Image generation device and information storage medium

• US 6,379,249 B1
• Filed: 12/09/1998
• Issued: 04/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. (BANDAI NAMCO Holdings Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Namco Limited (BANDAI NAMCO Holdings Inc.)
• Inventors: Hayashi, Atsushi, Satsukawa, Takashi, Kawakami, Masahide, Hanai, Naohito
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrison, Jessica J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHERUBIN, YVESTE GILBERTE
• Application Number:
  US09/207,920
• Time in Patent Office: 1,238 Days
• Field of Search: 463/1-8, 463/36-39, 463/49-57, 463/30-34, 273/148.B, 345/418, 345/419
• US Class Current: 463/31
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/219 for aiming at specific areas on the display, e.g. light-guns
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/26 having at least one additional display device, e.g. on the game controller or outside a game booth
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/32 using local area network [LAN] connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/48 Starting a game, e.g. activating a game device or waiting for other players to join a multiplayer session
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/5252 using two or more virtual cameras concurrently or sequentially, e.g. automatically switching between fixed virtual cameras when a character changes room or displaying a rear-mirror view in a car-driving game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/573 using trajectories of game objects, e.g. of a golf ball according to the point of impact
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/837 Shooting of targets
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/843 involving concurrently two or more players on the same game device, e.g. requiring the use of a plurality of controllers or of a specific view of game data for each player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/847 Cooperative playing, e.g. requiring coordinated actions from several players to achieve a common goal
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1006 having additional degrees of freedom
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/404 characterized by a local network connection
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/636 involving process of starting or resuming a game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/646 for calculating the trajectory of an object
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6661 for changing the position of the virtual camera
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6669 using a plurality of virtual cameras concurrently or sequentially, e.g. automatically switching between fixed virtual cameras when a character change rooms
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8076 Shooting
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8088 involving concurrently several players in a non-networked game, e.g. on the same game console
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/2638 giving hit coordinates by means of raster control signals, e.g. standard light pen

Abstract

An image generation device and an information storage medium that make it possible to increase the virtual realism and dramatic effect of a shooting, game in an efficient manner. A plurality of objects such as target objects are set within an object space, and a hit check is performed on shots from 1P and 2P players and the target objects. First and second viewpoints for the 1P and 2P players are controlled and images as seen from those first and second viewpoints are output to first and second display screens, respectively. Although the viewpoints of the 1P and 2P players are the same in the prior art, they can be made different in this game. The first and second viewpoints move along first and second movement paths, and the first and second viewpoints are controlled in such a manner that the first and second movement paths diverge when a given circumstance occurs. The configuration is such that a target object and a character object representing one player can enter into the field of view of the other player. The first and second viewpoints and the target object are controlled in accordance with a difference in game results between the 1P and 2P players.

Claims

1. An image generation device for generating an image that enables a player to use a shooting device to shoot at at least one target object within an object space, said image generation device comprising:

means for performing processing for setting a plurality of objects, including a target object, within said object space;

means for performing a hit check between a shot from a first player and a target object;

means for performing a hit check between a shot from a second player and a target object;

a first viewpoint controller for controlling a viewpoint for said first player;

a second viewpoint controller for controlling a viewpoint for said second player different than the viewpoint for the first player;

means for generating an image as seen from said first player'"'"'s viewpoint within said object space and outputting said generated image to a first display screen for said first player;

means for generating an image as seen from said second player'"'"'s viewpoint within said object space and outputting said generated image to a second display screen for said second player;

wherein at least one viewpoint of the first player and the viewpoint of the second player and a target object is controlled according to a difference in game results of the first and the second players; and

wherein when a game result of one of said first and second players is greater than a game result of the other of said first and second players, the viewpoint of the one of said first and second players having the greater game result is made to proceed in advance of the viewpoint of the other of said first and second players.

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

wherein the viewpoint of the first player and the viewpoint of the second player are controlled in such a manner that the viewpoint of the first player moves along a given first movement path and the viewpoint of the second player moves along a given second movement path.

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

wherein said first movement path of the viewpoint of the first player and said second movement path of the viewpoint of the second player are made to diverge when a given circumstance occurs.

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

wherein character objects corresponding to each of said first and second players are provided within said object space;

and

wherein when a given circumstance occurs, a viewpoint of one of the first and second players is controlled in such a manner that a target object and said character object corresponding to a viewpoint of the other of said first and second players both enter into the field of view of said viewpoint of said one of said first and second players.

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

wherein when a target object that is present within the field of view as seen from the viewpoint of one of said first and second players has been destroyed but a target object that is present within the field of view as seen from the viewpoint of the other of said first and second players has not been destroyed, said viewpoint of the one of said first and second players is controlled in such a manner that said target object that is present within the field of view as seen from the viewpoint of the other of said first and second players enters the field of view as seen from the viewpoint of said one of said first and second viewpoints.

