JP6923593B2 - Game program and game system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to game programs and game systems.

In the game, characters such as player characters and non-player characters operate in the virtual space. Patent Document 1 is known as a technique for controlling the operation. In Patent Document 1, a joint model having a plurality of joints is set for each character, and the movement of each character is realized by determining the position and posture of each joint.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-28809

By the way, in the game, the sound is output according to the movement of the character. This voice output setting is usually manually input by the developer while visually observing the movement of the character during game development. Since this work is performed for each movement of each character, it takes time and effort. Therefore, if the joint model can be effectively used in voice output control, the work can be expected to be reduced.

An object of the present invention is to provide a game program and a game system capable of reducing the work of setting audio output.

The first invention is a computer.
A virtual space generation means that creates a virtual space in which a character operates,
A character motion control means for controlling the motion of the character in the virtual space based on a joint model having a plurality of joints set corresponding to the character.
The game program is characterized in that it functions as a voice output control means for outputting voice related to the movement of the character according to the distance between the joints in the joint model.

Further, in the first invention, a computer is used.
A setting means for setting a predetermined timing for changing the output of the sound according to the distance between the joints before executing the game.
Further prepare
The voice output control means can change the voice output according to the predetermined timing during the execution of the game.

The second invention is a computer.
A virtual space generation means that creates a virtual space in which a character operates,
A character motion control means for controlling the motion of the character in the virtual space based on a joint model having at least one joint set corresponding to the character.
An arrangement means for arranging a virtual surface used as a reference in the voice output control of the character, which is different from the background object located in the background of the character in the virtual space, in the virtual space.
The game program is characterized in that it functions as a voice output control means for outputting a voice related to the movement of the character according to a distance between the virtual surface and at least one of the joints.

Further, in the second invention, the arrangement means can determine the position of the virtual surface in the virtual space according to the direction in which at least one of the joints moves.

Further, in the second invention, the computer is used.
A setting means for setting a predetermined timing for changing the output of the sound according to the distance between the virtual surface and at least one of the joints before executing the game.
Further prepare
The voice output control means can change the voice output according to the predetermined timing during the execution of the game.

The third invention is a game system including a storage unit that stores the game program described in the first invention or the second invention and a computer that executes the game program.

According to the present invention, the sound is automatically output according to the distance between the joints or the distance between the virtual surface and the joint in the joint model. As a result, the developer does not have to perform the work of setting the voice output while visually observing the movement of the character for each movement of the character.

It is a block diagram which shows the hardware structure and the functional structure of the game system of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which illustrates the joint model of a character. This is a display example of voice motion data generated using a joint model. It is a flow chart which shows the operation flow of a server device in a game development stage. It is a flow chart which shows the flow of operation of a game apparatus at the time of game execution. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware structure and the functional structure of the game system of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which illustrates the positional relationship between a joint of a character and a virtual surface. It is a flow chart which shows the operation flow of a server device in a game development stage. It is a flow chart which shows the flow of operation of a game apparatus at the time of game execution.

[First Embodiment]
The game system 1 and the game program according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Game description>
In the game system 1 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the server device 2 and the plurality of game devices 5 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via the communication network 6.

The game described in the present embodiment is an action game in which a player character is activated in a three-dimensional virtual space or a group is formed by the player characters to perform various actions in response to a user operation. .. A user can play a game online with another user via a communication network 6, but can also play a game individually (in an offline state) without going through a communication network 6.

In this game, sounds such as BGM and sound effects are output according to the movement of the character in the virtual space. Characters include player characters that operate according to user operations, and non-player characters such as enemy characters and sub-characters that operate regardless of user operations.

In addition to the character, a background object located in the background of the character is arranged in the virtual space. Background objects include static objects such as mountains and trees, the ground, and dynamic objects such as airships and water wheels.

A joint model M (see FIG. 2) that imitates the skeleton and joints of the corresponding character is preset for each character. The joint model M will be described later, but in the present embodiment, the joint model M is used not only for controlling the movement of the character but also for controlling the voice output of the character.

In this voice output control, voices related to the movements of individual characters are automatically set and output according to the distance between the joints in the joint model M. As a result, while a game image in which, for example, a human-shaped character is running is displayed on the display 61 of the game device 5, the sound of rubbing the sleeves and body of the costume worn by the character is appropriate. It is output at the right timing.

Such a game is executed using a home-use game machine such as a PlayStation (registered trademark), a portable game machine such as PlayStation Vita (registered trademark), and a game device 5 such as a smartphone, a tablet, or a personal computer. In the following, a case where the game device 5 is a home-use game machine will be illustrated.

<Overview of Game System 1>
The game system 1 is composed of a server device 2 and a plurality of game devices 5.

