JP3472288B2 - Computer-readable recording medium recording a ball game video game program, computer program, ball game video game processing apparatus, and ball game video game processing method - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention controls a character or a ball in a ball game video game, for example.
A computer-readable recording medium recording a game of a ball game video game, a computer program,
The present invention relates to a ball game video game processing device and a ball game video game processing method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Today, in sports games,
Not only one-on-one battle games such as tennis, but also soccer, basketball, American football, and baseball, many-to-many battle games have been realized.

In order to progress these sports games, an arcade machine or a game-only machine (PlayStation (manufactured by Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.), Dreamcast (manufactured by SEGA Enterprises Co., Ltd.), etc.) must be used in advance. It is necessary to perform operation input using the prepared operation unit (operation panel, keypad, etc.).

The operation unit is generally composed of a plurality of keys (or buttons) and a joystick. Whether it's a sports game or a role-playing game,
It means that the operation system is constructed with a limited number of buttons and joysticks on the operation unit. Of course, the game is capable of operation in a personal computer, its
In this case, if a keyboard is used, keys necessary for game operation are assigned from the keys on the keyboard.

In the ball game video games such as baseball, soccer, and basketball among sports, the movement of the ball itself is controlled by the buttons of the operation unit or the joystick.
Can not be operated in the I-click is common. Instead, the player (character) who possesses the ball
Movement, or oncoming Ru Do <br/> to indirectly operate the direction and momentum which then moves the ball by a player motion of the player (user) operates to the ball.

[0006] In a baseball game, when a batting ball flies toward a shortstop in the absence of a runner, it is possible to catch the batting ball by the shortstop if the shortstop is within the action range where the shortstop can catch the ball. . In the catching point, Misao SakuIri force to throw the ball toward the first base by the player is done, the ball is thrown toward the first base by shortstop. If the first baseman has already covered the first base, the thrown ball will be caught by the first baseman.
In this way, it is possible to instruct where the ball is to be next thrown by the player's operation input (button operation) while the shortstop catches the ball.

[0007] As a technology to move the ball with a single button operation of the player, Ru is Oh <br/> 2000-20749 Patent Gazette JP. This publication discloses a technique for changing the moving image display of the ball based on the elapsed time from the pressing of the button operation to the release thereof.

As a technique for changing the movement of the ball by continuous button operation, Japanese Patent No. 3209987,
JP 2001-190836 A, JP 2001-1
And the like 9083 7 JP. Japanese Patent No. 3209987 discloses a technique using a gauge. In the technique according to this publication, pitching is instructed by the first button operation, and then the cursor is moved in one direction within the gauge. The speed is determined based on the cursor position at the time of the second button operation, and then the cursor is moved in the opposite direction, and the degree to which the ball fits into the strike zone from the cursor position at the time of the third button operation. Is determined.

[0009] Then, technique using the meter to 2001-190836 and JP 2001-19083 7 JP-is disclosed. In the technique according to this publication, the elapsed time when the button operation is performed twice before determining the moving power of the ball is measured, and the button operation is required only once more to move the ball.

[0010]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention
In the case of Japanese Patent Publication No. 49, etc., the ball speed and the trajectory of the ball are changed according to the pressing time until the button is pressed and released, which is suitable for pitching between the pitcher and the catcher.
However, in an environment in which the distance to move the ball changes depending on the situation, such as when a fielder catches the ball and sends the ball, the player needs to operate the button depending on the button pressing time to instruct the optimum ball. Could be difficult. Therefore, Japanese Patent No. 3209987 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-1
Such as in the 90836 and JP 2001-19083 7 JP, by displaying a gauge or meter screen, a technique for referring to the movement of the cursor that moves on the gauge effective as a visual aid there were. However, chasing the moving direction of the cursor on the gauge with the line of sight and performing the button operation for each moving direction may complicate the operation.

An object of the present invention is a ball type video game, regardless of the distance to move the ball Lumpur (distance to the throwing former player throwing away player), the throwing instruction of the ball by a simple operation A computer-readable recording medium having a ball game video game program recorded therein, a computer program, a ball game video game processing device, and a ball game video game processing method.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, an operation including a button is provided.
In response to the operation input of the player using the unit , the virtual
A plurality of character and the direct operation is controlled in space
A computer-readable program recording a program for executing a ball game video game by computer processing, in which a ball whose movement is indirectly controlled according to the movement of the character is displayed on a display screen. recording medium der
Is displayed on the display screen in response to the player's operation input.
Stearyl for controlling the operation of the character in the virtual space
And a position data for displaying and controlling the movement of the character whose movement is controlled and the movement of the ball, the character determines whether or not the ball can be caught .
And step, when the character can be judged that it is possible catching the ball, comprising the steps of: in response to the button pressed by the player to determine the throwing away of the ball, the player
Displayed on the display screen a gauge which increases from one direction a predetermined reference position have accompanied the time in response to the timing of that button press
Then , based on the distance relationship between the character and the determined ball-destination, at the corresponding position of the gauge, the increasing gauge
In the increasing direction, the timing to instruct to send the ball is measured.
In case of displaying the indicators that, the said character
If the distance to the determined destination exceeds the predetermined standard
The relay finger between the predetermined reference position and the index.
The step of further displaying the mark and the release of the button
In response to the timing, the tip position of the increasing gauge
Judge, if the tip does not exceed the relay index
Is a relay located between the character and the destination.
Move the ball along the trajectory that moves it forward
Display control step as normal movement and player's button
In response to the release timing,
A relay index in which the tip position is judged and the tip is arranged.
And if the index is not exceeded, then
A track that moves the ball from the character to the destination.
A ball that controls the display of the ball as a normal movement along the road.
A program for executing the processing of the steps by a computer is recorded.

In the first aspect, the recording medium includes:
Furthermore, in response to the player's release of the button
Judge the tip position of the increasing gauge and check that the tip is
It exceeds the relay index placed and the tip is the index.
If it exceeds the above,
Error is added to the trajectory that moves the ball to
Control the display as a rushing movement.
A program executed by the computer processing may be recorded.

[0014] In addition, in the recording medium, wherein the display step
In the case of displaying a gauge on the display screen, the gauge has a base point for increasing in a bar graph shape as the predetermined reference position, and display control is performed so that the gauge linearly increases with time from the base point. You may record the program for doing.

[0015] In addition, in the recording medium, wherein the display stearyl
In the case of displaying the gauge on the display screen, a program for displaying the moving destination of the ball as a character or a graphic adjacent to the displayed gauge is recorded when the button is pressed by the player. You may. The destination may be a character other than the character, or the relay destination may be a character other than the character.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of characters whose direct movements are controlled in the virtual space in response to the operation input of the player using the operation unit having the button, and the characters. A computer program of a ball game video game, which executes a ball game video game by computer processing, in which a ball whose movement is indirectly controlled according to movement is displayed on a display screen. In response to the step of controlling the motion of the character in the virtual space displayed on the display screen, and based on the position data that controls the display of the movement status of the character whose motion is controlled and the ball If it is possible for the character to catch the ball. , A step of determining the destination of the ball in response to the player pressing a button, and a gauge that increases in one direction from a predetermined reference position over time in response to the timing of the button being pressed by the player are displayed on the display screen. However, in the case of displaying an index for measuring the ball sending instruction timing of the ball in the increasing direction of the increasing gauge at the corresponding position of the gauge based on the distance relationship between the character and the determined ball sending destination, the character and the When the determined distance to the ball destination exceeds a predetermined reference, in response to the step of further displaying a relay index between the predetermined reference position and the index, and the timing when the button is released by the player. The tip position of the increasing gauge is determined, and if the tip does not exceed the relay index, the character and the ball destination are The step of displaying and controlling the ball as a normal movement along the trajectory for moving the ball to the relay destination located at, and determining the tip position of the increasing gauge in response to the timing when the player releases the button, When the tip exceeds the arranged relay index and does not exceed the index, the display control of the ball as a normal movement along a trajectory for moving the ball from the character to the ball sending destination, Is a program that causes a computer to execute the processing of.

In the second aspect, further, the tip position of the increasing gauge is judged in response to the timing when the button is released by the player, and the tip exceeds the arranged relay index, and the tip ends. Is above the index, it may also be a program that causes a computer to execute the processing of the step of controlling the display of the ball as a sudden movement by adding an error to the trajectory for moving the ball from the character to the destination. Good.

Further, in the step of displaying, when the gauge is displayed on the display screen, the gauge has a base point for increasing in a bar graph shape as the predetermined reference position, and a straight line is drawn from the base point with time. The program may be a program for controlling the display so that the number of times increases.

Further, in the displaying step,
When the gauge is displayed on the display screen, it may be a program for displaying the moving destination of the ball in a character or a graphic form adjacent to the displayed gauge in response to the timing when the player presses the button.

The destination may be a character other than the character, or the relay destination may be a program other than the character.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a plurality of characters whose direct movement is controlled in the virtual space in response to the operation input of the player using the operation unit provided with the button and the characters. A video game processing device that executes a ball game video game by a computer process that displays a ball whose movement is indirectly controlled according to a movement on a display screen, and that responds to a player's operation input. The control means for controlling the motion of the character in the virtual space displayed on the display screen and the position data for displaying and controlling the movement status of the character for which the motion is controlled and the movement of the ball are controlled by the character. A first determination means for determining whether a ball is possible, and a player's button when it is determined that the character can catch the ball. A second determination means for determining the destination of the ball in response to the downward movement, and a gauge that increases in one direction from a predetermined reference position over time in response to the timing of button depression by the player are displayed on the display screen. However, in the case of displaying an index for measuring the ball sending instruction timing of the ball in the increasing direction of the increasing gauge at the corresponding position of the gauge based on the distance relationship between the character and the determined ball sending destination, the character and the When the determined distance to the ball destination exceeds a predetermined reference, a display means for further displaying a relay index between the predetermined reference position and the index, and a response to the player's button press release timing. The tip position of the increasing gauge is determined, and if the tip does not exceed the relay index, it is positioned between the character and the ball destination. First display control means for displaying and controlling the ball as a normal movement along the trajectory for moving the ball to the relay destination, and determining the tip position of the increasing gauge in response to the timing when the button is released by the player. If the tip exceeds the arranged relay index and does not exceed the index, the display of the ball is controlled as a normal movement along a trajectory for moving the ball from the character to the destination. Second
And display control means of the above.

In the third aspect, further, the tip position of the increasing gauge is judged in response to the player's button release timing, the tip exceeds the arranged relay index, and the tip is When the value exceeds the index, a third display control means is provided for controlling the display of the ball as a rough throwing movement by adding an error to the trajectory for moving the ball from the character to the destination. Good.

Further, when the gauge is displayed on the display screen in the display means, the gauge has a base point for increasing in a bar graph shape as the predetermined reference position, and the gauge is linear with the passage of time from the base point. The display may be controlled so as to increase.

Further, in the case where the gauge is displayed on the display screen by the display means, the moving destination of the ball is displayed as a character or a figure adjacent to the displayed gauge in response to the timing when the player presses the button. You may allow it.

The moving destination may be a character other than the character, or the relay destination may be a character other than the character.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in response to the operation input of the player using the operation unit having the button, the plurality of characters whose direct movements are controlled in the virtual space and the characters. A video game processing method for executing a ball game video game by computer processing, in which a ball whose movement is indirectly controlled according to a movement is displayed on a display screen. The character catches the ball based on the step of controlling the motion of the character in the virtual space displayed on the display screen and the position data for displaying and controlling the movement status of the character whose motion is controlled and the ball. A step of determining whether or not it is possible, and if the character can determine that the ball can be caught, In response, the step of determining the destination of the ball is displayed, and a gauge that increases in one direction from a predetermined reference position over time in response to the timing of button depression by the player is displayed on the display screen. In the case of displaying an index for measuring the ball throwing instruction timing of the ball in the increasing direction of the increasing gauge at the corresponding position of the gauge based on the distance relationship with the determined ball sending destination, the character and the determined ball sending destination When the distance exceeds the predetermined reference, the step of further displaying a relay index between the predetermined reference position and the index, and the tip of the increasing gauge in response to the timing when the button is released by the player. When the position is judged and the tip does not exceed the relay index, the character is moved to the relay destination located between the character and the ball sending destination. A step of displaying and controlling the ball as a normal movement along the trajectory of moving the ball, determining the tip position of the increasing gauge in response to the timing of the button release by the player, and relaying the tip at the arranged position. If the index is exceeded, and if the index is not exceeded, a step of displaying and controlling the ball as a normal movement along a trajectory for moving the ball from the character to the ball sending destination, is included. To do.

