JP6539224B2 - Game program and game system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game program and a game system.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are games such as an action game and a role playing game in which a player character is moved in a virtual space in response to a user's operation to attack an enemy character or the like. In such a game, an image captured by a virtual camera disposed in a virtual space is displayed on the display of the game device as a game screen. Currently, a video from a first-person viewpoint in which a virtual camera is arranged at the same eye position as the player character is used as a game screen, or a virtual camera is arranged around and / or above the player character to image the player character and the virtual space around it The game which makes the picture by the third person viewpoint which makes it a game screen is released.

  Such a game with a first person viewpoint or a third person viewpoint can enhance the user's sense of immersion in the game by setting the game screen closer to the user's own viewpoint.

  In such a game, there is known a mode in which a predetermined event such as flying of an airplane or a helicopter occurs when a predetermined condition such as the player character is positioned at a predetermined virtual space position is met (for example, For example, "Resident Evil" series released by Capcom, "Dead Rising" series etc.).

  However, even when such an event occurs, the user does not necessarily point the virtual camera in the direction in which the event occurs. It may also occur that an event occurs where the virtual camera is not pointed while the user is moving the virtual camera to look for the direction of occurrence of the event. As a result, the user does not notice or notice the occurrence of the event, which results in curbing the user's interest in the occurrence of the event. In the real world, it is possible to turn the face in the direction in which the sound of the event, such as the flying sound, has been heard, but in the game, the player character or virtual camera is oriented to the event generation position using the sound. It is difficult.

  In order to avoid such a problem, in the conventional game, there is performed a mode of forcibly replacing the game screen with a previously prepared movie scene when an event occurs. In addition, regardless of the user's operation, the virtual camera is forcibly directed to the point where the event occurs, or an instruction to press a predetermined operation button is displayed, and while the operation button is pressed, the virtual camera It is also conceivable to automatically turn to the event occurrence point.

  However, in any of the modes, since the user's operation is limited, it is easy for the user to feel resistance. In addition, the difference between the normal game mode in which the player character can act by the user's operation and the game mode which is forcibly advanced when the event occurs is large, and the user's sense of immersion in the game is reduced.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a game program and a game system which can make a user surely perceive the occurrence of an event without restricting the operation of the user.

  A game program according to one aspect of the present invention includes a display unit that displays an image captured by a virtual camera arranged in a virtual space as a game screen, an operation unit that controls the direction or position of the virtual camera, and a game. A game program to be executed by the computer in a game system provided with a computer, the computer comprising: virtual space generation means for generating the virtual space; and an orientation of the virtual camera based on an operation of the operation unit by a user Alternatively, imaging direction changing means for changing the position, event occurrence point setting means for setting the predetermined event occurrence point in the virtual space within the imaging range of the virtual camera, and event for generating a predetermined event in the virtual space Function as generation means, and the event generation means After the event occurrence point is set in the imaging range of the camera, the time when the event occurrence point is continuously included in the imaging range of the virtual camera is counted, and the event occurrence point is the virtual camera The predetermined event is generated from the event occurrence point when continuously included in the imaging range for a predetermined time.

  The event occurrence point setting means sets the predetermined fixed object on a line connecting the position of the virtual camera and the position of the predetermined fixed object, when the predetermined fixed object exists within the imaging range of the virtual camera. The predetermined event occurrence point may be set on the opposite side to the position of the virtual camera as a reference.

  The virtual space generation unit generates a predetermined object in the virtual space, and the event generation point setting unit simultaneously sets a plurality of event generation points in the virtual space within the imaging range of the virtual camera. When the plurality of event occurrence points are continuously included in the imaging range of the virtual camera for the predetermined time, the generation unit is one of the plurality of event occurrence points set in the imaging range of the virtual camera. The event may be generated from an event occurrence point closest to the predetermined object at a time after the predetermined time has elapsed.

  A game system according to another aspect of the present invention includes a program storage unit storing the above-described game program, and a computer that executes a program stored in the program storage unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a game program and a game system that can make a user surely perceive the occurrence of an event without restricting the operation of the user.

It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the game device in this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the game device shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows the three-dimensional virtual space in this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the game screen in this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the event processing in this Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the three-dimensional virtual space in the modification of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the game screen in FIG.

  Hereinafter, a game program and a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Game Summary]
In the following description, an action game executed on a home gaming device will be described as an example. The action game according to the present embodiment operates a player character acting in a virtual space to achieve a predetermined goal such as annihilating an enemy character or reaching a predetermined position in the virtual space. Proceed by fighting with the enemy characters.

