JP4119850B2 - PROGRAM, INFORMATION STORAGE MEDIUM, AND GAME DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a program for causing a computer to simultaneously arrange a plurality of virtual cameras in a three-dimensional virtual space and to execute a game progress process.

  As a game in the field of action games, there is a game with a motif of an infiltrating operative in which a player character (a character in charge of the player's operation) enters an enemy facility and performs a secret work. The player advances the game while clearing the mission by letting the player character infiltrate the target location while preventing the player character from being found by enemy characters such as sentry, and taking or destroying confidential information and confidential items. On the way, when a player character is discovered by an enemy, a battle such as a gunfight is developed. If you do not defeat the enemy promptly, you will be called a mate and besieged and captured. Alternatively, the game is over without being injured in battle and completing the mission.

  In such an action game, it is important to handle information such as “How does it look when you look at a point from a certain point?” Specifically, processing relating to how the enemy character discovers the player character is important.

As a conventional technique, for example, a virtual game field in which an obstacle is arranged is divided into a plurality of rectangular zones, and “how it looks when a certain zone is viewed from a certain zone” is determined in advance. In addition, what refers to this during a game is known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). Specifically, whether the line of sight when the character is standing at the four corners of another zone from the position of the line of sight standing in the center of a zone (or low posture) is not obstructed by obstacles. It is determined and stored as table data so that it can be referred to. Then, by referring to the table data during the game, a process for determining whether the player character can be seen from the enemy character is performed, thereby reducing the load of the determination process.
Japanese Patent No. 3347124

  However, in the conventional method as described above, the judgment of “visible or invisible” is a judgment value at the representative point (the position of the line of sight) divided into zones, and actually various situations are greatly simplified. It will be judged. Therefore, when the player actually plays the game, for example, when the player character is found by the enemy just by looking a little from the obstacle, or when the player is not seen by the enemy, the player is found by the enemy. In some cases, a judgment different from the feeling obtained from the screen was made.

  The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and an object of the present invention is to realize discovery determination closer to a human sense.

  A first invention is a program for causing a computer to simultaneously arrange a plurality of virtual cameras in a three-dimensional virtual space and to execute a game progress process, and at least one of the plurality of virtual cameras. Is a first virtual camera, and image generation means (for example, the game calculation unit 22, the image generation unit 24 of FIG. 6, FIG. 6) generates a first view image (for example, the main image W1 of FIG. 2) based on the first virtual camera. 10 step S22), the second view image (for example, the enemy view W3 in FIG. 2) that has undergone the projection conversion process based on the second virtual camera (for example, the virtual camera C in FIG. 2) other than the first virtual camera. , A determination means (for example, the game calculation unit 22 in FIG. 6, discovery) that performs a determination process based on whether or not predetermined data (for example, the player character P in FIG. 2) is included Tough 222 causes the computer to function as the step S14) in FIG. 10, a program for causing the computer to function so as to the development processing on the basis of the determination result by the determination unit.

  A nineteenth aspect of the present invention is a game apparatus that simultaneously arranges a plurality of virtual cameras in a three-dimensional virtual space and executes a game progress process, wherein at least one of the plurality of virtual cameras is a first virtual As a camera, image generation means for generating a first view image based on the first virtual camera (for example, the control unit 1211 in FIG. 1, the game calculation unit 22 in FIG. 6, the image generation unit 24, and step S22 in FIG. 10); Determining means (for example, in FIG. 1) that performs a determination process based on whether or not predetermined data is included in the second visual field image that has been subjected to the projection conversion process based on the second virtual camera other than the first virtual camera. A control unit 1211, a game calculation unit 22 in FIG. 6, a discovery determination unit 222, and a step S14 in FIG. 10, and the progress process is performed based on the determination result by the determination unit. Doo is a game apparatus according to claim.

  According to the first or nineteenth invention, a plurality of virtual cameras are arranged in a three-dimensional virtual space, and one of the virtual cameras (first virtual camera) is used as a viewpoint to generate the first game screen. A second viewpoint image can be generated as a viewpoint of a side (for example, an enemy character) that generates a field-of-view image and discovers a second virtual camera different from that. The second view image projected and converted based on the second virtual camera corresponds to an image viewed by the discovering side. Therefore, by determining whether or not predetermined data is included in the second view image, whether or not the character or the like that is the source of the predetermined data is in the field of view to be discovered (is shown) It can be determined whether or not. As described above, since the determination can be made based on the view field image, it is possible to make a determination closer to a human sense.

  2nd invention is the program of 1st invention, Comprising: When the said determination means contains the data which concern on a predetermined character in the said 2nd visual field image, the said character contained in the said 2nd visual field image The computer is caused to function as a means for performing a determination process according to the area (for example, the discovery determination unit 222 in FIG. 6 and steps S102 to S110 in FIG. 17).

  According to the second invention, the same effects as the first invention can be obtained, and determination can be made on the condition of the area of the character shown in the second view image. Therefore, by appropriately setting an area serving as a reference, it is possible to realize a discovery determination close to an actual feeling such as not being noticed (not found) when the image is smaller than the reference.

  Also, for example, if the reference area applied to the low-level enemy character is set high and the reference area applied to the high-level enemy character is set low, the player character can be seen slightly if the enemy character is high-level. Can be found, but low-level enemy characters will be overlooked. Therefore, the difficulty level of the game can be adjusted by appropriately setting the reference area.

  A third invention is the program of the first invention, wherein the determination means includes determination reference point data (for example, a determination reference point M in FIG. 4) preset in the second view image. If so, the computer is caused to function as means for performing determination processing according to the number of the determination reference point data included in the second view image.

  According to the third invention, the same effect as that of the first invention can be obtained, and by counting the number of determination reference point data included (photographed) in the second view image, how much can be obtained. Judgment can be made in the same way as if the area is reflected. If the determination reference point is set finely, the area shown in the second view image can be obtained with high accuracy (“dot” is the finest example). If a representative point such as a vertex of a polygon model is set as a determination reference point, the calculation load can be reduced.

  4th invention is the program of 1st invention, Comprising: When the said determination means contains predetermined data in the said 2nd visual field image, the said predetermined data is included in the said 2nd visual field image The computer has time-measurement means (for example, the discovery determination unit 222 in FIG. 6 and steps S48 to S50 in FIG. 11) for measuring time, and is a means for performing determination processing based on the time-measurement result by the time-measurement means. It is a program characterized by functioning.

  According to the fourth invention, the same effect as the first invention is obtained, and the time during which the second view image includes predetermined data, that is, the data related to the predetermined data is shown in the second view image. The discovery can be determined by the length of time. When an actual person visually recognizes an object, there is a time lag between entering the field of view and recognizing what it is. According to the fourth invention, this time lag can be reflected in the determination of the game.

  Also, for example, if the determination reference time applied to the low-level enemy character is set long and the determination reference time applied to the high-level enemy character is set low, if the enemy character is a high-level, the player will have a short time. It can be discovered even if the character is visible, but it will be overlooked if it is a low-level enemy character. Therefore, the difficulty level of the game can be adjusted by appropriately setting the time reference.

  5th invention is the program of 1st invention, Comprising: When the said determination means contains the data which concern on a predetermined character in the said 2nd visual field image, the said character contained in the said 2nd visual field image Based on the time integrated value calculated by the time integrated value calculating means, including a time integrated value calculating means (for example, the discovery determination unit 222 in FIG. 6 and step S14 in FIG. 10). The computer is caused to function as a means for performing determination processing.

  According to the fifth aspect, the same effect as the first aspect can be obtained, and determination can be made based on the temporal integration value of the area of the character included (shown) in the second view image. For example, in a situation where the character appears and disappears intermittently, even if the area and time of the character appearing in the field of view image are short individually, what is reflected when this is viewed continuously. Can be determined. That is, it is possible to make a determination closer to the determination by a human.

  6th invention is a program of 1st invention, Comprising: When the said determination means contains the data which concern on a predetermined character in the said 2nd visual field image, the means which performs a determination process according to the position of the said character A program that causes the computer to function as in (for example, the discovery determination unit 222 in FIG. 6, steps S32 to S38 in FIG. 11, and steps S106 to S108 in FIG. 17).

  More preferably, the seventh invention is the program of the sixth invention, wherein the determination means calculates a distance between the image center of the second view image and the position of the character (for example, 6 having the discovery determination unit 222 in FIG. 6, steps S32 to S38 in FIG. 11, and steps S106 to S108 in FIG. 17, and causing the computer to function as a means for performing determination processing based on the calculated distance. It is characterized by.

  According to the sixth or seventh invention, the same effect as that of the first invention can be obtained, and determination can be made according to the position of the character in the second view image. For example, when judging by human beings, it is difficult to notice what is visible in the corner of the field of view, and conversely, the closer to the center of the field of view, the easier it is to notice. In other words, a determination close to human determination can be realized in the game.

