Game system and storage medium storing game program

• US 20080119269A1
• Filed: 11/16/2007
• Published: 05/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Inventors: Ito, Norihito, Tanaka, Kenta, Nishimura, Kentaro, Okada, Masayuki, Nonaka, Toyokazu, Izuno, Toshiharu
• Granted Patent: US 9,901,814 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/105 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes

Abstract

A housing of a game controller is capable of being held with one hand of a player. A direction instruction section is provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input. Movement detection means is means for detecting movement of the housing. Movement direction control means of a game apparatus is means for determining a movement direction of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section. Posture control means is means for determining a posture of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with detection by the movement detection means.

Claims

1. A game system comprising a game controller including a first housing which is capable of being held with one hand of a player, a game apparatus connected to the game controller, and first movement detection means for detecting movement of the first housing,

the game controller including a direction instruction section which is provided in the first housing for performing a direction instruction input, and

the game apparatus including:

first movement direction control means for determining a movement direction of a first object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section; and

posture control means for determining a posture of the first object in the virtual game world in accordance with detection by the first movement detection means.

2. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the first housing is formed in such a shape and size that the first housing is held at a side circumference thereof with one hand of the player.

3. The game system according to claim 2, wherein the direction instruction section is provided in such a position that when the first housing is held at the side circumference thereof with one hand of the player, the direction instruction section is capable of being operated with a thumb of the one hand.

4. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the posture control means determines inclination of the first housing in a predetermined direction based on the detection by the first movement detection means, thereby determining inclination of the first object in a predetermined direction in a virtual three-dimensional game space.

5. The game system according to claim 1, wherein

the first movement detection means is capable of detecting at least rotation of the first housing about a predetermined axis, and

the posture control means determines the rotation of the first housing about the predetermined axis based on the detection by the first movement detection means, thereby determining rotation of the first object about a predetermined axis in a virtual three-dimensional game space.

6. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the posture control means determines inclination of the first housing in a predetermined direction and inclination of the first housing in a direction, which is different from the predetermined direction, based on the detection by the first movement detection means, thereby determining inclination of the first object in two directions in a virtual three-dimensional game space in accordance with each detection by the first movement detection means.

7. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the posture control means determines rotation of the first housing about a predetermined axis and rotation of the first housing about an axis, which is different from the predetermined axis, based on the detection by the first movement detection means, thereby determining rotation of the first object about two axes in a virtual three-dimensional game space in accordance with each detection by the first movement detection means.

8. The game system according to claim 1, wherein

the first movement detection means is capable of detecting acceleration generated in three mutually-perpendicular directions with respect to the first housing, and

the posture control means determines a three-dimensional posture vector, which indicates the posture of the first object in a virtual three-dimensional game space, in accordance with detection of the acceleration in the three directions by the first movement detection means.

9. The game system according to claim 1, wherein

the first movement detection means is capable of detecting rotation of the first housing about three mutually-perpendicular axes, and

the posture control means determines a three dimensional posture vector, which indicates the posture of the first object in a virtual three-dimensional game space, in accordance with detection of the rotation of the first housing about the three axes by the first movement detection means.

10. The game system according to claim 1, wherein

the first movement detection means is capable of detecting values of acceleration generated in three mutually-perpendicular directions with respect to the first housing, and

the posture control means determines each component value of a three-dimensional posture vector, which indicates the posture of the first object in a virtual three-dimensional game space, in accordance with each of the values detected by the first movement detection means.

11. The game system according to claim 1, wherein

the first movement detection means is capable of detecting values of acceleration generated in mutually-perpendicular two directions with respect to the first housing, and

the posture control means determines each of two component values of a three-dimensional posture vector, which indicates the posture of the first object in a virtual three-dimensional game space, in accordance with each of the values detected by the first movement detection means.