The server device 2 stores the game program and the game data, and manages the game data (for each of the following account information) of the game device 5. Further, in the present embodiment, a case where the server device 2 is also used as a device for generating a game at the time of developing a game is illustrated.

The game device 5 executes the game based on the operation of the user. When the game is executed in the online state, the game device 5 receives (specifically, downloads and installs) the game program and the game data from the server device 2 via the communication network 6.

Specifically, the game device 5 can first log in to the server device 2 when the game progresses in the online state. Each user is assigned account information including identification information (user ID) and password for each user in association with the game device 5. This account information is transmitted from the game device 5 to the server device 2 at the time of login, and is used for user authentication in the server device 2.

After user authentication, mutual communication between the server device 2 and the game device 5 becomes possible. After logging in, when the game device 5 receives the data necessary for the game progress (data related to the game progress status) from the server device 2, the game device 5 outputs the game image and sound to the display 61 and the speaker 62 based on the user's operation while outputting the game image and sound to the display 61 and the speaker 62. Advance the game.

On the other hand, in the offline state, the game device 5 outputs game images and sounds to the display 61 and the speaker 62 based on the data related to the game progress already stored in the storage unit 55 and the user's operation. While progressing the game.

<Hardware configuration>
Hereinafter, each hardware configuration of the server device 2 and the game device 5 will be described.

<Configuration of server device 2>
As shown in FIG. 1, the server device 2 has a network interface 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 23. The network interface 21 and the storage unit 22 are electrically connected to the control unit 23 via the bus 29.

The network interface 21 is communicably connected to a plurality of game devices 5 via a communication network 6 such as the Internet and a LAN.

The storage unit 22 is composed of an HDD, an SSD, a RAM, a ROM, and the like. The storage unit 22 stores various programs including account information of each user who plays the game, game data such as login history, and a part of the game program according to the present embodiment. Further, the storage unit 22 stores data related to voice output corresponding to each movement of the character (hereinafter, voice movement data).

The control unit 23 is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU and a semiconductor memory, and controls the operation of the own device 2.

<Functional configuration of the control unit 23 in the server device 2>
By executing various programs, the control unit 23 functions as an information processing means 231, a collation means 232, a distribution means 233, and a setting means 234, as shown in FIG.

-Information processing means-
The information processing means 231 transmits and receives various data to and from each game device 5. Examples of the data received by the information processing means 231 include a game program download request and account information. Examples of the data transmitted by the information processing means 231 include information for confirming that the game device 5 has received the game program.

-Verification means-
The collation means 232 uses the account information received from the game device 5 to perform user authentication processing.

-Delivery means-
After the information processing means 231 receives the download request information of the game program and the account information of the user, the distribution means 233 distributes the game data and the voice operation data corresponding to the game program and the received account information to the game device 5 ( Send.

-Setting means-
The setting means 234 sets the voice motion data in advance by setting a predetermined timing for changing the voice output according to the distance between the joints in the joint model M of each character before the game is actually played by the user. Generate. The setting means 234 stores the voice operation data in the storage unit 22. In particular, in the present embodiment, this process is performed at the development stage of the game.

The joint model M is a model having a plurality of joints set according to the character, and is generated in advance for each character at the game development stage.

In FIG. 2, the monster character ch0 is taken as an example, and the joint model M of the character ch0 is shown. The character ch0 is composed of a plurality of parts of the head ch1, the neck ch2, the body ch3, the tail ch4, the arms ch5, and the legs ch6. The joint model M is composed of a plurality of joints J associated with each of these sites ch1 to ch6 and a plurality of bones B connecting adjacent joints J to each other. The body surface of each part of the character ch0 is composed of a combination of a large number of polygons, and the vertices of each polygon are associated with one or a plurality of joints J.

Of the plurality of joints J in the joint model M, the setting means 234 selects any two joints J as a reference joint pair for generating voice motion data. This selection process is performed, for example, through the operation of the game developer. In FIG. 2, the joint J1 located near the tip of the tail ch4 and the joint J2 of the legs ch6 located near the trunk ch3 are selected as reference joint pairs.

When the character ch0 swings the tail ch4, the distance d1 connecting the reference joint pairs J1 and J2 with a straight line changes according to the direction of the tail ch4 and the like.

Therefore, the setting means 234 changes the output of the sound (sound effect) such that the tail ch4 makes a sound effect that cuts the wind or changes the magnitude of the sound effect according to the magnitude of the distance d1. The predetermined timing to be set is automatically set. As a result, voice operation data as shown in FIG. 3 is generated.

FIG. 3 is a screen example in which the voice operation data is displayed on the display (not shown) of the server device 2. In FIG. 3, the timing at which the sound effects A, B, and C are output from the speaker 62 (described later) of the game device 5 according to the magnitude of the distance d1 and the length at which the sound is output are filled in. It is represented by a square. The size of the square represents the volume.

