JP5356139B2 - Video game apparatus and display mode switching control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve smooth switching between 2D display and 3D stereoscopic display; and to prevent stimulus to player's eyes or brain caused by abrupt change of presence of stereoscopic vision. <P>SOLUTION: A device includes: a monitor 11 allowing 3D stereoscopic vision; a virtual camera control part 161d for selectively performing the 2D display mode in which positions or the like of virtual cameras 60L and 60R for photographing images are matched and a 3D stereoscopic display mode in which the two virtual cameras are in predetermined separated positional relationship; an image display control part 161c for displaying on the monitor 11 a 3D stereoscopic image from right and left image data photographed by the two virtual cameras; and a processing part 161k for switching display modes, for transiently switching the two virtual cameras from the positional relationship of one display mode to that of the other display mode when a display mode-instructing part 161j instructs the other display mode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a video game apparatus and a display mode switching control method for selectively switching between a two-dimensional display and a three-dimensional (stereoscopic) display of a game image on a screen.

  Conventionally, various techniques for displaying a 3D image on a display screen have been proposed. As a 3D image display method, a parallax barrier method is generally used, and a parallax panoramagram method, a lenticular method, or the like as an example of a so-called glasses type or a non-glass type using a polarizing material, a liquid crystal shutter, and glasses, etc. Is particularly well known. Furthermore, in recent years, a display technology that enables switching between a 2D image and a 3D image has been proposed. That is, Patent Document 1 describes a mobile phone having a liquid crystal panel monitor that realizes a parallax barrier system. In this patent document 1, when the two-dimensional display is selected, the barrier by the liquid crystal panel is not activated, whereas when the three-dimensional display is selected, the barrier by the liquid crystal panel is activated, and at this time, the network A portable personal computer or mobile phone that displays a three-dimensional image by guiding a left-eye image and a right-eye image, which are three-dimensional images generated based on image data received from an external recording medium via a monitor screen, to a monitor screen The phone is listed.

Japanese Patent No. 397725

  In the device described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary that the content of 3D image data created in advance from a website or email is 3D stereoscopic image data received by a special mobile phone. In addition, it is also described that a processing unit that converts one already created 2D image into 3D stereoscopic image data is built in, but even if one 2D image is converted for 3D stereoscopic viewing, Only pseudo 3D images can be obtained. Furthermore, Patent Document 1 only describes what obtains 3D image data from the outside or forms a pseudo 3D image from one 2D image. Nothing is stated about the relationship. In particular, no problem has been raised regarding the problems associated with switching between 2D display and 3D stereoscopic display.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and by smoothly changing the relationship between the positions of the two virtual cameras, the switching between 2D display and 3D stereoscopic display can be made smooth, and the player's eyes can be changed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a video game apparatus and a display mode switching control method for suppressing stimulation or stimulation caused by a sudden change in the presence or absence of a three-dimensional effect given to a player's brain.

A video game apparatus according to the present invention is a video game apparatus that presents to a player a game image that is captured within an angle of view in a line-of-sight direction of a virtual camera that moves in a virtual game space in response to an operation of an operation member by a player. A 2D display mode having a positional relationship in which a display unit on which a parallax barrier member enabling 3D stereoscopic viewing is arranged on a screen, and first and second virtual camera positions in which the images are captured in the virtual game space and the line of sight coincide with each other And a virtual camera control means for selectively executing the 3D stereoscopic display mode in which the first and second virtual cameras are in a predetermined separated positional relationship in the virtual game space, and the first and second First and second image data captured by the virtual camera are temporarily stored in the first and second image storage units, and the image data in the first and second image storage units is used for each line. In The image display control means for generating a game image taken by the first and second virtual cameras and outputting the game image to the display unit, and the 2D display mode and the 3D stereoscopic display mode are selectively instructed. Based on the display mode instruction means and the instructions of the display mode instruction means, the first and second virtual camera positions are changed transiently from the positional relationship in one display mode to the positional relationship in the other display mode. and a display mode switching process unit, the display mode switching process unit, first due to transient changes of the positional relationship, the displacement speed of the second virtual camera, is changed over time direction, the displacement speed When the display mode is switched from the 2D display mode to the 3D stereoscopic display mode, the initial stage is faster than the latter stage.

The display mode switching control method according to the present invention includes a display unit on which a parallax barrier member that enables 3D stereoscopic viewing is arranged on a display screen, and moves in a virtual game space in response to an operation of the operation member by a player. In the display mode switching control method for a video game apparatus that displays a game image captured within the angle of view of the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera on the display unit, first and second virtual camera positions at which the image is captured in the virtual game space, and A virtual camera that selectively executes a 2D display mode having a positional relationship in which the lines of sight coincide with each other and a 3D stereoscopic display mode in which the first and second virtual cameras are positioned at a predetermined distance in the virtual game space. A control step, and first and second image data captured by the first and second virtual cameras are temporarily stored in the first and second image storage units, and the first and second images are stored. Record Image data for each line is used for each line to generate a game image photographed by the first and second virtual cameras and output to the display unit, the 2D display mode, and the 3D stereoscopic A display mode instruction step for selectively instructing a visual display mode, and the display of the first and second virtual camera positions from the positional relationship in one display mode based on an instruction in the display mode instruction step. and a display mode switching processing step of changing transiently toward the positional relationship in the mode, the display mode switching process step, the displacement speed of the first, second virtual camera due to transient changes of the positional relationship When the display mode is switched from the 2D display mode to the 3D stereoscopic display mode, the initial speed is later. It is a high-speed compared to.

  According to these inventions, the parallax barrier member that enables 3D stereoscopic viewing is arranged on the display screen of the display unit, and the player can view the game image in 3D stereoscopic viewing. The virtual camera moves in the virtual game space in response to an operation on the operation member from the player. A game image that is captured within the angle of view of the viewing direction of the virtual camera is displayed on the display unit and provided to the player. The player operates the operation member while viewing the game image. Then, the virtual game control means has a 2D display mode having a positional relationship in which the first and second virtual camera positions and lines of sight coincide with each other in accordance with the operation of the operation member from the player, and the virtual game space. The 3D stereoscopic display mode in which the first and second virtual cameras are in a predetermined separated positional relationship is selectively executed. As a result, the first and second image data captured by the first and second virtual cameras are temporarily stored in the first and second image storage units by the image display control means, and the first, By using the pixel data of the second image storage unit for each line, a game image photographed by the first and second virtual cameras is generated and output to the display unit.

When the 2D display mode and the 3D stereoscopic display mode are selectively instructed by the display mode instruction unit, the first and second virtual camera positions are determined from the positional relationship in one display mode by the display mode switching processing unit. It is changed transiently toward the positional relationship in the other display mode. Accordingly, in response to this transitional change, the display mode is changed from one to the other by the virtual camera control means and the image display control means. In this way, since the display mode is changed transiently, the stimulation caused by the sudden change in the presence or absence of a stereoscopic effect given to the player's brain is suppressed.
In addition, according to this configuration, when the display mode is switched, the displacement in a mode that reduces the stimulus to the eyes or the brain of the player by changing the displacement speed of the first and second virtual cameras in the temporal direction. The speed can be set.
In addition, according to this configuration, the displacement speed in the latter half becomes moderate, and particularly when the mode is finally switched to the 3D stereoscopic display mode, the stimulation is alleviated. This configuration includes a mode in which the displacement speed gradually decreases.

Further, the virtual camera control means, the first in the set of 3D stereoscopic display mode, it is preferable to set the predetermined viewing direction intersecting the second virtual camera to each other. According to this configuration, since a stereoscopic effect is imparted to a predetermined object or a predetermined front distance in the virtual game space, a more natural 3D stereoscopic display is provided.