12. The game system according to claim 4, wherein

the first movement direction control means determines, with a first direction in the virtual three-dimensional game space as a reference, a direction in accordance with a direction instructed by the direction instruction section as the movement direction, and

the posture control means determines the inclination of the first housing in the predetermined direction based on the detection by the first movement detection means, thereby determining inclination of the first object in a direction based on the first direction in the virtual three-dimensional game space.

13. The game system according to claim 5, wherein

the first movement direction control means determines, with a first direction in the virtual three-dimensional game space as a reference, a direction in accordance with a direction instructed by the direction instruction section as the movement direction, and

the posture control means determines the rotation of the first housing about the predetermined axis based on the detection by the first movement detection means, thereby determining rotation of the first object about an axis extending in the first direction in the virtual three-dimensional game space in accordance with detection of the rotation of the first housing about the predetermined axis by the first movement detection means.

14. The game system according to claim 12, wherein

the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined in a forward direction of the first housing thereby to perform an instruction input for a forward direction,

the first movement direction control means moves the first object in the first direction when the stick is inclined in the forward direction of the first housing, and

the posture control means determines inclination of the first housing in the forward direction based on the detection by the first movement detection means, and inclines the first object in the first direction when the first movement detection means detects the rotation of the first housing in the forward direction.

15. The game system according to claim 12, wherein

the direction instruction section includes at least a stick which is inclined in a leftward or rightward direction of the first housing thereby to perform an instruction input for a leftward or rightward direction,

the first movement direction control means moves the first object in a leftward or rightward direction based on the first direction when the stick is inclined in the leftward or rightward direction of the first housing, and

the posture control means determines inclination of the first housing in the leftward or rightward direction based on the detection by the first movement detection means, and inclines the first object in the leftward or rightward direction based on the first direction.

16. The game system according to claim 12, wherein

the direction instruction section is capable of performing a direction instruction for at least a forward, backward, leftward, or rightward direction,

the first movement direction control means sets a current movement direction of the first object to be the first direction, and updates and sets, with the first direction as a reference, a direction in accordance with a direction instructed by the direction instruction section as the movement direction, and

the posture control means determines inclination of the first housing based on the detection by the first movement detection means, thereby determining inclination of the first object in a direction based on the updated and set movement direction.

17. The game system according to claim 1, wherein

the game controller further includes a second housing which is provided independently of the first housing and capable of being held with one hand of the player,

the game system further comprises second movement detection means for detecting a direction in which the second housing is pointed, and

the game apparatus further includes second movement direction control means for determining a movement direction of a second object, which is different from the first object, in accordance with detection by the second movement detection means.

18. The game system according to claim 1, wherein

the game controller further includes a second housing which is provided independently of the first housing and capable of being held with one hand of the player,

the game system further comprises second movement detection means for detecting movement of the second housing, and

the game apparatus further includes second movement direction control means for determining a movement direction of a second object, which is different from the first object, in accordance with detection by the second movement detection means.

19. The game system according to claim 17, wherein

the first movement direction control means determines the movement direction of the first object which is selected from a plurality of objects which appear in a virtual game world, and

the second movement direction control means determines movement directions of at least two of the plurality of objects in accordance with the detection by the second movement detection means.

20. The game system according to claim 17, wherein

the first movement detection means is provided in the first housing,

the second movement detection means is provided in the second housing,

the game controller further includes:

connection means for connecting the first housing and the second housing by a wire or wirelessly, and outputting data generated in one of the first and second housings to the other of the first and second housings, and

a transmission section provided in the other of the first and second housings for transmitting input data of the direction instruction section, detection data of the first movement detection means, and detection data of the second movement detection means to the game apparatus.

21. The game system according to claim 17, wherein the game apparatus further includes second object movement control means for controlling the second object to move in the movement direction, which is determined by the second movement direction control means, from a position based on a position of the first object in the virtual game world as a movement start point.

22. The game system according to claim 17, wherein the second movement direction control means determines the movement direction of the second object in accordance with the detection by the first movement detection means and the detection by the second movement detection means.

23. The game system according to claim 17, wherein the second movement direction control means determines the movement direction of the second object in accordance with the posture of the first object, which is determined by the posture control means, and the detection by the second movement detection means.

24. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the first movement detection means is provided in the first housing for detecting the movement of the first housing.

25. The game system according to claim 17, wherein the second movement detection means is provided in the second housing.

26. A game system comprising a game controller including a housing which is capable of being held with one hand of a player, a game apparatus connected to the game controller, and movement detection means for detecting movement of the housing,

the housing being formed in such a shape and size that the housing is held at a side circumference thereof with one hand of the player,

the game controller including a direction instruction section which is provided in such a position that when the housing is held with one hand of the player, the direction instruction section is capable of being operated with a thumb of the one hand for performing a direction instruction input, and

the game apparatus including:

movement direction control means for determining, with, as a reference, a forward direction of an object which appears in a virtual three-dimensional game space, a direction instructed by the direction instruction section as a movement direction of the object, and changing the forward direction of the object to the movement direction;

posture control means for determining inclination of the housing based on detection by the movement detection means, and inclining the object in a current forward direction thereof when it is indicated that the housing is inclined in a direction in which the player performs an input operation for a forward or backward direction by using the direction instruction section; and

display control means for moving the object having the inclination, which is determined by the posture control means, in the movement direction, which is determined by the movement direction control means, in the virtual three-dimensional game space, and for displaying the object on a display device.

32. The game system according to claim 26, wherein the movement detection means is provided in the housing for detecting the movement of the housing.

27. A game system comprising a game controller including a housing which is capable of being held with one hand of a player, a game apparatus connected to the game controller, and movement detection means for detecting movement of the housing,

the housing being formed in such a shape and size that the housing is held at a side circumference thereof with one hand of the player, the game controller including a direction instruction section which is provided in such a position that when the housing is held with one hand of the player, the direction ins ruction section is capable of being operated with a thumb of the one hand for performing a direction instruction input, and

the game apparatus including:

movement direction control means for determining, with, as a reference, a forward direction of an object which appears in a virtual three-dimensional game space, a direction instructed by the direction instruction section means as a movement direction of the object, and changing the forward direction of the object to the movement direction;

posture control means for determining inclination of the housing based on detection by the movement detection means, and inclining the object in a direction perpendicular to a current forward direction of the object when it is indicated that the housing is inclined in a direction in which the player performs an input operation for a leftward or rightward direction by using the direction instruction section; and

display control means for moving the object having the inclination, which is determined by the posture control means, in the movement direction, which is determined by the movement direction control means, in the virtual three-dimensional game space, and for displaying the object on a display device.

28. A game system comprising a game controller including a housing which is capable of being held with one hand of a player, a game apparatus connected to the game controller, and movement detection means for detecting movement of the housing,

the housing being formed in such a shape and size that the housing is held at a side circumference thereof with one hand of the player,

the game controller including a direction instruction section which is provided in such a position that when the housing is held with one hand of the player, the direction instruction section is capable of being operated with a thumb of the one hand for performing a direction instruction input, and

the game apparatus including:

movement direction control means for determining, with, as a reference, a forward direction of an object which appears in a virtual three-dimensional game space, a direction instructed by the direction instruction section as a movement direction of the object, and changing the forward direction of the object to the movement direction;

posture control means for determining inclination of the housing based on detection by the movement detection means, inclining the object in a current forward direction thereof when it is indicated that the housing is inclined in a direction in which the player performs an input operation for a forward or backward direction by using the direction instruction section, and inclining the object in a direction perpendicular to the current forward direction of the object when it is indicated that the housing is inclined in a direction in which the player performs an input operation for a leftward or rightward direction by using the direction instruction section; and

display control means for moving the object having the inclination, which is determined by the posture control means, in the movement direction, which is determined by the movement direction control means, in the virtual three-dimensional game space, and for displaying the object on a display device.

