JP7462010B2 - GAME PROGRAM, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, AND GAME PROCESSING METHOD - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a game program, an information processing system, an information processing device, and a game processing method for displaying a map image of a game field.

Conventionally, there are game programs for displaying a map image of a game field in a virtual space (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1). For example, in response to an event (i.e., an event in the game) that occurs on the condition that the player character visits a specific point in the virtual space, the game program changes the map image of the area corresponding to the point from a locked state to an unlocked state, thereby displaying the map image of the area.

"The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild", Explore Hyrule, [online], Nintendo of America Inc., [searched on September 5, 2022], Internet <URL: https://www.zelda.com/breath-of-the-wild/features/>

Conventionally, the area of the map image that is released in response to one of the above events is a fixed range that corresponds to a single location (e.g., a location visited by the player character) that corresponds to that event.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a game program, an information processing system, an information processing device, and a game processing method that can change the shape of the area released in the map image to a shape that corresponds to whether or not each of multiple events has occurred, rather than a fixed shape.

To solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following configurations (1) to (7).

(1)
An example of the present invention is a game program that causes a computer of an information processing device to execute the following processes.
- A game process for controlling a player character in a virtual space based on an operation input. - A process for transitioning a point associated with a predetermined event that has occurred, out of a plurality of points set in a virtual space, from a first state to a second state when a predetermined event has occurred based on the game process. - A process for specifying an area in which a total judgment value obtained by adding up, for each position, the first judgment value, which is a first reference value at a position corresponding to a point and which attenuates according to the distance from the position, based on one or more points among the plurality of points that are in the second state, is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. - A process for displaying a map image showing field information of a virtual space, in which the map image shows the field information of a portion corresponding to the area.

According to the configuration (1) above, the shape of the area in the map image in which field information is displayed can be changed according to whether or not each of multiple events has occurred.

(2)
In the above configuration (1), the map image may be an image showing the field information in a two-dimensional manner, and the first determination value may be a value that attenuates according to a two-dimensional distance from a two-dimensional position corresponding to the point.

According to the above configuration (2), since an area can be set on a two-dimensional plane, an area that has high affinity with a two-dimensional map can be set with a small processing load.

(3)
In the above configuration (2), the first reference value set for each of the plurality of points may have a magnitude set for each of the plurality of points.

According to the configuration (3) above, the range that will become the above-mentioned area when a specific event occurs can be set individually for each location.

(4)
In the above configuration (3), the total determination value may be a value obtained by subtracting a sum of second determination values for one or more locations among the plurality of locations that are in the first state from a sum of first determination values for one or more locations among the plurality of locations that are in the second state. The second determination value may be a second reference value that is the same as or different from the first reference value at a position corresponding to the location, and may be a value that attenuates according to the distance from the position.

The configuration of (4) above can reduce the possibility that a location in the second state will cause another location in the first state and its neighboring locations to become part of the above-mentioned area.

(5)
In any of the configurations (1) to (4) above, the specified event may be an event that occurs when a specified operational input is made when the player character is located at an event occurrence position that is set in the virtual space corresponding to a location.

The above configuration (5) makes it possible to provide a game in which the area in which field information is displayed on the map image can be expanded by the player character reaching the event occurrence position.

(6)
In any of the above configurations (1) to (5), when a specified event occurs, the computer may generate two-dimensional mask data indicating the extent of an area in the virtual space, and apply the mask data to an original map image including the field information to generate a map image indicating the field information of the portion corresponding to the area.

The above configuration (6) makes it easy to generate a map image showing field information for the above-mentioned area.

(7)
In the above configuration (6), the mask data may be data indicating, for each position in the virtual space, a multi-value corresponding to the magnitude of the total determination value at that position. In response to a map display instruction, the computer may generate the map image by applying the mask data to the original map image for each pixel in a ratio corresponding to the multi-value indicated by the mask data.

The configuration (7) above makes it possible to generate a map image in which the areas near the boundaries of the regions are blurred.

Another example of the present invention may be an information processing device or information processing system that executes the processes in (1) to (7) above. Also, another example of the present invention may be a game processing method that executes the processes in (1) to (7) above.

The above game program, information processing system, information processing device, and game processing method allow the shape of the area released in the map image to be changed depending on whether multiple events occur.

A diagram showing an example of a state in which a left controller and a right controller are attached to a main unit. A diagram showing an example of the state when the left controller and the right controller are removed from the main unit. Six-sided diagram showing an example of a main unit Six-sided diagram showing an example of the left controller Six-sided diagram showing an example of the right controller FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an internal configuration of a main unit. A block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the main unit, the left controller, and the right controller. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of an example game according to the present embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between the field corresponding plane and the judgment value when one reference point is released. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a map image displayed when the circular area shown in FIG. 9 is a released area; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between the field corresponding plane and the judgment value when two reference points are released. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a map image displayed when the area shown in FIG. 11 is a released area; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a field correspondence plane in which a released region is set in a case where two reference points are released and one reference point is not released; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a method for generating a map image in this embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a game image including a field image showing a field including a player character. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a game image in which a player character is located near a reference point; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a game image showing the field after the reference point has been released. Top view of the field when one reference point is released Top view of the field when two reference points are released FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a game image showing a field on which light source items are arranged. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a game image showing a field when a light source item is placed within an illumination range due to a release event; FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a method for generating a field image to be written to a frame buffer. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a storage area for storing various data used in information processing in the game system 1. A flowchart showing an example of the flow of a game process executed by the game system 1. A sub-flowchart showing an example of a detailed flow of the player-related control process in step S8 shown in FIG. 24. A sub-flowchart showing an example of a detailed flow of the other object control process in step S9 shown in FIG. 24. A sub-flowchart showing an example of a detailed flow of the drawing process in step S10 shown in FIG. 24. 13 is a sub-flowchart showing an example of a detailed flow of a drawing process according to another embodiment.

[1. Game System Configuration]
A game system according to an example of this embodiment will be described below. An example of the game system 1 in this embodiment includes a main unit (information processing device; in this embodiment, it functions as a game device main unit) 2, a left controller 3, and a right controller 4. The left controller 3 and the right controller 4 are detachable from the main unit 2. In other words, the game system 1 can be used as an integrated device by attaching the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 to the main unit 2. In addition, the game system 1 can also be used as a separate device from the main unit 2, the left controller 3, and the right controller 4 (see FIG. 2). The hardware configuration of the game system 1 of this embodiment will be described below, and then the control of the game system 1 of this embodiment will be described.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a left controller 3 and a right controller 4 are attached to a main unit 2. As shown in Figure 1, the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 are each attached to the main unit 2 and integrated together. The main unit 2 is a device that executes various processes (e.g., game processes) in the game system 1. The main unit 2 includes a display 12. The left controller 3 and the right controller 4 are devices that include an operation unit that allows the user to perform input.

Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the state in which the left controller 3 and right controller 4 have been removed from the main unit 2. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the left controller 3 and right controller 4 are detachable from the main unit 2. In the following, the left controller 3 and right controller 4 may be collectively referred to as "controller."

Figure 3 is a six-sided view showing an example of the main unit 2. As shown in Figure 3, the main unit 2 includes a generally plate-shaped housing 11. In this embodiment, the main surface of the housing 11 (in other words, the front surface, i.e., the surface on which the display 12 is provided) is generally rectangular.

The shape and size of the housing 11 are arbitrary. As an example, the housing 11 may be of a size that is portable. Furthermore, the main unit 2 alone or an integrated device in which the left controller 3 and right controller 4 are attached to the main unit 2 may be a portable device. Furthermore, the main unit 2 or the integrated device may be a handheld device. Furthermore, the main unit 2 or the integrated device may be a portable device.

As shown in FIG. 3, the main unit 2 includes a display 12 provided on the main surface of the housing 11. The display 12 displays images generated by the main unit 2. In this embodiment, the display 12 is a liquid crystal display (LCD). However, the display 12 may be any type of display device.

The main unit 2 also includes a touch panel 13 on the screen of the display 12. In this embodiment, the touch panel 13 is of a type that allows multi-touch input (e.g., a capacitive type). However, the touch panel 13 may be of any type, and may be of a type that allows single-touch input (e.g., a resistive film type).

The main unit 2 is provided with a speaker (i.e., speaker 88 shown in FIG. 6) inside the housing 11. As shown in FIG. 3, speaker holes 11a and 11b are formed on the main surface of the housing 11. The output sound of the speaker 88 is output from these speaker holes 11a and 11b, respectively.

The main unit 2 also includes a left side terminal 17, which is a terminal for the main unit 2 to perform wired communication with the left controller 3, and a right side terminal 21, which is a terminal for the main unit 2 to perform wired communication with the right controller 4.

As shown in FIG. 3, the main unit 2 includes a slot 23. The slot 23 is provided on the upper side of the housing 11. The slot 23 has a shape that allows a predetermined type of storage medium to be attached thereto. The predetermined type of storage medium is, for example, a storage medium (e.g., a dedicated memory card) dedicated to the game system 1 and the same type of information processing device. The predetermined type of storage medium is used, for example, to store data used by the main unit 2 (e.g., application save data, etc.) and/or programs executed by the main unit 2 (e.g., application programs, etc.). The main unit 2 also includes a power button 28.

The main unit 2 has a lower terminal 27. The lower terminal 27 is a terminal through which the main unit 2 communicates with the cradle. In this embodiment, the lower terminal 27 is a USB connector (more specifically, a female connector). When the all-in-one device or the main unit 2 alone is placed on the cradle, the game system 1 can display images generated and output by the main unit 2 on a stationary monitor. In this embodiment, the cradle also has a function of charging the all-in-one device or the main unit 2 alone that is placed on it. The cradle also has a function of a hub device (more specifically, a USB hub).

Figure 4 is a six-sided view showing an example of the left controller 3. As shown in Figure 4, the left controller 3 includes a housing 31. In this embodiment, the housing 31 has a vertically long shape, that is, a shape that is long in the up-down direction (i.e., the y-axis direction shown in Figures 1 and 4). The left controller 3 can also be held in a vertically long orientation when removed from the main unit 2. The housing 31 has a shape and size that allows it to be held in one hand, particularly the left hand, when held in a vertically long orientation. The left controller 3 can also be held in a horizontally long orientation. When the left controller 3 is held in a horizontally long orientation, it may be held with both hands.

The left controller 3 has an analog stick 32. As shown in FIG. 4, the analog stick 32 is provided on the main surface of the housing 31. The analog stick 32 can be used as a direction input unit capable of inputting a direction. By tilting the analog stick 32, the user can input a direction according to the tilt direction (and input a magnitude according to the tilt angle). Note that instead of an analog stick, the left controller 3 may be equipped with a cross key or a slide stick capable of slide input as the direction input unit. Also, in this embodiment, input is possible by pressing the analog stick 32.

The left controller 3 is equipped with various operation buttons. The left controller 3 is equipped with four operation buttons 33 to 36 (specifically, a right button 33, a down button 34, an up button 35, and a left button 36) on the main surface of the housing 31. Furthermore, the left controller 3 is equipped with a record button 37 and a - (minus) button 47. The left controller 3 is equipped with a first L button 38 and a ZL button 39 on the upper left of the side of the housing 31. The left controller 3 is also equipped with a second L button 43 and a second R button 44 on the side of the housing 31 that is attached when the left controller 3 is attached to the main unit 2. These operation buttons are used to give instructions according to various programs (for example, OS programs and application programs) executed on the main unit 2.

The left controller 3 also includes a terminal 42 that enables the left controller 3 to communicate with the main unit 2 via a wired connection.

Figure 5 is a six-sided view showing an example of the right controller 4. As shown in Figure 5, the right controller 4 includes a housing 51. In this embodiment, the housing 51 has a vertically long shape, that is, a shape that is long in the up-down direction. The right controller 4 can also be held in a vertical orientation when removed from the main unit 2. When held in a vertical orientation, the housing 51 has a shape and size that allows it to be held in one hand, particularly the right hand. The right controller 4 can also be held in a horizontal orientation. When the right controller 4 is held in a horizontal orientation, it may be held with both hands.

The right controller 4, like the left controller 3, has an analog stick 52 as a direction input section. In this embodiment, the analog stick 52 has the same configuration as the analog stick 32 of the left controller 3. The right controller 4 may also have a cross key or a slide stick capable of slide input, instead of an analog stick. The right controller 4, like the left controller 3, has four operation buttons 53 to 56 (specifically, an A button 53, a B button 54, an X button 55, and a Y button 56) on the main surface of the housing 51. The right controller 4 further has a + (plus) button 57 and a home button 58. The right controller 4 also has a first R button 60 and a ZR button 61 on the upper right of the side of the housing 51. The right controller 4 also has a second L button 65 and a second R button 66, like the left controller 3.

The right controller 4 also includes a terminal 64 for wired communication between the right controller 4 and the main unit 2.

Figure 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the main unit 2. In addition to the configuration shown in Figure 3, the main unit 2 includes components 81-85, 87, 88, 91, 97, and 98 shown in Figure 6. Some of these components 81-85, 87, 88, 91, 97, and 98 may be mounted on an electronic circuit board as electronic components and stored in the housing 11.

The main unit 2 includes a processor 81. The processor 81 is an information processing unit that executes various information processing executed in the main unit 2, and may be composed of only a CPU (Central Processing Unit), for example, or may be composed of a SoC (System-on-a-chip) that includes multiple functions such as a CPU function and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) function. The processor 81 executes various information processing by executing an information processing program (for example, a game program) stored in a storage unit (specifically, an internal storage medium such as a flash memory 84, or an external storage medium inserted in the slot 23, etc.).

The main unit 2 includes a flash memory 84 and a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) 85 as examples of internal storage media built into the main unit 2. The flash memory 84 and the DRAM 85 are connected to the processor 81. The flash memory 84 is a memory used primarily to store various data (which may be programs) saved in the main unit 2. The DRAM 85 is a memory used to temporarily store various data used in information processing.

The main unit 2 includes a slot interface (hereinafter abbreviated as "I/F") 91. The slot I/F 91 is connected to the processor 81. The slot I/F 91 is connected to the slot 23, and reads and writes data from a specific type of storage medium (e.g., a dedicated memory card) inserted in the slot 23 in response to instructions from the processor 81.

The processor 81 reads and writes data from and to the flash memory 84, DRAM 85, and each of the above storage media as appropriate to perform the above information processing.

The main unit 2 includes a network communication unit 82. The network communication unit 82 is connected to the processor 81. The network communication unit 82 communicates with an external device via a network (specifically, wireless communication). In this embodiment, the network communication unit 82 connects to a wireless LAN and communicates with an external device using a method conforming to the Wi-Fi standard as a first communication mode. The network communication unit 82 also performs wireless communication with other main units 2 of the same type using a predetermined communication method (e.g., communication using a proprietary protocol or infrared communication) as a second communication mode. Note that the wireless communication using the second communication mode enables wireless communication with other main units 2 located within a closed local network area, and realizes a function that enables so-called "local communication" in which data is transmitted and received by directly communicating between multiple main units 2.

