JP3962077B1 - GAME DEVICE, GAME DEVICE CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM - Google Patents

Abstract

It is possible to realize that the musicality of BGM is not impaired by the environmental sound, while making the player feel the impression that the environment of the game scene is unsatisfactory. Providing a game device.
A sound output control unit 66 causes a sound output unit 68 to output BGM and environmental sound corresponding to a game scene. The volume control information storage unit 64 stores volume control information in which the BGM volume and the environmental sound volume are associated with each other. The environmental sound volume control unit 66 a controls the volume of the environmental sound based on the BGM volume and the volume control information stored in the volume control information storage unit 64.
[Selection] Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a game apparatus, a game apparatus control method, and a program.

A game device that outputs BGM (Back Ground Music) corresponding to a game scene and environmental sounds (sound for directing the game screen environment) such as “wind sound” and “leaf sound” Are known. In such a game device, depending on the type of environmental sound, the environmental sound is output together with the BGM, so that the player can hear a sound that is not clean as a whole. What is the sound intended by the BGM creator? A different sound may be heard by the player. In other words, when the environmental sound is output together with the BGM, the musicality of the BGM (musical splendor inherent to the BGM) may be impaired by the environmental sound. Therefore, conventionally, in a scene where the environmental sound is output together with the BGM, the volume of the environmental sound is set to be small so that the musicality of the BGM is not impaired.
JP 2002-282538 A

  By the way, in some game devices, for example, the player can arbitrarily set the volume of the BGM, or the game device can change the volume of the BGM dynamically in accordance with the game operation of the player. is there. When the above-described conventional method is used for such a game apparatus, as long as the BGM is output at a normal volume (or a relatively high volume), the atmosphere of the game scene is produced to some extent by the BGM. Even if the volume of is set to be small, there is no possibility of causing the player to feel that the environment of the game scene is unsatisfactory. However, when the BGM is output at a relatively low volume (for example, 0), the volume of the environmental sound is set to be small, thereby causing the player to feel that the environment effect of the game scene is unsatisfactory. There is a risk that.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to provide an impression that the environment of the game scene is unsatisfactory so that the musicality of BGM is not impaired by the environmental sound. Is to provide a game apparatus, a control method for the game apparatus, and a program that can be realized without causing the player to feel the game.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a game device according to the present invention is a game device that outputs BGM and environmental sound corresponding to a game scene, and is configured to associate the volume of the BGM with the volume of the environmental sound. Volume control information storage means for storing control information; environmental sound volume control means for controlling the volume of the environmental sound based on the volume of the BGM and volume control information stored in the volume control information storage means And including.

  The game apparatus control method according to the present invention is a game apparatus control method for outputting BGM and environmental sound corresponding to a game scene, wherein the volume of the BGM and the volume of the environmental sound are associated with each other. An environment for reading the volume control information stored in the volume control information storage means storing the control information and controlling the volume of the environmental sound based on the volume of the BGM and the volume control information A sound volume control step is included.

  In addition, the program according to the present invention is a game device that outputs BGM and environmental sound corresponding to a game scene, a home game machine, a portable game machine, an arcade game machine, a mobile phone, and a personal digital assistant (PDA). A volume control information storage means for storing volume control information that associates the volume of the BGM with the volume of the environmental sound, and a program for causing a computer such as a personal computer to function; This is a program for causing the computer to function as environmental sound volume control means for controlling the volume based on the BGM volume and the volume control information stored in the volume control information storage means.

  An information storage medium according to the present invention is a computer-readable information storage medium recording the above program. A program distribution apparatus according to the present invention is a program distribution apparatus that includes an information storage medium that records the program, reads the program from the information storage medium, and distributes the program. A program distribution method according to the present invention is a program distribution method that includes an information storage medium storing the program, reads the program from the information storage medium, and distributes the program.

  The present invention relates to a game apparatus that outputs BGM and environmental sound corresponding to a game scene. In the present invention, volume control information in which the BGM volume and the environmental sound volume are associated with each other is stored. Then, the volume of the environmental sound is controlled based on the volume of the BGM and the volume control information. Here, the “environmental sound” is a sound for directing the environment of the game scene, and is, for example, a “wind sound” or a “leaf sound”. According to the present invention, the volume of the environmental sound can be controlled based on the volume of the BGM and the volume control information in which the volume of the BGM and the volume of the environmental sound are associated with each other. Thus, it is possible to realize that the musicality of the BGM is not impaired by the environmental sound while preventing the player from feeling that the environment effect of the game scene is unsatisfactory.