For example, the setting means 234 sets the timing at which the distance d1 becomes shorter than the first predetermined distance and the timing at which the distance d1 becomes longer than the second predetermined distance as predetermined timings for changing the audio output. The first predetermined distance and the second predetermined distance are appropriately set.

In addition, although FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 represent one set of reference joint pairs J1 and J2 for convenience of illustration, one or more reference joint pairs can exist. The setting means 234 automatically sets a predetermined timing for changing the voice output according to the distance of each reference joint pair that changes according to various movements of the character ch0.

<Configuration of game device 5>
Each of the plurality of game devices 5 has a similar configuration.

A display 61, a speaker 62, and a game controller 63 are externally connected or built in the game device 5. Further, the game device 5 includes a network interface 51, a graphic processing unit 52, an audio processing unit 53, an operation unit 54, a storage unit 55, and a control unit 56. The network interface 51, the graphic processing unit 52, the audio processing unit 53, the operation unit 54, and the storage unit 55 are electrically connected to the control unit 56 via the bus 59.

The network interface 51 is communicably connected to the communication network 6 in order to transmit and receive various data between the game device 5 and the server device 2 and between the game devices 5.

The graphic processing unit 52 draws a game image including various objects related to the virtual space in a moving image format according to the game image information output from the control unit 56. The graphic processing unit 52 is connected to, for example, a liquid crystal display 61, and a game image drawn in a moving image format is displayed on the display 61 as a game screen.

The audio processing unit 53 is connected to the speaker 62, and when the game sound is reproduced and synthesized according to the instruction of the control unit 56, this is output from the speaker 62.

The operation unit 54 is connected to the game controller 63, and transmits / receives data related to the operation input to / from the game controller 63. The user inputs an operation signal to the game device 5 by pressing various buttons of the game controller 63.

The storage unit 55 is composed of an HDD, an SSD, a RAM, a ROM, and the like. The storage unit 55 stores game data and voice operation data downloaded from the server device 2, various programs including a part of the game program, account information of the own device 5, and the like.

The control unit 56 is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU and a semiconductor memory, and controls the operation of the own device 5.

<Functional configuration of the control unit 56 in the game device 5>
By executing various programs, the control unit 56 functions as a communication means 561, a virtual space generation means 562, an object arrangement means 563, a character motion control means 564, and a voice output control means 565.

-Communication means-
The communication means 561 is a function of communicating with the server device 2 and the game device 5 via the network interface 51.

The communication means 561 transmits account information, a game program, a download request for new game data, and the like to the server device 2 in response to various operation signals received from the game controller 63 by the operation unit 54. Further, the communication means 561 receives new game data, voice operation data, and the like sent from the server device 2 in response to the download request from the server device 2.

-Virtual space generation means-
The virtual space generation means 562 generates a three-dimensional virtual space in which the character operates. In this virtual space, the player character can operate based on the user's operation, and the sub-character and the enemy character can operate without the user's operation.

-Object placement means-
The object arranging means 563 arranges various objects in the virtual space. The object arranging means 563 arranges various characters including non-player characters such as a player character and an enemy character as objects, as well as a background object located in the background of the character.

For example, the object arranging means 563 sequentially reads out data such as non-player characters and background objects included in the game data as the player character moves in the virtual space, and arranges the data in the virtual space.

-Character motion control means-
The character motion control means 564 controls the motion of the character in the virtual space based on the joint model M set corresponding to each character.

For example, the character motion control means 564 determines the position and posture of each joint of the player character using the joint model M based on the operation signal indicating the content of the user operation via the game controller 63, and determines the position and posture of each joint of the player character. Control various operations. The character motion control means 564 determines the position and posture of each joint of the corresponding non-player character according to the game data, the joint model M, and the like, and controls various motions of the non-player character.

Taking the monster character ch0 of FIG. 2 as an example, the operation of the character ch0 is performed by moving the joint J (changing the position) and / or rotating it by a predetermined angle (changing the posture). Depending on the change in the position or posture of the joint J, the polygons associated with the joint J are interlocked and deformed, and various movements of the character ch0 are realized.

In each joint model M, a joint (for example, joint J2) that serves as a reference for various movements is predetermined, and the character movement control means 564 generates a movement starting from this joint. Regarding the walking motion of the character ch0, the character motion control means 564 first determines the position and posture of the joint J2, then each joint J3 connected to the joint J2 via the bone B, and further each joint J3. The position and posture of each joint J4 connected to the joint J4 are determined. Thereby, the character motion control means 564 can determine the posture and motion of the whole body of the character ch0.

"Determining the position and posture of a joint" means having the coordinates of the joint and the angle from a predetermined position of the joint as changeable parameters, and one of the positions and postures of the joint before and after the movement. Can also be included in a state where is unchanged.

