JPH11300036A - Image generating device for game, and information storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game image generating device wherein, when an area, wherein the game score changes when a player character enters the area, is generated in a game space under predetermined conditions, skilled players and inexperienced beginners as well can enjoy the game by allowing players to visually identify the area before the area is generated. SOLUTION: In the image generating device for generating an image of a game, player characters operated by a player are moved in a game space. In the device, a first area 310, wherein if a player character enters the area 310, the character is damaged, is generated in the game space of the game under predetermined condition. Further, before the area 310 is generated, a warning ring 320, which can be identified on an image, is generated repeatedly in an area wherein the area 310 is to be generated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image generating apparatus and an information storage medium for generating an image of a game in which a player character moves in a game space.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been a game machine which moves a player character in a game space while playing a game while watching a game screen projected on a display. As a game played using such a game device, a competitive game in which a player character is moved so as to avoid a bomb fixedly installed in a game space or a bomb thrown by an enemy and attacks the enemy. There is.

[0003] In order to obtain a high score in such a game, an area (range) affected by the explosion before explosion of the bomb so that the player character is not damaged by the explosion of the bomb. It is necessary to move the player character so as to avoid ()).

[0004] However, in conventional game devices, there are many devices configured to warn the user that the bomb is about to explode by blinking or the like. However, the player is notified in advance of the area affected by the explosion. Nothing was configured as such.

[0005] For this reason, a beginner unfamiliar with the game, even if he intends to move the player character so as to avoid the blinked bomb, does not move sufficiently, and is damaged by the explosion of the bomb, and the game is not sufficiently performed. There has been a problem that the game is often ended before being able to enjoy it.

[0006] In particular, in the case of a game device for business use, it is difficult to give a strong motivation to challenge the game again by having the player sufficiently enjoy the game within a limited game time. This is important in increasing the utilization rate of the equipment itself. However, in the conventional device,
There has been a problem that the game is often damaged before the player gets used to how to avoid the explosion of the bomb, and the game is often ended without being able to enjoy the game.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to generate an area in a game space under a predetermined condition, in which a game result changes due to intrusion of a player character. In this case, a game image generating apparatus and an information storage medium capable of generating a game image that allows a beginner to an advanced player who is unfamiliar with the game to visually identify the area before the occurrence of the game by a player. Is to provide.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image generating apparatus for generating an image of a game in which a player character operated by a player is moved in a game space. A first means for generating a first area in which the game results change in the game space under predetermined conditions, and an expected area of the first area in the game space are identified on an image. Second means for performing a sign area setting process for setting a possible sign area.

The present invention is also a computer-readable information storage medium storing information for generating an image of a game in which a player character operated by a player is moved in a game space. A first area for generating a first area in which game results change in the game space under predetermined conditions.
And second information for performing a sign area setting process for setting a sign area identifiable on an image in an expected area of the first area in the game space. It is characterized by having done.

[0010] Here, the first game performance changes.
Is an area set such that when the player character enters the area, the game result of the player becomes worse or better. The first area may be formed so as to occur under various conditions depending on the content of the game. Such a first area is, for example, an area that is affected by the explosion of a bomb and damages the player character that has entered the area. Further, for example, an area in which the effect of a predetermined bonus item is generated in a predetermined area for a predetermined time and a player character enters the area to improve the player's performance may be used.

According to the present invention, a sign area identifiable on the game image is set in such an area where the first area is to be generated. This allows the player to know the area in which the first area is to be generated before the first area is generated, and as a result, can enjoy the game widely from beginners unfamiliar with the game to advanced players.

For example, if the first area is an area in which the game performance is reduced, the player character may be moved so as to leave the area in which the player character is to occur before the area is generated. Further, when the first area is an area where the game result can be improved, the player character may be moved to the area where the player character is to be generated.

Here, it is preferable that the setting of the indication area is started a predetermined time before the scheduled occurrence of the first area.

Further, in the present invention, it is preferable that the second means performs the setting of the sign area so as to indirectly display the remaining time until the scheduled occurrence of the first area.