  Further, in one aspect of the present invention, it includes guidance means for guiding the player to specify the volume of the BGM, and the environmental sound volume control means determines the volume of the environmental sound of the BGM specified by the player. You may make it control based on a volume and the volume control information memorize | stored in the said volume control information storage means. By doing this, while trying to prevent the musicality of the BGM from being impaired due to the output of the environmental sound together with the BGM, the entertainment of the game is not impaired. In addition, it can be realized while ensuring that the player can arbitrarily specify the volume of the BGM.

  In the aspect of the invention, the environmental sound volume control unit includes a determination unit that determines whether or not the environmental sound is a predetermined environmental sound, and the environment sound volume control unit includes the environment sound according to a determination result by the determination unit. The volume of the sound may be controlled based on the volume of the BGM. In this way, only when the environmental sound is a predetermined environmental sound, the volume can be controlled based on the volume of the BGM.

  In the aspect of the invention, the volume control information storage unit stores the volume control information in association with a combination of the BGM and the environmental sound, and the environmental sound volume control unit stores the environmental sound. May be controlled based on the BGM volume and the volume control information stored in the volume control information storage means in association with the combination of the BGM and the environmental sound. By doing so, it is possible to change the content of the volume control based on the volume of the BGM with respect to the environmental sound by the combination of the BGM and the environmental sound.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the volume control information associates the volume of the BGM with the volume of the environmental sound so that the volume of the environmental sound decreases as the volume of the BGM increases. And when the volume of the BGM is equal to or lower than a first reference volume, the volume of the BGM and the volume of the environmental sound are limited so that a decrease in the volume of the environmental sound accompanying an increase in the volume of the BGM is restricted. Information obtained by associating the volume of the environmental sound may be used. If the volume of the environmental sound is changed greatly when the volume of the BGM is relatively low, the player may feel uncomfortable in hearing. In this respect, if it is made as described above, it is possible to prevent such a problem from occurring.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the volume control information associates the volume of the BGM with the volume of the environmental sound so that the volume of the environmental sound decreases as the volume of the BGM increases. And when the volume of the BGM is equal to or higher than a second reference volume, the volume of the BGM and the volume of the environmental sound are limited so that a decrease in the volume of the environmental sound accompanying an increase in the volume of the BGM is limited. Information obtained by associating the volume of the environmental sound may be used. If the volume of the environmental sound is changed greatly when the volume of the BGM is relatively large, the musicality of the BGM may be impaired. In this respect, if it is made as described above, it is possible to prevent such a problem from occurring.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a game device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The game apparatus 10 shown in the figure is configured by attaching a DVD-ROM 25 and a memory card 28 as information storage media to a consumer game machine 11 and further connecting a monitor 18 and a speaker 22. For example, a home television receiver is used for the monitor 18, and its built-in speaker is used for the speaker 22.

  The home game machine 11 includes a bus 12, a microprocessor 14, an image processing unit 16, an audio processing unit 20, a DVD-ROM playback unit 24, a main memory 26, an input / output processing unit 30, and a controller 32. It is a computer game system. Components other than the controller 32 are accommodated in a housing.

  The bus 12 is for exchanging addresses and data among the units of the consumer game machine 11. The microprocessor 14, the image processing unit 16, the main memory 26, and the input / output processing unit 30 are connected by the bus 12 so that mutual data communication is possible.

  The microprocessor 14 controls each part of the consumer game machine 11 based on an operating system stored in a ROM (not shown), a program read from the DVD-ROM 25, and data read from the memory card 28. The main memory 26 is configured to include, for example, a RAM, and a program read from the DVD-ROM 25 and data read from the memory card 28 are written as necessary. The main memory 26 is also used for work of the microprocessor 14.

  The image processing unit 16 includes a VRAM, and draws a game screen on the VRAM based on the image data sent from the microprocessor 14. Then, the content is converted into a video signal and output to the monitor 18 at a predetermined timing.

  The input / output processing unit 30 is an interface for the microprocessor 14 to access the audio processing unit 20, the DVD-ROM playback unit 24, the memory card 28, and the controller 32. An audio processing unit 20, a DVD-ROM playback unit 24, a memory card 28 and a controller 32 are connected to the input / output processing unit 30.

  The sound processing unit 20 is configured to include a sound buffer, and reproduces various sound data such as game music, game sound effects, and messages read from the DVD-ROM 25 and stored in the sound buffer, from the speaker 22. Output.

