JP7072441B2 - Simulation system and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a simulation system, a program, and the like.

Conventionally, a simulation system that generates an image that can be seen from a virtual camera in a virtual space has been known. As a conventional technique of a simulation system that realizes virtual reality (VR) by displaying an image seen from a virtual camera on an HMD (head-mounted display device), for example, there is a technique disclosed in Patent Document 1. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a simulation system in which a player can operate a paddle, which is an operation input device provided in a ride housing, to virtually experience a river descent by a canoe.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-309269 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-326073

In such a simulation system, there are location restrictions on the ride housing on which the player is boarding. For example, in a ride housing in which a plurality of players can play and enjoy a game, it is desired to appropriately arrange a plurality of players in the ride housing. For example, by properly arranging the players with respect to the ride housing, more players can play the game with a smaller occupied area. Further, in a display device such as an HMD in which a display unit is arranged so as to cover the player's field of view, the display unit obstructs the field of view, which makes it difficult for the player to visually grasp the surrounding situation. .. Therefore, it is necessary to arrange players in consideration of this point. Further, if the virtual reality realized by the simulation system is unnatural, the player's sense of virtual reality is reduced.

According to some aspects of the present invention, it is possible to provide a simulation system and a program that can realize a virtual reality that does not make the player feel unnatural while eliminating the location restriction in the ride housing.

One aspect of the present invention is a ride housing in which a plurality of players in the real space are boarded at a plurality of ride positions, and a virtual space setting unit for arranging and setting a plurality of virtual players corresponding to the plurality of players in the virtual space. , A game processing unit that processes a game in which the plurality of players participate, and a virtual space image that can be seen from the viewpoint of each virtual player of the plurality of virtual players are arranged so as to cover the view of each player of the plurality of players. The ride includes a display processing unit that performs processing for displaying on the display unit, and the ride direction of the plurality of players is such that the ride direction of the first player and the ride direction of the second player are different from each other. The riding directions of the plurality of players in the housing are set, and the virtual space setting unit corresponds to the arrangement direction of the first virtual player corresponding to the first player and the second player. It relates to a simulation system in which the first virtual player and the second virtual player are arranged and set in the virtual space so that the arrangement direction of the second virtual player faces the reference direction. The present invention also relates to a program that causes a computer to function as each of the above parts, or a computer-readable information storage medium that stores the program.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a plurality of players are boarded in a ride housing in a real space, and a plurality of virtual players corresponding to the plurality of players are arranged in the virtual space. Then, a game in which a plurality of players participate is processed, and a virtual space image seen from the viewpoint of the virtual player is displayed on a display unit arranged so as to cover the field of view of each player. At this time, in the real space, the ride direction of the first player and the ride direction of the second player are set to be different from each other. By arranging in this way, it becomes possible to appropriately arrange the first and second players in the ride housing. On the other hand, in the virtual space, the first and second virtual players are arranged so that the arrangement directions of the first and second virtual players corresponding to the first and second players are directed to the reference direction. In this way, in the real space, the first and second players board the ride housing in different ride directions, while in the virtual space, the corresponding first and second virtual players are in the reference direction. Since it is arranged so as to face the player, it is possible to prevent the player from feeling unnatural. Therefore, it is possible to provide a simulation system or the like that can realize a virtual reality that does not make the player feel unnatural while eliminating the location restrictions in the ride housing.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, a virtual camera control unit that controls a virtual camera corresponding to the viewpoint of the virtual player is included (a computer functions as a virtual camera control unit), and the virtual camera control unit is the player. Relative position information, which is information on the relative viewpoint position of the player with respect to the ride position, and relative rotation information, which is information on the relative line-of-sight direction of the player with respect to the ride direction of the player, are acquired, and the virtual player The viewpoint position of the virtual camera may be obtained based on the arrangement position and the relative position information, and the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera may be obtained based on the arrangement direction of the virtual player and the relative rotation information.

By doing so, information on the ride position of the player, the viewpoint position relative to the ride direction, and the line-of-sight direction can be obtained as relative position information and relative rotation information, and these relative position information, relative rotation information, and the placement position of the virtual player can be obtained. It is possible to generate a virtual space image by obtaining the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera corresponding to the viewpoint of the virtual player from the arrangement direction.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the ride housing is provided at the first ride position, and the first player has a first ride portion on which the first player rides in the first ride direction at the first ride position. , A second ride position provided at a second ride position different from the first ride position, and the second player boarding at the second ride position in a second ride direction different from the first ride direction. 2 ride portions and may be included.

By doing so, the first player gets on the first ride section in the first ride direction, and the second player gets on the second ride section in the second ride direction. The first ride direction of the player and the second ride direction of the second player are set to different ride directions.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the riding direction of the third player of the plurality of players in the riding housing is set to be different from the riding direction of the first player, and the virtual space setting. The unit arranges and sets the third virtual player in the virtual space so that the arrangement direction of the third virtual player corresponding to the third player faces the reference direction, and the second virtual player. The player is placed at a position different from the placement position corresponding to the ride position of the second player, and the third virtual player is placed at a position different from the placement position corresponding to the ride position of the third player. It may be arranged.

By doing so, when the ride direction of the second and third players is set to be different from the ride direction of the first player in the real space, the second and third players are set in the virtual space. The virtual player will be placed so that it faces the reference direction. Then, the second virtual player is arranged at a position different from the arrangement position corresponding to the ride position of the second player, and the third virtual player is arranged at a position different from the arrangement position corresponding to the ride position of the third player. Is placed in. This makes it possible to eliminate contradictions and defects that occur when the second and third virtual players are arranged so as to face the reference direction.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the virtual space setting unit arranges the second virtual player at an arrangement position corresponding to the ride position of the third player, and arranges the third virtual player at the first position. It may be arranged in the arrangement position corresponding to the ride position of 2 players.

By doing so, the placement positions of the second and third virtual players in the virtual space are exchanged, and inconsistencies and defects that occur when the second and third virtual players are placed so as to face the reference direction. Will be able to be resolved.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the game processing unit performs a process of moving a moving body on which the plurality of virtual players corresponding to the plurality of players are boarded in the virtual space, and the reference direction is the movement. It may be in a direction corresponding to the direction of movement of the body.

By doing so, the first and second virtual players can be arranged and set so as to face the moving direction of the moving body, which is suitable for a game in which the moving body is boarded and moved in the virtual space. The spatial image can be displayed on the player.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the virtual player is also set in a direction or position different from the ride direction or the ride position of the player when the arrangement direction or the arrangement position of the virtual player corresponding to the player is set. Even if it includes a sound processing unit that sets a sound source corresponding to the arrangement direction or the arrangement position in the virtual space and generates a sound of the player acquired in the real space from the set sound source. good.

By doing so, it becomes possible to generate the player's voice acquired in the real space from the sound source in the virtual space. Even when the placement direction of the virtual player is set so as to face the reference direction, the sound source can generate the sound of the player to form a sound field so as not to cause a contradiction or a defect.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the game processing unit uses the first operation information input by the first player using the first operation unit and the second operation unit by the second player. The game processing may be performed based on the second operation information input in the above.

By doing so, the first and second players can execute the game processing reflecting the first and second operation information input by using the first and second operation units.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the operating range of the first operating unit of the first player and the operating range of the second operating unit of the second player are set to a range that does not overlap with each other. You may be.

By doing so, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a situation in which the operation unit of one player collides with the operation unit of the other player.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the game processing unit comprises a moving body on which the first virtual player corresponding to the first player and the second virtual player corresponding to the second player are boarded. , The process of moving in the virtual space may be performed based on the first and second operation information.

By doing so, the first and second virtual players are boarded using the first and second operation information input by the first and second players using the first and second operation units. It becomes possible to move a moving object in a virtual space.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the game processing unit is based on the sum of the first input value based on the first operation information and the second input value based on the second operation information. May be moved in the virtual space.

By doing so, it is possible to realize a moving body movement process that reflects the total value of the first and second input values input by the first and second players using the first and second operation units. It will be like.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the display unit may be a display unit of a head-mounted display device worn by each player of the plurality of players.

By using such a head-mounted display device, a virtual space image can be displayed on a display unit arranged so as to cover the player's field of view.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the ride housing may be a movable housing.

By doing so, it becomes possible to improve the virtual reality of the player and prevent 3D sickness.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the ride housing has a first movable mechanism for yawing the base portion of the ride housing and a second movable mechanism for vertically moving the base portion of the ride housing. , May be included.

In this way, by using the first movable mechanism, it becomes possible for the player to experience the rotational movement of yawing, and by using the second movable mechanism, the player can experience the movement in the vertical direction. It will be possible to make it.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the second movable mechanism includes a plurality of actuators for moving the base portion up and down, and when the first actuator of the plurality of actuators moves the base portion upward. The second actuator of the plurality of actuators also moves the base portion upward, and when the first actuator moves the base portion downward, the second actuator also moves the base portion downward. You may move it in the direction.

By doing so, the first and second actuators can be interlocked to move the base portion in the vertical direction, and the player can experience the movement in the vertical direction.

The block diagram which shows the configuration example of the simulation system of this embodiment. 2 (A) and 2 (B) are explanatory views of an example of the tracking process of the HMD. 3 (A) and 3 (B) are explanatory views of other examples of the tracking process of the HMD. The perspective view which shows the structural example of the ride housing of this embodiment. The exploded perspective view which shows the structural example of the ride housing of this embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the game realized by this embodiment. Explanatory drawing about the ride part of a ride housing. Explanatory drawing about arrangement of a player in a ride housing. The explanatory view of the arrangement method of the virtual player of this embodiment. Explanatory drawing of setting method of placement direction and placement position of virtual player. The explanatory view of the arrangement method of the virtual player of this embodiment. Explanatory drawing of another arrangement example of a player in a ride housing. Explanatory drawing of sound processing about a player's voice. Explanatory drawing of operation range setting method. Explanatory drawing about the moving process of a moving body. An explanatory diagram of the movement process of a moving body based on the total value of the input values of the input unit. 17 (A) and 17 (B) are explanatory views of various arrangement examples of the present embodiment. 18 (A) and 18 (B) are explanatory views of various arrangement examples of the present embodiment. 19 (A) to 19 (C) are explanatory views of various arrangement examples of the present embodiment. 20 (A) and 20 (B) are explanatory views of problems with centrifugal force. 21 (A) and 21 (B) are explanatory views of the player's field of view. 22 (A) and 22 (B) are explanatory views of problems with the voice of the player. Explanatory drawing of the detailed processing example of this embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the detailed processing example of this embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the detailed processing example of this embodiment.

Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described. The embodiments described below do not unreasonably limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. Moreover, not all of the configurations described in the present embodiment are essential constituent requirements of the present invention.

1. 1. Simulation system FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a simulation system (simulator, game system, image generation system) of the present embodiment. The simulation system of the present embodiment is, for example, a system that simulates virtual reality (VR), and is a game system that provides game content, a real-time simulation system such as a driving simulator or a sports competition simulator, or content that provides content such as video. It can be applied to various systems such as the provision system. The simulation system of the present embodiment is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, and various modifications such as omitting a part of the component (each part) or adding another component can be performed.

The ride housing 10 (a housing in a broad sense) is a housing on which a player can board. Specifically, the ride housing 10 of the present embodiment is a housing on which a plurality of players can board. For example, a plurality of players in the real space board at a plurality of ride positions of the ride housing 10. The ride position is, for example, a place where the player is located and plays a virtual experience game. For example, a plurality of ride positions on which a plurality of players are boarded are preset in the ride housing 10, and each player of the plurality of players is virtually boarded at each ride position set as a position on which the player is boarding. Play a hands-on game. The ride housing 10 of the present embodiment is, for example, a movable housing, and the posture of the ride housing 10 changes depending on the movable mechanism.

The operation unit 160 is for the player (user) to input various operation information (input information). The operation unit 160 can be realized by various operation devices such as a paddle, a cane, a game controller, a gun type controller, a lever, an operation button, a direction instruction key, a steering wheel, an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, or a voice input device.

The storage unit 170 stores various types of information. The storage unit 170 functions as a work area for the processing unit 100, the communication unit 196, and the like. The game program and game data necessary for executing the game program are stored in the storage unit 170. The function of the storage unit 170 can be realized by a semiconductor memory (DRAM, VRAM), an HDD (hard disk drive), an SSD, an optical disk device, or the like. The storage unit 170 includes a virtual space information storage unit 172 and a drawing buffer 178.

The information storage medium 180 (a medium readable by a computer) stores programs, data, and the like, and its function can be realized by an optical disk (DVD, BD, CD), an HDD, a semiconductor memory (ROM), or the like. .. The processing unit 100 performs various processes of the present embodiment based on the program (data) stored in the information storage medium 180. That is, the information storage medium 180 is a program for making a computer (a device including an input device, a processing unit, a storage unit, and an output unit) function as each part of the present embodiment (a program for causing the computer to execute the processing of each part). Is remembered.