Further, in the present invention, the second information includes information for performing the setting of the sign area so as to indirectly display the remaining time until the scheduled occurrence of the first area. Preferably, it is formed.

[0016] Thus, the player can move strategically with a margin, such as avoiding from the sign area or entering the sign area.

In the present invention, the first means generates the first area based on the position of a predetermined moving body, and the second means causes the moving area to follow the movement of the moving body. It is preferable to set the sign area.

Further, in the present invention, the first information includes information for generating the first area based on a position of a predetermined moving body, and the second information includes a movement of the moving body. It is preferable to include information for setting the sign area so as to follow the information.

Thus, the player can enjoy the game while predicting the final occurrence position of the first area from the display position of the indication area.

Further, the game image generating apparatus according to the present invention comprises: means for calculating and setting an object space as a game space in which a player character operated by a player moves; and an image from a given viewpoint in the object space. Preferably, it is formed so as to include a generating means.

Further, the information storage medium of the present invention comprises: information for calculating and setting an object space as a game space in which a player character operated by a player moves;
And information for generating an image at a given viewpoint in the object space.

Here, the second means may be formed so as to set a sign area display object for displaying the sign area in the object space.

Preferably, the second information includes information for setting a sign area display object for displaying the sign area in the object space.

Further, the sign area may be displayed by another method other than the object, for example, by blinking the sign area, or by changing the color of the sign area. You may.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the second means is formed so that the indication area display object is set on a moving surface of the player character.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the second information is formed so as to include information for setting the sign area display object on a moving surface of the player character.

That is, when the player character moves on a moving surface (for example, the ground) set in the object space, the first area is set on the moving surface. In this case, by setting the sign area also on this moving surface, it is possible to inform the player of the expected area of the first area more easily and accurately.

Further, the second means may be formed so as to repeatedly generate a sign ring object which expands or contracts in the sign area as the sign area display object.

Further, the second information may be formed so as to include, as the sign area display object, information for repeatedly generating a sign ring object that expands or contracts in the sign area.

By doing so, the sign area can be dynamically represented. For this reason, the player can be alerted to the area, and the occurrence of the first area and the range thereof can be conveyed to the player in advance and visually easily.

Here, it is preferable that the second means shortens the repetition generation cycle of the sign ring object as the remaining time until the generation of the first area becomes shorter.

[0032] Preferably, the second information includes information for shortening the repetition occurrence cycle of the sign ring object as the remaining time until the occurrence of the first area becomes shorter.

Thus, the player can reliably determine the remaining time until the first area from the display of the indication ring object.

Further, the apparatus of the present invention performs a game calculation so that the player character moves in a game space where an explosion occurs, and the first means controls the first area to generate an explosion. Is preferably set as an area where the player character receives damage.

Further, the information storage medium of the present invention includes information for performing a game calculation in which the player character moves in a game space in which an explosion occurs, and the first information includes the first area. Is preferably set as an area where the player character is damaged by the occurrence of the explosion.

According to the present invention, before the explosion of a bomb or the like, the range affected by the explosion is displayed as a sign area. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the unreasonableness that the player receives damage without knowing the range of the explosion, and enjoy the game.

Furthermore, if the player character is within the range of the explosion, the explosion warning can always be recognized on the game image as the sign area. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the player character is damaged without the player's knowledge due to a bomb not displayed on the game image, for example, a bomb thrown from behind to the player character. .

[0038] Thus, it is possible to enjoy a wide variety of competitive games from beginners to advanced players unfamiliar with the game, and it is possible to give strong motivation to try the game again.

[0039]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to a case where a battle game is played.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a functional block diagram of the game device of the present embodiment.

Here, the operation unit 10 is for the player to input operation data by operating a lever or a button. The operation data obtained by the operation unit 10 is input to the processing unit 100. .

The processing unit 100 performs a process of arranging objects in an object space and a process of generating an image of the object space viewed from a given viewpoint, based on the operation data and a given program. is there. The function of the processing unit 100 can be realized by hardware such as a CPU, a DSP, and an ASIC (eg, a gate array).

