JP5778637B2 - Program and game device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a program for causing a computer to evaluate an operation input timing when an operation is input and to control the progress of the game.

Conventionally, games of a genre called “music game”, “rhythm game”, and “sound game” are known.
In such a game, a “timing guide” is generally performed in which a display body for designating the type of operation input is moved and displayed toward a target as the music is played. The timing at which the moving display body reaches a predetermined target is the optimum timing at which the player performs operation input. Then, it is sequentially evaluated how much the operation input of the type specified in the timing guide has been made with respect to this optimum timing, and the game proceeds (for example, see Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

  When the player performs an action such as pressing an operation input key, an operation sound effect is output so as to cover the music being played. A part of the optimum timing is synchronized with the rhythm of the song. If the player can input the operation in accordance with the optimal timing, a high score can be obtained and the operation effect sound can be heard to match the rhythm of the music. You can enjoy the joy of playing music together.

JP 2011-30872 A JP 2010-88688 A

The display of a timing guide that is indispensable in a music game is an important element that is the face of a music game and differentiates it from other games of the same genre. It may be said that it will affect the fun of the game.
The game is not limited to a music game, but has the same problem as long as it is a game in which an operation is input so as to match a given optimum timing.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to realize a game in which a timing guide having a new taste is performed.

According to a first aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problem, the computer performs display control for moving and displaying the input indicator toward the target body along the line, and based on the operation input timing when the operation is input, A program for controlling the progress of a game for evaluating an operation input to the input indicator,
Target body appearance control means (for example, the processing unit 200, the game calculation unit 210, the target appearance control unit 212 in FIG. 10, and the target appearance control unit 212 in FIG. 16) that causes the target body (for example, the target 12 in FIG. 2) to appear at a given display position. Steps S92 to S94),
Line display control means (for example, the processing unit 200, the game calculation unit 210, and the line display control unit 214 in FIG. 10) that performs display control so as to extend lines (for example, the left line 14L and the right line 14R in FIG. 2) from the target body. , Steps S102 to S104 in FIG.
An input instruction for causing the input indicator (for example, the left note 16L and the right note 16R in FIG. 2) to appear at the extended end of the line and moving the input indicator toward the target body along the line. Body display control means (for example, the processing unit 200, the game calculation unit 210, the notes display control unit 216 in FIG. 10, steps S106 to S110 in FIG. 16),
As a program for causing the computer to function.

  According to the first invention, the target body appears in the game screen, and then the line is extended from the target body, and the input indicator appears at the tip portion where the line is extended, and the line is displayed on the line. It is possible to realize a timing guide display of a new taste such as moving and displaying toward the target body. The process until the timing guide display is completed seems to extend the line as if the target body stretches its wings, adding dynamic fun to the process itself, making it attractive as a game Can be increased.

  In the second invention, the musical note display control means causes the first input indicator to appear at the extended end after the line display control means has displayed the line to the extended end of the line. A program of the first invention.

  According to the second invention, the same effect as the first invention can be obtained, the target body appears in the game screen, and then the line is extended and displayed so that the line is fully extended. The input indicator can appear from the tip of the line at the timing. Therefore, if the present invention is applied to a music game, the timing guide display is completed and the guide is started, so that it is possible to obtain a rhythmical and sharp expression desirable as a music game. That is, the attractiveness of the game related to the timing guide display can be further enhanced.

  In a third aspect of the invention, the line display control means shortens the extended end of the line toward the target body in accordance with the movement display of the last input indicator that is moved and displayed along the line. It is a program of the 1st or 2nd invention.

According to the third invention, an effect similar to that of the first or second invention can be obtained, and an operation of retracting the line using a moving expression in which the last input indicator approaches the target body is realized, A new dynamic expression related to the timing guide display becomes possible.
Of course, the appearance of the timing guide display does not change. In recent years, in order to increase the excitement of the game, content such as a moving image tends to be displayed as the background of the timing guide. In other words, watching the background content is one of the pleasures of the game. From that point of view, the line after the last input indicator has passed is substantially unnecessary to shield the background content, but the extended end of the line is moved along with the movement display of the last input indicator. By shortening it towards the target body, the unnecessary existence is immediately removed. That is, the player can enjoy the background content more clearly.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the target body appearance control means deletes the target body after the last input indicator moved and displayed along the line reaches the target body. It is a program of any invention.

  According to the fourth invention, the same effect as any of the first to third inventions can be obtained, and the target body can be quickly erased from the screen as the timing guide display ends. Therefore, it is possible to quickly remove an element that covers a part of the background content so that it is difficult to see, and to easily enjoy the background content.

  The fifth aspect of the present invention is a music reproduction control means (for example, the processing unit 200, the game calculation unit 210, and the music reproduction control unit 211 in FIG. 10) that controls the reproduction of music, and among the singing, dancing, and performance according to the music, Character display control means (for example, the character 6 in FIG. 2, the processing unit 200 in FIG. 10, the game calculation unit 210, the background content reproduction control unit 218, and step S72 in FIG. 16) for controlling display of a character that performs at least one. The computer is further functioned, and the target object display control means controls the display of the target object at a display position that does not overlap a part or all of the head of the character on the front or back of the character. 4 is a program according to any one of the inventions.

  According to the fifth aspect, the same effect as any of the first to fourth aspects can be obtained. Furthermore, when the background content, which is one of the enjoyment of the game, includes the character that is the main subject, the portion of the target body whose display changes most in the timing guide display is displayed at the head display position of the most watched character. By avoiding covering, it is possible to keep the main subject of the background content easy to see.

  A sixth invention is the program according to any one of the first to fifth inventions, wherein the line display control means displays and controls a line having a larger number of bends and / or curves as the game difficulty level is higher. .

  According to the sixth invention, the same effect as any of the first to fifth inventions can be obtained, and the preference can be further enhanced by making the shape of the line more complex as the game difficulty level becomes higher. .

In a seventh invention, the computer includes a plurality of operation input units (for example, the direction input key 1502, the button switch 1504 in FIG. 1, the right-handed operation unit 102, the left-handed operation unit 104 in FIG. 10), or Prepare with communication connection,
The line display control means performs display control so that a line corresponding to each of the operation input units extends from one target body, and the evaluation means responds based on a correspondence relationship between each line and the operation input unit. A program according to any one of the first to sixth inventions, which evaluates an operation input from an operation input unit.

  According to the seventh invention, the same effect as any of the first to sixth inventions is obtained, and lines corresponding to each of the plurality of operation input units are extended from one target body, and each line and operation are The operation input is evaluated based on the association with the input unit. That is, the timing guide is displayed for each of the plurality of operation input units, and the operation input can be evaluated for each of the plurality of operation input units.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the line display control means is configured so that the extended end of the line corresponding to each of the operation input units is located in a different display area based on the display position of the target body. This is a program according to the seventh aspect of the invention for controlling display.

  According to the eighth invention, the same effect as the seventh invention can be obtained, and the lines respectively corresponding to the plurality of operation input units are extended to different display areas on the basis of the target body. Line correspondence can be displayed in an easy-to-understand manner.

In a ninth invention, the operation input unit includes a right-handed operation input unit (for example, the button switch 1504 in FIG. 1) and a left-handed operation input unit (for example, the direction input key 1502 in FIG. 1).
The line display control means includes an extended end of a line corresponding to the right-handed operation input unit on the right side of the display position of the target body, and an extended end of a line corresponding to the left-handed operation input unit. The program according to the eighth aspect of the invention controls display on the left side of the display position of the target body.

  According to the ninth invention, the same effect as in the eighth invention can be obtained, and the physical relative positional relationship of the plurality of operation input units can be determined by the relative position between the target body and the line extension end of each line. By correlating, it is possible to intuitively understand which line corresponds to the timing guide in the operation input unit. That is, a secondary user-friendly timing guide can be realized.

In a tenth aspect of the invention, the computer includes the operation input unit for each player.
The evaluation means is a seventh or eighth program that evaluates an operation input of each player by evaluating an operation input from each operation input unit.

  According to the tenth invention, the same effects as those of the seventh or eighth invention can be obtained, and multiplay can be performed.