The display unit 190 can be realized by an LCD, an organic EL display, a CRT, or the like. The display unit 190 is arranged so as to cover the player's field of view. The display unit 190 is, for example, the display of the HMD 200 of FIGS. 2 (A) and 3 (A) described later. The head-mounted display device, HMD200, is a device that is mounted on the player's head and displays an image in front of the player's eyes. The HMD 200 is preferably a non-transparent type, but may be a transmissive type. Further, the HMD 200 may be a so-called glasses type HMD. Further, the display unit 190 arranged so as to cover the player's field of view may be a display unit of a display device other than the HMD 200. For example, it may be a display unit of a display device having a dome-shaped display screen that covers the player's field of view.

For example, the HMD 200 of FIGS. 2A and 3A can include a sensor unit and a processing unit in addition to the display unit 190. Alternatively, the HMD 200 may include a light emitting device. The sensor unit is for realizing tracking processing such as head tracking. For example, the position and direction of the HMD 200 are specified by tracking processing using the sensor unit. By specifying the position and direction of the HMD200, the viewpoint position and line-of-sight direction of the player can be specified.

Various methods can be adopted as the tracking method. In the first tracking method, which is an example of the tracking method, a plurality of light receiving elements (photodiodes and the like) are provided as the sensor unit, as will be described in detail in FIGS. 2 (A) and 2 (B) described later. Then, by receiving the light (laser, etc.) from the light emitting element (LED, etc.) provided outside by these multiple light receiving elements, the position of the HMD200 (player's head) in the three-dimensional space in the real world, Specify the direction. In the second tracking method, a plurality of light emitting elements (LEDs) are provided in the HMD 200 as described in detail in FIGS. 3 (A) and 3 (B) described later. Then, the position and direction of the HMD 200 are specified by capturing the light from these plurality of light emitting elements with an image pickup unit provided outside. In the third method, a motion sensor is provided, and the position and direction of the HMD 200 are specified using the motion sensor. The motion sensor can be realized by, for example, an acceleration sensor or a gyro sensor. For example, by using a 6-axis motion sensor using a 3-axis acceleration sensor and a 3-axis gyro sensor, the position and direction of the HMD200 in the three-dimensional space of the real world can be specified. The position and direction of the HMD 200 may be specified by a combination of the first tracking method and the second tracking method, or a combination of the first tracking method and the third tracking method. Further, instead of specifying the player's viewpoint position and line-of-sight direction by specifying the position and direction of the HMD 200, a tracking process that directly specifies the player's viewpoint position and line-of-sight direction may be adopted. Further, a camera such as a depth camera, an RGB camera, or an environment recognition camera may be used to perform recognition processing in the real space around the player, and the position and direction of the player may be specified based on the result of the recognition processing. For example, the position and direction of the player may be specified from the relative positional relationship with the recognized real space object.

For example, the display unit 190 of the HMD 200 can be realized by an organic EL display (OEL), a liquid crystal display (LCD), or the like. Specifically, the display unit 190 of the HMD 200 has a first display or a first display area set in front of the left eye of the player, and a second display or a second display set in front of the right eye. A display area is provided to enable stereoscopic display. In the case of stereoscopic display, for example, an image for the left eye and an image for the right eye having different parallax are generated, the image for the left eye is displayed on the first display, and the image for the right eye is displayed on the second display. do. Alternatively, the image for the left eye is displayed in the first display area of one display, and the image for the right eye is displayed in the second display area. Further, the HMD 200 is provided with two eyepieces (fisheye lenses), one for the left eye and the other for the right eye, thereby expressing a VR space that extends over the entire circumference of the player's field of view. Then, a correction process for correcting the distortion generated in the optical system such as the eyepiece is performed on the image for the left eye and the image for the right eye.

The sound output unit 192 outputs the sound generated by the present embodiment, and can be realized by, for example, a speaker or headphones.

The I / F (interface) unit 194 performs interface processing with the portable information storage medium 195, and the function can be realized by an ASIC or the like for I / F processing. The portable information storage medium 195 is for the player to store various information, and is a storage device that retains the storage of such information even when the power is not supplied. The portable information storage medium 195 can be realized by an IC card (memory card), a USB memory, a magnetic card, or the like.

The communication unit 196 communicates with an external device (another device) via a wired or wireless network, and its function is hardware such as a communication ASIC or a communication processor, and communication firmware. Can be realized by.

The program (data) for operating the computer as each part of the present embodiment is distributed from the information storage medium of the server (host device) to the information storage medium 180 (or the storage unit 170) via the network and the communication unit 196. You may. The use of information storage media by such a server (host device) can also be included within the scope of the present invention.

The processing unit 100 (processor) can be used for operation information from the operation unit 160, tracking information in the HMD 200 (information on at least one of the position and direction of the HMD, information on at least one of the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction), a program, and the like. Based on this, information acquisition processing, virtual space setting processing, game processing (simulation processing), virtual camera control processing, display processing, sound processing, and the like are performed.

Each process (each function) of the present embodiment performed by each unit of the processing unit 100 can be realized by a processor (processor including hardware). For example, each process of the present embodiment can be realized by a processor that operates based on information such as a program and a memory that stores information such as a program. In the processor, for example, the functions of each part may be realized by individual hardware, or the functions of each part may be realized by integrated hardware. For example, the processor includes hardware, which hardware can include at least one of a circuit that processes a digital signal and a circuit that processes an analog signal. For example, the processor may be composed of one or more circuit devices (eg, ICs, etc.) mounted on a circuit board, or one or more circuit elements (eg, resistors, capacitors, etc.). The processor may be, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). However, the processor is not limited to the CPU, and various processors such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) can be used. Further, the processor may be a hardware circuit by ASIC. Further, the processor may include an amplifier circuit, a filter circuit, and the like for processing an analog signal. The memory (storage unit 170) may be a semiconductor memory such as SRAM or DRAM, or may be a register. Alternatively, it may be a magnetic storage device such as a hard disk device (HDD), or an optical storage device such as an optical disk device. For example, the memory stores instructions that can be read by a computer, and when the instructions are executed by the processor, the processing (function) of each part of the processing unit 100 is realized. The instruction here may be an instruction set constituting the program, or may be an instruction instructing the hardware circuit of the processor to operate.

The processing unit 100 includes an information acquisition unit 102, a virtual space setting unit 104, a game processing unit 106, a virtual camera control unit 112, a display processing unit 120, and a sound processing unit 130. The game processing unit 106 includes a moving body processing unit 108 and a housing control unit 110. As described above, each process of the present embodiment executed by each of these parts can be realized by a processor (or a processor and a memory). It is possible to carry out various modifications such as omitting a part of these components (each part) or adding other components.

The information acquisition unit 102 performs various information acquisition processes. For example, the information acquisition unit 102 acquires player information including at least one of a player's position information (viewpoint position information), direction information (line-of-sight direction information), and posture information (motion information).

The virtual space setting unit 104 performs setting processing of the virtual space (object space) in which the object is arranged. For example, moving objects (cars, people, robots, trains, planes, ships, monsters or animals, etc.), maps (topography), buildings, spectators' seats, courses (roads), items, trees, walls, water surfaces, etc. Performs a process of arranging and setting various objects to be represented (objects composed of primitive surfaces such as polygons, free-form surfaces, or subdivision surfaces) in a virtual space. That is, the position and rotation angle (synonymous with direction and direction) of the object in the world coordinate system are determined, and the rotation angle (rotation angle around the X, Y, Z axis) is used at the position (X, Y, Z). Place the object. Specifically, in the virtual space information storage unit 172 of the storage unit 170, object information such as the position, rotation angle, movement speed, or movement direction of an object (part object) in the virtual space corresponds to the object number. It will be remembered. That is, the object information is stored in the virtual space information storage unit 172 as virtual space information. The virtual space setting unit 104 updates the object information, which is the virtual space information, for each frame, for example.

The game processing unit 106 performs various game processing for the player to play the game. In other words, the game processing unit 106 (simulation processing unit) executes various simulation processes for the player to experience virtual reality (virtual reality). The game process calculates, for example, a process of starting a game when the game start condition is satisfied, a process of advancing the started game, a process of ending the game when the game end condition is satisfied, or a game result. Processing etc. The game processing unit 106 includes a moving body processing unit 108 and a housing control unit 110.

The moving body processing unit 108 performs various processing on the moving body moving in the virtual space. For example, a process of moving a moving body in a virtual space (object space, game space) or a process of operating a moving body is performed. For example, the moving object processing unit 108 is based on the operation information input by the player by the operation unit 160, the tracking information acquired, the program (movement / motion algorithm), various data (motion data), and the like. Performs control processing to move a model object) in a virtual space or to move a moving object (motion, animation). Specifically, a simulation in which movement information (position, rotation angle, velocity, or acceleration) and motion information (position or rotation angle of a part object) of a moving body are sequentially obtained for each frame (for example, 1/60 second). Perform processing. A frame is a unit of time for performing movement / motion processing (simulation processing) and image generation processing of a moving object. The moving body is, for example, a virtual player corresponding to a player in real space, or a boarding moving body on which the virtual player is boarded. The boarding moving body is a moving body that imitates a vehicle such as a boat, a ship, a car, an airplane, a tank, a robot, or a magic carpet that appears in a virtual space. The virtual player is called a player character or avatar in the virtual space corresponding to the player in the real space. Then, the virtual player is boarded on the boarding moving body in the virtual space corresponding to the ride housing 10 in the real space. The moving body processing unit 108 performs a process of moving such a boarding moving body in the virtual space or moving the virtual player into the virtual space.

The housing control unit 110 performs control processing for the ride housing 10. For example, the movable mechanism of the ride housing 10 is controlled to perform a control process for changing the posture and position of the ride housing 10 in the real space. For example, by changing the posture and position of the ride housing 10, the play position of the player boarding the ride housing 10 changes.

The virtual camera control unit 112 controls the virtual camera. For example, a process of controlling a virtual camera is performed based on player operation information, tracking information, and the like input by the operation unit 160.

For example, the virtual camera control unit 112 controls a virtual camera set as a first-person view or a third-person view of the player. For example, by setting a virtual camera at a position corresponding to the viewpoint (first-person viewpoint) of a moving player moving in a virtual space and setting the viewpoint position and line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera, the position (position coordinates) of the virtual camera can be set. And posture (rotation angle around the axis of rotation). Alternatively, by setting the virtual camera at the position of the viewpoint (third person viewpoint) that follows the moving object (virtual player, boarding moving object) and setting the viewpoint position and line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera, the position of the virtual camera can be set. Control the posture.

For example, the virtual camera control unit 112 controls the virtual camera so as to follow the change in the viewpoint of the player based on the tracking information of the viewpoint information of the player acquired by the viewpoint tracking. For example, in the present embodiment, tracking information (viewpoint tracking information) of viewpoint information which is at least one of the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction of the player is acquired. This tracking information can be acquired, for example, by performing tracking processing of the HMD200. Then, the virtual camera control unit 112 changes the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera based on the acquired tracking information (information on at least one of the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction of the player). For example, the virtual camera control unit 112 virtually changes the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction (position, posture) of the virtual camera in the virtual space according to the change in the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction of the player in the real space. Set the camera. By doing so, it is possible to control the virtual camera so as to follow the change in the viewpoint of the player based on the tracking information of the viewpoint information of the player.

The display processing unit 120 performs display processing of the game image (simulation image). For example, drawing processing is performed based on the results of various processing (game processing, simulation processing) performed by the processing unit 100, and an image is generated by this and displayed on the display unit 190. Specifically, geometry processing such as coordinate conversion (world coordinate conversion, camera coordinate conversion), clipping processing, fluoroscopic conversion, or light source processing is performed, and drawing data (positions of vertices on the primitive surface) are performed based on the processing results. Coordinates, texture coordinates, color data, normal vector or α value, etc.) are created. Then, based on this drawing data (primitive surface data), the object (one or a plurality of primitive surfaces) after fluoroscopic transformation (after geometry processing) is subjected to image information in pixel units such as a drawing buffer 178 (frame buffer, work buffer, etc.). Draw in a memorable buffer). As a result, an image seen from a virtual camera (given viewpoint. First and second viewpoints for the left eye and the right eye) is generated in the virtual space. The drawing process performed by the display processing unit 120 can be realized by a vertex shader process, a pixel shader process, or the like.

The sound processing unit 130 (sound processing program module) performs sound processing based on the results of various processing performed by the processing unit 100. Specifically, a game sound such as a musical piece (music, BGM), a sound effect, or a voice is generated, and the game sound is output to the sound output unit 192.

As shown in FIG. 1, the simulation system of the present embodiment includes a ride housing 10, a virtual space setting unit 104, a game processing unit 106, and a display processing unit 120.

The ride housing 10 is a housing in which a plurality of players in the real space are boarded at a plurality of ride positions. For example, a ride position on which each player of a plurality of players is boarded is set in the ride housing 10, and the player rides on the ride position to play a game. This ride position is a place set in the ride housing 10 as a play position in which the player plays a game.

