JP4243395B2 - GAME DEVICE, GAME IMAGE GENERATION METHOD, AND INFORMATION STORAGE MEDIUM - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a game device, a game image generation method, and an information storage medium that display a game image in which a pattern or color added to an object changes.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a drive game device in which a moving body such as an automobile is run while watching a game image displayed on a display device and races with other moving bodies. In such a game device, for example, an object such as a moving body or a background is constituted by polygons, and a three-dimensional game image is displayed by adding a texture to each polygon. For this reason, the player can enjoy an atmosphere similar to that of an actual race.
[0003]
Some of the drive game devices described above simulate a so-called rally race that runs on a race course such as an unpaved road. In such a game apparatus, a puddle, a muddyness, etc. are arranged on a virtual race course, and the puddle is caused by mud or the like splashed up by passing the own vehicle or another vehicle traveling in the vicinity of the own vehicle. Some of them express how the windshield of the car gets dirty, and how the windshield wipes off dirt on the windshield. In such a game device, by repeating the wiping operation with the wiper several times, the dirt on the windshield is gradually wiped off, and the game effect is performed so that the object in the traveling direction of the own vehicle can be seen gradually , You can enhance the realism and increase the fun of the game.
[0004]
Various patterns and colors added to other objects in relation to the movement of an object (in the above example, the movement of the wiper) as in the example of the game device simulating the rally race described above (in the above example, the front There is a case where it is desired to display by gradually changing the stain on the glass. In such a case, the conventional game device prepares a plurality of textures or a plurality of objects corresponding to gradually changing patterns and colors, and sequentially displays the plurality of textures etc. It expresses how patterns and colors added to objects change gradually.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional game device, a plurality of textures or a plurality of objects are prepared in order to express how the pattern or color added to the object gradually changes in relation to the movement of other objects. There is a problem that the amount of data is increased. The increase in the amount of data described above becomes more conspicuous as the change of the pattern and color added to the object is expressed in more stages. When the data necessary for rendering the game image increases in this way, a large-capacity data storage medium is required to store these data, game programs, and the like. Since the processing load required for image drawing increases, hardware with higher processing capability is required, leading to an increase in the cost of the game apparatus main body and game software. In addition, when the data capacity that can be stored in the data storage medium or the processing capacity of the game apparatus main body is limited, other game effects may be limited in order to express changes in patterns and colors added to objects. This will reduce the fun of the game. Therefore, it is desired to realize a game device that can gradually change the pattern and color added to an object with a small amount of data.
[0006]
The present invention was created in view of the above points, and a purpose of the invention is to provide a game device and a game image generation capable of expressing a state in which a pattern or color added to an object changes with a small amount of data. It is to provide a method and an information storage medium.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, the game device according to the present invention relates to the movement of an object in association with the movement of the object when performing a predetermined game production accompanied by the movement of the object arranged in the game space by the game production means. At least a part of the transparency is variably set by the transparency setting means, and the game image generation means sets the game space including the object for which the transparency is set in this manner, and the game space viewed from the viewpoint position. The image is generated. By variably setting the transparency of this object in relation to the movement of the object, it is possible to change the appearance of the color, pattern, etc. attached to the surface of the object. Since it is only necessary to change the transparency when changing in conjunction with the movement of the object, it is possible to reduce the amount of data necessary for expressing the state of the change.
[0008]
The objects described above include a first object having transparency set at least in part and a second object that moves relative to the first object. When viewed from the viewpoint position, it is desirable to change the transparency value in conjunction with the timing at which the first object and the second object overlap. By changing the transparency when two objects overlap, when each of these objects collides and touches, or when their movements interlace, at least one of the objects becomes dirty or the pattern gradually changes It becomes easy to reproduce the game image representing
[0009]
Further, the above-described first object is constituted by one or a plurality of polygons, and the transparency value set corresponding to at least a part of the polygons constituting the first object is set by the transparency setting means described above. It is desirable to change. Since the transparency is set corresponding to the polygon which is the basic unit for generating the game image, it is easy to change the color or pattern of at least a part of the first object.
[0010]
Further, the texture is associated with the polygon described above, and the color information of the texture corresponding to this polygon is viewed from the viewpoint position according to the transparency value set corresponding to this polygon by the game image generation means. Sometimes it is desirable to perform a process of mixing the color information of other objects behind this texture. By mixing the color information of two (or more) overlapping objects according to the transparency value, it is possible to express a state in which the object behind can be seen through the object close to the viewpoint position. For this reason, a pattern corresponding to dirt etc. is attached to the object near the viewpoint position, and the pattern corresponding to dirt etc. is gradually added or disappears by changing the transparency of this object Can be easily generated.