  8th invention is the program of 1st invention, Comprising: When the said determination means contains the data which concern on a predetermined character in the said 2nd visual field image, the said character is included in the said 2nd visual field image. Time counting means (for example, the discovery determination unit 222 in FIG. 6 and steps S48 to S50 in FIG. 11) and position calculation means for obtaining the position of the character in the second field-of-view image (for example, FIG. 6 and a step S32 to S38) of FIG. 11, and a means for performing a determination process based on the time measurement result by the time measurement means and the position obtained by the position calculation means. A program for causing a computer to function.

  According to the eighth aspect, the same effect as the first aspect can be obtained, and determination can be made according to how long the character is in the second visual field image for how long. For example, considering human judgments, things that are visible in the corner of the field of view tend to be noticed after a considerable amount of time. Conversely, the closer to the center of the field of view, the more easily it is noticed. be able to. That is, according to the eighth invention, such a determination close to human determination can be realized in a game.

  A ninth invention is the program of the first invention, wherein when the determination means includes data relating to a predetermined character in the second view image, the included data is stored in a predetermined part of the character. It has a part determination means (for example, a part point for each determination reference point M in FIG. 4, the discovery determination part 222 in FIG. 6, S32 to S40 in FIG. 11) for determining whether or not it corresponds to the part determination means. A program for causing the computer to function as a means for performing a determination process based on a determination result.

  According to the ninth aspect, the same effect as the first aspect can be obtained, and it can be determined by which part of the character is reflected in the second view image. Considering the actual human detection decision, for example, when recognizing a human, it is easy to find if the part with a characteristic shape such as the face or hand is in the field of view, but the hair is relatively monotonous in color and shape (back of the head) ) And torso tend to be hard to find even if they are in the same field of view. According to the ninth aspect, by including the part in the determination element, it is possible to bring such human characteristics into the game and realize a determination closer to the determination by the human.

  A tenth aspect of the invention is the program of the first aspect, in which the determination unit determines whether the second view image includes data relating to a predetermined character based on the movement of the character ( For example, the program causes the computer to function as a means for performing the discovery determination unit 222 in FIG. 6, step S42 in FIG. 11, and step S112 in FIG.

  A more preferred eleventh aspect of the invention is the program of the tenth aspect, wherein if the determination means includes data relating to a predetermined character in the second view image, whether or not the character is moving The computer is caused to function so as to be a means for performing determination processing according to the above.

  A twelfth aspect of the invention is the program of the tenth aspect of the invention, in which the determination unit performs a determination process according to a moving speed of the character when the second visual field image includes data relating to a predetermined character. The computer is caused to function as follows.

  According to the tenth or eleventh invention, the same effect as the first invention can be obtained, and determination can be made based on whether or not the character shown in the second view image is moving. Accordingly, it is possible to realize a real sense in the game that something that does not move is easily recognized as a part of the background and is difficult to notice.

  Further, according to the twelfth invention, the same effect as that of the tenth invention can be obtained, and determination can be made based on the speed of operation. For example, if the lower limit of motion (lower limit of the speed of movement) is set, a human-like determination that is difficult to notice in the case of a slow motion can be reproduced in the game. Also, if an upper limit of operation is set, it is possible to realize in the game a human-like determination that it is difficult to notice when it moves quickly and disappears from view.

  A thirteenth invention is a program for causing a computer to simultaneously arrange a plurality of virtual cameras in a three-dimensional virtual space and to execute a game progress process, and at least one of the plurality of virtual cameras. As a first virtual camera, image generating means for generating a first view image based on the first virtual camera (for example, the game calculation unit 22, the image generation unit 24 in FIG. 6, step S22 in FIG. 10), the first virtual camera When predetermined data is included in the second view image projected and converted based on the second virtual camera other than the camera, based on the character position operated by the player, the hit model (for example, FIG. 7 determination model 731b) or hidden surface processing means for calculating the hit area and performing hidden surface processing (hidden surface removal processing) (for example, discovery determination unit 2 in FIG. 6) 2, discovery determination processing A) in FIG. 10, the hit model or the hit area processed by the hidden surface processing means, and other objects (for example, enemy character E in which virtual camera C in FIG. 2 is set) The computer is caused to function as a determination unit (for example, the game calculation unit 22, the discovery determination unit 222, and the discovery determination process A in FIG. 10) that performs a determination process based on the positional relationship of Is a program for causing the computer to function so as to perform the progress processing based on the program.

  A twentieth aspect of the present invention is a game apparatus that simultaneously arranges a plurality of virtual cameras in a three-dimensional virtual space and executes a game progress process, wherein at least one of the plurality of virtual cameras is a first virtual camera. As a camera, an image generating means for generating a first view image based on the first virtual camera (for example, the game calculation unit 22, the image generation unit 24 in FIG. 6, step S22 in FIG. 10), and other than the first virtual camera. If the second field-of-view image that has undergone projection conversion processing based on the second virtual camera includes predetermined data, the hit model or hit area of the character is calculated based on the position of the character operated by the player. Hidden surface processing means for performing hidden surface processing (for example, discovery determination unit 222 in FIG. 6, discovery determination processing A in FIG. 10) and the hit processed by the hidden surface processing means A determination unit (for example, discovery determination unit 222 in FIG. 6 and discovery determination processing A in FIG. 10) that performs a determination process based on a positional relationship between Dell or the hit area and another object, and the determination unit The game apparatus is characterized in that the progress processing is performed based on the determination result.

According to the thirteenth or twentieth invention, a plurality of virtual cameras are arranged in a three-dimensional virtual space, and the first game screen is based on one of the virtual cameras (first virtual camera) as a viewpoint. A second viewpoint image can be generated as a viewpoint of a side (for example, an enemy character) that generates a field-of-view image and discovers a second virtual camera different from that. The second view image projected and converted based on the second virtual camera corresponds to an image viewed by the discovering side. When the second view image includes predetermined data, the hit model or hit area of the character is calculated and hidden, and the hit model or hit area thus processed and other objects are processed. It can be determined based on the positional relationship.
That is, by performing hidden surface processing on the hit model or hit area, which is a simple model of the character, it is possible to reduce processing addition compared to the case of performing hidden surface processing with the model for displaying the character. The hit model or hit area subjected to the hidden surface processing corresponds to a portion visible from the second virtual camera. Therefore, the determination can be made based on the position in the second view image (photographed) based on the positional relationship between the hit model or hit area subjected to the hidden surface processing and another object. Therefore, a determination closer to a human sense can be realized in the game.

  A fourteenth invention is a program according to any one of the first to thirteenth inventions, wherein a game screen generating means for generating a game screen including the first view image and the second view image (for example, , And the image generation unit 24 in FIG. 6 and steps S22 to S24 in FIG.

  According to the fourteenth invention, the same effect as any one of the first to thirteenth inventions can be obtained, and the first view image and the second view image which is the image viewed by the discovering side are displayed on the game screen. Can be displayed.

A fifteenth aspect of the invention is the program of the fourteenth aspect of the invention, in which the determination means performs a plurality of second view images that have undergone projection conversion processing based on a plurality of second virtual cameras other than the first virtual camera. Allowing the computer to function as a means of determining;
As image selection means (for example, the processing unit 20 in FIG. 6, the game calculation unit 22, and step S <b> 24 in FIG. 10) for selecting one image based on the determination results of the plurality of second view images by the determination unit. A program for causing the computer to function so that the game image generation means is a means for generating a game screen including a second view image selected by the image selection means. .

  According to the fifteenth aspect, the second view image that has the same effect as the fourteenth aspect and contains the most predetermined data among the respective second view images for the plurality of second virtual cameras is obtained. This can be selected and displayed on the game screen together with the first view image. That is, when there are a plurality of viewpoints on the side to be discovered, the second view image in which the character that is the source of the predetermined data is most reflected can be selected and displayed on the game screen. Therefore, a highly important screen can be displayed by the player, and the processing load can be suppressed by limiting the number of display of the second view image. The “most visible” here includes the area and area value of the predetermined data, the number of determination criteria corresponding to the area, the length of time in which the predetermined data is included, the area and the predetermined data. It is possible to make a determination based on the integrated value of the area of the current time and the importance of the part of the character indicated by the predetermined data.

The sixteenth invention is the program of the fourteenth invention,
While making the said determination means be a means to determine about the several 2nd visual field image by which the projection conversion process was carried out based on each of several 2nd virtual cameras except the said 1st virtual camera,
Causing the computer to function as second virtual camera selection means for selecting any one of the plurality of second virtual cameras according to a player's operation input;
The game image generation means is means for generating a game screen including a second view image of the second virtual camera selected by the second virtual camera selection means.
As described above, the program causes the computer to function.