According to the fourth aspect, further, the tip position of the increasing gauge is judged in response to the timing when the button is released by the player, and the tip exceeds the arranged relay index, and When the tip is beyond the index, a method may be included which includes a step of adding an error to a trajectory for moving the ball from the character to the ball sending destination and performing display control of the ball as a rough throwing movement.

Further, the gauge may have a base point for increasing in a bar graph as the predetermined reference position, and the gauge may be controlled so as to linearly increase with the passage of time.

Further, in the displaying step,
To display the gauge on the display screen, press the button of the player .
In response to the timing , a method may be used in which the moving destination of the ball is displayed in the form of characters or figures adjacent to the displayed gauge.

The moving destination may be a character other than the character, or the relay destination may be a character other than the character.

[0031]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the explanation below,
Among the ball game games, a baseball game will be described as an example.

First, the configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a video game device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The video game device 10 shown in FIG. 1 has the function of a ball game game processing device according to the present invention. The video game device 10 also executes a program recorded on a computer-readable recording medium according to the present invention. The video game device 10 also executes the program according to the present invention. Also,
The video game device 10 is used for implementing the ball game game processing method according to the present invention.

The video game device 10 includes, for example, a game machine main body 11 for processing a video game according to a program, a keypad 50 for interactively operating the video game, and a television having a CRT or the like as a monitor with a speaker. John Set (below, TV
(Referred to as a set) 100. The video game device 10 also includes a communication interface unit 21 and is selectively connected to the network 111 by a communication line 110 to perform data communication with other devices.

The keypad 50 is an input device, and has a plurality of buttons and a joystick that can be operated by a player (operator), and gives commands to the game machine main body 11 by button operations and joystick operations by the player. Here, buttons and joysticks are used to input pitcher pitching operations, batter swinging operations, runner stealing operations, fielder catching / ball throwing operations, etc. in the operation of a baseball game (a type of ball game type video game) described later. It has a function to do. The TV set 100 is an output device, and based on a video signal (video signal) and a sound signal output from the game machine main body 11, performs video (image) display and sound output according to the content of the game.

The game machine main body 11 has an internal bus 25. The internal bus 25 includes a control unit 12 including units such as a CPU and a ROM, a RAM 13, and a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as HDD) 14
Are connected.

The control unit 12 controls the entire apparatus and controls the R
The game processing is executed by storing a part or all of the program in the AM 13.

The RAM 13 includes a program area 13A, an image data area 13B, a work area 13C and the like. The program area 13A stores a game program. Specifically, the program area 13A is a DVD
The drive 20 stores part or all of the game program read from the DVD 19. The image data area 13B stores image data such as a background and a game character required in the program execution process. The work area 13C stores various data generated during the program execution process.

The game program and image data are
It can be supplied from the HDD 14 as well as the DVD 19. In this case, the game program 15 and the image data are stored in the HDD 1
It may be stored in the hard disk of No. 4. Pre-installed or communication line 11 on the hard disk
The game program or the image data may be stored by downloading from the network 111 via 0.

An input interface section 24, a sound processing section 18, and a graphic processing section 16 are connected to the internal bus 25. The keypad 50 is connected to the internal bus 25 via the input interface section 24. In addition, the TV set 100 includes the sound processing unit 1
8 and the graphic processor 16 are connected to the internal bus 25.

The graphics processor 16 has a VRAM 17 having a frame buffer. The graphic processing unit 16 includes a control unit 12 associated with program execution.
Command to generate a video signal based on the image data stored in the frame buffer, and convert the video signal to T
Output to V set 100. This allows TV set 1
On the display screen 101 of 00, a screen display based on the image data stored in the frame buffer can be obtained.

The sound processing section 18 responds to a command from the control section 12 with BGM (background music).
A sound signal such as a sound effect or a sound effect is generated, and the sound signal is output to the TV set 100.

Further, the DVD drive 20 and the memory card reader / writer 23 are connected to the internal bus 25. The DVD drive 20 is a DVD 19 which is a recording medium.
Game programming, image data, stored in
Read sound data etc. Memory card reader
The writer 23 writes and reads data to and from the memory card 22 under the control of the control unit 12. The data written in the memory card 22 includes data indicating the progress of the game, data indicating the environment setting of the game, and the like.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below by taking a baseball game as an example. FIG. 2 conceptually shows a ball catching determination method in the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, E1, E2, and E3 respectively indicate the position of the ball, and F indicates the fielder. H represents the movable range of the fielder, and d represents the distance between the ball and the fielder F when the ball reaches the position E2.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the baseball game, when the batter hits the ball or the like, the ball moves in the virtual space and is displayed at the position E1, for example. When the ball moves, a group of motions set in advance as data belonging to the defense side personnel (hereinafter, pitcher and catcher are also referred to as fielders) F that is a player is referred to. The motion group is data (motion data) defining continuous movements of the player. Then, the movable range H of the fielder F in the catching motion is acquired based on the motion group.

Further, based on the motion group, the fielder F
The time required to move in the movable range H is acquired. Furthermore, from the time the ball is displayed at position E1,
The position of the ball after the elapse of the time required to move in the movable range H is predicted. That is, the future ball position is predicted.

For example, the time required to move in the movable range H is 20 frames (one frame is, for example, 1/6).
In the case of a motion group of 0 second), for example, the position E2 of the ball after 20 frames is predicted. Further, if the time required to move in the movable range H is a motion group of 10 frames, the position E3 of the ball after 10 frames is predicted. Then, depending on whether or not the predicted position of the ball is within the movable range H of the fielder F, it is determined whether or not the ball can be caught.

To determine whether or not a ball can be caught, the time required to reach the predicted position of the ball can be calculated, and the fielder can be operated for a time longer than the calculated time required. It is performed depending on whether or not it is a motion group. If the motion group allows the fielder to operate for a time longer than the calculated required time, it is determined that the motion group can catch the ball. In addition, if the motion group allows the fielder to operate only for the calculated time or less, it is determined that the motion group cannot catch the ball.

Whether or not it is possible to catch a ball can be judged by subtracting the time required for reaching the predicted position of the ball from the operation time until the fielder catches a ball by the motion group. That is, if the subtraction result is positive, the ball can be caught, and if the subtraction result is 0 or less, the ball cannot be caught.

In the calculation of the required time required to reach the predicted position of the ball, the required time does not have to be calculated accurately. For example, it may be possible to determine whether the time required to reach the predicted position of the ball is longer or shorter than the operation time of the fielder by the motion group.

1 when a fielder moves in a certain motion group
If the movement distance per frame is almost constant, the comparison of the length of time can be replaced with the comparison of the distance between the position of the fielder and the predicted position of the ball.

For example, the radius of the movable range H and the fielder F
By comparing the distance with the predicted ball position,
It is possible to determine whether it is possible to catch a ball. The radius of the movable range H can be calculated by the amount of movement of one frame when the fielder moves based on the motion group and the number of frames of the motion group.

For example, when it is predicted that the ball will move to the position E2 shown in FIG. 2, the distance d between the position of the fielder F and the predicted position E2 of the ball is calculated. If the distance d is equal to or less than the radius of the movable range H, it is determined that the ball can be caught. If the distance d exceeds the radius of the movable range H,
It is judged that it is impossible to catch a ball.

In the example of FIG. 2, the ball position E2 is within the movable range H. That is, the motion group corresponding to the movable range H can operate the fielder for a time longer than the time required to reach the predicted position E2 of the ball. Therefore, if it is predicted that the ball will move to the position E2, it is determined that the ball can be caught. When it is determined that a ball can be caught, a ball catching operation image by the fielder F is displayed on the screen.

Now, let us consider a case where the position of the ball is outside the movable range H as indicated by E3. In this case, the motion group corresponding to the movable range H can operate the fielders only for a time shorter than the time required to reach the predicted position E3 of the ball. Therefore, when it is predicted that the ball will move to the position E3, it is determined that the ball cannot be caught. When it is determined that it is impossible to catch a ball, the ball catching motion image by the fielder F is not displayed.

As the data given to the ball moving in the virtual space, for example, in addition to the position data (ball position data) on the plane of the ball with respect to the ball field (baseball ground) surface, the ball field surface is added. There is data (ball height data) indicating the height of the ball as a reference height. When there is ball height data, it is possible to define a height range in which a ball can be caught for a motion group. When the catchable height range is defined, it can be determined whether or not the ball height is within the catchable height range. In this case, for example, the ball position E2
Is within the movable range H of the fielder F, and if the height of the ball is within the height range where the ball can be caught, it is determined that the ball can be caught.

The motion group is data belonging to the character. In the baseball game, a plurality of motion groups are individually set for each fielder (for each defensive position). The plurality of types of motion groups set for the fielder are set according to the moving direction of the fielder, the ball height, and the like. The determination as to whether or not the ball can be caught is sequentially performed for each motion group. When it is possible to catch even one ball in the determination of whether or not it is possible to catch the ball, a process of displaying a ball catching operation image on the screen is performed.

The correspondence between the fielder and the motion group in the baseball game is defined for each fielder. The data indicating the correspondence between the fielder and the motion group is read out from, for example, the DVD 19 according to the progress of the game, and RA
It is stored in the work area 13C of M13.

Next, the moving direction toward the catching ball associated with the fielder will be specifically described. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a direction associated with a fielder in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, for example, in this embodiment, four directions are defined for the fielder. Direction A is in front of the fielder's front. Direction B is to the left of the fielder. Direction C is behind the fielder. Direction D is the right direction.

A motion group is defined in association with each direction A, B, C, D. Also, for each motion group, the number of frames displayed on the screen of the motion group up to catching 1
Each data of the movement amount per frame, the catching range, the height of the glove at the time of catching, and the range of the catchable height is associated with each other. A plurality of motion groups are set in advance for each direction A, B, C, D, assuming that the catching range and the catchable height range are different. Further, the motion groups are assigned numbers for identifying the data. The movable range of the fielder when one motion group is used can be obtained by the number of frames and the amount of movement per frame.

FIG. 4 schematically shows the catching range in the motion group. In FIG. 4, P indicates the position of a fielder. L1 and L2 indicate the distance from the position P of the fielder to a predetermined position. As shown in FIG. 4, the catching range in the motion group is defined by the distances L1 and L2 from the position P of the fielder. The catching range is set according to the difference in the distance that the fielder has to move from the defensive position to catch the ball. That is, it is defined according to the number of frames displayed on the screen by one motion group and the amount of movement per frame.

For example, let us say that the number of frames displayed on the screen by one motion group is "20" when a player must catch a ball while approaching a hit ball. In this case, the catching range is
The distance is from the distance L1 and is less than or equal to the distance L2. Also,
When catching a ball waiting for a front hit, the number of frames displayed on the screen by one motion group is set to "10". In this case, the catching range is a range of the distance L1 or less. By setting the catching range for each motion group, it is possible to display an image of the fielder's catching motion according to the manner of catching. Therefore, an image that is realistic and realistic is displayed.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show an example of each motion group associated with a fielder and data relating to the motion group in the present embodiment. In the examples of FIGS. 5 and 6, the data structure has a table format. The data set in FIGS. 5 and 6 is read from the DVD 19 and stored in the work area 13C of the RAM 13, for example.

FIG. 5 is an example of a data table in which data relating to catching is registered in the present embodiment.
In the example of FIG. 5, “direction”, “motion group”, “number of frames”, “movement amount per frame”, “ball catching range”, “height of glove when catching ball”, and “capture” Sphere possible
There is a column of "height range". Among the data set in each column, the data located in the same row in the horizontal direction are associated with each other.

In the "direction" field, data indicating the movement direction of the fielder who moves according to the operation input of the player or a predetermined rule is set. In this embodiment, data indicating four types of directions, for example, “A”, “B”, “C”, and “D” are set. As shown in FIG. 3, the direction “A” is the front of the fielder, the direction “B” is the left of the fielder, the direction “C” is the back of the fielder, and the direction “D” is the fielder. To the right.

In the column of "motion group", a group of motions (motion data defining motions) associated with fielders is stored. In the figure, each motion group is indicated by a number for identifying the motion group. Each motion group is set in association with the movement direction of the fielder. The motion group is, for example, the DVD 19
Or in the work area 13C of the RAM 13.

