WO2005013240A1

WO2005013240A1 - Map image display apparatus, method for controlling map image display apparatus, program, program distributing apparatus, game apparatus, and information recording medium

Info

Publication number: WO2005013240A1
Application number: PCT/JP2004/010713
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tatsuma Minami
Original assignee: Konami Corporation
Priority date: 2003-07-31
Filing date: 2004-07-28
Publication date: 2005-02-10
Also published as: JP2005046281A

Abstract

A map image display apparatus that allows the user to easily grasp positions that are not included in a map display range. A reference position acquiring part (72) and a position-guide-required position acquiring part (74) acquire a display reference position in a map image and a position-guide-required position in the map image. A map image display part (76) displays the map image as to a predetermined display range including the display reference position. A position guide display control part (80) causes an image for guiding the position-guide-required position, which is regarded by a determining part (78) as not being included in the predetermined display range, to be displayed at a position corresponding to the display reference position and position-guide-required position in the map image.

Description

Specification

MAP IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE, MAP IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE CONTROL METHOD, PROGRAM, PROGRAM DISTRIBUTION DEVICE, GAME DEVICE, AND INFORMATION STORAGE MEDIUM

Technical field

The present invention relates to a map image display device, a control method for the map image display device, a program, a program distribution device, a game device, and an information storage medium.

Background art

[0002] There is known a map image display device that displays a predetermined position (for example, a current position or a target position in real space, a position of a player character or an enemy character in a game space) on a map. Yes. According to such a map image display device, the user can easily grasp the predetermined position.

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, in the map image display device as described above, if the predetermined position is not included in the display range of the map, the user cannot grasp the predetermined position. .

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to make it easy for the user to grasp even if it is not included in the display range of the map or at a predetermined position. The present invention provides a map image display device, a map image display device control method, a program, a program distribution device, a game device, and an information storage medium.

Means for solving the problem

In order to solve the above problems, a map image display device according to the present invention includes a display reference position acquisition unit that acquires a display reference position in a map image, and a position of a required position guide target in the map image. Required position guidance target position acquisition means, a map image display means for displaying the map image for a predetermined display range including the display reference position, and the position of the required position guidance target are included in the predetermined display range. A determination means for determining whether or not the target position guidance target is determined not to be included in the predetermined display range. Position guidance display control means for displaying an image for guiding the position of the position on the map image displayed by the map image display means at a position corresponding to the display reference position and the position of the required position guidance target. It is characterized by including these.

[0006] The map image display apparatus control method according to the present invention includes a display reference position acquisition step for acquiring a display reference position in a map image, and a position of a position guidance target in the map image. A required position guidance target position acquisition step, a map image display step for displaying the map image on a display means for a predetermined display range including the display reference position, and a position of the required position guidance target as the predetermined display. A determination step for determining whether or not it is included in the range and an image for guiding the position of the target position guide target determined not to be included in the predetermined display range are displayed on the display means. A position guidance display control step for displaying at a position corresponding to the reference display position and the position guidance target position in a map image. It is characterized by that.

[0007] Further, a program according to the present invention is a program for causing a computer to function as a map image display device, and includes a display reference position acquisition means for acquiring a display reference position in a map image, and a required position in the map image. Required position guidance target position acquisition means for acquiring the position of the guidance target, map image display means for displaying the map image for a predetermined display range including the display reference position, and the position of the required position guidance target in the predetermined display range. A map that is displayed by the map image display means for determining whether or not it is included, and an image for guiding the position of the required position guide target that is determined not to be included in the predetermined display range Position guidance display control means for displaying in a position corresponding to the display reference position and the position guidance target position in the image A program for causing the computer to function, such as a home game machine, an arcade game machine, a portable game machine, a mobile phone terminal, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a car navigation system, or a personal computer. is there.

[0008] Further, a program distribution device according to the present invention includes an information storage medium storing the above-described program, reads the program, and is a distribution-distribution device. In the present invention, the display reference position and the position of the position guidance target in the map image are acquired. Then, a map image is displayed for a predetermined display range including the display reference position. In addition, it is determined whether or not the position of the required position guidance target is included in the predetermined display range, and when it is determined that the position of the required position guidance target is not included in the predetermined display range, the display in the displayed map image is performed. A predetermined image is displayed at a position corresponding to the reference position and the position of the position guidance target. According to the present invention, the player can easily grasp the position of the target position guidance target located outside the range of the displayed map.