  An eleventh invention is a computer-readable storage medium storing a program according to any one of the first to tenth inventions.

  The “storage medium” mentioned here includes, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, an IC memory, and the like. According to the eleventh invention, by causing a computer to read and execute any one of the programs of the first to tenth inventions, causing the computer to exert the same effect as any of the first to tenth inventions. Can do.

In a twelfth aspect of the invention, the input indicator is moved and displayed along the line toward the target body, and a game for controlling the progress of the game for evaluating the operation input to the input indicator based on the operation input timing when the operation is input. A device,
Target body appearance control means for causing the target body to appear at a given display position (for example, the control board 1550 in FIG. 1, the processing unit 200 in FIG. 10, the game calculation unit 210, the target appearance control unit 212, and step S92 in FIG. 16). To S94),
Line display control means (for example, the control board 1550 in FIG. 1, the processing unit 200 in FIG. 10, the game calculation unit 210, the line display control unit 214, and step S102 in FIG. 16) that controls the display so as to extend the line from the target body. S104)
Input indicator display control means (for example, the control board 1550 in FIG. 1) that causes the input indicator to appear at the extended end of the line and moves and displays the input indicator toward the target body along the line. 10, the processing unit 200, the game calculation unit 210, the notes display control unit 216, and steps S <b> 106 to S <b> 110 in FIG. 16),
Is a game device.

  According to the twelfth aspect, the same effect as in the first aspect can be obtained.

The perspective external view which shows the structural example of a game device. The figure for demonstrating the outline | summary of a music game. The figure which shows an example of the production | generation method of a game screen. State transition diagram from the appearance of individual music to the flow display of Notes. State transition diagram until individual musical score disappears from the screen. The figure explaining evaluation of operation input. The figure which shows an example of a data structure of line shape choice data. The figure for demonstrating the process of determining the display form of an individual score, and the characteristic of a line display. The conceptual diagram for demonstrating the method to determine where an individual score is displayed on a screen. Functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the game device The figure which shows an example of a data structure of musical score visual choice data. The figure which shows an example of the data structure of musical score basic data. The figure which shows an example of the data structure of play data. The figure which shows an example of a data structure of musical score control data. The flowchart for demonstrating the flow of a process in a game device. The flowchart which continues from FIG. The flowchart which continues from FIG. The figure which shows the structural example of the consumer game device provided with the some game controller. The figure which shows the example of a game screen in a multiplayer, and the example of a display of an individual score. The figure which shows the modification of the production | generation method of a game screen.

[First Embodiment]
As an embodiment to which the present invention is applied, an example of a computer that executes a music game will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective external view showing a configuration example of a game apparatus 1500 which is a computer used for game play in the present embodiment. The game device 1500 in the present embodiment is an electronic device that is classified as a so-called portable game device. On the front side of the apparatus, a direction input key 1502, a button switch 1504, a touch panel 1506 (a display device and a touch operation device) and a speaker 1510 are provided. The direction input key 1502 and the button switch 1504 are provided on the left side / right side of the apparatus main body 1501 with the touch panel 1506 interposed therebetween so that the left / right thumb can be operated. The former can be said to be a “left-handed operation input unit”, and the latter can be said to be a “right-handed operation input unit”.

  The apparatus main body 1501 includes a control board 1550, a memory card reader 1542 that can read and write data from a memory card 1540 that is a computer-readable storage medium, and a rechargeable battery 1509. In addition, a power button, a volume control button, etc., not shown, can be provided as appropriate.

  The control board 1550 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1551, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), various microprocessors such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), various IC memories such as a VRAM, a RAM, and a ROM. 1552 is mounted as appropriate. The control board 1550 is equipped with a wireless communication module 1553 for wireless connection with a wireless base station such as a mobile phone or a wireless LAN.

  In addition, a driver circuit for the touch panel 1506, a circuit for receiving a signal from an input device such as the direction input key 1502, the button switch 1504, and the touch panel 1506, an output amplifier circuit for outputting an audio signal to the speaker 1510, and a memory card reader 1542 A so-called I / F circuit (interface circuit) such as a signal input / output circuit is mounted. Each element mounted on the control board 1550 is electrically connected via a bus circuit or the like, and is connected so as to be able to read / write data and transmit / receive signals.

  The control board 1550 reads a game program, data, and the like necessary for game execution from the memory card 1540 and temporarily stores them in the IC memory 1552. Then, the game program is executed to perform arithmetic processing, and a video game is executed by controlling each part of the game device 1500 in accordance with operation inputs from the direction input key 1502, the button switch 1504, and the touch panel 1506. In the present embodiment, the game apparatus 1500 is configured to read out necessary programs and various setting data from the memory card 1540, but may be configured to download from the server apparatus or the like via the communication line 1.

  The communication line 1 means a communication path capable of data communication. That is, the communication line 1 includes a dedicated line (dedicated cable) for direct connection, a LAN (Local Area Network) such as Ethernet (registered trademark), and a communication network such as a telephone communication network, a cable network, and the Internet. This means that the communication method may be wired or wireless.

[Game Overview]
Next, an outline of the game in the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the music game in the present embodiment. The player operates the direction input key 1502 with the left thumb and the button switch 1504 with the right thumb while holding the game apparatus 1500 with the left and right hands. Alternatively, the left and right edges of the touch panel 1506 may be touched.

The music game according to the present embodiment is played by operating the direction input key 1502 and the button switch 1504 in accordance with the rhythm of the music reproduced at the start of the game.
The sound of the reproduced music is emitted from the speaker 1510, and the game screen W2 is displayed on the touch panel 1506. On the game screen W2, an individual musical score 10 that functions as a timing guide for operation input is displayed together with the background content 4. That is, the music game of the present embodiment is a style in which the user inputs and plays in accordance with the rhythm of the reproduced music while watching the background content 4, and watching the background content 4 is one of the enjoyment of the game.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the background content 4 includes an object of a character 6 that is motion-controlled so as to perform at least one of singing, dancing, and playing in a virtual three-dimensional space, and the state is represented by a virtual camera. The rendered images taken in step 7 are successively generated at a predetermined drawing rate. That is, it is a 3DCG (3D computer graphics) moving image. In the present embodiment, the individual musical score 10 is synthesized as a two-dimensional image with the image of the background content 4. An image obtained by synthesizing the individual musical score 10 is a game screen W2.

[Description of individual score]
Now, as shown in FIG. 2, the individual musical score 10 of the present embodiment has a target 12, a left line 14L through which the left notes 16L flow, and a right line 14R through which the right notes 16R flow.
The left notes 16L and the right notes 16R are equivalent to musical notes, and are “input indicators” that move toward the “target body” called the target 12. The left notes 16L flowing through the left line 14L serve as the timing guide for the left-handed operation input unit, and the right notes 16R flowing through the right line 14R serve as the timing guide for the right-handed operation input unit.

  More specifically, the line extended end 15L of the left line 14L is positioned on the left side of the target 12, so that the left line 14L is displayed on the left side of the target 12, and the line extended end 15R of the right line 14R is on the right side of the target 12. The right line 14 </ b> R is displayed on the right side of the target 12. Thus, the left line 14L guides the timing of the left-handed operation input, and the right line 14R guides the timing of the right-handed operation input so that the player is intuitively notified.

  The left notes 16L and the right notes 16R appear at line extending ends 15L and 15R on the side of the corresponding left line 14L or right line 14R away from the target 12, and follow the respective lines toward the target 12. Display control to move. This is called “flow display”. When the center of the flow-displayed notes approaches and overlaps the center of the target 12, the notes are deleted from the screen. The left notes 16L and the right notes 16R appear based on the beat of the play song, for example, sometimes appearing in every beat, sometimes appearing at multiple beats according to the time signature, and sometimes more finely than one beat. Appears at the right time and is displayed along the line. The appearance position of the notes is not limited to the “end” in the strict sense indicated by the line extended end portions 15L and 15R, but may be configured to appear at the extended end portion including the vicinity of the end portion.

  One individual musical score 10 is configured to guide the timing of operation input in a part (for example, a plurality of measures) of a piece of music to be played. That is, how many left notes 16L and right notes 16R are displayed and flowed on one individual musical score 10 is determined in advance, and the operation input timing of one whole music is guided and displayed using a plurality of individual musical scores.

