JP7325100B2 - 3D game image generation program, 3D game image generation device and 3D game image generation method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a 3D game image generation program, a 3D game image generation device, and a 3D game image generation method for generating a display image for displaying a virtual 3D game space on a display.

Video games that are played by connecting a game console to a television and app games that are played using mobile terminals such as smartphones are popular worldwide, and many users of all ages enjoy playing them. In such games, an object that can be manipulated by a controller, touch panel, or the like is freely moved in a virtual game world, and a story is developed while clearing events and the like.

By the way, in conventional game machines, the game world was often constructed in two dimensions due to the limitations of the processing power and memory capacity of the game computer. For example, a background image of a town or the like formed from a two-dimensional image is stored in advance, an operation object is placed on the image, and the background image is moved to display the operation object as if it were moving. was

After that, although the basic configuration is the same as a 2D game, the moving speed of the background image is made slower than the moving speed of the control objects on the front side of the screen to produce a sense of depth, making it look like it was built in 3D. A display method was developed to move through the game world.

However, in a two-dimensional game, the movement range of the operation object is limited to the front and back, left and right, etc., which limits the game presentation.

On the other hand, in recent years, due to the increase in processing power and memory capacity of game computers, it has become possible to store game worlds built in a three-dimensional space or to build them in real time, and many game worlds are virtual three-dimensional spaces. It is designed to be built with Japanese Patent No. 5044549 proposes an invention relating to a program for displaying a game world constructed by a virtual three-dimensional virtual space (Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 5044549

However, the invention that displays a three-dimensional space from a free angle, such as the invention described in Patent Document 1, is called "3D sickness" or "game sickness", which is caused by viewing a game display image that moves freely in a three-dimensional space. There is a problem of causing poor physical condition similar to motion sickness.

In addition, there are many two-dimensional game fans because of their familiarity and attachment to two-dimensional games, and in recent years, game software that allows players to selectively play two-dimensional and three-dimensional games while keeping the story intact has been sold. However, in order to make the two-dimensional and three-dimensional stories common, there was a problem that the game production had to be restricted.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and is capable of generating a display image that gives a feeling of a two-dimensional game from a virtual three-dimensional game space formed in three dimensions. It is an object of the present invention to provide a 3D game image generation program, a 3D game image generation device, and a 3D game image generation method.

A three-dimensional game image generation program according to the present invention solves the problem of generating a display image of a game that allows free movement in a virtual three-dimensional game space formed in three dimensions while retaining the feel of a two-dimensional game. A three-dimensional game image generating program for generating, as a display image, a virtual three-dimensional game space formed by arranging a plurality of reference spaces composed of cubes in the X, Y, and Z axial directions. Then, a first imaging space having a thickness equal to the thickness of one reference space is projected in parallel projection by a virtual first camera that photographs along any one of the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction. A first camera image acquisition unit that acquires a parallel projection image captured in accordance with the above, and a second virtual camera that captures an image in the same direction as the imaging direction of the first virtual camera. a second camera image acquisition unit that acquires a perspective projection image obtained by photographing a continuous second imaging space according to a perspective projection method; The computer is caused to function as a display image generation unit that generates a display image by arranging the perspective projection image photographed by the two cameras on the back side and superimposing both images.

Further, as one aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the problem of reliably displaying an object on the boundary between the first imaging space and the second imaging space, They may overlap each other in a space that is less than half the thickness of the reference space in the direction.

Further, as one aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the problem of generating a display image of a game having an operation object that freely moves in the virtual three-dimensional game space, the game operation arranged in the first shooting space is generated. an object operation signal acquisition unit for acquiring an operation signal of an operation object to be operated; and the virtual first camera and the virtual second camera are moved according to the operation signal acquired by the object operation signal acquisition unit to move the operation object. A computer may be made to function as a virtual camera moving unit that follows.

Further, as one aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the problem of freely switching the display direction along any one of the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction, the shooting direction is set to the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Y-axis direction. a direction switching signal acquisition unit that receives a camera direction switching signal for switching between the axial direction and the Z-axis direction; and when the direction switching signal acquiring unit acquires the camera direction switching signal, the virtual first camera And the computer may function as a photographing direction switching unit that switches the photographing direction of the second virtual camera to an axial direction according to the camera direction switching signal.

Furthermore, as one aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the problem of displaying a virtual three-dimensional game space in which objects based on two-dimensional images are arranged without a sense of incongruity, the same direction as the photographing direction of the virtual first camera is photographed. a third camera image acquisition unit that acquires a third parallel projection image of a third imaging space that is thinner than 1/2 times the thickness of the reference space according to the parallel projection method by a virtual third camera; The third virtual camera is placed at a position where it is possible to photograph the intermediate position of the reference space closest to the front side of the intermediate position of the first imaging space, and the first virtual camera is moved in the imaging direction. When the intermediate position of the photographing space exceeds the intermediate position of the reference space, the virtual third camera is moved to a position capable of photographing the intermediate position of the reference space, which is closest to the front side of the intermediate position of the first photographing space. The computer functions as a moving third camera movement unit, and the display image generation unit is configured to capture the front side of the parallel projection image with the perspective projection image superimposed on the back side by the virtual third camera. A display image may be generated by superimposing the third parallel projection image.