Here, the display reference position is a position that serves as a reference when the display target range of the map is specified. When the map image is for the real world, it is, for example, its own position. When the map image targets a virtual world (such as a game world), for example, it is the position of the player character that is the operation target of the player. Further, the position guidance target is a target for guiding the position to the user (player) or a target for which the user wants to guide the position. In the case where the map image targets the real world, for example, it is a destination place or a moving body (human, vehicle, etc.). When the map image targets a virtual world (such as a game world), for example, a predetermined object (search target character, enemy character, treasure box, etc.), a predetermined place in the virtual world, or the like.

[0011] In the aspect of the invention, the position guidance display control unit is determined based on the display reference position and the position guidance target position in the map image displayed by the map image display unit. The image is displayed at a position to be operated. In this manner, the predetermined image may be displayed at a position on the map image determined based on the display reference position and the position of the position guidance target.

[0012] In this aspect, the position guidance display control means is located at a position on a straight line connecting the display reference position and the position of the position guidance target in the map image displayed by the map image display means. An image may be displayed. In this way, since the predetermined image is displayed on the straight line connecting the display reference position and the position of the required position guidance target, the player refers to the predetermined image, and the target position in-position target outside the display range of the map is displayed. This makes it easy to grasp the position.

Furthermore, in this aspect, the position guidance display control means is the map image display means. The image is displayed at a position on the boundary line of the predetermined display range in the map image displayed by the position on a straight line connecting the display reference position and the position of the position guidance target position. Also good. In this way, the position of the position guidance target can be grasped more easily.

[0014] In one aspect of the present invention, the position guidance display control unit displays the image in a display mode corresponding to a distance between the display reference position and the position of the position guidance target position. It is characterized by. In this way, it is possible to easily grasp the distance to the display reference position force required position guidance target by referring to the display mode of the predetermined image.

[0015] In one aspect of the present invention, the position guidance display control means provides an image for guiding the display reference position to the display reference position in the map image displayed by the map image display means. It includes a means for displaying. Here, the image for guiding the display reference position may be the same image as the predetermined image, or may be an image different from the predetermined image.

[0016] Also, in one aspect of the present invention, the position guidance display control means displays the map image display means when the position guidance target position is determined to be included in the predetermined display range. And a means for displaying an image for guiding the position of the required position guidance target at the position of the required position guidance target in the map image. Here, the image for guiding the position of the target position guidance target may be the same image as the predetermined image, or may be an image different from the predetermined image.

[0017] Further, the game device according to the present invention provides the map data storage means for storing the map data of the game space, and the map data based on the position of the operation target object as the operation target of the player in the game space. Based on the position of the operation target object position acquisition means for acquiring a position outside the operation target object in the coordinate system and the position of a predetermined required position guidance object in the game space, the required position guide in the coordinate system of the map data Required position guidance object position coordinate acquisition means for acquiring the position of the object, map image display means for displaying a map image that follows the position outside the operation target object based on the map data, and the required position A judgment for determining whether or not the position of the guidance object is included in the display range of the map image. And means, A position on the map image corresponding to the position of the operation target object and the position of the required position guiding object is an image for guiding the position of the required position guiding object determined not to be included in the display range. And a position guidance display control means for displaying on the screen. According to the present invention, it becomes possible to easily grasp the position of the position guidance object outside the display range of the map.

[0018] Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the position guidance display control means includes a means for controlling the display mode of the image based on a parameter value (contents) of the required position guidance object. It is characterized by. In this way, the player can grasp the parameter values (contents) of the required position guide object by referring to the display mode of the predetermined image.

[0019] Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, the position guidance display control unit changes at least one of the type, color, size, and blinking speed of the image as the display mode of the image. It is characterized by that.

The invention's effect

[0020] According to the present invention, the user can easily grasp a position that is not included in the display range of the map.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a game device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a map display.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a positional relationship between a player character and a rescue character that requires a rescue.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the game device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing relating to display of a game screen.

