JP4261211B2 - GAME DEVICE AND INFORMATION STORAGE MEDIUM - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a game device and an information storage medium.
[0002]
[Background]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a game apparatus that arranges a plurality of objects in an object space that is a virtual three-dimensional space and generates an image that can be seen from a given viewpoint in the object space is known, and a so-called virtual reality can be experienced. Popular as a thing. Taking a game device that can be used to control a fighter as an example, a player flies a fighter operated by the player in the object space, and plays a game against a fighter operated by another player or computer. have fun.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-9-269723
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-9-69169
[Patent Document 3]
JP-A-9-115000
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Now, in such a game device, it is an important technical problem to generate a more realistic image in order to improve the virtual reality of the player. Therefore, for example, it is desired to generate an image that can realistically represent the sense of speed and airflow (flowing clouds) of a fighter flying at high speed.
[0005]
However, if the realism of the image is pursued too much, a problem arises that this time the processing load for image generation becomes extremely heavy. In particular, in a game device that needs to generate an image in real time according to a player's operation or the like, if the processing load of image generation increases, it becomes impossible to draw all display objects within one frame, and the image is lost, etc. Problem arises.
[0006]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and the object of the present invention is to provide a game apparatus and information capable of generating a realistic image that can sense a sense of speed and the like with a small processing load. It is to provide a storage medium.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides a game device for generating an image, wherein the first image used for the perspective transformation of the first display object among the plurality of display objects. Means for setting an angle of view such that the angle and the second angle of view used in the perspective transformation of the second display object among the plurality of display objects are different from each other; And means for generating an image of the display object including the second display object. The information storage medium according to the present invention includes information for realizing the above means.
[0008]
According to the present invention, the first angle of view is used for the perspective conversion of the first display object, and the second angle of view is used for the perspective conversion of the second display object. . Therefore, it is possible to display the first and second display objects that are perspective-transformed at different angles of view in a mixed manner on the screen. For example, if the first angle of view is reduced and the second angle of view is set to a normal angle of view, the first display object is displayed near the gazing point while the second display object is displayed. For, an image is generated at a normal angle of view. Therefore, it is possible to generate a realistic image that can feel a sense of speed and the like without increasing the processing load of image generation so much.
[0009]
Note that the first and second display objects are desirably displayed on the same screen. In addition, the first, second, third,..., Nth display objects may have different first, second, third,... Nth angles of view within the scope of the present invention. included.
[0010]
In the game device and the information storage medium according to the present invention, the first angle of view may be increased as the viewpoint moving speed increases. In this way, as the moving speed of the viewpoint increases, the first display object is displayed more concentrated near the gazing point on the screen. As a result, the feeling of speed felt by the player can be further improved.
[0011]
In the game device and the information storage medium according to the present invention, as the moving speed of the viewpoint increases, the image of the first display object changes so that the visibility of the first display object increases. And In this way, as the moving speed of the viewpoint increases, the image (color, brightness, etc.) of the first display object changes, and the first display object becomes conspicuous. Therefore, the speed feeling felt by the player can be further improved by a synergistic effect with the technique of making the first and second angles of view different.
[0012]
The present invention is also a game device for generating an image, the means for controlling the viewpoint moving in the object space, and the first of the plurality of display objects as the moving speed of the viewpoint increases. Means for changing the image of the first display object so that the visibility of one display object is high, and means for generating an image of the display object including the first display object It is characterized by. The information storage medium according to the present invention includes information for realizing the above means.
[0013]
According to the present invention, as the moving speed of the viewpoint increases, the first display object becomes conspicuous and effectively conveys to the player that the viewpoint (moving body) is moving at high speed. Is possible. In the present invention, as the moving speed of the viewpoint increases, the image is changed so that the visibility of the first display object is increased, while the image is not changed for the second display object. Is desirable.
[0014]
In addition, the game device and the information storage medium according to the present invention make the first display object visible by making the characteristic color of the first display object appear darker as the moving speed of the viewpoint increases. It is characterized by an increase. In this way, as the viewpoint moving speed increases, the characteristic color of the first display object becomes more conspicuous, and the player feels that the viewpoint is moving more effectively. be able to.
[0015]
The game device and the information storage medium according to the present invention are characterized in that the first display object appears to expand in the direction of the viewpoint movement vector as the viewpoint movement speed increases. In this way, as the moving speed of the viewpoint increases, it appears as if the first display object flows in the direction of the moving vector of the viewpoint, further increasing the sense of movement that the viewpoint is moving. Can do.
[0016]
In the game device and the information storage medium according to the present invention, the moving speed of the viewpoint is faster than the given first speed, and the moving speed of the viewpoint is slower than the given second speed. In at least one of the cases, the image generation processing of the first display object is omitted. In this way, it is possible to effectively prevent a situation in which an unnatural image is generated when the moving speed of the viewpoint becomes very fast or very slow.
[0017]
The present invention is also a game device for generating an image, wherein first and second points are obtained based on a given point and a viewpoint movement vector, and the first and second points are perspective-transformed. Thus, the first and second points in the screen coordinate system are obtained, the first and second widths are obtained based on the depth values of the first and second points, and the first and second points are obtained. 3 ′ and 4 ′ points in the screen coordinate system are obtained based on the first width and the first width, and the fifth point in the screen coordinate system is obtained based on the second ′ point and the second width. An image of a display object including means for performing processing for obtaining a ', sixth' point, and a first display object specified by the third ', fourth', fifth ', and sixth' points Means for generating. The information storage medium according to the present invention includes information for realizing the above means.