A plurality of motion groups are associated with one moving direction. In this embodiment,
For example, in the direction "A", "# 11", "# 12", "#"
Motion groups such as “13”, “# 14”, and “# 15” are associated with each other. In the direction "B", "# 21", "# 2"
Motion groups such as “2”, “# 23”, and “# 24” are associated with each other. In the direction “C”, “# 31”, “# 3”
Motion groups such as “2”, “# 33”, and “# 34” are associated with each other. In the direction “D”, “# 41”, “# 4”
Motion groups such as “2”, “# 43”, “# 44”, and “#M (M is a natural number)” are associated with each other.

In the "number of frames" column, the number of frames until catching a ball in the motion group is set in association with the motion group. Here, the number of frames of the motion group is the number of display frames required from the start of the ball catching operation to the end of the ball catching operation when operating the fielder in the motion group.

In the present embodiment, "# 11", "# 1"
2 ","# 13 ","# 14 ","# 21 ","# 2 "
2 ","# 23 ","# 31 ","# 32 ","# 3 "
The number of frames of each motion group of “3”, “# 41”, “# 42”, and “# 43” is “20”. In addition, "# 1
5 ","# 24 " , "# 34 " , "# 44 ","#M"
The number of frames in each motion group is “10”. The number of frames of the motion group is set to a number suitable for naturally displaying the fielder's ball catching motion by the motion group.

In the column of "movement amount per frame",
The movement amount per frame of the motion group is set in association with the motion group. The amount of movement per frame is calculated every time the displayed frame image is updated.
It is the movement distance of the position of the fielder operating in the motion group.

The amount of movement is 1 for each motion group.
This is the maximum movement amount per frame, and it is possible to move with a smaller movement amount. Further, the movement distance is set in units of meters (m) assuming that the baseball field defined in the virtual space is the same size as the actual baseball field (in the following description). The same applies to units of distance, amount of movement and height). 1
The value set in the movement amount per frame column is a positive real number.

In the present embodiment, "# 11", "# 1"
The movement amount per frame of each of the motion groups “2”, “# 13”, “# 14”, and “# 15” is “0.30 m”. "# 21", "# 22", "# 23", "# 2"
4 ","# 41 ","# 42 ","# 43 ","# 4 "
The movement amount per frame of each motion group of "4" and "#M" is "0.20 m". "# 31", "# 3"
The movement amount per frame of each of the motion groups “2”, “# 33”, and “# 34” is “0.15 m”.

In the "ball catching range" column, the catching range of the motion group is set in association with the motion group.
The catching range indicates a range that can be naturally expressed by the motion group, as a distance based on the position of the fielder. The set value is a positive real number.

In the present embodiment, "# 11", "# 1"
The catching range of each of the motion groups “2”, “# 13”, and “# 14” is “L1 to L2” (range that is more than the distance L1 and less than the distance L2 from the position of the fielder). The catching range of the motion group “# 15” is “L1 or less” (range less than the distance L1 from the position of the fielder).

"# 21", "# 22", "# 23",
The catching range of each of the motion groups “# 41”, “# 42”, and “# 43” is “L3 to L4” (distance L3 from the position of the fielder).
It is further away and is within a distance L4 or less). "# 24",
The catching range of each of the motion groups “# 44” and “#M” is “L3 or less” (range less than distance L3 from the position of the fielder).

The catching range of each of the motion groups "# 31", "# 32", and "# 33" is "L5 to L6" (range away from the fielder at a distance L5 or less and a distance L6 or less). "# 3
The catching range of the motion group of "4" is "L5 or less" (range of distance L5 or less from the fielder). In addition, L1, L2, L
Each value of 3, L4, L5, and L6 is a positive real number.

In the column of "height of glove when catching ball", the height of the glove when catching ball of the motion group is set in association with the motion group. The set value is a positive real number.

In the present embodiment, "# 11", "# 1"
5 ","# 21 ","# 24 ","# 31 ","# 3 "
The height of the glove at the time of catching each motion group of "4", "# 41", and "# 44" is "H1". "# 12",
The height of the glove at the time of catching each motion group of “# 22”, “# 32”, and “# 42” is “H2”. "# 1
The height of the glove at the time of catching each motion group of "3", "# 23", "# 33", and "# 43" is "H3".
The height of the glove at the time of catching each motion group of “# 14” and “#M” is “H4”.

In the column of "height range in which catching ball is possible", the range of height in which the motion group can be caught is set in association with the motion group. The range of height that can be caught is
It is set according to the height of the glove when catching the ball. The set value is a positive real number.

In this embodiment, for example, for a group of motions in which the height of the glove when catching a ball is "H1", the height is "0" or more and less than "h1" (0 (m) to h1). The range is set. For a motion group in which the height of the glove when catching a ball is “H2”, a range of height “h1” or more and less than “h2” (h1 to h2) is set. For a group of motions in which the height of the glove when catching a ball is "H3", a range of height "h2" or more and less than "h3" (h2 to h3) is set. For the motion group in which the height of the glove at the time of catching the ball is “H4”, a range of height “h3” or more and less than “h4” (h3 to h4) is set. Note that h1,
Each value of h2, h3, and h4 is a positive real number.

As described above, the motion groups in the respective directions A, B, C, and D are provided for each height of the baseball glove at the time of catching the ball (height of the baseball glove from the ball field field in the catching attitude). It is set. The height of the glove is, for example,
H1 (0.05 m), H2 (0.58 m), H3 (1.
A value such as 10 m) or H4 (1.98 m) is set. The range of possible catching heights is determined according to the height of the baseball glove at the time of catching.

For example, the values h1, h2, and h3 indicating the boundary values of the catchable height range are calculated by the following formulas, respectively. [Formula 1] h1 = (H1 + H2) / 2 [Formula 2] h2 = (H2 + H3) / 2 [Formula 3] h3 = (H3 + H4) / 2

In addition, the maximum value "h
4 ”(specified maximum value) is set in advance.
In this case, for example, the height range that can be caught is 0 (m) to h
1, h1 to h2, h2 to h3, and h3 to h4.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a data table in which data relating to ball throwing is registered in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, columns of “direction”, “motion group”, “ball throwing direction”, and “ball throwable distance” are provided. A fielder's movement direction is set in the “direction” field, and motion groups are registered in association with the respective movement directions “A”, “B”, “C”, and “D”. Similar to the example.

In the "ball throwing direction" column, the ball throwing direction of the motion group is set in association with the motion group.
For example, “front”, “right”,
There are "left" and "back". In the example of FIG. 6, “# 11”,
The throwing direction of each motion group of “# 15”, “# 21”, “# 31”, and “# 41” is “front”. "# 12",
The throwing direction of each of the motion groups “# 22”, “# 32”, and “# 42” is “right”. "# 13", "# 23",
The throwing direction of each motion group of “# 33” and “# 43” is “left”. "# 14", "# 24", "# 34",
The throwing direction of each of the motion groups “# 44” and “#M” is “back”.

The motion group in which the pitching direction is "front" is, for example, a motion group in which an infielder throws a ball toward a catcher on the home base. The motion group in which the pitching direction is “right” is, for example, a motion group in which a shortstop throws a ball toward a third baseman covering a third base. The motion group in which the pitching direction is “left” is, for example, a motion group in which the second baseman throws the ball toward the first baseman covering the first baseman. The group of motions in which the pitching direction is "back" is, for example, a group of motions in which a pitcher throws a ball toward a second baseman who covers a second base, or a shortstop.

The fielder covering the base is a fielder who moves toward the position of the base. Which fielders cover which bases should be determined by certain rules (eg defensive situation).
It is judged by the calculation according to. For example, a fielder closest to each base (such as a fielder who can reach the base most quickly) is determined as a fielder covering that base. This decision is
It is always performed from the time the batter hits. This decision is also made whenever the fielder receives the ball.

In the "ball throwable distance" column, the ball throwable distance in the motion group is set in association with the motion group. In the example of FIG. 6, “# 11”, “# 12”,
"# 13", "# 14", "# 21", "# 22",
"# 23", "# 24", "# 31", "# 32",
"# 33", "# 34", "# 41", "# 42",
The catchable distance of each of the motion groups “# 43” and “# 44” is “D1 to D2” (distance from D1 and distance D2 or less). The catching range of the motion groups of "# 15" and "#M" is "0 (m) to D1" (distance less than distance D1).

The motion group in which the catchable distance is "D1 to D2" is, for example, a motion group in which the ball is thrown by hand throwing. Further, the motion group in which the catchable distance is "0 (m) to D1" is, for example, a motion group in which the ball is thrown by a lower hand throw (toss).

In this embodiment, the structure of the motion group, that is, the motion data is not particularly limited. That is, a series of motions from the catching posture to the throwing motion may be set as one motion group, or a series of motions from the catching posture to the catching action and from the catching state to the throwing state. A series of motions may be provided as an independent motion group, and the data may be configured so that they can be linked with each other at any time. Further, the present invention is not limited to the above configuration.

In addition, depending on the memory capacity, the fielder can be used as an axis.
Although it is possible to have motion groups in all 0-degree directions, it is also possible to limit the movement direction as in the four front, back, left, and right directions as in the present embodiment. In this case, the movement direction of the fielder is forward (for example, 0 degrees), rightward (for example, 90 degrees clockwise), or backward (for example, 180 degrees clockwise) or leftward around the position of the fielder. Since it does not match (for example, 270 degrees clockwise), the direction of the fielder may be finely adjusted (rotated) in the closest direction. Of course, the moving direction is not limited to four directions, for example, 8
The number of directions may be changed depending on conditions such as the amount of memory used and the expressiveness of the game.

The baseball game proceeds while referring to the data shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Hereinafter, a process related to a baseball game executed by the video game device 10 will be described. By executing this baseball game, the ball game video game processing method is realized, and further, the ball game video game processing device is realized.

The control unit 12 executes the baseball game program, so that the following processing is performed.
It is executed at 0. That is, when the ball is moved in the baseball game, the number of frames is acquired from the above-mentioned data regarding the motion group. And the ball moves
The position of the ball at the time when the screen display is advanced by the acquired number of frames is predicted and acquired from the state displayed at the position. Further, the distance that can be moved in one motion group based on the data related to the motion group is calculated from the number of frames defined in the data related to the motion group and the movement amount per frame. Based on the calculated distance, the possibility of catching whether or not the fielder can reach the predicted and acquired position of the ball is sequentially determined for each motion group.

If a future position of the ball can be reached by a certain motion group, it is determined that the motion group can catch the ball. When it is determined that a ball can be caught, a catching motion image by a series of motions defined by the motion group is displayed on the screen. Note that the prediction of the position of the ball at the time when the screen display is advanced by the number of frames can be obtained by calculation based on the moving direction, speed, etc. of the ball.

Next, the operation of the video game apparatus 10 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 12 and FIGS. 10 (a), 10 (b).
This will be described with reference to the explanatory diagrams shown in FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 13. The following processing is performed by the control unit 12 of the game machine body 11 executing a program. In the baseball game, the inning process is repeatedly executed. The process of this embodiment is executed in the inning process. Here, the inning process is a process from the start to the end of the attack opportunity of one team. That is, in the following description, the inning attacked by the first team and the inning attacked by the second team are treated as different innings.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the inning process of the baseball game according to this embodiment. The following processing is executed by reading the program recorded on the DVD 19, for example. The program is processed under the control of the CPU.

First, an inning start process is performed (step S10). In the inning start process, for example, the fielder of the team that has turned to the defensive side is displayed on the baseball field. Next, a pitching process is performed (step S11). The pitching process is a process in which the pitcher displays a motion of throwing a ball toward the catcher. The position at which the pitcher throws the ball at this time is determined in response to the operation input by the player or the calculation result by the control unit 12 based on the program.

After the pitching process is completed, a hitting process is performed (step S12). The batting process is a process of displaying the movements of the fielder and the ball when the batter hits the ball thrown by the pitcher with a bat. The position or the like at which the batter swings the bat is determined in response to the calculation result by the control unit 12 based on the operation input of the player (when the player is the attacking side) or the computer (when the computer is the attacking side).

When the batting process is completed, a batting (hit,
It is determined whether or not it is a foul (step S1).
3). In the case of hitting, it means hitting the ball thrown by the pitcher back with a bat held by the batter. When it is determined that the batter is not hit (NO route in step S13), it is determined whether the batter is out (step S16). The case where the batter is out without hitting is, for example, the case where the batter strikes out.