  One individual musical score 10 (10a) disappears from the screen together with the target 12 if all the notes set in the musical score display body are displayed / erased. The subsequent individual musical score 10 (10b) is displayed before the individual musical score 10 (10a) immediately before the display order disappears, and the flow display of Notes is started. That is, the player follows the individual musical score 10 (10a, 10b) appearing / disappearing one after another, and inputs the operation according to the rhythm of the music to be played, relying on the flow of notes shown there.

Next, the display process of the individual musical score 10 will be described in detail.
FIG. 4 is a state transition diagram from the appearance of the individual musical score 10 to the flow display of Notes in the present embodiment, which is shown in time series (1) to (4). The right line 14R and the right notes 16R will be described as an example, but the same applies to the left line 14L and the left notes 16L.

  As shown in FIG. 4 (1), the display of the individual musical score 10 starts from the appearance of the target 12. Then, as shown in FIG. 4 (2), after the target 12 is displayed on the game screen W2, after a given time has elapsed, an extension display in which the right line 14R is generated from the target and extends is started. In this embodiment, the “given time” here is set to a time that is an integral multiple of one beat of the music to be played. For example, the time is one beat.

  As shown in FIG. 4 (2) to FIG. 4 (4), the completion of the extension from the start of the extension is a given time (for example, about 1 to 3 beats) that is an integral multiple of one beat of the played music. The first right notes 16Ra assigned to the right line 14R appear and display is started upon completion of expansion. Then, as shown in FIG. 4 (4), the right note 16Ra that first appears is after an integral multiple of one beat of the music to be played (for example, after the passage of three beats from the appearance) The flow is displayed so that the center just overlaps the center of the target 12. The notes that just overlap the target 12 are erased.

That is, the target 12 appears so as to synchronize with the beat of the music to be played, the left line 14L and the right line 14R start to grow, and the decompression is completed at the timing synchronized with the beat, and the right note 16R appears. . Then, at least a part of the moving right notes 16R overlaps the target 12 at a timing synchronized with the beat of the music.
Paradoxically, the appearance timing of the target 12 and the expansion start and expansion completion timing of the right line 14R are calculated backward from the optimal operation input timing at which the first right notes 16R overlaps the target 12, and 1 The timing is determined to be advanced by an integral multiple of the beat. Therefore, the timing at which the left line 14L and the right line 14R start to extend from the target 12 is not necessarily the same. Further, when only one of the left notes 16L or the right notes 16R is set on the individual musical score 10, only the corresponding left line 14L or right line 14R is expanded.

  Next, FIG. 5 is a state transition diagram until disappearance from the screen of the individual musical score 10 in the present embodiment, which is shown in time series of (1) to (5). The right line 14R and the right notes 16R will be described as an example, but the same applies to the left line 14L and the left notes 16L.

  FIG. 5A shows a state in which the last right notes 16Re displayed on the individual musical score 10 appears on the right line 14R and starts moving. The right note 16Rd that appears immediately before has moved to approximately the middle of the right line 14R. Then, as shown in FIGS. 5 (2) to 5 (3), display control is performed so that the right line 14R becomes shorter from the outside as the last right notes 16Re approaches the target 12. Specifically, the right line 14R is shortened so that the line extending end 15R is the center position of the last right notes 16Re.

  Eventually, when the center of the last right notes 16Re overlaps the center of the target 12, as shown in FIG. 5 (4), both the last right notes 16Re and the target 12 are removed from the screen as shown in FIG. 5 (5). It disappears and the individual musical score 10 disappears from the screen. If there is a left note 16L that reaches the target 12 later than the last right note 16Re, the target 12 disappears from the screen after the center of the last left note 16L overlaps the center of the target 12.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the evaluation of the operation input.
As described above, the player plays the game by operating the direction input key 1502 and the button switch 1504 aiming at the optimum operation input timing when the notes overlap the target 12. Then, according to the difference between the actual operation input timing by the player and the optimum operation input timing (the timing at which Notes reaches the target), the operation input is evaluated and a game score is given. The double circle design of the target 12 of this embodiment corresponds to a score determination area. At the timing when the operation input by the player is detected, evaluation is made according to the relative distance between the target 12 (the closest note 16n) and the target 12, and the score is determined.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, if the center of the closest note 16n is not within the double circle of the target 12, the evaluation result is “Bad” and no score is given. As shown in FIG. 6 (2), if the center of the closest note 16n is between the inner circle and the outer circle of the target 12, the evaluation result is “Normal” and a two-point score is added. If the center of the closest notes 16n is the inner circle of the target 12 as shown in FIG. 6 (3), the evaluation result is “Good” and 5 points are added. Even in the same inner circle, as shown in FIG. 5 (4), when the center of the closest approach 16n and the center of the target 12 are particularly close to each other, the evaluation result is “Perfect”, and is especially 10 Points are added. The closest notes are selected from the left notes 16L when the operation input is the direction input key 1502 (left-handed operation input unit), and selected when the button input is the button switch 1504 (right-handed operation input unit). It is selected from among the right notes 14R.

Next, determination of the form and arrangement of the individual musical score 10 will be described.
The specific form of the line extending from the target 12 is determined by a combination of the line shape and its arrangement pattern.

  Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, line shape option data 512 is prepared in advance. In the data, a plurality of line shape templates are prepared for each shape level corresponding to the game difficulty level. The line shape is simpler as the shape level is lower, and the number of curved portions and bent portions is increased as the shape level is higher.

  As shown in FIG. 8, arrangement pattern option data 514 indicating how the line shape is arranged is prepared. As the arrangement pattern, for example, “default” that keeps the line shape, “rotate 45 ° to the right”, “rotate 45 ° to the left”, rotate the line shape, “invert vertically” to reverse the symmetry, and the like can be appropriately set. More specifically, each coordinate transformation matrix is defined.

  As preprocessing for displaying the left line 14L and the right line 14R, a line shape and an arrangement pattern are selected for each line. Then, the selected line shape is coordinate-transformed to be a posture rotated “45 ° to the right” from the default posture, or extended from the target 12 in a posture “upside down”.

  In the example of FIG. 8, for the right line 14R, the line shape “shape A2” is selected as shown in FIG. 8 (1), and the arrangement pattern “upside down” is selected as shown in FIG. 8 (2). It shows the state that was done. Therefore, in this case, the right line 14R is displayed in a form as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the same line shape and line arrangement pattern are applied to both the left and right lines, and the right line 14 </ b> R and the left line 14 </ b> L are extended from one target 12. Therefore, finally, the individual musical score 10 as shown in FIG. 8 (4) is displayed. Of course, the line shape and the line arrangement pattern may be selected individually for the left and right lines.

  Further, in this embodiment, the line shape and the arrangement pattern are considered so that the relative positional relationship between the line extended end portions 15L and 15R of each line and the target 12 is correlated even if the line shape is arranged according to the arrangement pattern. ing. Specifically, display control is performed so that the line extension end portion 15L of the left line 14L that guides the operation input in the left-hand operation system is positioned in the left display region 18L with reference to the display position of the target 12, Display control is performed so that the line extension end portion 15R of the right line 14R that guides the operation input in the right-hand operation system is positioned in the right display region 18R with reference to the display position of the target 12. Thus, it is possible to intuitively tell the player which line is guiding which input to operate with which hand.

  FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a method of determining where the individual musical score 10 is displayed on the screen. Appearance point option data 510 defining screen coordinate system coordinates of appearance point options of the target 12 is prepared in advance. The appearance points of the present embodiment are set in a matrix form with a total of 20 (= 5 × 4) points in 5 rows in the screen coordinate system X-axis direction and 4 columns in the screen coordinate system Y-axis direction. The distribution of the appearance points is not limited to a matrix shape, and other distribution shapes such as multiple rings are possible.