A three-dimensional game image generating apparatus according to the present invention solves the problem of generating a display image of a game that can be freely moved in a virtual three-dimensional game space formed in three dimensions while retaining the feeling of a two-dimensional game. , a three-dimensional game image generating device for generating a virtual three-dimensional game space formed by arranging a plurality of reference spaces composed of cubes in each of the X, Y, and Z axial directions as a display image. Then, a first imaging space having a thickness equal to the thickness of one reference space is projected in parallel projection by a virtual first camera that photographs along any one of the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction. A first camera image acquiring unit that acquires a parallel projection image taken in accordance with the above, and a virtual second camera that takes an image in the same direction as the shooting direction of the virtual first camera. a second camera image acquisition unit that acquires a perspective projection image of the second imaging space photographed in accordance with the perspective projection method; a display image generation unit that arranges the perspective projection image photographed by the camera on the back side and superimposes both images to generate a display image.

A three-dimensional game image generation method according to the present invention solves the problem of generating a display image of a game that can be moved freely in a virtual three-dimensional game space formed in three dimensions while retaining the feel of a two-dimensional game. A three-dimensional game image generating method for generating, as a display image, a virtual three-dimensional game space formed by arranging a plurality of reference spaces composed of cubes in the X, Y, and Z axial directions. Then, a first imaging space having a thickness equal to the thickness of one reference space is projected in parallel projection by a virtual first camera that photographs along any one of the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction. a first camera image acquiring step of acquiring a parallel projection image taken in accordance with the above; a second camera image obtaining step of obtaining a perspective projection image obtained by photographing the second photographing space according to a perspective projection method; and a display image generating step of arranging the perspective projection image photographed by the camera on the back side and superimposing both images to generate a display image.

According to the present invention, a virtual 3D game space formed in 3D can be generated as a display image giving a feeling of a 2D game.

1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a 3D game image generation device according to the present invention; FIG. 1 is a perspective view (bird's-eye view) showing a virtual three-dimensional game space in this embodiment. FIG. FIG. 4A is a view from the shooting direction and FIG. 2B is a side view showing a state in which a two-dimensional image is arranged as an object in a reference space in a virtual three-dimensional game space according to the present embodiment; It is a perspective view showing the 1st photography space and the 2nd photography space in this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a photographing direction view showing states of a virtual first camera and a virtual second camera with respect to a first photographing space and a second photographing space in the present embodiment; FIG. 6 is a side view of FIG. 5; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a parallel projection image of the first imaging space captured by the virtual first camera according to the parallel projection method according to the present embodiment; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a perspective projection image of the second imaging space photographed by the virtual second camera in accordance with the perspective projection method according to the present embodiment; FIG. 4 is a side view showing an embodiment in which a first imaging space and a second imaging space are overlapped with each other with respect to the imaging direction; FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state of arrangement of operable objects arranged in a first imaging space in this embodiment; 4 is a display image showing a state in which the shooting direction is switched from the Y-axis direction to the Z-axis direction by the shooting direction switching unit according to the embodiment; FIG. 11 is a side view showing movement of a virtual third camera by a third camera movement unit according to the embodiment; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a third parallel projection image of the third imaging space captured by the virtual third camera according to the parallel projection method according to the present embodiment; It is a figure which shows the display image produced|generated by the display image production|generation part in this embodiment. It is a flowchart figure which shows the three-dimensional game image generation method of this embodiment. FIG. 4 shows (a) a display image captured in the Y-axis direction and (b) a display image captured in the Z-axis direction, showing how the operation object climbs the stair object in the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a display image obtained by photographing a state in which an operation object moves in a forest in which wooden objects are arranged in the first embodiment from the Z-axis direction; FIG. In the first embodiment, the state corresponding to FIG. 17 is (a) a display image captured from the Y-axis direction without using the virtual third camera, and (b) captured from the Y-axis direction using the virtual third camera. This is a display image.

An embodiment of a 3D game image generation program, a 3D game image generation device, and a 3D game image generation method according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The 3D game image generation device 1 of the present embodiment generates a display image to be displayed in a virtual 3D game space on a display device such as a television connected to the main body of the game machine or a display of a mobile terminal in which a game application is installed. As shown in FIG. 1, a storage means 2 for storing a 3D game image generation program 1a, a virtual 3D game space, etc., and an arithmetic operation mainly based on the 3D game image generation program 1a It has an arithmetic processing means 3 for executing processing, and is connected to a controller 4 and a display 5 .

First, the controller 4 and display 5 will be briefly described. The controller 4 is a controller for performing game operations in a three-dimensional game. It has a direction button and a plurality of input buttons for inputting various commands. The controller 4 in this embodiment emits an object operation signal for operating the operation object _OC that moves in the world of the three-dimensional game when an input operation is performed using the direction instruction button. Further, by inputting another input button, a camera direction switching signal for switching the direction of generating the display image is generated.

The display 5 is for displaying the display image generated by the 3D game image generation device 1, and is configured by a liquid crystal display or the like.

Note that the controller 4 and the display 5 are not limited to being directly connected to the 3D game image generation device 1, and may be connected via a game machine body (not shown). Also, the 3D game image generation device 1 may be configured as a part of the main body of the game machine.

Next, each configuration in the 3D game image generation device 1 of this embodiment will be described in detail.

