit 21 of the game processing device 20 executes a determination process as to whether or not the gaze position is on a selectable object (step S2). Specifically, the game management unit 25 of the control unit 21 compares the specified gaze position information 30 with the target object information 28. Here, when the gaze position included in the gaze position information 30 overlaps the position of the target object, it is determined that the gaze position is on a selectable object.

  When it is determined that the gaze position information 30 is other than the selectable object (in the case of “NO” in step S2), the control unit 21 of the game processing device 20 sets the gaze time information 31 to “gaze time = 0” ( Step S7), and return to step S1.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the gaze position information 30 is on a selectable object (in the case of “YES” in step S2), the control unit 21 of the game processing device 20 locks the selection of the target object and sets the gaze time. Is measured (step S3). Specifically, the game management unit 25 of the control unit 21 prohibits the selection of the target object by another player, and measures the elapsed time from the start of gaze based on the system time or the like. Further, the game management section 25 records the measured elapsed time in the storage section 22 as gaze time information 31.

  Next, the control unit 21 of the game processing device 20 displays a gauge indicating the elapse of the gaze time (step S4). Specifically, the display control unit 26 of the control unit 21 displays the gauge so as to overlap the selected target object. The gauge corresponds to the gaze time display, and indicates the elapse of a predetermined time from the start of gaze.

  Next, the control unit 21 of the game processing device 20 executes a determination process as to whether or not the gaze time has reached a predetermined time (step S5). Specifically, the game management unit 25 of the control unit 21 reads the watch time information 31 from the storage unit 22 and determines whether the time indicated by the watch time information 31 has reached a predetermined time.

  If it is determined that the gaze time has not reached the predetermined time (in the case of “NO” in step S5), the control unit 21 returns to step S1, and specifies the gaze position. The control unit 21 determines whether or not the gaze position is on a selectable object (step S2). Then, when it is determined that the gaze position information 30 is other than the selectable object (in the case of “NO” in step S2), that is, when the gaze is diverted from the target object before the gaze time reaches the predetermined time, The control unit 21 of the game processing device 20 sets the watch time information 31 to “watch time = 0” (step S7), resets the watch time, and returns to step S1.

  On the other hand, when determining that the gaze time has reached the predetermined time (in the case of “YES” in step S5), the control unit 21 updates the object status information 29 of the target object (step S6).

  For example, immediately before step S6, if the basic state is recorded in the object status information 29, the game management unit 25 of the control unit 21 updates the object status information 29 to a valid state. In addition, immediately before step S6, when the valid state is recorded in the object status information 29, the game management unit 25 updates the object status information 29 to the basic state. Therefore, if the already selected object is selected again, the state returns to the basic state, and the mission is not cleared. After updating the object status information 29 to the valid state, the process returns to step S1 while the game is not ended.

(Object display processing)
Next, the procedure of the display processing of the selected object will be described with reference to FIG. The end condition of this process is that either the mission is cleared or the elapsed time reaches the time limit is satisfied, and this process is repeated until the end condition is satisfied.

  First, the control unit 21 of the game processing device 20 acquires the object status information 29 of the target object (Step S10). Specifically, the game management unit 25 of the control unit 21 reads out one piece of the object status information 29 from the storage unit 22 according to a predetermined order.

  Next, the control unit 21 of the game processing device 20 displays the target object according to the object status information 29 (Step S11). Specifically, when the object status information 29 is in the basic state, the target object is displayed in the basic state, and when it is in the valid state, the target object is displayed in the valid state. The control unit 21 repeats this procedure for all target objects. When the change processing is completed for all target objects, the change processing is repeated from the first target object if the elapsed time from the start of the game is within the time limit.

(Game progress processing)
Next, the game progress processing will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the game is started, the control unit 21 of the game processing device 20 measures an elapsed time from the start of the game (Step S20). Specifically, the game management unit 25 of the control unit 21 measures the elapsed time based on the system time.

  Next, the control unit 21 of the game processing device 20 determines whether the elapsed time is a time limit (step S21). Then, when determining that the elapsed time has exceeded the time limit (in the case of “NO” in step S21), the control unit 21 of the game processing device 20 ends the game (step S25).

  On the other hand, when determining that the elapsed time is within the time limit (in the case of “YES” in step S21), the control unit 21 of the game processing device 20 acquires the object situation information 29 from the storage unit 22 (step S22). . Specifically, the game management unit 25 reads out the object status information 29 of all target objects from the storage unit 22.