Another video game apparatus according to the present invention is a video game apparatus that presents to a player a game image that is captured within an angle of view in a line-of-sight direction of a virtual camera that moves in a virtual game space in response to an operation of an operation member by a player. 2D having a positional relationship in which the display unit on which the parallax barrier member enabling 3D stereoscopic view is arranged on the display screen, and the first and second virtual camera positions where the images are captured in the virtual game space and the line of sight coincide with each other. Virtual camera control means for selectively executing a display mode and a 3D stereoscopic display mode in which the first and second virtual cameras are in a predetermined separated positional relationship in the virtual game space; First and second image data captured by the two virtual cameras are temporarily stored in the first and second image storage units, and the image data in the first and second image storage units is stored for each line. To use The image display control means for generating a game image taken by the first and second virtual cameras and outputting the game image to the display unit, and the 2D display mode and the 3D stereoscopic display mode are selectively instructed. Based on the display mode instruction means and the instructions of the display mode instruction means, the first and second virtual camera positions are changed transiently from the positional relationship in one display mode to the positional relationship in the other display mode. and a display mode switching process unit, the display mode switching process unit, first due to transient changes of the positional relationship, the displacement speed of the second virtual camera, is changed over time direction, the displacement speed When the display mode is switched from the 3D stereoscopic display mode to the 2D display mode, the initial stage is slower than the latter stage.
Another display mode switching control method of the present invention includes a display unit on which a parallax barrier member that enables 3D stereoscopic viewing is arranged on a display screen, and the virtual game space is operated in response to an operation on the operation member by a player. In the display mode switching control method of a video game apparatus for displaying a game image captured within the angle of view in the line-of-sight direction of a moving virtual camera on the display unit, first and second virtual cameras that capture an image in the virtual game space A 2D display mode having a positional relationship in which the position and the line of sight coincide with each other and a 3D stereoscopic display mode in which the first and second virtual cameras are positioned at a predetermined distance in the virtual game space are selectively executed. A virtual camera control step, and first and second image data captured by the first and second virtual cameras are temporarily stored in the first and second image storage units; Image description Image data for each line is used for each line to generate a game image photographed by the first and second virtual cameras and output to the display unit, the 2D display mode, and the 3D stereoscopic A display mode instruction step for selectively instructing a visual display mode, and the display of the first and second virtual camera positions from the positional relationship in one display mode based on an instruction in the display mode instruction step. and a display mode switching processing step of changing transiently toward the positional relationship in the mode, the display mode switching process step, the displacement speed of the first, second virtual camera due to transient changes of the positional relationship When the display mode is switched from the 3D stereoscopic display mode to the 2D display mode, the initial speed is later. It is slower than the.
According to this configuration, since the displacement speed around the start of switching is gentle, the stimulus is alleviated particularly when the mode is finally switched to the 2D display mode. This configuration includes a mode in which the displacement speed gradually increases.

The change situation before Symbol displacement speed, a change of the display mode from the 2D display mode to the 3D stereoscopic display mode, in a change in the opposite, is preferably different. According to this configuration, an appropriate displacement speed can be set for each switching direction.

Further, the display mode switching process unit during transient changes of the positional relationship, the first, it is preferable that setting the viewing direction of the second virtual camera in parallel to each other. According to this configuration, a substantially uniform stereoscopic effect is imparted in the entire depth direction.

Further, the display mode switching process unit during transient changes of the positional relationship, the first, it is preferable that the viewing direction of the second virtual camera is directed to a predetermined position of the virtual game space. According to this configuration, since the stereoscopic view screen is formed around a predetermined object or a predetermined position in the virtual game space, there is a gaze target, and the stimulation is alleviated accordingly.

  According to the present invention, the switching between 2D display and 3D stereoscopic display is smoothly performed, and the presence or absence (formation and disappearance) of the stimulus to the eyes of the player or the sudden stereoscopic effect given to the player's brain is made. Stimulation caused by can be suppressed.

It is a lineblock diagram showing one embodiment of a game system concerning the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of one Embodiment of a game terminal. It is a hardware block diagram which shows one Embodiment of a game terminal. It is a functional block diagram of the control part of a game terminal. It is a hardware block diagram which shows one Embodiment of a server. It is a functional block diagram of the control part of a server. It is a figure for demonstrating the movement of the virtual camera 60, and the movement of a self character. It is a figure for demonstrating the state which took the stance (attack posture). FIG. 9A is a diagram for explaining the principle of a 3D stereoscopic display mode of a game image, FIG. 9A is a simulation diagram showing the relationship between two virtual cameras and a subject, and FIG. 9B is two virtual cameras. It is a simulation diagram which shows the relationship between the image image | photographed by 1 and a monitor image. It is a block diagram for displaying a game image in 3D stereoscopic display mode. It is a screen figure explaining the example of the game screen of a shooting game. It is a screen figure explaining the example of the game screen of a shooting game. It is a screen figure explaining the example of the game screen of a shooting game. It is a screen figure explaining the example of the game screen of a shooting game. It is a screen figure explaining the example of the game screen of a shooting game. It is a screen figure explaining the example of the game screen of a shooting game. It is a screen figure explaining the example of the game screen of a shooting game. FIG. 4A is a diagram for explaining a transitional change between a 2D display mode and a 3D stereoscopic display mode, in which FIG. 1A shows a positional relationship between two virtual cameras, that is, a relationship of a separation distance, and FIG. The difference in the size of the stereoscopic effect given to the player is shown. FIG. (C) is an image diagram of the difference in the size of the stereoscopic effect. It is a figure which shows other embodiment of the change of the positional relationship of two virtual cameras. It is a figure which shows other embodiment of the change of the positional relationship of two virtual cameras. It is a figure explaining the one aspect | mode of the change speed in the transitional change between 2D display mode and 3D stereoscopic display mode. It is a figure explaining the other aspect of the change speed in the transitional change between 2D display mode and 3D stereoscopic display mode. It is a figure explaining the other aspect of the change speed in the transitional change between 2D display mode and 3D stereoscopic display mode. It is a flowchart explaining the procedure of the game process performed by the game program of CPU161 of the game terminal 1. FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the interruption procedure of the switching process between the 2D display mode and the 3D stereoscopic display mode from the game start to the game end, which is executed by the game program of the CPU 161 of the game terminal 1.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a battle game system to which a video game apparatus according to the present invention is applied. The competitive game system is communicably connected to a client terminal device (game terminal) 1 with which identification information is associated with each other, and a plurality of (8 in this case) game terminals 1. A router 2 that is a communication device for connecting between each game terminal 1 and the game terminal 1 of another store via a network (Internet), and a plurality of players that are communicably connected via each router 2. Includes a server 3 that manages information relating to player authentication, player selection, and game history for use with the game terminal 1.

  The game terminal 1 advances a game by a player performing a predetermined operation based on a game screen displayed on a monitor. The identification information associated with the game terminal 1 includes the identification information for each router 2 to which the game terminal 1 is connected (or the identification information of the store where the game terminal 1 is installed) and the game terminal 1. It includes identification information (referred to as a terminal number) for each game terminal 1 in the established store. For example, when the identification information of the store A is A and the identification information of the game terminal 1 in the store A is 4, the identification information of the game terminal 1 is A4.

  The router 2 is communicably connected to a plurality of game terminals 1 and the server 3, and transmits and receives data between the game terminal 1 and the server 3.

  The server 3 is communicably connected to each router 2, stores the player information in association with a user ID for specifying an individual player, and transmits / receives data to / from the game terminal 1 via the router 2. Thus, a player (referred to as an opponent) who plays a game in the same game space as the player is selected.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an embodiment of the game terminal 1. As a battle game performed using the game terminal 1, a shooting game is assumed among the battle games in the present embodiment. In the shooting game, a one-on-one battle mode or a group battle mode is set. The group battle mode is a mode in which a predetermined number of players, for example, four enemies and teammates battle each other. In the battle mode and the group battle mode, operation data is transmitted and received between the network communication unit 18 and the router 2 described later.