The virtual space setting unit 104 performs a process of arranging and setting a plurality of virtual players corresponding to a plurality of players in the virtual space. For example, a virtual player, which is a player's avatar, appears in a virtual space, which is a game space. As an example, a virtual player is boarded on a boarding moving body corresponding to the ride housing 10, and the boarding moving body is moved in the virtual space based on the operation information of the player. The virtual player is, for example, a player character corresponding to the player, and may be a character in which a part or all thereof can be seen from the player's viewpoint, or a virtual character hidden from the player's viewpoint. May be good.

The game processing unit 106 processes a game in which a plurality of players participate. For example, game processing such as advancing a game in which a plurality of players cooperate to play, generating various game events, or calculating a player's game performance is performed. Then, the display processing unit 120 performs a process of displaying the virtual space image on the display unit 190. For example, a process of displaying a virtual space image seen from the viewpoint of each virtual player of a plurality of virtual players on a display unit 190 arranged so as to cover the field of view of each player of the plurality of players is performed. For example, a virtual camera is set from the viewpoint of a virtual player, a virtual space image which is an image of a virtual space viewed from this virtual camera is generated, and the virtual is displayed on a display unit 190 arranged so as to cover the view of a player such as an HMD200. Display a spatial image.

Then, in the present embodiment, the ride directions of the plurality of players in the ride housing 10 are set so that the ride directions of the first player and the ride directions of the second player of the plurality of players are different from each other. ing. For example, the ride direction of the first player is set to the first ride direction, and the ride direction of the second player is set to a second ride direction different from the first ride direction. The ride direction is a direction that the player faces when he / she gets on the ride housing 10 and plays a game. For example, the ride direction is the direction in which the player faces when the player sits or stands at the ride position of the ride housing 10 and gets on board. For example, a restricting member (for example, a seat) that regulates the ride direction of a player is provided in the ride housing 10, and the restricting member sets the ride direction of each player of a plurality of players.

Then, the virtual space setting unit 104 sets the placement direction of the first virtual player corresponding to the first player and the placement direction of the second virtual player corresponding to the second player so as to face the reference direction. The first virtual player and the second virtual player are arranged and set in the virtual space. For example, a first virtual player corresponding to a first player in real space and a second virtual player corresponding to a second player in real space appear in a virtual space that is a game space. And even if the ride direction of the first player and the ride direction of the second player in the real space are different, the placement direction of the first virtual player and the placement direction of the second virtual player in the virtual space Is arranged and set so as to be in the same reference direction. The reference direction is a direction set as a reference in the direction in which the virtual player faces in the virtual space. The placement direction of the virtual player is the direction of the virtual player when the virtual player corresponding to the player is placed in the virtual space, and is, for example, the direction in which the virtual player faces (the direction in which the body faces) in the virtual space. It should be noted that the placement directions of the first and second virtual players do not necessarily have to completely match the reference direction, and are within an allowable range between the placement directions of the first and second virtual players and the reference direction. There may be a gap.

Further, the simulation system of the present embodiment includes a virtual camera control unit 112 that controls a virtual camera corresponding to the viewpoint of the virtual player. The virtual camera control unit 112 acquires information on the relative viewpoint position (head position) of the player with respect to the ride position of the player as relative position information. Further, information on the relative line-of-sight direction (direction of the head) of the player with respect to the ride direction of the player is acquired as relative rotation information. For example, the position information of the viewpoint relative to the ride position of the player in the ride housing 10 is acquired as the relative position information. Further, the rotation information of the line of sight relative to the ride direction of the player in the ride housing 10 is acquired as the relative rotation information (relative direction information). Then, the virtual camera control unit 112 obtains the viewpoint position of the virtual camera (viewpoint position of the virtual player) based on the arrangement position of the virtual player and the relative position information. Further, the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera (the line-of-sight direction of the virtual player) is obtained based on the arrangement direction of the virtual player and the relative rotation information.

That is, the viewpoint position of the virtual camera corresponding to the viewpoint of the virtual player is set with reference to the arrangement position of the virtual player. The line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera is set with reference to the arrangement direction of the virtual player. For example, by using the tracking process of the HMD200, the relative position information which is the information of the viewpoint position relative to the ride position of the player and the relative rotation information which is the information of the line-of-sight direction relative to the ride direction of the player are acquired. To. For example, the information acquisition unit 102 acquires the relative position information and the relative rotation information. The relative rotation information is, for example, information representing an angle in the line-of-sight direction with respect to the ride direction. Then, the viewpoint position of the virtual camera is obtained based on the arrangement position of the virtual player and the relative position information. For example, the viewpoint position of the virtual camera can be obtained by performing a process of adding relative position information to the arrangement position of the virtual player. Further, the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera is obtained based on the arrangement direction of the virtual player and the relative rotation information. For example, the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera can be obtained by performing a process of adding relative rotation information to the arrangement direction of the virtual player. Then, the image seen from the virtual camera set in the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction obtained in this way is generated as a virtual space image displayed on the player.

Further, the ride housing 10 is provided at the first ride position, and includes a first ride portion on which the first player rides in the first ride direction at the first ride position. By providing such a first ride portion, the ride direction of the first player in the real space can be set to the first ride direction. Further, the ride housing 10 is provided at a second ride position different from the first ride position, and the second player boardes at the second ride position in a second ride direction different from the first ride direction. Includes a second ride section. By providing such a second ride portion, the ride direction of the second player in the real space can be set to the second ride direction. For example, the first ride unit regulates the direction in which the first player faces so that the direction of the first player boarding the first ride position of the ride housing 10 is the first ride direction. .. For example, the first ride unit has a regulating member that regulates the direction of the first player to the first ride direction. Further, the second ride unit regulates the direction in which the second player faces so that the direction of the second player boarding the second ride position of the ride housing 10 is the second ride direction. .. For example, the second ride unit has a regulating member that regulates the direction of the second player to the second ride direction.

Further, the riding direction of the third player of the plurality of players in the riding housing is set to be different from the riding direction of the first player. For example, the ride housing 10 is provided at a third ride position and includes a third ride portion on which the third player rides in the third ride position in a direction different from the ride direction of the first player. By providing such a third ride portion, the ride direction of the third player in the real space can be set in a direction different from the ride direction of the first player. The direction different from the ride direction of the first player may be the same direction as the ride direction of the second player, or in a direction different from the ride direction of the first player and the ride direction of the second player. There may be. For example, the third ride unit regulates the direction of the third player boarding the third ride position of the ride housing 10 so as to be different from the direction of the first ride. For example, the third ride unit has a regulating member that regulates the direction of the third player in a direction different from the direction of the first ride.

Then, the virtual space setting unit 104 arranges and sets the third virtual player in the virtual space so that the arrangement direction of the third virtual player corresponding to the third player faces the reference direction. For example, even if the ride direction of the first player and the ride direction of the third player in the real space are different, the placement direction of the first virtual player and the placement direction of the third virtual player in the virtual space Is arranged and set so as to be in the reference direction which is the same direction. For example, the arrangement direction of the second virtual player and the arrangement direction of the third virtual player are also arranged and set so as to be the reference direction which is the same direction. Then, the virtual space setting unit 104 arranges the second virtual player at a position different from the arrangement position corresponding to the ride position of the second player, and places the third virtual player at the ride position of the third player. Place it in a position different from the corresponding placement position. For example, the placement position of the virtual space corresponding to the ride position of the second player in the real space is set as the second placement position, and the placement position of the virtual space corresponding to the ride position of the third player in the real space is set as the second placement position. It is the third placement position. In this case, the virtual space setting unit 104 arranges the second virtual player at a position different from the second arrangement position, and arranges the third virtual player at a position different from the third arrangement position.

Specifically, the virtual space setting unit 104 arranges the second virtual player at the arrangement position corresponding to the ride position of the third player, and the third virtual player corresponds to the ride position of the second player. Place it in the position where it will be placed. For example, as described above, the placement position of the virtual space corresponding to the ride position of the second and third players is defined as the second and third placement positions. In this case, the virtual space setting unit 104 arranges the second virtual player at the third arrangement position and arranges the third virtual player at the second arrangement position. For example, the second and third virtual players are oriented in the same reference direction, and their placement positions are exchanged.

Further, the game processing unit 106 performs a process of moving a moving body on which a plurality of virtual players corresponding to a plurality of players are boarded in a virtual space. That is, the boarding moving body, which is a moving body on which a plurality of virtual players are boarding, is moved in the virtual space. For example, the moving body is moved based on the operation information of a plurality of players. In this case, the reference direction is the direction corresponding to the moving direction of the moving body. For example, even when the ride direction of the first player and the ride direction of the second player are set to be different, the first and second virtual players set the arrangement direction of the first and second virtual players. Set in the direction corresponding to the moving direction of the moving object to be boarded. Further, even when the ride direction of the third player and the ride direction of the first player are set to be different, the arrangement directions of the first, second, and third virtual players are set to the first, second, and so on. The direction corresponding to the moving direction of the moving body on which the third virtual player is boarded is set. By doing so, the first, second, and third virtual players can be arranged and set so as to face the moving direction of the moving body.

Further, it is assumed that the placement direction or placement position of the virtual player corresponding to the player is set in a direction or position different from the ride direction or ride position of the player. Also in this case, the sound processing unit 130 sets the sound source according to the arrangement direction or the arrangement position of the virtual player in the virtual space. Then, the process of generating the player's voice acquired in the real space from the set sound source is performed. For example, in the present embodiment, a voice acquisition device such as a microphone is used to acquire the voice of the player in the real space. For example, voices such as screams made by a player during a game and conversation voices of chat are acquired. Then, a sound source that generates this sound in the virtual space is set according to the arrangement direction or arrangement position of the virtual player. Then, the voice of the player acquired in the real space is generated from the sound source set according to the arrangement direction or the arrangement position of the virtual player. That is, the sound source is set according to the position and direction of the virtual player in the virtual space, not according to the position and direction of the player in the real space, and the sound of the player corresponding to the virtual player is generated from the sound source. By doing so, even when the position and direction of the player in the virtual space and the position and direction of the player in the real space do not correspond to each other, it is possible to realize an appropriate sound field formation process for the player's voice. become.

Further, the game processing unit 106 uses the first operation information input by the first player using the first operation unit and the second operation information input by the second player using the second operation unit. Based on this, the game process is performed. For example, game processing such as game progress processing and game result calculation processing is performed based on operation information by the first and second operation units of the first and second players boarding the ride housing 10. For example, a game process is performed in which the moving body corresponding to the ride housing 10 is moved based on the first and second operation information by the first and second operation units. Alternatively, based on the first and second operation information, game processing for a match is performed, and game processing for generating various game events is performed. Further, when the third player is boarded in the ride housing 10, the first, second, and third operations by the first, second, and third operation units of the first, second, and third players are performed. Based on the information, the game processing for moving the moving body, the game processing for the battle, and the game processing for generating the game event are performed.

In this case, in the present embodiment, the operation range of the first operation unit of the first player and the operation range of the second operation unit of the second player are set in a range that does not overlap with each other. For example, a first player boarding the first ride position of the ride housing 10 operates the first operation unit, and a second player boarding the second ride position of the ride housing 10 operates the second operation unit. Suppose you operate the part. In this case, the ride positions and rides of the first and second players so that the operation range of the first operation unit of the first player and the operation range of the second operation unit of the second player do not overlap. The direction is set. Similarly, when the third player gets on the ride housing 10, the operation range of the first operation unit of the first player, the operation range of the second operation unit of the second player, and the third The operation range of the third operation unit of the player is set to a range that does not overlap with each other.

Further, the game processing unit 106 bases the moving body on which the first virtual player corresponding to the first player and the second virtual player corresponding to the second player on board are based on the first and second operation information. Then, the process of moving in the virtual space is performed. The moving body processing unit 108 performs the moving process of the moving body. For example, when the first and second virtual players board a moving object, the reference direction, which is the arrangement direction of the first and second virtual players, is set to the direction corresponding to the moving direction of the moving object. Then, the moving body moves in the virtual space based on the first and second operation information obtained by the first and second players operating the first and second operation units. That is, the moving body moves in the direction corresponding to the reference direction. When the third player also participates in the game, the game processing unit 106 sets a moving body on which the first, second, and third virtual players corresponding to the first, second, and third players are boarded. , The process of moving in the virtual space is performed based on the first, second, and third operation information by the first, second, and third operation units of the first, second, and third players.

Then, the game processing unit 106 performs a process of moving the moving body in the virtual space based on the total value of the first input value based on the first operation information and the second input value based on the second operation information. For example, the summation process of the first input value and the second input value is performed, and the moving body is moved in the virtual space based on the summation value obtained by the summation process. For example, the larger the first input value or the second input value, the faster the moving body is moved at a higher speed or acceleration. Further, even if one of the first and second input values is, for example, zero, the moving body is moved based on the other input value. By doing so, it is possible to realize a game in which the moving body on which the first and second virtual players are boarded is moved in the virtual space by the cooperative play of the first and second players. When the third player also participates in the game, the game processing unit 106 moves based on the total value of the first, second, and third input values of the first, second, and third players. Performs the process of moving the body.

