JP4802254B2 - GAME DEVICE AND INFORMATION STORAGE MEDIUM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game apparatus or the like that generates an image at a given viewpoint in an object space and executes the given game by displaying the generated image.

  In computer graphics, in order to more realistically express objects with high reflectivity (reflecting objects) that represent mirrors and ponds placed in an object space that is a virtual three-dimensional space, some ingenuity is applied. It is fancy. As one of the methods, when rendering a specified area in the object space, an algorithm called ray tracing is used to express other objects as reflected on the surface of the reflecting object. .

  Ray tracing is a pixel that corresponds to a ray by tracing the ray that has arrived at a virtual camera at a given viewpoint in the reverse direction and detecting the position and color of an object that affects the ray. The color is determined. For example, there is a reflecting object in the field of view of the virtual camera, and a ray to be tracked is reflected by the surface of the reflecting object and hits the surface of another object. In this case, the color of the surface of the object is reflected in the portion of the reflecting object from which the light beam is reflected.

JP-A-10-71272

  However, there are a plurality of objects in the object space, and each object is composed of a large number of polygons having a plurality of attributes indicating colors, surface characteristics, and the like. For this reason, when the ray tracing method is applied when rendering the object space, the arrangement position of each object, the attribute of the polygon, the position of the light source, the position of the virtual camera, etc. are involved. Cost.

  In particular, in a game device in which the position of the virtual camera changes variously according to an operation signal input from the operation unit by the user, the time delay related to image generation is a fatal problem. In particular, in a race game in which a virtual camera moves at a high speed or a game that requires high processing speed such as a fighting action game, it is not realistic to faithfully perform ray tracing and render a reflective object.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to use a generated image to further simplify the expression of a reflective object and improve the processing speed of image generation.

  A first invention for solving the above-described problem is a game device that generates an image at a given viewpoint in an object space and executes the given game by displaying the generated image. A determination unit (for example, the runoff polygon determination unit 222 in FIG. 4) for determining a region from within the object space, and a reflected region corresponding to the reflection region determined by the determination unit are identified from the generated image. Specifying means (for example, the texture generating unit 242 in FIG. 4) and an image of the reflected area specified by the specifying means for combining with an area in the generated image corresponding to the reflective area A game device including combining means (for example, the rendering unit 240 in FIG. 4).

  The thirteenth invention is an information storage medium storing information for executing a given game by generating an image at a given viewpoint in the object space and displaying the generated image. Determination information for determining a reflection area from the object space (for example, the game program 42 in FIG. 4; step S1 in the flowchart in FIG. 14) and a reflection area corresponding to the reflection area from the generated image Specific information for specifying (for example, the game program 42 in FIG. 4; steps S3 to S5 in the flowchart in FIG. 14) and the image of the reflected area are combined into an area in the generated image corresponding to the reflective area. Information storage medium (for example, the game program 42 in FIG. 4; step S9 in the flowchart in FIG. 14).

  According to the first or thirteenth aspect of the present invention, when an image (reflected region) displayed in the reflection region is present in the generated image, the generated image is used to express the reflection of the reflection region. It can be realized quickly and easily.

  A second invention is a game device that generates an image at a given viewpoint in an object space and executes the given game by displaying the generated image, and a reflection area is formed from the object space. Determination means for determining (for example, the escape water polygon determination unit 222 in FIG. 4), and specifying means for specifying the reflected area corresponding to the reflection area determined by the determination means from the generated image (for example, 4 and a texture generating unit 242) of FIG. 4 and a combining unit (for example, the rendering unit 240 of FIG. 4) for mapping the image of the reflected region specified by the specifying unit to the reflective region. It is a game device.

  A fourteenth aspect of the invention is an information storage medium that stores information for executing a given game by generating an image at a given viewpoint in the object space and displaying the generated image. Determination information for determining a region from within the object space (for example, the game program 42 in FIG. 4; step S1 in the flowchart in FIG. 14) and a reflected region corresponding to the reflective region are specified from the generated image. Specific information (for example, the game program 42 in FIG. 4; steps S3 to S5 in the flowchart in FIG. 14) and composite information (for example, in FIG. 4) for mapping the image of the reflected area to the reflective area A game program 42; steps S6 to S7) in the flowchart of FIG.