  Then, the control unit 21 of the game processing device 20 determines whether or not there is a combination of display states that will clear the mission (step S23). Specifically, the game management unit 25 of the control unit 21 determines whether there is a combination of target objects in the valid state, which is a mission clear condition, based on the acquired object status information 29. In the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not there is a pair of target objects whose valid state is recorded in the object status information 29.

  If it is determined that there is a combination of display states that will clear the mission (if “YES” in step S23), the control unit 21 of the game processing device 20 determines that the mission is clear (step S24) and ends the game. (Step S25). Specifically, the game management unit 25 of the control unit 21 determines that the mission is cleared when there is a pair of target objects whose valid state is recorded in the object status information 29.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no combination of display states that will clear the mission (in the case of “NO” in step S23), the control unit 21 of the game processing device 20 returns to step S20 and measures the elapsed time. Specifically, the game management unit 25 of the control unit 21 determines that the mission is not cleared when there is only one target object in which the valid state is recorded in the object status information 29 or when there is no target object. Then, the process returns to step S20.

  With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, an image displayed on the display 14 of the HMD 10 during the progress of the game will be described. Note that the virtual space images shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 are schematically shown regardless of the visual field range of the HMD 10.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 21 of the game processing device 20 displays a virtual space image 200 in which the gaze position of the player is set at the center of the visual field range on the display 14. As an example, in the virtual space image 200, a plurality of cylinders 201 are displayed as one of the target objects. In addition, the target object and other objects may be identifiable by illuminating the target object which is a selectable object among the objects.

  The gaze position of each player is displayed as an irradiation position 104 where the object or the background is irradiated with light. The direction from the position of the character corresponding to the player to the irradiation position 104 is displayed as a light beam 103 emitted from an electric lamp 105 of the character. Note that, in addition to the light 105, the hand of the character holding the light 105 may be displayed. Also, the light 105 need not be displayed in the virtual space image.

  The cylinder 201 is an object that moves on display when transitioning from the basic state to the valid state. In the basic state, it is displayed in a display mode divided into two. Further, the cylinder 201 is displayed in a connected display mode in the valid state. When the player gazes at the cylinder 201, an annular gauge 205 is displayed so as to overlap the cylinder 201 around the gaze position. At this time, the gauge 205 is arranged such that the gaze position specified by the control unit 21 is located at the center of the gauge 205. Therefore, the specified gaze position is not hidden by the gauge 205, and the column 201 as the target object can be partially viewed. This makes it easier for the player to continue watching the cylinder 201 via the center of the gauge 205.

  In the gauge 205, the area 206 increases as time elapses from when the gaze is started. When the gaze time reaches a predetermined time, the gauge 205 is erased. However, when the gaze time has reached a predetermined time, the state where the gauge 205 has reached the predetermined time may be maintained, or an icon indicating completion may be displayed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, when the gauge 205 displayed by the other player watching the cylinder 201 is included in the range of the player's field of view, the gauge 205 by the other player is displayed. For this reason, it is easy for the players to grasp what situation each player is in.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the player gazes at the cylinder 201 continuously for a predetermined time, the control unit 21 sets the display mode of the cylinder 201 to an effective state. For example, in the example of the cylinder 201 described above, the upper part of the divided cylinder 201 is lowered toward the lower part, and the upper part and the lower part are connected. As described above, by operating the cylinder 201 immediately after the measurement of the elapsed time by the gauge 205 is completed, the player can intuitively understand that the selection of the target object is completed. When the control unit 21 determines that there is a pair of cylinders 201 in which the upper part and the lower part are connected, it determines that the mission is clear.

  On the other hand, if the cylinder 201 in which the upper part and the lower part are connected is selected again by gaze, the upper part rises and separates from the lower part. When the upper part and the lower part of the cylinder 201 are disconnected, the control unit 21 updates the object status information 29 of the cylinder 201 to the basic state. For this reason, even if the cylinder 201 is connected once, if the connection is released without the other connected cylinders 201 being present at the same time, the control unit 21 does not determine that the mission is cleared.