[0011]
In addition, it is desirable that the transparency value is gradually changed in one direction each time the number of times that the operation of overlapping the first object and the second object is increased by the transparency setting means described above. Each time the number of repeated actions of two objects increases, the transparency value set corresponding to at least some of the polygons that make up one object is gradually changed in one direction. Since the color of the object surface and the appearance of the pattern expressed by the corresponding texture can be gradually changed, the amount of data is reduced so that the surface of the object is gradually soiled, or on the contrary, the dirt is removed. Can be done.
[0012]
The game image generation method of the present invention performs a predetermined game effect accompanied by the movement of the object arranged in the game space in the first step, and associates with the movement of the object in the second step. The transparency of at least a part of the object is variably set. In a third step, a game space including the object for which the transparency is set is set, and a game image in which the game space is viewed from the viewpoint position is generated. Yes. When changing the appearance of an object in conjunction with the movement of the object, it is only necessary to change the transparency. Therefore, compared to the case of preparing multiple objects with different appearances, it expresses how the pattern changes. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of data required.
[0013]
  The information storage medium of the present invention isGame directing means for performing a predetermined game effect accompanied by the movement of an object arranged in the game space, transparency setting means for variably setting the transparency of at least a part of the object in association with the movement of the object, A game space including an object for which transparency is set is set, and a game image generating means for generating a game image when the game space is viewed from a viewpoint position, and a display for displaying the game image generated by the game image generating means An information storage medium storing a program for functioning as a means, wherein an object includes a first object having transparency set at least in part and a second object that moves relative to the first object. The first object is a texture pair. The transparency setting means, when viewed from the viewpoint position, moves the first object in synchronization with the timing at which the first object and the second object overlap with each other. The transparency value set corresponding to at least a part of the polygons that are configured is changed, and the game image generating means changes the texture corresponding to the polygon when the transparency value set corresponding to the polygon is changed. Translucent operation means for performing a process of changing the ratio of mixing the color information of the other color information of other objects behind the texture when viewed from the viewpoint position.By executing a program stored in such an information storage medium, it is possible to change the transparency corresponding to the object and generate a game image representing a change in the color or pattern of the object. The amount of data necessary for generating game images can be reduced.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A game apparatus according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied generates a landscape viewed from a driver's seat when a car as a player moving body travels on a predetermined road as a game image. When wiping with a wiper, it is characterized by expressing how the dirt is gradually removed according to the number of operations of the wiper by variably setting the transparency corresponding to a predetermined polygon. Hereinafter, a game apparatus according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0015]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a game device according to an embodiment. A game device 100 shown in FIG. 1 is for performing a car race on a virtual road set in a three-dimensional game space. The game device 100 includes an operation unit 10, a CD-ROM 12, a disk reading unit 14, and a game calculation unit 20. , A polygon information storage unit 40, a texture information storage unit 50, an image generation unit 60, and a display unit 70.
[0016]
The operation unit 10 includes a steering wheel, an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, a shift lever, and the like, as in an actual automobile, and a signal corresponding to the operation state of each unit is output to the game calculation unit 20.
[0017]
The CD-ROM 12 is an information storage medium that mainly stores a game program executed in the game calculation unit 20, image data for expressing a display object, audio data, and the like. Note that the information storage medium for storing the game program or the like is not limited to the CD-ROM 12, and a DVD-ROM, a ROM cassette, a hard disk device or the like is used if a home game device is assumed. If an arcade game device is assumed, a ROM, a hard disk, or the like may be used. The disk reading unit 14 reads various data such as a game program stored in the CD-ROM 12 based on an instruction given from the game calculation unit 20.
[0018]
Based on the operation instruction signal output from the operation unit 10, the game program read from the CD-ROM 12, and the like, the game calculation unit 20 is a vehicle (hereinafter referred to as “own vehicle”) as a player moving body. A game calculation for running a race course set in a predetermined three-dimensional game space is performed, and includes a game rendering unit 22, an object space setting unit 24, a transparency setting unit 26, and a viewpoint setting unit 28. Has been.
[0019]
The game presentation unit 22 performs a predetermined calculation for performing a game presentation that causes the host vehicle arranged in the three-dimensional game space to run in response to an operation instruction signal output from the operation unit 10, and outputs the calculation result. The data is output to the object space setting unit 24. In this embodiment, a so-called rally race is considered as a form of car racing, and as a virtual race course set in the three-dimensional game space, unpaved bad roads including puddles, muddyness, etc. It is assumed that it is included in a part. In addition, when your vehicle or other vehicles that have traveled in the vicinity of your vehicle pass through a puddle, etc., a game effect is created that shows how dirt from splashed water or mud adheres to the windshield of your vehicle. Is called.
[0020]
Actually, a data storage unit (not shown) such as a memory is provided as a work area, and part or all of the game program and data read from the CD-ROM 12 are temporarily stored in the data storage unit. The necessary data is read from the data storage unit by the game rendering unit 22 and a predetermined calculation is performed.