The arrangement position of the individual musical score 10 is provisionally determined depending on which appearance point the target 12 is set as. The appearance point is selected from outside the prohibited area 20.
The forbidden area 20 is an object displayed in the background content 4 and is a range of an image coordinate system including a portion that the player wants the player to particularly see. In the present embodiment, the facial expression of the character 6 is the key to the content, and is particularly a part that the player wants to see. Therefore, the range in which the boundary box 8 (see FIG. 3) set on the head of the character 6 is projected on the image coordinate system in the appearance period until the individual musical score 10 appears and disappears is set as the prohibited area 20.

  In the example of FIG. 9, it is determined that the appearance points P21, P22, P23, P31, P32, and P33 are within the prohibited area 20, as shown in FIG. In this example, any appearance point other than these is selected. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9B, the individual musical score 10 does not appear so that the target 12 is positioned at the appearance point P32. That is, the target 12 is displayed avoiding a position that overlaps at least a part of the head of the character 6.

  There is another condition for determining the position of the target 12. If the provisional appearance point of the target 12 is selected, it is assumed that the target 12 is displayed at the provisional appearance point, and the left line 14L and the right line 14R are further selected according to the line shape and the line arrangement pattern selected from there. Is displayed, if the entire individual musical score 10 is displayed in the game screen W2, the temporarily selected appearance point is determined as the target 12 placement position.

  For example, in the example of FIG. 9B, even if the appearance point P51 (upper right of the screen display range) is provisionally selected, all of the line extension end 15R and the line extension end 15L are within the image display range. This condition is not satisfied, so it is determined that the arrangement position is “inappropriate (NG)”, and the temporarily selected appearance point P51 is invalidated and discarded. When the appearance point P54 (lower right of the screen display range) is provisionally selected, it satisfies the condition that both the line extended end portion 15R and the line extended end portion 15L are within the image display range. OK) ”is determined, and the appearance point P54 temporarily selected is determined as the official placement position of the target 12.

[Description of functional block]
Next, a functional configuration for realizing the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the game apparatus 1500 in the present embodiment. The game device 1500 includes an operation input unit 100, a processing unit 200, a sound output unit 350, an image display unit 360, a communication unit 370, and a storage unit 500.

  The operation input unit 100 outputs an operation input signal to the processing unit 200 in accordance with various operation inputs made by the player. For example, it can be realized not only by a button switch, a joystick, a touchpad, a trackball, etc., but also by an element that detects movement or posture, such as an acceleration sensor, angular velocity sensor, tilt sensor, geomagnetic sensor, etc. . In this embodiment, a right-handed operation input unit 102 operated with the right hand and a left-handed operation input unit 104 operated with the left hand are included. The former corresponds to the button switch 1504 in FIG. 1, and the latter corresponds to the direction input key 1502.

  The processing unit 200 is realized by an electronic component such as a microprocessor such as a CPU or GPU, an ASIC, or an IC memory. The processing unit 200 performs input / output control of data with each function unit, and executes various arithmetic processes based on a predetermined program and data, an operation input signal from the operation input unit 100, and the like to perform game device 1500. To control the operation. In FIG. 1, the control board 1550 corresponds to this. The processing unit 200 includes a game calculation unit 210, a sound generation unit 250, an image generation unit 260, and a communication control unit 270.

  The game calculation unit 210 executes various controls necessary for executing the game of the present embodiment. For example, the background of the game screen according to the selection of music, the playback control of audio and video, the game progress control, the elapsed time from the start of the game or the number of drawn frames, the game progress status (for example, the score acquisition status, etc.) It is possible to execute control for switching background contents to be performed.

More specifically, the game calculation unit 210 of the present embodiment includes a music playback control unit 211, a target appearance control unit 212, a line display control unit 214, a notes display control unit 216, and a background content playback control unit 218. And a musical score visual changing unit 220 and an input evaluation unit 222.
The music reproduction control unit 211 performs control related to the reproduction of the sound of the music to be played.

The target appearance control unit 212 performs control to cause a target (target body) to appear at a given display position or to erase the displayed target.
Specifically, information on the prohibited area 20 (see FIG. 9) is acquired or generated, an appearance point outside the prohibited area 20 is selected, and the target 12 is important for the background content 4 such as the head display position of the character 6. Display at a display position that does not overlap the display area. Also, processing such as appropriate determination of the arrangement position based on the provisional appearance point is executed. Then, after the last note moved and displayed along the line reaches the target, control is performed to erase the target body.

The line display control unit 214 determines the form of the line 14, and performs extension display control and shortened display control (see FIGS. 4 and 5).
Specifically, the line shape is selected according to the designation of the line shape level corresponding to the game difficulty level, and the line arrangement pattern is further selected. Then, the left line 14L and the right line 14R can be displayed so as to extend from the target 12 according to the selected line shape and line arrangement pattern. At this time, coupled with the setting of the line shape and the line arrangement pattern, it is possible to display and control a line having a larger number of bends and / or curves as the game difficulty level is higher. Also, the left line 14L serving as a timing guide for the left-handed operation input unit can be displayed on the left side of the target 12, and the right line 14R serving as the timing guide for the right-handed operation input unit can be displayed on the right side of the target 12. Then, display control is performed so that the extended end portion of the line is shortened toward the target 12 in accordance with the movement display of the last note that is moved and displayed along the line.

  The notes display control unit 216 causes notes (input indicator) to appear at the extended end of the line, and moves and displays the notes along the line from the extended end toward the target 12 (target body). More specifically, after the extended display up to the extended end of the line is performed, control is performed so that the first notes appear at the extended end.

  The background content reproduction control unit 218 executes processing related to reproduction / generation of the background content 4. In the present embodiment, it also serves as a character display control unit that controls display of the character 6 that performs at least one of singing, dancing, and playing according to the music.

  The musical score visual changing unit 220 changes the appearance of the individual musical score 10, that is, the design settings of the target 12, line 14 (left line 14L, right line 14R), and notes 16 (left notes 16L, right notes 16R). do. For example, a list of design choices is displayed, and a process for changing design settings according to a selection operation input is performed.

  The input evaluation unit 222 evaluates the operation input using a difference between the timing of the operation input made to the operation input unit 100 and the arrival timing of the notes (input indicator) to the target 12 (target body) (FIG. 6).

  The sound generation unit 250 is realized by, for example, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processor such as a voice synthesis IC, an audio codec that can play back an audio file, and the like. A sound signal of an operation sound generated in response to an operation input during play, etc.) is generated and output to the sound output unit 350.

  The sound output unit 350 is realized by a device that outputs sound effects such as sound effects, BGM, telephone communication sound, and the like related to the game based on the sound signal input from the sound generation unit 250. In FIG. 1, the speaker 1510 corresponds to this.

The image generating unit 260 is, for example, a processor such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or a digital signal processor (DSP), a program such as a video signal IC or a video codec, an IC memory for drawing frames such as a frame buffer, and for developing texture data. This is realized by an IC memory or the like used for the above.
The image generation unit 260 according to the present embodiment generates one game screen for the game screen W2 in one drawing cycle (corresponding to the time of one drawing frame; for example, 1/60 seconds), and generates an image signal of the generated game screen. The images are sequentially output to the image display unit 360. In the present embodiment, it is possible to perform a reproduction process of the first background content and the second content constituting the game screen W2 (in this embodiment, since the first content is 3DCG, the game space image rendering process is included). Moreover, the synthesis | combination process of the individual musical score 10 (10a, 10b) can be performed (refer FIG. 3).

  The image display unit 360 displays various game images based on the image signal input from the image generation unit 260. For example, it can be realized by an image display device such as a flat panel display, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a projector, or a head mounted display. In the present embodiment, the touch panel 1506 in FIG. 1 corresponds to this.

  The communication control unit 270 executes communication connection for data communication and data processing related to data communication, and realizes data exchange with an external device via the communication unit 370. And the communication part 370 relevant to this connects with the communication line 1, and implement | achieves communication. For example, it is realized by a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), a cable communication cable jack, a control circuit, and the like, and the wireless communication module 1553 of FIG. 1 corresponds to this.