  As described above, in the game in which the target object is selected by gaze, the player's gaze position is indicated by the irradiation position 104 in the virtual space, and the display mode of the selected target object is changed to assist each other in grasping the situation. can do. In addition, since the gaze position is expressed as an irradiation position where the light beam 103 emitted from the electric lamp 105 held by the character irradiates the object or the like, it is possible to prevent a feeling of immersion in the virtual space from being spoiled. By assisting in grasping the situation between the players in this way, in the virtual reality game using the HMD 10 as well, there are less obstacles for a plurality of players to cooperate and advance the game, and less stress felt by the players. This can enhance the interest of the game.

  Further, as a method of grasping the situation between the players, for example, there is a method such as a voice chat in which the converted voice is exchanged between the HMDs 10 of the players. However, although this method can be a part of assisting communication, it becomes difficult to associate voice chat voices with characters in the virtual space when the number of participants in the game is three or more, and it is difficult to grasp each situation. Is not easy. In the above-described game, the gaze position of each player is displayed as the irradiation position 104, and the display mode of the selected target object is changed. Therefore, even if the number of players increases to three or more, it is easy to grasp the situation of each player. can do.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In the first embodiment, the gaze position of the player is displayed as the irradiation position 104 in the image of the virtual space shared by the two players. Thereby, when the gaze position of another player is included in the field of view of the player, the player can grasp the start object of another player or the target object being selected. In addition, since the display mode of the selected target object changes, the selected player and other players who have visually recognized the target object can recognize that the gaze is effective. For this reason, in a game in which a plurality of players select an object in a virtual space, it is possible to assist each player in grasping the situation.

  (2) In the first embodiment, the light beam 103 traveling from the position in the virtual space of the player to the gaze position is displayed in the image in the virtual space. For this reason, when the light beam 103 of another player crosses the player's field of view, the player can grasp the destination of the line of sight of the other player.

  (3) In the first embodiment, after the display mode of the target object changes, the state in which the display mode has changed is maintained even when the player's line of sight deviates from the target object. Therefore, the player can intuitively understand that the selection of the target object has been completed.

  (4) In the first embodiment, when the gaze of the target object by the player is specified, the gauge 205 is displayed to indicate a time during which the gaze is continued. For this reason, the player can grasp that gaze is effective and can intuitively grasp that gaze is necessary until the gaze time reaches a predetermined time.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment that embodies a game processing program, a game processing device, and a game processing method will be described. Note that the second embodiment has a configuration in which a part of the object selection processing of the first embodiment is changed, and therefore, similar parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  The game of the present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment in that the mission is cleared when there is a pair of target objects that have transitioned to the valid state at the same time within the time limit. However, in the present embodiment, the description will be given on the assumption that the selectable target objects that change to the valid state include only one pair, which is the same as the number of players. That is, there are object objects that transition to the valid state and objects that do not transition to the valid state. Also, in the selection of the target object, the selection is canceled unless the gaze of the target object is continued, so that it is necessary for two players to select a pair of objects one by one.

  Either “basic state” or “valid state” is set in the object status information 29 of the target object that transits to the valid state. Either a “basic state” or a “changed state” in which the display mode has changed due to the player's gaze but does not satisfy the mission clear condition is set as the target object that does not transition to the valid state. . Note that information indicating whether the target object transitions to the “valid state” or the object transitioning to the “changed state” is included in the target object information 28.

  With reference to FIG. 8, the procedure of the object selection process executed for each player will be described. The condition for ending this process is that either the mission has been cleared or that the elapsed time measured from the start of the game has reached the time limit before the mission is cleared. This is repeated until the termination condition is satisfied.

  As in the first embodiment, the control unit 21 of the game processing device 20 performs a gaze position identification process (step S1) to a determination process of whether or not the gaze time has reached a predetermined time (step S5). If the gaze position deviates from the target object before the gaze time reaches the predetermined time, the control unit 21 resets the gaze time to “0” (step S7).

  When it is determined in step S5 that the gaze time has reached the predetermined time (in the case of “YES” in step S5), the control unit 21 of the game processing device 20 transitions the target object to the valid state based on the target object information 28. The type is determined as to whether or not to perform the transition to the change state (step S10).

  Then, the control unit 21 of the game processing device 20 sets the object status information 29 based on the type of the target object (Step S11). For example, when the target object has transitioned to the valid state, the game management unit 25 of the control unit 21 updates the object status information 29 from the basic state to the valid state. When the target object has transitioned to the change state, the game management unit 25 updates the object status information 29 from the basic state to the change state.

  In addition, the game management unit 25 records the valid state in the object status information 29 for the target object that can transition to the valid state. For the target object that transitions to the change state, the game management unit 25 records the change state in the object status information 29.

