JP4214165B2 - Video game apparatus and information storage medium storing game program - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to an information storage medium storing Gate beam apparatus and a game program, it is utilized in order to enjoy the game in particular utilizing a mouse or pointing device such as a trackball is connected and move or operation amount of the pointing device an information storage medium storing Ruge over beam apparatus and a game program.

Conventionally, a pointing device such as a mouse, a trackball, or a touch pad indicates the coordinate position of a cursor or pointer on a screen when executing software on an image display device such as a personal computer, and selects an icon or menu. It has been used as a coordinate input device for creating an image by selecting or moving a window or drawing a picture on a monitor.

  In addition, a pointing device such as a mouse may be used as an input device for a game, but in that case, it is merely used for instructing the direction in which the character is moved or used for command selection. Did not leave the area of use as a directional switch or joystick substitute.

In a conventional application example in which a pointing device such as a mouse is used as a game input device, it is only used for character direction indication or coordinate designation . Moreover, simply to use as a substitute for the controller for a game machine (operating device) is a like mice, lacking in interest of Gate arm, it can not be satisfied discerning user demands.

Another object of the invention, when using a pointing device as a game input device can be further enhanced interest in the Gate beam, an information storage medium storing a new Gate beam apparatus and a game program Is to provide.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an information storage medium storing Ruge over beam apparatus and a game program can use a pointing device as an energy input unit.

Gate beam apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention (the invention according to claim 1) is a equipment to display means and the pointing device Ru is connected, the operation amount detecting means, a cumulative operation amount calculating means, the game parameter setting means With.

An information storage medium storing game program of the second invention (the invention according to claim 9), the computer Gate beam device display means and the pointing device is connected, the operation amount detecting means, the cumulative operation amount calculating means And a game program that functions as game parameter setting means.

According to the present invention, by using a pointing device such as a mouse, trackball or touch pad to enter an operation amount, so set the game parameters based on the accumulated operation amount, direction indication or coordinate indicator only input device As compared with the case of using, an information storage medium storing a new game device and game program can be provided . Furthermore, the technology used in the pointing device according to the present invention, not for substitution of conventional game controller, so the player can use it to detect the cumulative amount of operation applied to the pointing device to set the game parameter, a new An information storage medium storing a game device and a game program can be provided .

  An information storage medium storing a video game apparatus and a game program according to an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, a combination of these is collectively referred to as a “game system”) is briefly described by a player using a pointing device such as a mouse. Based on the magnitude of the input energy value, a change is made to the moving object or the display state of the moving object to realize a rich image change. Specifically, when the moving object is a traveling vehicle such as an automobile or a cart, the traveling distance and / or speed is changed according to the input energy value. When the moving object is a flying object such as an airplane or a hang rider, the flight distance and / or the maximum altitude are changed according to the input energy value. If the moving body is a human being in a trampoline competition, the jumping power or jumping height can be changed according to the input energy value, and acting (pre / reverse rotation) depending on the state of other operation switches operated during the jump. Or acting such as rollover). When the moving object is a firearm shell in a shooting game, the power of the firearm or the number of bullets fired can be changed according to the input energy value. Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a case of an automobile running competition will be described in detail as an embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a game system to which an information storage medium storing a video game apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “game machine”) and a game program according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. The game system 10 includes a game machine 20, a game cartridge (hereinafter referred to as “cartridge”) 30 as an example of an information storage medium, a mouse 40 as an example of a pointing device, and a display device (CRT display or liquid crystal display) 50. Is done. A cartridge 30 that is an external storage medium (information storage medium) is detachably attached to the game machine 20. The game machine 20 is connected to a mouse 40 for inputting an energy value and a display device 50 for displaying a game image. The mouse 40 is operated on the mouse pad 45 as necessary. It should be pointed out that the present invention is not limited to a dedicated game machine but can be applied to a general-purpose personal computer (personal computer) mounted with a game program to realize a game function.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the game system 10. The game machine 20 includes a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as “CPU”) 21. Connected to the CPU 21 are an image processing unit (hereinafter referred to as “RCP”) 22, a writable / readable memory (hereinafter referred to as “RAM”) 23, and an input / output interface (hereinafter abbreviated as “I / O circuit”) 24. . The RCP 22 performs processing for image display (for example, processing for pasting a texture on a polygon specified by polygon data) under the control of the CPU 21. The RAM 23 temporarily stores data for image processing and sound processing for the game, and temporarily stores data during the game (including backup data). The I / O circuit 24 transmits / receives data to / from the mouse 40. The game machine 20 is further provided with a connector 25 for connecting the mouse 40, a connector 26 for connecting the cartridge 30, and a connector 27 for connecting the display device 50.

