JP2021028840A - Game device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To enable a user to observe a specific object and also grasp a positional relation between the specific object and another object when the specific object is shielded by the other object in a three-dimensional virtual space.SOLUTION: A game device is constituted by: a position acquiring unit that is provided in a three-dimensional virtual space and acquires information on a position of a second object movable in a game field in which a first object is disposed,; and an image generation unit that generates an image representing the field of view from a virtual viewpoint in the three-dimensional virtual space and, when generating the image, performs image change by at least one of erasing and transparent of the first object, on the basis of the height of the first object with respect to the position of the second object, in a display area including at least a part of the second object.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a game device and a program.

A game for manipulating characters in a three-dimensional virtual space is known. In such a game, an image that appears to be observed from a viewpoint (virtual viewpoint) virtually set in a three-dimensional virtual space is displayed as a game screen.
In the game screen of such a game, when an object exists between the character and the virtual viewpoint, the character is blocked by the object and cannot be seen. In such a state, it becomes difficult for the user to grasp the situation of the character in the three-dimensional virtual space, and the operability is impaired.
Therefore, for example, when an object such as an obstacle exists between the virtual viewpoint and the character, there is known a technique for making the character visible by performing transparent processing on the object (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ..

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-50541

However, when the transparent processing is performed on the object as described above, the following problems may occur.
That is, the character moves in the three-dimensional virtual space according to the operation of the user. On the other hand, an object existing in a three-dimensional virtual space often restricts the movement of a character as an obstacle, for example.
The above-mentioned object transparency process does not remove the existence of the object itself in the three-dimensional virtual space, but merely makes it exist but not visible for convenience. For this reason, for example, the user tends to perform an operation of moving the character to the position of the transparently processed object. In this case, the movement of the character is restricted by the invisible object, and the operability is significantly impaired.

Therefore, in some aspects of the present invention, when a specific object is obscured by another object in a three-dimensional virtual space, the user can observe the specific object and then specify the specific object with the other object. One of the purposes is to provide a game device and a program capable of grasping the positional relationship with an object.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a game device and a program capable of exerting the effects described in the embodiments described later.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is a position acquisition unit provided in a three-dimensional virtual space and acquiring information regarding the position of a second object that can move in a game field in which a first object is arranged. And an image generation unit that generates an image representing a view from a virtual viewpoint in the three-dimensional virtual space, and the image generation unit includes at least a part of the second object when generating the image. In the display area, it is a game device that changes an image by at least one of erasing and making transparent the first object based on the height of the first object with respect to the position of the second object.

Further, one aspect of the present invention includes an image generation unit that generates an image representing a view from a virtual viewpoint in a three-dimensional virtual space having a game field in which a first object is arranged, and the image generation unit is the game. In a display area that includes at least a portion of the second object that can move the field, it depends on at least one of the elimination and transparency of the first object based on the height of the first object in the three-dimensional virtual space. A game device that changes images.

Further, one aspect of the present invention includes a position acquisition unit that acquires information regarding the position of a second object that can move the game field in which the first object is arranged in the three-dimensional virtual space, and a virtual viewpoint in the three-dimensional virtual space. The image generation unit includes an image generation unit that generates an image representing the field of view from the above, and the image generation unit is a first position having a height higher than the boundary height set based on the position of the second object for the first object. The degree to which the object is divided into the first object at a lower position than the first object at the high position and the first object at the low position is emphasized and displayed with respect to the first object at the high position is described above. In the first display area including at least a part of the second object, the game device is made higher than the second display area different from the first display area.

Further, one aspect of the present invention is a program for making a computer function as each of the above-mentioned game devices.

It is a figure which shows an example of the positional relationship between an object and a character in a game field displayed on a game screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the positional relationship between an object and a character in a game field displayed on a game screen. It is a figure explaining the setting of the image change area in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the mode example of the image change in the image change area in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the positional relationship between an object and a character in a game field displayed on a game screen. It is a figure which shows the mode example of the image change in the image change area in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the example of the setting method of the boundary designation surface in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the configuration example of the game apparatus in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the processing procedure which the game apparatus in 1st Embodiment executes in relation to display of a game screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the positional relationship between an object and a character in a game field displayed on a game screen. It is a figure which shows the setting example of the image change allowable position and the image change impossible position in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the configuration example of the game apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the processing procedure which the game apparatus in 2nd Embodiment executes in relation to display of a game screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the object change identification display in the 1st modification. It is a figure which shows an example of the erasing boundary display in the 2nd modification. It is a figure which shows the mode example of the image change in the 3rd modification. It is a figure which shows the display mode example of the silhouette of a character in 4th modification. It is a figure which shows the mode example of the shape change of the image change area in the 6th modification. It is a figure explaining the example of the setting method of the boundary designation surface according to a viewpoint angle in 7th modification.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
〔Overview〕
In the game played by the game device of the present embodiment, the character operated by the user is moved in the game field in the three-dimensional virtual space.
FIG. 1 shows an example of a game field GF displayed on the game screen in this embodiment. The game screen of the present embodiment shows a state in which the game field GF is viewed from a predetermined virtual viewpoint set in the three-dimensional virtual space including the game field GF in the figure. The virtual viewpoint set in the present embodiment may be changed as appropriate, but the case where the virtual viewpoint is fixedly set at a fixed position will be described below for the sake of simplicity.

In the game field GF of the figure, the character CH (an example of the second object) moves according to the operation of the user. In the game field GF of the present embodiment, the reference plane PL is set. The object OJ is arranged on the reference plane PL. The character CH moves in the space on the reference plane PL in the game field GF.

Further, an object (an example of the first object) as an object that becomes an obstacle to the movement of the character CH is appropriately arranged on the reference plane PL. In the figure, an example in which objects OJ1 and OJ2 are appropriately arranged is shown.
In the following description, when individual objects are not particularly distinguished, "n" in OJn (n is an integer assigned according to each object) is omitted and described as object OJ.
Further, the object OJ of the present embodiment is formed by a set of blocks BL having a predetermined constant size and shape. In the figure, the case where the block BL is a cube is taken as an example.
In the reference plane PL, a grid corresponding to the size of the plane of the block BL is set according to the arrangement of the objects in the unit of the block BL. When the block BL is arranged on the reference surface PL, the bottom surface of the block BL is arranged so as to fit in the grid of the reference surface PL.

As described above, the object OJ of the present embodiment is an object that functions as an obstacle to the movement of the character CH, and corresponds to, for example, a wall, a building, a rock, a plant, a vehicle, or the like. That is, the object OJ affects the movement of the character CH.
For example, when the user intends to move the character CH from the position shown in the figure to the position of the grid GLD1 sandwiching the object OJ1, the object OJ1 even if the user tries to move the character CH straight toward the position of the grid GLD1. Cannot be moved to the position of.
In this case, the user needs to move the character CH so as to bypass the object OJ1 on the reference plane PL to reach the grid GLD1. Alternatively, if the game allows climbing over the object OJ, the user moves the character CH to climb onto the object OJ1 and then lowers the character CH from the object OJ1. The operation of moving to the position of the grid GLD1 may be performed in this way.

In the case of the figure, for example, since the object OJ1 is formed by one block BL and is small, even if the character CH is located behind the object OJ1 from the virtual viewpoint as shown in the figure, the character CH is located. The character CH does not disappear.
However, as shown in FIG. 2, in a situation where the object OJ11 formed by a large number of blocks BL is arranged instead of the object OJ1 of FIG. 1, the character CH is shielded by the object OJ11. In such a situation, it becomes difficult for the user to grasp the result of the movement of the character CH according to the operation because the character CH to be operated is hidden behind the object OJ11 and becomes invisible. It ends up.
That is, in a game in which the character CH is operated and moved in the game field GF where the object OJ is arranged as in the present embodiment, the operability is significantly impaired by shielding the character CH by the object OJ. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the operability is maintained even in the situation where the character CH is shielded by the object OJ as follows.

That is, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a predetermined position determined corresponding to the position of the character CH existing in the game field GF is set as a reference position, and the image change area FL including the character CH (of the second object). Set an example of a display area that includes at least a part). For example, the reference position may be a predetermined center position in the character CH. Then, in the present embodiment, an example is shown in which a circular range with a constant radius centered on the reference position is used as the image change region FL.

Then, in the present embodiment, the following display changes are given in the image change area FL.
First, as shown in FIG. 3, in the object OJ11, blocks BL11 to BL15 are arranged in a row in the lowest row (first row from the bottom), and in the upper row (second row from the bottom). , Blocks BL21 to BL23 are arranged at positions above each of blocks BL11 to BL13, and blocks BL31 to BL33 are placed at positions above each of blocks BL21 to BL23 in the upper stage (third stage from the bottom). It is arranged and formed. In the following description, when these blocks are not particularly distinguished, they are described as block BL.
A part of the object OJ11 is included in the image change area FL according to the positional relationship between the object OJ11 and the character CH located behind the reference plane PL as follows. That is, in the image change area FL, the first block BL11, BL12, BL13, BL14 from the bottom, the second block BL21, BL22, BL23 from the bottom, and the third block BL31, BL32, BL33 from the bottom At least some of each is included.