  The DVD-ROM playback unit 24 reads a program recorded on the DVD-ROM 25 in accordance with an instruction from the microprocessor 14. Here, the DVD-ROM 25 is used to supply the program to the consumer game machine 11, but any other information storage medium such as a CD-ROM or a ROM card may be used. Further, the program may be supplied to the consumer game machine 11 from a remote place via a data communication network such as the Internet.

  The memory card 28 includes a nonvolatile memory (for example, EEPROM). The home-use game machine 11 includes a plurality of memory card slots for mounting the memory card 28, and the plurality of memory cards 28 can be mounted simultaneously. The memory card 28 is configured to be removable from the memory card slot, and is used for storing various game data such as saved data.

  The controller 32 is general-purpose operation input means for the player to input various game operations. The input / output processing unit 30 scans the state of each unit of the controller 32 at regular intervals (for example, every 1/60 seconds), and passes an operation signal representing the scan result to the microprocessor 14 via the bus 12. The microprocessor 14 determines the player's game operation based on the operation signal. The home game machine 11 is configured so that a plurality of controllers 32 can be connected, and the microprocessor 14 performs game control based on an operation signal input from each controller 32.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the controller 32. The controller 32 shown in the figure is a general-purpose game controller. As shown in FIG. 4A, the controller 32 is provided with a direction button 34, a start button 36, and buttons 38X, 38Y, 38A, and 38B. Marks of “□”, “Δ”, “×”, and “◯” are attached to the surfaces of the buttons 38X, 38Y, 38A, and 38B, respectively. Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the back side surface of the controller 32 is provided with buttons 42L and 42R on the left and right sides of the front surface, and buttons 40L and 40R are provided on the left and right sides of the back surface, respectively. . The direction button 34 has a cross shape, and includes an upper direction instruction unit 34a, a lower direction instruction unit 34b, a left direction instruction unit 34c, and a right direction instruction unit 34d. The direction button 34 is generally used to set a moving direction of a character or a cursor. The start button 36 is a small push button having a triangular shape, and is usually used for starting a game or forcibly ending a game. The buttons 38X, 38Y, 38A, 38B, 40L, 40R, 42L, and 42R are used for various other game operations.

  In the game device 10 having the above configuration, a game such as an action game is executed by executing a game program read from the DVD-ROM 25.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the monitor 18. FIG. 3A shows an example of the game title screen. As shown in the figure, a “game start” menu 52 and a “BGM volume setting” menu 54 are displayed on the game title screen 50. When the player performs an operation of selecting the “game start” menu 52, a game screen is displayed (game is started) so that the player can enjoy the game play.

  In the game, BGM and environmental sound corresponding to the game scene are output. Here, the “environmental sound” is a sound for producing the environment of the game space, and more specifically, a sound that can be heard in a scene (place) represented on the game screen. For example, “wind sound”, “leaf sound”, “volcanic sound”, “waterfall sound”, “rain sound”, “busy noise”, and the like. For example, when the game screen shows that the player's operation target character moves in a place where the wind is blowing, an environmental sound representing “wind sound” is output together with a predetermined BGM. Further, for example, when the game screen shows that the player's operation target character moves in the forest, an environmental sound representing “sound of leaves” is output together with a predetermined BGM.

  When the player performs an operation of selecting the “BGM volume setting” menu 54 on the game title screen 50, a BGM volume setting screen is displayed. FIG. 3B shows an example of the BGM volume setting screen. The BGM volume setting screen is a screen for the player to specify the value of the BGM volume parameter. The BGM volume parameter is a parameter serving as a basis for determining the BGM volume. In the case of the present embodiment, the BGM volume parameter takes an integer value of 0 or more and 10 or less. When the value of the BGM volume parameter increases, the volume of BGM played during the game increases. It has become. That is, a state where the value of the BGM volume parameter is 0 indicates a state where the BGM is played at the minimum volume (0) during the game. In addition, a state where the value of the BGM volume parameter is 10 indicates a state where the BGM is played back at the maximum volume during the game.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the BGM volume setting screen 56 is provided with a form 58. Numerical values are displayed in the form 58. Each time the player presses the upward direction portion 34a of the direction button 34, the numerical value displayed in the form 58 is incremented by 1 within a range not exceeding 10. On the other hand, each time the player presses the down direction indicating portion 34 b of the direction button 34, the numerical value displayed in the form 58 is decreased by 1 within a range that does not fall below 0. The player operates the direction button 34 to change the numerical value displayed in the form 58 to a value to be set as the value of the BGM volume parameter. Further, when the player presses the enter button (button 38B), the value of the BGM volume parameter stored in the main memory 26 is updated to the numerical value displayed in the form 58 at that time, and the BGM volume setting screen is displayed. The screen transition from 56 to the game title screen 50 is performed. On the other hand, when the player presses the cancel button (button 38A), the screen transition from the BGM volume setting screen 56 to the game title screen 50 is performed without updating the value of the BGM volume parameter stored in the main memory 26. .