If it is determined that the batter is not out (NO route in step S16), the process proceeds to step S11. If it is determined that the batter is out (YES route in step S16), step S17
The process proceeds to.

In step S17, it is determined whether or not there is 3 out (change). Here, if 3 out, the attacking opportunity on the attacking side ends, and the offense and defense are replaced. In this embodiment, if 3 out (Y in step S17)
(ES route), the inning process ends. If it is not 3 out (NO route in step S17), the process returns to the execution of the pitching process (step S11).

When it is judged that the player has hit (step S13)
The motion selection process is performed on the YES route (step S14). The motion selection process is a process of selecting an optimal motion group for naturally operating a fielder who catches a ball, according to a game progress situation and a player's operation input. Details of the motion selection process will be described later.

After the motion selection process is completed, a motion display process is performed (step S15). The motion display process is a process of displaying a fielder operating in the motion group selected in step S14 on the screen. Details of the motion display process will be described later.

After the motion display processing is finished, it is judged whether or not the attacking player is out (step S).
16). If the attacking batter or runner is out (YES route in step S16), step S
The processing shifts to 17. If neither the attacking batter nor the runner is out (N in step S16)
For the O route), the process proceeds to step S11.

When it is judged that the attacking player is out (YES route in step S16), it is judged whether or not it is 3 out (end of the attack opportunity of the attacking team) (step S16). S17). If 3 out (YES route in step S17), the inning process ends. If not 3 out (NO in step S17)
The process is advanced to the route) and the pitching process (step S11).

Details of the motion selection process will be described below. The following motion selection process is, for example, a process in the case where the player is operating the defending team.

8 and 9 show the procedure of motion selection processing according to this embodiment. First, the motion selection process will be described with reference to FIG. In the motion selection process, first, the trajectory of the hit ball is calculated (step S20). The trajectory of the hit ball is calculated based on the velocity of the hit ball (which may be the strength of the hit ball) and the flight direction.

A fielder predicted to be able to catch a ball is specified from the direction of the hit ball (path of the ball) (step S21). For example, the position E in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG.
If the ball flies in, it is predicted that the first baseman Ff, the second baseman Fs, and the right wing man Fr are the fielders capable of catching the ball.

Next, the position E of the hit ball (ball) (see FIG. 10)
An image for changing the position of the ball is displayed by a command for advancing (see (a)) by one frame along the hitting trajectory (step S22). Then, based on the operation input of the player to the keypad 50 or the thought calculation result of the control unit 12, a fielder (first baseman Ff,
As shown in FIG. 10B, the process of moving the second baseman Fs and the right hand Fr) toward the position E of the ball is performed (step S23).

Next, it is determined whether or not the player has operated a button (pressing the button) to specify the destination of the ball (step S).
24). In the present embodiment, the designation of the ball sending destination can be input first before the fielder catches the ball. When the player inputs an operation (a button operation of the keypad 50) for designating a destination after the ball is hit, information on the pressed button is stored.

That is, in step S24, if the information of the button specifying the ball sending destination is stored, it is determined that the operation input of the ball sending destination instruction is performed, and if the information of the button specifying the ball sending destination is not stored, It is determined that there is no operation input. It should be noted that the button input for first-play input may be any one of a single button, a plurality of buttons, and a combination of a button and a joystick.

When the button is pressed (Y in step S24)
For the ES route, the destination of the ball is determined according to the pressing of the button (step S25). In the present embodiment, a fielder who covers any one of the bases by the operation input is determined as the ball sending destination. After the destination is determined, the process proceeds to step S27 shown in FIG.

If the button has not been pressed (NO route in step S24), the optimum destination (fielder) is determined according to the progress of the game (step S26). The determination of the optimum ball sending destination is performed for each frame. Further, the determination of the optimum destination is made individually for all the fielders predicted to be able to catch the ball.

For example, it is assumed that the hit ball (ball) rolls between the first baseman and the second baseman with no runner. In this case, the first baseman, the second baseman and the right winger are expected to be fielders capable of catching a ball. Then, the optimum ball-sending destination is determined for each of the first baseman, the second baseman, and the right wingman. In this case, if the first baseman catches a ball,
The fielder who covers the first base is decided as the optimal destination.
If the second baseman catches the ball, if the first baseman covers the first base as it is, the first baseman is determined as the optimum ball-sending destination. In addition, when the left wingman catches a ball, it is necessary to relay the distance, and in this case, the fielder who enters the relay is determined as the most appropriate destination. As will be described later, even if the relay is optimal, it is possible to directly send the ball to the target ball destination according to the player's instruction. In this way, after determining the optimum ball-sending destinations for all the fielders who may catch the ball, the process proceeds to step S27 shown in FIG.

The processing after step S27 will be described with reference to FIG. When the destination is determined in steps S25 and S26 of FIG. 8, among the fielders predicted to be able to catch the ball (in the example of FIG. 10A, the first baseman Ff, the second baseman Fs, and the right wingman Fr), One unselected fielder is selected (step S27).

Based on the moving direction of the fielder selected in step S27 and the determined destination, the motion group capable of catching is limited (step S28). This refers to the "direction" column of the data table shown in FIG.
Only the motion groups associated with the fielder's movement direction
It becomes a group of motions that can catch a ball. For example, if the player is moving to the right as in the case of the first baseman Ff, it is limited to the group of motions (the group of motions in the direction D) that catches the ball at the right position.

Further, by referring to the "ball throwing direction" column in FIG. 6, only the motion group capable of sending a ball to the determined ball destination is set as a motion group capable of catching a ball. For example, if a fielder who covers the first base is decided as the destination of the ball,
Regarding the motion group corresponding to the second baseman, only the motion group in which the throwing direction is to the left is the motion group capable of catching a ball.

Further, the determined destination is the step S25.
In the case of the ball-destination destination determined in (the ball-destination destination determined in response to the operation input), the motion group from ball catching to ball throwing is set as a motion group capable of catching a ball. When the determined ball-sending destination is the ball-sending destination determined in step S26 (the ball-sending destination determined regardless of the operation input), the player is ready to throw the ball from the ball catching until the standby state (meaning neutral) is reached. Limited to the motion group of.

Further, by referring to the column of "possible throwing distance" in FIG. 6, only the motion group adapted to the determined distance to the throwing destination becomes the catchable motion group.
For example, when the shortstop throws the ball to the first baseman, it is limited to the group of motions in which the ball is thrown by hand throwing. Further, when the first baseman throws at a pitcher who has entered the first basement cover, it is limited to a group of motions in which the ball is thrown by a downward throw (toss).

As described above, in step S28, a motion group satisfying all of the conditions relating to the movement direction of the fielder, the condition relating to the throwing direction, the condition relating to the method of determining the destination and the condition relating to the throwable distance are grouped into a catchable motion group Is limited.

Next, one of the unselected motion groups is selected from the motion groups corresponding to the limited motion group (step S29). The “number of frames” column of the data table shown in FIG. 5 is referred to, and the number of frames N (N is a natural number) of the motion group is acquired from the selected motion group (step S30). For example, if the selected motion group is “# 41” (see FIG. 5),
The number of frames N is “20”.

Next, the "movement amount per frame" in the data table shown in FIG. 5 is referred to, and the position of the ball at the time when the screen display is advanced by the number N of frames depending on the moving direction and speed of the ball. Is calculated (step S31). Since the image display processing is performed for each frame, when the screen display is advanced by the number of frames N, the movable range is a fielder (for example, the first baseman Ff shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B). Means the time when the time required to move has elapsed. The movable range H is determined by the number of frames of the selected motion group and the movement amount per frame.

Next, it is judged whether or not the fielder can catch the ball based on the selected motion group (step S32). This is a judgment that a ball can be caught, and it is judged that a ball can be caught only when all of the following conditions 1, 2, and 3 are satisfied.

Condition 1: The following expression 4 is satisfied. [Formula 4] (distance between position of fielder and future position of ball) ≤ (number of frames N of selected motion data) x (movement amount per frame) = (maximum movement amount of fielder per motion) In Equation 4, the future position of the ball is the ball position after N frames on the ball field. The number N of frames of the selected motion data is the number of display frames from the start of the ball catching operation to the ball catching by the motion group to be judged.

(Distance between the position of the fielder and the future position of the ball) ≦ (maximum amount of movement of the fielder per motion)
In the future, it means that the fielder can reach the position of the ball in the group of motions until catching. In other words, it means that the ball is within the movable range of the fielder.

Condition 2: (distance between the position of the fielder and the future position of the ball) is not less than the lower limit value of the catchable range defined by the selected motion group. For example, in FIG.
When the motion group of “# 11” shown in is selected and the distance between the position of the fielder and the position of the ball is L1 or less,
The ball is too close to the fielder. In this case, there is a feeling of strangeness in the group of motions in which the fielder catches the ball while running close to the ball. Therefore, another motion group is selected so that the ball is caught in a motion group that waits for a hit ball.

Condition 3: The height of the ball is within a height range in which the ball can be caught and is defined by the selected motion group. The ball position data is composed of ball position data on the ball game field surface and ball height data from the ball game field surface. Determined to be possible.

The distance between the position of the fielder and the future position of the ball under the above condition 1 is calculated as the position of the fielder's catching effector, in this case, the position of the baseball glove. . 11A and 11B are views for explaining a method of correcting the position of the fielder F and the position of the baseball glove g. FIG. 11A is a view of the fielder F as seen from above. FIG.11 (b) is a figure when the fielder F is seen from the front. In this example, the left side direction of the fielder F is the X axis direction, the upper side of the fielder F is the Y axis direction, and the front direction of the fielder F is the Z axis direction.

The position of the baseball glove g is the actual ball catching position. As shown in FIGS. 11 (a) and 11 (b), the coordinate position of the fielder F is (Xf, Zf), Fielder F
The position deviation of the baseball glove g with respect to the coordinate position of
X, ΔZ). In this case, (Xf + ΔX, Zf + Δ
Z) is the coordinate position of the baseball glove g. Then, the coordinate position of the baseball glove g can be regarded as the position of the fielder F at the time of catching the ball, and it can be determined whether or not the ball can be caught.

When it is determined that the ball can be caught (YES route in step S32), the currently selected fielder F is determined as the fielder to catch the ball. Furthermore, the currently selected motion group is determined as the motion group from the catching fielder's catching ball to the waiting state, or from catching ball to throwing ball. (Step S33).
After that, the process proceeds to the motion display process of step S15 in FIG.

On the other hand, when it is determined in the above-mentioned ball catching possibility that the ball cannot be caught (NO route in step S32), it is judged for all the motion groups that can be caught in step S28 (ball catching). It is determined whether or not it is possible (step S34). If there is a motion group that has not been determined yet (NO route in step S34), another motion group limited in step S28 is selected, and it is determined whether a ball can be caught (steps S29-).
Step S32).

On the other hand, when the judgment is made for all the motion groups capable of catching the ball (YE in step S34)
In the S route), it is determined whether or not all the fielders (selectable fielders) predicted to be able to catch the ball identified in step S21 (see FIG. 8) have been determined (judgment possibility determination) (step S35). ). If there is an undetermined fielder (NO route in step S35), the process proceeds to step S2.
Proceed to 7. Then, another fielder predicted to be able to catch a ball is selected, and the possibility of catching a ball is determined (step S2).
7-step S34). If it is determined for all fielders (YES route in step S35), the process proceeds to step S22 shown in FIG. 8 and the motion group selection process (step S in the state where the game for one frame is advanced).
22 to step S35) are performed.

Next, the motion display process will be specifically described. FIG. 12 shows the procedure of motion display processing in this embodiment. In the motion display process, the action of the fielder determined in the motion selection process is started by the determined motion group (step S4).
0). Fielders operating in the determined motion group are displayed on the screen. The screen display process of the fielder is performed by the graphics processing unit 16 which receives an instruction from the control unit 12, for example.

The image data for displaying the moving fielder on the screen using the motion group is acquired from the image data area 13B of the RAM 13. This image data is model data for expressing the fielder F, model data of a catching effector held by the fielder F, and the like. Here, the ball catching effector is a display object to be moved to the position of the ball in the virtual three-dimensional space when catching the ball. In the present embodiment, the baseball glove g is a ball catching effector.

The motion group for displaying the motion is the work area 1 of the DVD 19 to the RAM 13
It is stored in 3C, and when operating a fielder, RA
A motion group is acquired from the work area 13C of M13.