  According to the second or fourteenth aspect, since the image of the reflected area can be mapped to the reflective area, the reflective object can be expressed easily and quickly. In addition, since the image of the reflected area is mapped to the reflection area, the reflection according to the reflection object can be expressed more realistically by performing mapping according to the surface characteristics of the reflection object.

  As a third invention, in the game device of the first or second invention, the combining means may distort the image of the reflected area.

  As a fourth invention, in the game device according to the second invention, the combining means distorts and maps the image of the reflected area by changing the vertex coordinates of the reflective area in the object space. It is good as well.

  As a fifteenth aspect of the invention, in the information storage medium of the thirteenth or fourteenth aspect, the composite information may include information for distorting the image of the reflected area.

  According to the third, fourth, or fifteenth invention, when the image of the reflected area is combined with a given area in the generated image, or when the image of the reflected area is mapped to the reflected area, The image of the reflected area can be distorted. Therefore, the image to be projected can be deformed according to the shape, nature, and state of the reflection area to be expressed.

  Further, as a fifth invention, in the game device according to any one of the first to fourth inventions, the deciding means is configured according to a distance between the decided position of the reflection region and the given viewpoint. The shape or size of the reflection area may be changed.

  Further, as a sixth invention, in the game device according to any one of the first to fourth inventions, the determining means determines the shape or size of the reflection region determined according to the depression angle of the given viewpoint. It may be changed.

  According to a sixteenth aspect of the invention, in the information storage medium according to any one of the thirteenth to fifteenth aspects, change information for changing the reflection area according to the distance between the given viewpoint and the reflection area. It is good also as including.

  According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the information storage medium according to any one of the thirteenth to fifteenth aspects, change information for changing the reflection region may be included according to the depression angle of the given viewpoint. Good.

  As an eighteenth invention, in the information storage medium of the sixteenth or seventeenth invention, the change information (for example, the game program 42 in FIG. 4; FIGS. 9A and 9B) is stored in the reflection area. Information that changes the shape or size may be included.

  According to the fifth, sixth, sixteenth, seventeenth, or eighteenth invention, the shape or size of the reflection area depends on the distance from the reflection area to the given viewpoint, or the depression angle of the given viewpoint. Can be changed. Therefore, for example, when the reflection area is specified on the lake surface, the reflection area can be changed according to the distance from the viewpoint or the depression angle, so that the reflection can be expressed more realistically.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the game device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the invention, the synthesizing unit is configured to generate the reflected area according to a distance between the position of the reflective area and the given viewpoint. It is good also as combining by changing the transparency of the image.

  As an eighth invention, in the game device of the fifth or sixth invention, the combining means changes the transparency of the image of the reflected area according to the depression angle of the given viewpoint with respect to the reflective area. It is also possible to make it.

  As the nineteenth invention, in the information storage medium of the sixteenth or seventeenth invention, the change information (for example, the game program 42 of FIG. 4; FIGS. 9C and 9D) is stored in the reflection area. The information for determining the transparency of the image of the corresponding reflected area is included, and the composite information (for example, the game program 42 in FIG. 4; step S9 in the flowchart in FIG. 14) is the transparency determined by the change information. The image of the reflected area may be synthesized based on the above.

  According to the seventh, eighth, or nineteenth invention, the transparency of the image of the reflected area is changed according to the distance between the reflective area and the given viewpoint, or the depression angle of the given viewpoint. It can be expressed by changing the appearance of the reflection area due to the influence of the light source in the object space.

  As a ninth invention, in the game device according to any one of the first to eighth inventions, the determining means determines a reflection region on the surface of the object in the object space having a given condition. It is good as well.

  According to the ninth aspect of the invention, for example, when the escape water whose generation is influenced by the environmental temperature is expressed as a reflecting object, the escape condition is expressed so that the escape water is generated only in a hot place by setting the temperature as a given condition. it can.

  Further, as a tenth invention, in the game device according to any one of the first to ninth inventions, when the character is present in the reflection area, the combining means is configured to combine the reflection image of the character. The character image and the character image may be alternately combined.