  According to the sixteenth aspect, the same effect as the fourteenth aspect is achieved, and the player selects any one of the plurality of second virtual cameras and selects the second view image of the selected second virtual camera. Can be displayed on the game screen. Therefore, a highly important screen can be displayed by the player, and the processing load can be suppressed by limiting the number of display of the second view image.

  In a seventeenth aspect, mark display control means (for example, gauge G in FIG. 3, image generation unit 24 in FIG. 6, image display unit 30) displays a predetermined mark on the game screen based on the determination result of the determination means. , Step S18 in FIG. 10), sound output means for outputting sound (for example, the sound generation unit 26, sound output unit 40 in FIG. 6, step S25 in FIG. 10), and vibration output means for outputting vibration (for example, in FIG. 6). The program according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the computer is caused to function as at least one of the vibrating unit 52 and step S25 in Fig. 10.

  According to the seventeenth invention, the same effect as any one of the first to sixteenth inventions can be obtained, and the determination result can be notified to the player by displaying a predetermined mark, sound output, and vibration. . Note that the “mark” here is a display object for presenting information to the player in a specific form. For example, display objects such as a bar graph, a dial and a pointer, a symbol mark for warning and attention, and a symbol mark for facial expression (for example, a face mark) can be considered. The color, shape, display size, and display position change to indicate the passage of time.

  An eighteenth invention is a computer-readable information storage medium storing the program of any one of the first to seventeenth inventions.

  Information storage media include various IC memories, CD-ROMs, DVDs, MOs, memory cards, memory cassettes, and hard disks. By causing the apparatus to read out a program from such an information storage medium and perform arithmetic processing, the same effect as any one of the first to seventeenth inventions can be realized by a computer.

  According to the present invention, a plurality of virtual cameras are arranged in a three-dimensional virtual space, and a first view image that is the basis of a main game screen is generated from one of the virtual cameras (first virtual camera) as a viewpoint. Then, a second viewpoint image can be generated as a viewpoint of a side (for example, an enemy character) that discovers another second virtual camera. The second view image projected and converted based on the second virtual camera corresponds to an image viewed by the discovering side. Therefore, by determining whether or not predetermined data is included in the second view image, whether or not the character or the like that is the source of the predetermined data is in the field of view to be discovered (is shown) It can be determined whether or not. As described above, since the determination can be made based on the view field image, it is possible to make a determination closer to a human sense.

  As an embodiment of the present invention, a case will be described as an example in which an action game in which a player operates an infiltrating operative on a consumer game device is executed. The application of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the computer controls the operation of an NPC (non-player character) or the like depending on whether or not a player character is found, the type of character Applicable regardless of the setting of the game story.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a consumer game device to which the present invention is applied. As shown in the figure, the consumer game device 1200 includes a game controller 1202, a main body device 1210, and a display 1220 having a speaker 1222. The game controller 1202 is connected to the main device 1210, and the display 1220 is connected to the main device 1210 by a cable 1201 capable of transmitting image signals, sound signals, and the like.

  The game controller 1202 includes direction keys 1204 and button switches 1206 for the player to input a game operation, and outputs an operation input signal to the main body device 1210. The game controller 1202 includes a vibrator 1207 that vibrates in accordance with a control signal from the main body device 1210.

  The main body device 1210 includes, for example, a control unit 1211 equipped with a CPU and IC memories and a reading device for an information storage medium such as a CD-ROM 1212. Then, various game processes are calculated based on programs and data read from the CD-ROM 1212 and the like and operation signals from the game controller 1202 to generate game screen image signals and game sound signals.

  The main body device 1210 outputs the generated image signal and audio signal to the display 1220 to display a game image on the display 1220 and to output a game sound from the speaker 1222. The player can enjoy the game by operating the player character with the game controller 1202 while viewing the game screen displayed on the display 1220.

Game information including programs and data necessary for the main body device 1210 to execute game processing is stored in, for example, a CD-ROM 1212, an IC memory 1214, a memory card 1216, etc., which are information storage media detachable from the main body device 1210. Stored. Alternatively, it is connected to the communication line 2 via the communication device 1218 provided in the main body device 1210, and game information is acquired (downloaded) from an external device (for example, a game server connected to the communication line 2). Also good.
The “communication line” here refers to a communication path through which data can be exchanged. That is, the communication line 2 includes a communication network such as a telephone communication network, a cable network, and the Internet in addition to a dedicated line (dedicated cable) for direct connection and a LAN using Ethernet (registered trademark). The communication method may be wired / wireless.

[Description of game contents]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a game screen in the present embodiment. FIG. 4A shows the situation in the warehouse of the enemy facility. The game screen is mainly a main screen W1 with a viewpoint of a virtual camera arranged so as to look down slightly from above and behind the player character P, and a game stage map W2 is always displayed on the upper right side of the main screen W1 as a sub-screen. It consists of The player character P looks into the appearance of the enemy characters E1, E2 traveling around the warehouse from behind the container on the left side on the front side of the screen. The player must advance the player character P by relying on the map W2 in anticipation of the timing when the enemy characters E1, E2 are not facing the player character P.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, a virtual camera C is arranged as a viewpoint on the enemy character E (E1, E2). That is, the image “view field image” captured by the virtual camera C corresponds to an image viewed by the enemy character E. In the present embodiment, this view image is displayed as a sub-screen on the main screen W1 as an enemy view W3. Then, the connection line L is displayed from the enemy view W3 to the mark Em (Em1, Em2) of the corresponding enemy character E on the map W2 so that it is clear which enemy character E is the view field image. The player can know how the player character P is seen by which enemy character E in the enemy view W3.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the action of the enemy character E and the display of the enemy view W3. As shown in FIG. 6A, the enemy character is set to the normal mode in the initial state, and is controlled so as to patrol and patrol the facility. At this stage, the enemy view W3 is not displayed.

  When it is determined that the player character P is reflected in the view image of the enemy character E, the enemy view W3 is displayed on the main screen W1 as shown in FIG. The operation of E shifts to the alert mode. In the vigilance mode, the enemy character E is controlled so as to pay attention to what is shown in the field of view and to perform an action of confirming the shot. For example, the line of sight is directed so that the position where the player character P is shown is at the center of the view field image. Specifically, the virtual camera C is panned and the angle of view is changed to zoom up.

  During the alert mode, the duration T during which the player character P is shown in the view image is counted, and the state is displayed with a gauge G (notification mark). The gauge G indicates the counting state of the duration T at the position of the pointer G2. In the initial state, the pointer G2 is at a position of 270 ° to the left of the gauge frame G1, and is moved and displayed as a circular arc toward the 0 ° position of the gauge frame G1 along with the counting of the duration time.

  If the duration time T is counted up to a predetermined time reference value Tj and the pointer G2 reaches the 0 ° position, it is determined that “the enemy character E has found a player character” as shown in FIG. Is done. That is, the time reference value Tj corresponds to the time required for the enemy character E to find it that cannot be seen in the field of view and recognize it as an intruder. If it is determined that “the player character has been found”, as shown in FIG. 4D, the action of the enemy character E shifts from the alert mode to the battle mode, and attacks the player character P to attack the fellow. It is controlled to perform operations such as collecting.

  On the other hand, if the player character P does not appear in the view field image before the duration time T is counted up to the time reference value Tj, it is not determined that “the player character has been found”. The duration T is subtracted while it is not shown in the view image. Then, if the duration T returns to “0”, the enemy character E thinks that “I felt something was wrong but it was a mistake”, and the operation mode is changed from the alert mode to the normal mode. Migrate to

  As described above, the player can know the state of view of the enemy character E and the time elapsed until the player character P is found from the enemy view W3 and the gauge G. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the player feels that it was “discovered although it should have been invisible to the enemy” and “seen only to the extent that it cannot be detected by ordinary senses” as in the past. it can.

[Explanation of discovery judgment principle]
Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the principle of discovery determination (the process of (b) to (c) in FIG. 3) in the present embodiment will be described in more detail.
FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an example of an image captured by the virtual camera C. Whether or not the player character P appears in the view image EV is determined by checking whether the area S of the player character P shown in the view image EV (the area of the shaded portion in the figure) has reached a given area reference value Sj. Do it with no. The area S is, for example, a dot in the portion of the player character P in the generated image by generating a two-dimensional image by performing projection conversion and hidden surface processing on an image in a three-dimensional virtual space (game space) photographed by the virtual camera C. It can be obtained by counting the number. However, in the present embodiment, a plurality of determination reference points M are set in advance on the surface of the player character P, and the calculation reference load M is counted and used in place of the area S to reduce the calculation processing load.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5B, a plurality of determination reference points M are set in advance on the surface of the model of the player character P. For each determination reference point M, a part point is preset according to the set part, and the area S is substituted by the sum of the part points of the determination reference point M shown in the viewpoint image. This part point is a coefficient corresponding to the ease of recognizing the part. For example, a higher part point than other parts is set for a characteristic part having a complicated color or shape such as a face or a hand. Therefore, when the face and the hand are shown in the view image EV, the apparent area S is small, but the part point is set high, so that the enemy character E is likely to be found as a result. This corresponds to the fact that an actual human being can easily identify a human face or hand part more than other parts.