The motion group is, for example, from the waiting state to the sending of the ball or the waiting state from the catching ball (neutral).
It is a data group that defines the motion until the transition to. This group of motions does not define a single motion (movement of a fielder) but at least one continuous motion.
The above motions are defined. That is, the motion group is defined.

The group of motions from waiting for catch to catching
It is composed of a plurality of frames of image data from the attitude data at the start of the motion (start frame) at the ball catch standby position to the attitude data at the end of the motion (final frame). In the posture data at the end of the motion, the baseball glove g is at the catching completion position.

When the motion of the decided fielder is started, it is judged whether or not the motion is before catching the ball (step S41). Whether it is before catching or not is determined by whether or not the motion of the fielder reaches the posture at the time of catching. If it is before catching the ball (YES route in step S41), the glove position correction process (step S42) is performed.

In the glove position correction process, the glove position is corrected so that the baseball glove g is finally positioned at the intermediate position (ball position) where it catches the ball (step S).
42). The glove position is corrected for each frame.
As a result, the baseball glove g
Is moved to the position where the ball reaches.

The glove position is corrected in accordance with the difference between the ball catching position (the position where the ball reaches) and the glove position of the ball catching posture data.

The target position of the glove when correcting the glove position is obtained by the following formula. [Equation 5] Target position of glove = (glove position in current posture of frame) + (difference between glove position and ball position of catch completion frame) x (number of playback frames / total number of frames of motion)

This position can be used as a target by the inverse kinematics method. Details of the glove position correction will be described later. After correcting the glove position by the inverse kinematics method, the process proceeds to step S43.

If it is determined in step S41 that the ball has been caught (NO route in step S41), the posture correction process is performed by motion synthesis (step S51). The motion combining process is a process for gradually returning the glove position corrected in the process of step S42 to the glove position according to the determined motion. That is,
After catching the ball, the corrected glove position in the catch completion frame is brought closer to the glove position defined in the gradually determined motion. For example, a combination process of the posture of the fielder in the catching completion frame and the posture of each frame defined in the determined motion is performed. The posture combining process is a process of generating data representing an intermediate posture of a plurality of postures to be combined, based on data indicating the posture of a fielder (data such as joint angles). In this synthesizing process, the glove position defined by the determined motion can be approximated by gradually reducing the rate of dependence on the fielder's posture in the catching completion frame. Then, the process proceeds to step S43.

When the glove position for one frame has been corrected, it is determined whether or not a button has been pressed to instruct the destination (step S43). If the button is not pressed by the player (NO route in step S43), it is determined whether or not the operation by the currently determined motion group is completed (step S50). If the operation is completed (YES route in step S50), the process proceeds to step S16 in FIG. If the operation is not completed (NO route of step S50), the process proceeds to step S41.

When the player has operated a button for designating a ball destination (YES route in step S43), the ball destination determined in response to the operation input is the same ball destination as the already-determined ball destination. It is determined whether or not (step S44). That is, it is also possible to switch the ball sending destination by pressing the button again by the player. When changing the destination to which the ball has already been instructed, it is possible to switch the ball at least once before the ball is delivered.

If a destination other than the determined destination is designated (NO route in step S44),
The motion group for composition is determined according to the operation input designating the destination and the progress of the game (step S).
45).

For example, in response to an operation input for designating a ball-sending destination, it is determined which base the fielder who covers the ball is to be sent. Then, a motion group suitable for sending the ball toward the fielder covering the desired base is determined as a motion group for composition. The determined group of motions for synthesis is a group of motions that defines the current posture of the fielder or a posture that is close to the current posture of the fielder up to the pitching.

When the motion group for synthesis is determined, the operation by the motion group obtained by synthesizing the current fielder motion group and the current motion group for synthesis is started (step S46). Motion synthesis is a process of synthesizing posture data for each frame of two motion groups to obtain intermediate posture data. The displayed posture of the fielder is determined by the posture data obtained by the synthesis. After the operation by the motion composition is started, it is determined whether or not the operation is completed (step S50).

On the other hand, if the same ball-sending destination as the determined ball-sending destination is designated (YES route in step S44), the connection input is made for designating the ball-destination and the connection status is determined according to the progress of the game. The motion group is determined (step S47).

In this way, the fielder (in addition to the pitcher or catcher) who covers the base is determined in response to the depression of the button for designating the destination. As this determination method, each button on the keypad 50 is associated with a base ID (identification information) so that each player on the defensive side can determine which base should be covered.
D is given as a parameter. When the batter hits the ball back, each base is instructed by a nearby player to enter the cover. As a result, the players in the vicinity head toward the cover of the kind, but at that time, each player who enters the cover is given a base ID indicating which base the cover enters. As a result, when the button operation for determining the ball sending destination is performed, the player who has given the same base ID as the base ID corresponding to the operation button is determined as the ball sending destination. Then, a motion group suitable for sending the ball toward the fielder who covers the determined base is determined as the motion group for connection. The connecting motion group is a group of motions from a throwing attitude (a posture in which the hand holding the ball is raised) to a throwing ball.

When the motion group for connection is determined, it is determined whether or not the fielder has a connectable posture (step S48). The connectable posture is a posture in which a ball is thrown. If the posture is not connectable (NO route in step S48), it is determined whether the operation is completed (step S50).

If the posture allows connection (step S48)
YES route), the operation by the motion group for connection is started (step S49). Since the connecting motion group starts from the posture of throwing the ball, it is possible to naturally shift from the previously displayed motion group to the connecting motion group. afterwards,
It is determined whether the operation is completed (step S50).

Next, regarding the above-mentioned globe position correction, FIG.
This will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The column (a) of FIG. 13 shows a frame drawing example before the glove position correction, and the column (b) of FIG. 13 shows a frame drawing example after the glove position correction.
Further, the reference symbol Ea indicates the original catching completion position of the motion group, and the reference symbol Eb indicates the catching position at the intermediate position to be corrected. The catching completion position Ea and the catching position Eb at the intermediate position.
There is a difference ΔE between and.

In FIG. 13, a frame 1 is a start frame, a frame 2 is a frame next to the start frame, a frame 19 is a frame before the catch completion frame, and a frame 20 is a catch completion frame. In frame 1, the glove position is corrected by adding (1/20) ΔE to the glove position of frame 1 before the glove position correction. In frame 2, frame 2 before glove position correction
The glove position is corrected by adding (2/20) ΔE to the glove position. In the frame 19, the glove position of the frame 19 before the glove position correction is (19/20) ΔE.
Is added to correct the glove position. Frame 20
Then, the glove position is corrected by adding ΔE to the glove position of the frame 2 before the glove position correction.

The movement of the arm portion accompanied by the above correction can be obtained by the inverse kinematics method. In this case, as shown in FIG. 14, the upper arm of the arm wearing the baseball glove, which is a catching effector, is set to the vector a.
(Vector from the position of the base of the arm to the position of the elbow). Let the forearm be vector b (vector from the position of the elbow to the position of the wrist). Further, a vector from the position of the base of the arm to the catching position is set as a vector c. Further, the elbow joint can rotate only around a predetermined M axis. In addition,
The M axis is defined by the position and angle relative to the vector a.

Next, an example of a calculation method for correcting the arm part of the fielder will be described. In the following Expression 6, Expression 7, Expression 8, and Expression 9, “×” indicates the cross product of the vectors. Further, in Expression 6, Expression 7, Expression 8, and Expression 9,
“·” Indicates the dot product of the vector. Furthermore, Equation 6,
In Equations 7, 8, and 9, multiplication is indicated by “*” in order to distinguish it from the cross product of vectors.

By the cosine theorem, cos θ can be obtained from the following equation. [Equation 6] cos θ = (| a | ² + | b | ² − | c | ² ) / (2 * |
If a | * | b |) cos θ is obtained, the angle θ can be calculated by the inverse function of cosine (arc cosine). Since it is specified that the elbow joint can rotate only around the local M-axis, the angle θ of the elbow joint obtained by this calculation may be used as the conversion angle around the M-axis.

After updating the vector b with the angle θ, the vector i from the base of the arm to the wrist is calculated by the following formula. [Formula 7] i = a + b

Further, the vector j perpendicular to the vector j and the vector c is obtained by the following formula. [Formula 8] j = i × c / (| i × c |) The vector j is a unit vector. An axis that passes through the position of the base of the arm and is parallel to the vector j is the rotation axis for matching the vector i and the vector c.

Further, cos when the rotation angle is ψ
ψ is calculated by the following formula. [Equation 9] cos ψ = i · c / (| i | * | c |) If cos ψ is obtained, the angle ψ can be calculated by the inverse function of cosine (arc cosine).

Then, the movement of the arm is corrected by rotating the arm portion by the angle ψ with the axis passing through the position of the base of the arm and parallel to the vector j as the rotation axis. That is, the position of the baseball glove (following the position of the wrist) worn by the fielder in the hand is corrected. Note that such a correction process can also be obtained by a quaternion. By using the quaternion, it is possible to obtain a natural movement route from the position before correction of the glove to the position after correction.

In the above-described embodiment, the motion groups are three-dimensionally set for the front, back, left, right, and height of the fielder, but for the sake of simplicity, as shown in FIG. Areas are divided into a matrix in the left-right direction and the height direction of the fielder, and each area 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,
It is also possible to set motion groups in each of 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 in a one-to-one relationship.

As described above, the fielder who catches the ball and the motion group of the fielder are determined. The group of motions associated with the fielder is a group of motions that define a series of actions for throwing the ball from the catching ball toward another fielder. The fielder whose motion group has been determined is displayed on the screen in a motion according to the definition of the motion group.

Further, when the fielder who catches the ball is determined, another fielder to which the fielder should throw the ball can be obtained by calculation according to a predetermined rule. The predetermined rule is defined such that the most suitable destination is determined based on the baseball rule. For example, if there are no runners and an infielder catches a ball rolling on the ground, the rule is defined so that the ball is thrown to the fielder who enters the cover of the first baseman.

By thus determining the ball-sending destination prior to the player's operation input, it is possible to display the motions of the fielder by a group of motions considered to be optimum from ball-catching to ball-sending. For example, in the case where the shortstop catches the ball and the opponent is determined to be the first baseman, a motion of throwing the ball to the first baseman by hand throwing is displayed. Further, when the shortstop catches the ball and the opponent is decided to be the second baseman, a motion of throwing the ball to the second baseman by a toss (toss) is displayed.

The optimum ball destination determined by the calculation is canceled by the operation input of the player. That is, when the player performs an operation input designating another ball sending destination, the ball sending destination determined earlier is canceled, and the ball sending destination is determined in response to the operation input. That is, the destination of the ball is changed.

The change of the ball sending destination can be performed even while the motion of the fielder from catching the ball to the ball sending is displayed. If the destination is changed while the fielder is moving in the motion group from catching to throwing, the movement of the displayed fielder's motion is changed to the motion by the group of motions to send to the changed destination Is performed.

Next, an example of motion transition in the present embodiment will be described. In the following example, the outcount is 2 out, and in the situation where there are runners on the first and second bases, it is assumed that the shortstop catches a ball hitting the ground. In this case, in the process of determining the ball sending destination according to the progress status of the game in step S26 of FIG. 8, it is assumed that a fielder (second baseman) covering the second base is determined as the ball sending destination.

First, a case will be described in which the same destination as the destination determined in accordance with the progress of the game is input after the motion group starts the operation. FIG. 16 (A),
16 (B), 16 (C), 16 (D), 16
(E), FIG. 16 (F), and FIG. 16 (G) show transition examples of motions from catching a ball to sending a ball.

Before the fielder to catch the ball is determined, the process shown in FIG.
As shown in (A), the fielder 61 before the start of the catching operation is displayed on the display screen 101. Stander fielder 61
(Shorterman) has a glove 62 on his hand and is in a waiting position for catching a ball.

When the fielder 61 is determined as the fielder for catching the ball, the fielder's ball catching operation is started by the determined motion group. When the ball catching operation is started, FIG.
As shown in (B), the display screen 101 displays a fielder 61 moving toward a position where the ball will reach in the future (rightward in the example of FIG. 16B).

When the position of the glove 62 reaches the position where the ball reaches, a scene in which the fielder 61 catches the ball 70 is displayed as shown in FIG. 16 (C). At this time, the position of the globe 62 is corrected according to the position reached by the ball. Therefore, in the catching scene, the position of the glove 62 and the position of the ball 70 exactly match.