[0021]
Further, the dirt adhering to the windshield of the own vehicle can be wiped off by a wiper that operates according to an operation instruction given from the operation unit 10 (or an instruction automatically performed by the game effect unit 22). In order to perform such a game effect, the game effect unit 22 always monitors whether or not an operation instruction for operating the wiper is input from the operation unit 10, and when the operation instruction is input, Information necessary to generate drawing data representing a state of movement is output to the object space setting unit 24, and information on the number of times the wiper wipes the windshield is notified to the transparency setting unit 26.
[0022]
The object space setting unit 24 calculates the detailed shape and the like of each object arranged in the three-dimensional game space based on the game effect result output from the game effect unit 22. This calculation is performed by reading the vertex data of one or a plurality of polygons constituting each object from the polygon information storage unit 40, and the calculation result is output to the image generation unit 60.
[0023]
The transparency setting unit 26 sets a transparency value based on information about the number of movements of the wiper output from the game effect unit 22 for a polygon corresponding to a part of the windshield of the own vehicle in the three-dimensional game space. Set to variable. In this way, by changing the transparency when the object corresponding to the wiper overlaps the object corresponding to a part of the windshield, the dirt attached to the windshield with the wiper operation is gradually wiped off. It becomes easy to reproduce the game image representing the way of going more realistically. In addition, since transparency is set corresponding to the polygon which is the basic unit of game image generation, it is easy to see how the dirt of at least a part of the object (front glass) represented by this polygon changes with a small amount of data. Can be expressed. Details of the transparency setting method will be described later.
[0024]
The viewpoint setting unit 28 sets the viewpoint position and the visual field direction necessary for generating the game image corresponding to the position of the driver's seat of the own vehicle in the three-dimensional game space.
[0025]
The polygon information storage unit 40 stores data regarding each polygon read from the CD-ROM 12 by the disk reading unit 14. For example, for each polygon, the vertex coordinates of this polygon and, if there is a corresponding texture, texture identification information is stored. Further, when transparency is set corresponding to each polygon, the value is also stored. However, as described above, this content is appropriately changed by the transparency setting unit 26.
[0026]
The texture information storage unit 50 stores data related to the texture read from the CD-ROM 12 by the disk reading unit 14. Each data regarding these polygons and textures is read from the CD-ROM 12 immediately after the game apparatus 100 is turned on, or after that, if necessary, and is stored in the polygon information storage unit 40 and the texture information storage unit 50. Stored in
[0027]
The image generation unit 60 is based on the data on the position of each object in the 3D game space output from the object space setting unit 24 and the information on the viewpoint position output from the viewpoint setting unit 28. Each object is converted into a projection plane of a predetermined viewpoint coordinate system to generate a pseudo three-dimensional image as a game image, and includes a texture mapping unit 62, a translucent operation unit 64, and a frame memory 66. Yes.
[0028]
The texture mapping unit 62 reads texture information necessary for creating a game image from the texture information storage unit 50, and performs a process of adding a corresponding texture to the polygons forming each object.
[0029]
The translucent computing unit 64 performs a predetermined translucent process corresponding to the polygon for which the transparency is set. As described above, in this embodiment, when the windshield is wiped with the wiper, a game effect is performed such that the dirt attached to the windshield is gradually wiped in accordance with the number of operations of the wiper. At this time, it is set so that the dirt is completely wiped off when the wiper operates a predetermined number of times, and when the wiper operation has not reached the predetermined number of times, the windshield remains dirty and the other side of the windshield A game image that each background object is visible is displayed. In order to generate such an image, the translucent computing unit 64 obtains color data of the object representing the stain and each background object based on the transparency value set for the polygon corresponding to a part of the windshield. Translucent processing is performed by mixing. As described above, by mixing the color information of two (or more) overlapping objects according to the transparency value and performing the translucency calculation, an object close to the viewpoint position (in this embodiment, A state in which the background object can be seen through the windshield) can be expressed. In addition, by attaching a pattern representing dirt to an object closer to the viewpoint position and changing the transparency of the object, it is possible to express how the dirt gradually disappears.
[0030]
A specific example of the above-described translucent process will be described. The transparency set for the polygon corresponding to a part of the windshield is OP₁ far. However, transparency OP₁ Has a value between 0 and 100 (%) and OP₁ = 0% opaque, that is, the object placed behind this polygon is completely invisible, OP₁ = 100% represents the state in which the object placed behind this polygon is completely visible. R_T , G_T , B_T Is the color data of the object corresponding to a part of the windshield, and R_X , G_X , B_X Is color data corresponding to the background object, color data R obtained by translucent processing_Q , G_Q , B_Q Is obtained by the following equation.