Then, in the present embodiment, the display of the image change area FL including a part of the object OJ11 is changed from the state of FIG. 3 as shown in FIG. That is, in the second and third block BLs from the bottom, the part of the block BL included in the image change area FL is erased, and the block BL of the first step from the bottom at the same height as the character CH is erased. Even if it is included in the image change area FL, it is left without being erased.
As a result, for example, as shown in the figure, a part of the blocks BL32 and BL33 included in the image change area FL is erased (removed) in the third row from the bottom, and is included in the image change area FL in the second row from the bottom. A part of the block BL21 and all of the blocks BL22 and BL23 are erased. By erasing the block BL in this way, as shown in the figure, the erased portion is displayed so that the subsequent image can be seen as it is.
On the other hand, although the blocks BL11 to BL14 in the first stage from the bottom are included in the image change area FL, they are displayed in a state where they are left without being erased.

By giving a display change in the image change area FL as shown in the figure, the character CH shielded by the object OJ11 can be made visible. On top of that, the block BL in the first row from the bottom is displayed so as to remain without being erased, so that the user has a block BL at the same height as the position of the character CH as a part of the object OJ11. You can also grasp that you are there at the same time. That is, the user can confirm the character CH shielded by the object OJ11. Further, since the user is located in front of (front) the character CH when viewed from the virtual viewpoint and the part of the object OJ11 at the same height as the character CH actually exists, the character CH is placed on the front side. You can accurately grasp that you cannot move it. As a result, in the present embodiment, the operability is improved in the situation where the character CH exists at the position shielded by the object OJ.

Further, in the game of the present embodiment, as a mode of moving the character CH in the game field GF, the character CH can be moved so as to be placed on the object OJ.
FIG. 5 shows an example of a state in which the character CH is on the object OJ as described above. Specifically, in the figure, in the object OJ22 formed by arranging two blocks BL side by side in the first stage from the bottom, a state in which the character CH is placed on one block BL is shown. Further, in the figure, the object OJ21 is arranged in front of the character CH. The object OJ21 is formed by stacking three blocks BL with respect to the reference plane PL as shown in the figure.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a display change of the image change area FL performed under the state of FIG. As shown in the figure, of the block BL portion of the object OJ21 included in the image change area FL, the block BL portion in the third row from the bottom is erased, but the second row from the bottom and the second row from the bottom The block BL portion of the eye is displayed so as to remain without being erased.
That is, in the case of the figure, the position of the character CH is above the block BL arranged in the first step from the bottom in the height direction, which is one step higher than in the case of FIG. Therefore, in this case, among the block BLs of the object OJ21 included in the image change area FL, the portion of the block BLs from the bottom to the second stage corresponding to the same height as the character CH is left without being erased. It is displayed and the part of the block BL corresponding to the second row from the bottom higher than the character CH is erased.
When the character CH is located at a height corresponding to the block BL in the second stage from the bottom in this way, the second stage from the bottom is attracting attention as the block BL that affects the movement of the character CH. .. Therefore, if the display is changed in the image change area FL as shown in the figure, first, the character CH located at the height corresponding to the block BL in the second stage from the bottom can be made visible. In addition, the user can also grasp the existence of the object OJ that hinders the movement of the character in front at the same height as the character CH.

Here, an example of setting a boundary between a portion to be erased and a portion not to be erased in the object OJ will be described with reference to FIG. 7 in correspondence with the display change of the image change area FL shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. It can be done as follows.
FIG. 7A shows a state in which the character CH is located directly above the reference plane PL. The position of the character CH in the figure in the height direction corresponds to the state of FIG. Further, in the figure, an object OJ formed by stacking three blocks BL (BL-1, BL-2, BL-3) from the bottom to the top is arranged.
In the present embodiment, in the image of the character CH, the position corresponding to the height (block height) H of one block BL from the lowest position is set as the boundary corresponding position p. Then, the plane including the boundary corresponding position p is set as the boundary designation surface BD.
In the state of the figure, the boundary designation surface BD is a plane parallel to the reference surface PL and at a distance of a height H of one block from the reference surface PL. As described above, the reference plane PL serves as a reference plane in defining the height direction in the present embodiment. That is, in the present embodiment, the vertical direction (normal direction) with respect to the plane direction of the reference plane PL is defined as the height direction. The height direction may be defined as, for example, the direction of gravity in the three-dimensional virtual space as the height direction, in addition to being based on a specific surface such as the reference surface PL. In the following description, a case where the vertical direction of the reference plane PL with respect to the plane direction is the height direction is taken as an example as shown in the figure.
Further, FIG. 7B shows a state in which the character CH is located on one block BL-11 placed on the reference plane PL. In this case, the boundary corresponding position p set in the image of the character CH coincides with the height from the reference plane PL to the upper surface of the two blocks BL2. That is, in this case, the boundary designation surface BD is the height (2H) from the reference surface PL to the upper surface of the two blocks BL2.
Then, in the present embodiment, of the block BL portion of the object OJ included in the image change area FL, the block BL above the boundary designation surface BD determined according to the position in the height direction of the character CH as described above. Is erased, and the part of the block BL below the boundary designation surface BD is not erased.

According to the setting method of the boundary designation surface BD in the figure, the object OJ above the boundary designation surface BD among the objects OJ included in the image change area FL is set to either the front side or the back side of the character CH. Regardless of whether it is, the image is changed and deleted.
However, the object OJ located behind the character CH does not block the character CH. In this respect, it can be said that the operation of the character CH is not hindered even if the image of the part above the boundary designation surface BD is not intentionally changed for the object OJ located behind the character CH.
Therefore, even if the object OJ is included in the image change area FL, the object OJ located behind the character CH may be displayed as it is without being the target of the image change.

[Example of game device configuration]
FIG. 8 shows a configuration example of the game device 10 according to the present embodiment. The game device 10 in the figure includes a game control unit 110, a storage unit 120, an operation unit 130, and a display unit 140.
The game control unit 110 controls the progress of the game of the present embodiment. The function as the game control unit 110 is realized by executing a program by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) included in the game device 10. The game control unit 110 in the figure includes a game progress unit 111, a position acquisition unit 112, and an image generation unit 113.

The game progress unit 111 executes control regarding the progress of the game of the present embodiment. For example, the game progress unit 111 controls to move the position of the character in the game field GF in response to the operation for moving the character CH in the game field GF as an operation for the operation unit 130. To execute. In addition, in the progress of the game, when a predetermined purpose in the game is achieved, a score or the like is given according to the achieved content.

The position acquisition unit 112 acquires information regarding the position of the character CH in the game field GF. The information regarding the position here includes, for example, information on the position in the plane direction along the reference plane PL in the game field GF and information on the position in the height direction perpendicular to the reference plane PL.

The image generation unit 113 generates an image of the game field GF (an example of an image representing a field of view from a virtual viewpoint in a three-dimensional virtual space).
Further, when the image generation unit 113 of the present embodiment generates an image, the image is changed by erasing the object OJ based on the height of the object OJ with respect to the position of the character CH.

The storage unit 120 stores various types of information used by the game control unit 110.
The operation unit 130 collectively indicates an operator, an operation device, and the like included in the game device 10 of the present embodiment.
The display unit 140 displays an image under the control of the game control unit 110. The operation unit 130 may be provided with a touch panel including the display unit 140.

[Example of processing procedure]
An example of a processing procedure executed by the game device 10 of the present embodiment in connection with the display of the game screen will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The process shown in the figure may be executed at regular intervals, for example, as one of the drawing processes of the game screen. Further, in the following, in order to simplify the explanation, a case where the entire character CH is included in the image change area FL will be given as an example.

While the game is in progress, the position of the character CH in the game field GF changes according to the operation by the user. Further, the position of the character CH in the game field GF may change according to an event or the like generated in the game.
Therefore, the position acquisition unit 112 acquires the position-related information related to the position of the current character CH in the game field GF (step S100). The position-related information here includes information indicating the position of the character CH in the game field GF in the plane direction and information indicating the height of the character CH. Here, the position of the character CH in the plane direction is a position when the reference plane PL is a plane. As an example, when the reference plane PL is divided by the grid as shown in FIG. 1, the position of the character CH in the plane direction may be represented by the coordinates corresponding to each grid. Further, when the boundary designation surface BD is set as shown in FIG. 7, the height of the character CH is gradually expressed by the multiple of the height H of one block BL in the height direction. It should be done.
In the following, the position of the character CH includes the coordinates of the character CH in the plane direction and the coordinates in the height direction.