  The game terminal 1 includes a monitor unit 10 and a controller unit 20 installed on the front surface of the monitor unit 10, and a mat member 1A is provided between the two. The monitor unit 10 includes a monitor 11 including a liquid crystal display or a plasma display for displaying a game image, a card reader 13 for reading the contents of a personal card, a coin receiving unit 14 for inputting a game fee, and an operation member for specifying a display mode to be described later. For example, a push button 15 is provided. The personal card is a magnetic card or an IC card in which player identification information is recorded as a user ID. Further, although not shown in FIG. 2, a speaker 12 that generates a sound effect or the like at the time of attack (shooting or the like) is disposed.

  In this embodiment, the controller unit 20 includes a chair-type seating unit 21. The seat 21 has armrests 22 and 23 on the left and right. A first operating member 30 and a second operating member 40 having a size that can be gripped by human hands are placed at the distal ends of the right armrest portion 22 and the left armrest portion 23. Specifically, the upper surface of the distal end of the right armrest portion 22 is formed in a planar shape, and the first operation member 30 is placed thereon. A second operation member 40 is placed on the top surface of the distal end of the left armrest 23.

  The first operation member 30 includes an optical mouse 31 on the inner bottom surface side, a trigger button 32 that is a push-type switch on the outer top surface, and a posture change button 33 that is a push switch on the upper side of the side surface. A jog dial 34 is provided. The optical mouse 31 has a known structure and functions as a slide amount detection unit. More specifically, the first operation member 30 receives a projector that projects irradiation light that reflects the outside through a light-transmitting portion formed on a part of the bottom plate, and further receives reflected light from the outside. It incorporates an image sensor for imaging. The amount of movement of the first operation member 30 is obtained by detecting a change in an external image captured by the image sensor. In order to make it possible to detect a change in the captured image, the upper surface of the tip of the right armrest portion 22 is formed with a predetermined roughness. By sliding the first operating member 30 on the upper surface of the right armrest portion 22, the sliding amount in the front-rear and left-right directions can be measured.

  The trigger button 32 detects the push-in operation by pushing the movable part 321 toward the main body to generate an electrical signal such that the movable metal piece (not shown) contacts the other fixed metal piece. is there. The pushing operation is for instructing a shooting action to the self-character displayed on the screen of the monitor 11.

  The posture change button 33 has a structure that can swing on a horizontal plane, and one end side thereof is biased outward. Each time the one end side is pushed against the urging force, a posture of squatting is executed. The jog dial 34 sets the turning speed of the virtual camera 60, and the virtual camera turns at a speed corresponding to the rotation amount of the dial.

  The second operation member 40 includes a joystick 41 for instructing movement of the self character, and further, a holding button 42, an item button 43, and an action button 44, which are push-type switches, are disposed on the front side of the outside. ing. Each button 42, 43, 44 has the same structure as the trigger button 32. The joystick 41 has a known structure, has an operation rod that can be tilted in a desired direction on a horizontal plane, and outputs a signal corresponding to the tilt direction and tilt angle of the operation rod. The signal corresponding to the tilt direction and tilt angle instructs the movement of the self character displayed on the screen of the monitor 11 within the virtual game screen. The tilt angle indicates the moving speed, and the tilt direction indicates the moving direction. The moving direction may be 360 degrees, but is set to a predetermined direction including front, rear, left and right in signal processing. For example, there are 8 directions. Note that the movement speed may be a mode in which the movement speed is constant by switching only between the stop and the movement regardless of the tilt angle, or the movement speed may be set at a predetermined level, for example, two levels.

  The stance button 42 functions as an attack preparation instructing member, and instructs a preparatory action for causing the weapon possessed by the self character to perform an original function by a pushing operation. The item button 43 is a button for changing an item, and is used to cyclically change and set a plurality of types of items (here, weapons) set in advance by a pushing operation. As weapons, those corresponding to the game are prepared. Here, there are rifles and handguns as virtual guns, as well as knives and grenades. When a weapon is designated, a weapon image is virtually carried in the hand of the self character on the screen of the monitor 11. The action button 44 functions as a member for instructing an action, and for example, puts out a martial art in a close battle.

  A control unit 16 (see FIG. 3) including a microcomputer that outputs a detection signal and a control signal to each unit is disposed at an appropriate position of the game terminal 1.

  FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating an embodiment of the game terminal 1. The control unit 16 controls the overall operation of the game terminal 1 and includes an information processing unit (CPU) 161 that performs various information processing in addition to processing related to the overall progress of the game and image display processing, information in the middle of processing, and the like. Are temporarily stored, and a ROM 163 in which predetermined image information, a game program, and the like are stored in advance.

  The external input / output control unit 171 converts the detection signal into a digital signal for processing between the control unit 16 and the detection unit including the card reader 13 and the coin receiving unit 14, and sends the command information to each device of the detection unit. On the other hand, it is converted into a control signal and output, and such signal processing and input / output processing are performed, for example, in a time-sharing manner. The external input / output control unit 171 outputs command information corresponding to each operation on the button 15, the first and second operation members 30, 40 to the control unit 16. The external device control unit 172 performs a control signal output operation to each device of the detection unit and a detection signal input operation from each device of the detection unit within each time division period.

  The drawing processing unit 111 displays a required image on the monitor 11 in accordance with an image display instruction from the control unit 16, and includes a video RAM and the like. The sound reproducing unit 121 outputs a predetermined message, BGM, or the like to the speaker 12 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 16.

  The ROM 163 stores a predetermined number (for example, four persons) of allies, enemy character images, item (weapon) images, background images, various screen images, and the like. Each image is made up of a required number of polygons constituting the image so that three-dimensional drawing is possible, and the drawing processing unit 111 is based on a drawing instruction from the CPU 161 in a three-dimensional space (virtual game space). Performs calculations for conversion from the world coordinate system to the local coordinate system based on the virtual camera, and further conversion to a position in the pseudo 3D space, light source calculation processing, etc. Then, a process for writing image data to be drawn, for example, a process for writing (pasting) texture data to an area of the video RAM designated by a polygon is performed. As the background, for example, abandoned factory ruins or the outdoors (in the city area, in the forest, etc.) that can produce a shooting game are formed with various objects.

  Here, the relationship between the operation of the CPU 161 and the operation of the drawing processing unit 111 will be described. The CPU 161 outputs an image from the ROM 163 based on an operating system (OS) recorded in the ROM 163 as an attachment / detachment method with respect to the built-in or external image information output to the monitor 11 and the image table processing unit for displaying the image information. The game program data based on the voice and control program data and the game rules is read out. Some or all of the read image, sound, control program data, and the like are held on the RAM 162. Thereafter, the CPU 161 is based on a control program stored in the RAM 162, various data (image data including other character images such as polygons and textures of display objects, audio data), a detection signal from the detection unit, and the like. Processing proceeds.

  Of various data stored in the ROM 163, data that can be stored in a removable recording medium can be read by a driver such as a hard disk drive, an optical disk drive, a flexible disk drive, a silicon disk drive, or a cassette medium reader. In this case, the recording medium is, for example, a hard disk, an optical disk, a flexible disk, a CD, a DVD, or a semiconductor memory.

  The network communication unit 18 transmits and receives player operation information and the like generated during the execution of the shooting game to and from the game terminal 1 operated by an ally player or an enemy player via the router 2 and further via the network. belongs to. Further, the network communication unit 18 is for transmitting / receiving information at the time of the player acceptance process and game result information at the time of the game end to / from the server 3 via the router 2 or the like.