[0031]
R_Q= ((100-OP₁) × R_T+ OP₁× R_X) / 100
G_Q= ((100-OP₁) X G_T+ OP₁× G_X) / 100
B_Q= ((100-OP₁) × B_T+ OP₁× B_X) / 100
The translucent process performed in the translucent computing unit 64 is not limited to the above-described method, and various other methods are conceivable, but an appropriate method may be appropriately selected and used.
[0032]
The frame memory 66 temporarily stores image data generated by performing texture mapping processing or translucent processing. The display unit 70 displays a game image based on the image data stored in the frame memory 66.
[0033]
The game presentation unit 22 described above corresponds to the game presentation unit, the transparency setting unit 26 corresponds to the transparency setting unit, the object space setting unit 24 and the image generation unit 60 correspond to the game image generation unit, and the display unit 70 corresponds to the display unit. Yes. A translucent operation unit 64 included in the image generation unit 60 corresponds to a translucent operation means.
[0034]
The game apparatus 100 of the present embodiment has the above-described configuration, and the principle of creating a game image will be described next. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the principle of creating a game image. As shown in FIG. 2, the game calculation unit 20 places a three-dimensional object 210 representing a car in the three-dimensional game space 200. The CD-ROM 12 stores data regarding a plurality of polygons constituting the three-dimensional object 210 and data regarding textures added to these polygons. In the three-dimensional game space 200, not only a three-dimensional object 210 representing a car, but also various three-dimensional objects representing a background such as a race course, an obstacle such as a puddle or a rock, a mountain or a tree are arranged. Further, data regarding a plurality of polygons constituting these three-dimensional objects and data regarding textures added to these polygons are also stored in the CD-ROM 12.
[0035]
A texture mapping unit 62 included in the image generation unit 60 adds a corresponding texture to the polygons forming the above-described three-dimensional object. A three-dimensional object composed of polygons to which a texture is added is perspective-projected on a perspective projection surface 220 of a viewpoint coordinate system centered on a virtual viewpoint 310 of the player 300 set by the viewpoint setting unit 28, The pseudo three-dimensional image 222 is displayed on the display unit 70. In particular, in this embodiment, the virtual viewpoint 310 is assumed to be a viewpoint when the player 300 is in the driver's seat of the own vehicle in the three-dimensional game space 200. Therefore, as a game image displayed on the display unit 70, an image in which the player 300 is looking at the race course, another car, the background, or the like through the windshield of the own vehicle is generated. A specific display example will be described later.
[0036]
Further, when the operation unit 10 is operated by the player 300 and the traveling position of the host vehicle changes, and the viewpoint position and the viewing direction change accordingly, the game calculation unit 20 responds to the new viewpoint position and viewing direction. Thus, an operation for changing the position and orientation of the three-dimensional object 210 and other three-dimensional objects in the three-dimensional game space 200 is performed. The three-dimensional objects whose positions and orientations have been changed are subjected to perspective projection conversion on the perspective projection plane 220 in the viewpoint coordinate system centered on the viewpoint 310 of the player 300 by the image generation unit 60. An updated game image is generated.
[0037]
Therefore, when the player 300 operates the operation unit 10, the position and orientation of the three-dimensional object in the three-dimensional game space 200 change in real time, and the player 300 follows the race course set in the three-dimensional game space 200. You can experience the realism of driving.
[0038]
For example, when a computer graphics method is used, the game calculation unit 20 creates a shape model of the three-dimensional object 210 using an independent body coordinate system. That is, by arranging each polygon constituting the three-dimensional object 210 in this body coordinate system, the shape model of the three-dimensional object 210 is specified. In addition, the game calculation unit 20 configures the three-dimensional game space 200 using the world coordinate system (Xw, Yw, Zw), and uses the three-dimensional object 210 represented using the body coordinate system as its shape model. Therefore, place it in the world coordinate system. Then, the image generation unit 60 converts the coordinates of each three-dimensional object in the three-dimensional game space 200 into a viewpoint coordinate system in which the position of the viewpoint 310 is the origin and the direction of the line of sight is the positive direction of the Z axis, and Perspective projection conversion is performed by converting to a screen coordinate system that is the coordinate system of the projection plane 220. In this way, an image of the three-dimensional game space 200 within the field of view from the viewpoint 310 is displayed on the display unit 70.
[0039]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a game image displayed on the display unit 70 in the present embodiment, from the driver's seat of the own vehicle running through the race course set in the three-dimensional game space through the windshield. A game image corresponding to the viewed landscape is shown. In FIG. 3, an image 250 represents a hood of the own vehicle, and an image 252 represents a wiper provided in the own vehicle. In addition, the image 254 represents the race course, the image 256 represents the puddle on the race course, the image 258 represents the other car as a race partner running on the race course, and the image 260 is on the side of the race course. Represents a rock. An image 262 represented by a trapezoidal frame represents a frame that supports the windshield of the vehicle, and the inside of the image 262 corresponds to the windshield. In the actual game image, various images are displayed in addition to the above-described images in order to enhance the realistic sensation of the race, but are omitted in FIG. 3 for the sake of simplicity.