The image generation unit 113 draws a basic game field screen according to the position of the character CH acquired in step S100 (step S102). The basic game field screen is, for example, an image of the game field GF drawn in a state in which the character CH does not exist in the display range of the game field GF determined based on the position of the character CH. All the objects OJ that fit in the display range may be arranged in the image of the game field GF.
As a specific example, in correspondence with the case where the image change is performed in the image change area FL shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the image of the game field GF in which the objects OJ11 and OJ2 are arranged on the reference plane PL as shown in FIG. Is drawn as the basic game field screen. Alternatively, in correspondence with the case where the image is changed in the image change area FL shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the image of the game field GF in which the objects OJ21 and OJ22 are arranged on the reference plane PL as shown in FIG. 5 is the basis. Draws as a game field screen.

The following steps S104 to S114 are processes related to drawing the image change area FL. In drawing the image change area FL, first, the image generation unit 113 sets the image change area FL on the game screen based on the position of the character CH acquired in step S100 (step S104). Specifically, in step S104, the image generation unit 113 determines the reference position of the image change area FL on the game screen based on, for example, the position of the character CH. Then, the image generation unit 113 sets the range of the circle centered on the determined reference position as the image change area FL on the game screen.

Next, the image generation unit 113 draws a background image excluding the object OJ in the image change area FL in which the position on the screen of the game field is set (step S106). The background image here is an image of the game field GF in a state where the character CH and the object OJ do not exist as an image of the game field GF included in the image change area FL.

Next, the image generation unit 113 determines whether or not there is a portion (change target object portion) of the object OJ to be changed in the image change area FL (step S108). The object portion to be changed is a portion of the object OJ included in the image modification area FL that should be deleted.
In the determination in step S108, the image generation unit 113 sets the boundary designation surface BD corresponding to the height of the character CH acquired in step S100. Then, the image generation unit 113 determines whether or not there is a portion of the object OJ included in the image change area FL above the set boundary designation surface BD.
The image generation unit 113 determines that there is no object portion to be changed if there is no portion above the boundary designation surface BD. On the other hand, the image generation unit 113 determines that there is an object portion to be changed if there is a portion above the boundary designation surface BD. Further, in response to the determination that the object portion to be changed exists in this way, the image generation unit 113 has been able to specify the object portion to be changed in the image change area FL.

When it is determined that there is an object portion to be changed (step S108-YES), the image generation unit 113 executes the following processing. That is, the image generation unit 113 erases the object part to be changed from the prototype (prototype object image part) of the image part of the object OJ included in the image change area FL, and removes the remaining image part of the object OJ (change object image part). Create (step S110).
Next, the image generation unit 113 draws the changed object image portion created in step S110 and the image of the character CH on the image change area FL in which the background image excluding the object OJ is drawn in step S106. (Step S112). At this time, for example, the image generation unit 113 may perform drawing so that the image layers are overlapped from the bottom to the top in correspondence with the depth of the drawing object. That is, the image generation unit 113 may first draw the modified object image portion after the character CH, then draw the character CH, and then draw the modified object image portion before the character CH.
By performing such drawing, a part of the block BL forming the object OJ arranged in front of the character CH is erased as in the image change area FL of FIGS. 4 and 6. An image of the region FL is obtained.
As the drawing process in step S112, drawing may be performed in order from the drawing target on the front side in correspondence with the depth (depth) of the drawing target in the three-dimensional virtual space. Specifically, the image generation unit 113 in this case first draws from the modified object image portion in front of the character CH, then draws the portion of the character CH that is not hidden by the drawn modified object image portion, and then draws. In addition, the portion of the modified object image portion after the character CH that is not hidden by the character CH may be drawn. In the case of such drawing processing, it is not necessary to draw the portion hidden by the drawing object in front, so that the processing load is reduced.
Further, the drawing method according to the depth of the drawing object as described above may be applied to the drawing of the basic game field screen in step S102.

On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no object portion to be changed (step S108-NO), the image generation unit 113 executes the following processing. In this case, it is not necessary to erase any part of the object OJ included in the image change area FL. That is, in this case, the object OJ to be drawn in the image change area FL may be the prototype object image portion. Therefore, in this case, it is not necessary to create the modified object image portion from the prototype object image portion.
Therefore, the image generation unit 113 in this case draws the prototype object image portion and the image of the character CH on the image change area FL in which the background image is drawn in step S106 without performing the process of step S110. (Step S114).
If it is determined in step S108 that there is no object portion to be changed because there is no object OJ within the range of the image change area FL, there is no object OJ to be drawn in step S114. In this case, in step S114, the process of drawing the character CH without drawing the object OJ may be executed.

The image generation unit 113 superimposes the image of the image change area FL drawn through the processing of step S112 or step S114 on the image of the basic game field screen drawn in step S102 (step S116). As a result, the state in which the image change area FL is included is displayed on the basic game field screen.
The image generation process for forming the basic game field screen including the image change area FL is not limited to the process of superimposing the image of the image change area FL on the image of the basic game field screen as described above. For example, in step S116, the image generation unit 113 uses the image of the image change area FL to display the image portion of the area where the image change area FL is located on the basic game field screen instead of superimposing the image of the image change area FL. The process may be performed so as to change (replace).
When the process of step S116 is performed through step S112, the game screen of the mode illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6 is displayed on the display unit 140. That is, in the image change area FL of the game field GF, the game screen in which the block BL at a position higher than the character CH among the blocks BL forming the object OJ located in front of the character CH is erased is displayed.
On the other hand, when the process of step S116 is performed through step S114, a game screen in which the block BL is not erased is displayed in the image change area FL of the game field GF.

According to the processing procedure example of the figure, all the object parts to be changed of the object OJ included in the image change area FL are deleted regardless of whether they are located before or after the character CH. However, as described above, the object portion to be changed after the character CH does not have to be deleted.
When drawing the image change area FL so as not to erase the object part to be changed after the character CH, the image generation unit 113 may change the process of the figure as follows.
In step S110, the image generation unit 113 creates the modified object image portion for the object existing in front of the character CH, but does not create the modified object image portion for the object existing after the character CH. Leave the prototype object image part as it is. Next, when the image generation unit 113 draws the image portion of the object OJ with respect to the image change area FL in step S112, the image generation unit 113 draws the object OJ behind the character CH using the prototype object image portion. On the other hand, the image generation unit 113 may draw the modified object image portion created in step S110 for the object OJ in front of the character CH.
By such processing, in the image change area FL, the part having a height above a certain level is erased for the object OJ in front of the character CH, but the part having a height above a certain level is erased for the object OJ after the character CH. Even if there is, it is not erased and the display of the state where it is arranged according to the prototype can be obtained.

[Summary of the first embodiment]
As described above, the game device 10 of the present embodiment includes a position acquisition unit 112 and an image generation unit 113.
The position acquisition unit 112 acquires information regarding the position of the character CH (an example of the second object) that is provided in the three-dimensional virtual space and can move the game field GF in which the object OJ (an example of the first object) is arranged. ..
The image generation unit 113 generates an image of a game screen (an example of an image representing a field of view from a virtual viewpoint in a three-dimensional virtual space). Then, when generating an image, the image generation unit 113 creates an object in the image change area FL (an example of a display area including at least a part of the character CH) based on the height of the object OJ with respect to the position of the character CH. Change the image by erasing the OJ.

According to the above configuration, the portion to be erased for the object OJ is determined according to the height of the character CH in the image change area FL, and the determined portion is erased. By such processing, in the image change area FL, based on the height of the character CH, the object OJ having a height above a certain level can be erased, and the object having a height below a certain level can be displayed without being erased. it can. As a result, the state of the character hidden by the object OJ and disappeared can be confirmed, and the user can also grasp the existence of the object OJ that affects the movement of the character CH.
That is, depending on the present embodiment, when the character CH (an example of a specific object) is shielded by the object OJ (an example of another object) in the three-dimensional virtual space, the character CH can be observed by the user. Therefore, the positional relationship between the object OJ and the character CH can also be grasped.

[Second Embodiment]
〔Overview〕
Subsequently, the second embodiment will be described. The size and shape of the object OJ placed in the game field GF may be various. FIG. 10 shows an example of a situation in which a relatively small size object OJ is located in front of the character CH when there are various sizes and shapes of the object OJ as described above.
In the game field GF of the figure, three objects OJ31, OJ32, and OJ33 are arranged. On top of that, the character CH is located directly above the reference plane PL (at the same height as the block BL in the first stage from the bottom) and behind the object OJ31. Therefore, a part of the character CH is blocked by the object OJ31 and cannot be seen.
Here, the object OJ31 located in front of the character CH is formed by arranging one block BL31-1 arranged on the reference plane PL and further blocking BL31-2 on the block BL31-1. There is. That is, the object OJ 31 has a shape in which two blocks BL are stacked in the height direction, and the size of the object OJ is small.