The information storage medium 190 stores programs and data. The functions of the information storage medium 190 are as follows: CD-ROM, game cassette, IC card, M
It can be realized by hardware such as O, FD, DVD, hard disk, and memory. The processing unit 100 performs various processes based on information such as programs and data from the information storage medium 190.

The processing section 100 includes a game calculation section 110,
It functions as the image generation unit 150.

The game calculation unit 110 performs a game mode setting process, a game progress process, a process of determining the movement and direction of a moving object such as a character, a process of determining a viewpoint position and a viewpoint direction, and a process of arranging an object in an object space. And so on.

The game calculation section 110 executes a process for forming such an object space based on the operation data and a predetermined program.

The image generation unit 150 includes a game calculation unit 110
Is performed to generate an image of the object space set by from a given viewpoint. The game image generated by the image generation unit 150 is displayed on the display unit 12.

FIG. 2 shows a specific example of a competitive game played in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, a total of four characters of enemy and friend appear in the game object space as fighters who face each other. The characters P1 and P2 form a pair and compete with a pair of opponent enemy characters P3 and P4. The player selects one of the characters P1 and P2 as a player character, and the remaining characters are operated by a computer or another player.

Several obstacles are arranged in the game field 270. Each character fights against the enemy using weapons such as bombs and guns while hiding behind these obstacles.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a game image displayed on the display unit 12. On this game image,
A player character P operated by the player appears.
The player uses the operation unit 10 to set the player character P
To fight a computer or other operating characters such as other players. At this time, the player character moves around in the game space (object space), damages the enemy using a bomb, a gun, and the like, and evades an attack from the enemy. Such a motion of each character in the object space is calculated by the game calculation unit 110, and an image in the object space is generated by the image generation unit 150 and displayed on the display unit 12.

In order to achieve a good result in such a competitive game, it is important to attack the enemy while reliably avoiding the opponent's attack, especially the attack by the bomb.

For this reason, the game calculation section 110 functions as a first area setting section 120 as a first means,
Further, it is configured to function as the sign area setting unit 130 as the second means.

The details of the first area setting section 120 and the sign area setting section 130 will be described later.

FIG. 4 schematically shows the range of the bomb 300 used as a weapon during the game, which is affected by the explosion.

First, as shown in FIG.
It is assumed that 0 is fixedly present on the game field 270 which is the moving surface of the player character. FIG.
As shown in (B), when the bomb 300 explodes, the range affected by the explosion is an area within a spherical surface having a radius of W / 2.

The first area setting section 120 includes a bomb 3
When 00 blasts on the game field 270, an area having a radius W / 2 centered on the bomb 300 is set as a first area 310 indicating a range affected by the explosion for a certain period of time. That is, the first area 310 that is damaged when a character has entered the bomb 300
It is generated in the object space for a certain time after the explosion of.

Therefore, the first area 3 accompanying the explosion 300
During the occurrence of 10, any of the characters
When invading 10, the effect of the explosion of the bomb 300 will greatly reduce the game results.

In the present embodiment, the first area 310
Before the occurrence of the bomb 300, that is, before the bomb 300 explodes, an identifiable sign area on the game image is displayed in the expected area of the first area 310 in the object space.

Thus, before the explosion of the bomb 300, the player can clearly recognize the area 310 affected by the explosion, assemble a game strategy to escape from the area 310, and move the player character. .

In particular, even for beginners, the indication of the sign area allows the player character to be moved to a safe place before the explosion of the bomb 300. You can enjoy the game.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, the sign area is displayed as a sign ring 320 which occurs repeatedly before the bomb 300 explodes.

The sign ring 320 is displayed such that a ring having a radius of 2 / W around the bomb 300 contracts toward the bomb 300. This omen ring 320
Is repeatedly generated from a predetermined time before the explosion, but its generation cycle is shortened as the remaining time becomes shorter. That is, the shorter the remaining time, the more frequently the sign ring 320 is repeatedly displayed, thereby indirectly informing the player of the remaining time until the explosion.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the game of the present embodiment, the bomb 300 is thrown toward the area where the opponent's character exists. At this time, the bomb 300 moves along the parabolic movement path 302. 304 in the figure
The movement path projected on the ground is shown.