FIG. ₇ is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a program distribution system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

[0022] 10 game device, 11, 110 consumer game machine, 12 bus, 14 microprocessor, 16 image processing unit, 18 monitor, 20 sound processing unit, 22 speaker, 24 DVD-ROM Playback unit, 25 DVD-ROM, 26 Main memory, 28 Memory card, 30 Input / output processing unit, 32 Controller, 40 Game screen, 42 Map display unit, 44 Player character, 50 player character position guide image, 52, 53, 54 Rescue Character Position Guidance Image, 60 Player Character Mark, 62, 63, 64 Rescue Character Mark Required, 70 Map Data Storage Unit, 72 Player Character (Display Reference) Position Acquisition Unit, 74 Rescue Character Required (Target Position Required) Location acquisition unit, 76 Map image display unit, 78 Judgment unit, 80 Location guidance display control unit, 100 program distribution system, 102 game database, 104 server, 106 communication network, 108 personal computer, 112 personal digital assistant (PDA), 114 Program distribution device.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment when the present invention is applied to a game device will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the game device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In the game apparatus 10 shown in the figure, a DVD-ROM 25 and a memory card 28 as information storage media are mounted on a consumer game machine 11 connected to a monitor 18 and a speaker 22, and a monitor 18 and a speaker 22 are further connected. Is made up of. The monitor 18 is a home television receiver, and the speaker 22 is a built-in speaker. In this example, the DVD-ROM 25 is used to supply the program to the consumer game machine 11, but any other information storage medium such as a CD-ROM or ROM card may be used. In addition, the program may be supplied to the home game machine 11 from a remote location via a data communication network such as the Internet.

The home game machine 11 includes a microprocessor 14, an image processing unit 16, a main memory 26, an input / output processing unit 30, an audio processing unit 20, a controller 32, and a DVD-ROM playback unit 24. This is a known computer game system. The microprocessor 14, the image processing unit 16, the main memory 26, and the input / output processing unit 30 are connected to each other via a bus 12 so that mutual data communication is possible. The input / output processing unit 30 includes a controller 32, an audio processing unit 20, and a DVD. -R 〇M playback unit 24 and memory card 28 are connected. Each component of the home game machine 11 other than the controller 32 is housed in a housing. [0026] The microprocessor 14 controls each part of the consumer game machine 11 on the basis of the operating system stored in the ROM, the program read from the DVD-ROM 25, and the save data read from the memory card 28. Control and provide games to players. The bus 12 is used for exchanging addresses and data among various parts of the home game machine 11. The main memory 26 includes, for example, a RAM, and a program read from the DVD-ROM 25 and save data read from the memory card 28 are written as necessary. The main memory 26 is also used for the work of the microprocessor 14. The image processing unit 16 includes a VRAM. The microphone processor 14 receives image data transmitted from the microphone processor 14, draws a game screen on the VRAM, converts the content into a video signal, and outputs the video signal to the monitor 18. .

The input / output processing unit 30 is an interface for accessing the microprocessor 14 force controller 32, the audio processing unit 20, the DVD-ROM playback unit 24, and the memory card 28. The sound processing unit 20 includes a sound buffer. The sound processing unit 20 reads out various sound data such as game music, game sound effects, and messages read from the DVD-ROM 25 and stored in the sound buffer to reproduce the sound from the speaker 22. Output from. The DVD-ROM playback unit 24 reads the program recorded on the DVD-ROM 25 in accordance with instructions from the microprocessor 14. The controller 32 is general-purpose operation input means for the player to input various game operations. The memory card 28 includes a non-volatile memory (for example, EEPROM) and is configured to be detachable from the consumer game machine 11. This memory mode 28 stores various game save data and the like.

[0028] Game device 10 according to the present embodiment provides a game in which a player becomes a firefighter and performs lifesaving and fire fighting activities at a fire site. In this game, the player operates the player character as a firefighter with the controller 32, finds a rescue character that needs to be rescued, and rescues it. This game is realized by the game device 10 executing a game program supplied from a DVD-ROM 25 or the like.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen displayed on the monitor 18. In the game apparatus 10, a virtual three-dimensional space (game space) is constructed in the main memory 26. A predetermined viewpoint is set in the virtual 3D space, and the virtual 3D space is viewed from the viewpoint. Is displayed on the monitor 18. In the game apparatus 10, a map display unit 42 is provided particularly on a part of the game screen 40 so that a map of a virtual three-dimensional space is displayed. By referring to the map, the player can grasp the current positions of the player character 46 and the rescue character (not shown) in a virtual and three-dimensional space.