Under the state of the figure, for example, when the boundary setting method illustrated in FIG. 7 is applied as it is, the block arranged above the blocks BL31-1 and the blocks BL31-2 forming the object OJ31. BL31-2 is subject to change. That is, in the image change area FL, the lower block BL31-1 is displayed as the object OJ31, but the upper block BL31-2 is erased.
However, since the size of the object OJ31 itself is small, it is often possible to grasp the state of the character CH without erasing the block BL31-2. Further, if a part of the small object OJ is erased or displayed again according to the movement of the character CH, the user may be rather annoyed. Considering this, depending on the size and shape of the object OJ, it is preferable not to intentionally change the part of the object OJ that is the target of change depending on the boundary setting of FIG. 7, for example.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the object OJ arranged in the game field GF is classified into an object that can be changed and an object that cannot be changed. Then, when the object OJ that can be changed is located in front of the character CH and fits in the image change area FL, for example, the boundary designation surface BD of FIG. 7 is set and above the boundary designation surface BD. The part of the object OJ of is deleted. On the other hand, when the object OJ that cannot be changed is located in front of the character CH and fits in the image change area FL, the object OJ above the boundary designation surface BD is not erased even if it exists. To do so.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, either the image change allowable position or the image change impossible position is assigned to the coordinates (grid) of the reference plane PL.
The image change allowable position is the coordinates on the reference plane PL that are allowed to be changed for the portion of the object OJ that fits in the image change area FL when the character CH is positioned.
The image changeable position is a coordinate on the reference plane PL that is determined not to be changed even if there is a part of the object OJ that fits in the image change area FL when the character CH is positioned.

FIG. 11 shows an example in the case where the image change allowable position and the image change impossible position are set in the game field GF of FIG. In the figure, each of the nine grid GLDs included in the image change allowable area AR on the reference plane PL is set as the image change allowable position. On the other hand, each of the grid GLDs included in the area other than the image change allowable area AR on the reference plane PL is set as the image change impossible position.
In the example of the figure, when the character CH is located in any grid GLD in the image change allowable area AR, the portion of the second block BL included in the image change area FL in the object OJ33 in front of the character CH. Image changes are given to erase.
On the other hand, for example, in the game field GF of the figure, when the character CH exists in the grid GLD at the same position as in FIG. 10, the grid GLD in which the character CH is located is an image changeable position. Therefore, the object OJ31 in front of the character CH is displayed in the complete form by the blocks BL31-1 and BL31-2 without erasing the block BL31-2.
Further, for example, in the game field GF of the figure, even when the character CH is located behind the object OJ32, the grid GLD in which the character CH is located is the position where the image cannot be changed. Therefore, even in the object OJ32, the upper block BL is displayed in a complete form without being erased.

In the figure, the case where the character CH is located directly above the reference plane PL is taken as an example. However, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the character CH may exist at a position higher than the reference plane PL, such as on the object OJ. In such a case, the image change allowable position and the image change impossible position may be set on the upper surface of the block BL forming the object OJ.

[Example of game device configuration]
FIG. 12 shows a configuration example of the game device 10A according to the present embodiment. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. 8 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.
The game control unit 110A in the figure includes an image generation unit 113A. The image generation unit 113A determines whether or not to change the image based on the position of the character CH in the game field GF. Then, when the character CH exists at a predetermined position (image change allowable position) in the game field GF, the image generation unit 113A changes the image based on the height of the object OJ with respect to the position of the character CH. ..
Further, the storage unit 120 in the game device 10A stores the position setting table 121. In the position setting table 121, either the surface image change allowable position or the image change impossible position is set for each coordinate in the game field GF (the grid of the reference surface PL or the position of the upper surface of the block BL in the object OJ). It is a table showing the object.

[Example of processing procedure]
An example of a processing procedure executed by the game device 10A of the present embodiment in connection with the display of the game screen will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Similar to the case of FIG. 9, the process of the figure may be executed, for example, at regular intervals as one of the drawing processes of the game screen. Further, also in the figure, in order to simplify the explanation, a case where the entire character CH is included in the image change area FL will be given as an example.

In the figure, the processes of steps S1100 executed by the position acquisition unit 112 and steps S1102 to S1106 executed by the image generation unit 113A are the same as those of steps S100 to S106 of FIG. 9, respectively. Omit.

After drawing the background image in the image change area FL in step S1106, the image generation unit 113A determines whether or not the current position of the character CH is the image change allowable position (step S1108). For this purpose, the image generation unit 113A refers to the position setting table 121, and sets either the surface image change allowable position or the image change impossible position for the coordinates corresponding to the positions of the character CH acquired in step S1100. It suffices to judge whether it is done.
When the position of the character CH is the image change allowable position (step S1108-YES), the object OJ is located in front of the character CH, and the image change area FL includes the object OJ to be image-changed. ..
Therefore, the image generation unit 113A in this case first identifies the object portion to be changed for the object OJ in front of the character CH by, for example, the boundary setting method of FIG. 7. Then, the image generation unit 113A executes the processes of steps S1110 and S1112. The processing of steps S1110 and S1112 is the same as that of steps S110 and S112 of FIG.

On the other hand, when the position of the character CH is the position where the image cannot be changed (step S1108-NO), the image generation unit 113 executes the process of step S114 without executing step S1110. The process of step S1114 is the same as that of step S114 of FIG. When the position of the character CH is the position where the image cannot be changed, the object OJ may not exist within the range of the image change area FL. In this case, in step S1114, the process of drawing the character CH without drawing the object OJ may be executed.

The image generation unit 113 superimposes the image of the image change area FL drawn through the processing of step S1112 or step S1114 on the image of the basic game field screen drawn in step S1102 in the same manner as in step S116 of FIG. (Step S1116).
For example, in correspondence with FIG. 11, when the processing of step S1116 is performed through step S1112, it corresponds to the case where the character CH is located in any of the grid GLDs in the image change allowable area AR. In this case, the portion of the block BL in the second row from the bottom of the object OJ33 included in the image change area FL is erased, and the game screen in a state where the character CH can be seen through the erased portion is displayed.
On the other hand, when the process of step S1116 is performed through step S1114, for example, the state in which the character is located behind the object OJ31 corresponds to this. In this case, the block BL31-2 in the upper row of the object OJ31 is completely displayed without being erased, and a part of the character CH is blocked by the object OJ31 and displayed in an invisible state.

[Summary of the second embodiment]
As described above, in the game device 10A of the present embodiment, the image generation unit 113A determines whether or not to change the image based on the position of the character CH in the game field GF.

According to the above configuration, it is determined whether or not to change the image of the object OJ based on the position of the character CH in the game field GF. Thereby, for example, depending on the position of the object OJ, even if the object OJ having a height that can be the target of the image change exists in the image change area FL, the image change can be prevented. As a result, for example, it is possible to solve the problem that the user feels annoyed by changing the image even for a small object OJ.

Further, in the game device 10A of the present embodiment, the image generation unit 113A is an object with respect to the position of the character CH when the character CH exists at the image change allowable position (an example of a predetermined position) in the game field GF. The image is changed based on the height of the OJ.

According to the above configuration, if the character CH is located at the image change allowable position in the game field GF, the image change can be given to the object OJ according to the height of the character CH. On the other hand, if the character CH is located at a position where the image cannot be changed, the image of the object OJ can be prevented from being changed even if the object OJ is located in front of the character CH. That is, it is possible to efficiently set whether or not to change the image of the object OJ in association with the position (coordinates) in the game field GF.

[Modification example]
Hereinafter, a modified example of the present embodiment will be described. Each of the following modifications can be applied to at least one of the above-described first embodiment and second embodiment.
[First modification]
As understood from the description of each of the above embodiments, depending on the positional relationship between the character CH and the object OJ in front of the character CH, the object OJ included in the image change area FL may or may not be deleted. There is. Further, even if the object OJ part is erased in the image change area FL, if the erased object OJ part is small, the user means that the object OJ part is erased. It may be difficult to confirm.
Considering such a thing, it is preferable to enable the user to identify whether or not the object OJ is in the erased state in the image change area FL. Therefore, as an example of this modification, a display (object change identification display) is performed so that the user can identify whether or not the object OJ is in the erased state in the image change area FL.

FIG. 14 shows an example of one aspect of the object change identification display in this modified example.
First, FIG. 14A shows an example of a display mode in a state where the portion of the object OJ to be changed is erased in the image change area FL. In the figure, the image change area FL superimposed on the basic game field screen corresponding to the position of the character CH is shown. On top of that, in the figure, the state in which the object change identification display DS is performed is shown. Specifically, the object change identification display DS in this case has a circumferential shape along the outer shape of the image change area FL, and is displayed in a predetermined color so that it can be visually distinguished from the surroundings, for example. It is a part to be called. Further, the object change identification display DS in the figure may be displayed so as to blink, for example.
On the other hand, FIG. 14B shows an example of a display mode in a state where the portion of the object OJ to be changed is not erased in the image change area FL. In the figure, the image change area FL superimposed on the basic game field screen corresponding to the position of the character CH is shown by a broken line. The broken line of the image change area FL in the figure indicates that the object change identification display DS is not performed at the boundary between the image change area FL and the image of the surrounding basic game field screen.
As described above, in this modification, the display / non-display of the object change identification display DS is switched according to whether or not the part of the object OJ to be changed is erased. .. By switching the display in this way, the user can clearly grasp whether or not the portion of the object OJ to be changed is currently deleted.