The main unit 2 includes a controller communication unit 83. The controller communication unit 83 is connected to the processor 81. The controller communication unit 83 performs wireless communication with the left controller 3 and/or right controller 4. Any communication method may be used between the main unit 2 and the left controller 3 and right controller 4, but in this embodiment, the controller communication unit 83 performs communication with the left controller 3 and right controller 4 according to the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard.

The processor 81 is connected to the left terminal 17, the right terminal 21, and the lower terminal 27. When the processor 81 performs wired communication with the left controller 3, it transmits data to the left controller 3 via the left terminal 17 and receives operation data from the left controller 3 via the left terminal 17. When the processor 81 performs wired communication with the right controller 4, it transmits data to the right controller 4 via the right terminal 21 and receives operation data from the right controller 4 via the right terminal 21. When the processor 81 performs communication with the cradle, it transmits data to the cradle via the lower terminal 27. Thus, in this embodiment, the main unit 2 can perform both wired communication and wireless communication with the left controller 3 and the right controller 4. When the integrated device with the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 attached to the main unit 2 or the main unit 2 alone is attached to the cradle, the main unit 2 can output data (e.g., image data and audio data) to a stationary monitor or the like via the cradle.

Here, the main unit 2 can communicate with multiple left controllers 3 simultaneously (in other words, in parallel). The main unit 2 can also communicate with multiple right controllers 4 simultaneously (in other words, in parallel). Therefore, multiple users can simultaneously input to the main unit 2 using each set of left controllers 3 and right controllers 4. As an example, a first user can input to the main unit 2 using a first set of left controllers 3 and right controllers 4, while a second user can input to the main unit 2 using a second set of left controllers 3 and right controllers 4.

The display 12 is also connected to the processor 81. The processor 81 displays images generated (e.g., by executing the above-mentioned information processing) and/or images acquired from the outside on the display 12.

The main unit 2 includes a codec circuit 87 and speakers (specifically, a left speaker and a right speaker) 88. The codec circuit 87 is connected to the speaker 88 and the audio input/output terminal 25, and is also connected to the processor 81. The codec circuit 87 is a circuit that controls the input and output of audio data to the speaker 88 and the audio input/output terminal 25.

The main unit 2 includes a power control unit 97 and a battery 98. The power control unit 97 is connected to the battery 98 and the processor 81. Although not shown, the power control unit 97 is also connected to each part of the main unit 2 (specifically, each part that receives power from the battery 98, the left terminal 17, and the right terminal 21). The power control unit 97 controls the power supply from the battery 98 to each of the above-mentioned parts based on instructions from the processor 81.

The battery 98 is also connected to the lower terminal 27. When an external charging device (e.g., a cradle) is connected to the lower terminal 27 and power is supplied to the main unit 2 via the lower terminal 27, the supplied power is charged into the battery 98.

Figure 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the main unit 2, the left controller 3, and the right controller 4. Note that details of the internal configuration of the main unit 2 are omitted in Figure 7 because they are shown in Figure 6.

The left controller 3 is equipped with a communication control unit 101 that communicates with the main unit 2. As shown in FIG. 7, the communication control unit 101 is connected to each component including the terminal 42. In this embodiment, the communication control unit 101 can communicate with the main unit 2 both by wired communication via the terminal 42 and by wireless communication not via the terminal 42. The communication control unit 101 controls the communication method that the left controller 3 uses with the main unit 2. That is, when the left controller 3 is attached to the main unit 2, the communication control unit 101 communicates with the main unit 2 via the terminal 42. Also, when the left controller 3 is removed from the main unit 2, the communication control unit 101 performs wireless communication with the main unit 2 (specifically, the controller communication unit 83). The wireless communication between the controller communication unit 83 and the communication control unit 101 is performed according to the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard, for example.

The left controller 3 also includes a memory 102, such as a flash memory. The communication control unit 101 is formed, for example, by a microcomputer (also called a microprocessor), and executes firmware stored in the memory 102 to perform various processes.

The left controller 3 is equipped with buttons 103 (specifically, buttons 33 to 39, 43, 44, and 47). The left controller 3 also has an analog stick (written as "stick" in FIG. 7) 32. Each button 103 and analog stick 32 repeatedly outputs information relating to operations performed on them to the communication control unit 101 at appropriate timing.

The communication control unit 101 acquires information related to the input (specifically, information related to the operation, or the detection results by the sensor) from each input unit (specifically, each button 103 and analog stick 32). The communication control unit 101 transmits operation data including the acquired information (or information obtained by performing a specified process on the acquired information) to the main unit 2. Note that the operation data is repeatedly transmitted once every specified time. Note that the interval at which the information related to the input is transmitted to the main unit 2 may or may not be the same for each input unit.

By transmitting the above operation data to the main unit 2, the main unit 2 can obtain the input made to the left controller 3. In other words, the main unit 2 can determine the operation of each button 103 and analog stick 32 based on the operation data.

The left controller 3 is equipped with a power supply unit 108. In this embodiment, the power supply unit 108 has a battery and a power control circuit. Although not shown, the power control circuit is connected to the battery and to each part of the left controller 3 (specifically, each part that receives power from the battery).

As shown in FIG. 7, the right controller 4 includes a communication control unit 111 that communicates with the main unit 2. The right controller 4 also includes a memory 112 that is connected to the communication control unit 111. The communication control unit 111 is connected to each component including the terminal 64. The communication control unit 111 and the memory 112 have the same functions as the communication control unit 101 and the memory 102 of the left controller 3. Therefore, the communication control unit 111 can communicate with the main unit 2 both by wired communication via the terminal 64 and by wireless communication (specifically, communication according to the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard) that does not go through the terminal 64, and controls the method of communication that the right controller 4 uses with the main unit 2.

The right controller 4 has input sections similar to those of the left controller 3. Specifically, it has buttons 113 and an analog stick 52. Each of these input sections has the same function as the input sections of the left controller 3, and operates in the same way.

The right controller 4 is equipped with a power supply unit 118. The power supply unit 118 has the same functions as the power supply unit 108 of the left controller 3 and operates in the same manner.

2. Overview of Processing in the Game System
An overview of the processing executed in the game system 1 will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 22. In this embodiment, the game system 1 executes a game in which a player character operable by a player (i.e., a user of the game system 1) moves through a game field (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "field"), which is a three-dimensional virtual space. In addition to displaying a field image showing the field on which the player character is located, the game system 1 is also capable of displaying a map image showing a map of the field. In this embodiment, the map image is switched from the field image at the instruction of the player, and in some cases, at least a part of the map image is always displayed together with the field image.

Figure 8 is a diagram showing an overview of an example game in this embodiment. The left column in Figure 8 shows the state of the field, and the right column shows an example of a map image to be displayed. In this embodiment, a plurality of reference points (for example, reference point 202 shown in Figure 8) are set in the field. The reference point is released in response to a predetermined operation input by the player (for example, an operation input for making the player character perform an action to check the reference point) when the player character 201 is located at or near the reference point. In other words, the player character 201 can release the reference point by reaching the reference point and performing a predetermined action (for example, an action to check the reference point). In the following, a game event in which a reference point is released is called a "release event". Note that the reference point may be, for example, a place where the player character 201 can warp to another reference point that has already been released (so-called fast travel), where the player character 201 can be restored, or where the player character 201 can change the equipment, skills, or items possessed by the player character 201.

In this embodiment, before the reference point is released, the field is in darkness, with some exceptions (for example, the player character 201 or its surroundings, and the marker object 203 described below) (state a shown in FIG. 8). Note that in FIG. 8, the dark areas are shown with diagonal lines to make the drawing easier to understand, but the game system 1 displays the dark field in a manner that is invisible or difficult for the player to see (see FIG. 15, etc. described below). In state a shown in FIG. 8, the field is in darkness, with the exception of the surroundings of the player character 201 and the marker object 203 indicating the reference point 202, so it can be said that it is difficult to explore the field.

Before the reference point is released, the map image is displayed in a manner that does not show field information (state a shown in FIG. 8). Field information is information about the field, such as information about the terrain that forms the field (specifically, the shape of the terrain, etc.), information about objects placed in the field, information about items placed in the field, or information about characters that exist on the field. In state a shown in FIG. 8, the map image is displayed in a manner that shows only the mark 204 that indicates the position and orientation of the player character 201, and does not show any other field information other than the mark 204. In this way, it is sufficient that the map image before the reference point is released is displayed in a manner that does not show at least some of the field information, and some other field information (for example, the mark 204 shown in FIG. 8) may be shown before release.

On the other hand, when the reference point (reference point 202 in the example shown in FIG. 8) is released by the player character 201, the area of the field around the reference point becomes a light-illuminated area rather than a dark area (state b shown in FIG. 8). Hereinafter, the light-illuminated area of the field will be referred to as the "illuminated area". Details will be described later, but the game system 1 displays the illuminated area in a manner that is visible to the player (see FIG. 17, etc., described later).

When a reference point is released, the area around the reference point on the map image is displayed in a manner that shows field information (state b in FIG. 8). In the example shown in FIG. 8, in addition to the mark 204 relating to the player character 201, lines indicating the shape of the terrain and a mark 205 indicating the reference point are displayed around the released reference point.

As described above, when a release event occurs, the area of the field surrounding the released reference point becomes visible, and field information for the area surrounding the reference point becomes visible on the map image. This makes it easier for the player to have the player character 201 explore the area around the released reference point. In this embodiment, one of the player's goals is to release reference points in the field, and the player progresses through the game while increasing the area that is easy to search by releasing reference points.

[2-1. Setting the open area of the map]
With reference to FIG. 9 to FIG. 14, an example of a method for setting an area (called a "released area") in which field information is displayed on a map image by releasing a reference point will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the relationship between the field corresponding plane and the judgment value when one reference point is released. Here, the field corresponding plane is a two-dimensional plane corresponding to a three-dimensional field. The field corresponding plane can be said to be a plane on which the three-dimensional field is projected in the vertical direction, and the two-dimensional position of the field corresponding plane is a position indicated by two-dimensional coordinates in the horizontal direction in the field (i.e., two-dimensional coordinates obtained by deleting the coordinates in the height direction from the three-dimensional coordinates indicating the position of the field). In FIG. 9, the field corresponding plane is shown on the upper side, and a graph showing the change in the judgment value on the field corresponding plane is shown on the lower side. Specifically, the graph shows the change in the judgment value on a straight line AB (a straight line indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 9) passing through the released reference point 211.

The judgment value is a value used to judge the released area on the field corresponding plane. In this embodiment, the game system 1 calculates a judgment value for each position on the field corresponding plane in order to judge the released area on the field corresponding plane. The judgment value is calculated for each position of a predetermined unit section on the field corresponding plane (referred to as a "calculation target position"). Specifically, a judgment is made using the judgment value for each position corresponding to each pixel on the map image.

In this embodiment, the judgment value at each calculation target position is calculated based on a reference value set at the reference point. That is, the game system 1 sets a reference value for the reference point, and calculates the judgment value at each calculation target position based on the reference value. Note that in this embodiment, the magnitude of the reference value at the reference point is set for each reference point, and the magnitude of the reference value may be different for each reference point. For example, the reference value at each reference point may be set such that the entire field becomes a released area when all reference points are released.

In this embodiment, the judgment value of a certain position calculated based on one reference point (i.e., the judgment value calculated based on a reference value set at one reference point) is calculated based on the distance from the reference point, and more specifically, is calculated so as to decrease as the distance from the reference point increases (see FIG. 9). For example, in the example shown in FIG. 9, a reference value A1 is set at the released reference point 211, and the judgment value at each calculation target position on the line AB becomes the reference value A1 at the reference point 211, and changes so as to decrease according to the distance from the reference point 211 to the position. The judgment value becomes 0 at a position where the distance is equal to or greater than a certain length. Note that the specific calculation method for determining the judgment value at each calculation target position based on the reference value is arbitrary.

In this embodiment, when only the reference point 211 is released as shown in FIG. 9, the game system 1 sets the released area taking into consideration only the judgment value based on the reference point 211. Specifically, the game system 1 sets, as the released area, an area on the field corresponding plane consisting of positions where the judgment value based on the reference point 211 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value (threshold value th in FIG. 9). As described above, the judgment value attenuates according to the distance from the reference point 211 to the position in question, so in the example shown in FIG. 9, the circular area 212 centered on the reference point 211 becomes the released area.

Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of a map image displayed when the circular area 212 shown in Figure 9 is a released area. In the above case, as shown in Figure 10, a map image is displayed in which field information is drawn for pixels corresponding to positions in the field corresponding plane where the judgment value is equal to or greater than the threshold value among the pixels of the map image. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the range in which the field information is drawn in the map image corresponds to the circular area 212. In Figure 10, a line showing the shape of the terrain is displayed as field information for the range corresponding to the area 212. Note that in this embodiment, the mark 205 showing the reference point is displayed when the player character 201 reaches the reference point, regardless of whether the position of the reference point is within the released area or not. Note that in this embodiment, the map image may be displayed on the entire screen of the display 12 as shown in Figure 10, or may be displayed on a part of the screen of the display 12 in a manner superimposed on a field image showing the field as shown in Figure 15 described later.

As described above, in this embodiment, the map image is an image that shows the field information two-dimensionally. The judgment value is a value that attenuates according to the two-dimensional distance from the two-dimensional position corresponding to the reference point (i.e., the distance on the field corresponding plane). According to the above, since the released area can be set on the two-dimensional plane, an area with high affinity with the two-dimensional map can be set with a small processing load. According to the above, the released area can be set according to the distance from the reference point (for example, so that a range within a certain distance from the reference point becomes the released area). Note that in another embodiment, the game system 1 may calculate a judgment value for each position on the three-dimensional field and set the released area on the three-dimensional field. At this time, the game system 1 determines a range corresponding to the released area in the two-dimensional map image based on the released area on the three-dimensional field, and generates a map image showing the field information within that range. Also, in another embodiment, the map may be three-dimensional, and the released area may be set on the three-dimensional map, and a map image showing the three-dimensional map may be generated and displayed.

In addition, when multiple reference points are released, the game system 1 calculates a judgment value based on each of the released reference points, and calculates the sum of the judgment values (called the "total judgment value") for each calculation target position. The released area is set based on the total judgment value. Note that, when only one reference point is released (see Figure 9), it can be said that the judgment value based on the reference value set for that reference point becomes the total judgment value.