Further, the display unit 190 is, for example, a display unit of the HMD 200 worn by each player of a plurality of players. That is, in the present embodiment, the display processing unit 120 generates a display image of the HDM 200 that the player wears so as to cover the field of view as a virtual space image. In this way, when the player wears the HMD 200 so as to cover the field of view, even if the arrangement direction of the virtual player in the virtual space corresponding to the player is changed, the player does not have to notice. Then, for example, even when the ride directions of the first and second players are different, the location in the ride housing 10 can be set so that the arrangement directions of the first and second virtual players face the reference direction in the virtual space. It is possible to realize a virtual reality that does not make the player feel unnatural while eliminating the restrictions. The display processing unit 120 may perform a process of displaying a virtual space image on a display unit other than the HMD 200. That is, the display unit 190 of the present embodiment may be a display unit arranged so as to cover the player's field of view.

The ride housing 10 is, for example, a movable housing. The movable housing has a movable mechanism, and the posture of the ride housing 10 can be controlled by using this movable mechanism. The housing control unit 110 controls the ride housing 10. For example, posture control includes yawing and vertical movement control.

Specifically, the ride housing 10 has a first movable mechanism for yawing the base portion 40 of the ride housing 10 of FIGS. 4 and 5, which will be described later, and the base portion 40 of the ride housing 10 is moved up and down. It has a second movable mechanism. For example, by using the first movable mechanism, the base portion 40 of the ride housing 10 can be rotated around a rotation axis along a vertical direction, for example, to cause a rotational motion of yawing. Further, by using the second movable mechanism, the base portion 40 of the ride housing 10 can be moved up and down to control the base portion 40 to be shaken in the vertical direction.

In this case, the second movable mechanism includes a plurality of actuators that move the base portion 40 up and down. The actuator can be realized by a telescopic part such as an air spring or an air cylinder. Then, when the first actuator of the plurality of actuators moves the base portion 40 upward, the second actuators of the plurality of actuators also move the base portion 40 upward. Further, when the first actuator moves the base portion 40 downward, the second actuator also moves the base portion 40 downward. By doing so, it becomes possible to move the base portion 40 up and down by using a plurality of actuators such as the first and second actuators. Further, by moving the base portion 40 up and down in conjunction with the first and second actuators, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of 3D sickness in the player. Here, 3D sickness is to cause symptoms such as motion sickness such as dizziness by continuing to watch a violent image with a three-dimensional effect.

In this embodiment, virtual reality simulation processing is performed as game processing of a game played by a player. The virtual reality simulation process is a simulation process for simulating an event in a real space in a virtual space, and is a process for allowing a player to experience the event virtually. For example, a virtual player corresponding to a player in a real space or a moving object such as a boarding moving object thereof is moved in the virtual space, and processing is performed so that the player can experience changes in the environment and surroundings due to the movement.

Further, the processing of the simulation system of the present embodiment of FIG. 1 includes a processing device such as a business game device and a home game device, a processing device such as a PC installed in a facility, and a processing device (back) worn by a player on the back or the like. It can be realized by pack PC) or distributed processing of these processing devices. Alternatively, the processing of the simulation system of the present embodiment may be realized by the server system and the terminal device. For example, it may be realized by distributed processing of a server system and a terminal device.

2. 2. Tracking process Next, an example of tracking process will be described. FIG. 2A shows an example of the HMD200 used in the simulation system of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2A, the HMD 200 is provided with a plurality of light receiving elements 201, 202, 203 (photodiodes). The light receiving elements 201 and 202 are provided on the front surface side of the HMD 200, and the light receiving element 203 is provided on the right side surface of the HMD 200. Further, a light receiving element (not shown) is also provided on the left side surface, the upper surface, and the like of the HMD.

Further, the player PL possesses a paddle type controller 270 (in a broad sense, an operation unit) in a hand which is a predetermined portion. The controller 270 is an operating member that imitates the shape of a paddle (all). A tracking device 272 is provided at the tip of the controller 270. Similar to the HMD200, the tracking device 272 is provided with a plurality of light receiving elements 204, 205, 206. By using the controller 270 provided with such a tracking device 272, it is possible to acquire information such as the position and direction of the controller 270 as in the case of the HMD 200. For example, the motion information of the controller 270 can be acquired. This makes it possible to acquire operation information when the player PL operates the controller 270.

As shown in FIG. 2B, base stations 280 and 284 are installed around the ride housing 10. The base station 280 is provided with light emitting elements 281 and 282, and the base station 284 is provided with light emitting elements 285 and 286. The light emitting elements 281, 282, 285, and 286 are realized by, for example, an LED that emits a laser (infrared laser or the like). The base stations 280 and 284 use these light emitting elements 281, 282, 285, and 286 to emit, for example, a laser radially. Then, the light receiving elements 201 to 203 and the like provided in the HMD200 of FIG. 2A receive the laser from the base stations 280 and 284, whereby the tracking process of the HMD200 is realized, and the position and the head of the player PL are oriented. The direction (viewpoint position, line-of-sight direction) can be detected. For example, it becomes possible to detect the position information and the posture information (direction information) of the player PL.

Further, the light receiving elements 204, 205, 205, 206 provided in the tracking device 272 of the controller 270 can detect at least one of the position and the direction of the controller 270 by receiving the laser from the base stations 280 and 284. , It becomes possible to acquire the operation information of the player PL that operates the controller 270.

FIG. 3A shows another example of the HMD200. In FIG. 3A, a plurality of light emitting elements 231 to 236 are provided for the HMD 200. These light emitting elements 231 to 236 are realized by, for example, LEDs. The light emitting elements 231 to 234 are provided on the front side of the HMD 200, and the light emitting element 235 and the light emitting element 236 (not shown) are provided on the back side. These light emitting elements 231 to 236 emit (emit) light in the visible light band, for example. Specifically, the light emitting elements 231 to 236 emit light of different colors from each other. When the player PL possesses the controller 270 as shown in FIG. 2A, a light emitting element may be provided for the tracking device 272 of the controller 270.

Then, the image pickup unit 150 shown in FIG. 3B is installed at at least one place around the player PL (for example, the front side or the front side and the rear side), and the light emitting element 231 of the HMD 200 is provided by the image pickup unit 150. The light of ~ 236 is imaged. That is, the spot light of these light emitting elements 231 to 236 is reflected in the image captured by the image pickup unit 150. Then, by performing image processing of this captured image, tracking of the head (HMD) of the player PL is realized. That is, the three-dimensional position and the facing direction (viewpoint position, line-of-sight direction) of the head of the player PL are detected.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, the image pickup unit 150 is provided with the first and second cameras 151 and 152, and the first and second cameras 151 and 152 of these first and second cameras 151 and 152 are provided. By using the captured image, the position of the head of the player PL in the depth direction can be detected. Further, the rotation angle (line of sight) of the head of the player PL can also be detected based on the motion detection information of the motion sensor provided in the HMD 200. Therefore, by using such an HMD200, the image (of the player) in the virtual space (virtual three-dimensional space) corresponding to any direction of the player PL in all directions of 360 degrees around it. The image seen from the virtual camera corresponding to the viewpoint) can be displayed on the display unit 190 of the HMD 200.

Further, by capturing the light of the light emitting element of the tracking device 272 of the controller 270 by the image pickup unit 150, at least one of the position and the direction of the controller 270 can be detected as in the case of the HMD 200.

Infrared LEDs may be used as the light emitting elements 231 to 236 instead of visible light. Further, the position or movement of the player's head or hand (predetermined portion) may be detected by another method such as using a depth camera or the like.

Further, the tracking processing method for detecting the position information, direction information, and posture information of the player PL and the controller 270 is not limited to the methods described in FIGS. 2A to 3B. For example, using a motion sensor or the like provided in the HMD200 or the tracking device 272, the tracking process of the HMD200 or the tracking device 272 may be performed to detect the position information, the direction information, and the posture information. That is, the tracking process is realized without providing an external device such as the base station 280 and 284 of FIG. 2 (B) and the image pickup unit 150 of FIG. 3 (B). Alternatively, various viewpoint tracking methods such as known eye tracking, face tracking or head tracking may be used. Alternatively, a motion tracking method that detects and specifies the motion (motion data) of the player may be used.

3. 3. Ride chassis Next, a configuration example of the ride chassis 10 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the ride housing 10, and FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view. The ride housing 10 includes a base 12, a base portion 40, and ride portions 41, 42, 43, 44. Further, the ride housing 10 includes a drive mechanism 20 for moving the base portion 40 with respect to the base 12, and a ring-shaped movable member 30. The drive mechanism 20 and the movable member 30 realize a first movable mechanism that yaws the base portion 40 of the ride housing 10.

The ride portions 41, 42, 43 and 44 are provided on the base portion 40. In FIG. 4, the ride portions 41, 42, 43, 44 are realized by a seat having a seat surface and a backrest. In FIG. 4, the player PL is seated on the ride unit 41. Each player also sits on the other ride sections 42, 43, 44.

The base 12 is provided with a circular hole 14. As shown in FIG. 5, the drive mechanism 20 is housed in the internal space of the base 12 below the hole 14. The drive mechanism 20 has a hexagonal frame shape when viewed from above, and the motors 24-1 to 24-6 and the rollers 26-1 to 26, which are drive units, are located at locations corresponding to the vertices of the hexagon. -6 is provided. The rollers 26-1 to 26-6 are attached to, for example, the rotating shafts of the motors 24-1 to 24-6, and the rotating shafts of the motors 24-1 to 24-6 rotate to cause the rollers 26-1 to 26-6. -6 rotates. The movable member 30 is arranged inside these rollers 26-1 to 26-6. Specifically, the movable member 30 is installed so that the outer peripheral surface of the ring-shaped movable member 30 comes into contact with the rollers 26-1 to 26-6. By doing so, the ring-shaped movable member 30 rotates with the vertical axis as the rotation axis due to the rotation of the rollers 26-1 to 26-6 by the motors 24-1 to 24-6. As a result, the base portion 40 attached to the movable member 30 rotates about the vertical axis as a rotation axis, and the yawing rotational motion of the base portion 40 is realized.

Further, on the upper surface side of the movable member 30, a plurality of air springs 32-1 to 32-4, which are actuators (expandable portions), are provided. Then, the upper end portions of the air springs 32-1 to 32-4 are attached to the lower surface of the base portion 40 by the attachments 34-1 to 34-4. These air springs 32-1 to 32-4 expand and contract along the vertical direction by supplying and discharging air using an air compressor or a bubble. By expanding and contracting the air springs 32-1 to 32-4 in this way, the base portion 40 can be moved up and down. That is, by simultaneously extending the plurality of air springs 32-1 to 32-4, the base portion 40 moves upward while maintaining the direction of the main surface of the base portion 40 in the direction of the horizontal plane. Further, by simultaneously contracting the plurality of air springs 32-1 to 32-4, the base portion 40 moves downward while maintaining the direction of the main surface of the base portion 40 in the direction of the horizontal plane. This makes it possible to move the base portion 40 up and down. That is, by using the air springs 32-1 to 32-4, a second movable mechanism for moving the base portion 40 of the ride housing 10 up and down is realized.

As described above, the second movable mechanism of the present embodiment includes a plurality of actuators that move the base portion 40 up and down. In FIGS. 4 and 5, these plurality of actuators are realized by air springs 32-1 to 32-4. The actuator may be realized by a telescopic portion such as an air cylinder. Then, when the air spring 32-1, which is the first actuator of the plurality of actuators, moves the base portion 40 upward, the air spring 32-2 (or the air springs 32-3, 32), which is the second actuator of the plurality of actuators, is used. -4) also moves the base portion 40 upward. Further, when the first actuator, the air spring 32-1, moves the base portion 40 downward, the second actuator, the air spring 32-2 (or the air springs 32-3, 32-4), also moves the base portion 40. Move it downward. By doing so, the base portion 40 can be moved up and down while maintaining the direction of the main surface of the base portion 40 in the direction of the horizontal plane.

According to the ride housing 10 of FIGS. 4 and 5, the yawing motion of the base portion 40 of the ride housing 10 and the vertical movement of the base portion 40 are possible. The base portion 40 is provided with ride portions 41 to 44, and the player sits on the ride portions 41 to 44 to board the ride housing 10. Therefore, by performing the yawing rotational movement of the base portion 40 by the first movable mechanism of the ride housing 10, each of the riding portions 41 to 44 on which the player sits also performs the yawing rotational movement. As a result, it becomes possible to rotate the play position of the player, and the player can experience the rotational movement by yawing. Further, by moving the base portion 40 up and down by the second movable mechanism of the ride housing 10, the ride portions 41 to 44 on which the player sits also move up and down. This makes it possible to finely swing the player's play position up and down, and it is possible for the player to experience the rattling road of the course and the vertical fluctuation of the water surface.