29. A game system comprising a game controller including a housing which is capable of being held with one hand of a player, a game apparatus connected to the game controller, and movement detection means for detecting movement of the housing,

the housing being formed in such a shape and size that the housing is held at a side circumference thereof with one hand of the player,

the game controller including a direction instruction section which is provided in such a position that when the housing is held with one hand of the player, the direction instruction section is capable of being operated with a thumb of the one hand for performing a direction instruction input, and

the game apparatus including:

movement direction control means for determining, with, as a reference, a forward direction of an object which appears in a virtual three-dimensional game space, a direction instructed by the direction instruction section as a movement direction of the object;

posture control means for determining inclination of the housing based on detection by the movement detection means, and inclining the object in the forward direction thereof when it is indicated that the housing is inclined in a direction in which the player performs an input operation for a forward or backward direction by using the direction instruction section; and

display control means for moving the object having the inclination, which is determined by the posture control means, in the movement direction, which is determined by the movement direction control means, in the virtual three-dimensional game space, and for displaying the object on a display device.

30. A game system comprising a game controller including a housing which is capable of being held with one hand of a player, a game apparatus connected to the game controller, and movement detection means for detecting movement of the housing,

the housing being formed in such a shape and size that the housing is held at a side circumference thereof with one hand of the player,

the game controller including a direction instruction section which is provided in such a position that when the housing is held with one hand of the player, the direction instruction section is capable of being operated with a thumb of the one hand for performing a direction instruction input, and

the game apparatus including:

movement direction control means for determining, with, as a reference, a forward direction of an object which appears in a virtual three-dimensional game space, a direction instructed by the direction instruction section as a movement direction of the object;

posture control means for determining inclination of the housing based on detection by the movement detection means, and inclining the object in a direction perpendicular to the forward direction of the object when it is indicated that the housing is inclined in a direction in which the player performs an input operation for a leftward or rightward direction by using the direction instruction section; and

display control means for moving the object having the inclination, which is determined by the posture control means, in the movement direction, which is determined by the movement direction control means, in the virtual three-dimensional game space, and for displaying the object on a display device.

31. A game system comprising a game controller including a housing which is capable of being held with one hand of a player, a game apparatus connected to the game controller, and movement detection means for detecting movement of the housing,

the housing being formed in such a shape and size that the housing is held at a side circumference thereof with one hand of the player,

the game controller including a direction instruction section which is provided in such a position that when the housing is held with one hand of the player, the direction instruction section is capable of being operated with a thumb of the one hand for performing a direction instruction input, and

the game apparatus including:

movement direction control means for determining, with, as a reference, a forward direction of an object which appears in a virtual three-dimensional game space, a direction instructed by the direction instruction section as a movement direction of the object;

posture control means for determining inclination of the housing based on detection by the movement detection means, inclining the object in the forward direction thereof when it is indicated that the housing is inclined in a direction in which the player performs an input operation for a forward or backward direction by using the direction instruction section, and inclining the object in a direction perpendicular to the forward direction of the object when it is indicated that the housing is inclined in a direction in which the player performs an input operation for a leftward or rightward direction by using the direction instruction section; and

display control means for moving the object having the inclination, which is determined by the posture control means, in the movement direction, which is determined by the movement direction control means, in the virtual three-dimensional game space, and for displaying the object on a display device.

33. A game system comprising a game controller operated by a player, and a game apparatus connected to the game controller,

the game controller including:

a first housing capable of being held with one hand of the player;

a direction instruction section provided in the first housing for performing a direction instruction input;

a second housing provided independently of the first housing and capable of being held with one hand of the player; and

movement detection means for detecting movement of the second housing, and

the game apparatus including;

movement direction control means for determining a movement direction of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section; and

posture control means for determining a posture of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with detection by the movement detection means.

34. A computer-readable storage medium storing a game program which is executed by a computer of a game apparatus connected to a game controller which includes:

a housing capable of being held with one hand of a player;

a direction instruction section for performing a direction instruction input; and

movement detection means for detecting movement of the housing,

the game program causing the computer to function as;

movement direction control means for determining a movement direction of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section; and

posture control means for determining a posture of the object in the virtual game world in accordance with detection by the movement detection means.