The object change identification display DS is not limited to the mode of switching between display and non-display. For example, after constantly displaying an image of the circumference along the outer shape of the image change area FL, the circumference as the object change identification display DS is determined according to whether or not the object OJ is erased. The shading, color, etc. of the image may be changed. Alternatively, the image of the circumference as the object change identification display DS may be switched between a state of being constantly displayed and a state of blinking, depending on whether or not the object OJ is in the erased state. Alternatively, after blinking the image of the circumference as the object change identification display DS, the blinking pattern may be changed depending on whether or not the object OJ is in the erased state.
The object change identification display is not limited to the display corresponding to the position of the image change area FL as shown in the figure. For example, the object change identification display may be performed at a predetermined position away from the image change area FL on the game screen as a display accompanied by, for example, a character or a predetermined pattern.

In the display of such an object change identification display DS, for example, in correspondence with the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the image generation units 113 and 113A are in steps S112 (FIG. 9) and S1112 (FIG. 13). This may be realized by drawing the object change identification display DS when drawing the changed object image portion and the character. Alternatively, the drawing of the object change identification display DS may be performed when the image of the image change area FL is superimposed on the basic game field image in steps S116 and S1116.

[Summary of the first modification]
As described above, in the game devices 10 and 10A of the present embodiment, the image generation units 113 and 113A generate an image so that it can be identified whether or not the image change is performed in the image change area FL.

According to the above configuration, the image generation units 113 and 113A of the present embodiment change the shape of the object along the outer shape of the image change area FL on the game screen when the image is changed in the image change area FL. It is possible to add the identification display DS and not to add the object change identification display DS when the image has not been changed. As a result, the user can clearly grasp whether or not the portion of the object OJ to be changed is currently deleted depending on the presence or absence of the object change identification display DS.

[Second modification]
In the image change area FL, the portion of the object OJ to be changed is erased, so that the upper surface of the object OJ remaining unerased (that is, the boundary with the erased object OJ portion) is newly created. Appears to be exposed. Specifically, in the example in which the image change area FL changes as shown in FIGS. 3 to 4, the following states are obtained. That is, since a part or all of the blocks BL21 to BL23 of the object OJ11 is erased, the upper surface portion of the blocks BL11 to BL13 arranged under the blocks BL21 to BL23 in the same object OJ11 is newly exposed. Is displayed. Considering the operability of the user, it is visually apparent that the newly exposed part of the object OJ is newly appeared by erasing the part of the object OJ at a position higher than the exposed part. It is preferable to make it specified in.
Therefore, in this modification, the display is performed so that the boundary between the object OJ remaining without being erased as described above and the portion of the erased object OJ can be identified. By performing such a display, the user can grasp where is deleted in the object OJ.

Specifically, in this modification, the surface of the object OJ that remains unerased is the boundary between the erased object OJ and the erased object OJ. Is displayed (erasure boundary display).
FIG. 15 shows an example in which the erasure boundary display is performed when the portion of the object OJ11 included in the image change area FL is erased as in FIG. In the figure, a state in which the erase boundary display STL is applied to the upper surface portion of the exposed blocks BL11 to BL13 corresponding to the erased portion of the blocks BL21 to BL23 of the object OJ11 included in the image change area FL is shown. Has been done. With such a display, the user can accurately grasp that the portion of the block BL above the blocks BL11 to BL13 is erased in the object OJ11.

In correspondence with the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the image generation units 113 and 113A display the erase boundary display STL in steps S110 (FIG. 9) and S1110 (FIG. 13). When creating the changed object image part, it can be realized by drawing the part of the object OJ that is exposed according to the erasure of the part of the object OJ to be changed by drawing corresponding to the erasing boundary display STL.
Further, as the mode of the erasing boundary display STL, a predetermined pattern or the like may be used regardless of the type of the object OJ, but for example, a cut surface according to the type of the object OJ may be represented. As an example, if the object OJ is a tree, it may be an erase boundary display STL in which the tree is cut and an annual ring appears. Further, if the object OJ is a building, the erase boundary display STL in a state where the building is cut and the inside can be seen may be used.

[Summary of the second modification]
As described above, in the game devices 10 and 10A of the present embodiment, the image generation units 113 and 113A can identify the boundary between the object OJ whose image has not been changed and the object OJ whose image has been changed. Generate an image.

According to the above configuration, for example, in the object OJ remaining without changing the image by erasing, the erasing boundary display STL can be applied to the newly exposed portion by erasing the object OJ. As a result, the user can accurately grasp that the portion of the object OJ above the portion where the erase boundary display STL is applied is erased in the image change area FL.

[Third modification example]
Subsequently, a third modification will be described. In the explanation so far, the mode of image change by erasing is given to the part of the object OJ to be changed in the image change area FL. However, the mode of image change in the image change area FL in this modification is not limited to erasing. For example, semi-transparency (an example of transparency) may be performed as an image change in the image change area FL.
FIG. 16 shows a case where the object OJ11 portion (blocks B21 to BL23, blocks BL31 to BL33) is subject to image change as in FIG. 4, and translucency is performed as an image change in the image change area FL. An example is shown. In the figure, the states in which the blocks B21 to BL23 and the blocks BL31 to BL33 to be changed in the image change area FL are changed to the semitransparent state are shown. Further, the character CH in this case is displayed in a state of being visible through the semi-transparent block BL.
By performing such a display, the user can grasp the state of the character while grasping the original shape of the object OJ11.

In correspondence with the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the image generation units 113 and 113A perform steps S110 (FIG. 9) and step S1110 (FIG. 13) to display the translucency of the present modification. ) When creating the changed object image part, it can be realized by drawing the part of the object OJ to be changed so as to be semi-transparent with a predetermined transparency.

[Summary of the third modification]
As described above, in the game devices 10 and 10A of the present embodiment, the image generation units 113 and 113A change the image by making the object OJ transparent.
According to the above configuration, in the image change area FL, for example, an arbitrary transparency can be set to change the image of the object OJ.

Further, the image generation units 113 and 113A make the object OJ semi-transparent as the above-mentioned transparency.
According to the above configuration, in the image change area FL, for example, the image of the object OJ can be changed so as to be in a semi-transparent state. As a result, the user can confirm the existence of the part of the object OJ to be changed together with the character CH.

[Fourth modification]
Subsequently, a fourth modification will be described. For example, in the example of FIG. 4, in the character CH, the portion blocked by the lowermost blocks BL11 to BL13 that remains unerased in the object OJ11 cannot be seen, and the upper portion that can be seen through the blocks BL11 to BL13 is displayed. It is in a state. In such a display state, the user cannot see the entire character CH, so that it may be difficult to accurately grasp the state of the character CH.
Therefore, in this modification, when an image change is given to the object OJ in the image change area FL, the part of the character CH hidden by the part of the object OJ that remains without being erased is displayed by a silhouette.
In FIG. 17, when the part of the object OJ11 included in the image change area FL is erased as in FIG. 4, the part of the character CH hidden by the part of the object OJ that remains without being erased is shown by the silhouette SIL. The displayed example is shown. That is, in the figure, of the entire character CH, the upper portion visible through the blocks BL11 to BL13 is normally displayed, and the portion hidden by the blocks BL11 to BL13 is displayed by the silhouette SIL. There is.
In correspondence with each of the above-described embodiments, the image generation units 113 and 113A display the character CH in step S112 (FIG. 9) and step S1112 (FIG. 13), and the changed object image before the character CH is displayed. When drawing the part, it can be realized by drawing so that the silhouette SIL part of the character CH is superimposed on the changed object image part.

[Summary of the fourth modification]
As described above, in the game devices 10 and 10A of the present embodiment, the image generation units 113 and 113A are based on the position of the character CH in the game field GF, and the silhouette SIL of the character CH (an image showing the existence of the character CH). (Example) is superimposed on the image showing the object OJ whose image is not changed.
According to the above configuration, the character CH portion hidden here is displayed in a state of being superimposed by the silhouette SIL on the object OJ that remains without changing the image. As a result, the user can recognize the entire image of the character CH, so that the state of the character CH can be accurately grasped.