[0018]
According to the present invention, only a given point (the first point or the second point may be the same point as the given point) for obtaining the first and second points is prepared. Thus, an image of the first display object can be generated. Since the first and second points are obtained based on the viewpoint movement vector, the size and direction of the viewpoint movement vector are included in the positional relationship between the first and second points (that is, the shape of the first display object). Etc. can be reflected. Accordingly, it is possible to realize realistic expressions such as display objects that flow as the viewpoint moves with a small processing load. Further, since the first and second widths are obtained based on the depth values of the first and second points, it is possible to give an appropriate perspective to the first display object.
[0019]
In the game device and the information storage medium according to the present invention, the third ′ and fourth ′ points are orthogonal to a line connecting the first ′ and second ′ points and pass through the first ′ point. Of the two regions defined by the first line, the second ′ point is provided in a region to which the second ′ point does not belong, and the fifth ′ and sixth ′ points are the first ′ and second Among the two regions defined by the second line that is orthogonal to the line connecting the points of 'and passing through the second' point, the first 'point is provided in a region that does not belong to Features. If it does in this way, the situation where the visibility of the 1st display thing becomes extremely low because the distance between the 1st and 2nd point becomes short can be canceled effectively.
[0020]
In the game device and the information storage medium according to the present invention, the angle of view used in the perspective conversion for the first display object is a perspective conversion for the second display object in the plurality of display objects. It is characterized by being wider than the angle of view used at the time. In this way, the first display object can be displayed in a concentrated manner near the point of interest on the screen, and the sense of speed that can be felt by the player can be further improved.
[0021]
Further, in the game device and the information storage medium according to the present invention, the image of the first display object changes so that the visibility of the first display object becomes higher as the viewpoint movement vector becomes longer. It is characterized by that. By doing in this way, as the length of the viewpoint vector becomes longer (as the moving speed of the viewpoint increases), the first display object becomes more conspicuous, and the sense that the viewpoint is moving at high speed. Can be effectively transmitted to the player. Note that it is particularly desirable to increase the visibility of the first display object by making the characteristic color of the first display object appear darker as the length of the viewpoint movement vector becomes longer.
[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, the case where the present invention is applied to a fighter game (flight simulator) will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to various games.
[0023]
1. Constitution
FIG. 1 shows an example of a block diagram of this embodiment. In the figure, the game device of this embodiment may include at least the processing unit 100 (or may include the processing unit 100 and the storage unit 140, or the processing unit 100, the storage unit 140, and the information storage medium 150). Other than the blocks (for example, the operation unit 130, the image generation unit 160, the display unit 162, the sound generation unit 170, the sound output unit 172, the communication unit 174, the I / F unit 176, the memory card 180, etc.) It can be.
[0024]
Here, the processing unit 100 performs various processes such as control of the entire apparatus, instruction instruction to each block in the apparatus, game calculation, and the like, and functions thereof are a CPU (CISC type, RISC type), DSP. Alternatively, it can be realized by hardware such as an ASIC (gate array or the like) or a given program (game program).
[0025]
The operation unit 130 is used by the player to input operation information, and the function can be realized by hardware such as a lever and a button.
[0026]
The storage unit 140 serves as a work area such as the processing unit 100, the image generation unit 160, the sound generation unit 170, the communication unit 174, and the I / F unit 176, and its functions can be realized by hardware such as a RAM.
[0027]
An information storage medium (storage medium from which information can be read by a computer) 150 stores information such as programs and data, and functions thereof are an optical disk (CD, DVD), a magneto-optical disk (MO), and a magnetic field. It can be realized by hardware such as a disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, or a semiconductor memory (ROM). The processing unit 100 performs various processes of the present invention (this embodiment) based on information stored in the information storage medium 150. That is, the information storage medium 150 stores various information for realizing the means of the present invention (this embodiment) (particularly, the blocks included in the processing unit 100).
[0028]
Part or all of the information stored in the information storage medium 150 is transferred to the storage unit 140 when the apparatus is powered on. Information stored in the information storage medium 150 includes program code, image information, sound information, shape information of display objects, table data, list data, player information, and processing of the present invention. It includes at least one of information for instructing, information for performing processing in accordance with the instruction, and the like.
[0029]
The image generation unit 160 generates various images in accordance with instructions from the processing unit 100 and outputs them to the display unit 162. The function of the image generation unit 160 is hardware such as an image generation ASIC, CPU, or DSP, It can be realized by a given program (image generation program) and image information.
[0030]
The sound generation unit 170 generates various sounds in accordance with instructions from the processing unit 100 and outputs them to the sound output unit 172. The function of the sound generation unit 170 is a hardware such as a sound generation ASIC, CPU, or DSP. Or a given program (sound generation program) and sound information (waveform data, etc.).
[0031]
The communication unit 174 performs various controls for communicating with an external device (for example, a host device or another game device). The function of the communication unit 174 includes hardware such as a communication ASIC or CPU, It can be realized by a given program (communication program).