6. The image generation device as defined in claim 1,

wherein when a target object that is present within the field of view as seen from the viewpoint of one of said first and second players has been destroyed, target object control is performed in such a manner that a target object enters the field of view as seen from the viewpoint of said one of said first and second players.

7. The image generation device as defined in claim 1,

wherein when the viewpoint of one of said first and second players is proceeding in advance of the viewpoint of the other of said first and second players, a target object is caused to appear within the field of view of the viewpoint of the other of said first and second players, in a region between the viewpoint of one of said first and second viewpoints and the viewpoint of the other of said first and second players.

8. The image generation device as defined in claim 1,

wherein character objects corresponding to each of said first and second players are provided within said object space;

and

wherein when a shot from one of said first and second players has hit said character object corresponding to the other of said first and second players, an image that is output to a display screen provided for said other player is made to change.

9. The image generation device as defined in claim 1,

wherein a check is performed to determine whether or not a shot from said first player has hit a target objects, based on a first trajectory specified by the viewpoint of the first player and a two-dimensional position on said first display screen that is indicated by a shooting device of said first player;

wherein a check is performed to determine whether or not a shot from said second player has hit a target object, based on a second trajectory specified by the viewpoint of the second player and a two-dimensional position on said second display screen that is indicated by a shooting device or said second player; and

wherein a motion of the target object is made to vary depending on at least one direction of the first trajectory and the second trajectory.

10. An information storage medium used in an image generation device for generating an image that enables a player to use a shooting device to shoot at at least one target object within an object space, said information storage medium comprising:

information for performing processing for setting a plurality of objects, including a target object, within said object space;

information for performing a hit check between a shot from a first player and a target object;

information for performing a hit check between a shot from a second player and a target object;

information for controlling a viewpoint for said first player;

information for controlling a viewpoint for said second player different than the viewpoint for the first player;

information for generating an image as seen from the viewpoint for the first player within said object space and outputting said generated image to a first display screen for said first player;

information for generating an image as seen from the viewpoint for the second player within said object space and outputting said generated image to a second display screen for said second player,

wherein at least one of the viewpoint of the first player and the viewpoint of the second player and a target object is controlled in accordance with a difference in game results between the first and the second players, and

wherein when a game result of one of said first and second players is greater than a game result of the other of said first and second players, the viewpoint of the one of said first and second players having the greater game result is made to proceed in advance of the viewpoint of the other of said first and second players.

11. The information storage medium as defined in claim 10,

wherein the viewpoint of one of the first and second players and the viewpoint of the other of said first and second players are controlled in such a manner that the viewpoint of the first player moves along a given first movement path and the viewpoint of the second player moves along a given second movement path.

12. The information storage medium as defined in claim 11,

wherein said first movement path of the viewpoint of the first player and said second movement path of the viewpoint of the second player are made to diverge when a given circumstance occurs.

13. The information storage medium as defined in claim 10,

wherein character objects corresponding to each of said first and second players are provided within said object space;

and

wherein when a given circumstance occurs, the viewpoint of one of said first and second players is controlled in such a manner that a target object and said character object corresponding to the viewpoint of the other of said first and second players both enter into the field of view of the viewpoint of said one of said first and second players.

14. The information storage medium as defined in claim 10,

wherein when a target object that is present within the field of view as seen from the viewpoint of one of said first and second players has been destroyed but a target object that is present within the field of view as seen from the viewpoint of the other of said first and second players has not been destroyed, said viewpoint of one of said first and second viewpoints is controlled in such a manner that said target object that is present within the field of view as seen from the viewpoint of said other of said first and second players enters the field of view as seen from the viewpoint of said one of said first and second players.

15. The information storage medium as defined in claim 10,

wherein when a target object that is present within the field of view as seen from the viewpoint of one of said first and second players has been destroyed, target object control is performed in such a manner that a target object enters the field of view as seen from the viewpoint of said one of said first and second players.

16. The information storage medium as defined in claim 10,

wherein when the viewpoint of one of said first and second players is proceeding in advance of the viewpoint of the other of said first and second players, a target object is caused to appear within the field of view of the viewpoint of said other of said first and second players, in a region between the viewpoint of one of said first and second players and the viewpoint of the other of said first and second players.

17. The information storage medium as defined in claim 10,

wherein character objects corresponding to each of said first and second players are provided within said object space;

and

wherein when a shot from one of said first and second players has hit said character object corresponding to the other of said first and second players, an image that is output to a display screen provided for said other player is made to change.