  FIG. 4 is a functional configuration diagram of the control unit 16 of the game terminal 1. The CPU 161 of the control unit 16 executes a game program and a control program held on the RAM 162, thereby performing a series of progress from the start to the end of the game, and a reception processing unit 161a that accepts participation from the player in the game. It functions as a game progress control unit 161b that controls and advances the shooting game, and an image display control unit 161c that displays a received image, a game image, and the like on the monitor 11. In addition, the CPU 161 executes a game program and a control program held on the RAM 162, thereby controlling the position and line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera 60 arranged in the virtual game space, and the virtual character of the self character. A character movement processing unit 161e for processing a movement operation in the game space, an attack processing unit 161f for processing an attack operation performed using a weapon virtually possessed by the self-character, and an attack preparation performed prior to the attack operation A stance processing unit 161g that performs a stance movement as an object, a sight display unit 161h that displays an sight that indicates the direction of the attack that is performed along with the execution of the stance operation, and a self-character attacking an enemy character, for example, shooting with a gun Point processing unit 161i that gives predetermined points when hit in In the mode change between the display mode instruction unit 161j for instructing switching between the 2D (dimensional) display mode and the 3D (dimensional) stereoscopic display mode, and between the 2D display mode and the 3D stereoscopic display mode, as will be described later. It functions as a display mode switching processing unit 161k that performs change control of the positional relationship between two virtual cameras, which will be described later, and a communication control unit 161m that performs communication control of various types of information.

  The acceptance processing unit 161 a accepts a personal card inserted into the card reader 13 of the game terminal 1, reads a user ID from the personal card, and transmits the read user ID to the server device 3. In an aspect in which there are a plurality of battle modes, for example, the setting can be made by pressing a joystick 41 or other predetermined button or switch.

  When the optical mouse 31 is operated, the virtual camera control unit 161d adjusts the viewpoint and line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera 60 according to the operation content. The virtual camera control unit 161d sets the position of the virtual camera 60 with a relative positional relationship with the self character. In the present invention, two virtual cameras 60L and 60R are provided to realize 3D stereoscopic display, and details will be described later. The movement of the virtual camera 60 by the optical mouse 31 is performed in the description of FIG.

  When the joystick 41 is operated, the character movement processing unit 161e adjusts the moving direction and moving speed of the self character according to the operation content. When the self-character moves, the virtual camera control unit 161d performs control so as to move in parallel with the movement of the self-character so as to maintain the relative positional relationship. Thereby, the display of the game image centered on the self character is maintained. The processing contents of the virtual camera control unit 161d and the character movement processing unit 161e are reflected on the image displayed on the monitor 11 by the image display control unit 161c.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the movement of the virtual camera 60 and the movement of the self character. In FIG. 7, when the optical mouse 31 is slid by a predetermined distance in the front-rear (up-and-down) direction, the slide amount is measured, and the virtual camera 60 is turned by an angle corresponding to the measured slide amount. When the optical mouse 31 is moved to the front side, if the camera is currently in the “A” position, the camera turns to the “B” position side by an angle corresponding to the slide amount. Conversely, when the optical mouse 31 is moved to the rear side, the camera turns from the “A” position to the “C” position side by an angle corresponding to the slide amount. Further, when the optical mouse 31 is moved to the left and right, assuming that the camera is currently in the “A” position, the camera turns in the left and right directions on the horizontal plane by an angle corresponding to the slide amount. The virtual camera control unit 161d moves the virtual camera 60 in accordance with the input slide direction and slide amount, and as a result, the image display control unit 161c appears within a predetermined angle of view in the visual line direction of the virtual camera 60. The image is displayed on the monitor 11. Therefore, even if the game image is a group shooting game performed in the same virtual game space, the game image centered on each player is displayed on the monitor 11 of the game terminal 1 operated by each player.

  Further, when the operating rod of the joystick 41 is tilted by a predetermined angle in the front-rear and left-right directions, an electrical signal corresponding to the tilt direction and tilt angle is output to the character movement processing unit 161e. The character movement processing unit 161e moves the self character from the electrical signal in the tilt direction at a speed corresponding to the tilt angle. The moving direction is set to front, back, left and right with reference to the direction in which the self character is actually facing. FIG. 7 shows the movement in the forward direction. By moving the self character in a desired direction, the game can be advantageously advanced by approaching or retreating to the enemy character. Further, by operating the optical mouse 31 during the movement of the self character, it is possible to move accurately while confirming the surroundings of the self character.

  The attack processing unit 161f receives an operation of the trigger button 32, and causes the enemy character to attack the enemy character with the weapon he possesses. The stance processing unit 161g directs the direction of the self character in the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera 60 when the stance button 42 is pressed. Specifically, the direction of the weapon held by the self character, for example, the muzzle of a gun, is made coincident with or parallel to the viewing direction of the virtual camera 60. By the way, as for the viewpoint of the virtual camera 60, a third person viewpoint (TPS) display mode set to a diagonally backward position of a part of the self character (for example, the upper body part), a face position of the self character, or a weapon position. And first person shooter (FPS) display mode. When the holding button 42 is pressed, the position of the virtual camera 60 is controlled in the third person viewpoint position display mode, and the virtual camera control unit 161d substantially matches the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera 60 with the self character (over shoulder position). Therefore, the center of the monitor 11 is the position over the shoulder of the self character (see, for example, FIG. 15).

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a state in which a stance (attack posture) is taken. In FIG. 8, the virtual camera 60 is directed substantially forward. In this state, when the holding button 42 is pressed, the direction of the muzzle of the virtual gun is the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera 60 regardless of the direction of the self character. Directed forward. On the left side of FIG. 8, screen views A and B when the gun object is held are described. Screen views A and B are displayed here in the first person viewpoint position display mode. As shown in the screen diagram A, an aim 11a indicating the direction of the muzzle is displayed at the center of the screen. The aim display unit 161h displays the aim 11a in conjunction with the operation of the posture processing unit 161g. In screen A, the positions of the aim 11a and the enemy character 110 do not match, and even if the trigger button 32 is pressed in this state, the enemy character 110 is not hit. Therefore, as shown in the screen diagram B, that is, by sliding the optical mouse 31 leftward with respect to the screen diagram A by a given amount, the aim 11a can be superimposed on the enemy character 110. Specifically, the enemy character 110 moves relative to the center of the screen of the monitor 11 (relative to the aim 11a) and overlaps. Accordingly, when the trigger button 32 is pushed in this state, the enemy character 110 is hit.

  The attack processing unit 161f may calculate the trajectory of the bullet fired from the muzzle and display the trajectory according to the calculation result, or, as in the present embodiment, the center of the cross-shaped aim 11a. The bullet may pass virtually through a circle (predetermined region) having a predetermined diameter. If it does in this way, if a part of enemy character 110 has overlapped in this predetermined field, it will be hit. Note that the bullet does not necessarily advance to the center of the cross-shaped sight 11a. For example, a process in which the muzzle of a machine gun or the like is irregularly shaken, or a process in which the shooting direction is shaken while the self-character is moving is performed. You may go.

  When the attack on the enemy character is successful, the point processing unit 161i accumulates a predetermined point for each sniper hit, for example. At the end of the game, the sum of points may be obtained for each ally and enemy side, and the victory or defeat may be determined based on the sum. In addition, when hit, an operation of falling for a predetermined time may be performed as an effect, and during that time, instructions for movement or attack may be prohibited. In addition, a predetermined life value is given by the point processing unit 161i at the start of the game, and every time it is hit, the life value is decreased by a predetermined value, and when the life reaches the value 0, return to the game is prohibited. That is, only the player may forcibly end the game.