Another feature of the present embodiment is that the indication ring 320 is displayed along the movement path 304 projected on the ground instead of the actual movement path 302 of the bomb 300. That is, as shown in FIG.
The range of a sphere having a diameter W centered on 00 is the explosion affected range. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9B, a circle having a diameter X, which is obtained by projecting the sphere on the ground (game field), is set as an explosion sign area on the game image.
Then, within the sign area, the sign ring 320 is repeatedly generated as described above.

Accordingly, the sign area moves along the movement route 304 from a predetermined time before the explosion of the bomb 300. Then, the sign ring 320 is repeatedly generated from the moving sign area.

Thus, even when the bomb 300 is still in the air, the player estimates the final explosion position of the bomb 300 and the range affected by the explosion from the position of the sign ring 320 displayed on the game image. Then, the player character can be moved.

In particular, by performing such display,
For example, even if a bomb is thrown by an invisible enemy behind the player, if the player character is within the range of the explosion of the bomb 300, the display of the sign ring 320 always appears as a blast warning. For this reason, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the player is crushed by a bomb that is not displayed on the image without knowing it, thereby making the battle game more attractive.

In the present embodiment, it is preferable that the sign ring 320 is set in the game space using a ring-shaped sign ring object. In this case, the sign ring object enlarges one type of ring-shaped object using a predetermined scaler,
A reduced one may be used, or a plurality of predictor rings having different diameters may be prepared and used by appropriately switching these.

FIGS. 10 to 17 show examples of game images displayed when the bomb 300 is fixedly set on the game field, as shown in FIG. 4 (A).

As shown in FIG. 10, the sign ring 32 starts a predetermined time before the explosion of the bomb 300 (about 3 seconds before).
Display of 0-1 is started. This sign ring 320-1
Is first displayed as a ring having the same diameter W as the area where the first area 310 is to be generated, and the predictive ring 320 contracts around the bomb 300 as shown in FIGS. Disappears when becomes zero.

As described above, the generation cycle of the sign ring 320 is shortened as the remaining time until the explosion becomes shorter. Therefore, the next sign ring 320-2 is generated as shown in FIG. 14, and as shown in FIG.
-3 is generated, and the operation of performing contraction in the same manner is repeated. Immediately before the explosion, a plurality of sign rings 320 are simultaneously generated as shown in FIG.

When the remaining time until the explosion becomes 0, an image in which the bomb 300 explodes is displayed as shown in FIG.

At this time, the area where the bomb 300 explodes, that is, the first area 310 affected by the explosion, coincides with the area of the sign ring 320 having the diameter W that has occurred last.

Therefore, the player does not receive the explosion damage by moving the player character so as to avoid the display area of the indication ring 320.
In particular, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the occurrence cycle of the sign ring is reduced as the remaining time until the explosion is shortened, and a plurality of sign rings are simultaneously displayed on the game image immediately before the explosion. For this reason, the player can predict the time from the image display to the explosion and compose a game strategy.

FIGS. 18 to 21 show examples of game images when the bomb 300 moves along the moving path 302 as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 18, a predetermined time before the explosion of the bomb 300 (here, about 3 seconds before), the sign ring 32
0-1 occurs. The sign ring 320-1 has a diameter X = W around a position where the bomb 300 is projected on the ground.
And then begin shrinking toward the center.

After a lapse of a predetermined time from the occurrence of this sign ring 320-1, as shown in FIG.
20-2 occurs in a similar manner and initiates contraction.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 20, the next sign ring 320-3 is generated in the same manner and starts contracting.

At this time, each of the predictor rings 320-1 and 320
The generation cycle of -2, 320-3,... Is gradually reduced, so that the remaining time until the bomb 300 explodes can be determined from the ring generation cycle.

FIG. 21 shows a game image in a state where the bomb 300 has exploded.