[Fifth variant]
Subsequently, a fifth modification will be described. In the third modification, the portion of the object OJ to be changed in the image change area FL is made translucent. On the other hand, in this modification, first, the portion of the object OJ that remains unchanged is semi-transparent with a predetermined transparency. Then, for the part of the object OJ that is the target of change in the same object OJ, the transparency is set to be higher than the transparency set in the part that is not the target of change, and the display is semi-transparent.
Depending on such a display, although not shown, the object OJ including the part to be changed is displayed semi-transparently in the image change area FL, but the part to be changed is compared with the part not to be changed. Displayed with higher transparency. By displaying the image change area FL in this way, the user can accurately grasp the existence of the object OJ arranged in front of the character CH and position it behind the object OJ arranged in front of the character CH. It is also possible to accurately grasp the state of the character CH to be set.

In correspondence with the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the image generation units 113 and 113A perform steps S110 (FIG. 9) and step S1110 (FIG. 13) to display the translucency of the present modification. As the process of creating the changed object image part in), the part of the object OJ that is not the target of change is drawn with a predetermined low transparency, and the part of the object OJ that is the target of change is larger than the part of the object OJ that is not the target of change. This can be achieved by drawing with a high predetermined transparency.

[6th modification]
Under each of the above embodiments, the shape of the image change region FL is fixed, for example, by a circle. However, the shape of the image change region FL may change depending on, for example, the state of the character CH in the game field GF.
Therefore, as an example of this modification, the shape of the image change region FL is changed according to the moving direction of the character CH in the game field GF.
An example of mode of shape change of the image change region FL in this modification will be described with reference to FIG. The figure shows a state in which the character CH is moving in the direction indicated by the arrow dir behind the object OJ41 in the game field GF where the objects OJ41 and OJ42 are arranged.

In the present modification, in the state where the character CH is stopped at the same position in the game field GF, the image change area FL is a circular shape having a constant size as in each of the above embodiments. Specifically, when the character CH is stopped at the position shown in the figure, in this case, the character CH becomes circular as shown as the image change area FL-1.
On the other hand, when the character CH is moving, the shape of the image change area FL changes from the image change area FL-1 in the figure to the image change area FL-2. That is, the image change area FL-2 is deformed so that the area becomes wider with respect to the moving direction from the position of the character CH. In the figure, an example is shown in which the image change region FL-2 becomes elliptical in response to such a change.
Then, when the image change area FL is deformed, the part of the object OJ to be changed such as erasure and semi-transparency is determined for the part of the object OJ included in the deformed image change area FL. Will be done.
By performing such a display, when the character CH is moving, the area where the image change of the object OJ is given is widened at the moving destination. This makes it easier for the user to grasp the state of the movement destination of the character CH.

Such a change in the shape of the image change area FL sets the image change area FL in steps S104 (FIG. 9) and S1104 (FIG. 13), for example, in correspondence with the first embodiment and the second embodiment. This can be achieved by the following processing.
That is, the image generation units 113 and 113A determine the reference position of the image change area FL on the game screen based on the position of the character CH as described above. Further, the image generation units 113 and 113A determine whether or not the character CH is moving based on the change in the position of the character CH from the present to a certain time in the past. Further, the image generation units 113 and 113A further determine the moving direction of the character CH in the game field GF if it is moving. The image generation units 113 and 113A determine whether or not the character movement operation is currently being performed and whether or not the character CH is moving, and the character CH is determined by the movement direction specified by the character movement operation. The moving direction may be determined.
The image generation units 113 and 113A set a circular image change area FL having a predetermined size centered on the reference position when the character CH is not moving but stopped. On the other hand, when the character CH is moving, the area on the side corresponding to the moving direction with respect to the reference position is wider than the side opposite to the moving direction in accordance with the moving direction of the character CH in the game field GF. An image change area FL having an elliptical shape is set.

Further, the size of the image change area FL may be changed according to, for example, the moving speed of the character CH. Specifically, the image generation units 113 and 113A may be set so that the size of the image change area FL increases as the moving speed of the character CH increases. Such deformation of the image change region FL may include, for example, an aspect in which the degree of widening the region on the moving direction side is increased according to the moving speed of the character CH.
By changing the image change area FL according to the movement speed of the character CH in this way, when the character CH is moving fast, the user can detect the existence of the object OJ that affects the movement of the character CH in a wider range. You will be able to grasp.

[Summary of 6th variant]
As described above, in the game devices 10 and 10A of the present embodiment, the image generation units 113 and 113A change the range of the image change area FL according to the movement of the character CH.
According to the above configuration, for example, the shape can be changed so as to expand the image change area FL in the direction corresponding to the movement direction of the character CH, and the size of the image change area FL can be changed according to the movement speed. .. That is, the image change area FL can be deformed so as to match the moving state of the character CH. As a result, it becomes easier to grasp the state of the surrounding object OJ as the character CH moves, and the operability is improved.

[7th modification]
In the explanation so far, the case where the viewpoint with respect to the game field GF on the game screen is fixed is given as an example. However, the height of the viewpoint with respect to the game field GF may be changed according to, for example, the situation of the game field GF or the operation of the user. When the height of the viewpoint can be changed in this way, the character CH can be seen according to the height of the viewpoint even if the positional relationship between the object OJ and the object OJ located in front of the object OJ is the same. The height of the object OJ is different.

As a specific example, FIG. 19 shows virtual viewpoints PV1 and PV2 having different heights, respectively. As an example, regarding the heights of the virtual viewpoints PV1 and PV2, in the figure, one point showing a plane parallel to the reference plane PL and a direction from the viewpoint to the boundary corresponding position p of the character CH (an example of the line-of-sight direction). It is indicated by the viewpoint angles α1 and α2 formed by the chain line.
In the example of the figure, the character CH is located directly above the reference plane PL, and the object OJ is arranged in front of the character CH when viewed from the virtual viewpoints PV1 and PV2. The object OJ is a state in which blocks BL-1, BL-2, and BL-3 are stacked in the height direction.
According to the example in the figure, when the virtual viewpoint PV1 is set, the upper two blocks BL-3, BL- of the blocks BL-1, BL-2, and BL-3 forming the object OJ are set. The character CH can be seen by giving the image change (erasing or translucency) to 2.
On the other hand, when a virtual viewpoint PV2 higher than the virtual viewpoint PV1 is set, the uppermost block BL-3 among the blocks BL-1, BL-2, and BL-3 forming the object OJ is set. The character CH can be seen by giving an image change (erasing or translucency).

Therefore, in this modification, the boundary designation surface BD is set based on the height of the viewpoint in addition to the height of the character CH described in FIG. 7, for example. Specifically, in the case of the figure, when the virtual viewpoint PV1 is set, the image generation units 113 and 113A use the plane including the boundary corresponding position p as the boundary designation surface BD-as in FIG. Set as 1.
By setting the boundary designation surface BD-1 in this way, image changes are given to the two blocks BL-3 and BL-2 from the top, so that the character CH from the virtual viewpoint PV1 through the block BL-1 Will be visible.
On the other hand, when the virtual viewpoint PV2 is set, the image generation units 113 and 113A offset the boundary corresponding position p by the height of one block BL. Then, the image generation units 113 and 113A set the plane including the boundary corresponding position p after the offset as the boundary designation surface BD-2.
By setting the boundary designation surface BD-2 in this way, the image change is given to the uppermost block BL-3, so that the virtual viewpoint PV2 passes through the second block BL-2 from the bottom. The character CH becomes visible.

In order to change the height of the boundary designation surface BD according to the height of the viewpoint as described above under the first embodiment or the second embodiment, for example, the storage units of the game devices 10 and 10A can be changed. In 120 and 120A, an offset value table associated with an offset value from the boundary corresponding position p for the height at which the boundary designation surface BD is set is stored for each predetermined range of the height of the viewpoint (viewpoint angle). Specifically, in correspondence with the example of FIG. 19, an offset value of "0" is associated with the range of the viewpoint angle including the viewpoint angle α1, and one block BL is associated with the range of the viewpoint angle including the viewpoint angle α2. The "H", which is the height of the minute, is associated.

Then, in step S108 (FIG. 9) or step S1110, the image generation units 113 and 113A may set the boundary designation surface BD as follows when specifying the object portion to be changed as follows. That is, the image generation units 113 and 113A acquire the current viewpoint angle, and by referring to the offset value table, acquire the offset value corresponding to the current viewpoint angle. The image generation units 113 and 113A offset the height of the boundary corresponding position p corresponding to the position of the character CH in a direction higher than the acquired offset value. The image generation units 113 and 113A set the plane including the boundary corresponding position p after offset as the boundary designation surface BD. By such processing, the height of the boundary between the part of the object OJ to be changed and the part of the object OJ not to be changed can be changed according to the viewpoint angle.