  The display mode instruction unit 161j determines such a situation in response to an operation on the button 15 by the player, or when the game progress reaches a predetermined situation set in advance or returns to the original state. This automatically instructs the switching of the display method between the 2D display mode and the 3D stereoscopic display mode. The 2D display mode displays the 3D image as it is, and the 3D stereoscopic display mode refers to the left and right images with parallax when the 3D image is viewed with the left and right eyes. A stereoscopic effect is imparted by guiding only to the eyes.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the principle of the 3D stereoscopic display mode of the game image. FIG. 9A is a simulation diagram showing the relationship between the two virtual cameras and the subject, and FIG. It is a simulation figure which shows the relationship between the image image | photographed with the virtual camera of a stand, and a monitor image. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram for displaying a game image in the 3D stereoscopic display mode.

  Two virtual cameras 60L corresponding to the left eye and a virtual camera 60R corresponding to the right eye are prepared in the virtual game space. The virtual cameras 60L and 60R have a predetermined positional relationship, and the line-of-sight direction intersects at a predetermined position in the depth direction, typically at the position of a character or object as a subject in the virtual game space. . The image storage unit 162L indicates a partial memory area in the RAM 162, and image data of one scene in the virtual game space photographed by the virtual camera 60L is written therein. The image storage unit 162R indicates a partial memory area in the RAM 162, and image data of one scene in the virtual game space photographed by the virtual camera 60R is written therein. Objects OB1 and OB2 shown in FIG. 9A are images of subjects included in the scene. In the virtual cameras 60L and 60R, the line of sight is set toward the object OB1 here. For convenience of explanation, an image photographed by the virtual camera 60L is represented by a vertical line, and an image photographed by the virtual camera 60R is represented by a horizontal line.

  The images in the image storage units 162L and 162R are combined and displayed on the monitor 11. As will be described later, a sheet parallax barrier member 71 (for example, trade name Xpol (registered trademark), manufactured by Arisawa Manufacturing Co., Ltd.) is affixed on the screen of the monitor 11. The parallax barrier member 71 is formed by regularly arranging fine polarizing elements, and a vertical polarization region in which vertical slits are alternately formed at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction (corresponding to the line width of one horizontal scan). And a lateral polarization region in which a lateral slit is formed. As a result, among the image light from the monitor 11, only the vertically polarized light passes in the vertically polarized region, and only the horizontally polarized light passes in the horizontally polarized region (see FIG. 9B). The spectacles 72 are attached with fine polarizing elements (polarizing materials) for longitudinally polarized light and laterally polarized light on the left and right sides. The left eye side allows only vertically polarized light to pass therethrough, and the right eye side allows only horizontally polarized light to pass therethrough. Therefore, by viewing the polarized light image from the monitor 11 by wearing (using) the glasses 72, a parallax image is provided to the left and right eyes, and a 3D stereoscopic image can be viewed. (Obtains a three-dimensional effect).

  More specifically, in FIG. 10, the virtual cameras 60L and 60R repeat the photographing operation every predetermined period, for example, 1/60 (second), and images taken at each timing are temporarily stored in the image storage units 162L and 162R. Is written to. The storage capacities of the image storage units 162L and 162R are n rows in the vertical direction and m columns in the horizontal direction, and the storage capacities of the video RAM 162C are 2n rows in the vertical direction and m columns in the horizontal direction.

  The R / W address control unit 161c-1 of the image display control unit 161c sequentially reads the image data of each row of the image storage unit 162L, and sequentially writes the image data to odd rows (lines) of the video RAM 162C. Each time the writing of one line is completed, the R / W address control unit 161c-1 sequentially reads out the image data of each row of the image storage unit 162R, and sequentially writes the even number rows (lines) of the video RAM 162C. Write. The R / W address control unit 161c-1 generates a read address and a write address for that purpose, and generates a chip select signal. With this series of writing processes, image data for both the left and right eyes is created in the video RAM 162C.

  The image data in the video RAM 162C is repeatedly read out to the monitor 11 at a predetermined high speed. The number of pixels (number of pixels) of the monitor 11 is 2n × m corresponding to the video RAM 162C. As shown in the image (vertical lines and horizontal lines are alternately attached) in FIG. 10, the parallax barrier member 71 is fine for vertical polarization and horizontal polarization described above for each row of pixels in the vertical direction. Polarizing elements are arranged alternately.

  The storage capacity of the image storage units 162L and 162R for storing images captured by the virtual cameras 60L and 60R is set to 2n rows in the vertical direction so as to correspond to the number of pixels in the vertical direction of the monitor 11, thereby displaying the 3D stereoscopic display. The same resolution as in the case of 2D display may be maintained. Further, the contents stored in the image storage units 162L and 162R may be directly output to the monitor 11 in the same manner as reading out to the video RAM 162C, that is, in synchronization. In this way, a mode in which the video RAM 162C is not used is possible.

  The above description is a case where the virtual cameras 60L and 60R are set at different positions having a predetermined positional relationship. Next, the 2D display mode will be described.

  When an instruction signal for switching the 3D stereoscopic display mode to the 2D display mode is output from the display mode instruction unit 161j, the virtual camera control unit 161d matches the positions of the virtual cameras 60L and 60R and also matches the line-of-sight direction. In addition, the position control of the virtual cameras 60L and 60R is performed. As a result, the same images are taken by the virtual cameras 60L and 60R, and the image data in the image storage units 161L and 162R are also the same. As a result, in the video RAM 162C, image data is embedded in each row by the same processing as in the case of 3D stereoscopic display. That is, no parallax occurs between the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye, so that the player wearing the glasses 72 cannot give a stereoscopic effect, and as a result, the 3D image is displayed in the 2D display mode. It becomes a normal display mode. When the instruction signal for switching the 2D display mode to the 3D stereoscopic display mode is output from the display mode instruction unit 161j, the result is that the positions of the virtual cameras 60L and 60R are conversely set to a predetermined positional relationship. The parallax occurs between the left and right eyes, and the image can be displayed stereoscopically. In this way, it is possible to switch between the 2D display mode and the 3D stereoscopic display mode only by changing the arrangement positions of the virtual cameras 60L and 60R. A control program for changing the display mode is stored in the ROM 163 in advance.

  The virtual camera control unit 161d sets the position of the virtual cameras 60L and 60R in the 3D stereoscopic display mode as follows. That is, position information controlled when one virtual camera is assumed is set as a reference position (center position), and virtual cameras corresponding to the left and right sides are arranged at positions separated by a predetermined distance on the left and right sides. It is natural and preferable that the distance between the virtual cameras 60L and 60R corresponds to the distance between the human eyes. In this case, the position processing may be performed based on the position of one of the virtual cameras 60L and 60R.

  Returning to FIG. 4, the RAM 162 of the control unit 16 stores the game progress information during the shooting game in the same virtual game space for each player, that is, through the self and the network communication unit 18. And a setting information storage unit 162b for storing setting information and point information set by various switches and buttons. Each time the game ends, the communication control unit 161m transmits the point information to the server device 3 together with the player user ID, the game terminal 1, and the store identification information.

  FIG. 5 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating an embodiment of the server device 3. The control unit 36 controls the overall operation of the server device 3, and includes an information processing unit (CPU) 361, a RAM 362 for temporarily storing personal information of the player, information regarding each player's game, and the like, and a management unit. And a ROM 363 in which predetermined image information and a management program are stored in advance.

  Among various data stored in the ROM 363, data that can be stored in a removable recording medium can be read by a driver such as a hard disk drive, an optical disk drive, a flexible disk drive, a silicon disk drive, or a cassette medium reader. In this case, the recording medium is, for example, a hard disk, an optical disk, a flexible disk, a CD, a DVD, or a semiconductor memory.

  The network communication unit 38 transmits / receives various data to / from the corresponding game terminal 1 according to the terminal identification information via any of the plurality of routers 2 via a network such as WWW.

  The management program is recorded on the ROM 363, loaded onto the RAM 362, and each function is realized by the CPU 361 sequentially executing the game progress program on the RAM 362.