As shown in FIGS. 18 to 21, since the position of the sign ring 320 moves sequentially along the movement path of the bomb 300, the position of the sign ring 320 is shown in FIG. 21 based on the position of the sign ring 320. The player can guess the final explosion area of the bomb 300, that is, the first area 310, and compose a game strategy.

Next, a detailed processing example of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the game is started, a bomb 300 is set at a predetermined position on the game field as shown in FIG. 4, or a bomb 3 as shown in FIG.
When the state in which 00 is thrown occurs, the remaining time T until the bomb 300 explodes is set (step S1).
0).

Next, a value of 1/2 of the remaining time T is set as a sign ring occurrence period S (step S1).
2).

Next, in steps S14 and S16, it is determined whether the remaining time T has become 0 or less, and further, whether or not the occurrence period S has become less than or equal to the occurrence period S. Here, since the remaining time T has just been set, “NO” is determined for any of them, and then step S22 is executed. Then, the remaining time T is decremented by one.

Steps S14, S16, S2
The process 2 is repeatedly performed every 1/60 second in synchronization with the generation of the game image.

If it is determined in step S16 that the remaining time T before the explosion has become smaller than the generation period S, then a sign ring 320 is generated in step S18, and then a sign ring is generated in step S20. Period S
Is set to a value that is １ ／ of the current remaining time T.

By repeating such a series of processes, as the remaining time T until the explosion decreases, the generation period S of the sign ring 320 becomes shorter, and the sign ring 3
20 will occur frequently.

FIG. 7 shows an occurrence cycle of the sign ring 320. Assuming that the generation cycle initially set in step S12 is S = 100, the generation cycle of the first sign ring is S = 50, the second generation cycle is S = 25,3
The first, fourth, fifth, and sixth occurrence cycles are S = 1.
2, S = 6, S = 3, and S = 1 sequentially become shorter.

If it is determined in step S14 that the remaining time T before the explosion has become 0 or less, the explosion of the bomb 300 is performed in the next step S24.

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of the sign ring generation process in step S18 described above.

In step S30, the diameter X of the sign ring 320 is set to the explosion-affected area W as shown in FIG.

Next, at step S32, it is determined that the diameter X of the sign ring is not less than 0, and at the next step S34, a sign ring 320 having the size of the diameter X is displayed.

Then, in the next step S36, a process of reducing the diameter X of the sign ring 320 to the value of (XN) is performed. Here, a predetermined constant is used as N. This N
The sign ring 320 contracts sharply by increasing the value of, and the sign ring 320 contracts slowly by decreasing the value of N.

The processing of steps S32 to S36 is repeated every 1/60 second in synchronization with the generation of an image.

In this manner, the diameter of the displayed sign ring 320 is sequentially reduced by the value of N every 1/60 second, and in step S32, the diameter X becomes 0 or less. At this point, the sign ring disappears (step S38).

In the present embodiment, the first area 3
10 has been described as an example of an explosion area in which a game character is reduced by the invasion of a player character. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first area 310 may be set in accordance with the content of the game. May be generated as an area for increasing the game result.

Next, an example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the device shown in FIG.
AM1004, information storage medium 1006, sound generation IC10
08, image generation IC 1010, I / O port 1012,
1014 are connected via a system bus 1016 so that data can be transmitted and received between them. And the image generation IC
A display 1018 is connected to 1010, a speaker 1020 is connected to the sound generation IC 1008, and an I / O
The control device 1022 is connected to the port 1012, and the communication device 1024 is connected to the I / O port 1014.

The information storage medium 1006 mainly stores programs, image data for expressing objects to be displayed, sound data, and the like. For example, in a home game device, a CD-R is used as an information storage medium for storing a game program and the like.
OMs, game cassettes, DVDs and the like are used. In the arcade game machine, a memory such as a ROM is used. In this case, the information storage medium 1006 is the ROM 1002.

The control device 1022 corresponds to a game controller, an operation panel, and the like, and is a device for inputting a result of a determination made by a player in accordance with the progress of a game to the device main body.