[0032]
Information for realizing the processing of the present invention (this embodiment) may be distributed from the information storage medium of the host device to the information storage medium of the game device via the network and the communication unit 174. Such use of the information storage medium of the host device and use of the information storage medium of the game device are also included in the scope of the present invention.
[0033]
Further, part or all of the functions of the processing unit 100 may be realized by the functions of the image generation unit 160, the sound generation unit 170, or the communication unit 174. Alternatively, part or all of the functions of the image generation unit 160, the sound generation unit 170, or the communication unit 174 may be realized by the function of the processing unit 100.
[0034]
The I / F unit 176 is an interface for exchanging information with a memory card (in a broad sense, a portable information storage device including a portable mini game device) 180 according to an instruction from the processing unit 100 and the like. The function can be realized by a slot for inserting a memory card, a controller IC for data writing / reading, and the like. In the case where information exchange with the memory card 180 is realized using radio waves such as infrared rays, the function of the I / F unit 176 can be realized by hardware such as a semiconductor laser and an infrared sensor.
[0035]
The processing unit 100 includes a game calculation unit 110.
[0036]
Here, the game calculation unit 110 determines a coin (price) acceptance process, a game mode setting process, a game progress process, a selection screen setting process, and a position and direction of a moving object (fighter, bullet, flame, etc.). Processing, processing to determine the viewpoint position and line-of-sight direction, processing to reproduce the motion of a moving object, processing to place an object in the object space, hit check processing, processing to calculate game results (results), a game in which multiple players are common Various game calculation processes such as a process for playing in a space or a game over process are performed based on operation information from the operation unit 130, information from the memory card 180, a game program, and the like. When the present invention is applied to a game other than a fighter game, as a moving body, an airplane other than a fighter, a ship (boat, battleship, submarine, yacht, motorboat, etc.), water bike, water ski, surfboard Various things such as cars, motorcycles, tanks, robots, spaceships, and characters can be considered.
[0037]
The game calculation unit 110 includes a moving object calculation unit 112, a viewpoint control unit 114, an angle-of-view setting unit 116, an image change unit 118, and a display object expansion unit 120.
[0038]
Here, the moving object calculation unit 112 calculates movement information (position information, direction information, etc.) of a moving object such as a fighter, and is based on operation information input from the operation unit 130 or a given program, for example. Processing for moving the moving object in the object space is performed. That is, a process of moving the moving body in the object space is performed based on operation information from the player (self player, other player) and a command from the computer (a given movement control algorithm).
[0039]
More specifically, the moving body computing unit 112 performs a process for obtaining the position and direction of the moving body, for example, every frame (1/60 seconds). For example, assume that the position of the moving body in the (k-1) frame is PMk-1, the speed is VMk-1, the acceleration is AMk-1, and the time of one frame is Δt. Then, the position PMk and the speed VMk of the moving body in k frames are obtained, for example, by the following equations (1) and (2).
[0040]
PMk = PMk-1 + VMk-1 * .DELTA.t (1)
VMk = VMk-1 + AMk-1 * .DELTA.t (2)
The viewpoint control unit 114 performs processing for obtaining the viewpoint position, the line-of-sight direction, and the like based on the information on the position and direction of the moving object obtained by the moving object calculation unit 112. More specifically, for example, a process of changing the viewpoint position or the line-of-sight direction so as to follow the position or direction of the moving body operated by the player is performed. In this case, it is desirable to follow the viewpoint position or the line-of-sight direction with respect to the position or direction of the moving body, for example, while having inertia. The image generation unit 150 generates an image that can be seen at the viewpoint controlled by the viewpoint control unit 114.
[0041]
The angle-of-view setting unit 116 performs an angle-of-view setting process used for perspective transformation in the perspective transformation unit 164 in the image generation unit 160. More specifically, a first field of view and a second display used for perspective conversion of a first display object (a display object that appears to flow relatively as the viewpoint moves, for example, an air flow). Used for perspective transformation of objects (display objects that flow relatively invisible as the viewpoint moves, or display objects that appear slower than the first display object, such as fighters, maps, etc.) The angle of view is set so as to be different from the second angle of view. In this way, by setting the angle of view to be different between the first display object and the second display object displayed on the same screen (the first and second display objects having different angle of view are set to the same By mixing them in the screen, it is possible to generate an image that can feel a sense of speed with less processing load.
[0042]
In this case, the first angle of view may be increased as the moving speed of the viewpoint (moving body) increases.
[0043]
The image changing unit 118 performs a process for changing the image of the first display object so that the visibility of the first display object (for example, the airflow) increases as the moving speed of the viewpoint increases. More specifically, for example, by controlling the semi-transparency coefficient in the semi-transparent processing of the background display object and the first display object, the feature of the first display object increases as the viewpoint moving speed increases. Make the color look darker. By doing in this way, as the moving speed of the viewpoint increases, the first display object becomes more conspicuous and the movement feeling can be further improved.
[0044]
The display object extension unit 120 performs a process of making the first display object appear to expand in the direction of the viewpoint movement vector as the viewpoint movement speed increases. By doing so, the first display object appears to flow from the back of the screen, and the feeling of speed felt by the player can be further improved.