  In a game in which environmental sound is output together with BGM, a sound that is not clean as a whole can be heard by the player, and the musicality of the BGM may be impaired by the environmental sound. Hereinafter, a technique for realizing that the musicality of the BGM is not impaired by the environmental sound while realizing that the player is not satisfied with the impression that the environment of the game scene is unsatisfactory will be described. .

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram mainly showing functions related to the present invention among the functions executed by the game apparatus 10. As shown in the figure, the game apparatus 10 functionally includes a BGM volume designation guide unit 60, a BGM volume parameter storage unit 62, a volume control information storage unit 64, a sound output control unit 66, and a sound output unit 68. . These functions are realized when the program read from the DVD-ROM 25 is executed by the microprocessor 14.

[BGM volume parameter storage unit]
The BGM volume parameter storage unit 62 is realized mainly by the main memory 26. The BGM volume parameter storage unit 62 stores the value of the BGM volume parameter.

[BGM volume specification guide]
The BGM volume designation guide unit 60 is realized mainly by the microprocessor 14. The BGM volume designation guide unit 60 guides the player to designate the BGM volume. In the case of the present embodiment, the BGM volume designation guide unit 60 displays the BGM volume setting screen (FIG. 3B) on the monitor 18 and causes the player to designate the value of the BGM volume parameter. When the value of the BGM volume parameter is designated by the player, the value of the BGM volume parameter stored in the BGM volume parameter storage unit 62 is updated.

[Volume control information storage unit]
The volume control information storage unit 64 is realized mainly by the DVD-ROM 25. The volume control information storage unit 64 stores volume control information. The volume control information is information obtained by associating the BGM volume and the environmental sound volume. In the case of the present embodiment, the volume control information storage unit 64 stores, for example, the relationship between the BGM volume parameter value and the BGM volume, the BGM volume parameter value, and the environmental sound as shown in FIG. Volume control information indicating the relationship with the volume is stored. The volume control information is information in a table format including a table in which the value of the BGM volume parameter and the volume of the BGM are associated with each other, and a table in which the value of the BGM volume parameter and the volume of the environmental sound are associated with each other. An arithmetic expression for calculating the BGM volume based on the value of the BGM volume parameter and an arithmetic expression for calculating the volume of the environmental sound based on the value of the BGM volume parameter are shown. It may be information.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5A, the BGM volume parameter and the BGM volume are associated with each other so that the BGM volume increases linearly as the value of the BGM volume parameter increases.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5A, the BGM volume parameter and the environmental sound volume are associated with each other so that the environmental sound volume decreases as the BGM volume parameter value increases. Then, the value of the BGM volume parameter is less than or equal to the first reference value (“3” in the example shown in FIG. 5A) (first value range) or larger than the first reference value. 2 ”is included in a range (second value range) that is greater than or equal to the reference value of 2 (“ 7 ”in the example shown in FIG. 5A)”, “the value of the BGM volume parameter is the first value range. BGM volume parameter increase compared to the case of being included in a range between the second value range (third value range: range larger than the first reference value and less than the second reference value) The BGM volume parameter and the volume of the environmental sound are associated with each other so that the decrease in the volume of the environmental sound associated with is restricted.

  In other words, in the example illustrated in FIG. 5A, the volume of the BGM and the volume of the environmental sound are associated with each other so that the volume of the environmental sound decreases as the volume of the BGM increases. Then, “the volume of BGM is less than or equal to the first reference volume (“ V1 ”in the example shown in FIG. 5A)” (the first volume range) or the second volume larger than the first reference volume. In the case of being included in a range (second volume range) that is greater than or equal to the reference volume (“V2” in the example shown in FIG. 5A), “the volume of BGM is the first volume range and the second volume. Compared to the case of being included in a range between the ranges (third volume range: range larger than the first reference volume and less than the second reference volume) ”, the environmental sound accompanying the increase in the volume of the BGM The volume of the BGM and the volume of the environmental sound are associated with each other so that the decrease in the volume of the sound is limited.