-Audio output control means-
The voice output control means 565 sequentially reads out the voice operation data corresponding to each operation of the character and the dynamic object from the storage unit 55, and outputs the sound from the speaker 62 via the audio processing unit 53. Let me.

In the voice output according to the movement of the character, the voice output control means 565 outputs the voice related to the movement of the character from the speaker 62 according to the distance d1 between the joints (joints J1 and J2 in FIG. 2) in the joint model M. Take control.

In particular, in the present embodiment, there is voice operation data set by the setting means 234 at the development stage of the game. The voice motion data is data in which a predetermined timing for changing the voice output is set according to the distance d1 between the joints. Therefore, the voice output control means 565 controls to output the voice from the speaker 62 according to the voice operation data.

As a result, during the execution of the game, in a state where the game images in which various characters such as the character ch0 operate are output on the display 61, the sound corresponding to the distance d1 between the joints in operation of each character is predetermined. It comes to be output from the speaker 62 according to the timing.

Specifically, the voice output control means 565 outputs voice when the distance d1 between the joints becomes shorter than the first predetermined distance or when the distance d1 between the joints becomes longer than the second predetermined distance. To change.

As a result, in the case of the character ch0 of FIG. 2, the joint J1 of the tail ch4 moves closer to or farther from the joint J2 of the leg ch6 while the character ch0 swings the tail ch4 (posture). The voice that matches (change in) will be output at an appropriate timing. Therefore, the user can play the game while feeling the presence and dynamism.

<Flow of operation of game system 1>
The flow of operations related to the voice output control of the game system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

-Operation flow of server device 2 in the game development stage-
FIG. 4 shows the operation flow of the server device 2 in the game development stage.

First, the setting means 234 operates the server device 2, selects a character to be subject to voice output control (step st1), and sets an operation to be set as a voice among the actions that the character can take. (Step st2). Steps st1 and st2 are automatically performed by the setting means 234, or the setting means 234 performs an operation input via the server device 2 or another terminal (not shown) by the game developer. conduct.

Next, the setting means 234 reads out the joint model M of the selected character and selects two joints in the joint model M (step st3). This step st3 is automatically performed by the setting means 234, or is performed by the setting means 234 based on the fact that the game developer inputs an operation via the server device 2 or another terminal (not shown).

Next, the setting means 234 sets the first predetermined distance and the second predetermined distance based on the operation input performed by the game developer via the server device 2 or another terminal (not shown) ((not shown). Step st4).

Next, the setting means 234 causes the selected character to perform the operation set in step st2. By this operation, the distance d1 between the two joints selected in step st3 changes. The setting means 234 compares this distance d1 with the first predetermined distance and the second predetermined distance. At the timing when the distance d1 becomes shorter than the first predetermined distance (Yes in step st5) or when the distance d1 becomes longer than the second predetermined distance (Yes in step st6), the setting means 234 sets the voice. The setting to change the output is automatically performed (step st7). In this setting, the setting for sounding the sound, the setting for changing the volume of the sound, and the like are made.

The control unit 23 repeats the operations after step st5 until the operation of the character is completed (No in step st8).

When the character operation is completed (Yes in step st8), the setting means 234 stores the voice operation data, which is the result of the processing from step st1 to step st8, in the storage unit 22 (step st9).

-Flow of operation of the game device 5 when the game is executed-
FIG. 5 shows the flow of operation of the game device 5 when the game is executed.

When a game execution instruction is given by a user operation of the game device 5, the game device 5 receives game data, voice operation data, and the like from the server device 2. The control unit 56 of the game device 5 starts executing the instructed game (step st21). The virtual space generating means 562 creates a virtual space, and the object arranging means 563 arranges various objects related to the game in the virtual space.

The character motion control means 564 controls various motions of the player character based on the user's operation. The character motion control means 564 controls various motions of the corresponding non-player character according to game data or the like (step st22).

The voice output control means 565 performs voice output control according to the movement of the character according to the voice movement data (step st23). That is, the voice output control means 565 changes the voice output according to a predetermined timing in the voice operation data. As a result, while the game image in which the character is moving is displayed on the display 61, the output of the sound related to the movement of the character changes at an appropriate timing according to the distance d1 between the joints of the character.

The control unit 56 of the game device 5 repeats the processes after step st22 until the end instruction of the game is given by the user's operation (No in step st24).

When the end instruction of the game is given (Yes in step st24), the control unit 56 of the game device 5 ends the execution of the game.

Summarizing the above, in the game program of the present embodiment, the control unit 56 (computer) of the game device 5 is set with the virtual space generation means 562 for generating the virtual space in which the character operates, and a plurality of the control units 56 (computer) set corresponding to the character. Based on the joint model M having the joints of the above, the character motion control means 564 that controls the motion of the character in the virtual space and the voice related to the motion of the character are output according to the distance d1 between the joints in the joint model M. It can function as an audio output control means 565.