[0045]
Note that the game apparatus according to the present embodiment is capable of both game play in a single player mode played by one player and game play in a multiplayer mode played by a plurality of players.
[0046]
Further, when a plurality of players play, game images and game sounds to be provided to the plurality of players may be generated using one game device, or connected via a network (transmission line, communication line), etc. It may be generated using a plurality of game devices.
[0047]
2. Features of this embodiment
2A, 2B, and 3 show examples of game images generated by the present embodiment.
[0048]
In the fighter game realized by the present embodiment, the player controls his / her fighter 22 to fly in the object space while viewing the game image as shown in FIG. The game is played against other players and fighters operated by the computer.
[0049]
FIG. 2A shows an example of a game image from the rear viewpoint (behind view, third person viewpoint) of the fighter 22. As shown in the figure, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to represent an airflow (flowing cloud) 20 that appears to flow out from the vicinity of the gazing point (center) of the screen. Thereby, the feeling of speed felt by the player can be improved.
[0050]
2B is an example of a game image when the viewpoint is set to the right of the fighter plane 22, and FIG. 3 is an example of a game image when the viewpoint is set to the front right of the fighter plane 22. As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to represent the airflow 20 that extends along the moving direction of the viewpoint (fighter) regardless of the setting position of the viewpoint.
[0051]
Now, in order to express such an air flow (flowing cloud), the present embodiment performs the following processing.
[0052]
That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the angle of view θ1 used for the perspective transformation of the airflow 20 is determined from the angle of view θ2 used for the perspective transformation of the fighter plane 22 and the map (island, lake, building) 24. It is also wide. That is, the screen distance (distance between the viewpoint VP and the screen 30) SD1 used for the perspective conversion of the airflow 20 is made smaller than the screen distance SD2 used for the perspective conversion of the fighter plane 22 and the map 24. Yes.
[0053]
For example, when the angle of view is set so that the angle of view θ1 and the angle of view θ2 are the same, a game image as shown in FIG. 5A is generated. However, in this game image, the airflow 20 does not concentrate near the gazing point (the center of the screen).
[0054]
In contrast, in the present embodiment, the angle of view θ1 is made wider than the angle of view θ2. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5B, the airflow 20 appears to flow out from the vicinity of the gazing point. For this reason, the real feeling of an image can be increased markedly.
[0055]
In addition, in the present embodiment, for the display object other than the airflow 20, for example, the fighter plane 22 and the map 24, perspective transformation is performed using an angle of view θ2 narrower than the angle of view θ1. Therefore, a realistic image expression can be realized without increasing the processing load so much.
[0056]
That is, in this type of game device, it is necessary to generate an image in real time in accordance with a player's operation. However, if not only the angle of view θ1 of the airflow 20 but also the angle of view θ2 of a display object other than the airflow 20 (fighter plane 22, map 24) is widened, the number of display objects to be subject to perspective transformation or drawing. (Range) will increase. Accordingly, the processing load for image generation is extremely increased, and it becomes impossible to draw all display objects within one frame. As a result, a display object that cannot be drawn is generated, and a problem such as a loss of an image occurs.
[0057]
In the present embodiment, a wide angle of view θ1 is used for the airflow 20, while a normal angle of view θ2 is used for other display objects. Therefore, it is possible to realize an image expression in which the airflow 20 appears to flow out from the vicinity of the gazing point without increasing the processing load of image generation so much.
[0058]
As shown in FIG. 6, the angle of view θ1 for the airflow 20 may be increased as the viewpoint moving speed increases. In this way, as the moving speed of the viewpoint increases, the airflow 20 is displayed more concentrated near the gazing point. As a result, the feeling of speed felt by the player can be further improved.
[0059]
For example, as a technique for improving the player's sense of speed, it is possible to consider a technique for widening the angle of view for all display objects such as the airflow 20, the fighter plane 22, and the map 24 as the viewpoint moving speed increases. However, with this method, as the moving speed of the viewpoint increases, the number of display objects to be subjected to perspective transformation or drawing increases greatly, and the processing load for image generation becomes extremely heavy.
[0060]
On the other hand, in the method of FIG. 6, since only the angle of view θ1 is increased according to the moving speed, the number of display objects to be subjected to perspective transformation or drawing can be reduced, and realistic image expression can be performed with a small processing load. become.
[0061]
In the present embodiment, the airflow image is changed so that the visibility of the airflow (first display object) increases as the moving speed of the viewpoint (fighter) increases.
[0062]
More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, as the moving speed of the viewpoint increases, the characteristic color of the airflow 20 is made to appear darker. As a result, as the moving speed increases, the airflow 20 becomes more conspicuous, and the player feels the presence of the airflow 20 more. Therefore, as described above, the speed feeling felt by the player can be further improved by the synergistic effect with the video effect in which the airflow 20 flows out from the vicinity of the gazing point as the viewpoint moves.
[0063]
Note that, as the viewpoint moving speed increases, the method of making the airflow feature color darker is a semi-transparent addition process (translucent process in a broad sense) between the background display object (for example, the sky) and the air flow (first display object). This can be realized by controlling the translucency coefficient in.
[0064]
That is, the translucent addition process can be expressed by, for example, the following expressions (3), (4), and (5).