[0040]
As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, a game image corresponding to the direction, position, running speed, etc. of the own vehicle that changes when the operation unit 10 is operated as the race progresses is created and displayed. . Further, in the present embodiment, when mud or the like is splashed by passing the vehicle or another vehicle 258 traveling in front of the vehicle through the puddle represented by the image 256 described above, the vehicle A game image representing a state in which dirt is attached to the windshield is displayed. Further, when dirt is attached to the windshield of the own vehicle, it corresponds to an operation instruction output from the operation unit 10 when the player operates the operation unit 10 or an instruction automatically issued by the game effect unit 22. Then, the above-described wiper (image 252) is operated, and a game image representing a state in which dirt attached to the windshield is gradually wiped off is displayed.
[0041]
Next, a method for displaying a state in which dirt attached to the windshield is gradually wiped in accordance with the operation of the wiper will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the polygons and textures that make up the object representing the windshield inside the image 262 (trapezoidal frame) described above. In FIG. 4, a polygon 400 is a polygon corresponding to a portion of the windshield excluding a portion wiped by a wiper. The texture 410 is a texture mapped to the polygon 400, and is used to express a state in which the windshield is dirty. In FIG. 4, the pattern of the texture 410 is indicated by hatching, but in actuality, a pattern showing a state of being soiled by mud or the like is added. By adding the texture 410 to the polygon 400 described above, an object corresponding to the windshield excluding a portion wiped by the wiper is formed.
[0042]
  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining polygons and textures constituting an object corresponding to a portion of the windshield wiped off by the wiper. In FIG. 5, a polygon 420 is a polygon corresponding to a portion wiped by the wiper, and a texture 430 represents a texture mapped to the polygon 420. As in FIG. 4, it is assumed that the hatched portion of the texture 430 is actually provided with a pattern indicating a state of being dirty with mud or the like. By adding the texture 430 to the polygon 420 described above, an object corresponding to the wiped portion by the wiper is formed.An object corresponding to the wiped portion by the wiper corresponds to a “first object” in the claims, and an object corresponding to the wiper corresponds to a “second object” in the claims.
[0043]
Incidentally, in FIGS. 4 and 5 described above, the polygons 400 and 420 are described as one polygon for simplification of explanation, but these polygons 400 and 420 are actually a plurality of triangles or quadrangles. It is composed of polygons.
[0044]
  In the object constituted by the polygon 400 and the texture 410 shown in FIG. 4 described above, the object constituted by the polygon 420 and the texture 430 shown in FIG. Thus, it is possible to express a state where the entire surface of the windshield is dirty. In the present embodiment, a transparency value can be set corresponding to the polygon 420 shown in FIG. 5. By setting the transparency to be variable, the appearance of the texture 430 mapped to the polygon 420 can be changed. It is possible to change, and it is possible to represent a state in which the background seen through the windshield and the dirt gradually changes corresponding to the wiper operation.An object corresponding to the background seen through the windshield corresponds to “other object” in the claims.
[0045]
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a method of expressing how the dirt gradually changes by setting the transparency of the polygon 420 variably in accordance with the wiper operation. As described above, the transparency set for the polygon 420 is opaque when it is 0%, that is, the texture 430 can be seen without seeing any object placed behind the polygon 420, and when the transparency is 100%. It is assumed that the texture 430 mapped to the polygon 420 is not visible at all, and the object placed behind the polygon 420 is visible.
[0046]
FIG. 6A shows a display when the transparency of the polygon 420 is set to 0%. As described above, the wiper immediately after the own vehicle or another vehicle near the own vehicle jumps up mud or the like. The stain of the windshield in the state where the wiping operation by is not performed once is expressed. In this case, the entire surface of the windshield is dirty, and the other side of the windshield (in front of the vehicle) is completely invisible.
[0047]
FIG. 6 (B) shows a display when the transparency of the polygon 420 is set to 50%, and expresses how some dirt adhered to the windshield is wiped off by operating the wiper several times. Has been. In this case, by performing the semi-transparency process corresponding to the transparency value of the polygon 420, the background object arranged on the other side of the windshield can be seen through the windshield. In FIG. 6B, the hatching interval applied to the texture 430 is made larger than the hatching interval applied to the texture 410 to express a state in which dirt is wiped off somewhat. In fact, it is assumed that dirt due to mud or the like is expressed. Further, in FIG. 6B, the drawing is omitted for the background object that is visible beyond the windshield in order to simplify the description.
