Image generation method, program, and information storage medium

• US 20040219978A1
• Filed: 10/08/2003
• Published: 11/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Namco Bandai Games Inc.
• Original Assignee: Namco Limited (BANDAI NAMCO Holdings Inc.)
• Inventors: Bando, Kazuhito, Teramoto, Hideo
• Application Number:
  US10/680,186
• Publication Number:
  US 20040219978A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/10 Control of the course of the game, e.g. start, progess, end
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/45 Controlling the progress of the video game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/537 using indicators, e.g. showing the condition of a game character on screen
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/58 by computing conditions of game characters, e.g. stamina, strength, motivation or energy level
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/803 Driving vehicles or craft, e.g. cars, airplanes, ships, robots or tanks

Abstract

A value of a first parameter (pressure parameter) is changed when moving objects OB1 and OB2 have been in an approach relation (pressure relation), and an action change event (such as spin or course out) is generated when a value of the first parameter reaches a threshold value. The approach relation is determined based on the time difference between the moving objects OB1 and OB2. A parameter display object POB (pressure meter) which visually indicates the change in the value of the first parameter is displayed. The parameter display object is displayed associating with each of a plurality of moving objects. The threshold value and the change rate of the first parameter value are set for each of the moving objects. The first parameter is reset when the moving objects OB1 and OB2 are in a non-approach relation.

Claims

1. An image generation method for generating an image, comprising:

performing processing of moving first and second moving objects in an object space;

generating an image viewed from a given viewpoint in the object space;

performing processing of changing a value of a first parameter of the second moving object when it is determined that the first moving object and the second moving object have been in an approach relation;

generating an action change event in which action of the second moving object changes when it is determined that the value of the first parameter of the second moving object has reached a threshold value; and

determining that the first and second moving objects have been in the approach relation when a time difference between the first and second moving objects becomes smaller than a given set time difference.

2. The image generation method as defined in claim 1,

wherein the time difference between the first and second moving objects is determined to be smaller than the given set time difference when the first moving object is positioned within a given distance range which increases as a speed of the second moving object increases.

3. The image generation method as defined in claim 2,

wherein the value of the first parameter of the second moving object is changed when the first moving object is positioned within the given distance range which increases as the speed of the second moving object increases and a ratio of a speed of the first moving object to the speed of the second moving object is equal to or greater than a given set ratio.

4. The image generation method as defined in claim 1,

wherein the value of the first parameter of the second moving object is changed at a higher change rate as the time difference between the first and second moving objects decreases.

5. The image generation method as defined in claim 1,

wherein the value of the first parameter of the second moving object is changed up to the threshold value when the time difference between the first and second moving objects is smaller than an intermediate set time difference which is smaller than the given set time difference, and the value of the first parameter of the second moving object is changed up to an intermediate value which is smaller than the threshold value when the time difference between the first and second moving objects is greater than the intermediate set time difference and is smaller than the given set time difference.

11. The image generation method as defined in claim 1,

wherein, when a plurality of the second moving objects move in the object space, at least one of the threshold value and a change rate of the first parameter is set for each of the second moving objects.

13. The image generation method as defined in claim 11,

wherein at least one of the threshold value and the change rate of the first parameter of each of the second moving objects is set according to a relative relation between the first moving object and each of the second moving objects.

17. The image generation method as defined in claim 1,

wherein the first parameter of the second moving object is a pressure parameter which virtually indicates a degree of pressure applied to the second moving object.

22. The image generation method as defined in claim 1, comprising:

changing game sound to be output according to the change in the value of the first parameter.

6. An image generation method for generating an image, comprising:

performing processing of moving first and second moving objects in an object space;

generating an image viewed from a given viewpoint in the object space;

performing processing of changing a value of a first parameter of the second moving object when it is determined that the first moving object and the second moving object have been in an approach relation;

generating an action change event in which action of the second moving object changes when it is determined that the value of the first parameter of the second moving object has reached a threshold value; and

resetting or decreasing the value of the first parameter of the second moving object which has changed due to the approach relation, when the first moving object is positioned outside first and second distance ranges which are set in front of and behind the second moving object, respectively, and leaving the value of the first parameter unchanged when the first moving object is positioned in the first distance range which is set in front of the second moving object.

7. The image generation method as defined in claim 6,

wherein the first and second distance ranges are distance ranges which increase as a speed of the second moving object increases.

18. The image generation method as defined in claim 6,

wherein the first parameter of the second moving object is a pressure parameter which virtually indicates a degree of pressure applied to the second moving object.

23. The image generation method as defined in claim 6, comprising:

changing game sound to be output according to the change in the value of the first parameter.

8. An image generation method for generating an image, comprising:

performing processing of moving first and second moving objects in an object space;

generating an image viewed from a given viewpoint in the object space;

performing processing of changing a value of a first parameter of the second moving object when it is determined that the first moving object and the second moving object have been in an approach relation;

generating an action change event in which action of the second moving object changes when it is determined that the value of the first parameter of the second moving object has reached a threshold value; and

changing the value of the first parameter of the second moving object at a higher change rate as a distance between the first and second moving objects increases in a direction which intersects a traveling direction at right angles when the first moving object is positioned in a third distance range which is set behind the second moving object.

9. The image generation method as defined in claim 8,

wherein the third distance range is a distance range which increases as a speed of the second moving object increases.

19. The image generation method as defined in claim 8,

wherein the first parameter of the second moving object is a pressure parameter which virtually indicates a degree of pressure applied to the second moving object.

24. The image generation method as defined in claim 8, comprising:

changing game sound to be output according to the change in the value of the first parameter.