After catching the ball, as shown in FIG. 16 (D), a scene in which the fielder 61 shifts to the action of sending a ball is displayed. In this example, the display screen 101 displays a scene in which the fielder 61 tries to swing up the hand holding the ball 70.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 16 (E), the fielder 61 in the attitude of throwing a ball is displayed. If the same ball-destination destination (second baseman) as the ball-destination destination calculated in advance is determined in accordance with the operation input before the preparation of the ball-dropping, the operation by the motion group for connection is started. as a result,
As shown in FIG. 16 (F), a motion in which the fielder 61 throws the ball is displayed by the motion group for connection.

When the ball is thrown, as shown in FIG. 16 (G), the fielder 81 covering the second base makes the ball 7
0 is caught. In this example, the fielder 81 catches the ball 70 while running on the base 71 of the second base.

As described above, even when there is no operation input for designating the destination, the fielder 61 is operated by a group of motions suitable for delivering to the fielder 81 covering the second base. When the fielder 61 detects an operation input that specifies a fielder who covers the second base after catching the ball, the fielder 61 is detected.
Since the time when the player is ready to throw the ball, the fielder 61 is caused to perform the ball throwing motion by the motion group for connection. As a result, even if the fielder 61 receives an operation input after catching the ball, the fielder 61 can move the ball 70 to the ball 70 by connecting the motion groups.
It is possible to display a motion of catching a ball and sending the ball to another fielder 81 in a natural motion.

Next, with respect to an example of motion transition from catching ball to waiting state, FIG. 17 (A), FIG. 17 (B), FIG. 17 (C), FIG. 17 (D), FIG. 17 (E), FIG. 17
This will be described with reference to (F) and FIG. This example
This is an example in which there is no operation input by the player designating the destination of the ball before the attitude of the ball is displayed on the display screen 101.

If there is no operation input by the player before the stance of throwing the ball is displayed on the display screen 101, the action of the fielder 61 from the waiting state of catching the ball to the stance of throwing the ball is displayed. In this example, the transition of the image from the waiting state of catching the ball to the attitude of sending the ball is shown. 17A and FIG.
(B), FIG. 17 (C), FIG. 17 (D), FIG. 17 (E)
16A, 16B and 16B, respectively.
This is the same as the example shown in (C), FIG. 16 (D), and FIG. 16 (E).

[0178] The attitude of the pitching is displayed on the display screen 101 (Fig. 17).
If there is no operation input by the player before the display in (E)), a motion in which the fielder 61 lowers the arm holding the ball 70 is displayed as shown in FIG.
Then, as shown in FIG. 17 (G), the fielder 61 is in a standby state. In the standby state, the ball 70 is held at the chest position, and when the destination is determined, the ball 70 is immediately thrown to the destination.

The fielder 61 may be stopped for a certain period of time after the fielder 61 is ready to throw a ball, and the baller 61 may be put in a waiting state for a ball to be thrown. By keeping the fielder 61 in the attitude of throwing a ball, if there is an operation input by the player after this, the action of the fielder sending a ball to the ball destination determined in response to the operation input can be naturally displayed. it can.

In this way, when there is no operation input by the player between the time the ball rolls and the fielder 61 becomes ready to throw the ball, the operation for naturally shifting from the ready state to throw the ball to the standby state. A fielder can be operated with a group of motions that define. The movement of the ball is indirectly displayed and controlled based on the series of motions of the fielder.

Next, FIGS. 18 (A), 18 (B) and 18 will be described with respect to the transition example of the motion accompanied by the change of the destination.
(C), FIG. 18 (D), FIG. 18 (E), FIG. 18 (F),
This will be described with reference to FIG. In this example, fielder 6
Immediately after 1 catches the ball 70, it is assumed that the destination is changed to a fielder who covers the third base by the operation input of the player. In this case, the transition of the displayed image from the waiting state of the catch to the catch shown in FIGS. 18 (A), 18 (B) and 18 (C) is as shown in FIG. 16 (A) and FIG. 16 respectively.
16B is the same as the example shown in FIG.

When the player's input is changed to a fielder that covers the third base while the motion of the fielder from catching the ball to the ball is reproduced, as shown in FIG. 18D, the motion composition is performed. Thus, the motion in which the fielder 61 turns his body toward the third base is displayed. After that, FIG.
As shown in (E), the display screen 101 displays a motion in which the fielder 61 sends a ball to a fielder who covers the third base.

After that, the ball is thrown, and FIG.
As shown in, the posture of the fielder 61 after the pitching is displayed on the display screen 10.
It is displayed in 1. Continuing, as shown in FIG.
A motion in which the fielder 91 covering the third base receives the ball 70 is displayed on the display screen 101. In this example, the fielder 91 catches the ball 70 in a posture of running into the base 72 of the third base.

In this way, even if the destination is changed while the fielder is being operated by a series of motion groups, the fielder having a natural motion can be displayed by the motion synthesis.

The motion display has been described above in detail. Next, the operation of the player and the display mode regarding the ball delivery will be described in detail.

FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining the gauge according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 19, a rectangular ball delivery guide 1000 is displayed on the screen. The pitching guide 1000 includes a cover display panel 1001 and a gauge display panel 1002. The cover destination display panel 1001 is a part that displays a base (or a relay) in which the player on the defensive side enters the cover. This cover display panel 10
01 indicates "1st base", "2nd base", "3rd base" depending on the button operation.
"Base" or "home base" is displayed as the player's cover.

However, if the outfielder is instructed to send a ball to a player who will cover the home base by button operation, whether a relay should be inserted once from the computer due to the distance relationship between the player who sent the ball and the player who sent the ball To be judged. If it is determined that the relay is inserted, the cover display panel 1001
"Relay" is displayed. Regarding the correspondence relationship between the keypad 50 and the ball sending destination, when dynamically associating each button of the keypad 50 with the player (ball sending destination) who enters the base of the base, each key is sent to each base as the game progresses. The number of players entering the cover is not constant, and even if the same button is operated, a player different from the last time may be the destination. Furthermore, even if a player who enters the base of the base by button operation is instructed as the destination, depending on the distance between the source player and the destination player, other players who enter the relay first by computer regardless of the base It is judged as a candidate of. Further, the destination of the ball may be instructed by a combination of the tilt direction of the joystick of the keypad 50 and the pressing of the button.

The gauge display panel 1002 is a portion for displaying a gauge 1003 for measuring the timing of ball throwing. The gauge display panel 1002 has a gauge 10
03, relay border line 1004, and throwing border line 1005 are displayed. The gauge 1003 is a display element that increases with the lapse of time after the player presses the button on the keypad 50 while being ready to catch a ball. The gauge 1003 continues to increase while the button is continuously pressed, and when the button is released, the display of the pitch guide 1000 itself is terminated. From the tip position of the gauge 1003 when the button is released in the gauge display panel 1002, the destination of the ball (presence / absence of relay) and the method of ball delivery (presence / absence of sudden throw) are determined.

The relay border line 1004 is a display index which is arranged in front of the throwing border line 1005 in the increasing direction of the gauge 1003 when it is determined that the relay is necessary. The ball-sending border line 1005 is a distance at which the player of the ball-sending source and the player of the ball-sending destination separate from each other when the button of the keypad 50 is pressed while the player is ready to catch the ball, regardless of whether or not there is a relay. It is a display index arranged according to. Note that FIG. 19 shows a case where it is determined that relay is necessary.

Next, detailed display transition of the pitching guide 1000 will be described. 20 (a), (b), (c),
(D), (e), (f) is a figure explaining the display transition of the gauge by this Embodiment. First, an example will be described on the assumption that there is a runner on the third base. When the batter hits the pitcher's ball back and the ball hits the outfield, the player moves the outfielder with the joystick of the keypad 50 to direct the ball to catch the ball. From the movements of the outfielder and the ball, it is always judged whether or not the outfielder can catch the ball. Keypad 5 after being ready to catch a ball
When the signal indicating that the button is pressed is confirmed from 0, the base ID associated with the pressed button is confirmed.

Then, with the base ID, a player who tries to enter the cover of the base indicated by the base ID is searched. When multiple players have the same base ID, each player has a common base ID and heads to the base indicated by that base ID, so the player who can reach the target base first is the destination. It is determined. For example, when a player with a home base ID is found, a player who wants to enter the cover of the home base is determined as the destination. However, in many cases, the distance between the player who is the destination of the ball and the outfielder who is the source of the ball is a certain distance or more, and in such a case, relay is determined. Therefore, the players who will enter the relay are selected and are candidates for the destination.

When the relay is determined in this way, the pitch guide 1000 is displayed (see FIG. 20 (a)).
At this time, in the ball sending guide 1000, "relay" is displayed as a candidate on the cover destination display panel 1001, and the relay border line 1004 and the ball sending border line 1005 are respectively arranged as indexes of the ball sending instruction timing. With the display of the pitching guide 1000, the time measurement of the gauge 1003 is started.

When the gauge 1003 starts increasing with the passage of time, the player decides the ball sending instruction timing while visually confirming the increase in the gauge 1003. That is, the player aims at the release timing of the button pressed state.
In the display state of FIG. 20B, the relay instruction is still valid, and “relay” is displayed on the cover destination display panel 1001. The period during which this "relay" is effective is before the tip position of the gauge 1003 exceeds the relay border line 1004. For example, when the button press is released when the tip position of the gauge 1003 reaches the relay border line 1004, a display mode is formed in which a perfect ball is delivered to the relay player. That is, FIG.
When the button is released in the display state of 0 (c), just the ball can be thrown. If the button is released before reaching the relay border line 1004, the gauge 100
The display may be controlled so that the speed at which the ball is moved is increased by a function as 3 is increased.

When the tip of the gauge 1003 exceeds the relay border line 1004, relay cannot be performed and the player designated by the operation button becomes the destination of the ball.
If the player instructs the relay, the gauge 1003
It is sufficient to release the button press before the line exceeds the relay border line 1004. On the other hand, if the player is instructed to send the ball to the player to whom the ball is to be sent, which is determined by the operation button, the button must be pressed for at least the relay border line 100.
It will be maintained until it exceeds 4. Therefore, when a player who presses the button and enters the cover of the home plate is instructed to send the ball, the gauge 1003 indicates the relay border line 10
Cover destination display panel 1001 at a timing beyond 04
Is switched from "relay" to "home base" (Fig. 2
0 (d)).

In the display state of FIG. 20 (d), it is in a normal state, that is, the throwing instruction without overdose is still valid, and "home base" is displayed on the cover display panel 1001. The period during which the normal throwing to the player who enters the cover of the "home base" is effective is until the tip position of the gauge 1003 exceeds the throwing border line 1005. For example, when the button is released when the tip position of the gauge 1003 reaches the ball-sending border line 1005, a display mode is formed in which a correct ball-sending is performed toward the player who enters the cover of the home run. That is, when the button is released in the display state of FIG. 20 (e), just the ball can be delivered. If the button is released before the ball reaches the throwing border line 1005 beyond the relay border line 1004, display control may be performed so as to increase the speed at which the ball is moved by a function as the gauge 1003 increases. Good.

Further, when the tip of the gauge 1003 exceeds the ball-sending border line 1005, normal ball-sending control for a player who enters the cover of the home run cannot be performed, and "coverage" is displayed on the cover display panel 1001. (Fig. 20
(See (f)). In this case, an error is added to the trajectory of moving the ball to the player designated by the operation button. as a result,
The destination of the ball is a player who enters the base of the home plate, but the trajectory of the ball is deviated by the amount of the error, and a display mode of overthrow is formed. This error controls the trajectory of the ball that cannot be caught by the destination player. In order for the player at the ball sending destination to catch the ball surely, the player may release the button press after the gauge 1003 crosses the relay border line 1004 and before crossing the ball sending border line 1005.

It should be noted that after the tip of the gauge 1003 crosses the pitching border line 1005, the pitching control is only for sudden pitching. Therefore, the pitching player makes a pitching motion regardless of whether the button is pressed or not, and a movement display of the ball is formed. It Display of gauge 1003 without any relation to the release of the button pressed, obtain final display at extending to some extent. That is, the ball sending guide 10
The display of 00 is also terminated.