The storage means 2 is composed of ROM, RAM, hard disk, flash memory, etc., stores various data, and functions as a working area when the arithmetic processing means 3 executes arithmetic operations. The storage means 2 in this embodiment mainly has a program storage section 21 for storing the 3D game image generation program 1a and a 3D game space storage section 22 for storing a virtual 3D game space.

A three-dimensional game image generation program 1a is installed in the program storage unit 21 . Then, the arithmetic processing means 3 executes the three-dimensional game image generation program 1a, and mainly includes a first camera image acquisition section 31, a second camera image acquisition section 32, an object operation signal acquisition section 33, and a virtual camera, which will be described later. By causing the computer to function as a movement unit 34, a direction switching signal acquisition unit 35, a shooting direction switching unit 36, a third camera image acquisition unit 37, a third camera movement unit 38, and a display image generation unit 39, the computer can generate a three-dimensional game image. It is designed to function as the device 1 .

The form of use of the 3D game image generating program 1a is not limited to the above configuration. For example, the 3D game image generation program 1a may be stored in a non-temporary computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a USB memory, and may be read out directly from the recording medium and executed. . Also, it may be used from an external server or the like in a cloud computing method, an ASP (application service provider) method, or the like.

The three-dimensional game space storage unit 22 stores a virtual three-dimensional game space created using game creation software, three-dimensional modeling software, or the like. The virtual three-dimensional game space is formed by arranging a plurality of the reference spaces B in the X, Y, and Z directions that are orthogonal to each other. . In this embodiment, the horizontal direction is set to the X-axis and the Y-axis, and the height direction is set to the Z-axis.

As shown in FIG. 2, the virtual three-dimensional game space in this embodiment is a so-called role-playing game world in which the player himself becomes a character in the game and is formed in a three-dimensional virtual space. . Objects such as floors, walls, doors, barrels, treasure chests, and trees are specified in each reference space B, and conditions such as the movement of the operation object _OC are set. Further, the reference space B in which no object is arranged is set with conditions such as being movable.

Note that the conditions for the object are not particularly limited, and are appropriately set according to the content of the game.

Also, a pattern called texture corresponding to the object is pasted on the outer peripheral surface of the reference space B. FIG. Moreover, the interior of the reference space B is colored as required. The reference space B to which the texture is pasted or the interior of which is colored in this manner is sometimes simply called an “object” or a “block”. The virtual three-dimensional game space is formed by appropriately arranging the reference space B to which such textures and the like are applied in the X, Y, and Z axial directions. The image can be captured by the second camera C2 and the virtual third camera C3.

Also, in the reference space B, an object composed of a two-dimensional image may be arranged instead of a texture or the like pasted on the surface in order to reduce the data volume or produce a two-dimensional game feeling. In this embodiment, trees and barrels are formed by two-dimensional image objects _O2D . 3, the two-dimensional image object _O2D in this embodiment is arranged at an intermediate position M1, which is the center with respect to the thickness of the reference space B in the imaging direction (depth direction). Note that the arrangement of the two-dimensional image object is not limited to the intermediate position M1 in the reference space B, and can be appropriately set according to the type of object, the shooting direction, and the like.

The size (length of each side) of the reference space B made up of cubes is not particularly limited. As in the two-dimensional game of , it is preferable to set the size to be approximately the same as the size of the operation object _OC .

Next, the arithmetic processing means 3 will be explained. The arithmetic processing means 3 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, and as shown in FIG. 1 camera image acquisition unit 31, second camera image acquisition unit 32, object operation signal acquisition unit 33, virtual camera movement unit 34, direction switching signal acquisition unit 35, shooting direction switching unit 36, third camera image acquisition unit 37, By functioning as the 3-camera moving unit 38 and the display image generating unit 39, the computer functions as the 3D game image generating apparatus 1. FIG.

The first camera image acquisition unit 31 has a thickness equal to the thickness of one reference space B by the virtual first camera C1 that captures images along any one of the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction. A parallel projection image obtained by photographing the first imaging space SP1 according to the parallel projection method is acquired.

The first virtual camera C1 is a virtual camera arranged in the virtual three-dimensional game space to generate display images. It is placed at a predetermined position in the virtual three-dimensional game space, and can shoot in the direction along any one of the X, Y, and Z axes.

The first photographing space SP1 is a space photographed by the first virtual camera C1, and as shown in FIG. 4, is a space configured as a rectangular parallelepiped made up of a plurality of reference spaces B arranged in succession. As shown in FIG. 5, the first imaging space SP1 in the present embodiment is configured such that the plane orthogonal to the imaging direction is a rectangular plane formed by a plurality of reference spaces B, and the generated display image has a size equivalent to The aspect ratio of this rectangular surface (display image) is appropriately selected according to the display 5 on which the display image is displayed. The aspect ratio of the display, width:height, is set to 16:9. The space photographed by the virtual first camera C1 is not limited to an integral multiple of the reference space B. For example, the aspect ratio of the display image is 16:9, and the photographing ranges are arranged horizontally in 13 When the reference space B is set to the reference space B in the vertical direction, a total of about 7.3 reference spaces B, which are seven reference spaces B in the vertical direction and about 0.15 times the reference space B in the vertical direction, are photographed. can be

In addition, the first shooting space _SP1 has one reference space in the depth direction, as shown in FIG. It has a thickness equal to that of space B. The thickness of this reference space B is the length of one side of one square-shaped reference space B shown in FIG. Note that the thickness equal to the thickness of the reference space B does not indicate a strict match, but includes a range that can be technically regarded as equal.