An example of the map display in the map display unit 42 is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, a map of the virtual three-dimensional space is displayed, and the player character position guide image 50, the rescue character position guide images 52, 53, 54 and the force S are displayed. In FIG. 4, the player character and the rescue character required are located as shown by the player character mark (indicated by a circle) 60 and the rescue character mark (indicated by a cross) 62, 63, 64 required. An example is shown. An arrow associated with the player character mark 60 indicates the front direction (the direction in which the player character faces) of the player character.

[0031] The player character position guidance image 50 is an image for guiding the current position and front direction of the player character in the virtual three-dimensional space to the player, and is represented using an image having directivity. In the example of FIG. 3, the player character position guide image 50 is composed of a black circle and a fan-shaped portion, the former showing the current position of the player character, and the latter facing the player character. Show the direction to go.

The rescue-required character position guidance images 52, 53, and 54 are images for guiding the current position of the rescue character requiring rescue in the virtual three-dimensional space to the player. In the example of FIG. 3, the rescue character position guidance image 52 is composed of a portion indicated by a black circle and a portion indicated by a circle centered on the black circle, and indicates the current position of the rescue character required in the map display range. Show. Also, the rescue character position guidance images 53 and 54 are composed of a part indicated by a black circle and a part indicated by a semicircle centering on the black circle, and the current rescue character required position located outside the display range of the map is displayed. It guides the position. In the present embodiment, the rescue character position guidance images 53 and 54 related to the rescue character that is required to be located outside the display range of the map are on a straight line connecting the position of the player character and the position of the rescue character. It is displayed at a position on the boundary line of the map display section 42 (that is, on the boundary line of the map display range). In the present embodiment, the player character position guide image 50 is always arranged at the center of the map display unit 42. Further, the direction indicated by the player character position guide image 50 always matches the upward direction of the map display section 42 (game screen). That is, when the player character moves in the virtual three-dimensional space or changes direction according to the operation by the player, the position and orientation of the player character position guide image 50 with respect to the map display unit 42 are not changed. In addition, the part of the map display is changed. For this reason, the player can easily grasp the position and front direction of the player character.

[0034] It should be noted that the display modes of the rescue character position guidance images 53, 54 may be changed based on the position of the player character and the position of each rescue character. For example, based on the distance between the position of the player character and the position of the rescue character required, the display mode of the rescue character position guidance image related to the rescue character required may be changed. Here, the position of the player character or rescue character required may be the position of these characters in the coordinate system of the virtual three-dimensional space or the position of the map image (map data) in the coordinate system. Yo! In addition, the distance between the position of the player character and the position of the rescue character required may be a linear distance between these positions, or the shortest distance along the player character's movable path (for example, a map). It is calculated based on data).

[0035] In addition, each display mode of the rescue character position guidance images 53, 54 may be changed based on the value of a predetermined parameter of each rescue character. For example, the display mode of the rescue character position guidance image for the rescue character required may be changed based on the hit points of the rescue character required and the value of the physical strength parameter. In addition, for example, the display mode of the rescue character position guidance image related to the rescue character required may be determined based on the identification information and type of the rescue character required.

[0036] Further, as a change in the display mode, for example, the display color and size of the rescue character position guidance images 53, 54 may be changed. Further, for example, the rescue required position in-position images 53 and 54 may be blinked, and the blinking speed may be changed. Further, for example, the type of image may be changed. For example, a rescue character location plan The circular portions of the inner images 53 and 54 may be changed to other shapes such as a square.

[0037] Thus, by changing the display mode of the rescue character position guidance images 53 and 54, the player can know the position and state of the rescue character required from the display mode. In particular, when there are a plurality of rescue characters, the player can determine the power to aim for (or avoid) based on each display mode.

[0038] It should be noted that the configuration for changing the display mode described above may be combined. Also, in the above, it is included in the display range of the force S and the map that change the display mode of the position guidance image of the rescue character that is not included in the map display range (rescue character position guidance image 53, 54). The display mode of the position guidance image of the rescue character required (rescue character position plan image 52 required) may be changed in a similar manner. Furthermore, depending on the content of the power game described in the example of the game in which the player character finds the rescue character that needs to be rescued, a location guidance image of the enemy character, item, treasure box, etc. may be displayed instead of the rescue character that is required. Also good. Further, for example, in the case of a game in which the player character escapes from a predetermined follower character, the position guide image of the follower character may be displayed.