In the above description, when the ball is sent to the relay, the player who sent the ball does not directly send the ball to the player who sent the ball, but the player who is the relay player located between the player who sent the ball and the player who sent the ball. The process of sending the ball to is executed. The motion of each player in this case is as follows to simplify the processing. That is, in the player who sends the ball, if the button is pressed, the same motion is prepared and processed regardless of whether the button is released at any timing until the ball is sent by relay. Of course, when the button is pressed again when switching back to the destination, a motion for switching back is formed by connecting the motions.

On the other hand, in the player of the ball sending destination, the motion of the player of the ball sending destination to be the relay and the motion of the player of the direct ball sending destination are processed at the same time, depending on the gauge increase at the release timing of the button press. One player is determined as the final destination and is displayed on the screen. When directly sending a ball, the motion differs depending on whether the ball is a normal ball or a throw. Of course, the display control of the ball trajectory is also different depending on whether the ball is relayed, whether it is a normal direct ball or a direct ball throw.

[0200] Next, the ball-sending process for displaying the gauge will be described in detail. FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating the ball sending process according to the present embodiment, FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating the ball sending start process according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating the ball sending destination determination process according to the present embodiment. is there. The processing program according to the flowcharts of FIGS. 21, 22, and 23 is recorded on the DVD 19 or the hard disk 14, and is executed under the control of the control unit 12.

First, the ball sending process will be described with reference to FIG. The player's state is always held as status information. When the player status is updated (step S51), it is determined whether or not there is a player who is ready to send a ball.
(Step S52). In this case, it is necessary for the player to catch the ball, and the player is provided with a ready-to-send flag to prepare for the ball. The state in which the player can catch the ball refers to a case where it is confirmed by calculation that the player can catch the ball within a few frames ahead of the motion pattern of the player approaching the ball. In addition, when the ball sending preparation cannot be confirmed from the ball sending preparation completion flag (step S52: NO route), the process returns to step S51.

Further, when the preparation for the pitching is confirmed from the pitching preparation completion flag (step S52: YES route), it is determined whether or not the button for instructing the pitching is pressed (step S53). When it is confirmed that the button has been pressed (step S53: YES route), a ball sending start process is executed (step S54). This ball-sending start process is a display starting process of the above-described ball-sending guide 1000, which will be described later. On the other hand, if it is not confirmed that the button has been pressed (step S43: NO route), the process returns to step S51.

When the ball sending start process (step S54) is started, as described with reference to FIG.
Increase and cover destination display panel 10 of the gauge 1003 of the inner 0
The update process of No. 1 is executed (step S55). And
If the button-pressed state is confirmed (step S56) and the button-pressed state is released (step S56: YES route), the process proceeds to step S58, and the destination determination process is executed. On the other hand, if the pressed state of the button is maintained (step S56: NO route), the ball-sending operation,
That is, it is determined whether or not the motion for throwing the ball has been reproduced to the end (step S57). When the reproduction up to the end is completed (step S57: YES route), the process proceeds to step S58 to execute the destination determination process. On the other hand, when the reproduction has not been completed to the end (step S57: NO route), the above-described steps S55 to S57 are repeatedly executed. As a result, the display on the cover-end display panel 1001 changes when the relay is necessary or when the game is suddenly thrown.

When the process proceeds to step S58, a ball destination determination process is executed, which will be described in detail later. In this ball-destination determination process, a ball-destination (relay ball-destination / direct ball-destination) and a ball-pitch method (normal ball-pitch / ball-pitch by sudden pitch) are determined according to the increase in gauge when the button is released.

When the ball sending destination is determined in step S58, it is determined whether or not the ball sending operation has been reproduced to the end.
(Step S59). When the ball-sending operation is reproduced to the end (step S59: YES route), the ball is separated from the player who is the ball-sending source and is moved to the ball-sending destination (step S61). On the other hand, when the ball sending operation is not reproduced to the end (step S59: NO route),
It is determined whether or not the button has been pressed again to switch back the pitch (step S60). If the button is pressed again (step S60: Y
ES), the process returns to step S54, and the process starts again from the ball sending start process. If the button is not pressed again (step S60: NO route), step S59 ,
Step S60 is repeatedly executed.

Subsequently, the above-mentioned ball-sending start processing (step S
54) will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In the ball sending start process shown in FIG. 22, first, the gauge value is initialized to "0" (step S71). That is, the gauge increase is zero. Then, the distance to the throwing target is calculated (step S72). In this case, the distance at which the player of the ball sending source and the player of the ball sending destination are separated from each other is calculated.

After the distance to the ball-sending target is calculated in this way, the ball-sending border line position to be arranged on the gauge display panel in the ball-sending guide is calculated (step S7).
3). At this time, whether or not the relay is possible is determined based on the distance to the ball-sending target (step S74). If there is a possibility of relaying (step S74: YES route), the distance to the player to relay is calculated, and the relayable flag is set in terms of internal processing (step S75). Then, this time, the relay border line position to be arranged on the gauge display panel is calculated (step S76).

As a result, when it is determined in step S74 that the relay is possible, the gauge display is started with the relay border line position and the throwing ball border line position being calculated (step S77). Then, the process is as shown in FIG.
Then, the process proceeds to step S56. On the other hand, step S
When it is determined at 74 whether or not the relay is performed, the gauge display is started in a state where only the throwing border line position is calculated (step S77). Then, the process proceeds to the process of step S56 in FIG.

[0209] Further, the above-mentioned ball sending destination determination processing (Fig. 21:
Step S58) will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In the ball sending destination determination process, first, the gauge value when the button is released, that is, the gauge tip position is determined (step S8).
1). Then, it is judged whether or not the tip position of this gauge exceeds the ball-sending border line (step S82).
That is, it is first determined whether or not to proceed to the process of overexploitation.

If the gauge tip position does not exceed the ball-sending border line (step S82: NO route), it is confirmed whether or not the relay enable flag is set (step S83). When the relay possible flag is set (step S83: YES route), the relay border line is displayed in front of the throwing ball border line in the gauge increasing direction. Therefore, in this case, it is further determined whether the gauge tip position exceeds the relay border line (step S84).

In the NO route of step S82, it is premised that the gauge tip position does not exceed the pitching border line. Therefore, when the gauge tip position does not exceed the relay border line (step S84: NO).
Route), depending on the operation button, the ball is not sent to the fielder who enters the base of the base directly, but is set to the fielder who enters the relay.
(Step S85). Then, the process proceeds to step S88. On the other hand, when the gauge tip position exceeds the relay border line (step S84: YES route), a ball is thrown to a fielder who directly enters the base cover according to the operation button (step S86). Then, the process proceeds to step S88.

In the YES route of step S82, it is premised that the gauge tip position exceeds the pitching border line. Therefore, the process shifts to step S87, and the ball is thrown to the fielder who directly enters the base of the base in response to the operation button, but the rough throw is set. Then, the process proceeds to step S88.

In step S88, the initial setting of the ball is set, the trajectory of the ball, the motion of the fielder of the ball destination, and the like are set. After this, the processing is step S5 in FIG.
Move to 9.

An example of processing concerning the length of the gauge will be shown below. The length of the gauge is 0.0 to 1.0 for internal processing.
It is managed by the numerical value in the range of. For example, the internal numerical value increases by 0.005 for each frame with 0.0 as a base point. On the screen, the numerical value is assigned to the width of 126 pixels, for example, and is expressed corresponding to the length of 0 to 126 pixels.

The border line is 0.0 of the above gauge.
It is set in the range of 1.0. On the screen, when the relay is not possible, only one ball-sending border line is arranged, and when the relay is possible, two border lines of the relay border line and the ball-sending border line are arranged. .

Hereinafter, the value of the coefficient s (0.7 to 1.0) calculated based on the ability value of the athlete's shoulder will be described as an example.
If the value of the relay border line is b1 and the value of the ball sending border line is b2, and if the distance len from the player who sent the ball to the player who sent the ball is len, if the relay is not possible (only b1), the distance len is 6m. If it is shorter than (corresponding to the virtual space), b1 = 0.2 * s If the distance len is 6 m or more and less than 12 m, b1 = 0.3 * s If the distance len is 12 m or more, , B1 = 0.3 + 0.3 * (len-12.0) / 38.
It becomes 0.

If the relay is possible (b1, b2), If the distance len is shorter than 70m, b1 = 0.3 * s * b2 = 0.8 * s When the distance len is 70m or more and less than 85m, b1 = 0.45 * s ・ b2 = 0.85 * s If the distance len is 85m or more, b1 = 0.6 * s ・ b2 = 0.9 * s Becomes

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the ball game system video game, only the combination of pressing and releasing the button is required for the operation, and the increase of the gauge is extended in one direction in the display. Therefore, the player only has to visually follow the display change in only one direction, and therefore it is possible to easily realize the ball sending instruction without being aware of the distance between the ball sending source player and the ball sending destination player.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the future movement range of each fielder and the ball is determined on the time axis, and the following processing is executed for each player.

That is, the position of the ball when the display time of each motion group assigned to the player is required is calculated for each player according to the determined future movement range of the ball.

Also, for each player, the time required to reach the calculated position of the ball is calculated according to the determined future movement range of the player.

Further, for each player, a motion group having a time required to spend more time than the calculated time is searched for from each motion group assigned to the player, and the searched motion group is used. The movement of the player having the motion group is displayed.

As a result, in the ball catching operation of the baseball game, the time required to reproduce a realistic and smooth motion is sufficiently secured. As a result, with a margin, because the real and smooth motion is reproduced, it is possible to provide a play with no discomfort on the Gate-time screen to the player.

Further, according to the present embodiment, if the destination is not specified by the operation input by the player before the fielder who catches the ball is determined, the optimal destination according to the progress of the game is determined. It is determined. Then, by the motion group suitable for sending the ball to the determined destination,
The fielder is moved. Furthermore, if the same destination as the determined destination is specified by the player's operation input after catching, the motion group for connection is connected to the motion group being reproduced, and the motion up to the ball is reproduced. To be done. This makes it possible to smoothly reproduce a series of motions for throwing a ball to an optimum destination, even when the player's operation input is behind the catch.

Further, according to the present embodiment, when a destination other than the destination determined according to the progress of the game is designated by the operation input of the player, it is designated as a motion group already determined. The motion group corresponding to the destination of the ball is combined. Then, the synthesized motion group reproduces the motion in which the fielder throws the ball to the designated destination. As a result, it is possible to reproduce a smooth motion of a fielder by motion composition even if another ball is specified while a motion suitable for a ball to be transferred is being reproduced.

[0226] Further, according to this embodiment, with respect to the fielder, multiple motion groups having different at main time until catching is assigned. Then, it is determined for each motion group whether the future ball position can be reached.
In addition, depending on the place needed time to the position of the future of the ball,
The optimum motion group to cause the catching operation at the place needed time, fielder catching motion is reproduced. Accordingly, a smooth operation in accordance with at essential time to catching,
It is possible to reproduce the motion from catching a ball to sending or waiting.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the fielder capable of reaching the future ball position is determined based on the motion group assigned to each of the plurality of fielders and the future ball position. Then, the motion by the judged fielder is reproduced. With this, among multiple fielders,
A fielder who can catch up with the future position of the ball by natural movement can catch the ball smoothly.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, a baseball game is given as an example of a ball game type game, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is a ball game in which a player in the game catches the ball. If applicable, it can be applied to soccer, basketball, American football, tennis, ice hockey, etc. It is possible to obtain the same effect in a ball game system other than baseball.

The present invention can be applied to any of a game-dedicated machine, an arcade machine, a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, a mobile phone and the like.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the program for realizing one embodiment of the present invention is recorded on the DVD or the hard disk, but the present invention is not limited to this, and MO, It may be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM. When the above-mentioned program is downloaded to the hard disk, the network 111 (see FIG. 1) may be a commercial network, the Internet, an intranet, an extranet or the like.

[0231]

As described above, according to the present invention, in a ball game video game, regardless of the distance between players,
A computer-readable recording medium storing a ball game video game program, a computer program, a ball game video game processing device, and a ball game video game processing method capable of realizing a ball throwing instruction by an easy operation. There is an effect that is.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a video game device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a motion of catching a ball according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a moving direction of a player in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually explaining a catching range in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a data table related to catching balls in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a data table related to pitching in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a main operation according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a first flowchart illustrating a player motion selection process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a second flowchart illustrating a player motion selection process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10A is a diagram illustrating a method of predicting a player who can catch a ball according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10B is a method of moving a player with respect to a ball according to one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining.