  The cartridge 30 includes a nonvolatile semiconductor memory element (hereinafter abbreviated as “ROM”) 31 in a cartridge case (not shown). The ROM 31 stores a program and data shown in FIG. 4 to be described later in a fixed manner, and stores a program for realizing the flow operation shown in FIG. Instead of the cartridge 30 incorporating the ROM 31, various storage media such as an optical storage medium such as a CD-ROM (compact disk) or DVD, a magnetic storage medium, or a magneto-optical disk may be used. Further, instead of the ROM 31, an EE-PROM, a flash memory (flash ROM), or the like may be used.

  The mouse 40 is provided with left and right click switches (hereinafter abbreviated as “switches”) 41L and 41R, and sensors 42X and 42Y and counters 43X and 43Y. The sensor 42X detects the movement of the mouse 40 in the X axis (left and right) direction, and the sensor 42Y detects the movement of the mouse 40 in the Y axis direction. When the sensor 42X detects the movement of the mouse in the X-axis direction and generates a pulse, the counter 43X counts the pulse and corresponds to the amount of movement in the X-axis direction for a predetermined time (for example, 1/60 second). A count value (also referred to as a count value) is held, and as a result, the amount of movement in the X-axis direction per certain time is detected. Similarly, when the sensor 42Y detects the movement of the mouse in the Y-axis (front-rear) direction and generates a pulse, the counter 43Y counts the pulse and measures the amount corresponding to the amount of movement in the Y-axis direction per fixed time. The numerical value is held, and as a result, the amount of movement in the Y-axis direction per fixed time is detected.

  Further, the mouse 40 is provided with an I / O circuit 44 for transferring data to and from the CPU 21. The I / O circuit 44 transmits the operation signals of the switch 41L and the switch 41R and the count values of the counters 43X and 43Y to the CPU 21 via the connector 25 and the I / O circuit 24, and also from the game machine 20. In response to the reset signal, the count values of the counters 43X and 43Y are reset. The switches 41L and 41R are used for inputting a command and determining an operation timing as necessary, similarly to an input button of a game machine controller (not shown).

  The CPU 21 performs a game process based on the program data stored in the ROM 31, reads the count value of the counter 43X and / or the counter 43Y given from the mouse 40, and performs a calculation based on a predetermined calculation formula. Ask for energy-related information. Here, the energy-related information is calculated, for example, by accumulating energy values based on the operation amount of the mouse 40 per fixed time. As another example of the energy-related information, an energy value related to the operation of the mouse 40 is calculated based on the count value of the counter 43X or the counter 43Y, and the information related to the energy of the object is applied by applying the energy value to a predetermined arithmetic expression. It is obtained by calculating. As still another example of the energy related information, when the operation amount of the X-axis direction component and the operation amount of the Y-axis direction component of the mouse 40 are detected, the count value corresponding to the operation amount of the X-axis direction component and the Y-axis direction component A count value corresponding to the manipulated variable is obtained, and a vector obtained by combining the X-axis direction component and the Y-axis direction component is obtained by calculation. Details of this energy-related information calculation process will be described later with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 7 as an example of accumulating (accumulating) energy values per predetermined time. Here, as an example of a method for calculating the energy value, there is a method in which the count values of the counter 43X or the counter 43Y are simply accumulated. As another example of the method of calculating the energy value, there is a method of calculating by applying the count value of the counter 43X or the counter 43Y to a predetermined arithmetic expression. This predetermined arithmetic expression is, for example, an expression that takes into consideration the time during which energy is given to the mouse 40 (that is, an expression that considers the moving speed (operation speed) of the mouse 40). As still another example of calculating the energy value, when the operation amount of the X-axis direction component and the operation amount of the Y-axis direction component of the mouse 40 is detected, the counter 43X and the counter 43Y are respectively controlled in the X-axis direction and Y-axis direction components. There is a method of calculating the size of the combined vector by calculation. Details of this energy value calculation processing will be described later with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 7 as an example in which the count values of the counter 43X or the counter 43Y are simply accumulated. Energy-related information is obtained based on the energy value thus calculated. Here, the energy-related information is, for example, the vehicle speed and travel distance in the case of a car game, the flight distance and maximum altitude in the case of an airplane game, and the like.