Next, functional blocks realized in the game device 10 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing, as a center, those related to the present invention among the functional blocks realized in the game apparatus 10. As shown in the figure, the game apparatus 10 includes a map data storage unit 70, a player character (display reference) position acquisition unit 72, a rescue character (required position guidance target) position acquisition unit 74, a map image display unit 76, a determination The unit 78 and the position guidance display control unit 80 are configured.

[0040] Among these functions, the map data storage unit 70 includes, for example, a DVD-ROM 25, a main memory 26, a memory card 28, a hard disk storage device, and the like. The player character position acquisition unit 72, the rescue character position acquisition unit 74 required, the map image display unit 76, the determination unit 78, and the position guidance display control unit 80 are operated by the game device 10, DVD-ROM 25, memory card 28, CD— A game that is executed via a computer-readable information storage medium such as a ROM, or that is downloaded via a communication network This is realized by executing the program.

[0041] The map data storage unit 70 stores map data in a virtual three-dimensional space. Map data is data for displaying map images. The map data may be the map image itself.

[0042] Based on the position of the player character (operation target object) in the virtual three-dimensional space, the player character position acquisition unit 72 displays the position (display) of the player character in the coordinate system of the map data (map image). Position data indicating a reference position) is acquired.

[0043] The position-required rescue character position acquisition unit 74 determines the position of the required rescue character (required position guidance target object) in the coordinate system of the map data based on the position of the rescue required character (position required guidance object) in the virtual 3D space. Position data indicating the position) is acquired.

The map image display unit 76 displays a map image that follows the position of the player character based on the map data stored in the map data storage unit 70. In other words, the map image is displayed for the predetermined display range including the position of the player character. For example, an image as shown in FIG.

[0045] The determination unit 78 determines whether or not the position of the rescue required character is included in the display range of the map image. When it is determined that the position of the rescue character required is not included in the display range of the map image, the position guidance display control unit 80 sets the position in the map image corresponding to the position of the player character and the rescue character required, for example, The rescue character position guidance images 53 and 54 shown in Fig. 3 are displayed.

Here, “the position in the map image corresponding to the position of the player character and the rescue character required” may be determined based on the position of the player character and the rescue character required. For example, the position may be a straight line connecting the position of the player character and the rescue character required. Further, for example, the position may be a position on a straight line that connects the position of the player character and the rescue character required, and a position on the boundary line of the display range of the map image.

[0047] Further, the position guidance display control unit 80 may control the display mode of the rescue character position guidance image that is required based on the positions of the player character and the rescue character that is required. In other words, in a display mode corresponding to the positions of the player character and the rescue character that needs to be rescued. A rescue character position guidance image may be displayed. For example, the display mode of the image in the position where the rescue character is required may be controlled based on the size of the distance between the player character and the rescue character that needs the rescue. Further, the position guidance display control unit 80 may control the display mode of the rescue character position guidance image that requires rescue based on the parameter value (contents) of the rescue character that requires rescue.

[0048] Further, the position guidance display control unit 80 may display an image for guiding the position of the player character on the map image based on the position of the player character. Further, when it is determined that the position of the rescue character required is included in the display range of the map image, an image for guiding the position of the rescue character required is displayed on the map image based on the position of the rescue character required. Let's make it happen.

Next, the game screen display process in the game apparatus 10 will be described focusing on the process related to map display. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing this processing. This process is executed every predetermined time (for example, 1/60 second), and is realized by the game device 10 executing a program supplied from the DVD-ROM 25 or the like.

[0050] As shown in the figure, in this process, first, the player character position acquisition unit 72 acquires the position coordinates and posture (front direction) of the player character in the virtual three-dimensional space. Then, based on the acquired position coordinates, the position coordinates of the player character in the coordinate system of the map data are acquired (S101). That is, the position data in the coordinate system of the virtual three-dimensional space is converted into the position data in the coordinate system of the map data. In addition, the rescue character position acquisition unit 74 that requires rescue acquires the position coordinates of the rescue character that is required in the virtual three-dimensional space. Then, based on the acquired position coordinates, the position coordinates of the rescue character in the coordinate system of the map data are acquired (S102). Acquisition of the position coordinates of the player character and rescue character in the virtual three-dimensional space is executed as part of so-called environmental processing.

[0051] Then, the map image display unit 76 reads the map data from the map data storage unit 70, and forms a map image on the VRAM based on the map data (S103). In the present embodiment, the position of the player character in the map image is always at a predetermined position on the game screen (more specifically, the center of the map display unit 42), and The map image is formed so that the front direction of the layer always matches the upward direction of the game screen.