The play position is a play position in which the player is located when playing a virtual reality (VR) simulation game. For example, the play position is the ride position of the ride section. For example, when a player sits on a ride section and plays a virtual reality simulation game, the play position is the seating position on the seat of the ride section. If the player straddles a vehicle such as a motorcycle, bicycle, or horse, or a ride that mimics an animal, the play position is the straddling position. When the player plays the simulation game in a standing posture, the play position is, for example, the standing position in the ride section. The simulation system of the present embodiment has a ride housing 10 capable of changing the play position of the player based on the result of the game processing (game situation). By changing the play position (ride position) in this way, it becomes possible for the player to experience, for example, a change in direction due to the movement of the moving object on which the virtual player is boarding in the virtual space, resulting in a virtual reality feeling. Can be improved.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a game realized by the simulation system of the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, a simulation game in which a plurality of players board a boat BT and go down a river is realized. Each player can move the boat BT by holding and rowing a controller 270 that imitates a paddle as shown in FIG. 2 (A). When the boat BT in the virtual space rotates, the yawing motion of the ride housing 10 described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 is performed to rotate the boat BT and the ride housing 10 in the virtual space. Link. Further, by moving the ride housing 10 up and down, the player can experience the shaking of the boat BT due to a change in the water surface or the like. By yawing or moving the ride housing 10 up and down in this way, it becomes possible to prevent the player from 3D sickness.

4. Method of this embodiment Next, the method of this embodiment will be described. In the following, a case where a virtual player in a virtual space corresponding to a player in the real space gets on a boat and applies the method of the present embodiment to a game of experiencing a river descent will be mainly described. However, the game to which the method of the present embodiment is applied is not limited to such a game. For example, the method of this embodiment is a variety of games (competition game, robot game, battle game such as FPS (First Person shooter) and fighting game, simulation game of vehicle such as train and airplane, RPG, action game, virtual experience game, etc. It can be applied to sports games, horror experience games, music games, etc., and can be applied to other than games.

4.1 Arrangement of virtual players In the present embodiment, a mechanism is provided in which a player gets on a movable housing and faces a direction different from the direction in the real space to play a game in the virtual space. Therefore, the simulation system of the present embodiment detects the position and direction of the player in the real space and controls the calculation of the game in the virtual space. Then, a game image is generated based on a viewpoint from a position in the virtual space of the player, and the generated game image is displayed on a display unit arranged so as to cover the player's field of view. A plurality of players in the real space board one movable floor board portion (base portion). Then, in the real space, the second player is arranged in a direction (backward facing) different from that of the first player (front facing seating) with respect to the plurality of playing positions (seats) on the floor plate portion. On the other hand, in the virtual space, the second player (second virtual player) has a direction different from the direction (backward) in the real space, and is the same direction as the first player (first virtual player). Placed (forward).

Specifically, in the present embodiment, a plurality of players in the real space are boarded at a plurality of ride positions of the ride housing 10. For example, in FIG. 7, a plurality of ride positions PR1, PR2, PR3, and PR4 are set for the ride housing 10. Ride positions PR1, PR2, PR3, PR4 are, for example, seat positions. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of players PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4 board the plurality of ride positions PR1, PR2, PR3, and PR4. For example, players PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4 are seated at ride positions PR1, PR2, PR3, PR4. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, in the present embodiment, a plurality of virtual players VPL1, VPL2, VPL3, and VPL4 corresponding to these players PL1, PL2, PL3, and PL4 are arranged and set in the virtual space. For example, a moving body MV corresponding to the ride housing 10 in the real space is prepared in the virtual space. This moving body MV is, for example, the boat BT of FIG. The virtual players VPL1, VPL2, VPL3, and VPL4 are arranged and set so as to board the moving body MV. Then, a game in which a plurality of players PL1 to PL4 participate is processed, and a virtual space image seen from the viewpoint of each virtual player of the plurality of virtual players VPL1 to VPL4 covers the view of each player of the plurality of players PL1 to PL4. It is displayed on the display unit 190 arranged as follows. For example, the virtual space image is displayed on the display unit 190 of the HMD1 to HMD4 mounted so that the players PL1 to PL4 cover the field of view. This virtual space image is an image that can be seen from a virtual camera in the virtual space.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the ride direction D1 of the player PL1 (first player) and the ride direction D2 of the player PL2 (second player) in the real space are different from each other. The ride directions of the players PL1 to PL4 in the ride housing 10 are set so as to be. The ride directions D1 to D4 are, for example, the directions of the seats. For example, in FIGS. 7 and 8, the ride direction D1 of the player PL1 is a forward direction, the ride direction D2 of the player PL2 is a backward direction, and the directions are different, for example, opposite directions. The ride direction D1 of the player PL1 and the ride direction D3 of the player PL3 (third player) are also different. On the other hand, the ride direction D1 of the player PL1 and the ride direction D4 of the player PL4 (fourth player) are in the same direction, and the ride direction D2 of the player PL2 and the ride direction D3 of the player PL3 are also in the same direction. That is, the ride direction D1 of the player PL1 and the ride direction D4 of the player PL4 are in the forward direction, and the ride direction D2 of the player PL2 and the ride direction D3 of the player PL3 are in the backward direction.

Then, in the present embodiment, as shown in A2 of FIG. 9, the arrangement direction E1 of the virtual player VPL1 (first virtual player) corresponding to the player PL1 and the virtual player VPL2 (second virtual player) corresponding to the player PL2. The virtual player VPL1 and the virtual player VPL2 are arranged and set in the virtual space so that the arrangement direction E2 of the above faces the reference direction ER. That is, as shown in A1 of FIG. 9, in the real space, the ride direction D1 of the player PL1 and the ride direction D2 of the player PL2 are in different directions. For example, the ride direction D1 is a forward direction, and the ride direction D2 is a backward direction. On the other hand, as shown in A2 of FIG. 9, in the virtual space, the arrangement direction E1 of the virtual player VPL1 corresponding to the player PL1 and the arrangement direction E2 of the virtual player VPL2 corresponding to the player PL2 are in the same direction. ing. For example, the placement direction E1 and the placement direction E2 are set to the reference direction ER which is the forward direction. As a result, for example, the HMD2 mounted by the player PL2 displays not the virtual space image when facing the backward direction, which is the riding direction D2, but the virtual space image when facing the forward direction, which is the arrangement direction E2. Become so. The arrangement directions E1, E2, E3, and E4 are, for example, the directions (front direction) of the virtual players VPL1, VPL2, VPL3, and VPL4 in the virtual space, and are, for example, the virtual players VPL1, VPL2, and VPL3 in the moving body MV. This is the riding direction of VPL4.

For example, there are space restrictions on the ride housing 10 on which the player rides in real space. For example, the riding housing 10 on which a plurality of players are boarded to play a game has a large installation area. Therefore, there arises a problem that the occupied area of the ride housing 10 in the amusement facility becomes large. Therefore, it is desirable to make the housing so that a large number of players can play in one ride housing 10 while reducing the installation area of the ride housing 10. Further, when the posture of the base portion 40 of the ride housing 10 is changed by using the movable mechanism as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a plurality of players are made to sit at a place close to the center position of the base portion 40. That is desirable. This is because if the distance of the player from the center position is increased, a large driving capacity is required for the driving unit such as the motor and the air spring used for changing the posture of the base unit 40. For example, when the yawing motion of the movable member 30 is performed by the drive mechanism 20 of FIG. 5, if the distance of the player from the center position is increased, the rotational moment becomes large. Therefore, a large driving capacity is required for the motors 24-1 to 24 to 6.

On the other hand, in a display device such as an HMD in which a display unit is arranged so as to cover the player's field of view, the display unit blocks the field of view, making it difficult for the player to visually grasp the surrounding situation. Therefore, if the distance between the plurality of players boarding the ride housing 10 is too close in order to reduce the installation area, the player's body may collide with another player, or the player's belongings (operation unit, etc.) Will hit other players. For example, in FIG. 8, the players PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4 have the operation units BP1, BP2, BP3, and BP4, which are the controllers 270 described in FIG. 2A, in their hands. These operation units BP1 to BP4 imitate a paddle in a boat, and the players PL1 to PL4 operate the operation units BP1 to BP4 like a paddle to operate a moving body MV which is a boat in a virtual space. Can be run on the surface of the water. However, if the installation area of the ride housing 10 is reduced, there is a problem that the operation unit possessed by the player collides with another player. For example, in FIG. 8, if not only the players PL1 and PL4 but also the players PL2 and PL3 are arranged to sit on the ride housing 10 in the forward direction, the operation units BP2 and BP3 of the rear players PL2 and PL3 are arranged in the front direction. Problems such as hitting the players PL1 and PL4 occur.

As described above, there are various space restrictions on the arrangement of the players in the ride housing 10. On the other hand, it is also necessary to decide the direction in which the virtual player faces in the virtual space according to the game settings. For example, in a river rafting game as shown in FIG. 6, it is desirable that a plurality of virtual players rowing a boat BT face the same direction in the game setting. Then, if the ride direction of the player in the ride housing 10 in the real space is determined according to such a game setting, it becomes impossible to satisfy the space restriction of the arrangement of the player in the ride housing 10. For example, if the ride directions D1 to D4 of all the players PL1 to PL4 are set in the forward direction even in the ride housing 10 in the real space so as to be in line with the game setting in the virtual space, the body and operation of the player behind Problems such as the part hitting the previous player will occur.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to set the placement direction of the virtual player in the virtual space so as to be in a direction different from the ride direction of the player in the real space. For example, as shown in A1 of FIG. 9, in the real space, the ride direction D2 of the player PL2 is in the backward direction, but in the virtual space as shown in A2, the arrangement direction of the virtual player VPL2 corresponding to the player PL2. Set E2 in the forward direction instead of the backward direction. Since the player PL2 is equipped with the HMD2 so as to cover the field of view, even if the direction of the virtual player VPL2 in the virtual space is changed to a direction different from that in the real space, the player does not feel unnatural.

By doing so, in the real space, the ride direction of each player is taken into consideration in consideration of the placement efficiency of the player in the ride housing 10 and the prevention of the player's body and the operation unit from colliding with other players. And ride position can be set. Then, in the virtual space, the placement direction and the placement position of the virtual player can be set so as to follow the game settings in the virtual space. Therefore, it is possible to provide a simulation system that can realize a virtual reality that does not make the player feel unnatural while eliminating the space restriction in the ride housing 10 in the real space.

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the ride housing 10 is provided at the ride position PR1 (first ride position), and the player PL1 is in the ride position PR1 in the ride direction D1 (first ride). It has a ride unit 41 to board in the direction). Further, the ride housing 10 is provided at the ride position PR2 (second ride position), and has a ride portion 42 on which the player PL2 rides in the ride direction D2 (second ride direction) at the ride position PR2. Similarly, the ride housing 10 is provided at the ride position PR3 (third ride position), and the ride unit 43 on which the player PL3 rides in the ride direction D3 (third ride direction) at the ride position PR3 and the ride position PR4. It is provided at (fourth ride position) and has a ride unit 44 on which the player PL4 rides in the ride direction D4 (fourth ride direction) at the ride position PR4.

By providing such ride portions 41 and 42, the ride direction D1 of the player PL1 can be restricted to, for example, a forward direction, and the ride direction D2 of the player PL2 can be set to a direction different from the ride direction D1, such as a backward direction. Can be regulated. Therefore, by providing these ride portions 41 and 42, it becomes possible to set the ride direction of each player so that the ride direction D1 of the player PL1 and the ride direction D2 of the player PL2 are different from each other. Similarly, by providing the ride portion 43, the ride direction D3 of the player PL3 can be regulated in a direction different from the ride direction D1, such as a backward direction. Further, by providing the ride portion 44, the ride direction D4 of the player PL4 can be regulated in the same direction as the ride direction D1 such as a forward direction.

In FIGS. 9 and 10, the backrest and seat surface of the ride portion serve as regulating members, and the riding direction of each player is regulated, but the regulating member that regulates the riding direction is not limited to this. It is possible to regulate the ride direction with various regulatory members such as armrests on the seat, belts that secure the player to the seat, or one or more rod-shaped members whose long side is along the ride direction. be.

Further, in FIGS. 7 and 8, the ride direction D3 in the ride housing 10 of the player PL3 (third player) is set in a direction different from the ride direction D1 of the player PL1. For example, the ride direction D1 of the player PL1 is a forward direction, whereas the ride direction D3 of the player PL3 is a backward direction.

In this case, in the present embodiment, as shown in A2 of FIG. 9, the virtual player VPL3 is virtualized so that the arrangement direction E3 of the virtual player VPL3 (third virtual player) corresponding to the player PL3 faces the reference direction ER. Place and set in space. Then, the virtual player VPL2 is arranged at an arrangement position PV2 different from the arrangement position (PV3) corresponding to the ride position PR2 of the player PL2. Further, the virtual player VPL3 is arranged at an arrangement position PV3 different from the arrangement position (PV2) corresponding to the ride position PR3 of the player PL3.

That is, in the real space, the player PL2 sits at the ride position PR2 on the left rear side of the ride housing 10. The left rear arrangement position of the moving body MV corresponding to the left rear ride position PR2 of the ride housing 10 is PV3. Therefore, normally, the arrangement position of the virtual player VPL2 in the moving body MV should be PV3, but in the present embodiment, the virtual player VPL2 is arranged at the arrangement position PV2 on the right rear side different from this PV3.