  Data for these calculations and calculation results are temporarily stored in the RAM 23. Further, the CPU 21 performs an operation for image processing in cooperation with the RCP 22 based on a program, and generates image data. The CPU 21 reads the count value of the counter 43Y via the I / O circuits 44 and 24, performs processing based on the program, and advances the game. The game image data processed by the CPU 21 is given to the RCP 22, and image display data is generated by the RCP 22 and given to the display device 50 for display.

  3 and 4 are illustrations of the memory maps of the RAM 23 and the ROM 31, respectively. As shown in FIG. 3, the RAM 23 includes a work area 23a and a variable area 23b. The work area 23a is used for temporarily storing various intermediate values when the game program is executed. The variable area 23b includes an area 321 for storing read value data (Y) of the mouse counter 43Y, an area 232 for storing energy value data (E), an area 233 for storing mileage data (D), and vehicle speed data (V ) Is stored.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the ROM 31 includes a program area 31a, a constant area 31b, and a graphic data area 31c. The program area 31a stores an area 310 that stores a count value reading program, an area 311 that stores an energy value calculation program, an area 312 that stores an energy-related information determination program, an area 313 that stores a vehicle traveling program, and a success determination program. Region 314 to be included.

  The count value reading program stored in the area 310 reads the count value (Y) of the counter 43Y via the I / O circuits 44 and 24, and writes the count value (Y) data in the area 231 of the RAM 23 ( Program for temporary storage). The energy value calculation program stored in the area 311 calculates energy value data (E) based on the read value data (Y) of the counter 43 </ b> Y temporarily stored in the area 231, and stores it in the area 232. It is a program. In this embodiment, the count value (read value) data (Y) of the counter 43Y per fixed time (1/60 seconds) is simply accumulated, and the energy value data (E) increases as the movement amount of the mouse increases. Large value. The energy-related information determination program stored in the area 312 is a program that determines information related to the energy of the game character based on the energy value data (E) temporarily stored in the area 232. In this embodiment, as an example of energy-related information, a program for determining an initial value of vehicle speed data (V) of a vehicle (automobile or the like) moving on the screen. The larger the energy value data (E), the higher the vehicle speed data. The initial value of (V) is a large value. The vehicle travel program stored in the area 313 displays the screen on which the vehicle is traveling, determines the stop state of the vehicle when the vehicle speed data (V) is gradually decreased, and the vehicle travel distance data. This is a program for calculating (D). The success determination program stored in the area 314 determines success when the travel distance data (D) at the time when the vehicle stops is within a predetermined range, and determines failure when the vehicle is outside the predetermined range. It is a program. Specifically, when the travel distance data (D) is not less than the target minimum distance data (Lmin) stored in the area 316 and not more than the target maximum distance data (Lmax) stored in the area 315. It is determined as success, and otherwise determined as failure.