The program stored in the information storage medium 1006, the system program (initialization information of the apparatus main body) stored in the ROM 1002, the control apparatus 102
CPU 1000 according to a signal input by
Controls the entire apparatus and performs various data processing. RAM10
Reference numeral 04 denotes storage means used as a work area or the like of the CPU 1000. The information storage medium 1006 and the ROM 10
02, or the calculation result of the CPU 1000 or the like is stored. A data structure having a logical configuration for realizing the present embodiment is constructed on the RAM or the information storage medium.

Further, this type of device includes a sound generation IC 100
8 and an image generating IC 1010 are provided so that a suitable output of game sounds and game images can be performed.
The sound generation IC 1008 includes the information storage medium 1006 and the ROM 1
This is an integrated circuit that generates game sounds such as sound effects and background music based on the information stored in 002, and the generated game sounds are output by the speaker 1020. The image generation IC 1010 includes a RAM 1004,
An integrated circuit that generates pixel information to be output to the display 1018 based on image information sent from the ROM 1002, the information storage medium 1006, and the like. Note that a so-called head-mounted display (HMD) can also be used as the display 1018.

The communication device 1024 exchanges various information used inside the game device with the outside. The communication device 1024 is connected to another game device to transmit and receive given information according to the game program. It is used for transmitting and receiving information such as a game program via a communication line.

FIG. 1 to FIG. 5, FIG. 7, FIG. 9, FIG.
The various processing described in FIG. 21 includes an information storage medium 1006 storing a program for performing the processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 8 and a C operating in accordance with the program.
PU1000, image generation IC1010, sound generation IC10
08 or the like. Note that the image generation IC 101
0, processing performed by the sound generation IC 1008, etc.
000 or a general-purpose DSP or the like.

FIG. 23A shows an example in which the present embodiment is applied to an arcade game device. The player enjoys the game by operating the lever 1102 and the button 1104 while watching the game image projected on the display 110. A CPU, an image generation IC, a sound processing IC, and the like are mounted on an IC board 1106 built in the apparatus.

Then, computer readable information for generating a game image for moving a player character operated by the player in the game space is stored in a memory 1108 which is an information storage medium on the IC substrate 1106. The information includes at least information for generating a first area in which a game result is influenced by invasion of a player character in the game space under predetermined conditions, and generation of a first area in the game space. The scheduled area includes information for performing a sign area setting process for setting a sign area that can be identified on the image. Hereinafter, memory 1
The information stored on 108 is referred to as stored information. The stored information includes at least one of a program structure for performing the various processes, image information, sound information, shape information of a display object, table data, list data, player information, and the like.

FIG. 23B shows an example in which the present embodiment is applied to a home game machine. The player looks at the game image displayed on the display 1200,
The game controller 1202 and 1204 are operated to enjoy the game. In this case, the stored information is stored in the CD-ROM 1206, which is an information storage medium detachable from the main unit.
It is stored in C cards 1208, 1209 and the like.

FIG. 23 (C) shows the host device 1300,
An example in which the present embodiment is applied to a game device including this host device 1300 and terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n connected via a communication line 1302 will be described. in this case,
The storage information is stored in an information storage medium 1306 such as a magnetic disk device, a magnetic tape device, or a memory that can be controlled by the host device 1300. Terminal 1304-1 ~
If the CPU 1304-n has a CPU, an image generation IC, and a sound generation IC and can generate a game image and a game sound in a stand-alone manner, the host device 1300 can generate a game image and a game sound. Are delivered to the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n. on the other hand,
If it cannot be generated standalone, the host device 1
300 generates a game image and a game sound, and
The data is transmitted to 304-1 to 1304-n and output at the terminal.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but can be variously modified.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention has been described by taking as an example a device for performing a fighting game using a bomb. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a device for playing other types of games and information storage. It may be applied to a medium. For example,
The present invention can also be applied to a game device and an information storage medium that play a game such that the player character can acquire a treasure item only in a first area that occurs only under a predetermined condition.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the player character moves in the object space which is a three-dimensional game space has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the two-dimensional game space is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to a game device and an information storage medium in which a player character moves inside.