[Hardware configuration]
The configuration of a game device for realizing the above-described game will be described. The game system according to the present embodiment includes the following game device 2 and an external device such as a monitor (display unit) 19 connected to the game device 2, a speaker 22 and a controller (operation unit) 24. A game can be played based on the game program 30a and the game data 30b read from the type storage medium 30. However, in the following, in order to simplify the description, the game device 2 may be simply referred to.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of game device 2 in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the game devices 2 can communicate with each other between the other game devices 2 and the server device 3 via a communication network NW such as the Internet or a LAN. The game apparatus 2 comprises a CPU 10 which is a computer for controlling the operation, and a disk drive 12, a memory card slot 13, an HDD 14 forming a program storage unit, a ROM 15 and a RAM 16 are connected to the CPU 10 via a bus 11. There is.

  Further, a graphic processing unit 17, an audio synthesis unit 20, a wireless communication control unit 23 and a network interface 25 are connected to the CPU 10 via the bus 11.

  Among them, the graphic processing unit 17 draws a game image including a game space and each character according to an instruction of the CPU 10. Further, an external monitor 19 is connected to the graphic processing unit 17 via the video conversion unit 18, and the game image drawn by the graphic processing unit 17 is converted to a moving image format by the video conversion unit 18, and the monitor 19 is Is to be displayed in.

  The audio synthesis unit 20 reproduces and synthesizes digital game sound according to the instruction of the CPU 10. Further, an external speaker 22 is connected to the audio synthesis unit 20 via the audio conversion unit 21. Therefore, the game voice reproduced and synthesized by the audio synthesizing unit 20 is decoded into an analog format by the audio converting unit 21 and is further outputted from the speaker 22 to the outside.

  Furthermore, the audio synthesis unit 20 may be configured such that the voice or the like of the user input from the headset connected to the game apparatus 2 or the microphone 26 provided in the controller 24 etc. It can be acquired. The audio synthesizing unit 20 can transmit the acquired data to the CPU 10 as input information.

  The wireless communication control unit 23 has a wireless communication module of 2.4 GHz band, is wirelessly connected to the controller 24 attached to the game apparatus 2, and can transmit and receive data. The user can input a signal to the game apparatus 2 by operating an operation element (described later) such as a button provided on the controller 24, and can control the operation of the player character displayed on the monitor 19 It has become.

The network interface 25 connects the game device 2 to a communication network NW such as the Internet or LAN, and can communicate with other game devices 2 or the server device 3. Then, by connecting the game apparatus 2 to another game apparatus 2 via the communication network NW and mutually transmitting and receiving data, a plurality of player characters can be displayed synchronously in the same virtual space.

Thereby, in the present game, it is possible to perform multiplay where a plurality of player characters corresponding to a plurality of users cooperate to fight an enemy character or a plurality of users compete against each other.

[Functional configuration of game device]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the game apparatus 2 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the game apparatus 2 includes a control unit 4 including a CPU 10, an HDD 14, a ROM 15, a RAM 16, a graphic processing unit 17, a video conversion unit 18, an audio synthesis unit 20, an audio conversion unit 21, a network interface 25 and the like. Operate as a computer. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 4 of the game apparatus 2 executes the game program 30a according to the present invention to generate virtual space generation means 41, imaging direction change means 42, event occurrence point setting means 43, and events. The functions of the generation means 44 and the character control means 45 are exhibited.

  Among these, the virtual space generation unit 41 generates a virtual space (game space) in which a player character operated by the user acts. The virtual space generation unit 41 generates a virtual game space in which the character operates and each character operating in the game space and causes the monitor 19 to display the character. For example, the virtual space generation unit 41 reads data such as objects and textures included in the game data 30b as the player character moves, and generates a three-dimensional virtual game space. Furthermore, in order to display the game space on the monitor 19 of the game apparatus 2, the virtual space generation unit 41 generates a two-dimensional image when imaged by a predetermined virtual camera disposed in the generated game space, and causes the monitor 19 to Display as a game screen.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a three-dimensional virtual space in the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a game screen in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, in the three-dimensional virtual space S, terrain is drawn with polygons, textures, etc., and various objects, virtual cameras C, etc. are arranged on the terrain. For example, in the example of FIG. 3, a player character P operable by the user via the controller 24 is disposed in the virtual space S. An imaging range AC of the virtual camera C is displayed as a game screen G as a two-dimensional image.

  The character control means 45 controls at least the movement of the character (player character P) corresponding to the user who operates the computer in accordance with the operation input of the controller 24 by the user or the progress of the game. The player character P performs a predetermined action determined for the first type operation based on the first type operation of the controller 24 by the user. When the character control means 45 determines that the first type operation has been performed based on an input operation to the controller 24 by the user, the character control means 45 causes the player character to execute a corresponding predetermined action. Furthermore, the character control means 45 controls the motion of the non-player character acting in the virtual space S.