<Effect of invention>
According to this embodiment, the voice related to the movement of the character is automatically output according to the distance d1 between the joints (for example, joints J1 and J2) in the joint model M. Therefore, the developer does not have to perform the work of setting the voice output while visually observing the movement of the character for each movement of the character.

Further, in the present embodiment, the audio output changes at the timing when the distance d1 becomes shorter than the first predetermined distance and when the distance d1 becomes longer than the second predetermined distance. In the case of the character ch0 in FIG. 2, when the character ch0 swings the tail ch4, the joint J1 of the tail ch4 moves closer to or farther from the joint J2 of the leg ch6 (change in posture). The voice that matches the above will be output at an appropriate timing.

In other words, such small changes in audio output are automatically set without the developer having to set them from scratch. Therefore, not only the trouble of the developer can be saved, but also the user who plays the game can play the game while feeling the presence and dynamism.

Further, in the present embodiment, the setting means 234 sets a predetermined timing for changing the sound output according to the distance d1 before executing the game. As a result, the voice output control means 565 may change the voice output according to a predetermined timing during the execution of the game. Therefore, the load on the control unit 56 side of the game device 5 during the game can be reduced.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the case where the parameter used in the voice output control is “distance d1 between joints” has been described. In the present embodiment, the case where the parameter is not the distance d1 between the joints but the “distance d2 between the virtual surface and the joints” will be described.

<Game system configuration>
As shown in FIG. 6, the game system 1 of the present embodiment includes a server device 2 and a plurality of game devices 5 which are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a communication network 6. Hereinafter, the hardware configurations of the server device 2 and the game device 5 will be mainly described as being different from the first embodiment.

<Server device configuration>
The server device 2 includes a network interface 21 connected to the game device 5, a storage unit 22 composed of an HDD, an SSD, or the like, and a control unit 23 composed of a microcomputer including a CPU and a semiconductor memory.

By executing various programs, the control unit 23 functions as an information processing means 231, a collation means 232, a distribution means 233, a setting means 234, and a virtual surface arrangement means 235 (corresponding to the arrangement means). The information processing means 231 and the collating means 232 and the distribution means 233 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

-Virtual surface placement means-
The virtual surface arranging means 235 arranges the virtual surface vp in the virtual space at the time of game development.

The virtual surface vp is a surface used as a reference in the voice output control of the character separately from the background object. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the virtual surface vp is not a game object displayed in the game image, such as the ground object ob1 (object that touches the character) included in the background object. Therefore, the virtual surface vp is not arranged in the virtual space during game execution, or even if it is arranged, it is not in a mode that the user can see.

In the arrangement example of the virtual surface vp shown in FIG. 7, the virtual surface vp is a surface of the monster character ch0 in the vicinity of the body ch3 and the leg ch6, which is substantially orthogonal to the traveling direction of the character ch0, that is, approximately the same as the ground object ob1. It is arranged so that it is an orthogonal surface. That is, the virtual surface vp is arranged so that the vector perpendicular to the virtual surface vp is the traveling direction of the character ch0.

Then, the virtual surface vp is located on the traveling direction side of the leg portion ch6 of the character ch0. Of the virtual surfaces vp, the surface on the side where the leg hc6 of the character ch0 is located is referred to as the "back surface", and the surface on the traveling direction side is referred to as the "front surface".

This virtual surface vp moves together with the character ch0 when the character ch0 runs or walks. Therefore, the relative positional relationship between the character ch0 and the virtual surface vp does not change so much from the three-dimensional coordinates on the virtual space.

In arranging the virtual surface vp, the object arranging means 563 determines the position of the virtual surface vp according to the direction in which at least one joint (joint J2 of the leg ch6 in FIG. 7) moves. In FIG. 7, the joint J2 moves in the traveling direction of the character ch0 or in a direction opposite to the traveling direction. Therefore, the virtual surface arranging means 235 is based on the moving direction of the joint J2 so that when the joint J2 moves in the traveling direction, the joint J2 approaches (or comes into contact with) the back surface of the virtual space. Is arranged near the body portion ch3 and the leg portion ch6 of the character ch0. As a result, the direction from the back surface to the front surface of the virtual surface vp and the traveling direction are substantially the same.

-Setting means-
The setting means 234 changes the audio output according to the distance d2 between the virtual surface vp and at least one joint J in the joint model M of each character before the game is actually played by the user. Is set in advance to generate voice operation data. The setting means 234 stores the voice operation data in the storage unit 22. Also in this embodiment, this process is performed at the game development stage.

