Game program

• US 8,152,611 B2
• Filed: 10/21/2009
• Issued: 04/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Inventors: Ajioka, Yoshitaka, Ebisawa, Yasushi, Mizuki, Kiyoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Suhol, Dmitry
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kim, Kevin Y
• Application Number:
  US12/588,608
• Publication Number:
  US 20100041478A1
• Time in Patent Office: 902 Days
• Field of Search: 463/3
• US Class Current: 463/3
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/10 Control of the course of the game, e.g. start, progess, end
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/2145 the surface being also a display device, e.g. touch screens
• 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 13/426 involving on-screen location information, e.g. screen coordinates of an area at which the player is aiming with a light gun
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/45 Controlling the progress of the video game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/525 Changing parameters of virtual cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1075 using a touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/301 using an additional display connected to the game console, e.g. on the controller
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6045 for mapping control signals received from the input arrangement into game commands
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6661 for changing the position of the virtual camera

Abstract

A CPU core determines whether a stick is in contact with a touch panel based on an output signal from the touch panel; if not in contact, a gazing point of a virtual camera is moved to a collective center of masses for objects; on the other hand, if the stick is in contact with the touch panel, setting values for the camera are fixed, an operation target object is caused to appear at a position, in a game space, corresponding to touch coordinates, and, then, the operation target object is moved in accordance with a dragging operation from a player; the setting values for the camera are fixed until the stick detaches from the touch panel; and, accordingly, when the player moves an arbitrary object in the three dimensional game space by operating the touch panel, the player can accurately move the object to an intended point.

Claims

1. A non-transitory storage medium storing a game program for displaying, on a display device provided with a display, an object placed in a three dimensional game space based on a virtual camera provided in the game space, wherein the game program is configured to cause a computer at least to:

change a setting value for the camera, the value being indicative of a position and a gazing point of the virtual camera;

generate a game image to be displayed on the display device by drawing the object based on the setting value for the camera;

detect coordinates indicative of a position pointed to on the display;

fix, when the coordinates are detected while the setting value for the camera is changing, the position and the gazing point of the virtual camera at least until the detection for the coordinates stops, such that the object placed in the three dimensional game space is movable within the three dimensional game space and an orientation of the three dimensional game space is fixed during fixing; and

,

sequentially calculate, when the coordinates are changed, in a state where the setting value for the camera is fixed, three dimensional coordinates, in the game space, corresponding to the changed coordinates, and accept the outcome as designation coordinates designated by a player.

2. The non-transitory storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the game program is further configured to cause the computer to:

place, when the coordinates are detected while the setting value for the camera is changing, an operation target object on the three dimensional coordinates, in the game space, corresponding to the coordinates; and

move the operation target object in accordance with a change in the sequentially calculated designation coordinates.

3. The non-transitory storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the game program is further configured to cause the computer to calculate the designation coordinates by mapping each point on the display to a predetermined plane set in a view volume in the game space.

4. The non-transitory storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the game program is further configured to cause the computer to change the setting value for the camera per unit time, based on a predetermined computational expression.

5. The non-transitory storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the game image generated includes an image of the object within the three dimensional game space, and the image of the object moves within the three dimensional game space during at least during a portion of a time when the camera is fixed.

6. The non-transitory storage medium according to claim 5, wherein:

the setting value set also is indicative of an angle of view of the virtual camera, and

the fixing also fixes, when the coordinates are detected while the setting value for the camera is changing, the angle of view of the virtual camera at least until the detection for the coordinates stops, such that the object placed in the three dimensional game space is movable within the three dimensional game space and the orientation of the three dimensional game space is fixed during the fixing.

7. A non-transitory storage medium storing a game program for displaying, on a display device, an object placed in a three dimensional game space based on a virtual camera provided in the game space, wherein the game program is configured to cause a computer at least to:

change a setting value for the camera, the value being indicative of a position and a gazing point of the virtual camera;

generate a game image to be displayed on the display device by drawing the object based on the virtual camera;

detect coordinates indicative of a position pointed to on the display device;

determine whether, on a screen of the display device, an operation target object corresponding to the coordinates is displayed based on the detected coordinates;

fix, when the operation target object is determined as being displayed at a position, on a screen of the display device, corresponding to the coordinates while the setting value for the camera is changing, the position and the gazing point of the virtual camera at least until the detection for the coordinates stops, such that the object placed in the three dimensional game space is movable within the three dimensional game space and an orientation of the three dimensional game space is fixed during fixing;

sequentially calculate, when the coordinates are changed, in a state where the setting value for the camera is fixed, three dimensional coordinates, in the game space, corresponding to the changed coordinates, and accepting the outcome as designation coordinates designated by a player; and

update a position of the operation target object in the game space in accordance with a change in the sequentially calculated designation coordinates.