Figure 11 is a diagram showing the relationship between the field corresponding plane and the judgment value when two reference points are released. As in Figure 9, Figure 11 also shows the field corresponding plane on the upper side, and a graph showing the change in judgment value and total judgment value on a straight line (line CD in Figure 11) that passes through the released reference points on the lower side. Note that line CD shown in Figure 11 passes through the two released reference points 211 and 213.

In the case shown in FIG. 11, the game system 1 calculates a total judgment value for each of the calculation target positions. The total judgment value is the sum of the judgment values based on the released reference points 211 and 213. That is, for each calculation target position, the game system 1 calculates a judgment value based on the reference point 211 and a judgment value based on the reference point 213. The judgment value based on the reference point 211 is calculated as a value in which the reference value A1 set for the reference point 211 attenuates according to the distance from the reference point 211 to the position. The judgment value based on the reference point 213 is calculated as a value in which the reference value A2 set for the reference point 213 attenuates according to the distance from the reference point 213 to the position. The game system 1 calculates a total judgment value for each calculation target position by adding up the judgment value based on the reference point 211 and the judgment value based on the reference point 213 for each calculation target position. In the graph at the bottom of Figure 11, the peak on the right side, indicated by a solid line, shows the change in the judgment value based on reference point 211, the peak on the left side, indicated by a solid line, shows the change in the judgment value based on reference point 213, and the curve indicated by a thick dotted line shows the change in the total judgment value.

The game system 1 sets as a released area an area on the field corresponding plane consisting of positions where the total judgment value is equal to or greater than the above-mentioned threshold value th. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the released area is area 216 (the area shown by diagonal lines in FIG. 11), which is obtained by adding area 215 connecting circular area 212 centered on reference point 211 and circular area 214 centered on reference point 213 to these two circular areas. In other words, when multiple reference points are released, the released area can be said to be generated by a two-dimensional metaball technique.

12 is a diagram showing an example of a map image displayed when the area 216 shown in FIG. 11 is a released area. As shown in FIG. 12, a map image is displayed in which field information is drawn for pixels of the map image whose total judgment value is equal to or greater than a threshold value on the field corresponding plane. The range in which the field information is drawn corresponds to the circular area 216. In FIG. 12, a line showing the shape of the terrain is displayed as the field information. In the example shown in FIG. 12, in addition to the mark 204 showing the position and direction of the player character 201, marks 205 and 221 showing the two reference points reached by the player character 201 are displayed. In this way, in this embodiment, the released area is set using the above total judgment value, so when both the reference point 211 and the reference point 213 are released, an area that is not a released area in either the case where only the reference point 211 is released or the case where only the reference point 213 is released (i.e., the area 215 shown in FIG. 11) may be set as a released area.

As described above, in this embodiment, the size of the reference value (i.e., the maximum value of the judgment value) set for each of the multiple reference points is set for each reference point. In this way, when a reference point is released, the size of the area to be set as the open area based on the reference point can be set for each reference point. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 11, by changing the size of the reference value A1 set for the reference point 211 or the reference value A2 set for the reference point 213, the size and shape of the open area when the reference points 211 and 213 are released can be changed. For example, by changing the reference value A1 and/or the reference value A2 to a smaller value, it is also possible to make the open area when the reference points 211 and 213 are released into two circular areas that are not connected to each other. Note that in other embodiments, the reference value set for each of the multiple reference points may be set to the same value. Furthermore, even if the reference values of the multiple reference points are the same, the range of the open area may be made different for each reference point by setting the calculation method of the judgment value so that the degree of attenuation according to distance differs for each reference point.

As described above, in this embodiment, the game system 1 identifies as the released area an area consisting of positions where a total judgment value obtained by adding up at least one or more judgment values based on one or more reference points that are in a released state among the multiple reference points is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (i.e., the above-mentioned threshold value th). As a result of the above, the shape and size of the released area can be varied according to the release state of each of the multiple reference points.

In the above embodiment, the game system 1 calculates the total judgment value based on the reference values set for the released reference points, but the total judgment value may also be calculated based on the reference values set for the unreleased reference points in addition to the released reference points. Below, with reference to FIG. 13, an example of calculating the total judgment value based on the reference values set for the unreleased reference points will be described.

Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of a field corresponding plane in which a released area is set when two reference points are released and one reference point is not released. In Figure 13, it is assumed that three reference points 231 to 233 are placed in the field. Also, in Figure 13, it is assumed that reference points 231 and 232 have been released, and that reference point 233, which is between reference point 231 and reference point 232, has not been released.

In the example shown in FIG. 13, for each of the released reference points 231 and 232, a reference value is set in the same manner as in the above embodiment. Here, in this modified example, for the unreleased reference point 233, a reference value different from that in the case of release is set. Hereinafter, the reference value set for the released reference point is referred to as the "first reference value," and the reference value set for the unreleased reference point is referred to as the "second reference value." That is, when the reference point 233 in FIG. 13 is released, the first reference value is set in the same manner as for the reference points 231 and 233.

9 and 11, in the example shown in FIG. 13, the game system 1 calculates a judgment value based on a first reference value (called a "first judgment value") for each calculation target position. In the example shown in FIG. 13, a first judgment value based on a first reference value set at the reference point 231 and a first judgment value based on a first reference value set at the reference point 232 are calculated for each calculation target position. Furthermore, in the example shown in FIG. 13, a judgment value based on a second reference value (called a "second judgment value") is calculated for each calculation target position. In the example shown in FIG. 13, a second judgment value based on a second reference value set at the reference point 233 is calculated for each calculation target position. The second judgment value is a value that is a second reference value at the reference point, decreases as the distance from the reference point increases, and becomes 0 at a position where the distance is equal to or greater than a certain length.

In FIG. 13, the circular dotted lines centered on reference points 231 and 232 are lines that connect positions where the first judgment value based on the first reference value is a predetermined value. Of the above dotted lines, dotted lines 234 and 235 are lines that connect positions where the first judgment value is the above-mentioned threshold value. Also, in FIG. 13, the circular dashed-dotted line centered on reference point 233 is a line that connects positions where the second judgment value based on the second reference value is a predetermined value.

13, the game system 1 calculates the total judgment value based on the second judgment value in addition to the first judgment value. Specifically, the total judgment value at the calculation target position is obtained by subtracting the sum of the second judgment values at the calculation target position from the sum of the first judgment values at the calculation target position. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the game system 1 calculates the total judgment value by subtracting the second judgment value based on the second reference value of the reference point 233 from the sum of the first judgment value based on the first reference value of the reference point 231 and the first judgment value based on the first reference value of the reference point 232. Note that the above calculation method for the total judgment value is equivalent to setting the second reference value to a negative value (as a result, the second judgment value is a negative value) and calculating the sum of the first and second judgment values. The absolute values of the first reference value and the second reference value may be the same or different. In addition, the calculation method of the first judgment value based on the first reference value and the calculation method of the second judgment value based on the second reference value may be the same or different.

In the example shown in FIG. 13, the second judgment value is subtracted from the sum of the first judgment value and the second judgment value, so that in positions affected by the second judgment value (i.e., positions where the second judgment value is a positive value), the sum judgment value is smaller than when the second judgment value is not taken into consideration (for example, in the above embodiment). Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 13, a part of the area that would be a released area when the second judgment value is not taken into consideration is not set as a released area. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the area 236 shown with diagonal lines is a released area, and the area 237 (area shown with solid lines) that would be a released area when the second judgment value is not taken into consideration is not a released area. Thus, in the example shown in FIG. 13, the absolute value of the second judgment value is large for positions near unreleased reference points, making them less likely to become released areas.

In the example shown in FIG. 13, the total judgment value is a value obtained by subtracting the sum of one or more second judgment values for one or more reference points that are in an unreleased state from the sum of one or more first judgment values for one or more reference points that are in an unreleased state. This makes it difficult for unreleased reference points and their neighboring positions to become released areas.

If the total judgment value were calculated without reflecting the second judgment value based on the unreleased reference point, for example in the case shown in FIG. 13, the position near the unreleased reference point 233 would become an open area. As a result, the map would be opened up to the position near the unreleased reference point 233 (i.e., field information would be displayed in the map image), which may result in the above-mentioned illumination range. In this case, the player's motivation to open the unreleased reference point 233 would be weakened, and the gameplay of expanding the search range by opening the reference point may be lost. In contrast, according to the above modified example, the unreleased reference point or a position near it is unlikely to become an open area, so the possibility of the motivation to open the unreleased reference point being weakened can be reduced, and the gameplay can be improved.

In this embodiment, the game system 1 generates a map mask as data indicating the above-mentioned released areas. In other words, the map mask is two-dimensional data indicating the areas of the field that are released areas. The game system 1 then uses the above-mentioned map mask to generate a map image in which field information about the released areas is indicated.

Figure 14 is a diagram showing an example of a method for generating a map image in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the game system 1 generates a map image to be displayed based on an original map image and a map mask. The original map image is an image that is used to generate the map image to be displayed, and indicates a map image that includes field information. The original map image can be said to be a map image in which the entire field is a released area.

In this embodiment, the map mask data is data indicating a map mask value for each two-dimensional position. The map mask value indicates the degree to which the original map image is reflected in order to generate the map image. For example, the map mask value is a value having a maximum value of 1 and a minimum value of 0. At this time, in pixels where the map mask value is 1, the original map image is reflected as is in the map image, and in pixels where the map mask value is 0, the map image is generated so that the original map image is not reflected. In this embodiment, the map mask value is a multi-value value ranging from 0 to 1. Details will be described later, but by making the map mask value a multi-value value, the map image can be displayed in a blurred manner near the boundary of the released area. Note that in other embodiments, the map mask value may be a binary value of 0 or 1.

The map mask value is set for each of the above-mentioned calculation target positions based on the above-mentioned total judgment value. Specifically, if the total judgment value for a certain position is greater than the first value, the map mask value for that position is set to 1, and if the total judgment value for a certain position is less than the second value, the map mask value for that position is set to 0. The second value is less than the first value and greater than the above-mentioned threshold value th. Also, if the total judgment value for a certain position is greater than the second value and less than the first value, the map mask value for that position is set to a value greater than 0 and less than 1, depending on the magnitude of the total judgment value. According to the above, the map mask value is set to 1 for positions within a range within a predetermined distance from the reference point, and is set to a value that decreases depending on the distance from the reference point for positions outside the range, and is set to 0 for positions where the total judgment value is less than the threshold value th (i.e., positions outside the release area). In the map mask shown in FIG. 14, positions where the map mask value is 1 are shown in white, positions where the map mask value is 0 are shown in black, and positions where the map mask value is an intermediate value (i.e., a value greater than 0 and less than 1) are shown in gray, with the larger the value the closer it approaches white.

上式において、Ｋ、ｔｈｒｅｓｈ、および、Ｏｖｅｒは定数であり、ｔｈｒｅｓｈは上述のしきい値ｔｈである。Ｏｉは、ｉ番目の基準地点（ｉは１からｎまでの自然数。ｎは基準地点の数を示す。）が解放済みであれば１、未解放であれば０となる変数である。Ｃｉは、ｉ番目の基準地点が解放済みであれば０、未解放であれば１となる変数である。定数ａｉは、ｉ番目の基準地点において第１基準値となる第１判定値が、距離に応じて減衰する度合いを示す定数である。上式の例では第１基準値は１となる。定数ｂｉは、ｉ番目の基準地点において第２基準値となる第２判定値が、距離に応じて減衰する度合いを示す定数である。上式の例では第２基準値は１となる。変数ｌ（ｉ，ｐ）は、ｉ番目の基準地点から位置ｐ（具体的には、上述の算出対象位置）までの長さ（具体的には、上記フィールド対応平面上での長さ）である。上記の式においては、第１判定値の合計が大き過ぎて未開放の基準地点にどれだけ近くても第２判定値の合計を減算する効果が無いという結果を避けるため、第１判定値の合計が定数Ｏｖｅｒより大きい場合は当該合計を定数Ｏｖｅｒに置き換える計算を行っている。一方、第２判定値の合計の影響が大きくなり過ぎないよう、第２判定値の合計を２乗した値を減算する計算を行っている。また、減算の結果が負になる場合は値を０とする計算を行っている。 As an example of a calculation method based on the total judgment value, the map mask value Mp may be calculated by the following formula.

In the above formula, K, thresh, and Over are constants, and thresh is the above-mentioned threshold value th. Oi is a variable that is 1 if the i-th reference point (i is a natural number from 1 to n, and n indicates the number of reference points) has been released, and is 0 if it has not been released. Ci is a variable that is 0 if the i-th reference point has been released, and is 1 if it has not been released. The constant ai is a constant that indicates the degree to which the first judgment value, which is the first reference value at the i-th reference point, attenuates according to distance. In the above formula example, the first reference value is 1. The constant bi is a constant that indicates the degree to which the second judgment value, which is the second reference value at the i-th reference point, attenuates according to distance. In the above formula example, the second reference value is 1. The variable l(i,p) is the length (specifically, the length on the above-mentioned field corresponding plane) from the i-th reference point to position p (specifically, the above-mentioned calculation target position). In the above formula, in order to avoid a result in which the sum of the first judgment values is too large and there is no effect in subtracting the sum of the second judgment values no matter how close the unopened reference point is, if the sum of the first judgment values is greater than a constant Over, the calculation replaces the sum with the constant Over. On the other hand, in order to prevent the influence of the sum of the second judgment values from becoming too large, a calculation is performed in which the square of the sum of the second judgment values is subtracted. Also, if the result of the subtraction is negative, the value is set to 0.

In the above formula, each reference value is set to 1, but as described above, the first reference value and the second reference value may be set to individual values for each reference point. For example, by using a formula in which "Oi" in the above formula is replaced with "Oi * Ai" and the constant ai is deleted, and "Ci" is replaced with "Ci * Bi" and the constant bi is deleted, the map mask value Mp can be calculated when the first reference value and the second reference value are set for each reference point. The variable Ai is the first reference value at the i-th reference point, and the variable Bi is the second reference value at the i-th reference point. In another embodiment, a formula in which "Oi" is replaced with "Oi * Ai" and "Ci" is replaced with "Ci * Bi" while leaving the constants ai and bi in the above formula may be used. In addition, when either the first reference value or the second reference value is set to a fixed value (= 1), the map mask value Mp can be calculated by using a formula in which the above replacement is performed for only either "Oi" or "Ci" in the above formula. The formula for calculating the map mask value is not limited to the above formula. In other embodiments, any formula may be used that calculates the determination value at a certain position so that it attenuates according to the distance from the reference position to the certain position (for example, the determination value is inversely proportional to the square of the distance).