  The imaging direction changing means 42 changes the direction or position of the virtual camera C based on the operation of the controller 24 by the user. More specifically, the imaging direction changing means 42 changes the orientation of the virtual camera C to the direction or position determined in the second type operation based on the second type operation of the controller 24 by the user. The second type operation is configured by an operation mode independent of the first type operation.

  For example, the operators of the controller 24 for performing the second type operation are configured as operators different from the operators of the controller 24 for performing the first type operation. For example, in the controller 24 having a plurality of direction operators such as a direction stick operator and a direction pad operator, the first type operation (player character of one direction operator (for example, direction stick operator) is performed (player character And the other direction control (eg, direction pad control) may be assigned to the second type operation.

  Instead of this, the first type operation and the second type operation may be switched in the same operation element to be operable. For example, the operation mode may be switched between an operation mode input as a first type operation and an operation mode input as a second type operation according to an operation input of a predetermined operation element. For example, the switching screen of the operation mode may be displayed on the game screen, and the operation mode may be switched based on the user's operation on the switching screen. The second type operation may be realized by simultaneously performing an input operation of another operation element (for example, a predetermined operation button) on an operation element (for example, direction stick operation element) used for the first type operation.

  An image of the virtual camera C is taken regardless of the direction of the player character P due to a change in the direction or position of the virtual camera C due to the second type operation (for example, the central axis of the virtual camera in FIG. 3 changes from L 'to L). The range AC changes.

  Note that the change in the direction or position of the virtual camera C due to the second type operation is not limited to a mode in which the direction of the virtual camera C changes without changing the relative position of the virtual camera C relative to the player character P. An aspect may also be included in which the relative position of the virtual camera C with respect to the character P changes. That is, the imaging direction changing means 42 may change the direction or the position of the virtual camera so that a predetermined fixation point in the virtual space is captured at a specific position on the game screen.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 described later, the gaze point H is set at a predetermined position (for example, the head) of the player character P, and the virtual camera C always For example, the direction or position of the virtual camera C may be moved so as to turn around the player character P so as to be located at the center AS). The virtual camera C may capture an image of the virtual space S such that the fixation point H is in focus.

  In this case, when the second type operation is not performed, the virtual camera C is installed at the upper rear of the player character P, and images the front of the player character P and the player character P behind the player character P (FIG. 7) ). When the second type operation is performed and the virtual camera C is positioned at the upper right of the player character P, the virtual camera C captures the player character P and the left of the player character P from the right of the player character P.

  As described above, since the virtual camera C always faces the direction in which the player character P, which is the gaze point H, is present, the player character P is included in the imaging range AC of the virtual camera C. When the position of the virtual camera C changes due to the second type operation, the direction of the player character P in the image (game screen) captured by the virtual camera C and the background thereof change. The specific position AS may be defined as a predetermined area as shown in FIG. 7 or may be defined as a predetermined position (point).

  Even when the fixation point H is set, the imaging direction changing means 42 does not have to image the virtual camera C so that the fixation point H is positioned at the specific position AS of the game screen G. Also, the fixation point H may be set to a predetermined object other than the player character P. An object to which a fixation point H is set may be switched during the game.

  Furthermore, the imaging direction changing means 42 can change the orientation or position of the virtual camera C also based on the first type operation of the controller 24 by the user. That is, the first person viewpoint mode in which the virtual camera C is disposed at the same eye position as the player character P or the third person viewpoint mode in which the virtual camera C is disposed around (for example, behind) and / or above the player character P is executed. In this case, if the second type operation is not performed, the imaging direction changing means 42 moves the position and the orientation of the virtual camera C so as to follow the movement of the player character P. Therefore, the imaging range AC of the virtual camera C can also be changed by the action of the player character P.

  The event generating means 44 generates a predetermined event in the virtual space S. The event occurrence point setting unit 43 sets a predetermined event occurrence point E (see FIG. 3) in the virtual space S in the imaging range AC of the virtual camera C. After the event occurrence point E is set in the imaging range AC of the virtual camera C, the event occurrence unit 44 counts the time during which the event occurrence point E is continuously included in the imaging range AC of the virtual camera C. When the event occurrence point E is continuously included in the imaging range AC of the virtual camera C for a predetermined time, a predetermined event is generated from the event occurrence point E. The following will be described in order.