[0065]
XR = BR + α × CR (3)
XG = BG + α × CG (4)
XB = BB + α × CB (5)
Here, BR, BG, and BB are R, G, and B components of the color information of the background display object, and CR, CG, and CB are R, G, and B components of the color information of the air current (characteristic color of the air current). , XR, XG, XB are R, G, B components of the color information of the output image obtained by the translucent addition process. Α is a translucency coefficient (luminance in luminance addition processing) in the semitransparent addition processing.
[0066]
According to the above formulas (3), (4), and (5), the airflow can be hidden by setting the translucency coefficient α = 0. Further, by increasing α as the moving speed of the viewpoint increases, it becomes possible to make the airstream feature colors (CR, CG, CB) appear darker as the moving speed increases.
[0067]
In equations (3), (4), and (5), a semi-transparent addition process is employed to realize a technique for making the characteristic color of the air current appear darker as the viewpoint moving speed increases. A blending process may be employed. In this case, each of BR, BG, and BB is multiplied by, for example, (1-α).
[0068]
Further, in the present embodiment, as the moving speed of the viewpoint becomes faster, the airflow (first display object) appears to expand in the direction of the moving vector of the viewpoint.
[0069]
More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the length of the airflow 20 in the direction of the movement vector of the viewpoint increases as the movement speed of the viewpoint increases. By doing so, it becomes possible to more realistically express the state in which the airflow 20 flows out. Further, the feeling of speed felt by the player can be further improved.
[0070]
In addition, when extending the airflow 20 as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the width of the airflow 20 may be narrowed from the screen toward the back (as the depth value increases). desirable. By doing so, an appropriate perspective of the airflow 20 can be expressed.
[0071]
Further, in the present embodiment, when the moving speed of the viewpoint becomes faster than the given first speed VVU, or when it becomes slower than the given second speed VVL, the airflow image generation Processing is omitted.
[0072]
For example, in FIG. 8A, the viewpoint VP that was behind the player's fighter plane 22 has moved behind the enemy fighter plane 23. In this case, the moving speed of the viewpoint VP is very high (higher than VVU). Therefore, in such a case, the process of changing the angle of view θ1 according to the moving speed of the viewpoint VP as shown in FIG. 6 or the moving speed of the viewpoint VP as shown in FIGS. If processing for improving the visibility of the airflow 20 or processing for expanding the airflow 20 is performed, an unnatural image may be generated. For example, the angle of view θ1 becomes too wide, the visibility (characteristic color) of the airflow 20 is emphasized too much, or the airflow 20 is excessively extended in the direction of the viewpoint movement vector.
[0073]
In FIG. 8B, the viewpoint VP is stopped. In such a case, even if processing for changing the angle of view, the visibility of the airflow, and the degree of expansion of the airflow according to the moving speed of the viewpoint VP, an unnatural image may still be generated. There is.
[0074]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, a method is adopted in which the airflow image generation process is omitted when the moving speed of the viewpoint becomes faster than VVU or lower than VVL. By doing in this way, the situation where an unnatural image is generated can be prevented. In particular, when this method is combined with a method of changing the density of the airflow feature color according to the moving speed of the viewpoint, the airflow characteristic color becomes lighter as the moving speed of the viewpoint becomes slower, and the moving speed is lower than VVL. As it slows, the airflow disappears. Therefore, a more natural image can be generated.
[0075]
3. Processing of this embodiment
Next, a detailed processing example of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0076]
First, as shown in FIG. 11A, a movement vector EVP of the viewpoint VP (for example, a vector connecting the viewpoint position one or more frames before and the current viewpoint position) is obtained (step S1).
[0077]
Next, it is determined whether the length LVP (corresponding to the viewpoint movement speed) of the viewpoint movement vector EVP is larger than the speed VVU (first speed) or smaller than the speed VVL (second speed). (Step S2). Then, as described with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B, when the LVP is larger than the VVU or smaller than the VVL, the subsequent steps S3 to S14 are omitted.
[0078]
Next, based on the length LVP (viewpoint moving speed) of the viewpoint movement vector EVP, the translucency coefficient α (see the above formulas (3), (4), and (5)) is obtained (step S3). More specifically, α is increased if LVP is long, and α is decreased if LVP is short. In this way, as described in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the visibility of the airflow 20 (the density of the characteristic color of the airflow 20) can be increased as the viewpoint moving speed increases. become.
[0079]
Next, the angle of view is set to be wider than the normal angle of view (step S4). That is, as described with reference to FIG. 4, the angle of view θ1 for airflow is made wider than the normal angle of view θ2. In this way, as described with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, a realistic expression that the airflow 20 appears to flow from the vicinity of the gazing point on the screen is possible, and the feeling of speed felt by the player Can be improved.
[0080]
Next, the center position (representative position) CP of the coordinate loop region CLR as shown in FIG. 11B is obtained based on the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction (step S5). That is, a position that is separated from the position of the viewpoint VP by the offset distance DOFF along the line-of-sight direction is defined as CP.
[0081]
Next, based on the coordinates of the center position CP of the coordinate loop area CLR and a given random number table, the coordinates (airflow coordinates) of a given point PN in the coordinate loop area CLR are obtained (step S6). This point PN is a point whose position is fixed (a stationary point) in the world (absolute) coordinate system.