10. An image generation method for generating an image, comprising:

performing processing of moving first and second moving objects in an object space;

generating an image viewed from a given viewpoint in the object space;

performing processing of changing a value of a first parameter of the second moving object when it is determined that the first moving object and the second moving object have been in an approach relation;

generating an action change event in which action of the second moving object changes when it is determined that the value of the first parameter of the second moving object has reached a threshold value; and

performing processing of displaying a parameter display object which visually indicates a change in the value of the first parameter of the second moving object.

12. The image generation method as defined in claim 10,

wherein, when a plurality of the second moving objects move in the object space, at least one of the threshold value and a change rate of the first parameter is set for each of the second moving objects.

14. The image generation method as defined in claim 12,

wherein a length of the parameter display object is increased as the threshold value of the first parameter set for each of the second moving objects is greater, the parameter display object being displayed associating with each of the second moving objects.

20. The image generation method as defined in claim 10,

wherein the first parameter of the second moving object is a pressure parameter which virtually indicates a degree of pressure applied to the second moving object.

25. The image generation method as defined in claim 10, comprising:

changing game sound to be output according to the change in the value of the first parameter.

15. An image generation method for generating an image, comprising:

performing processing of moving first and second moving objects in an object space;

generating an image viewed from a given viewpoint in the object space;

performing processing of changing a value of a first parameter of the second moving object when it is determined that the first moving object and the second moving object have been in an approach relation; and

performing processing of displaying a parameter display object which visually indicates a change in the value of the first parameter of the second moving object.

16. The image generation method as defined in claim 15, comprising:

when a plurality of the second moving objects move in the object space, performing processing of displaying the parameter display object associating with each of the second moving objects, the parameter display object visually indicating the change in the value of the first parameter of each of the second moving objects.

21. The image generation method as defined in claim 15,

wherein the first parameter of the second moving object is a pressure parameter which virtually indicates a degree of pressure applied to the second moving object.

26. The image generation method as defined in claim 15, comprising:

changing game sound to be output according to the change in the value of the first parameter.

27. A program for generating an image, the program causing a computer to function as:

a movement processing section which performs processing of moving first and second moving objects in an object space;

an image generation section which generates an image viewed from a given viewpoint in the object space;

a parameter processing section which performs processing of changing a value of a first parameter of the second moving object when it is determined that the first moving object and the second moving object have been in an approach relation; and

an action change processing section which generates an action change event in which action of the second moving object changes when it is determined that the value of the first parameter of the second moving object has reached a threshold value;

wherein the parameter processing section determines that the first and second moving objects have been in the approach relation when a time difference between the first and second moving objects becomes smaller than a given set time difference.

32. A computer-readable information storage medium in which the program as defined in claim 27 is stored.

28. A program for generating an image, the program causing a computer to function as:

a movement processing section which performs processing of moving first and second moving objects in an object space;

an image generation section which generates an image viewed from a given viewpoint in the object space;

a parameter processing section which performs processing of changing a value of a first parameter of the second moving object when it is determined that the first moving object and the second moving object have been in an approach relation; and

an action change processing section which generates an action change event in which action of the second moving object changes when it is determined that the value of the first parameter of the second moving object has reached a threshold value;

wherein the parameter processing section resets or decreases the value of the first parameter of the second moving object which has changed due to the approach relation, when the first moving object is positioned outside first and second distance ranges which are set in front of and behind the second moving object, respectively, and leaves the value of the first parameter unchanged when the first moving object is positioned in the first distance range which is set in front of the second moving object.

33. A computer-readable information storage medium in which the program as defined in claim 28 is stored.

29. A program for generating an image, the program causing a computer to function as:

a movement processing section which performs processing of moving first and second moving objects in an object space;

an image generation section which generates an image viewed from a given viewpoint in the object space;

a parameter processing section which performs processing of changing a value of a first parameter of the second moving object when it is determined that the first moving object and the second moving object have been in an approach relation; and

an action change processing section which generates an action change event in which action of the second moving object changes when it is determined that the value of the first parameter of the second moving object has reached a threshold value;

wherein the parameter processing section changes the value of the first parameter of the second moving object at a higher change rate as a distance between the first and second moving objects increases in a direction which intersects a traveling direction at right angles when the first moving object is positioned in a third distance range which is set behind the second moving object.

34. A computer-readable information storage medium in which the program as defined in claim 29 is stored.

30. A program for generating an image, the program causing a computer to function as:

a movement processing section which performs processing of moving first and second moving objects in an object space;

an image generation section which generates an image viewed from a given viewpoint in the object space;

a parameter processing section which performs processing of changing a value of a first parameter of the second moving object when it is determined that the first moving object and the second moving object have been in an approach relation;

an action change processing section which generates an action change event in which action of the second moving object changes when it is determined that the value of the first parameter of the second moving object has reached a threshold value; and

a parameter display processing section which performs processing of displaying a parameter display object which visually indicates a change in the value of the first parameter of the second moving object.

35. A computer-readable information storage medium in which the program as defined in claim 30 is stored.

31. A program for generating an image, the program causing a computer to function as:

a movement processing section which performs processing of moving first and second moving objects in an object space;

an image generation section which generates an image viewed from a given viewpoint in the object space;

a parameter processing section which performs processing of changing a value of a first parameter of the second moving object when it is determined that the first moving object and the second moving object have been in an approach relation; and

a parameter display processing section which performs processing of displaying a parameter display object which visually indicates a change in the value of the first parameter of the second moving object.

36. A computer-readable information storage medium in which the program as defined in claim 31 is stored.