Further, in the real space, the player PL3 sits at the ride position PR3 on the right rear side of the ride housing 10. The arrangement position of the moving body MV corresponding to the ride position PR3 on the right rear side of the ride housing 10 is PV2. Therefore, normally, the arrangement position of the virtual player VPL3 in the moving body MV should be PV2, but in the present embodiment, the virtual player VPL3 is arranged at the arrangement position PV3 on the left rear side different from this PV2.

More specifically, in the present embodiment, the virtual player VPL2 is arranged at the right rear arrangement position PV2 corresponding to the ride position PR3 of the player PL3, and the virtual player VPL3 is arranged at the left rear corresponding to the ride position PR2 of the player PL2. Placement position PV3. In other words, as shown in B1 of FIG. 10, the placement position and the placement direction are rotated 180 degrees with respect to the center point CT of the virtual players VPL2 and VPL3. As a result, the arrangement directions E2 and E3 of the virtual players VPL2 and VPL3, which were in the backward direction in B2 of FIG. 10, become the forward direction as shown in B3. That is, it becomes the reference direction ER. Further, in B2, the placement position PV2 of the virtual player VPL2 is on the left side and the placement position PV3 of the virtual player VPL3 is on the right side, whereas in B3, the placement position PV2 of the virtual player VPL2 is on the right side and the virtual player VPL3 The placement position PV3 is on the left side.

As described above, in the present embodiment, not only the arrangement directions E2 and E3 of the virtual players VPL2 and VPL3 but also the arrangement positions PV2 and PV3 are changed. For example, the players PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4 in the real space perform an operation of rowing a boat by holding the operation units BP1, BP2, BP3, and BP4 in their hands. The virtual players VPL1, VPL2, VPL3, and VPL4 have paddles CP1, CP2, CP3, and CP4 corresponding to the operation units BP1, BP2, BP3, and BP4.

In this case, in A1 of FIG. 9, the player PL2 in the real space operates the operation unit BP2 assuming that the water surface of the river is on the right side of the player PL2. Further, the player PL3 operates the operation unit BP3 assuming that the water surface of the river is on the left side of the player PL3. Therefore, in the virtual space, if the virtual player VPL2 is placed in the position behind the left rear of the moving body MV in the forward direction and the virtual player VPL3 is placed in the position behind the right of the moving body MV in the forward direction, the water surface There will be a contradiction in the position of. That is, in the real space, there should be a water surface on the right side of the player PL2, but in the virtual space, there should be a water surface on the left side of the virtual player VPL2, and in the real space, there should be a water surface on the left side of the player PL3, but in the virtual space. , There is a contradiction that the water surface exists on the right side of the virtual player VPL3.

In this respect, in this embodiment, as shown in A2 of FIG. 9, the virtual player VPL2 is arranged in the forward-facing position at the position on the right rear side of the moving body MV, not on the left rear side. Therefore, even in the virtual space of A2, the water surface exists on the right side of itself as in the real space of A1, and the paddle CP2 can be put in the water surface on the right side and rowed. Further, as shown in A2, the virtual player VPL3 is arranged in the forward-facing direction at a position on the left rear side of the moving body MV, not on the right rear side. Therefore, even in the virtual space of A2, the water surface exists on the left side of itself as in the real space of A1, and the paddle CP3 can be put in the water surface on the left side and rowed. Therefore, there is no contradiction between the real space and the virtual space, and it becomes possible to realize a virtual reality in which the player does not feel unnatural.

Further, in the present embodiment, a process of moving a moving body MV on which a plurality of virtual players VPL1 to VPL4 corresponding to a plurality of players PL1 to PL4 are mounted is performed in a virtual space. The reference direction ER is a direction corresponding to the moving direction of the moving body. That is, the virtual players VPL1 to VPL4 are arranged and set so that the arrangement direction of the virtual players PL1 to PL4 faces the reference direction ER corresponding to the movement direction of the moving body. By doing so, when the moving body MV moves in the virtual space, the virtual players VPL1 to VPL4 board the moving body MV so as to face the reference direction ER which is the moving direction of the moving body MV. This makes it possible for the player to display a virtual space image suitable for a game of boarding a moving object and moving in the virtual space.

The reference direction ER is not limited to the moving direction of the moving body MV, and a direction different from the moving direction of the moving body MV may be set as the reference direction ER. For example, the direction in which the player should gaze in the virtual space may be set as the reference direction ER. For example, the direction in which the event occurs in the game may be set as the reference direction ER. Further, the reference direction as the arrangement direction may be different between the virtual player of the first group and the virtual player of the second group. For example, the placement direction of the virtual players in the first group may be set to the first reference direction, and the placement direction of the virtual players in the second group may be set to the second reference direction. Further, the direction corresponding to the moving direction of the moving body MV may be the moving direction itself of the moving body MV, or may be a direction having a predetermined directional relationship with the moving direction. For example, the direction may be orthogonal to the moving direction.

Further, the arrangement directions E1 to E4 of the virtual players VPL1 to VPL4 are directions set as directions facing in the default state of each virtual player in the virtual space, and in the default state (initial state), the HMD1 to HMD4 of the players PL1 to PL4 are set. Displays a virtual space image with the arrangement directions E1 to E4 as the line-of-sight direction. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, it is assumed that the players PL2 and PL3 move their heads to change the line-of-sight directions VD2 and VD3 in a direction different from the ride directions D2 and D3. In this case, changes in the line-of-sight directions VD2 and VD3 of the players PL2 and PL3 are acquired by the tracking process of the HMD2 and HMD3, and the line-of-sight directions VE2 and VE3 of the virtual players VPL2 and VPL3 also change so as to face the corresponding directions. .. Specifically, the relative rotation angles (relative rotation information) of the line-of-sight directions VD2 and VD3 of the players PL2 and PL3 are acquired, and the line-of-sight directions VE2 and VE3 of the virtual players VPL2 and VPL3 also change by this relative rotation angle. do. That is, the relative rotation information of the line-of-sight directions VD2 and VD3 with respect to the ride directions D2 and D3 of the players PL2 and PL3 is acquired, and the line-of-sight directions VE2 and VE3 are based on the arrangement directions E2 and E3 of the virtual player and the relative rotation information (rotation angle). Is required.

For example, in FIG. 11, the player PL2 changes the line-of-sight direction VD2 to the right side with respect to the ride direction D2. In this case, the line-of-sight direction VE2 of the virtual player VPL2 also changes to the right side with respect to the arrangement direction E2. That is, the arrangement direction E2 is opposite to the ride direction D2, but the change direction of the line-of-sight direction VD2 with respect to the ride direction D2 is on the right side, and the change direction of the line-of-sight direction VE2 with respect to the arrangement direction E2 is also on the right side. , Changes by the same rotation angle relatively in the same direction. Further, the player PL3 changes the line-of-sight direction VD3 to the left side with respect to the ride direction D3. In this case, the line-of-sight direction VE3 of the virtual player VPL3 also changes to the left side with respect to the arrangement direction E3. That is, the arrangement direction E3 is opposite to the ride direction D3, but the change direction of the line-of-sight direction VD3 with respect to the ride direction D3 is on the left side, and the change direction of the line-of-sight direction VE3 with respect to the arrangement direction E3 is also on the left side. , Changes by the same rotation angle relatively in the same direction. By doing so, even if the arrangement directions E2 and E3 are set in directions different from the ride directions D2 and D3, a consistent virtual space image can be displayed on the HMD2 and HMD3 of the players PL2 and PL3.

It should be noted that various modifications can be made to set the ride direction of the player and the arrangement direction of the virtual player. For example, in FIG. 12, the ride direction D1 of the player PL1 is set in the diagonally left front direction, and the ride direction D2 of the player PL2 is set in the diagonally left rear direction. Further, the ride direction D3 of the player PL3 is set to the diagonally right rear direction, and the ride direction D4 of the player PL4 is set to the diagonally right front direction. That is, each ride direction is set in a direction radially from the center of the ride housing 10. By setting the ride direction in this way, it becomes possible to mount more players on the ride housing 10 having a small occupied area.

Then, in FIG. 12, the arrangement directions E1 to E4 of the virtual players VPL1 and VPL4 corresponding to the players PL1 to PL4 boarding in the ride directions D1 to D4 are set as the reference direction ER. By doing so, it becomes possible to realize a virtual reality that does not make the player feel unnatural while realizing an efficient player arrangement in the ride housing 10.

Further, in the present embodiment, the placement direction or placement position of the virtual player corresponding to the player is set to a direction or position different from the ride direction or ride position of the player. In this case, a sound source corresponding to the arrangement direction or arrangement position of the virtual player is set in the virtual space, and the player's voice acquired in the real space is generated from the sound source set in this way.

For example, in FIG. 13, the player PL2 is screaming. The sound such as the cry of the player PL2 is collected by the microphone. Then, the collected sound is output from the speakers of the other players PL1, PL3, PL4. By making it possible to listen to the voices of other players in this way, it is possible to improve the sense of virtual reality. Alternatively, chat conversations between players are possible.

Then, when the sound field formation process of the sound collected in this way is performed, if the sound field is formed based on the position information and the direction information of the player in the real space, a contradiction may occur. For example, in the real space of FIG. 13, the player PL2 is seated directly behind the player PL1 in the rearward riding direction D2. Then, the voice is emitted with the face turned to the right with respect to the ride direction D2. Therefore, when the sound field formation process is performed based on the player's position information and direction information in the real space, the player PL2 emits sound to the player PL1 directly behind the player PL1 and to the left diagonally rearward SD2. Such a sound field will be formed. However, in the virtual space, the virtual player VPL2 corresponding to the player PL2 is seated on the diagonally right rear side of the player PL1 in the forward-facing direction E2. Therefore, if a sound field in which the player PL2 is emitting sound is formed in the SD2 diagonally to the left and backward as in the real space, the situation does not match the situation in the virtual space and a contradiction occurs.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the position information and the direction information of the virtual player in the virtual space are used instead of the position information and the direction information of the player in the real space in the processing of forming the sound field of the voice of the player. For example, in FIG. 13, a sound source is set based on the arrangement direction E2 and the arrangement position PV2 of the virtual player VPL2 in the virtual space, and a sound field is formed so that sound is generated according to the arrangement direction E2 and the arrangement position PV2. That is, the sound field formation process is performed assuming that the sound is emitted in the direction SE2, which is the right direction with respect to the arrangement direction E2 of the virtual player VPL2. By doing so, for example, the player PL1 can hear that the player PL2 is generating sound in the diagonally right direction SE2 on the diagonally right rear side of the player PL1. Therefore, it becomes consistent with the situation of the virtual space, and it becomes possible to prevent the above-mentioned contradiction from occurring.

Further, in the present embodiment, the first operation information input by the player PL1 using the operation unit BP1 (first operation unit) and the second operation information input by the player PL2 using the operation unit BP2 (second operation unit). The game process is performed based on the operation information of 2. For example, the moving body MV on which the virtual player VPL1 corresponding to the player PL1 and the virtual player VPL2 corresponding to the player PL2 are mounted is moved in the virtual space based on the first and second operation information. For example, when four players board the ride housing 10, the players PL1 to PL4 perform game processing based on the first to fourth operation information input by using the operation units BP1 to BP4. For example, the moving body MV on which the virtual players VPL1 to VPL4 are boarded on the players PL1 to PL4 is moved in the virtual space based on the first to fourth operation information. By doing so, it becomes possible to realize game processing such as movement processing of the moving body that reflects the operation information of the player boarding the moving body MV.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the operation range AR1 of the operation unit BP1 of the player PL1 and the operation range AR2 of the operation unit BP2 of the player PL2 are set in a range that does not overlap with each other. For example, the operation range AR1 of the operation unit BP1 is set diagonally forward to the left with respect to the ride position PR1 of the player PL1, and the operation range AR2 of the operation unit BP2 is diagonally rearward to the left with respect to the ride position PR2 of the player PL2. It is set in the direction. For example, the operation range AR1 is set in the direction toward the front side of the player PL1 and in a place where there is no obstacle near the outer peripheral position of the base portion 40 (floor plate portion) of the ride housing 10. Further, the operation range AR2 is set in the direction toward the front side of the player PL2 and is set in a place where there is no obstacle near the outer peripheral position of the base portion 40 of the ride housing 10, and the operation ranges AR1 and AR2 of both are heavy. It is designed not to be. Similarly, when four players board the ride housing 10, the operation ranges AR1, AR2, AR3, and AR4 of the operation units BP1, BP2, BP3, and BP4 of the players PL1, PL2, PL3, and PL4 overlap each other. It is set in the range that does not become.