The game system 1 generates a map image by combining the original map image with an image indicating an unreleased state at a ratio according to the map mask value for each pixel, with reference to the map mask. Specifically, the game system 1 generates a map image such that the original map image is reflected as is for pixels with a map mask value of 1, the original map image is not reflected for pixels with a map mask value of 0, and the original map image is reflected at a ratio according to the map mask value for pixels with an intermediate map mask value. The image indicating an unreleased state may be a single color, or may have a predetermined pattern or the like drawn on it. A grid or the like may be combined with the combined map image to make the coordinates easier to understand. As a result, the map image is displayed lightly near the boundary of the released area (specifically, at a position where the map mask value is an intermediate value) (see FIG. 14). Note that in FIG. 14, the lightly displayed parts of the map image are indicated by dotted lines.

As described above, in this embodiment, when a release event occurs, the game system 1 generates two-dimensional mask data (i.e., a map mask) that indicates the area of the field that is a released area. The game system 1 also generates a map image showing the field information of the portion that corresponds to the released area by applying the mask data to the original map image that includes the field information. This makes it possible to easily generate a map image that shows the portion of the released area. Note that in other embodiments, the specific method of generating the map image is arbitrary and is not limited to a method that uses mask data.

In this embodiment, the mask data is data that indicates, for each position within the field, a multi-value that corresponds to the magnitude of the total judgment value at that position. Furthermore, the game system 1 generates a map image by combining the original map image with an image that indicates an unreleased state for each pixel at a ratio that corresponds to the multi-value indicated by the mask data. This makes it possible to generate a map image in which the areas near the boundaries of the released areas are blurred. This makes it possible to give the released map a natural look.

[2-2. Setting the irradiation range]
An example of a method for setting the above-mentioned illumination range on the field will be described with reference to Figures 15 to 21. In this embodiment, when a predetermined illumination event occurs during the game, the illumination range is a range of the field corresponding to the illumination event. The above-mentioned release event is one of the illumination events. In this embodiment, in addition to the above-mentioned release event, a character light emission event and an item placement event may occur as illumination events. In addition to the illumination range set in response to the occurrence of an illumination event, there may also be an illumination range or the like set in advance on the field.

A character lighting event is an event in which the surroundings of the player character become the illumination range. In this embodiment, a character lighting event is an event in which the player character wears luminous clothing. A character lighting event may be, for example, an event in which the player character holds a luminous item or boards a luminous vehicle.

An item placement event is an event in which an item for which a light source is set (called a "light source item") is placed on a terrain object such as the ground in a field, and the area around the light source item becomes the illumination range.

15 is a diagram showing an example of a game image including a field image showing a field including a player character. In FIG. 15, a character light-emitting event has occurred, and no other illumination events have occurred. In this embodiment, the game system 1 generates a character light-emitting event in response to an instruction from the player (for example, in response to an operation input to equip the player character with light-emitting clothing). As shown in FIG. 15, when a character light-emitting event has occurred, the range around the player character 201 (referred to as the "character influence range") is set as the illumination range. The character influence range is, for example, a range within a predetermined distance from the position of the player character 201. In the situation shown in FIG. 15, the range outside the character influence range is not set as the illumination range, and therefore is displayed as darkness (i.e., in a manner that is invisible or difficult to see) except for the mark object 203. In addition, objects that are displayed to be visible even outside the illumination range, such as the player character 201 itself and the mark object 203 (non-target objects to be described later) will be described later.

In this embodiment, the game system 1 sets ambient light in the field, and displays the illuminated range of the character's influence by reflecting the ambient light when drawing the illuminated range. Ambient light is a light source that is set to a predetermined brightness regardless of the position in the field. Details will be described later, but in this embodiment, the game system 1 displays the range outside the illuminated range in an invisible or difficult to see manner by drawing the range without reflecting the light source (e.g., ambient light or point light source).

In this embodiment, the game system 1 displays a map image 241 in a partial area of the screen of the display 12 (here, the area at the bottom right of the screen) together with a field image showing the field. In the situation shown in FIG. 15, since a release event has not yet occurred, a map image 241 is displayed that does not include any field information other than marks indicating the position and orientation of the player character 201. In other embodiments, the map image does not have to be displayed when the field image is displayed.

As described above, in this embodiment, an example of an illumination event is an event in which the periphery of the player character becomes the illumination range based on the operation input by the player (i.e., a character light-emitting event). At this time, the game system 1 sets the position of the player character as the position of a reference point, and sets the illumination range based on the distance from the reference point so as to include a range in which the distance is equal to or less than a threshold value. This allows the periphery of the player character to be continuously displayed so as to be visible, thereby reducing the risk of a situation occurring in which it is difficult to explore the field because the periphery of the player character is completely invisible. Note that in other embodiments, the game system 1 may always set the periphery of the player character as the illumination range regardless of whether a character light-emitting event occurs. Also, in other embodiments, the game system 1 may not generate a character light-emitting event as an illumination event.

In the above, the character light emission event is an event related to the player character, but the game system 1 may execute a character light emission event for a character other than the player character (for example, a companion character of the player character or an enemy character) in addition to (or instead of) the player character, and set an illumination range for the other character as well. For example, in response to a character light emission event that changes the other character to a state in which the other character emits light on its own, the illumination range may be set based on the position of the other character.

Figure 16 is a diagram showing an example of a game image when the player character is located near a reference point. The situation shown in Figure 16 is a situation in which the player character 201 has moved from the situation shown in Figure 15 to the vicinity of an unreleased reference point 211. Note that in this embodiment, the marker object 203 is displayed so that it can be seen even when it is outside the illumination range, so the player can move the player character 201 toward the reference point 211 outside the illumination range, using the marker object 203 as a target.

16, when the player character 201 is located near the reference point 211 (specifically, within a range within a predetermined distance from the reference point 211), the player character 201 can perform an action to release the reference point 211. That is, in the above case, the game system 1 accepts an operation input for releasing the reference point 211, and releases the reference point 211 in response to the operation input being performed by the player. In this embodiment, the above operation input is an input for executing a "search" command (i.e., a command for causing the player character 201 to perform an action to search the vicinity), and specifically, an input for pressing the A button 53 of the right controller 4. In the above case, in order to notify the player that the above operation input is in a state in which it is possible to perform the above operation input, the game system 1 displays a command image 242 indicating that the above command can be executed (see FIG. 16). In addition, to make it easier to perform the above operations after reaching the reference point 211, a limited range, such as directly below the landmark object 203, may be set as a preset illumination range (i.e., set regardless of whether an illumination event occurs).

When an operational input is made to release the reference point 211, the game system 1 sets the area around the reference point 211 as the illumination area. At this time, in this embodiment, the game system 1 displays an animation of an event scene indicating the release event. For example, as the event scene, an animation showing the area around the reference point 211 gradually becoming brighter is displayed.

Figure 17 is a diagram showing an example of a game image showing the field after the reference point has been released. As shown in Figure 17, when a release event occurs in which the reference point 211 is released, the area around the reference point 211 is set as an illuminated area, and this area is displayed so that it can be seen. In Figure 17, the hills around the reference point 211 are displayed so that they can be seen, and are included in the illuminated area, while the area beyond the hills is outside the illuminated area and remains displayed in an unseen manner. In the situation shown in Figure 17, the map around the reference point 211 is released due to the reference point 211 being released (i.e., a released area including the reference point 211 is set), and therefore the map image 241 includes field information for the area within the released area.

Note that the mark object 203, which was visible even outside the illumination range, is displayed so as to be visible even within the illumination range. Here, in this embodiment, the game system 1 further sets a point light source at a predetermined position in the field, for example, at the position of the mark object 203, in response to the occurrence of a release event. Although details will be described later, in the drawing process, the game system 1 draws the part of the terrain object included in the illumination range by further reflecting the point light source. Therefore, the periphery of the mark object 203 is drawn by reflecting the ambient light and the point light source, and is displayed brighter than the part of the illumination range where only the ambient light is drawn. In other words, it is possible to express brightness based on the point light source while ensuring visibility of a predetermined range. Note that in FIG. 17, the part within the illumination range where the light from the point light source set at the position of the mark object 203 is particularly reflected and is bright is shown in a white area, and the part of the illumination range where the influence of the point light source is small is shown in a shaded area. The point light source described above makes it easier for the player to recognize that a release event has occurred.

The illumination range that is set in response to the occurrence of a release event as an illumination event is set based on the reference point that corresponds to the release event. A method for setting the illumination range in response to the occurrence of a release event will be described with reference to Figures 18 and 19.

Figure 18 is a top view of the field when one reference point is released. The situation shown in Figure 18 is the situation in which the reference point 211 shown in Figure 9 is released. In this embodiment, the game system 1 sets the illumination range based on the released area (area 212 in Figure 18) based on the released reference point and the point influence range corresponding to the reference point (point influence range 251 in Figure 18). Note that the "point influence range corresponding to the reference point" is a range that is predetermined for each reference point. In this embodiment, a range within a predetermined distance from the reference point is set as the point influence range. Note that this predetermined distance is set for each reference point and may be a different value for each reference point or may be the same value for each reference point. For example, the point influence range at each reference point may be set so that a part of the field is outside the point influence range even when all reference points are released, or in this case, the entire field may be set to be within the point influence range. In the former case, there will be a part of the field that is outside the illumination range even when all reference points are released.

In this embodiment, the game system 1 sets the range of the field that is within the point influence range and the released area as the illumination range. In the example shown in FIG. 18, the released area 212 is inside the point influence range 251, so the same range as the released area 212 is the illumination range. Note that in FIG. 18, the area outside the illumination range is indicated by a hatched area. In this embodiment, the point influence range is set for each reference point as described above, and is set independently of the released area corresponding to the point influence range. Therefore, the point influence range may be set larger than the released area corresponding to the point influence range (i.e., so that the released area is included in the point influence range), smaller than the released area (i.e., so that the point influence range is included in the released area), or the same as the released area. Note that the "released area corresponding to the reference point" is the released area that is set when only the reference point is released.

The illumination range may be set in any manner so as to include at least a portion of the open area. For example, in other embodiments, the game system 1 may set the open area as the illumination range as is, or may set the illumination range to a range inside at least one of the open area and the point influence range.

Figure 19 shows a top view of the field when two reference points are released. The situation shown in Figure 19 is when reference points 211 and 213 shown in Figure 11 are released.

When two reference points 211 and 213 are released as shown in FIG. 19, a released area 216 shown by a dotted line in FIG. 19 is set, as shown in FIG. 11. Also, as described above, the game system 1 sets the range within the point influence range corresponding to the released reference points and also within the released area as the illumination range. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 19, the illumination range is the range inside at least either the point influence range 251 corresponding to the reference point 211 or the point influence range 252 corresponding to the reference point 213, and also inside the released area 216. Note that in FIG. 19, the area outside the illumination range is shown by a shaded area.

19, the point influence range 251 is set to be larger than the released area when only the reference point 211 is released (i.e., the area 212 shown in FIG. 18), and the point influence range 252 is set to be larger than the released area when only the reference point 213 is released. Therefore, when the two reference points 211 and 213 are released, the range that would not be the illumination range when only one of the reference points 211 or 213 is released also becomes the illumination range. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 19, the point influence ranges 251 and 252 are set to overlap with each other partially, so that when the two reference points 211 and 213 are released, one continuous illumination range is set from the reference point 211 to the reference point 213. According to the above, by releasing the two reference points 211 and 213, the player can easily explore the field between these two reference points 211 and 213.

On the other hand, for two other reference points different from reference points 211 and 213, the point influence range corresponding to the reference point may be set to be the same as or smaller than the released area when only the reference point is released. In this case, unlike the example shown in FIG. 19, even if the above two reference points are released, the illumination range is not set to be continuous across the two reference points, and two discontinuous illumination ranges are set.

As described above, in this embodiment, the point influence range is set independently of the released area, and the illumination range is set based on the released area and the point influence range, allowing the size and shape of the illumination range to be freely set. For example, when two reference points are released, it is possible to set the illumination range so that it is continuous across the two reference points, or it is also possible to set two discontinuous illumination ranges.

In addition, although details will be described later, in this embodiment, the game system 1 displays the illumination range set by the release event so that the illumination range is visible using the above-mentioned ambient light.

As described above, in this embodiment, an example of an illumination event is an event (i.e., a release event) that occurs when a predetermined operation input is performed when the player character is located at an event occurrence position (i.e., a reference position) set in the field. At this time, the game system 1 sets the illumination range so that it includes a predetermined range including the event occurrence position (specifically, the range of a release area based on a reference point, or a point influence range). This makes it possible to provide a game in which the illumination range is expanded as the player character reaches the event occurrence position. At this time, the shape of the illumination range may be a shape based on the distance from the event occurrence position as described above, or in other embodiments, it may be a predetermined shape including the event occurrence position.

In this embodiment, the illumination range is also set by an item placement event. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a game image showing a field on which a light source item is placed. The situation shown in FIG. 20 is a situation in which a light source item 261 is placed in a position outside the illumination range in the field. The light source item 261 is an object in which a light source (specifically, a point light source) is set at the position of the item. In this embodiment, the player character 201 can place a predetermined light source item on the field. The player character 201 places the light source item on the ground, for example, by placing the light source item on the ground under the feet of the player character 201, throwing it, or shooting it with a bow and arrow. In this embodiment, the player character 201 can possess the light source item as an item, and can place the light source item on the ground at the timing desired by the player. In other embodiments, items such as torches and candles may be used as light source items.

When a light source item 261 is placed on the ground in the field, the game system 1 sets the range around the light source item (referred to as the "item influence range") as the illumination range. The item influence range is, for example, a range within a predetermined distance from the position of the light source item 261. In the example shown in FIG. 20, the light source item 261 is placed in a position outside the illumination range in the field, so that the item influence range based on that position becomes the illumination range, and the field within that range is displayed visibly. In this way, in this embodiment, the player can expand the visible range in the field by placing a light source item in addition to releasing the reference point. For example, when the player character 201 advances through a dark area (i.e., an area outside the illumination range) toward an unreleased reference point, the player can advance through the field while ensuring visibility by placing a light source item in that area.

In this embodiment, for the illumination range set by the item placement event (i.e., the item influence range), the game system 1 draws the game image by reflecting the point light source set at the position of the light source item. In other words, for the illumination range set by the item placement event, drawing is performed taking into account the point light source in addition to the above-mentioned ambient light. Details of the game image drawing process will be described later.

Figure 21 is a diagram showing an example of a game image showing a field when a light source item is placed within the illumination range of a release event. In this case, the item influence range of the light source item 261 is drawn reflecting the ambient light and point light sources, so it is displayed brighter than the area outside the item influence range that is within the illumination range of the release event. Note that in Figure 21, the area within the illumination range that is outside the item influence range is shown as a shaded area, and the item influence range is shown as a white area. As described above, according to this embodiment, the player can easily recognize that the light source item 261 has been placed.

As shown in FIG. 21, when a light source item 261 is placed within the illumination range caused by a release event, the game system 1 sets the item influence range of the light source item 261 as the illumination range, just as when the light source item is placed outside the illumination range. However, if the entire item influence range is within the range that has already been set as the illumination range, the illumination range on the field will not change as a result.