That is, the setting means 234 of the present embodiment sets the predetermined timing according to the distance d2 between the virtual surface vp and the joint J, not according to the distance between the joints. The distance d2 is the distance of the straight line connecting the joint J and the virtual surface vp at the shortest, that is, the distance between the joint J and the virtual surface vp in the straight line when the straight line passing through the joint J is a perpendicular line of the virtual surface vp. Say.

In FIG. 7, when the character ch0 pushes the leg ch6 forward, the joint J2 of the leg ch6 becomes close to the virtual surface vp. On the contrary, when the character ch0 extends the leg ch6 backward, the joint J2 of the leg ch6 becomes far from the virtual surface vp2. That is, the distance d2 between an arbitrary joint (here, joint J2) and the virtual surface vp becomes longer or shorter depending on the movement of the character ch0.

In the present embodiment, the distance d2 is used as a parameter to control the output of voice accompanying the fine operation of the character ch0. By using the distance d2, even if the leg ch6 of the character ch0 does not come into contact with the object ob1 on the ground, a voice indicating an action (for example, a sound of cutting the wind when walking or running) can be heard at a necessary timing. This is because it can be output effectively.

Therefore, at the time of game development, the setting means 234 automatically sets a predetermined timing for changing the audio output according to the magnitude of the distance d2. For example, the setting means 234 sets the timing at which the distance d2 becomes shorter than the third predetermined distance and the timing at which the distance d2 becomes longer than the fourth predetermined distance as predetermined timings for changing the audio output. The third predetermined distance and the fourth predetermined distance are appropriately set.

In FIG. 7, for convenience of illustration, only one virtual surface vp is shown, but a plurality of virtual surfaces vp can exist. The setting means 234 automatically sets a predetermined timing for changing the voice output according to the distance d2 between each virtual surface vp and the joint, which changes according to various movements of the character ch0.

Further, in FIG. 7, for convenience, a combination of one joint J2 is shown for one virtual surface vp, but a plurality of joints can be combined for the virtual surface vp. The setting means 234 automatically sets a predetermined timing for changing the corresponding audio output according to the distance d2 of each combination.

<Configuration of game device 5>
As shown in FIG. 6, in the game device 5, the display 61, the speaker 62, and the game controller 63 are externally connected or built-in, as in the first embodiment. The game device 5 includes a network interface 51, a graphic processing unit 52, an audio processing unit 53, an operation unit 54, a storage unit 55 composed of an HDD, an SSD, and the like, and a control unit composed of a microcomputer including a CPU and a memory. Has 56.

By executing various programs, the control unit 56 functions as a communication means 561, a virtual space generation means 562, an object arrangement means 563, a character motion control means 564, and a voice output control means 565. The communication means 561, the virtual space generation means 562, the object arrangement means 563, and the character motion control means 564 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

-Audio output control means-
The voice output control means 565 sequentially reads out the voice operation data corresponding to each operation of the character and the dynamic object from the storage unit 55, and outputs the sound from the speaker 62 via the audio processing unit 53. Let me.

It is assumed that the virtual surface vp exists in the virtual space in order to output the voice according to the movement of the character. The voice output control means 565 controls the speaker 62 to output voice related to the movement of the character according to the distance d2 between the virtual surface vp and at least one joint (joint J2 in FIG. 7) in the joint model M. ..

In particular, in the present embodiment, there is voice operation data set by the setting means 234 at the development stage of the game. The voice operation data is data in which a predetermined timing for changing the voice output is set according to the distance d2. Therefore, the voice output control means 565 controls to output the voice from the speaker 62 according to the voice operation data.

As a result, during the execution of the game, while the game image in which various characters such as the character ch0 operate is output on the display 61, the sound corresponding to the distance d2 is output from the speaker 62 according to a predetermined timing. Will be.

Specifically, the voice output control means 565 changes the voice output at the timing when the distance d2 becomes shorter than the third predetermined distance or when the distance d2 becomes longer than the fourth predetermined distance.

As a result, in the case of the character ch0 of FIG. 7, while the character ch0 is performing the walking motion, the joint J2 of the leg ch6 matches the motion (change in posture) of moving closer to or farther from the virtual surface vp. The voice will be output at an appropriate timing. Therefore, the user can play the game while feeling the presence and dynamism.

<Flow of operation of game system 1>
An operation flow related to the voice output control of the game system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

-Operation flow of server device 2 in the game development stage-
FIG. 8 shows the flow of operation of the server device 2 in the game development stage.

First, the setting means 234 operates the server device 2 to select a character to be controlled by voice output (step st31), and sets an operation to be set as a voice among the actions that the character can take. (Step st32). Steps st31 and st32 are automatically performed by the setting means 234, or the setting means 234 performs an operation input via the server device 2 or another terminal (not shown) by the game developer. conduct.