  The relationship between the BGM volume parameter value and the BGM volume may be as shown in FIG. 5B, for example. That is, when the value of the BGM volume parameter is included in the first value range or the second value range, the BGM volume parameter is increased compared to the case where the value of the BGM volume parameter is included in the third value range. The BGM volume parameter and the BGM volume may be associated with each other so that the increase in the volume of the BGM associated with is restricted.

[Sound output control unit and sound output unit]
The sound output control unit 66 is realized mainly by the microprocessor 14, the main memory 26 and the sound processing unit 20. The sound output unit 68 is realized mainly by the speaker 22. The sound output control unit 66 includes sound data of BGM corresponding to a scene represented on the game screen among a plurality of BGMs and environmental sound corresponding to a scene represented on the game screen among the plurality of environmental sounds. Are read from the DVD-ROM 25, and their BGM and environmental sound are output from the sound output unit 68. At this time, the BGM is a volume determined based on the value of the BGM volume parameter stored in the BGM volume parameter storage unit 62 and the volume control information (FIG. 5) stored in the volume control information storage unit 64. Is output.

[Environmental sound volume control unit]
The sound output control unit 66 includes an environmental sound volume control unit 66a. The environmental sound volume control unit 66a controls the volume of the environmental sound.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the environmental sound volume control unit 66a stores volume control target environmental sound information. The volume control target environmental sound information is information indicating an environmental sound whose volume needs to be controlled based on the BGM volume among the environmental sounds that can be output in the game. FIG. 6 shows an example of volume control target environmental sound information. In the example shown in the drawing, each environmental sound is associated with a volume control target flag. The volume control target flag takes a value of “0” or “1”. An environmental sound whose volume control target flag is “1” indicates an environmental sound whose volume needs to be controlled based on the volume of the BGM, and an environmental sound whose volume control target flag is “0” is the volume of the BGM. It shows environmental sounds that do not require volume control based on them.

  For example, environmental sounds such as “volcano sound” and “waterfall sound” may cause the player to feel uncomfortable if the sound is output at a low volume when the volcano or waterfall is displayed on the game screen. . For such environmental sounds that may cause the player to feel uncomfortable if the sound is output at a low volume, the volume control target flag is set to “0” and the volume is not controlled based on the BGM volume. It is good to do. Further, for example, since the high-frequency environmental sound is less likely to impair the musicality of the BGM than the medium-low environmental sound, the volume control target flag is set to “0” and the volume is based on the BGM volume. It may not be controlled.

  On the other hand, environmental sounds such as “wind sound” and “leaf sound” need not be output when the game space environment is produced by BGM, and the player feels uncomfortable even if it is not output. Since there is no environmental sound, the volume control target flag may be set to “1” and the volume may be controlled based on the BGM volume. Further, for example, since the environmental sound in the middle and low range is more likely to impair the musicality of the BGM than the environmental sound in the high range, the volume control target flag is set to “1” and the volume is based on the volume of the BGM. It may be controlled.

  The environmental sound volume control unit 66a outputs the environmental sound whose volume control target flag is “0” at a predetermined volume that does not change based on the BGM volume.

  In addition, the environmental sound volume control unit 66a determines the volume of the environmental sound whose volume control target flag is “1”, the volume of the BGM, and the volume control information stored in the volume control information storage unit 64 (FIG. 5). Control based on. More specifically, the environmental sound whose volume control target flag is “1” is set to the value of the BGM volume parameter stored in the BGM volume parameter storage unit 62 and the volume control information stored in the volume control information storage unit 64 ( 5), the sound is output at a volume determined based on the above.

  Next, processing executed in the game apparatus 10 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing executed every predetermined time (in the present embodiment, 1/60 second) while the BGM volume setting screen 56 is displayed. This processing is realized by the microprocessor 14 executing a program read from the DVD-ROM 25.

  As shown in FIG. 7, first, based on the operation signal input from the controller 32, it is determined whether or not the upward direction instruction unit 34a of the direction button 34 has been pressed (S101). If it is determined that the upward direction instruction unit 34a of the direction button 34 has been pressed, it is determined whether or not the value of the variable v is 9 or less (S102). Here, the variable v is a variable that takes an integer value between 0 and 10, and is initialized to the value of the BGM volume parameter stored in the BGM volume parameter storage unit 62 when the BGM volume setting screen 56 is displayed. Is. If the value of the variable v is 9 or less, the value of the variable v is incremented (S103).