  Next, the control unit 21 of the game processing device 20 determines whether or not the gazing of the object is continued (step S12). Specifically, the game management unit 25 of the control unit 21 determines whether the gaze position is on the target object based on the gaze position information 30 and the target object information 28.

  If it is determined that the gaze of the object is continued (“YES” in step S12), the control unit 21 of the game processing device 20 sets the object status information 29 to “valid state” or “valid state” based on the type of the target object. It is maintained and set to "change state" (step S11).

  On the other hand, when determining that the gaze of the object is not continued (in the case of “NO” in step S12), the control unit 21 of the game processing device 20 sets the object state to the basic state (step S12), and proceeds to step S1. Return to

  Also in the present embodiment, the procedures of the display processing of the selected object and the game progress processing are the same as those of the first embodiment. However, in the display processing of the present embodiment, in the display of the object (step S11), when the object status information 29 is in the changed state, the display state is in the changed state, and when the object state information 29 is in the valid state, the display state is in the valid state. This is different from the first embodiment. Then, when the pair of target objects are in the valid state, the control unit 21 determines that the mission is cleared.

  Next, an image displayed on the display 14 of the HMD 10 during the progress of the game will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the virtual space images shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 are schematically shown regardless of the visual field range of the HMD 10.

  As shown in FIG. 9, an object such as a cylinder 201 is displayed on the display 14. Among the objects, there are a plurality of target objects that can be selected by the player. The display mode of any of the target objects changes when the player selects it. When the cylinder 201 as the target object is selected by gaze, a gauge 205 is displayed. The gaze position of each player is displayed as an irradiation position 104, and the direction from the player's position in the virtual space to the irradiation position 104 is displayed as a light ray 103.

  As shown in FIG. 10, a light beam 210 emitted from the cylinder 201 is displayed on the cylinder 201 that has transitioned to the valid state. The light ray 210 is displayed on the display 14 of the player whose optical path is included in the visual field range.

  As shown on the left side in FIG. 10, when the cylinder 201 that has transitioned to the change state is selected, a light ray 211 in a direction different from the light ray 210 is displayed. Note that the cylinder 201 that has transitioned to the changed state may display a different color or number of light rays from the valid state, or may simply change the color, in addition to the light rays 211 in a direction different from the valid state. . In order to clear the mission, it is not essential that the emission of the light beam 210 is started at the same time. By maintaining the state in which the light beam 210 is emitted, the light beam 210 is emitted from the pair of cylinders 201. It is determined that the mission has been cleared when the state is reached.

  In this way, it is possible to grasp that the target object is an object for clearing the mission only by changing the display mode of the target object by gaze. Therefore, the player has to cooperate with another player to select an arbitrary target object and search for a target object to be activated. Therefore, the player needs to cooperate not only in selecting the target objects at the same time, but also in the work of searching for a predetermined target object. For this reason, the interest of the virtual reality game played by a plurality of players can be improved. Simultaneity is also required in selecting a target object that transitions to the valid state, so that the interest of the game can be improved in this respect as well.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects described in the first embodiment.
(5) In the second embodiment, the state in which the display mode of the target object has changed to the valid state is maintained on condition that the player continues gazing. For this reason, in order to clear the mission, the player needs to select the target object at the same time. For this reason, it is possible to enhance interest in achieving the mission clear.

In addition, each said embodiment can also be implemented, changing suitably as follows.
In the first embodiment, all the target objects can transition from the basic state to the valid state. In the second embodiment, two of the same number of players as the number of players can be changed from the basic state to the valid state. About the target object. It is not limited to these.

  For example, a predetermined number of target objects that are a part of all target objects and are larger than the number of players may be able to transition from the basic state to the valid state. By adjusting the number of target objects that can transition to the valid state according to the content of the game, the ease of mission clearing can be adjusted.

  In the above-described first embodiment, the mission clear condition is selected by watching the target object for a predetermined time to make the target valid, and the mission is cleared when there is a pair of valid target objects at the same time. The mission clear condition is not limited to these modes. For example, the mission may be cleared when there is a pair of valid target objects at different timings within the time limit from the start of the game.

  Further, the number of target objects selected by the player as a condition of the mission clear is not limited to one for each player. For example, the target object may be set to clear the mission by each player selecting a plurality of target objects, or may be set to clear the mission by selecting a predetermined number of target objects for the entire team. Alternatively, in a battle-type game or the like, target objects may be selected as much as possible within a time limit, and a competition may be made based on the number of selected target objects.