18. The information storage medium as defined in claim 10,

wherein a check is performed to determine whether or not a shot from said first player has hit a target object, based on a first trajectory specified by the viewpoint of the first player and a two-dimensional position on said first display screen that is indicated by a shooting device of said first player;

wherein a check is performed to determine whether or not a shot from said second player has hit a target object, based on a second trajectory specified by the viewpoint of the second player and a two-dimensional position on said second display screen that is indicated by a shooting device of said second player; and

wherein a motion of the target object is made to vary depending on at least one direction of the first trajectory and the second trajectory.

19. An image generation device for generating an image that enables a player to use a shooting device to shoot at at least one target object within an object space, said image generation device comprising:

means for performing processing for setting a plurality of objects, including a target object within said object space;

means for performing a hit check between a shot from a first player and a target object;

means for performing a hit check between a shot from a second player and a target object;

a first viewpoint controller for controlling a viewpoint for said first player;

a second viewpoint controller for controlling a viewpoint for said second player different than the viewpoint for the first player;

means for generating an image as seen from said first player'"'"'s viewpoint within said object space and outputting said generated image to a first display screen for said first player;

means for generating an image as seen from said second player'"'"'s viewpoint within said object space and outputting said generated image to a second display screen for said second player; and

wherein character objects corresponding to each of said first and second players are provided within said object space; and

wherein when a given circumstance occurs, a viewpoint of one of the first and second players is controlled in such a manner that a target object and said character object corresponding to a viewpoint of the other of said first and second players both enter into the field of view of said viewpoint of said one of said first and second players.

20. An information storage medium used in an image generation device for generating an image that enables a player to use a shooting device to shoot at at least one target object within an object space, said information storage medium comprising:

information for performing processing for setting a plurality of objects, including a target object, within said object space;

information for performing a hit check between a shot from a first player and a target object;

information for performing a hit check between a shot from a second player and a target object;

information for controlling a viewpoint for said first player;

information for controlling a viewpoint for said second player different than the viewpoint for the first player;

information for generating an image as seen from the viewpoint for the first player within said object space and outputting said generated image to a first display screen for said first player; and

information for generating an image as seen from the viewpoint for the second player within said object space and outputting said generated image to a second display screen for said second player,

wherein character objects corresponding to each of said first and second players are provided within said object space; and

wherein when a given circumstance occurs, a viewpoint of one of the first and second players is controlled in such a manner that a target object and said character object corresponding to a viewpoint of the other of said first and second players both enter into the field of view of said viewpoint of said one of said first and second players.

21. An image generation device for generating an image that enables a player to use a shooting device to shoot at at least one target object within an object space, said image generation device comprising:

means for performing processing for setting a plurality of objects, including a target object, within said object space;

means for performing a hit check between a shot from a first player and a target object;

means for performing a hit check between a shot from a second player and a target object;

a first viewpoint controller for controlling a viewpoint for said first player;

a second viewpoint controller for controlling a viewpoint for said second player different than the viewpoint for the first player;

means for generating an image as seen from said first player'"'"'s viewpoint within said object space and outputting said generated image to a first display screen for said first player;

means for generating an image as seen from said second player'"'"'s viewpoint within said object space and outputting said generated image to a second display screen for said second player; and

wherein a check is performed to determine whether or not a shot from said first player has hit a target object, based on a first trajectory specified by the viewpoint of the first player and a two-dimensional position on said first display screen that is indicated by a shooting device of said first player;

wherein a check is performed to determine whether or not a shot from said second player has hit a target object, based on a second trajectory specified by the viewpoint of the second player and a two-dimensional position on said second display screen that is indicated by a shooting device of said second player; and

wherein a motion of the target object is made to vary depending on at least one direction of the first trajectory and the second trajectory.

22. An information storage medium used in an image generation device for generating an image that enables a player to use a shooting device to shoot at at least one target object within an object space, said information storage medium comprising:

information for performing processing for setting a plurality of objects, including a target object, within said object space;

information for performing a hit check between a shot from a first player and a target object;

information for performing a hit check between a shot from a second player and a target object;

information for controlling a viewpoint for said first player;

information for controlling a viewpoint for said second player different than the viewpoint for the first player;

information for generating an image as seen from the viewpoint for the first player within said object space and outputting said generated image to a first display screen for said first player; and

information for generating an image as seen from the viewpoint for the second player within said object space and outputting said generated image to a second display screen for said second player,

wherein a check is performed to determine whether or not a shot from said first player has hit a target object, based on a first trajectory specified by the viewpoint of the first player and a two-dimensional position on said first display screen that is indicated by a shooting device of said first player;

wherein a check is performed to determine whether or not a shot from said second player has hit a target object, based on a second trajectory specified by the viewpoint of the second player and a two-dimensional position on said second display screen that is indicated by a shooting device of said second player; and

wherein a motion of the target object is made to vary depending on at least one direction of the first and the second trajectory.