  Similarly, for the item R such as a firearm possessed by the player character P, the determination reference point M is similarly set in advance and a part point is set. The possessed item R is regarded as a part of the player character P, and the determination reference point M is similarly counted. Further, for the shadow H of the player character P, the determination reference point M may be set in the same manner and the part point may be set. In the present embodiment, the part point is handled as a fixed value. For example, when the player character P uses an item to apply camouflage, the part point is lowered, and accordingly, the part point may be appropriately changed according to the game situation. More preferred.

  As the area reference value Sj, which is a determination condition for the area S, a value obtained by correcting a predetermined initial point value according to which position in the visual field image EV the player character P appears in is used. Specifically, the center position is calculated from the average value of the position coordinates of the determination reference point M counted in the view image, and is corrected by multiplying the view coefficient K according to the position of the center position in the view image. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the visual field coefficient K is set such that the area reference value Sj becomes lower toward the center of the visual field image EV. If the sum of the previously calculated points has reached the area reference value Sj, it is determined that “the player character is in the field of view”.

  Then, when the duration T in which it is determined that “the player character is in the field of view” satisfies the time reference value Tj, it is determined that “the player character has been found”. Similarly to the area reference value Sj, the time reference value Tj is a value corrected by multiplying a predetermined initial time value by the visual field coefficient K according to where the player character P is in the visual field image. Is used.

  Thus, the process up to the discovery determination in the present embodiment is not simply a determination of “whether or not a certain point can be seen from a certain point”. First, the characteristic that it is difficult for humans to notice things that are relatively small is reproduced by “determining the area S of the object in the view field image”. By “determining T”, the characteristic that the time required for recognizing what is in the field of view according to the place where the person is looking is reproduced. By doing so, it is possible to realize a more human discovery determination process.

[Description of functional block]
FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the home game device 1200 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the home game device 1200 includes an operation input unit 10 that receives an operation from a player, a processing unit 20 that executes various arithmetic processes related to the control of the device and the game, and a game screen. An image display unit 30 that outputs a game sound, a communication unit 50 that realizes data communication with an external device via a communication line, a vibration unit 52, and various programs and data. And a storage unit 70.

  The operation input unit 10 is realized by, for example, a button switch, a lever, a dial, a mouse, a keyboard, and various sensors, and outputs an operation input signal corresponding to an operation by the player to the processing unit 20. In the present embodiment, the game controller 1202 in FIG. 1 corresponds to this.

  The processing unit 20 performs various arithmetic processes such as control of the entire home game device 1200 and game calculations. The function is realized by hardware such as a CPU (CISC type, RISC type), ASIC (gate array, etc.), IC memory, and related control programs. In FIG. 1, the control unit 1211 provided in the main body apparatus 1210 corresponds to this.

  In addition, the processing unit 20 generates a game in the virtual space from the viewpoint of the virtual camera C from the game calculation unit 22 that performs calculation processing mainly related to the game, and various data obtained by the processing of the game calculation unit 22. An image generation unit 24 that generates an image signal for displaying a game screen, a sound generation unit 26 that generates game sounds such as sound effects and BGM, and a communication control unit 28 that performs control related to data communication. Including.

  The game calculation unit 22 executes various game processes for executing the game in the present embodiment based on the operation input signal from the operation input unit 10 and the program and data read from the storage unit 70. Examples of the game process include a calculation process for obtaining a position coordinate and a velocity associated with the movement of the object, an object collision determination process (contact determination), a process for placing the object in the object space, a process for selecting mapping information to the object, For example, a process for obtaining a game result (score). In the present embodiment, in particular, a virtual camera C is placed on each enemy character E as a viewpoint and the virtual camera placement unit 221 that controls the virtual camera C according to the action of the enemy character E, and a viewpoint image with the virtual camera C as a viewpoint And a discovery determination unit 222 for executing processing for the enemy character E to discover the player character P based on the above.

  The image generation unit 24 is realized, for example, by an arithmetic device such as a CPU or DSP, a control program thereof, a drawing frame IC memory such as a frame buffer, and the like. The image generation unit 24 performs a geometric transformation process and a shading process based on the calculation result of the game calculation unit 22 to generate a 3DCG image for displaying the game screen, and an image signal of the generated image is displayed on the image display unit. Output to 30.

  Based on the image signal generated by the image generation unit 24, the image display unit 30 displays a game screen while redrawing a screen of one frame every 1/60 seconds, for example. The image display unit 30 can be realized by hardware such as CRT, LCD, ELD, PDP, and HMD. In FIG. 1, the display 1220 corresponds to this.

  The sound generation unit 26 is realized by, for example, an arithmetic device such as a CPU or DSP and its control program, generates sound such as sound effects and BGM used during the game, and generates a sound signal of the generated sound as a sound output unit 40. Output to.

  The sound output unit 40 is a device for outputting sound effects, BGM, and the like based on the sound signal from the sound generation unit 26, and the speaker 1222 corresponds to this in FIG.

  The communication unit 50 is connected to the communication line 2 according to a control signal from the communication control unit 28 and performs data communication with an external device. For example, it is realized by a module such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or IrDA, a modem, a TA, a jack of a wired communication cable, a control circuit, or the like. The communication device 1218 in FIG. 1 corresponds to this. Note that information related to protocols and the like provided by the communication unit 50 during communication is stored in, for example, the storage unit 70 and is appropriately read and used.

  The vibration unit 52 generates vibration according to a control signal from the processing unit 20. This corresponds to the vibrator 1207 in FIG.

  The storage unit 70 stores a system program (not shown) for realizing various functions for causing the processing unit 20 to control the home game device 1200 in an integrated manner, and a game for storing a program and data necessary for executing the game. Information 72 and the like are stored. Further, the processing unit 20 temporarily stores various programs and data necessary for the arithmetic processing. The storage unit 70 can be realized by an information storage medium such as various IC memories, a memory card, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD. In the example of FIG. 1, this corresponds to the CD-ROM 1212, the IC memory 1214, and the memory card 1216.

  The game information 72 includes a program and data for causing the processing unit 20 to function as the game calculation unit 22. Particularly in the present embodiment, a virtual camera arrangement program 721 for causing the processing unit 20 to function as the virtual camera arrangement unit 221 and a discovery determination program 722 for causing the processing unit 20 to function as the discovery determination unit 222 are included. The data includes game stage information 730, player character setting information 731, item setting information 732, enemy character setting information 733, and game play information 734.

  The game stage information 730 stores various information for configuring the game stage. For example, it stores the type and position of the object placed on the stage, the condition for clearing the stage, the condition for game over, the setting of the items equipped on the player character P, and the like.

  The player character setting information 731 stores information necessary for displaying the player character P and controlling its movement. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a display model 731a, a determination model 731b that specifically extracts position information of the determination reference point M, a part point 731c for each determination reference point M, and the current player character P are possessed. The possessed item ID 731d for storing the identification information of the item being stored is stored. In addition, texture, motion data, sound data such as sound effects and lines, etc. are stored as appropriate.

  The determination model 731b is a simple model having information on the determination reference point M set for the player character P. The processing unit 20 can reduce the calculation load related to data reading and projection conversion processing by referring to the determination model 731b when executing processing related to discovery determination. The shape of the determination model 731b is a simplified version of the player character P. However, the processing load may be further reduced as an extremely simple collection of hit areas such as a boundary box.

  The item setting information 732 stores information necessary for displaying items that the player character P and the enemy character E can possess. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the display model 732a and the determination model 732b, the part point 732c for each determination reference point M, and the attribute of whether the item is the equipment of the player character P or the equipment on the enemy side And an attribute coefficient 732e corresponding to. The relationship between the display model 732a and the determination model 732b is the same as that in the player character setting information 731. The attribute coefficient 732e is a value that is further multiplied by the part point 732c when counting the determination reference point M of the item. By multiplying the attribute coefficient 732e, an unrecognizable item (equipment belonging to the player character P that is the enemy camp as viewed from the enemy character E in the case of this embodiment) is more easily recognized when seen in the field of view. It is possible to reproduce a judgment close to the sense.

  The game play information 734 stores various parameter values and flags indicating the game play state. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, enemy character information 736 is stored for each enemy character E. The enemy character information 736 further includes a character ID 736a, an operation mode 736b of the enemy character E (the initial state is “normal mode”), and a duration time T in which it is determined that “the player character is shown in the view image”. It includes a duration counter 736c to be stored and a discovery flag 736d (initial state is “0 (not found)”) indicating that the enemy character E has found the player character P. The enemy character information 736 includes virtual camera set value 736e that stores the posture, angle of view, and the like as information related to control of the virtual camera C arranged as the viewpoint of the enemy character E, and information related to the display of the gauge G. The gauge setting value 736f to be stored is included.