[0082]
In this embodiment, even if the viewpoint VP moves as shown in FIG. 12 or the line-of-sight direction changes as shown in FIG. 13, the point PN (for example, P1 to P8) is always set to a point in the coordinate loop area CLR. As described above, a coordinate loop process is performed. For example, as shown in G1, G2, G3, and G4 in FIG. 12, consider a case where the points P7 and P8 are out of the coordinate loop region CLR due to the movement of the viewpoint VP. Also in this case, as shown in G5 and G6, the coordinate loop process is performed so that the points P7 and P8 become the points in the coordinate loop region CLR again.
[0083]
In this embodiment, the center position CP of the coordinate loop region CLR is set not at the viewpoint VP but at a position separated from the position of the viewpoint VP by the offset distance DOFF along the line-of-sight direction. Therefore, as compared with the case where the center position CP is set to the position of the viewpoint VP, more points PN (airflow) are included in the visual field range, and the realism of the image can be increased with a small processing load. Become.
[0084]
Next, based on the viewpoint movement vector EVP obtained in step S1 and the point PN obtained in step S6, points PN1 and PN2 (first and second points) as shown in FIG. Is obtained (step S7). In this way, as described with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B, as the moving speed of the viewpoint increases (as the length LVP of the moving vector EVP increases), the moving vector EVP of the viewpoint The airflow 20 appears to expand along the direction.
[0085]
Next, as shown in FIG. 14B, the points PT1 and PT2 (first and second points) in the coordinate system of the screen 30 are obtained by perspective-transforming the points PN1 and PN2 (step 1). S8). In this case, the perspective transformation is performed using the angle of view (θ1 in FIG. 4) set in step S4.
[0086]
Next, it is determined whether or not both of the points PT1 and PT2 are outside the screen 30 (step S9), and if both are outside, the subsequent steps S10 to S13 are omitted.
[0087]
Next, widths W1 and W2 (first and second widths) are obtained based on the depth values (Z coordinates) of the points PN1 and PN2 (step S10). The widths W1 and W2 are smaller values as the depth values of the points PN1 and PN2 are larger (as the points PN1 and PN2 are farther from the viewpoint VP). By setting the widths W1 and W2 to such values, it is possible to appropriately express the perspective of the airflow.
[0088]
Next, based on the points PT1 and PT2 in the coordinate system of the screen 30 and the widths W1 and W2 obtained in step S10, as shown in FIG. PT4, PT5, and PT6 (third point, fourth point, fifth point, and sixth point) are obtained (step S11). Then, as shown in FIG. 15B, a polygon 40 (primitive surface) having points PT3, PT4, PT5, and PT6 as vertices is generated (specified) (step S12). By mapping the texture 42 of the airflow (flowing cloud) pattern on the polygon 40, an image of the airflow 20 as shown in FIGS. 2A to 3 can be generated.
[0089]
Next, it is determined whether or not the processing for all (N) PNs (P1 to P8) has been completed (step S13). If not completed, the process returns to step S6, and if completed, The angle of view is returned to the normal angle of view (step S14). That is, the angle of view is returned to the angle of view θ2 in FIG.
[0090]
Various methods can be considered as methods for obtaining the points PT3, PT4, PT5, and PT6 from the points PT1 and PT2 and the widths W1 and W2.
[0091]
For example, in FIG. 16A, points separated from the point PT1 by W1 in a direction orthogonal to the line 50 connecting the points PT1 and PT2 are designated as PT3 and PT4. Points that are separated from the point PT2 by W2 in the direction orthogonal to the line 50 are designated as PT5 and PT6.
[0092]
However, with this method, as shown in FIG. 16B, when the distance between the points PT1 and PT2 is short, the generated polygon 40 becomes extremely thin and the polygon 40 (airflow) becomes invisible to the player. (Visibility becomes extremely low).
[0093]
On the other hand, in FIG. 16C, among the two regions AR1 and AR2 defined by the line 52 (first line) orthogonal to the line 50 connecting the points PT1 and PT2 and passing through the point PT1, the point PT2 is The points PT3 and PT4 are positioned in the area AR2 which does not belong. In addition, among the two areas AR3 and AR4 that are orthogonal to the line 50 and defined by the line 54 (second line) passing through the point PT2, the points PT5 and PT6 are located in the area AR3 to which the point PT1 does not belong. To be located. That is, the polygon 40 is stretched along the direction of the line 50 connecting the points PT1 and PT2. In this way, even when the distance between the points PT1 and PT2 is short as shown in FIG. 16D, the situation in which the polygon 40 becomes extremely thin and the polygon 40 becomes invisible can be simplified. It can be effectively prevented by processing.
[0094]
4). Hardware configuration
Next, an example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the apparatus shown in the figure, 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, 1014 are connected to each other via a system bus 1016 so that data can be transmitted and received. A display 1018 is connected to the image generation IC 1010, a speaker 1020 is connected to the sound generation IC 1008, 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. Has been.
[0095]
The information storage medium 1006 mainly stores programs, image data for expressing display objects, sound data, and the like. For example, a consumer game device uses a CD-ROM, game cassette, DVD, or the like as an information storage medium for storing a game program or the like. The arcade game machine uses a memory such as a ROM. In this case, the information storage medium 1006 is a ROM 1002.