For example, if the operation range is not set in this way, there is a possibility that the operation units of the players may collide with each other or the operation units may collide with another player. For example, since the player wears the HMD so as to cover his / her field of vision, he / she cannot visually grasp the situation around him / her, and there is a high possibility that such a situation will occur. In this respect, in the present embodiment, the operating ranges of the operating units are set so as not to overlap each other. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the operation units of the players collide with each other or the operation units collide with another player. For example, in the present embodiment, the ride direction D2 of the player PL2 is set in the direction opposite to the ride direction D1 of the player PL1. Therefore, in FIG. 14, the operation range AR1 is set on the front side with respect to the ride position PR1 of the player PL1, and the operation range AR2 is set on the rear side with respect to the ride position PR2 of the player PL2. And AR2 can be effectively prevented from overlapping.

The setting so that the operation ranges of the operation units do not overlap may be realized by setting the ride direction of the player, or may be realized by the mounting mode of the operation unit on the ride housing 10. For example, instead of the player holding the operation unit in his hand and moving it freely, the operation unit of each player is attached to the ride housing 10 by using a fixture. Then, by devising a mounting method using this mounting tool, a setting may be realized so that the operating ranges of the operating units do not overlap.

Further, in the present embodiment, the moving body on which the virtual player is boarded is moved in the virtual space based on the operation information of the player. For example, in G1 of FIG. 15, both players PL1 and PL4 perform rowing operations by the operation units BP1 and BP4. In this case, as shown in G2, the moving body MV moves in the forward direction. In G3, only the player PL4 on the right side operates the operation unit BP4. In this case, as shown in G4, the moving body (MV) corresponding to the ride housing 10 makes a leftward bending movement. At this time, the ride housing 10 described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 performs a left-handed yawing rotational motion by the first movable mechanism formed by the drive mechanism 20 and the movable member 30. By doing so, the player can experience that the moving body is bent to the left. Further, in G5, only the player PL1 on the left side operates the operation unit BP1. In this case, as shown in G6, the moving body corresponding to the ride housing 10 bends to the right. At this time, the ride housing 10 performs a clockwise yawing rotational motion by the first movable mechanism. By doing so, the player can feel that the moving body is bent to the right.

Then, in the present embodiment, the moving body is moved in the virtual space based on the total value of the input values based on the operation information of the plurality of players. For example, when four players board the ride housing 10, the moving body is virtualized based on the total value of the first to fourth input values based on the first to fourth operation information of the players PL1 to PL4. Move in space.

For example, in FIG. 16, when the player PL1 performs a rowing operation by the operation unit BP1, the input value IV1 (first input value) is acquired. The input value IV1 changes according to the amount of operation of the operation unit BP1 by the player PL1. For example, if the operation amount of the operation unit BP1 is large, the input value IV1 becomes large, and if the operation amount is small, the input value IV1 becomes small. Further, the input value IV2 (second input value) is acquired by the player PL2 performing a rowing operation by the operation unit BP2. The input value IV2 changes according to the amount of operation of the operation unit BP2 by the player PL2. For example, if the operation amount of the operation unit BP2 is large, the input value IV2 becomes large, and if the operation amount is small, the input value IV2 becomes small. Similarly, when the players PL3 and PL4 perform a rowing operation by the operation units BP3 and BP4, the input values IV3 and IV4 are acquired, and these input values IV3 and IV4 are set according to the operation amount of the operation units BP3 and BP4. The value changes.

Then, in the present embodiment, the movement process of the moving body MV in the virtual space is performed based on the total value of these input values IV1 to IV4. For example, if each of the input values IV1 to IV4 is large, the total value is also large, and the moving speed or moving acceleration of the moving body MV is large. Further, if each of the input values IV1 to IV4 is small, the total value is also large, and the moving speed or moving acceleration of the moving body MV is small. In this case, in the real space, the ride directions D1 and D4 of the players PL1 and PL4 and the ride directions D2 and D3 of the players PL2 and PL3 are opposite to each other. However, as described with reference to FIG. 9, in the virtual space, the arrangement directions E1 and E4 of the virtual players VPL1 and VPL4 and the arrangement directions E2 and E3 of the virtual players VPL2 and VPL3 are in the same direction. Therefore, when the operation is performed as shown in FIG. 16, the operation direction of the operation units BP1 and BP4 of the players PL1 and PL4 and the operation direction of the operation units BP2 and BP3 of the players PL2 and PL3 are assumed to be the same direction. The moving body MV is moved based on the total value of the input values IV1 to IV4. For example, in the real space, the operation direction of the input value IV1 and the operation direction of the input value IV2 are opposite to each other, but assuming that they are the same direction, the input value IV1 and the input value IV2 are combined (addition process). Further, in the real space, the operation direction of the input value IV3 and the operation direction of the input value IV4 are opposite to each other, but the input value IV3 and the input value IV4 are summed up assuming that they are in the same direction. By doing so, it becomes possible to realize an appropriate movement process of the moving body MV that reflects the arrangement direction of the virtual player in the virtual space.

The display unit 190 of the present embodiment is an HMD display unit worn by each player of a plurality of players. For example, since the HMD is mounted so as to cover the player's field of view, even if the player's riding direction in the real space and the virtual player's placement direction in the virtual space are different as shown in FIG. 9, the player does not notice. You will be done. By displaying the virtual space image on the display unit of the HMD, it is possible to express the VR space that extends over the entire periphery of the player's field of view, and the virtual reality of the player can be greatly improved.

Further, in the present embodiment, the ride housing 10 is a movable housing, and the first movable mechanism for yawing the base portion 40 of the ride housing 10 and the second movable mechanism for vertically moving the base portion 40 are performed. Including the mechanism. For example, as described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the drive mechanism 20 and the movable member 30 realize the first movable mechanism, and the air springs 32-1 to 32-4 realize the second movable mechanism. Then, as described with reference to FIG. 15, when the moving body is moved so as to bend to the left or right, the first movable mechanism yaws the base portion 40. By doing so, the left-handed rotation and the right-handed rotation of the moving body in the virtual space and the left-handed rotation and the right-handed rotation of the ride housing 10 in the real space are linked. This makes it possible to improve the virtual reality of the player and prevent 3D sickness. In addition, the second movable mechanism moves the base portion 40 up and down, which makes it possible to express changes in the water surface when the moving body moves on the water surface and rattling roads on the ground when the moving body moves on the ground. Therefore, it is possible to improve the virtual reality of the player and prevent 3D sickness.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, rolling and pitching of the base portion 40 by the movable mechanism are not performed. For example, in FIG. 9, when the base portion 40 of the ride housing 10 is rolled to be tilted to the left, the player PL1 can experience the rolling of the base portion 40 as rolling to the left, but the player PL2 Since he sits backwards, he feels the rolling of the base 40 as rolling to the right. Further, when the base portion 40 is rolled to be tilted to the right, the player PL1 can experience the rolling of the base portion 40 as rolling to the right, while the player PL2 can experience the rolling to the left. Resulting in. Therefore, a contradiction occurs between the real space and the virtual space, and the player feels unnatural. Further, when pitching in which the base portion 40 is tilted in the forward direction is performed, the player PL1 can experience the pitching of the base portion 40 as pitching in the forward direction, but the player PL2 can experience the pitching in the backward direction. Resulting in. Further, when the base portion 40 is pitched in the backward direction, the player PL1 can experience the pitching of the base portion 40 as a backward pitching, but the player PL2 can experience the pitching in the forward direction. Resulting in. Therefore, a contradiction occurs between the real space and the virtual space, and the player feels unnatural.

In this regard, in the present embodiment, since the yawing of the base portion 40 by the first movable mechanism and the vertical movement of the base portion 40 by the second movable mechanism are only performed, the above-mentioned real space and virtual space can be used. It is possible to prevent a situation where a contradiction occurs between them. By performing such yawing and vertical movement, there is an advantage that the virtual reality of the player can be improved and the occurrence of 3D sickness can be prevented.

4.2 Arrangement Examples Next, various arrangement examples of the present embodiment will be described. In the ride housing 10 in the real space of FIG. 17A, the player PLA and PLB are arranged in the front direction, and the player PLC and PLD are arranged in the rear direction. On the other hand, in the moving body MV in the virtual space of FIG. 17B, the virtual players VPLA and VPLB corresponding to the players PLA and PLB are arranged in the forward direction, and the virtual player VPLC corresponding to the player PLC and PLD, The VPLD is also arranged in the forward direction. That is, the directions of the player PLC and PLD are set to be opposite to each other. Further, the virtual player VPLC is arranged at a position corresponding to the arrangement position of the player PLD, the virtual player VPLD is arranged at the position corresponding to the arrangement position of the player PLC, and the arrangement positions of the virtual players VPLC and VPLD are exchanged. It has been.

Further, in the ride housing 10 in the real space of FIG. 18A, the player PLA and PLB are arranged in the front direction, and the player PLC and PLD are arranged in the rear direction. On the other hand, in the virtual space of FIG. 18B, two moving bodies MV1 and MV2 are prepared corresponding to the ride housing 10. Then, the virtual players VPLA and VPLB are arranged on the front side of the moving body MV1, and the ghost players GPLA and GPLB are arranged on the rear side. Further, the virtual players VPLC and VPLD are arranged on the front side of the moving body MV2, and the ghost players GPLC and GPLD are arranged on the rear side. Ghost players GPLA to GPLD are non-player characters controlled by a computer.

In the arrangement example of FIG. 19A, the player PLA and PLB sit on the seat (ride portion in a broad sense) with the player PLA and PLB facing the front side of the housing (ride housing), and the player PLC and PLD are behind the housing. Sit in the seat with your side facing. The players PLA and PLC row the paddle (in a broad sense, the operation unit) on the left side of their body, and the players PLB and PLD row the paddle on the right side of their body.

On the other hand, in the virtual space which is a game space, a virtual player corresponding to the player is arranged as shown in FIGS. 19B and 19C. For example, on the screen of the HMD of the players PLA and PLB (in the virtual space of PLA and PLB), they are arranged in the orientation as shown in FIG. 19 (B). That is, the virtual players VPLA and VPLB are arranged on the front row side of the boat (moving body in a broad sense). Then, the virtual player VPLC is arranged directly behind the virtual player VPLA, and the virtual player VPLD is arranged directly behind the virtual player VPLB.

Further, on the HMD screens of the players PLC and PLD (in the virtual space of the PLC and PLD), they are arranged in the orientation as shown in FIG. 19 (C). That is, the virtual players VPLC and VPLD are arranged on the front row side of the boat. Here, the front direction of the boat is opposite to the front direction of the housing. Then, the virtual player VPLA is arranged directly behind the virtual player VPLC, and the virtual player VPLB is arranged directly behind the virtual player VPLD.

The arrangement shown in FIGS. 19 (A) to 19 (C) is adopted in the real space and the virtual space, and the positions of the paddles rowed by the player and the relative directions of the movement due to rotation and the centrifugal force are matched. This is to make it happen. For example, by arranging as shown in FIG. 19 (B), the paddle is located on the left side of the virtual player VPLA in the virtual space of FIG. 19 (B) as in the real space of FIG. 19 (A), and the virtual player VPLB The paddle will be located on the right side of. Further, by arranging as shown in FIG. 19 (C), the paddle is located on the left side of the virtual player VPLC in the virtual space of FIG. 19 (C) as in the real space of FIG. 19 (A), and the virtual player VPLD. The paddle will be located on the right side of. Therefore, there is no contradiction in the position of the paddle between the real space and the virtual space.

Further, for example, it is assumed that a centrifugal force CF in the direction shown in FIG. 20 (A) is generated in the real space. For example, it is assumed that the centrifugal force CF in this direction is generated by the rotation of the housing (ride housing) due to yawing. In this case, the centrifugal force in the direction shown in the CFG should act on the virtual player VPLC in the game of FIG. 20 (B) due to the rotation by yawing. However, in reality, the player PLC feels that the centrifugal force in the direction shown in the CFR is acting due to the rotation of the housing in the real space. Therefore, the direction of the centrifugal force does not match between the real space and the virtual space. In this regard, according to the arrangement method of FIGS. 19A to 19C, it is possible to prevent such a problem of mismatch in the direction of the centrifugal force from occurring. That is, even during the game of FIG. 19C, the centrifugal force acts on the virtual player VPLC in the diagonally left direction on the paper surface, so that the directions of the centrifugal force match between the real space and the virtual space. Become.

Further, according to the arrangement method of FIGS. 19A to 19C, all the players are in a state of sitting on the front row side of the boat on their own screen (virtual space). For example, on the screens of the players PLA and PLB, as shown in FIG. 21A, the corresponding virtual players VPLA and VPLB are sitting on the front row side of the boat. Further, on the screens of the player PLCs and PLDs, as shown in FIG. 21B, the corresponding virtual players VPLCs and VPLDs are in a state of sitting on the front row side of the boat. Therefore, since there is no other player on the front side of each player, there is an advantage that the player's field of view is not obstructed.

Further, according to the arrangement methods of FIGS. 19A to 19C, a person sitting sideways in the real space is in a state of sitting at the same position in the virtual space (during the game). For example, in the real space, the player PLB sits to the right of the player PLA, but in the virtual space, the virtual player VPLB sits to the right of the virtual player VPLA. Further, in the real space, the player PLD sits on the right side of the player PLC, but in the virtual space, the virtual player VPLD sits on the right side of the virtual player VPLC.