The first camera image acquisition unit 31 acquires a parallel projection image of the first imaging space SP1 captured by the parallel projection method using the first virtual camera C1. The parallel projection method is one of the three-dimensional drawing methods in the drafting method, and is a drawing method in which the line of sight from the viewpoint to the object is parallel.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first camera image acquisition unit 31 in the present embodiment virtualizes the operation object _OC placed in the first shooting space SP1 so that it is placed at the center position of the display image. A first camera C1 is arranged to photograph the first photographing space SP1 by the parallel projection method. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 7, a two-dimensional parallel projection image can be obtained. Here, the center position is not limited to the center position in the strict sense of the display image, but includes a range that can be technically regarded as the center position. It should be noted that the display position of the operation object _OC on the display screen is not limited to the central position, and may be selected as appropriate, such as a position shifted from the central position according to the virtual three-dimensional game space and game contents.

The second camera image acquisition unit 32 sees through a second imaging space SP2 that continues to the rear side of the first imaging space SP1 in the imaging direction, using a second virtual camera C2 that captures images in the same direction as the imaging direction of the first virtual camera C1. It acquires a perspective projection image photographed according to the projection method.

The second virtual camera C2, like the first virtual camera C1, is a virtual camera arranged in the virtual three-dimensional game space to generate a display image. The virtual second camera _C2 in the present embodiment has a second camera as shown in FIGS. 2 Intersects the back side surface of the first imaging space SP1 on the same coaxial line along the imaging direction as the first virtual camera C1 so that the imaging space SP2 continues to the back side of the first imaging space SP1 in the imaging direction. placed in position.

The second photographing space SP2 is a space photographed by the second virtual camera C2 in accordance with the perspective projection method. Here, the perspective projection method is one of the three-dimensional drawing methods in the drafting method, and is a method of drawing so that the line of sight from a viewpoint to an object converges on one viewpoint. In other words, as shown in FIG. 4, the second imaging space SP2 is set so as to extend toward the depth side with the first imaging space SP1 as the base end. The maximum value in the depth direction of the second imaging space SP2 is not particularly limited, but is set within a range corresponding to the thickness of the reference spaces B, which are about several hundred to several thousand, for example.

The second camera image acquisition unit 32 is capable of capturing an image of the second imaging space SP2 by the perspective projection method, and acquiring a three-dimensional perspective projection image as shown in FIG.

Further, in the first camera image acquisition unit 31 and the second camera image acquisition unit 32 in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the first imaging space SP1 and the second imaging space SP2 overlap each other in the imaging direction. You may set each shooting space to . For example, the first imaging space SP1 photographed by the first virtual camera C1 may be made slightly thicker in the depth direction than the thickness of one reference space B with respect to the second imaging space SP2 photographed by the second virtual camera C2. , the first imaging space SP1 and the second imaging space SP2 are made to overlap each other in the imaging direction. As a result, when the operation object _OC moves to the intermediate position M1 in the reference space B, the texture applied to the surface of the reference space B on the boundary between the first imaging space SP1 and the second imaging space SP2 is displayed. It is possible to avoid the unstable state of being or not being.

The overlapping space is a space thinner than 1/2 times the thickness of the reference space _B so that the display image generated when the operation object OC moves is displayed continuously without discomfort. For example, it is preferably set within a range of about 0.000001 times to 0.1 times, more preferably about 0.001 times.

The object operation signal acquisition unit 33 receives an object operation signal from the controller 4 in order to move the first virtual camera C1 and the second virtual camera C2 following the operation object _OC by the virtual camera moving unit 34, which will be described below. to acquire the signal. The operation object _OC in this embodiment is arranged in the first imaging space SP1. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 10, it is arranged at an intermediate position m corresponding to the intermediate point in the middle of the thickness of the first imaging space SP1 in the imaging direction (depth direction). Here, the intermediate position m of the first imaging space SP1 is not limited to an intermediate position in the strict sense of the first imaging space SP1, but includes a range that can be technically regarded as an intermediate position. Note that the position at which the operation object _OC is arranged is not limited to the intermediate position m, and may be arranged at a position shifted from the intermediate position according to the shooting direction.

The virtual camera moving unit 34 moves the first virtual camera C<b>1 and the second virtual camera C<b>2 according to the operation signal of the operation object acquired by the object operation signal acquisition unit 33 . Specifically, it is determined whether or not the object operation signal acquisition unit 33 has acquired an object operation signal. When it is determined that an object operation signal has been acquired, the first virtual camera C1 and the second virtual camera C2 are moved in the same direction as the movement direction of the operation object _OC according to the acquired object operation signal. The virtual camera moving unit 34 in this embodiment moves the first virtual camera C1 and the second virtual camera C2 so that the operation object _OC is arranged at the center position of the display image.