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the upper direction instruction unit 34 a of the direction button 34 has not been pressed, it is determined whether or not the lower direction instruction unit 34 b of the direction button 34 has been pressed based on an operation signal input from the controller 32. (S104). Then, when it is determined that the downward direction instructing unit 34b of the direction button 34 is pressed, it is determined whether or not the value of the variable v is 1 or more (S105). If the value of the variable v is 1 or more, the value of the variable v is decremented (S106).

  After the processing of S101 to S106 is executed, it is determined based on the operation signal input from the controller 32 whether or not the determination button (button 38B) has been pressed (S107). If it is determined that the enter button has been pressed, the value of the BGM volume parameter stored in the BGM volume parameter storage unit 62 is updated to the value of the variable v (S108). Thereafter, the game title screen 50 is displayed (S109). That is, the screen transition from the BGM volume setting screen 56 to the game title screen 50 is performed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the enter button has not been pressed, it is determined whether or not the cancel button (button 38A) has been pressed based on the operation signal input from the controller 32 (S111). When it is determined that the cancel button has been pressed, the game title screen 50 is displayed (S109). That is, the screen transition from the BGM volume setting screen 56 to the game title screen 50 is performed without updating the value of the BGM volume parameter stored in the BGM volume parameter storage unit 62.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the cancel button has not been pressed, the BGM volume setting screen 56 is updated (S111). For example, when the value of the variable v is updated in S103 or S106, the value displayed in the form 58 of the BGM volume setting screen 56 is updated to the updated value of the variable v.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing executed to start reproduction of BGM and environmental sound corresponding to a game scene. This process is executed, for example, when the game scene changes. This processing is also realized by the microprocessor 14 executing a program read from the DVD-ROM 25.

  As shown in FIG. 8, first, it is determined whether there is a BGM corresponding to the current scene of the game (S201). If there is a BGM corresponding to the current scene of the game, the reproduction of the BGM is stored in the BGM volume parameter value stored in the BGM volume parameter storage unit 62 and the volume control information storage unit 64. The process starts with the volume determined based on the volume control information (FIG. 5) (S202).

  Next, it is determined whether there is an environmental sound corresponding to the current scene of the game (S203). If there is an environmental sound corresponding to the current scene of the game, whether or not the environmental sound is a volume control target is determined based on the volume control target environmental sound information (FIG. 6) (S204). ). That is, it is determined whether or not the volume control target flag of the environmental sound is “1”. When the environmental sound is a volume control target, the reproduction of the environmental sound is the value of the BGM volume parameter stored in the BGM volume parameter storage unit 62 and the volume control information stored in the volume control information storage unit 64. (FIG. 5) and the sound volume determined based on (S205). On the other hand, when the environmental sound is not a volume control target, reproduction of the environmental sound is started at a predetermined predetermined volume (S206).

  In the game apparatus 10 described above, the volume of the environmental sound is controlled based on the BGM volume and the volume control information (FIG. 5) stored in the volume control information storage unit 64. . When the environmental sound is output together with the BGM, the musicality of the BGM may be impaired by the environmental sound. In this regard, in the game apparatus 10, when the volume of the BGM is relatively large, the volume of the environmental sound can be made relatively small, and the musicality of the BGM is not impaired by the environmental sound. Is possible. Further, when the BGM is output at a relatively high volume, the game environment is produced by the BGM. Therefore, even if the volume of the environmental sound is low, the player feels that the production of the game environment is not satisfactory. There is no fear of letting it go. However, when the BGM is output at a relatively low volume, if the volume of the environmental sound is set to a low level, the player may feel that the game environment is unsatisfactory. In this regard, in the game apparatus 10, when the volume of the BGM is relatively low, the volume of the environmental sound can be made relatively high, and the player does not feel that the game environment is unsatisfactory. This is possible. As described above, according to the game apparatus 10, it is realized that the musicality of the BGM is not impaired by the environmental sound while making the player feel that the game environment is unsatisfactory. It becomes possible.

  Further, in the game apparatus 10, only when the environmental sound is a predetermined environmental sound (when the environmental sound volume control target flag is “1”), the sound volume is controlled based on the BGM volume. ing. Depending on the type of environmental sound, if the volume is reduced, the player may feel uncomfortable. For example, even if a volcano or a waterfall is displayed on the game screen, if the “volcano sound” or the “waterfall sound” is output at a low volume, the player may feel uncomfortable. In this regard, according to the game apparatus 10, only the environmental sound that does not give the player a sense of incongruity even when the sound volume is reduced can be changed based on the sound volume of the BGM.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above.