[0096]
The control device 1022 corresponds to a game controller, an operation panel, and the like, and is a device for inputting a result of a determination made by the player in accordance with the progress of the game to the device main body.
[0097]
In accordance with a program stored in the information storage medium 1006, a system program stored in the ROM 1002 (such as device initialization information), a signal input by the control device 1022, the CPU 1000 controls the entire device and performs various data processing. . 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. A data structure having a logical configuration for realizing the present embodiment is constructed on the RAM or the information storage medium.
[0098]
Further, this type of apparatus is provided with a sound generation IC 1008 and an image generation IC 1010 so that game sounds and game images can be suitably output. The sound generation IC 1008 is an integrated circuit that generates game sounds such as sound effects and background music based on information stored in the information storage medium 1006 and the ROM 1002, and the generated game sounds are output by the speaker 1020. The image generation IC 1010 is an integrated circuit that generates pixel information to be output to the display 1018 based on image information sent from the RAM 1004, the ROM 1002, the information storage medium 1006, and the like. As the display 1018, a so-called head mounted display (HMD) can be used.
[0099]
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 to send and receive given information according to the game program, and to connect a communication line. It is used for sending and receiving information such as game programs.
[0100]
Various processes described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 16D include an information storage medium 1006 that stores information such as programs and data, a CPU 1000 that operates based on information from the information storage medium 1006, and an image generation IC 1010. Alternatively, it is realized by a sound generation IC 1008 or the like. The processing performed by the image generation IC 1010, the sound generation IC 1008, and the like may be performed by software using the CPU 1000 or a general-purpose DSP.
[0101]
FIG. 18A shows an example in which the present embodiment is applied to an arcade game device. The player enjoys the game by operating the lever 1102, the button 1104, and the like while viewing the game image displayed on the display 1100. A CPU, an image generation IC, a sound generation IC, and the like are mounted on a system board (circuit board) 1106 built in the apparatus. Information for executing (implementing) the processing (means of the present invention) of this embodiment is stored in a semiconductor memory 1108 that is an information storage medium on the system board 1106. Hereinafter, this information is referred to as storage information.
[0102]
FIG. 18B shows an example in which the present embodiment is applied to a home game device. The player enjoys the game by operating the game controllers 1202 and 1204 while viewing the game image displayed on the display 1200. In this case, the stored information is stored in a CD-ROM 1206, memory cards 1208, 1209, etc., which are information storage media detachable from the main unit.
[0103]
FIG. 18C shows a host apparatus 1300 and terminals 1304-1 to 1304- connected to the host apparatus 1300 via a communication line (small network such as a LAN or wide area network such as the Internet) 1302. An example in which the present embodiment is applied to a system including n will be shown. In this case, the stored information is stored in an information storage medium 1306 such as a magnetic disk device, a magnetic tape device, or a semiconductor memory that can be controlled by the host device 1300, for example. When the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n have a CPU, an image generation IC, and a sound processing IC and can generate game images and game sounds stand-alone, the host device 1300 receives game images and games. A game program or the like for generating sound is delivered to the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n. On the other hand, if it cannot be generated stand-alone, the host device 1300 generates a game image and a game sound, which is transmitted to the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n and output at the terminal.
[0104]
In the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 18C, the processing according to the present invention may be performed in a distributed manner between the host device and the terminal (when a server is provided, the host device, the server, and the terminal). Good. The storage information for realizing the present invention is distributed to the information storage medium of the host device and the information storage medium of the terminal (or the information storage medium of the host device, the information storage medium of the server, and the information storage medium of the terminal). May be stored.
[0105]
The terminal connected to the communication line may be a home game device or an arcade game device. When the arcade game device is connected to a communication line, portable information storage that can exchange information with the arcade game device and also exchange information with the home game device. It is desirable to use a device (memory card, portable game device).
[0106]
The present invention is not limited to that described in the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made.
[0107]
For example, in the present embodiment, the case where the angle of view θ1 for the first display object is different from the angle of view θ2 for the second display object has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the angle of view θ1 for the first display object, the angle of view θ2 for the second display object, the angle of view θ3 for the third display object,. The case where the angle of view θN for the display object is varied is also included in the scope of the present invention.
[0108]
In the present embodiment, the case where the first display object is an airflow (flowing cloud) and the second display object is a fighter plane or a map has been described as an example. However, the first and second displays in the present invention are described. Things are not limited to this. For example, as the first display object, a display object that relatively flows as the viewpoint (moving body) moves is particularly desirable. In addition to the air current, various displays such as rain, snow, stars, fog, and the like are possible. I can think of things. The second display object is particularly desirable to be a display object that does not appear to flow relatively as the viewpoint moves, or is a display object that appears to be slower than the second display object. Various displays can be considered in addition to machines and maps.
[0109]
In this embodiment, the case where the angle of view is directly set has been described. However, the case where a parameter (for example, a screen distance) equivalent to the angle of view (for example, a screen distance) is set is also included in the scope of the present invention. .