Event processing
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of event processing in the present embodiment. In the following, when the player character P is positioned at a predetermined position in the virtual space S as a predetermined event, when the virtual camera C is directed to the sky (upward), the moving object from the sky in the direction to which the virtual camera C is directed (for example, An example in which an event (see FIG. 4) in which the helicopter M) flies is shown. The event of this example is included in the event in which the game does not progress unless the game progress changes or is cleared depending on whether or not the event is cleared. In this example, the predetermined conditions for generating an event include a character action condition and a virtual camera condition.

  The character action condition defines the action of the player character P as a trigger for generating an event. For example, the character action condition is that the player character P is positioned in a predetermined area of the virtual space S, the player character P operates on a predetermined object (attacks a button provided on the object, etc. , An item, etc., and the player character P may talk to a predetermined non-player character. In the present example, as shown in FIG. 3, an event trigger area AE is set in a predetermined area of the virtual space S. The event trigger area AE is set as an area where the player character P can enter. The position of the player character P in the event trigger area AE is set as one of the event generation conditions (the predetermined condition described above).

  The virtual camera condition defines the direction of the virtual camera C that is a trigger for generating an event. The virtual camera condition is a condition related to the orientation of the virtual camera C, for example, the virtual camera C is directed upward (sky), the virtual camera C has a predetermined background (for example, a mountain represented on the virtual space S by an object or texture, Directs the virtual camera C to a predetermined direction, rotates the direction of the virtual camera C by a predetermined angle or more, predetermined objects within the imaging range AC of the virtual camera C (for example, pillars, bushes, treasure chests, glass) A fixed object etc. fixedly arranged in virtual space S, such as a window, may be included. Furthermore, the virtual camera condition may include performing a first type operation or a second type operation.

  That is, moving the player character P by the first type operation may include that the condition relating to the direction of the virtual camera C is satisfied as a virtual camera condition, and instead, the player character P may be changed by the second type operation. By changing the orientation of the virtual camera C independently of the orientation of the virtual camera C, it may be included as a virtual camera condition that the condition regarding the orientation of the virtual camera C is satisfied. In this example, turning the virtual camera C upward (empty) by the first type operation or the second type operation is set as one of the event generation conditions (the predetermined conditions described above).

  The event occurrence point setting means 43 determines whether the character action condition is satisfied (step S1). In the present example, the event occurrence point setting means 43 determines whether or not the player character P is positioned in the event trigger area AE. When it is determined that the character action condition is satisfied (Yes in step S1), the event occurrence point setting unit 43 determines whether the virtual camera condition is satisfied (step S2). In the present example, the event occurrence point setting means 43 determines whether the virtual camera C is directed upward.

  If it is determined that the virtual camera condition is satisfied (Yes in step S2), the event occurrence point setting unit 43 determines that the predetermined condition for the event is satisfied. At this time, the event occurrence point setting unit 43 sets an event occurrence point E in the virtual space S in the imaging range AC by the virtual camera C at this time (step S3).

  For example, the event occurrence point setting unit 43 sets the position coordinates of the virtual space S corresponding to a predetermined position on the game screen G by the virtual camera C (for example, the upper center position on the game screen G) when the predetermined condition is satisfied. Identify and set the event occurrence point E in the position coordinates. Instead of this, the event occurrence point setting means 43 is a position on the central axis L of the virtual camera C when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and is a virtual space S at a position separated by a predetermined distance from the position of the virtual camera C. The position coordinates of may be specified, and the event occurrence point E may be set to the position coordinates. Further, the event occurrence point setting unit 43 specifies an area on the virtual space S of the imaging range AC of the virtual camera C when the predetermined condition is satisfied, and randomly from the area or based on the predetermined condition. The event occurrence point E may be set to the identified position coordinates.

  The event generation unit 44 starts clocking based on the setting of the event generation point E. The event generation means 44 determines whether the set event generation point E is continuously included in the imaging range AC of the virtual camera C for a predetermined time. For example, the event generation unit 44 determines whether the set event occurrence point E is included in the current imaging range AC at each predetermined timing after setting the event occurrence point E (step S4). . When the set event occurrence point E is included in the current imaging range AC (Yes in step S4), the event occurrence unit 44 further determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the setting of the event occurrence point E. It is determined (step S5).

  If it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed since the setting of the event occurrence point E (Yes in step S5), the event occurrence means 44 generates a corresponding event from the set event occurrence point E (step S6). In this example, the event generating means 44 generates a moving object (helicopter) M at an event occurrence point E and moves it toward the virtual camera C from the event occurrence point E.

  When it is determined that the event occurrence point E has deviated from the current imaging range AC before the predetermined time has elapsed since the setting of the event occurrence point E (No in step S4), the event occurrence means 44 determines the event occurrence point The corresponding event is not generated from E, and the setting of the event occurrence point E is canceled (step S7).