As explained above for the three types of illumination events (i.e., character illumination events, release events, and item placement events), in this embodiment, at least a light source (specifically, ambient light) is set within the field, to which a predetermined brightness is set regardless of the position within the field. Then, in the drawing process, the game system 1 draws the portions of at least some of the terrain objects (e.g., the ground objects shown in FIG. 17) in the field that are included in the illumination range, reflecting the light source. This ensures a constant brightness for the illumination range, so that the illumination range can be displayed in an easy-to-see manner (e.g., without being displayed darkly due to the shadows of the terrain) regardless of the shape of the field's terrain, etc.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a point light source is set in addition to the above-mentioned ambient light. That is, the game system 1 further sets a point light source in the field in response to the occurrence of a specified event (specifically, a release event and an item placement event). Furthermore, in the drawing process, the game system 1 draws the parts of at least some of the terrain objects in the field that are included in the illumination range by further reflecting the point light source. This makes it easier for the player to recognize that the above-mentioned specified event has occurred and that the field has become brighter as a result of the occurrence of the specified event.

The type of light source set in the field is arbitrary. In other embodiments, for example, a light source having a shape other than a point light source may be set in the field together with ambient light. Also, no point light source may be placed, and only ambient light may be set in the field.

In addition, in this embodiment, the above-mentioned specified event is an event in which a specified item (specifically, a light source item) is placed on the field. At this time, the game system 1 sets the position of a reference point based on the position where the above-mentioned item is placed, and sets an illumination range based on the distance from the reference point so as to include a range where the distance is equal to or less than a threshold value (i.e., the item influence range). This makes it easier for the player to set the illumination range to a desired position by placing the item.

Note that "an event in which a specific item is placed on the field" does not only refer to an event that occurs when a specific item is simply placed on the field, but also includes an event that occurs when a specific item is placed on the field under certain conditions. For example, "an event in which a specific item is placed on the field" may be an event that is conditioned on a specific impact being applied to the item placed on the field. The above condition may be that a specific impact is applied when the specific item falls onto the field, or that a specific impact is applied by another object to the specific item placed on the field.

The event for which the point light source is set is not limited to an item placement event, and may be another type of event. For example, in another embodiment, the game system 1 may set a point light source at the position of the player character 201 in response to the occurrence of a character lighting event, and may visibly display the illumination range by drawing the character's influence range reflecting the point light source.

As explained above for the three types of illumination events (i.e., character light emission events, release events, and item placement events), in this embodiment, a reference point for the illumination range is set in virtual space in response to the occurrence of a specific event (specifically, an illumination event). Then, based on the distance from the reference point, the illumination range is set so as to include a range where the distance is equal to or less than a threshold value. In this way, in response to the occurrence of an event, the position corresponding to the event and its surroundings can be set as the illumination range.

Note that the above "range where the distance is equal to or less than the threshold" refers to the character's range of influence in a character lighting event, the location's range of influence or the range of the released area in a release event, and the item's range of influence in an item placement event.

In addition, in this embodiment, the "reference point of the illumination range" is the position of the player character 201 in a character light emission event, the position of the reference point in a release event, and the position of the light source item in an item placement event. However, the "reference point of the illumination range" does not have to be these positions exactly, and may be a position determined based on these positions. For example, the "reference point of the illumination range" may be a position slightly shifted from the position of the player character 201, the position of the reference point, or the position of the light source item.

In addition, in this embodiment, the illumination range set in response to the occurrence of an illumination event may be controlled to gradually expand from the time of the occurrence. That is, after the above-mentioned reference point is set in response to the occurrence of an illumination event, the game system 1 may expand the illumination range by increasing the above-mentioned threshold value for determining the illumination range as time passes. Note that the above-mentioned threshold value is a distance threshold value set for the character influence range in a character illumination event, a distance threshold value set for the point influence range in a release event, and a distance threshold value set for the item influence range in an item placement event. According to this, when an illumination event occurs, it is possible to display the state in which the bright area in the field gradually expands. Note that, in the above, the illumination range is controlled to stop expanding after a predetermined time has elapsed. Also, the game system 1 does not need to gradually expand the illumination range for all illumination events, and may control the illumination range to gradually expand for predetermined events (e.g., release events and item placement events) among the illumination events.

As described above, in this embodiment, a specific object is displayed so as to be visible even when the object is located outside the illumination range. Hereinafter, such objects are referred to as "non-target objects." Specifically, in this embodiment, non-target objects are characters of a specific type and self-luminous objects. More specifically, the characters of a specific type are player characters and enemy characters. Furthermore, a self-luminous object is an object that is set in the drawing settings to be displayed as if it is glowing. For example, the above-mentioned marker object 203 is a self-luminous object.

As will be described in detail later, when rendering game images, the game system 1 renders non-target objects based on rendering settings that are preset for the non-target objects, even if the non-target objects are located outside the illumination range, rather than rendering settings that do not reflect the above-mentioned light source. In this embodiment, when a character of a predetermined type is located outside the illumination range, the character is rendered visibly with a shadow added. Therefore, the character of the predetermined type is displayed so as to be distinguishable from other objects outside the illumination range, which are displayed as darkness.

In addition, even if a self-luminous object is located outside the illumination range, it is rendered based on the rendering settings, such as the emission, set for that object. As a result, the self-luminous object, such as the marker object 203 shown in FIG. 15, is displayed in a manner that makes it distinguishable from other objects outside the illumination range that are displayed as darkness.

As described above, in this embodiment, an illumination event is an event (i.e., a release event) that occurs when a predetermined operation input is performed when the player character is located at an event occurrence position set in association with a reference point in the field. As shown in Figures 15 and 16, marker objects, which are self-luminous objects, are placed in positions in the field corresponding to each of a plurality of reference points (for example, positions above the reference points). Regardless of whether the marker object is included in the illumination range, the game system 1 draws the marker object so that it is displayed in a manner that can be distinguished from other objects that are not included in the illumination range. This makes it easier for the player to move the player character toward a reference point outside the illumination range by targeting the marker object.

[2-3. Image generation processing]
Next, an example of a method for generating a game image in which the part of the field outside the illumination range is displayed in darkness (i.e., in a manner that is invisible or difficult to see) will be described. In this embodiment, the game system 1 draws objects within the illumination range by reflecting the light source set in the field, while for objects outside the illumination range (excluding the above-mentioned non-target objects), the light source is not reflected and pixels corresponding to the objects are drawn in black. This makes it possible to make objects outside the illumination range invisible, effectively giving the player an incentive to release the reference point in order to explore the field. A specific example of a method for generating a game image will be described below.

In this embodiment, the game system 1 draws game images using a method based on deferred rendering (also called deferred shading or delayed shading). That is, the game system 1 executes the drawing process during one frame through the first to third stages described below.

In the first stage, the game system 1 writes information used for drawing each object (including character objects and terrain objects) in the virtual space into a G buffer (geometry buffer). For each pixel to be drawn, information such as normal information for the polygon corresponding to that pixel and color information set for the polygon corresponding to that pixel is written into the G buffer. In this embodiment, in addition to this information, coordinates indicating the position on the field corresponding to the pixel and information indicating that the pixel is a pixel where a non-target object is to be drawn are also stored in the G buffer. Also, in the first stage, the game system 1 writes depth information of the position on the field into the depth buffer for each pixel corresponding to that position.

In the second stage, the game system 1 writes information about lighting to the light buffer based on the information written to the G buffer and the depth buffer, and on the information about the light source set in the field. For example, information indicating the brightness of the corresponding position on the field is written to the light buffer for each pixel to be drawn. Note that in other embodiments, the game system 1 performs calculations related to lighting in the second stage, but in other embodiments, calculations related to lighting may be performed in the third stage described below, in which drawing is performed in the frame buffer.

In addition, in this embodiment, in the second stage, the game system 1 generates data of a darkness mask. The darkness mask is data indicating whether or not the position on the field corresponding to each pixel to be drawn is a position to be drawn as darkness (i.e., a position outside the illumination range), or the degree to which it is drawn as darkness, for each pixel. In this embodiment, the darkness mask indicates a darkness mask value indicating the degree to which each pixel is drawn in a color representing darkness (as described above, in this embodiment, black). For example, the darkness mask value is a value between 0 and 1, and is set to 1 for pixels drawn in a color representing darkness, and is set to 0 for pixels in which the color representing darkness is not reflected. In addition, when the darkness mask value is an intermediate value (i.e., a value greater than 0 and less than 1), the intermediate value takes a larger value the greater the degree to which the color representing darkness is reflected in the pixel. In this embodiment, for pixels corresponding to positions outside the illumination range, the darkness mask value is set to 1, and for pixels corresponding to positions within the illumination range, the darkness mask value is set to a value less than 1. Therefore, it can be said that the darkness mask is data indicating the illumination range in the field. The details will be described later, but the darkness mask is generated based on the illumination range in the virtual space and the coordinate data indicating the position on the field stored in the G buffer. Furthermore, the pixels corresponding to the pixels where the above-mentioned non-target objects are drawn are set to values that do not reflect darkness. Note that in other embodiments, the darkness mask value may be set to a predetermined value or more (this predetermined value is greater than 0 and less than 1) for pixels corresponding to positions outside the illumination range, and the darkness mask value may be set to a value less than the predetermined value for pixels corresponding to positions within the illumination range. Also, in this embodiment, the darkness mask value is a multi-value value ranging from 0 to 1, but in other embodiments, the darkness mask value may be a binary value of 0 or 1.

In the third stage, the game system 1 writes pixel values of a field image showing a field reflecting the effects of light from a light source and darkness into the frame buffer based on the information written in each buffer (i.e., the G buffer, the depth buffer, and the light buffer) and the darkness mask. That is, the game system 1 writes pixel values reflecting the light source in the virtual space based on the information in the G buffer and the light buffer, and overwritten with black based on the darkness mask into the frame buffer.

Figure 22 is a diagram showing an example of a method for generating a field image to be written to a frame buffer. As shown in Figure 22, the pixel value of each pixel of the field image is calculated based on the color information stored in the G buffer, the brightness information stored in the light buffer, and the darkness mask value of the darkness mask. First, by reflecting the brightness information stored in the light buffer, a field image reflecting light from a light source can be obtained. In other words, a field image that is expressed as if it is illuminated by ambient light or light from a point light source can be obtained. Furthermore, by using a darkness mask, a field image that is expressed in darkness outside the illumination range can be generated (see Figure 22). As a result of the above, the game system 1 can obtain a field image that is expressed as if it is illuminated by ambient light or light from a point light source within the illumination range, and that is expressed in darkness outside the illumination range.

For the darkness mask shown in FIG. 22, positions where the darkness mask value is 1 are shown in black, positions where the darkness mask value is 0 are shown in white, and positions where the darkness mask value is an intermediate value are shown in gray, with the larger the value, the closer to black the dark mask value becomes. For the illumination range based on a character light emission event or an item placement event, the darkness mask value is set to 0 for pixels corresponding to positions within a specified distance from the reference point of the illumination range, and gradually increases according to the distance from the reference point for pixels corresponding to positions farther away from the reference point than the specified distance, and to 1 for pixels corresponding to positions outside the illumination range. Note that the reference point of the illumination range is the reference position for the illumination range, and specifically, for the illumination range based on a release event, it is the reference position, for the illumination range based on a character light emission event, it is the position of the player character, and for the illumination range based on an item placement event, it is the position of the light source item.

For the illumination range based on the release event, the game system 1 calculates two-dimensional range data used to calculate a darkness mask value, and generates a darkness mask based on the two-dimensional range data and the horizontal plane component of the coordinate data indicating a position on the field stored in the G buffer. The two-dimensional range data is data indicating a degree value used to calculate a darkness mask value for each two-dimensional position on the above-mentioned field corresponding plane. It can be said that the two-dimensional range data is data indicating the illumination range on the field. Note that in this embodiment, the above-mentioned two-dimensional range data relating to a position on a two-dimensional plane is generated as data indicating the illumination range, but in other embodiments, the data indicating the illumination range may be data indicating a three-dimensional field position.

The degree value is a value that indicates the degree to which the image is drawn dark in the drawing process, similar to the darkness mask value. For example, the degree value is maximum at the reference point of the illumination range, gradually decreases according to the distance from the reference point, and changes to 0 outside the illumination range. Therefore, the degree value can be calculated based on a value that attenuates according to the distance from the reference point of the illumination range. In this embodiment, the illumination range based on the release event is set based on the release area set based on the above-mentioned total determination value and the point influence range based on the distance from the reference point. Therefore, the degree value for the illumination range based on the release event can be calculated based on the above-mentioned total determination value and a value that attenuates according to the distance from the reference point.

Next, the game system 1 calculates a darkness mask value for each pixel based on the degree value at each position corresponding to each pixel. For example, the degree value can be scaled to a range of 0 to 1, and the scaled value can be subtracted from 1 to obtain the darkness mask value. By using the darkness mask value calculated in the above manner, a darkness mask that reflects the illumination range based on the release event can be generated. Note that if the range of the release area and the point influence range are to be the same, the above-mentioned map mask may be used as the two-dimensional range data.

As described above, in this embodiment, the game system 1 generates two-dimensional range data that shows the illuminated range in the field in a planar manner based on the occurrence of a release event, so that at least the range in the field that corresponds to the event occurrence position (i.e., the position of the reference point) becomes the illuminated range, and generates a darkness mask based on the two-dimensional range data.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the game system 1 generates a darkness mask in the second stage of the drawing process so as to reflect the illumination range based on the position of the player character and the illumination range based on the position of the point light source set for the light source item. This generates a darkness mask that reflects each illumination event (i.e., release event, character light emission event, and item placement event).

The method of calculating the darkness mask value is arbitrary and is not limited to the above method. For example, in another embodiment, the game system 1 may directly generate a darkness mask in the drawing process without generating the above two-dimensional range data. That is, in the second stage of the drawing process, the game system 1 may generate a darkness mask that reflects the illumination range based on the release event based on the total judgment value for each position on the field corresponding to the pixel and a value that attenuates according to the distance from the reference point.

As described above, in this embodiment, the game system 1 generates mask data (i.e., darkness mask data) for each pixel of at least some terrain objects in the drawing process, which at least indicates whether or not the position of the terrain object corresponding to the pixel is included in the illumination range. Then, for pixels in which the mask data indicates that the position of the terrain object is included in the illumination range, drawing is performed in the frame buffer reflecting the light source. Furthermore, for pixels in which the mask data indicates that the position of the terrain object is not included in the illumination range, drawing is performed in the frame buffer in a predetermined color. In this way, by using the mask data, it is possible to generate a field image in which the outside of the illumination range is represented in a manner that is impossible or difficult to see. The predetermined color is, for example, black. However, it is not limited to black, and it may be gray or another color. Furthermore, it is not limited to a single color, and it may be drawn as an image having a predetermined pattern.