[Description of process flow]
Next, the flow of processing in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing in the present embodiment.

  First, the processing unit 20 refers to the game stage information 730, arranges various objects in the virtual space, constructs a game stage, and arranges the player character P and the enemy character E (step S2). Then, the virtual camera C is arranged as a viewpoint for each enemy character E (step S4), and the enemy character information 736 is initialized (step S6). Specifically, the operation mode 736b of the enemy character E is set to “normal mode”, and the duration counter 736c is set to “0”.

  If the game is started (step S8), the processing unit 20 executes the following process for each inter. That is, the player character P is motion-controlled according to the player's operation input from the execution operation input unit 10 (step S10), and the process of loop 1 is executed for each enemy character E (steps S12 to S20).

  In loop 1, discovery determination processing A is executed to determine whether or not the enemy character E has found the player character P (step S14).

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the discovery determination process A in the present embodiment. The processing described here is realized by the processing unit 20 reading and executing the discovery determination program 722.

  First, a visual space image EV is generated by performing projection conversion processing and hidden surface processing (hidden surface removal processing) on an image of a virtual space photographed by the virtual camera C arranged as the viewpoint of the enemy character E to be processed (step) S30). The generation of the view image EV here does not mean that image data is stored in a display buffer memory or the like. The view image EV is obtained by projecting and converting the arrangement of a three-dimensional object within the field angle range of the virtual camera C. Means to rearrange in two dimensions in terms of internal processing. Since the field-of-view image EV generated here is not actually displayed on the game screen, the determination model 731b is used instead of the display model 731a for the player character P. Simple image generation may be performed in which the determination reference point M of the player character P is “red” and the other background is “blue”.

  As a result of the generation, the determination reference point M of the player character P shown in the view image EV is searched (step S32), and the total of the part points of the searched determination reference point M is calculated (step S34). The total here is, for example, the sum of the subtotals of the part points for each determination reference point M of the player character P and the item possessed at that time and the shadow of the player character P, as shown in FIG. .

  Next, the center position is calculated from the average of the position coordinates of the previously determined determination reference point M in the screen coordinate system (step S36), and the area reference value Sj and the time reference value Tj corresponding to the calculated center position are calculated. Calculate (step S38). Specifically, based on the relationship shown in FIG. 5, a visibility coefficient K is calculated from the center position, and a predetermined initial point value or initial time value is multiplied by the visibility coefficient K.

  If the total of the part points of the determination reference point M and the area reference value Sj are obtained, the two are compared. If the total of the part points has reached the area reference value Sj (step S40; YES), it is determined that “the player character is in the field of view” and “2”, for example, is added to the duration counter 736c, The duration T of the state where the “player character is in view” is counted (step S46). Then, the time reference value Tj previously calculated by the duration counter 736c (for example, 3 seconds × field-of-view coefficient K; is set to be intentionally longer than the time required for actual human recognition from the viewpoint of game characteristics). Is reached (step S48; YES), the discovery flag 736d of the enemy character E is set to “1 (discovered)” (step S50), and the discovery determination processing A is terminated.

  Even when the total of the part points is not “0” and does not reach the area reference value Sj (step S40; NO), the player character P is in the middle of some motion and is shown in the view image EV. If the movement of the determination reference point M or the entire movement is faster than the predetermined reference value (step S42; YES), it is determined that “the player character is in the field of view” and the duration counter 736c is incremented by “2”. (Step S46). This process corresponds to a characteristic that when a person recognizes an object in the field of view, the object that is visible in the field of view is easily recognized by movement.

  On the other hand, if the total of the part points is “0”, or if the movement of the player character P is slower than the predetermined reference value even if it is not “0” (step S42; NO), it is in view but not visible. Judge. If the duration counter 736c is not “0” (step S44; NO), the duration counter 736c is decremented by “1” (step S52), and the discovery determination process ends. Subtracting the duration time counter 736c corresponds to a state in which attention is once paid to a thing that has entered the field of view, but the attention gradually fades away and recognition is no longer recognized.

  Therefore, even if it appears in the field-of-view image EV of the enemy character E, the value of the duration counter 736c moves before reaching the time reference value Tj and will not be discovered unless it is continuously reflected thereafter. However, if the duration counter 736c is incremented from “0” because the count is added again in step S46 before the duration counter 736c is subtracted to “0” and appears in the view image EV. It will be discovered in a relatively short time.

  In FIG. 10, when the discovery determination process A is completed, the processing unit 20 executes an enemy character action control process for the enemy character E to be processed (step S16), and performs an action according to the result of the discovery determination process A. The enemy character E is controlled as follows.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of enemy character motion control processing in the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the processing unit 20 first refers to the discovery flag 736d of the enemy character E to be processed.
When the discovery flag 736d is “1” (step S60; YES), the operation mode 736b is set to the “battle mode”, and the operation is controlled so as to attack the player character P that is found (step S62, FIG. 3 (d). )).

  When the discovery flag 736d is “0” (step S60; NO) and the duration counter 736c is counted (step S64; YES), that is, when the player character P is reflected in the view field image EV, or If it is not long before it is visible (when the duration counter 736c is subtracted in step S52), the operation mode 736b is set to the “warning mode”, and the enemy character E walks toward the position of the player character P. An operation such as moving by moving is performed (step S66). Further, the viewpoint of the enemy character E and the virtual camera C corresponding to the viewpoint are controlled so that the center position of the previously calculated determination reference point M approaches the center of the view field image (step S68), and further zooming up Thus, the angle of view of the virtual camera C is changed (step S70). By these processes, it can be seen that the enemy character E approaches to see what appears in the field of view, changes the direction of the line of sight so that it can be seen more easily, and looks at it.

  When the discovery flag 736d is “0” and the duration counter 736c is “0” (step S64; NO), it is determined that the enemy character E has not seen the player character P, and the operation mode 736b. Is controlled in the “normal mode” (step S72). That is, a patrol operation is performed while patroling the enemy facility.

  In FIG. 10, when the enemy character action control process is completed, the processing unit 20 executes a gauge setting process (step S18).

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the gauge setting process in the present embodiment. First, the processing unit 20 refers to the duration counter 736c of the enemy character E that is the processing target. When the duration counter 736c is not “0” (step S80; NO) and the operation mode 736b is not “battle mode” (step S82; NO), the gauge setting value is based on the count value of the duration counter 736c. 736f is determined (step S84). For example, the calculation of the display position of the pointer G2 corresponds to this. Furthermore, the display color is set in stages such as “blue → yellow → red” so that the warning level gradually increases in accordance with the ratio between the time reference value Tj and the count value of the duration counter 736c. May be.

  When the duration counter 736c is not “0” (step S80; NO) and the operation mode 736b is “battle mode” (step S82; YES), the gauge set value 736f is returned to the initial state (step S86). If the duration counter 736c is “0” (step S80; YES), it is determined that the enemy character E is in the “normal mode” and the gauge setting value 736f is similarly returned to the initial state (step S86). .

  When the gauge setting process is completed, the flow returns to the flow of FIG. Next, the processing unit 20 generates a main screen W1 and a map W2, and displays the map W2 on the main screen W1 as a sub screen (step S22). Then, a field-of-view image having the viewpoint of the virtual camera C of the enemy character E in the operation mode 736b = “warning mode” is generated, and this is displayed and controlled as an enemy view W3 (step S24). Since the image generated here is intended for display, the processing unit 20 generates an image with reference to the display model 731a of the player character P and the display model 732a of the possessed item.

Note that, from the viewpoint of preventing the main screen W1 from being hidden more than necessary by the enemy view W3, it is preferable to appropriately limit the number of enemy views W3 to be displayed. For example, when display control of the enemy view W3 is performed in step S24, the display of the enemy view E of the enemy character E whose operation mode 736b is “battle mode” may be canceled, or the distance from the enemy character E to the player character P A predetermined number may be selected and displayed in ascending order.
Also, the display position and the number of displays (for example, one) are fixed, and the view image to be displayed is switched randomly, or the view image with the viewpoint of the virtual camera C of the enemy character E having the largest duration counter 736c is the enemy. It may be displayed as the view W3. Alternatively, it is assumed that the player inputs a predetermined operation from the game controller 1202 and arbitrarily selects the enemy character mark Em displayed in the map W2, and displays the view image of the selected enemy character E as the enemy view W3. Also good. By limiting the number of displays of the enemy view W3, an effect of suppressing the processing load related to the display can be obtained.

  If the enemy view W3 is displayed on the sub screen, the player is notified of the degree to which the player character P is in the field of view of the enemy character E (step S25). That is, the image generation unit 24 displays the gauge G on the main screen W1 based on the gauge setting value 726f, and the sound generation unit 26 has the volume and frequency in proportion to the count value stored in the duration counter 736c. The sound output unit 40 is made to output a warning sound so as to be higher. Further, the processing unit 20 causes the vibration unit 52 to generate vibration at a frequency proportional to the count value stored in the duration counter 736c. Needless to say, at least one of the gauge display, the warning sound output, and the vibration generation may be executed without executing them all.