Further, in the arrangement method of FIGS. 19A to 19C, the positional relationship between the two players sitting on the back side in the real space changes between the real space and the virtual space. For example, in real space, the player PLD sits on the back side of the player PLA, and the player PLC sits on the back side of the player PLB. On the other hand, in the virtual space, the virtual player VPLC sits on the back side of the virtual player VPLA, and the virtual player VPLD sits on the back side of the virtual player VPLB. Therefore, when the player sitting on the back side in the real space emits a voice, there is a possibility that a sense of discomfort may occur due to the difference in the arrangement position between the real space and the virtual space. For example, when the player PLC emits a voice in FIG. 22 (A), it sounds as if the voice is emitted in the rearward direction from the position of the virtual player VPLD as shown in H1 of FIG. 22 (B). Therefore, as shown in H2 of FIG. 22B, the sound field is formed so that the sound can be heard as if the sound was emitted in the front direction from the position of the virtual player VPLC. For example, the sound source of the voice is set to the position of the virtual player VPLC, and the voice generation direction is also set to the front side direction. That is, the sound source setting process and the sound field formation process as described with reference to FIG. 13 are performed. By doing so, it becomes possible to realize a voice chat system or the like in which the player does not feel unnatural.

4.3 Detailed processing example Next, a detailed processing example of the present embodiment will be described. For example, in the present embodiment, the tracking process of the player's head (HMD) and the paddle (paddle type controller) is performed and reflected in the game. However, since the positions and directions of the seats of each player are different between the real space and the virtual space and also differ depending on which player's screen is on, the tracking information cannot be reflected as it is. Therefore, the issue is how to process the tracking information and reflect it on the screen of each player.

For example, in the present embodiment, tracking processing is performed on the head of the player and the paddle possessed by the player, and tracking information (position information, rotation information) is acquired. This tracking process can be realized by the methods described with reference to FIGS. 2 (A) to 3 (B).

Also, what is visualized during the game is the player's body parts and belongings. For example, the visualized part is the player's head. However, do not display your own head as it will obstruct your view. That is, on the screen of each player, the heads of other players are displayed, but the heads of their own players are hidden. Also, what is visualized is the paddle and the lower body of the player, which are the belongings. Here, the lower half of the body is not tracked and is fixedly displayed on the boat. For example, the lower half of the body is treated like a part of a boat.

As shown in FIG. 23, the acquired tracking information is directly transmitted only to the PC (processing device) assigned to each player. In order to display the heads and paddles of all players reflecting the tracking results on the screen (HMD) of each player, it is necessary to transmit the tracking information by network communication.

Here, as described above, the positions and directions of the seats of each player are different between the real space and the virtual space (game), and also differ depending on which player's screen is on. There is a problem that the tracking information cannot be reflected as it is. For example, as shown in FIG. 21 (A), on the screen of the player PLA, the virtual player VPLB sits on the right side of the front row of the boat. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 21B, on the screens of the players PLC and PLC, the virtual player VPLB sits on the right side of the back row of the boat.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the relative position information which is the information of the viewpoint position relative to the ride position of the player and the relative rotation information which is the information of the relative line-of-sight direction of the player with respect to the ride direction of the player are acquired. Then, the viewpoint position of the virtual camera is obtained based on the arrangement position of the virtual player and the relative position information, and the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera is obtained based on the arrangement direction of the virtual player and the relative rotation information. Specifically, the process is performed according to the procedure described below.

First, in step 1, the tracking information is converted into relative position information with respect to the seat position (ride position in a broad sense) and relative rotation information with respect to the seat direction (ride direction in a broad sense). Here, the position of the seat (ride position) is, for example, the position of the foot of the perpendicular line from the point at the center of the seat surface to the ground, as shown in FIG. 24. The direction of the seat (ride direction) is, for example, the front direction of the player sitting on the seat surface. Then, the information on the position of the head (viewpoint position), which is the tracking information, is converted into the relative position information representing the position of the head relative to the position of the seat. Further, the information of the head direction (line-of-sight direction), which is the tracking information, is converted into the relative rotation information representing the direction of the head relative to the direction of the seat.

Next, in step 2, the relative position information and the relative rotation information obtained in step 1 are transmitted to another PC in association with the player number. That is, it is transmitted to another PC by network communication as described with reference to FIG. 23.

Next, in step 3, on the PC that received the received information in step 2, the position information and rotation information of each player's seat on the PC in the world space are obtained from the player number included in the received information. The position information and rotation information in the world space are information on the absolute position and direction in the virtual space where the boat is arranged. That is, the position information and rotation information in the world space are information on the placement position and placement direction of the virtual player.

Next, in step 4, as shown in FIG. 25, a process (addition process) of adding the relative position information and the relative rotation information included in the received information to the position information and the rotation information in the world space is performed. Specifically, processing is performed to add relative position information and relative rotation information to information on the placement position and placement direction of the virtual player. As a result, the position information and rotation information of the head and the paddle (paddle side controller) to be tracked in the world space are obtained. That is, the information on the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera is obtained.

The above steps 1 to 4 are executed for the heads and paddles of all players. As a result, the position of the player's seat after the screen is absorbed by the process of step 3. Further, since the relative position information and the relative rotation information with respect to the seat position and direction are obtained in the procedure 1, the difference in the direction of the player between the real space and the virtual space is taken into consideration in the subsequent procedures 2 to 4. You don't have to. Therefore, it becomes possible to solve the above-mentioned problems and realize an appropriate tracking process for the tracking target.

Although the present embodiment has been described in detail as described above, those skilled in the art will easily understand that many modifications that do not substantially deviate from the novel matters and effects of the present invention are possible. Therefore, all such modifications are included in the scope of the present invention. For example, terms (ride chassis, seats, controller paddles, boats, etc.) described at least once in the specification or drawings together with different terms (housing, ride section, operation section, moving body, etc.) that are broader or synonymous. ) Can be replaced with the different term anywhere in the specification or drawings. Further, the configuration of the simulation system, the configuration of the ride housing, the structure, the arrangement setting process of the virtual player, the generation and display process of the virtual space image, the setting of the ride direction, the game process, the sound process, etc. are also described in this embodiment. The scope of the present invention also includes methods, treatments, and configurations equivalent to these. The present invention can also be applied to various games. The present invention can also be applied to various simulation systems such as arcade game machines, home game machines, and large attraction systems in which a large number of players participate.

PL, PL1 to PL4, PLA to PLD player,
VPL1 to VPL4, VPLA to VPLD virtual player,
BT boat, MV, MV1, MV2 moving object, D1 to D4 ride direction,
PR1 to PR4 Ride position, placement direction, PV1 to PV4 placement position,
ER reference direction, BP1 to BP4 operation unit, CP1 to CP4 paddle,
AR1 to AR4 operating range, IV1 to IV4 input values,
10 ride housing, 12 bases, 14 holes, 20 drive mechanism,
24-1 to 24-6 motors, 26-1 to 26-6 rollers,
30 Movable members, 32-1 to 32-4 air springs, 34-1 to 34-4 fixtures,
40 base part, 41, 42, 43, 44 ride part,
100 processing unit, 102 information acquisition unit, 104 virtual space setting unit, 106 game processing unit,
108 mobile processing unit, 110 housing control unit, 112 virtual camera control unit,
120 display processing unit, 130 sound processing unit, 150 imaging unit, 151 first camera,
152 Second camera, 160 operation unit, 170 storage unit,
172 Virtual space information storage unit, 178 drawing buffer, 180 information storage medium,
190 display unit, 192 sound output unit, 194 I / F unit,
195 Portable information storage medium, 196 Communication unit,
200 HMD (Head-mounted display), 201-206 light receiving element,
231 to 236 light emitting element, 270 controller, 272 tracking device,
280, 284 base station, 281, 282, 285, 286 light emitting elements

Claims (16)

A ride chassis in which multiple players in real space board multiple ride positions,
A virtual space setting unit that arranges and sets a plurality of virtual players corresponding to the plurality of players in the virtual space,
A game processing unit that processes a game in which a plurality of players participate, and a game processing unit.
A display processing unit that performs processing to display a virtual space image seen from the viewpoint of each virtual player of the plurality of virtual players on a display unit arranged so as to cover the field of view of each player of the plurality of players.
Including
The ride directions of the plurality of players in the ride housing are set so that the ride directions of the first player and the ride directions of the second player of the plurality of players are different from each other.
The virtual space setting unit is
The first virtual player so that the placement direction of the first virtual player corresponding to the first player and the placement direction of the second virtual player corresponding to the second player face the reference direction. And a simulation system characterized in that the second virtual player is arranged and set in the virtual space. In claim 1,
A virtual camera control unit that controls a virtual camera corresponding to the viewpoint of the virtual player is included.
The virtual camera control unit
Relative position information, which is information on the viewpoint position of the player relative to the ride position of the player, and relative rotation information, which is information on the line-of-sight direction of the player relative to the ride direction of the player, are acquired. The feature is that the viewpoint position of the virtual camera is obtained based on the arrangement position of the virtual player and the relative position information, and the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera is obtained based on the arrangement direction of the virtual player and the relative rotation information. Simulation system. In claim 1 or 2,
The ride housing is
A first ride unit provided at the first ride position, on which the first player boarded in the first ride direction at the first ride position,
A second ride position provided at a second ride position different from the first ride position, and the second player boarding at the second ride position in a second ride direction different from the first ride direction. Ride part and
A simulation system characterized by including. In any one of claims 1 to 3,
The riding direction of the third player of the plurality of players in the riding housing is set to be different from the riding direction of the first player.
The virtual space setting unit is
The third virtual player is arranged and set in the virtual space so that the arrangement direction of the third virtual player corresponding to the third player faces the reference direction, and the second virtual player is placed. The third virtual player is arranged at a position different from the arrangement position corresponding to the ride position of the second player, and the third virtual player is arranged at a position different from the arrangement position corresponding to the ride position of the third player. A simulation system featuring. In claim 4,
The virtual space setting unit is
The second virtual player is arranged at an arrangement position corresponding to the ride position of the third player, and the third virtual player is arranged at an arrangement position corresponding to the ride position of the second player. A simulation system featuring. In any of claims 1 to 5,
The game processing unit
A process of moving a moving body on which the plurality of virtual players corresponding to the plurality of players are boarded in the virtual space is performed.
A simulation system characterized in that the reference direction is a direction corresponding to the moving direction of the moving body. In any of claims 1 to 6,
When the placement direction or placement position of the virtual player corresponding to the player is set to a direction or position different from the ride direction or ride position of the player, the placement direction or placement position of the virtual player is set. A simulation system comprising a sound processing unit that sets a corresponding sound source in the virtual space and performs a process of generating the voice of the player acquired in the real space from the set sound source. In any one of claims 1 to 7,
The game processing unit
Game processing based on the first operation information input by the first player using the first operation unit and the second operation information input by the second player using the second operation unit. A simulation system characterized by performing. In claim 8,
A simulation system characterized in that the operation range of the first operation unit of the first player and the operation range of the second operation unit of the second player are set in a range that does not overlap with each other. .. In claim 8 or 9,
The game processing unit
The moving body on which the first virtual player corresponding to the first player and the second virtual player corresponding to the second player are boarded is based on the first and second operation information. A simulation system characterized by performing a process of moving in the virtual space. In claim 10,
The game processing unit
The feature is that the moving body is moved in the virtual space based on the total value of the first input value based on the first operation information and the second input value based on the second operation information. Simulation system. In any one of claims 1 to 11,
The simulation system is characterized in that the display unit is a display unit of a head-mounted display device worn by each player of the plurality of players. In any of claims 1 to 12,
The ride housing is a simulation system characterized by being a movable housing. In claim 13,
The ride housing is
A first movable mechanism that yaws the base of the ride housing,
A second movable mechanism that moves the base of the ride housing up and down, and
A simulation system characterized by including. In claim 14,
The second movable mechanism is
Including a plurality of actuators for moving the base portion up and down,
When the first actuator of the plurality of actuators moves the base portion upward, the second actuator of the plurality of actuators also moves the base portion upward, and the first actuator moves the base portion upward. A simulation system characterized in that when the portion is moved downward, the second actuator also moves the base portion downward. A virtual space setting unit that arranges and sets multiple virtual players corresponding to multiple players boarding multiple ride positions in the real space ride housing in the virtual space.
A game processing unit that processes a game in which a plurality of players participate, and a game processing unit.
As a display processing unit that performs processing to display a virtual space image seen from the viewpoint of each virtual player of the plurality of virtual players on a display unit arranged so as to cover the field of view of each player of the plurality of players.
Make your computer work
The ride directions of the plurality of players in the ride housing are set so that the ride directions of the first player and the ride directions of the second player of the plurality of players are different from each other.
The virtual space setting unit is
The first virtual player so that the placement direction of the first virtual player corresponding to the first player and the placement direction of the second virtual player corresponding to the second player face the reference direction. And a program characterized by arranging and setting the second virtual player in the virtual space.

Images