[0048]
FIG. 6C shows a display when the transparency of the polygon 420 is set to 100%, and the state where the dirt attached to the windshield is completely wiped by the wiper operating a predetermined number of times. It is expressed. In this case, the background object arranged on the other side of the windshield can be completely seen. In addition, like FIG. 6B described above, in FIG. 6C, drawing is omitted for the background object that is visible beyond the windshield in order to simplify the description.
[0049]
As described above, the game apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment changes the appearance of the texture 430 mapped to the polygon 420 by variably setting the transparency of the polygon 420 so that the dirt attached to the windshield causes the wiper to operate. It expresses how it changes gradually according to the number of times. Therefore, it is possible to represent a state in which dirt changes with a small amount of data, as compared with the conventional method in which a plurality of textures or a plurality of objects are prepared.
[0050]
By the way, the relationship between the number of wiper operations described above and the transparency value set for the polygon 420 can be arbitrarily set. For example, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the transparency of the polygon 420 is set to 100% when the wiping operation by the wiper 252 is continuously performed four times. That is, after the windshield is soiled by the splash of mud (transparency becomes 0%), the transparency is set to 25% when the wiper 252 is operated once, and the transparency is 50% when the wiper 252 is operated twice. When the wiper 252 operates three times, the transparency is set to 75%, and when the wiper 252 operates four times, the transparency is set to 100%.
[0051]
Next, the operation of the game apparatus 100 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an outline of an operation procedure of the game apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. When the game start is instructed by an operation instruction or the like via the operation unit 10, the game rendering unit 22 races in which the vehicle is set in the three-dimensional game space based on the game program read from the CD-ROM 12. A predetermined game calculation for running the course is performed (step 100). Next, the transparency setting unit 26 acquires information on the wiper movement of the own vehicle from the game effecting unit 22, and sets the transparency of the polygons constituting the object representing the windshield of the own vehicle in association with the movement of the wiper ( Step 101). Details of the transparency setting method will be described later. Next, based on the game effect result output from the game effect unit 22, the object space setting unit 24 calculates the detailed shape and the like of each object arranged in the three-dimensional game space. Thereafter, a game image based on the calculation result by the object space setting unit 24 and the viewpoint position set by the viewpoint setting unit 28 is generated by the image generation unit 60 and displayed on the display unit 70 (step 102).
[0052]
Next, in step 101 shown in FIG. 7 described above, the operation of expressing the change in the degree of dirt by variably setting the transparency of the polygon corresponding to a part of the windshield in accordance with the number of times the wiper of the vehicle is operated. Details will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of variably setting the transparency of the polygon corresponding to a part of the windshield corresponding to the number of times the wiper is operated, and mainly shows the procedure of the transparency calculation operation by the game calculation unit 20. Has been. In the following, it is assumed that the game image generation and display interval is 1/60 seconds, and the processing shown in FIG. 8 is performed every 1/60 seconds. In addition, to simplify the explanation, as a condition for the dirt to adhere to the windshield, only the case where the own vehicle has passed through the puddle is considered, and the case where another vehicle traveling around the own vehicle has passed through the puddle is considered. Do not think.
[0053]
When the car race game by the game apparatus 100 is started, the transparency setting unit 26 passes the puddle based on the position of the object representing the puddle and the own vehicle position calculated by the game effect unit 22. Whether or not (step 200). When the vehicle passes through the puddle, the transparency setting unit 26 sets the transparency value corresponding to the polygon 420 (the portion of the windshield wiped off by the wiper) shown in FIG. 5 to 0% (step 201). ). If the vehicle has not passed through the puddle, a negative determination is made in step 100, and the transparency setting unit 26 then determines whether or not the wiper has operated based on the calculation contents by the game effect unit 22. Determination is made (step 202). Specifically, every time the wiper operates once, the game effect unit 22 notifies that effect, and the transparency setting unit 26 determines whether the wiper has operated based on this notification.
[0054]
When the wiper operates, the transparency setting unit 26 determines whether or not the transparency value set for the polygon 420 is smaller than 100% (step 203). If the transparency value set for the polygon 420 is smaller than 100%, the transparency setting unit 26 adds 25 to the current transparency value and sets the changed transparency value (step 204). .
[0055]
After the negative determination is made in step 202 or 203 described above, or after the transparency setting process shown in step 201 or 204 is performed, the object space setting unit 24 corresponds to the object 420 shown in FIG. It is then determined whether or not the transparency value thus set is 100% (step 205). If the transparency is not 100%, the object space setting unit 24 calculates and displays detailed shapes of various objects in the three-dimensional game space including the object represented by the polygon 420 having the transparency. A target three-dimensional game space is generated (step 206). On the other hand, when the transparency is 100%, there is no need to consider the pattern (dirt) of the texture 430 corresponding to the polygon 420 having this transparency, and therefore, in the three-dimensional game space excluding the object represented by the polygon 420 The detailed shapes and the like of the various objects are calculated to generate a three-dimensional game space to be displayed (step 207). When the detailed shape or the like of each object included in the three-dimensional game space is set in this way, the image generation unit 60 sets the viewpoint for each object whose detailed shape or the like is calculated by the object space setting unit 24. A perspective projection conversion based on the viewpoint position set by the unit 28 is performed, and a game image that is actually displayed on the display unit 70 is generated.