  For example, the volume control information storage unit 64 may store volume control information in association with a combination of BGM and environmental sound. At this time, when outputting the BGM and the environmental sound corresponding to the game scene, the sound output control unit 66 reads the volume control information corresponding to the combination of the BGM and the environmental sound from the volume control information storage unit 64. What should I do? Then, the sound output control unit 66 (environmental sound volume control unit 66a) sets the BGM volume and the environmental sound volume to the BGM volume parameter value stored in the BGM volume parameter storage unit 62 and the read volume control. It may be determined based on the information. In this way, the relationship between the volume of the BGM and the volume of the environmental sound can be set for each combination of the BGM and the environmental sound. That is, the volume control of the environmental sound based on the volume of the BGM can be performed in consideration of the combination of the BGM and the environmental sound.

  Further, for example, the volume of the BGM (the value of the BGM volume parameter) may change in accordance with, for example, the operation content of the player during the game. In this case, the environmental sound volume control unit 66a may dynamically change the volume of the environmental sound in accordance with the change in the BGM volume (the value of the BGM volume parameter).

  In this case, when the volume of the BGM is relatively small (when the value of the BGM volume parameter is included in the first value range), as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the volume of the BGM It is preferable that the decrease in the volume of the environmental sound accompanying the increase in (the value of the BGM volume parameter) is limited. If the volume of the environmental sound changes greatly when the volume of the BGM is relatively low, the player may feel uncomfortable in hearing. In this regard, when the volume of the BGM is relatively small, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of such a problem by limiting the decrease in the volume of the environmental sound accompanying the increase in the volume of the BGM. .

  Similarly, when the BGM volume is relatively high (when the value of the BGM volume parameter is included in the second value range), as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the BGM volume (BGM It is preferable to limit the decrease in the volume of the environmental sound accompanying the increase in the volume parameter value). If the volume of the environmental sound changes greatly when the volume of the BGM is relatively high, the musicality of the BGM may be greatly impaired. In this regard, even when the volume of the BGM is relatively large, if the decrease in the volume of the environmental sound accompanying the increase in the volume of the BGM is limited, it is possible to prevent such a problem from occurring. .

  Further, for example, in the above description, the program is supplied from the DVD-ROM 25 as an information storage medium to the consumer game machine 11, but the program may be distributed to a home or the like via a communication network. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a program distribution system using a communication network. A program distribution method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the program distribution system 100 includes a game database 102, a server 104, a communication network 106, a personal computer 108, a consumer game machine 110, and a PDA (personal digital assistant) 112. Among these, the game database 102 and the server 104 constitute a program distribution device 114. The communication network 106 includes, for example, the Internet and a cable television network. In this system, a game database (information storage medium) 102 stores a program similar to the content stored in the DVD-ROM 25. Then, when a consumer makes a game distribution request using the personal computer 108, the home game machine 110, the PDA 112, or the like, it is transmitted to the server 104 via the communication network 106. Then, the server 104 reads the program from the game database 102 in response to the game distribution request, and transmits it to the game distribution request source such as the personal computer 108, the home game machine 110, the PDA 112, and the like. Here, the game is distributed in response to the game distribution request, but the server 104 may transmit the game unilaterally. Further, it is not always necessary to distribute (collectively distribute) all programs necessary for realizing the game at a time, and a necessary portion may be distributed (divided distribution) according to the situation of the game. If the game is distributed via the communication network 106 in this way, the consumer can easily obtain the program.

It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the game device which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a controller. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on a monitor. It is a functional block diagram of the game device concerning this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the volume of BGM and the volume of environmental sound. It is a figure which shows an example of volume control object environmental sound information. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed with a game device. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed with a game device. It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the program delivery system which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Game device, 11,110 Home-use game machine, 12 bus | bath, 14 Microprocessor, 16 Image processing part, 18 Monitor, 20 Sound processing part, 22 Speaker, 24 DVD-ROM reproduction | regeneration part, 25 DVD-ROM, 26 Main memory 28 Memory card 30 Input / output processing unit 32 Controller 34 direction button 34a Up direction unit 34b Down direction unit 34c Left direction unit 34d Right direction unit 36 Start button 38A, 38B 38X, 38Y, 40L, 40R, 42L, 42R buttons, 50 game title screen, 52 “game start” menu, 54 “BGM volume setting” menu, 56 BGM volume setting screen, 58 form, 60 BGM volume designation guide, 62 BGM volume parameter storage unit, 64 volume control Control information storage unit, 66 sound output control unit, 66a environmental sound volume control unit, 68 sound output unit, 100 program distribution system, 102 game database, 104 server, 106 communication network, 108 personal computer, 112 personal digital assistant (PDA), 114 Program distribution device.