23. An image generation device for generating an image that enables a player to use a shooting device to shoot at at least one target object within an object space, said image generation device comprising:

means for performing processing for setting a plurality of objects, including a target object, within said object space;

means for performing a hit check between a shot from a first player and a target object;

means for performing a hit check between a shot from a second player and a target object;

a first viewpoint controller for controlling a viewpoint for said first player;

a second viewpoint controller for controlling a viewpoint for said second player different than the viewpoint for the first player;

means for generating an image as seen from said first player'"'"'s viewpoint within said object space and outputting said generated image to a first display screen for said first player;

means for generating an image as seen from said second player'"'"'s viewpoint within said object space and outputting said generated image to a second display screen for said second player, wherein at least one viewpoint of the first player and the viewpoint of the second player and a target object is controlled according to a difference in game results of the first and the second players, and when a target object that is present within the field of view as seen from the viewpoint of one of said first and second players has been destroyed but a target object that is present within the field of view as seen from the viewpoint of the other of said first and second players has not been destroyed, said viewpoint of the one of said first and second players is controlled in such a manner that said target object that is present within the field of view as seen from the viewpoint of the other of said first and second players enters the field of view as seen from the viewpoint of said one of said first and second viewpoints.

24. An image generation device for generating an image that enables a player to use a shooting device to shoot at at least one target object within an object space, said image generation device comprising;

means for performing processing for setting a plurality of objects, including a target object, within said object space;

means for performing a hit check between a shot from a first player and a target object;

means for performing a hit cheek between a shot from a second player and a target object;

a first viewpoint controller for controlling a viewpoint for said first player;

a second viewpoint controller for controlling a viewpoint for said second player different than the viewpoint for the first player;

means for generating an image as seen from said first player'"'"'s viewpoint within said object space and outputting said generated image to a first display screen for said first player;

means for generating an image as seen from said second player'"'"'s viewpoint within said object space and outputting said generated image to a second display screen for said second player, wherein at least one viewpoint of the first player and the viewpoint of the second player and a target object is controlled according to a difference in game results of the first and the second players, and when a target object that is present within the field of view as seen from the viewpoint of one of said first and second players has been destroyed, target object control is performed in such a manner that a target object enters the field of view as seen from the viewpoint of said one of said first and second players.

25. An information storage medium used in an image generation device for generating an image that enables a player to use a shooting device to shoot at at least one target object within an object space, said information storage medium comprising:

information for performing processing for setting a plurality of objects, including a target object, within said object space;

information for performing a hit check between a shot from a first player and a target object;

information for performing a hit check between a shot from a second player and a target object;

information for controlling a viewpoint for said first player;

information for controlling a viewpoint for said second player different than the viewpoint for the first player;

information for generating an image as seen from the viewpoint for the first player within said object space and outputting said generated image to a first display screen for said first player; and

information for generating an image as seen from the viewpoint for the second player within said object space and outputting said generated image to a second display screen for said second player, wherein at least one of the viewpoint of the first player and the viewpoint of the second player and a target object is controlled in accordance with a difference in game results between the first and the second players, and when a target object that is present within the field of view as seen from the viewpoint of one of said first and second players has been destroyed but a target object that is present within the field of view as seen from the viewpoint of the other of said first and second players has not been destroyed, said viewpoint of one of said first and second viewpoints is controlled in such a manner that said target object that is present within the field of view as seen from the viewpoint of said other of said first and second players enters the field of view as seen from the viewpoint of said one of said first and second players.

26. An information storage medium used in an image generation device for generating an image that enables a player to use a shooting device to shoot at at least one target object within an object space, said information storage medium comprising:

information for performing processing for setting a plurality of objects, including a target object, within said object space;

information for performing a hit check between a shot from a first player and a target object;

information for performing a hit check between a shot from a second player and a target object;

information for controlling a viewpoint for said first player;

information for controlling a viewpoint for said second player different than the viewpoint for the first player;

information for generating an image as seen from the viewpoint for the first player within said object space and outputting said generated image to a first display screen for said first player; and

information for generating an image as seen from the viewpoint for the second player within said object space and outputting said generated image to a second display screen for said second player, wherein at least one of the viewpoint of the first player and the viewpoint of the second player and a target object is controlled in accordance with a difference in game results between the first and the second players, and when a target object that is present within the field of view as seen from the viewpoint of one of said first and second players has been destroyed, target object control is performed in such a manner that a target object enters the field of view as seen from the viewpoint of said one of said first and second players.