  Regarding the mission clear condition, all the players constituting the team may clear the mission by selecting the same object at the same time, or may clear the mission by alternately selecting the same object or different objects.

  In the above embodiments, the gauge is displayed when the gaze position of the player is positioned on the target object. Instead of this, even if the player does not gaze, the gauge 205 indicating the gaze time may be displayed from the start of the game to the end of the game. In this case, the player can easily identify the target object and other objects. In this aspect, the gauge 205 may be displayed small when the player is not gazing at the target object, and may be displayed in an emphasized manner such as increasing the gauge 205 when the player gazes at the target object.

  In each of the above embodiments, the gaze position is displayed as the irradiation position 104, which is the position where the light beam 103 is irradiated on the object or the like. In addition, when the player is gazing at the target object, the control unit 21 of the game processing device 20 changes the gazing state to light (lightness change ) Or sounds. According to this, even a player whose gauge is out of the field of view can know that the teammate has selected the object.

  In the above embodiments, the direction from the player's position in the virtual space to the irradiation position 104 is represented by the light beam 103 emitted from the electric lamp 105. In addition, the light beam 103 may be a light beam using a light source other than the electric lamp 105 as a light source. For example, it may be displayed as a light beam emitted from other belongings other than the electric lamp of the character, or may be expressed as a light beam emitted from at least one of the left eye and the right eye of the player.

In the above embodiments, the gaze position of the player is shown as the irradiation position 104. Alternatively, the gaze position of the player may be indicated by a mark such as an arrow or a cross.
In each of the above embodiments, an annular gauge is displayed. Instead, a bar gauge or a flat gauge may be displayed. Alternatively, the gauge does not necessarily need to be displayed with a mark or the like, and may be a change in display such as a change in brightness of the target object or a fade-out of the target object.

  In the above embodiments, the gauge indicating the gaze of the former player is displayed only when the gaze position of the other player is included in the field of view of one player. Alternatively, if the target object or the gauge 205 being watched by the other player is not included in the field of view of one player, the object or the gauge 205 is displayed on the image of the virtual space visually recognized by the former player. It may be displayed on a sub-screen that is superimposed.

  In each of the above embodiments, a case has been described in which a game played by two players is provided, but a game played by three or more players may be provided. In this case, the same number of HMDs 10 as the number of players are connected to the game processing device 20.

  In the above embodiments, the game processing device 20 specifies the position and orientation of the player's head. Instead, the HMD control unit 11 may calculate the position and orientation of the head based on the detection signal of the sensor 12. As described above, a part of the functions of the game processing device 20 described in each of the above embodiments can be provided to the HMD 10.

  In the above embodiments, the system that specifies the gaze position of the player is embodied as a system that calculates based on the head position of the player. However, a system that specifies the gaze position by another method may be used. For example, the gaze direction may be calculated based on the position and orientation of the pupil, and the gaze position may be specified from the gaze direction. Alternatively, the gaze direction may be calculated based on, for example, the position and orientation of the nose or the position and orientation of the mouth, and the gaze position may be specified from the gaze direction. The direction of the nose or mouth may be determined, for example, as the direction from the back of the head to the nose or mouth.