The direction switching signal acquisition unit 35 acquires a camera direction switching signal issued from the controller 4 in order to switch the shooting direction of the virtual first camera C1 and the virtual second camera C2 by the shooting direction switching unit 36 described below. is. In the present embodiment, a camera direction switching signal that is generated each time a predetermined button of the controller 4 is operated for input is acquired. Note that the camera direction switching signal generated by the controller 4 may be generated by setting each axis direction to a different button and inputting each button.

The shooting direction switching unit 36 switches the shooting directions of the first virtual camera C1 and the second virtual camera C2 in the axial direction according to the camera direction switching signal acquired by the direction switching signal acquiring unit 35 . When the camera direction switching signal is acquired by the direction switching signal acquiring unit 35, the shooting direction switching unit 36 in this embodiment switches to the direction in which the operation object _OC is facing, or switches to the direction in which the virtual first camera C1 and the virtual first camera C1 are facing. If the photographing direction of the second camera C2 is the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction and matches the direction in which the operation object _OC is facing, the direction is switched to the Z-axis direction. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 11, the imaging direction can be appropriately switched among the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction. Note that the switching of the shooting direction is not limited to that corresponding to the direction in which the operation object _OC is facing. You may make it switch suitably in order of a direction, an X-axis direction, and so on.

The third camera image acquisition unit 37 mainly acquires two-dimensional images arranged at the intermediate positions M1 and M2 in the reference space B, so that the virtual third camera C1 captures the same direction as the imaging direction of the first virtual camera C1. A camera C3 acquires a third parallel projection image of the third imaging space SP3 in accordance with the parallel projection method.

The third photographing space SP3 is a space photographed by the virtual third camera C3, and as shown in FIG. 12, is a space configured as a thin rectangular parallelepiped. The size of the plane orthogonal to the axial direction of the third imaging space SP3 is the same as the size of the first imaging space SP1 photographed by the virtual first camera C1. Also, the third imaging space SP3 is formed in a space thinner than half the thickness of the reference space B. As shown in FIG. Here, the thickness of the third imaging space SP3 may be a thickness that allows imaging of a two-dimensional image as an object placed at the intermediate positions M1 and M2 of the reference space B. For example, the thickness is 0.5. It is preferable to set it within the range of 000001 times to about 0.1 times, and in this embodiment, it is set to about 0.001 times.

The third camera moving unit 38 is for moving the virtual third camera C3 in order to capture the two-dimensional images arranged at the intermediate positions M1 and M2 in the reference space B. FIG. Specifically, first, as shown in FIG. 12A, the virtual third camera C3 is located on the same axis as the first virtual camera C1 and closest to the front side of the intermediate position m in the first imaging space SP1. An intermediate position M1 in the reference space B is arranged at a photographable position. Then, the third camera moving unit 38 determines whether the intermediate position m of the first shooting space SP1 has passed the intermediate position M2 of the reference space B due to the movement of the virtual first camera C1 in the shooting direction accompanying the movement of the operation object _OC . determine whether or not Then, if it does not exceed the intermediate position M2, that is, if the range overlaps with the intermediate position M2 from the front side of the intermediate position M1 in the reference space B, as shown in FIG. It stays at the intermediate position M1, which is the same as the position where it had been arranged until then. On the other hand, when it is determined that the intermediate position m of the first imaging space SP1 has passed the intermediate position M2 of the reference space B due to the movement of the first virtual camera C1, as shown in FIG. C3 is moved to a position where the intermediate position M2 in the reference space B, which is closest to the front side of the intermediate position m in the first photographing space SP1, can be photographed.

Note that, when the movement of the virtual first camera C1 is in a direction that intersects the photographing direction, the third camera movement unit 38 follows the movement of the virtual first camera C1 so as to be arranged on the same axis. The camera C3 is moved.

The third camera image acquisition unit 37 can capture the third imaging space SP3 according to the parallel projection method, and acquire a two-dimensional third parallel projection image as shown in FIG. ing.

The display image generation unit 39 generates a display image by superimposing the parallel projection image, the perspective projection image, and the third parallel projection image. The display image generation unit 39 in this embodiment converts the parallel projection image captured by the virtual first camera C1 acquired by the first camera image acquisition unit 31 to the front side, and the image acquired by the second camera image acquisition unit 32 The perspective projection image photographed by the virtual second camera C2 is placed on the back side and both images are superimposed. Further, in this embodiment, the third parallel projection image captured by the virtual third camera C3 is superimposed on the front side of the superimposed image of both images to generate a display image as shown in FIG. It's like

The display image generation unit 39 generates 30 display images per second, that is, 30 frames of display images, and sequentially outputs them to the display 5 .

Next, the operation of each configuration of the 3D game image generation program 1a, the 3D game image generation device 1, and the 3D game image generation method will be described.

As shown in FIG. 15, the first camera image acquisition unit 31 captures images of one reference space B using a virtual first camera C1 that captures images along any one of the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction. A parallel projection image of the first imaging space SP1 having the same thickness as the thickness is obtained by photographing it according to the parallel projection method (S1: first camera image obtaining step). Thereby, as shown in FIG. 7, a parallel projection image can be acquired.

The direction switching signal acquisition unit 35 acquires a camera direction switching signal generated by button operation of the controller 4, and the shooting direction switching unit 36 adjusts the direction of the first virtual camera C1 according to the camera direction switching signal. Set by switching.