[0056]
As described above, in the game apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the transparency of the polygon 420 provided corresponding to the wiping range by the wiper 252 is set variably according to the number of operations of the wiper 252 and added to the polygon 420. By changing the appearance of the texture 430, the degree of contamination of the object corresponding to the polygon 420 is expressed. Therefore, compared to the conventional method of preparing multiple textures or multiple objects and replacing them in order, the dirt attached to the windshield with a small amount of data changes gradually according to the number of wiper operations. Can be expressed.
[0057]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation implementation is possible within the range of the summary of this invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, as an example of the semi-transparency calculation performed in the semi-transparency calculation unit 64, the setting is made for the polygons constituting the object arranged in front of the viewpoint position 310 described in FIG. The method of mixing the color data of the object arranged in the front and the color data of the object arranged in the rear is explained based on the transparency, but the method of performing the translucency operation is not limited to this. In addition, various other methods can be used. For example, when a predetermined transparency is set for an object arranged in the front, a value obtained by multiplying the color data of this object by the transparency is added to the color data of the object arranged behind. Translucent operation may be performed.
[0058]
In the above-described embodiment, the transparency value set for the polygon 420 to express the dirt on the windshield has five levels of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. However, the present invention is not limited to this. If the transparency is set in more stages, the change in the windshield stains can be expressed more finely. In this case, what is necessary is just to adjust the value added with respect to the current transparency in the process shown by step 204 in the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0059]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the transparency set for the polygon 420 is defined such that the back of the polygon 420 cannot be seen at all when the transparency is 0%. It may be defined that the back of the polygon 420 is not visible at 100%.
[0060]
In the above-described embodiment, the transparency for the polygon 420 is set by adding a predetermined constant to the current value of transparency. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The transparency may be set by multiplying a predetermined constant. For example, if it is defined that the back of the polygon 420 cannot be seen when the transparency is 100%, the vehicle passes through a puddle and the transparency becomes 100%. (E.g., 0.9) may be multiplied by the number of times corresponding to the number of operations of the wiper.
[0061]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the dirt on the windshield changes simultaneously in the region corresponding to the polygon 420 every time the wiper operates. However, this change in dirt is made to correspond finely to the movement of the wiper. Thus, it is possible to display such that the dirt is sequentially removed from the place wiped off by the wiper. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a modified example in which the change in dirt is finely associated with the movement of the wiper. As described above, the polygon 420 has been described as a single polygon, but actually comprises a plurality of polygons. In FIG. 9, as a simple example, a case where the polygon 420 is actually composed of three polygons 420a, 420b, and 420c is shown. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 9A to 9D, the transparency of the polygons 420a, 420b, and 420c is changed in order corresponding to the wiping operation by the wiper 252, so that the wiper is wiped by the wiper. It is possible to display such that the dirt is removed in order from the part. In the example illustrated in FIG. 9, the example in which the polygon 420 is configured by the three polygons 420a, 420b, and 420c has been described. However, when the polygon 420 is configured by more polygons, the wiper The change of the dirt corresponding to the operation of can be expressed in more detail.
[0062]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the texture is associated with the polygons constituting each object has been described. However, the texture and the color of the polygon itself are not used, and the pattern or color on the object surface is used. You may make it express.
[0063]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the dirt on the windshield is changed corresponding to the operation of the wiper has been described by taking a rally game as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, for example, When expressing a dirty car in order from the part where the car wash brush has passed when washing a car with dirt on it with a car wash machine, or when painting a wall with paint with a brush The present invention can be applied to a case where a pattern or color added to another object is gradually changed in relation to the movement of a certain object.
[0064]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a game image composed of a three-dimensional object with a texture added to a polygon has been described. However, this is a case of a planar game image that does not use a three-dimensional object. However, the present invention can be applied.
[0065]
In the above-described embodiment, the windshield, which is a transparent member, is soiled, and a game image is generated when the race course or the like is viewed through the windshield that is semi-transparent due to the soiling. When dirt adheres to the surface of one object that is a member, a game image in which the degree of dirt gradually increases or decreases may be generated. When expressing such dirt, a second object having the same shape as the first object and a slightly larger size is prepared separately from the first object as an opaque member. A texture for representing dirt should be pasted on at least a part of the polygons, and the transparency value corresponding to these polygons may be set variably. The size of these two objects is set so as to cover the periphery of the first object with the second object, and the second object is arranged on the side closer to the viewpoint position. By changing the corresponding transparency, it is possible to perform a game effect that gradually changes the degree of dirt attached to the surface of the first object.