35. A game system comprising a game controller including a housing which is capable of being held with one hand of a player, a game apparatus connected to the game controller, and movement detection means for detecting movement of the housing,

the game controller including a direction instruction section which is provided in the housing for performing a direction instruction input, and

the game apparatus including:

movement control means for controlling movement of an object, which appears in a virtual game world, in accordance with an operation of the direction instruction section; and

motion control means for causing the object in the virtual game world to perform a predetermined motion in accordance with detection by the movement detection means.

36. The game system according to claim 35, wherein the housing is formed in such a shape and size that the housing is held at a side circumference thereof with one hand of the player.

37. The game system according to claim 36, wherein the direction instruction section is provided in such a position that when the housing is held at the side circumference thereof with one hand of the player, the direction instruction section is capable of being operated with a thumb of the one hand.

38. The game system according to claim 35, wherein

the movement detection means is capable of detecting acceleration generated with respect to the housing, and

the motion control means determines acceleration generated in a predetermined direction of the housing based on the detection by the movement detection means, and causes the object to perform the predetermined motion when the acceleration satisfies a predetermined condition.

39. The game system according to claim 38, wherein the motion control means determines a history of the acceleration generated in the predetermined direction of the housing based the detection by the movement detection means, and causes the object to perform the predetermined motion when the history satisfies a predetermined condition.

40. The game system according to claim 35, wherein

the movement detection means is capable of detecting at least rotation of the housing about a predetermined axis, and

the motion control means determines the rotation of the housing about the predetermined axis based on the detection by the movement detection means, and causes the object to perform the predetermined motion when the rotation satisfies a predetermined condition.

41. The game system according to claim 35, wherein

the direction instruction section includes an operation section which is pressed in a predetermined direction of the housing thereby to perform an input, the movement control means moves the object in a predetermined direction in the virtual game world when the input is performed by pressing the operation section in the predetermined direction of the housing, and

the motion control means causes the object in the virtual game world to perform the predetermined motion in accordance with movement of the housing in the predetermined direction of the housing.

42. The game system according to claim 35, wherein

the direction instruction section includes an operation section which is pressed in a predetermined direction of the housing thereby to perform an input,

the movement control means moves the object in a first direction in the virtual game world when the input is performed by pressing the operation section in the predetermined direction of the housing,

the motion control means causes the object in the virtual game world to perform the predetermined motion in accordance with movement of the housing in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction of the housing.

43. The game system according to claim 41,

the direction instruction section includes an operation section which is pressed in a predetermined direction of the housing or in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction of the housing thereby to perform an input,

the movement control means moves the object in a first direction in the virtual game world when the input is performed by pressing the operation section in the predetermined direction of the housing, and moves the object in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the virtual game world when the input is performed by pressing the operation section in the perpendicular direction, and

the motion control means causes the object in the virtual game world to perform a first motion as the predetermined motion in accordance with movement of the housing in the predetermined direction of the housing, and causes the object in the virtual game world to perform a second motion, which is different from the first motion, as the predetermined motion in accordance with movement of the housing in the perpendicular direction.

44. The game system according to claim 35, wherein

the direction instruction section includes an operation section which is pressed in a predetermined direction of the housing thereby to perform an input,

the movement control means moves the object in a forward direction of the object in the virtual game world when the input is performed by pressing the operation section in the predetermined direction of the housing, and changes a movement amount of the object in accordance with an amount of the input by pressing the operation section, and

the motion control means causes the object in the virtual game world to perform the predetermined motion in accordance with movement of the housing in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction of the housing.

45. The game system according to claim 35, wherein

the direction instruction section includes an operation section which is pressed in a predetermined direction of the housing thereby to perform an input,

the movement control means moves the object in a predetermined direction in the virtual game world when the input is performed by pressing the operation section in the predetermined direction of the housing, and

the motion control means causes the object in the virtual game world to perform the predetermined motion in accordance with movement of the housing in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction of the housing after movement of the housing in the predetermined direction of the housing.