In this embodiment, the mask data indicates the degree to which the predetermined color is drawn for each pixel. In the drawing process, the game system 1 writes a pixel value, which is a composite of a predetermined color according to the degree, to the pixel value calculated reflecting the light source (i.e., a pixel value based on the color information stored in the G buffer and the brightness information stored in the light buffer) and the pixel value calculated reflecting the light source into the frame buffer. This allows the degree of darkness to be expressed in multiple stages. For example, as described above, by setting the degree value to be maximum at the reference point of the illumination range, gradually decreasing according to the distance from the reference point, and 0 outside the illumination range, a field image can be generated in which the darkness gradually becomes darker at the boundary of the illumination range (see FIG. 22).

In this embodiment, the game system 1 generates two-dimensional range data indicating a degree value indicating the degree to which the field is drawn dark in the drawing process for each two-dimensional coordinate corresponding to a coordinate component other than the height direction of the field. The game system 1 calculates the degree value based on the total judgment value and a value that becomes a reference value at a two-dimensional position corresponding to a reference point at each of the coordinates and attenuates according to the two-dimensional distance from the two-dimensional position to the coordinate. In the drawing process, for each pixel drawn in the frame buffer, a pixel value calculated by reflecting the light source set in the field and a predetermined color (i.e., black) is written to the frame buffer according to the degree value at the two-dimensional coordinate corresponding to the pixel indicated by the two-dimensional range data (also called according to the darkness mask value based on the degree value). According to the above, the predetermined color can be reflected in a stepwise manner in the image showing the field. This allows a field image to be generated so that it becomes gradually darker near the boundary of the illumination range, for example, so that a field image that looks more natural can be generated.

In this embodiment, the game system 1 draws the above-mentioned non-target objects not in black, which represents darkness, but in a method set for each object. Specifically, in the first stage, the game system 1 writes exclusion mask data for the above-mentioned non-target objects to the G buffer. The exclusion mask is data indicating pixels corresponding to the positions of the non-target objects. It can be said that the exclusion mask indicates that the application of the darkness mask is excluded for pixels corresponding to the non-target objects. The game system 1 writes data indicating the drawing method set for the non-target objects (for example, that the objects are self-luminous or that a specified shade is applied) to the G buffer.

In addition, in the above-mentioned third stage of the drawing process, the game system 1 draws the pixels indicated by the above-mentioned exclusion mask using the method set for non-target objects, regardless of the darkness mask value of the darkness mask. As a result, non-target objects are not drawn as darkness even if they are outside the illumination range, but are drawn using the set method. Note that in the above-mentioned second stage, a value indicating that the pixels indicated by the above-mentioned exclusion mask are not darkness may be written into the darkness mask.

As described above, in this embodiment, in the first stage of the drawing process, the game system 1 writes non-target objects to the G buffer and depth buffer for each pixel, and generates the exclusion mask data. Then, in the third stage of the drawing process, the game system 1 draws the pixels indicated by the exclusion mask data in a manner that allows the non-target objects to be distinguished from parts of the terrain object that are not included in the illumination range (for example, in a manner that makes them appear to be self-luminous, or in a manner that casts a predetermined shadow). In this way, the game system 1 can display non-target objects in a manner that allows them to be seen even if they are outside the illumination range.

As described above, in this embodiment, the game system 1 renders objects outside the illumination range as darkness by a rendering process based on so-called deferred rendering. That is, in the first stage, the game system 1 writes at least some of the terrain objects in the field to the G buffer and the depth buffer. In the second stage, the game system 1 generates darkness mask data for each pixel based on the position corresponding to the pixel, the depth value stored in the depth buffer, and the illumination range. In the third stage, the game system 1 renders in the frame buffer based on at least the data stored in the G buffer and the darkness mask data. As described above, the game system 1 can apply the deferred rendering technique to render objects outside the illumination range in a manner that is invisible or difficult to see.

In other embodiments, the method for rendering objects outside the illumination range as darkness is arbitrary and is not limited to the rendering process based on deferred rendering. In other embodiments, the rendering process may be performed based on forward rendering (also called forward shading). That is, in the rendering process, the game system 1 may determine for each pixel whether or not at least some of the terrain objects (e.g., objects excluding the above-mentioned non-target objects) are included in the illumination range, and may render the pixels included in the illumination range to the frame buffer by reflecting the light source, and render the pixels not included in the illumination range to the frame buffer in a predetermined color (e.g., black). According to the above, the game system 1 can render objects outside the illumination range in an invisible or difficult-to-visible manner based on forward rendering.

3. Specific examples of processing in a game system
Next, a specific example of information processing in the game system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

Figure 23 is a diagram showing an example of a storage area that stores various data used for information processing in the game system 1. Each storage area shown in Figure 23 is provided in a storage medium accessible by the main unit 2 (e.g., flash memory 84, DRAM 85, and/or a memory card inserted in slot 23, etc.). As shown in Figure 23, the storage medium is provided with a game program area in which a game program is stored. The game program is for executing the game processing in this embodiment (specifically, the game processing shown in Figure 24). The storage medium is also provided with the above-mentioned G buffer, depth buffer, write buffer, and frame buffer.

The storage medium also has a darkness mask data area for storing the darkness mask data described above. The exclusion mask data described above is stored in the G buffer. The storage medium also has a processing data area for storing various data used in game processing. The processing data area stores, for example, the map mask data described above. The processing data area also stores object data (for example, data indicating the position and orientation of an object) related to various objects (for example, a player character or a light source item) that appear in the game.

Figure 24 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of game processing executed by the game system 1. Execution of the game processing is started, for example, when the game program is being executed and the game is started in response to an instruction from the player. Note that in this embodiment, the game processing has processing modes including a field mode in which a field image showing a field is displayed, a map display mode in which the above-mentioned map image is displayed over the entire display 12, and a menu display mode in which a menu image is displayed. The processing mode at the start of the game is arbitrary, but here it is set to the field mode, for example.

In this embodiment, the processor 81 of the main unit 2 executes the game program stored in the game system 1 to execute the processing of each step shown in FIG. 24. However, in other embodiments, some of the processing of each step may be executed by a processor (e.g., a dedicated circuit, etc.) other than the processor 81. In addition, if the game system 1 is capable of communicating with another information processing device (e.g., a server), some of the processing of each step shown in FIG. 24 may be executed in the other information processing device. In addition, the processing of each step shown in FIG. 24 is merely an example, and the processing order of each step may be changed, or another process may be executed in addition to (or instead of) the processing of each step, as long as the same result is obtained.

The processor 81 also executes the processing of each step shown in FIG. 24 using a memory (e.g., DRAM 85). That is, the processor 81 stores information (in other words, data) obtained by each processing step in memory, and when using the information in a subsequent processing step, reads the information from the memory and uses it.

In step S1 shown in FIG. 14, the processor 81 acquires the above-mentioned operation data indicating an instruction by the player. That is, the processor 81 acquires the operation data received from each controller via the controller communication unit 83 and/or each terminal 17 and 21. Following step S1, the process of step S2 is executed.

In step S2, the processor 81 determines whether or not an event scene such as a release event is being executed. As described above, in this embodiment, in response to the occurrence of a release event, playback of an animation of an event scene indicating the release event is started (see step S26 described below). In step S2, the processor 81 determines whether or not the animation of the event scene is being played. If the determination result of step S2 is positive, the process of step S3 is executed. On the other hand, if the determination result of step S2 is negative, the process of step S4 is executed.

In step S3, the processor 81 advances the event scene being executed. That is, the processor 81 displays an image of the animation of the event scene on the display 12. Note that in one step S3, one frame of image is displayed, and the processing of step S3 is repeatedly executed while the event scene is being executed, thereby playing the animation. The drawing processing during the event may be the same as that in the field mode in which the field image is displayed, but a different drawing processing may be executed when expressing a different scene. The specific content of this different drawing processing is arbitrary, and details are omitted. Note that in this embodiment, the image generated by the game system 1 is displayed on the display 12, but the image may be displayed on another display device (for example, the stationary monitor described above). Following step S3, the processing of step S12, which will be described later, is executed.

In step S4, processor 81 determines whether or not the game is in a map display mode in which a map image is displayed. Although details will be described later, in this embodiment, the map display mode is started in response to a map display instruction being given by the player during field mode in which a field image is displayed (see step S22 described later). If the determination result of step S4 is positive, the process of step S5 is executed. On the other hand, if the determination result of step S4 is negative, the process of step S6 is executed.

In step S5, the processor 81 causes the display 12 to display a map image. That is, the processor 81 generates a map image according to the method described in "[2-1. Setting the open area of the map]" above, and causes the display 12 to display the generated map image. In step S5 (i.e., in the map display mode), the field image is not displayed, and the map image is displayed in the entire area of the display 12 (see Figures 10 and 12). Also, in the map display mode, the processor 81 accepts an instruction to end the display of the map image, and when this instruction is given, the processing mode is switched to the field mode. In this case, the determination result in the above step S4, which is executed next, is negative, and the field image is displayed in step S11, which will be described later. Following step S5, the processing of step S12, which will be described later, is executed.

In step S6, processor 81 determines whether or not the game is in a menu display mode in which a menu image is displayed. Although details will be described later, in this embodiment, the menu display mode is started in response to a menu display instruction being given by the player during field mode in which a field image is displayed (see step S22 described later). If the determination result of step S6 is positive, the process of step S7 is executed. On the other hand, if the determination result of step S6 is negative, the process of step S8 is executed.

In step S7, the processor 81 displays the menu image on the display 12. Here, in this embodiment, the processor 81 accepts, in the menu display mode, at least an operation input for an instruction to change the player character's equipment among various operations. That is, the player can change the player character's equipment in the menu image, for example, to equip the player character with the above-mentioned glowing clothes. Although omitted in the flowchart shown in FIG. 24, in the menu display mode, an operation input for various instructions to the menu image (for example, an instruction to change the player character's equipment, an instruction to use an item, etc.) is accepted, and the processor 81 appropriately changes and displays the contents of the menu image in response to the operation input. In addition, in the menu display mode, the processor 81 accepts an instruction to end the display of the menu image, and when the instruction is given, the processing mode is switched to the field mode. In this case, the determination result in the above step S6 executed next is negative, and a field image is displayed in step S11 described later. Following step S7, the processing of step S12 described later is executed.

In step S8, the processor 81 executes a player-related control process. In the player-related control process, various processes (e.g., control processes related to the player character) are executed based on operation input by the player. Details of the player-related control process will be explained later with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 25. Following step S8, the process of step S9 is executed.

In step S9, the processor 81 executes another object control process. In the other object control process, other objects (e.g., enemy characters, the above-mentioned light source items, etc.) other than the player character are controlled. Details of the other object control process will be explained later with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 26. Following step S9, the process of step S10 is executed.

In step S10, the processor 81 executes a drawing process of a field image showing a field. In the drawing process of the field image, as described above, a field image is generated in which the area outside the illumination range is shown in darkness. Details of the drawing process will be described later with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 27. Following step S10, the process of step S11 is executed.

In step S11, the processor 81 causes the display 12 to display the field image generated in step S10. Note that, as shown in FIG. 15 etc., in the field mode, the processor 81 may generate a map image in addition to the field image and display the map image superimposed on the field image. Following step S11, the process of step S12 is executed.

In step S12, processor 81 determines whether or not to end the game. For example, processor 81 determines to end the game when a predetermined operation input for ending the game is performed by the player. If the determination result in step S12 is negative, the process of step S1 is executed again. Thereafter, the series of processes from step S1 to S12 is repeatedly executed until it is determined in step S12 that the game is to end. On the other hand, if the determination result in step S12 is positive, processor 81 ends the game process shown in FIG. 24.

Figure 25 is a sub-flowchart showing an example of a detailed flow of the player-related control process of step S8 shown in Figure 24. In the player-related control process, first, in step S21, the processor 81 determines whether or not an instruction to switch the above-mentioned processing mode has been given by the player, based on the operation data acquired in step S1. An instruction to switch the processing mode is, specifically, an instruction to display a map image, or an instruction to display a menu image. If the determination result of step S21 is positive, the process of step S22 is executed. On the other hand, if the determination result of step S21 is negative, the process of step S23 is executed.

In step S22, processor 81 switches the processing mode in response to the instruction given in step S21. That is, if an instruction to display a map image is given, processor 81 switches the processing mode to the map display mode. In this case, the determination result in the next step S4 is positive, and processing to display a map image is executed in step S5. Also, if an instruction to display a menu image is given, processor 81 switches the processing mode to the menu display mode. In this case, the determination result in the next step S6 is positive, and processing to display a menu image is executed in step S7. After step S22, processor 81 ends the player-related control processing.

In step S23, the processor 81 determines whether or not it is an operation acceptance period during which operation input for the player character is accepted. In this embodiment, the operation period during which the player character is performing a predetermined operation (e.g., an operation controlled in step S30, described below) in response to operation input for the player character is excluded from the operation acceptance period. If the determination result in step S23 is positive, the process of step S24 is executed. On the other hand, if the determination result in step S23 is negative, the process of step S33, described below, is executed.

In step S24, processor 81 determines whether or not an operation input has been made to release the reference point, based on the operation data acquired in step S1. That is, processor 81 determines whether or not an input has been made to execute the "search" command when the player character is located near the reference point. If the determination result in step S24 is positive, processing in step S25 is executed. On the other hand, if the determination result in step S24 is negative, processing in step S29, which will be described later, is executed.

In step S25, the processor 81 sets the reference point where the above operation input was performed to a released state. For example, the processor 81 updates the data stored in memory indicating the state of the reference point to content indicating that the reference point has been released. The processor 81 also sets a point light source at the position of the landmark object indicating the reference point. As a result, in the drawing process described below, drawing is performed so that light shines on the periphery of the landmark object. Following step S25, the process of step S26 is executed.

In step S26, the processor 81 starts an event scene when a release event occurs. That is, the processor 81 starts playing an animation showing the surroundings of the released reference point gradually becoming brighter. After the processing of step S26, the determination result in step S2 above remains positive until the playback of the animation ends, and the execution of the event scene continues. Following step S26, the processing of step S27 is executed.

In step S27, processor 81 sets the above-mentioned released area based on the reference point released in step S26. That is, processor 81 generates a map mask indicating the released area set according to the method described above in "[2-1. Setting the released area of the map]". Specifically, at the start of game processing, map mask data is stored in memory, and processor 81 updates this data to indicate the set released area. By the processing of step S27, an area of the field that includes the released reference point is set as the released area. Following step S27, the processing of step S28 is executed.