  According to the tenth aspect, even when a character is present in the reflection region, the character image and the character image can be alternately combined in the generated image. Therefore, the reflection area, the character, and the character image can be correctly represented in the depth order.

  Further, as an eleventh invention, in the game device according to any one of the first to tenth inventions, the synthesizing means may synthesize the image of the reflected area specified by the specifying means by inverting it. Good. Here, inversion does not mean to invert colors such as black and white inversion, but means to invert an image vertically or horizontally with a given axis as a symmetry axis.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the invention, since the image of the reflected area is inverted and combined with the corresponding area in the generated image or mapped to the reflective area, the reflected area reflects like a mirror. Objects can be expressed easily.

  As a twelfth invention, in the game device according to any one of the first to eleventh inventions, the determining means moves the position of the reflection region in accordance with the movement of the given viewpoint. It is good also as expressing escape water.

  According to the twelfth aspect, since the reflection area is moved according to the movement of a given viewpoint, the escape water can be expressed realistically.

  A twentieth aspect of the present invention is a game system including a plurality of game devices connected via a communication line for a plurality of players to play a given game in the same object space, and each of the game devices Includes specifying means (for example, the runoff polygon determination unit 222 and the texture generation unit 242 in FIG. 4) for specifying the reflection region and the reflection region corresponding to the reflection region from within the generated image, and the target object. Synthesis means (for example, the rendering unit 240 in FIG. 4) for synthesizing the image of the inverted area with the reflection area, and the synthesis means has a character other than the own character in the reflection area, In order to synthesize a reflection image of the character, the game system synthesizes the character image and the character image alternately.

  According to the twentieth aspect, when an image (reflected region) displayed in the reflection region exists in the generated image, the generated image is used to easily express the reflection in the reflection region. it can. When the character is present in the reflection area, the character and the character image can be alternately combined in the generated image. Therefore, it is possible to accurately represent the reflection images of a plurality of characters that overlap in the reflection area.

The figure which shows an example at the time of applying this invention to a household game device. The figure which shows the example of a display of a racetrack. The figure which shows the example by which escape water was displayed on the racetrack. The figure which shows an example of a functional block diagram. The figure which shows the example which divided | segmented object space for every area which has the same runoff generation flag. The figure which shows the example which determined the escape water polygon. The figure which shows a distance and a depression angle. The figure which shows the example which changes distance. (A) is a function showing the relationship between the distance and the area of the runaway polygon. (B) is a function indicating the relationship between the depression angle and the area of the relief water polygon. (C) is a function indicating the relationship between the distance and the transparency of the texture. (D) is a function indicating the relationship between the depression angle and the transparency of the texture. The perspective view (a) which shows the example which has arrange | positioned the screen, and its sectional drawing (b). The figure which shows the example which attached the transparency to escape water and displayed. The figure which shows the example displayed on the escape water with a partial transparency. The figure which shows the example which distorted the image of runoff. The flowchart explaining the process which concerns on this Embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a display when a several character exists. The figure which shows an example of the structure of the hardware which can implement | achieve this Embodiment. The figure which shows an example at the time of applying this Embodiment to the game terminal connected via a communication line with a host apparatus. The figure which shows an example at the time of applying this invention to the game device for business use.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following, a case where the present invention is applied to a motorcycle racing game and escape water is expressed as a reflective object will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example when the present invention is applied to a home game device.
In FIG. 1, the user enjoys a game such as a motorcycle racing game by operating the game controllers 1202 and 1204 while watching the game image displayed on the display 1200. In this case, information necessary for playing a game such as a game program is stored in a CD-ROM 1206, an IC card 1208, a memory card 1212, and the like, which are information storage media detachable from the main unit.

  In a motorcycle racing game, there are many cases where different environments (such as weather conditions and road surface conditions of the race track) are set for each race track or depending on the difficulty level of the game even in the same race track. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing one scene of the motorcycle racing game displayed on the display 1200, and the user enjoys the motorcycle racing game by operating the player character 2.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen expressing escape water 6 as a reflecting object on the race track when the sun is set as the environment of the race track. In the figure, the escape water 6 reflects and reflects the landscape behind the escape water 6. Therefore, the state of the racetrack under the hot sun is expressed more realistically.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional block diagram in the present embodiment. In FIG. 4, the functional block includes an operation unit 10, a processing unit 20, a display unit 30, and an information storage medium 40.