  The constant area 31b includes areas 315 to 318 for storing constant data set by a program. Specifically, target maximum distance data (Lmax) is stored in area 315, target minimum distance data (Lmin) is stored in area 316, attenuation value data (E0) is stored in area 317, and area 315 is stored. In 318, vehicle speed reduction value data (V0) per predetermined time is stored. The target maximum distance data (Lmax) and the target minimum distance data (Lmin) are data used for success determination. The travel distance data (D) is equal to or more than the target minimum value data (Lmin) and the target maximum value data ( Lmax) is used to determine success in the following case. The attenuation value data (E0) is data for the attenuation of the energy value data (E). As will be described later with reference to FIG. A value in which energy is attenuated (hereinafter referred to as “attenuation value”) while returning to the rear in a state away from the pad 45 is set, and the energy value is obtained when there is no count indicating the amount of movement of the mouse within a certain time. Used to subtract a constant value (E0) from data (E). Decrease value data (V0) of vehicle speed per fixed time is vehicle speed setting data that decreases per fixed time. The vehicle speed data (V) is subtracted from this value (V0) at regular intervals, and is used to determine the stop state of the vehicle when the vehicle speed data (V) becomes zero.

  The graphic data area 31c stores data for generating an image for a game in advance. For example, in the case of two-dimensional image display, a plurality of character data for displaying a background image and a moving image is stored. In the case of 3D image display, a plurality of polygon data and texture data for designating a pattern corresponding to each polygon are stored.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the measurement principle of the mouse 40. The CPU 21 reads a count value per unit time (for example, a cumulative value every 1/60 seconds) of the counter 43Y via the I / O circuits 44 and 24, and then outputs a reset signal (reset pulse). The counter 43Y resets the count value every time a reset signal is given, and cumulatively counts and holds the count value corresponding to the subsequent movement amount of the mouse 40 in the Y direction. By repeating this processing, the counter 43Y sequentially holds count values (Y1, Y2, Y3...) Corresponding to the movement amount of the mouse in the Y direction every 1/60 seconds, and the count values (Y1, Y2). , Y3...) Is read by the CPU 21.

  In this embodiment, the count value of the counter 43X is not used, but the count value of the counter 43X may be used depending on the game content. The counter 43X count values (X1, X2, X3...) And the counter 43Y count values (Y1, Y2, Y3...) Are based on the combined vector on the same time axis (X1 and Y1, X2 and Y2...). Thus, an energy value represented by a combined vector in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction may be obtained and used for the game. In this case, the amount of movement of the mouse 40 moved in an oblique direction is detected, and a larger amount of energy is input compared to the case of detecting the amount of linear movement of only the Y axis (or X axis). It is useful, and since it is a combined vector of the X axis and the Y axis, there is an advantage that it is difficult to predict the stored energy.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an operation method for inputting an energy value by the mouse 40. In FIG. 6, the player moves the mouse 40 forward while holding it on the mouse pad 45, then lifts it upward and returns the mouse 40 to the rear with the mouse 40 separated from the mouse pad 45. Repeat several times. While the mouse 40 is moving forward in contact with the mouse pad 45, the counter 43Y measures a count value per fixed time in the Y-axis direction according to the movement distance. This count value is read into the game apparatus 20 and used for calculation of energy value data (E). For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the mouse 40 is moved only once, a small energy value is calculated. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the moving operation of the mouse 40 is repeated many times, the energy value data (E) is accumulated and a larger energy value is accumulated. The accumulated energy value data is used for controlling the moving (or running) state of a moving object (for example, a car) displayed on the screen of the display device 50. When the player determines that the energy value has reached (stored) an appropriate value, the player presses the left click switch 41L of the mouse 40 and instructs the start of the car 51 on the screen. The traveling state of the car 51 at that time changes depending on the energy value. This is because the spring force is accumulated while moving the wheel of the mainspring spring-equipped car toy against the flat surface. While the travel distance is short, when the accumulated spring force is large, the travel speed is fast and the travel distance is long.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a game program according to one embodiment of the present invention. The display examples of FIGS. 8A to 8F are examples of game screen diagrams. Next, the operation of the game processing of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 and the display example shown in FIG.