Next, the setting means 234 reads out the joint model M of the selected character and selects one or more joints in the joint model M (step st33). This step st33 is automatically performed by the setting means 234, or is performed by the setting means 234 based on the fact that the game developer inputs an operation via the server device 2 or another terminal (not shown).

Next, the virtual surface arranging means 235 determines the position of the virtual surface vp in the virtual space according to the direction in which the selected joint moves, and arranges the virtual surface vp at the determined position (step st34).

The setting means 234 sets the third predetermined distance and the fourth predetermined distance based on the operation input performed by the game developer via the server device 2 or another terminal (not shown) (step st35). ).

Next, the setting means 234 causes the selected character to perform the operation set in step st32. By this operation, the distance d2 between the virtual surface vp arranged in step st34 and the selected joint changes. The setting means 234 compares this distance d1 with the third predetermined distance and the fourth predetermined distance. At the timing when the distance d2 becomes shorter than the third predetermined distance (Yes in step st36) or when the distance d2 becomes longer than the fourth predetermined distance (Yes in step st37), the setting means 234 sets the voice. The setting for changing the output is automatically performed (step st38). In this setting, the setting for sounding the sound, the setting for changing the volume of the sound, and the like are made.

The control unit 23 repeats the operations after step st36 until the operation of the character is completed (No in step st39).

When the character operation is completed (Yes in step st39), the setting means 234 stores the voice operation data as a result of the processing from step st31 to step st39 in the storage unit 22 (step st40).

-Flow of operation of the game device 5 when the game is executed-
FIG. 9 shows the flow of operation of the game device 5 when the game is executed.

When a game execution instruction is given by a user operation of the game device 5, the game device 5 receives game data, voice operation data, and the like from the server device 2. The control unit 56 of the game device 5 starts executing the instructed game (step st51). The virtual space generating means 562 creates a virtual space, and the object arranging means 563 arranges various objects related to the game in the virtual space.

The character motion control means 564 controls various motions of the player character based on the user's operation. The character motion control means 564 controls various motions of the corresponding non-player character according to game data or the like (step st52).

The voice output control means 565 performs voice output control according to the movement of the character according to the voice movement data (step st53). That is, the voice output control means 565 changes the voice output according to a predetermined timing in the voice operation data. As a result, while the game image in which the character is moving is displayed on the display 61, the distance d2 between the virtual surface vp, which is not currently arranged but was arranged at the time of game development, and the joint of the character The output of the voice related to the movement of the character changes at an appropriate timing.

The control unit 56 of the game device 5 repeats the processes after step st52 until the end instruction of the game is given by the user's operation (No in step st54).

When the end instruction of the game is given (Yes in step st54), the control unit 56 of the game device 5 ends the execution of the game.

Summarizing the above, in the game program of the present embodiment, at least the control unit 56 (computer) of the game device 5 is set with the virtual space generation means 562 for generating the virtual space in which the character operates, and at least corresponding to the character. Based on the joint model M having one joint, it can function as a character motion control means 564 that controls the motion of the character in the virtual space. In the program of this embodiment, the control unit 23 (computer) of the server device 2 is used as a reference in the voice output control of the character, which is different from the background object located in the background of the character in the virtual space. The vp can function as a virtual surface arranging means 235 (arrangement means) for arranging in the virtual space. Then, in the game program of the present embodiment, the control unit 56 (computer) of the game device 5 outputs a sound related to the movement of the character according to the distance d2 between the virtual surface vp and at least one joint J2. It can function as means 565.

<Effect of invention>
According to this embodiment, the voice related to the movement of the character is automatically output according to the distance d2 between the virtual surface vp different from the background object and the joint (for example, joint J2) in the joint model M. Therefore, the developer does not have to set the voice output for each movement of the character while visually observing the movement of the character.

Further, in the present embodiment, the position of the virtual surface vp in the virtual space is determined according to the direction in which at least one joint moves. This is to ensure that the sound is output at a timing that matches the movement of the character.

Further, in the present embodiment, the audio output changes at the timing when the distance d2 becomes shorter than the third predetermined distance or when the distance d2 becomes longer than the fourth predetermined distance. In the case of the character ch0 of FIG. 7, when the character ch0 is walking, a voice that matches the movement (change in posture) of the joint J2 of the leg ch6 moving closer to or farther from the virtual surface vp is appropriate. It will be output at the timing.

In other words, such small changes in audio output are automatically set without the developer having to set them from scratch. Therefore, not only the trouble of the developer can be saved, but also the user who plays the game can play the game while feeling the presence and dynamism.

Further, in the present embodiment, the setting means 234 sets a predetermined timing for changing the sound output according to the distance d2 before executing the game. As a result, the voice output control means 565 may change the voice output according to a predetermined timing during the execution of the game. Therefore, the load on the control unit 56 side of the game device 5 during the game can be reduced.