  The storage unit 500 stores a program and various data for realizing various functions for causing the processing unit 200 to control the game apparatus 1500 in an integrated manner. Further, it is used as a work area of the processing unit 200, and temporarily stores calculation results executed by the processing unit 200 according to various programs, input data input from the operation input unit 100, and the like. Such a function is realized by, for example, an IC memory such as a RAM or a ROM, a magnetic disk such as a hard disk, or an optical disk such as a CD-ROM or DVD. In FIG. 1, the IC memory 1552 and the memory card 1540 mounted on the control board 1550 correspond to this. Furthermore, a part of the storage unit 500 may be realized by an external storage that can be accessed via the communication line 1 so that data communication is possible.

  The storage unit 500 of this embodiment stores a system program 501 and a game program 502. The system program 501 is a program for realizing the basic functions of the game apparatus 1500 as a computer. The game program 502 is a program for causing the processing unit 200 to realize the function as the game calculation unit 210. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the memory card 1540 (FIG. 1) is stored in advance. However, a configuration in which the data is downloaded from a predetermined server before the game is started may be used.

  The storage unit 500 stores in advance appearance point option data 510, line shape option data 512, line arrangement pattern option data 514, musical score visual option data 516, and a plurality of music data 520. Yes. These are stored in advance in the memory card 1540, but may be configured to be downloaded from a predetermined server before the game is started. In addition, the play data 560 is stored in the storage unit 500 as data that is generated according to the progress of the game and updated as needed. In addition, data necessary for executing various processes (for example, compressed / decompressed texture data, elapsed time, various timer values, counters, flags) and the like are also stored as appropriate.

  The appearance point option data 510 stores the reference point of the arrangement position of the individual musical score 10, that is, the option of the appearance point of the target 12 (see FIG. 9). Specifically, for example, the coordinate values of the screen coordinate system of the appearance points P11 to P54 are stored.

  The line shape selection data 512 defines a plurality of types of basic shapes of lines in the default arrangement pattern for each shape level. For example, by using the center of the target 12 as a reference point, information (for example, a function or a passing point coordinate value) that defines a relative position coordinate of the line extension end and a line connecting them is stored for each shape type (see FIG. 7). ).

  The line arrangement pattern option data 514 defines a plurality of types of relative arrangement of lines with respect to the target 12. For example, a coordinate matrix for rotating or symmetrically reversing the center of the target 12 as a reference point is defined (see FIG. 8).

  The musical score visual option data 516 stores options for changing the appearance of the individual musical score 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, there are a target design that is a design choice for the target 12, a line design that is a design choice for the left line 14 </ b> L and the right line 14 </ b> R, and a design choice for the left notes 16 </ b> L and the right notes 16 </ b> R. Notes design.

The song data 520 is prepared for each song that can be played by the game apparatus 1500 according to the present embodiment, and stores initial setting data for playing the song.
One piece of music data 520 is a piece of music ID 522 for identifying a piece of music, a number of frames per beat 523 indicating the number of frames of a game screen per beat, and audio data of music or singing voice constituting the music. Audio data 524, first background content data 526, second background content data 528, and musical score basic data 530 are included.

  The first background content data 526 and the second background content data 528 store data for displaying videos of the first background content and the second background content, respectively. In the present embodiment, since the first background content is generated by 3DCG, background object data 526a that defines a background object arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space, character setting data 526b that defines the visual and motion of the character 6, and The camera setting data 526c that defines the position, orientation, angle of view, filter processing, etc. of the virtual camera 7 and the prohibited area setting data 526d that defines the prohibited area 20 during music play in association with the passage of time (number of drawn frames). And store. The second background content in the present embodiment is video data, but may be 3DCG as in the first content.

  The musical score basic data 530 stores the basic data of all the individual musical scores 10 displayed when the music is played. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, individual musical score basic data 532 is stored for each individual musical score 10. It is also possible to set so that only one individual musical score 10 is displayed from the beginning to the end during the music play. In that case, only one individual musical score basic data 532 is stored.

One individual musical score basic data 532 is
(1) a display order 533 in which the individual musical score is displayed;
(2) a display period setting 534 for storing an elapsed time or a range of the number of drawn frames that defines at which timing the individual musical score appears and disappears during music play;
(3) a shape level 535 that corresponds to the game difficulty level and defines the shape level of the line of the individual musical score;
(4) right notes basic data 536 storing basic data of the right notes 16R assigned to the individual musical score;
(5) The left notes basic data 542 for storing the basic data of the left notes 16L assigned to the individual musical score is stored.

  The right notes basic data 536 stores, for example, the timing at which the center of the notes overlaps the center of the target 12, that is, the optimum operation input timing 540 required by the player, in association with the right notes ID 538 given in the order of appearance. Similarly, for the left notes basic data 542, the optimum operation input timing 546 is stored in association with the left notes ID 544. The optimum operation input timings 540 and 546 are the elapsed time from the start of play or the number of drawing frames.

The play data 560 stores various data for controlling the progress of the game and describing the progress of the game. In this embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG.
(1) a play target song ID 562 that stores an ID of a song to be played this time;
(2) Background content control data 564 that stores data necessary for display control of the first background content and the second background content (in this embodiment, there are two first and second background contents, so two are shown in the figure. And)
(3) a display background setting 566 for defining which of the first background content and the second background content is the background of the game screen;
(4) The current number of drawing frames 568 (or elapsed time is acceptable) with the play start time being “0”;
(5) A score 570 obtained by the player;
(6) A score acquisition rate 572 for storing the added number of scores 570 per predetermined time;
(7) musical score visual setting data 574 common to the individual musical score 10 that appears during play,
(8) Music score control data 600 prepared for each individual music score 10;
Is stored.
In the initialization at the start of the game, the default display background setting 566 is set to “first background content”. The number of drawn frames 568, the score 570, and the score acquisition rate 572 are set to “0”, and the musical score visual setting data 574 is set to a predetermined default value.

The musical score control data 600 is information generated based on the individual musical score basic data 532 of the musical score basic data 530 of the music to be played, and is generated in a one-to-one correspondence.
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
(1) Music ID 602,
(2) an appearance point coordinate 604 for storing a screen coordinate system coordinate value that is an appearance position of the target 12;
(3) applied line shape data 606 for storing line shape information applied to the display of the left line 14L and the right line 14R of the individual musical score;
(4) an applied line arrangement pattern 608 applied to the display of the left line 14L and the right line 14R of the individual musical score;
(5) right notes control data 610, which is specific display control data of the right notes 16R;
(6) left notes control data 620 that is specific display control data of the left notes 16L.

The right notes control data 610 stores a right notes setting speed 612, an appearance timing 616 associated with the right notes ID 614, and position coordinates 618.
The right notes setting speed 612 is one drawing frame for moving the right notes 16R from the line extension end 15R to the target 12 determined by a combination of the applied line shape and line arrangement pattern with a predetermined number of beats. Define the hit speed.
The right notes ID 614 corresponds to the right notes ID 538 of the right notes basic data 536 of the individual musical score basic data 532 (see FIG. 12) of the music to be played.
The appearance timing 616 is determined by adding a time corresponding to a predetermined number of beats or the number of drawn frames to the optimum operation input timing 540 of the right notes basic data 536 of the individual musical score basic data 532 (see FIG. 12) of the music to be played. .
The position coordinates 618 indicate the current position of the corresponding right notes 16R. In the present embodiment, Notes is realized by a two-dimensional image synthesized with background content, so that image coordinate system coordinate values are stored. In an initialization state before the start of play, a predetermined value (for example, “NULL”) indicating non-display is stored. If Notes is realized as a 3DCG object, the position coordinates of the virtual three-dimensional space coordinate system may be stored.

The left notes control data 620 is the same as the right notes control data 610. That is, the left notes setting speed 622, the appearance timing 616 associated with the left notes ID 624, and the position coordinates 628 are stored.
The left notes setting speed 622 is one drawing for moving the left notes 16L at a predetermined number of beats from the line extension end 15L to the target 12 determined by a combination of the applied line shape and line arrangement pattern. Defines the speed per frame.
The left notes ID 624 corresponds to the left notes ID 544 of the left notes basic data 542 of the individual musical score basic data 532 (see FIG. 12) of the music to be played.
The appearance timing 616 is determined by adding a time corresponding to a predetermined number of beats or the number of drawn frames to the optimum operation input timing 546 of the left note basic data 542 of the individual musical score basic data 532 (see FIG. 12) of the music to be played. .
The position coordinate 628 indicates the current position of the corresponding left notes 16L. In the present embodiment, Notes is realized by a two-dimensional image synthesized with background content, so that image coordinate system coordinate values are stored. In an initialization state before the start of play, a predetermined value (for example, “NULL”) indicating non-display is stored.