Next, the position guidance display control unit 80 draws an image for guiding the position of the player character on the map image formed on the VRAM based on the position coordinates of the player character (S104).

[0053] Further, the position guidance display control unit 80 adds an image for guiding the position of the rescue character required to the map image formed on the VRAM based on the position coordinates of the rescue character required (S105).

Here, first, the determination unit 78 determines whether or not each rescue character requiring rescue has a position coordinate within a predetermined range. The predetermined range is a display target range of the map displayed on the map display unit 42, and is determined based on the position coordinates of the player character.

[0055] Then, for the rescue character requiring the position coordinates included in the predetermined range, the position guidance display control unit 80 provides an image for guiding the position of the rescue character required (rescue character required) based on the position coordinates. The position guidance image 52) is drawn on the map image formed on the VRAM.

[0056] On the other hand, with respect to a rescue character whose position coordinates are not included in the predetermined range, the position guidance display control unit 80 is on a straight line connecting the position coordinates of the rescue character and the player character and includes the predetermined range. Gets the position coordinate that is the position on the boundary line. When acquiring this position coordinate, in the coordinate system of the virtual three-dimensional space, the position coordinate of the position on the boundary line of the predetermined range on the straight line connecting the position coordinates of the rescue required character and the player character is obtained. After the calculation, the calculated position coordinates may be converted into position coordinates in the coordinate system of the map data.

[0057] Further, the position guidance display control unit 80 calculates the distance between the rescue character required and the player character, and determines the display mode of the rescue character required position guidance image according to the distance. Here, the distance between the rescue character required and the player character may be a distance in the coordinate system of the virtual three-dimensional space or a distance in the coordinate system of the map data. In the present embodiment, a rescue character that requires a rescue character that is out of the display range of the map. The position guidance image blinks, and the blinking speed is controlled based on the distance. More specifically, the radius value of the circle portion of the rescue character position guidance images 53 and 54 that require rescue is increased at predetermined time intervals, and when it reaches a certain size, it flashes by returning to the specified minimum value. The predetermined time interval is controlled based on the distance.

[0058] Based on the position coordinates and the display mode obtained in this way, images for guiding the position of the rescue character requiring the position coordinates not included in the predetermined range (rescue character position guidance images 53, 54 required). ) Is drawn on the map image formed on VRAM.

[0059] Next, the game apparatus 10 performs so-called environmental processing, geometry processing, and rendering processing, and forms an image (game image) of a virtual three-dimensional space viewed from a predetermined viewpoint on the VRAM ( S106). At this time, the game image is not written on the VRAM for the portion determined as the brute force map display section 42. That is, on the VRAM, an image is formed in which the map image formed in S103 is overwritten with the game image for portions other than the map display unit 42. The image (game screen) thus formed in the VRAM is output to the monitor 18 at a predetermined timing.

[0060] According to the game device 10 described above, in the map display in the virtual three-dimensional space, an image for guiding the position of the rescue character that is out of the display range of the map is displayed. By referring to the display, not only the position of the player character or the rescue character that is in the map display range, but also the position of the rescue character that is outside the map display range can be easily positioned. It becomes possible to grasp.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0062] For example, in the above description, the program is supplied from the DVD-ROM 25, which is an information storage medium, to the home game machine 11, but the program may be distributed to the home via a communication network. ,. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a program distribution system using a communication network. The program distribution method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, this program distribution system 100 includes a game data base 102, a server 104, a communication network 106, a personal computer 108, a consumer game machine 110, and a PD. A (personal digital assistant) 112 is included. Among these, the game database 102 and the server 104 constitute a program distribution device 114. The communication network 106 includes, for example, the Internet and a cable television network. In this system, a game database (information storage medium) 102 stores a program similar to the storage content of the DVD-ROM 25. Then, when a consumer makes a game distribution request using the personal computer 108, the home game machine 110, the PDA 112, or the like, it is transmitted to the server 104 via the communication network 106. Then, the server 104 reads the program from the game database 102 in response to the game distribution request, and transmits it to the game distribution request source such as the personal computer 108, the home game machine 110, the PDA 112, and the like. Here, the game is distributed in response to the game distribution request, but the server 104 may transmit the game unilaterally. Further, it is not always necessary to distribute (batch distribution) all the programs necessary for realizing the game at once, and the necessary part may be distributed (divided distribution) according to the game situation. If the game is distributed via the communication network 106 in this way, the consumer can easily obtain the program.