[0110]
When changing the first angle of view, the visibility of the first display object, or the degree of expansion of the first display object based on parameters equivalent to the viewpoint movement speed, not the viewpoint movement speed itself. Are also included within the scope of the present invention.
[0111]
In the present embodiment, the method of arranging only the representative position (point PN) of the first display object in the object space (world coordinate system) has been described. The method of arranging only the representative positions as described above is particularly desirable from the viewpoint of reducing the processing load, but the three-dimensional first display object itself may be arranged in the object space.
[0112]
In addition, the method described with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B is particularly preferable as a method for increasing the visibility of the first display object as the moving speed of the viewpoint increases. However, the method is not limited to this.
[0113]
Further, the present invention can be applied to various games other than fighter games (airplane games other than fighter aircraft, spaceship games, competitive games, fighting games, robot battle games, sports games, shooting games, role playing games, etc.). .
[0114]
Further, the present invention is applied to various game devices such as a business game device, a home game device, a large attraction device in which a large number of players participate, a simulator, a multimedia terminal, an image generation device, and a system board for generating a game image. it can.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an example of a block diagram of a game device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams showing examples of game images generated according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a game image generated according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method of making the angles of view θ1 and θ2 different.
FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining an image generated when the angles of view θ1 and θ2 are different from each other.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a method of changing the angle of view θ1 according to the moving speed of the viewpoint.
FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams for explaining a method of changing the visibility of airflow and the degree of expansion according to the moving speed of the viewpoint.
FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams for explaining a method of omitting the airflow image generation processing when the viewpoint moving speed is faster than the speed VVU or slower than the speed VVL. It is.
FIG. 9 is an example of a flowchart showing a detailed processing example of the present embodiment.
FIG. 10 is an example of a flowchart showing a detailed processing example of the present embodiment.
FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining a viewpoint movement vector and a coordinate loop region; FIGS.
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining coordinate loop processing in a coordinate loop region;
FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining coordinate loop processing in a coordinate loop region;
FIGS. 14A and 14B are diagrams for explaining a method of obtaining PN1 and PN2 from PN and obtaining PT1 and PT2 on the screen from PN1 and PN2.
FIGS. 15A and 15B are diagrams for explaining a technique for obtaining PT3 to PT6 from PT1, PT2, W1, and W2 and generating a polygon for expressing an airflow.
16 (A), (B), (C), and (D) are diagrams for explaining various methods for obtaining PT3 to PT6 from PT1, PT2, and W1, W2.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing the present embodiment.
18A, 18B, and 18C are diagrams illustrating examples of various types of apparatuses to which the present embodiment is applied.
[Explanation of symbols]
20 Airflow (flowing clouds)
22 Fighter
23 Enemy Fighter
24 maps
30 screens
40 polygons
42 texture
50 Line connecting PT1 and PT2
52 First line
54 Second line
100 processor
110 Game calculation part
112 Mobile object calculation unit
114 Viewpoint control unit
116 Angle setting section
118 Image change section
120 Display object extension
130 Operation unit
140 Storage unit
150 Information storage medium
160 Image generator
162 Display section
164 Perspective conversion unit
170 Sound generator
172 sound output unit
174 Communication Department
176 I / F section
180 memory card

Claims (6)

A game device for generating an image,
Means for controlling the viewpoint moving in the object space;
Image changing means for performing processing for changing the image of the first display object such that the density of the characteristic color of the first display object among the plurality of display objects increases as the moving speed of the viewpoint increases. When,
Means for generating an image of a display object including the first display object,
The image changing means is
A characteristic color of the first display object is obtained by obtaining a semi-transparency coefficient of the first display object based on a moving speed of the viewpoint, and performing a semi-transparency process of the first display object based on the obtained semi-transparency coefficient. A game device characterized by increasing the density of the game. In claim 1,
The game apparatus further comprising means for extending the first display object in the direction of the viewpoint movement vector as the viewpoint movement speed increases. In claim 1 or 2,
The image changing means is
The viewpoint movement speed is high when the movement speed of the viewpoint becomes faster than the given first speed and / or when the movement speed of the viewpoint becomes slower than the given second speed. A game device characterized by omitting the process of increasing the density of the characteristic color of the first display object. An information storage medium capable of reading information by a computer and generating an image,
Means for controlling the viewpoint moving in the object space;
Image changing means for performing processing for changing the image of the first display object such that the density of the characteristic color of the first display object among the plurality of display objects increases as the moving speed of the viewpoint increases. When,
As means for generating an image of a display object including the first display object,
Memorize the program that makes the computer work,
The image changing means is
A characteristic color of the first display object is obtained by obtaining a semi-transparency coefficient of the first display object based on a moving speed of the viewpoint, and performing a semi-transparency process of the first display object based on the obtained semi-transparency coefficient. An information storage medium characterized by increasing the concentration of In claim 4,
An information storage medium storing a program for further causing a computer to function as means for extending the first display object in the direction of a viewpoint movement vector as the viewpoint movement speed increases. In claim 4 or 5,
The image changing means is
The viewpoint movement speed is high when the movement speed of the viewpoint becomes faster than the given first speed and / or when the movement speed of the viewpoint becomes slower than the given second speed. An information storage medium characterized by omitting the process of increasing the density of the characteristic color of the first display object.

Images