  According to the present embodiment, when the set event occurrence point E is continuously included in the imaging range AC of the virtual camera C for a predetermined time regardless of the direction or position of the virtual camera C, An event occurs in the imaging range AC. Therefore, without restricting the operation (first type operation) of the player character P by the user (first type operation) and the change operation of the direction of the virtual camera C (second type operation), the event is determined from the position at which the user is determined to be gazing Can be generated.

  This allows the user to more surely perceive the occurrence of an event. Further, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to make the user think that an event has occurred by chance in the direction in which the player character P or the virtual camera C is directed based on his / her operation. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a reduction in the user's sense of immersion in the game when the event occurs.

  In the present embodiment, the virtual camera condition is included in the predetermined condition for generating an event. In order to easily satisfy the virtual camera condition and make it easy to generate an event, the direction that faces the virtual camera C may be notified on the game screen G by display or the like. For example, on the game screen G, display by an arrow or the like, display by text such as “look at the sky”, “something coming from the right”, display on a sub screen such as a radar may be performed.

  Also in the conventional game, it is conceivable to make it easy for the user to perceive the occurrence of an event by announcing such a direction toward the virtual camera C by display or the like. However, by combining with the mode of setting the event occurrence point E within the imaging range AC of the virtual camera C as in the present embodiment, it is possible to make the user more surely perceive the occurrence of the event.

  That is, in the present embodiment, strict operation of the virtual camera C is not necessary. For example, even if the occurrence point of the event is reported by the text or the arrow with "something coming from the right" as in the above example, the degree of change in the direction of the virtual camera C by the first type operation or second type operation of the user The (operation angle) is different for each operation.

  For example, in a conventional mode in which an event is preset to occur from the right direction (90 ° direction) of the player character P at a predetermined position, the user is assumed to include at least the occurrence point of the event in the imaging range. It is necessary to change the orientation of the camera C. However, even if the user intended to change the orientation of the virtual camera C by 90 ° to the right, for example, the orientation of the virtual camera C may actually be changed to an angle smaller or larger than 90 °. In such a case, there is a possibility that the event occurrence point is not located or hardly visible in the imaging range of the virtual camera C after the operation.

  On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, a strict operation amount is not required for the user's operation, and in the above case, if there is an operation to at least turn the right away, imaging of the virtual camera C according to the operation Events can occur within the range AC. Therefore, in the present embodiment, even in the case of adopting an aspect in which the event occurrence point E is notified, the effect of allowing the user to more surely perceive the occurrence of an event is exhibited as compared with the conventional aspect.

  In addition to or instead of this, in response to the user's operation of the virtual camera C, the imaging direction changing means 42 forcibly forces the direction or position of the virtual camera C regardless of the user's operation or not. You may control.

  For example, when the event occurrence point E is set in the imaging range AC of the virtual camera C, the imaging direction changing means 42 changes the direction of the virtual camera C until the virtual camera C reaches a predetermined direction and / or a predetermined position. Force control of position. The predetermined orientation and / or predetermined position of the virtual camera C is set to an orientation and / or position where an event generated from the event occurrence point E can be easily seen.

  As a result, based on the rough operation of the virtual camera C from the user, the virtual camera C can be supplementally changed to an orientation or position in which the occurrence of an appropriate event is more easily visible.

  In addition, after the event occurrence point E is set within the imaging range AC of the virtual camera C, the imaging direction changing means 42 sets the virtual camera to a direction away from the event occurrence point E or a position away from the event occurrence point E by a predetermined distance. When the orientation or position of C changes, control is forced to change the orientation or position of the virtual camera C so that the set event occurrence point E is included in the imaging range AC of the virtual camera C May be Furthermore, after such control, the imaging direction changing means 42 may forcibly perform control to maintain the orientation or position of the virtual camera C.

  As described above, when the virtual camera C is not operated continuously so that the event occurrence point E is included in the imaging range AC, the imaging direction changing unit 42 may forcibly control the virtual camera C.

  Instead of this, when the event occurrence point E is set in the imaging range AC of the virtual camera C, the imaging direction changing means 42 continues the event occurrence point E in the imaging range AC of the virtual camera C for a predetermined time. As described above, the direction and / or position of the virtual camera C may be forcibly controlled until the event occurs and / or until the event ends after the event occurs. In this case, the imaging direction changing means 42 may fix the virtual camera C.