46. The game system according to claim 35, wherein

the direction instruction section includes an operation section which is pressed in a predetermined direction of the housing thereby to perform an input,

the movement control means moves the object in a predetermined direction in the virtual game world when the input is performed by pressing the operation section in the predetermined direction of the housing, and

the motion control means causes the object in the virtual game world to perform the predetermined motion in accordance with rotation of the housing about an axis perpendicular to the predetermined direction of the housing.

47. The game system according to claim 35, wherein

the direction instruction section includes an operation section which is pressed in a predetermined direction of the housing thereby to perform an input,

the movement control means moves the object in a predetermined direction in the virtual game world when the input is performed by pressing the operation section in the predetermined direction of the housing, and

the motion control means causes the object in the virtual game world to perform the predetermined motion in accordance with rotation of the housing about an axis extending the predetermined direction of the housing.

48. The game system according to claim 35, wherein

the direction instruction section includes an operation section which is pressed in a predetermined direction of the housing or in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction of the housing thereby to perform an input,

the movement control means moves the object in a first direction in the virtual game world when the input is performed by pressing the operation section in the predetermined direction of the housing, and moves the object in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in the virtual game world when the input is performed by pressing the operation section in the perpendicular direction, and

the motion control means causes the object in the virtual game world to perform a first motion as the predetermined motion in accordance with rotation of the housing about an axis perpendicular to the predetermined direction of the housing, and

causes the object in the virtual game world to perform a second motion, which is different from the first motion, as the predetermined motion in accordance with rotation of the housing about an axis extending in the predetermined direction of the housing.

49. The game system according to claim 35, wherein

the direction instruction section includes an operation section which is pressed in a predetermined direction of the housing thereby to perform an input,

the movement control means moves the object in a forward direction of the object in the virtual game world when the input is performed by pressing the operation section in the predetermined direction of the housing, and changes a movement amount of the object in accordance with an amount of the input by pressing the operation section, and

the motion control means causes the object in the virtual game world to perform the predetermined motion in accordance with rotation of the housing about an axis extending in the predetermined direction of the housing.

50. The game system according to claim 35, wherein

the direction instruction section includes an operation section which is pressed in a predetermined direction of the housing thereby to perform an input,

the movement control means moves the object in a predetermined direction in the virtual game world when the input is performed by pressing the operation section in the predetermined direction of the housing, and

the motion control means causes the object in the virtual game world to perform the predetermined motion in accordance with rotation of the housing in a reverse direction about an axis perpendicular to the predetermined direction of the housing after rotation of the housing about the axis.

51. The game system according to claim 35, wherein

the direction instruction section includes an operation section which is pressed in a predetermined direction of the housing thereby to perform an input,

the movement control means moves the object in a forward direction of the object in the virtual game world when the input is performed by pressing the operation section in the predetermined direction of the housing, and changes a movement mount of the object in accordance with an amount of the input by pressing the operation section, and

the motion control means causes the object in the virtual game world to perform the predetermined motion in accordance with rotation of the housing about an axis extending in the predetermined direction.

52. The game system according to claim 35, wherein

the direction instruction section includes an operation section which is pressed in a predetermined direction of the housing thereby to perform an input,

the movement control means moves the object in a forward direction of the object in the virtual game world when the input is performed by pressing the operation section in the predetermined direction of the housing, and changes a movement mount of the object in accordance with an amount of the input by pressing the operation section, and

the motion control means causes the object in the virtual game world to perform the predetermined motion in accordance with a repeat of rotation of the housing in both directions about an axis perpendicular to the predetermined direction of the housing.

53. The game system according to claim 52, wherein the motion control means causes the object in the virtual game world to perform a different motion in accordance with a number of times of the repeat.

54. The game system according to claim 41, wherein the motion control means causes the object in the virtual game world to perform a different motion in accordance with a velocity of the movement of the housing.