  Prior to the description of the operation, an outline of the game processing of this embodiment will be described with reference to the display example of FIG. The game cassette 30, mouse 40, and display device 50 are connected to the game device 10, and the game device 10 is turned on to start the game. The game screen at this time is, for example, FIG. 8A, in which a successful section 53 is displayed on the road 52 on which the car 51 travels, and represents failure when the car 51 travels beyond the successful section 53. The cliff 54 is displayed. In the initial state (before the start of the car), the standby state in which the car 51 floats in the air is displayed, and the vehicle 51 does not move forward even if energy is given. In this state, the player inputs and accumulates energy values by moving the mouse 40 using the operation method shown in FIG. When the player presses the switch 41L of the mouse 40 with the energy stored, the initial value of the vehicle speed data (V) of the vehicle 51 is determined based on the energy value data (E) at that time, and FIG. As shown, the vehicle 51 travels on the road 52. Since the vehicle 51 consumes energy in proportion to the travel distance, it accompanies a decrease in stored energy, and the vehicle speed (V) is decreased accordingly. When the vehicle speed data (V) becomes 0, the vehicle 51 stops. At this time, when the vehicle 51 stops in the successful section 53 (see FIG. 8E), the travel distance data (D) is not less than the target minimum value data (Lmin) and not more than the target maximum value data (Lmax). Because there is, it is determined to be successful. When the vehicle 51 stops at a position other than the successful section 53, it is determined that the vehicle 51 has failed. FIG. 8D shows a case of stopping before the success section 53 in the failure, and FIG. 8F shows a case of stopping beyond the success section 53, and in any case, it is determined as failure. However, in the case of the failure shown in FIG. 8 (f), an image that the car falls from the cliff is displayed.

  Next, the operation of the game process will be described along the flowchart of FIG. In step 11, the energy value data (E) is reset (that is, 0 is set in the region 232). In step 12, it is determined whether or not the switch 41L is pressed (the mouse 40 is left-clicked). If it is determined that the switch 41L has not been pressed, the count value of the counter 43Y is read in step 13, written in the area 231 of the RAM 23, and temporarily stored. Immediately after reading the count value of the counter 43Y, the CPU 21 generates a reset signal, applies it to the counter 43Y via the I / O circuit 24 and the I / O circuit 44, and resets the counter 43Y. In step 14, it is determined whether or not the count value (Y) per predetermined time read from the counter 43Y is zero. If it is determined that the count value of the counter 43Y is not 0, the value of Y is added to the immediately preceding energy value data (E) in step 15 to determine the accumulated value of the energy value data, and then the process proceeds to step 19. move on.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step 14 that the count value (Y) of the counter 43Y is 0 (for example, when the mouse 40 is not counted, such as while the mouse 40 is moved away from the mouse pad 45 and returned backward). Decreases the energy value data (E) by the value of the attenuation value data (E0) in step 16 (E-E0 calculation process). In subsequent step 17, it is determined whether or not the energy value data (E) is smaller than 0. If it is equal to or larger than 0, the process proceeds to step 19. If it is determined in step 17 that the energy value data (E) is smaller than 0, the energy value data (E) is set to 0 and the process proceeds to step 19. In step 19, a time waiting process, specifically, a process waiting for 1/60 seconds is performed. Within this time waiting period, the movement of the mouse 40 in the Y direction is detected by the sensor 42Y, and the count value corresponding to the movement amount is accumulated and held in the counter 43Y. Thereafter, the process returns to step 12.