  Alternatively, if the imaging direction changing means 42 allows the user to operate the virtual camera C in a range where the event occurrence point E does not deviate from the imaging range AC and determines that the event occurrence point E is about to deviate from the imaging range AC In addition, forcible control may be performed such as fixing the direction and / or position of the virtual camera C in the state at the time of the determination. By forcibly controlling the direction or position of the virtual camera C, it is possible to make the user perceive that an event occurs in the imaging range AC.

[Modification]
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various improvement, change, and correction are possible within the range which does not deviate from the meaning.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the event that occurs is an event in which a moving object, a helicopter, flies toward the player character P. However, the moving object is not limited to a helicopter, and may be, for example, an airplane moving in the sky (flying) like the helicopter, or a flying object such as a ball, or an object moving on the ground (eg car, person, It may be a ground crack etc.).

  Further, the moving direction of the moving object is not only moving toward the player character P as described above, but also moving, for example, across the imaging range AC (game screen G) when a predetermined condition is satisfied. It may be In a mode in which the moving object moves so as to cross the imaging range AC, the event occurrence point setting unit 43 may set an arrival point (vanishing point) of the moving object when setting the event occurrence point E.

  Also, the events that occur are not limited to the occurrence of moving objects. For example, an event that occurs is an explosion (attack, eruption), the occurrence of light inserted from the clouds, the appearance of non-player characters such as shooting stars and enemy characters (coming to the player character P or crossing the imaging range AC), etc. It may be.

  Further, in the above embodiment, in order to satisfy the virtual camera condition, the aspect in which any of the first type operation and the second type operation may be used is exemplified. However, the virtual camera is virtualized only by any one type of operation. The camera conditions may be satisfied. For example, the event occurrence point setting unit 43 sets an event occurrence point E in the virtual space S in the imaging range AC of the virtual camera C after the second type operation in response to the second type operation being performed. It is also good. As a result, as a result of the user intentionally moving the virtual camera C, it can be perceived that an event has occurred in the moving direction. This makes it possible to enhance the interest of the user while suppressing the reduction in the user's sense of immersion in the game.

  Further, in the above embodiment, although the aspect in which both the character action condition and the virtual camera condition are included in the predetermined condition for generating an event has been described, the present invention is not limited thereto. Only one of them may be set as the predetermined condition. Further, the predetermined condition is not limited to the example described above.

  Hereinafter, a modified example in which an event occurs when the virtual camera condition that a predetermined object is included in the imaging range AC of the virtual camera C is satisfied as the predetermined condition will be described. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a three-dimensional virtual space in a modification of the present embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a view showing the game screen in FIG.

  In the present modification, the event occurrence point setting unit 43 sets the predetermined condition when at least one of the predetermined fixed objects (posts in this example) B1 to B6 is present in the imaging range AC of the virtual camera C. It is determined that In FIG. 6, seven predetermined fixed objects B1 to B7 are arranged in the virtual space S, and the player character P moves so as to follow the player character P by the user's first type operation. A state in which fixed objects B4 to B6 are included in the imaging range AC of the camera C is shown.

  In the example of FIG. 3 described above, the imaging range AC of the virtual camera C is infinite in the imaging direction of the virtual camera C (radial direction including the extension direction of the central axis L) in a predetermined angle range around the central axis L An example set as the far area is shown. However, in the present modification, as shown in FIG. 6, an imaging range AC of the virtual camera C determined at a finite distance in the imaging direction of the virtual camera C is set. Of course, in the example of FIG. 3, the imaging range AC may be determined at a finite distance with respect to the imaging direction, or in the example of FIG. 6, the imaging range AC may be determined at infinity at the imaging direction. .

  As shown in the example of FIG. 6, when it is determined that the fixed objects B4 to B6 exist among the seven predetermined fixed objects B1 to B7, the event occurrence point setting unit 43 selects one of the fixed objects B4 to B6. Event occurrence points E1 to E3 for generating a predetermined event based on at least one of the above.

  In this modification, the event occurrence point setting unit 43 sets a virtual camera C based on the fixed objects B4 and B5 on lines F1 to F3 connecting the position of the virtual camera C and the positions of the predetermined fixed objects B4 to B6. The event occurrence points E1 to E3 are set on the opposite side to the position of. As a result, an event occurs after fixed objects B4 to B6 in the direction in which the virtual camera C is facing.

  For example, by setting occurrence points of non player characters to the event occurrence points E1 to E3, it is possible to realize an event in which non player characters occur behind the fixed objects B4 to B6. Further, for example, an event of finding a key item can be realized by installing a treasure box containing key items and the like that are important items in advancing the game, at the event occurrence points E1 to E3.