[0063] For example, the present invention can also be applied to a game in which a player character moves in a two-dimensional field. For example, it can be applied to a field moving screen of a role playing game. In this case, for example, a predetermined place such as a city or a cave may be set as the position guidance target.

[0064] In the above, the embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a game device has been described. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a device that displays a map of the real world, such as a mobile phone having a GPS function or a car navigation system. It is. In this case, based on the position of the vehicle or its own vehicle in the real world and the location of the destination, the location of the vehicle or the host and the location of the destination in the coordinate system of the map data is acquired, and the position information is displayed on the map image. An image may be displayed.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] Display reference position acquisition means for acquiring a display reference position in a map image;

Required position guidance target position acquisition means for acquiring the position of the required position guidance target in the map image;

Map image display means for displaying the map image for a predetermined display range including the display reference position;

Judging means for judging whether or not the position of the required position guidance target is included in the predetermined display range;

The display reference position and the required position in the map image displayed by the map image display means are images for guiding the position of the required position guide object determined not to be included in the predetermined display range. Position guidance display control means for displaying at a position corresponding to the position of the guidance target;

A map image display device comprising:

[2] In the map image display device according to claim 1,

The position guidance display control means causes the map image displayed by the map image display means to display the image at a position determined based on the display reference position and the position of the position guidance target. A map image display device characterized by the above.

[3] In the map image display device according to claim 2,

The position guidance display control means displays the image at a position on a straight line connecting the display reference position and the position of the position guidance target in the map image displayed by the map image display means. A map image display device as a feature.

[4] In the map image display device according to claim 3,

The position guidance display control means is a position on a boundary line of the predetermined display range in the map image displayed by the map image display means, and displays the display reference position and the position of the position guidance target object. A map image display device characterized in that the image is displayed at a position on a connecting straight line.

[5] The map image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the position guide display control means includes the display reference position and the position of the position guide target. The image is displayed in a display mode corresponding to the distance between

Image display device.

[6] A display reference position acquisition step for acquiring a display reference position in a map image; a required position guidance target position acquisition step for acquiring a position of a required position guidance target in the map image;

A map image display step for causing the display means to display the map image for a predetermined display range including the display reference position;

A determination step for determining whether or not the position of the required position guidance target is included in the predetermined display range;

The display reference position and the position of the required position guide object in the map image displayed on the display means are images for guiding the position of the required position guide object determined not to be included in the predetermined display range. A position guidance display control step for displaying at a position corresponding to

A control method for a map image display device, comprising:

[7] A program for causing a computer to function as a map image display device, which includes display reference position acquisition means for acquiring a display reference position in a map image, and required position guidance for acquiring a position of a required position guide target in the map image. Target position acquisition means,

Judging means for judging whether or not the position of the target position guidance target is included in the predetermined display range; and

A program for causing the computer to function as

[8] A program distribution apparatus comprising an information storage medium storing the program according to claim 7, and reading and distributing the program from the information storage medium.

[9] Map data storage means for storing game space map data;

Operation target object position acquisition means for acquiring the position of the operation target object in the coordinate system of the map data based on the position in the game space of the operation target object as the operation target of the player;

A position guide object outside position coordinate acquisition means for acquiring a position of the position guide object in the coordinate system of the map data based on a position of the predetermined position guide object in the game space;

Map image display means for displaying a map image that follows the position of the operation target object based on the map data;

Determining means for determining whether or not the position of the required position guide object is included in a display range of the map image;

An image for preparing the position of the required position guide object determined not to be included in the display range is displayed on the map image corresponding to the position of the operation target object and the position of the required position guide object. Position guidance display control means to be displayed at the position of

A game apparatus comprising:

[10] In the game device according to claim 9,

The position guidance display control means includes means for controlling a display mode of the image based on a parameter value of the required position guidance object.

[11] In the game device according to claim 5 or 10,

The position guidance display control means changes at least one of the type, color, size, and blinking speed of the image as a display mode of the image.

[12] An information storage medium readable by the computer, storing a program for causing the computer to function as a map image display device, Display reference position acquisition means for acquiring a display reference position in a map image; required position guidance target position acquisition means for acquiring a position of a required position guidance target in the map image;

An information storage medium readable by the computer in which a program for causing the computer to function is recorded.