[Other Embodiments]
The various control means and processing procedures described in the first and second embodiments are examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, its application, or its use. Various control means and processing procedures can be appropriately redesigned without changing the gist of the present invention.

The game is not limited to action games. The game can be applied to any kind of game as long as the articulated character operates in the game.

The automatically generated voice motion data may be fine-tuned by the game developer. For example, the developer can delete a predetermined timing, or conversely increase or shift the predetermined timing. The developer can recognize that the predetermined timing automatically set by the setting means 234 is the timing when some kind of voice is required. By adjusting the predetermined timing, the developer can create voice motion data that sounds more natural and attractive.

In the first and second embodiments, it has been described that the voice operation data is generated by the setting means 234 at the game development stage, but the voice operation data may not be generated at the game development stage. While the game is actually being played, the voice output control means 565 outputs voice related to the movement of the character in real time according to the distance d1 between the joints or the distance d2 between the joints and the virtual surface vp. May be good. When the virtual surface vp is arranged in the virtual space, it is preferable to arrange the virtual surface vp on the game screen in a form such as transparent so that the user cannot see it.

In the first and second embodiments, the control of outputting the sound at the timing when the character ch0 touches the ground object ob1 may be further added.

Further, in one game, voice output control that outputs voice according to the distance d1 between joints, voice output control that outputs voice according to the distance d2 between joints and virtual surface vp, and character ch0 is an object on the ground. Control to output audio at the timing of touching down to ob1 may be performed in a mixed manner. For example, which voice output control is used may be divided according to the part of the character ch0. Further, when the voice operation data is generated at the development stage of the game, the game developer may be able to freely select which voice output control is to be used.

In the first and second embodiments, in addition to the distance d1 between the joints or the distance d2 between the joints and the virtual surface vp, the sound output may be changed according to the speed of movement. For example, the audio output control means 565 can change the audio output according to how fast the distances d1 and d2 are changed. As a result, the sound with a sense of presence and dynamism that more closely matches the movement is output from the speaker 62.

When voice operation data is generated by the setting means 234 at the game development stage as in the first and second embodiments, the function as the setting means 234 is connected to the game device 5 instead of the server device 2. It may be provided in a development terminal or a development server of a game that has not been played.

In the first and second embodiments, the timing at which the distance d1 (distance d2) becomes shorter than the first predetermined distance (third predetermined distance) and the distance d1 (distance d2) become the second predetermined distance (fourth). It was explained that the audio output is changed at the timing when it becomes longer than the predetermined distance). However, the timing at which the audio output changes is not limited to that timing.

In the second embodiment, when the virtual surface vp is arranged in the virtual space, it is not essential to determine the position of the virtual surface in the virtual space according to the direction in which at least one joint moves. The position of the virtual surface may be determined by other methods.

In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the case where the joint model M includes a plurality of joints is illustrated. However, in the second embodiment, a joint model including one joint can also be applied.

Even when these other embodiments are adopted, the effects of the present invention are exhibited. It is also possible to appropriately combine this embodiment with other embodiments and other embodiments.

1 Game system 23 Control unit (computer)
234 Setting means 235 Virtual surface placement means (placement means)
56 Control unit (computer)
562 Virtual space generation means 564 Character motion control means 565 Voice output control means

Claims (4)

Computer,
A virtual space generation means that creates a virtual space in which a character operates,
A character motion control means for controlling the motion of the character in the virtual space based on a joint model having at least one joint set corresponding to the character.
An arrangement means for arranging a virtual surface used as a reference in the voice output control of the character, which is different from the background object located in the background of the character in the virtual space, in the virtual space.
It functions as a voice output control means for outputting a voice related to the movement of the character according to the distance between the virtual surface and at least one of the joints .
A game program characterized in that the virtual surface is not arranged in the virtual space during game execution. Computer,
A virtual space generation means that creates a virtual space in which a character operates,
A character motion control means for controlling the motion of the character in the virtual space based on a joint model having at least one joint set corresponding to the character.
An arrangement means for arranging a virtual surface used as a reference in the voice output control of the character, which is different from the background object located in the background of the character in the virtual space, in the virtual space.
A voice output control means for outputting voice related to the movement of the character according to the distance between the virtual surface and at least one of the joints.
To function as
The positioning means, according to the direction of at least one of the joint moves, features and be Ruge over beam program to determine the position of the virtual plane in the virtual space. Computer,
A setting means for setting a predetermined timing for changing the output of the sound according to the distance between the virtual surface and at least one of the joints before executing the game.
Further prepare
The game program according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the voice output control means changes the output of the voice according to the predetermined timing during the execution of the game. A game system including a storage unit that stores the game program according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and a computer that executes the game program.

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