Next, the second camera image acquisition unit 32 captures images of a second imaging space SP2 that continues to the rear side of the imaging direction of the first imaging space SP1 by means of a second virtual camera C2 that captures images in the same direction as the imaging direction of the first virtual camera C1. is acquired according to the perspective projection method (S2: second camera image acquisition step). Thereby, as shown in FIG. 8, a perspective projection image can be obtained.

Then, the third camera image acquisition unit 37 captures a third parallel image of the third imaging space SP3 in accordance with the parallel projection method by the virtual third camera C3 that captures images in the same direction as the imaging direction of the virtual first camera C1. A projection image is acquired (S3: third camera image acquisition step). Thereby, as shown in FIG. 13, the third parallel projection image can be obtained.

Next, the display image generation unit 39 arranges the parallel projection image captured by the first virtual camera C1 on the front side and the perspective projection image captured by the virtual second camera C2 on the back side, and superimposes both images. to generate a display image (S4: display image generation step). In this embodiment, the display image is generated by superimposing the third parallel projection image captured by the virtual third camera C3 on the front side of the parallel projection image on which the perspective projection image is superimposed on the back side. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 14, a display image having a two-dimensional game feeling can be generated.

Then, the display image generator 39 outputs the display image to the display 5 (S5: display image output step). The display 5 displays the output display image.

Next, the virtual camera movement unit 34 determines whether or not the object operation signal acquisition unit 33 has acquired an object operation signal (S6: object operation signal determination step). Here, if it is determined that the object operation signal has not been acquired (S6: NO), the process returns to S1 to repeat the display image generation process. The display images that are sequentially output are displayed on the display 5 .

On the other hand, if it is determined that the object operation signal has been acquired (S6: YES), the first virtual camera C1 and the second virtual camera C2 are moved according to the object operation signal (S7: virtual camera movement step).

Next, the third camera moving unit 38 determines whether or not the intermediate position m of the first shooting space SP1 has passed the intermediate position M2 of the reference space B due to the movement of the virtual first camera C1 in the shooting direction (S8 : step of determining intermediate position in first imaging space). Here, if it is determined that the intermediate position M2 of the reference space B is not exceeded (S8: NO), as shown in FIG. , the intermediate position M1, which is the same as the position that has been arranged up to that point, is kept at a position that allows photographing. Then, the process returns to S1 and repeats the display image generation process.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the intermediate position M2 of the reference space B has been passed (S8: YES), as shown in FIG. side to the closest intermediate position M2 in the reference space B (S9: third camera movement step). Then, the process returns to S1 and repeats the display image generation process. As a result, as will be described later in Example 1, the two-dimensional images arranged at the intermediate positions M1 and M2 of the reference space B in the third imaging space SP3 can be reflected in the display image. Therefore, in the case of the problem that the two-dimensional image object is not displayed according to the position of the operation object _OC , or the movement in the arrangement of the two-dimensional image objects, the operation object _OC and the two-dimensional image object OC It is possible to prevent the problem that _2D and 2D are alternately displayed.

According to the 3D game image generation program 1a, the 3D game image generation device 1, and the 3D game image generation method of the present embodiment as described above, the following effects can be obtained.
1. It is possible to generate a display image of a game that can be freely moved in a virtual three-dimensional game space formed in three dimensions while retaining the feeling of a two-dimensional game.
2. By continuously arranging the first imaging space SP1 and the second imaging space SP2, it is possible to generate a seamless and smooth display image when the operation object _OC moves in the imaging direction.
3. By using the virtual third camera C3, depending on the position of the operation object _OC , an object consisting of a two-dimensional image that should actually exist may not be displayed, or the operation object _OC and the two-dimensional image object _O2D may be displayed alternately. You can prevent it from appearing.
4. The display image can be arbitrarily selected in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction, and the display image can be generated without changing the generation method according to the display direction.
5. It is possible to avoid an unstable state in which the texture pasted on the surface of the reference space B at the boundary between the first imaging space SP1 and the second imaging space SP2 is displayed or not displayed. can.

Next, specific examples of the 3D game image generation program, the 3D game image generation device, and the 3D game image generation method according to the present invention will be described.

In Example 1, a virtual three-dimensional game space was created, and display images were generated in a plurality of game scenes by the three-dimensional game image generation program according to the present invention.

"Climbing scene of stair object"
A display image was generated in a scene in which the operation object O _C ascends and descends the stair object O _S formed in the virtual three-dimensional game space. As shown in FIG. 16A, in the display image arranged on the left side, the virtual first camera, the virtual second camera, and the virtual third camera are arranged in the Y-axis direction, and the operation object _OC moves the stair object _OS . It is a display image generated by photographing the rising state. As shown in (a) (1) to (4) of FIG. 16, since the position of each camera moves along with the movement of the operation object O _C , the operation object O _C is arranged at the center position of the display image, and the stair object O The surrounding object positions such as _S appear to move. As a result, a state in which the operation object _OC is sequentially ascending the stair object _OS is displayed.

At this time, the parallel projection image of the first imaging space captured by the virtual first camera is displayed closer to the viewer than the perspective projection image capturing the back side of the parallel projection image, so it looks like a display image of a two-dimensional game. .