  The operation unit 10 is used to input an operation of the player character 2 in the game and an instruction to start or stop the game. Further, the game controllers 1202 and 1204 illustrated in FIG. 1 correspond to the operation unit 10.

  The processing unit 20 mainly includes a game calculation unit 22 and an image generation unit 24, and can be realized by hardware such as a CISC type or RISC type CPU, DSP, or an image capture dedicated IC.

  The game calculation unit 22 reads the game program 42 from the information storage medium 40 in accordance with the instruction signal input from the operation unit 10 and executes the motorcycle racing game. In addition, the game calculation unit 22 includes an object space construction unit 220, a runaway polygon determination unit 222, and a virtual camera control unit 224.

  The object space construction unit 220 constructs an object space based on the game program 42 stored in the information storage medium 40 and an operation signal input from the operation unit 10, and sets a virtual game space.

  Each object constituting the object space is formed by a plurality of polygons. The object space constructing unit 220 defines surface characteristics such as color and gloss for each polygon, and adds a runoff generation flag. The escape water generation flag added to each polygon is a flag indicating whether or not escape water has occurred, and is referred to when the escape water polygon determination unit 222 determines a polygon to be expressed as escape water from the object space.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example in which the racetrack is divided into asphalt, grass, and audience seat areas in the constructed object space. The object space construction unit 220 divides the object space into passenger seat areas 50-1, 50-5, grass areas 50-2, 50-4, and an asphalt area 50-3 as shown in FIG. For the object (polygon) existing in, the same value is set for the escape water generation flag.

  As described above, the reason for adding the runoff generation flag to each polygon constituting the object space is to limit the place where the runoff water is expressed. In the real world, the escape water is likely to appear on a flat ground (road surface) having a high temperature. Accordingly, an object that generates runoff water is specified by the runoff water generation flag in accordance with the environment (temperature, etc.) of the racetrack that is set and the type of the object.

  Then, the escape water polygon determination unit 222 determines a polygon to be expressed as escape water based on the escape water generation flag. Hereinafter, the polygon determined to express the escape water is referred to as an escape water polygon.

  For example, the object space construction unit 220 sets the escape water generation flag to “ON” for the object (polygon) in the asphalt area 50-3 shown in FIG. 5 and sets the escape water generation flag to “OFF” for objects in other areas. Set as “”. The escape water polygon determination unit 222 determines the escape water polygon from the polygons for which the escape water generation flag is set to “ON”, that is, the polygons constituting the asphalt area 50-3. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example in which a polygon in a portion surrounded by a thick frame is determined as a runaway polygon 52 from among polygons constituting the asphalt area 50-3.

  In addition, the escape water polygon determination unit 222 always determines the escape water polygon in the viewing direction of the virtual camera 54 serving as the viewpoint. Although the distance 56 between the virtual camera 54 and the escape water polygon 52 is set in advance, it is changed according to changes in various conditions. Examples of the various conditions include a change in a course such as a curve or a slope, or a change in the depression angle 58 of the virtual camera 54 caused by the player character 2 jumping or the like.

  However, the distance 56 indicates a distance on the Z axis from the virtual camera 54 to the position of the escape water polygon 52, that is, a visual line direction of the virtual camera 52, as shown in FIG. 7. The depression angle 58 means the depression angle of the line-of-sight vector when the runaway polygon 52 is viewed from the virtual camera 54.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a case where the generation position (distance 56) of the escape water polygon 52 changes in a racetrack that curves to the right. As shown in FIG. 8, in the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera 54, a grass area 50-2 and then a passenger seat area 50-1 extend in the back of the asphalt area 50-3. However, in the areas other than the asphalt area 50-3, the escape water generation flag is set to “OFF”, so that it is not recognized as a candidate for the escape water polygon. Therefore, when the virtual camera 54 approaches the grass area 50-2, the generation position of the escape water polygon 52 cannot be determined and disappears. Therefore, by changing the value of the distance 56, it is also possible to determine a polygon that will escape from the asphalt area 50-1.