[Description of process flow]
Next, a flow of processing for executing the music game in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. A series of processing described here is realized by the game device 1500 reading and executing the system program 501, the game program 502, and various setting data. Note that the generation and output of game sounds such as music, and the generation and output of game screens can be realized in the same manner as a known video game, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

  The processing unit 200 first secures a storage area for the play data 560 and sets each parameter value to a default (step S2; see FIG. 13). Specifically, the display background setting 566 is set to “first background content”, and the number of drawing frames 568, the score 570, and the score acquisition rate 572 are reset to “0”. Therefore, at the start of the game screen, the background of the musical score is content based on the first background content data 526. The musical score visual setting data 574 is a predetermined initial value, and the musical score control data 600 is a storage area.

  Next, a music selection process is executed (step S4). For example, a list of music titles for each piece of music data 520 is displayed and the player is selected. The selection result is stored in the play target song ID 562 of the play data 560.

  Next, the processing unit 200 executes a musical score visual setting process (step S6). For example, the default settings of the design of the target 12, the line 14, the left notes 16L, and the right notes 16R are displayed, and each option of the target design, the line design, and the notes design with reference to the music visual option data 516 (see FIG. 11). Is displayed so that it can be selected by the user. If it is detected that any of the displayed options is selected, the processing unit 200 changes the musical score visual setting data 574 of the play data 560 according to the selection result (see FIG. 13).

  Next, the processing unit 200 prepares data necessary for actually displaying the individual musical score 10 of the music to be played. Specifically, first, the musical score basic data 530 of the music data 520 matching the play target music ID 562 is referred to (see FIG. 12). Then, the loop A is executed for all the individual musical score basic data 532 included in the data (steps S10 to S52).

  In the loop A, the processing unit 200 generates the musical score control data 600 in the play data 560 (step S11), and sets the prohibited area 20 from the appearance of the musical score to be processed in the loop to the disappearance (step S11). S12; see FIG. In the present embodiment, the elapsed time or the number of drawn frames during music reproduction and the range of the screen coordinate system that is the prohibited area 20 at that time are given as the prohibited area setting data 526d (see FIG. 10). Therefore, the range of the prohibited area 20 corresponding to the period indicated by the display period setting 534 (see FIG. 12) of the individual musical score to be processed can be acquired and set from the data.

  Next, the processing unit 200 refers to the appearance point option data 510, selects any of the appearance points P11 to P54 outside the set prohibited area 20, and uses the coordinate value as the appearance point of the musical score control data 600. Registration and storage at the coordinate 604 (step S14).

  Next, the line shape of the line 14 extending from the target 12 of the musical score to be processed is selected and set (step S16). Specifically, a line shape having a shape level that matches a shape level 535 (see FIG. 12) designated in advance for the individual musical score 10 to be processed is selected from the line shape selection data 512, and the definition data is selected as the musical score. It is stored in the applied line shape data 606 of the control data 600 (see FIG. 14). In this embodiment, since a common line shape is applied to the lines 14 extending from the same target 12, only one is selected. However, individual lines may be selected and set. In that case, applicable line shape data 606 is also prepared for each line.

  Next, the line arrangement pattern of the line 14 of the individual musical score 10 to be processed is selected and set (step S18). Specifically, any arrangement pattern is selected from the line arrangement pattern selection data 514, and the selected data is stored in the applied line arrangement pattern 608 of the musical score control data 600 (see FIG. 14).

  Next, the processing unit 200 determines whether or not the scheduled display position of the individual musical score 10 to be processed in the loop A is appropriate (step S20). Specifically, the position coordinates of the line extension end when the line shape selected in step S16 is drawn with the line arrangement pattern selected in step S18 using the currently set provisional appearance point coordinates 604 as a reference point are calculated. To do. If the calculated line expansion end is within the screen display coordinates, it is determined that the arrangement position is “appropriate”, and if the calculated value exceeds the image display coordinates, the arrangement position “unsuitable” is determined. Further, when the display order 533 overlaps the previous individual musical score 10, it is determined that the arrangement position is “inappropriate”.

If it is “unsuitable” determination (NO in step S20), the process returns to step S14 and starts again from the selection of the appearance point.
If the determination is “appropriate” (YES in step S20), the processing unit 200 sets the notes 16 of each line of the target 12 along the line to which the line shape and the line arrangement pattern set in steps S14 to S18 are applied. The speed of “flow display” is set so as to reach the center at a predetermined required time (step S22). Specifically, the number of moving dots per drawing frame is calculated for each line so that it can be reached in a time that is a predetermined integer multiple of the number of frames 523 per beat of the music to be played. As a result, the right notes setting speed 612 and the left notes setting speed 622 of the music score control data 600 are set.

  Next, the processing unit 200 performs the loop B for each line of the individual musical score to be processed by the loop A, that is, for each of the right notes basic data 536 and the left notes basic data 542 included in the individual musical score basic data 532 (see FIG. 12). Execute (Steps S40 to S50).

In the loop B, the loop C is executed for each note flowing through the processing target line (steps S42 to S48).
Specifically, the right notes ID 538 (see FIG. 12) of the right notes basic data 536 to be processed in the loop B are read out in the order of registration and registered as the right notes ID 614 (see FIG. 14) of the musical score control data 600, and the notes. Is subtracted from the optimal operation input timing 540 by a predetermined integer multiple of the number of frames 523 per beat of the music to be played (three beats in the example of FIG. 14) to obtain the appearance timing 616 of the musical score control data 600. Store (step S44). The left notes basic data 542 and the left notes control data 620 are similarly processed.

  Next, the position coordinate 618 or the position coordinate 628 of the processing target Notes of the loop C is set to a predetermined value (“NULL” in the example of FIG. 14) meaning “Not Appearing” (Step S46), and the loop to the Notes The process C is terminated (step S50).

When the loop C is executed for all the notes of the processing target line of the loop B, the loop B is executed for the next line.
When the loop B is executed for all the lines of the individual musical score to be processed by the loop A (step S50), the loop A is terminated (step S52), and the loop A is executed for the next individual musical score. If the loop A is executed for all the individual musical score basic data 530 (see FIG. 12) of the music to be played, that is, the individual musical score basic data 532, it is ready to display all the individual musical scores 10. Become.

  Moving to the flowchart of FIG. 16, the processing unit 200 starts a game (step S72). That is, with reference to the music data 520 having the music ID 522 that matches the play target music ID 562 (see FIG. 10), the audio reproduction of the music is started according to the audio data 524, and the virtual three-dimensional space according to the first background content data 526 is started. Various objects, virtual cameras, and the like are arranged on the screen and operation control is started. Also, the reproduction of the second background content data 528 (moving image data in the present embodiment) is started. Also, the count of the number of drawing frames 568 of the play data 560 is started (see FIG. 13).

  When the game play is started, the processing unit 200 repeatedly executes steps S90 to S180 (see FIG. 17) in a control cycle shorter than the drawing cycle of the touch panel 1506.

  Specifically, the processing unit 200 refers to the music score control data 600 and executes the loop D for all the individual music scores 10 (steps S90 to S134: FIG. 17).

  In the loop D, the processing unit 200 first refers to the number of drawn frames 568 and the display period setting 534 of the individual musical score basic data 532 of the individual musical score 10 to be processed in the loop D, and the target 12 of the individual musical score 10 to be processed. It is determined whether it is at the appearance timing of. If it is the appearance timing (YES in step S92), the target 12 according to the setting of the musical score visual setting data 574 is arranged and displayed at the appearance point coordinates 604 of the musical score control data 600 (step S94).