[Summary of 7th modification]
As described above, in the game device 10 of the present embodiment, the image generation units 113 and 113A further change the image based on the line-of-sight direction from the virtual viewpoint to the character CH.
According to the above configuration, the portion of the object OJ to be image-changed can be determined according to the height of the virtual viewpoint, and the image of the object OJ can be changed. As a result, when the height of the virtual viewpoint is changed in the game, it is possible to appropriately change the image of the object OJ according to the height of the virtual viewpoint.

[8th modification]
Further, when the image generation units 113 and 113A determine whether or not the object OJ is the target of the image change, it is based on the setting of the boundary designation surface BD determined according to the height of the character CH as shown in FIG. You can also do the following:
That is, in step S108 (FIG. 9), the image generation units 113 and 113A of this modification first try to move the character CH from the current position (current position) to the direction in which the viewpoint is set (forward). It is determined whether or not there is a portion (movement obstructing portion) of the object OJ having a height arranged so as to obstruct the movement. When there is a movement inhibition part, the part of the object OJ that is not the movement inhibition part is the change target. Therefore, in step S108, when it is determined that the movement-inhibiting portion exists, the image generation units 113 and 113A further determine whether or not there is a portion of the object OJ that is not the movement-inhibiting portion in the image change region FL.
When it is determined that the portion of the object OJ that is not the movement-inhibiting portion exists, the image generation units 113 and 113A, in step S110, remove the portion of the object OJ included in the image change area FL other than the movement-inhibiting portion. Erase and draw the modified object image part so that the movement obstruction part is left without being erased. Even in this way, the image change area FL can be displayed in the same manner as in FIG. 4, for example.
The movement-inhibiting portion is a portion of the object OJ having a height arranged so as not to be moved from the current position of the character CH. However, although the movement obstruction portion can move the character CH even if the next movement operation is performed, for example, even if the movement obstruction portion includes the portion of the object OJ at a position where the character CH cannot be moved if the character CH is moved as it is. Good.

[Summary of 8th variant]
As described above, in the game device 10 of the present embodiment, the image generation units 113 and 113A exclude the object OJ having a height that affects the movement of the character CH at the current position from the target of image change.
According to the above configuration, in the image change area FL, the image is not changed for the object OJ having a height that affects the movement of the character CH at the current position, and the height does not affect the movement of the character CH at the current position. The image of the object OJ of is changed. As a result, the user can accurately grasp the object OJ that becomes an obstacle when the character CH moves from the current position in the game field GF.

[9th modification]
Further, in the description so far, the boundary designation surface BD between the portion of the object OJ that is the target of image change and the object OJ that is not the target of image change in the image change area FL is the height of the character CH as shown in FIG. It was decided accordingly. However, the boundary designation surface BD may be determined based on the height of the object OJ regardless of the height of the character CH.
As a specific example, the boundary designation surface BD may be fixedly defined as, for example, the boundary between the block BL in the first stage from the bottom and the block in the second stage from the bottom. In this case, among the block BLs forming the object OJ included in the image change area FL, the block BL in the first row from the bottom is not subject to image change, and the portion of the block BL higher than the second row from the bottom is always It is targeted for image changes and is erased or semi-transparent.
In the case of such processing, it is not necessary to reset the boundary designation surface BD according to the movement of the character CH in the height direction, so that the processing load can be reduced.
Further, the fixed setting of the boundary designation surface BD as in this modification is limitedly applied to the object OJ that meets certain conditions such as the height being below a certain level, and is applied to other game field GFs. May set the boundary designation surface BD according to the height of the character CH.

[Summary of 9th variant]
As described above, the game devices 10 and 10A of the present embodiment have image generation units 113 and 113A that generate an image representing a field of view from a virtual viewpoint in a three-dimensional virtual space having a game field GF in which the character CH is arranged. To be equipped.
The image generation units 113 and 113A change the image in the image change area FL by at least one of erasing and making the object OJ transparent based on the height of the object OJ in the three-dimensional virtual space.
According to the above configuration, it is possible to determine the object OJ whose image should be changed according to the height of the object OJ itself without considering the height of the character CH. As a result, it is not necessary to redetermine the object OJ for which the image should be changed according to the movement of the character CH in the height direction, so that the processing load can be reduced.

[10th modification]
In the above description, in the image change area FL, the part of the object OJ that is the target of change is erased or semi-transparent, and the part that is not the target of change is not erased or semi-transparent, or is the target of change. It was in a semi-transparent state with a lower transparency than the part that was made.
From the viewpoint of the degree of emphasis of the image, it can be said that the following processing is performed for the difference in the display mode between the portion to be changed and the portion not to be changed in the object OJ. That is, in the image change area FL, the degree of emphasizing and displaying the part to be changed is higher than the area other than the image change area FL in the game screen. It can be said that it is set to.
As an example of this modification, using a parameter (image enhancement degree) indicating the degree of enhancement of such an image, the portion to be changed and the portion not to be changed in the object OJ are described in the above-described embodiments. An image is generated so that a similar display change can be obtained.

For example, when the present modification is applied under the first embodiment, the image generation unit 113 describes the object OJ included in the area other than the image change area FL on the game screen with respect to the portion below the boundary designation surface BD. Sets the standard image enhancement corresponding to the normal display, and also sets the standard image enhancement for the portion above the boundary designation surface BD. On the other hand, for the object OJ included in the image change area FL, the standard image enhancement corresponding to the normal display is set for the part below the boundary designation surface BD, but for the part above the boundary designation surface BD. Sets a lower than standard image enhancement for erasing (hidden).
The image enhancement degree of such a modified example can be treated as the transparency of the image. Therefore, if the image enhancement degree lower than the standard set in the portion above the boundary designation surface BD in the image change area FL is set higher than the image enhancement degree corresponding to the erasure, it is translucent as in the third modification. State can be set.

[Summary of 10th modification]
As described above, the game devices 10 and 10A of the present embodiment include a position acquisition unit 112 and an image generation unit 113 or 113A.
The position acquisition unit 112 acquires information regarding the position of the character CH (an example of the second object) that is provided in the three-dimensional virtual space and can move the game field GF in which the object OJ (an example of the first object) is arranged. ..
The image generation unit 113 or 113A generates an image of the game screen (an example of an image representing a field of view from a virtual viewpoint in a three-dimensional virtual space).
Then, the image generation unit 113 or 113A has the object OJ at a higher position than the boundary designation surface BD (an example of the boundary height) set based on the position of the character CH, and the object OJ at a higher position. In the image change area FL (an example of the first display area), the degree to which the low-position object OJ is emphasized and displayed with respect to the high-position object OJ is divided by the low-position object OJ. The image change area is set higher than the area other than FL (an example of a second display area different from the first display area).
According to the above configuration, by setting the image enhancement degree, it is possible to give a change so as to erase or make the object OJ to be image-changed transparent in the image change area FL.

[Other modifications]
The shape of the image change region FL is circular or elliptical in the above description, but the shape is not limited to such a shape, and may be, for example, a quadrangle.

In the description so far, the object of interest displayed in the image change area FL as a setting reference for the image change area FL is a character CH (operation character) operated by the user. However, the object of interest is not limited to the operating character, and may be any object existing in the three-dimensional virtual space. For example, in the watching mode, it may be desired to grasp the situation of the enemy character. In response to such a situation, the image change area FL may be set with the enemy character as a reference, and the enemy character may be displayed in the image change area FL.

Further, in the game supported by the game devices 10 and 10A of the present embodiment, a game screen in a state in which the game field is viewed from diagonally upward is displayed by the virtual viewpoint set in the three-dimensional virtual space. Anything is acceptable, and the content of the game is not particularly limited.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes designs and the like within a range that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. For example, the configurations described in the above embodiments can be arbitrarily combined.

A program for realizing the functions of the game devices 10 and 10A described above is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium is read by the computer system and executed. Processing as 10, 10A or the like may be performed. Here, "loading a computer system a program recorded on a recording medium and executing it" includes installing the program in the computer system. The term "computer system" as used herein includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. Further, the "computer system" may include a plurality of computer devices connected via a network including a communication line such as the Internet, WAN, LAN, and a dedicated line. Further, the "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, or a CD-ROM, or a storage device such as a hard disk built in a computer system. As described above, the recording medium in which the program is stored may be a non-transient recording medium such as a CD-ROM. The recording medium also includes an internal or external recording medium that can be accessed from the distribution server to distribute the program. The code of the program stored in the recording medium of the distribution server may be different from the code of the program in a format that can be executed by the terminal device. That is, the format stored in the distribution server does not matter as long as it can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in a form that can be executed by the terminal device. The program may be divided into a plurality of parts, downloaded at different timings, and then combined by the terminal device, or the distribution server that distributes each of the divided programs may be different. Furthermore, a "computer-readable recording medium" is a volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that serves as a server or client when a program is transmitted via a network, and holds the program for a certain period of time. It shall include things. Further, the above program may be for realizing a part of the above-mentioned functions. Further, a so-called difference file (difference program) may be used, which can realize the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

[Additional Notes]
From the above description, the present invention can be grasped as follows, for example. Reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are added in parentheses for convenience in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated mode.