8. The non-transitory storage medium according to claim 7, wherein, the game program is further configured to cause the computer to change, when the operation target object is determined as not being displayed at the position, on the screen of the display device, corresponding to the coordinates while the setting value for the camera is changing, the setting value for the camera in accordance with the coordinates.

9. The non-transitory storage medium according to claim 7, wherein the game program is further configured to cause the computer to change the setting value for the camera per unit time, based on a predetermined computational expression.

10. The non-transitory storage medium according to claim 7, wherein the game image generated includes an image of the object within the three dimensional game space, and the image of the object moves within the three dimensional game space during at least during a portion of a time when the camera is fixed.

11. The non-transitory storage medium according to claim 7, wherein:

the setting value set also is indicative of an angle of view of the virtual camera, and

the fixing also fixes, when the coordinates are detected while the setting value for the camera is changing, the angle of view of the virtual camera at least until the detection for the coordinates stops, such that the object placed in the three dimensional game space is movable within the three dimensional game space and the orientation of the three dimensional game space is fixed during the fixing.

12. A method of displaying, on a display device, an object placed in a three dimensional game space based on a virtual camera provided in the game space, the method comprising:

changing a setting value for the camera, the value indicative of a position and a gazing point of the virtual camera;

generating a game image to be displayed on the display device by drawing the object based on the setting value for the camera;

detecting coordinates indicative of a position pointed to on the display device;

fixing, when the coordinates are detected while the setting value for the camera is changing, the position and the gazing point of the virtual camera at least until the detection for the coordinates stops, such that the object placed in the three dimensional game space is movable within the three dimensional game space and an orientation of the three dimensional game space is fixed during the camera fixing; and

sequentially calculating, when the coordinates are changed, in a state where the setting value for the camera is fixed, three dimensional coordinates, in the game space, corresponding to the changed coordinates, and accepting the outcome as designation coordinates designated by a player.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:

placing, when the coordinates are detected while the setting value for the camera is changing, an operation target object on the three dimensional coordinates, in the game space, corresponding to the coordinates; and

moving the operation target object in accordance with a change in the sequentially calculated coordinates.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein said calculating the designation coordinates comprises calculating the designation coordinates corresponding to the detected coordinates by mapping each point on the display device to a predetermined plane set in a view volume in the game space.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein said changing the setting value comprises changing the setting value for the camera per unit time, based on a predetermined computational expression.

16. The method according to claim 12, wherein the generated game image includes an image of the object within the three dimensional game space, and the image of the object moves within the three dimensional game space during at least during a portion of when the setting value for the camera, and hence the game image orientation, are fixed.

17. The method according to claim 12, wherein:

the setting value set also is indicative of an angle of view of the virtual camera, and

the fixing also fixes, when the coordinates are detected while the setting value for the camera is changing, the angle of view of the virtual camera at least until the detection for the coordinates stops, such that the object placed in the three dimensional game space is movable within the three dimensional game space and the orientation of the three dimensional game space is fixed during the fixing.

18. A method of displaying, on a display device, an object placed in a three dimensional game space based on a virtual camera provided in the game space, the method comprising:

changing a setting value for the camera, the value indicative of a position and a gazing point of the virtual camera;

generating a game image to be displayed on the display device by drawing the object based on the virtual camera;

detecting coordinates indicative of a position pointed to on the display device;

determining whether, on a screen of the display device, an operation target object corresponding to the coordinates is displayed based on the coordinates detected in the detecting of the coordinates;

fixing, when the operation target object is determined, in the determining, as being displayed at a position, on a screen of the display device, corresponding to the coordinates while the setting value for the camera is changing, the position and the gazing point of the virtual camera at least until the detection for the coordinates stops, such that the object placed in the three dimensional game space is movable within the three dimensional game space and an orientation of the three dimensional game space is fixed during the fixing;

sequentially calculating, when the coordinates are changed, in a state where the setting value for the camera is fixed, three dimensional coordinates, in the game space, corresponding to the changed coordinates, and accepting the outcome as designation coordinates designated by a player; and

updating a position of the operation target object in the game space in accordance with a change in the sequentially calculated designation coordinates.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising changing, when the operation target object is determined, in said determining, as not being displayed at the position, on the screen of the display device, corresponding to the coordinates while the setting value for the camera is changing, the setting value for the camera in accordance with the coordinates.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein said changing the setting value comprises changing the setting value for the camera per unit time, based on a predetermined computational expression.

21. The method according to claim 18, wherein the generated game image includes an image of the object within the three dimensional game space, and the image of the object moves within the three dimensional game space during at least during a portion of when the setting value for the camera, and hence the game image orientation, are fixed.