  Next, the game calculation unit 22 performs a game determination process. If the predetermined end condition is not satisfied (step S26; NO), the process returns to step S10. If the end condition is satisfied (step S26; YES), the game ends.

  Through the above processing, it is possible to realize a more human-like discovery determination and control the action of the enemy character E more like a human. And, it is possible to prevent the situation where the player feels that it was “discovered even though it should have been invisible to the enemy” as in the past, and “seen even though it was only visible to the extent that it could not be detected by ordinary senses”. .

[Hardware configuration]
Next, a hardware configuration capable of realizing the home game device 1200 will be described. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration according to the present embodiment. The home game apparatus 1200 includes a CPU 1000, a ROM 1002, a RAM 1004, an information storage medium 1006, a sound generation IC 1008, an image generation IC 1010, and I / O ports 1012 and 1014. Data input / output is connected.

  The CPU 1000 corresponds to the processing unit 20 in FIG. 6, and controls the entire apparatus according to a program stored in the information storage medium 1006, a system program stored in the ROM 1002, an operation input signal input by the control device 1022, and the like. And various data processing.

  The ROM 1002, RAM 1004, and information storage medium 1006 correspond to the storage unit 70 in FIG. The ROM 1002 corresponds to an IC memory mounted on the control unit 1211 of the main body apparatus 1210 of FIG. 1, and stores programs and data related to control of the main body apparatus 1210 such as system programs.

  The RAM 1004 is a storage means used as a work area of the CPU 1000 and stores the given contents of the information storage medium 1006 and the ROM 1002 or the calculation result of the CPU 1000.

  The information storage medium 1006 corresponds to the CD-ROM 1212, the IC memory 1214, and the memory card 1216 in FIG. 1, and stores the game information 72 in FIG. An information storage medium 1006 is realized by an IC memory card, a removable hard disk unit, an MO, a DVD-ROM, or the like, stores information stored in the ROM 1002, and appropriately reads and uses the information.

  The sound generation IC 1008 is an integrated circuit that generates game sounds such as sound effects and BGM based on information stored in the ROM 1002 and the information storage medium 1006, and the generated sounds are output by the speaker 1020. The speaker 1020 corresponds to the sound output unit 40 in FIG. 6 and the speaker 1222 in FIG.

  The image generation IC 1010 is an integrated circuit that generates pixel information for outputting an image to the display device 1018. The image generation unit 24 in FIG. 6 corresponds to this. The display device 1018 corresponds to the image display unit 30 in FIG. 6 and the display 1220 in FIG.

  A control device 1022 is connected to the I / O port 1012, and a communication device 1024 is connected to the I / O port 1014. The control device 1022 corresponds to the operation input unit 10 in FIG. 6 and the game controller 1202 in FIG. 1, and is a device for the player to input various game operations. Further, the control device 1022 is provided with a vibrator 1023 and is subjected to vibration control by the CPU 1000.

  The communication device 1024 exchanges various types of information used inside the game device with the outside. The communication device 1024 is connected to other game devices and transmits / receives given information according to the game program, via a communication line. Used to send and receive information such as game programs. This corresponds to the communication unit 50 in FIG. 6 and the communication device 1218 in FIG.

  Note that the processing performed by the image generation IC 1010, the sound generation IC 1008, and the like may be executed in software by the CPU 1000 or a general-purpose DSP.

  The present invention is not limited to the home game device 1200 shown in FIG. 1, but various devices such as a commercial game device, a portable game device, a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer, and a large attraction device in which a large number of players participate. The same applies to the above.

  For example, FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance when the present invention is applied to the arcade game apparatus 1300. As shown in the figure, the arcade game apparatus 1300 includes a display 1302 for displaying a game screen image, a speaker 1304 for outputting game sound effects and BGM, a joystick 1306 for inputting front and rear, left and right directions, and a push button 1308. And a control unit 1320 that controls the arcade game device 1300 in an integrated manner through arithmetic processing to execute a given game.

  The control unit 1320 includes an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU and a ROM 1322 in which programs and data necessary for controlling the arcade game device 1300 and executing the game are stored. The CPU mounted on the control unit 1320 executes various processes by appropriately reading out programs and data from the ROM 1322 and performing arithmetic processing. Then, the player enjoys the game by inputting game operations from the joystick 1306 and the push button 1308 while viewing the game screen displayed on the display 1302.

  The present invention is not limited to a game executed by a stand-alone device, and may be applied to a game called a network game. As a system configuration for realizing a network game, for example, (1) a personal computer or a home game system installed in a home is used as a game terminal, and a server is connected through a wired / wireless communication line such as the Internet network or a dedicated network. Configuration for connection, (2) Configuration in which a plurality of game terminals are connected by a communication line without using a server, (3) A plurality of game terminals are connected by a communication line, one of which is a server There are a configuration having a function, and (4) a configuration in which a plurality of game terminals are physically coupled to form a single system (for example, an arcade game system) as a whole.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. This embodiment is basically the same as the first embodiment, but differs in that it is found and determined by the temporal integration value of the area S of the player character P shown in the view field image. Specifically, the discovery determination process A realized by the discovery determination program 722 executed for each enemy character E in the loop 1 of FIG. 10 and for each inter is the discovery determination process B shown in FIG. become. In addition, about the component similar to 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol shall be attached and description shall be abbreviate | omitted.

  Although the functional configuration in this embodiment is basically the same as that in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, the enemy character information 736 in this embodiment is an accumulation of the area S of the player character P in the view field image. The total area 736g for storing values is included.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the discovery determination process B in the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, first, a visual field image is generated by projecting and transforming an image of a virtual space photographed by a virtual camera C arranged as a viewpoint of an enemy character E to be processed (step S100). . Note that the generation of the view image here does not mean storing image data in a display buffer memory or the like, but the view image is obtained by projecting and converting the arrangement of the three-dimensional object within the field angle range of the virtual camera C. Means to rearrange in two dimensions in terms of internal processing.

  Next, the area S of the part of the player character P shown in the generated view field image is calculated (step S102), and the calculated area S is added to the total area 736g (step S104). Note that the area referred to here may be calculated as the sum of the part points of the determination reference point M, or the number of dots may be counted, as in the discovery determination process A in the first embodiment. It is.

  Next, the coordinates of the center position (average position) of the portion of the player character P appearing in the view image are calculated (step S106), and according to the position of the calculated center position in the view image, the first embodiment. The area reference value Sj is determined in the same manner as the discovery determination process A in (step S108).

  If the area reference value Sj is determined, it is compared with the total area 736g. As a result of the comparison, even if the area total 736g has reached the area reference value Sj (step S110; YES), or even if it has not reached the area reference value Sj, the area total 736g ≠ 0 and the player character P If the movement is faster than the predetermined reference value (step S112; YES), it is determined that “the player character has been found” and the discovery flag 736d of the enemy character E is set to “1 (discovery)” (step S114). The discovery determination process B is terminated.

  On the other hand, in other cases (step S112; NO), if the total area 736g is not “0” (step S116; NO), the specified number is subtracted from the total area 736g (step S118), and the discovery determination process B is terminated. To do. The process of subtracting the total area 736g corresponds to step S52 of the discovery determination process A of the first embodiment.

  As described above, the area S reflected for each inter may be calculated and cumulatively added (or subtracted) to the total area 736g to make a discovery determination.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a case where the discovery determination process is used for purposes other than determination of the player character P will be described. In addition, about the component similar to 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol shall be attached and description shall be abbreviate | omitted.

[Description of game contents]
FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the game in the present embodiment. This embodiment corresponds to one mission in the action game of the first embodiment.
FIG. 5A shows an example of the game screen. In this embodiment, the player must operate the female infiltrator as the player character P, sleep the enemy character E, and steal confidential information. For this purpose, a quick-acting sleeping medicine is charged into the spy item 4 that looks like a pen, and the sleeping medicine is injected into the drinking cup 6 of the enemy character E. The player operates the player character P to make the partner aware of the attractiveness of the woman, and injects the sleeping medicine into the gap where the line of sight of the enemy character E is pulled away from the cup 6. However, as an uncertain element of the game world, an accident occurs that another character that speaks to the enemy character E appears or an object falls from the desk. It is not always done.

  On the game screen, a main screen W4 on which an enemy character E can be seen and an enemy view W3 are displayed. The player watches the timing of injecting the sleeping medicine into the cup 6 with the spy item 4 while viewing both screens.