FIG. 11A is a diagram for explaining a motion correction method when a player is viewed from above in one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11B is a front view of the player in one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the correction method of the motion at the time of seeing.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a motion display process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 (a) is a diagram schematically illustrating a series of ball catching operations in frame units according to the embodiment of the present invention;
(B) is a figure which roughly explains the correction method of a catching position corresponding to the frame of (a).

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an inverse structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure explaining a kinematics technique.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an allocation example of motion groups in a modification of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16A is a diagram showing an example of a screen display in a ball catching standby state according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 16B is a view immediately after the start of the ball catching operation according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the screen display example, (C) is a figure which shows the screen display example at the time of catching ball in one embodiment of this invention, (D)
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display after catching a ball in one embodiment of the present invention, and (E) is a diagram showing an example of a screen display of a stance of sending a ball in one embodiment of the present invention, F)
[Fig. 6] is a diagram showing an example of a screen display after a ball is thrown by a linked motion according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display of a scene in which another fielder receives a delivered ball according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17A is a diagram showing an example of a screen display in a ball catching standby state according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 17B is a view immediately after the start of the ball catching operation according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the screen display example, (C) is a figure which shows the screen display example at the time of catching ball in one embodiment of this invention, (D)
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display after catching a ball in one embodiment of the present invention, and (E) is a diagram showing an example of a screen display of a stance of sending a ball in one embodiment of the present invention, F)
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display of a scene in which a player is ready to throw a ball in a standby state according to an embodiment of the present invention,
(G) is a diagram showing an example of a screen display in a standby state in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18A is a diagram showing an example of a screen display in a ball catching standby state in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 18B is a view immediately after the start of the ball catching operation in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the screen display example, (C) is a figure which shows the screen display example at the time of catching ball in one embodiment of this invention, (D)
FIG. 7A is a diagram showing an example of a screen display immediately after the start of motion synthesis according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6F is a diagram showing an example of a screen display after a ball is thrown by motion synthesis in one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen display of the scene which a fielder receives.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a gauge according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a display transition of a gauge according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a ball sending process according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating a ball sending start process according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating a ball sending destination determination process according to the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Video game devices 11 Game console body 12 Control unit 13 RAM 14 HDD 16 Graphics processing unit 20 DVD drive 19 DVD 50 keypad 100 TV sets 1000 Ball Guide 1001 Cover display panel 1002 gauge display panel 1003 gauge 1004 Relay border line 1005 throwing border line

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A63F 9/24 A63F 13/00-13/12

Claims (24)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plurality of characters whose direct movements are controlled in a virtual space in response to an operation input of a player using an operation unit having buttons, and movement of the characters is indirectly controlled according to the movements of the characters. A computer-readable recording medium that stores a program that executes a ball game video game by computer processing that performs display control and that is displayed on the display screen in response to a player's operation input. The step of controlling the motion of the character in the virtual space described above, and whether or not the character can catch the ball based on position data for displaying and controlling the movement status of the character whose motion is controlled and the ball. Determining step, and pressing the button of the player when it is determined that the character can catch the ball In response, determining the destination of the ball, and displaying a gauge that increases in one direction from a predetermined reference position over time in response to the timing of button depression by the player on the display screen, In the case of displaying an index for measuring the ball throwing instruction timing of the ball in the increasing direction of the increasing gauge at the corresponding position of the gauge based on the distance relationship with the determined ball sending destination, the character and the determined ball sending destination When the distance exceeds the predetermined reference, the step of further displaying a relay index between the predetermined reference position and the index, and the tip of the increasing gauge in response to the timing when the button is released by the player. The position is judged, and if the tip does not exceed the relay index, to the relay destination located between the character and the ball sending destination. The step of controlling the display of the ball as a normal movement along the trajectory of moving the ball, determining the tip position of the increasing gauge in response to the timing when the button is released by the player, and the tip is arranged. If the relay index is exceeded and the index is not exceeded, the step of controlling the display of the ball as a normal movement along the trajectory for moving the ball from the character to the destination is performed by the computer. A recording medium that records a program to be executed. 2. The recording medium on which the program according to claim 1 is recorded, and further, the tip position of the increasing gauge is judged in response to the timing of button release release by the player, and the tip is arranged. If the relay index is exceeded and the tip exceeds the index, a step of adding an error to the trajectory for moving the ball from the character to the destination and controlling the display of the ball as a rushing movement A recording medium in which a program for executing, by a computer process is recorded. 3. In the step of displaying, when a gauge is displayed on a display screen, the gauge has a base point for increasing in a bar graph shape as the predetermined reference position, and a straight line is drawn from the base point with time. The recording medium according to claim 1 or 2, wherein display control is performed so that the recording medium increases. 4. In the step of displaying, when a gauge is displayed on a display screen, in response to the timing of button depression by the player, the moving destination of the ball is displayed in characters or figures adjacent to the displayed gauge. The recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium is displayed. 5. The recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the moving destination is a character other than the character. 6. The recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the relay destination is a character other than the character. 7. A plurality of characters whose direct movements are controlled in a virtual space in response to an operation input of a player using an operation unit equipped with a button, and movements thereof are indirectly controlled according to the movements of the characters. Is a computer program of a ball game video game that executes a ball game video game by computer processing for performing display control, and a virtual image displayed on the display screen in response to a player's operation input. Controlling the motion of the character in space, and determining whether or not the character can catch the ball based on position data that controls the display of the character whose motion is controlled and the movement of the ball When the character can determine that the ball can be caught, in response to the player pressing a button, The step of determining the ball's destination, and a gauge that increases in one direction from a predetermined reference position over time in response to the timing of the button being pressed by the player are displayed on the display screen, and the character and the determined ball are transmitted. A distance between the character and the determined ball-sending destination is predetermined when an index for measuring the ball-sending instruction timing of the ball in the increasing direction of the increasing gauge is displayed at the corresponding position of the gauge based on the distance relationship with the ball-destination. When the reference is exceeded, the step of further displaying a relay index between the predetermined reference position and the index, and determining the tip position of the increasing gauge in response to the player's button release timing. If the tip does not exceed the relay index, the ball is moved to a relay destination located between the character and the ball sending destination. Controlling the display of the ball as a normal movement along the trajectory to be moved, determining the tip position of the increasing gauge in response to the player's button release timing, and determining the tip of the relay indicator where the tip is arranged. If it exceeds, and if it does not exceed the index, a step of displaying and controlling the ball as a normal movement along the trajectory of moving the ball from the character to the destination, the computer causing the computer to execute the processing program. 8. The computer program according to claim 7, further comprising: determining the tip position of the increasing gauge in response to the player's timing of button release, and the tip exceeds the arranged relay index. If the tip exceeds the index, the computer is caused to perform the processing of the step of controlling the display of the ball as a rough throw movement by adding an error to the trajectory for moving the ball from the character to the destination. A computer program to be executed. 9. In the step of displaying, when a gauge is displayed on a display screen, the gauge has a base point for increasing in a bar graph shape as the predetermined reference position, and a straight line is drawn from the base point with time. 9. The computer program according to claim 7, wherein the computer program is controlled so as to increase in quantity. 10. In the step of displaying, when a gauge is displayed on a display screen, in response to the timing of button depression by the player, the moving destination of the ball is displayed in a character or graphic form adjacent to the displayed gauge. The computer program according to claim 7, 8 or 9, which is displayed. 11. The computer program according to claim 7, wherein the moving destination is a character other than the character. 12. The computer program according to claim 7, wherein the relay destination is a character other than the character. 13. A plurality of characters whose direct movement is controlled in a virtual space in response to an operation input of a player using an operation unit having a button, and movement is indirectly controlled according to the movement of the character. A video game processing device for executing a ball game type video game by computer processing for performing display control of displaying a ball on a display screen, wherein a character in a virtual space displayed on the display screen in response to an operation input by a player. A control means for controlling the motion of the character, and a first character for judging whether or not the character can catch the ball based on position data for displaying and controlling the movement status of the character whose motion is controlled and the ball. Judgment means and, in the case where the character can judge that the ball can be caught, throwing the ball in response to the player pressing the button. And a second determination means for determining, and a gauge that increases in one direction from a predetermined reference position with the passage of time in response to the timing of button depression by the player, and the character and the determined pitched ball are displayed. A distance between the character and the determined ball-sending destination is predetermined when an index for measuring the ball-sending instruction timing of the ball in the increasing direction of the increasing gauge is displayed at the corresponding position of the gauge based on the distance relationship with the ball-destination. When the reference is exceeded, display means for further displaying a relay index between the predetermined reference position and the index, and determining the tip position of the increasing gauge in response to the timing when the button is released by the player. If the tip does not exceed the relay index, the ball is moved to a relay destination located between the character and the ball sending destination. First display control means for controlling the display of the ball as a normal movement along a trajectory, and determining the tip position of the increasing gauge in response to the player's button release timing, and the tip is arranged. Second display control means for displaying and controlling the ball as a normal movement along a trajectory for moving the ball from the character to the destination when the relay index is exceeded and the index is not exceeded. A video game processing device comprising: 14. The video game processing device according to claim 13, further comprising: determining a tip position of the increasing gauge in response to a player's button release timing, and determining the tip position of the relay indicator. And the tip exceeds the index, the error is added to the trajectory for moving the ball from the character to the destination, and the display of the ball is controlled as a sudden movement third display. A video game processing device comprising a control means. 15. When the gauge is displayed on the display screen by the display means, the gauge has a base point for increasing in a bar graph shape as the predetermined reference position, and the gauge is linear with time from the base point. 15. The display control is performed so as to increase the number of times.
The video game processing device according to 1. 16. When the gauge is displayed on the display screen by the display means, the moving destination of the ball is displayed in a character or graphic form adjacent to the displayed gauge in response to the timing when the player presses a button. The video game processing device according to claim 13, 14 or 15, wherein 17. The video game processing device according to claim 13, wherein the destination is a character other than the character. 18. The video game processing device according to claim 13, wherein the relay destination is a character other than the character. 19. A plurality of characters whose direct movement is controlled in a virtual space in response to an operation input of a player using an operation unit having a button, and movement of the character is indirectly controlled according to the movement of the character. A video game processing method for executing a ball game video game by computer processing for displaying a ball on a display screen, the character in a virtual space displayed on the display screen in response to an operation input by a player. The step of controlling the movement of the ball, the step of determining whether the character can catch the ball based on position data for displaying and controlling the movement state of the character whose movement is controlled and the ball, When the character can determine that the ball can be caught, the destination of the ball can be determined in response to the player pressing the button. And a gauge that increases in one direction from a predetermined reference position with the passage of time in response to the timing of button depression by the player is displayed on the display screen, and the distance relationship between the character and the determined destination is displayed. On the basis of displaying the index for measuring the ball sending instruction timing of the ball in the increasing direction of the increasing gauge at the corresponding position of the gauge, the distance between the character and the determined ball sending destination exceeds a predetermined reference. Occasionally, a step of further displaying a relay index between the predetermined reference position and the index, and a step of determining the tip position of the increasing gauge in response to a player's button press release timing, and the tip is the relay If it does not exceed the index, along the trajectory that moves the ball to the relay destination located between the character and the ball sending destination. And controlling the display of the ball as a normal movement, and determining the tip position of the increasing gauge in response to the timing when the player releases the button, and the tip exceeds the arranged relay index, and If the index is not exceeded, a step of displaying the ball as a normal movement along a trajectory for moving the ball from the character to the destination is displayed and controlled, and the video game processing method. 20. The video game processing method according to claim 19, further comprising: determining the tip position of the increasing gauge in response to the timing of the button release by the player, and determining the tip position of the relay indicator. And if the tip exceeds the index, a step of adding an error to the trajectory of moving the ball from the character to the destination and controlling the display of the ball as a sudden movement, A method of processing a video game, comprising: 21. In the step of displaying, when a gauge is displayed on a display screen, the gauge has a base point for increasing in a bar graph shape as the predetermined reference position, and a straight line is obtained from the base point as time elapses. 21. The display control is performed so as to increase gradually.
The video game processing method described in. 22. In the step of displaying, when a gauge is displayed on the display screen, in response to the timing of button depression by the player, the moving destination of the ball is displayed in a character or graphic form adjacent to the displayed gauge. 22. The video game processing method according to claim 19, wherein the video game is displayed. 23. The video game processing method according to claim 19, wherein the moving destination is a character other than the character. 24. The video game processing method according to claim 19, wherein the relay destination is a character other than the character.