Next, the processing unit 200 executes the loop E for each line of the individual musical score 10 to be processed by the loop D (steps S100 to S118).
In loop E, it is determined whether it is the drawing start timing of the processing target line with reference to the drawing frame number 568 (step S102). In this embodiment, if the drawing frame number 568 indicates a timing earlier than the appearance timing 616 of the first note of the processing target line by the number of frames 523 per beat (see FIG. 10), the determination is positive. And if it is affirmation determination (YES of step S102), the drawing of the line according to the setting of the musical score visual setting data 574 will be started (step S104).

  Next, it is determined whether drawing of the processing target line is completed. If completed (YES in step S106), the display of the notes that have reached the appearance timings 616 and 626 appears at the line end (step S108; equivalent to FIG. 4 (3)), and the display The movement of the started notes toward the target 12 is controlled (step S110; equivalent to FIG. 4 (4)). Further, the notes that have moved to the center of the target 12 are erased (step S112).

  If the last note of the processing target line is displayed (YES in step S114), the processing unit 200 deletes the line so that the line expansion end of the processing target line is positioned at the last notes. (Step S116). In other words, display control is performed so that the line is shortened from the line extension end with the last movement of the notes. Then, the loop E is terminated (step S118; equivalent to FIGS. 5 (2) to 5 (3)).

  If the drawing of the processing target line is incomplete in the first place (NO in step S106), the loop E ends without performing processing such as the appearance, movement, and erasure of Notes (step S118).

  After the flowchart of FIG. 17, if the loop E is executed for all the lines of the individual musical score to be processed by the loop D, the processing unit 200 next determines that the last note of the individual musical score to be processed by the loop D is the last note. It is determined whether the center position of the target of the musical score has been reached. If it has been reached (YES in step S130), the target is deleted from the screen (step S132), and the loop D is terminated (step S134).

  If the loop D is executed for all the individual musical scores, the processing unit 200 next executes an input evaluation process (step S150). This process can be realized in the same manner as the input evaluation in a known music game. In this embodiment, when an operation input is detected, it is determined whether the operation input is a right-handed system or a left-handed system, and a note (right notes or left notes) corresponding to the operated operation input is determined. Select the note closest to the target. Then, determination is made in one of four stages of “Perfect”, “Good”, “Normal”, and “Bad” according to the positional deviation between the center position of the nearest Notes and the center position of the target (see FIG. 6).

  Then, the points corresponding to the input determination result are added to the score 570 of the play data 560 (step S152), and the score acquisition rate 572 is updated (step S154).

Next, the processing unit 200 switches the background content according to the game progress status.
Specifically, it is determined whether the background content switching condition is satisfied (step S156). Although the conditions can be set as appropriate, in this embodiment, when the score is good, specifically, if the score acquisition rate 572 is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference value, an affirmative determination is made.
If the determination is affirmative (YES in step S156), the display background setting 566 is changed to “second background content” (step S158). Thereafter, the content displayed in the background of the musical score is based on the second background content data 528.
If the determination is negative (NO in step S156), the processing unit 200 sets the display background setting 566 to “first background content” (step S160). Thereafter, the content displayed in the background of the musical score is based on the second background content data 528.
If a negative determination is made in the next determination in step S156, the first background content is switched. Therefore, it can be said that the second background content is displayed in the background while the score acquisition rate 572 is equal to or higher than the predetermined reference value.

Next, the processing unit 200 determines whether or not the reproduction of the music has ended.
If not completed (NO in step S180), the process returns to step S10 (see FIG. 15).
If completed (YES in step S180), the game ends and results announcement processing is executed (step S182), and the series of processing ends.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the individual musical score 10 as a timing guide necessary for playing a musical piece can be made to appear in the game screen.
At that time, in the process until the individual musical score 10 is completed, the target 12 first appears, the right line 14R and the left line 14L begin to expand in accordance with the rhythm of the music, the expansion is completed in accordance with the rhythm and the right Since Notes 16R and Left Notes 16L appear, it is a rhythmical and well-cut expression. Then, the appearing Notes 16 (left Notes 16L, right Notes 16R) reach the target 12 according to the rhythm and disappear. Then, as the last notes 16n approaches the target 12, the line 14 is shortened so that the last notes 16n reaches the target 12 and the notes and the target 12 can be erased. That is, the process in which the individual musical score 10 disappears is also expressed rhythmically and well. There is no timing guide display of such preference, and a new attraction related to the timing guide can be obtained.

  In addition, since the individual musical score 10 is displayed so that an important display object in the background content 4 (in this embodiment, the head of the character 6) and the target 12 do not overlap, the player is obstructed by the timing guide. The background content 4 can be fully enjoyed without any problems.

[Modification]
As mentioned above, although embodiment which applied this invention was described, embodiment of this invention is not limited to these, The addition, omission, change, etc. of a component can be given suitably.

[Part 1]
For example, a computer that executes a game is not limited to a portable game device, but may be a stationary game device for home use, an arcade game device, a personal computer, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a silicon audio player, a car navigation system, an electronic dictionary, and other electronic devices. It may be in the form of a device.

[Part 2]
Further, in the above embodiment, the operation input unit operated with the right hand and the operation input unit operated with the left hand are shown as an integral configuration with the main body of the game device, but each operation input unit is separated from the main body of the game device. It is good also as a structure which is prepared and can perform wired communication or wireless communication with the main body. For example, in the case of a configuration in which a game is executed on a personal computer, it can be configured with a personal computer main body, a right-handed mouse and a left-handed keyboard connected to the main body so that data communication can be performed by short-range wireless communication.

[Part 3]
In the above embodiment, a single-play music game is illustrated, but a multi-play music game can also be used. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 18, the music game of the present invention is provided with a plurality of wired or wirelessly connected game controllers 1530 (1530A, 1530B, 1530C, 1530D), and a game screen is provided by one speaker. It is configured to be executed by a stationary home game device 1500H displayed on the attached video monitor 1520, and a game controller is used for each player. In addition, the same code | symbol is provided about the component similar to the game device 1500 of the said embodiment.

  Then, as shown in the game screen W8 of FIG. 19, the processing unit 200 of the consumer game device 1500H associates the individual musical score 10 from one target 12 to each game controller 1530 (1530A, 1530B, 1330C, 1330D). Display control is performed so as to extend a plurality of lines 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D. In other words, the notes 16A flowing through the line 14A are used as operation input timing guides in the first game controller 1530A, and the notes 16B flowing through the line 14B are used as operation input timing guides in the second game controller 1530B. . The same applies hereinafter. At this time, if the line extended ends (15A, 15B, 15C, 15D) of each line are displayed so as to be positioned in different divided display areas 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D with the display position of the target 12 as a reference. This is preferable because each player can easily recognize the line assigned to the player. Then, the input evaluation unit 222 may evaluate the operation input of each player by evaluating the operation input from each game controller 1530.

In the musical score basic data 530, the same basic notes data as the right notes basic data 536 and the left notes basic data 542 (see FIG. 12) is prepared as many as the number of players. In the process of generating the musical score control data 600, Control data similar to the right notes control data 610 and the left notes control data 620 may be generated in correspondence with the number of players, that is, game controllers.
Alternatively, the right notes basic data 536 and the left notes basic data 542 of the musical score basic data 530 are left as they are, and at the generation stage of the musical score control data 600, the right notes and the left notes defined by the basic data are randomly assigned to each player. Control data similar to the right notes control data 610 and the left notes control data 620 may be generated by the number of players assigned to the lines. Even in such a configuration, the line shape and the line arrangement pattern may be common to all lines, or may be set individually.

[Part 4]
In the above embodiment, the left line 14L guides the timing of the left-handed operation input, and the right line 14R guides the timing of the right-handed operation input. However, the timing is not necessarily limited to each line. The operation input unit to be performed is not limited.
For example, it is possible to add an element for simultaneous operation input of both left-handed and right-handed operation input units. Specifically, it is possible to set “simultaneous press notes” that require simultaneous operation of both hands. Of course, this new Notes is given a unique design that can be distinguished from the Left Notes 16L and the Right Notes 16R. Then, the optimum input timings 540 and 546 of these new notes are stored in association with information indicating the type of the notes in at least one of the basic data of the right notes basic data 536 and / or the left notes basic data 542. (See FIG. 12). Then, in the input evaluation process (step S150; see FIG. 17), the processing unit 200 determines, for example, both the right-handed operation input unit 102 and the left-handed operation input unit 104 if the closest approach 16n is “simultaneous pressing notes”. When the operation inputs are made with a predetermined time difference that can be regarded as simultaneous input, it is possible to perform an input evaluation based on an average value of these two operation input timings.
Furthermore, since either left or right is acceptable, it is possible to set “wild notes” or the like for designating operation input timing. In that case, in the input determination process, it is preferable to skip the distinction between the left-handed system and the right-handed system of the operation input, and evaluate the input simply based on the operation input timing.