  When a plurality of fixed objects B4 to B6 are included in the imaging range AC, the event occurrence point setting unit 43 generates an event based on all of the plurality of fixed objects B4 to B6 positioned in the imaging range AC. The points E1 to E3 may be set simultaneously, or may be set based on one of them (for example, only the event occurrence point E2 based on the fixed object B5 in the example of FIG. 6).

  Also, the event occurrence points E1 to E3 may be set to the fixed objects B4 to B6 themselves. For example, the event that occurs may be one in which a pillar that is the fixed objects B4 to B6 is deformed to generate a non-player character (such as an enemy character). Moreover, the event which generate | occur | produces may break the glass window which is fixed object B4-B6.

  An event is generated on the basis of a mode in which the fixation point H is set to a predetermined object (player character P), and the event occurrence point setting means 43 all of the plurality of fixed objects B4 to B6 included in the imaging range AC. You may combine with the aspect which sets the points E1-E3 simultaneously. In this case, the event generation unit 44 detects a case where a plurality of event occurrence points E1 to E3 continuously included in the imaging range AC of the virtual camera C among the plurality of event occurrence points E1 to E3 exist (for example, all of them) Event occurrence points E1 to E3)), an event may be generated from an event occurrence point E2 which is at a position closest to the player character P at a time point after a predetermined time has elapsed. Thereby, an event can be generated from a position (near the gazing point H) at which it is determined that the user is particularly watching on the game screen G.

  As described above, by setting the event occurrence points E1 to E3 to be included in the imaging range AC of the virtual camera C while relying on the plurality of fixed objects B1 to B7 arranged in the virtual space S, Various effects can be created.

  For example, by breaking the window glass (fixed object) in the direction in which the player character P faces, it is possible to effectively surprise the user. Also, for example, by installing a treasure box (fixed object) containing key items in the direction in which the player character P points, it is possible to make the user find the key items quickly. Also, for example, by arranging the non-player character behind a pillar (fixed object) in a place where the player character P has headed in the event of finding a loose non-player character, the user rejoins the user quickly with the non-player character. It can be done.

  In addition, for example, by coloring the door (fixed object) of the house at the place where the player character P has headed in the event given an instruction such as “Go to the house of red door”, the user can easily make the instruction to the user. It can be achieved.

  In the event of achieving the purpose or instruction given in advance, the event occurrence point setting means 43 sets the event occurrence point E within the imaging range AC of the virtual camera C according to the elapsed time after the purpose or instruction is given. You may switch whether to set or not. For example, the event occurrence point setting unit 43 sets an event occurrence point based on a predetermined fixed object of the plurality of fixed objects until the predetermined elapsed time elapses, but after the predetermined elapsed time elapses The event occurrence point may be reset based on the fixed objects included in the imaging range AC only after the elapsed time of the plurality of fixed objects has elapsed.

  The event occurrence point setting unit 43 switches whether to set the event occurrence point E in the imaging range AC of the virtual camera C according to the difficulty level in a game in which a plurality of game difficulty levels are set. It is also good. For example, in the case of the game mode in which the degree of difficulty is high, the event occurrence point setting means 43 sets the point at which the event occurrence point is based on a predetermined fixed object of a plurality of fixed objects, In the case of the mode, the event occurrence point may be set based on the fixed object included in the imaging range AC for the first time among the plurality of fixed objects.

  The events that occur include events in which the game does not progress unless the game progress changes or does not clear depending on whether the event is cleared or not. An event whose game progress changes depending on whether or not the event is cleared is, for example, an event that determines whether or not to get on the moving object in an event where a moving object such as a helicopter or a car can appear. Can be illustrated. In this example, the progress of the subsequent game changes depending on whether or not the player character P is on the moving object.

  In addition, in an event in which a moving object appears, it may be an event where it is a clear condition to prevent the appearing moving object from being attacked by an enemy character for a predetermined period. In this example, when the clear condition is achieved, for example, a non-player character on the moving object who can ride on the moving object joins a friend, a specific item can be obtained from the non-player character, or a specific event thereafter. Although a privilege such as being able to receive a support attack from a moving object in a scene can be obtained, the privilege can not be obtained unless the clear condition is achieved.

  If the event does not clear the event, for example, the event must be defeated by a non-player character (boss character) that must be defeated, an event that must find a key item that must be possessed, or must go to a predetermined location An example of a bad event (e.g., an event heading to the house of the red door) can be illustrated.

  The events that occur are not limited to the above, and do not affect the progress of the game, such as the appearance of non-player characters not related to the clear conditions of the game, the event that the glass breaks, the event that finds a regular item (a treasure box containing) It may be an event.