  The escape water polygon determination unit 222 may further determine the number or area (width) of polygons determined as the escape water polygon 52. That is, the escape water polygon determination unit 222 determines a coordinate point (hereinafter referred to as a representative point) representing the escape water polygon 52 at a position 56 away from the virtual camera 54 in the line-of-sight direction, and a polygon at the position of the representative point. It is also possible to determine a polygon to be expressed as escape water so as to satisfy a given area or a given number.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, the relationship between the distance 56 and the area of the runoff polygon 52 is defined as a function, and when the position of the runoff polygon 52 is determined, the area of the runoff polygon 52 is simultaneously determined. It is good to do. In FIG. 9A, the escape water polygon determining unit 222 sets the escape water so as to satisfy the corresponding area on the function when the distance 56 between the representative point of the escape water polygon 52 and the virtual camera 54 is the distance 56a. The polygon 52 is determined. Alternatively, when the distance 56 is shorter than the distance 56a, the area of the escape water polygon 52 is reduced based on the function.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, the depression angle 58 of the virtual camera 54 with respect to the escape water polygon may correspond to the area of the escape water polygon 52. Thus, by defining the relationship between the distance and the area, or the depression angle and the area, it is possible to prevent the area of the escape water polygon 52 from becoming abnormally large or changing randomly.

  Note that the shape of the runoff water polygon 52 may be fixed, or may be changed according to the conditions of the racetrack within a range that satisfies a specified area. Further, the shape of the escape water polygon 52 may be changed according to the distance 56 and the depression angle 58.

  The virtual camera control unit 224 controls the viewpoint position and line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera 54 in the object space set by the object space construction unit 220. In addition, the virtual camera control unit 224 controls the virtual camera 54 so as to follow from the back of the player character 2 that is a certain distance away.

  The image generation unit 24 includes a rendering unit 240, a texture generation unit 242, and the like. The image generation unit 24 performs processing for generating an image based on the viewpoint of the virtual camera 54 controlled by the virtual camera control unit 224, and generates the generated image data. Output to the display unit 30.

  Hereinafter, the rendering unit 240 and the texture generation unit 242 will be described in the order of processing until the image reflected on the runoff polygon 52 is synthesized and a game image is generated.

  First, the rendering unit 240 renders the object space set by the game calculation unit 22 based on the viewpoint of the virtual camera 54, and generates an image (hereinafter, the generated image is referred to as a background image).

  Next, the texture generation unit 242 determines a reflected region to be mapped to the runaway polygon 52 from the background image generated by the rendering unit 240. Here, the reflected region is an image in which runoff water is projected, and is determined from the already generated background image. Then, the texture generation unit 242 generates a part corresponding to the reflected area in the background image as a texture. Then, the generated texture is output to the rendering unit 240 again.

There are several methods for specifying the reflected area.
For example, as shown in FIG. 10A, a screen 60 that intersects the Z axis perpendicularly is placed behind the escape water polygon 52 with the virtual camera 54 as a reference. In FIG. 10A, (X, Y, Z) means the coordinate system of the virtual camera 54, and (Xs, Ys) means the coordinate system of the screen 60. The screen 60 is obtained by enlarging the coordinate system of the background image generated by the rendering unit 240 according to the position on the Z axis where the screen 60 is placed.

  FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 10A viewed from the X-axis direction. The texture generation unit 242 calculates a line-of-sight vector 64 from the virtual camera 54 to the vertex of each polygon 52-n and a normal vector 66 of the polygon 52-n. Then, the position 68 on the screen 60 reflected by the polygon 52-n is calculated from the angle formed by the two vectors. Here, the polygon 52-n means one of a plurality of polygons constituting the escape water polygon 52. The coordinates of the reflected area 62 corresponding to the polygon 52 are specified by performing the same processing on each vertex of each polygon 52-n. Then, the texture generation unit 242 generates the identified reflected region 62 as a texture.

  However, when the distance 56 and the depression angle 58 between the escape water polygon 52 and the virtual camera 54 are constant, the same coordinate area of the background image is always specified as the reflected area 62 without calculation. Therefore, the calculation for specifying the reflected region may be performed only when the value of the distance 56 or the depression angle 58 is changed.