  For example, in FIG. 5B, the player character P pretends to write and draws the attention of the enemy character E by nape. In the enemy view W3, a line-of-sight image of the enemy character E looking at the nape is displayed. It is a success if the player character P further smiles at the enemy character E and keeps his line of sight away from the cup 6 while the sleeping item can be injected into the cup 6 by the spy item 4 during that time. Eventually, the enemy character E picks up a cup 6 and sleeps with a sleeping pill. The player obtains confidential information and confidential items therein.

  On the contrary, as shown in FIG. 5C, if the line of sight of the enemy character E is moved due to the occurrence of some uncertain element and the spy item 4 is close to the cup 6, the enemy character E Is considered suspicious behavior. Then, the player character P is questioned or an action such as reporting to the security department is performed, and as a result, the player cannot achieve the mission.

  That is, in the present embodiment, the spy item 4 and the cup 6 are found and determined for the enemy character E's view field image, respectively, and the action of the enemy character E and the development of the game change when both are found.

[Description of functional block]
The functional configuration of the present embodiment can be realized basically in the same manner as in the first embodiment. In particular, as shown in FIG. 19, the game play information 734 includes object information 737 corresponding to each object to be found and determined (spy item 4 and cup 6), and a sleeping medicine indicating that the sleeping medicine has been injected into the cup 6. A flag 738 (“1 (with medicine)”) is included.

  In the object information 737, an object ID 737a for identifying the corresponding object, an area total 737g, and a discovery flag 737d are stored in association with each other. The total area 737g corresponds to the total area 736g in the second embodiment.

[Description of process flow]
FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing in the present embodiment. The present embodiment corresponds to one mission performed when the infiltration into the enemy facility is successful in the action game in the first embodiment, and the flow is executed if the infiltration is successful in the first embodiment.

  First, the processing unit 20 constructs a game stage in the virtual space, arranges the player character P and the enemy character E (step S130), and arranges the virtual camera C as the viewpoint of the enemy character E (step S132). Then, the game is started and counting of the time limit is started (step S134). Thereafter, the processes in steps S136 to S152 are repeated until the time limit is reached.

  When the game is started, first, the processing unit 20 controls the action of the player character P in accordance with the player's operation input (step S136). This includes actions such as waving a writing to show nape, emphasizing the chest, and injecting a sleeping pill close to the spy item 4 close to the cup 6. If the sleeping medicine has been successfully put into the cup 6 (step S138; YES), the sleeping medicine flag is stored as "1 (medicine)" in the storage unit 70 (step S140).

  Next, the movement of the enemy character E is controlled, and the posture and angle of view of the virtual camera C are controlled accordingly (step S142). Specifically, the enemy character E is controlled to move so as to see a portion that is basically pointed out by the player character P. However, when an accident occurs in the game world at random, control is performed so that attention is paid to the accident and the line of sight is directed. If the action of the enemy character E is controlled, the discovery determination process C is executed (step S144).

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the discovery determination process C in the present embodiment. The processing unit 20 first generates a view field image from the virtual camera C arranged as the viewpoint of the enemy character E (step S180). Since the field-of-view image generated here is not displayed, it is generated with reference to the determination model of the target object as in step S30 of the discovery determination process A.

Next, loop 2 (steps S182 to S204) is executed for each of the spy item 4 and the cup 6.
In loop 2, first, the area S of the target object shown in the generated view field image is calculated (step S184). Next, the coordinates of the center position (average position) of the portion of the player character P appearing in the view image are calculated (step S186), and the first embodiment is performed according to the position of the calculated center position in the view image. The area reference value Sj and the time reference value Tj are determined in the same manner as the discovery determination process A in (step S188).

  Next, when the calculated area S ≠ 0 (step S190; NO), that is, when the target object is reflected in the view field image, the calculated area S is added to the total area 737g (step S192). As a result of the addition, when the value of the total area 737g reaches the predetermined area reference value Sj (step S194; YES), it is determined that the target object is “discovered” and the discovery flag 737d is set to “1”. (Step S196), the loop 2 is terminated.

  When the calculated area S = 0 (step S190; YES), that is, when the object of interest is not shown in the view image, if the area total 737g ≠ 0 (step S198; NO), the specified value from the area total 737g Subtract only (step S202). This process corresponds to step S52 of the discovery determination process A and step S118 of the discovery determination process B. On the other hand, if the total area 737g = 0 (step S198; YES), the discovery flag 737d is set to “0” (step S200), and the loop 2 is terminated.

  If the loop 2 is executed for the spy item 4 and the cup 6, the processing unit 20 determines that the detection flag 737d of the spy item 4 and the cup 6 is both “1” (step S206; YES), that is, the spy item 4 When both of the glasses 6 are found in the view image of the enemy character E, “2” is added to the duration counter 736c (step S208). On the other hand, when the detection flag 737d of the spy item 4 and the cup 6 is “0” on one side (step S206; NO), that is, when only one of them is found in the view image, the duration counter 736c ≠ 0. If so (step S210; NO), “1” is subtracted from the duration counter 736c (step S212).

  Next, the processing unit 20 determines a gauge setting value. That is, if the duration counter 736c = 0 (step S216; YES), the gauge set value 736f is initialized (step S218). If the duration counter 736c ≠ 0 (step S216; NO), the gauge setting value 736f is set based on the count value (step S220), and the discovery determination process C is terminated. Steps S216 to S220 correspond to the gauge setting process in the first embodiment.

  If the discovery determination process C is executed, the process returns to FIG. The processing unit 20 generates and displays an image of the main screen W4 and the enemy view W3 (step S146), and displays the gauge G on the enemy view W3 (step S148).

Next, it is determined whether the duration counter 736c has reached the time reference value Tj (step S150).
If it has been reached (step S150; YES), it is determined that the enemy character E has been found to have tried to put a sleeping medicine into the cup 6 with the spy item 4, and the enemy character E is notified to the security department. (Step S164), the game is over (Step S166).

  On the other hand, if the duration counter 736c has not reached the time reference value Tj (step S150; NO), it is determined whether or not the time limit has been reached. If not reached (step S152; NO), the process returns to step S136.

  If the time limit has been reached (step S152; YES), the enemy character E is allowed to drink the drink of the cup 6 (step S154). At this time, the sleep medicine flag is referred to. If the flag is “1 (medicine)” (step S156; YES), the enemy character E is caused to fall asleep (step S158). The player character P successfully steals confidential information and confidential articles while the enemy character E is sleeping, and the game is cleared (step S160). Even if the time limit has been reached, if the sleeping drug cannot be put in (step S156; NO), the enemy character E does not sleep, and although the spying is not detected, the mission cannot be performed and the game is over ( Step S162).

In this way, the object of discovery determination can be appropriately applied to a person other than a person, and in some cases, it can be applied to a game of various situations by determining a plurality of objects as targets.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, in the action game with an infiltrating operative as a motif, a case will be described in which a situation for guiding an enemy character following the player character P is executed after escape from an enemy facility. This embodiment can be basically realized by the same components as those in the first embodiment. Similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen in the present embodiment. The player character P who is an infiltrating operative receives the tail of the enemy character E. The player character P is aware of the tail, but instead of scolding the tail, the game is cleared if the enemy character E sprawls to the target point within the time limit without showing its bounce.

  The enemy character E is controlled to find and follow the player character P in the view image. However, the line of sight is intentionally removed so that the tail is not perceived, and sometimes an extra character such as a car or a pedestrian crosses the field of view and loses the appearance of the player character P. When this lost time (that is, the time when the player character P is not shown in the view image) exceeds a predetermined reference, the tail target is lost. The player must adjust the moving direction and speed so that the player character P is appropriately captured in the view image of the enemy character E in the enemy view W3. The enemy character E and the extra character are automatically controlled according to a predetermined thinking routine in the same manner as a conventional NPC (non-player character; computer controlled character).

  The present embodiment is basically realized by the same hardware configuration and functional configuration as the first embodiment. What is characteristic is that, as shown in FIG. 23, the enemy character information 736 includes an undiscovered time counter 736h indicating a time during which the enemy character E does not look at the player character P.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing in the present embodiment. This embodiment corresponds to one mission that is performed when the action game in the first embodiment escapes from an enemy facility. For example, the player character P successfully infiltrates in the first embodiment, and in the third embodiment, When the facility is exited after a successful mission as shown, the flow is executed.

  As shown in the figure, the processing unit 20 first constructs a game stage in the virtual space, places a player character P, an enemy character E, and an extra character (step S230), and uses the virtual camera C as a viewpoint of the enemy character E. Are arranged (step S232). Then, the game is started and counting of the time limit is started (step S234).

  When the game is started, the processing unit 20 controls the movement of the player character P in accordance with an operation input from the player (step S236), and controls the movement of an extra character such as a passerby (step S238). Next, control is performed so that the enemy character E performs a tailing motion, and the attitude and angle of view of the virtual camera C as the viewpoint are controlled (step S240). Then, a field-of-view image captured by the virtual camera C is generated for display and displayed as an enemy view W3 (step S242).