[Appendix 1]
The game device (10, 10A) according to one aspect of the present invention is provided in a three-dimensional virtual space, and a second object (for example, an object OJ) that can move in a game field (GF) on which the first object (for example, an object OJ) is arranged is provided. For example, a position acquisition unit (112, S100, S1100) that acquires information about the position of the character CH), and an image generation unit (113, 113A) that generates an image representing a view from a virtual viewpoint in the three-dimensional virtual space. When generating the image, the image generation unit includes the first object with respect to the position of the second object in a display area (for example, an image change area FL) including at least a part of the second object. The image is changed by at least one of erasing and making the first object transparent based on the height of the first object (S108, S110, S112, S1110, S1112).

According to the above configuration, the portion to be erased for the first object is determined according to the height of the second object in the display area, and the determined portion is erased. By such processing, in the display area, based on the height of the second object, the object OJ having a height above a certain level can be deleted, and the object having a height below a certain level can be displayed without being erased. ..
As a result, the state of the second object hidden by the first object is displayed so that it can be confirmed, and the user can also grasp the existence of the first object that affects the movement of the second object.
As a result, when a specific object (second object) is obscured by another object (first object) in the three-dimensional virtual space, the user can observe the specific object and then with the other object. It is also possible to grasp the positional relationship with a specific object.

[Appendix 2]
One aspect of the present invention is the game device according to Appendix 1 or 2, wherein the image generation unit determines whether or not to change the image based on the position of the second object in the game field. (S1108).
According to the above configuration, it is determined whether or not to change the image of the first object based on the position of the second object in the game field. Thereby, for example, depending on the position of the first object, even if the first object having a height that can be the target of the image change exists in the display area, the image change can be prevented. As a result, for example, it is possible to solve the problem that the user feels annoyed by changing the image even for the small first object.

[Appendix 3]
One aspect of the present invention is the game device according to Appendix 2, wherein the image generation unit of the second object when the second object exists at a predetermined position in the game field. The image change is performed based on the height of the first object with respect to the position (S1108, S1110).
According to the above configuration, if the second object is located at a predetermined position in the game field, the image can be changed to the first object according to the height of the second object. On the other hand, if the second object is located at a position different from the predetermined position in the game field, the image of the first object is displayed even if the first object is located in front of the second object. You can prevent changes. That is, it is possible to efficiently set whether or not to change the image of the first object in association with the position (coordinates) in the game field.

[Appendix 4]
One aspect of the present invention is the game device according to any one of Supplementary note 1 to 3, so that the image generation unit can identify whether or not the image change is performed in the display area. Generate an image in (DS, S112 or S116, S1112 or S1116).
According to the above configuration, the game screen is displayed to indicate whether or not the image has been changed in the display area. As a result, the user can clearly grasp whether or not the portion of the first object to be changed is currently deleted.

[Appendix 5]
One aspect of the present invention is the game device according to any one of Supplementary note 1 to 4, wherein the image generation unit has changed the image of the first object to which the image is not changed. An image is generated so that the boundary with the first object can be identified (STL, S110, S1110).
According to the above configuration, for example, in the first object in which the image is not changed, the boundary where the image is changed is shown for the portion newly displayed due to the image change in the first object. The display is done. As a result, the user can easily grasp that there is a portion of the erased first object above the portion where the boundary is marked in the display area.

[Appendix 6]
One aspect of the present invention is the game device according to any one of Appendix 1 to 5, wherein the image generation unit makes the first object translucent as the transparency (S110, S1110). ..
According to the above configuration, in the display area, for example, the image of the first object can be changed so as to be in a semi-transparent state. As a result, the user can confirm the existence of the portion of the first object to be changed as well as the second object.

[Appendix 7]
One aspect of the present invention is the game device according to any one of Supplementary note 1 to 6, wherein the image generation unit is based on the position of the second object in the game field, and the presence of the second object. Is superimposed on the image showing the first object in which the image is not changed (SIL, S112, S1112).
According to the above configuration, the portion of the second object hidden here is displayed in a state of being superimposed on the first object that remains without changing the image in a predetermined manner. As a result, the user can recognize the entire image of the second object, so that the state of the second object can be accurately grasped.

[Appendix 8]
One aspect of the present invention is the game device according to any one of Appendix 1 to 7, wherein the image generation unit changes the range of the display area according to the movement of the second object ( FL-2, S104, S1104).
According to the above configuration, for example, the shape can be changed so as to expand the display area in the direction corresponding to the moving direction of the second object, and the size of the display area can be changed according to the moving speed. That is, it is possible to deform the display area so as to match the moving state of the second object. As a result, it becomes easier to grasp the state of the surrounding first objects as the second object moves, and the operability is improved.

[Appendix 9]
One aspect of the present invention is the game device according to any one of Appendix 1 to 8, wherein the image generation unit further moves in the line-of-sight direction from the virtual viewpoints (PV1, PV2) to the second object. Based on this, the image change is performed (S110, S1110).
According to the above configuration, it is possible to determine the portion of the first object to be image-changed according to the height of the virtual viewpoint and change the image of the first object. As a result, when the height of the virtual viewpoint is changed in the game, it is possible to appropriately change the image of the first object according to the height of the virtual viewpoint.

[Appendix 10]
One aspect of the present invention is the game device according to any one of Appendix 1 to 9, wherein the image generation unit has a height that affects the movement of the second object at the current position. The object is excluded from the image change (S108, S110).
According to the above configuration, in the display area, the image of the first object having a height that affects the movement of the second object at the current position is not changed, and the height does not affect the movement of the second object at the current position. The image is changed to the first object. As a result, the user can accurately grasp the first object that affects the movement of the second object from the current position in the game field.

[Appendix 11]
One aspect of the present invention includes an image generation unit that generates an image representing a view from a virtual viewpoint in a three-dimensional virtual space having a game field in which a first object is arranged, and the image generation unit uses the game field. Image modification by at least either erasing or making the first object transparent, based on the height of the first object in the three-dimensional virtual space, in a display area that includes at least a portion of the movable second object. It is a game device that performs.
According to the above configuration, the first object whose image should be changed can be determined according to the height of the first object itself without considering the height of the second object. As a result, it is not necessary to redetermine the first object whose image should be changed according to the movement of the second object in the height direction, so that the processing load can be reduced.

[Appendix 12]
One aspect of the present invention is from a position acquisition unit that acquires information regarding the position of a second object that can move the game field in which the first object is arranged in the three-dimensional virtual space, and a virtual viewpoint in the three-dimensional virtual space. The image generation unit includes an image generation unit that generates an image representing the field of view, and the image generation unit includes a first object at a position higher than the boundary height set based on the position of the second object for the first object. The degree to which the low-position first object is emphasized and displayed with respect to the high-position first object is determined by the degree to which the low-position first object is separated from the high-position first object. In the first display area including at least a part of the object, the game device is made higher than the second display area different from the first display area.
According to the above configuration, by setting the degree of emphasizing and displaying the object, it is possible to change the display area so that the first object to be image-changed is erased or made transparent.

[Appendix 13]
One aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to function as the game device according to any one of Supplementary notes 1 to 12.

10, 10A game device, 110, 110A game control unit, 111 game progress unit, 112 position acquisition unit, 113, 113A image generation unit, 120, 120A storage unit, 121 position setting table, 130 operation unit, 140 display unit

Claims (5)

A computer as a game device,
A position acquisition unit, which is provided in a three-dimensional virtual space and acquires information regarding the position of a second object that can move in a game field in which a first object is placed.
It is a program for functioning as an image generation unit that generates an image representing a field of view from a virtual viewpoint in the three-dimensional virtual space.
The image representing the field of view includes a first display area including at least a part of the second object and a second display area not including the second object.
The image generation unit is at least one of erasing and making the first object transparent based on the height of the first object with respect to the position of the second object in the height direction in the first display area. A program that changes an image and does not change the image in the second display area. The program according to claim 1, wherein the image generation unit generates an image of the first object whose image has not been changed so that the boundary between the first object and the first object whose image has been changed can be identified. The program according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the image generation unit makes the first object translucent as the transparency. From claim 1, the image generation unit superimposes an image indicating the existence of the second object on an image indicating the first object in which the image is not changed, based on the position of the second object in the game field. The program according to any one of 3. A position acquisition unit that acquires information about the position of the second object that is provided in the three-dimensional virtual space and can move in the game field where the first object is placed.
It is provided with an image generation unit that generates an image representing a field of view from a virtual viewpoint in the three-dimensional virtual space.
The image representing the field of view includes a first display area including at least a part of the second object and a second display area not including the second object.
The image generation unit is at least one of erasing and making the first object transparent based on the height of the first object with respect to the position of the second object in the height direction in the first display area. A game device that changes an image and does not change the image in the second display area.

Images