  Note that the texture generation unit 242 may set the transparency of the generated texture. For example, as shown in FIG. 9C, the relationship between the distance 56 and the transparency may be defined by a function, and the texture transparency of the reflected area may be set. According to the figure, the transparency of the texture increases as the distance 56 between the escape water polygon 52 and the virtual camera 54 becomes shorter, so that the image reflected (reflected) in the escape water polygon 52 is expressed lightly. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a screen example when the transparency of the texture is changed thinly.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 12, using the relational expression of FIG. 9C, when mapping a texture to the runoff polygon 52, the transparency may be changed according to the position of each polygon 52-n. As shown in FIG. 12, since the image of the front part of the escape water 72 can be expressed more thinly, the escape water can be expressed more realistically.

  Further, the transparency of the escape water polygon 52 may be determined by a function of the depression angle 58 of the virtual camera 54 with respect to the escape water polygon 52 as shown in FIG. For example, the function shown in FIG. 9 is such that the area of the runoff polygon 52 is determined by a function with the distance 56 shown in FIG. 9A and the transparency of the texture is determined by a function with the depression angle 58 shown in FIG. By combining, escape water according to various changes can be expressed.

  As described above, when a texture is generated by the texture generation unit 242, the rendering unit 240 inverts each texture generated by the texture generation unit 242 up and down and maps it to each polygon 52-n in the object space. When the rendering unit 240 renders the escape water polygon 54 to generate the escape water image, the rendering unit 240 synthesizes it at a position corresponding to the escape water polygon 52 of the already generated background image. Then, the completed image data is output to the display unit 30.

  In addition, when mapping a texture to the runoff polygon 52, it is good also as distorting by performing the following methods. For example, the polygons 52-n constituting the escape water polygon 52 are arranged in a plane as shown in FIG. 6, but after temporarily changing the vertex coordinates of each polygon 52-n, the texture is mapped. It is good also as distorting an image by doing. Alternatively, the texture image itself may be distorted before mapping. An example in which the texture image is distorted is shown in FIG. In the figure, since the image reflected on the escape water 74 is distorted, more realistic escape water can be expressed.

  The display unit 30 displays the image data input from the image generation unit 24 on the display screen. Further, the information storage medium 40 stores a game program 42. The function of the information storage medium 40 can be realized by hardware such as a CD-ROM, game cassette, IC card, MO, FD, DVD, memory, and hard disk. The game program 42 includes a program for executing a later-described escape water polygon determination process and an image generation process, function data shown in FIGS. 9A to 9D, and the like.

  Next, in the present embodiment, an operation related to a process of expressing escape water that is a reflecting object using the generated image will be described below.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation according to the processing example of the present embodiment. The operation shown in FIG. 14 shows the generation of a game image related to one frame. First, the escape water polygon determination unit 222 performs processing for determining a polygon that becomes escape water from the object space constructed by the object space construction unit 220, that is, the escape water polygon 52 (step S1).

  Next, the rendering unit 240 generates a background image by rendering an object space based on the viewpoint of the virtual camera 54 (step S2). Then, the texture generation unit 242 calculates the line-of-sight vector 64 from the virtual camera 54 to the polygon 52-n (step S3), and then calculates the normal vector 66 of the polygon 52-n (step S4).

  Furthermore, the texture generation unit 242 specifies the reflected region of the polygon 52-n from the two vectors. A similar process is performed on all the polygons 52-n constituting the escape water polygon 52, and the reflected area 62 of the escape water polygon 52 is specified (step S5). Then, a texture corresponding to the reflected region 62 is generated from the background image generated in step S <b> 2 (step S <b> 6) and output to the rendering unit 240.

  The rendering unit 240 maps the texture input from the texture generation unit 242 to the escape water polygon 52 (step S7), and then renders the escape water polygon 52 based on the viewpoint of the virtual camera 54 (step S8). Then, the rendered image is synthesized at the position corresponding to the runaway polygon 52 in the background image generated in step S2 to complete the game image (step S9), and is output to the display unit 30 to end the present process.