  Next, the processing unit 20 executes the discovery determination process A as in the first embodiment (step S244). As a result, when the discovery flag is “0” (step S246; YES), that is, when the enemy character E has not found the player character P in the view field image, the undiscovered time counter 736h is incremented by “1” ( Step S256).

  As a result of the addition, when the undiscovered time counter 736h reaches a predetermined reference value (step S258; YES), it is determined that the enemy character E has failed to follow, and the game is over (step S260). If the undiscovered time counter 736h does not reach the reference value (step S258; NO) and the time count of the game play time has not reached the time limit (step S250; NO), the process returns to step S236.

  As a result of executing the discovery determination process A, when the discovery flag becomes “1” (step S246; NO), that is, when the enemy character E finds the appearance of the player character P in the field of view, the processing unit 20 The undiscovered time counter 736h is returned to “0” (step S248), and if the time count of the game play time has not reached the time limit (step S250; NO), the process returns to step S236.

  When the time count of the game play time has reached the time limit (step S250; YES), if the enemy character E has reached the target point at that time (step S252; YES), the mission is cleared (step). S254). If the target point has not been reached (step S252; NO), the game cannot be cleared and the game is over (step S260).

[Description of Modification]
The first to fourth embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and may be appropriately configured as long as similar actions and effects can be obtained without departing from the gist of the invention. You may add, delete, or change.

  For example, the determination as to whether or not the player character P is captured in the view image is made if it is partially captured, but it may be determined based on whether or not the entire player character P is captured. Of course.

  Further, although the total of the part points of the determination reference point M is used as a substitute for the area S, the process of calculating the total of the part points is omitted, and the number of determination reference points M reflected in the view field image is used. It may be configured to reduce the processing load. For example, this is particularly effective in situations where the player character P encounters a plurality of enemy characters E at one time.

  Furthermore, the part point is not limited to a fixed value, and may be corrected according to the state of the player character P when calculating the total. For example, when a part (for example, a hand or a head) of the judgment reference point M is moving, the part point of the judgment reference point M is corrected by multiplying or adding a predetermined number to increase the value of the point, The total is calculated with the corrected value. This makes it easier to find when the determination target is moving.

  In addition, the time lapse from when it appears in the field of view until it is discovered is displayed with a gauge G. For example, with a mark indicating an expression or emotion such as a face mark, the expression “wondering expression” to “ha! The expression may be expressed by switching to “Facial expression”.

  When the number of enemy views W3 to be displayed is appropriately limited, in step S24, in addition to displaying, as the enemy view W3, a view field image having the viewpoint of the virtual camera C of the enemy character E having the largest duration counter 736c as the enemy view W3, in step S34. The calculated total value of the reference point points may be stored in the enemy character information 736, and a view image of the enemy character E having the largest total value as viewed from the viewpoint may be displayed as the enemy view W3. Similarly, the determination may be made based on the total area 736g (see FIG. 16) or the time integral value of the area.

The figure which shows an example of a structure of a household game device. The figure which shows the relationship between an example of the game screen in 1st Embodiment, and the virtual camera set to an enemy character. The figure which shows the relationship between the action control of an enemy character, and the display of enemy view. The figure for showing the specific method of discovery determination. (A) An example of a visual field image, (b) The figure which shows the concept of a determination reference point. The figure for demonstrating the concept of the calculation method of an area reference value and a time reference value. The functional block diagram which shows an example of the function structure in 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the data structure of player character setting information. The figure which shows an example of the data structure of item setting information. The figure which shows an example of the data structure of the game play information in 1st Embodiment. The flowchart for demonstrating the flow of the process in 1st Embodiment. The flowchart for demonstrating the flow of the discovery determination process A. The flowchart for demonstrating the flow of enemy character action control processing. The flowchart for demonstrating the flow of a gauge setting process. The figure which shows an example of a structure of the hardware which can implement | achieve a household game device. The figure which shows an example of a structure of an arcade game device. The figure which shows an example of the data structure of the game play information in 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart for demonstrating the flow of the discovery determination process B. FIG. The figure which shows the example of the game screen in 3rd Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the data structure of the game play information in 3rd Embodiment. The flowchart for demonstrating the flow of the process in 3rd Embodiment. The flowchart for demonstrating the flow of the discovery determination process C. FIG. The figure which shows an example of the game screen in 4th Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the data structure of enemy character information in 4th Embodiment. The flowchart for demonstrating the flow of the process in 4th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Processing part 22 Game calculating part 221 Virtual camera arrangement | positioning part 222 Discovery determination part 70 Storage part 72 Game information 721 Virtual camera arrangement program 722 Discovery determination program 730 Game stage information 731 Player character setting information
731b Model for judgment
731c Site points 734 Gameplay information
736 Enemy character information
736b Operation mode
736c Duration counter
736d Discovery flag
736e Virtual camera setting value
736f Gauge set value
736g Total area C Virtual camera E Enemy character EV View image G Gauge G1 Gauge frame G2 Pointer M Judgment reference point P Player character T Duration K Visibility coefficient S Area Sj Area reference value W1 Main screen W2 Map W3 Enemy view

Claims (12)

  A program for causing a computer to generate an image of a three-dimensional virtual space in which a first character and a second character are arranged and to execute a predetermined game,
  First character control means for controlling movement of the first character in the three-dimensional virtual space;
  Second character control means for controlling movement of the second character in the three-dimensional virtual space;
  Viewpoint camera setting means for setting a viewpoint camera representing the viewpoint of the second character to the viewpoint position of the second character;
  Detecting means for detecting that the first character is reflected in a view field image that is an image of the three-dimensional virtual space photographed by the viewpoint camera;
  A time measuring means for measuring a duration time being detected by the detecting means;
  If the duration measured by the timing means has not reached the time reference value determined as the time for determining that the first character has been found, the second character A discovery determination means that determines that a discovery has not been made and that a discovery has been made when it has arrived,
  As the computer functions as
  Causing the computer to function so that the second character movement control means controls the second character with a predetermined action control at the time of discovery when it is determined by the discovery determination means;
  Program for.   The detection means has calculation means for calculating the area of the first character included in the view field image of the viewpoint camera, and the area calculated by the calculation means reaches a predetermined reference value. The program according to claim 1, wherein the computer is caused to function so as to detect that the first character is reflected.   The detection means includes part detection means for detecting the part of the first character included in the field-of-view image of the viewpoint camera, and among the part points predetermined for each part of the first character, The computer according to claim 1, wherein the computer is caused to function so as to detect that the first character is reflected because a total value of the part points of the parts detected by the part detection means has reached a predetermined reference value. The listed program.   The program according to claim 2 or 3, for causing the computer to function as detection reference value changing means for changing the predetermined reference value based on a position of the first character in a view field image of the viewpoint camera.   The said detection reference value change means makes the said computer function so that the said predetermined | prescribed reference value may be made low, so that the position of the said 1st character in the said visual field image is near the center of the said visual field image. Program.   5. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein the computer functions as a time reference value changing unit that changes the predetermined time reference value based on a position of the first character in a view image of the viewpoint camera. The listed program.   The time reference value changing means causes the computer to function so as to shorten the predetermined time reference value as the position of the first character in the view image is closer to the center of the view image. The listed program.   Causing the computer to function as motion detecting means that is detected by the detecting means and detects that the motion speed of the first character has reached a predetermined reference speed;
  The first character is detected when the detection is made by the motion detection means even if the discovery determination means does not reach the predetermined time reference value for the duration timed by the time measurement means. Causing the computer to function as determining that it has been discovered;
  The program as described in any one of Claims 1-7 for.   The program as described in any one of Claims 1-8 for functioning the said computer as a display control means to display the continuation time currently timed by the said time measuring means.   The program as described in any one of Claims 1-9 for functioning the said computer as a visual field image display control means to display the visual field image of the said viewpoint camera on a game screen.   The computer-readable information storage medium which memorize | stored the program as described in any one of Claims 1-10.   A game device that generates an image of a three-dimensional virtual space in which a first character and a second character are arranged and executes a predetermined game,
  First character control means for controlling movement of the first character in the three-dimensional virtual space;
  Second character control means for controlling movement of the second character in the three-dimensional virtual space;
  Viewpoint camera setting means for setting a viewpoint camera representing the viewpoint of the second character to the viewpoint position of the second character;
  Detecting means for detecting that the first character is reflected in a view field image that is an image of the three-dimensional virtual space photographed by the viewpoint camera;
  A time measuring means for measuring a duration time being detected by the detecting means;
  If the duration measured by the timing means has not reached the time reference value determined as the time for determining that the first character has been found, the second character A discovery determination means that determines that it has not been discovered and that it has been discovered when it has arrived;
  With
  A game device for controlling the second character by a predetermined motion control at the time of discovery when it is determined that the second character movement control means is found by the discovery determination means.