[0112]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an example of a functional block diagram of a game device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a game field set in a game space.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a generated game image.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a process for setting a first area and setting a sign ring.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a moving path of a moving object and a moving path obtained by projecting the moving path on the ground.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for setting an occurrence cycle of a sign ring.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a sign ring occurrence cycle set according to the processing shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a sign ring generation process.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between an affected area of an explosion and a set sign area.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a game image.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a game image.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a game image.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a game image.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a game image.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a game image.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a game image.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a game image.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a game image.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a game image.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a game image.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a game image.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration that can implement the present embodiment;

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing examples of various types of apparatuses to which the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 operation unit 12 display unit 100 processing unit 110 game operation unit 120 first area setting unit 130 sign area setting unit 150 image generation unit 190 information storage medium 310 first area 320 sign ring

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. An image generating apparatus for generating an image of a game in which a player character operated by a player is moved in a game space, wherein a first area in which a game result is changed by entry of the player character is determined by a predetermined condition. First means for generating in the game space under the following conditions:
A second means for performing a sign area setting process for setting a sign area that can be identified on the image. 2. The game image generation device according to claim 1, wherein the second means starts setting the sign area a predetermined time before the scheduled occurrence of the first area. . 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second means performs the setting of the sign area so as to indirectly display a remaining time until the scheduled occurrence of the first area. A game image generating apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 4. The mobile device according to claim 1, wherein the first means generates the first area based on a position of a predetermined moving body, and the second means generates the first area based on a position of the moving body. An image generating apparatus for a game, wherein the indication area is set so as to follow the movement. 5. A means according to claim 1, wherein an object space is calculated and set as a game space in which a player character operated by the player moves, and an image at a given viewpoint in said object space is generated. A game image generating apparatus. 6. The game image generating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second means sets a sign area display object for displaying the sign area in the object space. 7. The game image generating device according to claim 6, wherein the second means sets the sign area display object on a moving surface of the player character. 8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the second means repeatedly generates a sign ring object that expands or contracts in the sign area as the sign area display object. Game image generation device. 9. The game image generation method according to claim 8, wherein the second means shortens the repetition generation cycle of the sign ring object as the remaining time until the generation of the first area becomes shorter. apparatus. 10. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the game calculation is performed so that the player character moves in a game space in which an explosion occurs. Is set as an area where the player character is damaged by the occurrence of the explosion. 11. A computer-readable information storage medium storing information for generating an image of a game in which a player character operated by a player is moved in a game space, wherein a game result is changed by entry of the player character. First information for generating a first area in the game space under predetermined conditions; and a scheduled area of the first area in the game space,
An information storage medium storing information including at least second information for performing a sign area setting process for setting a sign area that can be identified on an image. 12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the second information includes information for starting the setting of the sign area a predetermined time before the scheduled occurrence of the first area. Information storage medium. 13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the second information is used to perform the setting of the sign area so as to indirectly display a remaining time until the scheduled occurrence of the first area. An information storage medium characterized by including the following information. 14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the first information includes information for generating the first area based on a position of a predetermined moving body, and the second information includes An information storage medium including information for setting the sign area so as to follow a movement locus of the moving body. 15. The information according to claim 11, wherein information for calculating and setting an object space as a game space in which a player character operated by the player moves, and an image at a given viewpoint in the object space And an information storage medium for generating the information. 16. The information storage medium according to claim 15, wherein the second information includes information for setting a sign area display object for displaying the sign area in the object space. 17. The information storage medium according to claim 16, wherein the second information includes information for setting the indication area display object on a moving surface of the player character. 18. The information according to claim 16, wherein the second information includes, as the sign area display object, information for repeatedly generating a sign ring object that expands or contracts in the sign area. An information storage medium characterized by the above-mentioned. 19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the second information includes information for shortening the repetition occurrence cycle of the sign ring object as the remaining time until the occurrence of the first area becomes shorter. Information storage medium. 20. The game device according to claim 11, further comprising information for performing a game calculation in which the player character moves in a game space in which an explosion occurs, wherein the first information includes the first information. An information storage medium including information for setting an area as an area where a player character is damaged by the occurrence of an explosion.