In step S28, processor 81 sets the above-mentioned illumination range based on the reference point released in step S26. That is, processor 81 generates the above-mentioned two-dimensional range data indicating the illumination range set according to the method described in "[2-2. Setting of illumination range]" above. Specifically, at the start of the game processing, two-dimensional range data is stored in memory, and processor 81 updates this data to indicate the set illumination range. By the processing of step S27, the area of the field including the released reference point is set as the illumination range. After step S28, processor 81 ends the player-related control processing. Note that the processing of steps S25, S27, and S28 is not limited to this timing, and may be performed at a predetermined timing during the subsequent event scene.

In step S29, the processor 81 determines whether or not an operation input has been made to instruct the player character to take an action, based on the operation data acquired in step S1. An action instruction is an instruction to cause the player character to perform, for example, an attack action or a jump action. If the determination result in step S29 is positive, the process of step S30 is executed. On the other hand, if the determination result in step S29 is negative, the process of step S31, which will be described later, is executed.

In step S30, processor 81 causes the player character to start an action corresponding to the action instruction made in step S29. After the player character starts an action in step S30, the player character is controlled to perform that action for a certain period of time by the processing of step S33 described below. After step S30, processor 81 ends the player-related control processing.

In step S31, the processor 81 determines whether or not an operation input has been made to instruct the player character to move, based on the operation data acquired in step S1. The movement instruction is an instruction to perform an action to move the player character on the field. If the determination result in step S31 is positive, the process of step S32 is executed. On the other hand, if the determination result in step S31 is negative, the process of step S33 is executed.

In step S32, processor 81 moves the player character on the field in response to the movement instruction made in step S29. After step S32, processor 81 ends the player-related control process.

In step S33, the processor 81 controls the player character to perform various actions, such as the progress of the action started in step S30 and actions when nothing is input. In one step S33, the processor 81 controls the player character to perform an action for one frame time. The process of step S33 is repeatedly executed over multiple frames, so that the player character performs a series of actions according to the action instruction. In addition, if the action to be performed by the player character is not instructed by the player (for example, the action started in step S30 has ended), in step S33, the processor 81 may not cause the player character to perform an action, or may cause the player character to perform an action to make the player character's behavior look natural (for example, an action of looking around or shaking the body). After step S33, the processor 81 ends the player-related control process.

Figure 26 is a sub-flowchart showing an example of a detailed flow of the other object control processing of step S9 shown in Figure 24. In the other object control processing, first in step S41, processor 81 determines whether or not processing has been completed for each object to be controlled, excluding the player character. In other words, it determines whether or not each of the above objects has been specified in step S42, which will be described later. If the determination result in step S41 is negative, the processing of step S42 is executed. On the other hand, if the determination result in step S41 is positive, processor 81 ends the other object control processing.

In step S42, the processor 81 designates one object from among the objects to be controlled that is to be processed in step S43, which will be described later. Note that in step S42, an object that has not yet been the subject of processing in the current processing loop of steps S41 to S45 is designated. Following step S42, the processing of step S43 is executed.

In step S43, the processor 81 controls the action of the object specified in step S42. For example, if the object is an enemy character, the processor 81 controls the action of the enemy character according to an algorithm defined in the game program. Or, for example, if the object is a light source item, the processor 81 controls the movement of the light source item in response to the action of another character, such as the player character (for example, in response to the action of the player character throwing the light source item). Following step S43, the process of step S44 is executed.

In step S44, the processor 81 determines whether or not an item placement event has occurred based on the processing result of step S43. For example, with respect to a light source item, if the light source item thrown by the player character is placed on the ground in the field, the processor 81 determines that an item placement event has occurred. If the determination result of step S44 is positive, the processing of step S45 is executed. On the other hand, if the determination result of step S44 is negative, the processing of step S41 is executed again.

In step S45, the processor 81 sets a point light source at the position of the light source item that caused the item placement event to occur. As a result, in the drawing process described below, drawing is performed so that light shines on the periphery of the light source item. After step S45, the process of step S41 is executed again. Thereafter, the series of processes in steps S41 to S45 are repeatedly executed until it is determined in step S41 that the process has been completed for all objects to be controlled.

Figure 27 is a sub-flowchart showing an example of the detailed flow of the drawing process in step S10 shown in Figure 24. In the drawing process, first in step S51, the processor 81 determines whether or not the processing in the first stage described above in "[2-3. Image generation process]" has been completed. In other words, it determines whether or not writing to the G buffer has been completed for each object to be drawn (for example, an object within the field of view of the virtual camera). If the determination result in step S51 is positive, the processing in step S56 described below is executed. On the other hand, if the determination result in step S51 is negative, the processing in step S52 is executed.

In step S52, the processor 81 designates one object from among the objects to be drawn that is to be processed in step S53, which will be described later. Note that in step S52, an object that has not yet been the subject of processing in the current processing loop of steps S51 to S55 is designated. Following step S52, the processing of step S53 is executed.

In step S53, the processor 81 determines whether or not the object specified in step S52 is the above-mentioned non-target object. If the determination result in step S53 is negative, the process of step S54 is executed. On the other hand, if the determination result in step S53 is positive, the process of step S55 is executed.

In step S54, the processor 81 writes information about the object specified in step S52 to the G buffer and the depth buffer. That is, for pixels corresponding to polygons of the object, the processor 81 writes information such as the position, normal, and color of the polygon to the G buffer, and writes depth information to the depth buffer. Note that the processing in step S54 may be similar to processing in conventional deferred rendering. Following step S54, the processing of step S51 is executed again.

On the other hand, in step S55, the processor 81 writes information about the object specified in step S52 to the G buffer and the depth buffer, and writes information indicating that the object is a non-target object to the G buffer. In other words, the processor 81 writes the exclusion mask data about the non-target object to the G buffer. Following step S55, the process of step S51 is executed again.

In step S56, the processor 81 determines whether or not the processing in the second stage described above in "[2-3. Image generation processing]" has been completed. In other words, it determines whether or not writing of values to each pixel in the light buffer and the dark mask has been completed. If the determination result in step S56 is positive, the processing in step S60 described below is executed. On the other hand, if the determination result in step S56 is negative, the processing in step S57 is executed.

In step S57, the processor 81 designates one pixel from among the pixels to be processed in step S58, which will be described later. Note that in step S57, a pixel that has not yet been the subject of processing in the current processing loop of steps S56 to S59 is designated. Following step S57, the processing of step S58 is executed.

In step S58, the processor 81 writes the pixel specified in step S57 to the light buffer. That is, the processor 81 calculates brightness information and the like for the pixel based on the ambient light and the point light source set in step S45, and writes the calculated information to the light buffer. Note that the processing in step S58 may be similar to processing in conventional deferred rendering. Following step S58, the processing in step S59 is executed.

In step S59, the processor 81 generates a darkness mask (i.e., sets a darkness mask value) for the pixel specified in step S57. Specifically, the processor 81 calculates the darkness mask value for the pixel according to the method described in “[2-3. Image generation process]” above. Specifically, at the start of the game process, darkness mask data is stored in the memory, and the processor 81 updates the data in response to the new setting of the illumination range. For example, when an illumination range based on a release event is set by the process of step S28, the processor 81 updates the darkness mask based on the two-dimensional range data. Also, when the player character is equipped with glowing clothing in the menu display mode in which the menu display process of step S7 is executed, the darkness mask is updated so that the illumination range includes pixels corresponding to positions within the character influence range based on the position of the player character. Furthermore, when a point light source is set by the process of step S45, the darkness mask is updated so that the illumination range includes pixels corresponding to positions within the item influence range based on the position of the light source item. Following step S59, the process of step S56 is executed again.

In step S60, the processor 81 determines whether or not the processing in the third stage described above in "[2-3. Image generation processing]" has been completed. In other words, it determines whether or not writing of values to each pixel in the frame buffer has been completed. If the determination result in step S60 is positive, the processor 81 ends the drawing processing shown in FIG. 27. On the other hand, if the determination result in step S60 is negative, the processing in step S61 is executed.

In step S61, the processor 81 designates one pixel from among the pixels to be processed in step S62, which will be described later. Note that in step S61, a pixel that has not yet been the subject of processing in the current processing loop of steps S60 to S62 is designated. Following step S61, the processing of step S62 is executed.

In step S62, the processor 81 calculates a pixel value for the pixel specified in step S61 and writes it to the frame buffer. That is, the processor 81 calculates the pixel value for the pixel according to the method described in "[2-3. Image generation process]" above, based on the information written to each buffer (i.e., the G buffer, the depth buffer, and the light buffer) and the darkness mask. Specifically, the processor 81 calculates a pixel value that reflects the influence of light from the light source based on the information in the G buffer, the depth buffer, and the light buffer, and further calculates a pixel value that reflects darkness based on the calculated pixel value and the darkness mask value in the darkness mask. In this way, the pixel value that reflects the influence of light from the light source and darkness is written to the frame buffer. Following step S62, the process of step S60 is executed again.

As described above, the drawing process of step S10 may be performed by a method based on forward rendering. FIG. 28 is a sub-flowchart showing an example of a detailed flow of the drawing process performed by a method based on forward rendering. The game system 1 may perform the process shown in FIG. 28 as the drawing process of step S10 instead of the process shown in FIG. 27.

In the drawing process shown in FIG. 28, first, in step S71, the processor 81 determines whether or not drawing has been completed for each object to be drawn (e.g., an object within the field of view of the virtual camera). If the determination result in step S71 is positive, the processor 81 ends the drawing process shown in FIG. 28. On the other hand, if the determination result in step S71 is negative, the process of step S72 is executed.

In step S72, the processor 81 designates one object from among the objects to be drawn that will be the subject of processing in the subsequent steps S73 to S81. Note that in step S72, an object that has not yet been the subject of processing in the current processing loop of steps S71 to S81 is designated. Following step S72, the processing of step S73 is executed.

In step S73, the processor 81 determines whether or not the object specified in step S72 is the above-mentioned non-target object. If the determination result in step S73 is positive, the process of step S74 is executed. On the other hand, if the determination result in step S73 is negative, the process of step S75 is executed.

In step S74, the processor 81 performs drawing for the object specified in step S52 (i.e., for each pixel corresponding to the object) based on the drawing settings previously set for the object. As a result, if the object is a self-luminous object, the object is drawn so that it appears to glow, and if the object is a character of the above-mentioned predetermined type, the object is drawn so that it appears to be shaded. Following step S74, the process of step S71 above is executed again.

In step S75, the processor 81 determines whether or not drawing has been completed for each polygon of the object specified in step S72. If the determination result in step S75 is positive, drawing for the object is completed, and the processing of step S71 is executed again. On the other hand, if the determination result in step S75 is negative, the processing of step S76 is executed.

In step S76, the processor 81 designates one of the polygons of the object designated in step S72. Note that in step S76, a polygon that has not yet been the subject of processing in the current processing loop of steps S75 to S81 is designated. Following step S76, the processing of step S77 is executed.

In step S77, the processor 81 determines whether or not drawing has been completed for each pixel corresponding to the polygon specified in step S76. If the determination result in step S77 is positive, drawing for the polygon is completed, and the processing of step S75 is executed again. On the other hand, if the determination result in step S77 is negative, the processing of step S78 is executed.

In step S78, the processor 81 designates one of the pixels corresponding to the polygon designated in step S76. Note that in step S78, a pixel that has not yet been the subject of processing in the current processing loop of steps S77 to S81 is designated. Following step S78, the processing of step S79 is executed.

In step S79, the processor 81 determines whether or not the position corresponding to the pixel specified in step S78 (i.e., the position in the field) is within the illumination range. In an embodiment in which drawing is performed by the drawing process shown in FIG. 28, the processor 81 sets the illumination range based on the release event in step S28, sets the illumination range based on the position of the player character if the player character is equipped with glowing clothing in the menu display process in step S7, and sets the illumination range based on the position of the light source item if a point light source was set in the process of step S45. If the determination result in step S79 is positive, the process of step S80 is executed. On the other hand, if the determination result in step S79 is negative, the process of step S81 is executed.

In step S80, the processor 81 performs drawing for the pixel specified in step S78, reflecting the light source (i.e., ambient light and/or point light source) set in the field. Specifically, the processor 81 calculates the pixel value of the pixel based on information on the normal of the polygon corresponding to the pixel, information on the color set for the polygon corresponding to the pixel, and information on the light source set in the field, and writes the pixel value to the frame buffer. As a result, pixels corresponding to positions within the illumination range are drawn taking the light source into consideration. The process in step S80 may be the same as the drawing process based on conventional forward rendering. Following step S80, the process of step S77 is executed again.

On the other hand, in step S81, the processor 81 draws the pixels specified in step S78 in black. As a result, pixels that correspond to positions outside the irradiation range are drawn in black. Following step S81, the process of step S77 is executed again.

In the drawing process shown in FIG. 28, as in the drawing process shown in FIG. 27, drawing may be performed such that within the illumination range, the black becomes gradually darker as the boundary of the illumination range is approached. For example, in the above step S80, the processor 81 may calculate the above-mentioned darkness mask value for the pixel specified in step S78, and calculate the pixel value of the pixel by combining the pixel value reflecting the effect of light from the light source and black in a ratio according to the darkness mask value.

[4. Effects and Modifications of the Present Embodiment]
The game program in the above embodiment is configured to cause a computer (eg, processor 81) of an information processing device (eg, game device 2) to execute the following processes.
Game processing for controlling a player character in a virtual space (a field in the above embodiment) based on operational input (step S32)
When a predetermined event (e.g., a release event) occurs based on the game processing, a process of transitioning a point associated with the occurring event, among a plurality of points (e.g., reference points) set in the virtual space, from a first state (e.g., an unreleased state) to a second state (e.g., a released state) (step S25).
A process of identifying a region (in the above embodiment, a release region) in which a total determination value obtained by adding up the first determination value based on one or more points in the second state among the multiple points for each position, the first determination value being a first reference value at a position corresponding to the point and attenuating according to the distance from the point, is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (step S27).
A process of displaying a map image showing field information of a virtual space, the map image showing field information of a portion corresponding to the above-mentioned area, in response to a map display instruction given by an operation input (step S5).

According to the above configuration, the range of the map image that is released (i.e., the range of the released area) can be changed depending on whether or not multiple events have occurred. In addition, since the total determination value at each position in the virtual space varies depending on which of the multiple points is in the second state, the released area can be changed in various ways depending on the state at each point (i.e., depending on the occurrence status of events at each point).

In the above embodiment, the process of identifying the released area is executed when an event occurs (see step S27 in FIG. 25), but the timing of executing the process is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the process of identifying the released area may be executed each time a map image is generated, or may be executed when the next map image is generated after the event occurs.

