Image synthesis method, games machine, and information storage medium

• US 6,319,121 B1
• Filed: 10/28/1997
• Issued: 11/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. (BANDAI NAMCO Holdings Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Namco Limited (BANDAI NAMCO Holdings Inc.)
• Inventors: Yamada, Masanori, Abe, Masamichi, Kimoto, Masahiro, Ito, Naoki
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrison, Jessica J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, BINH AN DUC
• Application Number:
  US08/945,506
• Time in Patent Office: 1,484 Days
• Field of Search: 463/8, 463/47.1, 463/48, 463/7, 463/31, 463/32, 463/33, 463/30, 463/34, 463/35, 463/36, 463/37, 463/38, 463/39, 463/43, 463/44, 273/148.B, 273/640.1, 273/148.R, 434/308, 434/309, 434/311
• US Class Current: 463/8
• 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 13/497 Partially or entirely replaying previous game actions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/5375 for graphically or textually suggesting an action, e.g. by displaying an arrow indicating a turn in a driving game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/833 Hand-to-hand fighting, e.g. martial arts competition A63F13/837 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/303 for displaying additional data, e.g. simulating a Head Up Display
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/634 for replaying partially or entirely the game actions since the beginning of the game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/636 involving process of starting or resuming a game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/64 for computing dynamical parameters of game objects, e.g. motion determination or computation of frictional forces for a virtual car
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/65 for computing the condition of a game character
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8029 Fighting without shooting
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 13/40 of characters, e.g. humans, animals or virtual beings

Abstract

The objective is to provide an image synthesis method, games machine, and information storage medium which make it easy for a player to learn operating sequences that cause a game character to perform various different actions. If a training mode in which a player can practice manipulations is selected and an attack of a game character 30 hits another game character 32, a hit mark 34 is displayed at the hit location. In addition, a replay image is displayed if a replay creation condition is satisfied or if the player has performed a given manipulation. To enable the player to practice counterattacking, a game character manipulated by the computer initiates attacks at a constant timing.

Claims

1. A method for training a player, comprising:

displaying an image of combat between a game character manipulated by a player and a game character manipulated by a computer, enabling the player to practice manipulations with a game controller in a selected training mode; and

displaying an image indicating a hit mark at a hit location, when an attack by one of the game characters hits the other game character, wherein the training mode includes at least one of a counterattack ON mode, where the game character controlled by the computer attacks on command, and a counterattack OFF mode, where the game character controlled by the computer does not attack.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

said hit mark comprises a symbol for identifying the hit location.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

a guard mark is displayed when said other game character defends against said attack.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

when said attack hits an upper area, middle area, or lower area of said other game character, a hit mark specifying that upper area, middle area, or lower area is displayed.

5. A method for training a player, comprising:

displaying an image of combat between a game character manipulated by a player and a game character manipulated by a computer, enabling the player to practice manipulations with a game controller in a selected training mode; and

displaying a replay image relating to an attack by the game character manipulated by the player against the game character manipulated by the computer when selecting a replay mode while in said training mode and when said attack by the game character manipulated by the player against the game character manipulated by the computer satisfies a given replay creation condition, wherein the training mode includes at least one of a counterattack ON mode, where the game character controlled by the computer attacks on command, and a counterattack OFF mode, where the game character controlled by the computer does not attack.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein:

satisfying said replay creation condition occurs when a number of sequential attacks of the game character manipulated by the player exceeds a given number of times.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein:

satisfying said replay creation condition occurs when an operating sequence specified by at least one input operation input by the player matches a given reference sequence.

8. A method for training a player comprising:

displaying an image of combat between a game character manipulated by a player and a game character manipulated by a computer;

enabling the player to practice manipulations with a game controller in a selected training mode; and

displaying a replay image relating to actions performed by the game character manipulated by the player and the game character manipulated by the computer when the player selects a replay mode while in this training mode and the player performs a given manipulation, the replay image relating to the actions performed by the game characters prior to the given manipulation, wherein the training mode includes at least one of a counterattack ON mode, where the game character controlled by the computer attacks on command, and a counterattack OFF mode, where the game character controlled by the computer does not attack.

9. A games machine that trains a player, comprising:

means for displaying an image of combat between a game character manipulated by a player and a game character manipulated by a computer;

means for enabling the player to practice manipulations with a game controller in a selected training mode; and

means for displaying an image indicating a hit mark at a hit location, when an attack by one of the game characters hits the other game character, wherein the training mode includes at least one of a counterattack ON mode, where the game character controlled by the computer attacks on command, and a counterattack OFF mode, where the game character controlled by the computer does not attack.

10. A games machine for training a player comprising:

means for displaying an image of combat between a game character manipulated by a player and a game character manipulated by a computer enabling the player to practice manipulations with a game controller in a selected training mode; and

means for displaying a replay image relating to an attack by the game character, manipulated by the player against the game character manipulated by the computer when the player selects a replay mode while in said training mode and when said attack by the game character manipulated by the player against the game character manipulated by the computer satisfies a given replay creation condition, wherein the training mode includes at least one of a counterattack ON mode, where the game character controlled by the computer attacks on command, and a counterattack OFF mode, where the game character controlled by the computer does not attack.

11. A games machine for training a player, comprising:

means for displaying an image of combat between a game character manipulated by a player and a game character manipulated by a computer enabling the player to practice manipulations with a game controller in a selected training mode; and

means for displaying a replay image relating to actions performed by the game character manipulated by the player and the game character manipulated by the computer when the player selects a replay mode while in this training mode and the player performs a given manipulation, the replay image relating to the actions performed by the game characters prior to the given manipulation, wherein the training mode includes at least one of a counterattack ON mode, where the game character controlled by the computer attacks on command, and a counterattack OFF mode, where the game character controlled by the computer does not attack.

12. An information storage medium for training a player, comprising:

information for displaying an image of combat between a game character manipulated by a computer;

information enabling the player to practice manipulations with a game controller in a selected training mode; and

information for displaying an image indicating a hit mark at a hit location, when an attack by one of the game characters hits the other game character, wherein the training mode includes at least one of a counterattack ON mode, where the game character controlled by the computer attacks on command, and a counterattack OFF mode, where the game character controlled by the computer does not attack.

13. An information storage medium for training a player, comprising:

information for displaying an image of combat between a game character manipulated by a player and a game character manipulated by a computer;

information for enabling the player to practice manipulations with a game controller in a selected training mode; and

information for displaying a replay image relating to an attack by the game character manipulated by the player against the game character manipulated by the computer when the player selects a replay mode while in said training mode and when said attack by the game character manipulated by the player against the game character manipulated by the computer satisfies a given replay creation condition, wherein the training mode includes at least one of a counterattack ON mode, where the game character controlled by the computer attacks on command, and a counterattack OFF mode, where the game character controlled by the computer does not attack.

14. An information storage medium for, training a player, comprising:

information for displaying an image of combat between a game character manipulated by a player and a game character manipulated by a computer;

information enabling the player to practice manipulations with a game controller in a selected training mode; and

information for displaying a replay image relating to actions performed by the game character manipulated by the player and the game character manipulated by the computer when selecting a replay mode while in this training mode and the player performs a given manipulation, the replay image relating to the actions performed by the game characters prior to the given manipulation, wherein the training mode includes at least one of a counterattack ON mode, where the game character controlled by the computer attacks on command, and a counterattack OFF mode, where the game character controlled by the computer does not attack.