[Part 5]
The setting of the prohibited area 20 in the above embodiment can be omitted as appropriate depending on the background content. In that case, steps S12 and S14 are omitted (see FIG. 15), and any one of the appearance points P11 to P54 is associated with the information on the notes registered in the right notes basic data 536 or the left notes basic data 542 in advance. It is good to set. That is, the position where the target 12 appears may be determined in advance.

[Part 6]
In the above embodiment, the background content switching condition of the game screen is the score acquisition rate 572, but other conditions can be set as appropriate. For example, specially designed “special notes” are included in the left and right notes 16L and 16L. The switching condition may be the input evaluation “Good” or “Perfect” of the special notes. If the switching condition is satisfied, the display background setting 566 (see FIG. 13) is changed, and a process of automatically returning to the default after a predetermined time may be performed. If the “special notes” are configured to appear again before the fixed time elapses, the second background content can be continuously viewed depending on the skill of the player. Can be used as an element that prompts “

[Part 7]
In the above embodiment, the individual musical score 10 is synthesized as a two-dimensional image with the background content 4 that is a rendering image captured by the virtual camera 7, but as shown in FIG. 20, the individual musical score 10 (10a, 10b) is combined. ) May be rendered on a plate polygon facing the virtual camera 7 or may be realized as a set of plate-like objects such as targets 12, lines, and notes facing the virtual camera 7. In this case, the appearance points P <b> 11 to P <b> 54 are a plane at an intermediate position between the virtual camera 7 and the character 6 (a plane in which a normal line faces the virtual camera 7), or a plane behind the character 6. The display position of the individual musical score 10, more specifically the arrangement position of the target 12, does not make part or all of the head of the character 6 be in front of or behind the character 6 (as viewed from the virtual camera 7). It is better to decide so.

[Part 8]
In the above embodiment, the appearance point is determined so that the target 12 does not enter the prohibited area 20. However, in step S20 (see FIG. 15), both the target 12 and the line extension 15 are prohibited area 20. It may be determined whether or not the display position of the individual musical score 10 is appropriate so as not to enter.

4 ... Background content 6 ... Character 8 ... Boundary box 10 ... Individual musical score 12 ... Target 14 ... Line 14L ... Left line 14R ... Right line 15, 15L, 15R ... Line extension end 16 ... Notes 16R ... Right notes 16L ... Left notes 18L, 18R ... display area 20 ... prohibition area 100 ... operation input unit 102 ... right hand system operation input unit 104 ... left hand system operation input unit 200 ... processing unit 210 ... game operation unit 212 ... target appearance control unit 214 ... line display control unit 216: Notes display control unit 218 ... Background content reproduction control unit 222 ... Input evaluation unit 500 ... Storage unit 501 ... System program 502 ... Game program 510 ... Appearance point option data 512 ... Line shape option data 514 ... Line arrangement pattern option data 520 …easy Song data 524 ... Audio data 526 ... First background content data 528 ... Second background content data 530 ... Music score basic data 532 ... Individual music score basic data
534 ... Display period setting
535 ... shape level,
536 ... Right Notes basic data
540 ... Optimal operation input timing
542 ... Left Notes basic data
546 ... Optimal operation input timing 560 ... Play data 562 ... Play target song ID
564 ... Background content control data 566 ... Display background setting 568 ... Number of drawing frames 600 ... Musical score control data
604 ... Appearance point coordinates
606 ... Applicable line shape data
608 ... Applicable line arrangement pattern
610 ... Right notes control data
616 ... Appearance timing
618 ... position coordinates
620 ... Left Notes control data
626 ... Appearance timing
628 ... Position coordinates 1500 ... Game device 1502 ... Direction input key 1504 ... Button switch 1530 ... Game controller 1540 ... Memory card 1550 ... Control board W2 ... Game screen

Claims (11)

The computer performs display control for moving and displaying the input indicator toward the target object along the line, and based on the operation input timing of the operation input, progress control of the game for evaluating the operation input to the input indicator A program for
Target body appearance control means for causing the target body to appear at a given display position;
Line display control means for performing display control so as to extend the line from the target body,
An input indicator display control means for causing a given number of the input indicators to appear sequentially at the extended end of the line, and causing the input indicators to appear to move and display along the line toward the target body;
As a computer, and
The line display control means shortens the extended end of the line toward the target body in accordance with the movement display of the last input indicator that is moved and displayed along the line.
program. The computer performs display control for moving and displaying the input indicator toward the target object along the line, and based on the operation input timing of the operation input, progress control of the game for evaluating the operation input to the input indicator A program for
Target body appearance control means for causing the target body to appear at a given display position;
Line display control means for performing display control so that the number of flexures and / or the number of curves increases as the game difficulty level increases from the target body;
An input indicator display control means for causing the input indicator to appear at an extended end of the line and moving and displaying the input indicator along the line toward the target body;
A program for causing the computer to function as The input indicator display control means causes the first input indicator to appear at the extension end after the line display control means performs the extension display to the extension end of the line.
The program according to claim 1 or 2. The target body appearance control means deletes the target body after the last input indicator moved and displayed along the line reaches the target body.
The program according to claim 1. Music playback control means for controlling playback of music,
Character display control means for controlling display of a character that performs at least one of singing, dancing, and performance according to the music;
Further functioning the computer as
The target appearance control means controls the display of the target at a display position that does not overlap with a part or all of the head of the character on the front or back of the character.
The program as described in any one of Claims 1-4. The computer includes a plurality of operation input units, or includes a communication connection,
The line display control means performs display control so as to extend a line corresponding to each of the operation input units from one target body,
Based on the correspondence relationship between each line and the operation input unit, for causing the computer to further function as an evaluation unit that evaluates the operation input from the corresponding operation input unit,
The program as described in any one of Claims 1-5. The line display control means performs display control of each line so that an extended end portion of a line corresponding to each of the operation input units is located in a different display region based on a display position of the target body.
The program according to claim 6. The operation input unit includes a right-handed operation input unit provided on the right side of the display unit on which the input indicator, the line and the target body are displayed , and a left-handed system provided on the left side of the display unit . Has an operation input section,
The line display control means includes an extended end of a line corresponding to the right-handed operation input unit on the right side of the display position of the target body, and an extended end of a line corresponding to the left-handed operation input unit. Display control to the left of the target body display position,
The program according to claim 7. The game is a multiplayer game by a plurality of players,
The computer includes the operation input unit for each player for each player to operate,
The evaluation means evaluates the operation input of each player corresponding to each operation input unit by evaluating the operation input from each operation input unit,
The program according to claim 6 or 7. A game device that moves and displays an input indicator toward a target object along a line, and that controls the progress of a game that evaluates an operation input to the input indicator based on an operation input timing that has been input.
Target body appearance control means for causing the target body to appear at a given display position;
Line display control means for performing display control so as to extend the line from the target body;
An input indicator display control means for causing a given number of the input indicators to appear sequentially at the extended end of the line, and causing the input indicators to appear to move and display along the line toward the target body; ,
With
The line display control means shortens the extended end of the line toward the target body in accordance with the movement display of the last input indicator that is moved and displayed along the line.
Game device. A game device that moves and displays an input indicator toward a target object along a line, and that controls the progress of a game that evaluates an operation input to the input indicator based on an operation input timing that has been input.
Target body appearance control means for causing the target body to appear at a given display position;
Line display control means for controlling the display so that the number of flexures and / or the number of curves increases as the game difficulty level increases from the target body;
An input indicator display control means for causing the input indicator to appear at an extended end of the line and moving and displaying the input indicator along the line toward the target body;
A game device comprising:

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