  FIG. 6 is a functional configuration diagram of the control unit 36 of the server device 3. The RAM 362 includes a player information storage unit 362a that stores personal information such as a user ID and a history storage unit 362b that stores a game history including game results for each player in an update manner.

  The CPU 361 of the control unit 36 performs a series of reception management in response to the storage control unit 361a that records each information in the player information storage unit 362a and the history storage unit 362b, and the game participation reception of the player at each game terminal 1. A combination of a reception unit 361b that executes processing and a predetermined number of players (for example, four players on each side and the enemy side) playing in the same virtual game space from the players received by the reception unit 361b will be described later. And a communication control unit 361d that exchanges information with each game terminal 1.

  The accepting unit 361b accepts participation in the game by accepting the personal information of the user ID of the player transmitted from the game terminal 1 and the identification information of the game terminal 1 and the store.

  In addition, when the player is designated to participate in the battle game, the reception unit 361b instructs the selection unit 361c to perform a selection process for combining opponents. Conditions for causing the selection unit 361c to be positioned in the same game space are set. For example, the order of participation acceptance is common. It is also preferable to preferentially allocate participation from the same store to the same game space. For example, almost simultaneous participation from the unified store is set as a friend player in the same game space, assuming that the player is a fellow player. If the teammate player does not reach the number of members, that is, four in this case, it is only necessary to allocate those who wish to participate from other stores. The enemy group is determined in the same way.

  Alternatively, when participating in a shooting game of a plurality of players, by specifying the game terminal 1 (master machine received first) in the same store and specifying that it is a friend using the screen of the monitor 11, , It is possible to make sure that the members of the simultaneous participation are members.

  When the selection unit 361c determines the association between the player and the virtual game space, the communication control unit 361d transmits information to that effect to the game terminal 1 that has accepted the participation. Further, when all players are associated with the virtual game space, the communication control unit 361d obtains each player information (at least the game terminal 1 operated by each player and the identification information of the store where the game terminal 1 is installed). The data is transmitted to each other's game terminal 1. Thereby, operation information can be exchanged between the game terminals 1.

  Next, an example of a game screen of a shooting game will be described with reference to FIGS. The instruction signal for switching the 2D display mode to the 3D stereoscopic display mode output from the display mode instruction unit 161j of FIG. 4 is generated when the following game progress situation is reached. Note that by pressing the button 15, for example, a display mode change instruction can be alternately performed, but the 2D display mode may be switched to the 3D stereoscopic display mode depending on other conditions. Then, when the predetermined game situation ends, the 2D display mode may be automatically returned, or the 3D stereoscopic display mode may be maintained until the button 15 is pressed.

  FIG. 11 shows a scene in which a fellow character P12 is displayed in addition to the self-character P11 in the battle image, and in particular, a case where an enemy character P21 appears on the monitor 11 screen. In such a scene, since powerful display is preferable, the situation of the appearance of an enemy character is determined, and the mode is switched to the 3D stereoscopic display mode.

  FIG. 12 is a scene assuming a case where the self-character P11 and the enemy character P21 fight. Also in this scene, since a powerful display is preferable, the 3D stereoscopic display mode is set. When the situation of the start of the fight is determined, the mode is switched to the 3D stereoscopic display mode.

  13 and 14 are scenes assuming an explosion, FIG. 13 is an attack scene by a grenade, and FIG. 14 is an object explosion scene. These scenes are set to a 3D stereoscopic display mode in order to produce a powerful attack. When the situation in which the grenade is thrown is determined and the occurrence of an explosion is determined, the mode is switched to the 3D stereoscopic display mode.

  FIGS. 15 and 16 are scenes assuming a situation in which a gun is held. FIG. 15 is a shoulder-over (TPS) display, and FIG. 16 is a muzzle position (FPS) display. When you hold a gun, it ’s just before shooting, so you ’ll need a powerful perspective. Therefore, when it is determined that the trigger button 32 is pressed, the mode is switched to the 3D stereoscopic display mode. Note that, from the perspective of perspective force, only the case of FIG. 16 may be switched to the 3D stereoscopic display mode.

  FIG. 17 is a scene assuming that the self character P11 is flying. Similarly, when the vehicle is on a vehicle such as a helicopter, similarly, since it is necessary to produce the force of perspective in the air, it is displayed in the 3D stereoscopic display mode when it is determined that it is in flight. .

  FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining a transitional change between the 2D display mode and the 3D stereoscopic display mode. FIG. 18A shows the positional relationship between the two virtual cameras, that is, the relationship between the separation distances. (B) shows the difference in the size of the stereoscopic effect given to the player, and FIG. (C) is an image diagram of the difference in the size of the stereoscopic effect.

  As shown in the left diagram of FIG. 18A, when the virtual cameras 60L and 60R are overlapped (the separation distance is zero and the line-of-sight directions are the same), the left diagrams of FIGS. Thus, the image is displayed in the 2D display mode. On the other hand, in the 3D stereoscopic display mode, the distance between the virtual cameras 60L and 60R is set to a predetermined positional relationship P1. In the example of FIG. 18, two-stage positional relationships P2 and P3 are transiently set between a state where the virtual cameras 60L and 60R are in the overlapping positional relationship P4 and a state where the virtual cameras 60L and 60R are in the positional relationship P1. The positional relationship P2 is set to a predetermined distance in which the separation distance between the virtual cameras 60L and 60R is shorter than the separation distance in the positional relationship P1, and the positional relationship P3 is a predetermined distance in which the separation distance between the virtual cameras 60L and 60R is shorter than the positional relationship P2. It is. In the positional relationships P2 and P3 with respect to the positional relationship P1, the stereoscopic effect of the 3D stereoscopic display becomes smaller in this order. In this embodiment, the line-of-sight directions of the virtual cameras 60L and 60R are set so as to intersect assuming a predetermined subject (or a predetermined forward distance). 18B and 18C show the positional relationships P1 and P3 because of the display space. Further, the positional relationship in the middle of the transient display is not limited to two stages P2 and P3, and any number of stages can be employed.

  19 and 20 are diagrams showing another embodiment of a change in the positional relationship between two virtual cameras. FIG. 19 shows a case where the viewing directions of the virtual cameras 60L and 60R are parallel to each other and only the separation distance is changed. FIG. 20 shows a case in which the distance between the virtual cameras 60L and 60R is constant, and the line-of-sight direction is changed from a short distance (a large stereoscopic effect) to a long distance (a small stereoscopic effect). 19 and 20 do not show the 2D display mode.

  FIGS. 21 to 23 are diagrams illustrating each aspect of the displacement speed in the transitional change between the 2D display mode and the 3D stereoscopic display mode. The transitional change of the display mode in FIGS. 21 to 23 is performed in multiple stages as shown, and is in a substantially continuous state. In FIG. 21, the displacement speed from the 3D stereoscopic display mode to the 2D display mode is such that the speeds of the initial stage and the late stage are in the direction in which the virtual cameras 60L and 60R are changed from the most separated position to the overlapping position. Fast and medium speed is set to be slow. In FIG. 22, the initial speed is set to be slow and the late speed is set to be high. More specifically, the speed is set to gradually increase. In FIG. 23, contrary to FIG. 22, the initial speed is set high and the late speed is set low. More specifically, the speed is set to gradually decrease. The speed change is realized by, for example, the amount of change in the separation distance set every certain time. Note that the line-of-sight directions are all parallel, but the directions may intersect at a predetermined object OB or at a predetermined forward distance. Further, the displacement speed from the 2D display mode to the 3D stereoscopic display mode is the reverse of the above as shown in FIGS. 21 to 23, but is not limited to this, and the 2D display from the 3D stereoscopic display mode is performed. You may make it become the same as the change condition of the displacement speed to a mode.