Claims (6)

In a game device that outputs BGM and environmental sound corresponding to a game scene,
Volume control information storage means for storing volume control information in which the volume of the BGM and the volume of the environmental sound are associated with each other in combination with the combination of the BGM and the environmental sound;
Volume control information reading means for reading the volume control information corresponding to a combination of BGM and environmental sound corresponding to the game scene from the volume control information storage means;
Environmental sound volume control means for controlling the volume of the environmental sound based on the volume of the BGM and the volume control information read by the volume control information reading means;
And seen including,
The environmental sound volume control means is
Means for storing volume control target environmental sound information indicating an environmental sound as a target of volume control based on the volume of the BGM;
Determination means for determining whether or not the environmental sound is an environmental sound subject to volume control based on the volume of the BGM, based on the volume control target environmental sound information;
When the determination unit determines that the environmental sound is an environmental sound subject to volume control based on the volume of the BGM, the volume of the environmental sound is determined by the volume of the BGM and the volume control information reading unit. Control based on the read volume control information,
Game device comprising a call. The game device according to claim 1,
Guidance means for guiding the player to specify the volume of the BGM;
The environmental sound volume control means controls the volume of the environmental sound based on the volume of the BGM specified by the player and the volume control information read by the volume control information reading means.
A game device characterized by that. The game device according to claim 1 or 2,
The volume control information is information obtained by associating the volume of the BGM with the volume of the environmental sound so that the volume of the environmental sound decreases as the volume of the BGM increases. When the volume is equal to or lower than the first reference volume, the BGM volume and the environmental sound volume are associated with each other so that the decrease in the environmental sound volume accompanying the increase in the BGM volume is restricted. The game device characterized by the above. The game device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The volume control information is information obtained by associating the volume of the BGM with the volume of the environmental sound so that the volume of the environmental sound decreases as the volume of the BGM increases. When the volume is equal to or higher than the second reference volume, the BGM volume and the environmental sound volume are associated with each other so that the decrease in the environmental sound volume accompanying the increase in the BGM volume is restricted. The game device characterized by the above. In a control method of a game device that outputs BGM and environmental sound corresponding to a game scene
Volume control information storing the volume of the BGM and the volume of the environmental sound in association with the combination of the BGM and the environmental sound is stored in the game scene. A volume control information reading step for reading the volume control information corresponding to the combination of the corresponding BGM and environmental sound;
An environmental sound volume control step for controlling the volume of the environmental sound based on the volume of the BGM and the volume control information read by the volume control information read step;
Only including,
The environmental sound volume control step includes:
Reading the volume control target environmental sound information stored in the means for storing the volume control target environmental sound information indicating the environmental sound that is the target of volume control based on the volume of the BGM;
A determination step for determining whether or not the environmental sound is an environmental sound targeted for volume control based on the volume of the BGM, based on the volume control target environmental sound information;
When it is determined in the determination step that the environmental sound is an environmental sound subject to volume control based on the volume of the BGM, the volume of the environmental sound is determined by the volume of the BGM and the volume control information reading step. Control based on the read volume control information,
Method of controlling a game device comprising a call. A program for causing a computer to function as a game device that outputs BGM and environmental sound corresponding to a game scene,
Volume control information storing the volume of the BGM and the volume of the environmental sound in association with the combination of the BGM and the environmental sound is stored in the game scene. Volume control information reading means for reading the volume control information corresponding to the combination of the corresponding BGM and environmental sound, and
Environmental sound volume control means for controlling the volume of the environmental sound based on the volume of the BGM and the volume control information read by the volume control information reading means;
It makes the computer function as,
The environmental sound volume control means is
Means for storing volume control target environmental sound information indicating an environmental sound as a target of volume control based on the volume of the BGM;
Determination means for determining whether or not the environmental sound is an environmental sound subject to volume control based on the volume of the BGM, based on the volume control target environmental sound information;
When the determination unit determines that the environmental sound is an environmental sound subject to volume control based on the volume of the BGM, the volume of the environmental sound is determined by the volume of the BGM and the volume control information reading unit. Control based on the read volume control information,
A program characterized by that .

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