  In the above embodiment, the aspect of setting the event occurrence point E when the virtual camera condition is satisfied mainly by the user's operation (type 1 operation or type 2 operation) has been mainly described. It is not limited to. For example, the event occurrence point setting unit 43 may set the event occurrence point E based on information on the current orientation or position of the virtual camera C without moving the virtual camera C based on the user's operation.

  For example, when it is determined that the event occurrence condition such as the character action condition as described in the above embodiment is satisfied, the event occurrence point setting unit 43 acquires information on the direction or position of the virtual camera C, and the virtual An event occurrence point E is set in the imaging range AC of the camera C. The event generation means 44 generates a predetermined event from the event occurrence point E when the event occurrence point E is continuously included in the imaging range AC of the virtual camera C for a predetermined time.

  Also, as a monitor 29 for displaying a game screen, it is applied not only to a normal display device but also to a virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) type game system to which a head mounted display mounted on the user's head is applied. It can be done. The head mounted display is provided with a sensor that detects its position and attitude. In such a game system, by detecting the position and orientation of the head mounted display worn by the user on the head, the game image of the virtual space corresponding to the user's movement (the direction or position of the head mounted display) is the head Displayed on the mount display. The event generation process in the above embodiment may be executed according to such an actual movement of the user.

  Further, in the present embodiment, after the event occurrence point E is set within the imaging range of the virtual camera, the event occurrence means 44 continues to include the event occurrence point E within the imaging range of the virtual camera. Although the time is measured and a predetermined event is generated from the event occurrence point E when the event occurrence point E is continuously included in the imaging range of the virtual camera for a predetermined time, the invention is not limited thereto.

  For example, a predetermined object (coordinate position) arranged in the virtual space is stored in advance as a candidate point where the event occurrence point E is set, and the predetermined object (candidate point) is within the imaging range of the virtual camera Keep track of the time continuously included. Then, when the predetermined object (candidate point) is continuously included in the imaging range of the virtual camera for a predetermined time, a predetermined event may be generated from the predetermined object (candidate point).

  Further, although the stationary game device has been described in the above embodiment, the present invention can be suitably applied to computers such as portable game devices, mobile phones, and personal computers.

  The present invention is useful in a game to ensure that the user perceives the occurrence of an event without restricting the operation of the user.

2 game apparatus 30a game program 30b game data 41 virtual space generation means 42 imaging direction change means 43 event occurrence point setting means 44 event generation means 45 character control means

Claims (4)

A game system comprising: a display unit for displaying an image captured by a virtual camera arranged in a virtual space as a game screen; an operation unit for operating the direction or position of the virtual camera; and a computer for advancing a game A game program to be run,
The computer,
Virtual space generation means for generating the virtual space;
Imaging direction changing means for changing the direction or position of the virtual camera based on an operation of the operation unit by a user
It functions as an event occurrence point setting unit that sets the predetermined event occurrence point in the virtual space within the imaging range of the virtual camera, and an event generation unit that generates a predetermined event in the virtual space,
The event generation unit measures a time during which the event occurrence point is continuously included in the imaging range of the virtual camera after the event occurrence point is set in the imaging range of the virtual camera, When an event occurrence point is continuously included in an imaging range of the virtual camera for a predetermined time, the predetermined event is generated from the event occurrence point, and the event occurrence point is the virtual camera before the predetermined time elapses. When the camera deviates from the imaging range, the predetermined event is not generated.
The event occurrence point setting unit determines whether a predetermined virtual camera condition is satisfied or not when the predetermined operation of the direction of the virtual camera is performed by the user, and the virtual camera condition is satisfied. Setting the predetermined event occurrence point in the virtual space within the imaging range of the virtual camera after the predetermined operation, and the event occurrence point deviates from the imaging range of the virtual camera before the predetermined time has elapsed A game program for canceling the setting of the event occurrence point .   The event occurrence point setting means sets the predetermined fixed object on a line connecting the position of the virtual camera and the position of the predetermined fixed object, when the predetermined fixed object exists within the imaging range of the virtual camera. The game program according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined event occurrence point is set on the opposite side to the position of the virtual camera as a reference. The virtual space generation unit generates a predetermined object in the virtual space,
The event occurrence point setting means simultaneously sets a plurality of event occurrence points in the virtual space within the imaging range of the virtual camera,
The event generation unit is configured to set the plurality of event occurrence points set in the imaging range of the virtual camera when the plurality of event occurrence points are continuously included in the imaging range of the virtual camera for the predetermined time. The game program according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an event is generated from an event occurrence point closest to the predetermined object at a time after the predetermined time has elapsed. A program storage unit storing the game program according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
A game system comprising: a computer that executes a program stored in the program storage unit.

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