  In order to realize a transitional change between the 2D display mode and the 3D stereoscopic display mode, the ROM 163 has virtual cameras 60L and 60R for realizing a transient change from the 2D display mode to the 3D stereoscopic display mode. Are stored. Similarly, information on a plurality of steps of the virtual cameras 60L and 60R for realizing a transitional change from the 3D stereoscopic display mode to the 2D display mode is stored. When the display mode switching processing unit 161k is instructed to change the display mode, the display mode is changed by sequentially reading out information on the distances of the plurality of stages of the virtual cameras 60L and 60R from the ROM 163.

  Next, FIG. 24 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure of the game process executed by the game program of the CPU 161 of the game terminal 1. First, it is determined whether or not the reception is completed (step S1). If the reception is not completed, the present flow is exited. On the other hand, if the acceptance is finished, a battle game mode selection process is executed by displaying a battle game mode selection button on the monitor 11 (step S3). The screen display in step S3 may be performed in the 3D stereoscopic display mode. For example, a setting is made so that the virtual camera is transitioned from a state in which two virtual cameras overlap (2D display mode) to a preset separation distance that gives a stereoscopic effect and switched to the 3D stereoscopic display mode.

  When the selection of the battle game mode or the like is finished, the battle is started, and at this time, permission to interrupt the instruction signal in the 2D display mode and the 3D stereoscopic display mode is set (step S5). Subsequently, the battle is started (step S7).

  In the battle, the battle proceeds by repeating the following processing. That is, in this embodiment, it is determined whether or not the joystick 41 has been operated (step S9). If this determination is negative, it is determined whether or not the optical mouse 31 has been operated (step S13). If the determination is negative, it is determined whether the holding button 42 has been operated (step S17). If this determination is negative, it is determined whether the trigger button 32 has been operated (step S21). If the determination is negative, it is determined whether or not the action button 44 has been operated (step S25). If this determination is negative, it is determined whether or not the posture change button 33 has been operated (step S29). If this determination is negative, a point calculation process is executed (step S33). In step S33, when all the determinations are denied, the calculation process is passed.

  A process corresponding to each determination is executed. That is, when the joystick 41 is operated, the movement process of the self character is executed (step S11), and when the optical mouse 31 is operated, the virtual cameras 60L and 60R are executed (step S15). When the button 42 is operated, the virtual cameras 60L and 60R are set to either the shoulder over (TPS) display in FIG. 15 or the muzzle position (FPS) display in FIG. 16 (step S19). Further, when the trigger button 32 is operated, a shooting process is executed (step S23). When the action button 44 is operated, a technique is advanced in fighting (step S27). When the posture change button 33 is operated, The posture of the self character is changed (step S31). Then, every time each process is completed, a point addition calculation process is performed (step S33). Through the above processes, the game progresses according to the operation of the player and further according to the game program.

  Next, an internal timer (not shown) determines whether or not the predetermined game time has elapsed and the time is up (step S35). If the time is not up, the process returns to step S9. On the other hand, if the time is up, and if the display mode is the 3D stereoscopic display mode, after the transition from the 3D stereoscopic display mode to the 2D display mode is made transiently, the result processing at the end of the game, for example, the point acquisition status Each process for winning / losing and displaying the result is executed (step S37), and this flow ends.

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart for explaining the interruption procedure of the switching process between the 2D display mode and the 3D stereoscopic display mode from the start of the game to the end of the game, which is executed by the game program of the CPU 161 of the game terminal 1. is there. First, it is determined whether or not it is an instruction signal for switching from the 2D display mode to the 3D stereoscopic display mode, and if affirmative, it is determined whether or not the current display mode is the 3D stereoscopic display mode (step S53). . If the current display mode is the 3D stereoscopic display mode, this flow is exited. On the other hand, if the current display mode is not the 3D stereoscopic display mode, the positions of the virtual cameras 60L and 60R are changed transiently in the direction in which the separation distance is sequentially increased from the overlapped state so as to have a predetermined separated positional relationship. It is set (step S55).

  On the other hand, if it is not an instruction signal for switching from the 2D display mode to the 3D stereoscopic display mode in step S51, it is determined whether or not the current display mode is the 2D display mode (step S57). If the current display mode is the 2D display mode, this flow is exited. On the other hand, if the current display mode is not the 2D display mode, the positions of the virtual cameras 60L and 60R are transiently changed from the predetermined separated positional relationship in the direction in which the separation distance is sequentially reduced, and finally the position is changed. And the line-of-sight directions are set to coincide with each other (step S59).

  Note that the transitional display mode switching processing (displacement processing of the virtual cameras 60L and 60R) between the 2D display mode and the 3D stereoscopic display mode shown in FIGS. 24 and 25 is performed as follows, for example. Executed. When the input of the display mode switching instruction signal is received, the read contents of the plurality of steps of distance information stored in advance in the ROM 163 differ depending on whether the 2D display mode is changed to the 3D stereoscopic display mode or vice versa. The process of changing the position set for the two virtual cameras 60L and 60R is performed for each stage at a predetermined fixed time (timed by an internal timer) until the processes of the plurality of stages are completed. That's fine. At this time, it is possible to adjust the displacement speed by setting the difference in the separation distance between the adjacent stages to each other and setting the size in advance in the ROM 163 as shown in the examples of FIGS. Become. Alternatively, the displacement speed may be adjusted by making the difference in the separation distance between adjacent stages constant and changing the time interval for each stage longer or shorter.

  In addition, in the above, the interruption of the instruction signal for switching from the 2D display mode to the 3D stereoscopic display mode is not the case where the push button 15 is pressed, but the game progress has shifted to the situation of FIGS. This may be included as a condition.

  In addition, the following aspects are employable for this invention.

(1) In this embodiment, although it was set as the battle game which employ | adopted 1st, 2nd operation parts 30 and 40, this invention is applicable to various games, 1st, 2nd operation parts 30, 40 is an example. The game may be a mode in which the game is executed in the virtual game space and the virtual camera can move in the virtual game space according to the progress of the game or the operation of the player. The game can be applied to a fighting game, a battle game simulating baseball or soccer, a competition game such as a time trial, a mahjong game, a breeding game for nurturing characters, and the like.

(2) Moreover, in this embodiment, although the spectacles were made into the essential element, when the following aspects are employ | adopted, the aspect which does not employ | adopt glasses may be sufficient. That is, a parallax panoramagram method or a lenticular method as an example of a non-glass type may be employed.

(3) In the present embodiment, the image storage units 162L and 162R are operated in the same manner as in the 3D stereoscopic display mode for drawing in the 2D display mode. An aspect in which an image of each line is read out using one of the storage units 162L and 162R and output to the monitor 11 may be used. According to this, 2D display can be obtained by only one image storage unit.

(4) In this embodiment, each game image shot by the two virtual cameras 60L and 60R is temporarily written in the image storage units 162L and 162R. However, the video memory 162L and 162R are not adopted, and the video is directly recorded. Alternatively, the data may be alternately written to the RAM 162C for each line. In this case, the video RAM 162C functions as the image storage units 162L and 162R. Although the left and right images are alternately arranged in the row direction, one of the matrices, that is, the column direction may be used.

  In addition, the storage capacity of the image storage units 162L and 162R is ½ of the number of pixels of the monitor 11, while the virtual cameras 60L and 60R each capture the inside of the virtual game space with the number of pixels corresponding to the number of pixels of the monitor 11. It is good also as an aspect. Specifically, the odd-numbered image of the image captured by the virtual camera 60L is written to the first to n-th rows of the image storage unit 162L, and the even-numbered image of the image captured by the virtual camera 60R is written. The image is written in the first to nth rows of the image storage unit 162R, and the image data in the image storage unit 162L is written in the odd-numbered rows of the video RAM 162C (2n in the row direction), and the image storage unit 162R The image data may be written in even-numbered rows of the video RAM 162C. As described above, when obtaining the same resolution as that of 2D display in 3D stereoscopic display, it is not always necessary to match the storage capacity of the image storage units 162L and 162R with the number of pixels of the monitor 11, and the pixel data captured by the virtual camera is the pixel. If the number matches, the same resolution can be realized by signal processing.