  In the above description, the case where only the player character 2 exists in the object space has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to a case where a plurality of characters exist. However, when there are a plurality of characters, there are the following problems.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a scene example of the object space when a plurality of characters exist. In the figure, an area 100 indicates an escape water polygon area, and an area 102 indicates an area corresponding to the reflected area described in the above embodiment. For the sake of simplicity, the shape of the run-off polygon in the figure is shown as a rectangle.

  In FIG. 15, a character existing on the runaway polygon or an inverted image of the characters 108 to 112 existing in the reflected area needs to be reflected on the area 100. However, when the game image of the object space shown in the figure is generated according to the order described in the above embodiment, there is a problem that the characters on the area 100, that is, the images of the characters 108 and 110 are not reflected on the area 100 well. is there.

  Therefore, this problem can be solved by modifying and applying the present invention as follows. First, in the object space, a screen equivalent to the screen 60 shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B is set on the arrangement position of each character. Then, in the order farther away from the virtual camera 54, that is, in the depth order, the arrangement of the character, the identification of the reflected area with respect to the screen set for the character, and the image composition process (this process is the same as the process for generating the game image described above). This is realized by alternately performing the processing. That is, in FIG. 15, the processing described in this embodiment can be realized in the order of depth, such as processing for the background image, processing for the character 112, processing for the character 110, and so on.

  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 as to be able to input and output data. . 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 communication is performed to the I / O port 1014. A device 1024 is connected.

  The information storage medium 1006 mainly stores programs, image data for expressing display objects, sound data, play data, and the like. For example, in a home game device, a CD-ROM, a game cassette, a DVD, or the like is used as an information storage medium for storing a game program or the like, and a memory card or the like is used as an information storage medium for storing play data. In the arcade game machine, a memory such as a ROM or a hard disk is used. In this case, the information storage medium 1006 is a ROM 1002.

  The control device 1022 corresponds to a game controller, an operation panel, and the like, and is a device for inputting a result of determination made by the user in accordance with the progress of the game to the device main body.

  In accordance with a program stored in the information storage medium 1006, a system program stored in the ROM 1002 (initialization information of the apparatus main body), a signal input by the control apparatus 1022, the CPU 1000 performs control of the entire apparatus and various data processing. Do. 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. In addition, a data structure (for example, function data shown in FIGS. 9A to 9D) having a logical configuration for realizing the present embodiment is constructed in the RAM 1004 or the information storage medium 1006. become.

  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 output from the RAM 1004, the ROM 1002, the information storage medium 1006, and the like. The display 1018 includes a display device such as a CRT, LCD, TV, plasma display, liquid crystal plasma display, or projector.

  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, It is used for sending and receiving information such as game programs via the.

  1 to 13 includes an information storage medium 1006 that stores a program for performing the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14, a CPU 1000 that operates according to the program, an image generation IC 1010, and a sound generation IC 1008. Etc. Note that 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.

  FIG. 17 shows an example in which the present embodiment is applied to a game device including a host device 1300 and terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n connected to the host device 1300 via a communication line 1302.

  In this case, the program for executing the escape water polygon determination process and the image generation process, the function data shown in FIGS. 9A to 9D, and the like are, for example, a magnetic disk device and magnetic tape that can be controlled by the host device 1300 It is stored in an information storage medium 1306 such as a device or memory. When the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n have a CPU, an image generation IC, and a sound generation IC and can generate game images and game sounds in a stand-alone manner, the host device 1300 A game program for generating game images, game sounds, and the like are 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.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example when the present embodiment is applied to the arcade game device 80. This arcade game apparatus 80 is formed using a racing motorcycle shape as a model, and a user sitting on a seat 88 operates a handle 84, an accelerator, a brake, and the like while listening to a sound output from a speaker 86. Thus, a device for operating a character displayed on the display 82 to enjoy a motorcycle racing game.

  A CPU, an image generation IC, a sound generation IC, and the like are mounted on a system board 92 built in the arcade game device 80. A program for executing the escape water polygon determination process and the image generation process, the function data shown in FIGS. 9A to 9D, and the like are stored in a memory which is an information storage medium on the system board.

  The present invention is not limited to the one described in the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the present embodiment, the escape water polygon 52 is selected from each polygon constituting the object space. However, a moving body called “escape water object” is generated, and this “escape water object” is set in the same manner as the game character. You may make it move.