On the other hand, since a perspective projection image using the perspective projection method is used on the far side with respect to the photographing direction, information as a three-dimensional space can be displayed within the same display image. For example, the sizes of objects around the operational object _OC and the stair object _OS are scaled and displayed as the first imaging space where the operational object _OC moves. Therefore, the game user can operate the operation object _OC while obtaining information about what is on the far side, rather than just an image as a background.

Also, as shown in FIG. 16B, the display images arranged on the right side are display images generated by photographing the same state as the display images arranged on the left side from the Z-axis direction. When viewing each display image, it looks like a display image of a two-dimensional game, similar to the case of photographing in the Y-axis direction. However, in reality, it moves in a virtual three-dimensional game space formed in three dimensions. Therefore, for example, as shown in (1) and (2) of FIG. 16B, the operation object O _C is positioned at the height (in the Z-axis direction) where the room with the treasure box next to the stair object O _S exists. position), the room appears in the display image, but as shown in (3) and (4) of _FIG . The room no longer appears in the displayed image.

In this way, it is very difficult for a game created as a two-dimensional game to generate a display image including the background according to the height of the operation object _OC . Can be easily generated. Game users will be able to experience a game that has never existed before, in which the operation object _OC can be freely moved in three dimensions without losing the retro two-dimensional game feel.

"When a virtual third camera is used"
Next, regarding the case where the virtual third camera is _used , as shown in FIG _. I will explain based on.

FIG. 17 is a display image generated by photographing from the Z-axis direction the operation object _OC moving in a forest in which tree objects _OT are arranged. (1) is a state in which the operation object _OC is slightly behind the tree object _OT . (2) is a state in which the operation object _OC is located between the tree objects _OT and slightly closer to _the tree object _OT than the intermediate position. (3) is a state in which the operation object _OC is slightly behind the tree object _OT on the far side.

First, the case where the virtual third camera is not used will be described.

FIG. 18(a) is a display image generated by photographing from the Y-axis direction without using the virtual third camera at positions corresponding to (1) to (3) in FIG. In the state (1), the operation object _OC is positioned behind the tree object _OT . Therefore, the tree object _OT is displayed in front of the operation object _OC in the parallel projection image captured by the first virtual camera.

Next, when the manipulation object _OC moves _in the Y-axis direction and is in the state of FIG _. It is not displayed in the projected image. Therefore, as shown in (2) of FIG. 18A, the operation object _OC is displayed on the near side, as if the operation object _OC has escaped from the forest. However, actually, as shown in FIG. 17(2), the operation object _OC is in a forest.

17(3), the tree object _OT is again displayed in front of the operation object _OC , as shown in FIGS. 18(a) and 18(3). If more tree objects _OT are lined up and the operation object _OC continuously moves between them, the operation object _OC will be displayed blinking, which will be very difficult for the game user to see.

On the other hand, when the virtual third camera is used, a display image is generated as shown in FIG. 18(b). As shown in FIG. 10, the operation object _OC in this embodiment is located at a position where the intermediate position of the first imaging space can be photographed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 17(1), since the operation object _OC is located slightly behind the tree object _OT , the virtual third camera is positioned at the nearest intermediate position in the reference space on the front side. 3 Shoot the shooting space. Also, since the two-dimensional image of the tree object _OT is arranged here, the tree object _OT is displayed in the third parallel projection image.

Even if the third parallel projection image is superimposed on the front side of the parallel projection image captured by the virtual first camera, the resulting display image is the same because both images are generated according to the same parallel projection method. become a state. Therefore, as shown in (1) of FIG. 18B, a display image similar to that in the case where the virtual third camera is not used can be generated.

Next, when the manipulation object _OC moves _in the Y-axis direction and is in the state of FIG _. It is not displayed in the projected image. However, the virtual third camera does not move because the operation object O _C (middle position of the first imaging space) does not exceed the middle position of the reference space (the position of the tree object O _T on the far side). Therefore, the operation object _OC is displayed behind the tree object _OT photographed by the virtual third camera, as shown in (2) of FIG. 18B.

Further, when the operating object O _C moves in the Y-axis direction and enters the state shown in FIG. 17(3), the operating object O _C (intermediate position in the first imaging space) moves to the intermediate position in the reference space (the tree object on the far side). position of _OT ). Therefore, the virtual third camera moves to the position of the tree object _OT on the far side. Since the tree object _OT on the far side is photographed by the virtual third camera after movement, the tree object _OT is in front of the operation object _OC as shown in FIG. 18(b)(3). A status display can be maintained.

In addition, since the third parallel projection image generated by the virtual third camera changes every time the operation object _OC moves by one reference space (one square), it is possible to determine whether the operation object _OC has moved by one square. becomes easier to understand.

As described above, by using the virtual third camera, it is possible to avoid the problem that the two-dimensional image object _O2D that should be displayed according to the position of the operation object _OC is not displayed. Also, when continuously moving through a place such as a forest where tree objects _OT are lined up, the operation object _OC and the tree object _OT are not displayed so as to blink alternately. Furthermore, it has been found that the effect of facilitating the movement of the operation object _OC on a basis of each reference space can be obtained.