(5) In this embodiment, a transient display is performed in switching between the 2D display mode and the 3D stereoscopic display mode. However, the magnitude of the stimulus received by the eye or the brain caused by the change of the display mode is used. Thus, the transitional display may be performed in the change from the 2D display mode to the 3D stereoscopic display mode.

(6) Further, there is one virtual camera 60, and the virtual camera 60L is a camera in which the virtual camera 60 is placed at the first virtual camera position and the first image data is copied. As the virtual camera 60 is arranged at the second virtual camera position and captures the second image data, the position is moved continuously, preferably alternately so that an image is captured at each position. May be. At this time, a method of specifying the position of the other virtual camera after specifying the position of one virtual camera may be used, or after specifying an intermediate position between the two virtual camera positions, Specify the camera position and create an image. According to this, since only one camera is required, processing is simplified.

1 Game terminal (video game device)
10 Monitor section 11 Monitor (display section)
15 Push button (display mode instruction means)
161c Image display control unit (image display control means)
161d Virtual camera control unit (virtual camera control means)
161j Display mode instruction section (display mode instruction means)
161k Display mode switching processing unit (display mode switching processing means)
162L, 162R Image storage unit 162C Video RAM
60L, 60R virtual cameras (first and second virtual cameras)
71 Parallax barrier member 72 Glasses

Claims (8)

In a video game apparatus that presents to a player a game image that is captured within an angle of view in a line-of-sight direction of a virtual camera that moves in a virtual game space in response to an operation on an operation member from the player,
A display unit on which a parallax barrier member enabling 3D stereoscopic viewing is disposed on a display screen;
A 2D display mode having a positional relationship in which the first and second virtual camera positions and lines of sight that capture images in the virtual game space coincide with each other, and the first and second virtual cameras are separated from each other by a predetermined distance in the virtual game space. Virtual camera control means for selectively executing a 3D stereoscopic display mode that achieves the positional relationship;
The first and second image data captured by the first and second virtual cameras are temporarily stored in the first and second image storage units, and the images in the first and second image storage units are stored. Image display control means for generating a game image photographed by the first and second virtual cameras by using data for each line and outputting the game image to the display unit;
Display mode instruction means for selectively instructing the 2D display mode and the 3D stereoscopic display mode;
Display mode switching processing means for transiently changing the first and second virtual camera positions from the positional relationship in one display mode to the positional relationship in the other display mode based on an instruction from the display mode instruction means; equipped with a,
Display mode switching process unit, first due to transient changes of the positional relationship, the displacement speed of the second virtual camera, is changed over time direction,
The video game apparatus characterized in that, when the display mode is switched from the 2D display mode to the 3D stereoscopic display mode, the initial speed of the displacement is higher than the latter period. In a video game apparatus that presents to a player a game image that is captured within an angle of view in a line-of-sight direction of a virtual camera that moves in a virtual game space in response to an operation on an operation member from the player,
A display unit on which a parallax barrier member enabling 3D stereoscopic viewing is disposed on a display screen;
A 2D display mode having a positional relationship in which the first and second virtual camera positions and lines of sight that capture images in the virtual game space coincide with each other, and the first and second virtual cameras are separated from each other by a predetermined distance in the virtual game space. Virtual camera control means for selectively executing a 3D stereoscopic display mode that achieves the positional relationship;
The first and second image data captured by the first and second virtual cameras are temporarily stored in the first and second image storage units, and the images in the first and second image storage units are stored. Image display control means for generating a game image photographed by the first and second virtual cameras by using data for each line and outputting the game image to the display unit;
Display mode instruction means for selectively instructing the 2D display mode and the 3D stereoscopic display mode;
Display mode switching processing means for transiently changing the first and second virtual camera positions from the positional relationship in one display mode to the positional relationship in the other display mode based on an instruction from the display mode instruction means; equipped with a,
Display mode switching process unit, first due to transient changes of the positional relationship, the displacement speed of the second virtual camera, is changed over time direction,
The video game apparatus characterized in that, when the display mode is switched from the 3D stereoscopic display mode to the 2D display mode, the initial displacement speed is lower than the latter period.   3. The video game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the virtual camera control unit sets the first and second virtual cameras in a predetermined line-of-sight direction that intersects each other in the setting of the 3D stereoscopic display mode. .   The change state of the displacement speed is different depending on a change of the display mode from the 2D display mode to the 3D stereoscopic display mode and vice versa. Video game equipment. Display mode switching processing unit during transient changes of the positional relationship, the first, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that by setting the viewing direction of the second virtual camera in parallel to each other Video game device.   The display mode switching processing means directs the line-of-sight direction of the first and second virtual cameras to a predetermined position in the virtual game space during the transitional change of the positional relationship. The video game device according to any one of 1 to 4. The display screen includes a display unit on which a parallax barrier member that enables 3D stereoscopic viewing is disposed, and is within an angle of view in a line-of-sight direction of a virtual camera that moves in a virtual game space in response to an operation by a player on the operation member. In a display mode switching control method for a video game apparatus for displaying a captured game image on the display unit,
A 2D display mode having a positional relationship in which the first and second virtual camera positions and lines of sight that capture images in the virtual game space coincide with each other, and the first and second virtual cameras are separated from each other by a predetermined distance in the virtual game space. A virtual camera control step of selectively executing a 3D stereoscopic display mode in which the positional relationship is set;
The first and second image data captured by the first and second virtual cameras are temporarily stored in the first and second image storage units, and the images in the first and second image storage units are stored. An image display control step of generating a game image photographed by the first and second virtual cameras by using data for each line and outputting the game image to the display unit;
A display mode instruction step for selectively instructing the 2D display mode and the 3D stereoscopic display mode;
Display mode switching processing for transiently changing the position of the first and second virtual cameras from the positional relationship in one display mode to the positional relationship in the other display mode based on an instruction in the display mode instruction step With steps ,
Display mode switching process step, first due to transient changes of the positional relationship, the displacement speed of the second virtual camera, is changed over time direction,
When the display mode is switched from the 2D display mode to the 3D stereoscopic display mode, the initial speed of the displacement is higher than the latter period. The display screen includes a display unit on which a parallax barrier member that enables 3D stereoscopic viewing is disposed, and is within an angle of view in a line-of-sight direction of a virtual camera that moves in a virtual game space in response to an operation by a player on the operation member. In a display mode switching control method for a video game apparatus for displaying a captured game image on the display unit,
A 2D display mode having a positional relationship in which the first and second virtual camera positions and lines of sight that capture images in the virtual game space coincide with each other, and the first and second virtual cameras are separated from each other by a predetermined distance in the virtual game space. A virtual camera control step of selectively executing a 3D stereoscopic display mode in which the positional relationship is set;
The first and second image data captured by the first and second virtual cameras are temporarily stored in the first and second image storage units, and the images in the first and second image storage units are stored. An image display control step of generating a game image photographed by the first and second virtual cameras by using data for each line and outputting the game image to the display unit;
A display mode instruction step for selectively instructing the 2D display mode and the 3D stereoscopic display mode;
Display mode switching processing for transiently changing the position of the first and second virtual cameras from the positional relationship in one display mode to the positional relationship in the other display mode based on an instruction in the display mode instruction step With steps ,
Display mode switching process step, first due to transient changes of the positional relationship, the displacement speed of the second virtual camera, is changed over time direction,
When the display mode is switched from the 3D stereoscopic display mode to the 2D display mode, the initial speed of the displacement is lower than the latter period.

Images