  Further, the relationship between the distance or depression angle from the virtual camera to the runoff polygon and the area or transparency is defined by a function as shown in FIGS. 9A to 9D, but the area and transparency are independent of the distance and depression angle. May be set.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a reflected area that becomes a texture is specified from the generated background image, mapped to the escape polygon, and then the escape polygon is rendered and combined with the background image. However, the process for the reflection area may be further simplified by directly synthesizing the image of the reflected area specified from the background image at a position corresponding to the runaway polygon in the background image.

  The present invention is not limited to home and business game devices, but also various image generation such as simulators, large attraction devices with many characters participating, personal computers, multimedia terminals, system boards for generating game images, etc. It can also be applied to devices.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Operation part 20 Processing part 22 Game operation part 220 Object space construction part 222 Escape water polygon determination part 224 Virtual camera control part 24 Image generation part 240 Rendering part 242 Texture generation part 30 Display part 40 Information storage medium 42 Game program

Claims (10)

A game device that executes a given game by generating and displaying an image of an object space,
Image generating means for generating an image of the object space viewed from a given viewpoint;
Determining means for determining a reflection area from within the object space;
The reflected area corresponding to the reflection area to be projected on the reflection area determined by the determination means when viewed from the given viewpoint is defined as the line-of-sight direction of the given viewpoint and the normal line of the reflection area. Specifying means for specifying from within the generated image generated by the image generating means using a direction ;
Combining means for combining the image of the reflected area specified by the specifying means with the portion of the reflecting area in the generated image generated by the image generating means;
A game device comprising: A game device that executes a given game by generating and displaying an image of an object space,
Image generating means for generating an image of the object space viewed from a given viewpoint;
Determining means for determining a reflection area from within the object space;
The reflected area corresponding to the reflection area to be projected on the reflection area determined by the determination means when viewed from the given viewpoint is defined as the line-of-sight direction of the given viewpoint and the normal line of the reflection area. Specifying means for specifying from within the generated image generated by the image generating means using a direction ;
Combining means for mapping an image of the reflected area specified by the specifying means to the reflective area;
A game device comprising: In claim 1 or 2,
The game device changes the shape or size of the reflection area according to the distance between the determined position of the reflection area and the given viewpoint. In claim 1 or 2,
The game device that changes the shape or size of the determined reflection area according to the depression angle of the given viewpoint. In claim 1 or 2,
The game device for synthesizing the image by changing the transparency of the image of the reflected area according to the distance between the position of the reflective area and the given viewpoint. In any one of Claims 1-5 ,
The game device that changes the transparency of the image of the reflected area according to the depression angle of the given viewpoint with respect to the reflective area. In any one of Claims 1-6,
The game device for determining a reflection area on a surface of an object in the object space having a given condition. In any one of Claims 1-7,
The determination device is a game device that expresses escape water by moving the position of the reflection region in accordance with the movement of the given viewpoint. A program for causing a computer to execute a given game by generating and displaying an image of an object space,
Image generating means for generating an image of the object space viewed from a given viewpoint;
Determining means for determining a reflection area from within the object space;
The reflected area corresponding to the reflection area to be reflected in the reflection area when viewed from the given viewpoint is determined by using the line-of-sight direction of the given viewpoint and the normal direction of the reflection area. A specifying means for specifying from within the generated image generated by the generating means;
Synthesizing means for synthesizing the image of the reflected area with the portion of the reflective area in the generated image generated by the image generating means;
A computer-readable information storage medium storing a program for causing the computer to function as: A program for causing a computer to execute a given game by generating and displaying an image of an object space,
Image generating means for generating an image of the object space viewed from a given viewpoint;
Determining means for determining a reflection area from within the object space;
The reflected area corresponding to the reflection area to be reflected in the reflection area when viewed from the given viewpoint is determined by using the line-of-sight direction of the given viewpoint and the normal direction of the reflection area. A specifying means for specifying from within the generated image generated by the generating means;
Combining means for mapping an image of the reflected area to the reflective area;
A computer-readable information storage medium storing a program for causing the computer to function as:

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