22. The method according to claim 18, wherein:

the setting value set also is indicative of an angle of view of the virtual camera, and

the fixing also fixes, when the coordinates are detected while the setting value for the camera is changing, the angle of view of the virtual camera at least until the detection for the coordinates stops, such that the object placed in the three dimensional game space is movable within the three dimensional game space and the orientation of the three dimensional game space is fixed during the fixing.

23. A system comprising a display and at least one processor configured to execute a game program that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes an object placed in a three dimensional game space to be displayed on the display based on a virtual camera provided in the game space, wherein the game program is further configured, when executed, to at least:

change a setting value for the camera, the value being indicative of a position and a gazing point of the virtual camera;

generate a game image to be displayed on the display device by drawing the object based on the setting value for the camera;

detect coordinates indicative of a position pointed to on the display;

fix, when the coordinates are detected while the setting value for the camera is changing, the position and the gazing point of the virtual camera at least until the detection for the coordinates stops, such that the object placed in the three dimensional game space is movable within the three dimensional game space and an orientation of the three dimensional game space is fixed during fixing; and

,

sequentially calculate, when the coordinates are changed, in a state where the setting value for the camera is fixed, three dimensional coordinates, in the game space, corresponding to the changed coordinates, and accept the outcome as designation coordinates designated by a player.

24. An apparatus comprising a display and at least one processor configured to execute a game program that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes an object placed in a three dimensional game space to be displayed on the display based on a virtual camera provided in the game space, wherein the game program is further configured, when executed, to at least:

change a setting value for the camera, the value being indicative of a position and a gazing point of the virtual camera;

generate a game image to be displayed on the display device by drawing the object based on the setting value for the camera;

detect coordinates indicative of a position pointed to on the display;

fix, when the coordinates are detected while the setting value for the camera is changing, the position and the gazing point of the virtual camera at least until the detection for the coordinates stops, such that the object placed in the three dimensional game space is movable within the three dimensional game space and an orientation of the three dimensional game space is fixed during fixing; and

,

sequentially calculate, when the coordinates are changed, in a state where the setting value for the camera is fixed, three dimensional coordinates, in the game space, corresponding to the changed coordinates, and accept the outcome as designation coordinates designated by a player.

25. A system comprising a display and at least one processor configured to execute a game program that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes an object placed in a three dimensional game space to be displayed on the display based on a virtual camera provided in the game space, wherein the game program is further configured, when executed, to at least:

change a setting value for the camera, the value being indicative of a position and a gazing point of the virtual camera;

generate a game image to be displayed on the display device by drawing the object based on the virtual camera;

detect coordinates indicative of a position pointed to on the display device;

determine whether, on a screen of the display device, an operation target object corresponding to the coordinates is displayed based on the detected coordinates;

fix, when the operation target object is determined as being displayed at a position, on a screen of the display device, corresponding to the coordinates while the setting value for the camera is changing, the position and the gazing point of the virtual camera at least until the detection for the coordinates stops, such that the object placed in the three dimensional game space is movable within the three dimensional game space and an orientation of the three dimensional game space is fixed during fixing;

sequentially calculate, when the coordinates are changed, in a state where the setting value for the camera is fixed, three dimensional coordinates, in the game space, corresponding to the changed coordinates, and accepting the outcome as designation coordinates designated by a player; and

update a position of the operation target object in the game space in accordance with a change in the sequentially calculated designation coordinates.

26. An apparatus comprising a display and at least one processor configured to execute a game program that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes an object placed in a three dimensional game space to be displayed on the display based on a virtual camera provided in the game space, wherein the game program is further configured, when executed, to at least:

change a setting value for the camera, the value being indicative of a position and a gazing point of the virtual camera;

generate a game image to be displayed on the display device by drawing the object based on the virtual camera;

detect coordinates indicative of a position pointed to on the display device;

determine whether, on a screen of the display device, an operation target object corresponding to the coordinates is displayed based on the detected coordinates;

fix, when the operation target object is determined as being displayed at a position, on a screen of the display device, corresponding to the coordinates while the setting value for the camera is changing, the position and the gazing point of the virtual camera at least until the detection for the coordinates stops, such that the object placed in the three dimensional game space is movable within the three dimensional game space and an orientation of the three dimensional game space is fixed during fixing;

sequentially calculate, when the coordinates are changed, in a state where the setting value for the camera is fixed, three dimensional coordinates, in the game space, corresponding to the changed coordinates, and accepting the outcome as designation coordinates designated by a player; and

update a position of the operation target object in the game space in accordance with a change in the sequentially calculated designation coordinates.