  If it is determined in step 12 described above that the switch 41L of the mouse 40 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step 21 where the running of the car 51 on the screen is started. Specifically, based on the game program, the CPU 21 generates the moving body polygon data of the car 51 that vibrates due to traveling, or the road or surrounding scenery changes in proportion to the traveling speed. Generating polygon data of a simple background image. In step 21, the travel distance data (D) is reset. In step 22, the initial value of the vehicle speed data (V) is determined based on the energy value data (E). In step 23, the travel distance (Dt) per fixed time (T) is calculated (Dt = VT), and the travel distance (Dt) per fixed time is added to the travel distance data (D) (D = D + Dt). In step 24, it is determined whether or not the travel distance data (D) is larger than the value of the target maximum distance data (Lmax). If it is determined that the travel distance data (D) is equal to or less than the target maximum distance data (Lmax), in step 25, the vehicle 51 displayed on the screen of the display device 50 travels by a distance (Dt) per fixed time. The image display changing process is performed. In the subsequent step 26, a process of subtracting the decrease value data (V0) from the vehicle speed data (V) is performed, and a deceleration process of the vehicle speed per fixed time is performed. In step 27, it is determined whether or not the vehicle speed data (V) is 0 or less. If it is determined that the vehicle speed data (V) is greater than 0 (that is, the vehicle is traveling), the process returns to step 23 and the vehicle traveling process is continued.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 24 that the travel distance data (D) is larger than the target maximum distance data (Lmax) (the vehicle 51 has exceeded the success section 53), a failure process is performed in step 30. For example, as shown in FIG. 8 (f), display is performed such that the car 51 falls from the cliff 54. If it is determined in step 27 that the vehicle speed (V) is 0 or less (that is, stopped), the process proceeds to step 28, where the travel distance data (D) is smaller than the target minimum distance data (Lmin) (at the target point). Whether it has not been reached). If it is determined that the travel distance data (D) is smaller than the target minimum distance data (Lmin) (that is, the car 51 has stopped before the successful section 53), the process proceeds to step 30 and is shown in FIG. 8 (d). Failure processing when the vehicle is stopped in such a state (for example, display of an engine stall state due to lack of energy) is performed. If it is determined in step 27 that the travel distance data (D) is equal to or greater than the target minimum distance data (Lmin), it is determined that the vehicle 51 has stopped within the successful section 53. In this case, since the process is stopped in the state shown in FIG. 8E, a success process is performed in step 29. Examples of the success processing include a sound effect fanfare, an image display in which a ball is broken, and a score assignment.

  The image display of the game based on the information related to the energy value given in accordance with the operation state of the mouse described above is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and varies depending on the type of game and the type of moving object. It should be pointed out that if the accumulation of energy values is obtained by calculation, the calculation result can be used in various forms depending on the type of game or the type of moving object. That is, the change in the image of the moving object based on the energy value accumulated by the operation of the mouse 40 depends on the type of game to be applied.

Various examples are possible as described in.

It is an external view of the game system of one Example of this invention. It is a block diagram of the game system of one Example of this invention. It is an illustration figure of the memory map of RAM. It is an illustration figure of the memory map of ROM. It is an illustration figure for demonstrating the measurement principle of the count value of a mouse | mouth. It is a figure which shows the input operation example of the energy value by a mouse | mouth. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the example of a display of the game screen of one Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

10: Game system 20; Video game machine (game machine)
21; CPU
22; Image processing unit (RCP)
30; Memory cartridge 31; ROM
40; mouse 50; display device

Claims (7)

A game apparatus in which a display means and a two-dimensional pointing device are connected,
An operation amount detecting means for detecting the operation amount of the pointing device by synthesizing each component value output from the pointing device;
Accumulated operation amount calculation means for accumulating the operation amount detected by the operation amount detection means and calculating the accumulated operation amount; and game parameter setting means for setting a predetermined one-dimensional game parameter based on the accumulated operation amount A game device comprising:   The game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation amount detection unit detects an operation amount of the pointing device per predetermined time based on output data output from the pointing device.   The game apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a decrease unit that decreases the cumulative operation amount when the operation amount detected by the operation amount detection unit is zero. It further comprises an input means for receiving input from the user,
The game device according to claim 3, wherein the game parameter setting unit sets the game parameter based on the cumulative operation amount when a user input is made by the input unit.   The game device according to claim 1, wherein the game parameter setting unit sets the game parameter to be larger as the cumulative operation amount is larger.   The game device according to claim 1, wherein the game parameter setting unit sets a moving speed parameter of a virtual object based on the cumulative operation amount. A game machine computer to which a display means and a two-dimensional pointing device are connected;
An operation amount detection means for detecting an operation amount of the pointing device by synthesizing each component value output from the pointing device;
Accumulated operation amount calculation means for calculating the accumulated operation amount by accumulating the operation amount detected by the operation amount detection means, and game parameter setting for setting a predetermined one-dimensional game parameter based on the accumulated operation amount A computer-readable storage medium storing a game program for functioning as a means.

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