In the above embodiments, the plurality of players look at the object in the virtual space from the viewpoint (character viewpoint) of the character corresponding to each player, but each player may switch the viewpoint. For example, each player may be able to select to look at an object in the virtual space not only from the character's viewpoint but also from a bird's-eye view from behind the player character. At this time, for example, each player may select a viewpoint before the game starts, or the viewpoint may be changed during the game. The player can easily grasp the position of another player by selecting his / her favorite viewpoint, and can further cooperate with another player.
Next, technical ideas that can be grasped from the above-described embodiment and other examples will be described below together with their effects.
[1]
Using a game processing device provided with a control unit for managing the progress of a game and a detection device for specifying the position and orientation of a predetermined part of the player's body, an image of a virtual space is displayed on a display, and a plurality of players are displayed. Is a program for providing a game progressed by
The control unit
In the display, a space image display unit that displays an image of a virtual space including a selectable target object in accordance with the position and orientation of a predetermined part of the body of each player,
A gaze position display unit that outputs the gaze position of each of the players specified based on the detection value of the detection device to the display,
A display mode changing unit that changes the display mode of the target object selected by gaze;
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a game processing program that functions as a determination unit that determines a mission achievement based on a combination of target objects whose display modes have changed.
[2]
The game processing program according to [1], wherein the gaze position display unit displays a direction from the position of the player in the virtual space toward the gaze position as a light ray.
[3]
The game processing program according to [1] or [2], wherein the display mode changing unit continues the state in which the display mode of the target object has changed after the display mode of the target object has changed.
[4]
The game processing program according to [1] or [2], wherein the display mode changing unit maintains a state in which the display mode of the target object has changed, on condition that the player keeps watching.
[5]
The spatial image display unit according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein when the specified gaze position is on the target object, a gaze time display indicating a time period during which gaze is continued is output. The game processing program described.
[6]
A game processing device for providing a game in which a plurality of players progress by displaying an image of a virtual space on a display by using a detection device for specifying a position and an orientation of a predetermined part of a player's body,
In the display, a space image display unit that displays an image of a virtual space including a selectable target object in accordance with the position and orientation of a predetermined part of the body of each player,
A gaze position display unit that outputs the gaze position of each of the players specified based on the detection value of the detection device to the display,
A display mode changing unit that changes the display mode of the target object selected by gaze;
A game processing device comprising: a determination unit that determines a mission achievement based on a combination of target objects whose display modes have changed.
[7]
Using a game processing device provided with a control unit for managing the progress of a game, and a detection device for specifying the position and orientation of a predetermined part of the player's body, a virtual space image is displayed on a display, and a plurality of players are displayed. A game processing method for providing a game progressed by
The control unit is
On the display, an image of the virtual space including the selectable target object is displayed according to the position and orientation of a predetermined part of the body of each player,
The gaze position of each player specified based on the detection value of the detection device is output to the display,
Change the display mode of the target object selected by gaze,
A game processing method, wherein a determination of mission achievement is made based on a combination of target objects whose display mode has changed.

10 HMD, 11 HMD control unit, 12 Tracking sensor, 13 Input / output I / F unit, 14 Display, 20 Game processing device, 21 Control unit, 22 Storage unit, 23 Input / output unit, 24: gaze position specifying unit, 25: game management unit, 26: display control unit.

Claims (7)

Using a game processing device provided with a control unit for managing the progress of the game and a detection device for specifying the position and orientation of the head of the player, an image of a virtual space is displayed on a display, and the progress is made by a plurality of players. A program for providing a game to be played,
The control unit
In the display, a space image display unit that displays an image of a virtual space including a selectable target object according to the position and orientation of the player's head detected by the detection device,
A determining unit that determines whether or not the gaze position of each player is on the target object in a first state;
When it is determined that the gaze position of one player is on the target object, the display of the one player and the display of the other player display the target object in the second state on the one side. A game processing program for causing the player to function as an object changing unit that identifiably displays that the player is gazing at the target object.   The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the object changing unit displays a direction from the position of the one player in the virtual space toward a gaze position of the one player as a light ray.   3. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the object change unit continues the state in which the display mode of the target object changes after the display mode of the target object changes. 4.   3. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the object change unit maintains a state in which the display mode of the target object has changed, on condition that the player keeps watching.   The game according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the object change unit outputs, when the specified gaze position is on the target object, a gaze time display indicating a time during which gaze is continued. Processing program. A game processing device for providing a game in which a plurality of players progress by displaying an image of a virtual space on a display using a detection device for specifying the position and orientation of a player's head,
In the display, a space image display unit that displays an image of a virtual space including a selectable target object according to the position and orientation of the player's head detected by the detection device,
A determining unit that determines whether or not the gaze position of each player is on the target object in a first state;
When it is determined that the gaze position of one player is on the target object, the display of the one player and the display of the other player display the target object in the second state on the one side. And an object changing unit for identifiably displaying that the player is gazing at the target object. Using a game processing device provided with a control unit for managing the progress of the game and a detection device for specifying the position and orientation of the head of the player, an image of a virtual space is displayed on a display, and the progress is made by a plurality of players. A game processing method for providing a game to play,
The control unit is
On the display, an image of a virtual space including a selectable target object is displayed according to the position and orientation of the player's head detected by the detection device,
It is determined whether the gaze position of each player is on the target object in the first state,
When it is determined that the gaze position of one player is on the target object, the display of the one player and the display of the other player display the target object in the second state on the one side. A game processing method characterized by displaying that the player is gazing at the target object.