[0066]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the transparency of this object or other objects is variably set in association with the movement of the object, thereby changing the appearance of the color or pattern attached to the surface of the object. In addition, it is only necessary to change the transparency when the appearance of the object is changed in conjunction with the movement of the object in this way, so the amount of data necessary to express the state of change is reduced. be able to.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a game device according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the principle of creating a game image.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a game image displayed on a display unit.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining polygons and textures constituting an object representing a windshield.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining polygons and textures constituting an object corresponding to a portion of a windshield wiped off by a wiper.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a method of expressing a state in which dirt gradually changes by setting the transparency of a predetermined polygon variably in accordance with a wiper operation.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an outline of an operation procedure of the game apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of variably setting the transparency of a polygon corresponding to a part of the windshield in response to the operation of the wiper.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a modified example in which the change in dirt is finely associated with the movement of the wiper.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Operation part
12 CD-ROM
14 Disc reader
20 Game calculator
22 Game director
24 Object space setting section
26 Transparency setting section
28 Viewpoint setting section
40 Polygon information storage
50 Texture information storage
60 Image generator
62 Texture mapping section
64 Translucent operation part
66 frame memory
70 Display section

Claims (6)

Game directing means for performing a predetermined game directing with the movement of an object arranged in the game space;
A transparency setting means for variably setting the transparency of at least a part of the object in association with the movement of the object;
Game image generation means for setting the game space including the object with the transparency set and generating a game image of the game space viewed from a viewpoint position;
Display means for displaying the game image generated by the game image generation means,
The objects include a first object in which the transparency is set at least in part, and a second object that moves relative to the first object,
The first object is composed of a plurality of polygons associated with textures,
The transparency setting means is linked to the timing at which the first object and the second object overlap when viewed from the viewpoint position , and is located behind the movement of the second object . Changing the transparency value set corresponding to a part of the polygons constituting one object,
The game image generation means, when the transparency value set corresponding to the polygon is changed, the color information of the texture corresponding to the polygon and the texture of the texture when viewed from the viewpoint position. A game apparatus comprising translucent computing means for performing a process of changing a ratio of mixing color information of other objects behind. In claim 1,
The game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transparency setting means gradually changes the transparency value in one direction each time the number of times that the operation of overlapping the first object and the second object is increased. Game directing means for performing a predetermined game directing with the movement of an object arranged in the game space;
A transparency setting means for variably setting the transparency of at least a part of the object in association with the movement of the object;
Game image generation means for setting the game space including the object with the transparency set and generating a game image of the game space viewed from a viewpoint position;
A display unit for displaying the game image generated by the game image generation unit;
The objects include a first object in which the transparency is set at least in part, and a second object that moves relative to the first object,
The first object is composed of a plurality of polygons associated with textures,
A first step of performing the game effect by the game calculation means;
The first object is linked to the timing at which the first object and the second object overlap when viewed from the viewpoint position and is located behind the movement of the second object. A second step of changing the transparency value set corresponding to some of the polygons by the transparency setting means;
When the transparency value set corresponding to the polygon is changed, the color information of the texture corresponding to the polygon and other objects behind the texture when viewed from the viewpoint position A third step in which the game image generating means performs a process of changing the ratio of mixing the color information;
A game image generation method comprising: In claim 3,
In the second step, the transparency setting means gradually changes the transparency value in one direction each time the number of times that the operation of overlapping the first object and the second object is increased. A game image generation method characterized by the above. Game effect means for performing a predetermined game effect with movement of an object arranged in the game space, and transparency setting means for variably setting the transparency of at least a part of the object in association with the movement of the object And a game image generating means for setting the game space including the object for which the transparency is set, and generating a game image when the game space is viewed from a viewpoint position, and the game image generating means An information storage medium storing a program for functioning as display means for displaying the game image,
The objects include a first object in which the transparency is set at least in part, and a second object that moves relative to the first object,
The first object is composed of a plurality of polygons associated with textures,
The transparency setting means is linked to the timing at which the first object and the second object overlap when viewed from the viewpoint position , and is located behind the movement of the second object . Changing the transparency value set corresponding to a part of the polygons constituting one object,
The game image generation means, when the transparency value set corresponding to the polygon is changed, the color information of the texture corresponding to the polygon and the texture of the texture when viewed from the viewpoint position. A computer-readable information storage medium having translucent operation means for performing a process of changing a mixing ratio of color information of other objects behind. In claim 5,
The transparency setting means is a computer-readable information storage medium that gradually changes the transparency value in one direction each time the number of times that the operation of overlapping the first object and the second object is repeated increases. .

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