In the above embodiment, the above-mentioned predetermined event is an event that occurs when a predetermined operation input is made when the player character is located at an event occurrence position set in the virtual space corresponding to the location, and specifically, it is a release event. Here, "an event that occurs when a predetermined operation input is made when the player character is located at the event occurrence position" is not limited to a release event, but may be other events. For example, the above-mentioned predetermined event may be an event in which the player character reaches the event occurrence position in the virtual space (in this example, the operation input that moves the player character to the event occurrence position corresponds to the predetermined operation), or an event in which the player character uses a specific item at the event occurrence position in the virtual space (in this example, the operation input that causes the item to be used corresponds to the predetermined operation). In other embodiments, the above-mentioned predetermined event is not limited to an event that occurs when a predetermined operation input is made when the player character is located at the event occurrence position, but may be other types of events (for example, an event that does not require a predetermined operation input).

Furthermore, it can also be said that the game program in the above-described embodiment is configured to cause a computer (eg, processor 81) of an information processing device (eg, game device 2) to execute the following processes.
When a predetermined event (e.g., a lighting event) occurs based on the game processing, a process of setting a target range (e.g., a lighting range) in a virtual space (steps S28 and S59).
In a rendering process for rendering a virtual space, a process of rendering a portion of at least a part of a terrain object in the virtual space that is included in a target range by reflecting a light source set in the virtual space, and rendering a portion that is not included in the target range in a predetermined color (step S62).

According to the above configuration, areas of low visibility and areas of guaranteed visibility in the virtual space can be dynamically changed in response to the occurrence of an event. This makes it possible to provide a game in which the visible parts of the field are increased by the occurrence of an event. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the parts within the target range can be rendered reflecting the light source, making them easier to see, while the parts outside the target range can be rendered in a predetermined color, making those parts invisible or difficult to see. In this way, according to the above configuration, it is possible to easily adjust the visibility of areas in the game field.

The process of setting the target range may be a process of setting a range in a three-dimensional virtual space (e.g., a process of setting the character influence range and item influence range in the virtual space) or a process of setting a range in a two-dimensional plane corresponding to the virtual space (e.g., a process of generating two-dimensional range data in the field-corresponding plane). Furthermore, while the target range conceptually indicates a range in virtual space, the data indicating the target range is not limited to data regarding a position in virtual space, but may be data regarding a position on a two-dimensional plane corresponding to the virtual space (e.g., the two-dimensional range data) or data regarding a position on a pixel plane corresponding to the virtual space (e.g., darkness mask data).

The above phrase "at least some terrain objects" means that it is not necessary to change the drawing method for all terrain objects depending on the target range. For example, some terrain objects may be set as the above-mentioned non-target objects.

In the above embodiment, the game system 1 draws the object in the part not included in the target range in black, but it may be drawn in another color. Even if it is drawn in another color, the part can be made invisible or difficult to see, so the same effect as the above embodiment can be obtained. For example, in the setting of the game story, the game system 1 may draw in white or gray an area that is invisible or difficult to see because of fog. In addition, the above "predetermined color" is a color that is set independently of the color that is set for the object corresponding to the pixel to be drawn, and does not need to be a single color. A plurality of pixels corresponding to the part not included in the target range may be drawn so that a pattern is formed with multiple types of predetermined colors.

In another embodiment, the game system 1 may be configured to draw the object in the portion not included in the target range with a lower brightness. For example, the game system 1 may draw the object in the portion with a lower brightness than the pixel in the case where a light source is set. Specifically, the game system 1 may write, in the drawing process, pixel values in which the brightness is lowered from the pixel value reflecting the influence of light from the light source for the pixels corresponding to the object in the portion not included in the target range to the frame buffer. Note that the specific method of lowering the brightness is arbitrary, and the original brightness (i.e., the brightness when the influence of light from the light source is taken into account) may be lowered by a predetermined percentage, the original brightness may be lowered by a predetermined amount, or the brightness may be lowered to be equal to or lower than a predetermined standard. With the above configuration, the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

Furthermore, it can also be said that the game program in the above-described embodiment is configured to cause a computer (eg, processor 81) of an information processing device (eg, game device 2) to execute the following processes.
Game processing for controlling a player character in a virtual space based on operational input (step S32)
When a predetermined event (e.g., a release event) occurs based on the game processing, a process of transitioning a point associated with the occurring event, among a plurality of points (e.g., reference points) set in the virtual space, from a first state (e.g., an unreleased state) to a second state (e.g., a released state) (step S25).
A process of identifying an area (in the above embodiment, a released area) that includes at least a point in the second state among the multiple points (step S27)
A rendering process for rendering, in a predetermined color, the portions of at least a part of the terrain object in the virtual space that are not included in a target range (e.g., an illumination range) that includes at least a part of the above-mentioned area (step S62).
A process of displaying a map image showing field information of a virtual space, the map image showing field information of a portion corresponding to an open area, in response to a map display instruction given by an operational input (step S5).

According to the above configuration, the range in which visibility is ensured in the virtual space (i.e., the above target range) can be changed in response to changes in the areas in the map image where field information is not displayed. In other words, the virtual space can be displayed in a display mode that ensures visibility for the released areas in the map image where field information is now newly displayed. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the range in which visibility is ensured in the virtual space expands in response to the occurrence of an event, and the area in the map image where field information is displayed also expands, so it is possible to provide a game that fully utilizes the gameplay of expanding the search range by generating an event.

In another embodiment, in the drawing process in the above configuration, instead of drawing the parts not included in the target range in a predetermined color, the game system 1 may draw the parts not included in the target range darker than the parts included in the target range. Specifically, in the drawing process, the game system 1 may write pixel values that reflect the effect of light from the light source, with the brightness reduced in a predetermined manner, to the frame buffer. The predetermined method may be, for example, a method of reducing the original brightness by a predetermined percentage (or by a predetermined value), or a method of changing the brightness so that it is below a predetermined standard.

In the above embodiment, the game system 1 sets, as the target range, (a) a range consisting of positions where a total judgment value obtained by adding up at least one or more judgment values based on one or more of the multiple positions that are in the second state is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and (b) a range where the two-dimensional distance from a two-dimensional position corresponding to the position is equal to or less than a threshold value (i.e., a range within the released area and within the position influence range). This makes it possible to prevent the range where visibility is ensured in the virtual space from becoming too large, thereby reducing the possibility of losing the gameplay of expanding the search range by generating an event.

In the above embodiment, when a process is executed using data (meaning a program) in an information processing device, a portion of the data required for the process may be transmitted from another information processing device different from the information processing device. In this case, the information processing device may execute the process using the data received from the other information processing device and the data stored in the information processing device.

In other embodiments, the information processing system may not have some of the configurations in the above embodiments, and may not execute some of the processes executed in the above embodiments. For example, in order to achieve some of the specific effects in the above embodiments, the information processing system only needs to have a configuration for achieving that effect and execute processes for achieving that effect, and may not have other configurations or execute other processes.

The above embodiment can be used, for example, as a game system or game program, with the aim of changing the shape of the area that is released on the map image according to whether or not each of multiple events has occurred.

Reference Signs List 1 Game system 2 Main unit 81 Processor 201 Player character 202 Reference point 203 Marking object

Claims (28)

The computer of the information processing device
executing a game process for controlling a player character in a virtual space based on an operation input;
when a predetermined event occurs based on the game processing, a point associated with the occurring predetermined event among a plurality of points set in the virtual space is transitioned from a first state to a second state;
a region is identified in which a total determination value obtained by adding up the first determination value for each position based on one or more points among the plurality of points that are in the second state, the first determination value being a first reference value at a position corresponding to the point and attenuating according to the distance from the point, is equal to or greater than a predetermined value;
displaying a map image showing field information of the virtual space, the map image showing field information of a portion corresponding to the area;
Game program. The map image is an image showing the field information two-dimensionally,
The first determination value is a value that attenuates according to a two-dimensional distance from a two-dimensional position corresponding to the point.
The game program according to claim 1 . The first reference value set for each of the plurality of points has a magnitude set for each of the plurality of points.
The game program according to claim 2. the total determination value is a value obtained by subtracting a sum of the second determination values for one or more locations among the plurality of locations that are in the first state from a sum of the first determination values for one or more locations among the plurality of locations that are in the second state,
The second determination value is a second reference value that is the same as or different from the first reference value at a position corresponding to the point, and is a value that attenuates depending on the distance from the position.
The game program according to claim 3. the predetermined event is an event that occurs when a predetermined operation input is performed when the player character is located at an event occurrence position that is set in the virtual space corresponding to the location;
The game program according to any one of claims 1 to 4. When the predetermined event occurs in the computer,
generating two-dimensional mask data indicating the extent of the region within the virtual space;
generating a map image showing the field information of a portion corresponding to the region by applying the mask data to an original map image including the field information;
The game program according to any one of claims 1 to 4. the mask data is data indicating, for each position in the virtual space, a multi-value corresponding to a magnitude of the total determination value,
The computer includes:
In response to a map display instruction, the mask data is applied to the original map image for each pixel at a ratio corresponding to a multi-value indicated by the mask data, thereby generating the map image.
The game program according to claim 6. At least one information processing device having a processor,
At least one processor of the at least one information processing device
execute a game process for controlling a player character in a virtual space based on an operation input;
when a predetermined event occurs based on the game processing, a point associated with the occurring predetermined event among a plurality of points set in the virtual space is transitioned from a first state to a second state;
a region is identified in which a total determination value obtained by adding up the first determination value for each position based on one or more points among the plurality of points that are in the second state, the first determination value being a first reference value at a position corresponding to the point and attenuating according to the distance from the point, is equal to or greater than a predetermined value;
displaying a map image showing field information of the virtual space, the map image showing field information of a portion corresponding to the area;
Information processing system. The map image is an image showing the field information two-dimensionally,
The first determination value is a value that attenuates according to a two-dimensional distance from a two-dimensional position corresponding to the point.
The information processing system according to claim 8. The first reference value set for each of the plurality of points has a magnitude set for each of the plurality of points.
10. The information processing system according to claim 9. the total determination value is a value obtained by subtracting a sum of the second determination values for one or more locations among the plurality of locations that are in the first state from a sum of the first determination values for one or more locations among the plurality of locations that are in the second state,
The second determination value is a second reference value that is the same as or different from the first reference value at a position corresponding to the point, and is a value that attenuates depending on the distance from the position.
The information processing system according to claim 10. the predetermined event is an event that occurs when a predetermined operation input is performed when the player character is located at an event occurrence position that is set in the virtual space corresponding to the location;
The information processing system according to any one of claims 8 to 11. When the predetermined event occurs, at least one of the processors
generating two-dimensional mask data indicating the extent of the region within the virtual space;
generating a map image showing the field information of a portion corresponding to the region by applying the mask data to an original map image including the field information;
The information processing system according to any one of claims 8 to 11. the mask data is data indicating, for each position in the virtual space, a multi-value corresponding to a magnitude of the total determination value,
At least one of the processors
generating the map image by applying the mask data to the original map image for each pixel in a ratio according to a multi-value indicated by the mask data in response to a map display instruction;
The information processing system according to claim 13. A processor is provided.
The processor,
execute a game process for controlling a player character in a virtual space based on an operation input;
when a predetermined event occurs based on the game processing, a point associated with the occurring predetermined event among a plurality of points set in the virtual space is transitioned from a first state to a second state;
a region is identified in which a total determination value obtained by adding up the first determination value for each position based on one or more points among the plurality of points that are in the second state, the first determination value being a first reference value at a position corresponding to the point and attenuating according to the distance from the point, is equal to or greater than a predetermined value;
displaying a map image showing field information of the virtual space, the map image showing field information of a portion corresponding to the area;
Information processing device. The map image is an image showing the field information two-dimensionally,
The first determination value is a value that attenuates according to a two-dimensional distance from a two-dimensional position corresponding to the point.
The information processing device according to claim 15. The first reference value set for each of the plurality of points has a magnitude set for each of the plurality of points.
The information processing device according to claim 16. the total determination value is a value obtained by subtracting a sum of the second determination values for one or more locations among the plurality of locations that are in the first state from a sum of the first determination values for one or more locations among the plurality of locations that are in the second state,
The second determination value is a second reference value that is the same as or different from the first reference value at a position corresponding to the point, and is a value that attenuates depending on the distance from the position.
The information processing device according to claim 17. the predetermined event is an event that occurs when a predetermined operation input is performed when the player character is located at an event occurrence position that is set in the virtual space corresponding to the location;
The information processing device according to any one of claims 15 to 18. When the predetermined event occurs, the processor
generating two-dimensional mask data indicating the extent of the region within the virtual space;
generating a map image showing the field information of a portion corresponding to the region by applying the mask data to an original map image including the field information;
The information processing device according to any one of claims 15 to 18. the mask data is data indicating, for each position in the virtual space, a multi-value corresponding to a magnitude of the total determination value,
The processor,
generating the map image by applying the mask data to the original map image for each pixel in a ratio according to a multi-value indicated by the mask data in response to a map display instruction;
The information processing device according to claim 20. A game processing method executed by an information processing system, comprising:
The information processing system includes:
execute a game process for controlling a player character in a virtual space based on an operation input;
when a predetermined event occurs based on the game processing, a point associated with the occurring predetermined event among a plurality of points set in the virtual space is transitioned from a first state to a second state;
a region is identified in which a total determination value obtained by adding up the first determination value for each position based on one or more points among the plurality of points that are in the second state, the first determination value being a first reference value at a position corresponding to the point and attenuating according to the distance from the point, is equal to or greater than a predetermined value;
displaying a map image showing field information of the virtual space, the map image showing field information of a portion corresponding to the area;
Game processing method. The map image is an image showing the field information two-dimensionally,
The first determination value is a value that attenuates according to a two-dimensional distance from a two-dimensional position corresponding to the point.
The game processing method according to claim 22. The first reference value set for each of the plurality of points has a magnitude set for each of the plurality of points.
The game processing method according to claim 23. the total determination value is a value obtained by subtracting a sum of the second determination values for one or more locations among the plurality of locations that are in the first state from a sum of the first determination values for one or more locations among the plurality of locations that are in the second state,
The second determination value is a second reference value that is the same as or different from the first reference value at a position corresponding to the point, and is a value that attenuates depending on the distance from the position.
The game processing method according to claim 24. the predetermined event is an event that occurs when a predetermined operation input is performed when the player character is located at an event occurrence position that is set in the virtual space corresponding to the location;
The game processing method according to any one of claims 22 to 25. When the predetermined event occurs, the information processing system
generating two-dimensional mask data indicating the extent of the region within the virtual space;
generating a map image showing the field information of a portion corresponding to the region by applying the mask data to an original map image including the field information;
The game processing method according to any one of claims 22 to 25. the mask data is data indicating, for each position in the virtual space, a multi-value corresponding to a magnitude of the total determination value,
The information processing system includes:
generating the map image by applying the mask data to the original map image for each pixel in a ratio according to a multi-value indicated by the mask data in response to a map display instruction;
28. The game processing method according to claim 27.

Images