The 3D game image generation program, the 3D game image generation device, and the 3D game image generation method according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate. For example, the display image generation unit 39 functions to appropriately enlarge or reduce the display image to be output in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction according to the aspect ratio of the display 5 to be output, or to delete the edge of the image. You may

1 3D game image generation device 1a 3D game image generation program 2 Storage means 3 Arithmetic processing means 4 Controller 5 Display 21 Program storage unit 22 3D game space storage unit 31 First camera image acquisition unit 32 Second camera image acquisition unit 33 Object operation signal acquisition unit 34 Virtual camera movement unit 35 Direction switching signal acquisition unit 36 Shooting direction switching unit 37 Third camera image acquisition unit 38 Third camera movement unit 39 Display image generation unit B Reference space C1 Virtual first camera C2 Virtual Second camera C3 Virtual third camera O _C operation object O _2D Two-dimensional image object OS Stairs object O _{T tree} object SP1 First shooting space SP2 Second shooting space SP3 Third shooting space M1, M2 Intermediate position of reference space m Intermediate position of the first shooting space

Claims (7)

A three-dimensional game image generation program for generating, as a display image, a virtual three-dimensional game space formed by arranging a plurality of reference spaces composed of cubes in the respective X, Y, and Z axial directions, comprising: ,
A first imaging space having a thickness equal to the thickness of one reference space is projected according to the parallel projection method by a virtual first camera that photographs along one of the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction. a first camera image acquisition unit that acquires a parallel projection image captured by
A perspective projection image of a second imaging space, which continues to the rear side of the first imaging space in the imaging direction, photographed according to a perspective projection method by a second virtual camera that photographs in the same imaging direction as the imaging direction of the first virtual camera. a second camera image acquisition unit that acquires
A display image in which the parallel projection image captured by the first virtual camera is placed on the front side and the perspective projection image captured by the virtual second camera is placed on the back side, and the two images are superimposed to generate a display image. The three-dimensional game image generation program that causes a computer to function as a generation unit. 2. The three-dimensional game image generation program according to claim 1, wherein said first shooting space and said second shooting space overlap each other within a space thinner than 1/2 times the thickness of said reference space in the shooting direction. . an object operation signal acquisition unit that acquires an operation signal of an operation object to be operated in a game and placed in the first shooting space;
The computer is caused to function as a virtual camera movement unit that causes the first virtual camera and the second virtual camera to follow the movement of the operation object according to the operation signal acquired by the object operation signal acquisition unit. 3. A three-dimensional game image generation program according to item 2. a direction switching signal acquisition unit that receives a camera direction switching signal for switching the shooting direction to one of the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction;
a shooting direction switching unit that switches the shooting directions of the first virtual camera and the second virtual camera to an axial direction according to the camera direction switching signal when the direction switching signal acquiring unit acquires the camera direction switching signal; 4. The three-dimensional game image generation program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which causes a computer to function as a program. A third parallel projection image of a third imaging space thinner than 1/2 times the thickness of the reference space, photographed in accordance with the parallel projection method, by a virtual third camera that photographs in the same direction as the imaging direction of the virtual first camera. a third camera image acquisition unit that acquires a projection image;
The third virtual camera is placed at a position where it is possible to photograph the intermediate position of the reference space closest to the front side of the intermediate position of the first imaging space, and the first virtual camera is moved in the imaging direction. When the intermediate position of the photographing space exceeds the intermediate position of the reference space, the virtual third camera is moved to a position capable of photographing the intermediate position of the reference space, which is closest to the front side of the intermediate position of the first photographing space. The computer functions as a third camera moving unit that moves, and
The display image generation unit generates a display image by superimposing a third parallel projection image captured by the virtual third camera on the front side of the parallel projection image on which the perspective projection image is superimposed on the back side. The three-dimensional game image generation program according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A three-dimensional game image generating device for generating a virtual three-dimensional game space formed by arranging a plurality of reference spaces composed of cubes in each of the X, Y, and Z axial directions as a display image, ,
A first imaging space having a thickness equal to the thickness of one reference space is projected according to the parallel projection method by a virtual first camera that photographs along one of the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction. a first camera image acquisition unit that acquires a parallel projection image captured by
A perspective projection image obtained by photographing a second photographing space continuing to the rear side of the photographing direction of the first photographing space according to a perspective projection method by a second virtual camera photographing the same photographing direction as the photographing direction of the first virtual camera. a second camera image acquisition unit to acquire;
A display image in which the parallel projection image captured by the first virtual camera is placed on the front side and the perspective projection image captured by the virtual second camera is placed on the back side, and the two images are superimposed to generate a display image. The 3D game image generating device, comprising: a generator; A three-dimensional game image generating method for generating, as a display image, a virtual three-dimensional game space formed by arranging a plurality of reference spaces composed of cubes in the X, Y, and Z axial directions, ,
A first imaging space having a thickness equal to the thickness of one reference space is projected according to the parallel projection method by a virtual first camera that photographs along one of the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction. a first camera image acquisition step of acquiring a parallel projection image captured by
A perspective projection image obtained by photographing a second photographing space continuing to the rear side of the photographing direction of the first photographing space according to a perspective projection method by a second virtual camera photographing the same photographing direction as the photographing direction of the first virtual camera. a step of obtaining a second camera image to be obtained;
A display image in which the parallel projection image captured by the first virtual camera is placed on the front side and the perspective projection image captured by the virtual second camera is placed on the back side, and the two images are superimposed to generate a display image. The method for generating a three-dimensional game image, comprising: a generating step;

Images